and unresisting object, the Christians were always || turies, marked with many similar scenes, that the given up to the vindictive passions of the day. most terrible of all the persecutions occurred. The With this the pretence always, and sometimes per- evils which were falling upon the empire from all haps the real feeling, of religion was blended. The sides, with the convulsions of nature, and the plagues gods were angry, as the heathen imagined, or such and famines which desolated all the known world, evils could never happen; and if the gods were had led many among the heathen, as well as among angry, what so likely to have enraged them as the the Christians, to believe that the world was apgrowth of Christianity, which was uncompromising proaching its close. The evils which fell upon in its enmity against every false religion and every Rome were always signals for persecuting the Chrisidolatrous worship? and if the Christians were the tians; and in this instance the persecution was occasion of the evil, their blood must best expiate commensurate with the wide - spread desolation the offence. This reasoning was not unnatural, which it was expected to relieve, and the universal however cruel it might be ; and it was against such discontent which it was certain to embody in acts reasoning that the apologies of the Christians were of cruelty. Here was another proof to the Chrisusually directed. tians of the near approach of the end; for in this bitter persecution they fancied that they saw the signs of antichrist's coming, which was immediately to precede the end. Nothing, however, could ter || tians in general; for in this, as in all other cases, some were found who denied their religion, and purchased this life at the expense of eternity. In this persecution suffered St. Cyprian, archbishop of Carthage, one of the most remarkable men of any age or country; and many other illustrious Christians received at the same time the glorious crown of martyrdom. When we take a view of the extreme tortures that were inflicted on the Christians, without any respect to rank, or age, or sex, we shall marvel not that some were overcome, but that any remained constant. Some of the most interesting stories which the page of real suffering presents may be gathered out of the "Acts of the Martyrs:" we will here collect together a few of those which deserve to be classed with the most interesting. It is almost needless to say, that works elicited by such exciting causes, and written as a plea for justice under such moving circumstances, are extremely interesting; but the controversy most cha-rify them from their faith, that is, the body of Chrisracteristic of the Christian Church is not that of reason against reason, or even of feeling against feeling, but of faith, and patience, and endurance, against violence and persecution. The sufferings of Christians did more to spread the faith, than their apologies did to convince philosophers and disarm magistrates. The most iniquitous of all the persecutions in its origin, and one of the most bloody so long as it lasted, and within its limited extent, was the first of all,-that which the Christians of Rome suffered under the Emperor Nero. This monster of wickedness and cruelty had caused a great part of the city of Rome to be set on fire, and himself looked with exultation on the destruction he had planned, chanting to his lyre (if history may, in this instance, be credited) the burning of the city of Troy, as related by Homer. The clamour of the Romans was great, as may well be conceived; and it was the cruel policy of Nero to turn it against the Christians, who then formed a sufficiently large portion of the inhabitants of Rome to afford many victims to the executioner, and examples of many barbarous kinds of torture and death. These men, then, did Nero accuse of hav-ple, and to speak to the people, assembled at the ing wrought the mischief which he himself had time of the passover, against Christianity. James planned, and executed, and exulted over. They being placed aloft, delivered a frank confession of were slain with the sword; they were thrown to Jesus; and declared that He was then sitting at the the wild beasts; they were exposed to the rage of right hand of power, and that He should come in an excited populace; and one singular invention of the clouds of heaven. Upon this, Ananias and the cruelty signalised this first persecution: the Chris-rulers were highly incensed. To disgrace his chatians were wrapped about with pitch and other combustible materials, and then stationed during the night in the most frequented parts of the public gardens of Rome, and set fire to, that they might be torches to afford light to the citizens, who were taking their heartless pleasure in the repose and idleness of the evening. In this persecution, as is generally supposed, suffered St. Peter and St. Paul. It was after a long interval of nearly two cen Among the first of these is the murder of James the Just, bishop of Jerusalem. The chief men of the city were uneasy on