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beg leave to offer my humble sentiments and opinion on the serious consequences resulting from any innovation or lay interference in the election of Roman catholic prelates to the vacant sees the transactions in Rome I submit to a more competent tribunal for investigation.

tion was confirmed by the metropolitan
and suffragans of the province, in which
such election took place. Any other
mode of election, except by dean and
chapter, was considered to be attended
with unpleasant consequences. If it
should happen by lay interference, that
the names of most respectable clergy-
men, proposed as candidates to the
vacant sees, should be liable to be ex-
punged and blotted out, and such can-
didates suspected of disloyalty and dis-
affection, what painful sensations
would not this meesure produce in the
minds of honest, conscientious men!
It would be like a two-edged sword,
which would not only deprive such can-
didate of the right of election, but also
stigmatize and degenerate his charac-

any dignified situation, at the same
time, make void and ineffectual any
election of the clergymen to the vacant
sees; this would effectually (to use a
French expression) put them
"hors
de combat."

"I should have probably remained silent on this awful subject, had not I considered that my silence may be construed into a tacit consent to the measure. My sentiments and humble opinion are too well known to my venerated brethren to admit of the slightest suspicion of any dereliction of my sacred duty on this important occasion. It may be properly asked, Why all this alarm and anxiety on the part of the catholic board? Surely they are notter, and render him disqualified for competent judges, nor authorised to discuss ecclesiastical or spiritual affairs. No, certainly nor do they pretend to it, or arrogate to themselves any such power, in my humble opinion. They have humbly submitted this investiga tion to their prelates and clergy (for whom they express the most profound veneration and respect,) without any dictation whatever, requesting them to consult, as soon as possibly convenient, the eternal interests of the flocks intrusted to their care, and leaving the result to their paternal advice and decision. I must say, that I am not influenced or actuated, in the smallest degree, by any advice, counsel, or supposed dictation, emanating from the catholic board, or by any expression which may be supposed to cause intimidation or compulsion, and flatter my-lified to fill so important a situation, and self these are the sentiments of the venerated Roman catholic prelates of Ireland; at the same time, I am of opinion, that they have justly merited the grateful thanks of the catholics of Ireland, for their unwearied vigilance and unremitting attention.

"I beg leave with all humility, and as briefly as possible, to make some passing remarks on the danger of innovation or lay interference in the election of Roman catholic prelates. It has been the practice from time immemorial, on the respective sees becoming vacant, for the Roman catholic clergy of such see to propose three of their own body, one of whoin was generally elected by a majority of voices, which elec

"To prevent the unpleasant consequences that may arise from innova tion, to remove any stigma or foul suspicion that may be entertained of the Roman catholic clergy, and at the same time to give most ample security to the legislature, I am humbly of opinion that domestic nomination by dean and chapter, would answer all the purposes required. Let such dean and chapter be called on to declare solemnly, that they will not elect any clergyman to the vacant see, but a person of tried and unshaken loyalty and properly qua

I have still some hope that a concordat could be obtained from his holiness, confirming such election; besides this manner of election seems most congenial to the constitution and laws of the British empire. Certainly the most important cases of life, property, honour, character, and whatever is most dear to man, are left to the breast of twelve honest men, conscientiously and solemnly declaring their opinion, This mode of procedure would be a convincing proof of the confidence of government in the Roman catholic clergy and laity; a confidence, I may easily assert, they never would betray. As the humble administrator of the spiritual concerns of the respectable clergy and

ship gave ordination to a candidate for holy orders from St. Edmund's college.-Although the event was not previously announced to the public, yet the news soon

found its way into several quarters of the town, and several protestants were distinguished among the spectators of this solemn scene, and all were struck with admiration and respect at the truly edifying deportment of the newly-ordained, in his | awful situation.

