tiring zeal and ardor for the salvation of souls, he should evince that it is the language of the heart.

We have said that the churches are willing to support missions; and we again advert to the enlightened spirit of charity which so much pervades many of our churches in relation to the aid which should be given in the translation and circulation of the Scriptures, and the preaching of the gospel among those who are ignorant of its truths.

We have been much gratified when witnessing the departure of missionaries to see the generous feelings of Christian friends, emulating each other in acts of kindness, and doing all in their power by furnishing many of the delicacies of life for their passage, and thus to lessen, as far as practicable, all the inconveniences and sufferings of a long sea voyage. Nor is this all. They wish to contribute for their comfort after they shall have arrived at their place of destination. Every friend of missions wishes that those who are engaged in this important work should, as far as possible, in their secluded situation, participate the blessings and comforts which they have been accustomed to enjoy while in the bosom of their friends.

There

This is equally important to the missionaries, and to those whom they instruct. In all ages, where men have lived without the influence of christianity, they have been found destitute of those means of rational enjoyment which raise man above the beasts that perish. The comforts of civilized life always accompany the blessings of the gospel as one of its legitimate consequences. can be no doubt, but that the heathen often feel a conviction of the superior excellence of Christianity, by witnessing the neatness and decency of its teachers, and by beholding the order, fitness, and systematic arrangement of their frugal household establishments. The heathen should see that the bounties of providence from the Christian's God are received from his hand with gratitude, and if thus received, that the tendency is to purify and sanctify the heart. In this manner godliness is profitable for this life as well as for that which is to come.

We entreat our brethren duly to consider this subject in all its branches. Let a deep conviction of the need of an increased number of missionaries, and of the aid required for their comfort and usefulness, rest on every mind. The result of such a conviction will be, more labor, and much more fervent supplication to God. Our daily prayer should be, "thy kingdom come." ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers" was the direction of the Lord of the harvest, and is the importunate exhortation of

“Pray

MISSIONS.

PALEY'S NATURAL THEOLOGY, ILLUSTRATED BY PAXTON'S PLATES, AND BY ORIGINAL AND SELECTED NOTES, &c. BY A PROFESSIONAL GENTLEMAN, OF BOSTON.

ST. PAUL has conclusively remarked, that as every house is builded by some man, so he that built all things is God: That is, as the various conveniences, which a habitation for man presents,

evince it to have been the work of a designing agent, so the order and beauty of creation, and its adaptation to the wants and convenience and happiness of created beings, prove it to have been the work of an almighty, wise, and benevolent Being. A demonstration of this truth, is the object of Paley's Theology; and the greatest success has crowned the effort. An unanswerable argument for the being and attributes of Deity are here presented, from a survey of his works. The treatise is used in many seminaries as a class book; but it is also appropriate for every library, and for every person of taste and reading. No period, perhaps, in the history of the United States, has rendered it more desirable, than the present, to place a work of this character in the hands of the young, as various efforts are made, which are calculated to undermine sound principles in morals and religion.

The following appropriate remarks on this work are extracted from the Edingburg Review for Oct. 1827.

"A quarter of a century has elapsed since the publication of Dr. Paley's admirable work, in which he applied the learning of Ray and Derham to a far more argumentative use, than they had been equal to; and brought their physical statements down to the present improved condition of our natural knowledge. But it seems singular, that a work so popular as the author's great name, and its own real merits, made it from the day of its publication, should not, until now, have received the aid and ornament of those illustrations which, with so little trouble, and so moderate a portion of learning, might, at any time, have been bestowed upon it, and which the nature of the subject in many places required. Dr. Paley, as is well known, relies entirely upon the attention and fancy of his reader to follow him in his descriptions, both of structure and functions. When a complicated contrivance, therefore, in animal and vegetable nature is to be unfolded, there is frequently some difficulty in keeping steadily before the mind's eye the picture which his unassisted language, how plain and graphic soever, presents. Readers unacquainted with the sciences are, above all, apt to be embarrassed by this; and even those who are generally possessed of the requisite information, unless they happen to recollect the form of the thing described, from having actually seen it represented before, cannot attain so clear and precise a notion of it, as if they had it pictured before them. Now all this could be remedied with great ease by a few drawings, and some notes referring to them. Mr. Paxton has first thought of supplying the desideratum, and he has executed the task, in a manner so satisfactorily, as well deserve the thanks of the public. So much of the subject belongs to anatomy and physiology, that it was plainly desirable it should be done by a surgeon; and if the difficulty of finding one disposed so to occupy himself was considerable, the obligation he has laid us under is proportionably great.