account of the vast increase of Christian converts by his labours, example, and authority; and they endeavoured to entangle him, by persuading him to mount a pinnacle of the tem racter was their first intention: they failed. To murder his person was their next attempt; and this was of much more easy execution. Crying out that Justus himself was seduced, they threw the apostle down, and stoned him. He had strength to fall on his knees, and to pray, "I beseech Thee, Lord God and Father, for them; for they know not what they do." One of the priests, moved with the scene, cried out, "Cease, what do you mean? this just man is praying for you." A person present with a fuller's club beat out his brains, and completed his martyrdom. St. Cyprian, archbishop of Carthage, was slain in the Decian persecution. He was arraigned before Galerius Maximus, the proconsul of Africa. "Art thou he," said Maximus, "who hath borne the highest offices of their religion among the Christians?" "Yes," answered the bishop. "The most sacred emperors have commanded that you offer sacrifice," said the proconsul. “I will not offer sacrifice," replied Cyprian. "Be persuaded," said the proconsul, "for your own sake." Cyprian replied, "Do thou as thou hast received orders; for me, in so just a cause, no persuasion can move me.' Maximus pronounced the sentence: "LET THASCIUS CYPRIAN BE BEHEADED." "Thanks be to God!" said Cyprian; and the crowd of Christians who surrounded him exclaimed, "Let us die with him!" ment. || The holy martyr was then led away, followed by a great concourse of people, to an open field near the place where he had received his sentence; and || having put off the rest of his garments, and committed them to the deacons, he first prostrated himself in prayer to God, and then stood in his inner vestments prepared for the fatal stroke. The executioner, who stood trembling at the office that he had to perform, was animated by his encourageHe tied the bandage over his eyes with his own hands; and, that he might owe that office to friends which he could not himself perform, Julian a presbyter, and a subdeacon of the same name, bound his hands. To the executioner he appropriated a gift of twenty-five pieces of gold: the Christians, whose avarice was not mercenary, sought no other memorials than handkerchiefs dyed with the blood of their bishop. The body was for a while exposed to the gaze of the heathen; but having been removed by night by the brethren, it was buried in the Mappalian Way. Two churches afterwards marked the spots which had been consecrated by his death and by his burial." The last of the great persecutions of the Christian Church was the only one which reached this region. Among the martyrs in the Dioclesian persecution was St. Alban, whose name ought to be dear to every Briton, as that of the first person in England whose death for the faith of Christ is recorded. At the beginning of the persecution he was a pagan, and, being of a noble family, he held probably some post of honour in the Roman station at Verulam. His generous disposition induced him to afford the protection of his house to a clergyman who had fled from fear of persecution. The grace of God wrought in his heart, through the example of his guest; and he drank in the love, and the precepts, and the truths of Christianity, from his consecrated lips. The retreat of the priest was discovered, and officers were sent to bring him to the tribunal, where he was to purchase his life by sacrificing to the heathen gods. Alban, generously determined to defend his guest and father in Christ to the utmost, arrayed himself in his robes, and was taken instead of him to the tribunal: here he was condemned for the double crime of sheltering a Christian, and of confessing himself of the same holy faith with the persecuted people. The threats and the entreaties of the judge produced no effect upon him, and the rack was applied to as little purpose; he still continued constant in his confession. He was condemned to lose his head, a sentence which was executed upon him, and at the same time upon a soldier, who had been so touched with the circumstances of his confession, and with his demeanour on his way to the place of execution, that he preferred the fellowship of the saint in his faith and martyrdom to the impious and bloody office which had been imposed upon him. To these glorious champions of the noble army of martyrs many others might be added, the various circumstances of whose deaths are full of interest to the Christian reader; but we pause for the present, and shall commence another paper with the mention of other kinds and instances of persecution, and the general effects of such violent assaults upon the body of the faithful. Poetry. MORWENSTOW. [A parish on the northern coast of Cornwall. Its natural beauties are of a wild and singular character. The Rev. Robert S. Hawker, author of " Ecclesia," &c., was deservedly presented to this benefice by the Bishop of Exeter in 1834.] FAR from those sylvan nooks where once they play'd, Lead, fairy people, lead the noiseless dance It seems some rugged pile of old romance, Emblem awhile of youth's enchanting hour; And then a darker scene-the deepening gloom From death's grim spectre plucks the envenom'd sting Conqueror of hell-our Saviour and our King! Come, let us seek the sainted Levite's well;2 The priest but prays, and it is heavenly rain. The wild brook longs to quit its earthly home, Hence, idle dreams! the moon's soft beam is fading, And morn's first streaks the cliff's tall form pervading : There be bright shapes above us and around; 1 Two of the chimneys of the new vicarage are shaped after the model of St. Peter's Church in Oxford. 