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philanthropy. Religion had in Dr. Vincent an enlightened friend of its cause, and a bright example of its excellence and consolation.-Weekly Mag. No. VI.

FOREIGN.

Persecution of the Vaudois. We request the attention of our liberal and feeling readers to the subject of a new persecution of our Protestant brethren, commenced in another quarter, a persecution which, though in appearance not so glaring as that already noticed in France, is in reality more atrocious. It has not, we believe, as yet been brought before the public eye in this country, and should any reader not be aware of the circumstances which render this persecution an act of peculiar meanness as well as of atrocity, we beg leave to state a few historical facts which will serve to represent the matter in its proper colours, and also enable every candid mind to judge how far our ministers have been anxious for the honour of this country, and the interests of the Protestant religion abroad, for which at home they profess so much devotion. The dreadful persecution commenced by the King of Savoy, in 1654, against his unoffending Protestant subjects, a persecution during which several hundred of innocent victims perished by the sword, and many others amongst Alpine snows, is unfortunately too well known to require any detail of its atrocities. When the account of that persecution reached England, Cromwell, who was at the head of the government, immediately wrote on the subject to the different powers in Europe, and to the King of Savoy in particular: so strongly did he express his abhorrence of the barbarous outrage, that the persecutions were not only put an end to by his interference, but even a treaty was made, by which the Protestant inhabitants of Piedmont, known under the name of Vaudois, were specially placed under the protection of Great Britain. This treaty was ratified at different times, and the worship of these Protestants was, in fact, supported by English contribution down to the time in which the present Sardinian King was expelled from Piedmont. Regardless as the French Revolutionary government was in many in stances of church property, yet so great was the respect paid at all times to the virtues and poverty of the Vaudois, that even that government not only endowed the Protestant church of the Vaudois with a provision arising out of the revenues of the country, larger than the sum they had been in the habit of receiving from England, but they made that perpetual which

was before precarious, and they also gave them perfect and complete civil equality.

When at length the French were obliged to give up Italy, and the King of Sardinia was restored among the other legitimates, he issued a proclamation, declaring as null every act which had taken place during his absence. By this general declaration, the Vaudois have been actually deprived of. the revenues for the support of their religion, and as our minister has neglected to insert, in the new treaties, the old covenant in their favour, they are thus subject to the fury of a bigotry which may again break out with the same rage as it did formerly, and in the mean time their teachers are deprived of all subsistence. A single word from our minister might have prevented the possibility of such an event.

The following genuine letter, which we have received from Piedmont, will give our readers a fuller description of the calamity which this persecution has brought upon that inoffensive people. Here, at least, there cannot be alleged against them the crime of Buonapartism:

"La Tour de Pelis, 12th Dec. 1815. "Consternation is in our valleys-we are threatened by the Agents of our King with being robbed of the little which had been granted to us by the preceding governments, for the support of our religious worship. The Court of Turin pretends not to be bound by any convention on this subject, and professes to do in this case as in every other, whatever pleases itself, or rather whatever pleases the cabal of Monks which rules under its name. In reality, neither the treaty of Paris in 1814, nor that lately concluded, makes any mention of the special protection granted by preceding treaties, particularly by that of Aix-la-Chapelle, to the Protestants of the valleys of Piedmont, known under the name of Vaudois. Can England, who formerly acted so generously towards them, have now changed her system with regard to these eldest sons of the evangelical religion, whose aversion to the Roman Church is anterior even to the Reformation of Luther? Can this population of 30,000 souls have appeared to the English minister an object too unimportant to employ his attention amidst the political dismemberment of so many nations? We cannot believe it; for nothing is trifling which involves a great moral principle. However, if at a

period when England was far from that preponderance on the Continent which the follies of Napoleon have put into her hands; if at a period in which religious freedom had not yet become a common maxim with all enlightened governments, the British Administration in former days could obtain so great a triumph on this subject over the prejudices of time and place, can any person doubt but that a single word from your ministers (whom the House of Savoy must regard as its restorers) would have been sufficient to assure, not only to the Vaudois, but to all the inhabitants of Piedmont, the free exercise of their religion? Since then, negociators, supported by so great an influence, did not think proper to insert in the new treaties the ancient guarantee to the Protestants of Piedmont, we must suppose that they could not foresee that the Court of Sardinia, by declaring every thing null which happened during its absence, (that is to say, during sixteen years and more) would, under this general proclamation, rob the Vandois of all the benefits with which a paternal administration had endowed their church, and of which the French fiscality had not the hardihood to despoil them. Deprived of this resource, the Protestants of the Alps will be obliged again to call upon the liberality of the English to contribute to the support of their religion; but supposing that they should not be disappointed in their expectations from them, can any one compare this humiliating and precarious situation with that public and independent support of their worship, and that perfect civil equality which they enjoyed for so many years before the restoration of the Sardiniau King? How much anguish and uncertainty through Europe might have been put an end to by a few words from your ministers, supported as they are on this subject by claims so strong and resources so immense! Will they who have done so much for kings, do nothing for the people, especially for that portion of the European people whom the sacred ties of a common religion, and the recollection of similar sufferings, bind in so close a manner with the nation whom they profess to represent? We hope, and dare believe, that these great personages partake themselves of the indignation with which we are penetrated, and that they who have headed the coalition of kings against their people, will not disdain to add to that glory, assuring their natural and legitimate rights to those nations whom they have forced to return under the domination of their ancient masters."-Morn. Chron. Dec. 26,

Holy Alliance. "By the Grace of God, We, Alexander the First, Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russiaus, &c, hereby make knownVOL. XI.

