Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

CATHOLICS. (E. REVIEW, 1808.)

History of the Penal Laws against the
Irish Catholics, from the Treaty of
Limerick to the Union. By Henry Par-
nell, Esq. M.P.

however, that they are too numerous. on the subject of pocketing unearned There are 6000 livings out of 11,000 in emoluments, that we have no doubt the the English church under 80l. per annum: moral irritability of this servant of the many of these 204., many 30l. per Crown will speedily urge him to a danum. The whole task of education species of reform, of which he may be at the university, public schools, private the object as well as the mover. families, and in foreign travel, devolves upon the clergy. A great part of the literature of their country is in their hands. Residence is a very proper and necessary measure; but considering all these circumstances, it requires a great dal of moderation and temper to carry it into effect without doing more mischief than good. At present, however, the torrent sets the other way. THE various publications which have Every lay plunderer, and every fanati-issued from the press in favour of recai coxcomb, is forging fresh chains ligious liberty, have now nearly silenced for the English clergy; and we should the arguments of their opponents; not be surprised, in a very little time, and, teaching sense to some, and into see them absenting themselves from spiring others with shame, have left their benefices by a kind of day-rule, those only on the field who can neither like prisoners in the King's Bench. learn nor blush. The first bill, which was brought in by Sir William Scott, - always saving and excepting the power granted to the bishops, is full of useful provisions, and characterised throughout by great practical wisdom. We have no doubt but that it has, upon the whole, improved the condition of the English church. Without caution, mildness, or information, however, it was pecularly unfortunate to follow such a kader. We are extremely happy the bul was rejected. We have seldom witnessed more of ignorance and error stuffed and crammed into so very Larrow a compass. Its origin, we are confident, is from the Tabernacle; and its consequences would have been, to have sown the seeds of discord and treachery in an ecclesiastical constitution, which, under the care of prudent and honest men, may always be rendered a source of public happiness.

But, though the argument is given up, and the justice of the Catholic cause admitted, it seems to be generally conceived, that their case, at present, is utterly hopeless; and that to advocate it any longer, will only irritate the oppressed, without producing any change of opinion in those by whose influence and authority that oppression is continued. To this opinion, unfortunately too prevalent, we have many reasons for not subscribing.

We do not understand what is meant in this country by the notion, that a measure, of consummate wisdom and imperious necessity, is to be deferred for any time, or to depend upon any contingency. Whenever it can be made clear to the understandings of the great mass of enlightened people, that any system of political conduct is necessary to the public welfare, every obstacle (as it ought) will be swept away before it; and as we conceive it to be by no means improbable, that the country may, ere long, be placed in a situation where its safety or ruin will depend upon its conduct towards the Catholics, we sincerely believe we are doing our duty in throwing every pos

One glaring omission in this bill we had almost forgotten to mention. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has entirely neglected to make any provision for that very meritorious class of men, the lay curates, who do all the business of those offices, of which lazy and nonresident placemen receive the emolu-sible light on this momentous question. Beats. So much delicacy and con- Neither do we understand where this science, however, are here displayed passive submission to ignorance and

dated Columbo, 1805, will set this mat- | less attractive to him than to any other ter in its true light ;heathen from the life of misery by which

hundred thousand of those who are called

"The elders, deacons, and some of the he purchases it. members of the Dutch congregation, came Nothing is more precarious than our to see us, and we paid them a visit in re-empire in India. Suppose we were to turn, and made a little inquiry concerning be driven out of it to-morrow, and to the state of the church on this island, leave behind us twenty thousand conwhich is, in one word, miserable! One verted Hindoos; it is most probable Christians (because they are baptized) need they would relapse into heathenism; not go back to heathenism, for they never but their original station in society could have been anything else but heathens, wor-not be regained. The duty of making shippers of Budda: they have been induced, converts, therefore, among such a peofor worldly reasons, to be baptized. O Lord ple, as it arises from the general duty of have mercy on the poor inhabitants of this benevolence, is less strong than it would populous island."-Trans. Miss. Soc. Vol. be in many other cases; because, situII. p. 265. ated as we are, it is quite certain we shall expose them to a great deal of misery, and not quite certain we shall do them any future good.

