obtain signatures to petitions, and to assist in carrying out the plans and operations of the Association more effectually. Several of the members have already offered themselves for the work; and the Committee earnestly invite others to unite with them also. The Committee trust that the members will exert themselves to further the good work, by spreading a knowledge of the Association and its principles, in their respective spheres of influence, and obtain donations and collections from their friends, together with the names of new members; and in every other way to be up and doing, in this day of rebuke and blasphemy. Having thus somewhat hastily stated the labours of the past, and the designs for the future, they leave the issue in the hands of Him who reigneth above, and who doeth whatsoever pleaseth Him, both in heaven and in earth;-His promise is, that they shall not labour in vain, but that he that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoice together, if they faint not. In conclusion, the Committee feel, that there is much cause for thankfulness for the past, and hope for the future. Socialism is now, as a system-dead; but it has left its condemning seeds in the hearts of men, ready to embrace any system of infidelity, that may have an attractive appearance. Chartism, an offspring of infidelity, with its revolutionary spirit, is at present infecting the working population of our beloved country; drawing them into rebellion, to resist the lawful authority of the British Constitution and Government, to the destruction of the liberty and freedom of the people, and the uprooting of all order in society; while a voice from Ireland shouts for a dismemberment of part of her Majesty's dominions, and the entire subjugation of Protestantism; to the establishment of Popery in that part of the empire. But, from the signs of the times, they fear, that these opposite and at present apparent different systems, will, ere long, be joined to the old foe of the gospel -Popery, to revive its despotic sway over the minds and bodies of Britons, and the world. Our strength then is only in being united in the bonds of peace and unity of spirit,-in combination for the defence of the principles we as Christians now enjoy, and the glorious privileges as maintained by our martyred forefathers. Shall we dare we-draw back or falter in our plain and obvious duty ?-can we refuse to join Christ's faithful band, and fight Our coununder the banner of the cross? try demands that we should contribute to its safety. To it is committed the keeping of God's truth, as a bright light to the surrounding world. Are we prepared to give up this truth without a struggle, or a protest?-have we no love for it, that we can concede it as a thing of nought ?-Surely not. Then stand fast, be firm, quit yourselves like men; be strong and valiant for the truth, for the battle is the Lord's, and the cause is that of his truth. Resist the enemy. Fight with the sword of his spirit; be equipped with his armour, and then God, even our God, will give us his blessing. "For the Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.' and bishops, and accused of maintaining that, "after the sacramental words spoken by the priests, to make the body of Christ, the material bread doth remain upon the altar as in the beginning; neither is it turned into the very body of Christ after the sacramental words spoken by the priests." To which it was added, that he had further said, "It was impossible that any priest should make the body of Christ, and that he never could believe it, unless he saw manifestly the body of Christ in the hands of the priest; and that when Christ sat at supper with his disciples, he had not his body in his hand to distribute to his disciples, but spoke figuratively as he had done at other times." The archbishop endeavoured, by arguments and exhortations, to change his opinions. Among other things it is related, that "the said archbishop said and affirmed there openly to the said John, that he would (if he would live according to the doctrine of Christ,) gage (or pledge) his soul for him at the judgment-day!" Similar offers have repeatedly been made in later days by the Romish clergy! The articles were again read, and Badby was called upon to reply to them. He did not shrink from bearing a faithful testimony, and among other things, he stated his firm belief, "That after the consecration at the altar, there remaineth material bread, and the same bread which was before; notwithstanding," said he, "it was a sign or sacrament of the living God." He added, "That he would believe the omnipotent God in Trinity, which they had accused him of denying,; and that if every host, (or wafer used in the sacrament,) being consecrated at the altar, were the Lord's body, then there would be 20,000 gods in England." After