an unwarranted conclusion; and have argued somewhat at length to prove, that the number of be lievers at Jerusalem was so great, that they could not assemble in one place, and be justly denominated one congregation. They take notice, indeed, that "they (the believers at Jerusalem) were all with one accord in Solomon's porch." "But," they ask, "can we reasonably understand by this, more than that the body of the disciples frequently convened in this place for the purposes of intercourse and conversation, and the transaction of some concerns that might require an union of counsel, influence, and exertion?" We answer, No; and ask, in our turn, whether the meaning of the words "a single congregation," would not be well explained by the very definition which they have given of the as. semblies in Solomon's porch? It appears to us, that the believers in any one city might properly be addressed as one congre. gation, if the body of them met together indiscriminately, and without any restraint, except that imposed by their numbers, however impracticable it might be for all to assemble and worship under one roof, at the same time. We are inclined to believe, therefore, that there is no differ with the English editor on this subject, especially as the Greek, word which is translated church, might have been translated congregation, and perhaps with equal propriety. reason to In the account of the church of England is introduced the following quotation from the bishop of Lincoln's Elements of Christian Theology, who is stated to have quoted it from "the learned and amiable Dr. Jortin :" "In England, at the time of the synod of Dort, we were much divided in our opinion concerning the controverted articles; but our divines having taken the liberty to think and judge for themselves, and the civil government not interposing, it has come to pass, that from that time to this, almost all persons here, of any note for learning and abilities have bid adieu to Calvinism, have sided with the remonstrants, and have left the fatalists to follow their own opinions, and to rejoice (since they can rejoice) in a religious system consisting of human creatures without liberty, doctrines without sense, faith without reason, and a God without mercy." The American editors subjoin the following sentences: "Calvinists have often been charged by their "amiable" opponents with holding sentiments from which the horrible consequences here stated must necessa rily result. But it is notorious to all the world, that they reject these consequences with the deepest abhorrence: and we think they have shown, in the most solid and satisfactory manner, that such consequences cannot fairly be drawn from anyof their tenets. It is the indication of a weak cause thus to repeat reproaches, which have a thousand times been confuted, and shewn to be utterly ground less." Without arrogating to Calvinists all the piety, all the learning, to all the modesty in the world, we boldly challenge their opponents, to name a single Calvinistic divine, who has ever held to such a religious system," as that described in the quotation cited above from Dr. Jortin. Did Calvin, or do any of his followers, believe that human creatures are without liberty? It is perfectly well known to those who know any thing on the subject, that Calvinists have ever been strenuous defenders, and constant teachers of the doctrine, that men are free agents, and accountable to God for their actions. We hardly know what is meant by doctrines without sense, and faith without reason. If it is meant to be asserted, that Calvinists discard reason in the discussion of religious topics, the charge has no foundation in fact. On the contrary, they are often charged, (and by the same set of opponents too,) with placing too much reliance upon logical, or metaphysical demonstration. Thus when presented with a doctrine offensive to the natural heart, these men descry it as destitute of sense and reason; and when beset with arguments from which it is in vain to hope for an escape, they take refuge in vain accusations of metaphysical subtlety. The truth is, that Calvinists look to the Bible for their religious opinions; they exclaim, in the language of the apostle, "Let God be true, and every man a liar." The doctrines relative to the divine government, with respect to which such violent re proaches are lavished upon them, they conceive to be revealed in a particularly clear manner; so clear that every unbiassed mind can hardly mistake the truth. But they are of opinion, more over, that the same doctrines can be unanswerably established by reasoning from those attributes which are ascribed to the Deity by all sects of christians. If any one supposes that Calvinists believe in a God without mercy, let him read the writings of Calvin, or Edwards, or any of their illustrious fellow-laborers, and if he does not find more heartfelt descriptions of the stupendous mercy of God to a fallen world, than can be found any where else, we will frankly confess ourselves mistaken. These reflections we have thought it our duty to state, VOD. II. New Series. because the same reproaches are continually repeated, at the present day. At the close of this article is a particular history of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America, written, we presume, by one of its members. In summing up the character of CICERO, the English Editors have indulged in a strain of panegyric, which quite transcends the boundaries of truth. "Few persons in christian countries," say they, "and none in his own age, were ly this is extravagant. American Editors.] upon the whole so free from vice; [sureHe was an entire stranger to the sordid passions of lust and avarice; and however vain, irresolute, or inconsistent a part he sometimes acted, he does not appear to have committed a crime.” The writer of this passage must have had in his mind rather a loose definition of the words vice and crime; for he tells us, only two sentences before, that Cicero (( requested Lucceius to write the annals of his consul. ship, and to praise him, even at the expense of truth." That is, he deliberately, and in writing, urged his friend to be guilty of falsehood in a public history, in order to gratify his unbounded love of praise. The most profligate minister in modern times, would be ashamed to address such a letter to his friend, a diguified historian. Cicero also advised to