of the Irish people, with the exception of the Maynooth grant, is all but overlooked? There is not even the flimsy defence of this state of things which arises from the plea that Presbyterianism is a pure doctrinal faith. Unfortunately for those who resort to this stale and worthless sophistry, some Irish Presbyterians, who receive the Donum, are blasphemers of the Son of God. Unprejudiced lookers-on must feel that he who receives Government support for the maintenance of his religion, which, of course, he believes to be true, cannot very reasonably find fault with others similarly circumstanced. All think their own religions true; and the State is ready to help them all, that it may secure the good offices of all. If a religionist accept of State pay for himself, he ought to be very lenient to all others who do the same thing. Another prominent cause of the deceitful calm which has come over the public mind in this country, is the baneful working of the Tractarian heresy. The people have been largely indoctrinated, by meu eating the bread of a professedly reformed church, in a number of tenets tending, beyond all dispute, to diminish the abhorrence of Roman Catholicism. The numerous body of the clergy who rank under the banner of Tractarianism, represent Rome as a true Catholic and Apostolic Church, though with some defection from the Nicene age-their great ecclesiastical standard. The Episcopate of the Establishment, they tell us, is the Catholic branch of Christ's Church in this country; how Rome can be excluded, on their own principles, we are not able to divine. But, be this as it may, Tractarianism is so overlaid with Romish doctrine and ceremony, that those who receive it can have but little fault to find with the Mother-apostolic Church, and little anxiety to stand in the way of her endowment, provided the revenues of the Establishment are in no way impaired. We have narrowly watched the progress and the tendency of Tractarianism, and we have found the result very generally The to be, that Popery begins to be spoken of, even by some who do not call themselves Tractarians, in far more measured terms than it was twenty years ago. This state of things has afforded scope for politicians, who have nothing to guide them but the passing expedients of the day. alarm about Popery has, in a great measure, subsided, in consequence of multitudes embracing it in a modified form; and thus the path to Roman Catholic Endowment has been facilitated for Statesmen, without any particular effort on their own part. If this fact is overlooked, we shall greatly mistake. Then the question, How to govern Ireland? has been such a grievous problem to Whigs and Tories, that they have been disposed, having no conscientious scruples to overcome, to try the effect of Endowment, as a last expedient for her political and social regeneration. If the measure should be suspected by calm lookers-on of something bordering on political quackery, more especially as Statesmen admit that their object is mainly to get an advantage over a turbulent priesthood, they may well bear this reproach, after so many great Political Physicians have tried, without effect, to heal Ireland's political maladies. Sentimental Liberals, too,-by whom we mean that class of polished and plausible men who believe nothing firmly in religion, and feel nothing earnestly, not even indifference itself-come forward and tell us, in a thousand forms, that Roman Catholicism is a greatly meliorated and improved system; that practically, if not in theory, it has renounced many of its former dogmas; that its spirit is softened and subdued; and that nothing more is required in the Sister-Island to make it all that patriotic and benevolent men would wish to see it, but the endowment of the Irish Priests. This measure, they affirm, is the great panacea for all Ireland's complicated woes-the very harbinger of her political millennium. And some are weak enough to believe this, in the face of all history. The sad divisions, moreover, among Protestants, on the principle of endow- | directly opposed to the first principles of ments, have done much to damage their political right. There are tens of thouefforts to withstand the specific endowment sands in this country who would rather of Roman Catholicism. suffer banishment than accept of StateEndowment for their religion, because they believe that Christianity forbids it, and demands to live on the freewill offerings of its Disciples. It is sheer injustice, then, to compel this numerous class of her Majesty's loyal subjects, by law, to support the new Endowment. They appeal to the honesty and integrity of their country men that they may be exonerated from the operation of such an unjust law. Calmly contemplating all these influences, working with more or less force on different minds, we cannot wonder that the Protestant voice of this country should be less distinct and emphatic than it ought to be. A measure of something like confusion and perplexity is produced by the anomaly of our position. Thoughtful, and even good men, begin to yield to something like a feeling of despair, and are ready to let Statesmen take their course without interruption. The Irish Establishment is a great fact, and cannot be denied. Romanism, still the prevailing religion of Ireland, is as seven to one. Not a little has already been done in the form of Roman Catholic Endowment. In our Colonies, the Papacy has long received State support. Presbyterianism in Ireland, whether Socinian or Calvinistic, has its Regium Donum. What, in these circumstances, are Statesmen to do? Can they be made chargeable with the errors of their political predecessors? Or can they, without a pressure from without, recede from the policy already distinctly and variously sanctioned? Ought they not, in the unhappy and complicated circumstances of the Irish nation, to be permitted to endow its Priesthood, if it were only with the forlorn hope of attaching them to British rule and authority? 