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Les details da cat exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier una image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^thode ncrmale de filmage sont indiquis ci-dessous. The posa of th filmi □ Coloured covers/ Couvertuie de couir ' □ Covers damaget*/ Couverture endummagie □ Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverturs restaur< pr( pu Al u yu We dare aver that in every statement, truth has *« been our anxious aim ; whether we liave been sue At cessful or not, let the public and the critics judge, |u apart from personal, political, or polemical bias. #^1 PREFACE. Y\l but, in some % In the present edition we have omitted the state- so that while |„ents which appeared in the former, respecting or neglected |hose proceedings at the anniversary meeting of reader of the |he Antislavery Society at New York, which have 3 in view this Involved us in mrch unpleasant controversy. These Mave been expunged, not from any doub! as to the propriety of the pa.-t we took, or rather refused to 11 not presume ;take, in the agitations of the moment, but to adapt g influence of ^our work to more general usefulness, by substi- isarily denomi- tuting some important documents respecting th. vely sectarian, coloured people, and some valuable reasonings B references to extracted from transatlantic writers, highest satis- We add our unhesitating testimony to that of our predecessors, in favour of what is denominated the |)urely '^voluntary principle," in support of religion. 'osperity of tht The Spirit has [\ high upon all, descend in per- Mi the observations we were able to make during )ns. pur widely-extended journey confirmed our persua- sion of its being, in all respects, incomparably more iment, truth has ^efficacious than the '^ compulsory system;" nor is J have been sue- |t any objection to this principle, that, in upholding ;he critics judge, !|)ublic worship, men voluntarily bring themselves olemical bias. funder legal responsibilities. yiji PREFACE. On several accounts it has been deemed expedient to alter our original title ; so that, instead of " The Baptists in America," we have adopted " Religion in America." Our chief reason is, that as the hook is not sectarian, the title ought to be more general. F. A. C. J. H. ■•:f [led expedient teadof "The ed " Religion that as the t to be more CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. ITRODUCTORY PAGE 1 CHAPTER n. lURNEY THROUGH PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, AND [WASHINGTON, TO RICHMOND CHAPTER HI [E TRIENNIAL CONVENTION . 42 CHAPTER IV. tPARTURE FROM RICHMOND.— ACCOUNTS OF PUBLIC [MEETlN , VISIT TO m NARRATIVE CHAPTEK I. ^^ INTRODUCTORY. NATION IX ■ . What do you think of Americar This is one Hof the most frequent of the many questions ad- ''"pressed to a visitor in the United States, and surely it is one of the most natural ; though an eager cu- Iriosity has sometimes heen blamed by travellers as if it were discreditable to national character. Uut ould any of the censurers of the inquisitive " Yan- ees " (a name which the New Englander appro- ,riates with pride) be willing that they should treat ^heir visitors' researches into the mental, moral, ana ''•^"^,^ A u V dlHphy^ical features of the country with indifference? ,^ Nvu..ueia cued ^P^^^^^^ ^^ ^.^^^^ ^o havc it supposed that their sHul: . : ■opinions were not worth eliciting, or that their books "'"^'^ • ■ "would not repay the trouble of reading? Ought not this anxiety, though a little feverish m its de- gree, to be regarded as useful in its tendency, ra- ther than scoffed at as ridiculous ? The principle upon which the present work is constructed being that of avoiding indiscriminate f> 2 INTRODUCTORY. censure, which would he unjust, and undistinguish- ing panegyric, which would he injudicious, it is fair; to ohserve at the outset upon the questioning hahitsS of the western world, that as curiosity is one of the elements of our mental constitution, and a great in- strument of acquiring knowledge, if Americans pos- sess more of this spirit than ourselves, which the very objection seems to imply, it does but afford an evidence of their intellectual vigour, and may sug- gest the caution that we do not allow ourselves to be beguiled by self-confidence and sluggishness into the loss of the race and rivalry of knowledge. But if the reproach be intended solely to represent their sensitiveness with regard to the conclusions to which their friends from the " Fatherland" may come re- specting themselves or their institutions, then it may be viewed as, at least, complimentary. It presup- poses that our judgment is thought to be of some importance; and that as an older and more ad- vanced country, we are competent to form some estimate of their intellectual and moral condition. Why should we seem to spurn as a meanness, or contemn as a folly, even an excessive eagerness to obtain the approving smile of Britain upon their efforts, which a generous rivalship will not withhold, and which will promote a friendship between as that must be reciprocally beneficial ? United by a com- mon origin, a common language, a common Chris- tianity, we are capable, if ready to act in fraternal combination, of impressing a character upon the future destinies of the world. In some points of view, indeed, the question pro- )sed lalh ;ct ( »rmi ©fter iktel grea of A Eur niou [nil lior Irai ier It lai lit wh ndistinguish-1 lous, it is fair ioning habits is one of the id a great in- caericans pos- es, which the but afford an and may sug- ' ourselves to ^gishness into vledge. But ^present their sions to which [nay come re- s, then it may . It presup- ;o be of some md more ad- form some ral condition. meanness, or 1 eagerness to in upon their not withhold, itween as that ted by a com- Dmmon Chris- ct in fraternal Iter upon the ; question pro- 3 INTRODUCTORY. fP^B may easily be used ™ J^W' ^^^^y, ^,^ ialysed, have hardly a ^'^^^^^^^^ ,^^, of Sitelligent ideas. It '\ '™'' „„ .„„,ed republics Ireater identity among the <=°f J^ f^j d^ms of f America than among the ^^P^jf ^ ; J^ to be ;u.ope; but time must be '^""T^ ^^^^ T^e in- Inoulded into homogeneous --^^^"^'l^^^^^ ^^■,. ,„,., regarded ^-^i::s\:^::i.u.^^, sions, a general outlme, e'"'"" „„tional charac- t-nsatlanticwoj^dappr™^^^^^^ SltliXoTtErd portraiture of the ^\?however, it would be difficult to draw a gene- Jk^urTii is not so to describe a general /«ete^. • S/ " o2ss of political events has combmed with liincrS of commercial and social intercourse, iraleTL the minds of the great m^or.y on the rther side of the Atlantic, a sentiment which we 1 r k Pxtensively reciprocated on this, that the i: rtoTSe disHke of each other among uter peopled partial and vff^^^^^^^ Hons must he discountenanced by both and that UU inrcan be more desirable than a since;, and taLnt union. It is not exclu.ve^ - pr-n^^ llo statesmen and legislators we mu=. ...-, o- - B 2 INTRODUCTORY, 14 i ' ' M ( i i 1 ' !; men who can coalesce upon another and a noblerf principle than the politics of this world supply. It^ must be based on Christianity, the prevalence of which in both countries is already giving indications that the time is hastening when this consummation of all pious wishes and prayers will be accomplished. Without attempting to reply in general terms or by nice discriminations to the question so often pro- posed abroad and re-echoed at home, " What do you §| think of America ?" we shall endeavour to furnish ' an account so faithful and impartial, that every reader may perceive what we must think, and be enabled to form a correct judgment for himself. As travellers usually commence with their per- sonal adventures, and make them throughout the great point upon which their recitals are to concen- trate, we may be expected to follow in so tempting a course. It would certainly be easy to gratify friendship, or provide a feast for criticism, in this manner; but we feel disposed to omit everything of this kind, and should at once request the reader merely to imagine that we left home, journeyed to Liverpool, and crossed the Atlantic to New York, were it not that the goodness and greatness of God demand an admiring and a grateful record. We may be permitted, therefore, to deviate, if, indeed, deviation it may be called, from a general rule, in this instance, because we cannot pass over in silence the striking manifestations of an ever-wakeful Pro- vidence. On the second day of our voyage, (March 13th, 1835,) a contrary wind impelled us towards the r and a nobler! Id supply. Itl prevalence of ing indications consummation accomplished, leral terms or 1 so often pro- •' What do you 3ur to furnish il, that every think, and be T himself, ith their per- iroughout the are to concen- n so tempting isy to gratify ticism, in this it every thing | lest the reader | , journeyed to ' to New York, I atness of God record. We Lte, if, indeed, ineral rule, in Dver in silence -wakeful Pro- (March 13th, I towards the INTRODUCTORY. ^( >ast of Ireland. The captain had placed a man in side, to look out, while L the other. The bow of the ship, on one - Willi 1"^ telescope watched essel was sailing about nine or ten knots an hour. In a sudden some one exclaimed, " There is a por- Disc playing about, exactly abreast of us. Ihe late, standing close by, applied his glass, and ex- [aimed, " A porpoise, it is a buoy f The listenmg ttr of the captain caught the sound, and uttering -^ith a stentorian voice the words " Helm up— 'bout ship!" he ran to the helm with an eagerness that at once exhibited our situation. For a moment or two ihe rope by which it was turned caught, but wa« lappily disentangled. We had, as with the velocity If lightning, shot by the mark that warned us of [hoals and dangers ; and had the ship missed stays, In had been over. As it was, we expected every nstant to strike ; and the nature of the case would kave required an immediate launch of the boats in a ioisterous sea, at the approach of night, and with a )uth-west wind increasing to a gale. We repeated each other the words, " The will of the Lord be lone ;" though, even at the crisis of danger, we rf^ere not altogether destitute of the hope that the Lmise would be fulfilled in us, '*^ He shall preserve Ihy going out and thy coming in." Tempestuous as the weather proved, we were ne- vertheless able maintain worship on board once ^n every sabbath, and to pay some little attention to [he children of the steerage passengers, by having kind of Bible class, un ine /i/m, wui^u ciucDiUw tiiic -.^-i^^ ■ --- 6 INTRODUCTORY. 11 foundland, we were startled, at five in the morning, lounawim, y. f +1,0 mate call ns; to the cap. bv the vociferations ot the mate, can- 5 £n below, "Ice, sir, ice!" We were runmng a Trl of ten knots an hour, direct^ upon one o( , those drifting masses that float from the north, dur- n^the months of April, May, and June, known by h! name of icebergs. It was beautiful, mdeed, n. Z 7m light of *« ""'^'''K' ^"* '"^ '^'^^ semb Jother objects of sense, which are at once Iltoctive and destructive. This danger was sk.l- fully avoided; but the increase of the wind, and . storL of forty-eight hours, which drove us three hundred miles from our course, and shivered every sail of another ship that had started with us from Liverpool, gave a full though fearful opportunity of " seeing the works of the Lord, and his wonders m the deep " Mountains rose in magnificent succes- sion, and appeared every moment ready to overwhelm us- yet we often ascended from the liquid valleys and scaled the watery heights with a dignified ease, as if our floating ark were maintaining a desperate, but ever-successful struggle with the roaring ele- ments around. Frequently, indeed, the froth and foam-covered summits of these Alpine peaks and ridees, called by the sailors " curlers," would pour ,n streams of water upon us, and dash with irres.s- tible fury across the deck ; or, when prevented by dexterous management, would seem to deal forth upon our agitated ship the blows of some maddened giant's hand. Awful was the solitude-awful the contrasted silence of the ship's company and the thunder of conflicting elements— awful, too, the le mornings, to the cap- running at upon one of north, dur- 3, known by I, indeed, in 5 clearly re- are at once er was skil- wind, and a )ve us three ivered every vith us from pportunity of is wonders in ficent succes- to overwhelm iquid valleys iignified ease, r a desperate, ! roaring ele- ihe froth and ne peaks and ," would pour h with irresis- L prevented by to deal forth )me maddened de — awful the ipany and the vfui, too, the 7 INTRODUCTORY. Lent decent of the -if /X^t^H -^ U'uB in long -PHepTh -and awful the oeca- ^bear us dow~.to *« ^ .^^„, ^^^^ „p„„ the top Swonal suspension of our g ^^^^ trembled, lof the white y^l'-^X^X be precipitated the next i^. in terror, while *°»* ^"^ '/helow \ What mo- ILoment to the ya«J^Uon before God, for l^ents were these t^^^^^^ ,„a for the secret isolemn searchings ot ''^^ ' ^^at moments these Cbreathings of fervent prayer. ^^ ^^^^_ I for tender recollections, but hua s denee on omniscient love^ ^^^j ^^ i Yet was *\-f "^^ j^lvt wHn«B-'i similar exhi- ;. deur. Who that has »«^«' ^; ^ „f forms into t Wtions can p-;;;;^^f*re tossed by the tempest ; which the mighty waves we the ever- the majesty and terror of their "^^^ ^^^ ^^_ limiting, ever-widening " t^ve of rolling tinual shifting of the ^^^J''^ ^ ^ uftiiig WUows and mountain ranges ^^aicular cliff upofthewatersin^oa^md P^.P^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ov apparent bead-land c^ow ^^ .^ ^ ^^^^^_ and streaked with ™«^;**\\, ^.^ would some- sand Niagaras were tbere^ .^ .^ ^ times catch the to, of a wave »id^^^ ^^^^^ furious spray which - ^ immediately beneath innumerable '"^^^^^^ ' J^^mit would appear, for a the foammg and o;--! "g;"^™^^ ,„^ streaks of tran- depth of several J^ f rf «^s ^^^^^^.^^^ scendently clear bright li^'"S Mountains of -^*^*^iri;tVnUw-t;— itsofbrillian^ deep iiiuigv;. TT-L^s. — - 8 INTRODUCTORY. ■0^ green, and these again crested with white foamj which sometimes blended with other cataracts, and! spread into silvery sheets. Nothing could be at once more beautiful, and more terrible. We; thought of the power and the grace of Hin, who, in the days of his humanity, said to the troubled sea, "Peace, be still!" and whose gracious providence at length permitted us to enjoy "a great calm!" When we approached the shores '>f America, a sudden gale prevented our doubling a point of land which is technically termed " The Hook," and com- pelled us to cast anchor. Anxious to reach the point of our first destination, we availed ourselves of a pilot boat which dashed along like a " thing of life," and brought us to " our desired haven." Just as we were discussing the question of immediate arrangements, an inquiring voice was heard to pro- nounce our names ; — it was that of T. Purser, Esq., and in one quarter of an hour we had made a friend and found a home. NWl i 9 white foam, cataracts, and could be at ifrible. We Hiri, who, in troubled sea, IS providence sat calm ! " >!' America, a point of land )k," and com- to reach the led ourselves e a " thing of haven." Just of immediate heard to pro- Purser, Esq., made a friend CHAPTER II. .XJHNEY THROUGH PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, A«D WASHINGTON, TO RICHMOND. ^ After a brief interview with a few friends, we left New York on the 16th of April, and procet... d ty steam packets and rail roads in the usual course »y the Rariton, to Amboy ; whence we crossed to Venton, the seat of the state government, and went [own the Delaware to Philadelphia. We were given to understand that the heavy tall ►f snow which enveloped us during at least half the iistance, did not occasion any great privation m >int of scenery ; a statement which frequent glimp- «s of the low and swampy shores of New Jersey iorroborated. Afterwards, in sailing between this ;ate and Pennsylvania, the latter appeared more ch in cultivatfon, though the Delaware itself was Hbtill the finest object. The appearance of some ot ■he villages is attractive, particularly Burlmgton, ^.hich looks smilingly upon the serpentme course ►f the river. The approach to Philadelphia is im- )osing, the city seeming to extend in a graceful iweep along shore for two or three miles. As we jpent some days here, of which one was the sab- Oath, an opportunity was afforded of acquiring much information, and inspecting many public mstitutions. The theological and literary seminary at Ilaaurng- b3 10 PHILADELPHIA. t ton, about four miles from the city, is built on a| commanding eminence. It is placed under the effective superintendence of Mr. Dagg, late pastor of the baptist churdi in Sansom-street. 3emg of recent establishment, there are at present only about eight students in divinity, and fifty youths from the neighbourhood. The studies of the literary and theological pupils are separately conducted. This institution is under the patronage of the Philadelpliia Baptist Association. Arrangements are in progress to introduce the students to the manual labour system, as a means of preserving health andv.| diminishing the expenses of education. At the time * of our arrival, another baptist seminary was formingj at Burlington, chiefly we believe through the exer-| tions of Dr. Brantly, whom we had the pleasure of| visiting. It has since been opened, and our devout 1 wish is that both may flourish and bear fruit to the glory of God. [ The water-works at Fair Mount, on tlie Schuylkill, are the boast of the Pliiladelphians, wnich a cele- brated traveller declared he would fhortify them by not visiting. He had better not, for a similar reason, deign to look at St. Paul's or Westminster Abbey! in London, the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, and the| Vatican in Rome. They are, to say the least,! worthy of inspection, not only as works of public | utility, but as an ornament of the river side. The? design of their construction is to supply the city with water. The reservoirs are on the top of a hill, and contain upwards of twelve million gallons. The machinery is simple, being turned by five large | Ibi tu til PHILADELPHIA.. 11 iiM is built on a ed under the g, late pastor let. Being of lent only about 3uths from the B literary and lucted. ponage of the "angements are to the manual ing health and| n. At the time J ry was forming ough the exe^i the pleasure of| ind our devout jar fruit to the tlip Schuylkill, wnich a cele- lortify them by , similar reason, tminster Abbey I Paris, and the say the least, i^orks of public iver side. The supply the city the top of a hill, m gallons. The 1 by five large rheels propelled by the water of the Schuy kdl. ,t pistons work in cylinders placed honzontally. If all the wheels were at work, they would raise Len miUioas of gallons in twenty-four hours In »Ie of fire, it is only necessary to screw the hose riydrants which are placed at suitable distances. ; The Penitentiary is a gaol for solitary confine- Jnt to the superLendence of which Mr. George Dudley, nephew of Mr. Charles Dudley of the British and Foreign Bible Society, is appointed The whole arrangement is excellent m point ol deanliuess and accommodation; but although each inhappy prisoner is allowed a good supply of pro- rision, a small yard for exercise, and a ce.l lofty, ight, and warmed in winter by a water-pipe, it is ound that perfect solitude is inexpressibly irKsome. ^;t is a method resorted to not merely for pun.sh- nent, but amelioration. Man, being of a social na- ture, the sole companionship of a guilty conscience the severest of inflictions ; and although a question -light arise as to the extent to which it is legitimate lo pursue a course which tends towards the extmc- ;ion of an original element of our being, yet the tes- ;imony of experience proves that such discipline for time, is conducive to moral improvement; Though lone, the prisoners are not, without employment, ,eing fumislied, each according to his capacity, Fith the means of spinning, weaving, shoemakmg, md other labours. " The Pennsylvanian system," lay the Inspectors in their sixth report, " is empha- ;ically n mild and humane system. Let us look for moment at the condition of the majority of those 12 PHILADELPHIA. m ill who become subject to its regulation. We find them living a hurried and thoughtless life of hourly ex- citement, and shuddering at the possibility of a pause which could let in (to them the demon) reflection. We see them wanting the ordinary comforts of cloth- ing and cleanliness, without a home save that afforded by chance companionship. We find them in the brothel and the gin-shop, given up to all manner of excesses, indulging in every extreme of vice, self- degraded and brutal. We see them corrupted and corrupting, initiating new candidates in the race of misery, and dragging them in their own vortex to a death of infamy and horror. Where do we place them, and how do we treat them ? They are taken to the bath and cleansed of outward pollution, they are new clad in warm and comfortable garments, they are placed in an apartment infinitely superior to what they have been accustomed, they are given employment to enable them to live by their own industry, they are addressed in the language of kindness, interest is shown in their present and future welfare, they are advised and urged to think of their former course and to avoid it, they are lifted gently from their state of humiliation; self- degradation is removed, and self-esteem induced. Pride of character and manliness is inculcated, and they go out of prison unknown as convicts, deter- mined to wrestle for a living in the path of honesty and virtue. Is not this humane? The object of all prison establishments should be to reclaim. The separation of convicts affords facilities (which would be impossible under other circumstances) to treat PHILADELPHIA. 13 each individual case in a manner best adapted to that result. There are no doubt some criminals who are incorrigible ; but even with these, the vin- dictive feelings usually generated by prison discipline find no place, and they leave the establishment with sentiments of regard rather than resentment, towards those who have attempted to alter their vicious habits." The Girard College for Orphans is now rising into I a magnificent structure, under the care, and ac- cording to a plan devised by Mr. Thomas Walter, at whose father's house we found a hospitable home. It is situated on a tract of land of forty-five acres, about a mile from the city : the building is to be peripteral, 160 feet in front by 217 feet on the flank. Tl'e columns, of the Corinthian order, are to stand on a basement of twelve steps surrounding the whole edifice. All the columns, entablature, pedi- ment, floors, and stair-ways are to be of marble. It is not a poor school, a charity school, or a free school, in the common acceptation of those words ; but, as it is termed, a college. The inmates are pro- hibited, by the will of the donor, from wearing any peculiar dress, that they may not be objects of remark or contempt, and that the only distinction at which they aim may be the livery of a good conduct. The instruction is to embrace reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, geography, naviga- tion, surveying, practical mathematics, astronomy, natural philosophy, the French and Spanish lan- guages, and, if the trustees choose, Latin and Greek. Stephen Girard was a native of Bordeaux, 14 PHILADELPHIA. Kj. I 'li in France, and having removed to the United States, took up his abode at Philadelphia, where he died! in December, 1831, at the age of 80, full of riches! as well as years. Among numerous large legacies to public objects, he bequeathed the extraordinary] sum of two millions of dollars, for the erection and support of this orphan institution. Philadelphia contains too, the ashes of Franklin, \ the room in which the declaration of independence I was read, and the spot where Penn signed his treaty Wt bod with the Indians. A visit to the Navy Yard afforded an opportunity I of seeing the " Pennsylvania," a man-of-war on the stocks, of 140 guns. Whether this immense appa- ratus of mischief is larger than the one building at Woolwich, we could not at the time determine; but we devoutly united in wishing that both might be suffered to rot, while the respective countries remain in undisturbed harmony. The afternoon of this day was agreeably spent at the house of Dr. Brantly, where we met the Rev. Mr. Fuller, a baptist minister of celebrity from Carolina. At Mr. Walter's we enjoyed interviews with many other friends. Slavery and the Temperance Societies formed prominent topics of conversation ; and having ascertained the character of some apprehensions en- tertained respecting the immediate purport of our visit, we were enabled to present the subject in a view which we had every reason to conclude inspired confidence, while it involved no compromise of sentiment. We preached on the sabbath at several of the PHILADELPHIA. 15 everal of the [churches, and obtained much valuable information [respecting them. Our reception was every where kind; our intercourse with ministers and people gratifying, and such as bespoke a deep interest in I the object of promoting fraternal union between the churches of Britain and America. The presby- terians are flourishing and numerous. Their annual assembly was transferred this year to Pittsburg, amidst great apprehensions of a division of the body, in consequence of disagreements on questions relating chiefly to high and low Calvinism. The baptist denomination is of comparatively re- cent origin in Philadelphia. In 1802, the first church, situated in Second-street, was the only one, and consisted of sixteen members, under the pastoral care of Thomas Ustick, who had been preceded by Morgan Edwards and William Rogers. At present there are eight baptist churches, besides two African churches, comprehending about three thousand members. Some of these are in a prosperous state, with large places of worship ; particularly that of Dr. Brantly, in whose church more than one revival has occurred, and that of Mr. Kennard. The church of which the latter is pastor was only constituted in September, 1817; nevertheless, it now consists of between five and six hundred members. Spruce- street, though at present without a pastor, is acquir- ing stability and magnitude. The congregation in Sansom-street is beginning, after a season of depres- sion, to return to its pristine importance ; and it is anticipated that the capacious edifice, which is esti- X s. mated to contain nearly 3000 people, will be again filled. 16 PHILADELPHIA. The name of Dr. Staughton is intimately asso- ciated with Sansom-street, and with the progress of the denomination, of which he was a splendid orna- ment. It is not, indeed, in Philadelphia only, the sphere of his noblest exertions, or in Washington, where he died, after having presided for a few years over the Columbian College, that his virtues are commemorated. By the influence of his cha- racter, the attraction of his talents, the judicious- ness and plenitude of his instructions to the young, especially to the rising ministry whom he educated, by the blandishments of his private intercourse, and the almost endless variety of his benevolent efforts and enterprises, he gave an impulse, which is every day developing itself, to the baptist churches and congregations of America. We met with ministers formerly his pupils, and now situated in distant places, who uniformly expressed the most profound veneration for their former tutor. Some of then in the meridian or decline of life, are distinguished men, reflecting, as we could easily imagine, some of his hallowed lustre. Many others spoke of the dis- courses which they had occasionally heard, as if his tones were yet thrilling in their ears, and his im- pressive manner still fixing their attention. In the families he visited, in the pulpits he occupied, in the public institutions he founded or adorned, " being dead, he yet speaketh." He was born in Coventry, January 4, 1770, removed to the United States in 1793, and after a popular and eminently useful career of nfinrlv fnrfv Trwara «v«;««^i ;v. ^.u.. city of Washington, December 12, 1829. His me- mory, however, will not soon fade away ; and while PHILADELPHIA. 17 the present generation is conscious of the rich trea- sure of his recollected virtues, and the surviving power of his honoured name, a far distant posterity, whom his fame shall be transmitted, is likely to reap the benefit, when his contemporaries have all followed him to the dust, and even when the record- ing tablet shall have perished. We left Philadelphia with the impression, that the churches, both baptist and paedobaptist, were jonsiderably divided in sentiment, on what is termed ligh and low Calvinism. They appear to be passing through a process similar to that which agitated the English churches for some years after Mr. Fuller ippeared on the Held of controversy. These diver- sities have, perhaps, in some measure, exasperated their divisions ; but we trust that light and love are )lending their holy rays. The Philadelphia Association is the oldest of the [kind in America, having been organized July 27, ll707; and it is the parent of many others. The (doctrines it maintains assimilate to tiose of the con- fession of 1689. The Bridge water Association was Iformed in 1826, by a separation from the Susque- Ihannah, on the alleged ground of the prevalence of jArminian sentiments ; and though the churches of [which it is composed are small, religion thrives lamong them. The Central Union Association was formed in Philadelphia in 1832, for the purpose of promoting the gospel by domestic missions, the education of young men for the ministry, aiding [feeble churches, supporting benevolent institutions, and awakening a revival spirit. .fl H 18 BALTIMORE. After passing down the Delaware in the steaii packet, crossing by a rail road to the Chesapeake] and traversing its noble waters to BaltimorJ we were happy to find our trip of 120 miles terl minate in the hospitable mansion of Mr. Levering] The evening closed agreeably among many chriJ tian friends, at the house of T. Wilson, Esq. Oul reception was every thing that could be desiredJ and both on this occasion, and on our return, i| was gratifying to find genuine piety uniting witJ worldly respectability to enrich, with greater glorjj than her monuments or mansions could confer, thisi beautiful city. It is situated at the head of the tidJ water on the north side of the Patapsco river, four! teen miles above its entrance into the Chesapeake] In 1752, it contained but twenty-five houses ; nowitl may be regarded as the third city of the union, witl a population rapidly approaching to 100,000. It i| the first flour market in the worhl, having sixtjl mills in constant operation. It has, besides nume-l rous cotton and other manufactories, a romaul catholic cathedral of the Ionic order; the battle! monument erected in memory of those who fell iiil the conflict of 1815 ; the Washington nionument, o(| white marble, with a colossal statue cf their heroj the largest of modern times, standing on the suiii| mit, 163 feet above the ground; rail roads lead" ing to the Ohio -and the Susquehannah, together] with suburbs of much beauty, presenting a succes- sion of elevated points or knolls of land, on some of j which appear magnificent private residences. There are, in addition to the episcopalian, pres- BALTIMORE. 19 Lre in the stean )yterian, and methodist, an African and three other )aptist churches, of which the first was founded in [785. This place of worship is spacious, capable )f containing about two thousand people. After experiencing a considerable season of prosperity, [it became much reduced, partly by the secession of members to form another church, which is now in m advancing state, and partly from the discussions jincident to that secession, and the spread of what is termed " Campbellism." This sect has originated [in the zeal of Mr. Campbell, forip'^rly the success- Iful antagonist of Robert Owen, the soi-disant re- Iformer of the world, from Lanark. The residence (and chief influence of Mr. C. is in Kentucky. By the recent settlement of Mr. Hill, in Baltimore, IS pastor of the first church, the people are con- Ifidently anticipating the resuscitation of a spirit of [vital piety and holy exertion. Not more than twelve months before our visit, a season of revival had been enjoyed, and between thirty and forty were added, many of whom are amon^ the most consistent and [valuable members of the church. The origin and singular trials of the second church, [situated at Fell's Point, demand a brief record. In 1794, three families, members of the general baptist Ichurch of the new connexion, at Leicester, emigrated to America, and, after landing at New York, went to Baltimore. They determined to continue together as a religious community, and accordingly invited one of their number, Mr. John Healey, to become ! their minister. When he commenced his work, he threw in his own contributions for the general sup- 20 WASHINGTON. Jk port of the cause, devoting one-half of his time to the duties of his sacred office, and the other half to labour for the support of his family. At first, the little flock was accommodated gratuitously by Dr, Bond, of the episcopal church, in a place which had been fitted up for his congregation. They were soon afterwards much scattered, in consequence of a pre- valent ague and fever. Two were dismissed to ano- ther society. In 1797, however, they erected a small building of brick ; but while engaged in this work, the half of their number died of the yellow fever- in fact, Mr. Healey was left, as to male members, alone. Still he persevered, labouring and preaching for ten years with some success. In 1 807, the church joined the Baltimore Association. Two years after- wards a schism took place during the pastor's ab- sence. A secret effort had been made to elect ano- ther in his room, and at length nine or ten persons were excluded ; in the same year, however, ten were added. In 181 1 , a new place of worship was reared, forty by fifty feet in dimensions, in Fleet-street, Fell's Point, an^l at one period the church included one hundred and fifty-seven members. But in 1821-22, they had great afflictions, and frequent mortality by yellow fever; their doors were even closed for ten weeks, and the Sunday-school was scattered. They have since revived, and at present are enjoying peace and making progress. The city of Washington of course claimed our next attention, being in the direct way to the place oi vriii pi iiiv^ipai i^cDtiixaMOxi. xis cjLuur iriiveiiersj have often described it, and as congress was not sit- WASHINGTON. 21 88 was not sit' ling, we may be excused from many general obser- vations. At the house of our friend Mr. Brown, pastor of the baptist church, we found his son-in-law 'olonel Wheeler, secretary to the commissioners of jhe French treaty, who paid us every attention. Fnder his guidance we visited several places : the lapitol, so much celebrated, and, of its kind, so teally beautiful a structure, was not overlooked. In let, after surveying the hall or rotunda to mark its tainted decorations of the Landing of the Pilgrims, ^enn's Treaty with the Indians, the Signing of the )eclaration of Independence, the Rescue of Captain |mith by Pocahontas, with other mementos of glory, jnd glancing at the unoccupied seats and presiden- jial chair of the house of representatives, we ven- ired to ascend to the summit, in order, like the foor pigmies of our race, to enlarge as much as pos- pie our little horizon of view. This we did by lounting up an external staircase of great extent, i^hich trembled and creaked in every limb, and Iven swayed, or seemed to sway about in the wind. The giddy height, however, did not altogether repay jiir ambitious effort. We were rather inspired with lelancholy than admiration. The general aspect " the country, as it appears from this elevation, is Bsolate and dreary ; the forests, if forests there lave ever been, have disappeared ; the river is too Istant to be imposing, in fact it looks only like a |lver thread ; the city itself, which was to be, is so poken into fragments, so incon plete in its projected Hidings, streets, and roads, and so destitute of life bd movement at this uncongressional season, that 22 WASHINGTON. one could not help sighing over the outline of aj magnificent failure. In the evening, Colonel Wheeler introduced us toj the president, General Jackson. We found him ij company with Mr. Van Buren, the vice-president,! who is a candidate for the supreme office, at the period of regular vacancy. It was a gratifying op-j portunity of familiar and animated conversation overj a cup of coffee, on topics connected with some of] the most important interests of our respective coun- tries. Recent intelligence from Europe was touche upon, and particularly news relative to Ireland,! which led to a somewhat extended discussion of the! compulsory support of religion as contrasted witi] that which is spontaneous and voluntary. It wasl gratifying to ascertain that the mind of the chief magistrate of this mighty nation was as free froij all the sophistries arising out of the unhallowel blending of things sacred with things secular, U the alliance of the church with the state, as his per- son and court were disincumhered of the pomps oj royal etiquette. He uttered, with great emphasisl these memorable words, " Human legislation iri matters of religion may make hypocrites, but i| cannot make christians." On the tithe system, par] ticularly as it was working in Ireland, which lej to the conversation, the president spoke with stilj kindling energy, and in terms which harmonize with what may now be considered public opinion iJ every part of the British empire, till all the soldiej was apparent as the general exclaimed, " I had ral ther die a thousand deaths, than see my wife anl WASHINGTON. 23 e outline of a! ihildren starve while I was robbed of one-tenth of y labour to support a religion I disapproved." The president is a man venerable for age, and istinguished for military talents. He courteously vited us to dine with him on our return from Vir- nia ; a pleasure we were compelled to relinquish, [e has acquired much celebrity for self-command nd fortitude ; but we fancied that the then very scent attempt on his life, by Lawrence, since proved ) be insane, had a little shaken his system. We tood upon the spot at the entrance of the capitol, fhere the sanguinary effort was made, and were not nmindful of that remarkable providence which revented the discharge of two percussion pistols, jough the caps exploded ; by which the president tcaped from a danger the most imminent. We were unfortunate, on the first day of our ar- Ival, in being too late to witness a quarterly exhi- jtion of the proficiency of the students at the Co- Imbian College ; an institution under the patron- te of the baptist denomination, and at its first Itablishment, distinguished by the brief residence \d available talents of Staughton ; but we seized I opportunity of visiting Dr. Chapin, the president. Id looking through the institution. The location jgood, and commands a fine view of the capitol at je distance of two miles and a half. This college ks incorporated by an act of congress in 1821 ; the jurse of instruction began in 1822; the buildings |e unfinished, and we cannot compliment our jends on the style of those which have been com- Bted. The institution has suffered seve-e trials. 24 WASHINGTON. mm' from wliicb it seems to be beginning to emerge,] The provision for instruction appears to be ample inj all the branches. There is one advantage whicl from the circumstances, is peculiar to this establishj ment, namely, that on occasions of great interestj the students are permitted to attend the Supreme! Court of the United States, and the debates in Conj gress. Of 300 pupils who have received educationj there, forty have devoted themselves to the ministry] We gave one day to Mount Vernon, which thtj name of Washington has rendered illustrious. Ourf ministerial brother Coritelius, pastor of the baptist j church in Alexandria, an incorporated city ahoBi six miles on our way, cam^ to accompany us to his! residence. At Alexandria, where Mr. C. has beei[ labouring ten years, there is a church of 200 mem-l bers, and a school of 100 children. Most of tM members were baptized by the present pastor, aii| the church enjoyed much peace and prosperity, til| a recent attempt to introduce hypercalvinisD threatened division, and it was supposed about fiftjj would separate ; but it is worthy of remark, tk not a single coloured person, whether slave or freej seceded ! After crossing Hunter's Creek, and pursuing toilsome ascent thickly covered with embowerinj woods, we beheld the dwelling of Washington, aiij by the favour of his descendants, surveyed its into rior. The rooms are small, but neatly furnishetl the relics not numerous. The summer house i| which he delighted to sit and contemplate a beau ti^ul sw*^''ti of the PotomuC- with its bordi^rlncr WASHINGTON. 25 wooded hills and vales, is in such a state of decay that it is almost hazardous to ascend the steps. On the right at some distance is his tomb, a mean brick vault with a few miserable letters for an inscription. Is this neglect? or is it intended to impress the bystander with the thought that monumental splendour would only enfeeble the superior lustre that encircles such a name ? Certainly the marble and the epitaph are insignificant appendages to real greatness ; but strangers from the old world cannot be expected to sympathise with this entombing of illustrious remains in some obscure nook of a private estate, when the lands are liable to be transferred quickly into the hands of strangers. We know not the motives which led to the disturbance of the dust of Washington ; but it is unseemly to leave the old vault in its present state, in keeping only with sur- rounding dilapidations. It is, indeed, fenced, but when curiosity prompts to the trespass, and you reach its entrance, it is impossible to dissociate from it an idea of the hasty violence of some plunderer of graves. One conspicuous object is a long box, not unlike a shell for a corpse ; it lies as if carelessly thr'>wn aside with other lumber, and the whole ap- pearance quite neutralizes the solemn and appro- priate impressions which such a scene ought to produce. On our return to Washington we spent the even- ing at the house of Mr. Elliott, in a very select so- ciety. Among the gentlemen were some of the clergymen and other intelligent inhabitants of the town, together with Colonel Wheeler and Judge Mi it 26 WASHINGTON. Cranch, chief justice of the supreme court of Co- lumbia, and one of the seven associate judges of the United States. The general manners and freedom of intercourse we enjoyed, reminded us of the best English society. The next day we took the steam packet to Aquia Creek, whence we proceeded along the Virginian sands and hollows, to Fredericks! targh. In passing up the Potomac, whose banks are fertile and more lofty than those of the Delaware or Chesapeake, we crossed several fishermen's seines of great extent. One of them was not less than a mile and a half in length, and at one draught in the preceding sum- mer had captured, besides three or four hundred shad, the almost incredible rmmber of seven hundred thousand six hundred herrings. Fredericksburgh is a town of extensive trade, but of no great pretensions in appearance. It stands on the south side of the Rappahannock river, more than a hundred miles from its outlet into the Chesapeake Bay. It has a numerous baptist cause in an increas- ing state, and three other churches. From this place we diverged at a right angle from our direct course, for the purpose of waiting on Mr. Madison, to whom Judge Crancli had given us an "introduction, and performing a circuit over the Blue Mountains. At tlie first stage, however, unexpected obstacles occurred, which induced the apprehension of not being able to arrive at Richmond so early as we desired. The deputation, therefore, agreed to a separation of some days, that one at least might be in sufficient time to attend the sreneral association of WASHINGTON. 27 Virginia. This circumstance renders it necessary to adopt, for a few pages, the form of personal narra- tive. Dr. Cox's Account. — Being left alone, without the means of returning to Fredericksburgh till the fol- lowing day, I determined to employ the interval in endeavouring to ascertain the moral and religious condition of this part of the country. It occurred to me that the best method would be, after some inquiries, to take a solitary ramble in the pine forests, where the scattered habitations were to be found. In a short time my attention was arrested by the appearance of what at first seemed to be a log-house, but which, on a nearer inspection, proved to be a school- room. I thought in so wild a country I might be forgiven for entering the open door with- out ceremony. The master received me courteously, and answered my questions without hesitation ; while, as I seated myself on a bench, the encircling group of girls and boys, amounting to about twenty- five or thirty, looked with an expression of counte- nance that hovered between wonder and merriment. I found that they were gathered together from different distances in the interior, and that the master, a young man of some address, came every Monday twelve miles, and took up his abode at the court-house till Saturday, for the purpose of impart- ing his very cheap instruct ons in writing, reading, arithmetic, geograpliy, and history. I requested permission to put some questions to the pupils, and invited them to furnish specimens of their progress. This was nrobablv oreatfir in realitv than aDDearance, c 2 & i '/IH M.-''' . ..'"-: -t.. ''i^'. 28 JOURNEY TO for to do them justice, more hesitation and shyness of manner were manifested than is generally charac- teristic of the young republicanism of the new world. If, thought I, by this moral irrigation of the soil, America is thus striving to diffuse the benefits of education among her multifarious people, the result cannot be doubtful — her greatness is established ! There was, however, one deduction from the pleasing hope of the immediate future; I was in a slave state-*-in Virginia; and most of the slave-holding states will not allow their black population to be taught to read or write, though they may be orally instructed. Still it is consoling to think that the moral culture, and, in many cases, the religious tuition bestowed, not only on the whites, but on the blacks, is urging on improvement with intense and irresistible force. The consequent elevation of character, superinduced by the diffusion of knowledge, or the growth of private sentiment, in concurrence with the course of providence, is accelerating the happy crisis of entire and universal freedom. Pursuing my way through the forest, I happened upon a very different scene, which was strikingly illustrative of the good and the evil that are inter- mingled here in the elements of society. It was the dwelling of what in England would be termed a little farmer. To me it seemed that vicious habits and a vicious system had totally prostrated his mind; and the two or three black children, by whom he was attended, exhibited as remarkable a ront.rRSt as r*Ouhl W«»ll lip nnnH'inpt si we may be preserved from the defilements of tiie world, ani may hate even the gar- ments spotted by the flesh. Implore that on us the Spirit of our God may descend, that we i-n^r f -empafy the pure and enlight- ened principles of chnstiaD.y, and jnstrain the enemies of the tnith to glorify our Lord. .\nd now, beloved brethren, we repeat the assurance of our wprmest affection for you. We sympathize iii all your joy 5 u id your sorrows : we earnestly pray that you may enjoy the Hence of th'' great Head of the church in all your asseml . ; and that wisdom and power may be b»"*owe(l upon yoa ; and finally, we entrept our God, that our mutual piety, zeal, and de- votion, may be sanctified by his Spirit to the advancement of his glory throughout the world. Never may our labours cease, jtiU the earth be tilled with his glory. -n --'J 70 THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. cular measures, and associates with a specific agency, sent for the avowed purpose of lecturing upon the fmbject of emancipation. On this account alone, it may be proper here to introduce a topic, which, otherwise, would not have been touched upon in these details. Further remarks will be necessary hereafter, in adverting to another meeting. At pre- sent, we have only to explain that the laws of the state prohibit all such public discussions in Virginia, as that which it had been imagined we might have introduced at Richmond ; consequently, the Conven- tion would have been dissolved by the magistrates, had it been attempted. But the Conv n itself would not, and could not have been coi d, with the understanding that the abolition of slavery was to be discussed ; and inasmuch as such discussion in the triennial meeting of the missionary society, would not have approved itself to the majority of I delegates assembled for other purposes, they would | have dissolved themselves, had the attempt been made, without awaiting magisterial interference. 11 •A ••"IT Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. We are, beloved brethren, yours, iu the faith and serA'ice o[ our blessed Redeemer. [Signed by order and in the preserce of the Baptist Uniou,! in New Park-street Chapel, London, June 18, 1834.] F. A. Cox, L.L.D., Chairman. W. H. MuRCH, of Stepney College, Joseph Bklcheb,! Secretaries. W. Newman, D.D., J. E. Giles, Charles Stov«1'| Thomas Price, Thomas Thomas, Committee. THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. 71 To this it may be added, that we made our ap- pearance uninvited. It was altogether spontaneous on the part of the Union to adopt this mode of cul- tivating christian love and intercourse with distant brethren of the same family. To have pursued a course from which it was known such results would ensue as those to which we have adverted, and at so holy and heavenly a meeting as that which it was our privilege to attend, would have been, on our part, an intrusion as rude as it would have been un - welcome ; as injurious as it would have been indeli- i cate. Could we even have elicited, by any means, the I agitating discussions which an avowal of anti-slavery sentiments, on such an occasion and in a slave-hold- I ing state, would have called forth, it became obvious, from our private inquiries and conferences, that we I must necessarily have at once frustrated every ob- ject of our mission, awakened hostility and kindled dislike, not to ourselves only, but to our whole de- nomination ; and, above all, roused into embittered activity, feelings between ch>'i:^tian brethren which jmust have severed the baptist churc^-^s, who required jto be convinced, and not coerced. This question jassumed a shape, wliich not only exhibited all these dangers, but, as it has been more and more evinced, [tended to the political disruption of a mighty em- pire. In a state of moral and spiritual feeling, too, In which we had succeeded in calling forth the kind- liest emotions, the warmest affections, the best spirit jtowards ourselves, towards England, and mankind, n were, acc« ing xo some persons, to have thrown 72 THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. »iiirj N) ill I the apple of discord— we were to have compelled the actions of those to whom we were foreigners, and by whom we were cherished and loved—we were at our outset to have aimed a blow at the very constitution of their own society, to which we were only visitors, and admitted and for the time incor- porated as delegates, to unite in holy love and holy effort, British and American churches— all this we were to have done, as some fervent spirits argue, reckless of consequences to ourselves and to them- to the utter confusion of all order, the ruin of all christian feeling, the destruction of all love and fellowship ! And could we ha^/e done it ? Will the warmest partisan, if he be a christian, say we ought to have done it? Could our consciences have been satisfied to have done it? Would sound wisdom and . discriminating judgment have sanctioned the at- tempt ?— . On the ensuing Sabbath (May 3rd) each of the | delegates was appointed to preach twice; an ar-l rangement with which, notwithstanding their de- sire to be hearers, the kindness of their American brethren rendered it impossible to refuse compliance. Cro'vded and attentive audiences were assembled at| each meeting. Other ministers were also engaj in their appropriate duties in different places of! worship ; and it was a pleasing feature of the reli- gion of the city, that the regular services of the presbyterian and methodlst churches were on this hallowed day transferred to the visiting brethren oi the denomination which assembled on the occasion.! It was deeply regretted afterwards, a regret in whicli THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. 7^ we fully participated, that preparations had not been made for an out-door service, in which all the thou- sands of Israel might have united in worship. This was the only circumstance that seemed wanting to complete the pleasure of this great denominational festivity. In the course of the proceedings during the past week 5 the executive committee of the American Baptist Home Missionary Society had presented a solemn and impassioned address to the Convention on the claims of home, which, like similar commu- nications, had been referred to a subcommittee. This appeal conclu ^.ed by imploring the Convention to enter upon Vie ousiness of the home mission, with a determination not to separate " till the deli- berations growing out of our affiiirs and relations shall be concluded, even though protracted for several days." It was resolved to print this com- munication with the minutes ; and on account of the importance of the object, the members were en- treated to give their attendance for two days. It was the anniversary of the society, and was to be held on Monday, May 4th. The sittings of the Con- vention having proved unusually interesting, an apprehension was entertained, lest the continued excitement of the previous week, should prevent a powerful interest in this meeting, especially as the estimable secretary, Dr. Going, though he had travelled from New York on purpose, had been hitherto incapacitated by an attack of cholera from attending the meetings. A few members of the Convention had been obliged 74 THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. to leave, but the assembly at ten o'clock on Monday, May 4th, was not perceptibly different from those on other occasions . The Hon. Heman Lincoln occu- pied the chair, and Mr. Cone read the report. The details of this valuable document well sustained the appeal that had been previously addressed to the Convention. The principal field of the society's operations is the Great Valley. Ninety-seven preachers are employed ; but as many of these were described to be working, rather than writing men, by which was meant, doing the work of evangelists, rather than reporting its performance, only a general view of success could be given. During the year, sixty new churches had been constituted, and 2500 members added, of whom 1200 were new converts. The applications for assistance continued to increase in number and urgency. In deploring- the destitu- tion of the churches, it was stated, that among 5888 churches, there were only 3110 ministers ; and when a judicious deduction is made for such as are but imperfectly qualified, or partially devoted to it, while the more populous and longer-settled regions have a far larger number of pastors in proportion to the number of churches than the more recently settled countries can have, it is obvious, that the vast sphere of the society's labours must be distress- ingly destitute. It is true, many of these churches meet in what may be regarded as merely preaching stations, suited to the convenience of a very scattered population, where the superintendence of three or four such churches is an essentially difterent kind of service from that which it must be in an old and THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. 