and introduced with a statement of its design, which contains the following: It is a felicity peculiar to the brethren of our communion, and which arises from the uniform and prescribed nature of the public services of the Church, that it is always in their power, to become previously acquainted with the full import of those services, and thus be enabled to engage in them "with the spirit and understanding also!" In order to meet the wants and wishes of such of our readers as would not ignorantly worship, it is proposed to occupy a portion of each paper, with a short account of the Sundays and Holy days which may occur in the course of the week succeeding its publication; to explain the reasons for the selection of the several Collects, Epistles, and Gospels; and to show their suitableness to the seasons, for which they are assigned. The restoration of the Cross, in Churches, is urged too, in another number. And it is a little curious, that upon these two points in later life, my Father did battle with his pen in good earnest; though they were but side skirmishes. Writing in answer to an objection against the use of the term Dissenters, as applied to all human religious organizations, Old School says: The Editor of the Connecticut Observer says, the number of the Episcopal Clergy in the United States, including ten Bishops, is four hundred and sixty. The number of clergy in several other denominations is many times greater. Who then, if any, in this country are Dissenters? The many, or the comparatively few? And is this question then, Messrs. Editors, to be decided by a mere show of hands? Is it a principle in theological controversy, as in republican governments, that the majority must rule? Is it a maxim in religious polemics, as in party politics, "Vox populi, vox Dei?" If so, when were not the followers of Christ in error? How long before his "little flock," the Church, will be able to challenge equal credit with the vast inheritance of the heathen? And what a sorry reasoner must St. Paul have been, who, in asserting against the great multitude of unbelieving Israel, the privileges of the believing remnant, quotes, from the first book of Kings, the answer of God to the desponding prophet -1 have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal: and then expressly applies it to the little company of Christ's followers-even so then, at this present time also, there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Most surely, if we apply the rule for resolving all cases of disputed dissent suggested by the writer in the Christian Observer-for the merit of the application is his-the seven thousand Israelites who had not bowed the knee, and the remnant according to the election of grace, being, “ very small, though highly respectable minority," must have been, "if any" were, the dissenters of their day. a An exposure of the tricks of the American Sunday School Union, (many have been made since, to as little purpose) I must quote entire. The sentiments of your correspondent, on this interesting subject, chime in well with my own. He is evidently one who has some experience in the matter, and he writes with a zeal befitting its importance. It is with pleasure, that I add my feeble mite to the tribute, which he so justly renders to those conscientious guardians of our infant morals and religion—the AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. Their exertions in this work are above all praise. Scorning narrow and selfish views, it is their object to further the great interests of religion. It is not the cause of Episcopacy, or Presbyterianism, or Unitarianism, that they would advance. All minor names and objects are generously merged in the winning name of "our Common Christianity." An instance in illustration of this noble disinterestedness is given; and if it should meet your approbation, Messrs. Editors, it may be in my power, to add now and then a similar sprig to their shadowing laurels. It chanced then, that, in pursuing my studies, I met, the other day, with a little book, by Mrs. Sherwood, entitled the ERRAND BOY. It is from the Depository of the American Sunday School Union, and is duly authorized by the imprimatur of the "Committee of Publication." Knowing that the pious authoress was a member of the Church of England, and that in her several works, she has uniformly recognized its distinctive principles, I very naturally expected to find some allusion to its liturgy and offices-the more especially as the story begins with "a certain pious gentleman" "going to church one Sunday morning." The first dozen lines undeceived me-for the tract had been duly revised, and the Catholic term Psalm Book, substituted for the limited and offensive designation, Prayer Book. And though the sentence seemed to run a little lamely, the drift of it being to commend the boy, upon observing, “how orderly he used his Psalm Book, and how attentive he was all the time of the service," yet, it is designed but for the use of babes in Christ, thought I, and they will mind nothing about it. The story was an interesting