2. Let the Character of Popery deter Statesmen from the effort to procure its Endowment. It is the antagonist of Christ and his truth. All history proves it to be such. All nations will pay dearly for the compromise of principle by which they may be induced, in an evil hour, to give it State - Support. We cordially adopt the powerful appeal of the Rev. William Anderson, at the late Glasgow Anti-Endowment Meeting: "Objecting as we do to the Stateendowment of what we regard to be truth, much more earnestly do we deprecate the Endowment of Popery, being convinced that it is a system of fatal error. I both lament and wonder that some of the best friends of the Voluntary cause question the propriety of occupying this ground. It has the appearance to them of our admitting that the civil magistrate is qualified and authorised to decide for the subject what is truth and what is error. There can be no greater misconception of our meaning and design. We neither regard Lord John Russell a religious oracle; no; not for determining the meaning of the simplest verse in the Bible Thou shalt not steal.' (Laughter and cheers.) Nor do we approach him with the presumption of telling him what is truth, and what he should believe: but we stand before 1. Let its Political Injustice deter him and say, 'We are the parties on Statesmen from urging it forward.-No whom the tax is to be levied; and the Parliamentary majorities that may be question is not what you, my lord, think obtained can sanctify a deed in itself so (indulge any fancy you please); and Now, in spite of all these untoward facts and influences, we say, unhesitatingly, THAT ROMAN CATHOLICISM MUST NOT BE ENDOWED. Existing evils, however formidable, can be no valid plea for the perpetration of future wrong. Our position, doubtless, is an anomalous one. But let Statesmen beware, lest they should render it inextricable. The past history of State Endowments for religion is anything but satisfactory; the Endowment contemplated would be utterly disastrous. since we, along with your own Cranmer and our Knox, regard this Popery with the deepest abhorrence, you shall not, as you are a just man, burden us with its maintenance.' (Loud cheers.) We should have objected to the exaction, though we had loved the system; but since we abhor it, it would be an aggravated outrage on our feelings, our consciences, and our rights, to rob us for its support. Is not this a logic easily understood? and it is therefore we declare our views of Popery. This is neither the time nor place for a theological exposition of Popish error. Our work at present is simply to give testimony. I, therefore, with all men who are worthy of the Protestant name, declare my opinion to be that Popery, with its acknowledgment of a foreign power, is dangerous to the independence of the commonwealth; that, with its confessional, it betrays the confidence of domestic and social life; that, with its claims of infallibility, and denial of the right of private judgment, it is an incubus on the human intellect; that, with its forbidding the universal perusal of the word of God by the people, it blasphemes the Spirit of inspiration, as if he had indited a dangerous book; that, with its mass, it blasphemes at once the person and sacrifice of Christ; that, with its image-worship, and prayers to the saints, it has converted the Church into a huge pantheon of idolatry; that, with its confession, its absolution, its penance, and its purgatory, together again with that horrid mass, it deifies the priesthood, while it enslaves all grades, corrupts and oppresses the people, and deludes them to their spiritual ruin: in a word, that it is a malignant apostacy, the denunciation of which characterises the burden of scriptural woe. (Cheers.) Such is but a small part of our Protestant testimony; but it is enough for the times: and I now make this simple appeal, Will you, Protestant brethren, tamely submit to it? That your money should be levied on for the promotion of a system of superstition, under which a wife betrays her husband, and a daughter betrays her father, by revealing the most confidential conversation to a curious priest? Will you submit to it tamely and patiently, that your wealth should be taken from you, and distributed for the strengthening of a system which counterworks all your measures, whether at home or abroad, for evangelizing the world—desolating your missions, as at Tahiti, with such malignancy? And, finally, Will you patiently and tamely submit to it, that men should take that power, with which we and our fellow-citizens have invested them, to pervert and prostitute it to purposes than which we are persuaded there is no other more provocative of national judgment from the hand of a dishonoured God?" (Great applause.) 3. Let the already overtaxed condition of our people deter Statesmen from the attempt to Endow Popery. Whence, with an Income Tax, now pressing with intolerable severity upon the middle classes in this country, is the new Endowment to come? The Irish Establishment receives 700,000l. per annum for less than one million of Episcopalian Protestants. Will the Endowment of Popery answer even the political end proposed, viz., the pacification of the Priesthood, if half that sum be not allowed for every million of Irish Catholics? There are seven millions of Romanists in Ireland; is Great Britain, with all her other burdens, and in the depressed state of her commerce, prepared annually to pay 2,450,000l. for the direct support of Popery in the Sister Kingdom? think not; and we call on all who think with us to wake up from their lethargy, and to render it impossible for such a measure to be carried in the British Parliament. We THE PROGRESS OF ROMANISM IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. "Truth, like the river, oft makes slow but sure advance: Error's course is like the rapid mountain-stream- THE question is often proposed by intelligent, thoughtful, and devout