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The text from which he preached his first sermon, was 1 Cor. iii. 16, ‘Ye are the temple of God.' A Dutch lady, of the name of Schrader, granddaughter of a former minister, is actively engaged, together with several respectable inhabitants, in promoting the religious instruction of English and Butch, Portugueze and Malabar children; which, we trust, will prove a great blessing to the island.

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

Agreeably to an intimation given in a former Number (June, p.235) we proceed to lay before our readers the following Extract of a Letter from a valuable Correspondent, who resides in a remote part of Ireland.

April 26, 1811.

Our old schools were going on well, and new schools were multiplying fast; in all we had twenty, with a prospect of their branching out to the surrounding counties; and from the effects of the word of truth, which daily sounded out from them, I entertained the most pleasing hopes that they were the channels through which the waters of life were to flow for the healing of this barren wilderness.

It would be strange indeed, if the Prince of Darkness would make no effort to oppose this attack on his hitherto uncontrouled and undisputed dominion here. Knowing, in some degree, his devices, and that he had an host at hand, who had a common interest with him in the soul-destroying ignorance and delusions which abound, I looked fer a more serious opposition than we had hitherto been tried with. This we have now had, and in it a new testimony to the immutability both of truth and error, and their irreconcileable opposition to each

other.

If, from being removed from the scene of observation, or the imposing supposition of the effects of a more general diffusion of knowledge, or the specious pretensions of the modern votaries of Popery, any of the lovers of the gospel have been induced to conclude that its features are at all softened, or that it has become a more harmless thing than it was when their fathers

felt its fiery effects in Smithfield,let them now be undeceived. We that circumstances, with respect to have reason, indeed, to bless God us, are not the same. Kings, for merly the ready agents of the indrunken with the blood of the saints satiable cruelty of her who was and martyrs of Jesus, are now com paratively the fostering guardians of those who hold the word of his testimony; and this consideration is sufficient (were the word of God less explicit than it is in enforcing loyalty to the powers that be) to bind by that gratitude which is inseparable from the Christian character, all the lovers of the gospel in these nations to that family, under whom we enjoy full protection in our attachment to the Saviour and his cause. The truth of these observations will be admitted by the professors of the gospel in England and Scotland; but in this kingdom we feel it. We are in contact with Popery; and have daily experience that it is to this blessed change, mercifully effected by Him who is Head over all things to his church, we owe the liberty of conscience. and every temporal blessing which we enjoy; and this I think will be evident from the recent occurrences which have affected the Society's Schools here.

Imagine to yourself a man, calling himself a Christian Bishop (Catholic) traversing his diocese, surrounded by his satellites, appearing at what he calls the Altar of God, in every chapel, denouncing the vengeance of God against those whose only crime was undertak ing to instruct the children of the poor to read, pronouncing those schools, where the English Sunday School Spelling books and the Scriptures were alone taught, to be Deistical, nefarious, and in every respect abominable!

At one of those chapels an old man, who had been recently ap pointed a Teacher Society's Schools,

sponsible for the future good behaviour of the culprit ; but, as laymen,

Was One of the they were all rejected on which

induced by his abject submission to his Clergy to appear. In order to affect the multitude the more forcibly, the Bishop himself appeared dressed in his robes. The Schoolmaster was loudly called to appear, when, almost insane with apprehensions of the Bishop's wrath, he rushed up within the sacred limits of the altar, appropriated alone to the representatives of the Deity. Thence he was instantly expelled with indignation, and at the Bishop's order placed on his knees, uncovered even to his wig, before the altar; there pale and trembling, to abide the awful sentence.