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"As we have seen from experience, and from the unhappy consequences that have resulted for the whole world, that the course of the political relations in Europe between the Powers has not been founded on those true principles upon which the wisdom of God in his revelations has founded the peace and prosperity of nations,

"We have consequently, in conjunc tion with their Majesties the Emperor of Austria, Francis the First, and the King of Prussia, Frederick William, proceeded to form an alliance between us, (to which the other Christian Powers are invited to accede), in which we reciprocally engage, both between ourselves and in respect of our subjects, to adopt, as the sole means to attain this end, the principle drawn from the words and doctrine of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who preaches not to live in enmity and hatred, but in peace and love. We hope and implore the blessing of the Most High; may this sacred union be confirmed between all the powers for their general good, and (deterred by the union of all the rest), may no one dare to fall off from it. We accordingly subjoin a coPy of this union, ordering it to be made generally known, and read in all the churches.

"St. Petersburgh, on the day of the

birth of our Saviour, 25th Dec., 1815. "The original is signed by his Imperial Majesty's own hand,

"ALEXANDER."

"In the name of the Most Holy and Indivisible Trinity,

"Their Majesties, the Emperor of Austria, the King of Prussia, and the Emperor of Russia, having in consequence of the great events which have marked the course of the three last years in Europe, and especially of the blessings which it has pleased Divine Providence to shower down upon those states, which place their confidence and their hope on it alone, acquired the intimate conviction of the necessity of founding the conduct to be observed by the powers in their reciprocal relations upon the sublime truths which the holy religion of our Saviour teaches.

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"In consequence, their Majesties have agreed on the following articles :

Art. 1. Conformable to the words of the Holy Scriptures, which command all men to consider each other as brethren, the three contracting monarchs will remain united by the bonds of a true and indissoluble fraternity, and considering each other as fellow countrymen, they will on all occasions, and in all places, lend each other aid and assistance, and regarding themselves towards their subjects and armies as fathers of families, they will lead them in the same spirit of fraternity with which they are animated to protect religion, peace and justice.

"Art. 2. In consequence the sole principle in force, whether between the said governments, or between their subjects, shall be that of doing each other reciprocal service, and of testifying by unalterable good-will the mutual affection with which they ought to be animated, to consider themselves all as members of one and

the same Christian nation. The three Allied Princes looking on themselves as merely delegated by Providence to govern three branches of the one family, namely, Austria, Prussia and Russia, thus confessing that the Christian nation of which they and their people form a part, has in reality no other Sovereign thau him to whom alone power really belongs, because in him alone are found all the treasures of love, science, and infinite wisdom, that is to say, God, our Divine Saviour, the Word of the Most High, the Word of Life. Their Majesties consequently recommend to their people, with the most tender solicitude, as the sole means of enjoying that peace which arises from a good conscience, and which alone is durable, to strengthen themselves every day more and more in the principles and exercise of the duties which the Divine Saviour has taught to mankind.

"Art. 3. All the powers who shall choose solemnly to avow the sacred principles which have dictated the present act, and shall acknowledge how important it is for the happiness of nations too long agitated, that those truths should henceforth exercise over the destinies of mankind all the influence which belongs to them, will be received with equal ardour and affection into this Holy alliance.

"Done in triplicate, and signed at Paris, in the year of grace, 1815, (14, O.S.) 26th Sept.

(L. S.)

(L. S.)

FRANCIS.

"FREDERICK WILLIAM.

(L.S.) "ALEXANDER. Conformable to the original, (Signed) "ALEXANDER. "Done at St. Petersburg, the day of the birth of our Saviour, the 25th of Dec. 1815."

St. Petersburgh, Dec. 21, 0.8. Jan. 2, 1816. Ukase of his Majesty the Emperor to the Senate.

(OFFICIAL TRANSLATION.)

Being returned after a happy conclusion of the external affairs of Europe, to the empire which God has entrusted to us, we have been informed by several nations [probably notices] complaints and reports of the following circumstances:

The religious order of the Jesuits of the Roman Catholic Church had been abolished by a bull of the Pope; in consequence of this measure, the Jesuits were expelled, not only from the states of the Church, but from all other countries, they were not permitted to remain any where. Rus sia alone, constantly guided by sentiments of humanity and toleration, retained them in her territory, gave them an asylum, and insured their tranquillity under her powerful protection. She did not oppose any obstacle to the free exercise of their worship; she did not deter them from it, either by force, persuasion or seduction; but in return, she thought she might expect from them fidelity, attachment and utility. In this hope they were permitted to devote themselves to the education and instruction of youth. Fathers and mothers entrusted to them their children without fear, to teach them the sciences and to form their mauners. It is now proved that they have not fulfilled the duties which gratitude impesed on them; that they have not kept themselves in that humility which the Christian religion commands; and that instead of remaining peaceable inhabitants in a foreign country, they have endeavoured to trouble the Greek religion, which, from the remotest times, has been the predominant religion of our empire, and on which, as on an immoveable rock, repose the tranquillity and the happiness of the nations subject to our sceptre. They have begun first, by abusing the confidence which they had gained. They have turned aside from our worship young people who had been entrusted to them, and some women of weak and inconsiderate minds, and have drawn them to their church.

