uncommonly excellent. We say this without any risk of character. For in this case we already have the advantage of knowing the publick opinion. The enlightened Christian publick, as far as it has been acquainted with this discourse, has pronounced it one of the best ever delivered on such an occasion. But let all who have opportunity read and judge for themselves. We shall esteem it a happy circumstance, if those remarks which have evidently been designed to sink the value, and circumscribe the influence of this sermon, should make it more generally known. For we doubt not, the more it is known, the more it will be approved and admired. The preacher displays, to an uncommon degree, the qualifications which his office requires, and which the interesting occasion particularly called for. In every part he shows himself the dignified Christian orator. There is no appearance of lightness, grovelling sentiment, adulation, or indecision. He is full of his subject, which is very important and well chosen. His language is at ouce copious and energetic. We make no quotations, as it would be difficult to treat the discourse with justice, without transcribing the whole.

We add the pleasing information, that the amiable author is, with increasing reputation and influence, employed in the important work of teaching stu. dents in divinity.

A Treatise on Infant Baptism, proving, from the scriptures, that infants are proper subjects of Baptism, were so considered by the Apostles, and did receive

that ordinance under their mînistry. By ISAAC CLINTON, Pastor of a church in Southwick. Springfield. Henry Brewer.

IN the ist. section, the author states the point in controversy. "On the one side it is maintained, that the infants of believers have a right to visible membership in the church, and are proper subjects of the seal of the covenant. On the other side the Baptists not only deny this doctrine, but endeavour to maintain, that baptism, when administered to the children of believers, is not valid. On this account they deny us communion at the Lord's table; and in this respect make no difference between us and heathen."

In the second and third sections, he proves from various passages both in the Old and New Testament," That the covenant, which God made with Abraham, was the covenant of grace, and that the gospel dispensation is the fulfilment of the mercy covenanted to Abraham; and consequently that the same persons, who were subjects of the seal when the covenant was first instituted, are subjects of the seal now, and that the same qualifications, which were once sufficient, are sufficient still. That as the infants of believers were then the subjects of the ancient seal, which was circumcision; such are now subjects of baptism, the present seal."

In the fourth section he shews, that "the character of people in covenant, and of people out of covenant, is described in the same manner and by the same terms, both under the Abrahamic and under the Christian dispen

sation; and consequently, that under both dispensations, the church is the same. And that as the same character is given to the children of believers, as to believers themselves, both have an equal right to the seal of, and to a standing in the covenant of God."

In the fifth section, he adduces "evidences of the fact, that infants were baptized by the apostles." These evidences are stated in a clear, and applied in a forcible manner.

And as the Baptists generally demand some plain example, or express precept for the application of the seal of the covenant to infants under the gospel dispensation, the author, in his sixth section, meets them on their own ground. He there shews, that "the children of believing Jews were circumcised under the ministry of the apostles and by the direction of the Holy Ghost; that circumcision among the Christian Jews, was, by the apostles, considered in the same light, and as having the same validity as baptism among the believing Gentiles, and as applicable to subjects of the same description.

And consequently,

that we have the explicit example of the apostles, and the express direction of the Holy Ghost to apply to infants the existing seal of the covenant of grace."

In some following sections he farther elucidates and applies this argument, by shewing, that circumcision was no part of the ceremonial law, and was never considered as such by the apostles; but as a seal of the covenant of grace; and that they always disallowed it, when the Ju

daizing teachers contended for it as a Mosaic rite, binding men to keep the ceremonial law, which law was done away in Christ.

The author has treated his subject with great candour, perspicuity and judgment. He has brought up to view some arguments, which we have never seen in other writers on the subject. And by his critical and judicious remarks, he has cast new light on several passages of scripture.

We recommend his treatise to the attentive perusal of those who wish for information on a subject so much controverted at the present day.

The sublime Nature of Christianity proved by the extraordinary Manner in which it was communicated to the World. A Sermon delivered at Greenland, May 22, 1805, at the Ordination of the Rev. James Armstrong Neal, to the pastoral Care of the Church and Society in that Place. By JESSE ArPLETON, A. M. Congregational Minister in Hampton. Portsmouth. Pierce and Gardner. 1805. P. 24.

THE text is chosen from Haggai ii, 6, 7. I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land: I will shake all nations, and the Desire of all nations shall come. The plan proposed is, to inquire, 1. Why Jesus Christ is called the desire of all nations. 2. To consider the mighty preparations, which were made, in the course of Divine Providence, for revealing Christ to the world; and then to conclude with some inferences and addresses. This plan is closely

adhered to, and ably executed. The illustrations are clear and perspicuous; the proofs cogent and convincing; and the whole subject is treated with a seriousness, becoming the character of a Christian minister, and the solemnity of the occasion. There is no study of musical periods; no search after rhetorical ornaments; no attempt at the excitement of the passions. Truth is directly addressed to the understanding and the conscience. The following passages furnish a specimen of the intelligence of the preacher; of his theological knowledge; and of his neat and handsome style of composition.

