course of rapid increase, and has already assumed an aspect of the most appalling and portentous character. But to suppose that this Synod, and the churches under its care, and the section of country in which they are located, are alone concerned, would, in the opinion of your committee, be to overlook the mighty magnitude of the subject. There is a stream that flows with moral pestilence through the whole extent of the nation. The evil is not less alarming in other parts of our country than in this. It is the common concern of all the churches of every name, and of all the states from east to west and from north to south, in this vast republick. Your committee consider the subject as one of vital importance to all our civil and religious institutions-a great ecclesiastical and national question, the influ ence of which must be deeply felt in every department of society, and in every section of our great and growing country. With these views of the magnitude and importance of the subject before them, your committee cannot think that any efforts, limited by the boundaries of this Synod or of this State, would be at all commensurate with the evils to be removed, and the interests to be secured. Nor can they suppose that the grand enterprise of effecting the needed reformation could be accomplished in the short space of a few months. Time must be taken the moral feelings of the nation must be awakened-the virtuous wisdom and talents of the nation must be enlisted -the lawless manners of the nation must be reformed. Overlooking, therefore, all sectarian and sectional considerations, the ultimate means on which your committee fix their eyes, and in which alone, under God, they indulge the hope of complete success, are, 1. faithful discipline in all the churches of American Israel; and 2. efficient legislation in all the branches of our civil government; or to express these together, There must be one, great, united national effort. In order to secure this, your committee recommend the adoption of the following resolutions: 1. That a Committee of Correspondence be appointed by this body, whose duty it shall be to solicit the attention of other Synods of the Presbyterian church, and ecclesiastical Bodies of all other religious Denominations in the country, to this subject as speedily as practicableto prepare a memorial on the subject, and forward it to the next General Assembly of our church-to take effectual measures to procure the publication and circulation of Tracts and Prize Essays in this and other states on the moral and civil advantages of the Sabbath-to write to distinguished civilians, whose sentiments are supposed to be in favour of the object, to obtain their co-operation-and in general to adopt such other measures as they may deem important for the attainment of the object. 2. That, as soon as the way shall be prepared, this Committee of Correspondence take measures to have respectful and earnest petitions made to all our state legislatures and to Congress, praying them to adopt such measures as their wisdom, virtue and patriotism may dictate for securing the better sanctification of this holy day. The following persons were appointed as the Committee of Correspondence Rev. Samuel Blatchford, D. D., Rev. David Porter, D. D., Rev. John Chester, D. D., Rev. N. S. S. Beman, Rev. Elisha Gale, Rev. Henry R. Weed, Rev. Samuel C. Aikin, Rev. Nathaniel S. Prime, Rev. Samuel P. Williams, J. P. Cushman, Esq., Annanias Platt, Esq., Walter King, Esq., Elias Parmale, Esq., John Fine, Esq. In regard to the ministers and churches in connexion with this Synod, your Committee would moreover recommend the adoption of the following resolutions: 1. That it be again, and it is hereby, solemnly enjoined on all the Presbyteries, Church Sessions, and Ministers under our care to observe the resolutions passed by this body in 1823 and 4, respecting inquiry and discipline-the purport of which was, That our Presbyteries and Church Sessions should exercise disIcipline over their respective members whenever guilty of violating the sanctity of the Sabbath-that an inquiry should annually be instituted in the Presbyteries in connexion with this Synod relative to the sanctification of the Lord's day and the exercise of discipline for disregard to this sacred institution-and that each minister belonging to this Synod should at the earliest opportunity practicable, present this subject in all its solemn importance to the Session of the Church under his pastoral charge, and invite the co-operation of its members in all proper and pru dent measures for the suppression of Sab. bath breaking. 2. That every minister in connexion with this body, and having a pastoral charge, preach on the subject of the sanctification of the Sabbath, before the end of November next. 3. That it be recommended to all the churches under our care to observe the first Friday of December next as a day of solemn fasting and prayer, with special reference to this subject. 