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of the friends and supporters of the Unitarian interest in that place, that you will give insertion to the following communication, in an early Number of your useful Miscellany.

The members of the Unitarian congregation at Oldham consist chiefly of persons in the humbler ranks of life, whose pecuniary resources are extremely limited, and whose greatest exertions are scarcely equal to the small annual expenditure for which they have to provide. This expenditure amounts to the sum of about £14.; and includes a charge of £6. for ground reat, of £5. for interest upon a loan of £100, and of £3. for cleaning and lighting, the chapel. This loan they have been called upon to refund; which, with a balance due for work done in the chapel, subjects them to a debt of £132. 12s..

MISCELLANEOUS.
Sheffield Controversy.

SHEFFIELD has lately been the seat of a controversy, originating in a speech delivered by the Rev. T. Cotterill of that place to the clergy of the archdeaconry of York, assembled at Wakefield on the 21st April 1819, to petition against the Catholic Claims. It is no new thing to find intolerance and misrepresentation, ❝ in all their glory," issuing from such assemblies; and that this should “unanimously" agree that the prayers of millions of their fellowsubjects should not be listened to, would appear a matter of course. Our reverend divine, who takes every thing for granted which blockheads and bigots, the enemies of religious liberty, have asserted against the Catholics, though a thousand times refuted, and will believe nothing that they or their friends profess or prove, runs through the catalogue of their errors and £670 13 2 crimes, the enormities of their creed and the worthlessness of their conduct, and 20 15 10 21 15 concludes by asserting that the voice of 10 6 6 God himself speaks in the anti-catholie petition, and by exhorting his hearers by the love they bear to the Divine Being, to condemn, anathematize and persecute their fellow-men.

The following is a statement of the general accounts of the Society. Amount of bills

Trust Deed

Bills for painting, &c.
Bills unpaid

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With a view to the liquidation of their debt, the society pledge themselves to every exertion on their own part; and as an evidence of their sincerity in giving this pledge, they have, by an extraordinary effort, succeeded in raising among themselves the sum of £20. The society take this opportunity of stating, that they have the privilege of purchasing the free. hold of the chapel premises; which, including every expense, might be effected for £120. This is an object that they would be truly happy to accomplish; but the circumstances of difficulty in which they are placed, preclude, for the present, all expectation of effecting a scheme so desirable. In recalling the attention of the Unitarian public to the state of their fi nances, the brethren at Oldham feel no inconsiderable portion of reluctance. They are sincerely thankful for the liberal aid which they have experienced; and, without making a direct and formal appeal to the generosity of their friends, they merely wish it to be known that their financial embarrassments have not been yet removed.

WILLIAM HARRISON.
Late Treasurer.

Mr. T. A. Ward, in a letter to the Sheffield Mercury, analizes, one by one, the statements of his clerical neighbour, and holds them up to the world in all their flimsy raggedness. One or two anonymous auxiliaries skirmish at his flanks, (it may be noticed that the controversialists are mightily fond of military language,) while Mr. Mac Dounell, a Catholic priest, hasty assertions, unauthorized quotations, pours in a destructive volley upon the and dogmatical invectives of the Sheffield divine.

he abandons his former post altogether. Mr. Cotterill returns to the charge, but Driven from his shattered redoubts, he advances a groundless and unavailing as before; and new set of accusations as as if a mass of errors could make a truth, he quotes at length from the Courier and or the authority of bigots justify bigotry, such pure sources, the oft-repeated and oftener answered calomnies; fills pages with the shallow arguments of others, as if no longer satisfied with his own; and finds himself beneath the dicta of Mr. Leslie it safer (O prudent parson!) to shelter Foster and my Lord Colchester, than to attack the pithy and puzzling reasoning his attention. But he manages the weawhich his opponents would fain press upon pons of others no better than his own, and obtains, in consequence, the thanks of an anonymous Catholic for the happy example he gives of the absurdity and folly of the species of arguments usually adopted by the anti-catholic party.

Mr. Ward is not, however, to be directed by the shifting and the retracing of his opponent, but endeavours to bring him back to his original statements, while he proceeds to answer his newly-recruited arguments. The latter task is easy enough, but not so the former, for Mr. Cotterill is too shrewd to advert again to representa tions, whose absurdity and falsehood had been demonstrated; and yet it appears that, though utterly unable to withstand the proofs of misquotations, false assertions, errors and oversights, (the mild word with which the Catholic reproves the Protestant priest,) so abundant in the oration to the assembled clergy at Wakefield, he circulates more widely than ever that speech, as delivered, without the slightest reference to objections unanswered and unanswerable, and which, in fact, he has neither ventured to meddle with nor to meet. Such is the tribute which truth exacts from

error.

