vindicated the deceased archbishops with all the solemnity which an attack on the true religion might have deserved: and the noble premier himself chose to read a lecture to Mr Bright on his ill-breeding and profanity in meddling with the pecuniary affairs of deceased primates. Such plain dealing on the part of the dissenting members of the House is, we trust, to become a little more frequent; so that the expression of surprise and horror; whether real or affected, will be so entirely out of place as no longer to divert attention from the grave merits of the Church Establishment question.

546

VOLUNTARY ISM IN FRANCE.

In

THE question of separation between Church and State was not lost sight of amidst the discussions connected with the election of the National Assembly; and whatever be the immediate effects as regards religious liberty, we doubt not that while the minds of the more thoughtful part of the population are laid open by the revolutionary ploughshare, seeds of truth will be sown that must in due time yield a rich harvest. some of the electoral districts, placards were posted up demanding the abolition of payments for the support of religious worship, and it affords some evidence of the concern with which the priests regarded the demand, that they were accused of attempting to destroy these placards. In the election of officers of the 11th Legion of the National Guards, it was determined to exact of candidates a pledge, binding them to maintain liberty of worship without burden to the state, the expenses of each creed to be paid by those citizens who profess it." Three of the leading newspapers plead for the same principle; some propose to pay all the different registered sects, as formerly under Louis Philippe; others propose a vast retrenchment in the department of religious worship; while others, agreeing that the clergy should be paid from the national purse, insist that they be entirely excluded from public schools and colleges. The correspondent of Evangelical Christendom observes, in the April number-"The majority of our pastors and consistories do not wish for the separation of Church and State. They will accept it if it should be pronounced by government; and some of them will be rejoiced if it should be a means of promoting the cause of God. But we have also a certain number of very decided partisans of the voluntary principle. These are the disciples of M. Vinet. They regard the separation of the Church from the State as a principle of faith, as a Christian duty and labour to realize it by all lawful means. They have founded since

the late revolution a Society for the Application of Christianity to Social Questions, and one of their first proceedings has been to post upon the walls of Paris the following placard :

"RELIGIOUS EQUALITY.

"It is unjust to oblige a citizen to contribute to the expenses of a religion which he does not practise.

"Let the support of different forms of religion be no longer defrayed, therefore, from the public treasury; but let it be left to each individual to support the religion which he has freely chosen. This will effect a considerable reduction in the taxes.

"Let the constituent power sanction afresh the rational principle laid down in these terms, by the constitution of the year III.: No one can be forced to contribute to the expenses of any form of worship; the Republic does not salary any whatever.

"Thus creeds will be propagated by those who accept them, and there will be no longer any privileged religions.

"Thus the State will no longer have to occupy itself with questions which must always be attended with embarrassment and peril to it.

"Thus the budget will be lightened more than 40 millions [francs.]

says,

"Thus, in fine, all the French will be free and equal in religion as they are in politics." In another part of his letter, the writer "Several members of the new government, among others, M. de Lamartine, have often expressed a wish that the voluntary principle were introduced into France, as it had been into the United States. Will the representatives of France, who must speedily construct a new constitution, adopt this principle? Nobody knows!"

In evidence of the importance which the question of the support of religious ordinances has attained in the councils of France, it is worthy of notice, that the National Assembly has appointed a new administrative department,-a Minister of Public Worship. This, it must be owned, does not promise so well for the voluntary system; but the opening of the ecclesiastical minister's budget, from time to time, will lead to discussion, which cannot but be profitable to the interests of truth.

THE POPEDOM.

THE heterogenous elements which form the foundation of the Papacy cannot apparently hold together much longer. With Austrian despotism on the one side, and the spirit of republicanism in Italy on the other, the Pope is on the horns of a dilemma; and, whichever side he choose, it seems inevi table that the throne of the successor of St Peter will be shaken or overturned. Pio

Nono having granted his Italian subjects a representative constitution, one of the first acts of the new government was to advise his Holiness to declare war against Austria, in defence of the Lombards, with whom the Austrian army had for some time been in hostile conflict. The Emperor, on the other hand, announced, that should the Pope, as sovereign of the Roman states, declare against Austria, he, the Emperor, and all his subjects, would renounce their allegiance to the Pope as their spiritual head, and strip him of his pontificate, as well as drive him from his temporal sovereignty. The infallible head of Romanism seems to have been sadly at a loss for light to direct him which interest to choose. Unwilling to break with Austria, he ventured to reprimand the Roman general, who, in pursuance of orders from the administration, had led troops across the Austrian frontier, thereby virtually declaring war against the Emperor. For this the Romans had risen in rebellion, and, surrounding the residences of the Pope and his cardinals, had been keeping them in durance. At length the Pope has yielded to the more pressing force, and, with his consent, his troops are making common cause with Italian revolutionists against Austria. There is small probability of the quarrel being settled without much bloodshed. It is scarcely possible for any intelligent Christian to look at this state of affairs in the light of scripture, without a persuasion that the fall of the mystical Babylon is at hand. On this subject much interest has been excited by the republication of a work, "Fleming on the Rise and Fall of Papacy,' originally published in London in 1701; in which the writer, speaking of Italy, says, "The fifth vial, which is to be poured out on the seat of the beast, or the dominions that more immediately belong to and depend upon the Roman See,-that, I say, this judgment will probably begin about the year 1794, and expire about the year 1848." The exact correspondence between the dates thus condescended on, and the commencement of the first French Revolution, in which the power of Romanism was so effectually smitten; and the present relations between Austria, the right hand of the Papacy for generations back, and Italy, "the seat of the beast," has most deservedly excited in the minds of Christians an in

