than a mere dispute about woRDS. We had thought that something far more important than mere "speculation," on both sides, was involved in that great ecclesiastical conflict; and that however undesirable and painful many of the circumstances which attended it undoubtedly were, it could by no means be said to be an unprofitable controversy, any more than that of Augustine with Pelagius, and that of Luther with the Romanists. We are truly, astonished to find Mr. D. expressing himself in such language. We have no suspicion that Mr. D. is an Arian, or that he has any leaning toward that heresy. But we think we can see that the radical absurdity for which he contends, betrays him into something worse than absurdity, with regard to almost every allied subject that he touches.

Mr. D. seems to think (p. 152, and elsewhere) that there is a great impropriety if not absurdity, in applying creeds, if they be proper at all, to ministers and other church officers only, and not to private members.

"Why not," says he, "try and examine Christian people, as well as Christian teachers? Truth is just as important to the people as it is to their teachers; their souls are just as precious; and the Bible is equally binding upon them."

We would recommend to Mr. D. before he writes on this subject again, to review his Bible-especially the Epistles to Timothy and Titus: for, really, he does not appear to be as much at home in that blessed book as he ought to be; more particularly, as he holds himself up as the zealous champion of the Bible against all the host of creed-mongers. Does he really think that the scriptures make no difference between the trials and the qualifications applicable to teachers and rulers in the church, and those which apply to common church members? The Holy Ghost has expressly taught in his word,

if we do not misapprehend that word, that candidates for the ministry are to be tried-whether they be "sound in the faith;"—whether they "hold fast the faithful word;"

whether they be capable of "rightly dividing the word of truth;"-whether they be "apt to teach;"-whether they be able "by sound doctrine both to convince and to exhort the gainsayers ;”whether they are "wise," "prudent," "sober," "grave," having "their children in subjection with all gravity," &c. &c. Similar directions are also given for trying elders and deacons, both of whom, as well as pastors, are required to have suitable and appropriate qualifications. Now we have no recollection of finding any such trials enjoined by the great Head of the church, with respect to private members. Besides; independently of explicit divine direction, which settles the matter, does Mr. D. see no reason for subjecting the faith, practice, and universal qualifications, of those who are to be teachers, guides, and watchmen in the house of God, to a more strict and solemn test, than those of private members? We never expected to be called upon to argue such a point as this with a man of common sense.

Our author not only asserts, that Creeds and Confessions have utterly failed of producing the harmonizing and purifying effects for which they were professedly formed; but he goes further, and confidently maintains that their effect has always been to corrupt and divide the church. If this were really so, then we ought in all cases, to find those religious denominations which are most free from the charge of having written creeds, most orthodox, pure and scriptural in their whole character. Is such the fact? Are those sects, in our own and other countries, who have most signalized themselves by opposing and rejecting all creeds, most distinguished also by

soundness in the faith, and universal purity in practice? We verily think that even Mr. D., though certainly not very scrupulous as to making round assertions on very slender grounds, would not venture to advance such a claim in behalf of his friends. The fact is, as we have already said, that the greater part of whatever of purity or orthodoxy there is to be found in the church, is fairly traceable to the influence of scriptural and well digested creeds and articles of faith either made by individuals, when they enter into ministerial or church fellowship, or published as their standards of faith by a whole sect or denomination.

We now take our leave of Mr. D. We are truly sorry that we have found so little to praise in this volume. We do indeed think that the style of his book is considerably better than that of his sermon. He is not so often in nubibus, as we found him in our former review-If it would not savour of vanity, we should take some credit of his improvement to ourselvesto the advice we gave him to read Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetorick. He is still exceedingly wordy; but yet in many parts of this little volume, it is no more than his just praise to say, that his style is handsome, easy, and flowing. But here

our commendation must stop. We have no recollection of having ever perused a volume of equal size, which contained more crude, immature thinking; or which, with so much ostentatious rhetorick, contained so little tolerable logick. We say this without the least ill will to Mr. D. On the contrary, we cordially wish him every blessing, and shall be unfeignedly glad to hear that he has come to a better mind. But so long as we stand before the publick as the "Advocates" of sound Christian principles, we shall not hesitate to expose, without reserve, any production, from whomsoever it may come, which we think hostile to scripture, and to the best interests of the Church of Christ. Such we verily think is the volume of which we are now closing our review; and that it is not likely to do extensive mischief, is not owing to the innocence of the principles which it espouses, or to the want of zeal in the writer; but to that entire want of mature and scriptural wisdom which he manifests, and which cannot fail, we are persuaded, to destroy its influence with all discerning and sober minded readers.

coming month, the conclusion of the Re[We are obliged to postpone till the view of "Proceedings against Lieutenant Dawson."]

