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tian morals, please us more than any other work of a similar kind with which we are acquainted. The late erudite and pious Doctor Witherspoon used to say, that theological students would be well repaid for learning French, were it only for the sake of reading the sound Calvinistick Theology which is to be found in that language, and especially in the system of Pictet. The Latin abridgment, however, of this distinguished writer, in a duodecimo volume, although not without merit, is we think not to be compared with Marck's Medullaindeed we know of nothing so compendious that can be compared with it. Yet we mean not, by saying this, or by any thing we have said, to intimate that we approve of every word or sentence in this excellent work. It was first published in 1690, and in the lapse of almost a century and a half, it would be wonderful if the progress of knowledge had not tended to show that there are some flaws in this or in any system of science, constructed at that time. Still, the imperfections of Marck's work are no more than flaws, and they of a very unimportant kind. Built on "the foundation of the prophets and apostles," a system of Theology which was once very good, must be always very good. There will doubtless, be some advantage for theological investigations, derived from the increase of Philological knowledge, from historical researches, from travels, from geographical

discoveries, and from several such causes. But the great and commanding features of Theological truth must forever remain the same. They are derived from the revealed'will of God, which is perfect and unchangeable; which was intended for the benefit of the church and the salvation of sinners in all ages; and which we believe was never so well understood as by the apostles and their immediate successors. In later periods, the real scope and spirit of the sacred volume were, in our opinion, far better perceived and exhibited by the protestant reformers, and by their successors for something more than a century after their decease, than by most of the writers of our own time. The improvements made since the period we have mentioned, have been chiefly in verbal criticism, and in the knowledge of ancient manners and customs. But in a correct whole view of the gospel system, we are persuaded that our fathers generally had a clearer and stronger vision than their children; and that we shall do well to go to them for instruction, instead of making a boast, as seems to be the present fashion, of the wonderful improvements and discoveries-in Theological, as well as in other knowledge It is

of this enlightened age. not the best evidence of improvement in any age, or in any science, or in any individual, to be vain and boastful of progress made, of excellence achieved, and of ancestors surpassed.

Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc.

Sparta, (Tenn.) Jan. 24. A River on Fire!-On Saturday evening last we witnessed a very novel and interesting spectacle, at the Salt Wells, belonging to Mr. Denton, on the Calf Killer River, about three miles above this village.

As we approached within two miles of the Wells, our attention was suddenly ar

rested, by seeing corruscations of light quivering on the edge of the horizon, which was illumined with an unsteady flickering glare. Arrived at the spot, a scene presented itself which almost beggars description. A column of fire nearly 40 feet in height, ascended from near the middle of the river, here about fifty yards wide, illuminating surrounding oh

jects within the distance of two hundred yards.

We are informed by Mr. Denton, that, in boring for Salt Water the preceding day, they had suddenly struck upon a vein of gas, which, in ascending, found another vent than the tube, through a rock in the bed of the river, forcing a passage through the surrounding waters, which boiled with considerable violence round the place of its escape. A torch was then cautiously applied, which quickly communicated to the gas, and a blaze inconceivably grand burst upwards to the height mentioned, apparently from the very bed of the river. The cloud above the blaze exhibited a mixture of colours beautiful beyond description, and a ruddy dismal light gave to various objects the hues of green and red, yellow and blue.

The Copley Medal was given, on the 1st December, by the Royal Society in London, to Mr. Pond, the Astronomer Royal. The particular merit for which it was adjudged to this eminent person, the president (Sir Humphrey Davy) stated to be his laborious and most accurate observations, with a view to decide the long agitated question of the parallax of the fixed stars. He remarked, that Mr. Pond's observations were calculated to disprove the existence of such parallax, contrary to the opinion of Dr. Brinkley, of Dublin; and that though the point cannot yet be esteemed by any means decided, it was brought somewhat nearer to a conclusion; awaiting, however, the ulterior remarks and observations of astronomers who hold the contrary opinion. He noticed also Mr. Pond's discovery of the southern motion of the fixed stars.

Increase of Manufactures.-The Legislature of Massachusetts, have passed bills to incorporate the South Boston Crown Glass Company; the Boston and Ipswich Lace Company; the New England Crown Glass Company; the New England Museum, additional; the Saxon Factory; the Middlesex Iron Founding Company, in Boston and Cambridge; and to incorporate the Norfolk Manufacturing Company.

