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INTELLIGENCE-THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

ment of the effect of the circulation of God's word in India. His speech must have warmed the hearts and strengthened the hands of those who heard his thrilling and most instructive eloquence. The total amount of the funds was announced as £103,330. 2s. 8d., being an increase on the present year of £11,695. 10s. 1d. The issues of the Society are as follow:

From the Depository at Home
From the Depots Abroad

788,073 349,544 1,137,617

The total issues of the Society now amount to 24,247,667 copies of the word of God, in Bibles, Testaments and Psalms.

The meeting was addressed by the chairman, the Marquis of Cholmondeley; Sir R. H. Inglis, Bart.; the Bishop of Cashel; the Rev. Dr. Duff; the Earl of Harrowby; the Rev. Dr. Murray; the Rev. Hugh Stowell; the Bishop of Bombay; the Rev. Thomas Jackson; the Rev. R. Bickersteth; the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel; and the Earl of Chichester.

THE CHURCH PASTORAL-AID SOCIETY. The increase of funds for this most important Association is urgently demanded. Unlike the two former Societies we have mentioned, the Church Pastoral-Aid Society cannot count the increase on the past year by thousands; it can only tell its supporters that £735. 2s. 5d. is the sum by which the funds this year exceed the previous amount. £31,595. 7s. 4d. is, however, a very fair income for a Society of comparatively recent date, and is in itself indicative of the feeling which exists towards it within the bosom of the Church. No one can read the report prepared for the information of its subscribers, without feeling that this Society is one which ought to command the prayers, the purse, and the cordial help, of all sincere Churchmen. "It seeks," in the language of the Committee, "to carry to those who live at our very doors, a glorious Gospel, perfectly suited to fallen man; affording a remedy for all his wants and all his unholiness, and adapted to his utterly ruined state." We have only room for the

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THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

We confess to having been in the number of the many who looked with doubt and misgiving on the opening of the Crystal Palace. The grand ceremonial of the first of May, in a most gratifying manner dissipated our fears that the work, in its design, accomplishment, dedication, and uses, would be of man and man alone. Unspeakably thankful are we that such has not been the case, but that the thousands who welcomed the presence of their Sovereign and her Royal Consort, within the beautiful temple, were led by our venerable Primate to the throne of grace, to bow down with their Queen and the princes of the earth in lowly acknowledgment of the Lord God Almighty. Indescribably solemn was the stillness of those moments consecrated to the utterance of a nation's prayer; scarcely less thrilling was the burst of that sacred song of inspired praise,

in music, the noblest work of a master's genius,-"Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." The deep, affectionate, and joyous welcome which burst forth upon the appearance of Queen Victoria, amid the hundreds of thousands of her subjects, was enough to fill the breast of every christian citizen with heartfelt joy. It uttered volumes, and told our foreign guests that England's Christianity teaches her children not only to fear, obey, and acknowledge her God, but to love and honour their earthly Sovereign. As to the Exhi

bition itself, we have not heard of one, who having seen it, can say that he is disappointed. The building, in its vast, yet beautiful and aerial immensity, astonishes and delights the beholder, while the splendour, riches, and variety of its exquisitely arranged contents, fascinate and bewilder every

one.

But it is useless to describe what almost every reader of our pages has seen, or will try to see for himself. It is the part of the "Christian Guardian" to look at this, as every other national occurrence, in the light of Christianity, and to endeavour to estimate what of good or evil may be expected to result.

Upon this view of the question, even religious men are much divided. Some hail the gathering of the nations to exhibit and view the almost endless store of the world's wealth and industry, as a promise of peace amongst brethren of every land. Some hail the collection and public shew of everything rare, rich, beautiful, curious, and useful, as tending still further, and in a wider range, to rouse the energies and sharpen the already inventive faculties of men. Some too, in a hopeful spirit, trust that a work consecrated by a nation's prayer and praise, may receive so gracious an answer, that men may not only be led to recognize the Creator, and His wisdom, power, and goodness, in His own gifts, and in the work of His creatures, but that by the example and the privileges which this christian nation affords, many foreigners may be led to turn from infidelity or superstition, to the reality and simplicity of Christ's Gospel.

