therefore be suspended till his innocence or guilt shall be established. Suspension accordingly appears to be indispensable to discipline. Abolish it from your code of ecclesiastical law, and the church will be reduced to the difficult and disagreeable choice of retaining in its bosom, one in whom a large majority of the members may have lost all confidence, or of expelling him before one particle of guilt has been absolutely fastened upon him, or while there is some semblance of contrition and his case therefore by no means hopeless! These remarks, while they justify suspension, plainly set forth its import and the circumstances under which it should take place.

With respect to restoration, we have to observe, that it implies the reinstatement of a suspended or expelled member, to full communion, after he has been brought to a sense of his sin, a belief of God's pardoning mercy and satisfactory amendment of practice.

Every act of expulsion as well as of restoration consequent upon it, should be recorded in the churchbook and published by the minister from the pulpit in the presence of the assembled congregation. Whether the sentence of suspension should in like manner be announced is discretionary with the church council, vide Formula, chap. iv. sec. 7.

As to the manner of proceeding against a minister or other officer of the church council, we refer to the Formula, chap. iii. sec. 5. and chap. iv. sec. 7.* That the most inflexible impartiality should be displayed in the exercise of discipline will be admitted by all, and no church can be too careful in this respect.

With regard to our conduct toward those who are separated from the church, we are not left without instruction. St. Paul, speaking of an expelled person, says: "count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." 2 Thess. iii. 14 15. From this we learn that an expelled person must not be altogether forsaken and abandoned as an enemy that is utterly beyond the reach of recovery. No, we must still bear in mind that the blood of atonement was shed for his redemption, and that he has a soul to be saved or lost as well as others, hence we must continue to admonish him with fraternal feelings and ardent prayers for his recovery. If he be given over as it were, he will probably become more and more vile, but if the members of the congregation and especially the pastor and members of the council continue to seek opportunities to admonish and warn him: "Peradventure God may give him repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" and let every one remember that "he which

*Our Formula says: "A member of the church-council may be accused before the council," but this, in our view, by no means forbids a private admonition anterior the public accusation. On the contrary we think he should be called to a private account just as well as any other member, before the public accusation is made and this may perhaps supersede the exposure of his case before the whole council.

His soul is still of infinite value; labor to get it saved." Clarke's Com.

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converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death." Upon his repentance and reformation, he must again be received into communion with compassion and love, joy and gratitude. "Better," says Dr. Owen, “never excommunicate a person at all, than forsake and abandon him when he is expelled, or refuse to receive him back again upon his repentance; but there is a class of persons unto whom, if a man be an offender, he shall be so forever." God grant that but few persons of this class may be found in our Lutheran Zion! Again, I have written unto you, not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one, no not to eat." 1 Cor: v. 11. In this apostolic injunction all intimate and voluntary intercourse with an expelled person is plainly. prohibited. We may indeed transact our necessary worldly business with him, but have no right voluntarily to associate with him or to make him either an intimate or a frequent companion.. He must be avoided as much as circumstances (and the ties of nature if he be a relation) will admit of. Henry says: "We must avoid familiar converse and society with him for two reasons; namely, that we may not learn his evil ways, (by associating with him,) and for the shaming, and so the reforming of him; that when disorderly persons see how their loose practices are disliked by all wise and good people, they may be ashamed of them and walk more orderly." None of the relative duties however are to be dissolved, nor any of the social duties to be neglected.

We cannot conclude this article better, than by subjoining Mr. Hall's very striking and solemn description of the nature and usefulness of excommunication. "I am far from thinking lightly of the spiritual power, with which Christ has armed his church. It is a high and mysterious one, which has no parallel on earth. Nothing in the order of means, is equally adapted to awaken compunction in the guilty, with spiritual censures impartially administered; the sen¬ tence of excommunication in particular, harmonizing with the dictates of conscience, and re-echoed by her voice, is truly terrible. It is the voice of God, speaking through its legitimate organ, which he who despises, or neglects, ranks with "heathen men and publicans," joins the Synagogue of Satan, and takes his lot with an unbelieving world, doomed to perdition. Excommunication is a sword, which, strong in its apparent weakness and the sharper, and the more keenly edged for being divested of all sensible and exterior envelopements, lights immediately on the spirit, and inflicts a wound which no balsam can cure, no ointment can mollify, but which must continue to ulcerate and burn, till healed by the blood of atonement, applied by penitence and prayer. In no instance is that axiom more fully verified, The weakness of God is stronger than men, & the foolishness of God is wiser than men," than in the discipline of his church. By incumbering it with foreign aid, they have robbed it of its real strength; by calling in the aid of temporal pains and penalties, they have removed it from the spirit to the flesh, from its contact with eternity to unite it to secular interests; and as the corruption of the

best things is the worst, have rendered it the scandal and reproach of our holy religion.

While it retains its character, as a spiritual ordinance, it is the chief bulwark against the disorders which threaten to overturn religion, the very nerve of virtue, and next to the preaching of the cross, the principal antidote to the "corruptions that are in the world through lust." Discipline in a church occupies the place of laws in a state; and as a kingdom, however excellent its constitution will inevitably sink into a state of extreme wretchedness, in which laws are either not enacted, or not duly administered; so a church which pays no attention to discipline, will either fall into confusion, or into a state so much worse, that little or nothing remains worth regulating. The right of inflicting censures, and of proceeding in extreme cases to excommunication is an essential branch of that power with which the church is endowed; and bears the same relation to discipline that the administration of criminal justice bears to the general principles of government. When this right is exerted in upholding "the faith once delivered to the saints," or enforcing a conscientious regard to the laws of Christ, it maintains its proper place, and is highly beneficial. Its cognizance of doctrine is justified by apostolic authority; "a heretic, after two or three admonitions, reject;" nor is it to any purpose to urge the difference betwixt ancient heretics and modern, or that to pretend to distinguish truth from error, is a practical as sumption of infallibility."

