Some idea may be formed of the neglect of religion in France for many years back, by the fact that the Bishop of Angouleme, in the late visitation of his diocese, baptised forty persons, from twenty years old, and upwards, who never before had partaken of this solemn sacra

ment.

Opposition by the Bishop of Bayonne to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Religious Tracts in his Diocese. Our readers will see by the following circular letter of the Bishop of Bayonne to his clergy, what difficulties the Bible and Continental Societies have to contend with in France, the same spirit universally prevailing among the priesthood. We give the letter at full length in the original language.

Bayonne, 5 Aout 1825.

Monsieur le Curé,

Une société d'hommes étrangers à l'Eglise catholique a entrepris de répandre sans discernement chez tous les peuples P'Ecriture sainte traduite en langue vulgaire; ce dessein a été condamné par le chef de l'Eglise.

Nous avons appris que l'on tentoit de le mettre à exécution dans notre diocèse, et que déjà une traduction de l'Evangile St.-Matthieu en langue busque* avit ét é répandue où cette langue est en usage.

Plus la sainte Ecriture, qu est la parole même de Dieu, mérite iotre respect, plus nous devons veiller à ne que cette divine parole soit consérve cans toute sa pureté. Ce respect, que dnous devons aux livres saints, exige encore qu'ils ne soient pas mis indistinctement entre les mains de toutes les personnes. Il faut, pour les faire lire avec fruit, faire cette lecture dans de saintes dispositions. Le grand apôtre lui-même écrivoit aux Corinthiens qu'ils n'étoient pas assez parfaits pour entendre les plus hauts vérités de la religion, et qu'ils avoient encore besoin d'être nourris du lait de la doc trine, c'est-à-dire, des vérités les plus simples et le plus communes de la religion, et Notre-Seigneur disoit à ses disciples :

The Basque is the language of the common people in this province, where they understand pure French so little, that some pious members of the Paris Bible Society undertook the task of giving them the book of salvation in their own patois. The Gospels are already translated and printed; the remainder of the New Testament will be shortly ready; in spite of the fulminations of the Bishop, the translation is eagerly sought ater and studied.

"J'ai encore beaucoup de choses à vous apprendre, mais vous n'êtes pas en état de les porter présentment."

Vous veillerez donc, M. le Curé, à ce que ces traductions suspectes de l'Ecriture ne se répandent pas dans votre paroisse. Vous avertirez les fidèles du danger anquel ils s'exposeroient s'ils s'en permettoient la lecture, et vous leur déclarerez qu'ils doivent regarder comme suspectes toutes celles qui ne seroient pas revêtues de notre approbation ou de l'approbation de tout autre evêque catholique.

Du reste, ce ne sont pas ici les seuls livres dangereux que l'on fait circuler parmi les fidèles, on répand encore de imprimés; où sous l'apparence de la piété, l'on sape les fondemens de la foi catholique; enfin, vous en gémissez comme nous, que les ouvrages impies se multiplient à l'infini, des feuilles périodiques, qui ne semblent destinées qu'à de clamer contre la religion ét ses ministres, répandent chaque jour parmi les peuples le poison de l'incrédulité.

Employez tout votre zèle pour prévenir les fidèles contre le danger imminent qui menace leur foi; dites-leur qu'ils ne peuvent sans crime lire, garder où propager des ouvrages faits pour corrompre les mœurs ou détruire la religion, et rappelez-leur l'exemple des premiers chrétiens qui avoient tant d'horreur pour tout ce que paroissoit contraire à l'enseignement de l'Eglise, qu'ils se bouchoient les oreilles et prenoient la fuite dès qu'ils entendoient attaquer les verites qu'elle enseigne.

Recevez, M. le Curé, l'assurance de ma parfaite considération.

†P. T. D. évêque de Bayonne, Marseilles.-There are already nunneries in this city, and a monastery for Capuchins has been just founded. A handsome and large Protestant Church, which is just completed, was consecrated on the 15th of October.

