per; and the profits of the work go for the benefit of the sacred cause. It is a monthly publication. Twelve numbers make a volume containing 400 pages, which is sold for one dollar and a half. "The primary design of the Herald is to acquaint the Christian community with the proceedings of the Board and its Missionaries. These proceedings, whether in reference to our own population, to Southern or Western Asia, to Western or Southern America, or to the Islands of the seas, are generally described in a connected series, by means of letters, journals, abstracts, or reports. There are, also, compendious views of the more interesting religious and missionary intelligence not specially connected with the missions of the Board; of the character, manners, and customs of the various nations, which are the proper objects of foreign missions; and, in general, of whatever has a direct bearing on the cause of Christian benevolence. And, finally, the monthly numbers contain a particular acknowledgment of all donations made in behalf of the missions under the care of the Board. "A work like this, is essential to the Board. Depending on public charity, the Board could not prosper without some such means of making known readily its enterprises, successes and wants. It must have a publication which shall be wholly under its control, issued at stated and frequently recurring periods, and sent to numerous districts of country. Only then will its influence be strong, regular and extensive. "The Herald is no expense to the Board. More than this, it has been a source of revenue; and, if subscriptions are well paid, will be so hereafter. "It also lessens other expenses. It lessens expenses for agencies. Wherever the Herald is taken, the visits of agents need be less frequent and protracted, than they otherwise must be; for the Herald not only performs a part of their work itself, but prepares the way, beyond almost any other means, for their introduction and success. It also lessens expenses for printing. Reports, tracts, sermons, &c. will need to be published, from time to time, even while the Herald has a large subscription; but were the circulation of the Herald to be limited, the expenditures for such publications must be proportionably augmented, or the missionary operations of the Board be abridged. Moreover, it saves much expense of time and labour to the Executive of the Board. Indeed, it appears quite probable, that in producing and sustaining the missionary spirit, at present in the land, the Herald has effected a saving to the general cause Death of Mrs. Judson. The death of this extraordinary woman, who possessed the courage of a heroine, the devotion of a saint, and the faith and patience of a marof missions. She died in Burmah tyr, will cause grief to all the friends on the 24th or 25th of October last -"in a strange place," says the letter which communicates the information of her death-" far, far from all those who would have felt it their greatest consolation to have watched her sickness." Her husband, Dr. Judson, was absent on a journey to Ava, as interpreter to the British commissioners to the Burman emperor-We deeply sympathize in his affliction. Mrs. Judson, however, appears to have had the attendance of a kind and skilful physician. But what was infinitely better, the Great Physician, both of body and soul, was doubtless with her. He has, in his holy sovereignty, called her to himselfearth has lost and Heaven has gained an inhabitant. This is one of those dispensations which tries the faith of Christians "God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain." THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH stands ad journed, to meet in the First Presbyterian church, in the city of Philadelphia, on the third Thursday, the 17th day, of the present month, at eleven o'clock, A.M.-To be opened with a sermon by the Moderator of last year, the Rev. Dr. M'Auley, of New York. 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 April last, viz. Of Rev. John W. Scott, a quarter's rent, for the Contingent Fund, Of Rev. B. Hoff, Bridgeton, N. J., for do. Of Rev. Charles W. Nassau, Norristown, for do. $87 50 8 00 3 50 6 00 Of Rev. Thomas J. Biggs, on account of his subscription for the professorship to be endowed by the Synod of Philadelphia Amount received for the Contingent Fund $105 00 13 50 30 00 Total $148 50 View of Publick Affairs. EUROPE. The information which has reached us from Europe during the last month, is not without a degree of interest. BRITAIN.-London papers to the 24th, and Liverpool to the 26th of March, contain the most recent advices which we have seen from Britain. On the 1st of that month Mr. Canning had so far recovered from his late severe indisposition, as to be able to bring the long-talked-of subject of the corn laws before parliament. The debate was adjourned to the 8th of March, when it was again called up by the chancellor of the exchequer: an amendment was proposed to the proposition which contained the radical principle of his plan; and, after a warm debate it was negatived, and the proposition as reported was adopted. Several resolutions remained to be discussed, which it was expected would be ultimately adopted, as reported by ministers, with little if any amendment. The chancellor of the exchequer had deferred opening his budget till after the Easter holidays. On the 5th and 6th of March, the subject of Catholick emancipation was ably and eloquently discussed in the house of commons, on a motion, in favour of emancipation, by Sir Francis Burdett. We have read the speech of the master of the rolls against the motion, and the speeches of Sir W. Plunket and Mr. Canning in its favour. The motion was lost by a majority of only fourFor the motion 272, against it 276. Had it passed the commons, there is no doubt it would have been negatived in the house of lords. When information of the termination of this business in Parliament reached Ireland, it produced what the English paragraphists call a great sensation, but no publick disturbances ensued. Lord Liverpool was in a state of convalescence, but it was thought probable that he would never again appear in publick life. The appointment of Mr. Canning as prime minister, is said, in the Literary Gazette, to be the most popular statement of the day. The house of commons was to adjourn for the Easter recess, from the 12th to the 30th of April. It appears that from the 3d to the 8th of March, there had been a most unusual fall of snow in Scotland. Many lives were lost, and travelling for several days was almost entirely stopped. The drifts or wreaths of snow were, in some places, twenty feet deep. The celebrated Mr. Gifford, the originator of the British Quarterly Review, and for a long time its editor, died in London, some time in March, in the 70th year of his age. FRANCE.