much time spent in discussion, Badby was committed to close custody till the 15th of March. On that day he was called before the bishops and the temporal lords assembled in St. Paul's. The archbishop, finding him resolute, and that what he said appeared in some degree to affect others, pronounced sentence against him as a heretic, and delivered him over to the temporal lords then present, using the hypocritical form of "desiring that they would not put him to death for his offence." V.) was present, and admonished Badby to recant his opinions, adding threatenings if he persisted in his heresies; also Courtney, the chancellor of Oxford, preached a sermon, in which he set forth the faith of the Church of Rome. While this was passing, the prior of St. Bartholomew's in Smithfield, brought, with much solemnity, the sacrament of the host, carried in procession with twelve torches: and shewed the consecrated bread to the poor man fastened to the stake, demanding of him what he believed it to be. He answered, "That he knew well it was hallowed bread, and not God's body; upon which the fire was immediately kindled. When he felt the flames, he cried, "Mercy!" (most probably as a prayer to God, and not to man.) The prince hearing this, ordered the fire to be quenched; which being done, he asked Badby if he would now forsake heresy and turn to the faith of the holy Church; promising that if he would do so, he should have a reward, and a yearly stipend out of the treasury, as much as he could require. Here, indeed, was a tempting proposal on the one hand, an immediate and painful death on the other; and not only pardon and deliverance, but also an ample supply for all his future wants! Badby was enabled to refuse these offers. "Wherefore the prince commanded him to be put again into the barrel, and that he should not look for any grace or favour. But as he was not allured by their rewards, even so he was nothing abashed at their torments, but persevered immoveable to the end; not without great and most cruel battle, but with much greater triumph of victory, the Spirit of Christ enabling him to subdue the fury, rage, and power of the world." CABINET. Riches are no safeguard against calamity, but the Gospel is a certain preservative against all evil-" THERE SHALL NO EVIL BEFALL THEE," is the gracious promise connected inseparably with its reception. POETRY. This sentence being passed on Badby in THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND NOT the morning, the king's writ for his execution was sent down in the afternoon of the same day. He was immediately led to Smithfield; and placed in an empty barrel, he was bound with iron chains, fastened to a stake, and dry wood was put about him. The prince of Wales (afterwards Henry A NEW CHURCH. (From "National Ballads,” by M. A. Stodart.) The Popish priest is at our door, His lamb-like voice we hear; But we half detect the lion's roar, Though we will not stoop to fear. There's a spirit in old England That cannot crouch to Rome; And we will not bend at the Popish mass, Polluted England's strand. We're of no sect; our hearts are knit have been immeasurably better worth the name of good than the Popish. The days of the Protestant Elizabeth, for instance, were infinitely preferable to the days of the Popish Queen Mary. But to this question of the Papist, "Who built your Churches?" it Churches built here in the first six centuries may be replied, that there were many by the Britons, who may be called the old Protestants of this Island. For, all that time, they had no more to do with the Bishop and Church of Rome than we now have, and were as ignorant of the errors, corruptions, and superstitions whereby that Church for some past ages has been defiled, as we And we will not change our ancient faith, are averse to them. Afterwards, when Apostate! at thy word. Our faith is truth-the truth of God; INTELLIGENCE. "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING."-1 Thess. v. 17. Christianity had spread itself more widely, and the Bishops of Rome had gained authority in this nation, more Churches were wanted, and more, accordingly, were built. And, indeed, it must be confessed by the Romanists themselves, that in the seventh, eighth, and some following, which were the dark ages, when the greater part of the English Churches and Monasteries were built, certain notions and practices prevailed, which Southwark. The monthly meeting of the greatly promoted the building of them, and Southwark Operative Protestant Association made them rise faster and in greater numwas held on the 29th of August, in the Bo-bers than they would probably have done if rough Road School-room. The Rev. J. R. the Country had been then, as it is now, enThese notions and pracBarber, M.A., in the chair. The speakers tirely Protestant. were the