nation, its clergy at present continue to receive their usual salaries from the new government.

So grossly have the French been deluded with the popish ceremonies and superstitions, that the more intelligent have become infidels. Such, indeed, is the case throughout the Roman Catholic countries, and especially in Italy; the people therefore are ill prepared, at present, to embrace the pure Christianity of the New Testament, of which, indeed, they are almost universally ignorant. Nevertheless, the vigorous efforts of some devoted servants of Christ at Paris, with several agents from the Methodist, Continental, London, and Baptist Missionary Societies in England, and especially with the revival of religion among the Protestants of the south of France, all contributing to the circulation of the Scriptures, and the diffusion of divine know ledge, will, we trust, be blessed of God, to produce an evangelical reformation in that great country.

Education being vigorously promoted through many parts of Germany, and the Holy Scriptures being extensively circulated, popery will not be able much longer to retain its hold on the millions in Austria and Hungary. Even the Italian states, and Rome itself, have received many copies of the blessed Word of God; and it is believed, that not a few Catholics, and some of the priests, are sincerely studying the Scriptures of truth for their eternal salvation. Knowledge, by the British system of education, is increasing in South America; and with it, the Holy Scriptures are circulated among the superstitious Catholics.

In British India and the east, the Roman Catholic Church has an establishment of three archbishops and seventeen bishops, with many priests, besides Romish missionaries; but scriptural knowledge, as we have seen, is advancing in those populous regions of the earth.

Canada has the Roman Catholic system for the established religion; and efforts are being made to extend the influence of popery in the United States of America, particularly in the wonderous valley of the Mississippi; but its antidote is provided in the Bible.

Ireland is chiefly popish; and in that injured, degraded, aud distracted country, there are nearly five thousand Roman Catholic priests. But scriptural light and knowledge are advancing among the people, notwithstanding their prejudices against the Protestants.

England, at the commencement of this century, it is said, had not quite fifty Roman Catholic chapels; now it has about four hundred and fifty: but this cannot be matter of wonder, when we consider the amazing increase of its population; the influx of Irish; and the ignorance of multitudes of the lower classes concerning the essentials of religion as taught in the New Testament. But a scriptural education of the people, with the diligent and faithful preaching of the Gospel, will be the effectual means of subverting every false system of religion, and of converting the igno rant millions of mankind to the saving knowledge of God in Christ Jesus.

II. GREEK CHURCH.

12. The date which is commonly assigned, as marking the rise of the Greek Church, is the year 1054, at which time, (as noticed Period V. Sec. 33,) occurred the final separation, between the Eastern and Western Churches, or, as they were often termed, the Greek and Latin Churches.

13. From the time of the above separation of the Greek and Latin Churches, to the year 1453, the state of the former was exceedingly deplorable. On the one hand, the Mahometan power was making rapid inroads upon her dominion, converting her churches into mosques, and by bribes and terrors alluring or compelling her friends to adopt the religion of the impostor; on the other hand, the fanatical crusaders were pouring in torrents from the west to recover her lost territory, but in reality to spread a deeper moral corruption, than before existed.

14. In the year 1453, (Period V. Sec. 18,) the empire of the Greeks

was overthrown by Mahomet II., since which period, the Greek Church has been under Turkish bondage, until their religion has become but little better than a succession of idle ceremonies.

Her

15. In the year 1589, the Russian Church separated from the government, though not from the communion of the Greek Church; by which separation, the latter became considerably limited in extent. people are now found scattered over a considerable part of Greece, the Ionian Isles, Wallachia, Moldavia, Egypt, Abyssinia, Nubia, Lybia, Arabia, Mesopotamia, Syria, Cilicia, and Palestine.

Since the above separation of the Greek Church from Rome, repeated efforts have been made to restore the former to the faith and fellowship of the latter, but without effect. To this day, the Greek Church denies, not only the authority of the pope, but also that the Church of Rome is the true Catholic Church.

The head of the Greek Church is the patriarch of Constantinople; who is elected by twelve bishops, and is confirmed by the Turkish emperor. The other patriarchs are those of Damascus, Cairo, and Jerusalem. These are of inferior note, and, with the whole Church, are poor and depressed.

In doctrine and practice, the Greek Church differs greatly from the Church of Rome. They receive the doctrine of the Trinity, and most of the articles of the Nicene and Athanasian creeds; but rest much upon the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father, and not from the Son. They hold in abhorrence the supremacy and infallbility of the pope-purgatory by fire-graven images-the celibacy of the secular clergy-and prohibition of the sacrament in both kinds.

But yet they use pictures in their worship; invoke saints; have seven sacraments; believe in transubstantiation; admit prayers and services for the dead; have a fast or festival, almost every day in the year; and know of no regeneration but baptism.

16. Of the introduction of Christianity into Russia, or of its state until the separation of the Russian Church from the jurisdiction of the Greek Church, in 1589, we know but little. On this latter event, an independent patriarch was established at Moscow.

Christianity appears to have been introduced into Russia, about the year 890, when Methodius and Cyrillus travelled from Greece into Moravia, and converted some of the inhabitants. From this time, Christianity was gradually spread over many parts of the empire, and in 1581, the Muscovites published the Bible in their own language. 17. On the accession of Peter the Great, A. D. 1696, the Russian Church was in some respects new modelled, and the state of things considerably improved. Although that monarch effected no change in the doctrines of the Church, he adopted measures which greatly removed the existing ignorance and superstition; and, from this time, both the clergy and people have been more enlightened and refined, although they are still but little more acquainted with evangelical piety, than the Roman Catholics.

Peter adopted the liberal principle of universal toleration of all sects and denominations, with but a single exception-that of the Catholics. He abolished the office of patriarch, putting himself at the head of the Church; which, under him, was to be governed by a synod. He also diminished the revenues of the clergy, and caused the Bible to be translated, printed, and circulated in the Sclavonian language.

18. The Russian Church has increased with the increase of the nation. In doctrine she agrees with the Greek Church. But, like her, she seems but little acquainted with evangelical piety. Her clergy are ignorant, and most of her people without the Bible.

Russia, though separated from the Greek Church, retains its forms and creeds as the established religion. The number of its members is computed to amount to thirty

two million, and his imperial majesty is the head of the Church, under whom it is governed by a grand national council of ecclesiastics. Government having seized most of the Church property, the clergy, about seventy thousand in number, are paid out of the public funds. Religion, however, is reduced by them to the performance of numerous superstitious ceremonies: but greatly beneficial effects, it is believed, have followed the establishment of the Russian Bible Society, in 1813, patronized by the late emperor Alexander, and placed under the presidency of prince Galitzin.

A more intolerant policy was forced upon Alexander before his death; and the operations of the Bible Society were suspended in 1826: but about eight hundred thousand Bibles and Testaments were put in circulation, in the several languages spoken in the Russian empire, by the society; and we cannot but hope that they will be blessed of the Holy Spirit to the salvation of many souls, and become the means of a future glorious revival of religion among those tribes of mankind.

Besides the established Church, there are other denominations, who profess the faith of Christ, in Russia: we will briefly notice them.

The Dissenters, (Raskonliks,) the most ardent lovers of the Holy Scriptures in this empire: they are supposed to amount to about one million of persons. The Armenians are about two hundred thousand; the Lutherans, about two million; the Reformed, or Calvinists, about four hundred thousand; the Zoravians have many adherents and converts; the Mennonites, or Baptists. are about ten thousand; the Roman Catholics, are about two million.

At Petersburg, the Rev. Mr. Knill, of the Lordon Missionary Society, has a congregational church under his care, consisting of several hundred members and hearers, and his usefulness in various ways appears to have been very considerable. Mr. Knill's labors have brought us acquainted with several persons of eminent piety, and we cannot but hope for glorious things to arise for the Church of God in that ignorant and superstitious empire.*

It may be properly added in this connection, that Christianity in the east is professed by at least thirty millions of persons. These are scattered throughout part of the Austrian and various provinces of the Turkish empire, under different denominations:-the Greek Church, of which the patriarch of Constantinople is the head, the Georgians, Jacobites, Armenians, Copts, Abyssinians, Nestorians, and the HindooSyrians of Malabar. These different communions still remain in a miserable state of ignorance, superstition, and wretchedness. The Holy Scriptures are but little known among them; but the British and Foreign Bible Society has directed considerable attention to their necessities; and from their "Brief View" of the Society's operations, it appears that they have circulated nearly two hundred thousand copies of parts of the Bible for their use in their several languages.

To detail all the cruelties which have been exercised upon the Christians by the Turkish rulers, especially in the late Greek war of independence, would require volumes. Multitudes, under that despotic government, have been beheaded and strangled, on the most trifling suspicions. Scio, one of the most important Greek islands, the ancient Chio,-having churches and a college, has been almost depopu lated by the Turks, in a military massacre! Out of one hundred and thirty thou sand inhabitants, not more than a thousand remained; and much promising fruit was destroyed. The Bible Society, having agents in those parts, furnished the survivors with the Word of Life, to comfort them in their calamity. Several missionaries belonging to the London, the Church, and the American Societies, have stations at Corfu and Malta. By their labors in preaching the Gospel, much good has been done. Bibles and religious tracts have been extensively circulated, and many schools have been established on the British system. Messrs. Leeves, Lowndes, and Wilson, of the London Missionary Society, have been eminently useful in the translation of the Scriptures, and other valuable religious books, into. Modern Greek; of which latter, there were circulated by them, during the last three years, no less than thirty thou sand five hundred and twenty-two copies.

Several agents of the Bible Society have circulated thousands of copies of parts of the Holy Scriptures, at Constantinople, Smyrna, and other places; and the seed of the Word of God has sprung up in the conversion of many to the true faith of Christ,

*Timpson's Church History.

among whom are several Jews. Mr. Wolff, a converted Jew, has been zealously laboring as a missionary to his brethren in Palestine, and at Jerusalem.

Among all that profess the name of Christ in the east, none appear more interest. ing than the Christians of St. Thomas, on the Malabar coast. They include about forty-five congregations, and about eighty thousand persons; whom Dr. Buchanan, having visited in 1806, represents as far superior to their pagan neighbors, yet deplorably destitute of the Scriptures, few having ever seen any part of them. For their use, the New Testament has been translated into their language, and printed by the Bible Society; and their liturgy has been printed by the Church Missionary Society.

III. PROTESTANTS.

19. Although the Protestants agreed in separating from the faith and fellowship of Rome, they could not agree to form one grand communion among themselves. They may be considered, however, under two divisions-the Lutheran Church forming the one division—and the Reformed Churches the other.

I. LUTHERAN CHURCH.

20. The Lutherans, who are the immediate followers of Luther, are to be found chiefly in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, in a great part of Germany, particularly in the north, and in Saxony and Prussia, where Lutheranism is the established religion. Churches of this denomination also exist in Holland, France, Russia, North America, and in the Danish West India Islands.

The number who profess the Lutheran faith throughout the world, has not been accurately ascertained. They are probably between fifteen and twenty million.

21. The Lutherans date the rise of their Church from the excommunication of Luther by the pope, (Period VII. Sec. 15,) but do not view it as completely established until the pacification at Passau, in 1552. (Sec. 61.) The Augsburg confession, consisting of twenty-one articles, is the acknowledged standard of faith in the Lutheran Church.

The capital doctrines of this confession are, the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures as a rule of faith and manners; justification by faith in the Son of God; and the freedom and necessity of divine grace. In these points they agree with Calvinists generally; but they differ from them in respect to the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper, with which they suppose the body and blood of Christ are united, which union they call consubstantiation. They differ also in respect to the doctrine of election, holding only to a conditional election. In relation to this last doctrine, modern Lutherans appear to have departed from the faith of their leader.

In their worship, they still retain some of the forms of the Roman Catholics;exorcism in baptism; the use of the wafer instead of bread, in the Lord's Supper; images, incense, and lighted tapers in their churches; a crucifix on the altar; besides which, they observe several of the festivals of the Romish Church, and days of saints and martyrs.

In respect to Church government, in every country where Lutheranism is the estab lished religion, the supreme head of the state is, at the same time, the supreme visible ruler of the Church. The councils appointed by the sovereign to watch over the interests of the Church, are called Consistories. The Lutherans have bishops; but they enjoy not much pre-eminence over their brethren, except in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, where they are episcopal. In Denmark and Sweden they are called bishops; in Germany, superintendents, inspectors, or seniors; in the United States, seniors or presidents. In this latter country, the Lutherans are under the direction of a synod, or ministerium.

22. This division of the church has suffered no persecution since

the peace of religion in 1555, except in a war with the house of Austria in 1618. (Sec. 8.) But her internal commotions, growing out of controversies in relation to various points of faith and practice, have often been violent.

One of the controversies which greatly distracted the Lutheran Church, and which was highly detrimental to the interests of religion, respected the doctrine of consubstantiation, which a respectable portion of the Lutherans were inclined to reject. To these was given the name of Crypto-Calvinists, or secret Calvinists.

To put an end to the controversy, and, if practicable, to heal divisions, which were likely to issue in a lasting separation of the Churches, a standard of doctrine was adopted by the civil and ecclesiastical authorities at Torgau, in 1576, to which was given the name of the Form of Concord.

Instead, however, of restoring peace and concord, it became a source of new contention, and furnished matter for the most violent dissensions. Some of the Churches refused to adopt it; especially such as were disposed to live on amicable terms with the followers of Calvin and Zuinglius. In consequence of these, and other contentions of a similar character, a general inattention to vital piety prevailed; discipline was much neglected; and before the close of the sixteenth century, a great degeneracy was visible in all the Lutheran Churches.

23. The above controversies, which for years agitated the Lutheran Church, and the low state of religion, which succeeded as the natural consequence, were deeply wounding to many, particularly within the limits of Germany. Desirous of a happier state of things, these united about the middle of the seventeenth century, under Spener, as their leader, for the revival of experimental religion. From their aim at a superior piety, the name of Pietists was given to them. Although greatly opposed by their brethren generally, and even called to suffer persecution, they appear to have been sincerely attached to the pure religion of the Gospel, and would have produced a happy reform throughout the Lutheran Church, had not their principles and views been too violently opposed.

Spener, who was the founder of the Pietists, was a divine of Frankfort on the Maine. About the year 1680, he published a book called Pious Desires, in which he exhibited the disorders of the Church, and the necessity and means of a reformation. The views of Spener were adopted by many, and a revival of experimental religion throughout Germany succeeded. Great opposition, however, was excited to these reformers, and the power of civil authority was exerted to put them to silence.

24. Notwithstanding the opposition made to them, the Pietists continued for several years to increase in numbers and influence, and were doubtless the means of no small reformation in the Lutheran Church; but, at a subsequent period, they appear to have degenerated, and to have been succeeded by a set of enthusiasts, who, by their wildness and fanaticism, greatly injured the cause of evangelical religion.

"The commencement of Pietism," says Dr. Mosheim, "was indeed laudable and decent. It was set on foot by the pious and learned Spener, who, by the private societies he formed at Frankfort, with a design to promote vital religion, roused the lukewarm from their indifference, and excited a spirit of vigor and resolution in those who had been satisfied to lament in silence the progress of impiety."

"The remedies," continues the same writer, "proposed by Spener to heal the disorders of the Church, fell into unskilful hands, were administered without sagacity, or prudence, and thus in many cases proved to be worse than the disease itself."

The followers of Spener, in subsequent years, became fanatics. A blind and intemperate zeal appears to have possessed them, the effects of which were impetuous and violent. Learning was decried, and all inquiries into the nature and foundation of religion condemned.