* Republished 1848. Johnstone, Edinburgh.

creased interest in the "sure word of prophecy, to which we do well to look till the day dawn."

THE FRENCH INTERIM GOVERNMENT.

THE progress of events in France is still tending to consolidate the interests of liberty. The socialist party must have been greatly weakened and discouraged by the returns to the National Assembly. These have resulted most favourably for the friends of order. Lamartine, who had been the guiding spirit of the revolution, and to whom, more than to any other man, France is indebted for the comparative quiet and peace, as well as whatever else has been praiseworthy in the movement, has lost the first place in the interim government, probably through the misrepresentation of his views in regard to the propriety of associating in the duties of the commission Ledru Rollin, the understood champion of democracy. But as that first place has been gained by M. Arago, while Lamartine is fourth, and Ledru Rollin fifth, there is nothing in the constitution of the government fitted to gratify the lovers either of anarchy or of despotism. The hopes of these parties, who, while occupying positions at an extreme distance from each other, meet in their hostility to the present order of things, seemed to be revived for the space of three hours, on Monday, 15th May, when a mob of 150,000 socialists forced their way into the National Assembly amidst uproar and confusion, drove the president from his chair, and had the audacity to declare the Assembly dissolved. The interference of the National Guards, however, soon scattered the insurrectionists; and the ringleaders having been apprehended and imprisoned, the only effect of this emeute will be to strengthen the hands of the government, by demonstrating the folly of such disturbances. We wait with eagerness the deliberations of the National Assembly in respect to ecclesiastical affairs. A full discussion of the voluntary question, as far as concerns its political aspect, may be looked for at the opening of the ecclesiastical budget; and, whatever be the immediate decision, the voluntary controversy, conducted on such an arena, cannot fail to elicit and illustrate, in a manner in which it was never before seen by statesmen, the truth on this branch of the question.

THE words which form the basis of our remarks are these-in Luke xvi. 8-"The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light." We derive from them this general truth :-The men of the world, in their own sphere of effort, act more prudently for gaining earthly objects, than the professed subjects of religion do for attaining spiritual good. In illustration of this we observe,—

The children of this world are more practical in their principles of action. In matters connected with the present life, men do not suspend effort on the settlement of abstract questions. This is not because there is no mystery in natural things. In the recondite principle of gravitation, holding in mutual relation every particle of matter in the universe; in the springing of a corn-stalk out of the dissolving seed; in the wonderful laws of human thought and belief,-what profound mystery is involved, and what room is there for endless speculation! Here, however, instead of sisting action till full explanation is gained, men yield to the testimony of their senses and their consciousness; and, whatever knowledge of these hidden things they thus acquire, they proceed to act on it, in the business and

NO. VII. VOL. II.

duties of daily life. It is worthy of special notice, that the line of mystery bounding the unknown, touches on many of the very same points of the path of human action in earthly things, as it does when that action is directed to heavenly things; yet the practical turn of the minds of men in present pursuits, finds many an illustration in their conduct. The prudent husbandman admits, that the decrees of God determine whatsoever shall come to pass in the coming harvest. He does not, however, sit still in the seed-time, speculating about the connexion between God's purposes and his own freedom; but he is active in sowing the seed in the earth, hoping that heaven will bless the springing thereof, and that he, "first labouring, shall be partaker of the fruits." The considerate philosopher admits, that the inspiration of the Almighty must every moment give him understanding. He does not, however, abandon all mental effort, waiting passively for the divine light in him to shine; but he searches for knowledge as for hid treasure, assured that they alone find wisdom who wait at the posts of her doors. The careful mariner who sails a stormy sea, admits that he cannot act so as to control the designs of divine Providence. He does not,

N

however, relinquish all means which promise deliverance, indifferently say ing,- If I am to be saved it will be so, and, if heaven has determined otherwise, all effort is in vain ;'—but he gives the most earnest heed to the chart of his course, he sets the most skilful hand to the helm, and employs every possible effort to save his all from destruction. In all these cases, men are guided by observation of plain facts, by experience, by the known fitness of means to attain the ends they desire, by practical rules of action;—and they never doubt that God will work with them, according to the counsel of his will.

