immediate purchase. If all are as much gratified as we have been, they will not regret their bargain. Mr. Jay must have gone down to posterity if he had not written these invaluable "Exercises;" but now that he has embalmed himself in the hallowed recollections of the "Clo

set," he will be associated, as an author, with the prayers and devout meditations of the faithful while the world stands.

It is but simple truth to affirm, that these volumes are worthy of Mr. Jay in his happiest and most characteristic moments.

The following articles are extracted from the Christian Observer for February last.

Two remarkable tusks of a Mammoth have been brought home by Captain Becchey. The largest must have measured twelve feet; and the mammoth to which it belonged must have been fifteen or sixteen feet high. They were found on the west coast of America, near Behring's Straits, in a mountain of ice a hundred feet in height above the sea. This mass of ice is covered with earth and grass, and has embedded in it a vast number of the tusks, teeth, and bones of the mammoth.

Specimens of organic remains, it is stated, have lately been found in Clashbennie quarry, on the left bank of the Tay, in the old red sand-stone, in which few organic remains have hitherto been found, and from which is dated the existence of the vertebral animals.

The interior of York Minster, one of the most valuable and magnificent of our na tional architectural treasures, has been desolated by fire. The damage includes the destruction of the splendid roof of the choir, the stalls, canopies, and other wood work on the sides, the matchless organ, the communion plate, and the dilapidation of many of the monuments. The elaborately carved screen, the splendid east window, the records, the wills and some valuable articles of antiquity or curiosity, have been preserved. The destruction is traced to the hand of a lunatic. The Minster has several times suffered by fire; the last occurrence of which kind was nearly seven hundred years ago.

Professor Leslie states that the largest drops of rain, which are about one-fifth of an inch in diameter, will fall 2040 feet in a minute; but the ordinary drops in this Glimate will seldom fall half as fast. Hailstones in the south of Europe, having sometimes the diameter of two inches, will fall with a velocity of 113 feet in a

second, or more than 14 mile in a minute, a rapidity of stroke which destroys cornfields and ravages vineyards.

The Water Companies which supply the metropolis, are the New River, East London, West Middlesex, Chelsea, Grand Junction, Lambeth, Vauxhall, and Southwark. The daily supply amounts to nearly thirty million gallons; which, estimating the population of the metropolis at 1,500,000, is nearly twenty gallons a day for every individual.

A plan is under discussion for forming a General Clerical Provident Society; to give an opportunity to the clergy, by means of mutual assurance, to secure & provision for themselves and their families in sickness, old age, at death, and whilst bringing up a family. The plan is not fully matured; but the object is highly important. As an illustration of the na ture of the plan, it is calculated that if a clergyman, upon entering into orders at 23, will engage to pay the sum of 4l. 16. 10d. per annum until he dies, or attains the age of seventy years, he will, in such case, be entitled to 21. weekly in sickness, until he is seventy years of age; 14. weekly in sickness, after he is seventy years of age; and 521. per annum, in health or sickness, after he is seventy years of age. At thirty, the same benefits may be obtained for 61. 18. 2d. per annum; at thirty-five, for 71. 108.; and at forty, for 91. 158. 4d.— We shall recur to the subject.

The whole of the highways of France are made and repaired at the expense of the government, and the whole amount set down for this purpose is only about 800,0001. The highways extend the length of 8,584 leagues, the league being about two English miles and a half; and, sepa rately from annual repairs, it is calculated that nearly 8,000,000%. sterling would be necessary to complete them. A commis sion has been appointed to consider the subject.

Our fellow Protestants in France are adopting the plan of sales of ladies' work

for assisting benevolent and religious objects. At a recent sale at Paris, on behalf of the "Evangelical Missionary Society," almost as many English ladies as French were found among the contributors and purchasers.

ing behind his master two vases. What an affecting illustration of the condition of all ages and ranks, at the approach of that great leveller of all human distinctionsDeath!

The first edition of the translation of Henry Martyn's Life into French, we are happy to learn, is nearly exhausted, and that successive editions are likely to be in demand.