76 populous country. Ten years is represented as the shortest period of time in which, by most zealous and benevolent labours, the work proposed by the Home Missionary Society can be achieved. It may well be extended beyond that limit, when the object avowedly aimed at, is to provide between 2000 and 3000 more well-qualified and educated christian ministers, together with the means for the sound and religious education of a people constantly and rapidly increasing from the tide of emigrants. We felt great satisfaction in the opportunity of taking part in the deliberations of this closing meeting. The object was to us one of special interest, having in imme- diate prospect an extensive visit to the churches. The greater part of the day was occupied with home mission business, and the society resumed its meet- ing on the day following. We determined to take our departure from Rich- mond, on Tuesday, May 5th, for New York, where we proposed to attend tue anniversary meetings of the most important societies. As several of our valued brethren from the west, particularly the de- voted and energetic labourer in the Great Valley, the Rev. J. M. Peck, were anxious to have a con- ference on the best means of evangelising that vast region, we met for the purpose, through the frater- nal kindness jf the Rev. I. Hinton, to whose house the party was invited. Many judicious suggestions were made, and some projects discussed with special reference to emigrants, who are often imposed up- on, and experience inconvenience and loss for want of information. E 2 76 THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. The last evening was spent with the friends, whose courteous hospitality during the period of the meet- ings demands a grateful record. Mr and Mrs Wortham, we trust, will feel assured that we shall ever entertain a lively sense of the numerous kind- nesses received from themselves and the.r family durin- our visit to Richmond-a place never to be erased from our memories, where we were conti- nually prompted to think of " the general assemhly and church of the first-horn." On its mhao.tants, together with all the christian mul -.de with whom we held communion there, we will not cease to im- plore the descent of " showers of blessing. Last davs and last hours will arrive ; the most delightful and profitable meetings will at length terminate! The 5th of May came to our somewhat saddened spirits, -saddened by the remembrance of joys departed, perhaps never to he renewed,-in all the contrasting loveliness of a bright and balmy morning. Horses, carriage, and servants were in early requisition, and by the devoted attentions of Mr. Wortham, and his son. Dr. Wortham, no in- convenience was experienced, though it was neces- sary to be on board the steam boat at six o clock. The whole time of this visit to Richmond might have been occupied, could it have been so consis- tently with duty, in a participation of the polite hospitalities of the gentry resident in the neigh- bourhood, as well as in delightful intercourse with christian friends of all denominations. But one or two invitations only could be accepted, when, among other topics, it was invariably our object to THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. 77 elicit opinions relative both to the Indian tribes and the coloured people. On the latter subject, and that connected with slavery, we were anxious not to leave the south without a faithful and solemn ex- pression of our own principle and feelings, and those of our brethren at home, a as large a private party of influential brethren as could be convened. It was intrusted to a brother, in whom the fullest confidence might be reposed, to invite those with whom it would be most important to confer, and from whose conversation the most information misfht be obtained to guide our own judgments relative to a public co-operation with the abolition agency, and the society about to hold its anniversary in New York. There are no terms in which we have been accustomed in England to express abhor- rence of slavery, which were not freely employed on this occasion. The same arguments we and others have used, in order to repel those which have always been adduced in support of this system, were employed for the same purpose ; and solemn appeals were made on the influence which the church of Christ in general, and our section of it in particular, ought to exert. The honour put upon our own fraternity, who not only first suffered for Christ's sake, and then became instrumental in rescuing his suffering flock, was aduiced; and in return, each of the brethren assembled gave, con- secutively, an opinion upon the general aspect of their affairs, and the movements of various parties. We had no reason to regret having sought this con- ference, which may not have been unattended with ii ^R;,.. •!fCk. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A ^ '^ z o 1.0 I.I mm Sf U£ 12.0 u 2.5 2.2 [ ggial IIIIIJ^ Itlll = 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" ► ^^ / M ^%^ "V -^ / 'W 0-, j%otDeiBiihic Scioices Coiporation i #^^,-. V ^ ■'♦♦ -^^ o^ as WIST MAIN STtllT WMSTIR.N.Y. USM (7U) 173-4503 ^^ lO i 78 THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. benefit to the minds of our friends. We trust that our next meeting, whether on earth or m heaven, will he marked by reciprocal and joyous congratu- lations on our own freedom from every unholy pre- judice, und the universal happiness of an emanci- pated world ! DEPARTl ME Althc Richmor than a hj solemn c to attend absorbed Being James ri view, a ' mined in raised, i of the ra indicatior beyond w mart. ^ avenues li and trees, and beaut The popul or thirteer for public 'les in a 6 holding m 79 CHAPTER IV. I DEPARTURE FROM RICHMOND.— ACCOUNTS OF PUBLIC MEETINGS AT BALTIMORE AND NEW YORK. Although upwards of a week had been spent in Kichmond, we could not command leisure for more than a hasty glance at the city. The business of tht,t solemn convocation which we had crossed the Atlantic to attend, and the sittings of associated institutions absorbed the whole of our time. ' Being built upon an eminence on the banks of the James river, the city presents, in some points of view, a very imposing appearance, but when exa- mmed in detail, scarcely sustains the expectation raised. Some of the public buildings are worthy of the metropolis of so old a state, and there are indications of the activity of trade and commerce beyond what might have been looked for in a slave mart. Many genteel residences grace the broad avenues leading from the town, adorned with shrubs and trees, which at the time of our visit were bright and beautiful in the freshness of the sudden spriL The population is about 16,000; and there are twelve or thirteen churches offering ample accommodation for public worship. The first baptist church assem- ''ies in a sp ious old-fashioned building, capable of holding more than 2000 hearers, and comprehends ma 80 JAMES RIVER. multitudes of coloured people, but few of whom were seen at either the second or third churches. Mr. Taylor's is a large commodious house, and the congregation is highly respectable. The number of members is between 400 and 500. The third church meets in a new place in a part of the city where the attempt to raise a congregation is recent, and there is a very encouraging prospect of success. Our course was down Jame« river, a beautiful navigation ; in fact, the most attractive we have hitherto seen. It is perhaps about the average width of the Thames, between London and the Nore, but the scenery is superior. For fifty miles, the banks are fringed with a luxuriant vegetation, covering a wavy line of low hills. They are richer still with spiritual verdure. Several of the old and valuable plantations are occupied by religious peo- ple, chiefly baptists ; many of them wealthy. Mr. Hume, the minister at Portsmouth, who accom- panied us, was once settled a few miles from Rich- mond on the borders of the river, and gave a good account of the prosperity of the country. The river is exceedingly serpentine, in consequence of which, we often appeared to be in the centre of a lake without any apparent outlet. Frequently the houses and plantations were reflected as in a mirror upon the unruffled surface, and with a clearness, and to an extent, wliich we have seldom seen surpassed. At the distance of forty-five miles is City Point, as it is termed, where the waters of the Appomattox flow in and widen the stream of the James river. We stopped a moment at the point where James- town, t enough, Durir under IS. a large consists The cha to erect number. joined, £ sons of i perous I In 1830- in Chest teen to 1200 w< Among 1 respectal have sim and pro^ There and the Portsmo therefore been ma pointm 31 spend an Tlie to streets ai angles. presentee the floati PORTSMOUTH. 81 town, the first settlement was erected ; only long enough, however, to discern its ruined appearance. During the last year, the church at Portsmouth under Mr. Hume's care, has received 116 members, a large proportion of 230, of which it at present consists; it is in a healthy and flourishing state. The chapel contains about 1000, and they are about to erect a new one to hold, probably, double the number. The 116 members, who have recently joined, are, for the most part, as Mr. H. stated, per- sons of intelligence and influence. They have a pros- perous Sunday school, consisting of 400 scholars. In 1830-31, a glorious work of religion commenced in Chesterfield county, which continued from eigh- teen to twenty-four months. During this time, 1200 were baptized and added to the churches'. Among these were very many of the highest worldly respectability,— chiefly males and whites ; and they have singe, with few exceptions, continued stedfast, and proved themselves useful members of churches. There is a flourishing baptist church at Norfolk, and the body is altogether stronger than that at Portsmouth, on the opposite side the river ; it was therefore much regretted that arrangements had not been made to have a meeting there. The disap- pointm 3nt was mutual, but it was not practicable to spend another day in that neighbourhood. The towns of Portsmouth and Gosport adjoin ; the streets are of convenient width, and laid out at right angles. The navy yard is the chief attraction, and presented some objects of great interest, particularly the floating floodgate, a simple and ingenious con- E.3 82- JAMES RIVER. trivance to take off the vast pressure of the water from the ordinary gates of a dry dock. This is effected by the nice adjustment of a vast oval-shaped tun or vat, made to fit into groo\^es, as it gradually sinks, on increasing its specific gravity by letting in water, — when it has reached the bottom, the water is pumped from the dry dock : as occasion re- quires, the dock is again filled, and the gate as easily rises, by pumping out some of the water which hai been admitted into it, and when afloat, is removed out of the way, being only an immense elliptical barrel properly ballasted. On the 6th it was necessary to proceed to Balti- more, to attend the public meetings. On reaching the track kept by vessels from Richmond, at the mouth of the rivers in Hampton Roads, we took on board several friends on their return from the Rich- mond Convention. Among the number were Ogon- aye and Mr. Jones, who were on their wayno some missionary meetings, to be held in the chief cities. The passengers were much impressed with the mild benevolence of the Indian's countenance, and to many of them it was highly gratifying to gather in little groups round the missionary and his intel- ligent convert. By proposing questions through Mr. Jones as interpreter, which were calculated to elicit the ideas entertained by this descendant of the aboriginal lords of the soil, on the nature of divine truth, an opportunity was afforded to him of preach- ing the gospel of the kingdom, to those who now possessed the lands of his fathers. Ogonaye spoke with great simplicity and faithfulness. Several ex- pressed while s( such tri informe derstan( go amo it wouL residing the Ind Wherev sure to J him for and evei encouraj home. at the C Indians, ascertair their im teacher days th< tongue. little gii dialect. were pra English.' able suc( employee children Let th( tion, und Saxon ra( JAMES RIVER. 83 pressed themselves as both surprised and delighted, while some seemed peculiarly impressed on hearing such truths from the lips of an Indian. Mr. Jones informed us he had 230 members who do not un- derstand English. He was originally induced to go among the Oherokees from an impression that it would be possible to learn their language by residing in the midst of the tribe. He had found the Indians prompt to second all his endeavours. Wherever two or three were converted, others were sure to follow ; and applications had been made to him for preaching and teaching, from thirty, forty, and even fifty miles distance. He had found much encouragement, and had baptized five before he left home. An interesting anecdote was communicated at the Convention respecting the children of some Indians, whose state of mind had been accidentally ascertained in the following manner. To promote their improvement in the English language, the teacher had established a rule, that on certain days the children should not use their native tongue. On one of these English days, a group of little girls were overheard using the prohibited dialect. On being interrogated they said, ^' we were praying, and did not know how to pray in English." This was the commencement of consider- able success in the christian efforts which were employed for evangelising the tribe to which the children belonged. Let those who doom the Indian tribes to destruc- tion, under the monstrous pretext that the Anglo- Saxon race never have lived, and never can live, in V 84 JAMES RIVER. the ne%libourliood of other portions of the human family, without assuming lordly control over them, to which the Indians will never submit, consider well the influence which the gospel is about to exert as "a sovereign balm for all our woes." It is as- suredly the only hope alike of the black man and the red man, as it is the only safeguard and solace of Adam's fairer offspring. The following hymn, sung by one of the brethren on board, the Rev. Daniel Dodge, was, from the affecting associations of the moment, listened to with deep interest. " In de dark wood, no Indian nigh. Den me look hebben, and ser ' up cry. Upon my knees so low, Dat God on high in shiny place See me in night wid teary face ; De priest, him tell me so. " God send him angel, take me care. He come he self— he hear me prayer. If inside heart do pray. He see me now, he know me here. He say. Poor Indian, nebber fear. Me wid you night and day. - " Now me love God wid inside heart ; He fight for me, he take me part. He save my life before. God love poor Indian in de wood. So me love God, and dat be good ; Me praise him two time more. "When me be old, me head be grey. Den he no leave me, so him Gay, i Me wid you till you die. Chesa \ nificent : part in t commin^ waters ir ed by Ca to the so course la western < mac with had been and were A gent slave hoi although to relinqu of his vie^ ther such lent and securing . quent diff man, it is to have es allow thei the abject slave; an( of religioi of the ma JAMES RIVER. g^ Den take me up to shiny place, '• See white man, red man, black man face. All happy like on high." Chesapeake Bay is the vast mouth of many maff- \ nificent rivers. These take their rise for the molt part m the same central mountain regions, and here commmgling their streams, pour their accumulated waters mto the Atlantic. The ocean outlet is guard- ed by Cape Charles to the north and Cape Henry to the south on the eastern side of the bay. Our course lay nearer to the mouths of the rivers on the western coast. It was mortifying to pass the Poto- mac without revisiting Washington, where our stay had been short, but we were bound for the Patapsco and were to sleep in the packet. ' A gentleman on board, a Virginian planter and a save holder but an abolitionist, informed us that although he had sat in congress, he was compelled to relmquish public life as a politician inconsequence ot his views on the subject of emancipation. Whe- ther such a determination on the part of a benevo- lent and intelligent man arose from the difficulty of securing his election in a slave state, or the subse- quent difficulty of discharging his duties as a states- man, It IS equally to be deplored. Many who seem to have escaped from the prejudice against colour allow their minds to be imposed upon by observing the abject state to which oppression has reduced the slave ; and certainly, even when under the influence of religious feeling, there is so great a prostration of the man, it may require generations to elevate II 86 JAMES RIVER. the black to equal freedom and dignity. A striking instance of this was given in a narrative relative to a man who was discovered, while praying, by a gentleman of the name of Smith, as he rode through a forest in Virginia ; but surely there is no cause for alarm from those who are subjected to such a pitiable degree of mental degradation. The tra- veller was on horseback, and thinking he heard a human voice, he rode toward the thicket whence it soemed to proceed. When sufficiently near, he overheard a voice, though he could discern no ob- ject; he only caught the words, '* O Lord, lookee down, see poor nigger ; him heart as black as skin — dear Lord Jesus came all way down from heaven to save poor sinner; O save poor nigger!" Here the horse snorted, and alarmed the prostrate black. He raised himself a little and cried out beseechingly; "Oh no whippee poor nigger." Mr. S. "What were you doing?" Slave: " Praying to God." Mr. S. " What for ?" Slave : "Me poor nigger ; sin- ner black heart, black as skin ; me come to wood pray God save me." Mr. S. " Boy, 1 pray to the same God." Slave :" Do you ?" Mr. S. "Yes, and will pray with you." Slave (falling flat on his face), " Oh do, Massa, and kneel upon poor nigger!" Mr. Smith immediately knelt down, but as will be readily conceived, not upon him, but hy his side ; and thus they both worshipped together Him who made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and who by one and the same precious blood will wash away the equally ofl*ensive Stam of sin. whethp.r nnnn flip wlii'fo mon /M. +li« V»lo«U In the tion from selves ini planter wj gage in si we might give his C( agreeable. greater pa a numeroi delightful of the wo panied as with many On our the 7th, w( the house Bethel mee on which o Hoby, Mr. bly. Ill th the Marylai the presbyt* and charact duct, and ui On the fo m the anniv afforded us terest in thi »'ity," which triotic chara BALTIMORE. 87 In the ev-enmg we received a respectful applica- tion from a few gentlemen who had formed them- selves into a committee, of which the Virginian planter wa. chairman, to request that we would en- ^V\T^ u''°*'°"*' ^'''"'^'' ''"^ ""Idresses as we might thmk proper, provided the captain would ™br We' "f' ' ^'"""^ "^ ^°""' ^--"y agreeable. We, of course, consented, and as the greater part of the passengers were present, we had a ""jncrous and very attentive audience. It IZ delightful thus to be permitted to scatter the sl^d n^^ ^^''°'''\^''™*r'^'*"^*'-'~- pamed as It ,, . Hose who led our devotions with many ft . -j.g uevoiions, the^7th"wr. 'i"«»-e on the morning of me nouse ot Mr. Levering. At tb-ee o'clock a Bethe meeting was held in the large baptist chand on which occasion, after a sermon by Dr Cox nl' Hoby,M. Sutton and others addresLj thel'sem-- bly. In he evening, the second annual meeting of he Maryland State Bible Society was convened in the Presbyterian church. The assembly waT Tat" and characterised by the utmost serious^ness oSn duct, and unanimit- of feeling. On the following day we attended and took part m the anniversary of the Sunday School Society.' afforded us great satisfaction to find a powerf^ i„ .ty which comprises now not only those of a na notic character, but monuments in honour of reli ^^cvolence, and science. A visit to the public' 88 BALTIMORE. schools did not, however, afford all the satisfaction anticipated. It cannot but be regretted that there should exist in any part of Christendom an influence sufficient to prevent the introduction of the Holy Scriptures into these somina? 'es. Whether this w&s accomplished in Baltimore by popish or infidel ob- jectors, could not be ascertained on inquiry, perhaps it was a combined effort ; but certainly some ques- tions of a very general nature though connected with revelation, and put as was thought in a very kind and proper way, were sometimes answered with a pertness, and sometimes with a sullenness, which proved that those who love the word of God have yet much to accomplish for the youth of their prosperous city. Not even their forty or fifty places of worship will compensate for this withholding of I the scriptures from the rising race. The Orphan Asylum for infants appeared to be in every respect well conducted. The coloured people of Baltimore, attracted much attention on the Sabbath. In personal appearance and genteel attire they vied with any portion of the natives seen in the streets. The effect was often that of surprise, when, after having been struck with some well-clothed human form moving before you with a grace equal to that of any of God's in- telligent offspring around, you suddenly discovered by some turn of the head or stop which allowed you to pass, that the black brand was there, the darkest African hues still dyeing the children of America, and proclaiming the wrongs which Ethi- opia has received from our hands. How wpak ?.r\'^ ■ foolish is genius ca form as mass whi with dee] purest w divine sk poreal foi fact; and are any d when Gc sable offs] can either On the the deleg£ churches c whose me: applicatior May 10th, ing the Af of some n not compL attending : methodist < The pulj that conne lence and j It might h{ in evangelii with the e could com] luentary tr BALTIMORE. sfaction it there ifluence le Holy his was idel ob- perhaps e ques- nnected I a very iswered enness, of God )f their ' places ding of I Orphan respect d much 3arance 1 of the s often struck ' before 3d's in- jovered dlowed re, the Iren of 1 Ethi- 89 foolish is this feeling of surprise ; as if the mind of gemus cannot create, and the hand of art evolve, a form as beautiful or as majestic from +he rough mass which nature in her laboratory has stained with deeper tints, as from the Parian marble of purest whi^te ! Who then will call in question divme skill? The prej.Ju.3 in reference to cor- poreal form must yield to the demonstration of fact ; and it may yet be demanded, whether there are any data to show original mental inferiority when Grd has moreover adorned so many of his sable offspring with every christian grace which can either beautify or ennoble humanity ? On the principle often avowed during the visit of the delegates, that they were sent as much to the churches composed of coloured people as to those whose members were of European descent, several applications to preach on the evening of Lord's day May 10th, were declined, for the purpose of address- ing the African church. In consequence, however, of some misunderstanding, the engagement was not completed. This afforded an opportunity of attending in the evening at the worship o? the methodist coloured church. The pulpit being occupied by a white preacher in that connexion, a discourse of no ordinary excel- lence and power was delivered from the first Psalm. It might have been regarded as somewhat deficient m evangelical sentiment, by a stranger prepossessed with the erroneous notion that the congregation could comprehend nothing but the plainest ele- mentary truths. But the preacher spoke as if he 90 BALTIMORE. lA knew that his audience would appreciate whatever is ordinarly addressed to a less swarthy race, and the congregation gave frequent and very audible evidence that the most striking points were by no means lost upon them. Casual conversation with many of the se christian worshippers, produced the conviction that no difference between them and their whiter brethren of similar rank in life, would have been manifest had they been free, but that imperfect articulation of our language, which is perhaps a misfortune rather than a fault. In the morning, the first baptist churcn, of which the Rev. Mr. Hiil'had just become the pastor, naturally claimed a sermon. A large and respectable audience assembled in their spacious place of worship. It is a circular building about eighty feet in diameter, ",nd with its beautiful entrance may be regarded as one of the ornaments of the town. In the after- noon it was crowded to excess. Dr. Sharp of Boston preached a judicious and impressive sermon on behalf of the home mission ; after which Ogonaye the Cherokee convert delivered, through Mr. Jones as interpreter, an address of touching simplicity. Being solicitous of attending as many of the anni- versary meetings of New York to which we had been invited, as practicable, while Dr. Hoby re- mained for the sabbath in Baltimore, Dr. Cox repaired to Philadelphia, in order to comply with a special request to give his assistance at the American Seaman's Friend Society, on Monday evening. May 11th, at New York. This ho was barely able to accomplish, having been detained in solitude by illness at brief rene private int The whoh Monday, ^ of the leac zation Soc were comp The mee one of gr€ chapel in people one into the E; are eightee where socic men ; in te Boston, Ne Philadelph the gospel ciety is chi( seamen in f wich Island other place «12,367,71. We reuni morning, w the Anti-sla resumed af saries. The Deal interest, ant ladies and NEW YORK. 91 illness at Philadelphia, and thus precluded from a brief renewal in that city of the public service and private intercourse which had been before enjoyed; The whole of Saturday, and again the whole of Monday, were employed in discussions with some of the leaders both in the Anti-slavery and Coloni- zation Societies, and the Temperance Society, who were companions in the steam packets. The meeting of the Seaman's Friend Society was one of great interest and excitement. The large chapel in Chatham-street was crowded, and the people once deviated from the American sobriety into the English custom of loud applause. There are eighteen ports on the coasts of the United States, where societies are organized for the benefit of sea- men ; in ten of which, namely, Portland, Salem, Boston, New Bedford, Mystic Bridge, New York] Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, and Savannah,' the gospel is regularly preached to them. The So- ciety is chiefly engaged in maintaining chaplains for seamen in foreign countries, as at Canton, the Sand- wich Islands, Havre, Marseilles, Smyrna, and a few other places. The receipts for the last year were «12,367,71. We reunited at our friend Mr. Purser's on Tuesday morning, when our decision was final not to attend the Anti-slavery Society. This subject will be better resumed after a brief reference to other anniver- saries. The Deaf and Dumb Institution excited great mterest, and brought together a vast concourse of ladies and gentlemen of the first respectability. : j "4 f 92 NEW YORK. The performances of the pupils were alike creditable to themselves and to their instructor, affording the most gratifying evidence of what human ingenuity can accomplish to alleviate the afflictions and supply the necessities of our nature. In such institutions it is undesirable to teach the art of speaking, for wherever this is attempted, it only occasions an ut- terance which is both revolting and useless. On this occasion nothing could surpass the manual language, if it may be so called, to which tne instructions are judiciously confined. The charm was so great, that in two or three hours the audible communication of ideas appeared to be almost unnecessary, especially when the attitudes of devotion imparted meaninof, dignity, and force to " expressive silence." At five o'clock on the same afternoon the children of the Sabbath schools and their teachers assembled in the park, from ten to twelve thousand in number. They sang some hymns, and were addressed by Dr. Cox. Prayer was offered by Dr. Milnor. It is im- possible adequately to represent the impressive cha- racter of such an assembly convened in the open air, in the midst of this splendid city, and attracting to it the ever-gathering multitudes of its population. As the swelling notes of praise ascended to heaven, it suggested to the pious mind the thought of that concourse of all holy beings before the throne, of whose celebrations the poet sings " And ir^ant voices join the song Of Moses and the Lamb." The Sal York in 1 of the so( teachers. 726 have 104 teach during th pils are p pupils is 1 volumes. of the sc 1,456 infi are betw< York fpoi 25,000 at dists and the Unior of exertio evening, School Ui in six had On Wee Society w[ in the clia year ago, ( one or mo been prose 12,000 ha^ the work 1 in North ( reference sion : ** Tl NEW YORK. 93 children sembled lumber. by Dr. [t is ini- ive clia- >pen air, sting to ulation. heaven, of that rone, of The Sabbath school system was introduced into New York in 1816. The number of schools under the care of the society in that city is sixty-seven, with 1,995 teachers. Of these 1 ,633 are professors of religion, 726 have been Sunday school pupils. No fewer than 104 teachers and 142 pupils had professed religion during the year ; and thirty teachers and eight'pu- pils are preparing for the ministry. The number of pupils is 13,308. Sixty-three libraries contain 21,875 volumes. Infant classes are connected with many of the schools. In twenty-two schools there are 1,456 infant scholars. It is supposed that there are between 40,000 and 50,000 children in New York from four to sixteen years of age, of whom 25,000 attend the Sabbath schools. The metho- clists and episcopalians are not connected with the Union. In many parts there is an ample field of exertion. At the anniversary meeting in the evening, the secretary of the American Sunday School Union stated, that in Indiana not one child in six had learned to read. On Wednesday, the annual meeting of the Tract Society was held, S. V. S. Wilder, Eb{[., president, in the chair. The work proposed at the south, a year ago, of supplying every accessible family with one or more of the society's standard volumes, has been prosecuted with energy in Virginia. More than 12,000 have been forwarded for the purpose ; and the work has commenced under favourable auspices in North Carolina. The following resolution, with reference to this subject was adopted on this occa- sion : " That in accordance with the suggestions of !! 94 NEW YORK. auxiliary societies, public meetings, and respected individuals, in various pa»*ts of the country, this society will endeavour, as soon as practicable, to sup- ply with its standard evangelical volumes, the entire accessible population of the United States." It was also resolved, " That with the blessing of God, this society will endeavour to meet all the provi- dential openings for tract distribution in foreign and pagan lands." Nearly three millions of tracts and volumes had been circulated during the year. Re- ceipts during the year, $92,307,81, exceeding the previous one by $25,000. An eagerness for tracts and books seems prevalent in the east. A second tour up the Irawaddy from Rangoon to Ava has been performed, in which Mr. Cutter estimated that they passed four hundred and forty-jive cities, towns, and villages, distributing tracts till their supply was exhausted. Some were afraid to receive them; but others came "wading through the water," others " running down the sides of the banks, and swimming off from the shore," and others " in boats" to " get books, which told about the new religion." Mr. Sutton, from India, said that he had been much engaged in distributing tracts among the pilgrims to the temple of Jugger- naut. He had gone out in an evening in his clean white dress, and had been so thronged by eager ap- plicants, that when he returned home, he was *' as black as a chimney sweeper." One of their first converts, a priest of Juggernaut, was converted through the instrumentality of a tract, and nearly all the native conversions could be traced to similar means. Boodhisti manner, zeal and i of idolatr The An evening, is compos The numi whom 48' congregat ber added this instri sabbath s< scholars, 1 dollars. On Thi meeting of J. C. Smit ries, twelv( the United great numl formed. ]) grants, in t and Polish laments, li guages, bei; of the last 3 tion of the 100,808 do: vious year were contri NEW YORK. espected try, this J, to sup- tie entire It was of God, le provi- 'dgn and acts and ir. Re- ding the 3r tracts V. second Ava has stimated '36 cities, ill their ) receive ugh the J of the •e," and Id about lia, said ributing Jugger- lis clean ager ap- vas *' as leir first )nverted i nearly > similar 95 means. Mr. Abeel stated that the religion of the Boodhists was propagated in China in the same manner He exhibited several, showing that their zeal and ingenuity had preceded us, in the diffusion 01 idolatry. The American Home Missionary Society met in the evenmg. Though assuming a general designation, it ,s composed of presby terians and congregationalists. The number of missionaries employed/is 719- of whom 484 are settled ministers. The number of congregations supplied is 494. The whole num- ber added to the churches by profession, thro-.gh this instrumentality, during the year, is 3000; sabbath scholars, about 40,000; and Bible class doira'r' ^^'^^' ^'""^'' ''"""^ '""^ y^*""' ^^'260 On Thursday morning, the nineteenth annual meeting of the Bible Society was celebrated. Hon. J. C. Smith, president, in the chair. New auxilia- nes, twelve ; two of which are beyond the limits of the United States, in the province of Texas A great number of branch associations have also been formed. Many bocks have been imported for emi- Srants, m the Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and Polish languages. Bibles issued, 47 703 • Tes- taments, 75,523; together, 123,236 in eleven Ian- guages, being an increase of 12,404 over the issues of the last year ; and an aggregate, since the forma- tion of the society, of 1,767,736 copies. Receipts 100,808 dollars, being an increase upon the pre- vious year of 12,205 dollars; and 31,020 dollars were contributed for foreign distribution. Tl,;« 96 NEW YORK. society has granted 1000 dollars to be expended in Bibles for the benefit of the blind, who learn to read it by feeling the letters, which are raised for that purpose. It was resolved, " That the friends of the Bible throughout the country, of every reli- gious denomination, be respectfully invited to co- operate in furnishing, as soon as practicable, a copy of the Bible or the New Testament to every child in the United States, under fifteen years of age, who is able to read, and is destitute of the sacred volume." The seventeenth anniversary of the Presbyterian Education Society was held in the evening. Appro- priations, amounting to 25,383 dollars had been made to 490 young men in eighty-five institutions of learning ; 34,551 dollars had been collected in churches. The last report stated that 10,722 dollars had been earned by 367 young men in sixty-four institutions, and the same during this year. Appro- priations had been made to a less amount than twice the sum of their earnings ; but the board felt no alarm at the exhausted state of their treasury. Con- viction had gained ground upon the churches that the education of indigent and pious young men for the ministry is an indispensable branch of bene- volent action ; and they are beginning strongly to feel, that unless a competent number of ministers can be educated, all the bold and energetic plans of home and foreign missions nmst be injured, and the work of the world's redemption materially retarded. The solemn and important pledge given on a pre- V1QUS occasion vv'ti« rpTiGw^ed '* tlmf nn vniino' mni of suits ministr The reign 1 mornin student measun have pa associat In th its anni thousan in Euro world. in the c 50,284. their na occupie( extreme still rapi The nf in the c Hedding ably larg 4000 do had retui behalf of who atte also the ! shipped from Lib NEW YORK. 97 xpended lio learn 'e raised e friends '^ery reli- d to co- 2, a copy ery child of age, le sacred sbyterian Appro- ad been stitutions lected in \2 dollars ixty-four . Appro- [)an twice d felt no ry. Con- ches that ; men for of bene- rongly to ministers J plans of I, and the retarded. )n a pre- 111 no* iTinTi entering of suitable qualifications shall fail c ministry for want of pecuniary aid." The American Board of Commissioners for Fo- reign Missions had a public meeting on Friday morning. This society arose out of the zeal of s( me students for the ministry, who first suggested the measure of an association of ministers. The churches have patronized it to a great extent, and it seems an association which is daily growing in importance. In the evening, the City Temperance Society held Its anniversary, Mr. Delavan in the chair. Many thousands of temperance tracts had been distributed in Europe, South America, and other parts of the world. The increase of members during the year in the city, had been 20,913; and for three years] 50,284. More than 500 coloured people had added their names. The mechanics and tradesmen, who occupied the gallery on this occasion, manifested extreme interest in the proceedings. The cause is still rapidly progressive. The meeting of the Methodist Missionary Society m the chapel at Green-street, over which Bishop Hedding presided, was distinguished by a remark- ably large contribution on the spot, of not less than 4000 dollars. Mr. John Seys, a missionary who had returned from Liberia, made a strong appeal in behalf of Africa. He introduced a native African who attempted to give an address. He exhibited also the skin of a monkey, which the Africans wor- shipped as a god. Mr. Wilson, a coloured man Irom Liberia, was ordained to the ministry. The F 98 SEW YORK. society has appropriated 12,000 dollars to tlie Afri- can mission. The Baptist Youth's domestic Mission Society of New York was to have held its annual meeting at Oliver-street Chapel, on Thursday evening; but as the season was unpropitious, and the English delegates could not conveniently attend, it was de- ferred to Monday, the 18th, on which occasion the crowd was immense, and the proceedings interesting. Besides ourselves, the Cherokee missionary and the native Cherokee were present. It appeared, from the treasurer's report, that 2000 dollars pledged by the society, were nearly raised. The corresponding secretary mentioned that the society had engaged to support six missionaries, appointed by the Ame- rican Home Missionary Society. Their letters ma- nifested their activity. One of them had travelled 4000 miles, and preached 300 sermons. We attended nearly all the public meetings, as well from a feeling of interest as a sense of duty, and were often privileged to take a part in their proceedings. Our impression was, that we had never witnessed anniversary assemblies of greater, if of equal, effect ; and the allusions we had occasion to make to the relative circumstances of America and England, which had for their object to unite them in heart to each o+^er, were received with unequivocal indications of aelight. Every assembly and every individual seemed to glow with intense emotion ; and a thrilling sensibility to the great objects of christian benevolence, pervaded all the classes progre the ch extraoi part of effect; prejudi sense c usual d rica. The£ higher known, of relig that mei past five NEW YORK. e Afri- Society leeting g; but ilnglish vas de- ion the •esting. md the I, from ged by ending agaged e Ame- ;rs ma- avelled 99 ^Jasses and ramifications of society. Durin.. the progress of the proceedings, it appeared to us%ha the chan-man's frequent interference to repress part of the audience, was injurious to the general effect; but fc idea might be owing to our iS sense of religion, and was in accordance with the usual decorum of the religious meetings of W The anniversaries of the year were esteemed of a higher order and character than had ever been known, and were plainly indicative of the grow h of religion itself. It ought not to be unrecorded hat meetings for solemn prayer were ZZt^ past hve o clock every morning. ngs, as f duty, in their ve had greater, ccasion imerica ;o unite id with isembly intense e great all the P 2 100 Itt CHAPTER V. ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY AT NEW YORK. — COLOURED PEOPLE. — CORRE- SPONDENCE. It has been intimated (page 91) that we declined attending the anniversary meeting of the Anti- Slavery Society held on the morning of Tuesday, May 12th, at New York. In compliance with the expectations of our denomination, and that of other christian communities, we proceed to give some explanation of the course we thought it right to adopt at this important crisis. Being desirous of obtaining inform.ition before pledoing ourselves to any particular proceeding, we returned no answer to invitations from Abolition and Colonization Societies. We had determined pre- viously to the meeting at Richmond that we would on no account commit ourselves to any public dis- cussions on slavery, till we had discharged our commission at the Convention. All the information we received contributed each day to strengthen the conviction, that while we avowed our sentiments as abolitionists, and embraced every opportunity to plead for the slaves and coloured people, d would be wrong so to link ourselves with any society, as. inevitably to associate our mission with another agency, which was then exciting attention. The cause our o\ which detern interfe their i Englis have e they g Wheth co-opei would that bo an opii] that, as by purs by thosi emissar It so held aft most in course j tion of ; we were culty ai invitatio mention being ac it necess means n have bee No to] vmmtr'mmtmtmim NEW YORK. 101 The cause of universal emancipation itself, so dear to our own hearts, no less than other great interests, which it was important to subserve, dictated this determination. Americans are jealous of foreign interference; of all foreigners who intermeddle with their internal policy, they are most jealous of the English,- -and. on whatever points our countrymen have evinced a disposition to interfere, on none do they give so much offence as on that of slavery. Whether a British agency of any description to co-operate in public with American abolitionists, would have received the sanction of the majority of that body, if they had found an opportunity to give an opinion, is doubtful ; it is much more probable that, as Americans, they would feel greatly relieved by pursuing their course alone, and unencumbered by those who are constantly stigmatized as "foreign emissaries." It so happened that the abolition meeting first held after our arrival in the country, was by far the most important ; and as it was obvious that the course pursued by us there would decide the ques. tion of attending similar meetings at other places, we were the more anxious to do right. Some diffi. culty arose out of the nature and terms of the invitation sent by that society, which making no mention of our public character as delegates, and being addressed exclusively to Dr. Cox, rendered it necessary for him to reply personally, and by no means required the notice which would otherwise have been imperative. No topic had hitherto been more frequently and 102 NEW YORK. lit m earnestly discussed than emancipation ; for reasons already assigned, we deemed it impracticable to in- troduce it for any purpose of useful deliberation in the public proceedings at Richmond; and at meetings in a slave state, composed partly of coloured people, while slaves were constantly there in attendance upon various families, it would have been useless to announce the subject. This did not prevent the most ample and faithful expression of opinion else- where, and it is probable that we parted with but few of the brethren in the south, to whom we had not previously expressed our own views and those of the British churches at large on the monstrous practice or toleration of slavery, and on the pre- vailing prejudices against the African race. After the brief bcit carefully considered reply to the Abolition Society had been forwarded by the individual invited, declining to attend the anni- versary, solely on account of the then political character and bearing of the question ; the other delegate ilthough not invited, attended the meet- ing; but did not obtrude himself on the platform. As it was not intended by those who arranged the meeting vLat he should take any part In the pro- ceeamgs, he went into the gallery and seated him- self in the midst of the coloured people. Allusions to the delegates were of a nature to render silence impossible ; and some interruption at the close of the meeting arose out of the necessary remarks and explanations. With this exception, the meetiner was deenlv interesting: both the report and the addresses breathed a spirit of en- lighten growin slaves. journm tions Y aspect t people. In syi the col convent provem lished *' much ol to conte Most sa mulatini found c rights, Europea Some nexion v exhibitir authoriti coloured In those issued :— To the Through i l)articipatior country is o i.:-M^ NLW YORK. 103 •easons ! to in- tion in ietings people, n dance useless 3nt the n else- th but we had I those [istrous le pre- eply to by the i anni- olitical e other e meet- atform. ^ed the he pro- ;d him- ture to ption at icessary leption, >th the of en- lightened philanthropy, and gave promise of a growing interest in the claims and rights of the slaves. At the successive meetings, held by ad- journment on the two following days, many resolu- tions were adopted, wearing a most auspicious aspect toward this degraded portion of the American people. In sympathy with the movements of their friends, the coloured people have themselves held am 1 conventions for the avowed purpose of " the im- provement of the free people of colour." The pub- lished " Minutes" of these conventions display so much of the rising spirit of freedom, it is impossible to contemplate them without the deepest interest. Most satisfactory evidence is thus constantly accu- mulating, that the descendants of Africans will be found capable of enjoying and improving equal rights, when intermingled with an American or European community. Some curious documents are published in con- nexion with the minutes of the fou.'th convention, exhibiting the views entertained by the highest authorities, when in former time the service i of coloured men were required in the American army In those times the following proclamations were issued : — PROCLAMATION To the Free Coloured Inhabitants of Louisiana. Head Quarters, Seventh Military District, Mobile, Sept. 21, 1814. Through a mistaken policy you have heretofore been denrivpd nf « participation in the glorious struggle for national rights in which our country is engaged. This no longer shall exist. 1 1 i:i 104 NEW YORK. As sons of freedom, you are now called upon to defend our most inestimable blessing. As Americans, your country looks with confi. dence to her adopted children, for a valorous support, as a faithful return for the advantages enjoyed under her mild and equitable government. As fathers, husbands, and brothers, you are sum- moned to rally round the standard of the Eagle, to defend all which is dear in existence. Your country, although calling for your exertions, does not wish you to engage in her cause, without remunerating you for the ser- vices rendered. Your intelligent minds are not to be led away by false representations-your love of honour would cause you to despise the man who should attempt to deceive you. In the sincerity of a soldier, and the language of truth, I address you. To every noble hearted freeman of colour, volunteering to ser-'e during the present contest with Great Britain, and no longer, there wUl be paid the same bounty in money and lands now received by the white soldiers of the United States, viz., one hundred and twenty.four dollars in money, and one hundred and sixty acres of land. The non-commissioned officers an<1 privates will also be entitled to ':he same monthly pay and daily rations and clothes, fur- nished to any American soldier. On enrolling yourselves in companies, the Major General com- manding will select officers for your government from your white fellow citizens, "^our non-commissioned officers will be appointed from among yourselves. Due regard will be paid to the feelings of freemen and soldiers. You will not, by being associated with white men iu me same corps, be exposed to improper comparisons or unjust sarcasm. As a dis- tinct, independent battalion or regiment, pursuing the path of glory, you will, undivided, receive the applause and gratitude of yoiir countrymen. To assure you of the sincerity of my intentions and my anxiety to engage your invaluable services to our country, I liavc communicated my wishes to the Governor of Louisiana, who is fully informed as to the manner of enrolnticnts, and will give you every necessary information on the subject of this address. Andrew Jackson, Major General rommandinfj. Soldiers take up arr white fello ignorant th enemy. I thirst, and loved your j defend whai dren and pr tion to the moreover, j forn.ance of Soldiers !■ piaisewortli; representati the praise ] them in app The enen] citiiens are i only dispute glory, its nol How ni men's opi Both tl i^^ard witli ought to union anc ceived, if vaded its IP ^ NEW YORK. 105 PROCLAMATION To the Free People of Colour. Soldiers 1— When on the banks of the Mobile, I called you to take up arms, inviting you to partake the perils and glory of your white fellow citizens, / expected much from you: for I was not ignorant that you possessed qualities most formidable to an invading enemy. I knew with what fortitude you could endure hunger and thirst, and all the fatigues of a campaign. I know well how you loved your native country, and that you had, as well as ourselves, to defend what man holds most dear-his parents, relations, wife, chil- dren and property. You have done more than I expected. In addi- tion to the previous qualities I before knew you to possess, I found moreover, among you, a noble enthusiasm which leads to the per- forn.ance of great things. Soldiers !-The President of the United States shall hear how inaiseworthy was your conduct in the hour of danger, and the representatives of the American people will, I doubt not, give you the praise your exploits entitle you to. Your general anticipate* them in applauding your noble ardour. The enemy approaches, his vessels cover our lakes, our brave cititens are united, and all contention has ceased among them. Their only dispute is, who shall win the prize of valor, or who the most glory. Its noblest reward. By order, Thomas Butler, Aide de %Jamp. How much have 'tered circumstancos changed men's opinions ! " Both this Convention and the Abolitionists re- irard with jealous distrust another society which oH^ht to have maintained tlie most indissolubh; union and co-operation ; and wouhl, it is con- ceived, if the spirit of its original projectors per- vaded its present councils. As it is, " the Co« F 3 106 NEW YORK. I Ionization Society" is denounced with the utmost severity of reprobation. The Convention concedes indeed, as all liberal and eiJightened persons ought to concede, that " the motives of some of the mem- bers of that society are pure," but its sophistries, cruelty and impracticable pretensions, are justly exposed and condemned. Indeed, however desir- able it may be to realize the consolidation of free governments on the coasts of Africa, administered by her own sable sons, whether aborigines or de- scendants of the wronged, returned like Israel from the bondage of Egypt, no argument can be adduced to justify the expulsion of the larger portion of a population from a country in which they were born, and whe^-e the climate is suited to their constitutions, for the accommodation of the smaller portion of the community, to whom that same climate is far less adapted. If there is any force in the reasonings employed, it is doubtless in favour of the removal jf the whites from some of the slave states; that there may be ample room and a happy home for the millions who are now slaves ! But all these societies together do not contain among them either all the friends of the coloured people, slave or free, or all the advocates for eman- cipation ; on the contrary, many of the most influ- ential are as yet not enrolled in either of these bodies. Upon this subject very great delusions have been practised upon the public mind. It has been a fashion to decry every one as a pro-slavery man, who has not ranged himself under the leaders who hav is not ^ quoted consticdl acceptab is on oui Great of men < were an: no mean public is shall quo no inconi chapter, of our br the publi The ju " The E to very n in conse chapter o This di expresses says, " Domesti has a right t slave, for hi course, that tition with tli right to purs master and s] is a niodificat brutes. B NEW YORK. 107 who Lave the command of these bands. " He that is not with me is against me," are words often quoted without due consideration of what may constitute, in the eyes of Him who spake them, an acceptable alliance, " for he that is not against us is on our part." Great names might here be quoted ; the names of men of rank and influence whose opinions we were anxious to hear, and from whom it was by no means diflicult to elicit an opinion ; but as the public is in possession of printed documents, we shall quote from two publications which have created no inconsiderable sensation, and then conclude this chapter, with a few extracts from letters of some of our brethren, relating to the same topic, and to the public meetings convened. The justly celebrated work of Dr. Wayland, on " The Elements of Moral Science," has given 'rise to very malignant hostility in the Southern States, in consequence of sentiments contained in the chapter on " Personal Liberty," This distinguished philosopher thus satisfactorily expresses himself on the subject of slavery, — he says, Domestic slavery proceeds upon the principle that the master has a nght to control the actions, physical and intellectual, of the slave, for his own, that is, the master's, individual benefit; an.l of oiintri«'>j. " If arg must be at drawn fron national ivi " 1. Its I By present resistance i anger, crue slave to sul aboUsh in '. deceit, ^_;'p( to minister countries tl principles ir of these ten tendency of a moment li " 2. The from the foil " 1. Instej the number possible limii " 2. It tal namely, the ( substitutes, ii and the least consciousness •' :i. It rert Bition and tl frugality from which it couft r.-xnce of the 1 no motive to ( it accumulate " And that observation. large slave po| sustain it long, ilence, slr.verj Itiailir -.<" NEW YORK. 109 " If argument were necessary to show that such a system as this must be at variance with the ordinance of God, it might be easily drawn from the effects which it produces both upon morals and upon national ivealth. " 1. Its effects must be disastrous upon the morals of both parties By presenting objects on whom passion may be satiated without resistance and without redress, it cultivates in the master pride anger, cruelty, selfishness and licentiousness. By accustoming the slave to subject his moral principles to the will of another, it tends to abohsh in him all moral distinction ; and thus fosters in him lying deceit, . ;pocrisy, dishonesty, and a willingness to yield himself up to mimster to the appetites of his master. That in all slave-holding countries there are exceptions to this remark, and that there are principles :u human nature, which, in many cases, limit the effects of these tendencies, may be gladly admitted. Yet that such is the tendency of slavery, as slavery, we think no reflecting person can for a moment hesitate to allow. " 2. The effects of slavery on national wealth, may be easily seen from the following considerations : " 1 . Instead of imposing upon all the necessity of labour, it rest-icts the number of labourers, that i.s, of producers, within the smdlest possible hmit, by rendering labour disgraceful. " 2. It takes from the labourers the natural stimulus to labour namely, the desire in the individual of improving his condition ; and substitutes, in the place of it, that motive which is the least operative and the least constant, namely, the fear of punishment without the consciousness of moral delin(piency. " ^^. It removes, as far as possible, from both parties, the dispo- «it.on and the motives to frugauty. Neither the master learns frugality from the nece.'^sity of labour, nor the slave from the benefits which It confers. And here, while the one party wastes from ignol n-^nce of the laws of acquisition, and the other because he can have no motive to economy, capital must accumulate but slowly, if indeed it accumulate at all. " And that such are the tendencies of slavery, is manifest from observation. No country, not of great fertility, can long sustain a large slave population. Soils of more than ordinary fertility cannot sustain it long, after the first richness of the soil has been exhausted. Hence, slr.very in this country is acknowledged to have impoverished in a »i *» 1 ■■'■: our most valuabie dirtriots; and, hence, it is continually il no NEW YORK. migrating from the older settlements, to those new and untilled regions, where the accumulated manure of centuries of vegetation has formed a soil, whose prod otiveness may, for a while, sustain a system at variance with the laws of nature. Many of our free and of our slave-holding states were peopled at about the same time. The slave-holding states had every advantage, both in soil and cli- mate, over their neighbours. And yet the accumulation of capital has been greatly in favour of the latter. If any one doubts whether this difference be owing to the use of slave labour, let him ask him- self what would have been the condition of the slave-holding states, at this moment, if they had been inhabited from the beginning, by an industrious yeomanry ; each one holding his own land, and each one tilling it with the labour of his own hands. " But let us inquire what is the doctrine of revelation on this subject. " 1. The moral precepts of the Bible are diametrically opposed to slavery. They are, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, and all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them. *« The application of these precepts is universal. Our neighbour is every one whom we may benefit. The obligation respects all things whatsoever. The precept then manifestly extends to men as men, or m,en in every condition ; and if to all things whatsoever, certainly to a thing so important as the right to personal liberty. ♦* Again. By this precept it is made our duty to cherish as tender and delicate a respect for the right which the meanest individual possesses over the means of happiness bestowed i pon him by God, as we cherish for our own right over our own means of happiness, or as we desire any other individual to cherish for it. Now, were this precept obeyed, it is manifest that slavery could not in fact exist for a single instant. The principle of the precept is absolutely subver- sive of the principle of slavery. That of the one is the entire equality of right ; that of the other, the entire absorption of the rights of one in the rights of the other. " If any one doubts respecting the bearing of the Scripture precept upon this case, a few plain questions may throw additional light upon the subject. For instance, — "1. Do the precepts and the spirit of the gospel allow me to derive my support from a system, which extort.s labour from my -men, without iiilowiug tucru any voice in tiic cquiviucnt wuiCii they shall in a state great degr '' 2. W< ject him t that he ho " 3. W( our fellow makes no ( God has m I think the on this suh " But to and, still m it tacitly j deserve atb " The fo statement < The moral principles i commands i free themse prescribes I ditiou. " 1. Nov for the argu principle of and, theref( slavery coul *' 2. This to have bee effect the ur not for one i looked not u but for its 1 author was t that, by its t quietly and f and thus, wif muukind. I] NEW YORK. Ill 1 untilled sregetation sustain a r free and ime time, il and cli- of capital ;s whether . ask him- ing states, inning, by , and each in on this ippnsed to ?