State of Religion in France, &c. [Taken from an American Review, edit ed by R. Walsh, Esq. Published at New York, for April, 1811.] In the interior of the country the peasantry go to church with some regularity; but are, in every other respect, insensible to the obligations of their religion, and to the authority of their teachers. In the provincial cities, and particularly in the sea-port towns, the cause of infidelity has many more proselytes than that of the gospel ; and the clergy are held in open derision. The state of public morals generally is but little, if at all, improved. There is more hypocrisy than heretofore; and a very small increase of Christianity. I am indeed firmly persuaded, that the system of Buonaparte has, by its demoralizing effects, more than counterbalanced all the benefits which the efforts of the clergy and the authorization of, public worship tended to produce. The people of France are, perhaps, at this moment, more inveterately corrupt, more incurably irreligious, than they were in the year 1800.' The same writer thus expresses his opinion of the views of the French government with respect to religion: 6 Judging from the language now held by Bonaparte, on the subject of the Catholic religion, and from the tenor of several open attacks upon Christianity that have recently issued from the Parisian press, I should not be surprised if an attempt were speedily made, either to newmodel the Christian religion, or to erect, under the imperial auspices, some other religious banner than that of the Cross.' Another account from the Literary Scarcely is any appearance of public worship visible at Paris. Those individuals who retain a feeling of piety, cause Mass to be said privately at their own houses; and, several families associating together for the purpose, form a species of Meeting-house, or Conveuticle French Generosity.- The Minister of Religion at Paris has lately addressed a circular letter to the Bishops, by which they are authorised to give assistance to such of the poor clergy as have served some church at least thirty years, and were at least eighty years of age. The sum to be distributed is only 60,000 francs; and can be granted only to two or three, or at most to four persons in each diocese ! RUSSIA. WE are credibly informed that effective measures have been recently taken to obtain the formation of a Bible Society at Abo, in Finland, for the continued circulation of the holy Scriptures in the Finnish language: on which occasion, application having been made to the Emperor of Russia for permission to print the same, His Imperial Majesty not only gave his approbation, but has also contributed the sum of 5000 roubles from his private purse in aid thereof, AMERICA. Awful Catastrophe at Richmond, December 27, 1811. LAST night the playhouse in this city was crowded with an unusual audience: there could not have been less than 600 persons in the house. Just be fore the conclusion of the play, the scenery caught fire, and in a few minutes the whole building was wrapt in flames. It is already ascertained that 62 persons were de, voured by that terrific element. There was but one door for the greatest part of the audience to pass. Men, women, and children were pressing upon each other, while the flames were seizing upon those behind; those, urged by the flames, pushed those out who were nearest to the windows; and people of every description began to fall, one upon another, some with their clothes on fire; some half burned.. In addition to a list published, which includes the Governor and his Lady, it is believed that at least 60 others perished, whose names are not yet ascertained. It is said that the inhabitants have purchased the spot on which the theatre stood; and have agreed to build a church thereon. Ir was stated in a letter from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, to the Churches under their care, and as an argument, to induce them to support a Theological School, that there were, in the year 1810, Four Hundred vacant Congregations within their bounds; and that not only the frontier settlements, but many large and im portant districts, in the interior of were every year calling upon them for Missionary labours, which they were not able to supply the countri M. GALATZIN, a Russian prince, became a Roman Catholic clergy man about ten years ago, and fixed his residence on the Allegany mountain, the highest in North America. Though his flock was then limited to six Roman Catholic families, it is now the largest congregation, next to that of Philadelphia, in all North America. Limeric Evening Post. MR. MUNGO PARK. THE doubts which may have existed of the fate of this eminent man are now removed, by the cer tain accounts lately received from Goree, of his having perished, through the hostility of the natives, on one of the branches of the Ni ger. The particulars have been transmitted to Sir Joseph Banks, by Governor Maxwell, of Goree, who received them from Isaco, a Moor, sent inland by the Governor, for the purpose of enquiry. In a letter to Mr. Dickson, of Covent Garden, brother-in-law to Mr. Park, Sir Joseph thus writes: - I have read Isaco's translated journal; by which it appears that Mungo Park quickly and miserably the numerous European retinue of died, leaving, at the last, only himself and a Mr. Martyn. Proceeding on their route, they stopped at ing to custom, they sent a present a settlement, from which, accordto the Chief whose territory they were next to pass. This present having been treacherously withheld, the Chief considered it, in the travellers, as a designed injury and neglect. On their approaching, in á canoe, he assembled his people on a narrow channel of rocks, and assailed them so violently with arrows, that some of the rowers were killed. This caused Mr. Park and Mr. Martyn to make an effort by swimming to reach the shore: which attempt they both were drowned. The canoe shortly afterwards sunk, and only one hired na-, tive escaped. Every appurtenance also of the travellers was lost or destroyed, except a sword belt which had belonged to Mr. Martyn, and which Isaco redeemed, and brought with him to Goree. in The two following Letters, lately received from pious Roman Catholics in Bavaria, are addressed to the Members of the British and Foreign Bible Society, dated March 22, 1811. As it is your noble employment to spread the Book of books, and more especially the New Testa YOUR love to Christ, and your impartial and comprehensive love to all Christians who sincerely profess our Lord Jesus, are known to ine and to many in Germany. I therefore embrace this opportunity of saluting you (though the least your brethren) and of thanking you for the lively interest you have taken in our Ratisbon Bible Institution. Our New Testament goes off rapidly. Indeed, there still exists a hunger in the land after the heavenly manna; and the Lord of a persecution for faith's sake; but God will give us all needful grace. We encourage each other in faith, prayer, patience, confidence. Assist us with your prayers. We have to fight the same fight of faith, and have one and the same Lord, even our Lord Jesus Christ. United to him, we are united to each other: neither continents nor seas, various forms of government, nor different outward confessions of religion, can separate us: all these things pass away; but love abideth. Help us, therefore, to pray, to believe, to suffer, to love; and all will go well for it is a faithful saying, that all things work together for good, to them that love God." With these sentiments, which I trust you will receive kindly, I express to you my joy and participation in the success of your Bibleworks. May God give you his Holy Spirit, by whom alone the dead letter can be quickened. (Signed) Roman Catholic Parish- has promised to satisfy this hunger. New Construction of Old Laws. The Scripture is also a bond of union in Christ; for who hath the words of eternal life' but Jesus Christ alone? "To whom else, therefore, shall we go?" Whether the translation of the Bible be in Latin, German, or English, is immaterial : the great point is, whether we become better; that is, new creatures in Christ, through faith in him, which worketh by love. This is not effected by the Greek, Latin, German, or English letter, but by the Spirit of God, which we receive freely by faith, that we may work the works of grace and love. Surely, the hand of the Lord is not shortened. In these times of general fermentation, when all is shaking, and the vessel of Christ's church appears sinking, he arises with power, cheers his frightened disciples, and commands the winds and waves to be still. Let us show a noble courage; confiding in Christ, we may risk every thing.. With us matters seem to proceed to such lengths, that we must expect LICENCES REFUSED. Leeds' Sessions. MR. R. WOOD, a Preacher in the Methodist Connection, presented himself before the Magistrates, and requested that the oath might be administered to him, that he might make the declaration required by the Toleration Act, to qualify him to officiate as a Dissenting Teacher. The Bench inquired if he was ap. pointed a teacher to any specific congregation?- Mr. Wood, senior, who is also a travelling preacher in the same connection, replied, that his son was to preach at Bramley.Recorder. - Suffer the young man to answer the question himself. Mr. R. Wood-It is intended that I should preach at Bramley, Armly, and other villages in the vicinity. The Recorder, after some conversation with the Bench and the Counsel near him, resumed From Mr. Maude here observed, that though the Court of King's Bench did not, in the case cited, think proper to issue a mandamus to compel the Magistrates to administer the oaths, it did not follow that the oaths might not be administered as heretofore, without requiring those new conditions, which were never before heard of. Mr. Hainsworth, in reply, said the Magistrates could only administer the oaths agreeably to the provisions of the Toleration Act; and if that act required certain previous conditions, it was not in the power of the Bench, or any other, to dispense with them; for if the Magistrates in the case alluded to, had required any thing to be done which the law had not inade necessary, the Court of King's Bench would have issued a mandamus to compel them to administer the oaths. In these observations the Court coincided, and refused to administer the oaths. Before the Court adjourned, Mr. Holthy, a student under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. Steadman, a Dissenting Minister at Bradford, presented himself for the same purpose; and his application was rejected on the same grounds. But it appeared upon inquiry, that this gentleman had made applications to an improper Sessions, the Court having no jurisdiction out of this borough; and he was advised to make application to the Sessions for the Riding. On this gentleman expressing Some surprise at the new provisions, which, after the lapse of a century, had been discovered in the Tolera tion Act, Mr. Hardy, the Recorder, admitted that it was certainly a new interpretation of the Act, and that Magistrates had been uniformly in the practice of administering the oaths without any reference to those conditions which the Court of King's Bench had decided to be necessary. Ar the Quarter Sessions held at Spilsby, Jan. 17, the Magistrates refused to administer the oaths to the Rev. A. Crabtree, a minister in the Methodist connection, appointed by their annual conference, and respectably recommended as a fit and proper person for the office.