494 Relig. Intel.—Donations to Relig. and Charitable Institutions. [SENR with approbation, and which, we repeat, deserves a liberal patronage. Every ship-owner, especially, should give his name to its subscription list. And those of its subscribers who reside in seaport towns might do well, after reading their numbers themselves, to throw them upon the decks of vessels at their wharves, for the benefit of sail ers. A Seamen's Library has been estabfished at the Isle of Wight; in June last year a similar institution was established at Genoa. There are on and about the river Thames, in London, about 120,000 pergons connected with vessels, and the sea; most of whom have, since 1817, been brought under the sound of the gospel, by the labours of the Societies. In Liverpool there is a very large ship, or Floating Chapel, fitted up for preaching to Seamen, besides extensive rooms, and a large sail-loft for Bethel prayer-meetings every night! The meetings are generally crowded.-At Bristol there are two Floating Chapels. In England Seamen's Friend Societies, auxiliary to the national institution, have been formed throughout the Empire, and Ministers have laboured most assiduously to awaken a concern for Seamen.-Why have not these things been done in America? There are now three government ships moored in the Thames, fitted up for the improvement and benefit of Sailors. One of them is generally filled with boys training up for the sea. This number does not include the great floating Chapel. The "British and Foreign Seamen's Friend Society," a noble and splendid monument of British philanthropy, and British liberality, publishes "The Sail or's Magazine" monthly, on its own responsibility. The work is extensively supported, and admirably conducted; and not only yields a revenue to the treasury, but diffuses much important information, and is creating a powerful interest in the community for the cause. During the last year the agent of the London Seamen's Friend Society visited in that port 4619 vessels! and be sides distributing a large number of Tracts, sold among the sailors 1431 Bibles! Dr. Morrison recommends that a Floating Chapel be established near Canton, for the use of Sailors. He says there are about that place 3000 English and American Sailors, on an average, who have no means of religious instruction. Sea-Missionaries should be employed to labour in all sea-ports. In Liverpool a daily school, for the gratuitous instruction of Sailors and their children, is supported by the liberality of the public. In this school are now educating upwards of 170 children, a majority of whom were unable to read on their admission. Five thousand Seamen, says the latest number of the British Sailor's Magazine, have been converted to God in England, since the Bethel flag was hoisted in 1817! Such are the triumphs of Bethel Societies! Has any other Society, having so limited a sphere of action, though none are so penuriously supported, been equally blessed in its labours? Christians, will you not aid this blessed cause? One of the Clergymen employed by the London Seamen's Friend Society, states that during the last six months, fifty-three ships have been visited under the Bethel Flag, on which occasions two hundred and fifty-three pious cap tains, mates, and seamen, offered prayer to God, and engaged in the exercises of the meetings; the aggregate number who attended amounts to about one thousand five hundred and seventy-two. Sailors, like many landsmen, will not voluntarily come to hear the gospel ; it must be taken to their ships and cabins. Our friends in England are aware of this, and therefore spare no efforts to hold meetings on ship board. DONATIONS TO RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. In the Month of July. To the American Bible Society, $2931.78. To the American Board 5543.14. To the United Domestic Missionary Society, $928.09. To the American Education Society, $303.41. To the U. F. M. Society, $1254.79. To the Theological Seminary at Princeton, $680.91 3 3 ORDINATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS. June 12.-The Rev. PHINEAS CAMP, over the First Presbyterian Congregation in Lowville, N. Y. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Boardman. June 23.-The Rev. JOSEPH AYER, was ordained at North Stonington, to the work of the Christian ministry. June 29.-The Rev. HENRY T. KELLY, over the Congregational Churches in Newfield and Parsonsfield, Maine. July 16.-The Rev. Mr. WATTs, as an Evangelist, by the Presbytery of Concord, N. C. Sermon by the Rev. J. O. Freeman. July 20.—The Rev. ABNER TOWNE, as Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Litchfield, N. Y. Aug. 3.-The Rev. HOSEA HILDRETH as Pastor of the First Church in Gloucester, Mass. Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Holmes, of Cambridge. Aug. 17.-The Rev. LYMAN STRONG, over the Congregational Church and Society in Hebron, Conn. Aug. 18.-The Rev. SAMUEL M. WHELPLEY, was installed over the Presbyterian Church and Society at Saratoga Springs. Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Nott. Aug. 25.-The Rev. SAMUEL AUS TIN WORCESTER and Rev. Elnathan GRIDLEY were ordained in Parkstreet Church, Boston, as Missionaries to the Heathen. Sermon by the Rev. Leonard Worcester, of Peacham, Vt. EUROPE. PUBLIC AFFAIRS, SPAIN seems to be in no degree recovering from the effects of her misguided councils. It is stated, upon the authority of private letters, that misery pervades the country. The king himself is represented as being appalled at the existing state of things. Predatory bands exist in various directions. Α letter from Madrid states that the captain of one of these, named Lagara, formerly an officer of the Constitutional army, and very wealthy, scoured the country near Aranjuez, and defied even the body guard of the king; but the chief cause of terror was an officer of cavalry, who had sworn to avenge the death of nine of the band which he had formed. These men were executed, and died calling on their captain to punish their murderers. A detachment of the lancers of the Royal guard were sent out against the band, but they were shamefully defeated, and two of them fell by the sword of the captain, whose head has since had a price set upon it. A larger body of troops was ordered out, but they refused to march unless they received their arrears of