tion of which decides the credibility of events, and the truth of doctrines in these divisions of knowledge. In thus consecrating their best years to these pursuits, years in which we contract for life intellectual habits, and adopt objects and labours with an affection which is commonly exclusive, the ministers of the gospel will bring to the studies and offices which impose upon them new duties, a spirit and dispositions prejudicial to the articles of a revealed religion-articles which demand positive belief.* Accustomed to submit to the laws of the underestanding only, and inclined in all things to yield the pre-eminence to scientifick interest, they will unconsciously comply with the propensity to repel, or to attenuate and enfeeble, every thing which they int cannot entwine with their favourite sciences, and incorporate with the system of ideas which has become an integral part of their moral life. In all questions concerning matters of faith, being prepossessed judges, they will lean to those decisions which have some analogy to the operations to which their previous studies have accustomed them; the practical importance of these decisions, and the pernicious effects which they may produce upon the morality and the tranquillity of the people, will disappear before the urgency of abstract principles; the spur of curiosity, the desire of extending the domain of intellect, the satisfaction of seeing enlarged the limits of investigation, in which reason prides itself, at the expense of the natural and obvious sense of the holy Scripture, will exercise a secret and corrupting influence; the preponderating voice of these will impose silence on the clearest words of the sacred authors, as well as upon the most evident moral interests. A combination of learned men calling That is, a belief which rests on the divine testimony, and not on the deductions of our natural reason; a belief in supernatural facts.-TR. into doubt the integrity or authenticity of a book, or passage, hitherto uncontested,-a bold conjecture, an ingenious explanation, which takes away the force of a text as a doctrinal proof-will meet with minds greedy of such hypotheses, and prepared to embrace them as the conquests of reason and of true knowledge. That result which this course of studies, this order of labours, this succession of eras in the career of a German theologian, are calculated to produce, is presented to us as being actually realized in the history of religious doctrines during the last generations. Issuing from the schools of Heyne and Kant, and regarding as an offence against sound criticism, as high treason against reason itself, the admission of any fact, of any proof, which broke the natural series of historical events, and the natural process of the development of the human mind, the candidates for the holy ministry entered upon their theological course, and at last upon their public functions, with the determination to see, in the annals of the Hebrew people, mythical traditions only, which must be disengaged from their symbolical investiture, and translated from the language of antiquity into ours, in order to take the air of an ordinary and rational narrative; and to see, in the appearance of divine love upon earth, in the advent of the Redeemer, only the highest degree of moral energy to which man may attain, by his own efforts, and with the aid of a provident education. With a few exceptions, the most celebrated universities very soon admitted to academical and pastoral offices, as to a literary course of life, those young men only, who placed Moses and Homer, the Hebrew judges and the heroic age of Greece, prophets, reformers, and magnani, mous tribunes, all upon the same level-and who venerated, in the person of the Saviour, a Jewish Socrates, an organ of the truth, and a mar tyr for it, the author of the best practical philosophy which had yet been published to the people of ancient times, and the master of disciples, who never reached the height of his conceptions, and who, although worthy of admiration for their devotion to their faith, adulterated the purity of the doctrine of Jesus, by mixing with it their national prejudices, and their indivi dual views. They who should doubt the truth of this picture, would show themselves to be absolute strangers to the state of theology and literature, such as nine-tenths of the works published on theology have for a long time exhibited it, as well as the most generally circulated journals in Germany. (To be continued.) Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc. The Mississippi Valley.