These discussions do incalculable good. Let the friends of Catholic emancipation determine that their adversaries shall have the exclusive use of every disgraceful weapon. Their cause, and all other good causes, have suffered more from the intemperate vehemence of some of their advocates, than from all the attacks of their opponents while on the other hand, they have been infinitely benefited by the intoleraut ignorance of false accusers and feeble The Catholics have, no doubt, more to excuse their warmth of expression than their oppressors. He who is trampled upon may be allowed to cry out; and yet it were well they should remember, that a hundred infamed and violent professed friends of truth and liberty do more to oppose their and counteract their progress beneficent influence, than a hundred thonsand weak arguments-and all such arguments must be weak-of open and active enemies.

reasoners.

J. B.

We have often occasion to regret that the small space within which our REVIEW is confined prevents us from giving an account of very interesting publications. Had we been able to obtain room, we should ere this have taken some notice of SIR JAMES EDWARD SMITH's two pamphlets, one entitled "Considerations respecting Cambridge, more particularly relating to its Botanical Professorship," and the other, "A Defence of the Church and Universities of England against such Injurious Advocates as Professor Monk and the Quarterly Review." The occasion of these publications is not very creditable to Cambridge. Sir J. E. Smith is President of the Linnean Society, and is known throughout Europe as one of the first botanists

now living. The Botanical Professor at Cambridge (Prof. Martyn) being unable from his years to discharge his public duties in the University, applied to Sir James to give in his place a course of lectures. Sir James consented; the permission of the Vice Chancellor was ob tained, and the lectures were publicly announced; but the day before they were to have commenced, eighteen tutors of colleges delivered to the Vice Chancellor a protest against lectures by a person “neither a member of the University, nor a member of the Church of England," and in consequence of this opposition the plan was abandoned. In the pamphlets, Sir James well exposes the stupid bigotry of this proceeding, its departure from precedents in the University, and its injurious effects upon science. But Professor Monk and the Quarterly Review think it quite enough to shew that the President of the Linnæan Society is a Dissenter, and worst of all, a "rational Dissenter," an Unitarian. Sir James is catholic enough in conscience, for he avows that he occasionally joins in the worship and receives the sacrament of the Established Church, purely for the sake of Christian communion; but this so far from disarming, only strengthens the enmity of his opponents, who seem to think that a Dissenter is a hypocrite if he be not a good hater of the Church and Churchmen, just as some Roman Catholics have defined a Jansenist, Homo pius et doctus, INIMICUS JESUITA It was hardly to have been expected that the English Universities, and especially Cambridge, should at this time of day cherish such a mean and unworthy spirit; they will not receive knowledge from, nor impart it to a heretic: Dissenters are Samaritans, and these orthodox Jews resolve (as of old) non monstrare vias eadem nisi sacra colenti."

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Diocese of St. David's.-The Church Union Society's prizes for this year are adjudged as follow:

"The premium (by benefaction) of £50. to the Rev. Harvey Marriott, of Claverton, near Bath, for the best essay On the Madras System of Education; its powers, its application to classical schools, and its utility as an instrument to form the principles and habits of youth in the higher orders of Society.'

"A gratuity of £10. to Mr. Thomas Hogg, master of the grammar-school in Truro, for a second-best essay on the same subject.

"A premium of £25. to the Rev. John Morris, of Nether-Broughton, Leicestershire, for the best essay On the Scriptural evidence of the doctrine of propor tionate rewards, in the next life, considered as a motive to duty, an impulse to zealous

and faithful service, a ground of hope, a source of pious gratitude and humility, and, through the promises of the gospel, an earnest of final acceptableness with God for Christ's sake."" (See CHRISTIAN REFORMER, V. 264.)

Synod of Ulster.-The most interesting question as yet discussed in Synod during its present sittings is decided, namelyWhether permission would be granted to Scotch clergymen to preach in the Presbyterian pulpits of Ireland. The same liberty is denied to the Irish in Scotland by the General Assembly of that country. The question was carried in favour of the Scotch clergymen preaching in Ireland, by a majority of six. We learn that the ministers divided equally. The elders, therefore, decided this very important, and in our minds, national question.-Irishman.

FOREIGN.

FRANCE.

