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These thoughts suggested the following bem, which goes upon the principle, that all uncertain, except so far as the light of truth ines upon our path; and that all knowledge Divine things is by revelation. Antiquity, ason, nature, and philosophy, although a adruple alliance, are but blind guides: when e deep things of God are concerned, the Bie is the only pilot, compass, quadrant, and art, in the ocean beyond time. No deist er circumnavigated that Mare Incognitum. fe and immortality are brought to light by e Gospel alone; and this is the point from ich I have started in the verses appended to ese remarks. Should they induce any candeist to read Stillingfleet's Origines Sacra, ale's Court of the Gentiles, or Ellis on the nowledge of Divine Things from Revelation, shall not have lost my labour. Whether my rses possess the "argumentum ad hominem" favour of a Revelation, is not for me to say; ■t let any man sail, in his own imagination, ast, West, North, or South, in quest of the ruth, he must come to this point at last, at his Bible and his Redeemer are the only ven in which he can find rest for his soul. JOSHUA MARSDEN.

WHAT IS TRUTH?-John xviii. 38.
asked old time and the spheres,
o answer this question so high;

ays, months, and the swift rolling years;
ut neither gave any reply.
stood on a steep precipice,
and call'd to the surges below,
ocean could answer me this?
s hoarse billows murmured-No!

reation I ventur'd to sound,

treams, groves, valleys, meadows, and flowers; ut mute was the landscape around, was silence in gardens and bowers. f seasons adorning the year, oung spring, summer's roseate flush, ask'd, and they lent me an ear; But all were as mute as a rush.

on sun in his chariot of gold, Fair Luna, that angel of night, hose folio volumes so old, read, but they gave me no light: look'd to the blue vaulted sky, Vhich sages are wont to explain, nd each constellation on highBut sought for solution in vain. Astronomy bade me draw near, The signs to decipher and read; But planets, though brilliant and clear, Were dark on this subject indeed: And dark was astrology too, The famed hieroglyphical lore; Though Merlin had lent me his clue, t left me as dark as before.

Whom fame in her temple enrolled

I went to the Delphian shrine, And next to Dodona's fair fane; The priestess, she could not define, The oracle answered in vain. At length I resort to the schools, Where science flows racy and clear, But say, were they wise men or fools? "The knowledge of Truth was not here." Some bade me of reason inquire, Who dwells in the temple of mind; I went to the white-headed sire, But found him decrepit and blind. I ask'd him to lend me a clue, He look'd, but was silent and glum, And taught me this lesson so true, That unbaptized Reason is dumb. Thus science, philosophy, art, Wit, reason, and nature, were mute; They could not an answer impart, Or settle the point in dispute: So restless, dissatisfied, vext, With the pains I had taken, forsooth, I went to my Bible the next,

And Jesus said, "I AM THE TRUTH." Worcester.

From the Christian Observer. NARRATIVE OF A THREE-YEARS' RESIDENCE IN ITALY; with Illustrations of the present State of Religion in that Coun try. London. 1828. 1 vol. 12mo. 7s. 6d.

We have been much pleased with this little volume. It often happens that much useful information might be obtained from the publications of voyages and travels, when the works nevertheless are in some respects of a character which forbids us to place them in our libraries or on our tables; and especially is it a fault in many, even of the better class of wanderers, that they seem not in their wanderings to recognise the presence and the over-ruling power and providence of God. We have, however, now before us, a volume of a different kind, not only calculated to give a very pleasing representation of many interesting scenes in the countries visited, but to engage the attention by affecting narratives of domestic affliction, related with the pathos of Christian simplicity, and brought home to the heart in a way very conducive to the promotion of practical piety.

The writer is a lady from Ireland; with an ample share of the Irish characteristic kindness of disposition, and, if we may judge from such matters as forgetfulness of passports and letters, not wholly without other qualities which calculating persons are accustomed to ascribe to natives of that country. Having lately re

of travelling without a passport, and ran not a little risk of being sent back to England to fetch one. This difficulty being surmounted, another was immediately at hand; for what is a stranger to do in Italy without a knowledge of Italian? An introduction, however, was happily obtained to a Scotch family, who were shortly to proceed in a felucca to Leghorn. After a short renewal of anxiety at Florence, our traveller finally succeeds in joining her friends at Rome. This junction being effected, the whole party, consisting of our traveller, Sir Walter and Lady S. (her brother-in-law and sister,) with their little family and servants, set off for Naples. Through the remainder of their travels we shall not follow them with any regularity: it may suffice to state, that after residing some time in the Neapolitan territory, they returned to Rome.