* Latin edit.

readers. We are thus saved from the task of dwelling on its authenticity; ou the details of its being found by Mr. Lemont (whose zeal is likely to be rewarded

"In the latter part of the year 1823, however, a Latin manuscript, bearing the following title, JOANNIS MILTONI ANGLI DE DOCTRINA CHRISTIANA, EX SACRIS DUNTAXAT LIBRIS PETITA, DISQUISITIONUM LIBRI DUO POSTHUMI, was discovered by Mr. Lemon, in the course of his researches in the Old State Paper Office, situated in what is called the Middle Treasury Gallery, Whitehall. It was found in one of the presses, loosely wrapped in two or three sheets of printed paper, with a large

by many further interesting results); on the ability with which it has been translated and edited by Mr. Sumner; or on the liberality of his Majesty's command, to which we are indebted for its publication. It cannot fail, however, to be exceedingly interesting to the literary world, in foreign countries as well as throughout the British Empire, to have a complete abstract of the contents of so striking a posthumous remains of so extraordinary a man. This we accordingly insert.

Book 1.-On Faith, or the Knowledge of

God.

Chap. 1. On what may be considered as Christian Doctrine, and the several parts thereof: namely, Faith, or the Knowledge of God; Charity, and the Worship of God.

2. Of God; his Names and Attributes. 3. Of the Divine Decree, general and special, and of the Efficiency of God to Man, internal and external.

4. Of Predestination, or the Special

Decree of God to Man.

5. Of Christ, the Son of God, and his Attributes.

6. Of the Holy Spirit.

7. Of the Creation of the World, and all things invisible and visible.

8. Of the General Providence of God in his Government of all things created. 9. Of the Special Providence of God, by the Agency of his Angels.

10. Of the Providence of God towards Man before the Fall, and of the Institution of the Sabbath Day, and of Marriage.

11. Of the Fall of our First Parents, and the introduction of Sin into the World.

12. Of the Punishment of Sin by Death-spiritual and corporal.

13. Of Corporal Death, or the Extinc

tion of Life.

14. Of the Redemption of Man, by

the Blood of Christ.

15. Of the Office of the Mediator, and

number of original letters, informations, examinations and other curious records relative to the Popish plots in 1677 and 1678, and to the Rye House plot in 1683. The same parcel likewise contained a complete and corrected copy of all the Latin letters to foreign princes and states written by Milton while he officiated as Latin Secretary; and the whole was enclosed in an envelope inscribed, to Mr. Skinner, Mercht. The address seems distinctly to identify this important manuscript with the work mentioned by Wood, though an error has been committed, either by himself or his informant, with respect to its real title."

his triple function of Prophet, Priest, and King.

16. Of the Administration of Salvation to Man by Christ, in his Life, Death, and Resurrection.

17. Of the Renovation of Man, and his Calling to a state of Grace.

18. Of the Regeneration of Man, by the Word and Spirit of God.

19. Of Repentance from Sin, through an humble sense of the Divine Mercy; which is the first effect of Regeneration.

20. Of Saving Faith, or steadfast belief in the Promises of God through Christ; which is the second effect of Regeneration.

21. Of the Engrafting on Christ, and its effects on Man, leading to a new Life, and a knowledge of Eternal Salvation.

22. Of Justification through Christ, and the Remission of Sin, not by Works but by Faith.

23. Of the Adoption of the Just by Faith.

24. Of the Union and Communion of

Regenerated Man with Christ and the Mystic or Invisible Church.

25. Of the commencement of Glorification, or the certainty of Salvation by the influence of the Holy Spirit.

26. Of the Manifestation of the Cove. nant of Grace, as well under the law, as under the Gospel.

tion of the Covenant of Grace, by Christ 27. Of the Gospel, or new Dispensaand the Apostles, by which Man is deli vered from the servitude of Sin.

28. Of the External Signs of the Covenant of Grace; which, under the Law, were Circumcision and the Passoverunder the Gospel, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper.

