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PRICE OF WHEAT IN NEW YORK FOR SIXTY-THREE YEARS.

THE lands on the Manor of Rensselaerwyck were settled soon after the Revolution. The tenants were mostly poor, and their preference of a rent payable in kind instead of money induced the reservation of wheat, fowls, and days' service with teams, as compensation for the use of the land. The leases were nearly all perpetual. Those first made reserved about ten bushels of wheat to the hundred acres. Subsequent leases reserved thirteen bushels. Each farm also paid "four fat fowls" and one day's teaming, or a load of wood. Originally large, the farms by subdivision have become reduced in size, so that the average wheat-rent for each is now about eleven bushels. The early settlers are said to have easily paid their rent from the crop of one acre. Wheat was cultivated more cheaply and with more certainty

then than now. Most of the leases were made between 1786 and 1796. For the first five, six, or seven years (according to the degree of the tenant's needs) the lands were free of rent. This brought the regular payment of the Manor Rents to the year 1793. The record of them, carefully kept since that time, furnishes us with a table of the price of Wheat in Albany, the first day of January in each year, for the past sixty-three years. The table has value to merchants and economists, as well as interest to the public:

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As many as 25,000 bushels of wheat have been paid for rent at the Manor office in one year, besides coarse grains. Previous to 1830, from twelve hundred to eighteen hundred "fat fowls" were paid in annually. These are now industriously gathered up from farm to farm by forestallers, principally for the New York market. They are no longer brought to the office. Since the wheat-culture became uncertain in Albany county, (now some seventeen years,) rye, corn, and oats have been accepted as rent in lieu of that grain, and always at three cents a bushel over the market prices.-Albany Journal.

1 25 1854

1 00 1855

MILITIA OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE militia in the States and Territories amounts to the large aggregate of 2,469,725 men. This does not embrace the militia of the State of Iowa or of the Territories of Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Kansas, and New Mexico, from which, we presume, no returns have been received. The returns do not appear to be at all complete, as the estimates of the force of some of the States are based upon data furnished several years since, in one instance that of Delaware-as far back as 1827. The militia force of the District of Columbia is given for the year 1852, and is stated at 8,201.

THE RATE OF THE DYING.

In a late paper it is stated that there are on the earth (1,000,000,000) one thousand millions of inhabitants. Of these, (333,333,333) three hundred and thirty-three millions, &c. die every year, 91,824 every hour, and sixty every minute; or one every second. Now I beg to confront these figures with others. If 333,333,333 die every year, the whole earth's population will be buried in three years, and a generation will dwindle down from thirty-three to three years, or one-eleventh of the present span. But, if 91,824 die every hour, not sixty only, but 1530, must die every minute, and instead of one we must have more than twenty-five deaths every second. Now, what is the truth? Simply this:-Thirty-three and a third millions die every year; 3802, and not 91,824, every hour; sixty-three every minute; and about one every second. Any boy of ten years old may verify my figures if he has been a year in a Ward-school.-New York Observer.

TELEGRAPHIC PROJECT.

THE Piedmontese papers state that it is the intention of the Mediterranean Telegraph Company, which is now sinking a cable between Sardinia and La Calle, on the coast of Africa, to continue its line to Melbourne, South Australia. After establishing branches from La Calle to Bugia, Algiers, and Oran, they will direct their main line through Tunis, Tripoli, Alexandria, Cairo, Suez, Jerusalem, Damascus, Bagdad, Bassora, Hyderabad, and Bombay. At the latter city the line is to separate into two branches-one going northward to Agra, (whence secondary branches will extend to Lahore, Peshawur, and be, therefore, at a short distance from Cabul and Cashmere,) Benares, and Calcutta ; and the other passing through Bengalore and Madras, and likewise ending at Calcutta. From that capital the line is to follow the northeastern coast of the Gulf of Bengal and the peninsula of Malacca; then pass over to the Sound Islands and the north of Australia, whence it will follow the eastern coast, touching at the numerous colonies there, and ending at Port Adelaide. The whole distance is calculated at about 20,000 kilometres, (12,500 miles.)

GROWTH OF RUSSIA.

