Page images
PDF
EPUB

of souls looking up to him for the guidance of their immortal interests, brings upon his own soul? But since reasoning of this kind, we fear, is ill adapted to the feelings of the present day, or indeed of any day since man became a selfish and interested creature, we could wish, at least, to see the value both of the office, and of the living to be made compatible with it, distinctly defined by law. Let the limit be accurately set down where dignity must necessarily be supported, or the means of subsistence be sought from extrinsic sources; but never let prescription alone be pleaded, for the opportunity of drawing a sacrilegious wealth from the revenues of the church, or feeding non-resident superfluity with the dues of a pious resident mediocrity. In regard to sinecure exemptions from residence and the pastoral duties, we cannot but think it a gross solecism in legislation, a mere contradiction in terms: and we have no conception of any wellregulated plan of ecclesiastical reform, leaving such persons at all under the list of exemptions, as "resident fellows in Oxford and Cambridge, fellows of Eton and Winchester, &c." We could willingly add to our own scattered remarks on this subject, the spirited remonstrance of our author with Bishop Hurd, upon an opinion of his lordship stated to the privy council:

"That the residence act could not be fur

ther enforced without great inconvenience to the clergy.—Inconvenience, sir! Is it for the convenience of the clergy that their reve nues have been appointed? Is the eternal salvation of millions of human beings to hang upon this weak, this miserable thread of convenience? It may be inconvenient to an officer to join his regiment or his ship; but will the war-office or the admiralty be amused with such a reason?" "If individual feelings are to have any weight, they should be aroused in favour of the many, in preference to the few: and if the incon venience suffered by compelling the universal residence of the clergy, were weighed against that which is suffered by their parishioners (especially the lower uninformed orders of the people), the latter would so

exceed the other, as to leave not a doubt in the mind of any reasonable man, that all escuses for non-residence ought to be wholly disregarded." pp. 121, 122.

We must be excused from much enlarging the limits of this already overgrown article, to go through, as we had intended, the subject of ecclesiastical revenues; partly because our author has so well handled the whole of this subject, and because we believe it to be already seriously under the consideration of parliament, and in progress towards all that improvement for which we can reasonably look in these times. The object in contemplation, is to raise all livings below 1501. per annum, to that sum. For this purpose it seems about 24,000%. annually is disbursed by the managers of Queen Anne's Bounty; and 100,000l. has been voted the two last years in parliament, with a tacit pledge for its yearly repetition. Upon this last grant, the country has been whimsically congratulated, as having reduced the period, in which all livings are to be raised to the above-mentioned standard, from 711 years to 210!! But a far more substantial subject of congratulation is broached by our author, when he pronounces, that, “ instead of centuries, five years need not elapse before every parish in the kingdom has a resident minister with a competent income, if half the zeal is applied to benefit the many that has hitherto been displayed to screen and indemnify the few." It is this zeal then, which we wish most earnestly, with our author, to infuse into Mr. Perceval. We wish, with him, to see a more prudent management of "the Bounty," than one which expends 4260/. in disbursing 24,467. (p. 100). We agree with him upon the probability that, in many cases, the returns of the value of livings are, on many acCounts, "a gross and palpable imposition upon the bishops and upou parliament." And if more accurate returns were obtained, we think it possible the number of livings un

der 1501. per annum, would be reduced from the stated 3998 to little more than 3000. Accurate returns, we think, should be compelled by parliament. And if commissioners were appointed to inquire into and ascertain the real value, the rights and several capacities of improvement belonging to these benefices, and authoritatively to raise them 10 the highest value they would legally bear, perhaps the time perhaps the time and expense, bestowed upon such a commission, might not be so great as at first apprehended: and much more than the expense ten times told might be saved to the country, by setting an unexpected proportion of these underling cures at once above want and all parliamentary assistance, Among the schemes which have always occurred to us, as projectors, for immediately raising many of these lesser livings, as well as exonerating others scarcely better able to bear any reduction of their moderate income, has been the one of discharging them from the payment of poor rates; a tax this, often very heavy and oppressive, particularly in small vicarages, and sometimes converted into an instrument of terior by a rebellious parish, against an obnoxious minister. We have known above 301. and even 407. paid by a clergyman to the poor rates, whose gross receipts had scarcely ever reached 1807. per annum. Add to this the still further, and to him large, deductions for land tax, in come tax, &c. and what then remains for such an incumbent, to sum up as his "totum nil," for the maintenance, perhaps, of a numerous family, their liberal education, and his own respectable appearance in the eyes of the world?

