inhabitants of Lebanon, an occurrence took place, which we cannot forbear to mention in this place as fully illustrative of the interesting fact, that the spirit of Christian liberality is greatly increasing in this section of the church, and that Missionary efforts generally prepare the way for the liberal exercise of other charities. On the afternoon of this day the Female Bible Society of Lebanon had held a spe

cial meeting, at which several animated addresses had been delivered, and a collection taken up, for the purpose of relieving them from a small debt of $60, and assisting them in completing the benevolent work of supplying the county of Warren with Bibles. The collection having been small, and entirely insufficient to supply their need, the claims of the Society were again presented in the evening, and a proposition was made by one of the speakers that a subscription should be opened on the spot. This was immediately done, and in the course of a very few minutes so deep an interest was awakened in the assembly, that nearly $200 were subscribed. Three individuals subscribed $10 each, one subscribed $20, and one $50.

OBITUARY NOTICE.

an

While preparing to close our present number, we have seen nounced in the publick papers the death, on the 28th ult., of the Rev. Dr. JoHN M. MASON, in the 60th year of his age. We knew him well, and enjoyed his friendship from his early entrance into publick life till its melancholy close: and it is an opinion which we have frequently expressed, that the force and brilliancy of his intellectual powers, were not second to those of any other man who has appeared in his talents and pious labours reour country. Many memorials of main; and we doubt not that among his numerous talented and devoted friends, some one will give to the publick his biography, in a style worthy of its subject.

Diew of Publick Affairs.

EUROPE.

Advices from Europe are as late as to the 24th of November, but they contain no article of much publick interest.

BRITAIN.-The British parliament, after repeated prorogation, was still in recess, but was expected to meet in the first week of January. The anti-ministerial papers were clamorous, that the meeting of parliament was so long delayed. In some parts of the kingdom, business was revived, and the wages of mechanicks were satisfactory ; but in others, great dissatisfaction and distress existed. The loss which had been sustained by floods in Scotland, was immense. Reports were in circulation, but not generally credited, of a disagreement between Britain and France on one side, and Russia on the other, respecting the final adjustment of the affairs of Greece. The health of the king was said to be good, and that he was to pass the winter in Windsor Castle. The price of grain was somewhat advanced, and there was great activity in what the English call the Corn Market. Mr. M'Lane, our minister at the Court of St. James, was believed to be carrying on an active negotiation with the earl of Aberdeen, to obtain the opening, without restriction, of the British West India Islands, to the vessels of the United States-This was denounced with much warmth in the publick papers. There was still a very unsettled state of publick feeling in Ireland; and Mr. O'Connell was using all his influence and eloquence, to induce the people of Ireland to rally round his standard, to effect a repeal of the act of Union, and give a separate legislative body to Ireland-He was confident of success, and one of the London papers pronounces his attempts "a complete failure." Our Tariff, or what is called "the American System," was viewed with manifest dislike, and yet it was declared to be on our part impolitick, and incapable of producing its intended effects on British manufactures.

FRANCE.-The French, it appears, are opening a brisk trade with the pacha of Egypt. In September last, seventy-five French vessels were in the port of Alexandria, waiting for the arrival of the cotton, indigo, and saffron crops, from the interior of the country. Pecuniary succours are sent from France to Greece, at present by an individual, Mr. Eynard, but with the hope that the government will eventually supply them-the king has decided to defray the expense at Egina, of certain orphan children who had been sent to France, but were ordered to be returned to their own country. The vintage in

France has been good as to the quality of the wines, but not abundant in quantity. The king of Naples, who belongs to the House of Bourbon, has been making a tour through France, accompanied by no less than eleven princes of that house, and among the rest by the future young queen of Spain, his daughter, with the dutchess of Berri, the mother of the heir apparent to the crown. In the department of Isere, the progress of the royal company is said to have been through triumphal arches; and that they were greeted with offerings of garlands, fruits and flowers presented by the youthful peasants. A large basin is to be constructed at Havre, for the convenience and security of vessels entering that port in bad weather. General La Fayette was confined at La Grange by a bad cold. The French ministry had undergone a new and material change, which was regarded as a triumph by the liberal party. Prince Polignac is elevated to the presidency of the council of ministers. Thus, according to our conjecture last month, the monarch has been obliged to yield to the feelings of his people. The liberal party is now the strongest.

SPAIN.-Murmurs, it appears, cannot be wholly suppressed in Spain, that its commerce is entirely excluded from her former American colonies, and engrossed by other countries, in consequence of the obstinate refusal of the Spanish government to treat with the new States. In the mean time, another expedition against Mexico is on foot, and the regiments to be sent on this expedition are to be selected by drawing lots. The explosion of something called an infernal machine, yet small enough to be enclosed in a large packet of what appeared to be official papers, has very dangerously wounded the Captain General Egina-The breaking of the seal caused the explosion of the machine. The perpetrators of the mischief had not been discovered. The right hand of the general has been amputated, and two fingers of the left. The king, to console him, has decreed that he may affix his signature by means of a seal, and raised him to the rank of a lieutenant-general. The finances of the kingdom are in a very embarrassed state.

