Baena, Maria de Virves, Maria de Cornel, and Maria de Bohorques, all of them distinguished women, who nobly endured the torture, and death itself, "not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection."

But I can pursue this subject no further. Persecution did its work effectually, and Spain was rid of heresy. The Reformation was extinguished in that country. Those who fled found refuge in France, in Switzerland, in Germany, the Low Countries, and in England. Churches of Spanish Protestants existed for a time in Geneva, in Antwerp, and in London. In some cases, the Spanish Protestants united with the exiles from Italy, and joined in their Churches. But, in process of time, they and their descendants became absorbed in the Churches of the native Protestants in the places where they settled.

As to Spain, having now extin

guished the lights which had for a while been kindled in her midst, a heavier gloom than ever settled down upon her, and upon the countries which had been colonized from her. Superstition, ignorance, and bigotry have had an undisputed reign over both during almost three hundred years. And what have been their fruits? They are to be seen in the political decline, diminished wealth, restricted industry and commerce, degraded morals, uncultivated intellect, deplorable distractions and civil wars, and general unhappiness, which prevail in those countries. From being the first political power in Europe, Spain has sunk so low, that, with a population of sixteen millions of souls, she is hardly equal to Denmark, which has not two millions. And as to the Spanish countries on the American continent, there is not one that is capable of maintaining a good constitutional government.

SISTERS OF MERCY AT DEVONPORT. The details of the singular transaction at Devonport have been so fully brought before the public in the newspapers, that it is unnecessary for us to give them to our readers. The episcopal investigation was a melancholy exhibition: most melancholy as bringing to light the Popish character of an institution which might be fraught with the greatest good, and the object and constitution of which is most urgently called for and unexceptionable; and most melancholy as presenting a father of our Church in anything but a creditable and desirable position. It is impossible for any one to have read the account impartially without detecting the positive tendencies of the Bishop of Exeter. The attempt was made to throw dust into the eyes of the public by the denouncement of the

flowers, &c., but the substance of the mischief was left untouched, and the bishop could only be regarded as the special pleader and determined advocate of his angelic heroine.

We are utterly at a loss to conceive how the bishop, with all his professions of orthodoxy and strict canonical order, passed over in total silence the fact of Dr. Pusey being a frequent visitor at the institution; and not only so, but administering the Lord's Supper there. It may be that he had the countenance and permission of the clergyman of the district; we must conclude indeed that it was so; but ought not the Bishop of Exeter to have known enough of Dr. Pusey to satisfy him that it was quite as well that he should confine his pastoral labours within his own charge, and leave the pastoral functions of Devonport to its own clergy? And

had not the Church of England a right to expect that the bishop would not have ended his investigation without as promptly denouncing Dr. Pusey's interferences as he did the flowers? Was his silence on the subject likely to disabuse the minds of the public of all suspicion of his sympathy with Dr. Pusey? Alas! that the enemies of our Church should have such a plausible handle for their purposes as the Bishop of Exeter affords them! It is impossible to contemplate such proccedings as that unhappy man is carrying forward without regretting the anomalous position of our Church, in that while, for the clergy generally, there exist laws for their suspension and punishment in case of evil practice or principle, and the legislature is continually turning its attention to their amendment and completion, a bishop can pursue a course subversive of the best interests of the Church with impunity. We have had socinian bishops: would that we could be quite sure that we have not at this moment a bishop who calls in question the inspiration of the entire Scriptures! We have, moreover, a Bishop of Exeter who is doing what man can do to Romanize or dissenterize the whole of a diocese, whose ultraproceedings have scarcely an advocate in the kingdom beyond his own expectants and flattering hangers-on; and yet there seems to be no power in existence to arrest so unseemly and detrimental a course.

But the Devonport case, we fear, does not stand alone, nor is that part of it which has been passed over in comparative silence, the least important-we refer to Dr. Pusey. We are apt to speak as we wish, and every one is ready to express a hope that Puseyism has seen its day and is on the decline. There is every reason to fear that it is awfully merging in neology and infidelity, which are now said to be more rampant and prominent at Oxford than Puseyism, but we own that we have never been amongst the number of those who could indulge the hope of the real decline of the latter, since

our conviction has been that Puseyism has only changed its phases and varied its mode of action to the times. Things were not ripe for its bolder and more unblushing progress. The step must at once be taken into Rome, or they must lie for awhile in ambush. The latter course has been chosen ; but who can trace the steps and watch the movements of Dr. Pusey, and not feel satisfied that quietly and secretly he and his partizans are advancing their objects, and doing what in them lies to Poperize our beloved Church? The case at Devonport stands not alone. A similar institu.. tion is forming in London close to Mr. Dodsworth's church, with which it is said that it is to be connected by a subterraneous passage; a lady of considerable fortune and good family, (we know her name, the daughter of a baronet,) has devoted her substance and her services to the cause; and Dr. Pusey is a constant visitor at the institution. We have been told that the sisters confess to him monthly, but we cannot as yet vouch for the truth of this.

