beloved family, and to us in perfect health, to take once more his part with us in this ministry. Dedication.--The new and beau tiful edifice, lately erected on the corner of Anos and Herring streets, for the Reformed Dutch Church of Greenwich, under the pastoral care of the Rev. N. J. Marselus, was solemnly dedicated to the service of Almighty God, on the first Sabbath in December last. Sermon in the morning by the pastor of the church, from Psalm cxviii. 19, 26. In the afternoon, by the Rev. W. C. Brownlee D.D. from Heb. xii. 25. And in the evening, by the Rev. T. Dewitt, from Zech. vi. 13. first clause. The exercises throughout the day were solemn and interesting, and the house filled to overflowing. New-York. He declined this appoint-, ment. And now he goes out in consequence of the application made by the Consistory, of the Dutch Church in St. Thomas--which we also stated in a former number. There were once flourishing Dutch Churches in St. Thomas, St. Croix, and at St Johns. And all of them were originally, and for many years, under the care of one minister. And had they been carefully supplied with zealous pastors, they might still have been in a flourishing condition They belong to the range of the VIRG N ISLES. St Thomas has the small island of St. John on the east, and within sight. The island of St. Croix, is perhaps as large as both these taken together, and lies to the south of St Thomas, about 40 miles. The church of St. Thomas is possessed of very considerable funds. And they are building a new church, near, or on the site of the old one, which was lately burnt down. The Churches have been hitherto under the care of the Classis of Amsterdam in Holland. And should they now be pleased to connect the nselves with us, we might supply them from our seminary. And in case of Mr. Labagh accepting a settlement in St. Thomas, the Classis of New-story is very convenient, containing a York might give a commission to Dr. Knox, to instal him. O Monday, the 10th ult. a prayer meeting was held in the Consistory Room, when Dr. Knox's Colleag ies, and the members of the Collegiate chure, held a prayer meeting especially on his behalf. He and his young associate were commended to the Lord with great interest. There was scarcely a dry eye in the meeting. For nine days they have been kept in painful suspense, by the foggy weather. This morning they hoisted sail, and moved away down the bay. May the best blessing of the Almighty attend them. And may our dearly beloved Colleague, whom we have commended to the Lord, with many prayers and tears, be restored to his The rapid growth of this congrega tion rendered it necessary to erect a larger and more commodious house of worship. The entire dimensions of the building, exclusive of the tower, are 84 feet in length, and 64 feet in breadth And it is estimated that it will accommodate at least 1400 hearers. The plan of the basement lorge school-room, a lecture room, a consistory room, and a complete residence for the sexton, comprising a kitchen, a sitting room, 2 bedrooms, a pantry and store room. The building, which is of brick, exhibits one of the finest specimens of modern architecture, and is an ornament to that part of the city. a A Dutch Church in Utica [N. Y.] projected. On November 29th, ult. a meeting was called in the Consistory Chambers, corner of Nassau and Ann streets, N. Y. to take into consideration the practicability of forming a Reformed Dutch Church in the village of Utica. This is one of the most thriving villages in the state of New-York; and it will, in fifteen or twenty years, probably be the capital of New-York. It is deemed, by all of us, of the utmost importance to form and nurse up a Dutch Church here. The Rev. Mr. Schemerhorn, and the Rev. Dr. Ludlow severally addressed the meeting, and stated important facts. The prospects, in a pecuniary way, they assured the meeting, were already very favourable. Three thousand dollars, and a lot worth four thousand five hundred, could, it was confidently believed, be procured in Utica; and about twentyfive hundred or three thousand dollars in Albany; besides a considerably large sum in the city of New-York. It is calculated that ten thousand dollars, besides the lot, are indispensably necessary to raise a building worthy of the object. It seemed to the writer, who was on the floor, that all the gentlemen present, generally, were convinced of the necessity and propriety of having a Dutch Church there, and that speedily. Those who hesitated, seemed only anxious to gain farther information, and to obtain assurances about the character of the materials, and means, and the manner of drawing together these materials, to form the ch .rch; the belief that our money would be laid out for what is in reality a Dutch Church; and about the character of the Missionary, and whence he was to come; who should labour there the meanwhile, in that field of highest usefulness and enterprise. This is the substance of the discussion of the evening. We have not obtained a copy of the Resolutions. The gentlemen who voted, pledged themselves to go forward, and sustain the enterprise, in the confidence of ultimate success. Literary. We have received the first number of the "Magazine of the Ger man Reformed Church." The Editor is Professor Mayer of the German heological Seminary, located at Carlisle, Pa. The appropriate motto, is "DASZ IHR EINES SINNES SEYD." Phil. i. 2. It con is published at the expense of the Board of Missions of the G. Reformed Church; and its profits, like those of ours, are devoted to the Missionary cause. It contains 32 p p. octavo, at $ 50 each copy, per annum. It is emitted in German and in English; the type is smaller than ours, and contains much matter. We co gratulate our dear brethren of the G. R. Church in this acquisition to their Church and holy cause. And the Editor of this Magazine, personally begs leave to tender his affectionate regard, to his learned brother Editor, Professor Mayer; and offers heartily to co-operate with him in the deeply interesting field before each of us: as it regards receiving and giving any aid and facility, mutually within our power. We beg leave to call the attention of our readers, and of our ministers and elders in particular, throughout the R. D. Church, to ths Magazine of the G. R. Church, which has just commenced its career Obituary. Died lately at Spring Valley, on the EastRiver, near New-York, Mrs. Youle, in the 51st year of her age, greatly lamented by her family, and a very extensive circle of friends, among whom she occupied a very conspicious rank. At Lancaster, Pa. on the 7th ult. after a short illness, Rev Christian Frederick Lud wig En ires, D. D. He was born March 12, 1775, and came to Lancaster, Oct. 6. 1815; since which time he has performed the duties of pastor of the German Lutheran congregation of that city, in a manner which endeared him to his flock. Died lately at Portland, Maine, the Rev. Edward Payson D. D. a diligent and paiustaking minister of the Lord Jesus. He died full of the consolations of the Holy Ghost; and exhibited an additional proof of the triumph of faith over all the fears of death.Some of his dying words, we shall exhibit in a future number. OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. VOL. II. 1 FEBRUARY, 1828. Religious Communications. ON DUELLING. "Halt, passenger! A word with thee, or two. This is the grave of a murderer, and suicide; for he fell throwing away his own life wantonly and aiming, at the same instant, with fell malice, his murderous weapon at his neighbour's breast. No roses white, or jessamine, The practice of duelling had its origin among the barbarous nations of the north of Europe, and arose from false views of the nature of true courage, and mistaken notions of the interpositions of divine providence in the affairs of men. War was the business and delight of these people. Accustomed to look on military skill and prowess as conferring the highest distinction and honours, to which they could attain, they considered cowardice as infamous. Each man was anxious to avenge his own wrongs; and if he submitted to an insult, he was regarded as the basest of men. Moreover, they admitted duelling as a legal method of settling disputes, and of determining the guilt, or innocence of the accused, considering it as a direct appeal to heaven to decide the question. This arose from their erroneously believing that virtue is always rewarded, and crime always punished in this world; whereas we know, that though this sometimes happens, it is often otherwise; and that the season of just retribution awaits us in the other world. But perhaps nothing has done more to establish the practice than the chivalry of the middle ages, which arose [ NO. 11. out of the distractions and wars occasioned by the feudal system. The order of the knighthood, we are willing to admit, was productive of advantage in those dark and disordered times, when every thing was settled by the sword. But those dark ages are past. Happy would it have been for us, if, along with their ferocity and ignorance, and lawlessness, veneration for mere animal courage, and fondness for duels had passed away In whatever point of view we consider the practice of duelling, we can see nothing but what calls for unmingled disapprobation. too. FIRST. It is a direct violation of the law of the land. And what renders it more criminal is, that it is a deliberate and premeditated violation. But what is it that constitutes the very essence of a good citizen? Unquestionably it is to obey, support, and maintain the just laws of his country. But farther still: The principle on which duelling is practised jeopardizes the very existence of society. The principle is this; that a man has a right to take vengeance for his wrongs, into his own hands. Our safety and glory consist in being governed by just laws, justly administered. This protects our property; this gives to us quiet repose in our habitations; this gives to civilized man his chief distinction from the savage. Remove this distinction; prostrate law; give to every one the right to inflict the vengeance he pleases on his enemy, and at once we are reduced to a level with the Arab of the desart; every man's hand is raised against his brother. Social order and peace are annihilated, and society is shaken to its very foundation. But will rear its horrid front, and desolation and dismay will pervade every abode of man. But the practice of duelling is founded on this very principle, and therefore its direct tendency is to throw us into a horrid state of confu sion and anarchy, in which law is disregarded. For if it be allowed that one man, in one case, may avenge his wrongs, why may not every man in every case do so? SECOND. Moreover, the practice of duelling directly violates all the duties, and obligations of domestic life. Is the duellist, as is often the case, the father of a family? Then he is under the most solemn obligation to love and provide for the wife of his bosom. His life is of incalculable importance to his children; their education, their respectability, and usefulness and happiness in life, all, under God, may depend on him. I confess I am astonished at the infatuation which will induce a man not only to risk his life, but to jeopardize the happiness and prosperity of his family; to do that which will wring with anguish the bosom of the wife that he loves, and which exposes to the severest of calamities his perhaps infant children. And for what? the phantom, Honour? His wife, who should be dear to him as himself, calls him back, and bids him stay, as her support and defence; his children beseech him to spare their protector, their father, their dearest friend. But no; deaf to the voice of affection, to the entreaties of love, to the call of nature itself, he madly rushes to the field, to jeopardize his life. And is it that he may discharge some high duty, that he thus wrongs his family, disregards the claims of affection and For the ties of nature? Is it because he dreads the wrath of high heaven, in case he refuses, that he thus rushes on the field of blood and death? Far from it. For, THIRD. The practice is a direct insult to the God of our lives, and a flagrant violation of his laws. God only, who has given to us our lives, has the right to take them from us.