years of age, did not know there was a minister of Christ in England!) has been dead nearly twenty years: and therefore the "worthy" author will not be offended, if we venture to recommend it to his attention, that in the event of another edition of his pamphlet being called for, that he avail himself, if possible, of the attestation of some credible persons who were personally acquainted with Churchman, that no possible doubt should be entertained respecting the facts narrated. being together with the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament, a complete collection of the most primitive antiquity for about 150 years after Christ; translated and published, with a preliminary ther in God, William late Lord ArchDiscourse, by the Most Reverend Fabishop of Canterbury. In the Press. Pictures of War, from authentic narratives; with Reflections on the Practice of National Hostilities, partly original, but chiefly extracted from eminent writers: by IRENICUS Handsomely printed in one volume foolscap octavo. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. Published by James Robertson, 7, Parand John Fairbairn, High-street, Edinburgh; William Alexander, York; and Darton & Harvey, London. A considerable time since, Mr. Bagster announced his intention of printing a POLYGLOTT BIBLE in one quarto volume; from that period he has been proceeding with the care so important a work required: and he hopes the expectation excited by its announcement will not be disappointed. It is a handsome book, printed with a full margin on good paper, for the purpose of MS. observations. The first Part, containing the Pentateuch, is ready for delivery. It had been considered a desideratun in literature, for the student to have a Polyglott Bible, containing the original texts of the versions used by the ancient churches, in a portable form, and at a -moderate price, and the present LoNDON MINOR POLYGLOTT BIBLE it is expected will fully answer these wishes Another class of readers will be gratified by the above work being printed in four small pocket volumes, each language a complete volume, possessing this peculiar excellence, that, by the pages of each volume agreeing with every other, either two languages may be interleaved together; and thus united in one volume, will not exceed the thickness of the common pocket Bible. A fuller display of the whole work is exhibited in a Prospectus of 32 pages, which is delivered gratis, and which also details the nature of a Supplementary Volume, entitled "Scripture Harmony," being a Concordance of parallel passages, agreeing page with page with the pocket volumes. The fifth edition is ready for publication of the genuine Epistles of the Apostolical Fathers-St. Barnabus, St. Ignatius, St. Clement, St. Polycarp, Shepherd of Hermas, and Martyrdom of St. Ignatius and St. Polycarp, written by those who were present at their sufferings; liament-square, Just published, Ogles, Duncan & Cochran's Catalogue of Oriental and Jewish Literature, for 1817; containing an extensive collection of books in Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, Samaritan, Arabic, Ethiopic, Persian, Chinese, Turkish, and other languages. Christian Essays; by the Rev. Samuel Charles Wilks, A. M. of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, and Curate of St. Martin's, Exeter. 2 vols. 8vo. price 14s. Baldwin, Cradock & Joy, Paternosterrow; and J. Hatchard, Piccadilly. Hymns adapted to the circumstances of Public Worship and Private Devotion. By John Fawcett, D. D. a new edition, corrected, 3s. boards, or 3s. 6d. bound, Baldwin, Cradock & Joy, Paternosterrow. Of whom may be had, by the same author, The Devotional Family Bible, in 2 vols. royal 4to. price 51. 5s. or on superroyal paper, price 71. The Gradual Conquest, (over Sin, Satan, and the World,) or, Heaven obtained by little and little: being the substance of two excellent sermons on Deut. vii. 22. Together with the employment and supposed contention in heaven, a poem. By the late Ralph Erskine, M. A. author of Gospel Sonnets, &c. price 1s. Go d News from Heaven; or, the Gospel a joyful Sound. Being the substance of an admirable sermon on Psalm Ixxxix. 15, 16 By Augustus Topledy, A. B. price 9d.--Sold by G. Offor, Postern-row; T. Hamilton, 33, Paternosterrow; and L. J. Higham, 6, Chiswell street. Missionary Retrospect and Foreign Intelligence. 