for the descent of the Holy Ghost; and he has given the most convincing evidence of the fact, that he is more ready to give the Holy Ghost to them that ask, than earthly parents are to give bread to their children. The means employed in carrying forward this work have been, the pointed preaching of the gospel, visiting from house to house, seasons for fasting, meetings of anxious inquiry, and especially social and secret prayer. God has signally showed in this revival, that his kingdom is, by way of eminence, a kingdom of means; and that he will bless the means of his own appointment. While many of the congregations within the bounds of this presbytery, have enjoyed such a season of refreshing as God has never be. fore permitted them to witness, nearly all of them have shared more or less of the genial influences of this work. In some instances great opposition has been manifested, and especially by those who "hold the truth in unrighteousness." But God has moved forward in his glory, clearly evincing that it is a vain thing to contend with the Almighty. In taking a general survey of the Presbyteries under their care, so far as reports have been received, we rejoice to learn, says the Report, that the churches are in most instances at peace among themselves. The means of grace are generally attended. The monthly concert for prayer is pretty uniformly observed; and charitable institutions of almost every name, are fostered with no diminution of interest. Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes are exerting more and more a salutary influence. Parents and their baptized children are assembled for special instruction. In short, there is much to indicate that God has not forsaken his Zion. But still there is much over which to lament, and much which calls for the united watchfulness, prayers exertions of God's people to remove. Among the most prevalent and threatening evils, we are again obliged to mention the profanation of the Sabbath. Once and again, and again, has the voice of solemn admonition been raised; but the evil is not arrested in its desolating progress. The transaction of business; travelling by steamboats, canal-boats, and stages, is still practised in many places, to an alarming degree; and if the evil cannot be and removed-if our beloved country cannot be excited to view this subjeet in its proper light, we are persuaded the time is not far distant, when as a nation we shall find ourselves to be sinking under the displeasure of God. A Correspondent of the Home Missionary Society has recently laid before the Committee an appeal in behalf of the city of New-Orleans, containing the following statements. The population of New-Orleans is from 45 to 50,000. Nominal Catholics 25,000; a few Jews, perhaps 100; the residue of the population nominal Protestants, say 20,000. There are a few Baptists, a Methodist church which is doing good, one Episcopal and one Presbyterian church. But among all who belong to these several denominations there are probably not more than 120 decidedly pious individuals. There are in the city, six licensed Gambling Houses, paying to the Government $5,000 each. Their annual expenses, besides their license, are not less than $10,000 each, making in all an expenditure of $90,000 annually; and every means are taken to induce strangers to visit these haunts of dissipation and crime. There are also two theatres, one of which is usually opened Sabbath evening, and is numerously attended. INDIA. The following is an extract of a letter from the Rev. George D. Boardman, to his friend in Waterville, dated Calcutta, April 7, 1826. "Rev. and very dear Sir-Some very interesting things in regard to reliIn the district of Palamcottah, near gion have recently occurred in India. cape Comorin, two church Missionaries have been laboring for some time, and in the course of the last two years, eleven hundred families of Hindoos have publicly renounced idolatry and put on the name of Christians. And lest we should expect that sinister motives influenced them, we are told that they, by doing so, have made an entire sacrifice of all things temporal, and have been persecuted and even imprisoned for their conduct, they have borne their afflictions with fortitude, and women have visted prisons to encourage their husbands to constancy and faithfulness. A considerable number of these people give evidence of a real conversion to God. I received some notice of these facts several weeks since, and last evening they were confirmed to me by the Rev. Mr. Schini, of this city, whose brother is one of the missionaries at the abovenamed place." SANDWICH ISLANDS.-Some idea may be obtained of the progress of learning among these islanders, by the following extract of a letter from Mr. Loomis to the Corresponding Secretary, as published in the last number of the Missionary Herald. During the year 1825, we have published of tract No. 1, (eight pages,) 41,000 copies; of tract No. 2, (four pages,) 6,500 copies; of tract No. 3, (eight pages,) 9,500 copies; of tract No. 5, (eight pages,) 3,000 copies; of the "Ten Commandments," 400 copies; besides some other small publications; and we expect in the course of two months, to complete an edition of tract No. 4, (four pages,) 3,000 copies; and a new edition of the Hawaiian Hymn book, (60 pages,) 15,000 copies. Indeed, such is the demand for books, and the ability of the missionaries to translate, that the want of paper and types is the only objection to our keeping the press in constant operation. Five or six young natives are now engaged in learning the art of printing. They board and clothe themselves, and have been given to understand, that when they be come partially acquainted with the art, they will receive something for their labor, and when they are well acquainted, will be paid a regular price for what they do. For the last two months, they have done most of the press work, and I think promise well. we think liberal. They say they love God, and they wish to aid their missionary, whom God has sent to them to preach the Gospel of Christ. It should