What success the Syrian Christians had in making converts; in what degree they have gained their numbers by victories over the native superstition, or lost their original numbers by the idolatrous examples to which for so many centuries they have been exposed; are points wrapt up in so much obscurity, that no kind of inference, as to the facility of converting the natives, can be drawn from them. Their present num. ber is supposed to be about 150,000.

It would be of no use to quote the example of Japan and China, even if the progress of the faith in these empires had been much greater than it is. We do not say, it is difficult to convert the Japanese, or the Chinese; but the Hindoos. We are not saying, it is difficult to convert human creatures; but difficult to convert human creatures with such institutions. To mention the example of other nations who have them not, is to pass over the material objection, and to answer others which are merely imaginary, and have never been made.

4thly. Conversion is no duty at all, if it merely destroys the old religion, without really and effectually teaching the new one. Brother Ringletaube may write home that he makes a Christian, when, in reality, he ought only to state that he has destroyed a Hindoo. Foolish and imperfect as the religion of a Hindoo is, it is at least some restraint upon the intemperance of human passions. It is better a Brahman should be respected, than that nobody should be respected. A Hindoo had better believe, that a deity, with an hundred legs and arms, will reward and punish him hereafter, than that he is not to be punished at all. Now, when you have destroyed the faith of a Hindoo, are you quite sure that you will graft upon his mind fresh principles of action, and make him anything more than a nominal Christian?

You have 30,000 Europeans in India, 3dly. The duty of conversion is less and 60 millions of other subjects. If proplain, and less imperious, when converselytism were to go on as rapidly as the sion exposes the convert to great present most visionary Anabaptist could dream misery. An African, or an Otaheite or desire, in what manner are these peoproselyte, might not perhaps be less ple to be taught the genuine truths and honoured by his countrymen if he practices of Christianity? Where are became a Christian; a Hindoo is in- the clergy to come from? Who is to stantly subjected to the most perfect defray the expense of the establishdegradation. A change of faith might ment? and who can foresee the imincrease the immediate happiness of mense and perilous difficulties of bendany other individual; it annihilates ing the laws, manners, and institutions for ever all the human comforts which of a country, to the dictates of a new a Hindoo enjoys. The eternal happi- religion? If it were easy to persuade ness which you proffer him, is therefore the Hindoos that their own religion was

folly, it would be infinitely difficult are equally ignorant of the truths of effectually to teach them any other. Christianity, the Hindoos are a civilised They would tumble their own idols and a moral people. That they have into the river, and you would build remained in the same state for so many them no churches: you would des- centuries, is at once a proof, that the introy all their present motives for stitutions which established that state doing right and avoiding wrong, with- could not be highly unfavourable to out being able to fix upon their minds human happiness. After all that has the more sublime motives by which been said of the vices of the Hindoos, you profess to be actuated. What we believe that a Hindoo is more mild a missionary will do hereafter with the and sober than most Europeans, and heart of a convert, is a matter of doubt as honest and chaste. In astronomy and speculation. He is quite certain, the Hindoos have certainly made very however, that he must accustom the high advances ;-some, and not an unman to see himself considered as im- important, progress in many sciences. famous; and good principles can hardly As manufacturers, they are extremely be exposed to a ruder shock. Who- ingenious and as agriculturists, inever has seen much of Hindoo Chris-dustrious. Christianity would improve tians must have perceived, that the them; (whom would it not improve?) man who bears that name is very but if Christianity cannot be extended commonly nothing more than a to all, there are many other nations drunken reprobate, who conceives who want it more. himself at liberty to eat and drink any The Hindoos have some very savage thing he pleases, and annexes hardly customs, which it would be desirable any other meaning to the name of to abolish. Some swing on hooks, Christianity. Such sort of converts some run kimes through their hands, may swell the list of names, and and widows burn themselves to death: gratify the puerile pride of a mission- but these follies (even the last) are ary: but what real discreet Christian quite voluntary on the part of the can wish to see such Christianity pre-sufferers. We dislike all misery, vovail? But it will be urged, if the luntary or involuntary; but the difpresent converts should become worse ference between the torments which a Hindoos and very indifferent Christians, still the next generation will do better; and by degrees, and at the expiration of half a century, or a century, true Christianity may prevail. We may apply to such sort of Jacobin converters what Mr. Burke said of the Jacobin politicians in his time,-"To such men a whole generation of human beings are of no more consequence than a frog in an air-pump." For the distant prospect of doing, what most probably, after all, they will never be able to effect, there is no degree of present misery and horror to which they will not expose the subjects of their experiment.

