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Holy Ghost more in their preaching, the Holy Ghost would honour them.

"One direct object of preaching the gospel is, to convince men of sin-of their lost, disabled, perilous condition under its influence of the direct and certain consequence of sin, everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power. Another important object is, to convince or teach them of the righteousness, not only of the law which condemns them, but of Christ, by which alone they can be justified-to explain the scheme of salvation by Christ, and the principles of the administration under which they are planned. This is to be done, "not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches." O how necessary that ministers of Christ should be deeply impressed with the sense of their dependence on this heavenly instruction and influence! They should go from their closet to the pulpit, to the family, and every parochial service. They should carry the case of sinners before the mercy seat, unite the conviction and conversion of their souls to the intercession of Jesus Christ, which alone can prevail, to send down the answer of peace.

"One important practical question must close this protracted discussion. I propose it to every individual in this assembly. Is the agency of the Holy Spirit drawing you? If you feel inclined to seek the Lord, be sure the Spirit is striving with

you. That some such inclinations are awakened here, I doubt not. Be cautious that you resist not the Holy Ghost. Recollect that you live under an administration in which this is the last agency employed for your salvation; resist this, and you must perish forever. Recollect that you live in a time greatly distinguished for the outpouring of this blessed influence. You take upon yourselves a fearful responsibility, if you resist the gracious influence. You may, for aught I know, have come very near to that point, when it shall be said of you as of Ephraim, "let him alone." How tremendous the prospect! How urgently should this caution be pressed upon your excited attention! And ye careless ones, remember that your carelessness costs you no small efforts to resist the Holy Spirit; and wo be to you, when you shall have succeeded effectually in quenching the Spirit.

"Christian brethren! take heed that you grieve not the Holy Spirit of promise. Cherish his influence; live under his guidance; pray for his agency to convince and convert perishing sinners. May the Lord hear, answer, forgive, bless, and save us all in Christ Jesus. Amen."

The continuance of our review of the Review in the Christian Spectator, we must, though reluctantly, postpone to the coming

month.

Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc.

Not long since we read, in a short life of Sir Isaac Newton, published in a weekly periodical in this city, a statement that at a certain period in the life of that great man, he was visited with a temporary insanity-after which, it was said, he never attempted any thing that required close, long, and laborious thought. This was perfectly new, and equally surprising to us; although we had before heard, that Newton did not retain his mental vigour in advanced age, as fully as is witnessed in many old men. It was, therefore, with much pleasure that, in the Christian Observer for September last, we met with the following article. The whole story, it uppears, is an infidel exaggeration, or rather fabrication; which Christians, as in too many other cases, have incautiously helped to circulate. The article to which we have referred is as follows:

"M. Biot in his life of Sir Isaac Newton, has endeavoured to prove, on the testimony of a manuscript note of Huygens, buttressed by various collateral facts, that Sir

Isaac Newton became deranged in mind in consequence of the destruction of his manuscripts by his dog Diamond; and that he never recovered his mental powers sufficiently to produce any great work after this epoch, though he was only fortyfive years old at the time. M. de la Place exultingly adds, that this accounts for the author of the Principia turning his thoughts to theology, and writing on prophecy and biblical criticism, which Voltaire sneeringly urged as a proof that the most exalted mind is not always free from superstitious credulity. Till the publication of M. Biot's memoir, these alleged facts were wholly unknown in England or elsewhere, either from writing or tradition; but they have been lately extensively circulated under high auspicies in this country, in the Life of Newton by "the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge;" who, to their disgrace be it spoken, have not only adopted M. Biot's statement, but also the infidel sneers grounded upon it. Most happy, therefore, are we in being able to

inform our readers, that Dr. Brewster, in his Life of Newton, just published in Murray's Family Library, has collected a number of interesting facts, bearing upon the point, from which, though it certainly-appears that Newton laboured under a temporary nervous irritability, caused by fever and want of rest, yet that it was only temporary; that his exertions, mathematical, theological, and critical, bear powerful testimony to his vigorous powers of mind at the very period of his alleged incompetency; and that all his theological publications were composed in the vigour of life, before the illness which is said to have affected his reason. We may take an opportunity of detailing the facts more fully, as well as some other interesting particulars in Dr. Brewster's valuable narrative; but in the mean time our readers may procure the book for themselves. It does great honour both to Dr. Brewster and Mr. Murray's popular series; and particularly for the praiseworthy anxiety with which the deeply scientific writer rebuts the insinuations of scepticks against Christianity."

The two following articles of the most recent intelligence from Constantinople, belong to this department of our work, and are of too much interest to be omitted.

"Constantinople, Oct. 10.-On the 5th instant, a natural phenomenon, such as few persons remember, and the effects of which have been most destructive, filled with terror the inhabitants of this country, who are at the same time suffering under all kinds of evils. After an uncommonly sultry night, threatening clouds rose about 6 in the morning in the horizon, to the south and west, and a noise between thunder and tempest, and yet not to be compared to either, increased every moment, and the inhabitants of the capital, roused from their strife, awaited with anxious expectation the issue of this threatening phenomenon. Their uncertainty was not of long duration; lumps of ice, as large as a man's foot, falling first singly, and then like a thick shower of stones, which destroyed every thing that they came in contact with. The oldest persons do not remember ever to have seen such hail stones. Some were picked up half an hour afterwards, which weighed above a pound.

"This dreadful storm passed over Constantinople and along Bosphorus, over Therapia Bejukdere, and Belgrade, and the fairest, nay, the only hope of this beautiful and fertile tract, the vintage just commenced, was destroyed in a day. Animals of all kinds, and even some persons, are said to have been killed, an innumerable quantity are wounded, and the damage done to the houses is incalculable. Besides that scarcely a window has escaped in all the country, the force of the falling masses of ice was so great, that they broke

to atoms all the tiles on the roofs, and shattered like musket balls planks half an inch thick. Since that day the rain has not ceased to pour down in torrents, and from the slight way in which the houses are built, almost wholly consisting of windows, and with very flat roofs that have nothing to keep off the wet beside tiles, innumerable families are not much more comfortable than in a bivouac. If, in addition to this, we consider that in consequence of the burning of Pera, and the great fires in Constantinople itself, many have no shelter whatever, and recollect besides the plague, which continues to spread, and the cases of cholera which still occur, both together indeed make the whole a most gloomy picture.

"The delay which has taken place in rebuilding the houses burnt down is not yet remedied, because the directions have not yet been published, which are to obviate the defects of the mode of building hitherto practised, and to afford greater security against fire; and, however injurious this delay may be to many an unsheltered family, it may be easily accounted for, without imputing blame on the government, which has to contend with innumerable obstacles in the introduction of any, even the most useful innovation. The houses taken from the Catholick Armenians at the time of the persecution, most of which are in ruins, have been restored to them.

"A journal in the Turkish and French languages will shortly be published here, by order of the Sultan, and under the special direction of a commission appointed for that purpose. The prospectus of this journal, which is to be published once a week, has been printed in the Turkish language, and distributed among the publick."

The Comet.-The European papers speak of a Comet that will appear within 60,000 miles of the earth's orbit, some time in the year 1832. If the earth should happen to be in that portion of its orbit, nearest the path of the comet, in its approach to the sun, they say its motion will be much disturbed, and serious consequences may reasonably be apprehended. M. Lalande has computed that comets may pass within 30,000 leagues without sensibly deranging the motion of the earth. The comet of 1470, approached so near the earth as to increase its periodical time upwards of two days; and had its mass been equal to that of the earth, it is com puted by La Place, the earth's motion in her orbit would have been equally retarded, and consequently have increased the length of the year nearly 49 hours. As no such effect was produced, the disturbing force of the comet was considered insensible. The mass of the comet was 15000th part less than that of the earth. In 1454, the moon was eclipsed by a comet, which

must have passed within 200,000 miles of the earth-and it is known that no effect was produced by its attractive force, either on the earth or moon.-The immense velocity of comets may be a principal reason why they do not sensibly affect the motion of the planets. That of 1680, was calculated by Newton to move at the rate of 800,000 miles an hour, and Boybone observed one at Palermo, in 1670, whose velocity he computed to be equal to 2,500,000 miles an hour. The comet of 1450, is best known by astronomers. Its period is computed to be about 75 years, though from its motion being disturbed by the planets, it is sometimes longer. It appeared in 1632, very bright; and was looked after with very great anxiety in 1758; but Clairault determined from calculation that it would not appear till April, 1759.

The increased length of its period he attributed to the influence of Jupiter and Saturn, near which it would pass. It accordingly approached nearest the sun on the 12th of March, 1759. If this is the comet to which the European papers refer, it will not appear until 1834 or 5-the distance of this comet from the sun, when

in the extreme end of its orbit, is' about 82,000,000 miles; yet it returns regularly, and its period has been calculated by the mathematician within 30 days.

English Tariff on Titles.-A professor in the University of Cambridge, (Mr. Babbage,) has published a work containing severe charges of personal ambition and aggrandizement, against the Royal Society of London, and others as severe against other societies and distinguished individuals. It is entitled "Reflections on the Decline of Science in England." The following tariff of admission to some of the principal societies, including composition for anuual payments, is contained in it. The letters are the society initials. Royal Society,

Royal Soc. of Edin.

