Bowen, Rev. J. St. Vincent. CLERGYMEN DECEASED. Bowstead, W., Vicar of Ulceby, and Head Mast. Freeman, J. N., Vicar of Hayes, Middlesex. Hall, G. W., Master of Pembroke Coll., Oxford. Lewis, J., Rector of Blatchington. Nash, R. A., Rector of Hamerton. Naylor, M. J., D.D., Rector of Crofton. Rodber, W. J., A.M., Rector of St. Mary-at-Hill and St. Andrew Hubbard, London. Rowe, W., at St. John's, Cornwall. Tomkins, F., D.D. Vicar of Harmondsworth and Twopeny, R., Rector of Casterton Parva. PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE ENLARGEMENT, BUILDING, AND REPAIRING OF CHURCHES AND CHAPELS. A MEETING of this Society was held at their chambers, in St. Martin's-place, on Monday week, the Lord Bishop of London in the chair. There were also present the Lord Bishop of Llandaff, Sir R. H. Inglis, Bart. M.P.; the Revs. Dr. Spry, H H. Norris, J. Jennings, and B. Harrison; Messrs. N. Connop, J. S. Salt, Benjamin Harrison, S. B. Brooke, William Davis, E. L. Badely, &c. The reports of the sub-committees having been read, the board examined the cases referred to their consideration, and finally voted grants of money towards building additional churches or chapels at New Swindon, Wilts, the principal station of the Great Western Railway; at Norland, in the parish of Kensington, Middlesex; at West Hide, in the parish of Rickmansworth, Herts, and at Yeovil, Somersetshire; also towards enlarging and rebuilding existing churches at Bovington, Herts, and St. Alkmund's Derby; and towards enlarging or otherwise increasing the accommodation in the churches at Burlescombe, Devon, and Stoke Golding, Leicestershire. The population of these parishes is 43,231 persons, and the accommodation now provided in nine churches is 7,167 seats (being for less than one-sixth of the whole number), including 1,955 free sittings, or one free seat for 22 persons. The additional church room to be obtained by the execution of the works in aid of which grants are now voted by the Society is 3,916 sittings, 2,716 of which will be free. One of the parishes assisted, has, at present, church accommodation for less than one sixth of its population, which is 17,000 souls; another,with 9,000 inhabitants, possesses church room for about one-twentieth of that number; and a third, with a population of 7,000 persons, can accommodate barely one-sixth. The requisite certificates of the completion of five additional churches, of the rebuilding, with enlargement, of five existing churches, and of the enlargement, reseating, &c., of three other churches, were examined and approved, and orders were issued for the trustees to pay over to the treasurer the sum granted by the Society in each case, in order that he may remit the same to the respective applicants. The population of these thirteen places is 26,875 persons, and before it was determined that the works now completed should be executed, the church accommodation provided in these parishes was 5,854 sittings, including 1,367 free seats. One of the parishes, with a population of upwards of 6,000 persons, had accommodation for about one-ninth of the number, and five others, each with a population of about 2,500 persons, possessed church room for from one-fourth to one-eighth. With the aid of the Society's grants 3,051 additional seats are now provided at these places, 2,523 of which are free. the last meeting, the committee have received intimation that applications will be made for their assistance towards the erection of churches in six populous parishes, and towards rebuilding, enlarg ing, and otherwise increasing the accommodation in the churches of seven other places, as soon as the requisite plans, Since specifications, and other documents can be prepared for their inspection. In addition to which, the plans, &c., relating to six applications are now under the consideration of the sub-committee, preparatory to their being referred (if approved) to the general board. NEW CHURCH IN EDINBURGH. LETTER OF REV. J ALEXANDER. I TAKE the liberty of soliciting your influence and support in behalf of an undertaking, which I sincerely believe will, when carried out, be of considerable importance to the progress of the Church in this city. Before stating, however, what the particular undertaking is, it may be proper to call your attention to the following details: In the course of last year, I was privileged to enter upon the charge of St. Paul's, Carrubber's Close, as well as to commence a Missionary enterprise in the Old Town, for the purpose of collecting together the poorer members of the Church, and placing within their reach the divinely-instituted means of grace; and I have abundant reason to thank God for the success which he has pleased should already attend this interesting department of Christian exertion. When I went to St. Paul's, I found a very small congregation; and now there are as many individuals bolonging to it as would fill the church, the greater number of whom are natives either of England or of Ireland, and are so poor as to be altogether unable to contribute anything towards the support of a minister. While I am thankful to the Almighty Disposer of events, that he has thus honoured my ministry, I think it also my duty to express the gratitude which I feel to my brethren of the clergy and laity, for the kind interest which they have taken in the mission, placing, as they have done, a sufficient amount of funds in my hands to relieve the immediate wants of the most destitute; and having instituted a Working Society with the view of encouraging a spirit of industry among those who are able to make any effort towards their own support. I have also to acknowledge the valuable assistance which I have received from several gentlemen who were kind enough, last year, to share my labours in the visiting