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lars of a very sanguinary battle having been fought at Paravadi, in which the Turks have been beaten with great loss. The Grand Vizier, stationed at Shumla, knowing that the main Russian army was advancing against Silistria, made the attempt to drive the Russians from the latter place before the army came up, and by advancing upon Bazardjick, to cut off the communication between Silistria and Varna. He accordingly advanced on the 17th of May, with 15,000 men--an overwhelming force, four to one, compared to the Russian force stationed at Eski-Arnaulter, a village about four miles to the northward of Paravadi, on the road to Bazardjick, where a sanguinary engage. ment ensued; but at the end of five hours the Turks were compelled to retreat. This, however, was only for the moment. With a reinforcement of ten thousand men they advanced to the attack, and attempted to turn the left wing of the Russian force, in order to cut them off from Bazardjick, and the reinforcements advancing from that quarter to their assistance. The combat became more obstinate and murderous than before, but the Turks were, after a long and bloody struggle, finally compelled to retreat. The plan of the Russian General was defence until the main army got up, and in this he completely succeeded. Next day, the 18th, a reinforcement joined the Rus sian forces at Paravadi, when the Grand Vizier immediately retreated to Shumla, and he in his turn will be speedily shut up and assailed. The battle has been one of the most sanguinary that has yet been fought between the combatants. The Russians state their loss to be 1000 killed and wounded, and of the Turks, 2000 were left on the field of battle, exclusive of the wounded whom they must have carried off. This bulletin puts an end to the rumour that the Grand Vizier had defeated General Roth, and re captured Varna. The bulletin announces in a postscript, that a courier had just arrived from Admiral Greig, with news that the Turkish fleet which had entered the Black Sea, had hastened back to the Bosphorus, on learning that the Russian fleet bad gone to meet it. Immediately after this hasty retreat, the Russian Admiral reinforced the squadron stationed off the channel of Constantinople, and ordered some ships to cruise on the east coast of Natolia. About twenty Turkish transports fell into the hands of the Russians, and a new frigate was set on fire by the Russian squadron near Schilli, not far from the Bosphorus.

"Important accounts may be expected from Asia, as it appears by advices from Con stantinople, that Persia is about to make common cause with Turkey, and that General Paskewitch having received large reinforcements of men and supplies of artillery, was preparing to advance upon Erzerum.

"Provisions had been received in Constantinople, both by sea and land, from Smyrna, and likewise from the Black Sea.

"Advices from Constantinople are to the 12th of May, from Smyrna to the 5th. No further attack or plunder of the British merchantmen had taken place. The English Admiral had an official communication with the Russian Commandant.

"Adrianople has been fortified, and all the beautiful gardens and fields there coase quently laid waste.

"The accounts from the Turkish capital say that the arrival of the British ambas! sador to reopen negotiations with the Porte, was anxiously looked for by all classes, and a successful issue was looked for at Constantinople. More reliance was placed on Great Britain than France, though their united exertions were wished for. Trade was in a most depressed state in consequence of the great preparations for the war against Russia." The progress of the oriental plague at Bucharest is unhappily confirmed; from 20 to 30 persons die daily of the epidemic, which, on the 16th of May, proved fatal, even to the physicians sent by the Board of Health. The frontier town of Tookshanny has lost two-thirds of its inhabitants. Some have perished and some have fled. The town is surrounded, and no person is allowed to enter.

The kind of intelligence from Britain, which for us has far greater interest than any other, relates not to "wars and rumours of wars," nor to political changes and controversies; but to the progress of that cause, which is "righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." We derive this intelligence, not from public newspapers. which are filled with far different details, but from the Religious periodicals which have lately received; and in which we have read, with unspeakable pleasure, the t counts they give of the anniversary meetings in London, of more than twenty Reli gious Societies, of different denominations; and of several eloquent speeches made by the leading members of these associations-some of the best of them, we rejoice to say from the lips of "the great ones of the world." We were strongly impressed with the conviction, that we had never read accounts of these anniversaries so encouraging and satisfactory as those of the present year; and we were agreeably surprised to find, as wo were finishing our reading, that the able editor of the Christian Observer had bee impressed in the very same manner. We regret that we have not space to insert bi

remarks.

