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tion; but as this rule cannot explain itself, the Catholic believes his church infallible in applying it. Hence it would be as inconsistent for division, in point of faith, to exist in the Ca tholic Church, as for day and night

hemisphere. He, who should refuse to submit to the decrees of this Church is cast out with disdain from the pale of Catholic communion; the weed is pluckt up, and left to wither, (or, as │I have somewhere read) to be conveyi

reformed church, where it may vegi. tate and spread its wild foliage with out restraint. The absence of this uniting principle then has been the cause of the religious discord and dis agreements which have so long existed in England; and that land, which was formerly of one tongue and the same speech, (Gen. supra,) now abounds with a thousand distinct religions, which agree with each other in nothing but in execrating the creed of their forefathers. I remain, &c. yours,

gent. The gospel freedom and liberty of conscience, which every English Protestant enjoys, prompted them to reform the already thrice-reformed creed; and hence sprung up the Puritans, the Methodists, the Quakers, the Independents, the Dip-to reign with equal sway in the same pers, the Jumpers, and, in our own bad days, the visionary Southcottians. This evangelical liberty has produced in England a phenomenon not unlike that which is recorded in Genesis.When the men of the East (c. xi.) had formed the mad scheme of constructed into the more luxuriant soil of the ing a tower, whose summit should reach heaven, God was incensed at the daring presumption of the sons of Adam, and determined to convince them and their latest posterity that man ought not to undertake a task which lies within the sphere of omnipotence. He cast among them the seeds of division, a confusion of tongues ensued, and the tower was called Babel, says the Jewish Legislature, because there the language of the whole earth was confounded.(Gen. xi. 9.) No sooner had the constructors of the English Church attempted to raise an ecclesiastical edifice, the power of building which the Son of God had reserved to himself, (Matt. xvi. 18,) when a religious confusion of tongues was the consequence; and how should it be otherwise? With Protestants the Scripture is the only rule of faith; they reject tradition and church authority. As the sacred books are not easy to be understood, and as they admit of various interpretations, and, again, as each individual's judgment is different from that of his neighbour, it is absolutely impossible that men, who must judge for themselves, will pass the same judgment on the same subject. This rule cannot explain itself, and consequently multifarious sects must exist, or recourse must be had to a principle of union. This principle does not exist in any church but that of Rome. The Catholic rule of faith is the word of God, either contained in the holy Scriptures, or handed down by tradi

Sept. 12, 1815.

J. C.

To the Editor of the Orthodox Journal.

It

SIR, No one could but he highly gratified to find from your last num ber, that a plan is formed in the Midland district for a Tract Society. would give me great pleasure, were it in my power to contribute more than good wishes towards its success. I trust that its venerable president and members will attribute the following remarks to the best of motives.

There is not any devotion more fre. quently used in the office of the church, none perhaps more highly recommended for private use, and at the same time less understood than the Psalms, some of which are prophetic, and others merely referring to certain Jewish ceremonies, or to the particu lar circumstances under which they were written. I should think that an elucidation of them would be of great utility. The holy week book con

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tains some quotations from a treatise | object was most numerously and reon the psalms by St. Austin. If that spectably signed, previous to its prework is translated, it would be an act sentation; and I doubt not but the worthy of the Tract Society to endea- next will be much more so. But what

vour to circulate it. If not, any di-I complain of is, that no one seems vine who would undertake such a translation, would confer an infinite obligation on the Catholic laity. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, J. TAYLOR.

Norwich, Sept. 1815.

To the Editor of the Orthodox Journal.

SIR,-Among the most interesting subjects likely to occupy the attention of your readers for some time, I trust I may be allowed to class that of a renewal of our application to Parliament for a redress from the grievances we endure, and the humiliations we are subject to, as Catholics, in our native land. And here I would beg leave to remark, that, in spite of all difficulties and disappointments, we have reason to exult at the result of that application, having thereby had an opportunity of evincing to our dissenting countrymen, through the

ever-memorable conduct of the venerable Hierarchy of Ireland, that we do not so implicitly concede to the Pope in matters of a temporal nature, in which his authority is not obligafory; and that even in spiritual concerns, the proper authorities do presume to differ with him, and sometimes do give hin council, previous to his having given his final decision, when it is conceived his Holiness labours under a misconception; and, with this conviction on my mind, I feel that I am warranted in wishing and praying that success may attend the efforts of the Deputation from the Hierarchy of Ireland.

