troops (a thing not very probable from the cowardice of the individual,) he (the Count) did not expect the troops would fire a single shot." GREECE is in a most deplorable state. Their late chief Capodistrias has been assassinated. He was, no doubt, a man of considerable talents; but he was a tyrant. His oppression of the family of Mavromichalis, than whom none had done or suffered more to free Greece from Turkish bondage, was insufferable, and has at last cost him his life. He confined Pietro Bey, the head of this distinguished family, and his brother Constantine, without any justifiable cause, for eight months in a prison, and heaped upon both every indignity. He was at length obliged to release them, through fear of the resentment of their countrymen, the Spartans. When at liberty, Constantine, and the son of Pietro Bey, conceived and executed the dreadful and most unjustifiable purpose of assassinating Capodistrias.-The correspondent of the London Courier thus wrote from Napoli on the 10th of October:-"Yesterday morning (Sunday) as the President was entering the church of St. Spiridion, between six and seven o'clock, to hear divine service, he was shot through the head by Constantine, brother of Pietro Bey, and was stabbed in the belly by George, the son. The first assassin was killed; after a slight resistance, and his body dragged through the streets. The mob literally cut the body to pieces, and threw it over the walls. The other escaped into the house of Baron Rouen, who delivered him up to prison late last night. The moment this dreadful occurrence took place, the garrison got under arms, closed the gates, and confined the population to their houses. During the day, the Senate met and appointed an administrative commission of three, namely, Count Agostino Capodistrias, G. Goletti, and Theodore Colocotroni."-Capodistrias was the agent of Russia, and the last accounts state, that the representatives of Russia, at Constantinople, were consulting with those of the Sultan, on settling the state of Greece. We fear for the result. AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA.-It appears to be the object of these great powers to preserve, if possible, the peace of Europe; after favouring, as much as they dared, the destruction of the Polish revolution. An article in an English paper states, that the exchange of couriers between Vienna and Paris is very active; and that the object is the reduction of the armies of these powers severally; and to obtain a similar reduction in the armies of the other European states. We have heard much before, about this reduction, and shall believe in its having taken place when we see it. BELGIUM AND HOLLAND.-It is understood that King Leopold has accepted, or is ready to accept, the 24 articles of the Conference of the five great powers in London, by which he is declared King of Belgium, and the terms on which Belgium and Holland shall be separated are specified, and the claims of these States severally are adjusted and settled, under the sanction of the potentates concerned in the Conference. The King of Holland has as yet shown no disposition to accept these articles, but apparently is much dissatisfied with them. Suspicions are entertained that he is secretly prompted by the Emperor of Russia to refuse an acceptance, in hope of making it the occasion of war.-Time will disclose the truth. King Leopold has ordered that the national flag of Belgium shall be tri-coloured, red, yellow, and black, in three vertical stripes. POLAND is no longer a state; but the condition of the brave people who have so nobly contended for their freedom, is interesting to the friends of freedom throughout the world. It is stated with apparent truth, that many of those who were active in the Polish revolution, and who have remained at Warsaw and other places, are silently sent away into Siberia; and that the part of the Polish army that remained with, or that submitted to the Russian forces, is to be marched far into the interior of Asia. What admits of no doubt is, that the leading patriots and military men who refused to submit to the Russian Emperor, are, for the most part, destitute wanderers. Some are still in Austria and Prussia; but they appear generally to be making for France, as fast as they can; and a considerable number of them have reached that kingdom. We have been pleased to see, by the last accounts, that General La Fayette is using all his influence to provide for these noble-minded fugitives, numbers of whom are exceedingly destitute. It has given us still greater pleasure to observe, that under his auspices, an association of our countrymen has been formed in Paris, to assist him particularly in the distribution of the donations sent to the Poles from the United States. This association has published an address, recommending further contributions in this country for the relief of the Polish sufferers, and we sincerely hope that such contributions will be extensively and liberally made. RUSSIA is actively engaged in disposing of her Polish conquests. It is rumoured that she is endeavouring to prevail on the great European powers to consent to her making Poland an integral part of the Russian empire. That she wishes this there can be no doubt; whether the other powers will consent remains to be seen.-Prince Paskewitsch, in a long report on the capture of Warsaw, which is published in the Peters burgh journals, says, "there fell into the hands of the Russians 132 pieces of cannon, 2,000,000 of cartridges, a vast quantity of military stores of every description, immense magazines of provisions, including 10,000 chet werts of oats. In the city, under the arsenal, a cannon foundry, a powder mill, and a saltpetre manufactory; several manufactories of arms, in which 12,000 muskets were nearly finished; there was an hospital, with 11,000 patients, most of them wounded Poles. During the action, 3000 prisoners were taken, among whom were 60 staff and superior officers; many more must have perished during the attack by the burning of the buildings, and the destructive fire of our numerous artillery, which, during the two days, expended 29,000 cartridges. Besides the abovementioned prisoners, above 4,000 soldiers of the Polish army have come to us, 1,200 generals and officers have quitted the ranks and the service of the insurgents. Our loss during the two days desperate conflict could not be small. Among the killed are Major Generals Van Briegen and Jessimawitsch, and nine Colonels: eight Generals, (among whom is Count Witt,) and twelve Colonels, received wounds or contusions. The artillery had 40 staff and superior officers killed and wounded, among whom are eight commanders of brigades or companies; 100 artillery men are killed, and 300 wounded; 800 artillery horses are killed, and 8 powder wagons blown up. The whole loss of the army is 3000 killed, including 63 officers, and 7,500 wounded, including 445 officers. Half of the latter have already joined their regiments again.' We doubt not the Russian loss exceeded what is thus stated, but take the whole account as it stands, and what a horrible sacrifice of human life does it exhibit, to establish arbitrary power! TURKEY. We find among the most recent articles of European intelligence, the following :-" Constantinople, Nov. 10.-The Porte is in the greatest commotion, the Divan is repeatedly assembled, and the Reis Effendi is in constant communication with European Dragomen. It is confidently stated that fresh negotiations with regard to Greece have been opened, and that the Conference of London, seeing the lamentable state to which that country is reduced, has applied to the Porte to consent to a new set of boundaries, which would give to the Greeks the frontiers proposed by the first project of the Conference, promising, at the same time, an indemnity to Turkey for the concession." From ASIA and AFRICA, nothing novel and important has reached us during the past month. The terrific Cholera is still prevalent in both these large sections of the globe. It has been peculiarly fatal in Egypt, but is stated to have lately abated considerably. AMERICA. We have not left ourselves room to notice in detail some occurrences in Brazil, and the republicks of the southern part of our continent, which we expected to insert in our present number. We can only say, in general, that the Brazilian empire is in a state of great disorder, the issue of which it is not easy plausibly to conjecture. The republics are, on the whole, we would fain hope, in a state of melioration-some more so and some less; but all, we think, learning gradually, by a sore experience, that civil war will only increase their misery; and that there must be self-denial, virtue, knowledge, industry, and true patriotism, in far greater measure than they have yet been possessed, before they can be a really prosperous and happy people. UNITED STATES.-The message of President Jackson, at the opening of the present session of Congress, was published cotemporaneously with our last number. We regard it, in point of composition, as far superior to any of his former messages; and, in all respects, except one, as doing honour to himself and to our country. His adherence to the course he has countenanced and favoured in regard to the Indians, can never be viewed by us in any other light than as both unconstitutional and cruel; and we are persuaded that in the future history of our country, this course will bring a blot both on his own character and on that of the people of the United States. Congress has apparently not been idle since the commencement of the present session; but matters of the most interest have not yet been entered on. They appear, however, to be advancing in preparation for discussion and decision. The Influenza has pervaded nearly the whole of the United States; and in several places-in our towns and cities especially--the mortality has been unusually great. May a merciful God stay his hand, comfort the mourners, and sanctify to us all the afflictive dispensations of his righteous providence. ERRATUM IN OUR PRESENT NUMBER. On page 21, first column, line 26th from bottom, for substantially read generally. A serious indisposition of the author of the Essays in our work, on Mental Science, is the reason that the series is interrupted for the present month. We hope it will be continued in our next number. LECTURES ON THE SHORTER CATECHISM OF THE WESTMINSTER AS 15, SEMBLY OF DIVINES ADDRESSED TO; YOUTH.; LECTURE LXIV. 1 In the present lecture we are to enter on the consideration of the grace of repentance. It is thus defined in our Catechism"Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour af ter, new obedience." This admirable answer to the question, "What is repentance unto life?" cannot perhaps be il lustrated more properly than by making its words and phrases, just as they stand, the subject of remark. Pursuing this method, I observe, that the words "repentance unto life is a saving grace," were probably intended to refer to two things; the first of which is, that there is a repentance which is not unto life; or to distinguish genuine evangelical repentance, from that legal repentance, or mere compunction of conscience, which the guilty often feel, but which is attended by no lasting and beneficial effects. Natural conscience seems necessarily to suppose, and to refer to, a suCh. Adv.-VOL. X. ,!",; ! 2 .. of preme and omniscient Being, who will punish the transgressors his laws. While this principle, therefore, retains any measure of sensibility, (for we read of some "whose conscience is seared with a hot iron"), there will be self condemnation and fear of punishment, when an individual is conscious of having violated the commands of God. Hence blasphemers, and other flagrant sinners, when their lives are placed in imminent danger, and speedy death seems to threaten them, are often filled with great fear, and sometimes with remorse and anguish of spirit, of the most fearful kindThey forbear their impieties, perhaps, attempt prayer, and ask the prayers of others, profess repentance and sorrow for their sins, and it may be, make solemn resolutions, promises, and vows of reformation, or of leading a new life, if they may only be spared to have the opportunity of doing it. But remove the danger, and permanent reformation seldom takes place Sometimes they return to their former profligacy as soon as the peril of life ceases, and in most instances all their reformation "is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away." There are other cases, indeed, in which a legal repentance is more lasting. Providential dispensations, the hearing of solemn F sermons, the effects of religious education, excitement produced by seeing others awakened in a revival of religion, and the real, and for a time the powerful strivings of the Spirit of grace, make those whose case we now contemplate, deeply feel their guilt and their danger. Outward reformation takes