to be able to assure you, that it will be difficult to find a committee, that in London, perhaps, excepted, that entertain juster and more impressive views of the nature of the dispensation committed to them. Some of the leading men give evidence that they have experienced the power of the truth, and in almost all of them, there is a strong disposition to hear any accounts that can be furnished of the spread of Christianity in the world. The president is a most worthy nobleman; and it gives me great pleasure to be able to add, that every day almost presents new proofs of the religious disposition of our imperial patron, Alexander I. He takes great delight in reading missionary intelligence. I have lately made some interesting extracts from Mr. A. Paterson's journal, which, together with Pomarree's last letter, and the state of things in the South Sea Islands, are about to be laid before him. We had yesterday a meeting of the General Committee, at Prince Gallitzin's; it was very fully attended. The Archbishop of Tverstwo Archimandrites-the Roman Catholic Metropolitan-were present, all dressed in the vestments of their respective communions, together with a great number of starred gentlemen, who all listened with deep attention to the detail of facts presented, and to the chain of propositions submitted to deliberation. No sooner was it intimated, that letters from Messrs. Steinkopff and Owen were received, than a general, but pious curiosity was excited: and the Prince himself called for and read the first, with a pathos and feeling, which evidently proceeded from the heart. The business of the meeting, which lasted nearly four hours, finished with a letter from our Cairneyhill correspondent (M. B.), which received repeated expressions of approbation from all sides; but from Prince Gallitzin especially.

"The Emperor has lately made the society another donation of 15,000 roubles, to buy paper. The work going on here is immense, as is the demand for Solavonian Bibles.-The 5000 Bibles and 5000 New Testaments, printed at Moscow, are all gone; and another edition, consisting of the same number of copies, has been begun in that city. The Holy Synod have also sent twenty Muscovite boys to print for the society here so liberal and generous is that very body, which was commonly regarded as a kind of secondhand Inquisition. 5000 New Testaments (Sclavonic) were lately stereotyped here, but they are also mostly all gone: only 1200 copies remain to satisfy the demands of several thousands. The stereotype edition of 5000 Sclavonian Bibles, printed here, is just finished; but 15,000 copies are demanded with the most urgent importunity. Another edition, however, in 4to.

is rapidly advancing. The Armenian New Testaments are also almost all off, but we are printing, a new edition, along with that of the whole Bible; and an edition of the Finish, which has been long in the press, will be out in a week or two. Mr. Alexander Paterson, of Karass, has lately finished a very interesting journey in the Crimea: Turks, Tartais, Jews, nominal Christians, Imans, Mollahs, Effendis, have all discovered anxiety to receive the New Testament in the Tartar language, and have accepted copies with every demon. stration of gratitude and joy. One anecdote I cannot but relate:-Having crossed between the Sea of Asoph and the Black Sea, he fell in with an old grey-headed man, whose venerable appearance indicated that he was of some consequence in the place. This aged sage asked Mr. Paterson, if he was a believer in the last times ? Mr. Paterson stated to him his sentiments on the point; which so pleased the old man, that he called out to his wife, Bring him the best loaf in the house, he is a believer in the last times.' We are waiting impatiently to see the New Testament in modern Russ. This will be one of the most important works ever published by Bible Societies. It is designed to supply the wants of thirty-four millions of immortal souls!

You think much has been achieved in Russia; but nothing is yet done, compared with what is to be done. About one hundred languages and dialects are spoken in this immense empire.'

"Thus you see (adds Mr. Dick), that a glorious work is going on in the northern parts of the world-a work which, I trust, will not cease till time itself has finished its course; and the blessed effects of this work shall be coeval with the ceaseless ages of eternity. What encouragement does this afford to all who love the Lord Jesus, and wish well to the souls of men, to pray without ceasing and to labour without fainting-to be steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as they know that their labours shall not be in vain in the Lord"!

Russian Literature.-There are at PETERSBURGH fourteen printing-houses, of which three belong to the Senate, the Synod and the War Office. The others belong to the academies or to individuals. One prints in the Tartar language, another prints music. There are thirteen foreign booksellers and about thirty Russian. There are also six reading-rooms.