Much of all this may, and we trust will, be the result. But in the midst of this grand exhibition, there are articles displayed which cause the Christian's heart to mourn; much of most objectionable statuary, popish figures, crosses, crucifixes, and archbishops of the Romish communion, bedizened in all the splendid trappings of their Church; medioeval church furniture, so captivating to those amongst us who are quitting the substance for the shadow; all this is bad, and must produce bad results.

Our first objection is to the figures, which are exhibited without regard to the modesty or to the sinful hearts of the visitors. Were man, in heart and the affections of the mind, what he was before the fall, such statues, beautiful as they are in art, and exhibiting the exquisite symmetry of the human form, might be gazed upon without a thought of sin or blush of shame. The few, however, who are so tutored by the love and study of art, as to look upon these statues with unmoved feelings, and those whose thoughts are chastened by holy feeling, form no proportion, sufficient to justify so manifest a violation of propriety. The Romish altars, bishops, crosses, and other superstitious matters, have no business in a building erected in Protestant England; it is a shame and a sin thus openly to exhibit the cast-off fripperies of our bye-gone ages of darkness. We want neither the gaudy effigy of an Archbishop of Paris, or of our own rebel, falsely called Saint Thomas á Becket, any more than we do the grim reality of the Cardinal Bishop of Melipota

mus.

Of the effect the Exhibition has upon the trade of London, we wish to speak but little; we regret to hear on all sides that it has almost paralyzed the usual business of this busy season; the sums of money it has withdrawn from the usual channels of circulation have been very great, and there is much of doubt whether London will not have commercially to regret an almost blank Spring and Summer. Whether after-benefits may more than compensate for a year's loss, is a speculation we profess our incompetency to solve.

Of one thing we are certain, that this gathering of the nations, and their union in exhibiting their varied stores, is no guarantee of the world's peace. Elements are at work at home and abroad, and events are hastening on,-in which Bible readers and those who bring all things to the test of its truths, have too much cause to know, are bringing about what may be the last great conflict between God and the powers of darkness. While we rejoice in well

INTELLIGENCE-THE EXETER SYNOD.

meant endeavours on the part of our noble and excellent Prince Albert, to promote the welfare and harmony of his fellow-men, let us not be beguiled into the idea that any other means than the spread and acceptance of the Gospel of the Redeemer, can bring glory to God in the Highest, or permanent peace and good-will to

men.

THE EXETER SYNOD.

We are heartily glad that some of the Bishop of Exeter's clergy are protesting against the fresh agitation which their Diocesan is originating. The Protest, which we gladly transfer to our columns, is worthy of the men who have subscribed it, and does but aim at the preservation of that christian liberty which it must be our increasing endeavour to preserve in all its scriptural integrity. In one thing we congratulate the protesters and the Church generally, and that is, that the former have absolutely declined to take any part in proceedings which are schismatical and intolerant in their objects; and which, as to effective legal results, are null and void ab initio.

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"The Lord Bishop of Exeter having announced to his clergy his intention of holding a synod of the diocese' on the 25th of June next, to be composed of certain official persons mentioned in his Lordship's pastoral letter, dated 'London, April 9th, 1851,' and of representatives to be elected by the clergy of the different deaneries,

"We, the undersigned presbyters of the diocese, deem it to be our duty to put forth and publish our reasons for declining to attend any ruridecanal meetings for electing such representatives, or otherwise to take any part whatever relating to such assembly of the clergy, called 'a synod,' or the proceedings and acts thereof.

"We have come to this determination, "1. Because, if such assembly, summoned and holden according to the directions, and for the purposes, men. tioned in the Bishop's pastoral letter, do not contravene the strict letters of the laws and constitutions at present in force for regulating the action of the Church of England, it is, in our judgment and belief, opposed to the spirit and intention

239

of such laws and constitutions, and altogether unprecedented in the history of the Church.

