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submission to Donna Maria. Even the island of Madeira was believed to be likely to acknowledge the young queen as the lawful sovereign. But all this is uncertain; and we fear Don Pedro's prospect of placing his daughter on the throne of Portugal is not flattering; although the troops at his disposal are well disciplined and devoted men; but their numbers are small in comparison with those to which they will be opposed. NAPLES.-It appears that the king of Naples has agreed to indemnify fully the merchants of our country, for the spoliations wantonly committed on their commerce, on the coasts of his kingdom in the time of Murat, and by his order. It is said that at first, the present king utterly refused to treat on the subject; but on being given to understand, that after a specified period of ten days, his refusal would be considered as final, and that he must abide the consequences, he consented to treat, and to make full restitution. It is well that fear sometimes prevails in favour of equity, when honesty is disregarded.

HOLLAND and BELGIUM.-Since we began to write, we have seen announced the arrival of a vessel which left the Texel on the 5th of April, bringing intelligence that the king of Holland is inflexibly determined not to accede to the 24 articles of the London Conference; and that the people not only will bear him out in this, but that he would lose the attachment of his subjects, if he adopted a different course. The issue remains to be seen.

PRUSSIA. Our countryman, Dr. Howe, has been closely incarcerated at Berlin, by an order of the court. We hope it will appear that the whole occurrence has taken place from misapprehension; yet even so, we think the Prussian authorities have acted precipitately and unwarrantably. Dr. Howe has been imprisoned and treated with great rigour, under the impression that he had entered Prussia to foster discontent, and promote insurrection-at least with a view to sow the seeds of these evils. Whereas it is positively affirmed, and we believe truly, that his sole errand was to bear the benevolent donations of his countrymen, and of the friends of the Poles in France, to those revolutionists who were suffering all the evils of poverty, want and degradation, in a country to which they had filed as to a neutral state. It seems to us that if such be the fact, it would have appeared to be so, had he been examined with candour before he was confined. Prussia has acted a cruel and unfair part toward Poland, in the whole of the late revolution. It is stated that strong representations have been made by the French authorities, to those of Berlin, in regard to the treatment which Dr. Howe has met with; and that the Prussian ambassador at Paris has been satisfied that his mission was purely charitable and benevolent, and has given information to this effect to his court. His release therefore may be expected; but his benevolent views may, notwithstanding, be in a measure disappointed.

From GREECE we have heard nothing new, during the last month.

TURKEY.-It appears that the Turkish sultan is taking vigorous measures, to repress the expected attack of the Pacha of Egypt, on his territories in Palestine and Syria. We have, however, seen but little of the details, and must wait for additional information. Mahmoud is certainly an extraordinary sultan. He has not only established a printing press, and caused a newspaper to be published, in two or three languages, at Constantinople, but is patronizing Lancasterian and other schools, in several places, and favouring improvements of various kinds-calculated, as seems to us, to undermine, eventually, both the power and the faith which he has received from his Ottoman ancestors. We have no reason to believe that such is his intention, or expectation. He calculates, we suppose, on an exactly different result. But if strict Mohamedism and general science can flourish together, we certainly have miscalculated. From AUSTRIA and RUSSIA we have nothing to report.

ASIA.

It appears that in October last, a tremendous hurricane, accompanied by torrents of rain, thunder, lightning, and an earthquake was experienced, in the vicinity of Calcutta. The destruction of property was immense, and of life considerable. It is also stated that in the upper provinces of India, the natives are restive and discontented under the British government, and that popular insurrections are to be apprehended. The cholera still continues its destructive influence in various parts of the entire Asiatic continent. In some provinces of Persia, the cholera and the plague are stated to have carried off more than two-thirds of the population. In the province of Ghilhan, it is said that out of a population of 300,000, only 60,000 men and 44,000 women remained.— The British, it seems, as well as our country, have a quarrel with the Malays. A Calcutta paper of the 24th December last, states, that two British ships of war were on the eve of sailing from Madras, with a considerable body of troops, attended by a train of guns, for the purpose of establishing the British power among the chieftains of the Malay peninsula.-A letter from Canton of the 19th Dec. ult. says:

