older professors; and when a prayer is made, the whole house is required to kneel and to respond. Mr. B. went from seat to seat; and I heard from him such expressions as these "Pray away there, you young converts-I can't hear you-I can't hear youpray out-pray out." These expressions he made use of continually. I must say, that it looked more like Babel, than a religious meeting. Perhaps this is saying a great deal, but I felt then, just as I now express myself. Can it be, that a man can enjoy communion with God in the sanctuary, amidst the most distracting confusion? Is it right that three or four prayers should be offered aloud, at the same time? Does prayer consist in the use of the most intemperate expressions in which there is no meaning? Must not our reason, and our understanding assent to every thing which we utter?"

The writer of the above remarks did not expect that they would meet any eye but my own. And I must confess, I feel a reluctance to publish such facts; but then they ought to be known, in order that Christians may be incited to inquiry respecting the tendency of every measure, which is used in a revival of religion. Whilst we are warned against the danger of rashness, let us be careful that we do not go to the opposite extreme, and fold our arms in self-complacent apathy. A. B.

Sectional division of the Presbyterian church.-A meeting of 22 ruling elders, recently held at Cincinnati, have petitioned the General Assembly to adopt the mode of representation by Synods, instead of Presbyteries, on the ground that the representation by Presbyteries gives an advantage to the Northern Churches. To show this they give the following sectional division. We have seen the effect of sectional feelings in politics, but did not expect to see them so soon brought into the discussions of the Church of Christ.-N. Y. Evan.

Our church may be considered as divided into three great sections, viz: 1st, the Valley of the Mississippi; 2d, the region lying south of the Potomac River and East of the Alleghanies; and 3d, the region north of the Potomac and east of the Alleghanies. Min's. Ch's. Prest's. Syn's.

In the W. Valley there are
In the South Atlantic Slope,

44

7

In the North Atlantic Slope, 696 1040

The two first sections united, they say, ought to have a majority of 30 in the Assembly, whereas in fact, the Northern has a majority of 10, if every delegate were present.

Controversy between a Believer and a Sceptic.-During the past year, Mr Origen Bacheler, late editor of the Anti-Univer

salist, and Mr. Robert Dale Owen, editor of the Free Enquirer, copartner with Fanny Wright, and a leader of the infidel party in this country, have been engaged in a controversy respecting the leading principles of Christianity. The discussion was carried on in the Free Enquirer, and we learn from the New York papers that the whole is now published in two volumes. The editor of the Weekly Messenger expresses his unqualified approbation of the manner in which Mr. Bacheler has defended the cause of religion from the attacks of his subtle opponent, and wishes the volumes a place in every Christian's library.

British Congregational Ministers.-The supplement to the London Congregational Magazine for December, contains an alphabetical list of the Independent or Congregational ministers in England. The whole number is 1051. Eight have the title of D. D. viz. Drs. Bernett, Boothroyd, Burder, Collyer, Fletcher, Morrison, Smith and Winter. Six of them are in London. Seven are marked as L. L D. viz. Drs. Collyer, Cope, Humphreys, Payne, Raffles, Shoveller, and Simpson. Dr. Henderson is Doctor in Philosophy. Only 19 have the degree of A. M. The dissenting colleges not having the power of conferring degrees; and dissenters not being admissible to the privileges of the universities. The Congregational ministers in Scotland are 68. Among them are Dr. Wardlaw, and Greville Ewing of Glasgow.

The Slave Trade.-Christians and philanthropists are too apt to imagine that their work is almost done when it is only begun. The slave trade, for example, which many may suppose has been every where abolished for years, there is reason to believe is still carried on to almost as great an extent as ever. It has been recently stated in the papers, that an association of merchants at Nantz, in France, had undertaken to supply the island of Cuba with 30,000 fresh negro slaves annually! And in Brazil, it is well known, that for several years past, the importations have even exceeded this number!

Slave insurrection at Jamaica. The schooner Harvey arrived at Baltimore on the 8th inst. from Montego Bay, Jamaica, whence she sailed on the 15th January. The captain reports that the whole island was in a state of confusion and alarm, in consequence of the insurrectionary movements of the slaves. The troops had been called out, and had attacked them, and all who did not surrender at discretion were shot. Martial law had been declared, and the vessels in port were not permitted to sail. The H. however, being full, and having applied for a clearance several days before the declaration of martial law was allowed to depart. Three British frigates had arrived there from Kingston, with 500 mariners on board. The insurrection was not qnite quelled when the H. sailed, and Capt. Snow saw several large fires burning at a distance. A negro hut had been examined, and 300 stand of arms found therein.

