totally rejected. Atonement pro- in such manner as to be accounted perly means an adequate satisfaction for a specific offence. Johnson defines it "expiation, expiatory equivalent;" and this is its only legitimate use in the English language, as applicable to the subject in hand. It always implies two things, first an offence committed, and secondly that offence done away, by a complete satisfaction made for it to the offended party. It cannot be plausibly denied that this is the true and only proper meaning of the word, whether we consider its use by the best writers, or in common discourse, or in our translation of the Bible, with the exception, in the latter instance, of one place, in which, by a wrong translation, it is used for reconciliation, naraλλay, in the original. Now, compare this with the New Haven theology, as we have it in the quotation given in our March number. "What, it is asked, is the ground on which the penitent sinner is pardoned? It is not that the sufferings of Christ were of the nature of punishment-It is not that he suffered in our stead, in such sense as to annihilate our guilt-It is not that he cancelled any debt of ours on the cross-It is not that by his death he satisfied the penal jus. tice of God-Neither indeed is it that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to those who are pardoned, either as a personal quality, or • There has been a considerable change in the popular use of a number of words in our language, since the vulgar translation of the Bible was made. Johnson gives as one of the meanings of atonement-" agreement, concord;' " and he gives Shakspeare as his authority"He seeks to make atonement Between the duke of Gloster and your brother." to them as if it were theirs." Let any candid and competent judge declare, if here is not a complete and unequivocal denial of every one idea that belongs to the notion of an atonement, properly so called.. It seems to us to be a studied exclusion-and we think an entirely successful one-of all that orthodox writers have taught, as constituting the very essence of the atonement of Christ. Yet these men constantly apply the word atonement, to their "exhibitionsymbolical representation-display removal of the difficulties which would otherwise have eternally barrred the exercise of pardoning mercy." We do not love to charge any writer or speaker with inténtional fraud or deception. But we do say, that whether intended or not, there is here a gross deception in fact. The unwary are made to think that these men hold the doctrine of atonement as it has been commonly taught; whereas they disbelieve it totally-they use the word, but the thing they completely reject and deny. The very same is also the fact, in their use of the word justification. Pardon is not all that is included in justification. Many a criminal is pardoned who is never justified; that is, is not cleared from the imputation of guilt, and treated as if he were a just or unoffending individual. Alsidered as guilty-his guilt is never though pardoned he is always concancelled till the hour of his death. And this is the very notion of justification for which Dr. Murdock earnestly contends, in his too-well known sermon on the "Nature of the Atonement." pressly, "the atonement does not He says excause a sinner to be justified on the principles of law and distributive justice-the pardoned sinner not only remains in fact the same guilty creature he was before, but he is viewed by his Maker as personally guilty-We pronounce the 2 K justification of believers to be an act of the sovereign mercy of God, a departure from the regular course of justice; and such a departure as leaves the claims of the law forever unsatisfied." Was there ever a greater absurdity put into language, than is exhibited in this description of justification? A man is accounted just who leaves the claims of law forever unsatisfied! No two things were ever more directly opposite than the notions entertained of justification by Luther and Dr. Murdock and with Luther all the reformers agreed, and so does the catechism of our church-" Justi fication is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as RIGHTEOUS in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone." For very shame, let these march-of-mind theologians forbear to use the terms atonement and justification, in the manner they have done; or else take pains to have it well understood, that they mean by them something that is not only different from the orthodox use, but diametrically opposite to it. (To be continued.) Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc. On the Existence of Animalcula in Snow. -The following account was sent by Dr. J. E. Mure in a letter to Dr. Silliman. "When the winter had made a considerable progress without much frost, there happened a heavy fall of snow. Apprehending that I might not have an opportunity of filling my house with ice, I threw in snow, perhaps enough to half fill it. There was afterwards severely cold weather, and I filled the remainder with ice. About August, the waste and consumption of the ice, brought us down to the snow, when it was discovered that a glass of water, which was cooled with it, I contained hundreds of animalcules. then examined another glass of water, out of the same pitcher, and with the aid of a microscope, before the snow was put into it, found it perfectly clear and pure; the snow was then thrown into it, and on solution, the water again exhibited the same phenomenon-hundreds of animalcules, visible to the naked eye with acute attention, and, when viewed through the microscope, resembling most diminutive shrimps, and, wholly unlike the eels discovered in the acetous acid, were seen in the full enjoyment of animated nature. "I caused holes to be dug in several parts of the mass of snow in the ice-house, and to the centre of it, and in the most unequivocal and repeated experiments, had similar results; so that my family did not again venture to introduce the snowice into the water they drank, which had been a favourite method, but used it as an external refrigerant for the pitcher. "These little animals may class with the amphibia, which have cold blood, and are generally capable, in a low temperature, of a torpid state of existence. Hence their icy immersion did no violence to their constitution, and the possibility of their revival by heat is well sustained by analogy; but their generation, their parentage, and their extraordinary transmigration, are to me subjects of profound astonishment." Mammoth Crystal.-In Moretown, on Onion River, among the Green Mountains, has been found a crystal of smoky quartz, weighing 110lb., most of it of first water. This crystal is a six-sided prism, very regularly formed, having one end terminated by a six-sided pyramid, surface generally smooth, and angles well defined, and being so transparent, that large letters may, in some directions, be read through it. The sides of the prism are parallelograms, transversely striated, varying in length from 8 to 10 inches, and in breadth from 5 to 7. The circumfertermination, is 2 feet 11 inches; at the ence of the prism, at the end next to the other end, 3 feet. When this crystal stands erect, it is 20 inches high. It is now in the cabinet of Rev. T. A. Merrill, of Middlebury.—Vermont Chronicle. One of the steam carriages, at the prize trial on the Liverpool rail-road, rushed over the distance of a mile in one minute, that is ten times the speed of what a few years since was considered good travelling. A similar increase of velocity, were it practicable, would enable a carriage leaving Manchester for Liverpool, to outstrip the sun and stars, and thus see the heavenly bodies move eastward, so that, if the land were continued round the globe, the traveller would at length leave the sun setting in the east and see it rise again in the west, and the same of the stars; or by condescending to abate his speed, or taking a rather lower latitude, where the degrees are longer, he might keep the sun always at noon, or always at morning or evening, as he pleased. After the fire of London, the walls of St. Paul's, eighty feet perpendicular, and five feet thick, and the tower, two hundred feet high, though cracked and tottering, stuck obstinately together, and their removal, stone by stone, was found tedious and dangerous. Sir C. Wren wrought a hole in the foundation of one of the pillars, and with eighteen pounds of gunpowder cracked the whole angle of the tower, with two great arches which rested upon it, and also two adjoining arches of the aisles, and all above them; and this it seemed to do somewhat leisurely, cracking the walls to the top, lifting the whole weight above nine inches, which falling, made a heap of ruins with out scattering. The powder lifted three thousand tons, and saved the work of a thousand labourers. The fall of so great a weight from a height of two hundred feet, gave a concussion to the ground that the inhabitants around took for an earthquake. During Wren's absence, his su perintendent having done some mischief with gunpowder, the whole neighbour hood united in petitioning that no more should be used. Wren yielded to their solicitations, and resolved to try the effect of that ancient engine, the battering ram. He took a strong mast, armed with iron in two places, which he suspended, and with thirty men vibrated the machine against the wall a whole day. They believed it was to little purpose, but the second day the wall was perceived to tremble, and in a few hours it fell.-Family Library. Lives of Architects. The Monument in London was first used by the members of the Royal So. ciety for astronomical experiments, but was abandoned on account of its vibrations being too great for the nicety required in their observations. This occasioned a report that it was unsafe; but its scientifick construction may bid defiance to the attacks of all but earthquakes, for centuries.-Ibid. to his once-celebrated prelections on the "Obligations of Conscience," that he had no intention of printing them; they had lain for many years neglected, scattered in shreds in corners among waste papers; but a bookseller wrote him word, that two fair copies (written out perhaps by some diligent students, to whom the lecturer had lent his MSS. at the time of the delivery) were in his possession, which he was strongly urged to print; but he would make no use of them without the author's consent. "Laudavi," says the Bishop, "immo amavi in homine, mihi penitus ignoto, animi candorem; et ex eo genere quibus fere unius lucri studium est, æqui reverentiam." He in consequence wrote to the bookseller to send him one of his copies; which preventing the labour of transcription, he was induced to send the work to press. This anecdote would have delighted honest Isaac Walton, the bishop's biographer and panegyrist, especially as the worthy bookseller was, like himself, a London trades man.- Ch. Obs. What a terrifick picture does the following passage (from Lardner's Cyclopædia, History of France,) exhibit of the death-bed of a man devoted to the pomps and vanities of the world, and who is "at ease in his possessions." "A fatal malady had seized on Cardinal Mazarin, whilst engaged in the conferences of the treaty, and worn by mental fatigue. He consulted Guenaud, the physician, who told him that he had but two months to live. Some days after, Brienne perceived the cardinal in his night-cap and dressinggown tottering along his gallery, pointing to his pictures, and exclaiming, Must quit all these?' He saw Brienne, and seized him: Look at that Correggio! this Venus of Titian! that incomparable Deluge of Caracci! Ah! my friend, I must quit all these. Farewell, dear pictures, that I loved so dearly, and that cost me so much!' A few days before his death, he caused himself to be dressed, shaved, rouged, and painted. In this state he was carried in his chair to the promenade, where the envious courtiers paid him ironical compliments on his appearance. Cards were the amusement of his death-bed, his hand being held by others; and they were only interrupted by the papal nuncio, who came to give the cardinal that plenary indulgence to which the prelates of the sacred college are officially entitled." Mazarin expired on the 9th of March, 1661.-Lardner's Bishop Sanderson says, in his preface Cyclopædia, History of France. Beligious Intelligence. FOREIGN. We have the gratification of laying before our readers this month, original intelligence, (and as far as we know, the most recent that has reached our country,) from one of the most interesting fields of missionary labour in the world. We publish the whole letter, because we admire the spirit and feelings of the writer in relation to himself and family, as well as rejoice in the success and the prospects of the missionary corps to which he belongs. Copy of a Letter from the Rev. George D. Boardman, a Baptist Missionary in Burmah, to a gentleman in Philadelphia. Maulmein, August 3, 1830. VERY DEAR And respected SIR, Your kind letter of May 12th, 1829, should not have remained so long unanswered, but for the repeated attacks of illness with which it has pleased our Heavenly Father to visit my beloved wife and children; the necessary confusion attending on our removal from Tavoy to this place; and, finally, my own long protracted illness, from which I have not yet recovered. Indeed, the physician says, I have no reason to expect a total recovery. He, however, hopes that after the present rains may be better, and if I can avoid the next annual return of the rain, by going to a different climate, my life may be prolonged a year or two. But I am not careful for my life, except as the happiness of an affectionate family, and the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom, are more or less involved in it. For some time past, I have been almost ready to say, "I had rather depart and be with Christ." Your account of the happy and wonderful progress of religion, the distribution of the sacred Scriptures, both in America and in Europe, and the increased attention to the education of children, is truly cheering. And yet, I feel inclined to think that the spirit of benevolent operation will be aroused and raised to a much higher and holier pitch, as we advance nearer and nearer to the glorions days foretold in the divine word. Sometimes I have felt a wish to be spared, like blessed old Simeon, to see the new light and glory dawn on the nations of the earth. But the sight will probably be as pleasant from the heavenly battlements, as from this earthly house of our tabernacle. Our friend, Mr. Judson, left this station in April last, and after spending a few weeks in Rangoon, proceeded up the river as far as Prome, intending, I believe, after the rains, to proceed to the Burman capital. Mr. Wade is at Rangoon, where, for several months past, the call for Christian Scriptures has been alfifty in a day, from all parts of the counmost unprecedented. Thirty, forty, or try, come soliciting books. In this way, hundreds and thousands of Tracts and portions of the Christian Scriptures have been distributed, within a few