pious Books: they are indeed the golden cup of Babylon,' overflowing with abominations and deadly poison for the unwary drinker. Hesitate not to imitate the faith and example of the primitive Christians, who, when they had learned the Gospel truths, and the science of salvation, carried to the Apostles to cast into the flames, all their pernicious Books, containing fallacious and lying doctrine. Amongst the children of the Catholic church, is there one so lost to faith and morals, as to refuse to sacrifice for God the abominations of Egypt, in order to obtain the grace of the Jubilee?"

In concluding his Bull, the Pope utters the following denunciation. Thanks be to Divine Providence for British law! His fulminations are perfectly barmless, and somewhat

"Like the voice of thunder heard remote."

LET

"We decree also, that the same credit and faith be given to copies of these Presents, in manuscript or print, having the sign manual of a Notary, and the Seal of an Ecclesiastical Dignitary, affixed thereto, as shall be given to these same Presents when seen and inspected. NONE DARE INFRINGE this our Bull of Extension, Exhortation, Commission, Concession, Derogation, Decree, and Will; and if any be so rash, be it known that he SHALL INCUR THE ANGER OF THE OMNIPOTENT GOD, AND OF HIS HOLY APOSTLES, PETER AND PAUL."

Fourteen days after this Bull had heen issued, it was found to be defective; for His Holiness, notwithstanding his infallibility, is liable to mistakes as well as other people. It was discovered that" in many countries, where heresy and infidelity prevail," the churches belonging to the Roman Catholics are so few, that the people really cannot say their prayers in four of them, without travelling many miles, and subjecting themselves to great inconvenience; it was found also, that some of the other conditions, on which the blessings of the Jubilee were to be ob

To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Metho-
dist Magazine.
Eastcott, March 4, 1826.

I FORWARD to you the enclosed letters from Shetland. I feel exceedingly thankful to God, that the poor people got the beds, bedding, &c., which I sent them, so early in the winter. You will see by Mr. Hindson's letter, that they have been over every island, isle, and islet in Shetland; and

VOL. V. Third Series. APRIL,

The "Pastoral Instructions," drawn up by the "Archbishops and Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland," are full of sophistry and guile, and adapted to the present state of things in the sister island. One topic upon which they expatiate is worthy of special attention. They flatly deny the doctrine of justification by faith, though it is so distinctly asserted by St. Paul, and warn their readers against receiving it. They take care to misrepresent that great doctrine of Christianity; but they ingenuously acknowledge that it dogmas and usages of their Church. is subversive of the most prominent This is a fact which cannot be too deeply impressed upon the minds of Protestant Christians. If a penitent sinner may obtain the blessing of free justification before God, by faith in the blood of the cross, then auricular confession, priestly absolution, penances used by way of atonement, the sacrifice of the mass, and the notion of a future purgatory, all fall to the ground at once. Well might Martin Luther therefore pronounce this Articulus stantis vel cadentis ecclesia, the grand doctrine by which the church must either stand or fall. Let the laity among the Roman Catholics be convinced, that there is no merit but in the blood of Christ, and no sanctifying power but in the Holy Spirit; and then the Pope may proclaim his jubilees, and his Prelates utter their instructions concerning penance and priestly absolution, but not an ear will listen to their presumption and folly.

To some of the impious positions contained in these documents, we shall perhaps call the attention of our readers at a future opportunity.

ISLANDS.

To the Rev. Adam Clarke, LL.D.

Northmavin, Shetland, Jan. 30th, 1826. As you are so deeply interested in the prosperity of the cause of God in the Shetland Isles, you will be gratified on receiving any information in reference to the progress of the Gospel in this part of Immanuel's land. By the gracious providence of our God, we who were appointed by the last Conference, arrived safe in Shetland, and are in good health and spirits, in reference to our glorious work. Northmavin is an extensive ministry, containing a population of 2300 souls. Here is only one church belonging to the establishment, which will not hold above one third of the people, and there is only one sermon on the Sabbath. As the greater part of the people live many miles from the church, in consequence of distance and severe weather, they cannot reach their place of worship sometimes for many months together, and aged and infirm persons not for years. North-Roe, the place of my residence, is well situated for this part of the parish; and of course the means of grace here must be a necessary and merciful supply to the people. Here I have two rooms (kindly granted by a gentleman of the country) for preaching, which are well attended by persons eager to hear the word of life; and in fair weather we cannot find room for the accommodation of those who wish to attend. I frequently visit the adjacent places, and on Sabbath-days the people, like doves, flock to hear the Gospel. Here we have about forty members in Society, and they are indeed among the excellent of the earth, both for personal piety, and uprightness of conduct before God and man.