laity of the ancient and loyal city of Limerick and its diocese, I cannot pass by in silence the noble, heroic, and generous conduct of our ancestors, at the memorable siege of that city; after a long and arduous struggle, which cost many valuable lives, after privations and sufferings perhaps unparalleled in the page of history, they never consented to a capitulation, until by the wellknown articles of Limerick, they secur- LITERARY NOTICE. - We are ed to themselves and their posterity the happy to hear that the work lately anfull and free exercise of their national nounced from the pen of the reverend Mr. religion in its full extent, without con- MARTYN is likely to be soon forthcoming. trol or interference. Since that period The principle design of this work (HOMI the mode of appointing to the Roman LIES ON THE BOOK OF TOBIAS) is to catholic sees has been conducted animate and encourage christians to the peace. ably and canonically, and never attend practice of virtue, by unfolding to them the bright and amiable pattern of perfection, ed with disagreeable consequences. If which the sacred historian sets before us in any expression may have fallen from the life and character of that eminent serme, supposed to cause any irritation, I vant of God, Tobias. To all christians, disclaim any such intention, as my fee- but especially to such as are engaged, or ble efforts shall be always directed and intend to engage, in the married state, this employed for conciliation, peace, and portion of holy scripture presents a noble harmony. As an humble prelate of the example of fidelity in the discharge of those duties and obligations, on which Roman catholic church of Ireland, it is my imperative duty to endeavour to pre-make christians acquainted with those ob their salvation principally depends. . To serve, by every legal, canonical, and ligations, and encourage them to the fulfilpeaceable means, the unity, sanctity, ment of them, is the design of the "Homis catholicity, and apostolical doctrine lies, or Familiar Instructions," which were and discipline of the Roman catholic at first delivered by the reverend author for church; as a member of society, I hope the spiritual improvement of his own flock, I shall always live in the true spirit of and which, in compliance with the wishes christian charity with all mankind, of some of his most respected friends, he is (without any religious distinction) and, now preparing to present to the public, as a subject of the British empire, I in the hope that the perusal of them will tend to their advancement in the path of ardently wish and fervently pray for its virtue and salvation. permanent happiness, prosperity, and iranquillity. f am, with esteem and regard, your faithful humble servant,

"CHAS, TUOHY, R. C. B. Limerick."

On Tuesday, the 5th instant, the right rev. doctor Poynter, accompanied by a respectable body of his clergy, and supported by lords Fingal and Clifford, laid the foundation of the new catholic chapel now erecting in Moorfields. The window's of the houses which overlooked the era of the inclosure were crowded with spectators. On the western side a marquee was pitched, in which the committee of management provided a collation for a select number of their friends.

On the 17th instant, the venerable vicar apostolic of London celebrated high mass at the chapel of Saint George's fields, assisted by the reverend Mr. Branston, the reverend Messrs. M'Donnell, and the reveread Mr. Kimbell; after which his lord

DEATH OF THE REV. DANIEL JENNINGS. With feelings of the most poignant nature, we copy from the Newry Commercial Telegraph,thefollowing account of the premature demise of one of the most rising ornaments of the catholic church:→

the prevalent distemper with which Provi

"We have to record another victim to

dence has been pleased to visit us. The views of man are short and imperfect; he sees but a part of the system in which he is doomed to act and to suffer; and it is his duty to acquiesce and to adore. In the mid career of an active and most useful exercise of the highest duties, the Rev. Daniel Jennings, Roman catholic pastor ef Moira, has paid the great debt of mortali ty. He died in the course of Wednesday

drew Jennings, of this town, merchant. night, at the house of his father, Mr. AnWe lament over his early grave, and deplore the loss of his virtues, his - talents, and his useful energies. Mr. Jennings was an honour to his sacred profession, the

duties of which he discharged with a zeal tempered by the mild spirit of its institutions. He was conversant in ancient and modern polemics, and took a distinguished part in some recent discussions. He sought also to assuage the angry feelings of party; but in all he wrote or spoke, the gentle spirit of christianity was the leading characteristic: there was no bitterness in his heart, and there flowed none from his pen. Appointed to the care of a poor congrega tion, which he found, to the disgrace of the country, without an edifice for the protection of public worship, his indefatigable exertions procured the means of erecting a chapel for his people, which remains at once a monument of his taste and piety. The Roman catholic clergy have lost in Mr. Jennings one of the most distinguished of their order in this province. Religion and virtue have lost an able and efficacious supporter, his flock a father, and a friend. In the remembrance of his worth, his sorrowing family and friends will find an acceptable and soothing consulation."

