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THE DUTY OF CHRISTIAN ELECTORS.

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MR. EDITOR,—In the retired situation in which I live, the report of an approaching dissolution of Parliament has reached my ears. would be folly in me, while writing to one so much better informed than myself, to give an opinion how far this report is well or ill founded; but I do hope, sir, that you will not be wanting to the duty which your official situation of Christian Guardian imposes upon you; but will endeavour to impress upon your readers the importance of using any influence they may possess, in order to return fit and good men as their representatives.

I will not dissemble, sir, the pain which I have felt at many of the speeches which the newspapers say have been spoken in the late parliamentary discussions. Surely, sir, it cannot be true, that every proposal for keeping holy the Lord's day, for preventing cruelty to animals, and for terminating licentious and cruel practices in our colonial and territorial possessions, has called forth, from one quarter or the other, the sneer of contempt; and that the brutalizing and degrading scenes of bull, bear, and badger-baiting, &c. as exhibited in the cock-pit of Westminster, have been practically defended by a polished member for the most polite university of the most enlightened and Christian empire in the world. Alas, sir! if these things are true, they only shew how little effect Christian principles produce in nominal Christendom.

Sir, I think you ought plainly to state to your readers, the duty of ascertaining, from the different candidates who solicit their votes, what their sentiments are on those points which you have so often intimated in your work are especially national crimes. It may be very painful to a plain and, perhaps, illiterate tradesman, to say to a fine and polished gentleman, "May I take the li

berty, sir, of asking, before I promise to vote for you on the present occasion, what your sentiments are on the slave trade; on the abolition of slavery; on the burning of widows in India; on the Catholic question; on the taxing of Englishmen "to pay popish priests in Ireland?" &c. But it seems to me the obvious duty of every man who has a vote to give, that he should bring his mind to make such inquiries; and he should well consider the answers made to his questions, before he determines which candidate he shall support.

I am aware, that, in many cases, such inquiries are considered as a kind of impertinent catechizing of gentlemen: but if gentlemen choose to ask me for my vote, I think I have an equal right to ask them how they mean to fill up the duties of the station to which that vote is to help them forward: and I cannot but feel, that, if I am instrumental in bringing in a man who should pull down what is right, or perpetuate what is wrong, really a sharer in his guilt. 66 Lay hands," I would say, in a somewhat different sense, perhaps, than the Apostle, "Lay hands suddenly on no man; neither be partaker of other men's sins."

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The two points, sir, which I confess appear to me of the most vital importance, at the present moment, are, the Catholic Question and the Abolition of Slavery. I care very little about taxes, and things of this nature: they may be very grievous, and very injurious; but I am quite of Old Robin's opinion, that men tax themselves, by their idleness and extravagance, ten times as much as the Government requires from them, and therefore I will never give my vote on one side or the other on these grounds. But, sir, when the question is, whether we shall or shall not admit to power those who maintain the very principles which

condemned our forefathers to the stake the very principles which so endangered British liberties, as to induce the nation to eject the Stuarts from their throne-the very principles which are every where found fatal to liberty, whether civil or religious to female purity and manly honour; which have produced, and are producing, a moral blight, and civil and social wretchedness, in the fairest countries on the face

of the earth; as, for instance, in Ireland; it is our duty, as Christians and as men, to plant our foot firm, and say, Sir, I cannot vote for you, unless you will oppose Catholic emancipation."

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And here allow me to call your attention to some circumstances which have exceedingly impressed my mind. The supporters of what is insidiously called Catholic Emancipation, have, generally speaking, advocated the cause on the ground of liberal principles. Now, what has been their own conduct? They have shewn, in many instances, the utmost illiberality. The petitions of clergymen and their congregations have been treated with marked contempt; and the most respectable individuals assailed with charges of ignorance and bigotry: while, on the other hand, the assertions of wily priests, though made in opposition to every authorized document of the papal church, have been hailed as gospel truth, and brought forwards as triumphant refutations of those who venture to intimate that the principles and the spirit of Popery is still the same; a position which, when it suits their purpose, the Papists will to a man avow. So, also, the proceedings of public meetings have been interrupted, and, in some cases, speakers at Bible societies have been most absurdly called to order, for adverting to the known and indisputable fact, that the popish priests in Ireland are using all their efforts to oppose the progress of scriptural education.

But, sir, I must not pursue this

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subject further, or it would lead me into a very wide field. I am no advocate for clergymen turning politicians they have seldom time or opportunity for such pursuits, and may well leave the world to the men of the world:-but, in theological questions, they are at home; and had Dr. Doyle been examined before a convocation of clergy, they would very soon have detected his sophistries; and the decrees or popes and councils, the writings of J. K. L. and the concessions of the popish disputants at Carlow, &c in Ireland, would soon have taught the bystanders how little reason there was to suppose that the obnoxious principles of Popery were in the least relinquished *.

