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413.

A religious observer stands at a turnpike gate on a Sunday, to witness the profane crowd passing by; he sees a man driving very clumsily in a gig; the experience of the driver provokes the following pious obser

nion, that if his strength had not been so much exhausted, | the elect-the people of God. The rest of mankind he would now have been in a state of religious transport. are carnal people-the people of this world, &c. &c. The His nervous system, however, had received such a shock, children of Israel were not more separated, through that his recovery was doubtful; and it seemed certain, that if he did recover, he would sink into a state of idiocy. He the favour of God, from the Egyptians, than the Mesurvived this interview but a few days.'-Ev. Mag. p. 412, thodists are, in their own estimation, from the rest of mankind. We had hitherto supposed that the disciples of the Established churches in England and Scotland had been Christians; and that, after bap tism, duly performed by the appointed minister, and participation in the customary worship of these two churches, Christianity was the religion of which they were to be considered as members. We see, how"What (I said to mysel) if a single outward circum-ever, in these publications, men of twenty or thirty stance should happen! Should the horse take fright, or years of age first called to a knowledge of Christ unthe wheel on either side get entangled, or the gig upset-in der a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Venn,-or first admitted either case what can preserve him? And should a morn-into the church of Christ under a sermon by the Rev. Mr. ing so fair and promising bring on evil before night-Romaine. The apparent admission turns out to have should death on his pale horse appear-what follows? My been a mere mockery; and the pseudo-christian to mind shuddered at the images I had raised."'-Ev. Mag. have had no religion at all, till the business was really and effectually done under these sermons by Mr. Venn and Mr. Romaine.

vations.

p. 558, 559.

1

An awful and general departure from the Christian
Faith in the Church of England.

Miss Louisa Cooke's rapturous state. From this period she lived chiefly in retirement, either in reading the sacred volume on her knees, or in pouring out her soul in prayer to God. While thus employed, she was not unfrequently indulged with visits from her A second volume of Mr. Cooper's sermons is before us gracious Lord; and sometimes she felt herself to be surrounded, stamped with the same broad seal of truth and excellence as it were, by his gracious presence. After her return to as the former. Amidst the awful and general departure Bristol, her frame of mind became so heavenly, that she from the faith, as once delivered to the saints, in the Church seemed often to be dissolved in the love of God her Se-of England, and sealed by the blood of our reformers, it is viour.'-Ev. Mag. p. 576, 577. pleasing to observe that there is a remnant, according to the election of grace, who continue rising up to testify the gospel of the grace of God, and to call back their fellows to the consideration of the great and leading doctrines on by law established. The author of these sermons, avoiding all matters of more doubtful disputation, avowedly attaches himself to the great fundamental truths; and on the two substantial pillars, the Jachin and Boaz of the living temple, erects his superstructure. 1. Justification by faith, without works, free and full, by grace alone, through the redemp tion which is in Jesus Christ, stands at the commencement of the first volume; and on its side rises in the beauty of holiness,' &c.-Ev. Mag. p. 79.

Objection to Almanacks.

'Let those who have been partial to such vain produc-which the Reformation was built, and the Church of England tions, only read Isaiah xlvii. 13, and Daniel ii. 27; and they will here see what they are to be accounted of, and in what company they are to be found; and let them learn to despise their equivocal and artful insinuations, which are too frequently blended with profanity; for is it not profanity in them to attempt to palm their frauds upon mankind by scripture quotations, which they seldom fail to do, especially Judges v. 20, and Job xxxviii. 31? neither of which teaches nor warrants any such practice. Had Baruch or Deborah consulted the stars? No such thing.' -Ev, Mag. p. 600.

This energy of feeling will be found occasionally to meddle with, and disturb the ordinary occupations and amusements of life, and to raise up little qualms of conscience, which, instead of exciting respect, border, we fear, somewhat too closely upon the ludi

crous.

A Methodist Footman.

Mr. Robinson called to the knowledge of Christ under
Mr. Venn's Sermon.

Mr. Robinson was called in early life to the knowledge of Christ, under a sermon at St. Dunstan's, by the late Rev. Mr. Venn, from Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26; the remembrance of which greatly refreshed his soul upon his death-bed.'-Ev. Mag. p. 176.

Christianity introduced into the Parish of Launton, near Bicester, in the year 1807.

