THE

PROTESTANT MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1848.

THE MURDERS IN IRELAND.

THERE is a crime reprobated by all civilized communities, and denounced by the Word of God,-it is the crime of murder.

There is a system which lends the sanction of religion to murder, makes the priest at once the confidant, coadjutor, and refuge of the assassin,-it is the system of Popery, a system which our forefathers knew too well, from bitter experience, to allow them to repose confidence in it; but to the emissaries of which the Protestants of Great Britain, in the present day, seem inclined to " yield at discretion."

Cordially attached to the Protestant religion, constitution, throne, and government of these realms, under the benign auspices of which, through Divine Providence, greater blessings and privileges have been secured to this country than any other nation has enjoyed, we have felt it an imperative duty to oppose Popery.

Taking the written Word of God as the only infallible guide, we have been led to believe that these blessings have resulted from the policy of our nation being more than that of any other, based upon and carried on in harmony with the principles of eternal truth.

Filled with alarm at the various concessions to Popery, we have, from time to time, remonstrated, and would entreat all Protestants continually to do so; nor without good reason.

Popery as a theological system is one in which error, falsehood, and delusion abound.

Popery as a system of morality is subversive of some of the fundamental principles, on which social happiness and the welfare of society depend.

Popery as a political system is one inveterately opposed to the peace and independence of a Protestant State.

What peace, then, can there be between two such opposing systems? What harmony between such discordant elements? VOL. X.-February, 1848.

D New Series, No. 26.

Can it be supposed the Pope will ever wield his influence to the benefit of Protestant England? Never. To seek reconciliation with Rome, to legalize her emissaries, to renew diplomatic relations with the apostate Church, would be taking the surest steps to procure Romish ascendancy and the downfall of this Protestant nation.

Romanism, therefore, must be met by an enlightened, intelligent, firm, unbending, uncompromising, prayerful opposition from a Protestant Government, Church, and people.

Alike opposed to what is holy in theology, pure in morality, and sound in politics, its prevalence must ever be regarded with apprehension and alarm by those who wish well to the constitution of our country, whether in matters civil or ecclesiastical.

The various concessions to Popery, for the last half century, plainly demonstrate, that those concessions have been as useless, unsatisfactory, and injurious in their results, as they have been unprincipled in their policy. Is it not now apparent,

that the contest is at hand in which must be decided whether Great Britain shall maintain her national independence, or submit to have the deliberation of her Cabinet, the consultations of Parliament, and the Acts of her Legislature, overawed and set at naught by Romish intrigue or intimidation?

The Resolutions adopted by ecclesiastics of the Church of Rome in Ireland, on the subject of the Papal rescript with reference to the colleges in Ireland, evidently show a prior regard to the Edicts which emanate from the Romish see, than to those which proceed from the Imperial Legislature. And how is this to be met? Not by legalizing the foreign interference of the Pope or Court of Rome, but by firmly withstanding it.

For years past has the Protestant Association been engaged in pointing out, from Dens, from Delahogue, Reiffenstuel,Maldonatus, and other writers of distinction in the Church of Rome, those fearful principles, which, when developed into practice, blight every land where their baneful power is in the ascendant, -and pointing out the dangers of Romish influence.

Many events are now forcing this conclusion upon the public mind. Neither gratitude for concessions, nor moderation in the use of power, have characterized Rome; nor will any concessions appease, till she has acquired absolute supremacy, or ruined our empire in endeavouring to do so.

Lord Shrewsbury and Lord Arundel have respectively addressed letters to Romish dignitaries on the subject of murders in Ireland. Dr. M'Hale replies to Lord Arundel in terms which seem to vindicate assassination, whilst the priesthood and laity in Ireland denounce as impertinent, the interference of Lord Shrewsbury!

The Special Commission is bringing to justice some of those who have deluged the ground with the blood of their unoffending countrymen; and demonstrating the reckless indifference with which life has been regarded by the Popery-taught peasantry of Ireland.

But have the priesthood or dignitaries of Rome in Ireland come forward to aid in upholding law, or denouncing the crime of murder?

Ready to avow their instantaneous approval of the Papal rescript, they have not evinced the like cordiality with reference to the abatement of crime. This is commented on strongly in the "Times," which, while lamenting the state of things thus proceeds:

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Meanwhile, there is no effort to correct the popular feeling and to remove an apathy which is even more dreadful than violence itself.

"There are, with few exceptions, no denunciations of agrarian outrage; no priestly exhortations; no Episcopal monitions; and, we must add, no Papal rescripts; no movement whatever of the Church power; no wielding of her censures,―her thoughts against a state of things which is a disgrace, not only to Ireland, but to the whole Roman Catholic faith."-" Times," Friday, Jan. 14, 1848.

Again, in a subsequent article, it thus expresses its opinion of the state of things. Referring to the invitation given to Mr. John O'Connell to Paris-to the proceedings of his father generally-it observes :

"Whatever may have been the case at the time, the sympathies of England are now-or were lately-with O'Connell, the champion of Catholic emancipation. We have recorded our feeling in the statute-book. We have freely followed up the original measure of concession. We now pause, and half shudder at the work of our own hands. Dr. M'Hale stands before us. It is Frankenstein gazing at the monster."—" Times," Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Let Protestants now, by Petitions to each House of Parliament, by Memorials, and deputations to their Representatives, and even by addresses to the Crown, evince their sense of danger and of duty, and remonstrate against all further legislative sanction to Popery.

FATHER VENTURA'S FUNERAL ORATION AT ROME, ON THE DEATH OF THE LATE MR. O'CONNELL.

It is known to most of our readers, that the late Mr. Daniel O'Connell died, while on a pilgrimage to Rome.

Many, however, may not be aware, that though he died before reaching the seat of the Pope's dominion, very high marks of distinction were bestowed upon his memory, and his funeral

oration was pronounced by one of the most eminent orators in Rome. Many more, further, may be ignorant of the nature of that oration, and the parts and actions of Mr. O'Connell's life, for which he seems most to have been admired at Rome. We purpose, therefore, to give a few extracts from the oration of Ventura.

Rome is the principal, historic, well-known, enemy of Protestant England; the grand antagonist of Gospel light and truth. We may be certain, therefore, that those whose memory she most caresses, will be those who have aided her in promoting her ambitious projects.

Perhaps there is no man whose whole life was so systematically devoted to advance the cause of the Papacy, and ruin altogether the Protestant character of Great Britain, in Church and State, as Mr. O'Connell. Nor do we know of one, who, in modern times, has been more eulogized at Rome, than he.

The following extracts are from the funeral oration of Father Ventura on the death of "the Liberator," preached at Rome on June 28th and 29th, last year, translated in full, and published at the Catholic Book and Vestment Repository, Dublin.

Of the great importance to be attached to this oration, some idea may be gathered from this, that Dr. Miley, when preaching the funeral oration of O'Connell, in Dublin, thus expressed himself (p. 5), with regard to Father Ventura's oration in Rome:

"The funeral oration was rehearsed beforehand in the hearing of the Pope, when it was intimated that there might be some difficulty as to its being published in Rome; the Pontiff smiled. You know what has been the consequence. Stamped with the imprimatur of the master of the sacred palace, the funeral oration of O'Connell by the great and good Ventura, published at Rome (and published uncurtailed) is now read with admiration throughout all Christian countries."

The oration of Father Ventura is the more remarkable for the intimate acquaintance it displays with the policy and affairs of this country. There seems to exist in Rome as perfect a knowledge of the affairs of England, as we have in our own Colonialoffice of the affairs of our own colonies.

The enthusiasm with which Roman Catholics in Ireland treated O'Connell was almost rivalled at Rome, and Father Ventura (at p. 9) speaks of O'Connell as another Moses whom the Almighty had commissioned to liberate his oppressed people!

At p. 11, speaking of the duel O'Connell fought, and in which he killed his fellow-duelist-a thing which Ventura rightly condemns, he yet throws in many things as palliatives, suggesting that the Corporation of Dublin, wishing to get rid of Mr. O'Connell, the champion of Catholicity, hired D'Esterre, an expert marksman, who never missed his aim, to challenge and kill O'Connell. He

further designates this man who was killed by Mr. O'Connell, as the Goliath of these modern Philistines, the Protestants of Ireland, and intimates that O'Connell, in a moment of religious delusion, might have looked upon himself as a second David, chosen to avenge the disgrace inflicted on the people of God.

For the religion of O'Connell, at p. 12, he asks:-" Who was ever more devoted to the Queen of Heaven, or more zealous for her honour?" and observes, with regard to the great question of having opened the doors of Parliament to Roman Catholics :

"It was because he placed the great cause of emancipation under the guardianship of our great Lady; it was because of her protection, more than on account of his own efforts, he attained success; and when he had attained it, to her he attributed all the glory."

At p. 26, again speaking of the decision of the House of Lords, by which the convicted were set free, he refers O'Connell's liberation to a Novena which O'Connell "suggested should be offered to the Mother of God for his deliverance."

With reference to the passing of the Act of 1829, we have the following specimen of the way in which Rome would have kings bow down to her. At p. 29, Ventura says,—

"A large section of the House of Commons oppose it, the aristocracy threatens, the Establishment protests, the King himself, whose eminent qualities as a Christian, an Englishman, were obscured by sectarian fanaticism, is enraged in the fury of his Royal pride at being compelled to yield to a simple subject; he stamps on the ground, flings away the pen, uttering a Billingsgate imprecation, O'Connell. He refuses to sign; but all is useless, he must yield."

* *

This oration might be taken as an instance of Rome's approbation stamped upon the proceedings of O'Connell, and his party; and, while Rome thus triumphed in her past efforts, she looked forward, through Protestant apathy, to further triumphs.

At p. 30, lamenting the decease of the Liberator before his work was done, Ventura thus apostrophises, when speaking of his son, "Yes, yes, John shall accomplish the work of Daniel.-The new Joshua shall introduce this chosen people into the promised land of an entire independence, which the new Moses could only salute at a distance."

Describing the death of O'Connell, Ventura depicts him (52)

as

"Frequently repeating the prayer of St. Bernard, Memorare, O piissima Virgo, in reciting the Psalms, in renewing each instant, acts of contrition, of hope, and of love, and in pronouncing the blessed names of Jesus and Mary."

The funeral oration pronounced by Dr. Miley, in Dublin, abounds with similar expressions. Speaking of the Liberator's devotions, he says:

"Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that from all ages * We omit this oath.