"We have here the British ship Challenger, of 28 guns, with despatches from the Governor-General to the Viceroy of Canton, who has appointed a time and place for the Kongheep to meet Captain Freemantle, and to receive the despatches, the Admiral

is on his way from India, with all the ships he can collect,-every one asks-what for? None can tell, unless it be to give us all trouble; the negotiations may be spun out until answers are received to the despatches sent last August to England. I cannot suppose it possible that the Company will quarrel with the Chinese, having but two years to live-they may keep us in hot water for some months, and all end in smoke." An inundation in the neighbourhood of Canton has produced great desolation; and still more disastrous effects have been experienced in the Manilla islands from a terrific tornado and storm of rain.

AFRICA affords no news for our present number.

AMERICA.

and

BUENOS AYRES.-A pretty serious affair has taken place between the authorities of this republick and the commander of the Lexington sloop of war, Captain Duncan, of the United States navy.-The Falkland Islands belong nominally to the British, but have not, recently at least, been occupied, nor, we think, formally claimed by that power. Their location renders them important as a place to which the whaling and sealing vessels of every country may resort for refreshments, and a temporary stay; for this purpose they have been used by our fishing vessels, as well as by those of Britain. Lately, however, the republick of Buenos Ayres has cancelled a public debt due to a Mr. Vernet, by making over to him what they call a colony at those islands. His agent residing on the principal island, at the port of La Soledad, embargoed three American vessels, or in effect captured them, for having taken seals contrary to the orders of the government of Buenos Ayres. Our Consul at that place remonstrated, but obtained from the government no satisfactory answer. On this, Captain Duncan sailed from Buenos Ayres to the pretended colony, took forcible possession of the esta blishment, released the American vessels, destroyed a cannon and some powder, and brought off and left at Monte Video the most of the colonists, confining six (it is said, in irons) who had been chiefly concerned in embargoing, or capturing the American vessels. This has been highly resented by the Buenos Ayrean government. The functions of our Consul at that port have been suspended, two proclamations or publications have been issued, and an appeal is to be made to our government for satisfac tion. Captain Duncan and the Consul have not yet told their story. It will no doubt be a different one from that of Buenos Ayres; and the result remains to be seen.

MEXICO. It appears by the following recent communications, apparently worthy of credit, that we are in danger of a serious controversy with this republick, as well as with that of Buenos Ayres. "The ministry is much enraged against foreigners, and Mr. Alaman (Secretary of State) has stated to the foreign representatives, that the army is aware that strangers have taken up arms in favour of Santa Anna, and this, he says, has so exasperated them, that, in case they gain the city, Vera Cruz, the government will not be accountable for the destruction of lives and property. The presumption is that the troops are promised a Saqueo-permission to plunder. As it is not a fact that fo reigners had assumed arms, and accordingly probable that the government was only seeking to vindicate, by the assertion, the proposed pillage, it is obvious that the persons and property of American citizens at Vera Cruz would be exposed to great danger in the event of a successful attack by the besieging army. Dates from the capital of Mexico are to the 2d of April, and every thing was in a state of agitation, and appa rently approaching to a civil war. The states of Guadalajara, Zacatecas, and Tamauli pas openly supported the declaration of Vera Cruz." At the date of the last accounts, the governmental army of Mexico, consisting of about 3000 men, was stationed, and had been so for some time, within half a league of Vera Cruz, which was defended by Santa Anna with an army of about 1800 men. An attack had for some time been expectedWhen will there be an end to the intestine wars of these recent republics? Not, we fear, till there is more knowledge and more virtue among the people.

UNITED STATES.-We seem to have a speck of war on our own horizon. It appears that the Sac and Fox tribes of Indians, under their noted leader Black Hawk, have invaded the State of Illinois, in violation, the governor affirms, of the treaty made last summer. General Atkinson, who commands the United States troops in that region, has advertised the governor that the frontier of his state is "in great danger," and a spirited call has, by the governor, been addressed to the militia of the state, who were to rendezvous at Bairdstown on the 22d ult. We still hope that bloodshed will not ensue, but the prospect of avoiding it is rather unfavourable.

