of the Romish Church, are modifications of the same rites and ceremonies. Ashtoreth has many titles, "goddess of the woods," "the celestial goddess," "the queen of heaven," "the moon and stars," the "creative principle," and many others. Examine the pictures and statues of ancient and modern idols, and the epithets attached to the name of the Virgin Mary in many of the Litanies appointed to be repeated in her honour; the very designation of "queen of heaven," ," "star of the sea," "morning star," &c., &c., are addressed to her, and as the idol worship of the Israelites and Hindoos was celebrated by cruel as well as impure rites, so Dow are hundreds of victims yearly sacrificed and buried in monasteries and convents. The dark deeds unveiled only a few years since by the destruction of the dungeons of the Inquisition at Rome prove that the holocausts offered to the modern Moloch and Ashtoreth may be as bloody as those of ancient days. Still the English nation will not awake, though in this free country there are many communities of men and women who are permitted to evade or defy the law, and to refuse that access to their places of abode which is open as regards prisons and lunatic asylums, public and private.

Why is this? Are the doings within these grated barriers such as not to bear the light of investigation?

Why are they permitted to pollute the soil of England?

There is one more point to be

touched on with caution and delicacy, but we must not allow any morbid scruples to prevent sincere dealing with facts involving such vast amount of assump

tion, and such awful identity with blasphemy. We have examined one phase of the similarity of the attributes of Ashtoreth, and those attached to the blessed Virgin by Romanists: we now approach another. In the dogma of the "Immaculate Conception" of the human mother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, lately made an article of faith by the present Bishop of Rome, Pius IX., though the Virgin styles herself, in the first chapter of St. Luke, "the handmaid of the Lord," the Pope has represented her as divine; and thus virtually the whole scheme of the atonement, as revealed in the sacred volume, is denied and utterly ignored!!!

THE ROYAL MARRIAGE.-In any European struggle the influence of Prussia must be considerable. Her action or neutrality cannot but carry important consequences. It ought to be no inconsiderable satisfaction to Englishmen to reflect that Prussia will in future have very powerful reasons for acting, as much as may be, in concert with this country. Not that political necessities may not arise, far transcending the claims of blood and lineage, and impelling to the performance of duties at variance with

feeling and inclination. In private life, blood-relationship does not avail to deter from terrible feuds, quarrels, law-suits, and all but war. We must not, then, expect too much political unity even from the happiest of State marriages. It is not assumed for one instant that reasons of State have at all suggested or brought about the present happy union; only it is impossible, when such an union has taken place, not to canvas some of the obvious political bearings of it. As the country in which the Reformation took its highest form, and has since exhibited the most catholic and orderly development, we may be permitted to observe, as another good feature in this alliance, that Prussia is a Protestant State, and the greatest among such. The form which Protestantism takes in Prussia is not precisely ours, and our Royal bride will find some things seriously at variance with those lessons of Church polity which she has learned here. Still, in

the great struggle of Europe against the encroachments of the Papacy, Prussia will know where to take her stand, and how, if necessary, to lend her help either to us, should we require it, or to the smaller States nearer home. The signs of the times portend a struggle with Rome; a struggle for freedom in religion from the constraint of the secular arm; a struggle against the efforts of designing men to restore the Pontifical supremacy of the Middle Ages. Here the influence of Prussia, in co-operation with England, will be most valuable. Indeed, being the only great European Power that is Protestant, it must stand in the forefront of any conflict of principles. We look, therefore, with satisfaction at the prospect of our own interest being strengthened in the great battle of truth by an alliance so promising both as to secular and sacred considerations. - From the Morning Post, Jan. 26, 1858.

Review.

Extracts from Three Speeches delivered by the late JOHN PоYNDER, Esq., at the East India House, in the years 1830, 1836, and 1839: demonstrating the direct support and encouragement given by the Company to Idolatry. Together with extracts from other sources on the subject of Idolatry, and the Indian Mutinies, with Remarks by the Editor. London: Wertheim and Macintosh. 1857. Price 18. Svo. Pp. 55.

THE Editor does not confine himself

to Indian Idolatry. He touches upon Irish Idolatry under the name of Popery, and upon English Idolatry under the name of Covetousness. Having observed that, "It is one of the objects of this publication to show that national sins call down national judgments, and that if there be one sin which does this more than another, it is IDOLATRY;

He proceeds,

"Avarice, also, is a sin which is most odious in the sight of God, and which steels the heart against everything that is noble and generous. It

will be seen that England has never yet faithfully fulfilled her mission: the love of money, rather than the love of souls, has been the mainspring of her policy and the ruling motive of her actions. The worshippers of Mammon seem to say, 'Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.' It is observable that the same line of policy has been adopted towards the poor degraded, idolatrous natives of India and the poor degraded, idolatrous Romanists of this kingdom. The Church of Rome is a grossly idolatrous Church, debasing and enslaving her adherents. To patronise and support such a Church is to support and encourage idolatry."