And just as we are receiving the particulars of this proceeding in London, we hear from a friend of the assiduity with which Dr. Pusey is visiting a lady of our acquaintance, in delicate health, in great affluence, and with most benevolent habitsmay we not suspect for what purpose? We know how much of religious feeling he can manifest to overcome and mislead a timid, scrupulous conscience, and with what Jesuitical ingenuity he can keep in the background all that would be deemed objectionable and tend to thwart his influence.

The whole Church may well be asking, and has a right to ask, what the Bishop of London is doing in this instance. If a vigorous and unequivocal influence had been put forth in that quarter, how much of the terrible mischief that has been progressing with Mr. Dodsworth might have been prevented! What a feeder to Popery has that church been! What numbers have such men as Messrs. Dodsworth, and Bennett,

and Irons carried forward into the bosom of the Romish Church in spite of themselves!

No doubt they will furnish materials enough for the working of these sisterhoods of charity; and while they will scarcely be content to rest short of Rome, what an influence will they be prepared to extend in the same direction!

We have long wished that there might no longer be room for invidious comparisons between the Churches of England and Rome as it respects such institutions. They have been found to work well on the Continent, and why not in England? We do hope that the one which is about to be established in Liverpool will be thoroughly Protestant in its character and proceedings. Yet before we are taunted with less considerate provision for the poor and afflicted than the Romanists manifest, it must be borne in mind that an amount of good is effected in the present day by district visitors, and more private means. And with every disposition to admit the importance of more regularly organized systems of nurses and visitors for the poor, we cannot but admit the validity of the objections which many are ready to make against

the severance of females from all other occupations and associations, and their congregating together in the same domicile. There is much to be said on both sides.

TRACTARIANISM.-(From the Morning Herald.)-" We are greatly obliged to the Rev. T. W. Allies, Rector of Launton, Oxon. He has just now published a book, called 'Journal in France, in 1845 and 1848, with Letters from Italy in 1847.' This book must bring matters to an issue between the Protestant Reformed Church and the Papal Church in England.

"If Mr. Allies is allowed to remain as a teacher and a beneficed clergyman in our Church, our Church is to all intents and purposes a Papist church. We will quote an expression or two from this extraordinary book, merely premising that Mr. Allies was for some years examining

chaplain to the Bishop of London, from whom he received the living of Launton, and that his tendencies to Popery have been for some time so notorious and strong, that his intention of joining the Romish communion was very confidently stated. It would appear that he has altered his plan, and that he means rather, if he can, to bring the English Church over to Popery, than to leave the Church himself, and go to Rome.

"Mr. Allies appears to have taken every opportunity during his travels of assisting at the idolatrous ceremony of the mass! The following is one entry in his journal :-Tuesday, July 1. I assisted at M. Lebbe's mass, in the lady chapel of the cathedral.' (Rouen.) The cure of the same cathedral asked whether there was not an inclination in England to imitate Popish ceremonies? And what was the answer of this Protestant clergyman? 'I told him I hoped the inclination was something more than that.' Mr. Allies believes in the ridiculous and disgusting fraud known by the name of the miracle of the "Addolorato.' He thinks that to pray by 'a gigantic figure of Christ' is a 'great help to devotion.' But, above all, Mr. Allies is not only a believer in transubstantiation, but he thinks that the maintenance of this outrageous heresy is the centre and life of the whole Roman Church.' He has, at all events, spoken out. These are his words:- 'I said,' (at Bishop Luscombe's table) 'that there were really only two ideas on the doctrine of the Holy Eucharist. The one was a real, true, objective presence of our Lord's body and blood; the other, no presence at all, but an impression produced by faith on the individual- -a commemoration, or what not! If we agreed, as we did, with the Church of Rome in the former view, it was better not to fight about the mode in which she had stated it! her real intent being to force a shuffling and evasive party to accept or reject the truth distinctly." Mr. Allies, therefore, believes in transubstantiation; and moreover, this gentleman, for some years an examining chaplain to a Protestant Bishop of London, has the effrontery

to state that the English Church agrees with the Papal on the subject.

66 In answer to Mr. Allies, we will merely print the 28th Article of the Church:-The supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death; inasmuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ, and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ. Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of bread and wine), in the supper of the Lord, can not be proved by Holy Writ, but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions. The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the supper, only after a heavenly and spiritual manner; and the means whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the supper, is faith. The sacrament of the Lord's supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.' Mr. Allies has sworn to his belief in this article, and he is receiving a very handsome income from the Protestant Church for teaching her doctrines; yet he asserts that the doctrine of the Church of England is identical with that of Rome on the subject of the Eucharist; and he assists at the 'carrying about, lifting up, and worshipping,' of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper!

