of truth. Had they been silent, they might have been suspected of favouring a departure from "the faith once delivered to the saints." It well became them to rid themselves of all such suspicion; and they have done it temperately, frankly, and effectually. Professor Stuart's two discourses are of the same purport and tendency as that of Dr. Dana; and what is a little remarkable, they are on the same text, Isaiah liii. 5, 6., except that Dr. Dana has taken in the fourth verse in addition to the other two. This coincidence we suppose was entirely accidental. The Professor has prefixed to his discourses the following advertise ment. "The following sermons were preached on a sacramental occasion, in the chapel of the Theological Seminary, on the last Sabbath and last day of the winter term, when many of the students had left town. At the commencement of the summer term, when the students had reassembled, the writer received a request, that they might be again delivered in the chapel. With this request he complied; but on the second occasion of delivering them, several of the topicks which the subject comprises were enlarged upon, and some others introduced, so that the whole constituted four discourses from the pulpit. As the discussions contained in this enlarged form were designed, in a particular manner, for students in theology, the author has judged it to be unnecessary to retain them all in the present publication; and he has reduced the whole to the size of two discourses, by many omissions and abridgments. While he is not without fears, that some things may now be represented in a manner less perspicuous than he could wish, on account of his compressed limits, he indulges the hope that the great points which he has aimed to establish, may be clearly discerned. "The publication of the sermons is now made at the request of the students of the Theological Seminary. A state of health which obliged the writer to retire from the circle of his duties for the remainder of the summer term, necessarily hastened the printing, much beyond what he could have wished. As this was unavoidable, he hopes it will be duly estimated, if an apology is found necessary for any small blemishes in the discourses. For the leading sentiments, he stands fully responsible. They are the result of the deliberate con author." After a short introduction, in which Professor Stuart shows in the most conclusive manner, that the passage on which he grounds his discourses refers to "the person of the Messiah," he says, "From the language of our text, as applied to Christ, I deduce the proposition, that HE SUFFERED AS OUR SUBSTITUTE; or, that HIS SUFFERINGS AND DEATH WERE AN EXPIATORY OFFERING, ON ACCOUNT OF WHICH My present object is to discuss the doctrine of the atonement made by Christ, which this proposition brings to our view; and in doing this, I design "I. To make some explanations neces sary to a right understanding of the subject. "II. To prove the doctrine. "III. To answer some objections alleged against it." pre The same learning, perspicuity, and spirit, which characterize the former publications of the author of these discourses, are apparent in discussing the divisions of his sent subject, as here exhibited. In a few instances, probably owing to the cause adverted to in the advertisement, a little more explicitness and enlargement would have been But we can truly gratifying to us. say, that we have carefully and repeatedly read these sermons, with a pleasure which we seldom derive from the productions of the day. The fundamental and distinguishing doctrine of the Gospel, that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died in the place of perishing sinners, and that it is solely and strictly on account of his "obedience unto death," that they are pardoned, sanctified, and saved, is here brought out in all its strength and fulness; objections to the doctrine are shortly but satisfactorily answered; and the practical importance of this essential truth is inculcated, with a warmth and an eloquence which we have not seen equalled in any of the author's former publications. Pro fessor Stuart does not mention the strange sermon of his brother professor, on "the nature of the atonement;" but every leading idea of that sermon is opposed and triumphantly confuted: and the folly and pernicious consequences of resorting to philosophical investigations to explain a matter of pure revelation, and in this way to bring out a result, not only unsupported by revelation but contradictory to it, is exposed in a masterly manner, and condemned with a just severity. Considering that these discourses were first delivered a short time after that of Dr. M.; that they were repeated after a short space and with much enlargement, and at the request of the students of the Seminary; and that in compliance with a similar request they are now given to the publick, we make the inference-and we hope it is the inference which it was intended should be made-that Dr. M.'s notions are not approved but opposed and condemned, both by the teachers and the taught in the Theological Seminary at Andover. We are not indeed warranted to infer as we have done, from any direct communication had with any individual connected with that Seminary, but only from the circumstances we have mentioned: yet we think we are justified by those circumstances in making our inference, and we shall rest in it with pleasure, till we are compelled to believe that it is erroneous. (To be continued.) Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc. Swiss Liberality.—By the last number of the Missionary Herald, we perceive that the Baron de Campagne, of Pfefficon in Switzerland, has remitted $300 to Jeremiah Evarts, Esq, of Boston, and has directed $200 of this sum to be presented to the missionaries in the Sandwich Islands, and $100 to the American Education Society. The former donations of the Baron to the American Board amount to $876, making a total of nearly $1200 contributed by a Swiss nobleman for the sup port of Christian enterprises in this country. Tracts used as School Books.-From the Tract Magazine for July, published at Albany, it appears that Mr. Yates, the superintendant of common schools in this state, has addressed a circular letter, at the request of the executive committee of the New York Tract Society, to the commissioners and inspectors of common schools throughout the state, recommending the use of tracts as an excellent substitute for the English Readers now in use. "I am perfectly satisfied," he says, "that a judicious selection of tracts in common schools, not only on account of their moral tendency, but for the simplicity of their style, and the classical taste they generally exhibit, will essentially promote the great ends of education. These tracts, combining the agreeable with the useful, possess many attractions; and, from their novelty and variety, are calculated to make strong and lasting impres sions on the youthful mind, which, in time, will produce the most happy ef fects."-N. Y. Observer. Rocking Stones.-We copy from Blackwood's Magazine, the following notice of the destruction of one of these natural curiosities in Cornwall. Similar curiosi ties have been discovered in various parts of this country, and some of them have met a fate similar to that here described. There was one in Durham, N. H. which had been occasionally visited by the curious for many years past, as an object deserving of attention; but, a year or two ago, on the fourth of July, a party of young men, provided with crowbars and levers, rolled it from its bed. A similar stone at Roxbury, in this vicinity, computed to be of the weight of forty tons, so balanced that it might be moved by a single person, was reckoned among the remarkable curiosities of the country. A few weeks ago a number of men were employed to roll it from its pivot, to a place where it lies immovable. Cornwall.—A party of sailors, belonging to his Majesty's cutter, Nimble, commanded by Lieut. Goldsmith, lately came on shore for the purpose of removing from its situation, that great natural curiosity, the Logan (rocking) stone; which object they unfortunately accomplished. This mass of granite, which is nearly 100 tons weight, was one of the objects that excited the curiosity of every visiter to the western part of Cornwall: it stood on the summit of a mass of rocks at the Land End, and was so poised on a natural pivot, that the force which a man could exert, was sufficient to cause it to vibrate. In this situation, it remained from a period antecedent to our authentick records, until the visiters abovementioned, in sheer wantonness, removed it from its place. This act of Vandalism has excited the greatest indignation in every part of Cornwall. Liberal Bequest.-The late Ebenezer R. Dexter, of Providence, marshal of Rhode Island, who died recently, has by his will bequeathed to the town of Providence the residue of his estate, (after the payment of a few inconsiderable legacies to individuals) for the purpose of erecting an asylum for the poor of the town. The value of the bequest is estimated at sixty thousand dollars. The Queen Bee.-The Rev. Dr. Dunbar has, by a series of experiments in Scotland, ascertained, that when a queen bee is wanting for a hive, her majesty can be and is produced from the egg of a working bee. In one experiment, having removed the queen, the bees set about constructing royal cells, and placing common larvæ in them; in seven days two queens were formed. One of these killed the other, and though, while in a virgin state, treated with no distinction whatever, she no sooner began to lay, than she became the object of constant solicitude and respect, to crowds of her admiring subjects, who watched, fed, and waited upon her. Method to prevent Ships Sinking.— There is a method to make it almost impossible to sink ships, which was known to the ancients, and is now employed by the Chinese. The hold is divided into a number of compartments; so that should the ship spring a leak, or should her sides be stove, in several places at once, those compartments only which are adjoining to the leaks, will fill with water, and the vessel keep afloat. This method is sus ceptible of many improvements; and seems particularly applicable to ships of war, the extent of whose stores, and manner of stowage are known before hand, and are not subject to be shifted about like the cargoes of merchant vessels. This principle is applied to the construction of many of the boats which na vigate the Mississippi river. A compartment called the snag-room, is made in the bow of the boat, and when the vessel strikes upon any of the snags or sawyers, with which the river abounds, the snagroom is commonly the only part of the boat which fills with water, the remainder being protected by a partition which separates it from the snag-room. The population of Charleston appears by a late census, taken with care and correctness, to be 27,817, to wit:-Whites, 12,357-Slaves, 13,852-Free coloured, 1608. Steam Drag.