Mr. TURNER, brother-in-law to the present Bishop of Chester, a clergyman of wallknown piety and liberality, has been appointed to the vacant see of Calcutta

FRANCE-for the past month, affords us no political news of importance; but we rejoice to find, from their religious periodicals, that evangelical truth and piety are making rapid progress in France, in despite of all the arts and influence of the Jesuits and their abettors, to withstand their influence. The Protestant writers have assumed a boldness of tone and manner, which a short time since we feared they would not dare to manifest.

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SPAIN-it appears, is determined to make a desperate effort-and desperate we certainly regard it—to recover Mexico. A formidable equipment, consisting of about 5000 land forces, and 2000 sailors and marines, with one ship of the line, two frigates, two gun brigs, and several transports, have actually taken their departure from the island of Cuba, for the opposite shore of the continent-the point of attack is yet uncertain. The expedition sailed from the Havana on the 5th or 6th of July. We have seen the address of the Admiral, La Borde, to the naval forces, and of the General, Baradas, to his troops and to the Mexicans.

PORTUGAL. The most recent accounts from this distracted kingdom are contained in a letter from Lisbon, May 23d, as follows:

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"Our city has been for the last three days in the greatest agitation, in consequence of several bands of volunteers scouring the streets, headed by a priest, the curate of Barreiro, insulting and attacking all those they took for the partizans of legitimacy, and committing all kinds of disorders. These disgraceful scenes have been carried so far, that to-day even some persons of the lower orders (who had hitherto taken the part of Don Miguel) proceeded to defend the insulted persons, attacking the satellites of Don Miguel, and dispersed them with stones. In the prisons, scenes of the utmost distress and misery were daily occurring; indeed, despair had arisen to such a pitch, that the prisoners themselves had defied their jailors by singing the hymn of Don Pedro, and by proclaiming the legitimate Queen, Donna Maria II. Piquets of cavalry had been added to the regular force that guards the prisons, and those prisoners who were most remarkable for their attachment to the Queen, were removed to the forts. Every body here is persuaded that the present state of things cannot last much longer."

GREECE.-It appears that a corps of 5000 French troops has been left in Greece, and is to remain there till peace is made with the Turks-of whom but few now remain in the country. The cause of education is progressive. There is a report that the Governor, Capo d'Istria, is about to resign, and to retire from Greece. There are speculations, but no certainty, in regard to his successor. The Greeks have lately become auxiliaries to the Russians, in the naval blockade of the Turkish coast; and this is the subject of complaint with the English and French merchants.

RUSSIA and TURKEY.-We have but little to add, in reference to these belligerents, to what we have chronicled under the article BRITAIN. The Sultan has gone in person to the head quarters of his army, which is represented as having become much more formidable than heretofore, by being subjected to the discipline of European troops, and being taught the modern military tacticks. Both the Sultan and the Russian emperor are in great want of money-the latter, it appears, is endeavouring to borrow in France, as well as in England. The conflict between these powers may be lasting; but if the present campaign is not decisive, their armies must be greatly reduced in numbersThe plague, indeed, is likely to thin them considerably, and provisions are even now with difficulty obtained. Thus the three great scourges of heaven, War, Pestilence, and Famine, are already felt in the countries which are the theatre of military operations.

ASIA.

In consequence of an insolent placard affixed to the walls of some houses in the city of Canton, and other indignities and insults offered to Europeans, the captain of a vessel, at the head of about eighty English sailors, forced his way into the city, in violation of all the Chinese laws and order, and caused a remonstrance to be presented to the Viceroy-It produced an immediate redress of grievances, but withal a severe denunciation of the barbarians, for their audacity. It remains to be seen whether more important Consequences will follow-The London Evangelical Magazine for June contains a short but interesting letter from the Rev. Dr. Morrison, dated "China, Nov. 15th, 1828"-His health is good; his family consists of three sons and two daughters-the eldest son at the Anglo-Chinese college. A Sandwich chief was at Canton, on a trading voyage, in a ship of his own. In conclusion, he says "We have one little school, and a native teacher of Biblical Christianity, in the interior of China. Pray for us, aged friend; pray for China, that she may stretch out her hands to God in devout supplication."

AFRICA.

It appears that the Pacha of Egypt has established a printing press at Grand CairoThis is an event that may be followed by the most important consequences. If the press were free-which it is not at present-it would be likely soon to disturb, and even tually to subyert Mahomedanism. The commerce of our country, it appears,

to receive important benefit from trading with the American colony at Liberia. The coffin which received the corpse of Radama, king of Madagascar, lately deceased, was one of massive silver-eight feet long, three and a half feet deep, and the same in width. Immense treasures of various kinds, chiefly of such things as in life he most prized, were placed in and about the coffin. The missionaries say, that the whole expense of the funeral could not have been less than sixty thousand pounds sterling. The death of this prince is a subject of deep regret to the missionaries, whom he protected and patronized; but it is hoped that the missions may still be prosecuted successfully.

