The Missionaries plead earnestly for more bibles for distribution, and the Society is especially desirous to obtain means for the publication of the Scriptures in the Judæo-Polish language, which is the vernacular tongue of many thousands of Jews on the continent, and of the Syriac translation of the New Testament in Hebrew characters, which would be familiar to all the Oriental Jews. The meeting was also addressed by the Principal of Magdalen Hall, the Rev. Mr. Champneys, Mr. Pauli, the Rev. Messrs. Missing, Jordan, Morgan, and Hill. A collection was made at the door, which amounted to 24. 18s. 1d.-Oxford Paper. At a Council held on Tuesday, March 3rd, the sum of 20. was unanimously voted from the city funds, in aid of establishing a daily parochial school, in St. Aldate's parish. A site for the erection of a school-room has been procured, but a considerable addition must be made to the subscriptions already received, before it can be commenced; and, consequently, this benevolent undertaking is at present impeded by want of means.-Ibid. On Thursday last, the inhabitants of Bicester, in this county, presented to the Rev. F. A. Dawson, M. A. of Brasennose College, their late curate, a massive silver inkstand, with an appropriate inscription, as a testimony of their esteem, on his going to India.-Ibid. The Rev. Henry H. Bobart, M.A. of Christ Church, late perpetual curate of Benson, has voluntarily resigned that living, for the purpose of becoming a Missionary to New Zealand.-Ibid. SOMERSETSHIRE. Upwards of 917. were collected at the church of St. Michael's, Bath, on Sunday, the 15th instant, in aid of the fund for rebuilding that edifice. It was the last occasion of performing Divine Service in the old building.—Salisbury Herald. BATH BIBLE SOCIETY.-The anniversary meeting of our local Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society was held on the 11th of March at the Assembly Rooms, J. Hammett, Esq. in the chair. The meeting was well attended.—Bath Gazette. age of Bredfield, in Suffolk, on the Rev. George Crabbe, the eldest son and biographer of the deceased poet. This intelligent gentleman had hitherto been without any preferment except a poor curacy in the neighbourhood of Bristol. As Mr. Crabbe's character is said to be excellent in all respects, we are extremely happy to see his father's genius honoured in his person. This appointment reflects the greater credit on the Lord Chancellor, as he has no personal knowledge of Mr. Crabbe, and has bestowed it without solicitation, and without reference to political connexion, on the ground of the respectable and meritorious character of the individual benefited.-Times. SURREY. The small chapel of the village of Shirley, near Croydon, is found insufficient for the accommodation of the persons who desire to attend it; and the erection of a new chapel, of larger dimensions, and more convenient structure, is contemplated. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Vicar are, we hear, active promoters of it. The Right Hon. Alexander Baring has most generously given the ground; and there is no fear of a deficiency of funds from the liberality of the nobility and blishment of a Sunday School is also in gentry of the neighbourhood. The estaoperation. Surrey Standard. WILTSHIRE. On Thursday, March 5th, an opposition was made to the grant of the church-rate for the parish of Öldswinford, near Stourbridge, which contains a manufacturing population of upwards of 14,000; but on a division the rate was carried by a very large majority of rate-payers. A poll was then demanded by the opponents, who were composed chiefly of Dissenters, but subsequently finding that if the poll were proceeded with, the majority in favour of the rate would be immense, the opposition was abandoned.-This attempt aroused such a strong Conservative feeling, that a loyal address to the king was signed in the space of a few hours by several hundred most respectable individuals of Stourbridge and the neighbourhood, expressive of their gratitude for the gracious sentiments condetermination to support his Majesty in tained in his Majesty's speech, and their the exercise of his prerogative; and thanking him for calling to his councils endeavours are manifestly calculated to at so critical a period "statesmen, whose maintain the honour of the crown, and the best interests of the empire, and in whose firmness, wisdom, and integrity, they repose entire confidence."