Society at their several meetings, and to report, from time to time, the result of such measures as shall have been adopted.

Art. VII. It shall be the duty of the committee to meet semi-annually, at the court rooms in Hartford and New-Haven, at two o'clock P. M. on the day preceding each stated meeting of the society, and at such other times as shall be notified by the Chairman of the committee with the advice of any two members of the committee.

Art. VIII. The members of this society, residing within the limits of each ecclesiastical society in this state, shall meet on the first Monday in July next, and afterwards on the first Wednesday in April annually, and by abjournment from time to time, as they may think proper, and appoint a chairman and clerk; and it shall be their duty to devise and adopt such measures as they may judge most effectual for ac complishing the object of this association; to carry into effect such regulations as may be recommended by this association; and annually to report their preceedings to the society's committee.

Art. IX. At each semi-annual meeting an address or sermon shall be delivered before the society by some person previously appointed for that purpose.

The Rev. Mr. BEECHER is appointed to deliver a serman at the next semi-annual meeting.

REVIEW OF DR. DWIGHT'S SERMONS.
[Concluded from page 75.]

The second part of this discourse opens with a summary view of the miseries, which Infidelity has brought upon those European nations where the Roman Church had established and preserved her dominion. The preacher then illustrates the connexion of these remarkable events the prophecies of the sixth and seventh vials, under the foowing divisions. 1. The infidels in question sprang up in every place pointed out by the prophecy.

2. They were spirits of demons.

3. They have wrought miracles, i. e. have done things of a marvellous nature.

4. They have gone forth to the kings of the earth, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

5. During this period all the sources of the wealth, strength, and safety of the Romish Church, have been dried up: especially by being diverted into other channels.

6. As this great work is in substance done, the vials, if to be poured out hereafter, will have no object on which to spend their force.' pp. 25-32.

:

A brief, though comprehensive, sketch is then given of the wonderful and unexampled exertions, which have been made by Christians, during this very period of vengeance, in building up and extending the Church and of the gracious visitations which the Church has experienced, during the same, period, in the numerous revivals of religion. pp. 32-37. The discourse closes with assigning the reasons why we should fear, at this time of the tremendous wrath and indignation of God. Among these reasons we find a melancholy catalogue of national sins. No person, who is extensively acquainted with this country, will, however, see cause to believe the catalogue more melancholy than facts will warrant.

The latter of these discourses was designed to state and explain the reasons why we should hope. For this purpose, an examination of the prophecies in the 17th, 18th, and 19th, chapters of the Revelation, is presented to the reader. In these chapters a more particular and detailed account is given of the same Divine judgments, which are more briefly sketched out in the 16th. Of the woman so fully described, in the chapters referred to, the following is a comprehensive view :

"The Woman, here presented to us, is an idolatrous church; distinguished by wealth and splendor; pompous in the ritual of its wor. ship; exercising great cruelty towards the real followers of Christ; having its principal seat in the city Rome; sustained by a persecuting power, which was either the seventh, or eighth, form of Roman government, (according to different modes of construing this subject ;) and destroyed immediately before the Millennium." Ser. Aug. p 9.

Few, we apprehend, will be disposed to question that the Woman is the Romish Church; but that the Beast is the Romish Hierarchy as Dr. D. maintains, will not be so readily acceded to. persons believe, that this beast is the great infidel confederacy of the last days; others that it is the imperial dynasty of France; others that it is the Romish Church; others that it partakes of the properties of infidelity and popery. Every scheme, which we have seen, is either built too much on assumptions, so far as respects this beast; or, though supported by plausible arguments, is still liable to serious objections. It seems to be admitted on all sides, that the seat of the beast is within the limits of the ancient Roman empire, and also within the limits of countries which have at some time been within the pale of the Romish Church; that the seven vials are poured out upon the nations, which

have been subjected to the papal authority, and have been criminal as partakers of the great apostacy; and that the effusion of the last of these vials will bring to their final ruin the apostate church and all her coadjutors.

After dwelling with some particularity on this part of the Apocalypse, Dr. D. proceeds to discuss the Millennium. In this division of the discourse, every pious reader will find much, if we judge aright, to comfort his heart and cheer him amid the gloomy scenes which at present ecloud his view. The observations on this very interesting subject are classed under the following heads:

1. The Millennium is distinctly, but not extensively prédicted, by the prophets of the New Testament; and extensively by the prophets of the Old Testament."

2. The account given of the Millennium in the Apocalypse, is, like the rest of that book, symbolical."

3. The Millennium will not make its full appearance at ence; but will advance by successive, though rapid steps."

4. The Millennium will in its nature be a period singularly and universally happy."

5. The duration of the Millennium, is left uncertain in the Scriptures."

We deem all these positions undoubtedly correct, except the last; and very probably that is correct also; but we think it admits of more question than the others. The reasoning throughout is forcible and deeply impressive. The arguments under the third head, adduced to prove the gradual advent of the millennium are peculiarly convincing. Bishop Horsley observes, in a sermon not yet republished in this country "that this is the constant style of prophecy,—that when a long train of distant events are predicted, rising naturally in succession one out of another, and all tending to one great end, the whole time of these events is never set out in parcels, by assigning the distant epoch of each; but the whole is usually described as an instant-asif is in the sight of God; and the whole train of events is exhiblted in one scene, without any marks of succession."

