that God will at some time change the state of the world, by destroying wicked persons, and creating a new heaven and earth by introducing a holy state.. Whether this earth will continue to be inhabited by holy beings forever, we are not informed. Whether any considerable change in the course of nature will take place is equally uncertain. No passage in scripture seems to predict any great change in the material universe.-What may take place no one can tell unless God reveal it.

My attention has been turned to this subject by an article in the Evangelist of January 7, when a literal interpretation of these passages in the Epistle of Peter seems relied on. I recollect an anecdote from missionary ground, where a similar view excited much astonishment, as well it might. An American missionary informed a native at Calcutta, that the earth is at some time to be actually burned up. For one I should be astonished at such information. The reader may think me too confident. Did I suppose any one who had examined the principal figurative expressions of the bible would oppose me, I might give the arguments for my belief in full. But it seems like gratuitous labor. The sentiment now opposed has been current, and many take it up without investigation. If it be unfounded, much speculation might be saved to theologico-cosmogonists. If well founded, will any one adduce the proof?

Philadelphia, Jan. 10.

C

OBITUARY.

The following is extracted from the Christian Mirror of January 5th. If our limits would permit, we should be glad to copy the article entire.

Rev. CHARLES JENKINS was born in Barre, Ms. in 1786; experienced religion during a revival in Williams College, at which he graduated in 1813, after which he spent several years in giving classical instruction, as preceptor of Westfield Academy, and Tutor in W. College-was settled in the ministry in Greenfield, Ms. in 1820; and again in Portland in 1825. He departed this life, after a short illuess, on Thursday morning last, aged 45 years.

His mind was, preeminently, of an original cast. His thoughts were his own-were shaped by his own reflections--were associated in his mind by laws in some respects peculiar to himself—and were exhibted in language of great richness, strength, and beauty.

His mind was amazingly fertile. He had no beaten trackno hackneyed topics-no worn out figures-no favorite forms of expression-no stereotyped phrases to be scattered through every performance, and by their perpetual recurrence to lull attention and annihilate interest. No one was further removed than he from the too common habit of falling into the same train of thought,

and the same method of illustration, whatever were the topic with which he set out. When he raised his voice in supplication to the Father of Spirits, no fellow worshipper could anticipate the form or the matter of the next petition. When he named his text, no hearer could anticipate the mode of treatment which it was to receive; and no one in the issue had reason to be dissatisfied. The first sentence of the introduction arrested attention, and put the minds of hearers into a posture of inquiry, from which they were soon relieved by the developement of a truth or principle, then evidently involved in the text; but which, till then, not one in ten, probably, had ever recognised. The illustration of this principle was attended in the minds of his auditory with the same process of attention, inquiry, conviction. There was a freshness, an unlooked-for range of thought or mode of reasoning in most of his discourses, which regaled the mind, at the same time that they commended the truth to every man's conscience, and imparted intenser ardor to all the holy affections. Still, there was no straining after novelties, or unusual modes of expression. In him was no affectation, no extravagance—all was the spontaneous offspring of his mental structure and intellectual habits.

A rich poetical fancy, with which he was endued, contributed much to that "infinite variety" of mental resources, which he had ever at command. To this must be attributed his unusual power of combination, which never failed to invest the most common topic, in his hands, with all the interest of a new subject. It has seemed to us, that when warmed with his theme in the progress of composition, the sentiments of his heart have dropped spontaneously from his pen in the measure, the language, and the imagery of first-rate poetry. If this has not often been the case, he had access to some poets, of whose works we are ignorant.

But the vigor of his intellect was exceeded by no other quality. He seemed adequate to any mental achievement within the range of human possibility. He could seize a subject with a giant's grasp, and especially any appertaining to the philosophy of mind or to his profession, and analyze it with the skill of a master, and point out its relations and uses with the clearness of light. Though he was a diligent student and composed his sermons with much care, he could yet answer any unexpected call, without special preparation. The most powerful efforts, those in which the most overwhelming effects were produced on his auditory, have been, in several instances, those when he spoke on a sudden emergency, when the circumstances of the case must have precluded all premeditation. Here too he nsed the same dignified style of utterance, the same elevated, bold, striking, select, and forcible language, which characterised his written compositions.

But it was the glory of his character, that he 'gloried in the cross, and counted all his talents and acquisitions but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord;' that they were all sanctified and devoted to his Maker and Redeemer. He had great simplicity of aim; and seemed 'determined to know,

This was the great business which absorbed his soul; and with so rare a combination of qualities for exerting a moral power, no wonder that he was successful, especially as the Lord wrought with him. The number known to be converted under his ministry, though by no means small, does but very inadequately exhibit the extent of his influence. He was one of those men who are raised up for the church universal,-receiving little, except from God, but imparting much in every circle with which he mingles, and particularly to his ministering brethren, by which the prosperity of the church is advanced.

