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exercising their own judgment in reference to the necessity and propriety of them. It is certainly, therefore, allowable, and may be useful, to point out a few instances in which the supplied words appear to be either redundant, inaccurate or deficient.

1st. Redundancy. Wherever the original words alone afford a consistent sense, supplemental words are unnecessary. We have an instance of such redundancy in Matt. xx. 23.-"But to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father." The words, it shall be given, are superfluous, and give the text such a turn, that it seems to afford some support to the Socinian cause. And let the passage be read according to its native simplicity-"But to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, except to them for whom it is prepared of my Father," and it yields a perfect sense, giving no countenance to so pernicious an error; but is quite consistent with those declarations of our Lord in which he asserts his unlimited authority to dispense rewards and punishments. See John v. 22.

Luke xxii. 29, and Matt. xxv. 31-41. Compare Mark ix. 8, with Matt. xvii, 8, in Greek.

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2. Cor. vi. 1. "We then as workers together with him.”—The sense appears complete without the words with him: We then, as workers together," or as fellow labourers.Should 1. Cor. iii, 9, “For we are labourers together with God," be adduced in support of the supplemental clause, it may be replied, that it is conceived the learned reader will sec cause to prefer the Geneva translation in that passage. "For we together are God's labourers." It is the more necessary to

investigate these passages, because some have, by great inattention and perversion, attempted to establish upon them the sentiment, that sinners are co-workers with God in the matter of their salvation. So far is this from being true, that ministers, or even apostles, are not represented as performing any part with God, but as instruments in his hand, as earthen vessels, "and as not being any thing." 1. Cor. iii.5, 7, and 2. Cor. iv. 7.

2d. Inaccuracy. When there is such an ellipsis in the original as renders it necessary to supply a word or clause, the supplement should be that which the words to the text, the context, and the nature of the subject, require.— This rule appears to be violated in Numbers, xi. 31, where we read that the quails lay, as it were, two cubits high, upon the face of the earth." It would certainly have been more correct to have said, "two cubits apart." In verse 32, we are informed, that the people were employed two days and one night in gathering them; which could scarcely have been the case,had they been about three feet high over the face of the ground. Besides, there would not have been room to "spread them abroad.”

Rom. vii. 10. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death." Would it not be more consistent to understand the apostle as saying, "And the commandment which I supposed to be to life, I found to be unto death." He did not mean to inform us, that he found the thing different from what it really was; but that he was convinced of his error. If the commandment or law could have awarded life to any, it certainly would have secured it to him. Phil. iii. 6. But, that it could not confer life, and

was not ordained for that intent, is temptation. plain from scripture. See Gal. . 19, 21. Rom. iii 20. Chron. v. 20, and II. Cor. iii. 7.

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3d. Deficiency. Acts xix. 2. We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." The word given ought to be supplied. The passage would then read, "We have not so much as heard whether the Holy Ghost be given." They surely were not ignorant of the existence of that person in the Trinity, as they were disciples of John, who expressly taught, that they should be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Matt. iii. 11. Mark i. 8. Luke iii. 16. John 1.33. There is an exactly parallel expression, John vii. 39. "For the Holy Ghost was not yet given say our translators rightly) because that Jesus was not yet glorified. These disciples had not heard of the actual effusion of the Holy Ghost." Parkhurst in Pneuina. 7th.

May these brief remarks tend to remove any wrong ideas which may have been formed, and to impart correct views of the import of the passages on which they are offered. PHILOGRAPHES.

From the Connecticut Observer.

INSTRUMENTS OF ERROR.

We have often heard persons remark of this and of that publication-It is too contemptible to do ay injury'-or, 'It is too plainly Sphistical to produce any belief of reasonings and assertions,-or, It is too low in its language, too abusive in its attacks, to influence any man's mind.'—The sincerity of the remark we never doubted. Such publications, they do, indeed, regard with contempt, and spurn away with indignation. But, perLaps, even they do well to avoid

One cannot handle pitch and not be defiled. The same falsehood repeated week after week, with all the confidence of sincerity, will at length have an effect on almost any mind;-the same sneers at the doctrines of religion, sometimes more covert, and sometimes entirely unmasked, will lessen respect for these doctrines in the firmest heart. 'Go not in the way with sinners' is a wise direction; avoid their company-avoid their sophistry-their ridicule of religion-their perversion of scriptureif you wish to walk in the way of truth. But whatever effect, publications which advocate error, and misinterpret the doctrines of the Orthodox, -and misrepresent the Bible, inay have on a pious, well regulated and well informed mind, they have an influence, deadly and extensive, on the minds of the ignorant and credulous. We believe the friends of truth, among us, have not acted wisely in their determina tion to let falsehood run through the land and diffuse her poison, without the fear of exposure or opposition. To follow error in all its wanderings is an ungracious taskone that requires patience as well as discrimination; and we have not much doubt, it is partly owing to this circumstance the sentiment has widely extended, that it is better to let error alone, than attempt to check it-especially, when it clothes itself in the filthy habiliments of personalities, and profaneness, which would gladly gain the credit of original wit. Many a dark and dirty cell must be visited by the Christian philanthropist, before misery will leave our world—and the advocate of truth must venture to come into contact with some pollution before every hiding-place of error will be laid open to the purifying influences of the gospel.

