and other poetical books, and the arrangement of the text according to the parallelism of the poetry. The mode of punctuation from which we dissent is the too regular occurrence of a period at the end of the verse, and of one of the longer pauses in the middle. One evil of this punctuation is, that instead of aiding the mind to understand the meaning of scripture, it destroys the connexion of thought, interrupts the flow of style, and breaks up into detached portions the beautiful or sublime descriptions of the sacred authors. Another is, that it assists in framing that habit of reading which obtains so generally in relation to this portion of scripture, and is extended indeed to all reading of solemn composition. We allude to that gradual elevation of the voice towards the middle of a verse, and its gradual depression to a deep cadence at the end, that absurd chant ironically misnamed the 'holy tone,' the sport of the thoughtless and a grief to the man of true taste.

We think that all who have attended to the subject must have felt the difficulty we have mentioned, and that all who have particularly noticed the tone we have alluded to must join in our regret, though they should attribute its prevalence to another cause.. No author would choose to see his writings disjointed like those of inspiration, each sentence, and often the member of a sentence, printed in a distinct paragraph, with a period perhaps putting a dead stop to the sense at the end. As we have no accents like those of the Hebrews, to mark the rythm, or rather the parallelism of the poetry, we ought to adopt the only mode we have, that of printing each member of the stanza in a line by itself. This is according to our own customs, which require that the lines of poetry even when they rhyme together, would be printed

separately and begin with capitals. And this custom is absolutely necessary to reveal the structure of Hebrew poetry, which has neither rhyme nor syllabic measure.

Concerning the judgment exhibited by Mr. Wilbur in prefixing his references, our examination has not furnished us with much to say which is unfavourable. In some cases we should locate them differently, but though a wrong location might perplex, and occasionally mislead, it would still accomplish the great end of these references, which is to awaken attention to the matter of revelation.

Accompanying this edition of the Bible are tables of contents of the Old and New Testaments, and a table of proper names accented according to Walker's Key and Rules. There is also a Geographical Vocabulary prepared by J. E Worcester. This is a valuable appendage. Still it is to be wished that it were more full and complete, especially in relation to the geography of the Old Testament. Many places are mentioned in the Jewish scripture not to be found in this list; and in respect to some which it does contain, it is probably more or less inaccurate. Mr. Worcester however remarks, that the exact situation of a great part of the places mentioned in the Bible cannot be determined with any certainty; that the best authorities differ, 'and that therefore the positions assigned to many places in his vocabulary are to be understood as given with only a greater or less degree of probability.'

The first passage to which we referred for the purpose of trying the merits of this vocabulary, was Is. lxvi. 19-where four places are mentioned, only one of which, (Lud,) is to be found in the vocabulary. Concerning this, the information we obtain is probably incorrect, as it is said to be a city of Palestine near Joppa, when the

sense indicates that Lud was some remote country. Gesenius says it was the name of a people in Africa or Egypt. Our next passage was the striking prophecy concerning the dissent of the Assyrian army upon Jerusalem, Is. x. 27-33. Their rapid march, the terror they produce in the inhabitants of the country north of the holy city, the progress they make from village to village, and the threatning attitude they assume before Jerusalem, are strongly conceived and described with graphic pencil. We will quote according to Gesenius' translation; and then compare the passage with the graphical vocabulary.

28. He comes to Aiath, he passes through Migron;

At Michmash he leaves his baggage. 29. They go through the pass, They lodge at Geba,

Ramah is afraid,

Gibrah of Saul fleeth.

Daughter of Gallim is a Hebraism for the people of Gallim. Here we are left to conjecture from the progress of the invaders that this is farther southward than the places already mentioned. Laish (according to the translation we have given) is called upon to listen to the lamentations of Gallim. Laish is said in the vocabulary to be in the north of Palestine, and there it is marked in the map. But it seems more reasonable to suppose it some place near which the army was to pass in its incursion, as we can see no sufficient reason why a city so remote should be mentioned in this connexion. Anathoth was still nearer Jerusa

lem, and for this ill fated village through which the desolating army would lie, the prophet expresses his compassion, poor Anathoth! Madmena is fixed by the vocabula

lim,

Hearken, Laish,

Poor Anathoth!

31. Madmena flees,

The inhabitants of Gebim flee.

32. Yet a day at Nob to take rest, Then he shakes his hand against Mount Zion,

The hill of Jerusalem.

