preaching, that he was not aware amusement. But will not they, how long he continued his speech; who call the holy of the Lord, honI would reply, that for ought that ourable, find this evening a very can be shown to the contrary, he convenient season for serious rewas so much engaged in preaching, flection; for reading religious that he was not aware when the books; for religious conversation; sun set. After he knew, that the or for religious worship? whether Sabbath had ended, he would be they keep that evening as belonglikely to finish his discourse. It ing to the Sabbath or not? As it was not strange that he continued respects those, who walk in the his speech until midnight. His way of their own heart, and in the heart was filled with love and sight of their own eyes, it is to be zeal and if the Sabbath were re- expected that they will find it conally passed, after the sun had set, venient to work Saturday evening, he must then have known, that he till nine or ten o'clock; whether might administer the sacrament, they consider that evening as beas well at one hour, as at another. longing to the Sabbath, or not. It Mikros tells us, that all who is to be expected, that they will consider the evening succeeding "find their own pleasure upon the Sabbath, as belonging to Mon- God's holy day." It is to be exday, do nevertheless, call it Sab-pected, that they will find their bath evening. But what does this prove? It proves, only, that they, who keep the evening preceding the Sabbath as holy time, are nevertheless, disposed to use such language as will be understood, among people whose civil day does not commence at sun-set, but at midnight. Mikros says, "it is more convenient, and better calculated to promote the spiritual good of men, to observe the evening succeeding the day." It is probable, that this argument will have more influence than any other can have, on those persons, who are disposed to find their own pleasure and 'convenience' upon God's holy day. But they, who call the Sabbath a delight, will not be so immersed in the concerns of the world, as to find it at all difficult, and inconvenient to prepare for the Sabbath; though they believe it commences at sun-set. Mikros seems to think, that where the evening succeeding the Sabbath is not observed as holy time, young people and others will find that, a very convenient season for visiting and own pleasure the evening follow- I. Peter. ii. 7. Giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel.-(In answer to MARITUS, page 238.) In reply to this question, it may be observed, It 1. That the term honour, here, is not to be understood precisely in its ordinary acceptation, as meaning respect, or reverence. is not to be supposed, that the apostle meant to direct husbands to place their wives on the right hand, give them the highest seat, and treat them as their superiors in rank and dignity. This would render his precept to husbands, inconsistent with that, which he had just given to wives, to obey, and be in subjection. 2. The term honour is used in the New-Testament, with some That the "relation of husband and wife," as Maritus observes, is "near and important," few will deny. It was considered, by the apostles, so important, as to require a number of precepts respecting the reciprocal duties of husbands and wives. Among these precepts, that of Perer, in the above passage, is worthy of particular notice. After exhorting wives to adorn themselves with a meek and quiet spirit, and to be in sub-latitude. Though it commonly jection to their husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, the apostle proceeds to direct husbands how to treat their wives: Likewise, husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hinder ed." The only difficulty in understanding the passage, is comprised in the questions suggested by Ma ritus: I. What is it to give honour unto the wife? II. How does the weakness of the wife, impose an obligation upon the husband, to give her honour? To these questions, I shall now attempt an answer. And, I. What is it to give honour unto the wife? means respect or reverence; yet, upon, as well as simply to honour. I II. How does the weakness of the wife, impose an obligation upon the husband, to give her honour? I observe in reply, tellect, until they have bestowed more attention upon female education, and given the female mind a fairer opportunity to expand and exhibit its powers.. It would be doing injustice to the understanding and liberality of the apostle, (to say nothing of inspiration) to suppose, that by comparing the wife to a weak vessel, he meant to indicate any thing more, than the natural delicacy and tenderness of her corporeal frame,Hence, 2. We may clearly see the reason, why the weakness of the wife, imposes an obligation upon the husband, to give honour unto her, in the sense explained. The imbecility of her constitution, renders it highly incumbent upon her partner, who is endued with superior strength and robustness of body, to treat her with peculiar tenderness and affection, to cherish and support her under her infirmities, to protect her fro injury and abuse, and to see that his domesticks and children conduct towards her with becoming respect and submission. 1. By weakness is obviously meant, not mental, but corporeal weakness. Mental weakness, tho' if natural and unavoidable, it would be no reason why the wife should be treated with contempt; yet would hardly be a good reason why she should receive honour, in any sense. But, is it the fact, that the mental powers of females, are weaker, than those of the other sex? This is a question, which has been often debated, and which the pride of man, who has generally had the controul of Something like the above, I take the pen and the press, has often to be the meaning of the apostolick decided in the affirmative. That injunction in the passage before us; there is a diversity in the intel- which I am happy to find confirmlectual powers of the differeuted by the paraphrase of the excelsexes, may be granted; but it does lent Dr. Guise of London. Take not from bence follow, that there care to associate, on all occasions, is an inequality between them. If in a faithful and friendly manner, the female mind is not so well with your wives, and