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for Mr. Marsden, that his ministerial functions were long conjoined by the Government with magisterial authority. A minister of religion can acquire no accession of honour by such a coalition of offices, or rather such an amalgamation of official characters; and we have no doubt, that however just his magisterial decisions might be, (and we have uniformly heard them commended for their strict justice), his ministerial character and usefulness were in so far compromised by the unscriptural conjunction. It is fortunate for the colony, and doubly so for its clergy, that the present race of incumbents are not exposed to any such temptations.

'The high hopes which Mr. Marsden had been led to form, at an early period, in regard to the Christianization and civilization of the South Sea Islanders, and especially of the natives of New Zealand, induced him perhaps to regard with less interest than he might otherwise have been disposed to do, the aborigines of this territory, and the efforts of colonial philanthropists for their intellectual and moral improvement. He was long the zealous friend and agent of the London Missionary Society; and the Church of England Society invested him from the first with the general su

perintendence of its mission to New Zealand. For a considerable period, indeed, that mission was comparatively unsuccessful, and most of the missionaries who were successively sent out to the Society's stations in these interesting islands, unfortunately proved unworthy of the high office with which they had been entrusted as missionaries to the heathen; but the fault was neither Mr. Marsden's nor that of the missionaries; it was the system that was wrong; the efforts of the Society being long directed rather to the civilization than to the Christianization of the natives-a course of procedure for which, however applauded by mere human philosophy, there is no warrant in the word of God.

'Mr. Marsden was a dutiful husband and an affectionate parent, and uniformly took a warm interest in whatever was calculated to advance the kingdom of Christ in the world. There are few men, however, in this colony who have had so many or such bitter enemies to contend with in the course of their lives. But he outlived all their malice and hostility, and went down to the grave at last in peace, we believe, with all the world, and in the hope of a far better inheritance than this world can afford.'

Register of Events.

ARRIVING once more at the close of our annual labours, we desire again thankfully to acknowledge the good hand of Almighty God in protecting and preserving us hitherto; humbly intreating the pardon of our errors and negligences; and earnestly seeking for the divine blessing on all our attempts to promote the glory of God, and the welfare of our fellow men. When we look around on the church, or on the world, there appears much of a painful and alarming character. The nations of the earth are indeed nominally at peace with each other, but there are still too many countries where the sword is actively engaged, and where the blood of multitudes is poured out like water. Spain at this moment is in a dreadful state; anarchy and civil contest prevail through a large part of that devoted country; the prisoners taken, whether by the Christinos, or the Carlists, are in numerous instances murdered, and should the present atrocious system long continue, the fairest parts of that devoted country will be laid waste by the savage atrocities of an unprincipled banditti; and the whole kingdom of Spain must be thrown many years backward in the march of civilization; meanwhile France is carrying on a system of colonial aggression on the northern parts of the Mediterranean. Having seized on the territory of Algiers, she is extending her empire along a space of five hundred miles of sea coast, and planting her garrisons in convenient places, at a vast expenditure of human life and treasure; while at the same time she is wantonly interfering with the rights of other

nations in far distant parts of the world, by the blockade of Mexico. But our politicians are at present most deeply alarmed with the dangers of the East. Russia, gradually, yet steadily creeping on, has at length compromised herself by taking part in beseiging Herat, a Persian city, very favourably situated on the road to India. Our Indian government having taken the alarm, has advanced troops to its defence, and a conflict is said to have taken place, which if Russia, is determined to persevere, must lead to important results. Our engagements with Turkey are at present somewhat closer, and a commercial treaty has been negociated between our own government and their's; considering, however, our conduct on a former occasion, there is not much reason to expect that Turkey should place any great dependence on our promises, nor have we as Christians any reason either to expect or desire the permanence of the grand ostensible support of the Eastern Antichrist.

The kingdoms of this world must become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. To this most blessed consummation, the Turkish empire presents a formidable obstacle; and therefore it must either be converted or destroyed. The progress indeed of so corrupt a system as that of the Russian Greek Church, must be painful to all who are themselves partakers of a purer faith; but corrupt Christianity may, through God's mercy be reformed, and melancholy as our views are with reference to the abominations of the Greek and Romish systems, we cannot but hope that God has amongst them a people for himself—a hope which can scarcely be entertained with reference to the followers of Mahommed: as Christians, therefore, we cannot lament the gradual drying up of the resources of the Turkish empire; whatever may be the political feelings with which we contemplate Russian aggression and aggrandizement.

