which they frequently and most strikingly exemplify by the representation of objects as they appear in the night-sometimes by moonlight, but most impressively of all by the light of a candle, or other luminous body, in a very dark night, or a very dark room. In these pictures you perceive an object; some parts of it very plainly, others very obscurely; and some totally disappear in the dark colouring. The whole is likewise surrounded by a thick gloom; such exactly, we apprehend, as Milton denominates" darkness visible." Now it would seem as if Mr. D. had studied and practised composition by the painters' rules for the clair-obscure. He gives you, here and there, a clear thought; and many somethings, that with close inspection, you can just perceive to be thoughts. But frequently in examining his periods, when think you you are getting a distinct idea, and one too that will be striking, you find, before the sentence is finished, that the whole has escaped into darkness. There are some sentences, likewise, in which the whole is obscure; there is no clair at all. But beside this, where the sentences are not altogether unintelligible, the drift and bearing of the discourse is not easily perceptible. In a word, there is a total want of that lucidus ordo, which Horace recommends; and which is the distinguishing excellence of all good `composition. Shortly after this sermon was delivered, we heard the remark from one who did not like it-that the best of it was, that a great part of it would not be understood. And since it has been in print, we have heard a competent judge, who was by no means unfriendly to Mr. D. say, that in the reading, a considerable part was to him unintelligible. On the whole, if Mr. D. would take our advice, it would be, that he should very carefully read and study that chapter of "Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetorick," which, as well as we remember, bears this title-" How a man may write nonsense without knowing it." To satisfy our readers that what we have here said of Mr. D.'s composition is no misrepresentation, or exaggeration, we subjoin a fewand they are comparatively but a few-of the phrases and sentences which we think will justify our remarks. We shall not add a word of comment, further than to say, that we could not possibly give the context of all these quotations; but that, in our best judgment, a view of their connexion would not render them more perspicuous than they are while standing by themselves. ness." "Principles, which embrace the personal objects of their glorying, as required to individualise each one himself from all other human beings, and to estimate his own responsibilities as covering all that is peculiar in the sphere in which he may move, or in the service he may personally render."-"In such a case he would have gone out of the sphere of his personal will, into acts of pure licentious"He very distinctly declares, that any right he might have to resolve the exercise of the ministerial office into his personal will, had been suspended by the interference of divine sovereignty." terial office have been ranged under -"Could his induction into the ministhose personal volitions, which elicit the cultivation of talent, improve circumstances, and judge of opportunities, he would then have traced out, in the simple fact of his preaching the gospel, something in which he might glory, as productive of good to men, and that courted the smile of divine approbation." -"Did not merge his individuality of existence in his social relations."—" Religion does not consist in an influence that life, and is incapable of being outspread consecrates the general matters of human over its details."-" And what frequent opportunities do every day transpire, eminently calculated to decoy us from our ministerial elevation, and to teach us, to cover with our own tattered mantle, or to substantiate by our own withering arm, those official pretensions, which should be overhung by the cloud of Jehovah's glory!"-"It is the reduction of an abstract question, based on some supposed purpose, as irrevocable as it is occult, to a plain matter of personal experience and practi cal evidence."-"Have we reviewed our relations with human beings, and realised the vivid operations of the Holy Ghost spreading out a sacred unction over all the powers of our souls?"