far deeper anxiety and alarm on evils arising within ourselves. There are strong indications of Romanism in many who sincerely repudiate the system of Popery. External regularity and ecclesiastical forms, are in many cases contended for more vehemently, if not valued more highly than the life of God in the soul. People are warned far more against belong ing to a wrong Church, than they are

against having a wrong state of heart in a right Church. The supreme authority of the written word of God is undermined by the inordinate value which is placed on tradition. In fact, the current of Popery is setting in on our Church, and will, I fear, be her severe affliction, unless Almighty God in mercy roll it back. For this let us devoutly pray."

THAT the religious establishments of this country have been, to a considerable extent, partakers of the national guilt, will readily be admitted by many who may justly be ranked among their best friends and warmest supporters; and acknowledged to be a cause of deep sorrow, and a call for national humiliation and repentance. The facts which appear upon the surface, and are wholly undeniable, prove the matter beyond contradiction. Ungodly men have been put into the ministerial office, and the sacred services of our holy religion have been gone through in a formal and careless manner, by numbers, whose lives were a perfect mockery of the truths they professed to teach. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ has been either silently smothered, or even openly assailed by too many of those who were sworn to uphold and propagate its sublime and saving truths, and to "drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God's Word."* While the people have grown up in ignorance and immorality, their nominal pastors have too often been engaged in the amusements of the field or the drawingroom, sporting, singing, dancing, and card-playing; leaving their neglected flocks to "perish for lack of knowledge," as sheep without a shepherd."

*Ordination Service for Priests.

Nor will it be generally denied that circumstances of peril and anxiety beset our Established Churches; weakened as they are at present, not less by inward divisions, than by the defection of former adherents, and the combined array of formidable and fierce assailants. The questions of Church-rates and Endowments (not to mention other sources of alarm,) in England; the recent disruption, which has left but the shadow of a Church in Scotland; and the depressed and critical position of our sister Establishment in Ireland, present us with abundant occasion for serious thought, if not gloomy foreboding of the Divine judgments now impending over us, and earnest consideration of the causes which have brought us into a state at once so alarming and afflictive.

These causes have been variously stated, and we mean not to dwell upon them at present. We think it more profitable to single out one particular cause; not as being the only one, but very influential;-an evil of long standing, general prevalence, and extensive influence-we mean the abuse of Church Patronage: a sin which has, probably, tended more than any other cause, to bring religion into disrepute, and loosen its hold upon the consciences of men, in nations professing Christianity.

The principle of parochial endow

ments was a noble idea, the vigorous putting forth of a strong religious feeling, in healthy, and active exercise; and, whatever alloy of superstition may have been mingled with the motives of those who gave it birth, it was doubtless, in itself, a grand and generous thought, worthy of those palmy days of young Christianity, when great sacrifices were freely made for great objects, and splendid monuments were erected to tell to posterity that our forefathers did not " offer to the Lord that which cost them nothing." It was, surely, a grand design, to place in every district of manageable extent and population, a rightly ordained minister of the Gospel; not dependent upon voluntary support, nor subject to popular caprice, and irregular impulses; but bearing his high commission as a minister of Christ, to dwell in the midst of his people, as the pastor of the flock, allied to their interests, yet superior to their influence.

Nor was it discordant with such a design, to confer the patronage of the parish church, thus erected and endowed, upon the original founder, and his lawful heirs. Who could be supposed more likely to take an interest in the spiritual welfare of the flock, and to exercise the responsible right of presentation with more jealous care, than the members of that family, whose liberality had originated the pious design, and to whom the spiritual charge was handed down, as an heir-loom, from their godly ancestors, at once a test and token of hereditary piety?

Surely, it never entered into the minds of the munificent donors, that the right thus acquired, would ever come to be regarded as a species of property, which might be sold by auction to the highest bidder-that it would be employed, by their degenerate successors, for private profit, and family interest-instead of promoting God's glory, and the eternal welfare of immortal souls!

But so, alas! it has been. Church patrons have become Church plunderers; and family livings are now regarded, by too many, as places and pensions, upon which idle or less

gifted members of the fortunate family may live and enjoy themselves; as long as they decently discharge the regular routine of duty:-too often, indeed, conferred upon individuals the most unfit for the sacred office, and thus becoming prolific sources of public scandal, family sin, and family disgrace.

Thus, when a young man of careless character, and loose morality, is training for the Church, the usual account given of the gross inconsistency is he expects a family living. But the evil influence of the system, as at present existing, does not end here. Not only does the occupant of the family living display, in his sporting character, and fox-hunting propensities, a genteel superiority to the vulgar cant of those puritanical preachers who would, in his esteem, be "righteous overmuch;" but his influence, as a man of the world, is sure to reach far and wide among the neighbouring clergy. He may be the younger branch of some aristocratic family; at any rate he is born a gentleman; and the peculiarities of his position lead him to exert considerable influence for the depreciation of all those qualities which ought to elevate the pastor in the eyes of his people.