Nor does Tractarianism come off seathless. For at p. 4 of his Preface, the Editor proceeds,—

"There is another topic intimately connected with this, and equally endangering the prosperity of our country. Those who are sincerely attached to our Protestant Constitution in Church and State cannot but deplore the existence of Romanizing Tractarianism in the one and infidel Liberalism in the other. Owing to the progress which these formidable opponents of Protestant Christianity are making, it becomes necessary to fight the battle of the Reformation over again. The issue of this contest cannot be doubtful, since the truth must eventually prevail, when all idolatrous and Antichristian powers will be utterly destroyed, and the Redeemer's cause be signally triumphant. In the meantime, may we be found waiting in humble and joyful hope for that glorious period when our Redeemer shall appear unto our complete salvation; when the last storm shall blow on the Church, when the last dart shall be thrown by the Wicked One, and the last enemy shall be destroyed.""

The republication of these speeches is well-timed, and they are well worthy of perusal. The Editor observes,

"At page 42 Mr. Poynder calls upon the East India Company to refuse to participate in the fruits of such pollution. He says, 'If you will do but little to extend the influence of your own holy faith, at least do nothing which shall positively obstruct

its progress, and give occasion to idolaters to affirm, that when the meanest of your own interests are in question you are not nice in the means of advancing them.'"

At page 10 of the pamphlet before us, the statement of another eyewitness is adduced, namely, Colonel Phipps, of the 13th Bengal Native Infantry. After alluding to what he had seen on the walls of the temple, and at the idol Juggernaut, he emphatically adds:-"A Christian is almost led to think that it was an attempt to see how low idolatry could debase the human mind." Colonel Phipps also observes :-"The attendants of the idol are fond of boasting of the efficient support which they receive from rulers whose own religion teaches them to abhor idolatry.”

In further proof of the grossness of the idolatry, another missionary writes, under date of the 19th of June, 1835,-about two years from the receipt of the despatch :

"If any beings were ever under strong delusion, Hindoos are. They persuade themselves, contrary to the evidence of their senses, and while they see 500 men pulling with all their might to move the car, that it moves of its own accord. But this is not more absurd than their contending that he (Juggernaut) ascends the car himself. This year I saw the block taken to his throne. It was a sight sufficient to excite laughter in the most serious-some pulling, some pushing, and others fanning the ugly block, just as children of five years old would play with a doll; and this is done by those eminent for wisdom, and who, of course, think themselves very wise. Such are the fruits of idolatry-degradation lower than that of the brutes which perish. It is hard to account for the ignorance-nay, I know of no word that expresses the state of the Hindoos; to call it brutality, would be casting an aspersion upon the brute creation. It contains all that is degrading, debasing, corrupting, and devilish.' I would add that the Scriptures give the best account of this, He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Why, it is often asked, has India been given to us? Mr. Poynder thus puts the question, p. 25:-

"For what purpose, I would ask, have the many millions of the East been subjected to British rule; and how it is that when mighty thrones have been crumbling about us—Great Britain still sits as Queen, and gives laws to distant empires? Why has she been spared amidst the wreck of surrounding kingdoms, but to promote the glory of God in the diffusion of the everlasting Gospel? What are any or all of the base and subordinate interests which are occasionally disputed and adjusted by this Court, or any of the pecuniary, and therefore perishing, advantages which can be obtained by us from India, either collectively or individually, when brought into competition with the interests of the immortal soul and the eternal destinies of man?

"The Rev. Mr. Goode, one of the Company's own chaplains in India, in a sermon preached before the Church Missionary Society, as late as the 30th of April, 1838, observes:- Christians in the present day have a special duty to perform, as they are the light of the world, in respect of the countenance which is given by the Government of our Indian Empire to the idolatrous usages of that people. A Government calling itself Christian still clings to a polluted revenue, derived from the pageants of idolatry, and even pays a band of pilgrim-hunters who shall go about the country to bring together votaries, and swell the attendance on the wretched festivals! The same Government repairs the idol temples, salaries the officers of those temples, honours their infamous processions with presents and offerings, in the name of the British authorities; and, instead of Christianizing the poor deluded idolaters, even compels the attendance at the festival of its own officers, civil and military, if it so happens, even on the Sabbath, and prostitutes the consciences of its servants to do honour to the vilest rites of heathenism.'

"But, says Lord Ellenborough, We shall provoke a general 66 massacre if this outward respect is withheld!'