'A very general spirit of inquiry having appeared for some time in the village of Launton, near Bicester, some serious persons were excited to communicate to them the word of

A gentleman's servant, who has left a good place because he was ordered to deny his master when actually at home, wishes something on this subject may be introduced into this work, that persons who are in the habit of deny-life.'-Ev. Mag. p. 380. ing themselves in the above manner may be convinced of its evil.'-Ev. Mag. p. 72.

We learn in page 128, Meth. Mag., that twelve months had elapsed from the time of Mrs. Cocker's joining the people of God, before she obtained a clear sense of forgiveness.

Doubts if it is right to take interest for money. 'Usury.-Sir, I beg the favour of you to insert the following case of conscience. I frequently find in scripture, that Usury is particularly condemned; and that it is repreA religious Hoy sets off every week for Margate. sented as the character of a good man, that "he hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase," 'Religious Passengers accommodated. To the Editor.-Sir, Ezek. xviii. 8, &c. I wish, therefore, to know how such it afforded me considerable pleasure to see upon the cover passages are to be understood; and whether the taking of of your Magazine for the present month, an advertisement, interest for money, as is universally practiced among us, announcing the establishment of a packet. to sail weekly can be reconciled with the word and will of God? Q.'-between London and Margate, during the season; which Ev. Mag. p. 74. appears to have been set on foot for the accommodation of religious characters; and in which "no profane conversa

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Dancing ill suited for a creature on trial for eternity.tion is to be allowed."
If dancing be a waste of time; if the precious hours de-
voted to it may be better employed; it it be a species of
trifling ill suited to a creature on trial for eternity, and
hastening towards it on the swift wings of time; if it be
incompatible with genuine repentance, true faith in Christ,
supreme love to God, and a state of genuine devotedness
to him, then is dancing a practice utterly opposed to the
whole spirit and temper of Christianity, and subversive of
the best interests of the rising generation.'-Meth. Mag. p.

To those among the followers of a crucified Redeemer, who are in the habit of visiting the Isle of Thanet in the summer, and who, for the sea air, or from other circumstances, prefer travelling by water, such a conveyance must certainly be a desideratum, especially if they have experienced a mortification similar to that of the writer, in the course of the last summer, when shut up in a cabin with a mixed multitude, who spoke almost all languages but that of Canaan. Totally unconnected with the concern, and personally a stranger to the worthy owner, I take the liberty of recommending this vessel to the notice of my fellowThe Methodists consider themselves as constituting Christians; persuaded that they will think themselves bound a chosen and separate people, living in a land of athe-honour of the dear Redeemer for its professed object. It to patronize and encourage an undertaking that has the ists and voluptuaries. The expressions by which ought ever to be remembered, that every talent we possess, they designate their own sects, are the dear people whether large or small, is given us in trust to be laid out for

127, 128.

God; and I have often thought that Christians act incon- | hearers every night at six o'clock. How unworthy am I? sistently with their high profession, when they omit, even-Pray for us."-Ev. Mag, 84.

in their most common and trivial expenditures, to give a decided preference to the friend of their Lord. I do not, however, anticipate any such ground of complaint in this instance; but rather believe that the religious world in general will cheerfully unite with me, while I most cordially wish success to the Princess of Wales Yacht, and pray that she may ever sail under the divine protection and blessing; that the humble followers of Him who spoke the storm into a calm, when crossing the lake of Gennesareth, may often feel their hearts glowing with sacred ardour, while in her cabins they enjoy sweet communion with their Lord and with each other; and that strangers, who may be providentially brought among them, may see so much of the beauty and excellency of the religion of Jesus exemplified in their conduct and conversation, that they may be constrained to say, "We will go with you, for we perceive that God is with you. Your God shall be our God, and his people shall henceforth be our chosen companions and associates." I am, Mr. Editor, your obliged friend and sister in the gospel, E. T.-'Ev. Mag. p. 268.

