had become law. The sitting judge recorded the following minute, which sets the question finally at rest, and will be gratefully remembered as the first application in Bombay of the great law of religious freedom. "Since the decree now appealed against was passed, Act XXI. of 1850 has become the law of the land. This law clearly. provides, that any law or usage that inflicts on any person, forfeiture of rights or property by reason of his or her renouncing the communion of any religion, or being deprived of caste, shall cease to be enforced as law. This being so, it appears to me that the special appellant under the existing law cannot be debarred from exercising the rights of a parent over his infant child, by reason of his renunciation of the Hindoo religion, but, on the contrary, is entitled to all the natural rights and privileges of a parent." Reviews and Notices. The Missionary. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Calcutta: Bishop's College Press. Single Copy, Six Annas. WE have too long delayed discharging the debt we Owe towards this very interesting monthly periodical. As its title imports, it is devoted to the furtherance of Missionary objects, chiefly, hitherto, in the Calcutta Diocese. The papers published in it consist of original documents, correspondence, and intelligence; and they present an admirably selected series of arguments, reflections, narratives, and facts on this most interesting subject. The publication is calculated for general reading, although the original articles deal with matters of principle and theory which will be found peculiarly acceptable to thoughtful minds. Papers, or rather disquisitions, on the "Attainments of our Adult Converts," (No. 5) and on "The Study of Natural Philosophy," exhibit the spirit of true Christian philosophy, and are extremely valuable in ascertaining the true principles upon which our missionary operations should be conducted. Any one who would keep pace with the Missionary advances that are being made in India should be in possession of this periodical. In the fifth number we perceive a very temperate and excellent article on the "Government System of Education," a subject which has excited, from time to time, much condemnatory remark in this country, but which we feel to be fraught with practical difficulty. The opinion expressed in this paper comes to us with great authority, as proceeding from one whose respected name is scarcely withheld from us under the initials K. M. B. The following passages form the conclusion of the paper:"I think the system, such as it is, may be viewed in three different aspects-1st, by itself without reference to times and places-2d, NO. XLVIII. 0 0 with reference to the position of the British Government-3d, with reference to the present condition of the native population. "No Christian can doubt that such a system in itself is very defective. An educational process, in which the most enlightened teacher is obliged to ignore the spiritual cravings of human nature, and carefully avoid allusions to the things which belong to man's highest interest-his peace with God-may be necessary-may be, for the time, expedient-but is certainly incomplete. The teacher of Bacon or Newton who dares not open his lips on the mysteries of redemption, (admitted, and gloried in, by both those great philosophers,) can aspire to no higher dignity than belongs to a mere professor of a particular language, or to the drawing and writing master. He cannot be considered an educator of the young. "I am unwilling to hazard any assertion on the system with reference to the position of the British Government, because that involves political considerations.-I cannot believe, however, that the stability of the Government would be risked by its open connexion with Christian instruction. The British power is far too strong for that. But on this point, to prevent any mistake, I would make the following most distinct and unhesitating avowal. "I do not find any warrant in Scripture for disseminating Christianity at the expense of the heathen. The Apostle laid claim to the temporal contributions of his flock, but these were Christians, who valued his spiritual teaching. There is an obvious impropriety in carrying on Missionary operations at the expense of those who are hostile to them. That would no longer be to offer "wine and milk without money and without price," if the persons to whom they were offered were forced to maintain at their own cost our evangelists. Now, any direct support given by Government to Missionary operations from the revenues of the State would have at least the appearance of forcing the heathen to pay for Christian instruction. I do not know, therefore, to what extent the British Government may modify its present plans, so as to allow of the introduction of Christianity. It may undoubtedly remove the gag from the mouth of its Christian masters, and give them as much liberty as it gives to Brahmins and Mollahs. It ought especially not to interfere with what the Christian master may do out of schoolhours, nor ought the ministerial profession to be a disqualification for its service, any more than that of a Brahmin or a Mollah. "It ought, at any rate, not to be more scrupulous in refraining from Christian instruction than in abstaining from all sanction of Hindu or Mahometan teaching. Looking at the system in its relations to the present condition of the native population, I must observe "1. That the Sanscrit and Mahometan Colleges have a tendency foster Hinduism and Mahometanism. "2. That the English Colleges have a tendency to uproot the prejudices of Hinduism, but they plant nothing in their stead; they dispel the enchantments of superstition, but leave their pupils to wander in the mazes of unbelief. The advantage is therefore undoubtedly balanced by a disadvantage. "But owing to the peculiarly malignant spirit of the system of caste, I think the removal of prejudices is a vast advantage outweighing by far the temporary disadvantage of the bulk of the pupils becoming sceptical. The removal of prejudices makes the individual more open to Christian influence than he was before-and so far, I should say, brings him nearer to the kingdom of heaven. This is not a mere conjecture; it has been evidenced in the case of many pupils converted after leaving school. "It must be prominently stated, in justice to the Government Colleges and Schools, that although the education they give is exclusive of religion, yet a large number of persons who studied there have since become Christians. Indeed, the number of such converts does not fall far short of the number produced by Missionary Schools. "Such being the fact, though I cannot quite account for it, I am obliged to look upon the English Colleges and Schools of Government as great (though unintentional) auxiliaries to the Missionary cause." The Seal of Apostleship: an Ordination Sermon. By DAVID By DAVID London: APART from the romantic interest which attaches to everything that comes from Bishop Anderson's remote missionary diocese, the intrinsic excellence of these pamphlets entitles them to more enduring attention than Sermons and Charges ordinarily receive. The Sermon was delivered at St. Andrew's Church, Red River, 22d Dec. 1850, when the Rev. J. Chapman and the Rev. W. H. Taylor were admitted to the order of Priests, and Mr. Henry Budd,' a convert of Indian birth, to the order of Deacon. This most impressive rite took place in the presence of a congregation of 1,000 persons, of whom 300 partook of Holy Communion on the occasion. Without analysing the sermon, we may venture to commend it to all our readers to whom Bishop Anderson is unknown, as imbued with a spirit of earnest sober piety, keenly alive to the general responsibility of a Christian minister, intent upon those difficulties which present themselves in its own sphere, and full of the most affectionate solicitude for the souls of "the flock." In the Charge, the Bishop, after warning his hearers against errors which concern the doctrine of the Inspiration of Scripture, of Justification by Faith, and of the efficacy of Sacraments, proceeds to draw a most interesting picture of the difficulties which must be encountered by a Clergyman in Rupert's Land, 'See Colonial Church Chronicle, No. IV. of the progress which the Church has already made, and of the means and hopes of further extension. We regret that we have not room to insert two or three passages which we had marked; but we heartily commend the whole address and the work which it describes to the warm sympathy and prayers of our readers. Africa Redeemed; or, the Means of her Relief Illustrated by the Growth and Prospects of Liberia. London: Nisbet & Co. It is not long since we called the attention of our readers to the miniature representation of American institutions which is rising into vigorous life on the western coast of Africa. Many have been taught to feel an interest in this part of the world by the successful labours of the Church Missionary Society, and of the American Mission at Cape Palmas, and by our own projected mission to Dahomey. To these, as well as to a more numerous class, who look upon all thriving settlements as so many central points for commerce and emigration, this little work will be acceptable. It conveys much information about Liberia, which will scarcely be met with elsewhere; though its inflated style will sound strangely to English ears; while Churchmen will desiderate some more distinct expression of principles. The Editor, in his preface, brings very strong testimony to refute the charge advanced by Commander Forbes against the Liberians, of buying and selling slaves. With many peculiarities, it is a very readable book, well got up, and, we think, quite trustworthy. Notes of a Residence in the Canary Islands, the South of Spain, and Algiers, illustrative of the state of Religion in those countries. By the Rev. T. DEBARY, M. A. London: Rivingtons. MR. DEBARY'S work comes in good season to corroborate, by independent testimony, the account of the present state of the Spanish Church given by the Rev. F. Meyrick. A leisurely sojourn of nearly two years in Madeira, the Canary Islands, and the neighbouring shores of Africa and Spain, has enabled him to lay before his readers many interesting details of the actual state of the Church; and he appears to have made use of the opportunities thus afforded in a spirit of candour, truthfulness, and discrimination. And these qualities make Mr. Debary's book valuable in another point of view; namely, affording as to our own countrymen many a just rebuke for the debased condition of our communion in those lands. We have more than once endeavoured to call attention to the state of the English Church on the Continent. Let us hope that this work may prove a more efficient advocate, at least with respect to those countries which it describes. It is right to add that, besides the religious interest of the book, it abounds in instructive and pleasing sketches of people and lands which are not yet quite familiar even to the English public. A Letter to the Right Hon. Lord John Russell on the Present State of the Church in Canada. By JOHN BISHOP OF TORONTO. London: Bell. 1851. THE object of the Bishop of Toronto in this letter is to set forth the grievous injustice to which the Canadian Church, and more especially his own particular diocese, has been recently subjected. His Lordship gives a brief history of the Clergy Reserves, including, 1. The appropriation under that name of one-seventh part of the waste lands of Canada for the support of a Protestant Clergy, by which designation there is little reason to doubt that King George meant the Clergy of the Church of England exclusively; 2. The claim made by the Established Church of Scotland for a share of the lands; 3. The Act 3 & 4 Vict. c. 78, by which provision was made for the sale of the lands, and the distribution of the proceeds in certain proportions between the Churches of England and Scotland, leaving a surplus to be disposed of by the Governor in Council among certain Protestant sects. The Bishop shows that this Act was proposed by the Imperial Government, and accepted by the Ecclesiastical authorities at home, as a compromise for the sake of peace, and with a view to close up one fruitful subject of strife and controversy for ever. That Act has now for ten years been the law; scarcely a complaint has been heard against it; and yet, because a bare majority of a Provincial Parliament, elected by all but universal suffrage, has demanded the reversal of this law, Earl Grey promises to make the Imperial Legislature repeal its own deliberate act, and throw back the question as a bone of contention to the rival factions of the Canadian Assembly. The Churchmen, however, of the Colony are, we rejoice to learn, determined not to submit tamely to this threatened spoliation; and the Home Government may learn ere long that in attempting to conciliate the democratic party in Canada they are alienating the affections of the only portion of the community on whom they can rely to maintain the connexion between the Colony and the mother country. The loyalty of that party was severely tried by the Bill for giving compensation to the abettors of rebellion; it was put to a second proof by the withdrawal of the Charter to King's College. It is now subjected to a trial perhaps harder to bear than either of the former. This |