the truth as it is in Jesus; and that being delivered by the good Spirit of God, from the pride of reason, and every unholy passion, they may receive the kingdom of Heaven as little children.

LITERARY NOTICES.

Outlines of Geology: intended as a popular treatise on the most interesting parts of the science, together with an examination of the question, whether the days of creation were indefinite periods. Designed for the use of schools and general readers. By J. L. Comstock, M. D., Author of an Introduction to Mineralogy, &c. Hartford: D. F. Robinson & Co., 1834. pp. 336.

Dr. Comstock is known as the author of several valuable popular treatises in different departments of science, prepared we believe with care, judgement, and good taste. The present work is his latest production, and appears to be judiciously compiled from all the best and most recent sources. We know of no book so well adapted to the readers for whom it is intended, or which brings together in a moderate compass so full and clear a view of the most interesting facts and theories of this science.-But it is chiefly the spirit and tone of the work, which leads us to notice it at this time. It is throughout not only entirely free from that arrogant and sceptical disposition, which is glad to find in the facts of natural science ground to contradict or discredit revelation; but it is religious in its tendency and results. The reader will find in the articles concerning the Deluge, the coincidence of geology with the Mosaic History, the Days of Creation, the Indian Astronomical Tables, the Egyptian Zodiacs, and the Beds of Lava at Etna, a fair account and a sufficient refutation of the infidel objections to revelation urged in connexion with these topics. The conclusions of the author in favour of the Bible, are supported by the authority of the best names of the scientific world. It is of course impossible within our present limits to enter into a discussion of these topics. We may at some future time endeavour to go somewhat thoroughly and extensively into some of these questions, particularly that concerning the Days of Creation. Our present object is merely to call attention to this work, and to say that we are glad to see a popular book written in the spirit which this work exhibits; not because we are predetermined believers in revelation, and would wish to fetter investigation and suppress the facts of science, but because we believe, (and we have on our side all the names of the highest authority,) that all the facts of science may be explained, and have been explained in perfect consistency with revelation. We have no fear in submitting the Mosaic account, or any other portions of the Scriptures to the severest scrutiny, provided it be impartial and thorough; but we are always sorry and indignant to see the objections of a shallow infidelity brought out in popular works to perplex the faith of common readers, and to furnish support to those who, from moral causes, dislike the Gospel and are glad to find objections to the truth of the Bible. Difficilis est in philosophia pauca esse ei nota, cui non sint aut pleraque aut omnia: those only have a right to speak confidently in matters of philosophy who have thoroughly examined the whole ground. We often call to mind an observation we have somewhere met: in all the beggarly elements of this world's wisdom, there is nothing poorer than the philosophy of infidelity.

The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, translated out of the Latin Vulgate, diligently compared with the original Greek, and first published by the English College of Rheims, Anno 1582, with the original Preface, arguments and tables, marginal notes and annotations. which are now added an Introductory Essay, and a complete topical and textual Index. New-York; published by Jonathan Leavitt, 182 Broadway. 1834.

To

The warfare between the Protestants and Romanists, which had been so long suspended, is now reviving in all the spirit with which it was waged in the sixteenth century. The indifference and spurious liberalism which has prevailed for so long a time among Protestants in this country with regard to the existence and spread of Popery among us, is now to some extent removed. That Popery has not only got footing in our country, but is strengthening and extending itself in every direction, is made obvious by facts which are every day disclosed. The efforts made by the Papists to establish their religion here, are conducted with that secresy, and skilful accommodation of themselves to circumstances, which have ever characterized the propagandists of Romanism. Many have therefore doubted both whether such efforts are made, and whether the spread of Romanism, in the modified form in which it appears among us, is to be regarded as an evil. Could the Christian community be made to see and feel, that Popery, involving all the absurdities and impieties which awoke the opposition of the Reformers, really exists still, and holds multitudes among us fast bound in its fatal delusions, there would doubtless be an end of the apathy which has prevailed on this subject.

The republication of the Rhemish Testament-a work which has been authorized by the dignitaries of the Catholic Church-will furnish ample evidence of what Romanism is, and that it is unaltered in any of its essential features. In the portraiture which is here given of it, by its own painters, we see the supremacy of Peter, the infallibility of the Pope, the worship of the Virgin Mary, the prohibition of the Scriptures, communion only in one kind, transubstantiation, penance, purgatory, and all the other errours and corruptions which made this system hateful to the early Reformers. Should it be said, that although this Commentary on the New Testament may be regarded as a just delineation of Romanism as it was, or as it still is in Europe, it cannot be allowed to exhibit that system as it now exists in our free and enlightened republic; it might be answered that the doctrines specified may be equally deduced from the Gospels of the Rhemish doctors, printed by Wm. Duffy, Georgetown, D. C., 1817, and "approved by Leonard, Archbishop of Baltimore," and from other works approved and circulated in the Catholic Church.

