witnesses, who, in every age, refused to participate in the abominations of Rome. But we ask them, where was your religion before such or such an aspiring pontiff put forth such or such a doctrine or claim? We challenge the documents. We fix the doctrine of the Papal supremacy to the sixth century-let them prove it older if they can; of seven sacraments to the twelfth century—let them prove it older if they can; of transubstantiation to the thirteenth century-let them prove it older if they can. And yet Protestantism is the spurious manufacture of a late date, whilst Popery is the venerable transmission from the first year of the Christian era. Yes, all that is true in Popery has been transmitted from the earliest days of Christianity; but all that is true in Popery makes up Protestantism. Popery is Protestantism mutilated, disguised, deformed, and overlaid with corrupt additions; Protestantism is Popery restored to its first purity, cleansed from false glosses, and freed from the rubbish accumulated on it by ages of superstition."—Rev. H. Melvill.

INTELLIGENCE.

PROTESTANT MEETING AT BRISTOL.-A highly respectable meeting of gentlemen attached to the Protestant Association, was held in the parish of St Paul, Bristol, on Tuesday the 5th of February, in consequence of a circular received from the London Association. Thomas Crosse, Esq., in the chair. The meeting was ably addressed by the Rev. H. Rogers, Rev. Mr. Livius, Lieut.-Col. Clarke, Messrs. Aldermen, Bushell and Lilly, &c. &c.

EXCLUSION OF PAPISTS FROM PARLIAMENT.-On Wednesday the 6th of Feb., the Presbytery of Greenock decided to petition parliament for the repeal of the Roman-catholic Emancipation Act. We trust sincerely that the example will be followed by the presbyterians in Scotland generally.

MAYNOOTH.-Petitions against the annual grant to the Popish College of Maynooth have been adopted at Guildford, Elgin, Reading, Westow, Dingwall, the borough of Southwark, Lambeth, Malton, and other places during the last month.

CONVERSION OF POPISH PRIESTS IN ENGLAND.-We understand that on Sunday the 10th of Feb., a strong appeal in behalf of the Romishpriesthood in England, was made from the altar in the Roman-catholic chapel in Warwick-street, Golden-square. To stimulate the congregation to liberality, it was stated, that within the last four months the church of Rome had lost in England by death and desertion to the ranks of the "Heretics," no less than 39 priests. Our informant says the gifts were munificent.

PROTESTANT MEETING AT WARRINGTON.-On Monday evening the 21st Jan., a meeting consisting of about 800 of the inhabitants of Warrington and the neighbourhood, assembled at the scool-room of St. James's church, Latchford, and were most forcibly addressed by the Rev. Edward Nangle and the Rev. T. D. Gregg.

GREAT PROTESTANT MEETING AT MANCHESTER.-On Tuesday evening the 22nd Jan. about four thousand of the inhabitants of Manchester met at Bywater's large room, where the Rev. T. D. Gregg's forcible statements caused such a display of enthusiasm as we have seldom witnessed. The greater portion of the meeting consisted of operatives. The admission was with tickets; and to shew to what dishonesty the papists will

resort, 500 tickets were actually forged. The meeting was also addressed by Rev. E. Nangle, Rev. Hugh Stowell, and the Rev. Mr. McGrath.

MEETING OF THE LIVERPOOL OPERATIVE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.-On Wednesday the 23rd Jan., a meeting of this association took place at the Music Hall, which holds about 1600 persons, and was crowded to excess half an hour before the time advertised for the meeting. The Rev. H. McNeile opened the meeting with prayer, and the multitude sang the 100th psalm. The address of the Rev. E. Nangle (who was enthusiastically received) was of the most interesting nature. The Rev. T. D. Gregg was also rapturously applauded. The most perfect feeling of unanimity prevailed. The greater part of this meeting consisted of operatives, many of whom enrolled their names as members of the association. They did not separate until nearly 12 o'clock.

POPISH HIGH SHERIFFS.-We have noticed of late a great desire on the part of the popish landed proprietors of England to act as high sheriffs, and rather a singular disposition on the part of some of the judges to nominate them to the office. In the year of the general election there were no less than six popish sheriffs, namely, in Berkshire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Northumberland, and Flintshire. In the present year, F. Tempest, Esq., E. Weld, Esq., and W. Scarisbrick, Esq., three wealthy papists, are high sheriffs of Yorkshire, Dorsetshire, and Lancashire.

