minal jurisdiction, conferred upon eccle. siastical bodies in former times, tended more to barbarise society, and to impede the civilising influence of Christianity, than any other inventions of an ambitious church. The Romish clergy-from the era when the pure light of the Christian religion was over-shadowed, for a time, by the corruptions of a political system that assumed its name-claimed an exemption from all secular jurisdiction. Wherever this claim was allowed, it may be said to have disjointed the whole frame of society, by the licentious violation of law and morals which it produced. In England, the enormities practised by the clergy had arisen to such a scandalous excess, on account of this impunity which the priests enjoyed from temporal tribunals, that history informs us not less than one hundred murders were committed by persons in holy orders, in the early part of Henry II.'s reign-none of the perpetrators of which suffered for their crimes. That Monarch, who, though a member of the Romish Church, was by no means a devoted observer of its dogmas, resolved to put an end to this disgraceful state of things. He seized the occasion of an act of peculiar atrocity which one of the sacred body committed to carry his design into execution. The holy culprit, who had inflicted the last injury on a young woman, and then murdered her father, to remove the chance of natural vengeance, could not allay the popular indignation which the discovery of his crimes excited. The King insisted that he should be tried by the civil magistrate. The pious ruffian claimed the usual exemption, and out of this incident arose that celebrated innovation on the usurped authority of the church, which is known by the title of the Constitutions of Clarendon. It is remarkable, too, that Becket, then Archbishop of Canterbury, had signed those regulations, whereby it was enacted that clergymen accused of any crime should be tried in the Civil Court, and that laymen should not be tried in the Spiritual Courts, but by legal and reputable witnesses. Yet this very Becket, who was afterwards canonised, no sooner found that the then Pope, Alexander, condemned and rejected these very regulations, than he disclaimed his signature, opposed the King, behaved with the most incredible insolence to his Royal benefactor, and kindled those disturbances in the realm which ended only by his own destruction. What a condition the kingdoms of Europe would be in, if such ecclesiastical jurisdictions and their claims of exemption and sanctuary were again to be set up in them, we may judge from the instructive recollections of history (for it is in this way that history becomes truly valuable, when it gives us the benefit of other men's experience, and N. S. No. 27. teaches us to avoid the errors and vices which have led empires and individuals into misfortune and ruin). The two clerical tribunals which the Pope has just now restored and enriched, have privilege of sanctuary, as well as the earlier autho rities of this sort-and what the effect will be on a population so demoralised as that of Rome already is, may be more easily imagined than described. A ruffian who robs a man of his property, and afterwards cuts his throat in the street, has only to run into one of these holy asylums, and the hair of his head dare not be touched! Let us suppose the Jesuit emissaries of Rome to obtain the establishment of similar institutions in the other cities of Italy, and in Paris, Vienna, and other Roman Catholic cities and towns, it would be necessary for a man who had decent clothes on his back, or who carried any property, or who happened to be a heretic, to walk with a loaded pistol or a drawn sword in his hand, in open day, because the infallible church thought fit to open sanctified dens for gangs of ruffians, whence they might dart out, like wild-beasts, upon the passers-by for deeds of rapine and blood! We are told that the populace of Rome received the papal order restoring these sanctuaries with the most lively joy--and no wonder. They repaid this benevolent provision for their future crimes with anticipated gratitude. How deplorably circumstanced are the thieves and ruffians who infest this metropolis, compared with those of the immaculate Rome! Here there is a Recorder, and an Old Bailey, and something like the terrors of a future life to haunt their guilty minds-but there the same class of mankind have impunity for crime as a vested right, and heaven in reversion!" As a delightful contrast to these melancholy indications of the papal power, we insert, with the greatest satisfaction, the following letter from Ireland : To the Editor of the R. C. Expositor. "Farnham, Nov. 21, 1826. "SIR,-In giving you some accounts of the late interesting events in this neighbourhood, namely, the renunciation of the errors of popery during the last few weeks, of no less than ninety persons in Cavan church, besides two in Ballyhaise church, it is important to remark, for the encouragement of those interested in the conversion of Roman Catholics in their neighbourhoods, but who are discouraged from attempting any thing among them by their apparent indifference on the subject, or the firmness with which they seem attached to their errors that it was only a very few days before the first recantation took place, that we had the least idea of a single convert from Y popery, in this part of the country, at least for the present. We know indeed that education was spreading, and that the word of God had been pretty widely circulated, and in due season we expected to see suitable fruits from these causes, but that the Lord should send so early and so glorious a harvest, was far beyond our most sanguine hopes. About the 1st of October last, three school-masters under the Irish Society, from the parish of Killenkere, came to Farnham, expressing their desire to renounce the errors of the Church of Rome, and to join the communion of the Church of England. Their proposition, of course, produced an inquiry into their characters, and the motives which induced them to take the step which they proposed, and the result of that inquiry was a full assurance of their being fit and proper persons to be received into the Established Church. We found them also possessed of a superior degree of intelligence, and of a very satisfactory knowledge of the Scriptures. The origin of their conversion was, so far as I can learn, the mere reading of the word of God