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How. No, Conway; that is one of those glosses in explaining scripture of which I spoke, and one which has completely established itself as an undeniable religious truth, while there is Lot a shadow of ground for it in the Bible. Can you, Conway, recollect any passage in scripture, which implies that our omniscient Judge will accept of a sincere but unsuccessful attempt to obey, in the place of exact obedience?

Con. Does not Christ himself make an excuse for his disciples, when, instead of watching with him, as he had requested in his hour of agony, they fell asleep? He said, in pity of their weakness, and aware of their sincerity, The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.' I have always admired the gentleness and magnanimity of these words, at such a time.

How. And yet, Conway, if you will examine the passage which is constantly produced in favor of your opinion, you will find that you have been admiring an explanation of our Lord's words which they cannot bear. We shall read the pas sage as St. Mark has it; (reads) ‘And Jesus cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? (Why so pointedly address Peter, and not James and John, unless in allusion to his having so confidently declared that he was ready to suffer and die with his Lord?) "Couldst thou not watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation; the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Is this an excuse? Is it not rather a most serious and gracious warning, to which, had the sincere but self-confident Peter attended, he might have been saved from theweakness, will you call it? I must say crime of denying his Master an hour after. There is, besides, no other instance which can possibly be understood as you understand this. Christ never extenuates the faults of his disciples; on the contrary, he always reproves them; and had he done otherwise, he would not have been, as he was, the teacher and the example of the most perfect holiness." pp 43-45.

We now come to Arthur's narrative of his own conversion, which he drew up for his father. We give the following account of his first interview with Travers. It had been brought about by their friends, in hopes that Arthur's acute mind would be able to detect the fallacy of the arguments by which Travers was continually endeavouring to awaken their consciences, and persuade them to seek the salvation of their souls.

I believe we both felt a little embarrassed on finding ourselves téte-a-téte, as each was perfectly aware of the anxious wishes of Mrs. Travers and my aunt. Travers spoke first.

I believe, Mr. Howard,' said he smiling, and reddening as he spoke, our friends expect and hope that you and I shall commence our acquaintance by making war on each others opinions on a certain subject. I know for whom conquest is ardently wished; therefore, as one against many, I think I shall take what advantage I can, and begin, by plainly asking you of what religion you are?'

• Of what religion!' repeated I, smiling in return; 'of the Christian religion, I presume.'

Then we are on plain ground. A Christian must mean a disciple of Jesus Christ, and that is all I aim to be; and if I misunderstand any of the doctrines taught by my divine Master, or disobey any of his precepts, I most earnestly desire to be better informed, and to be more faithful in future.'

I said that he had indeed gained an advantage over me,-that I had spoken without reflection, and that I perceived I had an opponent with whom I must define terms.

Then, may I beg of you to define your idea of a Christian?"

I hesitated. Why, a Christian is now a national appellation. It was, I believe, in that sense I used the term.'

"May I ask you to define its meaning in that sense?'

ism.

"Why, it is opposed to the ignorance and grossuess of Heathenism and MahometanA Christian in this sense, particularly a Protestant, means a person whose mind is perfectly freed rom superstition, who regards himself as a free and intelligent being, and who worships that true God, whose character is, in his mind, freed from those dreadful attributes in which ignorance and superstition clothe it; and this Being he boldly ventures to worship, according to the dictates of his own conscience."

"And where is Christ, in this system of Christianity?' asked Travers, gently. 'He was the Founder of the system.' 'How?'

'He visited this world to reveal more perfectly the character of the God of mercy and benevolence to mankind; and himself to show them an example of perfect

virtue.'

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In what do they follow it?' On Travers asking this question, I recollected what my aunt had said of him,— that he did not believe there were half-adozen people in England who would get to heaven. 'Do you expect,' asked I, 'that imperfect creatures can follow a perfect model? As it is, was the standard of morals ever so high in any country, as it now is in this? Are not the very purest morals of Christianity, those to which the voice of the whole nation appeals, when, in any controversy, its voice is heard?" Travers smiled-True; you have described the effect that the knowledge of true Christianity has upon a nation. Every conscience bends to its authority, as what the light of truth there says, would be right and just in all. You have traced this universal knowledge of morality, in this country, to its true source,-the knowledge of Christianity; but you have not answered my question.'