/", and all lo ye even neighbour all things an men, or ertainly to I as tender individual in by God, )piness, or , were this 3t exist for ily subver- the entire ion of the ire precept light upon low me to • from my .1 — i. —i.:-}. they shall receive ; and which can only be sustained by keeping them m a state of mental degradation, and by shuttmg them out in a great degree, from the means of salvation ? ' "2. Would the master be willing that another person should sub- !w r.*u 't-"^; '"' *'' ''™' ''''^°"^' ^""^ ^^ *^« ^--^- grounds, that he holds his slave in bondage ? " 3 Would the gospel allow us.if it were in our power, to reduce our fellow-citizens of our own colour to slavery? But the gospel makes no distmction between men on the ground of colour or race God has made of ... Mood all the nations that droell on the earth. :: this s~'^^ ''^'''-' -'' --^ --^ ^^^ -pel principles '' But to this it is objected, that the gospel never forbids slavery • and St II more, that, by prescribing the duties of masters and servants' . taatly allows it. This objection is of sufficient importance to deserve attentive consideration. P^rtance to " The following will, I think, be considered by both parties a fair statement of the teaching of the New Testament on C subject The moral principles of the gospel are directly subversive of th^ principles of slavery; but, on the other hand, the gospel neither commands masters to manumit their slaves, nor authorizes slaves to free themselves from their masters ; and, also, it goes further, and prescribes the duties suited to both parties in their present con - "1. Now, if this be admitted, it will, so far as I see. be sufficient tor the argument. For if the gospel be diametrically opposed to the pnnnple of slavery, it must be opposed to the praJe of slavery and, therefore, were the principles of the gospel fully adopted' slavery could not exist. ' adopted, '; 2- T|m very course which the gospel takes on this subject, seems to have been the on y one that could have been taken, in order" ffect the universal abolition of slavery. The gospel was designed! ot for one race, or for one time, but for all races and all times I bokcd not at the abolition of this form of evil for that age alone but for Its universal abolition. Hence, the important object of it^ author was to gain a lodgment in every part of the known world • so that by Its universal diffusion among aU classes of society, it might qu^tly and peacefuUy modify and subdue the evil passions of men • and thus, without violence, work a revolution in the wholo m„,» J- ruaukind. In this manner alone could its object, a universal moral 112 NEW YORK. f revolution, have been accomplished. For if it had forbidden the evil, instead of subverting the principle; if it had proclaimed the unlawfulness of slavery, and taught slaves to resist the oppression of their masters; it would instantly have arrayed the two parties in deadly hostility throughout the civilized world : its announcement would have been the signal of servile war ; and the very name of the christian religion would have been forgotten amidst the agitations of universal bloodshed. The fact, under these circumstances, that the gospel does not forbid slavery, affords no reason to suppose that it does not mean to prohibit it ; much less does it afford ground for beUef, that Jesus Christ intended to nuthorize it. " 3. It is important to remember that two grounds of moral obUgation are distinctly recognized in the gospel. The first is our dut)- to man, as man ; thi.t is, on the ground of the relation which men sustain to each other ; the second is our dutj to man, as a crea- ture of God ; that is, on the ground of the relation which we all sustain to God. On this latter ground, many things become our duty which would not be so on the former. It is on this ground, that we are commanded to return good for evil, to pray for them that despitefuUy use us, and when we are smitten on one cheek, to turn also the other. To act thus is our duty, not because our fellow-man has a right to claim this course of conduct of us, nor because he has a right to inflict injury upon us, but because such conduct in us will be well pleasing to God. And when God prescribes the course of con- duct which will be well pleasing to him, he by no means acknow- ledges the right of abuse in the injurious person, but expressly declares, Vengeance is mine, and / loill repai it, saith the Lord. Now, it is to be observed, that it is precisely upon this latter ground, thac the slave is commanded to obey his master. It is never urged, like the duty of obedience to parents, because it is right : but because the cultivation of meekness and forbearance under iiijury, will be well pleasing unto God. Thus, servants are commanded to be obedient to their own masters, "in singleness of heart, as unto Christ;''^ " doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service as to the Lord and Wut to men." E])h. vi. 5—7. " Servants are commanded to count their masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed." 1 Tim. vi. 1. *• Exhort sei-vants to be obedient to their own masters," &c., *' that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.'' Titus iii. 9. The manner in which the duty of servants or slaves is inculcated, t gospel authoi the command rized the tyrj other cheek, by an injurio' " In a wor with the exisi the only mai extermination which have n over them ; ] gospel in no institution of In proc( ters and si from Inifji cipline^ thi reference t bers of cli communiti sentiment, is clearly r gation rest the delay o as it exists party pays tice of chri is more pal pares it wi " lion, in wh the lion ws Murat cons NEW YORK. 113 inculcated, therefore, affords no ground for the assertion, that the gospel authorizes one man to hold another in bondage, any more than the command to honour the kibg, when that king was Nero, autho- rized the tyranny of the emperor ; or than the command to turn the other cheek, when one is smitten, justifies the infliction of violence by an injurious man. " In a word, if the gospel r-rle of conduct is directly at variance with the existence of slavery ; if the manner in which it treats it, is the only manner in which it could attempt its utter and universal extermination ; and if it inculcates the duty of slaves on principles which have no connexion with the question of the right of masters over them ; I think it must be conceded that the precepts of the gospel in no manner countenance, but are entirely opposed to, the institution of domestic slavery." In proceedinrr to point out " the duties of mas- ters and slaves," the subject is viewed so detached from iniquitous legislation and corrupt church dis- cipline, that the obligations of christian citizens in reference to governments, and those of pious mem- bers of churches in reference to their respective communities, are not explained and enforced. This sentiment, liowever, so offensive to the slaveholder, is clearly recorded, viz. that " the imperative obli^ gation rests upon him, to remove the evil without the delay of a moment.' xMoreover, the question as it exists between man and man, when neither party pays any regard to the principles or the prac^ tice of christian morals, is not touched upon. That is more palpably put by a recent writer,*^ who com- pares it with a controversy between a man and a lion, in which the man wants the lion's skin, while the lion wants the man's flesh. In this case, M. Murat considers the rights equal ; but he decides, * Murat'o Sketch, &c. p. 83. 114 NEW YORK. that men ought to protect and aid the 7w«w— meaning, that all free Americans are bound to aid the slave- owner in maintaining the right which might gives him. It is certainly fatal to this argument, if argu- ment it may be e^Urd, that a philanthropist and a Christian might regard the slave-owner as the lion, and consequently feel bound to aid and rescue the slave ! The only other author to whom we shall refer is Dr. Channing, who, although he says, *' I have attended no abolition meetings, and never heard an abolition address," cannot fail of being hailed as an ally, and regarded as a most effective one, by all whose single steady aim is, the emancipation of slaves. His work on " Slavery" is an amplification of Dr. Wayland's chapter on " Personal Liberty ;" and it may be justly regarded as one of the most enlighten- ed and convincing of any which have appeared, and cannot fail of exerting a mighty influence on the public mind. It is, in fact, a powerful treatise by one of the master spirits of the age, who says, "As men, as Christians, as citizens, we have duties to the slave as well as to every othe.- member of the com- munity. On this point we have no liberty. The eternal law binds us to take the side of the injured." Dr. Channing by no means diminishes the difficul- ties with which he conceives the subject of emanci- pation to be beset. He is no rash innovator, but proposes all that the deepest insight into human nature can suggest; — he wiU allow all requisite delav, all leeral safesruards. end a most ri^rid con- stitutional course of proceeding, by the legislation of the S considerii universal, greater tl springing prolific so chiefs. " We have rights ; and t any laboured them not inci nature. In s it sweeps awa dust. Were ; fall before thi " Slavery s consult, and s and for anothe in no enterjii capacities, ho chained for lii forbidden to d him with his o Again, the sla- himself owned nothing but b men's powers to gain exclusi slave can acqu must belong t moves the ind spirit of it en slave is strippi to another, anc at his master's to the culture c by law of instr provements of leamnjr, le slave- \t gives if argu- ■5t and a ;he lion, 3cue the refer is I have leard an ed as an !, by all )f slaves. 1 of Dr. i" and it lighten- red, and 3 on the atise by ys, "As 3S to the lie com- y. The njured." difficul- emanci- tor, but I human •equisite rid con- jislation NEW YORK. 115 of the Slave States themselves— not always duly considering, that no evils could possibly result from universal, absolute and immediate emancipation, greater than he has himself proved to exist already' springing directly from the present system, the prolific source of innumerable and aggravated mis- chiefs. , "We have thus established the reality and sacredness of human rights ; and that slavery is an infraction of these is too plain to need any laboured proof. Slavery violates not one, but all ; and violates them not incidentally, but necessarily, systematically, from its very nature. In starting with the assumption that the slave L property it svveeps away every defence of human rights and lays them i' be dust. Were it necessary I might enumerate them, and show how all faU before this terrible usurpation ; but a few remarks wiU suffice. " Slavery strips man of the fundamental right to inquire into, consult, and seek his own happiness. His powers belong to another' and for another they must be used. He must form no plans, engage in no enteriirises, for bettering his condition. W^hatever be his capacities, however equal to great improvements of his lot, he is chained for life by another's will to the same unvaried toil. He is forbidden to do for himself or others the work for which God stamped him with his own image, and endowed him with his own best gifts.— Again, the slave is stripped of the right to acquire property. Being himself owned, his earnings belong to another. He can possess nothing but by favour. That right on which the development of men's powers so much depends, the right to make accumulations, to gam exclusive possessions by honest industry, is withheld. • The slave can acquire nothing,' says one of the slave-c )des, ' but what must belong to his master;' and however this definition, which moves the indignation of the free, may be mitigated by favour, the spirit of it enters into the very essence of slavery.— Again, the slave is stripped of his right to his wife and children. They belong to another, and may be torn from him, one and all, at any moment, at his master's pleasure.— Again, the slave is stripped of the right to the culture of his rational powers. He is, in some cases, deprived oy law 01 instruction, which is placed within his reach by the im- provements of society and the plulanthropy of the age. He is not 116 NEW YORK. ! f [i I' allowed to toil, that his children may enjoy a better education than himself. The most sacred right of human nature, that of developing his best faculties, is denied. Even should it be granted, it would be conceded as a favour, and might at any moment be withheld by the capricious will of another.— Again, the slave is deprived of the right of self defence. No injury from a white man is he suffered to repel, nor can he seek redress from t' e laws of his country. If accumulated insult and wrong provoke him to the slightest retaliation, this effort for self protection, allowed and commended to others, is a crime for which he must pay a fearful penalty.— Again, the slave i.s stripped of the right to be exempted from all harm except for wrong doing. He is subjected to the lash, by those whom he has never consented to serve, and whose claim to him as property we have seen to be an usurpation ; and this power of punishment, which, if justly claimed, should be exercised with a fearful care, is often delegated to men in whose hands there is a moral certainty of its abuse. " I will add but one more example of the violation of human rights by slavery. The slave virtually suffers the wrong of robbery, though with utter unconsciousness on the part of those who inflict it. It may, indeed, be generally thought, that, as he is suffered *o own nothing, he cannot fall at least under this kind of violence. But it is not true that he owns nothing. Whatever he may be denied by man, he holds from nature the most valuable property, and that from which all other is derived, I mean his strength. His labour is his own, by the gift of that God who nerved his arm, and gave him intelligence and conscience to direct the use of it for his own and others' happiness. No possession is so precious as a man's force of body and mind. The exertion of this in labour is the great founda- tion and source of property in outward things. The worth of articles of traffic is measured by the labour expended in their production. To the great mass of men, in all countries, their strength or labour is their whole fortune. To seize on this would be to rob them of their all. In truth, no robbery is so great as that to which the slave is habitually subjected. To take by force a man's whole estate, the fruit of years of toil, would by universal consent be denounced as a great wrong; but what is this, compared with seizing the man him- self, and appropriating to our use the limbs, faculties, strength, and labour, by which all property is won and held fast ? The right of property in outward things is as nothing compared with our right to ourselves. Were the slave-holder stripped of his fortune, he would I count the viol his person se not be said t. clothed, and from us a valu we not think c invader a robb man should d neighbour ? ] the labourer w ai property, ar great an infrac " In reply t practice of sla wantonly sport infer ; that son holders refuse t and that in mar as to encourage disposition to nature to wink Degrade him as every slave-cou purpose to resp relation will all( at another's me need be told tl power.'' — Cha7i These sta a few extrai to show, thf happy degrt taken in re was appree America. ation than developing it would be leld by the f the right id to repel, ^cumulated this effort a crime for stripped of doing. He )nsented to !u to be an ly claimed, to men in of human )f robbery, inflict it. red *o own :e. But it i denied by 1 that from ibour is hig I gave him >s own and I's force of jat founda- 1 of articles production. 1 or labour ab them of ;h the slave estate, the junced as a man him- ength, and rhe right of jur right to e, he would NEW YORK. 117 count the violence slight, compared with what he would suffer, were his person seized and devoted as a chattel to another's use. Let it not be said that the slave receives an equivalent, that he is fed and clothed, and is not, therefore, robbed. Suppose another to wrest from us a valued possession, and to pay us his own price. Should we not think ourselves robbed ? Would not the laws pronounce the invader a robber } Is it consistent with the right of property, that a maa should determine the equivalent for what he takes from his neighbour ? Especially is it to be hoped, that the equivalent due to the labourer will be scrupulously weighed, when he himself is held ai property, and all his earnings are declared to be his master's ? So great an infraction of human right is slavery ! " In reply to these remarks, it may be said that the theory and practice of slavery differ; that the rights of the slave are not as wantonly sported with as the claims of the master might lead us to infer; that some of his possessions are sacred; that not a few slave- holders refuse to divorce husband and wife, to sever parent and child; and that in many cases the power of punishment is used so reluctantly, as to encourage insolence and insubordination. AU this I have no disposition to deny. Indeed it must be so. It is not in human nature to wink wholly out of sight the rights of a fellow-creature. Degrade him as we may, we cannot altogether forget his claims. In every slave-country, there are, undoubtedly, masters who desire and purpose to respect these, to the full extent which the nature of the relation will allow. Still, human rights are denied. They lie wholly at another's mercy ; and we must have studied history in vain, if we need be told that they will be continually the prey of this absolute power." — Channing on Slavery. Tliese statements may be closed by introducing a few extracts of correspondence. They will tend to show, that the object of our mission was in some happy degree accomplished, and how the decision taken in reference to the anti-slavery anniversary was appreciated by the wise and the good of America. ,. i 118 NEW YORK. From the Rev. Dr. Welch, of Albany. (Addressed to Dr. Cox.) " August 18, 1835. " As in all probability I shall not be favoured with another interview previous to your leaving the country, I take the liberty of addressing you in a few lines, and I trust it will not be deemed improper or officious to express the gratification received from your visit, and the general feeling of the salu- tary influence of your example and ministry, and that of your esteemed colleague. You will permit me to say, my dear brother, in the honest expres- sion of sincere regard, that if you have derived pleasure at all commensurate with what you have imparted, the reminiscences of Albany will be num- bered among the most pleasant of your recollec- tions of America. The church, I am persuaded, has derived important benefits from your faithful labours ; and the delightful interchange of senti- ment and feeling in social intercourse is yet re- membered. Indeed, your visit has furnished us with the most convincing evidence that this reci- pr'^cal courtesy is eminently calculated to promote harmony of feeling and concert of action in our denomination on both sides the water. " And now, my dear brother, I will advert to a subject upon which we frequently conversed, and which so painfully exercised your mind during your stay with us. I refer to the slave question. Among all that has been realised as beneficial in the tenden- cies of your miysion to this country, there has been n in our NEW YORK. 11§ nothing in my judgment moie salutary and im- portant, than the influence of your discreet and prudent example upon this b abject of all-absorbing and exciting interest throughout the land. You remarked the agitated state of the public mind, but the rapidity of your progress through the country afforded but little opportunity for ascertaining its extent and virulence. It is truly * the vexed ques- tion ' of this country, embarrassing and afflictive in every point of view, and to an extent of which our brethren in England can form but a very imper- fect idea — it is felt universally to be a curse to the country, deprecated and lamented in every part of the union : there is not, I am persuaded, a wise and good man in the states, who does not earnestly desire the emancipation of the shamefully-oppressed and long-degraded African. Our statesmen seek the means of wiping out this foul blot from our national escutcheon ; the wisdom of our legislators, and tlie pens of our scribes, and the prayers of our churches, and the ministry of our divines have long been directed to this subject, but it is still to us a question as difficult as it is distressing. It is not now with us a question whether man may inno- cently hold property in his fellow man ; whether slavery is a sin : whether the interests and happi- ness of the white man are in any way promoted by enslaving and oppressing the black — reason, reli- gion, humanity, the intelligence of the people of this country with united voice have long since de- cided these (luestious ; and there is but one feeling, and one opinion among all who fear God, and love 1 i .ii^ f20 NEW YORK. their country, and entertain intelligent views of its true interests. That there may be those whom cupidity has rendered cruel, and whose perceptions upon this subject are obscured by selfishness and brutal ignorance, may be admitted without affecting the question, or impugning the intelligence or the moral sensibility of the people ; but they are com- paratively very few, and their number is rapidly diminishing— the whole country, and more espe- cially the southern states, as certainly groan under the pressure of their slave population, as the coloured man groans under his bondage. But the question is, what can be done to relieve both us and them ; how shall this acknowledged curse be removed ; how shall the sable race be reinstated in their rights, and the integrity of our government and of our constitution, the stability of our institu- tions, and the order, happiness, and safety of the community be secured? You, my dear brother, have been able by the force of public sentiment, and the voice of your legislature, to declare that slavery shall not exist within the boundaries of the British empire; but it will certainly require no argument to convince you who have passed with an observing eye through the length and breadth of our land, that there is a vast difference between legislating with reference to this evil at a distance, separated from its horrors by the waters of the ocean, and grappling with it at home, as it exists in this country, with all that is hateful in its iuHuence at our own firesides, and in our own bosoms! Nor is it requisite to prove to you that the wisdom and NEW YORK. 121 views of its [lose whom perceptions ishness and )ut affecting ^ence or the ey are com- r is rapidly more espe« ^roan under on, as the e. But the eve both us ed curse be e reinstated government 'our institu- afety of the jar brother, J sentiment, [leclare that laries of the require no ssed with an I breadth of fice between t a distance, aters of the IS it exists in its inHuence isoms! Nor wisdom and energy that were found adequate to the removal of the evil in the one case, would be found hopelessly inadequate in the other. This, then, is with us the question, and obviously one of extreme difficulty and delicacy ; what under all that is peculiar and paralysing, formidable and distressing in the cir- cumstances of the case, can be done for the relief of the slave and of the country ? If England, when England understands the question with all the em- barrassments that surround it, will proffer us .he aid of her counsels, it will be most cheerfully and gratefully received on this side the water ; but, until then, the unsolicited advice of some of her rash and mistaken orators only serves to increase our embarrassments, and to generate and keep alive a feeling which it is obviously for the interest of both countries to sjppress. Our citizens, as you must have discovered, especially at the south and west, are extremely sensitive upon this subject, and all the circumstances have clearly a tendency to super- induce this feeling upon them. In innumerable instances the moral sense is wounded by the con- sciousness that slavery is offensive to God, and in every instance by the conviction of its innumerable political evils which no human legislation can re- medy. Sufficiently irritated by the free and some- times intemperate discussion of the subject by their own countrymen at the north, it is not surprising they should resist with indignation all foreign in- terference, as extravagant and presumptuous. If, therefore, when foreigners, who cannot or will not understand their circumstances, and appreciate their a 122 NEW YORK. feelings, indulge in indiscriminate censure and vio- lent denunciation, it is not wonderful that they should sometimes retort in the language of exaspe- rated feeling, and unqualified reprobation. " In this state of things, your own prudent course, my dear brother, has secured to you the appro- bation, and raised you high in the esteem of the wise and good of all parties ; and it has contributed not a little to this result, that your own courteous demeanour, and consistent regard for the feelings and embarrassments of your American friends, stand forth in bold relief under the public eye as seen in contrast with the egregious folly of your countryman. Your own faithful testimony against slavery, in all those circles of christian intercourse in which you mingled, while it had a happy in- fluence in directing the mind to the subject, as a sin fraught with appalling consequences, was appre- ciated as of more weight and value, because tem- perately expressed. Your refusal to enter upon the arena of public debate, upon a subject in the highest degree exciting to the community, in which you ap- peared in the high character of a teacher of righ- teousness, manifested a decision of character, and displayed a consistency of conduct, worthy of your station as the representative of the English churches, and highly honourable to yourself and country in the view of every reflecting man. I am perfectly aware that you need not this expression of oi)inion from me. Your own judgment and conscience are not only sutficient to determine your course in Mil "1* 1 »!' in NEW YORK. 123 re and vio* that they of exaspe- >n. lent course, the appro, eem of the contributed I courteous he feelings an friends, blic eye as ly of your any against intercourse happy in- ibject, as a was appre- cause tem- iT upon the the highest ich you ap- ler of righ- pacter, and hy of your li churches, country in II perfectly of oi)inion science are course in every difficult subject, but their approbation is fully adequate to render you impervious to the attacks either of the malevolent or mistaken zealot. More- over, the press in this country has spoken unequivo- cally, and almost universally, in terms of decided and unqualified approbation of your conduct ; and it must be consolatory to you to know, as you return across the waters, that you bear with you the esteem und regard of the wise and good so explicitly and frequently expressed. But the American church is deeply indebted to you, and .1 feel myself under personal obligations, as identified in all my interests and relations, labours and hopes, with that part of the Zion of God to which we are mutually related : had you adopted a different course, the consequences must have been most unhappy to the church. Public opinion is in this country omnipotent, and the cause of religion, in common with all others, materially affected for good or injury by the opinion and conduct, by the consistency or inconsistency, of its public advocates. Whatever may be the results of your course upon your own interests, it has been most beneficial upon the interests of Zion, and lias been eminently calculated to reflect honour upon our denomination. So well convinced am I of tljis fact, that I hesitate not to say that of so much im- portance is the influence you have thus exerted, that, aside from every other good, it is worth all the expense and labour of your mission to America. —I am, your brother in a gracious Saviour, "B. T. Welch." o2 1' 124 NEW YORK. From the Re . Dr. ^Prague, Albany. D?c. 3, 1835. Being a resident minister at the same place with Dr. Welch, of another denomination, and well known and highly estimated in England, I will here introduce a very brief extract from the post- script of a letter I had the pleasure of lately receiving from him. It may justly be regarded as speaking the sentiments of the great body of pres- byterian and congregational ministers. " P. S. As I have not heard from you since you reached home, I of course know nothing of the effect produced by the course you took on the sub- ject of slavery ; but / cannot doubt that it will meet the approbation of every enlightened and judicious # # * (Here I omit some personal references.) man. " Of all the individuals I have ever heard speak of the course you took at New York" (N. B. This is written mere than six months after the meeti^ig), " there has been but one who has not most decidedly approved it, and he one of George T^ jmpson's most intimate friends. I hope you will be able to satisfy our English brethren that the American christians are not the friends of slavery ; but that the great mass of our whole community at the north regards it as a deadly scourge, and earnestly desires that the country may be freed from it." li..^. A '* And rejoice Trienn public which Your ] of a se( urged ) most 1 men oi I do no or fron me pen rien wl differei civil o: esteemt church the Am joy, an( Ever ai From a "Br. some ti: Rnd T V NEW YORK. 125 1835. ace with Qd well , I will he post- if lately irded as of pres- nce you : of the the 8ub- oill meet udiciom irences.) jpeak of This is ieeti..g), Bcidedly mpson's ; able to merican but that le north T desires From the Rev. Dr. Sharp, of Boston. September 4, 1835. * # ** And now my dear and highly respected brother, I rejoice in the knowledge that your presence at our Triennial Convention, your private interviews, and public labours, have had all the delightful effects which our most sanguine hopes had anticipated. Your prudence in not intermeddling with topics of a secular and political character, when strongly urged to do so, has won for you the esteem of the most learned, upright, philanthropic, and pious men of every christian denomination in the land. I do not express myself thus as a matter of opinion, or from vague report, but from assurances made to me personally, incidentally and purposely, by gentle- men whom I have seen and conversed with in eight different states, by gentlemen who hold distinguished civil offices, and by gentlemen who would be esteemed honourable and valued members of any church in Christendom. Such visits, so conducted, the American baptist churches will ever hail with joy, and I trust will ever be ready to reciprocate. — Ever and niost affectionately yours, ** Daniel Sharp." From a letter addressed to the Rev. W. H. Murch. " Boston, September 3, 1835. ** Brethren Cox and Hoby have now been with us some time, loved and welcomed wherever they go, 'AX\i\ T riAvo nn nniiltf ominonflv iiaAAil in a ir.>«^<^4'» m^ NEW YORK. 126 of ways. # # * * Their position and movements in regard to the much vexed question of slavery, has been truly dignified and fortunate. " Howard Malcom." To the preceding I feel it unnecessary *^o subjoin more than a short extract from a letter written by the Rev. S. H. Cone of New York, the president of the Triennial Convention. While others addressed to myself might have been introduced, I prefer insert- ing this, which occurs in a communication to the Rev. John Dyer. " The course they (Drs. Cox and Hoby) have pursued while in this country, in reference to the abolition question, was not only dictated by sound discretion, but was in perfect accordance with the views of the Baptist General Convention, to which body they came as delegates. Any other course would have completely defeated the object of their visit to the American churches, and would have in- volved them in constant personal embarrassment, Did Englishmen know that the question, as now presented, is equivalent to the question — ' shall the Union be dissolved?' they would see that foreigners could not safely enter upon its discussion." Sept. 30, 1835. JOURNEV TilE V ments ai respectii opportu] lowing t of the : found ii We ^ Tuesdaj friend, Yale C( neighbc jects of the Sou the bea constiti streets trees, v sive rei with til sombre cupy o which church > 3 127 CHAPTER VI. JOURNEY THROUGH NEW HAVEN AND NEW BEDFORD TO BOSTON. — PUBLIC MEETINGS. The variety and pressure of our public engage- ments at New York compelled us to defer inquiries respecting our numerous churches there to a future opportunity. The same remark applies to the fol- lowing business week at Boston. But the account of the religious state of both these cities will be found in the proper place in our return visits. We went in the steam-boat to New Haven, on Tuesday, May 19th, accompanied by our valued young friend, Mr. R. Fellowes, who had been a student at Yale College. His familiarity with the town and neighbourhood greatly facilitated our visits to ob- jects of interest. The approach to New Haven from the Sound is attractive and imposing, owing alike to the beauty of the city itself and the lofty hills which constitute the back-ground of the picture. The streets and the square are shaded by numerous elm trees, whose drooping forms impart an air of pen- sive repose to the city. The whole is in ha ony with the university buildings, which have rati a sombre and melancholy aspect. These edifices oc- cupy one side of a spacious square, the centre of which is the site of the state-house and of three churches. Dr. Taylor accompanied us to the library, m 128 NEW HAVEN. i ^ museum, and gallery, ^hich are worthy of this an- cient seat of learning. The students were dispersed for the vacation. We visited the romantic scenery in the neighbourhood, particularly the " dens and caves of the earth," whither the vengeance of the second Charles would have pursued the judges who had doomed his father to death. Here, however, Goffe and Whalley were effectually concealed, and their portentous inscription, traced in the face of the rock, is still legible—" Opposition to tyrants is obedience to God ." The graves of these judges are pointed out in the great square near one of the churches. It is not at present used as a place of sepulture, another space having been allotted to this purpose, which is a plain and neat cemetery, with many good monuments, though none are magnifi- cent. In laying out and planting the ground there is a total absence of every attempt at the orna- mental. Mr. Neale, whom we had the gratification of visiting, is pastor of a very flourishing baptist church of 230 members. From a previously low state, this congregation has so improved since his Ficttlement, that it had become necessary to make a great en- largement of the place of worship Many of the coloured church, together with th astor of it, are baptists. In proceeding to Hartford, our pleasure was greatly enhanced by the company of Dr. Taylor and the Rev. L. Bacon, pastor of the congregational church. The conversation turned uDon revivals in colleges, and our enlightened and distinguished fel- low trav had rec( winter t ing witl A few < winter t necessity prevaler repentai during t special i students they con evening, at first creased ing of t supplica college, frequenl trations vaded t with a ( more ha embrace attentioi tinned. Then and ferv ings of 1 gious CO this an- spersed scenery ms and of the jes who jwever, ed, and B of the •ants is Iges are of the place of I to this y, with nagnifi- id there e orna- ition of church ite, this lement, reat en- r of the f it, are ire was dor and Rational ivals in hed fel- NEW HAVEN. 129 low travellers detailed many particulars of one which had recently occurred at New Haven. During the winter the number of academical students commun- ing with the college church had been about 160. A few of these, from the commencement of the winter term, had been so deeply impressed with the necessity of the Spirit's influence, to deliver Irom the prevalent security in sin, and to renew the heart to repentance, that they continued to meet and pray during the term, though they saw no indications of special religious impression upon the body of the students. Near the beginning of the spring term, they commenced a stated meeting for prayer every evening. The number of those who attended, was at first from fifteen to twenty ; but afterwards in- creased to 150. In the early part of March a meet- ing of the whole church was held to offer united supplications for the influences of the Spirit on the college. This was soon followed by a course of frequent preaching, in addition to the stated minis- trations of the sabbath. A general solemnity per- vaded the institution. Numbers were impressed with a conviction of guilt; and of these sixty or more had expressed a hope that they had cordially embraced the salvation of the gospel. A solemn attention to the great interests of religion still con- tinued. The means used during the revival were, frequent and fervent prayer in the public assembly, in meet- ings of the church, and in various smaller circles ; nrngnVii-nrr epo^iallv arlgTifprl i{\ fbp nr»f»aain'na rpli- gious conversation, and meetings called for the pur- g3 130 MIDDLETOWN.- — HARTFORD. pose of addressing those whose attention was more or less awakened to the conenrns of the soul. Though the religious interest had been deep ai • ge- neral, there had been no derangement of the rt Jar order and literary exercises of the college. Thus, the revival, under God, appeared evidently to be the result of persevering prayer, and an un- wearied effort on the part of the fifteen or twenty students, who had *' agreed as touching the thing they would ask." Under many discouragements they went forward, and the blessing came down upon the impenitent. In the progress of the work, the total depravity of man and his entire dependence on God for salvation, were the great topics of discourse. The number of students in the theological depart- ment of Yale College was between fifty and sixty. They all manifested a deep interest in the revival by their prayers and active labours. As there has heretofore been no provision to furnish them with convenient rooms for lodging and study, the chris- tian community have lately contributed 8,0Q0 dol- lars to erect a building for their accom nodation, the foundation of which is already laid. It was with difficulty we could continue our route without pausing at Middletown, whe e we saw the Rev. Mr. Cookson, the pastor of a prosperous church of nearly 300 members. Thero are three baptist churches in the town, which contains 6,000 or 7,000 inhabitants, and is beautifully situated in the bosom of a vale on the banks of the Connecticut. We passed an agreeable evening at Hartford, but as a batter opportunity will hereafter occur, refrain NEW BEDFORD. 131 at present from giving particulars eith ^r here or at Providence, which we transiently visitt ■ , and where we were most cordially welcon ad by Li*. Wayland, president of Brown University. We had agreed to spend the ensuing sabbath with Mr. Choules, at New Bedford in Rhode Island, who is well known as the author of " The Origin and History of Missions," and is the pastor of a flourish- ing church of more than 300 members. We divided our services between the churches of Mr. Choules and the congregational brethren. All the places of worship are spacious, the attention to religion encouraging, and, from the extent of the general population, the prospect of ministerial usefulness considerable. At no distant period they have, to use an American phrase, " experienced a revival." It was described as a season of hallowed excite- ment, and distinguished by tokens of divine favour. General society assumed a new aspect; " the word of the Lord grew and multiplied ;" sinners were converted and christians reanimated ; the descend- ing grace was apparent, and if it passed away as a copious shower, it left behind a most refreshing influence. Our friend Mr. Choules related the following transaction, which occurred in 1834. He was applied to by the Right Rev. Dr. Griswold, bishop of the eastern diocese of the protestant episcopal church in the Western States, for the use of his church and baptistry. This was readily granted, and he w'^h venerable bishop baptize by immersion Mr. Briggs, 132 BOSTON. i i principal of the Fairhaven academy. In America, where immersion is so prevalent end increasing a practice, and that even among different denomina- tions, this circumstance was less calculated to excite astonishment than it would have done in England ; it nevertheless attracted great attention, and was regarded hy reflecting men as a fine exhibition of primitive Christianity. Hastening from New Bedford to Boston, we im- Tv^'^diately repaired, according to previous agreement, V iLe house of Dr. Sharp, whose kind insistance ] ^t no alternative. In truth, it is not always the lot of mortals in this scene of vicissitude and moral desolation to find, as we did there, individual intel- ligence and undissembled piety presiding at the do- mestic hearth, and blending delightfully with the manifest tokens, to ourselves, of a pure and perma- nent friendship. The gratification we felt in attending the various religious meetings at Boston, was not less intense than that of which we were daily conscious at New York. Without, however, minute specification and detail, we shall content ourselves with stating, in general, the joyful readiness with which we attended the different societies of whatever denomination, and with subjoining a few notices of some of those with which we wore in more immediate association. The nineteenth anniversary of the American Edu- cation Society, was held almost immediately after our arrival in the city, in the proceedings of which we readily took a part. To educate pious young men for the gospel ministry, io the object of this truly BOSTON. 133 Lmerica, Basing a nomina- to excite ,ngland ; and was bition of we im- peement, isistance s the lot id moral lal intel- t the do- with the 1 perma- e various s intense s at New Eition and tating, in attended tion, and lose with ion. ican Edu- after our which we ung men this truly national institution. It extends its aid to persons of all denominations, and supports its beneficiaries at academies, colleges, and theological seminaries, connected with different sections of the church. By means of its numerous branches, it has extraordi- nary facilities for accumulating information, which, by the zealous and devoted labours of Dr. Cogs- well, the secretary, is arranged in the most lucid manner in their reports. The society has assisted in the education of 700, who have already entered the ministry. It has made appropriations to young men of every state in the Union — and during the last year, aided 1040 students, who were scattered among 152 institu- tions. Of these, 300 were received during the year ; a larger number than had ever before been admitted in the same time. The standing rules of the society, are, to advance the least amount of support consistent with health and a thorough education — to require suitable efforts on the part of those patronized to assist themselves, and to obtain aid from other funds and friends — and to stimulate all who become com- petent to the discharge, by re-payment, of the loans advanced to them. By this latter course, the funds had been replenished by nearly $3,000 during the year, from fifty beneficiaries. Nothing but want of space prevents ine insertion of important particulars of the American Temper- ance Society, the Massachusetts Sunday School Union, and many others, which require no panegy- ric from the passing stranger, and whose praise is in Hii the churches. I 134 BOSTON. The Massachusetts Conference of Baptist Minis- ters met at the Federal-street church, on the 26th, the president, the Rev. Dr. Sharp, in the air. The delegates from ministers in England to the General Convention of Baptists in America, being present, were introduced by the president. On the motion of the Rev. Dr. Bolles, it was re- solved, " that we greet with pleasure the arrival of our brethren from England, as a cheering indication of the union existing between English and American christians, and that we cordially welcome them to our country, and to a participation in the delibera- tions of this body." The annual essay was then read by the president. Its topic was, " the importance of practical wisdom to the minister of the gospel." It has since been printed. The importance of a new quarterly publication was then discussed, and a strong expression of opinion in favour of its establishment given. A committee was appointed to make all necessary arrangements for its being issued, and to secure the services of the Rev. Prof. Knowles in the editorship. We took a part in these discussions, and afterwards engaged in conference with a select committee for the purpose of ascertaining whether it were practi- cable to combine the efforts of the denomination in England and America for this object. Since our return, we have received a communication from Prof. Knowles, which announces the work as begun, the name of " the Christian Review." S6,000 been subscribed as a fund. The a cation S nesday, i Boston, of the d( land, sa token of made lif( he woul sum of $ director) contribu nounced for the respect cherishe< America The V Northeri is 131 ; dismisse( 105. O their ed about to one teac has enga tion, in terod th Connecti Missisip] one is in embark age of til BOSTON. 135 }t Minis- ;he 26th, air. i to the a, being t was re- rrival of idication Lmerican them to delibera- resident, . wisdom ice been blication sssion of iven. A lecessary jcure the itorship. 'terwards littee for •e practi- nation in ince our on from IS begun, ' S6,000 The anniversary of the Northern Baptist Edu- cation Society was held at Federal-street, on Wed- nesday, at three o'clock. Mr. Matthew Bolles, of Boston, after appropriately referring to the visit of the delegates from the baptist brethren in Eng- land, said that it seemed to him proper that, in token of respect, these beloved brethren should be made life directors of the society. For this purpose he would be accountable to the treasurer for the sum of «100, (the sum necessary to constitute a life director) in the hope that some other brother would contribute the like sum. It was immediately an- nounced that J. Wales, Esq. would be responsible for the other «100. This mark of affectionate respect was highly appreciated, and will long be cherished as a grateful increase to the store of American recollections. The whole number of students assisted by the Northern Education Society during the past year, is 131 ; received during the same period, thirty ; dismissed, twenty-four — leaving the present number 105. Of those dismissed, thirteen had completed their education, and have since entered or were about to enter on imi)ortant fields of usefulness; one teaches for the present, an academy, and one has engaged as a professor in a theological institu- tion, in one of the southern states ; nine have en- tered the pastoral ofhce ; one in Vermont ; one in Connecticut ; one has gone to the valley of the Missisippi, and six have settled in Massachusetts ; one is in a state of ill health ; and one is about to embark as a iniKMionai'v to Africa undf>i' tho notron- V f i age of the Baptist Board for Foreign Missions ; two mi^^, ' ■ w • m 1 i RW i n 136 BOSTON. have died ; three have been dismissed, with a pros- pect of supporting themselves ; two have been dis- continued, for want of suitable promise ; and four have been dismissed, having for various causes, sus- pended their education for a season. The whole number, in the respective branches, is seventy-one, increasing the entire number, under patronage, to 176. Of these, thirty-three are in theological institutions; sixty-six are in college; and the remaining seventy-eight are in various stages of prenaratory study. They are foui.d in the following institutions :— Newton Theological Institution, Massachusetts ; Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, New York; Brown Univer- sity, Rhode Island; Waterville College, Maine; Middleburg College, Vermont; Burlington Col- lege, Vermont ; Amherst College, Massachusetts ; Williamstown College, Massachusetts; Columbian College, District of Columbia ; Granville College, Ohio ; New Hampton Institution, New Hampshire ; Brandon Literary Institution, Vermont ; Connecti- cut Baptist Literary Institution. And also in the following high schools and academies :— South Reading, Massachusetts; Middleborough, Massa- chusetts; Franklin, Massachusetts; Waterville, Maine ; Bluehill, Maine; Worcester Manual Labour High School, Massachusetts; Black River, Ver- mont ; Rockingham, New Hampshire. The young men are— from Massachusetts, sixty-nine ; Vermont, thirty ; Connecticut, sixteen ; New Hampshire, fif- teen ; Maine, eighteen ; Rhode Island, ten ; the state of New York, fourteen ; tiie province of New ufiins' wick, two; Nova Scotia, one; District of Columbia, ith a pros- e been dis- ; and four ;auses, sus- ! branches, iber, under iree are in n college; in various ! fouisd in rheological iterary and ^n Univer- ;e, Maine; igton Col- jachusetts ; Columbian le College, [ampshire ; Connecti- also in the gs : — South yh, Massa- W^aterville, iual Labour liver, Ver- The young ; Vermont, [ipshire, lif- 1 ; the state k.T T» [ Columbia, BOSTON. 137 om ; Wales (England), one ; and one from the state of North Carolina. The amount received during the past year into the treasury of the parent society, is $7,096,17 ; re- ceived into the treasuries of the respective branches, $2,308,70, increasing the whole amount received to $9,404,87. Expended by the parent society^ $7,039,66, by the branches, $2,308,70, making the whole amount expended, $9,348,36, and leaving a balance in the treasury of the parent society of $56,51. During the year, four classical schools of reputation have been opened in New England, under the aus- pices of the baptist denomination, namely. Union Academy in Kennebunk, Rockingham Academy at Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, Black River Academy at Ludlow, Vermont, and the Worcester Manual High School at Worcester, Massachusetts, in which have been collected already more than 200 youth ; and each institution has several pupils study- ing for the ministry. In New England, there are thirteen of these seminaries, besides two others ex- clusively devoted to female education, which are annually imparting their benefit to more than 2,000 youths. The Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society held its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 27, at which time, the amendment in its charter, changing its name from Massachusetts Domestic Missionary Society to Massachusetts Baptist State Convention, was proposed to the society and unani- mously accepted. At R subsfifsiipnt. hfiiiT- thp M^"SR8.f.h'-SP.tt.s B^—tiet State Convention held a special meeting at the same 138 HARVARD.— MOUNT AUBURN. place, when the Convention voted unanimously to commit all its books and papers to the board of the new society. It voted also, unanimously, to commit its funds to the treasury of the new society. Thus the two societies have been united in one. This was done in perfect unanimity of feeling and of judgment on the part of all concerned. ' The Massachusetts Domestic Missionary Society, is the oldest baptist missionary society in the United States, having been formed in 1802. ' At ten o'clock on Thursday, the anniversary of the Foreign Missionary S' ciety was held at Federal- street. The Rev. Dr. Sharp presided. Dr. Bolles presented a brief statement of the condition of the board, and its present operations, the same in sub- stance with that which we have given at the Rich- mond Convention. Two other public meetings were held afterwards on the same day ; the last commencing at eight and closing at ten o'clock at night. It terminated the series at Boston ; the fourth in as many successive weeks, to which we had given our attendance, and in which we had frequently taken part. With feel- ings, we trust, of devout gratitude to God, we returned late to our home. At Richmond. Balti- more, New York, and Boston, we had been enabled to fulfil every engagement, and neither from fatigue nor indisposition, had we been absent from these numerous assemblies. The following day was occupied by excursions to Cambridge, Mount Auburn cemetery, and Newton Theological Institution. At Harvard University, Dr, Quincy, the president, received us with his ac- customed institution gentleman buildings seat of le piety of th are thirty medical cl Mount i: eminent ai forcibly bi there was first const place of r Hannah A the late I Essay on ^ scription : MOUNT AUBURN. 139 lously to pd of the [) commit y. Thus le. This ^ and of r Society, le United ersary of Federal- Ir. Bolles on of the le in sub" the Rich- fterwards eight and nated the mccessive ance, and ^ith feel- God, we id, Balti- n enabled )m fatigue rom these lursions to d Newton Iniversity, ith his ac- customed urbanity. He presides over this noble institution with all the dignity of a scholar and a gentleman. The library, museum, and college buildings are upon a scale worthy of this ancient seat of learning, established by the enlightened piety of the fathers of their country, in 1 738. There are thirty professors and tutors, and, including the medical classes, 460 students. Mount Auburn cemetery promises to become pre- eminent among those abodes of the dead which so forcibly bring to mind the words, " In the garden there was a new sepulchre." The sepulchre which first consecrated this beautiful retirement as the place of repose for the dead, was that of our own Hannah Adams, to whose " View of Religions," the late Andrew Fuller wrote an ** Introductory Essay on Truth." A neat monument bears this in- scription : TO HANNAH ADAMS, HISTORIAN OF THE JEWS "• AND REVIEWER OF CHRISTIAN SECTS, THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY HER FEMALE FRIENDS. FIRST TENANT OP MOUNT AUBURN, SHE DIED DECEMBER 15, 1831, AGED 76. ,i.»J.*-. Hii 1--' 140 BOSTON. Many a beautiful tomb now adorns these pic- turesque recesses. Of Newton we shall say nothing till the period of our revisiting it at the anniversary, except that it gave us an exalted idea of those members of our denomination, whose noble generosity provided an establishment worthy of themselves and their churches, and so truly in keeping with the pros- pects of the j^eneral body. We needed the repose enjoyed on Saturday, for he Lord's day was to be to ourselves a day of arduous labour, though it proved also one of much delightful christian intercourse. Each of us preached three times, and generally to large congregations assembled in the spacious places of worship which our brethren have erected in this capital of the state. Few as were the opportunities, on this our first visit to Boston, of indulging in private and social intercourse, we cannot omit to mention, with grate- ful recollections, the pleasurable interview which the hospitality of Lieutenant-Governor Armstrong and his lady enabled us to hold with some of the leading ministers and gentlemen of the city. In this habitation, and in society so selected, we found the elegance of life without its frivolity, refinement without pomp, freedom without intrusiveness, and religion without sectarianism and uncharitableness. It was an evening to be remembered ; must we add, with a sigh, never, in all probability, to be repeated^ DR. cox S CA Boston On the of visiting ranged wi alone to tl felt to this satisfied tc acquaintar American My firs Wobum, preached i prognostic not fulfills Mancheste about twe] the first f time ther€ contains t woollen m; 141 hese pic- he period ccept that imbers of provided and their the pros- irday, for a day of \ of much ; preached ^regations hip which 'the state. 