your idols, &c., and enter my church as the humble disciples of my beloved Son, and I will pass by all your past offences; only take care hereafter to behave yourselves becoming your new relation, and all shall be well with you for ever? When Mr. Cogan restores an offending child or pupil to his former state in his family, does not the youth consider himself as forgiven, and does not Mr. C. reckon himself to have forgiven him by his behaviour to him, though he may not have expressed his thoughts in so many direct terms? Actions speak louder than words. If, then, the blood or death of Christ procures sinful creatures a sanctified state, it also procures them the forgiveness of sins, for they are, in some relations, inseparable things. The Holy Scriptures were wrote in the Eastern part of the world, where, it is well known that no prince will permit a disobedient subject to appear in his presence, on friendly terms, if he does not, at the same time, intend to forgive him. Esther vii. 8, and chap. viii. Indeed, all the world must feel the great impropriety of such an action. A certain writer, speaking of the behaviour of the late Emperor of France towards the Duke of Enghien, whom he would not admit into his presence to intercede for his liberty and life, says, "That N. seems always to have considered that to see the Duke of Enghien, and to pardon him, were one and the same thing." As then the blood of the patriarchal and Jewish sacrifices often cleansed the offerer from moral guilt, and the blood or death of Christ is so many times directly or indirectly said to do so too, why, I again say, should we hesitate to use this language, especially as we allow the same thing in a different set of words, that are not a whit more scriptural? How trifling it appears to admit that we are received into favour with God, enter into the covenant of immortality with him, and enjoy all the sacred privileges of the church of God through the blood or death of Christ, but do not receive the pardon of our past sins through it! Let him make good and consistent sense of this who can. And if this be truth it ought to have as large a place in our public religious services as it occupies in the Sacred Scriptures. And I am inclined to suspect, that the Unitarian car will drag rather heavily along until this popular and powerful principle shall be linked faster to it, and be set in more vigorous motion by it. And if our friend Mr. Field could be persuaded to publish his numerous set of discourses on the sufferings and death of Christ, it might greatly' promote this good end.-F.'s Letter to H. p. 22. SIR, J. JEVANS. May 12, 1823. TRUST that the time is fast approaching when Unitarians will no longer be reproached with a want of zeal for spreading the knowledge of divine truth amongst distant nations. The very favourable and unlooked-for openings exhibited to us at Madras and Calcutta, appear to me nothing less than the finger of Providence pointing out the theatre where our exertions should for the present be principally made. If (as I hope we all firmly believe) the period will arrive when Christian truth shall overspread the earth, even as the waters cover the sea; there can be little doubt in my mind that this great work must be accomplished by Unitarian missions. We may ask, what has reputed Orthodoxy done towards the attainment of this great end? How sincere and earnest the endeavours that have been made by different missionary societies in our own times, and in comparison how very small the results! nor without a miracle could it be otherwise. The stupid Hottentot, or the scarcely less benighted Pacific islander may be induced to profess a belief in dogmas which they cannot comprehend; but what impression has been made on the Jew or the Mussulman? Must not the true but melancholy answer be, None? However inviting the pure and divine morality of the gospel may appear to welldisposed men of those religions, so as to induce them to make further inquiries concerning the truth of Christianity, they no sooner enter upon those inquiries than they are astounded and horrified by hearing doctrines set forth as the very essence of Christianity, which must of necessity from all their previous belief, appear to them nothing less than the most appalling blaspheiny. With the Hindoo we might suppose the case would who, from their perfect knowledge of the language and customs, would labour with an effect that an European would with difficulty attain. B. REFLECTIONS MADE IN A COURSE No. CCCCV. Coughing Eloquence. be different. Believing as he does in GLEANINGS; OR, SELECTIONS AND a variety of incarnations of the Supreme Being, we might predicate of him that he would give a ready assent to the Christian incarnation; yet, in fact, the Orthodox missionary finds nearly as many difficulties to encounter with the Hindoo as with a Mussulman. He must of course attack the Bramunical tenets as idolatrous, but unfortunately it is not in his power to advance a single argument in support of the Trinity, which his opponent may not fairly use in defence of his own belief. There are some very curious extracts from the writings of a Brahmin on this subject, inserted by Captain Thrush in a pamphlet in answer to Mr. Richardson's defence of the Athanasian Creed, which are deserving of the serious attention of all missionaries. In conclusion, I must express the anxious desire I feel that some effective means may be adopted for calling the attention of the Unitarian public to this interesting subject. London is doubtless the proper place in which to originate these measures, and some of the active members of the Unitarian Fund will, I hope, come forward with an offer of their services in establishing a missionary society for the East Indies, and I have no fear whatever of a failure, feeling confident that such an establishment would meet with the cordial and zealous support of Unitarians in all parts of the island. It appears to me little less than a libel on the cause to fear that every thing desired by Mr. Adam might not be accomplished, if active and judicious measures were taken, with the exception perhaps of sending out his number of learned missionaries, as I understand that there is at present rather a deficiency in the supply of our own places of worship. It appears to me that were Mr. Adam provided with the printer, press and paper, and the necessary pecuniary means, that he would in a short time be able to supply himself with native teachers in every way fitted for missionaries, and Strange as this phrase may seem, it is borrowed from the history of the pulpit among our French neighbours. "L'Eloquence Tousseuse" marks a period in the annals of preaching. Of this era, Olivier Maillard, a Cordelier preacher and Doctor of Divinity, was one of the most characteristic specimens. His sermons were published after his death with caricature prints, an appropriate embellishment. The most singular of these productions was printed by itself, under the following title: "Sermon d'Olivier Maillard, prêché le cinquième Dimanche de Carême, en la ville de Bruges, l'an 1500, en 40." This is a curious volume, much prized by bibliographers. In the margin are inserted the words Hem! Hem! at the places where the preacher paused, in order to cough; and he professedly designates these passages thus marked as models for the same pulpit-action. (See De Bure's Bibliographie, volume de Théologie, No. 510.) This reverend buffoon was a great favourite with the high and mighty of his day, and was employed in important embassies by Pope Innocent VIII., by Charles VIII., King of France, and by Ferdinand, King of Arragon. He died at Toulouse in 1502.-One anecdote told of him is creditable to his character. "but He had insinuated in his sermons some satirical strokes at Louis XI., who, in consequence, ordered a message to be conveyed to him that he would throw him into the river. "The King is master," he replied; tell him that I shall sooner get to Paradise by water, than he by posthorses," alluding here to the relays of the post, just established by Louis. (Biographie Universelle, T. XXVI. p. 238.) SELECT NOTICES OF FOREIGN LITERATURE. Account of M. DE CLERCQ, a Dutch that undermine its capital; depicted Improvisatore. (Translated from the Musée des Variétés Littéraires, for April 1823, pp. 152, 153.) Amsterdam, February, 1823. A most extraordinary phenomenon is to be found at this place,-a Dutch Improvisatore. Between him and the Italian Improvisatori we can institute no comparison; for M. de Clercq, who is distinguished in the commercial world, applies himself with zealous industry to his calling, and in his leisure hours alone, having arrived but at the age of seven and twenty, he has acquired a profound knowledge of history, modern history especially; of the Greek, Latin, Spanish, Italian, French, English and German literature, and of the literature of his own country. Of this knowledge he gave a brilliant proof in his essay on the subject proposed by the second class of the Institute: An Examination of the Influence of Spanish, Italian, French and German Literature on the Literature of Holland; an essay which obtained for him the golden prize, in the sitting of 1822. With an impartiality as unswerving as his acquaintance with those writers is extensive, he admiringly quotes the verses of Calderon and of Tasso, of Voltaire, of Byron, and of Schiller. To his large acquirements M. de Clercq adds the inspiration of the poet. Hitherto his pen has preserved but few of his verses; frequently, however, in a circle of friends, when a subject is pointed