15. SUNDAY-School SOCIETY FOR IRELAND.

THE Fourteenth Report of this very important and useful Society, for the year ending April 5th, 1824, contains much interesting information. The net receipts, including a balance from last year of £107, amounted to £2528. 14s. Ed.; and the payments to £2336. 15s. The total number of Schools, now in connexion with the Society, is 1640, which are reported to be attended by 12578 Gratuitous Teachers, and 157,184

Scholars; being an increase, during the past year, (after deducting the Schools which have failed, or "merged into other Schools,") of 12 Schools, 950 Teachers, and 7,402 Scholars.-Besides the 1640 Schools above-mentioned, there are 70 others, whose funds are sufficient to meet their own expenses, but which have permission to purchase Books from this Society at reduced prices.

16. SOCIETY FOR MITIGATING AND GRADUALLY ABOLISHING THESTATE OF SLAVERY THROUGHOUT THE BRITISH DOMINIONS.

OUR opinion of the importance and excellence of this institution, commonly called by way of brevity, The Anti-Slavery Society, has been often expressed; particularly in our Christian Retrospect for this and the preceding month. (See p. 766 and 824.) Its first Annual Meeting, which was most numerously and respectably attended, was held in Freemasons' Hall, June 25th. His Royal Highness the DUKE of GLOUCESTER, presided. The other Speakers were, the HoN. AGAR ELLIS, JAMES STEPHEN, ESQ,, the HoN. B. NOEL, T. B. MACAULAY, ESQ., LORD CALTHORPE, W. T. MONEY, Esq., M. P., DR. LUSHINGTON, M. P., WM. SMITH, Esq., M. P., W. WILBERFORCE, ESQ., M. P., and W. ALLEN, ESQ. We earnestly recommend

to every Philanthropist the perusal of: the able and interesting Report, which has since been published, (by HATCHARD and ARCH,) and to which the eloquent speeches delivered at the meeting are appended. That of a youthful advocate of the cause of humanity (MR. THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY) will be read with more than ordinary pleasure. We must here conclude our notice of the Anniversaries of 1824, by offering" to Almighty GoD our fervent prayer on behalf of all the Societies to whose proceedings we have adverted, that their future labours, encouragements, and Success, may be as signal as those which we have now had the pleasure of briefly. reporting, and even much more abundant!

of the gates of the kingdom of heaven, into a traffic carried on by artful Priests among a cozened and a cheated people ; -the same "abominable idolatries," and the same substitution of superstition for religion and morality.

It has been sometimes said, that "the spirit of the age," and the indirect operation of Protestantism, have impressed an ameliorated character upon this system of" spiritual wickedness " and delusion. If this were true, these causes could only operate where they reach, upon Popery when placed in juxta-position with Protestantism; and in nations where this "spirit of the age" has penetrated. In Italy, Portugal, Spain, and those rast and secluded countries in America, which are, or were till lately, the colonies of Catholic powers, we still see Popery as it existed before the Reformation; holding the minds of men in as rigid a bondage; displacing the pure and holy Gospel by human inventions; teaching the efficacy of ceremonies and penances, as in themselves necessaryand sufficient for salvation; cultivating the gross est superstitions; extinguishing all charity, the only infallible badge of genuine discipleship; and turning salvation from the pains of a future life, and the opening VOL. III. Third Series. DECEMBER,

The impression made upon Popery too, by Protestantism and the spirit of the age," when the latter have come in contact with it, is much over-rated. We do not see any evidence of this in the Catholic parts of Ireland. In France, infidelity and irreligion for many years displaced Popery, but certainly did not improve it: and in Germany, whatever has been found of moral and religions improvement among those who remain members of the Catholic Church, instead of making any impression upon the general system itself, it has only marked out the reformed and amended individuals as objects of persecuting enmity and violence, and formed a schism in the Church, as far as that better influence has extended. It has in 1824. 3 T

no sense been a diffusive leaven, operating to correct any principle or any practice of orthodox Popery.

It is also to be remembered, that there is in this system, a cunning, "a deceivableness of unrighteousness," which bends itself, whenever it is thought politic so to do, to circumstances. It is well known, that in France, and other parts of the Continent, in that agitation of opinions on all subjects which preceded the Revolution, a witty and scoffing Infidelity pervaded the educated ranks; that even when Popery was still professed, as a family and hereditary religion, its ridiculous parts were often fastened upon by the wickedness of wit; and that the Priests, many of whom were as notoriously infidel as any, and who, as CICERO says of the Priests of Pagan Rome, could not meet one another in the street, without laughing in each others' faces on account of the delusions they practised, were lampooned into more secrecy, apparent decency, and gentleness. For many years too, power was tossed about from one usurper to another, and the legitimate royal families of Popish Europe, the hereditary patrons of this superstition, had little hope of ascending again their alienated thrones. A new order of things appeared to be firmly established, and an accommodation to it was rendered imperative upon Rome. It is to these circumstances that we are to attribute that apparent change in the Popish Church and its claims, which has led to the idea of its real improvement. We now however find, that the tone of its insolent pretensions was only subdued; not that the feeling which, in former times, swelled its accents was ameliorated;that its persecuting spirit remained in full vigour, though its overt acts were restrained, and it could occasionally affect liberality and toleration; that its superstitious tendencies were as gross, though not made so public; and that of all its antichristian characters, not one has lost the depth of its impress, or contracted the amplitude of its outline. This we give not as opinion, it has unhappily become matter of notorious fact: nor is it necessary to appeal to the attempts now so obviously made by "the Kings of the earth," to heal the wound of the "beast;" and to the re-assumption of its old character by Popery, since political circumstances have encouraged it; but to the Papal Chair itself: the seat of all that is authoritative, and the confessed infallible expositor of doctrine. The recent Bulls of the late Pope, against Bible-Societies and the BIBLE, are in the remembrance

of our readers; and we now introduce to them two papal documents, one o the same description as those of the late Pope, though more exasperated the other, as presenting, by another LEO, that very abomination of indulgences, and plenary remission of sin, which produced the Reformation of LUTHER; and, by stretching the bow too far, snapped the string, and liberated at least a part of Europe from the thraldom of ages. Happy will it be if the same result should again follow the authori tative avowal and establishment of the documents will afford us new matter of same "mysteries of iniquity." The thankfulness for Protestantism, and for our own country, with its glorious liberties civil and religious. Generally speaking, they are a sufficient comment on themselves; for he that runs may read them in their spirit and import; but we have appended a few brief notes, for the sake of fixing the atten tion of our readers upon some of the most remarkable passages.

"A CIRCULAR LETTER of our Holy Father Pope LEO the Twelfth, to all the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, and Bishops; and the BULL OF JUBILEE, for the Year 183.-Peris Printed by ADRIAN LE CLERC, Printer to Holy Father, the Pope, and to M. the Archbishop of Paris. 1824. (a)

"THE CIRCULAR LETTER OF THE MOST
HOLY LORD, OUR LORD LEO THE TWELFTH,
BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE POPE, TO ALL
PATRIARCHS, PRIMATES, ARCHBISHOPS,
AND BISHOPs.

"To the venerable Brethren, the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, and Bishops, Põpe LEO the Twelfth.

"Venerable Brethren, health and Apostalical benediction |

"As soon as we were elevated to the high dignity of SOVEREIGN PONTIFF, we innediately began to exclaim, with ST. Leo the Great, O LORD! I heard thy voice and was afraid; I considered thy works, and was filled with terror. For what is so extraord nary and such a subject of dread, as labour to one who is weak, elevation to a lowly one,