3 our first and social dth gwte- iew which Armstrong me of the I city. In , we found refinement eness, and itableneM. ist we add, 5 repeated! CHAPTER VII. DR. cox's JOURNEY THROUGH NEW ENGLAND TO THE CAN AD AS, AND BY BUFFALO TO UTICA. Section I. Boston to Lowell— Haverhill— Publ'c Baptism in the River at Dover. On the 4th of June, I left Boston, for the purpose of visiting Upper and Lower Canada ; having ar- ranged with my colleague that he should proceed alone to the distant west. Whatever reluctance we felt to this temporary separation, we could not feel satisfied to return to Europe without some personal acquaintance with these important portions of the American continent. My first day's journey was through Medford, Wobum, and Tewkesbury to Lowell, where I preached in a temperature of 89" ; but this seeming prognostication of an intense summer, was happily not fulfilled. Lowell is regarded as the American Manchester. It is situated on the river Merrimack, about twelve miles from Boston. The village and the first factory were formed in 1813, at which time there were only two houses; at present, it contains twenty-three or twenty-four cotton and woollen mills, and about 15,000 inhabitants. The 142 LOWELL. If m falls of the river amount to thirty feet, affording facilities for extensive operations by water power. Between four and five thousand girls work in the mills ; but they are a different class of persons from those'whose abject poverty and vicious habits are but too apparent in the large manufacturing districts of England. Most of them, nearly all, are the chil- dren of respectable farmers or tradesmen, who, from a desire to obtain the means of independent sul). sistence, are content to engage in these labours, and to suffer the privations incident to an early separa- tion from their friends. On the ensuing day, several of these young people were my companions in the stage. This afforded me an opportunity, not only of acquainting myself with the general proceedings of the factory institutions, but with the individual character of my fellow-travellers. I found a pre- valence of good sense and right feeling. One of them stated, that of thirty who worked in a room adjoining to hers, there were only four or five that were not members of christian churches. With their earnings, which are from two to five dollars per week, according to their skill, they frequently put themselves to school ; thus becoming qualified for respectability and influence in domestic life, or gene- ral tuition in district schools. In Lowell, there are fifteen primary schools, three grammar schools, and one high school. These are supported by the town, under the direction of a committee, and are at once universally accessible and impartial in their administration. Besides other churches, there are two of the et, affording vater power. work in the persons from IS habits are iring districts are the chil- in, who, from pendent sut- ! labours, and early separa- y day, several anions in the lity, not only 1 proceedings he individual found a pre* ing. One of ed in a room r or five that 3. With their e dollars per Vequently put qualified for 2 life, or gene- Lowell, there nmar schools, •ported by the ittee, and are )artial in their e two of the LOWELL. 143 baptist denomination. The first having become crowded and overflowing, the second was formed in September, 1831, by a friendly withdrawment of seventy members for the purpose. A procedure of this kind is characteristic of America. Instead of being held in union by mere selfishness, churches, when they have attained to great prosperity, volun- tarily divide, in order thitt the general cause may be enlarged. A new church is constituted in friendly connexion with that from which a number of mem- bers secede. From this another emanates, and yet another, till four or five, or more, multiply in grati- fying succession. I can wish nothing better for our British churches, than that they should emulate this generous, self-denying, and benevolent plan ; a plan, which has been marked in America with signal proofs of the divine approbation. The second church in Lowell, under the pastoral superintendence of Mr. Barnaby, which was formed in this manner, has accessions nearly every month ; and there are at present no fewer than 300 members. Prayer and conference meetings, inquiry meetings, and preaching at the boarding houses, are main- tained weekly. At the close of the service on the sabbath evening, persons who may feel desirous of it, are invited to a private religious conversation with the pastor. A society of children, of whom several are members of the church, from ten to fifteen years of age, maintain prayer meetings among themselves on the afternoon of the sacred day. These facts. anrl solitary ones, may convey some impression of the hallowed zeal which blazes on 144 HAVERHILL . — DOVER . many of the altars of America, and which, I trust, will kindle on our own ! Although I had taken my place by the coach from J.owell entirely through to Dover, I was stopped at Haverhill, by the irresistible hospitality of Colonel Duncan, at whose residence property dignifies, and piety adorns life. In this vicinity, I enjoyed a brief interview with my old friend, the Rev. George Keely, who lives about a mile from the village, on the banks of the river Merrimack, which combines ^ thousand soft and tranquil beauties. The scene of his former ministrations must be peculiarly grate- ful to him, while it is freshening into spiritual lux- uriance under the cultivation of Mr. Harris, recently ordained as pastor. Brief as the notice was, there were probably 800 hearers in the evening, who ap- peared to receive the word with joyfulness. The next morning. Colonel Duncan took me in his carriage to Exeter, a place honoured above many, by the last sermon ever delivered by Mr. Whitefield. Thence, I proceeded to preach in the evening at Sommersworth or the Great Falls. From this beautiful little factory village, where religion appears to be in an advanc- ing state, I was conducted, on the sabbath morning, through Salmon Falls, to preach at South Berwick, and afterwards at Dover. At the latter place, a public baptism was administered in the river Con- checho. Tho pastor, Mr. Williams, officiated ; and on me was devolved the welcome duty of address- ing a large, orderly, and silent multitude. Standing on a piece of projecting rock, to solicit attention, I could not help remarking the striking peculiarities ofthesc( the river, —the litt looking moon sh( one dela^ rising, tc their cou Onehf standing, and infi( gether ir ing a pre denount( strumenl his Lord Overfl evinced 1 able occt audience brighter numberli Kennebunk Accow the 8th. bunk. 1 in Dece] DOVER. 145 I, I trust, jach from topped at f Colonel lifies, and ed a brief . George illage, on combines The scene irly grate- ritual lux- 3, recently was, there r, who ap- The next 3arriageto 5y the last Thence, I mersworth ;tle factory m advanc- i morning. I Berwick, r place, a river Con- iated; and )f address- Standing Ltteiition, i eculiarities of the scene — the company occupying both sides of the river, anJ within reach of an elevated tone of voice — the little boats and the fishermen — the setting sun looking from his throne of glory, and the rising moon shedding around her softest radiance, as if the one delayed his setting, and the other hastened her rising, to witness the sacred rite, and t^ oless with their commingling beams, th happy cand< dates. One had been a sea captain of two-and- thirty years standing, and long notorious as a ringleader of deists and infidels. His late companions, collected to- gether in anger or in wonder, stood near, maintain- ing a profound silence. Six weeks before, he had denounced the ministry, and the man by whose H- strumentality he was now led " a willing captive to his Lord." Overflowing multitudes at the evening service, evinced the depth of public feeling on this memor- able occasion, while the spirit and character of the audience appeared to give promise of a day *^ still brighter far than this," when the assembly shall be numberless, and the sabbath everlasting: ! Section II. Kennebunk.- -Associations at Parsonsfield. — Revivals. — Passage of the White Mountains. Accompanied by Mr. Williams, I left Dover on the 8th. We visited the Union academy at Kenne- bunk. This is a Baptist institution which was begun in December, 1834, at the cost of 3,000 dollars. H I m 146 PARSONSFIELD. The number of scholars in the first term was seventy- three ; in the second eighty-eight. It is under the superintendence of a board of trustees. A baptist church was formed in this village of 2,500 inhabi tants in June, 1834, consisting of seventeen mem- bers over whom Mr. Lincoln was ordained in the following December. Eleven were added to their number during the first year. There is also a con- gregational and an unitarian church. Our course afterwards conducted us through the beautiful hamlet of Albion, which seemed to spring up like a white roe among the fir-clad mountains. The venerable elder. Smith, now eighty-three years of age, received us courteously, opposite to whose pleasing solitude we saw the Shaker village. These institutions, which occur occasionally in the United States, appear to be regarded with some veneration. They are in- deed distinguished by neatness and industry, but no less so by hostility against the principles of Christi- anity and the welfare of social existence. It may seem severe, but I am afraid it is but too correct to say, that their worship is a dance, and their morality a defiance of God. On the way to Parsonsfield we caught a fine view of the White Mountains, at the -'Istance of fifty or sixty miles. The academy at Parsonsfield has re- cently experienced a revival ; about ten of the scho- lars have joined the baptise church, under the care of Mr. Buzzell. After a few examinations in sub- jects of general knowledge, I was requested to ad- dress them. They heard with interest remarks on literary topics, on the importance of a sound edu- PARSONSFIELD. 147 cation, and on the necessity of a diligent use of present opportunities ; but no sooner was the theme of religion and redeeming mercy touched, than they assumed attitudes which bespoke a more pro- found attention, and the fixed eye darting its vivid and holy flames through tears of unutterable emo- tion, called forth the irrepressible sentiment in my mind — *' here, then, is a revival!^* After repairing to the place of worship, where it was my object to be present at an association of ministers and churches, it was agreed at my request to hold a conference in the evening. This was a season of much interest, both on account of the information communicated respecting the revival which had occurred in the churches, and the affectionate confidence which ap- peared to pervadri the ministerial brotherhood. It resembled an instrument in tune ; and the differences during the discussions were but like the occasional discords of music that perfect the harmony. A selection of the statements which I received on this occasion shall be subjoined. They may be given with most advantage and delicacy without the names. In one place it was determined by a few persons to institute a prayer meeting at sunrise, as a means of renewing a languishing cause. In this measure the church, after a short time, concurred, till an awa- kened feeling evinced itself, and " a time of refresh- ment from the presence of the Lord," ensued. In conversing with a young lady who was the fruit of these efforts, sense, decision, and piety we; e conspi- cuous. Her age was thirteen. At another village, soon after the appointna«n,t of H M w w 148 PARSONSFIELD. a similar prayer meeting last autumn, the cliurcb agreed that every member should adopt a system of ^Tsiting each other for the promotion of religion . In a fortnight all had been visited. The regular and extra assemblies for devotion now became fully attended, when impenitent persons were pointedly addressed. The practice of fasting also was intro- duced, as well as that of mutual confession. This appeared to result in the outpouring of the Spirit on every church and congregation, and protracted meetings were held in all. Besides others, twenty- six were added to the baptist community. In a third instance the hallowed fire was kindled from other altars. Meetings had been frequently held in the neighbourhood in several places, and in the one in question a remarkable degree of general attention to the word had I .^n manifested. At length many persons began to pray with special reference to their unconverted relatives. The church then resolved to appoint meetings for fasting and prayer for the unregeneratc, which were observed for three weeks successively. During this period individuals frequently rose to request special inter- cession for particular friends, till, as the narrator expressed it, there was *' a general melting down," which attained its most powerful character on the ensuing evening of the sabbath. Twenty were bap- tized, no one of whom has subsequently shown any symptoms of declension. In detailing a fourth specimen, in which prayer meetings were established for thirty evenings in sur.p.paai;>n. the sneaker adverted to the first pro- tracted m years ago second se tertained decision < This mea without ( inent of a a short ti the whole audible < The num and it wa year, tha immovea A fifth is that of half of Sunday i publicly Protract( were heb the mini> retire afi evening, would bt ing asser ing till 1 children Sunday i twelve V children PARSONSFIELD. 149 e cliurcb system of ^ioT) . In ^ular and me fully pointedly ras intro- m. This he Spirit retracted ;, twenty- s kindled irequently Bs, and in ►f general 8ted. At ;h special he church sting and observed lis period cial inter- 3 narrator ig down," ;er on the were hap- liown any ich prayer ironings in first pro- tracted meeting which he had attended, about five years ago, in the state of New York. After the second sermon had been delivered, a hope was en- tertained that one or two might probably manifest decision of mind, if a public invitation were given. This measure was accordingly adopted, though not without considerable hesitation. To the astonish- ment of all, sixty persons rose, bathed in tears. In a short time the effect became so irresistible, that the whole church fell on their knees, while one gave audible expression to the all-pervading emotio • The number first named at length joined the church, and it was stated in a letter received at the end of a year, that every individual continued stedfast and immoveable in the faith. A fifth and final specimen may be here cited. It is that of 150 added to a small church in four years, half of them at least from the Bible classes and Sunday school. Some opponents to religion had publicly denied and rid'culed the efl&cacy of prayer. Protracted meetings, however, for this purpose, were held, and so Jeep was the feeling excited, that the ministers could scarcely persuade the people to retire after repeated exercises. On one Saturday evening, in particular, it was announced that there would be no meeting, but the people notwithstand- ing assembled, and continued praying a.id convers- ing till a late period at night. Aged persons and children became alike impressed. Three of the Sunday school scholars were baptized, and ten or twelve were believed to be truly converted. The children met with their teachers for special prayer, 150 PAR80NSPIELD. .,4- and at their own- solicitation. It happened one evening that when the children assembled no teacher came. The minister, accidentally passing by, stepped up to the door and listened. It was moonlight, but " the Sun of righteousness" appeared to have risen, with " healing beneath his wings," on the sweet com- pany within. He heard distinctly a little boy of eleven years old praying with the greatest fervour and pro- priety. Others enjraged who were only six or seven. When conversed with on the surpassing interests of the soul and eternity, they seemed as if all had been melted down and cast into the very mould of grace. I proposed three questions to the ministers, who related these and other proceedings of a similar cha- racter. 1. Was the greater proportion of those who came forward in these revivals persons who had before been serious but undecided in religion, or were they entirely new converts from the world ? The answer was, that in general they were newly converted ; as, for example, 110 professed religion on one occasion, of whom forty had been previously impressed. 2. What permanent effect, if any, was produced upon those who did not profess religion at the time in ques- iron, though they were powerfully affected? — Answer: A large proportion continued to give evidence of piety, and united with other churches. In many cases, however, persons who seemed to believe, flinched (as the narrator expressed it) at the time, from the ordeal of a public baptism, grew cool, and became finally hardened. 3. What is the ratio of conversions in a revival, and of the stability of the CONWAY. 161 3ened one no teacher >y, stepped nlight, but lave risen, jweet com. y of eleven ir and pro- X or seven, nterests of 1 had been il of grace, isters, who imilar cha- ' those who had before ' were they rhe answer verted ; as, e occasion, ressed. 2. duced upon me in quei' ' — Answer: evidence of In many to believe, t the time, w cool, and the ratio of bility of the of religion in a period of three or four years or moref Answer. A considerably greater number during any given period of time than when only ordinary means are employed, and in general those who continue stedfast are in fully equal, probably greater pro- portion. In the morning I preached to the association of ministers and churches. The attendance was over- flowing, and the feeling solemn, arising from the probability that this was both the first and the last meeting we should be permitted to enjoy on earth. In the afternoon, having been joined by Mr. and Mrs. Noyes, who were to accompany Mr. Sutton to Orissa, we proceeded to Conway. A great part of our route lay through forests, from the recesses of whose sylvan temple, we offered aspirations of gratitude to God, and through whose leafy apertures we caught occasional views of enchanting moun- tain scenery. The little village of Conway is bounded on the north and west by lofty summits, above which the White Mountains are seen to tower at the distance of nearly thirty miles. This is the loi'tiest ranp-e in the United States, excepting only the Rocky Mountains, which appear to be the natural boundary of the far off west. The highest of the White Mountains is one which has been stamped by American patriotism, with the name of Washing- ton. Its elevation is about 5350 feet above the Connecticut river. To others not greatly inferior, have been approj)riated the names of their admired presidents, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Monroe, and OiiJnnv TViia nasoointinTi ifl. hf>W^**VPr- scarcclv COn- i4i I -i U^i 152 THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. sistent with good taste. It forces you always to think in metaphor ; it has no discrimination in it ; and at some sudden turns of con versa^i on , you scarcely know whether you are talking of men or moun- tains. The reader will now be pleased to think only of the latter, and to accompany our party into this wild scenery. Although avoiding in general much deviation from the direct purpose of furnishing a re- port of religious affairs, I may be allowed to assume the traveller for a moment in describing our course through the Notch. This term, and that of Gap^ is applied to a narrow defile, in one place only twenty- three feet wide, through which is a road crossed by the river Saco ; but can any thing be more out of taste ? A notch makes one think of the stick we used to cut in the days of boyhood, to measure the hours before the holidays ; and a gap reminds one of the hedges and fences we were accustomed to break through in the same frolicksome season. Whoever has an eye for nature, or a recollection of Switzerland, will find inexpressible gratification among these scenes. Burke has decided that the terrible is an element of the sublime, and here the overawed observer may find an apt and ample illus- tration. Even from the distance of Conway, the . picturesque and the beautiful solicit attention, as they stand up in continual rivalry. As the rocky path winds into the recesses of this vast solitude, now traversing some deep and awful glr then threading the labyrinths of a lone wilderneb> — now scaling the steep mountain, and anon, running side by »ide with some babbiiiig brook, or raore rapid tor- THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 153 always to tion in it ; 3U scarcely or moun- think only y into this eral much sliing a re- to assume our course it of Gap, place only is a road ig be more ►f the stick o measure ip reminds ustomed to eason. ecollection ratification d that the id here the mple illus- jnway, the tention, as \ the rocky 3t solitude, gl(^ then 'neb.> — now inning side e rapiu tor- rent—then again ascending to unfold scenes of de^ solation, where the busy whirlwind and the blasting lightning have called to their aid the fiercest powers, and precipitated huge trees, flourishing groves, dis- ruptured rocks in one mighty ruin, as if a thousand Etnas had vomited their lavas on the scorched and woe-stricken hills ;— as these scenesbecome revealed, successive impressions of awe spring up in the mind, while, as the eye catches revealings of intermingled loveliness, and the ear listens to the voice of whis- pering cascades, inviting you to contemplate em- bowering groves, or shelving rocks, or graceful curvatures, fringed with shrubs and verdure, other emotions arise of bewildering astonishment and admiration. You are ready to ask. Where am I ? Where is language? Where is the poet's frenzied eye and fervent pen ? Where is the painter's can- vass, and the glowing touch? Where is the power that can perpetuate in the meuiory, these woods — these torrents— these mighty ruins— these cloud- capt and forest-girdled mountains— this everlasting roar of torrents, that roll beneath my feet, and shatter the poor wood frame of the bridges I am crossing— these bends, and turns, and openings, and this glorious sun that sends his golden beams stream- ing through the woods to light our way ! O where, rather, is the spirit, the ardour, the devotion, to see, adore, and love their great Creator ! As the traveller approaches the Notch, he perceives a double barrier of rocks rising abruptly from the . sides of the river Saco, to the height of nearly half a mile, and surmounted here and there by castel- h3 .■i ii 154 THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. lated turrets on their irregular summits. As he advances along the toilsome and sometimes rapid ascent, the giant forms of the mountains seem to stand forth in bold defiance to forbid his progress, or wi^h their nodding forests to menace his approach. But a favouring turn in the road enables him to slip from beneath their frown, and evade their power. The lengthening defile, however, shuts in upon him like the creations of romance— the cleft and scarred sides of the mountains, exhibiting prostrate trees with their broken branches, which have been tossed about among fragments: o£ rocks and stones, by the fantastic violence of mighty tempests, glare upon him on either hand —and the ceaseless rush of the river, or the sportive clamour of descending torrents, sound like the chorus of wild spirits, celebrating their deeds of darkness and of ruin. At length, he emerges through the narrow opening, and in the centre of a graceful sweep of mountains, takes refuge in the only human habitation. Here, if he pleases, he may meditate and prepare for an ascent to the summit of Mount Washington, where, in his turn, he may stand in proud preeminence and victory; and if the spirits of the storm hold back their clouds, may contemplate the Atlantic to the south-east, the Katahdin mountains to the north-east, the green mountains of Vermont to the west, mount Manad- nock, 120 miles to the south-west, with inter- mingled lakes, forests, and *' rivers unknown to song." HC v;ViV;iil X CIXVC vri tx^i Tvrr — " - nninafrnnlip. years ago, has superadded an affecting interest to these w the nanc the com June, I lanche < which : storm. log hou dwelling months trable d of heav scended rest, wl work avalanc] hurled powerfi streams wide to] impetuc divided only s^ leaving a billov it is su That th and fu attempi provide the tab sufferei THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 155 these wild and magnificent regions. A family, of the name of Willey, resided about two miles from the commencement of the Notch. On the 28th of June, 1826, they were much terrified by an ava- lanche of loose earth, rocks, and uprooted trees, which rushed from the mountain top during a storm. This alarm induced them to erect a kind of loo" house at a convenient distance from their own dwelling, as a refuge in case of emergency. Two months afterwards, there was a night of impene- trable darkness and awful tempest. The windows of heaven were opened, and deluges of rain de- scended. It appears that the family had retired to rest, when the commingling elements began their work of devastation. The whirlwind seized the avalanche, the fearful weapon of his warfare, and hurled it down the steep; the deluge lent his powerful aid, and rushed headlong in a thousand streams. Checked by some unknown obstacle, the wide torrent, which was hastening with unspeakable impetuosity in a direct couse to Willey's house, divided into two streams immediately above it, and only sweeping away the stable, reunited below; leaving the dwelling itself like a peaceful island in a billowy sea. The unhappy inhabitants, however, it is supposed, had risen from their beds in terror. That they had retired to rest, the state of the beds and furniture demonstrated; but probably in an attempt to escape to the asylum they had recently provided, they perished. Not one remained to tell the tale of horrci% nor were the bodies of the nine sufferers found tor several days. The morning light lj.il:4:. 'f iiHI 156 LISBON. revealed the uninjured house, the green in front flourishing like an oasis in the desert, on whose springing verdure Willey's flock of sheep were grazing in quiet enjoyment. The rude memorial of this calamity, is to be seen in a pole, across which a board is nailed, to indicate the situation where the bodies were found. Such is the interest everywhere felt in this sad story, that it seems as if it had awakened the sympathies of all America. Section III. Visit to Lisbm, at the Anniversary Meeting of the Free-will Baptists. Pursuing our course, the next day, through a tract of wild mountainor scenery, we reached Lisbon, that is, the toion or township, for these terms are used synonymously, to express a district of about six miles square. To this deviation from the direct road, I was induced, partly by the report that a re/ival feeling had for some time past per- vaded this neighbourhood, and partly from hearing of the annual assembly or convention of the free- will baptists, to which my companions, Mr. and Mrs. Noyes were proceeding, to receive their mis- sionary designation. I found myself in the after- noon, not only conveniently but agreeably situated in family association with ministers and christian friends, in the house of Mr. Parkes, on Sugar Hill. ihis epithet was, in all probubility, flrs the pretty elevation on which the house is erected, LISBON. 157 in front on whose eep were jmorial of ;s which a ivhere the ^erywhere if it had I on account of the numerous maple trees which abounded there, and which were formerly objects of careful cultivation. It is the rock maple, from which molasses and sugar are obtained ; and though this vicinity is partially cleared, the process is still carried on to a considerable extent in the state. A good tree will generally yield from one to two pounds of sugar in the season. The incision is made in the spring, about the month of April, and a suitable trough or wooden basin is contrived to catch the oozing treasure. Before detailing the events of the following three or four days in Lisbon, I may briefly allude to the doctrinal peculiarities of the body with whom I was now brought into contact. The term free-will, by which these associated churches are distinguished, is intended to represent the fundamental principle of those peculiarities. In England, the word general baptists, is employed, and being placed in contrast with particular, points out the former as arminian, in contradistinction from the latter as calvinistic. It is a very common error, both in England and America, to imagine that particular has reference to strict communion ; whereas it is solely descriptive of a calvinistic theology. Hence, both a strict and open communionist, may be a particular, that is, a calvinistic baptist. Neither of these bodies, how- ever, in England or America, is accurately described by their appellation. In both countries, the general or free-will baptists stand at acute angles to the is erected, I approximate a considerable portion of the calvinistic ! Free-will , through e reached for these \ a district tion from the report past per- m hearing f the free- , Mr. and their mis- the after- [y situated I christian 'ugar Hill : given to I 158 LISBON, body in England. Among what may be termed the moderate of both parties (I presume not to graduate or decide upon the merits of the degree of modera- tion) there have lately been some movements in the form of private conferences to accomplish a union, and I was present at a discussion on the subject. It is proper, however, to state, that these have been very partial, and restricted to a section of one state: hitherto they have had no practical result. On arriving at Sugar Hill, we f )und that the public meetings had already commenced, in a con- ference on missionary affairs. Soon afterwards, t' assembly was adjourned to the evening. The place of worship is finely situated on a gentle ascent, encompassed with an amphitheatre of romantic hills, whither it appeared by the flocking of people, in the waggons of the country, on horses, and on foot, as if *' the tribes went up." A sermon was preached by Mr. Herriman, of Ware, on the words " pure religion." It contained many just and pointed sentiments. The morning of the next day was occupied v*^ith the affairs of the annual meeting, and especially reports from the districts. In these districts, the ministers meet quarterly, prepare accounts of the state of their respective churches, and furnish a general account of the whole at the annual meeting. I minuted down the following items, as the proceedings advanced. New Durham 34 churches . 2356 members. Sandwich . 20 ditto . 1478 ditto. Ware . . . 17 ditto . 827 ditto. Wolfborough 8 ditto . 439 ditto. Revival Ware, i and Sui Rockinj incorpo; churche added t of usefu along tl of the a carried, cause, myself sistency but to f which li at New while I of Amei because interfer howeve greater astical progres Inth appoint me to tj stood i] oppositi view bo hearer i LISBON. 159 srmed the graduate fmodera- nts in the 1 a union, bject. It lave been one state : • that the , in a con- »vards, f The place ;le ascent, romantic of people, }s, and on Tmon was the words just and e next day il meeting, In these f, prepare churches, lole at the following embers, tto. tto. tto. Revivals were reported in some of the churches of Ware, in Franconia, Bethlehem, and Whitefield; and Sunday schools were greatly promoted. The Rockingham Quarterly Association requested to be incorporated into the body, consisting of eleven churches, and 1,120 members. About 300 had been added to the churches since September, and doors of usefulness were opening on every hand, especially along the sea-board. A motion was made in favour of the abolition of slavery, which was unanimously carried, and with great demonstration of zeal in the cause. On this occasion, I felt it a duty to express myself with decision, not only to show my con- sistency in the sentiments I had always entertained, but to prevent any misunderstanding of the motives which had influenced my neutrality on the question at New York. I wished it to be understood, that while I was one in principle with the abolitionists of America, I could not be one in action ; especially because of the existing ferment, which a foreign interference would only exasperate, and because, however great and holy the cause, I had a still greater and holier to accomplish in the ecclesi- astical union of distant nations, and the general progress of Christianity itself. In the afternoon Mr. Buzzell of Parsonsfield was appointed to preach. The heat of the place induced me to take my station in one of the waggons which stood in the shadow of the building immediately opposite an open window, so as to afford a distinct view both of the pulpit and the congregation. Every hearer seemed powerfully affected ; audible expres- 160 LISBON. sions of feeling often rose upon tlie ear, like the re* petitions of a distant echo, and sometimes concur- rently like the sound of many waters. I could not withhold a mental participation in chose ardent emotions. To this the age of the speaker, his warmth of manner, and his references to olden times emi- nently conduced. His text was taken from Is. 62. 6, 7, " I havf set watchmen upon thj walls," &c. A few sentences transferred to paper at the moment of their utterance, may serve to convey some idea of the nature of the discourse, and the characteristic ora- tory of this useful class of preachers :— " I have been standing on the walls of Zion, watching for souls, and proclaiming this gospel, for five-and-forty years ; and now, brethren, I know that I must soon come down,— yes, mv age assures me, being sixty-seven, I must soon come down, brethren ; but not, I trust, I hope not, I would not could I help it— no, I would not come down till I have seen Babylon, the mother of harlots, fall— .lot till I have stood lo .g enough to preach a funeral sermon for Babylon, and pronounce it over her ruins. Oh! she must come down, and if I read prophecy aright, it must be very soon. Dear young brethren, pray for and aim at this great consummation. * As a young man UTar- rieth a virgin, so have I married thee.' Yes, thv Lord Jesus married the church in these lands when she was a poor despised virgin ; but see how beau- tiful she has grown now! I remember when all the people we could muster together amounted to only forty; now see what thousands assemble to worship and glorify their Lord! The watchmen are * not t dujf-, I thin prosperity : of adversit; prosperity, her dark ti difficult sea years ago, in glory, ai trees throng to search 1 preach in ; by night in for a bed, a But, blesse kept not si your encoui as I said, h you never perity or a( in your ow raent. It felt it, that in preach in cessful. I cular, I wa f^oul in prei would not ing in my i and in the said to Go' but one, o LISBON. 161 A few of their of the tic ora- ve been p souls, f years ; n come >r- seven, I trust, — no, I Ion, the od loig Ion, and st come ; be very i aim at an 11) ar- ises, tho ids when >w beau- vhen all unted to mble to atchmen are ' not to keep silence day or night.' Not by dujf , I think this may refer to times of comparative prosperity : not by night ; this may refer to seasons of adversity — to dark times. Amidst the present prosperity, let us remember the church has had her dark times in this land. They were dark and difficult seasons when I traversed the woods forty years ago, with an eminent brother minister now in glory, and we threaded our way by the spotted trees through the forests, then uncut and uncleared, to search for persons to preach to and places to preach in ; when w^e used to lie down in the w^oods by night in the blankets that covered our saddles for a bed, and the saddles themselves for a pillow. But, blessed be God, we kept not silence then — we kept not silence day or night ; and I speak it for vjur encouragement, dear young brethren ! I must, as I said, leave the walls very soon ; but let me tell you never to keep silence day nor night, in pros- perity or adversity. No, not even when it is night in your own souls. Why, here is an encourage- ment. It has been often found, and I iiave often felt it, that wlitn ministers have their worst times in preaching, they have been really the most suc- cessful. I remember that on one occasion in parti- cular, I was so shut up and so miserable in my own r.oul in preaching, that the words seemed as if they would not come forth, they were like icicles freez- ing iu my mouth ; but still I struggled on and on, and in the midst of my embarrassment I secretly said to Go'' , if he would but help me and grant me but one, one soul for my hire, 1 would never be 162 LISBON. unbelieving again, as I had been when I begun; and, lo ! the result was fifty additions in a short time. Oh. keep not silence— go on, go on in your darkest limes !" In the evening there was another service, when Mr. Woodman of Sutton preached, at 'the close of whose sermon an invitation was given to any who might be concerned about their salvation to come forward to the front seats, which were appropriated to such under the designation of anxious seats. About ten or twelve advanced to the spot, and were prayed for most fervently by different ministers in succession, who knelt in the aisles, and gave full vent to the impulsive feelings of the moment. Con- versations also were held from time to time with the individuals in question, some of whom, at the insti- gation of the ministers, publicly confessed their faults, and the evening terminated amidst much excitement. These den.onstrations were again ex- hibited, and on a ^' rger scale afterwards, to which I shall pres ntly r€h;». The next day being the sabbath, was one that cannot easily ^ i forgot ten. In addition to the usual attractions 'M' a denominational anniversary, tik presence of perarru from such distant })laces, Mr. Sutton from India, and myself from Europe, together with the proposed ordination of a mi-^sionarv to accompany Mr. Suttor on his return to issri, and of another to proclaim the gospel in tne valley of the Missisippi, wtre concurrent circumstances well calculated to awaken extraordinary interefi-. As an overflowing attendance was anticipated arrange' ments wer woods, wh annual, mi looked abr ing, I saw of our out rested like and a chill When the are we to i mony with throughoui forgetting monies in which the plates ?is s( vapours a^ agaii by 1 as if unwi thev witht ai jphithta: th3 I'viilg rest;" the existence a the hour w Ami^'i 'a, i Fr ^i-'s tl th^' love of : J plac appoiated cede*' or ♦'( grove, wh begun; a short in your :e, when close of I any who to come opriated us seats. md were listers in jave full t. Con- with the the insti- ed their st much -gain ex- to which one that the usual 3ary, tlie aces, Mr.i , together ionarv to Iss'i, and valley of nces well ref^t. As LISBON. 163 ments were made to conduct the services in the woods, which constituted it in fact at onc*i an annual, missionary, and camp meeting*. Wiien I looked abroad from my wii dow in the ea^ ly morn- ing, I saw what would probably prove a preventive of our out-door meetings. Vast masses of vapour rested like heaps of wool upon tLu mountain tops, and a chilly breeze portended descending showers. When the romance of feeling is awakened, how apt are we to imagine that all things must be in har- mony with our wishes and projects; and indeed, throughout life, and every day, we are foolishly forgetting that there may be otuer and Jiigher har- monies in the economy of providence, than those which the little selfishness of individuals contem- plates ?is so ^rnporlant. Sometimes the threatening vapours appeared to be retiring, and then clung agai:i by long and pendant arms to the summits, as if unwiilirj^ to depart. A.t length, however, they withdre" , revealing on*^ of nature's fairest a jphitht ds, in which we nad fixed an altar for til 3 I?viiig God. The day, was the day of *' sacred rest ;" the nlace, was the place no more of savage existeiu " and infernal immolations; the hour, was the hour when thousands and tens of thousands in Anii'ri 'a, and m many a land, encompassed their Fr ^*''s throne, with the sounds of worship, and til.; love of children. Tl? f;^ ii| ■"■ ; \ ■*,. .- ; •■., 1 i mttrnm 'i/'A'Jn:': -'-*t; 'M--' i.mi%'^: A -rt- -Jf- 164 LISBON. From north and south, from east and west they came ; like the predicted flow of earth's last and best population, " to the mountain of the Lord's house, which shall be established on the top of the hills." Here was a stream of people treading the verdant vale, and there a little company or family marching with a sabbath step, with " hearts burn- ing within them," like the disciples on their jour- ney to Emmaus— and yonder, a train of the small country waggons hasting down the slope, as if the very horses trotted along in sympathy with the happy worshippers they conveyed. The reader may now imagine himself entering the leafy temple. On the right, is an elevated stand of wood, on which five or six of the ministers have already taken their stations, while before and around you are long benches filled with the ever-increasing throng, and beyond them, many a modest worshipper or recent convert, forming the outer ring. Many of the waggons in the rear, are occupied with those who could not obtain seats, while the horses are let loose among the tree? arnj wander for a time at will. Some of the beautiiui beech and maple trees, too, stretch their arms to sustam the eager youth, or wearied saint and sage. A hynm is announced as the commencement of the worship, and anon, the voice of praise from 3000 worsldppers ascends to the skies, and echoes among the hills ! Heaven and earth are now adoring *' the Lamb that was slain !" After prayer, havin^^ been requested to deliver an intrr ictory discourse on the general subject of ,%;•?■. missions, I <' I am the solemn, ur service, coi then foUov to accomp; delivered a Immediate was perfor set apart fc ligious del roused by 1 An impress and advoc: reaching pi commence( spiritual oi churches I method of lation of tl sionary ent use, in sho every earn contest, the which has from Euro] evangelical future hist( In the al great inter missionary of Indian i LISBON. 165 missions, I preached from our Saviour's declaration, " I am the light of the world." The attention was solemn, universal, and unbroken. An ordination service, conducted on the usual plan in England, then followed, when Mr. Eli Noyes was appointed to accompany Mr. Sutton to Orissa. Mr. Sutton delivered an excellent charge to his young brother. Immediately afterwards, another ordination service was performed, when Mr. Benjamin F. Neely was set apart for the valley of the Missisippi. All re- ligious denominations are waking to this project, roused by the rapid extension of catholic influence. An impression has gone forth, that the supporters and advocates of popery, encouraged by the far reaching policy of the great European centre, have commenced a series of efforts, with a view to the spiritual occupation of the west. The American churches have determined on the only legitimate method of opposing these plans ; namely, the circu- lation of the scriptures, the encouragement of mis- sionary enterprise and itinerant ministrations ; the use, in short, of every spiritual, and the rejection of every carnal weapon of warfare. It is a glorious contest, the final struggle as we believe of one party, which has voluntarily transferred the battle field from Europe, and the victory on the part of pure evangelical truth, will furiiish a brighter page for future history, than Thermopylae or Salamis. In the afternoon of this day, Mr. Sutton excited great interest by p sermon, which was at once a missionary and farewell discourse. The specimens of Indian gods which he had been a customed to k'J 166 LISBON. exhibit in his journeys through the States with con. lis the great siderable effect, were once more presented to the |back. We multitude, whose mute attention, and weeping eyes, lyourselves. told the story of their compassion for the deluded Ipoor backsl millions of Asia. Imuchofthe In the evening, after a sermon by Mr. Marks of |ties, and m Portsmouth, an invitation was given in the custom- |phere becan ary manner to those who felt concerned about their souls to come forward to the anxious seats, that they might enjoy the prayers and • instructions of their ministerial friends. In a quarter of an hour, hut not without repeated importunities, about thirty-five persons, men fcud women, had complied. The mi- nisters, one after another in rapid succession, now knelt down in the aisle or pew to pray, with an occasional brief interval of whispering conversation with individual candidates, who were urged to speak and confess their sins. Both Mr. Sutton and Mr. Noyes engaged in this manner in prayer, each fol- lowing other ministers of the denomination. Every sentence or two was accompanied by loud responses from the assembly, with words or groans of assent, Thus they prayed, sung, confessed, and ejaculated, The impassioned character of the b applications was often astonishing for fervency and flow. The whole |ot glow, an atmosphere seemed infected with excitement, hiause my he gularly pers cious God re Some of thes thee ; they a eyes and hei mourners in quaintance c Lord, there peculiar int the syllables upon in a k difficult to ( verla — s — 1 irayer in pa y memory linisters. ] ntirely syn encompassed you, and forced you to breathe it. You seemed to have got into a new element of existence, The whispers or appeals to candidates in a subdued tone were often solemn, seasonable, and pointed nces fell ti ehemence a uy unaccust ipon us and Consider, you have taken the first step ; the first ^Y lace as t; step in religion is infinitely important; to be decided ouls, these LISBON. 167 ith con- i to the ng eyes, deluded is the great point. Go along, go along, never draw back. We pray for you, but you must pray for yourselves. Christ is the hope of the guilty and of poor backsliding souls." The devotions soon lost much of the character of a mere string of generali- larks of I ties, and in some instances, especially as the atmos- custom- Iphere became more glowing, descended even to sin- gularly personal and minute specifications. " Gra- cious God regard these souls — these mourning souls! Some of these are backsliders and are come back to thee ; they are brought with weep — weep — weeping eyes and hearts. Blessed be God for one of these mourners in particular, the aged man — an old ac- quaintance of mine of twenty years' standing. See, Lord, there he is, he is come at last." Words of peculiar interest were often marked by dividing the syllables, the first of which the speaker hung upon in a long, drawli g, vociferous accentuation, difficult to express on paper; as glo — ry, ho — ly, iverla — s — ting. The impassioned ardour of one rayer in particular can never be obliterated from ly memory. It was that of one of their chief linisters. I felt at the moment, that if I could not intirely sympathise — if from any scruples I could 'he whole pot glow, and burn, and blaze as he did, it was be- nent. Itjause my heart was frozen and dead. The utter- eit. YouJ^ces fell tremulously, and sometimes from their existence. )ut their hat they of their our, but lirty-iive The mi- ion, now with an irersation . to speak and Mr. each fol- I. Every responses )f assent. aculated. tions was I sul ehemence and rapidity, almost unintelligibly, upon bdued "y unaccustomed ear. " O Lord," said he, *' look L pointed. ; the first 56 decided pon us and bless us ! Our help is in thee ! We seek by face as thou hast desired ! O, look upon these ouls, these precious souls ! Here is a company of 168 LISBON. penitents and backsliders before thee ! Look upon these anxious seats, upon these humble mourners, these mourn-ers in Zion ! O my God, I am myself a mourn— a mourn-a mo— o— o— ourner ;" and here the speaker, with a >assionate utterance no terras can describe, and wnh a gradual deflexion of voice through the whole octave to the lowest note, fairly broke down with overwhelming emotion, and carried with him, as it seemed, the whole audience with their concurrent tears, sighs, groans, and ex- clamations. The effect was inconceivably powerful, and the whole expression, I am perfectly assured, most sincere. It was like the confluence and the sound of many waters. Desirous of investigating to the utmost the nature of those revivals, which have been so much both lauded and denounced, I was determined not to he satisfied merely with what I saw or overheard ; and therefore proceeded, with the permission of the ministers, to converse in a whisper with several individuals who had repaired to the anxious seats. My object was to penetrate below the surface of an outward demonstration of feeling, and to ascer- tain the inward sentiments and emotions of the mind. This I was enabled to do without attracting particular notice from the surrounding multitude, in consequence of the hum ai.d bustle incident toi body of people variously occupied, and in a state o( excitement. My recollections of what passed suh stantially, shall be limited to a brief report of two or three cases, which may stand, each as a specimes of a class, and, together, as an average of what i slide, pressic LISBON. 169 3ok upon I lourners, m myself] er;" and irance no flexion of vest note, )tion, and audience ;, and ex- powerful, Y assured, B and the the nature lucli both [ not to h eard; and on of the th several ious seats. rface of an to ascer- )ns of the attracting multitude, cident to a a a state o( lassed sub- ort of two a specimen of what ii developed in many revival movements. Entering the seat, then, and selecting my candidate, I in- quired, " What brought you here?" — " I was called upon to come." " Now, from the pulpit, or before ?" — " From the pulpit, by the minister." " Were you ever in an anxious seat before to-day?" — " O yes, Sir, but" " But what? Speak freely." — " I lost my religion — I am a backslider from God." " Did you feel, then, on a previous occasion as powerfully as you do at present?" — *'0 yes, but, alas, I have gone astray !" " What led you to back- slide, after professing the deepest religious im- pression?" — " The world, the pleasures of the world, and the ridicule of others." "You could not, then, renounce sin entirely ; you could not encounter a sneer and follow Christ ?" — " Only for a time. I mourn — Oh, indeed I mourn, that I have been a backslider." " But. 1 aving abandoned your profession once, you may do so again. This may be only a transient impression — another vanishing dream of religion." — " I hope not. I do wish and pray not. I am resolved now, and trust shall never backslide again. I see the vanity of the world, and the sinfulness of my conduct. I would be amongst the people of God." A second was less communi- cative, but seemed much affected. " Are you here for the first time ?"— " Yes." " What induced you to come ?" — " I wish to be prayed for." " Why ?" —Silence. " Do you feel sensible of the guilt of sin?" — Silence. " Did you ever feel any parti- cular desire after religion before?" — " No, Sir." " Then you have lived a worldly and careless life?" I 't!'?i£vti IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ■ii|28 |50 "^^ 111 12.2 2.0 1.4 1.6 6" / ^^ du^*^ ,*-ir*»r ■»■»-* 1 . 1 injuj^ciuiiio Sdedices Corpordtion 33 WIST MAIN STRUT WIUTH.N.Y. ;4SI0 (71«) •7a-4>03 ^V^ ^ ^ "^ ^*<^ "> .<5> ^ 170 LISBON. — " Yes." " Have you attended this or any place of worship before?"— *' Sometimes, —not often." " But never cared about your soul?" — " No." " V\ ell, what is your idea now ? What is the senti- ment or feeling that brought you here? What thought now affects you so deeply?" — " I wish to be prayed for?" To a third, " I hope you are anxious about your eternal concerns, as you appear in the anxious seat?"—" I am. I am a great sinner." " Have you come forward at any other time?"—" No." "Why now, then?"—" I have been asked, and urged to come, if I wish for reli- gion." " And so you wish for religion, and wish to be prayed for?"—" Yes." " But you must pray for yourself."—" I don't know what I feel." " What particular idea influences you, or what was it made you approach these seats?" — " I have been power- fully impressed." " With what?"—" With what has been said and done." " What has been said, that particularly impressed you?" — " Oh, the whole." " Well, what is then your sincere feeling and purpose?" — " I know I am a great sinner, and I wish to have Christ as a Saviour ; I wish to ex- perience religion." I would remark that this is the common phrase employed on these occasions ; they uniformly speak of experiencing religion, I have endeavoured to impart to the reader a correct idea of the respective conditions of mind in the three individuals introduced in the preceding narrative. The first appeared to me hopeful; the second doubtful ; the third satisfactory ; that is, so far as it was possible to form a judgment upon pre ^ses so slight, ( certainl secrets ( confess! tray the nature, tintially humility opinion sentimei a means to "jud, heat ma be unna plants, as solicit and the experim wise an( this test are solic despise ( constitut itself a[; understu when at ment of ] judicious My in this dene union, lence, an LISBON. 171 ly place often." -" No." le senti- What wish to you are I appear a great ay other ' I have for reli- l wish to pray for " What it made I power- th what en said, )h, the i feeling ner, and li to ex- lis is the is; they I have •ect idea le three arrative. second I far as it I'ises 80 alight, and with feelings so incipient. The stranger certainly was not qualified to intermeddle with the secrets of the heart, yet the manner in which the confessions of the tongue are made, may often be- tray the inward character. The sympathies of our nature, and the developments of piety will con- tintially, if not infallibly, enable us to perceive humility, or detect artifice. Whatever may be our opinion of particular measures, or whatever our sentiments on the general question of excitement as a means of religion, it ib the dictate of inspiration to '* judge by the fruits" that are apparent. Great heat may undoubtedly produce a rapid, and it may be unnatural, vegetation; but it will suit some plants. Let the promoters of revivals be universally as solicitous to form character as to promote feeling; and they will then have made the whole moral experiment. I ch ge them not, that is, the more wise and sober of them, with the abandonment of this test ; on the contrary, I know that many of them are solicitous for its most rigorous exaction. To despise excitement, when our mental and moral constitution obviously need it, and when Scripture itself appeals to the passions as well as to the understanding, would be folly ; to depend upon it, when at the best it can be but a means, or instru- ment of good, requiring a skilfui application and a judicious control, would be impiety. ^ My intercourse with the ministers and people of this denomination convinced me of their zeal and union. I perceived also much o. enlarged benevo- lence, and individual generosity of feeling. Their i2 ■MBI 172 WATERFORD. sentiments towards each other were eminently fra- ternal. Whoever was the preacher, he was equally cheered by every other. The puritanical manner appears to be very generally retained ; and it is combined with much of the primitive spirit. Their method of address is often pointed, and commonly vehement. They are in the main uneducated ; but are beginning to value learning, and to promote it. As a denomination, their views in some points, apd their practices in other respects, will, no doubt, be modified by time and experience. Section IV. Progress from Sugar Hill to Montreal. The road from Sugar Hill traverses Franconia, and runs parallel for some distance with a branch of the river Ammonoosuc to Littleton, a village whose white buildings appear in bold relief, on a back- ground of shadowy and pine-covered mountains. At Waterford we visited Mr. Stiles. He is, in the New Hampshire dialect, " a forehand farmer." Having made " a clearance," for himself, he has resided on the same spot for thirty years, and is liberally affording his support to a general baptist church in the neighbourhood. Milk was set before us, in a " lordly dish," from which we transferred it i3y means of a kind of saucepan to large basins. During this refreshment, a frankness and readiness of com instruct Cross Vermor structed ed the from th river. Conned new set fertility cultivati painted appropr sun alo] and the] heavens nounced worship The f thirty ii about 2( and mor soil beii turage. minated sea coas1 is divers; rivers, s Winnipi most cor an undi CONNECTICtT RIVER. 