THE GOSPEL A SOURCE OF POLITICAL STRENGTH.

IT is a fearful fact, but one to which I have seen no allusion made by any writer of the day, that the Gospel, when its influence is but partial, imparts physical strength to a nation, which soon becomes a heavy curse. I will explain my meaning. You see those mighty navies which can carry the thunders of war to any spot on earth; those armies all disciplined, which can carry the honours and the shouts of victory the world over-you see those piles of warehouses, in which uncounted wealth is treasured up-those ships that make commerce magnificent! Whose are they? Whose are the mines of silver and of gold, which are so constantly pouring out such streams of wealth, that money is losing its value? Whose are those steamers, which mock at wind and tide, because they carry within them a skill and power which make Nature's elements bend to their control? Whose are the presses, which can make the wind, the tide, the horse, the ass, and even steam itself, aid in enlightening mankind? Whence came that public opinion which pushes standing armies back, and makes the hand of despotism shake? These engines, which not merely move, but drive the world before them, and create immeasurable excitement among men-whose are all these? They belong to nations upon whom the Gospel has had influence enough to create all this light and excitement, and to put all this machinery in motion. What an excitement of mind is now pervading all Christian nations! Political men, who stand high on the walls which begirt the nation, tremble for the future. The cloistered philosopher, who sees one system after another, and one theory after another, dashed away, hardly dares put forth his own theories, lest he himself outlive them: yet he dares predict that this agitation of mind is to produce great results.

The inventor sighs as he takes out his patent, knowing that it will be shortlived; for some bolder and stronger genius will do something beyond his conceptions. Language like the following is on the lips of almost every enlightened man. They are the words of Robert Hall :

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"Everything in the condition of mankind pronounces the approach of some great crisis, for which nothing can prepare us but the diffusion of knowledge, probity, and the fear of the Lord. While the world is impelled on with such violence in opposite directions-while a spirit of giddiness and revolt is shed upon the nations, and the seeds of irritation are thickly sown, the improvement of the mass of the people will be our grand security; in the neglect of which, the politeness, the refinement, and the knowledge, accumulated in the higher orders, weak and unprotected, will be exposed to the most imminent danger, and perish like a garland in the grasp of popular fury."

The enemies of godliness expect this waking up of mind is the bright presage of the day when conscience will break away from its own eternal bands, and the world will then throw off all restraint, and the millennium of lust, crime, and bloodshed, will bless the earth. The warrior expects that dynasties will be broken up, and that such as he will be called for to scent the field of blood, and to do the work of hell, with high and enduring honours.

And for what has an over-ruling Providence brought Christian nations into this situation? Poor France! She had light and influence of the Gospel just sufficient to create all this intellectual and physical energy, without having a Gospel conscience created, by which these might be controlled and guided. The result is well known. The nation rocked to its foundations, and then a volcano burst forth, which caused rivers of blood to be shed ere it was quenched. And this is what I mean, when I say, that a partial influence of the Gospel imparts a fearful physical strength and energy to a people, which become a heavy curse. And I have made these remarks to show you, that all this tremendous power now concentrated in the hands of nations nominally Christian, must result in a heavy blessing or a heavy curse upon the world. The mines of gold, the commerce, the wealth, the skill, the power, of these nominally Christian nations, must and will be used in the great work of bringing the world back to God and to holiness, or they will be so many angels of woe, pouring the vials of God's wrath over the earth.-Rev. John Toad.

POPERY: ITS ASPECTS AND PROSPECTS.

[We reprint the following interesting analysis of the recent gains and losses of Romanism, from the Christian Spectator.]

"A TWELVEMONTH since we called the attention of our readers to the 'recent progress of Romanism in Great Britain.' At that time, people were just beginning to find that the boasted pretensions of the Roman Catholic Church, and the silly fears of many Protestants in this country were equally exaggerated. Rome triumphed in vague but convenient language over the very large and everywhere increasing number of Catholics,' and forthwith the doughty champions of the Protestant Establishment flew to arms in defence, as one reverend gentleman pathetically put it, of 'altar, faith, and crown.' Putting the increase of Romanists to the test of fact and figures, we found that it amounted to the alarming number of seventy-nine, against which a large contra-account from Ireland and Bermondsey had to be entered. On going through the Catholic Directory for the present year, we find the increase dwindling down in numbers many-and in importance more. Twelve months ago, it was reported that thirty-two clergymen had seceded from the Establishment during the previous year; in 1852, the magnetic influence of hierarchy and priests, suffered to draw only seven from their former faith. We quote their names:

Following these, in the volume before us, is a list of sixty-seven 'lay-converts ;' but on examining it, we find that twenty of these are of French, Austrian, and Indian birth. Characteristic of the general accuracy and truthfulness of such lists, it commences with the name of Prince Paul, of Wurtemberg, a few months previous to his death'-the same Prince Paul having been received into the Roman Catholic Church but a few hours only before he died, and when he was utterly unconscious of any event or influence, even of eternal significance. Fiftyfour, then, is the total number of converts to Rome in 1852, and this is the whole gain of the church. We should add, that in the same period, the number of Roman Catholic chapels has been increased by eleven. In 1851, the increase was twelve. The present number of chapels in Great Britain is 719, of which 100 are in Scotland. The number of colleges is 10; of religious houses and convents, 92; and of priests, 1,039: being an increase of seven on the number of last year.

"We need scarcely remark, that the compiler of the Directory, which is published permissu superiorum,' has not considered himself bound to allude, in the most distant manner, to conversions from the Roman Catholic Church. From Algiers to the Rocky Mountains, the territory has been searched to swell the list of 'converts;' but the larger list of 'perverts' nearer home, it has been found convenient to forget or ignore. We are enabled, however, from papèrs before us, to supply this deficiency. Ireland, as our readers are doubtless aware, has for some time past been the scene of the active and energetic labours of a society now called the 'Society for Irish Church Missions.' The exclusive object of this Society is to promote Church missions to the Roman Catholics of Ireland, the chief attention being directed, except in the mission to Galway, to the Englishspeaking population. With this view, one or two missionaries and Scripturereaders were sent in 1849, to Connemara, West Galway, Dublin, and other districts. They commenced preaching in chapels, schools, private houses, and the road-side, and visiting from house to house. They were ordered to abstain from giving temporal relief to those with whom they came into contact-their work was simply to argue and persuade. They succeeded in detaching in the first year some hundreds from their native church. In the second, third, and

fourth years of their operations, the number of converts had increased to some thousands, and at present there are engaged in the work, 357 agents, including '33 clergymen, 19 lay-agents, 206 readers, and 99 schoolmasters and mistresses.' The total number of those who have left the Roman Church we do not know; but we are informed that in West Galway alone, there are now between 5,000 and 6,000 Protestants, where in 1840, not 500 could be found; and that in the recently-opened schools of the Society, nearly 5,000 children of converts and Romanists,' are receiving daily instruction.

"The fact of these conversions (whatever may be their worth), cannot now be called in question by any party. The Times newspaper lately gave the following testimony to their numerical importance: 'It seems now pretty clear that something like a Reformation is taking place in the province of Connaught. The Irish mind is at this moment undergoing a change of incalculable importance, and shaking off at any rate, in some degree, the fetters of its ancient faith.' Miss Martineau bears witness to the same fact; and the Westminster Review, in an article on 'The Condition and Prospects of Ireland,' from the pen apparently of the same lady, though it thinks that the movement is not 'a healthy one,' and that it is manifestly of a temporary character,' is of opinion that it is weakening the power of the Romish Church.'

"The testimony of the focal police reports confirms the accuracy of private accounts as to the progress of the movement, and the violence and outrage to which the 'readers' have, in consequence, been subjected by the priests; but the largest admissions, as to its importance and extent, are made by Roman Catholic editors. We learn,' says the Dublin Evening Post, 'from unquestionable Catholic authority, that the success of the proselytizers in almost every part of the country, and we are told in the metropolis, is beyond all that the worst misgivings could have dreamt of. There is not only no use in denying these statements, but it would be an act of treachery to the best interests of the Catholic Church to conceal them, or even to pass the matter over as a thing of no great moment.'

"Similar is the testimony of the Tablet newspaper: 'We repeat, that it is not Tuam, nor Cashel, nor Armagh, that are the chief seats of successful proselytism, but the very city (Dublin) in which we live.' And not two months ago, the Nation, the organ of Young Ireland,' edited by the member for New Ross, contained the following passage:

"There can no longer be any question that the systematised proselytism has met with an immense success in Connaught and Kerry. It is true that the altars of the Catholic Church have been deserted by thousands born and baptized in the ancient faith of Ireland.

