ROSE ON THE STATE OF PROTESTANTISM IN GERMANY. MR. EDITOR, The favourable notice which you took of my work, on "The State of Protestantism in Germany," encourages me to request that you will give me, in your Journal, an opportunity of vindicating myself from a charge which has lately been made against me of having grossly misrepresented the meaning of Rosenmüller the younger, in two important matters. In a German translation of my work, the Translator, assisted by four friends, has added a very considerable number of notes in defence of the Rationalist opinions; and in a spirit of great dislike, not only to what he deems my bigotry personally, but to that of the Church of England in general. I do not feel myself called on to reply to these statements, as they do not contain either a novel or able view of the side of the question they espouse. And I cannot but add, that it is a matter of unaffected satisfaction to me to find that the researches of these gentlemen have not enabled them to impeach the accuracy of my statements, except in two instances. As these instances, however, involve a charge of direct falsification, I deem it necessary to show that the allegation is unjust; and to expose the singularly dishonest artifice by which a specious colour is given to the first of them. It is this. I have said (p. 159 & 160,) that "with regard to the prophecies, it will be seen from Rosenmüller's Proem to the third volume of his Commentary on Isaiah, that he considers that book as made up by one writer out of the minor works of several." The third Annotator has here added the following note:-" Rosenmüller says exactly the contrary. (Isaiah, Part iii. p. 6, 2d Edit.) Contineri hoc libro non diversa plurium auctorum scripta minora in unum syntagma conjuncta sed ab uno. Eodemque Scriptore integrum librum proficisci, illud arguit," &c. No contradiction certainly can apparently be more direct; and yet it is only so in appearance, and is produced by a very dishonest trick. First of all, I will shew that I have stated Rosenmüller's opinion quite justly, and this will be clear from the following quotations from the Commentary on Isaiah, Part III. Vol. I. p. 4. "Quum autem omnia quæ in hoc volumine continentur, vaticinia in unum corpus colligerentur, cui Jesaiæ, celebris olim vatis, nomen præfigere visum esset, illi qui « eo negotio fungebantur oraculum hocce (the first in order) grave illud et generalioris argumenti in fronte libri posuerunt,"* &c. Again (p. 9) "Jesaiana tamen oracula a manibus serioribus varie esse interpolata, imo integris Carminibus alienis, bic illic insertis adaucta, accuratior singularium hujus libri partium disquisitio docebit." It will not be worth while to refer to more than a few instances of what we learn This opinion is even more explicitly stated in p. 453 of the same Vol., where Rosenmüller states his belief that chap. xiii. is the work of an age later than that of Isaiah, adding, “ut Jesaiæ nomen Carinen nostrum in fronte geret? Quasi vero non constaret, esse tam in hoc nostro, cui a Jesaia est nomen, vaticiniorum corpore, quam in aliis, vaticiniorum collectionibus plura capita quibus ab illis, qui hos libros conscripserunt et in unum collegerunt, falsum scriptoris nomen esset præpositum." Had I referred to these places, my dishonest adversary could not have taken advantage of me. But, in fact, he must have known better than I, that this notion of Rosenmüller, as to Isaiah, caused a controversy in Germany. from this accurate examination. The first four verses of chap. ii. are probably older than Isaiah's time, according to Rosenmüller. On chap. xxi. he says, that the pretended prophecy of the fall of Babylon contained in it, was written at the time of that fall, and not in the age of Isaiah; and in the preface to chap. xxiii. he says exactly the same as to the prophecy of the fall of Tyre, adding that many words used there shew that this part is later than the time of Isaiah. It now remains to account for the discrepancy of these statements with that quoted by our annotator. In the Proem to Isaiah, Part III. Vol. III. Rosenmüller delivers it as his opinion that there are two grand divisions of the book of Isaiah, the one containing chapters i.-xxxix. and suiting (with a few exceptions) the time of Isaiah; the other obviously later, as late, indeed, as the close of the Babylonish captivity. Of this last he repeatedly speaks as a separate book, and it is of this that he says (in contrast, I presume, to the other, of which, as I have shewn, he speaks as a whole, made up of various parts) in the words quoted by the annotator, that it is the work of a single writer." Can anything be more grossly dishonest than this? The excuse of a hasty perusal cannot be offered, for Rosenmüller's argument for the unity of the books is taken from the unity of its views, topics, style, &c.; and to support this, half the page is filled with quotations in a very large type, and all of them subsequent to the 39th chapter. 