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In commencing the third year of the publication of the Village Churchman, the Editor feels constrained to offer a tribute of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the measure of success which has attended its career, and for any good, however small, which it has been the privileged means of effecting. That it has been sent forth midst many imperfections, he who has conducted it, is fully aware; but that it has been his endeavour, at all times, to render it a feeble instrument of good he trnsts will be acknowledged by those who see much which needs correction and improvement.

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The Editor has nothing new to advance as to the principles which have been the guide of his past conduct, further than that the experience of the past has confirmed his views, that truth is always most effectually subserved by being spoken in the spirit of love. But by truth is not here meant, a garbled or a feeble expression of it: no false delicacy in withholding a part lest it should give offence; for the truth when honestly spoken, must give offence; but the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It was well observed by the Rev. Mr. Cecil, "It is a foolish project to avoid giving offence; but it is our duty to avoid giving unnecessary offence. It is necessary offence if it is given by the truth; but it is unnecessary if our own spirit occasion it."

The reader will observe a slight change in the arrangement

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of the Articles of the New Series of this Magazine; this change it is hoped may be of advantage, from the admission of matter bearing more directly upon the great errors of the day. The assistance of several Talented Writers has been secured, to whom the Editor would take this early opportunity of tendering his sincere thanks; and from whom he will at all times be most happy to receive any suggestion, which may tend to give greater interest and benefit to the work.

To the Friends of the Village Churchman, the Editor would take the liberty to say, let us one and all study carefully the doctrines and the discipline of the Church, and thus we shall become not blind, but intelligent members of her communion; and above all, let us pray that grace may be given us, to walk worthy of him, who hath "called us to glory and vir tue." Let us cultivate more and more "the spirit of unity and godly concord:" yea, and so strive to shine forth conspicuous for what is excellent and good, "that they who are of the contrary part, may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us." Let us endeavour to shew that whilst we have Communion with the visible Church below, we have also share and interest in that mystical body which is composed of all faithful people; and that whilst with our lips we profess attachment to the Church established in these Realms, with our lives we evidence and give proof that there is a higher body to which we belong, even the Church of Christ.

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The Friends and Supporters of this Magazine are desired to remark, that it is designed chiefly for a class of Churchmen whose means and opportunities preclude them from reading works of greater expense and higher character of talent. style therefore adopted is intended to be as simple and unpretending as possible, whilst the matter is sound, judicious and practical. The Editor presumes to think that he is occupying a portion of ground almost unoccupied before by the literature of the day, and therefore, whilst other publications of greater merit and utility receive public support, he indulges the hope that his own will receive at least some share of the patronage of true and consistent members of that Church, whose interests, in the smallest degree, he would count it an honour to promote.

In closing this introductory paper, the writer would not neglect to remind the reader that the commencement of a new year ought to bring with it a train of thoughts of the most serious kind. What may befal us, as a Church or as individual members, during this year, is known only to God. The

remembrance of past mercies should stir up within us a feeling of thankfulness; the thought that we know not what a day may bring forth, should teach us to be watchful; and the cheering promise that "all things shall work together for good to them that love God," ought to make us both diligeut in doing, and patient in suffering, the will of God. The times are full of warning; but the Christian can say, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. "Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea: though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of our God, the holy place of the Tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early."

"HINTS ON POPERY."-No. I.

"Ask for the old paths."-Jeremiah vi. 6.

INTRODUCTORY.

No spectacle is more inspiriting to a true-hearted Briton than THE VILLAGE CHURCH. And as the humble villager crosses the churchyard on his homeward way after the labours of a weary day, it may often occur to him to inquire "who built that time-honoured fabric where his fathers have worshipped for so many ages?" During these "Hints" I intend to answer the question which has just been asked. Many of our oldest Churches were built previously to an important period of our history, called THE REFORMATION. It is very desirable that you, my friends, for whom these hints are intended, should rightly understand the character of this event. You are aware perhaps that it speaks of a great change which took place in the religion of the country-you know perhaps. that it was the means of securing for yourselves and your little ones the free use of the Holy Bible-you know also that it was the occasion of abolishing gross, superstitious, and ridiculous mummeries; but it is necessary that you should know more than this. For in these days, many insidious persons are endeavouring to mislead you as to the true character of that old superstition which once reigned supreme throughout our land, under the name of POPERY. Designing men are now

endeavouring to persuade you that it is a very harmless sort of thing-erroneous perhaps in many of its principles, but not to be dreaded by any thinking and independent minds.

The friends of Popery in the present day are two-fold. First, those who (adhere to the religion and submit to the power of the Pope of Rome in England; and next, those lukewarm Protestants who look upon the Papists as very mistaken yet very harmless and ill-used. In order that you may take some interest in the subject, we must inform you, that however erroneous you may think Popery to be, and however you may boast in this adage" The truth is great and will prevail;" yet their false system is increasing again fast in this country. Some facts which I shall hereafter lay before you will prove this. And what is more formidable still, the Popish party are gaining very great power in the Houses of Parliament and the councils of our sovereign. Theirs is a political as well as a religious system. They are at this moment a very powerful body in the Government of our country; their influence over the Legislature is now felt in every Act of Parliament, and may soon be felt in every cottage in Britain. We do not wish you to suppose that they will ever convert, or rather pervert, the steady and Bible-reading Churchman: but they will do this-they will prevent the plans of Christian Senators from being efficient in themselves, and in accordance with the earnest desires of a religious public; they will cripple our national resources for the promotion of true and scriptural godliness, and they will obtain additional grants of money for the support of Popery in our colonies, with the view of rendering a Protestant nation indifferent to the promotion of either truth or falsehood.

Observe then, Christian friends, that Popery is both a religious and a political scheme. It contains the most monstrous perversions of saving truth, and aims at the most tyrannical mastery over the wills and governments of markind. Its religious creed has been very accurately settled. The creed of the Council of Trent, established A.D. 1564, defines the nature of modern Popery. That creed enforces on the conscience of every individual of the Romish Church articles of faith which are contrary to the express declarations of the Word of God. It denies the holy Scriptures of truth to be the only standard of faith; it allows unwritten traditionsthe decrees of Councils, and the authority of the Pope, to dispense with and interpret Holy Scripture at pleasure. This

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