schools, and the study of the Testament, has been so effectual, that their delight is now to meet in the different houses in the village to read the Testament. It is delightful to hear small children, not ten years old, saying'Mother, it is not for cursing or swearing that we are met, but to read the word of God; and we read in the same word, that God delights in little children learning his will."

From W. R., a Schoolmaster. "I am sorry to say, that the flourishing state and hopeful prospect of this school is greatly obstructed by the tyrannical proceeding of the Catholic bishop and priests. The desire of the people for education is every day increasing. At the last inspection of my night school, fifty-nine scholars were able to read Irish. Hitherto they have never had the happiness of hearing or seeing the word of God, so as to be able to form a judgment for themselves of its divine contents. The general behaviour of the people here has been much improved by their increased knowledge of the word of God; so that instead of meeting as in former times for the purpose of card-playing or gambling, sedition or conspiracy, they have of late been occupied in reading the Scriptures and recommending the practice to their friends and acquaintance. Such was their desire to learn the mind and will of God as he has been pleased to reveal it in his own word, that I have been requested by some who reside several miles from my school, to bring them Irish and English Testaments, and to read to them at their homes by night, which I have frequently done. But, I am sorry to add, that these pleasing prospects have been blasted by the breath of the priest of this parish, who, on Sunday last, made this practice the subject of his canonical discourse, and strongly condemned those individuals who were so employed; assuring them that it was sufficient to bring them to the devil; and that, if they did not relinquish the vile practice of reading the Bible, and harbouring those who disperse it, he would cut them off from the church. This terrible denunciation has, for the present, produced the intended effect; and ignorance and vice seem likely to resume their reign."

The true Christian delineated.
(From Simeon's Hora Homiletica)

Phil. iii. 3.-We are the circumcision who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Ir is much to be lamented that the nature of genuine Christianity is but little understood. An assent to the fundamental articles of our faith, and a conformity to certain rites and ceremonies, are thought sufficient grounds for concluding ourselves real Christians, notwithstanding we are plainly warned by God himself, that religion does not consist in these things. Persons may be, and often are, very zealous advocates for the externals of religion, while they are altogether destitute of its life and power. Such were those whom St. Paul calls, not the sheep of Christ, but dogs;' not saints, but 'evil-workers;' not the circumcision, but, in a way of contempt, the 'concision;' because all their way of piety consisted in a zeal for the cutting of the flesh. Against such persons he thrice enjoins us to 'beware;' and then contrasts with theirs the character of the true Christian.

There are three discriminating points which distinguish the circumcision, or the true Christian, from all who are Christians only in name and profession.

I. They worship God in the Spirit.

Many never bow their knees before God at all. What they are, they themselves shall judge. Others observe the form of prayer both in public and in private; but their hearts are not engaged: nor is there any difference in their frame, whether they confess their sins, or ask for blessings, or acknowledge benefits received. All their services are without life, and without devotion. The true Christian, on the contrary, though not always in the same frame, 'worships God in the Spirit; that is, not only with the inmost affections of his soul, but through the direction and assistance of the Holy Ghost. If we could see him in his closet before God, we should often behold him bathed in tears, and with hands and eyes lifted up to heaven, imploring mercy at the hands of God. His thanksgivings, too, are not an unmeaning compliment, but

a heartfelt acknowledgment, suited in a measure to the mercies he has received. He pours out his soul before God,' and stirs up himself to lay hold on God,' and says, like Jacob, 'I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.' Let us examine to which of these classes we belong....and we may know infallibly what is our state before God.

II. They rejoice in Christ Jesus. The world have their joys, such as they are, arising from the things of time and sense. Some know no happiness but in lewdness and intemperance. Others, moving either in a continual round of fashionable amusements, or in the pursuit of wealth or honour, find all their pleasure in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Others more rationally seek their happiness in the acquisition of knowledge. While others seem contented to move, like a horse in a mill, in the same round of silly occupation, without aiming at any thing further than an exemption from trouble, and an easy passage through life.