pay. This is now the tone of all, and Ferdinand threatens to raise money by a forced loan of sixty millions of reals upon the merchants of Madrid and Cadiz. In Andalusia the people are starving, corn being beyond their means of purchase. Fifty miles from the province it is only at one fourth of its price in Andalusia, but as nine out of ten of the convoys fall into the hands of the Constitutionalists, little can be obtained. Another account states that the population of Cadiz has declined from 60,000 to 40,000, and that one third of its houses stand empty. The public papers are entirely silent respecting the affairs of the country. It is not improbable that these repre sentations are somewhat exaggerated; it is clear, however, that anarchy, with all its attendant evils, exists in Spain. It has been stated in the British parliament that the French were desirous of withdrawing their forces from the peninsula with as little delay as possible. French bayonets can never make Ferdinand quiet on his throne, nor his injured subjects submissive to his yoke. GREECE.--In turning from the gloomy picture presented by Spain, it is some relief to the mind to notice the brilliant successes of the Greeks. If full credit may be given to accounts received through various channels, and of various dates, the prospects of this valiant people were never more flattering than at present. They succeeded in destroying the last remnant of the Egyptian fleet, consisting of twenty ships, in the port of Modon, on the 18th of May. The troops under the President Conduriotts and Mavromichaelis, at the same time, fell on the Egyptian army, beat it com pletely, and made themselves masters of their camp. Very few Egyptians escaped to Modon. This victory had freed Navarino from the enemy. Other accounts mention a signal victory gained by the Greeks over there divisions of the Turkish army, which had advanced into the peninsula. The dissensions which had existed among the Greeks had disappeared, and these successes are attributed to the re-union of the parties. FRANCE. The coronation of the king took place at Rheims on the 29th of May. It was attended, of course, with great pomp. The coronation oath is in the following words: "I promise in the presence of God and my people, to support, and to honour our holy religion, as is the duty of every Christian king, and oldest son of the church; to do justice and right to my subjects, and to reign according to the laws of the kingdom and the constitutional charter, which I swear faithfully to perform. So help me God, and the holy evangelists." The ceremony of crowning and anointing the king, was performed by the archbishop of Rheims, who is primate of the kingdom. AMERICA. HAYTI.--The Haytiens have at length obtained a recognition of their independence by the French Government. For this concession, however, it is said they pay France about $30,000,000, and allow her, for a term of five years, important commercial advantages over other nations. This event, though it does not free the Haytiens from the unreasonable prejudices which exist against their whole race,does nevertheless invest them with the acknowledged rights of a free people. It relieves them, too, from the painful attitude of self-defence, which they have hitherto been obliged to maintain, and leaves them at leisure to pursue those plans of domestic improvement, which at no distant day, we trust, will command the respect of their white neighbours, and make them ashamed of their illiberal sentiments towards the African name. UNITED STATES.-The most prominent topics of the month, have been, the controversy between the United States and Georgia, respecting Indian lands; and the trial of several naval of ficers by courts martial at Washington. In relation to Georgia, we shall only remark at present, that whatever may be the merit of her clains, they have been most indecorously asserted. Gov. Troup, by the intemperate and pitiful language of his communications to General Gaines, Mr. Andrews, and other officers of the national government, has called forth such an expression of the public sentiment, as will furnish him with no very grateful theme of reflection when he shall have retired to the shades of private life-a period which for the honour of the State of Georgia, we hope is not very distant. The matter is fully discussed in the newspapers; and at the opening of Congress will be laid before that body. In a future number, we shall review the whole subject, stating the principal facts from the origin of the claim of Georgia, to the present time. Commodore Porter has been tried by a naval court martial, and sentenced to a suspension of six months. The first of the two charges exhibited against him, related to his landing with an armed force at Foxardo in pursuit of the pi-. rates, "in contravention of the laws of nations, and in violation of his instructions." The second charge related to his having written "letters of an insubordinate and disrespectful character" to the President and the Secretary of the Navy; and to his unauthorized publication of the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry, which was instituted for the purpose of investigating his conduct at Foxardo. In reference to the first charge, the Court "felt itself called upon to ascribe the conduct which it deemed censurable, to an anxious disposition to maintain the honour and advance the interests of the nation and of the service." The trial of Commodore Porter was followed by the trial of Lieut. Hunter, on a charge of neglect of duty prefer red by Commodore Stewart. Lieut. H. was acquitted. Lieut. Whitlock, "for sleeping at different times on his post," was sentenced to a suspension for two years. Commodore Stewart is now on trial by a court martial. The charges, which are of a very serious nature, are four, embracing under them a great number of specifications. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. J. M.; CARMINE CAPTUS, and one or two other communications, have been received.