singular an experience? The ene mies of vital piety, as was formerly remarked, have been pleased to charge this gloominess of character, on the particular religious system which he embraced. There is, however, no real foundation for such an opinion. It appears with the greatest certainty, from Cowper's own representations, that the scheme of truth which he received, afforded him all the genuine happiness he ever knew. He enjoyed a high degree of spiritual consolation during a considerable period succeeding his conversion. It is in reference to this season, that he remarks so affecting ly concerning his estimate of life, in the following sentence, in one of his epistles. There was a time when I could contemplate my present state, and consider myself as a thing of a day with pleasure; when I numbered the seasons as they passed in swift rotation, as a school boy numbers the days that interpose be tween the next vacation, when he shall see his parents and enjoy his home again." What religion ever did more for a person than such a religion, in causing the day of death to seem not merely tolerable, but even delightful and eagerly to be desired. During the periods of his depression he still desired this spiritual consolation. The manifestations of the divine favor, he would have hailed with devout gratitude, and they doubtless would have cheered him in no ordinary degree. Such as the following is his language on this subject. "But this I can say-God knows how much rather I would be the obscure teuant of a lath-and-plaster cottage, with a lively sense of my interest in a Redeemer, than the most admired object of public notice without it. Alas! what is a whole poem, even one of Homer's, compared with a single aspiration that finds its way immediately to God, though clothed in ordinary language, or perhaps Dot articulated at all." He always spoke of it as the one great occasion of his unutterable terrors and dismay, that he did not, and could not, enjoy communion with God-that he was destined to an eternal exclusion from the divine presence, and from heaven. From the above we may safely infer, that his religion, could he have believed himself permitted permanently to enjoy it, so far from ministering to his despair. would have cheered him with hope. Certainly when he did enjoy it, it imparted to him the few gleams of bappiness, with which his days were brightened. Besides, the very peculiar notion which was so deeply fixed in his mind, that there could be any one exception, in regard to the final salvation of believers, is no part of the general system of doc. trines that he embraced,-certainly none of true religion. This, we imagine, will not be pretended by any. Calvinism, or genuine Christianity, therefore, is guiltless of the charge brought against it, in view of the example of Cowper. It was a notion which he obtained elsewhere, than from the Bible, or any interpretation of it, consistent with the Calvinistic scheme. The mental derangement of which we have before spoken, confined in its operation to particular views, must be assigned as the cause of those distressing apprehensions that are too faithfully depicted in these letters. To what his derangement was owing, is still, we acknowledge, another question, and doubtless religion, like a thousand other things, has sometimes, in constitutions prepared for it, been the occasion of mental disturbance. An affliction of this sort, however, is so frequently connected with a physical cause, that it is hazardous, and the assertion would be quite gratuitous, to ascribe it to those religious views which Cowper had previously imbibed. We know not why full credit should not be given to the following statement of his kinsman in the preface above alluded to. "The unhappiness of this amiable man is to be re ferred to the cause already stated, (viz. aberration of unind,) and that again to an excess of hypochondriacal affection, induced in the first instance, as I have repeatedly heard a deceased friend of his and mine observe, by his having, in very early life, improperly checked an erysipelatous complaint of the face, which rendered him ever after liable to depression of spirits. Under the influence of one of these attacks, attended with evident mental obliqui13, he was impressed with an idea originating in a supposed voice from heaven, that the author of his life had recalled the loan. This was rapidly followed by another to this effect, that as he had failed to restore it, in the intervening moment, the punishment of his disobedience, would be everlasting destruction." The ties which connect our coporeal and intellectual part, are too delicate and subtle to come under the touch of human investigation. God attempers our natures as it pleases him, and we know that it is the order of his providence, that minds the most richly gifted, are liable, perhaps more frequently than others, to depression and derangement. Whether it be that the intellect, in this case, acts with a vigour unduly proportioned to the strength of the body, or like a tree overloaded with fruit, breaks down with its own abundance, we know not. But this we know that the obligations of moral agency do not attach to a mind which, through any unavoidable cause, is rendered incapable of its appropriate exertion: nor are the ravings and melancholy of God's children, in such a situation, to be identified with the spirit and character of Christianity. Cowper's horizon, as we learn with a painful interest from his history, became more and more clouded till the sun which revolved, but seldom shone in it, completed its setting. To his tender and agitated spirit, all was uncertainty and darkness, at the closing scene. But this which proceeded from his pen, are to be ascribed to the influence of evangelical religion, on