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indulgence in them be clearly in-
nocent, not very frequent, and
never of long continuance. Be
very humble. Be not talkative.
Before experienced Christians,
be a hearer rather than a talker.
Try in every way, however, to
promote religion among your rela-
tives and friends: win them to it
by your amiable temper and exem-
plary deportment. "Flee youthful
lusts." Shun every excitement
of them. Guard against dissipa-
tion-it extinguishes piety. Be
not disconcerted by ridicule and
reproach; your Saviour bore
much of these for you. Think of
this, and be ashamed of nothing
so much as of being ashamed of
Him. Trust in his protection-ed, is just, and ought to be agreed
live to his praise-and you will
spend an eternity in his blissful
presence.

to this document, "the English
Catholics can scarcely be said to
have taken any part;" but we are
favoured with a copy of what are
called the " celebrated resolutions
of the Irish prelates in 1799, in
favour of the Veto." The first
and second of these are,
"That
a provision, through government,
for the Roman Catholic clergy of
this kingdom, competent and se-
cured, ought thankfully to be ac-
cepted."" That in the appoint-
ment of the prelates of the Ro-
man Catholic religion to vacant
sees, within the kingdom, such
interference of government as
may enable it to be satisfied of
the loyalty of the person appoint-

REMARKS

UPON THE

"HISTORICAL MEMOIRS

RESPECTING THE

English, Irish, and Scottish Catholics,

From the Reformation to the present Time.

By Charles Butler, Esq. of Lincoln's-inn.

(Concluded from Page 9.)

SINCE the English Roman Catholics were obliged to abandon the protestation mentioned in our last number, a new project has been tried, for the purpose of obtaining eligibility to all the offices of trust and authority in this Protestant state. This was, by proposing to give the king a power in the election of the Roman Catholic bishops in Ireland. "This proposal received," says Mr. Butler," the short, but expressive, appellation of the Veto." Vol. ii. p. 144--148.

We are informed by Mr. Butler, that in the transactions relating

to." Several other resolutions to the same import follow; and then it is added," Agreeably to the discipline of the Roman Catholic church, these regulations can have no effect without the sanction of the holy see; which sanction the Roman Catholic prelates of this kingdom shall, as soon as may be, use their endeavours to procure." "The prelates are satis. fied that the nomination of the parish priests, with a certificate of their having taken the oath of allegiance, be certified to government." These resolutions were the result of the most grave deliberations: they are signed "by the four [titular] metropolitan archbishops, and the six senior bishops;" and a Committee was appointed to transact all business with the government relative to the said proposals. P. 154-157.

In the year 1800, this subject was introduced into the House of Commons by Mr. Ponsonby, who said, "The Catholics have considered among themselves, and they are determined to give to the government every information upon the subject, and to make

their superior clergy subject to the crown." Mr. P. further stated, that Dr. Milner, (one of the English Vicars-apostolic, who represented the Catholic prelates of Ireland,) had said, "That if the prayer of their petition for emancipation were granted, they would have no objection to make the King of England virtually the head of their church." This statement was afterwards confirmed in writing by Dr. Milner, in these words: "The Catholic prelates of Ireland are willing to give a direct negative power to his Majesty's government, with respect to the nomination of bishops." P. 178–188.

salutary." Then the Roman Catholic prelates pled ge themselves to adhere to the rules by which they have hitherto been uniformly guided, namely, to recommend to his Holiness only such persous as are of unimpeached loyalty, and peaceable conduct." Mr. Butler says, "It must be added, that, some time after the Irish prelates had published their resolution, that the VETO was inexpedient, Doctor Milner, their agent, also declared against it." P. 194 -196.

The sentiments of Mr. Butler on this subject may be collected from the following paragraph. "How greatly the acquiescence of the Irish prelates in the Veto, disposed the public mind in fayour of Catholic emancipation, has been mentioned. As soon as this actual rejection of it was known, it was evident, that the mention of it in Parliament had, in consequence of this rejection, become the most unfortunate circumstance which had befallen the Catholics, since they had been suitors for their relief. It may be said, with the greatest truth, that it was a matter of triumph to all the enemies, and a matter of great concern to all the friends, of Catholic emancipation. Unhappily there were not wanting