1 BAPTIST MISSION. Letter from Sir Alexander Johnstone, Chief Justice of Ceylon, to the Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society; dated Columbo, October 3, 1816. SIR,I have the pleasure to send you, for the information of your society, copies of the proceedings which have lately been had on this island, relative to the emancipation of all children who may have been born of slave parents since the 12th of last month; from those proceedings you will perceive, that the state of domestic slavery, which has prevailed here for three hundred years, has been abolished. posed, but without success, a similar measure. Although I was disappointed at that time, I did not despair of ultimately succeeding in my object; and I felt it to be my duty to persevere, and to make every effort in my power, to settlements, of such political and reliencourage the establishment in these gious institutions, as were calculated to give the natives a more rational idea than they had been accustomed to entertain of liberty and of religion, and thereby gradually prepare their minds for the abolition of that state of slavery which had prevailed amongst them for three hundred years. With this view I went to England early in 1809; while there, I submitted to His Majesty's ministers the propriety of establishing, in these settlements, the trial by jury; and to the Bible Society, As the unanimity with which the measure has been adopted by all classes of people, natives as well as Europeans, may, in a great degree, be attributed to the zeal with which the different Mis as well as to many of the religious sionary Societies have, for some years, circulated the doctrines of Christianity among the inhabitants of the country, and as your committee may wish to know the different steps which I have felt it my duty to take since the year 1806, to bring about so desirable an object; I beg leave also to send you the copy of a letter, which I have lately written upon the subject, to some of the missionaries who reside at this place. Allow me to offer you my congratulations on the occasion. I have the honour to be, Sir, Letter from Sir Alexander Johnstone to the Baptist Missionaries in Ceylon, Messrs. Chater, Griffiths, and Siers; duted Colombo, Sept. 20, 1816. GENTLEMEN,-I have the honour to send you, for the information of your society in England, a copy of the proceedings which have lately taken place at Colombo, Galle, and Jaffna, relative to the emancipation of children born of slaves, after the 12th of last month. It will, I am sure, be gratifying to your friends, to hear of the measure which the principal proprietors of slaves at these places have adopted. As soon as I became, in 1806, a judge of the supreme court, and a member of His Majesty's council in this island, I pro societies, I suggested the necessity of their forming some permanent system for ameliorating the morals of the people, by enlarging their knowledge of the Christian religion. His Majesty's mi nisters having approved of my proposal, the trial by jury was established in these settlements in 1811; and, at my suggestion, the right of sitting upon juries was not confined in this island, as it is in other parts of India, to Europeans only, but was extended, without distinction, to all the natives of the country. The Bible, and other religious societies, having also approved of my plan, immediately began to take, and have ever since continued to take, the most active and decisive measures for extending to this part of India, the be nefit of their several institutions. I have for some time observed, with satisfaction, the change which the esta blishment of trial by jury, and the exertions of the several missionary societies on this island, have produced in the feelings of the people with respect to domestic slavery; and I availed myself, with pleasure, of the opportunity which the arrival of the last reports of the African Institution lately afforded me, to send to the principal proprietors of slaves the account which has been published in them of the proceedings that were had at Colombo in 1813, under the 50th of G. 3, and to recall to their recollection the proposal which I for merly made to them in 1806. The una nimity with which that proposal has been adopted on the present occasion, compared with the opposition which a similar proposal met with in 1806, affords a proof, which must be flattering to every Englishman, of the salutary effects which may, with certainty, be produced in a country by gradually imparting to its inhabitants some of those advantages which are derived from the freedom of our constitution and the purity of our religion, and may be instructive, as an example, to those persons whose inclinations may hereafter lead them to adopt any measures for the moral improvement of the natives in other parts of India. As the principal proprietors of slaves on this island, have declared free all children who may be born of their slaves after the 12th of last August, it becomes the duty of every one who feels an in terest in the cause, to take care that the children, who may be born free in consequence of this measure, should be educated in such a manner as to be able to make a proper use of their freedom; and it is to your society, as well as to the other missionary societies, to which the natives are already so much indebted, that I look with confidence for the education and religious instruction of all those children. I need not, I trust, add, that you may command my services in any way in which you think they may be of use, in forwarding an object which is so intimately connected with the prosperity and the happiness of a very numerous class of the inhabitants of this island. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble servant, (Signed) ALEX. JOHNSTONE. A COPY AND TRANSLATION OP THE BULL AGAINST BIBLE SOCIETIES, Issued from Rome, June 29, 1816, by POPE PIUS VII. to the Archbishop of GNEZN, Primate of Poland. PIUS PP. VII. VENERABILIS FRATER, Salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. POSTREMIS literis nostris polliciti sumus tibi responsum daturos, quamprimum tuis; in quibus, ad hanc Sanctam Sedem, nomine etiam cæterorum Poloniæ Episcoporum, de Societatibus quas vocant Biblicis, retulisti, et quid hac in re agere deberetis, a nobis studiose postulasti. Nos quidem multo ante id facere voluissemus; sed incredibilis curarum undique succrescentium multitudo effecit ut, usque ad hanc diem, petitioni tuæ satisfacere non potuerimus. Horruimus sane vaferrimum inventum, quo vel ipsa religionis fundamenta labefactantur; adhibitisque in consilium, pro rei gravitate, venerabilibus fratribus nostris S. R. E. Cardinalibus, quænam Pontificiæ nostræ auctoritatis remedia ad eam pestem, quoad fieri posset, curandam delendamque opportuniora futura sint, omni adhibito studio et sollicitudine deliberavimus. Interea gratulamur tibi, venerabilis frater; teque ut par est etiam atque etiam in Domino commendamus, quod in tanto rei Christianæ discrimine singularem zelum exercueris, eamque fidei labem gravissimumque ani POPE PIUS VII. VENERABLE BROTHER, Health and apostolic benediction. In our last letter to you we promised, very soon, to return an answer to yours; in which you have appealed to this Holy See, in the name also of the other Bishops of Poland, respecting what are called Bible Societies, and have earnestly inquired of us what you ought to do in this affair. We long since, indeed, wished to comply with your request; but an incredible variety of accumulating concerns have so pressed upon us on every side, that, till this day, we could not yield to your solicitation, WE HAVE BEEN TRULY SHOCKED AT THIS MOST CRAFTY DEVICE, BY WHICH THE VERY FOUNDATIONS OF RELIGION ARE UNDERMINED; and, having, be cause of the great importance of the subject, convened for consultation our venerable brethren, the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, we have, with the utmost care and attention, deliberated upon the measures proper to be adopted by our Pontifical authority, IN ORDER TO REMEDY AND ABOLISH THIS PESTILENCE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. In the mean time, we heartily congratulate you, venerable brother; and we com marum periculum Sedi huic Apostolicae denunciaveris. Et quamquam minime necesse esse videamus festinanti stimulos admovere, cum tua jam sponte exarseris ad impias novatorum machinationes detegendas et oppugnandas; pro nostro tamen munere te, etiam atque etiam, hortamur, ut, quantum eniti viribus, consilio providere, et auctoritate possis efficere, præstes indies impensissime, apponens te murum pro domo Israel. In hunc finem has ad te literas damus, ut nimirum insigni testimonio commendemus tuos istos præclaros conatus, et studeamus tamen tuam in id pastoralem sollicitudinem solertiamque magis magisque concitare. Interest quippe summopere communis salutis omne ope et opera conspirare, ad ea propulsanda, quæ in sanctissimæ religionis nostræ perniciem ab ejus hostibus parantur: et proinde Episcopalis muneris est, nefarii in primis consilii malitiam ad oculos, quod jam egregie præstas, fidelium ponere, illudque ex Ecclesiæ præscriptionibus pro ea, qua polles eruditione et sapientia, edicere; "Biblia nimirum opera Hæreticorum impressa vetitis libris accenseri juxta Indicis Regulas (No II and III.) experimento autem manifestum esse, e Sacris Scripturis, quæ vulgari lingua edantur, plus detrimenti quam utilitatis oriri ob hominum temeritatem:" (Reg. IV.) Idque eo magis pertimescendum esse in tanta temporum fœditate, quibus omni undique arte et conatu sancta impetitur religio, et teterrima in Ecclesiam vulnera infliguntur. Standum igitur est salutarii decreto Congregationis Indicis (13 Junii 1757), Bibliorum versiones vulgari lingua non esse permittendas, nisi quæ fuerint ab Apostolica Sede approbatæ, aut cum adnotationibus editæ, desumptis ex sanctis ecclesiæ Patribus. VOL. IX. mend you again and again in the Lord, as it is fit we should, upon the singular zeal you have displayed