THE astounding growth of the Russian power is in part shown by the following statistical data:-In the year 1462, the Russian empire covered an area of 100,000 square miles, and its population was 6,000,000. In 1584 the numbers were 7,500,000 square miles; population, 12,000,000. In 1689, 14,500,000 square miles; population, 16,000,000. In 1725, 15,000,000 square miles; population, 20,000,000. In 1825, 20,500,000 square miles; population, 55,000,000. In 1851, 22,000,000 square miles; population, 65,000,000.— Kolner Zeitung.

The Religious World.

AMERICAN SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE SOCIETY.

THIS is a new Society, formed to advance the work of benevolence in a systematic way. The object, as stated in its constitution, is "to promote, through the press and otherwise, the adoption of the scriptural principle of systematic contribution to religious and benevolent purposes." The circular states a little more definitely:-"The object of the Society, as indicated by its name, is simply and only to endeavour to promote the great work of systematic benevolence, according to the scriptural principle,viz. that of giving statedly and according as the Lord has prospered each person. See 1 Cor. xvi. 2, and similar passages." The circular further states that the Society does "not mean to interfere with Societies already established, nor with denominational Boards and efforts," but simply to "co-operate with all who may feel disposed to aid in this unselfish and truly Christian work." The object is a very important one, and the very name of the Society will strike terror into many a parsimonious, carnal Christian. (?) While we wish well to this experiment, we somewhat doubt the wisdom and the necessity of the new movement. As the operations of the Society must consist very much in enlightening the public mind by publications, we see not why the existing Societies might not do the work. Still, when so many good men get together and devise a scheme for advancing the cause of benevolence, we are disposed to bid them God-speed. If any Society can accomplish a reformation on the subject referred to, it deserves to be held in high esteem. With MATTHIAS W. BALDWIN as President, and GEORGE H. STUART as VicePresident, the public have a guarantee of the efficiency of the new Society and of confidence in its operations.

TRIAL OF THE REV. SIMEON BROWN.

THE following charges were preferred against the Rev. Simeon Brown, a member of the Miami Presbytery, and he was required to answer to them,viz. He is "charged with unsoundness in the faith as held by the Presbyterian Church" :

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1. "On the nature and extent of the atonement." 2. "In affirming that the atonement of Christ perpetuates the race;" also, "that the curse pronounced upon Adam for disobedience was annihilation." 3. "In affirming that the righteousness of Christ had no merit with the Father to procure the salvation of the sinner, and that it was not the righteousness of a God, but the righteousness of a man;" also, "that Christ took on himself fallen human nature, and did not sin because he was filled with the Spirit above measure.” 4. “With teaching doctrines on the subject of the state of departed spirits not in accordance with our standards, asserting that there is a second or intermediate state for departed souls." 5. "With an indulgence in his writings and public teachings in novel, unprofitable, and dangerous speculations on many points." The testimony having been taken in the case, the prosecutor and accused were

heard at length, when the roll was called, giving to all the members an opportunity to express their opinions on the case; after which, the final vote was taken, which resulted as follows:The first charge was sustained. The second part of second charge was sustained. The first part of the third charge was sustained. The second part of the charge-viz.: "that Christ took on himself fallen human nature," &c.was not sustained. The fourth charge was not sustained. The fifth charge was divided; and the charge of "indulging in novel and unprofitable speculations" was sustained. The word "dangerous," as applied to these speculations, was not sustained.

A committee was then appointed to prepare a minute expressive of the judgment of Presbytery on this case. Said committee reported, and their report was accepted and adopted, and is as follows:

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"The Committee appointed to prepare a minute expressive of the sense of Presbytery with respect to the definitive sentence to be pronounced upon Brother Brown, after having sustained a part of the charges upon which he has just been tried, would recommend the adoption of the following minute:(1.) That, wishing to deal with Brother Brown with all the tenderness possible, Presbytery do express their very great dissatisfaction with some of the doctrines preached and some of the phraseology used by him in his sermons and printed pamphlet, and do solemnly admonish him in future to abstain from using such language and introducing such sentiments as Presbytery have just decided to be injudicious and not in accordance with the teachings of our standards.

(2.) The Committee recommend to Presbytery the appointment of a committee to prepare an overture, to be presented to the next General Assembly, on the subject of the atonement, and that said committee be directed to present said overture to Presbytery at the next stated meeting, for their examination."

Brother Brown gave notice that he should appeal from the decision of Presbytery in his case, and complain to the Synod of Cincinnati.

JAS. H. GILL, Stated Clerk.

THE NEW VERSION.

It has long been known that the New Version Baptists, although fully aware of the origin and intention of their contemplated version to make the Bible directly and verbally favour their peculiar dogma of immersion, have sedulously circulated the report that the Presbyterian body favoured their enterprise, and in proof refer to the Rev. Dr. Lillie, of the Second Presbytery of New York, as one of the translators. It appears that this gentleman, acting upon his personal responsibility, and without any sanction of the Presbytery, engaged to furnish a part of the translation, which could not in any way involve the Baptist controversy, and with a full persuasion that he was violating no duty in thus employing his literary abilities. Of his course we have heard the most emphatic condemnation, not as wrong in itself, but wrong and injurious in its associations. While we have been reluctant to express an opinion on the subject, our convictions coincide with those of our brethren who regard his connection with this measure as unjustifiable. The plan of a new version, with the object which we have stated, is a wrong done to the Scriptures, which are thus wrested to serve a sect, and a wrong committed against the public who are thus to be deceived. If it be a wrong in itself, then is every participator a wrongdoer. He gives his countenance to one of the most monstrous attempts ever made to give to the Bible a party colouring; neither can he excuse himself on the plea that the parcel executed by himself is not of that complexion. Each person engaged in perfecting the measure has his full share of responsibility in the mischief which may result from the whole.

This is the position of the gentleman spoken of; and not only this, but, in a measure, he has compromised the whole Presbyterian Church. He knows that that church is almost to a man opposed to the schéme, and yet, by lending his name to it, he has given plausibility to the representations of unscrupu lous agents who affirm that that church is favourable to it.-Presbyterian.

THE CONNECTICUT SEMINARIES.

THE Hartford Courant publishes a card from the Rev. Drs. Clark and Cleveland, and Mr. Tyler, in reference to the union of the East Windsor and New Haven Seminaries. These gentlemen were appointed a committee of the trustees of the East Windsor Seminary, to consider the means of rescuing the Institution from its embarrassments. The plan of relieving it by means of a union with the New Haven Seminary was suggested to them from quarters and with considerations that made it desirable to ascertain practically whether it could be accomplished. They accordingly proposed a union to the Corporation of Yale College on this condition:-that the professors of the United Seminary should be nominated by the Pastoral Union, (which has the legal control of the East Windsor Seminary,) and be elected by the Corporation of the College. This would secure the united choice to both institutions, yet preserve for the East Windsor the supervision of the Pastoral Union required by its charter. The Corporation of Yale College declined that condition, but substituted one to the effect that the two Boards of Trustees should constitute separate houses of convocation, an election in both being necessary to incumbency. They added that, while no insurmountable theological hinderance lay in the way of union on their part, other and very obvious difficulties must necessarily arrest further action at present. The negotiations are thus at an end, and the trustees of the East Windsor Seminary are about to take care of it where it is, which will prove, we think, much the wiser way.-Evangelist.

ROME - LENT AND CONVERTS.

ROME, February 16.-Rome has passed from the revels of Carnival to the rigours of Lent, and the versatile inhabitants of the Eternal City, who so recently frolicked in the Corso with flowers and confetti, or chattered in masks and dominoes at the festini, are now gravely attending the daily quaresimal sermons, and comparing the oratorical powers of Capuchin and Jesuit preachers. This is the season for converts. Two persons have recently abandoned their own creeds to join the ranks of Papacy at this fountain-head of Romanism:-the first a Florentine Jew, yclept Solomon Bassano, who was baptized with great solemnity by the Cardinal-Vicar on the 2d instant; and the last-"quantum diversus ab illo❞—the Rev. Mr. Oldham, a clergyman of the Church of England, whose conviction was so sudden and so powerful that, although he had preached to a Protestant congregation at the English chapel on the Sunday before, struck by the "pride, pomp, and circumstance" of the Pontifical Court on Candlemas-day at St. Peter's, and urged by the example of another quondam Protestant, but now Catholic priest, he fell on his knees as the Pope passed and abjured the faith of his ancestors. Mr. Oldham is now in ritiro, as it is termed; that is, he is undergoing a course of doctrinal instruction in a monastery, where he will remain until Easter, when his formal reception into the Roman Church will take place.

His Holiness, who sincerely rejoices in the acquisition of every new subject in his spiritual realm, has expressed his great satisfaction at this conversion, which he trusts will be followed up by many more.

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