measure will insure permanent quiet in that country. Ireland, however, is as yet, far from being quiet; and it is stated, that a large body of troops is to be sent from England, to aid the civil authority in suppressing banditti, and insurrectionary movements. There is a dreadful scarcity, amounting it is said to absolute famine, in some parts of this unhappy island. Britain has lately lost two men of great distinction in the religious and literary world-Robert Hall, of Bristol, and Andrew Thomson, of Edinburgh-the former a Baptist, the latter a Presbyterian minister of the gospel. We question if Mr. Hall has left in Britain a man of superior intellect to that which he possessed; and if not in Britain, we certainly know not where else to look for his rival. Nor was Dr. Thomson much his inferior. Whether as speakers or writers, both were pre-eminent among the eminent: and both had consecrated all their powers to God and to the promotion of his cause. When such men die, in the zenith of their influence and their usefulness, the world sustains a loss beyond an estimate.

FRANCE.-There has been another change of ministry in the French cabinetCasimir Perrier is now president of the council. We regret to observe these frequent changes; they indicate a want of confidence in those who manage the helm of state in France. It appears also that the king is far less popular, with those who placed him on the throne, than he was at first-he is even suspected, and by some declared, to be in the interest of the exiled monarch. This we do not believe; but it is a bad indication that he and La Fayette appear to be no longer friends, although no open and apparent rupture has yet taken place. It is clear, however, that the views of La Fayette and those of the court, are widely different; parties run high, and are becoming fixed. The king and his ministry wish for peace, but the disposition of the nation, and especially of that part of it which led the way to the late revolution, is for war; the provocation lately given by the march of the Austrian troops into Italy, seems to render war almost inevitable. A London paper of March 31st, says: "We have received the Paris papers of Tuesday and Wednesday, the 29th and 30th. Their contents appear to us of considerable importance. The tone of all is decidedly warlike. The entry of the Austrians into Bologna is no longer doubtful; but France is said to have addressed a letter to that power upon the subject, the answer to which was anxiously looked for in Paris, as upon it hung the question of immediate hostilities, or an equivocal peace. Prince Metternich acts upon the principle that France is really afraid, or unable to take a single step in her own or any other nation's defence. This want of candour and generosity has roused the choler of Perrier, the irascible President of the Council, for he looks upon it as a sort of personal indignity; and coupled with some curious disclosures of plans of attack by Austria upon France, fostered long before the breaking out of the Italian insurrection, has decided him upon addressing a peremptory note to the Austrian Cabinet, calling upon it categorically to state what its intentions are with respect to Italy. But before taking his final resolve, the President wished to feel the pulse of the English Ministry, and he has accordingly sent his son to England with a mission, it is said, of satisfying our government, that if France should feel itself obliged to draw the sword, it would not be for purposes of territorial aggrandizement. A remark of the Minister in the Chamber of Deputies, that France was prepared at all events,' together with some movements amongst Excelmans, Clausel, and some of the French Generals, seem to strengthen the conviction that war is imminent." We shall be agreeably disappointed if the ad. vices from France do not, within a month, announce the commencement of war with Austria; and if so, it will scarcely terminate, till Europe is drenched in blood.

SPAIN. We have no news of importance from Spain. The symptoms of insurrection, or revolution, which manifested themselves at Cadiz, have disappeared-effectual measures were taken by the government to suppress them—Several revolutionists were executed.

PORTUGAL.-How long that human monster, Don Miguel, will be permitted to masacre his subjects we know not. On the 10th of March, seven Constitutionalists were executed in Lisbon, in a manner too shocking for recital; and afterwards money was distributed to the troops, and the city was illuminated-Nero danced, while Rome was burning.

ITALY.-The whole of northern Italy is convulsed. In Bologna there has been an organized revolution, and for a while the revolutionists carried all before them. The governing Duke narrowly escaped with his life. But powerful corps of Austrian troops, we believe at the instance of the Pope, have been poured suddenly into the country, and the insurgents have fled to the mountains, and wait for succour from France, which we expect they will shortly receive, and thus war commence with Austria.

ROME.-A Pope has at length been elected. He takes the name of Gregory XVI., and is sixty-six years old. His name is, or was, D. M. MAURUS CAPPELLARI, presiding Cardinal of the Propaganda in Rome; and of course he is not likely to lack zeal in sending Popery to other countries-We may look out for more Jesuits in the United States.

AUSTRIA, RUSSIA, and PRUSSIA.-These powers are likely to form a league, if it is not already formed, to endeavour to preserve their subjects from the infection of the revolutionary influenza, as they esteem it, which is pervading Europe; and to resist the first symptoms of it that shall appear. Between them and France, there is, as we have said, every appearance that a bloody conflict will soon commence-the result of which no human foresight can foretell.

BELGIUM and HOLLAND remain much in statu quo. Open and declared warfare between them is predicted by some of the English Journalists-the former to be sustained by France, and the latter by Prussia and Austria. Belgium is still without a king, and is in great confusion. It is said that a Dutch and English fleet is to blockade Antwerp-England being offended because the Protocol of London, in regard to the choice of a reigning prince, was disregarded. If there is a general war in Europe, and England keeps out of it, we shall wonder.

POLAND. The brave Poles have maintained their struggle for freedom with more than Roman courage and devotedness. We cannot give details; we can only say, that after a series of bloody conflicts, continued daily for more than a week, their invading foe found himself, though claiming a victory, in a most perilous situation, and obliged to fall back to secure his supplies and reinforcements. The elements have fought against the Russians now, as they did against the French, when Russia was invaded. The breaking up of the winter has operated to prevent both the advance of reinforcements to the Russian army, and the operations which Diebitsch wished to prosecute, in the neighbourhood of Warsaw. Insurrections in several of the Russian provinces bordering on Poland have also begun to be manifested; so that although we have still great fears that Poland will be subdued, we have more hope than we had some time since, that a favouring Providence will enable her to maintain her ground, and ultimately to achieve her independence.

RUSSIA. Had the emperor Nicholas foreseen the desperate resistance to his arms which has been made in Poland, and the state of the conflict as it existed at the time of the last advices, we do not believe he would have engaged in the war into which he has rushed. He expected an easy conquest, and will now find his honour concerned to effect what he has undertaken. But if the rumoured revolt of several of the provinces of his empire should really take place, he will be compelled to desist, and to patch up a peace in the best manner he can. We have long been looking to see the Russian empire fall to pieces. We do not think it can long exist as it has done for the last half century—if it should, it will be a new thing under the sun. It is more extensive than the Roman empire was in the height of its power.

TURKEY.-The Turk, we are told, is rejoicing that his old enemy, by whom he has lately been humbled, has found employment for his arms among his own subjects; and it is intimated that if Russia should be weakened in her present war with the Poles, or should be still farther committed for a conflict with France, the opportunity will be seized by the reigning Sultan, to endeavour to recover the possessions which have recently been wrested from him. We think, however, he will be cautious, and not make an attempt till he thinks he is sure of success. We see it stated in a recent account, that he has issued an explicit prohibition to his subjects, against continuing to call the Christians Does-the common appellation hitherto used by the Turks, when speaking both of Christians and Jews. Mahmoud appears to be desirous to introduce among his people the improvements of modern Europe; sensible that there is no other way of raising them from that inferiority to their Christian neighbours, of which he seems to be very sensible.

ASIA.

Asia has often been the theatre of war and carnage of the most desolating kind; but at present it is far more tranquil than Europe. Not long since, there was a rebellion in China, which threatened to be serious, but it appears to have been arrested; and throughout the whole of this extensive and most populous section of our globe, there is at present no war-beyond some petty broils among subordinate chiefs. The missionary operations, too, of several Christian denominations, are proceeding in a very auspicious manner-May peace continue and Christianity extend-must be the wish of every philanthropist, and the prayer of every lover of the Redeemer. There has recently been a most terrifick storm of wind and rain, producing an inundation, and

occasioning considerable loss of property and of a number of lives, at Smyrna and its vicinity.

AFRICA.

The Rev. Dr. Philip, by whose benevolent and active exertions the Hottentots in South Africa were, not long since, emancipated from the cruelty of their Dutch and English oppressors, has been himself most grievously persecuted, by those whose tyranny over the natives he was instrumental in circumscribing. He has been prosecuted in an English court at the Cape of Good Hope, and sentenced to pay an enormous fine. But his friends in England have determined to indemnify him; and he will doubtless proceed and persevere in his plans of humanity and Christian charity. The American colony at Liberia was never before in so prosperous a state, as it is represented to have been by the last accounts from that interesting establishment. Numerous comfortable dwellings have lately been built, agriculture is more generally attended to, commerce is extended, schools are established, and the neighbouring native princes are seeking the friendship and alliance of the American colonists. Yet the slave trade is still pursued, with little, if any diminution. A most desperate action lately took place, between a slaver and the boats of a British cruiser. The slaver was eventually captured, and 167 slaves were found in chains and liberatedWhen will this horrible traffick terminate! never, we fear, till Christian establishments on the whole slave coast shall render it impracticable, as has already been done at Liberia and its neighbourhood.

AMERICA.