I cannot but regret, in common with all who wish well to the cause of unrestricted emancipation, the singular apathy which pervades the minds of the Catholics of this metropolis I do not mean any reflection upon them,-no; such would be un just; for the petition embracing that

disposed to take an active part in the drawing up of the petition, calling a meeting of the Catholics, or procuring signatures. Though all wish for its success, yet it is very evident, that, if none interested themselves in the active department, there could be no petition, and consequently the Parliament might naturally infer, that, not thinking ourselves badly off, we were indifferent as to the act of emancipation; and then the Board would proceed with their arrangement petition, without any kind of opposition; and here would be the danger of the apathy I have noticed. But I should hope that a few individuals determined to do their utmost to preserve their pastors from the danger of being influenced by a Protestant Government, and prevent their becoming the tool of an administration, who swear that the creed of the Catholics is damnable, and consequently, if honest, must wish and seek for its subversion and destruction, will now stand forward, and form an association for the purpose of carrying on such correspondence as may be deemed necessary, as well as to call a public and general Meeting of the Catholics when it may be convenient, to draw up Resolutions and a Petition, to be submitted to such meeting for its adoption, and to sanction the proceedings of such association. I am firmly convinced in my own mind, that if such a plan were adopted, it would not be long before we should find that we had withdrawn the Catholics from that state of indifference which now appears to possess them, and roused an energy in their minds, so as to make them active in the pursuit of an unrestricted emancipation. In the attempt at forming such an association, I must confess I have met with much difficulty, and could wish I might add with success; and it is from that cir

cumstance of not being able to succeed that I make this general appeal to the Catholics, in hopes that some others more competent may be induced to endeavo our after the same end, namely, the forming of a voluntary association for carrying on the object of unrestricted emancipation; for the wheel wants oiling to make it fit for work, and I fear the springs will stand still if not oiled. I find all wish well, but none that will act; one does not wish to belong to any party, another would support such a plan, but will not interfere in it, and another again is fear ful that the obtaining emancipation would only slacken our zeal and injure our religion. In short all seem sunk in an unaccountable apathy, and which rather than decrease with age, seems to evaporate into a state of total indifference, and renders its influence the more dangerous.

It is rather curious to observe the arguments of those cautious, prudent men, who, when the petition of last year was tendered to them for signatures, refused to sign it, alledging their wish not to belong to any party, that the petition was needless, and would prove ineffectual, as the petitioners were so few in comparison with the whole population of England, and that success in such a measure could not even be anticipated; thus proving that they would belong to any party, provided such party were strong, and likely to incur no danger in the prosecution of their object; so that though they wish to reap the benefits of the engagement, still they will not risk themselves in the obtaining of them; though they would gladly divide the profits, still they will not give their share towards their procuring. But there is another party who may be said to possess a retined prudence; who, though they approve, will not openly support the advocates for unrestricted emancipation; who disapprove of, yet will not act against the Veto Board; and who, in order to keep up a degree of intimacy and friendship with the Board, are very

did

useful in signing pretty little addresses, which, though they do not perhaps immediately come under the denomi nation of Vetoistical Addresses, still are dangerous, inasmuch as they, in a manner, acknowledge the authority of the body which draws them up. Now, without discussing all the ridiculous British flummery contained in the Address lately sent to the Prince Regent by the Board, it is at besta lump of sophistry and inconsistency. The said Address is indeed one of the most foolishly drawn up I ever saw; and I do not recollect observing that any of the papers stated it to have been gra ciously received by his Royal High ness. Yet, last sessions, when an ho nest, open, and fair document was of fered to those said no-party-gentry for their signatures, they refused to sign it, saying, that they imagined we would be better without emancipation, and that they would belong to no party. Now, if they did not wish for emancipation, to what purpose their signing that address tend? It appeared to me that they were deter mined by an extraordinary degree of loyalty, to shew they were worthy of being admitted into an equal partici pation of the benefits of the Constitu tion with their fellow-countrymen of all religious persuasions; and did they not thereby prove and acknowledge themselves to be a party acting distinct from his Majesty's other subjects?If what I have stated was not their intention in signing the address, what, in the name of common sense, was their intent? I cannot perceive it. I say extraordinary loyalty, because ! think it was unnecessary and uncalled for; and, except themselves, I be lieve there was not any other deputa tion from any other religious body on such occasions; and, indeed, all the corporate bodies did not think proper to address his Royal Highness on the subject. From the selfish conduct of the members of the Board, it is evi dent they never will call a general meeting of the Catholics; but 1 still hope this desirable object will not be

lost sight of, but that some spirited |
and independent Catholics will come
forward, and, through the medium of
your Journal, announce the glad ti
dings to the public, that they have res-
cued our body from the self-domina-
tion of an intriguing junto; and I re-
main, yours, &c.
T. M.

London, Sept. 23, 1815.

I For the Orthodox Journal.

;

But has any one, whether Protestant or Protesting Catholic Dissenter, been able to answer one dissertation among those with which it is regularly headed? Has any one so much as refuted a single argument or position which, without premeditated study, the author is frequently obliged to send forth on the spur of the occasion? Men, who themselves are a party, and even an inconsiderable party, accuse this writer of supporting a party, while it is notorious that he is backed by the great body of native Catholics, and while he is advocating the cause of the great Catholic Church. They complain of his little free press, while they themselves keep The Globe, The British Press, The Pilot, and I know not how many other mercenary prints in regular pay. The truth is, they wish to have the means of deluding the

lic, in their own hands, and, by the same rule, they are indignant that any one should possess the means of de tecting their delusions. I am,

PLAIN TTUTH.

For the Orthodox Journal.

