constrained or persuaded into an uniformity of stature-of complexion-of temper. And secondly, they are seeking after that which would be unprofitable. The advantage lies in the present state of things. The cultivation of such dispositions, and the practice of such duties, as the exercise of humility, forbearance, self-denial, candour, and brotherly love implies, are far more valuable and useful than a dull, stagnant conformity of notions or usages.-It is awfully possible for persons to be very strenuous about the "mint, anise, and cummin," while they neglect "weightier matters of the law;" and to contend for the forms of godliness, while they are destitute of its power.-pp. 29.' 31.

We shall now add but one more extract on Christian unity, and that shall be the opinion of a minister of the Episcopal Church, the excellent John Newton. In the remarks above alluded to, Mr. Jay quotes Mr. Newton as follows:

The true unity of spirit, is derived from the things in which those who are taught and born of God agree, and should not be affected by those in which they differ. The church of Christ, collectively considered, is an army; they serve under one Prince, have one common interest, and are opposed by the same enemies, this army is kept up, and the place of those who are daily removed to the church triumphant, supplied entirely by those who are rescued and won from the power of the adversary, which is chiefly effected by the Gospel ministry. This consideration should remind ministers that it is highly improper (I might use a stronger expression) to waste much of their time and talents, which ought to be employed against the common foe, in opposing those who, though they cannot exactly agree with them in every smaller point, are perfectly agreed, and ready to concur with them, in promoting their principal design.

When I see ministers of acknowledged piety and respectable abilities, very busy in defending or confuting the smaller differences which already too much separate those who ought to be of one heart and of one mind, though, while they are fallible, they cannot be exactly of one judgment; I give them credit for their good intention, but I cannot help lamenting the misapplication of their zeal, which, if directed into another channel, would probably make them much more successful in converting souls. Let us sound an alarm in the enemy's camp, but not in our own!

Our limits oblige us to close this article without any remarks on the address to the Theological Students, but we shall select one or two passages:

1st. Endeavour her after to maintain those habits of application to reading and reflection, which I hope you have successfully formed. All the acquirements which you haveh itherto made, in your course of study, whether literary or theological, should be considered as constituting merely the foundation; the superstructure you must be gradually rearing up, from year to year, during the whole period of your lives. The minister of religion ought to consider himself a student of theology while he continues upon earth; otherwise the little fund which he has accumulated in his preparations for public service will soon be exhausted, and instead of "making his profiting manifest to all," as the apostle admonishes, his barrenness will soon become obvious to all, to his own reproach, and the degradation of his office, and the injury of that cause which he is expected to advance. No countries have been more distinguished for the production of profound and profitable divines than Holland and Scotland; and in no countries have the clergy been, perhaps, equally distinguished for perseverance in the prosecution of their studies throughout life. It was the maxim more especially of the former.

"Ut gulla caval lapidem, non vi, sed sæpe cadendo,

Sic homo fit doctus, non vi, sed sape legendo."-pp. 31. 32.

With whatever solicitude and success you may aim at the improvement of your understandings, by reading, and reflection, and conversation, let not the improvement of your hearts be neglected. The love of Jesus, "shed abroad through the sou. by the Holy Ghost," correcting your motives, regulating your desires, sanctifying your aims, and animatating to unwearied diligence in the performance of

every duty, may be pronounced the radical qualification of the minister of the crass This is the vivifying principle which will diffuse life, and warmth, and energy through all your administrations, both private and public. You will generally find that it is easy to prepare your discourses in the closet, easy to pray for your people, or with them, easy to announce among them, from sabbath to sabbath, the message of salvation, easy to" exhort them from house to house," easy to catechise, easy to visit the afflicted and disconsolate," pouring in the oil and wine," when like the prophet you are "strong through the Spirit Jehovah," giving expansion to all your gifts and graces. It is only when religion languishes into your own souls that you will feel tempted to look on the duties of your vocation and exclaim, " behold, what a weariness are they :" flesh and blood cannot endure application thus intense and unremitting. I am bold to assert that to an ungodly man, or even to a godly man who, through the influence of the cares, or pleasures, or pursuits of this world, has "lost his first love," ministerial service is the most insupportable drudgery; but to him, who is imbibing from day to day the spirit of that Jesus "who went about doing good," it is an employment easy, and beyond comparison the most delightful.-pp. 30. 31.

When employed in preparing your sermons for the congregation, instead of secretly consulting what sentiments and manner will most probably amuse their fancies, and gratify their curiosity, and secure their applause, be rather expostulating with the Lord, the sanctifier, for such truths as he will render effectual for their conversion and salvation. When you are summoned by the Lord God of gods, to give an account of your stewardship, it will be a miserable consolation to recollect, that you had been esteemed as accomplished scholars or polished orators; that you had enjoyed the smiles of the gay and the fashionable part of the world; if you are rejected by the Judge as unprofitable servants, and the blood of your hearers is through eternity crying for vengeance upon your heads. I charge you, therefore, as you regard your own eternal peace, or the peace of souls committed to your care, not "to preach yourselves," by an affectation of elegance of diction, or false refinement of sentiment, which, while they may dazzle with their external glare, are not calculated either to convince or convert or edify but rather "preach Christ Jesus the Lord," by a solemn exhibition of him in his Person, and undertaking, and offices, and salvation.-pp. 34, 35.

Entelligence.

UNITED STATES.-STATE OF RELIGION,

Within the bounds of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church; and of the General Associations of Connecticut and Massachusetts, and the General Convention of Vermont, during the last year.

THE General Assembly in sending to the churches the annual narrative of the state of religion within their bounds, wish them grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have much reason to offer our thanksgivings to the Great Head of the Church for the many tokens of his love, with which he has visited that portion of it, which is in our land, during the past year. He has given many convincing proofs, that he has been present with the assemblies of his people to bless them, by bestowing upon them the sanctifying influences of his Holy Spirit. Him we acknowledge and adore as our Redeemer and head, as the foundation of our hopes and the source of all grace, and we ascribe glory and dominion to Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

But while there are many reasons for thankfulness and rejoicing, there is much also to be deplored.

It is with deep sorrow that the Assembly have heard numerous

complaints of lukewarmness and conformity to the world, among professing Christians. The neglect of family prayer, the want of zeal for extending the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, attachment to the world, conformity to its sinful customs and pleasures, and in some few instances, dissensions and backslidings, prove that these complaints are but too well founded. Such professors seem to have forgotten the deep obligations which they are under, from their own voluntary engagements of obedience to God, and from the dying love of Him who gave himself for them, to redeem them from all iniquity; that the God whom we serve is " a jealous God;" and that the sins of his professing people are peculiarly hateful to him. We affectionately, and yet solemnly call upon them to remember from whence they are fallen, and to repent and do their first works; to be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.

In some parts of our land, attempts are made to propagate the most pernicious errors. With a zeal worthy of a better cause, and under lofty pretensions to superior rationality and to deeper discoveries in religion, some are endeavouring to take away the crown from the Redeemer's head; to degrade Him who is the mighty God and the prince of life, to a level with mere men, and to rob us of all our hopes of redemption through his blood. Pretending, too, a more expanded benevolence to man, and more ennobled ideas of the goodness and mercy of God, they assiduously propagate the sentiment, that all men will ultimately obtain eternal happiness, however sinful their present temper and conduct may be, without any regard to the cleansing of the blood of atonement, or the sanctifying influences of the Spirit of God. Believing that these sentiments are utterly subversive of Gospel truth and holiness; that they are alike dishonouring to God, and destructive to the present and eternal welfare of men, we cannot but affectionately warn you against them. Beware brethren, lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. Cherish an ardent attachment to the truth which is according to godliness and seek to experience in your own souls its sanctifying influence.

The gross vices of intemperance, profane swearing, Sabbath break

ing and gambling, still extensively exist. The excessive use of spirituous liquors continues to produce the most deplorable effects, and threatens still greater injury. That such crimes should any where exist, is matter of astonishment and sorrow. They prove that man has deeply apostatized from God: and that our nature is both degraded and depraved.

But there is one subject to which the Assembly advert with the most painful feelings. Vast sections of our country, particularly our frontiers, are destitute of the stated means of grace, and are loudly calling upon us in the words of the man of Macedonia, come over and help us.

In the Presbytery of Niagara, which consists of twenty-six congregations, there are but four which have pastors. In the presbytery of Genessee, which consists of nineteen congregations, two only have pastors, and of these two, but one enjoys the stated preaching of the gospel more than half the time. In the presbytery of Bath, the churches are few, and

most of them feeble and destitute of the ministry of the word. There are but six ministers in nearly as many counties. Multitudes are evidently living without God in the world, and paying not even an outward respect to the institutions of the gospel. In many families the Scriptures are not to be found, and in too many instances, little or no desire is shown to possess them. In many places no meetings for the public worship of God are held; and in many others such meetings are thinly attended. In the Presbytery of Champlain, many towns are destitute of a preached gospel and church privileges; and in the Presbytery of Susquehanna, which spreads over an extensive country, among twenty-six congregations, which are widely scattered, there are but ten ministers. Of twenty-nine congregations, which belong to the Presbytery of Erie, twenty-one are destitute of a stated ministry; and of thirty-three congregations which belong to the presbytery of Louisville, more than half are in. the same destitute condition. In the presbytery of Union, two or three times the present number of ministers are needed, to supply the spiritual wants of that portion of our Church. In the Presbytery of Grand River, which consists of twenty-nine congregations, there are but twelve ministers. The Presbytery of West Tennessee, which spreads over a large tract of country, and embraces within its bounds a population of 310,000 inhabitants, has only fourteen ministers belonging to it; and there is not a single licentiate within their bounds. The few missionaries who have passed through this region have been well received, and much solicitude is manifested by the people to obtain the labours of a zealous and enlightened ministry. That section of our church which is contained within the bounds of the Presbyteries of Missouri and Mississippi, loudly calls for the attention of the Christian public. The Presbytery of Missouri extends over a country nearly 300 miles square, and contains upwards of 120,000 inhabitants: and much of it is still a moral waste. Thousands are crying for the bread of life; and there is reason to believe that many new churches might be formed, if there were a sufficient number of faithful and devoted ministers. The Presbytery of Mississippi, too, covers a vast extent of country, embracing the two states of Mississippi and Louisiana, the population of which must considerably exceed 200,000 souls. Though covering such a vast extent of country, and embracing so large a population, only eight ministers belong to it, and only four licentiates are under its care. Several towns of importance which are rapidly increas ing in population and wealth, present most interesting stations for missionary labours. Among these, New Orleans deserves to be particularly mentioned, as presenting a field for exertions truly astonishing for magnitude, interest, and difficulty. It contains 46,000 inhabitants, and is annually growing in resources of all kinds. The short ministry of Mr. Larned we have reason to believe was very useful, and while we affectionately sympathize with the congregation in that city, on the loss of their late esteemed pastor, we offer our prayers to God, that he would speedily bestow on them another faithful pastor to supply his place. The Presbytery of Georgia, which extends over more than half the state of Georgia, and consists of but eight ministers; and the Presbytery of Concord, contain within their bounds extensive tracts of country, where the ordinances and institutions of religion are hardly known.

In most of these destitute parts of our country, pernicious errors are assiduously and successfully propagated; and in all of them gross immoralities abound. Removed from the benign influence of the gospel of Jesus, without its powerful restraints, destitute of Sabbaths and Sanctuaries, unchecked by the solemn admonitions, and uncheered by the glorious hopes of the gospel, maltitudes there live in sin and die in impenitence. Seldom does the herald of salvation raise his inviting voice among them, and seldom do the sounds of prayer and praise ascend as grateful offerings to heaven. And these are our brethren; bone of our bones, and flesh of our flesh; many of their fathers worshipped with our fathers in the same Sanctuary, and with many of them we have gone up to the house of God. Surely their claims upon our Christian liberality are peculiarly strong : and we cannot suffer their earnest requests that we would send them the word of life, to be refused.

It is truly gratifying to learn, that a very earnest desire is felt, and a laudable zeal shown, to obtain the gospel ministry in these destitute parts of our land. Many of the followers of Jesus offer up to him their fervent prayers, that he would send among them faithful labourers; and Sabbath day schools, and Missionary, and Education Societies, have been in some places established. In some instances, the destitute congregations persevere in maintaining public worship: and there is an increasing attention to the means of grace. We have heard, too, with pleasure, that in many of these destitute parts of our land, ministers have frequently gone forth in company, two or three at a time, and preached and visited, and God has greatly blessed their labours.

But, we turn to contemplate more pleasing subjects. It cannot but be gratifying to the friends of the Redeemer's kingdom, to learn that with few exceptions, the statements which we have received from the different Presbyteries, represent the interests of religion to be on the increase. Infidelity is scarcely any where openly professed. The churches are generally walking in peace. There is generally an increased attention to the public ordinances of worship; and many new congregations have been organized, and new churches erected throughout our country. Several of these have been built in regions where but a short time since was nothing but a waste wilderness, uninhabited by civilized man.

The monthly concert for prayer is generally observed. Bible classes and the catechetical instruction of youth, are still continued with the most beneficial effects. Baptized children with their parents, have in many instances been convened, and reminded of the solemn obligations imposed upon them, by the baptismal convenant. Praying Societies are very generally established. Sabbath day Schools are numerous and flourishing, and thousands of youth who probably would otherwise have grown up ignorant and vicious, have by means of these institutions been instructed, and fitted to make useful members of society.

Liberal patronage has been generally extended to the various benevolent and pious institutions, whichare established within our bounds, and many Missionary, and Education, and Bible Societies are flourishing. It has given the Assembly unfeigned joy, to hear of the very flourishing condition, and the increasing prosperity of the American Bible Society. During the past year a considerable addition has been made, both to its funds.