vantage of the community, the largest benefices ought always to be conferred on the most pious, active, and intelligent men. In the present system of private patronage this can never take place universally. The patron usually considers the relationship or the interests of the party whom he presents, and nothing more. There is always a temptation which should not exist. From this result numerous evil consequences: -useful and meritorious men are excluded from their just reward, and parishes deprived of their valuable services. The Church suffers in reputation, and those, whose opinion of religion is formed by their opinion of the clergy (a very large proportion of mankind), suffer in religious sentiments proportionally. An inducement moreover is held out to men to enter the Church with worldly motives; a horrible and dangerous profanation as regards the individual; a fearful event for the scene where he is required to labour; and a circumstance of incalculable injury to the Church and to religion. We shall find, among the occasional instances of clergymen who have disgraced their profession, that much the greater part have been beneficed men ; a fact which can only be expected from this unworthy method of disposing of benefices. But if piety, purity, learning, and well-regulated zeal were the qualifications which alone opened the way to preferment, unworthy men would not venture to engage in the clerical profession. If ecclesiastical, like all other professional emolument, were dispensed by professional hands, the change would be very considerable. If with the reservation of some livings to the crown, and the disposal of a few conferred on collegiate bodies and cathedral chapters, all the presentations in each diocese belonged to the Bishop, the evil would be very nearly annihilated. We will suppose, for the argument's sake, the Bishop to be the most unconscionable nepotist that ever disgraced a church; still, after the most abundant provision for connexions and relations, an immense proportion of livings in the diocese would remain to be filled, and merit would then be the sole criterion. The most corrupt state of the episcopal bench, under this arrangement, would furnish a more uniformly serious and active parochial clergy, than the purest is likely to do under the present unnatural system of lay patronage. Even among deserving men, it is by no means indifferent how livings are disposed. The active and contemplative characters, with equal zeal and equal piety, are suited to different spheres of operation. The Bishop would know the nature of the parish and the habits of the men, and suit them accordingly. This circumstance, singly, would be a great advantage in episcopal patronage; an advantage which would be felt in every corner of the kingdom. But it may be said that we are decrying the present constitution of affairs, without the ability of suggesting or effecting a better; and amusing ourselves with visionary theories of improvement, which the nature of things forbids to be carried into effect. We should be sorry to be found guilty on this charge. To state an irremediable grievance is to perform a thankless and an useless office; and to start an impracticable project is no better. We do not believe the evil to be without remedy, but we believe the remedy to be one of very slow operation. The advowsons of the most important benefices ought to be purchased by Government and placed at the disposal of the respective diocesans. And though a long period must necessarily elapse before the system would be complete, yet its gradual advance would be attended with the most important advantages. The Church, as matters at present stand, is in a very critical position. Though influenced in all directions by lay interference, the responsibility is all her own. The clergy are reproached as a body with every delinquency of individual members, contrary not only to the plainest dictates of common justice, but even to the practice of society with regard to every other profession. But, under all circumstances, a pious and well-adapted clergy are most necessary, and proportional is the necessity for guarding against every injurious example. Were the present system changed in the manner we propose, we should scarcely ever hear of clerical misconduct. All sinister motives to embark in this sacred calling would be effectually removed; while men selected for general merit and particular competency would fill every station in the Church. To this worthy object we invite the attention of Government; assured that although many expedients of less cost may present themselves to the Exchequer, none will ever be found of greater or of more permanent utility. COLLECTANEA. ON READING THE GENEALOGIES OF JESUS CHRIST.-In a PrayerBook, printed by Bonham, Norton, and John Bell, A. D. 1621, is the following: Item. So oft as the first Chapter of St. Matthew is read, either for Lesson or Gospel, ye shall begin the same at, "The birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise," &c. And the third Chapter of St. Luke's Gospel shall be read unto-" So that he was supposed to be the Sonne of Joseph." RELIGION is not one of those articles the supply of which is left to be regulated by the demand. The necessity for it is precisely greatest when the demand is least; and a government neglects its first and highest duty, which fails to provide for the spiritual as well as the temporal wants of its subjects. NEW STYLE.