In these they are wiser in their generation than the children of light. With respect to the duties and pursuits of religion, there is a strong tendency among men to waste their time of privilege in useless speculation, on matters too high for them. It would seem as if the first sinful desire of our progenitors were stamped as a ruling passion on their race. Not content with the free enjoyment of the tree of life, our first parents Iwould have also the fruit of the tree of knowledge; and so is it still. As if dissatisfied with possessing the offered life of God, unless accompanied with the complete knowledge of God, men refuse to accept salvation, if it is not given them to understand all its mysteries. A most gracious offer of mercy is made in Christ to all men, and a faithful promise is given them; if they will but accept it, it is theirs for ever. But they hear, at the same time, of a purpose in the divine mind, which defines the effects of this universal offer; and, instead of taking God at his revealed word, they occupy their thoughts with the import of his secret decree, though clear scripture assures them that, while a purpose of election exists, yet there is no positive decree shutting any soul out of heaven, if that soul earnestly desires to get into heaven by the open

door of mercy through Christ. This is the testimony-" Whosoever shall call on the Lord shall be saved; him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out." Again, God in pity and love calls on sinners-" Consider your ways; turn unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon you;" but it is known, at the same time, that true conversion is the result of a special divine influence, exercised on the heart by the Holy Spirit. And here, once more, instead of listening to the call of truth-looking at the powerful reasons presented in the gospel for repentance, and relying on promised aid for doing every thing commanded-perishing sinners allow themselves to plunge into mysteries about the Spirit's agency and man's activity. The questions are pressed for answer- -When does mere natural activity cease, and supernatural agency begin? In what manner does the Holy Spirit exert his power in regenerating the soul, and yet not interfere with human freedom? And thus many think themselves wondrous wise, while they are betraying infinite folly in asking useless questions, when they should be fleeing, as plainly directed, for their life. There was never yet a sinner that was made partaker of Christ by putting such inquiries as these; and, blessed be God! there is no perishing soul that needs to have them answered, in order to being saved. This most gracious invitation and promise is enough,"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Again, we observe,—

The children of this world are more united in their efforts.-Men understand well the value of union in common life; and they act it out, when an object which they in common desire can only thus be attained. In order to acquire the profits of commerce, or to attain the objects of philanthropy, or to secure deliverance from political oppression, men are every day seen uniting together; and, while

they may differ greatly in their sentiments on other things, their maxim is to co-operate together, as far as they are agreed, for a mutual good. It must be admitted, that there are motives prevailing, in these worldly compacts, which religion could not sanction. Men unite in earthly transactions, because the interests of self will be better promoted by union than by separation; and, not unfrequently, truth is compromised for the sake of personal advantage. But in their generation,-on their own principles, the children of this world are wiser here, than the children of light. These often betray a schismatical spirit. They lose sight too much of their sovereign points of agreement—“ having one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all !" They give too great prominence to their subordinate points of difference

-"one saying I am of Paul, another I of Apollos;" as if Christ were divided. They are not sufficiently alive to the grand and sublime objects to be sought in their unionthe glory of God, the overthrow of Satan, the salvation of souls. They feel not enough the mournful consequences of their disunion. Though they enter the field where the harvest truly is plenteous, they convert the field of labour into an arena of conflict, and turn the instruments of husbandry into weapons of warfare. How small and subtle are those points of distinction, which have formerly and still do separate many sections of the church! And, strange as it may appear, through the influence of party spirit, the little point has been often so magnified, that one would almost suppose, it were the turning-point of salvation.

Some would cure this evil, by recommending full liberality of sentiment. By this, it is not difficult to see, they mean a spirit of indifferentism as to what a man believes, if only he is sincere. This, we cannot hesitate to affirm, is a spurious

liberalism. Christian charity, it has been well remarked, does not qualify our opinions, but our affections and actions. We are required to feel charitably, to act charitably, but to think truly. Jesus was charitable, yea, charity itself; yet he taught that the road of fundamental error is the road to ruin. The evil of schism, then, is not to be cured by declaring all professions alike acceptable to God, or by compromising any part of truth; but the desired measure of united feeling and action is to be attained, by christians putting on more, the spirit of Christ, forbearing one another in love, and carrying out this great maxim of apostolic charity-" Whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." Further we observe,

The children of this world are more persevering in their efforts.-The world has not a single hypocrite or lukewarm adherent among all its votaries. Existence with them is, every where, "Life in earnest.' They turn each to their own way in seeking the chief good; but the object which they judge to be so, they follow after, with a resolution of purpose, and a steadiness of aim, worthy of a noble cause. What days of wearisome toil, and restless effort, and hazardous enterprise, do not the men of ambition, for earthly rank, or worldly wealth, or scientific pursuit, undergo, that each may gain the prize on which their heart is set? How fears trouble them when failure is dreaded? What gladness is put into their heart when increase is obtained? And, from day to day, what persevering energy is displayed in labouring on for the expected end? In sad and humiliating contrast to this, stands the conduct of the children of light. The grand object of their pursuit is working out their own salvation, doing good to all men as they have opportunity, and in these seeking the glory of Christ. Yet how inadequate are their endea