which excludes altogether, as Mr. Croly's does, the rise, progress, and extension of the Mahomedan imposture and power, It affected the state of Christendom, during several centuries, more than any thing, or every thing else, that then occurred. The Saracens, as other writers have shown, overran Palestine, Syria, Armenia, the greater part of Asia Minor, Persia, the Hither India, Egypt, Numidia, Barbary, Spain, Portugal, part of Italy, with the principal islands of the Mediterranean sea; and their successors and supplanters, the Turks or Ottomans, by their conquests, and the taking of Constantinople in 1453, put an end to the eastern empire; and thus the whole power which had belonged to imperial Rome was ended-the western empire having been destroyed long before. Had the prophet of Patmos, we ask, in the visions which he received of the entire future destinies of the church, not even a glimpse of all this? It is incredible-We believe that the locusts that came out of the smoke which ascended from the bottomless pit, as mentioned in the 9th chapter of the Apocalypse, were intended to symbolize the Saracens and Turks, and not, as Mr. C. would have it, the infidels and atheists of the French revolution. We must also think that the attempt made by Mr. C., at the close of his work, to prove that the temptation of our Lord in the wil derness, 66 was in all its parts, a type or visible prophecy of the corruptions of Rome," is an evidence that his love of system (as is common with system builders) had given his imagination a great ascendancy over his understanding and judgment. But let our readers examine and judge for themselves. We have already said, and we repeat it, that the book ought to be carefully perused by all students of scripture prophecy.

ADDRESS TO THE SYNOD OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA, onl submitting to their consideration the plan of correspondence with the General As sembly, by the Chairman of their Com mittee, in May, 1827. New York: pub lished by G. & C. Carvill. Elliott & Palmer, Printers. 1827.

The occasion and purport of this address will best be explained by the following advertisement and plan of correspondence, with which it is introduced in the pamphlet before us.

"Advertisement.-The author prepared this Address, as the Report of the Committee of Synod; but circumstances, over which he had no control, prevented a meeting with his colleagues to consider it, after it was committed to writing. It was, therefore, read in Synod, not as the pro

duction of different persons, but as his own speech; and it is now given to the publick verbatim according to the manuscript.

"If it tend to illustrate, and to vindicate, the principles and the practice of the Scottish Presbyterians, in defence of their civil and religious rights, the end is attained. The notes in the Appendix are additional.

"The Joint Committee of the two Churches who recommended this plan, consisted of the Rev. Dr. Rowan, and Messrs. M'Cartee and Baldwin, from the General Assembly; and Dr. M'Leod and Mr. Chrystie, from the Synod. Mr. Gibson was absent, and expressed no opinion on its merits.

"The plan was unanimously adopted in the Assembly, on the second day of their sessions, May, 1826, and is as follows, viz:

"Plan of Correspondence.-Art. 1. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, lamenting the existing separations between the members of the body of Christ; believing that 'all the members of that body, being many, are one body; and trusting to the word of God, that these separations will not be perpetual, do agree to use all scriptural means, in the exercise of patience and prudence, to bring their several ecclesiastical connexions to uniformity in doctrine, worship, and order, according to the word of God.

"Art. II. In order to bring about this desirable object, on the basis of the proper unity of the visible Church, it is mutually covenanted, that the ministers, members, and judicatories of these Churches (treating each other with Christian respect) shall always recognise the validity of each other's acts and ordinances consonant to the scriptures; and yet, that any Church judicatory belonging to either body, may examine persons, or review cases of discipline, on points at present peculiar or distinctive to themselves.

"Art. III. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, shall severally appoint two commissioners, with an alternate to each, to attend these judicatories respectively, who shall hold their offices till they are superseded by another choice; and these commissioners shall have the privilege of proposing measures important to the Church of Christ, and of delivering their opinions on any question under discussion; but they shall have no vote on its decision.

"Art. IV. In order to carry the last article into effect, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church will, at their ses

sions in May, 1826, appoint commissioners, who shall attend the succeeding meeting of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyte. rian Church, provided the said Synod shall have concurred in the above plan of correspondence."

The most of our readers will not need to be informed that this address one of the most powerful we have ever read-is in favour of the adoption of the plan of correspondence proposed; and yet, that its object has not hitherto been obtained. This we do indeed regret; but it has, nevertheless, neither destroyed nor abated our cordial affection for our brethren of "The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church." We are satisfied that they act on principle, and act as they do because they are sincerely desirous to maintain the doctrines and order of the Presbyterian system, in their integrity and purity. For this we honour and love them; and hesitate not to say that we esteem the points in which we cannot but think them unduly scrupulous, as the very dust of the balance, in comparison with the momentous truths which they stedfastly uphold. These we trust they will conti nue to hold fast; and if ever they and we should be more closely united, we sincerely wish that we may get rid of at least as much dross, as they may be called to purge away.

