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that he may come "in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace." Those churches are anxiously waiting his arrival.

OHIO.

From Rev. J. L. Belleville, dated Miamisburg, October 5th, 1829, to the Corresponding Secretary.

Dear Brother,-It rejoices my heart to see the Presbyterian Church at length waking up from her slumbers, and realizing her responsibility as the guar dian of truth, and puttig forth her exertions in her individual capacity. Vi gorous efforts are manifestly made to sap the very vitals of our branch of the church of Christ, and this certainly calls loudly upon the friends of the Presbyterian cause to maintain their rights, by acting in her i... dividual character, in promoting the missionary spirit among her sons, and causing their benevolence to flow through their native channel into the Lord's treasury. May the Lord prosper your exertions, and crown them with abundant success.Presbyterianism has been attended with great success in this region of country within the last two years, notwithstanding the formidable opposition it has had to struggle with. When I first came into the bounds of the Miami Presbytery, a little more than two years ago, there were but eight ministers: there are now sixteen, and there yet remains much land to be possessed: Still, as a people, we are a heterogeneous mass; but, all things considered, we can scarcely realize the change. Let God have all the glory.

GEORGIA.

MISSIONARIES WANTED.

Extract of a letter addressed to the Corresponding Secretary, from a gentleman residing in that state, dated September 29th, 1829.

Reverend and dear Sir,-It was my desire to present to you, and to your board, the deplorable deficiency of missionary labours in Georgia.-We have about 25 ministers of our church in the state, several of whom are engaged in teaching and other employments, which prevents their preaching much-We have, I think, between 50 and 60 churches, and might soon have a large number more organized, had we labourers in the vineyardThe subject of religion is assuming, daily, additional interest in the minds of the people, and they are just now in that state that allows them to be moulded into almost any form.

The interests of our church seem to

depend very much upon the efforts we

shall now make, and the number of labourers we can employ. We think the claims of the south are somewhat overlooked in the attention which the Christian publick are giving to the west--Not but that the west is of far more importance from its prospects, and the immense extent of country--But still we have a large territory of destitute population; and a very large tract of fertile and healthy country, in the west of Georgia, is rapidly settling by an active and enterprising population-If the west is twenty times as important as the south, at present, for missionary operation, it appears to receive forty times the attention from the missionary societies-We regret, what we think, the overlooking of our comparative claims -The religious excitements which now prevail in the south, and the strong calls for missionaries seem to urge the necessity of a very special effort-We look with anxiety and confidence to the General Assembly's Board to aid us.

I regret that it is not now in my power to state, definitely, where missionaries are most wanted among us-I could tell you better after returning home and conferring with my brethren-I can state in general, that the counties lying between the Oakmulgee and Flint rivers have a number of interesting young churches unsupplied, and offer a wide field for missionary labour-Many churches in that region might be organized with good prospects, had we missionaries employed.

NORTH CAROLINA,

From Rev. William Quillin to the Corresponding Secretary, dated Morgantown, September 3d, 1829.

Reverend and dear Sir,-From Rutherford, where I wrote my third report, I came directly to Burke, where I preached the next Sabbath, The first part of this week, I spent principally in visiting in a skirt of the congregation, and preached once. On Friday, (August 14th,) our four-days' meeting commenced, on Silver creek, six miles from Morgantown. This meeting, though precious to many souls, was not so interesting as one we held, at the same place, last fall. And one of the principal causes, no doubt, is the discovery of numerous gold mines in the coun. ty, within a few months past. Immediately on the discovery of these mines, the most of the citizens seemed to be seized with what is here denominated "the gold fever;" and which, in some respects, appears to paralyze all our efforts to do good. But the Presbyterian cause is, notwithstanding, still gaining ground. Three were added, at this meeting, and every communion adds some to the church of

Christ. The church is becoming more firmly settled; the tone of piety more ele. vated, while there is a growing desire in general, to hear Presbyterian preaching. The Rev. John Silliman is the only located Presbyterian clergyman in the county; but Mr. Josiah Kilpatrick is now la bouring as a missionary in two small congregations in the western part of the county, where they have, in each, a promising Sabbath School.

