After describing the disposition and prac- | tice of our church, from the first compiling of her liturgy, with the changes which have been made from time to time, and the reasons on which they were grounded, the compilers more particularly refer to the last review in the reign of Charles the second, which brought our common prayer-book to its present well-matured state. The reference is in the words which I shall now read to you from the preface itself : "In which review (say the compilers) we have endeavoured to observe the like moderation, as we find to have been used in the like case in former times. And therefore of the sundry alterations proposed unto us, we have rejected all such as were either of a dangerous consequence (as secretly striking at some established doctrine or laudable practice of the church of England, or indeed of the whole catholic church of Christ), or else of no consequence at all, but utterly frivolous and vain. But such alterations as were tendered to us (by what persons, under what pretences, or to what purpose soever tendered), as seemed to us in any degree requisite or expedient, we have willingly and of our own accord assented unto: not enforced so to do by any strength of argument, convincing us of the necessity of making the said alterations. For we are fully persuaded in our judgments (and we here profess it to the world) that the book, as it stood before established by law, doth not contain in it any thing contrary to the word of God, or to sound doctrine, or which a godly man may not with a good conscience use and submit unto, or which is not fairly defensible against any that shall oppose the same; if it shall be allowed such just and favourable construction, as in common equity ought to be allowed to all human writings, especially such as are set forth by authority, and even to the very best translations of the holy scripture itself." It is plain that the latter part of this paragraph refers to the book of common prayer, in the form which it had attained before the last review. But the plea of not containing "anything contrary to the word of God, or to sound doctrine, or which a godly man may not with a good conscience use and submit unto;" with the proviso, that "it shall be allowed such just and favourable construction as in common equity ought to be allowed to all human writings," &c.-all this must be at least equally applicable to the form in which it now exists and it is evident that the same proviso most explicitly declares the meaning and extent in which the assent and consent of ministers are required. It is not that we must think every sentence and rule the best that could possibly be devised, or not be liable to any objection whatsoever; the very words, "with a good conscience use and submit unto," imply that we might, in some parts, prefer something else, if our own private opinions were to decide: but that, in such cases, we feel it a duty to submit our own judgment to public authority, when nothing is required that ought to wound conscience. And, as to the matter now more especially before us, I conceive that I formerly interpreted the first damnatory clause in the Athanasian creed in too rigorous a manner, instead of that "just and favourable construction," which the quotation I have produced from the preface of our prayerbook so reasonably claims. I thought that the words "whole and undefiled" excluded all charitable concession even to minute differences, such as that of the Greek church respecting the procession of the Holy Ghost; but my present conviction is that, in fair and equitable interpretation, as the varieties of form and complexion in the human species do not destroy the integrity of manhood, so the Christian or catholic faith may kept whole and undefiled, notwithstanding the abatement of those lesser shades of error, which do not infringe upon its essence. But, as to the vital substance of the faith into which we are baptized, of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one infinite and undivided Jehovah; it is assuredly impossible that the atonement for sin, and the sanctification of the soul—that is, the salvation promised in the gospel of Christ, can be understood without it. And as the holy scripture (John iii. last verse) most expressly declares-"He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”— it is our bounden duty to give warning, with all faithfulness and perseverance, of the extreme and awful dangers of ignorance and unbelief; yet praying always for grace to be enabled and disposed to "speak the truth in love." However, I feel no difficulty in acknowledging (agreeably to the freedom which I before stated) that I heartily wish the threatenings of the Athanasian creed had been denounced in the very words of holy scripture, and in none others; and that I do not adopt them entirely, as according with my own individual sentiments and choice. But, in the language of the preface before quoted, I purpose, if the Lord permit, to MOUNT ARARAT. and amend it, it is not necessary now to venture any opinion. But, in the present condition and relation of the church and state, I rejoice that I feel at liberty to take the course of which I now give notice; for I unfeignedly love conformity and obedience, and I pray that we may "with one mind and one mouth glorify God," and heartily co-operate for the advancement of his kingdom, and the maintenance of that particular department which he has committed to our trust-not giving any countenance to a superfluous spirit of innovation amidst the