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lava had once consolidated over a glacier at the height of 10,000 feet above the level of the sea, the ice might endure as long as the snows of Mont Blanc, unless melted by volcanic heat from below.

It has been estimated that seven hundred thousand children are born in the United States every year; and that the amount of deaths of persons of all ages is only half that number. The reader may hence infer the importance and the difficulty of keeping up religious institutions to the wants of a population thus rapidly increasing. If for instance, the number of ministers and places of worship were at this moment quite sufficient, there would require an addition of several hundreds every year, to keep pace with the exigency. Christ. Obs.

English Language.--Some years ago a gentleman, after carefully examining the folio edition of Johnson's Dictionary, formed the following table of English words derived from other languages:

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carry the armour, borne by the warriors of other days. I, of course handled the bow, said to be the bow of William Tell and the identical arrow that pierced the apple is also shown. I cannot conceive of what materials the sinews of that dis

tinguished patriot were made, for the degenerate men of our time are obliged to use a machine with the power of a lever, to draw the cord even half way to the point at which the arrow is discharged.

There is a vast collection of ancient armour preserved, and modern equipments for more than all the able-bodied men in the canton.-Switzerland, France, and the Pyrenees; by Derwent Conway.

Mr. S. B. Heisse, of Columbia, Pennsylvania, who has had much experience in the management of bees, informs us that a swarm of young bees made, from the 6th of June to the 13th, a period of seven days, 14lbs. of honey. This was ascertained by weighing the hive. We doubt whether this instance of the industry of the bee is equalled on record.-Spy.

Advance of the West.-It is stated that wheat which twelve years ago was worth 31 cents a bushel, on the borders of Lake Erie, now fetches 75 cents; and the value of many other products, and of the land, have increased proportionably. These effects are attributed entirely to the New York and Welland canals.

New Invented Tooth Drawer.-A new instrument, for extracting teeth, has been invented by a Surgeon Dentist in New York. It is so constructed as to elevate the tooth perpendicularly from the socket, without making use of the contiguous teeth for that purpose, by which there is hazard of injuring them, and without pressure on the gums, by which pain is occasioned.

CHARLESTON, (S. C.) June 10. Great Influx of the Tide.-The tide in our harbour arose, yesterday afternoon, to a height without parallel in the remembrance of our citizens, except when accompanied by a storm. The water, in some places, was at least a foot above the wharves-injuring the cotton piled upon them for shipment, and penetrating, we understand, to the cellars, where a consi. derable quantity of salt suffered deliqua. tion, before it could be removed. This unwonted influx of the tide was unaccompanied by any of those outbreakings of nature, which might reasonably account for it. The weather was warm

the atmosphere dense and cloudy, and the wind moderately fresh.

Heligious Intelligence.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SO

CIETY.

Our readers will probably have learned from the weekly religious periodicals, that a most unhappy and even disgraceful controversy, took place at the last annual meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society. It was occasioned by propositions brought forward to alter the original Constitution of the Society, in two important points-so as to require that the meetings of the society should be opened with prayer, and that a test should be imposed on every member-going to exclude from membership all who deny the proper Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The zeal and good intentions of those who brought forward these propositions we are not disposed to question; but the expediency of the measures proposed we cannot admit. We sincerely rejoice that in the Philadelphia Bible Society, not only the annual meetings of the Society, but every meeting of the Directors, is opened with prayer; and that to this there has never been, so far as we know, any objection. But in England, and in several parts of our own country, serious objections do exist to such a procedure; and we are of the opinion that where this is the case, it is better not to attempt social prayer, (leaving it to each individual to look up for the divine blessing in the silence of his own mind) than to promote discord and division, by calling on an individual of a particular sect to be the mouth of all, in preferring their supplications to the Most High. As to excluding Arians and Socinians from the Bible Society, we think nothing can be more preposterous-For ourselves, we wish that not only they, but avowed Deists, would contribute to the diffusion

of the Scriptures; and we think there are some who would have no objection to do it, from a conviction that the reading of the Bible generally, is useful to society. Let all who choose help to circulate the Bible. It may lead them to peruse it, and the Spirit that indited it may seal its sacred truths on their consciences, correct their errors, and save their souls.

