be to her, if she allows vice and misery to prevail in any of their forms, without using her influence and authority against them. A double wo,-if she takes the

lead in surrendering to the enemy. In regard to the particular subject under discussion, the magistrate has performed his duty nobly. It is not a little singular that the church should have exhibited the first symptoms of degeneracy."

Only strike out the parenthesis from the second proposition in this quotation, or consider it as it seems to be intended-as a saving clause, to preserve some show of consistency in the author-and we have not one object against this statement of "the whole doctrine" of Domesticus. We can subscribe it cheerfully and cordially. It stands on the very ground for which we contend, and goes to the utmost extent of our wishes; and we could freely forgive the writer for all the extravagance and flippancy which precedes it in his pamphlet, if we could only be sure that all his readers would consider him as here unsaying the most of what he has said before. With this remark we leave him.

an

We have already expressed our opinion of the work of Dr. Living ston-have given some extracts from it, and sincerely regret that we have not room for more. It is in our judgment, instar omnium, in relation to this subject. In a few unessential particulars we must differ from him; but we differ with all the diffidence of affectionate scholar, who cannot fully agree with an able master. Although it is not usual to review a work which has been ten years published, we determined to bring this distinctly before our readers; not solely because we intended to quote it, but for the purpose of recommending it, as we now earnestly do, to the careful perusal of all who can obtain a copy.

The pamphlet of Mr. McIver contains a historical statement of the case of M'Crimmon-the case which has occasioned a reference to the Presbyteries, and given rise to this whole controversy. The narrative part of the pamphlet is per

spicuous, full and satisfactory; and the speech which he delivered before the Assembly does him credit in every view of it-It appears that M'Crimmon has entirely forsaken the Presbyterian church, and gone to the Baptists. We hope that our Baptist brethren, for whom we cherish a sincere affection, will not, for their own sakes, receive such men to their fellowship and communion-We say for their own sakes, because we certainly esteem it no loss to the Presbyterian church when any man of this description leaves it, and no gain to any church

that receives him.

In drawing our review to a close, we wish our readers to know, that

we

remarked, perhaps with some saare fully aware it may be tisfaction by our opponents, that in the interpretation we have given to the eighteenth chapter of Leviticus, our appeal has been to the opinion of commentators, controvertists, and councils, and not to any new and convincing arguments of our own. But we have done this under a deliberate conviction, that in no other way could any thing be said that ought to have, and that would have, nearly as much weight, with the whole discerning and considerate part of the community. We do not believe that the study of a month, or a twelvemonth, would enable any man in the United States, to offer a new thought or argument, of any worth, on the one side or the other of this controversywe mean as it arises out of the interpretation of the chapter referred to-Nay, we do not believe that a new thought has been offered on it, for nearly two hundred years past. All that can be said has been said, and repeated a hundred times, for centuries that have gone by.* Now,

Whoever is able and willing to read, on this subject, nearly two folio volumes in Latin, plentifully interspersed with quotations of Hebrew (both biblical and rabbinical), Greek, Syriac, Arabic and Persic, ought carefully to consult the fol

in such a case, the best appeal that can be made, is to the deliberate opinion of the Christian publick, in regard to arguments and considerations that have been so long in view. The general and practical conviction of enlightened individuals and communities, affords, in every such case, the best evidence, to show on which side of a controverted point the truth lies-They are the jury, who decide the cause after the pleadings are finished. We have therefore shown that all Christendom, from the earliest periods of the Christian church to the present hour, after the most learned and thorough investigation of this subject, has steadfastly abided in practice, by that construction of the eighteenth chapter of Leviticus for which we are advocates-The only appearance of an exception is in our own country; and this we solemnly believe is not owing to new light, and an impartial view of the subject, but to the relaxation of church discipline; and to the repeal in one or two instances, and the non-execution generally, of the civil enactments which prohibit and punish incest.