months, and the call seems as loud as ever A few have been baptized, but the spirit that has rested on the people, has been that of inquiry, rather than of immediate and obvious conversion. In this place is a native church of about 50 members, and two small churches among the English soldiers stationed here. These three churches depend on us entirely for instruction. In Tavoy, the station we recently left, there is a church of 13 members, all wild men from the forest, but I hope subdued by the power of the gospel. The whole number baptized by all of us, since this mission was first established in 1813, is about 120. Mr. Bennett, our printer, who with his family sailed from your city last year, with our mutual friend Mr. Blaikie, is at this station. He is very busily engaged in printing Tracts and portions of the sacred Scriptures, and before very long, if we live, we hope to see the Burman nation well supplied with copies of the New Testa ment. Our beloved wives are busily employed in conducting schools, and in managing the female part of the native church. Our children, of whom we have two sons, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennett two daughters, are still small, but they claim a tender interest in our care and prayers. Mrs. Boardman unites with me in most respectful and affectionate regards to yourself, and the members of your family. With much sincerity of respect and Christian affection, I am, my dear Sir, ever yours, GEORGE D. BOARDMAN. NOTICE. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, is expected to convene, agreeably to adjournment, in the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, on the third Thursday, the 19th of the present month; to be opened with a sermon, at 11 o'clock A. M., by the Rev Dr. Ezra Fisk, the Moderator of the last year. The Treasurer of the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, acknowledges the receipt of the following sums, for their Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J., during the month of April last, viz. Of Mr. John M'Mullin, the annual collection in the Sixth Presbyterian Of the Rev. Samuel Lawrence, Greenwich, for do. $12.00 2.00 87 50 130 00 Amount $231 50 View of Publick Affairs. EUROPE. With the exception of Sweden and Denmark, if indeed they are to be excepted, there is not a state of Europe which has not been thrown into agitation by the last revolution in France. The most recent intelligence from Britain is of the date of the 31st of March, and from France, by the way of Britain, of the 30th of the same month. BRITAIN.-Very ardent debates have taken place in both houses of the British parliament, on the subject of reform. In the Commons, on the second reading of the reform bill, which had been prepared and submitted by the ministry, the opposition to the measure was found to be far greater than had been anticipated. Mr. Peel distinguished himself highly by a speech against the bill, although he declared that he was not opposed to all reform. On taking the question for a third reading, it was found that the ministry had a very slender majority. As the bill had not had its final reading in the Commons, at the date of the last accounts, it of course had not been formally submitted to the house of Lords. But the topick was so all engrossing, that it was brought forward informally in that house, when petitions were presented, as they. constantly were, either in favour of reform, or against it. The debate was principally carried on by the Duke of Wellington against reform, and by Lord Grey in favour of the measure. Lord Chancellor Brougham made one speech, with his usual ability and eloquence. The London newspaper paragraphists are chiefly occupied with discussions, pro and con, in relation to this subject. The prevalent impression seems to be, that if the ministry do not carry the bill, without any material alteration, and by a considerable majority (of which there is apparently but little prospect) an appeal will be made to the sense of the nation, by a dissolution of the present parliament, and a new election of members. Many think and say, that there is no alternative but reform or revolution. Yet the opposition to reform appears to be greater, in the coun-try at large, than we had apprehended. In Scotland, it is strenuously opposed. Among others, Sir Walter Scott, at a publick meeting, came forward in a decided and able speech against it. Still, we have no doubt, that a large majority of the nation, both in the north and south, are in favour of reform; and that however reluctant the present holders of power and influence may be to yield the point, they must do it, or that consequences more fearful even to them, than the measure which they hate so inveterately, will inevitably ensue. This we hope, and rather believe, they will at length perceive, and abate, if they do not withdraw their opposition. O'Connell is ardent in the cause of reform, and now uses all his influence to keep Ireland quiet, till the question shall be decided. He says, moreover, that the success of the |