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heart of this devout man, a peace and sat- 1 isfactioo which no reflections upon human merit could bestow. He seems to have ac quired a completely new idea of Christian theology, and could doubtless henceforth practically adopt the animating language of hi* own church in the 11th article, “ that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of com fort.” There are several ways in which the dis tress of Dr. Johnson, during his latter years, may be considered, of which the most correct, perhaps, is that of its having been permitted as a kind and fatherly chas tisement from the Almighty for the incon sistencies of his life. Both Johnson him self, and his most partial biographer inti mate that his character was not perfectly free even from gross sins; but omitting these unpleasant recollections, we are at least certain that his general habits and com panions during a considerable part of his life, were not such as a strictly consistent Christian would have chosen, because they were not such as could in any way conduce to his spiritual comfort or improvement. — Dr. J. was, indeed, called in the usual course of Providence, to “live in the worldbut it was his duty so to have lived in it, “ as net of itand with the high sense w hich he uniformly entertained of religion, and the vast influence which he bad justly acquired in society, his conduct and example would have been of the great est service in persuading men to a holy as well as virtuous life, to a cordiai and com plete self-dedication to God, as well as to a general decorum and purity of conduct. It is certain that, in reflecting on his past life, he did not view it as haring been truy and decidedly Christian. He even prays in his dying hours that God would “ pardon his late conversion thus evidencing’ not simply the usual humility and contrition of every genuine Christian, but, in addihou to this, a secret consciousness that his heart had never before been entirely “right with God.” Had Johnson survived this period of his decisive “ conversion,” wo might have ex pected to have seen throughout his con duct that he bid indeed become “ anew creature in Christ Jesus.” His respect for religion, and his general excellence of character, could not perhaps, have admit ted of much visible change for the better; but in heavenly-iuindedoess, iu love and zeal for the souls of men, in deadness to the world and to fame, in the choice of hooks and companions, and in the exhibi tion of all those spiritual graces which be long peculiarly to the Christian nature, we might and must have beheld a marked im provement. In-t.’ad of being merely the Seneca of the English nation, he might pos sibly have become its St Paul, and would, doubtless, in future, have embodied his moral injections, not in the coldMfc-m of ethical philosophy, or even the generalities of the Christian religion, but in an ardent \ love to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; in a union to the Redeemer, and a j dependence upon that Holy Spirit who is the Enlightener and Sanctifier. That such a supposition is not visionary, may be prov ed even from the meagre, accounts afforded *>y a spectator who would of course be in clined rather to soften down than to give prominence to any thing which might he construed into “ fanatici-m.” We learn, then, from this witness, that, in point of j fact, there was already a marked alteration in Dr. Johnson’s language upon religion, as instead of spending his time upon barren generalities, “he talked often about the necessity of faith in J esus.” That of which Dr. Johnson spoke thus, earnestly, and of ten, must doubtless have appeared to him as of the utmost importance ; and we have to lament—if inde< and any dispensation o’ Providence may ha lawfully lamented, — that Johnson had not lived to check the Felagianism anil Pharisaism of his age by proclaiming “often,” and with all the weight ofhis authority,that “faith in the sacrifice of Jesus is necessary ;” beyond all good works whatever, for the salvation of mankind. It will of course, be readily allowed, that the constitutional melancholy of this great man might have had much influence in causing this religious depression ; hut what ever may have been the proximate cause, the affliction itself may still be viewed as performing the office of parental correction to reclaim his relapses, and teach him the hatefulness and f.’ly of sin. Bat without speculating upon either the final or the efficient cause, the medium through which that cause operated, was evidently an in distinctness in his views respecting the na ture of the Redeemer’s atonement ; an indistinctness common toDr. Johnson, with no small class of moralists and learned men. He believed generally in the sacri fice of Chr-ist, but lie knew little of its ful ness and freeness, and he was unable to ap propriate it to hi? own case. He was, per haps, little in the habit of contemplating the Son of God as “a great Il'gh Priest, who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” and who is graciously inter ceding on our behalf. The character of the Almighty as a reconciled Father and Friend, with whom he was to have daily “communion and fellowship,” was less prominent in his thoughts than those attri butes which render him “ a consuming fire.” He feared and respected religion rather than loved it, and by building his structure for nanny years on a self-righteous foundation, he rendered the whole fabrick liable to be overthrown by the first attack of an accusing conscience. In reply to any general inference to be derived from these remarks, it may he urg ed. that Dr. Johnson’s was -a peculiar and exempt case ; and that his painful feeling of sin, and- his consequent dissatisfaction with his own righteousness, were rather the effect ofhis natural malady than of any peculiarly correct ideas upon religion. 1 But even admitting this to have been the fact, the inference is still nearly the same, for who can assert that either his under standing or his character has been supe riour to Dr. Johnson's, and that therefore he may be justly sustained in death by a sep.port which this eminent man —from w hatever cause—found unavailing. If the greatest moralist of bis age and nation was obliged, at length, to seek repose in the same free mercy which pardoned the thief upon the cross, who that knows his own heart will henceforth venture to glory in himself? The conscience may, indeed, be seared ; we may not feel as Johnson felt; we may be ignorant both of God aud our selves; and thus, for-want of knowing or believing our spiritual danger, may leave the world with a false tranquillity,and enter the presence of our Creator “ with a lie in our right hand.” All this, however, is our, misfortune, and ought not to he our boast; for, if our minds were as religiously en-j lightened, and our hearts as correctly irn- 1 pressed as Dr. Johnson’s, we could obtain | hope only where he obtained it, by “ faith in the sacrifice of Jesus.” PALESTINE MISSION. From the Journal of Messrs. Parsons and Fisk during a Tour in Jlsia Minor. [Continued from pape 54.] From the Missionary Herald. Friday , JYov. 17. Brother Parsons’ ill ness continues. It is now more than a week since it commenced. If we pursueour way, as we had intended, to Laodicea, and theuce to Smyrna by Ephesus, we must travel a considerable distance in a barbarous part of the country, with the prospect of very bad accommodations. It is disagreeable to think o( returning without visiting all the Seven Churches. But Providence seems to call us to do so. Laodicea is, at present al most nothing but ruins ; and that part of the country presents very little oppormniiy for j missionary labour. We cannot think it our duty to risk health and life, by pursuing the journey iu onr present circumstances, and accordingly resolve to return to Smyrna. Before we left town, one priest bought a Greek, and another a Turkish Testament. We saw three priests together reading them. The schoolmaster consented to act as agent for the sale of Testaments, m case we should send him some. We gave him tracts for his pupils, and had the pleasure of seeing him call them, one by one, and give each a tract, with a special charge to read it carefully. This is one of the few Greek schools, in which something like or der is maintained, and the children are taught to understand what they read. Description of Cussabar. Saturday, 13. In six hours we arrived at Cassabar. Neßr this town (he plain, in which we have been travelling, is divided by Mount Sypilus. One part extends west towards Magnisia and Menimen. Through this the Hermus runs. The other part ex tends toward Smyrna to the S. W. running between Mount Sypilus and Mount Tinolus. A few moments after we arrived it began to rain. Lord's Day. Nov. 19. It is pleasant to have a room by ourselves on the Sabbath. The morning was tranquil, and we seemed to feel something of the sacrednes of the day, though surrounded by the noise and bustle of business. Martino told some per sons last evening, that we wish to see the Greek priests, and about noon three priests i and a schoolmaster came to see us. The ! teacher has a school of 30 pupils. They ; told us, that there are in Cassabar 6,000 j houses. But from the appearance ofihe town, we apprehend this siimate to be much too largo. They say 300 houses are Greek, and there are a few Jews. There are 6 or 7 mosques, and one Greek church, with 4 priests. We gave 40 tracts to the master for his school, and about as many