the end of Prince's Dock, and found ourselves instantly surrounded with the bustle and noise of a busy commercial town. I shall not attempt to describe at large this or any other place I may visit; but merely notice what seems to me remarkable. The first thing I observed on shore was the forest of masts, shooting up from behind the high walls which surround the docks or basins, in which most of the foreign ships lie secure from the influence of the winds and waves, and from the depredations of thieves. These docks are stupendous works: they are immense basins of water, surrounded on all sides with high walls, capable of holding safely several hundred of the largest vessels: Queen's Dock is 280 yards long, and 120 broad.

As we passed along the streets to the Star and Garter hotel, where the most of our passengers determined to stay, we saw nothing very remarkable; indeed I could not help thinking that Liverpool had very much the aspect of New York. No liveried servants, no splendid palaces, were any where to be seen. Some of the shops and publick buildings are, however, striking to an American. The Exchange and Town Hall are ranked among the finest buildings of the kind in Europe. In the middle of Exchange Square there is a costly monument to Lord Nelson, surrounded by many figures large as life, chained to the pedestal: this structure, however, is by no means agreeable to my taste. The Town Hall is certainly an elegant and costly building: it contains a suite of rooms, which for magnificence and extent is said not to be surpassed by any in Europe. At the top of the dome which crowns the building, there is a circular gallery, which affords a fine panoramic prospect of the city and the surrounding country. We were conducted over the edifice by a gentleman dressed in a rich suit of black; and if we had not been pre

viously informed of the usage, we should have been ashamed to have given, at parting, each a half crown, which he readily and thankfully received.

In the evening I went to the annual meeting of the Liverpool Bible Society, which was held at Music Hall, a place admirably adapted for such an occasion. This large room was crowded. The business was conducted in the same form as similar meetings are with us. The first speaker I heard was Mr. Brandon, a delegate from the British and Foreign Bible Society of London. For fluency of speech, rapidity of utterance, and general easy flow of elocution, I never heard or saw his superior. After him there rose a young man, who appeared to be a lawyer. At first he hesitated, but his embarrassment soon left him, and he gave us the best piece of declamation, mixed up with sound sense, classical allusion, and pious feeling, that I have listened to. His speech had a great effect on the audience, if I should judge from the clapping, and to me shocking applause, with which he was cheered-the English cry from the gallery of hear! hear! interrupted the current of his feelings and my own. This gentleman was succeeded by some man who rudely and unexpectedly rose from the midst of the audience. Considerable noise and confusion was produced in the attempts which were made to stop him, but he bawled louder than all, and carried his point, which was a motion, "that when the next edition of the Bible should be printed, the fourth commandment should be in large capital letters," but as the motion was not seconded, it failed. After this the Rev. Mr. Newton, a Methodist preacher, in high repute as an orator here, gave us a good address. As it was near 10 o'clock, and as I was somewhat fatigued, my head still swimming with the motion of the ship, I left the meet

ing, which upon the whole was by far the most interesting one of the 1 kind I had ever witnessed.

23d. On rising this morning I still felt the rocking of our vessel; indeed, I felt more like being seasick, than I had done since leaving America. The morning was passed in getting our luggage through the custom house, as the ship had arrived the evening before, and was now safely moored in Prince's Dock. The custom house operations were tedious, but not harassing-I dined with a friend at a chop house, and for the first time realized something of Dr. Johnson and Mr. Boswell's fare, so often mentioned by the latter-the afternoon was spent in viewing the town and some of its sights.

24th-To-day I first went to see the asylum for the instruction of the blind. It is indeed an excellent charity. The unfortunate beings for whom this institution was erected are here taught a number of the mechanick arts, by which they are enabled to gain a comfortable living. I saw weavers, shoemakers, rope makers, basket makers, all busily employed. The best and the simplest operation is the manufacture of window and other kinds of cord. The machine by which it is performed, was invented by a pupil in the asylum. I am more desirous than ever of seeing an institution of the same kind introduced into our own country. I expect to say more on this subject when I see the asylum at Paris, where the pupils are taught to read. The Botanick garden, which I next saw, is well worth the attention of the traveller. It is at a short distance from the town, and occupies an extensive piece of ground enclosed by a stone wall. It is planned with great neatness and taste. The English are unrivalled in what is termed landscape gardening. "They have studied nature, as has been justly remarked, intently, and VOL. VII. Ch. Adv.