And we now most seriously entreat those of our readers who, as ministers and elders of the Presbyterian church, will shortly be call

lowing works of the immortal SELDEN; De Jure Naturali et Gentuim, juxta disciplinam Ebræorum-Uxor Ebraica-De Synedriis Veterum Ebræorum. We certainly make no pretence to much acquaintance with these works; but since we began to write this review, we have looked into

them till we were heartily tired; and be lieve that whoever should go through, and comprehend them, would have little more to learn on this subject.

ed to vote on the retention or rejection of that part of the article in our Confession of Faith which relates to this subject, to consider. well what they do. What, we ask, will they gain by a rejection or repeal of the article? Will they produce uniformity of practice, and thus prevent controversy and appeals, which seems to be the principal object in view-No such thing. There will be as much controversy and as many appeals afterwards, as in times past. Nay, there are portions of the Presbyterian church that cannot, and will not, yield to any human authority, which sanctions the marriages in question. They dare not do it-They would sooner suffer the severest censures of the church, leave it, or be expelled from it, than submit, even silently, to what they consider as an abomination in the sight of God, and forbidden by his holy law. And for the sake of relieving a few individuals, who, it is agreed on all hands, have acted indiscreetly, and violated the law of Christian charity, shall the inoffensive and conscientious be grieved? Shall they be driven from our communion? Shall the Presbyterian church be the first on earth, formally to open a door, as many other churches will account it, for the most detestable licentiousness and impurity? Is this church willing to present herself to the world, as leading the way, to what the most of Christendom will consider, and we think justly consider, as land defiling, and heaven provoking iniquity? Forbid it reputation, justice, decency, humanity, conscience and piety-Great Head of the church, forbid it!

of a greater attention being paid to diseases of the car than formerly, an inge nious French Aurist has lately invented a novel instrument, termed an Auriscope, which allows a complete inspection of the parts. It consists of a circular brass plate 2 A

with straps that go completely round the bead, and at the angle over each ear is affixed a hook and screw, together with a lever, so as to pull the ear backwards and forwards in different directions, and thus lay the meatus open to the membrane of the tympanum. But this instrument being complex in its mechanism, and painful in its application, has been reduced to greater simplicity and effect by Mr. J. Harrison Curtis, the Surgeon to the London Royal Dispensary for Diseases of the Ear, where, since making these alterations, he has had ample opportunities of appreciating its merits.

A gentleman who has discovered a mode of dressing flax without rotting, and who has an establishment in successful operation on the Hudson river, has agreed, if the produce of two hundred acres of flax land can be secured to him,

to locate himself in Essex or Middlesex

county, where he will give fifteen dollars per ton for flax from the field, after the seed is taken off, without any other preparation. It is calculated that at this price a net profit of from twelve to eighteen dollars per acre, may be realized from the land; while the farmers will be freed from the trouble of rotting, dressing, &c., and yet the gentleman proposes to sell his dressed flax cheaper by 20 per cent., than others who first rot, and then dress It. Besides, the flax that is dressed with out rotting, is much stronger, loses less in the manufacture, is firmer, and more soft.

The Rev. W. Evans, of Llandefeilog, Carmarthenshire, Wales, has announced

the following discovery for maintaining and keeping horses without the aid of hay and corn, viz:-"Cut straw and potatoes, or straw, chaff, and pounded furze mixed, wetted with some salted water, prepared as follows: let a tub of fresh water, with an egg in it, be impregnated with as much domestick salt as will cause the egg to rise and float on the surface, that being the criterion of its saltness equal to that of sea-water. The provender being put into a wicker basket, and placed on the tub, pour the salted water upon it, in quantity sufficient to wet the whole mess

1

tion. My man cuts with one knife-ma chine, in four hours, enough wheaten straw for nine horses for twenty-four hours."

Winter Food for Cows.-M. Chabert, the director of the Veterinary school at Alfort, had a number of cows which yielded twelve gallons of milk every day. In his publication on the subject, he observes, that cows fed in the winter upon dry substances, give less milk than those which are kept upon a green diet, and also that their milk loses much of its quality. He published the following recipe, by the use of which his cows afforded an equal quantity and quality of milk during the winter as during the summer:-"Take a bushel of potatoes, break them whilst raw, place them in a barrel standing up, putting in successively a layer of potatoes and a layer of bran, and a small quantity of yeast in the middle of the mass, which is thus left to ferment during a whole week, and when the vinous taste has per vaded the whole mixture, it is given to the cows, who eat it greedily."