The following extract of a letter, written by a gentleman residing in Ohio, will illustrate these remarks. "I have nothing specially favourable to communicate respecting the state of religion in this country.Things are going much in the usual train. I fear there is an increase of error and vice among us. This must be imputed first and principally to the depravity of the human heart, connected with a dearth of proper religious instruction. But one of the great and principal exciting causes, in my view, is the influence of vile publications, from the land of the pilgrims and of steady habits. These publications flow along, teeming with lies, and in many places there is none to contradict them and many honest, well-meaning people, as sincerely believe them, as the deluded Mahometan believes his Alcoran. Unless some counteracting influence, sufficiently powerful, is exerted to sweep away these refuges of lies, multitudes will be led to ruin. Is there not some one suitably qualified to become the editor of a paper, whose sole object shall be to hunt these forgers and propagators of lies, from rock to rock, and swamp to swamp, and hedge to hedge, and hole to hole, until they find no resting place, this side of repentance? I would very cheerfully subscribe for a number of copies of such a paper, ably conducted, to distribute gratis. I think it would have extensive patronage."

EXTRACT OF A LETTER.

—, February 2, 1826. Now, my dear friend, what can we do to promote the kingdom and interest of the dear Redeemer, in the world? Shall we say, We are feeble and dependant creatures? Whether our strength be great or

small, we can as easily employ it for Christ, as against him. Though we are dependant on God; yet we are not more dependant than the angels in heaven. They can do nothing independently of God; yet they are instrumental of accomplishing his purposes; and so are we. They act, as He causes them to act; and so do we. They are instrumental of his glory and the greatest good; and so are we. But they aim at the promotion of the greatest good, in all they do. And is this the case with us! Or do we accomplish the purposes of God from a sole and supreme regard to our own private interest?

that our hearts might be filled with that holy love to God, which shall render us cheerfully obedient to every intimation of his will. O that ours may be the blessedness of walking in the ordinances and statutes of the Lord, blameless.There is a peculiar pleasure to be taken in denying ourselves for the the sake of the great Redeemer.And how grateful we ought to be for the precious privilege? How precious the privilege of employing our time and strength in the service and praise of our heavenly Father? How thankful ought we to be for the privilege of doing something in this world towards promoting the interests of Zion and the salvation of souls, which are to exist to eternity? This last privilege we can enjoy only during our short stay in this world. Let us, then, my dear friend, be up and doing. Do keep near the throne of grace, and beseech God to revive his work. Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

-Finally, be of good comfort: for the Lord reigns. He will accomplish all the gracious and benevolent purposes of his heart.

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How can we help rejoicing, that all creatures, things and events will be, in some way or other, subservient to his glory and the greatest good? Let us only choose the Lord for our God, and we shall not dare to fear the instruments, with which He fulfils his wise and benevolent purposes. Let us choose Jehovah for our portion; and what can we want beside?"

ON CONTROVERSY.

From the manner and spirit with which disputes, on points of doctrine, have been too frequently managed, many have imbibed a prejudice against all controversy religious subjects. No one, however, will question the proprieof free and candid discussion.And, whenever disputes, on doctrinal points, are inanaged with that temper and candour, which the importance of religious subjects requires; it may be reasonably toped, that some real advantage may arise from them.

Such is the inactivity, and so great the indolence of the human mind, in pursuit of the noblest objects, that it needs every motive, every stimulus, to excite it to exertion. Its powers are awakened, and its invention sharpened, by opposition. Hence, by this kind of collision of minds, new light is often struck up, and arguments produced in support of the truth, which would otherwise have c caped observation.

Were the human mind sufficiently possessed of a spirit of benevolence and love, no other motive to an exertion of all its powers, in search after truth, would be, either needed, or have influence.

For the want of this, it is, that bitterness and personality too often mingle themselves with religious diputes. Yet, notwithstanding these unnecessary ingredients, unwelcome, generally, to the reader; controversial writings are, oftentimes, beneficial; and the cause of truth receives essential advantages from them.

