there should, when there is not a nation in the world whose annals reach this æra by many hundred years? It happens, however, that you are probably mistaken as to the fact: a confused tradition concerning this miracle, and a similar one in the time of Ahaz, when the sun went back ten degrees, has been preserved amongst one of the most ancient nations, as we are informed by one of the most ancient historians. Herodotus, in his Euterpe, speak ing of the Egyptian priests, says-They told me that the sun had four times deviated from his course, having twice risen where he uniformly goes down, and twice gone down where he uniformly rises. This, however, had produced no alteration in the climate of Egypt; the fruits of the earth and the phenomena of the Nile had always been the same.' (Beloe's Tran.) The last part of this observation confirms the conjecture, that this account of the Egyptian priests had a reference to the two miracles respecting the sun mentioned in scripture; for they were not of that kind which could introduce any change in climates or seasons. You would have been contented to admit the account of this miracle as a fine piece of poetical imagery; you may have seen some Jewish doctors, and some Christian commentators, who consider it as such; but improperly in my opinion. I think it idle at least, if not impious, to undertake to explain how the miracle was performed; but one who is not able to explain the mode of doing a thing, argues ill if he thence infers that the thing was not done. We are perfectly ignorant how the sun was formed, how the planets were projected at the creation, how they are still retained in their orbits by the power of gravity; but we admit, notwithstanding, that the sun was formed, that the planets were then projected, and that they are still retained in their orbits. The machine of the universe is in the hand of God; he can stop the motion of any part, or of the whole of it, with less trouble and less dan ger of injuring it, than you can stop your watch. In testimony of the reality of the miracle, the author of the book says-' Is not this written in the book of Jasher?' No author in his senses would have appealed, in proof of his veracity, to a book which did not exist, or in attestation of a fact which, though it did exist, was not recorded in it; we may safely, therefore, conclude, that, at the time the book of Joshua was written, there was such a book as the book of Jasher, and that the miracle of the sun's standing still was recorded in that book. But this observation, you will say, does not prove the fact of the sun's having stood still; I have not produced it as a proof of that fact: but it proves that the author of the book of Joshua believed the fact, and that the people of Israel admitted the authority of the book of Jasher. An appeal to a fabulous book would have been as senseless an insult upon their understanding, as it would have been upon ours, had Rapin appealed to the Arabian Night's Entertainment, as a proof of the battle of Hastings." im Mr. J. recommends to his elevé, throughout the article, a part only of which we have quoted, a spirit of self sufficiency. To this most youth are of themselves sufficiently prone; it has ruined them by thousands; and it far oftener On all needs a rein than a spur. subjects, he advises his pupil to bring the reasonings and conclusions of men of the first powers and attainments to the bar of his own judgment, to pronounce on them at once, if we understand him, a sentence of approbation or rejection, and to act accordingly. Do we then say that youth should not be encouraged and exhorted to endeavour to form decisions of their own? Far from it-They ought to be earnestly counselled to examine every portant subject with closeness, care and diligence, that in due time they may make up for themselves a sound and steadfast opinion; and in the mean time to be modest and reserved; to yield to the advice of the virtuous and experienced; and always to take the course which appears to be the safest. Respect for the judgment of those who have lived longer, and seen, and inquired, and thought, a hundred fold more than themselves, should be much inculcated. Often should they be cautioned against being carried away by first impressions and specious arguments; and reminded that the time will probably come, when many of their present notions will be renounced by themselves, as premature and utterly indefensible. In this way, we apprehend, fied character is most likely to be a truly amiable, manly, and digniformed, and just and virtuous principles to be so radicated, that no thing afterwards shall be able to blast or shake them. Mr. J. does not tell us the titles or the authors of the books, which he promises to send to his young friend; but he intimates that they were in accordance with the advice that he gave; and if both together were not productive of serious and lasting injury to the youth who received them, we think he must have made a wonderful and most fortunate éscape. We shall now proceed to notice in detail Mr. J.'s avowed opinions, as exhibited in this publication, on some of the most important topicks of religion and morals. (To be continued.) Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc. Arrangement of Water Pipes in Streets. -The effect of temperature upon iron pipes, used for the conveyance of water, and also some other circumstances, have been investigated by M. Girard, who has arrived at the following conclusions:-1. According to the effect produced by change of season and temperature upon pipes of this metal placed in subterraneous galleries, they altered in length for each centesimal degree, (1-8 degrees of Fahr.) 0.0000985, a quantity of about 1-9th less than it would have been if they had not been confined on their supports by friction. 2. Although this effect is less when the pipes are put in the ground, it is still sufficient to occasion rupture, leakages, and other unpleasant accidents. 3. If the joints are not made by bolts, but one end of a pipe is inserted into the mouth of the next pipe, then the space for the interposed substance should be as small as possible, and the substance one which swells when in contact with water. 4. The length of the joints should be considerable, both to prevent the escape of water and the flexure of the system of tubes. 5. To insure tightness, the stuffing should be confined between a ring fixed to the end of the pipe, and a moveable ring sliding on the tubes. 6. That this precaution may be dispensed with by laying the pipes down in the coldest part of the season. 7. That pipes put into the ground should be supported, at intervals, by firm props of masonry, to prevent those inflexions which otherwise occur, and form ruptures. 8. That in large towns it is advantageous to place these pipes in subterraneous galleries, either such as are made on purpose, or else in the sewers. 9. That galleries have been tried advantageously for twenty years, and therefore should be resorted to, that those derange ments of the pavement and inundations from broken pipes, which are consequent upon the ordinary mode of proceeding, may, from henceforth be avoided.-Le Globe. ca. African Expedition.—Messrs. Richard and John Lander, the young men who are engaged by the British Government to explore the course of the long-sought and long-talked of Niger, and trace that mysterious river to its source, arrived at Portsmouth from the metropolis yesterdry, to embark on board the Alert merchant brig, for the Western Coast of AfriMr. Richard Lander, who, it will be recollected, is the only survivor of all the missions of discovery of late years into Africa, and whose conduct under the lamented Captain Clapperton, has elicited such general and deserved applause, is about twenty five years of age, and although rather below than above the middle stature, is strongly formed, and looks as healthy and vigorous as if he had never brother, who is to be his sole companion quitted his native shores. Mr. Lander's in this difficult undertaking, is three years younger than himself, and is the compiler of his late "Wanderings in Africa," which are on the eve of publication; he is rather taller than his elder brother, but possesses a similar robust frame, and sound constitution. Both young men, we have heard, have great resolution, and are animated but by one principle, viz: to endeavour to accomplish their arduous task, or perish in the attempt. We sincerely wish these enterprising young men that good fortune which they themselves hope for; and we shall not only take great interest in their proceedings, but feel corsiderable pleasure in welcoming their safe return to their native shores. Twenty Arab boys have lately arrived at the Central Schools of the British and Foreign School Society, Borough road. They were sent over by the Pacha of Egypt, and are to be educated in the English language, and trained as schoolmasters for opening schools in Egypt. It is stated in Le Globe, that though the Mediterranean is constantly receiving from the Atlantick, by the Straits of Gibraltar, an enormous quantity of salt water, yet the composition of that sea does not in the least vary, and that it remains apparently the same as that of the ocean. It is supposed that the excess of salt is constantly carried away by a lower counter current, which contains much more salt than an equal volume of the upper current. Some investigations have been made which favour this supposition. Dr. Wollaston having obtained three specimens of water taken at the greatest depths to which it was practicable to reach, found that the first two did not exhibit in their composition any difference from the water of the common sea; but the third, taken from a greater depth, (670 fathoms) contained a quantity of salt four times greater than the water of the surface. Gold, for the last 250 years, says Bell's London Messenger, has been continually rising in value, as compared with silver. An ounce of gold, which was worth only ten ounces of silver in the reign of Elizabeth, is now worth 16 ounces, at the present market price of silver bullion. It is said that gold is not the sole legal tender, at a fixed rate, in any country except England. Sir Humphrey Davy left an estate of about 30,000. In the closing sentence of his will, in relation to the place of his burial, he expresses his disregard of a particular spot by these words "Natura curat suas reliquias." The Wills of Shakspeare, Milton, and Napoleon Bonaparte. It is a singular circumstance, that the last wills and testaments of the three greatest men of modern ages are tied up in one sheet of foolscap, and may be seen together at Doctor's Commons. In the will of the bard of Avon is an interlineation in his own handwriting-"I give unto my wife my brown best bed, with the furniture." It is proved by William Byrd, 22d July, 1616. The will of the minstrel of Paradise is a nuncupative one, taken by his daughter, the great poet being blind. The will of Napoleon is signed in a bold style of hand writing; the codicil, on the contrary, written shortly before his death, exhibits the then weak state of his body. Infant Schools. We are informed by the American Sunday School Magazine, that the Controllers of the publick schools of the city and county of Philadelphia, have resolved to adopt Infant Schools as a part of the system of publick instruction. This single act will form a new era in the history of the publick schools in our country. It is an example worthy to be followed in every other city, and town, and village, wherever publick provision is made for elementary schools. We cannot doubt it will be followed extensively in New England, as soon as a little more information is diffused, and the practical benefit is further witnessed. The change should not be so suddenly effected, as to introduce unqualified teachers. Mighty Effects of Steam.