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specified, and we regret that our limits do not permit us to state them. We hope, however, in our next number to resume this subject; and to continue to prosecute the plan which we have announced at the beginning of this article, till we shall have made our readers acquainted with the nature and leading operations of all the principal associations with which we are acquainted, whose objects are to promote the gospel of Christ, and the amelioration of the moral and intellectual state of the world.

SUMMARY VIEW OF REVIVALS OF RE-
LIGION.

From the Boston Recorder.
During the last year, Boston, New
York, and Charleston; thirty-six Congre-
gational and Presbyterian churches in
Massachusetts; nineteen in Connecticut;
forty-five in New York; twenty in New
Jersey; thirty in Pennsylvania; twenty-
two in Virginia, are reported as having
been favoured with revivals of religion.
During the same time, twenty-eight con-
gregations, in the Presbyterian church;
one hundred and seven, in the Baptist;
one hundred and thirty-nine, in the Con-
gregational; fifty-five, in the Methodist;
and eight in the Dutch Reformed; in all
the different denominations, 407 congre-
gations, are reported as having shared in
the same gracious and Divine influences.
The number of hopeful converts, in these
revivals, is estimated at more than twenty-
six thousand.

The Treasurer of the Trustees of the Gene-
ral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
acknowledges the receipt of the following
sums for their Theological Seminary at
Princeton, N. J. during the month of
December last, viz.

Of Rev. Charles Cummins, from
Falling Water $5.33, and Mar-

tinsburg $7.17, Winchester
Presbytery, for the Contingent
Fund

Of Rev. Robert Steel, Abington,
for do.

Of Rev. Mr. Dickey, Oxford,

Chester County, Penn. for do.
Of Rev. Dr. Daniel Dana, a dona-
tion from Deacon James Pink-
erton, West Parish, London-
derry, N. H. to be considered
as the contribution from that
congregation, for do.

Amount received for the
Contingent Fund,

Of Rev. Dr. John M'Dowell for
the Professorship to be endow-
ed by the Synod of New York
and New Jersey, viz. from the
First Church, Newark, collect-
ed by Rev. Dr. John M'Dowell,
$476.50, from the Second
Church, Newark, collected by
Rev. Gideon N. Judd, $154
Of Rev. Jacob Kirkpatrick, per
Mr. Jos. Bishop, for do.
Of Robert M'Neely, Esq. Tren-
ton Church, for do.
Of Rev. Benjamin Ogden, per
Captain Mariner, from Lewes,
Cool Spring, and Indian River,
Delaware, for the Scholarship
to be endowed by the Senior
Class of 1821

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Of Thomas H. Mills, Esq. six
months' interest in advance for
the Woodhull Scholarship
Of Mrs. Jane Keith, Treasurer of
the Female Association of
Charleston, S. C. their gene.
rous donation for necessitous
students

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SPAIN. We remember that during the enormities of the French revolution it was said by the eloquent Edmund Burke-" in casting my eyes over the map of Europe, I see a chasm, which once was France." Change France for Spain, and the pointed sentence may now be uttered with greater truth than it could ever be pronounced by its author. The French revolutionists acted indeed like raging maniacs, but they always maintained the independence of their country.-Nay, they made the neighbouring nations tremble. But what is Spain? Hispania fuit. She has become, in effect, a province of France. French arms have placed her king on his throne, and probably must keep him there as long as he shall continue to hold it. In a word, French dictation governs Spain as completely as ever an independent state governed its provinces-far more so than Great Britain ever governed what are now the United States. Perhaps indeed in the present state of Spain this is not to be re

gretted. The French are bad enough, but the degenerate Spaniards are still worse. It appears that the French commander at Cadiz favoured the escape of Quiroga and the members of the Cortes generally, whom King Ferdinand and his myrmidons would willingly have sacrificed. Mina, too, has obtained by capitulation a safe retreat from his country. Yet the French are chargeable, at least as partakers in crime, with the cruel and infamous murder of the brave and patriotick Riego. They certainly could have saved him if they would; and their refusal to do it, and especially the employment of their troops in Riego's execution, renders them responsible for an act of low minded, cowardly vengeance, which, on the page of history, will brand them with a stigma to the end of time. The letter of Riego's wife, addressed to the court of France, which has been seen in all the publick papers, and which appears to have been penned by the patriot's exiled brother, is one of the most manly, eloquent, and affecting compositions, we have ever read. We hope the same pen will be employed to give to Europe, and the world, a statement of this abominable transaction, which shall excite in every mind not lost to virtue and sensibility, the deep abhorrence which it merits. We are not conscious of violating by what we have just said, any dictate of Christian charity. The repetition of such acts, with all the guilt and misery which they involve, is to be prevented by stirring up against them a universal indignation. Enlightened Christian charity is never in such manner kind to vice, as to be destructive of virtue. It appears that the King of Spain, or Vice Roy of France, returned to Madrid about the middle of November last, and the most recent accounts represent him as undoing, his former undoing, of what he did before he left Cadiz.-That is, he has published another proclamation of amnesty. But who will trust such a man?-It seems like trifling to take notice of any thing that he does or says.-Wretched Spain! Thou art humbled and degraded to the very dust; and still thy cup of misery and wretchedness seems not yet full. A weak and faithless prince, a corrupt and superstitious priesthood, the prevalence of every vice offensive to God and destructive of social happiness, the exclusion from thy territory of all the most enlightened and virtuous of thy children, confusion, and misrule, and contention, with the prospect of worse to come, if worse can be-these are the calamities which mark the frown of heaven upon thee." Thou art righteous, O Lord, which wast, and art, and shall be, because thou hast judged thus; for they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." Rev. xvi. 6.

PORTUGAL. Of what is doing in Portugal we have heard nothing of consequence in the past month. We doubt not, however, that measures are concerting with Spain and France, to regain possession of the Brazils.

FRANCE. The friends and advocates of despotick power seem to be completely triumphant in France. MANUEL, the deputy who was expelled from one of the legislative chambers for opposing the war with Spain, has been refused permission to stand as godfather for a child in baptism. Thus it appears that to displease the king is to ensure the highest censures of the church. To what extent this system of combined regal and ecclesiastical tyranny will be carried in France, remains to be seen.-A few steps farther will place her where she was in the fifteenth century. The Duke D'Angouleme is returning to Paris to receive the honours of a splendid triumph for what he has achieved in Spain. No doubt remains that France will do all that she can to overthrow the republicks of South America, and to make them again provinces of Spain, or rather of herself. Equipments for the purpose are preparing: France will seek in America a full indemnity for the expense of the Spanish war. But we cannot yet believe that Britain is so blind to her own interest, as to permit these measures to take effect; especially since the spirited declaration of the President of the United States, that an attempt to execute such measures will be considered as hostile to the interests and institutions of this country. Humanly speaking, Britain and the United States, acting in concert, may protect the whole of the new world against all the force, and machinations, and despotism of the old-and we hope they will.

RUSSIA. The Emperor ALEXANDER, it appears, has for the present finally settled his controversy with the Turks. He seems to be desirous of more congresses and conferences with his brethren of the holy alliance than is agreeable to them. It will be wonderful if they do not quarrel among themselves, as soon as they think they are free from the common danger of insurrections in favour of freedom.

GREAT BRITAIN.-The British parliament is farther prorogued to the 3d of February. It is manifestly the policy of the present British ministry to preserve the peace of the nation, that it may not only be preserved from new burdens, but that the pressure of the old may be lightened, if not removed. This is certainly a wise and commendable policy, if not pushed to an extreme. But would not a naval equipment, accompanied with a frank and spirited, and yet temperate declaration, that Britain would not see

France extending her power and influence in America with indifference-and would not endure to see states, independent in fact, reduced to be provinces of the great powers of Europe-would not this probably prevent actual war, and save much bloodshed and misery in both hemispheres? Or if it did not prevent war, would it not bring it to a speedy termination? So it seems to us.-And Britain would certainly gain far more than an equivalent for a naval armament, by a free trade to South America.

GREEKS.-The Greek cause has always been dear to us, and we have never failed to plead it zealously, whenever an opportunity has offered; and of course the interest which our country is now taking in behalf of this cause affords us peculiar gratification. We hope that the contributions which are making in every quarter will be liberal. If by giving, were it only a cent, every individual of our country, male and female, old and young, could be made a donor to the noble spirited and oppressed Greeks, we think it would be useful not only to them, but to ourselves. It would serve to cherish those sentiments of humanity, and that love of freedom, which are friendly to all the best interests of the human family. We do not wish that our country should engage in war in their behalf; and we have no belief that there is danger of this. To this, Mr. Webster, who in a manner worthy of himself has submitted a resolution in their favour to the consideration of Congress, declares explicitly that his views are not directed. But we have to say farther, as Christian advocates, that while, in common with all the friends of freedom, we are desirous to see the Greeks become a free and independent people, we are still more solicitous to see Christianity restored in its purity, to a region where it was planted by the Apostle Paul. We are not unacquainted with the superstitions and corruptions of the Greek church. But the holy scriptures have recently been translated into their language, and missionaries both from Britain and the United States have been in their neighbourhood, and only wait a favourable opportunity to traverse their country. Were they therefore delivered from Turkish domination and tyranny, and especially if they should regard Britons and Americans as the friends who helped them in the day of their distress, there would be a favourable prospect of re-establishing churches among them,-gradually it might be,-in which "the truth, as it is in Jesus," should again be embraced and practised. It is our hope and prayer that to this issue events are now tending, under the providential guidance of Him "who is given to be the head over all things to the church." SOUTHERN AMERICA.-Don Pedro 1. Emperor of the Brazils, following the example of his father (with whom we suspect he is acting in concert) has made use of his mercenary soldiers to disperse the congress, convened by himself to form a constitution; because he found that something was likely to be adopted, or at least was under discussion, contrary to his royal good pleasure. Like his father, too, it is said that he has promised to give his people a better constitution than their representatives would have formed-that is, your constitution shall be my sovereign will. The republick of COLOMBIA appears to be nearly consolidated, and its affairs to be in a prosperous train. BUENOS AYRES, likewise, is in a better state than perhaps ever before. In MEXICO, we fear there are too many like the Spaniards of the mother country. On the western side of South America, the liberator, BOLIVAR, is for the present triumphant, and PERU it is likely will soon be free from Spanish influence, if it shall not be reinforced by troops from Europe. But if, as present appearances seem to indicate, a large French force shall be sent to South America, confusion and carnage will reign and rage throughout that whole region, probably in more dreadful form than at any former period.

UNITED STATES.-Our Congress is busily employed on a variety of national concerns; and the legislatures of almost all the individual states are now, or have recently been, in session. Our readers need no information of their proceedings-they are detailed in the public prints which circulate in all directions: and we yet perceive nothing on which a Christian Advocate is particularly called to remark; except it be to inculcate the duty of fervent prayer, both in private and in publick, that our national councils may be conducted in the fear of God, enlightened by his wisdom, and crowned with his blessing.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

CYPRIAN, MARITUS, FUGITIVE THOUGHTS, and if practical, TRINITARIAN No. III. shall appear in our next. A Presbyterian of the Old School will, probably, before long, find something in the Advocate to satisfy him on the subject on which he has addressed us.

After a careful, and we think candid examination, of the paper bearing the signature U. we are of the opinion that the cause of truth would not be served by its publication.

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

FEBRUARY, 1824.

Heligious Communications.

LECTURES ON THE SHORTER CATE

CHISM OF THE WESTMINSTER AS-
SEMBLY OF DIVINES-ADDRESSED

TO YOUTH.

LECTURE V.

We now proceed to discuss the third answer of our catechism. It is stated thus-" The scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man."

You ought to be distinctly apprized, my young friends, that our shorter catechism was intended to contain only a compendious and connected system of revealed truth-That is, it was not intended either to go into long explanations, or to take in all the subordinate parts of the system, but only those things which are of leading importance. Neither was it intended to consider any point of what has been called natural religion, in any other view than as it is found stated in the Bible. Hence, after having explained what is the chief end or design of man, and recognised the holy scriptures as the only rule of direction in religious duty, the answer before us makes a distribution, or lays down the method, of the following treatise. The distribution or method is very short and summary, and yet very expressive and complete. It is-I. What we are to believe. II. What we are to do. Or, as it would be technically termed, the credenda and agenda of the revealed system.

VOL. II.-Ch. Adv.

As the answer before us was intended to specify the plan or method of the following part of the catechism, and as this has just been stated, it would seem that we had nothing more to do, but to proceed immediately to the next question. But in reality, as the authors of the catechism intended it to be as compendious as possible, so they appear to have designed that their very arrangement should have a significant import; and on considering it, I find that some points of much importance, especially to young persons, must be introduced here, or not find so suitable a place in any other part of our course. I shall proceed, then, to notice these points; and shall show, as I proceed, how they arise out of this answer.

My first remark shall be on the word principally.-"The scriptures principally teach" certain truths, or doctrines. It is here intimated that the sacred writings teach some things beside what we are to believe in regard to God, and what we are to consider as our duty to him. The Bible contains a good deal of biography, and history, and many genealogies; and all that it contains is unmixed verity, and none of it is without its use. But the word we consider intimates, and the fact is unquestionably so, that some parts of the scripture are much more important than others. The most important, that is, the principal parts, are those which teach us faith and duty. If

G

men were uninformed in regard to some of the other parts of scripture, they might still understand the revealed plan of salvation: and when real Christians differ, as they often do, about other things, the difference is about the unessentials of religion. But faith and duty-what we are to believe, and what we are to do-constitute the very substance, the principal part of true religion, or of divine revelation. Correctness here, at least to a certain extent, is essential to salvation.

This leads me to another remark of importance. The answer under consideration, you may observe, places what we are to believe, before what we are to do. This was not without design. It was intended to intimate, that if what we do be not grounded on right principles, and do not proceed from right motives, it is nothing worth in the sight of God. This is a most interesting truth, and a great part of all the false religion in the world springs from not regarding it. Recollect, I beseech you, my young friends, that in religion we have to do with the all seeing and heart searching God. Nothing is right in his sight, no outward action is acceptable, unless it proceed from a good and proper motive. Nor is this, in any respect, a rigorous procedure. You will find, if you examine attentively, that you act upon the same principle yourselves, as far as your knowledge will permit you to do it. How often has it happened that a man has acquired esteem for his civility, perhaps for kindheartedness and benevolence, because he has appeared to take a very friendly interest in every thing that related to the character or accommodation of those with whom he had intercourse: And yet it has afterwards been discovered, that this man was unquestionably one of the most selfish of his race; that in all his apparent benevolence he was only seeking to serve himself; that it was in pursuit of this object that all his courtesy and seeming kindness was manifested; and that he has really

dishonoured and injured those to whom his plausible behaviour had so strongly recommended him. Do you not estimate this man's character entirely by his motives, and not by his visible conduct? Do you not detest him for having acted so fairly, when his motives were so base, even more than you would have done if he had, without disguise, appeared the selfish being that he really was? Think, then, that the motives of every human action are, at the time it takes place, perfectly known to God; and acknowledge that his proceeding is most equitable, in making motive, and not action, the test by which he will try and treat us. It is from some selfish motive, and not from any love, or any regard to God whatever, that a large part of mankind show all the respect which they do show, to his laws and commandments. "God is not in all their thoughts." The Deity, therefore, would practically deny his own omniscience, or violate his own justice and equity, if he accepted the outward acts of such men, as a part of the service which he requires. This he will never do; and hence the just complaint made against his ancient professing people, which was quoted by our Saviour when he charged the scribes and Pharisees with hypocrisy-"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."

We see, then, that right inward principles and motives are, and must be, indispensable to the acceptable service of God. Now, a right faith is among these inward principles. It is necessary to the views and motives by which we must be guided and influenced, and to the acts which we must put forth, in doing that which is well pleasing to our Maker. We cannot indeed make the first approach to God, without some measure of a right faith. "For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Our Saviour, in the days of his flesh, declared to those whom he address

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