Strasbourg. -The Bishop of Strasbourg has invited the Jesuits to hold a mission in this city, where the Protestants who possess eight large churches, are much more numerous than the Roman Catholics, who have only seven. This is a step decidedly hostile to the members of the reformed religion, and can only produce ill-will and contention.We cite only one passage from his pastoral letter, just published, in which he makes his purpose known to the inhabitants. Addressing the Protestants, he says, "O vous que des préjugés de naissance éloignent de notre croyance et de

notre culte; ne redoutez donc pas le pieux spectacle d'une mission."

The Jesuit College of St. Acheul contains 1300 pupils from all parts of France, Germany, Poland, &c. &c. Great endeavours are making by this body to secure to themselves the education of both Clergy and Laity, wherever they have any prospect of success. Their colleges in Switzerand at Friebourg, and Brieg, are filled with young persons studying under them.

GERMANY.

Cologne. Twenty-five Jewish families, of this city, have determined on celebrating their religious service in the synagogue, in the German language, instead of in Hebrew, which, is in general little understood by the lower classes. They have also agreed to keep the first, instead of the seventh-day of the week, holy as their Sabbath.

Berlin. At the last centenary commemoration of the reformation of religion, two brothers, lineal descendants of the great reformer Luther, were provided for by public contributions made in this city. The youngest is studying sculpture at Cassel, for which he has shewn great talent and inclination. The elder who is intended for the Church, is pursuing his studies at the University of Tubingen.

Gottingen-Mr Lion, a celebrated literary character in this place, has re nounced Judaism for Christianity. The whole family of Dr. Neuman of Hameln has also received Baptism.

Bible Society at Wurtemberg.— This Society held its annual meeting on the 25th of October, when powerful appeals were made in its favour by the pastors Flatt and Haas. During the last year 7643 Bibles and 3667 Testaments [being an increase of 2072 Bibles and 658 Testaments over the preceding year,] were distributed in the Wurtemberg dominions; 751 Bibles and 359 Testaments, were gratuitously issued to the poor, and 2227 Bibles and 669 Testaments at very reduced prices. 254 Bibles and 279 Testaments were granted to some Waldensian communities in Wurtemburg,[consisting of about 2400 persons] which have just adopted the German language in their religious worship. During the twelve years which this society has existed, it has circulated at home 83,882 Bibles and Testaments, and 36,008, in the neighbouring counties, total 119,890. The receipts of the

last year were 29,556 florins, and the expenditure 25,241. The society has auxiliary branches in a greater or less scale In every parish in the Wurtemberg dominions.

Bible Societies. There at present fifty-eight Bible Societies in the Russian empire.

Prussia.-The King of Prussia has issued an ordinance for the better observance of the Sabbath, and all persons in authority are enjoined to see it observed to the letter. This is a sign that religigion is making some progress in these ountries.

POLAND.

The Protestants in this country have lately increased so much, that sixteen new parishes have been formed by the Consistory, and the same number of ministers appointed to the churches which are now building. The mechanics and manufacturers are principally of the Reformed Religion.

AMERICA.

General Tract Society for America. -Numerous religious Tract Societies have existed for several years in North America, acting independently of each other. It appeared, however, to several religious persons, that one Society on such liberal principles as to include Protestants of all denominations, would greatly tend to promote the sacred cause of the Gospel; and this plan after having been long debated and maturely weighed, was at last determined on at a general meeting held at New York, on the 10th of last May. Mr. Wilder was at the same time appointed President. The first stone of the Society's house is already laid, 20,000 dollars are subscribed for the building. Here are to be the printing offices, &c. and six presses will be constantly employed; perhaps these will be hardly sufficient, for the Old Tract Society of New York, printed 500,000 tracts during the last five months. The Committee is composed of Episcopal, Presbyterian, Independent, Baptist, and Methodist Ministers, and the first rule is as follows, "The Society shall be called the American Tract Society, and its object is to spread the knowledge of our Redeemer Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of sinnes, and to encourage truè piety and pure morality, by the distribution of Tracts approved by all Protestants."

