union amongst the members of administration, which the utmost labours of the Committee could neither counteract nor prevent," frustrated all their efforts, and even nullified the above specified very promising coalition in their favour, which they had ambidextrously procured. (Evan. Mag. 1816, p. 2.)

The Society's self importance, however, does not seem in the least abashed by the rebuff which had been given to it, nor does government experience any relief from its communications; for having once received a deputation from its Committee, in their recently assumed function of FOREIGN protectors, on the failure of BRITISH grievances, those of other countries are imported for redress, and deemed warranty sufficient for claiming ministerial co-operation. "Remote PERSECUTIONS therefore, as Mr. Wilks's analysis sketches out the proceedings, next "awaken the sympathy and the zealous exertions of the Committee. THE SUFFERINGS, viz. OF THE PROTESTANTS IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE," (Evang. Mag. June, 1816, p. 3. sheet at the end) the first rumour of which produces a manifesto, setting forth, in the first place, the universality of the Society's protectorate over religious freedom; and then in virtue of their high commission, calling the French king not a little roundly to account for something very like connivance atthe" systematic and cruel" outrages in question; and "humbly but earnestly entreating government to remonstrate against the evils which they announce. (New Evang. Mag. Decemb. 1815, p. 378.) With this insolent document in their hand the Committee not only obtain an audience, but are so far humoured as to receive a promise that representations shall be made; and when in reply to these representations, the British Ambassador, the Duke of Wellington, condescends to rectify their misapprehensions in an official dispatch; and Mr. Maron, the Pre

sident of the Protestant Consistory, protests against their impertinent interference; they suppress both these documents, and are not even restrained from persisting in and propagating the falsehood, though the TIMES NEWSPAPER put them publicly to shame by the full exposure of their dishonesty, (See Times, Jan. 6th, 8th, 10th, 13th, 1816. See also Morning Post, Decemb. 23, 1815.)

Still, however, government continues feeding their exorbitant selfconceit, and bolstering up their consequence. For the Committee haying taken a further philanthropic flight from the SOUTH OF FRANCE to the VALLEYS OF PIEDMONT, Mr. Wilks's eloquent detail of the proceedings of the year 1816 is brilliantly closed with the annunciation of a letter of the preceeding day from the Earl of Liverpool, acknowledging the receipt of his official enquiry after the suspended allowances to the Vandois, and conveying an "assurance" from his Lordship that the Lords of the Treasury had directed the " investigation of their complaints." (Evang. Mag. June, 1816, sheet at the end, p. 4.) The Society's vote upon which, that they received it "with some satisfaction," should be its inseparable accompaniment, being a sort of deposit from the Society, of the coin in which they intend to pay government for its condescension.

"Illustrious men in Parliament' are bracketed together with his Majesty's Ministers, as destined equally with them to be the objects of the Society's civilities; and if Mr. Wilks's anniversary statements are to be credited, the conciliating and invitatory system has been played off upon this department of the state also with tolerable effect: for the Society's "Parliamentary interposition" recurs regularly as a distinct head in Mr. Wilks's annual digest of proceedings, the details of which exhibit a sort of domiciliary visitation of both Houses of the Legislature, perseveringly carried on

throughout each Session, "at considerable expense and trouble," as Mr. W. repeatedly affirms, for the purpose of" watching the progress" "of the numerous Turnpike and local Acts, annually submitted to Parliament"-"guarding against the introduction," or "procuring the amendment of clauses injurious to the rights and honour of Dissenting Ministers," or "prejudicial to Dissenters in general"-and procuring, moreover, the insertion" of clauses of exemption" in their behalf-and "in establishing useful precedents." In the prosecution of these objects, especially with respect to Turnpike Acts, Mr. Wilks more than once represents the Committee as resisted by" Prelates," the very highest of whom, he says, had not disdained to meditate the design of restricting exemptions from Sunday tolls, unfavourably to Dissenters, and even of excluding them from the benefit." (Philanth. Gazette, May 20, 1818.) Nay, he goes further on another occasion, and affirms, that the "state of exemption" from Sunday tolls enjoyed by Dissenters, and which was "coeval with the introduction of Turnpike Acts," " had by Episcopal influence, been intentionally, secretly, injuriously, and extensively infringed." (Philan. Gaz. May 24, 1820.)