to the priests, one of them having requested some for a small village in the neighbour hood. They left ns with many wishes and prayers for our prosperity, and sent us a plattpr of fowls and herbs for our journey. At 2 o’clock, two monks from one of the monasteries of Mount Athos came to our room, requesting tracts and a Testament for their monastery. We gave them 40 tracts, and sold them the only Testament we bad remaining, which we had intended for the church at Magnisia. Toward eve ning applications for tracts were numerous. We save away all we had, except a small number for Magnisia, and then closed our door to prevent further applications. One of the men, who called on us. said he had a Roinaick Testament, which be bought in Smyrna. In this country it is a rare thing to find a man, who has the word of God in his own tongue. Monday , 20. At half past seven we left Cassabar, and after riding 3 hour# over the plain we came to the east end of Mount Sy pilus, and Continued our course at the foot of it on the N. side. For about 2 hours we found the mountain high and steep, compo sed principally of lime stone, and conse quently barren. A little before we reach- Magnisia, we found it composed of earth & covered with grain and grass, the height not so great and the ascent more gradu al. Description of Magnisia. Reached Magnisia after a ride of five hours and a half from Cassabar. As we en tered the town we counted 20 minarets. I The mosques, as well as their minarets, are painted white, and give the city a more splendid appearance than we have before seen in Asia. We put up at a Khan. To ward evening went out to see the priests Si the school. Found several priests togeth er, and gave them tracts. One of them ’ went with us to visit the schoolmaster. He I is a pupil of Benjamin; has taught this school ’ 4 years; and has now about 50 scholars, i j The Priests tell us, that there are in town ‘. 33 mosques, 2 of which have a minaret at ! each end—2 synagogues, 2 Armenian, and I I Greek church—3, or 400 Armenian bou- 58 ! 9es, 100, or 160 Jr wisß,fncl 800 Greek house*, and priests. Gave the instructor some hfjkts for bis school, and i agreed with him to act as agent for the sale lof Testaments. He thinks if 20 are sent, I be can sell them soon. ’ | Magnisia lies at the foot ot Mount Sypi lus, on the north, about 25 miles N. E. from Smyrna. The streets are wide aud the houses better than we have seen in any other town on onr juerney, and the market is well supplied. This is the place called Magnisia ud Sypilnin. Magnisia ad Mean driipi, more celebrated in anrient history than this place, is situated on (he Meander, j betwen Ephesus and Laodicea. It is now j Called Guzel-hissar. That is the town, which was given to Themistocles, to pro cure bread for his table. Return to Smyrna. Tuesday , 21. Left Magnisia at half after j seven for Smyrna. At 9we left the plain j of the Hermus and entered a narrow valley, |in which a small rivulet descends from ; mount Sypilus—rode half an hour along the stream, and then began to ascend the moun tain. This is the first mountain, which we have had to cross during our'tonr. A little before 11, we reached the summit. Here we had anticipated a delightful and exten sive view. But (he heavy fug completely disappointed our expectations ; and we could hut just discern the distant summits of j Tinolus, Fagus, and the Two Brothers. ! At half past eleven we stopped to dine at a Greek tavern, near a small village. While we w ere eating, a Turkish janizary came in, and ate his dinner, and drank with it, at least a pint of raki. (brandy.) Such is the regard which Turks pay to the laws of their religion, when no other Mahometans are present. Leaving Bournabat on our right, and Had gilar on the left, we reached Smyrna be tween 4 and 5. The Messrs. Vanlenneps bade us welcome, and invited us to take a room in their house, and a seat at their ta ble, until their families return from their coantry seat. In this journey, we were absent from Smyrna 21 days, and rode about 100 hours, probably 300 miles. Iu time of sickness, the Lord has healed us. In time of danger, he has defended us. In time of doubt, he has guided us. We have had opportunity to ow some precious seed. It may lie bu ried long in the earth ; hut the crop, we trust, is insured. FROM THE S. EVANGELICAL INTELLIGENCER. “ If two of you shall agree on earth , as touch ing any thing they shall ask ; it will be dune for them of my Father in heaven. Matthew xviii. 