The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-09-27

nichtich," (this is not not l,) or alge-
braically ia, is contained the essence
Of all truth. Nothing can belitt!e man
more, in the estimation Of German,
than to ask what is the use of these as
founding propositions. Indeed it was
told me, by way of contempt, that an A
meriCan gentleman arguing on the sub
ject of witchcralt, asked his German ad-
versary what was the use of a WITCH
These sages seem to think that none but
grovelIng worm will stoop 10 inquire a.
bout utility, and that a man whose soul
looks upward should aspire to something
nobler than to the cold materialism of mat.
ters. of fact. In order that philosophic-
tai theory may gain ascendancy, it is not
necessary to prope II to be true it is suf
ficent lift charms. Nor do these specu-
Iators reject the inductive philosophy be-
cause they can prove it to be false, but
because they think it cramps their soar
ing genius. The power OF euidence, and
the authority of truth, are not felt. 1t is
not therefore altogether surprising that
the PIatonic philosophy is revived that
the Ptolemaic system Of astronomy is not
without its supporters that animal mag
netism, kind of witchcrait, or demoniac-
al influence, is believed ali over Germa-
ny (; and that the middle ages are not to
be pronounced dark
Reformed and Lutheran Churches.
A lew words by way Of intelligence
must close this communication. Great
excitement has been produced by The at
tempt OF the king, VINO belongs to the
Reformed church, to unite it with the
Lutheran church. The Rationalsts, who
are in favor Of the union, have in some
instances availed themselves of the acci-
dental connection with their evangelical
monarch, aud man9uvred so as to gam u
triumph over the more orthodox Luther
ans. Particularly is this tue of Bres-
lau.
The king, who. is so thoroughly or,ho-
dox that he would not allow II munster to
commend in his presence Gescnus as a
great man, has recently called lIahn, IA
mild and pious Lutheran, from Leipzig
and appointed him professor in the uni
versity of Breslau, IN order to check Ra-
tionallsm, much as he formerly removed
DR.. Tholuck from Berlin to Halle for the
same purpose. The university Of Leip-
zig has sustained great loss III parting
with that excellent man. The prospect
is that the present will be sad year to
the university OF Halle.
Distinguished Men in Germany.
Within lew months, DR.. Sprennel, ,one
Of the greatest botanists Of the age, and
the author ofthe celebrated !" History Of
Medicine" has died. DIR. Meckle, who
it is said may dispute the palm with any
man living, IN anatomy, is at this very
moment struggling with death aud DIR.
Gesenius, who for some weeks has been
recovering from his pulmonary
complaint, has anoiner relapse, from
which there is little probability that he
will again recover. He undoubtedly de-
serves high rank as Hebraist, for the
industry with which he has collected, and
the lucid manner in which he has stat ed
the facts of the Hebrew grammcr and lex
(: but his reputation is already
obscured by young aspirants, whose pro-
found researches in the philosophy OF the
language have done much, aud promise
more, for the advancement Of sacred phi
lology. Ewald, of Gottingen, is undoubt-
edy a much deeper thinker than Geseni-
US. and his Hebrew grammar is regarded
as having a much higher authority than
that of the latter Even Hufeld, of Mar
burg, the disciple Of Gesenius, will prob
ably be a successful rival Of his master,
and compel him to take the third rank
The articles which he has written in pc
riodicals are referred to as authority by
the greatest critics of Germany, and his
Hebrew grammar, of which one number
has appeared, has created great expecta-
tons. He will undoubtedly be the sue
cessor of Gesenius in Halle. Prof. Pott,
the younger, arrived here from Berlin a
few DAYS since, and will soon commence
his lectures on oriental literature. lie Is
distinguished disciple Of Bopp, and is
man of great acquisitions. Prof Heng-
stcnburg, of Berlin, has commenced a
course of numbers in his evangelical pa
pe,. on the subject of the Sabbath. lie
has thoroughly examined allthat has been
written on the subject from the time Of
The christian fathers TO the present, not o.
hitting the recent discussion in America.
But though his object is avowcdly to pro-
duce in Germany more sacred observ-
ancc Of the day, fear he will not satisfy
the feelings of English and American
Christians. Ihouck has recently pub
lishcd volume on Ch,ist's Sermon on
the Mount 1t contains thorough anal
ysis of all the critical works extant rein
ting 10 that part Of the gospel, and is val
liable not onlv as treasury Of philology,
but as the depository Of his researches in
Christian ethics. 1t ,s hs most elaborate
,proJuction. His chief object is to take
this brief summary of Christianity and set
il forth in its true character, and to pre-
sent glorious contrast to the cold and
49, - IL 4 A.