mining the important question concerning the necessity of imposing upon the Gentile converts the ritual observances of the law of Moses. These lay-elders Paul enjoined Timothy, (1 Tim. v. 17,) to account worthy of double honour, if they should rule well, and discharge the duties for which they were separated from the multitude of their brethren. In the church of Scotland every parish has two or three of those lay-elders, who are grave and serious persons chosen from among the heads of families, of known orthodoxy, and steady adherence to the worship, discipline, and government of the church. Being solemnly engaged to use their utmost endeavours for the suppression of vice and the cherishing of piety and virtue, and to exercise discipline faithfully and diligently, the minister, in the presence of the congregation, sets them apart to their office by solemn prayer; and concludes the ceremony, which is sometimes called ordination, with exhorting both elders and people to their respective duties. The Kirk session, which is the lowest ecclesiastical judicatory, consists of the minister and those elders of the congregation. The minister is ex officio moderator, but has no negative voice over the decision of the session; nor, indeed, has he a right to vote at all, unless when the voice of the elders are equal and opposite. Ho may, indeed, enter his protest against their sentence, if he think it improper, and appeal to the judgment of the presbytery; but this privilege belongs equally to every elder, as well as to every person who may believe himself aggrieved by the proceedings of the session. The deacons, whose proper office it is to take care of the poor, may be present in every session, and offer their counsel on all questions that come before it; but, except in what relates to the distribution of alms, they have no decisive vote with the minister and elders. are, the power of ordination by imposition of hands, and the privilege of having the moderator chosen from their body. From the judgment of the presbytery there lies an appeal to the provincial synod, which ordinarily meets twice in the year, and exercises over the presbyteries within the province a jurisdiction similar to that which is vested in each presbytery over the several kirk sessions within its bounds. Of these synods there are in the church of Scotland fifteen, which are composed of the members of the several presbyteries within the respective provinces which give names to the synod. The highest authority in the church of Scotland is the general assembly, which consists of a certain number of ministers and ruling elders delegated from each presbytery, and of commissioners from the universities and royal boroughs. A presbytery in which there are fewer than twelve parishes sends to the general assembly two ministers and one ruling elder; if it contains between twelve and eighteen ministers, it sends three of these, and one ruling elder: if it contains between eighteen and twentyfour ministers, it sends four ministers, and two ruling elders; and of twenty-four ministers, when it contains so many, it sends five, with two ruling elders. Every royal borough sends one ruling elder, and Edinburgh two, whose election must be attested by the kirk sessions of their respective boroughs. Every university sends one commissioner from its own body. The commissioners are chosen annually six weeks before the meeting of the assembly; and the ruling elders are often men of the first eminence in the kingdom for rank and talents. In this assembly, which meets once a year, the king presides by his commissioner, who is always a nobleman, but he has no voice in their deliberations. The order of their proceedings is regular, though sometimes the The next judicatory is the presbytery, consisting of number of members creates a confusion; which the all the pastors within a certain district, and one rul- moderator, who is chosen from among the ministers ing elder from each parish, commissioned by his to be, as it were, the speaker of the house, has not brethren to represent, in conjunction with the minis-sufficient authority to prevent. Appeals are brought ter, the session of that parish. The presbytery from all the other ecclesiastical courts in Scotland to treats of such matters as concern the particular the general assembly; and in questions purely relichurches within its limits; as the examination, ad- gious, no appeal lies from its determinations. mission, ordination, and censuring of ministers; the licensing of probationers, rebuking the gross or contumacious sinners, the directing the sentence of excommunication, the deciding upon references and ap Buck's Theolog. Dict. I PRAY thee by thy mother's face And by the voice that soothed thine ear, peals from kirk sessions, resolving cases of conscience, TO THE DAUGHTER OF A FRIEND-J. C. BRAINARD. explaining difficulties in doctrine or discipline; and censuring, according to the word of God, any heresy or erroneous doctrine which hath either been publickly or privately maintained within the bounds of its jurisdiction. Some of them have frankly acknowledged that they cannot altogether approve of that part of her constitution which gives an equal vote, in questions of heresy, to an illiterate mechanick and his enlightened pastor. We are persuaded (say they) that it has been the source of much trouble to many a pious clergyman, who from the laudable desire of explaining the Scriptures, and declaring to his flock all the counsel of God, has employed a variety of expressions of the same import to illustrate those articles of faith, which may be obscurely expressed in the established standards. The fact, however, is, that in presbyters the only prerogatives which the pastors have over the ruling elders Is not the nestling, when it wakes And on its new-fledged pinions takes Is it not like the parent? Then I was yet a lad when mirth and sympathy drew tears from my eyes as I read the adventures of the renowned Ichabod, the schoolmaster and psalmsinger of that dreamy vale called Sleepy Hollow. When I read of his school discipline, his unrivalled psalmody, his unrequited love for the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, and his horrible midnight race with the Headless Horseman, alias, Brom Bones and an illuminated pumpion, I believed every word to be as true as the witch stories of Cotton Mather. And when in after years I passed the residence of the good old Baltus Van Tassel, its projecting eves covered with green moss, and the spacious "stoop," still festooned with woodbine and honeysuckle as in days lang syne," I almost imagined I saw the blooming face of Katrina peering through the sevenby-nine glasses of a primitive window, and I involuntarily listened as I passed along the margin of the vale, to catch the distant nasal strains of Ichabod. But the hand of modern improvement has changed that primitive scene. In 1835, WASHINGTON IRVING, Esq., purchased this relick of the days of the Knickerbockers, whose vicinity he has immortalized in story, and converted the old low-roofed mansion where Ichabod ate minced pies, and ogled with his "green glassy eyes" the fair Katrina, into the elegant and picturesque Anglo-Dutch edifice portrayed in the above picture. The grounds about it have been cleared, the thick copse that concealed the Taappan Zee" from view has been levelled, and Mr. Irving has rendered it one of the most delight ful summer residences in this country. To the traveller, the scholar, the man of taste, and indeed to every American, a new interest is added to the locale of one of Irving's best sketches. The genius of the Pioneer of American Literature sheds its lustre around this rural retreat, and many a child of genius, as he approaches the delightful spot, will feel that he is treading upon holy ground. The constellation of American literature is now bright with many luminaries; but Mr. Irving's fame beams in splendour not yet equalled by his successors, in the eyes, not only of his countrymen, but of transatlantick admirers. He has established a fame in England as permanent as that of her best writers. Previous to the appearance of the "Sketch Book" scarcely a single work from an American pen had been deemed worthy of republication by the London publishers. But no sooner did the English publick become acquainted with " Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.," than they sought to know him better. The first authors of that country bestowed upon Mr. Irving the meed of just praise; and a celebrated magazine writer pronounced him the "Goldsmith of the age." Attention was then turned to the budding genius of America, and its talented representative was received as an honoured guest into the highest literary circles of the British metropolis. High as Mr. Irving stood in the literary world, the appearance of " Bracebridge Hall, or the Humourist," increased his reputation as a pleasing and elegant writer. The work gives a faithful picture of English feelings and manners, their old popular customs, May-day sports, and Christmas revelries. The " Alhambra" and " Astoria" are among his subsequent standard productions. His writings are few when compared with many of his contemporaries, but they all have that elegance of finish so necessary to establish an enduring fame, which few of the more voluminous authors exhibit. Mr. Irving is now about fifty-six years of age, and a bachelor. His amenity of manners and amiable modesty, the unerring characteristicks of true genius, have disarmed criticism of its keenest weapon, destroyed the seeds of jealousy, wherever rivalry had implanted them, and now, near the home of his childhood, in peaceful and happy retirement, with two charming nieces, he enjoys a reciprocal feeling of friendship co-extensive with his fame. B. J. L. CANAL ACROSS THE ISTHMUS OF DARIEN. That man who shall consummate the grand design of connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific ocean, across the Isthmus of Darien, will identify himself with the greatest scheme of internal improvement ever suggested by human wisdom. Such a man would transmit his name to all civilized commercial nations. The work once successfully accomplished, would be a monument to the memory of its author, as enduring as the rocks of Gibraltar. His cenotaph would be impressed upon the hearts of all who contemplated the mighty work: The untutored savage, as he ventured from the wilderness of nature, to gaze upon this wonder of civilization, would be emboldened to venerate the white man, next to the Great Spirit-the Architect of the heavens! of cattle are reared here, particularly mules, horses, Nicaragua lake is one hundred and twenty miles long and about forty broad; it is navigable for large vessels, and is said to be deep throughout its length. Numerous creeks and harbours