Education that the peasantry of the adults, thirty-two classes in the Day south can be led to emulate the virtues Schools, containing 488 scholars, have of the northern inhabitants."

been returned by the Inspectors as SCHOOLS.

entitling their teachers to extra remune« The Schools of the London Hiber ration, in consequence of the proficiency nian Society are of a three-fold charac of the Scholars in the Irish language. ter, Daily, Adult, and Sunday. The The number of children instructed in first intended for the poor of both sexes; the Irish language may appear to some the second for the uneducated part of small; but the experience of the eighthe grown population; and the third teen years in which the Society has for Children who attend the Daily been encouraging Irish instruction, conSchools, and other persons whose leisure firms the fact, that, however highly the may permit their attendance.

vernacular tongue may be estimated by “Admission into these Schools is, the adults, it is not desired by many of without regard to religious distinction, them for their offspring.” free to all. Instruction is conveyed

SCRIPTURE READERS. through the medium of both the English “The Committee have recently been and Irish languages, and the system engaged, in connexion with the Dublin comprises Reading, Writing, Arithme Committee, in forming more specific tic, and committing the Scriptures to regulations for the conduct of the Scripmemory; all Catechisms, Tracts, and ture Readers. books of religious controversy, are “Many of the most efficient readers excluded, and the Scriptures, without have been Roman Catholics, who were Dote or comment, are alone permitted to originally employed as teachers in the be introduced into the Schools of the Schools, and whose minds were graSociety."

dually enlightened by the same ScripDAY SCHOOLS.

ture lessons which they were required “The number of Day Scholars has in to teach the children: and some of a small degree diminished. The num whom have, prior to their being remuber of Protestant Scholars has indeed nerated by the Society for this especial increased from Twenty-three Thousand service, endeavoured to bring the and Twenty-nine, to Twenty-four parents of the children entrusted to Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty- their charge, to attend to the word of four; but the number of Roman God; and have, in so doing, encounterCatholics has diminished from Twenty- ed no small degree of opposition." one Thousand Six Hundred and Ten, to

HOLY SCRIPTURES. Eighteen Thousand Seven Hundred and « The British and Foreign Bible SoSixty-six ; a diminution of nearly Three ciety has granted for the Hibernian Thousand Scholars. The Committee Society's use, no less than 5,000 English state, that this diminution is far less Bibles, and 20,000 English Testathan might have been expected, consi ments, and 250 Irish Bibles, and 500 dering the violent and persevering oppo Irish Testaments. The distribution sition to which the Schools have been during the last year has amounted to exposed.

18,468 Bibles and Testaments, making, “Of the 520 day schools, connected with those of former years, an aggrewith the Society during the last year, gate of 186,429 copies of the word 258 have been under the direction of of God.” Clergymen of the Established Church, The Report of the Dublin Auxiliary 12 under the superintendence of Minis- contains the following passage, ters of various denominations, 154 in “A charge has been repeatedly preconnexion with Noblemen, Ladies, and ferred agaiust the London Hibernian Gentlemen, while 86 are still destitute Society of using the Bible as a schoolof regular patrons or visitors.

book :-if this charge is meant to infer “The Sunday Schools have, during that the Sacred Volume is employed as the last year, considerably increased, an elementary book to teach spelling amounting to 271, and containing and reading, it is wholly without foun14,869 scholars; while the Adult dation. The Society has its own spelSchools have amounted to 223, con- ling and reading books, and the Bible is taining 8,719 scholars."

not placed in the hands of any child IRISH LANGUAGE.

who is not capable of reading it with “The greater part of the Adult tolerable fluency, and of generally Scholars are instructed in the Irish understanding its meaning. The great language; and, in addition to the object of the Society is, that the use of the Scriptures shall not be a mere matter address. It was amidst the storm of form; the pupils are taught to read, of controversial discussion and he mark, learn, and inwardly digest them.' could truly aver, that he preferred even

" It has been, and it ever will be the that tumultuary assemblage, because, boast of the London Hibernian Society, when called upon to vindicate the Lord's that it thus makes the Bible its School cause, in the midst of the Lord's eneBook; and it is from not allowing in mies, he was supported by the strength the practice of its Schools any oppor- of the Lord. Having traversed the tunity for latitude' or 'evasion' in length and breadth of Ireland's ignothe use of it, that the Commissioners rance and degradation-having peneof Education Inquiry account for the trated its mountain recesses, and opposition it has always encountered.” explored the very lurking-places of its