-"In the elasticity of our own sanctified spirits, have we surveyed the wants and sorrows of our race?" But still, may not Christian benevolence, pressing on through her rapid course, leave unconsidered the essential principles of human society; and so commit mistakes not very easily remedied, because they will form an ingredient in our social organization? Novelty is very attractive, and when she puts on the meek face of benevolence, who can deny her suit? But Christians, and Christian ministers, ought to be men of intelligence; estimating the moral characteristics of socie. ty as very far superior to her political attributes, or her charitable feelings; for they must give account to the Lord Jesus for all their ecclesiastical attitudes, and moral associations." We are not insensible that our review of Mr. D.'s sermon, which we are now about to close, has been made in the face of a very solemn and emphatick warning, which the sermon contains. He says "Let every old minister of the gospel" horresco referens-but then he affords us some relief, by adding what we have not the vanity to apply to ourselves-"Let every old minister of the gospel take good heed to himself, how he interfere with the intellectual elasticity of a young man, whose mind and heart God may be forming for the conflicts of the coming times." We are conscious of having, in our narrow sphere, always endeavoured to assist and encourage every worthy young man, to whom we have had the opportunity of rendering any service. As to Mr. D. we fear it is out of our power to be of any use to him; but still, as those who give advice or admonition, ought always to be ready to receive it, we will, at a venture, counsel him, and we do it most seriously, to consider what he is doing. His sermon shows and in this we agree with him perfectly-that he thinks every minister of the gospel is under a high d awful responsibility for all that he does. And can Mr. D. believe that what he has lately been doing will render him most useful in the church of Christ? Has he any prospect of doing as much good-of winning as many souls to the Saviour-in the eccentrick track into which he has struck out, as if he had remained a faithful, humble, diligent, and zealous preacher of the gospel, in the church in which he was born and educated? Has he weighed this consideration as much as its importance demands? If he continues in his present career, he will probably spend much of the remainder of his life in contending for his new notions. And suppose he should establish them-will he and those who may unite with him, do more good than their brethren around them? or more than they themselves might have done, without separating from their brethren? But we are persuaded Mr. D. will not succeed. We pretend to no extraordinary sagacity or foresight; but we have lived a good while, and have read some history. Such notions as Mr. D.'s are impracticable; and if they were not, we are well persuaded that he is not formed to be the founder of a new sect. The probability is, that he will make some noise for a short time, and then lose all his influence, and sink into utter neglect. We fear that his usefulness is already nearly at an end; and we regret it unfeignedly. We pretend not to know his heart; but we may be permitted to counsel him to seek divine assistance, and to search it closely for himself-To search whether there is not a leaven of pride, and self-confidence, and a desire of being conspicuous, at the bottom of his late proceedings. This "desire to have the pre-eminence" is an insidious mischief, which has wrought the ruin of many young ministers; while they professed, and perhaps persuaded themselves, that they were only uncommonly zealous in their endeavours to advance the cause and kingdom of 1824. Christ.-If Mr. D. shall discover ing to the points simply in thesi; his error and retrace his wanderings, it will afford to us-notwithstanding all we have said-as heartfelt a satisfaction as it will to any of his friends-We leave him with our common Master and Judge. If any of our readers should think that an undue severity has been mingled with our remarks on Mr. D.'s sermon, we have only to re 1 and at the same time he established ADDRESSED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED, THE ASSOCIATE AND THE REFORMED quest them to consider attentively LETTERS ON CHRISTIAN COMMUNION, the circumstances of the case, as stated at the beginning of our review; and then to turn to the apostolick injunction, 1 Tim. v. 20.— "Them that sin rebuke before all, We that others also may fear." have said nothing but what we conscientiously believe to be true, and to be called for by the occasion. CHURCHES. By Ebenezer Dickey, "Allow me, in the first place, to call your attention to the nature of Christian communion: this will make way for the main inquiry, to whom this communion is to be extended. "The word communion means a parti These letters are written in a truly Christian spirit, on an imporWe now apply ourselves to a tant subject, on which the writer apmuch more agreeable part of our task, the review of Dr. Miller's lec- pears to have thought long and with much interest. They are immeture. This lecture was delivered at the opening of that session of diately addressed to a particular description of Christians, but may, we think, be read with advantage the seminary which immediately followed the one that was closed by by all. The following explanation Mr. D.'s sermon; so that between of Christian communion, which apthe sermon and the lecture, there pears in the first letter, strikes us was the space only of seven or eight weeks. The professor's situ- as ingenious and perspicuous. ation