-It was mentioned by Professor Renwick, in his lecture, in the city of New York, that during the great European struggle, England employed about 400,000 persons in and about steam engines, and that these engines turned out finished work, equal in quantity to what the labour of two hundred millions of human beings could have effected; that is, equal to the sum of the industry of all the active population of the whole globe. It was through the mighty agency and miraculous effects of the steam engine, that England was enabled to sustain herself triumphantly in that long and terrible struggle against the power of Napoleonand that she found the means of stirring up and subsidising other nations, until, in the language of the lecturer, "the greatest Captain the world ever saw, discomfitted and overthrown, was obliged to bow before the genius of Watt." Some idea of the amount of intercourse existing between the United States and Great Britain, may be formed from the fact, that the ships Charlemagne and Wil. liam Thomson, recently arrived at New York from Liverpool, brought over no less than 4,000 letters. Captain Croker, of the packet ship Pacifick, has now completed one hundred and fifty two passages across the Atlantick, without having ever met with a serious accident at sea. Keligious Intelligence. We have heretofore published of missionaries sent to the Sandsome communications from Miss wich Islands. The following letter Ogden, one of the last reinforcement is from her, and we have the pro mise of more of her correspondence. We give it a place in our pages with pleasure, because we think it calculated to give pleasure to all the friends of missions. It communicates not only facts but feelings -the feelings-enviable we think -of missionaries, amidst all their arduous labours and numerous privations. It shows us, too, what are their domestick arrangements, and their every day employments; and this it is gratifying to their friends to know, and not without use as well as interest, to the religious publick. berty. On the 11th January, in connexthis time well acquainted, I commenced a ion with Amelia, with whom you are by Sabbath school, which I attend twice, besides going twice to church, about three quarters of a mile. There are about thirty who attend. The exercises are reading, reciting scripture, catechism, and hymns, which are printed in the language. I have lately introduced Bible questions, commencing with the creation. I find my friend Amelia a valuable assistant: she really talks to them very faithfully. There is a manifest improvement in their outward appearance, and I trust that there is one among them who is a serious inquirer after truth. A few Sabbaths since, on my return to the afternoon school, I found this woman in an obscure corner of the house weeping. On inquiring the cause of her sorrow, she told me "that she was weeping for her sins; that her heart was Waimea Kauai, May 1st, 1829, hewa loa," (very bad). Her anxious looks My beloved friends— In my former communication I gave a particular account of my situation and prospects, and then expressed myself as perfectly contented, and as happy as I could ask this side of heaven. My dear sister, I wish I could say it with as grateful a heart as the occasion demands, this is still the case. Yes, goodness and mercy do still follow me, and I have the delightful hope that I am not altogether useless. With the exception of the four weeks mentioned in my last, that I was confined at home on account of Mrs. Gulick's illness, the greatest proportion of my time has been employed in teaching the natives. My health is excellent; I have not had any thing that could be called sickness since I landed on these shores. Instead of the climate having a debilitating effect on my system, I think it rather invigorates me. I certainly do not feel even that degree of languor which I have frequently experienced in our hottest weather in America. That you may have some idea of my labours, I will give you the regular routine of duties. My school-house is about a quarter of a mile from our dwelling. At eight in the morning I set out, call at Mr. Whitney's, and take the children with me; spend about an hour and a half in giving instruction, then dismiss them, and the horn is blown for my native scholars, who immediately collect, and to whom the remainder of the morning is devoted. The morning school is for writing only. In the afternoon I attend to a class in arithmetick, three of whom are chief women; this employs my time from two to half past four, or five, when I am at li and streaming eyes seemed to say, "What shall I do to be saved?" and left me no doubt of her sincerity. I endeavoured, as far as my limited knowledge of the language would admit, to direct her to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world. She expresses much affection for me, has been one of my week day scholars, and also a constant attendant at the Sabbath school. The state of things here is assuming a more encouraging aspect. The attendance at church has generally been good: on the Sabbath, the house is crowded to overflowing by attentive hearers. The Wednesday evening lectures, which were thinly attended, except when there was a company to be married, are now also crowded. There is a prayer meeting, conducted by native members, attended by what would be called a large congregation, on a week day, at home. Mr. Whitney has lately opened a meeting for inquiry, which I think will be productive