mistake of those who imagine, that, ar Nothing, in our judgment, could lecture will be extensively useful. Our fear is, that it will not be as widely circulated, and as generally read, as it ought to be. We are satisfied that all who need conviction on the subject of which it treats, will, if they read it carefully and candidly, find what they need. Some, we are aware, are beyond conviction; and from any one of this corps, we should exceedingly like to see an attempt to answer this lecture. In the mean time, it will remain as a sacred duty for the judicatures of the church, to see that these ecclesiastical levellers and radicals do not gain their end, by experiencing a forbearance and fenity which they do not deserve, and will be sure to abuse; and which the interests of truth and the peace of the church forbid that they should receive. BIBLICAL REPERTORY.-A COLLECTION OF TRACTS IN BIBLICAL LITE RATURE By Charles Hodge. Princeton, Printed by D. A. Borrenstein. It is not often that literary or religious journalists introduce a formal notice of each other's labours; except on occasions of a difference of opinion in regard to some important point of literature, morals, or religion. From this usage, which in general we approve and observe, we depart from a sense of duty, in announcing to our readers the first number of the work, under the title of which we now write; and in recommending it, as we do very earnestly, to the patronage of our clerical readers and friends. We do this without the solicitation, and even without the knowledge of its editor. We do it solely because this publication is one from which we are confident that clergymen may derive much useful information of a theological kind-information which many could not otherwise obtain at all, and none without much expense, time, and laborious research. The nature and design of the work may be learned from the following extract from the prospectus: "Tars work is intended for a field, which, it is believed, is in this country at present unoccupied. It is designed as a vehicle, by which, information contained in expensive and rare volumes, may be conveyed to the Biblical Student; and to serve, in some measure, as a substitute, for the possession or perusal of works, which, though valuable upon many ac counts, it may neither be easy nor desira ble to put in general circulation. That there are, in such works, many important DISSERTATIONS, which it would be exceedingly useful to desseminate, cannot be questioned. It is therefore proposed to publish in quarterly numbers a series of Treatises derived from these sources. "This work, may occasionally contain, discussions of doctrinal points, and disquisitions on Ecclesiastical History; but it is principally designed to excite a spirit for Biblical Studies, by circulating information on the Criticism of the Text-on the Ancient Versions-on Critical Editions to furnish discussions of a Hermeneutical character to bring forward interesting articles on the manners, customs, institutions, and literature of the East-on various points in Biblical Antiquities—and on the Literary History of the Sacred Volume. To present Exegetical Treatises on important passages of Scripture-Biographical notices of Biblical writers-accounts of the most important Biblical works, &c. This work is not intended to be original in its general character, but to consist of selections from the writings of the most 'distinguished scholars. The authors from whom these selections will be made, are the most celebrated British writers, and the Oriental and Biblical scholars of the Continent [of Europe] as well those, who have within the last fifty years become so justly distinguished, as those of an earlier date. For ourselves, we have long wished to see a publication of the very kind which is here announced, and to see it come from the source from which this proceeds-from a professor of the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church. If the editor of the work were wanting in talents, in piety, or in discriminating acumen, we should view it with great suspicion. Much that is published will, and ought to come, from the writers of Germany. Those writers have obtained the highest celebrity, for their profound and extensive acquaintance with oriental literature and biblical criticism. At the same time, very little is known of them in the Presbyterian church, except by general rumour. And truly we should wish that little should ever be known-the less the better-if a knowledge of them could not be obtained, without the general diffusion of the abominable infidelity and sophistry of many of these writers, on all subjects of a moral and religious character. But if we can have the precious grain of their knowledge, thoroughly sifted from the chaff, and cleansed from the deadly ergot, with which they have mixed it, we ought to take it gladly: and this we doubt not we may and shall obtain through the medium of this work, if it shall be continued. It is certainly most desirable to acquire knowledge, even from bad men, if it can be had separately from their contaminating errors-It is desirable on its own account, and because it is not reputable to be without it when it is abroad in the world. Those who have acquired it have an advantage over those who have not; and a far greater advantage is often claimed, than that which is really possessed.