*The Roman-Catholic bishops to this day take an oath, of which the following is an extract: "I profess and undoubtedly receive all things delivered, defined, and councils, and particularly by the Holy declared, by the sacred canons and general Council of Trent: and likewise I also condemn, reject, and anathematize all things contrary thereto, and all heresies whatsoever condemned and anathematized by the Church. This is the true Catholic faith, out of which none can be saved; which I now freely profess and truly hold," &c.

receive and confess all things delivered, The oath of the priest declares" Ye defined, and confessed by the sacred canons, and general councils, and especially the Holy Council of Trent; and withal condemn, reject, and ACCURSE all things contrary thereto, and ALL HERESIES Whatsoever, condemned, rejected, and accursed by the Church."

The Council of Trent orders, that "no the translation of the Scriptures) shall be books concerning religion (not excepting printed without license of the ordinary: nor, without the same license, may any his custody." And the Index Expurgaone expose them to sale, or have them in torius says, that "without such license, he who shall presume to read or to have the Bible, may not have absolution of his sins, except he first deliver up his Bible to the ordinary."

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Dr. Doyle tells us, "The Scriptures are incapable of giving salvation: it is not the object-it is not the end for which they were

written.' Why does not the Doctor inform us for what end and purpose they were written ?

Well may we say with the writer of an admirable Letter to Lord Calthorpe, “ All

And, in like manner, it is important that electors should impress upon the candidates the duty of adopting some prompt and decisive measures for the abolition of slavery. The West Indians appear disposed to set this country at defiance, and to resist most pertinaciously every attempt at the amelioration of their slaves, and every step towards emancipation. So long as our Government allows this to be the case, it appears to me, that all our negociations with foreign powers, relative to the abolition of the slave trade, will prove ineffectual. France, &c. may justly reply, "It is very well for you to talk your colonies are well stocked with slaves, and you are still propagating and perpetuating slavery there; but our colonies are destitute, and we must carry on, either publicly or privately, a traffic which you continued until it was no longer necessary, and the fruits of which you still retain." But if only this country would once adopt a law, by which slavery should receive its death-blow; whethis is in perfect unison with the known practices and wishes of the Romish Church, and indeed it constitutes one of her distinguishing features of OFFENCE in the mind of every true Protestant. But the very natural inquiry among many religious persons constantly occurs, how it is that the same persons who so zealously promote the circulation of the Scriptures can

lend their aid to the spread and increase of a church among us whose bitter enmity and opposition to their efforts has never been disguised-whose infallible head makes no scruple in stigmatizing Bible Societies, and all who belong to them, as pests to be extirpated'-who calls the Scripture in the vulgar tongue, the Gospel of the Devil;' and describes the result of such proceedings as certain to produce more evil than good?""

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"Such, my Lord, is the Church, and such are the men whose advocates are to be found among SOME who favour the circulation of the Scriptures in our Protestant land, and in this boasted enlightened nineteenth century! Who will dare to affirm that they are doing God service, or promoting his glory? Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap.'

See Croly's Popery, and the Popish Question; and a Layman's Letter to Lord Calthorpe.

ther by enacting that all Negro or Coloured children, born after such a time, should, at such an age, become free; or by allowing, as in some foreign colonies, the slaves themselves, or other persons for them, to purchase their freedom, either wholly or partially; or if only the growth of sugar, by free men, was placed on an equal footing with that grown by slaves; then we might hope that some effect might be produced on the world at large. The time is coming, when there shall be no more war. And fervently do I pray, that this country may never again be compelled to draw the sword. But, if once an Act was passed which should eventually give liberty to our own slaves, I should feel that Great Britain might well take the high ground of declaring, that no more slaves should be carried from the western coast of Africa; that every ship of every nation, which had slaves on board, should be captured, condemned, and the slaves liberated: and I am fully persuaded that the subjects of this happy empire would gladly risk their lives and properties in so holy a cause.

Individual candidates may sneer at statements of this nature; but if once the House of Commons, or the members of his Majesty's Government discover that Englishmen really hate slavery, and are willing to make sacrifices for the liberation of Negroes, they will soon adopt those measures, which, through the Divine mercy, will conduce to so desirable an end.

May I, in conclusion, Mr. Editor, entreat you to impress upon every one of your readers the duty of fervently praying that Almighty God may direct and over-rule all the circumstances relating to the approaching election, so that suitable Members may be returned, and that the deliberations of the great council of the nation may. be over-ruled, for the glory of his name, and the welfare of his church and people.

R. Q.

. CHRISTIANITY IN SOUTH AMERICA.

We have been earnestly requested to insert in our present Number the following appeal to all true Christians, on the importance of endeavouring to promote the extension of true Christianity in South America.

You are requested, my Christian friends, to turn your attention to the extensive field now opened to your missionary zeal and activity, the continent of South America. The political events which have separated this large portion of the globe from its former dependence on Europe, have also removed the shackles of intolerance, which a blind despotism and an infatuated superstition had so long imposed upon its inhabitants. Free from these restraints, they are now at liberty to receive that truth which has been so long and so diligently excluded.

All the South-American United States have formally renounced persecution for religious principles; and some have established complete toleration. It has ever been a part of the system of Divine Providence to make the operations of men subservient to the advancement of his spiritual kingdom. The events just referred to form a new example of this, and call loudly on real Christians, of all denominations, to unite heartily in endeavours to convey to those lands the light of that glorious Gospel which can alone deliver them from darkness and the shadow of death.

few years since both the spiritual and temporal authorities would have violently suppressed. Let, then, the light of Divine Truth be displayed before them, and it will speedily appear that they are ready to stretch out their hands unto God.

It behoves Britain to remember the advantages she derives from the freedom of those states. Let her also recollect her own political consequence; her commercial importance; her prevailing influence; her moral integrity; her religious privileges, and from whom she has received these inestimable blessings. Let her testify her gratitude to her Heavenly Benefactor, by imparting to those nations that instruction which is the foundation of all her prosperity. "Freely she has received," let her "freely give."

By whom shall this work of love be undertaken? The Missionary Societies already formed are fully engaged in labours of the first importance. Their energies and resources are fully employed. The furtherance of their plans, even now, requires increased exertions. From all their missions there is a cry of, "Give us more missionaries, and greater help: the fields are white; send more labourers into the harvest."

These, therefore, cannot undertake a new field, and especially one so extensive as this before us. It requires, and will fully exercise, The population, partly Roman- the attention of a society ardently Catholic and partly Pagan, amounts devoted to this service. The writer to about twenty-five millions, all of this appeal earnestly entreats his sunk in the grossest spiritual igno- fellow-Christians to unite with him rance and superstition. Their ener- to form "A South-American Misgies have been roused by the events sionary Society," which may exwhich have recently taken place, pressly devote its resources and and in which they have been so exertions to this great work. The deeply engaged. They have become call is urgent; the prospect most familiar with mental as well as bo- inviting; the promise most encoudily exertions. Inquiries are making, raging. J. P.* and discussions are carrying on, without opposition, which only a JULY 1825.

* Letters addressed J. P. to the care of the Publisher, will come safe to hand.

2 L

THE POOR-HOUSE PENITENT.-PART II.

IT is peculiarly pleasing and delightful to the mind of the Christian, to contrast the state of things in the present day with what they were twenty or thirty years since. Then, the moral atmosphere of our country was truly dense, with here and there only a few gleams of light bursting through the surrounding gloom. How few of our village poor could then read, while, for their children, none of those nurseries of education were provided which are now extending themselves throughout the land! Then, how common the sight, to see our village youth roving about the fields and lanes on the Sabbath, ignorant even of the common principles of Christianity, regardless of their own state, and altogether in different to the things of God. But now, blessed and praised be the Lord, how different. the scene! How bright and animating the prospect! Almost in every town and parish are institutions raised to promote the present and eternal interests of the young; and numerous indeed are the opportunities afforded of instilling into their minds the great truths of revelation. Oh! may the Divine blessing rest more abundantly on these benevolent exertions, and the Holy Spirit of God make them instrumental to the salvation of many souls. I have been led to these reflections on considering the case of Mary

who, it will be remembered, was not taught to read, and in whose parish it is most probable neither National nor Sunday Schools were to be found. It is to this, united with the callous indifference and unconcern manifested by her aunt, that is to be attributed that great ignorance observable in Mary on all subjects of vital importance. Yet amidst the darkness that beclouded her mind, there were some enlightening rays of a pleasing nature, de

noting an awakened conscience,
and a heart touched by Divine
grace. Hence she constantly spoke
of herself as a sinner, a great sinner,
a sinner of no common class, accom-
panied with expressions which evi-
denced real sorrow and unaffected
contrition. On being asked, "did
she ever reflect on the sinfulness of
her conduct," she replied, “Yes,
for the last two years frequently.
She had been miserable in her mind
because of her sins; and often at-
tempted to escape from the scenes
of iniquity and ruin, but was pre-
vented." "Have you ever been
accustomed to attend a place of
worship?" "Ah! ma'am," she re-
plied with a deep sigh, "persons
of my unhappy description seldom
think of going to a place of wor-
ship."
" Do you know

you are an

accountable being?" She arswered, "I have heard the Bible read two

or three times." "Can you give any account of what you heard?" She could not, however, give any account. "You confess yourself to be a sinner; how then do you expect to be saved?

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In a manner impossible to describe, with her eyes intently fixed on Mrs. H. and with all the earnestness of a poor soul tremblingly alive to its lost condition, and expecting condemnation, yet clinging to some kind of hope, hardly know. ing what, she exclaimed-" I hope there is mercy, ma'am ! I hope there is mercy! God is merciful-I know the Lord's prayer-I pray for merty. I'm sorry for my sins. I'm sorry

for my sins." Q! how affecting the sight, to see the sinner under the guilt of sin, yet hoping for mercy, while altogether ignorant of the only way in which God can be merciful! This was the case with poor Mary. She felt her "sins indeed to be grievous, and found the burden of them to be intolerable;" but she had heard that God was merciful,

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