of good-considerable feeling is already manifest in it. We have also revived a female prayer meeting, which, before our arrival, had been given up, but is now increased to at least 200 persons. The members appear to be aroused, and endued with a spirit of prayer, which we consider a token for good. At the last meeting 70 were admitted, and 48 new names propounded as candidates for admission. The manner of proceeding is this: those who wish to be admitted send in their names, which are read over, and those who are acquainted with the person answer, "Aole au ike i koua huoa," (I do not know any evil of her). If there is no objection, the person is admitted at the next meeting. The candidates assemble, and seat themselves on the outside of the house, sometimes long before the hour of meeting, and there wait in the hot sun with the greatest patience, not presuming to enter until their names are called, when, one at a time, they go in and take their seats, the old members holding up their bands in token of approbation and cordial welcome. There are five native females who lead in the exercises: they are also faithful in reproving and admonishing sinners. I would not wish to convey the idea that all these are anxious inquirers their attention, however, appears to be awakened to use the means, and we are hoping and praying that they will prove a lasting benefit to their souls. Interesting accounts have been received from Kaavaloa; the Lord is reviving his work there, and there is an increasing attention at all the stations. My heart rejoices at the delightful prospect. I do think that the spirit of God is about to descend in regenerating influences on these islands. I feel a confidence that the many prayers which are ascending for us in our native land, will not all be lost. You will probably wish to know what progress I am making in the language. Though my improvement does not keep pace with my desires, yet I have some reason to be encouraged. I have for some time conducted the business of the school with ease, and can now understand the preaching tolerably well, and, by making a little preparation beforehand, can sometimes assist in the meetings. I can understand the most that is printed in the language, but, when I attempt to converse, find it very difficult to get hold of the idiom and pronunciation. To form a sentence, according to the idiom of our language, would convey a meaning so entirely different from that intended, and perhaps an erroneous one, that it is necessary to proceed with great caution, on religious subjects. Mr. Gulick has preached seve ral times, but does not attempt to say much without preparation; and it is thought that he is gaining fast. I do not feel in the least discouraged. I do not think the Lord has sent me here without designing to render me useful in some way; and though my progress may be slow, yet I trust the time will come, when my stammering tongue shall be loosed, and I shall be enabled to speak freely in the language of this people," of the won derful works of God." In the mean time, O blessed privilege! the Throne of Grace is accessible, and I can there pour out my desires for the salvation of these precious immortal souls. Amelia continues her kindness: she has lately presented me with a mourning calico dress, a green veil, and silk enough to VOL. VIII. Ch. Adv. cover my parasol, which now needs it, and is a real favour, as it is an article which cannot well be dispensed with in this hot climate. Kaikeowa also supplies us with many things necessary to our comfort. The Board, too, have it in their power to furnish the mission better than formerly; so that, in temporal things, we shall not suffer as many privations as the first missionaries-still, we are destitute of many things which we once thought necessary to our comfort. The want of society is a privation which every affectionate heart must deeply feel, and we do not enjoy as much of that in each other as you might imagine : each one has their own separate occupations which employ their time, and leave but little for social intercourse. In this retired station, the arrival of a vessel is almost the only thing that varies the sameness of our life. Every thing around, too, is barren and desolate; particularly so at this time, during the dry season. While you are enjoying the beauties of reviving nature, we have nothing before us but a dry and parched plain, varied only by the native huts, which look more like hay stacks than any thing else the ocean on one side, and a ridge of barren rocks on the other, But it is not in outward circumstances materially to affect our happiness. The Lord's presence can cheer this barren desart; and revived and animated by the hope of doing something to promote his blessed cause, I can be happy even here. I think of many dear friends, whom I wish to assure of unabated affection, but it would be in vain to undertake to mention names. You know whom I love and respect-tell them all that I still remember them with tenderness and love. Dear, dear friends, farewell. DOMESTICK. (Continued from page 93.) Extract from a Monthly Report of the Rev. J. D. Hughes, dated Greensburgh, Beaver County, Pa. Oct. 27, 1829. "From the date of my last report, August 15th, until the 6th of October, I continued to labour statedly in the congrega. tion of Springfield. This report, therefore, embraces a period of one month and three weeks. During that time, a good degree of harmony prevailed in the congregation, publick worship was well attended, and at times there appeared to be evidence that the Spirit of the Lord accompanied the messages of the gospel. The Sabbath Schools received good attendance from most of the children in the congregation, and it is believed, were be neficial both to pupils and teachers. Re T |