indent its margin, into which vessels may run, to load with the various productions of the country. Large herds of cattle are to be found upon its borders. The river St. Juan or St. John is its outlet, guarded here by the Castle of Conception, a garrison of about one hundred men; down the river the inhabitants carry on trade with small craft. Lake Leon has a town upon its border of the same name, which formerly contained about twelve hundred houses; it was the see of a bishop; it is situated in long. eighty-five deg., four min., W., eleven deg., sixteen min. N. Its port is Realejo, situated at the mouth of a river of the same name. This harbour is deep, and will contain two hundred vessels. This town has good fortifications and five docks for building and repairing vessels; it lies on the Pacifick, eighteen miles northwest of Leon. The ships for the South sea service were built here some years ago. It has an island at its entrance to prevent the intrusion of the ocean in tempestuous weather. The land will produce indigo, cotton, sugar, rice, tobacco, Indian corn, small grain, coffee, and the fruits and productions of almost any climate lighted by the sun. APPALLING INCIDENT. Troy Daily Mail. Several plans have been devised to connect the two oceans by canal, ship channel, or railway. The distance from Panama to the nearest point on the Atlantic is less than fifty miles, but here the mountains and rocks present an impenetrable barrier short of a tunnel for a canal or ship channel. Upon this point a railway has been projected within the last ten years; but what has become of both project and projectors, we are not advised. We see by the papers that Holland has entered into a contract to connect the two oceans by a canal from St. Johns river into Lake Nicaragua, and from thence to some point on the Pacific. Within the last twenty years, contracts have been entered into by individuals in the United States as well as by subjects of Great Britain, for constructing a canal for the above purpose; but from the inability of the contractors or the instability of government, or both, the work has never been commenced. It strikes us that this magnificent work ought to be accomplished and protected at the expense of THE following is extracted from a private journal every civilized commercial nation on this planet; kept on board of the Vincennes, one of the vessels and that the most feasible route for vessels of a cer-attached to the Exploring Expedition, and published tain class, would be from St. John's harbour on the in the Bunker's hill Aurora :Atlantic side, near the gulf of Matina, thence up St. "Just before noon, while taking in the maintop John's river into Lake Nicaragua, a distance of 64 gallant-sail, one of the crew who was on the yard, miles; thence the entire length of the lake 120 miles, by the slatting of the sail, had the buntline thrown -thence into Lake Leon 10 miles-thence across a over his head, and before he could free himself, was level country to harbour on the Pacific called Real-jerked off and forward of the yard, where he hung ejo, pronounced Realeho, a distance of 18 miles, dangling by the neck at the height of eighty feet. He making an aggregate of 212 miles, without any se- struggled for a moment only, trying with both hands rious impediment. to reach the rope over his head, and then they fell This route is included in what is now called Cen-powerless by his side. He was first observed by the tral America, formerly the province of Nicaragua, boatswain, who looked up on seeing a hat fall overand the Guatumala. The climate generally is salu- board. I was by his side, and never shall I forget brious and healthy, though like all tropical climates, the face of horrour, nor the unearthly and fearful shriek it is very warm in summer, and is subject to rains in that broke from him after pointing aloft for a few secwinter. It is the thickest wooded of any part of New onds, incapable of uttering a sound. It was like that Spain, and is extremely fertile, furnishing the prod-sometimes heard from persons suffering under the ucts of almost any climate on the globe; large herds nightmare. It was indeed a most awful sight to be full well that all cannot abide in one place they feel satisfied with their location, put themselves about improving their own soil with the means they possess and they will soon find they need not go from home to look for the standard of excellence, for they have it on their own premises. hold a fellow-creature thus quivering in the air, his productive than their own, without that itching dearms dangling to and fro, and his whole body sway-sire to pull up stakes and make man sacrifices for ing backward and forward with every roll of the the purpose of occupying it; kno ship, fifteen and twenty feet, and every little while striking with fearful violence against the mast. In a few seconds a dozen men were aloft to his assistance, but it seemed as many hours. And here a new danger presented itself; one of them, thinking only of freeing the sufferer's neck, caught him with one hand leaning over the topsail yard as he swung in, Because a man has a farm inferior to his neighbours, and began cutting the rope with the other. Provi- or that some distant place is better than the land in dentially, the attempt was seen and arrested by the his vicinity, we conceive to be no reason for him to first-lieutenant. Had he cut the