Monthly Repository. No. CCXIV.] OCTOBER, 1823. A [Vol. XVIII. A Plea for the Belfast Academical Institution. By the Rev. Thomas D. Hincks, Master of the Classical School, and formerly Secretary of the Cork Institution, [The following paper, printed but not published, relates to so important an establishment, that we have great pleasure in laying it, according to the request of a correspondent, before our readers. ED.] there occasion to state the origin of been delighted with the liberality of their views; and I am convinced, that if those who are now in office, would investigate the case, they would come to a different conclusion, and that no Irish grant would pass the HE Irish grants for the current House of Commons with more geyear have now passed, and the neral approbation, than one for the Belfast Academical Institution has Belfast Institution. It is unneces been once more neglected. Its use- sary to enlarge on what Belfast is; fulness is not only diminished, but its extent and its commercial imits very existence is rendered ques-portance are well known. Neither is tionable. After an expenditure of above thirty-five thousand pounds,after overcoming the prejudices of its early opponents, and uniting all parties in Belfast, in sincere efforts for its welfare, it alone, of all the various societies established in Ireland for the diffusion of knowledge, is left without support. Why is this so? Is it merely from an unwillingness to add even the trifling sum required, to the expenses of the nation, at a time when economy is so loudly called for? Or, are there other motives, which are not avowed? I am most anxious to put the most favourable construction on the refusal; but, can this system of exclusion be allowed to go on, without drawing attention to its consequences? Can they, who in their hearts believe that it originates in mistaken views, and will be productive of effects which even the excluders would regret, when it would be too late-can they be silent? I have had opportunities of knowing the anxiety of gentlemen in high official situations, to promote the dissemination of knowledge; I have this Institution, or the difference of opinion that once existed respecting it. It has been eight years at work, and it has worked so well, that opposition to it has been given up, and its welfare has become the earnest desire of all sects and of all parties. What are its objects? Three: Schools, College, and Popular Lec tures for the diffusion of general knowledge. Has Parliament considered these objects deserving erving of sup port? those of the Belfast Institution, there t to su sup As a collegiate establishment, it may be asked, what occasion is there for dkappye parim arounow it? Is not the University of Dublin Besides the petition of the Institussufficient It was not from any distion, signed by its President, the Marquin of Dougall, the Vice-Presidents, like Belfast Institution was formed; of University of Dublin, at &c., there was a petition in its favour, previous to the present session of Parlia ment, signed by the Sovereign and most respectable inhabitants of Belfast, of all sects and parties. VOL. XVIII. 4 c and, I believe, that it has even been instrumental in increasing the number of students in that University, from this part of Ireland. For my own part, I feel the warmest attachment to it, as the place of my own education; I approve of its general system of instruction; I respect the individuals by whom it is directed; and I do not wish to seduce a single student from its walls. But are there no students for whom a different system of education is desirable, and who would never have gone to Dublin, if the Institution of Belfast had not existed? Can those educated for the Presbyterian ministry be expected to go to a College, where the only instruction in divinity is conformable to a church, of which they are not members? Let them, it may be said, go to Glasgow, as they did formerly. No objection can be made to the course of education at Glasgow; but it has been found, by eight years' experience, that more care can be taken of the morals, and more attention paid to the progress of the young men at Belfast, where they are under the frequent inspection of the Committees of their respective synods, than at Glasgow, where they were strangers, under little or no controul, and left to their own discretion, in a manner the bad effects of which were often too visible. A domestic education for their ministers has been long desired by some of the wisest members of the Presbyterian body. It has been effected. Áble Professors have been provided, and lectures are given on Logic and Belles Lettres, Latin and Greek, Mathematics, Moral Philosophy, Natural Philosophy, Anatomy, Hebrew, and Divinity; and the progress of the young men, some of whom are now settled as pastors of congregations, has proved the utility of the plan. Members of the general Synod, who were at first hostile, have become friendly, from seeing the effects; and nothing is wanted to render it permanently useful, but aid from Parliament, before the subscriptions are exhausted. As the Presbyterian body has been deemed worthy of countenance, will it be consistent to refuse what would secure a respectable succession of ministers ? The seminary at Maynooth, for Roman Catholic priests, is supported; why not that also for Presbyterians at Belfast? It may be objected, that Belfast is a bad situation. I shall not discuss this point. It is enough, that the Belfast Institution is going on; and it would require an expenditure of thousands, to change the place. The question then is,-Shall all that has been done be destroyed? Or, shall the Belfast Institution, which is incorporated by Act of Parliament, be supported? If danger be apprehended, from political impressions on the students, is there no danger of similar impressions at Glasgow? Are not the students there led into party politics, at the annual election of the Rector? Admit, however, that there is danger; may it not be guarded against? The present Professors are unimpeachable, and plans may be easily devised for preventing, at any future time, the election of Professors who would be obnoxious. Objections may be