Free School Society of New York.-The Free School Society commenced in 1806, with 50 scholars, and has been increasing until it now numbers nine schools, under as many teachers, and five large commodious brick school houses, the property of the public, and which must always be appropriated to the noble object for which they were erected. Upwards of eighteen thousand scholars have received instruc

tion in those schools, and 4,217 now belong

to them.

To Escape from, or go into a House on

Fire.-Creep or crawl with your face near the ground, and though the room be full of smoke to suffocation, yet near the floor the air is pure, and may be breathed with safety. The best escape from upper windows is a notted rope, but if a leap is unavoidable, then the bed should be thrown out first, or beds prepared for the purpose.

The grand total of the population of Lower Canada is 427,465. The Catholics are in number 364,411. The clergy and nuns in Quebec, 217; in Montreal,

180.

St. Augustine, (E. F.) Jan. 17. The Season. Our winter, with one or two exceptions, has exhibited all the gentleness of a northern summer; and for some days past we have had before our eyes trees bearing on their branches ripe The groves generally are budding, and in oranges, green oranges, and blossoms.not interpose, to see them in full blossom. a few days we may expect, if frost should

Medical Premiums.-The Medical Society of the state of New York, has offered a premium of fifty dollars for the best dissertation on "the History, Causes, and Treatment of the Hooping Cough;" and the like sum of fifty dollars, for the best dissertation on "the Remote and Existing Causes of Phthisis Pulmonalis;" the dissertations to be forwarded to the secretary at Albany, (post paid) on or before the 1st of January, 1825.

It has been decided, that Captain Parry is to take the command of an expedition to Regent's Inlet; that Captain Lyon is to proceed with the Griper to Repulse Bay, from thence overland to Hearne's or Copper Mine River, lately visited by Captain Franklin; and that the latter officer is to explore the coast of the Arctic Sea, from Mackenzie's River to Icy Cape, by land.

By the returns made to the Health Office, it appears, that from the 1st of Jan. 1823, to the 1st of Jan. 1824, there were 5813 births in the city and liberties of Philadelphia. During the same period, the interments amount to 4600.

Deaf and Dumb.-By the census of the State of Ohio it appears, that there are, in that state, 428 deaf and dumb.

and Mangles lately brought from Arabia New Species of Wheat.-Captains Irby have called Heshbon wheat, from Mount a peculiar species of wheat, which they Heshbon (mentioned in scripture), where they obtained it. The ears are twice as large as those of ordinary wheat, of a weight of one ear was found to be 103 more tapering shape, and bearded. The grains troy-the number of grains in the ear 84-and the length of the stalk 5 feet

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Mr. Coleridge has succeeded Mr. Gifford, as editor of the Quarterly Review, with a salary of 1000l. sterling per annuni.

Keligious Intelligence.

EDUCATION SOCIETIES.

(Concluded from page 92.)

The following persons have become members for life of this Society, viz: Robert Ralston, Esq. of Philadelphia, and Roswell L. Colt, Esq. of Baltimore, by paying each $100; Alexander Henry and John Stille, Esqrs. by paying each 50; Mr. Solomon Allen, by paying 40; Mr. Joseph Montgomery, by paying 30; Mr. Abraham Kearns, Bedford, Pa. by paying 24; and each of the following persons by paying 20; to wit, Rev. Ashbel Green, D.D.LL.D.; Rev. Samuel Miller, D.D.; Rev. Archibald Alexander, D.D.; Rev. Messrs. Colin M'Iver, N.C.; Francis Cummins, Geo.; Thomas Charlton Henry, S. C.; John F. Grier, Reading, Pa.; the Hon. Elias Boudinot, LL.D.; Hon. Walter Lowrie, Pa.; Elias B. Caldwell, Esq. Washington; Rev. Jacob J. Janeway, D. D.; Matthew C. Ralston, William L. Hodge, John Maybin, Thomas Latimer, John S. Henry, Daniel Jaudon, Benjamin Ives Gilman, Jr., John C. Smith, John Strawbridge, William Hart, Mrs. Sarah Henry, Miss Ann Maria Henry, Miss Sarah Matilda Henry, Samuel Richards, Rev. E. S. Ely, D.D.; Gen. John Steele, Samuel Carswell, Paul Cox, Joseph Boyd, Jacob Frick, Robert Mercer, James C. Thompson, Arthur Harper, Mrs. Elizabeth Harper, Mrs. Eliza Ann Jackson, Mrs. Mary Ann Ely, Mrs. Sophia Isaacs, William Nassau, John W. Scott, John Lisle, James Kerr, John M'Mullin, Robert S. Clark, Conrad Hanse, William Brown, George Latimer, Mrs. Rebecca Ord, Miss Henrietta Ord, Mrs. Ann Hill, Mrs. Margaret Hall, Mrs. Sarah Hollinshead, Thomas Montgomery, Charles M'Alester, Silas E. Weir, Rev. William M. Engles, William Kirkpatrick, Esq. Lancaster; Divie Bethune, N.Y.; John Poole, N.J.; John M'Kissick, Harrisburgh; Samuel Bayard, Esq. N.J.; Michael Allen, Esq. Pittsburgh, George W. Coe, Esq. Georgia, Mrs. Susannah M'Ilhenny, Georgia, and Mrs. Margaret Carswell.

The following clergymen have been constituted members for life, by donations of $20 for each, from some members of their respective congregations, viz. Rev. Messrs. George C. Potts, George Chand

Thomas

ler, Eliphalet W. Gilbert, Del.;
J. Biggs, Samuel B. How, N.J.; Samuel
Bell, Del.; David Dennie, Stephen Boy-
er, William R. De Witt, Amos A. M'Gin-
ley, George W. Janvier, N.J.; John E.
Latta, Del.; R. W. James, S. C.; William
Kerr, Jonathan Freeman, N.J.; Elkanah
K. Dare, James Patterson, James Arbuckle,
A. K. Russell, and Drs. Janeway and Ely.

From the foregoing, and all other
sources of revenue, this Society has re-
ceived $8560; and has invested $1050 of
the monies obtained by life subscriptions
in the six per cent. stock of the United
States, to constitute a permanent fund.
The residue, except a small balance now in
the treasury, has already been expended.

The officers and other managers of this Society are the following, viz: President, Robert Ralston, Esq.; Vice Presidents, Rev. Ashbel Green, D.D.LL.D. Elias Boudinot Caldwell, Esq. Rev. John Woodhull, D.D. Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D.D. and Rev. William Neill, D.D.; Recording Secretary, Rev. W. M. Engles; Corresponding Secretary, Rev. E. S. Ely, D.D.; Treasurer, Jno.Stille, Esq.; Managers, Rev. Drs. Janeway, Alexander and Miller, Rev. Messrs. George C. Potts, James Patterson, John E. Latta, S. B. How, E. W. Gilbert, T. J. Biggs, and R. Steel, Messrs. Alexander Henry, William Kirkpatrick, Divie Bethune, Joseph Montgomery, John M'Mullin, James Stuart, Jacob Mitchell, James Kerr, William Nassau, Branch Green, John Poole, Samuel Morrow, and John R. B. Rodgers, M.D.

THE PRESBYTERIAN EDUCATION SOCIETY, auxiliary to this Board, holds its annual meetings in New York, on the first Thursday in May. The officers and other managers

of this society at present are the following, viz: President, Hon. Jonas Platt, Vice Presidents, Rev. Drs. Nott, of Union College; Davis, of Hamilton College; Coffin, of Greenville College; Griffin, of William's College; James P. Wilson, of Philadelphia; the Rev. Messrs. Timothy Alden, of Meadville College, and J. Lindsley, of Athens College; the Hon. De Witt Clinton, Chancellor Kent, Aaron Ogden, LL.D. and Jonathan Little, George Huntington, Richard Varick, Thomas Cumming, of Georgia; and Jacob Burnet, of Ohio, Esquires; Corresponding Secretary,

Rev. James Richards, D.D.; Recording Secretary, P. M. Whelpley; Treasurer, Daniel Boardman, Esq.; Managers, Rev. Drs. Asa Hillyar, David Porter, M. L. R. Perrine, Gardiner Spring, Thomas M'Auley, Rev. Messrs. Gideon N. Judd, Elihu W. Baldwin, William Patton, Ward Stafford, Samuel H. Coxe, Philip C. Hay, Samuel Fisher, D. C. Lansing, Thomas H. Skinner, Messrs. Israel Crane, John Dodd, Peter Hawes, Horace Holden, Peter Ludlow, Stephen Lockwood, John R. Murray, Joel Post, Jesse Scofield, Arthur Tappan, John Adams, Knowles Taylor, Renssalaer Havens, Z. Lewis, Eleazar Lord, and Theo. Frelinghuysen, Joseph C. Hornblower, and William Wallace, Esquires. AUXILIARY to the Presbyterian Education Society are enumerated

1. The Executive Committee of New York, of which the Rev. Gardiner Spring, D.D. is Chairman, Rev. P. M. Whelpley, Secretary, and Mr. Eleazar Lord, Treasurer. They have received last year g280 71, and assisted thirteen young men. A Female Association of the Brick Church has been formed in aid of this Committee, which has contributed $50.