There is still nothing like stable peace in any of the republicks of Southern America. Some are less agitated than others; but it does not consist with our plan to say much of those ephemeral changes which are constantly taking place in this interesting, but at present unhappy portion of our continent. In general, their state is little different from that which we exhibited in our last number. There is more active hostility in Colombia, and less in Mexico, than we had heard of a month ago. The United Provinces appeared, by the last reports from that quarter, to be preparing for a general civil war, but it had not actually commenced, and some hopes were entertained that it might be avoided.

UNITED STATES.-The President of the United States has seen fit to change his whole cabinet, unless the attorney general be excepted-he has not yet resigned, but it is expected that he soon will. This is the first occurrence of the kind which has happened under the federal government; and it is our sincere prayer that it may prove auspicious, and not injurious to our beloved country. It does not appear that the President had lost his confidence in the integrity or capacity of any of his secretaries-Other causes are assigned for the change-causes which the Christian Advocate thinks it beside his duty to canvass-into which he judges it not to be within his province even to inquire. Of every thing that has a direct bearing on the moral and religious interests of our country, he will always speak freely-and most readily when the evil, or the good, is seen in high places. But on matters merely political, or whose moral tendency is questionable, he believes that he will best subserve the interests which he seeks to promote, by entire silence, or by only stating facts without any

comment.

THE NEXT GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

There is reason to believe that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, at its approaching Sessions, will be called to discuss and decide on questions and concerns deeply affecting not only the particular interests of the church of which it is the supreme judicatory, but those in which the cause of vital piety and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world, are involved. Without wishing to say a single word to forestall the opinions of any one, we desire respectfully and affectionately to suggest to all our Christian brethren, the great importance of being much in prayer to God, that he would graciously preside over the deliberations of the Assembly, and guide them to the best issue. We are aware that in some congregations a season of special social prayer is set apart for the purpose we have mentioned; and we rejoice to see that the members of the Assembly themselves, are invited to a prayer meeting for the same purpose, immediately before the commencement of the sessions. But beside all this, there surely ought to be much private and family prayer, in which the Sovereign Disposer of all events and of all hearts, should be earnestly implored to take the management of the concerns that relate to his own cause into his own hands; and so to order every thing on which the Assembly is called to act, as that his glory and the good of souls may best be promoted-let the gratification or the disappointment of short sighted and erring mortals, fall how or where it may.

THE

EDITED BY J. T. RUSSELL, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

MAY 1, 1831.

SELECTIONS FOR THE MONTHLY CONCERT.

CEYLON.

Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Meigs,

Jan. 2, 1829.

YESTERDAY attended our annual meeting for business. All the brethren were present, and much business, important to the mission, was transacted with great harmony. Though we are often called to discuss and decide questions, on which there is room for difference of opinion, as well as for selfishness to operate, it is a subject that calls for devout thanksgiving to the Author of peace and concord, that these virtues have so long been cherished and cultivated among us. We often reminded of that beautiful expression of the sweet psalmist of Israel, Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

are

common bond of union between them, uniting to each other and to their common Lord, by the most endearing ties. It furnishes us, also, with frequent opportunities of addressing them all together on the great and all important truths and duties of Christianity, and of exhorting them to walk worthy of the profession which they have made, and of their high and holy calling.

February 19. Have spent all the time that I could command for several days past in arranging, labelling, and making a new catalogue of our public library. Books, in order to be preserved in this country from the effects of the heat and moisture of the atmosphere, as well as from the numerous insects that eat them, require a great deal of care and attention. The library consists of 600 volumes, many of which are valuable and scarce books. It may be recollected, that our departed brother, Warren, bequeathed his library to the mission, which accounts in part for the number of vel

umes.

12. Many workmen are engaged upon the buildings for the seminary, who, from their ignorance, laziness, and dishonesty, require a great deal of my time and attention. It is not in heathen lands as in Christian, where intelligent and honest men can be obtained to superintend, as well as perform, every branch of busi26. As this is the day set apart in our ness. An honest and intelligent supernative land to pray for our colleges and intendent I have not been able to find. other seminaries of learning, it was aFrom the want of good workmen and agreed by all of our members to spend it good market, where necessary articles may be purchased, building in this district is attended with much delay and many perplexities.