19. Christians, can there be a more positive assurance ? zao there be a stronger founda tion for hope, that God will bow a propi tious ear to the requests of his children, than that contained iu these words ? Idle or unmeaning expressions flowed not from those lips which spake as never man spake ; they are full of instruction and direction and are to be made a practical use of. Several interesting questions arise to the mind, from a contemplation of this important portion of Scripture. If God is thus gracious, why does religion languish and decline in our city ? Why is it that we so seldom hear sinners inquiring, what they shall do to be saved ? Why, oh why, do they continue with thoughtless impetuosity to rush upon the thick bosses of Jehovah’s buckler, to throng the broad road which leads to destruction, and thus rapidly people those awful regions of woe and despair, which hope never illumines? I? it because there are none to care for these precious souls; no two children of God, whose feet have been taken out of the deep pit and miry clay, and established upon the rock of ages, sufficiently interest ed, to unite in offering the effectual fervent prayer of faith, for the salvation of sinners around them? Or have we bowed the knee in prayer, while the inward thought of our hearts has teen, if the Lord make windows in heaven, then might such things be ? We know not how to believe it possible,; that any one who has tasted that the Lord is gracious, could rest satisfied while end-: loss perdition awaited the most of those; with wftom they are surrounded. Surely, ! if any gracious compassion dwelt in our 1 hooms, we would with strong crying and! tears importune Almighty God to snatch the | prey out of the hands of the cruel spoiler.’ Oh ! my brethren, these things ought not so to he—the fault lies somewhere. Chris tians have either been regardless of the dangerous situation of those who remain! unreconciled to God; and negligent of their I duty and privilege ; or, the ever blessed; Jehovah, (who has declared that he chang-1 os not) has ceased to be a prayer hearing and a prayer answering God. We have most abundant convincing testimony, that tie latter is not the case. His own holy Word, and special answers to prayer in the i present age, fully demonstrate it. Daily do we (or may we) read of the out-pouring ofihe Holy Spirit in different sections of our highly favoured country ; and, almost in everv case, this effusion has been pre ceded by an uncommon spirit of supplica tion.—Thousands have been brought to the knowledge of God, who can in no other way account for their conversion, than that God has shewn mercy to them-in answer to praver. And shall we, my brethren, con tinue to live at this poor dying rate ? Are there no tender sympathies in our souls to be touched ? We profess to be. the follow ers of Christ, and to be daily striving after j conformity to his image; but is there not I awful reason to fear, that we profess, with out possessing any of that mind which was jin him. He could, and did weep over sin | ners—he did more—he agonized, and died, i to obtain their salvation. But we, who 1 were under like condemnation, feel nothing ;' n comparison of what we ought to feel on 1 so important an occasion, I But if our hearti nre steeled against the] miseries of our race, there is another con- 1 sideration which ought to excite and anim ate, it any thing can. It is the constraining principle of love to Christ. Has he done so much for us, and shall we be unmindful of his glory ?—Do we know, that every soul brought into his kingdom, increases his revenue of praise—causes the heavenly choir anew to tune their harps—to strike a higher, sweeter note of praise to God, and to the Lamb who eitteth upon the throne! The inquiry now remains, whether we | shall sit supinely down till summoned to the j bar of God to give and account of the deeds j done in the body ?—Eternal Jehovah ! in mercy forbid it ! If we are Christians, we must be up and doing; every encourage ment is afforded ; the Lord of the vineyard is as ready to bestow a blessing upon tis, as he has been upon those who commenced their labour at the dawning of the present glorious day. Unitedly and individually we must besiege the throne of Grace, and give the Lord no rest until he make onr Jerusa lem a praise and joy in the earth ; —ever hearing in mind the delightful truth that God loves our importuuity, and has said that he will he inquired offor all these bles sings. Oh that every one, who has an in terest at the throne of Grace, would con sider this weighty subject. Time is short —Eternity rolls on speedily. A CAROLINIAN. TEMPTATION. The following extract is from an eloquent ser mon preached by the Rev. Mr. S. at Manches ter, Eng. in 1820. It was taken down in short hand by a gentleman who went to that place to attend the races; and had such a happy influence on his mind as to induce him to forsake the giddy gronpe at the race course, (though he had come 20 miles for that purpose) and to attend to the important concerns of his soul’s welfare. We not only wish that others, in a similar situation may experience the same happy effects by its perusal, hut that professors also may be warn ed to flee from temptation, and avoid the enours so glowingly delineated. — S. Ev. Intel. EXTRACT. “ Lead us not into temptation , but deliver us from ttilV Mat. vi. 13. Will you excuse me, my friends, if I tell you what past in my mind while studying this important part of Scripture ? I was led back in imagination to that interesting pe riod when Adam, our great progenitor, re ceived his existence. 