The latter part of this discourse is taken up in answering these two enquiries: "What is our immediate duty? And, What reasons have we to hope that God will regard us with mercy, and smile upon our endeavors?" This will be to many readers the most interesting part of these sermons. We have not room for an abstract, but cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of quoting the two last paragraphs. which, it will be seen, are on the subject of evangelizing the world:

"This work, my Friends and Brethren, is the greatest, and best, that was ever done. It was the work of the Reformers: it was the work of the Apostles. I'o accomplish it the Holy Ghost came down from Heaven; and to procure its accomplishment Christ hung upon the cross. It is no other, than to plant trees of righteousness throughout the world to sow the seed of immortal life over the vast desert of man and to kindle the flame of piety on the altars of a thousand nations. It is to take by the hand, the miserable votaries of sin and falsehood, the unnumbered heirs of perdition, and lead them into the path, which terminates in endless glory. It is to make that strait and narrow path a broad and beaten highway, in which way faring men, though fools, shall not err. It is to change the solitary travellers, now and then found in it heretofore, into a crowd, a stream, a vast tide, of pilgrims moving onward to eternal life. It is to fill Heaven with inhabitants; and to multiply sons, and priests, and Kings, to God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. It is to plant thrones on the plains of immortality; and seat upon them glorious beings innumerable, who shall live, and reign, forever and ever.

"On this work can we doubt whether a blessing will descend? All Heaven will look down upon it with transport. The doors of that happy world will burst open; and its immortal day break through, to illumine the path, to cherish the hearts, and to brighten the hopes, of the happy laborers Angels will pursue their ministry with new vigor, and new joy. The Spirit of truth will every where breathe upon the dry bones the breath of life, and warm the soul with his quickening power. Christ will come down, to behold the fruits of his dying love, and to rejoice in the trophies of the Cross, the gems of his crown of glory, multiplied without number, and without end. The Father of all mercies will smile with infinite complacency upon this best work of his hands, this new and divine creation; and with his own voice will pronounce it very good." p. 48.

We conclude by saying, that it would be a powerful mean of exciting zeal in the best of causes, if a cheap copy of these discourses were in the possession of every Christian; and that the events of the last Russian campaign, and the present military preparations of Europe, appear more like the pouring out of the seventh vial, than any thing which the world has yet seen; and thus tend to confirm what the author wrote nearly a year ago.

CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA.

We insert the following as expressing the views and feelings, so far as we can gather them from English publications, of nearly the whole religious community in England, of all denominations. If the British Parliament should resist the importunity of the great body of pious and conscientious persons, and refuse to throw open India to the Christian exertions of zealous and faithful missionaries, the result would be long and deeply lamented. ED. PAN.

P

At a special meeting of the Committee of "The Protestant Society, for the Protection of Religious Liberty," convened at the New London Tavern, to consider the propriety of renewing their exertions to diminish the difficulties which have impeded the Freedom of Christian Missionaries in India, on March 2, 1813.

SAMUEL MILLS, Esq. Chairman.

The Committee having referred to the proceedings adopted by them in March and April, 1812, and to their Correspondence with the late Right Hon. Spencer Perceval upon the same subject:

Resolved, 1. That this committee, including Members of the National Church, and representing many hund ed Congregations of Protestant Dissenters in England and Wales, of all denominations, must primarily exert their vigilance and energy for the protection of Religious Freedom within the United Kingdom-but that principle and sympathy must equally impel them to approve, to desire, and, if possible, to obtain the enjoyment of that liberty in every part of the British Empire, throughout the world.

2. That as Men, as Britons, and as Christians, this Committee continue to regard, with anguish, the moral depression and religious ig. norance of very many millions of immortal beings who people the plains of India, subject to British power. That their "hearts are pained" at the fearful penances, licentious rites, female degradation, human sacrifices, and horrible infanticide, which there prevail. And that convinced by history, observation, and experience, that Christianity would afford inestimable benefits, and that their diffusion is practicable, wise, and imperative, they cannot but persevere eminently to desire its speedy and universal promulgation throughout the regions of the East.

3. That motives, urgent and irresistible, must therefore induce this Committee still to deplore, and to condemn every obstacle which has been interposed to prevent the dispersion of gloom, so lasting and so profound, by the irradiating beams of Christian truth.

4. That they esteem the power, possessed and exercised by the East India Company, to prohibit the Christian Missionaries from residing within the vast dominions under their control, as the greatest impediment which has recently existed to the progress of Christianity in India, and as inconsistent with the Religious Freedom, which this Committee must invariably defend.

5. That Although this Committee would deprecate and abhor any intolerant interference, either with Mahomedans or Hindoos, and do not advocate any ecclesiastical establishment, they must continue strenuously to contend, that on the renewal of a Charter to the East India Company, their former powers of exclusion should not be renewed; but that Christians of every sect should be permitted, unlicensed, to explain, and peaceably to promulgate throughout India, the holy Religion which they profess, and should enjoy the equal protection of the State.

6. That, to effectuate a result which they deem interesting and most desirable, this Committee will renew their application to his Majesty's Government, and intreat their interposition and assistance, will, if necessary, express their wishes by Petitions to both Houses of