When the Report was concluded, the superstition-he could honestly and Secretary stated, that letters had been conscientiously attest the excellence and received from the Bishop of Llandafi value of the London Hibernian Society. and Wm. Wilberforce, Esq. expressing He would advert to a few points of their regret at being unable to attend peculiar importance, as regarded the the Meeting. He also explained the efforts of that Institution. And first, reason why the Society was under the he regarded it as the Pioneer on the inevitable necessity of altering its day march of British benevolence to that of meeting this year from the 10th to ill-fated land-or rather, it was the the 16th of May. The fact was, though forlorn hope, which went forth boldly the Hall had been engaged by the Com- and manfully to combat the giant mittee last summer, for the 10th of May, Superstition, and spiritual tyranny, yet it appeared that another Society had, dominant in that island. In those as far back as June 1826, engaged it battles it stood alone. It had no fellowfor the same day, though the fact had workers to cheer it in the day of doubt escaped the recollection of the propri- -no guiding star to harbinger its etor until it was too late to provide marshalled hosts, or point out the path another place, in sufficient time, and to victory. It had to toil in the very large enough to accommodate the num sweat of its brow, and work out, by ber expected to attend. The postpone- repeated experiments, and unparalleled ment of the Meeting to the present day discomfitures and trials, the best and was thus unavoidable.

most practicable system for the moral The Meeting was addressed by the regeneration of Ireland. And it has at Earl of Winchelsea, the Rev. J. W. length achieved a triumph, whose Cunningham, the Rev. Mr. Hastings, results are graven on the hearts of (Vicar of St. Catharine's, Dublin) the thousands ; it has matured, and nobly Rev. Dr. Thorpe, the Rev. W. Sibthorp, acts upon a scheme of Christian benethe Rev. B. Allen, of Philadelphia, the volence; the best-indeed, the only Rev. Daniel Wilson, the Rev. Mr. one calculated for the meridian of IreHildyard, the Hon. and Rev. G. T. land's moral degradation.-Secondly Noel, J. E. Gordon, Esq. the Hon.C.J. He could truly state, it was the London Shore, and the Hon. F. Calthorpe, M.P. Hibernian Society which gave the first From these speeches we should make impulse to Christian feeling in Ireland large extracts, did our limits permit. itself. Not a foot of its soil had he The following speech of Mr. Gordon is trodden, where this fact did not meet too important to be omitted ; especially him in irrefragable testimonies. This as that gentleman has just returned from Society had given the first right direcIreland, where he has been employed tion to that feeling when once excited, since last July in the service of another and was the first to adopt a system Institution, but with abundant oppor- of supervision in the arrangements tunities of ascertaining the actual state of its schools, which rendered it imand operation of the numerous Societies possible to have its regulations eluded, established for the improvement of that or the Society itself deceived. He country.

