ing, the mind seizes on a set of subjects which it is comparatively easy to discuss. Weighty moral themes, that make a part of Revelation striking parables and descriptive narratives, may be overlooked, because we feel not at home in their discussion, But let none suppose that we disparage the Virginia preachers. They are not only prompt in the eloquence of the pulpit, but their eloquence is often distinguished by a variety and fulness very pleasing to the mind. They have learned to set a just estimate on science, considering it as auxiliary to the Gospel, but by no means giving it an undue ascendancy. I allow, says a fine writer, that 'tis the innocence as well as pleasure of knowledge that deceives those learned men ; but they as well as others must remember, that even the wholesomest meats may be surfeited on, and there is nothing more unhealthy than to feed well, and do but little exercise. Let not, therefore, philosophy any more take up our life, so as not to leave us leisure to prepare for death, and study a science which shall most benefit us in another world. We may visit Athens, but we must dwell at Jerusalem-we may take some turns on Mount Parnassus, but we should, more frequently, Mount Calvary, and we must never so busy ourselves about those many things, as to forget that unum necessarium, that good part which shall not be taken away from us.* During my stay at this hospitable mansion there was a company of intelligent persons assembled to pass the day. The conversation turned very much on literature, and it was easy enough to discover the strength of local prejudice in the decisions given on subjects of taste. Knowing how much of the pleasantness of the day would depend on coincidence of sentiment, I said nothing, but wished only to find out how far the literature of Virginia was giving its influence to Christianity. The British Spy has a leaning towards the Christian system, and to my certain knowledge, an infidel was once awakened from reading the description of the blind preacher. The Mountaineer has treated momentous subjects, and he has done it well. The Evangelical Magazine has all along united literature with theology. The Editor of this work deserves much for his perseverance through so many difficulties. Considering his struggles in the maintenance of that work, one can easily forgive his southern prejudices. He excels most men in uniting an attachment for his native state, with the most extended philanthropy; and a zeal for his own religious denomination, with the most liberal charity. He reminds us of a king who wishes to cultivate his own dominion, that distant nations may share in its fruits. The Virginians have much to justify their local attachment; but for an undue portion of it, they cannot be excused. Their country is not covered over with classical associations. In all my ride I did not meet with a Down Hall or a Weston; and as to Indian antiquities, the traveller looks in vain for the grave of Pocahontas, or any monument, to this mother of Virginia. She died on a foreign shore, * Boyles Reflections. p. 114. A collection of Essays ascribed to the Rev. C. Spence. and her eye closed in death, as it was intensely gazing towards the blue hills of her native land. And who can tell, but in that land where she sojourned, her heart might have heard of Him, who has given her a country beyond the hills; a country of softer skies, of rills, and fields, and flowers. But we lose sight of the company, and it is not polite to quit a company without good reasons. We broke up, after spending the day very much to my satisfaction. But one of the company said to me, as he was retiring-were it not for your grave office, I would invite you to stay till cold weather, to show you something of the pleasures of the chase, for Nimrod was a mighty hunter before the Lord. True, said I, but he hunted mighty beasts, and you deal in small game. But, replied he, the foxes plunder our lands. Then, said I, when you come to the death, turn them not loose again to prolong the chase, for there is sharpness in death. At the house of my host, I wrote a paper called "Rural Life in Virginia" and likewise the following version of the ninety-fifth Psalm. Glad songs prepare for great Jehovah's throne; O'er the wide world, his mercies hourly fall- Can hear an angel's, or an insect's call. Learn in his pastures fresh and green to stray To wind the path, where his soft footsteps bend. He made the earth, and formed the raging deep, Oh hear his voice to-day, and seek his rest, B. For the Christian Herald. PASTORAL LIBRARIES. THE foundation of a Pastoral Library has been laid by the people connected with one of the Presbyterian churches in this city. The object and plan appear to us to be so well worthy of imitation by other churches, that we, with great pleasure, give the following article a place; and hope the benevolent wishes of the kind friend who procured the Constitution for publication, will be fully realized in the general adoption of its principles. Extract from the minutes of the Church, in the City of New-York, October 24, 1822. ON mature deliberation, the Session unanimously adopted the following resolution, viz. The Session, considering the vast importance to the dignity and usefulness of the Christian ministry of a competent professional li brary, and anxious to procure and perpetuate in this Congregation a blessing of such incalculable auxiliary worth, have deliberately resolved, that it is expedient for them to enterprise the founding of a pastoral library, subject to the regulations specified in the following Articles of Constitution; viz. Article 1. The object of this enterprise shall be to found a permanent library for the benefit of this Congregation, to be called the CHURCH PASTORAL LIBRARY. II. The exclusive use and the immediate control of all the books composing this Library shall pertain ex officio to the Pastor of this Congregation. III. In order to replenish this Library with the most appropriate and valuable books, and also to conserve its interests, and supervise its concerns, the Session shall annually elect, at their last meeting in December, three ruling Elders of this Church, who together with the Pastor, shall constitute a Board of Trust, and be charged with the management of the institution. IV. To the Board of Trust shall appertain the responsibility of controlling the finances, of purchasing all books that are bought, of filling their own vacancies, and of adopting and pursuing such measures not inconsistent with these articles and the word of God, which they may prudentially approve as subservient to the interests of the Library. They shall keep records of their proceedings; they shall annually inspect the books, and make a full report to the session of the state of the Library and its funds, at their last meeting in December, of each year. V. The Paster of this Church shall be the Librarian; and in case of a vacancy in the Pastorate, the Board of Trust shall appoint one of their number to officiate till the installation of a pastor. VI. The sources of revenue to the Library are contemplated to be donations of a twofold