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From Italy, Switzerland, and some other countries, the most distressing intelligence continues to arrive of the prevalence of typhus fever and similar affections, from insufficient nourishment and the bad quality of the food. In addition to the various accounts which have appeared in the public journals; we have seen private letters which but too fully corroborate the fact. The following is an extract from one dated Lausanne, April 30 ; and should it meet the eye of any traveller in that neighbourhood, we trust it will not plead in vain. "Never was known in the annals of Switzerland such a period of sufferings. The borrors of famine are not, thank God! felt in the Canton de Vaud, Geneva, nor indeed any of the Protes tant Cantons; but among the Catholics it beggars all description. I had last week a memorial sent me from the Canton of Glâris, which nearly equals in horror the siege of Jerusalem: it has been forwarded to England to the resident Swiss, and I hope they will collect something considerable. Madame really suffers in mind and body, from the contemplation of sufferings so great and so extensive. Their country house is in a small village in Savoy,where but for them the inhabitants would be starved to death. The heavy losses which their own fortune has sustained cripples their means; and this winter Madame has deprived her children of all their masters, to feed the poor wretched Catholics, who are as helpless and as ignorant as possible. This truly excellent woman goes twice a week herself to make and to distribute bread, which is baked in their own oven; but she says it will be impossible for them to go and reside there this summer, as she cannot see her neighbours starve, nor yet supply the hundreds who besiege her gate, and cry to her as their only friend. Her spirits are quite weighed down, and sometimes she weeps and prays in real agony."

In consequence of the occupation of Monte Video by the Portuguese, some serious misunderstandings have occurred between Spain and Portugal, which, it is apprehended, may lead to hostilities. If, however, a recent report which has reached this country, of a general insurrection of the Brazilians against their government, should be confirmed, the dispute between the two states will be settled without much difficulty.

On Easter Sunday there was publish

ed at St. Petersburg, a very remarkable imperial mandate, in favour of such Jews as are, or may be, converted to the Christian faith. In the northern and southern governments, lands are to be assigned them gratis, where such as please may settle at their own expense. under the name of the Society of Jewish Christians. A Board also is to be formed at St. Petersburg, entitled "The Board for the Affairs of Jewish Christians;" on which, and on no other magistrates, except in criminal cases, the converted Jews are to depend. They are to be allowed to carry on trade and commerce, to establish manufactories, distilleries, &c. They are to be free from military service and the billetting of troops. Foreign converted Jews, who may join this community, will be at liberty again to leave the country after paying their debts, and the legal contributions for three years upon the capital which they may have acquired therein.

The last advices from China, by the ship General Hewitt, have, in some measure, dissipated the clouds which appeared to be gathering in that quarter. Lord Amherst and his suite arrived at Canton on New Year's Day, after a journey of four months through the heart of the country. The alleged cause of the dismissal of the embassy, without an audience, appears to have been a misrepresentation made by the minister Ho-kung-ye, for which he was a few days after dismissed from all his offices; but this was probably a mere pretence. No reliance can be placed on the official statements of the Chinese government as developing either the facts of the case or the motives of their own conduct.— It may be mentioned as a remarkable proof of their profligate disregard of truth, even in public acts, that in an imperial rescript issued on the occasion, the destructive attack of the British frigate, Alceste, on the Chinese forts, was represented merely as a salute, in firing which, some trivial accidents had occurred, in consequence of the shot, from inadvertence, not hav. ing been drawn from a few of the guns,

All we certainly know is, that the embassy has not been received. The Chinese would not relax from their demand of certain prostrations, which were found to be more humiliating than his lordship had anticipated, and with which he refused to comply. They were required, doubtless, with a view

to this result. No bad consequences, however, had followed; and with the exception of being received at Court, every courtesy and respect have been paid to the embassy. The presents had all been returned, except the portraits of his majesty and the prince regent, which were retained as a mark of respect to them.

