CHRISTIAN. POETRY, Who is a Christian? One whom fools deride; What is a Christian ?-sprung from lineage base, A blessing drawn from an accursed race; A rebel raised to bear his Sovereign's name. Offspring of earth, but fitted for the sky. Refined, and placed it in his diadem. What is a Christian? Ask yon mournful mount, His history of sorrow to recount. It answers (echoing back that dying groan) What is a Christian? In his peaceful breast, A halo o'er the consecrated shrine. Who is a Christian? see that sufferer meek, Who is a Christian? Now a man of might, What is a Christian? In Immanuel's crown A.H. CHRIST CAME FOR OUR SALVA- Can it be, Almighty Saviour, Who can know the love that moved thee Had'st thou come to wreak thy vengeance Had'st thou sworn in thy displeasure, G. N. W. WHAT IS THIS DAY TO IRELAND? What is this day to Ireland? Another year is come; On this your new year's day, F.A.L. REVIEW. A Pocket Expositor of the New Testament. By THOMAS Keyworth. Second Edition. Hamilton, Adams, and Co., London. WE love these Pocket Commentaries. Often have we been indebted to them for some happy hint that has called to our recollection more lengthened and elaborate criticisms on the Word of God, at a time, when on some distant journey, we have been unable to obtain access to the more ponderous folios that were then slumbering in our libraries at home. On these occasions they have not unfrequently assisted us to carry on researches into the meaning of Scripture that must otherwise have been suspended. It would be ungrateful not to acknowledge the pleasure and advantage we have derived from their aid. The little volume before us is not inferior to any of the class to which it belongs. It is compiled by one who is already favourably known by his labours in the field of sacred literature, and has evidently been edited with much care and correctness. It would be idle to add our testimony to the recommendations of such men as Dr. Pye Smith, Eustace Carey, and the late Dr. Fletcher. Our object in noticing it is principally to introduce it to our Home Missionaries and Scripture Readers in Ireland, as a most useful travelling companion. Its cheap price, and convenient and portable form would make it peculiarly serviceable to them in their frequent movements to and fro; and in their visits to places where such a book as a Commentary is scarcely to be met with. The soundness of its sentiments, its judicious character, and its freedom from any tinge of sectarianism may be adverted to as a further recommendation. We shall just select two specimens, which may serve to show its general character, along with its adaptation to those who have frequently to discuss different points of the Romish controversy. 1 Thess. v. 27. "Read to all the Holy brethren. What a condemnation of all who may debar the people from reading the Scriptures is this solemn direction! What was thus solemnly enjoined respecting Paul's first letter, would, we may be sure, be attended to with regard to all others: (See Coloss. iv. 16;) and this publication of his letters would give rise to the immediate copying of them, and thus secure their pre servation and purity. It is very gratifying to trace the abundant means which the Providence of God has afforded us for preserving the purity of the inspired text during almost 2,000 years. Nearly 500 different manuscripts of the original Greek exist at this day, in various parts of Europe, several hundreds of which have been carefully compared, and found to agree in every important point. Within 200 years of the apostle's time, translations were made into several languages, which translations remain to this day. Added to these means of guarding the sacred text from corruption, we have the writings of many early Christians, containing numerous quotations. By the labours of learned men, all these have been very carefully compared, so that by comparing the various Greek manuscripts, the ancient translations, and the quotations in ancient writings, we have arrived at the greatest certainty that where they all agree, the very words of the inspired writers have come down to us in their original purity; and in the few places of the smallest importance where some manuscripts differ, it is seldom difficult to ascertain which reading has decisive weight and evidence on its side. Coloss. ii. 18. "Voluntary humility and worshipping of angels !' Some, it is likely, were for praying to angels as the Roman Catholics do, under the notion of extraordinary humility, as if they presumed not to come at once to God by Christ, the only mediator. The following prayers to angels and departed spirits are copied word for word from the Prayer-Book, used in public worship by Roman Catholics throughout the world. Pracor beatam Mariam, semper virginem, beatum Michælem archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, Sancto's Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, ommes Sanctos, et te, Pater orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.' That is, I beseech the blessed Mary, ever a Virgin, the blessed Micheal the archangel, the blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, and all the Saints; and thee, O Father (meaning the officiating priest) to pray to our Lord God for me.' Who can read this without lamenting the dishonour put upon the one only Mediator! 