mitted no great offence, Mr. C. determined to use his interest with the viceroy in his behalf; and was so happy, after much entreaty, as to succeed. The poor sufferer, after enduring his torture about six hours, was at length unspiked, taken down, and brought home to the mission-house. How forcibly did the wounds of his hands and feet remind me of Him who suffered, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God! Mr. C. dressed his wounds, and hopes soon to effect a cure. O that this great deliverance from an untimely death may lead to the greater deliverance of his soul from spiritual death! The frame used for the infliction of this punishment is thus constructed: A board is placed on the ground, upon which the criminal stands, and to which his feet are nailed. Another board is placed at a proper height for his head and shoulders to rest against; to which his hands being extended are nailed also. Other boards are fixed upright at the back; to which. in various parts, the body is made fast with ropes. This frame, which is of considerable extent, and always kept standing, is also used for inflicting other kinds of torture, yet more terrible. Merciful Saviour, hasten thy visit to this part of the earth, so full of the habitations of cruelty! [Other accounts of the customs of this country, &c. will hereafter appear.] THE POPE. The French Emperor has published a decree, dated Jan. 23, 1811. by which he forbids and threatens to punish the further pub!!cation of a brief issued by the Pope, Nov. 30, 1810, as tending to 'disturb the state by a civil war. We cannot learn, with certainty, what was the cause of offence in the Pope's brief; but it is said to have been a permission given to the Portuguese soldiers to eat flesh in Lent. We are told, that the Catholic representatives of his Holiness in this country, have received no intelligence from him, nor obtained any communication with him for upwards of twenty months. Such is the liberty of the Head of the church, under the guardian care of his eldest son, the Most Christian Emperor and King!!!— Literary Panorama, April, 1811. Provincial Intelligence. Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Society for the Support of Garlie Schools. A very respectable Society was formed at Edinburgh, in January last, for the benevolent purpose of promoting the education of Poor Children in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, where the Gaelic language is still used. This is to be done by means of Circulating Schools, on the plan of those which have long been established in Wales. In a very full and able report which has been printed, it appears that there are 300,000 persons in the North of Scotland who understand no other language than the Gaelic. In many places not one in 100 of these can read. It was, therefore, high time to institute some effectual means of affording instruction, in addition to what The Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge,' have been laudably employed in doing for a century past. We trust that this Society will meet with the support it deserves. Subscriptions, we understand, are received at Edinburgh by the Treasurer, J. Campbell, Esq. tertius, &c.; and i London, by the Rev. A. Waugh Mr. Reyner, Mark Lane; Mr. R Steven, Thames Street; and Mr. Tarn, Spa Fields. PERSECUTION. Lent Assizes, Maidstone, THIS was an indictment charging the defendants with having, in co junction with others, on the 23d December last, in the town of Wye in Kent, disturbed a congregation of the people called Methodists in the connection of the late Ret Mr. Wesley, by assailing them in most violent and riotous mano with stones, bricks, &c. there putitng them in fear, aud endanger ing their lives. Mr. Garrow rose to address the Jury (on the part of the prosecution) but was prevented by the Lord Chief Beron, who observed, that it was truly astonishing how any man who had read the New Testament, should ever conceive that Christianity could be propagated by persecution; and that it was not so propagated in ancient times. That it was disgraceful in any country for people to be persecuted for difference of opinion in religious matters, but more particularly so in this happy country, where every man is allowed to think and choose for himself. He dreaded the bringing of such instances as this into discussion in a public court, as they often reflected on the conduct of the Magistrates, in not duly repressing the spirit of intolerance, which occasions such disorders. He repeatedly said, that nothing had a more direct tendency to pull down the Established Church, than an attempt to support it by persecution. As we could not all think alike, it be came our duty mutually to bear and forbear with each other. We all conceive our different sentiments to be founded in the New Testament; and if we be in error, persecution is not the way to correct it. In reference to the present case his Lordship expressed a strong desire that it might be settled without going to the Jury; and hoped, that if the defendants (who were present) asked pardon for their offence, and engaged to behave well in future, the matter would be terminated without further trouble. Mr. Garrow replied, that it was always a pleasure for him to coincide with his Lordship's opinion, but especially in this case, as he was sure he had also the concurrence of his clients. Punishment was not the object sought by the prosecutors-they only wanted to worship God in peace. For his part, if he lived in Wye, he should certainly attend the Established Church, in which he had been educated; and the doctrines of which were most congenial to his own ideas; - but what then? he would not go and knock out the brains of the Methodists because they attended their own meeting; as he should not like for the Methodists or Roman Catholics, or any body else, to knock his brains out because he went to church. He could not expect them to square their consciences according to his views, any more than they could expect he should square his conscience according to theirs. However, as his clients only wanted peace, he had already, on their be half, engaged, that if the defendants pleaded guilty, they should not be brought to the King's Bench to receive judgment, but he was willing to settle the matter in any other way that his Lordship should suggest. Mr. Garrow, then address ed the prisoners, and observed, that they must not think this a triumph, as though they were acquitted. It must go out and be known, that this people can worship God undisturbed. The defendants were to know, that the prosecutor, Mr. Robarts, would again go to Wye; and the very next Sunday he would be there to officiate in his own place, which he must do without interruption. In this his Lordship fully agreed; and addressing himself to the defendants, assured them they had no cause for triumph; and that they ought to consider themselves treated with great lenity, that they were not capitally indicted for felony. Their counsel (Mr. Serjeant Best and Mr. Marryatt) perfectly acquiesced in his Lordship's and Mr.Garrow's observations, and explicitly said, the defendants were extremely sorry for what they had done, and that it would never happen again; and that the lenity of the prosecutor should be considered as an indulgence granted to them. Mr. Serjeant Best also said, he was anxious for a most respectable magistrate, to say, that this affair, which he had been very desirous to prevent, had given him great concern. His Lordship then, with much humane feeling, expressed his satisfaction, and directed that the defendants should enter into recognizances of £ 50 cach, for their good behaviour for five years; which was accordingly done. [Some remarks on this case, from a respectable quarter, in our next.] The following Apology has appeared in some of the public papers, in consequence of a similar outrage on the Methodists at Alcester: WE, the undersigned, having disturbed the Congregation of Methodists at Alcester, of the communion of the Rev. John Wesley, and grossly insulted the Minister, a prosecution has been commenced against us; but, at the intercession of the magistrates acting for the division, the prosecutors have agreed to discontinue all further proceedings against us, on our making a public acknowledgment of our offence, and paying Five Guineas to the Birmingham Infirmary. We, therefore, thus publicly express our sorrow for our conduct; and return our sincere Thanks to the prosecutors for their lenity to us, and to the magistrates for their kind interference; and we hope this acknowledgment of our error will be the means of deterring others Mark of THOMAS + SHELTON, Mark of WILLIAM + LAMB, Mark of JOHN + PARSONS. JOHN TERRILL, Times, Monday, April 15, 1811. fordshire Union of Christians, is to The Annual Meeting of the Bedbe held at Bedford, on Wednesday, May 22; when Dr. J. P. Smith, of Homerton, and Mr. Keely, of Ridgemount, are expected to preach. The Somersetshire Association will be held at Mr. Lewis's Meeting, at Chelwood, on Wednesday, the 29th of this month (May). LONDON. To the Friends of the Missionary Society. [The following Letter came too late for insertion in its proper place; but as it is of a temporary nature, and well adapted to serve the interests of the Society, and gratify its Friends, we insert it here.] Mr. Editor, EVERY true philanthropist rejoices at whatever is calculated to ameliorate the state, and to advance the interest of mankind;— every real patriot is exhilarated by events which promote the welfare of his country; and, surely, the happiness of every genuine Christian must be increased by whatever extends the boundaries of the Redeemer's kingdom, and promotes the best interests of the souls of men. The approaching Anniversary of the Missionary Society, enlivens and animates the spirits of many British Christians, as the return of the Jubilee imparted pleasure to the tribes of Israel; or as the return of spring diffuses life through the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Your useful Miscellany often proves a powerful engine of public benevolence; but particularly when it recommends to your numerous readers the heavenly principle of love to God and man, as it is displayed in attempts to invigorate the churches, and to evangelize the Heathen. It is generally admitted, I be lieve, that the Missionary Society has proved a prolific parent of a numerous offspring; which must afford her a high degree of pleasure, especially as they bear on their countenances her own beautiful and characteristic features. Nor will she be chagrined, though some of her children should rise to a higher degree of eminence in society than herself, and number in their circle of friends, Members of the Imperial Parliament, heroic Admirals, crested and mitred Lords; provided her old friends do not forsake her, and her own children do not neglect to discharge the dulics they owe to their venerable parent. I love the children, Mr. Editor, and I love the mother also. She is not yet sinking under the decrepitude of old age; and I hope she will not be suffered to be eclipsed by the splendor of her offspring, nor be forgotten in the midst of a crowd. The returning Anniversary is her LEVEE-DAY; and I earnestly hope that her friends from town and country will be as numerous as ever. I have been in the habit of attending on these interesting occasions from the first establishment of the Institution; and I have not only found my mind instructed, and the dying embers of Christian zeal rekindled, but have returned into the country, determined, by divine assistance, to scatter the holy fire, collected from the altar of God, among the people' of my own charge. They now expect it. Were I not to attend, therefore, I should not only be a loser myself, but my people also would suffer loss. The affairs of the Missionary, Tract, and Bible Societies have hitherto furnished me with ample matter for public discussion on my return. The recital of these concerns, together with occasional observations, have been rendered the means of exciting the same glow of holy affection and noble expansion of soul, which have been experienced by thousands in London during the Anniversary. I most cordially, therefore, wish, that your invitation to the ministers in the country, in your last Number, may be attended with its desired effect, that the fervor of Christian affection may flow from the metropolis of the kingdom into all the churches in the country, as vigorously as the vital fluid in the animai econoiny, streaming warm from the principal organ of life, diffuses sensibility and energy