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From the Union, printed in Philadelphia.
Dr. BARROW.

MR. EDITOR,

THOUGH fame has placed Dr. Bar row among the principal ornaments of his country, little is known on this side of the Atlantic, either of his works or of the distinctive traits of his character -Seeing in a late paper, proposals for republishing, in this city, his elaborate Treatise of the Pope's Supremacy, I beg leave to offer you a few remarks concerning both his life and writings.

Dr. Isaac Barrow was born in the city of London, of respectable parents, in the year 1630. After passing through the various preparatory stages, he was admitted, at the age of fifteen, into Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was chiefly supported by the celebrated Dr. Hammond -his father having lost his property in consequence of his attachment to the cause of the unfortunate Charles I. and notwithstanding his own steady and independent adherence to the royal family, to which the faculty of his college were opposed, such was his great proficiency in the various branches of literature, and such his sweetness of disposition,, that he succeeded in obtaining his fellowship at the proper period. After this he directed his attention for some time to the study of botany and chymistry, with the intention of following the medical profession; but soon abandon ing this design, he embraced the study of divinity and mathematics, which last he prosecuted with signal success. Disappointed in 1655, with regard to the Greek professorship at CamBridge, and perhaps influenced by the aspect of public affairs, he determined to travel abroad: Accordingly he visited France and Italy. From Italy he went to Smyrna, and from thence to Constantinople, where he spent a year in perusing the works of Chrysostom. Upon his return to England, he was successively appointed professor of Greek at Cambridge, and of geometry in Gresham College, both of which situations he resigned upon being appointed Lucasian pro

fessor of mathematics at Cambridge, Although this situation was peculiarly adapted to his distinguished tatician, he resolved to exchange his lents and acquirements as a mathemamathematical studies for those of divinity, and accordingly, in 1669, he resigned his professor's chair to the illustrious Newton. He was soon after created Doctor in Divinity by mandate, and in 1672 the king nominated him to the mastership of Trinity College, observing, that he had bestowed it on the best scholar in England."

In this station he continued until

the period of his death, which took place in 1677.

remarkable for great variety of inciThe life of Dr. Barrow, though not dent, was eminently a life of virtue, In the midst of the prevailing corrup tion of the times, he maintained his political commotions, and engaged in integrity unshaken, surrounded by frequent controversy, he preserved his whether in the humble walks of povernative equanimity unruffled; and ty, or in the elevated stations of prosperity, he uniformly evinced the same meekness of character and modesty of deportment. Among many instances the mildness and modesty of his chagiven by his biographer, to illustrate racter, is the following:

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Jewry, in London, for a friend, his Preaching once at St. Lawrence, appearance, which was very uncouth, made such an unfavourable impression the pulpit, that he was shortly left alupon the audience on his mounting most alone in the church.* On being asked by his friend, What he thought when the people were running away from him? Dr. Barrow replied, “I thought they did not like me or my angry with them for that." What sermon, and I have no reason to be rendered this gentleness still more remarkable, was, that it was connected with a great degree of personal courage. During his travels, the ship in

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Among the few that remained was Baxter, the celebrated non-conformist diheard a better sermon, and that he could, vine, who declared that "he had never with pleasure, have listened all day to such a preacher."

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Did silently and constantly dispense The gentle vigorous influence, To all the wide and fair circumference. Though the attention of Dr. Barrow was principally directed to theology during the latter part of his life, his mathematical writings have placed him second only to Newton among the philosophers of the 17th century. Besides new and highly improved editions of Euclid's Elements, the works of Archimedes, selections from the works of Apollonius and Theodosius, which he gave to the world in rapid succession, he published several original works, replete with the most profound investigations. His "Lectiones Optica" were revised and enlarged by Newton, and have been highly commended by the best judges. His "Lectiones Geometrica" are filled with original and profound dissertations respecting the properties of curvilineal figures; and in his method of subtangents contained in that work, he has clearly revealed the germ of the Bluxional calculus. It has been justly observed that, with a genius less inventive than Newton's, he has made a near approach to some of that wonderful man's discoveries, and contributed in a remarkable degree to enlarge the field of mathematical learning.

Of his theological works, all of which were published after his death, his sermons are best known, and they have uniformly been ranked among the first productions of the English pulpit. Beside numerous passages of sublime and simple eloquence, they are every where distinguished for vigour of style, and great depth and copiousness of thought. It has been

said that the celebrated Lord Chatham asserted, that he owed much of the fervour of his eloquence to the study of Barrow,

It is especially, however, to his Treatise of the Pope's Supremacy, that we must look for that wonderful compass of learning, and acute discrimination of mind for which he was so deservedly eminent. Familiar with every branch of Ecclesiastical History, and having narrowly observed popery disguised in France, militant in England, and triumphant in Italy, he was thoroughly prepared to enter into every branch of the controversy. Accordingly after a candid examination of the several suppositions, upon which the claim of the pope to supremacy is founded, he proves that they are equally unsupported by scripture, reason, and antiquity. In the course of his work, which may also serve for a complete history of the rise of papal authority, he clearly shows that no such claim was ever admitted, or even made during several centuries after the Christian era. In addition to this, his treatise contains a satisfactory refutation of most of the distinguishing tenets of the Romish church. In short, to use the language of Dr. Tilletson," he hath exhausted the subject, and said enough to silence the controversy for ever."