PORTUGAL.-Don Miguel has been reconciled to his mother, and been suspected of poisoning his two sisters, who were taken suddenly and violently ill, and have but just escaped with their lives-In the mean time, he went as usual on a hunting party— The Pope has recognised his claim to the crown; so that he is now treated as a king by Spain, his Holiness, and the United States-We confess we do not like our company. An article from Madeira of 29th October says—

"A most extraordinary and horrid deed, worthy of St. Bartholomew's Day in France, has been committed here this week. The governor of the island, and the other Miguelite authorities, knowing that the 13th regiment of infantry was inclined to constitutionalism, bribed the commissioner who was charged with furnishing bread to the troops, to poison the bread for that regiment. A hundred soldiers felt immediately the effects of the poison, and were carried to the hospital. The news soon spread; the remainder of the regiment rebelled, and arrested the commissioner. The 2d of infantry and the artillery, (regiments rather attached to Don Miguel,) unexpectedly took the side of the 13th. On the 26th, the troops besieged the palace of the go. vernor, in order to arrest a Major supposed to be concerned in the transaction, but he escaped on board a corvette. The greatest confusion prevails. It is expected that the revolted troops will proclaim Donna Maria 2d."

ROME.-Twenty-six members of the Society of the Carbonari have lately been put on their trial at Rome. One was sentenced to death, but the Pope commuted that sentence for imprisonment for life-he was a priest. Fourteen others are to be imprisoned, one for life, and the rest for different periods from 5 to 25 years. Ten were dismissed to appear when again called for. At Bologna several have been put to death.

GREECE. The affairs of Greece are gradually meliorating. Its future boundaries are not yet defined and fixed. The Turkish garrisons have surrendered. Schools are being established. The National Assembly, in their last session, voted an annual allowance of 30,000 dollars to Count Capo d'Istria for his civil list. The Count, who has it appears, expended £25,000 out of his private fortune in promoting the Greek cause, declares that he cannot accept any pecuniary remuneration for the present, and he deems it an imperative duty to forego even the comforts due to his station, while he stands "in the midst of ruin, and sees multitudes languishing in the deepest misery." It is not yet certain what form of government will be adopted by the Greeks -or imposed upon them by the allied powers. We suspect it will be a limited monarchy. Capo d'Istria is said to have gone to the head quarters of General Diebitsch. The Count is favourably disposed to all improvements; but is particularly desirous to increase the naval force of the country.

TURKEY.-All accounts agree that this once proud and triumphant empire is humbled to the dust. We have not space to enumerate a fourth part of the humiliating results of the late war, which are stated in the publick papers. The provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia are to be independent, save that they are to pay a moderate tribute in money to the Sultan. Not a single professed Mahomedan is to remain in those provinces, nor to the north of the Danube. No Turkish fortress is to exist on the left or northern margin of this river. An ambassador is to be sent to St. Petersburg to beg a reduction of indemnities. Dissatisfaction exists among the pachas in almost every part of the empire. Riots occur and rebellions are probable. The emancipation of Greece has dried up a rich source of revenue, and the life of the Sultan is threatened. The opening of the Black Sea to all nations cuts off many supplies from its shores; and no one can tell by what means the indemnities are to be paid, which are to ensure the retreat of the Russians from the Sultan's dominions. The tombs of former Sultans, even those esteemed the most sacred, have been opened, to obtain the treasures which were buried with them. What changes may take place, we do not presume to say; but to all human appearance the Turkish power in Europe is at an end; and even in Asia it is rapidly waning. “How are the mighty fallen!"-never, it is our belief, to rise again.

RUSSIA.—The conduct of the Russian emperor appears, in every view we can take of it, to be at once noble, generous, and politick. He has exacted of the conquered Turk no more than he said he would, in his manifesto at the commencement of the war. He has proceeded so fairly, that the jealousy of the other great powers has not been excited; or if it has, it has been laid to rest; and the humanity with which his generals and troops have treated the inhabitants of the countries through which they have marched in triumph, has made them his friends and even his admirers. The opening of the Black Sea to the unrestricted commerce of all nations, is an act of liberality of which we know not a precedent. All this, we admit, is as politick as it is humane and liberal; but when has a conqueror before been wise and enlightened enough to see this truth, and to act upon it so extensively? We think it probable that he will considerably reduce the indemnities; and that he made them what they are, chiefly to show the Turk and the world, that he had his enemy completely in his power, and could take from him whatever he pleased. His conduct toward his troops has been equally praiseworthy and sagacious. He has expressed his gratitude to them, for their valour, sacrifices, services, and humane deportment; has raised the rank of his generals, and conferred on the commanders in chief the highest honours of the empire. He has even rewarded every private soldier engaged in this war, with an honorary medal prepared for the purpose. If prosperity shall not spoil him, he is likely to be one of the most excellent and renowned emperors that ever wore a diadem.

