under the late viceroy, has rendered it insolently hopeful; that it possesses all the ungovernable passions and intractable obstinacy of a servile body; that even its leaders, if they unwittingly urge it beyond a certain point, cannot have the power to check its advance; that, through its priesthood, it is intimately connected with foreign and unfriendly powers; that this priesthood have avowed their expectations of a speedy downfall to the faith which we love, and the institutions which we revere; that, all over the world, the Papacy is assuming a new and more daring attitude, and defying the displeasure of sovereigns in their own dominions; that its sole object professedly is the elevation of the Pope to supreme and universal command; and that, finally, the subject of the present paper shows that they scruple at no means by which this end may be attained. If, by embroiling the government with Chartism in England, which, he tells us, will not cease with the affray at Newport, O'Connell could procure the withdrawal of the entire British army from Ireland, what is to prevent that body, through which a signal could run, as it has already, (in 1832,) from one end of the island to the other, in three days, from rising en masse, and exterminating the Protestant population (according to their sworn object) before a single soldier could march to their relief? What is to prevent the only perfectly united party in the state, in the moment of confusion aud dismay, from seizing the reigns of government and lording it over their conquered foes, or from wresting new concessions from a terrified nation, by a preconcerted suppression of the outbreak ? One remarkable sign of the times should not be overlooked-the sudden sobriety of the Irish people under the influence of Father Matthew. Before the rebellion of 1798, there were no Temperance Societies to pass the matter off with a plausible name, but the fact was the same, the people suddenly became sober all over the country. And, now, we may be called alarmists, and what not; but it is our duty to warn the people, and we must discharge it. Pray God that our affectionate, and, we fear, too well grounded admonitions may have the desired effect, and, by putting the English nation fully on their guard against their dangerous neighbours, avert from our Irish brethren, and save the page of history, another MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW ! E. THE reason given by Eustatius, in his notes to the Iliad, for the use of salt as an emblem of peace and friendship, is at least beautiful, if it is not true. As salt, composed of many drops of water, fluid and unsteady, becomes one solid body, so they who, from distant places, join in friendship, unite in place and friendly disposition! Let us carry this image farther, and render it more perfect as the drops which compose the solid body are fluid and unsteady, so individuals, in themselves weak and wavering, united in friendship, compose a body at once firm, durable, and imposing. S. B. DIOCESAN CHURCH SOCIETIES. In the Number for November, 1837, of the first Series of this Magazine, · we recommended an annual collection and sermons to be preached in the Episcopal Chapels in Scotland, for the purpose of augmenting the livings of the clergy there. The following is what we said then, and as it has not been seen by most of our present readers, we beg leave to quote it here. We were then recording the munificent gift of six hundred pounds from an English clergyman towards the erection of a new Episcopal Chapel in Inverness : "This is a liberality which it is not in every one's power to imitate; still, with a willing mind, something might be done. It will be recollected that it puts nothing into the clergyman's pocket; it is literally given to God. Let the example of his gracious acceptance of the widows two mites stimulate to a similar cheerful gift. And, while we are on this subject, we may mention that it has often occurred to us that an annual collection throughout every chapel in the kingdom might be worthy of the attention of our venerable governors. They are now as much entitled as Timothy was to charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give and glad to distribute.' As St. Paul advised to lay up, something on the first day of the week according to prosperity, might not the first Sunday of every new year be devoted to that purpose? Let each congregation give according to their ability, and let the whole be remitted to a lay treasurer under the inspection of the bishops. Then this fund could be available for church building, church repairs; and, when there is no demand of this sort upon it, let a part of it be applied to ekeing out the scanty incomes of the clergy. Let us emulate the liberal spirit of the American Episcopalians, and of our brethren according to the flesh, the sectaries at home. Were there an available fund, there would not be so many chapels lacking as there are; and this fund is only to be collected in the way we have here presumed to point out. A single