As the duty of making proselytes springs from the duty of benevolence, there is a priority of choice in conversion. The greatest zeal should plainly be directed to the most desperate misery and ignorance. Now in comparison to many other nations who

man chooses, and those which he endures from the choice of others, is very great. It is a considerable wretchedness, that men and women should be shut up in religious houses; but it is only an object of legislative interference, when such incarceration is compulsory. Monasteries and nunneries with us would be harmless institutions; because the moment a devotee found he had acted like a fool, he might avail himself of the discovery and run away; and so may a Hindoo, if he repents of his resolution of running hooks into his flesh.

The duties of conversion appear to be of less importance, when it is impossible to procure proper persons to undertake them, and when such re

We are here, of course, arguing the

question only in a worldly point of view. be placed, though certainly the lowest an This is one point of view in which it must least important.

ligious embassies, in consequence, de- | convinced they would behold the loss volve upon the lowest of the people. of our Indian empire, not with the Who wishes to see scrofula and atheism humility of men convinced of erroneous cured by a single sermon in Bengal ? views and projects, but with the pride. who wishes to see the religious hoy the exultation, and the alacrity of riding at anchor in the Hoogley river? martyrs. or shoals of jumpers exhibiting their nimble piety before the learned Brahmans of Benares? This madness is disgusting and dangerous enough at home-Why are we to send out little detachments of maniacs to spread over the fine regions of the world the most unjust and contemptible opinion of the gospel? The wise and rational part of the Christian ministry find they have enough to do at home to combat with passions unfavourable to human happiness, and to make men act up to their professions. But if a tinker is a devout man, he infallibly sets off for the East. Let any man read the Anabaptist missions; can he do so, without deeming such men pernicious and extravagant in their own country,—and without feeling that they are benefiting us much more by their absence, than the Hindoos by their advice?

[ocr errors]

It is somewhat strange, in a duty which is stated by one party to be so clear and so indispensable, that no man of moderation and good sense can be found to perform it. And if no other instruments remain but visionary enthusiasts, some doubt may be honestly raised whether it is not better to drop the scheme entirely.

Of the books which have handled this subject on either side, we have little to say. Major Scott Waring's book is the best against the Missions. but he wants arrangement and pruz. dence. The late resident writes well but is miserably fanatical towards the conclusion. Mr. Cunningham has been diligent in looking into books upon the subject: and though an evangelical gentleman, is not uncharitable to those who differ from him in opinion. There is a passage in the publication of his reverend brother, Mr. Owen, which, had we been less accustomed than we have been of late to this kind of writing, would appear to be quite incredible.

"I have not pointed out the comparative indifference, upon Mr. Twining's principles, between one religion and another, to the welfare of a people; nor the impossibility, on those principles, of India being Christianised by any human means, so long as it shall remain under the dominion of

the Company; nor the alternative to which Providence is by consequence reduced, of either giving up that country to everlasting superstition, or of working some miracle, in order to accomplish its conversion.”Owen's Address, p. 28.