The very substance of this insolent charge, is the strongest presumptive evidence against it; for, were our Bishops disposed to infringe upon Dissenting rights, Sunday tolls would scarcely be the selected encroachment: but Mr. Wilks spares us the necessity of presuming any thing, for in the very speech in which he has allowed his tongue this licence, he lays it down, that" the exemption from such demands (viz. Sunday tolls) depended not on a general Act," there being, as he stated the point of law on the preceding anniversary, "no general regulation on this subject," (Phil. Gaz. May 24, 1819,) "but on each local statute regulating every particular road,"

(Phil. Gaz. May 24, 1820;) and it appears from his own citation of the exempting clause, that in almost every one of the many cases referred to him in his secretarial capacity, it is one and the same, viz. going to or returning from his proper parochial church, chapel, or other place of religious worship, on Sundays," (Phil. Gaz. May 26, 1819,) and so it stands in several Acts of different periods, the whole that I have been able to consult. Now this does in fact all that Mr. Wilks apparently contends for, viz. " ex-. tend exemption to them (the Dissenters) equally with the members of the Established Church," (Phil. Gaz. May 24, 1820,) i. e. permits the Dissenter to traverse, free of toll, on a Sunday, the same length of road that it allows the Churchman-the equity of which provision leaves no doubt of its being that originally introduced. But Mr. Wilks means more than he appears to mean, for what he actually intends, is that the free course along the turnpike road to be allowed to the Dissenter on a Sunday, is to be

as much more than that allowed to

the Churchman, as the Meeting which he is pleased to frequent exceeds in distance the situation of the Parish Church; and this is what the Committee have been long labouring by their conciliatory and invitatory attendances upon" illustrious men in both Houses of Parliament," to effect: and no other account can be given of this oratorical flourish of Mr. W.'s against the Bishops, and of his having dragged them forth, and exhibited them as spoiling Dissenters of their rights, and making " systematic exertion" against the canvasses of his Committee, than that, besides the opportunity of easing himself from a little bile, it furnished the means of a more triumphant display of the Committee's paramount parliamentary influence, and of" the success which has attended its interposition:" for the fact actually is, however it may have

been brought about, that the Committee have carried their point, and that a new clause has been framed, privileging dissent beyond conformity to the extent contemplated, which is now always substituted for that given above, which comprized all the inhabitants of a district indiscriminately in one enactment*; and the promulgation of this new concession is the occasion tak en for the railing accusation against the Bishops, above transcribed, the whole purport of which is to the following effect: that "the Committee now, however, watched at considerable expense and trouble, all renewals of Turnpike Acts, and procured the re-insertion of words of exemption that would be effectual, and that would restore gradually that state of exemption which, by Episcopal influence, had been intentionally, secretly, injuriously, and extensively infringed." (Phil. Gaz. May 24, 1820.)

These proceedings, and the abuse of Parliamentary condescension, which they exhibit, seem scarcely capable of aggravation: Mr. Wilks, however, has contrived to make both more outrageous, for after all the clamour raised about oppres sion-after all the watching the proceedings of Parliament, and the opprobrium cast upon the SPIRITUALTY in the Upper House, we are given to understand, that it is not

The clause now adopted is as follows: "Nor from any person or persons going to or returning from his, her, or their proper parochial church or chapel, or from any person or persons going to or returning from his, her, or their usual place of religious worship tolerated by law on a Sunday," &c. As it stood prior to the alteration, it conferred upon all one common privilege; it now distinguishes Dis senters above Churchmen, by giving them the greater license; for Dissenters may choose toll free that meeting whose preach er they prefer, but Churchmen have no such choice of churches; nay, a Clergyman going on duty to any other church but his own must pay double toll, while the Dissenter going to meeting passes free.

so much the point of right, as the point of honour, which has excited the Committee's interference : for, though annual mention is indeed made by Mr. Wilks, of the "personal hardship and pecuniary exaction" of Sunday tolls levied upon Dissenters, as not discarded from the Committee's consideration, yet this is dwelt upon as the intolerable part of the grievance, which renders it a "subject in the Committee's estimation, of vital importance to Dissenting congregations"-" the subordination thereby assumed of Dissenters to Episcopalians-of the equally pious and enlightened, and useful frequenters of the meeting-house to the attendants upon the parish," (Phil. Gaz. May 26, 1819.)

Besides Turnpike Acts, other local Acts are mentioned as comprised within the Committee's sphere of supervision: and it is stated by Mr. W. on one anniversary, that " during the last Session of Parliament, they had procured the insertion of clauses of exemption (viz. of meeting-houses from parish-rates) in several Acts," (Evan. Mag. June, 1815, p. 259.) But here, it seems, they were stopped short in their career, through their own over-haste in accomplishing it. This unobtrusive method of exonerating their rental from assessment, was too creepingly progressive for persons raised to their" elevated spot of ascendancy;" nothing would satisfy them but a sweeping enactment, which should at once set their whole rental free. Thus they committed the great mistake of provoking legislative enquiry into the reasonableness of their claim, and they lost their snug retail trade in clauses of exemption, in the attempt to become wholesale factors.

But ample justice will not be done to the Committee's Parliamentary labours, if "general measures" are not added to the above, as included amongst the objects of their “interposition." The several Bills for LOCAL MILITIA-PARISH REGIS

TERS-REGULATING VESTRIESAMENDING THE LAWS OF THE

POOR-BUILDING

ADDITIONAL

CHURCHES and PREVENTING SEDITIOUS MEETINGS-are all reported by the Secretary, as in a greater or less degree, mitigated in the evils which they inflict on the Dissenting Population, by their unslumbering vigilance; and "conscience" is actually represented as having its "rights vindicated," and

"liberty," as well "civil" as "religious," as having its ** cause sustained" by their " opposition." (Phil. Gaz. May 24, 1820.)