-Truth should ever be defended with the best weapons, as well as with the greatest skill. But it is by no means to be understood that the whole erudition of Germany has become corrupt. Some of their most learned men are sound in the faith; and the number of these is increasing, and their cause gaining ground continually, in opposition to heresy and infidelity of every form. Within a few days past, we have received a letter from a gentleman, who probably is as well informed on this subject as any man in the United States; and we presume on his indulgence for publishing the following extract-"The subject of the German Theology is, in some respects, greatly misunderstood in our country; and in other respects the one-half has not been told as yet. No writers on criticism, can be studied with so much profit, by a mind well balanced; and none can be more dangerous, to light and superficial reasoners. There are Theologians in Germany who have defended the grand principles of the Reformation, with vastly more ability and learning, than have ever before been applied to them, since the days of Luther; and there are those who have assailed them with more power. On the whole, the gain has been on the side of truth. There is now an evident leaning (on the increase every year) towards the essential points of orthodoxy-One thing will be made clear by the controversy; viz: that the Bible can neither be undermined nor perverted, by human power and learning. It has stood the test of a mighty shock, and remains victorious. Magna est veritas et prævalebit." The first number of the Biblical Repertory, now before us, contains two tracts-The first, on the Outlines of Hermeneuticks; a translation from Beck: the second-a Transiation of Tittman on Historical Interpretation. Neither of these writers belongs to the Socinian school. The latter is avowedly and ardently evangelical. We cannot pretend to give a view of the contents of these tracts. To us they were so interesting, that, in a busy day, and beginning after twelve o'clock, we read them carefully through, (150 pages 8vo.) before we slept, and some parts more than once. We trust that this workwhich is published quarterly, at 4 dollars per annum in advance-will not be discontinued for the want of patronage. Yet such probably must be its fate, if the clergy of the Presbyterian Church do not support it. But they can, and we trust they will, afford it a very ample support. The typographical execution of the work, is highly creditable to the Princeton press. Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc. Boring for Water.-The New Brunswick (N. J.) Times states that Mr. Disbrow has succeeded in causing streams of water to flow from the surface in several different places, in that vicinity, by boring. "The depths to which he has to bore, to obtain these springs, varies pretty much, according to the relative elevation of the ground, from 150 feet in the lowest, to 225 feet on high ground. These successive results, seem to settle his theory, pretty conclusively, that on any land of primary formation, streams of water may be caused to flow from the surface, by boring to a sufficient depth. This is a discovery of great importance; it will be particularly useful in times of drought, and in places and on farms where water is not easily obtained. Bees.-M. Pierre Huber, the son of the celebrated historian of Bees, lately read to the Society of Natural History at Geneva, a very interesting paper, containing his observations on the solitary, or golden bee: apis aurulenta Panzeri. It is smaller than the common bee; and lives in low and moist meadows. The hinder parts of its body are a bright golden hue. In the first instance, M. Huber, observing one of these bees carrying a long blade of straw, which appeared to be too heavy for it, had the curiosity to follow, and saw the bee deposit the blade on a little heap of other blades of a similar kind. He afterwards remarked several of these insects bearing large grains of sand, and others fixing themselves on the flowers and leaves of the Argentixa, and then carrying away to their home a greenish matter which they had extracted from that plant.