the Moral Affections. An Address delivered at Amherst College, before the Alexandrian Society, the Thursday preceding Commencement. Aug. 21, 1827. By Daniel A. Clark, A. M. Pastor of the Church in Bennington, Vt. 8vo. pp. 30. Amherst.

AMERICAN EDITIONS OF FOREIGN WORKS

The Economy of Human Life, translated from an Indian Manuscript, written by an Ancient Bramin. Cambridge. Hilliard & Brown. 18mo. pp. 113.

The History of Roman Literature, from the Earliest Period to the Augustan Age. By John Dunlop. Philadelphia. E. Littell. 2 vols. 8vo.

The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England. To which is

added, an Historical View of the Affairs of Ireland. By Edward, Earl of Clarendon. First and Second Volumes. Boston. Wells & Lilly.

The Spirit of Contemporary Poetry. No. I. and II. Boston. True & Green. 8vo. pp. 43.

A History of Modern Greece, with a View of the Geography, Antiquities, and Present Condition of that Country. Boston. Republished by Nathan Hale. pp. 503.

Familiar Letters between a Mother and her Daughter. By Mrs. Taylor, and Jane Taylor. Boston. James Loring.

The Living and the Dead. Country Curate. New-York. S. Harper. 12mo.

By a J. &

RELIGIOUS.

The American Board held its annual session in New-York on the 10th ult. The Annual Sermon by Dr. Beecher has been given to the public through the National Preacher. From the Report of the Treasurer it appears that the amount of receipts for the year was $92,380 53, and of expenditures $104,430 30. The meeting as we learn from the New-York Observer, was one of uncommon interest, and we regret that our limits prevent us from detailing an account of it. There seemed to be a spirit of Christian enterprize, among the members of the Board, and others who were present, such as never had been witnessed before. Among the resolutions adopted was that of sending a Mission to Africa.-A most interesting meeting was held on one of the evenings during the session, at which the Corresponding Secretary gave a statement of the operations of the Board, and of the calls and opportunities for extending them. The Missions at Bombay, in Ceylon, in the Mediterranean, at the Sandwich Islands, and among the Indians of our own country, are in need of more Missionaries: and new Missions should be established in Western Africa, on the Northwest coast of the United States,

and in other places. To establish the several Missions contemplated by the Board, he said that not less than $100,000 would be necessary, in addition to the usual receipts. This statement was followed by addresses from others; when a gentleman present remarked that if $100,000 was needed for so good an object, it must be had; and that he himself would stand re

sponsible for $5000. A gentleman from Rochester, expressed his belief that the stock would be profitable in that vicinity, and pledged himself either to collect or give $10,000 more. Six other gentleman subscribed $1000 each, and several clergymen of the city united in making up another $1000. There were two subscriptions of $500 each, one of $400, one of $300, three of $200, ten of $100, and other smaller sums to the amount of $375. Total, $25,675.

The question being asked, how many of the subscribers would consider their donations annual for the term of five years, on condition that within twelve months the sum should be raised to One Hundred Thousand Dollars a year for the same period, the donors of $20,675 assented. Making the total of subscriptions pledged to foreign Missions in a single evening by a small

number of our citizens and one liberal gentleman from abroad, ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-EIVE DOLLARS.

The next annual meeting is to be held in Philadelphia, on the first Wednesday of October, 1828. Rev. Dr. Rice of Virginia is appointed to preach the Sermon, and Rev. Dr. Alexander of Princeton his substitute.

Missionary Reinforcement-The following persons have been designated as Missionaries from the American Board to the Sandwich Islands, and were commended to the grace of God by religious services in Park Street Church, Boston, on the evening of October 31st.

Ordained Clergymen and their Wives: Rev. Jonathan S. Green, Lebanon, Ct.; Mrs. Green, East-Haddam, Ct.; Rev. Lorrin Andrews, Vernon, Ct.; Mrs. Mary Ann Andrews, Washington, Ky.; Rev. Ephraim W. Clark, Haverhill, N. H.; Mrs. Mary K. Clark, Mount Vernon, N. H.; Rev. Peter J. Gulick, Freehold, N. J.; Mrs. Gulick. Leba

non.

Physician and his wife: Dr. Gerritt P. Judd, Paris, N. Y.; Mrs. Judd, Clinton, N. Y.

Printer and his wife: Mr. Stephen Shepherd, Johnstown, N. Y.; Mrs. Shepherd.

Single Females: Misses Maria C. Ogden, Woodbury, N. J.; Mary Ward, Whitesborough, N. Y.; Delia Stone, East-Bloomfield, N. Y.; Maria Patten, Lancaster, Pa.

Sandwich Islanders: John E. Phelps, Henry Tahetee, Samuel J. Mills, Geo. Tyler.

The four natives have been acquiring an education in this country, and probably may be employed in various ways in connection with the mission; but they are not under the direction of the Board.

The company have taken passage in the ship Parthian, capt. Blinn, bound directly for the islands.