department, and who have all along strengthened my hands in no common degree. When I commenced my duties at Carrubber's Close, there were two services in the church every Lord's Day; and the Holy Eucharist was celebrated only every second month: whereas we now have Weekly Communion, Daily Prayer, and three Services every Lord's Day. The number of regular monthly Communicants is much increased, being now nearly three times as great as it was every second month about eighteen months ago; and it is gratifying to be able to state, that some of the most regular Communicants are persons who have recently been rescued from circumstances of the utmost poverty and indigence. I may also add, that about eighty poor children have been already collected, and many of them brought under instruction in a Sunday School; and that a Week-Day School is upon the eve of being opened for their benefit, in which they will receive a plain, useful, secular education, combined with a knowledge of those things which are able to make them wise unto salvation. Under existing circumstances, then, I consider it extremely desirable, for the following reasons, that a new church should be built as soon as possible, in some eligible part of the Old Town, to receive the congregation presently worshipping in St. Paul's, and as many more as may be disposed to join it : 1st. St. Paul's Church is a very old building; and from a report recently obtained from a professional architect, it appears, that although the building is perfectly safe at the present moment, he does not think it can be warranted to continue so beyond other ten or twenty years. 2d. It is situated in a steep dirty lane, which is full of low taverns, and where scenes of the most offensive description may be witnessed at all times,-circumstances sufficiently powerful to prevent any from frequenting it who are not altogether destitute. In frosty weather the church is positively difficult of access to all, but particularly to the aged and the infirm. "3d. It contains accommodation only for about 350 persons, which will soon be quite inadequate for the congregation. Henceforth, the congregation will be partly composed of the children belonging to the school above-mentioned,-the whole of whom will be taught to chant such portions of the Service as are sung. It is proposed that the new Church shall contain, besides room for the quire, about 600 sittings, the one-half of which shall be free, and the other half let in such a manner as to produce 150%. when they are all occupied; and as the great proportion of the individuals for whose behoof the present proposal is made, and who are likely to occupy the free sittings, are natives either of England or Ireland, I confidently appeal to English and Irish Churchmen for liberal aid. 4th. The present time seems to be peculiarly adapted for Churchmen putting forth all their strength in the cause of their Holy Mother-the Church; and I confess I feel anxious to be placed in a position, where my exertions, however poor, may be brought to bear with greater effect for good, than they can ever be in such a locality as that which St. Paul's occupies. "As to my own personal qualifications for the work in question, I am not the best judge; but I am happy to think, that, on this subject, I may refer you for information to the right reverend Bishop Terrot, my Diocesan, with whose sanction the present appeal is made; and to the very reverend Dean Ramsey, 23, Ainslie Place. In the meantime, I may state, that it is my anxious desire to see the Church-system, as laid down in her Articles and Services, Canons and Rubrics, fully carried out in practice,--to teach, without any compromise, those truly Catholic doctrines which were originally taught by that Church, which is described in Holy Scripture as the pillar and ground of the truth,-and to act as a faithful steward in giving to the children of the household of faith their heavenly nourishment in due season; and I sincerely trust that God will put it into the hearts of his servants to support the present proposal with the charity which becomes those who are really interested in the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom on earth. JOHN ALEXANDER. The following gentlemen have kindly consented to act along with me as a Committee of Management, and to receive subscriptions; and they have appointed Charles G. Reid, Esq., W.S., 68, George Street, Treasurer and Secretary : The Right Reverend Bishop Terrot, D.D., The Very Reverend Dean Ramsay, 23, The Reverend T.H.Jones, 13, Shandwick Place. Robert Campbell, Esq., Advocate, 11, Walker Charles Colt, Esq., 15, Regent Terrace.' Wm. Forbes, Esq., Advocate, 9, Coates Edward Fraser, Esq., Advocate, 46, Albany Street. R. R. Glasgow, Esq., Advocate, 15, Rutland Wm. Goldie, Esq., W.S., 29, Stafford Street. Chas. F. Shand, Esq., Advocate, 5, India Street. W. C. Trevelyan, Esq., 136, Prince's Street. Wm. S. Walker, Esq., Advocate, 7, St. Colme The Honourable Henry Walpole, Wolterton Subscriptions will also be received by James Burns, 17, Portman Street, Portman Square, London; John Henry Parker, Oxford; Gallie and Bayley, 69, George Street, Edinburgh; and Brown and Co., Aberdeen. The sum altogether required may be calculated at 3,000l., including the expense of the site. 49, Northumberland Street, Edinburgh, TO CORRESPONDENTS. WE cannot interfere with the services of the Temple Church; but we are glad to find, from Double C., that there is an improvement where it was so much needed. "A Sciolist"'s object will, perhaps, be attained rather indirectly than directly. Of the books to which he alludes, Brown is better than Reed; and, in the way of principle, though not of power, either is superior to Locke: Abercrombie is not sinewy. But the study of any good treatise, such as Aristotle's Ethics or Rhetoric, and the philosophy of Butler's Analogy-to which Sanderson, and Taylor's Ductor Dubitantium may be added, will do more to discipline the mental powers than any systematic treatises on Mind. A good course of scholastic divinity, such as the Summa of St. Thomas Aquinas, ought to be part of the education of an English divine. We have heard that the late Mr. Rose used to recommend "The Angelical Doctor" for this purpose. "J. F. S."