When we add to these, the self-denial and devotedness* which he always enforced, we have a code of doctrine, as analagous to the faith of our present Church and to the Scriptures, on these essential points, as can well be framed. That Wycliffe carried his philosophy occasionally into his theology, and in maintaining the high grounds of what is now termed Calvinism, did not escape the dangers consequent on such adventurous daring, may be conceded; but he never suffered his system to interfere with practice, or his views of the divine decrees to obviate the necessity of personal holiness or personal responsibility. Such was Wycliffe, and such his sentiments; and when we consider all the circumstances of the case, we are astonished at such a prematurity of truth existing in the midst of darkness and error; we conceive Wycliffe to have been one of the most original thinkers and one of the most powerful reasoners that history has handed down; and while we own our obligations to Luther, Melancthon, and Calvin, we cannot but feel that England has more cause of triumph, so to use the word, in Wycliffe, who was made what he was by the Scriptures alone, under Divine teaching, than Germany or France in their eminent reformers, who owed much to circumstances, much to their times, much to the very writings of Wycliffe himself. But, above all, we feel grateful to the Great Head of the Church, who preserved this eminent man's memory and his works, until at length, freed from error, and moderated from violence, a Church arose, in which Wycliffe, if alive, would rejoice to minister in the Lord's service. May those who enjoy, know how to estimate, the privilege! NOTICES OF BOOKS. Extracts of remarkable Testimonies from Rabbinical Writers; compiled by Marianne Neville-Dublin-Curry & Co. 1828. pp. iv, 42. The benevolent and active friend of Israel who has made this little compilation for their benefit, is well known by all readers of the Christian Examiner, as the writer of the reports of the Soci ety under that name, and the founder of some churches and schools for converted Jews on the Continent. With her peculiar views regarding the mode in which the ancient people of God are to be brought in, and the necessity for keeping them separate from other nominal Christians, we have nothing more to do than No "The cross of Christ is taken when we shrink not from contempt, for the love of the truth; when man is crucified unto the world, and the world is crucified unto him, and he setteth its joy at nought. It is not enough to bear the cross of a painful lile, except we follow Christ in his virtues, in meekness, love, and heavenly desire. He taketh the cross who is ready to meet all peril for God; if need be to die rather than to forsake Christ. And whoso taketh not thus the cross, and followeth not Christ thus, is not worthy to be his disciple.... What is turning to God? thing but turning from the world, from sin, and from the fiend. What is turning from God, but turning to the changing things of this world, to delight in the creatures, the lusts of the flesh, and the works of the fiend. To be turned from the world, is to set at nought its joys, and to suffer meekly, all bitterness, slanders, and deceits, for the love of Christ. To leave all occupations unlawful and unprofitable to the soul, so that man's will and thought become dead to the things which the world loveth and worshippeth." Vol. II. pp. 361-2. to express our dissent; but to add our respect for the earnestness and zeal with which she pursues her objects, and our pleasure at the accounts of her progressive success. The little work before us, we trust, will be useful to those for whom it is intended; to judge by Miss Neville's "Postliminious Preface," it is compiled directly from the original Rabbinical sources, and if so, we own that while we admire her industry, we regret its application ; for in the writings of Pearson, Allix, Oxley, and others, she would have found all these and many more. We shall only add, that to the general reader the compilation must be curious, and that it is most creditable to her piety and industry. We certainly would not have called either Philo or Josephus Rabbinical writers, and we would bave hesitated at introducing the disputed passage from the latter respecting our Saviour. True Stories from the History of Ireland; by John James M'Gregor--- Dublin, William Carry, Jun. & Co. 1829 We are glad to notice the publication of this little work: -Mr. M'Gregor has endeavoured to do for Ireland, what Sir Walter Scott has done for Scotland. We rejoice that the task has devolved on one so intimately acquainted with the sources of Irish antiquity, as Mr. M Gregor's works have proved him to be. Ireland is almost a terra incognita to the general reader, and if the respectable author of this little work, (which contains much of the picturesque and romantic that is to be traced in our