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population of 58,000,000 of souls; consti-
tuting an addition to the latter (in short,
a career of conquest, begun and ended
within little more than one quarter of a
century) of twenty-two millions! We
may throw in another two millions at
least for the natural increase of the Rus-
sian population, conjointly with the forced
increase of subjects pilfered from the Per-
sian crown, during the three years of mo-
dest pretensions preferred by the present
Autocrat. To this plain statement we may
add Balbi's recent estimate of the actual
state of the Muscovite empire.—
Superficies in square miles . 5,912,000
Population
Revenue
National Debt
Army and Navy
Ships of War

brig will leave here in a few days for New York, where she will receive on board the remainder of her outfit, previous to her departure for the South Seas. We have heard Captain P. spoken of as among the most intelligent, enterprising, and successful South Sea navigators, and possessing much practical knowledge of those seas. Of Mr. Reynolds' scientifick skill and enthusiastick devotion to the cause of discovery, the publick have long been apprized. We are pleased that the enterprise has met with co-operation in New Bedford. Commerce and science bas often gone hand in hand, and we have no doubt 60,000,000 may do so, with advantage, in the pre£16,000,000 sent instance; but where objects of the 52,000,000 highest national importance are to be at1,039,000 tained, the claim becomes particularly 130 strong upon the fostering aid of governalike honourable to the character of the ment. The present enterprise is certainly country, and advantageous to its commercial interest; and one towards which the countenance of publick authority ought, and we trust ultimately must attach itself. Of the number of vessels to be employed in the expedition, and the precise time of sailing, we have not been informed.-New Bedford, Sept. 18.

Humboldt's Journey to Siberia-Humboldt, although now past his sixtieth year, will leave Germany in the spring, accompanied by Professor G. Rose, for Siberia. He will probably extend his researches to the high land which separates India from the Russian empire.

Indian Plaster.-All the fine plaster with which the walls of the houses are covered in India, and which is so much admired by strangers, is composed of a mix: ture of fine lime and soapstone, rubbed down with water: when the plaster is nearly dry, it is rubbed over with a dry piece of soapstone, which gives it a polish very much resembling that of well polish

ed marble.

Prussic Acid.-A London Magazine says, that prussic acid has been obtained from the leaves of green tea in so concentrated a state, that one drop killed a dog almost instantaneously. A strong infusion of souchong tea. sweetened, is as effectual in poisoning flies, as the solution of arsenic generally sold for that purpose.

Expedition to the South Seas.-We notice a paragraph in one of the New York papers, stating that since the failure of the Exploring Expedition, so nearly matured under the sanction and patronage of government, and so unexpectedly laid by, at the close of the last session of Congress, spirited exertions have been made to carry that enterprise into effect, by the aid of some of our most active and enlighted merchants. What that article gave as rumour we now know to be fact. S. N. Reynolds, Esq. and Captain Palmer, have been in our place for the past week, preparing one of the finest vessels ever built in this or any other port for the expedition. Captain Palmer has already, we learn, shipped part of the crew, prepared boats of the best construction, and obtained other articles for the voyage. The

New Application of Beeswax.-Colonel Trumbull, the painter, has recommended the application of beeswax to the backs of the pictures in the Capitol, in order to preserve them. It must be melted over a fire, with an equal quantity in bulk of the oil of turpentine.-The mixture to be laid

on with a brush, and rubbed in with a hot iron. He says, that beeswax was a principal ingredient in Egyptian embalming, and that it preserves not only bodies, but cloths and colours from decay.

A Substitute for Chocolate.-There is a plant cultivated in Lancaster county, Pa. which is considered an excellent substi

tute for chocolate. It is the holcus bicolor of Willdenow, from the seed of which is made a beverage resembling in colour, taste, and many other qualities, the common chocolate. The plant is an annual, 8 or 10 feet in height, and resembles the common broom. The holcus bicolor is a native of Persia, and grows well in this country. A single plant will yield seed enough to produce, by a second year's crop, a sufficiency to furnish a family of six or eight persons for a whole year, with a good and nourishing beverage, which is supposed to be preferable to tea or cof fee. It is thus prepared: The seeds and husks are ground in a coffee-mill into grains somewhat smaller than ground coffee; it is then boiled over a slow fire, with a sufficient quantity of milk, and a small piece of butter, until the beverage assumes a chocolate colour, which it re

ceives from the husks. The liquor is then strained through gauze, d sweetened till palatable.

