fied simplicity of manners which altogether formed a character approaching almost to ideal excellence. In one word, Mr. Stewart was a man of excellent virtue, as well as high intellectual endowments; insomuch, that it is difficult to say whether philosophy has been most indebted to the ingenuity and eloquence with which he has illustrated her doctrines in his writings, or to the unvarying uniformity with which he exemplified her maxims in his life. To the great cause of freedom he was ardently, we might almost say enthusiastically attached; and as he indulged in that amiable spirit of optimism which looks forward with unblenching confidence to the future perfectibility of the species, he hailed Iwith peculiar satisfaction, every fresh triumph gained, whether in the New World or old, not merely as a blessing in itself, but as laying a foundation of that improvement which he delighted to contemplate even in a long and distant perspective. We need scarcely add, that he is the last but one of that constellation of philosophers, historians, poets, and men of letters, which shed such lustre over the latter half of the last century, and contributed so much to raise the literature of Scotland to the high rank which it now holds in the estimation of other countries: and though he has been gathered in by the great reaper, Death, or like a shock of corn in its season, it is impossible not to be affected with the loss we have sustained, or to refuse a tear to the memory of this truly great and good man. Mr. Stewart, we believe, died in the 76th year of his age. Slave Trade. It appears by an official document, received from Rio de Janeiro, that the following importations of slaves were made into that port in 1826 and 1827.-1826, landed alive 35,966-died on the passage 1,985. 1827, landed alive 41,388-died on the passage 1,643. Thus it would seem that to only one port in the Brazils, and in the course of two years, 77,350 human beings were transported from their own country, and placed in a situation as debasing to the human mind, and infinitely worse as regards physical sufferings, than the ordinary condition of the brute creation. We subjoin the following facts on the same subject from the Twenty-first Report of the London African Institution. A French vessel, La Perle, Gibbin, master, had landed part of 250 slaves at Gaudaloupe, when an armed French cutter was observed standing towards her. The brutal captain, in order to avoid detection, threw the remainder, 65 in number, overboard, and they all perished. Several of the bodies of the murdered negroes being washed ashore, some slight inquiries were made; but the authors of this inhuman murder were not apprehended, and they have not yet been brought to any account for it. It is to be regretted, that notwithstanding the measures recently adopted in France, there has been no diminution in the slave trade carried on in French vessels from the coast to the colonies. The number of Spanish vessels employed in this nefarious trade is immense. The ravages of disease consequent in the crowded state of these vessels, and the scarcity and wretched quality of the provisions served to the victims, are considered so inseparable from the trade, that they excite little notice. One instance is mentioned of a Spanish schooner, of 60 tons burthen, into which 221 slaves were crowded, their only provisions being bad yams, and putrid water. Thirty died on the passage, and the rest were landed in a frightful state of weakness and emaciation. The Spanish slavers also act frequently as pirates, sparing none who come within their reach, and sometimes even preying upon their brethren in iniquity. When they seize a slaver of inferior force, they generally murder the whites, and take possession of the living cargo. The slave trade is carried on unblushingly at Havana. The slave trade to the Brazils is carried on to a great extent, and is frequently attended by circumstances of the most revolting barbarity. From numerous instances of a similar nature, we select the following:-The Intrepida, of 100 tons burthen, when captured, was found to contain 310 slaves, in a state of great wretchedness and emaciation: seventy of them had died in a passage of 46 days. Another, the Invincible contained 440 slaves, so crowded together that it was impossible to separate the sick from the healthy, or the dying from the dead; their provisions and water were of the worst kind; the filth and stench was beyond de scription; and the dysentery, opthalmia, and scurvy, carried off 186 of these poor wretches in less than 60 days. Every facility has been hitherto given by Brazil to this nefarious trade; but it is consoling to reflect that according to a treaty signed with Great Britain in March, 1827, the Brazilian slave trade is to cease within three years from that period. American Navy. The American Navy consists of forty vessels; of which there are seven 74's or ships of the line; seven 44's or frigates of the first class; four of the second class, including the Fulton steam ship: twelve sloops of war, seven schooners, and other vessels. The 74's are the Independence, Franklin, Washington, Columbus, Ohio, North Carolina, and Delaware-the frigates are the Constitution, United States, Guerrier, Java, Potomac, Brandywine, and Hudson; Congress, Constellation, Macedonian, and Fulton, the sloops of war are the John Adams, Cyane, Hornet, Erie, Ontario, Peacock, Boston, Lexington, Vincennes, Warren, Natchez, and Falmouth-the schooners are, among others, the Dolphin, Grampus, Porpoise, Shark, Fox, Alert, and Sea Gull. At the present time, nineteen of the above 'are in ordinary, and twenty-one in commission. In addition, five ships of the line, and six frigates, are now building, and in a state of forwardness. The Constitution, United States, and Constellation frigates were launched in 1797, and are the oldest vessels in the navy; the Congress and John Adams in 1799; the Hornet in 1803, since which time till 1813, an interval of ten years, no public vessel was built. The Macedonian frigate, and Alert sloop of war captured in that year, have