were severe invectives and personal reflec- press is obtained in a very short time. The tions. We are sorry to see that one gentle- inventor undertakes to print the foreign man has not profited by the expressions of Journals in two hours after their arrival. indignation and contempt made by the public on his last duel. He is again stirring up the demon of blood. Identigraphy.-The late Dutch papers state that a new invention has been made in the art of printing. It is in fact a new application of lithography, an art invented by M. Lanefelder, of Germany. By this new invention, which the ingenious artist calls Identigraphy, a reprint of common letter The gratitude of the good people of Glasgow is erecting a monument to the memory of the immortal reformer John Knox. The column is to be of the Doric order, and it will be 60 feet high. The statue, represents him in his attitude while preaching. In his right hand is the Bible, the left grasping the Geneva cloak, points with the fore finger to the Bible. Obituary. The Rev. SELAH STRONG WOODHULL, D. D. was the son of Mr. James Woodhull, merchant, of the city of New-York, and of Keturah Strong. He was born in New-York, on August 4, A. D. 1786. His mother died when he was only four years of age and his father when he was twelve. He entered College in his twelfth year; and took his Bachelor's degree at Yale College in his sixteenth. He commenced the study of theology soon after this, under the care of his uncle, the late Reverend Dr. Woodhull, of Freehold, New-Jersey, and he finished his studies at Princeton, that venerable seat of science and theology. In his nineteenth year he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of New-Brunswick. And in the course of a few months he was called to be pastor of the Presbyterian church at Bound Brook, New-Jersey. He was there ordained to the office of the ministry in the autumn of the year 1805. There he remained about one year. He removed in November 1806 to the Reformed Dutch Church of Brooklyn, Long Island. For about twenty years he discharged the office of pastor in that church, among a united and affectionate people. In November, 1825, he removed to New-Brunswick, in consequence of being elected by the General Synod to the third Professorship in the Theological Seminary of the Dutch Church; and to that of Metaphysics and the Philosophy of the human mind, in Rutgers' College. He entered on the duties of his professorship with that zeal and indefatigable labour, which characterised him in the former walks of life. It is not our design to offer a character of him-nor indeed have we room for it. That was given in the funeral sermon preached here after his lamented death. And that funeral discourse may perhaps be published. He was attacked by the prevailing disease with which our country has been visited during the past winter. He lingered under it for some time. It assumed a new type; and he was laid down under a violent inflamation of the chest and the brain. After this he laboured under a mental delirium; which was scarely interrupted by a lucid interval. An effusion took place on the brain-and he sunk into a stupor. I beheld him in this state for the last time. His features seemed to be placid even while the darkness of the shadow of death was on them. And on the 27th of February last, at three quarters of an hour past four P. M. he breathed out his soul into the bosom of his Redeemer, in the presence of his weeping family. He died in the prime of life-in the fortieth year of his age-and in the midst of a bright career of usefulness in the church of God....." The rod is lifted up and laid on the ark forever." He has left a widow and five amiable female children. May the God of our lamented brother be the God of his afflicted widow, and the father of his orphan children :Amen! At an extra meeting of the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church, convoked for the purpose on the 29th ult. the Rev. Dr. CANNON, of New-Brunswick Classis, was elected to fill the vacancy in the Theological school caused by the death of Professor Woodhull. The Dublin Mail of the 27th Feb. says"We regret to announce the death of the highly respected LINDLEY MURRAY, the author of an English Grammar, and many other much approved works on education. He expired very peacefully on Thursday morning, at his house at Holdgate near York, in the 61st year of his age, and in the full possession of all his mental faculties. Religious Communications. The following discourse was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Knox, of NewYork, at the Installation of Professor Dewitt, at New-Brunswick, on Sept. 3d, 1823. BRIEF DISCOURSES. No. 2. The duty and necessity of searching the Scriptures. "Search the Scriptures."-JOHN v. 7. In pursuing this object, I shall, in the first place, inquire into the meaning of the exhortation. Secondly, I shall contemplate some of the considerations by which it is enforced. FIRST.-I shall inquire into the meaning of the exhortation- Search the Scriptures.' I do not design to occupy your time with a critical examination of That which is proposed as the obthe terms used in the text; or with a ject of our search, the subject of our minute inquiry whether they were ori-investigation, is the Scriptures-a ginally designed to be a mere affirma- communication from God in Heaven; tion, or to have the force of a com-bearing the impress of his authority; mand. ratified as the very word of God, by The Greek text is ambiguous, and signs and wonders and divers miracles; will bear either construction; and by proofs of its authenticity the most there is nothing, either in the imme- unequivocal and conclusive; and condiate connexion of the words, or in taining a perfect rule of faith and the general analogy of faith, that ne-practice-things which no human sacessarily determines its interpretation. gacity could ever have discovered, Nor do I intend to agitate the questions, "Whether God has given us a revelation of his will?" and "What constitutes the Canon of Scripture?" But, assuming it as granted that the Books of the Old and New Testaments comprise the Canon of Scripture, and are the revelation which God has made to man; and that the text, spoken immediately by the lips of the incarnate Son of God, has an imperative force;-my attempt will simply be to ascertain the use which we are required to make of the Oracles of God. Vol. I.