discover an exquisite sense of her beautiful forms and harmonious combinations. Those charms, which, in other countries, she lavishes in wild solitudes, are here assembled round the haunts of domestick life. They seem to have caught her coy and furtive graces, and spread them like witchery about their rural retreats." The collection of plants and shrubs is quite extensive, and includes specimens from almost every quarter of the globe. I shall never forget the hour I passed in this garden inhaling the rich fragrance of the plants, and listening to the notes of the birds in the trees, and the insects in the grass. This, when contrasted with the dull monotony I had so lately experienced on board the ship, produced feelings which were strong, new, and delightful. I saw also the Royal Institution, the Athenæum, and some other places, all of which you will find well described in the little book I send you, called the Stranger in Liverpool.

25th.-To-day is the Sabbath, and I was rejoiced once more to have the privilege of attending worship in the house of prayer. I heard Dr. Raffles, in the morning, preach a most powerful and interesting sermon-he failed, however, I thought, exceedingly, in reading the chapter and the psalms. The dissenters here follow a good deal some of the forms of the church of England-they kneel, and make a silent prayer, when they first come into the church-they have also kneeling cushions in their pews-they stand up when they sing, and make no pause between the verses of the psalm as we do.

NEOLOGISM.

The terms Neologism, Neology, and Neologist, have but recently been introduced into the theological 2 K

Vocabulary. We are glad to have the opportunity of laying before our readers a correct summary statement of what is to be understood by these terms-This is done in the following translation of an article from the Archives du Christianisme, which appears in the Christian Observer for January last.

"We call those Neologists who endeavour to introduce into Christianity new doctrines, not contained in the word of God; men who, while they pretend to believe the immutable doctrines of our old gospel, apply to these doctrines a new sense, which in fact neutralizes them. We call those Neologists who wish to lay a new foundation, a different foundation from that which St. Paul declares to be the only one which can be laid, namely, Jesus Christ; who, while they extol the wisdom, piety, and virtues of our reformers and our ancestors, consider as fanaticism, mysticism, absurdity, and Antinomianism, the vital doctrines which those holy men professed at the peril of their lives, and to which the holy Spirit of God still bears his silent but eloquent and immutable testimony, in the sacred Scriptures. We call those Neologists, who, enlightened by a light really new, declare that there is not in the Epistles of St. Paul, any expression hard to be understood; who say, that to affirm that the heart of man is corrupt, is a proposition subversive not only of Protestantism, but of all faith, of all belief; those who teach that conversion referred only to the Jews and heathens, and that the words conversion, regeneration, and new birth, have no meaning at all applicable in our days to the members of a church outwardly Christian. We call those Neologists, who teach that the operation of God on the heart of man, is a chimera, and who, setting on one side, or treating as mysticism, the assist

ance of the Holy Spirit, declare that human reason is absolute in matters of faith, who assert that man is justified before God, and saved by his works; who maintain that to be weak in mind, or a sinner, to be raised up by the promulgation of the doctrine of Christ, or to be redeemed by the blood of Christ, are things identically the same, and that a unity of faith the most perfect, the most profound, the most magnificent, exists among Socinians, who believe that Jesus Christ was simply a man, Arians, who make him an angel, and Evangelical Christians, who adore him as the true God and eternal life, and that to say that Christ had a divine essence, divine perfections, or a divine mission, is to put together three ideas, which are precisely the same, since à divine personal mission of the Saviour is, as a mystery, exactly the same thing as a divine personal essence of the Saviour. In short, we call those Neologists, (and it would be easy to carry this enumeration much farther,) who, setting aside the holy Scriptures, or selecting from them the parts which suit them, to support a system already deranged and tottering, wish to substitute the idle dreams of proud reason, and presumptuous ignorance of the things of God, and of the gospel in which they are revealed, for that eternal word which will endure when heaven and earth shall have passed away."

FOR THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

DEACONS.

Deacons are a class of officers in the Christian church. According to usage their grade and duties are different in different denominations. In some they are an order of religious teachers. In others they constitute a kind of council for the pastor, and are the most conspicuous

among the members of the church. In others, especially in the Presbyterian church, they seem to have little to do; except as they assist in collecting and distributing the little contributions which afford relief to a few poor members; and also, in conveying the elements which are used in the ordinances of the gospel.

