happy union of firmness and mild- selecting for this important work, ness, constrained his opponents to a person of the name of King, who admire his proceedings.

had been converted many years beA sixth amiable feature in his fore, and was considered the most character was his care of the native elegant writer in that language then Irish. He thought that the poor alive, both in prose and verse. He farmers and peasants had been too was then about seventy, and the Bi. much neglected by the English; shop thought fit not only to give and that the clergy had scarcely him this employment, but to ordain regarded them as a part of their him, and present him to a benefice, charge, leaving them wholly in the that he might be suitably provided hands of their priests, who in for, while pursuing this undertaking. general knew nothing but how to King rendered the English version read their offices, and merely taught into his vernacular tongue, and them to say Pater noster and Ave Bedell generally revised a chapter Maria in Latin. The state both after dinner or supper while it was of clergy and laity could not but in progress; and as he compared excite the compassion of one who the Irish with the English, so he had so tender a sense of the value compared the English with the of souls. He aimed earnestly and Hebrew and the Septuagint, or diligently at their conversion; and with the Italian of Diodati, which having prevailed on several priests he held in deserved estimation, to change, he presented some to He anticipated the happiest rebenefices, for which he did not sult from the diffusion of the Scripescape censure from the more tures among the Irish, knowing illiberal and hard-hearted. Except that on the continent, the Reformin one instance, he had no reason to ation had been most successful repent this conciliatory course, in those places where the Bible There was a convent of friars in had freely circulated. Had this his vicinity, on whom he took much excellent Bishop's plans been purpains, with very good success. In sued in a succeeding century, order to furnish his converts with what unnumbered evilswould the means of instructing others, he have been avoided! Extended directed a short catechism to be education and biblical information printed on one sheet, with the would have superseded the necessity English on one page, and the Irish of much severe legal enactment, on the other, with some forms of and ensured a train of blessings on prayer, and edifying texts. This an enlightened and civilized popuwas received by many of the natives lation. Bedell was in the habit with lively gratitude.

of repeating a passage of a sermon, He now set himself to learn the which he had heard Fulgentio Irish tongue, in which he made preach at Venice on this text, such proficiency, as to be able to “ Have ye not read?” The divine compose a grammar of it, which told his audience, that if Christ was the first attempt of the kind; were now to ask them that question, ordered the Liturgy to be read in all the answer they could make that language every Sunday in his would be, “No, Lord ! we are not cathedral; and engaged the clergy suffered to do so!' On which he to set up schools in their parishes, zealously descanted on the restraint where the poor children might learn put on the use of scripture by the to read and write. The New Tes. Romanists. tament and Common Prayer were This Fulgentio was a Minorite already translated into Irish; but friar, and the intimate friend of the good bishop resolved to have Father Paul. He preached in so the Old Testament added to them; enlightened and scriptural a man

ner, that Pope Paul the fifth is account before the Archbishop's reported to have said of his dis- consistory, requested leave to con: courses, • He has indeed some sult their divines in Germany; good sermous, but bad ones withal: who justified their separation on the he stands too much upon scripture, difference of opinion with respect which is a book that if any man to the presence of Christ in the will keep close to, he will quite sacrament. The Archbishop sent ruin the catholic faith.' On one their letters to Dr. Bedell, tbat he occasion, when preaching on Pilate's might answer them, who wrote so question, “What is truth ?” he complete a reply, and explained the told his audience that he had been matter with so much moderation long searching for it, and had at and prudence as it concerned this last found it. Here it is in my particular case, that the foreign hand!' He beld up a New Tes- theologians were induced to retract tament, but as soon as the people their prohibition. had seen it, he returned it to his He was himself exemplary in pocket, observing drily, · The book attention to the forms and regulais prohibited. He took part in the tions of his own communion, con. Venetian controversy against the stantly assisting in divine service Pontiff, but was induced by the at the cathedral, frequently reading Nuncio to visit Rome, on promise the Liturgy, and generally preachof safe conduct. He was at first ing in the morning and afternoon received with favour, and even of Sundays on the gospels and with festivity ; but his entertainers epistles, as well as catechising the finished their kindness by burning youth. His voice was low, but his him alive!

matter was excellent, and his Bishop Bedell experienced much manner solemn. He preached very opposition in his translation, and often in his episcopal habit, but not the whole undertaking was long always, and seldom wore it in the frustrated by the breaking out of a afternoon; nor was he partial to rebellion. The manuscript, how the pomp of a choir, or to the ever, escaped destruction and was instrumental music, which be afterwards printed at the charge of thought likely to draw away the that eminent Christian philosopher mind from profitable feeling, while Mr. Boyle. It has of late years it captivated the ear by its sound. been extensively distributed by some When another prelate defended friends to religious truth, though these particulars, as tending to far from having obtained that cir- raise the affeetions, he replied, culation which its intrinsic merits that in order to raise the affections, deserve. While firm in the main those things which tend to edificatenance of protestant doctrine in tion ought alone to be used. He opposition to Romish fallacy, the expressed his apprehension likewise, Bishop was nevertheless moderate lest through indiscriminate indul. on those points which divided pro- gence of this kind, a door might be testants themselves. He supported opened to superstitious observances, Mr. Drury's scheme of reconciling which were particularly to be de. the Lutherans and the Calvinists; precated in a country like Ireland; and assisted his undertaking with and his residence in Italy, having advice and money ; though, alas! given him opportunities of witnessfew Lutherans or Calvinists were ing the seductive and blinding like-minded with Melancthon and tendency of the Romish ceremonies, Bedell. Some Lutherans came to rendered him sensibly alive to the Dublin, who were afraid of joining danger of approximation. in communion with the church of Ireland; and when cited on that

[7o be continued.]

ON READING NEWSPAPERS ON A SUNDAY.

MR. EDITOR,- I beg leave to offer tion of the inquirer to the unana few remarks on the sin of reading swerable word of God. “ If thou newspapers on a Sunday. This turn away thy foot from trampling practice may appear, in the eyes of on) the Sabbath, from doing thy many, trifling and unimportant; yet pleasure on my holy day; and call I am convinced it is highly injurious the Sabbath a delight, the holy to thousands, who thus consume of the Lord, honourable; and shall the precious hours--given us by honour him, not doing thine own our merciful Creator, to fit and ways, nor finding thine own pleaprepare our hearts and minds for sure, nor speaking thine own words; the dawn of the eternal Sabbath. then shalt thou delight thyself in

This species of reading.occupies the Lord ; and I will cause thee to the mind with profane and worldly ride upon the high places of the subjects, and leads it far from holy earth, and feed thee with the herimeditation, and sweet converse tage of Jacob thy father: for the with God: it gives us a distaste for mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” every thing serious, and renders us Isa. lviii. 13, 14. unfit for the heavenly duties of the Can this beautiful passage from day. The topics of newspapers are Holy Writ be read with indifferusually politics, public amusements, ence? Can the man that wilfully and the crimes of our fellow- profanes the Sabbath, hear it withcreatures. And are these the sub- out trembling? He may for a short jects which should occupy the time indeed stifle the voice of conChristian's mind on the Sabbatb? science; but life is ebbing away Ah no! Our Creator blessed and then comes death and judgment !! sanctified the seventh day. The Like Belshazzar, then will his beast of the field was to enjoy rest countenance be changed and troufrom his toil, to recruit his animal bled, when the prophetic writings strength: man, by resting from his appear in large indelible characters worldly occupations, was, by prayer before his eyes, and cover him with and supplication, public and private, confusion ; but remember that to gain a fresh supply of heavenly repentance then comes too late ! strength, and the renewed assistance Turn now and see if these words do of the Holy Spirit.

not plainly and forcibly show that · Many serious and well-intentioned all recreations, however harmless persons may say, Can there be any in themselves, become sinful on harm, after the duties of the day that holy day—“Nothing must be are over (by which they mean, í done that puts contempt upon the suppose, the closing of the places Sabbath, or that looks like having of divine worship), just to look at a mean thoughts of it, when God has paper ? I answer--most assur- so highly dignified it. On Sabbath edly there is.

days we should neither travel, nor In the first place, the question take our pleasure; that is, not fol. proposed is erroneous --for, can the low our sports and recreations; we duties of the day end but with the should not speak words concerning day? this salvo to the conscience either our callings or our pleasures; is dangerous.

we must not allow ourselves liberty Secondly, I observe that the of speech on that day, as on other miscellaneous matter contained in days, for we must then solely mind a newspaper is totally unfit for God's ways, making religion the perusal on the Lord's day.

business of the day. Every thing Thirdly, I would call the atten- must be done that puts an honour on the day; and is expressive of newspapers on the Sunday, we may our high thoughts of it; we must be allowed, if we attend church in call it a delight, not a task and a the morning, to reckon up, occasion. burden, must delight ourselves in ally, our accounts in the afternoon, it, in the restraints it lays upon and read the papers with our families us, and the services it obligetn us in the evening; thus one sin easily to; we must be in our element leads to another, and the person when we are worshipping God, that allows himself to peruse such and in communion with him : light publications on that holy day, How amiable are thy Tabernacles, will soon, perhaps, think it no harm O Lord of Hosts ! we must not to travel unnecessarily-to fill his only count it a delight, but call it house with visitors and trifle away so, must openly profess the com the Sabbath hours in conversation, placency we take in the day, or employment, entirely foreign to and the duties of it; call it so to the Christian profession. Let such God in thanksgiving for it, and persons pause and enquire Will not earnest desire of his grace to enable that God, who marks all our deeds, us to do the work of the day in its call us to account for so impiously day, because we delight in it; call mispending the time he has espeit so to others, to invite them to cially consecrated to himself ? Can come and share in the pleasure of those, especially who by profession it; and we must call it so to our are ministers and stewards of his selves, that we may not entertain holy mysteries, expect to escape the least thought of wishing the the just vengence of their bighly Sabbath gone, that we may sell incensed Maker ? Can they read corn. We must call it the Lord's in scripture the words denounced holy day, holy, separated from against those shepherds who neglect common use, and devoted to God their flocks, or lead thein astray, and his service, call it the holy of without trembling? If so, deeply the Lord, the day which He has do they need commiseration! for, sanctified to himself. Even in the like Pharaoh, hard must be their Old Testament times the Sabbath hearts-their eyes, blinded by prewas called the Lord's day, and judice, cannot see the pure light therefore it is fitly called so still; of the gospel, and their ears deaf to and for further reason, it is the divine instruction, reject all admoLord Christ's day. Rev. i. 10. nition and counsel : well may such

