General Clinton, dated Lisbon, 16th March. Don Miguel had entirely thrown off the mask, and dissolved both the Chambers. Lisbon was in great ferment, and universal confusion and distrust prevailed. The conduct of Sir F. Lamb was highly characteristick of the representative of the King of England. He denounced the mischievous conduct which Miguel was pursuing, and predicted, that, if persevered in, it would end in destruction to himself, and be productive of the most direful catastrophe. Miguel is in the hands of the infamous Queen, who directs every thing. The Chambers were dissolved in order to prevent their debating upon the state of the nation. All the Constitutional Chiefs were dismissed, and replaced by Apostolicals. The Queen had gone so far as to send to Spain for 25,000 men, which Ferdinand will, no doubt, send, if he can spare them from home." It is added, that the presence of the British troops in Lisbon, and the fleet in the Tagus, are the only obstacles to Miguel's being proclaimed king; and that to escape his vengeance and cruelty, several nobles, and other persons of public character, have left Lisbon. The health of the king of England is said to be much improved. FRANCE.-The most important article of the recent intelligence from France is the address of the Chamber of Deputies to the king, in reply to his speech at the opening of the Chambers. After a protracted discussion, the liberal party gained their point, and voted that the policy of the late ministry was a deplorable system. This address was the result. We have seen and compared two different translations of it; but not having seen the original, we cannot give an opinion as to which is the more faithful. They, however, not only differ more in language than any two separate but good translations from French into English could differ, but in some instances they vary considerably in sense and import. They notwithstanding agree in representing the address or response of the Chambers as very much an echo of the king's speech; and as lauding him, in the highest strain of French flattery, for dismissing his late ministers, and for resolving to meet the wishes of the nation, by adopting a system of measures, many of which are in direct opposition to those of the late administration. The address, however, distinctly approves of the determination to recal the French troops from Spain, of the naval blockade of Algiers, of the treaty for the pacification of Greece, and of the battle of Navarino, as well as of the king's appointment of his son to superintend promotions in the army. In short, every thing which has been well done, under the late administration, is ascribed to the king, and every thing wrong and oppressive, (of which it is broadly intimated there had been much,) is attributed to the ex-ministers; and the monarch is assured that he has enthroned himself in the hearts of his subjects, by abandoning certain pernicious measures heretofore adopted. In his short reply to the address, the king remarks that he had hoped that in making it the Chamber would have been unanimous, and expresses his regret that such had not been the fact. It appears that the vote on this address in the Deputies' Chamber, was 198 for it, and 168 against it. From this, as well as from some other articles in the publick papers, it is apparent that the members of the late administration have friends and abettors, both in the legislature and in the nation at large; and that they will oppose to the utmost, the plans and operations of the liberal party, now in power. But we think that the liberty of the press is restored, and will be preserved; and that the projects of the Jesuits and their adherents, to make France subservient to Rome, and to exterminate the Protestant religion, are frustrated for the present-and we hope for ever. It appears that an expedition is fitting out for Greece, to consist of 9000 French troops, and 6000 English; of which Marshal Marmont is to be commander in chief. This is said to be a set-off to the chief command of the allied fleet, given to the British Admiral Codrington. It is suspected, and seems not improbable, that the late French ministry have countenanced the recent changes, hostile to freedom, which have taken place in Lisbon. If so, it may breed alienation between France and England. SPAIN-So far as we have observed-remains in statu quo. PORTUGAL.