The

This is really beyond anything we Shortly stated, then, our argument ever remember to have read. is this: :- -We see not the slightest hoy, the cock-fight, and the religious prospect of success; we see much newspaper, are pure reason when comdanger in making the attempt; -and pared to it. The idea of reducing we doubt if the conversion of the Hin- Providence to an alternative!! and, by doos would ever be more than nominal. a motion at the India House, carried If it is a duty of general benevolence by ballot! We would not insinuate, to convert the Heathen, it is less a duty in the most distant manner, that Mr. to convert the Hindoos, than any other Owen is not a gentleman of the most people, because they are already highly sincere piety; but the misfortune is, civilized, and because you must intal- all extra superfine persons accustom libly subject them to infamy and present themselves to a familiar phraseology degradation. The instruments em- upon the most sacred subjects, which ployed for these purposes are calculated is quite shocking to the common to bring ridicule and disgrace upon the and inferior orders of Christians.— gospel; and on the discretion of those Providence reduced to an alternaat home, whom we consider as their tive!!!!! Let it be remembered, this patrons, we have not the smallest phrase comes from a member of a relireliance; but, on the contrary, we are gious party, who are loud in their com

plaints of being confounded with enthusiasts and fanatics.

mental tourists, and elegiac poets. But, notwithstanding the known accuracy of this class of philosophers, we cannot help suspecting that there is a good deal of misconception in the popular estimate of the amount of the evil.

We cannot conclude without the most pointed reprobation of the low mischief of the Christian Observer; a publication which appears to have no ether method of discussing a question A very great proportion of all the fairly open to discussion, than that curacies in England are filled with of accusing their antagonists of in- men to whom the emolument is a fidelity. No art can be more unmanly, matter of subordinate importance. or, if its consequences are foreseen, They are filled by young gentlemen more wicked.-If this publication had who have recently left college, who of been the work of a single individual, course are able to subsist as they had we might have passed it over in silent subsisted for seven years before, and disgust; but as it is looked upon as the who are glad to have an opportunity, organ of a great political religious on any terms, of acquiring a practical party in this country, we think it right familiarity with the duties of their proto notice the very unworthy manner fession. They move away from them in which they are attempting to extend to higher situations as vacancies occur; their influence. For ourselves, if there and make way for a new race of were a fair prospect of carrying the ecclesiastical apprentices. To those gospel into regions where it was before men, the smallness of the appointment unknown,-if such a project did not is a grievance of no very great magniexpose the best possessions of the tude; nor is it fair, with relation to country to extreme danger, and if it them, to represent the ecclesiastical was in the hands of men who were order as degraded by the indigence to discreet as well as devout, we should which some of its members are conconsider it to be a scheme of true piety, demned. With regard, again, to those benevolence, and wisdom: but the who take curacies merely as a means of baseness and malignity of fanaticism subsistence, and with the prospect of shall never prevent us from attacking remaining permanently in that situaits arrogance, its ignorance, and its tion, it is certain that by far the activity. For what vice can be more greater part of them are persons born tremendous than that which, while it in a very humble rank in society, and wears the outward appearance of reli- accustomed to no greater opulence gion, destroys the happiness of man, than that of an ordinary curate. There and dishonours the name of God? are scarcely any of those persons who have taken a degree in an university, and not very many who have resided there at all. Now, the son of a small Welsh farmer, who works hard every day for less than 40l. a year, has no great reason to complain of degradation or disappointment, if he get from 50l. to 100l. for a moderate portion of labour one day in seven. situation accordingly, is looked upon The by these people as extremely eligible; and there is a great competition for curacies, even as they are now provided. The amount of the evil, then, as to the curates themselves, cannot be considered as very enormous, when there are so few who either actually feel, or are entitled to feel, much discontent on the subject. The late regulations

LETTER ON THE CURATE'S

SALARY BILL.*
(E. REVIEW, 1808.)

A Letter to the Right Honourable Spencer
Perceval, on a Subject connected with his
Bill, now under Discussion in Parlia
ment, for improving the Situation of
Stipendiary Curates. 8vo. Hatchard.
London. 1808.

THE poverty of curates has long been
a favourite theme with novelists, senti-

Now we are all dead, it may be amusing to state that I was excited to this article by Sir William Scott, who brought me the book in his pocket; and begged I would attend to it, carefully concealing his name; my own opinions happened entirely to agree with his..

« AnteriorContinua »