one, so I was tempted to read on; and, though now and then scandalized at the use of the heathen name Sunday, and at an allusion to the popish festival of Christmas, it ran along pretty well until p. 29, when I stumbled on the following unfortunate sentence. "When I had, in this manner mastered the reading of Scripture, my Master gave me a Prayer Book, and put me into a class where I was taught the use of it: he also took upon himself to explain the meaning of our prayers and services and catechism." So then, said I, great Homer nods. The "Committee of Publication" have been sleeping over their work. And the little Errand Boy is made to appear not unlike the pulpit of the Temple, when Hooker was Master, and Travers afternoon-lecturer there-in the forenoon speaking Canterbury, and in the afternoon, Geneva. I resolved at once to send an account of the matter to your paper, hoping that thus it might meet the eye of the "Committee on Publication," and honest Tom be relieved from the inconsistency under which he now labours. In conclusion, Messrs. Editors, let me congratulate the cause of primitive truth and order, that it has at length fallen into the hands of guardians so honest and vigilant, as, notwithstanding the oversight above alluded to, the several "Committees of revision and publication" have shown themselves to be. There need only be made a few such alterations in the sacred text, as that in the celebrated Hartford edition of the Bible, in which Acts vi. 3 is made to read, " Wherefore brethren, look ye out among you, seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom YE may appoint over this business, instead of whom we may appoint; and the Prayer Book to be put into the hands of some such thorough-going "Committee of revision," as that employed by the Unitarian congregation who took possession of the King's Chapel, at Boston, and they would have the whole matter, without let or hindrance to themselves. The old apostolical leaven of Episcopacy would soon be suffered to run out. And at last for the one pure fountain of living waters, which was opened in the undivided Church of God, there should be left for a thirsty world to refresh itself withal, only the scanty and turbid streams, which issue from those broken cisterns, which weak and erring men have hewn out for themselves. The revival of Gothic Ecclesiastical Architecture, is often cordially welcomed, with a protest against its defacement, with galleries sometimes, or too high windows; and in some instances a detailed description, that would do credit to the Church Journal now. A series of "Pencilled Passages," runs through many numbers, with this heading over his signature of Crayon, "Legere sine Calamo, est dormire." "I know not whose sentiment this is, but it has been my practice for many years to read always with pencil in hand, and whether my marks have been made judiciously or not, your readers shall now be judges.' They were not gotten up for the occasion. Many of his books, even the later ones, are inscribed, with the marks of his approval and pleasure. And the selection runs over a most extensive field of literature, theological, poetical, and indeed in all departments, with most admirable and attractive taste. His object is best described in his own words. You could not do a better service to your readers than, by making your paper the frequent vehicle of select portions of the old English theology. Not that I would disparage your own lucubrations, or the contributions of your valuable correspondents, but because, Out of the olde fieldes, as men saithe, lere"; and we all of us like, now and then to taste the water at the fountain head. He gleans rich fields and gathers precious sheaves. Hooker, and Walton and Raleigh and Bishop Hall and Cecil and Taylor and South and Bacon and Cowley and Arthur Warwick (whose "Spare Minutes" he always valued very highly and strongly recommended) all are used; nor did he omit the later names and lighter themes, from Wordsworth and Southey and Scott and Mrs. Hemans and Washington Irving. They are sparks from the steel of a well-stored and richly cultivated mind, against the lasting rocks of intellectual power, and the fire is a consecrated one, as was every flame, upon the altar of his soul. Writing of Bishop Horne's Commentary on the Psalms, he dwells upon their Messianic bearing, and brings out the glory and advantage of their ritual use, very forcibly. It is not then without good reason that the book of Psalms has been, in all ages, the manual of the devout believer. And it is with that tender and watchful regard to the spiritual welfare of her members, which pervades all her institutions, that the Church has appointed them to so conspicuous a place in her daily services. She has ordered that the Psalter be read through once every month. In addition to this, the daily language of her acts of penitence and praise, of supplication and thanksgiving is taken from its inspired contents. She borrows the harp of David to welcome the Advent of her King and Saviour, the royal David's Son and Lord. Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land; thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. She wakes with slow and solemn hand its saddest strains, when she beholds with griefs, "which lie too deep for tears," the prophetic revelation of His " Agony and bloody Sweat," His " Cross and Passion." My God, my God, look upon me. I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint; my strength is dried up like a potsherd and my tongue cleaveth to my gums, and thou shalt bring me into the dust of death. Again she wakes a higher song, and sweeps with exultation its resounding strings, as she beholds Him bursting the bands of death, and rising triumphant from the grave. The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the righteous. The same stone which the builders refused is become the head-stone of the corner. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. In this wonderful adaptation of hymns which were composed for the ceremonial and shadowy ritual of the Jewish temple, to the spiritual and substantial services of the Christian Sanctuary, we find conclusive testimony to the unity of the two dispensations, and to their complete fulfilment, in Him, who is the end and object of both-the root and offspring of David. The book of Psalms could not be read, even in the most limited interpretation, without instruction and improvement. But when studied in its relations to that new dispensation, which has given reality to all the types, and fulfilment to all the predictions of the old, it acquires a tenfold interest, and affords a tenfold profit. The temple at Jerusalem with its sublime and awful associations, the voice of God breaking the solemn silence of the most holy place, the visible presence of God, resplendent from the mercy seat, no longer the "earth's one sanctuary," seems but the porch to that building, which stands upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone. The high priest of the house of Aaron no longer enters into the holy place, to sprinkle before the cherubims of glory, the blood of bulls or goats, for Jesus the great High Priest of our profession, the holy, harmless, undefiled one, has passed into the heavens, and made with the pouring out of His own precious life, that one prevailing sacrifice, of which all others were but figures-emblems-shadows. It is in indicating and establishing this ultimate and undoubted reference of the principal topics of the Psalms, to the events of the evangelic age, and to Jesus Christ, its Author and Finisher, that the peculiar merit of Bishop Horne's Commentary consists. On a future occasion, the mode of interpretation adopted, and the authority on which it rests, will be pointed out. To all Christians the subject is recommended by considerations of the highest moment, but to the Churchman, blending the melody of the Psalmist's sacred harp with the uplifted incense of his daily adorations-daily pouring out his soul in the deep and fervent accents of its penitential mournings-daily wakening the fervours of his love and gratitude, with the spirit-stirring melodies of its songs of praise and thanksgiving—and daily finding in their inspired strain new means and motives of devotion, it should be a theme of the most unrivalled interest. What better preparation to join in that new song, which the redeemed of every age and land shall sing before the throne, than is likely to be found in the intelligent and spiritual use of those Hymns, dictated by the Holy Ghost, in which ancient Prophets welcomed the coming of Him, whom they beheld from far, in which Apostles gave utterance to the emotions and impulses of their burning hearts, and which He, whom Prophets foretold, and to whom Apostles bear record, adopted and sanctified! Writing of Revivals of Religion, Old School rebukes the profane cant which, our day knows so well, how to use. It is with no design to enter into the general discussion of the topic which affords the title to my remarks, that your indulgence is solicited. The aspect which they have lately assumed, is indeed well calculated to attract to them universal attention and interest-to fill the believer's heart, with anxiety for the cause of pure and undefiled religion, and to encourage the hopes, and invigorate the exertions, of them who sit in the seat of the scornful. Much, within a short period, has transpired to confirm our approbation and admiration of the decent, orderly, and scriptural course, which has ever been pursued by the Apostolic Church; and it is one of the marvels which our eyes have been permitted to see, that those persons, among other denominations, who, but a few years ago, were warmest in denouncing Episcopalians for coldness and formality, are now loudest in their reproba tion of the evils, into which their own zeal of God (but not according to knowledge) has led them. But I must not wander too widely from the immediate object of my present writing, which is merely to take notice of the absurd, extravagant, and, I regret to say profane phraseol ogy, which the narrators of “revivals of religion" sometimes adopt. |