Quarterly Communion-Public Library-Prayer for Colleges.

as a day of prayer for the same great object. It has proved an interesting and profitable day to me. If our friends in America feel the pressing necessity of far greater numbers of pious young men to supply the destitute churches there, and our immerse frontier settlements, where as yet there are but few churches formed, what is the condition, and what are the necessities of six hundred millions of perishing heathen and Mohammedans, to say nothing of Roman Catholics and nominal Christians? We know something of their miserable condition, by living among them, and witnessing their abominable idolatries. We feel the need of hundreds and thousands more to come up to the help of the Lord against these mighty hosts. But where shall they be found? O that the Lord would pour out his Spirit in copious effusions upon all the colleges and seminaries in our land, and thus reise up a host of faithful preachers, to carry the good news of salvation into every dark corner of this miserable

12. Our quarterly season of communion, at which the members from all the stations are expected to be present, was at Batticotta to-day. Though it is attended with some expense and inconvenience, for those who live at a distance from the place of meeting to attend, yet the advantages of frequently coming together for this purpose are very great. While the members are scattered at the different stations, they feel that they are indeed a "little flock;" but when they all come together, they see and feel that they are not alone. They become acquainted with each other, and by coming together at the same table, though from different parishes, and of different castes, they learn to love each other, and to feel more and more that there is a world! Chr. Adv.-VOL. IX. 2L

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thus engaged, we may suppose that at least two hundred persons hear something of the gospel every Sabbath. As these people do not attend church, they would otherwise remain in heathenish ignorance.

March 6. That our own children may not be neglected while we preach the gospel to the heathen, we have a monthly service with them at our several stations, at which all the children, who are old enough to understand, are expected to attend. The meeting was here toThe foregoing account may be conday, and I had much pleasure in declar-sidered a fair specimen of the manner of ing to them the simple, yet sublime and spending the Sabbath, when at the stainteresting truths of the gospel. tion. Mr. Poor and myself are not commonly both at the station on the Sabbath. During the last three years, it has so happened, that some one of the brethren has been absent from his station for want of health, and from other causes, by far the greatest part of the time. We have therefore taken turns in supplying these stations on the Sabbath.

Labors of a Sabbath.

15. Sabbath. In the afternoon preached in the chapel to an attentive audience, consisting of our own families and servants; the workmen employed upon building for the seminary, the youth of the seminary, our school-masters, and the larger children in the native freeschools, and a few of the neighbouring men and women,-in all, about four hundred persons. A large part of these! hear the gospel understandingly, and some few, we have reason to hope, profit by what they hear.

A few minutes after the morning service is ended, we hold a church meeting, at which our own families and the native members at the station, together with a few inquirers, attend. This is a meeting for prayer for a blessing on the word preached, and for the discussion of interesting subjects of faith and practice. At 3 o'clock, P. M. attended a second meeting in the chapel for the benefit of our hired assistants and the members of the seminary.

At 4 o'clock went to the Gorham school in Sangaratta, about a mile and a half east of the station, and preached to the school and about twenty-five of the neighbouring men who commonly attend.--Here I often find a very attentive and interesting audience, though some are disposed to revile at what they hear. The greater part, however, appear to be persuaded of the excellence of the Christian religion, but say it is too strict for them, and that they are not able to live agreeably to its requirements.

In the evening held another meeting with about half of the young men in the seminary, at which they recite two chapters in the bible, to which they have attended in the course of the day.

In the afternoon of every Sabbath, a part of the native members of the church visit the schools in the several villages around us, catechise the children, and hear them read the scriptures; and the rest go into the villages to distribute tracts, and speak to the people on the great concerns of their souls. Though they often meet with much to discourage, they have also much to encourage them to persevere in their good work, as appears by the reports of their labours, which they make every Saturday evening. As between twenty and thirty are

REPORTS OF MISSIONARIES.

NEW-YORK.

From the Rev. G. G. Sill, dated, West Mendon,, N. Y. April 1st 1831.

Revival in West Mendon, N, Y.

In my last letter I stated our prospects to be more encouraging than they had been-one case of hopeful conversion had occurred, and that several were inquiring. I now have the happiness to communicate the intelligence of a revival of religion in this Congregation.

It has progressed very gradually and still for about four months, in which time between twenty and thirty have been made the hopeful subjects of divine grace.

Of

A Church was organized by a commission of the Presbytery of Rochester on the first of March consisting of six members. Since the Church was formed the Lord's supper has been administered twice, and twelve members added upon examination, and five by letter. these twelve, eleven were the subjects of the present revival. The Church now consists of 12 Male and 11 Female Members. Meetings for religious conference and prayer, have been and are now attended three evenings in the week; besides these there are some small praying circles which meet weekly or semi-weekly. There appears to be at present as much engagedness & more of the spirit of prayer among christians than at any time since the revival commenced.

In view of what has transpired in this Congregation we may well exclaim, what hath God wrought? Two years and a half ago when I commenced my labours here there was not a male member of the Presbyterian Church living in the place. Five months ago there were no meetings for religious conference and prayer. Indeed when the first prayer meeting was held there was but one brother present belonging to the congrega