To the truth of this eulogy, and more than this, a personal acquaintance with this amiable young man, during his temporary residence in London, enables the edi tor to bear testimony, in which he is confident of being supported by all who enjoyed the same pleasure in this country.The ways of Mr. Jennings were not those of idleness, his active mind was ever on the alert, and the time not required to promote the interests of his chapel, in which he was very successful, and which was the cause of his visit to the metropolis of England, was devoted to the advancement of religion, and the welfare of his country and countrymen.-With this view he exerted his able pen in defence of the doctrines of his church, under the signature of "A Parish Priest," in the Orthodox Journal for March and August, 1816, and exposed the evils which the Orange societies inflict on his ill-governed country, in the same work for April and June in that year, under the name of "Hibernus." -Nor were his exertions confined solely to the exercise of his pen; he sought and obtained interviews with some of the most eminent members of the senate, but in particular with the late earl Stanhope, who honoured him with his confidence, to all of whom he explained the grievances under which Ireland laboured, especially from the system of Orangeism, and solicited their interest in her behalf.-The Bloomsbury committee being busily employed at this time in de-catholicizing the offspring of those unfortunate and impoverished Irish parents who reside in the neighbourhood of St. Giles's, by enticing them to a methodist school, which they had denominated a

catholic one, but from which they expressi excluded all catholic instruction, Mr. Jennings soon felt the necessity of a determined opposition to this hypocritical plan, and proffered his services to assist in warning his poor countrymen against the disgraceful delusion attempted to be practised on them, and the dangers to which their children were thereby exposed. On this occasion he delivered a very excellent discourse from the pulpit in St. Patrick's chapel, at the conclusion of which he adadressed his fellow-countrymen in their native language, and the impression which he made upon them in this appeal was easily perceived even by those who did not understand the language, in the countenances of those who did, many of whose eyes were moistened with tears. Following up his laudable views and endeavours, he undertook a personal canvass of the purlieus of St. Giles's, in which he was accompanied by a young and zealous lay friend, and with persevering industry visit ed every house, and every room, from the damp and smoky cellar to the more miserable attic, cautioning the wretched inhabitants, in language the most engaging and soothing, against the dangers of suffering their forlorn little ones to be brought up without the knowledge of the religion of their forefathers, which would be the inevitable case, if they permitted them to go to seminaries only pretending to be catholic, and earnestly urged them to send their. children to saint Patrick's, or other schools, which were under the inspection of the pastors of their faith. In this arduous task Mr. J. had the pleasing satisfaction of witnessing the ardent attachment of his countrymen to the religion of their native soil, and in a short time nearly the whole of the catholic children inveigled into the delusive establishments were with. drawn, and admitted into St. Patrick's and other authentic institutions for cathoJic education. Such were a part of the meritorious labours of Mr. J. in this country, entered into from the best of motives, and executed with singular delicacy. Gifted with a sweet simplicity of manners, a mild and beneficent heart, a thirst after useful knowledge, and, above all, au unbounded zeal in performing the duties of his sacred profession, his country has sustained a loss which she is not able to appre ciate, and his friends would be inconsolable, were they not cheered with the pleasing hope of the welcome he has received from his Divine Master, on giving io his reckoning,- "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

W. E. Andrews, Printer, Garlick Hill, Bow Lane, London.

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NEGLECTED STATE OF THE CATHOLIC PRESS.

efforts have they used to check the misrepresentations and falsehoods Tis now more than three months daily issued against us from the

Isince we self tamed board called

a

upon us catholics to advance third subscription to enable them to pay their debts, and carry on their system of duplicity and intrigue, at the same time requesting their secretary to inform us, that at no period, within their recollection, was the press more actively employed in diffusing libels, and propagating misstatements on the character and principles of catholics; and that there never was a time which called for the exertions of all catholics, from the highest to the lowest, more than the present." Whether the call for money has been answered to their satisfaction, I cannot say; but from the knowledge I have of the sentiments of the public towards them, I should imagine that it has not; and that the body at large are determined to defer any aid in furtherance of their measures, until they have had some clear and demonstrative proof that a change has taken place in their line of conduct, and that instead of pursuing an isolated plan of operations, they, in future, mean to unite their efforts with the general body, and combine in one solid phalanx to obtain their constituciona privileges, without a sacrifice of their religious principles. But, what advances have they made towards this desirable end? What ORTHOD, JOUR. Vol. V.

press?