Filberts.-These nuts, which are vended in large quantities in the United States, grow as well in our climate, as the common native hazelnuts, and produce very abundantly. Such being the case, it is hoped, ere long, sufficient will be produced from our own soils to supersede the necessity of importation, as plantations of this tree would amply remunerate the possessor; or, if planted as a hedge, would be found to be very productive. A single bush of the Spanish filbert in Mr. Prince's garden, produces half a bushel annually

Valuable Application.-The scum from boiling molasses, spread upon tarred brown paper, gives, we are desired to say, by one who has recently tried it, effectual and prompt relief to the most violent sprains. Our informant states that he met with so severe a sprain on Monday, in jumping from a vessel to the wharf, that he was unable to walk, and had the cords of his leg and foot so drawn up, that he was for some time in the most excruciat

ing pain. A friend suggested the above named application, which gave immediate

relief, and he was able yesterday to walk to his place of business.

Silk.-The manufacture of silk is becoming a subject of attention in many parts of our country; it, as well as every thing else calculated to promote domestick industry, is well deserving of encouragement. The vine and the olive, also, will no doubt be cultivated more extensively, and save large sums which are annually paid to foreigners for what might as easily be raised at home. The resources of our country are only beginning to develope themselves; they are inexhaustible, and only require industry, experience, and perseverance, to make us independent in fact as well as in name.

Education.---Upwards of thirty-one thousand children, including both sexes, between the ages of five and fourteen years, have been instructed at the publick schools in the first School District of Pennsylvania, since their establishment in 1818.

A splendid meteor appeared at Bangor, Maine, on the evening of the 17th inst. Two minutes after it burst, an explosion of cannon followed. like the report of 8 or 10 different pieces

Keligious Intelligence.

LETTERS ADDRESSED TO THE LAST GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WITH THE ANSWERS RETURNED.

(Continued from page 429.) Reflections, accompanying the publication by Rev. Colany Nee, of the Letter addressed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, to the Protestant Churches of France.

This letter having been addressed to all the pastors and all the members of our churches in France, we have thought it a duty to publish it entire. We will add, that it is with great joy and thankfulness to God that we do it. These fraternal communications between churches separated from each other upon earth, but united by faith, may be the means of great usefulness; they will eminently contribute, by the grace of God, to revive in our day the communion of saints, and to show that in Christ there is neither Jew, nor Greek, nor Barbarian, nor Scythian, nor Stranger, nor Unknown; but that all those, in what

ever place they may be found, who depend upon the efficacy of his atonement, form one church, one great family of brethren, redeemed by the same blood, and having an interest in the same grace. At the same time that our readers will rejoice and bless God for the progress that the king. dom of Christ is making in the United States, they will feel their own faith confirmed in seeing that Christians of all coun tries hold the same language, profess the same doctrines, believe in the same Sa viour, have the same grace, prostrate themselves at the foot of the same cross; and that for them there is truly, according to the words of the Holy Spirit, but "one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all." They will also see the practical effects of a true, Christian faith, and how it every where awakens into life, activity and Christian charity. But we should not confine our. selves to mere admiration. Our brethren have extended to us from America the hand of fellowship; and in communicating to us what has been done among them, to

advance the kingdom of Christ, their brotherly love should excite us to a holy emu. lation. May the members of the churches of France respond to this appeal;-alas! we are still far from that living Christianity, which abounds in works of faith and the charity of the Gospel. A first step, however, has been taken, and we bless the Lord for it. Already in several of our churches, awakened by the spirit of our God, and by the preaching of the vital doctrines of the Gospel, great effects have been produced; believers have not only felt it their duty as individuals, to let their light shine before men, but also to unite together, and actively co-operate in promoting the progress of the kingdom of God. The Bible, Evangelical Missionary, Religious Tract, and other societies, are organized, and labour with success. But much remains for us to do, to place ourselves on an equality with many other churches of Christ. The letter which we have placed before our readers, ought to convince us of this.

This faith, which communicates itself from one to another, in the Protestant churches of America; the numerous societies which labour in concert, although under different names, in the work of the Lord; the active co-operation of the redeemed of Christ, each one in his sphere of duty;-do they not say to us? "there is the way, walk ye in it; that the first may not be found to be the last."

Take, then, dear brethren, a more active part in this religious excitement, and the works which are its fruit. May our zeal be rekindled at the torch of that faith which our ancestors caused to shine with so much brilliancy, and which revives again in those places to which persecution scattered them. At the present day, every door is open to us; we have no longer to fear being banished from our country for bearing witness in favour of the Gospel of Christ before men. The period of intolerance and proscription has past. Hap. pier days have arisen upon us. The Lord has given us all our civil and religious liberty. The charter has recognised them; the king, our august sovereign, has solemnly promised to maintain them. The government itself approves our religious excitement and our success. Seconded by so many favourable circumstances, how greatly we ought to be encouraged to declare ourselves freely and openly for Christ, and walk in the footsteps of our dear brethren in America! May the Lord bring about these happy results among us! May every believer in our churches, possessing this precious faith of which the apostle speaks, evidence its effects by a life altogether consecrated to him who has given his life for us.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, to the Pastors and Members of the Protestant Churches of France.