PRUSSIA.

Union of the Lutherans and Calvinists. We announced in our last (p. 571), that a Reformation Fête was projected by the Protestant Universities of Germany: it

will appear by the following document, that the King of Prussia wishes to seize this occasion to unite the two denominations of Protestants, the Lutherans and the Reformed or Calvinists. Their chief, if not only difference, respects the Lord's Supper.

Berlin, Oct. 11.-His Majesty the King has been pleased to address the following invitation to the Consistories, Synods and Superintendencies of the Monarchy:"My illustrious ancestors, reposing in God, the Elector John Sigismund, the Elector George William, the Great Elector King Frederick I., and King Frederick William I., as is proved by the history of their reigns and lives, endeavoured with pious zeal to unite the two separate Protestant Churches, the Reformed and the Lutheran, in one Evangelic Christian church in their dominions. Honouring their memory and their salutary views, I willingly join them, and wish to see a work agreeable to God, which met with insuperable obstacles in the unhappy sectarian spirit of those times, to be brought about in my dominions, to the honour of God and the weal of the Christian church, under the influence of a better spirit, which disregards what is not essential, and holds fast what is the vital part of Christianity, in which both churches are agreed; and I desire to see the beginning made upon the approaching secular festival of the Reformation. Such a truly religious union of the two above-mentioned Protestant churches, who are separated only by external differences, is conformable to the great objects of Christianity; it answers the first views of the Reformers; it lies in the spirit of Protestantism; it promotes religious spirit; it is salutary to domestic piety; it will be the source of many useful improvements in churches and schools, which have been often hindered hitherto merely by the difference of religions. To this salutary union, so long desired, and now again so loudly called for, and so often sought in vain, in which the Reformed church does not go over to the Lutheran, or the latter to the former, but both unite in one new, animated, Evangelic Christian church, in the spirit of their Holy Founder, there is no longer any obstacle in the nature of the thing itself, if both parties seriously and honestly desire it in a true Christian spirit; and if produced by this it will worthily express the gratitude which we owe to Divine Providence for the invaluable blessings of the Reformation, and honour the memory of its great authors in the continuance of their work.

"But much as I must wish that the Reformed and Lutheran churches in my dominions may share with me this my welltried conviction, I have far too much respect for their rights and their liberty to

force it upon them, or to order or decide any thing in this affair.

"This union, besides, can have real value only, if neither persuasion nor indifferentism have a part in it, if it proceed from the unbiassed liberty of self-conviction, and is not only an union in external form, but has its roots and vivifying service in unity of beart, according to the genuine principles of Scripture.

"As I shall myself celebrate in this spirit the approaching secular festival of the Reformation, in the union of the late Reformed and Lutheran congregations at Potsdam, in one Evangelic Christian congregation, and take the holy Sacrament with them, I hope that this my own example will have a beneficial influence on all the Protestant congregations in my country, and that it may be generally followed in spirit and truth. To the wise direction of the Consistories, to the pions zeal of the Clergy and their Synods, I leave the exte rior coinciding form of the union, convinced that the congregations will readily follow in a true Christian spirit, and that every where, when the attention is directed seriously and sincerely, without any inte rested secondary views, to what is essential to the great sacred cause itself, the form will be easily found, and the external will naturally result from the internal, simple, dignified and true. May the promised period be no more remote when, under one common Shepherd, all united in one faith, one charity and one hope, shall form only one flock!

"FREDERICK WILLIAM. "Potsdam, Sept. 27, 1817." "To the Consistories, Synods and St. perintendents.

"The undersigned Minister, charged with the publication of this expression of his Majesty's wishes, does not doubt of the desired and happy success; because as it has been accepted since the first of this month by the clergy of this city, of both Evangelic Confessions, united in one Sy nod, with unanimous joy and grateful respect for his Majesty's sentiments and views therein expressed, it will certainly be received in the same manner by all the Evangelic clergy and congregations in the kingdom.

"Minister of the Interior,
"VON SCHUCKMANN.
"Berlin, Oct. 8, 1817."

