A equal firmness the strong solicitations made for an advance by Government, of a loan to the mercantile and manufacturing interests; alleging the impropriety of such advances, except in very peculiar cases, as a matter of principle, and the absence of any necessity to justify the advance on the present occasion, as means have been devised for enabling the Bank of England to afford a considerable degree of accommodation, without the interference of Government. third point in which ministers have been obliged to summon a still stronger degree of resolution, has been respecting the opposition made in various quarters to their plans for encouraging the freedom of trade, and which has assumed a somewhat serious shape in consequence of the embarrassments and distresses of the country. They have, however, continued resolute to their salutary purpose; and have received the warmest sanction of large majorities of both houses of parliament, including the cordial suffrages of the leading members of the Opposition. They have not however yet ventured to attack the two great monopolies of corn and sugar, the injurious effects of both of which are far greater than those of any other monopoly which they have yet opposed. In both instances, the voice of the public will be, and has already been, expressed most strongly in favour of a more wise and just and liberal system; and we are persuaded that the private interests of individuals, however numerous influential, will not be able much longer to prevent the introduction of a more enlightened and rational policy. or The spirit of reformation is on every side powerfully at work: this very month has presented several instances of the strong desire both of Government and Parliament to amend whatever is amiss in our laws and usages: our multifarious statutes are being consolidated; our county courts are to be placed on an improved footing: a report has been presented to parliament proposing very important, though we fear not sufficiently radical, improvements in the court of chancery itself. Even the usury laws have been most justly admitted by Lord Liverpool to be unfounded on any wise principle, to be injurious in practice, and to need a careful consideration. These and various other projected improvements all tend to convince us, that neither the support of slavery in the West Indies can long secure the monopoly of sugar, nor the exclusive and very doubtful benefit of the landed interest among ourselves the monopoly of bread. We have not space at present to detail the proceedings of parliament on all the topics alluded to in our last paragraph: we shall only touch on one or two of them. With regard to the admirable plan in progress for consolidating and improving our statute law, Mr. Peel has brought in a bill to simplify and amend no less than ninety-two statutes respecting the crime of theft; the whole substance of which he has comprised in thirty-two pages, chiefly by describing the criminal action on general principles, instead of particularising individual cases. The statutes respecting theft have hitherto been full of anomalies, inequalities, and inconsistencies. The main object of the bill will be, in the language of the mover, "to facilitate the conviction of guilt, and the aquittal of innocence." Besides the labour of consolidation, Mr. Peel has introduced several important amendments in the existing laws. He purposes to carry the plan of consolidation into other departments of our criminal law; but has begun with the crime of theft, on account of its being the most common cause of commitment. Last year, out of 14,437 persons committed for crimes, no less than 12,530 were charged with that of theft. The state of Colonial Slavery has undergone several discussions in both houses, and, we rejoice to say, so far with the same result that scarcely a single voice has been raised to defend or even to palliate its enormity. The resolutions passed by the House of Commons in 1823 on the subject, have been solemnly and unanimously adopted by the House of Lords. In both houses, a very large number of petitions on the subject have been presented by members of every class of political life; and, in the House of Commons, the trials of slaves in Jamaica, in 1824, for alleged conspiracy, have undergone an investigation which has called forth an unanimous opinion of the evils of the whole system of which those trials form a characteristic illustration*. Ministers have however declined adopting any new specific measure for the present; but have admitted the extreme grief and disappointment of Government at the opposition which their plans and suggestions have met with in the colonies, and have pledged themselves to draw up a general bill to be presented to the several local legistatures, either for their adoption, rejection, or modification; and to govern their future line of proceeding by the The substance of the proceedings in parliament respecting slavery, during the present month, has been printed in the Anti-Slavery Reporter, No. 10; and may be had for twopence. result. We deeply lament, that so unavailing a course, which can end only in farther delay and disappointment, should yet be thought of. It cannot possibly tend to any favourable issue, and it is therefore impossible not to deplore the intended procrastination, especially after so much time has been already lost, and the evils of the system and the blood of its victims have so long called for prompt and efficacious measures of reform. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has presented his financial scheme to parliament. The commercial embarrassments of the country prevent its being altogether so cheering as at one time was expected. It is however, upon the whole, a favourable report. Mr. Robin ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS. Rev. P. Candler, Letheringsett R. Norfolk. Rev. W.Carter, Quarrington N. co. Linc. Rev. C. Child, Orton Longueville and Bottle Bridge R. co. Hants. Rev. Dr. Coppard, Famborough R. Hants. Rev. W. Dalby, Warminster V. Wilts. Rev. J. Horner, South Preston R. co. Linc. Rev. R. Mitchell, Fryerning R. and Eastwood V. Essex. Rev. R. A. Musgrave, Compton-Basset R. Wilts. Rev. C. J. Ridley, Larling and WestHarding R. Norfolk. Rev. W. J. Rodber, St. Mary at Hill R. London. Rev. G. Taunton, Stratford St. Anthony R. Wilts. Rev. W. Thresher, Tichfield V. Hants. Rev. E. J. W. Valpy, Stanford Dingley R. Berks. Rev. T. Singleton, Archd. of Northumberland. Rev. C. A. Moysey, Preb. of Wells Cathedral. Rev. H. Pepys, Preb. of Wells Cathedral. Rev. T. Allies, Wormington R. co. Glouc. Rev. E. Bagshawe, Eyam R. co. Derby. Rev. E. Beans, Llanderfel R, co. Merioneth. Rev. W. Birch, Burford V. co. Oxford. Rev. R. Blake, Great Barton V. ca. Suffolk. Rev. H. C. Cleaver, Hawkhurst P. C. Kent. Rev. Thomas Carlyon, Truro R. Cornwall, vice his father deceased. Rev. W. Fawcett, Brunswick Chapel Ministry, Mary-le-bone. Rev. A. Foster, Rushmere V. co. Suffolk. Rev. J. Hallward, East Thorp R. co. Essex. Rev. G. Johnson, Hinton Bluet R. co. Som. Rev. J. Lynn, Newcastle V. Rev. C. Musgrave, St. John's Church, in Roundhay P. C. co. York. Rev. R. Č. Phelips, Montacute V. co. Som. Rev. J. Poore, Rainham V. co. Kent. Rev. H. H. Rogers, Pill R. Sormerset. Rev. J. Sanders, Towcester V. Northamptonshire. Rev. E. Vincent, Chirkton V. Wiltshire. Rev. R. Wilson, Ashwelthorpe R. with Wreningham cum Nayland annexed, co. Norfolk. Rev. Temple Chevallier, St. Andrew, Oxford. Rev. John Allen, Domestic Chaplain to the Earl of Mountnorris. DISPENSATION. Rev. C. B. Rawbone, to hold Caughton V. co. Warwick, with Buckland V. Berks. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. R. A. H.; GAMMA; A. A.; E. C.; I. S.; A COUNTRY CURATE.; T. S.; H-¤; AN UNDERGRADUATE; A—a.; J. W.; are under consideration. We are requested to state, that two papers on "Not at home," inserted from the pages of the Christian Observer among the posthumous tracts of the late Mr. Hey, are found to have been written not by Mr. Hey, but by the Rev. H. Woodward of Ireland. The friends of Mr. Hey were misled by the signature W. H. which Mr. Hey usually employed, and are anxious to acknowledge and rectify the mistake which they have ascertained to be the only one of the kind which has occurred. The British and Foreign Bible Society has received the half of a bank post bill fo 1007. from an Anonymous Friend. THE CHRISTIAN OBSERVER. No. 292.] APRIL, 1826. [No. 4. Vol. XXVI. RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. possessing none of those talents by which mankind are usually dazzled, nor any of the qualities best calculated to fix the gaze of the multitude, some apology may, to many persons, seem necessary, for an attempt apparently so intrusive and uninteresting. But there is a character which, when eminent in its kind, has an infinitely stronger claim on the attention of a rational creature, than any which rests on the basis of mere worldly greatness; one, the excellence of which often very essentially consists in its modest unobtrusiveness-a character which, however lightly esteemed" on earth, is the never-ceasing subject of" joy in heaven"-that of the humble, sincere, believing Christian; and, in a work dedicated to the highest objects which can en gage the attention, or warm the CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 292. heart of man, the subject will carry with it its own apology. Mr. Charles Martyr was born at Greenwich on the 6th of August, 1792, and entered his Majesty's Navy in 1807, as a clerk in the of fice of Lord Gambier's secretary, on board the Prince of Wales. In the following year, he was transferred to a similar situation in the secretary's office under Sir John Borlase Warren, then commander-in-chief on the North-American station. His indefatigable attention to the duties of his office procured for him, towards the close of 1808, an appointment from the commander-inchief, to act as purser of the Centurion of fifty guns; to which situation he was confirmed by the Admiralty in March, 1809, when he had not yet attained the age of seventeen years. In this early part of his life, he was remarkable for uncommon mildness of temper, urbanity of manners, and kindness of heart. In the numberless temptations to which a young person is subject, on first entering the naval service, he yielded, perhaps, less than most others have done under similar trials; for, to a discretion much above his years, he added no small share of that kind of moral courage, which meets and resists ridicule by its own weapons, and which enabled him to ward off many an attack to which a mind of less firmness and decision might have fallen a prey. Mr. Martyr was a most dutiful and tender son: and as a brother he was extremely affectionate. He was always respectful to his superiors, obliging to his equals, and kind and 2 C satisfaction, unmixed with a single feeling of regret, except for his irreparable loss. condescending to the humblest individual. All these excellent qualities may indeed be said to have grown with his growth;" and few young men have ever been more generally respected and beloved. In giving this account of Mr. Martyr's early disposition and character, no panegyric is intended. On the contrary, it is expressly designed to shew-what, as will be presently seen from his own papers, he was himself most anxious to inculcate that all these moral qualities, however estimable in themselves, may, and often do, exist in a heart which has not advanced a single step towards "the one thing needful;" and that he whom the world calls "amiable" may, as regards the religion for which Christ lived on earth, and the redemption to procure which He died, have "neither part nor lot in the matter." In December 1810, Mr. Martyr was appointed purser of his Majesty's ship the Leander, of fifty guns, and, in the year 1811, was raised to the more responsible situation of secretary to Admiral [afterwards Sir William] Young, then commanderin-chief of the North-sea fleet; forming, perhaps, a solitary instance of such an office being filled, and creditably filled, by so young an individual. In this situation his exemplary conduct recommended him so strongly to