The Vermont Bible Society, following the example of others before mentioned, have resolved that within two years every family in that state shall be supplied with a Bible.

DONATIONS.

To the American Colonization Society, from the 20th of August to the 24th of October, $4,553 43.

To the American Tract Society for two months, ending September 15th, $3,484.

MISCELLANEOUS.

American Theatres.-At how great an expense to the community these institutions are supported, may be inferred from the large sums which they can afford to lavish on their great performers. It is stated on the authority of the manager of the Philadelphia and Baltimore theatres, that the sums paid by those establishments, (which are not the most conspicuous of the kind in the union,) to ten different London performers amounted to 68,500. Of this sum, the notorious Edmund Kean received upwards of eighteen thousand dollars. But it were a small matter if these sums were the heaviest item in the account against our theatres; their drafts on the pecuniary resources of the community is a trifling evil compared with their heavier drafts on its morals.

The United States Mail is, hereafter, to be run three times a week to the British lines at New-Brunswick-and it is proposed to run the Halifax Mail thence twice a week.

French and American Mail.-Agreeably to an arrangement of the two governments, a regular mail will be made up for France, at the Post Of fice in New-York. All letters will be received gratis, and put in bags, having affixed to them the Post Office Seal.

Telegraph.-A French paper gives the following details with respect to the rapidity of the communications by means of the telegraph:-At Paris, news arrives from Lisle, (150 miles,) in 2 minutes; from Calais, (170 miles,) 4 min. 5 sec.; Toulon, 18 min. 50 sec.; Bayonne, 14 min.; Brest, (376 miles,) 6 min. 5 sec.; Stratsbourg, (300 miles,) 5 min. 52 sec.

OBITUARY NOTICES. The Rev. Edward Payson, D. D. of Portland, Me., closed his laborous and useful life, on the twenty second ult. in the forty-fourth year of his age. He had been for twenty years a Pastor of the Second Church in that town; and his happy and extensive influence over the people of his charge and the community around him; and the deep affliction which all who knew him feel at his removal, are a memorial which will go down to many generations.

The Rev. T. Charlton Henry, D. D.,

who, for several years had been Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, S. C., died October fifth, in his thirty-eighth year. For talents and acquisitions, and for zeal and faithfulness in his holy profession, (says one who had the best opportunity of knowing him) he had few equals. His ministry was signally owned and blessed. His remains were carried into the church where he had the Sabbath previous dispensed the word of life; and were followed by a numerous concourse of deeply afflicted mourners.

Aug. 1.-Rev. S. R. JOHNSON, was admitted to the holy order of Priests, at St. James's church, Hyde Park, N. J., by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart

Aug. 22.-Rev. GERRISH BARRETT, Chaplain of the State Prison at Mount Pleasant, N. Y. was ordained as an Evangelist. Sermon by the Rev. J. How, of Springfield.

Aug. 22.-Rev. J. H. MARTIN, as an evangelist, at Hanover, Mass. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Colburn, of Abington.

Aug. 26.-The Rev. HENRY J. WHITEHOUSE, minister of Christ's church, Reading, and the Rev. JOHN B. CLEMSON, minister of St. Stephen's church, Harrisburg, deacons, were admitted to the holy order of priests, in St. James's church, Philadelphia, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop White.

Aug. 29.-Rev. MOSES CURTIS, over the Baptist church in Canton, Mass. Sermon by the Rev. James D. Knowles, of Boston.

Sept. 2.-The Rev. Messrs. NATHANIEL KINGSBERRY, and EDWARD W. PEET, were admitted to the holy order of Deacons, at Bridgeport, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Brownell.

Sept. 5.-Rev. IRENAS ATKINS was ordained over the Baptist church in Southington. Sermon by the Rev. Benjamin Hill of New-Haven.

Sept. 6.-The Rev. AMASA CLARK, was ordained as an Evangelist, in Russell, Ms. Sermon by Elder Barnett.

Sept. 6.-The Rev. JOHN T. BALDWIN, was ordained as an Evangelist, at Springville, N. Y.

Sept. 12.-Rev. GEORGE COWLES, was installed as pastor of the Second Congregational church, in Danvers, Ms. Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Woods, of Andover.

Sept. 12.-Rev. JARED Curtis, Chaplin of the State Prison, at Auburn, N. Y. was ordained as an Evangelist. Sermon by the Rev. Dr. D. Field.

Sept. 19.-Rev. JOHN BOYNTON over the Congregational church, in Phipsburgh, Me. Sermon by the Rev. John W. Ellingwood, of Bath.

Sept. 24.-Rev. THOMAS DE WITT, late of Fishkill, N. Y., was installed as an associate Pastor in the Collegiate Dutch church in the city of New-York. Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Brownlee.

Sept. 26.-The Rev. JOHN ROBERTS, as collegiate pastor with the Rev. Joel Herrick, over the Congregational church, at Durham, Me. Sermon by the Rev. Caleb Bradley, of Westbrook.

