drain; for the water becomes so strongly impregnated by the poisonous properties of the root, as to be highly detrimental to animals in general. This will account for the disappointment of those persons who feed their pigs with potatoes, mashed with the water in which they have been boiled. When prepared agreeably to the above direction, potatoes become a most beneficial food for pigs; but they are by far less nutritious in the raw state; for the poisonous qualities not being drawn out by boiling, it counteracts the benefit of the farinaceous qualities of the root. A Frankfort paper speaks of uniting the Seine with the Rhine, and thus of forming a water communication between that city and Havre de Grace, through the heart of France. Longevity. It appears by Worcester's memoir on Longevity, that New Hampshire furnishes a larger proportion of centenarians than Sweden or Russia. Of the ninety-three persons in New Hampshire, who reached the age of from one hundred to one hundred and ten, fifty-nine were women and thirty-four men; while all the five who arrived at one hundred and upwards, were men. Mr. W. consi ders the case of Peter Tortin or Zoten, of Hungary, the most remarkable instance of longevity known in modern times. This man died on the 5th January, 1724, at the age of 185. A few days before his death he walked, with the assistance of a stick, to the post house in Iorcock, to solicit charity. Useful Invention --An instrument is about to be engraved, invented by the teacher of the High School of Limekilus, which will be of very great practical uti lity in mathematics, but particularly in navigation. It is called the "Nautical Pnametron, or Seaman's Portable Correct Calculator." It is a most ingenious, yet simple and accurate, instrument, and does great honour to the inventor. By one operation it shows both the difference of latitude and departure-and with more correctness, and in one-tenth of the time, than can be done by any instrument or table yet published. It is so constructed that every distance, in difference of latitude and departure, is ascertained from one hundredth part of a mile to one thousand miles, ad infinitum. It has been submitted to the trial and examination of several experienced seamen, besides mathematicians, who are all of opinion that it cannot fail in being highly serviceable, in facilitating that difficult and important part of navigation. Surgery. The operation of crushing the stone in the bladder was performed at the Hotel Dieu, in Paris on the 23d of Sept. in the presence of Baron Dupuytren, several physicians, and all the pupils of the Medical School. The operation was completely successful, as it was performed with great facility, and gave so little pain to the patient that he betrayed a disposi tion to fall asleep. From the Charleston Courier, Nov. 22. · The following singular case has been communicated to us for publication. The facts, as stated, may be relied upon. On the 24th Oct. 1826, about 12 o'clock at night, a negro girl belonging to a gentleman of this city, aged about 20 years, of a robust constitution, and apparently in perfect health, in consequence of with a black corpse, in company with a strong excitement, caused from setting up large assemblage of coloured people, who people on such occasions, fell into a lewere singing, &c. as is common with these thargy-from which she was not roused, notwithstanding the application of blisters, the shower bath of cold water, &c. until the 31st of the same month, when she awoke, but could not separate her lower jaw from the upper one, until she was electrified, which was done on the 2d inst. when she ate food for the first time since being in that situation; but her tongue being contracted, she could not speak until the 21st inst. when she spoke and said she felt quite well, and free from any kind of pain. She was four weeks in this state. During the first entire week she was asleep, her pulse was good and natural, and her slumbers appeared calm and comfortable; but there was a total suspension of all the other animal functions except perspiration. Two brothers, paper makers, at Turin, Lewis county, New York, have discovered a mode of manufacturing paper, from the bark of poplar, willow, and other kinds of wood. The Memory of Summerfield.--The Young Men's Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, have erected a beautiful Cenotaph to the memory of their late President, the lamented Summerfield. It is placed in front of the church in John-street, New York, near the western corner. The tablet is of black marble, finely polished, in the shape of a cone, and inserted in the wall of the church. Upon and near the base of this an urn is affixed, standing upon a pedestal, with a few volumes of books upon either side. From one side of the urn, a mantle hangs down in graceful folds, and 4 B at the right of it is a half-unrolled scroll. The whole is beautifully sculptured from a block of very fine and beautiful white marble. Among the favours granted by the em peror of Russia, at his coronation, was the gift of 120,000 peasants to different per sonages: Count Nesselrode received four thousand. Dr. Parr used to express his sentiments of his three favourite divines, Hooker, Barrow, and Jeremy Taylor, as follows:Ωκηρον μεν σεβω-θαυμάζω δε Βαρρουον και φιλω Ταίλωρον. Religious Intelligence. SOUTHERN AMERICA. We have read with great interest the report of Mr. Brigham, published in the Missionary Herald, "respecting the religious state of Spanish America." It seems to us that a more interesting subject for the meditations of those who love the cause of the Redeemer, cannot be found on earth. Here are fifteen millions of human beings, bearing the Christian name, a very large proportion of whom have never seen a leaf, or scarcely heard a sentence, of the Holy Bible-the depository of God's revealed will. Yet without a knowledge of this sacred volume, diffused among the people at large, it is the decided opinion of the enlightened missionary traveller, as well as the dictate of experience and a knowledge of human nature, that the citizens of our new formed sister republicks can never hope to sustain the free constitutions they have recently established, nor enjoy their personal rights and liberties under them: And it is evident to all, that without some just and influential views of the great truths and doctrines of the word of God, pure and undefiled religion, on the possession and practice of which depends the