pers which the Bishop had privately circulated for a particular use in the administration of his diocese. There is therefore no necessity to palliate the criminatory language, in which these writers have severally adulged: there was no occasion for introducing into the present controversy, a controversy in itself but too large and copious, various uncandid and illiberal allusions to a controversy in which the Bishop' had been formerly engaged, but which has not the most distant reference to the present discussion. Was it impossible to argue this question upon the grounds of reason, of ecclesiastical law, and scriptural authority, with oat imputing to the Bishop the assumption of an arbitrary and unconstitutional" power, and of "more than papal infallibility," without describing his doctrine as "antibiblical" and "hyperpapistical," and without insinuations against the clergy, at all times unmerited and unjust, and most unseasonable and

is

inexpedient in the present state of public feeling on religion in general, and the Christian hierarchy in particular. If there had been no difference of opinion, the present controversy would not have been agi. tated: but such difference of opinion no excuse for the violation of charity, and the mutual respect which Christians owe to each other. The Calvinists themselves are not agreed in the interpretation of the articles: they have no scruple in making liberal concessions to each other: and is it consistent, or is it candid, to restrict these concessions, and refuse the benefit of them to those who dissent from the tenets of their peculiar creed. That there are differences among the Calvinists, and that these differences do not preclude liberality of sentiment, is shewn by the author of Episcopal

Innovation.

opinion, liberally. If any hold but human depravity, native inability, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, faith as the gift of God, and justification by faith alone, if he preach strenuosly, even to those who have hold these with a firm hand, and dare to been baptized, that except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,'

if he demand from all repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,' with works of holiness, as signs following, he has our friendship, our approbation, and our prayers, whatever may be his views relative to ‘predestination and our election in Christ,' as an article of faith." P. xv.

"We think it necessary further to add in this place, that though we receive the seventeenth Article literally, we feel toWards those who may be of a different

"Should any pious divines, who hold

the spirituality of our Articles, but who still admit the possibility of falling finally ship may be right in separating justififrom grace,' seem to think that his Lordcation from everlasting salvation,' we have two observations to lay before them. First, though all our arguments hear in a contrary direction, yet we have not any direct or designed dispute, with such friends of

truth and holiness. Secondly, &c." P. 35.

Mr. Budd also contends against Bishop Burnet, that "the sentence of God's predestination" is a hint of reprobation, and that "there is no security for attaining the plain and full meaning' of the Article, but by considering the literal and grammatical' sense of its words," p. 18.; but that this sentence "seems to be left to the decision of every man's private judgment;" that the Article "expresses no opinion," on the doctrine; that it neither "explicitly approves nor condemns it, I conceive, therefore, as to my private sentiments on the doctrine of reprobation, the Article leaves me at large," p. 17. It is thus that among themselves the Calvinists receive the Articles literally, and feel towards those who may be of a different opinion, liberally.

Mr. Budd takes unnecessary pains in producing contemporary testimonies to the merits of Calvin, as a burning and shining light of the Reformation. In this respect, his praise is in the Church; he needs no panegyrist; he fears no detractor: but are these testimonies to prove that he has any authority

in the Church, any infallible judgment to which men should defer? The Church of England builds her faith on the Scriptures: and because we are persuaded, that the peculiarities of Calvin are incompatible with Scriptural truth, we reject them, and it confirms our objection to find their advocates in the present controversy, remiss and negligent in appealing to the sacred Standard. The author of Episcopal Innovation, who treats every part of the doctrine with an intricacy and perplexity, which some may mistake for subtlety of argument, supports his opinions almost exclusively by citations from the Homilies. He seldom enters upon scriptural discussion; he takes no notice of the Bishop's misapprehension of 2 Cor. iii. 17. although he dwells upon the question, and the meaning of the word liberty: he refers to the difference of St. Paul and St. James, p. 60, of which he gives a most confused and indistinct view: he comments upon 1 Peter i. 2. with the intention of correcting the Bishop, but needs himself to be corrected; and upon one occasion, he trifles with the Scripture in a manner which no deluded enthu. siast, and no designing parodist will surpass. (See p. 63.) And yet this writer will condemn the system which he opposes as anti-biblical, and say of those who uphold it, that they will believe" any thing but the word of God." But we have done.

It may be supposed that the perverseness which is betrayed in answering these questions, constitutes a sufficient ground for establishing the expedience and necessity of the questions themselves. We venture to dissent from this conclusion, and at the same time to assign, the reasons for which we judge these questions to be inexpedient. As a test of Calvinism they have their force; an honest Calvinist cannot answer them to the satisfaction of the Bishop. And they exhibit the anticalvinistic interpretation of our Ar.