Our Congress have given us but little in the past month that is proper for our pages for we take no part in congressional or political quarrels, except to lament them. Yet we must solemnly protest against club law, whether in or out of Congress-and pistol law is no better. The appropriation bill has passed, and the bank committee have made a divided report, which is now before the House of Representatives; or rather the report of the majority is there, and the minority are preparing their statement.

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

JUNE, 1832.

Keligious Communications.

In place of a catechetical lecture, which our engagements for the past month have not permitted us to prepare, we insert, as the first article in our present number, the following pastoral letter from the General Assembly of our church, issued at the sessions which have just been closed.

PASTORAL LETTER.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, to the Ministers and Churches under their careDEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN—

You will perceive by the narrative of the state of religion which we this year publish, that the God of all grace has been pleased, during the last year, to pour out more copiously of his blessed Spirit on the people of our denomination in this land, than perhaps in any period of equal extent, in former times. For this signal and ineffable benefit, we desire that you may unite with us in ascribing humble and fervent thanksgivings to Him from whom we have received this transcendent mercy, and "from whom cometh down every good and every perfect gift."

And suffer us to remind you, dear brethren, that one of the best and most acceptable expressions of gratitude to God for the unspeakable favour we have received, Ch. Adv.-VOL. X.

is, to be exceedingly careful not to abuse it. It is of more importance than we know how to express, that we should, together with much prayer for direction and aid from on high, use all our influence and put forth our best efforts, to preserve the glorious revivals of religion with which we have been blessed, from all that may mar their beauty and prevent their extension; and where any thing of an injurious tendency has already taken place, that we should labour to correct the evil as speedily as possible.

Let it not be supposed, however, that we would willingly say any thing that might encourage or countenance those who condemn all revivals of religion-condemn them because they may be attended by some errors and irregularities, which, it is readily admitted, ought to be deplored and avoided. Far, very far, be this from us. Those who cherish an aversion to revivals of religion, because they are accompanied by imperfections and are liable to abuse, should recollect that there is nothing with which the human powers and passions have to do, whatever be its general excellence, that is not open to the same objection. In revivals of religion in which there are confessedly some things to be lamented-as there was in the abuse of 2 G

the miraculous gift of tongues in the primitive church of Corinththere may still be numerous and sound conversions of sinners unto God: and "what is the chaff to the wheat, saith the Lord?" There remain in our land, and in our beloved church, many congregations, in which formality and a Laodicean spirit are mournfully prevalent. Little reason have they to felicitate themselves, that they are free from all the extravagancies which they censure in others, and which it is not denied do exist in certain places, and to a limited extent. Let them rather remember, that a congregation in which many souls are born into the kingdom of God, although some false pretensions to piety and some censurable practices appear, is, on the whole, in a state infinitely preferable to that of a congregation in which hundreds are going quietly down to eternal perdition, and in which the wise virgins are slumbering and sleeping with the foolish. Let congregations of this latter description be exhorted to rouse themselves from their spiritual lethargy, make use of the means and efforts which God is wont to bless, and cry mightily to him, that they may partake in those gracious visitations with which others are so remarkably blessed and distinguished partake of them, purified from all that is justly offensive either to God or man.

Having thus endeavoured to guard against a misconstruction of our purpose, we desire, with parental solicitude and affection, to caution and warn the ministers and churches of our communion, against some of the most common errors and improprieties, to which revivals of religion are exposed, and from which, we grieve to say, some of the congregations within our bounds cannot plead an entire exemption.'

