dour for universal knowledge, he joined a perseverance in the pursuit of it which subdued all obstacles. His studies began with the dawn, and, during the intermissions of professional duties, were continued throughout the day; reflection and meditation strengthened and confirmed what industry and investigation had accumulated. It was a fixed principle with him, from which he never voluntarily deviated, not to be deterred by any difficulties that were surmountable, from prosecuting to successful termination, what he had once deliberately undertaken.". What a fine lesson is here for the Christian! How much is to be known, how much to be enjoyed, how much to be done, by constant application! Let us then, under all difficulties, press forward, depending on him who has promised success to them who LUTHER entered into orders and discovered a Bible, 1507. The ignorance of the Scriptures at that time was astonishing. Conrad of Heresbach, a grave author of that age, relates the following words from the mouth of a Monk: "They have in vented a new language, which they call Greek; you must be carefully on your guard against it: it is the matter of all heresy. I observe in the hands of many persons a book written in that language, and which they call the New Testament. It is a book full of daggers and poison. As to the Hebrew, my dear Brethren, it is certain that whoever learns it becomes immediately a Jew." It was in 1507, May 2, and in Luther's twenty-fourth year, that he entered into orders, and celebrated his first Mass. This date is the more remarkable, because he discovered about the same time a Latin copy of the Bible lying in the library of the monastery. He eagerly laid hold of this neglected book, and 4 persevered in studying it with so much diligence, that he was able, in a short time, to refer with ease and promptitude to any particular passage. In the present day, we can with difficulty conceive how a copy of the Bible could remain unnoticed by the whole of a religious fraternity, or that a person so respectably educated as Luther should be unapprized that the/ whole of the Scriptures was not read to the people in the public service of the Church. It was with no small surprise that he discovered that there were many passages in the New Testament that were not thus read. The most striking of these Luther committed to memory, and treasured up with equal diligence many parts of the prophetic Scriptures. PSALM CXi. 2. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. THE celebrated LINNEUS, born May 3, 1707. If the ingenuity and labour of man call forth our admiration, and deserve our praise, how much more the works of him whose wisdom is unsearchable and power infinite. It is to be lamented, however, that many who have made great discoveries, and been justly celebrated for their deep researches into the works of God our Creator, have extolled the work, but forgotten the hand who formed it. With pleasure, however, we can read an instance to the contrary in the great Linnæus. "The deeper he penetrated into the secrets of nature, the more he admired the wisdom of the Creator. He praised this wisdom in his works, recommended it by his speeches, and honoured it in his actions. Wherever he found an opportunity of expatiating on the greatness, the providence, and omnipotence of God, which frequently happened in his lectures and botanical excursions, his heart glowed with a celestial fire, and his mouth poured forth torrents of admirable eloquence." This great man died on the 10th of January, 1778.. 256 Sir Hans Sloane was also rendered illustrious for the beautiful collection he made of the productions of nature and art; his catalogue contained a description of 69,352 curiosities, a treasure which he said was destined to magnify God and benefit mankind. The following Notice of the NEW FAMILY BI- As I know no opportunity more suitable than the present, I avail myself of it to take notice of the publication of a NEW FAMILY BIBLE. The clergy are frequently called on for their opinions of the various copies of the Holy Scriptures, and the different commentaries upon them, which are intended for the use of private Christians. To many it may not be known, that there is now publishing, by the Messrs. SWORDS, in New-York, a Family Bible possessing great, advantages over most works of the kind. This work is to be comprised in 16 or 17 parts, or numbers, forming two large quarto volumes, and varying in expense from one dollar to one dollar and a half per part, or number, according to the quality of the paper. The notes of this admirable commentary are not the productions of a single man, who might be desirous to interweave, on every plausible occasion, his own favourite views and tenets; but they are drawn from the most distinguished writers of the