ticles in a popular and convincing shape. But is it expedient that the practice of examining for a curacy, or for institution to a benefice, should not only be revived, but revived in this particular manner? Is it expedient that the revival should take place in one diocese alone? Ought it not rather to have been the result of a combined and well-considered plan; in which shape it would have silenced the opposition of some, and increased the approbation of others? The Bishop of Peterborough has an undoubted right to enforce ecclesiastical discipline with greater strictness than the Church has recently experienced: that strictness must necessarily be felt somewhere; and an appeal to the public, and a clamour about rights, and privileges, and tyranny, would, in the temper of the present times, be the necessary consequence. The existence, therefore, of such an outcry, is no argument against his Lorpship's discretion; unless we are prepared to contend that the actual discipline of the Church is incapable of improvement. But the consistent advocates for increased vigilance and strictness, will desire that they should be exerted universally and impartially. And on this ground, we must lament that a Prelate who has taken such decided measures against doctrinal error, should not have encountered sloth and ignorance with equal resolution. We contend that the articles are not Calvinistic; but we cannot think that the maintenance of an opposite opinion is the only fault which requires to be discountenanced. If persons who have received priest's orders are again to be examined when they are nominated to a curacy, or presented to a living, the examination ought not to be confined to the mistaken, the fanatical, and the enthusiastic, but should reach the indifferent, the incompetent, and the latitudinarian. It would be most unjust, however, to insinuate that the Bishop of Peterborough's vigilance is confined to

the suppressione one species of mischief. For his Char distinctly tells us that he shall insist un a strict interpretation and application of the laws which relate to residence; that he shall require his Clergy gradually to return to the much-neglected custom of having two services on every Sunday; and that in naming two curacies as the aurimum which one clergyman may now hold, he hopes shortly to be able to reduce the number in most cases to one. Our remarks, therefore, must be understood to apply to the examinations alone; of them we certainly think that they are either unnecessary or incomplete.

formed on the merit of Calvinism; but we are certain that a foundation must be laid, in the acquirement of scriptural knowledge for the countention of any unscriptural error. But wear that these questions have a tendency to contract the range of a young man's professional studies, to give him a wrong bias at his very outset, and to make him a polemic in his pupilage. Instead of leading him to the fountain of living waters; instead of making him acquainted with Hooker, Pearson, Bull, Barrow, Wheatley, and the other worthies of the English Church, they invite him to a superficial investigation, and precipitate apprehension of things hard to be understood, and which the candidate for orders is seldom prepared to discuss.

In the case of candidates for orders, a similar objection recurs. If these questions are intended to embrace the whole examination, they are objectionable not from their extent, but their deficiency. Anticalvinism is not the whole body of divinity with which the theologian should be acquainted, nor is it by any means the first point to which his attention should be directed. The evidences of Christianity, the authenticity and inspiration of the Scriptures, the curions modes and helps of scriptural interpretation, the grounds and aathority of our faith, the principles of ecclesiastical polity, the records of ecclesiastical history, the peculiar constitution of our own Church and ministry and offices, all claim a prior attention from the ecclesias. tical student. A summary of these elements of Christian theology has been provided by the Bishop of Winchester, whose private examination was detailed in our last number, p. 51. and deserves attention. The Bishop of Winchester has himself written upon the Calvinistic controversy, in which he does not judge it expedient particularly to examine the candidate. We are far from contending with Bishop Horsley, that voluminous treatises must be studied, before a judgment can be

There is another objection which ought not to be entirely overlooked. The Bishop of Peterborough's example may be followed in other quarters; and a Calvinistic exposition of the articles in the shape of question and answer, may perplex and mislead those by whom his lordship's queries will not be seen. The sectaries will thus be furnished with a new weapon of offence, which they will not be able to wield with the Bishop's dexterity and strength, but which still may encourage them to persevere in their protracted struggle. Every circumstance which checks the systematic study of theology, prolongs the existence and triumph of Calvinism and the young student will be delayed, and often ultimately misled, if he wastes his strength in detecting the inconsistencies of error rather than in building up and establishing his own knowledge of the truth. The ardour of the controversialist requires to be moderated, not inflamed: and it is to be regretted that any deviation from the ordinary course of episcopal proceedings should not be calculated to produce that effect.

Society for Promoting Christian

Knowledge.

THE Special Committee for coatteracting blasphemous and infidel Publications, having eported that the funds intrusted to them were still considerable, it has been determined that the Special Committee shall be continued for another year, and shall be authorized to sell all the books and tracts on the Society's Catalogues to the public at reduced prices. These prices are now fixed on a scale which promises to promote an increased circulation, being on the average a middle price between the booksellers' charge to the public and the reduced charge of the Society to its own members. Catalogues, with the prices marked, are now ready for delivery, at the Society's Office in Fleet-street, and a liberal allowance will be made to booksellers and other wholesale purchasers.

Chichester Diocesan and District

Committee.

THE Committee held their eighth annual meeting in the library of the cathedral, on the 28th ult.

The Very Rev. the Dean of Chichester, the president of the committee, was in the chair; and the Venerable the Archdeacon of Chichester, the Rev. Dr. Holland, Sir James Brisbane, and several other respectable members of the Society, were present at the meeting.

Socie

The donation from the strict fund to the parent Society, consisting of one-third of all sub scriptions and returns of books sold within the last year is 877. 10s. 2d. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.

