fusing religious knowledge-diffusing it not only in Britain, but throughout the world -and the speeches made at their several anniversaries. Bible societies, missionary societies, and societies for the promotion of good morals, of schools for the poor, and for the relief of the distressed, and the reformation of the vicious, are too numerous even to be repeated. They are patronized, and their funds-some of them at leastare augmented by every class, and almost every individual of society, from the monarch on the throne, to the lowest menial that saves a pittance from his or her scanty wages: and the success which has attended the operations of all these pious and benevolent institutions has, in many instances, been surprisingly great, and we think in all considerable, and even cheering. It has given us particular pleasure to observe that the Rev. Dr. Codman, and the Rev. Sereno Dwight, from our own country, have attended several of the anniversary meetings in London; and have been received and treated with marked attention and respect; and that there appears to be a cordial disposition to cultivate the friendship of our country, in the religious part of the British community-May this disposition continue, and may it be cherished on our part, as conducive not only to the benefit of the parties immediately concerned, but to the extension of real freedom and true religion to other nations, both civilized and sa- · vage, in every quarter of the globe. We earnestly hope that while anti-christ is combining and arraying his forces, to obstruct the progress of rational freedom and revealed truth, the two freest nations in the world will withstand him, by a front and force that shall look him into dismay, turn him to flight, and carry the conquests of reason and revelation successfully and far into his own territories. FRANCE. The long expected coronation of the King of France took place on the 29th of May, at Rheims, a large town about 100 miles north-east of Paris, the archbishop of which is the primate of France, and of course had the honour to anoint and crown his majesty. We extract from a publick paper the following summary account of the transaction "On the day of the coronation, the King walked in the procession to the church between two cardinals. The procession was very magnificent, and the dresses very brilliant. The King pronounced the coronation oath, in a clear and distinct voice, in the following words: I promise in the presence of God, and my people, to support and to honour our holy religion, as is the duty of every Christian king and oldest son of the church,-to do justice and right to my subjects, and to reign according to the laws of the kingdom and the constitutional charter, which I swear faithfully to perform. So help me God and the holy evangelists.' The ceremony of anointing, and of the coronation, by the Archbishop of Rheims, is then described. After the coronation, the King and the high officers sat down to a dinner, of a hundred and fifty covers, given by the city of Rheims." Some of the ecclesiastical arrangements at the coronation exhibit the ritual and spirit of Popery in their most objectionable form. The occasion was manifestly seized by the Jesuits, now popular in France, and by the Catholick clergy generally, to restore, as far as possible, the faded honours of their favourite system. An act of amnesty was published immediately after the coronation, in which pardon is granted to a long list of emigrants and fugitives, subject to a temporary surveillance-Absolute pardon was also granted to certain transgressors of the laws. The re-entry of the king into his capital was also celebrated with great ceremony and pomp; and the most extravagant and fulsome laudations of the royal personage, both in poetry and prose, were published on the occasion. To our republican taste much of all this has been, in the reading, perfectly disgusting: but yet we are glad to observe and remark, that the present king of France really appears to us, to be more favourable at present to a concession to his subjects of their unalienable personal rights, than was manifested by his predecessor. We think he also appears in other respects to have a better understanding of the true policy of France, than was visible in the last years of Louis XVIII. We have seen with great pleasure the statement contained in the periodical publications which we have recently received from Britain, that the Protestants of France possess a degree of liberty, greater than we feared they enjoyed in fact, although we knew it was granted to them by the constitution and laws. Our pleasure too has been increased by learning that there is a far greater measure of an evangelical spirit prevailing among them, than we had before believed to exist. It appears that the Lutherans and Calvinists, the two Protestant sects, are harmonious among themselves; and united not only in Bible societies, but in other associations for the extension of evangelical truth. There is in Paris."The Protestant Bible Society," "The Religious Tract Society," "The Missionary Society," and "The Society of Christian Morality,” -The latter is composed both of Catholicks and Protestants. All these associations prosecute their operations vigorously and successfully, and receive a handsome patronage. Each of them has a French nobleman for its president; and we were at once surprised and gratified, to observe with what freedom and warmth the doctrines and acts of the Protestant reformers were eulogized and recommended to imitation, in the speeches of their anniversary meetings. It seems to us that unless a marked providential interference prevent, there must soon be a conflict between the devotees of Popery, and those who avow and endeavour to propagate such sentiments as we have lately read in the speeches delivered at the Protestant meetings in Paris. SPAIN and PORTUGAL.