"2. Because the primary and avowed object for which such assembly is to be convened is to issue a synodical declaration of adherence to the article of the Creed, I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins,' which, it is alleged, has been virtually denied' by a judgment delivered by Her Majesty the Queen, as under God, the only supreme governor of this realm, as well in all spiritual or ecclesiastical things or causes as temporal,' on the recommendation of the Judicial Committee of Privy Council, with the concurrence of the two Archbishops;-such a declaration being, as we believe, altogether uncalled for, inasmuch as the decision of Her Majesty was not intended to impugn, neither does it, in our judgment, in any degree whatever impugn, such article of the Creed—an article which we constantly and solemnly repeat before God and in the face of the congregation, with the full 'assent and

consent of our minds.

"3. Because, although it is declared by the Bishop that in the proceedings of such assembly it is his desire that there shall be as great consideration as possible for the judgment of all,' and that 'the representatives shall speak and vote therein according to their own judgment,' yet it is expressly provided in the pastoral letter calling the assembly, that the Bishop shall himself decide what matters shall actually be brought under the consideration of the synod,' and ' that no resolution can be deemed an act of the synod which has not his concurrence.'

"4. Because, whatever be the object of holding such assembly, it is manifestly powerless in law, not having authority to pass any canons or constitutions which can settle any matter whatever, or be binding even upon those who pass them. whilst it is calculated to produce great evil and mischief, even to the disruption of the Church, being designedly intended to exhibit this diocese as independent in itself, standing out in unbecoming and injurious, if not schismatical, opposition to the Archbishop of the province, and the constituted authorities, by which the whole body of the Church of England is governed.

"For these reasons we feel compelled to abstain from taking any part whatever in the proposed assembly; and in putting them forth, we desire to testify our unfeigned respect and honour for the character of the present Archbishop of the

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"John Hatchard, M A., Vicar of St. Andrew's, Plymouth.

Henry Addington Greaves, M.A., Vicar of Charles, Plymouth.

Church, Plymouth.

Samuel Davis, B.A., Curate of Burrington. E. H. Head, M.A., Rector of Feniton. Thomas Cave Childs, M.A., Incumbent of St. Mary, Devonport.

Thomas William Herbert, Chaplain to the Devonport Prison, and Curate of St. Michael's, Stoke."

THE PAPAL AGGRESSION.

The Irish Roman faction still im

Hinton C. Smith, M.A., Incumbent of Trinity pedes and tries to defeat the action of the legislature. We are at the end of May, and the Bill for resisting the insult of Rome is still before the House of Commons, where shameless

George Fred. Arthur, M.A., Vicar of Tamerton Foliott.

Richard Malone, M.A., Incumbent of Christ

Church, Plymouth.

James Walrond Burrough, M. A., Vicar of partizans of Rome, false liberals, and

Totnes.

B. W. S. Vallack, B. A., Incumbent of St. Budeaux.

George Hadow, M. A., Incumbent of St. Andrew's Chapel, Plymouth.

Orlando Manley, M.A., Vicar of St.Stephen's, by Saltash.

John Tagert, Curate of St. Mary's, Devonport. J. Adams, M. A., Incumbent of St. Paul's, Devonport.

R. Gardner, M.A., Minister of St. Michael's Church, Stoke Damarel.

George Bellamy, M.A., Minister of Charles Chapel, Plymouth.

R. W. Needham, Incumbent of St. Paul's, Stonehouse.

T. G. Postlewaite, M.A., Assistant Curate of Stonehouse.

William Hocker, B.A., Chaplain, Borough

Prisons, Plymouth.

James Lane, Sub Chaplain, St. Nicolas Chapel, Saltash.

William Henry Nantes, B.A., Incumbent of East Stonehouse.

Daniel Nantes, M.A., Rector of Powderham. William Henry Howard, M. A., Vicar of St. Thomas's, Exeter.

Edward Beauchamp St.John, M.A., Rector of

Ideford.

Samuel J. Trist, M.A. Vicar of Veryan, William Hawks, LL.B., Chaplain of St. Nicolas, Saltash.

Francis Mules, Rector of Bittadon.
John Blackmore, M.A., Curate of Ashford.
Bourchier Wray Savile, M.A., Incumbent of

Newport, and Chaplain to the Lord
Lieutenant of Devon.

Frederick A. Savile, B. A., Rector of King's
Nympton.

