HARTFORD, May 5th, 1847. I have read with much interest the numbers of the Christian Observatory. I heartily approve of its plan, its object, and its execution. It is just such a work as is needed in our churches; and I earnestly hope that it may obtain an extensive circulation, highly adapted, as it certainly is, to promote the cause of truth and piety.

J. HAWES.

NEW BRAINTREE, Feb., 3, 1848.

I have carefully and with much pleasure perused nearly the whole work. Its objects, and the manner of accomplishing them, are such as cannot fail of securing the approbation of those who love the great principles which led our pilgrim fathers" to seek a country," and who desire to see those principles sustained, and transmitted to future generations. I am especially pleased to find the Bible occupying so prominent a place on the pages of the Observatory, and treated as the Word of God, and defended from the assaults of semi-infidelity which it has had to encounter in these latter days. This is wha: I think to be needed by the people at large.

JOHN FISKE.

THE Christian Observatory has thus far fulfilled all my anticipations. I cannot doubt, that it will be eminently useful. I can most cordially commend it to the very favorable regards of all those friends of Zion, who have a peculiar pleasure in a sentinel, whose trumpet will never "give an uncertain sound."

Salem.

SAMUEL M. Worcester.

CHRISTIAN OBSERVATORY.

VOLUME FIRST.

THE first volume of this work, for 1847, contains a series of arti cles on the Inspiration of the Bible; another on the use and necessity of creeds; another exposing the mistakes and misstatements, in disparagement of Orthodoxy, made by ex-president Quincy in his History of Harvard College; and another of lives and sketches of eminent Puritans. Besides these, there is a great variety of articles and reviews, none long, and many short and condensed, relating to subjects of religious and practical interest. The whole forms a handsome volume, combining utility with entertainment. It may be had, on appli cation at this office, neatly bound in cloth, at very moderate terms.

TERMS.

This work is published at Boston, in monthly numbers of fortyeight octavo pages, forming a volume of five hundred and seventy-six pages, original matter, for two dollars per annum, payable on the delivery of the first number.

No person will be considered as a subscriber, who does not distinctly make known his wish to that effect. His subscription will be continued on our books, till a discontinuance is ordered, and all arrearages are paid.

Any person remitting to this office nine dollars, shall receive six copies of the Christian Observatory for one year.

Clergymen will be supplied with the work at one half the subscription price, or one dollar per annum.

Clergymen in whose congregations six copies are taken, will be furnished gratuitously.

Subscribers, indebted for the work, are requested, if they please, to send the amount to our office, by mail, at our risk.

Communications relating to the editorial department may be directed to A. W. McClure, No. 21 Cornhill, Boston.

Communications relating to the business of the office should be directed to the subscribers.

JOHN V. BEANE & CO., Publishers,
No. 21 Cornhill, Boston.

THE

VOL. II.

CHRISTIAN OBSERVATORY.

APRIL, 1848.

No. 4.

JOHN FOSTER.

JOHN FOSTER was born Sept. 17, 1770, and was the eldest son of respectable and pious parents. His father, who was a weaver as well as farmer, was a sedate, strong-minded, and useful man, and took a prominent part in the religious society of which he was a member. The son, from his earliest youth, manifested a thoughtfulness, discrimination, and spirit of observation and inquiry, which attracted the attention of others, and obtained for him the name of "old fashioned." He shunned the society of boys of his own age; and from the circumstances into which he was thrown, he acquired a degree of timidity which amounted to an "infinite shyness." His youth, until he was seventeen years of age, was spent in spinning and weaving; an employment which excited his deep disgust, and from which he escaped as often as possible, to devote himself to study and meditation. He felt conscious of the ability to weave a fabric superior to "double stuffs and lastings," and resolved to give his energies to objects worthy of his powers.

At the age of seventeen, he became a member of the Baptist Church in Hebdenbridge, under the pastoral care of Dr. Fawcett, a most excellent and worthy divine, and a friend whom Mr. Foster had every reason to hold in grateful remembrance. Here, having resolved to devote himself to the gospel ministry, he ap plied himself so closely to his studies, that fears were entertained for his health. "Frequently whole nights were spent in reading and meditation; and on these occasions, his favorite resort was a grove in Dr. Fawcett's garden. His scholastic exercises were marked by great labor, and accomplished very slowly. Many of

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