perils with which we are surrounded; for there is the utmost reason to fear, that the changes to which it might lead would be not for the better, but for the worse. With respect to what I have said, as to the documentary and public nature of the creed under consideration, I am the more confirmed in the view which I have presented to you, by the remarkable difference of the manner of its beginning from that of the other creeds. You know that they begin in a personal form, "I believe:" but the Athanasian creed opens in a general form-"Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith." Hence I think it a more suitable mode that the clergyman should read the whole, than that it should be read in alternate verses, like the psalms. There is no direction+ given in the rubric, except that it should be sung or said; so that I consider the modes before mentioned to be at the direction of the officiating minister. It remains only that I should commend the whole subject to your private meditations and prayers; and may the Lord prepare us all so to commemorate his holy incarnation, and his meritorious cross and passion, that we may glory in confessing that, "without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness!" And may he replenish all the stewards of his mysteries with soundness of doctrine, and innocence, and holiness of life, and grant us all to know the blessedness of a people who have the Lord for their God! It is, however, to be observed, that the rubric directs this confession to be "sang or said by the minister and people standing." + Id est, in this respect. OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE LATE EARTHQUAKE, DRAWN UP BY MAJOR VOSKOBOINIKOF, OF THE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN ENGINEERS' THIS earthquake, which changed in a few moments the entire aspect of the country in the neighbourhood of Mount Ararat, commenced on the 20th of June (Russian, or old style), 1840, at about forty-five minutes after six in the evening. Repeated, but intermittent shocks, which seemed to come from the mountain, gave to the earth a movement resembling waves, which continued for about two minutes. The first four and most formidable shocks, which were accompanied by a subterraneous sound, proceeding in the direction of east-north-east, have left on the summits of hills and bottoms of valleys within the range of the agitation, traces which will not soon disappear, and which the eye of the scientific observer will recognize, after many ages shall have passed away. It was at the same time observed that numerous rents or fissures took place on the banks of the Araxes and the Karassu, from the source of the latter to its confluence with the Arpalchai, on all the spots where the banks of those rivers are somewhat elevated. These fissures, which were parallel to the course of the streams, ploughed the earth to the distance of a verst from the beds of the rivers, and, in accordance to the movement given to the soil by the shocks, they were seen every moment to open and shut. There also occurred a great number of violent explosions from the bottoms of holes like little craters, which, opening and shutting in the same way as fissures, spouted ont torrents of water, and cast up immense quantities of pebbles and gravel. The waters of the Araxes were so violently agitated, that they rose over both banks, now causing inundation, then sinking again into the centre of the bed which thus appeared concave. According to the accounts of the people of the country, several parts of the river became dry, while at other parts the body of the stream rose to a great height, making a noise like the sound of boiling water. The local authorities took care to verify these facts, which were related by a number of eye-witnesses, and several circumstances leave no doubt of the correctness of their statements. end of August there were still to be seen fissures here At the and there in the bed of the river which might have absorbed the water, while it might have been thrown up from others. During these awful moments, terror and desolation reigned everywhere, to a great distance around Mount Ararat. The Persian town of Maku, and Baiazeth, the chief town of a Turkish pashalic, also suffered from the earthquake. Its successive shocks convulsed in a few minutes the earth as far as Shusa and Tabris on the one side, and to Tiflis on the other. But its ravages extended chiefly over the Russian territory. The ancient and venerable monument of St. James, and the village of Achori, with its 200 houses and 1,000 inhabitants situated on the skirts of Mount Masis, at the foot of the Great Ararat, were entirely destroyed by the immense masses of rock which were St. Petersburgh Gazette. detached from the summit of the mountain, and by the colossal glaciers, accumulated during an incalculable series of ages in that region of eternal snow, which those rocks brought with them in their descent. In the cantous of Erivan, Sharur, Nakhichevan, and Ordubat, nearly all the houses have been entirely destroyed. In Nakhichevan two Armenian churches, five mosques, 779 houses, and twenty-five shops were quite ruined. In the district of the same name, including the canton of Ordubat, the number of edifices destroyed has been found to amount to 2,436 houses, one church, two mosques, and seventeen mills, leaving out of the account 1,095 houses, nine churches, five mosques, and fifteen mills, which were more or less seriously damaged. In the canton of Sharur the earthquake threw down 3,135 