— This gentleman (in conjunction with two others) is a minister statedly preaching and officiating to very large and respectable congregations at Horncastle, Alford, Langham Row, and other chapels. We understand that the Magistrates refused the applica tion, on the ground of a decision alleged to have been recently made on this subject in the Court of King's Bench. Ar the Lincoln Quarter Sessions, held Jan. 18, two young men applied to be permitted to take the oaths which are required of Dis senting Ministers. One of them, Mr. Bumstead, has been an itinerant preacher nearly five years; the other, Mr. Bacon, has been engaged in local preaching about two years. Some questions were put to them by the Magistrates, respecting their employments and places of abode; and when they had received their answers and the testimonials they produced, signed by four respectable members of the Methodist connection, the whole bench of Magistrates retired and left the court for about half an hour; after which they returned, and informed the young men they could not be admitted to take the oaths. Mr. Bacon asked, Whether he should be liable to fine for preaching without having taken the oaths which the law prescribes, and which he then desired to be permitted to take. The Magis trates replied, that was not their business; he might take the conse quences. Similar refusals to those which we have recorded, have occurred in thirty counties. at the Quarter Sessions held for them during the last month; and we understand, that not only refusals have occurred, to permit any persons to take the oaths who are not appointed ministers of separate congregations, but certificates have been required from such ministers, of their appointment; and on their non-production, even such persons have been refused. We are, however, happy to learn that the New Society in London, for the Protection of Religious Liberty,' have anticipat ed these proceedings, and with laudable activity have prepared to ascertain their legality, by endeavouring to obtain the solemn adjudications of the Court of King's Bench.. They have selected three cases; and of the proceedings which have occurred, we present the following abbreviated, but we believe accurate, Reports: -- KING'S BENCH, JAN. 29. The King, on the Prosecution of Ellington, versus the Justices of Suffolk. A MANDAMUs had been applied for in this case, calling on the Justices of Suffolk to admit the prosecutor, who claimed to be a Preacher or Teacher of a Dissenting Meeting of upwards of 100 persons, to take the oaths required by law to be taken by him, in order to qualify him as such preacher or teacher. The Attorney General and Mr. Dampier shewed cause against the rule. All the Justices required at the Sessions was, That the prosecutor should produce a certificate that he was the teacher or preacher to the particular congregation in respect of which he claimed to be allowed to qualify. The Justices had laid it down as a rule, and one which, they submitted, was far from being unreasonable, that such certificate should be produced by every person without distinction, who came before them with such a claim. Nothing could be easier than for a person who stood in this relation to any congregation, to produce a certificate by some member of his congregation that this was the fact. This was a general rule, which, having adopted, the Justices could not depart from, satisfied, as they were, that it was for the advantage of the Dissenters themselves; and that the most exceptious person could not object to this as a reasonable general rule. Against the prosecutor in the present case no objection could be taken, either in respect to his character or his functions. This was an opposition which he himself had raised: there could not be a doubt that he could conform to the rule, if he chose. Mr. Gurney, in support of the mandamus, contended, that these Justices had no right to demand the certificate, without which they had refused to allow the prosecutor so to qualify himself, as that he might escape the penalties in force against Non-conformists. The practice of demanding such certificate was novel, and one which had not been resorted to for 150 years after the passing of the Tole ration Act.. Mr. Justice Bailey said, The Act required that it should be a house, or place of meeting, certified and registered. He did not observe that it appeared on the face of the prosecutor's affidavits, that the place of worship in question stood in this situation; of course, it did not appear that the question came before the Court in such a shape as justified their interference by this extraordinary exercise of their authority. Mr. Gurney contended, That he sufficiently fortified himself under the 8th section of this act, which regarded the qualifications of preachers, teachers, &c. Mr. Justice Bailey asked, Did not the 19th sect. of the act qualify the 8th, by requiring that the house or place to which such preacher or teacher was appointed must be registered? A fact which did not here appear in evidence. Mr. Gurney being unable to sątisfy the Court on this head, |