I have now, Mr. Editor, completed my sketch of the Society in its "conciliating" moments, acquiring power. Its demeanour in the exercise of it, must be reserved for my next communication.

Your obedient servant,
SCRUTATOR.

Sermons for Domestic Use, intended to inculcate the great practical Truths of Christianity. By William Bishop, M.A. Rector of Ufton Nervet, Berks, and late Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. Pp. 465. Rivingtons. 1820.

THE ministers and stewards of God's holy word and mysteries experience but few difficulties which are greater in themselves, or which it is of more importance to overcome, than the manner of addressing an ignorant and illiterate congregation, with such force as shall fix their attention, and such plainness ás shall instruct their understanding. To convince a learned, or to gratify a polite congregation, is far more congenial to the studies and education of the Clergy, and more adapted to the display of cultivated talent. In ascending the pulpit of an ordinary parish Church, the preacher is conscious that his sermons can be usefal only in proportion as they are easy to be understood; and he feels it necessary to abandon all ambition of eloquence, to prove his learning by the increased simplicity with which he explains the truth, and to exert his whole strength in instructing the many who are ignorant, without offending the few who are REMEMBRANCER, No. 28.

more educated and refined. The first and best qualifications of the curate, who labours in a secluded village or in a populous town, are to be plain without meanness, and earnest without the appearance of enthusiasm, and to be capable of setting forth the whole counsel of God in the redemption of mankind, without compromising its high and holy mysteries under pretence of simplifying the Gospel, and without abating any portion of its practical duties, under a false and mistaken view of the salvation which is by grace through faith.

Considerable address is also required in the composition of Sermons designed for domestic use. Argument may again convince the learned, and florid declamation may captivate the vain. But the man who reads Sermons, with the pure intention of instructing himself and his family, pursues an object too important to be gratified by a laboured style and argument, which, like sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, strikes the ear, indeed, but leaves no impression on the heart or the understanding. He requires a clear mirror to be set before him, in which he may see both what he is and what he ought to be, in which he may perceive the necessity of conGg

tinual watchfulness against his own corrupt passions, and of an entire resignation of himself to the unalterable instructions and promises of infinite wisdom, goodness, and truth.

Some of the Sermons which Mr. Bishop has prepared for domestic use are excellently adapted to that important purpose, at the same time that they are models of composition for village congregations. They are marked by a plainness, a force and an earnestness, which show that the heart of the preacher is in his holy work; and that it is his chief and principal desire that they who hear him may be brought to repentance and to the knowledge of the truth, that they may be saved There are other discourses in the volume which are of a more elaborate cast and character, and not equally calculated for domestic use. The whole are worthily described in the title, as "intended to inculcate the great practical truths of Christianity:" and Mr. Bishop, in his Preface, observes, with equal truth and modesty:

"The design of the present publication is not to offer a work for the instruction of the theological student, but merely to assist the serious reader in pursuing the path of duty. No apology is therefore attempted by the Author for not having entered farther upon doctrinal subjects, than might serve to enforce practical truths."

It would, however, be unjust to suppose, that Mr. Bishop has been negligent of doctrinal truths, or that any one of his Sermons is liable to the imputation of being a moral essay. He has set before the reader the whole truth of the Gospel, and has dwelt with sober and consistent earnestness on the natural infirmity of man, on the necessity, means, and end, of his redemption, and on the indispensable assistance of the Holy Spirit. In his doctrinal Discourses he has stated the practical consequences of the doctrine; and in his moral exhortations he has not

been unmindful of the principle of faith. He has offered to the public

a course of doméstic divinity," and without professing "to follow a strict method," has arranged his Sermons" in such a manner as may aid the object which he has in view." In the Preface he has faintly and indistinctly marked out the order and dependence of his several Sermons, and has shown that no important doctrine has been overlooked, although he has failed in establishing a systematic arrangement, to which few readers of domestic Sermons would have leisure or capacity to attend, and theological students, whom he does not profess to instruct, will refer to other authorities to comprehend the body of divinity. It may, nevertheless, be useful to advert to this prefatory synopsis in exhibiting the matter and substance of these Sermons, and in enabling the reader to form his own opinion of the judgment with which the subjects have been selected, and of the ability with which they are discussed.

Sermon 1. Luke viii. 18. "Diligence in hearing the path to improvement." The object of this opening Sermon is "to awaken a habit of religious attention, without which all hope of improvement must be vain," and to expose some of the false and unworthy motives which lead people to attend the public services of the Church, without suffering them to receive any benefit or improvement. This is a Sermon of peculiar force and vigour, which few will read without desiring a more intimate acquaintance with the author's doctrine and manner. is equally adapted to the parlour and the pulpit. In the following passage the master may be supposed reading to his family, or the pastor remonstrating with his flock; although a critic will, perhaps, object to the figurative meaning which is put upon the words of the Apos

It