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has taken of these subjects, and recommend this pious and moderate tone to the attention of our dissenting brethren, who will find it easier to censure than to answer his arguments. To a deviation from the grand design and its details, he attributes the awful fact that

"Full half the population of the country, it is calculated, have already left the Church and joined the ranks of dissent. Of the principles, conduct, and character of more than half the remainder, it is not required to give an opinion: but this I will say, that should they depart in the same proportion which the rest bave done within the last thirty years, and there is no reason at present to think that they will not depart in a still more rapid way,—it requires no supe rior foresight to predict, without pretending to be a prophet, that thirty years from hence the religious establishment of the country will be totally forsaken, if not completely overthrown; and I will leave those who are wise in politics to say, what will then have become of the civil government and constitution of the land ?"—pp. 24, 25.

The first subject to which he directs his attention, is to the mode of entering the ministry; and he goes at length into the qualifications, abilities, and examinations, certificates of candidates for orders, thinking that with regard to all of these a great laxity has crept into the Church, and the result to be, frequently, a careless, ignorant, or unprincipled ministry. He next considers the mode of preaching and living exhibited in the formularies of the Church, and the departure from them that too many of the clergy have exhibited. Residence and parochial administration he next touches on, and shows how much the active clergyman may be fettered by the language of the canons directed against their exertions in their parishes, even to the prohibition of that part of the clerical duty which St. Paul quotes as of equal moment with public preaching, "visiting from house to house"-afternoon service, catechising and other duties are dwelt on, and non-residence, and pluralities, evils derived according to our Author from the Church of Rome, are discussed and censured. If Mr. Acaster be correct, the English Primate has succeeded to all the power once enjoyed by the Pope, and, however, the mere possession of it may be excused, certainly so much of it as relates to dispensations and pluralities, had better have been kept in abeyance. We hope he is misinformed, when he says one half of the livings of England are held in the form of double or treble pluralities we do not enter into the detail on these subjects in which Mr. Acaster indulges; too much of them, we fear, are not only true of England, but applicable to Ireland also and her Church, and while we regret we cannot censure the strong manner in which our Author has expressed himself, it cannot be doubted, that in these expressions he will be joined by all our prelates, for we scarcely see an episcopal charge in which the existence of these evils are not acknowledged and lamented, and scarcely a Session of Parliament, in which powers of restraining and correcting are not given. If we

The anecdote told in page 133 is, we trust, unfounded.

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may judge of the future, by the events that have lately occurred, this power could not be more judiciously placed than in the hands of the prelate who now governs the Church of Ireland, and we trust his grace will find in his brethren of the bench, most active and indefatigable assistants. That our Church Establishment, like every human institution demands occasional reformation, and its agents occasional superintendence, is a truth that cannot and ought not to be denied; but the reformation should commence from within, and the superintendance be that of episcopal investigation. We are not sorry to find public attention drawn to the affairs of the Church, because we feel confident, that the more these affairs are examined, the more highly will her genuine character and the general ministration of her offices be estimated; but we deprecate the spirit of reform that is connected with irreligion, or speculation, or hostility, and, therefore, we would anticipate such attempts. On the heads of our Church every thing depends; they may lament and correct past abuses, and may prevent their recurrence in future; they may by degrees supply their dioceses with an active and pions ministry, and discountenance those whom they may find in their dioceses "otherwise minded;" they may raise by their examinations the tone of preparation for orders, by their joint concurrence may improve the form and spirit of certificates; by their visitations, charges, and sermons, enforce the public teaching that conforms to the doctrines of our Church; they may by their personal liberality prove that they hold themselves but as the stewards for the service of the public, and by their judicious preferments that they do not regard their dioceses as their family property. Under such an hierarchy, our Church may smile at the exertions of enemies, or the censure of dissent, and while it "blossoms, and buds, and fills the face" of our land "with fruit," there will be few found even in the ranks of dissent, who, on contemplating a pious and laborious prelacy, as well as an heaven-taught ministry, and a Christian and a praying people, will not say to the Church of England, ESTO PERPETUA.

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Address to the Temperate. By Rev. John
Edgar, Professor of Divinity in the Belfast
Institution.-Dublin.

A Letter on the Effects of Wine and Spirits.
By a Physician.

