been accomplished, but that it was generated in a period of the grossest ignorance, it gave added power to the only learned and influential hody, the clergy; and it was defended by all the learning and ingenuity of a learned period, instigated by interest to evade or disguise the truth. Mr. Vaughan remarks, that the very virtues of the clergy assisted in extending the undue influence of this system, because there was a period when this influence was found to be useful; and the justice of this remark may be conceded without abating one particle of the censure that system deserves. With more justice he traces to ancient Paganism, many of the superstitions and errors that defile modern Popery. To this is partially due the union of secular and spiritual offices in the priesthood, which was certainly familiar to the barbarian nations; to this the adoption of many of the symbolical rites and ceremonies, incense, lights, and holy water; to this the religious service paid to the image or the idol, which was equally venerated under a change of name by the Pagan and the Christian; to this the introduction of prayers for the dead, at first as a mark of respect, though subsequently the source of the most fatal errors. These and such like errors, Rome has adopted, sanctioned and consecrated, and thus the secularity of her character, and the anti-christian nature of her doctrines, having had their foundation laid deep in human nature, have been able, through the singular power she possesses of pliancy and yielding, to stand the attacks of time, and still more of inquiry and religious truth; the ingenuity displayed by Jerome and Gregory, in distinguishing between the worship of an image and an idol, has had many imitations in the Church of Rome; the use of words and language, has been to disguise not to declare sentiments, and Loyola will never want a successor, while Slevin and M'Hale flourish in the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland. (To be continued.) FOREIGN RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. INDIA. Extract of a Letter from a Friend. -"You will, I am sure, be happy to hear that since I wrote you last, sickness, so awfully prevalent in this country, has not, for a day, interrupted my operations in the College. The Church Establishment rises daily in importance; and, I trust, its usefulness is now more than appearing. Every hour commends it more and more to the leading men of the country. I am now on the eve of holding my first public examination of my boys; amongst others, the resident and commanding officer will attend, and the chaplain, Mr. Spring, will be the examiner. First class-Demosthenes on the Crown, half of the second book of Homer, Terence, Cicero, and the three first books of Euclid. Second classHorace and Xenophon, and Algebra, as far as equations. In divinity for the above, the Evidences of Christianity as illustrated particularly in the fulfillment of Prophecy. Third class-Virgil, fourth eclogue, third book of Cæsar, History, Geography, and Arithmetic: these, together with Syriac and Sanscrit. Re We member that I put Greek grammar into the hands of these boys, and many of them the Latin; and from this, learn to estimate the ability and industry of Indian youths. I can weep at times with interest over the whole establishment. My dwelling house is about one mile from the College: my principal boys sleep in my own house, so that I have them every morning and evening engaged in the best of all exercise. are now able to employ some of them as catechists, and trust that a blessing from on High will go with them. Throughout all India the great desideratum is to get well in formed, and above all, pious native catechists. Of 54 students now in this college, one-third are destined to the Ministry. Let us pray that the Spirit of God may anoint their souls. Mr. Bailey is now labouring manfully to fertilize this barren land with the rich streams of eternal truth. The press is engaged-an anxious desire to hear and read in their own tongue the wonderful works of God, is now progressing throughout the country.This is cheering, and intimates that God of a truth is with us. "You would like to know how my day is employed. I rise in the morning at half-past four-read a chapter in my Hebrew Bible, and endeavour to think till half-past five--prayer with my boys till six-read Sanscrit with moonshine till eight-swallow breakfast, mount my pony, (as large as a rat) and commence business in the Scientiæ Templum, at nine-return to my house at half-past three, and resume my Sanscrit studies at four, and continue from six till eight; as the humour takes me, I scribble a letter, write a Report, read a speech of my countryman, Burke, or when I can get it, throw my eye over an old newspaper whose marriage catalogue often reminds me of evils, and produces an oddish train of reflection-now I secure an hour or so for prayer, and lecture my boys upon the greatest and best of all subjects: after this shortly-lassus ad dormitum-Don't accuse me of egotism-1 know to whom I speak. I do tell you, my friend, that I feel hourly that I am a most