Sept. 26.-Rev. DANIEL WALES, over the first Congregational church in Belfast, Me. Sermon by the Rev. Professor Smith.

Sept. 26.-Rev. JOHN O. CHOWLES, over the Second Baptist church in Newport, R. I. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Grant, of Providence.

Sept. 26.--Rev. JUBILEE WELLMAN was installed over the Congregational church in Warner, N. H. Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Wood, of Bos

cawen.

Oct. 3.-Rev. JONATHAN S. GREEN and EPHRAIM W. CLARK, as Missionaries to the Sandwich Islands.

To the Editor of the Christian Spectator.

THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST RESPECTING EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT.

I HAVE long wished that some of the able writers who enrich your pages would say something about the reality and nature of future punishment. The subject is important enough, and if I do not greatly misunderstand the times, circumstances are now such as to call for a thorough and earnest discussion of many questions connected with it. Being myself wholly unqualified for such a work, it has appeared to me that the facts in the case ought to be capable of proof by some very simple process of argument. Perhaps the merit of simplicity will be adjudged to the following thoughts on the testimony of Christ.

The testimony of Christ is, that he in his capacity of Judge will sentence a part of mankind to everlasting fire, and that they will go away from the judgment bar into everlasting punishment. This is the testimony. Let us examine as to the competency and credibility of the witness.

1. Of his knowledge. How does the witness know what he testifies? So far as the intention or consent of God the Father is concerned, Christ says, John vii. 29, I know Vol. I.-No. XII.

78

him, for I came from him, and he hath sent me viii. 55, Ye have not known him, but I know him, and if I should say I know him not, I should be a liar like unto you; but I know him and keep his sayings: v. 38, I speak that which I have seen with my Father. John Baptist confirms his perfect knowledge of God, and tells us how he came by it, and compares it with the ignorance of men. John i. 18, No man hath seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him: iii. 32, What he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth. And lest any one should pretend to know the character and views of God better than his own Son, he declares, Mat. xi. 27, All things are delivered unto me of my Father, and no man knoweth the Son but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. All which we know about God, is from the testimony of the same witness, who declares that a part of mankind will suffer everlasting punishment.

So far as the character of the subject is concerned, He needed not that any should tell him of man, for he knew what was in man, I know you, said he to a congregation of unbelievers, that ye have not the

He

love of the Father in you. knows, therefore, exactly how wicked that part of mankind are, who will go away into punishment, and can tell how nuch punishment they deserve, and whether "all the sins committed in this life's brief interval deserve" a punishment that is everlasting.

As to his own firmness of purpose to do what he declares he will do, he knows his own mind and his own feelings, and whether it is consistent with the love which brought him into the world to inflict such a sentence. In the epistle to the Hebrews the apostle says, He is the same yesterday, to-day, and forIf at the time when he held this conversation with his disciples, it was his expectation or intention to send the wicked into everlasting punishment, it will always be so. He can get no new knowledge, and will not form any new purposes.

ever.

As to the difficulties in the execution of this declaration, he knew them all. He had created the universe, and had superintended and given laws both to the natural and moral world, and directed the whole machinery of providence for some thousands of years. He had destroyed the old world by a deluge, and the cities of the plain by fire from heaven, and had raised the dead to life, and carried on the conflict with the powers of darkness long enough to know his own ability, and his own works. If there was any place already prepared for the devil and his angels he must have known it, and must have known whether it was a suitable place to punish wicked men. And if there was no such suitable place already in existence, he could tell whether it was practicable to make such a place, and whether he who made both soul and body can destroy both soul and body in hell.

In regard to the changes which might be supposed to intervene, to prevent the full accomplishment of

the declaration, he knows all the events that will ever take place. It is the oath of Jehovah that if a wicked man will turn from his wickedness he shall live. But Jesus Christ says, all that are on the left hand shall go away into everlasting punishment. And he knows certainly, whether any of that class will ever repent and be converted, that their sins may be blotted out.

He

In his powers of expression he was also a competent witness. He knew how to express himself. Never man spake like this man. Never was human language used more clearly or expressively than by Jesus Christ. He had the faculty, in a pre-eminent degree, of saying explicitly what he meant to say. had formed the mind of man, and created the organs of speech. His inspiration had given understanding. And he that teacheth men knowledge, shall not he know? If he had wished to say, that those of mankind who are not so good as they ought to be, would receive all their punishment as they pass along, he could have said it. Or if he had wished to say that those on the left hand, who were too obstinate to be converted by the means used in this life, should then be put into the place of torment for a longer or shorter time, and by that means be brought to repentance, and all saved, he could have said just the thing he meant, and said it as plainly as any body has ever said it since. And if he had wished to say that they should go away into everlasting punishment, he knew how to say it. It is an idea which the human mind can form, and which human language can express. Every human being, who has the power of thinking at all, has the power of thinking about duration that is everlasting, or that lasts forever. People have always talked about eternity, and have always meant a duration which they can conceive nothing beyond. Many have believed that the wicked