THE Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops in France have addressed a letter to the Pope, in which they draw a gloomy pic ture of the present state of the GALLICAN CHURCH, which they say is becoming daily more deplorable. They complain bitterly of impious books and pernicious doctrines, and, in short, predict that "the Church of France will fall, never to rise again."

The Pope has assented, it is said, to a CONCORDAT (or agreement) similar to the famous one negotiated by Buonaparte. A reserve, however, is made of certain papal pretensions. The vacant sees are soon to be filled.

But the REVOLUTION has given a shock to the papal hierarchy in France, from which it is not likely to recover. The church-lands were the foundation of this political church, and these being (we hope) for ever alienated, the edifice has nothing to stand upon but the superstition of the people, of which the Revolution has left little remaining.

THE priesthood has shewn its ancient spirit at Lyons. A woman died who had been divorced and had married a second time. Her second husband had wished the church to consecrate by the sacrament of marriage the union already made legal by the civil authorities, but this was refused. On the death of the wife, burial was also denied, on the ground that the deceased, though in the eye of the civil law a wife, was in that of the canon law a concubine. In vain did the Prefect issue his order. The grand vicar then interfered, but it was not till a second order of his that the priest consented to the interment; and, at last, the corpse was

refused admission into the church, and would not have been carried thither if the populace had not broken open the door and compelled the performance of the whole ceremony. "This scandalous affair," says the foreign Journalist, "had nearly given rise to very serious consequences."

THE brutal persecution still rages against the Jews in Germany, but it is consolatory to learn that they find an asylum in France. A considerable number of them have emigrated thither in families. A Paris paper, of the date of Sept. 12, says of these unhappy people, "Among us they will enjoy constitutional liberty and that security which is its fruit. It is now 150 years since French Protestants went to Germany in quest of peace and liberty. What a progress have justice and public prosperity inade in our country!"

WE are informed by a gentleman just returned from the SOUTH OF FRANCE, that the Protestants in that quarter are far from feeling secure, though at present in peace. The effect of their persecution has been so far good as it has put them upon serious investigation of the principles for which they have been called to suffer. They take much interest in the progress of opinions at Geneva and in England; and a religious journal is about to be established at Nisines to encourage and aid free inquiry.

DENMARK.

THE tremendous cry of " Hep, Hep,” (the signal of persecution against the Jews in Germany,) has been propagated hither. A report, it seems, prevailed that protection had been promised at Copenhagen to the Jewish exiles from Hamburgh. The populace of Copenhagen, taking the alarm, attacked the Jews already in that city. A report that they would be driven from all the public promenades induced them to keep within their houses; but even here they were sought out, their windows were broken, their houses were assailed, and the presence of the military alone saved their property and persons. Placards are said to have been posted up by the rioters "against the Jews and the government.' Majesty has consequently issued a proclamation offering a reward for the discovery of the seditious, and appointed a commission for the immediate trial of such as should be apprehended. There is a mys tery in this sudden and general rising against the Jews, who are, we believe, every-where distinguished by peaceable conduct, and by what might be almost called an abject spirit.

"

His

NEW PUBLICATIONS IN THEOLOGY AND GENERAL LITERATURE.

The Theological and Miscellaneous Works of Joseph Priestley, LL. D. F. R.S. &c. With Notes by the Editor. Vol. XIII. The Life of William, Lord Russell; with some account of the Times in which he lived. By Lord John Russell. 4to. Portrait. £1. 11s. 6d.

Some Account of the Life of Rachael Wriothesley, Lady Russell, by the Editor of Madame Da Deflaud's Letters, followed by a Series of Letters from Lady Russell to her Husband, &c. 4to. £1.7s.

Reasons in favour of a new Translation of the Holy Scriptures. By Sir James Bland Burges, Bart. 7s.

Animadversions on the Unitarian Translation, or Improved Version of the New Testament. By Thomas Rennell, A. M., Vicar of Kensington and Christian Advocate in the University of Cambridge; first published in 1811, by a “Student in Divinity." 5s. 6d.

The Theological Lectures of the late Rev. Benj. Wheeler, D.D. Regins Professor of Divinity, Oxford. By Thomas Horne, D. D. 12s.

The Rainbow and Eclipse; Poems. By T. Thomas, Wareham, Dorset. 8vo. 4s. Bibliotheca Britannica; or A General Index to the Literature of Great Britain and Ireland, Ancient and Modern, with such Foreign Works as have been transJated into English, or printed in the British Dominions; including also a Copious Selection from the Writings of the most celebrated Authors of all Ages and Nations. By Robert Watt, M. D. Vol. I. Part I. 4to. £1. 1s. [To be completed in Six Parts.]