This however is chiefly alarming with reference to its effects on our Indian empire; nor can it be denied that if Herat becomes a Russian citadel, and Persia a Russian Province, the native Powers of Hindoostan may be emboldened to attempt the subversion of our authority, and may most seriously embarrass, if not eventually overturn our Indian empire. But this is after all a remote not an immediate danger. Our empire in India under Divine providence, rests on opinion; and there is a very deep and extensive conviction pervading India not only of our power but of our justice; and certainly whatever oppression may have in a few individual cases taken place, our Indian Government has been conducted with great integrity, and with a more strict regard to the temporal rights and interests of the natives, than had ever previously been known throughout Hindoostan. But our justice to man, has not been accompanied with piety to God. The natives of India, while they acknowledge our justice, despise our impiety: they look upon us as a nation of infidels, as men without religion; and hence the more devout and superstitious shrink from

us.

The recent exertions at the seats of Government, and the larger European stations have in some measure corrected this idea, and if our Indian government at length withdraws its patronage from idolatry, and affords equal protection to Christian converts and idolaters instead of disgracing the former, and preferring the latter,—if, in short, Christianity is promoted and encouraged in India, we conceive there is very little reason to fear the stability of our Eastern empire. We therefore look upon Christian missionaries as the most powerful and effectual of Christian Patriots. Our latest accounts from Canada afford too much reason to fear renewed attempts at insurrection; though of the final issue there is no ground of alarm. Both provinces are unquestionably far better prepared to resist the insurgents than at this time last year; but still a fearful loss of life may not improbably ensue, and shew that clemency to individuals is not always mercy to the public. Lord Durham has arrived in this country, after having most unjustifiably complained to the Canadian public of the treatment he has received from Government. His proclamation is indeed ably written, but is calculated to produce mischief in Canada, and prejudice his lordship at home.

Mr. O'Connell is going on with a high hand in Ireland; his speeches are if possible more violent than ever. Whether this great rage is owing to

the conviction that the time is short, or to blow up a somewhat larger gale of rent, which we perceive is to be collected for him through Ireland on the 9th of December we know not-but we are on the whole inclined to think it symptomatic of a falling cause. It is truly degrading to observe Romish prelates identifying themselves and their cause with so violent a demagogue. A controversy is carrying on between Drs. M'Hale and Murray, the titular diocesans of Tuam and Dublin, and one of his clerical brethren, on the merits of the National system of Education, from which we learn, that while in the cooler judgment of the latter it is favourable to the Romish interests, it is not so favourable as the fiery zeal of the former could desire. The slightest perusal of the coutroversy should however stimulate English Protestants to exert themselves in the promotion of scriptural education by some of those valuable institutions which we have so repeatedly advocated.

Government has this year discontinued the firing of the Park and Tower guns, and other demonstrations of joy on the fifth of November.-This needs no remark-meanwhile the Papists are assuming a loftier tone; a Romish cathedral has been opened at Leeds, with a public and splendid procession of the host through the streets; while their papers boast of numerous converts, and indulge in lofty and confident anticipations of increasing success. Their presumptuous boasts would be of small consequence were there not a deluded party in our own church, who are seduced by the Oxford Tract Heresy, to abandon the foundations of the Protestant faith, by setting up rites and traditions, in the room of vital religion and scriptural authority. Their folly becomes, however, daily more and more manifest, and will, we trust, not proceed to any great extent.

An action is now pending in the ecclesiastical courts in consequence of the erection in Carisbrook church-yard, of a grave-stone calling upon passers by to pray for the soul of the deceased. Our clerical readers should remember that no grave-stone can be set up in a church-yard without the Minister's permission; but that when once set up, it cannot be removed without a tedious and expensive process. It is therefore generally desireable for the clergy to insist on seeing the inscription before the stone is erected.

Messrs. Burnet, Blackburn, Dr. Cox, Dr. Reed, and a few other political dissenters, have just concocted A General union for the promotion of RELIGIOUS EQUALITY. We are however, inclined to think that this, like some other notable dissenting contrivances, will recoil upon themselves. It only shews at what its promoters aim; and verily they have their reward.

We are happy to hear that another member of the episcopal bench has joined the Pastoral Aid Society. That institution can now number nine Bishops among its supporters. The great difficulty however, still is to find a sufficient number of able curates. The increasing security of these valuable labourers loudly calls for the serious consideration, and the prompt exertion of every member of our church; though we fear it is very imperfectly understood by many of our diocesans.

Meanwhile, the cause of God is, we trust, advancing ;-New Churches are building,-National schools are rapidly rising, and efforts are in various quarters making to improve the general character of the Education given to the lower orders. The attendance on our churches is for the most part increasing, Bibles and books of sterling piety are in great demand, and all the Missionary Institutions find the calls for their services advancing beyond the existing means of supply. All these, and many others, are tokens for good, should check our desponding thoughts, animate us to increasing exertions, and stimulate us to say with the Apostle THEREFORE, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, BE YE STEDFAST, IMMOVEABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK of the Lord, KNOWING THAT YOUR LABOUR SHALL NOT BE IN VAIN IN THE LORD.

THE END OF 1838.

INDEX

TO BIOGRAPHY, RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS, &c. &c.

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