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ened. "In respect of doctrines," says this author, "the conclusion is this-that no point of doctrine which has no other authority than that of St. Paul's writings for its support, can justly be regarded as belonging to the religion of Jesus," &c.

Now, without admitting the accuracy of this conclusion, it is surely no slight evidence in favour of the New Testament, that we can act upon it as though it were correct, and yet establish the uniformity of all its doctrines. The case is this-St. Paul was an Apostle, as he owns himself, "born out of due time," that is, not chosen to be an Apostle during the lifetime of Jesus, nor commissioned by our Lord himself during his stay on the earth. He claims, therefore, to have received a distinct revelation of his own. "I certify you, brethren," says he, "that the Gospel which was preached of me, is not of man, for I neither received it of men, neither was I taught it but by revelation of Jesus Christ," Gal. i, 11, 12. Now, without deciding whether this account be true or false, it is quite sufficient for our purpose to show, that whether the revelations of St. Paul were taught him by God or by man, they were substantially the same in respect of doctrine as those which had been previously delivered to the other Apostles.

But here, it should be observed, a very important circumstance is forced on our attention. On more than one occasion, St. Paul cites not only the sentiments, but almost the exact expressions of St. Matthew. This will be evident to any one who compares the account of the Lord's supper as ́ given by St. Paul, 1 Cor. xi. 23-25; with the same account as delivered by the Evangelists, Matth. xxvi. 26; Mark, xiv. 22; Luke, xxii. 19. The same remark will also apply to the doctrine of divorce as laid down, 1 Cor. vii. 10, with that delivered by Jesus, Matth. v. 32. And it is observable, that on both these occasions, St. Paul says, "Not I but the Lord." Now, by these expressions he either meant to allude to the sentiments of Jesus as they had been published and recorded by others, or they must have referred to his own personal revelations. If unbelievers admit the former, they admit the early publication of the Gospels, and their early reception in the Christian Church. If the latter, then they admit the inspiration of this Apostle. But whether you admit either or deny both, it is evident that the doctrines of St. Paul and the other Apostles are the same.

There is another observation which I apprehend it is of considerable importance to make. Several of the Sections will be found to amount to nothing more than a parallel of corresponding difficulties. Now, if it were our object to explain the meaning of the New Testament, it is granted,

that such difficulties might be regarded as so many objections against us. But as we propose nothing further than to show the harmony and coincidence of these writers, this agreement in their difficulties, so far from becoming an obstruction to our argument, is one of its strongest and most invincible evidences.

Take five or six other writers, and let them fall upon any difficult and abstruse topic, and then you will immediately perceive the force of this observation. Though none of them may have the power to explain the difficulty, they will all immediately attempt it, and they will attempt it generally in a different manner from each other. Now, this is the peculiarity of the sacred writers, that while they all agree in laying down a difficult doctrine, (suppose that of election or foreknowledge,) they not one of them attempt to account for it. When we consider the different genius of these individuals, and particularly the difference of St. Paul, as compared with the other Apostles; this appears to be altogether inexplicable upon ordinary principles.

It must strike every impartial man as a singular phenomenon, that there should be one book in the world, and only one, which can bear such a severe and minute inspection. Here is a volume composed by several different authors; consisting of history and letters, treating on subjects the most calculated to admit of a difference of opinion; and yet when its contents are placed together, they are found to correspond not only in general, but in the most minute and curious particulars.

This argument perhaps cannot be better illustrated than by the following homely comparison: Suppose a labourer' to have been working at a quarry, and that he has hewn out several hundred pieces from the rugged rock; what would be his surprise on taking up these pieces and putting them together, to find that they all so fitted, that without any further labour they could form a regular building? His surprise would be awakened in a great measure from considering that he had been at no pains to diminish their native roughness and inequalities and then to find that these inequalities had all met with corresponding proportions in other fragments. Such is the state of the case as regards the present doctrinal harmony of the New Testament. We have attempted to smooth away no difficulty-to reconcile no apparent contradictions-we have followed no artificial arrangements, but have merely grouped these doctrines under so many separate heads, and yet the result is this: that every doctrine is supported by every writer, and that every difficulty must be shared in the same proportion amongst the whole body.— Pp. 94-101.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

IRELAND.