so bright and cultivated an intellect. In him, saving his partial insanity, we are presented with an instance of the genuine impression of Christianity on those master-spirits, very few of which an age produces. And should we after all, be obliged to acknowledge, that through the intervention of a physical frame pre-disposed for such an effect-religion in its vigorous actings might have thrust aside from its balance, a mind in which it resided-that the brightness of truth dimmed the organ that met its rays, who shall regret this temporary calamity, in comparison with that deplorable issue of things, which would have been the inevitable consequence of the absence of religion! Who that thinks considerately would not infinitely prefer Cowper's despair on earth, to the impenitent sinner's despair in hell! The border land of the unknown world he approached with unaileviated and even increasing gloom; but how must his pure, though broken and hopeless spirit have exulted and triumphed, when Death levelled the barrier that had shut him out from his God! From that bodily frame, in which as the poet believed, he could scarcely be happy in heaven, could it attend him thither, he is mercifully set free. The light of the divine countenance is no longer shut out by the opaqueness of such an habitation. And in the day, when the bodies of the saints shall be raised and re-modelled, his spirit will join with alacrity, an associate once oc casioning distress-thenceforth aug- painful pilgrimage on earth with such an issue, is infinitely more inviting than the hypocrite's hope and the mere philosopher's composure; both of which are annihilated in the grave. Literary and Philosophical Intelligence. The following works are preparing for publication:-A volume of Familiar Sermons, by the Rev. Mr. Rand, Editor of the Christian Mirror, of Portland;-American Entomology, or Description of the fusects of North America, by Thomas Say, Esq, Professor of Nat. Hist. in the University of Pennsylvania;-A System of Pyrotcheny, by the late Professor Cutbush of the Military Academy at West Point; A Journal of the Cruises of John Paul Jones, by Lieutenant Hall, of the Navy. The friends of Sacred Literature will be gratified to learn that Prof. Hodge of the Princeton Theological Seminary is about to commence a quarterly periodical work, to be entitled "A Collection of Dissertations, principally in Biblical Lib erature. This work will contain selections from the best British writers, translations from the most distinguished critics on the continent of Europe, and some original essays, together with literary and biographical notices, all having reference to the main object of the publication, which is, to excite a spirit for Biblical Studies. Sacred Literature, taken in its widest extent, embraces an account of the MSS. versions and editions both of the Old and New Testaments, an examination of the character and worth of the textus receptus, of both testaments, a developement of the principles on which a more correct text is to be formed, and an application of these principles to their special object; also the great principles of hermeneutics or the science of interpretation, the auxiliary information necessary for a good interpreter, such as Hebrew and Jewish antiquities, Sacred Geography and Chronology; Ancient History, Oriental Manners and Customs, an exact knowledge of the Original Languages of the Bible, the languages and literature of the kindred Shemitish nations, etc. etc. and the application of this knowledge to the interpretation of particular passages or of whole books. That enough may be selected from this wide and important branch of theological science, to make up an interesting and useful magazine, we have no hesitation in believing. It will be obvious to every one, that the various subjects embraced in the proposed publication receive, in most parts of our country, but comparatively a small share of attention. Those few, however, who have made them their study, will be the last to deny the utility of such a work as the one proposed, and it is hoped that they will have enough of the esprit du corps to grant the enterprising editor a liberal patronage in his laudable undertaking. The editor promises to secure his work from sectarian bias. For ourselves this engagement was unnecessary, for we cannot conceive how those who are endeavouring to throw light on the sacred volume and to fix the principles of scriptural interpretation on the immoveable basis of common sense and a sound philosophy, can descend from their elevated object to act the partizan, or to favour the local and temporary interests of any religious sect or denomination. The students of Yale College had become so numerous, that the building which had been occupied as a chapel for about seventy years, was insufficient for their accommodation. The necessity for a more spacious house of worship was such, that, in Sept. 1823, the corporation of the College thought proper to direct the erection of the edifice now nearly completed. This house was dedicated as a place of worship, on the 17th of November. A numerous and very respectable audience assembled on the occasion, and the solemnities of the day were such as could not fail to interest and edify those, who witnessed them. The building is three stories high, and seventy-two by fifty-six feet, exclusive of the tower, which is seventeen by about fifteen feet. The exterior is of the Ionic order. Four columns stand in front, supporting a terrace, on the right and left of the tower. On the exterior margins of the terrace is a balustrade with urns over each column. The tower is capped with an octagon story, on which stands a spire. Within, the house is handsome. The gallery is supported by Doric colums, over which stand Ionic columns Baptists in the United States in 1824. STATES. Maine, N. Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Dist.of Columbia, Virginia, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, No. of Asso ciations. Churches. Ministers. Members. 5 188 121 9771 54 39 3319 537 131 8 9916 6 131 123 11839 2 46 351 4378 65 65 7987 22 486 353 38968 31 22 2201 6 75 75 5458 Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Gen. Conference, F. C. B. G. C. sustaining the floor of the third story. This story is finished in a plain manner, with apartments suitable for studies and lodg ing rooms. The whole presents a very handsome appearance, and does much credit to the reputable builder, who drafted it, and the several mechanical gentle. men who were employed in the work. It is understood that the liberality of individuals, in various parts of the state, and of one or two out of it, has reimbursed to the College treasury something more than one fourth part of the cost of the building. We hope, that those, who have exercised their liberality towards this institution, in this instance, will not grow weary in well doing; and that others will imitate their laudable example. We do not wish to see Yale College rich; but we do wish to see it furnished with all the buildings which its convenience demands; with a complete philosophical apparatus, on a liberal scale, and with a library, which shall contain all the valuable books in the world. We are quite wilFing that the officers should depend for their salaries upon the students whom their character, talents, and faithful in. struction may invite. We congratulate the public upon this acquisition to the College. But with our congratulation, we must unite the expression of our regret, that the want of means prevent the immediate erection of other buildings for the accommodation of nearly a hundred students, who are obliged to provide themselves rooms in the houses of the people of the town, According to the Catalogue, the number of students at the College is,--Seniors 70-Juniors 110-Sophomores 93--Fresh. men 76;-Students in Theology 18-in Law 14-in Medicine 81. Total 462. The Secretary of State has communicated to the Legislature of Vermont, a return of the deaf and dumb persons in that State, agreeably to a late resolution; from which it appears that, in 47 towns, there are 79 persons of that description, 44 males, 35 females-11 over 30 years of age, 22 between 20 and 30; 37 between 10 and 20; 8 under ten, and one whose age was not returned. Methodists. According to the statements for 1824, there are 5 Bishops, and 1272 travelling Preachers; 138 Preachers have been admitted on trial this year; 158 remain on trial, and 138 admitted into full connexion, 48 located this year. Elders elected and ordained this year, 97, supernumerary preachers 43, superannuated 67, expelled 3, withdrawn none, died 19. Members in Society 328,523. In crease in the year 15,983. Increase in 6 years, 84,580. Total, 184 3594 219,225682 It is mentinned as a remarkable circumstance that the small county of Westmoreland, situated on the Potomac about seventy miles below Washington and containing only about two hundred voters, has produced three Presidents of the United States; three Secretaries of State; three foreign ministers; three Judges of the Supreme Court, three Governors, and three Revolutionary Genera's. It is the birth place of General Washington, Mr. Madison, Mr. Monroe, of Arthur Lee, the first Minister to France, of Chief Justice Marshall, and Judge Washington, and Gen. H. Lee, and of Richard Henry Lee, the great orator of the first Congress, and who but for the illnes of his wife, was to hars written the Declaration of Independence. principal Officers of the United States' The following Chronological List of the Government, under the Constitution, compiled from authentic sources, may be interesting to many as a convenient document for reference. Presidents. George Washington, of Va. app'td, 1789 1797 Return J. Meigs, of Ohio, 1814 John M'Lean, of Ohio, 1824 Chief Justices of the United States. John Jay, of New York, appointed, 1786 William Cushing, of Mass. 1796 Oliver Ellsworth, of Connecticut, 1796 John Jay, of New York, 1800 John Marshall, of Virginia. 1801 Allorneys General. Levi Lincoln, of Massachusetts, John Breckenridge, of Kentucky, Edmond Randolph, Va. appointed, 1789 William Bradford, of Penn. 1794 Charles Lee, of Virginia, 1795 1801 1805 1806 Cæsar A. Rod ey, of Delaware, 1807 1811 1814 1817 Speakers of the House of Representatives. First Congress.-1st and 2nd Sessions held at N. York, the 3d at Philadelphia. Fred'k A. Muhlenburgh, of Penn. 1789 Second Congress.-Held at Philadelphia. Jonathan Trumbull, of Conn. Third Congress.-Held at Philadelphia. Fred'k A. Muhlenburg, of Penn. 1793 Fourth Congress.-Held at Philadelphia. Jonathan Dayton, of N. J. Fifth Congress.-Held at Philadelphia. Jonathan Dayton, of N. J. 1791 1795 1797 Sixth Congress.-1st Sessson at Philadelphia, 2nd at Washington. Theodore Sedgwick, of Mass. 1799 Seventh Congress.-Held at Washington. Nathaniel Macon, of N. Carolina, 1801 Eighth Congress. Nathaniel Macon of N. Č. 1803 Ninth Congress. Nathaniel Macon, of N. C. 1805 Joseph B. Varnum, of Mass. 1807 Twelfth Congress. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, Joseph B. Varnum, of Mass. 1809 1811 1813 Langdon Cheves, of S. Carolina, for the residue of the Congress. Fourteenth Congress. Henry Clay, of Kentucky. 1815 Fifteenth Congress. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, 1817 Sixteenth Congress. Henry Clay, of Ken. during the 1st session. John W. Taylor, of N. Y. during the 2d session. Seventeenth Congress." Philip P. Barbour, of Virginia, Eighteenth Congress. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, 1821 1822 |