made, also, on the score of religion. There are, however, no clerical members, who have not been approved by Government as ministers of the Presbyterian Church, and no instances have been produced of improper interference. Should there be ground of complaint, it would be better to provide a remedy for the evil, than to ruin the Institution. At the same time, it is to be remarked, that it seems to be the principle of the Belfast Institution, to choose the fittest person for the office, without inquiring into his peculiar opinions, provided his moral character and attention to religious duties be unexceptionable; and to receive students of every religious sect, allowing all to retain the sentiments of their parents, without interference. If this be objectionable, let it be declared. The third object of the Belfast Institution is, popular lectures to promote the diffusion of knowledge. The want of funds has occasioned less to be done in this respect, than was intended; but lectures of this description have been given on Chemistry, on Natural History generally, on Botany, and on the Belles Lettres. Is this an object thought deserving of encouragement? It is thought to be so in Dublin and in Cork; for the House of Commons voted 7000l. to the Royal Dublin Society, and 20007. to the Royal Cork Institution, during this session. These Institutions want not my feeble testimony, but I know the important services they have ren dered, and sincerely wish that they may continue to flourish, and to enjoy these grants as long as they wisely and faithfully employ them. But does the name of Belfast render that useless which is elsewhere so highly approved? Or, is the circumstance that the noblemen and gentlemen about Belfast, as well as its own inhabitants, have done more than has been done in other places, a reason why this should be less assisted? I believe the subscription, on becoming a member of the Dublin Society or Cork Institution, is thirty guineas, whilst there have been severa! subscriptions of one hundred and fifty guineas each, to the Belfast Institution, and some of still larger sums; and the friends of literature in India, with the Marquis of Hastings as their leader, sent a donation of above 5000/. The sums so liberally bestowed, have been partly expended in building, and partly in the maintenance of the Institution, since the annual grant from Parliament was withdrawn. Is it consistent with that impartiality which ought to distinguish, and which, in most instances, does distinguish the Irish Government, that there should be such marked neglect of the Belfast Institution? According to the Act of Incorporation, the bye-laws are sanctioned by the Lord Lieutenant in Council, and cannot be altered or rescinded, without his approbation. Amongst the visitors are, the Lord Primate, the Bishops of Down and Dromore, the Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, the Sovereign of Belfast, and the Members of Parliament for the Counties of Antrim and Down. If these are not sufficient checks, can no further security be devised, which, whilst it would satisfy the Government, would not deprive of all influence those who, at first, gave their money, and have given also their exertions for so many years, to make the Institution what it is? This is no party question. Let inquiry be made, as it has been always courted; and if, on inquiry, it be found, as I dare assert it will, that the Institution is conducted on pure principles, and is rendering important services to the country, may not its friends hope, that assistance will at length be afforded? Those who shall be accessary to such an event, will hereafter rejoice in the good they will have effected; whilst, if every effort be unavailing, if this truly useful Institution must give way to the objections raised against it, there' will be a melancholy satisfaction in reflecting, that it did not deserve to be neglected. Hackney, SIR, is from the Rev. E. Irving's book September 15, 1823. THE following remarkable passage of Judgment to Come. I quote it as a sample of that extraordinary man's manner, but more particularly as it indicates a doubt of the very creed he is so vehemently insisting on. Like many other good and pious men, I fear he stifles inquiry, lest it should lead to blasphemy, and contrives to believe with the PseudoEgyptian Athanasius, because he dare not question the dogma. "Pudebat etiam non videre, quod tam esset perspicuum." "He" (God) "cared not that he must for a season abdicate the throne, and resign the government of the universe"-(to whom?) "he cared not that he must wrap up his conditions within the bounded sphere of a creature-he cared not that man's puny strength must be his measure, and man's penetrable and suffering frame, the continent of his being-that his" (God's) "Spirit must take on human affections, and his" (God's, God's body!) "body be afflicted with human wants-and he cared not that hell, and hell's sovereign should be loosed against him, and those of his own household become traitors,-those he died for, his executioners-death his portion,"-(oh, immortal God!) “and the grave his abode. Nor did he care that during the hottest of this fiery trial, his Father should cloud his face, and withdraw his countenance, and leave him to tread the wine-press of sorrow alone, and roll his garment in blood.