A REMARKABLE degree of consternation appears to have been excited among the Popish priests and their adherents in Ireland, by the endeavours now making to spread education, and to distribute the Scriptures amongst the people. All this is very natural, for the Bible and the Romish Religion have ever been irreconcileable; and the former has constantly either succeeded in proscribing the latter, or has been destroyed by it. "The Bible, and the Bible only, is the religion of Protestants;" and wherever the light of Reformation has dawned, there its apostles have ever been found ready, with King Josiah, to " read in the ears of all the people all the words of the book of the covenant of the Lord." "To the law and the testimony" is their constant appeal; while their opponents rely wholly upon human tradition, and the decisions of corrupt Councils and more corrupt Popes. Hence was, that the rise of Protestantism followed so quickly the discovery of the art of printing; and hence we may look forward with hope to the period when, under the blessing of God, the fight of divine truth shall shine in such abundance ainidst the mental darkness of Ireland, as to render it impossible for the Romish Priesthood to keep their followers in the utter blindness in which they are at present shrouded.

These persons have sufficient insight into the weakness of their system, to be greatly alarmed at the idea of the spread of scriptural knowledge among the people. They are quite aware, that whenever their followers shall begin, like the Bereans of old, to "search the Scriptures daily, whether these things are so," their dominion is at an end. We are equally aware of it; and our hope and confidence is, that the Bible will find its way in Ireland; and that before it their cruel dominion, the bane of that unhappy country, will inevitably fall. And therefore we rejoice greatly at the increasing efforts which are making in this cause, and are not in the least discouraged by the opposition with which those efforts have been met; an opposition which cannot fail to further the cause of truth in a variety of ways: equally by stirring up languid friends, and by manifesting the fears of enemies, and the real ground of their opposition.

At CORK, on the 9th of September, a meeting was held for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary to the HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, for the establishment of Schools, &c. And, although the friends of the design were alone invited, several Roman Catholic NOV. 1822.

Barristers attended, and occupied almost the whole time of the meeting. Mr. Shiel, Mr. Dwyer, Mr. O'Connell, and Mr. Brie, lengthened out the meeting by interminable addresses, until, at seven o'clock, an adjournment was resorted to. The next day the same scene was renewed; and a great concourse of Papists having flocked together to hear their orators, the Meeting finally separated without any result At the same city, on the 21st of the same month, another Meeting was held for the support of THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. On this occasion, Mr. Dwyer followed the same course, and a warm altercation took place. Such an uproar followed that no business could be proceeded with.

At CLONMELL, on the same day, the 21st September, a Meeting was held for the furtherance of the views of the LONDON HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. Here an adjournment was again obliged to be resorted to. On the second day, however, the Roman Catholic Priest, named Brennan, was so closely pressed by the Hon. Baptist Noel, that he withdrew from the Meeting, carrying many of his supporters with him. The resolutions were consequently carried.

At WATERFORD, on the 28th September, another Meeting for the support of the HIBERNIAN SOCIETY was held. Here the opposition was headed by a priest named Sheenan, who, after detaining the assembly for a considerable length of time to hear an harangue against Protestantism, at length succeeded in preventing any Resolution from being carried.