1 beheld him in the garden of Eden, happy in the enjoyment of God, happy in the possession of holiness ; presently afterwards I saw him expelled those blessed scenes—l saw horrour, guilt, remorse, in his countenance ; I heard Abra ham, the father of the faithful, prevaricate, and tutor his wife in the arts of deception. I beheld a Davjd, unmindful of his duty, profession or danger, the slave of sensual appetite, the intriguing adulterer, the de signing murderer. I saw a Solomon, the wisest of mortals, prostituting his fine, his almost godlike powers, and employing them in the most detestable pursuits; giv ing himself up to idolatry, wine and wo men. 1 heard a Peter swear—the disciple sink into the liar—the boasting champion changed into the cowardly deserter, the friend and companion of Jesus denying his Lord. Confounded and alarmed, I inquired the reason of this : Why Adam was banish ed Paradise ? Why Abraham proved un faithful ? How David contracted the double stain of infamy ? Solomon turned libertine ? Peter a blasphemer ? The Scripture told me it was owing to the force ofTemptation. From this lower world my imagination soared to the celestial regions. I thought I heard their transporting songs : I witnes sed their extactick rapture : I listened to their language, and one great object of ex ultation was, “ through manifold tempta tions we have entered i.he kingdom.”— From heaven my view was directed to the horrid gulf of darkness. I would have read their tragick history, but I durst ftot! yet, amid their incessant howlings one sentiment was audible : “ We have been led captive by the devil at his will; we are fallen the miserable victims of temptation.” Again I looked around me, and I saw, with pain, thousands of my fellow men listening to the tale of deception, and walking in the paths of the destroyer. I anticipated their end—my heart trembled. Among the rest did 1 forget myself? Did I forget you, my dear brethren ? No : but I saw both myself and you in a dangerous world, surrounded with enemies, ever liable to temptations, prone to wander; and I knew, without om nipotent grace, we could not stand. Enough t I felt the force of the petition, and was in voluntarily led to pray, (may you all pray with me) —Almighty Father, lead us not in to temptation, but deliver us from evil.” It is too often the case, that the wounded hearts of surviving friends are lacerated by intrusions of acquaintance, who with too little feeling or without an appropriate sympathy, obtrude their company merely to say, We lament your loss! Those who at such seasons are the most suitably affected, will probably manifest their kindness by an “expressive silence.” The following passage on the practice we contemn, is from “the Idle Man,” which we will entitle Retirement the Mourner's Privilege. Is it not enough to see our friends die, and part with them the remainder of our days—to reflect that we shall hear their voices no more, and that they will never look on us again—to see that turning to corruption, which was hut just now alive, and eloquent and beautiful with all the sen sations of the soul ? Are our sorrows so sa cred and peculiar as to make the world as vanity to us, and the men of it as strangers, and shall we not be left to our afflictions for a few hours ? Must we be brought out at such a time to the concerned or careless gaze of those we know not, or be made to hear the formal proffers of consolations from acquaintances, who will go away and forget it all ? Shall we not he suffered a little while, a holy and healing communion with the dead? Must the kindred stillness! and gloom of our dwelling be changed for the solemn show, the pal!, the talk of the pattCMbby,* and Ihe broad and piercing light ofthe <SBmm<*> snn? Musi the cereniuines of the world wait on us even to the open graves of our friends ? [Ch. Watchman. HOPE FOR SAILORS. New-York, Aug. 24. Pursuant to arrangements between a Committee of the Port of New-York Soci ety and Commodore Stewart, divine service was attended on Tuesday evening on board the U. S. ship of the line Franklin, now at anchor opposite the Battery. Several cler gymen and a number of citizens were pres ent, who had the satisfaction of witnessing a scene