-6. which none but God is able to communicate, and which are indispensably necessary to our salvation. The mere fact that God is the author of the Scriptures, is proof sufficient of their inestimable worth.And, that God who gave creation its being, whose glory shines conspicuous in all his works, has "magnified his word above all his name." The matter and efficacy of the Sacred Scriptures prove them worthy of their Heavenly Author, and of the high and peculiar importance which he has attached to them. are strengthened-we are comforted by the Word. "We are born again,not of corruptible They are an inestimable and inex- which God employs in the whole prohaustible treasure of truth and good-cess of saving sinners. It does not only ness; an illustrious display of divine reveal the way of salvation, but, acperfection, and a precious gift to fal-companied with the influence of dilen men; designed to impart light, vine grace, it actually saves the grace and peace whilst we sojourn soul. We are convinced-we are reupon earth, and to guide us in the generated-we are sanctified-we 66 new and living way," provided by Heavenly wisdom and mercy, to the mansions of eternal rest. In them the Father of lights and of mercies un-seed, but of incorruptible, by the folds to us our character, our duties, Word of God, which liveth and abiprivileges, and destiny; makes known deth forever."-Its resources_ are to us all the relations in which we suited to all persons, circumstances stand; warns us of our perils, and and emergencies. "The entrance of of the only method of our rescue; thy words giveth light-it giveth reveals whatever is necessary to re- understanding to the simple." It is lieve the mind from its perplexity, "able to make wise unto salvation, the conscience from its anguish, through faith in Christ Jesus." and the heart from its sorrows. Hence the superlative esteem with which the Bible has ever been regarded by the believing heart. Upon this subject the Scriptures themselves abound with most rapturous exclamations. The great doctrines which respect the Divine nature and government; the ruin and recovery of man; the life immortal beyond the grave, are clearly taught in the word of Godare no where else revealed, and are These Heavenly oracles, which inseparably connected with our pre-open up all the treasures of wisdom sent duties and hopes, and with our and knowledge,"-yea, "the uneternal destiny;-so that the very searchable riches of Christ," are child in years and understanding, in- "more to be desired than gold-than structed in the oracles of God, has much fine gold; they are sweeter incomparably more just and profitable also than honey, and the honeyideas of things spiritual and divine, comb." than the most venerated Heathen sage of antiquity; and is familiar with truths which the profoundest philosophers, notwithstanding their most intense researches, could never disco ver. Other books may entertain and instruct; they may gratify, and delight, and charm; but the Bible alone contains "the words of eternal life." "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver!"-"O! how I love thy lawit is my meditation all the day!" "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil." "Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors-they are a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path-they are my comfort in my af"The law of the Lord is perfect, fliction, my song in the house of my converting the soul; the testimony of pilgrimage-an heritage forever, and the Lord is sure, making wise the the rejoicing of my heart." simple; the statutes of the Lord are But is not all this the excess of enright, rejoicing the heart; the com-thusiasm? Ah, my friends, these enmandment of the Lord is pure, en-thusiasts were heirs of Heavenlightening the eyes; the fear of the were animated by the Spirit of God, Lord is clean, enduring forever; the and long since have entered upon judgments of the Lord are true and their inheritance! righteous altogether." This Word is the great instrument Nor, are these sentiments confined to the men whom God employed un der the spirit of inspiration, to record | can be collected from all other books, his oracles. There are at this hour in whatever age or language they upon the earth, millions of souls who may have been composed." prize their Bible as they do their life. We have the unequivocal testimony of men, upon whom the proudest unbeliever would not dare to look with scorn-men of the mightiest intellect that has ever adorned our world to the unrivalled excellency of the Scriptures. The illustrious Luther had so deep an impression of the unrivalled excellence of the Scriptures, as to declare, that "if he thought that the reading of his books would hinder the reading of them, he would burn them all before he died." And Locke gives this advice:"Study the Holy Scriptures............ therein are contained the words of eternal life. Augustine said:"Take and read the Scriptures; for, whatever is in them, believe me, is high and divine; there is verily truth, and a doctrine most fit for the refreshing and renew-ror, for their matter." ing of men's minds; and truly so tempered, that every one may draw from thence that which is sufficient for him." They have God for their author, salvation for their end, and truth, without any mixture of er And the Holy Ghost pronounces this testimony of them :-" All Scripis given by Inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, all good works." Jerome said:"Love the Scrip- for correction, for instruction in righttures, and Wisdom will love thee." eousness; that the man of God may Gregory testified, and said:-be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto "There is depth enough in the Bible to exercise the wise; and plainness enough to instruct the weak; it being like a river, having its shallows and depths, wherein the lamb may wade and the elephant may swim." Such is the object presented to our investigation. And, the claim which the Scriptures assert, is in its kind exclusive. Hence no system compiled by men, no creed, no confession, no human production of any kind may usurp their place. Sir Matthew Hale, the bright ornament of England, in a letter to his son, thus bears his testimony:-"I have been somewhat acquainted with Let me not, however, be misundermen and books; I have had long ex- stood on this matter. I am no enemy perience in learning, and in the world. to creeds, confessions, and systems. There is no book like the Bible for I am only solicitous that they be kept excellent learning, wisdom and use; in their own subordinate and proper and it is want of understanding in place; used for their own necessary them who think or speak other-purposes-but never regarded as an wise." equivalent, or a substitute for the Book of God. Robert Boyle, the profound philosopher, called it 'That matchless book,' and he declared "that it was impossible to study it too much, or to esteem it too highly." On either side of this subject, there are extremes to be avoided. And it is a fact of no slight importance, that they who would utterly reSir William Jones declares::-"Iject creeds and confessions, are, with have regularly and attentively read the few exceptions, the enemies of Bible Holy Scriptures, and am of opinion truth; and in their widely diffused that this volume, independently of its charity, are disposed to think well of divine origin, contains more sublimity every thing excepting truth and honand beauty-more pure morality esty." more important history, and finer strains of poetry and eloquence, than The bond of all good society is agreement in some great principles by which it is bound; and, human socie- get a more intimate and thorough ac quaintance with what the Word of God declares; and let the chief force of the mind be directly bent to its investigation. ty cannot exist without recognized principles of concord. Accordingly, we find that every association among men has its own particular creed. The Constitution of the United 'Search the Scriptures.'-There is States is the political creed of our naan exceeding emphasis in this term as tion. In like manner also, in the it is here used. It signifies, to scrutidifferent branches of society, charter-nize with the greatest intensity of ed institutions, and voluntary asso- mind.-It expresses the most toilciations, have their respective creeds. some and accurate investigation.-It "Two cannot walk together un-is the same word used in Řev. ii. 23. less they are agreed.” The enemy of fixed principles, is the enemy of all that is consistent and fair, and dignified in man. Banish creeds from the Church, and in the present condition of mankind you will cast down the most effectual barriers for the exclusion of knaves and hypocrites from her sacred fellowship; and you will do much for the prevalence of doubt, and want of confidence; and ultimately of scepticism, infidelity, and profli gacy. where the Son of God saith, "I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts."-And in 1 Cor. ii. 10. "The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." The term is figurative; it is taken from the idea of exploring the bowels of the earth for precious metals. The figure is fully expressed by Solomon in the second chapter of the Proverbs— where speaking of wisdom, he says, if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. There are deep and recondite truths of the Holy Scriptures, by no means obvious on a slight inspection. But, these are to be regarded as intended, rather to defend, than to teach religion. They are to be viewed, rather, as barriers against the encroachment of error, than as the repositories of truth, to which we are to There is a correspondence,-and go for our Christian instruction. InIn- a correspondence in their difficulties, deed, the doctrines of the Gospel, between the word, the works, and the which are a history of the proceed-government of God and if to have ings and the will of Almighty God to- even a tolerable acquaintance with wards us, are there stated in a form the frame of nature in its various detoo abstract to produce their appro- partments, and with the dispensations priate practical effects upon the heart of Providence; requires patient, inand mind ;* and they can exert no tense, and long continued research: manner of influence upon the enlight-it were presumptuous to suppose, that ened conscience, except in so far as they are considered to be the very Word of God. The Scriptures, therefore, are the source the exclusive source of our religious instruction. "Search the Scriptures."-Whatever may be the immediate object of study and research, let the ultimate result, and the main solicitude be, to * See Erskine on this point. a due understanding of the Word of God, (the most comprehensive manifestation which he has ever made of himself,) should be attained by a mere cursory attention to its sacred import. If to acquire eminence, or even to make moderate proficiency, in a single art or department of science, requires close attention, and indefatigable industry, assuredly, the Christian can never be permitted to indulge |