-During the last month, the publick papers have contained a number of articles in regard to the internal state of these kingdoms, if kingdoms they are to be called. Nothing however has transpired, so far as we know, that shows any change for the better; and worse they can hardly be, than they have been for many months past. The officers captured by Bolivar in South America had arrived in Spain. Of course it will now be believed that their armies have been de feated. GREECE.-Accounts from Greece, although they differ considerably in many particulars, yet all concur in representing the almost total defeat of Ibrahim Pacha, the son of the Pacha of Egypt, who commanded the Egyptian expedition against Greece. A Turkish army, coming to his assistance, has also been put to the worse, and obliged to retreat. Probably both armies have been destroyed. The fleets of the Greeks were also assailing their enemies, with their wonted enterprise and intrepidity. On the whole, the present aspect of the Greek cause is perhaps as favourable and flattering as it has ever been. A handsome loan had been received, which had been previously negotiated in England; and General Roche had arrived from France, sent by the Greek committee of Paris, to direct and aid the military operations of the Grecian armies. RUSSIA. The emperor of Russia has opened the Polish Diet with a speech. He tells them that he had added another article to the constitution which he had given them. This article prohibits the Diet from holding any of their debates, with what we should call open doors-all is to be in conclave. The emperor represents this as exceedingly advantageous to the Diet and their constituents.-Probably they think otherwise, but they have no other choice than to submit. The emperor intimates pretty distinctly, that he considers them as put on their good behaviour.-It appears that money is very scarce in Russia; and the emperor has issued an order forbidding specie to be carried out of his dominions, and forbidding foreign travellers to hold more than a small specified sum. He ought to know that money is like water, which will find its level; and that the most despotick princes cannot stop the current of the one or the other.-In the month past we have heard nothing of the Holy Alliance; and should feel no regret if we never heard of it again. ASIA AND AFRICA. From neither of these large portions of the globe have we heard any thing new and important, during the last month. From the annual report of the church missionary society in London, we learn that death has made sad ravages among their missionaries at Sierra Leone, in the course of the past year; and that missionaries are much wanted. The religious state of the colony, notwithstanding, was said to be prosperous; and there was a prospect of being able, before long, to communicate religious instruction, by native teachers, to some of the neighbouring African tribes. HAYTI. The French have at length declared the republick of Hayti an independent state. They appear to have conducted their negotiations, in regard to this event, with great secrecy. A considerable fleet carried out their commissioners; and the conditions proposed, appear to have been accepted without much hesitation or delay. The terms on which the Haytians have obtained from the mother country, this, to them, most important concession, have not yet been published by authority, and consequently are not fully known. It is said, however, on information which seems to be generally credited, that Hayti is to pay to France about thirty million of dollars; and for five years to impose but half duties on the French commerce. This may appear to be paying pretty dearly for independence. Yet, in every view, it is unspeakably better than war. All other considerations apart, it is probably much cheaper. Besides, as Hayti will now have a free commerce with all the world, she will probably be in a more eligible situation, even while paying the debt, than she would have been, if she had remained in the restricted state in which she was placed by the want of this con cession on the part of France. The advantages of independence seem to be fully perceived by the government of Hayti; and great rejoicings have taken place throughout the island, in consequence of this auspicious event. The French, having lost an advantage by their tardiness in acknowledging the independence of the South American republicks, seem to have resolved to compensate the loss, by this transaction at Hayti.-They have here secured commercial advantages, as well as a round sum in cash, from all participation in which their rivals Britain and the United States--are completely precluded. This, we doubt not, was in their contemplation; and probably it had influence in hastening the measures they have adopted, and in dictating the secrecy with which those measures appear to have been taken. AMERICA. The BRAZILS and BANDA ORIENTAL.