which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple.' (Rom. xvi, 18.)

"This is not in reality a new error; but it rages after a new and more audacious manner, in these our days, against the stability and integrity of the Catholic faith. For Eusebius informs us, (Eccles. Hist. lib. v,) from Rhodon, that this same mad opinion was uttered long ago, by one Appelles, a heretic in the second century, who asserted that it was quite unnecessary to institute an examination into the faith [of an individual,] but that every one ought to continue steadfast in [the profession of] that which he had once imbibed; because, according to the affirmation of Appelles, those who had placed their hopes on the CRUCIFIED must be saved, provided they were found in [the exercise of] good works. Augustine also testifies, (on Heresies, s. 72,) how Retorius foolishly declared, that all heretics walk correctly and speak the truth: Which is an assertion so exceedingly absurd,' says that holy father, 'as to seem to me to be incredible.' Besides, this indifferentism is perceived to have been so extensively published and so violently to have spread its ravages, as impudently to contend that all the sects walk correctly,'not merely those sects that are out of the pale of the Catholic church, and that [ore tenus,] as far as words go, admit revelation as the basis and foundation,-but those societies likewise that, after having rejected divine revelation, make an open profession of pure deism, nay, of mere naturalism. This is undoubtedly 'a very absurd sentiment:' and it seemed to St. Augustine with much justice and propriety, to be the indifferentism of Retorius : yet his opinion was confined within certain limits. But will it ever be possible for any man, who makes a right use of his reason, to approve of a toleration which extends itself to deism, and even to naturalism, and which was reprehended by the ancient heretics themselves? Yet, (such is the degeneracy of the times, and such the deceit of this lying philosophy!) a general toleration is approved, defended, and commended by this species of false philosophers!

"Indeed there have not been wanting several eminent writers, professors of the true philosophy, who with great devotedness have attempted to destroy this monster by invincible arguments. That it is impossible for God, who is supremely true, nay, supreme truth itself, who is infinitely good and wise in the administration of his providence, and the rewarder of the good,-that it is impossible for him to approve of all sects, who suggest and propagate false doctrines, which are frequently contradictory and at variance with each other, or for him to bestow eternal

rewards upon the professors of such doctrines,-is a thing so evident in itself as to render it superfluous to add another word on the subject. For we have a more sure word of prophecy ;' and when writing to you, 'we speak wisdom among them that are perfect, yet not the wisdom of this world, but the wisdom of God in a mystery.' It is by this wisdom that we are instructed, and by divine faith we hold 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, except the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whereby we must be saved:' wherefore, we also openly profess, that out of the

church is no salvation.

"But, "O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments!' God, who destroys the wisdom of the wise,' (1 Cor. i, 19,) seems to have 'given over' the enemies of his church, who spurn a supernatural revelation, 'to a reprobate mind,' (Rom. i, 28,) and to that 'MYSTERY OF INIQUITY,' which was written on the forehead of the wanton female of whom St. John speaks. (Rev. xvii, 5.) For what iniquity can be greater than that of proud men of this class, who have not only forsaken the true religion themselves, but are also desirous of entangling the incautious and unsuspecting, by words and writings full of all guile and deceit? Let God arise, and let him suppress, destroy, and reduce to nothing, this unbridled licentiousness of speaking, writing, and publishing!

"What more can be said? The iniquity of our enemies proceeds to such a length, that, in addition to the filthy mass of pernicious books, which is of itself prejudicial to religion, they endeavour to convert to the detriment of religion the very sacred scriptures themselves, which were bestowed on us, by God, for the establishment of religion.

"It is no secret to you, venerable brethren, that a certain society, vulgarly called 'THE BIBLE SOCIETY,' [audacter vagari] is audaciously dispreading itself through the whole world. After despising the traditions of the holy fathers, and in opposition to the well known decree of the council of Trent, (session the fourth, on the publication and use of the sacred books,) this society has collected all its forces, and directs every means to one object,-to the translation, or rather to the perversion of THE BIBLE into the vernacular languages of all nations! From this fact there is strong ground to fear, lest, as in some instances already known, so likewise in the rest, through a perverse interpretation, there be framed out of the gospel of Christ, a gospel of man, or, what is worse, a gospel of the devil. (St. Jerome in cap. 1. Epist. ad Galat.)

