things will, we hope, independently of their religious effect, serve to bind yet more closely together two countries whose interest it is to remain on terms of peace and friendship. The same institutions are labouring to effect something for that benighted and miserable country, Spain. Greece also receives no insignificant degree of attention, and the moral welfare of all the countries about the Mediterranean is sought to be promoted by making Malta a central point for sending forth, in various languages, the Scriptures and other religious publications.

No country, however, seems to receive at present a greater share of attention than Ireland; certainly few need it more. We are not a little glad to see our zealous brethren giving more attention to home than they have been wont to do. What is termed the aggressive system is extensively acted on, and resembles in its details the efforts now making by Dr. Tuckerman, to which we have alluded. We confess the name displeases us; the aggressive system calls up in our minds the ideas of attack, and of the conflict of hostile powers. But the operations of the societies are highly praiseworthy, and there is a large mass of ignorance and wickedness in every large town-yes, and in the country too-which can be got at in no other way. If you would cure the disorder, you must visit the patient-his disease prevents his coming to you. But of all home patients, Ireland most requires attention. Her energies are great, but woefully disordered. At the meetings the greatest interest was expressed in her welfare. The speakers, however, complained bitterly, we know not how justly, of the opposition which all efforts for the enlightenment of the people had met with from the priests. A fair open opposition is right and laudable, but we must deprecate practices of which the priests are said to be guilty-employing force, physical as well as moral force, to prevent their flocks receiving even the Bible at the hands of Protestants. Those who disobey their interdicts they denounce at the altar, cut off from the rites of the church, and injure in their temporal concerns. If this be so, they are "grievous faults," and grievously they will, we doubt not, one day or other, answer for it. The Catholics, however, are giving indications of their intention to meet the Protestant with fair play. A society has been established in Dublin, by their bishops and clergy and laity, the object of which is "to circulate books containing a clear exposition of the doctrine and discipline of the Roman Catholic church, with satisfactory refutations of the prevailing errors of the present times; and, to give additional facility to the education of the poor, books of elementary instruction are to be provided for the use of schools." It is hoped that, with the support expected from the public, 100,000 religious books will be circulated through the country before the expiration of the next three months, which will be con tinued each succeeding quarter till every poor Roman Catholic family in Ireland will be furnished with a select library of religious and other useful books. This is what we like to see. Give the poor books, teach them to read, and thus train them to think, and we care not much whether you be Catholic or Protestant. One good has been effected by the Protestant-for as the exertions of the Dissenters aroused those of the Church, so the zeal of the Church has kindled that of the Catholic. All this gives hope to the friends of humanity; pleasing visions of the future may be indulged without subjecting one's-self to the imputation of insanity.

Had we ever so much room allotted us in the pages of the Repository, we should, out of a tender regard to our readers' patience, abstain from entering at large into the details of reports. Avoiding "longsomeness" on

this head, therefore, we shall make a few extracts which may interest such as favour us with their notice. By three societies alone, during the past year, the sum of £150,000 has been expended. The number of Sundayschools reported to be in Great Britain and Ireland is 9328, of teachers upwards of 98,000, of scholars 979,093, and of publications connected with Sunday-schools, sold in the last year, 880,853. Since the year 1799, the Religious Tract Society has circulated, in 48 languages, publications which amount to one hundred and thirty millions. During the last year merely, 164,193 Bibles and 201,231 Testaments have been issued from the Repository of the Bible Society, whilst, in the same time, 121 auxiliary associations have been formed. The Methodists are making still increasing and prodigious exertions. In the year 1818, the funds of their Missionary Society reached to £18,434; now they amount to £50,000 per annum. Not to mention institutions for other religious and benevolent objects, we learn that no less than twenty-one Missionary Societies have been formed within the last thirty years. These few notices will serve to give some idea of the extent to which Christian benevolence has been carried. How much further it may go, time can alone disclose. Abundance of room is there for its further expansion, for if men can be brought to take a pleasure, a rational and abiding pleasure, in doing good to their fellow-creatures, they will not, in England at least, find easily a deficiency of means. What thousands yet spend upon selfish and sensual gratifications-what many who think themselves good Christians lavish on dress and entertainments-what is wasted on horses and furniture, and other extravagancies-all this may be drawn upon, and with no loss in any way to the owners, for charitable and religious objects. There wants but the will, and abundance of resources, both among Unitarians and others, will yet be supplied.