-We hardly know any book on the subject he mentions that can be recommended. We believe, however, that the desideratum is about to be supplied by Mr. Poole, of Welford. We are much obliged to "C. H." Our Magazine does not comprise a department for such contributions, and the MS. has, therefore, been left for him at the publisher's. THE CHRISTIAN REMEMBRANCER. FEBRUARY, 1844. A Contemporary Narrative of the Proceedings against Dame Alice Kyteler or Ketler, prosecuted for Sorcery in 1344. Edited by T. WRIGHT, Esq. F.S.A. London: Printed for the Camden Society, 1843. Extracts from the Presbytery Book of Strathbogie, A.D. 1631 to A.D. 1654. Printed for the Spalding Club, 1843. Criminal Trials, American. By PELEG W. CHANDLER. Vol. I. Boston Little and Brown. London: Maxwell. 1841. Few, if any, persons in this march-of-intellect era, would dare to confess that they believed in witches and witchcraft; and yet equally few, if they were to confess their own secret thoughts, would deny that there is any antecedent improbability in mortal beings being endowed, by the Spirit of Evil, with a temporary immortal power, or would stumble at the power of Satan to award, to those who will fall down and worship him, the riches and benefits of this world. Sir Mathew Hale was content to admit his belief in sorcery; and Selden, the cold-hearted, hard-headed lawyer, shrouded his secret hankering after a belief in witchcraft under the doctrine, that if a man believes that by turning his hat thrice and crying "buz" he could take away a man's life; this were a just law made by the state, that whoever should turn his hat thrice and cry "buz," with an intention to take away a man's life, should suffer death. That very practical Scotch lawyer, William Forbes, in his Institutes of the Laws of Scotland, published as late as 1730, says, "Nothing can be plainer to me, than that there may be, and have been, witches, and that, perhaps, such are now actually existing; which I intend, God willing, to clear in a larger work concerning the criminal law." Wherever we find a belief in sorcery prevalent, it generally assumes the same form. Its leading principle of doctrine, is a mis chievous application of Christianity, as the manifestation of the powers of darkness against the Deity. Satan is always represented as acting first through his inferior demons, and afterwards in person, in the compact with the sorcerer; and, as in all cases the bargain is for immortal powers in return for a mortal soul, so the great object of the two contracting parties is to cheat cach other: Satan striving to lessen, as far as he can, the value of his gifts, and the sorcerer to render null and void the conveyance of his soul after death. In the majority of cases, females are represented to be the agents by whom the Devil works his ends. According to the German, Biensfieldius, we are to look to the Pythia of Greece, and the Venefica of Rome, as the origin of this accusation against the weaker sex; whilst Sprenger, in his "Malleus Maleficarum," considers that the inferiority in mental strength and the natural wickedness of their hearts, predisposes females to be the agents of Satan. One thing is certainly noticeable, that sorcerers are always more powerful than sorceresses, and the men seem to have driven harder bargains for their souls than the women: the latter being generally content with very far inferior powers than the former. On going back to the earliest times in which enactments against witchcraft appear, we find the statutes confined to mischief done by poisoning, and natural diseases, or to lapses from Christianity, and the following of heathen practices. It is against the practices of the old heathen worship, from which our nation had just been converted, that we find the Anglo-Saxon laws against sorcerers confined; whilst, in the South of Europe, the statutes are made, to meet the softer spirit of fiction, to punish those who yet believed in the fair companions of Diana, and the lusty satyrs of the Arcadian god. The necessarily secret meetings of the early Christians and their ceremonies were immediately reported as sorcery, as in later days the secret meetings of the Waldenses were made the foundation of the witches' sabbath, and the early opponents of the Church said to ride to their conventicles on brooms, as the witches to the mountain of the Broken on Valpurgis' night. The work edited by Mr. Wright, for the Camden Society, exhibits in one person both the classes of accusations we have spoken of. The scene of the prosecution is laid in Kilkenny, in the year 1344; the accused was Dame Alice, the wife of William Ketler, or Kyteler, and mother of one William Outlaw, by a first marriage. William Ketler, Viscount of Kilkenny, who came from the turbulent county of Pembroke, seems to have been not over-scrupulous in his actions; being in want of money, he stormed the house of William Outlaw, and carried off 3000l. which had been entrusted to Outlaw by one Adam le Bond. A claim was made on the money in the king's behalf as "treasure trove," and Bond also put in his claim as the original owner. This last was found so inconvenient, that Bond was put in prison; and, in order to set aside the royal demand, the matter was arranged between the Ketlers and the Bonds, and Dame Alice, becoming a widow, took to her second husband the Kyteler who |