the candour of the bishop, and the humiliation of the curate. Mr. Wickes, aware that if the custom of burying in separate places should become general, the clergy would be deprived of their burialfees, brings forward his opinion, that the usual fees ought nevertheless to be paid.-Hear him: If the Dissenters are indulged in many instances, I see not the necessity of conceding all they may wish. Tho' they fastidiously, or puritanically, resist the services of the national church,' there appears little of wisdom or justice in concluding that the church should become a loser of its acknowledged rights from such fastidiousness or puritanism. I sce t 6 by him, A Self-created Committee in London, for prosecuting the Civil Rights of the Dissenters; that is," says this revereud defamer,' for sapping the foundation of the established church, harrassing, perplexing, and ruining the established clergy. Nothing can be more palpably false and malicious than this charge. The Deputies alluded to are respectable, prudent, and moderale gentlemen, annually and publicly elected by the London congregations, to preserve and defend those rights which are secured to Protestant Dissenters, by the just and mild laws of our country; but which are sometimes invaded by such intolerant priests as Mr. W. or by rude fellows of the baser sort,' who are ignorant of the constitutional liberties of Britons. ་ sities; and, by denying what is vulgarly called Christian Burial to the children of their non-conformist neighbours, excite a spirit of dis cord and disunion. We have, bowever, so much confidence in the candour of the Clergy in general, as well as of the Dissenting Body, that we believe no modern Sacheveril will attain his object. not the injustice of their becoming amenable, 10 a certain extent, for professional dues to the clergy of any particular parish (wherein their On the whole, we cannot but exown minister may officiate) accordpress our sincere regret that, in this ing to the custom of the church, enlightened and liberal age, when even as they are answerable for good men of all professions have aptheir proportion of tithes ;' the peared to approximate towards each ministers of Dissenters might be ac- other, and to put a more candid countable for fees of baptisms or construction on the religious profesburials, entered into their privileged sions of their neighbours than forregisters, as an admitted legal right merly, such clerical firebrands as belonging to the established church.’ Mr. W. should appear, endeavourAs the laws now stand, Mr. W.ing to revive all the ancient animoseems to be aware that, as Lord Mansfield decided, 'Where no duty is done, no fee can be demanded ;' but he suggests, that a provision may be made in some future act of parliament, which would effectually obviate any danger of loss by the clergy; and, indeed, if there should be a bill to restrain itinerant preaching, it would be a very proper appendage to it; but we deem more wisely of the wisdom of Parliament than to suppose that such a bill would be endured; or that, if it could pass through both Houses of the British Senate, it would ever obtain the sanction of our venerable Sovereign, who has promised 'to maintain the Toleration inviolable.' We cannot avoid taking notice of a very unjust reflection made by Mr. W. on a most respectable body of geutlemen, the Deputies of the Dissenting Congregations in and about London, whose business it is to defend the civil rights of the Dissenters. These gentiemen are styled A New Selection of Hymns, taken chicfy from the Periodical Publications; with Additions and Improvements. By Henry Paice. Price THIS is a small collection of pious hymns on evangelical subjects, and chiefly such as are experimental, few of which have appeared in any of the hymn-books now in use. Though they seldom rise to any high degree of poetical merit, they may doubtless be tiseful is the humble Christian. An Appeal to the Virtue and Good Sense of the Inhabitants of St. Martin's in the Fields, &c. on the Subject of Prostitutes walking the Streets. Price 6d. THE benevolent author of this little tract is entitled to public thanks, for the zeal and humanity he displays on a subject of so much importance to society. He points out the widely different state of male and female prostitutes; the former being accustomed, almost without condemnation and controul, to com mit the very crime for which the latter are rendered contemptible and wretched through life! The whore monger and adulterer are not less criminal in the sight of God than the licentious female, though too commonly the weaker sex alone is hunted from society, and abandoned to despair! The author quoits some respectable authorities in support of his preliminary remarks; and then alludes to the inefficacy of the system at present adopted, of taking up these wretched prostitutes, throw» ing them into prison for a short time, and afterwards turbing them loose among their neighbours, without any means being used for their restoration and conversion. Many of them, indeed, come out even more hardened and more vitiated, from the examples found in prison. The author, therefore, proposes to adopt parochial and parliamentary measures for the relief and instruction of these outcasts; so that they may everywhere gain an honest velihood by habits of industry. He says, That there is little doubt but means might be devised, under proper regulations, to.afford an asylum in each parish to thes most wretched of all buman beings, where the improvement of their marals should be a principal object. In the first place, Let them be taken out of the streets; in the next, Let us learn their real situation, that, if altogether friendless, work may be provided for them, and they may be gradually invited to return to habits of industry; by this means many might, after a time, be enabled to get places of servitude; whilst others, upon shewing their determination to return to virtuous pursuits, may find their friends still willing to receive them. However mountainous the dif ficulties in the execution of such a plan might at first appear, there is no doubt