AMERICA.

MEXICO. We have just been reading the address of GUERRERO, the president of Mexico, after the adjournment of the congress of the States, in May last. He, and the general SANTA ANNA, who has also published a manifesto, seem now to rule the destinies of this great republick. And although it seems to us scarcely less than ludicrous, to hear men, who come into possession of the chief power, as they did, by rebellion and usurpation, talking of liberty and the constitution, and the duty of the people to support both; yet we think it may be fortunate for Mexico that these men are at the head of affairs, at the time of a new Spanish invasion. We believe they have far more, both af talent and energy, than those whom they have displaced; and they have infused a ne military ardour into the mass of the community. Santa Anna, it is said, has been bred in camps, and possesses all the qualities of a great general-If this be so, the Spanish invasion will probably be soon at an end; and then, after passing through "what varie ties of untried being" we cannot tell, the vast Mexican republick may ultimately settle into stability, and enjoy prosperity-The other States of Southern America remain much as they have been for some time past-unsettled and agitated, and no otherwise indicating an approach to order and happiness, than that, if they ever reach it, us wo doubt not they will, they are nearer to such a state than they were a year ago.

UNITED STATES.-The passing season has been, and promises to be, unusually pro fick in all the fruits of the earth. A part of it has been uncommonly cool, and has storms and tornadoes have caused partial desolations; but taken at large, the earth yielding her increase in luxuriant abundance, and our population is blessed with peace and health. But alas! we fear that, as a nation, we are making such an ungrateful re turn to the Giver of every good gift, as is likely to be followed by his marked de pleasure. Not only have we to lament the national profanation of the Lord's day, and other publick vices, but the determination manifested by our government to deal hardy with the aboriginal inhabitants of our country, is to our apprehension, a most inauspi cious omen. Writing hastily on this topick the last month, we mentioned the Chero kee Indians, instead of the Creeks, as having recently experienced the hard measure of our president. But indeed this was scarcely an error; for both Creeks and Cherokees are in much the same predicament, and all that is true of the one, is scarcely less true of the other. The determination in regard to both is, to drive them from their present settlements to others beyond the Mississippi-from which there may be the very reason assigned for driving them, in less than half a century hence. We have lately met with an article from the pen, as is stated, of a "member of Congress, and mush distinguished for his attention to Indian affairs." We can give but the concluding part of the article, and can only add, that we hope and pray that the anticipation expressed in the closing sentence, may be realized.

"The United States never have claimed the land as their own, on which the Indians re side. In all our treaties and intercourse with them, we have recognised their right to the country which they occupy. The constitution of the United States recognises it, may more, we have solemnly, time after time, confirmed this right. In the first treaty made with the Creeks, concluded at New York, in the year 1790, the 5th article stipulates, that, the United States solemnly guarantee to the Creek nation all their lands within the United States, to the southward and westward of the boundary described by the preceding article. In almost every subsequent treaty, the faith of the government has been pledged to protect the Indians in the peaceable possession and enjoyment of the lands which they occupy. In the late treaty made at Washington, in May, 18 by the 13th article, the United States agree to guarantee to the Creeks the country herein ceded, to which they have a just claim. We would like to be informed by what right we have always claimed the land where the Indians now live,' and how we obtained it?

"The only hope which remains to the Indian race is to live or die around the graves of their fathers, and upon their native hills and plains. Those who promise them good country, and rest, and protection beyond the Mississippi, know that their promises are false. The Indians may read the presage of their fate in the starvation and wretchedness of the tribes that are now west of the Mississippi. We believe a remnant of this race will yet find in our national councils firm and patriotic men, who will not desert their cause the cause of humanity and justice."

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

SEPTEMBER, 1829.

Heligious Communications.

LECTURES ON THE SHORTER CATE

CHISM OF THE WESTMINSTER AS-
SEMBLY OF DIVINES-ADDRESSED
TO YOUTH.

LECTURE XLII.

In the present lecture I am to show, agreeably to the statement of the Catechism, that "the third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known."

We have already seen that God makes himself known by his names, titles, attributes, ordinances, words, and works; and a brief notice has been taken of the reverent manner in which all these are to be treated or used. Without, therefore, referring to them in order, I shall specify a variety of ways in which, either singly or conjointly, they may be abused or profaned.

