style of unparalleled splendour. The expense, publick and private, of this pageant, amounted probably to a much larger sum than would be formed by all the salaries of all the presidents of the United States, that have hitherto been paid. A considerable portion of it went no doubt from the rich to the comparatively poor; but it may still be asked, if this is the best way of contributing to the relief of the poor. We think not; although we admit that in the present instance the contribution would not have been made, but for the occurrence of the royal birth day. For ourselves, we rejoice that we live in a country in which there is not that monstrous inequality of property which exists in the old countries of Europe, and which has been, and will yet be, the source of convulsions and miseries of the most appalling kind. We know that our republican notions on this subject are despised by the advocates and admirers of royal pomp and power. Still we retain them tenaciously, and are persuaded that they are notions not less Christian than they are republican. The British and Foreign Bible Society held its annual meeting on the 5th of May, and its funds and operations, it appears, are still increasing. The speech of Lord Roder, a part of which may be found in another page, might well produce the effect which it did. It exhibits one of the most interesting facts that can be presented to a pious mind. France.-All, for the present, appears to be quiet in France. Public credit is represented as greatly advanced. Absolute rule is triumphant, and the people appear to be desirous to have it so. A corps of the French ariny which had left Spain, is said to be marching back again; and it appears that a negotiation has taken place between the courts of Paris and Madrid, relative to the support of this army and the period of its continuance in Spain. Our friend and benefactor LA FAYETTE, has now nothing to detain him in France, but many inducements to make him willing to leave it. We accordingly hear that he is soon expected to arrive in this country, where he will be received, as he ought to be, with every demonstration of respect and affection. But we wish that this reception may be in the style of republicanism, and not in that of royalty-and we confidently believe that such a reception would be most agreeable to the illustrious visiter himself. Spain.-Violence and disorder still prevail in this miserable and degraded kingdom. The monarch, urged by necessity, we fear, rather than prompted by inclination, has published an amnesty, accompanied by a proclamation, in which he calls upon his subjects to follow his example, and sacrifice their personal resentments and private wishes to the publick welfare. Yet this very amnesty excepts from pardon four descriptions of persons, whose influence and connexions must be so extensive as to render the royal offer of pardon in a great measure nugatory. But we are surprised at no folly or infatuation which proceeds from this source. About the end of April last, the king issued a very severe decree against the introduction or circulation of foreign books in Spain -Tyranny and superstition can be supported only by ignorance. As the consummation of folly, Ferdinand, in his recent proclamations, speaks confidently and repeatedly of the reunion with Spain of the revolted American colonies. Portugal. There has lately been a very serious attempt at Lisbon to set aside the authority of the present reigning monarch. The precise objects of the plot are not indeed clearly ascertained. The queen, however, and her son Don Miguel, the commander in chief of the army, were at the head of it. Private letters state, that the deposition of the king and the nomination of Don Miguel as regent was contemplated. However this might be, Don Miguel addressed a specious proclamation to the army; the professed object of which was to inflame the passions of the officers and soldiers against the freemasons, who, he affirmed, were the cause that the royal vengeance had not operated more speedily and effectually on the former constitutional delinquents. This proclamation had temporary effect. The army seconded, to a certain extent, the views of their commander, and it is stated that the king himself was a close prisoner for six-and-thirty hours. In these circumstances all the foreign ministers interposed; and whether Don Miguel was influenced by their representations, or by finding that the army would not stand by him, if he should attempt to carry his plan into full execution-we suspect the latter motive was the prevalent one-he in fact yielded.The king was restored to his prerogatives, and in his turn issued a proclamation, in which he entirely excuses the rebellious acts of his son, representing that the urgency of circumstances did not afford time for him to consult his father. But while the principals of the plot were permitted entirely to escape, their tools and assistants of every description were, it appears, proscribed and punished with the utmost severity. The last account states that "the royal rebel had retired to the country, and that Lord Beresford and the British minister continued to enjoy the confidence of his Most Faith. ful Majesty." Such is the wretched state of publick affairs in Portugal.