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somewhat of a different sentiment. It says "It was stated that the Prussian government had ratified the treaty relative to Belgium conditionally, the ratification to take effect only in case it should be exchanged with those of all the other powers. It was reported that the Russian Government, after several discussions, had come to the determination of not ratifying the treaty, and that the Austrian Government had come to the same resolution." On the whole, it appears that this delicate business is yet in suspense. We think, however, the probability is, that a general war will not ensue. The sinews of war, money, cannot easily be commanded by any of the parties that might otherwise become belligerent; and if poverty keeps them from fighting, about such trifles as whether Holland shall have a little more or a little less of territory, and pay a little more or a little less money; and whether certain fortresses shall be demolished or remain as they are, the world may rejoice that they all are poor.

Nothing of much moment, that we can find, has transpired either in Britain or France during the last month. The British Parliament has the Reform Bill still under consideration, and it would seem that the Lords who rejected it once, are disposed to do the same again. But the king and ministry, it appears, are determined to throw into that house a sufficient number of new peers to ensure a vote in favour of this great measure. The last Liverpool paper says-" There can be no doubt that an ample creation of peers had been decided upon to carry the bill." Trials were going on in Bristol of those who had been leaders of the riots there. A number had been convicted. Col. Brereton, who commanded the military at Bristol, at the time of the riots, and who was likely to be disgraced by a court martial, for withholding his troops from firing on the rioters, had shot himself. Much sympathy was excited for him, as his courage was unquestionable, and his forbearance was attributed to his humanity-Yet surely "died he as a fool dieth." Great popula: excitement existed at Bristol; and military guards were employed to protect the court.

In Ireland the greatest discontent and disorder prevailed. The popular hostility to the payment of tythes was extreme. Many murders were committed; and nothing connected with the demand or collection of tythes could be done, without great risk of life to the parties employed. Even the military were resisted, when there was any prospect of doing it successfully. The Protestant and Catholick parties held each its meetings, and were exceedingly embittered against each other-The whole country is in a wretched state; and it seems difficult to say how an effectual remedy can be applied-We hope it will be attempted by the parliament now sitting.

France was tranquil at the last accounts; that is, there was no existing disturbance. But it is the opinion of many that the present ministry will soon be dissolved; and some predict another entire revolution." One of the most tumultuous scenes that can be imagined, was lately witnessed in the Chamber of Deputies. The minister to whose province it belonged, was urging the necessity of a more liberal allowance to the king and royal family; and in his speech remarked that if "luxury was denied to the king, it would soon be banished from his subjects." There was immediately a cry, "Louis Philippe has no subjects. Those who make kings are not his subjects." It was demanded of the minister that he should recall the expression. He refused, and his party supported him. Every excess, short of actual personal violence, offered by the members to each other, ensued-The president lost all control of the Chamber, and the sitting ended in confusion and uproar. Eventually, however, after several intervening days, and much angry controversy, the minister was sustained, without any retracting of what he had said. A protest was entered against the language he had used, signed, one account says, by 104 members, and another makes the number 165. General La Fayette was not present, but afterwards sent in his name, to be enrolled with the pro

testers.

The Prime Minister, M. Perrier, is exceedingly obnoxious to the liberal party. He has hitherto, however, maintained himself firmly against all their attacks. They now charge him with organizing pretended plots against the government, and in favour of the late dynasty, that the alarm they create may be turned to his advantage. It appears that he insists, in his communications with the British ministry, on retaining the fortresses on the frontiers of Belgium in their present state; and affirms that their being demolished or dismantled would be such a wound to the pride and honour of France, that no minister could hold his place, if he should consent to any thing of the kind.

Spain, it seems, is determined, at every risk, to support Don Miguel, in his expected conflict with Don Pedro, for the crown of Portugal. Orders have been issued for the Spanish troops to rendezvous on the Spanish territory near to Portugal, to be in readiness to assist in repelling the expected invasion. This kingdom, recent accounts state, is so infested by robers and banditti, that there is no safety in travelling. Even the publick Diligences, or stage coaches, as we should call them, are stopped, and the Passengers deprived of all their property, except the clothes they have on.

Portugal is in a state of great alarm. The most strenuous exertions are being made by the tyrant who governs the kingdom, to array a formidable army to resist an expe

dition fitting out by his brother, and which we understand is to proceed from Belle Isle, in the Bay of Biscay. Lisbon is fortified, and an army, one account says, of 30,000, and another, of 95,000 men, is formed. Probably there is much exaggeration in the statements; but with the assistance of Spain, we think Don Pedro is in danger of a repulse; unless the Portuguese, on finding their lawful monarch in the kingdom, should desert the usurper, and go over to his opposer; and on this, it is probable Don Pedro places much reliance-We certainly wish him success, because we think he is less vile than his rival, and that he is contending for his right.

Greece is still in a very unsettled state, and the party of the late chief, Capo d' Istrias, who hold the authority, are said to act in a very tyrannical manner-A change of government is looked for before long, but we think the prospect is a gloomy one.

Russia is making some provision for the conquered Poles. All that have been most active in the late attempt at revolution, now called a rebellion, are excluded; and to the others, the provision is to extend only to a single year.

TURKEY is convulsed; and we think the indications are strong, that the Mahommedan power is waning and hastening to its fall. Scarcely is any part of the Turkish empire free from insurrection, more or less formidable: and in these circumstances, the Sultan, it is stated in the last accounts, has declared war against the Pacha of Egypt, whose talents and resources are confessedly great. The war will probably be sanguinary and not soon ended, and we think of doubtful issue.

ASIA.

The accounts of the prevalence and mortality of the cholera, in almost every part of this extended and most populous quarter of the globe, are truly affecting. The genuine plague has prevailed to a most awful degree at Bagdat, and has diminished its population to a fearful extent. We have not yet heard of the cholera in China; but innundations, in that empire, have been very destructive. The altercation between the Chinese authorities and the British, are said to be settled, by the entire yielding of the latter party.

AFRICA.

The cholera has prevailed in some parts of Africa, as well as in Asia and Europe. At Grand Cairo it has been very fatal. ́America alone has, as yet, been exempted from this terrific scourge; and how long we are to escape, is known only to Him who visits and chastises a sinful world, according to his sovereign pleasure.

The Colony at Liberia appears, by the last accounts, to be in a very flourishing state. Information received from the agent of the Colonization Society in Britain, states that the friends of Africa there, regard this American establishment as affording the greatest promise of good to the whole African race, and indeed to the whole civilized and christianized world. Such, we can say, are our own sentiments; and we earnestly wish they pervaded the bosom of every man and woman in our beloved country.

AMERICA.

In MEXICO another revolution is in progress. Dissatisfied with the late administration of the affairs of the republick, a strong party, hostile to the ministry, has been formed; and as here every thing must be done by the military force, have chosen Gen. St. Anna as their chief. The Vera Cruzans seem to be principals in this business, and the last accounts show that the city of Vera Cruz was on the point of being besieged by the Governmental forces. How the matter will terminate is uncertain; but in the mean time the country is suffering the calamity of civil war.-The other States of Southern America are also in an unsettled condition, but not at present in actual warfare.

In the UNITED STATES-thanks to a merciful and long suffering God-peace and worldly prosperity, with an entire exemption from the pestilential scourge under which the old world is suffering, are yet our happy lot. O that our nation were sensible, as it ought to be, of the unmerited favours of Heaven! Our sins, as a people, might just ly subject us to the righteous displeasure of the Saviour of the Universe; and yet we are spared! Would it not be well, if our chief magistrate, as three of his predeces sors did, should recommend the observance, throughout our favoured land, of a day of religious solemnity-to acknowledge the divine goodness hitherto, to humble ourselves before God, and to deprecate his judgments, particularly in reference to the terrifick pestilence, to which we are so manifestly exposed? We earnestly wish that it may be done.

Our Congress are busy; but the great concerns of the nation are yet on the tapis. We committed an error in our last number, and wish to correct it now, in saying that "the ratio of representatives for the next congress was fixed at 44,000." We received the impression that such was the fact, from an article in a publick newspaper. But the ratio of the future representation of the several states in Congress, as grounded on the last census, is yet undecided. It has occasioned much debate, and is still before the Senate. We rejoice, and we felicitate the friends of religion and humanity throughout the United States, that the Supreme, Court of the Union has decided the cause of the Christian missionaries, imprisoned in Georgia, in their favour. Its bearing, too, on the whole Indian question, is most auspicious. Our prayer is, that there may be no resistance to this most righteous award.

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

APRIL, 1832.

Religious Communications.

LECTURES ON THE SHORTER CATECHISM OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES-ADDRESSED TO YOUTH.

LECTURE LXVI.

Having shown what are the inward means by which the benefits of the great redemption of Christ are to be obtained-faith and repentance-we are now to consider the outward means-And our Catechism teaches us, that "The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation."

You may observe that this answer speaks not only of outward, but of ordinary means-by which latter designation we are to understand those means which are most commonly and extensively used, and most frequently blessed, for the conversion of sinners and the edification of saints. All the ordinances of God are to be regarded, and are of great use in the church. These, in our larger Catechism, are said to be-in addition to those mentioned in the answer before us-" church government and discipline; the ministry and maintenance thereof; swearing by the name of God; and vowing Ch. Adv.-VOL. X.

unto him." These, as being divine ordinances; that is, commanded duties in the divine word, are all to be regarded and observed, in their proper place and season;

66

yet the word, sacraments and prayer, are the chief, or principal outward means, for communicating the benefits of redemption."

The providences of God are doubtless frequently blessed, to awaken and alarm careless sinners, and to correct and recall backsliding believers; but this is done, only by leading them to reflect on their duty as taught and enjoined in the written word of God; and therefore the providences themselves, are not, in the Catechism, considered as standing on the same ground with those which are more directly means of grace.

There are two ideas of great importance, that here demand your most serious attention. The first is, that the means have no inherent efficacy in themselves, to produce the blessings of redemption-This is distinctly taught in the answer before us, where it is said that they are "made effectual to salvation.' Means are not ends, and are never to be rested in, till the end is attained, for which alone they are used. To this error of resting in means, there is

S

- Fisher.

dition fitting out by his brother, and which we understand is to proceed from Belle Isle, in the Bay of Biscay. Lisbon is fortified, and an army, one account says, of 30,000, and another, of 95,000 men, is formed. Probably there is much exaggeration in the statements; but with the assistance of Spain, we think Don Pedro is in danger of a repulse; unless the Portuguese, on finding their lawful monarch in the kingdom, should desert the usurper, and go over to his opposer; and on this, it is probable Don Pedro places much reliance-We certainly wish him success, because we think he is less vile than his rival, and that he is contending for his right.

Greece is still in a very unsettled state, and the party of the late chief, Capo d' Istrias, who hold the authority, are said to act in a very tyrannical manner-A change of government is looked for before long, but we think the prospect is a gloomy one.

Russia is making some provision for the conquered Poles. All that have been most active in the late attempt at revolution, now called a rebellion, are excluded; and to the others, the provision is to extend only to a single year.

TURKEY is convulsed; and we think the indications are strong, that the Mahommedan power is waning and hastening to its fall. Scarcely is any part of the Turkish empire free from insurrection, more or less formidable: and in these circumstances, the Sultan, it is stated in the last accounts, has declared war against the Pacha of Egypt, whose talents and resources are confessedly great. The war will probably be sanguinary and not soon ended, and we think of doubtful issue.

ASIA.

The accounts of the prevalence and mortality of the cholera, in almost every part of this extended and most populous quarter of the globe, are truly affecting. The genuine plague has prevailed to a most awful degree at Bagdat, and has diminished its population to a fearful extent. We have not yet heard of the cholera in China; but innundations, in that empire, have been very destructive. The altercation between the Chinese authorities and the British, are said to be settled, by the entire yielding of the latter party.

AFRICA.

The cholera has prevailed in some parts of Africa, as well as in Asia and Europe. At Grand Cairo it has been very fatal. ́America alone has, as yet, been exempted from this terrific scourge; and how long we are to escape, is known only to Him who visits and chastises a sinful world, according to his sovereign pleasure.

The Colony at Liberia appears, by the last accounts, to be in a very flourishing state. Information received from the agent of the Colonization Society in Britain, states that the friends of Africa there, regard this American establishment as affording the greatest promise of good to the whole African race, and indeed to the whole civilized and christianized world. Such, we can say, are our own sentiments; and we earnestly wish they pervaded the bosom of every man and woman in our beloved country.

AMERICA.

In MEXICO another revolution is in progress. Dissatisfied with the late administration of the affairs of the republick, a strong party, hostile to the ministry, has been formed; and as here every thing must be done by the military force, have chosen Gen. St. Anna as their chief. The Vera Cruzans seem to be principals in this business, and the last accounts show that the city of Vera Cruz was on the point of being besieged by the Governmental forces. How the matter will terminate is uncertain; but in the mean time the country is suffering the calamity of civil war.-The other States of Southern America are also in an unsettled condition, but not at present in actual warfare.

In the UNITED STATES-thanks to a merciful and long suffering God-peace and worldly prosperity, with an entire exemption from the pestilential scourge under which the old world is suffering, are yet our happy lot. O that our nation were sensible, as it ought to be, of the unmerited favours of Heaven! Our sins, as a people, might justly subject us to the righteous displeasure of the Saviour of the Universe; and yet we are spared! Would it not be well, if our chief magistrate, as three of his predecessors did, should recommend the observance, throughout our favoured land, of a day of religious solemnity-to acknowledge the divine goodness hitherto, to humble ourselves before God, and to deprecate his judgments, particularly in reference to the terrifick pestilence, to which we are so manifestly exposed? We earnestly wish that it may be done.

Our Congress are busy; but the great concerns of the nation are yet on the tapis. We committed an error in our last number, and wish to correct it now, in saying that "the ratio of representatives for the next congress was fixed at 44,000." We received the impression that such was the fact, from an article in a publick newspaper. But the ratio of the future representation of the several states in Congress, as grounded on the last census, is yet undecided. It has occasioned much debate, and is still before the Senate. We rejoice, and we felicitate the friends of religion and humanity throughout the United States, that the Supreme, Court of the Union has decided the cause of the Christian missionaries, imprisoned in Georgia, in their favour. Its bearing, too, on the whole Indian question, is most auspicious. Our prayer is, that there may be no resistance to this most righteous award."

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

APRIL, 1832.

Keligious Communications.

LECTURES ON THE SHORTER CATECHISM OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES-ADDRESSED TO YOUTH.

LECTURE LXVI.

Having shown what are the inward means by which the benefits of the great redemption of Christ are to be obtained-faith and repentance-we are now to consider the outward means-And our Catechism teaches us, that "The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation."

You may observe that this answer speaks not only of outward, but of ordinary means-by which latter designation we are to understand those means which are most commonly and extensively used, and most frequently blessed, for the conversion of sinners and the edification of saints. All the ordinances of God are to be regarded, and are of great use in the church. These, in our larger Catechism, are said to be-in addition to those mentioned in the answer before us-" church government and discipline; the ministry and maintenance thereof; swearing by the name of God; and vowing Ch. Adv.-VOL. X.

unto him." These, as being divine ordinances; that is, commanded duties in the divine word, are all to be regarded and observed, in their proper place and season; 66 yet the word, sacraments and prayer, are the chief, or principal outward means, for communicating the benefits of redemption."

The providences of God are doubtless frequently blessed, to awaken and alarm careless sinners, and to correct and recall backsliding believers; but this is done, only by leading them to reflect on their duty as taught and enjoined in the written word of God; and therefore the providences themselves, are not, in the Catechism, considered as standing on the same ground with those which are more directly means of grace.

There are two ideas of great importance, that here demand your most serious attention. The first is, that the means have no inherent efficacy in themselves, to produce the blessings of redemption-This is distinctly taught in the answer before us, where it is said that they are "made effectual to salvation." Means are not ends, and are never to be rested in, till the end is attained, for which alone they are used. To this error of resting in means, there is

S

* Fisher.

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