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neighbourhood was a pestilential marsh; but the emperor Charles Theodore conceived the project of draining it; thus both rescuing a valuable tract of hitherto useless land, and relieving the surrounding district of its pestiferous miasmata, which rendered the country for leagues round subject to malaria, and caused a fearful destruction of health and life. In the course of five years the draining was completed, and it was determined to found a colony on the rescued scite. Candidates for locations repaired to it from all the neighbouring countries; till, owing to the incautiousness of the authorities, and the cupidity of speculators, it became populated far beyond the means of subsistence. In the centre of the tract was the colony of Carlshold.

It had been originally intended to locate only twenty healthy industrious agricultural families; instead of which, one hundred and twenty-six, wholly unaccustomed to farming, were permitted to fix themselves in the centre of this scarcely-reclaimed marsh. Nothing could exceed the immorality and wretchedness which shortly ensued. The huts were small wooden, ill-constructed cabins, very like those of the Greenlanders; and each of these miserable abodes was crowded by a large family, either dying of hunger, or just sustained in life with a morsel of black bread, or a scanty portion of unwholesome marsh potatoes. "I should be happy upon potatoes," not long since said a colonist, "if I had but a little salt to them." "I could do very well without salt," said his neighbour, "if I had but potatoes for my little ones." The heavy rains constantly penetrated these frail tenements; the children puddled on the muddy ground, for flooring was unknown; and few of the inhabitants had any other bed than a heap of straw, or any bedding except the tatters which served them for clothes by day, and for coverlids by night. The children slept under a shed in summer; and in the cattle houses, for warmth, in the winter; and from hardship, privation, and marsh fever, those who lingered beyond infancy, were so weak and unhealthy, that many of them had not even strength to attend the school.

On some

occasions, the little crops having failed, many families had to struggle with hunger for two or three days together, and the whole village became a band of living skeletons. They were destitute of medical aid; the infant, the aged, the sick, and women in their confinement, had no food, bed, or clothing, beyond what we have described; and the whole place afforded a scene of almost unmingled wretchedness.

After many unsuccessful attempts by the Government to improve their condition, it was at length determined to try to work upon their minds. Carlshold had been annexed to the widely extended

Roman-Catholic parish of Weichering, about a German league and a half distant; but the road was so bad, and the priest so overburdened with labour, that the colonists had been left almost wholly destitute of his pastoral attentions. At length a person was appointed to the village, in the joint capacity of pastor, schoolmaster, churchwarden, clerk, and sexton. A little hut was assigned to him for his dwelling, and the villagers were obliged to make him up a stipend, which, though very scanty, was far beyond what they could afford; and as it was compulsatory, it led to much misunderstanding. A wooden hut was built for a church; but it could not contain a third of the worshippers, though to accommodate as many as possible, benches and similar superfluities were dispensed with. Yet amidst this scene of privation, two Roman-Catholic pastors in succession are stated to have distinguished themselves by their zeal and active labours, and the sacrifices which they made for their flock; but their state of health forced them to resign their post, so that from 1822 to 1826 the people were left without even the name of a spiritual instructor. They were at that period nine hundred and thirty-nine in number, and their profligacy was truly disgusting and appalling.

In the year 1826, the archbishop of Augsburg, (mournful is it that the venerated name of Augsburg should be popish,) visiting the north-east part of his diocese, in which the marsh of the Danube is situated, saw around him nearly a thousand persons in the depths of vice and misery. The scene is stated to have been deeply affecting. The bishop addressed them with ardour and affection, even to tears; while they, weeping around him, implored him to send them a pastor to instruct them. "But will you treat him with kindness?" One and all, 66 We will.' "Will you receive the Gospel which he preaches, and be guided in the way of life and salvation?" They answered with tears rather than words, "We will." The bishop that very night wrote to the king; and M. Lutz was directed to quit the cure which he then held, and to repair to Carlshold. M. Lutz appears to have been a spiritual pupil of Gossner or Lindh, two Bavarian Roman-Catholic ministers; so called, but almost Protestant in their sentiments; who were the instruments of a great revival of religion in that country some forty years since, but were banished by the animosity of the popish clergy, and afterwards exercised their ministry out of the pale of the Church of Rome, both in Russia and Germany.

M. Lutz, in obedience to his bishop, and following, as he believed, the guidance of Divine Providence, repaired to his new curacy. The parsonage hut having been burnt down, one of the villagers let out his own to M. Lutz, taking shelter him

self in that of his son. A few repairs were made, and a trench was dug round it to drain it a little; but still it was so damp that every thing hung up in it be came mouldy, and the good pastor's books, bed, and clothes were oftentimes drenched with rain. In the third year of his residence, a wooden dwelling, somewhat better, was built for him at the expense of government; but it is only by courtesy and comparison that it could be called a house. The building called the church had fallen into ruins; so that, even in the winter, the catechising and public service were obliged to be conducted in the open air, the pastor standing upon a platform of rough boards, and the people eagerly thronging around him with tears, exposed to all the vicissitudes of weather, to listen to his affectionate instructions. The government afterwards assisted them to raise a better building, and even promised to erect an actual church; but this last was never effected. The population in 1830 amounted to more than thirteen hundred souls, of whom only a small portion can be accommodated with standing room; for there is still no space for the luxury of chairs or benches, and the place is so excessively close in summer, that the sickly part of the people cannot attend.

M. Lutz, by appealing to his friends and the public in behalf of his wretched parish, procured some donations of money and elementary books, which enabled him to revive the neglected school. "Being persuaded," he says, "that neither for child nor adult is there any salvation, or any morality, but in Jesus Christ, and wishing to obey his command of bringing little children to him, I undertook, three times a week, the office of schoolmaster." He adds: "The Bible, and all history and experience bear witness that there is no safety for time or for eternity, but in Jesus Christ, God-man, who wept for us in the manger, and died for us on the cross; and that wherever men are radically converted to him, and make use of his holy word and sacraments, the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised, and the Gospel becomes to the poor a true Gospel, (glad tidings,) a rich treasure, a pearl of great price." He entered upon his pastoral labours in the fullest confidence that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: he preached and catechised every Sunday and holiday. He studied, he says, to avoid whatever should take him off from "the one thing needful," or that did not directly tend towards it; he began to deliver familiar affectionate addresses daily to his people after mass and the reading of the word of God; and he who has promised that his word shall not return to him void, deigned to bless his labours. What degree of admixture there was in them of papal superstition, we know not; and throughout the narra

tive we would be understood as not speaking without those serious reservations which are required from the connexion of the pastor and his flock, with the corrupt Church of Rome; which in the merciful, though apparently severe,providence of God, they have at length been driven, as it were in spite of themselves, to renounce. They had, however, evidently, according to our Saviour's words, been led by the Holy Spirit to wish to "do the will of God," and he has enlightened them "to know of the doctrine."

The blessing did not, however, appear at once; and often has M. Lutz almost in despair said to himself, "It is in vain you plant or water, for the soil that you labour upon is utterly barren." But, by degrees, the seed began to vegetate; good order was seen to prevail in families, and in the parish the outbreakings of profligacy diminished, and at length disappeared; public worship was attended beyond expectation; and "some souls awakened from the long sleep of spiritual winter, and began to be anxious for the forgiveness of sins and salvation." During the first year, scarcely any fruit appeared; the next, and the third, a little more was visible; but in the fourth, adds M. Lutz, there was an abundant effusion of Divine grace. Thus he learned, he says, that "the wind bloweth where it listeth;" and that there was much truth in a remark which a friend had made to him: " Do not expect in less than three years to witness a deep and solid life of religion in your parish: it is only mushrooms that grow in a night; but the Divine life has its periods like the natural: we must wait for them with patience, and cannot precipitate them." But let us hear M. Lutz's own words :

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"The first winter I was there, Carlshold had three preachers; hunger in the house, the curate in the church, and conscience in the soul: but between them all, they effected nothing remarkable; for the fear of famine went off in the spring, conscience then went to sleep, and the curate preached in vain. But no; for in the mean time, the seed had fallen into many hearts, and began to germinate.

"It was in the second year, in the spring of 1828, that it pleased God to open the eyes and the hearts of the people, to believe the word preached to them. During Lent, we had in the morning a lecture and exposition of the Gospel for the day; and in the evening, a series of reflections on the sufferings and death of Jesus. A powerful and affecting emotion became visible both in young and old. In most of them might be perceived the powerful influence of Divine grace. The emotion was often so great in the religious assemblies, that it manifested itself by tears and sobs. Abundant tears of penitence and contrition were shed. Nearly the whole of the popula

tion came to what are called,‘The general confession.' They confessed the sins of their whole life; and the pastor felt assured, that in the greater number, this was not a mere pretence, but proceeded from real distress of mind, from an earnest desire of Divine mercy and pardon for their sins, of peace with God and peace of conscience, of a better life and more elevated joys. Many conversions took place, which would excite the greatest interest in a Christian mind, but which are not of a nature for publication. "God having worked in this powerful manner, having in many instances, by fervent love, broken the bonds and chains of sin, and having delivered them from the trammels of darkness, in order to establish, in their hearts, his kingdom which consists in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, the minister thought it his duty to act with as much decision and energy as possible, in order to strengthen, so far as he could, the good principle in their hearts, and to make it predominate openly in the parish. The festival of the approaching Easter presented him with the most favourable opportunity which he could desire for this purpose.

"On the 28th of March, was administered, in the midst of tears, the holy communion to those who celebrated it for the first time. On the following Palm Sunday, the young people communicated, and on Good Friday married persons. Exhortations and solemn vows were made; and the minister had the happiness of reading on a great number of countenances, the undoubted expression of faith, repentance, charity, and joy. These festivals were days of visitation, days of mercy and blessing for the whole parish."

M. Lutz remarks on these events: "Is all this real and deep? Time has proved it, and is still proving it to be so during the following summer; and up to the present time, (25th of January, 1830,) there has been sufficient evidence that it was not transient enthusiam, but real conversion, and true faith effected by Divine grace. An earnest desire for the

word of God, and of solid edification, arose in their hearts, and they endeavoured to become more and more conformed to their Saviour in heart and conduct. Hence, many families resident in the parish, deserve the name of Christians; and very many persons, of all ages, are steadily treading that narrow path which leads to life and happiness. The Church possesses in them pious Christians, the State faithful subjects; Donau Moos, laborious, active, and sober colonists; families, pious parents fully occupied in promoting the good of their children; and, consequently, human society, valuable members.

"That which has much contributed to settle and advance the cause of truth in individuals and families, and which operates every day with a blessing, is the circulation among them of books of piety suitable to their wants. The curate has formed a small parish library, partly at his own expense, partly by the kindness of Christian friends at Augsburg, at Munich, &c. He admitted no books which were not marked by the spirit of Christianity; and he gave them to his parishioners for reading and meditation, according to the opinion he has formed of their life and wants. By this means, he has the most intimate acquaintance with the state of his parish; and the cure of souls was much facilitated. The people had thus in their own houses, during the week, the same Word which they heard on Sunday at church; and in many families, the laudable habit has been settled of rising half an hour earlier, to sit round the table in the warmed room, and to strengthen each other by reading the word of God before they go to their work. The same thing occurs again in the evening."

M. Lutz proceeds to narrate, that the chief instrument of spiritual benefit had been the reading of the word of God; and adds various interesting particulars, which we must defer to another Number, together with the circumstances which led to the rejection of Popery, by himself and his flock, and the formation of a Protestant church.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

SO

THE English Parliamentary Representation Bill has at length passed; that we have now a constituency which must include the great mass of the property and intelligence of the country; but whether the change will be, in any just sense, a reform, must depend upon the character of the electors and the elected.

This is a most serious topic; and we purpose considering it in a future Number, in reference to the expected dissolution of Parliament. Never were the duties of members or their constituents more important, whether in regard to the questions likely to come before another parliament, or the enlarged basis of re

the learned legislators just mentioned in some other matters when we see how tenaciously they cling to a code of blood, and resist every right and necessary reform, as if the existence and glory of this mighty empire were built upon cruelty in our prisons, slavery in our colonies, and narrow-minded injustice in our ecclesiastical and political arrangements.

presentation which will cause the public feeling to bear strongly upon its decisions. The fear in every great change on the popular side is, that improper persons, demagogues, men of unsound principles and damaged character, will strive to get into notice for their own selfish purposes. In the end, indeed, this matter will adjust itself, and men of sound principles and consistent reputation will acquire merited influence; but at first, there will usually be a struggle, in which noisy ambition will try its strength; and the religious and well-affected part of the nation must be on its guard to prevent evil from this quarter. We intend to resume the subject in our purposed remarks upon the responsibility of Christians, especially at the present crisis, in exercising the elective franchise. In the mean time, we commend the subject to the serious and prayerful consideration of our readers. On the choice of men of moral habits, religious character, and enlightened minds, must depend, under God, the hopes of the country, and, we might have said, of the world.

Numerous petitions have been sent in to parliament, praying for the improvement of the laws for the observance of the Lord's day; and several members have already expressed themselves favourable to the object, and some most anxious for it though the newspapers have not condescended to report their speeches. Notice has been given of a motion for a committee, to inquire into the present state of the law and the practice; and we are sure that nothing is wanted but a fair examination to shew the civil duty and benefit, as well as the religious obligation, of protecting the Lord's day against public desecration. This is one of those subjects, which, like the abolition of WestIndian Slavery, will require to be specifically urged upon parliamentary candidates.

A bill has passed the House of Commons, abolishing the punishment of death for robbing in houses without personal violence; and the Attorney-general has brought in another for the abrogation of the same inhuman and unchristian infliction for forgery. The House of Lords, on a former occasion, threw out a similar measure, after it had passed the Commons; and Lord Eldon, Lord Wynford, and Lord Tenterden have strenuously endeavoured to do so again, but happily without success. The house-robbery bill, notwithstanding their opposition, has passed the second reading in the Peers; and the forgery bill, it is hoped, will be able also to go through all its stages, and become law before the session closes. This is a great victory of reason, religion, and humanity, over the barbarous and unchristian system which has so long disgraced the criminal code of a humane and enlightened country. We are less inclined to heed the opinions of

The disclosures which are taking place respecting the West Indies, have cast much light upon the wretched system which prevails throughout those fair and fertile, but unhappy islands. The Missionaries, under every disadvantage, have triumphed by their innocence over their oppressors; the disturbances are clearly traced to the colonists themselves; but in the mean time these faithful men have been shamefully persecuted and nearly hurried to the scaffold: the poor slaves also have been shot, scourged, and hanged in fearful numbers; and the places built for the worship of God are lying in ashes, while the poor victims of oppression are deprived of their best solace, the balm which religion only can bestow in their miserable and hopeless condition. How long will British Christians allow this state of things to exist; and this in spite of the government and the legislature, who are overawed by an organized band of West-Indian proprietors, merchants, and agents, lording it over the wishes, the petitions, the most urgent remonstrances of the country? We rejoice, however, to see that the government continue firm, and have peremptorily refused to retract their humane orders in council. The planters complained that they were maligned by the abolitionists, when they said that the slaves were ground down by excessive toil; their work they said was light, and their hours moderate. Well then, said government, we will only fix by an order what you say is the practice, and then there can be no pretext for complaint. They did so, and instantly the colonists turn upon them and declare that thus to limit the hours of labour is to ruin the plantation; no sugar farm can be worked on such conditions. What then becomes of all their former protestations of easy work and moderate hours? And yet they wish parliament to accept new evidence, which in its turn they well know will prove as fallacious as that which for forty years they have produced. How much longer shall the country be cajoled, the wrongs of the poor victim be left unredressed, and God be mocked?

An appeal is before the privy council to induce the king's government to rescind the order for the abolition of the burning of widows in India. We earnestly trust that it will not be successful: indeed, after the light which has been thrown upon the question during many years, we have not the slightest fear that permission will be granted for the renewal of this

inhuman practice, notwithstanding all the talent displayed-we had nearly and truly said prostituted-by Dr. Lushington, in behalf of the appellants.

While alluding to India we may remark, that it is not generally known how forcible an obstacle is presented to the evangelization of that country, by the Hindoo and Mohammedan law of inheritance, by which a person changing his religion can no longer enjoy or inherit property. It is true that a Christian ought to be willing to yield all things for Christ; but it is not just that he should be forced to do so, nor ought such a preliminary obstacle to be forced in the way of the incipient inquirer. Indeed, humanly speaking, persons who have property to lose will never, under such a system, allow themselves to begin to inquire into the truth of Christianity, the adoption of which must lead to their worldly ruin. The missionaries have long complained of this unjust and absurd state of the law, and the whole case has been submitted to the consideration of the government, and we trust that some satisfactory means will be found of removing the evil.

The cholera, we lament to say, still hangs about the country, and in some places, particularly Liverpool, has proved very severe. In Ireland its ravages are alarming. May the mercy of God be yet

extended to us, and particularly to the sister kingdom.

The bishop of Calcutta has set sail for his diocese, amidst the prayers, and hopes, and anxieties, of the friends of religion throughout the land, evinced in a manner that proves how much his pious, zealous, and consistent course as a minister of Christ has won upon the public esteem and regard. It is a very gratifying proof that, even in these days of manifold evil, there is no want of respect for the sacred ministry, where its members, of whatever grade, live, in any humble measure, according to the spirit of their solemn obligations.

We had added a few paragraphs relative to several other matters both home and foreign, but our space obliges us to postpone them. We had intended, in particular, to allude to the state of France, which is most critical. To the cholera has succeeded internal war; the duchess of Berri having landed in the south of France to promote the return of the exiled family, and the friends of republicanism in Paris having excited disturbances, which were not suppressed without much bloodshed. At present, all is apparently quiet; but the metropolis still remains under martial law, and it seems doubtful what party will eventually triumph.

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ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

E. M. B.; ZENAS; J. S.; A. R. C.; J. A. G.; J. J.; A COUNTRY CURATE; H.; JUNIOR; and MARIA; are under consideration.

We are happy to learn from the Secretary of the Hibernian Society, that the anniversary meeting was not ill attended, but well. He states that the passage which was expunged from the Report, but which appeared in the printed copies circulated on the platform, was not read to the meeting, having been previously crossed out, so that it could not have excited any difference of opinion in the audience. The Record and the Patriot newspapers being opposed to each other on the question of the government plan of education, it was reasonable to conclude that where they both agreed in their statement of the occurrences at the meeting, their united testimony was correct. We had before us two printed copies of the Report, one retaining the passage, the other with it crossed out in ink; which the reporters on both sides stated was done in consequence of something that passed at the meeting: it appears, however, that it was done previously, by the direction of the secretary.

SUPPLEMENT TO RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

WE have only space to add, without a line of comment, the monthly extracts of the BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY;

THE HIBERNIAN SOCIETY;

and the Annual Report of an institution whose objects every Christian and every man of humanity must applaud, whatever differences of opinion there may be as to some of the principles or details of the question,

THE PEACE SOCIETY.

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