deficiency in the liberal duties of charity and humanity? No, Sir, the experience which all descriptions have had of her forbearance and mild de meanour, even in these turbulent times, ought to endear her alike to the courtier and the peasant į to her own children, and those who have to answer to Omniscience for the purity of the motives which have induced them to profess themselves diflenters from her communion. I wish the foureft moralist upon earth, after contemplating her weaknefies, for she is not infallible, would take as severe a view of the other profeffons, the law, the army, and medicine; I wish he would scan the vices of our prefent commercial fyftem, to know if the sad relults of human depravity are not to be met with only too prominent in them all. We must not exterminate for every failing, forbearance ought to be the characteristic of finful man. The wealthy banker should not be so quickfighted in finding out the impolicy of tythes, nor should the priest be so very exact in peeping into the * iniquity of banking *.". Thele are not the times for government to fanction the reflections which are cast by designing men upon the Hierarchy; the hands of the clergy must not be weakened ; genuine Chiftianity ought not for one moment to be dispensed with. With you, Sir, I am convinced that we are all of us too much indebted to Mr. Pitt, to decide hastily upon his conduct in any instance. The opinion of what I shall call the intellect of the people of England, has evidently been the principle of action to which he has upon arduous occasions always adverted, and the polar star by which he has steered his course. He has indeed found fome difficulty of late in diftinguifhing this from the voice of faction ; but he has discriminated with unparalleled ability, and has been generally right. There is only one recent instance, and that yet remains enveloped in mystery, in which I cannot fully exculpate him from any intentions of violating the fundamental principles of the British Constitution. Upon that question I have no doubt; but the opinion of the nation will be eventually decisive in favour of " the constitution's remaining unaltered.”. The fophiftry urged against tythes, the odium excited by the difsenters against the articles, canons, and liturgy; and the laugh raised by the same description of men against the clergy by their indecent prints, and caricatures, will be all traced to the noisy kennel of democracy from whence they have recently emerged, and will be once more compelled, by the strong reasoning of genuine patriots, to retire from St. Stephen's Chapel in disgrace; and be again forced to seek an audience in the pious malignity of the conventicle.

I have the honour to remain, under great obligation for the fidelity which you have manifested to our original principles,

Yours, most sincerely, Yorkshire.

W. A. · P. S. The most ardent wish of my heart is, that Britons would once more rally round the constitution, and swear that they will defend it one and indivisible; and that they will support no measures which tend in the smallest degree to weaken its bulwarks. If there even was a crisis when the voice of the narion should be heard, distinct from the bravadoes of fačțion, it is now; and, depend upon it, it would, thus collected, give an immediate efficacy to our enfeebled measures, and renovate the whole system.

523

TYTHES,

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR

I

a

relative to the subject of tythes ; and am convinced that not a single argument has been advanced, in favour of commutation in lieu of them, which does not hold much stronger in favour of a commutation in lieu of rents. Are the clergy a less uletul body than our gentry, that jacobinical measures should first commence with those who ieem the leaft difpofed to countenance them? Let our Legillature be exceedingly careful of countenancing one single idea tbat has a tendency to render property of any defcription less facred than it is. Indeed, Sir, I fear that a commutation has, in many instances, been suggefted by the very worst of motives. It appears firft to have originated with the Diflenters and Jacobins, from their averfion to the hierarchy; and is now adopted by a few selfifh landholders, from, I hope, the fallacious idea, that the clergy, flattered by the appearance of present emolument, will facrifice the interefts of the Church for a moft difgraceful compentation.. I fear that the best design, on the anvil, embraces very closely the reprehenfible hope, that the clergy may be cajoled, or compelled to accept of a commutation for the composition which is at prefent paid, inftead of the real value of the tithes; for moft assuredly the landholders would be very great losers indeed by a fair commutation. I wish that through the medium of your Review, a number of different statements of the cases of the clergy could be submitted to the public, for I at convinced that the prejudice raised by their adversaries would, by such a meafure, be effectually feparated from the queftion. It is about nine or ten years fince

my

most intimate friend was presented to a small rectory. He had been the Fellow of a College, was the youngest son of a reputable clergyman, whose family was uncommonly numerous; and of course he was a man of no fortune. His predeceffor was in easy, not to say affluent cir. cumstances, for he kept his carriage, and had no children : in addition to this he was exceedingly intimate with the principal landholder in the parish who was a gentleman of very large fortune, a Member of Parliament; and generally voted with opposition. In consequence of these circumstances, probably, the tithes were let so low as one fhilling and sixpence an acre. At my friend's first going he was a perfect stranger at the place, and knew little about matters of this kind. He waited upon the gentleman in ques. tion, who received him with politeness, and affability. Encouraged by this, the clergyman stated his case; but the member assured him that he had fet his face against tithes; and even said that it was the wish of the opposition of that day that a commutation might foon take place. The clergyman alked him if two thillings and fixpence would be too much to expect from his farmers ? He said, in return, that he would have nothing to do with the business, only if the clergyman would say that he was not a man of fortune, he would not oppose him if his demands were reasonable; and said further, he could only add that tithes belonging to him were all let at two shillings and fixpence an acre. Thus uncomfortably circumstanced the clergyman determined to take a ride into the country with a view of making further inquiries. He Kopped to dinner about twenty miles from his living; and had the great good luck to meet with a very intelligent innkeeper to whom, without the fnallett reserve, he told his story. The innkeeper, with as little

reserve, reserve, told him in return, that he was at that moment in the habit of pay. ing five billings an acre for that gentleman's tybes; he further said it might be true that the gentleman let them at half a crown an acre; but that his farmers let them again at five thillings; and he shrewdly observed, that not the black coate tithe-holders, but the grey coated were the opprefTors. Satisfied with this intelligence the clergyman, upon his return, asked the farmers three shillings an acre; and after much trouble and with great difficulty brought them into these terms, at which they 'have since remained, though he is very certain that the tithes for the two last years have been well worth eight fhillings an acre. This, Sir, I most folemnly declare is the true statement of a very studious and laborious Minister's situation with respe&t to tithes, who has a numerous and increasing family, for whom, with all poflible economy and self denial, he can make little or no provision, though he is apparently declining to the grave under a complication of disorders altogether induced by a Itudious and sedentary life. I am finally persuaded, Sir, if all the instances of tliis kind, which the kingdom affords, were only fairly laid before the public they would compose such a mass of evidence in favour of the clergy as would doom the satellites of the Board of Agriculture to no litttle infamy. I remain your's,

C. W.A.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,

"HE new religious conspiracy as it has been improperly termed, for there

is not one grain of genuine Christianity about it, is at length completely exposed, and many documents relative to it are, no doubt, in the hands of Government. I cannot however help observing, that your Correspondents upon this subject have not by any means done their cause complete justice. You will find the attack upon the clergy generally attended with one equally severe upon the higher orders of society. Thus Mr. Cockin is not only severe upon lawn-sleeves, but likewise informs us that God is abolishing the idols of filver and gold; and Mr. Pawson is not content with sending the clergy ad inferos, but almost every man of respectability in the kingdom, as we find in the page immediately preceding those you have introduced into your useful publication. “ And if we consider the state of our great men,” he observes, “ may we not say, with the Prophet, that these have altogether broken the yoke, and burit the bonds ? Religion in the present age very seldom rises higher than a middling tradesman; there may be a capital tradesman here and there who has a regard for religion, but these are very few: there are fe ver ftill among the merchants who love religon ; but amongst the nobi'ity and gentry where thall we find a real Christian? These almott universally, like Gallio, care for none of these things. Wholly taken up with the gayest scenes of life; and highly diverted with the diversions, pleasures, and entertainments, of this poor, vain, transitory world, they look upon religion as a mere trifle, quite beneath their notice; hence they treat the one tning needful with the greatest neglect ; and leave it entirely to the ignorant vulgar, to those whom they think have nothing else to amute theinfelves with. These are eminently without God in the world being totally estranged from him.” So much for the rich is to be niet with in the extentive charity of this thoughtleis old man; and

I am told by gentlemen, admitted into conversation with certain wolves in sheep's cloathing, that they do not hesitate to observe, “what a shame it is that such worthless beings should be indulging in all the luxuries of life, while they, the only worthy beings, are dealt alınost without.” Mr. Pavo son's affection for the learned may be gathered from the following extracts. “ If we go to our wife and learned men, the comparison too nearly holds good : for if these have neglected the word of the Lord, what wisdom can there be in them? If they will not so much as believe the truth of God, how then will they understand, or experience the saving power of it? Here with the Prophet we may take up a lamentation, in that many of our wise men have rejected that blessed book of God which must ever be acknowledged to be the pillar and ground of truth; and must be considered as the fountain of all wisdom ; and have set up their own wisdom in opposition to the wisdom of God, saying, in effect, are not we wiser than he? Have they not also rejected the eternal Son of God, the only Redeemer and Saviour of finners, who in infinite pity and love came down from Heaven and gave his own life in order to save them ? Do not these vain men attempt to rob him of his eternal power and godhead, rejeet the atonement which, by his precious blood, he hath made for their fins; and neglect that precious falvation which he hath dearly purchased for them?" In another place, page 81, he writes, “ Are then our wife and learned men the most spiritual, and heavenly minded? Are they of all others the most meek and low in heart? or, Are they not the very reverse of this ? Are they not in general the most proud and passionate, the most self-sufficient and self-willed in a word, Are they not at the greatest distance from God and true religion?”—Is not this man exerting his utmost powers in the cause of democracy; and is he not answerable at the bar of the public for such exertions as these? I am convinced that his sermons have already done incalculable mischief amongst the lower orders, for four hundred of them were given away; and after that lent from one to another; and we now observe some of the blessed fruits of such religion in the attacks which have been recently made upon the windows of St. Peter's Church, at Leeds, and the restless conduct of the lower orders of the people.

I remain your's, &c. Weft-Riding, Yorkshire, April 13.

A.

TO THE EDITORS.
GENTLEMEN,
EETING the other day with a prayer, in a publication, entitled " An

a Help to Devotion," printed in the year 1737. It appeared lo peculiarly applicable to our present season of distress, that I much wished for its general circulation, and could think of no meihod to likely to effect that, or lo proper as your excellent magazine, which undertaken for the glory of God in the advancement of his true religion, will, I trust, meet with the success you and all fiucere Christians muft devoutly hope for.-That God may prosper this your work and labour of love,” is the prayer of, Gentlemen, your obedient humble servant, A MEMBER of the CHURCH OF ENGLAND,

CH

DECAY OFF The less appearance there is of universal reformation, the more jealoufly ought every person to look to himself, ter he be one that obstruct

PIETY.

а

it; far so he does, who stays till it be a fafhion, but neglects to contribute his part to make it so. He who considers himself but as one, should not suffer himself to grow into less; to fall from that unit to a cypher, by peto mitting floth or cowardice to enfeeble him : but, on the contrary, should recollect his fpirits, actuate all his strength, and therefore be sure to do his utmoit, becaule that utmost is but a little.

“ If there be any Jacobs among us; any who can wrestle and prevail with God, there never was lo presling a need of their interceffion. 'O, let all that are thus prepared for it, vigorously undertake this pious work; let no Moles' hands ever wax heavy, but be always held up in a devout im. portunity."

A PRAYER-to be used in private, deploring the national fins, and depricating those dreadful judgments that seem to hang over this church and nation,

“ O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth, I desire humbly to confels before shee, both on the behalf of myfelf, and of this nation; that we have grievously sinned against thee : that all orders of men amongst us have transgreifed thy righteous laws, and have hitherto rendered both thy mercies and thy judgments ineffe&tual to amendment of our lives. It is of thy mercy alone, that we are not utterly consumed ; that thy goodnefs hath yet spared us—and yet, O Lord, who is there that regardeth the power of thy wrath? How few amongst us who repent of their wretchedness. Thou, Lord, hath spoken by thy word to our ears, by thy judgments even to all our senses: but unless thou speak by thy spirits to our hearts, all thy other calls will be ineffectual. O fend out this thy mighty voice, and awaken us out of our lethargy.—Thou who didst call Lazarus out of the grave, be pleased to call us who are dead in trespass and sins, and make us to awake unto righteousness. Though, Lord, our frequent resistances even of thy inward calls, have justly provoked thee to give as up to our own hearts pefts--yet thou art good even above what we can wish from the bound. less ocean of thy mercy; therefore, withdraw not the influence of thy grace, and take not thy holy spirit from us—thou hast been found by them that sought thee not, let that act of mercy be extended to others, who are insensibly sick, and do not so much as look after a physician ; and by how much their cale is the more dangerous, so much the more fovereign reme. dies thou apply. Lord help us all; and consider not so much our unworthyness of thy aid, as our irremediable ruin if we want it. Save, Lord, or we perish eternally.

“ Once, when thou Nepft in a ship, and a tempest arifing threatened death to all in the ship, thou awakedst at the cry of a few disciples; and straitway, at thy almighty word, the waters couched, the winds fell, the storm was suddenly turned into a calm ; the dumb waters knew their Maker's voice. Thou seest Lord with what storms thy weak ship is tossed; the ship wherein thy little flock is in peril to be drowned and we all perish. For this tempeft we may thank our own. folly and madness, our own vileness and sinful living. I confess it, and acknowledge thy righteousness, and I bewail our unrighteousness: but I appeal to thy mercy, which surmounteth all thy works. We have suffered much punishment, the fad fruits of our own misdoings. Yet appears

there no where

any haven or port unto us; but still more and more grievous punishments seem to hang over our heads. Lord, I adore thy justice herein

; forafmuch as we have deserved this evil, because we have finned against thee.

But,

and now reap