The Christian Advocate

that he had arrived just in time to inter

HIS FATHER.

To the honour of Mrs. Steele it may be stated, that she preferred the young soldier, wounded as he was, and then destitute of worldly substance, to an affluent and worthy young gentleman who long sought her hand; and she firmly declared to her parents, who favoured the pretensions of the latter, that if they would not consent to her union with Captain Steele, she would never be married to any one. Another incident will illustrate her character. Before marriage she lived with her brother, who was a printer in Lancaster, and while keeping his house, often employed her needle in his office. Hav. ing watched him in setting up types, she said, one day, "Brother, I think I can help you;" and at once commenced her operations, and actually set up the first Pocket Almanack which was ever printed in this commonwealth. With firmness, decision, enterprise, and activity, she united all the more amiable attributes of an accomplished lady. She was, as will naturally be concluded from the two incidents just named, admirably suited for the connexion in life which was formed with General Steele, soon after the termination of the war and it was, perhaps, as much owing to her knowledge of the business of a printer as to the versatility of the genius of her husband, that they came to Philadelphia, and engaged in that professional business which Franklin immortalized, and which has immortalized Franklin.

Setting us a praiseworthy example of industry and of independence of character; of independence of every thing but the gracious God and the resources of our own minds; when the arts were comparatively new in our country-General Steele, with his own hands, cast the type with which he and his youthful partner set up the first American edition of Dilworth's Spelling Book, and a copy of the New Testament. Stereotype plates had not then come into use; but the types for these two works were fast locked in chases, and the original proprietor of them published edition after edition, for the instruction and edification of multitudes of schools, and hundreds of thousands of his fellow-citizens.

Subsequently General Steele removed to a paper manufactory, which he established on the Octorara, and there also he multiplied copies from his standing types, and occasionally repaired them by casting the defaced letters anew. These leaden pages were finally brought back to this city; and some of them, it is believed, are still, or were lately, in possession of Mathew Carey, Esq., one of our most enter

prising booksellers, who having himself procured a better set of standing forms, purchased the old ones to stop the circulation of a work inferior to his own.

Agriculture was the favourite pursuit, however, of General Steele, and from his paper manufactory and printing he retired to his farm. While cultivating his native fields he frequently represented his district in the House of Representatives and in the Senate of Pennsylvania; and was very useful in settling the difficulties between the different claimants of land in Luzerne county, which were long a source of agitation and anxiety to the community.

In 1808 he was appointed collector of the revenue of the United States for the port of Philadelphia, and filled this important office with exemplary ability and fidelity, until in view of approaching death, he resigned it at the close of the year 1826. It was deemed a thing incredible, when he first entered into this trust, that any farmer, not bred to merchandise, could manage so complicated and extensive an establishment as that of the custom-house in this city; but no one has ever collected the revenue more entirely to the satisfaction of all concerned. In the school of Washington he had been trained to system and punctuality; and such was his determined integrity of character, that he never suffered one dollar of the monies of the United States to come into his own hands: all was paid into Bank, whence he drew nothing but his salary, after it had become due. The only fault with which I have ever known any tocharge him was this, that he could not give offices under him to all needy appli

cants.

To his latest breath the devotion of General Steele to his country was intelligent and ardent. He was a zealous advocate for our representative system of government, for domestick manufactures, for internal improvements, and for agricultural pursuits. He wished to see his country as independent as possible of every other country for all the means of life, the productions of the useful arts, and the blessings of science and religion: and his greatest fear for the United States was, that our national and individual ingratitude to God, pride, and extravagance, especially in pecuniary speculation, would at some future time procure heavy judgments, if not the subversion of our great republick. He was indeed a politician, but not one anxious to aggrandize himself; and a patriot; but not one that could ascribe all our national prosperity to human agency, irrespective of the Divine government.

Of General Steele's domestick character, and as the highest evidence of the

prudence, self-government and equani mity of himself and his partner, let it be recorded, that during their whole union of nearly forty-three years, they never exchanged one harsh or unkind word. This was their own testimony concerning each other, which might be corroborated by all who were at any time intimate in their family. Out of a million of truly happy marriages, it might be difficult to find another couple, concerning whom we could safely make such an unqualified assertion as this.