was sufficiently awkward. A director of the seminary, speaking of the board of which as the organ he was a part, had recently delivered a discourse, calculated to pervert and poison the minds of the to pupils. To suffer this poison operate, without administering an antidote, was not consistent with the professor's duty; and yet directly to oppugn the representative of the board was not decorous. We give the Dr. credit for the address with which he got out of the apparent dilemma, without being caught on either of its horns. The subject of this lecture was fairly within the range of his professorial duties. He therefore took up the subject, and without saying one word against, or about the sermon, exposed all its fallacies, as if speak different persons have a participation This nion in love. All in whom the Holy Ghost dwells have communion in the Spirit; they partake of the same Spirit. This then is Christian communion, a participation in the things of Christianity. It is divided into two kinds, hidden or secret, and outward or visible communion. and mighty question that has divided the church of Christ, and scattered her in fragments over the field of Christendom, is this: With whom may we hold visible communion; or in other words, with whom may we partake in the outward visible acts of religious worship? To the so lution then of this very important question, let us come, humbly looking up for that which we so much need, the teaching of the Holy Ghost to 'guide us into all truth.'" "Invisible communion is a participation of those things which are not open to the senses, such as faith, hope, love, &c. All the people of God have communion in these inward graces, and enjoyments of On the above explanation of Chrisreligion. Those who never see one another, and dwell at the ends of the earth tian communion as a basis, the aufrom each other, can never be shut out thor founds the whole of his argnfrom this communion by any excommuni- ment in favour of a more extended cation, or refusal on the part of any to communion in the sacraments of the communicate in acts of outward worship. Christian church, and in all gospel "Visible communion, is a participation ordinances, than has hitherto been in the outward privileges and exercises of religion. Those who sing together the deemed admissible by those to whom same psalms, or sacred songs, have com- the letters are immediately addressed munion in praise. Those who join in of--and we may add by several other fering up the same prayers, have communion in the duty of prayer. Those who sit down at a sacramental table have communion in the Lord's supper, &c. This is visible communion, a participation in the outward visible things of religion. Now you will perceive, that it is only on the subject of this visible communion about which there can be any difference, with regard to how far it is to be extended. No one will deny that he may join with any human being in loving the Lord Jesus Christ, in trusting in him, &c. The great denominations of Christians. Without being understood as subscribing exactly to all that is said in these letters, we cheerfully recommend them to the perusal of our readers, as containing matter worthy of their serious meditation. The letters are six in number, plainly written, and calculated, we think, to excite interest, as well as to communicate instruction. Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc. In our number for May, we noticed a portable edition of Scott's Family Bible in the press of Mr. W. W. Woodward, of this city, and we have now the pleasure to state, that we have seen a page of a quarto edition of that excellent commentary, which is in the course of publication by the same enterprising bookseller-the whole is to be stereotyped.-From the specimen we have seen, and from the care which we understand is to be bestowed upon it, we have no doubt that in point of neatness and accuracy, it will be worthy of a distinguished patronage. Mr. A. Finley has just published a neat edition of the Guide to Domestic Happi ness. American Air-pumps.-We have carefully examined a number of air-pumps made in this city by Messrs. W. & A. Mason, and do not hesitate to pronounce them equal to any we have seen either from England or France, both in efficiency and neatness. As they do not cost more than those which are imported, no person can now have any inducement to send to foreign artists, for these instruments. Robert Owen of Lanark.-We listened, at the Hall of the Franklin Institute, a few evenings since, to some remarks made by Mr. R. Owen, of Lanark, Scotland, on the subject of his new system. To us, his schemes appeared not only exceedingly visionary, but in some particulars dange rous. He denied the doctrine of original sin, and seemed to us to build his system on the old and baseless foundation of the Perfectionists. We shall probably notice this subject on a future occason. Portable Gas Light Companies.