On the whole, we entirely agree with Dr. M'Leod, in what he says relative to the proposed plan of correspondence. To this plan we think he has ably, eloquent. ly, and conclusively shown, that his brethren ought not, on their own principles, to object; and yet we think with him also, that they ought not to be unduly urged on the subject. Forbearance will sometimes do far more than importunity. Human nature, like every other kind of animated nature, abhors all compulsion. Men will often do that of their own free choice, to which every thing like driving, will render them inveterately hostile. Indeed, Christians ought never to act, nor ever be expected or desired to act, but upon conviction of the truth, and the full ap probation of their consciences.

A SERMON, Preached at Montpelier, before the Legislature of the State of Vermont; on the day of the Anniversary Election, October 11, 1827. By Rev. Thomas

Goodwillie, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Barnet, Vt. Published by order of the Legislature.

We know not whether it be more creditable to the author of this discourse, that he had fidelity enough to deliver it, or to the legislature of the state of Ver. mont, that they had good sense and piety enough to request its publication. It is

a plain, sensible and faithful sermon, on a text manifestly appropriate to the occa sion-Prov. xiv. 34: “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." The great truths and doctrines of revelation are stated without any disguise, and mingled with the reasonings and illustrations which belong to the general subject. There is no garnish or tinsel in the preacher's language, and yet it is sufficiently chaste and correct. There is no approximation to flattery, and yet there is no want of respect to the magistrates and legislators, on whose account the discourse was delivered. We wish that such a sermon were addressed to every state legislature, and to our Congress too, at the commencement of each of their sessions. We subjoin Mr. G.'s address to the governor and legislature of Vermont.

"The customary addresses to the constituted authorities of this state will close the discourse.

"His Excellency the Governor.-By the suffrages of the people of this state, you are called to be their chief magistrate. Promotion comes from no quarter, but from God. He putteth down one and setteth up another.' The Spirit of the Lord God of Israel saith, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.' Your high office imposes on you an awful responsibility. To promote the glory of God by promoting the good of the people of this state, is the grand duty of your office. To attain this very desirable end, a deep and lasting sense of your own insufficiency and a firm and en tire reliance on Divine aid, are indispen sably necessary. The grand design of civil government is to be obtained by the suppression of vice and impiety, the ge neral diffusion of knowledge, and the universal reign of righteousness. In governing the people of this state, you will give praise and protection to them who do well; and you will not bear the sword in vain, but revenge the injuries done to the body politick by executing wrath on them who do evil. Thus, you will not be a terror to good works, but to the evil; and so prove to be the minister of God for good to the people. God only can prosper or frustrate your endeavours.

The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps,' therefore, trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not to thine own understanding. Acknowledge him in all thy ways, and he shall direct thy paths.' The practice of personal righteousness I will make you honourable and useful while you live, and will embalm your memory at death. The prayers of the righteous will be offered to the

which they state-"in consequence of the lamentable increase of crime in the metropolis, it was scarcely possible for one body of gentlemen to discharge the duties imposed upon them." They add their regret that "the law should be such as to oblige them to find a true bill against two children, for stealing a one penny bun;" and they remark further, that they wish solitary imprisonment to be more extensively put in practice than it had been, in the houses of correction.

Tombuctoo. It appears that there exists a detailed history of this city, written by Sidi-Ahhmed-Baba, a native of Darawan, a small town in the country of Kentes, which history, however, does not go farther back than the 510th year of the Hejira, the 1116th of Christ. The Arabick author attributes the foundation of this city to a female of the horde of Touaricks, called Bucktou, who established herself in a cabin on the banks of the Nile of the negroes, which was shaded by a bushy tree. She had some sheep; and she delighted in performing the duties of hospitality to travellers of her nation. Her habitation soon became a sacred asylum; ;-a place of repose and enjoyment for the neighbouring tribes, who were called Tin-Buktou, that is, belonging to Buktou. At length, varions tribes came and establish. ed themselves there, forming a vast en trenched camp, which was afterwards converted into a great and populous city.

Professor Brocchi, so well known by his numerous works on geology and conchology, and who was employed for five years in travelling through Africa, at the charge of the Pacha of Egypt, as director of a company of European miners, died, just as he was on the point of returning to Europe with the result of his various researches.

On Chains of European Mountains.-The third volume of the Recueil des Memoires de la Société de Geographie is in the Paris press. It entirely consists of the important work of Mr. Bruguière on the Chains of the European Mountains, to which the Prize of the Society was awarded in 1826.