They are truly evangelical in their views and experience, clear in the enjoyment of justification, growing in grace, and thirsting for all the mind of Jesus their Lord. This is the case with the greater part of our Societies; and we have some awakened persons who have recently begun to meet in Class; and I trust in the Lord, that they will soon be made partakers of like precious faith. Thus the Lord is increasing the number of our members, pouring out the spirit of hearing upon the people, and preparing the way for a more extensive spread of saving truth among this interesting and hospitable people. Many of the hearers have been greatly benefited, and I believe the people in general are getting good to their souls, and there is reason to believe they will

come to our Zion when a place of worship is erected among them. I am now convinced of the truth of that observation of yours, that there is no "part in the length and breadth of Immanuel's land where more souls can be the reward of the faithful labourer." But a suitable place of worship appears exceedingly desirable, and absolutely Gospel among them. It can hardly be necessary to the furtherance of the conceived what inconvenience we find disadvantage and unpleasantness are in not having a house of God. The this hinderance will be removed by the very great, but I indulge a hope that erection of a chapel, where one is so much wanted. The people have long quently asking me when we shall begin been expecting a chapel, aud are freto build: I can only reply, we hope to begin early in the Spring. As ground is given, as a Society is formed, and a large congregation collected ready to attend, I hope we shall not fail of having a house for God. I hope the friends of Christ in England will continue their liberality for poor Shetland, and that you will soon send an order for us to rise up and build.

try; the climate seems to suit me well; I do not regret coming to this counthe people are remarkably hospitable; and, notwithstanding all the hardships and difficulties of travelling, there are great encouragements for faithful lahourers. I shall be glad to receive a letter from you, giving me any advices and directions, in reference to the discharge of my work. I desire, above all things, to be useful in spreading the blessings of salvation among perishing sinners. I am thankful for what good has been done, and rejoice in the encouraging prospects which appear before me. O may I obtain mercy to be faithful, and stand accepted at the last day! The Brethren I believe are all well, and labouring on at His command, "whose they are, and whom they serve." I am, dear sir, Yours respectfully,

WM. LANGRIdge.

out of doors, while I preached among them the unsearchable riches of Christ.' After I had done preaching, Mr. A. Spence came and invited me to go with him, and take a night's lodging; I thankfully accepted the invitation. Here I was treated in a friendly and hospitable manner. This night I felt myself much exhausted, from constant exertion, frequent preaching in crowded cottages, wet feet, and sometimes rather uncomfortable lodgings. Having read, sung, and prayed with the family, I retired to rest.

"25th, Sunday. After breakfast, I walked to the kirk. The people assembled about the middle of the day. The day was rather wet; but the Minister being from home, I stood upon a chair, under the church wall; and, with my umbrella in one hand, and Testament in the other, proclaimed, in the open air, on Christmas Day, to about 300 people, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish," &c. I gave out that I would preach at Squarefield in the evening at six. When I went, the house was crowded almost to suffocation. I was afraid to go in: however, the people heard attentively while I addressed them from Acts iii. 26.

"27th. I walked to Houlland, and preached in the evening.

"28th. I crossed the Sound, and, in the evening, preached in North-Yell. "29th. I walked to Dalsetter, and preached at three, p. m., at Selafirth.

"30th. I walked to Gossaburgh, (eight miles.) I have sustained less injury than I could have expected, from such a journey, at this season of the year." From this extract you may judge of the nature of my work, and also may form some idea of my prospects of usefulness in Unst. The last four Sabbaths I have spent in East-Yell, South-Yell, and West-Yell. On the week-days I have preached in Coppester, Mid-Yell, Swarraster, &c. I have in this house a large room in which I preach, and a small one in which I sleep. The rent, fire, servant, &c., will not exceed five pounds for the year: And I think I am as well situated here, in every respect, as if I had been in Mid-Yell. The inhabitants of every rank, high and low, rich and poor, without exception, have been, and still are, extremely kind to me. I have large congregations whereever I go. Some of the people come four or five miles on a Sabbath-day. This is very encouraging. A number of the people in this neighbourhood come in every evening to family-worship. I believe many of them are get

ting good. I am here quite upon new ground: I have not had a single member in Society to begin with. May the Lord help me to lay a good foundation! I have not yet attempted to form a Society. With reference to this matter, I would not like to go before, but to follow close after, the opening of Providence. We have felt much of the presence and power of God, both in preaching and prayer, since I came here. My soul longs, yea, agonizes for the salvation of this people. And I trust the Lord has set before me an open door. O may he give the increase, and to him shall be the glory! Amen. Amen.

