which always characterizes the productions of a people in the incipient stages of civilization. A complex system of jurisprudence, is the price of great improvements in the social and civil state.

Mr. Kingsbury remarks that some active and well disposed young halfbreeds, (particularly Joel Nail,) were instrumental in procuring these laws.

SUMMARY.

A bill has passed the Senate, and is now before the House of Representatives, appropriating $9000 to Dickinson College.

A new work-Containing fifty-five pages, from the Press of Mr. J. B. Butler, has lately been published in Pittsburg, entitled, "A Defence of Christianity: or, Infidelity disarmed, in a Short Treatise. In three parts. Including, First an examination and confutation of the principle objections of infidels to the Divine authenticity of the Scriptures. Secondly, a confutation of the doctrine of annihilation. Thirdly, Reflections on the salutary or pernicious consequences attending a belief, or a disbelief of Christianity and human immortality; together with an examination of Socinianism as a dangerous species of infidelity. Fourthly, reflections on the probationary state of man. Addressed particularly, to the Society of Deists in Pitssburg, Pennsylvania; and, generally, to Sceptics, of every character. By a Layman."

Mercer, Pa. Jan. 21.-On Sunday the 12th instant while a congregation of Methodists were performing their quarterly devotion a singular circumstance took place at the house of worship. About 400 of the congregation were assembled in the court house at Franklin, (Pa.) when a sudden eruption took place in the earth on which the house stands, which sunk it about four inches, and split the

walls from top to bottom. One woman and child, were considerably bruised by the crowd.

A School has been established at Edinburg, Scot., for the purpose of imparting to Mechanics, the Philosophical principles on which their respective trades are founded. It already consists of 200 numbers.

A School for the Deaf and Dumb has been opened at Cincinnati, under the instruction of Mr. F. Chure.

Within the last two years, the number of persons in Germany, who have been saved from drowning, by the Hamburg Humane Society, has been 152. Of 44, who were to all appearance dead, the exertions of the surgeons restored 34. The Hamburg Society for the encouragement of the Arts and useful Trades, have granted sums of money to 232 individuals, who had contributed to save the above 15 others have received mepersons;

dals from the Society, as rewards for their exertions.

A Complete model has been made in ivory on a scale of 3 inches to 10 feet, of the celebrated Tauj at Agra, by the late Captain G. Hutchinson. It has occupied nearly twelve year's labor, and is stated to give a very beautiful and accurate exhibition of that vast monument of past oriental magnificence.--Christian Observer.

A Choctaw woman was lately bro't before a council of captains and warriors, charged with having killed her infant child. On trial it appeared, that when the infant was three days old, she killed it by knocking it on the head with a pine knot. She was tied to a tree, and whipt till she fainted. Her husband who had instigated her to this deed was punished in like manner. This was the first punishment inflicted, in this nation, for infanticide, and it is believed, the practice will soon be abandoned, at least in this district.

BIBLE SOCIETY.

The sixth annual report of the Cumberland County Bible Society, presented on Wednesday, Nov. 13th,

1822.

When the Board had the pleasure of submitting their last report to the society, a plan for inquiring into the actual want of Bibles among the inhabitants of this borough had been projected, and partly put into operation. At that time it had been ascertained that there were 13 persons destitute of Bibles in the South-West

ward. These have been supplied, and two other wards have been visited by committees appointed for that purpose. In the North-West ward there were four persons found destitute, &

in the North-East fourteen. A committee has been appointed to visit the South-East ward, but they have not yet found it convenient to make their report. When this shall have been done it is presumed that the absolute want of Bibles in the borough will be ascertained. But shall we therefore, conclude that our work is done, and cherish no longer a lively interest in the concerns and operations of cur society?

In every town there will be found part of its population in a fluctuating state, which will generally be apportioned to the whole amount of its inhabitants. We may not therefore, conclude, at any given period, that there is no want of Bibles among us. Our floating population is the very class in which the want will generally be found to be greatest, if to it, it is not indeed exclusively confined. Wherefore it is important that continual inquiries and efforts should be made, that the necessary supply of Bibles should keep pace with the actual and absolute want. Because the town has been searched during the past year, and the absolute need supplied, is no reason why it should not be searched

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during the ensuing year that new wants may be met.

But this is not all.

population of our borough, and this, A part of the by no means inconsiderable, either in respect of number, or interest, is com

posed of insulated individuals, of young persons not absolutely connectout parents or relatives but introduced ed with any household, & others withinto families as apprentices and domestics. How great may be the want of Bibles among this class, it is impossible to conjecture. No doubt some are in actual need, and unable to buy; purchase and willing to do so. It is but many if not most may be able to well known that where young men, confined as apprentices and journeyof religion, they are generally disposmen through the week, are destitute ed to make the Sabbath a day of recreation, and therefore do not feel inclined to possess, as they certainly are not disposed to use a Bible. Some kind friend or anxious parent may have deposited one among their stores, for them? and of those that have the but how many have no parents to care smallest part feel little, if any, solicitude about their spiritual interest. It is therefore not only a possible, but very probable thing, that there may be many individuals among us, who whatever else they own, do not possess a Bible. Should these be lost sight of? Their souls are infinitely valuable, and, while careless about their salvation, and neglectful of the word of God, are in a perishing condition. Shall nothing be done for them? There is yet a wide field for labor open to the view of the society, and the board hope that the benevolent feelings, and beneficence of the members may not cease, or be diminished. To circulate the Scriptures is the grand design of the Society, and therefore, as long as there is space for them to circulate in, that design is not fully accomplished, Benevolent efforts should not be relaxed, until every one among us who is

Annexed to this report, is a statement of the Treasurer's account from which it appears, that the balance in the hands of Mr. Miller at the date of the last annual meeting, (and which as per last report amounted to $226 99) had been augmented by the sum of $43 09 1-2. Since his resignation, the present treasurer has received in par money exchanged for depreciated paper $13 50, and in the proceeds of subscriptions, and the sale of Bibles $53 76, making his total receipts to be $67 25.