meant the system of inspection, whereby Lieut. J. E. GORDON, R. N. observed, the proficiency of the scholars was made that the last time he had the honour the test of the teacher's fidelity to his of standing before his Lordship as trust, and also the standard for estimaChairman, it was in a scene far differ- ting the amount of his remuneration : ent from the peaceful and exhilarating thus linking the improvement of the one presented by the intellectual assem pupil with the interests of the teacher, bly, whom he now had the honour to and enlisting the most powerful of human motives on the side of scriptural mit the Scriptures to memory, and for education.—Thirdly, The whole system that purpose must take the Bible to his of Scripture Readers--one of the home after school hours. The Holy Scripmightiest agents in the work of Ire- tures are thus brought within the reach land's regeneration, was the original of those who dare not receive or puroffspring of this Society. In the gra- chase them from other quarters. The dual training up and cautious exami parents hear the sacred Volume read to nation of those readers, it had the best them by their children--are led to talk guarantee for their fidelity and useful about its extraordinary contents--some ness, and now the example of this are thus advanced to doubts-others to society has been imitated by others. full conviction. This is especially the Three other societies adopt the plan of case in the province of Connaught, seripture readers after its model; and where the Bible Society's efforts are one has been established for that pur peculiarly circumscribed, and where, pose exclusively. Fourthly, The Hiber therefore, the Hibernian Society's schools nian Society had been the means of are its efficient auxiliaries. Again, effecting a discovery not less important he greatly admired a feature of this sothan hitherto misconceived or obscured ciety, namely, its capability of working -he meant as regarded the Irish lan- against wind and tide-of making its guage. Here, the Society had established way into places where other societies upon the broad basis of facts and expe- could never have penetrated but by fol. rience the important theorem, that while lowing in its wake. He had heard it the adult Irish are in many cases bigot- said, that the Hibernian Society, being edly, nay, enthusiastically attached to peculiarly hateful to the Catholic priests, their vernacular tongue, they are not it is therefore not fitted to make its way less determinately hostile to its being in Ireland : but he could positively astaught to their children, nor less ardently sert, and prove to demonstration, that, desirous that the blessings of an English on the contrary, it has invariably proved education shall be imparted to the rising the pioneer and precursor of every good generation. This he regarded as a dis- work in that land. Every other society covery pregnant with important results, have been grafted upon its stock, and lest, on the one hand, the needful mea- none have been more successful in prosure be neglected as regards the existing ducing a re-action on the part of the adult population of that land ; or, on Catholic people against the spiritual the other, updue value be set upon the despotism in which they were enthralled. extension and cultivation of the ver- It has frequently set the second man nacular language as regards the youthful of the parish in opposition to the first part of its population. Again, he would that is, it often opposes the authority bear his decided testimony to the value of the school-master and parish clerk, of the Hibernian Society, as having to that of the parish priest. One obserelicited those PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS which vation more. "He had sometimes heard have ended in the conviction of many, a burlesque of argument in the shape and the conversion of not a few of that of objections to this Society, viz.—that its now—inquiring people. He regarded schools were miserable hovels, scarcely it as no mean honour conferred upon to be detected in the wide surface of the Society, that its schools had been many square miles. Now he would more the object of hosiility, and its simply state what occurred in his own meetings more systematically opposed, observation, premising that he saw no than those of any other benevolent or necessary connexion between mud and religious institution in that land. It morality; and that he really regarded had indeed been the special butt and it an excellence of this Society, that the point of attack of that foul and black hedge schools of Ireland were frequently band of conspirators who were leagued the very nucleus upon which it estain unholy alliance against the spiritual blished its own. If it had done no more Welfare of Ireland's inhabitants. Fur- than succeeded in banishing from these ther, every school under the Hibernian schools, such books as Reynard the Society is not only a sort of auxiliary to Fox, and Freney the Highwayman, and the Bible Society, but in itself an effi substituted the living Word of God, cient Bible Association. This could this alone were an incalculable good. indeed be properly understood only by Once, when literally on a school-hunting iristimen, he would therefore try to ex- excursion in the county Mayo, accomplain. Let it not be forgotten that in panied by a clergyman of the district, Those schools every child is bound to com- and in its widest and most solitary regions, in the vicinity of Croagh Pat- credible how such a number could be rick, that celebrated resort of superstition, stowed away in an area of twelve feet he asked, “ Was there not a Hibernian square-but the fact was, a small shelf School in that vicinity.” The reply was or gallery was stuck up round the walls, in the affirmative, and he was directed and on this shelf were seated the little to look towards a something, that had fellows, who if left below, could scarcely the appearance of a habitation, but have escaped suffocation. On my inscarcely one fit for the residence of hu- quiring of the master whether the Scripman beings. He would endeavour to tures were read in the school, he looked describe it. One side of the dwelling at me as if he thought I was very ignoconsisted of a huge granite rock, about rant of the Hibernian Society's regulanine feet high, the other three were mud tions, and said—“ To be sure, Sir, they walls, the roof, covered with turf. The are.” “ Call up," said I, “ your Scripwhole forming an area within, of about ture class."-" Halloa !” says he, “ you twelve feet square. He approached, and Scripture boys and girls, stand up." observed the school-master standing in This was accomplished, not without the door way; no other aperture was in some difficulty,—and up stood two-and the hut, nor was there any other possible thirty of his pupils, who read and gave place for the master to stand ; for within their answers to the Scripture questions the area, -crammed together as com- with fluency, and an evident preception pact as bees in a hive, were eighty- of the meaning of the text, and evinced seven children of different ages-a few how perseveringly and faithfully the girls among them. It may seem in- master had discharged his duty.