under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, but without any advantages from human assistance, having no opportunities of either hearing the word preached, or of referring to commentaries. "But their public renunciation of popery was hastened by the violent opposition of their priest to their reading God's word, and his publicly forbidding them in the chapel to do so, and threatening them if they persisted therein with his vengeance. On this occasion one of them stood forth, and requested his reverence to show him why he should not read the Bible, declaring, that if he could convince him of the impropriety of reading it, he would immediately desist from itbut if not, though the Pope himself were on the altar, he would not obey him. This freedom of speech was too much for the Rev. Father to bear-he threat ened to convince him in a very summary manner, and descending from the altar to inflict suitable chastisement, the poor school-master retreated through the crowd, and with some difficulty made his escape. After this he determined to give up the system altogether, and the two other masters resolved on following his example. "These persons having, therefore, expressed their desire of conforming to the Established Church, were invited to attend at Cavan church on the following Sunday, which they did, but it was then thought unnecessary to go through any formal recantation, and on the next day they returned to their homes, having each received a present of a Bible and Prayer Book. But a few days afterwards they commissioned a respectable Protestant farmer, who lived in their neighbourhood, to request permission for them to make a public recantation of the errors of popery, which they thought would more effectually put a stop to the harassing solicitations of their friends and neigh bours, who were anxious to prevail on them to return to the Church of Rome. In compliance with this request, Sunday, the 8th of October, was appointed for the purpose, and the matter being communicated in the mean time to some individuals in different parts of the country, who it was known were convinced of the falsehood of the popish doctrines, fourteen other persons joined them in the solemn service. Thus, the recantations in this quarter commenced; and the interesting occurrence having soon become known through the country, seems to have confirmed the good resolutions of some who were already half persuaded in their own minds to have done with the errors and superstitions of the Romish Church, to have increased the doubts of others, and to have excited doubts in the minds of many who had not, perhaps, before ever thought upon the subject. The consequence has been a continual accession to our church on every Sabbath service, with the exceptiou of one. I send you a list of the different dates of recantation, with the numbers who have recanted at each time. It is not, I think, necessary to go minutely into the circumstances of every individual conversion; suffice it to say, that I am well and personally acquainted with many of the converts, and their reasons for leaving the Church of Rome, and have informed myself in these respects concerning the others, and I can with safety say, I do not know of a single individual of them, who has not been thoroughly convinced of the falsehood of the system they have abandoned, and of the conformity to Scripture and truth of that they have embraced; and I would further observe, that a much larger proportion of them than I could have expected, appear to me to be under the heartfelt influence of true and vital religion. The source to which I have in general traced their conviction of the errors of Popery, was reading or hearing of the Holy Scriptures, but sometimes to conversations with their Protestant, or lately reformed Roman Catholic neighbours. One or two of the recent converts have been particularly zealous and successful in their endeavours to enlighten their Roman Catholic neighbours on the subject of the differences between the two Churches. No person has been admitted among the number of conformists without previous strict inquiry into his character, and requiring from him, when resident at a distance, certificates on that head from the minister of his parish, or some respectable people of his neighbourhood. The work, I consider, has by no means ceased, and on next Sunday I anticipate several new converts. Indeed, I look upon this part of the country to be at present in a most interesting state; not only Roman Catholics, but Protestants themselves, seem much more alive than nsual on the subject of religion; and just in proportion as the spirit of inquiry exists, do we find the Protestants valuing and rejoicing in their religious advantages, and labouring to bring others to a participations in them and the Roman Catholics doubting and distrusting the system in which they have been brought up and hitherto lived. "Upon the whole, I cannot look at what has been done, and is doing, without seeing therein the hand of the Lord. And oh may he of his great mercy be pleased abundantly to prosper the work, for the glory of his name, and the eternal good of immortal souls. And let all who have the honour of God, the salvation of souls, and the welfare of their country at heart, labour by their prayers, and their personal exertions, to spread wider and wider the glorious work of reformation, which has again revived among us. If you should require any further information in my power to give you, you have only to inform me of your wishes. 