Wednesday, Aug. 19th, the Rutherford County Bible Society held its anniversary meeting, at Rutherfordton. Brothers Silliman and Kilpatrick, and myself, from Burke, attended, as corresponding members. Among other resolutions, the society resolved, in reliance on divine aid, to supply every destitute family in the county with a Bible in two years. And voluntary agents immediately assumed the responsibility of supplying about one half the county. We hope this example will soon be followed by other counties. From Rutherfordton I went to Lincolnton; and from what I learned from brother Sparrow and the people, our hopes, with regard to the success of our late labours there, were not visionary. Then I went to Sherill's meeting-house, 20 miles from Lincolnton. Here are a few Presbyterians belonging to Concord congregation, in Iredell county, not only 10 miles from their church, (Concord) but separated by the Catawba, à considerable river, which forms the line between Lincoln and Iredell counties. To this destitute people I preached three times on the Sabbath; and once, sometimes twice, every day, except one,

through the following week. The Sabbath following, assisted by the Rev. H. N. Pharr, I held a sacramental meeting in the same place, which was truly interesting Although they have had no Presbyterian preaching for more than a year, (for Concord is now vacant) except an occasional sermon, there was not only much solemnity, but deep and pungent feeling. Nothing, however, that can be said, I presume, would give you a more correct idea of the state of feeling than merely to mention the fact, that immediately after dismission, on the Sabbath, three men, two of whom were blossoming for the grave, came to me suffused in tears, and affectionately shaking my hand, said, “0! if we could only have such preaching." (viz. Presbyterian preaching.) And such were the prospects, and such the solicitations-that I promised to visit them again in two weeks, having to leave them now, to attend to other engagements. From this place I came to Morganton, where I now am, resting a little from my fatigue. During this month, I have travelled 255 miles; delivered 22 discourses, besides exhortations; attended the anniversary meeting of one Bible Society, and visited 36 families. And yet, when I look abroad and see what is to be done-what difficul ties to be overcome; and when I hear, as I often do, from different neighbourhoods and counties, to go no farther, repeated solicitations for assistance, I feel that I am an unfaithful servant, and can only pray the Lord of the harvest to send more labourers-even such as he himself may choose, into his vineyard.

The Treasurer of the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church acknowledges the receipt of the following sums for their Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J. during the month of October last, viz:

Of Rev. George S. Woodhull, per James S. Green, Esq. the annual collection in the Church in Princeton N. J. for the Contingent Fund,

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Of Rev. John W. Scott, a quarter's rent for do.
Of Rev. Thomas J. Biggs, on account of his subscription, for the Professor-
ship of the Synod of Philadelphia,

$11.00 87.50

30.00

$128.50

Account of Cash received by the Board of Missions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, during the month of October, 1829.

Port Byron, NY. Donation from Rev. Wm. Williams

Shaver's Creek, Huntington Co. Pa. Ann. sub. per Rev. Mr. Thompson
Hartmik, N. Y. Donation from Rev. J. H. Prentice
Centre Church, Robison County, N. C. Donation from the Female Benevolent
Society, per Eliza Jane M'Nair, Cor. Sec.

$1.50 15.00

50

8. 00

Philadelphia. Monthly coll. in Sixth Presbyterian Church

6 43

Pittsburgh, Pa. Coll. in First Presb. Ch. per Rev. Mr. Campfield,.

Ass. Sec.

$169 59

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110 50

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Canonsburgh, Pa. Donation from the Students of Jefferson College,

per Rev. Mr. Campfield, Ass. Sec.

Washington, Pa. Donation of Miss Jane Orr, in behalf of the Female
Praying Society of the Presbyterian Church, per do.
Do. Donation from Rev. Andrew Wylie, D. D., President of
the Indiana State College, per do.

