INTELLIGENCE. "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING."-1 Thess. v. 17. London.-A meeting of the members and friends of the Protestant Association was held on Tuesday, Jan. 31st, in the Rooms of the Society, Exeter Hall, to hear a statement from the Rev. Edward Nangle, respecting the Achill Mission. John Hardy, Esq. M.P. in the chair. The statement was, as might have been expected, highly interesting. Southwark.-A crowded meeting of the Southwark Association took place on Monday, Jan, 30th in the National School-room, Borough-road. The Rev. J. Horton in the chair. The Rev. M. H. Seymour, Mr. Binden, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Sibley were the speakers. It was a most admirable meeting, and a fervent tone of Protestant feeling was well sustained throughout. York Operative Protestant Association.On Thursday, Feb. 2nd, the members and friends of the York Operative Protestant Association met in the Merchants' Hall, Fossgate, for the purpose of hearing a lecture delivered by the Rev. J. H. Beech, Wesleyan Minister, York. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the Hall was filled by a respectable audience. The subject of the lecture was "The real objects of Popery." The chair was occupied by Mr. E. Bellerby, president of the association. The Committee of the Protestant Association have adopted a circular, which will be sent to the friends of the society throughout the country shortly, calling upon them afresh to petition Parliament against the annual grant made to Maynooth College. The Committee have likewise adopted a Petition" for the Restoration of the Protestant Constitution of Great Britain and Ireland; " in other words, for the "exclusion of Papists from Parliament:" and they earnestly call upon their fellow-Protestants throughout the land, to come forward with similar Petitions. Marylebone. A meeting of the Marylebone Operative Protestant Association was held in the Fitzroy School-rooms, on Tuesday evening the 21st of Feb. Mr. Binden in the chair. The speakers were Messrs. Dort, Sibley, Moulton, and Allen. Tower Hamlets. A very respectable meeting of the Tower Hamlets Church of England Protestant Association was held on Tuesday evening, the 14th of Feb. in the New National School-room, Limehouse. The Chisholm in the chair. The Rev. C. Day, Rev. T. Cuffe, Rev. J. R. Barber, Messrs. James J. Cummins, Lord, Dalton, and Dixon, took part in the proceedings. Cork Protestant Association.-On Wednesthe Association was held in the Protestant day evening, Feb. 8th, a public meeting of Hall, which was crowded almost to suffocation. There were over six hundred present, and many could not obtain admittance. At half-past 7 o'clock, the chair was taken by the Rev. W. C. Neligan, L.L.D., amidst great cheering. The Report for the past year was adopted. Resolutions were passed, and petitions agreed upon for the withdrawal of the grant from the College of Maynooth, and the Irish National Education System. After singing the Doxology, the meeting then adjourned highly gratified with the proceedings. Derby.-The Derby Protestant Operative Association held a meeting in the Mechanics' Institute, on Monday Evening, Feb. 20, for the purpose of hearing a lecture on "the Jesuits and their principles," from Mr. Dalton, the Secretary of the Protestant Association. The Rev. R. Macklin presided. Though the evening was exceedingly wet, the attendance was very numerous and respectable, and every body (with the exception of a few Papists, who however thought it wisest to be silent) appeared highly delighted. Mr. Dalton has visited Derby and the midland parts of England, on behalf of the Protestant Association, for the purpose of delivering lectures and attending the anniversary meetings of Branch Associations. We hope to give a detailed account of these proceedings in our next number. At present, we can only report that he found a most excellent Protestant spirit existing in Derby, which may be attributed to the very efficient body of Church of England clergy with which that place is blessed; and especially to the unvarying zeal and christian labours of the Rev. R. Macklin.-Would that all places had equally zealous and faithful pastors. The Metropolitan Protestant Operative Associations advertised a Steam Packet Excursion last summer, which proved almost a failure for want, it is believed, of timely notice. As there is no doubt a sufficient number of the members and friends of the Associations who will be glad to avail themselves of the pleasure of a summer excursion of Protestants, it is proposed to engage a Steam Packet, capable of containing 500 persons, for a visit to Gravesend or the Nore, in the month of June or July next, if a sufficient number of promises can be obtained by the 10th of May: without a certainty of this kind, a Packet cannot be hired. Any profits which may arise, will be devoted to all the Associations. The tickets will be, if to Gravesend, 2s. 6d. ; to the Nore, 4s. Communications stating the number of tickets each writer can dispose of, to be addressed to Mr. SMITH, 11, Exeter Hall. NEW PUBLICATIONS. The