2d. A spirited dissertation on the influence of Commerce on public manners, by GEORGE THORNDIKE, distinguished by sentiments of the purest nature, mingled with a glowing zeal for the simplicity of ancient times, and the incorrupt integrity of "days of yore." And if, in some instances, this zeal led to severe invective against the mercenary, avaricious, and meanly interested trader, it ought not to have been construed, as derogating from the value and respectability of the fair and honourable merchant, or of a profession which serves to unite mankind in bonds of mutual benefits. 3d. The Forensic disputation on the question, Whether utility be the foundation of moral obligation, by JoнN DAVIS and BENJAMIN TITCOMB, was conducted with accurate investigation, and a discriminating attention to the theories of writers on ethics, and the insidious distinctions of modern philosophists. 4th. A dissertation on the use of history, by RICHARD COBB, exhibited a maturity of mind, and extent of read. ing and observation, highly honourable to the genius and industry of the speaker. It contained energetic and judicious remarks; the style was perspicuous and appropriate, and the benefits of historical knowledge to le. gislators and professional men, to princes, patriots and heroes, were displayed with glowing eloquence. The eulogy on our countrymen, who fell before Tripoli, was calculated to "rouse even cowards to emulate the actions of the brave." 5th. An ingenious and discursive disquisition on the powers of language, by JOHN O'BRIEN, evincing a nice attention to the subjects connected with eloquence, and to the influence of oratory on the human mind and passions in every age, with an indig. nation against innovators, and corruptors of our idiom, characteristic of the critical and cassic scholar. 6th. An English oration by JOHN DAVIS. This composition was mark. éd with the features of judgment, seriousness, and piety. Its subject was "the Powers of Man," and it afforded evidence of the tender feelings, moral perceptions, and studious application of its author, 7th. A disquisition on the solar sys tem, by Moses QUINBY, leading the mind from a contemplation of the wonders of creation to admire the wisdom and power of the Creator. The science of astronomy was traced con amore through the stages of its progress to the present times. The speculations of ancient and modern sages, and the ingenious theories of philosophers, from Pythagoras to Newton, and from Newton down to Darwin, were passed in review by the orator, and proved his attachment to mathematic calculation, and philosophic inquiry. 8th. An English Oration on the progress of Refinement, by ISAAC FOSTER COFFIN, led the enchanted attention of the audience through all the steps of human advancement, "from passion and debasement" to the highest polish of civilized society; and, if elegance and urbanity of manners, ease of elocution, and dignity of sentiment are entitled to applause, this young gentleman was highly entitled to it. Indeed the whole exhibi tion, of which a sketch is here given, excited lively emotions of pleasure in a literary, respectable, and attentive audience, and gave an earnest of the future hopes of society from an institution, fostered by public munificence, and private benefaction, and governed with paternal fidelity aud profes sional skill. After these exercises, the following excellent ADDRESS was made by the President to the candidates for their first degree. Gentlemen, Having finished the course of studies, prescribed by the laws of this institution, you are now to receive its first honours, and soon to enter up on public life. I trust you need not be assured, that the governors and patrons of the society, and we espe cially, who have had the immediate direction of your studies, feel deeply interested in your usefulness and happiness in life. As instruction here commenced with you; on you, more than on any succeeding class, will depend the reputation of this infant seminary. As the broadest, firmest, and surest foundation of your future usefulness and respectability, let me earnestly recommend to you piety to: wards God, and a life of virtue, founded upon evangelical principles. You will make a very dangerous mistake, if you think it sufficient to maintain a decent character, formed on worldly principles, and governed by worldly motives. I am not unwilling that religious principles and resolutions should be strengthened by a regard to reputation; but the gospel of our blessed Redeemer directs our supreme regard to Him, who knows the secret springs of all our actions. And God forbid that you should ever be ashamed to be governed by the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you heartily embrace the religion of the Redeemer, it will furnish you with the most powerful motives to practise the things that are virtuous and praiseworthy; and, in a humble dependence on divine aid, you will resolve with holy Job, that your heart shall not reproach you so long as you live. Would you maintain conscien ces void of offence towards God and man, without which you cannot be happy, shun the pestilential society of those, who are enemics to the relig ion of Christ. In the commerce of the world you must sometimes fall into the company of such, but let them never be your chosen compan. ions. Evil communications corrupt good manners. Let your chosen companions be men of virtue, men who fear God and keep his commandments. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Whatever profession in life you may choose, whether law, physic or divinity, you ought never to imagine that the talents, which the Author of nature has given you, or the instructions you have had in the first elements of science, will supercede the necessity of diligence in the proseĉution of your studies. Inquire among the living, or among the dead, and you will find no example of great emInence without industry. And in whatever stations the providence of God may call you to act your respective parts, let your whole conduct be directed by an inviolable regard to duty, and that delicate sense of honour and propriety, which shuns the appearance of evil. In your intercourse with the world, let your behaviour be marked with candour, and guided by sincerity and truth. Avoid every dishonest art to advance your interest or reputation, and prob- ably the world will do justice to your characters; but if not, you will have. for your consolation the testimony of your consciences, which is infinitely better than the plaudits of millions. The degree of Bachelor of Arts was then conferred on the following young gentlemen, alumni of Bowdoin College; Richard Cobb, Isaac FosterCoffin, John Davis, John O'Brien, Moses Quinby, George Thorndike, and Benjamin Titconib. It was indeed a novel enjoyment to witness the refinements of science in a country not long since reclaimed from the wilderness, and to view a literary seminary," Cirrha procul et Permesside lympha," promising the benefits and ornaments of erudition to the youth of unborn generations. Bath, Sept. 1806. ATTICUS SINGULAR PHENOMENON. Extract of a letter from Overton county, Tennessee, dated Nov. 1806, to one of the Editors of the Panoplist. "I have reserved room to sketch you a short account of a rare occur rence in the world of meteors. It was witnessed at Knoxville, on the 27th of August last. Our attention was attracted between 9 and 10 in the morning, by a number of extraordinary circles about the sun. The first was a common halo; though of colours uncommonly vivid; the sun in the centre, as usual; and the area very dark between the sun and circle, like the space between the outer and inner rainbow. This circle was crossed by another considerably larger: of a whitish colour; its periphery running through the sun and its centre at or towards the zenith. third and fourth were much larger than the second; paler, resembling a lunar rainbow, but the peripheries, narrower and better defined, not constantly complete; one projected towards the southwest, and the other towards the northeast, each encom. passing the halo, and intersecting the second circle and one another ata point opposite the sun, from which a The line drawn to the centre of the sun Would, it was judged, be equally divided by the meridian. The place of intersection was bright and tinctured with different colours. And easterly and westerly there were fragments of a larger circle varying in length, coloured like a rainbow, and of sufficient size, it is believed, if complete, to have included all the rest, and to have extended southerly far below the horizon, altogether different from a rain bow in situation and magnitude. The scene varied a little from time to time; and probably was various in different parts of the country. It is said the number of circles seen in some places was seven. In an hour or two it had disappeared at Knoxville, but came on again in the afternoon, only reversed; the point of intersection of the three circles being northeast from the sun, and all appearances changed accordingly. It was seen through a region of country of several hundred miles in extent, and how much farther I am not in- formed. I have waited to see if any thing similar was noticed in your part of the Union: but suppose not, as no mention was made in the papers. There had been no rain at Knoxville for some days preceding; and there was none for several days after, though at the time the air was a little hazy, as usual when haloes appear; but what disposition of the vapours could produce such a wonder. ful play of refraction and reflection, I do not pretend to determine. As it continued so long, I regret that I had no quadrant to ascertain altitudes and angles, though there was nothing remarkable in a horizontal view of. things, except that the air appeared rather darker than usual, something as it does in a partial eclipse of the sun; yet the scene above was so brilliant, that my eyes, though remarkably strong, were immediately so overpowered, that I could only take sudden glances of the phenome non, till I had procured a smoked glass. No one present, though there were persons who had lived in differ ent parts of America and Europe, had ever beheld, as they said, or recol lected to have read or heard of the like, We understand that Mr. Carri gain, Secretary of the state, and Mr. Merril, are engaged in making such · surveys of different parts of New Hampshire, as may enable the shortly to publish an accurate map of this State. List of New Publications. OBSERVATIONS upon baptism, delivered at Ipswich, south parish, June 12, 1806. By Joseph Dana, D. 1). pastor of the church in that place; with a view of introductory circumstances and proceedings in the said church. pp. 24. Blunt. Newburyport. The duty and character of a gospel bishop illustrated. A sermon preached Oct. 30, 1803, at the ordination of the Rev. William B. Wesson, to the pastoral office over the church and society in Hardwich. By Jos. Lee, A. M. pastor of the church in Royalston. Northampton. Wright, A sermon preached at the ordination of the Rev. Nathan Waldo, A. B. at Williamstown, Vt. Feb. 26, 1896. By Elijah Parish, A. M. pastor of the church in Byfield, Mass Hanover, N. H. Moses Davis. No. 1. of the Monthly Register, Magazine, and Review of the United States for December. Being a continuation of the Monthly Register and Review newly arranged. This work will be conducted as before, by S. C. Carpenter, in connection with another gentleman of first rate acquirements in every department of literature. Price 6 dollars per an num. 8vo. pp. 64. New York. No. I. Vol. I. of the Christian Magazine, intended to promote the knowl edge and influence of evangelical truth and order. pp. 120, 8vo. Pub lished quarterly. Price $1,50 a year. N. York. Hopkins & Seymour. Sold by J. & T. Ronalds. The Sacred Minstrel No. 1. Con. taining an introduction to psalmody, practical essay on modulation, and a collection of sacred music, suitable for religious worship. Selected and composed by Uri K. Hill. Price 50 vents. Boston. Manning & Loring. The baptism of believers only, and the particular communion of the Bapist churches, explained and vindicated. In three parts. The first-pubfished originally in 1789; the second -in 1794; the third-an appendix, containing additional observations and arguments, with strictures on several late publications. By Thomas Baldwin. Boston. Manning & Loring. 1807. NEW EDITIONS. A new and compendious Geographical Dictionary or Gazetteer, improv ed. Illustrated by eight maps. Originally written by R. Brooks, M. D. First American edition from the latest European edition, with great additions and improvements in every part. 1 large 8vo. vol. Price $3,50 bound. Philadelphia. J. Johnson. A Translation of the Alcoran of Mahomet. Worcester. 1. Thomas, jún. The Works of the Right Hon. Edmund Burke. Vol. 1. 8vo. pp. 491. Boston, published by John West, 75, Cornhill, and O. C. Greenleaf, 3, Court-street. 1806. IN THE PRESS. A familiar Survey of the Christian Religion, and of History as connected with the introduction of Christianity, and with its progress to the present time. Intended primarily for the use of young persons of either sex, during the course of public or private education. By Thomas Gisborne, A. M. New-York. Bernard Dornin. Sir Wm. Forbe's Life of Beattie. 2 vols. 8vo. New-York. Riley & Co. Mrs. West's Letters to her Daugh. ter. New-York. Riley & Co. PROPOSED BY SUBSCRIPTION. A view of the economy of the Church of God, as it existed in its primitive form, under the Abrahamic dispensation and the Sinai Law; and as it is perpetuated under the more luminous dispensation of the Gospel; particularly in regard to covenants. By Samuel Austin, A. M. Minister of the gospel in Worcester, Massachu. getts. Worcester. Thomas & Stur tevant. A volume of Sermons on the following subjects, viz. To little children; the duty of speaking to the young; the young invited to the communion; early piety the comfort of old age; discourse to the aged; dry bones restored; birds and beasts preaching to men; Joab laying hold on the horns of the altar; nothing to be withheld when Christ has need; the gate of heaven strait; the causes why many cannot enter the gate; the awful condition of such as are excluded; Pilate's inscription on the cross of Christ; the disciples gazing at the ascending Saviour; the rainbow around the throne; no temple in heaven; universal praise for redemption; the wheels of providence; the temper of a Christian with regard to moral good and evil; the impiety of pleading God's promise in excuse for neglecting plain duty-(and several others.) By Joseph Lathrop, D. D. Pastor of the First Church in WestSpringfield. H. Brewer. Springfield. The vol. is to contain about 400 pages 8vo. Price, bound and lettered, $1,75. Fifty-two Sermons, by W. Hazlett, for the use of families. 2 vols. 8vo. Price $5 in boards. Letters of the late Lord Lyttleton, only son of the venerable Lord George Lyttleton, and chiefjustice of Eyre, &c. Two volumes complete in one. The first American, from the eighth London edition. To which will be added, a memoir concerning the author, including an account of some extraordinary circumstances attending his death. 8vo. between 260 and 300 pages, on fine wire-wove paper. Price $1,75 in sheep, $2,25 in calf binding. Troy, N. Y. Wright, Goodenow, and Stockwell. Lectures on the Elements of Chem-" istry. By Joseph Black, M. D. Professor of Chemistry in the University of Edinburgh. First American edition, with plates. 3 vols. 8vo. wove paper. Price $7 to subscribers. Philadelphia. Matthew Carey. Major Thomas U. P. Carlton, attorney-general of Georgia, is preparing for the press a work, to be entitled, "The Life of Major-General James Jackson, and a history of the Revolution in the State of Georgia." A part of the Works of the late Dr. Tappan, Hollis Professor of Divinity, in the University of Cambridge, consisting of a volume of his Sermons,. and his Lectures on Jewish Antiquities: each volume to contain about B. C. D. on the resurrection of Christ, Philalethes on the same subject, Luther's reply to J. C.. Memoirs of the life of Stephen Smith. Esq. Leighton on the influences of the Holy Spirit, Quolquum's sketch of David's character, H. on self-acquaintance, Theophilus on the divinity of Christ, (inserted in this number,) with his exposition of Heb. vi. 4 to 7, are received. We are particularly obliged to our correspondent for his translations for the Panoplist. The result of the members from Zeland of the synod of Dort, on the question, "In what manner should candidates be prepared for the sacred min-. istry 2" is excellent and peculiarly seasonable; as are also, "the sentiments of the British divines at the synod of Dort, on some interesting points of divinity," inserted in the present number. We are always gratified by the communications of this correspondent. Orton's sketch of Dr. William Bates, with preliminary observations, is. thankfully received. His design to send us a succession of the lives of some eminent non-conformist divines, and of the members of the celebrated Westminster Assembly, meets our cordial approbation, and we have no doubt his communications will be highly gratifying to our readers, and promotive of the great object of our work. N. B. Subscribers are informed that Mr. CALEB BINGHAM, bookseller, No. 44, Cornhill, Boston, will in future act as agent for the editors in Boston, in the distribution of the Panoplist, and receiving payments and communica tions for the work. |
