we may ever be mutual helpers and comforters in the toils and trials of a missionary life, you will in all matters relative to the acquisition of the language, the translating and publishing of the scriptures, recommending important measures to the government, devising and executing plans for urging forward the intellectual and moral improvement of this nation, allow us with special confidence to rely on your experience and opinion, your counsels, Copy of a Letter to the Missionary Bre

View of Publick Affairs.

SPAIN. The French have triumphed in their invasion of Spain. Cadiz surrendered, or rather ceased to resist, on the 30th of September. The members of the Cortes have gone whithersoever they thought they could go with the most safety.-Some to Gibraltar, and many we know not where. The king, before he left Cadiz, but after he declared himself to be perfectly at liberty, published a proclamation, in which he pledged himself that a full indemnity should be granted to all, without exception, who had espoused the constitutional cause. But in about a week afterwards, on the 6th of October, he published another proclamation, proscribing all the constitutional leaders -not indeed directly sentencing them to death or banishment, but announcing that which looks to such an issue, and which he probably intended should be so understood. He also declared all the doings of the Cortes, and all his own doings, under the late constitution, to be utterly null and void. Riego is captured and condemned to die. Mina is yet in arms: and the vascillating Ballasteros, it is said, hesitates whether to surrender his army and himself, or yet to resist. A part of the French army has embarked at Cadiz, on its return home. The Duke D'Angouleme is returning by land. Some accounts say he is going to Catalonia, to finish the war in that quarter. The King of Spain, when last heard from, was indulging his superstitious devotions in Seville. It appears that he has re-established the inquisition. In the mean time, nothing, it would seem, can exceed the distraction which reigns throughout his unhappy kingdom; over which it is questionable whether he will be able much longer to exercise any authority. But we cannot at present indulge in speculations or conjectures. Indeed we are tired of speculating, in regard to a people so degraded and debased as the mass of the Spanish nation appear to us to be. We only rest in the opinion, which we have repeatedly expressed, that they are suffering severely under the scourge of heaven.

PORTUGAL. It is said that the King of Portugal, although exercising uncontrolled power, does not feel safe in his own capital; the inhabitants of which are represented as very generally in favour of the late constitution. It appears, however, that the ruling authorities both of Portugal and Spain, with the stipulated assistance of a French force as an auxiliary, are determined on an attempt to regain their possessions in South America. If this attempt should be seriously made, our Southern neighbours are not likely to see a speedy end to their troubles; a deluge of human blood will flow, and probably a general war in Europe be the consequence. Nor is it improbable that our own country will be involved. We are certainly not regarded with a favourable eye by any of the lovers of despotick rule. They think, and with less error than often marks their opinions, that our revolution and existing government are to be regarded as the source and vital spring of that spirit of liberty in Europe which has caused them so much trouble, which of all earthly things they most hate and most desire utterly to extinguish.

FRANCE is intoxicated with the success of the French arms in Spain. From the city of Paris, to the smallest country towns in the kingdom, the late successes are celebrated by fetes, and by every expression of popular joy and exultation. These successes are no doubt a healing balm to the wounded national pride, occasioned by the defeat of the armies under Bonaparte, and the subjugation of the country by a foreign military force. The governmental authorities, at the same time, carefully cherish this exultation, because it serves to strengthen their own sway, and to repress the opposition of the liberals who warmly protested against the invasion of Spain. It does indeed seem as if not only in France, but throughout continental Europe, the cause of freedom is for the present effectually put down, and that absolute monarchical sway completely possesses the ascendant.

GREAT BRITAIN. The British parliament has not yet met. But it appears that commissioners have heen appointed and sent to the newly erected governments in South America. Inquiries have already been made by Spain, and Portugal, and France, as to the design of these appointments; and a soothing answer is said to have been returned. But Britain cannot but wish the independence of these new states, as affording a most important opening for her commercial speculations and enterprise. She probably will not permit France, or Russia, or Austria, to aid in their subjugation; and if not, their subjugation will not we think be effected. But it is not at all im

probable, that the conflicting views and wishes of all the parties concerned, may bring on that general European war to which we have already alluded. It is said that active operations are already going on in the British shipyards, to have their navy in readiness for immediate service.

ROME.-A new Pope was elected at Rome on the 27th of September, and his coronation took place on the 5th of October. He was the Cardinal Annibal, Della Genga, an Italian. He was born at Genga, August 2d, 1760; and was the first cardinal named by the late Pope, after the re-establishment of his authority by Napoleon. The present Pope has taken the title of LEO XII.

THE GREEKS. The cause of the Greeks is prosperous far beyond all our anticipations, and we believe as much beyond their own. Up to the date of the last accounts, they had been much more successful in the last campaign than in any other; and with much less bloodshed and all the other distressing concomitants of war. The Turkish invasion appears to have been conducted with very little military or naval skill; and the plague has destroyed many of their sailors and soldiers, and embarrassed and enfeebled all their operations. A lively interest begins to be taken in the cause of the Greeks, not only in England but in some parts of continental Europe, as well as in this country. Our hope of its success is greatly increased-it almost rises to confidence. In taking a view of the political state of Europe, Britain and Greece strike us like those verdant spots of which travellers tell us in the Arabian deserts.

RUSSIA and TURKEY are said to have accommodated their differences peacefully, under the mediation of the British ambassador, Lord Strangford. We hope that the parties will not find leisure and inclination to do mischief to others, now that they have terminated the dispute which has so long subsisted between themselves.

SOUTHERN AMERICA. The Colombian Republick has driven the Spanish troops from Porto Cabello, and is now almost entirely cleared of its late invaders.—It is probable, however, that a very serious conflict awaits the republicans, from a new and formidable invasion from Spain and France. Mexico has anticipated the mother country in a declaration of war. It is marked, notwithstanding, by an unusual degree of liberality, in allowing time for the friends of Old Spain to leave the country and to dispose of their property. The Brazils remain in statu quo. But it appears that they too are to look for an invasion from Europe. On the western coast of South America the republicans appear to be rapidly expelling or subduing the royalists.

THE UNITED STATES.-The great political topick which now occupies the attention of our countrymen is the choice of the next President. We have only to say, in regard to this, that we think that the friends of religion in the United States ought earnestly to pray that the choice of a chief magistrate may fall on one who will rule in the fear of God, and recommend piety and good morals by his own example; and that, with their prayers, they should use all lawful and proper endeavours that such a choice may be effected. Much expectation is excited in regard to the contents of the next presidential communication to Congress, which is now impatiently looked for. Congress agreeably to the constitution meet on the first of the present month.-The coming session will be one of great interest for our country. Let us constantly beseech of Him who holds the destinies of nations in his hands, that all the councils of our nation may be enlightened by his wisdom, conducted in his fear, and crowned with his blessing.

Since the above was in type, we have seen and carefully perused the president's message to congress. It is of unusual length; and, in our judgment, is not surpassed in a lucid, temperate, and dignified exhibition of the various interests and concerns of the nation, by any composition of the kind which we have heretofore read. Yet sorely did it disappoint and grieve us, to find that from beginning to end there was no recognition of our dependance on God, or of our indebtedness to Him for the unparalleled prosperity and happiness of our country. We will give the last three sentences of the message, and add in brackets what we humbly conceive would greatly enhance its value, in the estimation of the pious part, at least, of our president's con. stituents-"To what then do we owe these blessings? It is known to all, that we derive them [under the divine benediction] from the excellence of our institutions. Ought we not then to adopt every measure which may be necessary to perpetuate them [be thankful to Almighty God that he has permitted and enabled us to establish them, and manifest our gratitude for his distinguishing favours, by obedience to his laws and an humble reliance on his future protection and care?]

TO THE PATRONS OF THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

The editor of the Christian Advocate informs its patrons, that he has now become the sole proprietor of that work; and that all the profit or loss attending it, will henceforth be exclusively his own; excepting the tithe of gain,-if gain there shall be-which will remain sacredly appropriated to the charities of the church.

From the present number of subscribers, the work will but barely defray the expense of publication. The editor, therefore, earnestly requests its friends to use their influence and agency to give it a wider circulation. Surely the Presbyterian church in the United States is able, and ought to be willing, to support one religious journal, in which the doctrines which she professes are explained and defended, the proceedings of her supreme judicature fully detailed, her institutions advocated, information relative to all her important interests constantly and seasonably communicated, and a tenth of its profits consecrated to her charities. Of such a publication, is it too much to say that no other ought to be permitted, by the members of this church, to take the place or prevent the reception.

It is not for the editor to pronounce on the intrinsick merit of a work conducted by himself. He may however be allowed to say, that in place of this address there would have been a notice of the resignation of his editorial labours, if those labours had not received the voluntary and animating approbation of men whose opinion both he and the publick are accustomed to respect. Supported by this opinion, and exceedingly desirous that the church to which he belongs and to which he is ardently attached, should sustain a reputable religious miscellany, he is determined to persevere, in opposition ' to much that is calculated to dishearten. He has not received, and never expects to receive, any pecuniary emolument whatever, for his laborious occupation through the whole of the past year; and what is far more to be regretted, the design of the work is in a great measure, defeated, and its usefulness much circumscribed, by its very limited circulation. He is resolved notwithstanding, to improve the contents of this publication to the utmost of his power, that it may increase its claims to the encouragement on which its continuance must depend; and if it shall at last expire for the want of patronage, he will at least have the satisfaction to reflect, that in the evening of a life devoted to the church of Christ, he still earnestly endeavoured to render it an important service, although his best efforts were unsuccessful.

All the mercantile concerns of the Christian Advocate will hereafter be conducted by the editor's son. Letters relative to subscriptions, accounts, remittances, &c. should therefore be directed, post paid, to Jacob Green, Esq., No. 190, Pine street, Philadelphia-communications for the work, to the editor himself, at the same place. Mr. E. Littell, No. 88 Chestnut street, is still the publisher of the Advocate; and to him all remittances for the past year, and all communications relative to the concern hitherto, are to be directed. An index to the volume which is closed by the present number, will be sent to subscribers, with the number for the coming month.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

TRINITARIAN NO. II., shall appear in our next. U. and A Discussion on Rom. i. 28, are under consideration.