-The Marquis de Laplace, the most eminent mathematician and astronomer of the age, a peer of France, and still more distinguished as the author of the unparalleled work entitled Mecanique Celeste, died in Paris on the 5th of March.-In July next, a Journal of Science and the useful Arts, in the Arabick language, is to commence in Paris, for the benefit of the east, and to be continued monthly. It is expected that it will greatly contribute to the civilization of the Mahomedan nations. A statistical account in the Courier François states, that, exclusive of official papers or daily journals, there were issued in France in 1825, no less than 128 millions, 10 thousand, 483 publications; and that the number for 1826, is one-fifth greater than that for 1825. It is said that this increased and increasing demand for books, is what has filled the government with alarm, and occasioned the measure for restricting the liberty of the press. This measure, it appears by the last accounts, has been carried, after much and ardent opposition, through both the legislative chambers.-France is tranquil-Our nation's friend, General La Fayette, seems to be gaining in popularity. SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.--It does not seem probable that open war will soon take place between these powers. Spain is indeed raising a large military corps, to be denominated the Royalist Volunteers; but the Portuguese insurgents, when they pass into Spain, are disarmed, and their arms delivered up to the Portuguese government.This has lately been done in the case of two whole divisions of insurgents, amounting to 3000 men. Pressed as they were by the Portuguese troops, they were not allowed to pass the frontiers of Portugal, till they had laid down their arms on the Portuguese territory; these arms were ordered by the Spanish government to be immediately delivered up to the Portuguese authorities. We believe the civil war in Portugal is nearly, if not quite terminated. As to Spain, we pretend not even to conjecture what she will do next. GERMANY AND PRUSSIA.-We think it probable that within the territories of both these powers, a religious convulsion is not far distant. The reigning Pope wishes to bring back the Catholick church to what it was three centuries since; but the Catholicks in Germany and Silesia wish, on the other hand, for important additional reforms. We pretend not to foretel the issue of this disagreement between the head and the members of the Catholick body; but we think a convulsion, more or less severe, will be the consequence: and we doubt not that the way is preparing for the destruction of "The man of sin." TURKEY AND GREECE.-The conflict between the Turks and Greeks is, we think, drawing fast to a close-not because either party, if left to itself, is prepared or disposed to yield to the other; but because the great powers, as they are called, seem determined to put an end to the strife. The last note delivered by the Russian minister to the Reis Effendi, concludes in the following decisive tone :-"The Porte would deceive itself, if it believed that the emperor Nicholas would view with indifference the extermination of a people professing the same religion with himself." In the mean time, the accounts as usual, are contradictory, in regard to what is taking place in Greece itself. On one side the Greeks are represented as highly successful in their military operations; and on the other, it is said, that the Turks, under Reschid Pacha, have entirely defeated a corps of 6000 Greeks, who were marching to the relief of Athens. RUSSIA. It appears that differences have arisen between the Russian generals, Yer-moloff and Paskewitch, relative to the employment of the troops which they command against the Persians. What effect this will have on the state of the war we know not. The emperor's aid de camp has been sent to endeavour to compose the difference. ASIA. Two very destructive fires occurred in Canton in the months of October and November last, and consumed, in all, more than a thousand houses-No American or English property was destroyed-A treaty of commerce and friendship was concluded in May last between his Britannick Majesty and the King of Siam. Britain stipulates to make no encroachment whatever on the Siamese territory, and the King of Siam engages to deliver up all Christian and other captives. A cordial intercourse is to be established between the two countries. It is said in one of the last London papers that the last despatches from Bengal represent all parts of the British East India territory as being in the most satisfactory state-A second payment of twenty-three and a half lacs of rupees had been received at Calcutta, from the Burmese government. AFRICA. Recent accounts from Liberia represent the American colony there as in a very prosperous state. New territory has been peaceably acquired; the slave trade is completely broken up, on the whole line of coast which bounds that territory on the ocean, and health, industry, good morals, and a regard to religion, distinguish the population of the colony. AMERICA. BRAZIL AND BUENOS AIRES.