But, to bring our remarks to a conclusion, we willingly pass over, without saying more, the head of revenue, as knowing it to be in able hands, and as being unwilling to part from our readers with any strong mercenary impression on either of our minds. A discussion,

indeed, of schemes for building new churches in various parts of the kingdom, where they are most loudly called for, might well be exempted from that stigma. But we are saved from this trouble also, as well by the remarks and striking facts adduced by our author in p. 131 (to which we refer our readers), as by our own former allusions to a question, to which we now hope the attention of the public and of parliament has been sufficiently roused *. To give our opinion in one word upon this subject (and we cannot say more); we conscientiously believe, in the existing circumstances of the church, and of dissent, that, of all exterual regulations for our improvement, or even maintenance, as an establishment, this is the "articulus stantis aut cadentis ecclesiæ."

We cannot take our leave of Mr. Perceval, without hiuting at a single subject more, of great importance, not immediately falling under any of the foregoing heads, and to the discussion of which we feel ourselves at present wholly incompetent, viz. that of dividing some of the larger bishoprics into smaller ones. It is quite impossible that any correct system of surveillance, we had almost said any discipline whatever, can be maintained in dioceses containing 1315, 1145, 909, and even above 600 benefices+; and the very general and indiscriminating mode necessarily adopted, in managing these large dioceses, communicates itself to the smaller ones, and becomes the universal standard of episcopal administration. This we know to be a very wide subject; but we must condemn the policy, let us say rather the cowardice, which should deter any minister, and particularly one possessed of the advantages of Mr. Perceval, from looking in the face what, we are thoroughly convinced, is within the

*See also a paper in our vol, for 1807,

p. 21, which expresses clearly our own views on this subject.

↑ Vide tables affixed to Lord Harrowby's Speech. No. for June last, p. 381.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

scope of political arrangement. But, as we have always taken the liberty of hinting on former occasions, it is not only, or chiefly, upon the external and secular improvements, which our establishment unquestionably demands; but upon a much more important and fundamental change within, a reform in the life and doctrine of her ministers, that the salvation of the church expressly depends. If it should ever be our lot to see, to an extent which we deprecate on our knees, the leading doctrines on which her reformation was founded, openly traduced or secretly undermined, "refuted' or deemed of no account ;-if, as a necessary consequence from this, a low standard of morality, suited to imperfect doctrines, be allowed of, preached, and upheld from the pulpit;-if, to carry on the dreadful consistency to the last, the conduct of the clergy shall grow at length too faithfully to coincide with their preaching, and when they are on residence, almost belie the arguments for enforcing it ;--if the very permission shall be continued to them, some with deputations in their hands, to "go forth in the spirit and power," nay, even the apparel too, not of prophets, but gamekeepers; others to be foremost in the chace, the course, the whist-club, and the ball-room; whilst too many more shall be "sleeping as in the night," or waking only to hurl their point. less weapons at the activity of their neighbours:-then, we say, indeed, letters may be written to Mr. Perceval, and residence may be enforced by the repeal of Sir W. Scott's bill; revenues may be raised, parsonages improved, and even churches built; and the fabric at last, when reared by the united wisdom of the whole legislature, and laid deep in the very foundations of the constitution, shall stand but as the stately mausoleum of a defunct church: its taunting adversaries shall point it

out, too justly, as like the " whited sepulchres" of old; and weeping friends shall hear the voice of its guardian angels, as at the last destruction of the Jewish temple, crying, "let us go hence." We confess, however, that ours is still a better hope, even of things" that accompany salvation." Far are we from fearing that it has, by any means, reached that crisis, the distant apprehension alone of which may well fill us with dejection and sorrow. Nay, we hope that a spirit exists, and is even on the increase, both in our universities, and in many, many parishes, which acts in strong counteraction to these manifold and great dangers. Many sound and orthodox, vigilant and active members of our establishment, both amongst the clergy and even laity, yet remain, in a body almost too large to be counted an exception, and "seem to be as pillars" on which she may long rest, in defiance of her external and even internal foes. Nor can we look without some exultation even to the political regulations, which, we trust, are about to take place, as tending to throw vigour into the general system, and "strengthen the things which remain" in her vital constitution. Perhaps in their ultimate result, they may have the effect of shewing to the world, that establishments can be attentive to their own preservation, and that too, for the legitimate end of promoting the designs of their institution;-that England, in fact, possesses a church not wholly asleep, as some would represent her, or, as others, wholly self-interested; much less a dead draft in a statute book; but a living, active, energetic body, worthy of the station she holds in the ranks of Christianity, and able still, if called upon (as she is), to give laws to an empire of opinion, more than commensurate with our empire on the seas.