The Bishop, hitherto uncovered, now, with much solemnity, put on his mitre. On this, the multitude, who had witnessed the condemnation of many of their relatives, at a special commission held formerly in this county for trying insurgents, recollecting that, in proceeding to pass sentence, the Judge always put on his cap, set up bitter lamentations. The Bishop addressing the prostrate wretch, expatiated on the enormity of his crime, declaring that no penance the most painful could obliterate it; that even the sovereign virtues of Loughderg, Patrick's Purgatory, in the north of Ireland, or Croagh Patrick (a mountain in the west, so long famed) were inadequate to his case; and that he was at a loss how to proceed, as his offence exceeded all description.

The Bishop proceeded in this way until the desired effect was produced on the poor old man and the congregation, who were struck with horror and consternation at the unpardonable crime of teaching, or being taught at the Schools: then, as if softened into mercy, he seemed willing to find an expedient to extend it to the wretch before him, who, in deep agony, every moment expected the irrevocable

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the Priest interfered, and took the responsibility on himself; which, the better to confirm the people in their high ideas of his character and importance, the Bishop accepted. The Priest then addressed the delinquent and the people ou the awful nature of the responsibility which he came under; in doing which he had an opportunity of heightening, to the utmost of his abilities, the terrific picture which the Bishop had drawn of the Schools; and thus the farce ended.

It would be endless to give a circumstantial account of all the black scenes of this opposition to the Society's Schools. Its effects have been the abject submission of three masters. Six other masters, more recently appointed, though still willing and anxious to hold their situations, in defiance of the Bishop and his Clergy, have not only lost the pupils they taught for the Society, but those for whom their parents paid. Thus they are reduced to the utmost distress, and are truly objects of compassion.

On the first intelligence I received of this affair, I thought it a duty to obtain the most authentic information, to assist the Society in its deliberations, and for this purpose dispatched two friends to the scene of action. On their return, they furnished me with the inform ation which I have communicated, and the affidavits forwarded to you by this post.'

The affidavits referred to are inserted in the Appendix to the Annual Report of the Society, recently printed. They confirm the facts stated above, mentioning the injury sustained by the Schoolmasters in the loss of their Scholars, and consequently of their means of subsistence. We are happy, however, to learn by a letter since received from the same correspondent, that the consternation first excited has considerably subsided, that several of the children have returned, and some of the Schoolmasters seem disposed to per

severe.

advised by counsel to give the in formation in another name, as he could not be a witness if given in his own name. On the Mayor's de ciding that Mr. Minchin bad a right to know the informant's name, Dr. Scott, with great reluctance, said it was the clerk of his chapel; and that he had brought it without his knowledge. Mr. Minchin then intimated, that although Henry Norris was present in court, ready to disavow the prosecution, yet he would wave all objections to it in this respect, it being the wish of his honourable client that the strictest investigation should take place. Dr. Scott then began to address the Mayor; on which Mr. Minchin re

SUNDAY SCHOOLS. Portsmouth, July 30. The Hon. G. Grey, Commissioner of his Majesty's dock-yard at Portsmouth; and John Maybee, a superannuated ship wright, whom the commissioner had employed as a teacher in a Sunday-School, which he kept in his house, were summoned before Joseph Smith, Esq. Mayor of Portsmouth, and a full bench of magistrates, on an information against the commissioner, under the Couventicle Act, passed in the twentysecond year of Charles II, For suffering a Meeting and unlawful As sembly of divers Persons, under Colour and Pretence of exercising Religious Worship in other Mau-quested of the Mayor to know, in ner than according to the Liturgy and Practice of the Church of Eng land; at which Meeting and unlawful Assembly, Five Persons and more were assembled together, besides those of the Household;' and on another information against J. Maybee, For unlawfully teaching at such Meeting or Assembly; and whereby each had incurred the Penalty of Twenty Pounds.'

These informations were brought by the Rev. Dr. Scott, Minister of the Dock Chapel, at first in a fictitious name; and his attorney, Mr. Weymouth, of Portsea, had so delivered them to the Mayor, already prepared by counsel. The Mayor required to have the informant before him; and on being told it was a fictitious name, he rejected the informations; on which Mr. Weymouth gave them in anew, in the name of one Henry Norris. The commissioner being informed of this, wrote to the Mayor, begging he would not let any irregularity prevent his going fully into the investigation, as he was desirous of meeting the charge. The Mayor then appointed the hearing.