be far from us to boast of any thing that we have done, or to speak of the work as effected by our agency. We would give glory to God as the only efficient Agent in the conversion of sinners. Little did I ex pect, when I first removed here, that my eyes would in so short a time, be permitted to see so much that is favorable for Zion. Indeed, I had calculated to witness a long dreary night of toil, and care, and discouragement. But God has been better to us than our fears; and in his name we have abun dant cause to rejoice. And could our Christian friends in America witness what we have witnessed, they, no doubt, would rejoice with us, and be encouraged to do more for the enlightening of the gentiles. wherever it exists. It is a spirit of Such is the spirit of the gospel benevolence. He who possesses it, rests not satisfied with securing his own individual interests: but his benevolent wishes go out into exertions to bless and save his fellow-men. We shall close our notice of this interesting people by another short extract from Mr. Ely's letter, in which he contrast. their present with their past condition, When we first landed here, the people as a body were unbelievers, determined to remain in ignorance, rejected the proposals made for their instruction, and despised the word of life.— They were profligate in their lives, and bent on every evil work. We have seen the mother beat her son-in-law for his efforts to screen her daughter, the wife of his bosom, from being corrupted by a foreigner. We have witnessed the whole village, with few exceptions, intoxicated from day to day; heard their horrid yells; and in the domestic sist in supporting the gospel, Mr. Ely circle, seen the effects of their rage. I Respecting the exertions of the na tives at the station of Kaavaroa to as thus writes: A few days since, a number of the natives formed themselves into a society, to aid by contributions in the support of their missionary. They have already contributed to the amount of $50, in articles of clothing and provisfon. This, considering their poverty, have heard the daughter of eight years pleading for the life of her mother at the hand of her intoxicated father, and anon wailing over her father, who had fallen by a stone wielded by the wife of his bosom. But now they are changed: externally, they are universally changed. They have abandoned their evil prac tices. No female is known to visit a ship for the infamous practice of prostitution. No one is intoxicated. There are no family broils. All may be said to be believers in Christianity, so far as the question of its divine origin is concerned. Family worship is generally prevalent, and kind attentions every where prevail. worshippers habitually assemble to pay their devotions. Many have been consecrated to God in the holy ordinance of baptism. In the island of Rarotonga which contains about 7000 inhabitants, about 1500 have been baptized. Two years ago the Rarotongians did not know that there was such a name as Jesus, or any such good news as the Gospel; and now their attention to the means of grace, their regard to private and family prayer, their diligence and general behaviour equals if not exceeds whatever has been witnessed at Tahiti and the neighbouring islands. In all these islands schools are established, and many, among whom are the principal part of the chiefs, are making rapid progress in learning. The whole progress of the reformation in these islands has been such as to convince us that it is "not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord;"and these repeated instances of reformation should afford confidence to the Christian in the promise of God, that the "isles shall wait for his law." HARVEY ISLANDS.-These Islands lie several hundred miles in a south-west direction from Tahiti. The accounts of the success of the gospel at Tahiti, Eimeo and some other islands in that vicinity, are fresh in the recollections of all our readers. But its successes in the Harvey Islands have been scarcely less wonderful; especially as the former had been the scene of the indefatigable labours of the English missionaries for many years; whereas the latter have not till within two or three years been known to the civilized world; and have never enjoyed any other instruction than that of the native Tahitian teachers. These teachers and those whom they have been instrumental of converting have been, DONATIONS TO RELIGIOUS And chari and, to some extent, are still subject to the most determined hostility from the idolatrous islanders; but the whole religious aspect of things is now changed. Infanticide is unknown; Cannibalism has ceased; Polygamy is abolished; and the cumbrous deities of wood and stone are lying prostrate. Temples for the worship of the Living God are erected in all these islands; and hundreds and thousands of sincere TABLE INSTITUTIONS. To the American Education Society for Sept. $19,584 52, most of which was in scholarships of $1000 each, obtained though the agency of the Rev. Mr. Cornelius. To the American Tract Society, in two months ending Sept. 25, $2,877. To the American Board, and U. F. M. Society united, $5,148 77. Ordinations and Sept. 10.--Rev. HENRY HEERMANE, over the churches of Oyster Bay, and North Hempsted, Long Island. Sermon by the Rev. T.M. Strong. Sept. 20. Rev. PETER S. EATON, over the Second Society in Armsbury. Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Eaton of Boxford. Sept. 21.---Rev. MOSES C. SEARLE, over the congregation at Grafton, Mass. Sermon by the Rev. Samuel Green, Boston. Sept. 22.-Rev. ROBERT W. CUSHZAN, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Sermon Enstallations. by Rev. Wm. F. Brantly, of Philadelphia. Sept. 26.-Rev. HENRY G. LUDLow, as an Evangelist, at E. Hartford. Sermon by Rev. Joy H. Fairchild. Oct. 4. Rev. FRANKLIN Y. VAIL, over the Congregational Society in Bridgeport; and Rev. GEO. CARRINGTON and E. P. BENEDICT, as Evangelists. Oct. 6. Rev. EPHRAIM RANDALL, over the Congregational Society in Saugus, Mass. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Huntoon, of Canton. Oct. 11. Rev. CHARLES BOLLES, over the Congregational Society in Bridgewater; and the Rev. THOMAS BRIGGS, as an Evangelist. Sermon by Rev. Abraham Burnham. Oct. 29. The Rev. WILLIAM T. POTTER, was admitted to the Holy Order of Priests at Hamden Conn. by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Browne Sermon by the Bishop. Public Affairs. BUENOS AYRES AND BRAZIL. A se. vere naval engagement has lately taken place between the squadrons of these Provinces, which resulted in very considerable losses to both parties. By the last accounts the Brazillian squadron were blockading the Outer Roads of Buenos Ayres. Monte Video was also closely invested by 700 cavalry, who prevented any thing from coming from the country into the city. In consequence of the losses in the late engagement, the Buenos Ayrian squadron had determined to suspend any further engagement until the arrival of the Chilian Fleet, which has been lately sold to the Government of Buenos Ayres. Admiral Brown of the Buenos Ayrian navy, had gone to Rio Negro, on the coast of Patagonia, to receive and take command of the whole squadron which had sailed from Valparaiso to meet him there; in conformity to the contracts entered into between the respective governments of Chili and Buenos Ayres. The arrival of this reinforcement may be expected to change the aspect of affairs between the contending provinces. DENMARK. A treaty of Commerce has lately been ratified between the United States and Denmark, which is founded on the most liberal principles, and is mutually advantageous and satisfactory to both countries. Its principal articles are: the equalization of tonage duties; a mutual liberty of im portation and exportation; a reduc tion of the dues payable by vessels of the United States, on the passage of the Sound and the Belts, to the rate of those which are payable by the nation most favoured by Denmark: a liberty to the vessels of the United States to trade between the Danish West India Islands, and all foreign countries, other than Denmark, in the same manner as Danish vessels; and the privilege to American citizens to remove their property from the Danish W. India Islands, subject to no other taxes or charge than Danish subjects would be liable to pay on the removal of similar property from these Islands to Denmark. To Readers and Correspondents. The Editor has necessarily been absent the greater part of the last two months for the purpose of effecting some arrangements respecting the future management of the Christian Spectator. In the mean time the Numbers for those months failed of being seasonably published. Some errors also escaped, which require correction,-as at p. 467, Sept. number, where a bridge is men tioned as being ornamented with stakes instead of statues, as the word should have been. In the collegiate record, October number, the name Onderdonk is egregiously misspelt Anderdank; and another surname, which we have not the means of recovering, is omitted. In the present number the words show fight, p. 570, are erroneously joined by a hyphen. We hope now to have done with these corrections and apologies. The press will hereafter be under the more immediate inspection of the Editor, by which means, we trust, both correctness and punctuality will be secured. THE CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR. No. 12.] THE For the Christian Spectator. DECEMBER. Religious. UNCOMPROMISING CHARACTER OF CHRISTIANITY. DURING the persecutions under the early Roman emperors, the Christians were accused of inflexible obstinacy; of an uncompromising, unsociable temper in respect to their religion. Pliny, in his well known letter to Trajan, says of them; "I did not in the least hesitate, but that, whatever should appear on their confession, to be their faith; yet their frowardness and inflexible obstinacy, would certainly deserve punishment." A learned writer, in remarking on this passage asks;" what was this inflexible obstinacy? It could not be the professing a new religion; that was common enough. It was the refusing all communion with paganism; refusing to throw a grain of incense on their altars. For we must not think," says he, "that this was enforced by the Roman magistrates to make the Christians renounce their religion; but only to test its hospitality and sociableness of temper. When the gospel was first promulgated, it was favourably heard. One of the Roman emperors introduced it among his closet religions. Another proposed to the senate to give it a more public entertainment: but when it was found to carry its pretensions higher, and to claim to be the only true one, then it was that it began to incur hatred and contempt: but when it went 1326.-No. 12. 77 [1826. still further, and urged the necessity of all men forsaking their own national religions, and embracing the gospel, this so shocked the pagans, that it soon brought upon itself the bloody storm which followed. This is the true origin of persecution for religion, not committed, but undergone by the Christian church." Reformers of every age, have, by their contemporaries, and often by those who followed them, been accused of the same thing. It is possible, now, that religion may take such a hold of the mind, and its obligations come to be viewed in such a light, and in such relations, by its professors, that they must necessarily appear obstinate to those who are unacquainted with the new power under the control of which their minds have been brought. The precepts of religion may require a certain specific conformation of character, perfectly distinct from every charac ter which can be formed in any other way. It may bring to view facts and prospects for the existence of which, there is, to the mind of the Christian, evidence as convincing as intuition; and to which there is an importance attached, that makes it appear absolute madness, not to give them a paramount regard. Among these facts there may be some of so affecting and endearing a nature that he shall not only be driven to this specific conformation of character, but he shall seek to attain |