collection at the two principal chapels in Edinburgh would be alone sufficient to rebuild the Portsoy Chapel. We reckon there are at least 100,000 Episcopalians in Scotland, and were each to give but one shilling on the annual collection day, a sum of 5000%. might be annually raised. This might soon pay off the debts on the chapels already built, and which are impoverishing their respective clergymen for the payment of the interest of borrowed money; and build a chapel wherever it is wanted. These annual collections need not prevent the liberal gifts or bequests of those who are so disposed. But collections have this advantage, that every one has an opportunity of contributing something, no matter though it be only two mites, which make a farthing, whereas many men are ashamed to subscribe on paper, what they can afford to give; especially as the humble sum of one may stand next to a larger sum given by a more wealthy or ostentatious subscriber. Besides, it is impossible for the most expert extractor of benevolence to canvass every individual able and willing to give. This is a church-going country, and no one would pass by on the other side without giving something. Let it be tried for one year, and we venture to predict that the collection will be so liberal as to establish the custom in all time coming. We presume only to suggest this, or something similar, to our venerable Fathers in Christ. But simply thinking about it, and wishing it could be accomplished, wont do. Nothing can be easier than to issue a circular mandate to their clergy, who will explain, recommend, and enforce this duty upon their congregations. Let there be no fear of the laity; as one of them we can say, they are ready and willing when opportunities occur. Let our governors make the trial, and the response will convince them of the zeal and affection of the laity. We humbly, but most earnestly, beg episcopal attention to this scheme now suggested, and then all obstacles to church extension will be for ever removed." The above recommendation was approved by several clergymen there, and it has since been made the subject of a particular canon, enacted in the national synod or council of that Church, held in August, 1838. It has thus become a national ecclesiastical act, bearing the authority of the whole of that particular branch of the Church Catholic, the fortieth canon of which is enacted" for establishing and maintaining a society in aid of the Church." "For this purpose a society called the Scottish Episcopal Church Society, shall be formed; the object of which shall be1st, to provide a fund for aged or infirm clergymen, or salaries for their assistants, and general aid for congregations struggling with pecuniary difficulties; 2nd, to assist candidates for the ministry, in completing their theological studies; 3rd, to provide episcopal school-masters, books and tracts for the poor; 4th, to assist in the formation and enlargement of diocesan libraries.' The different circumstances of the Church of England require that such a society should be confined to fewer objects than those contemplated in either the foregoing recommendation or canon; and, as the attempt has worked so well in Scotland, there is no doubt but that it would work equally well in England and Ireland. The first collection, with some private contributions, in Scotland, where there are only eighty-three chapels, and in most of them the congregations are very poor, amounted to nearly the sum which we ventured to predict, at a peradventure, in 1837. In consequence of the liberality of the laity, the treasurer was last year enabled to augment the livings of thirty-two clergymen to the amount of 80%., besides leaving 3000l. in the Treasurer's hands. That our readers may be able to judge of the benefit conferred on the clergy of the Church of Scotland by that Society, of which the primus of that Church is the president, and all the bishops, with seven laymen, are the vice-presidents, we make the following extract from the Society's circular, signed by the Rev. E. B. Ramsay, minister of St. John's chapel, their indefatigable Secretary. "This Society having been constituted in Edinburgh, at a public meeting, Dec. 4, 1838, the Right Rev. The Primus in the Chair, the General Committee are desirous of laying before the friends of the Church a short statement of some of the causes which have led to its formation, and of the objects which it is intended to accomplish. "Those who judge of episcopacy in Scotland from what they observe in the large towns will form a most incorrect estimate of its condition in some of the country districts. In fact, the Scottish Episcopal Church has, in different parts, for many years, been suffering under the pressure of extreme poverty. It is proposed that, by the first anniversary of the Society, a more particular detail of the extent and circumstances of this poverty shall be laid before the public; it may be sufficient, at present, to state, in a few cases, the revenues derived by Clergymen from their congregations. In