dies in this country. And it must be particularly observed that the only way to judge of their numbers is by endeavouring to ascertain how many there are in each sect who are what are called "church members;" that is, those who are qualified to partake of what they term the Ordinance-to vote at their meetings for the choice of preachers, deacons, &c. These only are bona fide separatists from the Church of England. I give, then, the following as the numbers, rather above the mark than under, of real sectarians :

But supposing that we even reckon them at 1,500,000; how different will their condition be in the estimation of all right-thinking persons. I pay no regard to the boasts of the Papists and other sectarians, for the Marriage Act returns alone prove the comparative paucity of their numbers. It would be well if some firm friend of the Church of England would, in the approaching session of parliament, move for a return of the "church members" of the various Dissenting bodies, for I am persuaded that such a return, if accurately made, would dispel much of the ignorance that prevails on this subjcet And as Dissenters are straining every nerve to abolish church rates, and Mr. Edward Ball, the Baptist member for Cambridgeshire, stated in the debate on that question on the 29th of March last that "the Dissenters were already nearly the majority of the community," it is time that the Church people of this country should be up and doing, disabuse men's minds as to the numbers of Dissenters, and place this whole subject in the light of plain, undisguised truth. For I firmly believe that there is nothing the Dissenters so much dread as a complete sifting of their motives, principles, and numbers. Hoping that you, Mr. Editor, will warmly take up this subject, especially as the session of parliament approaches, and steadily carry it on, I remain your obedient servant, M. H. R.

LISTENING. The first condition of all conversation is, that the speaker must have an audience; hence those who aspire to the enjoyment of a "feast of reason, and a flow of soul," must learn to listen patiently, and without betraying an anxiety to speak themselves, or a patronising condescension to the speaker. We are all a little egotistical, but in the moment we betray it we become obnoxious. No matter, therefore, what are your conversational talents, learn to listen, compel yourself to believe that what is said by another is entitled to be heard. Your turn will come, but it must not be sought, for the law which requires us to listen, demands that we should also encourage a speaker-the more especially if that speaker be a stranger, and without fame as a conversationalist.-Talking and Debating (Groombridge and Sons).

Hotices of Books.

THE PRESENT TRIALS OF THE CLERGY OF THE CHURCH IN SCOTLAND, (Masters), is a sermon which was delivered by the Reverend J. B. Pratt, in St. Andrew's Church, Aberdeen, on the ordination of a Deacon; and published by the Bishop of Aberdeen's command. The subject is naturally connected with the event of the day; and the new made deacon is warned, that in the life of Christ whilst on earth, the life of His Church was shadowed forth; and "in the work which He in His own person accomplished, the work of His ministers to the end of time was revealed;" and the persecution which He endured, clearly foreshadowed the trials, adversities, and persecutions of His mystical body, the Church. Mr. Pratt makes feeling allusion to the persecutions which the Scottish Church endured in former days; and says she runs no risk of direct persecution in the present day. But is not the constant protests and lying accusations of a sect of three or four apostate ministers, that call themselves the Church of England in Scotland, persecution? The infamy of their persecuting spirit is so glaring, that even Presbyterian newspapers will not publish their letters; they must transmit them to The Times. The perusal of this excellent sermon will dispel all the delusions which their venom has excited on this side the Border; and we, therefore, earnestly recommend it to our readers.

says

THE FOUR GOSPELS, AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, are presented to the public with short notes, for the use of schools and young persons, by Dr. Colton, Archdeacon of Cashel. The note Matt. ii. 16, is "i.e., the male children;" there may have been only male children; but the Apostle "children," without specifying the sex; and we think that note, as well as some others, is superfluous. With all its supposed faults, we prefer the authorised edition, both in form and manner. There is no distinction between the chapters, except a figure the same as that for the verses, on the opposite margin. Prefixed is a summary of the contents, which may be useful, as references to passages that may be wanted. The volume is very well printed, and neatly got up, and most likely will meet with such a ready sale as to encourage the Archdeacon "to issue the remaining books," as he proposes, "pre

pared in the same way, or with such further improvements, as experience may point out.

OLD JONATHAN, (Collingridge), appears in all the vigour of youth, containing many excellent stories, anecdotes, and brief histories, all tending to virtue's side; with a number of well executed wood-cuts. It is a specimen of what the infusion of English blood into Ireland can do, for the reformation of Celtic barbarism. It is printed by the scholars of the Bonmahon industrial parish school, in the county of Waterford, superintended by the indefatigable curate of that parish; and it is most creditable both to the master and the scholars of that establishment.

SCRIPTURE RECORD, OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN, is intended to shew the fallacy of the new Antichristian dogma of the Roman Church, of the immaculate conception; and in the examination of all the passages in the gospels, where the name of the Blessed Virgin is mentioned, he clearly shews in a reverential spirit, that she is not entitled to the position of a goddess, to which that Church has elevated her. The only fault we have to point out, is that the author deals too gently with the monstrous idolatry of the Roman Church, in the worship which is given to her, and the placing her as a mediatrix, instead of, and superior to, the One only Mediator. The author says, that the doctrine of the Blessed Virgin's exemption from original sin was adopted by Mahomet, in order to induce his followers to reject the worship of God the Son, which effectually accomplished his purpose; and this effect may be followed by the same heresy in the Roman Church. He adds: "This doctrine respecting the Blessed Virgin's exemption from original sin, held so many centuries ago as an article of faith by the Mahometan, has only been authoritatively given to the members of the Church of Rome, by the infallible guide and bishop of their souls, not as a new revelation, or as a recent development, but as an apostolic truth, always considered by the faithful to be among those "unwritten verities," which, added to the law and the gospel, have been to the Romanist what the "other scriptures," have been to the Mahometans. In the conclusion, he says: "The Blessed Virgin of Holy Writ, is so little like the Virgin of the Romanist, that honouring the memory of the one, will be our best security against worshipping the other; treading in the footsteps of the one, will be our best safeguard, against ever being led to bow down at the shrine of the other."