(a) The preceding is the French title pre Pope's Circular Letter, and his Bull for the fixed to the pamphlet which contains the Jubilee of 1825, in Latin, with a French tran lation in opposite columns. The translation which we have given is from the original Latin. communicates the following information to The "advertisement of the French Editor the reader:-"It is an ancient and venerabie usage established in the Church, for the cate, to address a Circular to all the Bishops Popes, on their advancement to the Ponti of the Catholic Church, and to give them s counsel as may be adapted to the needs of the which she may be placed. The indisposition Church, or to the particular circumstances of his Holiness has for a long time prevented him from fulfilling this plous duty. The fol lowing Circular has at length appeared and we have translated it with all the exactness of which we are capable: but we make the

and dignity to one who is unworthy? And yet
we neither despair, nor faint, because we do
not presume upon ourselves, but we depend
on him who works in us.' (Sermon the third,
on his birth-day, which was held on the
anniversary of his elevation to the office
of Sovereign Pontiff.) These expressions,

which were uttered from lowliness of mind,
by this Pontiff, who can never be suffi-
ciently praised, we adopt and profess as true
with regard to ourself. (b)

"It was, indeed, our wish, venerable Bre-
thren, to address you as early as possible, and
to disclose to you the feelings of our heart;
to you, we say, who are our crown and joy;
and, what is more, we trust that the flocks
committed to your charge are likewise your
joy and crown. But having been detained
partly by the very important cares of our apos-
tolical function, and partly, indeed principally,
by a long indisposition with which we were
afflicted, we (alas! to our great regret) have
not yet been able to fulfil this our desire.
But Gon, rich in mercy, who bestows his
gifts in a superabundant measure upon those
that ask for them and pray in confidence, and
who granted us [the power] to will, now
grants us likewise [the ability] to accomplish
what we had willed. Nor has the silence,
which we have hitherto been compelled to
observe, been entirely destitute of consolation.
ForGon, who comforts those that are cast down,
hath comforted us in the religious affection of
your devotion, and in your zeal for us, in which
we eminently recognize the piety of christian
unity; so that we might rejoice the more, and
might render thanks to GOD. We, therefore,
deliver this letter to you, in proof of our love,
that we may stimulate you the more to run
the way of the Divine commands, and with
greater courage to fight the battles of the
LORD: the result of which will be, that the
care of the pastor may rejoice at the profi-
ciency of the flocks of the LORD. (e)

"You are not ignorant, venerable Brethren, that the Apostle PETER has given instruction to Bishops in these words: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

avowal in sincerity, that our translation is only a very imperfect rendering of the grace and dignity of the original. The Circular, and the Bull of Jubilee, are written in the purest Latin, and enriched with passages from the Sacred Writings and from the Fathers, the entire energy of which can with difficulty be infused into a translation."-This last remark by the French Editor is exceedingly just, and must also serve as an apology for our own translation.

(6) The frequent reference made by his Holiness to the example and writings of LEO the Great, seems to indicate that the present Pontiff has selected him as the model of his administration. And as his chosen exemplar obtained his title of "Great" from his persecuting zeal against real or pretended heretics, and especially from his ambitious efforts to exalt the See of Rome, we may infer the line of official conduct which LEO the Twelfth has marked out for himself,-to coerce heresies, and exalt the Pontificate.

(c) We wish the pious sentiments of his Holiness to be as sincere as they are well expressed. They are, however, of but recent date, at least of but recent influence. His gallantries at Rome were matter of public scandal a few years ago, though the standard of morality is not very high within the Papal precincts; and they were winked at by the Tate Pope, with whom he was a great fa

neither as being lords over Gon's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.' (1 Pet. v. 2.) "From this passage you clearly perceive what mode of action is proposed to you, with what virtues you ought yet more and more to enrich your minds, with what more abundant knowledge to adorn them, and what fruits you ought yourselves not only to produce, but to participate with your flocks. Thus you will assuredly obtain the object of your ministry; thus, "becoming ensamples to the flock," to some of whom you afford milk, and to others only by your doctrine, but also by your labour strong meat, you will instruct the flocks not and example, to pass a tranquil life here in CHRIST JESUS, and you will lead them to attain with you eternal blessedness. According to this saying of the Apostle in the same chapter, And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.' (1 Pet. v. 4.)

