part from it when he was old." Sensible of the importance of it, the laws of England inculcate the same maxim; but they are now looked upon as obsolete; for every one, whether qualified or not, presumes to exercise that function. To this, in a great measure, may be attributed the general depravity that prevails; and from that fountain flows such a torrent of infidelity and scepticism, that subjection to the powers that be, is laughed at: Cujuscunque deus fit dira cupido: Religion, virtue, and morality are esteemed old-fashioned doctrines, and beneath the notice of modern pedagogues. Did this only affect individuals, it would be of less importance; but the whole community, Church, and State, are affected by the baneful poison: grievous as it it is, I trust the disease is not incurable, but may be remedied; and without the interference of the legislature, the progress of it may be arrested. By the existing laws, no person can become a pedagogue without being licenced, and if any one presumes to teach till he has obtained such licence, it is the duty of the church-warden to present him to the Ordinary. Were this wholesome law observed, no unqualified or improper person would venture to transgress it, as the punishment would be greater than the profit he could gain by exercising that calling. It is surprising to me that the respectable Society for the reformation of the morals of the people, have not had an eye to this ra dical disease. If the seeds of vice and immorality are sown, they must inevitably spring forth abundantly. At this time of the year an opportunity offers of beginning this good work; for the Visitation of the Clergy is approaching. In the charges then delivered, a strict attention to that particular subject may be recommended, and the Church-warden be directed to present offenders, and be informed of the pains and penalties they will be liable to, if they neglect their duty; and on this, as well as in numerous other instances, they will be guilty of perjury, if they do not return faithful and true answers without favour or affection to the several queries contained in the articles given to them. I shall conclude this with a remark of a prophane author, who was allowed by all to be an excellent judge of human na

ture:

"Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem testa diu." AMICUS PATRIE.

ON

ON THE PRESENT STATE OF MORALS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCHMAN'S MAGAZINE.

SIR,

F we compare the present state of morals, in the country, with the descriptions of our old authors, or even with the accounts of not very old people of the state of them during their remembrance, we can scarcely believe it is the same nation written or spoken of. Our Swains were then honest, industrious, religious. Our village Maidens simplicity and innocence itself. The Farmer generous, open, honest. The Country Squire bold, independent, generous, beloved by the poor, and respected by the rich. Our Nobility pious, learned, princely in their habits and manners, setting a good example to their inferiors, and admitting none even of suspected characters to their presence: residing mostly on their estates, they were honoured as princes, were the protectors of all around them, respected and loved by their tenants, and almost adored by the common people. How is the scene changed! Few of the old school are now left, The generality of our higher classes exceed not the learned Heathens, the Seneca's, the Cicero's, or the Cato's of antiquity, in their moral conduct, although they claim the title of Christians. What character can rank lower than that of a Bond-Street Lounger? Without sobriety, without chastity, without honesty, honour, or religion. Many of the Ladies, of the upper classes, are equally as regardless of character as the Gentlemen. After declaring themselves, in open court, without a blush, whores and adulteresses, they are as freely admitted into their former parties, and their routs and entertainments as nu merously attended as if they had done themselves honour. In every public place titled courtezans abound, who by their numbers and effrontery bid defiance to decency and character, and treat virtue with contempt. The independent Country Gentleman is a character now unknown. Do the lower classes present a more gratifying picture? They too are so changed, they could not be known by the above description. By many of them the name of God is never mentioned but in oaths and execrations

the

the Lord's day profaned-and themselves given up to every species of wickedness. By the canting Methodists the name of God is used with a little more reverence: but by them it is greatly dishonoured, I had almost said, brought into contempt. In their common conversation, and in those discourses which they call preaching, the name of God and our Saviour is used with the most unbecoming familiarity. The greatest part too of their publications, especially their hymns, are written in a style more resembling the empassioned address of a Lover to his Mistress, than the address of a frail and humble Creature to the awful Majesty of Heaven. The loss of our Country Gentlemen can only be replaced by enforc ing the residence of the Clergy; and from them only, assisted by our hearty co-operation, can we expect a reformation of manners in the lower classes. The influence which the conscientious Clergyman has over his parish, is certainly very great: yet I think his power to punish vice is by no means so great as he must often wish, and as the welfare and happiness of his country, at the present moment in particular, require. At a time, when every exertion is made by a brave people to resist an impious tyrant, when immense forces are fitting out, redoubts thrown up, and a whole nation called to the field, not one edict has passed the Senate to advance the honour of that Great and Fearful Name, to which every thinking man, knowing that it is not an arm of flesh that can save his country, must look up for protection. Let us not suffer it to be said, that when the death of a hare or pheasant is punished with unrelenting rigour, that the Omnipotent Being, who hath raised our nation to such an enviable height, is with impunity insulted to his face. And though laws were enacted by our pious forefathers to punish the blasphemer, they are suffered to lie dormant by their irreligious descendants !!-Were a bill passed, giving to the Clergy, of the establishment, as well curates, as rectors and vicars, the power of acting as justices of the peace, for enforcing the immediate payment of fines or inflicting punishment for cursing and swearing, profanation of the Lord's Day, tippling, drunkenness, and such like offences, the happiest effect would soon follow. Would it not be worthy of many great characters, who are members of both houses of Parliament, and subscribers to the laudable Institution for suppressing Vice, to bring in a bill giving this power to the