POPISH JUDGES.-Since the appearance of the last number of this periodical, ministers have appointed another papist judge in Ireland, namely, Nicholas Ball, Esq. late attorney general for Ireland, and now one of the justices in the Court of Common Pleas in that country. This is the third papist to whom they have given the ermine; the other two being Sir M. O'Loughlen, master of the rolls, and Mr. Wolfe, chief baron of the Exchequer. By Mr. Ball's appointment, the attorney generalship became vacant, and was bestowed on Mr. Brady, M.P., another papist; and the new solicitor general is Mr. Pigot, also a Roman-catholic.

While these things have been going on in Ireland, an equally extraordinary appointment has been made in England: Mr. Maule, M P. for Carlow, who was returned for that borough on Mr. O'Connell's influence, having been made one of the barons of the Exchequer.

"WAS ROMAN CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION A POPULAR MEASURE?"As this is a question sometimes asked, and variously answered, we subjoin an account of the Petitions presented on the subject in the fatal year 1829:

Petitions against the Popish Emancipation Bill, 2953 the greater part of which were numerously signed.

Majority of Petitions against the Bill, 2,035.

THE IRISH SYSTEM OF EDUCATION.-On the 12th February, it was stated in the House of Commons by Mr. Serjeant Jackson, M.P., that this God-denying and Popish (falsely called National) System of Education, so far from being a benefit to the Protestants who are so largely taxed for it, is scarcely used by Protestant children at all. £50,000. a year is annually voted for the schools, and yet, in all Munster, only 146

Protestant children attend them; in Leinster, only 598; and in Connaught, only 277. It is therefore quite plain that the Papists have, in fact, nearly the whole advantage of the system for themselves; and this, forsooth, is "National Education," and "liberal " legislation!

GREAT MEETING AT EXETER HALL.-It is intended (D. V.) in the course of the present month to hold a great Public Meeting at Exeter Hall, for the purpose of petitioning against the grant to the Popish College of Maynooth. The Rev. R. J. Mc Ghee, we are happy to announce, will attend, and take a leading part in the proceedings.

ANNUAL SERMON FOR THE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.- -The annual sermon of the society will be preached (D.V.) in St. Clement Danes, in the Strand, by the Rev. Hugh M'Neile, of Liverpool, on Friday evening the 10th of May.

ANNUAL MEETING.-The annual meeting will be held (D.V.) in the large room, Exeter Hall, on Wednesday the 8th of May, at 12 o'clock. SIGNS OF THE TIMES. -No notice was taken of the present appalling state of Ireland in the Queen's speech.

The Marquis of Normanby and Viscount Morpeth have been elevated to seats in the Cabinet.

Ministers have proposed to Parliament a Board of Education, to be composed of the President and other members of the Council, without the least intimation that any of the bishops or clergy are to be included in it. Mr. Wyse, the popish member for Waterford, has signified his approbation of the plan, (which appears to be very similar to his own, and there can be little doubt that it is well calculated, if unhappily it should be carried into effect, to operate in favour of popery and infidelity, and to the great prejudice of the church of England. Moreover the Irish Corporation Bill, which is intended to introduce popish influence into Irish towns, has been introduced without opposition into the house of commons. ominous appearances call loudly on protestants to be earnest in prayer and supplication for our Sovereign and our established institutions, and to make the most strenuous exertions in defence of them.

These

MARY WOOLFREY'S CASE.-We regret to hear that Sir Herbert Jenner's extraordinary decision in this case, which went to represent prayers for the dead as not contrary to the faith of the established church, will be allowed to stand without appeal. We rejoice however to feel that this crafty popish decree, notwithstanding Sir Herbert Jenner's countenance and sanction to it, can never be intended as a protestant doctrine. On this subject we refer to the church of England's Homily on Prayer, which positively repudiates the practice, and proves it to be plainly unscriptural. Meanwhile it is our consolation as churchmen and christians to feel assured that the doctrines of the church of England do not rest on the fallible decisions of any earthly tribunal, but on the firm and immutable basis of the Word of the Living God.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"Verax is declined with thanks.