It remains for me to write a few things concerning the religious character of these lately deceased companions. They wereChristians indeed, without lukewarm. ness, bigotry, or guile. At an early period of life they professed their faith in the Gospel, and subjection in heart and life to the blessed Saviour. Their whole conduct corresponded with their religious profession, and evinced it to be sincere. They were lovers of the Sabbath, of the house of worship, of the Christian sacraments, of the doctrines of grace as taught in the Presbyterian confession of faith, of civil and religious liberty, of all good men, and of the Lord our God. Of the Presbyterian church at Chesnut Level, General Steele was a ruling elder; and he often officiated in that character in the Third Presbyterian church in this city, of which he was a trustee, and one of its most valuable members. As he and his partner drew nearer and nearer the eternal world, by the gradual encroachments

of the consumption of the lungs, their Christian graces became more bright and glorious. Each of them manifested a cheerful resignation to the will of God, and while desirous of dying, that they might be with Jesus and be like him, they patiently waited until their time came. Death and the future life, instead of being frightful things, of which some dying persons are unwilling that even a minister of the Gospel should speak to them, were the theme of their calm meditation, conversation, faith, and prayer. Mrs. Steele continued to sit up more or less until she saw her husband quietly resign his breath into the hands of his Redeemer, without a struggle or a groan: she then retired to her bed, and nature sunk apace. On the morning after his decease I expected to find her gloomy and depressed in her feelings; but it was far otherwise, and she said to me with great animation, "I have been reflecting with thankfulness that my dear husband has now spent one night with his blessed Saviour." In this frame of mind she continued until her transit to the skies. Just before her decease, her son-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Philip Milledoler, at her request, united with her and the family in prayer, and before her watching friends were aware of it, her spirit had filed to mansions of everlasting blessedness. Happy couple! Blessed in life, and thrice blessed in death! May our last end be like theirs; for they sleep in Jesus. E. S. E.

Philadelphia, March 27, 1827.

The Treasurer of the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church acknowledges the receipt of the following sums for their Theological Seminary at Princeton, (N. J.) during the month of March last, viz.

Of Robert M'Mullin, Esq., in full of his subscription for the Permanent Fund $50 00 Of Rev. Dr. Samuel Miller, a contribution from a member of the First Class of 1824, toward founding the Professorship of Oriental and Biblical Lite

rature

Of Rev. Edward N. Kirk, a member of the First Class of 1825, for "the instruction of some indigent student, who shall consider it as a loan to be repaid when Providence makes it practicable." In part of his subscription

And one year's interest due last September,

30 00

$25

31 00 Total $111 00

View of Publick Affairs.

EUROPE.

Nothing of great importance has reached us from Europe within the month past. BRITAIN. The latest advices which we have seen from Britain are from Liverpool of the 21st of Feb. Parliament assembled after the holidays on the 8th of that month. A letter from that place states that Lord Liverpool had been dangerously ill of a disease characteristick of apoplexy, and that Mr. Canning continued in an ill state of health. Great publick anxiety was manifested in regard to the illness of Lord Liver.

pool. Stocks, in consequence, had fallen two per cent. The writer adds-"What effect this may have in postponing the subject of the corn laws, or in producing a change in the ministry, cannot yet be determined." The corn laws, Catholick emancipation, a change of ministry, the splendid funeral of the Duke of York, and the appointment of the Duke of Wellington in his place as commander-in-chief of the armies-these are the topicks of domestick news, on which the London papers received through the month chiefly dwell. The Duke of Clarence, on a message from the king, had received an additional allowance of £3000 sterling per annum, and his duchess 6000. Their whole allowance is £38,500 per annum. It appears that disease had invaded many of the distinguished personages of Britain. Besides Lord Liverpool and Mr. Canning, the royal Dukes of Cumberland and Sussex, and Mr. Huskinson of the House of Commons, had been seriously ill; and the king himself was at Brighton, confined with the gout-Nothing of great publick interest had taken place in Parliament. The commercial distress of the kingdom was abated. A parliamentary account states, that the annual income is about 55 million sterling, and the expenditure 54 million, leaving one million for the sinking fund. An expedition to the north pole was fitting out under Captain Parry.