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MR. EDITOR,In proportion to the excellence of a character, or the merit of an undertaking, it is sure to become the object of jealousy and opposition in this depraved age. I am led to make this observation from considering a writer and a work, both of them devoted to the best interests of the Catholic Religion, but which I shall not name, nor otherwise point out, except by mentioning the follow-public, particularly the Catholic pubing undeniable facts concerning them. The writer in question has not had a regularly learned education, but, by the force of strong natural talents, joined to persevering industry and occasional reading, he has enabled himself to write on a great variety of subjects, not only with correctness of language, but also with closeness of argument, liveliness of imagination, and energy of expression, which few of his contemporaries can equal. His periodical essays have crushed the calumnies and blasphemies of the day, against our religion, as these have daily sprouted forth; they have restrained the groundless pretensions of a few unauthorized individuals to speak and act in the name of five mil-establish knows neither infancy nor lions of Catholics, for the most part contrary to their sentiments; and have brought forward and arrayed the strength and talents of the latter in a manner that has never been attempted, or, at least, never has succeeded, till this periodical work was set on foot. Independently of the general remark at the beginning of my letter, this particular description of the publica tion in question will account for the enry and opposition raised against it.

MR. EDITOR, It is a melancholy, though, at the same time, rather an interesting, task, to watch with a philosophic eye the infancy, the growth, and the decay of a religious establishment. Your readers will easily know, that by a religious establishment, I mean a Church of human institution; for the religion which the Redeemer descended from heaven to

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old age. On the contrary, the churches, which are of this world, like every other kingdom founded on human policy, cannot long exist without betraying symptoms of mor tality. Zeal and religious enthusiasm may give a spread to their tenets, they may seem for a time to possess the characters of consistency and perpetuity, they may be honoured and patronized by the ruling powers, but, like every other work of man, they

will at length grow old and decay.The religious establishment of this country seems to be in this last stage; its youthful vigour has passed by, and the strength of manhood is rapidly declining into the infirmity of old age. The venerable guardians of this sacred establishment see and lament the encreasing evil; and (be it said to the credit of their zeal) they exert every nerve to prop the crumbling ruin. But, alas! their efforts must prove unsuccessful.

religious Briton, who has made profi ciency in his spelling-book, has it in his power, as often as he pleases, to feed at the delicious repast. From the most dignified and most affluent minister of the established church, as well as the mere parochial curate, Bi blical Societies have received patro nage; and, though the Margaret Professor of Divinity in the university of Cambridge, (a man of much Biblical celebrity,) may have wished to couple the Common Prayer Book with the Among the causes which produced volume that contained the pure word the great religious revolution in Eu- of God, his improvement has been rerope during the sixteenth century, the jected, and the Bible has gone forth diffusion of the Scripture translated from this religious island to the four into the vernacular languages holds a quarters of the world, to convince the principal place. Luther and his fel-unlettered inhabitants of America and low-apostles took care to exhort their Russia, and the distant Chinese and proselytes to peruse, with constant as- African, that the 39 articles of the suidity, the sacred volumes. The un- Church of England were the creed of in tutored vulgar soon began to disco- the Apostles, that an English king ver the damnable errors of the Popish ought to be the head of the Church, harlot; the Roman Pontiff was soon (Art. 37,) and that Christ is really rearrayed in all the terrors of Anti-ceived where he is really not present, Christian tyranny; and the man of sin, the son of perdition, who exalteth | himself above all that is called God, was soon found to be the same individual, who, from the metropolis of superstition, dared to dethrone · sovereigns, and absolve their subjects from their allegiance. In proportion as Biblical knowledge became more general, a thousand different forms of religious worship appeared; each sectary received the Bible as his rule of faith, and, upon the authority of the divine word, believed the Roman Church to be the whore of Babylon, drunk with the blood of the Saints, the Pope to be Anti-Christ, and the tenets of his creed to be the doctrine of Devils.

Persuaded of the truth of the old axiom, that "every thing is revived and increased by the means which first gave it birth," the zealous watch men of the holy city have again had recourse to the Bible. Bible Societies have been every where instituted, the word of God is plentifully scattered among the gaping throng, and every

(Art. 23.) The words of an old Po-
pish bard are again verified. Speak-
ing of the Scripture, he says,

Et quâ sol radiis tendit, stylus ille cucurrit
Arctos, meridies, hinc plenus verper & ortus.
Transit et occanum.
V. FORTUN.

But for what reason is the Bible scattered among the vulgar? Is it to teach them, that the church of Eng. land is the true religion, or to enable them to form a religion of their own? If the former motive actuate the Bib lical exertions of these men, I cannot help pitying their want of foresight; if the latter, I cannot refrain from condemning them, first of inconsistency, and secondly for offering vio lence to the intentions of the sacred penmen. The diffusion of the scripture can never convince one rational being, that the Church of England is the religion of the apostles; if it could, it is surprising that for 1500 years it never produced that effect.The Bible was read before the days of Henry VIII. and yet it convinced no one, that an English king was essentially Christ's vicar on earth, or that

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