Such we are reminded was not the case,-

"When the Marquis Wellesley abolished the murder of infants, by their own mothers throwing them to the sharks at the river Hoogley, near Calcutta, as a religious rite,' nor "when Lord William Bentinck abolished the murderous practice of Suttee, or the licensed destruction of no fewer than the number of 666 widows-for such was the average of the ten years preceding the inquiry of Parliament although the Hon. Mr. Lindsay, Sir George Robinson, and Sir James Carnac all equally predicted that we should be all driven into the sea if the murderous rite of Suttee should be stopped."

But we must omit much matter of intrinsic value, and hasten to a close of this notice.

The Editor, at p. 37, commences giving numerous quotations from the Old and New Testament, showing the nature and sin of idolatry, and the ruin which it has brought in its train to men and to nations. Quotations also from the Homilies of the Church of England, from commentators upon the holy Scripture, and extracts from other writers of high standing, are also given to the same effect, especially with regard to the superstitions and idolatry of the Church of Rome.

Then adverting to alleged difficulties in the way and the mode of meeting them, the Editor thus concludes, at p. 55:

All

"Blessed be God, a great movement is being made in the right direction. The Word of God is being extensively circulated, the principles of the Gospel are being widely diffused, and enlightened Christians, full of ardour and zeal, are devoting themselves to the missionary cause. this must sooner or later tell upon the strongholds of our great spiritual adversary. Hindooism, Mohammedanism, and Popery, those formidable antagonists of Christianity, which have so long kept their victims in ignorance, vice, and superstition, are likely to receive a terrible blow. The Indian revolt, and the conduct of Romanists in reference to this fearful catastrophe, show what man is without Christianity, and when the re

straints which keep him in check are removed."

Entelligence.

IRELAND. DUBLIN, WEDNESDAY MORNING. PROSECUTION OF THE MAYO PRIESTS.-The great struggle for the establishment of freedom in Ireland, as opposed to the spiritual domination asserted, and even reduced to practice, by certain Roman Catholic clergymen owing allegiance to Dr. M'Hale, commenced yesterday (16th February) in the Court of Queen's Bench. An abstract of the proceedings is appended. The jury is composed equally of Protestants and Roman Catholics, so that upon the score of religion at least there can be no cause of complaint. The AttorneyGeneral's address was extremely effective, and his opponents, whether Derbyites or Ultramontanes, must surely admit that the Learned Gentleman has discharged the painful duty which devolved upon him with an intrepidity which should disarm the hostility of the combined forces arrayed against him :

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, FEB. 16. The prosecution instituted at the order of the House of Commons against the Rev. Peter Conway was opened this morning in the Court of Queen's Bench before the Lord Chief Justice Lefroy.

Of the gentlemen composing the jury six were Protestants and six Roman Catholics.

Witnesses on both sides having been ordered to withdraw,

Mr. F. W. BRADY opened the information to the jury.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL then, in his opening statement, said-It was, he considered, unnecessary for him to expatiate upon the great value of freedom of election, for without that safeguard the possession of the franchise became an evil and a curse to the wretched individual who was endowed with it. In this case it was alleged that the traverser had been guilty of using undue influence at the election holden for the county of Mayo in the early part of 1857. The AttorneyGeneral disclaimed all intention of

introducing one particle of political feeling into the case, but said that of course during his statement he should have to refer to the position of parties about the period of the election. He believed he was in a position to prove that the Rev. Mr. Conway had transgressed all legitimate bounds, and had used intimidation of a spiritual character to influence the voters in the choice of a representative. On Palm Sunday, the 5th of April, 1857, among others who came to Ballinrobe in order to escape the turmoil of the following day, and to record their votes early on the Monday morning, was Mr. James French, of Frenchgrove, a Roman Catholic gentleman of great respectability. At the twelve o'clock mass on the Sunday the Rev. Peter Conway was the officiating priest. Previous to the conclusion of the mass the traverser, dressed in his sacerdotal robes, took the opportunity of delivering a political address. It was not the in

tention of the Crown to involve the jury in the question whether it was proper to mix up politics with the services of the altar or the pulpit, but it was their purpose to submit to the Court that the Rev. Gentleman had exceeded all bounds, and had practised intimidation of the very worst character. He would call their attention to some passages from this address. He styled Colonel Higgins a great scoundrel, and said that the curse of God would fall on those who voted for him. After he had thus abused Colonel Higgins he proceeded to tell the congregation that they had a right to shout after those who came to support the gallant candidate, but not maltreat the police. It would be for the jury to say, were those words used, and, if so, were they used with a view to intimidation. This language, which he could not help characterizing as blasphemous, was used by the Rev. Traverser, as would be proved beyond all doubt, in the house of God, where all should expect the breath of peace to reign and Christian charity be preached, and by a minister of Christ's Gospel, from the altar of God, and during the celebration of that sacrifice which is so deeply venerated by Roman Catholics. The traverser did not hesitate, under such circumstances as