66 The second charge against me is founded on another statement in the same page. I have said there that Rosenmüller takes the history of Jonah to be a repetition of the Mythus of Hercules swallowed by the sea monster, and that it was written by a contemporary of Jeremiah. This, says the annotator, is "a false and odious exposition of Rosenmüller's opinion, as any one may convince himself who will refer to the Scholia on the minor prophets, Vol. II. p. 356." Let Rosenmüller speak for himself then. After mentioning the Mythus I allude to, he adds, "Hunc igitur Mythum, cum aliis vicinarum gentium superstitionibus ad Judæos quoque uti credibile est, per latum hujus libri scriptor rationibus Hebraicis accommodatum, exornatum et ampleatum, prouti in rem suam conducere videtur intexuit narrationi ad redarguendos atque corrigendos Hebræos a se composita," &c. P. 337, he pronounces the whole incidents in Jonah obviously false and absurd; and in p. 359, gives the opinion I have mentioned as to the age of the book. Having thus refuted the charges brought against me, I have only to apologize for taking up so much of your readers' time, and to subscribe myself, Mr. Editor, Horsham, Oct. 11, 1826. Your faithful Servant, Our readers, we feel assured, must be convinced that Mr. Rose has satisfactorily refuted the charges alleged against him by the German translator of his sermons and his coadjutors. As we cannot devote any part of our pages to an analysis of Mr. Haldane's "Second Review of the Conduct of the Directors of the British and Foreign Bible Society," we take this opportunity of stating that Mr. Rose's observations (which that gentleman quotes with approbation for their fidelity,) are corroborated by the details which he (Mr. Haldane) has furnished. VOL. VIII. NO. XI. 4. S It may be gratifying to some of our readers to know, that in a new edition of his Scholia on the Pentateuch, published in 1824, the younger Rosenmüller has abandoned that lax system of interpreting the Mosaic narrative of the creation and fall as fables, for which his first edition has been justly and severely censured. Rosenmüller has also recently announced an abridgment of his Scholia on the Old Testament.-ED. MONTHLY REGISTER. SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. EXETER DIOCESAN ASSOCIATION. We know of few more pleasing events that occur in this city, than the observance of the Anniversary of our numerous 'religious and charitable Institutions; but in the whole circle, wide as it is, there is scarcely one that associates with it so much of satisfactory feeling, we had almost said pride, as the Anniversary of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; and this gratification certainly, on Thursday last, experienced no diminution. It was held as usual in the Cathedral, and though we think we have seen a larger congregation, the number of children of the town and country schools exceeded all former precedent; there were between 16 and 1700 of these children present, all clean, decently clad, and receiving their books from the Society. The service was performed in the outer choir of this noble fabric, the centre aisle of which was seated for the occasion; Kent's Anthem, "Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel, &c." was performed by the Choir, the children sang the Old Hundreth, and after the sermon, part of the 16th Psalm, "My lot is fall'n, &c." The Rev. Dr. Bull, Archdeacon of Barnstaple, preached the sermon from the 10th chapter of St. Matthew, part of the 8th verse, "Freely ye have received, freely give." The text itself speaks volumes, and the doctrines it inculcates were enforced by the Rev. Preacher with an eloquence and persuasiveness that was irresistible; he reminded his hearers that for all the blessings of this life, both temporal and spiritual, we were indebted to the free and unmerited grace of God, and that valuing as we ought the glorious and inestimable privileges we possessed, it was the duty of every individual, according to the measure and proportion in which he had received, to aid and assist in the diffusion and extension of the same blessings to others. He paid a high and well merited compliment to the Society, whose claims he advocated, and most truly remarked that if in general knowledge we might perhaps have been equalled or nearly so in many previous eras of the world, in religious knowledge, in the knowledge of our Maker, his ways and works, we far outstrip all former precedent or example: therefore, he exhorted his hearers, that freely as they had received, freely they should give. The service being ended, Lady Rolle, Lady Acland, Mrs. Hull, Mrs. T. Proter, Sir T. D. Acland, Bart. M. P., Sir H. Davie, Bart., L. W. Buck Esq. M. P., Rev. Dr. George Barnes, E. P. Lyon, and Henry Porter, Esqrs. made the collection at the doors, amounting to 791. 