FRANCE.-Great excitement has been produced in the French chambers by the project of a law on the press, which it was affirmed by the opposers of the law was destructive of the interests and dignity of literature. The French Academy took up the subject, and presented a supplicatory remonstrance to the king. It had been assailed with great vehemence in the chamber of deputies, and it was believed that in despite of court influence, the law would not be passed. The French finances were in a very prosperous state, the revenue exceeding the expenditure by a considerable surplus. SPAIN.-It appears that the court of Spain have been sadly disappointed in an expectation that Russia would bear them out in countenancing the Portuguese rebels. The emperor Nicholas has explicitly declared, that Spain will receive no aid or countenance from him, in any interference with Portugal. This we believe has determined the Spanish court to change its views and its measures-not its wishes. There will probably be a little more done to save appearances, and then all the bustle about Portugal will be over.

PORTUGAL. The civil war in Portugal is apparently all but terminated. The rebels, after some hard fighting, have been defeated and dispersed. We cannot find that the British troops have been employed in active service at all. They remain, however, in Portugal, The Chamber of Deputies was in session, Jan. 20, and a project of a law was presented for declaring the ports of Lisbon open to all nations, with a duty of one per cent. on the re-exportation of goods-This law was likely to pass. RUSSIA. As was to be expected, the Russians appear to have vanquished the Persian troops, and to have made a considerable inroad into that empire.-No details however are given in the last accounts.

GREECE.-The cause of Greece continues to wear a cheering aspect. The siege of Athens has been raised; and the Turkish forces have been so much worsted in a number of engagements, that throughout the whole of Peninsular Greece, they appear to hold no sway beyond the fortresses or fortified camps which they occupy-Those parts of the country which had submitted, on the retiring of the troops of Ibrahim and Reschid Pachas have again risen in open and active rebellion. The large American frigate had arrived, and the command was given to Miaulis-Lord Cochrane was also speedily expected-Great suffering however was experienced for the want of provisions and clothing. We hope it will shortly be relieved by the liberal supplies which are going from our own and other countries. The worst circumstance in the affairs of Greece is civil disunion, and the disposition of the commanders and crews of their vessels of war to engage in piratical enterprises-From these circumstances, we fear that they will not be able to settle their affairs without foreign interference, even if they should be successful in freeing their country from Turkish invasion. The Turks are said by the last accounts to be sending a considerable force to the Morea, direct from Constantinople.

ASIA.

It would seem as if the Dutch were likely to be entirely expelled from the island of Java. It has for some time been known that a formidable insurrection of the natives against the Dutch government had taken place; and it appears by recent accounts that about the first of October last, the insurgents defeated the Dutch troops; and it is said annihilated them in a general engagement. A letter writer says-" We know not what troops are coming from Europe; but if five or six thousand men do not arrive in a few weeks, twenty thousand will not save Java, for every mile the insurgents advance their strength increases."

prudence, self-government and equanimity of himself and his partner, let it be recorded, that during their whole union of nearly forty-three years, they never exchanged one harsh or unkind word. This was their own testimony concerning each other, which might be corroborated by all who were at any time intimate in their family. Out of a million of truly happy marriages, it might be difficult to find another couple, concerning whom we could safely make such an unqualified assertion as this.

It remains for me to write a few things concerning the religious character of these lately deceased companions. They wereChristians indeed, without lukewarmness, bigotry, or guile. At an early period of life they professed their faith in the Gospel, and subjection in heart and life to the blessed Saviour. Their whole conduct corresponded with their religious profession, and evinced it to be sincere. They were lovers of the Sabbath, of the house of worship, of the Christian sacraments, of the doctrines of grace as taught in the Presbyterian confession of faith, of civil and religious liberty, of all good men, and of the Lord our God. Of the Presbyterian church at Chesnut Level, General Steele was a ruling elder; and he often officiated in that character in the Third Presbyterian church in this city, of which he was a trustee, and one of its most valuable members. As he and his partner drew nearer and nearer the eternal world, by the gradual encroachments

of the consumption of the lungs, their Christian graces became more bright and glorious. Each of them manifested a cheerful resignation to the will of God, and while desirous of dying, that they might be with Jesus and be like him, they patiently waited until their time came. Death and the future life, instead of being frightful things, of which some dying persons are unwilling that even a minister of the Gospel should speak to them, were the theme of their calm meditation, conversation, faith, and prayer. Mrs. Steele continued to sit up more or less until she saw her husband quietly resign his breath into the hands of his Redeemer, without a struggle or a groan: she then retired to her bed, and nature sunk apace. On the morning after his decease I expected to find her gloomy and depressed in her feelings; but it was far otherwise, and she said to me with great animation, "I have been reflecting with thankful ness that my dear husband has now spent one night with his blessed Saviour." In this frame of mind she continued until her transit to the skies. Just before her decease, her son-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Philip Milledoler, at her request, united with her and the family in prayer, and before her watching friends were aware of it, her spirit had fled to mansions of everlast. ing blessedness. Happy couple! Blessed in life, and thrice blessed in death! May our last end be like theirs; for they sleep in Jesus. E. S. E. Philadelphia, March 27, 1827.