The following paper was drawn up with a view to prevent the reproachful controversy to which we have referred above; and it is greatly to be regretted that it had not the desired effect, although it probably had its influence in preventing a change of the constitution. Believing that its perusal will gratify our readers, we insert it entire It breathes an excellent spirit, and is probably the production of the President, Lord Teignmouth.

"The following address was prepared at a meeting held by the president, with some of the vice-presidents, at his lordship's house; and was afterwards submitted to the members of the elected committee, together with the treasurer and secretaries, whom his lordship had invited to attend him at his residence in Portman square, for that purpose, on Thursday, March 24, 1831: when, after mature consideration, it was finally agreed upon, and copies transmitted to the vice-presidents, the treasurer, and the members of the elected committee, for signature.

To the Members of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

We, the undersigned, the president, vicepresidents, treasurer, members of the elected committee, and secretaries of the Bri

tish and Foreign Bible Society, think it right, individually, to express our sentiments upon two important subjects, which, we are aware, have of late excited much public attention, and occasioned anxiety to many of the subscribers.

We have considered the proposition for introducing a law, that the meetings of the society and its committees should be openSociety, by its constitution, unites persons ed with prayer. It is obvious that the Bible of different religious opinions in one im

portant object, for the furtherance of which they may co-operate without any compromise of their respective principles. No arrangement has yet been suggested, on the subject of the introduction of prayer into the meetings, which appears to us generally practicable, or which would not demand such a compromise on the part of some of our members; and we cannot venture to recommend the adoption of a measure which might force any friends of the society to the alternative of either retiring from it, or of appearing to sacrifice that consistency on which peace of mind and usefulness so materially depend. We are likewise persuaded that the tone which has pervaded its reports, and the sentiments which have animated its proceedings, must make it manifest that the society has distinctly professed to look up to the favour of the Most High, and to ascribe its success wholly to his blessing. This, we conceive, is the frame of mind in which the Christian is habitually prepared to enter upon any business, whether religious or secular.

In the opinion we have given on this subject, we desire to be understood as not expressing any unkind judgment upon the practice where it exists in auxiliary societies.

We have also considered the no less important question of adopting measures which would operate to the exclusion of any particular class of persons, on account of their religious opinions, by the introduction of a test on the admission of members; and we believe that the sound principles of Christian faith, as well as Christian charity, are more likely to be promoted by an adherence to our present constitution than by any change which would occasion a breach in the society.

On these grounds we object to the alte ration of the fundamental principle of the society, which admits of the co-operation of all persons willing to assist in the circulation of the Holy Scriptures; and we entreat those among our friends who are inclined to view these subjects in a different light, to weigh against their private sentiments or feelings the danger of dividing, if not dissolving, a society, which, as at present constituted and as hitherto conducted, has been honoured with such evident testimonies of the blessing of Almighty God upon its object and its proceedings.

In conclusion, we would express an anxious desire that the Divine influence may guide the proceedings of the parent institution, and of all its auxiliaries, branches, and associations; and that the respective committees and officers may continually prove, by their piety, wisdom, and zeal, that they possess the qualifications requisite for the due discharge of their important duties.

President-Teignmouth.

Vice-Presidents.-C. Winton, H. Lichfield and Coventry, J. B. Chester, Bedford, Spencer, Romney, Exmouth, Calthorpe, Gambier, Bexley, C. J. Shore, Thomas Dyke Ackland, William Wilberforce, Thomas Babington.

Treasurer-John Thornton.

Members of the Elected Committee.-Richard Barrett, John Blackett, jun., Joseph Reyner Brooksbank, Jesse Curling, Roger Dawson, Henry Dobbs, Thomas Farmer, Josiah Foster, Michael Gibbs, William Harding, Lancelot Haslope, P. J. Heisch, Thomas Horsfield, Samuel Houston, Zachary Macaulay, Samuel Mills, John Pfeiler, John Poynder, R. Richardson, Nathaniel Robarts, Josiah Roberts, John Rogers, Robert Saunders, G. G. Schneider, John Siffken, George Stacey, Thomas Stokes, E. N. Thornton, Henry Tritton, Joseph Trueman, Percival White, Joseph Wilson. Secretaries.-Andrew Brandram, Joseph

Hughes."

DIFFUSION OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES.

Extract of a Letter, dated 20th May, 1831, from a Member of the British and Foreign Bible Society, to his Correspondent in Philadelphia-Original.