EAST INDIES.

We have great pleasure in inserting the following extracts from a letter lately received in this city from the presidency of Madras. The accounts given by the pious and excellent writer are well calculated to excite the liveliest hopes that the dawn of a better day has arisen on India.

"You will be glad to hear such good accounts of our Bishop; he may indeed be called an Indian Apostle. He is now returning from an extensive visitation, through the Northern provinces, which has employed him upwards of a year. His preaching and intercourse with the Company's service in the interior, has been extensively useful. But he has paid attention to the poor natives also, and has already made himself sufficiently acquainted with their language to speak to them of the love of God in Christ." I hear from several quarters, that a sacred unction seems to rest in many places where he has halted. He is to visit the Southern provinces next year, and as he is not acquainted with the language and stations of the South, I hope to accompany him if my health permit.

"Religion is making great advances in our civil and military departments; Captain a genuine Irishman, one of our cavalry officers is on a visit to these hills for the benefit of his health. I find him a Cornelius indeed, and have had much profitable and interesting conversation. He tells me of many more officers faithful to their Saviour then I ever supposed could have maintained their ground amidst the profligacy of an army, but we know that though this is impossible with man, it is possible with God -and therefore let us admire his grace, and praise him for his love,

"Captain

is a great encourager of the missionaries at Bangalore his station. A complaint came from government the other day, that a staff officer had disgraced himself by opening a book shop in the Bazar, with an order to enquire into the truth of the report, when it appeared that our devout Captain was the offender, and that he had rented a shop for the sale of religious publications in the native languages, not for his own profit, but for the attraction of multitudes who seldom or never come in a missionary's way, and that it had been of extensive use upon this the matter was no more heard of. He tells me of three native converts at Bangalore, who were much persecuted by their countrymen,

and at length brought before the Rajah of Mysore, and required to renounce their new religion; but they fearlessly replied in the king's presence, you may take away all we have, and even our lives, but we cannot renounce that which we have found to be the true religion." This is another triumphant answer to the Abbe Dubois' assertion, that we can never convert the natives, and that they cannot be brought to endure persecution for the sake of Christ," A few weeks ago, I baptized a child of heathen parents. Upon enquiring into the reason why they brought it, they replied that 'their first three children died, when they vowed that if God, to them an unknown God, would give them another, they would dedicate it to him in Christian baptism, and thus they came to fulfil their vow: Christian sponsors were provided, to whom they have trusted the education of their child, and have themselves begun to enquire into the nature of Christianity preparatory to their own baptism. Let this be contrasted with the Hindoo mothers, casting the children of their vow to the sharks and the alligators, and then we may exultingly exclaim, "What hath God wrought."

Mr. Baily, our Missionary at Cotym, (among the Syrian Christians,) has finished the translation of the New Testament into Malayalim, and our Bible Society has sanctioned the printing of 5000 copies. But all the types they sent him from Calcutta and Madras were so large and indifferently cast that he found it necessary to make some on the spot. Being unacquainted with the art, he consulted his Encyclopædia, sent for a native goldsmith, instructed him to make the mould according to the directions then given, and then set his own workmen to cast the types, which prove to be the best bitherto seen. I send you accompanying a specimen of the Lord's Prayer, printed with them, which I am sure you will admire."

La

The Editor has seen the specimen which is remarkably clear and beautiful. A similar anecdote is told of the excel lent Zugenbalgh, the fellow-labourer of Swartz, and the translator of the Scriptures into Tamul, with this interesting addition, that so great was the poverty of the Missionaries, that the lead which they cast into types had been employed to cover some cheeses sent for their use from Europe.