-Salisbury Herald. On Thursday the 12th inst. a large National and Sunday School was opened at Brierly Hill, near Stourbridge, for the instruction of five hundred children, two hundred and fifty of each sex.-Ibid. WORCESTERSHIRE. KING'S NORTON.-On Monday the 16th inst. a very numerous and highly respectable meeting of rate-payers of this parish was held at the workhouse, for the purpose of passing the churchwardens' accounts, and granting a church-rate. After the accounts had been passed, a church-rate of 3d. in the pound was granted without a dissentient voice. It gives us pleasure to report the above; evincing as it does the absence of that factious and lawless spirit of opposition which has disgraced our and the neighbouring parish of Aston.--Birmingham Advertiser. own YORKSHIRE. The sixth general annual meeting of the members of the Ripon, Masham, and Aldbro' districts committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge was held at the Chapter House, Ripon Minster, on Tuesday, the 27th of January, the Rev. G. H. Webber in the chair. The Rev. R. Poole read the report, from which the following is extracted:" The number of books issued from the Ripon depository in 1834 was 312 Bibles, 339 Testaments, 781 Common Prayer Books, 1,096 hound books, and 7,278 religious tracts, making a total of 9,806, besides a considerable number of cards to national, infant, and Sunday schools. The following resolutions were named : moved by the gentlemen "Moved by Q. Rhodes, Esq., seconded by the Rev. G. S. Weidemann- That the parent society having, with laudable anxiety to promote Christian knowledge in all the world, extended their operations by translating the Bible and Prayer Book into foreign languages, this committee recommend the claims of this branch of their labours to the kind consideration and support of all friends in the district.' "Moved by W. J. Coltman, Esq., seconded by the Rev. Robert Poole-That in order to give greater facility and encouragement to the distribution of the Bible and Prayer Book in the district, and open a wider circle of co-operation among all the members of the church, the subscribers to the Foreign Bible and Prayer Book Society be allowed, for the space of one year, to purchase English Bibles and Prayer Books at the society's reduced price, to double the amount of their subscription, the difference between the reduced and cost price being paid out of the district fund.' "Moved by Charles Oxley, Esq., seconded by the Rev. G. H. Webber-That the Rev. William Gray and the Rev. Robert Poole be appointed a deputation to attend the annual meeting of the parent society in London, in June, on behalf of the Ripon committee, in order more strongly to impress upon that meeting the unanimous wish of this district, that the subscribers to the Foreign Bible and Prayer Book Fund be allowed to supply themselves with English Bibles and Prayer Books on the most favourable terms, consistent with the general interest and engagements of the society.' LAYING THE FIRST STONE OF MELTHAM CHAPEL TOWER.-The disputes respecting the presentation to the curacy of Meltham are happily at an end, and the friends of the church in that neighbourhood are about erecting a tower to the chapel, and enlarging the building, so as to afford 300 free sittings for the poorer members. There is to be a new clock. These additions, together with a school-room to accommodate 200 children, will be completed at an expense of about 1,500l., raised chiefly by the subscriptions of the inhabitants and the neighbourhood. The first stone of the new tower was laid on Thursday, March the 5th, by the Grand Lodge of Free Masons for the West Riding. After the usual service, a most impressive sermon was preached by the provincial grand chaplain, brother Dr. Naylor, of Wakefield, from 32nd chapter of Isaiah, 8th verse. The contributions after the sermon amounted to 16l. 18s, exclusive of a donation from the Earl of Mexborough.-Leeds Intelligencer. IRELAND. DUBLIN, FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH. — Government has commenced a criminal prosecution against the "Freeman's Journal," for an article published in that paper of the 13th of February last, headed" The Parsons," in reference to a petition then about being adopted by the Protestant clergymen, praying to be relieved from the repayment of the various sums advanced to them by the Government in lieu of their tithes, which, owing to the extensive combination formed against that species of property, a vast number of the unfortunate incumbents did not receive for three or four years. An information, embodying the above article, has been sworn at the bead police-office, and it concludes with stating that it is "a libel upon the clergy of the established church of England and Ireland, or upon the members of the said clergy connected with the Irish branch of the said church."