but it would be practicable. We have seen, in the very limited, though excellent Institution, the Magdalen Hospital, that, in 49 years, out of 3699 women who were admitted, 2468 have been either reformed or reconciled to their friends. It must, however, be considered, that no private institution, or rather private benevolence, would be able to effect the desired purpose. If any thing effectual is done, it must be taken up by the public; and there is little doubt, if this parish were to set the examplc, but the other parishes in Westminster would speedily follow.' In conclusion, the author points out some proceedings which have been adopted in several parishes of this metropol's, with a view to clear the streets of prestitus; but which, he suggests, can only produce temporary and partial consequences. SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. Allen's Spiritual Magazine; or, Christian's Grand Treasure,, with a Recommendatory Preface, by Mr. Romaine. A new edition, with plates. 3 vols. 8vo. Il. 8s. 6d. Parental Duties and Encouragement: a Sermou, at Newport, Isle of Wight. By J. Bruce. Advice to Youth. By the Rev. B. Wood, A. M. 2d edition. 6d. The Messiah revealed to a Jewess. New edition. 1s. An English Harmony of the Evangels.s, after the Manner of the Greek of Abp. Newcome. 7s. 6d. Seripture Lessons for Families. 6d The Protestant Dissenters' Almanack. 2s. 6d. SERMONS on the late Anniversary of】 the King's Accessioa. Two Sermons on the Jubilee. By Js. Churchill, Henley. 1s. 6d. The Friendly Monitor. By T. Finch. 8vc, 19. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. A Short Account of the Birman Empire, to which Missionaries have lately been sent, comprizing the Kingdoms of Ava and Pegu. Or this empire scarcely any thing was known till the publication of Col. Symes's Account of the Embassy to Ava, from the Government of Bengal, when Lord Teignmonth presided in it. The Birman empire derives its name from the Birmans, a warlike nation, in the region formerly styled India beyond the Ganges, the capital of which was Ava. Pegu, south of the former, is thought to have been the Golden Chersonese of the antients. This country appears to extend from the 9th to the 26th degree of north latitude, and from the 92d to the 107th deg. of long. east; about 1000 miles in length, and 600 in breadth. The origin of this country is little known; but its alphabet, literature, and religion, seem to have been derived from the Hindoos. The Birmans were formerly subject to the king of Pegu; but a revolution hap. pened about the middle of the sixteenth century, when they took Martaban. By the aid of the Portugueze, and afterwards of the Dutch, by whom they were expelled, the Peguese obtained several victories over the Birmans; and in 1752 Ava was taken, and the last of a long line of Birman kings was de posed but the Birmans again rose to consequence, and regained Pegu in 1757; and in 1793 a treaty was made between the Birmans and Sia mese. The population of the Birman empire is supposed to be about 17 millions. They follow the worship of Hindostan, not as the votaries of Brahma, but as disciples of Boodh they believe in transmigration ; after which they think that the radically bad will be condemned to Jasting punishment, while the good shall enjoy eternal happiness in the mount Meru. Their laws are inse XVII. parable from their religion. The sacred verses or forgeries of Menu, with numerous commentaries upon them, form their Sastre, or body of laws; all which seem to have been derived originally from Ceylon. Their systeni of jurisprudence is said to be replete with sound morality, and distinguished above any other Hindoo commentary for good sense: it provides against almost every species of crime, and has copious treasures of precedents and decisions. Trial by ordeal, and some passages concerning women, are offensive to European decency; but the laws boldly assert the duty of magistrates and princes in language austere, manly, and energetic. The government is despotic, but the king consults his nobles. The political importance of this empire may considerably influence the commerce of the east, and form a barrier against the ambition of the Chines.. Ava, the ancient capital, has sunk into ruins since the erection of Ummerapoors. This new capital rises, like anotherVenice, from the water. Pegu, once the capital of a kingdom, is also in ruins; but the vast pyramid, or pagoda of Shomadoo, is preserved. This temple is 361 feet high. The present city, erected on the site of the former, occupies about half its former extent, and is the residence of the governor. Tradition says, that the temple was built about 500 years before Christ. Rangoon is a new city and port, containing 30,000 souls. Martaban was another sea-port of eminence. The grand river of irrawady, which flows about 12,09 miles, is bordered with numerous towns and villages. The inhabitants of Prome are more numerous than those of Rangoon. Azacan (a recent acquisition) is also of considerable importance: it is divided by several canals, derived from a river of the same name. The forests produce abundance of timber, especially the teak-tree, famous for its durability; the fragrant sandal-tree, ebony, sycamore, 4 I Indian-fig, and the wide-spreading banyan-tree, itself a grove. Elephants abound. One of the king's titles is, Lord of all the Elephants in the World. Gold is found in the sands of the rivers of Pegu: the ruby is one of its most celebrated productions; sapphires are also found; and abundance of iron, tin, lead, arsenic, sulphur, and amber, The Birmans appear to be rising fast in the scale of political importance among the oriental nations. Knowledge increases with their commerce; and they are not shackled by the prejudices of castes. also may be deemed a civilized and well instructed people. Their police is better regulated than in most European countries: their natural disposition is friendly, and hospitable to strangers. A knowledge of letters is so widely diffused, that there are few, even of the lowest peasantry,, who cannot read and write. They When Col. Symes was at Rangoon, he