Considerable discussion has eccurred during the last month, both in and out of Parliament, on some important questions, connected with holding seditious meetings and vending illegal pamphlets. On the 27th March, Lord Sidmouth had issued a circular letter to the Lords Lieutenants of Counties, notifying the opinion of the Crown Law Officers, that individuals found selling seditious or blasphemous writings might be arrested and held to bail to answer to the charge. Various persons have in consequence been taken up; and the evil appears, from authority, to be considerably abated.

In the execution, however, of these and other discretionary powers vested in the magistrate, a few instances of misconception have occurred. In particular, a very respectable society in London, composed exclusively of members of the Universities and Inns of Court, was refused a licence to meet, as they had done for more than nineteen years, to discuss "philosophical, literary, historical, and political subjects." One of the magistrates expressly stated his opinion, that "the purpose of the late act was to put down all political discussion whatever;" the very absurdity of which statement has led the way to such explanations as will probably prevent similar abuses in future. It need hardly be added, that the society has since obtained the desired licence.

Among other persons supposed to have been affected bythe above-mentioned circular, is aMr.Wright, a Socinian minister of Liverpool, who has been publicly mentioned as having been molested express ly for preaching what are denominated Unitarian doctrines. But the Bishop of Chester informed the House of Lords that it was not for teaching Unitarian ism, properly so called, that Mr. Wright was held to bail, but for having been charged, upon oath, with "denying the immortality of the soul," and maintaining that "the idea of a future state was an absurdity." It was not, however, for this, but for preaching in an unlicensed Toom, that Mr. Wright was fined; and

the fine imposed upon him, which was but twenty shillings, has been since confirmed at the Sessions to which he appealed.

Thistlewood, who is supposed to have been a chief agent in the seditious movements which took place before the meeting of Parliament, and to have supplied the conspirators with money, has been apprehended, and arraigned with Watson, sen., Hooper, and Preston, for the crime of high treason. The trials will commence on the 9th June. A true bill was also found against Watson, jun. whose place of concealment is still unknown.

We are grieved to learn that ministers deem it necessary, for the public safety, to recommend to parliament a continua tion of the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act, and the other restrictions at present in force. The propriety or impropriety of the measure cannot, of course, be known, till the secret committees which are to be nominated shall have sat and reported on the subject.

The Catholic question has once more undergone an ample discussion in both. houses of parliament. Sir H. Parnell presented, on the 29th April, a petition from the Roman Catholics of Ireland; in which the petitioners, with a view to remove the objections formerly made, pledged themselves to procure from the pope a concordat, agreeing that none but native-born subjects should be raised to the prelacy, and that the election should be exclusively in the hands of the native clergy. Mr. Grattan rose, on the 9th May, to move a resolution similar to that which was carried in 1813, for the appointment of a committee of the whole house to consider the subject. The debate lasted till three o'clock the next morning, when upon a division there appeared

For the motion, ..221 Against it, ......245 It was consequently lost by a majority of 24.

In the house of lords a similar motion was made on the 16th May, and lost by a majority of 52; 90 being for the motion, and 142 against it.

Another inefficient attempt has been made in parliament to suppress state lotteries. The evil cannot, however, in all probability, long exist, as publie opinion is decidedly against it, and the revenue derived from it becomes more and more precarious.

The chancellor of the exchequer, ac

cording to the intimation given in our last Number, has proposed to issue on security, a million and a half of exchequer bills in Great Britain, and a quarter of a million of money in Ireland, for the relief of the manufacturing poor, and with a view to employ them on works of public utility, and especially to encourage our native fisheries. The money is to be managed by gratuitous commissioners, and is to be issued to individual parishes, on their giving adequate securities. We sincerely hope the measure may be found as efficient in its execution, as it is doubtless humane in its design.