Malaria.-Among the obscure causes which operate to produce malaria in cities and large towns, Dr. Macculloch enumerates public sewers or drains. As one proof, among many others, of the class of intermittent fevers originating from malaria generated in sewers, Dr. M. states, "that at the Salpetriere, at Paris, intermittents were at one period common among the residents confined there; but the malaria of the sewers being suspected as the cause, the diseases of this class

were finally and effectually eradicated by making an alteration in the drains."

The last spring, there were upwards of three hundred sail of schooners employed, in the British Seal Fishery, and between' 350 and 400,000 seals were taken, yield. ing, on the average, about one ton of oil to every 85 seals.

Coals in the East.-The Dutch papers state, that extensive coal mines have been discovered in Sumatra and Bantam ; a very important fact when coupled with the existence of steam navigation.

Davy's Discourses.-The distinguished President of the Royal Society in London has published in a quarto form, the seve ral discourses delivered by him from year to year, while he held the chair of that learned body.

The Coal Trade.-It appears that about 60,000 tons of anthracite coal have been brought to Philadelphia from the two great sources of Lehigh and Schuylkill, this sea son. We learn that of this quantity some. thing like 27,000 tons have been shipped to New York, Providence, Boston, and other eastern ports, but that owing to the difficulty of obtaining vessels, even at enormous freights, several of these places have but a short supply, and the price of fuel generally has, in consequence, consi derably advanced.

A writer in the last number of Professor Silliman's Journal, who makes a scientifick report on the gold mines of North Carolina, observes—

"I entertain the opinion, that the great fall in the price of cotton, will soon begin to produce considerable changes in this country. It will drive part of the labour heretofore applied in that way, into new channels of industry, some to the mines, and some to the production of small grain and corn. This, in time, will not fail to make the gold mines of North Carolina science, and skill will render them extenassume a different character, when system, sively productive.

"That these alluvial deposits of gold, can be worked with regular profits, I have no manner of doubt, from my knowledge of the mines of other countries, and from the facts we know concerning these deposits themselves."

Charleston, Dec. 22. Something Extraordinary.—A gentle man has sent to this Office, just taken from his garden, a fine ear of green Corn, and a Tobacco Plant, both as verdant and thrifty as they could be in the month of August. These evidences of the continued warmth of the season may be seen by the

curious.

A PRESBYTERY IN BUENOS AYRES.

We have before us a letter from the Rev. Theophilus Parvin to the Presbytery of Philadelphia, dated Buenos Ayres, April 17th, 1827." Mr. Parvin was ordained as a missionary by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, in January, 1826, and since that time has been enrolled as one of the members of that body. About a month after his ordination he sailed for Buenos Ayres, with his wife, a daughter of Mr. Rodney, the American minister, who died at that place. Early in the following April, as appears by the letter before us, he arrived in safety at the place of his destination. Since that time he has been diligently occupied in missionary labours. Having determined entirely to support himself, a considerable portion of his time has been unavoidably spent in teaching. Soon after his arrival at Buenos Ayres, he received the appointment of "Professor of Greek and English," in the University established in that city. This appointment he resigned last summer; finding that he could dispense with its emoluments, and desirous to secure more time for ministerial labours. His chief reliance for support at present, is on a flourishing Academy which he has established, containing at the last accounts about 50 scholars. He has also established, in concert with Miss McMullin, who accompanied him from the United States for the purpose, a promising female Academy, to which some of his attention is devoted. While these institutions afford an income adequate to all the wants of his family, they are in fact directly subservient to his missionary views. They promote knowledge and prepare for the VOL. VI.—Ch, Adv.

reception of evangelical instruction. He has preached regularly first in his Academy and lately in a larger room, selected and fitted up for the purpose. A chapel is greatly needed, and efforts are making to prepare one. The Lord's Supper has been administered three times a yearthe first time to 8 communicants, the second to 6, the third to 9, and the last time to 13. He has administered the Sacrament of Baptism only in three instances. He had, at the time of writing his letter, celebrated marriage six times. A Bible Society and a Missionary Society have been established, which meet monthly. A flourishing Sabbath School, of 107 scholars, is also established-it is well attended and increasing. The foregoing statement is derived from Mr. Parvin's communication to the Presbytery, in connexion with a private letter which we have seen from Mr. Torrey. Mr. Parvin's letter concludes as follows. "In conclusion, I am happy to be able to say, that in my academical and clerical labours I have for the last six weeks, been favoured with the valuable services of the Rev. William Torrey. In consequence of his arrival, and the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Brown, of Scotland, in a village of Scotch emigrants about 12 miles from the city, we shall probably find it expedient, as soon as we can receive dismissions from the Presbyteries to which we belong, to form a Presbytery in Buenos Ayres. I have therefore to solicit my dismis sion from your reverend body, with a view to connect myself with a Presbytery to be organized here. The great difficulty of maintaining any intercourse with those at home, because of the close blockade of our port, must serve as my apology for not having forwarded, some months

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