-We have always wondered that either Don Pedro, or the English cabinet, could ever have placed confidence in Don Miguel, whom we have been accustomed to consider and represent as one of the vilest of men. But we supposed that they knew him better than we did, and we were aware that the most unprincipled men, if they do not want understanding as well as virtue, are governed by a regard to their own interest. But we suspected, and the event has proved the suspicion just, that Don Miguel was both weak and wicked. His mother is a very Jezebel, and between her and her darling son, the kingdom of Portugal has again been thrown into confusion. We shall not repeat or enlarge on what appears under the head of Britain, farther than to say, that both these troublers of a nation's peace, will probably be either destroyed or finally banished; and that eventual good may be brought out of the present evil. Yet, from causes of less apparent moment than the changes which have recently taken place in Portugal, all Europe has sometimes been eventually embroiled; and such may be the result in the present instance. GREECE Affords but little news for the present month. Ibrahim Pasha, if he has not left Greece, has been rendered inactive; and the operations against Scio are still carried on. We understood that the requisitions of the allied powers demanded equally of the Greeks and Turks to cease hostilities. If so, the military operations of the Greeks, beyond what are strictly defensive, are in violation of their own engagements; for they professed to accept thankfully, as well they might, the proposition of the allies. It is stated that the French and British troops destined to Greece, are sent thither chiefly with the intention of enforcing the conditions of the treaty, and putting an end to the civil broils which have existed through the whole of the Greek conflict, and rendered it far less efficient than it might otherwise have been. TURKEY.-The Sultan still continues the most vigorous warlike preparations; and yet it is said that he seems to be desirous of renewing negotiations with the allies. He has already proved more than a match for them in diplomatic manœuvres. If they suffer him to deceive them again, they will become the scorn of the world; for that he has no regard to truth, in his dealings with them at present, it requires no sagacity to discern. He has closed the Bosphorus against the trade of Russia, and confiscated a number of trading vessels belonging to her merchants. It is also believed that by his influence in the Persian court, which is Musselman in its religion, he has been the cause of the violation of a provisional treaty of peace between that court and Russia. By all this the pride of Russia must be deeply wounded, and if not hampered by her alliances, her armies would doubtless before now have been on their march for Constantinople. RUSSIA. The mighty armies of this great power have been approaching the confines of European Turkey for several months past. The river Prut, or Pruth, divides the former Turkish province of Moldavia, into nearly two equal parts; and the part to the north and east of the river was ceded to Russia by the memorable treaty of Bucharest in the year 1812: and on the eastern and northern side of this river, the Rubicon of the Ottoman empire, the Russian armies to the amount of probably 150 thousand men are now arrayed-if indeed they have not passed already into the Turkish dominions. The accounts received from Europe, immediately preceding those brought by the last arrivals, rendered it probable that the Russian armies had actually crossed the Pruth-Such however it appears was not the fact, when the last intelligence from those armies was received in Paris and London. As we have elsewhere remarked, we doubt not that Russia earnestly desires to invade Turkey; but is restrained by the treaty in regard to the pacification of Greece. Couriers pass rapidly and constantly between the allied courts, and it is stated in a London paper that Lord Wellington himself is about to set out for Petersburgh. Britain dreads the increase of the Russian empire, both on the side of Persia and Turkey-By that increase in the east, her possessions in India would be hazarded, and by such increase on the south, her Mediterranean trade would be diminished. Nor does France desire to see Russia drive the Turk out of Europe. But Russia doubtless covets both these objects; and it is very possible that this difference of views and wishes will dissolve the alliance, and perhaps produce war between the powers now united. Time alone can resolve the problem-According to the latest accounts, Russia has a population of 59,393,500 souls-The increase has been one-third in twenty years; and the whole of this immense and increasing population is eminently military. If left to herself, therefore, she might fight both Persians and Turks with probable success; but if Britain, France, Austria and Prussia, shall insist on keeping the peace of Europe, Russia probably will be restrained-but perhaps not. ASIA AND AFRICA. For the present month, we have nothing of importance to report, from either of these large sections of the globe-War will probably be continued in Persia, with increased animosity. The Turkish Sultan will do all in his power to promote it, in order to produce an important diversion, in his favour, of the Russian forces. AMERICA. BRAZIL AND BUENOS AYRES.-It rarely happens, that a state of actual warfare with scarcely any fighting, continues between two powers for such a length of time, as has lately been witnessed between these belligerents. The truth seems to be, that both are feeble and exhausted; and yet that they cannot agree on terms of peace. The last accounts state that their armies, each consisting of about 6500 men, were near each other in Rio Grande, and that a conflict was expected soon to ensue. COLOMBIA.