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effort of his powers. He never multiplied his avocations, nor enlarged his sphere, so as to disturb the serenity of bis mind, or entrench upon the sacred hours of prayer and religious study, nor suffered any cares of earth to dim the brightness of heavenly truth. Yet, who amongst our countrymen ever effected more? For his was the "spirit of power and of love, and of a sound mind;" by keeping within his powers of mind, body, and estate, his life rolled off like the well coiled rope-free, orderly, and useful-while too often a contrary course impedes the usefulness, and makes life like a tangled skein, full of delays and breakages. The friend who writes this has often had recourse to him in seasons of adversity and depression of mind, and never did he leave him without being cheered by the influence of his affectionate heart, elevated and edified by his spiritual wisdom. The death of such a man!-but he could not die-he lives, and will live in the hearts of his friends, in the grateful memory of his countryhe lives for ever in the bosom of his God and Saviour. Yet, the first intelligence of his loss caused a wide spread of consternation, as we pictured to ourselves his desolated family, his sorrowing friends, and imagined it an omen of evil to the mourning land; but such chastisements recal to the mind in new brightness and energy, those truths which mi nister true comfort, and bring health and salvation as we kiss the rod in the hand of the heavenly Father, one glance of the All-mighty and Merciful God silences every murmur, and forbids to sorrow as those without hope. He who removes the parent, will take his place to his children; he will imprint upon their minds such a sacred recollection of their loved and venerated father, now consecrated as it were by death, as shall accompany them into life, and endear to them every truth he loved, and repeat daily as if he were present, the counsels he delighted to give, so that were they ever to join in the feasts of the revellers of this world, or to profane holy things, the sayings of this wise and good man, would rise to recollection, like the handwriting on the wall, to disturb and affright them in the midst of unworthy pleasures or pursuits; or rather his words of wisdom and love, thus burned into the heart in the furnace of affliction, and by the secret fire of God's Holy Spirit, shall not be effaced by the lesser fires of worldly joys. He has left to his friends the rare example of strict adherence to duty without austerity-of perseverance without obstinacy- of attention to mi

nute detail with enlargement of views; to him Ireland is indebted for the first, or at least, the largest step she has taken towards civilization and religious improvement, by the establishment of Sunday Schools. His correspondence on this subject was amazing, and wherever the least germ of improvement shewed itself, his friendly aid and advice were present to cherish and mature it; his influence was like that of a ministering spirit to many a neglected district, to infuse strength and zeal in every good work-no agent was too obscure to be overlooked, if only he manifested a sincere desire to do good, and he often called forth and gave useful direction to many admirable men, who have since done good service in the vineyard of the Lord, while with incomparable sweetness he largely replied to many a prolix and weak-minded, but well-intentioned correspondent-and by these, his labours, this noble institution, the Society for Sunday Schools, has grown from the little fountain which sprung up in the desert-whence a scanty rill first refreshed and fertilized a narrow district, to flow as it does now in a wide and majestic stream, carrying improvement to the remotest corners of the land.

"In society, he manfully declared against the vain assemblies of worldly men, while none enjoyed with a keener relish the charms of true sociability with virtuous friends. May those who claimed this privilege and now mourn its loss, learn to cling closer to those everlasting truths, which formed the constant theme of his converse, and which can give consistency to conduct, a new grace to prosperity, and cause light to spring up to the righteous, even in adversity--which endears and confirms every earthly affection, while it forms immortal ties, and encircling in the golden chain of heavenly love, shall yet form one family in heaven over which Jesus Christ is head with the company of angels, and spirits of just men made perfect.

"In public life, his example was worthy of all observation-though constantly resident in a disturbed and agitated country, yet how truly conciliating was the whole of his conduct; never did one offensive word or irritating act escape from him, which could wound the feelings or the prejudices of his poorest neighbour; his mission upon earth seemed to be to diffuse peace and love among men, to carry knowledge, virtue, and religion, amongst the lowest and most ignorant, and too long neglected and despised classes of his countrymen. Men who have not done un hundredth

part of the good, which, under the blessing of God, was the fruit of his labours, nor in whom the Christian virtues have ever shone with so useful and so bright a light, have bad statues erected to their honour; but his praises will be perpetuated in the improvement of the rising generation, who we may hope will transmit increased knowledge, industry,

virtue, and piety, to their descendants. And when this earth shall be burned up, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness;' his praise in the glorious assembly of the Saints will be, that he was an humble, faithful, devoted follower of the Lamb of God.

D.

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

On Sunday the Lord Bishop of Limerick held an Ordination at the Cathedral, when the following gentlemen were ordained, viz. :-Priests-The Rev. John Godfrey Day, the Rev. George Hickson, the Rev. Francis Chute Sandes, and the Rev. Edward Herbert. Deacons-Godfrey Massy, John Langford Locke, and Charles Peter Thomas, Esqrs.

His Grace the Lord Primate held an Ordination in the Cathedral Church of Armagh, at which the following gentlemen were admitted to Priest's Orders: The Rev. Mr. Allpress, Curate of Creggan; the Rev. Mr. Paul, Curate of Ballinderry; and the Rev. Mr. Ashe, Curate of Tamlaght. And the following to Deacon's Orders:-Mr. King, Second Master in Drogheda School; Mr. Ferguson, Curate of Loughgall; and Mr. Donaldson, Curate Assistant of Mullabrack. The candidates were examined in the Library of Armagh, for two days previously to the Ordination, by the Rev. Dr. Phelan, in the presence of his Grace the Lord Primate, and the Rev. Mr. Jackson, who delivered a very impressive Sermon, from Ephesians iv. 11., in which the offices of the Ministry were most emphatically and scripturally set forth and enforced.

His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, held an Ordination on Sunday last, at St. Anne's Church when the following Gentlemen were ordained :-PriestRev. Mr. Moore. Deacons Messrs. Nixon. Kerr, Irwin, Maunsell, Hare, Reid, White, Shea. The candidates had been examined on the preceding Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, in the presence of his Grace and the Archdeacon of Dublin, by the Rev. Doctors Elrington, Sadlier, and Singer. The Rev. C. Wall preached an eloquent and inpressive sermon on the occasion, from Ezekiel iii. 17.

His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, has been pleased to appoint the Rev. G.

Vernon, A. M. Rector of Carlow, to the prebend of Kilgoghlin in the Diocese of Elphin, vacant by the promotion of the venerable Archdeacon Brinkley, to the Bishopric of Cloyne.

The Lord Bishop of Down and Connor has been pleased to promote the following Gentlemen :

The Rev. James Morewood, perpetual Curate of Lambeg, collated to the Rectory of Dunlace, vacant by the death of the Rev. Charles M Daniel Stewart.

The Rev. Thomas Cupples, Curate of Lisburn, collated to the Vicarage of Ballyrashane, vacant by the death of the Rev. Wm, Hawkey.

The Rev. Wm. Mill, Curate of Ballywellan, collated to the Vicarage of Ballywellan, vacant by the death of the Rev. Wm. Hawkey.

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VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

Public attention has been much occupied by the threatening of a new war on the side of the Peninsula. The disaffected Portuguese, acting, it is said, under the sanction and with the assistance of the Spanish authorities, have entered Portugal in an hostile manner, and proceeded to acts of violence. Our Ministry, rather as a measure of prevention than as the first act of war, have deemed it necessary to advise his Majesty to interfere; and 5000 troops have been sent to Lisbon, under Sir H. Clinton. The King's message to both houses of Parliament, and the statements of Mr. Canning explanatory of the reasons for interference, were received with enthusiasm; and the conduct of ministers sanctioned almost unanimously. We trust that war is still distant: although it is dangerous to calculate on the wisdom of Ferdinand, we do not think that even his fatuity would involve his weak and divided country in a war with England, except supported by France; and that he would not be so in that event, we have the assertions of Mr. Canning, the public declaration of the French ministry, and the critical situation of the French government. The war between the Jesuits and the Liberals is carried on with great vigour; and so unpopular is the former party, that the support received from the throne, instead of serving the Jesuits, involves the government and the King personally in the odium which justly attaches to that dangerous body.† We wish that opposition to their measures could be traced rather to a spirit of scriptural religion, than to motives so nearly allied to political principles, and the spirit of infidelity. Protestantism is, we have good reason to believe, much on the increase.

At home, the contest between the spirit of religious enquiry and the assumptions of Popery is progressive. In Cavan, above 300 persons have now

shaken off the trammels of superstition; and all the exertions of the Roman Catholic hierarchy have been unavailing to prevent it. Dr. Curtis and other R. C. Prelates have been endeavouring to discover the cause of the secession from their church, and have ascribed to the influence of money,‡ what has been the natural and genuine result of the light which beams from the page of revelation. To suppose that any individual could bribe 300 persons to take such a step is absurd, and the Roman Catholic public must know it; but the imputation will serve to adorn inflammatory harangues, and to increase the odium of conversion. As we had feared, the arm of ecclesiastical authority has been put forth to rescue the Roman Catholic clergy from the danger of discussion and the disgrace of defeat. The Roman Catholic Bishop has forbidden the meeting at Derry, and left his clergy to carry on the controversy by writing: we hope this fact will not be lost on our countrymen; they have seen the Roman Catholic clergy insult the Protestant, challenge them to a meeting, demand the most unreasonable terms, fill the newspapers for months with eulogiums on their champions, and anticipation of triumph; for so long engage the attention and employ the time of their opponents, and then, Deus ex machina, the 9th of January presented a dignus vindice nodus, and on the 23d of December the Roman Catholic prelate kindly extends a shield, behind which his clergy may retire. We trust it will not be lost on our countrymen, but that the conviction that the Roman Catholic religion cannot meet free and candid examination, will remain and be effective. We must remark that Cavan has not been the only scene of Reformation. Clones, Ballyhaise, Ardbraccan, Waterford, have had their confessors.

* Information received through France states, that the Spanish Cabinet has resolved on peace.

+ Charles Butler has asserted, that the use of the Scriptures is unrestrained in France; we have good reason to know the reverse: Popery, in all its modifications, is hostile to the Bible.

Dr Curtis, in his manifesto, declares that the converts at Cavan are persons of the worst character. Now we know that none but persons who brought authenticated characters were received, and many, wanting such, were dismissed. A meeting is being called in Cavan, to deny the Prelate's statement.

80

POETRY.

LINES ON AFFLICTION.

"Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upwards."

As sure as from the fire ascends,
Each spark in quick succession,
Trouble our earthly course attends,
And blights each sweet possession.

But as the ethereal flame we view,
Mount up with rapid flight;
Its moral, beautiful as true,
Illumes our mental sight.

For our souls more bright and pure
By every trial given,

Should find affliction's pathway sure,
To speed our thoughts to heaven.

Oh may our hearts each woe improve,
And daily learn to rise

In mild and holy flames of love,
To mingle with the skies!

A SABBATH HYMN.

C. H. L.

Adapted to the solemn air of Jubilate in the 1st vol. of Moore's National Melodies.

Hark! those Sabbath bells delighting,
Bid the Christian's heart prepare ;
With their welcome sounds inviting,
To the House of praise and prayer.

May our footsteps thither bending,
Haste the summons to obey;
May our hearts to heaven ascending,
Fly from sin and care sway.

Israel's King with praise and blessing,
Met the sacred Ark of God,
Every earthly good possessing,
Most he prized its sweet abode.
Oh may we with joyful greeting,
Christ our glorious ark embrace;
May our souls his spirit meeting,
Find him in his holy place.

Hark! that sound again is chiding
Lingering Christians who delay;
Speed we to their faithful guiding,

Who will show "the living way.'
There we now may taste communion,
With our Lord, our best beloved;
Sin, the veil that barred our union,
By his sacred death removed.
If those Sabbath bells proclaiming
One short day of heavenly rest,
Yield such joy, our spirits aiming
To the mansions of the blest,
Oh! with what a thrill of pleasure

Saints shall hear their Saviour's voice

Call to share immortal treasure,

With him ever to rejoice.

C. H. L.

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WE had prepared some remarks in continuation of a former article, when our attention was so arrested by the tidings of the great work going on in Ireland, that we relinquished the notion of addressing our readers on any other topic, and resolved on pursuing the reflections to which a review of the last year's events had given birth. Short as is the interval that has elapsed since the last month's article was sent to press, enough has occurred to confirm all our expectations, to enspirit all our hopes, to give room to a well-grounded confidence that the period of Ireland's ignorance, and therefore degradation, is passing rapidly away; and that her population, free from the blasting influence of the dominion of a false religion, and standing fast in the liberty with which "Christ has made them free," would take their place among the noblest portion of the members of our favoured empire. We ventured to say, that similar arts to those used at Cavan would produce similar success—namely, assured security from persecution, toleration, scriptural instruction, and free access to the word of God: we ventured to say that the feeling which prompted the then three hundred converts at Cavan was not peculiar to that county, but extended its influence over the land; that there was an under-current communicating from one part of Ireland to the other; and though here and there it might manifest its presence by appearing, that its existence elsewhere was not the less certain, because its course was concealed. Events have justified our conjectures, and the same good work which has shed so much glory on Cavan, has commenced elsewhere. In one town, on Christmas day, forty individuals came forward, in another twelve, in a third eight; while in various unconnected parts of the country, the numbers who, in small parcels, have conformed, is such as to swell the list, even in

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