thoughout every part of the human system. But my chief object in this paper is to suggest what has occurred to me, as a principal reason why many more of the pastors of churches in the country do not attend on these occasions, I mean the difficulty which many of them find in obtaining accommodations for the week they spend in town! I have been in the habit of visiting London for a month or six weeks, as a supply to some chapel, for more than a dozen years; and have some relations and friends who have kindly received me to their houses at the Missionary Meeting; yet I feel for several of my brethren, possessing talents superior to my own, who are discouraged from occasionally attending, on this account. From what I know of the hospitable and generous disposition of a great number of religious persons in London, I feel persuaded, that if this idea were communicated to them through your Magazine, they would most cheerfully invite some ministers of their acquaintance in the country to their hospitable abodes for the Missionary Week; and that by becoming the means of interesting them in these benevolent institutions, they may also become the instru ments of promoting the success of the Missionary Society, and of ani mating the people in the rural congregations. Several ministers, not having friends in London, and not knowing where to apply for private lodgings, have been obliged to resort to the tavern, after the holy services of those days. This is not only attended with a great expence, in addition to that of travelling, beyond their means, but is for various reasons so unpleasant to their feelings, that it can hardly be expected they will frequently attend. The consequence is, that the minister, not feeling the impulse which this public occasion imparts, does not exert himself as he otherwise might in behalf of the cause; and his people, not baving their attention drawn to the subject by their minister's representation of what past on the occasion, do not employ their influence, and bestow their aid to promote the welfare of the Society. It is not a sufficient answer to this objection, that the reports are printed, for these reports cannot speak; nor is it possible by reading them to excite the lively feelings which the publie services produce; besides, few persons comparatively read them; so that the congregations, as public bodies, remain uninfluenced. It would likewise be an advantage to the common cause, if the deacons and liberal members of congregations would aid and encourage their ministers in going to the Missionary Meeting. They would thereby benefit their pastor, themselves, and the people. A berevolent friend of mine, who was well acquainted with the world, but who has since been united with the spirits of the just made perfect,' when the Society was first formed made me a present of five guincas to defray my expences, saying, I am glad you are going to the Missionary Meeting; I wish you to attend; it will do a young preacher good to associate with aged and judicious ministers,-to hear the discourses of men of celebrated talents, -and to engage in plans of public benevolence. It will extend his mind beyond his own sphere, will give him a public spirit, and prepare him for greater usefulness in future life.' I earnestly wish that every young minister in the kingdom had such a friend; his memory will ever be dear to me and the church. It is evident to me that the increasing demands for missionaries, the various other hinstitutions which solicit public attention, and the accumulating expences of former establishments, will render it necessary that something more be done to interest the religious and benevolent public out of London in this important cause. The conduct of a popular sect, in having their annual conference in other great cities and towns besides the metropolis; and the formation of Auxiliary Societies to an admirable and useful Institution, may teach the Missionary Society that some similar means should be devised, to impart to the congregations in populous towns, and to the places around them, the general impulse which the Annual Meeting of the Society diffuses through the churches in the capital. I would appeal to every man, whether he believes that if the Missionary Society were held annually at Bristol, for instance, it would be possible, without something of the same kind in London, to interest the Christians there in the same degree as they now are. Suppose, therefore, without relinquishing the Vernal Meeting in London, there were also an Autumnal Annual Meeting, in succession, at Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Plymouth, and Portsmouth, and other large places, with Auxiliary Societies attached to those principal stations and their vicinities,-something of the same generous and missionary spirit would be imparted to the churches in each of those plases, at least, once in seven years, as is annually experienced in the metropolis. Were the meetings held in different parts of the country in succession, the extremities of the nation would be animated and invigorated every year as well as the metropolis. By this means, ministers from London and distant parts of the kingdom, would be heard in places remote from their own immediate spheres of operation. An eminently useful society, by the appointment of Presidents, Vice Presidents, Treasurers, and Secretaries in their Auxiliary Societies, draw forth the interest, talents, and property of a numerous body of Christians; and, though the objects of the Missionary Society may not lead us to expect the same descriptions of persons to form these local institutions, yet there is another class equally benevolent which the plan would amalgamate, and whose talents and property would be directed toward the attainment of missionary objects. I most cor dially approve of the British and Foreign Bible Society; but I wish the religious public to consider the formation of that institution, so far from lessening the importance of missionary exertions, increases the necessity of employing more missionaries, for the purpose of translating the Scrip tures into foreign languages; and were even shiploads of Bibles seat abroad, missionaries would be necessary, in order to distribute them, and explain and exemplify their principles. PHILANTHROPos." |