Prison Discipline.-The 6th annual report of the Prison Discipline Society is just published. It is full of facts, which deserves the serious attention of patriots, philanthropists, and christians

On the subject of imprisonment for debt, it is the best document extant; while it furnishes abundant evidence that the society has been active and efficient in other departments of inquiry aud effort, and has before it a vast and most interesting and important field of labor.-N. Y. Evangelist.

Theological Endowments.-A novel plan of endowment has been adopted by the trustees of the Baptist Theological Institution at Newton, Mass. They have two excellent professors, Messrs. Chase and Ripley, and propose to raise $20,000, as a sinking fund, to be exhausted in 20 years, giving during that time, to each professor a salary of $800. It strikes us as a good substitute for permanent funds. It is less liable to perversion, less obnoxious to prejudice, and we may reasonably hope that, twenty years hence it will be easier to replace the sinking fund, than it is now.-N. Y. Evangelist.

SECULAR.

Cotton Manufactories in the State of New-York.-The following statement was furnished to the American Advocate by Mr Williams, Editor of the New-York Annual Register, and one of the committee appointed by the late Tariff Convention to ascertain the facts here presented:

There are in the State of New-York, 112 Cotton Manufactories. Amount of capital invested.

Value of goods manufactured annually,

Pounds of cotton used annually

Equal to 26,537 bales of 300 lbs. each.

$4,485,500

3,530,250

7,961,670

157,316

Number of spindles in use,

Number of persons employed and sustained by said

establishments,

15,971

Literature of Northern Europe.--There is scarcely, in the annals of history, a more extraordinary phenomenon, than the progress of learning after its expulsion from the classic soil of Italy, northward to the British Isles; and from thence across to the iceberg laden ocean, to the volcanic shores of Iceland. That retired spot, on the borders of the Arctic circle, cherished in its rugged bosom the light of genius, during the dark ages of Southern Europe; and in more modern times, Icelandic natives studied in the Universities of Cologne and Paris, and from their seagirt country, contributed to arouse the continent from its mental lethargy. We have long wanted a literary history of Iceland-of its poets, philosophers, and historians-of its language and ancient sages of its discovery and expeditions to America-he who would venture upon such a theme, and bring to it a never tiring spirit of research and philosophic investigation, would reap indeed a rich harvest of fame and honor.-London Congregational Magazine.

Gas Lights from Water.-A highly interesting discovery is about to come before the public, resulting from the experiments of Professor Donovan, and Mr. Lowe, of Brick-lane Gas Works. Letters patent have been obtained for the invention; the subject is very much talked of, and the question generally asked is, how

is the gas made? At present no satisfactory information respecting the process can be given, but we understand the hydrogen gas obtained by the decomposition of water is charged with an illuminating principle by passing through some liquid procured during the distillation of pit coal, in the ordinary process of gas making. The requisite apparatus is much more simple than that used at present. The new gas is very superior in illuminating power, and may be obtained at a much lower price. If such be the nature of the process, and if no serious difficulties arise when tried on a large scale, it is evident the invention will be considered almost invaluable.- Birmingham paper.

RHODE-ISLAND.

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HOPKINSIAN MAGAZINE.

VOL. IV.]

April 15, 1832.

SERMON.

[NO. 5.

And their hope shall be as the giving up of the Ghost.-JOB, II. 20. THOUGH the friends of Job were pious men, yet they mistook his character, and treated him as a self-deceiver. When he said any thing in defence of his own sincerity, they construed it as a reflection upon God. This enkindled their zeal to justify God, and condemn Job. Zophar the Naamathite, in this chapter, addresssed Job as a deceitful, presumptuous, stupid sinner; he calls upon God to open his eyes, and convince him of his great criminality; he exhorts him to repent and reform, and secure the favor of his offended Sovereign; and he sol emnly admonishes him of the awful danger of fostering a false and groundless hope of future happiness. His serious admonition runs in this serious strain: "But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the Ghost." This is a just description of the wicked, and of their delusive hopes. And though it was misapplied to Job, yet it exactly suits the character of all careless and secure sinners, who are vainly dreaming of being completely safe and happy in a future state. Their unreasonable and ill-founded hopes must as certainly leave their minds, as their minds must leave their bodies. And whenever they lose their hopes, it will be as painful as the loss of life. The giving up of their hopes will be like the giving up of the Ghost. It will be as unavoidable and as distressing as death itself. Hence the general observation is this: Secure sinners will find it extremely painful to give up all their hopes of future happiness. I shail,

I. Describe secure sinners;

II. Show how it comes to pass that they entertain hopes of future happiness; And,

III. Show that they will find it extremely painful to give up those hopes.

I. Let us consider the character of secure sinners. Those