2. The Executive Committee of Philadelphia, of which the Rev. Thomas H. Skinner is Chairman, Mr. Oliver Smith, Secretary, and Mr. Joseph Montgomery, Treasurer. They have two young men under their care, and have received last year $50 from the parent Institution, and $145 from the Philadelphia Society auxiliary to the Committee, of which Mrs. Elizabeth Darrach is Directress, Miss Jane Phillips, Secretary, and Miss Margaret Smith, Treasurer.

3. The Executive Committee for the counties of Morris and Essex, N.J. of which the Rev. Jas. Richards, D.D. is Chairman, Mr. William Tuttle, Treasurer, and Rev. Amzi Armstrong, D.D. Secretary. They have received during the last year $262 62, and have assisted six young men. This Committee is aided by a male and a female Association in Newark; a male and a female Association of Bloomfield; a male and a female Association of Westfield; two Associations in the first and second churches of Woodbridge; the Associations of Mendham, Orange, Connecticut Farms, New Providence, Hanover, Rockaway, North Hardiston; and the Newark Ladies' Clothing Society, of which Mrs. J. Richards is President, Mrs. A. Beach, Treasurer, and Miss M. Forman, Secretary. This Society has contributed clothing to the amount of $130 81.

4. The Executive Committee of Columbia, of which the Rev. Joel Benedict, is Chairman, Mr. Aaron Pratt, Treasurer, and Rev. Azariah Clark, Secretary. They are aided by Associations, at New Le

banon, Chatham, Spencertown, Green River and Canaan. This Committee assisted last year three young men.

5. The Executive Committee of the Northern Associated Presbytery, of which the Rev. Mr. Hotchkin is Chairman, and Rev. Stephen Fenn, Secretary. They assisted last year six beneficiaries, and received $266 99. They are aided by Associations in Granville, Jefferson, Harpersfield, Meredith, Walton, Deposit, Bainbridge, Schoharie, Lexington, New Durham, West Durham, Franklin, Unadilla, Columbia, Masonville, Westford, Rensselaerville and Windham.

6. The Executive Committee of Cayuga, of which the Rev. D. C. Lansing is Chairman, Mr. Richard Steele, Treasurer, and Rev. William M. Adams, Secretary. They are aided by two Associations in Ludlowville, two at Genoa, one at each of the following places, viz. Cayuga Bridge, Aubarn, Ithaca, Danby, Aurora, Milan, Union, Groton, Berkshire, Sempronius, Elbridge, Brutus, Scipio, and Owasco Flatts.

7. The Executive Committee of Onondaga, of which the Rev. John Brown is Chairman, Rev. Truman Baldwin, Treasurer, and James H. Mills, Secretary. They have assisted, during the last year, five young men, and are aided by two Associations in Onondaga Hollow, two in Preble, two in Smithfield, two in Otisco, one at Jamesville, and one at Manlius Square.

8. The Executive Committee of Geneva, of which the Rev. Henry Axtell is Chairman, and Rev. John Evans, Treasurer and Secretary. They have aided three young men; and are supported by Associations of Gorham, Gorham and Middlesex, Putneyville and Poplar Ridge, Geneva, Canandaigua, Lyons, Palmyra, Philips, Romulus, Sodus and Ovid.

9. The Executive Committee of Bath, of which the Rev. David Higgins is Chair

man.

10. The Executive Committee of Genessee, of which the Rev. Hugh Wallace is Chairman.

11. The Executive Committee of Ontario, of which the Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, D.D. is Chairman, and the Rev. Warren Day, Secretary and Treasurer. This committee has received from East Bloomfield Association of males and females, $80; from the congregation of West Bloomfield $50, and from the Parent Society $120. "The operations of the year have left them in debt about fifty dollars. The case of this committee is one of peculiar interest. Providence has thrown in their way a number of promising young men, who have an ardent desire to become preachers of the gospel, and who are willing to submit to any course, however selfdenying, to accomplish their object. But

the committee with all their exertions, are unable to meet the necessities of these youth. At best, they can do but little for them, hardly enough to keep them from sinking into utter despondency."

12. The Executive Committee of East Tennessee, of which the Rev. Andrew Morrison is Chairman, the Rev. Isaac Anderson, Treasurer, and the Rev. Charles Coffin, D.D. Secretary; they have assisted last year twelve beneficiaries, and received $475, including $100 from the Parent Society.