22283 "I am, dear Sir, "Your obedient Servant, Oct. 8 29 Nov. 5 12 19 6 3 12 44 17 20 10 15 8 20 90 To the above animating intelligence, we have to add, that 250 more persons have, since the writing of the above letter, come forward to read their recantation in the church of Cavan, making an aggregate, in that place alone, of 340 individuals who have left the Church of Rome! HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND. The present is a day of vigorous effort in extending the knowledge of salvation among the human race; and there is now scarcely any part of the habitable globe to which one portion or another of the Christian church is not directing the enlightening influence of the Gospel. So universally does this spirit of zeal and benevolence animate the people of God, of every denomination, that the man who professes the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, but is doing nothing to promote the interests of his kingdom, renders it, to say the least, not a little doubtful whe While we unite, then, in the common effort for the accomplishment of this most desirable and ultimately certain event, it is wise in us to inquire (especially when we reflect on the very limited period of our services) what part of the field, from present appearances, promises the most speedy and abundant return for that portion of labour which can be bestowed upon it at the least expense. And, in looking around us, so far as the world is known to the Christian philanthropist, it is presumed that, apart from the paramount obligation of caring first for the souls of our countrymen, we shall find no spot answering to this view equally with that which bears the title of this address. The Highlands and Islands of Scotland form no part of the heathen world; but surely it will be readily granted by every one who is acquainted with the spiritual condition of the people, and who has himself known the power of the Gospel, that there is in these parts a mournful scarcity of the means of religious instruction. Nor can it be otherwise till a greater number of faithful men be employed in traversing these regions, and publishing the good news of salvation from glen to glen, and from island to island. Good men of all denominations, while evincing a laudable interest in the excellent work of foreign missions, have been too tardy in occupying this field of labour. One cause of this doubtless bas been, its lying so contiguous, that a little may be done for its improvement at any time; but a more enervating cause with many has been the consideration, that our countrymen are professedly Christians, without sufficiently attending to the solemn fact, that a mere profession cannot benefit those who do not understand the principles, nor experience the power, of vital godliness. Of late years, considerable efforts have been made to promote the instruction and salvation of those here alluded to, but still little, very little, has been done compared with their necessities. The facts are now pretty generally known, that there is a Gaelic population in Scotland amounting to four hundred thousand-that nearly three-fourths of these are unable to read the Scriptures in any language--and that in most parts they are widely scattered over a country where travelling is extremely difficult, so that many of them can but seldom attend on instruction in the parish church; some of the Highland parishes being not less than 60 (computed) miles long--a much greater extent than from Edinburgh to Berwickon-Tweed. Of this interesting population, possessing so inadequately the means of religious knowledge, from 30 to 40 souls are, on an average, passing into eternity every day! Can we seriously contemplate this fact, and remember that one soul is of more value than the whole world, without feeling that something more ought to be done for those, comparatively at our own door, that they may not perish for lack of knowledge? But what can be done? Itinerant preaching appears to be the only means which at present can answer the exigencies of this case. We ought then to send forth labourers into this part of the vineyard,-faithful men, animated by the love of Christ and compassion for immortal souls--men who know the country, who are acquainted with the habits of the people, who can submit to many privations, and endure great fatigue. Such preachers ought to be employed in limited districts, through which they could pass from time to time, meeting the inhabitants, whether few or many, at every sequestrated hamlet, and there proclaiming unto them the "unsearchable riches of Christ." "Nor is it by distance alone," says a respectable Minister, who has often, in the way now mentioned, visited many parts of the Highlands," that the people in these parts are prevented from attending stated places of worship, but by their poverty also; for they are ashamed of appearing there in their mean, and, it may be, tattered attire, among others who are better dressed. On this account, mapy who live near churches, as well as those who reside at a greater distance, are seldom seen within their walls. It was often a joyful sight to me to behold a group of these poor and meanly clothed people assemble on a work-day in the open field to hear the word of God. The force of shame was not felt there, and to the poor the Gospel was preached.' The great bar," the same Minister adds, "in the way of the means put in activity for ameliorating the spiritual condition of our Highlanders, is in general thought to be, not so much their number, as the scattered state in which they live, on islands, or dispersed over a rugged and an extensive country, intersected by high hills, impetuous streams, and arms of the sea. These are no doubt very great barriers in the way; but the real poverty of many, arising from want of employment, and of others from the want of habits of industry, is also a great hindrance; and another barrier still, is the indifference which not a few of them evince to means designed to promote their welfare. Their great excuse, formerly, for not attending schools which lay within their reach, when a trifling fee was charged, was their poverty. The Gaelic circulating schools offered gratuitous instruction to old and young, and it is a lamentable fact, that many have not availed themselves of that offer. To place our Highlanders on something like an equality with the labouring classes of the low country, employment must be found for them; they must be taught habits of industry, and have their attention excited to the concerns of their souls. With all the means already put in operation to educate them, and with all those projected for the same laudable end, I am persuaded, from what I know of the country, and the state, and habits, and sentiments of the people, one powerful means for sending them to schools, and churches where the Gospel is preached, will be Missionary labours. Missionaries can traverse the length and breadth of the land, can visit the dwellings of the thoughtless and the poor, and have souls for their reward. Great labour and bard fare must be their lot in the Highlands; but considering what has already been effected by their instrumentality, their number should be increased, and they should all, as long as they conduct themselves in a manner becoming their profession, be supported by the Christian public of the Lowlands." With respect to the Northern Islands, those of Shetland and Orkney, the people