173 ently fra- ,s equally [ manner and it is it. Their ommonly ited; but 'omote it. >ints, apd doubt, be ' ranconia, branch of ige whose n a baek- lountains. ! is, in the farmer." If, he has rs, and is •al baptist set before ransferred ge basins. i readiness of communication were at once gratifying and instructive to the inquisitive stranger. Crossing the Connecticut river, we advanced into Vermont, through Ji onsbury, another elegantly con- structed and picturesque village, where we travers- ed the Pasampsic, a tributary of the Connecticut from the north, and then its tributary the Moose river. The coup cCceil along the valley of the Connecticut, is enchanting. The habitations of the new settlers, who are at once enjoying the natural fertility of this region, and diffusing it wider by cultivation, everywhere strike the eye. These white- painted and wood-covered dwellings, each with its appropriate barn and outhouse, glistened in the sun along the sides of the mountains, while here and there the spire of a rural church pointed to the heavens, and sustained the single bell which an- nounced, for many a mile, the hallowed hour of worship. The average population of New Hampshire is thirty inhabitants to a square mile, which gives about 269,000 to the state. They are industrious and moral. It is in general a grazing country ; the soil being difficult of tillage, and adapted to pas- turage. It is emphatically, a* d with justice deno- minated " the granite state." The extent of the sea coast is very limited, and level; but the interior is diversified by hills, and mountains, forests, rocks, fivers, and beautiful lakes. Of the latter, the Winnipiseogee, nearly thirty miles in length, is the most considerable. Numerous boulder stones, upon an undulating surface, display to the eeoloffical 174 DANVILLB. observer, proofs of the powerful operation of the diluvial waters. General remarks on the literary and religious state of New Hampshire are here omitted, as they will be most properly incorporated in the united account of the deputation, who subsequently visited another section of the state together. In the mean time, the reader may now accompany the writer to Danville in Vermont, the residence of the governor. Of the eight baptist associations of the state, com- prising about 125 churches, besides those which are unassociated, one is distinguished by the name of this town. I regretted the absence of the pastor of the baptist church at Danville, at the time of my visit, but found there a flourishing cause. I saw Mr. Jones, pastor of the congregational church, which assembles, though not very numerously, in a good sized building. He had come from England only in the last summer, and had been invited within a fortnight of his arrival, though a perfect stranger, to this place, where he is labouring with pleasing prospects. This circumstance is illustrative of the present state of the religious community, in many parts of the Union. Such is the want of ministers, that every one of good character and talent, from any shore, is eagerly sought and imme- diately employed. It may be affirmed, that in the north and east, as well as the west and south, '* the harvest is great, and the labourers are few;" and it would be laudable in Britain, which is more richly supplied, to " send forth labourers into the harvest." Let it be recollected, however, that the New Enc- WATERBURY. 175 on of the religious d, as they he united tly visited the mean writer to governor. ;ate, com- which are 5 name of pastor of me of my e. I saw I church, (usly, in a England n invited a perfect ring with lustrative tiunity, in I want of acter and nd imme- lat in the iith, " the r;" and it Dre richly harvest." J^ew Eng- land states have acquired a certain respectability of character, which demands, if not the most refined and elevated order of ministerial competency, at least that which shall combine knowledge, judg- ment, and zeal. Many of the churches have ex- perienced revivals of religion, and are vigorously supporting the system of Sunday school instruction, Bible classes, and missions. Mount Holly and Chester in the Woodstock Association, and two at Shaftesbury, in the Shaftesbury Association, appear to be among the most numerous churches. The first named of these, has been so remarkably pros- perous, that, although two considerable churches have been constituted by the secession of members, it still numbers between 400 and 500. The next town of any magnitude, to which the traveller arrives, in crossing the state, is Montpelier. The road passes through Waterbury ;* and through * My colleague, in his progress to New Hampton during a short separation, passed through this place, and communicated to me in a letter the following statement :— " At Waterbury, I paid a brief visit to Governor Butler, who, you remember, though a pastor in our denomination, had once the honour of being gover- nor of the state of Vermont. His eye is not so dimmed with ag3, but that you may clearly discern it was once expressive of the intelligence and energy equal to the responsibilities of such an office, however undesirable it may be to blend it with pastoral engagements. For ever let his name be honoured, among those who stedfastly determined, and laboured with untiring zeal, to disencumber the state of the burden of a religious establish- ment, and religion of the manifold evils of state patronage ! As we walked towards the town, he told me that, fifty years atXn Via rt]aafaA i^\\a iiwta^ t^nr^t- iw^ t\%lt, ^,^'liim.^i.^A Jtl^i.—!..^ .^1. ! —I. 176 MONTPELIER* Cabot and Marshfield, where a small baptist church is situated. The whole distance is diversified by the Green Mountains, and the windings of the Onion river. To give a beautiful stream, such a name is not in good taste, and though it might have been originally bestowed, on account of the odorous vegetable having been abundant on its banks, surely it might now be exchanged for something of more fragrant import. Montpelier contains 2,000 inha* bitants, and hides itself in deep seclusion amidst encircling mountains. A new state house, of great elegance, is erecting, whose dome, already con- structed, shines from afar. The church of " the standing order," or congregationalists, is near, with its usual accompaniments of steeple, bell, and wooden flight of steps : the latter being admira- ble contrivances for retarding the progress and soaking the shoes of the approaching worshipper in rainy weather. The term " standing order," refers to the compelled support of this party, by a tax in the township, amounting to a kind of semi-national establishment, which formerly gave great advantages to the congregational body in the states ; but the recent abolition of this exclusive support, has occasioned the more than proportionate increase of other denominations. At the time of my arrival in Montpelier, there was a considerable excitement in consequence of the was then all wilderness ; now his children's children are grow- ing up around him, to inherit the land and the hberties, they owe so literal! V tn thmr fatlifirs " visit of ligion 1 address pursued several to expre scene of when th( in more of spirit to all r( inaction recordin lepeated compelh he asked were sile Only sa; confesse( written d as so mi affirmati readily, j nagemen continue say you ] " There not brou will be n be damn minutes " salvation IHiliP MONTPELIER. 177 ist church ied by the ;he Onion a name is bave been ; odorous ks, surely ^ of more ,000 inha* on amidst ;, of great 3ady con- of " the lear, with bell, and y admira- ^ress and orshipper ^ order," party, by I kind of erly gave )dy in the exclusive lortionate ier, there nee of the n are grow- 3ertie8, they visit of a celebrated revivalist, one who drove re- ligion forward with a reckless fury. He was to address young people the same evening; and he pursued his systematic course of worn/ mechanism for several days. This term appears to me accurately to express the facts. I aftervrards came into another scene of his open tions, the effect of which had been, when the fermenting elements had subsided, to leave in more than one religious community, a residuum of spiritual coldness, bordering on a disinclination to all religion, and productive for a time of total inaction. From delicacy I conceal his name, while recording a specimen of his proceedings. After lepeated prayers and appeals, by which he almost compelled multitudes to repair to the anxious seats, he asked again and again if they loved God. They were silent. " Will you not say that you love God? Only say you love, or wish to love God." Some confessed ; and their names or their numbers were written down in a memorandum book, to be reported as so many converts. It was enough to give an affirmative to the question ; but many w ere not readily, and without continual importunity and ma- nagement, induced to the admission. He would continue—" Do you not love God ? Will you not say you love God ?" Then taking out his watch, - " There now, I give you a quarter of an hour. If not brought in fifteen minutes to love God, there will be no hope of you— you will be lost— you will he damned." A pause, and no response. " Ten minutes have elapsed ; five minutes only left for salvation : If you do not love God in five miraites I 3 178 MONTPELIER. you are lost for ever!" The terrified candidates confess— the record is made — a hundred converts are reported ! Let it not be imagined, that these are common methods of procedure, even amongst the most zealous revivalists ; but the tendency to similar ex- tremes is not very unfrequent. Fanatical extrava- gances of this description, are unhappily confounded by many, with efforts which are not only more sober, but unobjectionable and useful. In the esti- mation of the wisest and best of men, they disparage a good cause, and provoke some of them, asJ have found, to discountenance every movement which comes under the name of a revival. It is proper, however, to look at this subject with a just discrimi- nation ; to consider that the very counterfeit implies the existence of the valuable coin ; that there may be a holy, and assuredly is in many parts of America, a beneficial excitement which essentially differs from a fanatical commotion ; and that we ought not to undervalue, or be repelled from energetic measures which have the stamp of reality, religion, and scrip- ture upon them, by the indiscretions and impieties of spiritual mechanists, zealots, and alarmists. The road from Montpelier to Burlington, a dis- tance of seventy miles, has many 'attractions. It runs nearly parallel to the Onion river for several stages, and opens continual views, some near and others remote, of the Green Mountains, over whicb the everlasting forests are here and there inter- spersed, with patches of verdure and cultivation. In one place, the accommodating driver stopped his coft eh t templa throug natural dare tl rent. Apalac] traversi into pr ground river, tl general New Ha times w cones. are the the pre( general renownc of warli of their kind of peatedly Verm climate. agriculti religion mont, a J was mi mit of t pelier, j plain. < GREEN MOUNTAINS. 179 coach to allow the passengers a short walk, to con- template the magnificent sight of the river rushing through a pass so narrow, that the rocks formed a natural bridge of stones, where, if a man chose to dare the dangers, he might cross the foaming tor- rent. The Green Mountains are the highest of the Apalachian chain, except the White Mountains ; and traversing the whole extent of Vermont, divide it into principal declivities of broken or undulating ground; the one descending to the Connecticut river, the other, to Lake Champlain. T>^ey are in general more elegant in their fo ~i those of New Hampshire, being generally r - j1 some- times wearing a strong resemblan \lpine cones. The Camel's Hump and Kv,... VIount are the most celebrated ; the former, especially, for the precipitousness of one of its sides, as well as its general elevation. The Green Mountain boys are renowned for their resolution, and for various feats of warlike valour, which are detailed in the history of their country. This designation has become a kind of national badge, of which I heard them re- peatedly boast. Vermont is well watered ; and has a good soil and climate. The chief employments of the people are agricultural. Literature has done something, and religion more, fov this state. The university of Ver- mont, at Burlington, has acquired some celebrity. J was much delighted with its situation on the sum- mit of the hill, from which, in coming from Mont- pelier, you suddenly catch a view of Lake Cham- plain. On the opposite shore, rise the mountains of m I "i ii 180 LAKE CHAMPLAIN. the state of New York ; beneath which the lake, with its islets, the Four Brothers, the Jupiter, and Schuyler islands, seems to lie on its sylvan couch in sweet repose. At Brandon, there is a literary ai.d scientific institution, in which provision is made by the erection of separate buildings at a sufficient dis- tance for male ar.d female instruction. Vermont has also formed a state-convention, with its association of churches, and an institution auxiliary lo the Norther^ Baptist Education Society. Perhaps one of the most efficient instruments of good in the baptist deno- mination, has been the establishment in 182S, of a religious periodical called " the Vermont Tele- graph." Through the medium of this publication the people were informed of the progress of evan- gelical and missionary exertions, of which, scarcely any tidings had penetrated those regions. Interest was impiediately excited, zeal enkindled, and exer- tions made. The time is assuredly hastening, when the martial prowess and renown of the Green Moun- tain boys stall lose its splendour, amidst the sur- pa .sing gh i'y of a more spiritual generation, *' the soldiers of the cross," whose multiplying thousands, on the hills of Vermont, will be " valiant for the truth." When I glided up Lake Champlain in a steam packet, it was like a " sea of glass," which led me to meditate on the apocalyptic vision of " them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name," that stood on the emblematical " sea of glass, having the harps of God;" but, alas! how brough in ISl-^ awful c gloriou sway h war no Fron (a plac€ valued ations) to La C( houst; s zig-zag tween tl I had ih several : ierview. The gen moting i coiiversa I preach on the h ears and afternoo] Cham pis church-g In pu] passed tl This will ear; but seen stre LA COLLE. 181 1 the lake, upiter, and m couch in iterary ai.d is made by fficient flis- ermont has isociation of le Norther^ of the most .ptist deno- m 182S, of mont Tele- publication ss of evan- ;h, scarcely 5. Interest [, and exer- ining, when reen Moun- 1st the sur- Ltion, " the ^ thousands iant for the in a steam lich led me " them that nd over his number of ical " sea of alas! hois httle did the view of Cumberland Point, which brought recollections of the sanguinary past, when, in 1814, the English and American fleets met in awful conflict, harmonize with the imaginings of the glorious future, wh^ n the " Prince of peace" shall sway his universal sceptre, and "men shall l^r--^ war no more!" From Plattsburgh on the western side of the lake, (a place not worth looking at as a village, however valued by the mere traveller for its warlike associ- ations) I proceeded in a hired waggon of the country to La CoUe, the residence of Mr. Henry Hoyle. The houst; stands pleasantly about 100 yards within the zig-zag fence that constitutes the boundary line be^ tween the United States and Lower Canada. Here I had the gratification of meeting Mr. Gilmore and several friends, who came, for the purpose of an in- terview, from Montreal, a distance of thirty miles. The general state of religion and the means of pro-' moting it in the Canadas, formed the chief topic of conversation. On the following mornmg, Thursday, I preached at Rouse's Point, about six miles distant on the lake shore, to an assembled multitude whose ears and hearts seemed both to be open; and in the afternoon to a very respectable congregation at Champlain, who were convened by the call of " ^he church-going bell" in the presbyterian church. In pursuing my journey on the following day, I passed through a street of fourteen miles in length. This will doubtless fall astoundingly upon an English ear; but it is nevertheless the fact, and I have even seen streets extended to fifty or sixty miles. The 182 LA OOLLE. reason of this is obvious. A settler fixes on sor_a government grant of land, or, as it is sometimes called, a concession, cutting his way into the forest; another jjursues a similar plan ; then a third, a fourth, and so on. The road is of course length- ened as the habitations multiply, without changing the original designation, so that it may as well be- come a hundred miles as a hundred yards. A public inconvenience indeed results, which I bitterly expe- rienced on one occasion, namely, that of being un- able to calculate on the situation of a friend, who may be said to live in the street of such a city. The road northward from La Colle was lined on either side for many miles by French and Dutch houses, interspersed with a few English, whose inhabitants had con^e from Lancashire and York- shire. I was pleased with the spontaneous second growth of the woods along this level country ; the larch and spruce firs in particular vegetate in ele- gant forms. It is a singular phenomenon, that as soon as a tract of country in America is cleared, unless the plough prevents, a new forest begins to spring up, but of a different species from the aboriginal trees. Let the oak be felled, and lo! the maple, the birch, or the fir shall arise. Do the seeds or roots .omain in a state of quiescence for centuries, like the living toad embowelled in the rock, and with elastic force push upward into being upon the removal of the superincumbent pressure ? So it should seem; but the law by which this circumstance is regulated, seems in both cases a mysterious one. Soil dug from great depths will frequently become at once produc- MONTREAL. 183 is on sor_a tive, and by the same principle of vegetative spon- taneity, the mud from the bottom of the Delaware covers itself with white clover. Perhaps the most remarkable fact is, that when portions of the banks of Newfoundland emerge from the ocean, as they have often done, becoming flats of dry land, as, for example. Sable island ; they soon exhibit a planta- tion of forest trees. Whether the seeds are in the soil, or floated to it, let the naturalist determine. Mendicity is surely matured in this country. Beg- gars scorn the European fashion of standing by the way-side with a tattered hat, to solicit the poorest donation ; on the contrary, tliey drive their trade with such planned and orderly management, that they take their frequent, perhaps weekly rounds in a cart, to collect contributions in the shape of joints of meat and potatoes ! Section V. Montreal—Journey through the woods qf Lower Canada to Chatham, Breadalbane, and Fort Covrington. At La Prairie I found myself on the banks of the river St. Lawrence opposite to Montreal. It is nine miles across, sailing in a diagonal lire; the direct distance may be seven. The approach from this point is exceedingly imposing, as the cathedral, with the other churches and buildings of the city catch the eye and sparkle in the sun. It is true they are only covered with tin or britrht shingle r h.,f ♦!,«« 184 MONTREAL. shine like silver. A lofty hill rises in the back- ground 700 feet in height, through whose smiling verdure the white mansions of the wealthy here and there peep forth. We passed near Nun island, whose lovely bowers, and closely-shaven lawns would remind one of the descriptions of paradise, were it not for the superstition and error that cast their deep and doleful shadows around. Montreal is situated on an island in the St. Law- rence, at the distance of about 180 miles from Que- bec, and is nearly as large a city. The number of inhabitants approaches 35,000 ; and being the chief seat of the fur trade, it is continually increasing in importance and population. The houses are buihof stone ; the streets are well paved ; some of them are wide, but many are narrow. The majority of the in- habitants are French; the rest are Scotch and Irish, with a few English. Many are the gay triflers that haunt the city, and, as some one has said, it is place where "nobody may become somebody." I witnessed, while here, one of the great Catholic festivals, and could not help perceiving in it an occa- sion of the deepest sorrow. The city was nil in com- motion, while the streets were paraded by priests in gorgeous dresses perfumed by incense. Instead, however, of giving my own description, I will re- quest the reader to peruse the account of the Mon- treal Gazette, bearing in mind while he reads it, that this was a religious service conducted on the sabbatkl " The jjrocession of Corpus Christi which took place on Sunday morning last within the city, with thej usual solemnities of the Roman Catholic churchj MONTREAL. 185 proceeded from the parish church through Notre Dame-street towards the Bossecours church, and returned along St. Paul and St. Joseph-streets,'hait- ing on its way at the Congregational nunnery, the Bossecours church, and the Hotel Dieu. The band and an officer's guard of the thirty-second regiment attended upon the procession, as did also a sufficient escort of the volunteer cavalry, who made a fine soldierlike appearance. The bishop of Telmesse, it was expected, would have been present at the cere- jmony, but it was supposed that the state of the Iweather detained him at the lake of the Two moun- tains, and the duty of carrying the sacrament de- volved upon the Rev. M. Quiblier. In the after- noon the same ceremony took place from St. James' hurch, where the bishop of Tabarca officiated, Escorted by Captain de Bleury's rifle company."— Bands, regiments, rifle corps—and all this parade bder the name of religion ! To increase the profa- fcation, there was a central canopy, with a large biece of glass in the form of a human eye, having bid or silver rays emanating in all directions, in- serted in the front curtain, behind which walked a Inest personnting Deity! for how else could it im- |res8 the gazing multitude, who were taught to call I "the all-seeing eye?" And, to crown the folly U the madness, protestant gentlemen joined the pief procession of the priests, in order to subserve political object! How different was the scene to which I was privi- ked to retire with the christian friends with whom m 186 MONTREAL. I had become associated ! From this popular tumult we hastened to the humble dwelling of the worship. ping assembly. In the morning I preached to the baptist congregation, and in the evening to a very numerous audience in the large American presby- terian church. The afternoon was devoted to the Lord's supper. There was no procession — no noise — no cavalry with their soldierlike appearance— no rifle corps — no holiday-making multitudes admirinj? they knew not what, and rushing hither and thither they knew not where ; all was peace and love and joy ! It was a sacred spot — the'festival of holy souls. Even *' babes and sucklings were there, out of whose mouth God had ordained praise ! " Youth and age were remembering in that hallowed hour of comme- moration, their common Lord, and anticipating the everlasting fellowship of heaven ! The annals of the baptist church show, since its formation in 1831, a clear increase in the first year of sixteen, in the second of eleven, in the third of thirty-four, and in the fourth, of twenty-seven. A Sunday school is connected with this society, and a missionary fund is established, which has aided several home missionaries, and from which I had the pleasure of receiving a donation to the Baptist Missionary Society at home since my return. Th« members of the church are chiefly English and Scotch, with a few Irish and a few Americans; and there is a prevalent attachment to protracted meetings and revival eftbrts. I cannot satisfy my self without briefly detailing a few interesting con- versions with su< Prairie. James had bee mother i the paste school cl with whi he could and add] tion — say their teai rise up ii attention evening, eyes, and to receiv He becar his soul ; was a dan ments. i: and spoki death, in j proposed affecting e few senter often sowi have wick that I shal xuc cm 3ular tumult the worship. Lched to the ig to a very ican presby- ^oted to the n — no noise sarance— no les admiring • and thither id love and f holy souls. out of whose uth and age r of comme- cipating the w, since its be first year the third of y-seven. A >ciety, and a L has aided kvhich I li the Baptist eturn. Th« ^Inglish and Americans; ► protracted satisfy my^ resting con- MONTREAL. 187 versions which have recently occurred in connexion with such meetings held in Montreal and at La Prairie. James,* is a boy of thirteen years of age. He had become unmanageable, and his father and mother were heart-broken. On one occasion, when the pastor of the church was addressing the sunday- school children, James had a long stick in his hand, with which he was striking the children, as far as he could reach. The pastor fixed his eye on him, and addressed him personally on his awful condi- tion—saying he was the child of pious parents— their tears, their prayers, their example would soon rise up in judgment against him. He feigned in- attention to the address, but after the sermon in the evening, came forward, the tears streaming from his eyes, and expressed a wish to be prayed for, and to receive instruction on the subject of salvation. He became evidently and deeply concerned about his soul ; but being a youth of violent passions, there was a dangerous irregularity in his religious move- ments. Some time after, he called on the pastor, and spoke of Jesus Christ, and the design of his death, in a manner that surprised him. It was then proposed to pray, and James at once engaged, with affecting expressions of penitence and fervour. A few sentences were as follow :--" O Lord, thou hast often sown the seed of thy word in my heart, but I have wickedly thrown it out, and I am so wicked, that I shall do it again, if thou dost not prevent; rru. iiic enure u&uicti me supprcBBed from motives of delicacy. 188 MONTREAL. O Lord, keep thy word in my heart now! The devil has often taken the word out of my heart, but, O Lord, if he come again to do so, don't let him!" From this time, he became steady in his attention to the subject of religion, a thorough change of temper and conduct ensued, and he, who had been the pest of the family, became its ornament. His father and mother, both members of the church, declare that the change is not more pleasing to them than it is marvellous. They admire the grpce of God in him. His views of acceptance through Christ are very distinct. He speaks of Christ with great solemnity and energy. This, indeed, is not astonish- ing, when it is recollected, that the boy had often felt the uncontrollable character of his passions, and despaired of having them subdued ; but faith in Christ has released him from their tyranny. His anxiety for the salvation of others too, is become steady and ardent. John, is another boy of a very violent temper. His age is twelve. The great aversion which he manifested to religion often alarmed his parents. If asked whether he loved Jesus Christ, he used to declare he did not, nor did he like to go to worship, It was too plain to his parents, that he was waxing worse and worse. They became exceedingly dis- tressed, and having felt unusual earnestness whes praying alone for him, they agreed to appoint spe- cial seasons to pray together for his conversion. A protracted meeting came on about this time ; and as he expressed a desire to attend, they gladly allowed him. He attended with evident interest, and favour- able imj morning prayer i press ob While ti pectedly ploring < and fron soul — hi earnest- One nigl utmost c instructi( his mind ing he ca peace in prayed w said to h away, an( and wish of the go after reli^ lieving, si that parer is great, 1 most exen attention, and the cc appears e: st." He was answered, " There is one method i lasting andpuhave not tried." " What is that?" " Faith in lesus Christ." " Faith ?~0h, I never thought of ourhood, hadpat—l see it clear. Yes, I can now pray." He to the gospel|ent into his house, called together his wife and erally knowPWren, and in their presence, poured out his heart that having jrsion to the d. He was Bry insolent t converted, the church, declared his leed, Eliza," tension, but ery interest- asking him m the world, 192 MONTREAL. unto God. A few days after, when relating the circumstance, he said, pointing to a large huildingj " Before I believed, it was as if that building had been pressing upon me ; but on believing, I enjoyed immediate relief. I am happy ; had the God of providence bestowed the empire of China, how in- significant, compared with the mercy he has shown me !" Towards the close of the protracted meeting, he rose up in the presence of the whole assembly, and addressed them in an impressive and affecting manner ; referring to his former life, and declaring, that as he had been so notorious in wickedness, he felt that he owed to them and to God, this pubhc confession. My interview with him was most gra- tifying as it furnished an opportunity of witnessing an intellectual infidelity, fading and dying before a heartfelt piety. The state of things in the church was, at the period of my visit, somewhat peculiar. Mr. Gil- more, their pastor, had a deep impression on his mind thPt it would be more advantageous to the general cause of religion for him to itinerate in tlii country, than to persevere in the more restncte labours of his station in Montreal ; and the peopli with affectionate readiness, were disposed to conci with his own wishes. Nothing could be more dii interested, or primitive in its spirit, than the pas tor. proposition ; and to my repeated intimatioi that a provision for the support of his family fro. smne quarter was requisite, he as often answered « T am willing to cast myself on the care of Frov^ dence, and trust in the Master I serve." In the MONTREAL. 193 relating the ^e building, uilding had! g, I enjoyed I the God of I na, how in- e has shown I ted meetin?, le assembly,! md affecting [id declaring, ekedness, he I, this public as most gra- of witnessing ying before! was, at the T. Mr. Gil- ession on his Lgeous to the inerate in tlie ore restricted id the people )sed to concu be more dii than the pi d intimations lis family /r< 'ten answerd care of Provi ." Inthecoi ferenees we held, the propriety of the separation being recognized, I was consulted upon the question of a successor ; and after much deliberation, and a knowledge of all the peculiarities of the station, I ventured to recommend my friend, Mr. Newton Bosworth. He was at that time in the neighbour- hood of Toronto. His acceptance of the proposal, has afforded me great satisfaction, and by a brief extract from a letter, which I have recently re- ceived from him, the reader will become acquaint- ed with circumstances as they now exist. " I had four or five places to preach in on the sabbath around my residence in Yonge-street, (Toronto) some of them belonging to the methodists, who have broken up more ground than they can cul- tivate : and the same, or a greater number in Dun- das-street, during my short residence there, among the remains of a baptist church (fifty-five members), which I was invited to take the charge of, and re- gather. They had been looking at the states for help, and I believe are doing so again. Had I had more time, perhaps I could have done something there ; but I was obliged to employ ' six days in labour,' and secular matters ; and this was one reason why I thought Montreal would be more eligible, as it will give me all my time to devote to the great cause. Can any thing be done to aid us? I mean with regard to the colony generally. The Montreal church can support itself, and perhaps do a little beside. Mr. Gilmore is now engaged in the work, having taken a house at Clarence, on the Ottawa. With respect to his plan of preparing natives for the work, I told him he had better K 194 MONTREAL. begin, if it were but with one. I found he had done 80, as you knew ; and I found also that two had been in his house, had gone forth, and become most use- ful labourers. Being about to remove, he could not, it is apparent, continue his attention to this object, but suggested that I might with advantage attend to something of the kind. Whether my other duties will permit me to undertake it, or do all that ig requisite in it, I am doubtful ; but it is singular and encouraging, that four or five young men, two of them inde[ endent in circumstances, and respectable in themselves and their connexions, and all but one able to support themselves, have signified to me their wish to come under a course of instruction, for the purpose of going forth to preach the gospel. But we want many more, and we cannot expect all, nr even many, can support themselves ; and hence the recessit; of a fund, or society, to which, m the case of promising young men, recourse could be had at once. Can you or -ny of our friends show us how any thing can be done for these great ends^ Now is the time. Lose a few years, and profaneness and infidelity ^:-ill overrun the land; and it may take a century to regain our present position." One of my reasons for wishing to transter Mr. Bosworth from Toronto to Montreal, here developes itself. It was his adaptation, not only to occupy the particular post to which he was invited, but to assist personally in that superintendence of evan- i«__i _xr — Arr, ^rVi\nlk T Tiprppivftd were essential to geUCHi UliUits, TTiii^.i ^ ^ the spiritual necessities of Canada. This subject will be resumed hereafter JclSS ed LA CHINE. — THE RIVER OTTAWA. 195 had done ) had heeii most use- could not, his ohject, ^ge attend ther duties all that is igular and len, two of 'espectable all but one fied to me L'uction, for ;he gospel, expect all, and hence lich, in the le could be iends show ;hese great years, and L the land; [)ur present ransfer Mr. ?e developes f to occupy rited, but to ce of evan- essential to rhis subject On the 22nd of June, I left Montreal, accompanied by Mr. Gilmore, on a journey into the interior. We crossed a portion of the isle of Montreal to La Chine, where we embarked on what is inaccurately termed the Lake of St. Louis, whose pretty bordering of low wooded lands was surveyed at leisure as we sailed along. We met manv boats laden with potash, flour, and wheat, that had fearlessly descended the rapids, and were scudding before the wind. Oppo- site La Chine, is seen the Indian village of Cough- nawaga, several of whose copper-coloured inhabitants were our companions, and conversed together in their own language. Many of the rough lumber men of the river were also on board, and several Frenchmen, who were fiddling and dancing. At the extremity of the isle of Montreal, we crossed the line oi the two great rivers into the Ottawa. I express it thus, because its junction with the St. Lawrence is strongly marked by the long line of its dark brown-coloured waters contrasting with the bright green of the latter river. At Vaudreuil, we passed through a lock to avoid the rapids : these, with the graceful sweep of the river, expanding into an apparent lake, with rocks and islets scattered over its tranquil bosom, constitute a perfect scene of fairy land, loudly demanding, what America seems slow to furnish, the pen of the poet, and the pencil of the painter. Just before emerg^lng into another expanse, called the Lake of the Two Moun- tains, Isle Tourte, or the Pigeon Island presents its soon hpailfl'fill fry T»m on A f^r. i\jiiau,\ ''iiexice transported to the Indian village of Gannestaugh, K 196 LA CHUTE. inhabited by the Iroqucis and Organqui tribes, t is lamentable to find that, in these villages, the only religion introduced is the Koman catholic, whose imposing forms have been allowed, without d.,- turbance or counteraction, to leaa capUve the.r ignorant population. We landed at Canllion and rode magnificently in a cart to the hospitable home of Mr. Richards, at St. Andrews, whose dismteres- edand benevolent applications of property I will not attempt to record, lest it should inflict the pa.« of an unwelcome publicity. Here we were lulled to sleep by the waterfall of the North River^ Impatient to penetrate the recesses of a wilder- ness, where an extraordinary power of religion had evinced itself, the earliest arrangements possible were made for the purpose. Having reached La Cliute, in a waggon, we immediately procure horses. Adorting all the needful precautions agamst the attacks of the insect tribes, whose territories w. were about to invade, and mounting a horse of ui,- questionable capacity to march, leap, plunge or stumble over trees, boughs, roots, stones, gullies, marshes, and mud holes, we set forward. In traversing the woods, there is something pecu- liarlv pleasing in its rural sounds and associations. Instead of the brick buildings and the smoke of. city, with the stir and bustle of eager traffic you hav; the glory of the vegetable world, with its forest empires, and leaf-crowned monarchs. Your ears are saluted by the hum of innumerable iving at« ard your eyes attracted by the splendour of the.- vViiigB, the thouirlits are elevated to Him bes. It the only ;, whose out dis- ve their lion, and ble home dnterest- ty, I will the pain I lulled to a wilder- igion had possible ached La procured ns against itories we ►rse of un- )lunge, or s, gullies, liing pecu- sociations, iinoke of a raffic, you h its forest Your ears ang atoms, ur of their j ;d to Him MM Ill < X H < X u H < O c • o o X u X I CHATHAM. 197 < X H < X u H o c • o o X u X I whose power and goodness have produced them all, " whose tender mercies are over all his works," and who has constituted each, — tne very minutest that flits in the solar beam, or through the shadowy ^Qod, — capable of an enjoyment proportioned to its little life and limited sphere of being. And in pur- suing the train of reflection, suggested in such cir- cumstances, which conducts from the wonders of creation to the manifestations of redeeming mercy, how grateful to the pious wanderer is it to realize in the ever present Deity, at once the God of nature, and the God of scriptui e ! In these solitudes, the mind is also singularly and pleasingly affected by the sound of the woodman's axe, as he aims his destructive blow at some lord of the forest ; his occasional call to the oxen, which have been yoked to the rude car that is to bear away his treasures ; and the ram's horn that echoes through the woods from afar, to announce his meal, or solicit his return. Here and there, as we pro- ceeded, we found a lonely cottage, and invited its inmates to attend a meeting, which we intended to hold that day at the school-room in tiie township of Chatham f which was the first object of our present adventure. This place had been distinguished by a religious movement of the best kind, and at the time of our visit exhibited the most gratifying evi- dences of the prevalence of a spirit of piety. The christian reader will sympathise with the joy which 1 felt in ascertaining ihe following facts, and hold- ing a meeting of such privileged intercourse as I shall describe. 198 CHATHAM. i- A few mdividuals of the baptist denomination were scattered over this wilderness ; but having no minister, and being almost entirely destitute of re- ligious means and opportunities, they had sunk into a state of spiritual lethargy. Lately, however, they had been desirous of a visit from some christian minister, when my friend, Mr. Gilmore, determined to go, and added to the announcement of his inten- tion the following words :— " Now, dear brethren, in order that the visit may be useful for the conver- sion of souls, much will depend on your possessing the spirit of prayer. Let a good portion of time be spent in prayer for a blessing on the preaching of the word." This appeal made a deep impression; and the following incident was connected with it. In a house near which we passed, and which 1 could not but regard with emotions of interest and grati- tude, lived one of these now christian families. The son about this time was continually missing at night. This circumstance, in a solitude so wild, and at a season when the ground was covered with snow, occasioned uneasiness. These nocturnal absences continued, but the cause could not be ascertained, What companionship had he formed ? What conduct did he pursue ? At length maternal anxiety, that fountain of blessing to the world, was roused into action. Night after night had elapsed, when his mother determined to follow her retiring son at a sufficient distance to be unseen. Over the snow, and over the brook, and into the forest she went after hii" ; and there was he observed, bending the knee of fervent and solitary prayer for a blessing on m CHATHAM. 199 approaching meeting; imploring the communica- tions of the Spirit, and the revival of religion ! The mother and the son had already professed it, and subsequently all his brothers and sisters have turned to God and are members of the church. The youth in question is now engaged in preparatory studies for the christian ministry in one of the theological colleges. The people from this time associated for frequent prayer, and there was a general preparation of mind for the effort which had been contemplated. Though scattered like a few sheep in the wilderness, they soon felt the enlivening influence of devotional union, and the appointed season for a series of public services was welcomed. The first meeting was held on a Tuesday evening, when a sermon was delivered from the words, *' As soon as Zion tra- vailed she brought forth children." The ensuing days of Wednesday and Thursday were devoted to prayer and preaching, when it was intimated that private conversation would be held with any who might desire it. From ten to twenty persons ap- peared to be under deep concern, and in the after- noon a considerable number expressed the most pungent convictions. The officiating ministers, Gil- more and Fraser, were surprised with the frequent and almost general inquiry, " What shall I do to be saved ?" Friday and Saturday were occupied as be- fore, at which period several had obtained consola- tion. On the sabbath Mr. Gilmore was left alone. Public worship was begun at ten o'clock in the morning, but he was coiiipeiied to cOBtiaue it till 200 CHATHAM. i''i four in the afternoon. The people were repeatedly told the service was concluded ; but none of them would move till Mr. G. was unable from fatigue to persevere. After an interval of two hours, the solenn engagements of the day were resumed, and extended to nine or ten at night. Again and again individuals approached to the desk to represent their heartfelt anxieties, and to inquire after the way of life. Be- fore the close a particular address was given to those who were ready, by standing up, to intimate their decided reception of the peace and mercy of the gospel . Seventeen young men and five women pre- sented themselves. Every one of these has con- tinued to this day ; about ninety have since joined the church ; the flow of feeling is unabated, and conversions frequently occur. They have now a settled minister, Mr. Edwards, whom I had the pleasure of seeing, and who afterwards accompanied us through the woods. Such is the zeal of these good people, that nothing deters them from imme- diately professing religion when they feci it ; and last winter, having made a natural baptistry by cutting through the ice, when the thermometer was fifteen or twenty degrees below zero, eleven of theui, on a very stormy day, professed Christ by baptism. Upon our arrival we had agreed to invite the people to a conference in the school-room, where I was to appear in the character simply of Mr. Gil- more 8 friend, lest these children of nature should be embarrassed by the announcement of a delegate from England. A free conference ensued. Many of the speakers were very young, but were ready to confess and prai I shall interesti specimei there, si ing, and whelme( peace ( - ofChrisi that lab( rest.' I and that believe ( two win made fo amidst i He had 1 was enti When h then, he room to he was people speak a where tl period ; nued, ho different passed v> he begai I should tried to tin CHATHAM. 201 peatedly of them Ltigue to e solemn extended lividuals heartfelt ife. Be- 1 to those ate their y of the men pre- has con- ce joined ited, and ^e now a had the ompanied of these ml imrae- ;1 it ; and itistry by oaeter was n of them, ■f baptism, invite the (1, where I r Mr. Gil- I should be egate from [any of the ■ to confess and praise the God of salvation. To avoid prolixity, I shall omit some details which might otherwise be interesting, and which the occasion called forth. A specimen or two may suffice. A youth said, " I sat there, sir, near the pulpit ; Mr. Fraser was preach- ing, and led me to see the evil of sin ; I was over- whelmed with sorrow." " And what gave you peace ?" — " As I went home I thought on the words of Christ which I had heard, ' Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' I saw that Christ was able and willing to save, and that I had nothing to do but to come to him and believe on him." Another stated that he had lived two winters in a shanty (that is, an inferior log hut made for temporary accommodation in the woods), amidst abounding wickedness of every description. He had been conscious of some sense of religion, but was entirely withdraw^n from it by bad company. When he came home to visit his mother now and then, he found that she and others went to the school- room to worship ; but he refused, because he thought he was as good as they. Sometimes he met the people on their return, when one and another would speak a passing word about religion, and mention where they had been. Still he persisted for a long period ; but at last was persuaded to go. He conti- nued, however, altogether unimpressed, not only in- different, but hostile. But the thought of what had passed would occur to him in the woods, and one day he began to consider, as he was working, " What if I should die ? What would then become of me ?" He tried to subdue the emotion and to get entirely rid K 3 202 CHATHAM. of it ; but it rose again in his mind. He reasoned and struggled, and would not yield. Having by some means obtained a bible (I think one his mother had given him) he threw it open carelessly, in a kmd of paroxysm produced by inward conflict. His eye fell upon the following words in Deut. xxviii. 15, " But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I com- mand thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee." He then wished most earnestly that some one would kill him, that he might escape the misery which he felt. " Peter M'Farlane," said he, " after this talked to me, and quoted that passage, ' Who is a God like unto thee, pardoning iniquity,' which proved life to my soul." I watched with the utmost vigilance, every thing that passed around me during this conference. There was not a man, woman, or child, in the crowded assemblv, that did not manifest entire sympathy with alHhat was said and done. There was not an eye that did not weep or sparkle with emotion. It was t\w, atmosphere of revived and spreading re- ligion. All was simplicity in manner and diction. There was no reserve, yet no ostentation ; a per- vading humility, and no artifice. Each seemed to speak as freely before a hundred others, as if only one were present, and as if each other's experience had been (and this, indeed, was the fact) the subject of familiar conversation ; so that they were neither arrogant, nor asiiiimua. m^y «j^j^-^«it?.t themselves to be members oi one family; and to my THE BUSB. 203 J reasoned ig by some LOther had . a kind of [is eye fell 15, " But ^rken unto e to do all ch I corn- shall come len wished [ him, that t. " Peter to me, and unto thee, ) my soul." 3very thing nee. There le crowded ! sympathy was not an [notion. It reading re- md diction, ion ; a per- il seemed to s, as if only 3 experience ) the subject «rere neither lYed to feel r; and to my view, were at once the children of unsophisticated nature, and of saving grace. One little boy of eleven years of age, had given indubitable proofs of his conversion. He was blind from his birth ; but he beheld " the glory of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." This poor sight- less, but believing child, was to join the church on the ensuing sabbath ! From Chatham, we had to beat our way for four- teen miles through the bush; fourteen hundred, might, in some parts, have been travelled with less difficulty and inconvenience. Bush, is the Canadian term for the dense forest and tangled wilderness. The woodman is said to go into the bush, to labour; the emigrant goes into the bush, to clear away and settle; and the traveller passes through the bush, if he can, in his adventurous journey. The Indian used to trace his course by spotted trees, that is, trees which had been notched by the hatchet ; and when any information was to be transmitted, he drew some characters on the bark of a- cedar, and deposited his letter in its hollow trunk or br'^'^'^h. Mr. Gilmore, Mr. Edwards, and myself, wua two christian friends accustomed to the country, con- stituted our cavalcade. Were I to introduce stories of personal adventure, I might here refer to the awful plunges of my poor animal in deep hollows of mingled mud and decayed vegetation ; and I might represent the narrow escape which I had, of being crushed between two monstrous trees, by the sudden rush of my horse up a steep, without thought of his rider, to avoid a perilous passage ; 204 THE RIVER OTTAWA, or were I to indulge in general description, I should be tempted to pourtray many a giant of the forest, felled by the irresistible hurricane, and shivered by the fierce lightning of heaven's awful thunder-storm, and would try to give some idea of l..dt sense of helplessness, in the all-encompassing silence and solitude, which is felt when left for a few minutes alone, waiting for the guiding sound of the horn to collect our scattered forces— but I forbear. We at length reached Granville, a small village, situ- ated at the Long Saut Rapids, on the Ottawa river, whose beautiful face we were again gratified to be- hold. Previously to our arrival, as the night began to cast its darkness over us, I was repeatedly amused by the eff'ect of the fire-flies. Thousands and tens of thousands of these little creatures flit about in the gloom, and seem to emit sparks of light, which are ever and anon enkindled and extinguished. At one instant, I could scarcely divest myself of the impres- sion that I was approaching the city of Bath, as I have seen it with its lamps all lighted, from the top of the hill in coming by the western road, so ap parenthj distant were the brilliant and beautiful scin tillations of light ; the next, however, I too surely found myself, not in Bath or England, but in the recesses of a Canadian forest ! From Granville, we proceeded for a few miles up the Ottawa, and relanded on the opposite coast, at Lorignal. A project is in embryo, for the construc- tion of a canal of 400 miles in length, for the pu- Tjn-s" ^f ^/^nnonfmo- thp Ottawa with Lake Huron, by which 1000 miles at least, of the lake course will I should le forest, ivered by er-storm, sense of ence and I minutes the horn ear. We iagc, situ- iwa river, fied to be- ght began ly amused > and tens )out in the which are I. At one lie impres- Bath, as 1 )m the top >ad, so ap- utiful scin- too surely but in the w miles up te coast, at e construc- )r the pl^ s Huron, by course will I 13 < o z » < n a < p be saved of which are some small hu tations ; also set I and opei great de property treal, a t property Our r region o another the coui peopled, the who] moral d( had the Measure It is a their va' to them, English, while it their pa order to to be CO] When pastoral a vifToro at thai t BREADALBANE. 206 (6 < < n a < be saved. We saw on our way several timber rafts, of which many are floated down the river. They are sometimes of great extent and value. They build small huts of bark upon them, as temporary habi- tations; six of these were erected on one raft. They also set up planks perpendicularly to catch the wind, and operate as sails. The storms frequently spread great devastation among them, and occasion loss of property, sometimes of life. When I was at Mon- treal, a thousand pounds worth of this description of property was destroyed by a hurricane. Our next object was Breadalbane, la the forest region of Glengary, which had been distiaguished as another scene of the revival of religion. In general, the country through which we passed, was thinly peopled, and places of worship were distant. In fact the whole presented an aspect both of natural and moral desolation. After no inconsiderable toil, we had the satisfaction of reaching our destination. Measures were taken as before to collect the people. It is a Gaelic settlement, and in that language their valued minister, Mr. Fraser, always preaches to them, though both he and they are acquainted with English. This happily facilitated our intercourse, while it was occasionally necessary to refer, through their pastor, to their own modes of expression, in order to ascertain with accuracy, the idea intended to be conveyed. When, in 1834, Mr. Fraser was set apart to the pastoral office, the church did not appear ^o be in a vigorous state • but some ""ood was effected P-vem it that time, in consequence of the appropriation of 206 BRfiADALBANE. 'tl! the greatest part of two days to public worship. One young man, in particular, appeared to be con- verted to God; and he subsequently became the in- strument of enlightening others. Afterwards, the church, at the instance of the pastor, appointed a day of fasting and prayer. God was in the midst of them. It was a season of deep humiliation for past lukewarmness, and solemn resolution for the future. A general concern for the salvation of the soul was awakened, and when the question was hereafter put respecting the origin of their religious emotions, the common answer was, " at the time of the fast day." In the month of October, a protracted meet- ing was held, and the whole settlement was affected with the deepest concern. Some instances of con- version were peculiarly gratifying. From several before me, I select one. An old soldier, who had fought under the command of the Duke of Welling- ton in Spain, was among the first to manifest the power of religion on this occasion. His counte- nance had, during the whole day, been expressive of the greatest mental distress, and at night, when the meeting closed, he said to several friends,— *' 0, do remember me in your private devotions, and on the morrow." His simplicity and earnestness were such, as irresistibly to enforce his request upon everj person he addressed ; nor was he remembered m vain; for he went to the morning assembly, cab, and happy. He said, that after passing the whole| night in a state of inexpressible anxiety, he went ont about five o'clock to give vent to his feelings in solitary prayer. On his return home, he took up the Nev chapter perceive Saviour, afterwar he had r devotion obtaininj course o addresse that his made thi period, I tian. I part of Bread interview Their m jWere chi with the but no; took anc pure and [paring a {intense, Iverse as jreat ro( eady. ' semicii remari feet as i my we I BREADALBANE. 207 3 worsliip. to be con- ime the in- wards, the ippointed a [16 midst of on for past the future. le soul was ireafter put 3 emotions, of the fast acted meet- kvas affected nces of coil- rom several »r, who had of Welling- nanifest the His counte- ixpressive of ' [it, when the Is,— *' 0, do J, and on the | 3S were such, upon every I iiembered iii| ambly, calm, ig the whole I , he went ont s feelingH in! , he took up the New Testament, and began to read the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. He immediately perceived that Jesus Christ was suited to him as a Saviour. He believed and found comfort. It was afterwards discovered, that the several persons whom he had requested to pray for him, were all engaged devotionally on his behalf at the very time of his obtaining *'joy and peace in believing." In the course of the day, he stood up in the assembly, and addressed them in so artless and affecting a manner, that his narrative dissolved them in tears, and was made the means of much lasting good. Since that period, he has been a consistent and zealous chris- tian. I enjoyed the company of this good soldier part of the way to Glenelg. Breadalbane is a place never to be forgotten. My interview with the people was brief, but delightful. Their narratives, their emotions, their simplicity, were charming. I conversed with them, prayed I with them, wept with them, and bade farewell — but no; they followed from the house, they over- took and surrounded me, the willing captives of a pure and spiritual affection ! The horses were pre- Iparing at some distance, and though the sun was lintense, religion, awakened into exercise by con- [verse as we walked along, was " as the shadow of a (reat rock in a weary land." The horses were not eady. They paused; and forming themselves into semicircle, of which I was accidentally the centre, remarked, " Instead of parting, you seem to col- lect as if a sermon were to be preached." *' And t»Ry we not have one ?" they asked. The appeal 208 priest's mills. was irresistible; and while I discoursed for a short time on the words-" I, if I be lifted up, wdl draw all unto me"— they listened— wept-and welcomed a doctrine, ever old, yet ever new,-the attractive efficacy of the cross. We parted agam-perhap for ever in this life ; but with the blessed and oft- expressed expectation of finally associating in the perfect and blessed state! I had now enjoyed the fairest possible opportunity of witnessing the influence of religion on unsophisti- cated minds. It was the iirst growth of piety in hearts untrained by the refinement, and unseduced by the deceptions of society ; and it was truly re- freshinif and Instructive, to see the genume teach- ings of"the Spirit, sanctifying the passions, and el^ vating the soul above the world. Tlie etfect wa, a wonderful transparency of mind, and an extraor- dinary combination of humility, Mai, and holy love. Oh, how finely did these lilies and roses grow ,, this garden of the Lord in the desert Mr. Fraser accompanied us on foot, six m.k through the forest to Glenelg, where we found < lodging at the house of a Highlander who had com two-and-forty years before, to carve out a subsisten*, for himself in the then unexplored wilderness. H. could not speak English intelligibly, nor we Gaelic so we speedily retired to rest. At another place in our further advance tl.ioagl this wild region, called Priest's Mills, a very d* rent state of things existed from that which wo h Veccntly witnessed at Breadalbane. The corderl roads were uut m ilHi'iiiV ^..