ada

me

1

but perhaps in all the world it might be difficult to find so many intellectual impulse sprang up, not only on "owi formis, evidently the stately representatives of the genius of

the domain and under the guidance of the that the place, as are the fellows and masters of the colleges of an English University. It is a peculiar type, propagated

Church, but out of ecclesiastical schools." At ierci from generation to generation. The University towns have Oxford there occurs mention of schools at a happily escaped the lot of modern beautification, and in this respect harmonise with the colleges. Each of the larger and

date much earlier than that of Alfred ; but it Uni inore ancient colleges looks like a separate whole, an entire was to his royal patronage that their celebrity Stion town, whose walls and monuments proclaim the vigorous

and permanent establishment were mainly 23 growth of many centuries: in fact, every college is in itself a sort of chronicle of the history of art in England, and more

indebted. especially of architecture."--Huber on the English Unirer The growth of Oxford, both in numbers and cha sities.

reputation, during the first few centuries of the If we look to their origin, they carry us its existence, is among the most remarkable whi back to the most illustrious men of the olden || facts on record. Superficial writers and speak- bra time; and from the eleventh century to this ers of the present day are wont to picture the day they have been instrumental in training thirteenth century as the darkest era of the sori whatever almost of good and great men have human mind. But Professor Huber, and those siti lived in our annals: while, through the noble who have really studied that period of history, nar endowments which they possess, and espe- || will tell us that it was distinguished by a phy cially its connexion with the numerous gram- ll greater energy and variety of intellect than mar-schools which are scattered over the l any other that can be named. Later times irat country, they are brought within the reach of cannot produce a concentration of men, emi. persons of every degree.

nent in all the learning and science of the age, In the few remarks which we are now about such as Oxford and Cambridge then poured to offer, we shall draw very largely from the forth, miglitily influencing the intellectual dewriter already quoted, and shall confine our velopment of all western Christendom. No selves chiefly, according to his example, to fewer than 30,000 persons are stated at this the elder of the two institutions.

time to have been connected with the Univer The University of Oxford was founded, to- | sity-a number which, even after deducting wards the end of the ninth century, by that about one-half for serving-men and tradesgreat patron of learning and religion, King | people, whom it was then customary to enrol Alfred. His primary object was, the instruc as members, and making a due allowance for tion of the sons of those who lived in the a crowd of junior schools which congregated royal household in “ good morals and good around this centre of learning, and were incorliterature;' but the sphere of this school was || porated into it, is still almost beyond belief. soon enlarged, so as to include all the most | It must be remembered, however, that at the promising youth of England; and we read that time of which we are speaking much greater he si distributed the third part of his wealth” | freedom of intercourse existed among the in maintaining it. The conduct of the educa- || different countries of Europe-an intercourse tion, as a matter of course, was confided to not represented by roads and inns, but by the clergy. No doubt had az yet been raised communion of mind and spirit—than is to be by the inflel as to the bishop being the au found at the present day. All persons of a thorised and responsible guardian of educa- || liberal education were then united by the bond tion for the youth of all classes throughout his of a common language of discourse; and, above diocese ; and therefore the Bishop of Lincoln all, there was every wliere a unity of faith, (in which diocese Oxford was then situated), so that an Englishman was received with open through his archdeacon and chancellor, at arms by the Church of Paris, or Padua, and once assumed the direction of the infant insti- a Frenchman or a German would find himself tution. " It has been maintained (writes Pro- || at liome among a congregation of English fessor Huber) that the northern Universities worshippers. of Europe were produced by a voluntary union || It was the thirteenth century, likewise, of teacliers and scholars of the new philosophy, which set the example of founding and ennon-ecclesiastical men, who desired no autho dowing colleges, which, though now so essenrisation from the Church. This opinion pleases tially mixed up with the system, did not the fantasy and pride of learning, and minis originally form any part of it. The earliest ters to anti-ecclesiastical feelings. Once ad- collegiate foundation in Oxford was that of vanced with some shew of research, it is no University College, which arose out of a bewonder that it has been repeated as unques- quest left by one William of Durham, who tionable fact. Yet all historical evidence bears died A.D. 1249. Merton College was founded so directly the other way, that we can only | by Walter de Merton, chancellor to Edward attribute tlic opinion to confusedness of mind, | III., in 1265, and Baliol in 1284. Before the or to prepossession. The source of the error colleges were built, the students were commay be traced, in part, to an anti-catholic, or pelled to reside in private houses, little or no rather an anti-church, and even an anti-chris control being exercised over their moral contian spirit. Both positive testimony and ge- || duct; but now each student is placed under neral probabilities assure us, that the new || responsible guvernors and tutors; and it is

ed

on owing probably to this feature of the system in Christ their Head, and reaching from the crea

that our Universities have been enabled to ex tion to the consummation of all things. At ercise much greater influence in the formation We gather from the writings of Moses, that the

of the national character than have the foreign Psalms were used as prayers by the ancient Church Universities, which, we believe, without excep

| long before the time of David, for parts of them are tion, retain the earlier (i. e. the professorial,

occasionally found in the Pentateuch. In Genesis

we find, as matter of history, events recorded which as opposed to the collegiate) organisation.

became the subject of future Psalms. In the early From that day to this no material organic

part of Exodus, the same ; but in the 34th chapter change has taken place in the constitution of

we have more: we are there told that “the Lord the Universities, still less in the principles on

descended in the cloud, and stood with Muses in ble which their system of education is based. New the mount, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.

branches of study have from time to time been And the Lord passed by before him, and prohe added; but these all are but, as it were, acces claimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and

sories to the main object for which the Univer gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness se sities were established, and which their very and truth.” Here we have the very words which name implies, viz, not primarily to make men

are found in the 86th Psalm, verse 15; also in physicians, or lawyers, or divines, still less |

Psalms ciii. 8, cxi. 4, cxii. 4, and cxlv. 8; and those mere mathematical craftsmen ; but to culti

words uttered by the Lord Himself with every cirvate that which is universal in man--at least |

cumstance of surrounding solemnity; thus forming

a base of public worship, and calculated deeply to in regenerate, Christian man. The inost im

impress the hearts of the people, who, in verse 14, mediate and important aim of education is to

are forbidden to worship any other God. In the next ennoble the heart, to form the character, to

chapter is a renewal of the command given at the awaken and guide the energies of the soul, to creation, to observe the Sabbath-day, and to keep train up and complete the Christian Man. it holy, followed by directions concerning the taberThis is the foundation on which alone the su- || nacle, the offerings, and the holy garments, all in perstructure of mechanical or scientific know- || reference to public worship, for which appropriate ledge can be safely reared.

words, adapted to their early need, would not have The history of the University of Cambridge

been withheld ; and though these are not fully rediffers only in this from that of Oxford, that,

corded by Moses, yet are they sufficiently manifest, both in its origin and in the great constitu- ||

Il by incidental passages, to slew that they consisted tional change which we have described, it

of psalms of prayer and praise, similar to those ut.

| tered afterwards, in a more systematic and condates a few years later than the sister Univer- ||

tinuous form, by David, who, previous to the build.. sity of Oxford. We will conclude this brief sity of Oxford. We will conclude this brief || ing of the temple, was employed by God in making sketch with an extract from an old and quaint ||

further regulations for the service of the sanctuary, writer, in whose sentiments we most heartily || suited to the increasing wants of a great nation, concur:-"My prayers shall be that each and such as should descend to their latest posterity, University may turn all envy into generous, and be adapted also for the use of the spiritual as yea gracious, yea glorious, emulation : con well as the natural descendants of faithful Abraham, tending, by laudable means, which shall sur the true Israel of God, of whom the children of pass the other in their serviceableness to God,

Jacob were a type. the Church, and commonwealth; that so, ||

| In Numbers vi. 22 we find it written, “ And the "commencing' in piety, and proceeding” in || .

Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron

and to his sons, saying, On this wise shall ye bless learning, they may agree against their two

the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord adversaries, ignorance and profaneness. May

bless thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon it never be said of them, what Naomi said of || thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my herself, that she was too old to bear sons ! || Name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless May they never be superannuated into bar them.” Here again we find words that are to be renness; but, like the good trees in God's met with in many Psalms; as cxxi. 7, xxxi. 16, garden, 'they shall bring forth fruit in their | Ixvii. 1, lxxx. 3, 7, 19, cxix. 135, iv. 6, and cxv. 12. old age, they shall be fat and flourishing."" In the 10th chapter we read again, “And they

de parted from the mount of the Lord three days'

journey: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord THE PSALMS.?

went before them in the three days' journey, to There is no part of the Old Testament that has so |

search out a resting place for them. And the cloud firm a hold on the heart as the book of Psalms.

of the Lord was upon them by day, when they went And if we ask why this is so universally felt, we

out of the camp. And it came to pass, when the find that it is because they are the prayers and

ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, praises of the Church of God;-of the Church in its

and let thine enemies be scattered, and let them fullest sense, not as confined to one people, or to

that hate thee flee before thee." Here we find one age, but as embracing the whole world, and as

the first two verses of the 68th Psalm ; and from extending throughout all time ;-as comprehend

the appropriateness of the subject, it seems as if we ing the whole body of the faithful, joined together

could not be erring very widely, if we suppose the

whole Psalm to have followed. But, be that as it | Two terms descriptive of stages in the academical course.

may, we have reason to rejoice that David has pre2 From introduction to “ Remarks upon the Book of Psalms as Prophetic of the Messiah.” Burns.

served and perpetuated the whole, and that Moses

has transmitted to us that small portion which un

Poetry. doubtedly formed a part of the ritual of his fathers. ||

As we proceed, we see how the royal prophet || CHARACTER OF THE HAPPY WARRIOR. has woven even historical parts of the writings of

Who is the happy warrior ? Who is he Moses into his holy hymns, as in the 78th and 106th Psalms; and the history itself becomes to us

That every man in arms should wish to be ? doubly fruitful, if we seek out the allegorical in

It is the generous spirit, who, when brought struction which the Hebrew names unquestionably | Among the tasks of real life, hath wrought are intended to convey.

Upon the plan that pleased his childish thought; In Deuteronomy we have a repetition of the law

Whose high endeavours are an inward light in regard to its moral tendency, which Muses explains and enforces with most pathetic exhortations

That makes the path before him always bright: to obedience. And here we find sufficient reference

Who, with a natural instinct to discern to the Psalms to prove that a portion of them, at || What knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn, least, in some form, existed and was in use at the Abides by this resolve, and stops not there, time he wrote ; and this is enough for our present

But makes his moral being his prime care ; purpose, which was to shew that the Psalms were used by the Israelites in their religious services

Who, doom'd to go in company with pain, long before the time of David. And it has never

| And fear, and bloodshed, -miserable train! been denied that from his reign to the present day Turns his necessity to glorious gain; they have formed a chief part in the worship of the || | In face of these doth exercise a power Jewish Church. In what high estimation they were | Which is our human nature's highest dower, held by the first Christians is well known ; and the New Testament will prove that our blessed Lord

Controls them and subdues, transmutes, bereaves used them in his appeals to heaven, and also cited

| Of their bad influence, and their good receivestheir words as prophetic witnesses of himself. In By objects which might force the soul to abate short, they have ever been the great armory of de Her feeling, rendered more compassionate ; votion; and being greatly enlarged by the prophet ||

Is placable, because occasions rise David, who was a pre-eminent type of the Messiah, they were left by him as an invaluable possession

So often that demand such sacrifice; to the ancient Church. They may be considered as | More skilful in self-knowledge, even more pu forming a precious part of that fruitful field of || As tempted more ; more able to endure, Scripture, in which the treasures of the kingdom As more exposed to suffering and distress; of heaven, or the gospel truths, are hid; « the

Thence, also, more alive to tenderness, which when a man hath found, for joy thereof be

--'Tis he whose law is reason; who depends goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that Held” (Matt. xiii. 44.) It is a field the very sur

| Upon that law as on the best of friends; face whereof abounds in blessings, and beneath the | Whence in a state where men are tempted still letter, which is, as it were, the upper soil, impe To evil for a guard against worse ill, rishable riches may be found; for in the persons of

| And what in quality or act is best patriarchs, kings, and prophets, we may discover

Doth seldom on a right foundation rest, types of the Redeemer ; under the shadow of the law we are shewn the substance of the gospel; and

He fixes good on good alone, and owes the mysteries of prophecy are made manifest by To virtue every triumph that he knows: their fulfilment in the Messiah....

| Who, if he rise to station of command, And now, having taken a general survey of the

Rises by open means; and there will stand several parts of this wonderful book, to speak of it

On honourable terms, or else retire as a whole, we may say that the great subjeøt is the redemption of man by the victory of Messiah over

And in himself possess his own desire; sin and death.

Who comprehends his trust, and to the same As a signal example of this it may be noticed, Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim; that the first eight Psalms touch upon the leading || And therefore does not stoop, nor lie in wait articles of our holy faith, in a prophetic view of the Incarnation, Passion, Death, Resurrection, and

| For wealth, or honours, or for worldly state, Ascension of our blessed Lord. These are com

|| Whom they must follow, on whose head must fall, plete in themselves, and appear to be placed at the Like showers of manna, if they come at all; opening of the book as an epitome of the whole. Whose powers shed round him, in the common strife

To sum up all in a few words : we see in this || Or mild concerns of ordinary life, heavenly book the devout breathings of the soul of

A constant influence, a peculiar grace ; man towards his Maker; the aspirations of the Church towards her Redeemer; the communion of

But who, if he be called upon to face the human nature of Christ with God: and as Christ Some awful moment to which Heaven has join'd is the Head of his Church, and we, as members of Great issues, good or bad, for human kind, his mystical body, are one with him and he with

Is happy as a lover, and attired us; so, either as an assembled multitude or as in

With sudden brightness, like a man inspired; dividual worshippers, are these songs of Zion designed by the Holy Spirit most devoutly to be made

And, through the heat of conflict, keeps the law our own.

In calmness made, and sees what he foresaw;
Or if an unexpected call succeed,

Come when it will, is equal to the need.

School. Nothing of so advanced a nature has isporr-He who, though thus endued as with a sense sued from the press for many years. We commend And faculty for storm and turbulence,

the book to the master of every grammar-school (s yet a soul whose master-bias leans

throughout the kingdom. il To homefelt pleasures and to gentle scenes

Among several new fields of juvenile amusement * Sweet images! which, wheresoe'er he be,

and instruction which have recently been opened Are at his heart; and such fidelity

by Mr. Burns, we can mention, with great com - It is his darling passion to approve

mendation, two translations from the German of More brave for this that he doth much to love :'

Christopher Schmid, of Augsburg,--the one a very

elegant little book, entitled Sacred History, and Santis, finally, the man, who lifted high,

comprising the most remarkable events in the Old 1.564Conspicuous object in a nation's eye,

Testament; the other, a cheaper kind of publicaGut Or left unthought of in obscurity,

tion, The Story of poor Anthony, or Christmas Eve. * Who, with a toward or untoward lot,

The latter may be pronounced a very interesting

narrative; but the former is of more importance, "I? Prosperous or adverse, to his work or not,

as being a very successful attempt at bringing down Plays in the many games of life that one

the truths of revelation to the capacity of the young, 12. Where what he most doth value must be won : without weakening the instinct of reverence with 2; Whom neither shape of danger can dismay,

which the sacred volume should be approached. of Nor thought of tender happiness betray ;

In the same useful line, but of humbler pretenbe Who, not content that former worth stand fast,

sions, is a Manual of Oral Instruction upon the Bible, De Looks forward persevering to the last

together with a Glossary of Doctrinal Terms (Burns). 1903. From well to better, daily self-surpass'd.

This will be found a great help to dogmatic teachw z Who-whether praise of him must walk the earth |ing in our parochial schools. 34 For ever, and to noble deeds give birth,

Mr. Poole's Twelve Practical Sermons on the Holy Or he must go to dust without his fame,

Communion (Walters, Rugeley) may be safely re; And leave a dead, unprofitable name

commended for family reading, as being equally 3a Dr Finds comfort in himself and in his cause ;

sound and practical. And while the mortal mist is gathering, draws listrat His breath in confidence of Heaven's applause ;

The Pew-System (Leyland and Son, Halifax), es This is the happy warrior, this is lie

contains the essence of all that has hitherto been

written on the subject, besides many valuable sugWhom every man in arms should wish to be.

gestions of the writer's own. WORDSWORTH.

We are glad to be able to recommend a new

periodical, which has just been commenced by Mr. Notices of Books.

Charles Knight, entitled Old England. It is inSelect Pieces from the Poems of William Wordsworth

tended to contain a complete account of such (Burns) requires no recommendation to those who

“regal, ecclesiastical, baronial, and municipal an

tiquities” as are spread over this country; and each are acquainted with the writings of this illustrious man, as Mr. Wordsworth is rightly named in the

No, is illustrated by a profusion of excellent endedication of the volume to Her Majesty. To

gravings. The author appears to possess a thothose who are ignorant of his writings, we can ear- | roughly na

ar roughly national and reverential spirit; and, we nestly recommend this little selection from them;

| doubt not, will, at a very cheap rate, produce a for no one can read them without being desirous of work of almost universal interest. possessing all the works of sojust and good a man, and which have lately been published in six duodecimoes

We beg to recommend also the Christian Magazine by Mr. Moxon. We should add, that the elegance

(Sims and Dinham, Manchester ; Rivingtons, Lonand taste with which the selections before us are

I don) as being the best popular religious miscellany got up are above all praise. We never saw a more

in existence. It is written with great ability, and

upon the soundest principles ; and is admirably beautiful volume, in every way.

fitted for parochial distribution. The Churchman's Evenings at Ilome, by Rev. A. Watson of Cheltenhamn (Cleaver), --if we may judge from the first number, which is just out, promises

Intelligence. to be a very useful work for the purposes intended.

INTENDED New Cuurches at Huddersfield. The same remark applies to Å Companion to the

-The Hon. Mrs. Ramsden, the Earl Fitzwilliam, Services of the Church of England for every Sunday in the Year (Burns), comprised in two volumes 18mo.

and the other trustees of Sir John W. Ramsden, We do not remember io have seen any publication

bart., have most liberally consented, in answer to a so well adapted for the young and unlearned Chris.

memorial presented to them by the vicar of Hud.

dersfield, to afford facilities for the erection of four tian.

additional churches in that large parish. They Theophilus Anglicanus (Rivingtons) is the title || have not only allotted sites, but have also promised of a catechetical work of the highest kind, by Dr. || 20001, towards the erection of each church. Sites Christopher Wordsworth, head master of Harrow have also been granted in various places for schools. Leeds.-A parochial clothing society has lately | inonth was 85. Since the commencement of the been established at Leeds, the rules of which are year, 100 have enrolled their names, and many very excellent, and well worthy of adoption by occasional contributors, whose names are not ensimilar institutions.

tered, have attended the meetings. Where so Church Missions: PAROCHIAL ASSOCIATIONS. | large a portion of the population enter their names -The following letter will shew how effectually as | as subscribers, there must necessarily be great well as how easily a plan of parochial contributions fluctuation arising from the want of regular emmight be carried out. Of course variations in the ployment. The present number actually subscribplan will be required, according to the circum ing is 86; the amount collected in the year will stances of each parish ; and while in some places | exceed 101.; the subscriptions are paid at the collections are made at the houses of the parishi monthly meetings, or sent with the contributions oners, in others it may be thought better to make to the clothing and coal-clubs. None liave been them in church. “Dear Sir,- Being deeply im solicited to subscribe ; all have given cheerfully, pressed with the vital importance of giving every and many have expressed their gratitude for the member of the Church an opportunity of contri- || privilege of being permitted to join in the great buting according to his means towards the main work of evangelising the world. That the same tenance and extension of Christ's holy religion in ) privilege inay be extended to others is the sincere the colonies and dependencies of the British em- || prayer of yours faithfully,

H. KIRBY. pire, by the establishment of parochial associations “Rectory, Great Waldingfield, Oct. 13, 1843.” in aid of the Society for the Propagation of the Userul BEQUESTS.-The late Mrs. Ibbetson, of Gospel in Foreign Parts, I am induced to submit | Henley Hall, Suffolk, has bequeathed the sum of to you the plan upon which I proceeded in January | 2001., three per cent consols, to the Suffolk Clergy last, in the humble hope that others may be in Charity ; and has endowed the parish of Henley duced to follow the plan suggested by the society, with the sum of 7001., three per cent consols, and urged by my respected diocesan in a circular towards defraying the expenses of conducting a addressed to his clergy, which has succeeded in Church of England school.-The late Rev. F. H. my parish far beyond my most sanguine expecta Turnor Barnwall, of Bury St. Edmund's, has betions. Having assembled my parishioners at the queathed to the following institutions the sum of school-room, I commenced by reading the prayers 1 10001. each :--the Suffolk Clerical Charity, the used by the society; after which I read the Brief | Norfolk Clerical Charity, the Norwich and Norfolk Statement of the Past and Present Operations of Hospital, the Norwich Blind Institution School, the Society,' together with some extracts from the the Rupture and Truss Society, and the Christian Annual Report and Quarterly Papers, and then || Knowledge Society. proceeded to place in the hands of the principal "Domestic LIBRARIES" AT BUCKINGHAM PAparishioners, farmers, &c., resolutions similar to LACE AND WINdsor Castle.—Her Majesty, with ihose recommended by the society in the 'Sugges that kind regard which she has ever manifested tions for the formation of Parochial Associations.' for the comfort and intellectual enjoyment of the These having been proposed, seconded, and adopt royal domestics, has just caused to be carried into ed, it was agreed that monthly meetings of the as effect a most praiseworthy design, emanating ensociation should be held at the school-room. At tirely from herself and his Royal Highness Prince the end of the first quarter 87 members out of a Albert, for the establishment of “ Domestic Librapopulation of 653 were enrolled; the farmers sub. ries" in the respective servants' halls, both at scribing from 10s. down to 4s. a-year; the village Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. In order tradespeople and their wives each 6d. a quarter: the more effectually to carry into effect the excel. the labourers ld. a month. The meetings are lent objects contemplated by the Queen, her majesty opened with prayer, after which the quarterly pa has been graciously pleased to make a donation of pers are read by the rector, tracing the progress 1001. for the purchase of books to commence with, of Church extension and missionary labours on the and has also very liberally presen:ed a great variety large Church map of the world, published by the of works, of a useful and instructive character, to Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; using the “Domestic Libraries," both in town and at also for same purpose separate maps of Upper and | Windsor. His Royal Highness Prince Albert has Lower Canada, New Brunswick, &c, &c., which also presented 501. for the same purpose. tend greatly to heighten the interest when the pa ADDITIONAL Curates' Society. - Richard pers are read by the members at their own homes, Fountagne Wilson, Esq., has, with his accustomed where the rector has experienced the comfort of | liberality, given the munificent sum of 15001. to be the assurance held out in one of the quarterly pa permanently invested in aid of the funds of this pers of the society, that where parochial associa society. If wealthy layınen, too generally contented tions are formed, they will be found to be a bond with a mere guinea subscription yearly, would follow of union between the clergyman and his flock.'| Mr. Wilson's example, our Church-societies would Portions of the Annual Report and Appendix are be better able to carry out their great and desirable also read, and the journeys of the colonial bishops objects. and missionaries traced on the maps. Any other information relating to the society is also given at the monthly meetings. The school-room being

LONDON: small, it was found requisite to limit the numbers Published by JAMES BURNS, 17 PORTMAN Street, by requiring non-members to put at least one penny PORTMAN SQUARE; and to be had, by order, of all Book: into the collecting-box at the door. The meetings

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