-It appears that a severe action has at length taken place between the opposing armies of these powers, in the province of Rio Grande. It occurred on the 26th of February. The Brazilian army, it is said, numbered 10,000 men, and that of Buenos Ayres 8000-the latter had the superiority in cavalry. The contest was long and bloody, and the loss of each army about equal; in all 5000 men, killed and wounded. The battle lasted without intermission, till night separated the combatants. The official report of the Brazilian army, claims for that army the victory; but it remains wholly uncertain whether the actual advantage is on the side of the Imperialists, or the Republicans. COLOMBIA. The political affairs of this extensive republick appear, from the last accounts, to be in a very unsettled and unpropitious state. It is again confidently stated, that Bolivar is aiming at the Dictatorship; and he and General Santander are said to be in open and avowed hostility with each other. We shall not believe that the Liberator has proved recreant to the cause of freedom, till we are compelled to do so by better evidence than we have yet seen. But we fear it is true, that he is unable to compose the differences of his unhappy countrymen; and we are anxious while we look to the probable consequences of the present disorders. MEXICO. In this republick also, civil dissentions, of a very serious aspect, have arisen. Several friars have been arrested for a conspiracy against the government, and one, by the name of Arenas, has been condemned to be shot. Two former Spanish generals, supposed to be parties to the conspiracy, have been seized and confined in different fortresses; and this event has excited much feeling in the Mexican capital, where those generals have many influential friends. In another quarter, a regiment of soldiers has revolted, opened prisons, and armed the prisoners, arrested the governor, and created a junta of their own. It was supposed that their object was to overthrow the government, and to raise a son of Iturbide to the throne. This revolt, it was supposed, the existing government could easily quell. It was believed that the congress of Tacubaya would not be able to commence its sessions in all the month of March, on account of some delay in the Mexican House of Representatives. UNITED STATES.-When we consider, in contrast with what we have stated above, the present peaceful and happy state of our own country-when we review its history from the period of its revolution to the present hour, we may see that to preserve order in a revolution, and to settle those who have been engaged in it in peace and quietness under free forms of government, is much easier when freedom has been their birthright and long possession, than when the elements of a revolution that are to be moulded into republicans, have been born in bondage, and have passed a great part of their lives under the most despotick rule. Let us bless God for our happy allotment, and let us sympathize with, and pray for those, who must be taught the nature and proper use of their civil rights and privileges, by a tedious discipline in the school of adversity-of controversy and discord, perhaps of bloodshed and civil war. Erratum in our last Number. In page 179, 2d col., 6th line from top, for VERITAS read CLERICUS. THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. JANUARY, 1828. Heligious Communications. FOR THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. A CHRISTIAN'S MEDITATION AT ENTERING ON A NEW YEAR. If I Live, or if I Die. IF I LIVE it ought to be, and by the grace of God assisting me, it shall be, my aim aud endeavour to live this year, more as becomes my Christian character and profession than in any preceding year. Much reason have I to be thankful to God who has led me my life long until now; who has crowned my life with loving kindness and tender mercy; who has borne with me amidst all my sins, my ingratitude, my insensibility, my backslidings, my Covenant breaking, my comparatively little improvement of all his varied dealings-lifting me up at one time, and casting me down at another, now chastening me, and now causing me to rejoice in his merciful interposition in my behalf-in relief afforded in distress, in support and deliverance in temptations, in restoring my soul from its wanderings, and in the light of his countenance which is better than life. In very deed, when I think what I have been, and how my heavenly Father has dealt with me, I stand and wonder at his forbearance; I wonder at his long suffering, I wonder at his patience, I wonder at the goodness and kindness and mercy and wisdom, which have marked all his dispensations towards me. Truly he is God and not man, else I had been consumed. VOL. VI-Ch. Adv. The warmest emotions of gratitude and praise are due to him from me; and the deepest humility and selfabasement become me in his presence. O most merciful God and Father! accept the gratitude of this unworthy heart; a gratitude which I know not how to express, and which still is unspeakably less than befits the immeasurable goodness which calls it forth. Cleanse, O cleanse my soul, from all its pollutions, in the precious atoning blood of my dear and adored Redeemer! clothe me with his righteousness; sanctify me by his Spirit; form me into his likeness; exterminate every unhallowed principle and propensity of my soul; and help me to devote all that I have and am, more unreservedly to thy service and glory than ever heretofore I have done-Teach me now, especially, to form right purposes for the year on which I have entered; if it be thy holy will that I continue in life till another return of the passing season. IF I LIVE, I purpose, in the strength of God, to endeavour to be more spiritual in the habitual temper of my mind; to have my affections more detached from earthly objects, and more placed on those which are spiritual and heavenly; to live more as in the very presence of God-so that I may in truth be said, in some proper, however humble measure, to "walk with God;" to take more lively, frequent, and affecting views, of the glorious plan A |