% IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 1.25 If 1^ I ii: 1^ mil 2.0 2.5 2.2 ■1 1.4 III 1.6 ^^ vl ^> .%.%^ '^ > r.*> j^ y Sciences Corporation 23 WEST KiMN STREET WEBSTM.N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-450;^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICIViH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filnf>ing. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. □ Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ D Couverture endommagie Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur6e et/ou pelliculAe □ Cover title missing/ Le tit D D D titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes gtographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relii avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re Mure serrie peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intirieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela itait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmies. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires: L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il iui a Sti possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m6thode normale de filmage sont indiquAs ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ D This Item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmA au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous. Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagies □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ ^ Pages restaurdes et/ou pelliculies Pages discoloured, stained or foxod/ Pages ddcolories, tacheties ou piqudes □ Pages detached/ Pages ddtachdes Showthroughy Transparence Quality of prir Quality indgale de I'impression Includss supplementary materia Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible rri Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includss supplementary material/ I I Only edition available/ The toU The post of tl film! Grig begl the •ion othi first slon or II Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont M filmdes d nouveau de faqon i obtenir la meilleure image possible. The shal TINI whi( MaiD diff< entii bag! righ reqii met 10X 14X 18X 22V 26X 30X I J 12X 16X - 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmad here has been reproduced thi<.:iks to the generosity of: Bibliothdque nationals du Quebec L'exemplaire f iim6 f ut reproduit grAce ii la g6nArositA de: Bibliothdque nationale du Quebec The Images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in Iteeping with the filming contract specifications. Les imagos sulvantes ont 6t4 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet^ de l'exemplaire filmi, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the bacic cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with e printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or Illustrated impression. Les exempieires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprlmte sont f Ilm4s en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iiiustration, soit par le second plet, selon le cas. Tous les autres exempieires originaux sont fllmte en commen^ant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iiiustration et en terminant par la dernii'e page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbci —»•( meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol Y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboies suivants apparaftra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: ie symbols — ► signifle "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifin "FIN". l\/iap8, piatss, charts, etc., may be filmed et different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure era filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illuctrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre fiimAs A des taux de rAduction dIffArents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seui clichA, 11 est filmA A partir de i'angle supArleur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants iiiustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 /L?/^ A LETTER INTENDED ] FOR PUBLICATION IN <*THE QUEBEC MERCURY, » 29th M/: CH, 1836. » a > • > • . " ' ; ' . » .' ' ;• . . ; • ... '. ■ . • > ' I > QUEBEC : PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 1836. [Pi 84. 01 • , • • • TO THE EDITOR. SIR, You have asserted that the " censure" which has proceeded from Montreal is "justly merit- ed" by the Clergy of this city. Permit me to request you to give your readers an opportunity of judging whether you are justified in making this assertion. What are the facts of the case ? The So- ciety of Saint Patrick (chiefly composed, it is to be presumed, of Roman Catholics) address an official invitation to the members of the Society of Saint George, (all, I believe, Pro- testants) and Saint Andrew, (by far the greater number, if not all, of whom are Protestants) to accompany them, on Saint Patrick's Day, to the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Patrick. 58551 This invitation is officially accepted by a pub- lished advertisement from both Societies.* The Clergy of the Church of England thus become acquainted with what many of their people propose to do. They feel that they have to give account at the bar of Christ for the souls committed in the Providence of God to their charge. Their responsibility to God and to the Church, whose Ministers they are,~their responsibility to their people,— compel them to bear testimony to the truth, and to speak in guidance publicly and privately as need shall require and occasion shall be given. Will any venture to say there was here no need, no occasion ? The Clergy of the Church of England, having cure of souls, did not think so : they felt at once that they ought to speak, plainly to their people, both from their proper place of warning, their pulpits, and also by notice as public (else it would not reach as far) as the occasion of their warning was public. * Copies of these advertisements are j»dded at tbo end of thp Notes to this Letter. (1.) They did not, however, follow out their inten- tion in this latter particular ; but printed copies of an address,* signed by all the Minis- ters having cure of souls, to the several Pro- testant Episcopalian members of the Societies of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick, were distributed in the several Protestant Episcopal Churches, on the morning of Sunday the 13th. Can it be said, if this address was properly worded, (v/hich I will briefly consider presently,) that their method of distributing it was improper ? It seemed the only course which, under present circumstances, was likely to effect their object, — to counteract, as far as they could, the very improper proceedings of the several Committees of the three Societies, the one in giving,! the other two in accepting the invitation to attend collectively public ser- vice in St. Patrick's Church on ^t. Patrick's * Inserted at the end of the Notes to this Letter. (2.) f The invitation of the St. Patrick Society was irregular as well as improper. See the copy of the Second Article of the Con- stitution of this Society, inse<:ted at the end of the Notes to this Letter. (3.) 6 Day. And if their address has since obtained a much wider circulation, are they, if this be a fault, altogether responsible for it ? It can hardly, I think, be shewn that they are. But the composition itself is not elegant, — the insinuations are not borne out by facts, — the doctrinal assertions are untrue,— the infer- enccs are false,— and the whole is a presump- tuous interference, entirely uncalled for and out of place. Such are the chief objections which 1 have happened to see or hear. Let us briefly examine their justness. The first hardly calls for notice. Simplicity and godly sincerity do not require a finished style and studied arrangement in order to manifest a plain case. The address was clear enough to obtain a faithful rendering into French, ^nd has been sufficiently understood in the original. I pass to the next charge : "the insinuation that Ro- man Catholics do not attend Protestant places of worship is not borne out by facts." I am glad to hear it ; but it is very unexpected in- formation. I know that, on an occasion of the performance of sacred music in the Cathedral, it was proposed to impart to it a more religious character, by making it follow the celebration of evening service ; but this could not be done, because, as was alleged, in such case no Roman Catholics would attend. I have never before heard of their attendance in Protestant places of worship, and I thought (and may venture perhaps still to think) that they are restrained by principle from giving this attendance ; and I urge this, not as matter of reproach, but of fact ; and the annexed extract (see Note A.J tends to confirm my previous impression. But ** the doctrinal assertions are untrue :" that is, Roman Catholics do not commit the idolatry of offering prayers to the Virgin Mary, to Saints and Angels,— do not pronounce the consecrated wafer to be God,— do not worship it as such. Now really, sir, with the Roman Catholic Missal and Breviary in my hands, — with their acknowledged authorities, the Canons and Decrees (not to speak of anterior Councils, equally authoritative,) of the Council of Trent 8 before mc, I must venture to repeat, they do do all this, and, I will add, more than thi^. And with the Bible in their hands, the Ministers of the Church of England have been bold to call this idolatry. They were no Protestants if they did not. Upon the subject of the adoration of the host, I subjoin copies of parts of the decrees of the Council of Trent, (see Note 5,^— an extract from the declaration at the end of the Communion Service in the Prayer Book o^ the Church of England, sanctioned and enjoined I need hardly remark, by the Imperial Parlia- ment, (see Note CJ— and a very important ex- tract from the present Bishop of Exeter's " Letters [Appendix, p. 359] to Charles Butler, Esquire," (see Note Z)J— shewing that, upon our principles, even in the judgment of Roman Catholics themselves, we must consider the worship of the consecrated wafer idolatrous. Is it neces- sary, then, to meet the next assertion against the Clergy : ** that the inference which they draw," viz. that unconstrained attendants upon idolatrous services (I pass by the bowing down Tr"»i 9 at the elevation of the Host, which may or may not be required, may or may not take place : I know that it is generally considered to be required, and is also, I am sorry to say, gene- rally done,) " are partakers of the idolatry com- mitted." If they are not partakers of what is done there, what do they there at all ? Does the denial of participation admit of argument in its support ? I think plain minds will feel that it does not. But, " the bigotry, intolerance, presumption, &c. &c. of the Clergy is disgust- ing," I think you say ; and others have spoken almost as harshly. At the ordination of Priests in the Church of England, they are asked by the Bishop, " Will you be ready with all faith- ful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word, and to me both public and private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as to the whole, within your cures, as need shall re- quire and occasion shall be given? Answer, / will, the Lord being my helper** I think the call of the Ministers of this city to their people, iO *• as Protestants, in consistency, charity, and faith, to stay away from the service of the Ro- man Catholic Church," follows not improperly, —may I not write necessarily^ — upon this pro- mise. I will only further refer, in their justifi- cation, to Ezekiel, chap. Ill, verses 17, 18, 19 : ** Son of man, I have made thee a watchman anto the house of Israel ; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked. Thou shalt surely die ; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life ; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity ; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness por from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity J but thou hast delivered thy soul." And, Hebrews xiii. 17 : " Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves , for iliey xmtch for your souls, as they that must give account : that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that is unprofitable 11 for you." The Scriptures are the armoury and only ultimate authority of Protestant Christians. One word I will take leave to add of advice, if they will permit it, to the Clergy of the Church of England themselves. If Protestantism exist so much in name only, upon whom does the chief blame rest ? Upon the untaught, or those who are set to teach ? Were the plain truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, more especially taught, — early and constantly taught, — not only in their simplicity, but in their plain and direct opposition to the errors in doctrine and practice of the Church of Rome, would an affectionate scriptural warning to your people, so taught, produce such effects as you have been made to witness ? I trow not. Opposition and enmity, for a time, and from the generality of your people, you must ex- pect, (Matthew x. 34—39 ;) but if the Lord give faithfulness to his Ministers, and they are enabled to speak the truth in love, ** they may be persecuted, but they shall not be forsaken. 12 cast down, but they shall not be destroyed/' (2 Cor. iv. 9.) Let thetn pray in the name of the Lord Jesus, and they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, and speak the word of God with boldness," (Acts iv.) and be among their people, eventually, " in the fulness of the bless- ing of the Gospel of Christ." C. S. P. ♦#* Permit roe to ask the Editors of other papers to follow your sense of justice iu giving insertions to these observations. NOTES. Note A. " Quest. — But, at least, is it not very uncharitable in Roman Catholics, to abjure all manner of communica- tion in religious exercises, with those of every other religion ? " Ans. — This abjuration or refusal, so far from being uncharitable, is, in their mind, enforced by the truest charity. Convinced as Roman Catholics are, and firmly persuaded, that there is, and that there can be, no other true religion than their own ; they cannot consistently, nor candidly, nor lawfully approve, or even appear to approve, any other religion ; which they certainly should appear to do, were they thus to join in these religious exercises, or frequent places of worship belonging to separated communions. Such temporizing conduct has the aspect of prevarication : it is in some sort betraying the truth of God. In their principles, they must abhor it, as calculated to delude their separated brethren into an unfounded, and therefore most dangerous, security. Charity here compels them to stand oflF. Besides, esteeming the gift of Divine Faith to be invaluable, in- asmuch as without faith it is impossible to please God, they cannot innocently expose themselves to the danger of losing it." — (Extracted from " The Key of Paradise," published in Philadelphia, 1834, arranged by a Clergy- man, approved by Bishop Kenrick.) 14 Note B. Con. Trid. Sess. XIII. C. 1. "Principio docet sancta Synodus, et aperte ac sim- pliciter profitetur, in almo sanctse Eucharistise Sacra- mento, post panis et vini consecrationem, Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, verum Deum atque hominem, vere, realiter, ac mbstantialiter sub specie illarum rerura sensibiiium contineri. * * * Canon VI. " Si quis dixerit in saneto Eucharistise Sacramento Christum unigenitUm Dei Filinm non esse cultu latri