-Times. JUST PUBLISHED. NEW The Bishop of London's Manual of Private Devotion. 18mo. Is. 3d. Cæsar's Helvetic War, Latin and English interlinear. 12mo. 28. Exercises on Ditto. 12mo. 1s. 6d. Extracts from Cæsar's Gallic War, for the use of The Cameleon; or, Conversations, French and Six plain Sermons on the Sabbath. By the Rev. Selections from the English Poets, from Chaucer to Milman. 12mo. 45. Aldine Poets, Vol. XXXII. (Akenside,) Foolscap. 1s. 6d. Spiritual Despotism. By the Author of Natural History of Enthusiasm.' 8vo. 10s. 6d. Poems, with Illustrations. By Louisa Anne Twamley. Crown 8vo. 78. 6d. Anthologia Sacra; or, Christian Aphorisms. 18mo. 3s. 6d. Topography of Thebes, and General View of The Book for the Million. By the Author of 'The Young Gentleman's Book.' 12mo. 5s. 6d. Bostock's History of Medicine. 8vo. 7s. 6d. The Rev. J. Marshall's (of Edinburgh) Sermons. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Thomson's Materia Medica. 8vo. 218. Keith on the Evidence of Prophecy. 13th edit. 12mo. 7s. Greswell's Exposition of the Parables, Vols. IV. & V. 36s, Theological Library, Vol. II. (Le Bas's Life of Laconics. 6th edit. 3 vols. 18mo. 128. BOOKS. An Historical and Descriptive Catalogue_of Manuscripts in the Library of the late Dr. Adam Clarke. By J. B. B. Clarke. Royal 8vo. 21s. Rev. J. F. Denham's Spelling and Reading Book. 2nd edit. 12mo. 1s. 6d. Sacred Classics, Vol. XV. (Sermons for Lent,) Foolscap. 3s. 6d. The Rev. J. Close's Historical Discourses. 3rd edit. 12mo. 6s. 188. Grimstone's Arrangement of the Common Prayer and Lessons. 2 vols. Crown 8vo. Letters of a Pastor to his Flock. By J. H. Evans. 32mo. 18. The Greek Testament, with English Notes. By the Rev. E. Burton, D.D. 2 vols. 8vo. 24s. Cowper's Life and Works. Revised and Edited by the Rev. T. S. Grimshawe. Vol. I. Foolscap. 58. Memoir of the Rev. Joseph Hughes, M.A. By the Rev. J. Leifchild. 8vo. 12s. Illustrations of the Botany of the Himalayan Mountains. By J. Forbes Royle. Part XV. Imperial 4to. 20s. The Rev. H. Gauntlett's Life and Sermons. 2 vols. 8vo. 21s. Blunt's Our Saviour. Part I. 3rd edit. 12mo. 5s. 6d. Jones's Book of the Heart. 12mo. 6s. Mant's British Months. 2 vols. small 8vo. 9s. Twenty Sermous. By the late Rev. W. Howels. 12mo. 7s. The Book of Trades; or, Circle of the Useful Arts. Square. 6s. Hawker's Poor Man's Evening Portion. 8th edit. 12mo. 5s. Tate's Richmond Rules for the Ovidian Distich. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Christianity compared with Unitarianism. By Baptist W. Noel, M.A.18mo. 2s. A Tour through North America. By Patrick Abbott's Young Christian, abridged. By the 8s. 6d. Pantika; or, Traditions of the most Ancient Cabinet Illustrations to the Bible and Common Brookes and Walker's Gazetteer. Edited by IN THE PRESS. A Poet's Portfolio; or, Minor Poems, in three Books. By J. Montgomery. Foolscap 8vo. Travels in Ethopia. By G. A. Hoskins, Esq. with plates. Autobiography of an Irish Traveller. 3 vols. Post 8vo. A complete Latin and English Dictionary, com. piled from the best sources, chiefly German, and adapted to the use of Colleges and Schools. 1 vol. 8vo. By the Rev. T. E. Riddle, M.A. Travels in Northern Greece, with Maps, Plans, &c. By W. M. Leake, F.R.S. The Third Edition of the Autobiography of a Dissenting Minister, which will contain an Answer from the Rev. Author to the Reviewers of the former Editions of this volume. A Narrative of the Visit made by the Deputies to the American Churches from the Congrega. tional Union of England and Wales. By A. Reed, D.D., and J. Matheson, D.D. PRICES OF CANAL SHARES, DOCK STOCKS, &c. At the Office of R. W. Moore, 5, Bank Chambers, Lothbury. THE Letters on Clothing Clubs, Lady Hewley's Charity, Literary Institutions, and Parish Shop, and R. W. B." on Queen Anne's Bounty, are in type, but deferred from press of matter. .. Letters are received from the following Correspondents :-Mr. Oxlee, "W. D.,” “T. G.,” "W. G.," "W. B. H.," "M. N.," Mr. Huyshe, "W. M.," and "An Anti-Calvinist.' "Eboracensis will find the Augmentation Act actually reprinted