A Second Letter on the Effects of Wine and
Spirits. By a Physician.
Political Evils of Intemperance; or a few
observations and statements, pointing out
intemperance and drunkenness to be as dis-
advantageous to a state, as it is ruinous to
an individual. By J. H.
Remarks on the Evils, Occasions, and Care
of Intemperance. By W. U.

These tracts which, with some others, have been published for circulation by the Dublin Temperance Society, have called,

and with considerable effect, the attention of the public, to a most important question. We have gone on for centuries consuming fermented liquors, and neither the physician, nor the clergy. man, nor the consumer, accurately ascertaining the medical or the religious results of the consumption, except when that consumption showed itself in the disgusting character of open and habitual intoxication; and the result bas been, that persons, moral and religious, have continued, supposing themselves to be temperate, while they escaped such

a situation, and giving effect by their example to the seduction of a destructive habit among their inferiors. We feel grateful to the members of this Society for having endeavoured to rouse the public from their error, and to awaken them to the conviction, that it is possible to be intemperate without being intoxicated: we feel grateful to them for setting the moral duty resulting thence before our eyes, and for the collection of facts, and varied information they have placed within our reach. Something of the kind was essential in Ireland, where, from the general character of the higher orders, there has always existed a tendency to excess; and from the peculiar habits of the lower classes, their food and their fuel, dram-drinking has become the practical bane of the country. America was dreadfully addicted to the same vice, and Temperance Societies, the growth of that Continent, have been able to effect much. In the States, the annual consumption of ardent spirits, amounted in 1827, to 56 millions of gallons, or 5 gallons to each individual; and the effect of this consumption is said to have been the annual death of nearly 40,000 persons. To counteract such an awful evil, these Societies were established: the great mass of the Presby terian congregations have joined then; and at the commencement of the present year, 100,000 persons have voluntarily relinquished the use of ardent spirits. Distillers have ceased working; many engaged in the sale of spirits, have desisted; and so powerful has been the effect, that in one village, in the course of two years, ten grog-shops, in one of which, 12 hogsheads of rum were annually drunk, are closed. To so rapid an effect in Ireland we do not look; but an effect may be produced: it must, how ever, commence from the top; the upper ranks must manifest their temperance, if the lower are to be influenced; for in vain will the gentry hope to have their domestics and dependants sober, if they are seen day after day spending hours at the dinner-table, either consuming fermented liquors, or appearing to do so. We beartily wish the Society success, for we believe their cause is that of God and man; and unconnected as it is with sect or party, and pretending only to collect facts, not to lay down rules, we think they have claims, at least for a bearing, upon every reasoning man. One only observation would we make, that we do not think our excellent authors, have in all instances, distinguished

sufficiently between temperance and abstinence; and the reasoning which would apply to a high degree of the former, loses its form and efficacy in being directed towards the latter. Now, we fear that abstinence, except from medical reasons, is not likely to be effected, nor perhaps is it right to be enjoined; that the Scriptures, the great and infallible rule for morals, do not in our judgment enjoin it; and that it would be laying down an unscriptural rule, investing our own maxims with a religious character, and imposing a yoke upon the consciences of our brethren, to go beyond the line of scriptural precept," let your moderation be known among all men." With this exception, and that perhaps rather inferred than to be found explicitly stated, we think these tracts and their object deserving of all respect,

The Amulet, or Christian and Literary Re-
membrancer. Edited by J. C. Hall.-Lon-
don, Westley and Davis. 1830.

The Iris, a Literary and Religious Offering.
Edited by the Rev. Thomas Dale, M.A.
London, Sampson Low, Hurst, Chance
and Co., 1830.

We have selected these from the glit. tering crowd of Annuals that fill our tables, because of their more sober and Christian character, and because, while they possess very high, perhaps the highest literary claims, and with the most splendid embellishments, they have not been ashamed to blazon even upon their title-pages the epithets of Christian and Religious. We are certainly no friends to this class of literary gewgaws, which while we make every allowance for the encouragement thus offered to the arts, are, we think, indicative of a fantastic and diseased taste; but we are glad to find even in this group, those who deem that religion must consecrate even amusement, and that the arts and literature find their noblest employment in her hallowed service. Such do we conceive Mr. Hall to be, whose beautiful compilation proves, as we are glad to see, that his exertions have been rewarded; and certainly this his fifth volume evinces that these exertions have not been diminished. The engravings are of the most splendid character-The Crucifixion, by Martin-The Minstrel of Chamouni, the first interview of the Spaniards and Peruvians, and many others, are chefs d'œuvres; and each of them intrinsically worth far more than the price of the volume. Nor is the literary execution undeserving of its accompaniments. We wish we could transfer the