houses and seventyfive mills. In the same canton, on the left of the river Araxes, where its banks are somewhat elevated, land-slips took place, which carried away several villages, and the adjoining corn-fields. Most fortunately the catastrophe occurred before sun-set, which is doubtless the cause that the number of victims, the inhabitants of Achori excepted, was less considerable than might have been expected. With that exception, the number is limited to merely forty-nine individuals in the two districts of Erivan and Nakhichevan, exclusive of seventeen seriously wounded. The influence of the earthquake on all the wells within the two districts mentioned was very remarkable. In the canton of Nakhichevan upwards of thirty springs were dried up for some time; some continued, even several days after the catastrophe, to yield only thick and whitish-coloured water; others, on the contrary, became more abundant than they had previously been; and, in the vicinity of several of the latter, new | springs made their appearance. Thus, the volume of water from the springs of Karassu and Chapan, near the village of Sardarak, is more than double what it was; and a new current of water, which first issued forth at the time of the earthquake, still flows from a cleft in Mount Gindil. At Karagasanlu, a poor village situate at the confluence of the rivers Arpalchai and Araxes, the earthquake was observed in all its terrific grandeur. Terrified by the first shock, and stunned by a noise like the rolling of thunder, the inhabitants had no sooner raised their eyes to the summit of the Ararat, and beheld the direction of the detached masses of rock, than a second shock overthrew their clay huts. The whole village disappeared amidst an immense cloud of dust; at the same time the earth alternately opened and closed around them, and numerous columns of water spouting up in the air from the apertures, threw into the fields sand and pebbles which had been dislodged from the bottom of those frightful gulfs. The unfortunate inhabitants fled in dismay from the places of their birth. It is difficult to afford any idea of the scene which presented itself in the narrow valley of Achori. The masses of rock, ice, and snow, detached by the first shock from the summit of the Ararat and its lateral points, were thrown, at one single bound, from a height of 6,000 feet to the bottom of the valley, where ey lay scattered over an extent of seven versts. At first not the slig test traces of the monastery or the village were perceptible; but gradually the snow | and ice began to melt, and the mass of debris, losing its adhesion, separated and crumbled away in various directions. A portion was carried down by the slope of the valley as far as the banks of the Karassu, with such rapidity, that huge masses of ice preserved entire, and immense fragments of rock were in the space of a few minutes hurled to a distance of twenty versts from the point where they had fallen. This happened at nine in the morning of the 24th of June. Torrents of clayey mud of a whitish colour issued from the sides of the great mass of debris, which remained immoveable, inundating and devastating the fields and meadows from that point to the banks of the Karassu. These torrents were so great, that between the mountains bounding the valley of Achori and the banks of the river, the ground was inundated to the extent of twelve versts in width. The sudden formation of these torrents of mud, and the rapidity of their movement, present an extraordinary phenomenon. It may be conjectured that masses of compact clay had been formed, apparently by volcanic evaporation, at the summit of Mount Ararat, on the porphyroide trachytes. These masses, which crushed everything in their descent, were transformed, at the first contact with the water produced by the melted snow and ice, into a muddy matter, which afterwards flowed along the slope of the valley. Perhaps, too, being carried along by these waters, like other debris, these masses were dissolved whilst the torrent was rolling them towards the plain. Be this as it may, one of these torrents of mud, falling into the Karassu, forced that river to alter its course. A vast number of mutilated human bodies, frightful evidences of the disaster of Achori, were hurled into the Karassu; so that the waters of the river were for a long time unfit for use in cooking or drinking. By the 5th of July these torrents had entirely disappeared; but the valley of Achori has assumed quite a new aspect. It has become broader at its upper part, because the soil is there more elevated than it formerly was, and the boundary of eternal snow on the Ararat appears lower. Two springs, which used formerly to be remarked at a short distance from the monastery, now issued from among the debris of the rock covering that part of the valley, and indicate the spot where the venerable edifice stood. In the same way we can conjecture the situation once occupied by a small meadow on the skirts of the mountain opposite the monastery, which at the moment of the catastrophe was habited by a Nomade tribe of thirty families, all of whom perished. This meadow is now covered with a deep stratum of clay. On a piece of ground extending from the monastery to the village of Achori, where formerly were to be seen cultivated fields and gardens, we at present find a labyrinth of hillocks of a conical form, composed of fragments of rock, and covering fragments of glaciers, which, in consequence of being thus protected against the influence of the atmosphere, are not yet melted. These hillocks are furrowed by numerous fissures, and have cavities full of water containing vitriol; they will probably disappear when the ice which they cover shall be dissolved. The stratum of clay where it has buried the village is comparatively inconsiderable. In the hope of finding articles of value, the Curds soon began to explore the ruins. The excavations they have made, to the depth of a sagene, expose to view the rafters of the cottages still resting on the ruins of these habitations. Here and there some fragments of the inferior part of the walls remain upright. The interior is every where filled with lumps of ice and blocks of rock-a proof that the village was not destroyed by a torrent of debris rolling and sliding down the side of the mountain like an avalanche, but was crushed by a mass of matter which, having been hurled through space, descended perpendicularly on the spot. After the great concussion, the effects of which were so dreadful, distinctly-felt shocks occurred at intervals until the 28th of July; they afterwards diminished in force, but they did not entirely cease in the district of Sharur until the first of September, and, though very feeble towards the close of that period, they were still accompanied by a slight subterraneous noise. The shocks which occurred in the canton of Nakhichevan, between the 21st and the 28th of June, overthrew the buildings which the first earthquake had shaken. The heaviest shocks which were afterwards observed, occurred on the 14th of July, at three A.M., in the quarantin of Igdir; and on the 25th of July, at three and ten A.M., and at five P.M., in the canton of Surmanlinsk. The Cabinet. THE AGENCY OF GOD.-Coeval with the first pulsation, when the fibres quiver and the organs quicken into vitality, is the germ of death. Before our members are fashioned, is the narrow grave dug in which they are to be entombed. Imperfect as our glimpses of knowledge may be, they all convince us that no more oil could have been poured into the lamp, than would nourish the flame until the pre-ordained hour of its extinction. The youth expires apparently in his prime. Are his weeping kindred tempted and agonized by the thought, that fatigue brought on the catastrophe, or that care might have averted the danger? Develop the frail vessels, and it is proved that their coherence could not have possibly sustained the pressure of the purple tide beyond the age when the vigour of adolescence was attained. Do we term the departure premature? Premature!—the word belongs not to the vocabulary of faith. It has no place in the mind of the believer. Ask not why the pale babe, mysteriously brought to the confines of this vale of tears-heir to our transgressions, and yet spared from participating in their bitterness, who never looked upon the light of day, and whose voice never sounded in the mother's ear-is carried away as in a sleepparent and child separated until they shall both awaken and stand before the throne. Ask not why the span of fourscore years is given to him who is gathered to his fathers, after passing through the full length of his weary pilgrimage. But be thankfully assured that, under every individual dispensation, comprehended from and through all eternity, in the unity of the divine design, the tares are not rooted up until they can no longer be rescued from the fiery furnace, nor the good corn gathered until it is ripe for the garners of the sky.-Sir Francis Palgrave. GRACE. How many forbear sinning, not because God's grace has wrought upon their wills, but because a merciful Providence has kept off the occasion!South. Poetry. A HYMN FOR ASCENSION, Joyful winged to earth their way, Sweetly rang their holy voices When the blessed babe was born; O'er the hosts of hell forlorn. Nor wilt thou thine ear remove. Did'st for us ascend on high. All the foes that hate thy reign; Thou return to earth again. We will laud thy name, and sing; Glory, power, to CHRIST our KING! GOD IS LOVE*. THE bud unfolding in the vernal beam, *Isaiah xlix. 24, 25. + From "The Church." Thunders, with roar reverberating loud; the poison of Loyola. It was said that his life pre Lightnings, whose arrowy shafts transpierce the cloud; sented the most conclusive reply to the satires of Comets thro' ether that eccentric rove, Flow'rs, fruits-the beauty and the joy of earth; Miscellaneous. J. H. Pascal. Towards the close of his existence, Bourdaloue resigned his pulpit for the lowlier office of visitation and consolation. The hospital and prison became his frequent resort; and he knew, says one of his countrymen, how to be simple with the simple, learned with the wise, and a logician with the acute. The sweetness of his manners and the sanctity of his conduct realised, with a delightful harmony of union, the exhortations of his pen; and he lived to show to the world, that no eloquence is so forcible in its appeal, or so alluring in its suggestions, as the silent rhetoric of a well-spent life.-Church of England Quarterly. ELECTION OF THE POPE.-Twice every day the cardinals meet in a large hall to ballot. Mass having been previously celebrated, and the influence of the Holy Spirit invoked, the cardinals in turn deposit a paper, containing the name of their favourite candidate, in an urn. These are proclaimed aloud by the BOURDALOUE. It is related in Spence, that Bour-secretary of the conclave, and the election is only condaloue having been appointed to preach on Good cluded when two-thirds agree in their choice; until Friday, the proper officer attended to conduct him to which time the scrutiny, as it is called, is repeated at church. He was directed to the study of the father. eleven and five o'clock every day. But even when Ascending the stairs, the brisk notes of a violin caught the conclave have come to a decision, four European his astonished ear; and, the door being partially open, sovereigns (of France, Austria, Spain, and Portugal) he beheld Bourdaloue stripped to his cassock, and have still the power of putting their veto on the eleckeeping time to the movements of his instrument. tion; and, as the interests of these nations have often For some time he stood in mute consternation; at been at variance, the obstacles in former times to the last he summoned sufficient resolution to tap gently choice of a pontiff usually appeared insurmountable. at the door. The preacher immediately laid down Until a candidate is declared successful, the papers his violin, hurried on his robe, and, coming forward containing the votes are regularly burnt after each with his usual composure of manner, addressed him- scrutiny, and crowds collect at the appointed hours, "O sir, is it you? I hope I have not made you stay; eagerly awaiting the result. This is communicated to I am quite ready to attend you." The poor man, as them in a curious manner. The smoke from the they were going down, ventured to express his surburning papers is allowed to escape through a small prise at the spectacle he had beheld. Bourdaloue reiron tube, which is so placed as to be visible to the plied with a smile-"Indeed, you might well be a people without; and, while they continue daily to see little surprised, if you don't know any thing of my way this smoke, they know that their pope is not yet on these occasions. But the whole matter was this elected, and depart discontented and grumbling. in thinking over the subject of the day, I found When the smoke no longer issues at the usual time, my spirits too much depressed to speak as I ought it is the first announcement that the conclave is to do; so I had recourse to my usual method of music broken up, and the pontiff chosen. Then the cannons and a little motion. It has produced its effect: I am at the castle of St. Angelo are heard, and the news now in a proper temper, and go with pleasure to a spreads like wild-fire through Rome. All the avenues duty to which I should otherwise have gone with leading to the palace are soon thronged with people pain. It was not until his mind had been matured eager to learn on whom the choice has fallen. A by diligent labour and study that Bourdaloue assumed cardinal, in his robes of state, appears on a balcony, the sacred garments of the priesthood. Several years and, in the following words, proclaims that the pope of his life were devoted to the instruction of young is elected-" Annuncio vobis gaudium magnumpersons in grammar, rhetoric, philosophy, and habemus Papam!" ("I announce to you a great joydivinity, in the place of his birth. At length he enwe have a pope!") and declare the name of the suctered the ministry; and, after obtaining a wide re- cessful candidate. Immediately the bells throughout nown among country congregations, he was called the city sound joyfully, the cannon are again fired, to Paris in 1669-a period, it has been observed, and thousands of voices shout aloud the name of the peculiarly distinguished for its splendours both in new pontiff.- Letters from Italy, to a Younger military and literary exploits. The victories Sister. By Catherine Taylor. London: Murray. of Turenne, the festivities of Versailles, the pens of Corneille and Racine, were the glories and the enchantments of the time. A fever of the passions had quickened the popular blood; a general excitement pervaded society. The national eyesight was dazzled with the lustre of literature and arms; the national pride was intoxicated with the music and the wine of prosperity and fame. This was, undeniably, no favourable season for the appearance of a preacher. But the genius and energy of Bourdaloue vanquished the difficulties in his path; and while, so to speak, he darkened the theatre of life, and rolled a cloud over this gorgeous pageant of worldly distinction, he re-illuminated it with a purer light, and embellished it with more beautiful decorations. the heart of the voluptuous monarch bowed under his eloquence; and he was continually recalled in successive years" to reason upon judgment and death," and, while the sovereign trembled, to persuade him almost to become a Christian. Bourdaloue was indeed a Jesuit, but his piety was not embittered by Even THE JEWS.-It may be mentioned, with regard to this peculiar people, that when in the act of prayer they turn their eyes towards Jerusalem; and such in fact is their veneration for the very soil of Judea, that many of them in different countries procure from Jerusalem portions of earth, which are sprinkled over the eyes of the deceased before interment. Others, who can afford the expence, retire there to die, that their bodies may mingle with the ashes of their ancestors. It is a remarkable fact, when at Copenhagen, I found Jews were buried there in an upright position, or standing in their coffins.-Travels in Russia and Poland by W. Rae Wilson, F.S.A. London: Published by JAMES BURNS, 17 Portman Street, Portman Square: W. EDWARDS, 12 Ave-Maria Lane, St. Paul's; and to be procured, by order, of all Booksellers in Town and Country. PRINTED BY JOSEPH ROGERSON, 24 NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON |