trochais" turn our meat, they employ the smoke-jack to say their prayers for them; and the Kurada which spins over the fire in the midst of the hut, transfers all its merit to the owner.

I stop for a moment to despatch any quibble which may be raised concerning the efficacy of the Kurada. As if the object of prayer were not more honored by the motion of a piece of paper, unsullied, except with the marks of adoration offered to him only, than he could be by the motion of a piece of flesh, which the quibblers would, at another time tell us, is, in itself," a world of iniquity, setting on fire the course of nature, and set on fire of hell." Or, as if the hum of the quickly revolving cylinder, and the drone of the creaking spindle, were not equal in their kind to any thing that can be produced by human organs employed for the same purpose. Or, as if the reclining posture of the Tartar, who eyes with mute devotion his ascending prayers, were not as sublime as any bending of the knees, or wagging of the jaws can be. Or, as if (attaching the slightest virtue to prayer) it were not more meritorious to keep up a continual pray, than to pray like Daniel three, or like David seven daily prayers.But in each and all of these particulars, and in every other, the method of the modern Calmucks, is so evidently preferable to that of the ancient Canaanites, that it would be wasting time and words to draw a comparison. It is pleasing, likewise, to find, that, in other respects, the Calmucks are better models for imitation than the Canaanites. They do indeed live in the same wild wandering state, sojourning, wherever they find pasturage and water for their cattle. But rapes, murders, and incests are comparatively few among them. And their God, who has likewise appeared in the shape of a man-the Grand Lama-does not require human sacrifices prove their faith, or rather ferocity; nor does he delight in the burnt flesh of murdered brutes. Indeed, an opinion has prevailed, that they had a method of cooking their victuals, which would render the assistance of the priests in eating them quite supererogatory. The Author of Hudibras, writes that they

to

"Did slay their meat between their bums,

And the horse's backs o'er which they straddle,
And every man ate up his saddle.".

But the Reviewer seems inclined to believe that this is not the case. I proceed to unfold still further and greater improvements made by this most ingenious class of religionists. (See p. 314, of the Review.)

66

The Mongols are yet more wisely economical of individual responsibility and labor. Amongst them, the inhabitants of a district construct a Kurada, at their joint expense, which is placed in a mill-house by the side of a running stream. And this subscription Kurada is made so large, that it holds prayers enough to serve for all the parish; and, consequently, except in seasons of uncommon drought, when the water is too low to turn the mill, which grinds prayers for the parishioners, they are completely exonerated from the obligation of wasting their time in the Churule or Temple. The Kimorin is another dumb substitute for devotion of the same nature. It is a flag upon which the air-horse or Kimoria is painted, together with an appropriate selection from the Calmuck ritual. Such were the consecrated ensigns seen by Dr. Clarke. As long as the Kimorin flutters in the wind, the inhabitants of the tent upon which it is hoisted are making their way to Heaven, by help of the air-horse."

Thus, (if they have the sense to use it,) are the Christian and all other

classes of Religionists put in possession of various modes of worship, which will literally spread the glory of their respective Gods

"Far as the breeze can bear or billows foam."

For every wind-mill and every water-mill may send its batch of praise and prayer from every parish.

An ingenious friend of mine, to whom I am indebted for several valuable hints, avowed to me his conviction, that the church steeples, at present, so inelegant and useless in every point of view, were certainly destined by Providence for the chimneys of steam machinery. If he was right in his prediction, the steam-engines will of course be introduced into the churches, and large cylinders containing all the prayer-books and private prayers that can be collected, may be worked by steam.Other cylinders, perhaps not smaller, may be provided for the anathemas, which the more zealous may choose to address to their God on behalf of the infidels. By a little mechanical contrivance, the machinery might be adapted for performing the rites of baptism, confirmation, churching of women, ringing, &c. Marriage, if necessary, would, perhaps, be best solemnized before a justice of the peace, as it was during the most religious period of our protestant history-the protectorate of Cromwell. Certainly, it is not a religious ordinance. Some of the ancient fathers of the church who got nothing by it, considered it only as a cloak for forni cation. We find the moderns, who get a great deal, are generally its ad

vocates.

The advantages of these improvements would be incalculable. An exact obedience would be rendered to the command of the apostle. An immense stock of supererogatory prayers would be accumulated, sufficient (if they are of any avail) to accomplish the salvation of the whole world. An infinite saving of time and labor would be effected. A mighty multitude of incomprehensible (i. e. unintelligible) and absurd words and speeches, or rather sounds and noises, would fall into disuse. A large, powerful, and combined force of able-bodied, and, in some degree, wellinformed ministers would be necessitated to become really useful to society-to be ministers in the true sense of the word, as their oral prayers would no longer continue a saleable commodity. A regal revenue would, in consequence, be applied to the support of industrious millions in penury, which now only supports a few idle thousands in luxury. And lastly, prayer itself would become, inasmuch as possible, a reasonable service, a free-will offering, in which unceasing devotion, faith, grace, human-skill, and divine sapience, would be combined for the glory of God. All these incalculable advantages would accrue to us, if we were only to borrow a little wisdom from the Calmuck Tartars.

I know, after what I have written, that the present laborious, pernicious, and ruinous system, can only be defended on the principle which would urge us to perform pilgrimages and penances. Some, indeed, from habit or prejudice, may still prefer the most roundabout way of getting to Heaven; and many more, from spiritual pride, may oppose a method which would deprive them of the opportunity of showing forth their praying gifts and graces. However, it is certain, that, if the question were to be tried by its own merits, the improved mode would prevail.

* Antiquarian research finds the steeple of the Church to be a continuation of the emblem of the fire or sun worshippers, representing the conical ascension of flame. Hence, a variety of religious, and even Christian deductions.

R. C.

But I know also, that every craft has steadily and obstinately opposed the introduction of machinery; and from the most selfish of all crafts, a higher kind of feeling cannot be expected. Yet, unnecessary labor is always an evil; and, indeed, that evil which appears to result from machinery, is, in fact, the evil of ignorance in the operatives; and this would be the case in the present instance. In general, the mechanical improvements introduced by the employer, far outstrip the intellectual improvement of the workmen. And hence, the mechanical improvements, instead of diminishing the labor and indigence of the poor, only increase the ease and affluence of the rich. But this is digressive.

There is, indeed, in ancient history, a case nearly parallel to the present, which time has decided in favor of truth and reason. Allow me to state the case briefly, and to draw the parallel.

In every ancient Greek city, there was a functionary, who, at the proper hour every day, ascended some raised station, and proclaimed the ascent of the sun to the meridian. And, in every modern English city, there is a functionary, who, at the appointed hour every week ascends a rostrum, and proclaims the approach of some piece of matter or spirit, which, he, upon occasion, will call "the sun of righteousness." Now, the sun which the Greek proclaimed, is seen by every one; but the sun of righteousness, which the Englishman talks of, no one ever saw. Now, that the Greek herald of the noon-day has given place to the clock, shall not the English herald of the judgment-day, give place to the Kurada?— The clock cannot accurately inform us of the progress of the sun: the Kurada will most accurately inform the supposed all-seeing sun of righteousness of our spiritual progress. There is no argument, which the Euglish preacher can urge, as being the minister of his God, which the Greek proclaimer could not urge as being also the minister of his God, even" the glorious Apollo." Both Deities claim the honor of having delivered mankind from the great serpent-Python or Apollyon.

But after all that can be said, it is of no consequence, how valuable and admirable the improvement may be, since power is the only means of making right available; and, in this case, the power is in the possession of the interested and opposing party. The improved mode of prayer is indeed like prayer itself, altogether a personal matter, and its advantages may be enjoyed by every one individually, from the old woman at her spinning wheel, to the lady in her splendid vehicle-by every one who can devise, or does in any way use, a rotatory motion. For my own part, I have no particular interest in the improvement, distinct from the desire to mitigate the labors of the devout. No one can accuse me of being addicted to praying, and, therefore, it cannot even promote my own ease or convenience. But, when I consider the powers, interests, and prejudices, that are embattled against it, my motto occurs to my recollection, and I foresee, that my counsel will not be taken. We do not indeed, know what course Mother Church may hereafter adopt, to save her sinking greatness, since she and all her daughters are in imminent danger and affright. But, whatever individuals may think of the scheme itself, or whatever may be its fate, every one must concur in the opinion, that unasked and uninterested as I have been, "my counsel was a kind one.” March 30, 1828.

IVACTO.

Printed and Published by RICHARD CARLILE, 62, Fleet Street, where all Communications, post paid, or free of expence, are requested to be left.

No. 15. VOL. 1.] LONDON, Friday, April 11, 1828. [PRICE 6d.

SUNDAY SCHOOL.

MR. CARLILE has now fully prepared his room for the above purposes, and, in addition to the Sunday, he will open it on the Wednesday evening, from eight to ten, for discussion on the want of evidences for the Christian Religion. In this discussion, Mr. Carlile will maintain against all comers, reverend or irreverend, that the Christian Religion is falsely founded in history and in physics; that the alleged history of the gospels is wholly fabulous; that the principal epistles of the New Testament are compiled extracts, and not genuine documents, now presented as they were first written; and that his gospel, 'THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO RICHARD CARLILE,' is the only true Gospel of Jesus Christ extant.

In this establishment, it is intended, that the principle of discussion shall be kept up fully to the point, at which Mr. Taylor left it at the Areopagus, in Cannon Street; and, with this addition, that we shall not here, as Mr. Taylor did, trammel ourselves with the admission of any kind of deity, nor object to any discussion that may bear upon the question of deity. The object really aimed at is DEFIANCE TO THE PROSECUTORS OF MR. TAYLOR; a determination to assert, orally, the right and propriety of free discussion on all subjects.

The time of business, will, for the future, be on the Sunday morning, from eleven to one; on the Sunday evening, from eight to ten; and on the Wednesday evening, from eight to ten. For the Liturgy, adopted at Mr. Taylor's Chapel, on the Sunday, we shall substitute a conversation, and an extemporaneous and free catechism, in which any person present shall put any question to Printed and Published by R. CARLILE, 62, Fleet Street. No. 15, Vol. I. 2 G

any speaker upon the subject spoken, subject to the decision of the president, as to the relevancy of the question, to the subject before the assembly.

The admission price, to the room, will be so far varied from the terms first proposed, that those who have taken, or may take a ten shilling quarterly ticket for the Sunday School, will have free admission by that ticket on the Wednesday evenings. The same will be the case with the person who may take a shilling day ticket on the Sunday; but as the single admission prices have been complained of as relatively unfair, and heavy, and exclusive, we shall meet the wishes of several applicants, and give sixpenny tickets for single lessons, or admissions. This may be taken as the definitive regular arrangement for the use of this

room.

On the Sunday morning next, April 13, Mr. Carlile will discourse on the text, THAT MORALITY IS THE ONLY ONE THING NEEDFUL IN HUMAN ACTION: in the evening, that RELIGION IS THE REAL ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, SET UP IN HIGH PLACES.

On Wednesday evening, April 16, Mr. Carlile will defend his gospel of Jesus Christ, against any person who may be pleased to assail it.

LETTER IX.-FROM THE REV. ROBERT TAYLOR.

DEAR MR. CARLILE,

Oakham Gaol, March 30, 1826.

I RECEIVE, with entire serenity of mind, the "friendly scoldings," or rather hostile criticisms, upon the style of my communications in THE LION, with which you have favoured me, by this week's parcel; and all the more, on account of your truly generous intimation, that some of my friends have expressed approbation, even of the very matters that have incurred particular censure; and of your recommendation as a corollary, that "I should use my own judgment." You know I moralize on every thing; 'tis my mind's darling axiom, that morality is the SUPREME SCIENCE. All the proprieties, and fitnesses of sentiment and conduct are deducible into EQUATIONS; in the calculation of which, prejudice should have no weight, and passion no voice. The square of seven will be forty-nine; and 'tis the mind of the calculator that it is in an error, which neither fate, nor fortune, nor God himself could rectify, if it but conceive the wish that it should be either more or less. Thus there is, in every situation in which a man can find himself, the line of rectitude, the right feeling that he ought to feel; the right sentiment that he ought to entertain; the right conduct that he ought to dopt; besides which, none other can be right, none other