treat them adapted to the more dry and ab- with decency, kindness and good struse sciences of mathematicks, humour. Ye ought to pay high logick and metaphysicks; still it respect to the woman, who stands may be better adapted to polite in the nearest of all relations to literature and the fine arts. With you, by delighting in her, consultout question, the genius of the ing her comfort and happiness, softer sex, is peculiarly suited to supporting her credit and authorexcel, in whatever requires re-ity in the family, providing honfinement of taste, fertility of ima- ourably for her, putting due congination, or sensibility of feeling.fidence in her, and never using Certainly, it does not become men her like a slave, but as a help-meet to boast of their superiority of in- of great importance to you, who have your own infirmities to be | der frame, may be more liable to borne with by her, though she, other infirmities.' being of a delicate, weak and ten GAMETES. Miscellaneous Articles. DESPERATE ASSASSINS. A couple of desperadoes are traversing our country and making dreadful havoc of property and lives, of old and young. They have already slain more of the inhabitants than were slain in battles, and perished in prison ships, during the American war; and at the same time they have wasted more substance than would pay the national debt. Their strength is invincible. Their method of attack is to strike people on the head; then instantly to trip up their heels, pick their pockets, and continue their blows on the head until they have quite beat out their brains. Though they infest public houses chiefly, they are also at private closets of private houses, in workshops of mechanicks, and the fields of farmers. In some instances, whole families have fallen victims to these murderers; nay, whole towns have been ravaged and ruined by them. One poor man hereabouts, that had formerly been an industrious thriving mechanick, has lately been murdered by them in a manner too shocking to relate; and there are several others in the vicinity who have been lately attacked by them, robbed of their money, smitten on the brain pan, knocked down, and in all respects so violently handled, that an alarming stupor has succeeded, and they are already brought to death's door. In a word, the country is in imminent danger from a couple of outlandish miscreants, who mock at reason, trample upon the precious rights of men, and equally bid defiance to the law and gospel. The names of these two ruffans are RUM and BRANDY-and we might add WHISKEY for a third, and all of these perfectly innocent and good, if properly im proved.. But the sin and guilt of all lie on the unfortunate victim who ruins himself by them. THE SABBATH. The profanation of the Sabbath, says a late work of Mr. Davis, Solicitor General of this Commonwealth, has been punished by our English ancestors as an offence against God and religion, ever since the time of the Saxon Kings; and by the fathers of New-England, ever since the settlement of the country. Perhaps there is no country where the institutions of public worship are better supported, improved for more rational purposes, or where the good effects of them are more extensively or beneficially realized, than in New-England. Yet, even here, there is much to regret, and much to be corrected. Some of our citizens, whose condition in life renders their example of importance to the community, think themselves too wise to be instructed or improved by a regular attendance upon the public worship of their Maker and constant Benefactor. Others have too much refinement to expect any entertainment from the pulpit; that is, they would attend public worship, as they attend the theatre, to be entertained and amused by the performer. Indeed one of the greatest evils and follies of the present day, is a disposition in A VOICE FROM THE FIRE! EXTRACT. ON CONTROVERSY. "I am sensible of the prejudice of many against controversy on religious subjects. But is it possible, in all cases, to avoid it? What is controversy, properly managed, but rational or argumentative discussion of the subjects of religion?-Heat and personal invective, in such disquisitions, are both impertinent and hurtful. But a cool discussion of An account has been published the doctrines of religion, on the of a shoemaker's shop being lately ground of reason and revelation, burnt at Saugus, and two broth-is, undoubtedly, one of the best ers, drunk at the time, perishing in the flames. A Boston paper of Nov. 26, says, "we received from the mouth of a gentleman of respectability, the fact, that the evening before this horrible event,ligious one of them bought a pint of rum from a neighbouring trader, and assured him that he would pay him by 10 o'clock the next morning, if he had to rake hell for the money! "The wicked shall not live out half his days." Chr. Gaz. means of investigating truth, of diffusing the knowledge of it, and of obtaining and giving satisfaction with regard to the difficulties which attend many moral and re subjects.-To point out the inconsistency and absurdity of an erroneous system, and even to set them in the most glaring light, is not at all inconsistent with this mode of discussion." DR. EDWARDS. Religious Nutelligence. SUMMARY. from 70 to 80.-Recent intelligence from Ceylon furnishes a pleasing account of special attention to religion at all the missionary stations on that island. This attention began in January, 1824. The subjects of the work are principally the children in the charityschools, under the care of the missionaries. Revivals." A very pleasing | in the two last years, has been attention to religion now exists in the society under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Parker, of London- | derry, N. H."-" The revival in Easton, Mass. already numbers as its fruits no less than seventy individuals." Twenty-three individuals have recently been admitted to the Branch Church in Salem, Mass. The revival there is said to be still very interesting.-The Congregational Church in Townsend, Vt. has been favoured with a revival of religion. The whole number of hopeful converts, with American Education Society.The Treasurer of this Society received $313 17 in November, and 8219 41 in December last. The Young Men's Education |