A religious newspaper is announced in the Ev. M. for September.-It is said of common newspapers, That they are absorbed in temporal concerns, while the consideration of those which are eternal is postponed; the business of this life has superseded the claims of immortality; and the monarchs of the world have engrossed an attention which would have been more properly devoted to the Saviour of the universe. It is then stated, that the columns of this paper (The Instructor, Price 6d.) will be supplied by pious reflections; suitable comments to improve the dispensa. tions of Providence will be introduced; and the whole conducted with an eye to our spiritual, as well as temporal welfare. The work will contain the latest news up to four o'clock on the day of publication, together with the most recent religious occurrences. The prices of stock, and correct market-tables, will also be accurately detailed.'-Ev. Mag. September Advertisement. The Eclectic Review is also understood to be carried on upon Methodistical principles.

Nothing can evince more strongly the influence which Methodism now exercises upon common life, and the fast hold it has got of the people, than the advertisements which are circulated every month in these very singular publications. On the cover of a single number, for example, we have the following:

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The testimony of a profane Officer to the worth of Pious Sailors.

Mr. Editor-In the mouth of two or three witnesses, a truth shall be established. I recently met with a pleasing confirmation of a narrative, stated some time since in your Magazine. I was surprised by a visit from an old acquaintance of mine the other day, who is now an officer of rank in his Majesty's navy. In the course of conversation, I was shocked at the profane oaths that perpetually interrupted his sentences; and took an opportunity to express my regret that such language should be so common among sing many solemn imprecations' "no officer can live at sea so valuable a body of men. "Sir," said he, still intersperwithout swearing;-not one of my men would mind a word without an oath; it is common sea-language. If we were not to swear, the rascals would take us for lubbers, stare in our faces, and leave us to do our commands ourselves. I never knew but one exception; and that was extraordinary. I declare, believe me 'tis true (suspecting that I might not credit it,) there was a set of fellows called Methodists, on board the Victory, Lord Nelson's ship, (to be sure he was rather a religious man himself!) and those men never wanted swearing at. The dogs were the best seamen on board. Every man knew his duty, and every man did his duty. They used to meet together and sing hymns; and nobody dared molest them. The commander would not have suffered it had they attempted it. They were allowed men. I have often heard them sing away myself; and 'tis a mess by themselves; and never mixed with the other true, I assure you, but not one of them was either killed or wounded at the battle of Trafalgar, though they did their duty as well as any men. No, not one of the psalm-singing gentry was even hurt; and there the fellows are swimming away in the Bay of Biscay at this very time, singing like still are allowed the same privileges, and mess by themthe dThey are now under a new commander; but selves. These were the only fellows that I ever knew to do their duty without swearing; and I will do them justice to say they do it." J. C.-Ev. Mag. p. 119, 120.

These people are spread over the face of the whole earth in the shape of missionaries.-Upon the subject of missions we shall say very little or nothing at present, because we reserve it for another article in a subsequent Number. But we cannot help remarking the magnitude of the collections made in favour of the missionaries at the Methodistical chapels, when com pared with the collections for any common object of charity in the orthodox churches and chapels.

was presented by the Committee; from which it appeared, 'Religious Tract Society.-The most satisfactory Report that since the commencement of the Institution in the year

"Wanted, by Mr. Turner, shoemaker, a steady apprentice; he will have the privilege of attending the ministry of the gospel;-a premium expected, p. 3.-Wanted, a serious young woman, as servant of all work, 3.-Wanted, 1799, upwards of Four Millions of Religious Tracts have a man of serious character, who can shave, 3.-Wanted, a been issued under the auspices of the Society; and that conserious woman to assist in a shop, 3.-A young person in the millinery line wishes to be in a serious family, 4.-siderably more than one-fourth of that number have been sold during the last year.'-Ev. Mag. p. 284. Wants a place, a young man who has brewed in a serious family, 4.-Ditto, a young woman of evangelical principles, 4-Wanted, an active serious shopman, 5.-To be sold, an eligible residence, with sixty acres of land; gospel preached in three places within half a mile, 5.-A single gentleman may be accommodated with lodging in a small serious family, 5. To let, a genteel first floor in an airy situation near the Tabernacle, 6.-Wanted, a governess, of evangelical principles and corresponding character, 10.'

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men.