This provision for securing the just prerogatives of the crown, and for preventing the improper influence of the spiritual authority of the Pope over his Majesty's subjects, appears to have been considered by the House of Commons as a sufficient ground for granting to the Roman Catholics a share in the honours and jurisdictions of the state; but we soon find that, however satisfied the Irish prelates were to be made dependent upon the crown, and to accept their support from the government, there was a power greater than the throne, by which they were over-ruled, and were even constrained to pass a cen-those, who too successfully exertsure upon their own conduct. ed themselves to keep alive the ge This appears in some resolutions neral irritation which this waypassed in September, 1808, at a ward event had produced." P.196. convention of the Irish bishops in Dublin. They then resolved, "It is the decided opinion of the Roman Catholic prelates of Ireland, that it is inexpedient to introduce any alteration in the canonical mode hitherto observed in the nomination of the Irish Roman Catholic bishops; which mode long experience has proved to be unexceptionable, wise, and

At the beginning of the year 1810, the English Roman Catholics, who had petitioned Parliament, were informed by Lord Grey, then at the head of the Administration, that "the English Catholics should annex to their petition some general declaration of their willingness to give any reasonable pledge, not inconsistent with their religious

faction and security, and extend

principles, for the loyalty of the persons who should be appointeding to them the full enjoyment of their bishops." It appears that the civil constitution of their the English Roman Catholics country, will meet their perfect "were willing, whenever an en- concurrence." This resolution larged and liberal system should was unanimously adopted, Feb. be adopted in their regard, to 1, 1810, at a meeting of the Engacquiesce in any arrangement, lish Roman Catholics, with the consistent with their religious exception of the Rev. Dr. Milner, principles, and the discipline of the agent of the Irish prelates. the Roman Catholic church, The above resolution, having which might be deemed expe- been cast into the form of a petidient for securing the loyalty of tion, was signed by the Vicarsthe persons thereafter to be cho- apostolic of the London, Northsen to the rank or office of bi-ern, and Western Districts, and shop." As this declaration, how-their coadjutors, and by about ever, might appear to express a two hundred, of the principal readiness on the part of the Eng-Roman Catholic noblemen, genlish Catholics to accede to the tlemen, and clergy, These specific measure of the "VETO," measures of the English Rowhich the Irish prelates had de-man Catholics, though adopted clared to be inexpedient, and with so much caution, gave great fearing that it might give offence offence to the Irish prelates, and to the Roman Catholics of Ire-led to many disputes. It will, land, the following resolution was however, be perceived, that they framed instead of it; viz. "That took good care to leave room sufthe English Roman Catholics, in ficiently large, by which to resoliciting the attention of Parlia- trace their steps, if it were found ment to their petition, are ac- necessary; namely, "Whatever tuated, not more by a sense of might primarily, or intermediatehardships and disabilities, underly, or ultimately, be proposed by which they labour, than by a de-government, if it contained a sinsire to secure, on the most solid foundation, the peace and harmony of the British empire; and to obtain for themselves opportunities of manifesting, by the most active. exertions, their zeal and interest in the common cause, in which their country is engaged, for the maintenance of its freedom and independence; and that they are firmly persuaded that adequate provision for the main-respecting the Veto. That these tenance of the civil and religious establishment of this kingdom may be made, consistently with the strictest adherence, on their part, to the tenets and discipline of the Roman Catholic religion; and that any arrangement, found. ed on this basis of mutual satis

gle iota, inconsistent with the strictest adherence to the tenets or discipline of the Roman Catholic religion, the gentlemen who subscribed the resolution in question, might most honourably, most conscientiously, and con sistently refuse it." P. 197-201.

In the progress of the history, Mr. Butler informs his readers what were the sentiments of Rome

were favourable to the sentiments of the English Roman Catholics appears from a rescript of Mons. Quarantotti, dated 16th of Feb. 1814, written during the time of the Pope's captivity in France, After the liberation of Pope Pius VII, "his Holiness answered

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It is rather singular, that "his Holiness" should grant the examination of his rescripts to the small petty Protestant states of Germany, and yet absolutely refuse such a license to the court of Great Britain. But can a state be safe, when several millions of its subjects are under the immediate and secret direction of a foreign Potentate?