2 The vicarage well of St. John, which supplies the water for the baptismal font. THE CORNISH BEARER'S CHANT. BY THE REV. R. S. HAWKER, Vicar of Morwenstow, Cornwall. "SING from the chamber to the grave!" Thus did the Dead Man say,"A sound of melody I crave Upon my burial-day. "Bring forth some tuneful instrument, And let your voices rise,My spirit listen'd as it went To music of the skies. "Sing sweetly as you travel on, And keep the funeral slow: And you should sing below. "Sing from the threshold to the porch, Until you hear the bell; And sing you loudly in the church The Psalms I love so well. "Then bear me gently to my grave; And as you pass along, Remember, 'twas my wish to have A pleasant funeral song. "So earth to earth, and dust to dust; OF YE LOSSE OF TIME. PER J. HOSKYNS. [John Hoskyns, the writer of this epigram, graduated at Oxford in 1588; and, besides being a celebrated lawyer, "was," according to Wood, the famous Oxford antiquary, "the most ingenious and admired poet of his time, and therefore much courted by the ingenious men then living. Few or none published books of poetry but did celebrate his memory in them, and fewer but did lay them for approbation at his feet before they went to press." He polished Ben Jonson the poet, who always called him Father Hoskyns. He "view'd and review'd the History of the World, written by Sir Walter Raleigh, before it went to press. He was also much respected and beloved by Camden, Selden, Donne, Sir Henry Wotton, and Sir Ben Rudyard."] If life be time yt here is spent, 1842. Notices of Books. during Divine Service, a Table of the Festivals and Fasts, or The Apostles' Creed with Scriptural ReferAnglican Church Architecture; with some Remarks ences (Leeds, Green), than upon a profane illustraupon Ecclesiastical Furniture. By James Barr, tion of the "Deluge," the "Crucifixion," and other Architect. 12mo, pp. 126. Oxford: J. H. Parker, || Scripture passages, whereby much of that irreverence in respect of sacred persons and things, too observable amongst the poor, has arisen. Of course it is the interest of Methodism, and other forms of dissent, to keep up this state of things, since dissent, in a great measure, exists by pandering to that ungodly curiosity incident to our fallen nature, which is ever eager to penetrate into matters hidden from its view. It is, indeed, the boast of dissent, to take away every barrier, and to allow men to rush in where angels fear to tread-to gaze unawed upon mysteries, at the sight of which even "angels cover their faces with their wings." The subject, therefore, is a very important one; and we earnestly urge it upon the consideration of such of our readers as it concerns. To those of our readers who are desirous of making some acquaintance with the noblest branch of one of the noblest of arts (and who is not?), we confidently recommend this little book. It appears to us to furnish the best outline of the subject we have yet seen: it is written in a plain practical style; and illustrated with no fewer than forty exquisite engravings. In another place we give a quotation from it. On going into the cottages of the poor, we are often shocked at the absurd, and, not unfrequently, indecent and profane, prints and printed sheets, adorning, as they suppose, their walls and chimneypieces. Some of the most sacred and mysterious portions of Holy Writ are illustrated-or, rather, THERE are few things more indicative of an imcaricatured—in a style which soon checks the smile || proved tone of mind and feeling among us, than the at first almost provoked by them, and calls forth a memoirs of great and good men, famous in genemingled feeling of regret and indignation-regret rations long passed away, which are now so genethat the poor should have such things thrown in rally being published. They seem to afford some their way, and indignation against the miserable || hope that Englishmen are becoming sensible of the projectors and vendors of such absurd and disgust- too general shallow thinking and selfish actions of ing trash. The poor, indeed, are rather to be our own times, and are anxious to refresh thempitied than blamed, inasmuch as they are only the selves by associations more congenial to their taste dupes of men whose cunning craftiness is far more than are to be found now-a-days in "this sin-worn than a match for the simple-minded peasant, who mould." These thoughts suggested