Letters have been received at the Mission-house, Salisbury-square, London, from our young countryman Rev. J, W. Doran, who has gone out under the patronage of the Church Missionary Society, to superintend the College founded among the Syrian Christians. From this individual's piety, talents, and devotedness to the cause, much may be hoped, if Providence preserve his health. Our readers will be pleased to learn that he wtote in good health, though but just rescued with his shipmates from an accident that had nearly proved fatal. In entering Table Bay, the vessel had got

into a current, which carried them against some rocks, where the vessel was lost, and bad not the succeeding night proved remarkably calm, not a life had been saved. Mr. D, has to regret the destruction of his manuscripts, journal, &c. but he writes with feelings of gratitude to that Providence which saved them, and of hope that the instruction which he had been the instrument of communicating in the passage, had been manifested in the trying hour of shipwreck, in the patience and resignation of the crew. Mr. D. had taken his passage on board of a vessel for Calcutta.

On Sunday last, in St. Anne's Church, Belfast, the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, ordained the following Gentlemen to be Priests and Deacons, after having been found duly qualified by that excellent Prelate, viz. :- Priests: Thomas Thompson, A.B. John D. Hull, A.B. William Young, A.B. James South, A.B. Fielding Ould. Deacons: James Dunseath, A.B. William Duffin, A. B. Dan. Bill, A.B. Henry Carter, A.B. Richard Waddy, A.B. The usual services of the day were read by the Rev. Messrs. A. C. Macartney, and W. St. John Smith; and an impressive sermon was preached by the Rev. R. Mant. The church was crowded to excess; the congregation paying the utmost attention to this interesting and important solemnity.

At an Ordination held in the Cathedral of Killaloe, on Sunday, the 27th ultimo, Messrs. Fitzgerald, Whitstone, and Jones, were admitted to the order of Deacons; and on the same day, the Rev. Arthur Molony, and the Rev. C. Bowen, were Priested; on which occasion, the latter Gentleman delivered an excellent appropriate discourse.

On Sunday last, the Lord Bishop of Limerick held an Ordination at the Cathedral, Limerick; on which occasion his Lordship preached a suitable discourse, from the three concluding verses of the 28th chapter of St. Matthew. The following were admitted into Priest's orders: Rev. Richard Fitzgerald, Rev. Francis Blake Woodward, Rev. John L. Chute, Rev. Thomas Bland, and Rev. Arthur Blennerhassett Rowan. The following were admitted into the order of Deacon: Messrs. John Maunsell, Francis Langford, Edward Herbert, and John Godfrey Day.

The Rev. Thomas P. Lefanu, Rector of Abingdon, is appointed Dean of Emly,

and the Rev. Mortimer O'Sullivan is appointed Chaplain to the Hibernian School, for the instruction of soldiers' children, at the Park, Dublin.

An agreement has been lately made by the Archbishop of Dublin, with Counsellor White, for part of his ground, near Colonel Wynne's, at Rathmines, for the purpose of erecting a Church in that neighbourhood.

GALWAY, DEC. 17. --- That distinguished and much admired Prelate, the Archbishop of Tuam, has, we are sorry to hear, been seriously indisposed, at his Palace of Tuam, for the last ten days; his illness, however, is not of an alarming nature, and the last accounts that reached us were favorable. His Grace is attended by Dr. Little, of Tuam.

John Killigrew Dunbar, Esq. of Garrison House, Fermanagh, has addressed a letter to the Archbishop of Clogher, complaining that the grant of £900, by the Board of First Fruits, in 1817, for building a Church in that county, has not been since carried into effect, to the very great inconvenience of a numerous body of Protestants, near Garrison.

On Sunday last, the Lord Bishop of this Diocese held an Ordination, at which the following Gentlemen were admitted to Holy Orders:- - Deacons : Edmund Knox, A.B. on letters demissory from the Diocese of Armagh ; Wm. Steele, A. B. on letters demissory from the Diocese of Clogher; B. Williams, A.B. on a nomination to the Cure of Dunhoe; Wm. Hughes, A.B. to the Cure of Ardstraw; G.W. Stewart, A.B. to the Cure of Upper Langfield; all of the Diocese of Derry. Priests: Rev. R. Henderson, Curate to the parish of Leckpatrick, and Rev. E. Marks, Curate of the parish of Donoughmore; both of this Diocese. Derry Journal.