Rear-Admiral Griffith, who was then captain of the fleet, that when the latter subsequently took the command at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1816, Mr. Martyr accompanied him as his secretary; and was at all times honoured by the most unreserved confidence, and entire esteem, of that meritorious officer. It was at this period that the writer of these pages had first the happiness of becoming acquainted with him; an event which laid the foundation of a strong mutual friendship, terminated only by his death, and of which the retrospect must ever afford the most heartfelt At the commencement of the year 1816, Mr. Martyr was suddenly called to England on account of his father's death; and, on his return to Halifax, after having performed the melancholy duties occasioned by this event, he seemed to have acquired a tone of somewhat greater seriousness, though, as will appear from his own account, no deep religious impression had as yet been made upon his mind. The high character which he had now attained for quickness and punctuality in business, as well as for that thorough and inflexible integrity which distinguished all his actions, proved the means of his receiving, through the recommendation of his excellent friend and patron Admiral Griffith, the situation of agent to the Naval Hospital at Halifax. Being thus, as he had then every reason to hope, comfortably settled for life, he was, in May 1817, united to a lady of that town, to whom he had been long and ardently attached; and of whom it is sufficient to remark, that, during a series of previous as well as subsequent trials, extending up to the afflicting moment of his death, she proved herself every way worthy of his best affections. He was not, however, long permitted to enjoy the state of domestic comfort and tranquillity which this event produced; for, when he had been thus happily settled little more than twelve months, the establishment to which he belonged was abolished; and he therefore, shortly after, returned to England, to gether with the rest of his brother officers thus unexpectedly thrown out of employment. From about this period it is, that the real interest of Mr. Martyr's life commences; for to this time may be traced the first faint dawn of vital religion in his heart. The writings which he has left behind him are so explicit on this subject, and on many others connected with his Christian progress, as to leave little or nothing in this respect for his friend to perform, but the selection of such portion of his papers as may appear the most interesting and profitable. Nearly the whole of these were expressly written to individuals among his relations; the greater part consisting of addresses to his children, which most parents may profit by perusing, and still more by adopting the feelings which they express. From these latter, which were written at different periods within the last five years of his life, the following extract is first selected, as containing an interesting and affecting account, characterised by great simplicity, of the means to which, under the providence of God, he appears mainly to have attributed his first serious and Scriptural views of religion. It is addressed to his eldest son. "It is now nearly five years since I commenced my inquiry and search after religious truth; and, although I have availed myself freely of the writings of many able and pious men, the Bible, I can assure you, has been the grand mine I have worked; and I trust I have done so in God's own appointed way. "I know, my dear boy, that as the holy Scriptures were dictated at first by the Spirit of God, so do they now owe their effects and influence to the Spirit's operations; for the things of the Spirit, as the Apostle says, are spiritually discerned. It is through a disregard to this grand consideration that many men, who by study apprehend well enough the letter and grammatical sense of the Scriptures, are still without its power and energy upon their hearts. Thus their heads are full while their hearts are barren; and what to the humble inquirer, who, by constant prayer for the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and by searching for religious knowledge as for hidden treasures, becomes the savour of life unto life, becomes to the man, who, wise in his own conceit, leans to his own understanding, the savour of death unto death. It has been with this conviction strong upon my mind that I have constantly prayed for a teachable spirit. I have prayed, my dear boy, that all my prejudices might die, and that with the spirit of a child I might receive instruction. In this spirit have I incessantly ap. plied to the Fountain Head for that wisdom which is from above; and having the positive assurance from Him who cannot lie, that if any man lack wisdom let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him; and that he was to ask in faith, nothing wavering; I have been enabled to persevere from time to time, never for an instant doubting that I should eventually be led to a knowledge of all that is necessary for my salvation. And, as my prayer has also invariably been for that peace and joy in believing which the Scriptures speak of, I have likewise fully assured myself, that, whenever it should please God to open my eyes to a full acquaintance with Divine truth, I should possess a joy which the world could neither give nor take away. In neither instance have I been disappointed. "When I was first told, my dear child, that my religion, respectable as it seemed in my own eyes, and in the estimation of most of my acquaintance, was heartless, and that I was trusting more in myself that I was righteous, than in the merits and atonement of Jesus Christ for my salvation, I was angry; I denounced the young friend who whispered it into my ear, which she did with meek kindness, as a fool, an enthusiast, a methodist. She, however, mildly persevered, assuring me that she knew enough of me fully to convince her that I should eventually agree with her upon all essential points. She simply, but firmly, told me my creed was imperfect; |