striking poem of the Crucifixion to our pages. Cunningham has some sweet views, on "My Native Vale.” Mr. Sadlier, recently distinguished for his parliamentary opposition to the relief bill, has given a short, but very pleasing poem on the "Banks of the Dove." Wrangham, Dale, Mrs. Hemans, and others, have joined to compose the poetic wreath; and Mrs. Howitt has contributed a powerful ballad, that occasionally reminded us of Coleridge's never-to-beforgotten" Antient Mariner," In prose, our talented countrymen, Doctors Edward and Robert Walsh, have contributed their portion; and the latter especially, has given a more interesting sketch of the Roman Invasion, and conferred antiquarian celebrity, as the "Irish Herculaneum," to the sandcovered remains of "Old Bannow," as our countrywoman, Mrs. Hall, basmore modern fame to the character and scenes of its successor. The same Lady has given an interesting Irish tale, and a very striking Irish sketch, "We'll see about it," containing an admirable lesson on Irish indolence and procrastination. We were not much struck by a laboured article," The Voice of Prophecy;" but the spirited tale of The Two Delhi," borrowed apparently from Voltaire's "Blanc et Noir," attracted our attention; and Miss Mitford's Castle in the Air," amused us very much. We cordially recommend this little volume to all who love beau-, tiful engravings and reading, which, though light, is calculated to improve the feelings and gratify the taste.

"The Iris" is Mr. Dale's first attempt, and is highly creditable to his editorial taste. The engravings are of an high order-the verses, among which Mr. Dale's own productions are conspicuous for piety and execution, are decidedly good, better indeed we think than the prose, as well as forming the greater proportion of the volume. The longest in the volume, and one of con. siderable merit, is by Mr. Dale, on the raising of Jairus' daughter; and other contributions, of various merits, are to be found from Mr. and Mrs. Howitt, Roscoe, Montgomery, Noel, and others. The most striking prose contribution is by Mr. Cox, the author of the Life of Melancthon, and is entitled, "The Festival of the Translation of the Scriptures;" the annual meeting of Luther, Me. lancthon, and their eminent assistants and associates, at the house of Pomeranus, in Wittemberg, to celebrate that important event-the conversation of

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these Christian worthies is well imagined, and the characters of Luther and Melancthon sketched with considerable skill. There is an interesting sketch of the character of Nicodemus, by the late Bishop Heber, and a good analysis of our Lord's conversation with that sincere but timid pharisee, who subsequently seems to have made considerable advances in Christian boldness, both in his defence of the man restored to sight by Jesus, and in his joining Joseph in bis dangerous demand of the body of our Lord. It would be doing injustice to the generous feelings manifested by the Editors of the established Annuals towards this aspirant, not to mention that the names of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, and of Alaric Watts, are to be found among his contributors.

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We have been favoured with a letter from a friend in Kilkenny, enclosing a tract, headed, “ Jubilee Address of the Bishops"the Bishops, the only Bishops of Ireland!!! It commences as follows:

"Beloved brethren in Christ Jesusit has pleased God that you should live to witness the publication of another Jubilee- Again, does the Father of the faithful"—not God, but the Pope “unlock the spiritual treasures confided to his dispensation" when and where" and exhorts his children to go enrich their souls for Heaven." This new Pope "fearing lest any of his fock should be allowed to perish," is anxious for the the guidance and direction of Heaven," and, therefore, he calls upon the children of Christendom to pray that the wisdom which sitteth by the throne of God may be with him," and in proof that the prayer is granted, and that Heaven has heard the supplication, he announces that he has published a Jubilee. Not four years ago, if we remember aright, another Jubilee was proclaimed and enjoyed in Ireland happy country! upon which spiritual blessings are lavishly poured! bountiful Church, so lavish of the plenary indulgence of the Jubilee,

Boniface VIII. some five hundred years ago, casting a pitying eye on the Christian world, and innuendoing a sort of reproof on Peter, Clement, and Linæus, and all succeeding Bishops of Rome, who never thought of a Jubilee at all-who had no conception of imitating Jews and Pagans-ordered that a Jubilee should take place once every hundred years. succeeding Pope seeing the advantage,

