ourselves as to where the truth lies--let us manfully and consistently adhere to it.

The absence of religious feeling, in what are called the "lower classes" of society, is frequently deplored. But is there more of this same "religious feeling" in the upper classes? Alas! we fear not. As for their forms and ceremonies, why these are kept up we all well understand. But, in the very nature of things, we have reason to fear, that their sense of responsibility to a Supreme Being is very weak, and that their conceptions of religion, as well as their principles, are far from being distinct or deep. Much of their conduct is otherwise unaccountable.

Many think that the doctrines of Christianity, as at present expounded in our churches and chapels, are worse than useless. Now, consistency, duty, and the interests of true religion, render it imperative that those who thus

think, should absent themselves from those places. This is a mode of opposing error which one would think least objectionable. Let reformers act on this principle. Congregations will soon sensibly diminish, and the present system peaceably give place to something better.

Every consistent man will evince, in more than words, his sympathy with all "good men and true." He will be ever among those who rally round, support, and encourage, such men; and where he cannot aid, he will take special care not to hinder them. Above all, a consistent reformer will look well to his private life, and be especially careful to show all who may deign. to observe him, how a rational man should conduct himself, in the several relations of husband, father, friend, neighbour and patriot ;-to show, in more than words, that he is virtuous, as well as the friend of virtue.

A poor man's sphere of action, as a reformer, is indeed limited. Still, to fill that perfectly, involves the necessity of much self-denial, patience, and perseverance; and affords ample scope for the exercise of all the virtues he can command. And though such a man may obtain little of the world's applause, or even of its notice, he serves the cause of useful reform, and mankind generally, much more effectually than some whose career is at once startling and brilliant. The mountain flood, the roaring cataract, excite our admiration by their might and sublimity; but it is the stream that winds quietly through the fields and meadows, imparting fertility and beauty, that really blesses mankind. Does any one yet ask-what can I do? We answer -you can relieve a brother in distress whenever you meet with one, if not by the gift of money, at least by your sympathy and kind words ;-by a modest firmness, you can show that you feel the principles of that cause with which you have identified yourself worth contending for;-that while anxious to avoid giving offence or pain to any one, there is nevertheless, in truth what may not be sacrificed to conciliate the smiles, or deprecate the frowns even of those you love best. We tell you further that you may and must be consistent, if you wish to be respected and useful. Are you young? Listen to the voice of experience; suspend your judgment until you have examined carefully. But, having once taken your ground, let nothing but a change of conviction drive you from it. An undecided man, does nothing-enjoys nothing. If you would share the happiness, the glory and immortality of those to whom we are indebted for much that makes life worth the having, you must share their self-denial, their labour, their patience, their perseverance. If you would obtain, like them a crown of life-like them, you must be faithful even unto death, if need be. Be not surprised should you find your principles standing in the way of your worldly preferment. If you

are not prepared to make the sacrifice, wait a while longer before you avow yourself a reformer, or you will make nothing of it. The world is not wanting in talent; but sadly wanting of men who to great talent unite a generous self-devotion to the public good. Are you a parent? Make it a prime object to impart to your children just notions of their rights and their duties; and to inspire them with a rational and manly resolution to maintain their rights, and to discharge their duties. Whatever may be your condition in life, determine to give to your country one good man and true. Would all act on this principle, bad and discouraging as times are, think you not they' would soon mend? AN OLD MAN,

THE GOLDEN PRIZE.

Five Hundred Pounds Prize.-Seven Questions, (bearing upon the present Ecclesiastical Crisis,) addressed to the Bishops, the Clergy, and the People of England. By AGATHON. The above Prize will be awarded to any Person who can give a satisfactory Solution. London: CHARLES DOLMAN, 61, New Bond-street.

THIS Pamphlet is evidently the production of a Roman Catholic, and the author has introduced it to the public under circumstances which will no doubt ensure it an extensive circulation. Not that we think many persons will flatter themselves that they are destined to win the golden prize offered; but curiosity alone will induce hundreds to spend their shilling merely to see what these " seven questions" are about. It is not our intention to gratify that curiosity here, by extracting the questions' from the pamphlet, our object simply being to speak of their design,---to show what the querist is driving at in his interrogatories. Be it known, then, that the author, as a Papist, strikes a blow at the Protestant Established Church of England. He puts into the Anglican episcopal mouth nuts to crack which he knows, and every body else knows, are absolutely uncrackable. He asks questions that cannot be answered by any supporter of the Church of England, without admitting that the Romish Faith is the true faith of Christ and his Apostles; or, at any rate, that the English Church is not the true church. Every thinking mind reading this pamphlet must see that between Romanism and Free-thinking there is no consistent ground to stand on; that it is absurd to look for a middle path between implicit obedience to some infallible authority in religious matters, and the most unlimited liberty of opinion. If the exercise of private judgment is to be permitted, as Protestantism says it is, how dares the Church of England attempt to place fetters on human thought? If man has a right to think differently from the church, how dares any clergyman to speak of the sin of schism---the sin of dissenting from the doctrines, and not conforming to the discipline of the Church of England? If, as Agathon' asks, the Bible be the rule of faith, where is the text of Scripture that says so? But if, on the other hand, Human Reason is to fall prostrate before Revelation, and to obey the voice of some apostolic authority whose interpretation of that? Revelation is unerring truth,-then the Roman Communion is our only refuge, no other Christian Church professing infallibility in its teaching the consequence is that, to be consistent, we must be either Romanists or Rationalists. There is no way out of this dilemma, and this is the grand fight to which the world is approaching. The fight not between England and Rome, but between the principles of religious despotism and religious liberty.