What activity have they evinced to oppose the zeal of their bigotted and malignant opponents? On the contrary, have they not endeavoured to silence, by unjust means, those who have dared to advocate our cause with the plain and ungarnished words of truth, and instead of promoting the circulation of works calculated to undeceive the ignorant, and shame the deluded, exerted themselves to prevent their sale,under the more than foolish idea, that by hurting the feelings of those who are interested in opposing our claims, we retard the final accomplishment of our wishes.-What client, let me ask, ever requested the advocate who had undertaken to vindicate his cause, to be careful not to use language that would expose the infamy of his persecutors, lest it should hurt their feelings; or blamed him for successfully defending his interests, although the tenor of his discourse may have stung his opponents to the quick, by the strong and indignant remarks of which it was composed? Lord Donoughmore, that inflexible and uncompromising advocate of our claims, in a letter to the chairman of the late Cork aggregate meeting, says, "It was the fate of the Roman catholic petitioners, during the last session, to be assailed with greater violence

2 U

traction, of the most invidious nature, have been circulated as pamphlets with zealous avidity, and that containing the Irish secretary's harangue is said to have gone through three editions. Yet, with all this activity on the part of bigotry, to per

and acrimony in one of the houses of parliament, and, defended, perhaps, with less vigour and effect than on any former occasion. Under such cireumstances, (continues his lordship) I thought it was no time for unimpressive general statements, but that it was necessary that misrepresenta-petuate the system of religious intotion should be grappled with, and that their religion and the character of its ministers should stand erect in that house, at least, of which I am a member." In fulfilling his intentions, the noble earl expressed in strong and becoming language, his indignation at the calumniating and inflammatory measures adopted by our enemies to prejudice the public mind against the justice of our claims, and with glowing eloquence shielded our principles and the character of our clergy, from the libellous aspersions which a bigotted and lying press had sent forth against them. In this he was most powerfully supported by the amiable and trulyvenerable bishop of Norwich, who bore testimony to the self-devoted zeal and labours of the Irish catholic priesthood. in administering spiritual consolation and advice to their respective flocks; and the loyalty of the whole body was unanswerably vindicated by the forcible reasoning of the earl of Harrowby. And why were not the efforts of these valuable and patriotic advocates of our rights rendered more efficacious, by putting them in the form of a pamphlet, and giving them a general circulation throughout the kingdom? Would not a few pounds expended in this way have caused more benefit to us, in the contest we are engaged in, than employing them in bribing corrupt courtiers, whether in London or at Rome?-Our opponents have not acted thus. The speeches of Foster, Peel, Webber, and the bishop of Ossory, all of them teeming with misrepresentation, slander, and de

lerance and mancipation, not a single endeavour has been made on the side of the board to counteract the venom which has been spread among the credulous and deluded people of this country; but, contrariwise, I have been credibly informed, that some of the leading members have been using their private influence to injure the sale of my work, which has been devoted to the vindication of the cause of religious truth and constitutional freedom. If the manner in which I have performed my labours be displeasing to them, I cannot help it; I seek not their patronage, nor covet their support; to the public my monthly toils are submitted, and on their approval must they stand or fall. That the general feeling of our body is on my side, the fact of my having maintain ed the cause for more than four years, in spite of the secret attempts (so unworthy the catholic character) which have been used to crush my efforts, by injuring the sale not only of this work, but of all others which are issued from my press, though of a purely religious and approved kind, is a sufficient testimony; and I only lament that individuals are to be found who degrade themselves by stooping to such uncharitable and illiberal practices, instead of manfully and openly exposing my offences, and holding me up to the bar of public opinion.But, if the effusions of my pen are of so mischievous and dangerous a nature, why do not they employ others to hinder the evil effects, and combat our enemies with greater skill and more lady-like language than I

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