one instance (and that by no means insignificant, as to the number of the congregation), the clergyman has no certainty of any income at all; in another instance, the clergyman has the promise of 107. annually; in another, the same; in another, 151. One clergyman has from two congregations 30%.; another has from two congregations 201. In one instance, the clergyman gave in his congregational income at 21.; in another, at 127.; in another, at 67.; and in another instance, the clergyman's whole income, after paying the interest of debt and fixed portion of the principal (all of which devolved upon him), did not exceed 71. It will not be questioned that persons ministering in such congregations, and to those strongly attached to their own modes of faith and worship, have an urgent claim upon their brethren in the Church for some additional means to support the decencies and necessary influence of their profession. When, from sickness or old age, the incumbent requires an assistant, some more permanent and efficient funds are especially needful: for such an arrangement many most respectable congregations are scarcely able to make a decent provision; some find it quite impossible. "In the northern counties, where Episcopalians are numerous, the people are extremely poor, and of late years have experienced such difficulties in procuring the necessaries of life that they cannot be supposed to have much to spare for ecclesias tical purposes. This poverty is the more to be deplored, inasmuch as it has been found that so many excellent and highly respectable young men have been studying for the ministry, as to give promise of a rising generation of useful, intelligent, and devoted labourers in the Lord's vineyard. Their means for education, for procuring books, and for subsisting, before being placed in charges, are sadly limited, and their ultimate prospects sufficiently discouraging. In many parts of the country, also, the poor Episcopalian families have little means of educating their children according to the principles of their own faith; and hence the difficulty of providing schoolmasters, of furnishing Bibles, Prayer-Books (Gaelic and English), books for Education, Tracts, &c., has been severely felt by the clergy of these districts. From these, and other similar considerations, the friends of the Church have frequently turned their attention to supplying some remedy for these deficiencies. The "Scottish Episcopal Fund," was raised, in 1806, for the benefit of the Church; but it is to be remembered that this Fund is, by its constitution, as well as means, precluded from giving aid in such cases as retired Clergymen, Students in Divinity, Repairs of Chapels, Schools, Books, &c. In their Report of 1830, the Trustees make this observation :-" At present there are many of the Episcopal Clergy in Scotland whose situation certainly demands some permanent assistance, but whose claims, however necessitous, the Trustees have been obliged, from want of funds, to reject altogether; and hitherto they have not been able, in any instance, even of the most urgent necessity, to raise their annual allowances to any inferior clergyman higher than the pittance of 157.” In 1832 the "Gaelic Episcopal Society" was insituted for the purpose of supplying some of these necessities. A committee was formed in London, which received the support of the Bishops of London, Winchester, Chester, Oxford, Lincoln, and of the late Bishops of Ely and of Litchfield and Coventry, and of other distinguished Members of the Church. Its operation, however, was too limited, and it has now merged into "THE SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOCIETY," -an Association which has been constituted under the sanction and authority of the whole Church, and which, it is earnestly hoped, will meet with the support and sympathy of every congregation, and of every individual, throughout the Church. Its objects are thus stated in the fourth rule of the society :-"1. To provide a fund for aged or infirm, clergymen, or salaries for their assistants, and general aid for congregations strug gling with pecuniary difficulties. 2. To assist candidates for the ministry in completing their theological studies. 3. To provide Episcopal schoolmasters, books, and tracts, for the poor. 4. To assist in the formation or enlargement of Diocesan Libraries." And by Rule IX. it is provided:-" That no application for aid shall be entertained by the general committee unless recommended by the Diocesan Committee, and sanctioned by the Bishop of the Diocess from whence it comes." E. B. RAMSAY, Secretary, When it is notorious that there are so many poor vicarages in England, where the tithes are impropriated, a society such as we now propose would be of incalculable service. It might in the course of the current year gladden the hearts of thousands of the clergy who are oppressed with poverty, and in the end entirely remove the reproach of pluralities from the Church. It would be the means of extending the Church and the benefits of Christian