Sir F. Burdett has again brought for ward a motion with a view to reform in parliament, which, after a long debate, was negatived by a very large majority. Mr. Manners Sutton has brought in a bill designed to amend and consolidate the different acts relative to clerical residence, and the holding of farms by clergymen, as well as to regulate the support and maintenance of stipendiary curates. The bill is at present only in its progress through the House of Commons, where it may possibly undergo some alterations. It would therefore be

premature to speak of it in very decided terms. At the same time, unless the alterations shall prove considerable, we have no hope that it will be found materially to diminish the evil of non-residence, which the former bill of Sir William Scott, brought in likewise as a remedial measure, has certainly not tended to lessen. The number of non-residents has increased, since the passing of that act, in the proportion of about one half more. The clause in the bill, however, to which we feel the most serious objection, is one which virtually invests the bishop with the power of appointing all the stipendiary curates in his diocese. As this clause has met with considerable opposition, we are not without hope that it may be materially modified. In its present form it would operate a fearful change on the constitution of the Church of England. Such of our readers as wish to see the principles involved in this legislative measure more fully discussed, may turn to our volumes for 1802, pp. 513–519; and for 1803, pp. 212, 236, 289: and for information as to the effects of Sir W. Scott's bill, we would refer them to our volumes for 1808, p. 468, and for 1812, p. 398.

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"ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"A CONSTANT READER" will perceive that the subject of his paper has been anticipated.

P. M.; E.; T. J. O.; Æ.; A Country Curate; Gaius; R. W.; have been received.

PENSATOR; S.; CERETICUS; E. on Irish Female Education, will be inserted.
WM. M. had better give us the information he proposes, by letter.

The "ESSAY ON THE POETRY of CowPER" is left at our Publisher's for the Author. Another "CONSTANT READER" is not very reasonable in his anger. A correspondent of our's has preferred a charge against the Bible edited by Dr. Mant. Whether that charge be just, or not, is a question in which we have taken no part. But even if we had ascertained it to be well founded, we should not think it our duty to shut the Blue Cover against Dr. Mant.

Several articles of Religious Intelligence have reached us at too late a period of the month to be admitted.

We are requested to state, that donations for the relief of the distressed poor of the extensive parish of Darlaston, near Birmingham, will be thankfully received by the Rev. S. Lowe, Rector of Darlaston; Messrs. Spooner and Co., Gracechurchstreet; the Rev. W. Marsh, of Colchester; Mr. Mortlock, Oxford Road; and Mr. Hatchard, 190, Piccadilly. Owing to the decay of the iron trade, the pressure in that parish has been unusually severe, and the funds which have hitherto supplied soup, bread, &c. are on the point of exhaustion. It is confidently hoped that if public liberality shall continue to assist the poor of that neighbourhood for a few months longer, the revival of the iron trade will furnish employment and effectual relief to the wants of the industrious inhabitants.

THE

No. 186.]

JUNE, 1817.

[No. 6. Vol. XVI.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS.

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lowing of the Lord's Day is considered, by increasing numbers, even of persons not unfavourable to the cause of religion, rather as a matter of expediency, than of moral obligation. I am deeply convinced, however, that such an opinion is very injurious to the cause of true godliness; both in respect of the individuals who entertain it, and of the circle, more or less extensive, to which their influence extends. I shall therefore arrange a few thoughts both on the original institution of the Sabbath-the Sabbath, I mean, as a part of the Mosaic dispensation-and on the obligation of the Christian Sabbath, or, more properly speaking, THE LORD'S DAY.

It is evident, even from the Fourth Commandment, that the Sabbath was instituted in commemoration of the creation. "In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day, and hallowed it." (Exod. xx. 11.) Now, what reason can be assigned, why this intended commemoration should never be intimated to mankind, till above two thousand five hundred years after the creation? Had the rational creatures of God no cause or reason to remember that event, during these revolving ages? Had God no worshippers all this time? Were none under obligations to worship him? Would the Sabbath be less needful, useful, or expedient, in order to the worCHRIST, OBSERV, No. 186,

ship of God, before the days of Moses, than it was afterwards? Or why should that at length be

human race, in which, in respect of the reason assigned for its institution, all men are equally concerned?