'I cannot answer it otherwise. If making the morality taught by Jesus Christ, the morality of a whole nation, does not constitute a Christian nation, I know not what would.'

Let us leave these generalities,' said Travers, in which we forget individual responsibility, and allow me to ask one question. Do you suppose all those men, who receive the sacrament to qualify themselves for civil offices, believe in the doctrine which that ordinance represents, and which they profess to believe by appearing there?

'I certainly do not.'

And is there any part of the New Testament, which would not condemn that appearance as hypocrisy, deceit, and fraud?'

I could not say there was. 'Can men who do this, really be disciples of Jesus Christ?'

I was silent.

'Can they, in sincerity, worship a pure and holy God? To what, or whom, can they internally direct the excuse they make, when they thus perjure themselves? If they really in heart adored a holy God, they would not dare thus to disregard his omniscient and omnipresent holiness. If they worship a Being who they think will not condemn such falsehood, they worship, not the God of Christianity, but the Satan, whom Christianity warns us against us the god of this world.'

'You state the matter too strongly,' said 1, half displeased; I know men, who would spurn from them with indignation the very idea of hypocrisy and fraud, who yet thus qualify themselves for office without any scruple.'

'And without believing in that atonement represented in the sacrament?' 'Yes; without being able to believe any thing so incomprehensible.'

'Are they Christians, then, either in faith or morals?"

I felt that I was becoming warm, and remained silent; and Travers immediately changed the subject, and did not resume it again during that visit." pp. 90-94.

Another extract is designed to illustrate the cautious and gradual manner, in which these philosophic minds receive light upon religious subjects. The living reality of Scott's "Force of Truth," still more strikingly exemplifies, that religion is not, in fact, an irrational thing, but is rejected by philosophic minds, on other grounds.

After the perusal of Arthur's narrative and some fragments of his writings, Howard and Conway resume their conversation. We give a short extract here, as an example of Christian faithfulness in pressing truth upon the conscience.

"How. I did not say that the objects of faith were simple, or easily understood. On the contrary, I have said that scripture itself declares their great mysteriousness; but I say, that believing them saves the soul.

Con. But, my dear Howard, belief is not a thing in our power. Belief is an effect, a consequence.

How. An effect, or consequence, of what?

Con. (Smiling.) I know to what that question leads.

How. All I wish is, to induce you to do that which will produce this effect, this consequence. If you fairly and candidly do your part, if you examine your own mind, and discover what those objections are, which lead you to but half credit the Bible, and then listen with candor to the answers which learned, and wise, and good men, have given to these objections, I shall not fear the result: and if, at the same time, you examine scripture itself with the degree of faith you already pos

sess

Con. (Interrupling him.) The faith 1 already possess! Do you think I already possess any of that which you call faith?

How. My most dear Conway, you do not possess the faith which will save you, but you possess that which, if alone, will condemn you. You believe in God, yet you make scarcely any attempt to know his character or will. You believe that Jesus Christ came into the world to teach us that will, yet you take no pains to make yourself acquainted with the character or office of that Teacher sent from God.' You half believe the scriptures are inspir-,

ed, yet you rest satisfied to remain half ignorant of them. To what, then, my friend, can your belief lead, but to make you criminal in the sight of that God, whose word, and whose heavenly Messenger, you have thus slighted? Faith, without effects, according to St. James, ‘is dead.' It is nothing, or worse than nothing. Have I said more than the truth, Conway? for I have been describing my own state of mind when I last saw you." pp. 144, 145.

The conclusion shows Conway, fully convinced of the reality of experimental religion, and of the desirableness and necessity of a change of heart as a preparative for heaven, and almost persuaded to be a christian. May our readers be, not almost, but altogether, such as they will wish to be, when they stand before Christ!

How. But now, my dear Conway, it is twelve o'clock, and I fear I must leave

you.