The pamphlet of Agathon' cuts both ways. If his arguments fall upon a timid mind that loves to lean on the dictum of another, they, may lead that mind to Popery; but the bold spirit that rejoices in its own freedom will be driven by them to renounce the dogmatism of all creeds and all churches. The remarks of Agathon' on the question relating to the Sabbath are interesting just now, when fanaticism about Sunday observance' is so rife. He says:

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"It is strictly enjoined in Exodus, to do no work on the Sabbath day or Saturday, and never has this commandment been annulled in Scripture. Now, let us apply the Protestant principle to this fact. Protestants maintain that the Scripture is the sole rule of faith, and that nothing is to be enjoined as necessary to salvation but what is found in Scripture; and yet Protestants regard the due observance of Sunday, and the cessation from work on that day, as necessary to salvation-although in the Scriptures, Saturday and not Sunday, is the day expressly mentioned as obligatory. I am, therefore, justified in making use of the following argument, which of itself is quite sufficient to show the utter inconsistency of Protestant principles. Either the Scripture is the only rule of faith, or it is not. If it is, then, Protestants in keeping holy the Sunday and not the Saturday, have flown in the face of the plain and express declaration of Scripture, violated the rule of faith, and made this violation a standing practice necessary to salvation; and in so doing have necessarily fallen into the grossest contradiction of their own principles, and thereby forfeited any sort of claim to be the true church. If it is not, then Protestants, in declaring that it is, have laid down a false principle, based their very system on a vital error, and thereby equally forfeited any sort of claim to be the True Church. Therefore, in either ease, (one of the two suppositions must be the case), Protestants are necessarily in a false, inconsistent, and therefore most awfully dangerous position."

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This reasoning is conclusive against the 'Sunday observance' party, and places the Established Church in a fix. Agathon' has a logical mind, and though he writes in favour of Popery, his pamphlet is calculated to advance the cause of free enquiry and rational religion. His £500 will never be called for. F. G.

To Correspondents.

Till the 30th instant, correspondents will please address "Thomas Cooper, Mr. Barlow's, bookseller, 2, Nelson Street, Newcastle-on-Tync.' I leave Newcastle on Monday morning, July 1st, for Stockton and Middlesborough, and proceed thence to York, on Thursday, July 4th, and so to Leeds. Letters intended to reach me after June 30th and before July 4th, may be addressed "care of Mr. John Wilson, bookseller, 11, High Street, Stockton-on-Tees;" to reach me on July 4th or 5th, I care of Mr. John Brown, bookseller, Colliergate, York;"-to reach me up to July 8th, 46 care of Mr. David Green, bookseller, Briggate, Leeds."

TRUTH SEEKER.'-The answer depends in a great degree on each individual's judgment: for myself, I should say, Christ's Temptation by the Devil.

'SUBSCRIBER.'-I wish you would write me again when I reach home: I have no means of referring to Campbell's poem here.

'AN OLD FRIEND.'-The oldest manuscripts of the Gospels are in Greek, and that language is always understood to be the original. There is no question raised on this point, except about Matthew; but there is no evidence that our Matthew is a translation from the book which Eusebius says that Papias says was written in Hebrew by Matthew, THOMAS DAY.-A letter addressed to Mr. Capern, Tiverton,' will find him. Mr. Scoble has been silent ever since my last letter to him; so that I conclude he has declined the contest. Information respecting Quentin Matsys may be found in Charles Knight's cheap volumes The Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties.'

'VERITAS.'—His lines are most respectfully declined, not because I do not most heartily approve of their sentiment; but because they are not metre. GEORGE HARDY.-Not quite perfect: try again.

Birmingham.

THE TRUE SABBATH.

"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."
O! how I love to see when Sunday comes,

The day used truly as a day of rest,'
The man of toil with wife and little ones,

Going forth happy, as he feels he's blest
With one day in the seven, wherein to raise
His song of freedom, and divinest praise !
To see the thousands pouring from the din
Of the great city; as the Sabbath day'
Breaks beautifully with the sunlight in-

To urge the smoke-dried citizen away
Where health, and beauty, freshness, all invite
His steps to haste, where Nature breathes delight.