To induce a man to abjure his faith, the faith of his ancestors, to extinguish in him the love of those who profess the same worship, to render him a stranger to his country, to sow discord and animosity in families, to detach the brother from the brother, the son from the father, and the daughter from the mother, to excite divisions among the children of the same church; is that the voice and the will of God, and his divine Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, who shed for us his most pure blood, "that we might live a peaceful and tranquil life, in all sort of piety and honesty?" After such actions, we are no longer surprised that the Order of these

Monks has been removed from all countries, and no where tolerated. In fact, what state can suffer in its bosom those who spread in it hate and disorder? Constantly occupied in watching over the welfare of our faithful subjects, and consider ing it as a wise and sacred duty to stop the evil in its origin, that it may not grow to maturity and produce bitter fruits,

We have, in consequence, resolved to ordain

1. That the Catholic Church which is here, be again re-established upon the footing in which it was during the reign of our grandmother, of glorious memory, the Empress Catherine II. and till the year 1800.

2. To make all the Monks of the order. of the Jesuits immediately to quit St. Petersburg.

3. To forbid them to enter our two capitals.

We have given particular orders to our Ministers of Police and Public Instruction for the prompt execution of this determination, and for all that concerns the house and institution hitherto occupied by the Jesuits. At the same time, and that there may be no interruption in the divine service, we have ordered the Metropolitan of the Roman Catholic Church to cause the Jesuits to be replaced by Priests of the same religion, who are now here, till the arrival of Monks of another Catholic Order, whom we have sent for, for that purpose.

Dec. 20, 1815.

The original is signed, ALEXANDER, (A true copy).-The Director of the Department, TOURGUENOFF.

FRENCH PROTESTANTS.

At a Special General Meeting of the Deputies appointed for the Protection of the Civil Rights of the Three Denominations of Protestant Dissenters, held at the King's Head Tavern, in the Poultry, London, the 1st of December, 1815, WILLIAM SMITH, Esq. M. P. in the Chair; The following Resolutions were unanimously agreed to:

That this Deputation consider it a duty as absolutely incumbent upon them openly and forcibly to express their abhorrence of the persecutions under which the Protestants of France are now suffering, and of the spirit which has given them birth.

That a humble Address from this Body be presented to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, respectfully, but most earnestly beseeching his gracious interposition with the French Government to put an immediate termination to the insults and injuries inflicted on the Protestants in that country, and to protect them in the peace

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able enjoyment of their constitutional rights and liberties.

That this Meeting, deeply sympathizing with those of their fellow-christians who have already suffered, or who may yet suffer in their persons and properties from these lawless outrages, do most cordially concur in the recommendation of the Protestant Dissenting Ministers in this city to the several congregations of Dissenters throughout the kingdom, to make collections for the relief of the sufferers.

That the above Resolutions, signed by the Chairman, be inserted in the several public papers.

WILLIAM SMITH, Chairman.

That the thanks of this Deputation be given to Wm. Smith, Esq. M. P. for his attendance, and able conduct in the Chair this day.

At Edinburgh, Dec. 5, 1815, The Ministers and Elders of the Edinburgh Associate Presbytery, this day assembled, having taken into consideration a letter, addressed to one of their number, by the Secretary to the Board of the Protestant Dissenting Ministers in London, and which letter contains certain Resolutions passed by that Body at an Extraordinary General Meeting, held on the 28th day of November last, respecting the persecution raised against the Professors of the Reformed Religion in the South of France, unanimously approve of the principles expressed in said resolutions; concur with these ministers in deep and most tender sympathy with the persecuted Protestants in France; and earnestly recommend it to all the congregations under their inspection, to make contributions in aid of the general fund, which is collecting in Loudou and other places of the United Kingdom, towards the temporal relief of their suffering brethren.

They farther recommend that these contributions, when made, shall be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of the Presbytery, and be by him remitted to the Committee of Superintendance and Distribution at Williams's Library, Redcross Street, London, "some of the members of which Committee," as stated by themselves, "will, if necessary, examine on the spot the miseries they deplore, and distribute with impartiality the fruits of their Christian benevolence."

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Meantime, the Presbytery embraces, with zeal, the present opportunity to express the liveliest feelings of satisfaction and gratitude at the assurances of his Majesty's Government to the Deputation from the said General Meeting, "that they feel the deepest regret at the dreadful scenes lately witnessed in France, and that they are using and will continue to use their best efforts in their communications with the French Government, to secure to all