But the true Christian, while he is alive to all the joys which are possessed by others, as far as they are pleasing to God, and profitable to his soul, has joys of a far higher nature. He has felt his need of mercy, and has found mercy through Christ Jesus. Hence the very name of Jesus is precious to him:' and the richest gratification he can possibly enjoy, is to contemplate the glory and excellency of his Beloved. He does not indeed always feel the same delight in the Saviour, but his richest consolations and sublimest joys arise from this source; insomuch that all the pleasures of sense are nothing in his eyes, in comparison of one hour's fellowship with the Son of God. Indeed, he would not wish to be happy, when he is at a distance from his Lord: in such a state he would consider happiness rather a curse than a blessing. But in whatever state he be with respect to temporal things, a sight of his adorable Saviour will render him completely happy.

Here again let us inquire into our own experience. We need no surer test of our state than that before us. Let us examine ourselves with care,

and the Lord give us understanding in all things!'

III. They have no confidence in the flesh.

The ungodly world, if in prosperity, 'make gold their confidence,' and 'trust in their uncertain riches.' If, on the other hand, they be in adversity, they look no higher than to their own exertions, or than to their earthly friends, to deliver them. The same creature confidence, pervades all their spiritual concerns: they 'lean altogether on an arm of flesh,' and trust in their own goodness or repentance to recommend them to God, and their own strength and resolution to fulfil his will.

The true Christian is the very reverse of this. We say not that he has no bias towards these evils, for his old nature still remains within him: but his views with respect to these things are altogether altered; and though he neglects not any means which are proper to be used, he trusts in God only to maintain his prosperity, or to restore it when he has been pleased to afflict him with any calamity. With respect to his soul, also, he has no hope but in God. To the free mercy of God, in Christ Jesus, he trusts for every blessing. In the atoning sacrifice and prevailing intercession of Jesus he confides, as the ground of his acceptance with his reconciled God. On the all-powerful grace of Christ he relies, as that which alone can enable him to subdue his enemies, and to serve his God. Feeling that he is in himself ignorant, guilty, polluted, and enslaved, he renounces all self-confidence, and makes Jesus his wisdom, his righteousness, his sanctification, and redemption.

Surely there can be no difficulty in ascertaining our proper character, if only we will make this point also a matter of serious self-examination. Address.

1. Those who, according to these distinctions, must be considered as devoid of real Christianity.

Remember who it is that cuts you off from the number of true Christians. It is not man, but God, even that God who will judge you in the last day, according to his word. O continue not in such a state! but seek that circum

cision of the heart which, though condemned by men, shall ultimately have praise of God.

2. Those who have reason, from the foregoing remarks, to hope that they are Christians indeed.

What reason have you to bless God for the mercies which have been vouchsafed to you! But remember, it is not by past experience merely you are to judge, but by the continued habit of your mind. Rest not satisfied with any thing you have known; lest you begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh.' The text does not characterize the Christian by what he has done, but by what he does; and therefore 'press forward, forgetting what is behind, and reaching forth unto what is before:' and 'as you have received how to walk and please God,' so endeavour to abound more and

more,

TO-MORROW.

SEE where the parting day
In silence melts away,

Behind the western hills withdrawn ;
Her fires all quench'd,—her beauty fled,
Her face, with blushes all o'erspread,
As conscious she has ill fulfill'd
The promise of the dawn.
Another morning soon shall rise;
Another day salute our eyes,

As smiling and as fair as she, And make as many promises. But do not thou the tale believe, They're sisters all, and all deceive.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.-Psalm xiv. 1.

(By John Walker, farmer at Luss.)
I see a God at every step,
If I but chance to cast my eye
On hill, or dale, or on the deep,
Or raise my look to yonder sky.
Behold a God of boundless sway
In the eccentric comet's flight;
And when the sun pours forth the day,
Or when the moon illumes the night.
When thunders burst yon pregnant cloud,
And strike with dread the earth and air,
Then cavern deep, and rock, and wood,
Reply aloud- -a God is there.