It has often been remarked, that persons who are very orderly and correct at home in the observance of the Lord's day, and in the services of public worship, are apt, with change of place, to change materially this part of their character. Transfer them to a fashionable watering-place, even in their own country, and they will be found among the loungers on the parade, or the idlers on the beach, during a part at least of that holy day, with as much apparent unconcern as the lightest butterflies around them. To have complied in the morning with the sound of the church-going bell, is deemed by many, who appear to hold different principles at home, a suflicient sanctification of the Sabbath, in a place where few persons know them, or where custom has introduced a relaxed system of duty; and the rest of the day is given up to exercise and amusement. Let a person of this class find himself in another country, amongst the light-hearted inhabitants of France for example, or the alternately joyous and superstitious children of Italy, and the probability is, that he will, with little reflection, imitate the examples of carelessness before him; and, while no otherwise interested in their acts of public worship than as a mere spectator, will scarcely feel the want of any religious service for himself. By the removal of those unobserved but powerful restraints which exercised over him their salutary influence in his own vicinity, and by the loss of those various associations which tended there to control him, he finds himself enjoying an unwonted liberty, and is but too often tempted to abuse it.

Our travellers were of a far different description; and not all the delightful scenery of Naples could induce them to forget the unfavourable circumstances in which they were placed, with reference to the public service of God.

"Sunday. We have one great want here; we have no church service performed. There is no clergyman to read it to us, and the Sunday appears very different to us from what it used to do. Both here and at Rome, the bells pealing on all sides convey a melancholy sound, for there is none of them calling us to worship. We could not mingle in the worship of we know not what: for it is not merely an

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derstand. Oh what a privilege to be land where the truths of God are d our native tongue, and the understa the heart may unite in his public wo62, 63.

The frequent recurrence of our t this subject during her future mover the warm delight which she expre her party had the opportunity at Ro other places, of hearing the Engli devoutly performed, sufficiently e habitual state of her mind on this subject. We select two or three ext different parts of the volume.

After describing the exhibition at on Easter Sunday, she adds,

"About two o'clock the ceremo Peter's were at an end; and we ar of the English met at the clergym ments, to hear our own service. Th was very striking, from the scene and bustle which we had just left, t assembly of two or three gathered t the name of the Lord, where som least, we trust, were drawn to Him prayer, meek humility, and love." F Again at Pisa,

"The children and I went to chu and heard our liturgy most beautifu pressively read by Doctor Nott, wards preached an excellent serm church, because though the servic formed in the clergyman's private a the house is called Casa Chiesa, T priately, being now the Church of th all of whom are invited to attend. very regularly, except Lord Byron of his associates."

"Christmas Day. We attended vice and the sacrament administe Nott. The mercy of God has ag us to the celebration of this festival. hearts overflow with thanksgiving! which is past has been a year of sor has also been a year of mercy. return unto the Lord! for he hat he will heal us; he hath smitten, a bind us up.' In the fear of the Lor confidence, and his children shall ha of refuge.'" p. 308.

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The same spirit we observe in her upon some of those interesting obje by all travellers in Italy, but too sc ing to that train of reflection which, tian mind, they would seem espec. lated to excite. Many a wanderer with deep feelings of interest the Pompeii, and been impressed with at the stupendous ruins of the Col how few, comparatively, view st through the medium in which they ar by a reflecting and sensitive Chris like that of our excellent author!

It has often been recommended who appeared to be sceptical conc abominations and superstitions of I to take their notions of that religio qualifying and apologetic statement terested defenders, but to visit the where it exists in the plenitude of

