first bishop, who enjoyed these new honours accumulated upon the see of Constantinople. His successor, the celebrated John Chrysostom, extended still further the privileges of that see, and submitted to its jurisdiction all Thrace, Asia, and Pontus; nor were the succeeding bishops of that imperial city destitute of a fervent zeal to augment their privileges, and to extend their dominion. "This sudden revolution in the ecclesiastical government, and this unexpected promotion of the bishop of Byzantium to a higher rank, to the detriment of other prelates of the first eminence in the church, were productive of the most disagreeable effects. For this promotion not only filled the bishops of Alexandria with the bitterest aversion to those of Constantinople, but also excited those deplorable contentions and disputes between these latter and the Roman pontiffs, which were carried on for many ages, with such various success, and concluded, at length, in the entire separation of the Latin and Greek churches." With regard to the postscript of Mr. Owen from Albany, I have to observe, that I have dispatched three letters to Rev. Dr. Wilson, requesting him to give the names of those " Atheists" whose arguments swayed the Convention that formed the Constitution of the United States to vote the name of God out of it; but no answer have I succeeded in getting from him. This assertion of the Dr. must therefore pass for an unsustained one. Indeed, in the very next breath, in the sermon under consideration, he contradicts it by saying, that some of those men were Deists. So much for his testimony on this point. Besides, the fact that a religious test is excluded from the Constitution, is no proof that its framers were not even Christians. I have received a letter from Rev. Dr. Abercrombie; but as he wishes not to appear before the public in print, I shall not insert it. I will only say, that he denies all recollection of having told Rev. Dr. Wilson that Washton was a Deist, and says it was evident he was a professing Christian; though he did not commune in his church. The following additional testimony relative to the religious character of Washington, I have received from Rev. Mr. Jackson of Alexandria : Alexandria, Nov. 22, 1831. I have heard my Grandfather, the Rev. Lee Massey, who was Rector of Pohick Church, near Mount Vernon, say, that General Washington was a communicant in his church. The above information was given in answer to a question after returning from Pohick church, where I occupied the General's pew. The substance of my grandfather's reply was, that he (the General) was a communicant, and that a better Christian never lived or died. MARGARET M. GREER. DEAR SIR, Your letter found me in the bustle of changing my residence. I have however given it my attention. The above certificate is the best information I can at present obtain, and ought to be sufficient. Mrs. Greer is a very respectable lady, and may be depended upon. A daughter of the Rev. Mr. Massey is expected in town, from whoi I have the hope of obtaining some of General Washington's letters. The Parish of Pohick has not had a rector, I believe, since the General's death. He afterwards attended in Alexandria. This accounts for the church records not giving the evidence which you desire. I beg you will make use of me again, should the case require. Yours very respecfully, Mr. Origen Bacheler, New-York. DEAR SIR, WILLIAM JACKSON. Alexandria, Dec. 7, 1831. I am sorry, after so long a delay in replying to your last, that it is not in my power to communicate something decisive in reference to General Washington's church membership. The branch of the family from whom I hoped to obtain information, are yet absent from Mount Vernon on account of sickness, and I now begin to think it doubtful whether they will be there this winter. Nor can I find any old person who ever communed with him, though not one expresses any doubt on the subject. It may seem strange that none can certify to the fact; but it is not difficult to account for, when we remember that the Parish to which he belonged has not had a rector for, perhaps, thirty years; that the number of communicants in the Episcopal churches after the Revolution was very small, and those probably, in general, persons advanced in years; and further, that none of the church records can be found. All these circumstances render it exceedingly difficult to obtain such testimony as is desirable. Universal tradition in the families of those whose parents or friends were acquainted with the General, is, that he was a regular communicant. I may say again, that all his relations in this part of the country are decidedly of opinion that he was a professed and real Christian, and in full standing as a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. I regret that the pains I have taken to gain satisfactory evidence has not been more successful, though I think it ought and will be deemed sufficient by all but such as are determined to believe, that they have the sanction of his great name on the side of infidelity. Wishing you may be more successful in some other quarter, With respect yours, Mr. Origen Bacheler, New-York. WILLIAM JACKSON. With regard to the statement relative to Monroe, I have to observe, that I have called on Rev. Dr. Matthews, who informs me that he was never at all acquainted with him; that he knew nothing of his illness till he heard of his death; that he never made to him a tender of his professional services; and that, so far as relates to himself, the whole story is a fabrication. I have likewise called on S. L. Gouverneur, the Post Master of this city, and son-in-law of Mr. Monroe, in whose house he died, who informs me that there is no foundation for the foregoing story, relative to any clergyman; that no one made any tender of his services; that no one was refused; that his father-in-law had the highest respect for Christianity, considering it to be of immense benefit to society; and that he gave no reason for supposing that he was sceptical. In view of the foregoing, the reader will see what dependence is to be placed on the pretensions and assertions of Sceptics with regard to the religious opinions of our other distinguished men. Could the inquiry be made, we have now fair grounds for concluding. that it would result in their cases as it has resulted in those now under consideration. I have but to add by way of conclusion, that it appears by the Evangelist, that Rev. Dr. Wilson is an opposer of revivals of religion. This circumstance will have its proper weight with the public, whenever they think of his concessions to Mr. Owen. ORIGEN BACHELER. INDEX. MR. BACHELER'S TEN LETTERS. LETTER I-PAGE 17. Introduction. Moral courage and generosity. Superficiality of LETTER II.-PAGE 23. The Apocrypha no part of the Bible. Inconsistency of Mr. Owen LETTER III-PAGE 39. Correct religious views of great importance. The God of nature LETTER IV.-PAGE 58. The Jewish wars no reason for other wars not commanded by God. LETTER V.-PAGE 78. Recapitulation of several topics in preceding letters. Absurdities LETTER VI.-PAGE 96. The apparent contradictions &c. contained in the Bible, evidence ism. The horrours and abominations of the French Revolution, as LETTER VII.-PAGE 126. Infallible evidence of the Bible. Absurdity of rejecting it, even LETTER VIII.-PAGE 153. The question under discussion, not the infallibility, but the au- LETTER IX.-PAGE 191. In what sense the Bible is the word of God. Inconsistency of Mr. LETTER X.-PAGE 260. Distinction between real and false miracles and predictions Clear- |