themselves to enters the shop or booth merely to spend a parti- us on reading the lives of two distinguished Engcular sum on a particular article, indifferent. to, or, lish worthies which have lately appeared- William it may be, ignorant of, the pernicious ornament he of Wykeham, by the Rev. John Chandler, M.A., is purchasing. No doubt those detestable vagrants vicar of Witley; and of the never-to-be-forgotten called hawkers-not to be confounded with the ho- Richard Hooker (Burns). The former of these is nest pedlar of olden time, so exquisitely described beautifully written, and interspersed with reflections by Wordsworth in his Excursion-who, at the sound || bearing upon present times. The illustrations, also, of horn or bell, gather a crowd of idle villagers are numerous and excellent, and give considerable around them, and thus manage to dispose of their interest to the volume. The whole-length portrait gaudy-and too often, it is to be feared, stolen- of the good bishop himself, in full episcopal habiliwares, are no insignificant agents in the evil justments, including mitre and pastoral staff, is one of adverted to. But they also, who have not endeavoured to pre occupy the cottages of the poor with something better, are blamable; since, had suitable prints, conveying, in a becoming way, some moral or religious lesson, been provided, they would, in many cases, have been preferred. We are glad to find, therefore, that the evils complained of have now some prospect of being remedied. At least, to say nothing of the Churchman's Almanac, of great service in this respect, the many cards of Christian duties which have lately fallen in our way, and which may be obtained at a very cheap rate, for distribution, from our publisher, seem to augur something of the kind. Than these, nothing can be better suited to the chimney-piece of the poor man's cottage; and probably they would the sooner get there, were the visitors of our Churchsocieties to make a point of inquiring into these matters during their periodical visits to the poor. The moral effect of reform among the ornamental appendages of these abodes would be great. How much more instruction would be obtained by our cottagers, from being accustomed to rest their eyes, during that contemplative mood which comes upon most at the conclusion of a hard day's labour, upon a card containing directions for Behaviour in Church the best specimens of wood-engraving we have ever seen, and is in the highest degree creditable to the artist. To Richard Hooker's Life a valuable appendix, containing copious extracts from his works, is given. Both these little works should be in all lending-libraries, and are well suited for || rewards and presents. OUR readers will be glad to know that a new and enlarged edition of the Rev. Dr. Hook's Church Dictionary (Leeds, Harrison) has just appeared, in which, perhaps, more theological information is contained than in any work of the same size ever published. It contains, indeed, the essence of many volumes, and thus gives information which the general reader would scarcely know how to set about seeking for elsewhere. Not that its usefulness will be confined to the general reader, Theological students, and even advanced theologians, may often consult its pages with interest and advantage. Indeed, we have little doubt that, ere long, it will become the vade-mecum of every Churchman in the land. AMONG reprints of standard theological works which have lately issued from the press, we are happy to notice cheap editions of Wheatley on the Common Prayer, and Patrick, Lowth, Whitby, and Arnald's "Commentary on the Scriptures," (London, Tegg); a condensed edition of Dean Stanhope's work upon the "Epistles and Gospels for the Sundays and Holydays throughout the year," (2 vols. 12mo, Rivington); and Reeves' Treatise on "The Right Use of the Fathers." These are all well known to be the best works that exist upon the subjects on which they severally treat: and they are now to be had at very low prices. We have been very much struck with a tract entitled "Christian Unity," by the Rev. Henry W. Wilberforce. Its object is to shew, that unity consists in holding "one body" as well as "spirit;" and therefore that it cannot be fulfilled by an occasional meeting together of persons belonging to different "denominations" on the same platform, while those different denominations continue. We think that he might have illustrated the practice of the early Church at greater length with advantage; nor can we perceive, though we remember that Waterland takes the same view, that much distinction is to be made between private dissenters and teachers of that body, as regards the sin of "causing divisions." But, upon the whole, we have no hesitation in saying that this is the best tract which has appeared upon a subject that must now engage the consideration of every unbiassed Christian; and it appears to us impossible that any person whose mind is not absolutely closed against conviction, can read it without adopting its conclusions. Nor let those of our readers who have never departed from the one body, think that this matter does not concern them. Unity can never be restored in the Church till all her members have learned to pray for it, and to understand that unless we pray for it, we withholding good things" from ourselves. are A History of the Church in America, by the Rev. G. A. Poole, which appeared in the last number of the Christian's Miscellany, conducted by Members of the Church of England, is an exceedingly welltimed, useful, and able production, throwing great light upon the origin, progress, and present condition of the "daughter Church," The Memoirs of the Distinguished Naval Commanders, whose Portraits are exhibited in the Royal Naval Gallery of Greenwich Hospital, by Henry Algernon Locker, Esq., who is apparently the printer as well as the author of the volume, is an unpretending little work, which we have read with a deep interest bordering upon enthusiasm ; for what English heart beats not high as it recounts the deathless deeds of Raleigh, Monk, Nelson, and Exmouthnames among the most illustrious in the annals of their country? The portraits of more than a hundred of these worthies are preserved at Greenwich in the Naval Gallery, of which Mr. Locker's father is the founder, "to whom," as a distinguished naval officer truly observes, "the British nation, and particularly the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, owe their gratitude and thanks, for his indefatigable zeal in obtaining so many valuable pictures." This noble collection the Memoirs before us are intended to illustrate; and we hope, on some future occasion, to transfer one or two of them to our own pages. MONUMENTS. Miscellaneous. 66 The old Gothic church-monuments, from their poetical and religious character, seldom fail to excite a deep and solemn interest, being generally designed in admirable keeping with the sacred objects by which they are surrounded. There is something peculiarly striking and affecting in the effigies of kings, prelates, nobles, and warriors, all extended upon their silent tombs, in the same expressive attitude of humility and resignation, representing departed Christians, as it were, resting from their labours in expectant blessedness," their hands piously pressed together in prayer and supplication, waiting for the coming of their Lord. Such memorials are in every way superior to modern monuments, which are not only devoid of all the peculiar and eloquent symbols of Christianity, but at the same time, with their over-wrought conceits and allegorical groups, are full of that vain pomp and glory of the world, which ought always to be excluded as much as possible from buildings devoted to the holy service of the Church. Many of the ancient sepulchral brasses are most interesting and beautiful works of medieval art, and might often be imitated with advantage, since they form a part of the basement of the building, and do not therefore in any respect detract from the effect of its architecture.-Marble tablets ought on no account to be fixed against the pillars and walls of the church, but stone slabs, with inscriptions written in black or coloured letters, might be appropriately inserted within a series of arcades or pannels, carried round the interior of the nave under the windows, like the seats of a chapter-house, and would contribute very much to the enrichment and decoration of the sacred edi fice, if the armorial bearings were properly emblazoned.-Monuments of greater pretension require the utmost care and attention to be bestowed upon their design, as well as upon the disposal of them in our ecclesiastical structures, so that they may not in any way prove injurious to their beauty and chacumbent effigies placed beneath arched recesses, racter. The ancient altar or table-tombs, with refixed in or projecting from the wall, afford, perhaps, the best models for our imitation; and the figures, as in the old examples, should always have their faces turned towards the east."-Barr's Church Architecture. [It is much to be regretted that clergymen do not take pains to improve the fashion of the gravestones in our country churchyards. Nothing can be more monstrous than some of the specimens of monumental art. rt.] THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH THE CHURCH OF THE POOR MAN.-Was there ever a truth more undeniable than this, or one more pregnant with vast and awful consequences ? The parish church is open to the whole community. The humblest inhabitant of this wide realm, the most destitute pauper that knows not where else to seek a restingplace, enters therein with a spirit, humble indeed, as befits him, towards his Maker, but towards man, erect in conscious equality of brotherhood with the wealthiest and noblest of his fellow-creatures. Shut, then, the door of this house of God, by taking away the legalised subsistence of its ministers, and by refusing the fund that protects it from dilapidation -what follows? The rich and noble, the independent, the comfortable, the competent, the trades |