the immediate vicinity of the self-styled re-, resentative of Christ upon earth. If, after his they can think with any respect of its chaacter, or can make little account of its degradng, debasing influence, we may be content to eave them in the undisturbed enjoyment of heir opinions. We give a specimen. "Sorrento, Sunday. There was a great Testa at Meta, held in honour of the Madonna el Lauro, an image of the Virgin and Child ound under a laurel tree; and said, like Diana of the Ephesians, to have dropped miraculously rom the clouds. The story told is, that an ld woman saw a cow in a field stop, and look ntently on something: her curiosity being exited, she went to the spot, where, to her great stonishment, she found the two images with lamp burning at their side. The field was considered sacred, and a church erected upon t; and certainly the old woman, the cow, and he images, could not have chosen a situation more appropriate to a place of worship. The scenery all around is truly sublime, commandng on one side the beautiful bay of Sorrento; on the other, it is encircled by the Apennines rising in the most picturesque forms. The calm seclusion of this enchanting spot is well calculated to inspire devotional feelings; but, upon entering the church, one sees with disappointment its gaudy decorations, better fitted to adorn a theatre than the temple of God. The miraculous images, adorned with crowns of gold and other tawdry ornaments, are placed on the high altar, under a splendid dome. Some musicians played delightfully on a very fine organ, and accompanied the music with the melody of sweet voices. This was the only part of their worship which gave us pleasure. The Gospel for the day, in Latin, was rather gabbled over than read, while guns were continually firing, as a mode of evincing the joy of the people at the event." pp. 64, 65.

"Rome. This day the Abbé Taylor's funeral procession passed down the Corso." "We have been told that the first nobility, as a penance, frequently walk in the processions in the dress of barefooted Carmelites; and, by that slight punishment, unknown to any but themselves and their confessors, make expiation for manifold and aggravated offences. O what a religion of gross errors! When will the light of truth dawn upon these benighted minds, to teach them that vain ceremonies will never appease the wrath of an omniscient Judge, who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and will not pass by the transgressor!" pp. 121,

122.

tionally sullied her image, was condemned to the galleys for the remainder of his life, for the crime of profanation.' p. 128.

"The most superstitious legends gain implicit credit here (at Rome), and are often related by persons who, it might be supposed, would have understanding and reflection to discover their absurdity. A few which I have just heard, I will write down while fresh in my memory, as you may probably never have imagined that rational creatures, professing the Christian religion, could be so led away from the simple truth, as it is in Jesus, as to believe them. He certainly never delegated power to his followers to perform miracles which could not possibly tend to any good purpose; such as, a blacksmith (being a saint), to save himself trouble, taking off the legs of the horses, that he might more conveniently shoe them at his forge; and that being performed, dexterously screwing them on again. Again, they very seriously tell you, that at the Ara Cali, there is a little wooden image of a child, to represent the infant Saviour, which was painted by the Virgin Mary, who descended for the purpose, from her etherial abode, when the carpenter had finished his part of the work. Miraculous powers are attributed to this little figure, such as the cure of many diseases. One lady, in particular, applied to it in behalf of her child, who was seized with some desperate malady, the cure of which made her eagerly desire to have in her own possession a treasure of such inestimable value. She caused to be made so accurate an imitation, that the nicest observer could not distinguish the difference, and she secretly substituted the one for the other. But that very night the sleeping monks were roused from their slumbers, by the violent peals of the convent bells, and loud knocking at the outer gate, which opened of itself, and discovered the little wooden image, who requested that the usurper might be deposed, and itself be restored." pp. 150, 151.

If our readers wish for a variety of similar illustrations of gross superstition, from the blessing of horses to the miracles of modern wonderworking Madonnas, they may find sufficient at once to distress and disgust them, in some ample extracts from the work of another lady, the authoress of "Rome in the Nineteenth Century," in our volume for 1825, page 349. There is this difference, however, between the descriptions; that the author of Rome in the Nineteenth Century details chiefly in the spirit of satirical levity, though certainly with much point, what the truly Christian narrator of the "Three Years' Residence" cannot utter but with "weeping, and lamentation, and wo." They of necessity go over much of the same ground.

"Mr. Mwent with us to the Vatican; and as we approached St. Peter's made us remark a little altar at one side of the street. 'In that spot,' he said 'a boy daubed a figure of the Madonna on the wall, and one day an unfortu- Such a system not only implies great ignonate man, in casting away part of an unsound rance, but it tends fearfully to create and perorange, chanced to hit it, and leave a mark, petuate ignorance; and that not merely upon which some persons present endeavoured un-subjects of religion, but on points with which successfully to rub off. Immediately a cry was religion has no very obvious connexion. For raised, A miracle! a miracle! and crowds col- example: lected to behold it. Even the pope and cardi

"A nobleman who is one of our most con

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"Our children's drawing master told us that he met a friend at church on Sunday last; who, after mass was over, asked the officiating priest to explain to him the Gospel for the day in his own tongue; but he found the priest as ignorant of the Latin language as he was himself. The drawing master added, that it was no uncommon thing for a priest to be ordained in Italy, without ever having studied Latin, though all the ritual is performed in that language. So great is their ignorance, that they charge the women not to fly in the face of Providence by inoculating their children; never considering, that God ordains and blesses the means of warding off the small-pox as well as the remedies for any other complaint." p. 279.

