The name of Dr. BELKNAP very properly constitutes a new article. His memory deserves to be honored for his zeal and perseverance in collecting andpub lishing historical and biographical information with respect to his native country. Greater particularity would have been de. sirable in an account of a writer so generally known and respected.

We are not satisfied that the American publisher takes sufficient pains to obtain articles of American biography. We will briefly state what characters the public have a claim, as we think, to see inserted in such a publication. All the venerable names of the men who took a leading part in promoting the settlement of these colonies ought here to find a place; all who were dis. tinguished in their day for ability and patriotism in public of fice; all who were eminent in either of the learned professions; all the heroes and patriots who distinguished themselves during the revolution; and particularly all who have written any thing of even moderate worth. We are aware that the necessary information for all this must cost trouble; but the publisher of such a work ought to encounter some trouble rather than sufler his work to be deficient in so important a particular. Gen

tlemen can be found in the Union, who, if applied to, can furnish much valuable information on this head. Our histories already in print, contain many no. tices of distinguished men, which can easily be condensed and inserted. If a life or a character is very imperfect, it is. better than nothing; that is, if it be correct as far as it goes.

VOL. I. New Series.

In the number now under review some account ought to have been afforded of Dr. Bellamy, formerly pastor of the church in Bethlem, (Conn.) an able and laborious preacher of the gospel, and the author of an excellent treatise entitled, "True Religion Delineated."

In the last number, (Vol. III. P. II.) we looked in vain for the name of Dr. Backus, late of Somers, (Conn.) an eminent instructor of young gentlemen for the ministry, and the author of

Sermons on Regeneration," and of several occasional ser. mons.

The publisher ought not to plead ignorance of men whose works are in most book-stores in the country; and certainly no other plea can avail him.

The article ATONEMENT is republished at the close of this number, with large additions by the American editors, in which misrepresentations and mistakes are corrected, and the doctrine of the Atonement set in a truly scriptural light, in an extract from bishop Butler's Anal ogy.

In this number, 36 articles have received additions, which put together would fill about 26 pages; there are also 12 new ar ticles which take up rather more than five pages.

VOL. IV. PART II.

BENEZET, Anthony, an emi nent example of active and persevering benevolence, has his virtues and his exertions here commemorated. He was of French descent, born in England, and lived the greatest part of his life at Philadelphia, where he died. Every such instance in2 R

serted by the American Editors will be an additional favor conferred on the public.

BENGAL is enlarged with some new and useful information respecting that rich and populous province of India.

BENTLEY, Richard, in Biography, is enlarged by an entertaining extract from the life of the celebrated Richard Cumberland, his grandson.

The account of bishop BERKELEY contains some additional traits in the character of that good man, which Americans ought both to record and remember with gratitude; particularly his munificence to Yale College, and his zeal for the promotion of learning in America. We are happy to mention, that a painting, on which the portrait of the bishop is one among several other figures, has lately been presented to Yale College.

In the article BERLIN Some account is given of the curiosities to be seen in that great city; and among the rest mention is made

"Of the portrait of the elector William the Great, in a large model of gilt brass, and of the four cardinal virtues, of a gigantic size, placed on pedestals near it."

The American Editors, after noticing the dreadful consequences of the battle of Jena, and the fact that Berlin fell into the possession of the French, rather humourously observe, that

"The acquisition made in this rich capital to the museum of Paris, in paintings, statues, and other rarities, have been numerons and valuable. Nay, it is uncertain whether, in the thirst for this species of spoil, even the "Four Cardinal Virtues," mentioned in the above account, have been spared; and whether they will not prove as great curiosities at Paris, as they have lately been in Berlin."

In the account of bishop Bev

eridge, the English Editors take occasion to shew their attach. ment to what is called rational religion, by inserting several expressions calculated to diminish that high reverence, which most pious persons have been in the habit of cherishing, towards the memory and character of the venerable bishop. It excites no surprise in us, that so able and consistent a Calvinist, and a man so eminent for vital piety, as was this excellent prelate, should have it said of him, by those who prefer the dogmas of their own philosophy to the plain revelation of the Divine Will, that "his devotion inclined to mysticism," and that he has been censured "for his avowed opposition to rational sentiments of religion." The article, however, concludes, by saying, that

"All have coneurred in allowing him the praise of the strictest integrity, of sin cere piety, of exemplary charity, and of great zeal for religion.'

The American Editors have subjoined a paragraph intended to correct the insinuations a gainst the writings of the bishop, which we should insert, together with the faulty part of the preceding character, were it not, that the insertion of it would take up too much room.