description; viz. 1. of Books; and 2. of money, or of any other articles of value; which shall be appropriated according to the pleasure (when expressed) of the donor. VII. It shall be the duty of the Librarian to preside in all meetings of the Board; to convene them whenever he may judge it necessary, or whenever requested so to do by any of the Board; to label and number all the books, and to preserve a correct catalogue of them; to keep the minutes of the Board, and record therein the title of every book that enters the library, with the manner and date of its procurement, noting its cost, or the name (if obtainable) of the donor. VIII. The Librarian with two other members of the Board shall constitute a quorum to do business. IX. It shall be competent for the session to modify these articles of Constitution as their wisdom may from time to time suggest; but, to supersede the object, or abolish the existence, or sell any of the books of the Library, after they shall have been received and recorded, shall be incompetent to them, unless by asking the advice and obtaining the consent of the Presbytery. VOL. IX. 58 Entelligence. CONTINENT.-LONDON JEWS' SOCIETY. Journal of a Missionary Tour of Mr. Bergmann, a converted Jew, from Frankfort. After having called upon the Lord in prayer for strength and blessing, whereby I might be enabled to contribute to the honour of his name, I set out from Frankfort on the 9th of May, and arrived in the evening at H. The landlord, a sensible man, after having understood the object of my journey, cautioned me against the Rabbin of that place, who having attempted to excite government to harsh measures against Jewish converts, since. yesterday was more incensed than ever against Christianity, because he had read in a newspaper, that the only son of a rabbin at H. lately had been baptized at Elberfeld, and that the readers might suppose, that it was his only son. As caution seemed necessary, and yet I was desirous to have some conversation with that very rabbin, I took the advice of a friend in a neighbouring place. He informed me that the Jewish overseers and the rabbin had, indeed, succeeded so far, as to cause an order to be given, that no gatekeeper or other inferior civil officer in towns, should be permitted to distribute Christian tracts among the Jews; but that this order did neither extend to himself nor to me, and that consequently I had nothing to fear from calling upon the rabbin. Having therefore taken with me some important tracts, especially "Christian passages from Rabbinical Works," I went to the rabbin, In reply to his first question, What is your desire? I presented to him the tracts, with the request, to peruse the last mentioned with great attention, as it clearly appeared from it that the most celebrated authors of the Talmud and the Cabbala had, many hundred years ago, confessed Jesus Christ to be Here the rabbin in a rage flew up against me. "What," said he, "do you not know that I can flog you, ad lemitha, to death?" No, sir; answered I, that you cannot; for two years since I professed the evangelical Christian religion, and think it now my most sacred duty to make my dear Israelitish brethren also acquainted with the way of salvation. So, said he, you are a Meshumed; an accursed baptized; take then your things back again;-but, no, I shall keep them; but you will see, that I can write large volumes against them. That, replied I, you are welcome to do; but your confutation must rest on solid grounds. Get you away, cried he in a passion; only see how merages-angry ---you have made me, how my whole guff-body-shakes. Follow the Meshumed as far as the end of the Jewish street, cried he to a young Jew who was present. I took a polite leave of him, and went the same day to G. where I only took my night's rest, and proceeded, on the following day to S. where I arrived in the afternoon at four o'clock. It was a sabbath, and many Jews saw me, when I alighted from the carriage and entered the inn. A young Jew cried, cavilling, Shulom lachern! Peace be with you. An elderly Jew reproving him, cried angrily, En shulom lershuim! No peace with the wicked. A multitude of them of both sexes now assembled, to gaze at me. I stepped among them, and said, Dear people; you must not be angry with me, for having travelled on a sabbath. Already two years since I have become an evangelical Christian, and I am most cordially ready to show you also the way of life, if you are willing to know it. Upon these words, they all, as if struck with horror, suddenly dispersed; and not long thereafter, they went to their evening prayer in the synagogue. In the evening, when it was dark, a young Jew called upon me in the inn, and said, Your ingenuousness, sir, has very much prejudiced me in your favour. I therefore wish to know more of your former and present state; but in your room, in secret, that nobody may see us talk together. I satisfied his desire, and gave him several tracts also for distribution among his friends. But this he declined, from fear of the other Jews, yet advising me to leave them with the innkeeper, who being a respectable and pious man, would do it with pleasure. And, indeed, he gladly took a parcel of all sorts of tracts for distribution among the Jews of this and other places. On the 12th I proceeded to F. in company with the Rev. Mr. K. Our conversation led me to inform him of the object of my journey, in which he took so cordial a share, that he offered to charge himself with the distribution of a large parcel of tracts among the Israelites, who are numerous in that neighbourhood. In B. where I arrived on the following day, I found crowds of Jews, returning from a cattle fair. I asked some of them whether they would not like to read something of a religious kind, if I would give it to them gratuitously? O yes, cried a wit among them, if thereby I may get cheap Behemoth, cattle; for this we like better than all your shumoth, babble. On the 14th, I met in F. in the inn, with an old Jew, who showed much inclination to receive divine truth, but could not read Hebrew nor German. I therefore gave him some Jewish German tracts, which he readily accepted, with a promise to communicate them to some of his friends. I proceeded through S. to M. where I arrived on the 15th, in the evening. On the following day, being the Ascension day, I heard an excellent sermon in the church. The minister, to whom I was introduced, received me very kindly, and was much rejoiced, when in my credential he found the signature of Mr. Von Meier, whom he supposed to have been one of his pupils thirty-six years ago. He advised me to pay a visit to opulent Jewish families, and foretold me very exactly the manner in which I should be received by each of them. Accordingly I went in the afternoon to the Israelite J. R. who had known me as a Jew, and was informed of my transition to the Christian religion. The reception was tolerably polite, until our conversation turned upon religion, and I offered him some tracts. Then he flew into a violent passion, and said, "Never presume to speak thus to any Jew here, or I shall show you what I, |