[ocr errors]

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE,

GREAT BRITAIN.

&c. &c.

lingsgate, which latter place there is some idea of removing to the opposite shore.

FRANCE.

A very splendid monument of Parisian typography has been recently consecrated to "Napoleon the Great." It is an edition of Homer, in three volumes great folio, each consisting of three hundred and seventy pages, with the text only, from the most magnificent press in the universe, that of Bodoni of Parma. The artist employed six

Is the press: Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century;-The Life of Bishop Hough, by Mr. Wilmot, in 4to. with Engravings;-A new Edition of Dr. Buchanan's Memoir on the Expediency of giving an Ecclesiastical Establishment to British India; -Mr. Beloe's Fifth Volume of Anecdotes of Literature;-A Collection of curious and scientific Opinions on the Subject of Comets, by the Rev. Mr. Joyce, Author of Scientific Dialogues, &c.;—and, A Sixth Vo-years in his preparations, and the printing Jume of Village Sermons, by the Rev. G. Burder.

Preparing for publication: Memoirs of the Kings of Spain of the House of Bourbon, by the Rev. W. Coxe;-A new Edition of the Biographical Dictionary, to extend to 21 volumes, by Alexander Chalmers, Esq.;-A new Edition of Bishop Horsley's Tracts against Dr. Priestley, and a Third Volume of his Sermons ;-The Public Life of Mr. Fox, by Mr. Trotter;-Roncesvalles, a Poem, by R. Wharton, Esq. M.P.;—and, A re-publication of Archbishop Sandys's Sermons, with a new Life, by Dr. Whitaker.

His Royal Highness the Chancellor of Cambridge has given a third gold medal for the encouragement of English poetry, to a resident under-graduate, who shall compose the best ode, or the best poem in heroic verse. The subject for the present year is, "The Installation of the Duke of Gloucester."

The Seatonian prize has been awarded, for the third time, to Rev. F. Wrangham, M.A. of Trinity College, and rector of Hunmanby, Yorkshire, for his poem on "The Sufferings of the Primitive Martyrs."

The subject of the next Norrisian prize is, "The Conduct of the Apostles of Christ before his Ascension, considered in itself, and in Comparison with their Conduct afterwards."

An order has been received by the coinmissioners of the customs from the Treasury, to commence a new custom-house for the port of London. The pian of the building is at present under consideration. The intended site is the ground between the west end of the present custom-house and Bil

occupied eighteen months. One hundred and forty copies only were struck off. That presented to his Imperial Majesty was upon vellum, of a size and brillancy altogether unparalleled. The edition is said, moreover, to possess great intrinsic excellence, having been diligently superintended by the most accomplished Hellenists in Italy, aud corrected by a comparison of all the most approved readings of the text.

ITALY.

The unrolling and explanation of the manuscripts found in Herculaneum, are pursued with much industry by Messrs. Rosini, Scotti, and Pessette. They have, under the patronage of the government, published lately some fragments of a Latin poem upon the war between Mark Antony and Augustus, and a considerable part of the second book of Epicurus upon Nature; the above gentlemen do not despair even yet of finding the whole Treatise of this author. There has also been committed to the press a moral work of Pisistratus, the celebrated disciple of Epicurus; likewise some fragments of Colote upon the Lycidas of Plato, and of Caniscus upon Friendship. The entire work of Philodemus upon Rhetoric is, at this moment, in a state of forwardness.

EAST INDIES.

The first volume of the Works of Confucius has been issued from the mission press at Serampore, in Bengal: it is printed in the Chinese character, with a translation, which refers, by numbers over each sentence, to the corresponding words of the Chinese text, and is accompanied by an ample commentary.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THEOLOGY.

A Defence of a Critique of the Hebrew Word Nachash, against the Hypothesis of Dr. Adam Clarke. By D. G. Wait. 2s. 6d.