-The region called Banda Oriental adjoins the present empire of the Brazils, on the south; and after much internal commotion and conflict has, for some years past, been reckoned a part of that empire. Probably, however, the mass of the inhabitants, have always been dissatisfied with the govern ment of Don Pedro I. Separated from Buenos Ayres only by the river Plate, they must have had much communication with republicans; and doubtless many, if not the most of them, have deeply imbibed republican sentiments. In confidence of this, as it would seem, some enterprising partizans, at the head of whom was Don Juan Antonio Lavelleja, passed over from Buenos Ayres in the night, in the beginning of April last, and endeavoured to revolutionize the whole country. Success, at first, attended all their efforts. The militia joined them; and one corps of Brazilian Portuguese troops, and eventually their commander, likewise united themselves with the force which Lavelleja had collected. Thus reinforced, they marched for the capital, Monte Video; and were near taking it by surprise. The Brazilian commander, however, succeeded in closing the gates of the city against them; and up to the last accounts, he had been able to defend the place-the assailants being destitute of all the means for carrying on a siege. The emperor of Brazil was sending troops to reinforce his general at Monte Video.-The Banda Orientals must therefore either defend themselves, or without doubt suffer a similar punishment to that which the emperor has already inflicted on some of his rebellious subjects in the north. Nor is it probable that the conflict will end here. As the expedition was set on foot in Buenos Ayres, it is likely that war will ensue with that republick. We some time since remarked, that republicks were not the best neighbours for an empire. So the event has proved; and if in the end the empire itself should be converted into republicks, it would be no matter of surprise. That this will be witnessed at last, we have little doubt when, we pretend not to foresee. Southern America has furnished us with nothing more, in the month past, that is both new and important. UNITED STATES.-In our last number, we intimated an intention to make a statement relative to the excitement which has lately taken place in Georgia, in regard to the sale of Indian lands, and the entire removal of the Indian population from that State. We take the facts of the case to be summarily these-For a valuable consideration granted by the State of Georgia to the United States, the United States government engaged to extinguish the whole of the Indian claims to land within the limits of the State of Georgia, so soon as this could be done "peaceably and on reasonable terms." Many and earnest efforts were accordingly made by the government of the United States, to obtain peaceable possession of the Indian lands, and to persuade them to remove to the western side of the Mississippi river; where a large territory was assigned to them, in exchange for what they should give up in Georgia, and to which a portion of their tribe had voluntarily removed. The Indians, however, resisted all propositions on the subject of resigning and removing from their lands-They carried the matter so far as to enter into a solemn and formal stipulation among them. selves, that if any chief, or any Indian, should consent to a treaty, or to any terms whatever, for the surrender of their lands, he should be put to death. It is affirmed, and we have not seen it denied, that the chief M'Intosh, who has since been killed, was the man who first proposed this agreement among the Indians. Yet, on the 4th of February last, M'Intosh, and a few other chiefs, did make a treaty, alienating all the lands of the Creek Indians in Georgia; and this, in opposition, if we may believe General Gaines, to the mind and wishes "of all the principal chiefs, and forty-nine fiftieths of the whole of the chiefs, head men and warriors of the nation." On being apprized of what M'Intosh and his associates had done, a party of the chiefs went armed to his residence, separated him from his family, shot him dead on the spot, and then returned quietly to their homes. This party, hostile to M'Intosh, and to the treaty which he formed, ceding the lands of the Creeks in Georgia to the United States, General Gaines says, in his official letter to the Governor of Georgia, "I could not but view as, in fact and in truth, the Creek nation." The General further says-"The council strongly and unanimously objected to the late treaty, as the offspring of fraud, entered into contrary to the known law and determined will of the nation. They regretted the necessity, which, they contend, existed for the strong measures they adopted against General M'Intosh and others, who, they affirm, forfeited and lost their lives, by having violated a well known law of the nation."-Such are the prominent, and, we think, unquestionable facts in regard to this interesting affair. While negotiations were going forward with the Indians on the part of the United States, the Governor of Georgia was uttering bitter complaints, addressed to the general government in the most unbecoming language, that the measures taken for the removal of the Indians, had not been sufficiently prompt and strong. For his gratification, one Indian agent was superseded; and when another, who came in his place, testified to the fidelity of his predecessor, the Governor refused to have any farther communications with him.