"For the purpose of averting this pest, several of our predecessors published constitutions; and, in these last days, Pius

the Seventh, of pious memory, delivered two briefs,-one to Ignatius, archbishop of Gnesne,-the other to Stanislaus, archbishop of Mohilow; in both of which are found many accurate and wise extracts from the sacred writings, and from tradition, to demonstrate with what craftiness this invention becomes hurtful to faith and manners.

"We likewise, in discharge of our apostolical functions, exhort you, venerable brethren, diligently to occupy yourselves by every possible method, to remove your flocks from these deadly and destructive pastures. Reprove, entreat, 'be instant in season, and out of season,' in all patience and doctrine, that the faithful under your charge, conforming themselves exactly to the rules of our congregation of the index, may be assuredly persuaded, if the Holy Bible, translated into the vulgar tongue, be generally permitted, without discrimination, more detriment than utility will arise from such a practice, in consequence of men's rashness.

In the above extracts we may see a display of that ecclesiastical finesse, which is the offspring of the cunningness of the serpent, by associating the promoters of Bible societies, and the advocates of the principles of toleration in regard to religious worship, with deists and naturalists, with a view, no doubt, to render them the more odious in the estimation of all good Catholic Christians. This guise, however, is too thin not to be seen through, and must excite a smile even in the breasts of those Catholic bishops and priests, who know the true state of the case. To us, who have so long witnessed the devout ardour, the sincere and scientific zeal, of many Protestants in spreading "the savour of his name," it seems as impious as it is ridiculous, to stigmatise with such opprobrious epithets, men who have “hazarded their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus." [The Bull of Indiction' will be given in our next number.]

UTILITY OF THE MAGAZINE.

Extract of a letter from the Rev. W. Case, dated

Kingston, (U. C.) 20th December, 1824.

DEAR BRETHREN,-Sixty-four subscribers having given in their names for the Magazine, by mail, for the year 1825, we request you will forward that number to Mr. James R. Armstrong, Kingston, (U. C.,) via Sacketts Harbour.

About seventy sets, including those ordered in our last, are taken by the friends in Bay Quinty circuit alone; and most of these were obtained in a short time by the preachers in that circuit. It is presumed the list of subscribers might be easily increased, greatly to the advantage of the cause of religion, as well as the interests of the concern, if an active part were taken by the preachers in the circulation of this valuable work. We judge of its importance in carrying on the work of God, by the good it has produced in this country. Besides the spirit of be

nevolence, which is diffused in most places where this work is read, a more general knowledge is imparted of the truths of the gospel and the devices of Satan, by which means we perceive there is a more steady and faithful perseverance in the ways of the Lord. It tends also to fill up an idle hour in a useful improvement of the mind. How often has the divine melting been felt while relating at the table, or reading in the fireside circle, the interesting accounts of revivals-impressive anecdotes of providence and grace-the holy lives and triumphant deaths of the faithful, &c. &c. This I have often witnessed, and it is my most mature opinion, that the cause of religion and benevolence, as well as the interests of the concern, would be greatly promoted if the Magazine were generally circulated.

RELIGIOUS AND MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

GRAND RIVER MISSION.

Letter from the Rev. Wm. Case, dated Niagara, November 29, 1824.