Respected and beloved brethren in Jesus Christ,

In reply to our communication of last year, we have received letters from the Editors of the Archives of Christianity;" from the Consistory of the Consistorial church of Mens; and from the Pastor Colany Nee; all of which have been read in our Assembly, and will be published in the appendix to our minutes. It is long since the General Assembly have felt their love for their foreign brethren so much excited as it has been by these communications. They have served to awaken the consciousness of the unity of Christ's body. We feel, that of a truth, there is but one faith, one Lord, one baptism, and that we are all one in Christ Jesus. We deem this glow of affection which pervades our bosoms for you, and we doubt not yours for us, as one of the most happy results of our correspondence. We pray that our mutual love may abound yet more and more; and that while we are inhabitants of different countries, and speak different tongues, we may be of one heart, and of one mind. We cannot refrain also from expressing the satisfaction which it affords us, to be made thus feelingly sensible that practical religion is the same in all quarters of the globe, and that it can be no delusion.

We rejoice greatly to hear, brethren, that the work of God is prospering among you. The details with which the above mentioned letters are filled, have served to deepen our conviction that the gospel will ever prove to be the power of God unto salvation, where it is faithfully exhibited. The means which have been so successfully employed for the revival of religion in many districts of France, are precisely those which have produced such happy results among our churches. We refer principally to the united and fervent prayers of Christians, for the communications of the Holy Spirit; and to the clear and faithful exhibition of the perishing condition of sinners, of the demands of the law of God, of the obligation of all men to repent and believe the gospel, of the fulness and freeness of the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, and of the love of God to the souls of men. We cannot but believe, that if ministers could be brought to feel their responsibility, and to urge these great truths with fidelity on the consciences of their bearers, we should see the gospel prosper now as it did in the age of the apostles, and in that of the reformers. This is the point in which we

feel our own deficiency. We do not properly lay to heart the solemn nature of the charge which God has committed to us: nor do we remember as we ought, how much the future state of our people depends upon our fidelity. Brethren, let us

grace, praying that your work of faith and
labour of love may not be in vain in the
Lord.

BENJAMIN H. RICE, Moderator.
JOHN M'DOWELL, Permanent Clerk.

Stated Clerk.

pray for each other, that we may give. From the Rev. John Blackburn, to Dr. Ely, good heed to the flocks over which the Holy Ghost has made us overseers. Attention to the religious instruction of the young, we have found to be one of the most effectual means of promoting piety and good morals. We rejoice to be able to say that this important subject is beginning to awaken the interest which it deserves. Our Sabbath schools and Bibie classes are extending their influence in every part of our land. We hope that our pastors will feel more than they ever have done, the importance of pastoral attention to the lambs of Christ's flock.

With regard to the progress of the cause of our Redeemer in this country, we would refer you to the narrative of the state of religion, during the past year, which will be published by the Assembly, and a copy of which will be transmitted with this letter. You will find that we have reason to thank God for the great things which he is still doing in the midst of us; and you will rejoice with us in the increasing zeal of our national Bible Society, and other benevolent and religious institutions. We would especially bespeak your prayers, in behalf of the enterprise upon which the American Bible Society has entered, in reliance upon divine aid, of supplying every destitute family in the United States, that is willing to receive the Scriptures, with a copy of the Bible, within two years. This is a great work; one in which the honour of religion and the welfare of many souls are deeply involved. And while the American churches address themselves to this work with sanguine hopes of success, they feel their need of the prayers of their brethren, in every part of the world. We cannot but hope that God is awakening in his church a new spirit; that Christians are beginning to feel the claims of perishing immortals, at home and abroad, on their prayers and exertions; and we trust that this spirit will neither faint, nor grow weary, until the Gospel is preached to every creature under heaven.

We hope, brethren, that this correspondence may be long continued; that it may have the effect of promoting our mutual love; of increasing our knowledge of the state of Christ's kingdom in our respective countries; of producing a deeper interest for our mutual welfare; and of increasing our zeal in the service of our common master. We would now commend you to God, and the word of his VOL. VII.-Ch. Adv.

Pontonville, London, April 7th, 1829. ed by the Congregational Board of MiReverend and Dear Sir,-I am instructnisters in this city, which includes about eighty members, to forward the enclosed body to whom it is addressed, and to beg letter to you, as the clerk of the reverend that you will take the earliest opportunity epistle may open a correspondence, by of communicating it to them. I trust this which our holiest and most fraternal feelings will be increased, and that the found in the interchange of every religious churches of America and Britain, being sympathy, may cause even unbelievers to exclaim, "Behold! how these Christians love one another!"

I am Rev. and dear Sir, yours,
Very respectfully,

JOHN BLACKBURN,

(Enclosed in the preceding Letter.)
To the Moderator and Members of the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States.