£50

0s. F.RS.

15 4

Royal Acad. Dublin,

26 5

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F.R.S. E. M. R. I. A. F.R. S. Lit.

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upon granting two premiums:-"One to him who shall perfect and complete the means of safety which have hitherto been employed or proposed, against explosions of steam engines and other boilers, or point out better ones; the other, to him who shall invent a form, and a construction of the boiler, which will prevent or annul all danger from explosion.

Each of these premiums shall be two thousand francs, and decreed to any Frenchman or foreigner who shall be deemed most worthy of it.

The method proposed must have been tested by at least six months' trial in a steam engine of high pressure, of ten horse power or larger, or on a boiler of equal force. The efficacy of the proposed improvement must be duly authenticated, and the inventor must renounce any intention of securing patent privileges. The memoirs, designs, or models, reports or certificates, must be sent before the first of July, 1832.

Emigration to Liberia.-The schooner Crawford sailed from New Orleans on the 13th ult. for Liberia, with twenty-one emigrants from Kentucky. She took out a large supply of merchandise, books, medicine, &c. &c. for the use of the colony. The expedition is under the superintendence of CHARLES G. SHAVE, M. D. of Cincinnati, a talented and worthy young gentleman who volunteered his services, and gratuitously gives them to the colonizing enterprise. It is added, that not a drop of ardent spirits was taken in the Crawford.

PETERSBURG, (Va.) Dec. 20, 1831. The Sora.-It has long been a question among naturalists, (and still unsettled, unless the fact we are about to mention

should put it at rest,) whence cometh the sora, and whither goeth it? This interesting bird usually makes its appearance along the tide waters of Virginia, about the middle of August; and leaves the first severe frost.

During last week, one of a party skating on a meadow in the vicinity, happened to break in, when immediately upon extricating himself, four or five soras came through the aperture, one of which was caught. The others retreated beneath the ice, and thus escaped. The captive bird was brought alive to town, has been seen by many, and there can be no doubt as to its species. The sora, therefore, does not always emigrate, if it changes its clime at all; which, from its being a clumsy flyer, it is as little able to do as any individual of the feathered race.

The Seat of Taste.-By covering the tongue with parchment, sometimes in whole, and sometimes in different parts, it has been determined by two experiments in Paris, by MM. Guyot and Admyraula,

that the end and sides of the tongue, and a small space at the root of it, together with a small surface at the anterior and superior part of the roof of the palate, are the only portions of surface in the cavity of the mouth and throat, that can distinguish taste or sapidity from mere touch. A portion of the extract of aloes, placed on any other part, gives no sensation but that of touch, until the saliva carries a solution of the sapid matters to those parts of the cavity.

The Journal of Commerce has this paragraph:-The number of deaths in the city of New York last week, was one hundred and eighty-seven; a number very unusual for this season of the year, and seldom equalled in the most sickly portion of the year. The greatest number in any one week, during the last five years, was 204. The average number through the year, is about 100. If we inquire for the cause of this uncommon mortality, it is to be found in the prevailing influenza. For though not a formidable disease in itself, it proves fatal in a great many cases where the constitution has been previously shattered, and will no doubt sow the seeds of consumption in hundreds of others. On looking at the inspector's returns, we find that an unusual portion of the deaths during the week, were occasioned by diseases of the lungs. Only 11 are put down to the credit of influenza; but then there are 43 by consumption, 17 by inflammation of the lungs, thirteen by croup, and others

by different diseases, generated or aggravated by influenza, sufficient to swell the number to 100.

Nashville, (Ten.) Dec. 15, 1831.-It is within the memory of some of the oldest citizens of the neighbourhood, that twice only since the settlement of this country, has the Cumberland river been so thickly frozen as it is at present. In the winters of 1787-8 and 1795-6 it was crossed by passengers, since which period, till now, the same circumstance has not happened. The snow of 10 or 12 inches which fell early last week, has suffered little or no diminution. For no morning, within ten days, has the thermometer been above 10 degrees, but, on the contrary, has more

than once sunk below zero.

Singular Phenomenon.-The Ulster Plebeian states, that during the late severe snow storm, many of the inhabitants of Kingston, New York, witnessed vivid and repeated flashes of light, apparently not many feet from the earth. So brilliant were some of these corruscations, that in some instances the hand was applied to the eyes for a few seconds, to enable them to recover from their momentary blind

ness.

Mrs. Hannah Adams, one of the most remarkable literary personages of this country, died on Friday the 16th inst. at Brookline, in Massachusetts, having arrived at an advanced age.

Religious Intelligence.