66.6 Vainly puffed up!' However man may think that such things arise from humility, pride is really at the bottom, as in the selftortures of the Hindoos." MISSIONARY LABOURS, AND GENeral inteLLIGENCE. IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. The Committee have for some years engaged the services of some of the students in our English Colleges to itinerate in Ireland during their collegiate vacations. The young brethren have laboured with great diligence, and with much acceptance. During the last summer five were thus employed. Mr. Thomas Arnold, from Rotherham, was appointed to Donegal, on the removal of Messrs. Jordan and Murray to Castlebar. He spent two months in that town, and preached with great encouragement there! and at some of the numerous out-stations, to attentive congregations, who listened to the glad tidings of salvation with deep interest. His visit was most beneficial to the cause in that vicinity, and prepared the way for the settlement of the Rev. H.G. Brien, who is now fixed there, and is assiduously labouring with encouraging prospects of success. Mr. William Shaw, from Highbury, was appointed to Aughnacloy, in the county Tyrone, to supply the stations of the Rev. William Fordyce, who was requested by the Committee to take an extensive Missionary tour. Mr. Shaw, through illness, was unable to fulfil his engagement, but subsequently preached for some weeks to the church in Plunkett Street, Dublin, recently under the pastoral charge of Rev. S. G. Morrison, who has uuited himself with the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Chignell, from Homerton, was appointed to supply at Ballybay, county of Monaghan, during the temporary absence of the Rev. A. Gordon, A. M., who was in England, soliciting contributions towards the erection of a Congregation Chapel in that town. On Mr. Shelley, from Cheshunt, was directed by the Committee to proceed to Maryborough, Queen's County, formerly one of the stations of the Society, but which had not been occupied since the retirement of Rev. E. Brown, now in England. Mr. Shelly's labours excited considerable attention. his return to College, he was succeeded by Mr. Henry Torrens, who had for some time been labouring with much acceptance as a missionary in the vicinity of Dublin, in connexion with the church under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. H. Cooper. Mr. Tor ren's ministry at Maryborough was attended with so much success, that the friends in that town earnestly requested that he may be permanently stationed there. Mr. Cooper and his friends have generously consented to relinquish the services of Mr. Torrens, and arrangements are about to be made for effecting the object desired. The committee regard this as an important movement. Besides Maryborough itself, where there is a neat and commodious chapel, there are several promising stations in the immediate neighbourhood, which may be easily visited for missionary purposes. Mr. Dougan, also from Cheshunt, was appointed to labour in the county of Antrim, under the direction of the Society's agents. Mr. Mc Assey, of Carrickfergus, and Mr. Bain, of Strade. The following extracts from Mr. Dougan's journal will be read with interest, especially as they show the great interest excited by out-door services. July 20. Sabbath. I walked to Carrickfergus, and preached for Mr. Mc Assey; in the afternoon I returned to Strade, and was accompainied by Mr. Bain to the top of one of the neighbouring mountains, known by the name of "My Lord's Mountain." We took our stand by the sheltered side of a shepherd's hut, and in a few moments were surrounded by about one hundred and twenty individuals, who seated themselves comfortably on the heath, and manifested the greatest attention while I endeavoured to speak to them of the love of God, and some of its most striking manifestations. 27. Sabbath. I held this afternoon an open air service on the top of the Cairn Hill, hither I was accompanied by Mr. B. When we got to the top of the mountain, which is elevated about 1100 feet above the level of the sea, the first object that attracted my attention was the remains of an ancient Druid's altar, which had been erected for the purpose of offering sacrifices to the sun. The prospect was fine and commanding. The country around, and in the distance, presented a fertile and beautiful appearance; the Lough below was almost filled with vessels of various sizes, which gave a striking variety to the beauty of the scene. It was highly gratifying to view little groups of men and women on all sides of the mountain, wending their way through the heath, and between the rocks to the top of the hill. In a short time we were surrounded with between three and four hundred. I had the privilege of addressing them on the most important of all subjects, the salvation of their souls; they were very attentive; manifested great patience, and exhibited the deepest interest in the glad tidings proclaimed. Aug. 10. This morning I occupied