From the lands of your fathers, influenced
Reverend and Christian Brethren,-
by the principles of our common faith,
the ministers of the Congregational Board
you. Though separated by the ocean, and
of London and its vicinity now address
holding different views respecting the or-
der and government of the Church of
heart; and that holding in common the one
Christ, we trust you and we are united in
faith and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,
other, and in the state of religion in those
must feel a deep and sacred interest in each
countries to which we respectively be-
long. We doubt not but you are prepared
to adopt with us the beautiful language
hath many members, and all the members
of the apostle, "as the body is one and
of that one body, though many, are one
body, so also is Christ; and therefore,
whether one member suffer, all the mem-
bers should suffer with it; or one member
joice with it."
be honoured, all the members should re-

It is our privilege, beloved brethren, on the present occasion, to rejoice with you. blessed you in a remarkable manner, has The report that God has visited and though we have not had the pleasure to reached us through various channels, 3 N

enjoy any direct communication from you. The periodical publications, in which well authenticated statements have appeared of the revival of religion in many of the presbyteries and churches under your inspection, have been extensively circulated in this country, and have awakened, very powerful feelings, both on your and our own behalf. We trust we can say that many thanksgivings have been presented to God on your account, and many fervent prayers offered, that he would still continue to bless and prosper you.

In these revivals, we have been called to mark and adore the sovereign arrangements of our divine Lord, who now, as at the beginning, distributes the influences of his Spirit according to his own will, and teaches his people, that while even Paul may plant, and Apollos water, it is God alone who giveth the increase. At the same time, we think we have reason to mark the regard which God ever shows to a conscientious and diligent administration of his own ordinances, and his faithfulness in answering believing, importunate, and persevering prayer. It is thus he encourages us to labour and not to faint; and when he sends success, to ascribe to him all the glory.

In regard to the state of religion in our own country, we have much to be thank. ful for, and much to humble us in the sight of God. Our civil and religious privileges, as dissenters from the national establishment, are not only continued, but have lately been increased. Our opportunities of spiritual improvement and usefulness, are many and encouraging. Our congre. gations in general enjoy peace, and our ministers occupy important fields of usefulness, and, we trust, are generally disposed to cultivate them with diligence, Our Bible, Missionary, Tract, and Sunday. School Societies, continue to be supported with liberality, and conducted with zeal. Compared with former years, we' trust we may say, and we say it with thankfulness, that the cause of Christ, and the number of his faithful disciples, are on the increase.

which a cold and inoperative profession prevails, of the lukewarmness, worldly. mindedness, and carnality which belong to multitudes among us, who bear the Christian name. The love of ease, conformity to the world, unwillingness to suffer, or to make the sacrifices which the cause of Christ may require, characterize many, of whom better things might be expected. We want more of that hightoned experience of the power of religion, and manifestation of its influence, without which no outward profession will be productive of extensive or lasting benefit to the world, or of much profit to those who make it. We feel that we need, both as ministers and people, a larger portion of that unction from the Holy One, by which alone our persons and services can be hallowed and accepted. We feel that it becomes us to pray, "revive thy work, O Lord, in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years made known, in wrath remember mercy."

Christian brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified even as it is with you. We beseech you to implore on cur behalf, that some drops of those showers of blessings by which you have been refreshed and watered, may descend on our hills of Zion;-that the soil from which you sprung may not be visited with the curse of

barrenness; but that it may be in a still greater degree than ever, a garden of the Lord-a vineyard of his own right hand's planting.

Our object in thus addressing you, is to convey the most cordial expressions of our Christian and fraternal affection; to inform you of the interest we feel in your joy and prosperity; to strengthen the bonds by which America and England are united together, for the purposes of high, moral, and spiritual importance, and which, we trust, will be as lasting as they are strong and delightful; to invite the interchange of Christian sentiments and feelings, and the reciprocity of prayer and thanksgivings on each other's behalf.

It will therefore afford us the sincerest gratification to hear from you, should our correspondence be acceptable, or deemed consistent with the forms of your ecclesiastical polity. Commending you in the meanwhile to the care and blessing of the Great Shepherd and Bishop of Souls, and imploring on our behalf an interest in your prayers,

While we desire to bear this testimony
to the honour of God, we feel deeply con-
scious that there is great shortcoming,
and much cause for shame and humiliation.
Our progress in self-denial, liberality, and
holiness, are far from corresponding with
our many and long enjoyed advantages.
God has exalted us to Heaven, in point of
privilege, which we have been in danger
of forgetting, or of becoming proud of our
elevation. We want a larger portion of
that devotedness and spirituality which
many of your and our fathers enjoyed.
We have to complain of the extent to London, March 10th, 1829.

We are, reverend and dear brethren, your
affectionate and faithful fellow servants,
JOHN HUMPHRYS, LL. D.
Chairman.
THOMAS HARPER, Secretary

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