presented itself to all attentive observers of passing events :

"The absorbing controversy of the age," he observes," will lie between the principles of the Reformation on the one side, and the principles of Romanism, whether openly avowed ánd embodied in the canons of the Council of Trent, or more dimly shadowed forth and expressed by the Tractarians at home.'

It is to prepare the minds of men for such controversy, that these Lectures have thus been published.

Having in the course of these Twelve Lectures dwelt upon

Tridentine and Tractarian Popery -its Principles and Progress;

Romish and Tractarian Claims and Pretensions;

The Apostolic Succession;
The Unity of the Church;
The Fathers;

The Nicene Creed;

The Rule of Faith-the Bible alone in opposition to Traditions and the Church;

The Invocation of Saints;
Transubstantiation;

;

The Sacrifice of the Mass Purgatory; and lastly, Protestant Christianity; and observed, p. 529, that many things lead us to anticipate not the best, but the worst for a season, he thus concludes:

"But though we sow in tears, we

shall reap in joy. Christ's cause cannot die. Omnipotence is its bulwark, immortality its destiny! The Redeemer shall reign from sun to sun, and from the rivers to the ends of the earth.' What man calls great must perish what God pronounces

true must endure.

mouth, and destroyed with the brightness of his coming. The time must come, I solemnly believe, when Babylon's judgments shall lighten upon her as in one day; when all the children of God shall conspire together in a holy and sublime crusade against this dismantler of the beautiful, this enslaver of the free, this corrupter of the holy! And when Babylon shall sink an accursed and doomed thing, like a millstone in the mighty waters, if any shall be so faithless and so sentimental as to sympathize with her in the hour of her dread judgment, those sympathies will not rest on her. They will recoil and rush to Smithfield, St. Bartholomew's, and the Sicilian Vespers; and, kindled there, they will return armed with vengeance, prepared to precipitate and triumph in the destruction of an apostasy which has been, wherever it has had the power, the persecutor of the saints, and the corrupter of the truths of the Most High! The slain that are below the altar utter forth their longings, Lord, how long? We rejoice that the efforts made by Tractarians to prop up a wretched system cannot ultimately succeed. We pray that these conspirators against Christ's cause may not be successful in destroying the Church of which they are ministers and members. Let us pray that the number of her faithful clergy may mightily increase; that truth may yet remain undimmed in the midst of that communion; and while Tractarians gather together the hulls and shells and sere leaves of an effête and accursed superstition, let the faithful ministers of Jesus bring forth in more glorious and visible relief and brilliancy, the great and precious truths of the Gospel-the virgin sands of the Rock of Ages-the living waters of the Fountain of God! Finally, let us pray that to us, each in his sphere, there may be given that spirit of faithfulness and love and a sound mind, which will enable us to count all but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.' And may the Church of Christ, in all its sections, approximate more and more, by the blessing of the Spirit of God, to that high and holy and spiritual

position, which will enable her to say, with ten thousand tongues, but with one heart, God forbid that we should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.'"

Auricular Confession and Popish Nunneries. By WILLIAM HOGAN, formerly Roman Catholic priest, and Author of "Popery as it was and as it is." Third Edition of 5,000 copies. With Notes. London: Arthur Hall and Co. (late Dyer and Co.), Paternoster-row. Liverpool: Edward Howell, Parklane. 1847. 8vo., pp. 210.

THIS work is avowedly written for the information and benefit of Americans, and lays before the reader some startling facts. It would be well for English as well as Americans to become acquainted with the queries put to female penitents in the Confessional. Mr. Hogan does not profess to do more than to state the facts as they came before his own observation; and having been himself a priest, he writes with the fearful certainty of a man who FEELS that all he says is, alas! but too true. He illustrates the doctrine of blind obedience, as taught in the Romish Church, by the following singular practice in Ancient Rome :

:

a

"The ancient Romans were Epicures. Some say they were greater gluttons than those of the present day. Poultry of all kinds was favourite dish with them; and how to fatten fowls most expeditiously became a question of vital importance with the philosophers of the Eternal City. After several experiments, it was found that the best plan was to close up the eyes of geese, turkeys, ducks, and all other kinds of poultry, and, in that condition, cram and stuff them with food. This succeeded admirably. The fowls fattened in less than half the time."