9s. 3d. in addition to which 11/. was afterwards remitted by letter to the Rev. Dr. Bull: making a total collection of 90l. 9s. 3d. The members of the Society, with many other persons who evidently took deep interest in the proceedings of the day, then adjourned to the Guildhall, where the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, Patron of the Association, took the chair, and having read prayers, proceeded to read the Tenth Report of the Diocesan Committee, exhibiting a most cheering view of the state of the Association throughout the Diocese. It adverted to the fact, that not only the staunch and wellknown friends of sound religion and useful learning, were more and more exerting themselves in the distribution of the Holy Volumes, and the Liturgy of the Church; but that as education extended itself, and the merits of the Society became better understood among the lower orders, there was an increased demand for Bibles and Prayer Books, and even many of the Village Schools were anxious to be supplied from the Society's list. Of Books and Tracts distributed, the number exceeded that of the former year by no less than 3,879, and of the year preceding by 5,126. The Committee in concluding, “trust that when other institutions see their resources lessening under the pressure of the times, or the caprice of the day, they may ever witness with joy and gratitude the growing prosperity of one, which neither walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending itself to every man's conscience in the sight of God,' avows to mankind its simple but sublime objects, Glory to God in the highest; on earth peace, good-will towards men.' The Lord Bishop thought there was indeed much matter for congratulation in this report, and he trusted he should not be thought to detract from its amount in the smallest degree, when he expressed his regret that the subject of Parochial Lending Libraries, to which he had particularly called their attention at the last anniversary meeting, had not met a more general countenance and support. He now again called on every friend of religion and good order in the diocese, to make it a matter of serious consideration, from his entire conviction, that there was no one part in the whole range of benevolent purposes contemplated by the Parent Society, more deserving their attention. "We (said his Lordship) take pains to teach the poor to read, and to impart to them useful and saving knowledge, and God forbid it should be other wise; or that through any neglect of ours, they should be kept in darkness, or the sacred Volume, containing the words of eternal life, and which alone can make them wise unto salvation, should be to them a closed book. God forbid that we should not distribute to them, what we have received ourselves. This part of the subject however (continued his Lordship) has been so ably handled by the Rev. Preacher who addressed us to-day, that I will not detain the meeting by dwelling on it. In turning (his Lordship said) from the Diocesan Association to the Parent Society, matter for much congratulation met their view; he held in his hand a paper, not yet published, having been made up for the purpose of auditing the Society's accounts to April last, which gave a distribution within the year of the extraordinary quantity of 1,490,691 Books and Tracts. And while speaking of the Parent Society, he (the Bishop) thought it not one of the least pleasing circumstances in the occur rences of the day, that they should have among them an eminent promoter and supporter of the Society in the person of one of their able and indefatigable Treasurers (Joshua Watson, Esq.) one who had not only liberally expended his money in its support, but also devoted his valuable time, to that and every Church of England Institution. His health, he trusted, would be restored by a visit to the salubrious climate of Devonshire, and he hoped that at no distant period he would be enabled to resume his wonted activity and usefulness.