election of a Bishop; when the Rev. Nathanael Bowen, D.D. was found to have the unanimous suffrages of all the clergy and the churches. It was moved by the Rev. Mr. Gervais, and unanimously carried, that the President appoint two gentlemen to inform the Rev. Dr. Bowen of his election to the episcopate. Whereupon the Rev. Mr. Gervais and the Rev. Mr. Tschudy were appointed for that purpose. The report of the Standing Committee was read, approved of, and confirmed. Resolved, on motion of Gen. Huger, that so much of that report as respects the death of the late Bishop, and likewise as regards the Sunday Schools, be entered on the journals of the Convention. In compliance with the said resolution, the following is extracted from the report of the Standing Committee Proceedings of the Standing Committee respecting the death of the late Bishop. "The Committee appointed at the last meeting, to express the sentiments of this Board, in relation to the loss sustained by the Church in the death of its Bishop, and to consider what proceedings are rendered necessary by that unexpected and distressing event, beg leave respectfully to submit the following observations : : "In the Christian Church the Bishop is the chief counsellor in spiritual matters, the guardian of its unity in faith and worship, the only dispenser of the apostolical and useful rite of confirmation, and the only means of preserving the succession of the sacred ministry. Without a Bishop, the church is in an imperfect state, as a body without a head. "The diocess of South-Carolina had been for more than ten years without this important officer; and an indifference to the distinguishing principles of our church was gradually extending itself. By a happy union of sentiments in both the clergy and the laity, the Rev. Dr. Dehon was elect. ed Bishop; and the difficulties in his own mind, in the way of his acceptance of this office, being happily removed by a kind Providence, he was consecrated on the 15th October, 1812. To the duties of this station he immediately devoted himself. "He administered confirmation to a great number in most of the parishes of the diocess. He visited every parish under his care, and, by particular request, the church in Georgia; and considering that he had the sole charge of a very large congregation in this city, that our climate permitted him to travel only during half of the year, and that many of the churches were remote from his residence, his visitations were very frequent. He consecrated sevecal churches, and was active in endeavour ing to revive the worship of the church where it had been neglected, and to establish it in those places where it was unknown, and particularly in Columbia, the capital of the state, and the seat of its College. He presided in the convention of this diocess with singular dignity, judgment, and impartiality, and in his annual addresses enforced the best cautions and directions in the most affectionate and persuasive manner. He guided the conduct of the clergy by the influence of affection, and encouraged them by his example to love each other and their sacred calling more and more. He took every opportu nity to encourage capable persons, and particularly pious and intelligent youths, to devote themselves to the ministry; superintended in a detailed and particular manner the studies of the candidates; and, before he ordained them, strictly examin ed their proficiency in every branch required by the canons. He uniformly attended the meetings of the General Convention of the church, although from the remoteness of this diocess from the place of session, and the season in which they were held, he was subjected to much inconvenience and hazard of health and life. He discharged the various functions of the apostolical office with a dignity and feeling of the most engaging character. "Deeply afflicted by the loss of services so valuable, and of an example so instructive, the Ecclesiastical Authority of the diocess have deemed it proper to adopt the following resolutions: "Resolved, that the Standing Committee feel their responsibility greatly increased by the death of their Bishop, and they now engage themselves to the church to do all they can to promote her welfare. "Resolved, that the Secretary of the Standing Committee be requested to write to the Right Rev. Wm. White, D. D. presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Chuch in the United States, informing him of the melancholy loss which the church has sustained in the death of the late Right Rev. Theodore Dehon, D. D. Bishop of the diocess of South-Carolina, on the 6th of August, 1817. And that the presiding Bishop be requested, when he communi cates this mournful bereavement to the venerable House of Bishops, to solicit the prayers of our Right Rev. Fathers in behalf of the clergy of this diocess, that the Almighty would graciously bestow upon them a double portion of his spirit, that they may daily increase in wisdom, piety. and zeal, and so faithfully and diligently discharge their sacred functions, that Coc may be glorified, and man be saved. 6C Resolved, that it be respectfully re commended to the Ministers, the Vestries and the congregations in this diocess, to meditate seriously on this afflictive dis pensation of Divine Providence, to humble themselves before God, and to beseech him fervently and frequently through Jesus Christ our Lord to rule and govern his holy church in the right way. "Resolved, that the Ministers and People of our church in general be requested to supplicate the divine mercy in behalf of an afflicted church. "Resolved, that a copy of these proceedings be transmitted by the Secretary to the Right Rev. Bishop White, and also to the Rector and Vestry of every Parish in this diocess, that it may be read in their respective churches in this diocess." Proceedings of the Standing Committee, relative to the establishment of Sunday Schools. "The Standing Committee were informed, that the persons, who held subscription papers for the establishment of a Sunday school in our churches, were desirous of paying over the several sums collected by them to some authorized agent, for the purpose of carrying that object into ef fect; wherefore it was on motion resolved unanimously "First, that this Committee do appoint a Treasurer to take charge of the Sunday school fund, and to report quarterly his receipts and disbursements to this Com. mittee; and that, so soon as a Bishop shall be appointed for this docess, this fund shall be paid over to him, in conformity to the design of the original contributors thereto. Secondly, that a Catechist be immediately appointed, subject to the control of this Committee, whose duty it shall be to instruct his pupils on the Lord's day, in conformity to the plan signed by the subscribers; and that he shall be authorized to draw from the Treasurer for his services for the first quarter the sum of $150. "Thirdly, that in conformity to the original proposals, which were signed by the contributors, the contributions of the subscribers for life shall be immediately vested in such stock as the Standing Committee may direct, so as to create a permanent fund for the benefit of Sunday schools, on the principles of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. "The Committee proceeded to an election; and the Rev. Andrew Fowler was Elected Catechist, and the Rev. F. Dalcho, M. D. was elected Treasurer." The Rev. Mr. Gervais, from the committee appointed to wait upon the Rev. Na thanael Bowen, D. D. and inform him of is election to the Episcopate, reported that they had performed the duty assign The Sunday Schools of the Protestant Episcopal Church in South-Carolina, it appears, recognize the he principles on which the Sunday School Societies Philadelphia and New-York are instituted. ed to them, and had received from him an answer by letter: which letter was handed to the President, and read to the Convention. Whereupon it was moved by Mr. Bay, and unanimously adopted, that the letter of the Bishop elect be entered upon the journals; which is as follows: To the Rev. Paul T. Gervais, and the Rev. GENTLEMEN, You are aware, that it is now too late for me to hesitate to assent to the wish, with the expression of which, you have been charged, in behalf of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Churches of this State. Yet you will readily conceive, with what feelings I find myself in circumstances, which constrain my acceptmediate successor of one, so eminently ance of the Episcopal office, as the imqualified for it as he was, of whom it has been the will of a mysterious Providence that this diocess should be bereaved. Should I, however, be canonically invested with this office, I will endeavour to per form its duties; trusting in the Lord" who heareth prayer," for aid to sustain its burden; and looking with an animating confidence to the same candour and kindness of my brethren, both of the clergy and laity, in which I am invited to this station, for the countenance, assistance, and support, in the active discharge of its obligations, which I shall so indispensably require. But while I thus assent to the wishes of encourages the persuasion, that I could my brethren, expressed in a manner which not decline them, without violating duty; it becomes me to say to the Convention, through you, that, under existing circumstances, the Parish of which I have consented to be the minister, must chiefly claim my time, attention and care; and that I shall, unavoidably, be restricted in the exercise of the functions of the Episcopate, within the limits which my duties as the Pastor of a particular congregation will prescribe, until the diocess shall by some assistance extended to the necessity of the case, enable the vestry of St. Michael's Church, to associate with me a second minister in the performance of those duties. The liberal exertions made church to provide for the support of the by the vestry and congregation of that office, which I am to sustain in relation to teresting nature of that relation itself, certhem, superadded to the intimate and intainly give their case a peculiar claim to anxious consideration on my part, and will, I trust, be deemed by the Convention a good title to similar consideration on theirs; especially when it is recollected, that to the lot of that Church, it fell, to maintain the Episcopate in the last instance, and to surrender largely to the de Practical Notes on Genesis. Extracted from D'OYLY's and MANT'S Family Bible, the first Number of which is now ready for delivery by Messrs. T. & J. SwORDS. The notes between brackets are added to the American Edition. Chap. iii. ver. 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 6. And when the woman saw, &c.] She could conclude that it was good for food, only by the serpent's eating of it before her eyes, and by seeing that he did not thereupon die, as God had threatened: so she gave him credit and distrusted God's word. Bp. Wilson. did eat] Her sin was great and various; being guilty of ambition, incredulity, ingratitude, curiosity, inordinate desire, open rebellion against God, and the drawing aside of her husband, and the involving of him in sin, and their posterity in misery also. Bp. Kidder. and gave also unto her husband with her ;] Besides the aggravations common to both our parents, Eve adds one more to her weight, in that she was not content to sin herself alone, but she allured and drew her husband also into the like horrible transgression with her: whereby she was not only guilty of her own personal sin, but of her husband's also. And this added so much to her former sins, that St. Paul speaks of her, as if she had been the only transgressor; "Adam was not deceived, but the So woman being deceived, was in the transgression." 1 Tim. ii. 14. great and horrible a thing it is in the eye of God to be the cause or mover of another's sin. Jos. Mede. [ and he did eat.] Thus fell Adam; and with him the pride and glory of this lower world. The consequence of his fall, by every man who knows himself, cannot but be sensibly felt. Exclusive of a body, obnoxious to diseases, pains, and death, fallen man possesses a mind, in which the image of God, that distinguishing excellence of his original constitution, is now miserably defaced; having" a law in his members warring against,' and bearing down "the law in his mind, and bringing him into captivity to the law of sin." A miserable picture truly; but a picture that should he constantly kept in sight; that man, knowing from whence he is fallen, may, with becoming humility and gratitude, embrace the plan that has been graciously provided for his recovery, by the renewal of that spirit which had been lost by the fall. Daubeny.] BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER. CLERGYMEN of the Protestant Episcopal Church, the Managers of Bible and Common Prayer Book Societies, and all other persons who associate for the purpose of distributing, gratuitously, the Book of COMMON PRAYER, are respect fully informed, that large quantities of this manual are now on hand, and will always be kept for their accommodation, at the BIBLE AND COMMON PRAYER BOOK DEPOSITORY, No. 160 Pearl-street, New-York. The book is printed uniformly with those heretofore issued from the same place, and will be afforded to Societies, Associations, Clergymen, and other benevolent individuals who purchase for gratuitous distribution, at THIRTY CENTS EACH. The public can be supplied with Prayer copy; and booksellers and others purchas Books at thirty-seven and a half cents per ing quantities, will be furnished, either bound or in sheets, at a remarkably re duced price T. & J. SWORDS No. 8.] THE AND LITERARY REGISTER. No. II. FOR APRIL, 1818. THE LIFE OF TERTULLIAN. (Abridged from Cox's Lives of the Fathers.) QUINTUS Septimius Florens Tertul lianus, or, as he is usually called, Tertullian, was born at Carthage, the capital city of Africa, about the year 160.* He is generally considered the most ancient Latin father whose writings are come down to our times. The number and significance of his names intimate that he was descended from illustrious ancestors. The prænomen Quintus was probably given him on account of his being the fifth son of his parents. His second name, Septimius, seems to indicate that he was descended from the Gens Septimia, a celebrated tribe among the Romans, being first regal, afterwards plebian, and, lastly, consular and patrician. He was probably called Florens, from some particular family of that name; and Tertullianus from his own father, whose name in that case was Tertul lus. His father, who was a Pagan, held a military office under the proconsul of Africa, and appears to have been very solicitous about his son's progress in literature. As soon as he had passed through the usual preparatory stu dies, which he accomplished with great rapidity and success, he was sent to the most eminent masters to complete his education; and his attainments were such as might reasonably have been expected from a person of his superior abilities, and who possessed such early advantages. It appears that Tertullian studied the law as a science, but was never called to the bar, or in any other way practised as a lawyer. He was deeply VOL. II. • Tillemont. [VOL. II. read in geometry and physics; was acquainted with the best poets and philosophers; and was well versed in history. Eusebius, after remarking that he was very conversant with the Roman laws, adds, that he was likewise eminent in other respects, and especially renowned among the Latin writers." The learned Dr. Cave also, though he acknowledges with Lactan tius, that his style is somewhat rugged and obscure, yet confesses that "it is lofty and masculine, and carries a kind of majectic eloquence along with it, that gives a pleasant relish to the judicious and inquisitive reader." Tertullian possessed great brilliancy of wit, though unhappily united to an irritability of temper, which he seriously laments in his book of Patience. The following words of the Psalmist have not inaptly been applied to him: "His teeth were spears and arrows, and his tongue a sharp sword." He himself acknowledges, that he had, in his unregenerate state, drawn his tongue as a sword against the true God, and shot his bitter words against the sacred religion of Christ. It appears also, that previously to his conversion, he was an adulterer; that he delighted in the bloody diversions of the amphitheatre, and that he had attained to a dreadful pre-eminence in sin. No man, indeed, seems to have been more deeply implicated in the abominations of the age; or to have been better adapted, as an instrument of satan, to uphold the tottering fabric of Pagan immorality and superstition than Tertullian in his Gentile state; so also was no one, after his conversion, more conspicuous for purity of heart and manners, or better qualified, by natural abilities and attainments, to attack the strong holds of Heathenism 15 with the weapons of keen sarcasm and sound argument. Tertullian appears to have embraced the Christian religion a little before the conclusion of the second century, and at the commencement of the reign of Severus. It is also highly probable, that he shortly after assumed the ecclesiastical character, though the exact time of his ordination cannot be ascertained. We have no distinct information respecting the circumstances which led to his conversion; but as we are all apt to urge upon others those considerations which have most deeply affected ourselves, we may reasonably suppose that he was brought to faith in Christ chiefly by those arguments which, in different parts of his writings he so powerfully states in defence of Christianity. We there find him insisting upon the antiquity of the Mosaic writings, and the mighty works and wisdom of that law giver; upon the successive links of prophecy, which make up one chain of connected evidence, conducting the humble inquirer to Christ, with a direction as plain as that of the star which led the wise men from the East to the place of our Lord's nativity. We find him also continually expatiating on the miracles of Christ and his Apostles, together with the intrinsic excellence and moral efficacy of the gospel, as furnishing indisputable proofs of the truth of our religion. These are some of the arguments he most frequently urges against his adversaries; and such, therefore, as we may conclude, had the greatest effect in producing his own conversion. Not long after he embraced Christianity, Tertullian composed his admirable Apology, in which his eloquence and argumentative powers appear most conspicuous. In many respects this work resembles that of Justin, on the same subject; but the language is more bold, and the style more elevated, than that of his prede :cessor. The life of Tertullian, like that of many other voluminous authors, derives its principal interest from the variety and importance of his writings. Several of his productions exhibit, in a lively manner, his own character, and also point out the state of Christianity in his time. His Apology, and works of a similar nature, were imperceptibly preparing the nation for exchanging their former superstitions for the sacred religion of Christ, and gradually disposing them to hail with joy the edict which a future emperor would issue in its behalf. Tertullian's writings, both as it respects his diction and sentiment, are in some places confessedly harsh and forbidding. His style, however, is for the most part keen and sententious and his observations are, in general, solid and important, and well calculated for edification and usefulness. Indeed, from the period of his conver sion to that of his death, few of his years appear to have been undistinguished by some useful publication. At one time we find him manfully attacking the armies of the aliens; at another, rallying his fellow-soldiers to the standard of the Cross. Now he is exhorting his Christian brethren to aim at greater holiness of heart and life; and now encouraging them in the prospect of imprisonment and martyrdom. Some additional extracts shall be made from his writings, which will probably be considered little inferior in interest to those already quoted from his Apology. Notwithstanding the attempts which Tertullian had already made to vindicate the religion of Christ, Scapula, the proconsul of Africa, carried on the persecution with great asperity. Roused, but not dismayed, by the awful scene around him, our author proceeded to address a short tract to the persecutor himself in favour of the suffering Christians, in which there are some circumstances related by him well worthy of attention. He mentions, as an indubitable fact, that the emperor Severus had been cured of a dangerous sickness by the application of oil, which was used by a Christian of the name of Proculus, who remained, till the time of his death, in the palace; and that in consequence of this cure the emperor was for several years friendly to the Christians, and even conferred special marks of favour |