With the commencement of the present year, we cease to append to our Miscellany "The Missionary Reporter," and return to our original plan of communicating Religious Intelligence to our readers. This is done not from any dissatisfaction with the Missionary Reporter, to which we earnestly wish the patronage of the churches may be extensively given. But that publication is no longer connected with the Educational Register; and on the vastly interesting subject of education, as well as on that of missions, we feel it to be our duty to give information to our subscribers; and we cannot connect both the Reporter and a publication on the subject of education, which we understand is ere long to appear,

with the Christian Advocate. We think, moreover, that with the original number of our pages, fortyeight, we can give the substance of the intelligence relative both to education and to missions, in a condensed form, so as to be even more satisfactory to most of our readers than the whole of the details. This therefore we shall endeavour to do, although it will cost us some additional labour.

BOARD OF MISSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The Secretary of the Board of Missions, in compliance with the direction of the Executive Committee, and in their name, has made

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a very impressive address to the Pastors, elders, CHURCHES, and CONGREGATIONS, "of the Presbyterian church. This address has been published at length in the Reporter, the Presbyterian, and perhaps in some other periodicals. It has, therefore, probably been seen and read by the most of our subscribers. But although this should have been the fact, we think it may be well for all to read a portion of it again; and for ministers of the gospel to read to their people, if not the whole, at least the concluding part of the address,

which is as follows:

"It has long been the settled purpose of the Board of Missions, never to withhold a commission, from any duly qualified labourer who was willing to engage in their service, on account of their immediate want of the funds required for his support in a missionary field. And although their treasury has frequently been empty, and sometimes overdrawn to a large amount, yet they have never dared to turn away their ears from the cry of the needy, and stay the footsteps of a herald of the cross, who was ready to minister to their spiritual wants, because the churches whom they served had failed to furnish them with the necessary resources. They have had confidence both in the ability and disposition of those churches, to enable them ultimately to fulfil all the pecuniary engagements, into which they deemed it necessary and proper for them to enter, for the successful prosecution of the benevolent enterprise in which they are engaged. From past experience, we are fully satisfied that this confidence has not been misplaced. The time was, brethren, and that time is no further distant than the year 1828, when the income of the Board of Missions, for twelve months, amounted to no more than 2400 dollars. This fact was, indeed, humiliating, mournful, and discouraging; but the real and tried friends of the Board, were not even then utterly disheartened, their efforts were not suspended. They were troubled on every side, yet not distressed; they were perplexed, but not in despair;-cast down, but not destroyed.' Out of darkness there arose light; from their very weakness they gathered strength. They were strong the Lord, and in the power of his might. They gathered up the mantles of the departed saints, who had laboured with them in the missionary enterprise in better days, they smote upon the deep and turbid stream which impeded their progress, they called upon the God of Elijah, and moved onCh. Adv.-VOL. X.

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ward. The Board of Missions was reorganized, its plan of operations was improved, the sphere of its labours was greatly enlarged, a spirited appeal was made to the liberality of the churches; and in the short space of only three years, they had the unmingled satisfaction of reporting sionaries had been increased from 31 to to the General Assembly, that their Mis233; and their resources, from twenty-four hundred dollars to nearly as many thousands! Under the powerful influence of these delightful recollections of the past, thren, when we seriously assure you, that, you will not think it strange, beloved brealthough the treasury of the Board is at the present moment overdrawn, to the amount of 6000 dollars; and although this amount, and at least ten thousand dollars

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in addition, will be required at our hands by the month of June next, we nevertheless entertain the most animating and consoling hopes for the future. Nor will you be either surprised or offended, if, in view of the statements we have now submitted, with impassioned earnestness and strong expectation, we repeat our supplications to you, as patriots, as philanthropists, as Presbyterians, as Christians—for immediate, liberal, pecuniary assistance. ask your contributions-in the name of our needy Missionaries and their dependent families-in the name of the many thousands of the perishing poor whom they serve in the gospel; in the name and as the servants of the highest judicatory of the Presbyterian Church in these United States; and in the name which is above every name, of the ever glorious Head of the Church militant and triumphant-even of Jehovah Jesus, who, for the encouragement of pious liberality, said when upon earth, whosoever shall give a cup of cold water to a disciple in the name of a disciple, shall not lose his reward' and who will say, upon the throne of judgment, when he places on the brow of the objects of your charity the crown of eternal glory, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'”

MISSIONARY CONVENTION AT CINCINNATI, OHIO.

This convention took place in of the General Assembly, in May consequence of the following act last, viz:—

"In view of existing evils resulting from the separate action of the Board of Missions of the General Assembly, and the American Home Missionary Society, the General Assembly recommend to the Synods of Ohio, Cincinnati, Kentucky,

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