a letter of congratulation sent | matters, and their intercourse him by the English Roman Catho- with the see of Rome, or any lies, in which he informs them, other foreign ecclesiastical juristhat as it respected the rescript dictions; with an Appendix. first now mentioned, he should Ordered by the House of Commost willingly comply with their mons to be printed, 25th June, wishes, as far as the dignity, the 1816." P. 201–204. purity, and the integrity of the Catholic religion would allow."" By a subsequent letter from Cardinal LITTA, dated Genoa, 26th of April, 1815, we are furnished with some important information, how far his Holiness could allow his subjects in England to go, in order to satisfy the government that their subjection to the Pope would not endanger the safety of the state."His Holiness will feel This account of the proceedno hesitation in allowing those to ings of the Irish and English Ro whom it appertains, to present to man Catholics, respecting the the King's ministers a list of can- Veto, confirms the correctness of didates, in order that if any of the sentiments of the celebrated them should be obnoxious or sus- Judge Blackstone, in his Compected, the government might mentaries, Book iv. chap. 4. immediately point him out, in or- p. 35, "If once they could be der that he might be expunged; brought to renounce the supremacy care however being taken to leave of the Pope, they might quietly a sufficient' number for his Holi-enjoy their seven sacraments, ness to choose therefrom indivi- their purgatory, and auricular duals, whom he might deem best confession; their worship of requalified in the Lord for govern-liques and images; nay, even ing the vacant churches. THE their transubstantiation.

But

EXAMINATION OF PAPAL RE- while they acknowledge a foreign SCRIPTS CANNOT EVEN BE power, superior to the sovereignty MADE A SUBJECT OF NEGO-of the kingdom, they cannot comTIATION: SUCH A PERMIS-plain if the laws of that kingdom SION CANNOT BE GRANTED. will not put them upon the footing WHEN IT IS PRACTISED, IT IS of good subjects."

AN ABUSE, WHICH THE HOLY
SEE, TO PREVENT GREATER
EVILS, IS FORCED TO BEAR
AND TOLERATE, BUT CAN
NEVER APPROVE"!!!

The letters from which the above extracts are made, are inserted at length in "The Report from the Select Committee appointed to report the nature and substance of the laws and ordinances existing in foreign states, respecting the regulations of the Roman Catholics in ecclesiastical

IOTA.

Erratum in our last Number.
P. 5, col. 2, 1. 27-For Protestants read
Catholics.

A LETTER From the Rev. John Lawson, Pastor of the Baptist Church in Calcutta, to his Brother Joseph, a little orphan Boy.

MY DEAR BROTHER Joe,

I think you are now old enough to understand a letter from your

brother; therefore I shall begin] to write one to you, and I will try to write it very plain indeed, that you may know and remember every word of it.

You, my dear young brother, have been the subject of many afflictions, and I will just speak of some of them; not that I wish you to repine on account of them, but that you may see the goodness of the Lord in providing for you amidst them all. About a month before our dear father died, I visited our native town; I then, for the first time, saw you, a very little boy indeed, asleep in your cradle. Little did I then think that we were so soon to lose a kind parent. He was particularly anxious for your welfare. He loved you, he prayed to God that he would bless you and preserve you; and although he was very ill, and looked extremely pale, yet he would sit by you rocking your cradle; and if you had been old enough to observe it, you would have seen his eyes swimming with tears, which he let fall on your account: for he knew that you were but a very little child, and feared that soon you would be left without a dear father to care for you, and pray for you. But he was a good man; and though he loved you so much that it made him cry at the thoughts of parting from you, yet God whom he served, enabled him to leave you, a helpless orphan, in his hands; and when he saw you last, his heart was full of sorrow, and I am sure, if he could have spoken, he would have said, "O Lord, if it be thy will, spare my life, that I may provide for my poor little Joseph, for he is very dear to me, and I will teach him to fear thy name. 0 spare my life, that I may provide for my poor little Joseph."

God, who always does right, thought it best not to grant this last request. Our dear parent grew worse and worse, and then he became more and more submissive to the will of God, in separating him from you, and, your brothers and sisters, who stood weeping round his bed. He told me that Jesus was precious, and his only support. I. prayed, kneeling by him, and his eyes and his hands sufficiently declared how earnestly he was engaged in this solemn exercise. You were then unconscious of what passed in the chamber of death, and I shall not attempt to describe it.

The remains of our dear father were interred the following Lord's day. The grave in which he lies is in the corner of the Baptist Meeting-house yard. It is parallel with some palisadoes which inclose the tomb of some rich family. There is no grave-stone. Perhaps if you were to try to find the grave, you could not.

In less than a year your poor mother was laid in the same place, and I hope they are both now singing the praises' of him who hath said, "I am the resurrection and the life." If they can be anxious in heaven, it is, that poor little Joseph may be a good child, that he may love the Redeemer, that he may shun the paths of the destroyer, and that he may finally join them in the mansions of glory.

Thus, my dear brother, you were left an orphan at a very early period indeed. You were left in the very depths of poverty.* Then you had no earthly

The circumstances here alluded to, are very feelingly expressed and enlarged upon in the Author's Poem, entitled, "The Maniac," printed a few years ago in England, and reprinted in America, with high commendations.-Ed.

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