-The Grand Convention of this great republick, for settling the controversies and disorders by which it has for three years past been distracted and dishonoured, was to be opened on the 2d of March, at Ocana, or Santa Anna, a town about midway between Carthagena and Bogota. We have not heard of any of the doings of the Convention. It is to be hoped they may be able to restore order and peace to their unhappy country. This however seems to be doubtful. There has been recently a pretty serious insurrection at Carthagena, but the established authorities eventually prevailed against the insurgents, and their chief, Padilla, fled. Bolivar left Bogota, we believe for Ocana, on the 3d of March; and issued a proclamation on the occasion, exhorting his countrymen to confide in the Convention. But the proclamation itself gives evidence that suspicions existed, that the members of that body would aim at personal aggrandizement. Yet we hope the event will prove that these suspicions were, as Bolivar asserts them to have been, utterly unwarranted. Bolivar himself is grievously suspected, by many of his countrymen, of aiming at a Dictatorship. It may be so; but we will not believe it, till we have better evidence of the fact than we have yet seen. It is said that in Peru and Chili he is the object of general distrust and hatred. But such statements are often made by a single letter writer, perhaps ignorant or partial, and then circulated throughout our country. CENTRAL AMERICA. The lamentable civil war between the Guatemalians and the Salvadoreans, which has been raging for a good while in this unhappy state, is still continued. The party first mentioned have the constitution and the governmental power on their side. But the other party, although insurrectionists, are probably the more numerous, and most likely ultimately to prevail. The former party have many old Spaniards among them, whom the Salvadoreans bitterly hate, and accuse them and their abettors of being enemies to freedom and the equal rights of the citizens. Much blood has been shed, and more we fear will flow, before the unhappy quarrel can be terminated. MEXICO.-Treaties of commerce and of boundaries have been negotiated by our minister, Mr. Poinsett, with this republick. They have been sanctioned by the Mexican Senate, and copies of them have been sent to Washington. We hope these treaties will finally terminate all controversy between Mexico and the United States, Commodore Porter, with part of his fleet, was at Vera Cruz on the 18th of March, He had removed his flag to the Asia, a 74 gun ship, and remained chiefly on board : but was not able either fully to rig or to man the ship. His patience must be greatly tried by the circumstances in which he is placed-The old Spaniards are leaving Mexico as fast as they can get away. UNITED STATES.-Ŏur Congress are still in session; and with unfeigned regret we say it, have done but little, comparatively, of the business for which they were elected. About a fortnight since, a member stated, and we believe with truth, that there were 348 bills, in different stages of their progress, yet to be acted on, or left unfinished, beside much important business which had not then been touched. The legislature of the state of New York adjourned a short time since, having been in session 112 days, and passed 339 laws; and the legislature of Pennsylvania, after we think a still shorter session, adjourned, after passing 223 acts, Allow the concerns of the union to require more deliberation than those of the individual states, still the tardy proceedings of Congress will and ought to suffer in the comparison; and yet our state legislatures also, are believed to waste much time in party controversies, wholly irrelevant to the objects of their appointment. That such is the fact, in regard to the Congress at Washington, is believed and complained of by men of all parties. But if the people do not correct the evil, by a decided indication of their will in the election of their representatives, they may complain without relief; and indeed will deserve none, The past winter was mild, almost beyond a parallel; but the frost of the spring has done great injury in the vegetable kingdom, especially in the southern part of our country. In the city where we write, more snow, we are persuaded, fell on the 14th of April, than in the whole of the preceding winter. In a few places of our highly favoured land, there is now, and has been for some time past, a partial prevalence of the disease denominated varioloid; but the general health of our country is believed to be even greater than usual; and what is still more important, we think it evident, that while there remains much to lament, our moral and religious state is decisively improving. ERRATA IN OUR LAST NUMBER. Page 147, 2d col. the word her, placed at the beginning of the 4th line from bot. belongs to the beginning of the following line. Page 148, 2d line from top, for