It has long appeared to me, that any man, not having previously formed another system from books or reasoning, on reading the words of Moses, when he had finished his most sublime narrative of God's creating the world, must conclude, that the appointment of the Sabbath was directly made on that grand occasion: and this conclusion would be the same, whether he read the passage in the original Hebrew or in our translation. "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." (Gen. ii. 1-3.) The institution concerns the whole human race, as much as the nation of Israel: and the reason for thus setting apart a continually returning season, as a memorial of the creation completed and rested in by the great Creator, seemed in some respects more cogent, before the entrance of sin had marred the beauty of the work, and interrupted his full acquiescence in it as "very good," than afterwards, when "it repented the Lord that he had made man, and it grieved him at his heart," (Gen. vi. 6.) and when man's rest 2 7

in God and his works had been by the Fall disturbed or destroyed.

But Dr. Paley (a name in many respects justly entitled to high regard) maintains, that "we hear no more of the Sabbath, or of the seventh day, as in any other manner distinguished from the other six, until the history brings us down to the sojourning of the Jews in the Wilderness. It is unaccountable," he says, "that no mention of it, no occasion of even the obscurest allusion to it should occur, either in the general history of the world before the call of Abraham, which contains, we admit, only a few memoirs of its early ages, and these extremely abridged; or, which is more to be wondered at, in that of the lives of the three first patriarchs, which in many parts of the account is sufficiently circumstantial and particular." It seems here conceded, that we could not reasonably expect to hear of the Sabbath, except among the worshippers of the true God, during the ages which elapsed between Adam and Moses and doubtless they who renounced God, and became either atheists or idolaters, whether before or after the Deluge, would renounce the Sabbath also, if it really had been instituted; nay, they would use their influence to disannul it, as the infidels on the continent endeavoured by all means to do in our times.

But is Dr. Paley's statement, in this passage, accurate? Is he well grounded in averring, that not even the obscurest allusion is made to the seventh day, before the call of Abraham, or in the history of the three first patriarchs? The only account on which the least dependance can be placed respecting these remote ages, is contained exclusively

* It is very inaccurate, though very common, to call the whole nation, at this early period, Jews, Judeans, from Judah. The name is never used in Scripture, till atter the division of the nation into two kingdoms, under Jeroboam, and seldom till after the dispersica of the Ten Tribes.

in the Book of Genesis. Yet the division of time by WEEKS, of which some traces at least may be found in other histories, and of other nations, seems to have been the remains of an original tradition, retained among the descendants of Noah, as separated into many regions before the days of Abraham. Is it then a fact, that there are no intimations, and not even the obscurest allusions made to the Sabbath, or the seventh day, in the Book of Genesis? "Yet seven days," says the Lord," and I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days, and forty nights." (Gen. vii. 4.) This might be left unnoticed, except as it introduces that which follows in the next chapter. "At the end of forty days, Noah opened the windows of the ark which he had made, and he sent forth a raven."- "And he stayed yet other seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark.”—" And he stayed yet other seven days, and sent forth the dove which returned not again to him any more." (Gen. viii. 6-12). Is here no intimation that the end of every seven days brought with it something peculiar and distinguishing from the end of any other period of time? May it not, nay, does it not imply, that the Sabbath was observed in the ark, at the close of the devotions of which the dove was once and again sent forth?

The word which is translated week, occurs twice in the twentyninth chapter of Genesis, (ver. 2729.) and is used in various parts of Scripture for a term of time containing seven days. (Deut. xvi. 9. 10. 16; Jer. v. 24; Ezek. xlv. 21; Dan. ix. 25, 26, 27.) This is at least an obscure intimation, that the division of time into weeks was whence should this division origiknown even in Laban's family: and nate, but from the appointment of the Sabbath? Or, why should that precise term be used, which every where, after the giving of the Law, has reference to the division of

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