under circumstances so hazardous to Christianity, in having denounced to the Apostolic See, THIS DEFILEMENT OF THE FAITH, MOST IMMINENTLY DANGEROUS TO SOULS. And although we perceive that it is not at all necessary to excite him to activity who is making haste, since of your own accord you have already shown an ardent desire to detect and OPPOSE THE IMPIOUS MACHINATIONS OF THESE INNOVATORS; YET, IN CONFORMITY WITH OUR OFFICE, WE AGAIN AND AGAIN EXHORT YOU, THAT WHATEVER YOU CAN ACHIEVE BY POWER, PROVIDE FOR BY COUNSEL, OR EFFECT BY AUTHORITY, YOU WILL DAILY EXECUTE WITH THE UTMOST EARNESTNESS, placing yourself as a wall for the House of Israel. For this end we issue the present letter, viz. that we may convey to you A SIGNAL TESTIMONY OF OUR APPRO BATION OF YOUR LAUDABLE EXERTIONS, and also may endeavour therein still more and more to excite your pastoral solicitude and vigilance. For the general good imperiously requires us to combine all our means and energies to FRUSTRATE THE PLANS, WHICH ARE PREPARED BY ITS ENEMIES FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR MOST HOLY RELIGION: whence it becomes an Episcopal duty, THAT YOU FIRST OF ALL EX POSE THE WICKEDNESS OF THIS NEFA RIOUS SCHEME, as you already are doing so admirably, to the view of the faithful, and openly publish the same, according to the rules prescribed by the Church, with all that erudition and wisdom in which you excel; namely, "THAT BIBLES PRINTED BY HERETICS ARE NUMBERED AMONG PROHIBITED BOOKS, BY THE RULES OF THE INDEX, (No. II and III.) FOR IT IS EVIDENT FROM EXPERIENCE, THAT THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, WHEN CIRCULATED IN THE VULGAR TONGUE, HAVE, THROUGH THE TEMERITY OF MEN, PRODUCED MORE HARM THAN BENEFIT:" (Rule IV.) And this is the more to be dreaded in times so depraved, when our holy religion is assailed from every quarter with great cunning and effort, and the most grievous wounds are inflicted on the Church. It is, therefore, NECES SARY TO ADHERE TO THE SALUTARY DECREE OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE INDEX (June 13th, 1757), THAT NO VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE IN THE VULCAR TONGUE BE PERMITTED, EXCEPT SUCH AS ARE APPROVED BY THE APOS 2 C Perge ergo, venerabilis frater, tenere viam sanctissimam quam instituisti; præliari, videlicet, assidue prælia Domini in doctrina sana, populosque tibi concreditos monere, ne in laqueos incidant qui sibi, in perennem ruinam, parati sunt. Id abs te atque cæteris istis Episcopis, quos etiam nostra hæc spectat epistola, præstolatur Ecclesia; id nos expectamus studiosissime qui, conceptum ex novo genere zizaniorum quæ inimicus homo superseminat, mœrorem jucundissima hac spe levari quodammodo sentimus; ac, majora semper tibi ip. sisque Co-episcopis, in Dominici gregis bonum, charismata, Apostolica bene. dictione, quam tibi illisque impertimur, adprecamur ex corde. TOLIC SEE, OR PUBLISHED WITH ANNO We confidently hope that, even in these turbulent circumstances, the Poles will afford the clearest proofs of their attachment to the religion of their ancestors; and this especially by your, care, as well as that of the other Prelates of this kingdom, whom, on account of the stand they are so wonderfully mak ing for the faith committed to them, we congratulate in the Lord, trusting that they all will very abundantly justify the opinion which we have entertained of them. It is moreover necessary that you should transmit to us, as soon as possible, the Bible which JACOB WUIEK published in the Polish language with a commentary, as well as a copy of the edition of it lately put forth without those annotations, taken from the writings of the holy fathers of our Church,. or other learned Catholics, with your, opinion ugon it; that thus, from collating them to ether, it may be ascertained, after mature investigation, what errors may lie insidiously concealed, therein, and that we may pronounce, our judgment on this affair for the preservation of the true faith, PROCEED, THEREFORE, VENERABLE TERED; VIZ. DILIGENTLY TO FIGHT THE ARE PREPARED FOR THEM, TO THEIR most EVERLASTING RUIN. The Church waits for this from you, as well as from the other Bishops, WHOM OUR EPISTLE EQUALLY CONCERNS; and we anxiously expect it, that the deep sor row we feel on account of THIS NEW SPECIES OF TARES WHICH AN ENEMY IS sowING SO ABUNDANTLY, may, by this cheering hope, be somewhat alleviated; and, we heartily invoke upon you and your fellow-Bishops, for the good of the Lord's flock, ever increasing gifts, through our Apostolic benediction, which we impart to yourself and to them. We have copied the above from a pamphlet, entitled "ANTIBIBLION, or the Papal Toscin," by Scrutator, price 4d. The notes, and other matter, render it worthy the attention of our readers. |