1. În a time of the revival of re

ligion let it be remembered, that while all proper means are to be used to deepen and cherish serious impressions, and to awaken and alarm the sinfully secure, an undue excitement should be carefully avoided. Here is the fruitful source to which may be traced nearly all the abuses which so often mar, and deform, and bring into disrepute, the work of God, when sinners are awakened in clusters, and led to inquire with great anxiety, what they must do to be saved. If instead of distinguishing between deep, and genuine, and salutary convictions of sin, and the mere effusions of animal passions and nervous sensibility, the latter are encouraged and stimulated, as leading to a desirable issue, the most baneful effects are likely to ensue-effects, multiform in appearance and character, but in all, deplorable and pernicious. There fore,

2. We advise, that with tenderness, but yet with unshaken firmness, all bodily agitations and noisy outcries, especially in worshipping assemblies, be discouraged, and as far as possible prevented. Inculcate the truth that every appearance of this description is a weakness, or an error, which, so far from promising any thing beneficial, is likely to lead to the most disastrous results

-so

so far from deserving to be cherished and applauded, is to be discountenanced and deprecated, and as speedily as may consist with Christian kindness and forbearance, entirely suppressed.

3. Guard against every species of indecorum in social worshipsuch, particularly, as is manifestly apparent, when several individuals pray, or exhort, or converse, at the same time. This is an irregularity pointedly rebuked and forbidden by the apostle Paul, in the xiv. chapter of his first epistle to the Corinthians; and his summary and repeated injunction is, "Let all things be done to edi

fying-Let all things be done decently and in order. But besides the particular irregularity specified, we would dissuade our brethren in the ministry and the eldership of our churches, from introducing or countenancing any practice in their publick religious assemblies which savours of ostentation, or which may have a tendency to ulterior evils, that they would themselves deprecate and seek to avoid. We designedly leave this as a general but important monition; the application of which to particular instances or cases, our brethen must judge of for themselves.

4. There may be, in a revival of religion, an excess of social meetings and exercises. That such meetings should be frequent in the time of a revival, we not only admit but recommend. Yet it ought not to be forgotten, that they may be carried to a hurtful extreme; and such an extreme they certainly reach, when they encroach, to any considerable extent, on the ordinary duties of life; or when they leave very little time to the thoughtful and inquiring for private meditation, self reflection and examination, secret prayer, reading the Holy Scriptures, and other books of instruction, direction, and serious exhortation, which, as they have opportunity, they ought to

peruse.

5. Meetings of pious women by themselves, for conversation and prayer, whenever they can conveniently be held, we entirely approve. But let not the inspired prohibitions of the great apostle of the Gentiles, as found in his epistles to the Corinthians and to Timothy, be violated. To teach and exhort, or to lead in prayer, in public and promiscuous assemblies, is clearly forbidden to women in the Holy Oracles.

6. Let not the settled order of churches be disturbed. Let official elders be respected, and in the

absence of pastors or other authorized ministers of the gospel, let the elders, or deacons, or other Christians of standing and experience, rather than young converts, take the lead in the social exercises of religion.

7. Listen to no self-sent or irregular preachers, whatever may be their pretensions to knowledge, piety, and zeal.

8. Let no doctrine, inconsistent with the sacred scriptures as explained and summarily taught in the doctrinal standards of our church, be promulged and favoured in any of our churches. That the word of God, contained in the Old and New Testaments, is the only infallible rule of faith and practice, is a sacred principle which we steadfastly maintain. But when almost every description of persons who profess any regard to Christianity, are ready to declare their adherence to the same principle, it becomes indispensable for Christians who would walk together in the peace, and order, and comfort of the gospel, to state in what manner they understand the great truths of Divine revelation. This has been done by our church, in our Confession of Faith and Catechisms; and he who teaches any doctrine plainly and palpably inconsistent with the evident meaning of these excellent formularies, should be regarded by Presbyterians as an errorist, whom they ought not to encourage, but discountenance, reject, and

avoid.

9. Let not apparent converts be hurried into the church, and brought to the table of the Lord, without a careful examination, nor ordinarily without a suitable period of probation, by which the reality of their religion may be better judged of than it can be by any sudden indications, however plausible.

Nothing is more directly calculated to injure ultimately the cause of God and the credit of our holy

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