'British Navy.-It is with peculiar pleasure we insert the following extract of a letter from the pious chaplain of a man-of-war, to a gentleman at Gosport, intimating the power and grace of God manifested towards our brave sea"Off Cadiz, Nov. 26, 1806.-My dear friend-A fleet for England found us in the night, and is just going away. I have only to tell you that the work of God seems to prosper. Many are under convictions;-some, I trust, are converted. But my own health is suffering much, nor shall I probably be able long to bear it. The ship is like a tabernacle; and really there is much external reformation. Capt. raises no objection. I have near a hundred

These tracts are dropped in villages by the Methodists, and thus every chance for conversion afforded of the numbers of the volumes before us, that travelto the common people. There is a proposal in one lers, for every pound they spend on the road, should fling one shilling's worth of these tracts out of the chaise window ;-thus taking his pleasures at 5 per cent. for the purposes of doing good.

Every Christian who expects the protection and blessing of God, ought to take with him as many shillings' worth, at least, of cheap Tracts to throw on the road, and leave at inns, as he takes out pounds to expend on himself and family. This is really but a trifling sacrifice. It is a highly reasonable one; and one which God will accept.-Ev. Mag. p. 405.

It is part of their policy to have a great change of Ministers.

'Same day, the Rev. W. Haward, from Hoxton Academy, was ordained over the Independent church at Rendham, Suffolk. Mr. Pickles, of Walpole, began with a prayer and reading; Mr. Price, of Woodbridge delivered the introduc tory discourse, and asked the questions; Mr. Dennant, of Halesworth, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Shufflebottom, of Bungay, gave the charge from Acts xx. 28; Mr. Vincent, of Deal, the general prayer; and Mr. Walford of Yarmouth, preached to the people from 2 Phil. ii. 16.'Ev. Mag. p. 429.

Chapels opened.-Hambledon, Bucks, Sept. 22.--Eighteen months ago this parish was destitute of the gospel: the people have now one of the Rev. G. Collison's students, the Rev. Mr. Eastmead, settled among them. Mr. English of

I

Wooburn, and Mr. Frey, preached on the occasion; and effecting an object which providence has placed in our Mr. Jones of London, Mr. Churchill of Henley, Mr. Red-power. The doctrine of the immediate and perpetual ford, of Windsor, and Mr. Barratt, now of Petersfield, pray-interference of Divine Providence, is not true. If two ed.'Ev. Mag. p. 533. men travel the same road, the one to rob, the other to

Sail-maker.

you

Methodism in his Majesty's ship Tonnant-A letter from the relieve a fellow-creature who is starving; will any but the most fanatic contend, that they do not both "It is with great satisfaction that I can now inform run the same chance of falling over a stone, and breakGod has deigned in a yet greater degree, to own the weak ing their legs? and is it not matter of fact, that the efforts of his servant to turn many from Satan to himself. robber often returns safe, and the just man sustains Many are called here, as is plain to be seen by their pen- the injury? Have not the soundest divines, of both sive looks and deep sighs. And if they would be obedient churches, always urged this unequal distribution of to the heavenly call instead of grieving the Spirit of grace, good and evil, in the present state, as one of the I dare say we should soon have near half the ship's compa- strongest natural arguments for a future state of retriny brought to God. I doubt not, however, but, as I have bution? Have they not contended, and well and adcast my bread upon the waters, it will be found after many days. Our 13 are now increased to upwards of 30. Surely the Lord delighteth not in the death of him that dieth.'Meth Mag. p. 188.

It appears also, from p. 193, Meth. Mag., that the same principles prevail on board his Majesty's ship Sea-horse, 44 guns. And in one part of Evan. Mag., great hopes are entertained of the 25th regiment. We believe this is the number; but we quote this fact from memory.

mirably contended, that the supposition of such a state is absolutely necessary to our notion of the justice of God-absolutely necessary to restore order to that moral confusion which we all observe and deplore in the present world? The man who places religion upon a false basis is the greatest enemy to religion. If victory is always to the just and good, how is the fortune of impious conquerors to be accounted for? Why do they erect dynasties, and found families which last for centuries? The reflecting mind whom you have We must remember, in addition to these trifling instructed in this manner, and for present effect only, specimens of their active disposition, that the Metho-naturally comes upon you hereafter with difficulties dists have found a powerful party in the House of of this sort; he finds he has been deceived; and you Commons, who by the neutrality which they affect, will soon discover that, in breeding up a fanatic, you and partly adhere to, are courted both by ministers have unwittingly laid the foundation for an atheist. and opposition; that they have gained complete pos- The honest and orthodox method is to prepare young session of the India-House; and under the pretence, people for the world, as it actually exists; to tell or, perhaps with the serious intention of educating them that they will often find vice perfectly successyoung people for India, will take care to introduce ful, virtue exposed to a long train of afflictions; that (as much as they dare without provoking attention) their own particular tenets. In fact, one thing must always be taken for granted respecting these people, -that wherever they gain a footing, or whatever be the institutions to which they give birth, proselytism will be their main object; everything else is a mere instrument-this is their principal aim. When every proselyte is not only an addition to their temporal power, but when the act of conversion which gains a vote, saves (as they suppose) a soul from destruction, -it is quite needless to state, that every faculty of their minds will be dedicated to this most important of all temporal and eternal concerns.