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Literary and Philosophical Intelligence.

The annual Commencement at Hampden Sidney College, was held on the 23d of September. The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on seven young gentlemen, and the degree of Master of Arts on nine, alumni of the College. James Marsh, A. M. was elected Professor of Languages and Belles Lettres.

The University of Georgia held its Commencement on the 4th of August. Ten young gentlemen received the degree of A. B. and ten the degree of A. M. The degree of LL. D. was conferred on the Hon. William H. Crawford, Secretary of the U. S. Treasury.

At the annual Commencement of Nassau Hall, held on the 29th of September; the degree of A. B. was conferred on 47, and the degree of A. M. on 13. The der gree of LL. D. was conferred on the Hon. Jonas Platt.

Measures have been taken for the erection of a Monument to General Washington, in Philadelphia. The citizens of Camden, S. C. have determined to erect a monument to the memory of Baron de Kalb, a Major General in the U. S. Revolutionary Army, who fell in battle near Vol. VI.-No. 11. 76

that place. General La Fayette has been invited to lay the corner stone of both these monuments, as well as of that to be erected on Bunker Hill.

One hundred and sixty coloured persons of both sexes were to sail from New-York for Hayti on the 19th of October. Six vessels at Philadelphia, one at Port Elizabeth, one at Alexandria, and several others at Baltimore, are on the eve of sailing for the same destination. It is calculated that between three and four thousand of these persons will leave the United States in a few days, and that every fortnight additional numbers will be shipped off under the direction of President Boyer's agent, who pays the expense of their transmission by authority of the Haytien government. About 200 sailed in September from Philadelphia.

The Board of Managers of the Ameried to send this fall if possible, two vessels can Colonization Society, have determinwith emigrants to Liberia.

Some intimation of the state of the
Jews in Germany is furnished by the

fact that at Wiemar, in Hesse Darmsdat, an edict has been issued by which they are rendered admissible to the public gymnasia and the University It is added that they are even authorized to intermarry with Christians, on certain condi tions.

In 1789, the number of Roman Catholics in England was 69,376. In 1817, they had increased to 500,000. There were but three Roman Catholic schools of any note in England in 1781. It is now said that there are upwards of fifty.

A London paper mentions that a German residing in Japan, is writing a treatise on the Natural History of that country, which is expected to convey much interesting information.

Alterations have commenced at Windsor Castle which are expected to employ 600 men for five years.

Windsor Park embraces a circumference of nearly 27 miles-and the private rides now solely confined to the royal retinue, from their mazy turnings and wind

ings, make the circuit greater than even 27 miles.

Very gratifying proofs of the general intelligence and enterprise of the Swedish nation are furnished by the progress of their internal improvements. During the past year, six canals were begun, one of which is 36 Swedish miles in length, and employs 2,791 workmen. Two rivers were cleared and rendered navigable, so that lumber from their almost interminable forests, may now readily be transferred to any part of Europe. Eleven hundred colonists were transplanted to the forests of Dalecarlia, which they are cutting down and settling. Large marshes were drained, and converted to excellent land. A large building for a Library was erected at Upsal, at an expense of 50,000 rix-dollars. Six hundred and forty-two thousand rix-dollars were expended on repairing of cities, aqueducts, bridges, &c. Three great public roads were finished, leading across the mountains of Norway. Much has also been done to rebuild and repair their fortres

ses.

List of New Publications.

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Reading Exercises in Prose and Verse; carefully selected from the most approved authors, for Female Schools and Academies. By Samuel Whiting, Esq. Second Edition.-New-Haven.

A Greek Grammar, principally abridged from that of Buttmann, for the use of Schools.

A Summary of the Law and Practice of Real Actions. By Asahel Stearns, Professor of Law in Harvard University.

A Letter to John Lowell, Esq., in Reply to a Publication entitled "Remarks on a Pamphlet printed by the Professors and Tutors of Harvard University, touching their Right to the exclusive Government of that Seminary." By Edward Everett. 8vo. pp. 102.