Mr. Wilbur's references at each of these verses directs us to search for geographical information. Aiath is not in the vocabulary, though it was doubtless the same place with Ai which we find in the vocabulary and on the map. The vocabulary informs us that Migron and Michmash are in a direction south from Ai, and thus we learn the course taken by the invading army. We find Geba on the map by the name Gibeon, and may almost see north of it the narrow pass circumstantially described in 1st. Sam. xiv. 45, as being between Michmash and Geba. Ramah and Gilbeah of Saul )1st. Sam. xiii. 3) we find still farther south and nearer Jerusalem. Gallim is not mentioned in the vocabulary.

dea; but Gesenius on whose authority we rely in these remarks, thinks it must have been near Jerusalem and north of that city, else it could not be represented as fleeing at the approach of the army. Gebim is not mentioned in the vocabulary, but this also is a village not far from Jerusalem, near and within sight of which was Nob. In such passages we see the utility of an acquaintance with sacred geography. We only regret that the vocabulary before us is not now perfect in regard to the geography of the Old Testament. In that of the New, its assistance is very considerable. Gesenius and Wahl would afford much assistance in a revision of this vocabulary. A correct and sufficiently extensive one is greatly needed in our language.

With other valuable tables appended to the Reference Bible, is a Chronological Harmony of the Old Testament, being a syllabus, as the edition informs us, of Townsend's recent able work, whose basis is Lightfoot's Chronicle. In this, scripture history is arranged

in the order of time. The several psalms and prophesies are arranged in the history, according to the known or supposed period of their composition. The revelations of God's will are so interwoven with the historical facts which gave occasion to them, they should be read in connexion with these, in order to be clearly understood. The psalms of David which, like the diary of a sincere and pious man, reveal the trials and religious experience of this man after God's own heart, lose much of their force, when separated from the events which gave rise to their composition. We understand that Townsend's Harmony of the New Testament will be substituted in the edition of the Reference Bible now in the press, for the one by Dr. Jarvis in the edition before us. Townsend has availed himself of the labours of preceding harmonists, and though we cannot think him infallible in a work of such intrinsic difficulty, we are thankful that we can have the substance of his work in se small a compass as that in which Mr. Wilbur has presented it. In addition to the tables already mentioned there are, an etymological vocabu

lary explaining the signification of the most important scripture names, a table of references to the prophe. cies and the places where their fulfilment is recorded, and a miscella neous table which might be advantageously enlarged.

The very neat typography of Mr. Wilbur's Bible, the quality of the paper, the neatness of the maps, and the style of its execution gen erally, will enable it to vie with any edition of the Bible ever issued from the American press. Though we think it capable of improvement, we cordially recommend it to the patronage of our readers, as a beautiful, and, we believe, correct edition of the Bible, and as well suited to promote a deep and pervading acquaintance with the scriptures. It is excellent for the use of Sabbath Schools, and for family devotion, where the scriptures should not only be read by each member of the family in course, but where the attention of each should be fixed on the sense of divine revelation. We hope our editor will persevere in perfecting his work, and that for his sake and that of the church it will be introduced into general use,

Letters and Papers of General Washington. It is announced that arrangements have been made by Mr. Sparks, Editor of the North American Review, with Judge Washington, for publishing a copious edition of the works of General Washington; to consist of his State Papers, Official Correspondence, Private Letters, &c. with notes and illustrations by the Editor. Life of Buonaparte.-Sir Walter Scott's life of Buonaparte is reprinting in Philadelphia.

The Rev. Dr. Miller is about to publish a work entitled, "Letters on Clerical Manners and Habits: adressed to a Student in the Theological Seminary at Princeton."

Rammohun Roy.-Proposals are is

sued in Boston for publishing the writings of Rammohun Roy, respecting christianity, to consist of his Precepts of Jesus, and his First, Second, and Third Appeals. The proposals are accompanied with warm recommendations from the Unitarian friends of the Hindoo Philosopher. Dr. Tuckerman remarks that, "had he embraced Trinitarian Christianity, and written as ably in defence of it, his works, long be

cated through the whole of Protestant fore this time, would have been inculchristendom; nor would any other appeals have been necessary, to have obtained both missionaries and churches for the Hindoos." The remark is a singular comment on the comparative spirit of Trinitarian and Unitarian christian ity, in regard to missions,

Prayer for the Colleges.-A concert of prayer for the Colleges was observed, we have not learned to what extent, on Thursday the 22d of February.

Boston Society for Home Missions. A society with this name, was formed in Boston on the 22d of January, as an auxiliary to the American Home Missionary Society. One thousand dollars were subscribed at the formation of the Society.

Reformed Baptists.-Thirteen Bap tist Churches, in North Carolina, have published a singular declaration of "non-fellowship" with all churches, societies, and individuals, who are in any way favourable to Bible, Tract, and Missionary Societies, and Theological Schools. The Columbian Star remarks that the declaration is "just such a production as might have been expected from the opposers of those various evangelical efforts for which this age is signalized. The maxim of the party evidently is, Charity should begin at home, and it is very well understood that the votaries of this proverb are seldom the most charitable either at home or abroad.

POLITICAL.

The Controversy between the United States and Georgia has been introduced into Congress, by a message and document from the President to both houses. The message informs Congress, that a letter had been received from the Creek nation through the resident agent, complaining that the

Georgia surveyors, in violation of the treaty with the Creeks, ratified at Washington last April, were proceeding with their surveys within the Indian territory, and invoking the protection of the government against this in vasion of their rights. The President further states, that he had judged it within the discretion of the Executive to apprehend the surveyors, either by a direct military force, or by a civil pro

cess.

He had preferred the latter. "Instructions have accordingly been given by the Secretary of War, to the Attorney and Marshal of the United States in the District of Georgia, to commence prosecutions against the surveyors complained of as having violated the law, while others have at the same time been forwarded to the Agent of

the United States, at once to assure the Indians that their rights, founded upon the treaty and the law, are recog nised by this Government, and will be faithfully protected, and earnestly to exhort them, by the forbearance of every act of hostility on their part, to preserve unimpaired that right to protection, secured to them by the sacred pledge of the good faith of this nation.

"In abstaining at this stage of the proceedings, from the application of any military force, I have been governed by considerations, which will, I trust, meet the concurrence of the Legisla ture. Among them, one of paramount importance has been attempted, and partly effected, under colour of legal authority from the state of Georgia. That the surveyors are therefore not to be viewed in the light of individual

and solitary transgressors, but as the agents of a sovereign State, acting in obedience to authority which they believed to be binding upon them. Intimations had been given that, should they meet with interruption, they would at all hazards, be sustained by the military force of the State, in which event, if the military force of the Union should have been employed to enforce its violated law, a conflict must have ensued, which would, in itself, have inflicted a wound upon the Union, and have presented the aspect of one of these confederate States at war with the rest. Anxious, above all, to avert this state of things, yet at the same time, impressed with the deepest conviction of my own duty, to take care that the laws shall be executed, and the faith of the nation preserved, I have used, of the means intrusted to the Executive for that purpose, only those which, without resorting to military force, may vindicate the sanctity of the law, by the ordinary agency of the Judicial tribunals."

Accompanying the message, with other documents, is a copy of a communication from the Department of War to Governor Troup, in which his Excellency is assured that "the pretensions under which these surveys are attempted, are in direct violation of the treaty, and, if persevered in, must lead to a disturbance of the public tranquility. The treaty of Washington, like all other treaties which have

received the constitutional sanction, is among the supreme laws of the land. Charged by the constitution with the execution of the laws, the President will feel himself compelled to employ, if necessary, all the means under his control, to maintain the faith of the nation by carrying the treaty into ef fect."

This message was of course received with strong excitement, in both Houses, and was immediately followed with loud and stormy language, particularly from Mr. Berrien of the Senate and Mr. Forsyth of the House of Representatives, both from Georgia. The tone of passion and menace was answered with words of indignation and rebuke, till the excitement having partially spent itself on a motion of reference to a committee of the whole, it was felt to be too combustible a subject for such a reference, and was at length referred to a select committee. With that committee, it still remains.

The Bankrupt bill, the subject of much and able discussion during the last and the present session has been finally rejected in the Senate.

Spain and Portugal.--War, that was beginning to show its head between these kingdoms, has disappeared. In consequence of the attitude assumed by England, Ferdinand has recognized the Constitutional Government of Portugal, and promised to break off all communion with the Portuguese rebellion.

Dec. 20.-HUGH M. KOONTZ, over the Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, N. Y.

Dec. 27.-The Rev. LINUS H. FELLows, over the Second Presbyterian Church in Durham, N. Y. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Buck of Knox.

Jan. 10.-The Rev. ELDERKIN J. BOARDMAN, Over the Church in Danville, Vt. Sermon by the Rev. Grant Powers, of Haverhill, N. H.

Jan. 10.-The Rev. JEREMIAH GLINES, as Pastor of the church in Lunenburg, Vt. Sermon by the Rev. Samuel R. Hall, of Concord.

Jan. 17.-The Rev. JACOB SCALES,

over the Congregational Church in Henniker, N. H. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Edwards of Andover.

Jan. 17.-The Rev. JOSEPH HARVEY, over the Church in West Chester, Conn. Sermon by the Rev. Joseph Vaill, of Hadlyme.

Jan. 24.-The Rev. CYRUS P. GROSVENOR, Over the First Baptist Church in Boston. Sermon by the Rev. Francis Wayland.

Jan. 24.-The Rev. ALBERT B. CAMP, over the Congregational church in Ashby. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Camp of Litchfield, Con.