SWITZERLAND. Unitarianism at Geneva. THE long suspected heresy of the Gene vese has been gradually disclosing itself. The new Version of the Bible in 1805, and above all, the Geneva Catechism, put out in 1814, and lately translated into English, (see our Review, Vol. XI. p. 235,) made the fact unquestionable. English orthodox

The following articles on this interesting subject are from the Newspapers.

An article from Lausanne, dated the 23d August, in the Paris Papers, says→→→ "An English Methodist, Mr. Drummond, domiciliated at Geneva, is, it is said, preparing a new French translation of the Bible, not finding that of the pastors and professors of Geneva sufficiently faithful. He is employing several young theologians to translate into French the latest works of the English Methodists. It is understood that he intends to reprint the works of Calvin,"

WE find the following article in the Journal du Commerce, dated from Geneva, the 5th September:-"The sect of Methodists in this city, encouraged in various ways by Mr Drummond, a rich English gentleman, increases and acquires more consistence every day. From the Hotel of 'Secheron, which they make their headquarters, they correspond with the reformed churches of Switzerland, Piedmont and the South of France, with the view of inducing them to subscribe to their new translation of the Bible, and their republication of Calvin. They have published, through the medium of an Advocate, named Grenus, a justificatory Memoir, having for its title, An Historical View of the Reformed in the Eighteenth Century,' in which they accuse the majority of the Genevese Ecclesiastics of evidently leaning towards the doctrines of the Socinians, The Editor of this brochure manifests an ardent zeal for the opinions of the 16th century. Mr. Drummond himself having addressed a letter to the pastors, in which he considered them as heretics and blasphemers of the name of Christ, has been ordered by the Council of State to suppress his Letter, and to make a promise to be more circumspect in future."

AN article dated Geneva the 30th Sept. in the Journal du Commerce, says, "Two foreigners recently arrived here, one M. Leo, and the other Mr. Wells, an English gentleman, announce, it is said, the project of taking Mr. Drummond's place with the sectarists of Geneva. The former is employed in distributing books of devotion, and the other teaches and preaches Methodism. The paper war which has existed for some weeks between the Puritans and the rational people does not seem likely to terminate. The Sieur Gremes has published a second diatribe, in which he continues to accuse the Genevese clergy of Socinianism; and Empeytoz from the

bosom of his pious retirement with Madame de Krudener, has launched forth new attacks upon the doctrines of the pastors of Geneva Every day gives birth to some new brochure, either attacking or defending the Established Church."

THE following is an extract of a letter, dated the 17th ult. from Geneva :

"It may be interesting to you to learn in what way the thinking people of Geneva find mental occupation in this season of peace and tranquillity, when the want of stimulus is so heavily felt by all the tribe of the soi-disant politicians. The good folks here do not trouble themselves at this moment about politics. Content with the freedom they enjoy, rejoicing in being delivered from French bondage, from the conscription, and taxes to which they were subject under the tyranny of Buonaparte, and proud of their union to the Swiss Confederacy, they seek no political change; but dissensions of another nature seem to threaten danger to the happiness, if not to the internal quiet, of this peaceful city. Religious controversy at present gives employment to these reflecting citizens; as yet, but a war of pamphlets and of letters merely, but which in the sequel may give rise to the establishment of sects, and of new places of worship in this cradle of Calvinism, where there has been but one church--one and indivisible-since the Reformation. Let me give you some account of this dissension.

This

"The whole of the clergy here are publicly accused of having departed from the pure faith as established by John Calvin, and of being at this day Arian and Socinian, but not Christian ministers. change of principles is said to have occurred some years past. It appears, that in 1805 the clergymen here published a new translation of the Bible, where the confession of faith, founded by Calvin, was suppressed, which had been attached to all the former editions; and in this new translation, it is said, the text where it relates to the Divinity of Jesus Christ, has been materially altered. Added to this is the complaint, that the Catechism of Calvin, which was taught in the schools, was laid aside, as well as that of Osterwald; and a new Catechism put forth by the Ministers in 1814, in which is found the following question:- Q. What results from all that we have said of the person of Christ?-A. That we ought to be penetrated with respect for him.'

