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From the Southern Evan. Intelligencer REVIEW. ** A Vtrfdication of the Holy Scriptures, as a rule of Faith and Morals, in which some of the Doctrines of the Church of Rome are considered. —“ Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good."— By a Protestant of the Methodist Episcof pal Church'.” It is a circumstance, not a little remark able, that while the Bible cause is making such progress and obtaining such ascendan cy in Europe—while many of the ecclesias ticks, even in the church of Rome, are cor dially engaged in the circulation of tjie Sa cred Oracjes, in this country, wberetiber ty in religions as well as in civil matters is the prerogative of every citizen—attempts! should be made to shroud the human mind in the darkness of ignorance. The pamph- \ let before us owes its existence, however, to just such a circumstance. The author's name appears not in connexion with his work: but the writer is understood to be a gentleman, whose birth and early educa tion took place under the influences of that very system, whose nnscriptural character and manifold absurdities, lie has so clearly and ably exposed in the pamphlet under re view. The substance of the publication, it appears,had been previously-delivered from the pujpit. Both the delivery and the pub lication grew out of an at'ack, publickty made in the Roman Cntholick Chapel in this city, on the faith of Protestants, by a gen tleman recently arrived from Ireland in the character of Bishop. It might seem a pri ori incredible, had not the fact actually oc curred, tlia? ih’ flie 19th century, and in the citv of Charleston, any individual could be found capable of a publick assault on the Holy Scriptures, as a book improper to be put into the hands of the common people, and incompetent of itself io guide men to salvation The attempt appears to us to imply so much of temerity in itself, or to calculate with so much contidence on the ignorance or the credulity of those on whom it was jnade, that we could not have expec ted it to be aslayed even by one, whom the writer of the pamphlet has complimented as being “ no ordinary foe.”—And we have our doubts, whether, in such a country and community as our=, more harm than good may not arise from the fact, that any notice should be taken at all of an enterprise so extraordinary and ill-timed, as that ot an at . . iwl> wu dui_flihje in —wtu •** er the cause ot Rome is not better served by such a fact, than by any thing she has to say for herself through the mouth of the ablest of her advocates, or the most devo ted of her sons. Our author, however, hi viewed the subject in a different light, and by whatever motive he has been influenced in stepping forward, both in the pulpit and from the press, in vindication of the Holy Oracles, we have no hesitation in pronouncing that he has succeeded in his attempt. There is one result which we would hope might r o arise <rom an advancement of the claims of Rome in such a day as this. We vrouid feel gratified in believing, that it may lead some to turn their attention to (he Scrip tures, who have never become familiar with them before: a curiosity to read (hern in consequence of this attempt to prevent tbpir being read, may be with some a strong inducement to become acquainted with their contents, who have often and earnest ly been solicited, but In vain, to “ let the word of Christ dwell in them richly.” There is no state, in a religious community, more to be deprecated than a dead calm— a season of general and entire indifference to religions matters. Even tidings from Rome ought to be welcomed, if they recue us from that death-like lethargy which leaves us u neither cold nor hot.” In.the perusal of the pamphlet before us we haw been particularly pleased with the modesty of the writer, which, taken in connexion with the solidity and conclusive ness of his arguments, and the valuable matter contained in his pages, render his book well worthy of being read by every lover of the Bible; and we hope it will meet with ready and numerous purchasers from the additional consideration, that the profits accruing from the sale are to be ap propriated to so laudable an object as the establishment of a Methodist tMission among some of the Indian tribes. The author commences his pamplet with some very judicious remarks, tending to remove that antipathy which many persons almost instantly and instinctively feel to controversy an antipathy which has >tl ’ J. lie doubtles* been occasioned more by the un warrantable & unchristian spirit with which controversies have been too often conduct-j ed, than by any thing in its own nature ; j and he shews that the Son of tied, and all his Apostles, almost always assuiped the attitude of controversialists. He next ex