eternal salvation of the soul, never can exist. The patriot and the Christian, therefore, are equally concerned-the love of man and the love of God conspire to dictate-that vigo rous and effective efforts be made without delay, to send a supply of the Bible, in their native language, to these millions of republicans, in the southern part of our extended continent. Bibles, we are told, they are not only willing, but earnestly de sirous to receive. The wretched priesthood, under whose spiritual tyranny they have so long groaned, are no longer able to keep the people from the perusal of the sacred ve lume; although their influence, operating on popular prejudice, will not yet permit the general admission of Protestant preachers and teachers of youth. Exertions of the most active kind, ought therefore to be immediately made and unceasingly continued, to establish depositories of Bibles for sale, and, under proper limitations, for gratuitous distribution, in every part of Spanish America. The Pope, it is well known, is making his arrangements to preserve his influence in that whole region; and he will accommodate himself, we have no doubt, to the urgency of circumstances, in many respects; yet the free circulation of the Holy Scriptures he will unquestionably oppose, and endeavour to prevent by all the means in his power. His interests, and a general and accurate knowledge of holy writ, he well knows, can never flourish together. A speedy distribution of Bibles therefore, will be the very best means of preventing his obtaining the ascendency which he seeks. It will also hasten the event, which the enlightened part of the community in those countries wish for, but which the prejudices of the people at large now forbid-the full toleration of all Christian denominations in their worship and opinions. Let this once take place-and Mr. Brigham thinks the time is rapidly approaching when it will-and we may hope, both that civil liberty will be fully and permanently established and enjoyed, and that the effects of the gospel, in the everlasting salvation of multitudes of immortal souls, will be happily experienced.-We hope that Bible Societies, both in Britain and the United States, will make special and immediate exertions, to establish depositories for Bibles, in every part of Spanish America. EDUCATION SOCIETIES. We have ever regarded the societies established in our country within a few years past for the education of youth, of promising piety and talents, for the gospel ministry, as among the most important institution of the day of Christian enter prise in which we live; and to the extent of our humble means and abilities, we have endeavoured to recommend and promote them. They have been instituted in almost all the religious denominations of our land; and we are glad to observe from their reports and the various publications of their friends, that they are, to a certain extent, patronized, and producing salutary effects. But we are persuaded that their patronage is not half as liberal as it should be, and that the cause of this is, that their importance is not estimated, half as highly as it ought to be. We do not believe, if pious Christians of the various religious denominations in the American union, could be made sensible how much the religious interests of this country are involved in the liberal patronage of education societies, that the pecuniary contributions for their support would be so lamentably scanty, as they certainly are. Yet we do not know what more can easily be done, than has been done and is now doing, to enlighten the publick mind on this interesting subject. Beside the want of well qualified ministers of the gospel to fill many important vacancies in our cities and towns, as well as numerous destitute congregations in the well settled part of our country, the immense regions to the west and south are almost wholly without the stated administration of gospel ordinancesto say nothing, at present, of the want of suitable men for foreign missions. Whence the necessary supply of well qualified religious teachers is to be obtained, except from Education Societies, we are unable to tell. The wealthy do not generally educate their sons for the sacred office-If they are without piety, it is not desirable that they should-And however pious and willing to offer themselves for the gospel ministry, any of the offspring of the poor, and even of those in middling circumstances, may be, their parents cannot, without at least some assistance, give them the necessary education-The quences of this to the church of Christ, are at this moment felt; and they must every year be felt with an incalculably increasing force, if not prevented by a great augmentation of aid to Education Societies. The prospect does and ought to pain every heart that prizes the institutions of the gospel, loves the Saviour, and knows the worth of an immortal soul. conse An appeal is just now making on this subject to the members of the Presbyterian Church, and we do hope that it may not be made in vain. The Board of Education, established by the supreme judicature of this church, may, at the present hour, be considered as destitute of funds-All they had at command have been pledged-Nay, pledges have been given even beyond the amount of funds immediately at command; and a number of youth, of piety and talents unquestionable, and even distinguished, are earnestly entreating for aid which cannot be given them. Let professing Christians, whom God has entrusted with REVIVALS OF RELIGION. We have been trying, from the various accounts we have seen of revivals of religion in our country, both in the statements of ecclesiastical bodies and in those of private individuals, contained in the publications of the day-to ascertain whether vital piety has apparently increased, or declined among us, with in the year which closes with the present month. Our estimate is, that there has been, on the whole, an increase-although, from the nature of the case, the means of judging are not such as to afford certainty; and although in no one extended region of country, have there been those extraordinary appearances, which in some former years have been witnessed. But taking together the various places and congregations from which accounts have been published, of the special manifestation of Divine grace in the conversion of sinners, we are led to the conclusion, that the number of hopeful converts has been greater in the aggregate, in the present year, than in that which immediately preceded it. We must however be permitted to remark, that in too many instances we have seen accounts, which we have wished had been more modestly and guardedly made.--We have sometimes seen broad statements of a revival of religion, which when examined, appeared to be little more than an incipient awakening, and this only among a small number, and of which the ultimate effects could not be known: And in other instances, we have observed a positiveness in pronouncing on the spiritual state of individuals concerned, and on the numerical amount of converts, which it seemed to us were exceedingly precipitate, and which perhaps, in all cases, would better be foreborne. Let it not be supposed from this, that we are at heart hostile to revivals of religion, (as we have been told that some have chosen to represent us) or opposed to a discreet and proper annunciation of them to the publick. Would to God, that revivals were a thousand fold more numerous than they are, if really deserving of the name-And even when there is much alloy of human imperfection, mingled, as there often is, in a work of saving grace, we still rejoice that some souls are won to Christ; for "what is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord." We also sincerely wish, that proper representations of the special manifestations of Divine power and grace, in particular places, should be suitably promulged. The knowledge of them rejoices the heart of every sincere Christian, and animates his prayers and his labours in his Master's cause, in hope that a similar blessing may be experienced among those with whom he is immediately connected. But we do certainly most earnestly wish that revivals may always be conducted, so far as human agency is concerned in them, in such manner as to be productive of the greatest good and the least evil-the most of the permament fruits of genuine holiness, and the least of that intemperance of mere human feelings and passions, which is not only evanescent, but which often ends in increased hardness of heart, and sometimes in absolute skepticism or infidelity. We also wish that all appearance of ostentation and exaggeration should be carefully avoided, in the accounts of revivals-Yea, that there should be a modesty and reserve in speaking of them, and especially in speaking of the operations of that blessed Spirit, by whose agency alone a renewal from sin to holiness is ever effected. Were what we have here intimated to be duly regarded, we believe that the credit of true religion, and the benefit of young converts, and the reverence due to God the Spirit, would be alike consulted. MISSIONS. We have heretofore stated that the communications on the subject of missions have become so voluminous, that we cannot pretend to give them in detail-except such as are made We have howimmediately to us. ever endeavoured, agreeably to our pledge in the Prospectus of our work, to give, in the course of the year, such a view of missions, as we thought would apprize our readers of the state of them throughout the world. We are somewhat in arrear at present, in consequence of assigning so large a part of our work to the Minutes of the General AssemblyBut we shall, in our present number, give a selection of such communications relative to missions, in various places, as may be sufficient to exhibit the state of them in those places; and it is our purpose to pursue this plan for some months to come, till we shall have published as much as comports with our plan and our pro mise. Comparative Claims of the Bombay Mission. Though we are in need, as we have often stated, of help to carry on to the best advantage, the several departinents of our missions, still, we have no claims, which, in our own opinion, would compare with those of our brethren at Bombay. We feel like pleading their cause, rather than our own. They are greatly afflicted, and are reduced to a very small number. Where can they look but to the Board, and to the young men in our Theological Seminaries? They certainly occupy one of the most important stations in the world, and at present, the entrance of labourers is unnoticed by government. Why not enter while there is room? We believe there is no mission, whose claims are greater, and we should be happy, also, to believe, that the prayers and faith of Christians in America concerning them, are in proportion to those claims. In conclusion, the missionaries remark, with respect to the anxieties and responsibilities of their own situation, and as a reason why they should be remembered in the prayers of the churches: Our friends suppose, very justly, that every addition to our church is so much gain to our cause, and so much loss to 565 the enemy; but all will very readily un- The additions to the church, mentioned SANDWICH ISLANDS. Serious Attention to Religion at Kairua. Extract of a Letter. Very dear Sir,-Permit me, as an individual, to address you once more, and relate what the Lord has done towards us, since my communication in June last. As it is expected Mr. Thurston will prepare a joint letter for this station, embracing the most interesting particulars, I am thus enabled to dwell the more on those of a personal nature. Soon after my return from Oahu, about the first of July, the Spirit of the Lord appeared evidently at work among the people of our charge. An increased attention to the preached word; the great concourse of people at the church, so as to fill it to overflowing, while numbers thronged the doors and windows to catch the sound; together with the establishment of several weekly prayer meetings;-all indicated that the Lord was with us in reality. Among the most prominent individuals, who profess to have enlisted themselves in the ranks of the faithful, resolving to become the followers of the Lord Jesus, are, Keoua, wife of Governor Adams, Kekupuohi, an aged chief woman, formerly the wife of Taraiopu, King of Hawaii at the time of its discovery by Capt. Cook, and a large proportion of chiefs of less distinction, both male and female. Since the commencement of this religious excitement, our houses have been daily more or less frequented by inquirers, who anxiously desire instruction in the principles of Christianity. We entertain hopes, that some have indeed experienced that change, which shall be their passport unto everlasting life, among whom are several young men, teachers in our schools. It is desir able, however, thaat none be admitted to |