Their attack upon the Church is not merely confined to publications; it is generally understood that they have a very considerable fund for the purchase of livings, to which, of course, ministers of their own profession are always presented.

they must bear this patiently, and look to another world for its rectification.

2. The second doctrine which it is necessary to notice among the Methodists, is the doctrine of inward impulse and emotions, which, it is quite plain, must lead, if universally insisted upon, and preached among the common people, to every species of folly and enormity. When a human being believes that his internal feelings are the monitions of God, and that these monitions must govern his conduct; and when a great stress is purposely laid upon these inward feelings in all the discourses from the pulpit; it is, of course. impossible to say to what a pitch of extravagance mankind may not be carried, under the influence of such dangerous doctrines.

3. The Methodists hate pleasure and amusements; no theatre, no cards, no dancing, no punchinello, no dancing dogs, no blind fiddlers; all the amusements Upon the foregoing facts, and upon the spirit evinced of the rich and of the poor must disappear, wherever by these extracts, we shall make a few comments. these gloomy people get a footing. It is not the abuse 1. It is obvious, that this description of Christians of pleasure which they attack, but the interspersion entertain very erroneous and dangerous notions of the of pleasure, however much it is guarded by good sense present judgments of God. A belief, that Providence and moderation; it is not only wicked to hear the interferes in all the little actions of our lives, refers licentious plays of Congreve, but wicked to hear Henry all merit and demerit to bad and good fortune; and the Vth, or the School for Scandal; it is not only discauses the successful man to be always considered as sipated to run about to all the parties in London and a good man and the unhappy man as the object of Edinburgh, but dancing is not fit for a being who is divine vengeance. It furnishes ignorant and design-preparing himself for Eternity. Ennui, wretchedness, ing men with a power which is sure to be abused:-melancholy, groans and sighs, are the offerings which the cry of, a judgment, a judgment, it is always easy these unhappy men make to a Deity who has covered to make, but not easy to resist. It encourages the grossest superstitions; for if the Deity rewards and punishes on every slight occasion, it is quite impossible, but that such an helpless being as man will set himself at work to discover the will of Heaven in the appearances of outward nature, to apply all the phenomena of thunder, lightning, wind, and every striking appearance to the regulation of his conduct; as the poor Methodist, when he rode into Piccadilly in a thunder storm, and imagined that all the uproar of the elements was a mere hint to him not to preach at Mr. Romaine's chapel. Hence a great deal of error, and a great deal of secret misery. This doctrine of a theocracy must necessarily place an excessive power in the hands of the clergy; it applies so instantly and so tremendously to men's hopes and fears, that it must make the priest omnipotent over the people, as it always has done where it has been established. It has a great tendency to check human exertions, and to prevent the employment of those secondary means of

the earth with gay colours, and scented it with rich perfumes; and shown us, by the plan and order of his works, that he has given to man something better than a bare existence, and scattered over his creation a thousand superfluous joys, which are totally unnecessary to the mere support of life.

4. The Methodists lay very little stress upon practical righteousness. They do not say to their people, do not be deceitful; do not be idle; get rid of your bad passions; or at least (if they do say these things) they say them very seldom. Not that they preach faith without works; for if they told the people, that they might rob and murder with impunity, the civil magistrate must be compelled to interfere with such doctrine: but they say a great deal about faith, and very little about works. What are commonly called the mysterious parts of our religion, are brought into the foreground much more than the doctrines which lead to practice-and this among the lowest of the community.