-The commencement of the year was altered by the same act which regulated the New Style, 24 Geo. II. cap. 23, although it was the practice for some years previous to write the year in the months of January, February, and March, 1750 juxta 1751, or thus, 1750 BAPTISM is not peculiar to Christianity. It was used by the AngloSaxons anterior to the arrival of the early Fathers. Olden says, (Northern Antiquities, Vol. I. 335. II. 221.) "If I will that a man neither fall in battle nor perish by the sword, I sprinkle him over with water at the instant of his birth." The Highlander uses a different ceremony he swings the young born child over a fire kindled on the ground, and says, "Fire and trouble consume thee now or never." CHURCH PATRONAGE.-In England and Wales there are The Crown 558 592 190 1340 202 152 39 393 3444 5177 1991 5516 649 Total number of Vicarages Chapels in the Patronage of Private Individuals.. Total number of Benefices in England and Wales, 11,342 GOD'S VENGEANCE." Vengeance Divine, true; yet God without passions. If God have no passions, how can it be true that vengeance is His? Or how can He be said to be jealous of His glory?-CRito. We believe, that God executes vengeance without revenge, and is jealous without weakness, just as the mind of man sees without eyes, and apprehends without hands.-Extract from Peck's Adversaria. THE MORAVIANS.-The latest statement of the Moravian Brethren makes the whole number of their sect dispersed over the globe to consist of not more than 16,000 members. Notwithstanding this they maintain 127 missions for the conversion of the heathen, at an annual expense of 60,000 dollars, about 9,000l. MONTHLY REGISTER. INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE ENLARGEMENT, BUILDING, AND REPAIRING OF CHURCHES AND CHAPELS. THE annual meeting of this Society was held on the 13th of June. Among the dignitaries of the Church present were the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Bishops of London, Hereford, St. Asaph, Salisbury, and Chichester; the Archdeacon of Cambridge, Provost of Eton College, &c. Among the laity were Lord Kenyon, and several other influential persons. At one o'clock the Archbishop of Canterbury took the chair, and the Secretary then read the Report, which stated, that the applications for aid from the Society were continually increasing. In the first five years of its existence 454 had been received, 481 during the next five years, and in the last five years 606 applications for assistance had been made. The grants made last year have exceeded considerably those made in the preceding year, namely, from 58 to 84. The number of sittings provided by means of the last numbers were 19,121, of which 14,450 are free seats. From the formation of the Society in 1818, there have been 1662 applications, and grants 1043, the additional sittings obtained are 258,434, of which 193,105 are free. From this statement of what has been done, some idea may be formed of what remains to be performed by it. For the means of doing this the Society (its funds being now nearly exhausted) must depend, under the Divine blessing, upon that liberal feeling which has been constantly manifested from its first formation. The Committee, however, look more particularly to the effects of the appeal which has just been made in its behalf under the authority of the King's letter. A letter issued in 1828 produced 41,400%., and the committee trust the Society's finances will now again be recruited by at least an equal sum, which will enable the Society to carry on its operations with effect. The Society's funds have been increased during the last year by two legacies: one of 500%, from the late W. E. Gosling, Esq., and one of 2001. from the late Hon. and Rev. A. Grey. The Report in conclusion stated that the Society continued to receive the most gratifying accounts of the good effects of its liberality, of which they have received numerous testimonials. Report was adopted; and the business terminated with a vote of thanks to the venerable Prelate who presided on the occasion. POLITICAL RETROSPECT. DOMESTIC.-The principal business transacted in parliament has been the "Poor Laws Amendment Bill;" and a systematic attack upon the Church of England, under the shallow pretence of giving relief to the Dissenters. The former is one of the most iniquitous measures that ever was propounded in a deliberative assembly; but, as Cobbett, who sometimes accidentally thinks right, observed, "Thank God, we have still a House of Lords!" The bill for the admission of Dissenters to our Universities has been carried in the Lower House by a majority of 174; the numbers being, AYES, 321; NOES, 147. But "we turn from traitor-tyrants to the throne:" and with much gratification lay before our readers an accurate copy of His Majesty's most gracious Speech to the Bishops, on the anniversary of His Majesty's birth-day The of the Church. I have been, by the circumstances of my life, and by conviction, led to support toleration to the utmost extent of which it is justly capable; but toleration must not be suffered to go into licentiousness: it has its bounds, which it is my duty, and which I am resolved, to maintain. I am, from the deepest conviction, attached to the pure Protestant faith, which this Church, of which I am the temporal head, is the human means of diffusing and preserving in this land. "I cannot forget what was the course of events which placed my family on the throne which I now fill: those events were consummated in a revolution which was rendered necessary, and was effected, not, as has sometimes been most erroneously stated, merely for the sake of the temporal liberties of the people, but for the preservation of their religion. It was for the defence of the religion of the country, that was made the settlement of the Crown, which has placed me in the situation that I now fill; and that religion, and the Church of England AND IRELAND, the Prelates of which are now before me, it is my fixed purpose, determination, and resolution, to MAINTAIN. "The present Bishops, I am quite satisfied, (and I am rejoiced to hear from them, and from all, the same of the Clergy in general, under their governance), have never been excelled at any period of the history of our Church, by any of their predecessors, in learning, piety, or zeal in the discharge of their high duties. If there are any of the inferior arrangements in the discipline of the Church (WHICH, HOWEVER, I GREATLY DOUBT) that require amendment, I have no distrust of the readiness or ability of the Prelates now before me to correct such things, and to YOU I trust they will be left to correct, with your authority UNIMPAIRED and UNSHACKLED. "I trust it will not be supposed that I am speaking to you a speech which I have got by heart. No, I am declaring to you my real and genuine sentiments. I have almost completed my sixty-ninth year, and though blessed by God with a very rare measure of health, not having known what sickness is for some years, yet I do not blind myself to the plain and evident truth, that increase of years must tell largely upon me when sickness shall come. I cannot therefore expect that I shall be very long in this world. It is under this impression that I tell you, that while I know that the law of the land considers it impossible that I should do wrong-that while I know there is no earthly power which can call me to account-this only makes me the more deeply sensible of the responsibility under which I stand to that Almighty Being, before whom we must all one day appear. When that day shall come, you will know whether I am sincere in the declaration which I now make, of MY FIRM ATTACHMENT to the Church, and RESOLUTION TO MAINTAIN IT. "I have spoken more strongly than usual, because of unhappy circumstances that have forced themselves upon the observation of all. The VOL. XVI. NO. VII. threats of those who are enemies of the Church make it the more necessary for those who feel their duty to that Church TO SPEAK OUT. The words which you hear from me are indeed spoken by my mouth, but they flow from my heart." This, under any circumstances, would be cheering, but now it is invaluable. Those who would destroy the altar and the throne, must shrink with dismay at this patriotic burst of feeling from our gracious monarch: and when, in connexion with it they hear the enthusiastic plaudits which greeted the names of the conservative leaders at Oxford, and read the christian and patriotic sentiments contained in the two letters which have appeared in the daily papers, from Lord Winchelsea to the People of England, and from Lord Roden to the Protestants of Ireland; they must, if they are not lost to every sense of shame, blush for the acts of themselves and their dependents, which have rendered it necessary thus fearlessly and firmly to speak out. We have not latterly had occasion to look back upon the political occurrences of the month with any feelings of satisfaction. With respect to the Established Church, ministers have shewn themselves Iscariots; with respect to the interests of the poor, they are Egyptian task-masters; with respect to our foreign relations, they are utter sumphs. We of course mean the "lath and plaster" remnant; for to the DUKE OF RICHMOND, EARL RIPON, the RIGHT HON. E. G. S. STANLEY, and SIR JAMES GRAHAM, we owe our deep gratitude. They have spurned the unclean thing; and have refused indignantly to defile themselves with the plunder of the temple of God, Since the above was written, we rejoice to say, the House of Lords has nobly vindicated its character and independence by deciding against the the admission of " Hebrew Jews" to unchristianize the British Parliament. The numbers were: For the Bill. Against. Majority. . 38 130!!! 92!!!! PORTUGAL AND SPAIN. - Don Miguel has been obliged to abdicate his 3 M |