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(not a word of pecuniary profit) brought the blessing down to every fifty years; another good Pope reduced it to twentyfive years, and now we have them at intervals of four years. It is to be presumed they have done much good-that the dearest interests of human souls were concerned in the repetition, and as the BISHOPS are so good as to proffer a renewal of the blessing to Irelanddoubtless, they have found great good to accrue. Now we, alas! poor Protestant souls are looking around us, and making anxious inquisition as to whether the two Jubilees, one past, the other in progress, have really "enriched the children of the Pope, for Heaven." We look abroad upon our towns and cities-cast our eyes about from Kilkenny to Tippe rary, and from thence to Doneraile, and are forced to ask, where are the "salutary works" which those Jubilees are calculated to inspire? Or is it that the Pope the more wicked the people are the more indulgent he is ?-or does he, indeed, consider that the people of Ireland-we mean the Popish people-deserve graces, and indulgences, and jubilees? Does he suppose, that in a country where murder is applauded by a whole population, and assassination has the assent and consent of whole districts, jubilees and plenary indulgences are to be proclaimed? We, Protestants, whose authority is the Word of God, are accustomed to read in our Bible the denunciations of God, and not his Jubilees against national and individual wickedness; and we appeal to every man's experience, to every man's feelings, and common sense, whether this is a time to offer a plenary indulgence to the people of Ireland? But we stand corrected we allow that it is declared in this address of the BISHOPS, that none but the truly CONVERTED, are to have any bene fit from the Jubilee; if this be really the intention, we apprehend that the Pope might as well have kept his Jubilee in his pocket-for we, poor Bible-instructed souls, are certain that the Pope's Jubilee, if it will do the unconverted no good, will not be wanted by those whom the spirit of God has turned from darkness to light, and who "are begotten again to a lively hope in Christ Jesus." But the pastoral published by the Popish Bishop of Ossory, unfortunately for his whole flock, not forgetting the barony of Galmoy, where about the period of the last Jubilee, twenty murders-unpunished, unavenged by the law, were committed, says that the persons receiving benefit

from the Jubilee, must be in a state of grace, and in, friendship with God, and that they must hold in their bosom Jesus, the mediator of the New Testament." Now, we would ask Dr. Kinshela, who, we presume, is the author of the address, whether any proper Romanist can know whether he receives any benefit from the Jubilee or not-for, if we are not mistaken, according to the principles of the Church of Rome, no one can have assurance that he is in a state of graceit, in their Church, is held to be pride and presumption, to say so-moreover he must receive the eucharist before he receives benefit from the Jubilee. Now, as the reality of the eucharist, its truth, its blessing and grace, depend upon the intention of the Priest how does the receiver know but the Priest may be an unbeliever, and have no intention at all? He may be like Father Brennan, who declared to Protestants that he was for many years an unbeliever in the Church of Rome, and declares now to Romanists, that he was for years an unbeliever (we know he was a drunkard and a beast) in the Church of England. To whom then, is the Jubilee a benefit— is it so to the crowds that we have seen rushing out of the Metropolitan chapel in Dublin, or the chapels of Cashel, or Thurles, or Cork? We think we could almost prove that the murderers of Chadwick and Mara, indulged themselves with the plenary pardons of the last Jubilee— we say was a Jubilee beneficial to all or to any, we presume not to answer the question-but can tell unto whom it was, as it has been, since Boniface the Eighth's time, beneficial; to the Pope and his Priests; and we think it is fair to say, in the quaint words of an old writer, that "the Pope's in their Jubilees have proved themselves not so much indulgent as emulgent Fathers" or in other words, that the Pontiff hereby evinces his willingness to milk rather than to feed the Church.-7000 good pounds of the sterling coin of Great Britain, we have heard, were cast into the treasury of the Metropolitan chapel in Dublin, during the last Jubilee. How much for all Ireland, we cannot guess-Oh! that some German statist would, for the satisfaction of our Roman Catholic countrymen, show in a tabular form, how much pontiffs and priests have conjured from the pockets of mankind by their jubilees and indulgences. In a word, we would ask, what is the use of a Jubilee-how far is it good for this world or the next-what, its use for this world?-Oh! it absolves

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