Catholic Church in its full developement. In past times there were those who thought to find what they needed in Puritanism: they tried it, and found it a broken reed, which gave way under them and pierced them. In the last age, Wesleyan Methodism was believed by many to be the panacea of all evils. That, too, was tried and failed. Then came Evangelicalism (so called), and that, likewise, has been weighed in the balances, and found wanting. And now the deceiver of souls tempts men under a different aspect, with Socialism, or Mormonism, or some kindred * Because the upper Classes have as yet heard little of this portentous form of error, they must not suppose that its influence is not to be dreaded. It threatens to become that to Protestantism, which Mahometanism has been to Christianity, Like Mahometanism, it has its new Revelation; like that, it is a confused mixture made up of all previously existing heresies,-" or rather a further development of the one dissenting spirit ;" and it unites in itself some of the worst parts of the "Free-thinking," Wesleyan, Baptist, Irvingite, and Swedenborgian systems. It is rapidly spreading in this Country. Of the 100,000 Converts of whom Mr. Caswall (in his "City of the Mormons," a little book to be had at Rivingtons, and which every body should have) speaks, the greater portion are English. Large bodies are constantly emigrating from this country to Narrvoo; and Mr. Caswall, who has had the best means of judging, not only apprehends great immediate danger of the increase of the sect, but thinks it highly probable (so cleverly has this monstrous imposition been adapted to the state of popular feeling) that if even the infamous founder of the sect should ever (in consequence of his immoral life) be disowned by his adherents, nevertheless "his doctrines, somewhat refined, may, (if God does not in His mercy interpose) be a rule of faith and practice to millions." heresy, which offers for the moment a spiritual restingplace. And all this happens because the Catholic system of our English Church has been allowed to fall into oblivion; because, while our Prayer-book and Formularies enjoin us to take one course, we choose to decide, on our own authority, that that course is unsuited to our times, and so we, each for ourselves, adopt another. What, if instead of giving way to party strifes and jealousies, we could make up our minds to, at least, try and obey the Rubrics and Canons of our Church? What, if one class of Churchmen, instead of hankering after questionable observances, and speaking as if they were dissatisfied with, and unthankful for the blessings of the Reformation, would learn to be content with, act upon, and live up to the privileges which they confess to be within their reach? What, if another class of Churchmen would cease to prefer Protestantism to Christianity? Might we not hope that the Church would be the gainer, and that we should make the discovery that the system prescribed by our rituals when fairly carried out, would meet and provide for all the spiritual necessities of all classes of society? "The truth is," as an eminent Prelate has lately observed, "that until the Church's intentions are completely fulfilled, we do not know what the Church really is, nor what she is capable of effecting."+ + Bp. of London's Charge (1842) p. 36. Oh, that Churchmen would, at least, try the experiment! would forget the inexorable bitterness which of late has actuated them! would lay aside mutual recriminations, and make it their only rivalry, how, at an equal distance from Romanism and Dissent, they may most strictly carry out the intentions of the Church, how extend her blessings and privileges to those who now are wandering after they know not what, but whom Catholic Truth and practice would satisfy; and how, above all, they may become themselves examples of the purity, and devotion, and self-denial, and humility, and reverence, and love, which are the ingredients of the true Churchman's character! "I tell you, captain,-If you look in the maps of the 'orld, I warrant you shall find, in the comparisons between Macedon and Monmouth, that the situations, look you, is both alike. There is a river in Macedon; and there is also, moreover, a river at Monmouth, it is called Wye at Monmouth; but it is out of my prains, what is the name of the other river; but 'tis all one, 'tis so like as my fingers is to my fingers, and there is salmons in both." SHAKSPERE. THE points of resemblance between Macedon and Monmouth enumerated by Fluellen in the passage which has been selected as the motto for this opening chapter, afford good hints of generalisation to the story-teller, who intends to disguise his localities. So long as he commits himself to no more minute B |