-What will be the end of these things time only can disclose. Yet in the midst of all this turmoil and confusion, the hope it appears is strongly cherished, of recalling the revolted Brazils to their allegiance to the mother country. It is even said that there is an understanding among the parties to the Holy Alliance, that the Brazils are to be made the place of general rendezvous, to which troops are to be sent with a view to subject all the revolted provinces of Southern America to their former lords and masters. This we have little doubt is wished for; but we think it will not be attempted, unless Britain can be gained to wink at the measure, which we hope will be found impracticable. Rome.-It appears that the Pope has recognised the independence of the republick of Colombia. What will his dutiful son, Ferdinand of Spain, think of this? Austria, Russia, and Prussia.-During the month past we have perceived nothing new in the publick papers, relative to these three great powers, except a short article, stating that in Paris papers of the 17th of May, it is said that there would be a meeting of the allied sovereigns this summer at Carlsbad. In the present posture of the political affairs of Europe, these meetings bode nothing favourable to the peace of nations, or to the interests of rational freedom. We most of all, at present, fear for the magnanimous Greeks. Greece. We hear of nothing unfavourable to the struggle for liberty in Greece, unless it be the death of Lord Byron-whose heart it is said the Greeks retain, while the rest of his mortal remains are to be sent to Britain. Unhappy BYRON! yes, though a lord, a poet, and a Grecian patriot, thrice unhappy! We cannot even think it a loss to Greece, that a man of such a character should cease to be numbered among its defenders. We feel constrained to say this, although we could weep at the news of this man's death, and wish that he and his writings and acts could be buried in eternal ablivion. AFRICA. It appears that letters have lately been received by the American Colonization Society from their settlement at Montserado, giving a very favourable account of that settlement. It is stated that "the ship Cyrus, which sailed from Petersburgh with upwards of a hundred settlers, had arrived in safety; and though some of the emigrants who sailed in her had suffered from sickness, only three children and one woman had died-all the others were considered out of danger. Not a word is said of any apprehensions from the native tribes." The last report of the Colonization Society is one of much interest.—It is widely diffused, and we recommend it to the careful and candid perusal of our readers. The last accounts from England give reason to hope that the Ashantee negroes, on the West coast of Africa, have not been so successful as was represented in our miscellany for last month.-Military stores and provisions were about to be sent from Britain. On the Barbary coast, Algiers is closely blockaded by a British squadron, under the command of Sir H. B. Neale; and yet it seems that a part of the Algerine fleet had found the means of getting to sea, and had arrived at Alexandria, searching for British merchantmen. Our consul at Algiers, Mr. Shaler, in a letter to a friend, is said to give it as his opinion, that at Algiers, "the prospect at present is, that there will be an affair more serious than that of Lord Exmouth." The Pacha of Egypt, it would seem, had actually engaged to assist the Ottoman Porte against the Greeks-We say that this would seem to be the fact; for after every appearance, and preparation, and assurance, we have our own suspicions that the whole was a feint. But whether the Pacha really intended assistance or not, his military preparations have nearly all been destroyed, by a dreadful fire at Grand Cairo, in which provisions, arms, and all warlike stores, to a wonderful amount, have been consumed. Thus is the Grand Signior deprived of his chief reliance for the next campaign. Who does not see in this event, the remarkable intervention of Providence, in favour of the suffering, injured, and courageous Greeks! It is stated that by the explosion of the military magazines, during the conflagration, 4600 of the inhabitants of Cairo lost their lives.-The fire commenced in the palace of Mahomet, on the 29th of March. AMERICA. Island of Hayti.-The chief magistrate of the republick of Hayti has sent an agent to the United States, with advantageous offers to our coloured population, of a settlement in that island. Much attention has been attracted to this subject during the past month. An association has been formed in the city of New York, favourable to the views of President Boyer; and this it appears has not been well received by some of the friends to the American Colonization Society, who wish to promote the settlement of our coloured people in Africa. But why should these designs be thought to militate with each other? Is it not desirable that the emigrants should have some option as to the place where they may settle? In our view, the principal objection, to a settlement in Hayti, is the want there of a sufficiently liberal system in regard to religion. No real Christian can hold what he believes to be fundamental religious truth, without endeavouring to propagate it. He is bound to propagate it as much as he properly can-always by argument, and persuasion, and example; never by violence nor by artifice. Mexico.