THE plan of the College to be erected at Calcutta has been forwarded to the Society by the Lord Bishop of the diocese. The building will consist of a centre, one hundred and fifty-six feet in length, and fifty feet each. It will contain a of two wings of one hundred and fifty feet each. chapel, a hall, and a library of the length of sixty feet each, with ample accommodations for a principal and two professors, one missionary, and twenty students. The Bishop estimates the expence at about 10,000l. which is considerably more than the first valuation; but it appears that a smaller expenditure would be insufficient to secure the durability of the edifice.

The Anniversary Sermon will be preached before the Society at Bow Church, on Friday, the 11th of February, by the Lord Bishop of Peterborough."

National Society.

Extract from the Report of the

Bombay Managing Committee,
February, 1820.

foundation of the Bombay Education So"Five years have now elapsed since the

ciety, and the committee trust the annual detail of their proceedings has satisfactorily exhibited to the subscribers the great utility of the institution; at the time when the committee first entered on their duty, there existed in Bombay little or no means peans in this country could be instructed whereby the numerous offspring of Euroin the religion of their fathers, and secured from the vice and idolatry with which they are surrounded, or be trained to sober and virtuous habits.

cards, &c. had been distributed, at an expence of 177l. 38. 1d. to the committee, and 2771, 2s, 7d. to the

"To afford to poor European children under such circumstances the benefits of a

of the society; it was soon, however, found that, in order to give due effect to the education contemplated, it became

necessary in this country to admit such children into a boarding house, and to provide them with moderate food and clothing; for many of them were entire orphans, and had no homes; and others were sent from distant military stations, without any means of being provided for at the presidency.

“In establishing therefore a school for European children, many additional expences were necessarily incurred, and the committee proceeded with a due regard to the probable resources of the society, in the number which they from time to time admitted. Through the very handsome means which the subscribers placed in their hands, the committee have been enabled not only to educate, but support, in their central schools, since the commencement of the society, upwards of 350 poor children, besides affording religious instruction to many others, and lending valuable assistance to some military schools.

"The liberal support they have received from the benevolence of individuals claims their warmest acknowledgements, and they feel peculiarly grateful to the government for the assistance they have at all times afforded to the institution, and for the manner in which they recommended it to the patronage of the honourable court of directors.

“The present establishment in the two central schools at the presidency consists of 172 children, of whom 145 are either wholly or partially maintained by the society; the very gratifying progress and improvement of these children during the last year, have just been exhibited to the subscribers, in the public examination of this day; and they will readily acknowledge the value of the services which the boys' school has derived from the constant attention and superior abilities of Mr. Cooper. To Mrs. Cooper the society are much indebted, not only for her matronly and assiduous care of the boys, but also for much valuable assistance kindly afforded, by desire of the ladies' committee, towards the good management of the girls' school, in which the general appearance of the girls does great credit to the exertions of Mrs. Wilson, during the short period she has had charge of them. The proficiency made by the girls in plain needle work has enabled them to earn the sum of 262 rupees in the year, in addition to making the whole of their own clothes, and part of the boys'.

"The committee have already detailed, in some of their former reports, their desire of providing for the welfare of the boys as they come of an age to leave the school, and the means which have been REMEMBRANCER, No. 26.

offered for this purpose. During the year they have received several applications for employing the boys advantageously, both in the service of the public and individuals, which they have availed themselves of, as the ages and qualifications of the boys permitted. A communication has also been made to the committee from government, as to engaging some of the boys in a medical capacity, and, under the authority of the governor in council, the committee entered into a correspondence with the medical board with this object in view, who assured the committee that it would afford them much satisfaction to be in any degree instrumental in forwarding the benevolent views of the society, by providing for some of the boys in a manner so advantageous to themselves and so useful to the public.

"The number of boys who have left the school during the year is thirty-nine; of whom sonie have been taken into public offices or admitted into the service of individuals, two have been apprenticed to captains of merchant vessels, three have been expelled for misbehaviour, and the rest have been taken out by their friends, having acquired a sufficient degree of instruction to render them useful. Of the fourteen girls who have left the school, no less than eight have been taken into private families as servants, where they give great satisfaction; and the ladies' committee have received several applications for girls to be employed in a similar manner, which the age and qualifications of the children did not enable them to comply with; one girl has been sent to Scotland by desire of her relations, one has been expelled, and five have been removed by their friends, having gone through the instruction of the school." P. 7.

"On the subject of native schools, though the report which the committee have to make, may be less encouraging than the sanguine hopes of many have anticipated, yet they trust much has been effected by their exertions, and that the system of native education is gradually improving: one school has been added to the three stated in the last report to have been established by the committee on this island, and the total number of boys in them is about 200. For each child one rupce is received per month, and where this sum has not been sufficient to defray the necessary expences, the remainder has been borne by the society.

"Hitherto the children in these schools have been taught the English language, but means are taking for introducing the native languages. The committee have already adverted in their lastreport to the R