New York, N. Y. From an individual with the initials A. E., for the purpose
of purchasing Tracts, to be distributed by a missionary of the As-
sembly's Board in Florida, per Rev. Dr. Green

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Jamaica, N. Y. Donation from Eliphalet Wickes, Esq. per Rev. Dr. Ely
Bridgeton, N. J. Additional ann. subs, of Presb. Ch. per do.
Newburyport, Mass.

Donation from Rev. Daniel Dana, D. D.

Northumberland, Pa. Ann. coll. in Presb. Ch. per Rev. W. R. Smith $20 00
Monthly concert

Annual subscriptions

Donation from Mrs. Hannah Gray

Sunbury, Pa. Annual subscriptions

Germantown, Pa. Missionary Box kept at the Manual Labour Academy, by
Rev. Mr. Monteith

Philadelphia, Pa.

Received of E. S. Ely, D. D. balance of account

Pittsburgh, Pa. Add'l coll. in 2d Presb. Ch. per Rev. E. P. Swift
Ann. sub. of Mr. Samuel Thompson of do

South Salem, Westchester Co. N. Y. Donation from Mrs. Molly Northrop, per
Rev. Stephen Sanders

.

Utica, N. Y. Collection in Presbyterian Church, per Rev. J. Burckard

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Pigeon Creek, Pa. Do.

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26 00

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175

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Intelligence from Europe, of the 30th of September, and the 1st of October, is the most recent which the publick papers have announced, at the time we write. Nor does this intelligence, except in a single article, add much to that which we chronicled in our last number. We shall, therefore, make our statement for the present month, shorter, and more general, than we are wont to do in common-We know, that not a few of our readers, look with considerable interest into this department of our

work, and we endeavour to gratify them as often as we can; but we cannot make news. This is a kind of manufacture, of which there is indeed, a good deal occasionally in the market, but it is one, in which our hands shall, if we can help it, never be employed.

The important article of news to which we have referred, relates to the victorious progress of the Russian armies-They continue to be victorious both in Asia and Europe. In our last number, we offered a conjecture, that General Diebitsch would march on Constantinople, and leave Adrianople in his rear. Our conjecture was founded on the expectation, that there was a formidable Turkish force in the latter place, which he would wish to draw into the open field, rather than attack it in strong military works. But the wily Russian, by publishing a proclamation, that his army should do no injury to those who manifested no hostility, gained the Turks themselves to his cause; and it appears, that the inhabitants of Adrianople, who had been extremely harassed by the Asiatick soldiery of the Sultan, and even many of the troops themselves, really wished for the arrival of the Russians. This doubtless became known to Diebitsch, and he rapidly marched to Adrianople, was met with a welcome by the autho rities of the place, and entered it, as he states himself, in his official dispatch, “ without a shot." He immediately detached a strong corps of his army towards the fortresses on the Dardanelles, and pushed forward the advance of his army, with the terrifick Cossacks in front, to menace the Sultan's capital: In the mean time, there had been an attempt at insurrection in Constantinople, by some remnants of the old Janissaries and their friends, which was with some difficulty subdued, after shedding much blood; and the Sultan probably perceived that his own head was in danger, if he continued the war-Indeed, it was palpable, that he was completely in the power of his enemy; for even a retreat into Asia, would not long bave afforded him safe'y. He sued for peace, under the mediation of the British and French ambassadors. Diebitsch insisted only on the terms which his master declared he would obtain, when he published his war manifesto: And at one time, the advices received from Europe, led to a confident belief in this country, that the preliminaries of peace were actually settled. The last accounts however, show, that this was not the fact-That the Turkish plenipotentiaries would not agree to the amount of indemnities that the Russian general insisted on, for the expenses of the war-had retired for new instructions to Constantinople, and that Diebitsch had given notice, that if his terms were not complied with by the 14th of September, he would march for Constantinople. Such was the posture of affairs according to the despatches from the theatre of war, as stated in the papers from London and Paris, which have been received by the last arrivals. The whole business is probably settled before now; but we must wait to know in what precise manner it has been terminated. One thing is evident-The Ottoman power, humanly speaking, can never again be formidable. It does not appear, that any of the Christian powers have, as yet, taken that animated interest in favour of the Turk, which we had anticipated, and which it seems to have been the expectation of all Europe, would be manifested, if Russia was likely to be triumphant.