Rev. K. Grove, M.A., Mr. A. V. tices, however, are not much for the credit of the Roman Church, but, in reality, a Allen, Mr. R. B. Binden, &c. &c. greater shame and disgrace, than all the Churches that have been built by the help of them are an honour to it. The building of many of them was imposed as a penance upon grievous offenders for the crimes they had committed, and was then esteemed a sufficient expiation for those crimes. Others were built by the help of indulgences hawked about the country, promising to all who would contribute to the building of them, and in proportion to the sums contributed, the pardon of sins. Thus rose, or was repaired, the old Cathedral of St. Paul, in London, and of Notre Dame, at Paris, to mention no others. And if it be further considered, that all sanctity then was supposed to consist in building and enriching Churches and Monasteries, it will be no wonder that so many were built and enriched in those times. It has been observed, that England then produced an incredible number of men and women saints, and that amongst these there were more Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, and other persons of high birth and station than were to be found in proportion elsewhere. Rapin, in his History of England, accounts for this in the following manner; that Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, and other persons of Popish Comedians.-Copy of a Play bill exhibited at Seville in 1762: To the Sovereign of Heaven-to the Mother of the Eternal world-to the polar star of Spain-to the faithful Protectress of the Spanish Nation to the honour and glory of the most holy Virgin Mary, for her benefit and for the propagation of her worship, the company of Comedians will this day give a representation of the comic piece called Nanine. The celebrated Italian will also dance the fandango, and the theatre will be superbly illuminated. Who built our old Churches ?—The Papist is very fond of casting this question in the teeth of Protestants, and boasting much of the "good old Catholic times" of England. "Good" as they appear however in his estimation, they were very dark and bad, and quite unworthy of even his veneration and regard. We believe that intelligent and honest members of the Romish Church would scarcely be bold enough to hazard the assertion, that in anything really constituting goodness, the Popish days of England were better than the Protestant. As far as we have read the history of our Country, we see nothing but the reverse-and are bold to say, that the Protestant times of England high rank and fortune, being able to build Churches, easily attained to saintship, which those of lower rank, though perhaps much better and holier persons, not having wherewithal to build them, could not do, but lived and died without leaving the least" odour of sanctity" behind them. How well may the Church of Rome be called "the rich man's Church." In it the rich man fares better than the poor, contrary to the gracious words of Christ, when describing to the disciples of John the Baptist the glory and excellency of the Christian dispensation, "To the poor the Gospel is preached." By leaving money for masses, the rich man's soul, according to Rome, gets out of Purgatory quicker than the poor man's soul-and by building Popish Mass-houses and Nunneries, the rich man gets his admission to heaven and the calendar of Roman saints, which the poor man cannot hope to do. Popish Emancipation Bill of 1829. Petitions against the Popish Emancipation Bill the greater part of which were nume 2953 644 274 Total.. 918 most of which were very scantily signed. Thus we see the Act was passed contrary to the wishes of the nation. The Second Annual Meeting of the Metropolitan Tradesmen and Operative Protestant Associations, was held in the Large Hall, Exeter Hall, on Tuesday Evening, September 13, 1842, at Six o'clock. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, Esq. in the chair. The room was crowded. After the meeting had been opened with prayer by the Rev. A. S. Thelwall, and a brief speech by the Chairman, the Annual Report was read by the Secretary. The First Resolution was moved by Mr. R. H. Binden, Secretary to the Marylebone Association, and seconded by the Rev. Kynaston Groves, "That the Report now read be adopted, printed, and circulated under the direction of the Central Committee." The Rev. Hugh Stowell moved, "That Published under THE PROTESTANT At F. BAISLER'S 124, Oxford-street; the increased efforts made by the Church of Rome to re-establish her heretical system in our land, together with the re-organization of that fruitful source of anarchy, conspiracy, and revolution, the order of the Jesuits, in defiance of the existing law of the country, call for the most strenuous, prompt, and energetic measures from the Protestant Operatives of England, and from