-There was also another gentleman among them to-day (Rev. Dr. G. Barnes) whom he (the Bishop) could not but heartily congratulate; and he was sure the meeting would join with him, on his arrival again in his native land, after having most ably filled an arduous situation. in a benighted country, where eleven years of his valuable life had been spent. The meeting had testified how cordially they went along with him (the Bishop) in their congratulations to that excellent individual; but his family and more immediate friends must feel peculiarly thankful and grateful, when they reflected that their relative and friend was the only one of a most useful establishment whom providence had spared to return to his countfy." Sir T. D. Acland said, it was with no light satisfaction he had listened to the Report, and the excellent observations with which it had been followed up by the Right Reverend Prelate in the chair, and was sure he was not saying too much, when he asserted that this was indeed a highly favoured district, favoured by salubrity of climate, of which he trusted the worthy Treasurer of the Parent Society would reap the advantage, favoured in having at the head of the Church we love, the excellent individual who now filled the chair, and again doubly favoured to-day, in being permitted at its Diocesan Meeting to see the face of one who alone survived of all his associates in a climate where death made such havoc: nor could any native of the district hear, without a heart glowing with pride and satisfaction, of the pre-eminence the Association had taken above all others in its distribution. It was indeed an honour to this part of the kingdom, and he trusted it would be their determination long to maintain that position for the advantages of true religion, morality, and the preservation of all that was dear to man in a civilized state. Sir T. A. moved that the Report which had afforded such satisfaction to the meeting should be printed and generally circulated. Sir H. Davie, fully entering into the satisfaction so ably expressed at the gratifying nature of the Report, thought the District Committees, from whom much valuable information had been received, should not be lost sight of; he therefore moved the thanks of the meeting to them. Mr. Buck was sure the meeting would cordially join with him in acknowledging the obligations they were under to the Rev. Dr. Bull for the seasonable and excellent discourse he had delivered that morning. Dr. Bull thanked the gentleman and the meeting for the kind expression of approbation they had just awarded him, and begged them to believe he should always feel pleasure in contributing, as far as was in his power, to the interest of this Society. Before he (Dr. B.) sat down, he would trouble the meeting a little further;-perhaps it would be in the recollection of many who now heard him, that at the last Anniversary he moved the thanks of those then present, to the Mayor and Chamber and Corporate Bodies of this city, for the countenance they gave to the proceedings of the day, and their general support of the Society; if he felt pleasure on that occasion, it had certainly received no diminution today, when they had seen not only those Corporate Bodies, but such an assemblage of the laity coming forward with one heart and voice to assist and strengthen the hands of the Clergy in the good work; to the body to which he (Dr. B.) belonged, this public countenance and support was particularly grateful, because such was the nature of man, that if assemblages for purposes like the present were composed of the Clergy only, something like sinister motives might be attributed to them; the presence and zealous support of the laity removed every feeling of this kind, and presented to the world the heart-cheering spectacle of the cooperation and strict union of all members of the Established Church, Clergy and Laity, coming forward with one voice and making common cause with a Society, than which, (not to speak invidiously) not one was more entitled to their support. He (Dr. B.) thought it was peculiarly characteristic of this Diocese, and not to be mentioned less to its honour, than other excellent properties which had been alluded to to-day, that in all things the Clergy found the lay gentry, as well as numbers of the commonalty, zealously affected towards them, and rendering their burthen the lighter by cordial assistance; this he said with great truth of the whole Diocese, but the observation applied with still more peculiar force, when mentioned in connexion with this city and neighbourhood, which had always been foremost to cheer, to support, and to assist the Clergy in every work, having for its object the present wellbeing and final salvation of man. John Kennaway, Esq. moved the thanks of the meeting to the Select Committee of last year. Rev. Dr. George Barnes seconded the motion, and took that opportunity |