unprofitable servant. How much evil has mingled with my apparently best works. With the sweet cadence, the interminable copiousness, and majestic sublimity of the grammatical structure of Sanscrit, I am charmed out of measure. "The information that has lately reached me respecting the progress of Extract of another from ditto. J- asks me if I have mined into the learning and Theology of the Hindoos? I must reply, that I have not, though I have bored with no ordinary pains for the hid treasures of the EastSanscrit contains all that is valuable in any degree-I have had several works translated to me by Pundits, into Maratha, and must own I have felt much disappointed the mixture of subjects, without the least order, is perplexing and tiresome-No doubt, there is much to make a man stare: some of our much boasted morals from Cicero, to those of our own day, are to be found in Sanscrit written perhaps only a few years after the flood. The morals of Wedsur are pure, and may very well stand a compa-, rison with the book of Ecclesiasticus. I believe the work has been translated into some European language; but I have no means of receiving it as certainty, in this unlearned dog hole of an island. Jwishes to hear of the Burman literature, and it is indeed a subject worthy of enquiry; but as on this side of India, Palee is but little known, I connot give him certain information. The few works that I have seen here among the natives in that tongue, are all of a religious nature; but as is usual, mixing up human and divine things in sad confusion. Whenever I have been able to procure a person capable of reading Palee, he has told me that it bears a strong resemblance to its parent the Sanscrit, of which I am myself able to judge from the same words being common to Maratha, Sanscrit, and Palee, with but a trivial change of vowel sounds. The chief books in repute through Burmah are translations in Sanscrit. Munvo's laws have long been current in that empire. It is a curious fact in the history of the Burmese, that every man who knows a trade, can also read and write-The tradesman learns with his trade how to write on all that regards it. By this means, knowledge, to a certain degree is diffused among the people. Burmah has its Dibdins-Bib liomaniacs are to be found in the East. I am informed that there is a vast collection of books in the library of the Emperor, but on what subjects is unknown; it is confessed by themselves, that they have derived all their Science and Arts from Hindoostan; and though they do not accede to the superstitions and practices of the Brahmins, they yet yield them the superiority in learning. It is said that they are in possession of the most voluminous Herbal in the world, this may some day or other repay search. The religion of the Burmans is Budhuism. I read over the Budhu Pooran, translated into Maratha from Sanscrit. Ward has given a very accurate digest of it. "A translation would only be more tedious, not more explanatory. Every book I read proves more and more that with the whole people of the East, religion and literature are one. There is a fact which will alone prove this--Every book is itself an object of worship-the reed and ink are often honoured in like manner. I have seen the Pundit who teaches me, previous to his opening the book, mutter words to it as he held it up before him, praying it to give bia knowledge and understanding. The daily arts of every Hindoo are laid down with the most lengthy minuteness in the charter. No one act of a Hindoo's life is unconnected with his religion-the lowest caste think that in the degrading offices they perform, they are only expiating sins done by their souls in a former body. Every hour of the day has its set worship-some are so observant of what is enjoined them, that they utter the name of some God once or twice in every minute as they sit at their trades. I know a stone-cutter, who works near where I live, who utters "Huree,' every time he strikes the stone. A Hindoo thinks that Fate acts on him only when he has neglected to destroy its influence by prayer, and by it alone he hopes to obtain any thing he wishes; this prayer is indeed "vain repetition,' for it in general consists of one word often reiterated. The most efficacious of all those invocations or Munturs, is that called the Gogntree. Dubois has given it in his else accurate account incorrectly, and has even omitted the two first words--This is considered so sacred, that by their own law, it is death to utter it in the hearing of a woman or one of another caste. Captain Molesworth finds that a threat to repeat this to one of his Pundits, when they are not paying attention to their work, has the sure effect of jogging their memories. Many an intrusive native visitor bave I got rid of by asking him if he would wish me to show my knowledge of the language, by performing this Muntur. I am told, that Sir J, Malcolm, whenever he wishes to get rid of a long-winded native, begins to hum this to himself: the fellow vanishes like a ghost at cock-crowing. Natives have often said, that they had rather suffer death than be the men who first disclosed the Muntur to Europeans: -for your edification I will write it in the English for you, 'tis as follows: Om bhoorbhoowuhsweeh tutsuwitoorwurengum bhurgo dewusgu d,hee muhi dheyo yonuh pruchoduyat," FRANCE. Extract of a Letter from Montpelier, South of France. "You have heard, probably, that Nismes is 'Le Foyer de Protestantisme' in the south of France. Here are 15000 nominal Protestants; but very few real Christian.. Here are seven ministers, out of which there are two whom all Christians must feel and acknowledge to be converted men; but from timidity or want of clearness in their doctrines, they do not preach in the manner they ought, though still faithful enough to make enemies of the opposite party. But God has not left even this place without witnesses of his truth; for there are many in this dark place, especially amongst the lower classes of the manufacturing people, who live by faith in the Son of God. From the Alps to Bayonne, there may be at least twenty faithful Protestant ministers; and the Lord seems to bless the work in which they are indefatigably engaged; but the opposition is very violent from Socinians and Neologists. Here (at Montpelier) we have an extraordinary man, who preaches with great power, evangelical doctrines; and who practices up to the faith he professes. Mr. L- would be looked up to with respect and admiration in any country, but here be, indeed, is truly admirable. He undergoes a continual persecution from the two other Protestant ministers, and from all his consistory, who do all they can to render the place disagreeable, with a view of obliging him to retire. I trust the Lord will give him patient endurance so as to enable him to continue here, where he is the instrument of so much good to Romanists and Protestants. There is a Methodist Missionary Preacher doing a great deal of good in this part of the country. His work has proved to be a blessing here; and has had a great effect amongst the infidels and bigots. He lives at Congenies, but spends all his time preaching from church to church, and from house to house. If field preaching were allowed, he would do a vast deal of good amongst the Roman Catholics." PRUSSIA. Friend of Israel Society.-The correspondence for this month was so large, we can only give an abstract of the general intelligence received. In England, the prospect of usefulness among the Jews is most cheering. Numbers are likely to settle in Ireland, if their petition to Parliament is successful, and their disabilities to purchase land, &c. taken off. Nearly all the Jews in the manufacturing towns are holding meetings for that purpose. Several copies of the Rabbinica Extracts have been sent to England for distribution among the Jews. Mr. Aaron has forwarded a copy of Rabbi Horte Symon's Arguments of Faith, to be replied to by the Friends of Israel. It is therefore supposed he was not satisfied with the answer that appeared in that work, in the Jewish Expositor. Letters have been received from Her Serene Highness the Princess de Reuss, containing the warmest approval of the plans of the Friends of Israel; and that her wish was to act according to their views; and soliciting them to send over the best accounts of the details of the Model Schools in Ireland. Her request was immediately complied with; and the next letter will probably give an account of the opening of the School, which was to take place as soon as Mr. Wermelkush arrived at Firch-tugel. Letters have been received from the Rev. Mr. Leonhardi, concerning the opening of a School at Dresden, that will be under his immediate superintendence; and with the concurrence of the constituted authorities of the place. Twenty-five children are to be educated at the expense of £15 a-year, without any other being incurred. The difficulties which impeded its opening last year, are now happily removed. The Rev. Mr. N. J. Mayers writesthat he will in a few weeks forward the correspondence he has had with a young Rabbi of the highest talents and attainents. m Next month the Friends of Israel will VOL. VII. Copy of a Letter received by Miss Nevill, on the subject of the stone found in the River Euphrates, dated, Wathmonston, September 26, 1828. "Lady W-r-m, presents her compliments to Miss Nevill, she has the pleasure of informing her, that she has received from Dr. Wilkins (the India Company's Librarian) a copy of the unknown characters on the tables, supposed to be the Ten Commandments, lately found in the River Euphrates." These are Dr. Wilkin's own expressions; and he adds:" As many strange reports have gone abroad respecting a stone tablet, with ten columns of undecyphered characters, now under my charge in this library, I conclude it to be the identical object of Miss Nevill's research. Upon this presumption, I have, with the chairman's leave, the satisfaction to send you herewith a roll, containing an impression from a copper-plate of the whole inscription, as it appears on the stone; and on a separate sheet, a representation of every variety of simple and compound characters, from the most simple to the most complex, to the amount