Mr. Minchin, of Gosport, attended as solicitor for the commissioner and John Maybee; and begged of the Mayor to know who was the informant. This Mr. Weymouth urged the defendants had no right to require; but at the same time acknowledged that Dr. Scott was the real prosecutor; and had been

what capacity the Doctor there appeared, whether to conduct the information, or as a witness, merely in support of it; for if the latter, he could not be both witness and advocate too. The Mayor concurred in this suggestion. Dr. Scott however persisted in addressing the Mayor, until the Mayor insisted he could not allow him to sustain both characters. Dr. Scott then said he would be the witness; and that his solicitor, Mr. Weymouth, should conduct his cause; and who then immediately addressed the court, stating the nature and object of the prosecution, and averred his client was only instigated by what he thought his duty in commencing it.

Mr. Bowley, one of the teachers, John Breakes, one of the boys of the school, and Dr. Scott himself, then severally gave their testimonies; and it appeared in their evidence, that the commissioner kept a Sunday - School in his office, in the dock-yard, where more than 100 boys were instructed to real the Bible, and to learn the Church Catechism, Collects, &c. from the Common Prayer-Book; and who regularly attended divine worship at the Dock-Chapel; and that on the evening of the Sunday mentioned in the information, when the boys were just concluding their school, and were all on their knees, and Mr. Maybee was reading a prayer from a book printed by the Philanthropic Society, Dr. Scott

came in, and interrupted them'; enquiring what they were about; and asked Mr. Maybee whether he was reading or preaching. Mr. Maybee told him he was reading a prayer; which he shewed to him; and informed him how he instructed the boys, and what they learnt there; adding, that as he was once a youth himself, he wished to be a teacher of youth. This was the substance of the evidence.

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Mr. Minchin then addressed the Court on behalf of his Clients, in an able, lucid, and eloquent speech of considerable length; a bare outline of which only, our limits will permit us to present to the public; but which attracted much interest from all present. He reprobated in the course of it, frequently in very animated terms, the conduct of this learned clergyman in bring ing forward such a prosecution; and observed, that the main question before the Court was, Whether Commissioner Grey, by having a Sunday's School in his house, conducted as it was, is guilty of an offence within the Conventicle Act, which had been passed in times of great religious heat and intolerance? That this act never could intend, and it would be the most monstrous perversion of reason, and be in total repugnance to every principle of justice, to construe and interpret the provisions of it to intend to apply to the conduct of his honourable friend. He then adverted to the history of the times giving rise to the act, quoting Hume, Rapin, and Bishop Burnet, as authorities, shewing that it had passed when the nation had verged from the most rigid and strict austerities in religion, to a grievous and generally prevailing dissolution of morals, which extended through all ranks of the community; and noticed the period previous to the year 1662, when the Liturgy of the Church of England had not been used in all her churches; but in several thou sands of them a mode of worship, similar to that used in Scotland, had prevailed, until at length the Act of Uniformity passed in that year, enjoining the Liturgy as now

used; and in conséquence, upwards of 2000 ministers quitted their liv ings; and those of the people who could not, like them, conscien tiously comply with the Act of Uniformity, formed themselves into separate congregations: That the Papists at that time were thought by many, to have composed a very large proportion of the community; and the King himself was known secretly to abet these; and his favour and partiality to them excited the jealousy of all the other parties. That the King about this time formed a scheme, with regard to religion, to incorporate the Presbyterians with the Church of England, and procure a Toleration for all the other sects without exception: that his object in this was to favour the Papists (Rapin says) was allowed by all the world, and manifestly discovered afterwards; but this roused the alarm of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and others of that day, who had got at the secret of the King's intentions and the utmost endeavours were used to break his measures; and these led to various severe acis, incompatible with civil and reli gious liberty.