enkindle a civil war, that he might return from an exile, in which he had behaved with the most childish pusillanimity. He mentioned without censure, if he did not directly countenance, crimes too gross to be named, as is evident from a passage in his book de Officiis. He adhered to the party of Pompey, till it was overthrown; then made a studied and gratuitous panegyriq E on Cæsar in two most beautiful orations; and, after Cæsar's death, bestowed the same extravagant praise on his murderers, which he had just before lavished on him. But how could any thing better be expected, when he repeatedly declares, in his public speeches, that praise, fame, or glory, (call it by what name you please,) was the only incentive to the labors in which he engaged for the safety of his country? We are of opinion, that vast multitudes "in christian countries," in all periods of the christian church, have not only been more "free from vice" than Cicero, but have acted, habitually under the influence of principles incomparably more conducive to virtue and happiness, than any of which he ever had a conception. That Cicero was one of the least faulty men of his age and nation, we readily grant; that he was one of the best mor. al writers of heathen antiquity admits not of a doubt; that his talents were of the most brilliant and useful kind, the united voice of the learned, bears concordant testimony: But his moral character is no more to be compared with what it would have been under the transforming power of christianity, than the shapeless daubings of an awkward landscape painter, with the indescribable beauties of a summer's prospect. We insert the following sen. tences, subjoined by the American Editors to the account of Dr. CLARKE, for the information of our readers: "The writer of this article appears to have been not a little gratified, that Dr. Clarke was not, in the strict sense of the term, a Trinitarian As the article however states what he was not, without in forming the reader what he was, we think it proper, for the sake of those who are unacquainted with his works, to add a little to this negative information, by saying that he was not an Arian, not a Socinian. He was even solicitous to avoid the imputation of these heresies. Doddridge in his Lectures on Divinity, in giving the different theories relative to the doctrine of the Trinity, says "Dr. Clarke's scheme is, that there is one Supreme Being who is the Father, and two derived and dependent beings: but he waves calling Christ a creature, as the ancient Arians did, and principally on that foundation disclaims the charge of Arianism." We were disappointed in not finding any notice of the late Dr. CLARKE, of Boston. (To be continued.) The Works of Mrs. Anne Steele, complete in two volumes, 12mo. Boston, Munroe, Francis, and Parker, 1808. THE specimens of Mrs. Steele's compositions, given to the American Public in Dr. BELKNAP'S collection of Psalms and Hymns, excited a general desire to see her whole works; and we congratulate the community, that they have at length made their appearance. Either the English edition was out of print, or few copies of it, we presume, were imported; for, after diligent inquiry, we were never able to find but a single copy of a single vol. ume. This edition is very neatly and correctly printed, and does credit to the respectable press from which it proceeds. Mrs. Steele's character, as a writer, is too well known, to require notice; and too well established, to need confirmation. To many, who have not seen these volumes, it may be grateful to know, that they are more replete with evangelical truth, than the selected specimens, excellent as they are, may have led them to imagine. The divinity of Christ, the atonement, the influences of the Spirit, and the perseverance of saints, are here prominently exhibited. The Prose is of too poetical a cast; but the sentiments flow from a heart deeply affected with a sense of its own imperfections, and aspiring after the beauties of holiness. The poetry is seldom if ever, prosaic. It is of a character somewhat resembling the poetry of Watts, yet distinct and peculiar. It has its simplicity, its tenderness, its grace, and sometimes its sublimity. If, in general, it be less fertile in its imagery, it is more chaste; if less elevated, it is more equable; if less familiar, it is more delicate; if less adventurous; it is more correct. The author distinguished for exquisite sensibility, as well as for ardent piety, cheered her own pilgrimage with these songs of Zion; and such must be their influence on every reader, whose soul is attuned to celestial harmony. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. UNITED STATES. PHILADELPHIA BIBLE SOCIETY. We have received the first report of this respectable society, made at their annual meeting, May 1, 1809, with which we promptly gratify our readers, in the hope, that it may animate them to similar exertions. PIRST REPORT OF THE PHILADELPHIA BIBLE SOCIETY. IN conformity with the third article of the constitution of the Bible Society, the Managers lay before the Society the report of their proceedings, together with an account of their receipts and disbursements of money, from its institution on the 12th of December last, until the present time. Immediately, upon receiving notice of their election, the Managers met, and organized themselves agreeably to the provisions of the constitution; and without delay entered upon the performance of the duties assigned them. The first object of the Managers was to draw the attention of the public, not only in this state, but through the United States, to the great importance of such institutions; and to stimulate the friends of the Bible, in the other large cities on this continent, to exert themselves to establish societies similar to the one organized in this city. With this view, an address to the public was prepared and circulated. Three thousand copies of this address were printed; two thousand in the English, and one thousand in the German language: And it has been sent into every part of the United States, addressed to distinguished characters of the different religious denominations. What its ultimate effect will be, in the several places to which it has been forwarded, cannot yet be ascertained: but it is known that it has excited the serious attention of many of the friends of christianity, and that, in some places, it is in