the three great principles of proteftantifm-the fufficiency and certainty of the fcriptures as a rule of faith; the right and duty of private judgment in religion; and liberty of confcience. If therefore the corporation and overfeers were not exprefsly required by the ftatutes of the founder to refort to this method of obtaining evidence of the principles of the profeffor, they were wife to decline it. They had this additional juftification of the omiffion, that they left the gentleman taking the office at full liberty to be faithful to the declaration required by Mr. Hollis, in which he engages to explain and open the fcriptures according to the light he fhall receive. A volume might be written upon the criminality and mischief of the practice, which the Dr. infifts to have been neceffary and proper, and in vindication of the course purfued by the corporation and approved by the overfeers. But we are told, this cannot be right, because it is modern. Be it so. It is not the worfe for that, if it be proved right and falutary. Chriftianity was once modern; the reformation was once modern; congregationalism was once modern. If it be modern, it is not, as we obferved before, new, or unprecedented; and we infift, that notwithflanding Dr. Tappan's writings (fome of which had a ftrong tinge of fomething anticalviniflick) it remained uncertain how far he was found in what are called calviniftick doctrines, and that upon the principles now advanced he ought to have been examined. If the electors ought to have been guided by ancient examples, we afk, by which? By that exhibited in the choice of the firft Dr. Wigglefworth? or of the fecond? or of Dr. Tappan? If the firft, the whole of the practice then adopted is as binding as a part. This would reftrict the latitude of choice not a little, for there are few, who call themselves Calvinists, that could fubfcribe to all contained in the fyftems and formularies affented to by the first Dr. Wigglesworth. Modern Calvinism is not what it was in Dr.Ames's time. One clafs have incorporated with it the doctrine of philofophical neceffity, and another many of the leading fentiments of the Arminians; though both are ambitious of being confidered as entitled to the name. We recommend to the gentleman, who is himself a proof of its juftness, the following remark. "If different religions be profeffed in the fame country, and the minds of men remain unfettered and unawed by intimidations of law, that religion which is founded on reafon, will gradually gain over the other to it. I do not mean that men will formally renounce their ancient religion, but that they will adopt into it the more rational doctrines, the improvements and discoveries of the neighbouring fects; by which means the worfe re With refpet to Dr. Wigglefworth we have only to repeat our doubts, which are much confirmed by fubfequent inquiry. The MS. we referred to, now before us, is bound up with Dr. W's. " Doctrine of Reprobation briefly confidered," and contains a defence of a paffage in that work. It is in the hand writing of Dr. W. jun. and is preceded by a note of his, ftating the reafons of its not having been published. We should infert this note, but have not room; and leave the examination of the effay and defence to those who have a curiosity to look into the fubject. Vol. II. No. 4. Ee ligion, without the ceremony of a reformation, will infenfibly affim ilate itfelf to the better. If Popery, for instance, and Proteftantifm were permitted to dwell quietly together, Papifts might not become Proteftants, for the name is commonly the lait thing that is changed, but they would become more enlightened and reformed; they would by little and little incorporate into their creeds many of the tenets of Proteftantifm, as well as imbibe a portion of its firit and moderation." From the account the Dr. gives of the feveral elections of profeffor, the gradual relaxation and final furrender of this inquifitorial fyftem, fo extolled, is worthy of remark. The firft profeffor is brought to the teft with a witnefs. He was required to take an abundant defe of technical theology. Dr. Ames's Medulla, Weftminiter Confeilion, doctrinal articles of the Church of England, and the five points, fharp and unblunted as Perkins's Tractors, were all adminiftered without mercy. The report of the amplitude of his faith was made to the overlcers, and entered upon their records with great formality; always ready to rife up in judgment against him, whenever the light which God fhould give him might lead him afray from thefe good old paths. But when the fecond Doctor was introduced, what a falling off from the faith once delivered! No account of the particulars of the inquifition, but only a report to the overfeers, that from their examination the corporation were fatisfied. Finally, Dr. Tappan chofen without any examination whatever; and now his fucceffor; in confequence of which precedents we fhall be liable to profeffors, who have no qualification for the place but acknowledged talents, piety, and virtue; who give no proof of the foundness of their principles but edifying inftructions, a character for probity and fincerity, and an avowal of the fcriptures as the rule of their faith and practice. MONTHLY CATALOGUE OF NEW PUBLICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, SUNT BONA, SUNT QUEDAM MEDIOCRIA, SUNT MALA PLURA....MART. The Editor readily