Mr. Paxton very properly begins with the outset of Paley's argument, where he makes that plain and homely, but powerful and characteristic statement, of the different conclusions drawn by an observer from a stone which he chances to pick up, and a watch, should he, for the first time, find one. A plate is then given, of the various parts of watchwork taken to pieces, with their names and uses very curiously stated in a note. Sections and figures of the eye and ear follow; then extremely good drawings of the skull and vertebræ, the ribs, bones, and joints of the legs and arms, muscles and tendons of

the various parts, the heart, stomach, and other principal organs of the trunk, with the leading vessels separately. There are also two figures, exceedingly well contrived for showing the parts in their connexion, the one enabling us to trace the course of the food from its reception through the alimentary canal, to its final elaboration and reception into the thoracic duct, and the other exhibiting, what Paley calls the packing of the body. After illustrating by appropriate figures of the infantine gums, and the fœtal heart and arteries, the extraordinary provisions of a prospective nature-the preparations made before hand, with a view to a use which is to spring up or arise after a considerable interval of time, there are excellent plates of the duck's bill, the air bladder of fishes, the fangs of snakes, and several other subjects in comparative anatomy; and a plate exhibiting the structure of the sting and proboscis of insects of varions kinds, as seen by the microscope. Some very neat figures are also given of the parts of plants. There are also diagrams in one plate showing Saturn and his ring, and illustrating the statement of the planetary motions."

The present edition of the Natural Theology, lately published in Boston, contains Paxton's Illustrations, here described, comprising forty pages of beautifully executed copperplate engravings, consisting of nearly one hundred and fifty figures. The American Editor has added a variety of valuable Notes, original and selected, and annexed a Vocabulary of scientific terms, which greatly increase the utility of the work. Its cheapness, considering the number of engravings, will recommend it to extensive patronage.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

PHYSICAL EDUDATION.

THERE is not a greater desideratum in our whole system of education in this country, than a provision for a suitable quantity of athletic exercise in the everyday business of the student's life. And so long as this branch of education is unattended to, we can never hope to number among the literati of our country, long-lived, profound, practical, and efficient men.

That such a branch of physical education, as is everywhere needed, may be organized and carried into successful operation, appears perfectly feasible. In its organization it will require much practical wisdom; and in perfecting the system it may require inuch patient investigation and some unsuccessful experiments. But that a union of physical and intellectual culture are practicable, is evident from every lesson of experience, and every principle of philosophy and

common sense.

There are two things which ought to be regarded as first principles by those who are about to organize a system of physical education. First, the exercise should be productive manual labor. This is required by the constitution of our nature. Second, there must be attached to this branch of education a suitable importance. This is required by the weakness of our nature.

It is gratifying to perceive that the attention of many great and good men is beginning to be turned to this subject. Such a branch of education is imperiously called for by those who are preparing for the

ministry. In most cases, their previous habits, their age, and the intenseness of their application, render it absolutely necessary that a considerable portion of their time be spent in manual labor.

We are happy to state for the information of those who feel interested upon this subject, that the Trustees of Newton Theological Institution have determined to erect immediately, a commodious workshop for the accommodation of students at those seasons of the year, when every day labor at farming, is less convenient. There is connected with the Institution, also, a beautiful farm of 80 acres now under a high state of cultivation, which together with the workshop, will form a very suitable arena for the developement of physical powers.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

MAINE BRANCH OF THE NORTHERN BAPTIST EDUCATION SOCIETY.