The British Parliament had been prorogued to the 15th of October, and, of course, was in recess, when the last vessels which have arrived from London and Liverpool, left those places. It now appears, that the crops of the last harvest in England, have been from a fifth to a fourth less, than in common years; and, that unusual falls of rain have laid the low lands under water, to the great distress and loss of the farmers.

France is still greatly agitated, in consequence of the appointment of the new ministry-insomuch, that by some, a renewal of the scenes of the revolution is appre hended, if a change in the ministry is not speedily made. Our country's friend, La Fayette, is now the most popular man in France-What a changeful world do we live in! He had lately an occasion to make a long journey, and in the towns through which he passed, he was received with much the same enthusiasm and manifestation of attachment, that attended him wherever he went, in the United States An article before us says "La Fayette could mount the throne of France with the utmost ease.” We question this; but we have no question that he is both too wise and too good to make the attempt.

The past month has been barren of domestick news. The foolish expedition of the Spaniards against Mexico, has terminated, as every man of any sense expected that it would-except that the Spanish capitulating army have obtained better terms than it was believed by many that the Mexicans would grant them. They are to leave the country, and to take with them what they brought—A large number have died of the diseases of the climate.

t

ERRATUM IN OUR PRESENT NUMBER.

Page 519, line 27 from bottom, for More than six-and-thirty thousand, read, Nearly thirty thousand. This error was occasioned by mistaking the number of Bibles distributed, for the number of dollars expended in their purchase.

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

DECEMBER, 1829.

Religious Communications.

LECTURES ON THE SHORTER CATECHISM OF THE WESTMINSTER AS

us was delivered to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. But this opinion,

SEMBLY OF DIVINES-ADDRESSED although adopted and defended by

TO YOUTH.

LECTURE XLIV.

In our last lecture I endeavoured to show that the fourth commandment of the decalogue is moral, in the highest and strictest sense of the word; and that it is, of course, of perpetual obligation-requiring us to keep holy to God all such set seasons as he hath appointed in his word, and especially to consecrate to his exclusive service one whole day in seven. Which day of the week ought to be thus consecrated to God, we are now to consider. On this point the statement of our Catechism is, that-" From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian sabbath." There are

some, my young friends, who explicitly deny the truth of the first part of this statement; that is, they deny that the obligation to observe the seventh day of the week as a sabbath, was coeval with the completion of the work of creation, or from the beginning of the world. They insist that it had no other or earlier origin, than the time when the command before VOL. VII.-Ch. Adv.

some men of eminence in the church, appears to me to be in direct opposition to the sacred record, (Gen. ii. 2, 3,) where it is said, "And on the seventh day, God ended his work which he had made; and he rested the seventh day from all his work which he had made; and God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." Those who deny the primeval institution of the sabbath say, that the blessing here pronounced on the seventh day, and its sanctification as a day of holy rest, was proleptical; that is, God then ordained that at some future time and according to these interpreters, that time was then more than two thousand years distant-the seventh day should be kept holy, and that a blessing should then attend its observance. I must say, that this appears to me one of the harshest and most forced interpretations of a plain passage of scripture that I have ever seen. The reason assigned for God's blessing the sabbath day is, that on it he rested from all his work, and the text distinctly implies that at that time he blessed and sanctified it. His resting from his work, and his blessing and sanctifying the day of rest, are represented as cotem

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