acknowledges the imperfection of the prefent lift; but wifbing that this article may contain a fort of biftory of new publications in our country, he takes the liberty of requifting the oid of authors and publifhers towards rendering it complete. If notices of their works and propofuls fhall be furnified, free of poflage, they fball be gratuitonfly inferted. NEW WORKS. The life of Samuel Johnfon, D. D. the first prefident of King's College, in N. York, containing many interefting anecdotes; a general view of the state of religion and learning in Connecticut, during the former part of the laft cen tury, &c. &c. By Thomas Bradbury Chandler, D. D. formerly rector of St. John's Church, Elizabethtown, NewJerfey. To which is added an appendix containing many original letters never before published from Bishop Berkely, Archbishop Secker, Bishop Lowth, and others, to Dr. Johnfon. Newyork, T. & J. Swords, 1805-1 vol. 12mo. pp. 208. 1 dol. Difcourfes on Davila-a feries of papers, on political history, written in the year 1790, and then publifhed in the Gazette of the United States. By an American citizen. Non ponebat marmores aute falutem. Bofton, Ruffel & Cutfer, 8vo. pp. 248. I dol. in boards. Arguments natural, moral, and religious, for the immortality of the foul. Boston, Thomas & Andrews. Democracy unveiled, or Tyranny ftripped of the garb of patriotifm. By Christopher Cauftic, LL. D. &c. &c. Bolton, John Weft, 12mó. 1 dol. A concife extract from the fea journal of William Moulton, written on board the Orrico, in a voyage from New-London in Connecticut, to Staten land, in the fouth sea, with remarks on the coaft of South America, &c. from 1799 to 1804. Utica, N. Y. 75 cents. NEW EDITIONS. Sermons, by William Jay, preached to the church and congregation at Argyle chapel, Bath, England. 1 vol. 8vo. on fine wove paper, and a large new type. 2 dols. B. & J. Homans, Boston. Odes of Anacreon tranflated by Moore. Longworth, Newyork, 2 small vols. 1 dol. 75 cts. Knox's hints to publick fpeakers. B. & J. Homans, Boston. The hiftory of the late Grand Infurrection; or, ftruggle for liberty in Ireland. Impartially collected from Stephens, Hay, Jones, and many others of the most celebrated veracity. Το which is added, a fhort account of the infurrection by the celebrated Emmet: with his famous fpeech made to the court before judgment. Alfo, an inquiry as to the people's fufferings in that unhappy country. Philadelphia, Warner & Hanna. 1 dol. 25 cts. IN THE PRESS, BY SUBSCRIPTION. Plowden's hiflorical review of the ftate of Ireland, commencing with the invafion of Henry the II. in the year 1172 down to a late period in the prefent reign. Philadelphia. The debates and other proceedings of the Virginian convention on the adoption of the federal conftitution. Worldly and Dobfon, Norfolk. An hiftorical treatife on the feudal law and conftitution and laws of England; with a commentary on Magna Charta, and illuftrations of many of the English ftatutes. By the late Francis Stoughton Sullivan, LL. D. royal profeffor of common law in the university of Dublin, to which authorities are added, and a difcourfe is prefixed concern ing the laws and government of Eng land. By Gilbert Stuart, L L. D. 2 vols. 8vo. 5 dolls. Thomas B. Wait & Co. Portland. Lectures on Theology, by Charles Nisbet, D. D. late prefident of Dickinfon college, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania: to which will be prefixed an account of the life and character of the author; by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Miller of New york. In 6 8vo. vols. An effay on the life of George Washington, commander in chief of the American army, through the revolutionary war, and firft prefident of the United States of America. By the kev. Aaron Bancroft, of Worcester, Mafiachusetts, 1 vol. 2 dolls. 1. Thomas, Worcester. PAMPHLETS PUBLISHED. A Sermon delivered at Cambridge on the Annual Faft, 1805, by John Fofter, A. M. Text-Make a chain; for the land is full of bloody crimes. Ez. vii. 23. Cambridge, Hilliard. Two Difcourfes on Chrift's Selfexiftence, addressed to the Second Congregational Society in Newburyport, Mar. 3, 1805. By Samuel Spring. Newburyport, E. M. Blunt. 8vo. pp. 59. An attempt to recommend justice, charity, and unanimity in matters of religion; in a fermon, preached in Newbury, June 10, 1804, and to the first congregational fociety of Newburyport, March 3, 1805. By John Snelling Popkin, A. M. minifter of the first church and congregation of Newbury. Published at the defire of the hearers. Newburyport, published by Angier March, for the fubfcribers, 1805, pp. 39. The guilt, folly, and fources of Suicide; two difcourfes preached in the city of Newyork, by Samuel Miller, D. D. Newyork. Lexiphanes, a dialogue imitated from Lucien, and fuited to the prefent times; being an attempt to expose the affected ftyle, hard words, and abfurd phrafeology of many late writers, and particular Answer to the questions, Why are you a federalift? and why fhall you vote for governour Strong? Bofton, 1805. Pp. 22. ing paffages in a late pamphlet entitled "a letter to a Federalist." By Vernon H. Quincy, Efq. Portsmouth, N. H. printed at the Oracle press, pp. 47—40 cents. Thomas M. Randolph's letter to his A parody on fome of the most strik- constituents. Richmond, Virginia. GALVANISM. MR. Kelch of Konigfburg, has made fome remarkable galvanick experiments on the body of a