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Register of Events.

THE parliamentary proceedings recently have not been of a very interesting character, though exhibiting very decidedly the weakness of the existing administration. On Lord Eliot's motion for censure on their foreign policy, her Majesty's ministers had only a majority of eight: while on the subject of Lord Durham's mission and outfit to Canada, that majority was reduced to two.

The second reading of Mr. Plumptre's Bill for the better observance of the Lord's day, was carried by a majority of 71. There being for the motion 139, and against it 68. The friends of the measure must, however, not remit their exertions, for powerful efforts will unquestionably be made to damage the bill in some future stage.

Lord Durham is going out as Governor General of Canada, with a very expensive outfit and numerous train of attendants. His Lordship is armed with very extraordinary powers; but his appointment excites unpleasant apprehensions in the minds of the ablest men of all parties.

The Bishop of Quebec died a short time since, and it is rumoured there is to be no successor. If this is the case, it is deeply to be regretted. Had an adequate number of Protestant clergy been provided for Canada some years since, the recent disturbances would most probably never have occurred.

We regret to find that the Indian government appears determined still to encourage idolatry, and enjoy its disgraceful emoluments. Mr. Poynder, whose indefatigable exertions on behalf of India are above all praise, endeavoured at a late Court of Proprietors to obtain a renewal of the orders contained in a dispatch of Feb. 20, 1833, so as to carry that dispatch into full and complete operation. The motion was not only resisted, but a counter resolution brought forward to embarrass as much as possible the renewal of the question. This resolution declares that the continued discussion of questions affecting the religious feelings of the natives of India is fraught with danger, and that the regulation of such matters may with more safety and propriety be left to the responsible executive; but it will be remembered, that when it was proposed to terminate the Suttees, by which six or seven hundred widows were annually burnt alive, we had the same forebodings of danger: yet the instant Lord William Bentinck prohibited these murders, they were quietly and effectually terminated. We trust, therefore, that though the Court of Proprietors attempt to close their doors, petitions may be forthwith addressed to the Imperial Parliament, praying that the East India Company may not be any longer permitted to encourage idolatry, and compel Protestant Civil and Military Officers to take part in idolatrous services, in order that the East India Proprietors may divide among them the unholy revenue arising from taxing Pilgrims, and licensing Prostitutes. The Christian Civil and Military servants of the Indian Government are required to attend Heathen and Mahometan religious festivals for purposes of respect-to present offerings, and do homage to idols-to fire salutes, (even on Sundays,) and thus participate in Mahomedan and Idolatrous ceremonies—and be present at, and participate in the worship of the Church of Rome!

Bills have been introduced into Parliament, to prevent Churches being used for Vestry Meetings; and for the regulating the patronage of newlyerected churches, &c. which deserve clerical attention.

Notices and Acknowledgments,

Received-W. C.-R. S.-R.-M. N.-S. T. T.

We have not at present room for the Sermons so kindly offered. In the verses on Hebrews xiii. and xiv. in our April number, in the first line, instead of A stranger I sojourned here,' read A stranger and sojourner here.'

We shall be happy to receive Newspapers or other reports of our leading Sermons and Anniversaries.

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CHRISTIAN GUARDIAN

AND

Church of England Magazine.

JUNE 1838.

MEMOIR OF ARCHBISHOP USHER.

AMONG those distinguished, individuals who ought to be held in everlasting remembrance, Archbishop Usher occupies a conspicuous place. His ancestors settled in Ireland in the reign of King John, and exchanged their original name of Nevil, for the title of the situation which they occupied in the court of that prince. James Usher, the subject of the present memoir, was the son of Mr. Arnold Usher, one of the six clerks of Chancery, and was born in January 1580. One of his paternal uncles was Archbishop of Armagh, and another uncle was eminent for his skill in Hebrew and Arabic, and translated a considerable part of the Old Testament into Hebrew, before our present authorised version was made. His mother's maiden name Stanyhurst, and one of her brothers, not only himself conformed to the Romish faith, but prevailed with his sister late in life to follow his example, to the great grief of her Son.

was

The early education of Mr. James Usher was entrusted to two maiden aunts, who had been blind from their cradles, but who had committed to memory a very considerable part of the word of God. Under their superintendence young Usher, like Timothy, became from a child acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, and in later years ex

JUNE 1838.

pressed his gratitude to Almighty God, that he had not been left to that ignorance, and those habits of forgetfulness, by which many are seduced into the paths of iniquity.

At the age of ten, young Usher

was sent to a Grammar School in Dublin, which was then conducted by two Scotchmen of the name of Fullerton and Hamilton. These gentlemen were sent over by King James, prior to the death of Queen Elizabeth, in order to promote and maintain his interests with the Protestants of Dublin, and in order effectually to conceal their rank and character, they opened a school in that city. Their services were deemed so important, that on King James's accession to the throne of England, he knighted Mr. Fullerton, and created Mr. Hamilton Viscount Clandebois. Under these able instructors, Mr. Usher attained considerable proficiency in Latin, Rhetoric, and Poetry; and often mentioned it amongst the striking providences of God, that persons who by such fortuitous circumstances had been led to Dublin, should have been so eminently serviceable to him.

2 D

In the year 1593, Trinity College was finished and opened for the reception of students, and at the beginning of the roll was placed the name of James Usher, who had then attained the age of thirteen. Here he had the advantage

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