Mr. Hogan explains how this process is carried on with regard to spiritual matters, by the Romish bishops and priests in the present day:

"Even American converts to Romanism are not to question the quality of the food, or spiritual in

structions, which Popish priests please to give them."

The circumstances connected with many of the facts mentioned by Mr. Hogan, are too gross to be generally put into the hands of the young; but let the heads of families read, be convinced, and beware of Romish treachery, and Romish immorality.

There is so much in this work worthy of attention that we could wish we had room for long extracts; but we cannot forbear giving Mr. Hogan's description of the way in which Romish Jesuit priests insinuate themselves into the confidence of Protestant families. "The impression has got amongst Protestants," he says, "that confessing sins to the priests is a good thing for the ignorant Irish. It keeps them honest.' This observation has been made to me by some of the amiable, benevolent, and charitable ladies and gentlemen in Boston and elsewhere, and I felt almost unwilling to remove so charitable a dream. Better late than never.' Let me do so now. Justice to Protestants, and even to the Roman Catholic labourers, and domestics themselves, requires this at my hands. When a Popish or Jesuit priest settles in a city or town, he looks about him and ascertains what the character, circumstances, politics, and religion of the different families are. If he discovers that any particular Protestant family is wealthy, entirely unacquainted with Popery, and liberally disposed, he takes a note of the fact, and determines, by some means, to form an acquaintance with the head of that family. This is sometimes not easily done. Of this Romish priests are aware, and act accordingly. When one of them desires an acquaintance with the head of a family, he unceremoniously calls upon him, hands him some money, more or less, according to circumstances, and without any explanation tells him it is his, and seems no way desirous of further conversation. The gentleman or lady who receives the money, of course detains the priest or Jesuit, and asks what he wishes him or her to do with this money, whether he deposited it for safe keeping, or whether he wished it paid over to some one.

....

The answer

of the Jesuit is, ، Sir, or Madam, the money is yours; I received it in the discharge of my duty as a priest;' and he departs. The gentleman

mentions the circumstance to his family, the merchant to his neighbouring merchants, &c., and all come to the conclusion, that the money has been received in the Confessional, that some poor Roman Catholic in their employment had stolen it, and that the priest in the Confessional had caused restitution to be made; that, after all, 'the Confessional kept the Catholic servants honest.' The husband tells his wife to throw no obstacles in the way of her domestics going to confession.

He calls upon the Jesuit priest; touches his hat for him should he meet him in the street; tells him he would be happy to see him at his house; and thus, by this tedious though sure process, does a Reverend Jesuit Priest gain his end." "Often have I done this while a Romish Priest."*

The facts testified to by Mr. Hogan are of a deeply important character. We seem therein to see the fruit of the seed sown at Maynooth and similar Institutions.

* With reference to the above work, the following note has been received:-"Two ladies, before whom the appalling contents of Auricular Confession and Popish Nunneries' have accidentally been laid, are most anxious to suggest, that the book in question be published at as low a price as possible, in order that it may be circulated widely in every direction, to put the public upon their guard, and in some measure acquaint them, from facts, with the subtleties of Jesuitism; as well as to open to their view the mystery of iniquity which prevails, both as а Church, and in the conduct of the priests of the Romish communion.

"The writer is stimulated to this address, from the circumstance of the brother of one lady, and the former friend, in the family connexion, of the other, having been drawn into membership with that body, which the latter has been taught to believe is the only pure and holy Church.'

6

"The nature of the details in the book, and the delicacy of mentioning

names, the writer feels will be a suf ficient apology for her anonymous communication.'

History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century. By J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE, D.D. Vols. I., II., III., and IV. Published by William Collins, Frederick-street, Glasgow, and Paternoster-row, London.

THESE four volumes are now published at a lower price than the first volume alone could originally have been purchased.