A medal has been struck at Strasburg to the memory of the Pastor Oberlin.— The likeness is said to be very faithfully

MISSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

(Continued from p. 185.) We promised in our last number to publish the following circular of Judge Fine, to the ministers and elders of every Presbyterian congregation in St. Lawrence county, State of New York. Although written more than four years ago, it has such a direct and powerful bearing on the means now in use, by the Boards of Missions and of Education under the direction of the General Assembly for collecting funds for those important institutions, that we deem it quite seasonable.

CIRCULAR.

Ogdensburgh, St. Lawrence County, Νου. 1, 1824. Dear Sir,-You are sensible that the Religious Societies of our county, are not in a flourishing condition. That previous to the last meeting of the Bible Society, many of its friends despaired of being able to continue it in existence. That within the last year, little, or rather nothing, has been done to revive the slumbering condition of the Missionary and Education Societies: and that our Sabbath Schools, those nurseries of piety, destined under Providence to make the next generation wiser and holier than the present, are suffering for the want of Testaments, and other necessary books. Is there no remedy for this state of things? If you agree with me, that the religious institutions of the county are pining away-and that it is the duty of professing Christians, VOL. VII. Ch. Adv.

and more especially of the officers of our churches, to come forward to the help of the Lord, you will bear with me a few moments, while I suggest to you a simple and practicable measure, which, if adopted and carried into effect, will give to

these infant associations, an immediate and increasing growth.

There are twenty Presbyterian and Congregational Churches within the county, with seventeen Clergymen, and containing 1086 communicants. Every one of these, rich and poor, male and female, is bound by his spiritual calling, to do something to extend the Redeemer's kingdom; and to be unwilling, would betray a degree of ignorance or of selfishness, rarely, very rarely, to be met with

among our brethren. If the individual exertions of this large body of church members, could be periodically collected, is it not plain that their contributions, however small in themselves, would, united, make a large and efficient sum?

Allow me, therefore, to suggest a simple plan, attended with no trouble or inconvenience; requiring no sacrifice of time or personal ease, and which I fully believe, from a short trial of it in the church here, will be attended, wherever adopted, with the most flattering success.

Let the officers of each church, divide the communicants into classes-giving to each officer the charge of a class: Let the officer call upon the individuals of his class, every month-explain the object of his call, and urge the importance, the duty and necessity of giving to the Lord. Let no one refrain from giving. The poor can give a trifle: those in less straitened circumstances, can give more liberally. All must give. If our religion is distinguished by its being preached to the poor, and by the many promises which are made to them, and withheld from the rich, an obligation rests upon the poor to build 2 F

up, each one according to his means, the institutions of the gospel.

I would advise that the sum asked for, be small. There are few, if any, so poor who cannot give six cents a month.-The rich, (if any such are to be found,) may give of their abundance. Let your class average one shilling each per month. With attention and punctuality in calling every month, and a little zeal on the part of the church officers, all this may be done, without noise or opposition, and will produce a result, that will astonish even ourselves. The number of communicants being 1086, there will be 1086 shillings, or $135.75 contributed monthly; making at the end of the year, the sum of sixteen hundred and twenty-nine dollars. A large sum, compared with our past efforts-but small, when compared with our means and our duty. Our Bible and Missionary, and Education and Sunday School Societies, partaking of this charity, will flourish; our churches will revive-our Ministers will be better supported, and a blessing will be returned to each contributor, fourfold the amount of his gift. If you believe the gospel, you must believe what I have written. My plan of charity is intended for the churches-for the believers in the gospel. I would not interfere with, nor interrupt any society, or publick collection already established. The world may through these means, contribute to the gospel, and thankful we are, that in many cases by their liberality, they shame the Christian. But the measure proposed, is for the members of our churches; and if they are not willing to assist in building the spiritual temple, it is time that we institute the inquiry-Are we Christians?

So far, however, from believing that the members of our churches will refuse to contribute, if the plan I have proposed fail of success, I doubt not it may in every case be attributed to the inactivity of our church officers. Pardon me for saying so,

And believe me, yours,

With much Christian affection.

“Under this view of the subject I have been prevailed on to request my commission to be changed, for the bounds of the Louisville Presbytery. I am the more ready to make this request when I remem ber that you informed me if there should be an opening for usefulness, and a call of God to labour in any other field, I would not be considered bound for Missouri.'

"I believe the present field has not been one of my own seeking. Secular business unavoidably detained me until a few days since in these parts. I have been preaching almost incessantly. I have seen all the ministers in these bounds, and find their opinions to be similar on this point. An unusually loud call is now made here for Presbyterian preaching. The form er prejudices against this denomination are falling: Much good has lately been effected. This has in general been through the instrumentality of Presbyterianism. The state is in some measure awaking to benevolent operations; and all that ap pears necessary is the exertion of active persons who will go forward. In this por tion of the state there have been a number of new congregations formed of late; and many more (one in almost every neighbourhood,) might soon be organized and built up. The opinion is also general, that now is a crisis; and a short time will decide the moral and religious character of this people.

"I am reminded by all, that this is my native state, and that I possess advantages which none from a distance could easily acquire; that I have been in part sup ported by this people, and that I am un der obligations to them.

"As to Missouri in general, I can say but little. One thing, however, is evident; the travelling through those new states is difficult and dangerous in the winter sea son; and the prospects of success at this time of the year rather discouraging. And so far as a supply from other denominations is to be considered, I am informed by those who have been there, that that state is as well supplied as this.

"Upon the whole, having left home for Missouri, and proceeded as far as this place, and here accidentally meeting with a number of ministers whose communica. tion you will receive with this, I conclude it is my duty to labour in this field."

We add some extracts from the letters of the ministerial brethren above referred to; which are calculated to encourage us; while they show how difficult it is to supply the demands of our vacant churches. These letters must be our apology to our brethren in Missouri for disappointing their expectations.

"Rev. Dr. Ely,

Ky. Jan. 14, 1829.

"Dear Sir,-Desirous to retain Mr. J.

Hto labour as a missionary, within the bounds of L-Presbytery, we take the liberty of requesting you to employ your agency with the Board of Missions, to change the field of labour to which he has been designated in Missouri, to the limits of our Presbytery. While as minis. ters of the gospel, we feel interested for every part of the Lord's vineyard, destitute of the stated means of grace, yet we cannot but take a more deep interest in that part of the great moral harvest, which el falls more immediately under our own view. In the bounds of ourPresbytery, there exist upwards of one hundred thousand souls, scattered over a vast extent of country. There are but ten ministers belonging to our Presbytery for the supply of stall this amount of population. In different places, a more than ordinary attention les seems to have been awakened to the great concerns of religion, and, in many instances, an earnest desire is expressed to be supplied with a preached gospel. By other religious societies, great and persevering exertions are made to increase their enumbers, and in consequence of our want of labourers, it is to be feared we shall lose ground that might be maintained and be cultivated, could we send among the peoAple active, and faithful, and zealous minisorters. In addition to this, there are several organized churches, unsupplied with the gospel, and which are not in circumstances to support stated pastors. We are anxious our young men should labour among them. As to the amount of pecuniary aid that may be calculated on, nothing certain can be stated, yet we confidently believe that, at least, two or three hundred dollars a 1 year can be raised in favour of the missionary cause. Were the Board of Missions to appoint Mr. H. for six months, in the bounds of our Presbytery, we would endeavour to make one more effort in the course of that time, to see what can be done. Should the change requested not be made, Mr. H. will go on to Missouri, and fulfil his missionary appointment. We will expect an answer as soon as possible. In the meantime, we beg you to accept our best wishes, and humbly pray that to whatever decision the Board may come, it may result in the promotion of the Redeemer's glory, and the interest of his people in time and eternity."

e CL

Signed by four ministers, to which a fifth added the following note. "Rev. E. S. Ely, D. D.

"Dear Brother,-As I have been for some weeks in Land its vicinity, and had some opportunity of seeing much, and hearing more of the crying need of faithful Presbyterian labourers in this county, as well as throughout the whole state, I

cannot but think that the views expressed by the brethren in the above letter on the subject of Mr. H—'s mission are such, as a regard for the best interests of the church would dictate, and I hope that Mr. H. will be permitted to remain in the bounds of this Presbytery. There is a general and increasing desire in this state for sound Presbyterian preaching, and I fear that if some powerful effort is not soon made, the cause of truth will suffer much. Kentucky has never before presented such an extensive and interesting field of labour as she does at present.

"Yours affectionately."

Extracts from a letter to Rev. E. S. Ely, Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Missions, written by an intelligent agent from one of the thirteen originally United

States.

Jan. 23, 1829.

"Before I give you a detailed account of my proceedings in the prosecution of my agency, permit me to mention a few facts in relation to the condition of the Presbyterian churches in our State, and our moral condition generally. It is true of our churches, almost universally, that they are in indigent circumstances. They have it not in their power to do very great things if they were so disposed: but the melancholy fact is, they have not their eyes and hearts open to their duties and privileges relative to the great benevolent enterprises of the day.

"The habit of working systematically and perseveringly for the Lord has not yet been formed: their energies are not brought into action; and one great reason, doubtless, is, they have not had the subject presented to them in its proper light, and with its proper claims. In general, they know very little what is doing, and what is necessary to be done; they do not know the situation and movements of the Lord's hosts. They are therefore doing very little to what they might and would do, if their duties and privileges were properly urged upon them. Such is the situation of our churches with regard to benevolent operations. The moral condition of this State has not hitherto, I apprehend, been sufficiently known to our Missionary Societies. Our destitution of the means of grace and of instruction of every sort, especially among the poorer classes of our white population, is vastly more appalling than any one without a minute examination of the subject could apprehend. It is true of our whole state, with the exception perhaps of two coun ties, that one-half of our white population, to say nothing of the blacks, is destitute of a preached gospel. I have in view, while saying this, preachers of all deno

minations. It is true of our state, with the exception above alluded to, that not one-half of our white children from the age of ten to twenty, can read a tale. And judging from a minute examination of two or three counties with regard to their destitution of the Scriptures, counties which were supposed to be at least as well supplied as any in the state, more than half of our families are at this moment destitute of the Bible.

"The legitimate and sure consequences of such a moral state of things are seen and felt here, as they must be every where under similar circumstances. I have not room to particularize the forms of vice, as they appear among us, but I may comprehend the whole, and no more, by say ing every evil work.' We have, however, in the midst of this darkness, one cheering prospect, and that is, the people are beginning to feel their spiritual wants. We can point to at least fifty places, each of which would present a good prospect of successful operation for a Missionary. The people begin to utter the Macedonian cry, and we hesitate not to say, that the fields are white already to harvest. In view of these facts, and knowing that it was the design of your Board to aid the destitute, I have not hesitated to say to the congregations which I have visited, that you would expend all the money we could raise in this state among our own destitute population; and I hope that the Board will permit me to add, in future, that they will give them in addition to what they raise, as much aid as their funds will permit."

The Executive Committee have received since the last publication on this subject, from the monthly concert in the Third Church, Philadelphia, $5.34 From the monthly concert in the

newly formed Eleventh Church,
Philada.

From Second Ch. Albany, from
contributors, obtained by Dr.
Ely,

From contributors in Reverend J.
Thompson's Ch. Alexandria,
Pa. obtained by Dr. Ely,
From a teacher of an infant school
From Miss Olive Sproat, for mis-
sion to S. A.

From monthly concert at Sack-
ett's Harbour for ditto,
From a Minister's tax on a mar-
riage fee

From annual contributors in the
First Church, Philada.
From annual contributors in Rev.

Mr. Belville's Ch. Neshaminy,
Pa. obtained by Dr. Ely,
From annual contributors in Se-
cond Ch. Philada.

15 00 1 00

Mr. Joyce to the General Agent.

East Liberty, Allegheny County, near Pittsburgh, Pa. Feb. 9, 1829. Rev. and Dear Brother,-With many professed Christians, I once thought missions to the heathen a great waste of means, while so many in our own land were living "without God in the world." The unscriptural nature of this objection was discovered, and the objection removed from my mind, many years ago. I beg leave to state to you how this was done, as it affords me an opportunity of discharging part of what I owe to a name that will be revered as long as compassion for the heathen is felt in the Church, or sacred reason valued by men.

Walking one evening with a friend to hear a German preacher in the French Church in the city of Dublin, my friend mentioned that he had heard the Rev. Andrew Fuller preach a discourse in the same meeting-house, in behalf of Foreign Missions. I believe I then stated my ob. jection; my friend informed me that Mr. Fuller had replied to it in the course of his sermon, in the following manner. "If the Apostles had acted on that principle they could never have passed the bounds of Judea had Paul acted on it, his life and labours must have been limited to a single city: and we should have inherited the ignorance and idolatry of our forefathers."

:

500

20 00

30 00

44 00