The Life of Sir Thomas Bernard, Bart. By the Rev. James Baker. 8vo. 88. 6d. Select Letters of Ganganelli, Pope Clement XIV. Translated from the French. By C. J. Metcalfe, Esq. 5s.

Selden's Table Talk. A new Edition,

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Christianity and the Church of Scotland vindicated from the Charge of Priesteraft; preached before the Society for the Benefit of the Sons of the Clergy, May 22, 1818. By Andrew Thomson, A. M., Minister of St. George's, Edinburgh. 1s. 6d.

The Sin of Schism Demonstrated, and the Protestant Episcopal Church proved to be the only Safe Means of Salvation: preached in the Parish Church of Frome, Somerset, August 8, 1819. By Stephen Hyde Cassan, M. A. Chaplain to the Ear of Caledon and Curate of Frome. 18. 6d.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Communications have been received from Messrs. M. Maurice; Fullagar; Sadler and Fairbridge; and E. S.; T. D. and R. D.

Monthly Repository.

No. CLXVI.]

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OCTOBER, 1819.

State of Religion in Spain, 1819.

HERE are in Spain, according to Antillou's calculations, two hundred thousand ecclesiastics. They possess immense revenues and an incalculable influence over the mass of the people; though it is certain that influence is diminishing, notwithstanding the countenauce and cooperation of a government deeply interested in preserving their authority.

It would be great injustice to the regular clergy of Spain to class them with the immense hordes of monks and friars, scattered over the face of the Peninsula, some possessing rich and well-stored convents, large estates and accumulating wealth, and others (the mendicant orders) who prey more directly on the labours of the poor, and compel the industrious to administer to their holy, uninterrupted laziness. The former, though, doubtless, by far too numerous, are for the most part intelligent and humane; dispensing benevolence and consolation in their respective parishes; friendly, in many instances, to liberty and devoted to literature. The latter, with few, but striking exceptions, † are unmanageable masses of ignorance and indolence.

They

Antillon-I cannot mention this il. lustrious name without a tribute of admiration and gratitude. A life devoted to virtue and literature, an unwearied struggle in the cause of civil and religions liberty, rewarded by the fatal blow of a hired assassin, leaves behind it an impress on the hearts of the generous and the good which will not and cannot be erased.

+ It cannot be denied that the seclusion of the convent is so friendly to contemplation and research, that literature has been, and still is, greatly indebted to it. A glance at the columns of Nich. Antonio's Biographical Dictionary will give striking proof of this.

There are many convents in which no book could be found but the service of mass or the rules of the order. In others, there are excellent libraries, of whose value the friars have no idea whatever. In the VOL. XIV. 1 1

[Vol. XIV.

live (as one of the Spanish poets says) in a state of sensual enjoyment between the organ-loft and the refectory, to which all other enjoyment is but purgatory; the link which should

convent of San Miguel de los Reyes, near Valencia, I examined some of the most interesting MSS. in existence, which are in charge of a brotherhood of unlearned Geronomites. The librarian refused to shew me a celebrated MS. of the Roman de la Rose," because" (he said) "it was the work of a heretic;" though he added, he had written some verses in it to frighten any inquirer who might accidentally open it. He had been recommending the burning a noble illuminated MS. of the " Divina Commedia," apparently contemporary with Dante, as "the wretch had dared to send even Popes to hell." Ancient copies of Virgil, Livy and others, are in some dauger, should our zealous friar stumble on their history, and learn that they never went to mass.

Montalvan.

Es Purgatorio

Toda dicha, comparada

Con la de un frayle, cifrada 'Desde el coro al refectorio. The whole description is admirable, and I am tempted to introduce it here. Friend, thou art right! A world like this Hath nothing equal to the bliss Enjoyed by yonder lazy friar, Between refectory and choir! The morning pass'd in sacred song, (The task is short-the triumph long!) Why should our portly friar repine?

Enough for him-good man! to see
His cellar stor'd with rosy wine,

His table pil'd with luxury.
Come now, come with me, and partake
Our friar's poor and modest board:
Meek sufferer-for Jesus' sake!

Self-sacrific'd-to please the Lord!!
And is this rich and gay domain
His place of penury and pain?
That table his, where rang'd in state
I see so many jovial brothers,
Each with his fingers in his plate,

And his eyes fix'd upon another's?
O'tis indeed a lovely sight
To see thus earth and heav'n unite;
And what an enviable union

Of church and kitchen in communion!

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