"We are cheered by the progress of scripture distribution-the past year 35,000 copies more than the preceding, and the increase of funds upwards of £10,000. Recent accounts from various quarters are also very gratifying. The Honourable John Shore, son of our revered President, has lately made a tour in Sweden and Norway, where the distribution is going on so rapidly, that it is probable every family in the former country that can read, will be soon supplied with the scriptures.

The Chinese scriptural school lessons have been printed by Dr. Morrison, and extensively circulated, where the whole volume could not find admission. The calls from France for enlarged supplies are constantly repeated, and new measures are adopting to answer them on a more extensive scale. The supply to the Prussian soldiery is further augmented, and the deficiency of the cost, we are informed, has been defrayed in the highest quarter. Mr. Peter Jones, a native Chippeway, has lately come over from Canada, to superintend the printing of the gospels which he has been instrumental in translating for that tribe; and further parts of the New Testament are now in hand. The Piedmontese Valleys, inhabited by the Vaudois, who have suffered so much for constancy to the truth, are now supplying

with copies of the New Testaments lately completed, and which are most gratefully received."

BRITISH SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING
THE RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES OF
THE REFORMATION.

A society whose designation is the foregoing, and composed of nobility and clergy of the established church, with some eminent dissenters, both clergy and laity, has, for some time past, been actively employed in endeavouring to counteract the influence of the Roman Catholicks in England, Scotland, and Ireland; and also to aid, as occasion offers, the propagation of the Protestant religion on the continent of Europe. As their statements may be considered as more impartial than those made by private individuals, we take from their QUARTERLY EXTRACTS," attached to the Christian Observer for March last, the summary account of the result of their operations for the last year-made at the beginning of the present year.

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"It is impossible to commence the labours of a New Year without some of those feelings which are ever connected with the retrospect of the past, and the anticipation of the future. In matters of a mere temporal nature a constant reference is made to both at this period; how much more should we expect it in regard to those things that give to time all its value, and to eternity all its blessedness! In these feelings, therefore, the members of the Reformation Society may fully participate. The history of the past year is fraught with circumstances to them peculiarly interesting. In the immediate scene of their labours, Romanism has made efforts almost without a parallel. In the strong tone of assumed authority, she has endeavoured to rivet her fetters with tenfold power on the consciences of her too submissive children; and in the modest garment of specious apology, she has endeavoured to hide all her deformities, and to present herself as an object of love and admiration. In both cases we lament to say she has had too much success. Her children for the most part have hugged their chains of spiritual bondage, and refused to listen to the sound of liberty in the blessed gospel. Her former adversaries have been deceived by

her smooth speeches, and have sometimes even drunk of the cup of her intoxication. God however has not left himself without witnesses. Some of his servants have been wholly occupied in exhibiting the defor mity of this system by bringing it under the light and radiance of the lamp of truth; whilst others in their different stations have come to the help of the Lord against the mighty.' Controversial meetings have been frequently held, in which

the ministers of God have wielded the

sword of the Spirit against the Man of sin, leaned on the ungodly arm of infidelity. who in his tottering feebleness has even Strange amalgamation! the infallible church borrowing her weapons from those who deny the Lord that bought them, and popping up her cause by those who deify fallible reason. Yet have they taken counsel together in vain. God has blessed his own word to the souls of many; He has

dashed the cup of poison from the lips of

those who were just about to drink it; He has delivered others from the yoke of bondage, and caused others who have had the light to rejoice before God with exceeding joy. Our readers will find that the miniskened from their slumbers on this subject, and now begin to lift up their voices and spare not; and ere another year closes, we trust that this godly protest will ring with breadth of our land. This is not mere supmight and power through the length and position; we know that at this very time ministers are consulting together how they shall best attack the strong holds of error: may God bless their efforts, and teach many to join this faithful band. On the continent also, the fields are white and ready for harvest. We deprecate every thing like political views, in our plans and proceedings; but who cannot see the mighty hand of God in his chastisement of papal countries? Who that loves Christ does not rejoice at the blow that the church of Rome has received in France? and when the barriers to the tide of truth have been removed, who would not wish to see the stream of mercy flow upon those shores which otherwise must be deluged with the floods of infidelity? The Committee have made the most anxious inquiries, and they do trust that some door will soon be opened in that country for the utterance of truth in condemning the inventions of men; and that ere long the torch of spiritual Protestantism will blaze as a beacon, and burn as the lamp, to the conviction and comfort of many deluded souls in that devoted land."

ters of the established church have awa

SOUTH AFRICA.