-L. D. D. will receive a private communication from us. THE CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR. No. 10.] OCTOBER 1, 1825. For the Christian Spectator. RELIGIOUS. THE INFLUENCE OF THE PRIVATE DE- THE existence and extension of Christianity in the world depend, under its divine Author, chiefly on the preaching of ministers. By this remark, it is not meant that preaching possesses any such necessary efficacy in accomplishing this object that, like most other human exertions, it demands only the common blessing of God. Although, as a natural effect, it enlightens the minds of hearers, and is otherwise excellently adapted to do good, the special agency of the Holy Spirit is requisite in regard to entire success. This statement is made on the acknowledged principles of scripture, as well as on its express declarations. But whatever may be the primary influence by which the great end proposed in the dispensa tion of the word is realized, there is a secondary influence which is highly important, if not indispensable. That influence is a preacher's own private devotion accompanying his public ministrations-his own daily prayers in relation both to the nature and object of those ministra tions. This it is conceived is necessary, not only to give a proper character to his preaching itself, and rightly to affect his mind in the exercise; but to secure the higher co-operation of divine influence, and thus the VOL. VII.-No 10. [VOL VII. great purpose of the ministry. It is equal to any other essential prerequisite of good preaching,such as general literature, biblical learning, knowledge of human nature, native eloquence, ingenious fancy, or correct taste. It is a prerequisite without which nothing else can be effectual, and which, as we shall see, is adapted to enlist every other needful auxiliary in the work. Prayer is not intended to be the cover of deficiency-the solace of the mind in negligence-an amends for superficial preaching. It does not substitute the performance of one duty for that of another, or excuse the omission of any But it is alike the preparation, the connexion, and the crowning work of the whole. We have read of some, and doubtless there have been others, who, in awful ignorance and presumption undertook the ministry of reconciliation without ever looking to God for his assistance and blessing. The example of Mr. Scott (a true penitent) is familiar to all serious readers. Such a neglect strikes the pious mind, as it afterwards did his, with a sort of horror. Considering the solemn nature and fearful responsibility of this undertaking, it would seem as if the curse of God would visibly alight on offenders of this description-as if so monstrous an anomaly as a prayerless minister would be identified with a form of evil not less signal than that which in elder time hurried Nadab and Abihu to a terrible end. We are will63 ing to believe that so bare-faced an inconsistency is very rare, at least among us; but that there is a comparative neglect of the duty adverted to, we have no reason to doubt. Unconverted persons in the minis try do not of course pray in the spirit, however some of them may observe the form of private devotion. And even in regard to numbers who afford evidence of piety, it is to be supposed that they feel in a much less degree than they should the necessity of special prayer in secret on their public ministrations. This fact is too visible in the lifeless, heartless manner in which those ministrations are performed. Any thing short of an exemplary strict ness in this duty, which a goodly number we hope are enabled to maintain, is deeply to be lamented. If any object demands incessant supplication, it is that which is involved in the appropriate labours of a preacher of righteousness. In tracing the influence of the private devotions of a minister, on his public exhibition of the truth, we may consider it first, as to the somewhat subordinate object of his own personal enjoyment in the work. So far as the satisfaction derived from a pursuit is a stimulus to exertion, so far such satisfaction is wor thy of regard; and no doubt the concern of preaching is indebted to a circumstance of this kind for a share of its efficiency. A person of worldly views in the ministry, as he would not feel its peculiar trials, so he would not need or desire its supernatural supports. The satisfaction afforded to such a person by preaching, would arise, according to his turn of mind, from pecuniary profit; the congenial employment of his faculties; the flattering attention of his hearers; the caresses and kindnesses of his friends; public admiration; or the prospect of permanent fame. Satisfaction of this nature is certainly all that he could expect to obtain. With a faithful minister, however, this is not an object At least, whatever effect it may produce on him during the ardency of youth, or the miscalculations of inexperience,--however he may sinfully be ensnared by such a temptation at first, he at length obtains over it the victory. These earthly illusions are soon dissipated. They are either not realized, or they are found and felt to be unsatisfactory and unworthy; and the eager and prolonged pursuit of them to be utterly incompatible with the favour of Christ. The faithful minister needs support. Preaching, and the same is true of some other branches of the ministry, is a work of such peculiar trial, is often an occasion of such inortal offence to hearers, as to require more than human aid. A true minister would sink without a different and a mightier solace. He needs a direct access to the Fountain of all consolation. The only real counterpoise of his trials are the approbation of his conscience, cheering divine manifestations towards him, the stable hope of heaven, and, if it may be, the fruits of his labours in many souls converted unto God. These are indeed sufficient, and hence it is that, in unbosoming himself in prayer, and pouring into the divine ear the tale of his griefs, of the cruel mockery and insult he has received from man, he is relieved and satisfied. Hence it is that imploring the protection of a power, and the teaching of a wisdom infinitely greater than his own, he has returned with a sweetened, composed spirit, yet with unyielding zeal, to deliver to sinners the awful messages with which he is charged. And hence it is, amid the numerous disgusts excited by preaching "Jesus Christ and him crucified," he has, by near communion with God, and by catching a ray of the divine glory, found a lively compensation for the pain he felt, in the solemn impression made by the spirit he exhibited, and by the doctrine be delivered. The secret of a ministry sustained in its |