Protestant Association have just published an abridgment of the celebrated History of the Great Reformation, by J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, in one volume 18mo. This is bringing down one of the most interesting works of the present day to the capacities of the middling and operative class, and we doubt not it will meet with a great circulation. The work from which it is abridged, sells for £1 13s. which rendered it impossible for thousands of the operatives of England to purchase; this abridgment is only four shillings. The Protestant Association have also published a very improved edition of the Rev. Edward Bickersteth's Divine Warning to the Church at this time, containing much valuable information respecting the present diffusion of Infidelity, Lawlessness, and Popery. It is a work which cannot be too widely circulated. We would earnestly request the attention of our readers to a little work about to be published by the Protestant Association, entitled, "The Child's Book of Martyrs," the first number of which will appear on the 31st of March. It surely cannot be a matter of small moment to those Christians who are desirous of promoting the spiritual welfare of the young, that one of the main objects of the Popish faction in England is, to obtain influence in our educational establishments, and to spread the pernicious principles of Rome among the young and unwary. The increase of Popish schools and colleges; the efforts of the Jesuits, one of whose objects is, "peculiar care in the education of boys;" the number of juvenile Popish books continually issuing from the press all prove this. In short, the practical lesson which Popery is teaching us every day is just this: "Let us have the education of your children, and we care not what the present generation says of us; we will make sure of the next." Seeing, then, that these things are so, is it not important that an effort should be made to counteract these movements, and to disseminate among our Published under THE PROTESTANT At F. BAISLER'S 124, Oxford-street; SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & Co. children such works as will acquaint them with the true character of Popery, and the gracious deliverance from its baneful power wrought out by God in the Great Reformation? With this object in view, the Protestant Association put forth "The Child's Book of Martyrs;" in which the histories of those Saints of the Most High God, who suffered for the faith of the Gospel in England, from the commencement of what is termed Lollardy, to the close of the Marian persecution, will be detailed in chronological order. It will appear in monthly numbers, 1d. each, uniform with the "Teachers' Offering," and illustrated with numerous woodcuts. We hope that our friends will endeavour to give it an extensive circulation, especially among those nurseries of our faith—the Sabbath Schools of England. Great Protestant Meeting.-The annual meeting of the Protestant Association will be held (D.V.) in the Large Hall, Exeter Hall, on Wednesday, May 10th, at 12 o'clock. Due notice will be given of the annual sermon, as well as the chairman and speakers at the meeting. Societies" held their first public meeting The "Union of Christian Young Men's on the 8th of Feb. at the Colonnade Schoolroom, Brunswick Square. A numerous, respectable, and intelligent company of young men of different denominations assembled. The Rev. J. Hamilton, of Regent the importance of intellectual culture to Square Scotch Church, addressed them on enable them to carry out their plans of use fulness. LONDON: Seven Shillings per Hundred, for Distribution. [Gilbert-street. "If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."-Isaiah viii. 20. A SCENE IN THE VATICAN. (Concluded from page 21.) [The Pope and his Librarian examining the books in the Vatican Library.] Pope.-Bring me another volume. Librarian.-Your Holiness will lose your appetite for Cardinal Postatizza's supper, if your soul is to be ruffled by the sight of so much Lutheranism. Had not your Holiness better postpone the investigation of the remaining volumes ? Pope. By our Lady and St. Peter, you speak well! I had forgotten Cardinal Postatizza and his entertainment. Certes, these heretical sentiments that we have just read will but ill agree with the delicacies of which we are soon to partake. Libr.-Shall I burn the whole ? Pope.-No doubt they are all alike tainted with Lutheran heresy; yet I would not be precipitate. It behoves us to be cautious and merciful. Let us examine some of the later volumes of the series. Libr.-Your Holiness has now the volume containing Matthew-I open it at the 22nd chapter. Pope.-(Holding up his hands with horror)-What! Blessed Virgin defend us and the chair of St. Peter!-The writer actually says (v. 29), "Ye do err, not knowing the VOL. IV. Scriptures." This is clean contrary to all the most holy and infallible decisions of our venerated predecessors who have so worthily filled the throne of the Pontificate. Away with such a work! It is enough to raise the dust of buried generations to hear such rank heresy. Err from not knowing the Scriptures! the thing is impossible! Every body knows that the Lutherans have all erred from the true Catholic faith because they did know the Scriptures. And a very little common sense is needed to see that every body would fall into the same error, and leave us no dutiful subjects to support this sacred chair, if they knew the Scriptures. Libr.-Your Holiness now has Mark before you-it is open at chapter 7. Pope. I read here (verse 9)-" Ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." These are the very words that arch-heretic Luther used: whether he, or some other flaming firebrand from the bottomless pit, first penned them, I know not; but they are heretical, so away with them! Libr.-Your Holiness now has John, and it is open at chapter 14th. Pope.-Oh! the cunning craftiness of these Lutherans. Here is a piece of sublety worthy a Melancthon. In verse 6, Christ is represented as saying, "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Every body must therefore, according to this, go to God through Jesus Christ. What a blow at the most holy and comfortable doctrine of the mediation of angels and saints!-What a foul dishonour to the glorious Queen of Heaven!—Away with it, it is not fit to be seen in the sacred precincts of this holy palace, whose walls have so often resounded to the edifying invocations of the angelic company and the pure worship of the august Queen of angels. Libr.-Your Holiness now has Acts before you, and chapter 17. Pope. Here is another blow aimed at the holy Catholic Church, which may the shield of the Blessed Virgin and the sword of St. Peter avert! In verse 29, I find the archheretic saying, "We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device."The faithful are too wise, I flatter myself, after all the decisions of councils upon this subject, to fall into this snare. What, the Godhead not like our graven images !-impious assertion!-they are the very images of God, his exact likenesses, and are to be adored and reverenced as such by all the faithful. Away with the volume to the flames! Libr.-Your Holiness now has Pope.-Stop! stop! I have had enough. The more we look into this work, the more heresy do we discover. I marvel not that whoever studies it becomes a heretic, and deserts the holy Catholic Church. I only marvel how the Vatican has stood so long with such an accumulation of Lutheranism lying beneath its roof. Libr.-Certainly your Holiness may bless the guardianship of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, and the kind patronage and assistance of the saints, for preserving us from such combustible materials. Pope.-I would as soon sleep with a dagger at my throat, or a barrel of gunpowder under my bed, as with such a work near me. Libr.-It certainly is enough to rob your Holiness of repose. If your Holiness had not been a most holy follower of the Apostles, and a singularly devout worshipper of the Blessed Virgin, God only knows what calamities would have fallen like lightning upon the church. Pope.-Well, there is some wisdom in your words. Truly I have followed the most holy Apostles; truly I have worshipped devoutly the Virgin; I have imitated the zeal of St. Peter, when he cut off the ear of that heretic Malchus; I have imitated his dis 66 creet suppression of the truth when he was in danger, even affirming the same with an oath;" I have also proved myself a true link in the chain of apostolic succession, by imitating the prophetic wisdom of Judas, who evidently foresaw that he was to betray Christ before the great work of salvation could be accomplished. Libr.-Most true, your Holiness. And as your Holiness condescends to talk of these high and celestial matters to one so unworthy of your Holiness's regard, may I beg to ask what your Holiness thinks of the impudence of the English heretics, who boast that they have apostolic succession in their so-called church? Pope.-Ha ha! Apostolic succession in the Anglican Church!-Ha! ha! ha!— The barefaced impudence of the scoundrels. The argument against them is very clear. There is but one chain of succession-we have that; it is, therefore. clearly impossible that they can have it. Libr.-But is it not, they will say, quite possible that the chain may be in the Anglican, and not in the holy Catholic Church? Pope. It is not so, because we say it is not so ; and we are the only authorities empowered to decide such a point. Libr.-Your Holiness reasons with the eloquence of an angel, and with the persuasive omnipotence of an archangel. I wonder not that the faithful have long held that the chair of the Pontificate imparted celestial wisdom and ineffable grace to its possessor. Pope.-None know the potent efficacy of that seat, but the happy occupier. Are we not the Vicar of Jesus Christ, and should we not possess eloquence and gifts of no ordinary kind! Libr.-Your Holiness is the quintessence of holiness, dignity, and wisdom. Pope. And now let us see these accursed books burnt.-Be quick! Libr.-They shall meet their fate pretty quickly, I'll warrant, your Holiness. Pope.-Why do you linger? Libr.