rope, the jerk must change his location, if he is otherwise suited. Varihave thrown them off together. He was now soon ous motives and causes often make it proper to liberated, but declared to be dead. On being lower-change, but when a man is fully determined to make ed on deck in a hammock, sent up for the purpose, the best of his situation, and set about improving his the means used for the recovery of persons whose animation is suspended, were successfully used, and he is now doing well. Another minute and all would have been over with him. On examination of the manner in which he was suspended, his preservation is a little short of miraculous. There was only a single turn round his neck. Had it slipped, (and heaven only can tell what prevented it,) he would have been dashed to pieces, or whirled overboard, where with the heavy sea that was running, he must have perished. Had he caught an inch nearer his ear, he must have suffocated, ere relieved. And in view of his escape, will you believe it, all he thinks of is stopping his grog to-day, lest it should induce fever! Not half an hour since, I went to see him, and he said it was bloody hard a man must lose his grog because he came near breaking his neck." Such is the old man-of-war's-man. 66 soil, improving his crops, improving his stock; he at the same time is improving his mind; and his children are not forgotten; for improvement is his motto, and is adhered to, in all the various departments of his household-he will generally find it as profitable to remain at home, and enjoy the comforts of an older settlement. We hardly thought of lecturing on emigration when we commenced this article, but wished to impress on the minds of our farmers the importance of improving their farms, and their system of farming. A pretty uniform system is adopted in new settlements and for aught we know as good as any, but after a considerable portion of the farm becomes cleared it is time to look toward the introduction of the improvements of older settlements. We are favoured with the varieties of soil, adapted to the raising of different articles of produce, and in order to farm it profitably, we must as far as possible suit the crop to the soil. Wherever the soil will admit of it, a rotation of crops is desirable, and on almost every farm IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT. a portion of the land can be occupied in this way; It is by comparison that we estimate the value and but much of the land through the central parts of our qualities of things. If our stock of cattle, horses, state is much better adapted to growing grass than sheep and hogs is as good as that in our neighbour-grain; and on such land it would be improper to make hood or as any that may have been noticed, we call the raising of corn and the fattening of hogs the main them good. We have good crops of corn, and grain business. Here the raising and keeping of cattle. of all kinds, if we see no better; and a good or poor will be more profitable. Again on the dry and rich farm by the same comparison. But when we extend soil of the river bottoms, corn is the most appropriate our researches a little beyond our precincts, we often crop with a rotation of other grains. By a little obfind that what we have been accustomed to call good servation, a farmer will discover the most profitable or poor, will not be applicable in the same sense that course of culture, and on lands adapted to the purwe have heretofore viewed the terms, and a different pose he ought not to remain contented with smaller standard is necessary. Some, after visiting Rocky crops than are obtained in older settlements on inferiver, or Black Hawk country, come home with dif-riour soil. "What has been done can be done again" ferent ideas of the quality of soils and look upon their is a remark frequently made, and we see no reason heretofore good farms, with an eye of indifference, why a farmer who has good corn land should be and naught will do but to sell off and commence anew satisfied with fifty bushels to the acre when one in the wilds of the farthest West. They are highly hundred can be obtained. We have seen the land delighted with the rich prairie country, and dwell and the stalks, from which one hundred and twentylargely on the advantages untold. They are too of seven and a half bushels of shelled corn were taken ten partial in their comparisons, and forget that the from the acre, and in several instances over one hunsoil of their farms is susceptible of great improve-dred and fifty have been obtained, in the state of New ment, that they possess many comforts and privileges York. It was by manuring and superiour cultivation at home which they must for a long time be deprived that it was done. Let us bestow the same care, and of in their new location. Such perhaps had better much larger crops than we now get, will be the remigrate, and leave their improvements to be occu- sult. Just so with stock, and every production of pied by those better able to appreciate their value, the farm. and with minds imbued with the spirit necessary to a further improvement. Such persons extend their comparisons for a different object They see and hear of a land more VOL. IV.-18 Much land that is now unfit for grain by proper draining may be made excellent for the purpose.When a farmer is fully resolved to make every improvement in his power, he will find many ways of |