He was a faithful preacher. He not only declared the whole counsel of God, but he did it in a manner the most clear and discriminating. His sermons were searching beyond description. O, how did he unmask the hypocrite, 'disguise himself as he would'; how rend away the false refuges, beneath which sinners entrench themselves; how trace and expose the windings and deceits of the human heart; how shew transgressors their ways! He brought the torch of truth as it were into the sinner's soul, that he might see his condition and charater in the sight of God. Sinners trembled, they often complained, that the preacher was harsh and severe; and, finding that there was no peace to the wicked in the presence of such a reprover, sometimes left his ministrations, by which their consciences were so greatly disturbed, and probably are now in the condition of the man among the tombs, "seeking rest and finding none." Christians, too, under his preaching were often brought into doubt of themselves, and led to examine anew the foundation of their hope; but on the review they have reason to say, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." Though he dwelt much on the claims of God and the Redeemer, he did not withhold the exhibition of divine mercy. Free grace, redeeming love, sounded from his lips in the melting accents of one whose heart had felt its subduing, peace-giving, and constraining power.

T

INTELLIGENCE.

Extract of a letter from Rev. Daniel Temple, Missionary at Malla, to the Editor of the Christian Mirror.

Every Christian must rejoice and ought to rejoice that the way is evidently preparing to destroy the face of the covering that has for so many centuries been cast over all the people of these countries, and the veil that has been spread over all these nations. An ignorant unprincipled priesthood has long been accustomed to say to these nations, Bow down that we may go over; and they have laid their body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over. But happily within the last ten years Popery has lost more than it has done in as many centuries before, and should its losses be multiplied in the same ratio for twenty years to come, there can then remain little more than the fragments of its wreck. In

nd to make known nothing, save Jesus Christ and him crucified;' he mean time every devout Christian will be constantly praying hat God would send forth his commandment upon earth and cause is word to run swiftly. One generation of errors may pass away; ut unless the influence of divine truth prevent it, another generaion of them will come. Pagan Rome fell, and papal Rome rose nits stead. Which of them is the worst, it would perpaps be ifficult to decide. Both were corrupt and corrupters. As the one as faded and fallen like a star from the firmament, so doubtless will the other, and how soon we cannot pretend to predict."

Jews' Societies.-The Jews are scattered over every quarter of the globe. The whole number is estimated at 2,700,000.-Europe, 1,644,000; Africa, 480,000; Asia, 542,000; Polynesia, 2,000; America, 32,000.-Total, 2,700,000.

Although they originally spoke the Hebrew language, yet now in their dispersed condition, being in different countries, they speak the Arabic, Italian, German, Polish Jew Dialect, and Turkish. Various means have been used, both in Europe and America, to direct them to the only Saviour.

The London Jews' Society was formed about 1818.-The sole object of this society is the conversion of the Jews to christianity. The Philo Judaean Society was instituted in 1827, for the purpose of circulating the whole Bible, and religious Tracts among the Jews, giving lectures, establishing day and Sabbath schools, for adults and children.

Boston Female Jews' Society was formed about the year 1815. The object of this society is, the promotion of christianity among the Jews, by circulating religious instruction of all kinds among them. There is a number of auxiliaries connected with the society. The Society has a fund of $2,470, the income of which has been appropriated for some time past for the education of Jewish children at Bombay, the circulation of Tracts among the Jews in Palestine, and in the support of a student, preparing to labor as a missionary among the Jews.

The American Jews' Society was formed in New York, 1820, for the purpose of ertablishing an asylum in the United States, where christian or converted Jews might resort, from all parts of the world, and in this way avoid the dreadful persecution of their unbelieving countrymen. This society owns a farm in New Paltz, on the west side of Hudson River, of 500 acres 100 cleared, with a good house and other necessary buildings. Their funds amount to $15,000. The Rev. Dr. Rowan is now in the employ of the society as an Agent.-N. H. Obs.

A resolution passed the Senate of Louisana, the 16th. inst. authorising the Governor to purchase a gold medal and offer the same to the Hon. Edward Livingston, as an acknowledgement, on the part of the state of Louisana, for the code of criminal and civil law presented to the State by the Honorable Gentleman.

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AGENTS.

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CORY & BROWN, 17 Market-street, have for sale a general assortment of religious, miniature books, among which are Daily Food-Mrs. Rowe's Devout Exercises-Comforts of Piety Daily Piety---Gems of Piety---Gems of Sacred Poetry---Dew Drops---Daily Crumbs---Directions to Persons just commencing a Religious Life---Daily Scripture Expositor, &c. &c. together with a variety of new and standard Theological works.

Providence, March 26, 1832.

BOOK & JOB PRINTING.

WILLIAM MARSHALL & Co. No. 12, Market-square, 4th story, respectfully inform the public that they have just added to their stock of materials, an entire new office, selected with great care by a gentleman who contemplated prosecuting the printing business in this town. This being added to their former large assortment of materials, makes an extensive variety, and enables them to offer very great advantages to persons who may want any kind of Letter Press Printing done in good style, and at short notice. Providence, Oct. 1831.