The Methodists have hitherto been accused of dissenting from the Church of England. This, as far as relates to mere subscription to articles, is not true; but they differ in their choice of the articles upon which they dilate and expand, and to which they appear to give a preference, from the stress which they place upon them. There is nothing heretical in saying, that God sometimes intervenes with his special providence; but these people differ from the Established Church, in the degree in which they insist upon this doctrine. In the hands of a man of sense and education, it is a safe doctrine; in the management of the Methodists, we have seen how ridiculous and degrading it becomes. In the same manner, a clergyman of the Church of England would not do his duty, if he did not insist upon the necessity of faith, as well as of good works; but as he believes that it is much more easy to give credit to doctrines than to live well, he labours most in those points where human nature is the most liable to prove defective. Because he does so, he is accused of giving up the articles of his faith, by men who have their partialities also in doctrine; but parties, not founded upon the same sound discretion, and knowledge of huinan nature.

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difficulty, under the influence of this nonsense, in converting these simple creatures into active and mysterious fools, and making them your slaves for life? It is not possible to raise up any dangerous enthusiasm, by telling men to be just, and good, and charitable; but keep this part of Christianity out of sight, and talk long and enthusiastically before ignorant people, of the mysteries of our religion, and you will not fail to attract a crowd of followers: verily the Tabernacle loveth not that which is simple, intelligible, and leadeth to good sound practice.

Having endeavoured to point out the spirit which pervades these people, we shall say a few words upon the causes, the effects, and the cure of this calamity.. The fanaticism so prevalent in the present day, is one of those evils from which society is never wholly exempt; but which bursts out at different periods, with peculiar violence, and sometimes overwhelms every thing in its course. The last eruption took place about a century and a half ago, and destroyed both Church and Throne with its tremendous force. Though irresistible, it was short; enthusiasm spent its force; the usual reaction took place; and England was deluged with ribaldry and indecency, because it had 5. The Methodists are always desirous of making been worried with fanatical restrictions. By degrees, men more religious than it is possible, from the con- however, it was found out that orthodoxy and loyalty stitution of human nature, to make them. If they might be secured by other methods than licentious could succeed as much as they wish to succeed, there conduct and immodest conversation. The public would at once be an end of delving and spinning, and morals improved; and there appeared as much goed of every exertion of human industry. Men must eat, sense and moderation upon the subject of religion as and drink, and work; and if you wish to fix upon them ever can be expected from mankind in large masses. high and elevated notions, as the ordinary furniture of Still, however, the mischief which the Puritans had their minds, you do these two things; you drive men done was not forgotten; a general suspicion prevailed of warm temperaments mad, and you introduce in the of the dangers of religious enthusiasm; and the fa rest of the world, a low and shocking familiarity with natical preacher wanted his accustomed power among words and images, which every real friend to religion a people recently recovered from a religious war, and would wish to keep sacred. The friends of the dear guarded by songs, proverbs, popular stories, and the Redeemer, who are in the habit of visiting the Isle of general tide of humour and opinion, against all excesses Thanet (as in the extract we have quoted)-Is it of that nature. About the middle of the last century, possible that this mixture of the most awful, with the however, the character of the genuine fanatic was a most familiar images, so common among Methodists good deal forgotten, and the memory of the civil wars now, and with the enthusiasts in the time of Crom-worn away; the field was clear for extravagance in well, must not, in the end, divest religion of all the deep and soleinn impressions which it is calculated to produce? In a man of common imagination (as we have before observed,) the terror, and the feeling which it first excited, must necessarily be soon sepa rated: but, where the fervour of impression is long preserved, piety ends in Bedlam. Accordingly, there is not a mad-house in England, where a considerable part of the patients have not been driven to insanity by the extravagance of these people. We cannot enter such places without seeing a number of honest artisans, covered with blankets, and calling themselves angels and apostles, who, if they had remained contented with the instruction of men of learning and education, would have been sound masters of their own trade, sober Christians, and useful members of society.