1. Blasphemy is a species of profaneness of the most heinous and awful kind. It properly consists in speaking directly against God. This is the sin of devils, and of those lost and hopeless spirits of our race, who are shut up in the prison of despair. But, alas! although blasphemy is the language of hell, it is sometimes heard on earth. It is indeed so contrary to reason, as well as to every sentiment of religion, that some have thought it ought always to be considered and treated as a species of insanity. Under the Mosaick disVOL. VII.-Ch. Adv.

pensation, it was punished with death, and the same penalty has been awarded to it by the laws of several Christian nations. And still, in most countries, it exposes the blasphemer to some civil punishment, but not to death-its full retribution being left to that Infinite Being, whom it madly presumes to insult. But every approach to this tremendous crime ought to be feared, more than any form of temporal death. Therefore regard with horror all language, and even the indulgence and approbation of all thoughts,* of an atheistical kind, or that directly or impliedly go to execrate, reproach, revile, or disparage the Majesty of heaven and earth, or any of his attributes, words, or dispensations.

2. Perjury, or the violation of a solemn oath or vow, is another example of highly aggravated profane

ness.

What, indeed, can be more dreadful, than for a moral and accountable being to rest under his own imprecation of the divine judgments? which is the situation in which, as we have seen, the very nature of an oath places every perjured person. We accordingly find such persons classed, by the apostle, (1 Tim. i. 10.) with the perpetra

For the manner in which involuntary blasphemous thoughts or imaginations are to be regarded, see Lecture xxxi. 3 C

tors of crimes of the deepest die and the greatest infamy. It is the tendency of perjury, also, to break asunder the bonds of society, which oaths are intended to secure and strengthen; so that, in every view, the guilt which perjury involves is of the most atrocious character. This crime is committed when persons assert, on oath, what they know to be false; or promise or engage what they have no serious intention to perform; or what they know, or have reason to believe, it will be impossible for them to perform; or when they solemnly pledge themselves (as Herod did to the daughter of Herodias) to do that which is in itself unlawful. An unlawful oath is indeed not binding, and ought by no means to be kept; yet the criminality of having taken such an oath will not be entirely done away, by a refusal to fulfil it. Oaths ought to be taken with great seriousness and deliberation; but the imperfections of memoryand knowledge are always supposed, and, therefore, errors arising simply from these causes, do not involve guilt. In official oaths, likewise, a faithful endeavour to discharge duty is all that is required; and of course the common infirmities of our nature do not violate the obligation incurred. Whatever renders the fulfilment of an oath utterly impracticable, if it do not proceed from the fault of him who has taken the oath, leaves him without guilt in the non-performance. But there are some things, especially in matters of property, to which men ought not to have pledged themselves, which they are nevertheless bound to perform, after the pledge has been given. A good man, as characterized by the Psalmist," sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not."

No allowance is, or ever ought to be made, in the taking of an oath, for any mental reservation, or any equivocal meaning of language. The oath is binding in the plain and full

sense of the words that are used, and as they are understood by the administrator of the oath, at the time it is administered. Nor will it avail to plead that the oath was taken by compulsion. We ought rather to resist unto blood, than to take an oath to do that which is morally wrong; and if performance can fol low a compulsory oath without moral guilt, it ought to follow, what ever expense or inconvenience it may cost. We must consider ourselves as having chosen this, rather than the consequences of refusing the compulsory oath.

3. Sinful cursing, or the invoking of the vengeance of God, or other fearful evils, either on ourselves or others,is a most heinous breach of the third commandment. "They who curse themselves, do in effect pray that God would hasten their ever lasting destruction; as though their damnation slumbered, or as if it were a thing to be wished for-and to curse others is to put up a profane, wicked prayer to God, which is the highest affront to him; as though the vials of his wrath were to be emptied on men when they pleased, to satisfy their passionate revenge against them. This also includes in it a vile instance of uncharitableness towards those whom we are commanded to love as ourselves: and how contrary is it to that golden rule laid down by our Saviour, All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.'"*

4. Swearing profanely in common conversation, is a transgression of the divine precept now under consideration, which perhaps more fre quently occurs than any other. The shocking language of this kind which is sometimes heard from those who allow themselves in its use, espe cially when they are under the influence of their angry passions, as they often are, is scarcely, if at all,

• Ridgeley.

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