The Jews provoked to Jealousy. A Sermon preached June 5. By the Rev. C. Simeon, M. A. 1s.

Apostolic Benevolence towards the Jews recommended for Imitation, in a Sermon preached June 5, ut the Jews' Chapel, Spitalfields. By E. Williams, D. D. 1s. 6d.

Canticles, or Song of Solomon; a new Translation, with Notes. By the Rev. J. Fry, A. B. 8vo. 63.

Thoughts on our Abuse of the Sabbath, extracted from a Sermon delivered at the Re-opening of Laura Chapel, September 29. By the Rev. J. Gardiner, D. D. 1s.

A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeacoury of Northumberland, at the Ordinary Visitation in 1809. By R. Thorp,

D. D. 1s.

[blocks in formation]

By

By

Lectures on the Pastoral Character. the late G. Campbell, D. D. F. R. S. Newly edited by J. Fraser, D.D. 8vo. 7s.

Two Sermons, preached at the Visitation of the Rev. the Archdeacon of Leicester, in the Years 1805 and 1811. By the Rev. T. E. Vaughan, M. A. -3s. 6d.

Scripture Directory; or, an Attempt to assist the unlearned Reader to understand the general History and leading Subjects of the Old Testament. By Rev. T. Jones.

The Doctrine of Baptism, or the Baptismal Service of the Church of England vindicated. By the Rev. R. Postlethwaite. 2s. 6d.

Remarks on two Particulars in a Refutation of Calvinism. 2s. 6d.

The Love of Christ is the Foundation of Christian Benevolence: a Sermon preached in the Parish Church of All Saints, in Derby, on the Anniversary of the Derbyshire General Infirmary, Oct. 7, 1811. By Thomas Gisborne, M. A. 28.

Remarks on the Refutation of Calvinism, by George Tomline, D.D. F.R.S. Lord Bishop of Lincoln, and Dean of St. Paul's, Loud By Thomas Scott, Rector of Aston Sandies, Bucks. 2 vols. 8vo. 1. 1s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Travels in Greece, Palestine, Egypt, and Barbary, during the Years 1806 and 7. By F. A. De Chateaubriand. Translated from the French by Schobere. 2 vols. 8vo. 24%

The Modern Domestic Brewer, in Two Parts. By G. Cooper. 12mo. 1s. 6d.

The Lives of John Selden, Esq. and Arch bishop Usher, with Notices of the principal English Men of Letters, with whom they were connected. By J. Aikin, MD 10s. 6d.

An Appendix to Mr. Trotter's Memoirs of Mr. Fox. 8d.

Guy's English School Grammar, in which practical Illustration is in every Step blended with Theory, by Rules, Examples, and Esercises.

Historic Anecdotes and Secret Mencin of the Legislative Union between Great Br tain and Ireland. Part III. 4to. 14 1s; royal 4to. 21. 28.

Vaccination vindicated; or, an Address to the People of England upon the important Subject of Vaccine Inoculation. By J. Cooper. 25.

A Moral and Philosophical History of Comets, including an accurate Description of the present Comet. By H. Le Clerc, Esq. 1s.

Poems and Letters, by the late W. J. Roberts, of Bristol, deceased, with some Account of his Life. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Letters addressed to the People of the United States of America, on the Conduct of the past and present Administrations of the American Government towards Great Britain and France. By T. Pickering.

Remarks on a Bill for the better regulat ing and preserving Parish and other Registers. By the Rev. C. Daubeny, LL. K. Ss. 6d.

Etudes de l'Histoire Ancienne et de celle de la Grèce, par P. C. Levesque. 1811, Paris. 5 vols. 8vo. 2l. 12s. 6d

Histoire gén. d'Espagne depuis les Temps les plus reculés jusqu'à nos jours, par Depping. 1811, Paris. 2 vols. 8vo. 14. 4s.

Histoire de France pendant le 18me. siècle, par la Cretelle. Les 4 premier vols. 2. 8s.

Histoire de France depuis la Révolution, par Toulongeon. 7 vols. 8vo. Sl. 3s.

Description de Londres, par Landan, gravures au trait. Evo. 1/. 10s.

Précis des Evénemens de St. Domingue, depuis 1808. Paris, 1811. 8vo.

Influence des Femmes sur la Litterature, par Madame de Genlis. 8vo. 12s.

« PreviousContinue »