THE LITERARY CHURCHMAN, (J. H. and J. Parker),

Proceeds in its own straightforward manner; but we think it has wasted a great deal too much time on Dr. Chalmers' works, of which it threatens to perpetrate some more strictures. It is very severe on Dr. Cumming, whose vanity compels him to keep himself always in the eyes and the ears of the public, for the purpose of procuring the presentation to a rich benefice. None of your poor curacies but aiblins a bishoprick; for he would not be scrupulous. The 'Literary Churchman' contains a great amount of original matter, reviews, and ecclesiastical intelligence.

THE PENNY POST, (J. H. and J. Parker), contains many useful and instructive pieces, many of which are illustrated with beautiful wood

cuts.

THE INFIDELITY OF ROMANISM, (Wertheim and Macintosh), is a most useful and necessary "Tract for the Times;" wherein it is shown, that in its main doctrines Romanism is really infidel; not avowedly, but really infidel, as to the great foundation truths of Christianity. This tract does not notice the errors of the Romish system; but its infidelity. The author says, "Romanism does not deny the facts of Christianity, but their availableness for our peace; it does not deny the Trinity-it does not deny the Incarnation-nor the Deity of Christ-nor the expiation for sin made on the Cross. These truths it professes to hold, so that at first sight, it would not be suspected of infidelity. It is in the denial of their actual value for the sinner, and of their application to him, that it has destroyed the truth, and robbed the soul of the way of peace. . . . It makes them useless to the soul, and substitutes others in their place." The conclusion at which the author of this calmly reasoning tract arrives is that, "Romanism is infidelity, as to the most precious and fundamental truths of Christianity, and it is infidelity, as to the authority of God's own word itself."-It is only a Halfpenny.

STRICTURES ON THE LATE TRIAL AT BATH, OF ARCHDEACON DENISON, by THE REV. John Jebb, (English Churchman Office), price only Twopence, or Threepence by post. This brief letter is one of the best that has as yet appeared on the case of the Archdeacon of Taunton, who is more sinned against than sinning; and who is the victim, through his paradoxical manner of expressing himself, of the malignant venom of the Low-Church party, who in his case have shewn to what lengths of persecution they would proceed if they could; and we agree with Mr. Jebb, that “ Liberalism always leads to tyranny.”

TRY, (Collingridge), is a book for boys, by "Old Jonathan," with a beautifully executed photographic vignette, representing Mr. Doudney in the midst of his industrious class, pointing to the words "TRY, TRY,' &c.; and the little square volume is beautifully illustrated with woodcuts. The text which Old Jonathan has chosen is the word TRY, which he thus expounds, but more elaborately; 1. T stands for Thought; 2. R stands for Right; and, 3. Y for Years; and he concludes his introductory discourse with "Well now, dear boys, having given you a few thoughts upon my text, I shall proceed to proof. I shall show you from plain matter of fact, that it is of use to TRY; and this will bring us to our first chapter." The object of this beautiful little Book is to stimulate youth to perseverance and industry, and we would strongly recommend it as a Christmas present, to boys who have already, or are about to enter upon the trials of school life, which are introductory to the rougher experience of manhood.

[WE have been obliged to omit a number of Notices of Books, from want of space, but which shall have due attention in future numbers.]

THE

CHURCH Ꮃ Ꭺ Ꭱ Ꭰ Ꭼ Ꭱ,
And Domestic Magazine.

No. CXIX.

MARCH, 1857.

Vol. XI.

A LIFE OF ST. PETER.

(Concluded from page 38.)

We have now seen that our blessed Apostle took up his permanent residence at Babylon, in Assyria; whence he dates his first epistle, which was written in the year 66; although to answer their own purposes, the Romish writers date it in the year 44. It is addressed to the Jewish and Israelitish Christians, dispersed through almost all the provinces of Asia Minor. Its chief object is to cheer and comfort them, under the terrible persecution which was raised by the apostate Jews at Jerusalem. He encourages them to perseverance in the obedience of the faith; and to continue faithful under the temptations to which they would be subjected. He exhorts them to obey the emperor as supreme, and every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake; to lead godly, righteous and sober lives, that so they might win their unconverted brethren to Christ, who now reviled them as evil doers; and who, from their fanatical zeal for the ceremonial law, were excited to persecute their Christian fellow-countrymen, without the least humanity or the relentings of mercy.

That these "strangers" were Christian proselytes there can be no doubt; because the illustrious Apostle of the circumcision addresses them as "elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." These are all baptismal terms; and his epistle is addressed to men who had been "elected" and ingrafted into Christ's church, not by any fanciful impulses of their own

VOL. XI.

F