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a pint of whiskey in one day; and I want your Reverence to make it only half a pint, for I find that a pint is too much for me."+

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"I'll not go, Con; I tell I'll not go, till I sing another song. Phaddhy, you're a prince-but where's the use of lighting more candles now, man, than you had in the beginning of the night? Is Captain Wilson gone? Then, peace be with him-it's a pity he was'nt on the right side, for he's not the worst of them. Phaddy, where are you?" "Why, your Reverence," replied Katty, "he's got a little unwell, an' jist laid down his head a bit."

"Katty," said Father Con, "you had better get a couple of the men to accompany Father Philemy home; for though the night's clear, he doesn't see his way very well in the dark : poor man his eye sight's failing him fast."

"Then the more's the pity, Father Con.-Here, Denis, let yourself and Matt go home wid Father Philemy."

"Good night, Katty," said Father Con. "Good night: and may our blessing sanctify you, Phaddy, and your family!"

"Good night, Father Con, a hagur," replied Katty; "and for goodness' sake see that they take care of Father Philemy, for it's himself that's the blessed and holy crathur, and the pleasant jintle-. man, out and out."

"Good night, Katty," again repeated Father Con, as the cavalcade proceeded in a body. "Good night!"-and so ended the

station.

WILTON.

OBSERVATIONS ON "HINTS ON CLERICAL DUTY."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN EXAMINER.

SIR-It was not without surprise and pain that I percived a paper admitted into your Examiner for this month, entitled, "Hints on Clerical duty," by a "Munster curate," in which notice is taken in rather a severe and disapproving tone, of the visits made by under graduates and females to Mercer's hospital, in order to communicate religious instruction to the patients. I do not feel competent to bring forward all the arguments in favor of a practice, which, I think, may be fairly defended, but 1 beg leave to offer a few considerations to your attention, in the hope that some of your candid and talented friends may take up the question, and treat it in a more liberal manner than has been done in the paper alluded to.

The objections appear to me to apply very generally to all cases in which the poor are visited for the sake of their spiritual concerns, or even to their being instructed in schools, should the teachers belong to either of the above two classes: for here also will be a

+ A fact.

call for the exercise of inexperienced powers, or for the temporary absence of females from their domestic circle (I will not say duties) in order to be useful abroad. And if these objections appear well founded, they may be the means of withdrawing many a kind friend from the abode of wretchedness, and many a valuable teacher from a Sabbath school. But as the visiting of hospitals is particularly specified (and there are several in this city attended to by religious instructors as well as Mercer's) I take the argument on this ground, though the principle will apply to a much greater ex

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In the first instance it is asserted without any proof, that the object is imperfectly and injudiciously attempted" by young men who are in a preparatory course of study, and whose talents would be better matured for future usefulness by a severer course of discipline." That there may have been occasionally exercised a "zeal without knowledge," I am not prepared to deny (though no fact of the kind has come within my own observation) but as it is the principle I am anxious to defend, not the acts of individuals, I must say, that I do not see why it necessarily follows, that the reading of a chapter in the Bible and making an occasional remark on its subject, of a plain and practical nature, to excite the attention and interest of a few sick and dying people, must be performed in an imperfect and injudicious manner, even by young and comparatively inexperienced persons: nor can I conceive how it can injure the future usefulness of those destined to the ministry.

If a young Christian has really been awakened from above to a sense of his own spiritual condition, one of the first fruits of the Spirit is to feel LOVE,-love to the souls of his fellow-creatures, a portion of that divine principle which brought down a Redeemer into this world-this hospital of disease and suffering. Furnished with this feeling as his incentive, and the Scriptures as his guide, he brings, in simple language, the message of salvation to his afflicted brethren, at the very time they are most sensible of their wretchedness, and most in need of the consolations of religion. And are we to take upon ourselves to discourage or forbid him, because his theological education should be incomplete-because he is not yet thoroughly master of Pearson on the Creed, or Burnet on the Articles? It is not always in the class of society which we would select, that qualified labourers are to be found: nor is it constantly with those who hold the lamp that we are to look for the light of divine truth. Were all therefore, or most of the graduates whom your correspondent proposes, willing to supply the place of teachers in the hospitals, his plan would be an excellent one; and the same zeal would probably so influence them, that many other institutions, Sunday schools, city missions, &c. would no longer have to complain of want of assistance, or have their ranks solely supplied by inexperienced young collegians, women, and dissenters.

With regard to females, concerning whose conduct your correspondent appeals to Scripture, I would say that no one can be more sensible than I am of the paramount claims which the domestic

circle has upon their time and talents; but after these have been attended to, there are few women, except the parents of large or infantine families, or those whose duty demands their entire attendance upon sick or feeble relations at home, who have not a few hours in the week to spare, in which (without interfering with their 'personal devotions") they may chuse their own occupations. It has been acknowledged in all ages that such a superfluity of this precious article was the privilege of women to idle or devote as they please. Our female ancestors spent it in making tapestry, shell-work, and other venerable antiques, or in playing cards: mo-. dern ladies give it to morning visits, dress, reading works of imagination, and fine needle-work, and some of the better disposed to the manufacture of useless toys for bazaars. No fault is found with all these feminine idlenesses, for they are established by custom, and excite neither envy nor emulation in the other sex. But are these to be the employments, or chosen leisure recreations of the "daughters of the Lord Almighty?"-surely not. Let us then look to the Scriptures, and examine what are their duties and. callings, and what examples are recommended to their imitation. There we find that they are to be "well reported of for good works, to relieve the afflicted, diligently to follow EVERY good work."-1 Tim. v. 10. "To be teachers of good things." Titus ii. 3. To "resemble those women who laboured with Paul in the Gospel, whose names are written in the book of life:" (Phil. iv. 3) and Priscilla, whom he calls his helper in Christ Jesus; (Rom. xxi. 3) and who was the assistant of her husband in the more perfect instruction of Apollos. Many other female characters are also enumerated in the sixteenth of Romans, and in other parts of Scripture; but it is needless to quote more than will prove the point that women not only contribute of their substance, but also of their time and talents to the service of the church.

