of inflicting these penalties, in the previously revealed, and unwritten law of nature and nations; and now what remains, that law still continuing unabrogated and in force, but to apply the general principle to particular cases, according as they demand the attention of the magistrate, or as the peculiar exigences of the State require? Thus, if the Sabbath-breaker offends against the welfare of his country, and entails a temporal and spiritual loss on his fellow-creatures, why is he to be exempted from pains and penalties, any more than the thief, the manslayer, or the incendiary? He robs the poor man of his Sabbathrest and privileges; he hastens the end, by taking away the needful repose and refreshment, of his dependents, who minister to his Sunday gains or pleasures, and thus, in too many instances, injures and destroys both body and soul at once; and he kindles a conflagration of vicious habits and practices, national immorality and profaneness, which tends more than any thing else to subvert a kingdom, and ruin its prosperity. The writer of this note can never forget the confession of a butcher, who was in the habit of selling meat on the Lord's-day, with whom he was remonstrating on the sinfulness and mischief of such a practice, but to no purpose; the man steadfastly asserting that, in the present state of the law, he was unable to withstand the competition of his rivals in trade, unless he continued to accommodate his customers as before; although, at the same time, he strongly desired an alteration in the law, and an increased strictness in enforcing its observance; and assured the writer, that a change was greatly needed: for, as he, with apparent earnestness and feeling, declared "I know, a want of rest is killing me," (he was in bad health at the time,) "it is injurious both to me and my lads, it is ruinous both to body and soul." This man afterwards signed a Petition to Parliament on the subject, in which bakers and inn-keepers, with other classes, joined; but their prayer has, alas! hitherto been unheeded by their natural guardians-the Government of the country.

Note E. Page 33.

Extract from an address delivered at Castlebar Assizes in March, 1838, by Baron Richards, on the conviction of a woman for murder.

"It grieves me to say, after you had left the place of prayer, and on your way from the house of God, and after you had appealed on your bended knees to his mercy, you imbrued your hands, under circumstances of much atrocity, in the blood of your fellow creature. A crowd of you set upon an unfortunate man, and with sticks and

stones battered his life out. I cannot but grieve over the depraved character of a people, who can be guilty of the many cases of this description which have come before me this assizes, and several of these homicides have occurred as the parties were returning from the mass-house. Without any thing like reproach, I do say that a heavy responsibility rests on those who met these people in the house of God. I mean the spiritual instructors of the people, whose duty it is to keep them from violence and murder, and I think that could be done by proper exertion and persuasion. Very many cases of murder, that have come before me, were committed on the return of those concerned from the house of God: and that murderous habit I cannot reconcile with the moral and religious instruction, that ought to be unceasingly impressed upon the people."

Note F. Page 38.

Extract from the Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on the subject of Church Extension, May 22, 1838.

"In the two great cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the melancholy fact has been established by the Commission, that, in both together, there are at least 100,000 of their inhabitants, of an age to attend public worship, and these almost exclusively of the poorest classes of society, who are living in total and habitual estrangement from the ordinances of the Gospel."

Note G. Page 46.

The argument, which in the Essay has been confined to the promotion of Religious Education, and the suppression of every thwarting and counteracting agency in Great Britain, may, with slight alteration, be extended to all the possessions, Foreign and Colonial, of the British Crown. No just reason can be given, on the principles of Christianity, why the same advantages should not be extended to Heathen and Popish countries, under our Government; but rather, on the contrary, there is a stronger obligation, in point of prudence and beneficial effect; as the present degraded state of this portion of our fellow-subjects, and the fact of their living under a strange form of religious worship, form both a strong claim upon our compassion, and a call to our wise precaution to unite them with us, if possible, by the lasting ties of a common Literature, Loyalty, and Creed. The impolicy and shocking inconsistency, to use no harsher term, of actually patronizing idolatrous and licentious superstitions, is too gross an insult to common sense and propriety, to allow of a moment's question, whether it should not be put down by Government, and abolished for ever.

Note H. Page 52.

Doctor Owen, in his Sermon before the Parliament, speaks thus: "Some think if you, the Parliament, were settled, you ought not as Rulers of the Nation to put forth your power for the interest of Christ. The good Lord keep your hearts from that apprehension. When once it comes to this, that you shall say, you have nothing to do with Religion, as Rulers of the Nation, God will quickly manifest that He has nothing to do with you, as Rulers of the Nation. It is incumbent on you to take care that the faith may be protected, preserved, and propagated to and amongst the people, over whom God hath set you.”

SECTION SECOND.

INORDINATE COMPETITION IN TRADE AND WORLDLY PURSUITS PRODUCTIVE OF CRUELTY TO

ANIMALS.

"Quid non mortalia pectora cogis, "Auri sacra fames."

VIRG. Æn. iii. 56.

The evil of inordinate Competition, endangering the security of Commerce, and the welfare of the State, and opposed to ReligionNow spreading almost universally by means of Joint Stock Companies-Some painful effects mentioned-Duty of Christians, more especially with respect to the Factory system, which is shewn to be very injurious to the Public Morals-Means suggested for its improvement-Rail-roads—their bad effect, in causing unwarrantable and cruel treatment of Animals-Instances of violence done to them in forcing them beyond their strength-Furious driving-Horses unfit for work through age or lameness-Need of some Officer to prevent such animals from being used-Rapid driving in the Metropolis, dangerous to the Public-Heavy loading-Other instances of cruelty particularized — Dog-carts-The Ass-Early manifestation of cruelty in mankind-its demoralizing tendencyReligion the only security for humanity-" The tender mercies of the wicked cruel" illustrated-" Righteous man regardeth the life of his beast"-Mercy to animals taught by the goodness of God-Illustration from Psalm 104th-The Law of Moses taught humanity to beasts-The consideration of a future judgment should have the same effect-The progress of cruelty-Locke's remarks on the subject-Hogarth-Domitian-Cruel sports-Racing against time-Steeple-chase-State of Adam in Paradise, and his " dominion" over the irrational creatures, contrasted with the present condition of the world, under the "fear and dread" of mankind-The prospect of a better state-Means to be used to accelerate its approach-Protec

tion mimals by law, especially in the enjoyment of a Sabbathrest-Legislators should interties crity on arrannt of hose classes who are red t-The Drovers of Smitadeld—that large cattle-market it prosent a mblie muisance, which ought to be removed—Eril of Sabbath-greaking Ilustrated by case of a Srotch dover navelling in England in the Lord's-tay-Hartening effect of sin-Criminality of loving much temptations to be offered — Sabbată observance, hongh possibly interfering with and checking inordinate Competition, vonld nor injure Trade-Need of a rational and nervifiul imitation the exertions exacted of taimais-Case of Futury Children atted as a parallel- und Bill for her benefit proposed is in exampleSome interference positively required by our own interest is veil is jy humane consuterations ProvidenSal judgments-Call a Betain-Humanity a eating feature of vir national character Gratitude Laimals-Plutarch→→ ernstum puseizes a he venter in little hings—his principle recommended u il lasses he community

Call the hindrances a National Religions Education, there are none more baneful to society, than those which arise from that inordinate love of wealth, which has spread Ike a canker, over the national character, and given a new impulse to every branch of trade, and every kind of adventurous speculation. The Political Economist may, perhaps, rejoice at this state of things, as indicative r national prosperity, and vigorous pursuit of the great object of his calculations-Guin But the Caristan Philanthropist must regard the question with other eyes than those of mere wuridiy men, and apply a diferent standard so direct his judgment on the subject, bedre he can give it is unqualified approval. The Word of God is the only safe and meng guide: and in its authority ve are fully warranted in pausing, before we accede sa a