Ancient Vases. The proprietor of an estate in Tuscany having employed some workmen to make excavations, had the good fortune to discover an extensive Etruscan sepulchre, in which there were about 800 vases, equally remarkable for beauty of form and elegant design. He has presented the whole to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, who has ordered them to be placed in the Museum of Florence.

Bell's Weekly Messenger gives the fol lowing account of the rise of the National Debt of England. At the Revolution, in 1689, £1,054,925 At the peace of Ryswick, 1697, 21,515,742 At the peace of Aix la ChaAt the peace of Utrecht, 1714, 53,681,076

pelle, 1758,

78,293,313 At the peace of Versailles, At the peace of Paris, 1763, 183,259,275

after the American war,

1783,

238,232,243 At the peace of Amiens, 1802, 499,752,073 Amount of the debt in 1813, 600,000,000 Estimated amount, on the

5th of Jan. 1827

900,000,000

Ancient Roman Foot.-From the inquiries of M. Cagnazzi, to whom the scientifick examination of the monuments of antiquity found in Herculaneum and Pom

peii was intrusted by the Neapolitan government, it appears that the ancient Roman foot was 0.29624 of a metre, or 101.325 lines French measure.

Within the last month we have received from a much esteemed correspondent, a letter, from which we give the following extract-containing information that will be highly interesting to the friends of vital piety, and the general diffusion of the Holy Scriptures.

"You have been long aware of the tottering state of the Bible Society in Russia, and will not be surprised that it has now fallen. Its officers have been dismissed, and its operations ceased; but there is a stock of about 200,000 copies of the Scriptures, in different languages, in its stores; and, in whatever way they may be hereafter circulated, this incorruptible seed will not be in vain.

"Let me state to you at the same time, a fact, connected with the operations of the Russian Bible Society, while it has had existence, in which you will greatly rejoice. The consequence of an extensive circulation of the word of God in that vast empire, for many years past has been, to raise up in various parts of it, and to a very great extent, a body of 'Scriptural or Bible Christians' who have renounced the Greek Church, and under this denomination associate together, to read and study the Holy Scriptures, acknowledging this blessed Book as the only rule of faith and practice, and observing the Christian Sabbath as a day of sacred rest. A considerable effect, I understand, is manifest in the peaceable and orderly lives of the people who are thus separating under the influence of Christian truth; and some circumstances have been related which afford a pleasing evidence of truly Christian principles operating on their minds. Thus, my dear friend, is the most high God ruling and overruling amongst the children of men, to carry on his purposes of mercy in his own way; cheering us by rays of light in the darkest seasons, and saying to us, 'be still, and know that I am God.' Let us continue waiting on him, still sowing in hope as opportunities arise, and where his providence directs, assured that it shall not be altogether in vain, however feeble and inefficient the instrument employed may be.

"A few months since I mentioned to our friend a movement amongst the Jews in Constantinople, and that a

number had received Christ as the Messiah, of which a son of a Chief Rabbi was one. They were looking forward to suffering, but most of all feared a very rich and powerful Jew, who, from the situation he held under the Turkish government, was known by the name of the Sapdgi, his influence being such, that he could effect the ruin of any individual disposed to Christianity: this rendered them cautious in their meeting together, to avoid suspicion.-It so happened, however, that in the course of events, connected with the revolt of the Janissaries, this man, who stood so high in favour, fell under the Sultan's displeasure.-He ordered him to be beheaded, and seized all his treasure ;-thus, the enemy who was most feared was removed out of the way. By the last accounts, however, it appears that a persecution has now commenced: one of the Jews who has embraced Christianity, has been committed to prison, and severely bastinadoed; after which, his immediate release was promised if he would renounce Christ, or, if he would not, a repetition of punishment was threatened; but he continues faithful, and a confidence is felt that others are also ready to go to prison and to death for the name of Christ.

:

"The effect of the free circulation of the Scriptures amongst the Catholics, is beginning to appear in the south of France in Lyons and the neighbourhood, no less than 1500 Roman Catholics have embraced Protestantism. In some parts of Germany, particularly Wirtemberg, the people meet together in the villages to read the Scriptures. In Prussia a good work is said to be going on amongst all ranks; and also in the Canton de Vaud, in Switzerland, where many are brought under the power of the truth.