enjoy one advantage above the Highlanders, viz. that in general they are taught to read, and have the Scriptures; but as it respects the ordinance of preaching, many of them are little better circumstanced. Thousands in these interesting isles are also far, very far from regular places of worship, and numbers of them living on islands separated from their parish church by arms of the sea of from two to twenty-four miles in breadth. It must be evident, then, that in these parts the labours of itinerant or missionary preachers are no less requisite than in the Highlands and Western Isles, in order to arouse the attention of the people, and keep it directed to the one thing needful. A minister at present labouring in Shetland, mentions his having lately spent some time preaching in one island twenty-four miles distant from the main land, containing a considerabie population, which receives just one visit in the year from the minister of the parish of which it is a part. It is a fact, however, most encouraging, and it is of great importance to attend to it, that with regard to these parts, whether in the Highlands, in the Western or Northern Isles, where the Gospel has been carried, if at all within the reach of the people, there is the greatest readiness evinced to listen to its proclamations; many travelling a number of miles to hear it, and some even a whole night and day, to enjoy such an oportunity; while not a few, in most places, have, as far as man can judge, been brought under its saving power. A great desire has been excited among the people for a more constant administrtion of the word of life; and although they are not of themselves able to support men devoted to that work, they are most thankful for the boon when it is freely given them; and their prayers on behalf of their benefactors will doubtless prove an abundant reward for their contributions of this labour of love. The Committee of the Congregational Union of Scotland have made these statemeats, from a deep conviction that more ought to be done for the salvation of our countrymen in the lighlands and Islands, having opportunity of knowing that there the fields are really white unto harvest, and that the encouragement to send forth labourers is very great. And they have now to announce to the public, that they have adopted the resolution of making the preaching of the Gospel in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland a distinct and separate part of their work-that they will now receive, and they solicit contributions for this specific object; and that all such contributions (being so specified when made) shall be wholly expended in seeking to promote the salvation of their countrymen in these parts. The Committee have come to the above resolution for two reasons: first, Because they are aware that some of their christian brethren of other denominations have had conscientious scruples in contributing to the funds of the Congregational Union, because part of these funds was expended in aiding smaller churches in the Lowlands, and in some instances in places where, or near to which, the Gospel was preached by others; and, secondly, Because the body of Christians with which they stand more immediately connected is really not able of itself to do all for these more remote parts, which they feel persuaded ought to be done. Indeed, they have been urged by some of their christian friends in other connexions to adopt the above resolution, with an assurance that much more aid will then be obtained for this depart ment of their labours. The Committee beg further to state in few words, that they consider themselves providentially favoured with some distinguished advantages for prosecuting the important object in view. There are now connected with the Union fifteen ministers who preach in the Gaelic language, most of them statedly, and all occasionally :— men who are natives of the country, and can accommodate themselves to the habits of the people; and most of whom have for a number of years given the most con vincing proofs of their zeal in the cause by an extent of labour, far beyond what is of an ordinary kind. Surely, then, the employing of fifteen such men among a people so destitute of spiritual instruction as the Highlands are, while they thirst for divine knowledge, is an object of no minor importance, and forms a strong claim on all the friends of religion for their assistance and co-operation. Besides the Gaelic districts, the Congre gational Union have a very extensive field before them, in the numerous islands of Orkney and Shetland. In the former of these, one minister has for several years been supported, principally from the funds of the Institution; and there is now in the latter one minister entirely supported, and other two receiving partial aid from these funds. This last mentioned field is extensive, and presents much encouragement to employ additional labourers, were there but the means of supporting them in the work. And how much in these departments may be accomplished by very small means! What would be requisite in general for supporting one missionary abroad, will support five or six in the Highlands and Islands of our native country, with no expense for outfit; and certainly, while we ought to do what in us lies for every part of the human race, those who are so near to us should in the first place have our attention. In future there will be a distinct department in the Report of the Congregational Union, for the Highlands and Islands. And the Committee hope that this arrangement will be approved of by their numerous friends of all denominations, many of whom have already expressed their fullest confidence in them by liberal contributions, for which they beg to return their grateful acknowledgments. They trust, also, that many others will be disposed to aid them in this department of their labours; convinced that they now present a fair, and they think an unobjectionable opportunity, to those who wish to promote the salvation of their countrymen, for evincing their liberality towards that object. Subscriptions or Donations, of whatever amount, will be most cordially received by any of those whose names are annexed to this address, or by a person going round with a book for that purpose, which book will be properly attested by the Congregational Minister or Ministers of the place. J. F. GORDON, President of the Com- JOHN WATSON, Secretary, Pinkie Burn, Musselburgh. The Rev. W. ORME, Camberwell, |