We rejoice to see these efforts made to rekindle by historic recollections the light of the Reformation, at a time when Romanists are vainly boasting it is expiring, and shortly to be extinguished for ever.

Tractarianism Tested by Holy Scripture and the Church of England. In a Series of Sermons, by HUGH STOWELL, M.A., Incumbent of Christ Church, Manchester, and Hon. Prebendary of Chester. Vol. II., pp. 308. London: Hatchard and Son.

THIS volume completes a series of fourteen sermons by Mr. Stowell on subjects of deep interest as connected with the controversy which some have raised by their unhappy efforts to assimilate our Reformed Church, in her doctrines and practices, with the unreformed Church of Rome, against which she protests. To those whose minds waver, but who are open to conviction, we recommend the studious and prayerful perusal of these

sermons.

INTELLIGENCE.

2.

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH ROME. At a Meeting of the Committee of the Protestant Association, held this day, at the office of the Association, 11, Exeter Hall, the following Resolutions were adopted on the subject of renewed diplomatic relations with Rome:-" Resolved, 1. That the Protestant Association has for years past endeavoured to bring under the notice of the Protestant population and Government of this country the designs of the Papacy; the principles which still animate that system theologically, morally, and politically, as embodied in the Decrees, Councils, and other authentic documents of that Church, and the writings of distinguished members of her communion. That Roman Catholics, having denied the designs and repudiated the principles imputed to their Church, many Protestants, blinded by such denials and bold assertions, have sympathized with Roman Catholics, and lent their aid to advance the interests of the Church of Rome. 3. That it now appears from the declarations of Roman Catholics, both in and out of Parliament, especially from the rescript of the Pope of Rome, and the Resolutions of the Romish Archbishops and Bishops in Dublin upon that and other subjects, that the object now sought after by the Papacy is nothing less than unlimited control over the affairs of this country. 4. That this Committee deem it important to hold a Meeting at an early period, with the view of arousing the public mind to the importance of resisting any measures for renewed diplomatic relations with Rome, and that arrangements be forthwith made accordingly." JAMES LORD.

Protestant Association,

11, Exeter Hall, Nov. 2, 1847. ROMANISTS AT BRISTOL.-During the past week, for the first time probably since the Reformation, two Roman Catholic missionaries (Jesuits, we believe), have preached three times daily to crowded congregations of all denominations, at the various Roman Catholic chapels in Bristol, devoting themselves, between the

hours of service, to the examination of the school children. It may fairly be presumed that the greater portion of these audiences went to indulge a natural but dangerous feeling of curiosity. The Roman Catholics assert, that between forty and fifty conversions have been the fruits of these missions. It is said that one of the Italian missionaries alluded to above, was the principal instrument in the conversion of the celebrated Mr. Newman.-Felix Farley.

:-

The Cologne Gazette of the 8th Nov. publishes the following letter, dated Lake of Constance, 3d Nov. :"The Austrian troops have assembled in such numbers on the frontiers of Switzerland that there are three battalions in the small town of Bregentz alone. These troops are, it is said, provided with all means of transport It is required for crossing rivers. believed, from these facts, that Austria will interfere, should circumstances demand the presence of those troops.'

The Zurich Gazette of the 6th Nov. announces, that on the 4th the troops of the canton of Uri had penetrated into the canton of Tessino, and that, in a skirmish of advanced posts near Airolo, two officers of Uri were killed.

General Dufour has addressed the following letter to the Diet :

"To His Excellency the President of the Diet.

"Excellent Sir,—I have the honour of announcing to you that the town of Friburg has this day opened its gates to the Federal troops by a capitulation, of which a copy is subjoined. I hope that you will be satisfied with it, since thus the alliance of the Sonderbund is broken, and that at the cost of some marching and a little time.

"This event will put us in a position to turn to the side of Lucerne, and already this evening four battalions are on their march to return to that side. Having but very little time at my disposal, I limit myself to these few particulars, and pray your Excellency to receive the assurance of my distinguished consideration. The Commander-in-Chief.

(Signed)

"P. H. DUFOUR."