29. Of the Visible Church, or Assembly of the Faithful, universal or particular;

and its Ministers.

spired Writings of the Prophets, Evangelists, and Apostles.

30. Of the Holy Scriptures, or the In

31. Of particular Churches and their Ministers, Priests, or Bishops, and Deacons, and their respective Duties.

32. Of Ecclesiastical Discipline, which is the common bond of the Church.

33. Of Eternal Glory; the second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the Dead; the Final Judgment, and the conflagration of this World.

Book II-On the Worship of God. Chap. I. On Good Works, or whatever is done by Man, through the influence of the Holy Scripture, for the Glory of God, the certain Hope of Salvation, and the benefit of our Fellow Creatures.

2. Of the Cases immediately tending to Good Works either general or special;

defining Wisdom, Prudence, Sincerity, Promptitude, Constancy, &c.

3. Of the Virtues appertaining to the Internal Worship of God, Love, Confidence, Hope, Gratitude, Fear, Humility, Patience, and Obedience; contrasted with the opposite vices, Hate, Presumption, Doubt, Despair, Ingratitude, Assurance, Pride, Impatience, and Disobedience.

4. Of the External Worship of God; defining true Religion, as opposed to Superstition, and Hypocrisy.-Adoration, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Fasting, &c.

5. Of Swearing, or calling God to witness, either by Oath or by Lot, or Chance. On idolatrous Invocation of Saints, &c.

9. Of Zeal and Holiness of Life ;-Reverence of the Name of God:-Profession to his Service; and the opposite qualities.

7. Of the Time and Place of Divine Worship-of the Sabbath Day, the Lord's Day, and Feast Days.

8. Of the Duties to be performed towards Men, and the general Virtues appertaining thereto :-namely, Charity and Justice-with Definitions and Examples thereof.

9. Of the first kind of Special Virtues, which appertain to the Duties of Man towards himself; namely, Temperance, Sobriety, Chastity, Modesty, Honesty, Contentment, Frugality, Industry, and Magnanimity, contrasted with the opposite vices of Gluttony, Drunkenness, Lust, Obscenity, Fraud, Avarice, Sloth, Pride, and Cowardice.

10. Of the second kind of Special Virtues appertaining to the Duty of Man towards himself:-Fortitude and Patience, as opposed to Timidity, Rashness, Impa

tience, and Weakness of Mind.

11. Of the Duty of Man towards his Neighbour, and the first kind of Virtues appertaining thereto;-namely, Charity, Humanity, Benevolence, Pity, Brotherly Love, and Friendship, as contrasted with Uncharitableness, Cruelty, Malice, Envy, Hatred, &c.

12. Continuation of the Duties of Man

towards his Neighbour, exemplified by Honesty in Life and Actions, Innocence, Mildness, Gentleness, Purity, &c.; and contrasted with Dishonesty, Guilt, Anger, Revenge, Fornication, &c.

exemplified by Integrity, Confidence, Mutual Justice, Beneficence, Liberality, and Gratitude, and contrasted with Theft, Fraud, Oppression, Usury, Prodigality and Ingratitude.

15. Of the Mutual and Private Internal Duties of Man towards his Neighbour, exemplified by the several Relations of Husband and Wife-Parents and Children-Brethren and Kinsmen-Preceptors and Scholars-Age and Youth-Superiors and Inferiors, Masters and Ser

vants.

16. Of the Mutual and Private External Duties of Man towards his Neighbour, exemplified by Alms and Relief to the Poor, the Sick, the Widow, and the Orphan-Hospitality to the Stranger-Assistance to the Destitute, &c.

17. Of the Publick Duties of Man towards his neighbour, exemplified by the reciprocal Duties of the Magistrates towards the People, and of the People towards the Magistrates-the making of Peace or War-and the Duties of the Ministers of God towards the whole Church.

School Fund.-The Common School Fund of the small State of Connecticut (which contains a population of only 300,000 souls) amounts to $1,756,233, in well husbanded productive securities on interest, under the management of Seth er in the place of Mr. Hillhouse, resigned. P. Beers, Esquire, Principal Commission

Projects in Egypt.-It is stated in a late French paper, under the head of Alexdria, (Egypt,) May 1st, that the great demand for indigo from foreign countries has induced the Viceroy to order the cultivation of this plant in several of the provinces to the eastward of Cairo. The Viceroy has also ordered the construction of a new canal which will cross Cairo and extend more than 30 miles into the Serkani. To execute this great work, thirty million of talari, (120 millions of francs,) and four years' labour will be necessary. Three thousand houses in the city will be demolished. The owners of these houses will receive indemnity in lands, with the obligation to plant them with indigo. More than 50,000 men will labour day and night in digging the Canal which will convey a great quantity of water into the provinces beyond Frajum. [N. Y. Mer. Adv.