"Does the Bishop of Oxford, the diocesan of Mr. Allies, mean to permit this teaching in his diocese? We can wait though not long-for an

answer.

وو

CHURCH AND STATE. - (From Lord John Russell's Speech in the House of Commons, March 15.)-The Premier, in one of his happiest moods, at once placed the whole question on its true basis. He said,Neither do I concur in the opinion that the Established Church is simply a benefit to its members. Omitting the particular form in which the church rates

are levied, I think I am justified in saying that an established church in any country, but particularly the Established Church in this country, is not simply a benefit to those who belong to it, but a great tribute and homage to religion on the part of the people at large; and certain I am that the nation, so far from being advantaged or improved, would be degraded and dishonoured by the abolition of the Established Church. If it be not so, I know of no argument for the abolition of church rates which would not be equally potent for the abolition of tithes. If the Establishment do not exist for the good of all, how can you stop short at that point, and, sparing the tithes, be content with the abolition of church rates alone?" "

CHURCH OF ENGLAND METROPOLITAN TRAINING INSTITUTION. -The Committee could have wished that by this time they might have been warranted in commencing the erection of an institution both for masters and mistresses. It is, however, obvious, that the extent of support they have already received, encouraging as it is, will not permit them to do this with prudence. To complete such a work, at least £20,000 is required from private resources, to meet £8,000 from the Committee of Council. At present the offers reach only £9,000; and, unless a speedy and liberal response is made to this appeal, the committee must be content to begin with one department of the institution; at the same time they feel that they cannot too strongly press on their friends the pre-eminent importance of completing the whole plan without even a month's unnecessary delay.

The necessity for immediate action will be apparent from the fact that above 1,000 persons have been apprenticed in Church of England schools, under the Minutes of Council, since April, 1847. On the expiration of their apprenticeship, these young persons must undergo a further course of instruction, for a period of about two years, before they will be qualified to enter upon their pro

fessional duties. The most promising of such pupils will, as Queen's scholars, receive exhibitions for such Training Institutions only as are under the inspection of the Committee of Council. All the existing institutions of that character are utterly inadequate for the accommodation of such an accession of students. This is especially the case with respect to institutions for females.

Under these circumstances, it would be well that all clergymen and managers of schools who are enjoying, or who expect to enjoy, the benefit arising from the employment of pupil teachers, should seriously consider what is to become of these young persons when the period of their pupilage expires.

The committee feel bound to press, with unusual earnestness, upon every lover of evangelical truth in the Church of England, the urgent necessity for co-operation, on a scale beyond the usual amount of contributions to religious societies. No one can consider the moral and social evils which are deepening daily among the masses of the people, without the secret consciousness that this is not the time for wrapping ourselves in the mantle of our own virtues, and indulging in mutual congratulations upon our peace and safety." Physical force will not long chain down the inward restlessness with which society is heaving. Other remedies must be applied, and what can be more suitable to the case than these Training Institutions? To raise up a continual supply of teachers, of well-cultivated powers and spiritual minds, who shall bring up the next generation in " godliness and honesty;" this is unquestionably meeting the evil.

66

But the scheme wants energetic support: not one-half of the required funds is yet provided. To organize an institution, on the scale proposed, is no slight undertaking: nor will the ordinary ratio of giving meet the case. There are very many persons, within the United Kingdom, who love their country, and love Him whose favour has made her great; with them the committee confidently plead for help.

If worldly men, to soothe their pride, or to gratify their ambition, can carry out their schemes with lavish prodigality, is it too much to hope, that the followers of One who " gave himself for us," may be constrained to make some substantial sacrifice for the accomplishment of a work so manifestly conducive to their Master's glory?

THE SABBATH.-We are always thankful to see such movements as the following letter refers to. Even if the object is not carried, it cannot but have a salutary influence for the faithful servants of God to enter their public protest against a crying evil. The honour of God demands it, and it is a leaven which may eventually extend a sufficient influence.

There are many forms of Sabbath desecration existing, and, we fear, increasing, which would scarcely be credited. We were shocked to hear lately in York of the too prevailing habit of the shoemakers to work the whole of the Sabbath, and to make Monday a day of recreation. One street in particular has been noticed, which is chiefly occupied by shoemakers, and in which more will be found working on the Sunday than on the Monday. How little do such men regard their temporal advantage, to say nothing of higher considerations. Mr. Graham's observations on this point in the following letter are worthy of all consideration. It is refreshing to see the sound, healthy Scriptural sentiments which have been put forth by so many operatives in the Essays on the Sabbath. May their wholesome leaven spread in all direc

tions!

"To the Shareholders of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway.

"Edmond Castle, Carlisle,
March 8, 1849.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,-I beg to inform you that I propose at the annual meeting of the proprietors of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway Company to be held at Newcastle, on Tuesday the 27th inst., to renew the motion I made last year for the cessation of all work on the Lord's Day,