presses respect for the person and charac ter and talents of his adversary ; and mod estly adds— “ Were it a competition of learning or elo- : qiience, I would assuredly shrink from the task ; j conscious of my own inferiority, I would easily foresee a complete discomflture, attended with shame and confusion. Trusting, then, in the God of Truth alone, I arm myself with no other wea pon but a small share of common sense, and with my Bible in my hand, sally forth to meei'tbis Go liath of Rome.” The point proposed to be established is, That the sacred Scriptures are a sufficient rule of faith and morals.” This point he proves by an induction of numerous partic ulars, in which the Scriptures are introdu ced, as teaching every thing man needs to know of his Maker and of his fellow crea tures, of his relation to each, and of the duties growing out of these relations. His next argument (and a very important one it W) is built on the fact, that the Scriptures bear testimony to their own inspiration and competency. He next advances to meet the objection of his adversary. The fjrst objection is founded on the various readings Khich are discovered in different versions ] and manuscript*, which the advocate of j Rome considers as involving the subject in so much obscurity, that none but the infal i lible mother church is competent deter r mine which is the true reading. r I his ob jection is met and vanquished by the state -1 ment, that these various readings affect not j the fundamental doctrines of the Bible; aud ; that the jealousy of the different sects, all iof whom made their appeal to the Bible, would be an effectual guard against willui attempts to corrupt them, proving success ful. The next objection of Papacy is, that the Apostles converted mankind at first by preaching, not by any thing which they’ or i their Master wrote. This is answered by f shewing that their hearers were always i directed and urged to judge of the correcf ness of every doctrine by the written word, the Old Testament. The Papist next ob jects to the diversities that obtain among Protestants, while he aflirms that there is uniformity among those who embrace his system. Ilis objection is answered by shewing, that this alleged diversity is not by any means so great, as to the fundamen tal articles of religion, as the objection sup poses ; and it is made clearly to appear to the confusion of the objector, that Papists have disagreed with and excommunicated each other. The author concludes by displaying in vivid, yet correct colours, the practical in fluence of the doctrines of Popery. In this part of the work are shewn the absurdity of Transubstantiatiop aud other doctrines, which are disproved by men's every sense —and the horrible cruelties, and the multi plied murders of which Popery is the ac knowledged and legitimate parent, a pro geny in fact, in which it appears she has gloried. Interesting and awful historical facts are here recited. The author concludes his little work by looking at the aspect of Divine Providence and the progressive triumphs of the church, and anticipating the ultimate success and triumph of the Bible and Bible religion. The above pamphlet may be had at most of the bookstores in Charleston, at 50 cents each. Profits to be devoted to a Methodist Missionary establishment among the Indians. FROM THE S. EVANGELICAL INTELLIGENCER. Jllessi’Sj JlditOFS —\ our attention was taut week directed to the neglected situation of the destitute churches of the “ Charleston Baptist Association ” Since that communi cation, l have been favoured with the min utes of the 11 Edgefield Baptist Association,'’ j convened at Bethany Meeting-House, Edge- ‘ field District, on the 16th Sept, last; and i this latter Association is still more destitute ! than that of the former. It is composed of thirty eight * churches, with one licensed and 12 ordained ministers; but as one of them,; a father in the church, is superannuated, it j leaves but twelve ministers to supply the | . whole Association. Os course, there are ! I twenty sir. churches destitute every Sabbath > I of the preached Gospel. It is not, Kowct- }■ er, to he presumed that all these churches; , are left entirely without a preacher during’ the whole year; for it is highly probable, j that the principal churches are occupied in ; rotation ; but it does not alter the melan- i choly fact, that every Sabbath there are’ twenty-six churches unoccupied for want of ministers. The Edgefield Association appear to have been fully aware of their destitute condi tion, and adopted the following judicious regulations; which, even if carried into effect (as only two itinerant ministers were !to be immediately employed,) can afford but a very inadequate supply.—lt is to be hoped ih'.i! their two missionaries will mul , tiply into an hundred. Extract from the Minittes of the Association. 