Now with respect to visiting hospitals, I have a word or two to say regarding its peculiar advantages above other means used for instructing the poor, and pointing them the way to everlasting life. The sufferers are under circumstances which tend to soften the heart, and prepare it for serious impressions; they are at leisure, and not distracted by the cares or labours of active life; they are idle, and therefore amused with the conversation or touched by the kindness of a friend-and even though the subject should not interest them, they give in consequence a willing ear. They are congregated together, and the visitor can address many individuals at once, or pass on from bed to bed without loss of time. On the other hand, those who attend, must exercise much of the spirit of self-denial to persevere in the duty; for an hospital presents no pleasing scenes to a feeling or sympathising heart. They must cultivate in their own minds much faith, and patience, and charity, for they are likely to meet many disappointments, and some hypocrisy, where they hoped for good fruit; and they have no opportunity or temptation for display, as their visits are only made when no other persons are expected; and their language of instruction, to be useful,

must be of the most simple and humble description. I would entreat the Munster curate to go to Mercer's, or any other similar institution, and judge for himself, and then say if he were standing on the brink of a pit, and saw a fellow-creature falling in-which would he do, stretch forth a feeble hand to rescue and uphold him, at least till stronger aid could be found, or run away in search of those who understood a wiser and more effectual method of saving him.

I would also, with much deference, add a hint to the females who undertake this task; and who, I am willing to believe, neglect no known duty at home for its performance. Let them confine their visits exclusively to the female wards. Let them read or speak in a low voice to each suffering individual separately, rather than attempt addressing numbers at once. This plan will take more time, but experience teaches that it is more effectual, and better adapted to the peculiarities of feminine feeling and talents. Let them accompany one another in parties of two or three, and never be found in the hospitals during the hours of medical attendance. Under these circumstances I could wish you, Mr. Examiner, to take their part, and encourage them to look for success in dependance upon the divine blessing and favor of God: for the present times demand much exertion, and we cannot withdraw any of those already in the field without loss: the "harvest truly being plenteous, but the labourers few." LEONIDAS.

HINTS TO CANDIDATES FOR HOLY ORDERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN EXAMINER.

SIR-I am a subscriber to, and a constant reader of, your invaluable Magazine. I look upon it as a blessed means of keeping alive, in this country, the spirit of pure and undefiled religion; and, I thank God, its true value seems to be duly estimated, and its success proportioned to its worth and usefulness. For my own part, I am much indebted to it; and I fear but for it, I should have, at this moment, only imperfect views of the high nature of my office, and a cold or lukewarm feeling for the spiritual interests of my fellow-creatures. The Examiner has presented objects to my mind in a scriptural light; and I am enabled now, under God's grace, to view all things, and particularly the work of the ministry, through this blessed medium. To the clergy, generally, it is a faithful guide and adviser; and on many points of difficulty in my own experience, where its counsel had been followed, the result showed how prophetically wise it was.

In one particular I think the Examiner must plead guilty to a "sin of omission," and that connected with the initiatory reading of candidates for Holy orders. I know much has been done in the way of suggestion to those whom this matter more immediately concerns; but I think those suggestions not being attended to, is a sufficient reason for the Examiner again taking up the subject. It were most desirable that some brief and well-digested course of study were proposed; comprehending the Scriptures,

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Church history, particularly that portion of it that embraces the "Reformation"; the first principles of all Theology, and the Roman Catholic controversy. These are most important and extensive subjects; and on these (and whatever others may be added) the number of books proposed should be very limited, and those selected of the best kind, as it regards the depth and soundness of the views, the accuracy and correctness of the information, and the closeness of the argument. It should be a chief object with those who have the direction of young minds, to discipline them in books remarkable for the closeness of their argument. A little care of this kind in the beginning of study, will save endless toil and difficulty in its subsequent stages; and few are rightly instructed in the art of reading books, who are left at liberty to roam over the pages of modern history. The Scriptures are held by many of our students in a secondary consideration, and volumes without number, engross their time and attention. Whereas the Scriptures are the writings that have the first and strongest claim on the time and attention of the divinity student, and other books are useful only as they illustrate, impress, defend or methodize the matter of those. And next to the Scriptures, perhaps, are the volumes which unfold the fundamentals of all theology, and the system of morals; and, lastly, church history, which would suggest many subjects for further reading, besides directly furnishing much useful information.

I trust, sir, some of your pious and learned correspondents will be induced to take up this subject; and by doing so, they will, I know, confer a great benefit on the younger clergy and students for the ministry, and place them under obligations of deep and lasting gratitude. I am, sir, &c. &c.

PHILOMATHES.

REVIEW.

Authentic Report of the Discussion held in Downpatrick, in April, 1828, between the Clergymen of the Church of England, and the Roman Catholic Priests, 8vo. p. 326.

[Continued from page 380.]

The next topic to which we shall direct the attention of our readers is, the alleged dependence of the Established Church of England and Ireland on the state. We are not surprised at the great stress laid by the Romish clergy at Downpatrick on this charge. It was one which afforded them full scope for declamatory addresses to their own people; and it was one, on which they probably calculated that the Presbyterian part of the audience would be at least neutral, if not inclined to take their part. In fact, it was from the Presbyterian armoury that they took the greater part of the weapons, with which they carried on this part of the combat. Towgood's " Dissent Justified," and "Palmer's

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