Mr. Bain's pulpit. In the afternoon he went to one of his usual out-stations, and I set out to steer my way over that part of the common that lies towards the north, to a place well known by the name "Mary's Wells," where I found a crowd of people sitting upon the remains of the old building, waitthe preacher's arrival; the air being rather cold, I suggested the propriety of moving a little towards the east, in search of some place more sheltered; nor had we gone far when we found a small green plain of the crescent form, sheltered by a rough rock, at the foot of which lay a large long stone, on which, taking my stand, I commenced the service by reading the 23rd Psalm, in the singing of which the little flock most heartily united. I addressed them from John iii. 36. At the close of the address, I told them that I had a number of tracts, and that I would distribute them as far as they would go, and so eager and willing were the people to receive them, that I was almost thrown from the stone on which I stood; thus I had another favourable opportunity of proclaiming the gospel by the mountain side, and distributing the bread of life to my fellow-countrymen. May these silent messengers be the means of making many wise unto salvation. The Committee cherish the hope that the labours of their young brethren, as they were very acceptable, so they will, by the blessing of God, be made permanently useful. They were themselves greatly delighted with their engagements, and most of them, on completing their College course, are intending to devote themselves to the spiritual welfare of the country, their transient visit to which has awakened so deep an interest in their minds. HIBERNIAN BIBLE SOCIETY. COLPORTAGE IN IRELAND. The Hibernian Bible Society has now been established for nearly forty years. Its design is to provide, that no family in Ireland shall remain destitute of the Bible, who is willing to receive it. It is still far from having accomplished the great object which it contemplates. Much, however, has been done. Upwards of a million of copies of the Scriptures, in the authorised version, have been put in circulation.Nearly 40,000 copies of Bibles, Testaments, and Portions, in the Irish language, have been distributed amongst our Roman Catholic countrymen; five hundred auxiliary institutions have been formed; correspondence has been opened with all parts of the country respecting the object and operations of the Society; many formidable difficulties, which threatened its progress, have been surmounted; much valuable experi ence has been acquired; public confidence has been gained; and the Hibernian Bible Society, in reviewing its by-gone history, has abundant reason to thank God, and take courage. The Committee are aware that the sphere of their labours may be much increased; and they now seek to go forward, although they anticipate in their projected field of exertion, much hostility resulting from ignorance or prejudice. They desire ever to keep in view the great object proposed in the formation, and indicated by the very name of their Society, to offer the Bible to every family in the country, who is still unprovided with the blessed volume. In this untoward movement they are encou raged, not only by the auspicious progress which has been vouchsafed to the Society hitherto, but by the remarkable success which has attended similar operations going forward on the Continent of Europe. The employment of. Colporteurs in France and Belgium has led to the conversion of many souls. Why should we not try a similar agency in Ireland, and anticipate similar results? Doubtless, there are difficulties attendant on the work, which are peculiar to this country. Still it is the purpose of God, that His word should be made known to every creature under heaven, and that the kingdoms of this world should become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ. The obligation that rests upon us is clear. The duty is arduous: but, "Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain!" Even though we do not succeed,-better, incomparably better to fail, than not to make the trial. Engaging in this great work in full consistency with the constitution of the Society, the Committee devolve upon their Auxiliary Associations to appoint Colporteurs, (or Bible distributors,) and to superintend them in the performance of their duty. The Committee will, however, gladly afford all practicable aid. At first they had proposed to limit their assistance to grants of books, accompanied by such advice or suggestions as their experience should dictate. But, on more mature consideration, they have resolved to supply, (when necessary,) money as well as books, and to guarantee for the payment of Colporteurs, a sum not exceeding 10s. per week to each, in all cases where such grant shall be required. To this resolution they have come from their earnest desire to see this work cordially, simultaneously, and vigorously commenced; and from the determination that nothing on their part shall be wanting to encourage their friends to engage in it with decision and alacrity. They are fully aware of the formidable pecuniary responsibility