out, he rises, and after revolving it in his mind for one or two minutes, pours forth a torrent of ideas and images in the noblest strains of poetry. At an entertainment of a political nature, given at the end of the year 1820, or the beginning of 1821, a gentleman requested him to sing the journey of the King of Naples to Laybach. Rising immediately, in lines full of poetic fire he sketched the beautiful country of Italy, dwelling on its most lovely part-the paradise of Naples; traced its political revolutions, which are not less dreadful than the natural revolutions the Romans, the Goths, the Greeks of the lower empire, the Saracens, the Normans, and the Hungarian, Angevin, Arragonese, and French princes, who have by turns been its invaders; pointed out the efforts made by the unhappy country, eternally subjected to the caprice of foreign usurpers, to obtain the freedom which eludes its grasp; and, lastly, narrated the events of the year 1820, and the dangers which again threaten the independence of that classic ground, which appears for ever devoted to slavery. On another occasion, the ladies in a numerous assembly were desired to propose a subject to the poet: One's Native Country, and The Death of Socrates, were the two themes most strongly recommended; M. de Clercq united them in one effusion. Nothing, perhaps, excites our admiration so inuch as that flexibility of talent which enables him to seize with equal strength of genius objects the most dissimilar. In one of those evenings devoted to his intimate friends, The Chase had been the subject of his extemporaneous verses; a few minutes afterwards he was entreated to celebrate the poet Schiller; his enthusiasm was instantly kindled, and with the hand of a master he traced the characteristics of this most distinguished of the tragic bards of Germany, translating at the moment some of Schiller's most brilliant passages into Dutch verse. One of those effusions, most calculated to impress the memory, was that entitled Melpomene, which he gave at a meeting of the members of the Institute, at the house of M. Wisélius. On that occasion the Professor Kinker, of Liege, one of the most celebrated Dutch poets, who had not hitherto been convinced that the enthusiastic praises bestowed on M. de Clercq could be merited, had the opportunity of appreciating his wonderful powers. The Improvisatore began with the feeble infancy of the dramatic art, then portrayed its vigorous youth in the genius of Eschylus, Sophocles and Euripides; giving in brilliant touches, instantly recognized by the best Greck scholars of the Institute, the distinctive traits of those three poets; afterwards passing in review Italy, France, Spain, England, Germany, and lastly, Holland, he offered a rapid yet admirable sketch of the dramatic literature of each of those countries. The applause which followed this effort of genius was sincere and universal. With a talent so uncommon and so deserving of admiration, M. de Clercq has manners the most artless and gentle, and a mind imbued with noble and religious feelings. The writer of this article, who has sometimes had the gratification of hearing M. de Clercq, appeals for FOREIGN. FRANCE. the truth of his statement, to the testimony of all who have enjoyed the same advantage,-to Messrs. Wisélius, Kinker, Bilderdyk, Pollens, &c. It is a great triumph for Holland, whose language is so little known, and so ill appreciated by strangers, to produce not only poets of the first rank, but also an Improvisatore of such extraordinary merit.* We publish this article in the words of its author, a Dutchman eminent for his literary acquirements. INTELLIGENCE. The election of a Foreign Associate of the French Institute, in the room of the late Dr. Jenner, took place on Monday the 24th ult. The following gentlemen were proposed :-Dr. WOLLASTON, Dr. YOUNG, M. OLBERS, M. SEMERING, M. VON BUCH, Mr. LAMBTON, Mr. BROWN, Mr. DALTON and Mr. OŒESTED. The number of members who voted was 44; and the ballot was as follows, Dr. WOLLASTON, 38; OLBERS, 5; VON BUCH, 1. -It is highly honourable to the English nation, that out of nine persons proposed to the Institute, of all the learned and distinguished men of the civilized world, five should be English men. at the age of 28, to fifteen years' solitary imprisonment in the fortress of Spitzberg. His crime is that of being a Carbona. RUSSIA. Extract of a Letter from Bailatzeck, in the Ukraine, dated Jan. 16, 1823: "I had seen but a very imperfect account of the *** before I received your letter. The Morning Chronicle was, I believe, the only paper that gave a full history of it, (as some of the papers say,) and that is one of the newspapers, the entry of which into this country is forbidden. The same restrictions have prevented my seeing the works of Lord