report on this occasion to his Imperial Majesty. After which follows the Emperor's Ukase or proclamation.

"We PAUL, &c. having been certified by a special report of the most holy synod, of the discovery that has been made in the convent of Spasso-Sumovin, of the miraculous remains of the most venerable Feodose, which miraculous remains distinguish themselves by the happy cure of all those who have recourse to them with entire confidence: we take the discovery of these holy remains as a visible sign, that the Lord has cast his most gracious eye in the most distinguished manner on our reign. For this reason, we offer our fervent prayers and our gratitude to the Supreme Dispenser of all things, and charge our most holy synod to announce this memorable discovery throughout all our empire, according to the forms prescribed by the holy church, and by the holy fathers, &c. The 28th September, 1798."

The following anecdote, however, from the same work, and on the same subject, almost exceeds credibility:-"I knew a Russian princess, who had always a large silver crucifix following her, in a separate carriage, and which she usually placed in her bed-chamber. When any thing fortunate had happened to her in the course of the day, and she was satisfied with her admirers,

she had lighted candles placed about the crucifix and said to it, in a familiar style,- See, now, as you have been very good to-day, you shall be treated well-you shall have candles all night -I will love you-I will pray to you.' If on the contrary, any thing occurred to vex this lady, she had the candles put out, forbid the servants to pay any homage to the poor image, and loaded it with reproaches and revilings!!!"—The author closes the chapter with this sensible paragraph:-" I shall not particularize all the superstitions with which such a religion, if it deserves that name, must necessarily inspire an ignorant and enslaved people. It seems the present policy to thicken the clouds of error, which the genius of Peter, the humanity of Elizabeth, and the philosophy of Catharine, sought in some degree. to attenuate. While we pity the state of degradation under which a great people crouches, we should do justice to the enlightened Russians, by whom it is lamented; but they are chained by prejudices, as the giant Gulliver by the Lilliputians; his bonds were weak and imperceptible as his enemies were minute, but every one of his hairs were separately fastened to the ground, and he was unable to raise his head."

In addition to the books already mentioned, I. shall close this article of the Greek Church, with recommending the REV. WILLIAM TOOKES'S His

tory of Russia, which may be satisfactorily consulted on this as well as on other subjects; it is replete with information*.

PROTESTANTS.

UNDER the appellation of Protestants, we include all who dissent from Popery, in whatever country they reside, or in whatever sects they have been since distributed. Abroad they are divided into two sorts-the Lutherans, who adhere to Luther's tenets; and the Reformed, who follow the discipline of Geneva. They were called Protestants, because, in 1592, they protested against a decree of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, and declared, that they appealed to a general council. At present this vast class comprehends those whom Papists used contemptuously to style Hugonots in France; the Refugees in Holland, who fled thither upon the revocation of the edict of Nantz, 1685; the Presbyterians in Scotland; the Episcopalians and Nonconformists in England; together with a numerous body of Christains in America.

* Mr. Tooke is well known as the able translator of Zolikoffre's Sermons, which are well worth the attention of the religious world.

F

As the Protestants originated at the REFORMATION, it will be proper to give a brief account of this illustrious period of Ecclesiastical History.

THE REFORMATION IN GERMANY.

FOR the three first centuries the religion of Jesus Christ stood on its own basis, was rapidly propagated among Jews and Gentiles, and suffered severe persecutions from the Roman emperors. At the commencement of the fourth century, Constantine became a convert to Christianity, and incorporated it with the state. "It was not till the fifth, or near the sixth century, that the Bishop of Rome arrogantly assumed an illegal supremacy over his fellow pastors, and in process of time aimed at a secular government of princes as well as subjects. Though several emperors embraced and defended Christianity, yet the gradual decą y of the Roman empire was a serious impediment to the rising preachers of the newly established religion. Those accomplishments which adorned the conquests of the Romans, and the perfection of science, which had dignified their state, in such an extent, were gradually swept away by the barbarous nations which defeated them, and the close of the sixth century could not trace a vestige of that exalted nation's government, or its laws. Between four and five hundred years was

the glorious luminary of the gospel eclipsed by the dismal return of ignorance and of superstition*. To these dark ages (as they are by some justly termed, and by others, called the night of time) are to be attributed the doctrine of indulgences, partial absolution, transubstantiation, the creation and worship of saints, purgatory, monastic seclu

* The Crusades, commonly called the holy wars, were expeditions undertaken by the Papists to drive the Turks from Palestine, or the land of Judea, and thus to rescue the holy sepulchre out of the hands of infidels. There were eight of these crusades, the first in the year 1096, the last in 1270, assisted by Prince Edward, afterwards Edward 1. King of England. The number of lives lost in these Quixotic expeditions, is incredible; and it will remain to future ages a matter of astonishment, how -enthusiasm and superstition could so completely infatuate the human mind. An account of the crusades is given in Robertson's Charles the Fifth, and in Hume's History of England. Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered, elegantly translated by Hoole, is founded on the crusades, and affords considerable amusement.

The Inquisition was a tribunal erected by the popes for the examination and punishment of heretics. It was founded in the twelfth century, by Father Dominic and his followers, who were sent by Pope Innocent the Third to inquire into the number and quality of heretics, and then to send an account to Rome. Hence they were termed Inquisitors, and their court the Inquisition. This infernal court was established in all Italy and the dominions of Spain, except Naples and the Low Countries. Its cruelties were shocking beyond description; and were only one half of the bloody tale true, yet even then there is sufficient to freeze you with horror! See Dr. Chandler's History of the Inquisition, which is full of interesting information on the subject.