Harvey Marriott, Vicar of Loddiswell.
James Rawlings, M.A., Rector of St. Pinnock.
James F. Todd, M.A., Vicar of Liskeard.
William Farwell, Rector of St. Martin's.
Charles Hocker, Vicar of Talland.

J. H. Hawksley, B.A., Rector of Redruth.
Fitz Henry Hele, Rector of Little Hempton.
H.H.Cole, B.A., Curate of Charles, Plymouth.
William Rawlings, B. A., Rector of Lansallos.
Peter D. Foulkes, Vicar of Shebbear.

hollow-hearted politicians, are doing their best to wear out the patience of the House, and disgust the country.

The treatment the Bill has received does not surprise us. We allowed the Romanists to sit, to speak, and vote, and we are now reaping the legitimate and justly-retributive fruit of our folly. We admitted the servants, the very bond-slaves of an ambitious, intolerant, and crafty foe; and we must not wonder that they are doing the bidding of their master. Are the eyes of our legislators and statesmen ever to be opened to the sheer necessity under which we labour, to retrace our steps, and drive out the men whose business it is to mar the policy and destroy the distinctive Protestantism of England? We may be called visionary enthusiasts, but, until the Act of 1829 has been erased from our statute book, the English Parliament will but have to plunge deeper and deeper into these struggles against the insidious and arrogant plots of Rome. True, we are satisfied that these aggressions are but the death struggles of a monster whose end is those approaching-but woe unto

who give their strength to that mystery of iniquity, soon to be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming, or to those who stand neutral upon

John Haynes Townsend, M.A., Rector of East questions where the honour of God

Down.

John Smart, B.A., Incumbent of Kingswear. James Buckingham, LL.B., Vicar of Bur

rington.

and the welfare of His Church demand the active service of all Christ's faithful soldiers.

LONDON: J. II. JACKSON, ISLINGTON GREEN.

THE CHRISTIAN GUARDIAN,

AND

CHURCHMAN'S MAGAZINE.

JUNE, 1851.

THE MASSES-WHAT CAN BE DONE?

A SUNDAY MORNING walk through
Regent-street, Fleet-street, Cheapside,
or any other large commercial tho-
roughfare, would give any foreign
passer-by a very favourable idea of
England's observance of the fourth
commandment. Here and there, an
open public-house, cigar shop, or
newsvender's, may break the unifor-
mity of the still and solemn aspect of
a busy world at rest upon the seventh
day; but after all, these instances
only serve to make the happy custom
of our favoured land more strikingly
apparent, and to allow the exceptions
to stand out in stronger contrast, as
samples of God-despising tradesmen.
In the case of the publican, it is a
happy circumstance that the law has
stepped in to limit the amount of
sabbath-breaking he may with impu-
nity commit. From one to three, and
from five to twelve, are far better
limitations than the law which al-
lowed him to open as early on the
sabbath morning as he pleased, so
that he turned out his reeking cus-
tomers when the church bells ceased
with the last stroke of eleven. We
hail the slightest improvement in the
national observance of the sabbath,
as earnestly as we deprecate its grow-
ing desecration in other ways, such
as the railway, steam-boat, and other
temptations to sabbath-breaking.
JUNE 1851.

The banker, the lawyer, the merchant, and the large trader, with their respective connexions, may enjoy their sabbath rest, and spend the hours, if their hearts are so affected, in the ordinances of public and private worship.

But there are streets and thoroughfares where sabbath mornings are unknown, except by the unusual crowds of unwashed labourers, and their wives, who almost stop up the passages, in their eagerness to purchase the day's provisions. In a string of such streets, in one of our suburban parishes, that we lately passed through, we were amazed to find ourselves suddenly plunged from the comparative quietude of an English sabbath into almost the bustle and business of a market or a fair. With scarcely six exceptions, every shop was open in two considerable streets,whether butcher, baker, grocer, greengrocer, and even draper, shoemaker, and the dealer in low and poisonous newspapers, and other trashy books,— all were open, and most of them in constant activity. It was a saddening spectacle, to see four or five policemen, as the hour of eleven was striking, driving away the costermongers' carts, stall keepers, and basket carriers. The hour of Divine service had arrived, and the busy traffic must

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