O, 'tis a glorious sight to see the throng,

Like children loose from school, sportive and free
Their laughter pealing with companion songs,

To make, at least, one day go pleasantly:
The music of the heart is there: we find
Rapture with love and happiness combined.
Then why should men in degradation lie,
Such men as labour for their every meal?
Man was not born only to toil, and die;

Without a mind or soul, to think or feel!
No, no! for earth stands welcoming his hand,
And yields abundantly at his command.

O, I despise the miserable wretch

Who enwalls beauteous spots and God's own ground!
Who has a soul no bigger than to catch

Intruders on his solitary round;—

Who, as religious earthworm, poor and blind,

Feels not the holier birthright of his mind.

For man was made for pleasure, as for toil;

With heart and head, as well as hands and feet;

He was not made to be the slave o' th' soil;

To have no sunny spots, no friends to greet:
God made him walk erect, to tread the earth,
Not in grim sadness, but heart-livening mirth.

HORACE, L. I. ODE 22.

"Integer vitæ, seclurisque purus," &c.
The pure of heart, and free from sin,
O Fuscus ! needs nor lance nor bow,

Nor Moorish quiver lined within,

With darts, whose points with poison flow.
Whether he seek thy pathless snows—
Inhospitable Caucasus!

Or where Hydaspes' fabled flows,—
Or Syrte's boiling shoals to pass.
As late I roamed in Sabine wood,
Singing my darling Lalagè,
Unarmed, in light and careless mood,
A wolf before my glance did flee.
Such monster Dannia's warlike land,
Feeds not in all her forests wide,
Nor Juba's earth of arid sand,
Though lions breed in savage pride.
Place me in deserts where no tree

Is nourished by a summer's breath,

In regions fraught with misery,

Where Jove in wrath deals want and death.

Place me beneath a burning sun

Where home nor friends mine eye can see ;
Still will I sing, beloved one,

Thy smile and voice, my Lalage.

S. WILKS.

JOHN ALFRED LANGFORD.

THE DEMON OF DESPOTISM.

AN ALLEGORIC HISTORY.

BY RICHARD OTLEY.

(Continued from last number.)

Thus did I fill the air, as if seated upon a throne of light, overshadowing the earth as it were the valley of death, and holding supreme and omnipotent power over the bodies and souls of men. The earth rolled round on

her axis, and moved with unerring velocity in her orbit, giving to man summer and winter, spring and autumn; the sun ripened the blushing fruits, inviting man to the rich and abundant feast; but my power, the supremacy of the spirit of Despotism, seated on the throne of fanaticism and superstition, converted the fertile plains and luxuriant vallies into a wilderness or desert. The sons of men trembled with fear, sickened from want, and died in thousands. From this scene I turned, with that pride which a spirit can only feel and know, for other conquests animated and filled me with an enlarged ambition. Again I passed the wide world of waters, riding on the storm and the whirlwind, when my comprehensive spiritual vision, beheld with renewed extasy another vast continent covered with cities, villages and the growing and ripening fruits of the earth; a people living in contentment, cultivating the peaceful arts and sciences,— worshipping no sanguinary, revengeful gods, visible or invisible. They hailed the sun as the creator and progenitor of all things and beings, offering to him, in a few simple rites, frankincense and the first fruits of the earth. A hardy, strong, intellectual race, submitting to equal laws, and holding equal possession, living in prosperous contentment. When I beheld them in the midst of the luxuriance of life, I felt, as a human being feels, when he sickens at the heart from fear, envy, and malice, but inconceivably more intense, and inwardly tormenting and heart-burning. This enterprise appeared to me most difficult of achievement; yet I exclaimed, it must, it shall, be accomplished! In the invisible world of imagination, must be called up from the vast and deep resources of thought, beings to people the earth, the air, and the remotest heavens. Gently must the silken chain be thrown over them, pleasure in anticipation, torments in reserve; individual sanctity, for the assumption of individual power and despotism. The father must be absolute over his children, the master over his slave, the king over those whom he governs, and the priest over all. How this race of men shall fall before my power!

Years passed away, and generations of men, as clouds before the morning sun, to be no more seen for ever, and the work was not yet commenced. Fear with men is the great motive power, and hope the safety-valve; fear creates, and the imagination peoples the other worlds; and anticipation, beyond life, deludes the mind. A race of priests must first spring up: how can I first sow the holy seed? I must touch the mental powers of some devotees, draw them apart from the people; and these the latter must revere and obey. Ambition amongst the holy ones of the earth, will work out my will, enslave the millions, and exalt the Few. This dark race believe they are the first of men: the priests shall make them the most eminent of fools. The idea is noble and dignified: they claim to be the first who adored the gods: this ambition will lead them on to be the meanest of mankind. Their glory must be their ruin. Gods, kings, priests, slaves, are bound together in an eternal unity. Gorgeous rites,