--To show his abhorrence of violence, and deeds of blood, he has solemnly enjoined that, “At the hand of manat the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." In vindication of the practice, it has been asserted, that regard for a man's reputation requires of him to comply with it, and that should he refuse a challenge, he would be branded as a coward. A man's reputation we know is very dear to him, for his respectability, and usefulness depend on it. We are willing too to give to courage all the honour it deserves. Cowardice is the mark of an ignoble mind, and is associated with meanness; and a man must possess true courage, and elevation of soul, to pursue through difficulty and danger what is great and noble. But courage, to be commendable, must be exhibited in the pursuit of what is good and right. There are some things that a man ought to be afraid of doing. It is a madman who castethfire-brands, arrows, and death. But we conceive that duelling is foun ded in fear; that instead of being an exhibition of courage, it shows a great want of courage; we mean of moral courage. Who does not condemn the practice? And yet he who fights a duel is afraid of doing what reason and conscience tell him he ought to do, lest his reputation, for having courage to do what he knows to be wrong, and what he ought not to do, should suffer. We do admit that the duellist shows a kind of courage; but it is an exhibition of a certain kind of cou rage, from which a martyr would shrink, and turn pale. It is an awful braving of the Eternal God! The practice is founded in the fear of man, and a total disregard to God! When we contemplate the awful retribution of eternity; when we reflect that here we are forming those characters which will decide our everlasting condition; that we are accountable for every action; that this life is given to us by Almighty God, to be employed in his service, and to secure an immortality of perfect bliss, we are astonished at that infatuation which makes men risk the displeasure of God, and to rush unbidden to the decisions of the judgment throne! Life is a precious gift; a boon of inestimable worth. Eternity, with its tremendous destinies, depends on it; and if spent in the fear and service of our Creator, it will be followed with eternal glory. But to trifle with that on which results, so glorious and so awful, depend; to throw back, unasked for, on the hands of Almighty God, that life which he has given us in trust; and to rush uncalled, and unprepared into his presence, is a proof of fearful infatuation, and horrible impiety!-H. THE LAST MOMENTS OF STEPHEN VAN BRUNT. Mr. Stephen Van Brunt was born at Gowanus, Long Island, a little below New-York city, upon the 30th of November A. D. 1799. His parents were of an ancient, and truly respectable family, long known and honoured on Long-Island. He had been for a few years in business in New-York: and was esteemed and beloved by all who had his acquaintance and friendship.He was, at the time of his death, a Deacon in the Collegiate Dutch Church of New-York. Of the early religious exercises of his mind, I have not been fortunate enough to glean any thing worthy of being recorded. His piety was modest and ter. unassuming before men. But among his intimate friends it displayed itself of a very strong and marked characHis heart was warm, and his zeal ardent. He loved the pure, and simple doctrines of the Gospel of Christ. He was ardently attached to the doctrines of the Church of his fathers; and it was the subject of many a prayer of his, that the Reformed Church may be kept pure, and steadfast, in maintaining the truths transmitted to us from our fathers; in the Confessions, and Canons of the Church. He loved to promote the cause of the Lord by the various institutions and societies of this benevolent age. He was an ardent friend to Sabbath schools. The children, friends, and patrons of the Sabbath school of Gowanus can bear ample testimony to this. And it is earnestly to be hoped that the friends and teachers of that school will cherish his memory, and copy his example, and press on in holy well doing in that flourishing institution. Remember, that Stephen Van Brunt, your brother and coadjutor in that holy cause, being dead, yet speaketh unto you! For a year, or eighteen months, his health was continually declining.He died of that flattering, and deceptious disease, the Consumption. Death slowly, but uniformly, advanced on him. Step by step we saw it approach him. Yet often, very often did our friend, with all the feelings and anxieties natural to man, look around him, on his sweet infant, his beloved wife, his flourishing business, and he wished, and fondly hoped, and persuaded himself that this was not a sickness unto death. But he was not taken by surprise. He was continually being ripened every day.He longed to live. He was anxious after a few more years of life. "It was hard for him to part." "And who, to dumb forgetfulness a prey, This pleasing anxious being e'er resigned: Left the warm precints of the cheerful day, Nor cast one longing lingering look behind?" |