We well know the heavy judg. teachers be called blind leaders ment passed upon the children of of the blind-lightless beacons, Israel, who infringed upon the that will inevitably cause many rights of God's holy day; and shall miserable souls to be shipwrecked : we, blessed with the light of the O! let them remember, before it. gospel, escape punishment, - for be too late, that for every soul thus this flagrant breach of the fourth lost, they must, awful thought! commandment. Most awful is the answer at the great assize. guilt of those clergymen who sanc- Trifling, I again repeat, and tion, by their example, such con- unworthy of remark as this subject duct,- they are the light of the may be deemed, yet let me intreat world : “A city that is set upon a every reader, to consider atten. bill, and cannot be hid;” Matt. v. tively the point debated ; search 14. If the light in them be dark the scriptures, for by that boly ness, how great and fatal is that standard shall all inen finally be darkness ; not only to themselves, judged; but make not a law unto but to all around them. May not yourselves : nor think that your the agriculturist, the tradesman, Creator will be served by halves ! &c. say, Surely if the clergy read “ Ye cannot serve God and

mammon,” Matt. vi. 24. Spending above, and chaunt the praises of the part of your Sunday piously and Lamb in that temple, not made with devoutly, will not atone for the rest hands, eternal in the heavens. of the day being spent in idleness W hen such a glorious prospect and irreverence. The Holy One is open to man, shall he call any of Israel must have the whole sacrifice too great on earth to heart—the best sacrifices—and the obtain it ? You know the cruel most precious and costly offerings price, the purchase of your rewe can give. The time of those demption, cost your blessed Sawho have been accustomed to waste viour. With gratitude then, and their Sabbaths in this awful manner, fervent piety, sacrifice your inclimay, on relinquishing the practice, nations to bim, and faithfully obey hang heavy on their hands; but his Holy Will. Give up reading persevere in your endeavour, and newspapers on a Sunday, and dis. continue instant in prayer, and countenance, as much as possible, in due time you will be more the sale of them on the Lord's day; than conquerors, through your Re let our worldly affairs sleep on that deemer ; your Sabbaths will be day he has so peculiarly sanctified, tenfold happier ; and the peace and dedicated to himself. And let of God which passeth all under- us repose ourselves on our God, standing, will shed its heavenly and enjoy devoutly his presence. lustre through your souls, and each. Then God shall bless us and we revolving Sabbath find you more shall in due season rejoice in his prepared to join the holy choir salvation.

SHORT SENTENCES. BY A CLERGYMAN OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. If thou dost not aim to make invincible grace of Christ, the Christ all in all, he is to thee Father smiles upon thee in the nothing at all.

beloved, death will be to thee the Christ must be thy whole wis- gate of everlasting life, and angels dom, thy whole righteousness, thy will ere long carry thy ransomed whole sanctification, thy whole spirit into Abraham's bosom. redemption.

Judge of the providences of God The great end of the gospel of by his promises, and his promises grace, and of the grace of the by his providences. gospel is, to exalt Christ, to humble B e as zealous of good works as self, and to promote holiness. if you would be saved by them,

If Christ has done nothing in thee, and as zealous not to trust in them thou hast no right nor reason to as if they had nothing to do with think he has done any thing for your salvation. thee.

It is said of the cockatrice, that Christ's righteousness must be if it sees a man first it strikes him thy title to heaven : Christ's Spirit dead, but that if a man sees it first must make thee meet for heaven. he receives no harm. So reader,

Let the foot of Almighty grace if you can see death first by an act trample upon all the pride of thy of faith in the death of Christ, who pature, and the everlasting arms hath swallowed it up in everlasting of Christ will bear thy soul home victory, you will not be hurt by at length to heaven.

it; but if it sees you first, and If sin is pardoned in thy con comes upon you unawares, it will science by the effectual application be your death, and as the execuof the blood of Christ, and corrup- tioner of divine justice transmit you tion subdued in thy heart by the to the place of everlasting death, MARCH 1829.