persons, and with great earnestness, especially at the present period, "Is Popery increasing among us as a nation?" and, in reply to this grave inquiry, many strong and startling representations are furnished. Were we to judge from the statements, the bold and unqualified statements, which are made in the periodical publications of the Romanists themselves, and the tone of joy and exultation pervading them, we should be disposed, and indeed induced, to think that Popery is very materially increasing in the British empire,-in the number of its members, in the learning and ability of its adherents, and in the influence and power which it is commanding. Many of these representations, how ever, we receive not only with caution, but distrust, regarding them as exaggerated, fallacious, and mendacious,-made, often, to serve a purpose; and that the ground for boasting and triumph is, in numerous instances, perfectly hollow. Still, it is very apparent, to every person who reads, who observes, who inquires, that Popery is now, and has been for some time, making an effort for its extension in this country of the most vigorous character; and that there have been an organization, an energy, and a boldness in its plans and movements, which it has not displayed, at least for some generations. It is not to be checked, -not to be daunted-not to be cowed. Large sums of money are contributed, the utmost priestly influence is exerted; and every possible endeavour is made, in order that its range may be widened, and its successes be more decisive and triumphant. We confess that we do not cherish the fears of many excellent individuals, with regard to the predominance of Popery in this country. It is our increasing conviction, that the education of the people, the sound trainings of the young, the expansive, religious, and Protestant principles of this enlightened nation, will prevent this calamity-this inexpressible calamity-occurring. Still, it is our impression, and not only impression, but firm belief, grounded on observation, inquiry, and circumstances, continually presenting themselves, that there is an increase of Roman Cotholics in Great Britain and Ireland, and an increase, too, to extent which imperatively demands some prompt, general, well-sustained, and most counteractive efforts. an It is, also, of commanding importance to remember, that the energies of the Catholics are always awakened, and that they are of the boldest and most determined character. The emissaries of Popery are never tired; their efforts are sleepless and unceasing. They form every plan-they project every undertakingthey make every sacrifice they endure the utmost labour and toil, in order that their church may be extended, their power be increased, their converts be multiplied. The fact is, unhappily, too palpable, that Ireland is devoted to the Papal system of intolerance, superstition, and error. At the present period, the Roman Catholic population in the sister country, amounts to nearly seven millions; and, among these, there is a compact, a confederacy, an ecclesiastical union, of the closest and most indissoluble character. It is like a firmly-wedged phalanx. Over these millions of Romish members and devotees there are four archbishops, more than twenty bishops, and nearly two thousand five hundred priests!! Can we, then, wonder at Ireland's intellectual and moral darkness and degradation? Can we be at all surprised at the con tinual statement, that Ireland is hoodwinked, priest-ridden- enslaved? Certainly not. The Romish church has seven colleges, or more, in Ireland, in addition to that of Maynooth, and a considerable number of monasteries and nunneries; so that Ireland is essentially Popish, and, consequently, in our deliberate judgment intellectually, morally, and religiously crippled, debased, enervated. It is an indubitable fact, that, wherever Popery reigns, the people are kept in darkness; the mind is stunted, free inquiry is checked and crushed. Papists must, on religious subjects, think as the church thinks, else not think at all. What can be more injurious, more debasing, more ruinous? In Scotland-intelligent, reflective, and cautious Scotland,-so jealous of everything like prelacy or priestcraft,—the Roman Catholics have not only entrenched themselves, but they have made progress-visible and rapid progress. It is computed, that in Glasgow alone they number more than thirty thousand! It has been recorded, that, in the year 1792, there were, in the whole of Great Britain, not thirty Roman Catholic chapels. Unhappily, there are, at the present period, more than six hundred! Granted that many of these chapels of the Romanists are small, and the congregations inconsiderable, still, it is an astounding fact, one which speaks loudly for itself, and which surprisingly shows the amount of influence exerted. We have now in Great Britain nearly ever for the dissemination of pure and enlightened Christian principles. In 1792, there was not one Roman Catholic college in this country; there are now eleven colleges, besides nearly forty convents, sixty seminaries for the education of Catholics, and many chapel schools. The Roman Catholic population of Great Britain is now, perhaps, two millions; certainly, after every legitimate deduction, very little less. Are these representations to be regarded by us with indifference, with cold and unmeaning apathy? "Twere sin to feel so." In the Roman Catholic Directory for 1848, we have the following statistical Wales, including priests without any Missionary priests in Scotland eight hundred Romish priests, always Missionary priests in England and . 707 99 Thus we have in Great Britain eight hundred and six missionary priests, including the bishops, all devoted to the extension of the papacy. In six years five Catholic churches have been erected in England on the largest and most magnificent scale. The one at Nottingham is the largest built since the Reformation. That of St. George, near the Obelisk, |