Let it be observed, that in all these instances the Papists were obviously and undeniably intruders. The invitations put forth were addressed to those who were friendly. All that was attempted in each case was, an assembly of such as were desirous of assisting and furthering the plans of the Society; assemblies similar to which have in former years been collected in Ireland as well as in this country. And yet to Meetings thus called came great crowds of Papists, headed by their priests, confessedly for the purpose of preventing the Protestants from doing that which they had an unquestionable right to do. Will any one pretend, that such individuals in Cork, or in Waterford, as are friendly to the plans of the Hibernian or the Church Missionary Society have not a right to assemble in a room for the purpose of uniting themselves in an Association in aid of that Society? No doubt can exist upon the subject; and we may judge of the fear excited among the Roman Catholics,

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and of the lengths they are capable of going, when we see them thronging to such meetings, and even paying large sums for admission (as was the case in several instances), in order by force and clamour, and even by violence directed against females, to frustrate the wishes of the Protestant inhabitants.

We are indebted, further, to one of these collisions, for the most concise, succinct and expressive statements of the real views and apprehensions of the Popish Priests that has ever been elicited. Mr. Sheehan, at the Waterford Meeting, in opposing the Resolutions drawn up by Mr. Gordon and the Hon. Baptist Noel, offered the three following to the Chairman, as an amendment.

Resolved, 1. That it appears to this Meeting, from the exposition made this day by the Hon. Baptist Noel and Capt. Gordon of the Royal Navy, that the free and indiscriminate circulation of the Bible, without note or comment, amongst our poor, constitutes the basis of the education sanctioned and promoted by the London Hibernian Society.

2. That we consider such a system of education contrary to the sacred Scriptures, prejudicial to the interests of true reli gion, and subversive of all order in civil Society (!!!)

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3. That, as good and sincere Christians, and as loyal subjects, we will resist with all our might the establishment of such a system amongst us; because we are vinced that it would substitute eventually scepticism and infidelity in place of Christianity, and anarchy and confusion in place of order and good government." (!!!)

Admirable logic! The diffusion of God's own word among the people is to produce nothing but infidelity, anarchy, and confusion!

This system is "contrary to the Sacred Scriptures," we are told. In what part of the Bible is it that the use of the Bible is forbidden? We know not; but abundance of passages present themselves in which the constant use of God's word is commanded to all. "The entrance of thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple". -"Search the Scriptures". "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope"-" Take the

HIBERNIAN

THE determined opposition of the Popish Priests to this valuable Institution, is producing, we understand, results of a widely opposite nature. In some instances the children are removed almost entirely from the Society's schools; in others, a spirit

sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"-"The Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus""All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."-But it is unnecessary to proceed. The Papists understand as well as ourselves the real state of the case. They dare not allow their followers the Bible, because they know that they stand convicted at the bar of inspiration, of corrupting the truths of God by their human inventions and vain traditions. But the Bible will be given to the Irish, whether they consent or whether they oppose, and the natural results must follow.

The ignorance displayed in these contests would be quite amusing, were not the interests which are sacrificed to it so momentous. The principal Dublin paper in the Romish interest, talks of "the alliance which has been established between the Church of England, the Baptists, the Anabaptists, the Antimonians! the Armenians! &c.

Since writing the above, we have received intelligence of another disturbance at Loughrea; where, on the 19th of October, a meeting of the County of Galway Auxiliary Bible Society was held. The Archbishop of Tuam had consented to take the chair. On the arrival of His Grace and the Committee at the place of Meeting, it was found to have been taken possession of by Papists, who, armed with bludgeons, It was with diffithronged every avenue.

culty that the Archbishop at last reached the chair, and on putting the first resolution an outcry of opposition was raised, which was continued so as to prevent any business from proceeding. The tumult at last reached such a pitch, that the military were called in for the protection of the lives of the promoters of the Meeting.

It will be recollected, that the Archbishop of Tuam was the most active friend which the perishing Irish possessed, when suffering from the famine of 1822. At that period, the poor, followed him with blessings and assurances of devotion to his person. Now, at the bidding of their priests, they are ready to threaten his life, rather than allow the Bible to be distributed among them.