Of this sum there has been expended $50 forwarded to the parent society, and 37 1-2 cts. for postage, leaving a balance in the hands of the present Treasurer in favor of the society of $16 87 1-2, which with money due by late treasurer makes the Society's funds amount to $271 96, of which $66 are in depreciated

notes.

During the past year the following distribution of Bibles has been made by the board.

There have been given as gratuities to different persons unable to buy, 45 English Bibles, 12 German Bibles & 5 English Testaments-Total 62.

There have been sold at prime cost or reduced prices, 14 English Bibles; 4 German Bibles, and 17 English Testaments;-Total 35, making in all 97 copies of the Scriptures that have been circulated by the society during the past year. During the preceding year the number put into circulation by the board amounted to 111 and during the year preceding that again to 148, making in all 356 copies of the Scriptures circulated by the society during the three last years. The number of copies now remaining on hand, amounts to 54-32 English and 22 German Bibles.

By far the greatest proportion of the copies circulated by the Society, have been confined to the borough of Carlisle and its immediate vicinity. What has been the absolute want of

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the borough, has been nearly ascertained. Thirty-one destitute families and individuals have been discovered in 3 out of 4 wards. And if the want of the borough, when Bible Societies have been nearly 10 years, is at this late date ascertained to be so great, what must be the want of adjacent villages and other parts of our country, where inquiry may not have been made into the actual need of the Bible, and where such facilities have not been afforded to those who might be disposed to buy? Every year's experience has brought to the view of the board unexpected instances of entire destitution of the sacred oracles, within the very narrow sphere to which the operations of this society are confined. It were greatly to be wished that a spirit of inquiry and zeal upon this subject might diffuse itself through our country, and that men of property, and influence, and respectability would cheerfully contribute both of their substance and their time in this work. Why should not every town, village and agricultural establishment in our country be searched and the Bible placed in every house & in every hand? If it be the WORD OF GOD, and essential to salvation, surely its dignified character and its eternal importance, demand that a greater zeal and activity should be manifested in spreading it far and wide, and thursting it into every nook and corner where immortal souls may be found, than have ever yet prevailed among us. If souls are perishing, and if sending a Bible to them or putting it into their hands, may be the means of their salvation, are we not to blame and may not their blood be found on our skirts for nezlecting to do it. The gracious Redeemer hath assured us that the soul. is of infinite value-that if a man gain the whole world and lose his own soul he is profited nothing, and that it is impossible to find any thing of sufficient value to give in exchange

for the soul. Do we believe him, can we believe him, while we have reason to fear, that myriads of such precious souls are living and dying without the knowledge of God and his Christ, and yet rest at ease and make no effort for their salvation-not even send or induce them to buy the word of life? Oh that the divine spirit would effectually enlighten our minds, and give us to form a correct estimate of the value of the human soul, and of our duty in relation to such as may yet lack vision!

A noble spirit, of christian enterprise in this matter has been awakened in the church of God, and well digested and systematic operations are attempted and diligently pursued in many parts of the world to prepare the way for a general inundation of Bibles. When the enemy was coming upon our Zion like a flood, the spirit of God lifted up a standard against him-rolled back the tide of infidelity and error, and is even now deluging the world with the knowledge of the glory of God. Our own happy country is not among the least favored nations in this respect. The effusions of the divine spirit in many parts of it have increased the general interest and zeal on the subject of circulating the sacred scriptures. Sixty-two new Auxiliary Societies designed to aid the American Bible Society, have been recognized by the latter during the past year, making the whole number of its Auxiliaries to amount to 301. Associations have been formed in

some of our cities for the purpose of visiting every house and family and either obtaining aid to the funds of the Bible Societies, or ascertaining and supplying the want for Bibles so as not to leave an individual without either putting the Bible into his hands or commending it to his beneficence. The American Bible Society is rapidly multiplying the copies of the sacred

scriptures, 268,177 Bibles and Testaments have been printed from its stereotype plates; $36,363 have been paid to the treasurer of this society during the past year. The British and Foreign Bible Society is waxing in might and usefulness and glory. The numerous societies in Europe from the Arch-angel to Paris, cease not from their labors. Asia too begins to feel the impulse; nor are Africa's sable sons disposed to remain idle. The cause every where prospers. The hand of God may be seen in it. His finger has touched the spring and the mighty machinery moves throughout the world. To oppose it were folly. Safety can only be had in moving with it. 'Tis death to move against it. For it is no more true of Zion than of the cause of Bibles, that, no weapon formed against it shall prosper; and every tongue that shall raise against it, in judgment, God shall condemn.

Account of the revival of Religion in the Church of Chatham of the Presbytery of Jersey.

COMMUNICATED

By the Rev. John G. Bergen.

Dear Sir, The following narrative is sent to you for insertion, if agreeable, in your useful paper. From a full conviction of the duty of the church to declare what God has done for her; and from experience that the knowledge of the special outpourings of the Holy Spirit, stands high in the grade of special means in this day of great light and love, and action and success in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The commencement of the revival was in Nov. of 1822, in the evening of the day of humiliation and prayer, which was held by the ministers of the Presbytery in our church. This meeting sprang from a conviction of the