Z.

THE LATE REVOLUTION IN FRANCE.

THE design and limits of the Intelligencer, prohibit us from noticing the various political operations of the day; but the great event of the late Revolution in France, merits the particular attention of Protestants. Since the glorious and successful operations of the immortal Luther, no occurrence has displayed the power of truth over error in a greater degree, than the prostration of Papal tyranny, by the French.-We extract the following from the Protestant, and we trust it will be read with attention.-Editor.'

France. A charter is adopted, securing to the people the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty. The Duke of Orleans was proclaimed King of the French, and assumed the title of Philip the 1st, not to perpetuate the feudal monarchy. The following oath was administered:

"In the presence of God, I swear faithfully to observe the Constitutional Charter, with the modifications expressed in the Declaration, to govern only by the laws, and according to the laws; to ren der equal and exact justice to every one, according to his right, and to act in all things with a single view to the interest, the happiness, and the glory of the French people."

The greatest enthusiasm and exultation prevailed in Paris. Many of the odious ministers have been arrested, but some have retired into voluntary exile. All the creations of Peers during the reign of Charles, were declared null and void.

The sixth article of the former Charter, making the Roman religion the religion of the state, is abolished in the Charter subscribed by the present King. May it only be remembered to be detested!

The above intelligence recounts facts of the highest value to the Christian. To the mere abdication of a Popish tyrant, and the elevation of a semi-republican infidel to the French limited monarchy, we are equally indifferent-but we cannot be insensible to the claim of Philip I, king of the French, upon William IV, king of England, that the mortal remains of Bonaparte shall be transferred from their cemetry in the Atlantic, to be deposited where the Code Napoleon has been virtually the means of partially regenerating France. It is an honest, and merited, and laudible tribute to mental and patriotic superiority for the genius and civic character of Napoleon, with all his excrescences and faults, have already attained their elevation in history. But one of the two grand items in the above details, places France in the first rank of European nations. "The censorship of the press is forever abolished!" Amen-then the Jesuits have been despoiled of nine-tenths of their opportunities to cajole pollute and rob the people-but "sing, O Heavens! and be joyful, O earth! and break forth into singing, O mountains! for the Lord has comforted his people!" The Popish idolatry, the established IRreligion is abol ished; and in all probability forever! "Rejoice over the fall of Babylon, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets !" and let the voice of all people shout, "Alleluia; salvation and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: for he hath judged the great whore who did corrupt the earth with her fornication." Revelation, xix: 1, 2. All the powers of Europe, according to the vision of John in Patmos, when he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's day" would first give. their power to the Beast, and afterwards would hate the whore of Babylon, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire." Revelation, xvii: 16-18. The French began the glorious work in Europe at their former reyolution-Napoleon more artfully promoted it—and the present stroke of the Constitutionalists of Paris is rewarding her in full and merited retribution, "double according to her works."

The union of the Church and State in Europe, has been the cause of all the miseries and desolations in the ten horns of the Beast-and it is not a little remarkable, that France should be the first of all the kingdoms to reject that anti-christian nuisance. While the Papists. are endeavouring to effect that same union in this country covertly, they are slandering the Puritans for designing that iniquity, to cast off which, their ancestors fought, suffered, migrated. rebelled and conquered.

But we must rejoice with trembling-for our country will be deluged with those French Jesuits, for whom France will afford no place for their intrigues-according to the information which we have re

ceived from abroad in this momento-" You will have to watch the movements of French Jesuits: for against them the Liberal or Infidel party in France is conflicting. In this way, the God of Israel accomplishes his omniscient purposes and beneficent will, by dashing one potsherd against another."

That the Protestant cause must be indescribably enhanced by these various movements, is evident from the fact: that the chiefs of our denomination have been prominent actors in the late revolution, and have been distinguished by every possible mark of approbation on the part both of the new sovereign and the triumphant citizens. As Jesuitism and Popery with all their complicated and multiplied abominations cannot thrive in countries where the press is free, liberty of conscience governs, and Christians perform their duty to their Redeemer; it requires not the spirit of prophecy, to be assured, that if the present order of things maintains the ascendency in France, during the next twenty years, that the French will be to all intents and purposes a nation of Protestants and Freemen. Amen. Thus "may Babylon be thrown down, and be found no more at all"-and all mankind resound the song-"Alleluia; the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Alleluia, Amen.""

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT GETTYSBURG.

On the 29th of September, the Rev. Dr. E. L. Hazelius was solemnly inaugurated, as Professor of Biblical aud Oriental Literature of this institution.

The Rev. Dr. Kurtz delivered a most interesting charge, after which the Professor delivered an Inaugural Address, which together with the charge, the Directors have resolved to publish.

Upon this occasion the exercises were all performed in the German language.

The examination of the Theological students, and those of the Gymnasium, was very satisfactory to all who were in attendance.

The Directors have made all the preparatory arrangements for building an edifice suitable for a Seminary of the Ev. Luth. Church, and with the blessing of God, expect to complete it so far as to accommodate the students in it, by next fall.-[Editor

Missionary and Education Society, of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, of Maryland and Virginia.

THE Treasurer acknowledges the receipt of thirty dollars, from the Rev. J. N. Hoffman, of Taney-town; and two dollars, from the Rev. M. Wachter. LEWIS MEDTART, Treasurer,

October 1st. 1830.