Clergy,

Clergy, and encreasing the penalties. As for example, for cursing and swearing, the lowest rank 2s. 6d. the next 5s. the next il. Is. Every shoemaker, taylor, &c. carrying or sending home shoes, clothes, &c. on the 'Lord's Day, to forfeit the full value of the articles sent or carried. Every person suffering tippling in his house on the Lord's Day to lose his licence for one year, &c. I am, Gentlemen,

Your constant reader,

Y. R. S.

P. S. I beg leave to call the attention of your corres➡ pondents to a custom, which is every day becoming more prevalent: with the propriety of it I must confess myself by no means satisfied. I mean the Churching of Women and Baptizing children in private houses. The Rubric expressly orders, that "the woman, at the usual time after her delivery, shall come into the Church," &c. and that children shall not be baptized at home without great cause and necessity, such as illness. If the child lives, the Rubric orders that it shall be brought into the Church," to the intent that the congregation may be certified of the true form of baptism having been used. Both these rules are neglected, especially in London and its neighbourhood; and in large towns, in other parts of England, the practice is daily gaining ground. If it was thought proper to lay down rules, why are they not observed? If they are improper, let the Bishops say so, that the form of administering the sacrament of baptism, and of returning thanks for women after delivery, may be uniform throughout the kingdom:-I should be obliged to any of your clerical correspondents for their opi

nions.

REMARKS ON A PAMPHLET BY A DISSENTER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCHMAN'S

SIR,

MAGAZINE.

N your address to the public, (Supplement to Vol. V.) you say "we earnestly invite our correspondents, from time to time, to transmit to us such well-attested

facts

facts as may be calculated to expose the arts, or point out the progress of fanaticism, in different parts of the country." I therefore, Sir, think it right to trouble you with a few words upon a pamphlet called, " Remarks on an unfounded opinion concerning the Dissenters, delivered in a Sermon on the late Fast Day, in a letter to the Rev. Mr. Cook, Westbury, Wilts; by W. W. W. Brattonus."

Bratton, Mr. Editor, is a Hamlet adjoining to Westbury, notorious for Dissenters of I know not what denomination; and thus begins the letter of this man of Bratton :

66 REV. SIR,

"In the Sermon delivered by you on the Fast Day, you reproached the Dissenters as the cause of all our national distresses, and intimated it to be your opinion that our public calamities were the punishment of their separation from the Establishment."

It is proper, on Mr. Cook's account, before 1 proceed any farther, to inform you, that not only Mr. Cook, but another Clergyman, who was present, the Churchwardens, and every one of the congregation I have heard of, declare the sentiment contained in this charge, as well as the expression itself, to be malicious and false. Mr. Cook's character and conduct need no defence: my notice of this letter is to expose the virulence, the falsehood, the hypocrisy, the malice, and pride of Schism, which a favourite son of her's has favoured the country with in this letter. Thus, "In your church is verified what our Lord said when he was on earth, the blind lead the blind, and they both fall into the ditch. It is the inattention, the avarice, the infidelity, and the corruption of many of the Ministers of your Church, and the consequent wickedness of their flocks, which have exposed us to the wrath of God." So much for virulence-next falsehood. "You complain the Dissenters increase among you; I will tell you the reason of it: their places of worship are open to all who chuse to enter them, and they may hear the word of God gratis!-they have no tithes to pay;—no Easter offerings to present, and no fees to give to secure the attainment of knowledge; their Ministers are always ready to give instruction; to succour distress, and to assist with their advice and prayers, without a golden inducement to perform their incumbent duty." Vol. VI. Churchm. Mag. June, 1804.

Ggg

Could