The King of Spain has authorized the printing of the Autograph Journal of Cofumbus, and those of several other illustrious navigators, which has been preserved in the Escurial with the greatest care, but which no one hitherto has been allowed to peruse.

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

(Continued from p. 428.)

The committee appointed to examine the records of the Synod of Geneva, réported, and the book was approved to page 413, with the exception of a resolution on page 383, respecting an order of the General Assembly.

A motion was made to send a proposition to the Presbyteries, to have the form of government so amended, as to alter the ratio of representation to the General Assembly. After considerable discussion, this subject was committed to Dr. Miller, Mr. Wylie and Mr. Bogue.

The committee appointed to count the ballots for directors of the Theological Seminary, made a report, from which it appeared that the following Ministers and Elders were elected for three years, viz. Ministers.-Rev. John Chester, D. D. Thomas M'Auley, D. D. Eliphalet Nott, D.D. Ezra Fisk. Asa Hillyer, D.D. Benjamin M. Palmer, D. D. Eliphalet W. Gilbert.

Elders. Mr. Zachariah Lewis, of New York. Eliphalet Wickes, of Jamaica, L. I. Mr. John Van Cleve, of Princeton, N. J. And, that the Rev. Joshua T. Russel, was elected for two years, in the place of the Rev. John B. Romeyn, D. D. deceased; the Rev. William W. Phillips, for one year, in the place of the Rev. John E. Latta, deceased, and Col. Robert G. Johnson, of Salem, N. J. for one year, in the place of Mr. Divie Bethune, deceased.

The appeal of Mr. David Price from the decision of the Synod of Geneva in his case, was made the order of the day for to-morrow morning.

The committee on the reference from the Presbytery of Cayuga, reported, that it is inexpedient for this Assembly to give an opinion on the case referred. This report was adopted by the Assembly.

The committees appointed to examine the Records of the Synods of North Carolina and of Tennessee, reported respectively, that the Records had not been put into their hands.

The Assembly proceeded to read the narrative on the state of religion by paragraphs, and having made some progress in this business, adjourned till this afternoon at half past 4 o'clock. Concluded with prayer.

past 4 o'clock, P. M. The Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read.

The Rev. Avelyn Sedgwick, from the Presbytery of Rochester, appeared in the Assembly, and his commission being read, took his seat as a member.

The Assembly resumed and finished reading by paragraphs, the narrative on the state of religion. The narrative thus amended was adopted.

Resolved, that it be committed to the Stated Clerk; and that he have 1500 copies printed.

Mr. King, and Mr. Osborn had leave of absence from the remaining sessions of the Assembly.

Mr. Studdiford resigned his seat to the Rev. Nathaniel Pratt, the alternate mentioned in their commission.

The committee on the overture in re

gard to the validity of the baptisms performed by the Cumberland Presbyterians, made a report. After some discussion, morning at 9 o'clock. Concluded with the Assembly adjourned till to-morrow

prayer.

May 27, 9 o'clock, A. M. The Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read.

Dr. Brownlee obtained leave to resign his seat to the Rev. Jacob Kirkpatrick, the alternate mentioned in their commission.

Mr. Breese had leave of absence from the remaining sessions of the Assembly.

The report of the committee, under consideration when the Assembly adjourned last evening, was resumed.

A motion was made indefinitely to postpone that part of the report which related to the first question in the overture, viz.-"Can a Presbytery consistently acknowledge as valid the ordinance of baptism as administered by those who are regularly suspended by a higher judicatory of the church?" The motion indefinitely to postpone, was carried in the affirmative.

After considerable discussion of that part of the report of the committee which related to the second question in the overture, viz. "How are we to regard the bap. tism of the Cumberland Presbyterians?" -this question was recommitted to Dr. Blackburn, Mr. Woodbridge, Mr. Russell, Mr. Nelson, Mr. John M'Farland, Dr. Green, and Mr. Biggs.

The order of the day for this morning, viz. the appeal of Mr. David Price, was postponed until this afternoon.