ASIA.

From this extended region of our globe, we have not noticed, in the past month, a single item of important intelligence.

AFRICA.

In taking a general survey of this huge continent, so little known, and as far as known the long abode of ignorance, idolatry, slavery, and every thing in which consists the deepest human degradation, we cannot but think that the dawnings of a brighter day, feeble indeed as yet, have begun to appear. At the southern extremity the English government has raised the natives to the dignity of freemen; and Christian missionaries are extending their operations some hundreds of miles to the north, the east, and the west. On the western coast, the colonies of Britain and the United States have begun a system of civilization and christianization, which at present impedes, and in future promises greatly to circumscribe, and we hope ultimately to terminate, the infernal slave trade. The Barbary States on the north, are all losing the influence which they once possessed; and even on the east, the Pacha of Egypt, as far as his dominions extend, is encouraging the cultivation of the earth and the arts of civilized life; and the British and Foreign Bible Society, is sending the sacred scriptures into Abyssinia, and the adjacent countries. The time, we hope, is at hand, when "Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hands unto God." In the mean time, British enterprise seems bent on exploring, at every hazard, the whole of the hitherto unknown interior of the continent.

AMERICA.

Our sister republics of the south are still in a state of great agitation-greater, we are sorry to say, than when we made our last statement. In the United Provinces, of which Buenos Ayres is the chief, there is, it is said, in the interior, no regular government established, even in name. A treaty of friendship and alliance, however, be

tween Buenos Ayres and Santa Fe, was signed in October last. In Colombia, all is again in confusion. Venezuela has declared itself an independent sovereign state; and Bolivar is denounced as a traitor, seeking to be a king-General Paez is looked to as the chief of this new state. Yucatan is formally separated from Mexico, amicably it would seem, and bears the title of the republick of CENTRAL AMERICA; but its Vicepresident, and fifty other distinguished men, have been banished. A revolution is expected in Cur, and the parties are said to be about equally balanced. There seems to be little safety even for foreign agents-Mr. Poinsett, our minister to Mexico, has narrowly escaped being murdered by a band of assassins, and both the British and American functionaries at Bogota, have been put in danger. In BRAZIL, or rather at Rio Janeiro, business has been suspended on account of the rejoicings produced by the arrival of the new queen (aged 17) with her step daughter, that is to be, and who was to have been, married to her uncle Don Miguel-She has made a happy escape, and got home in safety. What a world do we live in! How must its confused scenes of strife and folly, appear in the eyes of superior beings!

UNITED STATES.-Our national legislature convened on the 7th of December, and nearly all the members were present at the opening. On the President's message, our readers have already formed their own opinions, which we shall not attempt to disturb. We shall only say, that we were pleased with the distinct recognition the message contains of our dependence on God for prosperity as a nation; and that we were far from being pleased with the statement it contains in reference to the poor Indians. No business of importance has yet been transacted by Congress. Prayer in their behalf-earnest prayer-was offered up by many churches, on the day that they came together-we hope it will continue to be offered; and that the friends of humanity and religion in our land, will make their united voice to be loudly heard within our national legislative halls, by numerous petitions in behalf of the Indians, and against Sabbath profanation.

TO THE PATRONS OF THE CHRISTIAN

ADVOCATE.

The experience of four months has proved, contrary to what was expected, that of more than eleven hundred subscribers to the Christian Advocate, only sixty-four have hitherto forwarded their names as subscribers to the Missionary Reporter and Education Register-This has been ascertained by a careful comparison of the subscription lists of the two publications. On the knowledge of this fact, the Editor of the Christian Advocate proposed to the committees concerned in the issuing of the Reporter and Register, to purchase of them, at cost price, as many copies of their paper as would suffice to attach one to each copy of his monthly numbers. To this proposition both committees readily and unanimously assented; because it was plain that by so doing, the Reporter and Register would go into the hands of a thousand individuals, who at present are not subscribers, and a large proportion of whom would, probably, never other wise receive it. The result of this arrangement is exhibited in our pre

sent number.

To prevent any mutilation of the original plan of his work, and to secure space for Religious intelligence of a general character, the Editor has incurred a considerable expense, by adding half a sheet to his former number of pages. For this he will make no additional charge to any of his subscribers. All that he asks or expects of them is, that as his work is now considerably improved, they will make some exertions to extend its patronage: and he hopes that the comparatively small number of his subscribers who have taken the Reporter and Register, will feel no dissatisfaction, when they observe that the Christian Advocate is so enlarged, that nothing of consequence which it has heretofore contained, will need to be excluded; and that the measure announced in this notice will promote interests which they have shown to be dear to themselves, as the notice itself proves that they are to the Editor-The pages of the Reporter and Register will be made to correspond to those of the Advocate; and our work in this form commences A NEW SE

RIES.