-New trouble, we fear, is preparing for Mexico. ITURBIDE, who not long since was despoiled of his imperial crown, expelled from the country, and was deemed fortunate to have escaped with his life, is now on his return-if he has not already arrived in the country. A few months since he went to Britain with his whole family. There, it appears, he has left six of his children; and with his two youngest and his wife has sailed for Mexico. This he certainly would not have done, unless he is be side himself, without a very flattering prospect of a safe and cordial reception. Such a reception it is rumoured he is likely to receive; and from his going to England, leaving his children there and taking ship from thence, it is very probable that he is countenanced and supported by English influence. We are tired of conjectures about what is to come next in these regions-We leave it to be disclosed by time. Colombia.-Great rejoicings have taken place in Colombia in consequence of the Pope's recognition of the independence of this republick. Possibly this act of the Pope may have some influence in Spain and Portugal; but we think nowhere else. The time is past, we hope forever, when papal acts will terrify princes, or be regarded in state affairs; otherwise we could have no objection, that he should frighten the imbecile monarchs of Spain and Portugal out of a war with our southern neighbours. Centre of America.-We some time since mentioned a republick, newly formed, which had taken this appellation. It consists of six provinces-Nicaragua, Honduras, San Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatimála, and Queseltinango. Three citizens are at the head of the provisional government, who preside in rotation, each a month at a time. It is said that a government is eventually to be formed similar to our own. In the mean time an ambassador from this republick has arrived among us, who, it is affirmed, has brought out a plan of a canal, which, in an extent of not more than five or six leagues, will unite the Atlantick to the Pacifick Ocean. The Brazils.-The new constitution of Brazil was sworn to at Rio Janeiro on the 20th of March, by the emperor and the heads of the governmental departments. The Charge des affaires of the emperor in the United States, has been required to take the same oath before a magistrate in this country; and to require it to be taken by all the Brazilians among us. We do not, for ourselves, believe in the necessity or utility of all these oaths-they do not insure fidelity, and they multiply perjuries without end. Lima and Callao-Have been surrendered to the Spanish royalists; or rather have been put into their possession by two regiments of discontented troops, that had been entrusted with their defence. These troops had been clamorous for their arrears of pay, and not receiving it, they sent a proposition to the royal general, Canterac, to surrender the forts, on condition that he would pay what their countrymen-probably from absolute inability-had neglected to pay. During our revolutionary war the soldiers of the Pennsylvania line revolted, because they could not obtain their pay. But so far were they from making propositions to the enemy, that they took up and delivered over to General Wayne two spies, who had been sent to them for the express purpose of offering them pay and other emoluments, if they would join the British.-Here is the difference between our revolution and that in South America. We were true to ourselves, and to the cause of liberty; they are split into parties, unac quainted with the nature of real liberty, and many-we fear the most of themwretchedly destitute of principle. Yet we have confidence that the conflict will end well at last. Bolivar, at the last dates, was at Truxillo, with about six or seven thousand men. The royal forces were estimated at nine thousand. United States.-Peace and plenty, civil and religious liberty, health and the prospect, generally, of an abundant harvest, distinguish our happy country.-Our state is told in a single sentence; but how many of the nations of the earth would rejoice if this sentence could with truth be written for them. The goodness of God abounds to us; O! that our gratitude may abound unto Him, "who giveth us all things richly to enjoy." ERRATUM.