contemplation to make the attempt to establish Bible Societies. In connexion with this measure, the Managers considered it to be of the ut most importance to the prosperity of the institution, that strenuous efforts should immediately be made for increasing the funds of the Society and enlarging the number of its members. To accomplish these objects, they not only thought it proper to invite the pious and benevolent, through the medium of the public prints,to come forward and subscribe; but they were of opinion, that the magnitude of the object was such, as to justify them in making personal application to the citizens of Philadelphia, for their aid and support in carrying it into effect. Accordingly, having distributed themselves into small committees, and divided the city into districts, they determined that a general solicitation for subscriptions and donations should be made. This measure, to a considerable extent, and with no small success, has been carried into effect: but the times having been unfavorable for such an application, and the season inclement, much still remains to be done in the same way. The Board of managers were of opinion, that the sooner the charity, placed at their disposal, was directed to its destined object, the better would the purpose the Society be answered. It was therefore resolved that the funds in possession should immediately be put into active operation; except that it was adopted as a principle, that the money arising from life subscriptions and donations should form a permanent fund, the interest of which only should be employed; which arrangement, it was supposed, would better meet the views of the contributors, and better promote the objects of the Society, than if the whole should be expended at once. A purchase was therefore made of 300 English Bibles, 300 English New Testa ments, and 300 German New Testaments; and some general principles to regulate the distribution of the books, and guard against impositions, were agreed upon. This stock, however, was soon exhausted; the deraand proving upou experiment to be much greater than was expected. The Managers, therefore, ordered another purchase to be made, of 1000 English Bibles, and 209 German New Testaments, and of the books purchased, a small proportion only remain at this time in the hands of the Librarian. As it was not practicable to obtain a cheap edition of the German Bible in this country, the Managers directed that 300 copies, and as many of the New Tes tament, should be imported from Germany, as soon as intercourse with Europe should be again opened. They also directed that 100 French, 100 Welch, and 50 Gaelic Bibles, together with 50 English New Testaments of a large type, should be imported from London, as soon as practicable. All the above mentioned books have been sent for, and may now be expected in a short time. The distribution of Bibles, which has taken place, has been chiefly confined to this city and its vicinity, but good opportunities of supplying the destitute at a distance, have not been neglected. At the request of a missionary of the United Brethren, 75 Bibles and 25 New Testaments have been sent to the Muskingum, to be distributed among the Indians of two christian congregations, and among the poor white inhabitants. One hundred Bibles have been committed to Mr. Thomas Haskins, a member of the Society, to be distributed "by means of confidential friends" in the destitute parts of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. One hundred Bibles have likewise been committed to captain Benjamin Wickes, to be carried to Canton, and distributed among the sailors, and others, who can read English in that port, by himself, and the Rev. Mr. Morrison, a missionary, resident in that place. Mr. Markoe, one of the managers, has received 50 Bibles, and as many New Testaments, to be distributed by himself in the West Indies, among the people of color, or others at his discretion. Twenty-five New Testaments have also been sent to the Rev. John H. Rice, to be distributed among the slaves who can read, in Virginia. The public and charitable institutions in this city have received a special regard from the Managers in the distribution of Bibles. The Managers, conceiving that it would be of importance to obtain a charter, called a meeting of the Society, to consider and determine upon the propriety of petitioning the legislature of this state then in session, for an act of incorporation. At this meeting, a memorial, together with the draft of a bill, were submitted to the Society, which, being considered and approved, were forwarded to the legislature: but the expected success did not attend the application. The failure, it is believed, was chiefly owing to the application having been made at so late a period of the session of the legislature, that there was not time to pay suitable attention to the subject. It will now belong to the Society to dispose of this business in that way, which to them may seem best. As this society owed its existence, in a great measure, to the noble example afforded by the British and Foreign Bible Society, established at London; and as intimation had been given by a respectable member of that society, that a handsome donation would be granted to the first society of a similar kind established in the United States; it was one of the first acts of this society, after its organization, to request their treasurer to give information, through his correspondent in London, of the formation of a Bible Society, in this city; and to transmit copy of its constitution, and solicit the patronage and support of the Bible Soci ety in London. This was done. And it will afford pleasure to the members of the society to be informed, that the treasurer's communication produced a very agreeable impression on the minds of the whole committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Without hesitation or delay, they opened their arms to embrace our infant institution, with truly fraternal affection. Instead of one hundred pounds, which this Society had been encouraged to hope for, by a unanimous vote of the committee, two hundred pounds sterling were given in aid of our funds; And so strong was the tide of their generous affection towards this Society, that a much larger sum would have been voted for its use, had they not supposed that our institution was limited in its operation to the state of Pennsylvania. |