The original edition of the Rhemish Testament was published in 1582, and though often republished since, had become very scarce. Its republication at the present day, we think, therefore, very timely. Those who wish to inform themselves respecting the true nature of this mysterious system, which so early darkened the rising day of Christianity, and whose lingering clouds seem ever ready to close again, and shut out the light of heaven, will do well to study this volume. It is not improbable that the church in this country may be compelled to contend with this spiritual hierarchy, which has been transplanted from its native region of despotism, and strangely thrives in the soil of civil freedom. It certainly, then, behooves especially the ministers of Christ, and all who love his cause, to prepare themselves for this contest, by making themselves fully acquainted with the real principles of Romanism.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

The United States.

OUR country has been in an extraordinary state of agitation through the last few months, and the distress of the commercial community is regarded as unprecedented, except in periods of war or extreme danger. The condition of the country, connected with the prospects of trade, was peculiarly favourable the last autumn; and intelligent men generally agree in the opinion, that one of the chief causes of the change which has taken place was the removal of the public deposites, amounting to eight or nine millions, from the Bank of the United States. This measure, which has occupied a large share of attention in both houses of Congress, has been represented by some as having exercised but a secondary influence upon the state of the country: while others have regarded it, in connexion with the measures which preceded it, and those which were resorted to by the Executive in order to produce it, as having given the great blow to public confidence. The opposition of the President to the Bank, and his supposed intentions to resist its rechartering, seem to have rendered monied men apprehensive of the security not only of that stock, but of other stocks; and this acted also upon individual credit, and an almost total suspension of business in the principal cities, was the result.

Public confidence is now to some degree restored, and business has partially revived. But the effect of this derangement must be felt for a long time to come. The measures of government by which the general prosperity of the country has been affected, have had an influence as might have been expected, upon the state of political parties. The disastrous influence of political mismanagement upon the best interests of the community, has happily awakened multitudes of the intelligent and virtuous to the discharge of long neglected duties to the government under which they live.

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Great Britain.

The king stated, in his speech at the opening of parliament, that more numerous and more important questions" were brought under consideration the last session," than during any former period of similar duration." He anticipated the happiest results, from the manner in which the bill for the abolition of slavery has been received" throughout the British Colonies, and the progress already made in carrying it into execution by the Legislature of the island of Jamaica."

The principal subjects recommended to Parliament this year were improvements, or reformation in the municipal corporations, in the poor laws, and in the ecclesiastical revenues and patronage in England and Wales.

The king mentioned the continuance of distress amongst the proprietors and occupiers of land; though in other respects there were the "most encouraging prospects of progressive improvement." He recommended the final adjustment of tythes in Ireland; but regretted the continuance of attempts to incite the people of that country, to demand a repeal of the legislative union.

Numerous petitions have been sent into Parliament, in favour of the Dissenters; and a meeting of above eight hundred dissenting clergymen was held at Manchester, for the purpose of petitioning for the entire separation of church and state. Some of the late papers assert, that the bill which was to be introduced on this subject, would be directed at a complete removal of the disabilities of Dissenters.

About the middle of February, a vote was passed by the House of Commons, 219 to 42, to convert the tythes of Ireland first into a land tax, payable to the Crown, which is to support the Clergy out of the proceeds; and ultimately to redeem the land tax, and purchase landed property with the price of its redemption. It was argued, that the tythes belong either to the church or to the Crown, the land owners having no property in

them; and that the existing clergymen have a claim upon them, which need not be conferred upon their successors.

The bill for the relief of agricultural distress gave rise to discussions and votes, which showed that a strong influence existed in its favour. The Commons agreed to the proposition of the ministry, to reduce the usual navy estimates by five hundred seamen, and to place in their stead a thousand boys: that is, they fixed the number of seamen, mariners and boys to be employed at 27,500. It was stated by Sir James Graham, while this was under discussion, that of the fifty millions which constitute the expenditure of the country, thirty-five millions consisted of items over which the government had no controul; and upon the remaining fifteen millions, a reduction of twenty per cent. had already been made, while half a million more was to be deducted this year. In the last three years the navy estimates have been reduced more than a million; and this year there will be a further reduction of one hundred and eighty thousand pounds. A great part of the saving had been made in half pay. Of this nearly twenty-five thousand pounds have been reduced, in the estimates for 1834 and 1835. Sir James considered it not safe, in the present state of Europe, to weaken the principal arm of the national defence.、 The army is to be reduced so that the entire force shall not exceed eighty thousand men. More than 300 officers and 8,000 privates are to be reduced.

The leading items in Lord Althorp's financial statement for the year are the following: the balance of revenue over expenditure, £1,500,000; a saving of £500,000 by reductions in the ex-" penses; £600,000 from an improvement in the tea duty; so that the total surplus will be £2,600,000. Subtract from this £800,000, the interest on twenty millions granted to the West India planters, and £600,000 to be kept on hand as a surplus. It is viewed with gratification, that the liberation of eight hundred thousand negroes will require no new taxes this year. "In conclusion," a British paper remarks, "when the reductions announced are made, the ministers will have repealed nearly four millions and a half of taxes in three years, and have paid the price of abolishing