-That part of what is termed the Mississippi Valley, which lies within the limits of the United States, contains, says Mr. Darby, 1,099,000 square miles. The great central valley of the United States may be divided into five sections, the fourth one of which is the great plain of the Mississippi Valley, commencing at the foot of the Alleghany mountain, and extending west fifteen hundred miles to the Sand Plain, and from the valley of the northern lakes to the mouth of the Ohio; a distance of six hundred miles. The States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, parts of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Michigan; together with the region comprising the territories lying west of the States, compose this valley. This plain is a secondary formation, resting on horizontal limestone rock, embedding large quantities of shells. It is rich in agricultural and mineral resources. Its bed, says A. Q. Review, which is 1500 by 900 miles in extent, would cover half of Europe. Iron ore abounds generally. In Missouri there is a mass of this ore, forming a hill of 500 feet in height, and five miles in extent, which yields 75 per cent. iron. The lead mines of Missouri and Illinois would cover about 200 square miles, and are supposed to be the richest mines of that metal on the globe. Twelve millions of pounds were melted in 1828, and it is supposed they will furnish twenty millions during the present year. Salt water is found over the entire extent of this region. Gypsum and saltpetre, toge ther with many of the clays and earths that are used in the arts are abundant. "Here indeed will every rood support its man; for of such a region, without barren heath, mountain waste, or slope, and where all is fertile and healthful; where no timber lands need be left for fuel; with mineral resources enough to stimu late all the arts, and contribute to all wants-who can say what is the limit of its future population? Europe could seat all her nations comfortably upon this plain." In the lakes of the valley of Mexico wild geese are seldom seen, though ducks, snipes and bitterns are found there in prodigious numbers. I have frequently shot 20 and 30 snipes in a morning, and s great tire de patos, near Mexico, is one of the most curious scenes that it is possible principally conducted, prepare a battery, to witness. The Indians, by whom it is composed of 70 or 80 musket barrels, ar ranged in two rows, one of which sweeps the water, while the other is a little ele vated, so as to take the ducks as they rise upon the wing. The barrels are connect with each other, and fired by a train; but the whole apparatus, as well as the man who has charge of it, are concealed in the rushes, until the moment when, after many hours of cautious labour, one of the dense columns of ducks, which blacken, at times, the surface of the lake, is driven by the distant canoes of his associates suf ficiently near the fatal spot. The double tier of guns is immediately fired, and the water remains strewed with the bodies of the killed and the wounded, whose es cape is cut off by the circle of canoes be yond. Twelve hundred ducks are often brought in as the result of a single fire, and during the whole season they form the ordinary food of the lower classes in the capital, where they are sold for one or at most two reals each. North Carolina Gold Region.-This richest of all the American mineral re gions, saving the coal district of the middle States and the iron of New Jersey and New York, is every day found to be more and more extensive. We on Saturday morning had a conversation with a gen tleman who returned on Friday evening from a visit to the gold region, made al the instance of two gentlemen of this city, who are extensive landholders in that country. He has ascertained that at least one hundred thousand acres of the lands of those gentlemen are impregnated with gold, and has brought specimens of the ore. The gentleman to whom we refer, visited one place where eighty men are employed in working a mine, and the product of their labour is about $500 per day. While our informant was there, a number of crucibles were dug up, which were composed of soap stone, and must have been buried there for ages. It is therefore evident that the mines must, at some remote period, have been known to, , and worked by, the Indians. Some gold rings and articles of jewellery were found in the possession of the Aborigines of that country, on the first settlement of the whites, but where the precious metal came from, has not until this time been known.-N. Y. Com. Adv. In a little work called Voyages aux Alpes, which has recently been published in Paris, a curious account is given of an avalanche which occurred in Switzerland many years ago. During the absence of Swiss farmer, his cottage and stable were, by the fall of the avalanche, enclosed in snow; his wife and daughter were at the time in the stable. Six weeks afterwards, the snow having melted a little, an opening was effected, and the two females were found alive, having been supported by the milk of the cow during that long period. The space left free from the snow was sufficient for air, and fortunately there was a good winter's stock of provisions for the cow near the stable. Letters from Spain are full of details of the effects of a late earthquake. The towns of Guardamar, Torrevieja, Almoradi, and Los Dolores, have been entirely ruined. Four hundred and seventy bo dies had been dug out of the ruins of Almoradi. Mineral springs have been removed to the distance of six miles from the place where their sources originally were. The river Segura, which flowed through the city of Mercia, has changed its course and its mouth. Four great craters are opened at Benejuzar, and emit lava and infectious exhalations. Two other craters, opened at the place where Torrevieja was built, pour forth torrents of fætid water. Humboldt