"I am glad to observe Mr. Sergeant's appointment to the Congress of South America, hoping much good will result to the new States, from the association of their Representatives with men of liberal and enlightened Christian views. Mr. Thomson will probably go to Mexico in tho course of a few weeks, as agent to the British and Foreign Bible Society. I shall give him an introduction to Mr. S., anticipating it as probable that he may attend the meeting adjourned there from

Panama.

"In a late New York Observer, I was pleased with a statement, that in some of the old slave-holding states, Maryland particularly, the landholders are begin ning to find that their interest is promoted by the employment of free labour in preference to slaves. Should this powerful principle in the human heart be brought into full operation on the subject, it may tend rapidly to effect the desirable end; showing at the same time, that selfish views and feelings are equally unfavouraable to the real interest of man in the present state, as they are inconsistent with his future good as a moral and unaccountable being."

FOR THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. OBITUARY NOTICE OF GENERAL JOHN

STEELE, late Collector of the Port of Philadelphia, and of ABIGAIL, his Wife; the first of whom departed this Life on the 27th of February, and the latter on the 13th of March, 1827.

This venerable couple, when released from earth, had been united to each other in the happiest matrimonial union during the lapse of forty-three years, lacking only three days; and by death were not long divided. They were born within a few months of each other, in the county of Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, of respectable families of Presbyterians-were brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord-became pious in early life, and together lived in the service of their Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, until they had nearly completed their three score years and ten. Their attachment to each other was formed a short time before the commencement of the war of

our American revolution, and their intended nuptials were delayed for seven years, by patriotic devotion to the cause of liberty and our country. During the contest for national independence, General Steele, then a youth, full of ardour and enterprise, followed the immortal Washington through all his toils and privations. He was actively engaged in the battle of Brandywine, in which he received a British ball through his shoulder; but for this affliction he felt himself compensated by participation in the capture of Lord Cornwallis. His pious parents had cherished the hope in his youth, that he would become a minister of the gospel, and with a view to this sacred office, he was under the tuition of the Rev. James Latta, D.D., at Chesnut Level, when he heard the call of his country to arms, and declared to his venerable preceptor, that until his coun

try was free, he must relinquish his studies for the camp. He entered the army as a volunteer, and though young, soon obtained the command of a veteran company. From loss of blood by the wound which he received, he was reduced so low as scarcely to breathe; and was sometimes thought to be dead; but six faithful soldiers carried him away several miles on a sheet, (his weakness preventing any other mode of removal,) and quartered him for a season in the family of two ancient maiden ladies, who though entirely strangers to him, nursed him assiduously, and under Providence were the means of his restoration. His sense of obligation to them, and his gratitude, were lasting as life.

Before he could return to active military duty, his father heard what had befallen his son, and after much search, found him in Bucks county, whither he had been carried, after many removals, with a view to his safety. His temporary residence at home, while disabled, was nearly as dangerous as the battle of the Brandywine; for an unskilful surgeon, thinking it necessary to probe his wound, divided a large artery, and had not the means of tying it. To prevent him from bleeding to death, his sister held the ori fice with her fingers, while a messenger was despatched to procure another phy. sician from Lancaster. He came, but alas! without his case of instruments, and was obliged to return for them; so that a distance of sixteen miles was travelled over four times, while a sister's hand alone performed the office of a ligature.

Returning health and strength restored the young soldier to his companions in arms, not at all discouraged by what he had suffered.

At the close of the war, poor and pennyless, he returned to his native abode, with the consciousness of having served his country faithfully, which was then the only pay of our disbanded revolutionary worthies. He arrived at the end of a lane which led from the main road to his paternal mansion, cheered with the expectation of embracing, after years of absence and toil, his much loved relatives; but here a new conflict awaited him, for he saw collected under the shady trees which surrounded his home a multitude of horses, carriages and people, evidently about to move in funcreal procession; and he could not advance. "Who now is dead?" said he to himself; "Is it my father? Is it my mother? Or is it some other member of my family?" Proposing such questions to himself, he lingered at the end of the avenue; desiring, and yet dreading to know the truth; until he finally beckoned a passenger to him, and learned,