-In our last No., p. 259, line 25 from bottom, dele among. THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. AUGUST, 1824. Heligious Communications. LECTURES ON THE SHORTER CATE- LECTURE IX. Without any recapitulation of what was said in the last lecture, on the Trinity of persons in the Unity of the Godhead, I proceed immediately to show II. That there are a number of of scripture which plainly passages represent, sometimes a plurality, and sometimes a Trinity of persons, in the one, only, living and true God. Here, as in the former lecture, I can by no means introduce all the passages that bear on the point in discussion, but only select a few, out of a considerable number. And I shall begin with remarking-notwithstanding the sneers with which I know the remark has been treated -that one of the names of the true God, D (ALEIM, or ELOHIM) which is very frequently used in the Old Testament, is in the plural number. Some of the best and most erudite biblical and oriental scholars, have been clearly of the opiDion, that the frequent use of this term, to denote the true God, does intimate, and was intended to intimate, that there is a plurality in the Godhead.* It is, no doubt, true, Those who deny that any plurality of persons is intimated in the Hebrew word VOL. II. Ch. Adv. that this word is occasioually used Aleim, have lately affected to look down written without points Alue and Aleim) and the false gods of the heathen. But this very circumstance, taken in connexion with the manner in which it is sometimes applied to Jehovah, the God of Israel, seems to me to strengthen, and not to weaken our argument. Thus Hosea, xiii. 4., literally rendered, is thus-"I am Jehovah thy Aleim, from the land of Egypt; and thou shalt know no Aleim but me; for there is no Saviour beside me." Here you observe that Jehovah and Aleim, as is frequently the case, are joined together. Jehovah denotes the one incommunicable essence, and Aleim, we say, denotes a personal plurality. Then the sense of the quoted passage--and it surely goes powerfully to the prophet's purpose-will be this. "I am Jehovah the one true God, thy Aleim-subsisting in a plurality of persons, who brought thee out of Egypt; and thou shalt have no Aleim but me;-thou shalt have no other object of worship, and no plurality in the object of thy worship, but that plurality which exists in my undivided essence; for there is no Saviour beside me." There suppose, that this plural appellation of God, thus constantly used in the language of the law, which of all language should be the most precise and accurate,-thus used in laws asserting and upholding the single deity of the God of Israel-has no reference to the plurality of persons in the Godhead, should be able to demonstrate some other plurality in the Godhead, to which the expression may refer." Again: after showing the absurdity of the supposition of certain writers, Christian and Jewish, "that this plural word is used for honour's sake," HORSLEY remarks "We have, however, the admission of this learned Jewish grammarian (Aben Ezra), that deep mystery is involved in the plural form of the divine name Elohim. What mystery that may be, but some plurality in the Godhead, it is not easy to divine. One cannot but suspect, that it is to avoid a confession of the Christian doctrines, that he pretends to help us over the difficulty, by alleging a plurality, not in God, but in external things. But we have a right to challenge those who follow him in this ad mission, to allege some other plurality in God himself, than that of the persons, to which the word may allude." are several other passages of the Old Testament, to which similar remarks might be applied. This word Aleim is in the original, the third word in the Bible. Our translation is-"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Now we have seen, in the last lecture, that creation is attributed both to the Son and Spirit: and the selection of this word seems to be made with striking propriety, to intimate that the several persons in the Godhead, were concerned in this great work of creation. Scort, in his commentary, has fully and distinctly expressed my own views of this subject. He says "It is well known that the original word commonly translated God, is plural, in a language which has three numbers; and that when thus used, it is joined to singular verbs ***** This grammatical anomaly, at the very opening of the scriptures, seems to give us some intimation, concerning that mystery which is afterwards more fully revealed, namely, the Plurality in the Unity of the Godhead. It would indeed be improper to rest such a doctrine, upon these intimations; yet this should not be rejected as a mere verbal criticism." But beside what is intimated in the plural form of the Hebrew word, which our translators have commonly rendered God,-as they have almost uniformly rendered Je hovah Lord,-there are several passages in which the Deity speaks explicitly of himself in the plural form. Thus Gen. iii. 22. Lord God said"—in the original "Jehovah Aleim said-Behold the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil." "The expression become as one of us (says Scott) emphatically denotes the plurality of persons in the Deity." To which The add, that by considering the terms Jehovah and Aleim in the manner already noticed, we may see a pe culiar propriety and strength in the expression: For then it will read |