calculates that one acre of ground planted with the banana is sufficient to support fifty men, while an acre of wheat, communibus annis, would barely supply the wants of three. The largest of all known medals is sup posed to be that which the States of Upper Austria presented in the year 1716, on the occasion of the birth of the Imperial Prince Leopold, which weighed sixteen marks, or eight pounds, fine gold. Previously, the medal which Christian V. of Denmark, caused to be struck, in commemoration of the naval victory gained over the Swedes in the year 1677, passed for the largest medal extant. A new work, the History and Doctrine of Budhism, by Edward Upham, just published in London, is spoken of by the Weekly Review, as "beyond comparison the most curious book that has ever reached Europe from the East." The late T. C. Henry's Letters to an anxious Inquirer, have been republished in London, with Memoirs of the Author, and other prefatory matter, by the Rev. John Pye Smith, D.D., and the Rev. Tho mas Lewis. Chancellor Kent's Commentaries are about to be translated into modern Greek, to aid in the legal proceedings of the new Grecian government. Religious Intelligence. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States met, agreeably to adjourn ment, on Thursday, the 21st of May, ult., in the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, at eleven o'clock, A. M., and was opened with a sermon by the Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely, D. D., the Moderator of the last year, from Rom. xv. 10. "I have fully preached the gospel of VOL. VII Ch. Adv. Christ." The number of members who composed this Assembly, was about one hundred and sixty. The Rev. Benjamin H. Rice, of Petersburg, Virginia, was chosen Moderator, and the Rev. Robert M'Cartee, temporary Clerk. We have had opportunity to witness the proceedings of most of the General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church, since their first or 2 M ganization in 1789; and we remember no one which, in our apprehension, was conducted throughout, in a manner so eminently Christian and exemplary as the last. We attribute this to influences shed down from the God of all grace, in answer to devotional exercises, more numerous, and apparently more fervent, than have been mingled with the business concerns of former Assemblies. The day which, by a standing order, is wholly set apart to religious services, was observed with great solemnity, both when the members of the Assembly worshipped by themselves, in the room in which their sittings were held, and when, in the after part of the day, they united with a large promiscuous congregation in the church. During the last ten days of the sessions, meetings were held every morning, at an early hour, by a considerable number of the members, for conversation on the best means for promoting revivals of religion, accompanied by prayer for such revivals, and for the Divine presence with the Assembly in their deliberations, and for a blessing from on High to attend the measures they might adopt for promoting the cause of the Redeemer, in the church of which they have the oversight. There was also another daily meeting for special prayer, in the session-room of the Second Presbyterian Church, at eight o'clock in the morning, at which many of the devout citizens united with some members of the Assembly in presenting their supplications to God, for the effusion of his Holy Spirit on the Supreme Judicature of our church, on all the churches under their care, and on all of every name that hold the truth as it is in Jesus. There may have been, and probably were, other associations for devotional exercises, of which we have not heard. On these meetings "the spirit of grace and of supplications" appears to have been poured out in more than an ordinary degree; and we doubt not, as we have said, that it was in answer to the "effectual fervent prayer" offered in these assemblages of his ministers and people, that God was pleased to spread a heavenly influence over the minds of the members of the Assembly. The risings of unhal lowed feelings were suppressed, a spirit of conciliation and concession was manifest, mutual forbearance was exercised, majorities exhibited no triumph, and minorities no mor tification, brother considered the equal rights of his brother, partial views and individual wishes were sacrificed for the general good, the extensive promotion of the cause of the Redeemer became the dominant consideration, and ruled the minds of those who spoke and voted. The result was, that although there was earnest discussion and debate, there was no discord and alienation; par ties appeared to be broken down, and to become amalgamated into one mass of kindness and fraternal feeling-prepared for the Master's use, to promote, as widely as pos sible, his cause and his glory. "Let brotherly love CONTINUE.' The Assembly was in session fourteen days, and much important business was transacted. We shall lay before our readers, as fast as our space will permit, copies of the papers, and an account of the mea sures, of the most publick interest. Narrative of the State of Religion within the bounds of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and of the Churches corresponding, før May, 1829. kingdom is of vast importance to the Every thing relating to the Redeemer's world, and of peculiar interest to the chil dren of God. Every thing connected with the prosperity of that part of Zion which is committed to us, must be deeply interesting to the churches under our care; they look forward with pleasure to the period when this information is communi. cated; and with the same heart-felt plea We would rather encourage and gladden your hearts, by recording the gracious dealings of Divine Providence towards us. From the reports of our different presby. alfeteries, we are able to do this-to afford ties you, this year, animating accounts from rty every part of our country, of the increasying prevalence of truth, the diminution of vice, and the triumphs of grace. We begin with a subject which excites deep interest in the Presbyterian church, en and which must ever be regarded as among of the the most cheering dispensations of Providence-revivals of religion. These special tokens of Divine grace have been maniedfested to an extent demanding our warmadrest gratitude—and, in some instances, in a manner peculiarly distinguishing. We know that you will be gratified by our de. signating the places where they have occurred, and the particular character of bres some remarkable effusions of the Spirit. The churches upon which reviving showers of Divine grace have descended, during the past year, are those of Ellisburg and Rutland, in the Presbytery of Watertown; Cooperstown, in the Presbytery of Otsego; 1st and 2d congregations of Manlius, in the Presbytery of Onondaga; Milan and Summerville, in the Presbytery of Cayuga; Pulteney, in the Presbytery of Bath; Angelica and Allen, in the Presbytery of Angelica; Le Roy and Perry, in the Presbytery of Genesee; Wilson, Lockport, and Medina, in the Presbytery of Niagara; Sheridan, in the Presbytery of Buffalo; Goshen, Middletown, and Ridgbury, in the Presbytery of Hudson; Cold Spring and New Windsor, in the Presbytery of North River; Hanover, Rockaway, and Patterson, in the Presbytery of Newark; Mendham, Chester, 1st and 2d churches in Elizabethtown, Chatham, and Plainfield, in the Presbytery of Elizabethtown; the 2d church of Upper Freehold, Middletown-Point, BoundBrook, and Shrewsbury, in the Presbytery of New Brunswick; Basking-Ridge, in the Presbytery of Newton; the 2d church in the Northern Liberties and the 2d church in Southwark, in the Presbytery of Philadelphia; the 1st and 2d churches in Alexandria, the 1st and 4th churches in Washington city, Cabin-John, and Bethesda, in the Presbytery of the District of Columbia; Cross-Creek, in the Presbytery of Washington; Galliopolis, in the Presbytery of Athens; Mackinaw, in the Presbytery of Detroit; Claridon, Huntsburg, and Hamden, in the Presbytery of Grand River; Berkshire, Kingston, Worthington, Lebanon, Upper and Lower Liberty, and Oxford, in the Presbytery of Columbus; Hillsborough and Ripley, in the Presbytery of Chilicothe; Granville, Jersey, Hartford, Bennington, and Burlington, in the Presbytery of Lancaster; Pisgah, Hanover, Madison, Jefferson, Graham, Sand-Creek, and Olive Ridge, in the Presbytery of Madison; Franklin, New Jersey, Lebanon, Troy, Lower Bethel, Washington, and New Lexington, in the Presbytery of Miami; New Albany and Livonia, in the Presbytery of Salem; Crawfordsville, Indiana, Vincennes, and Cole Creek, in the Presbytery of Wabash; Greensburg, Columbia, and Shiloh, in the Presbytery of Trannsylvania; Briery, College Church, Cumberland, Amelia, and Buckingham, in the Presbytery of Hanover; Hawfields and Cross Roads, in the Presbytery of Orange; Little Britain, Duncan's Creek, Morgantown, and Muddy Creek, in the Presbytery of Concord; Florence, Tuscumbia, Courtland, and Monroe, in the Presbytery of North Alabama; Abbeville, Anderson, Laurens, Greenvile. and Spartenberg, in the Presbytery of South Carolina; James' Island, in the Presbytery of Charleston Union; Decatur, Gainsville, Thyatira, M'Donough, Bethany, Greensborough, Lexington, and New Lebanon, in the Presbytery of Hopewell; Medway, in the Presbytery of Georgia; Hebron, Mesopotamia, and Evenezer, in the Presbytery of South Alabama. Besides these instances, the Assembly would mention two or three others, worthy, they think, of more particular notice. In one of our large cities, the city of New York, the spirit of God has signally manifested his presence, and poured out upon several churches the reviving influences of his grace. In the central church, one hundred have been admitted into communion since the commencement of the revival, and the work is still advancing. The Brick church, the Canal street, Rutgers street, and Cedar street churches, have also enjoyed, and some of them are still enjoying, more than ordinary seasons of refreshing. In Morristown, New Jersey, a spot often visited by the out-pouring of the Spirit, there has been a display of Divine grace, greater, more powerful, and more wonder.. ful, than has ever before been known in that place. It commenced in November last, and rapidly increased until the whole town seemed to be shaken: almost the entire population appeared bowed in the dust before the majesty of Jehovah; opposition was hushed, and every one seem |