-The Portable Gas Company of London is succeeding beyond the most sanguine expectations of its projectors; and the use of the portable gas lamp, invented by David Gordon, Esq. is hourly extending, and will soon be in general use wherever oil gas is manufactured. Companies have been formed, and extensive machinery is manufacturing for Paris, Rouen, and Amsterdam; and Companies are forming in Manchester, Dublin, Bordeaux. Lyons, and Mentz. New Method of Bleaching Flax and Hemp.-The flax and hemp being broken and cleansed, and laid in bundles of less than a pound weight, are to be immersed for six hours in a solution of slaked lime of the consistency of white-wash. When the lime is discharged from the fibres by clean water, the flax is then to be boiled in water with about 4 oz. of pot or pearl ashes, for nearly six hours, fresh water being supplied when necessary. During the process of boiling, the flax must be taken out and put back into the alkaline solution, to disturb its colouring matter, and, when it is sufficiently boiled, it will feel slippery between the fingers. It is now to be washed in clean water, and again put into a solution of lime as before, repeated agitation being employed. It may now remain in the solution at rest for six hours, and, when it is washed with clean water, the fibre will be left pure, but with a slight yellow tinge. In order to remove this tinge, plunge the flax in a weak solution of sulphuric acid and water, and after keeping it there for three hours it will be found to be of a pure white, and when passed through the hackle is ready for use.- -See Newton's Journal of the Arts, vol. viii. p. 87. J. Frederick Daniell, F. R. S. has published in London, an octavo volume entitled "Meteorological Essays and Observations," which the last number of the London Journal of Science pronounces to be "a rich mine of new and important information for the lovers of meteorological science in particular, as well as of natural philosophy in general.” Ammonia disengaged from Plants during Vegetation.-M. Chevallier has determined the very curious fact, that the Chenopodium vulvaria spontaneously disengages ammonia in a very free state during the act of vegetation; and he has also found, in conjunction with M. Boullay, that a great number of flowers, even among those which have a very agreeable odour, spontaneously disengage ammonia during vegetation. M. Chevallier likewise obtained ammonia from the Chenopodium vulvaria by distillation. Evening Party at M. Arago's.-A friend who lately visited Paris, at one of M. Arago's soirées met with the following distinguished persons, all of them remarkable VOL. II.-Ch. Adv. for having performed journeys or adventures of which there was no parallel.— 1. There was professor Simnoff, who was Astronomer to the Russian Expedition into the Antarctic Circle, and who had been nearest to the South Pole of any man living. 2. Capt. Scoresby junior, who had been nearest to the North Pole of any one living. 3. Baron Humboldt, who had been higher on mountains than any other philosopher. 4. Madame Freycinet, the only lady who had ever accompanied a voyage of discovery and circumnavigated the globe. 5. M. Gay-Lussac, who had, we believe, been the highest in the air of 6. M. Callien, who had travelany man. led with the son of the Pasha of Egypt further towards the sources of the Nile, than any person now living. A cavern has recently been discovered in the township of Lanark, in Upper Canada. It has not yet been thoroughly explored, but is said to be of great extent, and to contain an immense quantity of bones, chiefly of the elk, buffalo and moose deer. Amici's Improvement on Astronomical Instruments.-Baron Zach announces that Professor Amici has communicated to him a new principle, upon which he can construct instruments for taking heights, even to thirds, if the power of the telescope is sufficient. The method is independent of all minute subdivisions of the limb, verniers, or wire micrometers. All the measures are taken in the field of the telescope itself, upon an optical principle. Effect of Heat upon the Sextant.--M. Ruppell, while making observations at Dongola, in Nubia, found that the exces sive heats affected his sextant in a remarkable manner. The error of collimation changed every instant. The vernier, which embraced 10' of the limb now occupied 10′ 15′′. When he took the lunar distances, he often found sudden changes of 30" 40" or 50′′, and often a whole minute. These changes were attributed by M. Rûppell to a sudden expansion in the limb of the instru ment, the divisions having been made on silver. Inflammation of Sulphuretted Hydrogen by Nitric Acid.-M. Berzelius has announced that if a few drops of fuming nitric acid (nitrous?) are put into a flask with four or five cubical inches of sulphuretted hydrogen, and the flask closed with the finger, it becomes so warm as to produce combustion, with a beautiful flame, and a slight detonation, which forces the finger from the mouth of the flask. This experiment was made with nitrous acid more than twelve years ago, by Dr. Hope. 4 B |