Let it not be said that the imputation of Adam's sin is not here asserted. It is asserted, by direct and clear implication, though not in words. The Reformer asserts that he is "a sinner, as the child of Adam;" affirming that his very relation to Adam made him a sinner; and let it be told how this could be, except as Adam was his federal head and representative, whose offence was reckoned to all his posterity. The corruption of our nature is, indeed, an invariable consequence of the apostacy, but it is not here specified, it is relationship to Adam, which is specified as making man a sinner, subjecting him to the accusation of the law, the reign of death, and the danger of final perdition; from all which, he is delivered only by the righteousness of Christ, the Son of God. We could easily multiply passages of similar import, from the Commentary itself; but we shall only add a few sentences from a part of that exposition of the 20th verse of the second chapter, the explicitness of which, precludes the necessity of any remarks from us.

"We cannot deny but that we are all sinners, and are constrained to say that through the sin of Adam we were all lost, were made the enemies of God, subject to the wrath and judgment of God, and guilty of eternal death, (for this do all terrified hearts feel and confess, and more indeed than they should do,) so can we not deny but that Christ died for

our sins, that he might make us righteous. For he died not to justify the righteous but the unrighteous, and to make them

the children of God, and inheritors of all

spiritual and heavenly gifts. Therefore when I feel and confess myself to be a sinner through Adam's transgression, why should not say, that I am made righteous through the righteousness of Christ, especially when I hear that he loved me, and gave himself for me? This did Paul most steadfastly believe, and therefore he speaketh these words with so great vehemency and full assurance. Which may he grant unto us, in some part at the least, who hath loved us and given

himself for us."

We think proper here to state, what appears to have been the rea

son that the Reformers, in speaking of original sin, say comparatively little on that part which consists in the imputation of Adam's first sin, and much on the other part, the corruption of our whole nature, which they denominated with emphasis, original sin; sometimes, apparently, almost to the exclusion of the former part. The fact may be accounted for thus.The imputation of Adam's first sin was not controverted or denied by the Papists, more than by the Protestants themselves. The council of Trent were, on this point, clear and explicit; whereas, in regard to the corruption of our whole nature, they were so obscure and equivocal as to admit of its being held or denied, at pleasure. Indeed, their doctrine about free will, the native powers of the human mind, and obtaining grace by congruity, as they called it, before sanctification, was really inconsistent with man's total depravity. Hence the Reformers levelled their most powerful arguments, and directed their most frequent attacks, against this point of fundamental error. Total depravity, the corruption of our whole nature, original sin, in this sense of the terms, were the subject, of their main arguments, their most extended discussion. But as to the imputation of Adam's first sin, holding it in common with their adversaries, they mentioned it only incidentally and cursorily. On this account, we suppose it is, that some have ventured to deny that Calvin did really hold the doctrine of the imputation of the sin of Adam to his posterity. But nothing was ever more palpably false and groundless, than such a denial. He asserts it plainly, although incidentally, in numerous instances in his Institutes. We could give some half a dozen examples from the very chapter which contains his famous definition of original sin, and all of them previous to that

definition. Pictêt, in the 6th chapter of his 6th book of "Christian Theology," shows that the imputation of Adam's sin had been held by the church, "from the purest antiquity," as he expresses it; and he quotes in proof of his assertion, Justin Martyr, Irenæus, Origen, Athanasius, Basil, Cyril of Jerusalem, Chrysostom, Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine.

The imputation of the sins of men to the atoning Saviour, and the imputation of his perfect righteousness to believers for their justification, were points on which Luther was called to speak directly and largely, in expounding this

epistle. They were topicks on which he delighted to dwell, from which he declared that he derived all his consolations and all his hopes, and which he recommended to the attention of convicted and trembling sinners, as their only remedy and relief. On these we mean to quote extensively, in hope that our quotations will answer even a better purpose than confuting the spurious theology to which they are opposed-will guide inquiring and labouring minds to the rock, Christ Jesus, as the only safe resting place of their souls, for eternity.

(To be continued.)