44 i he Association appointed the follow ing brethren a committee to draft rules for establishing a scheme of itinerant preaching in the bounds of this Association, viz. J. Head, E. Brezeal, J. Bulger, W. Belcher, and J. Chiles, who submitted the following plan : l a t. Thi a business shall be conducted by a Board of Directors consisting of five mem ber?, three ot whom shall form a quorum, . to be chosen annually at the meetings of the Association, out of the most enlightened , and potdick spirited members of the church i es of this connexion, and situated as con i tiguoiisly as may be to each other, with a , view to facilitate the transaction of busi . ness. 2d. I’he board shall have a chairman, treasurer and sec-etary, to be chosen by , themselves out of their number, and shall ; keep a regular account of (heir transac i tions, of which, and the state of (he fund, they shall make report at the meetings of the Association. 3d. There being a sufficient fund already collected, the board are authorized to ap point t-ffo persons to itinerate and preach in the bounds of the Association. The board ; ? hall be particularly careful that in making these appointments, they select only preach ers of approved character, distinguished for their prudence, piety and zeal, and of re spectable talents, whom they shall furnish with certificates of their appointments, and j with written instructions for the regulation of their conduct. I 4th. Os the ministers appointed to this service, it will be expected that they care fully avoid entering into contentions with Christians.of other denominations , and giving offence ; that they insist in their preaching among the people at large, chiefly on the most pluin, important and experimental truths of the Gospel , with a view to the conversion of sinners, and to the excitement of profes i sors, both as individuals and churches, to i the exercise of vital, practical godliness ; that they carefully inquire into the state of *. Thirty-nine are enumerated in the minutes ; but one of them is noted a sbeing dissolved. The | causa of this dissolution is not mentioned. 18 I destitute churches, and afford them aid in n£*| moving difficulties and rectifying disorders, and that they be particularly careful in tne performance of this sacred service, to en ter fully in the Gospel spirit; to be diligent & active in their work, to make their whole deportments exemplary, and to leave no just grounds of suspicion respecting their motives or conduct. sth. In regard to the regular support of such a scheme of pious and benevolent ex erfipns, and of the reasonableness that those who are benefited by it should contribute to ,'ijs support, the itinerant preachers, sent out by the board shall be authorized to institute plans for obtaining contributions among the congregations, or people among whom they may minister, either by publick collections or otherwise, as to the respec tive congregations may seem rnosteligible. Some respectable person or persons being appointed in each congregation to receive the monies so contributed, and to remove all occasions of abuse and ground ot suspi cion, no collection or contribution to any minister employed in this service shall be considered as regularly made without a certificate of its amount under the hand of such person or persons, lieing transmitted to the treasurer of the board. It shall, however, not be considered as irregular for a minister employed in this service to receive what any individual may think proper to bestow on him lor his own use from personal regard. Proceeded to the appointment of the board, and the brethren Landrum, Brezeal, Bulger, Chiles and Blocker, were appoint ed.” This Association cordially approved of the proposal i-om the Charleston body, for calling a general Baptist State Convention, but did not feel authorized to accept it without the consent of the churches ; to whom the subject was referred, that they might instruct their delegates how to act at the next meeting of the Association in Abbeville District, in September next. Edgefield Association , it is believed, in cludes (lie whole of the civil District of Edgefield, and a part of four other Districts. Its churches and ministers are divided as follows: Edgefield, 21 churches, 6 ministers, Ora'tigeburgh, 6 3 Barnwell, 3 0 Abbeville, 7 3 Lexington, 1 0 33 12 In the civil District of Edgefield, there are no other denomination of ministers ex cept Baptists and three | Methodists. It is not known what other Christian preachers there are in other parts of the country in cluded within the iimits of this Association. They are, however, .inconsiderable, if any.