We know there are honourable exceptions to these remarks; but the truth of the statement cannot, we believe, be denied, that, generally speaking, the family living is anything but the home and family of living souls; rather it is a scene of spiritual desolation and death-a solitude where silence reigns-silence disturbed only by the revellers at the ale-house, or the ranters at the chapel.

But the abuse of patronage is by no means confined to family livings. The College-the Chancellor-the Church herself, have alike betrayed their trust, and trafficked in the care of souls, for party interest, or paltry gain.

Suppose a pious patron, having no children, or choosing rather to make God his heir, has bequeathed his advowson to the College-a religious foundation-whose rule enjoins its members to follow a holy and unworldly life, so as to be the salt of

the earth"-" the light of the world." In making this bequest, he reasonably expects that he is securing, as far as may be, a perpetual provision of sound learning, serious piety, and exemplary ministerial character for the parish, whose spiritual welfare he has deeply at heart. Let us see how the practice corresponds with such an idea. A vacancy occurs in the College living by the death of an aged incumbent; and the learned fraternity send down a reverend brother to fill the empty post-a man much more at home in the study than the pulpit, and, possibly, much better acquainted with the duties of the table or the combination room, than with those of a country parson. He is no fox-hunter, it is true, and, perhaps, a very indifferent shot; but Greek, and Latin, and Mathematics, are poor substitutes for earnest preaching, and household visitation. The meeting-house fills, and the Church is almost empty; while he drones on against schism and enthusiasm; never dreaming that his lukewarm moderation, and dull orthodoxy may be wounding the Church as fatally, though not as scandalously, as the cold-hearted carelessness, and downright worldliness of his balland-play-going brother.

How long is this system to last? Surely it is high time that tutors should be taught that College livings are not to be disposed of on the same principle as dishes at a college feast, first come, first served! It is not every man who holds a fellowship, especially if he has held it for twenty or thirty years, and has stuck as fast as a rusty nail into the College walls, that is fit to be pulled out, and made one of the pins of the sanctuary. It is not such an one that is likely to prove, like Eliakim the son of Hilkiah—“ a nail in a sure place," upon which they may safely "hang all the glory of his father's house, from the vessels of cups to the vessels of flagons.' Much more wisely and Christianly did those good old monks of Iona manage this matter; when they sent Aidan to Northumbria, be

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*Is. xxii. 23, 24.

cause they saw he was a fit man to instruct an ignorant and unbelieving people; thus proving that they had a just sense of the value of immortal souls, and a correct knowledge of the means requisite to win them.*

If from the private patron, and the collegiate body, we turn to the public officer, we shall find abuses still more flagrant. If to make religion a trade was mean and mercenary, to make it a tool of government, and its endowments the rewards of political partizanship, what was this but downright profaneness? That this has been notoriously the case, who will deny ? The Rev. A. M. writes a clever article in a Quarterly Review in support of some ministerial scheme; puts forth opportunely some pointed political pamphlet; or is known to have given his vote and influence on all occasions like a thorough-going partizan; this is the fairest passport to ecclesiastical preferment; the loaves and fishes of the Establishment are at his service; and, if he does not attain to one of the higher niches of clerical dignity, the deepest mangers of official patronage are open to his feed.

His neighbour, B. A., is a man of more learning, and (what is far more important in a Christian minister,) of deep piety. He is universally respected for his quiet, temperate zeal for truth, and consistency of character; having laboured earnestly for years in the holy work of Christianizing, elevating, and improving the temporal condition of the poor of his flock. Yet he is left to toil on under the load of a large family, with a scanty income. His votes have been given without any strong political bias, in favour of loyalty, religion, and morality. He is in public, as in private, the stern, unflinching enemy of bribery, corruption, injustice, and irreligion. Hence he is allowed to remain, unnoticed by the public patrons, to receive his reward at the hands of that righteous Judge, "who will render to every man according to his deeds.”

Thank God, there are some splendid exceptions! That a Sumner should occupy the chair of the Primacy is a

*Bede Ecc. Hist. iii. 3, 5.

bright relief to this gloomy picture, and one which will ever reflect credit on the Minister of the Crown, who dared to break through the thorny hedge of political demarcation, and bestow honour where it was so justly due. It is only fair to add, that other instances might be adduced, in which a Conservative Ministry have acted with equal impartiality. But, alas! the exceptions are so few, as to confirm the rule.

Surely past experience should have taught men in power, that to employ Church patronage for purposes of political expediency, is to play with an edge-tool which may be turned against themselves. Have we not seen the very men thus unworthily promoted to ecclesiastical power and place, becoming the scorpion-scourges of the government, the most restless and troublesome occupants of conspicuous stations; agitating the public mind with their stinging invectives; embroiling Church and State in continual conflict, and even recompensing their former patrons with contumely and contempt?

We come to the case in which the Church herself, in her rulers and representatives, has been entrusted with the care of her own patronage. Here we must admit that the distribution of preferment has not been guided by political interest; but has not the predominance of nepotism in the Church been scandalously notorious?