criminal who was beheaded for a capital crime. The pile of which he made ufe confifted of fixty-two plates of zinc and copper, which was combined with another of fifty-two ftrata. The head immediately after the execution was placed on a table, and while the pinal marrow, which was cut through at the fixth vertebra colli, was touched with the conductor of the zinc pole, the conductor of the copper pole was applied to the left upper eye-lid, and immediately the eyes which were only half fhut, opened themfelves, in which ftate they remained as long as the chin was fhut. The eye-lids not only contracted themfelves, but fhewed a tremulous motion, which ceafed immediately after removing the conductors. The contractions were still stronger, on moistening the eyelids with a folution of fal ammon. No change could be produced either in the iris or in the pupilla. On touching the ala nafi and feptum mobile with the copper pole conductor, the ala diftended itself and became tremulous, the feptum and the point of the nose were drawn downwards. By touching the middle part of the upper lip it approached to the under lip, but not fo much as to fhut the half-open mouth. On applying the conductor of the copper pole to the corner of the mouth, the upper lip was contracted, while the under lip remained immovable; the tongue fhewed undulating motions when touched with the conductor of the copper pole. Similar contractions followed in the temples and cheeks. On touching the fpinal marrow, and any part of the face, the fore part of the neck came into a fudden motion, refembling the act of fwallowing, which lafted fome time after having removed the conductor. All thefe experiments were feveral times repeated, and continued for above half an hour. On the left arm, a place two inches large of the mufculas biceps was laid bare, and having touched the fpinal marrow with the conductor of the zinc pole, and that place with the copper pole conductor, the mufcle was fuddenly contracted ; the fore arm turned itself, moving at the fame time towards the body, and likewife the upper arm made a turning motion, drawing near the body; but as foon as the conductor was removed the arm fell back into its former fituation. On bringing the fpinal marrow and the fcrobiculus cor dis within the galvanick chain,the latter part with all the integuments of the belly, began to raise Itfelf; the thorax contracted forming convexity; the arms became ftiff, were raised and moved towards the trunk; the fhoulders were lifted; the upper part of the fpine was bent, moving fomewhat down the table; but when the galvanick chain was opened, all these motions difappeared. On repeating the experiment, the fame motions enfued, except the latter. The muscles of the belly likewife showed contractions. The large and fmall inteftines could by no means be excited to contract, nor yet the ftomach, though they had previously been moistened with a folution of fal ammoniack, While the zinc pole remained in combination with the spinal marrow, the conductor of the copper pole was applied to the abdominal furface of the diaphragm, and to the proceffus enfiformis of the fternum, by which it was confiderably contracted, but a motion of the heart could not be perceived. Touching the pericardium produced not any contraction, but on opening it and touching the heart on the anteriour part of the right ventricle, fome flight motion at the apexcordes, and where the large blood veffels enter the ventricles, and at the right auricula, could be produced. The heart was taken out of the body, and being laid on the hand of a gentleman who affifted at the experiments, the zinc conductor was introduced into the right ventricle, while the apexcorelis and the furface of the left ventricle was touched with the copper conductor, by which means confiderable contractions, and particularly an alternate contraction and diftenfion of the orifice of the right ventricle, where the arteries enter it, and of its auricle were produced, which even continued for a few minutes after having removed the conductors. The limbs having become cool during the former experiments fhowed but flight contractions.On laying bare and galvanising the mufculus fartorious, the motions of the thigh were more confiderable. A cutaneous branch of the orural nerve, touching with its inner furface the musculus fartorious was prepared and combined with a bare place of the mufcle of the other limb; the nerve contracted, while flight motions were at the fame time perceived in that mufcle; to which the zinc conductor had been applied, and the place of the nerve which had been touched with the conductor, became the next day light brown, and dry, while the remaining part was foft, moift, and of its natural colour. Necrology; OR NOTICES COLLECTED OF PERSONS RECENTLY DECEASED AT HOME AND ABROAD. In this town, April 7, Capt. Benjamin Hammatt, aged 93. This gentleman came from the weft of England in the year 1727. For many years failed from this port, as mafter of a veffel, and lived to be the oldeft man in the town. He was an active, useful and worthy fifizen; correct in his political and re ligious opinions. His attendance upon publick worship was fo habitual, that during forty years he miffed not a day if he were afhore. He retained his bodily health and mental faculties to the latest period of his life. Was always cheerful; and having feen much of the world, this |