^„ «,;fTi flie rinle and b»P iiXJiij TT 1- »r FORT COVRINGTON. 209 barous condition of the people. Vice and supersti- tion go hand in hand there, and spread moral ruin. In the sober seriousness of folly they assemble an- nually to practise one of the greatest absurdities that ever entered into the human mind. Magis- trates and people alike infatuated go forth in battle array, penetrate the forest, and with all the farcical solemnity of a savage barbarism, proceed with mus- kets to fire, as they express it, at the devil ; and then fence with swords, as if it were a real and visible contest. Their ignorance and irreligion are such, that they will fiddle and sing Highland songs even when the priest is in the pulpit, and as a part of worship. It seems as if superstition sat here at ease on her throne, as conscious of security amidst the Ifastnesses of the inaccessible wilderness. We proceeded through Alexandria to William's [Town and Lancaster. In the midst of fine forests [were frequent clearances, and excellent farms. We lad now veered round again to the St. Lawrence. iLancaster is situated on a swell of that noble river, which is denominated the Lake of St. Francis. We look a small boat, by which we were conveyed ten liles indirectly across this lake, and five miles up Ihe Salmon river to Fort Covrington — the third |cene of a remarkable revival of religion, which it lad been my object to visit. This happy event had bccurred about fifteen months previously to my Irrival ; but, at this period, the tide of feeling had jonsiderably ebbed. Their valuable minister, Mr. lafFord, was unfortunately absent from home. My smporarv residence was at the house of Mr. Willis. '^1 i''i; 210 FORT COVRINGTON. where I enjoyed free intercourse with various friends, and many of the converts. The case of one of them furnished a direct evidence of the power of prayer. He had been an universalist in theory, and a worldling in practice. Religion was, in fact, an object of dislike : its requisitions were resisted ; its principles altogether misunderstood. " He loved idols, and after them he would go." During the protracted meetings, his father and mother, who deeply deplored his irreligion, entered into an en- gagement with several others to make their son the special object of prayer. He became aware of this ; unwonted anxiety followed upon deep and frequent reflection. The Holy Spirit illuminated and sancti- fled his mind. Conscience was aroused; reason was convinced ; and at length the heart yielded. His danger startled him ; the remedy attracted him; he repented, believed, and obeyed. All this he told me, with many minute details of the various mental operations which had taken place during the pro- gress of that conviction, which had now ripened into the maturity of faith. ^ The following occurrence was of a striking cha- racter. When many hearts were glowing with love to God and souls, during this sacred season, it m t«-opofled to arrange a visit to every family m the iettlemerrt, for the purpose of conversing about their religious state, and requesting them to attend the meetings for prayer and worship. This proposal was immediately acceded to, and carried into effect; each person having his district assigned him. T^ blaeksmiths were living in the town ; b«tu of tnu. notorious scarcely were eqi other; a by rivals christian being av retreated escaping exposed was fast( it before with hin and kin< half pro for once. hostility at last entreaty and, to I were ble first req frequent shippers knew of i the strec j Each thi I for ridic I in nearl I have bei least tr i:\> FORT COVRINGTON. 211 th various case of one le power of theory, and in fact, an esisted; its " He loved During the lother, who into an en- ;lieir son the i^are of this ; .nd frequent I and sancti- sed ; reason !art yielded. tracted him ; [ this he told irious mental ing the pro- now ripened striking ch«- ing with love season, it was family in the ersing about lem to attend This proposal 3d into effect edhim. Two bolii or tiK-o notorious for profligacy and profanation. One ccmld scarcely utter a sentence without an oath. They were equally notorious for their hatred to each other ; a hatred which was continually exasperated by rivalship in business. When some of the christian friends went to one of them, the man, being aware of their design, left his forge and retreated to a back room, for the purpose of escaping from his house, that he might not be exposed to an unwelcome solicitation. The door was fastened, and in his haste he could not open it before the messengers of mercy came into contact with him. Unable to resist altogether the courtesy and kindness of the appeal, he stammered out a half promise to go to the revival meeting, at least for once. In the end, whatever reluctance and even hostility had been at first manifested, both were at last persuaded, by affectionate and repeated entreaty, to attend. To each it was a novel sight ; and, to each, the word and ordinances of religion were blest. From a hesitating compliance with the first request of the christian visitors, they became frequent, and, at last, constant and eager wor- shippers. Each heart was regenerated ; but neither knew of the other's change. One day, they met in the street leading to the place of prayer and praise. Each thought the other was going from curiosity or for Hdicule. They paused — a short dialogue ensued, in nearly these terms — " I think," said one, " we have been living long enough like devils ; let us at least try to live like men ; I confess I have been „■. >» 212 FORT COVRINGTON, wrong : I see it-I feel it-I have found Christ and religion." They wept, and rushed to each other. Both had '* found the Messiah -."—hands and hearts were united— enmity was gone-the love of Christ constrained them, and the fellowship of truth united them for ever ! Tliey hastened together to the assembly : they soon gave evidence of the re- ality of their faith ; and the wondering neighbour- hood exclaimed, " This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes!" Ever since that period, they have lived in friendship, and mamtained a christian consistency of conduct. Section VI. Upper Canada.— magara.— Camp Meeting. On leaving Fort Covrington, I traversed a mus- quito wood, in the intensest heat I have ever felt ?o the Indian village of St. Ridges; whence 1 proceeded five miles across the river in a canoe, impelled by a single Indian, to Cornwall My con- ductor was unable to speak a word of English, The skill with which he drove on the little crazj vehicle, as straight as an arrow, and with a switt- ness analogous to its flight, surprised me. went up the St. Lawrence in a steam-packet to Brockvilie, where Mr. and Mrs. Wenham kindly compelled ine to remain for a few days. The town,^ which « beautifully situated on the slope of a nm, coniu;. an episc( them, I i By ret crossing enabled, Ogdensb confluent Neither large ; b' of them . two assc Associat: associatii crossing struck ii had an o the scho( tance of teen. T the coun to receiv questeu I I the chur whom I I to their without I have pre regularl; supper i [prayer n [attended OGDENSBURGH. 213 Christ and iacli other. } and hearts e of Christ ) of truth together to J of the re- neighbour- ng, and it is that period, laintained a eting. jrsed a raus- ve ever feh, \ ; whence 1 • in a canoe, all. My con. I of Englisli, le little crazj with a swift- in e. I went to Brockville, compelled mei wn, which is] liill, contains an episcopal and presbyterian church ; neither of them, 1 fear, in a very flourishing condition. By retracing my course about twelve miles, and crossing to the American side of the river, I was enabled, in company with Mr. Wenham, to visit Ogdensburgh, a small but thriving village at the confluence of the Oswegatche and the St. Lawrence. Neither the presbyterian noi the baptist church is large ; but respectable families are attached to each of them . Ogdensburgh is in connexion with twenty- two associated cliurches, called the St. Lawrence Association, containing nearly 2,000 members. The association is in a state of general prosperity. Re- crossing the river, we came to Preston, and thence struck into the woods. In the district of Augusta I had an opportunity of addressing a large assembly in the school-room, of whom some came from the dis- tance of eight or ten miies, and one no less than fif- teen. This shows at once the moral destitution of the country, and the eagerness of its thin population to receive the word of life. After the services, I re- questeu a conference with the people who composed [the church. About twenty or thirty remained, from I whom I learnt that there had been only one addition to their number in two years, and that they were without a pastor or the regular worship of God. They have preaching on an average, about once in a month regularly ; at other times occasionally. The Lord's supper is administered about once in two months ; prayer meetings are held once a fortnight, but are ill lattended ; a missionary prayer meeting is maintained Pfirt » 214 BROCKVILLE. 1111 iii once a month on the sabbath evening. There is also a Sunday school, consisting of forty children, but there are others in the neighbourhood under the care of the methodists. About four years ago, fourteen or fifteen were added to the church in consequence of a revival meeting. Many of those with whom on- versed on this occasion, appeared to be persons of ardent piety, valuing the means of grace and anxious for a n.ore abundant supply. In such remote regions we sometimes read a whole volume of the peopleV history in a single sentence. So it was on this occa sion In retiring from the place a young man hast- ened up to me, stretched out his hand, and, with glistening eyes, exclaimed, " Oh, sir, I had an ague and fever, and thought I could not come to-day ; but the services have made me well now !" The bare mention of the distances of some of the insignificant hamlets or villages, will give an ideaof the scanty population, and the wide field that pre- sents itself for itinerant labours. Beverley is twenty five miles north-west from Brockville ; Garanoque thirty miles west; Yonge nine miles west-north. west I was gratified with an opportunity of addreBS- ino- some christian friends and some young people at'the Rev. Mr. Smith's, who had removed from his ministerial charge at Kingston to keep a school at Brockville. On the evening previous to my depar- ture, I preached in the presbyterian church. Brock- viUe would be an excellent place as a residence and centre of operation for an active evangelist. H« ^a>.«*o „r^Mlrl liP sustained bv the co-operation of zealous ai wildernes ertion. Thevoj performe< to obtain opportuni sand isles gation of great lenj IS a medi tries, inlai character its lovely rocks liav play in eti I ripples, r( as one of vers. Kir is another the head- Iplace itse] Iconversati |Murdoch, liles dist )arty, an( Iheir own 3ensable J |o unite m [his place jlace on t lute, Wol: KINGSTON. 215 here is also ildren, but ler the care fourteen or sequence of irhom on- persons of and anxious aote regions the people's >n this occa- g man hast- 1, and, with had an ague ! to-day ; but ^some of the Lveanideaof eld that pre- iey is twenty- ; Garanoque I west-north- ty of address- /^oung people )ved from hi! ;p a school at to my depar- arch. Brock- residence and ingelist. His ►-operation ofl zealous and judicious friends, and the far-stretching wilderness would furnish a sphere of illimitable ex- ertion. The voyage from Brock ville to Kingston is usually performed in the night ; hut I was fortunate enough to obtain a steam-packet by day, which afforded the opportunity of enjoying a view of the celebrated thou- sand isles, which at once perplex and beautify the navi- gation of the St. Lawrence. Without adverting to its great length and width, and its general importance IS a medium of communication between vast coun- tries, inland seas, and the Atlantic ocean, — its intrinsic characters, its fine sweeps and lake-like expanses, its lovely shores, its rich variety of isles, islets, and rocks having more or less of verdure, around which play in eternal dalliance little whirlpools, eddies and ripples, render this one of the most attractive as well as one of the most magnificent of the American ri- vers. Kingston, which we reached in a direct course, is another of those towns which I should propose as the head-quarters of an itinerant missionary. The place itself is considerable and thriving. I had much Iconversation with Mr. Robinson, and also with Mr. iMurdoch, the congregational minister at Bath, a few liles distant. The methodists are the predominant )arty, and though the baptists would gladly sustain heir own denomination, they feel it at present indis- pensable for the enjoyment of religious ordinances, [o unite with that body. Were an itinerant fixed in ihis place or vicinity he might visit Barrafield, a pace on the opposite side of the river wholly desti- ute, Wolf Island, Amherst Island, and other places. i: 216 TORONTO. A clergyman is paid fifty pounds a year for preachmg at the latter, who, I was informed, delivered about two or three discourses in the year, when he could cross on the ice from Bath, the ice heing at the time very smooth and sleighing very pleasant. I reconi this in sorrow, not in contempt; by no means mtend- ing to reflect on a whole hody of men. At Kingston the stranger enters the Lake Ontario, one of the mighty chain of inland seas between Ca- nada and the United States. A though the smata of them, it is 180 miles long and forty broad^ Lake Superior is the largest in the world, bemg 360 miles in length and 100 in breadth, comprehending a sut- face of 24,000 square miles. Owing probably t. the general elevation of these If ««. *«y are vetj subjLt to storms. I was pleased with the beautiful colour and fine taste of the water of Lake Onta™ on which I spent parts of two days and a nigh We touched it Coburg and at Port Hope, and a length reached Toronto, the seat of the governmej of Upper Canada. Till recently it was called Y<«k but it has now acquired its former name, which l| understood to be an Indian one, signifying, n^ out of the water." If this were indeed the appelh tion, it is correctly descriptive ; for it is situated « a dead flat on the very edge of the lake, and tk approach to it is impeded by a long shoaly le- stripe of land extending several miles. The onl; redeeming circumstance is, that it forms the bo.. dary line of a ve.y extensive harbour for sh.pp T„ '' . 1 T ♦bmio-Vit flp.nse pnd heavy, butii inhabitants afi&rm it is a healthy place. It is on l very bor( street ex are six p appreher the meth A plei brought fifteen n ated on t in itself, 126 feet feet. Il Canada t oftheBi on the 1 which I What Falls of them ? the refle lows — w] i majesty i day in th I in the ge ' >ne oJ it lustr I such an 1 land the [islands, t Iheard th( everlastii '^aters, a FALLS OF NIAGARA. 217 r preaching ered about en he could at the time ;. I record eans intend- ike Ontario, between Ca- the smallest road. Lake ng 360 miles inding a sur- probably to they are very the beautiful iake Ontario, and a night,! Hope, and at e government ,s called York, ame, which 1 fying, " rising id the appellal b is situated oi lake, and tk g shoaly leve les. The onlj brms the boui ir for shippii L heavy, but tl ;e. It is on til very borders of immense forests, into which Yorige- street extends fifty or sixty miles ! Although there are six places of worship, the state of religion, I am apprehensive, is not at present very thriving; but the methodists are active in the neighbourhood. A pleasant sail of four hours across the lake brought us to the village of Niagara. The Falls are fifteen miles farther. Midway is Queenston, situ- ated on the banks of the river Niagara, insignificant in itself, but distinguished for Brock's monument, 126 feet in height, standing on an elevation of 270 feet. It was erected by the legislature of Upper Canada to commemorate the depth of the commander of the British forces, in an action with the Americans on the 13th of October, 1812, the circumstances of which I have no disposition to record. What writer ever spent three or four days at the Falls of Niagara without attempting to describe them? Who that ever saw the rainbow created by the reflected sunbeam from the mist-encircled bil- lows — who that ever beheld the smoke moving in majesty amidst the still air, like the pillar of cloud by I day in the wilderness of old, or rising and spreading in the gentle breeze of night, like an incense to the " >ne of heaven, now obscuring, now reflecting the it lustre of the moon — who that ever witnessed at I such an hour, and alone, the sudden war of elements and the flash of the lightning across the river, the [islands, the woods, the rapids, and the cataracts, and [heard the thunder blending its awful voice with the everlasting dash and rattle and roar of the gathering raters, as they fret and foam and rage in convulsive L Ii\ 218 FALLS OF NIAGARA. aoony, while hurried down the precipice into a fa- thomless gulf— who that ever crossed the fearful r)assages, penetrated the woods of Goat Island, ajid set his trembling foot upon the triangular extremity of the wooden bridge on the American side that overhangs the great Fall itself, in an unprotected solitariness of elevation, where the senses, sight, hearing, feeling, are at once overwhelmed, and where insignificant man, without wings to assist or sustain his flight, seems in adventurous darmg to emulate the so: ig eagle-who that has beheld and feU and wept over this great work of Deity, but would wish to convey to others his own overwhelm- ino' and inextinguishable impressions ?— But no, 1 shall not attempt it. Let imagination supply the place of description. It is an epoch in existence to have seen Niagara! Occasionally some hapless sufferer has been pre- cipitated down the Falls. The event, however, is rare but it occurred within a short period of my visit' and I became acquainted with a gentleman who'was an eye-witness. Two men were attempt- ino- to cross from Tonawanta to Chippewa, Upper Canada, whe ^ they were carried by a sudden gustof wind into the rapids above the Falls. They imme- diately deserted their scow or boat, and swam fora temporary refuge to the shoals, a mile and a hi from the shore. On this precarious footing, up t« tht-r necks in water, they maintained their positi amidst the foaming currents for some time, shoutm . , „ ., A __„ ^^A TTrlpll lint, off to ♦•^""i aloud tor aia. ^ hui^^ iiai»v- -.-.-- ^ relief, but one of his oars broke, and he was ob to pull ba the attem The other log of wc shore. I useless, strained I reach of i in despai] sistible ci the dread peatedly : rock in tl the terrac thought) was I rea of concer life is en affected 5 irreligion they, till On th( attending It from the an open s a tliousai vided, tc I preachers tions flue lor five I I heard th] V'-n 15 CAMP MEETING. 219 into a fa- he fearful sland, and ■ extremity L side that nprotected ses, sight, lined, and to assist or i daring to beheld and Deity, but overwhelm- —But no, 1 supply the existence to is been pre- however, is eriod of my I gentleman ire attempt- )ewa, Uppei dden gusto(| They irame- d swam for si le and a half ooting, up to their position ime, shoutinJ lit off to theiij e was obM to pull back with the other. His brother then made the attempt, and succeeded in saving one of them. The other, wh i my friend saw, swam to a floating log of wood, ^ jvliich he endeavoured to reach the shore. It soon became apparent that his efforts were useless. He lifted up his imploring hands, and strained his feeble voice, till, as he swept beyond the reach of human assistance, he appeared to lie down in despair and resign himself to his fate. The irre- sistible current carried him on, and he plunged into the dreadful abyss ! Of this catastrophe I was re- peatedly reminded, by the sight of a small piece of rock in the midst of the rapids, which, as seen from the terrace of the pavilion, very much (at least so I thought) resembles a small boat. Again and again was I ready to 'jxclaim, " Oh, why are men so full of concern, and so speedily alarmed, when temporal life is endangered ; and why, alas ! are they so un- affected at the imminent danger of the soul, by irreligion and impenitence ! Oh, how careless a»| they, till the very crisis of their fate arrives !" On the 5th of July, I had an opportunity of attending a camp meeting of the primitive metho- dists. It was held in the woods, about half a mile from ^he Falls ; but was not upon a large scale. In an open space, capable of accommodating, perhaps, a thousand people, some rough benches were pro- vided, together with a temporary stand for the I preachers. Severa^ assembled, and the congrega- tions fluctuated from between two or three to four lor five hundred. They met at nine o'clock, I heard three sermons in the morning. These were l2 ^M 220 CAMP MEETING. delivered with veliemence of manner, and, as 1 thoucht, in several instances, with rather too great freedom and coarseness. I hope, however, tk some of the appeals, which were really cogent, were not unavailable. After the first sermon, another preacher stood up, and enforced its sentimente b, reiterated admonitions and illustrative anecdote, This I afterwards found to be not uncommon, anj when skilfully managed, produces a good effect, On this occ ion t"^ had been, " The wicked „ driven awa .u .-,! wickedness; but the nghteou, hath hope "in .. . death." The preacher, who ap. nended his own observations, related h.s personal knowledge both of a painful and a pleasing eveul The former was that of an infidel, who had enterd into a friend's house, booted and spurred, and » reply to the question, " where are you gomg? w.4 a marked and intentional sarcasm upon h.s fneu , religion, said, in a style of profane nonchalance, 1 am going to ride to the devil." He had proceed^ pnly four n.iles, when his horse threw h.m. H. lived three days. " His groans, exclaimed th. preacher, " still ring in my ears-he was drive, 'away in his wickedness.' " The ^econd narr t, j furnished a remarkable contrast. One of the.r loj preachers was proceeding to an appo.n ment. train of waggons, as he was crossing a ra. -road w over him. Both thighs w»re broken, and h.s he, lacerated and bruised. H. was immediately take to Sunderland. On the way his wife ttew to « him.a.,d when she perceived his hopeless conditio^ inquired with p.'sionate eagerness, " Jonu, u«,v | ixuiiiexiui CAMP MEETING. 221 itwith your soul?" "Oh!" he replied, " Oh, i^iy dear, all is well — all is well !" and he expired. This man had " hope in his death." After the second discourse, a two-fold prayer meeting was announced ; upon which the ministers divided, and sang, as they descended from the plat- form in two directions, " Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched," &c. The people also divided, and formed themselves into a circle round each minis- terial party. All sung and prayed, alternately, [several times, within hearing, but without much interruption. In one party, two would occasionally I pray at the same time, apparently prompted by the intensity of their feeling. To unaccustomed ears, this was confusing, and to persons addicted to dif- ferent habits, would doubtless be objectionable ; but to those who frequented this assembly, it seemed so familiar a practice, that no one manifested surprise; land the sense of indecorousness, which the spectator Ifrom afar might naturally attach to it, was neu- Itralized in some degree by the general appearance [of a deep and pervading interest in these devotions. The prayers were ardent and solemn ; but unhap- )ily sometimes contained unmeaning and extrava- gant expressions. " Help us to get into God," was ^liree times repeated, with similar phrases ; as well as the following, — " O that the devil may be scared right out of the place ! May the devil be scared ight out of the field!" This is recorded, not lor the purpose of exposure, but of caution ; and particularly to suggest Ihut leading ministers of the piiiiexion should, both for taste and relfgion's »ake. 222 CAMP MEETING. avoid whatever is repulsive to sensible or cultivated minds, and whatever is calculated to sanction th« barbarous extravagances of ordinary men. In the afternoon, other services were conducted, and subsequently a love-feast was celebrated in the small chapel. On this occasion, they partook only of bread and water; and both ministers and private christians related many circumstances connected with their own religious experience, or the instances of conversion of which they had been witnesses. One of these was very striking in its details. The minister who related it was one of three brothers, who, in their successive conversion, had been long and most violently opposed by their parents. They met continually, and secretly, at night among the apple-trees of the orchard, for prayer; tillat en^h father and mother, with the whole household be- came believers. His two brothers are at this time preachers of the gospel in the United States. ^ The small baptist church, at the village ot Niagara, fourteen miles from the Falls, is in a^so- Itfon ;ith nineteen others. They have sevem^ ordained ministers and four licentiates. At the recent annual meeting, held at Sonierset, % sanctioned and sustained missionary, ract, bund^ school, and educational societies; an.l passed res. lutions for prayer and effort agamst slavery. Th district of Niagara extends from ten miles above BfamsviUe, in Clinton (which is witbi-tifteenin ' of the head l^^k^ 0»«/r^:l XSl south-west of borl Bne, cu.i.t;. ^^-r, - ; of at least 140 miles. It has only four mm.ster., three ord have larg' their lab preached extended lane, nea; church w members this, he April las good. A board, in manence, things is that if sii country, be able their suj years, m board in at once J the capa It may b tions of 1 Adjoii tensive : the rich< ness in lakes, C Huron i increasii Here th NIAGARA. 223 cultivated iction the • jonducted, ,ted in the rtook only md private connected le instances witnesses. tails. The e brothers, I been long ints. They , among the ill at length isebold, he- at this time bates. i village of s, is in asso- vc seventeen s. At their nerset, they ract, Sunday passed reso- lavery. The miles above I fifteen mile? it forty miles •ircmiiference >ur ministeri three ordained and one licentiate. Three of these have lar^ families, and receive little or nothing for their labours. Mr. Winchell went in 1831, and preached for some time at Queenston ; but soon extended his efforts to Drummondville, or Lundies- lane, near the Great Falls. In less than a year, a church was formed, consisting of more than thirty members, denominated Queenston church. After this, he left for Canada, where he laboured till April last, when he returned with many tokens of ffood. Application has been made to the missionary board, in New York, to place him there for a per- manence. In this letter, which I saw, the state of things is thus depicted : " We wish to assure you, that if suitable missionaries were established in this country, and constantly employed, they would soon he able to obtain from the people a great part of their support ; and, in the course of two or three years, might obtain the whole, and even assist the board in sending missionaries to other places." We at onco perceive, in these few words, the necessities, the capacities, and the dispositions of the people. It may be taken as a picture of many extensive por- tions of this country. Adjoining the territory called Niagara, is an ex- tensive region, denominated the London District, the richest, perhaps, in natural soil and Droductive- ness in Canada. It is situatod between the tliree lakes, Ontario to the east, Erie to the south, and [Huron to the west and north; and is every day increasing in population, and rising in importance. Here the substantial fanner is cultivating his land, 224 LONDON DISTRICT. iill and springing into opulence ; but the churches, generally young and feeble, wanting ministerial aid, and superintendence. This is a noble field for a man of tact and talent. Here, as elsewhere, they complain, that on applying to England for help, they are told that they must look to the States on account of their proximity ; and on seeking aid from the States, they are reminded that they are in the British dominions, and should look to English libe- rality and zeal. The complaint indicates the fact— they have claims on both, and both should assist them. Then, aaain, there is to the northward the Huron tract ; but though it is also fast peopling, there are at present only two roads in the country, diverging towards Gore and London from Goderich. At this place, an episcopalian clergyman is resident. Those portions of land which were originally set apart as clergy reserves, for the benefit of resident clergy- men, are, by a recent provincial act, made available only to those who were at the time resident. This decision arose from the immense influx of poor curates, who were tempted to emigrate to secure the advantage of such an offer. At this town, there is also a methodist, and a presbyterian minister of the Scottish kirk. The eye is wearied in looking northward from this region to the Indian territory, and thence across the Georgian Bay, an outlet of Lake Huron, to Mississaqua on the right, and the Great Mani- toulin on the left, and onward still to unknown regions overspread with lakes, swamps, and forests, THE CANADA8. 225 ! churches, isterial aid, field for a w^here, they d for help, e States on ing aid from ' are in the .nglish libe- s the fact— lould assist I the Huron r, there are r, diverging ih. At this ent. Those set apart as lent clergy, de available dent. This ux of poor te to secure town, there 1 minister of hward from and thence .ake Huron, jrreat Mani- :o unknown and forests, which may, nevertheless, one day be inhabited by yet unborn myriads of our fallen race, whose terri- tories, the religious efforts even of these our times, and of us their predecessors, well and prayerfully conducted, may be the means of covering with spiritual fertility ! Section VII. General Remarks and Recommendations with Reference to the Religious Culture of the Canadas. Before quitting the British provinces, I would offer a few remarks. A brief preliminary statement of the general features of the country itself may assist in the formation of a correct estimate of its moral necessities, and of the nature of those efforts which are most advisable for its religious ameliora- tion. Canada is divided into two principal parts, deno- minated Upper and Lower Canada, by the river Ottawa. The former extends to the northward of the great lakes, and comprises 140,000 square miles, with 300,000 inhabitants, that is, about two to a square mile ; but since they are located on particular spots, and not regularly diffused, such an estimate does not at once convey to the mind an adequate idea of some vast regions of almost untrodden soli- tude, and others of comparative populousness. From the eastern frontier to Lake Ontario, 170 miles, the sunuce is netiiiy an uniiorm ievei ui great beauty, L 3 nil ' >i>iy 226 THE CANADAS. intersected by innumerable fertilizing streams. A rido-e of heights, but of no considerable elevation or breadth, rises on the northern shores of Lake On- tario, from which the land rapidly descends to a level and productive tract, extending to Lake Huron. The settlements are chiefly formed in the finest part of the province, lying between this lake and the river Niagara. The soil is attractive to an agricul- turist, being a fine dark loam, mixed with rich vegetable mould. The climate is peculiarly salu- brious; winter being shorter in duration and less rigorous than in the Lower province, the pring earlier, and the summer less intense. Epidemic diseases are rare. The population, generally speak- ing, is of English origin, but the Dutch chiefly oc- cupy the vicinity of Burlington Bay, that beautiful and celebrated termination of Lake Ontario to the west. Lower Canada, consisting of 200,000 square miles, with 600,000 inhabitants, giving an average of three to the square mile, lies north of the St. Lawrence, and stretches into unexplored regions. The only section that is settled, is the vale of the St. Lawrence, enclosed by two ridges of mountains, running from south-west to north-east, separating its waters from those of the northern and Atlantic declivities. The climate is severe; having winter and stimmer in extremes. The mildest part, and the most fertile soil, is in the upper and more southerly district?, At Quebec, the seat of government for all the Bri- tich Doasessions. spring is six weeks later than at Montreal, though the distance is only 180 miles. The inh£ and thei the Eng] their ow of gener Thecc ranee ar in the mi titute of do exist, Catholic under its and aboi twenty-e excelleni the chur and Mo] forty, ai vinces. and in tl The cone than ten fewer mi 14,000 < preacher will bapi of Lowei Lawrenc reached miles of comprise want of \ THE CANADAS. 227 reams. A evation or Lake On- lends to a ke Huron, finest part :e and the m agricul- with rich liarly salu- n and less the pring Epidemic ally speak- chiefly oc- ,t beautiful tario to the [uare miles, ige of three Lawrence, The only . Lawrence, inning from vaters from k^ities. The summer m most fertile] 'ly districts, all the Bri- iter than atj 180 miles. The inhabitants of this province are chiefly French, and their language is commonly spoken ; of course, the English, Dutch, and a few other settlers, retain their own. French gaiety sparkles on the surface of general society. The common people are in a state of great igno- rance and superstition, being wretchedly deficient in the means of education, as well as deplorably des- titute of protestant preaching. Even where churches do exist, there is a frequent destitution of pastors. Catholicism is prevalent, 400,000 at least, ranging under its banner's. There are two catholic bishops, and about 150 clergy. The episcopalians have about twenty-eight or thirty clergy, of whom a few are excellent men and ministers. The presbyterians of the church of Scotland have six churches in Quebec and Montreal; and in the whole number, about forty, and five presbyteries, including both pro- vinces. There are besides seven or eight others, and in the Upper province, a synod of the secession. The congregationalists do not probably number more than ten or twelve churches in both provinces, with fewer ministers. The methodists in both, number 14,000 or 16,000 in society, and about seventy preachers. A number of very small general or free- will baptist cnurches exist in the eastern townships of Lower Canada, a district on the south of the St. Lawrence, bordering on the States. These are reached from Montreal, by passing through thirty miles of what is termed the French country. They comprise many pious people, but are in extreme want of suitable and regular instruction. Besides 228 THE CANADAS. 131111 I!!!! these, there are from fifteen to twenty calvinistic baptist churches, almost destitute, however, of set- tied pastors. Mr. Gilmore says, " I know one town- ship in which there had not been preaching for seven years ; a missionary paid them a visit, and the whole township turned out to hear. He visited them a year afterwards; but during the interval, they had not heard a sermon. The main efforts have been made by a very pious and zealous young man of the name of Hayt, who has been very active in estab- lishing Sunday schools, and supplying families with copies of the scriptures. Without missionaries, however, these schools will most assuredly languish and die." I have already mentioned my visit in ano- ther direction to the Highland settlement, under the pastoral care of Mr. Fraser, and to some other places. These are few and scattered. In the Upper province, there are four baptist associations, com- prising between sixty and seventy churches, and forty ministers, many of them in very dependent circumstances, and unlearned men ; but they are beginning to value, and their people to patronise, educational societies. Both in the Upper and Lower province, there is a great deficiency of Sunday schools ; and in the former, a considerable division of sentiment, some tending to arminianism, and others to antinomianism. In the report of the Canada Education and Home Missionary Society for 1834, a comparison is insti- tuted between Canada and New England, which inatlv rpnrpsents th»ir relative position. Canada was settled nearly at the same time with New Eng- land, an( to none enterpris soil, poss fully equ land. B( influence ever mo than was of its exii priests h They gre^ was an e. mate and popery ai Now, ] and impr the forest which aln she has s the south land, infu America piety. T; land, you dications c The cities merce, we villages, t the farm Tiudicious ] uxury. aHE canadas. 229 calvinistic ^er, of set- one town- ^ for seven the whole 3d them a , they had have been nan of the in estab- ftilies with ssionaries, y languish isit in ano- ent, under ome other the Upper tions, com- rches, and dependent t they are patronise, and Lower of Sunday )le division mism, and and Home >n is insti- md, which Canada New Eng- land, and drew its colonists from a country inferior to none except England in civilization, arts, and enterprise. Canada, in its mighty rivers and fertile soil, possesses commercial and agricultural capacities fully equal, if not superior, to those of New Eng- land. Both colonies, too, were originally under the influence of the clergy. No protestant country was ever more swayed by its ecclesiastical members, than was New England for the first 150 or 200 years of its existence. In Canada, the influence of popish priests has always been extensive and powerful. They grew up side by side. If ever, therefore, there was an experimentum crucis, to determine the legiti- mate and diverse influences which result from pure popery and pure protestantism, here is one. Now, mark the difference— New England grew and improved ; schools and colleges sprang up in the forest ; its population increased with a rapidity which almost defied calculation. From her bosom she has sent out swarms of industrious settlers to the south and west. It was the spirit of New Eng- land, infused into the whole nation, which has made America a nation of enterprise, intelligence, and piety. Traverse the cities and towns of New Eng- land, you find the most prominent and splendid in- dications of prosperity, industry, activity, and power. The cities rival their European compeers in com- merce, wealth, and advancement. In the country villages, the appearance of the fields, the cattle, and the farm houses, manifest a high degree of taste, fudicious management, and comfort, approachin'-- to ■uxury. In every town, even the most obscure, 230 THE CANADAS. several schools are maintained nearly all the yaar, and so generally is education diffused, that an adult, born and bred in New England, who cannot read and write, is almost a prodigy. In every nook and corner, where a water privi- lege is found, there springs up a manufactory, built and managed by native artists, creating wealth and beauty in some of the most barren townships. The whole character of the population is that of acute- ness, activity, and intelligence. Colleges of every grade, almost literally swarm in every part of the country. Now observe, it is the influence of on evangelical protestant clergy which lies at the root of New England character, enterprise, and knowledge. They founded her colleges, and educated her sons, and used the power which their piety and education gave them, to elevate, to enlighten, and to free. Look at the contrast presented by the sister colony. Canada has advanced but slowly in population, hav- ing increased only 500,000 in 200 years. It must be recollected that she has never been subject, like New England, to a drain from emigration, but has retained all her sons in her own bosom. She has no manufactures, except a few of the articles of most ordinary necessity. Lately, schools are established in the country parishes, under the authority of are- cent act of parliament; but at present, in the catholic portions of the province, they are few in number and miserably low in point of character. Until re cently it was almost trr , that there were no schools tor me commou peupic ui unc iicn^ii ---«,iz«v-. =.»•-! out of the cities of Montreal and Quebec ; and in Lower Canadi No\^ 27,000 extract excepti from S much sions. 1 making 20,000. To supf populat palian i one An United tional I the con^ It is 1 I niony to in Canai trated t into a s teristic j las pione lever, scj Itheir en1 Iboth wh penetrat ^0 be si THE CANADAS. 231 uebec ; and u Lower Canada, not one in twenty of the French Canadians could read and write. Now as to Montreal. Its population is from 27,000 to 30,000; 15,000 of whom are of French extraction, all Roman Catholics ; there are very few exceptions. There is a French protestant missionary from Switzerland among them. He meets with much opposition, but there have been a few conver- sions. There are about 3,000 Irish catholics besides; making the catholic population about 18,000, or say 20,000. There are then about 10,000 protestants. To supply the spiritual necessities of this part of the population, are the following means ; three episco- palian ministers, three church of Scotland ministers, one American presbyterian minister, one of the United Associate Synod of Scotland, one congrega- tional minister, and one baptist, a free church of the congregational order, and two methodists. It is with great pleasure I bear my humble testi- mony to the zeal and activity of the methodists, both in Canada and the United States. They have pene- trated the wilderness, and brought several places into a state of spiritual cultivation. With charac- teristic ardour, they have here, as elsewhere, acted as pioneers of the prot-stant army, who have, how- ever, scarcely yet begun to follow in the track of their enterprising labours. I have found methodists both where others have and have not attempted to to be sincere, and I know them to be useful in -!ry part of America. They have many slanderers, i few imitators. 232 THE CANADAS. The different classes of the people in Canada may be reached by different means, and the application of those means must be determined by a view of those peculiarities which belong to general society in all countries, and those in particular which cha- racterise the population of the British provinces. There are, for example, the gay, the busy, and the cultivated inhabitants of cities ; the scattered and untutored occupants of the villages or the wilderness; the middle ranks of the more agricultural districts, on the one hand, and the workmen and wanderers, down to the lowest grade of existence, on the other. Although there is a great preponderance of popula- tion in Lower Canada belonging to another nation, with a different language from our own, where the Roman Catholic religion has taken a powerful hold, yet the most useful efforts may probably be made, in the first instance, among those of our own country. Canada requires a particular order of instrumen- tality. This should be studied. In the first place, attention should be paid, in the selection of agents, to physical capacity. The scattered state of the po- pulation in the country is such as to require ccnti- nual and exhausting effort ; so ^hat it must be at once obvious, that a person of a weak frame and feeble constitution would be inadequate to such a ministration. He would be insufficient to the msre toil of going from place to place, and suffermg the privations of an ambulatory life. In addition to this the severities of the climate demand robust strength and a vigour of animai spinis tu sust^^nx .-^m would involve, to a certain degree, the necessity ot THE CANADAS. 233 anada may ipplication a view of pal society wrhich cha- provinces. ij, and the ttered and vilderness; il districts, , wanderers, the other. of popula- ber nation, , where the rerful hold, be made, in n country. instrumen- first place, a of agents, ;e of the po- quire ccnti- must be at . frame and ,e to such a to the msre uffering the ition to this, ttst strength Tills necessity of employing those who are either natives of the soil, if such can be procured . or who, from residence and habit, having become inured to the winter's cold and the summer's heat, would possess the additional ad- vantage of familiarity with the habits of the country. It would, besides, be the most economical plan ; though neither this, nor probably any other cons^ • deration, ought to preclude altogether a foreign agency. In the next place, Englishmen rather than French- men or Americans should I apprehend, be sought for this employment. In Lower Canada, it is true, the French language is prevalent, but those who speak English are sufficiently numerous to absorb the undivided labours of many agents. If, indeed, they were able to converse in other European dia- lects, it would greatly facilitate their intercourse and conduce to their influence, but it is not of pri- mary importance. Americans are usually, in most respects, men of the right stamp, but as the Canadas are under the British government, and the people in general have strong political prejudices, an Eng- lishman would have the readiest access to the ear and the feelings of the multitude. Further, the preachers for Canada should be in- telligent, and well taught in the fundamental prin- ciples of the gospel. The former is desirable on two accounts ; first, because men of intelligence inhabit the chief towns, and many emigrants are diffused over .'he country, who, though depressed in circum- stances, are often not deficient in sound sense or entirely devoid of cultivation ; and, secondly, because ^ 234 THE CANADAS. Ill f I 11 a greater degree of refinement in tlie teacher than is generally prevalent amongst the hearers, would tend at once to elevate the tone of nip-nners and secure the exertion of a powerful and beneficial influence, both moral and religious. In a country, too, where society is so much in its elements, where there is so great a destitution of spiritual means, amounting ir innumerable instances to an absolute famine of the word of God, and where the catholic religion has obtained a seat and sanction, the primary doctrines of the gospel should be well understood and judi- ciously treated. The force of appeal should be well sustained by instruction in the principles of truth, so that tVe sinner may be abased and the Saviour ex- alted. Let the tale of Calvary be plainly told and pointedly applied. The very nature of the case and the condition of the country, seem to require also a tact and skill in conversation. Those who are called to labour must necessarily live much amongst the people. They must penetrate the recesses of the forest, enter their log houses as well as superior dwellings, and be capable of winning the attention and inspiring the confidence of parents and children. They must not only be ministers, but companions. Tin pomp of office, unsuitable any where, would be singularly inappropriate and repulsive here. The pure and exalted love of souls nmst be the all-absorbing sen- timent, and the preacher must be ever and fully accessible. It follows as a matter of course, that the itinerant of Canada should be able to accommo- ^ip *r. *i.« rj»*iviifinTifl of a loff liut. aiid be j„*^ u: willing t( or person society, \^ The li more rud that the may have certain cli of Europi men, ther that can b in well-d( per. In j of anothei country n exertions, without t be unhap] minations or a prou( detriment truth ma^ equally w nadian fie amiable a more neei into whic necessaril ohservatio efforts in < regions. -K -X THE CANADAS. 235 er than is ould tend id secure nfluence, ?o, where here is so unting ir ine of the igion has doctrines and judi- Id be well P truth, so ivioiir ex- ^ told and mdition of tid skill in bour must le. They mter their fs, and he pi ring the ^ must not r- pomp of singularly pure and >rbing sen- and fully j ourse, that acconimo- lut. and be willing to perform those Tttle offices of domestic or personal comfort for which, in another state of society, we are usually dependent on inferiors. The hristian temper is indispensable. In the more rude and distant parts, it is not improbable that the best intentioned and best directed efforts may have to encounter a vulgar opposition. Among certain classes, occasionally abounding in the refuse of European society, among squatters and lumber- men, there may often be demonstrations of character that can be encountered only by patient perseverance in well-doing, and the maintenance of a good tem- per. In addition to this, there may be difficulties of another kind. Whatever space a thinly inhabited country may afford for separate and independent exertions, there will be occasional contact, and without the cultivation of a holy temper, there may be unhappy collisions, with persons of other deno- minations than our own. An unyielding disposition or a proud sectarian spirit might prove exceedingly detrimental to the general cause. Every point of truth may be maintained without compromise, and equally without bigotry. The labourers in the Ca- nadian field ought to be men of an amiable spirit ; amiable at the core, amiable by nature. This is the more needful, because of the association of labour into which, in some cases, they must be almost necessarily brought. And I am reminded by this observation of a singular advantage with which the efforts in question will be attended in those remote regions. District school-rooms are widely distri- buted, and to th( L7iiir? fill in 11^3 iia T c; t^uucDn i\jT 236 THE CANADAS. the purposes of religion. Here the people may at any time be convened for the worship of God, and in them they have frequently been accustomed to listen to the occasional addresses of the passing itinerant of whatever denomination. These accommodating buildings may long subserve the purposes of a chris. tian itineracy, without incurring the expense cf other erections. True religion, in her earlier days, may have a pleasant and sufficient lodging in the wilderness. In her growth and maturity more im- portant edifices may be requisite for a multiplying population , but at present these may be freely oc- cupied as the nurseries of piety and the oratories of devotion. The service in question demands, that those em- ployed in it should not only be temperate men, but advocates of temperance. The societie. formed for the promotion of tliis cause are numerous, flourish- ing, and increasing. They are striking their roots in every part of America, sending their ramifications through the length and breadth of the land, and twisting the fibres of their influence round almost every family and individual. As excess in the ust of ardent spirits has been the moral ruin of the country, by a natural reaction the advocates of this cause have now begun to dcnnand an extreme absti- nence. Every thing but water has been interdicted, and there have been symptoms of interference, in some places, with the vinous beverage of the Lord's supper. In a country so extensively uncleared as Oanada, there are peculiar temptations to indulgence in intoxicating dmk ; whoever, therefore, proposa ■^- W\k\ to prom< own exa others, a It is oj should c As there ingly be tries, an( of their the couni comparis country \ remembe lously av The it; j)ersonal ments in revivals, every in( roborativ may be sj exist, in fostered i well as 1 such a lar impressio spect, wh would gre for this pi It wou lias been this servii THE CANADAS. 237 pie may at jod, and in ed to listen O" itinerant nmodating of a chris* expense cf irlier days, ;ing in the y more im- nultiplying e freely oc- oratories of t those em- te men, but jormed for IS, flourish- leir roots in amifications B land, and )imd almost in the ust ruin of the lates of this treme absti- interdicted, ifference, in >f the Lord's mcleared as a indulgence ire, propose to promote their spiritual interests should, by his own example, precept, and ready combination with others, aim also at their moral regeneration. It is of great importance to usefulness, that agents should be exempt from strong national prejudices. As there is continually, 3,nd will doubtless increas- ingly be an influx of foreigners from different coun- tries, and some from the United States, on account of their proximity and the advancing prospects of the country, they should be careful of insisting upon comparisons which might seem disparaging to the country whither they are sent ; and, above all things, remembering their high and holy avocation, scrupu- lously avoid sinking the preacher in the politician. The itinerants of Canada should be men of great personal piety -nd prayer. All the religious move- ments in America, which have received the name of revivals, have begun in devotion. The result of every inquiry, and every observation, proved cor- roborative of this fact. By praye^, as a means, it may be said, religion has been plftntod where it does exist, in the wilderness, and by prayer it has been fostered in the more populous a icinity. The gift, as well as the grace, seems peculiarly demanded in such a land, both to originate and extend a valuable impression. A very palpable deficiency in this re- spect, whatever other talents might be possessed, would greatly disqualify, if not totally incapacitate] for this peculiar mission. It would appear almost superfluous, after what lias been stated, to add, that those who engage in this servicp- nmrht fa 1»p mati r^f un^n.-i, ...wi ..„i.:..:j... it I i 238 CANADA. liii; It should not be, however, the mere energy and activity of an employe, of one who works for hire or for fame. They must not be men, who are governed solely or chiefly by calculations of mere duty, or of reward. They must be stimulated by the inward feeling, the fervent and the vestal flame of love to God and man. They must be men who will not sleep,— not because they must not, but because they cannot. The spirit of self-denial, and of incessant zeal, must constitute the element of their action, and thus inspired, they will " glorify God with their bodies and spirits, which are his." It seems implied in the preceding statement, that the efforts for Canada should be chiefly of a mis- sionary character ; and such, in truth, they must be, but not exclusively. Every labourer need not be entirely itinerant, but every labourer, though he be stationary, must have a missionary spirit. If he become a pastor, and gather a church in one place, he must still be locomotive. Whatever post he may occupy as his home, he must never forget there is a large field around him which requires to be culti- vated, and like his divine Master, he must go fortli and sow the imperishable seed. The adage of Solo- mon is here peculiarly applicable— " There is that scattereth and yet increaseth : and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth to poverty." By diff'usive efl"orts any one station maj be increased in cfiiciency and in numbers; while a selfish and monopolising spirit will infallibly diminish strength, and deteriorate piety. Whatevei • 1 'x -1 1.1 l.^ -.^.-^.r^n-nAnA 1\Ilf OS I place IB uccupiea, i\ Huuuiu ww icj^aiw^w. •--«•- - centre, i be as exi Suppo for the i Canada, to those Select fi which a be Toroi Quebec, hended i one mori Toronto, case let or in tha of the st that is. Si should ! Thence b direction; kingdom houses, ^ combine and exte] not, aim ling their on the T\[ would es and a va with a d plenished Innnnrf 11T1 CANADA. 