-Oh! what is this," (he naturally and justly exclaims, self-revolted from the fiction,) “ oh, what is this we speak of; can it be that the Creator should become a creature, dwelling upon the ungrateful earth he made, in want of a morsel of its bread, and a cup of its water to satisfy his hunger and his thirst, calling upon the creaturęs he formed and fed, for their cha rity, for their pity, for their justice, and denied by the unnatural children whom he formed?" ghiteley I need not remind your readers that this gorgeous piece of grandiloquence is neither in substance nor similitude scriptural, (woe is me, my words are swelling too,) nor should I point out the redundant epithet bounded, where superfluity is in full season; nor hint that strength is not a measure; nor inquire about the wine-press, nor the bloody-garment: my object is effected, if I make it appear that by pushing his doctrine to its extent, he has exposed its absurdity to himself, and magnified it into something so monstrous a as to awaken his own suspi SIR, cions, although unhappily they are soon soothed again, and "Affect no more, than stories told to bed Lethargic, which at intervals, the sick Hears and forgets, and wakes to doze again." This is not the only strange passage in Mr. Irving's hook, which deserves attention; and I dare say that a pretty correct estimate of that very unequal production has been made by a large majority of your readers. What I have selected I thought of general interest, and offer it to the Repository with a hearty good-will to the cause of truth and benevolence. DEMOCRITUS. The Paviourgate, York, to the memory of the late MrsHE following Inscription, drawn up by Mr. Wellbeloved, and set up in Cappe, is so strikingly appropriate as well as beautiful, that I shall make no apology for sending it for insertion in your valuable Miscellany; trusting it may prove acceptable to many of your readers, and more particularly to those of them who have been charmed and edified by the interesting Memoirs of her Life, written by herself. Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. Catharine Cappe, Daughter of the Rev. Jeremiah Harrison; She was born June 3, 1744, and died July 29, 1821. Was a beautiful and engaging example of Piety and Benevolence, Of Piety-ardent, rational and unostentatious: To the Law of God, And in cheerful submission to all the dispensations of his Providence. And unlimited in its exercise by any regard Be a follower of her as she was of Christ; SIR, humble kind, yet, as I have acquired 1 1 of a professed Greek scholar. I am you give publicity to my remarks, should you deem them worthy of the notice of your readers. If pertinent, my observations may promote a study equally pleasant and useful; if other wise, they will, I hope, induce some person more competent to the task to undertake it. Although the valuable little work of Hopton Haynes, with the more recent and truly excellent works of Mr. Lindsey, Dr. Carpenter and others, may enable persons, ignorant of the Greek language, to form tolerably correct opinions concerning texts of Scripture which admit of different translations, yet, in a study of so much importance as that of the Bible, it seemed to me highly proper that we should depend as little as possible upon the knowledge or prejudices of others. One great motive with me for entering upon the study of the Greek language, was to qualify myself to examine and compare one part of the sacred volume with another. This, I think, cannot be satisfactorily done by the merely English reader, as the same Greek words or phrases are differently translated in different parts of the New Testament. The reading a translation has been, not unaptly, compared to seeing the wrong side of the Arras; and it has even been said that the being able to read the admirable works of Cervantes in Spanish, is a sufficient recompence for the labour of learning that language. If there be any justice in these remarks, what pleasure may not the student look for, whose aim is to read the sacred records in their original language! This acquisition appeared to me in so alluring and fascinating a point of view, that, in my sixtieth year, I entered upon the formidable study of the Greek language. ferent word is stated, and its depend ence upon the words, and every parti cular relating to it, of which a pupil would be expected to give an account to his tutor. To this I paid particular attention, writing down a verse or two at a time, and making myself perfectly master of every word; of the declension, the case and number of the substantives, and of every particular respecting the verbs and other parts of speech. In travelling through the praxis in this way, I gained a kind of general knowledge of the Grammar, and with it the knowledge of a num ber of Greek words: indeed, I gained a knowledge sufficient to enable me to venture upon the Greek Testament. Whether this may be the best method of commencing the study of the Greek language, I am by no means competent to decide; but I think I may safely pronounce it to be the most pleasant for an adult without a tutor. The common plan of spending much time upon the Grammar at first, appears to be dry and uninteresting. It is something like beginning a journey in the dark, and making a large part of it not only without day-light, but without either moon or star to cheer the traveller. In the method I have ventured to propose, and which is by no means a new one, the journey is begun at early dawn; the traveller has a glimpse of light at the very first, and additional light and pleasure are afforded him at every step. Not only does he gain the knowledge of a number of Greek words, with their grammatical construction and dependInstead of bestowing much time ence upon each other, but this knowupon the grammar, I merely read ledge is acquired in the most agreeable with attention that part of it which manner, and seasoned, if I may so treats of the different parts of speech. express myself, with the most pleasing With this trifling knowledge I entered and useful ideas. At every step the upon the study of the Greek Testa- student will find scripture ideas clothment. My first and only additional ed in a new and delightful dress; and, book for some time, and which strong- at every step, the knowledge of his ly recommended this study, was a native language will be improved, and Greek-English Lexicon, printed in he will become sensible of his obliga1661, which I met with by accident.tions to the Greek language, for words To this were added copious vocabu- that are useful to him on the most laries, English and Greek and Greek common occasions. and English; also an abridged Grammar. In addition to this summary of knowledge, this book contained a praxis, or explanation of chap. ii. of Romans, of 50 pages 12mo. In this prucis the part of speech of every dif From the remarks I have offered, your readers will perceive that the praxis I have mentioned is an indispensable requisite in the proposed plan. I certainly consider it as such; and had I not met with it, and the old |