-This kind of bee not being wild, M. Huber was able to follow it and examine its proceedings; and he observed that the blades of. straw were used to cover its residence, and so entirely to conceal it as to shelter it from surprise. This residence was nothing else than a snail's shell which that creature had abandoned. It was so placed that the entrance was from the side. M. Huber, having removed the leaves which covered this entrance, observed on the edge of the shell, a partition with some greenish matter which had overflowed a little. Beyond he saw a kind of little dry wall, composed of small stones. Smaller stones filled up the interstices. He then came to a vacant space, and a second wall constructed like the first. After that another partition with greenish matter. behind which was the stock of honey. Then, at last, in two cells which occupied the bottom of the cavity, forming exteriorly the highest part or protuberance of the shell, two eggs, there placed, to be out of harm's way. M. Huber intends to publish the result of his remarks on the manners and customs of this description of bee, hitherto almost unknown. Gold. It is stated that the number of persons engaged in seeking for this precious metal in Montgomery county, North Carolina, averages about 150. The ground is searched on shares-any one may dig for gold, who will give the half of what he finds, to the proprietors of the soil. It is obtained in lumps of various sizes, by washing the earth, and is so pure that it requires two carats of alloy to reduce it to the American standard. The largest piece lately picked up, weighed four pounds ten ounces-but one was found some years ago, that weighed twentyeight pounds. They have not yet gone more than twelve feet below the surface of the earth. No persons of capital have yet engaged in this business; and, from hence it is reasonably certain that this seeking for gold is not a profitable employment. The surface on different parts of which this precious metal has yet been discovered, extends about thirty miles, within which space there are eight diggings, some more and some less productive. Liberality.-Mr. James Wills, grocer, who died in this city on the 22d ult, has bequeathed his property as follows: After sundry private legacies: To the Friend's Asylum for insane persons, 5000 dollars. To the Four Monthly Meetings of Friends Society, 2500 dollars. To the Philadelphia Society for the Establishment and Support of Charity Schools, 1000 dollars. To the Magdalen Society, 5000 dollars. To the Orphan Society, the house in which he resided, No. 84 Chesnut street. To the City Dispensary, and the Dispensaries of Southwark and the Northern Liberties, the two dwelling houses, Nos. 82 and 86, adjoining his residence. The residuary Estate is bequeathed to the Corporation of the city of Philadelphia, in trust, to be applied to the erection and support of "THE WILLS HOSPITAL," for the relief of the blind and lame. It is said the residuary estate will amount to 60,000 or 70,000 dollars. Pittsburgh, Dec. 25. Salt. We have the pleasure to state that the manufacture of this useful article has been commenced in sight of this city. Messrs. Anshutz and Co. have found salt VOL.III.-Ch. Adv. water of an excellent quality at a moderate depth, near the mouth of Saw Mill run; just below the confluence of our two rivers. We have a specimen of the salt they have manufactured, which is very white, and considered much superior to the salt brought to this place from a distance. We understand that several persons are boring for salt water in different places in the county, and that several more of our enterprising citizens intend shortly to commence boring on Saw Mill run. We heartily wish them success. Death of Whitney.-The late Eli Whitney, Esq. was one of the most distinguished men our country has produced, and his loss will be deeply felt and lamented. He was a native of Westborough, in Massachusetts, and graduated at Yale College in 1792. His inventive genius rendered him one of the greatest benefactors of the age, and was the means of changing the whole course of industry in the Southern section of the Union.-Previous to the invention of his Cotton Gin, in 1793 or 4, scarcely a pound of upland cotton was raised for exportation. In the short period of 12 years, the exports amounted to about 12,000,000 dollars. Judge Johnson of South Carolina, speaking of his invention in 1807, says: "The whole interior of the Southern States was languishing, and its inhabitants emigrating, for want of some object to engage their attention and employ their industry, when the invention of this machine at once opened views to them which set the whole country in motion. From childhood to age, it has presented us a lucrative employment. Individuals who were depressed with poverty, and sunk in idleness, have suddenly risen to wealth and respectability. Our debts have been paid, our capitals increased, and our lands trebled of obligation which the country owes to in value. We cannot express the weight this invention: the extent of it cannot now be seen." Mr. Whitney was a gentleman of extensive literary and scientific attainments, of liberal and expanded views, benevolent in his feelings, mild and unassuming in his manners, and we think a firm and enlightened Christian. A lady who lately died in Virginia, left all her slaves free on condition of their going to Africa. She also provided the means of transporting them." Fine Arts-The public will be gratified to learn that "The Trial of Susanna," the second historical picture of our celebrated countryman, Benjamin West, which was supposed to be irrecoverably lost, has lately been rescued from oblivion, and is now in the hands of Arthur Bronson, Esq. of New York. M |