affectation of pre-eminence, which appeared in most of them, did so far prevail, that in the issue they became, (as one was entitled) dens of thieves, rather than conventions of humble and meek disciples of Jesus Christ, until at length the holy dove being departed, an ominous owl overlooked the Lateran Fathers; and though with much clamour they destroyed the appearing fowl, yet the foul spirit of darkness and error wrought in them as effectually as ever. But to close this discourse, ignorance of men's invincible prejudices, of their convictions, strong persuasions, desires, aims, hopes, fears, inducements; sensibleness of our own infirmities, failings, misapprehensions, darkness, knowing but in part, should work in us a charitable opinion of poor erring creatures, that do it, perhaps, with as upright sincere hearts and affections as some enjoy truth. AUSTIN tells the Manichees, the

most paganish heretics that ever were, that "they only raged and were high against them who knew not what it was to seek the truth and escape error." With what ardent prayers the knowledge of truth is obtained! And how tender is SALVIAN in his judgement of the Arians! "They are, (saith he,) heretics, but know it not; heretics to us, but not to themselves. Nay, they think themselves so Catholic, that they judge us to be heretics. What they are to us, that we are to them. They err, but with a good mind; and for this cause God shows mercy towards them." Now if any

shall dissent from what I have before asserted concerning this particular, I would entreat him to lay down some notes, whereby heretics may infallibly be discerned to be such, and he shall not find me repugning."Owen's Collection of Sermons, p. 227.

H.

THE DUEL OR SINGLE COMBAT.

ern states.

[IT must be gratifying to the benevolent mind to know that duelling is becoming disreputable in the southWe shall therefore give the principal paragraphs of an article on this subject, which has appeared in the National Register and the Carolina Observer.]

SEVERAL duels, have lately taken place in the US. in which respectable young men have fallen victims to the custom from causes originating in the most wanton levity. This unauthorised waste of human life is a public injury as well as a private wrong, and the offenders, if in the employment of the nation, ought to be degraded from office, stripped of their epaulets if they have any, and advertised as persons who have dishonoured their stations and violated the moral obligations of society.

We speak without any personal allusion. But is it not monstrous, that so vile and irreligious a practice, which originated in a barbarous and superstitious age, should find at this enlightened day, legislatures that tolerate it, and individuals that positively sanction it?

Our presses teem with productions concerning Bible Societies and the propriety of converting the Heathen: thousands of dollars are annually ex pended in sending forth missionaries to turn the Infidel from the error of his way but where is the leathen or the Infidel who at present countenances a vice so gross, so repugnant to the laws of nature, so opposite to the dictates of the gospel, as that of dueling? It is a vice so wholly prevalent among Christians that we seek for it

among Jews, Mahometans, and Pagans, in vain.

To what purpose are the cares of parents, the instructions of tutors, the accomplishment of education? The hopes of a family, the support of declining age, the prospects of female and friendless connexions, perhaps, depend upon the future exertions of a promising youth. Frail foundation. His life is at the mercy of the first expert rude ruffian that chooses to insult him. He falls; and in one com. mon grave are buried his expected services to his country, the consolation of his family, and the happiness of his relatives.

It

In the times in which we live we have no pretence, except the licentiousness, and brutality of our pas sions, for resorting to the duel. was in its commencement, a legal and judicial mode of trial; for the custom which, as Paterculus informs us, came originally from the nations of the north of Europe, was founded on this prin. ciple, which was then generally be lieved to be orthodox ; namely: that God would give the victory to the innocent party There is, however, no such belief now: on the contrary, it is very manifest that the most amiable, the most intelligent, the most worthy, commonly fall a sacrifice to the unfeeling hardihood of ignorance, to the violence of unbridled passsion, or to an unreflecting vanity, hich losing sight of the higher attributes of cur nature seeks for distinction by means of physical and bloody dexterity.

The absurdity of the practice, even in those dark ages, soon became obvi

nicated, and the victim pronounced unworthy of burial. The Kings of Denmark abrogated that method of proof. Duels were interdicted by several of the Popes; and three or four of the French monarchs, particularly Louis XIV prohibited duelling under very severe penalties Thus, we see that pious, enlightened, and valiant men, have united in condemn. ing the pra tice.

After the abrogation of the duel as a legal mode of trial, it was continued in Europe by a proud and arrogant nobility, who disdained to be controlled by any law but their own will. Some modern gentlemen, or those who would be modern gentlemen, ape this audacity But in a country like ours, where the laws are paramount, they should be taught another lesson. Besides, if the custom be proper, it is, under a republican form of govern. ment, as proper for one man as for another. But do we not find that it is a practice appertaining exclusively to those who assume a certain air and consequence in society? If two chimney-sweepers were to refer their quarrel to the event of a duel, it would oc casion only a laughter and merriment; and this is a clear proof that it is in no wise founded in reason; because, if it were a rational mode of deciding dis. putes, it would be applicable to one man as well as to another, whatever might be his profession. The trial by jury never excited mirth on account of the meanness of the object. It is so just so appropriate, so well founded in the nature of things, that it is impossible, in any application of it to human affairs, to turn it into derision

Indeed, it may be safely asserted, that the readier an individual is to refer the determination of his quarrel to the result of a duel the greater blockhead he is. There are few insults or injuries in life which may not be satisfactorily adjusted and amicably settled by the interference and arbitration of honest and rational men.

The fair sex have it in their power to do much in affairs of this kind. Their frowns would tend greatly to put duelling out of fashion. In truth. we do not perceive how any lady of delicacy or sensibility can reconcile it to herself to take to her arms a duel

list, who has by a successful shot probably blasted the hopes of a family or covered a widow and children with mourning and consigned them to wretchedness and despair. The cour age of a duellist is not of that kind which is essential to the happiness and protection of women in society; and the females who view it in that light and confide in it are in general wofully deceived. It is the mind that does not yield to difficulties, the heart that is untuned to soft and benevolent sensations and yet firm and steady in a pursuit of virtuous and honourable purpose that afford to the sex the blessings of domestic enjoyments and the pleasures of social intercourse. Wise and well tempered men shun the person who carries a dirk by his side or a pistol in his pocket prepared to stab or fire upon the slightest irritation.

The practice, however-we are glad that we are enabled to say it-is declining among us. In the states north of the Hudson it has always been rare, the late law of the Virginia Assembly, excluding duellists from office, has had a very salutary effect, and we now seldom hear of duels in that commonwealth. Indeed all that seems to be wanting completely to extirpate the evil, is the energetic interposition of the government of the United States. When we reflect that officers high in rank, and of great importance to their country, may be taken off by the felonious custom of duelling, and the public service thereby sustain irreparable injury, will it be controverted that the offending and surviving party ought to be severely punished?

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY SO

CIETY.

AT this anniversary of the Evangelical Missionary Society, the Trustees are again called in Providence to join with the members in lamenting the death of one, who, since their organization, has been an active and faithful officer To the common tribute which is rendered to the memory of Benjanin Haywood, Esq for his domestic, civil, and christian virtues, it is due from us to add, that his vigilance and care have secured the interests of this society, augmented its