which they will not forget. tween 7 and 800 persons being assembled on the deck of this noble ship, the Rev. Dr. Spring addressed the throne of grace, after which that venerable apostle ofthe seamen the Rev. Mr. Eastburn, of Philadelphia de livered a short but appropriate discourse. The Rev Dr. Staughton, of Philadelphia closed the exercises by prayer and bene diction. The utmost decorum, and at inter vals the most touching solemnity, prevailed throughout the exercises. Much is due to the cheerfulness with which the overture of the committee was received by Com. Stewart, as well as to the promptness and civility of Lieut- Hunter, and all the officers of the ship, for the regularity and accommo dations of the meeting. AN INDIAN CADET. Among the number of Cadets at West Point, is one who is an Indian, the son of a Creels chief This lad is now perhaps 17 years old, with a fine form, and an intelli gent pleasant countenance. His name is David Moniac. We have been particular in our inquiries respecting this lad, because we thought it a favourable opportunity to settle the question, whether savages can he Iparned the manners of the In conversation with an intelligent young geritleman of the corps, we inquired if the fellow students of Moniac had any doubt that an Indian could be civilized: “No” said he, “ Moniac has a good mind, he is in no respect inferiour, he will make a fine of fficer ; he will never do any thing to dis grace himself or ns.” This youth, taken as he was from an untutored savage life with no father at hand to enforce°obedi euce, voluntarily remaining under the rio- 0 - rous discipline of the West Point Academy, and maintaining a full share of reputation among his fet.'ow students, puts an end to the theory that savages cannot be civilized. Post. Rcc. FOREIGN ABSTRACTS. FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER. Vital religion is said to flourish more at the University of Tubingen than at any other of the universities in Germany. It has about 300 students, beside a divinity school, in which religion is taught in its pur est form, and its interests embraced with most liveliness. Falke, a distinguished nobleman of Saxe Weimar, lost, a few years since, four lovely children (all he bad) within one month This event led him to resolve on turning his attention to the deserted and helpless off. spring of abandoned pai ents. With the as sistance of some friends, he has been ena bled to form an institution whose object is not only to make these children useful mem bers of society, but “ to dedicate them to God and his Christ.” They are taught valuable trades—they are sent to Sabbath Schools—they have a Christian example before them continually. He is now the “ father” of 30© such children, who gather around him, and regard him as their tempo ral and spiritual benefactor. On hundreds and thousands of these a permanent blessing rests, and Falk lives to see the sweet frobV’ of his pious labours. r Some rich Jewish families in Wifebsk, Poland, have lately sold their houses, turn ed every thing into money, and emigrated to the Ho.y Land ; and several more in tend to do so, because they imagine that they cannot serve God aright in any other country; and because they believe that every Jew who dies in the Holy Land, is sure of eternal life and felicity. Ou°-hi not •J-jCMJta,. bp. Auxiliary Missionary Societies have been formed under happy auspices in' two of the West India islands, St. Christophers and Nevis. Snch an event shows the power of Christianity , n subdying the prejudices of he human heart, even where they exist in Ihe greatest strength-for but a few yeafe ago, the utmost hostility was through the West India islands to missions ry operations , n every shape. It wa s ap prehended, or at least asserted, that slaves could not be taught without being ruined— The best possible comment on such an opinion, and on the patient piety and per fZd ,ng r 8 r ° f l he firßt “iwionarieJ, is j found in the fact, that after a fair experi- I ma s ,n direct opposition to publick feeling, slave owners themselves are re nled S i , inl?'b , " B,on ? rie9 ‘° C ° me t 0 ,hem > pledging themselves to their support. In the island of Barbadoes are 120.000 souls, and nearly 100,000 of them slaves— In general, they are extremely corrupt— They receive no religious instruction— There is one estate, however, on which the slaves have been instructed, and most Tbil r rCa l ,he Nen Testament— , . e . instructed slaves unanimously refus al 0 join in the insurrection that took place in that ,stand four years ago, and while ev ery other estate was in confusion, the ne groes here continued at their work quietly. Two proprietors of estates in Grenada nave sent for a missionary, agreeing to sup port him during his labours.