-In what manner he will treat General Gaines, remains yet to be seen. Among other extraordinary measures of this redoubtable Governor, was the convening of the legislature of the State of Georgia, and sending to them a message, full of the most gross calumnies against the general government; and proceeding even to the length of a direct intimation that it was time to prepare to resist that government by force of arms. The question of slavery was by him mixed with the question relative to the Indians, and the amount of his representation was, that the government of the United States was totally regardless of the interests of the State of Georgia, willing to sacrifice them to base and unjustifiable considerations, and that the Georgians had no alternative but to defend and protect themselves. This message of the Governor was re-echoed in the legislature by Mr. Lumpkin, in a report made to the house of which he was a member. The legislature, however, did not call up this repot for consideration. On a review of the whole subject, we do seriously fear for the State of Georgia, as well as for the poor Indians, whom they wish to banish, with a view to possess their lands. When a state thus openly and violently maintains its right and its determination to oppress both the African and the Indian race, we greatly fear that some signal calamity is impending over it.-"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right."-We rejoice to know that many worthy inhabitants of Georgia utterly disapprove of all these proceedings.-As to the poor Indians, who declare that they will die at their fathers' sepulchres, rather than forsake them, we do hope for the honour of our whole country, and that it may not become a party to the most flagrant injustice, that they will not be compelled to remove. If the treaty was fraudulently made, as there is now no question but it was, it ought not to be enforced--the honour, justice, and magnanimity of our country, all forbid it. Of the extreme and unusual heat which has occurred' in the last month, we have elsewhere taken some notice. A part of the country, at least, has suffered from drought, as well as heat. The crop of Indian corn has been injured, and the pasture has been dried up. But rain has been mercifully sent, within a few days past; and the eventual loss and injury will, we hope, not be great. O! that man would remember in whose hand their breath is, and whose are all their ways, and would glorify Him with their bodies and spirits, which are His! ERRATA IN OUR LAST NUMBER. Page 305, line 17 from bot., for νας read yue. 320, do. for (p. 59) read (p. 60.) THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. SEPTEMBER, 1825. Religious Communications. LECTURES ON THE SHORTER CATE- LECTURE XVI. The first subject of attention at this time, is the following very important answer in our catechism, to the question-What is sin? "Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God." of the decalogue. But they were local and temporary. They never were binding on any other people beside the Jews; and not binding on them after the advent of the Messiah. They were given for a particular purpose-That purpose has been accomplished, and the Deity, the legislator who enacted, has repealed them, and they are no longer laws. But there are other laws of God, which are of perpetual and universal obligation-These are called moral laws. But here, again, there is a distinction which deserves to be noticed. Some of these laws are technically denominated moral natural, and others moral positive. Laws naturally moral, are those which seem to derive their obligation from the very nature of things; insomuch that you cannot conceive that they should not be obligatory, while the relations exist to which they refer. Thus you cannot conceive that a rational and moral being should exist, and not be under obligation to reverence his Creator That we may understand correctly the nature of sin as it is here defined, it will be of use to consider briefly, the nature of that law of which all sin is a violation. The law which sin violates is the law of God. "Whosoever committeth sin -says the apostle John-transgresseth also the law; for sin is a transgression of the law." In defining a law generally, Hooker says "That which doth assign unto each thing the kind, that which doth moderate the force and power, that which doth appoint the form and measure of working, the same we term a law." More shortly and popularly, a law may be defined--You cannot conceive that it a prescribed rule of action. The laws of God, for the government of men, have some of them been temporary and local, and some of perpetual and universal obligation. The ceremonial and judicial laws of the Jews were, during the continuance of the Mosaick economy, perfectly obligatory on that people as much so as the precepts VOL. III.-Ch. Adv. should be lawful, for such a creature to disregard and revile the infinitely great and good Author of his being. On the other hand, laws positively moral, derive their obligation, not from the nature of things, but solely from the explicit command of God. Thus the intermarriage of brothers and sisters, must once SC |