• REGISTER OF EVENTS.

CATHOLIC QUESTION. The House of Commons having formed itself into a committee, resolved—“That this committee deem it expedient to consider the state of the laws affecting his majesty's Roman Catholic subjects in Great Britain and Ireland; with a view to such a final and conciliatory adjustment as may be conducive to the peace and strength of the United Kingdom, to the stability of the Protestant establishment, and to the general satisfaction of all classes of his majesty's subjects.”

This Resolution having been reported to the House, it was resolved

" That the same be communicated to the House of Lords, and their concurrence with it desired."

The House of Lords have appointed June 9, for the discussion of this subject. Should their Lordships concur in the Resolution of the House of Commons, which is not very probable, the main question must be postponed to another session. There are at present strong rumours of the retirement from administration of Lord Palmerston, Mr. Huskisson, and some other supporters of the Catholic Claims. It is not supposed that they relinquish office on this qnestion, but their retirement will of course be favourable to the Protestant cause.

The bill for repealing the Test and Corporation Acts has passed both Houses of Parliament, and received the Royal Assent.

Our troops have been withdrawn from Portugal, and Don Miguel appears to be taking rapid strides toward absolute power.

The Russian Declaration against the Porte has been some time before the public, and the Russian troops are said to have crossed the Pruth-to be approaching the Danube, and indulging sanguine expectations of speedily taking possession of Constantinople. When we consider the overwhelming power of Russia, and the comparative feebleness of the Turkish empire, such a result appears far from improbable. At the same time the natural strength of the country, and the determined fatalism of the Turkish army may interpose formidable difficulties to the invading army. That both the eastern and western antichrist must fall is certain, but we are far from anticipating the bloodless march, and the triumphant and rapid conquest which some imagine.

Notices and Acknowledgments. Received.--A FRIEND TO ALL.-A CONSTANT READER ---AMICUS.-C. E. L. -FRIEND FROM DUDLEY.-.-G. B.-PRISCILLA.-N.

CHRISTIAN GUARDIAN,

AND

Church of England Magazine.

JULY 1828.

MEMOIRS OF ENGLISH DIVINES.

HOOKER.

[Concluded from Page 208.] , Hooker had sketched the outline but have begun a treatise, in which of his treatise, and made some I intend the satisfaction of others, progress in its composition, when by a demonstration of the reasonhe found that his residence at the ableness of our laws of ecclesiastical Temple was unfavourable to its polity; and therein laid a hopeful completion, and intreated the Arch- foundation for the church's peace; bishop in the following letter, to re- and so, as not to provoke your move him to a more quiet situation. adversary Mr. Cartwright, nor Mr.

“ My Lord,- When I lost the Travers, whom I take to be mine freedom of my cell, which was my (but not my enemy); God knows College, yet I found some degree this to be my meaning. To which of it in my quiet country parsonage. end, I have searched many books, But I am weary of the noise and and spent many thoughtful hours; oppositions of this place; and in- and I hope not in vain, for I write deed God and nature did not intend to reasonable men. But, my Lord, me for contentions, but for study I shall never be able to finish what and quietness. And, my Lord, my I have begun, unless I be removed particular contests here with Mr. into some quiet country parsonage, Travers have proved the more where I may see God's blessings unpleasant to me, because I believe spring out of my mother earth, and him to be a good man; and that eat mine own bread in peace and belief hath occasioned me to ex- privacy. A place, where I may amine mine own conscience con- without disturbance meditate my cerning his opinions; and to satisfy approaching mortality, and that that, I have consulted the Holy great account, which all flesh must, Scripture, and other laws both at the last great day, give to the human and divine, whether the God of all spirits. This is my deconscience of bim, and others of sign; and as these are the desires his judgment, ought to be so far of my heart, so they shall, by God's complied with by us, as to alter assistance, be the constant endeaour frame of church government, vours of the uncertain remainder our manner of God's worship, our of my life. And therefore if your praising and praying to him, and Grace can think me and my poor our established ceremonies, as often labours worthy such a favour, let as their tender consciences shall re- me beg it, that I may perfect what quire us. And, in this examination, I have begun ; which is a blessing I have not only satisfied myself, I cannot hope for in this place.” JULY 1828.

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