which they incur by this resolution; but they have been cheered by the expression of brotherly sympathy, and by the promise of liberal help from the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society; and above all, they have been sustained by looking to Him, to whom belong the silver and the gold, in humble confidence that He will provide the requisite means for carrying on a work which seems to be so fully in accordance with His holy mind and will. The Committee trust that these advances will be met by a corresponding spirit of zeal on the part of their friends over this country. They have indeed already had ample reason to be sanguine on this point. When the subject of Colportage was lately under discussion, letters were sent out to all the Associations, to solicit a statement of their views respecting it. A remarkable harmony of sentiment was thus elicited; and from every county in Ireland answers have been received, all of them expressing high approbation of the plan proposed, and the most eager desires for its success. The Committee rejoice to learn that this movement has been so auspiciously com menced in Dublin. They trust that it will be speedily extended over the whole city, and that the churches of Christ, both here and elsewhere, will be led to consider, as before God, and in prospect of the judg ment day, their duty in this matter, and whether they be not now called by divine providence to engage in one bold determined effort to offer the word of eternal life to every destitute family, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, in all Ireland! In conclusion; the friends of the Gospel in Ireland occupy a station of imposing prominence at the present moment. They have reached a critical period in the history of their country. The events of every month, of every hour, inculcate the necessity of prompt, simultaneous, combined energetic exertion, in order to uphold and sustain the cause of evangelical truth. The eyes of Christendom are now directed to the Protestants of Ireland. May they have grace enabling them to evince a spirit worthy of the position which they hold, and of the crisis on which they have fallen!-"Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."-Rev. xxii. 12. German Catholic Church.-The affairs of the German Catholic community have arrived at a new stage. The congregations both here and at Heidelberg, applied at their very outset for licences from this Government, for the public celebration of divine worship. In answer to this, a ministerial, rescript has been issued. to the effect that their application cannot be complied with till they form a recognised chief, with complete civil right, or at least till they have applied for and obtained formal toleration as a religious community. The so-called German Catholic Church will make, as such, but little progress in this country. The appearance of some persons has greatly injured it here; but it would be a great mistake to suppose that the religious movement, which spreads more and more, would gradually give way to the old indifference. On the contrary, the idea of a union of Roman Catholics and Protestants in one Christian Catholic Church, is much approved of in many quarters [?], and we believe that a decided crisis in that direction may very probably not be long delayed.-Mannheim, Dec. 3. IRELAND.-The "Godless Colleges."— The Dublin Warder states that priest Kirwan has been appointed to the professorship of the new college at Galway, and his appoint ment notified to him by the Chief Secretary in a disgustingly fulsome letter. The following is an extract :-" His Excellency is induced to select you for that important post, in consideration of your connexion with the county of Galway, as a minister of the Roman Catholic religion in one of its most extensive parishes, and in deference to the testimonials in your favour which his Excellency has received." Even the Evening Pucket, which usually supports the ministerial policy, terms this " a gross violation of all public decency." It calls loudly for no less than" everlasting shame" upon the Government of Sir Robert Peel for this proPopery act. This appointment is pretty significant of the intention of Government to allow the "godless colleges" to become in the hands of the Popish faction, that which the Irish national schools are- -Popish schools. Another priest, named Kane, has been appointed President of the " godless" college at Cork. The appointment of vice-president of the Belfast godless college seems to be " conciliating" all parties, in the usual fashion, by producing their indignant denunciations universally of the job. One Dr. Thomas Andrews, who is declared to be "without the experience necessary," is appointed to eke out the president, Dr. Henry, who is declared incompetent." This seems in keeping with the entire folly of Freemantle on this godless question. An incompetent president and an inexperienced vice-president, and a denunciation from the Liberal, and Romish, and Conservative, and. Protestant press on all sides, show forth the beauty of ungodly conciliation in a very conspicuous light.-Statesman and Dublin Christian Record, Dec. 16. |