"On this the faithful here exclaim, that Mahometans profess to do the same; and that this Catechism tends completely to destroy the doctrine of the Divinity of our Saviour. Then comes the last act of the clergy, which has been the immediate cause

of the existing strife. On the 3d of May last, previous to the annual consecration of the Students in Theology, they exacted a written promise from each candidate for the ministry, that he would abstain in his sermons, whilst he should preach in any church within the Canton of Geneva, from touching-1st. On the manner in which the Divine nature was united to the person of Jesus Christ.-2d. On original sin.-3d. On the manner in which grace operates, or, on the efficacy of grace.-4th. Upon predestination. One young man who refused to subscribe to this promise, was denied admission to the sacred office, and a minister, who likewise refused to abide by it, was forbidden again to appear in the pulpit. Upon this, voilà la guerre ou verte; these two young men and their party have found a powerful supporter in an English gentleman here, a Mr. Drummond, with whom they are said to be employed in preparing for the press another French edition of the Bible, free from the errors of that of 1805, and whose house is said to be the rendezvous for all the true believers. The clergy and their adherents accuse Mr. D. of inflaming people's heads here, by other arts and other means than reasoning; and rumour even says, that they were trying their influence with the magistrates, to obtain an order that this Englishman should withdraw from the territory of Geneva. It is probable no such proceeding was seriously contemplated, for it would have been too bold an attack on a British subject; but if it had taken place, it would have been a curious illustration of the change of opinion within half a century, for little more time has elapsed since Rousseau was driven out from hence and his books burnt, for attacking those religious principles and that creed, which the clergy of the present day are accused of having forsaken.-Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, Thursday, October 2, 1817.

Extract of a Letter from Geneva,

Sept. 26.

AT a time when Bible and Missionary Societies are extending themselves on all sides, and by their exertions communicating the knowledge of the Gospel to the heathen world, it will doubtless surprise and grieve your readers, to be informed of the great departure from the doctrines of Christianity which prevails in the Church of Geneva;-a church so interesting to every Protestant, as having been the cradle of the Refor mation.

The proofs of a departure from the true faith in the Church of Geneva, are derived, not from uncertain documents or from the religious opinions of individual members of its body, but from recent public acts of the company of its pastors.

1. The ancient catechism of Genera taught expressly the doctrine of the Divinity of Jesus Christ. This Catechism was withdrawn from the Church some years ago, and its place bas recently been supplied by another Catechism, which maintains a guarded silence with respect to the Divinity of our Lord.

2. In 1805 the company of pastors intreduced into the Churches of Geneva a new version of the Bible, in the publication of which they not only omitted the Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches of France and Geneva, which had been prefixed to all their former Bibles, but made also many very important alterations in the translation itself; particularly in parts relating to the Divinity of Christ, to Original Sin, and to the Personality and Offices of the Holy Ghost. This version is still used in their Churches.

3. These acts were followed by another of a still less equivocal character, by which the pastors of Geneva endeavoured, as far as they were able, utterly to exclude from their churches the peculiar doctrines of Christianity. By a rule of their company, passed by them so recently as May 3, 1817, all candidates for holy orders are required solemnly to promise, that they will abstain from preaching in the Churches of the Canton of Geneva on the following subjects:

1. On the manner in which the Divine nature is united to the Person of Jesus Christ.

This rule has been already twice acted upon,-a candidate has been refused ordination, and a minister prohibited from preaching, for objecting to subscribe to it.

These acts, authorized by a great majority of the company of pastors, leave no room for the exercise of that charity," which thinketh no evil;" they render it but too evident that the present Church of Geneva has essentially departed from the orthodox doctrines of its predecessors.

It should be remembered that Geneva is an university, that youth from different parts of Europe, and particularly from the Reformed Church of France, are sent here to be instructed in theology, and that the Professors are chiefly, if not exclusively, chosen from the company of pastors. Of this company, consisting of twenty-five per sons, not more than five hold the orthodox faith. The remainder unite in opposing it. The consequence of this state of the Church at Geneva on the minds of the students may be easily conceived; by far the greater number of them have imbibed the doctrine of their instructors, by whose means the