CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION.

[Sect. III.

dom, at this late period of the world's history---especially in a nation like our's--and in an age of universal benevolence and literature. But the progress of public sentiment is sadly impeded by the domineering principles of aristocracy, which often prevail in old established kingdoms, and under the monopolising influence of rich ecclesiastical endowments, it has to maintain a powerful conflict. The Catholic Question," as it is now styled, holds no distant relationship to the "Slave Question," in the grand principle to be established and in the common associated class of its supporters and opponents: and therefore the friends to the former may feel animated by the example and success of the latter.

It is remarkable, that the last time when this topic was nationally agitated, it was the month of May---the "Missionary Month;" when Societies, harmonious in their operations and Catholic in their aim, were in the Metropolis of our empire, renewing their pledges for mutual persevering exertions, till the world shall be christianized and become free! The Representatives of our nation, for the third time, granted the request of the petitioning and persecuted millions; yet the clamours of ecclesiastical monopoly and of prejudice dared to deny the just claims of a full emancipation. “O, tell it not in Gath"that, while we are offering to the nations afar off, a Christianity unfettered and free, here are some, with a

1819.]

CONSISTENCY OF NON-CONFORMISTS.

semblance of the holy profession, who are rivetting the chains of their fellow-christians at home !

O my life, come not thou into their seeret;

To their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united."

Would

Such were the convictions* of that intelligent and promising Youth, whose character it is now attempted to record. Placed by birth and education in the school of religious freedom, he did honour to his instructors, and evidently shewed that with religious Non-conformity, is associated the truest notion of political liberty. that Non-conformists were uniformly consistent with their high pretensions; for their own credit and happiness-for the increase and extension of the hallowed cause-for the public honour and triumph of primitive Catholic christianity-for the giving of Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will to men."

The present instance of exemplary worth is now applauded, purely in obedience to the demands of justice, and in

* It is a pleasing "sign of the times," that the press is now actively employed in this investigation. The Catholic names of Milner, Butler, and Lingard, would do honour to any party. The "Book of the Roman Catholic Church," and its "Vindication," are master specimens of polemic writing, and must surely open the blind eyes of Protestant bigotry and intolerance! The principles of mutual forbearance and uni. versal charity are advocated in a series of "Catholic Discourses,' now publishing in the monthly numbers of the Scripture Magazine,' vol. iv.

D

HIS PREPARATORIES

[Sect. iii.

the hope of successfully recommending a practical imitation. With these liberal notions of political economy, there was connected every satisfactory expression of decided attachment to genuine godliness. The " commu-. nion of saints" was enjoyed, by him, with a manifest advantage; but with a view to still higher acts of consecration to God. There was secretly indicated, for some time before its disclosure, an earnest desire of being entirely dedicated to the divine service; and circumstances soon became favourable for the gratification of wishes, so justly but diffidently entertained.

J. B. J. was certainly not destined to spend his life behind a counter. The business of the world had no charms for him. Religion and Literature furnished the atmosphere, in which he delighted to breathe ; and these were the very elements and nutriment of his important life. He was therefore "in season and out of season," bent on the great business of mental cultivation. That injudicious custom of sitting up late at night he is reported to have now followed, even to the injury of his health and interference with other duties; so engrossed was he, with the love of books and private meditations.

He was now required to give expressly, some specimens of his probable competencies for the Christian mi

1820.]

FOR THE MINISTRY.

nistry; by exercises at Compositions, and occasionally by religious Addresses. These were most satisfactory to his friends, who decidedly encouraged him in that holy and self-denying purpose of heart, which he had apparently received from heaven. The importance of such preliminary measures must be universally acknowledged; and happy would it be for the cause of Christianity,were its teachers ever introduced to office, with satisfactory testimonials of their personal and official qualifications. By the want of prudence here, what injuries, extensive and irreparable, have been inflicted on the best cause !

What impressive views of the Ministerial office are these!" He is the successor of a long array of holy men, now ministering in the eternal temple. He occupies the post, which once the worthies of another age so ably filled. He stands in the place of the departed. Where are the men who taught the Church, through all the night of the Church's dark ages? Where are they who asserted her rights in the day of bigotry, and through the storms of persecution? Where are the worthies of our church, on whose memory the dust of time and veneration has now gathered? Where is he who first ministered in this place, and taught you the way of immortality?

Your fathers; where are they?

Or the prophets; do they live for ever ?"

I stand this day in the place of the dead-methinks the baptism of mortality descends upon me as I speak. I feel the tenure upon which I hold this post→→ it is as if the spirits of the departed were near, standing invisible to behold my actions and asking me, "What do I, thus baptized for the dead, unless filled with their spirit, and inspired by their faith, 1 preach the resurrection of the sleepers and the just judgment of the Son of God! And, my brethren, if at any time we should be seen to assume a tone of boldness, and speak with a freedom unwarranted; think that we do it under this impression-impute it to that solemn unction from the invisible world, which distils from such solemn meditations as these, and which cannot but impel us to speak as one baptized for the dead."-Sermon on i. Cor. xv. 29, p. 14, 15. Homerton, Des. 6.

OUTLINES OF A DISCOURSE.

[Sect. iii.

The present Section may not unfitly close by an abstract of a Discourse, composed in the August of 1820— the earliest among bis papers now preserved, and on a topic very suitable for his first Sermon.

ISA. Ixi. 1, 2.

After an appropriate introduction, there appears the following arrangement :

I. The subjects of the Christian Ministry.

1. "To preach good tidings to the meek."

2. "To bind up the broken of heart."

3.

"To proclaim freedom for captives, and to the bound, &c.”

4. "To proclaim an acceptable year for Jehovah.”

II. The Authority of the Christian Ambassador.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me."

"Jehovah hath anointed me."

"He hath sent me."

Comprehensive these are, of all needful qualifications.

III. The Lessons of Practical Instruction. If it is the duty of ministers to preach the Gospel, then it is equally the duty of the people :

1. To hear the Gospel.
2. To search the Scriptures.

To pray for a blessing in faith.