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notes, singing as they perambulated, and accompanied by the organ. Then mass proceeded, after which a hymn was sung, and Cardinal Wiseman, with mitre on head, and crook in hand, was processioned with great pomp to the pulpit. He ascended the stairs, preceded by one attendant priest, and followed by another, who stationed themselves on each side the Cardinal in the pulpit. Positions being thus arranged, he was helped off with his mitre by the priest on his right, who on receiving the same, devoutly kissed his hand; the Cardinal then committed the silver-headed crook to the priest on his left hand, who also kissed his hand on receiving the same.

The sermon consisted chiefly of a detail of the paraphernalia of the ancient Jewish Church, attendant on its rites and ceremonies, and of the Divine light, the Sheckinah, that filled the temple,* from which a comparison was drawn of the superior glory of the Christian Church, as possessing the body, blood, and divinity of our blessed Saviour, ever present in the adorable sacrifice of the mass."

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How different from such error, the pure and unsophisticated teachings of our own Protestant faith! How well said Cotton Mather :

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"When the cloud of glory, which was the Sheckinah, that had our Saviour with the angels of his presence dwelling in it, came down and filled the temple of old, what a grateful spectacle was it, and what acclamations of joy and praise were heard from those who saw it! Now a godly man is a temple of God, a living temple, far dearer to him

* 2 Chron. v. 13, 14.

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than the most costly and splendid material temple in the world. And our Saviour comes into a heart, that is continually instructing, reforming, and solacing itself by thinking of him. O thou heart that pantest after thy Saviour, so kind is he, so very kind, that even at the call of a thought, he will come in unto thee!

This is well spoken-Christ formed in the heart the hope of glory.* Before this Rome fades. No room here for the arrogant presumptions of Romish mediators between Heaven and earth. No space for the blasphemy of miracle-mongers, who would persuade the sons of men, that by vain and impious prayers, power is committed to them, to conjure the fruits of the earth, into the body and blood of the earth's Creator and Redeemer.

The Lord have mercy on the deluded! The Lord keep closer to our hearts the simplicity which is in Christ Jesus!

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CHAPTER III.

THE PROFESSEDLY INFIDEL POPULATION.

Prevalence of various forms of infidelity-Rebuke from an Ojibbeway chief-Statements of sceptics-Objections of an omnibus cad-Neglect of employers to further the Gospel-Pleasing instance of conversion-Infidel violence-Affecting details-Hopeful case of a sceptical Gipsey-His pursuit of knowledge under difficulties-His labours on behalf of Christianity-Infidels immoral persons-The Scriptural definition of the atheist as "nabal"-Atheistic admission of something not to be identified with matter—A note on atheism—Painstaking to infuse infidelity—Victoria Park— The writer's agent puzzled-A plausible objection-The reply-A sceptical sweep-A daring and immoral atheist -Specious geological objection-Reply-Importance of studying Biblical criticism-Remark of Dr. MorisonBest mode of arguing with infidels Discussion with an atheistic and socialist lecturer-The argument from the Jews-Hopeful conversion of an infidel, and general usefulness to the whole family-"My speech shall distil as the dew."

Ir is very affecting to contemplate the undeniable extent to which professed infidelity prevails among the working orders. And as also we cannot consistently regard that person as a believer who

is unable, when questioned, to give any good grounds for belief in Christianity, I am reluctantly compelled to conclude, from years of observation, that the majority of persons on my late district were infidels.

Very little credit for sincerity can be given, I apprehend and I speak from actual observation—to such infidels as, possessing secular knowledge, have really inquired into the evidences of Christianity. I believe such professed infidelity to be generally a mask-but this mask, this iron mask, we remember, may be worn until the features are moulded into its form. The fearful denunciation is then fulfilled: "Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie," 2 Thess. ii, 10, 11. The vulture forms of error and sin, wait but the departure of the striving Spirit of God, and then they sail down upon the understanding and heart, as carrion patent to their use. They "arise and devour much flesh.”

The profession of intellectual infidelity is, however, in general a mask, and at all times but as sounding brass and tinkling cymbal," as hollow, as empty, and as vain.

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But there is very much infidelity amongst the working classes that does not sound at all; it lurks in the human heart, "a canker worm," that pursues noiselessly the destruction of all right principles and virtue.

The plan of this work does not admit of extended dissertation, and it is difficult to make cursory remarks upon great subjects; but a few inquiries may be well, as to how far the Church of Christ is chargeable with this state of things, or whether the Church is blameless.

Surely but one answer can be given to this question, when we remember that Home Missionary Societies are mainly the offspring of the present century, and that even now there are to be found in the churches of several denominations, some pastors and people who repudiate Missionary efforts altogether, and in their ministrations and private efforts do not even invite sinners.

The Gospel seems long to have been, in one sense, as a rusty sword in the hands of the Church, and when at last the condition of our home population had become so eminently perilous, as to awaken the Church to a sense of the necessity for some effort, the rust of apathy and

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