A God presides when storms pervade,
And heave the billows to the sky;
And when the tempest's fury's laid,
'Tis he that soothes, for he is nigh.
A God appears of grace and power,
In ev'ry flower that decks the vale,
In every breeze, and fost'ring shower,
And ev'ry bloom that scents the gale.
He comes in all the power of love,
To soothe and animate the spring,
While stubborn rock, and dell, and grove,
With joy unmix'd, exulting sing.
His pencil paints the summer scenes,
From ev'ry distant shore to shore;
He pours profuse, through Nature's veins,
The tide that swells the autumn store.
When hoary winter issues forth,
With all his inauspicious train,
"Tis God that gives his offspring birth,
And regulates his gloomy reign,
When thickset shades obscure the sky,
And star is hid, and sun is fled,
At midnight hour, with reason's eye,
I see a God while on my bed.
I feel a God within my breast,
Else what's this immaterial thing,
This conscious being ne'er at rest,
From which our hopes and wishes spring?
But what is God? So! there's the pause,
Immortal essence veil'd from day!
And who can scan the efficient cause
Of motion, light, and reason's sway?
Ye Powers Angelic-Seraphs bright--
Ye who surround the empyrean throne,
Or range at large o'er fields of light,
Can ye define the Great THREE ONE?
Have ye laid bare th' eternal springs
From whence Creation first arose ?
Or have ye traced the chain of things
Before they were, and how they'll close?
A deep profound before you lies,

A boundless sea that knows no shore:
For earth and sea, and air and skies,
Are but the hiding of his power.
Then how dare mortal men pretend
To scan the Immortal, the Divine?
Enough for me, if in the end
A God of mercy shall be mine."

Ancient Manuscripts,

SOME new discoveries of great interest and importance have been made in the Vatican Library by M. Mai, the principal librarian.

In a Greek palimpseste manuscript

(where the first writing has been effaced in order to make the parchment serve a second time) containing the Harangues of the orator Aristides, the learned librarian has succeeded in discovering a part of the Extracts of Constantine Porphyrogenetus, belonging to the Chapters of Sentences, Harangues, Succession of Kings, Inventors of Things, and Sententious Answers. As the Byzantine prince had made extracts from a multitude of historical and political works, which have been long lost to the world, this discovery has naturally promised an ample harvest of interesting gleanings. M. Mai announces that he has discovered parts of the lost books of Polybius, Diodorus Siculus, and Dion Cassius, and fragments of Aristotle, of Ephorus, of Timeus, of Hyperides, and of Demetrius Phalerus. The names of some other authors, from whom extracts have been made, are not given. There are also some fragments of the Byzantine writers, such as Eunapius, Menander of Byzantium, Priscus and Petrus Protector, historic authors of a very interesting period. Among the fragments of Polybius, there is one of the 39th book, in which he announces that the 40th and last was to treat of Chronology.

In another palimpseste, M. Mai has found a political treatise posterior to the time of Cicero, in which that orator is quoted, with many other Greek and Latin authors.

M.Maihas further discovered several speeches of Aristides, seven books of the physician Oribarius, which will be of much value to the physical sciences, fragments of Philo, a copy of Verines, &c.

It has been also just announced, that in the MSS. of Herculaneum, lately unrolled at Naples, some treatises of Epicurus have been discovered of more importance than any we are yet in possession of. In one of these MSS. there are quotations from a treatise on Political Economy by Aristotle, very different from the work which we possess under that title.

M. Hase, Professor of modern Greek to the School of Oriental Languages at Paris, who has just returned from a literary tour through Italy, has further

increased the number of these discoveries.

He has found in the Ambrosian Library at Milan a complete MS. of a Byzantine historian, George Acropolite, of whom we have hitherto had nothing but an extract.