ever since remained in the navy. The Marriage of the Clergy legalized in France. We find, in a late Paris paper, another decision of a French court, establishing as legal, matrimony among the clergy, with some remarks by the editor. The tribunal of Combrai, on the 7th of May, gave judgment in the case of Sieur Druon, a Catholic priest, as plaintiff against the civil officer who had refused to acknowledge his right to the marriage ceremony. At the opening of the hearing, M. Leroy, council for the plaintiff, in reply to the public ministry, maintained that the marriage of priests was not opposed to the good of society nor to the doctrines of the Church-He said that although it was forbidden by the council of Trent, it might be allowed by another council. The celibacy of priests, therefore, he continued,-is not as has been erroneously asserted, a doctrine of our religion. The doctrines of the faith are immutable-it is merely a regulation, the work of men, which men can change. In the judgment pronounced by the court, they stated, "that the civil law regards marriage only as a civil contract; that it recognizes no obstacles to it except such as it has formerly expressed; that an engagement in sacred orders is not at the present day an obstacle to marriage; that if the laws of the Church prohibit the marriage of its ministers, they are addressed only to the conscience;" &c. &c. and decided in his favor. Thus within a few months, three tribunals have successfully decided this great question in the same manner. They are those of St. Menehould, Nancy, and Cambrai. Earthquake at Lima. This city has been visited by one of those dreadful earthquakes which are looked for about once in a century, and had it continued a few seconds longer the whole of Lima must inevitably have been laid in ruins. The calamity occurred on the morning of 30th of March, at about half past seven o'clock, and although only of 30 or 40 seconds duration, was of such prodigious violence, as to prostrate many buildings and injure all, including the stupendous churches, some of which are so much shattered that it is contemplated to take them down, their massive walls of 6 and 9 feet thickness, being literally rent from the top to the bottom. A great number of houses have been pulled down by order of the authorities, and several have, since the shock, fallen of their own accord, in one instance burying two or three persons in their ruins. The amount of injury to the city is estimated by an official survey, at six millions of dollars, a sum quite within bounds, when it is recollected that from the nature of the buildings they cannot be repaired, in many instances, but must be rebuilt. About 30 persons perished; that is the number of bodies which have been dug out from the rubbish, but others are supposed to be still undiscovered. The depth of superstition and ignorance to which the common people are degraded, may be seen by their implicit belief in the stories inculcated by the priests, as the cause of this calamity. They look upon foreigners as decided enemies; not only as heretics, but as necessarily imparting to the people with whom they have intercourse, a The portion of their liberal notions. residence of the heretics in the country was first preached up publicly as the cause; that the earth, indignant at their being suffered to remain among the catholics, would as it were shake them from her bosom; and we could not walk the streets for a day or two after, without hearing knots of cholas and negroes gravely assigning this as the earthquake's origin. At Callao, the shock was felt after the dust was seen to rise from Lima, so that it would seem that it proceeded from the mountain to the sea. The earthquake was thought to be the most severe, which had taken place since 1740, when of 4000 inhabitants only 200 escaped. ORDINATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS. July 10.-At Pawtucket, R. I. the Rev. NORRIS M. JONES, was admitted to the order of Deacons by the Rt. Rev. Alexander V. Griswold, D. D. Bishop of the Eastern Diocese. July 1.-At Hartford, Conn. Messrs. RODOLPHUS LANDFEAR, WILLIAM W. TURNER, HORATIO N. BRINSMADE, HENRY COWLES, and JOEL TALCOTT were ordained as evangelists. Sermon by the Rev. Joel Hawes. June 26.-The Rev. SAMUEL CLELAND Over the church and congregation of Newman's Creek, Ohio. Sermon by the Rev. James B. Morrow. July 10.-The Rev. HENRY SMITH over the congregational church of Jerico, Vt. Sermon by the Rev. Josiah Hopkins. July 22.-The Rev. GEORGE GOODYEAR as Evangelist at New-Haven. Sermon by the Rev. President Day. July 9.-The Rev. WILLIAM LUCAS was admitted to the holy order of Deacons at Philadelphia, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop White. July 13.-The Rev. HARRY FINCH to the holy order of Deacons at Cheshire, Con. by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Brownell. June 26.-The Rev. JOSHUA PAYSON as an Evangelist, at Falmouth, Mass. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Storrs. July 2. The Rev. CHAUNCEY WILCOX over the church in North-Greenwich. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Williams of Middletown. July 2.-The Rev. LYMAN GILBERT over the second congregational church of Newton, Mass. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Fay of Charlestown. June 29.-The Rev. F. A. B. NEISEN as a minister of the Baptist connexion at Hopewell, S. C. July 30.-The Rev. GORDON HAYES over the church of Cambridge, N. Y. Sermon by the Rev. Amos Savage, Jr. July 7.-Messrs. JOHN C. PORTER, ISAAC PARDEE and EPHRAIM PUNDERSON were ordained Deacons, and SAMUEL SEABURY Priest, at Hallett's Cove, L. I. by the Right Rev Bishop Hobart. July 19.-Mr. ALEXANDER H. CROSBY was admitted to the order of Priests by the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, at White Plains. July 21.-Mr. HIRAM JELIFF was ordained Priest, at North Salem, N. Y. by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart. June 18.-The Rev. DUDLEY LAMB over the Baptist Church at Spring Water, N. Y. Sermon by the Rev. J. Brown. June 4.-The Rev. CLARK PERRY Over the Congregational Church of Newbury, Vt. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Perry of Lyme. ST. ATHANASIUS. MAN is disposed to indolence. On this account it is well he lives in a restless world. For while every thing is quiet around him, his energies sleep. The moral elements must be in commotion; trials must come heavy upon him, and dangers threaten, and defeat seem almost unavoidable, before he can be effectually aroused, and free himself from every incumbrance, and exert his utmost strength, and make his course luminous amid darkness and high above obstacles, an object of wonder to cotemporaries and of admiration to succeeding ages. In the church, as well as in the world, circumstances make men great. The Arian controversy in the fourth century, permitted no strength that could exercise itself, to be like weakness, no courage that could stand firmly, to shrink away, no piety that could cheer and purify, to be inoperative. Among the most zealous in the conflicts of doctrine, and among the most fearless in the storms of persecution, was ATHANASIUS bishop of Alexandria. Born and educated in the church, he seemed destined, from the beginning, to become her chamVOL. II.-No. X. 64 pion. The first objects he saw and the first judgments he formed, and the first plans he executed, related to her doctrines, and privileges. Present when a youth at the council of Nice, he there witnessed the fickle policy of Constantine and the cunning duplicity of Arius. And when he returned to Alexandria and was elected her bishop, he could not admit to the fellowship of his church, a man so artful in purpose, and so dangerous in principle, as he thought Arius to be. This firmness and decision in the service of God, raised up a host of enemies, who conspired for his destruction. As the heresy which he opposed so long and so strenuously, and by which he was harrassed almost to death, originated in his native city, exhibiting there so much deceit and malignity, with falsehoods slandering him, and with cruelty persecuting him, no wonder he pronounced it the unpardonable sin. His piety was great, perhaps unparallelled in his age. Yet those who had dethroned his Saviour, and toward himself were so hostile, five times expelling him from his church and country, and forcing him to be for twenty years an exile and fugitive, exposed to sufferings and death,-those he could not but view as abandoned by heaven, as beings for whom it was useless if not impious, to supplicate mercy. Though one of the best men alive, he was accused of lying and theft and murder. Slander so begirt the throne, that the proof of his innocency could not reach it, in time to secure him from attack, or save him from banishment. Four Emperors successively pledged him protection in his diocese, but by each of them he was deposed. Constantine thought it expedient to remove him that the commotion might subside. The appostate Julian condemned him, because he hated his Christianity and his holy life. Arianism was sometimes weak and sometimes powerful in the royal councils; and just in that proportion was this man of God uninterrupted in his instructions to his church and people, or proscribed as an outlaw. But whether the tide rose or fell, the rock was firm, now beneath the billows, now majestic above them. At that trying period other saints as eminent in station, and regarded as eminent in piety, hesitated not to renounce every thing but the doctrines of the cross; and by negociating with conscience, were permitted to enjoy temporal favors. Not so with him. To him conscience was the supreme law; Christ the Supreme God. And rather than one should lose his crown and the other be compromised with, he himself would welcome privation,and make the desert his dwelling-place, and the uncivilized Ethiopians his companions. His spirit could yield to circumstances, but it could not be broken. He was not so ambitious of martydom as to go voluntarily to death, if flight or concealment might enable him to live. When his relentless enemies tore from him his honors, and silenced his voice and sought his life, rather than to lie down dead in his father's sepulchre, he made a living habitation, and there for four months employed his pen to encourage the weak and council the perplexed. While thus sought after with a hatred that could satisfy itself only with his blood, even then he dared occasionally to enter the streets of Alexandria, where his former disciples would gather round him as one who had come from heaven to tell them of heavenly things. His presence seemed like an angel's and his words were oracles. Though government offered rewards and bribery was resorted to, not a Judas was found among his followers. Every one of them was ready and anxious to protect, to succor, or to conceal him at the hazard of life. Behold this venerable man, at midnight in his own church clad in his robes of office, having before him a pious band assembled to join in his prayers and to receive his blessings; while armed legions of his foes are crowding on to attack him, breathing vengeance and thirsting for blood. Hear him, as the infuriated soldiers are breaking down the doors of his sanctuary,and their swords are gleaming along the aisles, hear him with calmness and dignity, command his trembling affrighted congregation to sing the 136th psalm, the Israelite's song of triumph, over their Egyptian enemies, and of thanksgiving to God their deliverer. At another time too, when the Emperor had believed him guilty and yielded to the wishes of his adversaries to depose him, behold him, hastening to Constantinople, and secure in his innocence and in the righteousness of his cause, rushing through hosts of opposition, unbidden into the presence of indig nant royalty, where no other subject could safely venture, while Constantine trembles at his audacius goodness, and feels the justice of his plea, and gives orders for his immediate restoration to his church.⚫ Where on the records of military achievment can there be found courage so deliberate, energy so invincible, perseverance so untiring? Well he might be superior to the prudent |