This Circuit contains between five and 6,000 souls, scattered over an extent of country whose extreme length is about thirty miles, extreme breadth fifteen. Mr. Langridge and I change this month. Mr. Langridge must have a Chapel in North-Roe in the Spring. It is time to begin to get the materials. Labour now would be cheap. Please to mention this. All the Brethren are well, and doing well. Methodism is thriving. Praise the Lord! I believe we are all labouring together in love.

J. C. HINDSON.

Lerwick, Feb. 12, 1826.

I TAKE the liberty of troubling you with a few lines relative to the valuable presents you have sent us, for our own houses and the poor. They are all come safe to hand. I spent nearly the whole of yesterday in executing Mr. Lewis's directions, by dividing and packing them up for the different places; he being at too great a distance to come and do it himself.

The instances of wretchedness, poverty, hunger, and nakedness, that every where meet us in these islands, are heart-rending. They far exceed any thing I ever saw before. Were it not that you have done so much for us already, I could impose upon you the labour of begging again. I am sure that if the wealthy gentlemen and tradesmen in England, members of the Methodist Society, and friends of humanity, knew the wants of this people, they would send them help. But, after all, general and efectual relief cannot be expected. I can assure you, in the mean time, you have many warm friends in Shetland; many hearts swell with gratitude. We have admitted fifty persons on trial in this Circuit, since the latter end of September. We are all well, and I believe are prospering in every place. I am, &c.

J. LOWTHIAN.

MADRAS.—Extract of a Letter from Mr.

Two days ago I addressed a letter to you from Conjeveram. In order that you may have a connected view of this short journey, I beg leave to send a few remarks concerning the places and people that I visited on my way back to Madras. Having given directions concerning the enclosure of the ground of the Chapel at Wallajahbad, aud employed a person to take measures to erect in it a suitable native School, the place being at an angle of the native village and bazaar, and therefore very favourable for the attendance of the children; and all my stock of Tamul Tracts having been exhausted at the lesser and greater Conjeveram, I rose early to set out to a part of the country I had not visited before.

As we receded from Conjeveram, the trees began to disappear, and the country became naked and little cultivated. About mid-way we came to some ruined choultries of massy stonework, but which could not resist the destructive force of the expanding banyan-tree, that seemed to mock and cast to the ground the labours of man. At one of these stone choultries we were obliged to remain during the heat of the day; the distance between the place we had left and Tripassoor being about thirty miles, was more than we could accomplish without some refreshment. A Moor's burying-ground was on our right, and a deserted heathen temple on our left. I began a conversation with an old man, who attended to wait on passengers. He proved quite conversant and acquainted with all the events of the country, and especially with the troubles in Hyder Ali's and Tippoo's wars. The old man's father was in the British service in the fatal action near the place where these remarks are made, when Colonel Baillie's detachment was nearly all destroyed, and himself made prisoner. This boy was there also, but escaped, and now recounted the barbarities of that unhappy day as if it had been but an event of yesterday. He named several officers who were either killed or taken. You may judge how much I was interested in a place where so many of my countrymen a few years ago had shed their

Carver, dated Poonamalee, Jan. 27, 1825. blood, to destroy the tyranny which oppressed this people, and thus opened a way for Missionaries to approach with the sacred Scriptures to the very recesses of idolatry.

Tripassoor. We had dispatched a messenger to inform the pensioners stationed here, that I would preach to them on passing through, and not having named the hour, they were assembled when I reached the place. Conversation occupied the company a short time, and I went to prepare for the evening service. A large number of the people assembled to hear the word of God, and they paid very great attention indeed to what was delivered.

Several Tracts were distributed to the pensioners, but our stock was not sufficient to supply those who were desirous of receiving them. I therefore promised to send them some religious works by the first opportunity. If any people deserve our sympathy, such persons as these are of the number. Laid aside after many years of service for their country, and many of them slaves to bad habits, they are stationed at this inland heathen place, without any one to watch over them; no Minister is resident near them, and every man is left without check or moral restraint. I can, however, bear testimony to the decency and solemnity with which these poor people listened to the word of God.

The station of Tripassoor appears greatly reduced from its original importance. Several heathen temples are enclosed within the walls of the fort, but they are partly falling into a ruinous state. The native population does not appear large.

Trivaloor is a short distance from Tripassoor, and much more famed for its heathen temples. I went into the principal one, which has a large tank of water near it, faced with cut granite, and apparently upwards of three hundred yards square. At this place the people hold the monkeys belonging to the temple in great veneration. These are exceedingly mischievous, pulling the tiles from the roofs of the houses, and stealing and destroying every thing within their reach. No person dares to molest them, or throw a stone at