Baron Niebuhr, Prussian ambassador to the Holy See, has again discovered and published several manuscript works hitherto unknown. They are chiefly fragments of Cicero's Orations Pro M. Fonteie and Pro C. Rabirio; a fragment of the 91st book of Livy; and two works of Seneca. He has dedicated the publication to the Pope, by whose favour he was enabled to discover these literary treasures in the library of the Vatican.

The Abbé Amadeus Peyran, professor of oriental languages in the university of Turin, has discovered some fragments of Cicero in a manuscript from the monastery of St. Columban de Rabbio, a town on the Trebia, in the dominions of the king of Sardinia. This MS. presents important new readings of orations already known, and confirms the identity of several texts that have been tortured by indiscreet critics. It contains also fragments of the orations Pro Scauro, Pro M. Tullio, In Clodium, orations unfortunately lost.

A manuscript of Eutropius's Roman History, supposed to have been carried from Rome to Bamberg by the Empe ror Henry, the founder of the bishoprick of that place, has been found in the Royal library there, by Mr. Jacks the librarian. It is more complete than any of the printed editions, and will probably furnish means for correcting many false readings.

Professor Goeller, of Cologne, had previously discovered in the same library a MS. of Livy.

A manuscript of the eleventh centu ry, containing illustrations of Juvenal, which was discovered about two years ago in the library of the convent of St. Gallen, by Professor Cramer, is about to be committed to the press. A specimen was published by the Professor on occasion of the king's birth-day, under the title of Specimen novæ Editionis scholastica Juvenalis.

The French literati are occupied at

Belles Lettres.

Ir is nearly a year since a very interesting correspondence was commenced among the principal scholars of our country, with a view of forming an extensive national association for the improvement of American literature. The preparatory arrangements of this society have been made with a spirit of candour and liberality, which promises the happiest consequences. It has now become completely organized, and without seeking an ostentatious display, is assuming, at its commencement, a commanding form. The officers are,—”

His Excellency John Quincy Adams, president; Hon. Brockholst Livingston, Hon.Joseph Story, Hon. Wm.Lowndes, vice presidents; Wm. S. Cardell, Esq. corresponding secretary; Rev. Alexander McLeod, D.D. recording secretary; John Stearns, M.D. treasurer; Hon. James Kent, LL.D. Hon. D. Webster, Right Rev. T. C. Brownell, D.D. LL.D. Rev.John M.Mason, D.D. Joseph Hopkinson, Esq. Peter S.DuPonceau,LL.D. John Augustine Smith, M.D. Hon.John L. Taylor, Hon. Henry Clay, Washington Irving, Esq. counsellors.

John Adams, late president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson,do.do. James Madison, do. do. John Jay, late governor of New-York, Hon. Charles C. Pinckney, his Excellency James Monroe, president of the United States, and Hon. John Trumbull, LL.D. were elected honorary members.

From most of these gentlemen the communications are such as might be expected, able and interesting.

The following gentlemen are ap

and Dumb.

THE directors have instructed the committee of admission to make known to the public, that the legislature of the state has granted an act of incorporation to this institution, by which the instruction and support of fifty indigent pupils, residents of the state, are provided for at the expense of the commonwealth; each pupil to be so privileged for three years. By the same act it is provided, that whenever more applications are made for the benefits of the institution than can be received at any one time, the directors shall apportion their number to the several counties of the state according to the representation, that each county may equally partake of the public bounty. With a view to afford sufficient time for this information to be disseminated, the directors have determined to delay forming a new class until the last Monday in May next, and that application for admission into such class must be received by the committee on or before the first of May, 1821, at which time the apportionment will be made, and Information immediately communicated to the friends of such pupils as will be received into the class. Applications must state the name, age, sex, residence, capacity, and also some satisfactory evidence of the indigence of the proposed pupils, together with the names of their parents or guardians.-The institution is located in a commodious building; and every attention is bestowed by the directors, with the aid of twelve highly respectable ladies, to promote the comfort of the pupils under their care. Two regular physicians afford their services