4. That it be recommended to all our ministers and church members, when travelling, to give the preference to such livery establishments, steam-boats, canalboats, and other publick vehicles as do not violate the laws of God and of the land in relation to the Sabbath. From the Minutes of the Session of Synod, October, A. D. 1825. JOHN CHESTER, Stated Clerk. From the London Missionary Chronicle for August, 1825. SOUTH SEAS. Extracts from Letters of the Deputation, dated Sydney, 12th November. Final Visit at the several Missionary Stations. Immediately before leaving the Islands finally, we had an opportunity of paying a short visit to all the missionary stations, after our official visits had been completed; and we rejoice to say, that we left all the churches in entire peace and harmony, and favoured with great and growing prosperity. The number of communicants was rapidly increasing in the several churches, while not only the members of the churches, but also the baptized who had not yet been admitted to the Lord's Table, were, generally speaking, conducting themselves with great propriety. There were, indeed, very few exceptions to this statement. No errors in doctrine had been suffered to appear; and all the brethren were not only sound in the faith, and regularly devoted to their great work, but held in high esteem by their several flocks, and enjoying great harmony and peace with each other, striving together for the faith of the gospel. We had not only the gratification of receiving from all of them private letters addressed to us individually, but also joint letters, unasked on our part, from them as distinct bodies of Missionaries of the Windward and Leeward Missions, including every individual missionary. As we had endeavoured to discharge our dutics with the greatest fidelity ever since our arrival among them, nothing could be more gratifying to our own feelings than the contents of these letters. We left all the brethren our warm and affectionate friends, and enjoy, we are persuaded, their entire confidence. Improvement of the Natives in Learning and Christian Knowledge. The whole population of all the Islands may be considered as under school in struction. The generality of the people read with a propriety and fluency seldom known among the common people of our own country. Nearly all, both children and adults, are acquainted with one or more catechisms. Their progress indeed in knowledge of scriptural and religious subjects is truly extraordinary; and, considered as congregations, their knowledge is not surpassed, and we think not equalled by congregations of the same magnitude in England. Multitudes can write well, both men and women, and not a few are acquainted with the common rules of arithmetick. Progress in Civilization. Civilization has already made great progress in all the Islands, and is making rapid advances. The two settlements of Burder's Point, and Haweis-Town, are nearly equal to any; but with these two exceptions, the Windward Islands are far inferior to the Leeward. The cause may be, the retarding influence of the Tahitian government, which has never yet viewed our ideas of civilization in that important and interesting light with which the governments of the other Islands have done; nor are the chiefs of that government disposed to treat their missionaries with that respect and deference so observable in the Leeward Mission. it Political State of the Islands. is difficult to form a just and accurate Of the politics of the Society Islands, idea. However, we understand that the authority of Pomare extends only to Tahiti, Eimeo, Teturoa, and another uninhabited island or two; and that all the Leeward Islands are independent, under the sovereignty of their own respective kings, who are all warm friends to their missionaries and to the cause of truth. All the Islands, both of the leeward and windward groups, have their own codes of laws, which are printed and published, and we can assure the Directors of their equity; and that they guarantee to the people all their rights, as in England, while they give to their kings a dignity, their power a stability, and their domestick establishments an affluence, which they never before enjoyed. All the other islands at a distance which have embraced the gospel, must be regarded as also living under the same laws; for the native teachers take with them the laws of the islands from which they go, and when heathenism and idolathe religious and political institutions try fall, and Christianity is embraced, all they enjoyed in their own country, succeed as a matter of course. When we left the islands, they were all in a state of the most entire tranquillity, and no war was in the least expected. There had indeed been reports and rumours of war in Tahite, but they had subsided. More unanimity existed among the chiefs, and the new code of laws promised a security to the property, and a liberty to the subjects of that government, which they had never before enjoyed. A rage for tatauing themselves had long existed among the young men in all the islands, and had given much trouble; but in all the Leeward Islands it had subsided to a great extent, and we do not expect any great evils from it to the Windward, where all were allowed to do as they wished, on that subject, without being liable to punishment. Seminary for the Children of Missionaries. Though from the time of our arrival in the islands, and so soon as we became acquainted with the state of the children of the Missionaries, we were most deeply convinced of the essential importance of a school for their education, as well for the safety and prosperity of the mission, as for their own sakes, yet we met with in numerable difficulties in the way, and our fears were not small, that we must after all abandon all hope of accomplishing our wishes. But the object was too important to suffer us to despair, so long as any ground of encouragement remained; and before we left, we had the pleasure to see the School-Institution commence operations under the tuition of Mr. Orsmond and Mrs. Orsmond. The Missionaries are erecting a building at their own expense, for the School, 130 feet in length, which will accommodate 40 boys and girls, with school-rooms, and all other conveniences, and will keep it in repair. It is situated at Afareaitu, on the east side of Eimeo, in a very eligible situation. Mr. Orsmond's principal duties relate to the school; but he will preach to those natives who may reside there on Lord's days, and do all the good he can as a missionary, while he is discharging his duties as a schoolmaster; and we trust that from this important institution, God will raise up missionaries to carry on the glorious work which their parents have been the honoured instruments of commencing. The Treasurer of the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church acknowledges the receipt of the following sums for their Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J. during the month of September last, viz. Of Rev. Ezra Fisk, per Alexander Henry, Esq. his subscription to the paper And on account of the subscription of the Presbyterian Church in Colum- $5.00 100 00 36.00 Of Rev. John M'Kinney, in part of his subscription of $200 to the Scho- $50 12 62 00 Of Rev. Samuel Lawrence, in part of his subscription to the Scholarship to be endowed by the Senior Class of 1823 20 00 Of Rev. Dr. E. S. Ely, the annual collection in the 3d Presbyterian Church for the Contingent Fund Of Jos. Biddle, in full for rent, for ditto $23 00 50 00 From Mrs. Margaret Scott $2.00 And on his own behalf, in full of his subscription to Rev. Samuel S. Davis' paper Of Rev. James Campbell, per Rev. Charles Hodge, for Senior Class Scholarship of 1823 30 00 Of Rev. Samuel Lawrence, for ditto Of Rev. Dr. Samuel Miller, per James S. Green, Esq. for Le Roy and Banyer Scholarships Total $600 50 15 00 175 00 View of Publick Affairs. EUROPE. GREAT BRITAIN.-The latest English dates that we have seen, are from London of the 9th, and from Liverpool of the 11th of September. The British Parliament met on the 25th of August, and was farther prorogued, without entering on business, till the 1st of Nov. It was uncertain whether the Parliament would be dissolved or not. A cabinet council was to be held between the 20th and 24th of September, when it was expected this point, on which the quid nuncs were greatly divided, would be settled and made known. A report had recently prevailed in London of "the complete subjugation of the Burman empire by the British forces." This account was doubtless a fabrication, for more recent information from India, received in this country, contradicts it entirely. Troops had been recruited, to reinforce the British army in Burmah, to the amount of 4500 men.-The first shaft of the great tunnel under the Thames had been successfully sunk to its intended depth, and the work was going forward with every prospect of success.-The course of exchange between Britain and France was considerably in favour of France.-Forty-five companies had been formed in London, to establish steam packets to every part of the globe.-There had been some improvement in the money market.-Lord Cochrane was expected to sail to the assistance of the Greeks in about two months. It was said that the British government did not favour his lordship's enterprise; but this is no evidence that the government is really hostile to the expedition-It may all be done to save appearances with the Turk, with whom the British are at peace. The affairs of Ireland were supposed to be improving. Banking and manufacturing companies were about to be established in that country by British capitalists. FRANCE. The French chambers are not to meet again till Feb. 1826. The news of the "arrangement," as it is called, with the Island of Hayti, by which the French commerce is to be much favoured, has created great rejoicing in all the commercial cities and towns of the kingdom.-It is said that France is driving a bargain with Spain for what was formerly the Spanish part of St. Domingo. If this be so, President Boyer will find himself not a little embarrassed. It was only for what was the French part of the island, that the agreement was made. It appears that the errand of the three commissioners who went from Hayti to France, was merely to negotiate a loan, to enable the Haytians to pay the French for the concessions made in the treaty. The whole aspect of this business seems, in our apprehension, to indicate that President Boyer and his council have been overreached; or at any rate have not made an advantageous "arrangement" for Hayti.-The French government appear to be placed in a singular and embarrassing predicament, in relation to Spain. Having fought and conquered the constitutionalists, in favour of the royalists, it would seem that they are now under a kind of necessity of fighting and conquering the royalists themselves. It appears that the leaders of the party that has been restored to power have gone, and are still determined to go, much farther in their proscriptions and banishments, and in the exercise of the most arbitrary and despotick powereven to the restoration of the horrible court of the Inquisition in all its terrors-than the French are disposed to approve or tolerate. In a word, there are two parties in Spain, called the royalists and ultra-royalists—the former disposed to limit, to a certain extent, the power of the monarch and his council; and the latter wishing and endeavouring to restore Spain to what she was a century ago. The former party is favoured by the French; but the latter are actually in power, and hate the French more than they hate their own countrymen with whom they are at issue. The French are certainly well served; and it must be left to time to decide what measures they will adopt, in the dilemma in which they are placed.