education, by the multiplication of resident clergymen, and the benefit of additional curates. Parishes which are now served by curates, who are removable at the will of the incumbents, would in a short time have a resident incumbent within their own borders. Churches might be erected in populous places, and parsonage-houses, where there are none at present; and that population which has been created by manufactories, mines, canals, and other works would have the benefit of churches, and resident clergymen, where at present there are neither. We fear it is in vain that we shall look for a restitution of the impropriated tithes; and, therefore, the plan which we now propose might be VOL. II. L. substituted pro tempore in place of that most desirable object. To show the destitution of the Church of England-that most glorious Witness of the truth-we will quote from a most excellent little tract which we formerly noticed: 1 "This deficiency is apparent in two respects: first, in the want of additional churches; and, secondly, in the insufficient emoluments of a large proportion of those now existing. It may be useful to furnish a few statistics on each of these heads. "1. In London and its suburbs, including the parishes on either side of the Thames, there are four parishes or districts, each having a population exceeding 20,000, and containing an aggregate of 166,000 persons, with church-room for 8,200 (not quite one-twentieth of the whole), and only eleven clergymen. There are 21 others, the aggregate population of which is 739,000, while the church-room is for 66,155 (not one-tenth of the whole), and only 45 clergymen. There are nine others, with an aggregate population of 232,000, and church-room for 27,327 (not one-eighth of the whole), and only 19 clergymen. In the diocess of York there are twenty parishes or districts, each with a population exceeding 10,000, and with an aggregate of 402,000, while the church accommodation is for 48,000, the proportions varying from one-sixth to one-thirtieth. In the diocess of Chester, there are 38 parishes or districts in Lancashire, cach with a population exceeding 10,000, containing an aggre gate of 816,000 souls, with church-room for 97,700, or about one-eighth. In the diocess of Lichfield and Coventry, there are 16 parishes or districts, each having a population above 10,000, the aggregate being 235,000, with church-room for about 29,100, the proportions varying from one-sixth to one-fourteenth.' 2 "2. With regard to the poverty of existing benefices, it appears, from the same authority, that nearly one-half of the whole number in England and Wales would require augmentation to bring them up to 2007. per annum. That there are, under 100l. per annum, 1926 benefices, and 3528 under 1507. per annum. Of the benefices under 150%. per annum, 13 contain each a population of more than 10,000; 51 a population of from 5000 to 10,000; 251 a population of between 2000 and 5000; and 1125 have each a population of between 500 and 2000. That out of the 10,487 benefices from which returns have been received, there are 2876 which have no glebe-house, and 1728 which have none fit for residence. It is calculated that, in order to meet these two classes of wants in a way any thing like effectual, an income of 500,0007. per annum would be required. "Frightful, too, as are these evils, they are still absolutely on the increase. By the last Report of the Church Building Society, it appears that 30,000 additional sittings had been provided during the previous year. Now, as the average annual increase of the population is calculated at 200,000, there would have been required more than double this number to keep pace with that increase, even though nothing were done to overtake the amount of existing destitution; while to the churches that are built, the endowment seldom exceeds 50%., or at most 60l. a year. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that many persons have proposed measures of a remedial character; nor yet that these measures have been confessedly unequal to the exigency of the case. But, in addition to the insufficiency of most of the remedies prescribed, they are also found to be of questionable honesty. A robbery is to be committed on one species of Church property that can ill spare it, for the benefit of another more needy member of the same family. Such is the character of the recommendations suggested by the Ecclesiastical Commission. But, in making out their balance-sheet of the pecuniary affairs of the Church, it has been strangely forgotten to inquire what sums are owing her, and which may be convertible into capital for meeting these demands upon her treasury. purpose to show, in the following pages, that there is a large sum available for this purpose; the restitution of which has been often demanded, as yet to no purpose, but which cannot be withheld any longer, without drawing upon the heads of the parties implicated a load of guilt which it is fearful to contemplate." 1 Restitution to the Church a Sacred Duty. Burns. |