13. The Executive Committee of West Tennessee, of which the Rev. Duncan Brown is Chairman, and the Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D.D. Secretary. They have had six young men under their care the past year, have received $770 including $100 paid by the Parent Society, and expended about $800, besides "several articles of clothing furnished to their beneficiaries by the charity of individuals." They are aided by Female Associations in Huntsville, Clarksville, and Charlotte; and "a few persons in that section of the country, have agreed and set apart an acre of land each, to be cultivated for the sole purpose of helping forward this sacred charity."

14. The Executive Committee of Long Island, of which the Rev. Zechariah Green is Chairman, the Rev. Ezra King, Secretary, and Mr. Stephen Rose, Treasurer. They have had three young men under their care; and received from five Associations $82 25. They have two Associations in Babylon, two in Southampton, two on Shelter Island, two in Sag-Harbour, one called Union, and one in each of the following places, viz. Easthampton, Bridgehampton, Cutchogue, Southold, Aquebang, Smithtown, Brookfield, Freshpond, Fireplace, and Westhampton.

15. The Executive Committee of Orange County, of which the Rev. James A. Thomas is Chairman, Dr. Townsend See. ly, Secretary, and Mr. John Smith, Treasurer. They have assisted one beneficiary, and received last year contributions amounting to $131, of which $35 was from the congregation of Chester, and $35 from the Bethlehem Association.

16. The Executive Committee of Chenango, which has aided one young man.

17. The Executive Committee of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, of which the Rev. Timothy Alden is President, Rev. John Van Liew, Secretary, and Capt. John Gibson, Treasurer. They are to be aided by a "Gentlemen and Ladies' Society, a Young Ladies' Society, a Young Gentlemen's Society, a Young Masters' Society, and a Young Misses' Society in Meadville," and by the Associations of Wayne, Harmansburgh, Woodcock, West Sugar Creek, Konneyaut, and Fairfield.

18. The Education Society at Catskill, which has given aid to five young men, "and has in its treasury, notes of beneficiaries to the amount of $300."

19. The Western Education Society, of which the Hon. Thomas R. Gold, is President, Walter King, Esq. Recording Clerk, Rev. John Troup, Corresponding Secre tary, John Bradish, Esq. Treasurer, and Erastus Clark, Esq. Auditor. This Society has been in operation about five years, and become auxiliary in December last. "Four of its beneficiaries have already commenced preaching the gospel, or are well nigh prepared for this service-nine have completed their collegiate course, and have either entered, or will soon enter on the study of theology; and twenty are still dependent on its funds, and pursuing their studies in College." Their receipts and expenditures amounted last year to $819 75.

20. The Rochester Education Society, of which Josiah Bissel, jun. is President, Frederick F. Backus, Vice President, Rev. J. F. Penny, Corresponding Secretary, J. A. Cathcart, Treasurer, and Moses Chapin, Recording Secretary. "During the year past the female contributors to this Society have formed themselves into an auxiliary Branch. Their cash funds amount to $35," and it is expected that they will proprovide future beneficiaries with necessary articles of clothing and bedding.

21. The Education Society of Grand River, of which Ephraim T. Woodruff is President; and Joseph Curtis, Secretary.

22. The Education Society of the Brick Church, N.Y. which has supported two beneficiaries the last year.

The Presbyterian Education Society has purchased the Academy at Bloomfield, N.J. which is occupied by the Rev. Dr. Armstrong, and in which there are usually ten or twelve pious young men, in a course of preparation for the gospel ministry. For the rent of this Academy the Society received last year $400, and from other resources $551 27. It is estimated that the Society and its branches has received and expended last year not less than $5000.

Of this society the following persons have become members for life, viz. William Wallace, Esq. by paying $100; Hon. Elias Boudinot, Col. Richard Varick and M. Allen, Esq. by paying each $50: Rev. Thomas H. Skinner, Messrs. Tho. Fitch, Joseph H. Dullas, Joseph Montgomery, John Hanson, Nicodemus Lloyd, Thomas B. Darrach, Jonathan Little, Hon. B. Livingston, and Mrs. Mary Ann Bunce, by paying each $30; Miss Julia Lynch by paying $25; and each of the following persons by paying $20,-to wit, Hon. Elisha Boudinot, Theodore Frelinghuysen, Esq. Rev. Dr. Griffin, Rev. Cyrus Gildersleeve, Rev. Burr Baldwin, Messrs.

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