national annals,) can induce, by its perusal, his readers to familiarize themselves with Irish history, or introduce to their notice the events and characters that signalize its progress, he will attain an important object. We recommend the "True Stories from the History of Ireland" to our readers, convinced that the series of tales which extends from the remotest antiquity to the accession of the house of Tudor, will make them look anxiously for its continuation, which the author, we are glad to see, speedily promises. Edmund O'Hara, an Irish Tale; by the Author of Ellmer Castle---Dublin, Curry and Co, 1828 We are glad to see another work from the author of that amusing little book, Ellmer Castle. We have not, since the perusal of "Father Clement," read any thing equal to "Edmund O'Hara." It is not, indeed, so polished and elaborate a production as Father Clement; but it has more local interest, more feeling, more incident, more character-and therefore leaves decidedly a more lasting impression on the heart and principles. In the interest which it excites, and the ability with which it is executed, it surpasses "Ellmer Castle" inconceivably -possessing much more vigour, clearnesss, and elegance of style, and much greater accuracy of description. We strongly recommend it to our readers, and can assure them, that their perusal of it will not dissappoint any expectations which our description of it may raise. The sentiments breathe a fervid and sincere piety-and the religious opinions advanced are well supported and scriptural. We are sure it will have a more rapid sale even than its forerunner, Ellmer Castle, which is already so popular. It is indeed a book which should be generally read, as well for instruction as pleasure; for sure we are, that it is impossible to read it without being both delighted and improved. Hyacinth O'Gara---18mo, Dublin, Tims, 1828 It has been a matter of regret to us oftentimes, that amid the quantity and variety of works of religious fiction continually issuing from the press, little has appeared which indicates mental power of the superior order. Why is it,' we have said, that with so much evident desire to serve the Lord, to advance his cause, and, by inducing careless worldlyminded persons to read a little narrative, to impress on their hearts something of the nature and importance of real godliness, why is it, that there has been so much mental barrenness, such want of ability in the construction of the story, such poverty of description, such tameness in the elucidation of character ?' It was with such feelings that we took up the little book above-mentioned, and certainly never were we more agreeably disappointed. Nothing like it has appeared from the press of all that we have yet seen of works of this class. It is but a sketch indeed, just a sixpenny book-but then, the touch of the burin shows the hand of one who could accomplish a chef d'œuvre on the largest scale. We will give no extracts from it, and for two reasons; first, we really could not tell which portions to select, the entire is so admirable : secondly, we wish our readers to buy the book, and read it all for themselves. Really it ought already to have gone through twenty editions. But let such as peruse this critique of ours, get it, and read it, and we will risk our character as judges upon the issue, that they will be delighted. COUNCIL OF TRENT. We are glad to announce that the Rev. Mr. Matthias is preparing for the press a brief history of the Council of Trent, with a translation and refutation of the doctrinal canons. All acquainted with the Roman Catholic controversy, must be aware of the importance of this work; Father Paul is too bulky for the general reader, and Jurieu is so rare, and the translation so antiquated, that a new and more modern work on the subject was called for, and from Mr. Matsatisfactory view of a very important thias we confidently anticipate a most period. DOMESTIC RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. NEW CHURCHES IN CUNNEMARA. We understand that a subscription patronised by his Grace the Archbishop of Tuam, is on foot, to raise a fund for the erection of one or more Churches in the district of Cunnamara; this large tract of country, which is about 40 miles long, by 25 wide, has at present but one church at Clifden; and as there are many Protestants scattered along its extensive coasts and Islands, the labours of the valuable incumbent are harrassing and continual, in visiting and lecturing, and discharging his parochial functions amongst the islands, along the shores, and over the mountains and vallies of this very peculiar portion of Ireland. As there is every prospect of a rapid increase of population from the formation of roads, the encouragement given to the fisheries and other investments of capital; and, moreover, as the native Roman Catholic population is immersed in the lowest state of ignorance, we know not any measure more likely to benefit this interesting district, not more in a spiritual than in a temporal view, than the building of churches, and the allocation of efficient Protestant ministers. We recommend these sub scriptions to the notice of the friends of Ireland. ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE Appointments.--The Earl of Listowel has been pleased to appoint the Rev. Richard Croly, Curate of Ballyroan, Queen's county, one of his Chaplains. The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor has been pleased to collate the Rev. Robert Mullins Mant, B. D. to the Archdeaconry of Down, void by the resignation of the Rev. Robert Alexander. His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant has been pleased to appoint the Rev. Charles Driscoll, curate of Castlecor, in the diocese of Meath, and Chaplain to the Earl of Carrick, to the Rectory of Ballymackwilliam, in the diocese of Kildare. The Earl of Portarlington has been pleased to appoint the Rev. Thomas Kemmis, of Straboe, to be his Lordship's domestic Chaplain. The Lord Bishop of Killalloe has been pleased to appoint the Rev. James Molesworth Pearson, one of his Lordship's domestic Chaplains. VIEW OF PUBLIC Public expectation has been so much engaged in the prospects presented by the meeting of Parliament, that all other objects seem to be forgotten. What the intention of Government is, has not transpired, and conjectures are too vague and contradictory to merit any attention.Mr. O'Connell has given up his mission to England, which, we are convinced, was never seriously in his contemplation; but it served as a convenient peg, upon which to hang his seditious and unprincipled harangues. He now boasts of his determination to take his seat in Parliament, on the 5th of February; but we believe with little serious intention of putting it in execution. The Duke of Wellington has written a letter to the AFFAIRS. Roman Catholic Primate, from which the Roman Catholic Association pretend to augur that their success is certain ;but to us the language of the letter seems to bear a very different interpretation. We are grateful to Providence for being able to announce, that all the Societies in Ireland have cause to rejoice in the measure of success they have experienced during the year-and none more so than the Reformation Society, which has been holding meetings not only in Dublin, but through the West and South, with great success. May the Lord bless the exertions of his servants, and lead them, through "good report and evil report," to trust in him and do his will. ON THE EXTENSION OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION TO OTHER WORLDS BESIDES OUR OWN.... RELIGIOUS IMPROVEMENT OF IRELAND THE "KILDARE-PLACE" AND "FREE-SCHOOLS" SOCIETIES COMPARED THE SANGREAL Page 79 RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. 84 ON CHRISTIAN FORBEARANCE. REMARKS ON PROPHECY 85 86 87 92 MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS. 95 .102 103 104 .109 .111 .122 NOTES TO REMARKS ON "REVIEW OF HORNE." THE IRISH LANGUAGE NECESSARY TO THE IRISH CI.ERGY ON BRINGING EQUIPAGES TO CHURCH ....... CHRONICLES OF A CURACY-No. II.................. REVIEW. D'ISRAELI'S LIFE AND REIGN OF CHARLES I.. ANDERSON'S HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE ANCIENT NATIVE IRISH FOREIGN RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE Kenyon College-The Scriptures. FRANCE- French Protestant Soci- DOMESTIC RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE 148 Letter to an Irish Nobleman on the Religious Improvement of Ireland-- WILLIAM CURRY, JUN. AND CO. DUBLIN, AND HURST, CHANCE, AND CO. LONDON: BOLD ALSO BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. Printed by Bentham and Hardy. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Third Letter on Erskine," has been received-the Author's remarks shall be attended to. "T. K's Biblical Criticism' shall appear, "W. H. M." and "Qμodpoτos,” under consideration. "Philologus" shall appear "Finlayson's Essay on Indian Superstition" in our next. "W. S." in our next. "Y." on 66 Inconsistency in Religious Professors," &c. from Maidenhead, has been at length received.-Its detention took place in London. "K. W. M." has been received, and is under consideration. We would suggest to our friends that as our space for Religious Intelligence is limited, reports of societies, &c. sent for insertion, should be as brief as is consistent with their nature. The attention of our readers is respectfully solicited to the interesting statement of the Bohemian Protestant churches, published in our Religious Intelligence. We have frequently brought the state of our Continental brethren before the view of our countrymen, and we deem their relief an imperative duty. We shall be happy, through the medium of our publisher, to raise and transmit any contribution for their support. |