That the rabble of Rome should invade the cemetery of English and German heretics, and with mallets even mutilate their tomb-stones (p. 123), might naturally be expected, if the government were either too cowardly or too bigotted to interfere; but that a priest, who

was of sufficient rank and consideration to

preach before the pope during Easter-week, should dare to denounce the English place of worship in that city as a temple at the very foot of the Capitol for the worship of false gods, denotes a degree of bigotry among the higher orders absolutely without excuse. As several English persons were present, the zealous preacher, it seems, was severely reprimanded for his pains; but can there be a doubt that he expressed the prevailing sentiment of his order?

In one part of the volume our traveller mentions the cheerful and well-cultivated appearance of Tuscany, as signally contrasted with the wretchedness which she had left in the papal dominions. It is a subject which leads to many painful reflections as to the disastrous effects of Roman Catholicism, where it exists unchecked and unrestrained: but we were

bed. We have room but for one cred interviews.

"He broke the silence himself that he wished to have as few want as possible, that his thoughts might constancy and freedom rest on God asked me to read to him the first chapters of the Epistle to the Eph the words, and what is the excee ness of his power to us-ward who cording to the working of his mig which he wrought in Christ, whe him from the dead,' he remarked change brought about in those who the mighty power of God, is here o the miracle of raising the dead. A ' and you hath he quickened, who w trespasses and sins,' he said, 'I w dead in trespasses and sins, until qu the Spirit of God.'

"In the evening he was in the state; a heavenly peace was sprea tranquil countenance. When I as felt, he answered, 'I feel, when ev comfort is gone, that there is One a never faileth. He talked a great mother; called her his blessed m

said, that he should like a journal to

her of his own observations on the tions of Scripture read to him. C and sixth verses of the eighty-fourt observed, To a believer, every tr tary: by faith he is enabled to real sence of Christ under every dispe follow as he leads beside the stil comfort."

"Psalm lxxxv. 8: 'I will hearke Lord God will say concerning me, f speak peace unto His people and to that they turn not again.' That 'marks the Christian watching wi resignation to the will of God, whe condescends to speak peace to h scarcely aware of the full measure of degrada- strength, to turn no more out of the servant, and to bestow upon him tion which exists under the blighting shadow which leadeth unto life. The word of St. Peter's. In other countries nobles may seems to imply attention to the inti be poor; but there are few places in ChristenGod's will. 6 dom where they have so entirely lost all self-heareth. With the obedience and Speak, Lord, for th respect. Our author gives examples of the a child, he listens to the voice of hi most ancient of the Roman nobility making their palace a lodging house, soliciting a petty alms, and even sending a young and handsome daughter alone to an English gentleman to make such a request.

Father, by whom his soul is kept

How different from the conduct of are emphatically called 'careless o first chapter of Proverbs! The Lord at the calamity of the one, and m their fear cometh as desolation; but

We have reserved, for the conclusion of this article, the affecting details concerning the ill-hearken unto him shall dwell safely ness and death of different individuals, with two of whom the writer was nearly connected, and in the welfare of the third she took a lively in

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be quiet from fear of evil.'" pp. 19

For the remaining history of this young man, we must refer to the vol It pleased God to prolong his life f so that he returned to visit his fam land; but he went back once more to died at Leghorn in May, 1823.

The next blow was yet more pai traveller. She was particularly at her niece Anny, the daughter of S and Lady S., and appears to have anxious on her account during the

Naples, and afterwards by Rome to Orvieto, vhere, for a time, they fixed their residence; ut all their care was unavailing: the disease, which they had so long apprehended, at length apped the constitution and carried its victim o the grave, in the fourteenth year of her age. The entire account is very affecting; and we ecommend it to the perusal of all our readers who take pleasure in witnessing the happy efects of early piety.