،، Nemo ” has our best thanks.

The communication from "X. Q." arrived after the Magazine was made up.

NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PROTESTANT

ASSOCIATION.

Br a resolution of the committee, every annual subscriber of 10s. and upwards, and every donor of 51. and upwards, is entitled to a copy of the Magazine on application at the office.

PROTESTANT MAGAZINE.

APRIL 1, 1839.

THE ENGLISH PRISONS BILL.

In the course of last year a bill was introduced by Lord John Russell for the better ordering of prisons. In the committee on that measure, the Hon. Mr. Langdale proposed and carried the introduction of a clause authorizing the appointment of chaplains of any denomination wherever more than fifty criminals of that particular sect were confined. The bill with this clause was however happily thrown out by the house of lords. Nevertheless the papists were not disheartened; they announced in their organ, the Catholic Magazine, their intention to go further still, instead of abandoning their project; for it was declared that in the present session, the clause should provide for the appointment of a popish chaplain even when the prisoners were incarcerated only for debt.

The session came, and the Protestant Association carefully watched the jesuitical movements of their foes. At length the new prisons bill reappeared, and lo! everything the papists could desire was found to be contained in it. The following is the clause proposed by Lord John Russell, which so effectually answers the purpose of Mr. Langdale:

"And be it enacted, that in every prison in which the average number of prisoners professing any one and the same religion differing from that of the established church, confined at one time during the three preceding years, shall not have been less than fifty, it shall be lawful for the justices, or other persons having the appointment of the chaplain of such prison, if they shall see fit, to appoint and remove at pleasure à teacher or clergyman, acting as such at the time of such appointment in some chapel duly registered as a place of religious worship, of the religion of such prisoners, for the instruction and spiritual assistance of such prisoners solely, &c. &c."

Now we ask our readers if they are willing and content, that the principle of endowing popery should be established in England? Hitherto this favored land has escaped the infliction, while the protestants of Ireland and the colonies have been taxed for the maintenance of an apostate church, or the education of an idolatrous priesthood. But now it seems the experiment is to be VOL. I.-April, 1839.

E

tried, whether England will also bow the knee to Baal. The jails are to be the avenues (and filthy ones they are) for the introduction of jesuitism and superstition. The county rates are to be the first sources of public popish income. The magistrates of England are to be made the first tools for the introduction of popish machinations. Such is the scheme-such are the objects of the prisons bill, and its proposers.

We ask our readers then again if they are willing and content that these things should be? That is the question. If the answer be as we anticipate, No! we appeal to them at once to bestir themselves in the matter. The narrow end of the wedge is now being introduced, but who can tell how soon, if its introduction be permitted, the instrument may not be driven home?We therefore beg and implore all who value the constitution of the country, which is now threatened with violation; all who venerate the national church, which it is the design of the clause to supplant; and all who abhor the mystery of iniquity, which it is now intended to encourage, to combine for good purposes, as their enemies have united for evil ones. We beg them to petition both houses of parliament, and to address the Queen on the subject; to make the matter widely known, and watch for the future with increased vigilance and suspicion every single member by whom the clause is supported.

The following petition lies for signature at Exeter Hall, and the immediate adoption of similar petitions is earnestly recommended to the friends of protestantism throughout the country:

To the Honorable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The humble petition of the undersigned, members and friends of the Protestant Association,

Humbly sheweth,

That your petitioners have learned with deep regret, that a bill now before your honourable house for the better ordering of prisons, contains a clause which authorizes, under certain circumstances, the appointment to English jails of other religious teachers than those belonging to the church established in these realms.

That your petitioners believe that such a clause is calculated materially to increase the confidence, and to serve the purposes of the popish faction, by whose encroachments and power the nation is now distracted and endangered.

That your petitioners also consider the principle involved in such a measure to be fraught with evils; as sanctioning hostility to the established church; and as opposed to the uniform practice of the constitution.

Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray your honourable house to withhold your sanction from the clause in question.

And your petitioners will ever pray.