239 mergy and for hire or •e governed duty, or of the inward of love to 10 will not ecause they 3f incessant beir action, d with their ;ement, that y of a mis- ley must be, [leed not be [lough he be lirit. If he [1 one place, post he may i ;et there is a to be culti- U9t go forth iage of Solo- [here is that here is that it tendeth to ? station may fibers; while! ill infallibly . Whatever AnA Vtii'f ge il centre, and the circumference of operation should be as extended as possible. Suppose it were determined to adopt measures for the spread of the gospel in Upper and Lower Canada. I would then submit the following plan to those who might feel interested in the object. Select five places, as central stations, in each of which a qualified agent should be fixed. Let these be Toronto, Kingston, Brockville, Montreal, and Quebec. Both the Canadas w^ould thus be compre- hended in the benevolent and christian aim ; but if one more agent were to be employed westward of Toronto, it would be very advantageous ; in this case let a town be chosen in the London District, or in that of Gore. In these primary points, agents of the stamp already described should be settled ; that is, settled as to residence, but from which they should go forth to evangelize the wilderness. Thence let them, as often as possible, proceed in all directions to " preach and teach the gospel of the kingdom." They might hold meetings in school- houses, visit families, distribute bibles and tracts, combine the scattered elements of religion, inspirit and extend infant churches if they existed, and, if not, aim by conversions to form them. By direct- ling their exertions especially towards each station, on the right and left, religion, it might be hoped, would extend till they met fi'om opposite points, and a vast tract of country in time, and perhaps with a divine blessing at no distant time, be re- plenished with christian families and churches. As X 1 240 CANADA. occupied, and as the tree of life flourished and bore fruit, still other spots might he chosen in different directions, each hecoming a c ntre round which new labourers might move in orbits more or less extended, till the desert should blowsom, and spirit- ual verdure cover the once desol te and barren wild. Direct and vigorous efforts should be made to implant, or if implanted, to revive religion in the principal places named, in order that, after the first missionaries were fully employed, they might send forth converted and instructed individuals from among themselves. These might penetrate more distant places, and unite their efforts in the common cause. Who that has witnessed, and what christian that has heard of the spiritual necessities of the Canadas, but will cherish the desire, and assist in the aim to diffuse among them the doctrines of salvation? Amidst our abundant means, can m reflect without sympathy on the infrequency of the means of grace, even among those who are consti- tuted into little churches there? Can we glance even for a moment at the multitudes, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh,— Europeans, English- men, friends,— who have been driven, by the afflic- tions' of life or other circumstances, into a region so destitute, without seeking to supply them with christian instruction ? Can we think without some practical eflbrt for their relief, of vast regions, which, from natural and national alliance, have such claims upon us, thousands of whose scattered people have no bibles, no sabbaths, no preadiers, and who are '' witliout God in the world?" i might i the gro and a : evangel No one There 1 standari The cr Scarcely It is a sionary tions be paration their pl( warfare a prepai and wil in the ] been exi colony c plain of culty of partizani throw th raenting governni Surely m spread ti " nerish At the the presf me from CANADA. ed and bore in different 3und which lore or less , and spirit- barren wild. 36 made to igion in the ftei- the first might send iduals from letrate more the common hat christian jities of the and assist in doctrines of ms, can we uency of the .0 are consti- n we glance bone of our ,ns, English- by the afflic- nto a region j ly them with ivithout some I vast regions, lliance, have I lose scattered! no preachers, 3 world?" 241 might specially appeal to my own denomination, on the ground of the present being an important crisis, and a rich opportunity ; but for all protestant and evangelical parties there is a wide field of labour. No one has really yet gone up to possess the land. There let a pure and a protestant faith unfurl her standard in the cities or in the depths of the forest. The crucifix blazes, but where is the cross? Scarcely visible. Let Britain aid to rear it high! It is a missionary enterprise, and demands a mis- sionary zeal. If the separate efforts of denomina- tions l)e best, let them be made. There is a pre- paration for them in the wishes of the people, in their pledged co-operation, and the subsiding of 'the warfare of political elements. There is, moreover, a preparation in the existence of a few well-adapted and willing agents ; and, may it not be said, too, in the kindling sympathies at home, which have been excited by recent communications ? f s not a colony our second country? Do politicians com- plain of the restlessness of the people, and the diffi- culty of controlling the conflict of opinions and the partizanship of ambitious minds ; and shall we not j throw the moral leaven of Christianity into the fer- menting mass, and establish a sound and successful government in the hearts of a christianized people? Surely we can send some crumbs from our richly spread table to save the multitudes there, who are " nerishing for lack of knowledge !" At the moment of passing these sheets through [the press, an interesting communication has reached "^e from the Rev. E. A. Crawley, a valued minister M + 242 NOVA SCOTIA. at Halifax in Nova Scotia, whose repeated requests to visit that country we were compelled to dechne, from the necessity of returning direct to Europe. The substance of this letter, containmg a reply to some inquiries, will be a very natural and impor ant appendage to the preceding narrative and appeal on the subject of Canada, and complete the general moral survey of the British dependencies in North America. " General Remarks.-The countries to which iny remarks will principally relate are the three govern. ments or provinces of Nova Scotia, includmg Cap. Breton, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward, Island. All these possess a constitution, British m miniature, of governor, council, and ass^"'%- T^^' population is estimated somewhere about 450,000, or perhaps half a million. The different denomina- tions we rate in Nova Scotia as follows; episcopa- lians, 25,000; presbyterians, kirk and secession 40 000; catholics, 25,000; methodists, 10,000, and 25,000 baptists. In New Brunswick the ca- tholics are perhaps fewer, the other proportions much the same. In Prince Edward's Island the catholics, I imagine, preponderate. I"""'g?^T into these countries is chiefly of Scotch and Imh ,ome few English and Welsh. I can find n. statement of their numbers, but doubtless a ver, considerable portion of the multitudes who flow c- stantly to America visit these provinces. The ttade „,, ' T, ,:„!,;= M,;bHv in timber; that of INon Scotia in fish, oil, coal, and gypsum; thatof Pnnc. NOVA SCOTIA. 243 id requests to decline, to Europe. ; a reply to I important 1 appeal on he general iS in North 5 which my iree govern- luding Cape e Edward's 1, British in mbly. Their 3ut 450,000, it denomina- s; episcopa- id secession, Its, 10,000; vick the ca- proportions s Island the Immigration ih and Irish, can find no btless a very who flow con- !S. The trade that of Nova that of Prince Edward's Island in agricultural produce, carried to the various lumbering and fishing establishments in the sister provinces, and to Newfoundland. Con- stant intercourse is kept up between Nova Scotia and the mother country by means of the monthly government packets to Falmouth, by passage packet ships to Liverpool, and private merchant ships to various ports, and between New Brunswick and England by the timber ships. Constant intercourse also is had with the United States by land and water ; by land a constant weekly communication with Quebec, and, except in winter, by water. It is a fact, however, that while in England all these countries appear to be indiscriminately included in the one name Canada, our intercourse with Canada is but scanty ; far less than with the mother country or with the United States. " The Baptists. — Our denomination originated about forty or fifty years ago, and now numbers about 6,000 members of churches in Nova Scotia, and in New Brunswick, besides some in Prince Edward's Island and Cape Breton. The number of churches is ninety or a hundred, formed into two associations, that of Nova Scotia and that of New Brunswick. A great portion of these provinces is, as may be sup- posed, exceedingly rude, consisting of young settle- ments planted in the forests, where the population is thinly spread and the mode of life hard and uncul- tivated. To this condition of the people, God in his mercy adapted his kind providence. None amono- the better classes in other n?>i»*t'^ n^ ti littU [compassion on the spiritual waitts of these remote Al2 244 NOVA SCOTIA. places, for in every other denomination, at that day, ei;a«^e/icaZreligion was unfashionable (the methodists then had hardly an existence here). None had pity on them in the other provinces, for they were in a similar or a worse condition. None in the United States or the mother country (as we still love to call it, though hardly our mother in religious matters), for they either knew not the condition of these coun- tries, or were too much occupied by their own affairs to notice it. In this necessitous condition, a spirit descended on some of our plain country people, in some respects, perhaps, not unlike that which stirred the "herdsmen of Tekoa." Men of strong heads and warm hearts, in many cases, but plain in manner and utterly untaught in human lore, began to feel burthened with the sins and threatening ruin of immortal souls ; and with alternate labour, to eke out a scanty subsistence, and oftentin as with long journeys on foot, perhaps with snow shoes on the surface of snow many feet deep— a most toilsome movement— they sought out the remote and scattered settlements, and preached the word of life. Thus arose our churches, and thus, with some trifling improvements, they continue. In numbers their progress has been great. In 1829, the number of church members in Nova Scotia was 2,255, it is now 4,549 . Augmented now to a considerable body, the baptists in these provinces are plainly called to united and vigorous action for the enlargement of their churches. They have a small home missionary society both in Nova Scotia and New iirunswick. In Nova Scotia they give something to foreign mis- NOVA SCOTIA. 245 t that day, nethodists e had pity were in a he United ove to call matters), aese coun- their own )ndition, a try people, hat which I of strong ut plain in ore, began ;ening ruin our, to eke with long oes on the it toilsome d scattered iife. Thus me trifling nbers their number of »5, it is now le body, the r called to rgement of missionary !> ^.C/>1r LJi'liiiB". i\^rk. sions in Burmah ; and in both provinces there is an education society and a sort of academy, literary and theological combined. Horton academy in Nova Scotia has been in operation since 1 829 . Frederickton academy, in New Brunswick, is preparing, but not yet in operation. " Horton Academy .—The object of this institution was to provide the baptists and others with the means of education for their sons, cheap and effi- cient, and free from irreligious and vicious influence. The poor, and those scrupulous of the morals of their youth, were excluded for the most part from other places of education, by the expense and the exposure as to moral influence. Another object was to draw the attention of the ministers to the necessity of mental cultivation. The country was improving last, and this daily was becoming more important. Besides fifty or sixty ordinary scholars, there are generally a few young men at this academy study- ing with a view to greater efficiency in the ministry. And in several who have been unable to visit Horton for instruction, a desire of improvement has been awakened, which has led to a very visible improve- ment in many of the ministers. Frederickton acade- my originated in imitation of Horton academy, and is pursuing the same course. As there is a strong dissenting interest in the house of representatives of Nova Scotia, Horton academy has had for several years an allowance of 300/. currency from the pro- vincial treasury. This is occasionally lost, however, v"Or iv 13 not a permanent grant) hj the opposition of our little lords of the council, where the bishop of i 246 NOVA SCOTIA. Nova Scotia is a member, and has much influence. This sometimes involves us in great difficulty. For such academies cannotbe supported by tuition money, and meet the wants of the people in country places. Considerable sums have been subscribed by our poor people, scattered over the country, of which about 1000/. or upwards have been collected. Horton academy has neat and commodious build- ings, but carries a debt of about 2000/., which we are labouring to wipe off by constant appeals to private benevolence. If any benevolent heart ^\e^e disposed to assist this institution, donations of books would be very acceptable, such as an encyclopedia, standard works in divinity, the popular cabinet libraries, &c. &c. If the necessity of such supplies be felt even in the institutions of the United States, much more may it be expected in these distant pro- vinces. If any one were still more liberal, assistance towards the maintenance of a theological tutor would be of inestimable value ; but this will more plainly appear under my next head. " The Field of Ministerial Exertion.— Many of our country churches have grown large, general improvement has taken place in society, and as our older ministers pass off the stage, the young ones, unless improved by study, are not competent to take their places.. The older men were generally men of strong sense and energy ; such only could have grappled with the difficulties they conquered. Their minds in the midst of constant labour were bentOB the principles they practised, and constant practice combined' with reflection, has given them a iim tion NOVA SCOTIA. 247 influence, iilty. For ion money, itry places, ed by our , of which collected, ous build* , which we appeals to heart were ns of books cyclopedia, lap cabinet ch supplies ited States, distant pro- I, assistance (gical tutor is will more . — Many of ge, general , and as our young ones, itent to take nerally men \f could have lered. Their I vere bent ob hold of their theological belief. The young sons of the field and the forest that arise as preachers, are dwarfs to them in theology ; they obviously need culture, in order to succeed their fathers. Hence the importance of a person at Horton devoted to this department. Mr. Pryor, the principal of the academy, does what he can, but how limited that must be, when he has to attend to sixty or seventy beys at the same time, I need not tell you. If Eng- land would send us an amiable and sensible and pious man, competent to such an otlice, and sustain him, which might be done at 150/. sterling, per annun., he might fill a most useful sphere. Be- sides the churches already formed, large districts in all the provinces above named form an interesting and important missionary field. Here are the chil- dren of Great Britain, or the offspring of her sons, who were driven from the mother country by * chill penury,' or who from attachment to her government and constitution, fled hither from the storm and tri- umph of the revolution in America, and thereby were removed from abundant religious advantages into a land of almost total darkness. Large and growing districts abound, which rarely hear the gospel preached. Around our shores are innume- rable bays, inaccessible by land, where a population, sunk in ignorance, is rapidly increasing in numbers, hardly ever visited by a minister of any denomina- tion ; all which form a field as truly missionary as India or Japan. Whether it is less England's duty to seek out and foster tliese her banished sons, we leave it to .her to decide. Jf ir:ii 1*! Il 248 NOVA SCOTIA. '* How may this Field he occupied? — Almost the only way in which the mother country could help us, would be by assisting us to help ourselves, h is true, a few places present spheres which English- men might occupy ; as of teachers at the seminaries, and pastors of the churches in towns. At St. John's, New Brunswick, an excellent English brother, Case- well, from the late Mr. Saunders's church, Liverpool, is now pastor of the baptist church, and will, I trust, be very useful. A minister, too, as a sort of general visitor, to teach in the more easily accessible parts of the country, and preach and communicate to England a particular account of its condition, would oe very useful. But, mainly, our labourers must be our own men. None but these would, or perhaps we mcy almost say, could, dive into the recesses of our forests and bays, live in log huts, accommodate themselves to the coarse manners ard coarser fare of the people, and win their confidence and affections. A man of energy might do it once or twice ; we need men who will do it constantly. Our own men, somewhat improved in knowledge, and kept where they are as to hardness and endur- ance are, humanly speaking, the only implements for the work. With a little help, we should meet our wants as to men, by a system of manual labour, in connexion with study, which is usefully practised in many parts of the United States, and which would possess the fourfold advantage of lessening expense, preserving health, guarding against the admission of any who might seek the ministry from an indo- lent dislike of hard work, and removing from the minds of th But, after At their c missionary operption t ^rs, to who eke out the is wanted n missionarifji cupy the gr " What 7 such a mis rather, mig they do a expatriated present misi the negroes Bengal, mo grants fled shores refui her burthen and forgott* thenish or could eithe] missionaries sionarie'=>, ai the present ; she would n reasonably a ceive, are ni a million or whom must -^m NOVA SCOTIA. 249 minds of the T)eople the suspicion of this as a motive. But, after nnr men are found, how shall they go? At their own charges is impossible. Our small missionary societies cannot reach a wider extent of operption than occasional visits, hy existing labour- ers, to whom these excursions afford a little help, to eke out the narrow pittance their people give. What is wanted more than any thing is a fund to send out missionaries, to assist feeble churches, and thus oc- cupy the ground which now lies destitute. " What might England do?—M.ighi she not form such a missionary society as that last named ? or rather, might not the colonies, thus presenting as they do a missionary tield occupied by her own expatriated sons, come within the scope of the present missionary society ? On what principle are the negroes in the West Indies, or the heathen in Bengal, more entitled to their charity ? The emi- grants fled from England, because her teeming shoref refused and rejected them. They relieved her burthens by their overflowing ; and now, remote and forgotten, they must sink rapidly into a hea- thenish or worse than heathenish state. If they coukl either send or engage here labourers as missionaries on the same standing as other mis- sionarie*;, and, if necessary, enlarge the scheme of the present missionary society, it appears to us as if she would not be doing more than christian charity reasonably asks. Very similar suggestions, I per- Iceive, are made from Canada, lltere is upwards of a million or a millior and a half of souls, amongst whom must be multitudes in the condition I have Jl 250 NOVA SCOTIA. already described from actual obseiration. The Society for Promoting the Gospel m Foreign Parts sends missionaries hither. They do not, however, reach the evil. The^ want .o«/. The methoihsts send missionaries, and do good; hut they are tied up by their peculiar discipline, and are far from filling the field, much of which too is baptist m its prepossessions, though so neglected To this answer io the question. What might England do i I add what was mentioned before. Send one travellmg missionary, if no more,-help Horton and Frederick- ton academies,-sustain a theological tutor,--give books: any, or ail of these, would most usefully and I doubt not most pleasingly to the Giver of all employ the overflowings of many a full purse, in 'a country where, compared with our penury money and means are abundant. I may .s wel mention, that Halifax, where I live is a t.wn of about 12,000 inhabitants. It was .^>,000, but has decreased lately. St. John, ir x\ew brunswick ,b about the same magnitude, ana Ioc.easing ; besides these, I suppose, there is n-y iown exceeding 2,000 and few so many. Tae I .r>gth of the region of which 1 have written, ^rorn :ape North to the Passamagurddy, the bound^^ry between i:run9wick and the United States, is abv ut 500 or 600 miles, ^ The breadth from Halifax to t^e Canada line, abov. | 8t John, must be about 500 This region possesses great natunil advantages, from fish, minerals, m timber ; also abundan. water ocmmunication. Ex- cellent coal is raised, and exported in considerable quantity. It must, in time, become an important and val characte exertion AFTEr intercou ceeded s are, if I At the 1 mission? is at Sai miles fr He prea morning preter, i Indians since e? professi Four Ii three hi meron episcopt *iecoini» iinally d tlieui, I lip nen lately w fi BUFFALO. 251 m. The ign Parts however, nethodists ;y are tied • far from ptist in its his answer lo i I add travelling Frederick- itor, — give it usefully, e Giver of full purse, ur penury, lay as well I a t jwn of 00, but has 'unswick, is ng ; besides ;ding 2,000, le region of orth to the I i^runswick r 600 miles, a line, abo\> m ion possesses linerals, aio cation. Ev considerabi" in important and valuable country. Its moral and religious character then, of course, under God, depends on exertions made now." Section VIII. From Buffalo to Uticn, by ihe Erie Canal. After leaving Niagara, a day or two of gratifying intercourse awaited me at Buffalo ; whence I pro- ceeded along the Erie canal, the borders of which are, if I may so express it, rich in christian churches. At the Rev. S. Tucker's, I met with Abel Bingham, missionary to the Chippewa Indians. His residence is at Sault St. Mary, on the river St. Mary, fifteen miles from Lake Superior, and 650 west of Buffalo. He preaches to the white people of the fort in the morning, and to the Indians, through an inter- preter, in the afternoon. He has received seventeen Indians into the churchy of whom two ' ive been since excluded. S;: . thers, who made no public profession, Jiave, nevertheless, died real christians. Four Indian cliildrtn iiave bt^en buried, of whom three had given ( vidence of piety. James D. Ca- meron was sent out in an unconverted state as episcopal min' *^^jr to the Indians; but at length *iecomijig a al christian, he was baptized, and iinally devoted ' 'msell to missionary labours among theui, being coi*' ersant with theii langurg'**. He hf nenetraied 150 miles into the inter, and haa lately written t.» Mr. Bingham, to say m. • h Lad a ■i! I f; ifiil 252 ERIE CANAL. good attendance, and that there was a great spirit of inquiry among the Indians. At Sault St. Mary there has been recently established an episcopalian and a methodist church: heretofore no place of worship was to be found within 100 miles. The Erie canal, 363 miles in length, being, with the exception of the Imperial canal of China, the longest in the world, runs from Albany along the bank of the Mohawk river to Rome, and thence westward, across the head of the small lakes, and over the Genessee river to Buffalo. The magnificent conception of this work, the general joy expressed at its completion, and the numerous advantages which distinguish it as an inland communication through the state of New York to the western regions, it is no part of my business to celebrate ; nor shall I spe- cify the outward appearance, population, or other circumstances belonging to particular towns or dis- tricts, or even allow myself to be tempted into any description of the Mohawk valley, to which many a former traveller has given a just celebrity; my journey had another object. The baptist church at Lockpor • about thirty miles from J3uffalo, along the canal, consists t present, of about 200 members. It is connected with the Niaga- ra association. At Mr. Burroughs^s, at Albion, I met Mr. Metcalf, pastor of the baptist church. The next morning he accompanied me on a visit to the pres- byterian minister; and from their united accounts, I obtained much information on the general state of religion. At one period revival ejfortSy so to speak, hindered revivals . the spiritual was absorbed in the '.^ ALBION. 253 fanatical; but notwithstanding the morbid action and deteriorating tendency of a spurious zeal, steady and persevering exertions in ministerial labours and pastoral visitations have " revived the work in the midst of the years." About two years ago, about ten or twelve children joined the baptist church, whose age varied from eight to eleven. Ten others united themselves to the same community, of four- teen or fifteen years old. In general, their con- version was believed to have taken place at least three or four months before their profession. Mr. M. has frequently heard them engage at domestic prayer meetings, with the greatest pro!)riety of lan- guage, and the most fervent manifestations of feel- ing. The real revival of religion began with the children. Mr. M. was heretofore pastor of the church at Sardinin, in the county of Erie, where he received many children into the church by believer's baptism ; probably about thirty in two hundred new members. Ten miles farther, is the village of Holley, where there is a baptist and presbyterian church ; the for- mer was established last year. The dimensions of ithis new place are fifty feet by forty. In another five lilies you reach Brockport, where there is a fine icaderaical institution erected by the oaptists. It iontains ninety rooms for the accommodation of itudents. The baptist, prosify terian, and methodist !li«rchec are respectable, and the aspiring towers 'y which the buildings are surmounted, adorn as ^im! the beautiful landscape, and relieve the earied eye. V'^V^ m 254 ROCHESTER. Rochester, a few miles onward, is a surprising town. It has sprung, as by a magic touch, from the forest, since 1812. It has now, or soon will con. tain, 20,000 inhabitants. Among others of magni- tude, it has two baptist churches, which are incorpo- rated in the Munroe association. The second, under the care of Mr. Gallusha, is a friendly separation from the first, recently deprived of its pastor, Dr. Comstock, by illness. One of the ardent revivalists, with the assistance of his lady, collected a few months ago about 500 children in this place, whom they described as regenerated. My inquiries, amidst conflicting evidence, induced the conclusion, that while only comparatively few were converted, and joined the different churr^ies, the whole number were for a time assiduously, and perhaps successfully, instructed by this lady in the general truths of Christianity. That these instructions may be sancti- fied in all their hearts, and soon spring into evident religion, must be the devout prayer of every chris- tian. The different congregations united, and I had the opportunity of preaching to a large assembly m the second presbyter ian church. Baptist as well as other churches, though small are established at Mendon, Canandaigua, and Ge- neva, where the line of natural beauty, which I wij not stay to describe, though it be enchanting, wiA its lovely villages, and lovelier lakes, is adorned" with moral and spiritual verdure. A curious 8 semblage, or rather regular succession of churchei bordering the street, is seen in Geneva; episcopal presbYterian, Dutch reformed, baptist, methodisi prising 'om the ill con- magni- ncorpo- 1, under paration tor, Dr. ivalists, i a few 2, whom i, amidst on, that ted, and number lessfuUy, ruths of )e sancti- evident jry chris- ■ind I had iembly in gh small, , and Ge- ich I will ting, witl J adorne iirious churchesj episcopa ncthodistl IS ■ Hi I iSI BAPTIST CHURCH, ANBURN. universalist, to contain, a but it must ] in small vil a neighbour] friends at G Saturday m miles farther sabbath at A of the Hon. , we passed ah hamlet singi: and inquiry, people of th school-house can sing a so ligious culti people, whos I could wis Auburn, but A new and erected, in m '■ontains 900 pastor. My from the chi him to the pi |he delivered celled me to i ntercourse y> in the colleg( the celebrate( tills, Mr. Si AUBURN. 255 universalist, Scotch seceders; comprehensive enough to contain, as is indeed usual, the entire population; but it must be remembered, that the large churches in small villages are constructed to accommodate a neighbouring population. I found some excellent friends at Geneva; and after preaching there on Saturday morning, and in the afternoon twelve miles farther at Seneca Falls, proceeded to spend the sabbath at Auburn, where the delightful residence of the Hon. Judge Garrow, awaited my arrival. As we passed along, we heard the inhabitants of a little hamlet singing a hymn. This excited my attention and inquiry, and I found that all, or nearly all the people of the country learn to sing hymns at the ' school-houses and Sunday schools, and very few can sing a song. This speaks volumes for the re- ligious culture of the country. " Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord !" I could wish that I had space to describe my visit to Auburn, but I must content myself with a few lines. A new and handsome baptist place of worship is erected, in which I preached twice. Doubtless, it contains 900 or 1000 people. It is destitute of a pastor. My worthy namesake, Dr. Cox, took me from the church to his house, and I accompanied him to the presbyterian place in the evening, where he delivered a discourse on temperance, and com- dled me to add an address. I had much fraternal ntercourse with my friend, who is now a professor n the college at Auburn ; and the next day, visited lie celebrated penitentary in company with him. Dr. "ills, Mr. Smith the chaplain, and others. I was 1 I 5 t if 'T1^ 256 AUBURN. deeply interested— saw the delinquents working at their different trades— inspected their cells— in- quired into several cases of crime -witnessed their silent dinner, and the whole management of this ex. cellent institution. Mr. Smith conducts worship on the sabhath morning, and calls at each >f their cells for conversation on religion in the afternoon. Out of 640 or 650, he considers that at least fifty have become real christians. A Sunday school of 200, is conducted by the students of the presbyterian se- minary. They go beyond the cautious estimate of Mr. Smith, and believe that halj their class are christians. I had an interesting meeting with the students on the Monday evening, at which Dr. Cox presided. I addressed and prayed with forty-five young men devoted to the christian ministry. May I be allowed to say, we parted with tears flowing ft'om all eyes ! Dear and distant brethren, farewell! We have found, as in other cases, earth a painful parting place ; after our respective (may they k successful!) labours here, we shall find heavens glorious meeting place, and with unspeakable joy, shall present the trophies of our ministerial achieve- ments at the feet of an approving God ! We travelled through Brutus, Elbridge, and Ca- millus, at each of which places is a congregational and baptist church, to Syracuse. A sl^gh ' accident on the road served to illustrate the Amei.can cha- racter and habits. Our poor waggon broke down we fled to a miserable looking out-house occupr by some wheelwrights, a small house adjoini being their home. They devoted two hours to gratuitously, mentioned, w movements, everywhere, j information a the hind. Syracuse is are three chi baptist. The Wilkins, whc hers, the fruit At the next are four chur two miles fui episcopal, pre presbyterian i places. Mr. home on a joi his door ; but Itill his return interest in his nfortunate aj lies farther, ad a church ut the occasi |ng hour's cor confer with lome minister ent to the H onvention. '; ote the obj lurches, of v ^ii.^ Al SYRACUSE. 257 ^ing at lis— in- id their this ex- ship on eir cells 1. Out rty have of 200, ;rian se- imate of lass are vith the Dr. Cox orty-five ^. May flowing farewell! L painful they k heaven a able joy, achieve- , and Ca-I egationall accidenll ican cha-l ke down;! ; occupie adjoining 3urs to 1 gratuitously, and with pleasure. My name being mentioned, we found that they knew at once all my movements. Thus do the newspapers penetrate everywhere, and convey an immense mass of general information and knowledge through every corner of the land. Syracuse is a place of stir and business. There are three churches, episcopalian, presbyterian, and baptist. The latter is under the pastoral care of Mr. Wilkins, whom we saw, and has 250 or 260 mem- bers, the fruits in many instances of a happy revival. At the next place, Fayetteville, four miles, there are four churches, and the same number at Manlius, two miles further, and of the same denominations, episcopal, presbyterian, methodist, and baptist. The presbyterian and baptist are in general the largest places. Mr. Bellamy at Manlius, had just left his home on a journey, I could only, therefo e, rap at Ihis door; but could the sound have bee i prolonged till his return, it would have told him of a brotherly nterest in his welfare and that of the church. I was mfortunate again at the village of Cazenovia, eight iles farther, in missing our brother Leonard, whvo ad a church there of about 240 or 250 members ; lut the occasion of his absence we learnt in a pleas- ing hour's conversation with his wife. He was gone jo confer with his co-agent, the Rev. John Peck, and |ome ministerial friends, respecting his new appoint- ent to the Home Missionary Society of the State Convention. They are to pay a distinct visit to pro- ote the objects of the society, to each of the lurches, of which there are upwards of 700, in the I ! I I'i ■ ij ii _ '^1 ^i c^h .^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^0 ^ 1.0 I.I u^ lae 12.5 £f y£ IIIII2.0 1-25 III 1.4 2.2 1.6 ^j>i /,. Op n. An hour ; brought m sircumstances given to the jrected in this ;he character- ainted houses SB tin covered I a gratifying has been con- ire and at his li, a few miles rhich they are 1 most of the th. It consists 'S in christian lich their rela- olves. held by most ibles a special g. TheSatu^ lie Lord's sup red. ^30, when lii F methodist class, and others who united with the pres- byterians. The whole number of converts amounted to about 200. Of these it is observable, that the (Treat majority were before not only people of the world, but in many instances notorious sinners ; and from twelve to fifteen children, some at a very early age, became decided in religion. The next short stage was Hamilton, of which I shall now say no- thing, as a full account will appear in a subsequent part of this volume, when the delegates resume their united narrative. Two days of great interest were devoted to examinations and exercises in the college, and intercourse with the valued president. Dr. Kendrick, and the several professors. In my farther progress, I saw Mr, Hartshorne, pastor of the baptist church at Waterville. There are, besides, two others ; the one presbyterian, the other methodist. Some have facetiously pro- posed to change the designation of the town to Whiskeyville, on account of the distillericb. The number of these manufactories is reduced, but there is no material diminution in the quantity of ardent spirits produced. Mr. Hartshorne has a flou- rishing church of 170 members, of whom about fifty or sixty were the fruit of one year's ministrations. Some interesting cases of conversion have occurred in this neighbourhood, among others the following: A few dissipated young men resolved on having a frolic at one of the protracted meetings, in which indications of revival were apparent, and tie anxious mt was employed. These thoughtless worldings who joined tkBarranged among themselves that one of them should 260 W^TERVILLE. pretend to be converted, and that the others should play their proper parts in what they intended to enjoy as a laughable comedy. The solemnity of the proceedings, however, disconcerted them. One of their number did stop the minister as the first act of the awful drama ; but another fell at the anxious seat, not in mockery but in prayer, and, after bitter exclamations of " What shall I do to be saved!" obtained a hope of forgiveness and eternal life, Shall we limit the Holy One of Israel? Shall we not rather admire the inscrutable mysteries of pro- vidence and grace; and learn not to judge of the divine proceedings by the preconceptions of our own minds, but by the evidence of fact and the princi- ples of scripture ? My separate journey terminated at Utica. DR COMME of his gra month of scribed b( of July, i York, or a than in n hibits mo five art. lers the co hie wild T me drej [pace of f] |he States rocky lomes in each the [le Missis te the In northe !i:. .:« ^^'^MU thers should intended to mnity of the jm. One of le first act of the anxious I, after bitter I be saved!" eternal life. I ? Shall we teries of pro' judge of the IS of our own d the princi- Utica. 261 CHAPTER VIII. DR. IIOBY's journey INTO THE WEST. Section I. Boston to Pittsburgh. Commending each other to God and to the word of his grace, we parted company at Boston, for the month of June. The circuit proposed to be de- scribed before we should reunite, in the beginning of July, in the northern part of the state of New York, or at Toronto, is more formidable in appearance than in reality. No part of the earth's surface ex- hibits more marvellous improvement in the locomo- ive art. A few years ago, and to ordinary travel- ers the contemplated tour was all but impracticable; he wild natives of the forest themselves, would not ave dreamed of its accomplishment in the short pace of five or six weeks ; now, the entire tour of ihe States is an easy excursion. The inhabitants of e rocky shores of New England, may leave their omes in the early spring, visit the chief cities, and ach the most southern attractions, so as to ascend e Missisippi, and diverging from that direct track, e the Indian territory, and yet return to the chain northern lakes before the oppressive heat of 9' I 262 HARBISBUBGH. summer overtakes tliem . The refreslnng navigation of those inland seas then brings them back, ere tie icy hand of winter again enchains their rivers and canals This living stream will probably exert an influence upon slave states, and contribute to the improvement and security of the Indians, more effectually thrn the tide of permanent settlers. Emigrants in quest of gain soon acquiesce inenor. mities which at first shock them; but if christian and philanthropic tourists, among the crowds thai shall move in this vast circle, will faithfully express their abhorrence of slavery, and protest against all unjust and oppressive conduct toward the weak and defenceless, the cause of righteousness must erelong . '^'iTook my departure for Providence, on the 3rd of June, and spent the evening and part of the ml day with our friend Dr. Wayland, whose person. presence, as well as the strength and originality. his expressions, forcibly -"-'"f t"l I S essayist, John Forster. He ranks high m the Unitri Ltes among those destined to impress the character ! heir own minds upon their age and county We were detained at Newport by a fog, so r.| markably dense, as to veil from view every otj« Tthe distance of only a few yards. I enjoyed j interview with Mr. Bowling, the pastor of the h^ uXch, .ndsaw some of his Wends-they ha. been recently blessed with great prosperity. I ta ried through New York to Philadelphia, m endm [f possiblefto spend the next sabbath at Harrisburgll This was aa ODjeci Kjl suiii^; »5 g navigation )ack, ere the ir rivers and ,bly exert an 'ibute to the idians, more ent settlers. esce in enor- t if christian crowds that fully express iSt against all the weak and must erelong^ 8, on the 3rd rt of the next lose personal originality of of our British in the United 1 the character and country, 1 fog, so re- V every o I enjoyed ai| ;or of the bap-i ds— they have verity. I h«f| lia, intending t Harrisburgli] noG. in cons! PROVIDENCE CHURCH, RHODE ISLAND. qiience ( ofMr. V and whi< delay. I was i phia, a ( ittention proceed accident, lo regret llourishii risited. On an eeived ainisters iid to h( evival oi [ers ; the lot large lerneath pe river Lhip. Ion on [ranger irrant am tlie fthe att bssible i iThe iiK ayer y\ m is 1 \The im: HARRISBURGH. 263 quence of an engagement to attend the ordination of Mr. Wilson, to which Dr. Cox had been invited, and which, I feared, might occasion inconvenient delay. I was greatly indebted to Mr. James of Philadel- phia, a deacon of Mr. Kennard's church, for kind ittentions, by which I was enabled immediately to iroceed on my journey ; but one disappointment, iccident, or interruption after another, left me only regret not having remained in that city, or at the Nourishing town of Lancaster, which we had not yet isited. On arriving at Harrisburgh, I was most kindly eived at the house of Mr. Fahnestock. Several linisters were expected to attend the ordination, id to hold a series of meetings with a view to the ivival of the church . The baptists are few in num- |ers ; their place of worship is commodious, though jot large — it is well-built, with a school-room un- [erneath, and occupies a lovely site on the bank of le river. About forty members are united in fel- iwship. The prayer meetings, and the congrega- |on on Lord's-day evening were good ; but to a [ranger there was no indication of any thing to rrant the expectation of extraordinary results m the anticipated meetings, and the expediency the attempt struck me as doubtful, but it was not ssible to await the issue. The monthly Sunday school teachers' concert for lyer was held at this time. Some important ic is usually discussed, and that appointed was \ihe ivmoortance of teaching the evidences of't^eli' _ _ tntnn 264 HARRISBURGH. in Sunday schools:' It was proposed by he Kev. Mr. De Witt, pastor of the presbyterian church, in in whose school-room the meeting was convened, to omit this discussion for the purpose of hearing their English visitor. At the request of that estimable and devoted christian minister, whose labours area blessing to the whole city, I occupied a portion of the time in offering a few remarks, and particularly adverted to the happy suggestion of thus extending the range of Sunday school teaching. Mr. De Witt accompanied me to the capitol, and introduced me to Governor Wolf. At his request also, I was per- mitted to inspect the orig) ' H of grant from Charles II. to William P( ^^ parchments were, however, of greater >r, what was this munificence of the royal ^ , so lavish o(| what cost him nothing, in comparison with the in- tegrity of the upright and honest man, who dul; paid the Indians an equivalent for their lands? ll sounds somewhat ludicrous, to run over the iter delivered by Penn to the aborigines ; but the gentli man who favoured me with a sight of the pare' ments, gave me much information relative to ti whole transaction; from which it appeared that! was, all things considered, a tolerably equitaW transaction. Annexed to the names of the savaj chieftains, aie their emblems or devices, drawn I? their own hands ; the shapes of animals, or impli ments of war, appear rudely traced, but not indi tinct in resemblance. No doubt these figures serrr among themselves the purposes of a royal signet. The library is a spacious and rather elegant roof HARRISBTJRGH. 265 1 by he Kev. ian church, in s convened, to f hearing their that estimable 2 labours area d a portion of ad particularly thus extending Mr. DeWitt introduced me I ilso, I was per- of grant from I ?r parchments ■)r, what was] , so lavish ofl [)n with the in-l man, who dulTl heir lands? W over the itei but the gentle- t of the parcl relative to tn ippeared thatil rably equitatilj s of the sava vices, drawn lij imals, or impl« I, but not ind ise figures sei 1 royal signet. iv elegant rocs the collection of books, both in law and miscel- laneous literature, is good ; but it would be neces- sary for the eye to become familiar with the views of almost unrivalled beauty which the windows command, before a profitable use could be made of these fruits of the wisdom of ages. The legislature not being in session, the Chambers were in some confusion. Hancock's chair is here ; it is the same which that distinguished leader occupied when he signed the Declaration of Independence. I sat in it while conversing with several gentlemen on tht de- sirableness of everlasting peace and union between our respective nations. I paid a visit to the supreme court, and saw Chief Justice Gibson on the bench, assisted by four judges. A cause of some importance was pleading by Mr. Galbraith. The absence of gowns and wigs was not the only circumstance which SP3med to divest the whole of that solemnity which pervades our courts, arising, in part, from cumbrous and antiquated fashions. In this instance, the counsel speaking, was seated, in consequence of lameness ; but, in addition to the effect produced by an unusual attitude, the speaker was evidently annoyed, by what, perhaps, he regarded as inatten- tion in the bench. One of the judges continued to pace up and down, at the back of the seat occupied by the chief justice, while another occasionally con- versed, so that the counsel paused more than once, as if he felt the interruption. Sundry papers lay before Mr. Galbraith for occasional reference, and very near to them, on the table, appeared (proh ^4^aA 1. i anotuer gciitierijan of N 266 tUNKERS. I '- II i the law. There are two galleries in the dome of the cent'-, building, which is a lofty and elegant structure, from whence the eye commands a fine panoramic view, imposing not so much for its extent, as for the richness of the mountain scenery. The broad Su.quehannah winds its majestic course amidst those romantic hills, and, as it sweeps along, washes the base of the elevated spot on i» t .on the building is erected. A spacious avenue conducts down to the river, from which the centre and wings of the capitol, with their -porticoes and piliurs, have a very fine effect. In the journey to Harrisburgh, there is much to delight the traveller. The richness of the soil most of the way from Lancaster, is remarkable. The farmers in this neighbourhood have the repute of being good cultivators of the land, and from their thrifty saving habits are wealthy. Many Germans have here found a Goshen in the new world. Re- port speaks less favourably of the cultivation of the mind among these substantial yeomen ; and seve- ral very lamentable inst mces of the absence of it as it respects education based upon the word of God, presented themselves in the course of the journey. Many of these Germans are of a sect called TunkeM, and Dunkers, who were at this time holding their great annual association in the neighbourhood of Harrisburgh. I had determined on going to it ; kt before a conveyance was procured, I ascertained thatseveralof the leaders had alreadypassed througli thP citv on their return home, and that the meetiLg] was dissolved. This was a great disappointmeaV \ i\ !*■* TUNF^RS. 267 inasmuch as some degree of relationship exists be- tween them and the baptists. An account of them, extracted from a paper furnished by a medical gentleman of great intelligence and observation, the son of my hospitable friends, is given below.* * " About the year 1694, a controversy arose in the protestant churches of Germany and Holland, in which vigorous attempts were made to reform some of the errors of the church, and with the design of promoting a more practical vital religion. This party, at the head of which was the pious Spener, ecclesiastical superintendent of the court of Saxony, was oppc;,ed violently, and after ha ng bestowed upon them, in ridicule, the epither. of pietists, they were suppressed, in their public ministrations and lectures, by the consistory of Wittomberg. Notwithstanding they were prohibited from promulgating publicly their views and principles, it led to inquiry :.mong the people. This state of things continuing, many learned men, of the different univer- sities, left Europe, and emigrated to America, whilst others remainbd, and persevered in the prosecution of the work they had commenced with so much dihgence. In the year 1708, Alexander M tek, of Schriestreim, and seven others, in Schward- zenau, Germany, met together, to examine carefully and impar- tially the doctrines of the New Testament, and to ascertain what are the obUgations it imposes on professing christians ; deter- mining to lay aside all preconceived opinions and traditional observances. The result of their inquiries terminated in the lurmation of the society now called Dunkers, or First Day German Baptists. Meeting with much persecution, as they grew into some importance, as all did who had independence I enough to differ from the popular church, some were driven into Holland, some to Creyfels in the duchy of Cleves, and the [ mother church voluntarily removed to Scrustervin in Fr laiid, and from thence emigrated to America in 1719, and dispersed to different parts, to Germantown, Skippeck, Oley, Conestogo, I and elsev here. They formed a church at Germantown in 1723, ider the charge of Peter Becker. The church grew rapidly in n2 268 EPHRATA. Maintaining their nationality in the new world, whither they had emigrated, like their countrymen in general, the Tunkers have not, as a sect, merged in, or coalesced with the American churches ; tlity now more resemble the Mennonites, and similar continental communities. The result of my in- quiries, without the opportunity of personal inter- course, was an opinion in the highest degree honourable to their simplicity of manners, and in- tegrity of life ; but sound and scriptural religious knowledge, and vital godliness, there is great rea- son to fear, have, to a very wide extent, been su- perseded by cold and superstitious forms. The very appearance of many of them is so grotesque, from their style of dress, and length of beard, as to bring into painful suspicion the principles which dictate such singularity. There had been a very large meeting, at which there was much preaching, and several persons were baptized. As to the settlement at Ephrata, near to which the rail -road from Philadelphia to Lancaster passes, its glory has departed. Dr. Fahnestock, in his interesting *' Historical Sketch," traces the history of this singular com. munity of seventh-day baptists to the Mill Creek church, whose descendants, in 1732, formed wkt he designates " the first protestant monastery" is America. He has proved himself to be an able apologist, but the hope expressed at the conclusion, thi8 country, receiving members from the banks of the "Wig»| hickon, and from I^ancaster county ; and soon after a church f«| established at Mill Creek." . SU9QUEHANNAH. 269 that *' the little one may become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation," is not likely to prove prophetic. In its greatest prosperity, Ephrata must have presented only a monastery and a nunnery, built contiguously — the habit of the Capuchins, or White Friars, with some slight mo- difications, was that selected. In these cloisters, no vow of celibacy was required, but the most unsullied virginity was extolled as the greatest of virtues, and marriage itself deplored as a pitiable (lownfal; there has been some modification of this sentiment, in modem times. The remnant of these religionists are said to hold the great funda- mental doctrines of the christian faith, and espe- cially " receive the bible as the only rule of faith, covenant, and code of laws for church government. They do not admit the least license with the letter and spirit of the scriptures, and especially of the New Testament — do not allow one jot or tittle to be added or rejected in the administration of the ordinances, but practise them precisely as they are instituted and made an example by Jesus Christ in his word." At this season of the year the Susquehannah is I low, and there are many shallows and rapids, which interrupt all navigation; but at other times innu- merable arks and rafts are borne down the river, and give to it a totally new character. Numerous parties of the ark and raft-men, who have delivered their respective trusts, are then constantly return- ing along the bunks. They are a race who claim the special attention of christians, many of them if 11 1 270 having grown CARLISLE. and from this m Ignorance grant Habit ot iife, first floating idly dowi the stream, and then returning on foot, are cut off from all opportunity of receiving instruction, or attend- ing divine worship. Societies are now forrneu, and are in active operation for their special benefit. From Harrisburgh, the river is crossed by a very long covered bridge, extending at least a mile, in- eluding the small island in the centre. The road to Carlisle is along this gloomy avenue, lighted, as usual, by means of openings on each side, which at a distance are often not unlike the port-holes of €onie huge vessel. As we looked down the broad stream, a very long train of oxen was seen stretch- ing almost across the river, led by one horseman, while another brought up the rear; a somewhat hazardous expedient to save the heavy toll for pass- ing over so long a bridge. Although the ford was at this time practicable, the water was in some places very deep, so that the beasts appeared occa- sionally to swim. It is not uncommon to see cows and oxen swimming from the banks of the river to some green islet, for the purpose of feeding on pasturage of which they are fond ; a habit whicli must render it sometimes difficult to re-assemble the drove on the opposite bank. Near Carlisle are the barracks, but it is, happily, a rare thing to see soldiers in the United Stat^ The standing army is so small, it is said to be diffi- cult to spare the few men necessary to keep thew places in order. When will the nations of the old world dismiss their myriads trained to arms, to tlx CHAMBERSBURGH. 271 roin this va- ly dowT the I cut off from m, or attend- T fonnea, and 1 benefit, ised by a rery \t a mile, in- e. The road le, lighted, as i side, which port-holes of wn the broad seen stretch- ne horseman, ; a somewhat r toll for pass- L the ford was was in some appeared occa- n to see cows >f the river to of feeding on a habit which ^-assemble the ; it is, happily, United States laid to be diffi* to keep thesf ons of the old o arms, to th( useful arts of peace ? German farmers throughout this section of country, where they are thickly settled, give substantial evidence that they have been but little troubled with the alarms of war. Chambersburgh is a large ell-built town, of flourishing aspect. I no sooner reached it than, guided by the sounds of the church-going bell, which in this country gives forth its summons indis- criminately from baptist, episcopalian, methodist, and presbyterian meeting-houses, I joined those who seemed to be saying, '* Come, let us go up to the house of the Lord." For the evening of a week- day service, an unusual number, especially of young people, appeared to be assembled. The sermon was an ardent impassioned address, without much attempt to inform the judgment by sober exposition of scripture. There was a hurried impetuosity of manner, and violent drawing in of the breath with the teeth closed, which may be natural during some paroxysm of intense agonizing earnestness in plead- ing with men ; but as a habit, and connected with wringing and rubbing the hands together, both in prayer and in preaching, it is quite insufferable. It is surprising that persons of plain good sense will either indulge in or tolerate it. From Chambersburgh to Pittsburgh the road crosses the mountain region. This Appalachian system, as it is styled, is said to keep a course from south-west toward the north-east, corresponding very nearly to the direction of the Atlantic sea- board ; the blue ridge and the Allep:hanies are com- prised in it. Whether from associating these with 272 JUNIATTA. loftier mountains in America, or with the streams of which they are the birth-place, or with other gigantic attributes of the vast valley of which they are the boundary, or the continent of which they form the great central ridge ; they did not appear so lofty as I expected. From these or some other causes, I felt rather disappointed in the approach, but the journey across, by the customary routes, after passing through much primeval forest, as we continued the slow ascent, presented many exten- sive and splendid views. The rich German valley, as it might well be denominated, could ha traced for many a mile, diversified with innumerable clear- ances. Laurels in full blossom adorned the sides of the road, and shrubs and trees of diversified foliage lent an exquisite charm to the road over Cove Mountain ; on the other side the quiet little town of M'Connelsburgh seemed reposing in the sun- shine. It is to be regretted that, in making room for the growth of many of the towns, not a single tree, however picturesque, is suffered to remain. The river Juniatta is crossed between M'Connels- burgh and Bedford. It is here a quiet stream mean- dering along at the foot of mountains 600 feet high, clothed with foliage, and presenting many a bold projection and many a romantic glen. A storm here suddenly burst upon us, and the rain fell in torrents. Our driver was in no hurry to proceed, and the delay afforded an opportunity for witness- ing an instance of the injustice so often practised upon the blacks. A very respectable-looking, well dressed voune: woman, had been waiting for the room, COLOURED WOMAN. 273 the streams with other which they which they not appear some other e approach, aary routes, Forest, as we nany exten- •man valley, d 1)0 traced erable clear- I the sides of sified foliage . over Cove t little town in the sun- aaking room not a single remain. 