"We should wish to remind you of several things we will, however, give you only slight intimations on some subjects, for we shall occasionally treat at greater length on more important matters, as the necessity of the very deplorable times in which we live may require.

The doctrine which the Apostle has taught us, by these words which he addressed to TIMOTHY, 'Lay hands suddenly on no man,' (1 Tim. v. 22,) concerning the advancement of individuals to the Minor Orders, and, especially to Holy Orders, with the greatest caution, and only after a due consideration of circumstances;-the resolutions of the Council of Trent, (Session 23, chap. 18,) which have since been elucidated by our predecessors, concerning the appointment of pastors to the cure of souls in your dioceses, and concerning seminaries for the Clergy;-are matters so well known to you, as to render it unnecessary to detain you any longer with their detail.

"You also know, venerable Brethren, what regard must be paid to personal residence in your respective dioceses, and how strictly it ought to be observed. To [the performance of] this duty you are bound by virtue of your office; which is exceedingly evident from several decrees of Councils and Apostolical Constitutions, and which has been confirmed by the holy Council of Trent in these words:

Since it is commanded, by a divine precept, to all those to whom the care of souls has been committed, to know their own sheep, to offer sacrifice for them, and by the preaching of the word of God, by the administration of the Sacraments, and by the example of all good works, to feed them, to exercise a paternal care over the poor and other miserable persous, and diligently to attend to the rest of the pastoral duties; none of which can be performed or fulfilled by those pastors who neither watch over their flocks, nor assist them, but who after the manner of hirelings desert them; the holy Synod therefore admonishes and exhorts them, that, mindful of the divine commands, and becoming ensamples to the flock, they both govern them with judgment, and feed them with truth.' (Session 23, on the Reformation, chap. i.) Struck

vourite. The immorality of this wretched man, it is said, was far from being secret and blushing in the places where he was employed on legations, We may fear, therefore, that all the piety of the above paragraph consists in the use of the traditional language of the piety of former ages; of which there is much in the Church of Rome, and by which her seductions sometimes steal upon the unwary.

with the obligations of such a high and important office, and burning with zeal for the glory of Gou, we also heartily commend those who exactly fulfil this precept; and we admonish those (if any such there be) who do not obey these ecclesiastical sanctions,-and that there are such characters among the immense number of Pastors, is more a matter of lamentation than of surprise,-we admonish, exhort, and beseech them, by the bowels of the mercy of JESUS CHRIST, seriously to reflect that the Supreme Judge will require at their hands the blood of their sheep, and will pass a most severe sentence on those who are their overseers.

"That dreadful sentence, as you well know, strikes not those alone who neglect personal residence themselves, or who endeavour under some vain pretence to avoid it, but it also applies to those who have undertaken the labour of visitation, and who, without any just reason, refuse to perform it according to the canonical prescriptions. For they will never satisfactorily fulfil the decree of the Council of Trent, unless they be careful to visit their sheep in person, and in imitation of the good Shepherd, to cherish the good, to seck out the wandering, and [qua fortiter, qua suaviter clamando et agendo] by strong as well as by mild cries and actions, to bring them back at length to the sheep-fold.

"But those Bishops who do not ɛtrive with due solicitude to obey the precepts which relate either to residence or to visitation, shall not escape the tremendous judgment of our SAVIOUR, the Chief Shepherd, by alleging in excuse that they have executed these duties by means of suitable Ministers.

"For the care of their flocks was committed to themselves personally, and not to Ministers. To them also the peculiar grace of the HOLY SPIRIT, and [dona charismatum] the gifts adapted to their office, have been promised.

The consequence is, that the sheep hear with greater willingness the voice of their own Shepherd, than that of a substitute; and that they ask with more confidence, and receive with greater gladness of heart, salutary food from the hand of their proper Shepherd than from that of his substitute: for they ask and receive it from their own Shepherd, as from the hand of the LORD himself, whose person they reverence in his Bishops. These observations, as well as those which preceded them, are abundantly confirmed by experience itself, which, in all affairs, is the best teacher.