Several of the hierarchy were present and spoke at some of the public meetings. Of noblemen, not a few either presided or took an active part in the business of the anniversaries; and we observe the names of gentlemen of high respectability and influence among the list of speakers. From the speeches which have been this year, for the first time, published at length in "the World," a religious newspaper, conducted by the Independents, we have been able to form some idea of the style of speaking which prevails on these occasions. And if the reports be at all a fair representation of the speeches delivered, we think, as we have already intimated, that most of them were above mediocrity, and some of them truly eloquent. Far have they surpassed our expectations, and amidst no few defects of sentiment, they contain many remarks and appeals characterized alike for propriety of expression, beauty of imagery, and, what is more, important elevation and justness of thought. By means of the reports in this religious newspaper, thousands will have their minds enlightened and their best affections warmed. In reports of public meetings no body of Christians is now so deficient as Unitarians. Why it is so we know not. In most of our large towns there are papers which, one would think, are open to reports of the public business transacted at our more important meetings. Are the editors or the managers of these societies to blame, or both? The Morning Chronicle is almost the only paper that details the transactions of Unitarian associations, and it of course confines its notices to those which occur in the metropolis. The consequence of this neglect is most serious. Our views and sentiments are limited to a narrow sphere, and precluded from those very persons who, above all others, require information. And when we speak of views and sentiments, we mean chiefly such as are vitally interesting and important to

Christians of all denominations, of which our public meetings, as we know, often contain a detail by no means insignificant, whether the source from which they come be regarded, or the manner in which they are uttered. This defect ought to be remedied: the zeal for religious liberty, godliness of life, and purity of heart-the earnest desire for the welfare of the youngand the expressions of amicable feeling towards Christians of all denominations, which frequently animate and adorn the few association-meetings we have, could not fail to diminish prejudice and make the body esteemed by those who, whatever their creed, wish for the advancement of the best interests of their fellow-creatures.

Of course, as usual, many anecdotes were related at the several meetings. Such things are not much to our taste. Some way or other, we have learnt to doubt their accuracy. There is too much, we fear, to make the story good, and to fit it for the purpose in view. However, whether apocryphal or not, we shall pass them all by with one exception. An anecdote was related by Dr. Philip, of which the following is the substance:

In the highest part of the mountains of Auvergne is found a valley, well known from the waters and baths which it incloses. Nature there shews herself under the boldest forms; water-falls, gloomy pines, and rocks rising from the depths, whose peaks are lost in the clouds, form a striking contrast to other spots of rich pasturage. In this place there lived, some years ago, a venerable minister of the gospel; his simplicity, his mildness, and his virtues, made him beloved by his parishioners. The good priest, born in the bosom of the mountains, was content with a miserable cabin covered with stones, and happy, though possessed only of the bare necessaries of life; his active and indefatigable charity extended to the inhabitants of the neighbouring hamlets, and to the poor mountaineers, who, not having any church, formed part of the flock committed to his care. In winter, when the snow covered the mountains, the pastor, listening only to his zeal, went to carry his flock relief and comfort. Sometimes on horse-back, but oftener on foot, he climbed the rocks of Capucin and Rigolet. One day, toward the end of the month of December, he set out to perform the duties of his ministry, and never, perhaps, was the cold more rigorous; but many invalids needed the cares of their pastor, and he hastened to soften their sufferings. In one of the steepest parts of the mountain he dismounted from his horse, and holding it by the bridle, sought for the road which he ought to follow. He had hardly walked a few steps when he slipped and fell, and the bone of his leg was broken in a most dreadful manner. The affrighted horse fled across the precipice, and the poor priest remained buried in the snow. He experienced the most cruel sufferings, but his courage was sustained by his piety. The day passed on and brought no relief, and thick darkness covered him in the midst of his trials. His trust in God failed him not; but when the sun re-appeared his eyes were not sensible to the brilliancy of its rays. Nature had sunk through cold and exhaustion. All at once repeated cries startled the echoes of the mountains and awoke him from his torpor. A troop of mountaineers surrounded their venerable minister, and rapturously expressed their joy and gratitude in having been permitted to rescue him from death. Recalled to life by their tender cares, the old man raised his heavy eye-lids. My God," said he, "if I am still to live, may thy will be done; but may I live a new life and glorify thy name in my body, and in my soul, which belong to thee." The inhabitants of the village had missed their pastor in his usual sabbath duties. Anxiety overspread every face. In a few instants they saw the horse arrive alone; they conjectured what had

happened, and a troop of the most courageous mountaineers instantly set out, and after much troublesome research, arrived at the place where, for more than forty-eight hours, their beloved friend and pastor had lain suffering. He was conveyed home-his convalescence was long and painful—but his piety was confirmed and his devotedness to the work of the ministry augmented, so that his affliction ministered to his own and his people's happiness.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

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