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of Milton, or glowing in his feelings, or rapt and lyrical in his style, all his peculiarities, are annihilated before the unbending majesty of the word of God? What Hayley says, in commending the private virtues of Milton, " the splendour of the poet eclipses the merit of the man," may be applied with tenfold energy to his qualities as a theologian. He will be known, only and for ever, as the author of Paradise Lost, this recently discovered work notwithstanding. He has left all his Prose Works and this Treatise, at an ims measurable distance below the heights of his sublime song. Like Homer, and Virgil, he has embalmed, in the glorious honours of his verse, the very language in which he has written, with sure preservation, to all posterity. And this generation, and they of ages to come, shall let these tomes slumber in oblivion, while, enchanted, they listen to the rapt thoughts, uttered by the poet as with "a sevenfold chorus of hallelujahs and harping symphonies.*

The United States of America compared with some European countries, particularly England: in a Discourse delivered in Trinity Church, and in St. Paul's, and St. John's Chapels, in the city of New York, October, 1825. By JOHN HENRY HOBART, D. D., Rector of said Church and Chapels, Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York, and Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pulpit Eloquence in the General Theological Seminary.

We had some curiosity to contemplate England, and especially the Church of England, as exhibited by such a man as Bishop Hobart; from whose ardent attachment to Episcopacy, as well as from the very flattering attentions he received in that country, we expected a representation in some respects not exactly like what we find in this dis

Without entering into a minute comparison of his native land with the nations of the continent, which are less

capable of the comparison, the Bishop

remarks that even in England, " where nature has lavished some of her choicest bounties, art erected some of her noblest monuments, civil polity dispensed some of her choicest blessings, and religion opened her purest temples"even there, "his heart deeply cherished, and his observation and reflection have altogether sanctioned, lively and aifectionate preference, in almost every point of comparison, for his own dear native land, and for the Zion with which Providence has connected m."

The points on which the comparison is professedly instituted are the physical, literary, civil, and religious advantages of the countries brought into view. In respect to the first of these the comparison is very general. Our sky may be less serene and glowing,

and our breezes less cheering to the languid frame, than those of the most favoured regions of the south of Europe; yet even in this respect the comparison is less adverse to our claims than the Bishop had supposed. We have not exactly the scenery of the

Alps "with wild and snow-crowned

We

summits, sheltering within their precipitous and lofty ridges, valleys that beam with the liveliest verdure and bear the richest productions of the earth;" yet no country is richer in the sublime and beautiful than ours. have no castles, and ruins, and monasteries; nor is the traveller among us "astonished at the splendour that beams from the immense structures which wealth has erected for the gratification of private luxury or pride."

course.

* Reason of Church Government, &c.

"But he can see one feature of every

landscape here, one charm of American
scenery, which more than repays for the ab-
sence of these monuments of the power, and
the grandeur, and the wealth, and the taste of
the rich and the mighty of other lands-and
which no other land affords. The sloping
sides and summits of our hills and the ex-
tensive plains that stretch before our view,
are studded with the substantial and neat
and commodious dwellings of freemen-in-
dependent freemen, owners of the soil-men
who can proudly walk over their land and
hold it tributa-
exultingly say-It is mine;
ry to no one; it is mine. No landscape here
is alloyed by the painful consideration, that
the castle which towers in grandeur, was
erected by the hard labour of degraded vas-
sals; or that the magnificent structure which
rises in the spreading and embellished do-

1826.]

on the United States and England.

main, presents a painful contrast to the meaner habitations, and sometimes the miserable hovels that mark a dependent, always a dependent-alas, sometimes a wretched p. 11. peasantry."

The second point of comparison is disposed of in a single sentence, and we hasten with the Bishop to the third -the civil aspect of our country and of those with which it is contrasted. Every traveller through those nations on the continent which are subject to despotic governments, will be compelled to feel that "the labour and independence and happiness of the many are sacrificed to the ambition and power and luxury of the few."

"But even in England, next to our own, the freest of nations, it is impossible not to form a melancholy contrast between the power, and the splendour, and the wealth of those to whom the structure of society and the aristocratic nature of the governmnent assign peculiar privileges of rank and of political consequence, with the dependent and often abject condition of the lower orders; and not to draw the conclusion, that the one is the unavoidable result of the other." p. 16.

Advantages the Bishop thinks there may be in privileged orders, " as constituting an hereditary and permanent source of political knowledge and talent, and of refinement and elevation of character, of feeling, and of manners." Yet he remarks that those ad vantages which result from the hereditary elevation of one small class of society must produce a corresponding depression of the great mass of the community. Obsequiousness, servility, and dependence, are not congenial to those generous qualities which the Bishop attributes to the "high-minded noblemen and gentlemen of England." It is justly added, in a note, that 'dissipation and unbounded devotion to pleasure, the consequences of idleness and wealth, often contaminate the higher ranks, and produce corresponding effects upon the lower.'

There is no part of the comparison upon which the Bishop dwells so much at length, and with so much complacency, as upon that between the Episcopal Church in this country and the Church of England. We can quote only those passages which relate to the latter; and the picture which he draws is such as might be expected from an alliance between church and state, formed rather to promote the political views of the one and the secular ag

grandizement of the other, than with
an enlightened view to the purity of
that kingdom which its divine founder
has declared to be not of this world.

"Look at the most important relation which the Church can constitute, that which connects the pastor with his flock. In the Church of England, this connexion is absolute property. The livings are in the gift of individuals, of the government, or corporate bodies; and can be, and are, bought and sold like other property. Hence, like other property, they are used for the best interests of the holders, and are frequently made subservient to the secular views of individuals and families. And they present an excitement to enter into the holy ministry, with too great an admixture of worldly motives, and with a spirit often falling short of that pure and disinterested ardour which supremely aims at the promotion of God's glory and the salvation of mankind."

"The connexion thus constituted entirely independent of the choice or wishes of the congregation, is held entirely independent of them. And such are the gross and lamentable obstructions to the exercise of discipline, from the complicated provisions and forms of the ecclesiastical law, that common, and even serious clerical irregularities, are not noticed. In a case of recent notoriety, abandoned clerical profligacy could not be even tardily subjected to discipline, but at an immense pecuniary sacrifice on the part of the Bishop who attempted to do that to which his consecration vows solemnly bind him.

The mode of support by tythes, though perhaps, as part of the original tenure of property, not unreasonable nor oppressive, is still calculated to prevent, in many cases, cordial and affectionate intercourse between minister and people. Indeed, even where clerical duty is conscientiously discharged, the state of things does not invite that kind of intercourse subsisting among us, which

* The history of these "livings" is, we believe, substantially this. They originated, or rather the practice of appropriating them, originated with the monks, in very early

times. Wherever the income of a Church was more than sufficient for the necessities of the officiating priest, they obtained the benefice for their own fraternity, sometimes for money, and sometimes for masses, or otherwise; and having thus acquired the right of presentation, they deputed generally one of their own number to perform the services, allowing him a stipend, for his maintenance. In this way the monks became at length the appropriators of a large portion of the benefices in the kingdom. But at the dissolution of the monasteries and religious houses by Henry VIII. these benefices fell into the hands of that monarch; they were by him given to such individuals, or corporations as he pleased, and have continued to be a species of private property to the present time. A very great proportion of the benefices are however, either directly or indirectly in the gift of the government.-En.

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"Advance higher in the relations that subsist in the Church, to those which connect a Bishop with his diocese. The commission of the Bishop, his Episcopal authority, is conveyed to him by the Bishops who consecrate him. But the election of the person to be thus consecrated is nominally in the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral of the diocese; and theoretically in the King, who gives the Dean and Chapter permission to elect the person, and only the person, whom he names; and thus, in the actual operation of what is more an aristocratical than a monar

chical government, the Bishops are appointed by the Cabinet or the Prime Minister; and hence, with some most honourable exceptions, principally recent, the appointments have notoriously been directed with a view to parliamentary influence. Almost all the prelates that have filled the English sees, have owed their advancement not solely as it ought to have been, and as, in our system it must generally be, to their qualifications

for the office; but to a secular interest, extraneous from spiritual or ecclesiastical considerations.†

"Advance still higher-to the Church in her exalted legislative capacity, as the enactor of her own laws, and regulations, and canons. The Convocation, the legiti

Bishop H. does not object to dissenters participating in the civil government of England; but he asks, " what business have dissenters with legislating for a Church, from which they dissent, and to which they are conscientiously opposed? True; but why, also, are they made to support a church from which they thus dissent, and to which they are thus conscientiously opposed. The dissenters are supposed to constitute about one-fifth of the whole population, and they number among them many of the worthiest citizens of England. They have their own churches to erect, their own clergy to maintain; and yet, if we mistake not, they, equally with the children of the Establishment, are required to pay tithes for its support. Besides; so closely blended is the ecclesiastical with the civil polity of England, and so directly do many of the laws enacted for the regulation of the establishment bear upon the civil and social interests of the nation, that to prohibit dissenters from having a voice in these laws, would be to disqualify them from holding a seat in Parliament. Yet Bishop H. declares it to be a principle of his own Church, and one that is enforced and vindicated by its ablest champion, "the judicious Hooker," that "all orders of men affected by the laws should have a voice in making them." The objection lies, and, if we understand our author, is intended to lie, merely against the union of church and state: disjoin these and the evil complained of is removed.

"In the theory of the ecclesiastical constitution of England, the Bishops and the Clergy legislate in the upper and lower house of Convocation; and the laity in Parliarment, whose assent, or that of the King, is necessary to all acts of the Convocation. But though the Convocation is summoned and meets at every opening of Parliament, the prerogative of the King is immediately exercised in dissolving it. Hence Parliamenta lay body, with the exception of the Bishops who sit in the House of Lords, and whose individual votes are merged in the great mass of the Lay Peers becomes in its omnipotence the sole legislator of the Apostoli

mate legislature of the Church of England, and the high grand inquest of the Church, has not exercised its functions for more than a century. And the only body that legislates for a Church thus bound by the state and stripped of her legitimate authority, is parliament, with unlimited powers-a House of Lords, where the presiding officer may be, and it is said has been, a dissenter-a House of Commons, where many are avowed dissenters, and where, whenever church topics are discussed, ample evidence is afforded that the greatest statesmen are not always the greatest theologians."

pp. 25-28.

* "In the few cases of popular appointment of Rector or Lecturer in the Church of England, every inhabitant of the parish, (which is a district of a certain extent,) whether he be a Churchman or dissenter, a Jew, an infidel or a heretic, has a right to vote; and the canvassing which takes place, and the elections which ensue, are often attended with unpleasant occurrences." p. 23.

† Probably most of the prelates owe their episcopal elevation to their alliance with noble families, or to some kind of secular interest in the Cabinet. Thus the Archbishop of Canterbury, of whom Bishop H. speaks, and for aught we know, justly speaks, in the high-cal and spiritual Church of England. And

est terms of praise, is cousin to the Duke of Rutland, and brother to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. The Archbishop of York has two brothers in the House of Lords. The Bishop of Winchester is uncle to the Earl of Guilford. The Bishop of Exeter is brother to the Earl of Chichester. Another Bishop was tutor to the Duke of Gloucester, another to the Duke of Richmond, &c. -ED.

the plan has been agitated, of altering by authority of Parliament the marriage service of the Church, so as to compel the Clergy to dispense with those parts which recognise the doctrine of the Trinity, in accommodation to the scruples of a certain class of dissenters." pp. 30-32.

With respect to the theological qualifications required in those who apply for orders in the English Church, the following statements occur in a note:

"The canons only require that the person applying for orders has taken some degree of school in either of the universities; or at the least, that he be able to yield an account of his faith in the Latin, according to the articles of religion; and to confirm the same by sufficient testimonies out of the Holy Scriptures.' No previous time for theological study is specified.

"In the Church of England there are really scarcely any public provisions for theological education for the ministry. In each of the universities there are only two professors of divinity. Their duties are confined to delivering at stated times, a few lectures on divinity to the university students; but they have not the especial charge of the candidates for orders, who are left to study when and where and how they please. Almost immediately on graduating, they may apply for orders, with no other theological knowledge than what was obtained in the general course of religious studies in the college of which they have been members." pp. 34, 35.

Much might be added, but this will suffice. It will suffice to show that the Church of Christ necessarily loses much of her spiritual character, and much of her appropriate and pure influence over the minds of men, when for any purposes of worldly policy, she weds herself even to the best of the kingdoms of this world. It suggests too, the query, whether that form of ecclesiastical polity which makes so ample provision for the gratification of worldly ambition is either conformable to the primitive simplicity of the gospel, or adapted to exclude worldly men from the sacred office. To high official titles in the church add great official influence and great revenues, and is it too much to expect, that there will be men who will covet the station more earnestly than they will covet those 'best gifts' which fit them for the station. No matter how sacred the territory through which the high-road to distinction lies, ambitious men will travel it. The case is so much the worse when, as in England, ecclesiastical preferment does not terminate in clerical dignity, but leads directly to civil influence and a seat in parliament. But there is a brighter side to the picture. There is in the Church of England a redeeming spirit, which, while it honourably distinguishes her in the holiest enterprises of the age, is diffusing itself, we trust through all her 1826. No. 2.

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members, and gradually freeing her from that secular influence which, in the words of Bishop Hobart, sadly obstructs her progress, and alloys her spiritual character.

Love to souls the mainspring of Ministerial Usefulness: a Sermon preached at the Ordination of the Rev. Lyman Coleman, as Pastor of the Congregational Church and Society in Belchertown, Mass. Oct. 19, 1825. BY JOEL HAWES, Pastor of the First

church in Hartford. pp. 32.

THIS is a plain, unambitious, earnest discourse, admirably adapted to do good on such an occasion as that for which it was written. The subject is one-as the author justly observes" on which it would be difficult to say any thing new, but on which it can never be unprofitable even for the wisest and best of us, often and seriously to meditate."

We confess that we like to hear and to read ordination sermons written on such subjects. They are most in harmony with the associations of the occasion; and they afford the best means of conveying appropriate and impressive admonition to both ministers and people. Of this sermon therefore we say that, though it cannot be expected to raise the high opinion which has been already formed of Mr. H.'s clearness and force of intellect, it does much credit to his plain good serise and his deep and honest piety.

"A minister, whose ruling principle is love to souls, has a motive to improve his mind and heart, that is steady and unalterable. The treasures of divine knowledge are always spread before him, and the wants of his people are always pressing him to diligence in providing for them the bread of life. To light his midnight lamp and make him grow pale in study, he needs not the excitements of flattery, or of fame, or of worldly advantage. The glory of God, the worth of the soul, the grandeur of eternity, are motives enough to call forth his most strenuous and persevering exertions. Under the influence of these, he will give himself to reading, meditation, and prayer. His eyes, his ears, and his heart, will he constantly open to whatever will aid him in the great work of saving sinners; nor will he rest satisfied but with the highest intellectual and moral attainments which he is capable of making. Knowing that he is accountable to God for all his talents, and that his usefulness among the people of his charge de

mands, that his every talent be improved in the most diligent and careful manner, he will never intermit his exertions, but always be aiming at higher and still higher attainments in knowledge and holiness."

The following sentences

occur in

a

Professor Stuart on a similar occasion.

now, by every faithful minister; but it can rationally be hoped for, only in the way of duty, that is, in the way of diligent and faithful study. Forego the pleasure of a morning visit to your Pastor, for the sake of a better Sermon upon the Sabbath. Rob not the whole congregation of the satisfaction and profit to be derived from good preaching, by note extracted from an address by breaking in upon your minister's time to prepare for the desk. Always remember, when you visit him, that a thousand others have the same claims upon his time as you have; and occupy as little of it, therefore, as the nature of the case will permit. Such a mode of intercourse will sweeten your visits and make them pleasant to him; a different mode will oblige him to carry his studies into the night, and thus sink his spirits, and injure, or probably destroy his health."

"You wish your Pastor to be a man of growing reputation and increasing knowledge. Give him time then to study. Break not in, without the most absolute necessity, upon his sacred hours devoted to this purpose. He cannot continue to enlighten and interest you, unless he continues to be a man of study. The days of inspiration are past. Divine assistance may, indeed, be hoped for

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE.

A new periodical publication called "The Restoration of Israel," is about to be established at Syracuse, N. Y., for the purpose of proving that the aborigines of America are lineal descendants from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The Executive Committee of the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York, have determined to erect a stone building, 100 feet by 60, for the accommodation of their Theological School at Hamilton. Thirty-one young men have received the honours of this institution, and a class of seventeen will have finished their studies in June. The school now consists of about fifty who are divided into three classes, with the exception of a few engaged in preparatory studies. About thirty of the students are beneficiaries.

LEAD MINES.-The lead mines of Missouri cover an area of more than 3000 square miles, and are said to be the most extensive on the globe. The ore is of the purest kind, and exists in quantities sufficient to supply the whole United States. The number of mines is 165, in which more than 1100 men are employed, producing annually 3,000,000 pounds of metal, valued at 120,000 dollars.

INCREASE OF THE SOUND OF ARTILLERY. A writer in the London Me

chanics' Magazine says, "From observing how the power of the human voice was increased by the speakingtrumpet, I was led to think, that if the muzzle of a gun was made of that form, it would have the same effect on its report when fired, and immediately resolved to try the experiment. I fixed a mouth-piece, about the size of a bugle, on a common pistol, and accordingly found the report increased in a surprising manner. A piece of artillery, no doubt, would require a mouthpiece much larger than this to have a corresponding effect: and it would have to be made so strong, as not to be shaken by the violent concussion. This discovery, I dare say, will be of little moment to the public; unless, indeed, when they wish to show the extent of their satisfaction by the greatness of the noise they make-I mean when they rejoice; and I think it will be the opinion of most people, that the report of a cannon is quite loud enough already.

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