but a slight specimen of what they would undoubtedly do on a wider scale, and to a more fearful extent, among the people at large, if they had the power. How this new system, or rather old system revived, would affect society at large, and especially God's faithful servants and witnesses in this land, is a question which seriously, we might say vitally, concerns all who are zealous for God's truth, or wish to see secured and continued to our people the civil and religious liberty which we in this Protestant nation have, for the last three hundred years, with the exception of a few short periods, so happily enjoyed. We are of opinion, and we have given evidence to support it, that if Tractarianism or High Churchism, in its active power, should ever gain the ascendancy, neither the liberty, nor even the life, of a single faithful Protestant would be secure. And here we cannot better close our comparison of the spirit, principles, and tendencies of the two systems or parties of the High Church and the Low, than in the words, adapted to our purpose, of one of our living Bishops. (Both Tractarians and High Churchmen profess unbounded deference for the "slightest word of a Bishop.") "Perhaps one may "he remarks, "that Low Churchism naturally leans towards toleration, and proud nominal orthodoxy towards persecution." Low Churchism inclines towards toleration, because it regards essentials rather than circumstantials. "But orthodoxy, when separated from the true spirit of the Gospel, is often self-righteous, bigoted, proud proud of talents; proud of what it thinks the correct form of truth; proud of holding others in subjection; proud of crushing opposition; proud of erecting itself into a Pope in its own circle: it therefore leans towards persecution." CHAP. XX. THE DISTURBED PARISH RESUMED. "O Italy!- - thy sabbaths will be soon Our sabbaths, closed with mummery and buffoon. COWPER. AFTER the rector of Cherrydale had gained, as described in a former chapter, an inglorious victory over his Protestant parishioners, he took fresh courage, and proceeded yet further in some of his Romish practices. To render his chanting system as far as possible permanent, he had oak stalls put up for his choristers in the chancel; and to keep them to their work, he granted them certain indulgences on festival days. Customs of popish origin were one by one introduced, and things were being brought by degrees back to the state they were in in Catholic times; those "beautiful times," as the now professed papist, Mr. Faber, calls them "in whose deep art, As in a field by angels furrowed, lay For altar-flowers, and ritual display!" the state in which things still are in Roman Catholic countries. But these things will be best detailed by a conversation which Faithful held lately with Roger Seeall, a simple-minded honest man in the parish, with whom he not long since held a conference, upon whose statements we can fully depend. Sir," said Roger, the last time Faithful saw him, "things are going on here worse and worse." 66 Well, what now, Roger: is there any thing new?” "Why, yes, sir, there is a great deal that is new to us. Our minister goes on so strangely, that some people say they are sure he must be out of his senses. 66 Well, what has he been doing?" 'Why, sir, a little while ago, one of his singingmen, his choristers, as he calls them, was married to Mr. Pliant's cook; and all the other choristers were present, to help in the ceremony. They went in a procession to the church, dressed up with garlands of flowers, headed by our minister; and they chanted a great part of the marriage service. After it was over, the married couple and their friends had a dinner together, and our minister actually went and dined, and spent all the evening with them. Some say it was his great humility led him to do this, others think it was hardly becoming in a clergyman. But he seems to care for nobody in the parish except his chanters, sir." "The fact is, I suppose," Faithful replied, "that he cannot carry out his objects without his chanters, and so he is willing to do any thing to secure them. But, after all, there was nothing positively wrong in what you have mentioned, however ridiculous, if he has done nothing worse." 66 Worse, sir! Why, what will you think of this? Last Christmas he was out all night with these men, singing carols about the parish. The whole choir went in procession, carrying lights before them; and Mr. Wheeldriver went with them. They were out from ten o'clock at night till six o'clock the next morning; and then they had to finish dressing up the church before the service on Christmas-day. They dressed it up with festoons of flowers winding around all the pillars, up to the very ceiling, and crosses made of flowers and evergreens, in every part; so that it looked like a fairy-bower rather than a church. And I can assure you, sir, that they had not taken the planks and ladders out of the church, till the people were coming in for the service. Were not these strange doings?" "Truly they were rather strange," Faithful replied, "and tend to bring religion into contempt; but it would be difficult to prove that there was any thing positively sinful, or morally wrong, in such proceedings." "Oh! many people like it," Roger said, "and our church was filled for several Sundays afterwards with all the young girls in the neighbourhood. They said one to another, 'Oh, do come and see Cherrydale church; it is so beautiful; and the singing there is as fine as you would hear at any theatre!"" "Ah! there lies the evil of these things, Roger: it is turning religion into a mere musical or theatrical entertainment; and the end must be complete dissipation of mind, if not dissipation of morals." "There you have hit the nail on the head," Roger replied; "we have already plenty of proof that it does lead to dissipation. You never saw such a loose set as the boys that belong to the choir are becoming. They are often kept up at the rectory till eleven or twelve o'clock at night, to practise; and other nights they go out to sing at some gentleman's house in other parishes, for which they get a supper and plenty of drink; and this makes them so fat and idle, that they will not take the trouble even to wash their hands. I know not what our parish is coming to." "Well, Roger, these things are very sad, certainly; but still they are none of them direct violations of God's law; and while they are not so, people will not be much shocked at them." "But I can tell you something," Roger said, "at which I think you will be shocked." 66 'Well, what's that?" "Why, for some time past (till within the last few Sundays; I suppose somebody has complained of it) our minister has allowed his choir, most of whom you know belong to a band we have in our parish, to play their music after church every Sunday afternoon; so there they are, dressed up in their band dress, in front of the public house, which is right opposite the church gates, playing all sorts of tunes on the Sunday evening in fine weather, while crowds of people come from the places around to hear it; so that, sir, it is just like a fair. Here are women with gingerbread baskets; some people drinking, some dancing, some fighting: you never saw such a scene. 66 Truly, that is very shocking," Faithful replied; "it is profaning that day which God has commanded to be kept holy, and is, no doubt, a breach of the fourth commandment. Have the tables of the commandments ever been restored?" "No, sir: they were taken away, you know, when the chancel was repaired, and the cross and picture were put up; and they have never yet been restored." "How truly Rome-worthy that is," Faithful replied. "In Roman Catholic churches, the ten commandments are never put up; and it is not to be wondered at that your singers break the Sabbath even as they, when they do not see God's law before their eyes forbidding it." 66 'Yes, sir, and these men who are playing the music, such of them at least as belong to the choir, |