6. It is impossible not to observe how directly all the doctrine of the Methodists is calculated to gain power among the poor and ignorant. To say, that the Deity governs this world by general rules, and that we must wait for another and a final scene of existence, before vice meets with its merited punishment, and virtue with its merited reward; to preach this up daily, would not add a single votary to the Tabernacle, nor sell a Number of the Methodistical Magazine: but to publish an account of a man who was cured of scrofula by a single sermon-of Providence destroying the innkeeper at Garstang for appointing a cock-fight near the Tabernacle; this promptness of gment and immediate execution is so much like Luran justice, and so much better adapted to vulgar capcities, that the system is at once admitted as soon as any one can be found who is impudent or ignorant enough to teach it; and, being once admitted, it produces too strong an effect upon the passions to be easily relinquished. The case is the same with the doctrine of inward impulse, or, as they term it, experience. If you preach up to ploughmen and artisans, that every singular feeling which comes across them is a visitation of the Divine Spirit, can there be any

piety; and causes, which must always produce an
immense influence upon the mind of man, were left to
their own unimpeded operations. Religion is so noble
and powerful a consideration-it is so buoyant and so
insubmergible-that it may be made, by fanatics,
to carry with it any degree of error and of per-
ilous absurdity. In this instance Messrs. Whit-
field and Wesley happened to begin. They were
men of considerable talents; they observed the com
mon decorums of life; they did not run naked into the
streets, or pretend to the prophetical character; and
therefore they were not committed to Newgate.
They preached with great energy to weak people;
who first stared-then listened-then believed-then
felt the inward feeling of grace, and became as foolish
as their teachers could possibly wish them to be; in
short, folly ran its ancient course, and human nature
evinced itself to be what it has always been under si-
milar circumstances. The great and permanent cause,
therefore, of the increase of Methodism, is the cause
which has given birth to fanaticism in all ages-the
facility of mingling human errors with the fundamental
truths of religion. The formerly imperfect residence
of the clergy may, perhaps, in some trifling degree,
have aided this source of Methodism. But unless a
man of education, and a gentleman, could stoop to.
such disingenuous arts as the Methodist preachers,
unless he hears heavenly music all of a sudden, and
enjoys sweet experiences, it is quite impossible that he
can contend against such artists as these. More ac-
tive than they are at present the clergy might perhaps
be: but the calmness and moderation of an Establish.
ment can never possibly be a match for sectarian ac-
tivity. If the common people are ennui'd with the
fine acting of Mrs. Siddons, they go to Sadler's Wells.
The subject is too serious for ludicrous comparisons:
but the Tabernacle really is to the Church, what Sad-
ler's Wells is to the Drama.
There popularity is
gained by vaulting and tumbling-by low arts which
the regular clergy are not too idle to have recourse
to, but too dignified; their institutions are chaste and

severe, they endeavour to do that which upon the whole, and for a great number of years, will be found to be the most admirable and the most useful: it is no part of their plan to descend to small artifices for the sake of present popularity and effect. The religion of the common people, under the government of the Church, may remain as it is forever; enthusiasm must be progressive, or it will expire.

It is probable that the dreadful scenes which have lately been acted in the world, and the dangers to which we are exposed, have increased the numbers of the Methodists. To what degree will Methodism extend in this country? This question is not easy to answer. That it has rapidly increased within these few years, we have no manner of doubt; and we confess we cannot see what is likely to impede its progress. The party which it has formed in the Legislature; and the artful neutrality with which they give respectability to their small number, the talents of some of this party, and the unimpeached excellence of their characters, all make it probable that fanaticism will increase rather than diminish. The Methodists have made an alarming inroad into the Church, and they are attacking the army and navy. The principality of Wales, and the East India Company, they have already acquired. All mines and subterraneous places belong to them; they creep into hospitals and small schools, and so work their way upwards. It is the custom of the religious neutrals to beg all the little livings, particularly in the north of England, from the minister for the time being; and from these fixed points they make incursions upon the happiness and common sense of the vicinage. We most sincerely deprecate such an event; but it will excite in us no manner of surprise, if a period arrives when the sober and orthodox part of the English clergy are completely deserted by the middling and lower classes of the community. We do not prophesy any such event; but we contend that it is not impossible, hardly improbable. If such, in future, should be the situation of this country, it is impossible to say what political animosities may not be ingrafted upon this marked and dangerous division of mankind into the godly and ungodly. At all events, we are quite sure that happiness will be destroyed, reason degraded, sound religion banished from the world; and that when fanaticism becomes too foolish and too prurient to be endured (as is at last sure to be the case), it will be succeeded by a long period of the grossest immorality and debauchery.

