A HOLY ROBE CONVERSION. One of the conversions which attract the greatest share of public attention at Berlin is that of M. Arthur Franke, a Protestant theologian, who had long been most zealous in his faith. He appears disposed to embrace the Ecclesiastical State in the Church to which he has now attached himself. The Ecclesiastical Gazette of Berlin expresses a lively regret for his fall, brought on, it observes, by the English Puseyism, which is penetrating more and more into Germany. To judge from what may be heard in certain meetings, adds that journal, other defections may yet be expected. At Atthium, in the palatinate of the Rhine, there lived for many years a Protestant, who had contracted a mixed marriage. As long as his wife lived he regularly went to the Catholic Church; but after her death, which took place five years since, he frequented only the Protestant place of worship. During the exposition of the holy robe of Treves he resolved, although seventy years of age, to make that pilgrimage in the company of his children, and accordingly he went; but at his return to his own parish he made the utmost haste to announce to his pastor his firm resolution to embrace the Catholic faith. The minister supplicated him to allow time for more mature reflection; but he answered-"There is here no need of reflection; I have seen things at Treves which I might seek for in vain in the Protestant Church ;" and faithful to the Divine vocation he made no delay in giving joy to his Catholic fellow-citizens by a public abjuration.—Ami de la Religion. CONVERSIONS FROM ROMANISM. "On Sunday last, the first Sunday in the year, six persons publicly renounced the Romish apostacy in St. Audoen's Church. The Rev. Thomas Scott read the service, and preached on the solemn occasion from the 19th chapter of Genesis, and 17th verse-"Escape for thy life." The church was densely crowded, and quite inadequate even to receive the multitudes of people who thronged to witness the interesting ceremony. We have been informed that there were many Roman Catholics present who paid the closest attention to the entire service."-Dublin Statesman. OPERATIVE AUXILIARIES OF THE REFOR- EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR. S-t. Westminster Operative Auxiliary. A public meeting has been held, at which Captain Harcourt, who was in the Chair, read the following Report." The Committee of this Society have to state, that since the formation of this Auxiliary there has been held nine public meetings, at which lectures, addresses, &c. have been delivered, on the doctrines and errors of the Church of Rome, which have been the means, the Committee have reason to know, of diffusing much information on the subject, among both the Protestants and Romanists of Westminster. 3700 tracts on the subject of the Controversy have been distributed gratuitously, and a system of visiting Roman Catholics at their homes, lending them tracts, holding discussions with them, and endeavouring to awaken in them a spirit of inquiry, and of leading them in reliance upon God's blessing, to forsake the errors of the church to which they belong, has been organised and is acted upon by the young men of this Auxiliary."—And then in an impressive address, shewed the necessity of a society like this, for counteracting the spread of Popery, and for rescuing those who are already its victims. The Rev. Mr. Barber, in an eloquent speech, then proposed the question." How shall a man be just before God?" in the course of which he beautifully brought out, and illustrated the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, proving the all-sufficiency of the Saviour's atonement; and exposing the errors in which the Church of Rome has fallen upon this all important point of Christian doctrine. The Rev. R. P. Blakeney, then followed, and in the most convincing and powerful manner, refuted an objection which some bring against this Society, as being a controversial Society. Mr. B. then proceeded to shew the fearful idolatry of the Church of Rome, in worshipping Saints and Angels, Images, and the Host. In the course of his speech, he was repeatedly interrupted by several Roman Catholics present, who denied the authenticity of the Romish works from which Mr. B. quoted, and charged him with falsehood: after answering them, Mr. B. asked one of the objectors, whether if he (Mr. B.) could prove the authority and authenticity of a work from which he quoted, he would quit the Church of Rome; the Roman Catholic said he would." Mr. B. repeated his question, and received the same answer; upon which Mr. B. said he would forward to Dr. Magee, (the Romish Priest of Westminster,) the passage he had just read, asking him (Dr. M.) to attest or deny its authority, which Mr. B. would be prepared to prove on a future occasion. The Chairman then shewed the dreadful manner in which the Church of Rome wrests Scripture, in order to prove her doctrines, and concluded with an affectionate and powerful appeal to all present, to make the word of God their rule of faith and practice, praying to God that he would bestow upon them the light of his Holy Spirit, to guide them into all truth. After singing the Doxology, the meeting separated. Notwithstanding the wetness of the evening, the meeting was very well attended, and among those present were a number of Roman Catholics. The various speakers were listened to with the greatest interest, occasionally interrupted by cheers, (which, however, the Chairman repressed, as inconsistent with the solemnity of the object of the meeting,) and the meeting broke up, (at nearly 10 o'clock,) evidently much delighted; as a proof of which, one female gave in her name, as a Tract distributor: and a donation of sixpence from one person, and five shillings from another, was handed in, in aid of the Society's funds: 370 tracts were distributed at the doors. Another friend handed in 4s 6d in aid of the Society's funds. Mr. W. was speaking to a poor labouring man, a Protestant, who was present at the meeting of yesterday, and expressed himself highly delighted with it. He would not have been absent, he said, for a shilling. He always thought Romanism was something bad, but this was the first time he had heard its principles explained and exposed. 66 Mr. W. was talking with a Roman Catholic, about the public meeting of the 13th ult., which led to a discussion on the doctrines of his Church, principally that relating to the Sacrifice of the Mass. He brought forward the usual texts in support of it, which Mr. W. refuted; and he then took shelter behind the infallibility of the Church (of Rome), quoting the text, "Hear the Church," &c. Matt. xviii. 17; this Mr. W. explained, showing from the context that it refers to a private quarrel, and has no connection with decisions in matters of faith. Mr. W. then asked him, how (supposing him to have some doubts on any point of doctrine) could he hear his Church, she being only represented by a general Council?-when he answered that his Priest represented his Church. What," said Mr. W. "is your priest then infallible ?" "Not as an individual," he replied, "but while he is a recognised priest of the Church of Rome, he forms a part of that Church to which the Saviour promised infallibility, and therefore, if he was as sinful as Satan!" (these were his very words,) "I should bow to his decision, and consider the absolution received at his hands as valid." Mr. W. pointed out to him the fearful danger of thus reasoning and acting; and at parting he said, that he hoped Mr. W. would not be offended with any thing he might have said, as he only spoke from a desire to shew him his error: and he also felt assured that Mr. W. meant him well, and spoke from a sincere wish to do him good. He seemed to feel the importance of securing the salvation of his soul, but errs most fearfully as to the best means of doing so. Mr. W. adds, "I think I never saw a clearer illustration of the way in which the Church of Rome, by her penances, absolutions, infallibility, &c. stands between the sinner and the Saviour, than the case of this poor man affords." H-e A―y, Mr. F. writes, "I left 2 tracts at No. W—r, and on the third visit I found the wife sick, who begged of me not to leave any more tracts, for Father M-e, said she was not to take them on any account. I asked if the priest was afraid of them, as he desired her not to take them: inquired also whether she could read, she answered no. I then asked the husband if he could, but he said he could not. I then told them not to trust to their priest for salvation, but to look to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, and repeated to them several passages of Scripture, which the man appeared to approve of. I then entreated of them not to trust in fallen man, but in Jesus who is able to save to the uttermost. I shewed how their priest was keeping them in darkness and error, and again pointed them to the Saviour as the only means whereby we may be saved." From the same. "In distributing my tracts to Mr. C―y of No. —, Ge Rw, P——r's V-e, I asked him what he thought of them he said some parts were very well, but he thought that a Christian's duty is to love his neighbour, and not to go about to pick holes in his coat. I replied we do love our neighbours, and finding holes in their coats we endeavour to mend them. His wife just then told him to go up stairs, or he would catch cold standing and talking to such people. Having left tract No. 1, with Mr. D1, of No. B- -d C- -t, R―r R-w, and having called on the following Sunday to renew it, he refused, saying he was change not," and that all our efforts were to no purpose. Distributed a good many of our hand bill tracts among the people who seemed to be chiefly Romanists, and passed on.' دو D |