On Thursday the 12th inst. a large National and Sunday School was opened at Brierly Hill, near Stourbridge, for the instruction of five hundred children, two hundred and fifty of each sex.-Ibid. WORCESTERSHIRE, KING'S NORTON.-On Monday the 16th inst. a very numerous and highly respectable meeting of rate-payers of this parish was held at the workhouse, for the purpose of passing the churchwardens' accounts, and granting a church-rate. After the accounts had been passed, a church-rate of 3d. in the pound was granted without a dissentient voice. It gives us pleasure to report the above; evincing as it does the absence of that factious and lawless spirit of opposition which has disgraced our own and the neighbouring parish of Aston.-Birmingham Advertiser. YORKSHIRE. The sixth general annual meeting of the members of the Ripon, Masham, and Aldbro' districts committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge was held at the Chapter House, Ripon Minster, on Tuesday, the 27th of January, the Rev. G. H. Webber in the chair. The Rev. R. Poole read the report, from which the following is extracted:" The number of books issued from the Ripon depository in 1834 was 312 Bibles, 339 Testaments, 781 Common Prayer Books, 1,096 hound books, and 7,278 religious tracts, making a total of 9,806, besides a considerable number of cards to national, infant, and Sunday schools. The following resolu tions were moved by the gentlemen named: : "Moved by Q. Rhodes, Esq., seconded by the Rev. G. S. Weidemann- That the parent society having, with laudable anxiety to promote Christian knowledge in all the world, extended their operations by translating the Bible and Prayer Book into foreign languages, this committee recommend the claims of this branch of their labours to the kind consideration and support of all friends in the district.' "Moved by W. J. Coltman, Esq., seconded by the Rev. Robert Poole-That in order to give greater facility and encouragement to the distribution of the Bible and Prayer Book in the district, and open a wider circle of co-operation among all the members of the church, the subscribers to the Foreign Bible and Prayer Book Society be allowed, for the space of one year, to purchase English Bibles and Prayer Books at the society's reduced price, to double the amount of their subscription, the difference between the reduced and cost price being paid out of the district fund." "Moved by Charles Oxley, Esq., seconded by the Rev. G. H. Webber-That the Rev. William Gray and the Rev. Robert Poole be appointed a deputation to attend the annual meeting of the parent society in London, in June, on behalf of the Ripon committee, in order more strongly to impress upon that meeting the unanimous wish of this district, that the subscribers to the Foreign Bible and Prayer Book Fund be allowed to supply themselves with English Bibles and Prayer Books on the most favourable terms, consistent with the general interest and engagements of the society.' LAYING THE FIRST STONE OF MELTHAM CHAPEL TOWER. The disputes respecting the presentation to the curacy of Meltham are happily at an end, and the friends of the church in that neighbourhood are about erecting a tower to the chapel, and enlarging the building, so as to afford 300 free sittings for the poorer members. There is to be a new clock. These additions, together with a school-room to accommodate 200 children, will be completed at an expense of about 1,500/., raised chiefly by the subscriptions of the inhabitants and the neighbourhood. The first stone of the new tower was laid on Thursday, March the 5th, by the Grand Lodge of Free Masons for the West Riding. After the usual service, a most impressive sermon was preached by the provincial grand chaplain, brother Dr. Naylor, of Wakefield, from 32nd chapter of Isaiah, 8th verse. The contributions after the sermon amounted to 16l. 18s, exclusive of a donation from the Earl of Mexborough.-Leeds Intelligencer. IRELAND. DUBLIN, FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH.-Government has commenced a criminal prosecution against the "Freeman's Journal," for an article published in that paper of the 13th of February last, headed" The Parsons," in reference to a petition then about being adopted by the Protestant clergymen, praying to be relieved from the repayment of the various sums advanced to them by the Government in lieu of their tithes, which, owing to the extensive combination formed against that species of property, a vast number of the unfortunate incumbents did not receive for three or four years. An information, embodying the above article, has been sworn at the head police-office, and it concludes with stating that it is "a libel upon the clergy of the established church of England and Ireland, or upon the members of the said clergy connected with the Irish branch of the said church."-Times. New Testament. 32mo. with references, 4s. India; its State and Prospects. By E. Thornton, The Rev. Thomas Bissland's Sermons. 10s. 6d. Meek on the Passion Week. 12mo. 4s. Nine Sermons on the Lord's Prayer. 1s. 6d. 8vo. 18mo. Spiritual Despotism. By the Author of 'Natural History of Enthusiasm.' 