แ "Tarvellers, who have recently visited the counties of Galway and Mayo, report that the agents of that foul and abominable traffic are every day opening new schools of perversion, and are founding new churches for the accommodation of their purchased congregations.

"Witnesses more trustworthy than Sir Francis Head; Catholic Irishmen who, grieved to behold the spread and success of the apostasy, tell us that the west of Ireland is deserting the ancient fold; and that a class of Protestants, more bigoted and anti-Irish, if possible, than the followers of the old establishment, is growing up from the recreant peasantry and their children.'

"Now, we say nothing as to the character or results of these conversions. If the testimony of Mr. Dallas and Mr. Bickersteth indeed is correct, they are gratifying and cheerful enough. 'I have witnessed,' says the latter gentleman, the work in Ireland, and speak from personal knowledge. And what, will it be asked, is the visible result-what change is produced upon the habits or the manners of the people? In reply, we can say this, there is not a convert to Protestantism whose former hatred to England has not been supplanted by a feeling of the warmest gratitude and affection. The habit of industry has supplanted that of idleness-of integrity, that of dishonesty-of cleanliness, that of filth. Wherever you find a band of converts, you find a band of well-ordered, indus

* Statement of the Society for Irish Church Missions for December, 1852.

trious, and peaceable subjects.' There are other accounts given of the character and motives of the converts. At Achill, one of the stations of the Society, the 'Jumpers,' as they are stigmatized, are pronounced by Father Scully to be 'justified by stir-about and redeemed by porridge.' 'Stir-about,' said the same gentleman on another occasion, 'is the God ye are worshipping;' at any rate it was not the Church. Occasionally, the hope and prospect of work given to the converts, has doubtless influenced their course to some degree. With more powerful persuasives it has brought them into the position of at least learners of somewhat purer Christianity than Romanism. This, at present, is all we wish to be admitted. Notwithstanding, therefore, the fresh assertions of 'pastorals,' and the stale assertions of 'Durham Letters,' Romanism is not on the increase. "One word as to the immediate means of its decrease. The 'Society for Irish Church Missions,' appeals to the public for 'funds.' Its income last year was 13,8997. 12s. 2d. We have been curious enough to look over the list of subscriptions printed at the end of the Report, and we find that of the total amount of its income, exactly 10l. was contributed by the whole bench of bishops in Ireland. One would almost have thought that the mere existence of such a Society would itself have been considered a sufficient reproach to a church fattening upon Irish poverty, and itself the greatest living cause of the spiritual and physical destitution of that country. We question whether, during the whole period of its existence, the Irish Establishment has ever effected so much as the 206 layreaders of this voluntary Society have done in four short years. We would say to the Society, therefore, look to your bishops and fox-hunting clergy for support, and if, gentlemen, they give it not by asking, shame them into it."

HINTS TO PROMOTE HARMONY IN A FAMILY.

1. We may be quite sure that our will is likely to be crossed in the day; so prepare for it.

2. Everybody in the house has an evil nature as well as ourselves, and therefore we are not to expect too much.

3. To learn the different temper of each individual.

4. To look upon each member of the family as one for whom Christ died.

5. When any good happens to any one, to rejoice at it.

6. When inclined to give an angry answer, to lift up the heart in prayer.

7. If from sickness, pain, or infirmity, we feel irritable, to keep a very strict watch over ourselves.

8. To observe when others are so suffering, and drop a word of kindness and sympathy suited to their state.

9. To watch for little opportunities of pleasing, and to put little annoyances out of the way.

10. To take a cheerful view of everything, of the weather, &c., and encourage hope.

11. To speak kindly to the servants, and praise them for little things when

you can.

12. In all little pleasures which may occur, to put self last.

13. To try for "the soft answer that turneth away wrath."

14. When we have been pained by an unkind word or deed, to ask ourselves, "Have I not often done the same, and been forgiven ?"

15. In conversation, not to exalt ourselves, but bring others forward.

16. To be very gentle with the younger ones, and treat them with respect, remembering that we were once young too.

17. Never to judge one another, but attribute a good motive when we can.

18. To compare our manifold blessings with the trifling annoyances of the day.

Scripture Cabinet.