place, real and anxious concern for the salvation of the soul is experienced, the means of grace are sought and carefully used, even secret sins are partially forsaken and watched against; and yet repentance unto life never takes place. Very many of those who are thus exercised, like those who, in our Saviour's parable of the sower, received the seed in stony ground, or among thorns, fall away in a time of temptation, or else the wealth, and cares, and pursuits of the world, choke, and ultimately extinguish, all their religious sensibility, and leave them as careless of their eternal interests, perhaps more so, than they were before they were alarmed. In other instances, this kind of repentance is taken for conversion; is put for justification, in place of the righteousness of Christ; and religion is professed and its forms are observed, while the power of godliness is never known; and these unhappy subjects of delusion perish at last, with a lie in their right hand. Hear the solemn warning of the Saviour himself:-"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: then shall ye begin to say, we have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." The whole of the legal repentance of which I have just been speaking, is made up of fear, self-righteousness, and unbelief. The law of God, though greatly feared, is never loved, but really hated; his own exercises, acts, and doings, form the ground of the legalist's expectation of propitiating, and rendering himself acceptable to his Maker; while unbelief discredits the declaration that the blood of Christ "cleanseth from all sin," and hence prefers the filthy rags of self righteousness, to the perfect and spotless robe of the Redeemer's righteousness, in which, and in which alone, a sinner can stand before God with acceptance, and receive pardon, justification, sanctification, and eternal life-all as the fruit of the Saviour's purchase, and to the sinner, a gift perfectly free, and utterly undeserved. -The difference between a legal and an evangelical repentance, will receive further illustration in the sequel. The words "repentance unto life is a saving grace," farther imply, both that there is a repentance which is infallibly connected with eternal life, and that such repentance is a grace; that is, an unspeakable and unmerited favour; consisting of a right state or disposition of soul, produced, as all other gracious dispositions and exercises are, by the operations of the Holy Spirit. It is by faith, my young friends, that the redeemed of the Lord become entitled to heaven, and by repentance that they become prepared or qualified for its employments and enjoyment. The original word [MeTavora, metanoia] used throughout the New Testament to denote genuine and saving repentance, strictly means a change of mind, and a change that is at once salutary, radical, and permanent. You perceive, therefore, that repentance thus taken, is but another word for true conversion, and such is indeed the fact; both these terms refer to a right, deep, and lasting change of the mind, by which the soul is turned from the supreme love of sin, to the supreme love of holiness; that is, its whole current is reversed; so that after the change, it hates what once it loved, and loves what once it hated; and hence the life, as well as the heart, is changed, and instead of being devoted supremely to the pursuit of sinful or worldly objects, is devoted to the service of God, and is regulated by a regard to all his commandments. Thus they who are the subjects of true repentance or conversion, will be constantly increasing in sanctification; for repentance, it must be remembered, is an exercise often repeated, and never terminated while any sin or corruption remains to be mortified; or in other words, till the saint drops his body of sin and death in the grave. You perceive, therefore, that sanctification is the end, of which repentance is the means; and that the means cease only when the end is fully attained-when the soul, escaping from all its pollutions in the body, rises pure and immaculate to the mansions of perfect holiness in heaven-What a consistent and glorious system is the plan of our redemption! Faith, by connecting the soul with the Redeemer, entitles it to heaven, and repentance, by carrying on the work of sanctification, prepares it for the celestial beatitude; and these graces, although their operations are different, are always found conjoined; and the result is, that no individual is entitled to heaven, without being prepared for it; and no one is prepared for it, without being entitled to its possession-the title and the preparation invariably go together. The next thing which the an swer before us calls us to consider is, that in order to a genuine and saving repentance, the sinner must have a true sense of his sin. The methods in which wandering sinners are brought home to God are so various, that perhaps no one step of the process is always the same, or at least not perceptibly so, in the order of place and time. Yet, in most cases, that very legal repentance of which you have been hearing in this lecture, is probably the first exercise of an awakened sinner; and hence it has been technically called a law-work. But as it goes no further than to make the transgressor see the danger of sin, and to put him on using improper endeavours to avoid that danger, it can never be said to proceed from such a sense of sin, as the answer before us specifies. In a true sense of sin, its awful danger is indeed seen, and as I have just said, is probably, in most cases, the first thing that is perceived; but to this there is always added the following particulars:-1. Sin is seen to be a most unreasonable, wicked, and daring rebellion against a good and holy God. In a mere legal repentance God is feared, and the sentence of his law is dreaded; but he is feared as a tyrant, and his law is disliked as unduly rigorous-If the sinner could have his wish, it would be that the law of God should be relaxed, so that he might sin with impunity; and could this be the case, his fears and his concern about his sin would vanish together. But he who has a true sense of sin, sees and says with the apostle, that the "law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." He sees that God has required nothing but what is perfectly reasonable, right, and good; and that in all his sins he has been a wicked and daring rebel, trampling on the righteous authority and requisitions of the greatest |