Intellectual State of Russia, &c.-At the present moment, the following information may interest many. The number of journals, which at present issue from the Russian press, is seventy-three, and of these, the "Northern Bee," "The Patriot," and the "Invalid," enjoy the most extensive circulation: they are written in no less than twelve different languages. The number of elementary schools is 1411: they are frequented by 70,000 pupils: so that, on a comparison of the total number of children capable of instruction in the Russian dominions, with those who are actually educated, there does not appear to be more than one in 367, whose mind is even superficially cultivated. There are seven Universities in Russia, at which 3100 youth are educating under the care of three hundred professors. The ecclesiastical nursery is well attended to, inasmuch as the four academies of theology, at Kiew, St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Kasan, together with the seven and thirty upper, and eighteen lower seminaries, appertaining to the Greek Church, contain 26,000 pupils, in charge of 427 professors.-The Roman Catholick church possesses fourteen seminaries, of which one is of a superior class, in which above two hundred and fifty youths are educated for the priesthood.-Athenæum.

The following method of extracting a blue colour for dyeing, from buckwheat straw, is copied from a late London periodical:-"The straw should be gathered before the grain is quite dry; and placed

on the ground in the sun, until it becomes sufficiently dry to be taken from the husks with facility. The wheat having been removed, the straw is to be piled up, moistened, and left to foment, till it is in a state of decomposition, when it will become of a blue colour: this indicates the period when it should be gathered, and formed into cakes, which are to be dried in the sun, or in a stove. On these cakes being boiled in water, the water assumes a strong blue colour, which will not change either in vinegar, or in sulphurick acid. It may, however, be turned into red with alkali, into a light black with bruised gall nuts, and into a beautiful green by evaporation. Stuffs dyed blue with this solution, which is to be used in the same way as vegetable matters of a similar species employed in dyeing, become of a beautiful and durable colour."

Portable Gas.-Mr. Boston, chemist, has shown us this morning a copper recipient or receiver of gas, intended as a substitute for lamps in families. For certain purposes it seems preferable to lamps and candles, and more economical. The flame is clear and brilliant, and attended with no offensive smell. The capacity of the vessel shown to us, had been proved to be sixty atmospheric gallons, but only thirty will be put in. The price of filling those of similar dimensions with that quantity will be ten cents, and the gas will burn for seventy hours, or as long as a large wax candle, yielding much more light. The jet can be easily regu

lated by a key. The composition of the gas is a secret. We presume the article will be in demand, if it is found as safe, cheap, and useful as it seems to be. The vessel may be made in any form, such as

a classical urn, column, &c. and as highly ornamented as the taste of those who use it may require.-Another gentleman is associated with Mr. Boston in the project. -N. Y. Com. Adv.

DOMESTICK.

We have been requested to publish the following Circular, and we comply with the request readily and with great pleasure.

(CIRCULAR.)

Baltimore, March 18, 1831. DEAR BRETHREN,-At the last stated meeting of the Presbytery of Baltimore, the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted, viz:

Whereas, in the view of this Presbytery, the Presbyterian church with which we are connected, in general, and we, as a Presbytery, in particular, have, to a most inexcusable degree, neglected the claims of Foreign Missions; and whereas, the present state of the heathen world, as well as the last command of our Divine Redeemer, most urgently calls us to exert ourselves in this noble cause-Therefore,

Resolved, That we, as a body, will make the attempt from this time to support at least one Missionary, from year to year, in the foreign field.

[It is to be understood, that the Presbytery reserves to itself the right to select the Missionary, when it is thought proper; but the details of the plan were designedly left for future and more general consultation-The object at first was only to present the general principle.]

Since that time we have attempted to carry into effect the plan therein expressed; and if we are not deceived, it is well adapted to interest the people of God in the great cause of Missions; and has been attended by tokens of the Divine favour.*

We feel at the same time, unfeigned diffidence in our own judgment-and desire the prayers and counsel of our brethren on this momentous subject. We therefore venture to lay before you the plan which we have been led to adopt, affectionately asking your cooperation if you approve it; or your suggestions as to some other plan, better

Between four and five hundred dollars have already been secured towards this object, since October last.

fitted to promote the interests of foreign missions.