The article BIBLE we have perused and examined with the attention, which so important a subject demands. Several pages

are very profitably taken up in stating the principal arguments in favor of the genuineness and authenticity of the Sacred Writings. The American Editors have seen it necessary to supply several remarks by way of caution against some hasty expressions, which savor of controversy, if not of heresy. On the

whole, however, this part of the article is well worthy of perusal. A history is then given of the principal copies and editions of the Bible in the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Samaritan, Chaldee, Ara. bic, Syriac, Coptic, Sahidic, (the language of Upper Egypt,) Ethiopic, Armenian, Georgian, Persian, Gothic, Russian, Span. ish, Italian, French, German, Flemish, Indian, (North Amer. ican,) Saxon, English, Welch, Irish,and Gællic languages. The labors of Dr. Kennicott, and M. Rossi, in preparing their respective editions of the Hebrew Bible, are detailed with some minuteness. Under the head of English Bibles, an argument is entered into, the object of which is to prove, that there ought to be a new translation of the scriptures. We confess that we are not convinced by any arguments we have seen here, or elsewhere, that a new translation is expedient, at the present time. Whenever so momentous a business is taken up, it will behove christians to pray, that those who have it in charge to transmit the word of life to future millions, may enjoy the special presence of the Father of Lights.

The article BIDDLE, John, af. fords a complete specimen of the principles and prejudices of the English Editors on any subject relating to the Socinian controversy. Mr. Biddle, it seems, was brought into notice more than a century and an half ago, by the persecution which he suffered on account of certain heretical opinions, which he adopt. ed and taught. All persecution for religious opinions, is unjustifiable; but that Mr. Biddle .was so remarkable for "powers

of reasoning, piety, and devotion," as he is here described to have been, we may be allowed to doubt, if Neal has given a true extract from the catechisms he published,

"In which," says this writer, "he maintains, 1st. That God is confined to a certain place. 2. That he has a bodily shape. S. That he has passions. 4. That he is neither omnipotent nor unchangeable. 5. That we are not to believe three persons in the Godhead. 6. That Jesus Christ has not the nature of God, but only a divine Lordship. 7. That he was not a priest upon earth, nor did reconcile men to God. And 8. That there is no Deity in the Holy Ghost."

This statement is taken from a paragraph subjoined by the American Editors; and as it is quoted from Neal, whom the English Editors cite as one of their authorities for this article, it cannot well be objected to by them.

The article BISHOP is elabo rately and carefully compiled. The American Editors have inserted a few paragraphs, where, as they conceive, the arguments in favor of Episcopacy are not stated fairly, and with their full force. In the first of these paragraphs, they give the following brief statement of what is confessed, and what asserted, by modern advocates of Episcopacy:

"Episcopalians confess, that during the lives of most of the apostles, and while the church was under their episcopacy, the words "bishop" and "presbyter" were synonymous. But they assert three grades of the ministry; they leave to mere custom the application of the names; and they affirm as an historical fact, that custom, after the decease of the apostles, appropriated the word "bishop" to the higher grade of the ministry by themselves appointed to succeed them."

The article BLASPHEMY against the Holy Ghost remains untouch ed by the American Editors, though it contains some opin

ions with respect to this sin, which are utterly indefensible. Perhaps it was thought these opinions would do no harm, as the article contains some explanations of the passages in which the subject is mentioned by our Saviour, which are not far from being correct. As this is a subject of awful importance, and one on which many persons have had groundless fears, we take the opportunity of giving what we believe to be a true definition of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. It is the malicious speaking against the agency or operations of the Divine Spirit, when sufficient evidence is presented to the mind of the speak er, that the agency or the operations spoken against are really divine. The necessary constituents of this sin, if the foregoing definition is correct, are, first, that it be against the Holy Spirit; secondly, that it be a speak ing against Him; thirdly, that there be malice in the speaker; and, fourthly, that there be such evidence that any candid person

would be convinced, (and possi❤ bly such evidence that the speaker himself is convinced,) that the agency spoken against is from God.

We expected to have found some account of JoHN BLAIR Esq. of Virginia, one of the patriots who assisted in forming the Constitution of the United States, but were disappointed. Nor do we recollect to have seen the name of ABRAHAM BALDWIN, in its place, another memher of that illustrious couven. tion, which organized our present government.

In this number about ten pages of new matter are introduced, under twenty-six articles, two of which are new. We shall not be at the trouble hereafter of mentioning the proportion of new matter, or the number of articles which have been inserted, or enlarged; but shall only select such matter for review as, shall hereafter come within the rules we have heretofore pre scribed to ourselves.

(To be continued.)