intruded read introduced. THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. JUNE, 1828. Religious Communications. MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOSEPH EAST- (Continued from p. 200.) In an early part of the summer of 1799, a collegiate pastor of the church to which Mr. Eastburn belonged, was ordained; and publick worship was, in consequence, regularly celebrated, twice on the Sabbath-at Campington, as well as in the associated church in the city. The urgency therefore which had led to Mr. E.'s employment as a catechist and an exhorter, was now terminated. But his labours had been so acceptable and so evidently blessed, that he thought he ought not to discontinue them; and for the same reason, his pastors were reluctant to attempt to lay him under any restriction. He therefore continued, for nearly six years, to exhort on the evenings of the Lord's day, and at some other times, both in the Northern Liberties of the city and in several other places. Toward the latter part of this period, the ill effects of Mr. E.'s appearing as a publick teacher, without any regular call or appointment to such an office, became painfully manifest. Several individuals, utterly unqualified to teach and admonish others, became exhorters VOL. VI.-Ch. Ad. and leaders in religious meetings; 2 H down, before the connexion of the text was carefully examined, or a commentator consulted. On looking into Doddridge, it appeared that in his opinion, the words were specially intended as "a caution against vainglory and an overweening opinion of ourselves;" and in a note he states it to be the opinion of Mr. Locke, that the following verse has a particular reference to false teachers. This immediately suggested that a sixth particular might consist, in an application of the text to those who take on themselves the office of publick teachers of religion, without either qualifications for, or call to such an office. But it was speedily resolved to omit this, lest in the particular circumstances of the congregation the contemplated application might appear to be too pointed, and thus be productive of disturbance. To this resolution, however, the pastor on a little reflection found he could not adhere. The words-"not handling the word of God deceitfully," flashed on his mind, with a force which almost made him tremble. He saw that if the text he had chosen rendered the particular in question peculiarly applicable to his charge, this was so far from furnishing a reason for the omission of that particular, that it formed an imperious demand that it should be retained, and be distinctly and prominently presented. It was accordingly retained, and made the last of the series. The effect was salutary beyond all expectation. The impression produced by this discourse was powerful, and yet, so far as was ever known to the pastor, not offensive. The unqualified exhorters never again, it is believed, attempted to speak in publick. But on the Wednesday morning following, Mr. Eastburn came to his pastor, and in a long conversation opened his mind freely. He said that the sermon he had heard on the Sabbath, had deprived him of sleep, and had led him to close self examination. He appeared to be particularly distressed with the apprehension, that he had been "thinking himself to be something, while he was nothing." Such, he was told in reply, was not the estimate made of him by the preacher, either when the sermon was delivered, or at any other time; but on the contrary, that he was believed to be qualified to do good, and that he had done good, by taking the lead in social exercises of religion; still that it should be our care to do good in such a way as not to do harm at the same time; and that he could not but be sensible that his example had furnished a plausible pretext, for some who were wholly unfit to discourse publickly to others on the great doctrines of the word of God, to assume the awful responsibility of doing it. The result was, that he threw himself entirely on his pastor to direct him how to act; and was promised that his case should receive the most serious and deliberate consideration. This conversation, which lasted from early in the morning till one o'clock, took place, as appears from the writer's diary, on the 12th of December, 1804, and the writer has often looked back to the circumstances which led to it, and the consequences which followed it, as furnishing for him a subject for humble gratitude to Godgratitude that he was, without plan or design on his part, in a sort compelled to do that which not only arrested the progress of evil, but opened the way for the eminent and extensive usefulness of the holy man whose memoir he is now writing. It was so ordered in providence, that about four years before the occurrence just stated, a plan had been devised for providing a chaplain, of the Presbyterian denomination, for the Jail, Hospital, and Bettering House of the city of Philadelphia. This plan, with some considerations urging its adoption, had been printed in a pamphlet form, and distributed among those who, |