all wellwishers to the peace and welfare of their native land;" which was seconded by the Rev. John Maclean. The Third Resolution was, "That in the opinion of this meeting the system of education pursued in the Popish College of Maynooth in Ireland is unscriptural, immoral, and debasing, that it is inconsistent in a Government pledged to provide for the spiritual instruction of the people to support or countenance in any way such an unholy system, and, therefore, this meeting deem it expedient to press Petitions on the Legislature, to institute an inquiry into the nature of the education taught there, and to remove their support therefrom." It was moved by Mr. Sibley, of the City of London Association, seconded by the Rev. A. S. Thelwall. It was moved by Mr. W. Allen, of the City of London Association, and seconded by Mr. Sykes, of the Southwark Association, "That the thanks of this meeting be presented to Benjamin Bond Cabbell, Esq., for his conduct in the chair," when the meeting separated after singing the Doxology. The Annual Sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Curling, at St. Clement Danes', on Thursday the 15th. Fifth of November.-The Rev. Robert J. McGhee has been invited to preach the Anniversary Sermon before the members and friends of the Protestant Association, at St. Clement Danes' Church, on the approaching Fifth of November, and has kindly consented to do so if his health will permit. The monthly meeting of the Members of the Tower Hamlets Association, for mutual instruction on the points of difference between Protestantism and Popery, will be held (D.v.) in the School Room attached to Trinity Episcopal Chapel, Cannon-street-road, St. George's East, on Tuesday. Evening, October 4, at half-past 7 o'clock. The subject proposed is—Transubstantiation. "If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."-Isaiah viii. 20. STATION AT HOLY ISLAND. (From the Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin, 1836.) AN eye-witness has furnished the following account of the practices at a Station held on Whitsunday, at Holy Island, in Scariff Bay, on the river Shannon: It is lamentable to consider the extent to which idolatry, attended by its inseparable concomitants, still prevails in this benighted country. At Whitsuntide last, I visited the famous island in Scariff Bay, called HOLY ISLAND. On it stands the remains of some ancient buildings much revered for their antiquity. There are many legendary tales told there about the holiness of the place, and the miracles which have been performed in it. They tell you "the churches were all built in one night, and that the tower would have been built up to heaven, but some woman unfortunately said, how high do you intend to build this?" At this place St. Patrick stopped the first night he came to bless Ireland, and the Virgin Mary came down to meet him in this abode of bliss. Here, the sound of the Vesper bell is heard, which sounds in heaven every seven years. The practical tendency of this credulity is very bad-it leads to the worst consequences. For as regularly as the season of Whitsuntide comes, here you find a concourse of people assembled to perform penance. They make two hundred and eighty rounds, the VOL. III. circumference of some being a mile, others to a circuit of the church of St. Mary's. All half a mile, till they are gradually diminished of them are considered trifling in comparison to the last, for this is performed on the naked knees through a heap of rugged stones; the females tuck up their clothes, and expose their persons in the most indelicate manner. Men of the most dissolute morals go to witness this part of the exhibition, but none can witness the finale without feelings of the greatest horror being excited; when it comes to this, all must (without assistance) descend on the naked knees, a step nearly a foot in depth. This is a most painful operation. The writhing postures, the intense agonies, and the lacerated knees of the votaries are most distressing to the spectators. After the descent they must go on their bleeding knees through the rough stones in the church to the east end, when in a posture of most profound reverence, they kiss a particular stone.* No This shows us what efforts the guilty mind of man (ignorant of the nature and extent of sin, and of the one only sufficient atonement for it,) will make to deceive itself into a false and fatal security whether at home or abroad, the effects of this ignorance are ever the same; and the reader minded of the wonderful penances performed by can hardly peruse the above without being rethe votaries of false religion in distant countries. O that the Lord would make our benighted counof His blessed Son; with what abhorrence would trymen spiritually acquainted with the Atonement they then turn away from these abominations! |