8vo. 10s. 6d. Poems, with Illustrations. By Louisa Anne Twamley. Crown 8vo. 7s. 6d. Anthologia Sacra; or, Christian Aphorisms. 18mo. 3s. 6d. Topography of Thebes, and General View of The Book for the Million. By the Author of 'The Young Gentleman's Book.' 12mo. 5s. 6d. Bostock's History of Medicine. 8vo. 7s. 6d. The Rev. J. Marshall's (of Edinburgh) Sermons. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Thomson's Materia Medica. 8vo. 21s. Keith on the Evidence of Prophecy. 13th edit. 12mo. 7s. Greswell's Exposition of the Parables, Vols. IV. & V. 36s. BOOKS. Theological Library, Vol. II. (Le Bas's Life of Bishop Jewell. Foolscap. 6s. Naturalist's Library, Vol. VII. (Fishes, Vol. I.), Foolscap. 6s. Laconics. 6th edit. 3 vols. 18mo. 12s. Scott's Lay of the Last Minstrel, illustrated edit. Foolscap. 9s. An Historical and Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of the late Dr. Adam Clarke. By J. B. B. Clarke. Royal 8vo. 21s. Rev. J. F. Denham's Spelling and Reading Book. 2nd edit. 12mo. 1s. 6d. Sacred Classics, Vol. XV. (Sermons for Lent,) Foolscap. 3s. 6d. The Rey. J. Close's Historical Discourses. 3rd edit. 12mo. 6s. Grimstone's Arrangement of the Common Prayer and Lessons. 2 vols. Crown 8vo. 18s. Letters of a Pastor to his Flock. By J. H. Evans. 32mo. 18. The Greek Testament, with English Notes. By the Rev. E. Burton, D.D. 2 vols. 8vo. 24s. Cowper's Life and Works. Revised and Edited by the Rev. T. S. Grimshawe. Vol. I. Foolscap. 58. Memoir of the Rev. Joseph Hughes, M.A. By The Rev. H. Gauntlett's Life and Sermons. 2 vols. 8vo. 21s. Blunt's Our Saviour. Part I. 3rd edit. 12mo. 5s. 6d. Jones's Book of the Heart. 12mo. 6s. Mant's British Months. 2 vols. small 8vo. 9s. Twenty Sermons. By the late Rev. W. Howels. 12mo. 7s. The Book of Trades; or, Circle of the Useful Arts. Square. 6s. Hawker's Poor Man's Evening Portion. 8th edit. 12mo. 5s. Tate's Richmond Rules for the Ovidian Distich. By Patrick 1s. Abbott's Young Christian, abridged. By the Pantika; or, Traditions of the most Ancient Cabinet Illustrations to the Bible and Common IN THE PRESS. 16s. A Poet's Portfolio; or, Minor Poems, in three Books. By J. Montgomery. Foolscap 8vo. Travels in Ethopia. By G. A. Hoskins, Esq. with plates. Autobiography of an Irish Traveller. 3 vols. Post 8vo. A complete Latin and English Dictionary, compiled from the best sources, chiefly German, and adapted to the use of Colleges and Schools. 1 vol. 8vo. By the Rev. T. E. Riddle, M.A. Travels in Northern Greece, with Maps, Plans, &c. By W. M. Leake, F.R.S. The Third Edition of the Autobiography of a Dissenting Minister, which will contain an Answer from the Rev. Author to the Reviewers of the former Editions of this volume. A Narrative of the Visit made by the Deputies to the American Churches from the Congrega. tional Union of England and Wales. By A. Reed, D.D., and J. Matheson, D.D. THE Letters on Clothing Clubs, Lady Hewley's Charity, Literary Institutions, and Parish Shop, and "R. W. B." on Queen Anne's Bounty, are in type, but deferred from press of matter. Letters are received from the following Correspondents:-Mr. Oxlee, "W. D.," "T. G.," "W. G.," "W. B. H.," "M. N.," Mr. Huyshe, "W. M.," and "An Anti-Calvinist. "Eboracensis" will find the Augmentation Act actually reprinted in Number I. of this Magazine. The Editor assures "One of the Olden Times" that he agrees fully with him in the belief that sporting clergymen do most serious mischief to their own professional influence, and to the character of their profession. But he must be excused from inserting a long letter on the subject. It is the business of the Bishops, not of a Magazine, to give the clergy directions for their conduct. And his correspondent may be assured that the general feeling among the clergy will very shortly be too strong for the few sportsmen among them. The few who continue the practice, will find every year that they sink lower in the estimate of their brethren as well as that of the world at large. An apppeal of a very urgent nature is made by the American Episcopalians for contributions of books to the library of their Theological Seminary. It has not any FUND for buying books— it contains 3800 volumes only, many almost useless. There are six Professors, and last year there were eighty Students. The importance of this Seminary cannot be overrated by episcopalians; and a library is necessary alike, if learning is thought necessary for professors or students. They who value the episcopal church in America will surely gladly contribute to this useful object; and it is happily one where help can be easily given. Mr. Miller, American Bookseller, 13, Henrietta-street, Covent Garden, will receive books. "Clericus Cornubiensis" has heard it questioned whether the orders of the episcopal clergy of Scotland are acknowledged by our church. How any churchman can question this may well excite wonder. For obvious and, on the whole, sufficient reasons, but mere reasons of expediency, they are restrained from officiating in England. But this inhibition as to the exercise of their powers, so far from throwing any doubt on their orders, actually recognises them. “N.W." shall be used in the next Number. His letter arrived only on the 26th. Communications should be sent by the 15th. "I. C." was likewise too late. The Editor wishes to take this place for recommending a noble pamphlet by Mr. Newman, of Oriel, on the "Restoration of Suffragan Bishops," and most especially the invaluable passage on the powers of the church to fit itself to all circumstances. He likewise wishes to call attention to Archdeacon Cotton's pamphlet called "Fiat Justitia," which contains a full exposé of the present state of the Irish church. BRITISH MAGAZINE. MAY 1, 1835. ORIGINAL PAPERS. THE DARK AGES.