Of Robert McMullin, Esq., in full of his subscription for the Permanent Fund $50 00 Of Rev. Dr. Samuel Miller, a contribution from a member of the First Class of 1824, toward founding the Professorship of Oriental and Biblical Literature

And one year's interest due last September,

$25

30.00

6 31 00

Total $111 00

View of Publick Affairs.

EUROPE.

Nothing of great importance has reached us from Europe within the month past. BRITAIN. The latest advices which we have seen from Britain are from Liverpool of the 21st of Feb. Parliament assembled after the holidays on the 8th of that month. A letter from that place states that Lord Liverpool had been dangerously ill of a dis ease characteristick of apoplexy, and that Mr. Canning continued in an ill state of health. Great publick anxiety was manifested in regard to the illness of Lord Liver

pool. Stocks, in consequence, had fallen two per cent. The writer adds-" What effect this may have in postponing the subject of the corn laws, or in producing a change in the ministry, cannot yet be determined." The corn laws, Catholick emancipation, a change of ministry, the splendid funeral of the Duke of York, and the appointment of the Duke of Wellington in his place as commander-in-chief of the armies-these are the topicks of domestick news, on which the London papers received through the month chiefly dwell. The Duke of Clarence, on a message from the king, had received an additional allowance of £3000 sterling per annum, and his duchess £6000. Their whole allowance is £38,500 per annum. It appears that disease had invaded many of the distinguished personages of Britain. Besides Lord Liverpool and Mr. Canning, the royal Dukes of Cumberland and Sussex, and Mr. Huskinson of the House of Commons, had been seriously ill; and the king himself was at Brighton, confined with the gout-Nothing of great publick interest had taken place in Parliament. The commercial distress of the kingdom was abated. A parliamentary account states, that the annual income is about 55 million sterling, and the expenditure 54 million, leaving one million for the sinking fund. An expedition to the north pole was fitting out under Captain Parry.

PORTUGAL.-The civil war in Portugal is apparently all but terminated. The rebels, after some hard fighting, have been defeated and dispersed. We cannot find that the British troops have been employed in active service at all. They remain, however, in Portugal. The Chamber of Deputies was in session, Jan. 20, and a project of a law was presented for declaring the ports of Lisbon open to all nations, with a duty of one per cent. on the re-exportation of goods-This law was likely to pass. RUSSIA. As was to be expected, the Russians appear to have vanquished the Persian troops, and to have made a considerable inroad into that empire.-No details however are given in the last accounts.

GREECE. The cause of Greece continues to wear a cheering aspect. The siege of Athens has been raised; and the Turkish forces have been so much worsted in a number of engagements, that throughout the whole of Peninsular Greece, they appear to hold no sway beyond the fortresses or fortified camps which they occupyThose parts of the country which had submitted, on the retiring of the troops of Ibrahim and Reschid Pachas have again risen in open and active rebellion. The large American frigate had arrived, and the command was given to Miaulis-Lord Cochrane was also speedily expected-Great suffering however was experienced for the want of provisions and clothing. We hope it will shortly be relieved by the liberal supplies which are going from our own and other countries. The worst circumstance in the affairs of Greece is civil disunion, and the disposition of the commanders and crews of their vessels of war to engage in piratical enterprises-From these circumstances, we fear that they will not be able to settle their affairs without foreign interference, even if they should be successful in freeing their country from Turkish invasion. The Turks are said by the last accounts to be sending a considerable force to the Morea, direct from Constantinople.

ASIA.

It would seem as if the Dutch were likely to be entirely expelled from the island of Java. It has for some time been known that a formidable insurrection of the natives against the Dutch government had taken place; and it appears by recent ac counts that about the first of October last, the insurgents defeated the Dutch troop and it is said annihilated them in a general engagement. A letter writer says-"We know not what troops are coming from Europe; but if five or six thousand men do not arrive in a few weeks, twenty thousand will not save Java, for every mile the insurgents advance their strength increases."

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