We are not sure that this evil admits of any cure, or of any considerable palliation. We most sincerely hope that the government of this country will never be guilty of such indiscretion as to tamper with the Toleration Act, or to attempt to put down these follies by the intervention of the law." If experience has taught us anything, it is the absurdity of controlling men's notions of eternity by acts of Parliament. Something may perhaps be done, in the way of ridi. cule, towards turning the popular opinion. It may be as well to extend the privileges of the dissenters to the members of the Church of England; for as the law now stands, any man who dissents from the Established Church may open a place of worship where he pleases. No orthodox clergyman can do so with out the consent of the parson of the parish, who always refuses, because he does not choose to have his monopoly disturbed; and refuses in parishes where there are not accommodations for one half of the persons who wish to frequent the Church of England, and in instances where he knows that the chapels from which he excludes the established worship, will be immediately occupied by sectaries. It may be as well to encourage in the early education of the clergy, a better and more animated method of preaching; and may be necessary hereafter, if the evil gets to a great height, to relax the articles of the English church, and to admit a greater variety of Christians within the pale. The greatest and best of all remedies is perhaps the education of the poor; we are astonished, that the Established Church of England is not awake to this mean of arresting the progress of Methodism. Of course none of these things will be done; nor is it

it

C

clear, if they were done, they would do much good.
Whatever happens, we are for common sense and or
thodoxy. Insolence, servile politics, and the spirit of
persecution, we condemn and attack, whenever we ob-
serve them; but to the learning, the moderation, and
the rational piety of the Establishment, we most ear.
nestly wish a decided victory over the nonsense, the
melancholy, and the madness of the Tabernacle.❤
God send that our wishes be not in vain.

INDIAN MISSIONS. (EDINBURGH REVIEW, 1808.) Considerations on the Policy of communicating the Knowledge of Christianity to the Natives in India. By a late Resident in Bengal. London. Hatchard, 1807.

An Address to the Chairman of the East India Company, occasioned by Mr. Twining's Letter to that Gentleman. By the Rev. John Owen. London. Hatchard.

A Letter to the Chairman of the East India Company on the Danger of interfering in the religious Opinions of the Natives af India. By Thomas Twining. London. Ridge

way.

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the European barracks, at Vellore, containing then four Ar two o'clock in the morning, July the 10th, 1806, complete companies of the 69th regiment, were surrounded by two battalions of Sepoys in the Company's service, who poured in an heavy fire of musketry, at every door and window, upon the soldiers: at the main-guard, and the sick in the hospital, were put to same time the European sentries, the soldiers at the death; the officers' houses were ransacked, and every body found in them murdered. Upon the arrival of Sepoys were immediately attacked; 600 cut down the 19th Light Dragoons under Colonel Gillespie, the upon the spot; and 200 taken from their hiding places, and shot. There perished, of the four European companies, about 164, besides officers; and many British officers of the native troops were murdered by the in

surgents.

Nundydroog; and, in one day, 450 Mahomedan SeSubsequent to this explosion, there was a mutiny at poys were disarmed, and turned out of the fort, on the ground of an intended massacre. It appeared, also, from the information of the commanding officer at Tritchinopoly, that, at that period, a spirit of disaffection had manifested itself at Bangalore, and other places; and seemed to gain ground in every direction. On the 3rd of December, 1806, the government of Madras issued the following proclamation :

'A PROCLAMATION.

"The Right Hon. the Governor in Council, having observed that, in some late instances, an extraordinary degree of agitation has prevailed among several corps of the ular endeavour to ascertain the motives which may have native army of this coast, it has been his Lordship's particled to conduct so different from that which formerly distinguished the native army. From this inquiry, it has appeared that many persons of evil intention have endeavoured, for malicious purposes, to impress upon the native troops a belief that it is the wish of the British government to convert them by forcible means to Christianity; and his Lordship in Council has observed with concern, that such malicious reports have been believed by many of the native troops.

The Right Hon. the Governor in Council, therefore, deems it proper, in this public manner, to repeat to the na

* There is one circumstance to which we have neglected Ito advert in the proper place-the dreadful pillage of the case is mentioned in one of the numbers of these two ma

earnings of the poor which is made by the Methodists. A

gazines for 1807, of a poor man with a family, earning only twenty-eight shillings a week, who has made two donations of ten guineas each to the missionary fund!

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