of truth have been, every where and at all times, distinguished by their friendship to such formularies." "Accordingly, if we look a little into the interior of church history, especially within the last century, we shall find these remarks often and strikingly exemplified. We shall find, with few exceptions, that whenever a group of men began to slide, with respect to orthodoxy, they generally attempted to break, if not to conceal, their fall, by declaiming against creeds and confessions. They have seldom failed, indeed, to protest in the beginning, that they had no objections to the doctrines themselves of the confession which they had subscribed, but to the principle of subscribing confessions at all. Soon, however, was the melancholy fact gradually unfolded, that disaffection to the doctrines which they once appeared to love, had more influence in directing their course, than even they themselves imagined, and that they were receding further and further from the good way in which they formerly seemed to rejoice. Truly that cause is of a most suspicious character to which latitudinarians and hereticks, at least in modern times, almost as a matter of course, yield their support; and which they defend with a zeal, in general, strictly proportioned to their hatred of orthodoxy! be received, not only to Christian, but also to ministerial communion, is invariably abandoned by those who urge it, the moment a case turns up which really brings it to the test. Did any one ever hear of a Unitarian congregation engaging as their pastor a preacher of Calvinism, knowing him to be such? But why not, on the principle adopted, or at least, professed by Unitarians? The Calvinist surely comes with his Bible in his hand, and professes to believe it as cordially as they. Why is not that enough? Yet we know that, in fact, it is not enough for these advocates of unbounded liberality. Before they will consent to receive him as their spiritual guide, they must be explicitly informed, HOW HE INTERPRETS THE BIBLE; in other words, WHAT IS HIS PARTICULAR CREED: whether it is substantially the same with their own or not: and if they are not satisfied that this is the case, all other professions and protestations will be in vain. He will be inexorably rejected. Here, then, we have in all its extent, the principle of demanding SUBSCRIPTION TO A CREED; and a principle carried out into practice as rigorously as ever it was by the most high-toned advocate of orthodoxy. "We have before seen, that the friends of truth, in all ages, have found, in their sad experience, that a general profession of belief in the Bible, was altogether insufficient, either as a bond of union, or as a fence against the inroads of error. And here we find, the warmest advocates of a contrary doctrine, and with a contrary language in their mouths, when they come to act, pursuing PRECISELY THE SAME COURSE WITH THE FRIENDS OF CREEDS, with only this difference, that the creed which they apply as a test, instead of being a written and tangible document, is hidden in the bosoms of those who ex We think that in this last paragraph, the theological professor, without naming Mr. D., is quite as hard upon him as we have been in our review. If we have been rightly informed in regard to that gentle man, the professor has described his case exactly. He has no objec-pound and employ it, and, of course, may tion "to the doctrines themselves of the Confession, but to the principle of subscribing confessions at all." He may see by this declaration, that he is placed by the professor in bad company. We sincerely wish he may take warning, and not verify all that has been verified, by many who have begun precisely as he has done. 7. The only further argument in support of creeds on which I shall dwell, is, that THEIR MOST ZEALOUS OPPOSERS Do THEMSELVES VIRTUALLY EMPLOY THEM IN "The favourite maxim, with the opposers of Creeds, that all who acknowledge the Bible, ought, without hesitation, to be applied in the most capricious as well as tyrannical manner, without appeal; and further, that, while they really act upon this principle, they disavow it, and would persuade the world that they proceed upon an entirely different plan.” This last remark of Dr. M. inflicts "the unkindest cut of all." To be not only unreasonable, but downright self-contradictory, and in addition to all, to disavow the principle on which they act-this truly is "worse than bad." And yet if such be the facts, and we conscientiously believe that such they are, ought they not to be fairly exposed? Ought he who ex BEFORE THE TRUSTEES OF DICKIN SON COLLEGE, AT CARLISLE, (Pa.) We doubt if any excellence can be named in the character of an individual, or in the state of society among men, which is not attended with some inconvenience. Free government is an inestimable blessing. But it is attended with a number of inconveniences, not worthy to be put in competition for a moment with its advantages, but yet real and sometimes serious. Among these, our attention has for some time past been attracted to the unprofitable multiplication of establishments and enterprises of a publick nature; and we shall take the present opportunity a little to discuss the subject generally, and with some particular reference to colleges. The multiplication of establishments and enterprises which we consider, is unquestionably owing to our free institutions. Every place, and every individual, has an equal right to publick patronage; and so soon as it is seen that any individual or any place has received this patronage, and is profiting by it, a multitude of individuals and places apply for the same, and many obtain it. Those who manage our publick affairs might, and we think ought, to withhold legislative patronage, after it has been extended as far as the publick good will permit. But they cannot, or do not, resist the importunities of new applicants, and the various means which are used to render their specious claims successful. Hence the multiplication of banks, turnpike-roads, canals and colleges; not to mention steam boats, stages, manufactories, and fifty other things, which depend on the voluntary enterprise of, individuals. This host of enterprises and establishments, must, in the nature of things, prevent much profit to those who are late in taking part in them; and must ultimately render the whole but little lucrative to their projectors and proprietors. Individual enterprise, we know, will always best modify and bound its own plans and operations. After some hundred bankruptcies, or very serious losses have been incurred, men become careful, and the evil corrects itself. But