of 237, found in the whole inscription. I have added a memorandum, showing when the stone was found, and how, and by whom it was obtained. As from certain superficial appearances, there are good grounds to conclude that the writing runs from left to right like the English, and not from the right to the left like the Hebrew, I have thought it of sufficient importance to be mentioned, for Miss Neville's information. "Lady W-r-m will forward the roll to Dublin by her grand-daughter, who is going over about the 20th of next month." The Friends of Israel take this opportunity of oxpressing their thanks for the munificent donation of £20 from the Earl of Roden, in aid of the Hebrew Church at Berlin. The Scriptural Views of the Friends of Israel have been published, together with a summary of their proceedings, which may be had at Unville. 2 E DOMESTIC RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. County Longford Bible Association. On Thursday the 9th of Oct. the Annual Meeting of the county of Longford Bible Association, was held in the Courthouse of this town. The attendance was numerous and respectable. Upon the chair being taken by the Rev. Dr. Crawford, Vicar-General of the Diocese, the Report was read by the Rev. R. Flood, one of the Secretaries, by which it appeared, that the number of copies of the Scriptures circulated last year, considerably exceeded that of the preceding. Resolutions were moved and seconded by the following clergymen :-The Rev. Messrs. Goslin-W. C. ArmstrongWm. Digby-Alexander Hudson-J. Handcock- B. Cronyn-Robert Jessop -J. Trench-Richard St. George R. Shaw-W. B. M'Cartney, and A. Kingston, Esq. The addresses of the several speakers were listened to with deep attention-and the meeting did not break up till four o'clock. The following awful circumstance was mentioned by the Rev. R. St. George, to have taken place during the last year in his neighbourhood-the truth of which, he states, could be verified on oath. On the 11th of July, 1827, a Roman Catholic told a Protestant, that if there would be any display of political feeling, as was usual, on the following day, that blood would be spilled by the Roman Catholics. The Protestant observed, that murder was forbid by the word of God; To hell with you and the Word of God!! replied the Roman Catholic. A few days after, the neighbourhood was visited by a dreadful storm of thunder and lightening, that caused the most hardened to tremble. Several accidents occurred during the storm; but the most awful event was the blasting by the lightening of the wretched man, who had a few days before used the uncharitable and blasphemous expression of, "To hell with you and the word of God." South Mayo Bible Society.-The Rev. George V. Hart presided at the Annual Meeting of the South Mayo Bible Society, at Castlebar, on Friday, 10th of October. The Rev. Messrs. Hardgrove - Smyth-Seymour-Crofton-JonesHenry Singer, and Duncan, addressed the chair. Popish March of Intellect.-The fol lowing Proclamation of Indulgences has been posted on the Mass-house gate of Navan for some time past, of which we subjoin a copy: "INDULGENCES. "1. A Plenary Indulgence is obtained on entering the Society of the Christian Doctrine, by going to Confession and Communion. A Plenary Indulgence at the hour of death. A Plenary Indulgence one day in the month, by worthily receiving the sacraments. An Indul gence of seven years every time this charitable work of instruction is performed. -Pius VI. August 10, 1788. "2. An Indulgence of 100 days is granted, not only to parents, masters, and inistresses of families or schools, who give catechistical instructions, but also to those who receive it.-Paul V. October 6, 1607. "3. An Indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines is obtained by the faithful, as often as they piously say the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity. By doing so for a month they obtain a Plenary Indulgence on whatever day they worthily receive the sacraments. Indulgence in both cases is applicable to the suffering souls in Purgatory.-Benedict XIV. December 11, 1754. This "4. A Plenary Indulgence is obtained by the faithful every month, provided they approach the sacraments, and pray for the good of the church, by saying every day, in honor of the most blessed Trinity, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, the earth is full of thy glory. Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Ghost.' On each day they gain 100 days' Indulgence. --Clement XIV. 6 "5. An Indulgence of 300 days, which is applicable to the souls in Purgatory, is obtained by those who say with devotion and contrition, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. O Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul to you in peace,' "N.B.--These two (Numbers 4 and 5) can be easily obtained by persons of every rank and situation in life. "6--A Plenary Indulgence is gained by those, who, when dying, invoke with contrition the holy name of Jesus, even in their minds, and devoutly submit to their death, delivering their souls into the hands of their Creator.--Benedict XIV. |