-Your Holiness has the penetration of Gabriel, and anticipates the wishes of your humblest servant-the post of secretary to the College of Cardinals is vacant. Pope. You are a worthy man, Parazitta, and shall have it. Libr.-Your Holiness is the greatest of sovereigns, the kindest of princes, the most affable of masters, and the most angelic of Pontiffs. Well may the host of heaven bow to do you homage, and crown you with everlasting glory. ON THE AGENCY EMPLOYED TO AN ESSAY. BY MR. R. H. BINDEN. (Continued from p. 6.) Having ascertained what was the agency, and who were the agents, employed in the earlier ages of Christianity to overthrow the truth in the Church, and to set up in the world an opposing system, it is now essentially important to discover, by what agency, and what kind of agents, this system of apostacy seeks, to maintain her own aggrandizement and supremacy over the Church of the living God. This system of apostacy from the truth, as established as to the Pope's supremacy, may be, and is, very justly denominated Popery, from its antagonistic principle to truth, and its assumption of universal power and authority—and under this title we shall now recognise it. Popery having obtained in the most powerful branch of the Church-that of Romethe universal sovereignty, it became necessary to put in motion various kinds of machinery, and to employ numerous and zealous agents to enforce its demands against all those who scrupled to acknowledge its usurped power and assumed authority. The most powerful agency used for this end was Persecution; this she has employed in a variety of ways with dreadful severity. The land of Palestine groans beneath the sacrifice of human life, and foul crimes committed during the crusades by the armies of the triple-crowned tyrant, in their endeavour to regain the Holy Land from the Turks; but they signally failed, after the destruction of about 2,000,000 of human beings. After the persecution of the heathen and superstitious inhabitants of the East, its engine of destruction was brought to play upon the faithful servants of God in every nation, by inflicting upon them death, confiscation of property, and indeed every species of suffering that this Satanic agency could invent, to uphold the usurped power and authority of this false and delusive system. this, Dominic, a monk, founded an order of men called Inquisitors, as the agents, and the Inquisition, as the machinery, for the wholesale punishment and extermination of those they deemed heretics, and as an effectual means of destroying heresy. With such eagerness was this invention received by this system of apostacy, that it endeavoured to force its establishment into every country, as the best instrument of maintaining its usurped power, and of quieting every adversary. So high and important was this discovery, that the name of the founder was added to the calendar of saints of the Church of Rome, which commanded her adherents henceforth to apply to him by prayer and supplication, for his powerful and prevailing intercession with the majesty of heaven. How awful is the thought, that all the subjects of Rome should be taught to pray for grace to follow in his steps, who was the agent, in the hands of Satan, for the advancement of Popery, in destroying thousands and tens of thousands of their fellowmortals. To give greater effect to the power of the Inquisition, councils of the agents of Popery put forth canons and decrees, asserting the power of this system to exterminate heretics and heresies; and that it was the duty of kings and rulers to assist her in this vile and bloody work, or suffer dethronement by the hands of the Pope; who, as head of this system, claimed the power to cast down or raise up, to plant or destroy, at his sovereign will and pleasure, thrones and dominions, and every thing else that might prove an impediment or obstacle to the exercise of his power. To give strength to the power of the agency of the Inquisition, another order of men was instituted, called "the order of the Jesuits; a very peculiar order of agents in this system. They were distinguished above the other orders, sects, and parties in this apostacy; for besides the usual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the superior, they swore unreserved and implicit submission to the will and wishes of the head at Rome, the Pope; which to them was as imperative as the divine will of God; because they asserted that the Pope was God upon earth, and his title "Our Lord God the Pope." Notwithstanding all the efforts to uproot faith from the earth, "the word of the Lord They have regular discipline, proficient was powerful, and prevailed; taking root officers, and proper places of reference; downward, and bringing forth fruit upward," all being under one head or general, who to his praise and glory: so much so, that is at Rome, to whom they have sworn abthe agents of Popery sought for other solute and entire obedience. They have means, wholly and entirely to exterminate unlimited power in their operations; they and destroy all opposers. To accomplish have power to do or say any thing; they |