in regard to institutions which require charters from a legislature, the case is different. If too many of these charters are granted, few and sometimes none of the institutions that obtain them can succeed; so at least as to render them of as much benefit to the community as they might otherwise be. They require publick funds and individual liberality which the community cannot furnish. Certainly we are not prepared to say exactly how many colleges are useful or necessary in the United States, or in any particular State; and we are sure that we feel no hostility to any one that exists. But we have no hesitation in saying, and we suspect that no well informed individual, not even among those who are most immediately concerned, will refuse to join us in saying, that seven or eight colleges are too many for the State of Pennsylvania. They cannot all flourish.Nor can any of them, perhaps, obtain those legislative grants, or individual benefactions, which are indispensable to erect buildings, purchase libraries and philosophical apparatus, and endow professorships, -to say nothing of fellowships and scholarships-which are indispensa ble to render them most useful to those who resort to them for instruction, and most instrumental in advancing the general interests of literature in our country. Now, if an adequate legislative patronage cannot be extended to all these literary institutions, we know of no better criterion by which to ascertain the amount proper for each, than to consider two things.First, the situation of the institution in reference to health, morals, and easy access to a numerous population: and, Secondly, the pledge given to the publick that the institution will really be useful-in the known capacity and fidelity of the teachers, in the exertions to help themselves of those immediately concerned, and in the attainments and accomplishments of pupils already educated.-So much for the subject in general. The college at Carlisle was, we believe, the first which was founded in the state of Pennsylvania, out of the city of Philadelphia. Its founders were men whose names are dear to the publick, and will be dear to posterity. Of these, BENJAMIN RUSH and JOHN DICKINSON (after the latter of whom the institution was named) were the most active and influential. The location of the college is, we apprehend, more nearly in the centre of the State than any other. The town of Carlisle is inland, healthful, and of about the right size for affording the proper accommodations for students; with probably no more of the temptations to dissipation and vice, than must ever be found in a place equally populous. The design of the college, as expressed in an address made by the venerable John Dickinson, the first president of the board of trustees, shortly after its foundation, is thus given in the inaugural address of Dr. Neill VOL. III.Ch. Adv. "The first friends and founders of the College, thought that they could not better employ the beginning of the peace, so graciously bestowed, than by forming an establishment for advancing the interests of RELIGION, VIRTUE, FREEDOM and LITERATURE.' Let the friends of Dickinson College, and of our beloved country, ever and assiduously cherish these things in union. They form a four-fold cord, the only cord of sufficient strength to bind human society together, for any length of time, and with any tolerable degree of comfort." The fortunes of this institution have been peculiar, and sometimes disastrous. We have neither time nor space to recite them. It has, nevertheless, educated and sent forth into society no inconsiderable number of excellent scholars; several of whom now hold distinguished stations both in the church and in the state. Having passed "Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum," we hope that the period of its permanent prosperity has arrived. 'We certainly consider the accession to office of the present president as a most auspicious omen. He succeeds to able and excellent men, whom we have known, honoured, and loved. But it is no disparagement to them to say, that in the peculiar qualifications which his office demands, the present president is inferior to none of his predecessors. Under his vigilant, conscientious, and paternal inspection, aided as he is by able coadjutors in the most important professorships, we verily believe that youth may be placed for a course of academical instruction at Dickinson College, with as much prospect of safety and advantage, as in any similar institution in the State-perhaps in the country. We have suggested reasons which we think ought to operate powerfully with the legislature, to afford additional patronage to this literary establishment. Whether they will obtain notice and regard, is not for us to pronounce. E The inaugural address which has afforded an occasion-an occasion which we confess we were willing to find-for offering to our readers the preceding observations, is stated by its author, in a reply to a request by the trustees that it might be published," to have been prepared amidst pressing cares." He modestly adds, that it" is of course, far from being profound; but if the trustees judge it worthy of being printed, it is at their service." Although, as the author remarks, his address is not profound, yet, in our judgment, it is for that reason more deserving of commendation. Every address is valuable, in proportion as it is well adapted to the occasion on which it is delivered. A profound address, in the circumstances in which this was spoken, whatever display it might have made of the learning and ingenuity of the speaker, would have been unseasonable-It would not have produced half the good effects, which have resulted, and are likely to result from the plain, neat, common sense production, which is now before us. And we shall be disappointed in our expectations, if a characteristick mark of the official acts of the author of this address shall not always be, that they are remarkably such as the occasion requires-When ornament, and eloquence, and erudition, are demanded, we shall expect to see them; and never when they would be out of place; or less useful than something in a different style, and better adapted to promote the true and permanent interests of the college. The subject of this address is, "The importance of a good education"-a very trite subject surely; but one which it was peculiarly proper to discuss, at the time and in the circumstances in which this address was delivered. It is treated throughout with a particular reference to the state of things in our own country, and especially within the region from which the larger