says "I am more orthodox than you" the enthusiast“ I am sounder in the faith ;" and thus superstition and fanaticism, while they make their own election sure, charitably consign to everlasting, misery all who do not think as they do. The Churchman tamely observes the rapid strides that are making towards the subversion of the established religion; satisfied that, as the world becomes more enlightened by the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures, erroneous doctrines and unscriptural tenets will give place to apostolic truths, and bring the church to its primitive simplicity. But while faith and practice refuse to go hand in hand, hope and charity will be at variance; and the Christian graces that should inhabit one soul and prepare it for eternity, being thus disunited and deprived of each other's support, may, for aught we know, disappoint all our expectations of happiness in a future state.

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Moderation, seasoned with a commendable zeal for the maintenance of the Gospel, is certainly a glorious trait in the Christian character. But apathy of spirit, in times like the present, when the Church is undermined and threatened with destruction is reprehensible, and should be roused into action. Force must be repelled by force and every individual, at such a time, should lend an assisting hand, and exert all his energy to put a stop to invasions of so ruinous a tendency. But at the present moment, there seems to be more teachers than persons to be taught. Not only

school boys and apprentices, as before observed, but every country looby, as soon as he can write his name or read a paragraph, thinks himself capable of discussing the most important subjects, and able to clear up the most doubtful points. Too wise, in his own opinion, to listen to his Pastor, he is now, be presumes, fully qualified to expound the Scriptures himself, with clearness and precision, and actually takes upon himself that sacred duty; in which he is suffered to proceed sometimes with, and sometimes without leave or licence.

How far these learned beings will increase the wisdom and piety of a nation, remains to be proved; but it is surmised by many, that religion is more talked of than practised in this enlightened age; and, that under the garb of sanctity, vice and immorality trespass on the peace of all classes of society.

Whether we shall become a happier nation as knowledge increases, or a more virtuous people by enlarging the mind of the peasantry, and annihilating the rustic simplicity of our cottagers, is a question that must also be left to the decision of time. The increase of crimes, however, and the barbarities practised by the lower class of late years, do little credit to the dissemination of Christian knowledge, and are by no means adapted to encourage the liberal system of education that is so universally, though perhaps indiscriminately, patronized. Equality seems to be the prevailing

spirit of the times; from nobility downwards, each vies to out-do his neighbour in grandeur, dress, and attainments; but the greatest of all these evils is, that the dissemination of Christian knowledge seems to be considered of the first importance, while Christian duties are only of a secondary consideration; and Christian practices are, in consequence, very much neglected. In support of an opinion so decisive, it may not be amiss to annex the following extract from Lord Chief Justice Best's charge to the grand jury of the county of Somerset. After pointing out the nature of the crimes which would come before the grand jury, and expatiating on the causes of the increase of crimes, he proceeded thus:

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"The next point to which I should wish to call the attention of the grand jury in proceeding to reform the public morals, is the necessity of increasing the attention of the lower classes to religious instruction from their several pastors. This recommendation," he continued, stripped of any imputation of bigotry, when all he wished was, that the people should adhere to rational instruction, of whatever class of Christians they had ranged themselves with. The time was, when they had been told that the growth of education would of itself turn people's minds to religion; but the experience of the last twenty years, when education had had its full trial, refuted that expectation; for within that space of time the population had increased one

third, while crime had augmented four-fold. He wished not for a moment to be understood as discouraging the diffusion of education; for when properly conducted, he was deeply impressed with its value. At the same time, he knew that according as it operated, it made the mind more susceptible of good and bad impressions. If well directed, it led to good practical results; but if the poor boy or girl was sent out to encounter poverty without a guide, the struggle would more affect the educated than the uncultivated mind, and more readily expose it to hasty and sanguine impressions."

NUMBER XXIX.

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ON THE EDUCATION OF THE POOR,

'Tis education forms the tender mind;
Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclin'd,
Children like tender osiers take the bow,
And as they first are fashion'd, always grow.

ALTHOUGH England, it is generally allowed, presents the most sublime examples of charity, benevolence, and attention to the poor; still might she take a few salutary hints from her continental neighbours to ameliorate their condition. The diffusion of useful instruction, the forming the mind to habits of industry, and attending to the morals, are considerations of the highest importance to the state and to the community at large; and yet, whilst the greatest activity prevails in the distribution of the Bible, and the most zealous exertions are employed in the dissemination of Christian knowledge, the inculcation of Christian virtues is lamentably neglected in the British seminaries. To behold the noble institutions and fine establishments that are supported