We have read many affecting missionary narratives, but we never;

read one with deeper interest, or more lively pleasure, than the following. It seems to us that he who can read it, and not become a warm friend to missionary enterprises, if he is not one already, must not only be destitute of a Christian spirit, but of all regard to the happiness of his fellow men. It is the speech of a Missionary, at a missionary meeting, held in December, 1830, at the Cape of Good Hope. It was first published at Cape Town, in "The South African Commercial Advertiser" of 15th December, 1830. We take it from the Missionary Chronicle of the London Missionary Society, for May last.

"The Rev. Mr. MOFFAT, of Lattakoo, in moving one of the resolutions of the evening, took occasion to apologize for the imperfect manner in which he should feel himself compelled to address the assembly, although an Englishman, and fourteen years a missionary; but, for the last seven years, the chief application and bent of his mind had been the acquirement of barbarous languages; and, for the last three years, he had preached exclusively in the Bechuana dialect.

The report which had been read should call forth the liveliest gratitude from every bosom. It exhibited at one view what the missionaries were doing; and showed that, notwithstanding all the obstacles which had been and still were in the way, man was raised in the scale of being, and souls were rescued from ignorance and superstition.

It had frequently been said, by persons unfriendly to the great cause of missionary exertion, that psalm-singing was all that they taught the people; but he could appeal to the effects of their humble endea vours to convince the prejudiced that missionaries did more than sing psalms, for, in many instances, their exertions had the effect of turning almost devils into men.

"I speak from experience," continued Mr. M., "I appeal to the mission in which I am employed, and to the various stations which I have visited. I appeal to Lattakoo, where there is a church gathered from barbarians, who, a few years ago, were in an awful state of moral degradation, and on a level with the beasts that perish! I appeal to a well-filled chapel, marked with a decorum which would do honour to a British congregation. I appeal to the change which has been effected in the persons and habits of those residing on our station.

"It must be recollected that the Bechuaras are altogether ignorant of a future

state. They have no idea of any existence beyond the present. They suppose that of this world terminate in annihilation. all the pleasures, enjoyments and honours, When the spirit leaves the body they suppose that it has ceased to exist; and, if a plebeian's, the body is dragged away, and more honourable, the body is committed left a prey to beasts; and, if that of one to the grave, with many unmeaning ceremonies, while the females chaunt a dirge, deploring the eternal loss, and then return of immortality. from the grave without one pleasing hope

"The consequence of such deplorable ignorance is that they participate in every species of sin, and think as little of plungbosom, as of killing a dog. A traveller ing their spear into their neighbour's among them, like a bird of passage, may be led to form a favourable opinion of their humanity, their fidelity and good sense: but far different will be the judgment of those who have half the acquaintance with the native tribes which the missionaries possess. There you will see men tyrannising over the females-the weaker vessels doomed to bear infirmities and afflictions of which their husbands are comparatively ignorant. There you will see the men reclining under the shade of a spreading tree, while the females are most of the year employed preparing the ground, sowing the grain, and gathering in the harvest. There you may see a mother of twins without compunction allow one to be strangled by the hands of her attendant, when it has but just entered the world. If there be one of each sex, the female is the victim: if both of one sex, the weaker is cut off. Their minds are debased-they are earthly, sensual, and devilish. There might be seen a nation looking to a man called a 'rain-maker,' to open the windows of heaven, and cause it to rain upon the earth; and while such deceivers maintained their influence over the people, the missionaries were made the butts of their indignation, and were treated as the supposed cause of every evil which befel them.

"In endeavouring to convey a knowledge of true religion to the natives, we taught them that they were men, fallen and sinful men, and we exhibited to them the character of that God against whom they had sinned. We disclosed to them the doctrines of the eternal state. They were startled as if they had seen the Judge descend, the graves open, the dead arise, and the adjudication of the awful day. We unfolded to them the meaning of the gospel. In fulfilling the ministry commit. ted to us, our faith was tried; and often have we hung our harps on the willows, and mourned over the condition of thousands who were saying to us, ' Away, away,' and threatening to drive us back

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