S

we

canvassed ; and we have, on more occasions than one, inserted, with a readiness that at least indicated honesty, observations in answer to, or in correction of our own statements. It is not criticism, then, but unfair criticism, that we deprecate; the style that deals in broad assertion, and coarse invective that blindly imputes motive, and ignorantly declaims against principle — that judges without enquiry, and convicts without evidence-and to which an imputation is more valuable for its malignity than for its truth against such we must protest as Christians and as Authors; nor are we willing to give slander circulation, by any detailed notice of its ephemeral attacks. When we hear ourselves called “slang journalists," " modern evangelicals,“ “ assassins prepared to plant a stilletto-thrust in every patriotic heart," "enemies of every thing vital in the doctrine and discipline of the Established Church, can only lament the bad taste and bad feeling that could either use or publish language long since banished from the vocabulary of Gentlemen, and employ it on a serious subject, and in connection with the phraseology of religion.

Of the article in question we would say a few words :-our sole object in all the observations we have presented to our readers, has been to consider for ourselves, and to induce them to consider, the circumstances of Ireland in a spiritual point of view: disclaiming originally, in our Prospectus, the manifestation of any feeling on political subjects, we have deemed it a sacred duty not to trench on our declaration, and we trust that we have adhered to our engagement, by never bringing forward public events, but in connexion with religious interests, whether of individuals or of the community. With this view, and at the suggestion of some of our Correspondents, we penned the article in question, the sentiments contained in which, on reconsideration, we sincerely reassert; and, although they are not practically adopted by some of those whom we respect and value, we are yet sure, that while they differ from us, they give us credit for candour and consistency.Some of our censors, and particularly the writer whose name is mentioned in the Note, have charged us with maintaining senti

* These flowers of rhetoric, and others of the same species, may be found in abundance in a letter, published in the Evening Mail, addressed to HENRY MAXWELL, M. P. and signed JOHN CROSTHWAITE, B. D.!!

ments similar to those that have been given to the public by the excellent and pious, but we think mistaken, Mr. Pope ; but the slightest examination of our pages will prove that our opinions on this subject are as far removed from his,' as those of the most decided Brunswicker. To Clergymen alone did our observations extend, and in reference to the present state of Ireland—and it is amusing to find, that the very assertions respecting civil rights which the Rev. Gentleman (Mr. Crosthwaite) has put forth as having been implicitly denied by us, and yet as decisive of the question, had been, in the very article under consideration, conceded by us, and argued upon as conceded. It cannot be too much to ask from any critic, an attention to, or at least a perusal of, the work on which he animadverts, and, in fairness, we think, before our censors direct their invectives against our pages, they should make themselves acquainted with their contents.- Enthusiasm, indeed, like passion, may blind any man--and pardon, for not being able to see that the CHRISTIAN EXAMINER differed from Mr. Pope, may surely be extended to him, who, in his devotion to the cause of the Brunswick Clubs, could utter insinuations against that Gentleman's integrity-could see cause for censure in Mr. Roe having given advice under a fictitious signature—and has desecrated Scripture language and Scripture imagery, by applying the most solemn annunciations of the Redeemer's kingdom to the progress and success of political associations, which, however valua. ble they may be, are still but human expedients. As we are “evangelical" enough to think, contrary to Mr. Crosthwaite's dictum, that Ireland's moral reformation is to be accomplished by the Bible and the Preacher-means which the Rev. Gentleman despises or despairs of-we shall lose no opportunity of advocating what we believe to be the revealed instrument of good to our country, and although we have unwittingly assisted his political fervor, by wounding his vanity* as an Author, we can assure him, that, much as we regret

the spirit that has appeared in his letter, we shall be happy to hail his talents and his zea), as auxiliaries in the same great cause in which we are engaged.

It is in our contemplation to make some decided alterations in our mode of arranging and conducting our Periodical, that will, we trust, ensure more regularity in its despatch, and more space for the communications of our Correspondents. We purpose, in an early part of the ensuing year, to continue, by some translations from St. Chrysostom, the series of extracts from the Fathers that we had promised, and in part executed, some time since. If, in compliance with the suggestions of the Reformation Society, and induced by the state of the country, discussions should, as we trust they will, become general, Clergymen residing in the country, and without access to extensive libraries, will find those translations most useful auxiliaries; and, independent of any adventitious importance, they are interesting memorials of Christian integrity, valuable occasionally for eloquence, occasionally for piety, and generally for the decided testimony they bear against the prevailing errors of the Roman Catholic Church. We hope, too, to commence a series of Biography, connected with Ireland and her Ecclesiastical history, and to introduce to our readers many of those individuals, whose talents, and patriotism, and piety, shed a lustre upon her gloomy annals.

We would now again return our warmest thanks to our Friends and Correspondents, assuring them that we expect and desire their favour no longer than while they perceive in our Work, an honest endeavour to maintain the principles upon which it was founded. Circumstances vary, and the fashions of this world change—but these principles are permanent—they are drawn from the everlasting Gospel of God, and embodied in our Apostolic Church, whose formularies and whose services have been made a blessing to millions who have enjoyed her light. We would close our Address, by saying to her admirable structure, “Esto perpetua," equally inaccessible to the insidious attempts of false friends to undermine her bulwarks, and of open enemies to overthrow her ramparts.

THE

CHRISTIAN EXAMINER,

AND

CHURCH OF IRELAND MAGAZINE.