STEPHEN WEST, D. D.

Summary of Religious Entelligence.

Missions. The London Miss. Regter states the whole number of misSonary stations, throughout the world, tabe 289; number of Missionaries, 584; amber of Native Assistants, 394; Bamber of pupils in the missionary schools, 50,000, and the number of ambers in the Churches, 37,919.

American Board. The amount of donations to the Board, in the months of December and January, was 10,096 dollars, exclusive of clothing.

The Missionary Herald for January, 1926, states the whole number of preachers of the Gospel, sent out by the Board, at 34. Native preachers and interpreters, 6. Labourers from this country, including missionaries and

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Mass.

ing revival of religion in the West Society, in Taunton, Mass. The revival is making progress in Williamstown, There are said to be about 70 hopeful converts. A gentleman who has lately been in the vicinity of Whately, Mass. represents the late revival there, to have been remarkably extensive. Out of 1000 inhabitants, the population of the town, about 300 are thought to have experienced a change of heart, during this revival. Revivals are mentioned as having commenced in Brimfield, Sturbridge and Southbridge, Mass. Seventy-eight have recently been added to the Church in Monson, Mass. and ten more are propounded.

ORDINATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS.

1825, November 9th, Ordained Rev. JAMES KENT, over the Presbyterian Church in Trumbull, Con. and Rev. ALANSON BENEDICT, as an evangelist. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Hewet.

1825, November 17th, Ordained Rev. PHILIP PAYSON as pastor of the orthodox Congregational Church, in Leominster, Mass. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Payson of Portland, from Jeremiab, xv. 9.

1825, November 23d, Ordained Rev. FLAVEL GRISWOLD, as an evangelist, at Shelburn, Mass. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Cannon of Gill.

1825, December 1st, Installed Rev. Mr. STAUNTON, as pastor of the Congregational Church in Bethlehem, Con.

1826, January 4th, Rev. HARLEY GOODWIN as colleague pastor with the Rev. Dr. Catlin, of New Marlborough, Mass. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Gale, of New Hartford, Con.

1826, January 4th, Installed Rev. ROYAL WASHBURN, as pastor of the first Church in Amherst, Mass. Sermon by Rev. Professor Stewart.

1826, January 11th, Ordained Rev. JOSHUA BARRETT, as pastor of the second Congregational Church in Plymouth, Mass. Sermon by Rev. Enos Pratt, of Barnstable, from 2 Corinthians, iv, 7.

1826, January 11th, Ordained Rev. ISAAC WILLEY, as pastor of the Cong. Church in Rochester, N. H. Sermon by Rev. President Taylor, from Acts

XX. 28.

1826, January 11th, Ordained Rev. MANNING ELLIS, as pastor of the Congregational Church in Brooksville, Me. Sermon by Rev. Professor Smith.

1826, January 18th, Installed Rev. ERASTUS MALTBY, as pastor of the Trinitarian Church in Taunton, Mass. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Wisner. At the same time Rev. GEORGE COWLES was ordained as an evangelist.

POETRY.

WHAT IS TIME?

I asked an aged man, a man of cares, Wrinkled and curved and white with hoary hairs;

"Time is the warp of life," he said, "O tell The young, the fair, the gay, to weave it well!"

I ask'd the ancient, venerable dead, Sages who wrote, and warriors who 'bled: From the cold grave a hollow murmur flow'd, "Time sow'd the seeds we reap in this abode!"

I ask'd a dying sinner, ere the stroke Of ruthless death life's golden bowl had broke,

I ask'd him, What is time? "Time," he replied

"I've lost it! Ah! the treasure!" and he died! I ask'd the golden sun and silver spheres, Those bright chronometers of days and years; They answered, "Time is but a meteor's glare,"

And bade me for eternity prepare.

Fask'd the seasons in their annual round, Which beautify or desolate the ground; And they replied (no oracle more wise) "Tis folly's blank, and wisdom's highest prize!"

I ask'd a spirit lost; but O the shriek
That pierced my soul! I shudder while I
speak!

It cried" A particle! a speck! a mite,
Of endless years, duration infinite!"
Of things inanimate my dial I
Consulted; and it made me this reply;
"Time is the season fair of living well,
The path to Glory, or the path to Hell"
I ask'd old father Time himself, at last;
But in a moment he flew swiftly past;
His chariot was a cloud, the viewless wind.
His'noiseless steeds,which left no trace behind.
I ask'd the mighty angel, who shall stand
One foot on sea and one on solid land,

By Heaven's great King, I swear the myste

ry's o'er,

Time WAS,' he cried, but time shall be

no more!

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