—“ The harvest is great, but the labourers are few” A BAPTIST. + In a publication, recently before the publick, it is mentioned, on the authority of a letter, that I there was but one .Methodist preacher in Edge j field District. This, though literally the fact ; when the letter was written, is not strictly cor } reel. At that time the Methodist circuit riders were only temporarily called out of the district, 1 which was unknown to the writer of the letter; but they have now resumed their station. The j friendly manner in which our Methodist brethren corrected the errour, in which the Christian spirit was displayed, must, at the same time, have been highly gratifying, not only to the writer of the let ter, but also to the author of the publication allud ed to. ■aO o<a- OSAGE MISSION. The New York Missionary Register contains the following extract of a private letter from a mem ber of the Osage Union Mission. FROM MR. REDFIELD. Union, Deq. 4, 1820. When I wrote last, l was among the Cherokees, 200 miles from this place. This distance we travelled on foot, and found it a long and tedious journey through the wil derness. When night overtook us, we halted, kindled a large fire, and, wrapping ourselves in our blankets, slept by the side of it. We brought with us on our pack horses, hard bread, which lasted us most of the way. When our store was exhaust ed, we lived on venison, which our hunter procured in great abundance. During this journey, the Lord was better to us than our fears; for notwithstanding we were greatly exposed by sleeping on the ground in the open air, yet the health of the whole party was preserved. There is a garrison within a hundred miles of this place, where there is a settle ment of white people. At that settlement we purchased our stock. We have found hut few of the Osages at home. The principal men are gone on a hunt, but are expected in soon. I have been much delighted with the Indians we found here. They received us apparently with the greatest jov. They are a noble looking people. The men are six feet in height, and agreeably to the old saying, as straight as an Indian. Their countenances are tree and open, and bespeak strong: minds. The place selected for our cstablishme.nt is very beautiful. It is a prairie of three or four hundred acres, on which there is an excellent spring. The soil is rich and ea sily cultivated. A crop of corn, about a hundred bushels, was raised here by a tra der, last season, which we have been ena bled to. purchase. The Osages possess a beautiful tract of Country, very fertile and healthy ; but they know nothing about cultivation. The country abounds with buffalo, bear and deer. The buffalo is superiour to any beef 1 have ever tasted. In raising stock, we shall have no need of hay. Cattle and horses will feed on cane- which continues green through the year, and which grows in abundance on the low grounds. Within one mile of our station, there are salt springs, where Mr. Filbrook, lately a mer chant in New York, is preparing to manu facture salt. \ Christmas Day. As I have had no op portunity to send this letter, I can now add, that the Osage Chief came to visit us a few days ago. We had a very interesting inter view I could scarcely refrain from shed ding tears, during his first address. 41 1<• me, said lie, “ this is a glorious morning. I am glad in my heart that I ever lived to see this day. Now my children will he taught to read, and to live like white peo ple. We want to learn your religion—it is better than ours.” His speech was made up of good sense, and delivered with great emphasis, and in the most feeling manner. Brother Chapman has begun to learn the language of the Osages, that he may preach to them in their own tongue. Feb. 3, 1321. We have five log cabins nearly finished, and have yet to build a kitchen and store-house. The month ol January was cold. We had snow about a foot deep. The snow, however, has al ready left us, and the weather is moderate. The water in Grand River is now ten feet hig-her than when we arrived. —— CEYLON MISSION OPPOSED. FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER. From the Missionary Herald of the pres ent month,(June) we learn that Mr. Garrett, who was sent out to Ceylon more than a year ago, to form and superintend a printing establishment in aid of our other mission ary operations in that island, had received peremtory orders from the government to take his departure within about three months from the time of his arrival. The missionaries very earnestly and ably inter ceded with Sir Everard Barnes, the Lieut. Governour for his continuance, hut without success. As it was impossible for Mr. Gar rett to return directly to America from Ihe island, and the commencement of the rainy season rendered it very difficult to make arrangements for proceeding to any of the principal ports of India, the Missionaries very modestly requested that the time fix ed for his departure might be extended two months. This was refused ! The ground of the Lieut. Governour’s unfriendly pro ceedings in this case were simply that he “ felt extremely averse to the admission of foreign missionaries into Ceylon—that the British government were making laudable efforts for the diffusion of Christianity throughout the colonies”—and thai Amer ican Christians had enough to do to rescue from barbarianism the populous Indian tribes of their own continent. The insuf ficiency of these grounds was very fully shewn in a respectful memorial presented by the missionaries ; and the encourage ment they had formerly received from his Excellency Governour Brovvnrigg—the satisfaction he had uniformly expressed in their course of operations—and the assu rances he had given them in 1816, that they might establish a printing press, were arguments they urged with great force,but with no happy effect. Mr Garrett was intending to proceed to Negapatam, a small port on the Coroman del coast, not far distant, where he expect ed to be cordially received by Mr. Squance, ; a Wesleyan missionary,till further arrange ! ments could be made. Whether he would i proceed thence to Bombay, or unite with j one or two of the brethren at Ceylon in forming anew station on the Coromandel I coast, was not determined at the date of the hast communications. The latter mea sure would be adopted without hesitation, but for the want of funds—a want which we are abundantly able, and ought to- be equally ready to supply. For ourselves, we have not the least, doubt that this afflictive disappointment of the expectations of our Missionaries will eventuate like all other wiles of the adver sary, in the more rapid extension and the firmer establishment of the kingdom of Christ. Bold and daring opposition to mis sionary enterprise, never yet essentially impeded its progress—fears are to be en tertained only when the enemies of missions pretend to admire and cherish them—or when their friends become languid and in : different to their prosperity. It is no bad ■ omen to the ultimate event of the mission at Ceylon, that SirE. Barnes opposes it on 1 no better ground than his personal aversion to foreigners! Our Missionaries will be rendered still more prayerful, and sensible of their dependence on God ; and their friends in this country will be rendered more active, and le9s inclined to trust in the favour of men. Such an exhibition of weakness and depravity as is here made by the Lieut. Governour, does not often oc cur in these days of glory to the church ; and it may serve to remind us of what we sometimes almost forget, viz. that self-de nial, patience and fortitude are no less in dispensable qualifications of Christian mis sionaries and their friends, than the bolder virtues. The enemies of God and the i church are not able with impunity to un -1 sheath the sword and cut in pieces the ar ! mies of the Lord, but on every favourable : opportunity they are not loth to show that they possess the same dispositions which were manifested by their predecessors eighteen hundred years ago. 1 Since the Missionaries at Ceylon havp • been frustrated in their plan of printing the 1 1 amul Bible, by the arbitrary removal of ■ their printer, they are anxious to he fur ■ nished by the American Bible Society with the requisite means for obtaining from Ma dras, a part of the edition now publishing there, under the care of Mr. Rhenius. ft | is presumed that this request will be readi • ly complied with, and that the funds of the Bible Society will be increased proportion • ably, by the liberality of all who love the I cause ofMissions. A donation of 1000 French Tracts, made by the New York Religious Tract Society, has been kindly received by his Excellen cy the President of Hayti, and he has prom ised to establish a society for the distribu tion of Tracts at Port an Prince. from London, received at ?Im. “ adelpbia. Advice has recently been received Os some moment as to the promising state ot the Bible Society established last year by Dr. Pinkerton at Athens, that Dionysius, the Greek Archbishop of Athens has re ceived the Presidency of the Society ; a circumstance which is viewed as highly im portant, as it cannot fail of giving a power ful impulse to their transactions; and why may we not indulge the expectation, that through the instrumentality ot this society, Athens may yet be what Paul wished it to be eighteen centuries ago, seeing nothing is too hard for Omnipotence to effect—iu many branches of the Greek Church there is e vidently much of the life and power of religion, and that even amongsi its highest dignitaries, who warmly patronize the dis tribution of the Scriptures. One of our Missionaries to the Tartar Tribes on the borders of Russia, thus speaks of a circum stance he had witnessed at St. Petersburg!) a few weeks since— 44 My eyes have just beheld the most glorious sight the sun ever shone upon ; whilst 1 was present a num ber of sledges entered the yard of the Bi ble Society House, in the course of one hour. I saw them loaded and despatched with thirty-four thousand copies of the Word of Life, to the most distant parts of the Russian empire, all to be delivered at the government expense, carriage free.”— Surely these are indications of good to a ruined race from him who has declared, 4 My word shall not return unto me void.’ ELOQUENCE IN THE BEST OF CAUSES. Extract of an address of the Rev. Win. Jowett, at the formation of the Hibernian Church Mis sionary Society. My Lord, the zeal and ardour with which we should all engage in this work, have been so strongly enforced, that 1 know not how any thing can be added to the general . feeling. But there is one. consideration 4 which has deeply impressed my mind whenever our friends have met together for consulting on the interests of this Socie ty. I remember to have read, thatjn the PuDic War, when a city in Spain was be sieged by the Carthaginians, and it wa3 tardily deliberated in Rome what succours should be sent to the beseiged,a single sen tence hastened the question to a decision f Roma deliberat Saguntum perit. 44 While Rome deliberates Saguntum perishes !” I would apply this sentiment to the,, present occasion. While Britain de liberates, the world is perishing ! I am not for precipitate counsels; but 1 would remind the meeting that every mo ment we lose, the world is sinking beneath our feet. It has been calculated, estima ting the population of the globe at a thou sand millions, and allowing thirty years for the period of one generation, that in eve ry moment of time the soul of one human being passes into eternity'. How awaken ing this reflection ! and could 1, my lord, conceive that it is my dearest friend who is in this moment expiring, what must my feelings be ? And yet this alters not the consideration : I am bound to call every human being my neighbour, my friend, my brother; my Saviour has taught me to do so. Whether he be the person that is with in the reach of my arm, or (beman that treads the antipodes of the earth ; he is my neighbour. The place or manner of his death cannot change the question.— Whether he he languishing in pain, without God and without hope, on the sultry deserts of Arabia, or breathing out his spirit in the holy raptures of the Christian’s death-bed, it is enough forme to know that ? kindred soul to mine is at this moment departing— he is dying—he is dead ! F.re 1 can give ut terance to the thought, another, and anoth er, and another is no more ! 0 could I call up the spirits of those who have depart* and this life since the present assembly began, * its meeting ; could they tell you of the % scenes that in the last few moments have burst upon their view ; some perhaps un folding a tale that would harrow up the soul, others animating us by a ray of that joy which eye hath net seen nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive ; how gladly would I leave to them the pleading of this cause. But they are dead, they are gone down into silence.— Still, my lord, there are millions yet alive, and other generations unborn. By that solemn voice then, that speaks to our im agination from the graves of the departed ; and by that awful account, which we must ere long give of our religious privileges at the judgment seat of Christ, we are adjur ed to add fresh vigour to our deliberations and exertions in behalf of (hose millions that are now alive, and millions yet to live. CHRISTIANITY AND WOMAN. In a late trial in England, ofMrs. Carlisle, the wife of Richard Carlisle, (confined in prison tor the publication of blasphemous works) for the same offence, Mr. Justice Bent, in charging the jury, expressed his 44 deep regret and astonishment at seeing a woman stand tonvanl as the opponent of that system of religion from which every thing valuable to woman was derived. It was strange, he added, to see a woman for getting, that before Christianity prevailed, her sex had been but slaves to the passions of their masters; that Christianity had raised her on a level with man~had made her his companion and his equal in this world, and the joint partner of his hopes in the next.” SUBLIMITY. The six following lines on the children ‘ of Israel's departure out of Egypt, Mr. Pope thought superiour to any thing in the English language : When Egypt’s king God’s chosen tribes pursued, In chrystal walls the admiring waters stood ; When thro’ the desert wild they took their way, I he rocks relented and pour’d forth a sea : ’ vt hat limits can Almighty Goodness know, When seas tan harden, and when rocks can flow ?