-It is said that the Constitutionalists in Spain are rejoicing in secret at the embarrassments in which they see their enemies entangled. SPAIN. From the statement already made, it will be perceived that "the cup of trembling" which has been put into the hands of the miserable inhabitants of this thrice wretched country is not yet full. Indeed the prospect opening upon them, seems more gloomy than any they have yet seen. The royalists, the ultra royalists, and the liberals, are all decidedly hostile to each other. Each party has two other parties to contend with. The ultra royalists who now are in the chief places of power, really wish to depose Ferdinand, because, under French influence, he is unwilling or afraid to go all the lengths to which they would lead him.-Their wish is to place the king's brother, Carlos, on the throne, who is said to be a man exactly to their mind. The royalists, who are favoured by the French, are also, it would seem, desirous to overthrow the government; because they think that its arbitrary proceedings have already become intolerable. Bessieres, a Spanish general, than whom none was more active and efficient in fighting the constitutionalists and restoring Ferdinand to his present power, has lately conspired against him; and with seven of his companions has been detected, taken and shot. The Empecinado has been hangedAll is confusion, suspicion and alarm. The French seem at a loss how to act; and from the monarch on the throne to the beggar on the dunghill, misery, and a fearful looking for of greater evil yet to come, seems to pervade the nation. PORTUGAL.-A new plot has been discovered in Portugal which had for its object the dethroning of the king, in order to make way for the accession of his son, the Infant Don Miguel.-This plot appears to have been connected with that in Spain, in which Bessieres was engaged. Who in these days can envy monarchs! THE GREEKS-It appears that the affairs of the Greeks have been in a more alarm. ing posture during the present campaign, than at any former period of the existing struggle. Nor were they at the last accounts in a situation to free their friends from serious anxiety. Chiefly, we believe, in consequence of their unhappy divisions, and the treachery of Ulysses, and the dismission of Colcotroni, their enemies made good their landing with a large force, augmented at different times, in the south-western part of Greece, and carried all before them to the walls of Napoli di Romani. Here they were repulsed, and at length retreated to Trippolizza, where their main army, under the Pacha of Egypt, had its head quarters, at the date of the last authentick intelligence. Trippolizza, or rather its remains, (for the Greeks burned the city at the approach of the Turks) surrounded as they are by mountains, and in the very heart of the Morca, afford every advantage to the Greeks to attack their enemies, and even to reduce them by famine. It appears that the Turkish army was actually surrounded, and in great distress, and that a reinforcement and supplies, coming to its aid, were repelled or captured. All attempts likewise to reduce Missolonghi, had been repulsed, with loss to the Turks.-Such is our last news from Greece From Europe we learn, that reports were current that the Greeks had sent an authorized and distinguished individual to England, to seek the aid of the British government; or rather, with the offer of putting Greece under the protection of that government. Circumstances seemed to indicate that there was some reason to give credit to these rumours, but their truth or falsehood was not ascertained. We are sorry to observe, that the Greeks have recently been chargeable with putting about 200 Turks to death, in cold blood; in retaliation of the act of a Turkish slave, in blowing up one of their vessels, by which its crew was destroyed. Such cruelty is an inauspicious indication, whether viewed in a moral and religious light, or only on the principles of human policy, and the laws of modern warfare. ASIA. We have seen, within the past month, some additional details, of the British military operations against the Burmese-but nothing more. The British are, on the whole, successful; but they meet with a stouter opposition than was expected some time since. No intelligence has been received, in relation to the missionaries in the northern part of the empire, where the war now rages. Their friends, with great apparent reason, are painfully fearful that they have been sacrificed by the incensed heathen. AFRICA. We have nothing of importance to report from Africa for the present month, except that cheering intelligence has been received that the establishment made at Liberia by our Colonization Society, is in a very prosperous state-The colonists are remarkably healthful, and are vigorously and successfully employed in their various occupations. AMERICA. UPPER PERU.-Delegates from the four provinces of Upper Peru have convened in Congress. Bolivar, to whom, as we have heretofore seen, the powers of an absolute Dictator have been granted, has directed the delegates to this Congress to express their sentiments freely, on all public concerns that may come before them; but at the same time has declared that nothing shall receive the form and force of a law, till it shall have been submitted to the Congress of the coming year. In the mean time he bas ordered that the Grand Marshal (who we believe is General Sucre) shall, in all respects, be obeyed. This decision of the Liberator has been severely criticised in the publick papers at Buenos Ayres. BUENOS AYRES and BANDA ORIENTAL.-It seems probable from the last accounts we have seen, that the republick of Buenos Ayres has settled its disputes with the Empe |