You are fully aware that we are doing almost nothing for the cause of Foreign Missions, in the Presbyterian Church in the United States. And compared with what we ought to do, with what we might do, and with what we have done in other forms of Christian charity, our neglect of this is surprising, criminal, and very perilous.

Much of this has been owing, we think, to the want of a specifick plan, fitted to reach and excite our people, and to carry forward this great work. No such plan has ever been projected, or carried actively into general use among us.

Yet our church affords peculiar facilities for combined, uniform and powerful operations in this way.-It is organized already, and only needs to be set in motion, in order to make it a most efficient Missionary Institution. The plan proposed above of operating, through the Presbyteries, seems to be at once the most simple and effective.

One reason why the cause of Foreign Missions has not more interested our people has been, their ignorance of the men to be supported by them, and of the destination of their money when given. From this, has resulted a vague, abstract sentiment on the whole subject; and their sympathies have not been enlisted, even when their consciences have been in part informed.-This scheme has the advantage of directly identifying the body of the people with the foreign missiona ries whom they support; and with the field in which they labour. Thus the regards of our people will be in some measure located abroad; and out of their personal and almost pastoral relation to the missionaries whom they support, will arise attachments well calculated to secure their continued prayers and charities. In confirmation of this, we need only refer to the striking fact, that those churches and neighbourhoods, from which missionaries have gone out, have uniformly felt and done most for foreign missions; and for that portion of the Heathen world also in which such missionaries labour.

It is a very interesting circumstance in connexion with this view, that many young men well qualified for the work,

are now preparing in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, and elsewhere, who are saying with deep desire, "send me," "send me"-and who may at once be selected and sustained by their respective Presbyteries.

In proposing this plan, it is by no means intended to interfere with other societies already engaged in missions. On the contrary, the object is to cooperate with them, as far as is possible to do so. But the Assembly's Board of Missions is fully occupied on our own continent, and has no purpose of effort beyond the two Americas. The American Home Missionary Society is exclusively domestick as its name imports; and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, needs some such combined effort as this, to bring up "to the help of the Lord against the mighty," the whole Presbyterian Church.

The details of the plan may be left for future consultation-but the great principle of operation might be at once adopted; the whole church might be simultaneously excited through the Presbyteries; and the way be thus prepared to send forth from 100 Presbyteries, 100 missionaries to the foreign field.

Dear brethren, we are wedded to no peculiar plan; but we feel that something must be done; that it must be done at once; that it must be done by all the church; and with all "our heart and soul and mind and strength."

Our prayer is that we may be divinely directed and sustained in all our efforts for this great and neglected cause. May millions now ready to perish rejoice for ever in the great salvation sent to them through our hands—and may we escape the awful curse of having their blood

found on our skirts.

WILLIAM NEVINS, GEORGE MORRISON, GEORGE W. MUSGRAVE, JOHN BRECKINRIDGE,

ner we could. In the overture to the General Assembly, in 1828, from which resulted the present very efficient and successful plan of conducting domestick missions, the importance of engaging in foreign missions also, by the Presbyterian church, in its distinctive character, was brought into view; and the continuance of the existing neglect was deprecated, as highly inauspicious to the prospects of our beloved church, as dependent on the smiles and benediction of her glorified Lord, whose command to "preach the gospel to every creature, and to disciple all nations," was awfully disregarded and violated by this neglect. The same was done in our essays on "the best method of conducting Christian Missions." is therefore with no ordinary pleasure that we at length find one Presbytery resolved to act as well as talk, in relation to this high concern; and we do earnestly hope that the example thus most laudably set, will be extensively approved, and imitated by other Presbyteries. The plan proposed is, in our judgment, as good as any that could be devised. Nor do we see any difficulty in its execution, even without the further interposition of the supreme judicature of the church. By that judicature, the most ample and unrestricted power. has already been granted to the Board of Misions, for conducting

It