That when the dreadful Fire of London happened, and the churches of that great metropolis were laid in ashes, Bishop Burnet tells us that conventicles abounded in all parts of the city. It was thought hard, he says, to hinder men from worshipping God any way as they could, when there were no churches nor ministers to look after them; and they began to raise churches of boards till the public allowance should be raised towards the rebuilding the churches; these they called Tabernacles, or Conventieles, and fitted them up with pews and galleries.

The increase of Conventicles, from these two causes, namely, the result of the act of uniformity and the fire of London, was made a handle for the more rigid and severe laws against the Protestant Dissenters; and the statute under which the Reverend Doctor had thought fit to institute this prosecution, was then passed into a law: a sta

tute which no historian of that age has ever ventured to justify; which most allowed that crooked politics, and not religion, has conspired to enact: which both Rapin and Hume loudly exclaim against; and which Huae, whom no man ever accused of Puritanism, says, violated the plainest and most established maxims of civil policy, which in all criminal prosecutions require that favour should be given to the prisoner. Whereas the act provides, that if any doubt shall arise, with regard to the meaning of it, such doubt was to be determined in the sense most contrary to conventicles; and moreover it lays a heavy fine on those justices of the peace who should be unwilling to execute the law; - and upon this, Bishop Burnet also says, that many who would not be the instruments of sach severities, left the bench, and refused to sit any longer there; and he tells us that the execution of this act put things in such disorder, that many of the mercantile "men of the city were for emigrating to Holland, till the king ordered a stop to be put to further severities; and in the course of these, the Bishop adverts to the instances of patience, fortitude, and persevering firmness, with which the Quakers acted under this oppressive law.

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Mr.Miuchin then adverted to the act itself, insisting on the rule of law by which acis of parliament were to be interpreted with reference to their title and preamble. The title of this is, An Act to Prevent and Suppress Seditious Conventicles. The preamble is, For providing further and more speedy remedies against the growing and dangerous practices of seditious sectaries, and other disloyal persons, who, under pretence of tender consciences, have or may at their meetings contrive insurrections, as Jate experience hath shewn;' and which was the sole object of the act. He then shewed how preposterous it was to suppose that his honourable client, allied to the most noble and respectable families of the kingdom, and himself in a station of the first responsibility,

should, by means of his SundaySchool, be contriving an insurrection against the Government and State; and after adverting to the motives inducing the commissioner to keep this School, he in perspicuous, energetic, and highly impres sive language (in the course of which he adduced the sentiments of an eminent writer on the subject pointed out the vast importance aud beneficial effects of sundaySchools to the morals and happiness of the country at large, and the general attention and patronage they had received from the Prince Regent, as well as many of the nobility and gentry of the land; and concluded with expressing his firm conviction that the decision of the Mayor would do honour to him. self and justice to his client.

The Mayor then gave his decision in terms which equally impressed the audience with the highest ideas of his judgment and integrity. This most important question, he said, having undergone a legal discussion, it now became his duty, from the situation he had the honour to fill, to decide upon it. He found the title of the act, together with the preamble and its general tenor,

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An Act to Prevent Seditious Conventicles;' which might have been a very proper act in the times when it passed. But he would ask, Do seditious conventicles exist now? or, will any man charge the defendant with establishing conventicles for seditious purposes? What then is the object of this seminary? It was proved, he said, by every wit ness that had been examined, to be a Sunday-School, where the illit rate and the indigent, the fathe and the friendless, are instrucie in the Bible; are taught the sum of all religion, their duty to God and man. Is not, he observed, such a benevolent institution entitled to the highest praise? Nay, more, is it not a Godlike act in the Honourable Defendant to follow the example, and trace the steps of our great Redeemer? He therefore found no difficulty in determining the case; and did not feel it neces sary even to consult his worthy colleagues sitting with him:- the

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