"However wonderful the Mosaic economy, it was altogether subservient to the revelation of Jesus Christ. It made nothing perfect, but was de, signed for the bringing in of a better hope. Many of its rites were designed to create and preserve, in the minds of the Jews, an abhorrence of the surrounding idolatry, and, at the same time, to excite expectation of a mere spiritual kingdom. Their sacrifices were typical of Christ's atonement; and their sprinklings and ablutions were significant of spiritual cleansing. Their prophets foretold Christ, and their church preserved the prophecies, which they delivered. Even their captivities were made subservient to the Christian dispensation. When the ten tribes, for their apostacy, were carried captive into Assyria, and placed in Halah and in Habor, and in the cities of the Medes, (2 Kings xvii. 6.) they doubtless communicated to their conquerors some knowledge of the Mosaic religion, and some general account of those prophecies, which had, at that time, been delivered concerning Christ. The same was done by the remaining tribes, when they were removed to Babylon. The same was done by those Jews, who, in later ages, but at different periods, were carried captive to Alexandria, to Lybia and

Cyrene. In this manner, the shak. ing of nations made way for the coming of the Son of Man."

become only a little too ignorant and "Let us suppose that mankind had vicious, and that in order to be set right they needed nothing but some clearer instructions in morality, and as to the consequences of virtue and amendment of life makes atonement vice; let us suppose, likewise, that for past sin, and one cannot possibly account for the astonishing manner, in which the religion of Jesus was introduced. If we suppose him to be only a good and great philosopher, somewhat more wise and virtuous than Socrates, and divinely commissioned, as was Moses or Isaiah; such an instructer would indeed be an im

portant blessing; but certainly his character would by no means correspond with the reasonable expectation of those, who had read the prophecies, and were acquainted with those events, which were preparatory to his coming. On such a supposition, there would be, in the divine economy, an evident want of analogy and proportion. That four thousand years should have been expended in preparation; that divine promises should have been made, time after time; that a series of prophets should have been raised up; that God should have essayed, as Moses saith, to go and take a nation out from the midst of another nation, by temptations, signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and a stretched out arm, and by great terrours; that this nation should have been hedged round and fenced in, so to speak, in distinction from all other people, with evident regard to the Christian dispensation; that other nations, even the most distant, should have been shaken or quieted, as was most conducive to the great design; that these mighty preparations should have taken place for no other object than to bring in a system of morality, the principal design of which was to correct the aberrations of a world, moderately well disposed already, is a supposition, which cannot, without extreme difficulty, be reconciled with the perfections of him, who hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence."

Extracts from the Journal of Jon SERGEANT, Missionary to the Stockbridge Indians from the Society in Scotland, from the first of July, 1803, to the first of January, 1804.

JULY 1, 1803. Agreeably to appointment, four of the Onondago chiefs came to see me, and introduced conversation in the following manner.

Father, There is reason of thank. fulness that the great, good Spirit has preserved us, that we are able to meet together at this time.

"We will improve this opportunity to let you know further concerning

our customs.

"We have agreed to obey the voice of the great, good Spirit, in forever forsaking the wicked practice of excessive drinking, which we and our ancestors have followed, and also all other wicked practices. We see your house of worship, where you meet once in a while, particularly one day in a week, to worship God.

"We think it right that all should go into that house to hear the word of the great, good Spirit. We believe that all who go there to please him must go with their spirits; if they do not thus, they cannot please

him.

"Further, it is one article of our faith to be very attentive to parents, and the aged, that it would be impossible for children ever to compen. sate their parents for their care of them in their infancy.

"We have another article of belief, that it is the will of the great, good Spirit, that man and wife should always live together, and pever part only by death.

"We wish you to persevere to inculcate upon your children the necessity of a reformation, or we shall be a ruined people."

They concluded by desiring me to give them advice how they should persevere in their reformation, which I afterwards did by the assistance of Mr. Parish, the Agent, who speaks their language, and had arrived at my house after they concluded their address. They appeared thankful for all the instruction I gave them;

strongly favoured the doctrines of the prophet, but took no offence when I explained to them the necessity of appearing before the great God or Spirit in the name of the Saviour he had appointed.

I shewed them a great Bible given to the Stockbridge tribe of Indians in the year 1745, by Dr. Ascough of London; and by help of the many plates it contained I was enabled to give them a short history of the whole Bible, shewed them also the map of the land of Canaan, the travel of the children of Israel through the wilderness, to all which they gave strict attention, and appeared to be well pleased.

Aug. 4. A general Council of the tribe was called. Capt. Hendrick then repeated, to the people the substance of their proceedings among ten tribes of the western Indians; particularly at a general Council held the beginning of June last, on the river Maumee. Their report gave uni versal satisfaction to the tribe.

There were nine of them in number. All had enjoyed perfect health, and were remarkably successful in all their proceedings with the western tribes. One of their speeches, and the answer, I will here note down.

Extract from the Journals of the Indians, being the Sixth Speech delivered the Delaware nation, residing at Waupekummekuhk, or White river, on the 15th of April, 1803.

"Grandfather, again listen to the voice of your grandchildren, the Mahkakunnuk.

"I have observed to you in my other speech, that there was and is two great Spirits; the one is holy and good, and the other is bad. Likewise there is and has been two sorts of white people, who follow two dif ferent paths; the one believes the great and good Spirit, and the other the evil spirit. And I will now tell you further, that the one loves the Indians in general, and the other has no compassion on them. The one has been endeavouring to civilize and christianize them, and the other has