Church of England, and other Protestant divines; and so arranged as to give a clear and comprehensive view of the text and its meanings. The work of selecting and arranging this commentary was performed by two eminent divines, the Chaplains to the Archbishop of Canterbury. It was published recently in England, under the patronage and direction of the venerable Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. It has passed through two editions in that country; another is now printing in Ireland; and one is in the press in this country, as I have just stated. The American edition is very consider. ably improved, by the addition of matter calculated to increase the value of the work as an aid to practical devotion. The manner in which the work makes its appearance, in numbers, at convenient intervals of time, and the moderate price at which it is offered, will render the difficulty of procuring it very inconsider able. I have considered it my duty to recommend this valuable commentary to your notice. The owner of it will find it a li brary for the private Christian, of Scriptural illustration and knowledge, calcu lated at the same time to warm the heart and elevate the affections. He will be able to trace the interpretations of his Bible to the soundest divines, the most eminent Christians, and the finest scholars who have lived since the Reformation. As the name of every writer is attached to his own illustration, the private Christian becomes, in some measure, ac. quainted with the many illustrious men who have advanced the Church, that "bulwark of the Reformation," from which we have descended. He will find here the substance of what has been said by near 200 of the most noted Protestant theologians. of Nothing, however, that I can say, will give additional value to the performance: my duty is finished when I inform you the publication, and say, that, in my humble judgment, it is much superior, as a Family Bible, to any thing in my know ledge. PRAYER BOOK. THE Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, desirous that the Book of Common Prayer should be sold at as cheap a rate as possible, and convinced that a reduction in price will greatly contribute towards a wide circulation of the work, early last win ter resolved to reduce the price of it. Prayer Books can now be obtained at the Depository, (the store of Messrs. Kirk and Mercein, No. 22 Wall-street,) at 37 1-2 cents each; Booksellers are supplied at 34 cents per copy; and those who pur chase for charitable purposes, at 30 cents per copy. T. & J. SWORDS have now ready for delivery, at their Book-store, No. 160 Pearl-street, New-York, a NEW STEREOTYPE EDITION of the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, which they will fur nish to societi s and individuals, for gra tuitous distribution, at 30 cents per copy, and at 37 1-2 cents at retail. They have also a new stereotype edition on a large type, which will be furnished for gratui tous distribution, and at retail, at very reduced prices. Printed and published by T. & J.SWORDS, No. 160 Pearl-street, New-York, where Subscriptions for this Work will be re ceived, at one dollar per annum, or 24 numbers.All Letters relative to this Journal must come free of Postage: No. 17.] THE AND LITERARY REGISTER. No. I. FOR SEPTEMBER, 1818. A Brief History of the Syrian Churches in the South of India. (Continued from page 247.) THE next scene of visitation was the Church of Cranganor, where the Archbishop found, and committed to the flames, a considerable number of Syriac books. If any thing can consign to perpetual infamy the name and progress of this Barbarian, surely it must be the destruction of so many ancient and invaluable documents of the Christian Church. It is, indeed, painful to follow a man thus carrying misery and destruction along with him, and dispensing them on the right hand and on the left, as his ambition or his ignorance might suggest; and, what is worse, for the propagation of a spiritual tyranny which, it was hop ed, would reach to the utmost boundaries of the earth. One of the Casanars of this Church, a man of good extraction, and extremely rich, had married for the third time; but as he refused to be separated from his wife, he was immediately excommunicated by Menezes. Every effort was, moreover, made for his seizure; but failed of success. From this place Menezes proceeded to Changanate; and thence to Paligundé, in the territories of the Queen of Pimenta From Paligunde he passed to Pronto, in the same country; where he had some difficulty in persuading the people to confess; as an opinion generally prevailed, that they should immediately die after confession. From Prouto Menezes passed to Carturte; and from thence to Corolongate and Ignapeli. At the latter VOL. II. . [VOL. M. place he received news of the death of Donna Mecia, the countess of Redondo, his sister; and also of the death of Philip II. King of Spain and Portugal. The Archbishop, thinking, it imprudent to publish the news of the king's death, immediately summoned the people to Church, where a Te Deum was sung, in acknowledg ment of the many favours which God had bestowed on the Church, and particularly for the perfect health of his majesty the king of Portugal; for the six vessels which had arrived on the coast, laden with money and soldiers; and for the promise which his majesty had given, of sending more the fol lowing year. This news put a stop to tho visita tions at present, and compelled Menezes to repair to Goa, in order to celebrate the obsequies of the king. In the mean time, the Rector and Casanars of the Church of Pallur, which was situated in the kingdom of Calecut, wrote to inform the Archbishop of a circumstance, which, although ridiculous in itself, very much disturbed the peace of the Church. Three of the principal Christians of the place, having assembled the people in the Church, exhibited a farce, in which two of the speakers represented St. Thomas and St. Peter; and the third, who sat as umpire, St. Cyriac, to whom their Church had been dedicated. The farce commenced with a complaint from St. Thomas, in which he accused St. Pe ter of having corrupted the Christians of India, who were his lawful subjects. "Your Law," said St. Thomas, “was preached at Rome and in Italy. Your proceedings are, therefore, by no means reasonable. You have brought hither an Archbishop, who is a man 33 L of enterprise, supporting, by violence alone, the claims of the Portuguese. He has introduced your Law among a people that owes you no obedience. Besides, being the descendants of the Bishops of Rome, you can have no right in this country. We are, it is true, both apostles of Jesus Christ; and, on that account, our power is equal; and, consequently, you can have no more right over my Christians than I have over yours." To such reasoning as this, St. Peter, it should seem, gave but feeble answers; and contented himself by saying, that his Law was for the whole earth: and, although that of St. Thomas was good, yet his was still better. The dispute growing warm, St. Syriac was called on for his decision, who immediately gave it in favour of St. Thomas: "for," said he, "the Christians of this country do not depend on St. Peter, but on their venerable Patriarch of Babylon. The Portuguese Prelate," he added, "who says the contrary is a Heretic, whom the Christians of St. Thomas should be cautious in trusting. As to the oaths which he has extorted at Diamper, they are manifestly null and void." thoughts of concluding his mission, assembled the Casanars and principal Laymen of the neighbouring Churches. He then nominated the Archdeacon to the administration of the affairs of the Diocess; but as that Ecclesiastic was little instructed, or rather not to be trusted alone in so important an office, the Rector of the Jesuits' College at Vaipicotta, and Francisco Roz, were appointed as his assistants. The Archbishop now became desirous of knowing on whom the Christians would fix for their Prelate; and, accordingly, desired that they would lay their requests before the Pope to this effect. They answered, that the Archbishop alone was the object of their choice. To this he replied, that Goa, the place of his residence, was at too great a distance to enable him to provide, in an effective manner, for their various necessities; but that he was prepared to give up his palace there, and to take charge of the Church of Angamale, should such a proposi tion prove acceptable to the Pope and the King of Portugal; but lest this should be refused, it would be prudent, in the mean time, to direct their attention toward some other person. The Archbishop, moreover, to show them the sincerity of these professions, drew up an instrument, requesting the Pope and the King of Portugal to accept his resignation of the See of Goa; and begged the Christians to transmit it accordingly. When this instrument arrived in Portugal, the King refused his consent thereto; and Francisco Roz was elected Bishop of Angamale; which was, in a short time after, ratified by the Bulls of Clement VIII. This was the first Bishop of the Latin Rite that obtained Episcopal authority in India.. who This farce, which was, no doubt, a true transcript of the feelings of the, people, was several times repeated; and did not fail to awaken. sentiments of sincere regard for their injured Patriarch. The Archbishop was decidedly of opinion, that the devil, irritated at the progress of the Church, seized the opportunity of speaking through the organs of these people, in order to check its progress. He accordingly wrote to the people, warning them of their danger; and, at the same time, prevailed on the Archdeacon to write to the same effect. These Letters were sent by an exorcist; was to represent a farce, if possible, still more ridiculous, and, by this means, to frighten these simple people from indulging in an amusement so consonant to their feelings. The plan answered the Archbishop's expectation, and order was accordingly restored. Soon after this the Archbishop arrived at Paru; and having some The Archbishop, having regulated the affairs of the Church, embarked for Goa, where he arrived on the 16th of Nov. 1599, having left that place on the 27th of December in the year preceding. During the absence of Menezes from Goa, the Vice-Roy had died; and instruments had arrived from Por. tugal, nominating him as successor. The people had prepared on this oc casion a triumphal entry for the Archbishop, which he refused to accept, saying, that the glory was due to God alone. The year following the Archbishop received very favourable news; the resistance which had still been manifested to Auricular Confession, gradually decreased; and the Churches, which had hitherto been neglected on account of their distance, received re'gular instruction from the Casanars of the neighbouring Churches, according to his own arrangements. In 1601 Francisco Roz received the Bulls of Clement VIII. constituting him Bishop of Angamale; which was very grateful to Menezes, as it was the object that he had long been endeavouring to obtain. In 1605 Paul V. translated the See of Angamale to Cranganor, and gave the title of Archbishop to the Prelate of that Church; still, however, retaining the Primacy in the Archbishopric of Goa. This measure, so far as human foresight could go, tended to establish, on the surest basis, the Portuguese interest and power in India; but it eventually produced the complete overthrow of both. About this time Menezes returned to Europe; where he was nominated Vice-Roy of Portugal, by Philip III. King of Spain. He was, moreover, appointed Archbishop of Brague, and President of the Council of State of Portugal at Madrid; where he is said to have died in disgrace. (Geddes, p. 74.) In reviewing the character of this Prelate, we find much to admire, but nothing to applaud. His talents, zeal, perseverance, and address, were certainly not of the lowest order; but as they were obscured by ambition, ignorance, cruelty, and fanaticism, their influence was the more mischievous and lamentable. Still they may prove a useful comment on the words of our Lord': The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light; while the example of their possessor may serve to remind future adventurers, that it is the grace of God alone that can guide their abilities, however brilliant, into their proper channel, or direct them to their legitimate end. Francisco Roz died about the year 1617, and was succeeded by another Jesuit in the Bishopric of Cranganor. The last Jesuit that presided at Cranganor wa Don Francisco Garzia, who was found there by the Dutch in 1661, when they took that place by assault. During this interval nothing is known of the proceedings of the Jesuits, and this silence is sufficient to show, that they were not very favourable. An Italian writer, it should seem, had detailed the particulars of a voyage which he had made to India about this time, but the intrigues of the Jesuits prevailed in suppressing the book before publication. (La Croze, p. 339.) It appears, however, that during the administration of Garzia, the Christians had come to the determination of throwing off the yoke of the Jesuits, now become intolerable. The Jesuits, it appears, had endeavoured to abolish the use of the Syriac language in the Churches, had treated the Christians as slaves, seized upon the parishes, and suspended images in the Churches. This the Christians determined no longer to suffer: they accordingly chose their Archdeacon Thomas for their leader; and in an assembly appointed for that purpose, he was consecrated Bishop by twelve Casanars. The validity of this ordination has been much questioned by the Romish writers. It may be remarked, however, that even, allowing their reasoning to be just, it does by no means follow, that they had a right to exercise Episcopal Functions in the Churches of India. The news of this defection reaching Rome, Pope Alexander VII. who was then Pontiff, knowing that the ambition of the Jesuits had been its principal cause, set about providing a remedy; and, for this purpose, fixed his eye on some barefooted Carmelites, who had signalized themselves in the eastern missions. He accordingly nominated for this expedition Hya cinthe de St. Vincent, Marcel de St. Yves, Joseph de St. Maria, and Vincent Maria de St. Caterina de Sienna. Joseph and Vincent Maria published |