human heart have been consecrated to God in marriage, are to be now robbed of a portion of that respect in which they have been estimated, because it forms part of the progressive assault which dissent and democracy are making on national institutions. Old parochial customs, which still linger in the country, and remind the peasant of the history of the past; his anxious and last-breathed desires to mingle his remains with the precious dust of his ancestors beneath the shadow of his Parish Church ; the chimes from its ivy-crowned tower; the deep solemnity of the call made by the passing-bell for the prayers of the worshippers in secret, in behalf of the Christian soul then dying; the far-resounding bells on Sundays, or the full-toned voices of his parish peal on regal holidays, filling his ears and heart with affection for his king; and the very residence of himself and family in one parish in preference to another, because in it he was born, and in it his fathers have died-all these, and more, are assailed by open hostility, or sneering spite, or vulgar ridicule by Dissenters; until the simple-minded peasantry are persuaded that it is a mark of manliness of character to despise every thing that is ancient, and affect all that is the growth of yesterday. The system still helps to work out its conclusions, and bring the whole population to that point, from which it can neither recede or advance without a revolution.

CHAPTER XI.

SOME FURTHER EVILS, AND THE INFLUENCE OF DISSENT ON CHURCH PEOPLE.

THESE current observations on the Practical Evils of Dissent, deduced from what I have myself seen and felt of the system, have already exceeded in length my previous intentions. I wished to have placed a few plain words of common sense, destructive of the working of their scheme, in the hands of those whose minds are open to conviction, and especially before those church-people, who in many places directly or indirectly support them. I was their friend in wishing them at one time every measure of extension and success, because I had conceived that moderate dissent must be advantageous to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. I am their friend, as a man and Christian brother still, whenever I meet with those who are decided Christians. But, a well-wisher to their cause, and to the extension of their chapels and proceedings subversive of all established order throughout our country, I do confess myself to be no longer !

The system works badly. The machinery is impelled by a principle which is not under control. It may sometimes proceed steadily, but you know not when and how soon the high-pressure power will break out, and irresistibly hurry the whole of the passengers into destruction.

The subject of its ascertained evils is far from exhausted, and some of its topics have been only glanced

at in these pages. I will enumerate very briefly

a few more, and then conclude with some short remarks on what appears to be the duty of churchmen in the present critical position of our institutions in Church and State.

THE spirit of party is so strong that when a churchman meets with difficulties in business, there is a rush made and a violent outcry raised, of ill-natured, slanderous, and false reports, by the dissenters, against him. I have known individuals so belied, on a temporary stoppage of business, to their friends, as seriously to impede their deliverance from difficulties. On the other hand, one of their own body, who is notoriously guilty of malpractices, shall be pitied, supported, and carried triumphantly above all his creditors.

I have not seen these slanderous attacks and party-spirited movements in church people. A silly puritanism is so encouraged, as to assume the place of a Christian grace. • Do not laugh so loud,' observes a Dissenter, to one who

they hoped was a candidate for membership; it may prejudice the church against you.' The outward demeanour is studied, in direct opposition to our Lord's command, (Matt. vi. 16.) and those most remarkable for this external religion, are at the same time, of all worldlings, the most worldly, the keenest in business, and the men most avoided in a bargain. The schools of dissent operate injuriously, both on each other, and on the church schools. If you punish a child, he will probably fly at once to the Dissenters. The parents will resist, and encourage the child in its obstinacy. Some children will come from the Dissenting Meeting for a few Sundays to inspect your proceedings, and then return; others will join the school when rewards are about to be distributed, and then leave it for a second, and pursue the same practice at a third. No fixed principles, but those of incessant change, and cavilling criticism, and a gratification of insubordinate will, are created by such means. Their Sunday schools, which form an inseparable adjunct to the Chapel, are sometimes undoubtedly beneficial; but without doubt we know they are productive of evil, as nurseries where the principles of dissent are first instilled into the youthful mind.

No social visits are encouraged, or any intimacy promoted between church-people and Dissenters. Such an intercourse is opposed by their ministers, and those who persist in its continuance are regarded with

suspicion. This is Romish bigotry under a new nature. Let each section of the Church fight under its own officer, without any mixtures,' is the cry of a dissenting minister, as if unity was unknown to Christianity, and brotherly love throughout the universal Church a hateful thing. But the cause is obvious. The liberality, piety, composure, and superior information of Church people are feared. These qualities are attractive, and a general system of visiting between respectable Dissenters and the established minister, or his people, is studiously avoided.

It is often objected to the Church, that no private scrutiny is adopted in the admission of members to the Lord's table. This is false as it respects the instructions of the Church; for her rubric enjoins it. It is adopted in many congregations; but it cannot be accomplished in small towns, where dissent is extensive. It would be resisted by the people, partly from a dislike to any approach towards the dissenting form, and partly from natural repugnance to make a national Church a close system. Our doors are wide, and so they ought to be, as the Church of the people. No advantage would be gained, I think, by an examination, nor would the body of communicants be materially improved. If I compare a body of Church communicants of between one and two hundred, with one now in view, of forty or fifty Independent Dissenters, the