AN earlier extract from brother his knees, trembled, wept, and rejoiCrawford's letter, on the state of the ced. When the tune was ended we Grand river mission, was intended, all kneeled down, and the chief prayed agreeably to promise, in my last of extempore. The spirit rested on the August 31; but the pressure of other assembly in mighty power, and they duties prevented. His letter of August glorified God with loud voices. Some 10, shows that the work of conversions were so filled with the blessed comwas still going on; the school was doing forter that they could scarcely walk well; the society was advancing in home; and when I retired from the spiritual attainments; the prejudices meeting, the old chief was heard in in a neighbouring tribe were doing the woods alone, shouting glory and away; and that native teachers were praises to his Redeemer and Saviour. increasing in zeal and usefulness. The In all this I saw nothing of vanity or following is an extract :of art; but the effusions of overflow"The common and the sabbath ing souls. The tears which flowed, schools are unusually prosperous. Last together with the weighty expressions sabbath twenty-seven were present; of love and gratitude, evidenced the many more would attend if they had sincerity of their hearts. opportunity. Two Indian youths were "Tuesday and Friday evenings are lately converted, and the work of grace our stated times for public prayer is going on in the hearts of our Indian meetings: at these meetings all who brethren generally; their prayers are are disposed are invited to pray. Here fervent, and the exhortations of some sinners and mourners are prayed for. are instructive, powerful,and affecting. If one is overtaken in a fault, they hasAbout sun-rise we meet at the school ten to his relief, and they seldom cease room for our morning devotion, when their supplications till he is reclaimed all join in singing, and two or three from the error of his ways. The ardour pray; the meeting is then closed, and which is manifested on these occasions, all retire to their several employments. I have seldom seen in other societies; At a morning meeting lately, brother so faithful are they to help one another Davis, the aged chief, read prayers in on in the way to heaven: and the anthe Mohawk. As we arose to sing our swers to prayer which they obtain are hearts were much affected with grati- powerful, and sometimes overwhelmtude for the great things the Lord had ing. This was remarkably manifest at done for us. The chief was so melted one of these prayer meetings lately. that he could not sing: he was so filled The commencement of the meeting with peace and comfort that he fell on was rather dull, but their wrestling and

ardent prayer was soon succeeded by of these happy Indians reverberated songs of joy, and shouts of praise. After through the woods with a solemnity I a suitable season the meeting was con- cannot forget. Surely, thought I, this cluded, and the congregation was ad- scripture is fulfilled in my hearing: vised to retire. The brethren, however, "The wilderness and the solitary place were in such a happy state of mind, that shall be glad for them, and the desert they were unwilling to separate, and shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." they continued singing. As I retired Isaiah xxxv. 1. to my lodgings, the melodious voices

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BISHOP M'KENDREE,

Dated Columbia, (Tenn.) Dec. 4, 1824.

SUCH are my bodily afflictions, al- preachers to pursue their work with though I enjoy much better health than cheerfulness. The missionary appointheretofore, I am not able to perform ed last year to visit the Indians in the the duties of an effective man. With bounds of the Missouri conference, is the assistance of kind and attentive continued. From the Tennessee confriends, I have visited the Wyandot ference there are three missionaries, Mission,* attended all the conferences, one married and two single, sent to the commencing with Ohio, to the Tenne- Cherokee Indians. It is made their see, the last of which concluded yes- business, principally, to preach the terday. The state of our affairs af- gospel to these people. fords sufficient encouragement for the

See the January number of the Magazine.

REVIVAL OF religion IN COLUMBIA COUNTY, N. Y. Extract of a letter dated SAND LAKE, November 19, 1824, to the Rev. WM. LOSEE. In the course of conversation last verted since the camp-meeting, and evening, you and your partner were the work is still progressing. I think mentioned; and as it is a peculiar and I should not go beyond the truth in interesting time in this region of the saying, that between eighty and one country, as it respects the state of our hundred have experienced a radical Zion, we all concluded that we did not change in this circuit, during the predo well to have this day of rejoicing, sent revival. Glory be to God! He without sending you some account of is peculiarly and eminently near at the the subject matter of our joy; more present time, in this section of the especially as some of the benefits of the country. Old professors are much late shower of grace have descended quickened, and the necessity of sancupon your family connections; and it was finally resolved that I must be the

scribe.

At a camp-meeting recently held in Chatham, upwards of fifty were hopefully brought from darkness to light. Since this, in the use of the ordinary means of grace, the gracious work of conviction, repentance, faith, and salvation from sin, has delightfully prevailed in many places on the circuit. In one place, a Society of about thirty members has been raised up. Parents and children are included in this glorious work, who are together rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. In Canaan, I am informed, upwards of forty have been con

tification is pressed on the people by the preachers; and, blessed be the Lord, while many are excited to seek after this blessing, others profess an experience of it.

Upwards of seventy have been added to our little squadron at Sand Lake. As yet, the work appears to be confined to the Methodists; but I hope the fire will spread in every direction, till there shall not be one son of Belial left to open his mouth against such a soul reviving work. Methinks I hear you saying Amen. Well, then, pray for the universal spread and triumph of the kingdom of "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

PENSACOLA MISSION.

IN consequence of the many formi- this mission, my success has not been dable difficulties which I have had to as great as I originally anticipated. encounter in prosecuting the objects of However, I trust some good has been