in Number I. of, this Magazine. The Editor assures "One of the Olden Times" that he agrees fully with him in the belief that sporting clergymen do most serious mischief to their own professional influence, and to the character of their profession. But he must be excused from inserting a long letter on the subject. It is the business of the Bishops, not of a Magazine, to give the clergy directions for their conduct. And his correspondent may be assured that the general feeling among the clergy will very shortly be too strong for the few sportsmen among them. The few who continue the practice, will find every year that they sink lower in the estimate of their brethren as well as that of the world at large. An apppeal of a very urgent nature is made by the American Episcopalians for contributions of books to the library of their Theological Seminary. It has not any FUND for buying booksit contains 3800 volumes only, many almost useless. There are six Professors, and last year there were eighty Students. The importance of this Seminary cannot be overrated by episcopalians; and a library is necessary alike, if learning is thought necessary for professors or students. They who value the episcopal church in America will surely gladly contribute to this useful object; and it is happily one where help can be easily given. Mr. Miller, American Bookseller, 13, Henrietta-street, Covent Garden, will receive books. "Clericus Cornubiensis" has heard it questioned whether the orders of the episcopal clergy of Scotland are acknowledged by our church. How any churchman can question this may well excite wonder. For obvious and, on the whole, sufficient reasons, but mere reasons of expediency, they are restrained from officiating in England. But this inhibition as to the exercise of their powers, so far from throwing any doubt on their orders, actually recognises them. "N.W." shall be used in the next Number. His letter arrived only on the 26th. Communications should be sent by the 15th. "I. C." was likewise too late. The Editor wishes to take this place for recommending a noble pamphlet by Mr. Newman, of Oriel, on the "Restoration of Suffragan Bishops," and most especially the invaluable passage on the powers of the church to fit itself to all circumstances. He likewise wishes to call attention to Archdeacon Cotton's pamphlet called "Fiat Justitia," which contains a full exposé of the present state of the Irish church. BRITISH MAGAZINE. MAY 1, 1835. ORIGINAL PAPERS. THE DARK AGES.-No. III. nil dulcius est, bene quam munita tenere Edita doctrina sapientum templa serena; Despicere unde queas alios, passimque videre Errare, atque viam palanteis quærere vitæ."-LUCRETIUS. "Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law."-Ps. cxix. WHEN I began the preceding paper, I had no idea of replying to Robertson's character of the clergy during the dark ages at such length; and meant only to notice, very briefly, such parts of his statement as are absolutely untrue. I intended, until I should have thus gone through his remarks, to say little or nothing on matters which may be more conveniently, intelligibly, and convincingly discussed after untruths have been exposed, and the prejudices created and fostered by them removed; and also, after a variety of facts have been adduced, which may be referred to for proof or illustration. Perhaps enough has been already said to shew that the clergy of the period to which Robertson refers were not so universally, or even so entirely, ignorant as might be supposed from his language; yet, having said so much, and considering that it all tends to the elucidation of our subject in more than one way, I feel desirous (without professing here to enter fully into the subject) to add one or two more extracts, which are not, I think, in themselves uninteresting. From the Constitutions of Reculfus, who became Bishop of Soissons in A.D. 879, and who is supposed to have issued these instructions to his clergy ten years afterwards, it appears as if he took it for granted that they could, not only read, but write. The fourth, fifth, and sixth sections are as follows: Know, therefore, that this is addressed to you, ' Be ye clean, ye that bear the vessels of the Lord ;'* which you must not suppose to refer only to • "Mundamini qui fertis vasa Domini." Isaiah lii. 11. I give the words of our translation; and wish to mention that I do so wherever there is not any material variation. 3 R VOL. VII.-May, 1835. |