The Ladies' Companion. Containing, First, Politeness of Manners and Behaviour, from the French of Abbè de Bellegarde. Second, Fenelon on Education. Third, Miss More's Essays. Fourth, Dean Swift's Letter to a Young Lady Newly Married. Fifth, Moore's Fables for the Female Sex, carefully Selected and Rerised. By a Lady in the County of Wor. cester, Mass.

Keligious Intelligence.

SANDWICH ISLANDS.

[The following extract from the Missionary Herald, after noticing the death of the king and queen of the Sandwich Islands, gives a brief historical sketch of the mission to those Islands.]

The Missionary Herald for August, contained a notice of the voyage of the king and queen of the Sandwich Islands to England, with the circumstances attending this extraordinary event. Such a proceeding, in the Ruler of more than 150,000 souls, whatever may be thought to be the degree of their barbarism, we believed could not fail to be followed by important consequences.

Reho-reho no doubt regarded himself as going to a land, where the Sabbath was observed; where were a multitude of churches for Christian worship; where were numerous preachers of the Gospel, in character like the missionaries whom he had left behind; and where the good book of God, the Bible, was every where enjoyed. He probably expected to find whatever the missionaries had recommended to him, as suitable to be adopted in reference to his own people, carried into effect where he was going; and might possibly (for he possessed considerable sagacity,) have designed to remark the aspect of a country, which had been long Christian.

After all the notices respecting the state of religion in England, which this work has heretofore contained, we surely need not stop to give our views of the actual moral and religious condition of that favoured country. But it is easy to see, that this young and inexperienced prince, immediately on his arrival, might be thrown into such circumstances, without the fault of the pious people there, that, during his whole stay, he should behold very little of genuine religion, and very much of a demoralizing character. We are not well informed as to his real circumstances, in the few weeks of health which he enjoyed after his arrival; but have reason to believe, that, from politica! considerations, he was induced to keep himself partially secluded from society, except that he visited the theatre, and the gardens of pleasure.

The queen was the first who was attacked with a pulmonary inflammation; occasioned, in part, it is to be presumed, by her introduction into an atmosphere more cool, and dense, and humid, than she had been accustomed to; and in part, doubtless, by an unpropitious change of regimen, though the style of living in Woahoo, was not wholly unlike to

the English manner. She died early in July. Her character has always been favourably described by the missionaries. Comparing her with her own country. women, she must have been an interest

ing female; and many expectations of good from her influence, have been destroyed by her premature death-for she had scarcely passed the morning of life, when she died.

The king survived her only a few days, and then sunk under the same disorder, brought on, probably, by the causes, only aggravated by his former dissipation.

same

The effects of this mysterious providence upon the Sandwich Islands, and upon the mission, are yet to be known. We think, however, that the friends of the mission have no reason for solicitude. The question of a successor cannot, as we can see, involve much difficulty. Though the heir to the kingly authority, a brother of the late king, is young, his title has been often acknowledged, and will not probably be contested. The principal chiefs are all friendly to the mission. And whoever is appointed regent,it may confidently be hoped, that the young prince will be situated where, during his minority, he may enjoy the salutary influence of the missionaries.

The dealings of God towards that mission, have been wonderful from the first. The original missionaries embarked at Boston, before intelligence of any change in those islands had reached this country; and a speedy change was then wholly unlooked for. The brethren expected to find the old king alive, and strongly attached to his idols. They expected to find the morais standing, and the taboo system in full force. They expected to meet a long and determined opposition from a powerful, idolatrous priesthood. They expected to see human victims offered in sacrifice, to behold bloody battles, and to experience many dangers, before idolatry was overthrown. But not one of these expectations was fulfilled! Tamahamaha the 1st. suddenly died, and his son, the late king, on coming to authority, burned the morais, annulled the taboo system, abolished the priesthood, put an end to all sacrifices, and in short, overthrew idolatry. War was the consequence. But before the missionaries arrived, the Providence of God had hushed the islands to peace; and the messengers of salvation found a people without any religion, waiting, as it were, for the law of the true God!

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