"Since her illness she never said any thing which could lead us to suppose that she was aware of her situation, till within these last few lays, when she intimated it to her mamma, with an anxious expression of countenance, as f unwilling to grieve her, yet at the same time thinking that she ought to break to her a painful truth. Mamma,' she said, 'from the pain I feel in my chest, and my not getting the least better, I cannot help thinking myself in danger. Again she said, 'I am sure I shall never rise from this bed. My sister answered, she hoped that thought was not painful to her;' to which she unhesitatingly replied, that it was not. Seeing her in great suffering, her mother said, 'Ŏ my child, that I could do any thing to relieve you.' 'You can do nothing now, however, but pray for me; O pray for me.' She complains much of the wandering of her thoughts in prayer, unconscious that it proceeds from the increasing debility of her body. My sister said, 'I hope, my darling, your faith does not fail.' 'O no, mamma, but I often repeat that beautiful prayer, 'Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.' pp. 226,

227.

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"She became quite calm, and joined me in prayer, repeating over and over again, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' She looked at my sister with an unutterable expression of fondness, and said, 'My mother, my good mother, my dear mother; God bless my mother, and God bless my dear father.' She then prayed for each of us repeatedly, saying, 'Lord, grant we may all meet in heaven. She also prayed for the maid servant, whom she saw standing at the foot of the bed, and God bless Mary!' Then every breath was prayer-Lord, help me! Lord, save me!' until she could no longer articulate. At half past six o'clock on Friday morning, the purified spirit fled to the bosom of its Redeemer." p. 236.

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We have spoken of the bigotry of the Roman Catholics at Rome: let us not omit to mention that an application being made to the higher powers for permission to have the funeral in the morning instead of being compelled, by the rules laid down for Protestant funerals, to have it in the night, not only was the permission readily granted, but, as an additional mark of respect, a troop of cavalry received orders to hold themselves in readiness to attend in case of insult. But the precaution was unnecessary; for the people, of whom there was a large concourse, behaved with the greatest respect and sympathy.

After the lapse of a few months, the family were threatened with a still greater calamity, by the serious illness of Sir Walter himself.

trust in God, and a spirit of entire resignation to his will.

"Oh, talk not to me of any works of mine,' he said one day to the Abbé G., who was holding out that fallacious and too common mode of endeavouring to comfort the sinner with eternity in view. 'I never did any thing to merit the favour of God, and have no trust, no hope, but in the Saviour of sinners.' In the midst of distressing agony, which keeps his eyes waking during the tedious hours of night, he exclaims, I will look unto him whom I have pierced. During every interval of pain, the Bible is his constant resource; and from that pure stream he drinks invigorating draughts. He possesses, in an eminent degree, those dispositions which, in the sight of God, are of great price. He is always thankful, always contrite, always of a meek and humble spirit; of him it may be truly said, in the words of the Apostle, He prays without ceasing;' and in every thing he gives thanks to God." pp. 270, 271.

In this state of mind he appears to have resigned his spirit; and need we say his "end was peace?"

After a severe illness of Lady S., the remainder of this family party finally leave Rome, and bend their steps homeward, by way of Florence, Venice, Mont Cenis, Paris, and Dover, where they arrived in safety, greatly rejoiced once more to tread the happy soil of England, and, above all, to hear the "church-going bell" which summoned them to return their grateful homage to the Author of all their

mercies.

We close this instructive and interesting volume with sentiments of very cordial respect for the writer, and a sincere wish that all travellers from this country were fortified and directed by similar principles. That this publication should not meet with the suffrages in its favour of all who read it, may certainly be expected: the flippant and foolish spirit which scoffs at religion every where else, is not very likely to be propitiated by its unlooked-for appearance in a book of travels; and a still larger class of readers, who would not quarrel with an occasional allusion to Divine Providence, or with not very frequent expressions of gratitude to God for his various blessings, cannot at all endure that reflections of this kind should be often introduced: such things are sufficient in their view to cast a very sombre shade over even an Italian landscape. We leave these persons, as leave them we must, to their own predilections; and we have to request that they will likewise deal with equal fairness by us. They would probably applaud this volume very highly, were it of a less serious character. We recommend it most especially, because of the pious and devout spirit which it every where manifests. They will read it in despite of its religion: we are particularly delighted with it on account of its religion. The work is very engaging as a book of travels: to us, however, its principal recommendation is, that it is written by a Christian. In addition to the few extracts we have given, we had intended to in

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