met with an Italian Missionary, who had res ded in the country about 20 years; his congregation, which was numerous but poor, consisted of the descendants of former Portugueze colonisis: he had a chapel, house, and garden. Near this place is a grand temple of Shoedagon, or golden Dagon. The country abounds with convents of the Rhahaans, who are fond of public religious processions. Like the Carmelites, they go barefooted, and shave their heads: they procure their food by perambulating the town, and receiving the voluntary contributions of the pious. ; Strangers and persons of different nations enjoy a perfect toleration and celebrate their various rites, disregarded by the Birmans, who have no zeal to make proselytes. In the same street may be heard the muezzin, calling the Islamites to prayers; and the bell summoning the Catholics to their devotions. Processions meet and pass each other, without giving offence. The Birmans never trouble themselves about the opinions of any sect, provided they do not break the peace, or meddle with their own divinity GUADMA; but if any person commit an outrage, which the zealous A REPORT has lately been made by Mahomed Ibrahim, a pilgrim who visited the tomb of Mahomet, &c. for devotion. He gives fuil confirmation to what has been formerly asserted, concerning the destruction of that tomb, by a set of people called Wahabees, who are rising into very great importance in Arabia, and likely to prove very detrimental to the interest of the Grand Signior in those parts. Mahomed Ibrahim says, 'That when the Wahabees reached the holy city of Medina, it was surrendered to them by capitulation; and that their first act was to destroy the tomb of the founder of the Mahometan religion. Afterwards, when a vast number of pilgrims from Syria, Egypt, and Turkey, to the number of 15,000, arrived, desiring permission to enter the holy city, they were not only refused, but obliged to surrender their money, to resign their armis, and to return home.' 1808: Their object was to procure information respecting the religious state of the country, and to promote religious knowledge, by the circulation of the Scriptures and of tracts. They preferred a tour to these northern regions, having already Established many connections, and procured the circulation of tracts to a great extent in the south of Sweden. On August 5, they set out from Stockholm, provided with 4000 tracts for distribution. In general, the tracts they distributed by the way, and at their several stations, were eagerly and gratefully received. To preach from village to village was impracticable; for, supposing they had had permission, they were convinced it would have been difficult, from the want of the proper tone and accent, to make the natives follow them through a regular discourse. They conversed, with many on the important concerns of salvation. Opportunities also occurred, both of seeing the natives assembled in groups to hear their tracts read; and also of observing the stir, and the apparently good effects which the possession of the tracts had produced. This they remarked particularly, on returning by'some of the villages thro' which they had passed. They found an opportunity too, of giving away tracts below ground, to the work men employed in the mines.. At Sala, about 85 miles N. W. from Stockholm, there is a silver mine, which has been wrought for several centuries; but is not now very productive. The town is pleasantly situated, and contains about 2000 inhabitants. Of the church, the chief priest is a Swedish Earl. Here, as well as in every part of the surrounding country, the churches are well attended; and the Lord's Day is held in some kind of respect : but vital religion is little, if at all known; and only one clergyman could be heard of, who might really be said to preach the gospel. At Avastad, about 30 miles from Sala, and Garpenberg, 13 miles farther on, they visited the copper-works, and distributed tracts; which were thankfully received. They then proceded to Daicarlia, a very populous country, where the people are re'markable for the simplicity of their manners and independence of their character. To visit this country, as little was known of the state of Christianity among the inhabitants, had been a chief object of their journey. The people are in general poor, subsisting chiefly on milk, and bread formed of the bark of the common fir, or of straw and barley-meal which gives them a sickly appearance. Our travellers never saw a person drunk; nor could they recollect hearing a single oath among them. Very few were in possession of the Scriptures. It is a rare thing for them to purchase a Bible, as it descends from father to son for many generations; and their situation, as well as their cireumstances, put it out of their power to procure one, if they had a desire. Bibles are to be got only at their annual fairs; and there the booksellers require an enormous price. Though they seem to know little or nothing of the power of religion, they are a people whose minds are open to receive the truth. Their churches are in general very fine buildings, much preferable to the country churches in Scotland, Denmark, or the south of Sweden. At Leksand there is one of the largest in the kingdom. The parish contains about 10,000 souls; and on Sabbath, it is a fine sight to see them coming to or going from the church. The people are all dressed in one manner; and in this parish the dress is black. Near Nore is the church of Mora, a fine old building; and the dress of the people in this parish is wholly white, except the hat. There the language of Daicarlia is spoken in perfection. It is considered to be the old Gothic; very few words are Swedish; several are broad Scotch; and our travellers, on repeating a few Scotch sentences, found they were understood. The people, however, understand and can speak Swedish: they have ao composition in their own language, except a few songs connected with their ancient history and prevailing customs. The appearance of the country is in many places very beautiful; being much diversified with hills, dales, lakes, and forests. |