-No. III. nil dulcius est, bene quam munita tenere Edita doctrina sapientum templa serena; Despicere unde queas alios, passimque videre Errare, atque viam palanteis quærere vitæ."-LUCRETIUS. "Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law."-Ps. exix. WHEN I began the preceding paper, I had no idea of replying to Robertson's character of the clergy during the dark ages at such length; and meant only to notice, very briefly, such parts of his statement as are absolutely untrue. I intended, until I should have thus gone through his remarks, to say little or nothing on matters which may be more conveniently, intelligibly, and convincingly discussed after untruths have been exposed, and the prejudices created and fostered by them removed; and also, after a variety of facts have been adduced, which may be referred to for proof or illustration. Perhaps enough has been already said to shew that the clergy of the period to which Robertson refers were not so universally, or even so entirely, ignorant as might be supposed from his language; yet, having said so much, and considering that it all tends to the elucidation of our subject in more than one way, I feel desirous (without professing here to enter fully into the subject) to add one or two more extracts, which are not, I think, in themselves uninteresting. From the Constitutions of Reculfus, who became Bishop of Soissons in A.D. 879, and who is supposed to have issued these instructions to his clergy ten years afterwards, it appears as if he took it for granted that they could, not only read, but write. The fourth, fifth, and sixth sections are as follows: "Know, therefore, that this is addressed to you, Be ye clean, ye that bear the vessels of the Lord; which you must not suppose to refer only to "Mundamini qui fertis vasa Domini." Isaiah lii. 11. I give the words of our translation; and wish to mention that I do so wherever there is not any material variation. 3 R VOL. VII.-May, 1835. the cleansing of the chalice and paten, wherein the body and blood of Christ is consecrated, but also to personal cleanliness and mental purity. For, as St. Gregory says, in treating of the parable of the ten virgins, Our vessels are our hearts, wherein we bear about with us all our thoughts.'* We have, therefore, a frail vessel, that is, our body, which we ought always to keep clean, with the most scrupulous care; so that, while we offer 'pure offerings,' we also ourselves may be acceptable sacrifices before his holy altar. Also we admonish that each one of you should endeavour to have by heart, truly and correctly, the Psalms, the Discourse on the Catholic Faith, which begins 'Quicumque vult,' &c., and the Canon of the Mass, and the Chants, and the Calendar. The office for baptism, (both for male and female children, and also singular and plural,) as well as the offices for consecrating fonts, water to be sprinkled in houses, the commendation of the soul, and the prayers at the burial of the dead, you are to have distinctly and correctly written out; and, by frequent study, you are to qualify yourselves to perform them correctly and unblameably for both men and women. As to the aforesaid office for the baptism of infants, we would that you should write it out in a fourfold manner; that is to say, the singular masculine and the singular feminine; the plural masculine and the plural feminine; as we, if Christ permit, will furnish you with a copy. Also we admonish that each one of you should be careful to have a Missal, Lectionary, a Book of the Gospels, a Martyrology, an Antiphonary, Psalter, and a Book of Forty Homilies of St. Gregory, corrected and pointed by our copies which we use in the holy mother church. And, also, fail not to have as many sacred and ecclesiastical books as you can get; for from them you shall receive food and condiment for your souls, our Lord himself having declared, Man doth not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' If, however, any one of you is not able to obtain all the books of the Old Testament, at least let him diligently take pains to transcribe for himself correctly the first book of the whole sacred history, that is, Genesis; by reading which he may come to understand the creation of the world."+ This, as I have observed, seems to imply that the priests in the diocese of Soissons, in the ninth century, could both read and write; and, indeed, from the sixteenth section, it appears that the secular clergy in that diocese kept schools; and so not only read and wrote themselves, but were the causes of reading and writing Hom. in Evan. XII., t. ii. p. 357. + Conc. ix. p. 418. |