number of pupils may be expected to be sent to the college at Carlisle. We shall not analyse the address; but only add to an article already more extended than we at first designed, a short extract, which may serve as a specimen of Dr. Neill's language, and method of illustrating his subject— "The question, relating to the comparative advantages of a domestick and a publick education, is often an embarrassing one to parents. We have not time to bestow on this question any thing more than a very short notice. There are, undoubtedly, advantages and disadvantages peculiar to each; but, I am fully persuaded that the preponderance is decisively in favour of the latter. Suppose a publick institution to be well organized,—well supplied with able and faithful teachers, who maintain a parental, wise, and uniform system of discipline,-suppose the course of study to be judicious and comprehensive, and that proper attention is paid to the manners, the religious instruction, the expenditures, the diet, and the recreative exercises of the youth, and then institute a comparison between the two modes of education, in question. At home the boy is very liable to be injured by excessive indulgence,-he studies alone, with little or nothing to stimulate his exertions, no competitors or associates with whom to compare ideas, and measure attainments. The rewards proposed to him are far-distant, and, therefore, feeble in their influence. He is confined, generally, to one teacher, who from the want of the proper stimulants, is also very likely to fall into a dull and monotonous way of communicating instruction; and who may be negligent or tyrannical, in the absence of associates, or competent judges of the manner in which he performs his duties. On the other hand, place a lad, of a good mind, and ingenuous disposition, in college, and you bring him immediately in contact with almost every thing that is calculated to rouse his powers, and call forth his best exertions. He finds himself subject to a government devised with care, and exercised without partiality. He rises, studies, recites, takes cally, and with his mates. rest, and food, and recreation systematiHe has the opportunity of comparing his strength and proficiency with those of his companions; some he sees before him, some about equal, and others following after: and, thus, he is guarded, on the one hand, from self-confidence, and, on the other, from inglorious and desponding indolence. He has the advantage, moreover, of at tending on the instructions of several teachers, whose various manner, if nothing else, will keep up his attention, and whose sense of obligation, and responsibility, and self-respect conspire to guarantee to him every assistance and encouragement, that can reasonably be desired. His hopes, and fears, his ambition,-his sense of honour, and regard for the wishes and expectations of parents and other esteemed friends, are kept in constant play, by a system of honourable distinctions and moral correctives: and, lastly, though not the least important, he dwells in a little community, where he may learn much of human nature, habituate himself to a right distribution of his time, and form acquaintances and friendships of the most endearing character, and which may be eminently beneficial to him in after-life." Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc. Deepening Rivers.-Such is the power of the machine applied to the deepening of the river Clyde, that in the course of a few days it dug out above 7000 tons of earth, and cleared away the bank extend ing opposite Finnieston, to the length of 140 yards and 40 feet wide, thereby deepening the river nearly two feet in all that space. The consequence is a safe navigation where vessels were formerly apt to take the ground. If a contrivance resembling the above, were introduced into this country, it might be used to great advantage in deepening some of our rivers, particularly in removing the bars which impede the navigation between this city and Trenton. The corner stone of the east wing of the Pennsylvania Hospital, bears the following inscription, composed by Dr. Franklin. "In the Year of Christ MDCCLV. George the Second happily reigning, (For he sought the happiness of his people) Philadelphia flourishing, (For its Inhabitants were public-spirited,) This Building, By the Bounty of the Government, Was piously founded Bless the Undertaking." The Charleston papers of the 3d ult. mention, as a proof of the mildness of the season, not only that pear and peach trees were in full bloom, but that half grown pears had been plucked; and under date of the 7th ult. "a friend in Wraggsborough sent to us yesterday a full grown ripe Cherry of the second crop on the same tree the present season." A mulberry tree before our door, (Darien, Geo. Dec. 14,) is now yielding ripe fruit, and a friend of ours on the Hopeton plantation, plucked a ripe damson plum from one of his trees, on the 9th inst. Indian Eloquence.-We remark with pleasure a communication, in the New York American, stating the intention of the writer to publish a volume of "Select and genuine specimens of Indian Oratory." The editors of the American speak of the New York compiler, in terms to warrant the opinion, that the proposed work will be faithfully executed; and, hence, we earnestly invite the attention of the publick to the book in question. Fine Arts. An extract of a letter from a gentleman in Boston, says:— "Alston has sold his picture of Elijah, to one of the members of parliament who are travelling in this country, for $1300. His great picture of Belshazzar's Feast, on which he has been some years employed, will be exhibited next month." Clothing. It is an undoubted fact, that those men live longest, who are the last to shut themselves up and put on addito leave it off and expose themselves in tional clothing in the autumn, and the last the spring. The coldness of November is dry and bracing; it increases the warmth of the body by quickening the circulation, and thus renders an outer garment unnecessary, except in the evening, or on days that are unpleasant; the coldness of the spring is damp and ener vating; it depresses instead of cheering the spirits, renders the circulation languid, and extra clothing indispensable to comfort as well as to health.-Medical Intelligencer. Dry Docks.-The association lately formed in New York for the purpose of establishing Dry Docks, are persevering in their undertaking, and have effected the purchase of a site for the same. From our knowledge of the gentlemen who are concerned, we are confident their object will be effected, and do credit to the City |