"It might suffice to have addressed these remarks to you, venerable Brethren.-to you, who neither indulge in an ungrateful silence respecting the gifts, [which you possess,] nor in an overweening presumption on your merits. (ST. LEO's fifth Sermon on his birthday.) This is the character which those ought to sustain who desire to go from strength to strength, and to proceed with ardour of mind in emulating the examples of holy Bishops, both ancient and modern, and who rejoice in the LORD on account of their having defeated and put to flight the enemies of the Church, and reformed the manners which had been corrupted. But let this golden sentiment of ST. LEO the Great, be perpetually present to your minds: Neither is the victory which we gain in this combat so felicitous, as to prevent fresh contests from arising even after our triumphs.' (ST. LEO'S fifth Sermon on his birth-day.) (d)

(d) To a truly Christian Episcopacy and Priesthood, employed in teaching the truths of the Holy Scriptures, and in endeavouring to present a Church to GOD" without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing," the above advices would be very appropriate and excel

"But how great and how furious are the contests against the Catholic Religion which have been raised in these our times, and which are still almost daily excited? What man, after recollecting and meditating upon them, can refrain from tears? (e)

Apply your minds, venerable Brethren, to this subject. It is not the small spark,' of which ST. JEROME speaks; it is not, I say, a small spark, which, almost as soon as we obtain a glimpse of it, becomes again invisible; it is not a little leaven, which seems a small matter. But it is a flame which attempts to devastate nearly the whole world, and to consume walls, cities, and the most which, when sprinkled upon the four, extensive forests and countries; it is a leaven tries to corrupt the whole mass.' (In Epist. ad Galat. 1. iii. cap. 5.) In this cause for alarm, the service of our Apostleship would completely fail, unless He who keepeth Israel neither slumbered nor slept, and who says to his disciples, Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the world; and unless he deign ed not only to become the Keeper of the sheep, but likewise the Shepherd of the shepherds. (ST. LEO, in the Sermon just cited.) (f)

"But what is the tendency of these f marks?

A certain sect, which undoultedly is not unknown to you, improperly arrogating to itself the title of PHILOSOPHY, has raised from their ashes the disordered [er routed] phalanxes of nearly every kind of error. This sect, holding out the alluring yet spelos semblance of piety and liberality, makes a profession of Toleration, as they term it, or of Indifferentism, and extols it not only in civ matters, about [its utility in] which we are not now speaking, but likewise in the business of religion: it teaches that God has granted ample liberty to every one, that, what sect or opinion soever pleases a man according to his own private judgment, he may embrace of adopt it without endangering his salvation. Against this impiety of doting mea, the Apostle PAUL gives us the following admonition: Now I beseech you, Brethren, mark

lent; but alas, when it appears from what
follows, that the diligence, and personal resi
dence, and application, here so strongly e
joined upon the different clerical orders,
for their avowed object the suppression of the
word of God, and the real liberties of meekin
one is shocked at the awful profanation of
Scripture, of passages out of the Fathers, and
of the energetic language of zeal and holiness
borrowed from older times, to purposes
offensive to Gor, and so inimical to the r
gious instruction of the world.

(e) The cause of all these "tears," it ap pears by the sequel, is the advocacy of Te ation, and the operations of Bible Socie An excellent compliment to both; and, with out committing ourselves to the belief of his Holiness's infallibility in general, yet in this we shall not dispute it with him. Papery cas have no greater enemies than TOLERATION and the BIBLE.

(f) The alarm of his Holiness, if measured by his sweeping phrase in this passage. ficiently distressing. The "spark" kindles into "a flame," which threatens "to devas tate the whole world;" the "leave leaves the whole lump," and the "service of o Apostleship" is in danger of "completely failing: "-all this too from Toleration, which allows the Gospel to be preached; and fres Bible Societies, which cause it to be read is shrewdly enough suspected by his Holiness that these being permitted, men may begiata question the authority and use of the "se vice of his Apostleship," and think that it of no service at all.