This Society was formed at North Yarmouth, on the 6th of October, during the meeting of the Maine Baptist State Convention. There being present at this meeting a full representation from every section of the State, embracing most of their ablest ministers, and many of their most efficient laymen, the occasion seemed to be a favorable one for accomplishing an object so important, as that of forming an Education Society for the State. The measure was entered into with perfect unanimity of feeling and of judgment.

During the sitting of the Convention a public meeting was held upon the subject of ministerial education, when a most honorable testimony was given in favor of its utility by several individuals, who had toiled faithfully and successfully in the vineyard of Jesus Christ, unblessed with its advantages. Such testimony, which we not unfrequently hear from those who have felt the need of this help-meet, during a life of toilsome labor, is calculated greatly to invigorate both those who are seeking an education, and those who are laboring to multiply the facilities for acquiring it.

This infant Society have before them an inviting field of labor. They encompass a broad surface, and number a great many churches. And to facilitate their labors they have in their midst a well-officered and flourishing College.

Nearly one hundred churches in the State of Maine are destitute of pastors; but God is evidently raising up within that State many who are to become the ministers of his word. There are said to be at least thirty young men within the State, at this time, of promising talents for the ministry. And in relation to these hopeful candidates, the Agent of the Convention, the Rev. Mr. Fogg, in his report before the late annual meeting of that body has remarked as follows: "In almost every place where I have been, young men, hopefully pious, and called of God, I trust, to the ministry, are coming forward to this work. And it is to me an encouraging circumstance, that these young men do not feel willing to come forward, without some further attainments in human and divine knowledge. This trait in their character is pleasing, as it is an indication that they have some just conceptions of the importance of the work. We cannot, perhaps, do a greater service to the church at present, than to exercise a watchful care over these young men, now coming forward to the ministry, and afford them all needful aid, and continue to pray the Lord of the harvest to raise up more. May the Lord direct and succeed all our JAN. 1831.

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efforts to promote his glory, and the enlargement and purity of his kingdom."

Vigorous measures have been taken by this Society to raise, for im mediate use, the sum of five hundred dollars. This amount is nearly equal to the support of seven young men for one year.

The following persons by the concurrence of the Board of the parent Society constitute the three examining committees of this Society.

Rev. Daniel Merrill,
Rev. Jas. Gillpatrick,
Rev. T. B. Ripley.

Examining Committees.
Prof. Conant,
Rev. Joseph Torrey,
Rev. J. Chaplin, D.D.

Rev. Geo. Leonard,
Rev. Alonzo King,
Rev. Adam Wilson.

VERMONT BRANCH OF THE NORTHERN BAP. EDUC. SOCIETY.

This Society was formed at Hynesburg on the 24th of October, at a meeting of the Vermont Baptist State Convention, held in that place. Our brethren in this State have long appreciated an educated ministry, and in various ways they have made praiseworthy and honorable exertions to encourage those who were seeking to obtain this goodly pearl.

The constitution of this Society is essentially the same as that of the other branches. They choose, however, that their students, for the present, be received as heretofore, under the patronage of the parent Society, and receive their quarterly appropriations from its treasury, and that their treasurer make remittances of the whole amount of their funds to the treasurer of the parent Society. They have two examining committees, one upon the west side of the mountains, and one upon the east side. Persons who wish the patronage of the Society, will make application to one of these examining committees. And after an individual has been examined, the committee will represent his case to the Board, by whom he will be received and recommended to the Board of the parent Society. And when an individual has been thus examined and recommended, he may be received by the Board of the parent Society without examination.

The Northern Baptist Education Society have, from the State of Vermont, at this time, ten beneficiaries. This Branch Society have transmitted to the treasury of the parent Society sixty nine dollars, the amount of money paid into the treasury at the time of its organization. Other sums were subscribed at this time, which, together with the money paid into the treasury, amounted to more than one hundred dollars. This is a noble beginning, and it promises well for the future.

From the ability and general character of those to whom this Society have intrusted its concerns for the ensuing year, it is evident that they regard its objects with intense interest.