What renders the work peculiarly valuable is, that the argument is conducted in a strain of candour andChristian charity which must ever place its author among the most liberal, as well as the ablest champions of the Protestant faith. We rejoice to see such a work republishing in our city, and sincerely hope that its publishers may meet with complete success.

Connecticut Christian Knowledge Society.

In Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocess of Connecticut, at Bridgeport, June 3, 1818.

WHEREAS it is deemed expedient by this Convention, to establish a Society in the Diocess of Connecticut, for

* Messrs. S. Potter & Co.

the purpose of raising funds for the employment of Missionaries in the vacant parishes and for the gratuitous distribution of the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and religious tracts -Therefore Resolved, that the following be adopted as its Constitution. 1. The Society shall be called," The Connecticut Protestant Episcopal Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, by employing Missionaries in the vacant parishes of the Diocess, and by the gratuitous distribution of the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and Religious Tracts." 2. The Bishop of the Diocess shall be ex-officio President of the Society -and the Convention shall annually appoint two Vice-Presidents-a Recording Secretary-a Corresponding Secretary-and twelve Directors-of whom at least one half shall be clergy men of the Protestant Episcopal Church-which officers shall constitute a Board of Direction-and six of their number, including the President, or one of the Vice-Presidents, shall be a quorum for the transaction of business.

3. The Convention shall also appoint three lay-members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, as a Board of Trustees, for managing the permanent fund of the Society-one of whom, elected by the Board, shall be the Treasurer of the Society, and shall give bonds to the Board of Trustees for the faithful discharge of his trust. All vacancies in this Board, by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be filled by the Convention.

4. It shall be the duty of the Board of Direction to meet on the Thursday following the day of the annual meeting of the Convention, and as of ten as the interests of the Society shall require, at such time and place as the President, or the first VicePresident, with the advice of a member of the Board, shall direct. The Board shall appoint agents in the different parts of the Diocess, to obtain subscriptions for the benefit of the Society. They shall employ such Mis sionaries as the ecclesiastical authority shall appoint, to supply the vacant parishes within the Diocess. They

shall publish or purchase Bibles, Prayer Books, and religious tracts, and distribute them in such parts of the Diocess, and in such proportions, as they may deem proper and expedient. And they shall manage all the other concerns of the Society, not otherwise provided for by this Constitution.

5. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to attend all the meetings of the Board of Direction, and to keep a record of their transactions. He shall also keep a register of the names of the members, with the sums by them respectively given a list of the donations, with the names of the donors and a record of the collections made for the benefit of the Society.

6. The Corresponding Secretary shall carry on the correspondence of the Society, in the name and by order of the Board of Direction.

7. All monies received by way of donation, subscription, or collection, for the benefit of the Society, shall be paid into the hands of the Treasurer

and so much thereof as the Board of Direction shall deem expedient to appropriate to the support of Missionaries within the Diocess, and to the gratuitous distribution of Bibles, Prayer Books, and religious tracts, shall be subject to the order of the Board of Direction-and the residue shall constitute a permanent fund, to bet managed by the Board of Trustees, and held subject to the control and direction of the Convention. Provided, however, that the amount reserved for the permanent fund, shall be at least one fourth part of the aggre, gate of the annual receipts of the Society.

8. Every person who shall annually pay into the funds of the Society one dollar, shall be a member---and whoever shall pay the sum of five dollars, shall be a member for life.

9. It shall be the duty of the Rector and Wardens---(or of the Wardens, where there is no Rector)---of every parish in the Diocess, to make an annual collection for the benefit of the Society.

10. There shall be divine service, and a Sermon delivered at every annual session of the Convention, and a

collection made for the benefit of the Society--the preacher to be appointed by the President, with the concurrence of one of the Vice-Presidents.

11. The following reports shall be annually made to the Convention, viz. 1st. A report by all the Lay-Delegates attending, of the amount of collections for this Society in their respective parishes. 2d. A general report by the Board of Direction, of all their proceedings. 3d. A report by the Treasurer, of the disposable funds in his hands. And, 4th. A report by the Board of Trustees, of the state of the permanent fund. Which several reports, or so much of them as the Convention shall direct, shall be entered on the Journals.

Messrs. Charles Sigourney, Samuel Tudor, and William M'Crackan, were chosen Trustees of the Fund, and have been incorporated by the Legislature. Mr. M'Crackan has since been appointed Treasurer, and is ready to receive subscriptions and donations.

Report of the Christian Knowledge
Society, (England.) 1818.

(From the Missionary Register.) Diocesan and District Committees.

AN abstract of the proceedings of the various Committees at home is first given, in the order of the Diocesses. Those in the Diocess of Calcutta then follow. We shall extract

Calcutta Diocesan Committee.

12. Whenever the Bible and Com- this part of the Report. mon Prayer Book Society of the Diocess of Connecticut shall be dissolved, and its funds paid over to the Treasurer of this Society, each lifesubscriber of that Society shall be considered as a member for life in this -and the permanent fund of that Society shall be added to the permanent fund of this Society.

13. No alteration shall be made in this constitution, unless the same shall have been proposed and entered on the minutes of the Convention one year previous to its adoption. And the Convention alone shall have power to make the alteration.

Whereupon, the Convention proceeded to elect the officers for the ensuing year, when the following gentlemen were duly chosen.

Right Rev. John H. Hobart, D. D.
(ex. officio) President.
Hon. Jonathan Ingersoll, first Vice-
President.

Rev. Tillotson Bronson, D. D. se-
cond Vice-President.
John Beach, Esq. Recording Sec'ry.
Rev. Harry Croswell, Corresponding
Secretary.

Rev. Philo Shelton, Rev. Ashbel
Baldwin, Rev. Daniel Burhans, Rev.
Asa Cornwall, Rev. Menzies Rayner,
Rev. B. G. Noble, Hon. Samuel W.
Johnson, Burrage Beach, Esq. Col.
Wm. Mosely, Nathan Smith, Esq. An-
drew Kidston, Esq. Mr. Joel Walter,
Directors.

The Diocesan Committee at Calcutta have transmitted their Report ; in which they express their grateful acknowledgments to the Society, as well for the very distinguished consideration which their communications have experienced, as for the very liberal supply of Books transmitted for their use; a supply, which they state to be far beyond any expectation that could have been formed. They appear also to have been instrumental in circulating many copies of the So-. ciety's Family Bible.

They state, moreover, that it was conceived advisable to reprint at Calcutta, before the arrival of the expected Books, Mrs. Trimmer's Charity-School Spelling-Pook, in Two Parts; which might be distributed to great advantage among the Children of Europeans in his Majesty's and the Honourable Company's Service, in Regimental and other Military Schools, in Barracks, Cantonments, and Hospitals. As, however, the funds of the Committee were at that time unequal to the expense, this design was respectfully laid before Government; and pecuniary aid solicited, to carry it into effect. The General Board learn, with much satisfaction, that the readiest acquiescense was given to this request of the Diocesan Committee, and a sum given

fully equal to meet the estimated cost of the edition; and that it has since been printed, and largely distributed, and it is believed with no inconsiderable advantage. Besides this, the Committee have, at their own charge, subsequently reprinted Woodward's Soldier's Monitor, which has been found equally acceptable.

The Committee state also, that there is a very increasing demand for the Society's Books; and that they hope shortly to request another supply of them, and to specify those which appear to be most in request. At present, they can only say generally, that the demand appears to be much greater than was at first, perhaps, expected; which they consider to be chiefly owing to their strict adherence, as far as the different circumstances of the two countries will admit, to the analogy afforded by the Society, as well in regard to reduction of price as to system in distribu

tion.

The Diocesan Committee notice to the General Board, the establishment of the District Committee at Bombay, mentioned in the last year's Report; which they view with very great satisfaction, as completing the connexion of the Society with the three Presidencies of British India.

Madras District Committee.

From the District Committee at Madras, the General Board are apprized, through the Calcutta Diocesan Committee, that, previous to the arrival of the Books requested from the Society, they had received a temporary supply from the Missionary Stores of Messrs. Pezold, Holzburg, and Kolhoff, which were of use; as also a supply of the Soldier's Monitor, reprinted at Calcutta; and also a considerable proportion of the Books transmitted from the Society to the Diocesan Committee, by means of which their operations had been much assisted.

Bombay District Committee. From the District Committee at Bombay, the General Board have received a Report; and are much gra

tified to find that the Society's Family Bible is in great request in that Archdeaconry. A supply of Books from the Society had just been received; and would be distributed with considerable advantage to the design of promoting Christian Knowledge, as Prayer Books were very scarce, and much wanted.

Ceylon District Committee. No recent accounts have been received from the Committee.

Ceylon has been lately placed under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Calcutta.

The proceedings in the Diocess of Nova-Scotia and Quebec are next reported.

Halifax (Nova-Scotia) Diocesan Committee.

His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury having recommended the Society very earnestly to the favourablę consideration of his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, the Earl of Dalhousie, his Lordship has, in every way, promoted its interest within his Government.

The Halifax Diocesan Committee state, in their Report, that they have great pleasure in repeating their acknowledgments to the several District Committees in different parts of this extensive Diocess. "These," they observe, "are nobly promoting the objects of the Society; and encourage the best hopes, that, with the blessing of God, their endeavours are already producing important benefits. The correspondence with the Committees at Frederickton, St. John's, St. Andrew's, Newfoundland, Cape Breton, Prince Edward's Island, and with numerous individuals, who are too remote from each other to unite in a Committee, continues to encour age all the hopes that were entertained when they first joined the Society. Their contributions still give evidence of their zeal and success; and the Books which they are dispersing are received with thankfulness, and are rendering very valuable services even to the remotest Settlements in these Colonies."

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