-A steam-drag, similar to those which have so long been used on the Thames, for removing sand-banks and other obstructions, and thereby improving employed on the Seine, at Paris, with the navigation of the river, has lately been is about to be generally adopted by the great success. This serviceable invention Directors General of bridges and dykes in France. Near Howel's Ferry, S. C., on Broad river, on the York side, stands a sycamore tree, which, for its great size and capacity, surpasses perhaps any one in the United States. It is 72 feet in circumference-with 16 feet of a hollow in diameter-has held within that space 7 men on horseback. Tradition reports it gave shelter and afforded protection to many families, during the lowering days of the American revolution.-Yorkville Pioneer. Luminous Plants.-It is well known that some plants are luminous. The following exhibit instances of this property: 1. Potatoes, kept in cellars, in a growing state, sometimes become so luminous, that we can read by them the print of a book in the dark. 2. The Dictamnus albus spreads around it, in dry summer evenings, an atmosphere, which, on the approach of a taper, inflames with a bright blue flame. 3. Other plants give out a sparkling light, probably of an electrical nature; such is the case with the flowers of Calendula, Tropœolum, Lilium bulbiferum and chalcedonicum, Tagetes, Helianthus, and Polyanthes. 4. Some plants give out a calm steady light, of a bluish, greenish, or yellowish white colour, such as Dematium violaceum; Schistostega osmundacea; Phytolacca decandra, Rhipomorpha pinnata, &c. The luminous appearances in the galleries and shafts of our mines are often to be traced to rhizomorphous plants. 5. The milky juice of some plants is very luminous. 6. Trunks, branches, and roots of trees, in an incipient state of decomposition, become luminous. Philadelphia, August 23d.-About thirty families of coloured people, under the di rection of M. Grandville, sailed to-day from this port for Hayti. Other families will soon follow them. Mr. Perkins is, we learn, busily employed in fitting out a steam-boat with one of his engines, to go to Calcutta by the Cape of Good Hope. It has been stated to us, that Mr. Perkins has received the sum of 36,000l. from an enterprising individual, for a share of his patent. The following neat and appropriate motto was inscribed on one of the civic arches in Boston, erected in honour of the arrival of La Fayette. WELCOME LA FAYETTE, The Fathers in Glory shall sleep, And we bend not the knee, But our hearts, LA FAYETTE, We surrender to thee. one of the London newspapers that chimneys should be constructed of iron, instead of brick, as they might thus be rendered more elegant, and being made of separate pieces, more easily cleansed, and be secure from fire originating in them, and communicating to the house. If the above plan were adopted in this country, it would go far towards improv ing the condition of our climbing boys, or chimney sweeps. Method of Preserving Engraved Copper-plates.-Copper-plates are apt to be injured by lying by; a thin coat of oxide forms on the surface which is rubbed off by the hand of the workman in the first inking, when the plate is again called into use; and by repetition of the forma tion of oxide, and its removal, the fine lines on the plate are soon injured, and ultimately obliterated. Dr. M'Culloch recommends the application of common spirit varnish to the surface, when the plate is laid by; it is easily applied, and can be removed when requisite by spirit Fron Chimneys.-It is recommended in of wine.-Edinburgh Journal of Science, Keligious Intelligence. MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN (Continued from page 377.) We must postpone, till the coming month, several articles which we wished to insert in this department of our miscellany; that we may lay before our readers as large a part as we can of the remaining Minutes of the General Assembly, which we know that many are anxious to see. June 1, 9 o'clock, A. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. Mr. Talmadge obtained leave of absence during the remaining sessions of this Assembly, and Mr. Winne and Mr. James Kennedy obtained leave after the sessions of this day. It being the order of the day, the Board of Education reported, and their report was accepted. Ordered that the foregoing report be printed in the Appendix. The following resolution was submitted to the Assembly, and the consideration of it was made the order of the day for to-mor row: viz. Resolved, That the Assembly be requested to authorize the Board of Education to select such young men as are contemplated by the Constitution of the Board for the Gospel Ministry, and make provision for their support. Mr. Nevins resigned his seat to Rev. William C. Walton, his alternate, and Mr. Walton took his seat as a member. A memorial from the Synod of Kentucky was overtured, on the subject of instituting a seminary of learning within its bounds, upon scriptural principles, and to be entirely under its direction and control. The memorial and accompanying papers being read, the following resolution was adapted: viz. Resolved, That the memorial and papers from the Synod of Kentucky, be referred to the Trustees of the General Assembly; and that they be directed to report to this Assembly their opinion on the practicability and expediency of the application. The committee appointed to report to the Assembly what measures ought to be adopted in consequence of the charter of the Trustees of the Theological Semina ry, reported, and their report being read, was in part adopted; and the considera 1824. Religious Intelligence. tion of the remaining part of the report, ternoon.. Mr. Ogden resigned his seat to Rev. An appeal of Mr. Donald M'Crimmon The documents on the subject were read, and Dr. Ely and Mr. Miver were heard at some length, the former in support of the appeal, and the latter in defence of the decision of the session. Adjourned till 4 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. Four o'clock P. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. Messrs. Bruen, Douglass, and Caleb S. Green obtained leave of absence during the remaining sessions of this Assembly, after this day. The order of the day for this after noon was postponed, and the unfinished business of the morning was resumed; viz. the consideration of the appeal of Mr. M'Crimmon. The parties were heard till they were satisfied, and the roll was called, agreeably to a constitutional rule on the subject. Dr. Leland, Mr. Robert Kennedy, and Mr. William L. Maccalla, were appointed a committee to prepare a minute proper to be adopted by the Assembly on the appeal. The committee to which was referred the request of the Synod of Pittsburgh, to fix the boundary line between that Synod and the Synod of Ohio, so that the missionary station at Maumee shall be included within the bounds of the Synod of Pittsburgh, reported, and their report being read, was adopted, and is as follows: viz. Resolved, That the section of the state of Ohio, lying west of that section commonly called the Connecticut Western Reserve, included between the parallel boundaries of said section, and including the site of the Maumee mission, under the direction of the Board of the Western Missionary Society, is to be considered, and hereby is declared to be, within the jurisdiction of the Synod of Pittsburgh. The committee appointed to examine the records of the Synod of Kentucky, reported, and the book was approved to page 77. Messrs. Rawson, Hunter, Crane, Bergen, Thomas Mead, and Azariah Clark, obtained leave of absence during the re- A communication was received from Resolved, That permission be, and the same is hereby granted, to the Rev. Charles Hodge, to erect, or cause to be erected, on the ground adjoining the Theological Seminary at Princeton, a good and substantial two story brick building, on such plan and part of the lot, as may be agreed upon by the Board of Directors of the Seminary, and Professor Hodge; provided the said building shall not cost more than five thousand dollars. The said building is to be occupied by the Professor while he remains connected with the Seminary as a professor; but to be and remain, the property of the Trustees of the Theological Seminary, and to be paid for in the following manner:-As soon as the building is completed, and the actual cost ascertained, the Trustees of the Theological Seminary are hereby directed to execute a mortgage to the Rev. Charles Hodge, of the building and lot which may be set off for the use and convenience of the same, for the amount of the cost of the building, not exceeding five thousand dollars; and which sum shall not bear interest, so long as the said Charles Hodge shall hold and exercise the office of a professor in said Seminary, and shall not be payable until five years after the death or removal of the said Charles Hodge from the Professorship, unless the Trustees may think proper to pay it off: provided, always, that an interest of six per cent. per annum, shall be paid on such mortgage, from the day of the death or removal of the said Charles Hodge, from his office of Professor in said Seminary. Adjourned till 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. June 2, 8 o'clock, A.M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. Mr. Hodge resigned his seat to the Rev. Archibald Alexander, D.D. the principal mentioned in their commission, and Dr. Alexander took his seat as a member. An appeal of Mr. E. Mason from a decision of the Synod of Geneva, having been submitted to the Assembly by the Judicial Committee, was taken up, and Dr. Ely was appointed to support the ap peal. The documents on the subject were read, and Dr. Ely and the Commissioners from the Synod were fully heard. The roll having been called agreeably to a constitutional rule, Messrs. John Clark, Squier and King, were appointed a com. |