SOCIETY.

of opposition to the Priests is excited; and in all, the attention of both Protestants and Papists, priests and people, is so excited to the subject of scriptural education, that we can have no doubt of its final success; though great exertions and considerable

pecuniary aid will be indispensably necessary.

We have been favoured with the following extracts of correspondence.

Sept. 14, 1824. The titular Bishop of Kildare has directed his clergy to withdraw all Roman Catholic pupils from every 'school in which the Scriptures are required to be read. Above a hundred Roman Catholic pupils, including boys and girls, were withdrawn from the school last week. Yesterday only six attended. How is the master to act with respect to the reading of the Scriptures ?"

66 Aug. 29. She said, the priest called here the other day to inspect his own school. He came unexpectedly; as soon as he went into the school-house, he first looked at the books, and found them all Society books (i. e. the Hibernian Society). He threatened to horsewhip the schoolmaster for admitting any of those books into the school. Says the master, When I opened school here you promised me books which you did not (send).' The priest asked, who they were who used those books? The master mentioned my pame. The priest came in a great passion,

MORAVIAN MISSIONS

THE following important communication deserves the serious attention and liberal support of the friends of the unhappy, enslaved, and oppressed negroes in our colonies.

The Moravian brethren have long observed with gratitude the general disposi tion which appears to prevail among the Heathen, in the vicinity of their various settlements, to seek after, and receive the Gospel. This disposition has been manifested in a remarkable manner among the negro slaves in the West India Islands; and there appear to be, at present, some peculiar facilities for cultivating it with success in that quarter.

Notwithstanding the unfavourable feeling which unfortunately prevails in some of the islands, many of the colonial governments, and of the proprietors of estates, have shown themselves much disposed to countenance, and even to invite, the exertions of the Brethren, who have been domiciled among them, as a Protestant Episcopal Church, for nearly a century past; having no less than 28,000 negroes under constant instruction, and the beneficial effect of whose efforts they have experienced in the improved character and conduct of their slaves. From several of these proprietors offers have been received of land for new settlements, and of other assistance in forming them. Though the brethren will not attempt the establishment

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and asked me, why did I let my children use those books? I told the priest they could not learn without books.' I also told him he promised the scholars books, and that he neglected doing so. The priest said, 'I see there is no use in advising you to have nothing to do with the Free Schools and these books.' M.'s wife answered, 'You are always persecuting us; but we will not allow you in future to make mention of our names: my brother-in-law is a Protestant, his children are well educated; and mine are not, because they are Catholics. Now, Sir,' says she, 'I give you warning; the first time you threaten us again, inside of your chapel door, you will never see me or any of my family' again, and you will see others follow the same example.' The priest went to the schoolhouse and did not say a word.

Well may the Papists oppose the Hibernian Society and interrupt its meetings. Their craft is in danger; but surely this very circumstance calls loudly on British Christians to support and encourage the exertions of those who are endeavouring to communicate to their ignorant fellow subjects the light of life,

IN THE WEST INDIES.

of new stations, without invitation or con sent from the owners or superintendants of adjoining estates, yet, where invitations are received, they are anxious to avail themselves of such openings for the further extension of the Gospel. But the present embarrassed state of the islands renders it impossible to obtain in them an adequate supply for the erection of chapels, and other necessary buildings: it is only, therefore, by the aid of their friends in Great Britain, that the brethren can hope to accomplish the objects which they have so much at heart.

In some islands there is required more adequate accommodation for the increasing congregations in their present settlements, and greater facilities for affording Christian education to negro children; a branch of their labours from which they anticipate the happiest effects, in ameliorating the character of the rising slave population, and therein of promoting the best interests of the colonies.

Two objects connected with the foregoing views especially claim attention at the present time.

At Lenox, in the parish of Westmoreland, in Jamaica, a grant of land has becu offered, accompanied by an urgent invitation to the brethren to establish a new station there: and not only the gentleman who has made this offer, but other neighbouring proprietors are willing to supply

such materials for requisite buildings as the country affords. It is calculated, that around this spot there are from 3000 to 4000 negroes (besides others) who will thus be brought within the reach of the Gospel, and who are at present removed to a distance of above twenty miles from the parish church, and twenty-five or thirty miles from any other missionary station, Thus destitute of the ordinances of religion, these poor creatures are sunk in ignorance and barbarism; yet when any occasional opportunities have been afforded, they have shown great readiness to attend the worship of God, and have, in several instances, appeared to be powerfully affected by it.

In the island of Antigua above 1800 of the offspring of Christian negroes are left destitute of education, from the want of school-rooms in which they might be congregated; the chapels being occupied, throughout the Sabbath, by successive crowded audiences of adults, of whom, above 12,000 attend the ministry of the brethren in that island. It is, therefore, earnestly to be desired, that at some of the settlements, school-rooms should be erected, and that at the principal station at St. John's, the capital of the island, the present chapel should be converted to that use, and a larger chapel erected; the existing one being totally inadequate to accommodate the many thousands who attend the service there. The only present remedy, namely, successive services throughout the day, severely tries the strength of these laborious and indefatigable missionaries, and prevents their paying attention to the children, whom they would otherwise collect and instruct in a Sunday school.

The particulars of these cases have been fully ascertained by the Committee of the London Association, in aid of the Mora vian Missions, in consequence of the visit of the Rev. Samuel Hoch and Lewis Stobwasser to this country. The whole expense of the proposed establishments, it is conceived, will not require more than 24007.; but the brethren are wholly unable to avail themselves from their own resources of these openings for the extension of their pious and beneficial labours in the West Indies. These resources have been long inadequate even to the ordinary expense of their various Missions, and they will be still further contracted by the heavy loss lately sustained through the destructive fire which has desolated their settlement at Sarepta. By the blessing of God, however, especially upon the exertions of their friends in this country, the means have been provided of nearly liquidating a large debt which had grown up,

and probably of enabling them to meet the current expenses, but yielding no surplus applicable to such objects as those above referred to.

Under these circumstances the Committee of the London Association, encouraged by the anxiety so generally prevalent in behalf of the unhappy negro race, aud stimulated by an ardent desire for the wider spread of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour in these eventful days, venture to bring this case before the Christian public, which they do in the confidence that the prospect of so important an amelioration will not be blighted by the want of means to carry it into effect, and to satisfy the ardent desires and the extreme necessities of this hitherto benighted and degraded class of our fellow-creatures.

The Committee propose to open a separate subscription for the purpose of assisting the brethren in the establishment of new stations in the West India Islands, with the consent or on the invitation of the proprietors or superintendants of estates, and in providing facilities for the education of the children of the negroes.

The following Extracts from Letters are too important to be omitted.

"Mr. Scott is the proprietor of a sugar estate in this island, and of 300 negroes, for whose conversion to Christianity he is very desirous; but they are far removed from instruction, and upwards of twenty miles from the parish church, or any place of worship; and this is the condition of many hundreds in the neighbourhood both bond and free.

"We have not ceased to persevere in seeking the aid of the brethren; being more desirous of obtaining one of that community to instruct our people, having some knowledge of the blessed effects of their simple, forcible manner of preaching the Gospel to the heathen. Our Lord and Saviour has in mercy turned their hearts towards us. They decline, from most judicious motives, settling in future on any gentleman's property; but they have consented to establish a mission here, if made legal possessors of thirty acres of land, chapel, house, and offices. Mr. S. is no longer able to accomplish the whole; he gives them the land; himself and different neighbours, who are also interested for their negroes, will assist in providing the materials, and collecting them on the spot.

"Mr. and Mrs. Stobwasser have been spending a short time with us.. During their stay here, a sweet, cool, elevated spot was selected for the new mission, commanding an extensive view, and having a spring of water within a quarter of a mile. Surrounded as you are, Sir, with all the or

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