Without entering into the field of controversy, I will simply state my views of the origin and appropriate duties of the office.

I. The meaning of the terms

Διακονέω, Διακονία, Διακόνος.

A careful examination of these terms has convinced me that almost every kind of service is expressed by them.

The service of Christ. Mat. xx. 28. Even as the Son of man came not [diaxornenvar,] to-be ministered unto, but [diaxovnoa,] to minister. Rom. xv. 8.

The service of angels. Mat. iv. 11. Angels came and [dinovouv] ministered unto him. Heb. i. 14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth [Eis diaxoviav] to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

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The service of the prophets. Pet. i. 12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us [dranovovy] they did minister the things which are now reported unto you.

The service of the apostles. Acts i. 17. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part [rns dianovias] of this ministry. v. 25. Also, vi. 4, and xx. 24. Rom. xi. 13. 2 Cor. iii. 3, and v. 18.

The service of preachers of the gospel. Col. i. 7. As ye also learned of Epaphras, our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful [diaxoves] minister of Christ.

The service of waiting upon others. Mat. viii. 15. And she arose, and [dinxover] ministered unto them. Luke x. 40. But Martha was cumbered about much [diaxoviav] serving. John ii. 5, 9, and xii. 2.

The service of supplying the wants of Christ and others, while engaged in preaching the gospel. Mat. xxvii. 55. And many women were there, beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, [diaxovova] ministering unto him. 2. Tim. i. 18. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things [dinovno] he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

The service of contributing for the relief of the poor. Acts xi. 29. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send [s danoviav] relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea. 2 Cor. ix. 1. For as touching the [anovias] ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you. v. 12, 13. Heb. vi. 10. Rev. ii. 19.

The service of agents in collecting and forwarding contributions. Rom. xv. 25. But now I go unto Jerusalem [diaxovwv] to minister unto the saints. 2 Cor. viii. 18, 19. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which [dianovouμnve] is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind.

The service of administering to the relief of the poor officially. Acts vi. 1-4. In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily [draxovia] ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and [axove] serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this bu

siness. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and [axovia] the ministry of the word. Rom. xii. 7. Or [dianoviav] ministry, let us wait on our [diaxovia] ministering; or he that teacheth on teaching.

The words are applied to a few other services, but not to express any thing materially different from what has been already stated. See Rom. xiii. 4, and xvi. 1, and 2 Cor. xi. 15.

It is obvious, from a very cursory view of these terms, that we cannot learn the official duties of deacons from the common use of them. They signify every kind of service, but do not specify any one to the exclusion of others.

II. The origin and nature of the office, and the qualifications of the officers.

Many poor saints, especially widows, were in the church at Jerusalem, from the day of Pentecost till the city was destroyed. For their relief many "sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all inen, as every man had need." Acts ii. 45. "Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands, or houses, sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made unto every man, according as he had need." Acts iv. 34, 35.

The influence of the Holy Ghost was such as to purify, soften, and enlarge the hearts of the converts to Christianity; and to make them, at the same time, regardless of riches, and tenderly desirous to relieve the poor. So much did they feel and value the grace of God in redeeming their souls, that they were willing to impart all they had in doing good.

The money was laid at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made. In process of time, complaints arose. "In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a mur

muring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration." Acts vi. 1. Those Grecians were not Gentile Greeks, but Jews, and proselytes from foreign countries. The Hebrews were such as dwelt in Judea. The widows of the former were "neglected in the daily ministration"— diaκονια τη καθημερινη.

There was need of a body of responsible men, suitably qualified, to take charge of the whole business of relieving the wants of the poor. Such a body was appointed. "Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables."-diaXOVELY TрaπESαis. Acts vi. 2. "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business"-namely, the business of serving tables, in the daily ministration for the relief of the poor. Acts vi. 3. "But we will give ourselves continually to pray. er and to the ministry of the word." Tn diaxovia Tov λoyov. Acts vi. 4. The contrast is here strikingly marked between the ministry of the word, and the ministry for the relief of the poor. In both the ministry is expressed by the same term, [dianova,] and the difference in the ministry, by the object of it: the one being to preach the word of God, the other, to relieve the wants of the poor.

The origin and nature of the of fice of deacons are apparent. Men were needed to take care of the poor: "men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom." They were accordingly chosen by the brethren, and ordained by the apostles. "And the saying pleased the whole multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicho