guiding the minds of men, the weight of the Church of Rome. France will do her best to oppose it, of course; so, doubtless, will Russia; for if Protestant Germany become one with Protestant England, in faith, in worship, in communion, and moral principle, what will become of the influence of both nations in the great European family? We are standing on the edge of very curious times, and shall not be surprised if our children have to witness such a revolution as has not occurred in the world since the foundations of Christianity were first laid. And of that, religion will be the instrument.-Weekly Paper. REGISTRATION OF POPISH MASS-HOUSES FOR MARRIAGES.-When Lords Normanby and John Russell were in power, Popish mass-houses were gazetted as Catholic chapels. We are pleased to observe that the designation of Roman Catholic is now given to these places of worship. It is a sign of a juster discrimination betwixt true and false religion, as well as of a recurrence to Christian and constitutional principles. POPERY IN SYRIA.-L'Univers, (the Popish journal in France,) announces that the Minister for Foreign Affairs had sent clerical ornaments and sacred vases to the Roman-catholic churches, of Syria to the value of 20,000 francs. O'CONNELL'S CONNEXION WITH THE JESUITS.-The Lord Mayor of Dublin went to Clongowes, the Jesuits' College, within twelve miles of Dublin, where he dined and slept on 21st November. CRUELTY OF THE PAPISTS TO THE JEWS.-In the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Jews were exterminated in Spain. TERCENTENARY OF THE REFORMATION.-On the 31st of October last, the 300th anniversary of the festival of the Reformation, was celebrated at Wittemberg. In the evening a number of the most respectable persons in the town formed themselves into a procession, and walked to the statue of the great reforiner, Martin Luther, where they sang a hymn. ANOTHER DEFECTION FROM THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.-The Rev. D. Wackerbarth, of Lichfield, has followed the example of Mr. Sibthorp, and embraced the Romish faith. Those who have read his "Tuba Concordia" will think it was high time.—Birmingham Advertiser. POPISH INTOLERANCE.-The late Queen-dowager of Bavaria was a Protestant; and as she was buried in the royal vault in a Roman-catholic church at Munich, the Protestant clergymen were under the necessity of leaving the corpse at the church door, and of performing the service for the dead in the Protestant church. MONASTERIES IN SWITZERLAND.-The meeting of the deputies of the republic has adjourned, without coming to any resolution as to whether the monasteries are to be restored or not. APPOINTMENT OF CIVIC MAGISTRATES FOR IRELAND.-Twenty-eight justices of the peace have been appointed for Dublin, of whom seven were members of the old corporation, seven of the new, and fourteen were taken from the citizens at large, among whom are eight Roman-catholics. For Cork have been appointed fifteen Protestants and seven Roman-catholics. For Limerick, nine Protestants and three Roman Catholics. BERLIN, Nov. 6.-The result of the negotiation commenced by Prussia, in order to obtain for the Evangelical Christians of the German nation the same advantages in the Turkish Empire, especially in Palestine and Syria, as are enjoyed by the Christians of the Latin and Greek churches, excites general interest. It is, in fact, so interesting an event in modern history, that it seems desirable to obviate involuntary misunderstandings by a simple narrative of the occasion and object of the negotiations. The concord of the great persons of Europe to which the Turkish Empire is indebted for its independence, and the world for peace, offered an opportunity essentially to improve the situation of the German Evangelical Christians in the East. To profit by this opportunity in a manuer worthy of its political position, was considered by Prussia as a sacred duty, especially because it might be foreseen, with much probability, that the great impulse given to the commercial intercourse between nations, would also increase the connexion of German Protestants in the East; and, perhaps, lead to the foundation of settlements by them in those countries. Seen in a general point of view, it might, perhaps, have appeared sufficient for the promotion of science, industry, and trade, and also for the facilitating settlements, if Prussia had only aimed at procuring for all its subjects, independence without difference of religion, as far as they needed it, whether as travellers or as settlers, that legal protection for their persons and property which the Hatti Scherif of Gulhane had promised; but in the pursuance of these objects, it appeared in what a much more advantageous position the king was, in respect to his Roman-catholic, than in respect to his Protestant subjects. These objects appeared to be closely connected with certain religious rights and privileges; the Latin and Greek churches in the East, are distinct bodies, with common discipline and order, founded on ancient treaties, and therefore enjoy in this capacity the benefit of being acknowledged, which includes the most important political rights. The Greek church enjoys, besides the protection of the Emperor of Russia and the Latin church, that of the great Roman-catholic powers. The Prussian government needs only to join in the endeavours of the latter, successfully to remove all obstacles that may still exist to the particular interests of its Roman-catholic subjects. The Protestant church, on the other hand, was destitute, up to the latest times, of all legal recognition. What State of the Continent would more naturally desire that, in the present state of the world, they also might enjoy similar corporate privileges than Prussia, which has among its subjects more than the half of all the members of the Protestant Church in Germany; and ought not the Protestant Church, as a member of the Catholic church of Christ, to possess the right of assembling its adherents on the scene of the origin of Christianity, and freely to proclaim evangelical truth, according to their confession and liturgy? Under these circumstances, the Prussian government could not, in duty, be deterred by the difficulties of various kinds which opposed the attainment of an object so intimately connected with the religious feelings of her nation. The question was, with a just appreciation of all the circumstances, to look for the ways which might most certainly lead to the proposed end. Partial negotiations with the Porte, notwithstanding the very amicable relations between the two governments, afford no prospect of real success. The Turkish government does not yet feel the immediate connexion of Prussia with the East. The Porte knows Prussia only as a great European power, by whose agreement with other great powers, its safety is guaranteed. The relations of Great Britain with the Porte are very different; England, by its naval power and its commerce, possesses great influence in the East. A union with England, whose church, in its origin and doctrine, is closely allied to the German Evangelical Church, appeared, therefore, to be the surest means of obtaining the important object. The negotiations to be opened for this purpose depended, however, on the previous question whether Great Britain was inclined to do justice to the independence and national honour of the German Evangelical Church, and to treat this affair in perfect unison with Prussia, or the fixed principle that Protestant Christendom, under the protection of England and Prussia, should appear to the Turkish government as one power, and thus obtain from it all the advantages of being legally recognised. The steps which were taken to settle this previous question had the most satisfactory results. Not only did the British government shew itself ready with decided good-will to enter into the subject on the basis proposed, but the heads of the English church entered with warm interest into the proposal. All parties agreed in the conviction, that the diversities of Christian worship, according to languages and nations, and according to the peculiarities and historical development of each nation-that is to say, in the Protestant church-is upheld by a superior Unity, the Head of the Church himself; and that in this unity, to which all the diversities refer as to their centre, lies the foundation of true Christian toleration. Besides this conviction, his Majesty the King too warmly paticipates in the religious sympathies of the nation, which are so intimately interwoven with the origin of the Augsburg Confession and the recollection of the champions of the faith of the German Protestant Church, to have consented to anything contrary to this firm, common basis of the entire German Protestant Church. By a cordial co-operation directed in this spirit, a destined bishopric has been founded in Jerusalem, in which all Protestant Christians may find a common support and point of union, in respect of the Turkish Government, and in all cases when their representation as one church may be necessary, while at the same time the German Protestants preserve the independence of their church, with respect to the particular confession and liturgy. His Majesty the King, provides one-half of the expense of this bishopric, and he participates therefore with the crown of England, in the right of nominating the bishop. Thus the religious wants of the new bishopric would be provided for: but as a religious community cannot be blessed with prosperity except in union with the instruction of youth and the care of the sick, a still greater support is to be expected for this purpose from the pious intent and charity of the Protestant Christians in Prussia and other German countries. The foundation of an hospital is specially important in which travellers, who will be more numerously attracted to Jerusalem by scientific inquiries, religious interest, or other objects, may be received in case they should want assistance. In reference to the above, the minister of ecclesiastical affairs has addressed two circulars to the provincial government, and to the consistories, recapitulating the preceding statement, and informing them that it is his Majesty's pleasure, that a general collection shall be made in all the Protestant Churches of the Prussian monarchy. The sum collected to be sent to ministers. The consistorians are especially desired to take into consideration the important object to which the collection is to be applied, and as his Majesty the King has this object so much at heart, they are enjoined to impress it on the minds of their Protestant brethren.-From a Prussian Paper. 66 66 66 THE NEW CONVERT.-A. F. D. Wackerbarth, Esq., lately a Protestant clergyman, now a layman in the Romish communion, has addressed a most thundering letter to the Editor of the Tablet, charging that leading organ of ""uncharitable," his new faith with "unjust," indecent," gross," "detestable," "rabid," "malignant," "low," "vulgar," scurrilous,' second-hand," "uncatholic," 99.66 99.66 atrocious," envenomed," "stupid," "lying" behaviour. The Tablet prints this letter in his Number for Christmas day, bestowing on, the respected Neophyte nearly five columns of literary castigation; observing that he thinks that, "just hatched as he is, with all the half-broken and dirty shell of heresy sticking about his heels, he is qualified to correct, rebuke, and censure, or to do anything, in fact, but pray, and keep silence." We cannot but refer back to our remarks, in our first article, on the quality of the prizes that the "venerated sister" has made. We think if she gets hold of Mr. Palmer, the deacon whose recent "Letter" exhibits his ripeness for revolt, it will be as much as the Propaganda can do to settle these two novices upon her grand distinguishing foundation of "unity." N.B. Every subscriber of 10s. annually, is entitled to a copy of the Magazine; to be had on application at the office. THE PROTESTANT MAGAZINE. FEBRUARY 1, 1842. 66 THAT imposing little affair, "The Catholic' Directory for 1842," opens with an apostolical letter from the bishop of Rome, commonly called Pope Gregory XVI., to our beloved son, John, Earl of Shrewsbury, president of the "Catholic" Institute of Great Britain, by which it appears that the paternal heart at Rome is wonderfully comforted under many bitter afflictions, on account of the ever-increasing calamities of" what he blasphemously calls "the church of Christ," by the prosperous aspect of Popish affairs in this quarter. "We desire nothing with greater eagerness," quoth the Pope, "than to embrace once more with paternal exultation the English nation, adorned with so many and such excellent qualities." The old gentleman might have added, and with so many fertile acres, goodly dwellings, and fair revenues. He considers the "Institute" as being admirably adapted to bring about the wished-for consummation, and sends his especial benediction to all therein concerned. Next follows a setting forth of the objects of the Institute, which are,-1. The exposure of calumnies against Popery; 2. Defence of its doctrines; 3. Supply of the poor with cheap Popish books and tracts; 4. Providing soldiers, sailors, inmates of work houses and prisons, being Papists, with religious instruction from Romish priests; 5. Vindication of the rights of all classes among them, and redress of their grievances. After the calendar, we have a statement of indulgences granted to the faithful, the leading conditions in all which are, confession to a priest, "approved by the bishop," and going to mass. Then a list of the French priests in London who have subscribed a certain declaration, and who alone are "approved," as aforesaid. A catalogue VOL. IV.-Feb. 1842. D Re of Popish churches and chapels follows, among which we notice a very long appeal on behalf of Woolwich, where her Majesty's (late) Board of Ordnance-much to their shame be it spokengranted an eligible spot of ground for a chapel, and other facilities. The appeal sets forth the importance of taking up a strong position at a place which, it says, is "the nursery of the Royal Artillery"-a corps deservedly called "Old England's second iron wall." Great anxiety is manifested to make a lodgment against this wall. The sum total of the account for Great Britain is as follows:-Popish chapels, 556; missionary priests, 711; convents and monasteries, 23; colleges, 8. specting Wales, a great lamentation is uttered; for the old principality, where the tender mercies of Rome, in the early part of Augustine's mission, put to the sword two thousand Christian clergymen in one day, is very obstinately scriptural in its predilections. Ireland, of course, is not included in this return. Then we have a memoir of a Mr. Hay, who was in the rebel army of 1745, and afterwards apostatized to Popery, and was made a bishop. A full account, very appealingly framed, of course, is given of the Popish schools and charitable institutions in the country, with boarding-schools for young gentlemen and ladies, convents and colleges, here and on the continent. The "Catholic" Institute next courts the eye, among the vice-presidents of which we notice the Earls of Traquair and Newburgh, Lords Stourton, Camoys, Clifford, Stafford, Lovat, &c., &c., and, finally, "The Association for the Propagation of the Faith." Fifty-three pages of matter, entitled "The Catholic Advertiser," enables the faithful to practise exclusive dealing in every possible branch of their expenditure, so that not a shilling of their cash need go astray among heretics; and thus ends the Directory. 66 Until lately, every possible means was used to divert attention from their proceedings by the Romish community in England; the more scanty, weak, insignificant, and helpless they were made to appear, the better their chance of defrauding John Bull, who, it is well known, would only regard the cry "stand and deliver!" as a signal to cock his pistols; but who would readily open his door, his hand, and his purse, at the doleful accents of Pity the sorrows of a poor old man." The trick by which Popery has risen to such comparative greatness in England, is very similar to that whereby Montalto obtained the papacy. While the election was pending, he appeared as one in the last stage of asthmatic suffering; bent into the deepest curve of decrepitude, and unable to speak above his breath. Thus helpless, and on the verge of the grave, he seemed an admirable puppet for the purposes of those who would have been sorry to encounter anything more substantial in the high place of Popery; so they elected him, despite the earnest warnings of a few who knew better. The cunning fox had told these his supporters how |