Byron, which you mention. I should like to have seen and especially how The Edinburgh the whole of what he says of Southey, Review will treat him; but this I shall not be able to do, as The Edinburgh Review is also forbidden. The affair of the Bishop is a very unfortunate matter for the clergy of England, which is so great an aid to the Government; in other countries, as this, where the clergy have no influence whatever on the public, being of the lowest origin, and living like common peasants in cabins, their daughters tilling the ground and tending hogs and cattle, such an affair would have been of but little import, as the Government does not want the aid of any other power. The Christian religion, too, is so interwoven in the English Government, that the secession of any of the subjects from it would be a serious evil; here all religions are absolutely tolerated, and of so little import is a difference in this respect in any subjects, that so late as the reign of Catherine some villages in the South changed from Christians to Jews.-There were no priests there, and the people feeling a want of some religion listened to the Jews, who were amongst them, and became converted, and this took place in perfect quietness The Government has ordered no young person shall study in the Universities of those countries where such principles are disseminated." INDIA. Religious Battle during the Mo- Secundrabad, Sept. 23, 1822. A very unpleasant occurrence has taken place in this city during the present Mohurrum festival. The particulars which I have been able to obtain are as follows:-About a week ago, a dispute arose on some religious point, (said to be whether Mahoinet was or was not to return to this world,) which dispute was referred by both parties to one of the head Imaums, who decided that he was not to return: on which one of those who expected the return of Mahomet, immediately struck his creese into the Imaum's throat, which killed him. On the 20th inst. the two parties came to the outside of the city and fought a pitched battle, which continued a considerable time, when an officer of rank, in the Nizam's service, named Neeaz Buhadoor, was dispatched to put a stop to the affray; but he had scarcely time to interfere when one of the combatants (I believe a Patan) struck off his head. The affair having, in consequence of this assault on the person of his Highness's officer, become important, orders were immediately dispatched to Bolarum, for the brigade of Nizam's infantry to march for the city, which was accordingly done early on the morning of the 21st. The troops under Col. Doveton's command are encamped at the French Gardens, and every thing appears quiet. Among the combatants were about 300 hun dred Patans, who fought on one side of the question, and destroyed upwards of two of their opponents for one of themselves. Betwixt 300 and 400 are supposed to have been killed and wounded. The death of Neeaz Buhadoor is much regretted, I understand, by the European part of the community who knew him: no doubt, steps will be taken to discover the author of his death. The Patans are said to have taken refuge in Col. Doveton's camp, being afraid to return to the city. The gaieties of this station still continue. There is either a ball or play each month. We had a ball last, and there is to be a play on the 1st proximo, which, from the ability of the corps dramatique, is expected to afford much satisfaction. A masonic lodge has been opened here, which from the respectability and number of its members, it is supposed will become one of the most flourishing in India.—Calcutta Journal. Disturbance in the neighbourhood of Hyderabad. (Extract from a private letter, dated Hyderabad, 23rd Sept. 1822.) There has been a terrible disturbance in the neighbourhood of this city: the Pathan population of Chincul Goorah, a suburb, murdered a Hafiz, in consequence of some disputed point of faith, and the whole armed population of the city to the number of 50,000 turned out to take revenge. The inhabitants of Chincul Goorah, to the number of 1,500, armed to a man, (and even their children stood their ground,) sallied out, took two guns and a standard, and then stood at bay. Some hundreds of Juwan-murds have been cut up, and the plain was strewed with strapping carcases, disfigured by ghastly wounds. The Bolaurum troops, on the day following the fight, drew up on the height, commanding the village, to preserve the peace; and yesterday, without firing a shot, the matter came to an amicable adjustment, under the excellent arrangement of Mr. Metcalfe. The part the Bolaurum troops have taken is very gratifying; no violence has been used: we have stood neutral, and the Pathans have quietly withdrawn from the Nizam's territory, under British guarantee. Madras Gazette. |