It is true that a bishop-a dean— is but a man; and it might naturally be expected that a regard to family and friends would exert considerable influence in the distribution of the good things of the Establishment. But this is no sufficient reason and excuse for so flagrant an offence in a spiritual patron, who ought to be elevated far above the suspicion of worldly motives, as an example to others of zeal for God's glory, and the salvation of souls.

What, however, has been the true state of the case? Some bright instances of disinterested integrity being admitted to exist, has not the general complaint, throughout the Church, been, as is recorded in the life of

Bishop Hopkins: that " Dr. Anthony Sparrow succeeding to Exon, with a full nest of female young, all hopes of preferment (for the married priest) in that church, quickly vanished?"*

And even where no specific charge of this nature has been laid at their door, is there not too often, (as in a case alluded to by the late Sydney Smith, in his letter to Archdeacon Singleton,) a tacit and understood barter of spiritual for temporal preferment a giving away of good livings to the rich who can recompense, rather than to the poor parson who can not-in short, a (perhaps involuntary) consideration of how much honour, influence, and favour can be purchased by the appointment, rather than how much good may be done : how true religion may be most promoted, and the Church of Christ edified?

It is painful to dwell upon such a subject as this, and every well-conditioned, and well-principled mind will shrink from an employment which is, at the best, apt to soil the Spirit, and cloud its purity; and which, at all times, presents an aspect of "speaking evil of dignities;" an appearance of arrogant presumption, and uncharitable severity. But, while we earnestly deprecate all unnecessary and unbecoming harshness; we feel that the disease must be eradicated, if possible, at whatever cost; that its symptoms must be investigated, however painful and disgusting the operation, in order that the remedies may be applied. Therefore, without further apology or delay, we propose, God willing and assisting us, to proceed at once to consider the causes to which the growth of this enormous evil may probably be ascribed.

CLAVIGER.

(To be continued.)

* Works of Bishop Hopkins, Vol. i., p. 22. Life by Rev. J. Prince. It is added: "Could this excellent person, with all his worth and accomplishments, have heen admitted to the least dignity in that cathedral, (I have some grounds to assert it,) he would not have taken up a thought of moving further."

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"I've lost my whole fortune," said a merchant, as he returned one evening to his home; we can no longer keep our carriage. We must leave this large house. The children can no longer go to expensive schools. Yesterday I was a rich man; to-day there is nothing I can call my own.

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"Dear husband," said the wife, 66 'we are still rich in each other and our children. Money may pass away, but God has given us a better treasure in those active hands and loving hearts."

"Dear father," said the children, "do not look so sad. We will help you to get a living."

"What can you do, poor things?" said he.

"You shall see, you shall see," answered several cheerful voices. "It is a pity if we have been to school for nothing. How can the father of eight children be poor? We shall work and make you rich again."

"I shall help," said the youngest girl, hardly four years old. "I will not have any new things bought, and I shall sell my great doll."

The heart of the husband and father, which had sunk within his bosom like a stone, was lifted up. The sweet enthusiasm of the scene cheered him, and his nightly prayer was like a song of praise.

They left his stately house. The servants were dismissed. Pictures and plate, carpets and furniture, were sold; and she who had been so long mistress of the mansion shed no tear. "Pay every debt," said she, "let no one suffer through us, and we may yet be happy."

He rented a neat cottage, and a small piece of ground a few miles from the city. With the aid of his sons, he cultivated vegetables for the market. He viewed with delight and astonishment the economy of his wife, nurtured as she had been in wealth, and the efficiency which his daughters soon acquired under her training. APRIL-1849.

The eldest one assisted her in the work of the household, and also assisted the younger children. Besides, they executed various works, which they had learned as accomplishments, but which they found could be disposed of to advantage. They embroidered, with taste, some of the ornamental parts of female apparel, which they readily sold to a merchant in the city.

They cultivated flowers, and sent bouquets to market in the cart that conveyed the vegetables; they plaited straw; they painted maps; they executed plain needle-work. Every one was at her post, busy and cheerful. The cottage was like a bee-hive.

"I never enjoyed such health before," said the father.

"And I never was so happy before," said the mother.

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We never knew how many things we could do when we lived in the great house," said the children; "and we love each other a great deal better here; you call us your little bees."

"Yes," replied the father, "and you make just such honey as the heart loves to feed on."

Economy as well as industry was strictly observed; nothing was wasted. Nothing unnecessary was purchased. The eldest daughter became assistant teacher in a distinguished female seminary, and the second took her place as instructress to the family.

The little dwelling, which had always been kept neat, they were soon able to beautify. Its construction was improved; vines and flowering trees were planted around it. The merchant was happier under his woodbine covered porch, in a summer's evening, than he had been in his showy drawing-room.

"We are now thriving and prosperous," said he; "shall we now return to the city?"

"O no, no, 99 was the unanimous reply.

"Let us remain," said the wife,

M