1 M'Connels- }tream mean- ;00 feet high, many a bold 1. A storm i rain fell in y to proceed, ' for witness- 'ten practised looking, well i iting for the I stage, and had paid her fare to go forward by it to the place of her residence. While we stood at the inn door, a gentleman, on examining his chaise, found it was out of repair, and thought it desirable to send forward his lady and two children in the stage, who accordingly got in. On bearing a plain- tive entreaty, and a harsh, angry, repulsive reply, my attention was drawn to the coloured woman, who was earnest in imploring permission to go; when the following dialogue took place: — " I hope you will let me go, sir ?" "I tell you, you can't." " But, sir, you have taken my money !" " Well, you can't go." " You have received my money, sir, and I think I ought to be permitted to go, as I want very much to get home to-night." " You can't go, I tell you; there is no room for you." " I think there is room, sir." " There's no room for you, and you shan't go." Not a voice was heard during this altercation to plead for a poor unfriended girl, respectable and [pleasing both in manners and person. I was astonished that the lady's intercession was not em- ployed. Yet, perhaps, it was her prejudice, which the stage master consulted ; or, perhaps, it was that of the lady*8 lord, who would not submit to the indignity of having his wife and children fellow passengers with a coloured person. However that may have been, when the driver's preparations con- vinced me I could witness no more, I took the lliberty to interpose, saying in reply to the last deci- [sion, " there is no room for you," — " I think we can lake room for the young woman : at all events she 274 RUNAWAY BLACK. shall have my place." Grieved as I felt at the thought of evils inflicted on this portion of my felW creatures, many of whom, too, are fellow christians, I could hardly forbear smiling at the dilemma into which the parties felt themselves so suddenly thrown ! Stupid as the blacks are said to be, I can only say, the young woman very quickly, but with great propriety, availed herself of the opportunity, and the coach-door being open for my entrance, she got in. I had no intention to be left behind ; and, therefore, immediately followed. The gentlemen, standing round the coach, seemed to be taken by surprise : it was doubtless a singular occurrence; but before their presence of mind returned, the driver was in sufficient self-possession to move off, and leave the discussion to those most concerned, I remarked two things when we had adjusted our- selves in the coach : first, there was room in the stage, as we had not after all the full complement of passengers. Moreover, the lady, who would not havb interfered to prevent the young woman from being left behind, though so far as I could see, she herself was the cause of it, was willing enough to let the good tempered girl have the trouble of nursing all the way, and of trying to please and keep quiet one of the children. During this journey, I had an opportunity of ob- serving how sometimes even the drivers of the stages partake of the same prejudices against their felloe creatures of a different hue. I was on one occasioD riding outside, when we met a fine-looking wei dressed black man, walking fast, and carrying i RUNAWAY BLACK. 275 '. felt at the lofmyfelW 3W christians, dilemma into so suddenly d to be, I can kly, but with opportunity, entrance, she behind; and, e gentlemen, ) be taken by p occurrence; returned, the n to move off, ist concerned, adjusted our- room in the [1 complement ?ho would not ; woman from eould see, i ing enough to I :he trouble of I to please i ►rtunity of ob- rsof thestagesl st their fello^l n one occasioBl i-looking well nd carrying I bundle slung over his shoulder, by means of a stick, on the end of which it was suspended. With the exception of his tall comely appearance, he was certainly very much like the little figures which editors of newspapers generally place at the com- mencement of an advertisement offering a reward for a runaway slave. " That fellow is a slave," said the driver, slackening his pace. " I know he is, I have seen the description of him ; a large reward is offered for his apprehension : he ran off with his master's horse, which he rode as far as he could carry him, and then turned it loose." — •" I hope the poor fellow will get safely off," said I, much to the surprise of the driver. " That he won't," he replied ; " he has been skulking about in the woods, and the horse with saddle and bridle, is found, and is in the town to which he is going, where he is sure to be taken. I should like to take him myself, and secure the reward." As he said this, I felt uncertain, from his manner and movements, whether he would not seriously make the attempt. I therefore said, with some energy, *' If I were he, and a robust stout fel- low like that, you would have some trouble to cap- ture me : he had no right to run off with the horse, but that is recovered : as to his running off with himself, if that is all, he has certainly as much right to do that, as any man can have to detain him." The driver, for aught I can tell, apprehended that if he left his box to wrestle with the black, his pas- senger would probably move the horses forward a sufficient distance to leave him single handed in his attempt, and declined it altogether. 276 PITTSBURGH. I in : I It wa^ interesting to observe the altered course of the streams, which now obviously, like the emipants we passed, were flowing toward the west : also, a whatever cause it may he ascribed. I was certairiy struck with the fact, that the various strata of the earth are in a much more horizontal POBition So uniformly is this the case, that coal is found without any dip or inclination. ^ j x v Several instances of revival were reported to have taken place among the churches ^catter^^ m ^.^ southern part of Pennsylvania, durmg which many were converted ; but it would have absorbed mc e time than could have been e-pended - these r^^^^^^^ to have diverged from the mam track to Pittsburgh As we approached the town, the sky again gathere blackness, and we entered the murky place amuk sheets of fire and water. I was happy to transfer i :^f as early as possible the following day ro. the hotel to Mr. Lloyd s, who had prepared for my reception, and entertained me during my stay^ The population of Pittsburgh is about 18,000,aiid the places of worship are very numerous. Rebgiou may be regarded as generally in a flourishing state. There are three baptist churches, the second holdmg public service in Welsh; and a new church h. recently been formed at Alleghany Mr^ William the pastor of the first church, was from home : M^ Da^s, from Wales, was to have -PPl-d his p^ in part; and Mr. Bradley, the pastor of the third church had engaged to preach a funeral sermona Mr Williams's in the afternoon. I found it, how ever, impossible to avoid a laborious days service, having be church, a] leghany i modated worship f The CO] neral app have beei relative t< in many j actual stj the phras degree o: represem which w< it had b( vival at had feli 500 pen ceived tl into uni< abated ii The cor in formi dismissc mising ( The) jportant Ibyteriai [student! [but I \ -.-;:iu uiii PITTSBURGH. 277 course of emigrants ; : also, to certainly ata of the iition. So [id without ted to have red in the ^hich many arbed mce lese regions Pittsburgh, in gathered )lace amidst ' to transfer g day, from ired for my ly stay. ; 18,000, and 8. Religion •ishing state. eond holding church has [r. Williams, I home : Mr. led his pulpit of the third ral sermon at bund it, how- day's service, having been announced to preach twice at the first church, and being urged to visit the friends at Al- leghany in the afternoon, who were kindly accom* modated with the use of the methodist place jf worship for the occasion. The congregations were not so large nor the ge- neral appearance of things so flourishing, as might have been anticipated fron some printed statements relative to recent revivals. English christians would, in many instances, form incorrect conceptions of the actual state of American churches in the west, from the phraseology employed in describing an ordinary degree of prosperity. This does not arise from mis- representation, but from the use cf phraseology to which we are unaccustomed ; thus, not long before, it had been announced that during.a period of re- vival at Pittsburgh, " sinners of every description had feli constrained to surrender themselves to God ; 500 persons, in different denominations, had re- ceived the Spirit, and professed to have been brought into union with Jesus ; and although the work had abated in some societies, it was increasing in others. The cordial union of the first and third churches, in forming the new church at Alleghany, of persons dismissed from Pittsburgh, is a pleasing and pro- mising omen, as the little town is rapidly increasmg. The Western Theological Seminary is a very im- portant and rising institution, belonging to the pres- ibyterians : the gentlemen of the faculty, and the students, were absent during the college vacation ; but 1 visited the buildings, which, though rough i,^A are finelv situated, and well adapted i > ^1 « « «^ *m w^ « ir« I 278 PITTSBURGH. for their purpose. I called upon the venerable Dr. Herron, of the presbyterian church ; with him and others interested in the recent discussions of the General Assembly, much conversation arose relative to the divisions among christians, which all seem to deplore, but none know how to remedy. Dr. Herron appeared much worn and fatigued, as well he might, for besides the General Assembly, which was this year held in Pittsburgh, and occupied from the 2l8t to the 28th of May, the Local Convention, which pre- ceded it, had commenced its sittings on the 14th of May, and did not dissolve till the 21st. An unusual degree of excitement prevailed throughout these meetings, and it is thought that important changes must sooner or later result from suchcoL lision of opinion, as was indicated by the very large minorities on important questions ^h^cli divided the General Assembly. The memorial of the Pitts- buro-h Convention, addressed to the Assembly, and! embodying a series of resolutions, threatens a dis-, solution of the friendly relations between the pres- byterian and congregational churches. The con- struction put upon this communication by many, is, as expressed in a paper of the day, that ^ it con- demns the American Home Missionary Society Je American Education Society, the settlement of the Philadelphia troubles by the Assembly, and ihe countenancing of the - new school" and the " ne. measures" wherever they can be discouraged Much severe and harsh language has been us j !.„ *h. rPftnPctive parties, from which it may l»| gathered that the^ presbyterian body is desirou.! PITTSBURGH. 279 of maintaining its own distinctive character as a church, and the congregationalists must act in the west as a separate and indep ndent denomina- tion. The respective sections of Christ's church in America, have much cause for jealousy of the spirit of legislation. Christ has invested his church with jttdicial functions, while he retains the legislative authority in his own hands. If a growing propen- sity to enact laws be indulged, a salutary check will probably be found in the feebleness of the executive ; inasmuch as every act of legislation cannot be carried into effect. This legislative spirit, upon points where the word of God is silent, displays it- flelf in many particular churches and congregations, producing distractions and divisions. Discords may, indeed, be overruled by Him whose sole preroga- tive it is to bring good out of evil, but the great remedy will be found in a closer adherence to " the law and the testimony." Scripture is explicit, in all that is essential ; and a spirit of forbearance and charity, in deference to the rights of private judg- ment, is scriptural, where the express word of the legislator cannot be adduced. It is wisely ordained that religious communities should often be thwarted in their legislative enactments, except recourse is had to the authority of the civil governor, from which interference America is free ! Mr. Tassey, the pastor of the independent church, showed me much friendly attention. In company with him, I rode to the heights opposite the college. A more lovely spot was never dese- 280 PITTSBURGH. crated by deeds of blood, like those which were once witnessed here, when it was known only as Fort Duquesne. Manufactures, with their ceaseless din and smother, have obliterated all vestiges of warlike preparations; but they threaten with them also, to obscure and deform the fair regions themselves. These hills have become coal-pits, and on at- taining their sum.^'ts, you now hear the clang of hammers from the distant forges, and sounds innu. merable, which pr BURNING HEMP FACTORIES. pirited, and literally unable, even when punishment was vigorously resorted to, to comply with the dc mand! "Surely oppre«°ion maketh a wise man mad ; " was it then surprising, that the poor ignorant i slave should kindle incendiary fires? I obtained] much information upon these points from a Ken^ tuckian planter, a fine intelligent young man, aDdal perfect specimen of all I had imagined. He was free j and unreserved in his manners and conversation, precisely the frank, hearty, impetuous man, yoai might wish to meet with ; caring nothing for what you thought, and, therefore, with a rough hand, tearing away all veil and concealment from any subject on which he was 'nclined to give information, This gentleman was the proprietor of slaves, inhe. rited from a relative, and he had been purchasing others. I objected to his recent purchase, as partaking of all the iniquity of the slave trade; and adverted to the consequences of buying and carrying off tenor twelve men from their wives and families. He re- plied—" They were bad fellows ; I had them out of the jails." I said, it was well known, that by con- nivance, those prisons were used by the keepers, fo? the purpose of securing slaves about to be sold; and that the physical ettV cts denoting the terror of those seized and confined in them, were so common as to be almost uniform ; being at first a profu«l sweat, followed by a prostration of all energy ; tni that the keepers of jails for the c onsideration of. fee, took charge of the wretched creatures brougbl to them in that condition. He admitted that thii micht be the case with some ; and I argued tbii SLAVES'. 285 their right to themselves, and consequently to escape if they could, was at least equal to his right to detain them, as they had committed no crime, and expressed at the same time a hope, that speedy emancipation would set them all free. His reply was, " I would burn them rather than let them goJ" I expressed my horror at such a sentiment, saying, "Then, sir, God would deem you a murderer;" Land I made some reference to the judgment to come. '* That may be," said he, " but I speak of \my property, and would shoot them sooner than allow them to be taken from me." This led to a long and very interesting discussion on slavery and abolition ; during which I certainly was surprised at the forbearance of so strong and athletic an an- tagonist, who trld me that very few of his country- |inen would listen to me so long as he had. I do not doubt the veracity of this witness, when |he declared he had seen so severe a punishment in- licted, that a surgeon stood by with restoratives to [revive repeatedly the fainting sufferer, that the lashes light be renewed. He also declared, that he had mown 1 ,200 lashes given at the rate of fifty a day consecutively ; for what specific crimes he did not rell lemember. It is proper to ? ., these enormi- |iie8 were not practised in Kentucky, where it was lis opinion the slaves were much better off than in lissoiiri and elsewhere. So frightful is the waste pf life among those employed in clearing some new ids, I have heard the loss estimated at thirty-three |)er cent, per annum for the first few years. Paris is a good town, delightfully situated ; the ) ii f I 1 Hi J 1 1 286 • PARIS. houses and churches in this neighbourhood are lot] but large and elegant ; it appears to be the fashiorj to inclose as much space as will afford all therfrl quisite accommodation on the basement. The baJ tist church here has been reduced from upwards ij* 300 to fewer than 100, and these have no residej pastor ; their former minister, with many of \i people, joined Mr. Campbell, while many prefemi uniting with the unitarians. The Elkhorn Assoca tion, with which Paris was connected, presJ many similar instances of distraction and declensioij Some of the churches, as at Great Crossings, aol that at Elkhorn, I was informed, are dwindled toj mere handful, whereas there was a time when on contained several hundreds, and the other ' members. Both in this state and in Ohio, there exists division of opinion, and many pious persons are j in fellowship with any church. It seems as if j body had required to be fused down, that it m\f be purified and recast in a new mould. Anticip tions of change are characteristic of the times, •■ already there is, both in the new and in the world, great agitation and excitement in all chr tian denominations. Whether a better order I things generally, as it respects the church, wiUr suit from something like resolving it into its c ginal elements ; or, whether the several sections! it may be taught to esteem and love each o\\f more, as christians, while yet differences exist,' mains to be proved. X • ^_-- 1 U.. -nrx maana PHPanpd fpom thei ijexingtuii iias uj iiv xxi^^«...- - — J- s LEXINGTON. 28^ npil from theil luence of these dissensions ; but while, as a mass^ the members of baptis* '^hurches there are more like m unmoulded chaos than a beautiful living temple, found individuals, and those not a few, whom it ^as a privilege to know, and who cannot be known rithout being regarded as "brethren beloved." '^hoever may have the honour of harmonizing what Is discordant, and bringing again into holy fellow- Ihip these valuable materials, will achieve a most lesirable consummation ; and, instead of six or seven istinct communities, each designated by some party lame, the baptist church at Lexington might vie holy rivalry, not only with any in the state, but ith any in America. I availed myself of Dr. Wayland's letter of intro- uction to the Honourable H. Clay, and was politely jceived. Miss Martineau had just left his resi- mce; her visit supplied some topics of conversa- lon, particularly in reference to the civil disabilities dissenters in England, and the prospect of con- jssion to their just claims, — a subject which I found lericans in ge ^ral at a loss to comprehend. Mr. ippan had recently written to Mr. Clay on the ibject of emancipation, I watched for some indi- Itions of opinion favourable to the slave, but was >t surprised at the guarded manner in which it observed, that there were but three points on lich the topic could be introduced to congress, r. relative to the district of Columbia, the new ter- wries, or the coloured people generally. Mr. Clay's mners and conversation are remarkable for Dlain- jss and simplicity. We conversed freely n the 'm ! I< 288 LEXINGTON. relative numbers, influence, and prospectB of fc different religious communities, and on educatio. eenerally. Mr. Bishop, who urged my staymg m Sunday at Lexington, kindly "-f ^^^ nie a. hi. guest; but before I took up my abode with him.ari ^hile at the hotel, I had a long conference with slave, which left a deep impression on my h« He was a humble patient follower of his meek mi lowly Lord ; and like him, too, for the joy that ™ set before him, endured the cross. He told me, . seemed a great mystery that so many of the Lordi people were slaves ; , but he wa^coipforted wi h fc hope of a glorious heaven, which would mal«J for all. He said he was not ill used,' though hd out, but was always harassed with the thought what might happen, as he might be sent tothes^Oi He had a wife-there was no form of marriage whd he took her. His wife belongs to another om.^ and is at a distance, but husbands and wives « often separated for ever. He should hke to be f, to learn and improve himself. Poor fellow ! g. had moulded his spirit into as much beauty symmetry as nature had his body. How indigi I felt, at the sneering manner in which . had to reference made to the marriages of slaves . ll this point, while in Kentucky, I was particular making inquiries ; and ascertained, that to co» tute a marriage between slaves legal, certa,n censes are required, with a bond from the o« of one or both the parties; these are very «. cranted. Ministers, thf=refore, dispense with . •; ._ ._j :„ .. ,.oi;ii-iniis manner recognm docuinenis, auu m ■» ■"•••b i LEXINGTON. 289 union of their church members, as holy matrimony, though some forms of law cannot be complied with. The absolute and irresponsible authority of owners, sets these and all other relations at defiance — as caprice, convenience, or necessity may dictate, the parties are often sold from each other. This pitiable condition is regarded as a divorce or widowhood, and the parties are held free to marry again, if so disposed ; to be, perhaps, in the same way divorced, and again repeat the mockery of wedlock. Sepa- ration by sale of either party, is thus regarded as we regard a capital conviction ; the matrimonial tie is dissolved, even though the sentence of death should be commuted for transportation. Pondering over all these enormities one night, my repose was disturbed by thunders which rent the very skies, and lightning which seemed destined to kindle the melting elements — I could but imagine that the heavens were echoing back the black man's groans, mingled with threatenings of vengeance, " The Lord is at hand !" Among the visitors who kindly called upon me, was the Rev. Mr. Hall, one of the presbyterian pastors. It was his particular desire, that I should occupy one of their pulpits on Lord's-day. I had engaged to preach at Dr. Fishback's, which is a large and substantial place of worship ; and it was ex- pected our baptist frienr's would rally, and on this occasion worship together. I promised cheerfully to comply with any arrangements which might be generally preferred, but on no consideration to forego the nlpasiirp nf nrPRpliinor to thp pnlniirprl plmrnli ^ — ^ ^ -_ , 290 LEXINGTON. under the pastoral care of our coloured brother, Mr. Ferrill This service was fi.ed for the afternoon, as most convenient for the large body of 500 x^™. ters more than half being slaves. It was finally settled, that the most capacious of the presbytenan clurches should be open at night for ^e gene^l accommodation of all parties. I was enabled to d.. charge the arduous and anxious dutxes to wkch lod pledged, and moreover, heard Dr. Fishbac deUver a very able and interesting discourse of great Snality, though somewhat too metaphysical fo, "dtary h arers! The congregation of blacks w. Tot vei large, they were attentive and much af- Sed 'a ffw whites were P-.-^'J- ^^^^ ^^ «ose I could not conjecture, obviously not to take Ta in the worship. At night the house was ft 1 , !n? I trust the fellowship of the saints was not tte and 1 trust xne le i , , composed less deliehtful, because the assemoiy wiety, set a noble example to his country- jm far as I could learn, they are not in the habit of preaching it ; but that pardon is made somehow to depend on a submission to this command of Christ, is doubtless taught. A very subtle distinction is drawn by some, between the divine act of justification, and a pleas- ing sense of forgiveness, and acceptance with God ; but these ideas are more confused by others, ky unguarded and unqualified address, but in which there is a distinct exhibition of the cross, lu) doubt often results in the real conversion of rme, who repent, believe, and are baptized ; but many besides, are gathered among professed christians. It tan hardly be otherwise, when a preacher, perhaps, with inimitable simplicity of style, and calm solemn ad- dress, presents the sacrifice of Christ, as the grand provision for our salvation; and follows it up by saying, *' Now if you believe this, and are willing to submit to the immersion commanded, which lam prepared here and forthwith to administer, you will be pardoned ; your salvation is secured ! " .f'Sii, 296 LOUISVILLE. Upon the whole, after as much inquiry and attention as my time and opportunity would allow, I returned from the western states with the coiivic- tion that all which was truly good about the whole system, which has assumed the style and title of ''reformed" in our denomination, is old: and all that is really entitled to be considered new, has little besides its novelty to recommend it. Louisville surprises the traveller who has been dreaming only of a distant wilderness, through which the Ohio rolls its waters so tranquilly, till they are ruffled and broken by the rocks at these falls. A blue line of hills denotes your approach to the river, which has wound its way round the state which it bounds for a distance of nearly 200 miles since you left it at Maysville. It is much wider at this bend than in most other places, and presents altogether a new character, from the rapids, which interrupt navigation except when the water is high. The city is not only destined to be the chief town in Kentucky, but on the Ohio ; and is said to be fast taking the lead of Cincinnati. It is a place of great commercial enterprise, and judging from the im: mense masses of brick warehousing or stores, large capitals must be employed here ; and altogether a basis is laid for a town of lirst-rate magnitude. It appears surprising that however well selected thej site may be in other respects, it should have been chosen above the falls. This inconvenience is nor remedied by a canal, and the buildings will gradu- ally extend as low as Shipping Port and Portland. I was indebted to Mr. Quarey for kind entertain- LOUISVILLE. 297 nient and much information, and having ascertained that Mr. Willson was prevented from going to Newcastle by the sudden illness of his wife, he drove me to his house. The baptist church may be reo-arded as divided into two branches, for although the blacks have a separate place of worship, and two pastors or preachers, Henry Smith and Jerry Sample, their affairs are managed by a committee of whites. I was sorry to leave without seeing them, but was hurried on board the boat which was to convey me 250 miles further down the stream, from whose com- mencement I was already 600 miles. This steam- boat was quite new, it being her first trip ; a gen- tleman on board told me the paint was wet three days before ; she was capable of carrying 200 tons, but not being deeply laden, the captain intended to save $60 charged by the canal, and attempt the tails and shoots. There was something very excit- ing in this experiment, and the passengers were directed to run from side to side as the rocks and currents required, in so authoritative a manner as to evince the importance of prompt obedience. We had one or two shocks as severe as when a vessel on the ocean is struck w ith a sea ; I thought we nmst liave grounded, but the pilot took us safely through the brief perils. Having reached New Albany, not more than five miles distance, we were detained hours. This rising town contains already seven 3,000 inhabitants, and it is amply provided with schools and places of worship ; there is a baptist church of more than 100 members, but the pastor resides elsewhere, having also tiie care of other o3 298 NEW ALBANY. churches. This custom presents a singular contrast to that which obtains among our Welsh brethren, where the different branches at various places fom but one church, though there may be many preach- ers • here the churches are separate and mdependent, and the pastor is a pluralist. Great inconveniences attend this practice ; but the accusation of cove- tousness in the pastors, who are said to strive for as many churches as they can serve, and of parsimony in churches, who strive to do with the least possible amount of pasto. il or ministerial service is, so far as my observation extended, slanderous. It the evil so conscientiously deplored by many is not daily diminishing, it is because the churches continue so rapidly to multiply. There never was a more hope- ful prospect of providing an adequate supply of competent pastors. Among the amusing incidents of this voyage,! may mention a compliment paid me by a fellow passenger, who, addressing a friend, remarked of j me, that I spoke English prdty well for an Eng- lishman! Much agreeable chat satisfied me that they were seriously of opinion, very few Englisli people understood their mother tongue so well as it is almost universally known in America. Undoubt- edly there is less provincialism among the United States, than would be found among any equal num- ber of English counties ; but I was unable to return my friend's compliment in reference to his om\ grammar; on the contrary, I promised to detect him in half a dozen blunders in less than half m| hour. THE OHIO. 299 Our engine contirmed its rough hoarse snort at every stroke of the piston in a disagreeable manner, )3ut some experiment tried in this boat, to prevent the jarring motion, which is often very unpleasant, proved so effectual, it was quite easy even to write. I spent a feverish and uncomfortable night, and whether from the paint, or the state of the atmo- sphere, or the almost intolerable heat, I imagined myself seriously ill ; and could not divest myself of apprehension: of cholera, which the following cir- cumstance increased. A gentleman on board, of mther melancholy and dejected appearance, en- gaged my sympathy ; he conversed very freely re- lative to his forlorn situation. Many years of his life had been spent in Missouri, where at length he found himself master of a large farm, to be inherited by two or three sons. He was thinking of devolv- ing upon the oldest more of his cares, and relieving himself and liis wife from some of their anxieties, when she was suddenly snatched from him by death. This loss so preyed upon his spirits, he was advised to make a considerable tour, which he did in com- pany with his beloved and promising eldest son. He had derived benefit from the change, and was about to encounter home again. They reached Louisville, on their return, only a few days before, but there the angel of death awaited his child, who liad no ^joner arrived than the dreadful cholera smote him. The broken-hearted father had closed his eyes and committed him to a hasty grave, and was now, on the following day, returnhig to his de- solate home, in a more forlorn state than when he 300 THE OHIO. left it. I endeavoured to lead him to the God of all consolation ; and was happy to find that he was not a stranger to the principles which dictated the language, " though he slay me, yet will 1 trust in Him"— *' The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away." I was introduced to an acquaintance with a few others on board, whose proposed career of holy benevolence was marked by most romantic self- devotement. Two young men on their way to a far distant theological seminary in the west, were working their passage down the river, by most op. pressive and as it appeared to me, hazardous toil, during the storms of the night, in taking m wood, and landing our cargo at different towns on the banks. They were almost exhausted with the un- accustomed labour, when a subscription was raised to pay their passage for the remainder of the way. Another young candidate for the ministry dared every inconvenience from rain and the state of the landings, to distribute tracts, and address a few words on religious subjects, to any who >. ould listen to him. I was invited into the ladies' cabm, and requested to conduct the devotions of the evening, The associations were overpowering! To find a bethel in a steam-boat, when thus a total stranger, so many thousands of miles from home, and as we rushed down towards the father of rivers, was truly delightful. Others of a ditferent description were on board ; men of infidel principles, in quest of tl« favoured region where the lamp of truth is extin- ffuished, that mortals may walk in the light of their 1 •„ ii 1.,, *!,«« iritiillo TliP«p were! own iire uuu m lUi; spu,iivD mrj z^^. -- - EVANSVILLE. 301 on their way to New Harmony, hoping to breathe an element more congenial, and to find associates more agreeable, than where the prejudices of Christianity prevailed. I blush to say that here, as on other oc- casions, my country was insulted by one of her sons, a coarse, vulgar, atheistical objector. The works of Miss Wright and other infidel writers were pro- duced ; and I felt bound, for the sake of others, to discuss the evidences of revelation and the claims of the gospel. What has been termed the " capa- cious credulity of infidelity," and the '* bold belief of unbelievers," was sufficiently manifest in the Englishman and his companion, from whom I learned much to excite disgust with the infidel school of these regions. On reaching Evansville, I was desirous of at- tempting the remainder of my journey by land. My time was occupied in seeking information relative to ray route, and I was unable to make the acquaint- ance of any member of the baptist church, which is a small community, and holds its meetings for preaching only once a month. To form any ade- Iquate acquaintance with these scattered churches, lit would be necessary to travel leisurely through the [country by land; I therefore learned with regret that the road to Harmony was not practicable, the lats behig covered with two or three feet water. I returned to the boat, being advised to go to lount Vernon, forty miles lower down, and not Far from the embouchure of the Wal)ash, where I ivas happy to escape to shore in the middle of a ie» Tliese wereB erv dark nio'ht. •• o — r found iin rp»»"iilnr f.liiirrdi liprp. 302 MOBNT VERSOS. but had sin interesting conversation with two oi three persons who deplored the want of stated ministrations of the gospel : that want might h supplied by our denomination, as well as by othe^, if the baptist churches in these parts were happil, freed from existing prejudices. Some of that com- munion are scattered here upon the banks of the river, but the associati n after having increased to twenty churches, and more than 800 communicants a few years ago took alarm by the introduction ot what once occasioned a like panic among our churches in England. Tliey were not prepared for missions, bible societies, and other benevolent operations. Misguided opposition to these ne, and but little understood schemes of christian en. terprise, inflicted a blight upon them, from whicl they have but slowly recovered. Amidst the excitement occasioned by these con- troversies, some very absurd errors were taught b,j those who at the same time were the champions olj tlie " anti-effort" party. Supralapsarian dootme. vere commingled with the monstrous figment, tkl the non-elect are not literally the natural offspnn? of Adam, but that although Eve was their mother, the devil, who was eternal and self-subsistent, ws their father. Much zeal had been manifested u this controversy ; and if such absurdities as tho» taught by Southcott and her followers, were not without abettors even in the episcopalian churcte of England, it is not surprising that views of t. description, taught by men of good moral charact»| and honest zeal, should have produceu iamsn*>' MOUKT VERNON. 303 effects amidst a new and scattered people, in the depths of these boundless forests, and removed hundreds of miles from the light of cultivated cities ! nor can it be deemed incredible that even now the Monnonites make a few disciples.* * The Mormons may be regarded as a race of fanutics who are in no way connected with any portion of the baptists, except- ing that as they immerse their converts. From the information given me by a person who seemed strongly inclined to join them, and from Mr. Peck, I was induced to differ in opinion with Mr. P. on the propriety of even so far countenancing this heresy, as to publish any exposure of its foUies ; but as several thousands are said to have embraced mormonism, he thought it right to print a tract on the subject. The sect originated in the pretended discovery of a number of engraved plates, in the year 183C, by a man named Smith. The character of the engraving was that of some unknown tongue, and Smith professed to have been suddenly and miraculously gifted to translate it. He did so, and published an English version of the " Book of Mormon," or " The Golden Bible !" In point of style, this production is about as close an approximation to that of the New Testament, as the Koran is to the Old Testament. Whatever doctrines may therein be taught, it is impossible not to trace an analogy between the Mormon pretensions to the miraculous gifts of healing, and of tongues, and of prophecy, with similar delusions which at the same time were so rife in England and Scotland. It is not improbable but the Mormon pretenders of Missouri, adopted many of the notions of the Irvingite Millenarians. Th^ book is styled " An Abridgment of the Record of the People of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, which are a remnant of the house of Israel; also to Jew and Gentile : written by command- ment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. W ritten and sealed up, and hid up to the Lord, that they might not be destroyed, to come forth by the gift and power of God unto the i interpretation thereof ; sealed by the hand of Moroni," &c. &c. L 1 i a1 1 1 Olif^Ci iS oUIU IV iiUVU pUiUbCU UUb lliC p-lU'CC ViiiCXC kUCSC piUlCo 304 MOUNT VEItNON. The legislative spirit of the times among chr„. tians of all denominations, displayed .tself m some of these associations, by rules against private chn^ tians and churches harbouring such as by their own efforts appeared to take the work of God out o( his own hands. This jealousy of the d.vme honou, led to another remarkable result; they would not tolerate the existence of an authority which coud at pleasure abrogate or set at defiance the authontv and laws of God ; accordingly, some of their rues not only prohibited the holding of slaves, but also corresponding with such as did hold them, or even with those who corresponded with them. What may be deplored as extravagant is thus to be traced to much that must be approved, and it. yielding to the influence of growing illumination. As the noxious exhalations of their own unwhol^ some swamps are dispersed by the cleanngs of e forest which admit the light of the sun, and th, winds of heaven, that their beautiful river may roll its bright and healthful waters through a paradise; so the moral gloom is yielding to the untirmg effort of zealous and pious advocates of wisdom and kno»- ledge. It may be in part ascribed to these cream- were concealed, and eleven ,vitnesses attest the fact of ha™, seen and examined them. The Mormons are a sect of M*. „2ns, having high-priests, elders, bishop and deacons,* rr.^t forth on their mii-istry after the manner m wW Christ sent his disciples, and in the mean time the famita these missionaries are supportedbythechurch.Inthe,r,n,m^ thev dwell chiefly on the anticipated millennium, «nd m^ .;....:.... J,.,™ marte ureal sacrifices in expectation ol » gpeedy coming of Christ to reign personally on the earth. NEW HARMONY. 305 stances, that the advocates of infidelity have met with partial success. The true church was p-^ra- lysed, and did not encounter the adversary with specific and appropriate weapons of the spiritual warfare. I proceeded to New Harmony hy the stage, rhe road was in many places a track of deep mud, wind- ing amidst the most magnificent trees. While con- Itemplating their massive vegetation, the value of itlie timber and the richness of the soil, forcibly [impresses the mind of a stranger : but I have since travelled in similar forests, where a settler shakes his head significantly at your remarks, and gives you to understand that in his judgment those noble trees render that rich soil at present valueless, — Itliey set at defiance both fire and the axe! The Icountry about Harmony is not so heavily timbered, lor does the land appear so good ; and. the town litself, though well situated, presents symptoms of lecay. The largest building, which was Rapp's church, is much out of repair, and some houses and ^tores are empty. Notwithstanding the failure of [r. Owen's " social system" project, the place is kill the resort of infidelity. Most of those who on [his account prefer the settlement, are from the old lountry ! The church, and buildings, added, now con- (titute the th '.re, museum, and a^isembly rooms ; Ind although i 'e is a pc^julation of nearly 1,000, lere is no house of prayer nor any stated preach- ig. 1 could hear only of one private residence Irhich was occasionally opened for worship, when a iiClUUUiSL iUliliSHjr UXlUiiCCS IV l-iavci (.liivu^li. 306 IHE WABASH. 1 imm The whole experiment is a failure, and the general impression I found to be, that faith had not been kept with the public. Very respectable authont, might be adduced, not for this opinion only, hut to, the striking contrast in the general character of fc cominunity from that which preceded it There. much amusement and little toil, gmng to thesurfec, of society an air of hilarity, while there is said to I. but little real prosperity and contentment. Thete^ tiffonv I received was, that in no place m the umo. was education more talked about and less attendeJ to: and that the youth were for the most part ^. cious, vulgar, and profane. It seems that the who has dwindled into amere land speculation, andwhit- ever loss may have been sustained, the gentta whom I saw riding about like the lords of the m. nor will probably recover, by the gradual saled sections of their estate to new settlers whose ml provements will continue to Increase the valueij the remainder. I hired a dearborn, or small waggon with horse, to travel to Albion and Vandalia, or V j cennes. The Wabash was greatly overflowed, ai Fox Island was flooded, so that it was necessary descend the stream, and then ascend Fox J gainst a strong current. The ferry-boat seej scarcely capacious enough for a larger waggon ^ a pair of stout horses belonging to another traveB Jd we were to land, if we could, just where tMU Mr. Birkbeck lost his life, during a ^l^'la' «« After one or two attempts this was with ditnci effected, the horses were up to their knees in W THE WABASH. 307 and we were to drive through this bottom amidst the tangled vines of a forest, where no track was perceptible. I was advised by the ferryman to take a scat in the large waggon, when with all the pride of a backwoodsman having in his care one who had never before witnessed a ramble like this, and was every moment doubtful both of the direc- tion and of the pra' 'icability of the way, my Jehu dashed along. In leaving the boat, he had observed he " only wanted foothold for one leg of one of his team, and trust him for the rest." I felt confidence in his skill, but more particularly in that of his horses ; and many a young tree was made to bend or break under our axle. I was nevertheless amused when Le was dependent upon me for a knife, having lost his OAvn, to cut himself free from the vines which had effectually entangled his beasts, twining round their necks and legs, — they were as I much imprisoned as Laocoon within the folds of the snakes. When the increasing depth of the water rendered it no longer doubtful that we had taken the wrong course, my carriage was sent back for one of the ferrymen, who provident'ally had not got out of hearing. In this dismal swamp the air Isetiied impregnated with decayed wood, and the brses, stung to madness, stamped into existence lyriads of musquitoes from the stagnant waters. The novelty of my situation was amusing, but I had 10 wish to repeat such an experiment. With only ance placing my portmanteau on the seat from the apprehension that my vehicle would be floated, and 2 repair, by tying a broken axle-tree, we reached 308 ALBION. English Prairie, in Illinois. These lakes of pasture are bounded by coasts of forest, and numerous herds tl -e on the rich herbage in which they i iy lie concfc ed ; or if the land be wanted for tillage, with the roughest preparation, one crop of Indian corn, which will amply pay the cultivator, clears his land for any purposes he may wish. My driver fortunately knew Mr. and Mrs. Orange; he had worked for them when their house was building. The lady is my brother-in-law's sister, and I seemed to her the living representative of all her kindred. They were not the only friends whom I expected to find in this distant land; others I had known and esteemed many years before, when none of ns dreamed of an interview in the Prairies of II mois! I visited friends of my former days at Warn- borough, and called upon many estimable and mtel. iigent residents of the neighbourhood. An air of comfort and prosperity pervaded every dwelling ;i while it was evident that what was enjoyed wast « fruit of their own independent industry. It would be an egregious mistake, for persons to emigrate to these remote prairies, if they purposed depending much upon hired labour for their luxuries, or mi^ for their comforts. . Judging from the names given to the roadsl around Albion, it might be supposed it was a cit of no ordinary dimensions, but as we drove M Bond-street, I did not observe a single house, ibf name of the prairie and of the town prepares ond to find a truly Engiisn seiu^uicx.t, «na - . much of the manners and the mind, which woul ALBION. 309 aries, or eveaj adr. '11 any society in the father-land ; but where vvasi the temple of God? It struck me with no smaii degree of surprise, that so many of my coun- trymen should have erected for themselves not merely commodious, but elegant residences, for this part of the country, without securing a place for the worship of God! There is a convenient town-hall, or court-house, where worship might ibe statedly held; but I believe nothing has beeu attempted except a sort of apology for it, by read- ing a sermon. This seems rather to arise from in- difference than from the prevalence of infidelity, as at Harmony. What a contrast does it present to lihe conduct of the early pilgrim fathers, who laid [the basis of their country's glory in religion and [education, and reared the whole structure of tb-ir pvil institutions on the principles taught in scrip- lure ! A request that I would stay and preach on Lord's lay was cheerfully complied with ; when T took the liberty of urging a solemn regard to divine worship, lest by laying the very foundations of society, in this its elementary stfi^^, in a neglect of God and jis gospel, their names should be handed down, lesecrated, to posterity. May God dispose the learts of some to undertake what can be done for [is own glory ! There is a small baptist church not very far from Ubion, but I could not hear of any lying in the ante which I now found it necessary to keep. I Hfl fiPPliron Qnnr\mimr\Ant-ir\-n ff\f ^■f-nA"-'-' -.^-f"!-^ "•*• nt house of Col. Mills, instead of returning to Mr. :#t, '^?'Si mmt'^: iif 310 ALBION . Oranire's I wished to see the Rev. Mr, BlUs, a p'Lterian clergyman, of whom I had been ,„- fomed and to hear or preach for hnn, as the c« m™it he; it was also more on my way toward. V tnn . I parted with my beloved fnends ,„ the midst of a prairie, to meet perhaps no more norearth. It was to me an affectmg adieu; to upon eann. leavins them to return them much more so. 1 was leavin^ , . , , , he land of our fathers, to our kmdred »d lends ; but they were to -main -Par^^^J ^^ wide Atlantic from those most dear to them. My r at last meet in the regions where there is "n. TyToml means my driver failed in discoveri, m/bUss's church; and on reaclung Col. Mills s, was mortified to learn that we must have pa, j him on the road. I was still more sorry to find th,t Zhost had been deeply regretting his not hav,,; Zn^Lde acquainted .vith my calUng~^^^^ thev would have been s.. highly gratified to haw assemWed a congregation, and have enjoyed a reU douT s rvice. I smiled at the idea of a congregat J Ta spot so remote, and inquired whence they M tobeChered? where convened? and how 8»» InedH He told me that a blast of his horn woj have quickly brought a considerable number »n^ a grove opposite his house. It was unhappily t. late to witness so interesting a scene. 311 aps no more Section III. Albion to Utica. Illinois, with a territory of nearly 60,000 square |miles, has a population of a quarter of a million, or 300,000, which is rapidly increasing. The metho- llists are the most numerous religious body, having 70 circuits, and 150 local preachers, with 14,000 Inembers. There are sixty presbyterian churches, forty-eight preachers, and 2,000 communicants. In ten congregations of Roman Catholics, there are 1,000, including all ages. The other denominations, kxcept the baptists, are at present inconsiderable; Ihe episcopalians having very few societies and linisters, and the congregationalists not many pore, both together not amounting to thirty. The [laces of worship are small, but are multiplying and iproving among all parties. Very commendable (Forts are making to establish Sunday schools, and lie cause of education generally is taken up with ktelligence and spirit, promising the happiest re- jilts. The enlightened advocates of energetic Usures assembled at Vandalia, in 1834, to fur- ptrthis object, so essential to the prosperity of the fcite, availed themselves of all the experience of I'ioluer republics. jSome members of the baptist churches take an jtive part in these movements, and are in other re- Iect8 influential. They have twenty associations, |ntaining 200 churches, in which 135 ministers are [iployed ; and the communicants are about C,000. 11 1 iii 312 ILUNOIS. Whatever evils exist in neighbouring states, are I fo"nd in the churches here ; but it is a growing op iiion, and, as it appeared to me, well founded I that " reformers," and " regulars," and " christians,"* which latter are mostly arians, will soon cease to| exert their disturbing influence on the general body The missionary, bible, tract, and education societies W finding new supporters every day. The want of an educated ministry, wholly dej voted to the pastorate of the churches, and suJ ported bv them, is more felt ; and corresponding efforts are made to supply, as well as to mcreasetlie demand for such. Another generation will notfce satisfied with the visit of a minister once m amontli to spend two days preaching in some hovel, orpnJ vate house, or in a grove. The churches, indeed assemble for prayer when the preacher is absent ;o follow his movements, and worship at one ofy neighbouring churches, if not too distant; or my •rle'with the nearest congregation of another dend mination, which may happen to have preachin^j Imt these expedients are going out of fasliioil Thirty years ago there were not 10,000 settle scattered over this whole state, so that no hum legislation could have established a differ system. « i i • Among the auspicious efforts of the baptists, the Alton seminary and college. Oar enterH and energetic brother the Rev. J . M. Peck, of R^ Spring, is the devoted agent of that institution; • The first syllable ia pronounced aa in Christ. ^^';"c'':i^Sfe^ ILLINOIS. 313 has laboured in the " far west" eighteen years, and is the author of a very valuable gazetteer of Illinois. No man is better acquainted with the great valley in this particular meridian. The trustees of Alton hold more than 300 acres of land, on which already a handsome two-story brick building with stone hasement is erected. Among the fifty pupils, several are studying for the ministry, and efforts are in successful course to erect a theological de- partment, and provide a fund both for professors and beneficiaries, which altogether will require $25,000. It is situated on the north-west bank of the Missisippi, a few miles above the junction of the Missouri, and at rather a greater distance from the entrance of the Illinois into the mightiest of rivers. Alarm excited by Roman catholic operations, urges on every effort of all protestant societies. The popish policy (whether imaginary or real) which all parties are determined to defeat, is thus described — " Jesuits and monks come in — massive j buildings ris'j as by magic—infidel principles are artfully instilled into the minds of our sons; and nunneries witli fashionable ])oarding schools, sur- rounded with every fascination, will mould the feehngs and morals of our daughters— so that when they become mothers, tliey may teacli all their little bues to be good and loyal subjects of Iiis holiness at iRome." This note of alarm is seen in print, in every conceivable form ; it is heard on platforms *ii(l in pulpits, and in every social circle. Missouri |nore than Illinois, is said to present evidence that p Ml 314 ILLINOIS. ' t"'l . f''^-% it is not mere conjecture. It is added, " Pass do,™ the Missisippi, and on both sides of this gmi river to the Gulf of Mexico, you will find the same measures in train ; the same plans to control the interests of education." . , , , It is remarkable, that the baptist churches of Illinois, more than twenty years ago, were first di- vided on the subject of slavery ; many of them would enter into no compromise or correspondence with associations where " the spirit and practK^oj involuntary, perpetual, hereditary slavery prevaM. The other party would not consent to restrict the,, associational intercourse within the limits from which slavery was excluded by law, but w.s^.ed to co-operate with their brethren in Missouri and Ken- tueky-hence the rupture, which has been aggra- vated by differences on other topics, ever since 1818, when the subject of missions was introduced. A few slaves, brought into Illinois before the revob- tionary war, are still living ; they cannot be sold out of the state, and their children are free. Thereat also several hundred " indented coloured servants. Besides these apprentices for a term of years tta are about as many free blacks, making atota of.« more than 1 ,500. The free people have mostly bee. manumitted in slave states, and consequently h.i. been obliged to leave them : their numbers mere™.- so fast from this cause, laws were passed for the p» pose of keeping them out: they were required to. what was obviously an impossibility, mz. to g, bonds that they would never become paupers. With -Teat regret I turned my face toward ILLINOIS. 315 east. Had my time permitted, I would gladly have crossed the state of Illinois, if for no other purpose than to have visited the church of coloured people at St. Louis, and their invaluable pastor the Rev. J. B. Meachum. Mr. Peck, in concert with the Rev. J. E. Welch, some years ago laboured west of the Missisippi, sanctioned by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions; while there he established a Sunday school for the coloured race at St. Louis, and soon had 100 of all ages, and nearly all slaves. Frequent instances of conversion occurred, and dur- ing the eighteen years of his labours, he has bap- tized several hundreds of that class, many of whom have died happily. In two or three years the co- loured members of the church were more numerous than the whites, and were formed into a separate branch. In 1825, one of their number displayed talents for the ministry, and was ordained pastor lover his brethren, as a separate baptist church. They have since built a chapel, thirty-six by forty feet ; liave service three times on Lord's day, and twice in the week; maintain sabbath schools of 100 scholars, adults and children ; and a week-day school of forty, who are taught by a pious Scotch- Iman, a graduate of Glasgow University. The pastor, iMr. Meachum, is no ordinary man ; he was originally slave in Kentucky, and having first purchased his own time, and then secured his freedom, he next )ught liig aged father, from Virginia, who was a ^odly man, and had been a baptist preacher forty Nrs! Having removed to St. Louis in 1816, with My $5 remaining, he left his wife and children p 2 I 316 ILLINOIS. slaves; but did not forget them, nor their bond, By incredible industry and economy as a cooper an ™; r, for eight long weary years, he a length S W the goodness and mercy of God was iStoUL his wife and cUldren , AM. fpeXens of human nature, lay claim to an Afr,™ origin ! But did the solicitude of Ae man of God on the subject of slavery, terminate here ? Rescued himself from bonds, was he in prosperity as oblmou, oTffo^er companions in tribulation as « Pharaoh's butler of Joseph? No- h.s Lord .U Master W distinguished him -h -^^'-jj worldly wealth, in consequence of tbe rise m tt. Tlue of lands, which when he was enaWed to^pj chase were of little worth ; and one use he mak« of h wealth is to purchase slaves -He buys k never sells. When a family of them m d>sl» Tdagony at the prospect are ^^^^^^ ^^^'t^f separated, his heart has learned to feel, his eye X and his hand to help : he becomes the J c L gives them the opportunity to pay the.r owj ice goes to the court and takes proper steps ij h" 'fieedom. He is now legally the ownerj tSty slaves, mostly children, to whom he h^ paternal kindness, while he protects them, and p. rare" them for destined liberty. S-ular ajj ,nder all these circumstances, absorb much of h| time but he is the humble, pious, a.i.1 dev.« nastor of a church of 200 members. ^ iZ manumission of slaves, and the cause ILLINOIS. 317 d the cause emancipation generally, is rendered exceedingly difficult by that national sensitiveness, which not only repels foreign interference, but is equally jea- lous of all intermeddling of even a sister state, with that of a neighbouring republic. Each separate go- vernment is determined to maintain its own inde- pendent course with reference to slaves and slavery ; to enact its separate laws, and to deal with the whole subject in its own sovereign legislature. So far is it from being probable that congress will pass a general law for the abolition of slavery, it does not even aid the efforts of individual philanthropists who would give freedom to their own slaves by any compre- hensive enactments. In leaving Illinois I met with another adventure, the consequences of which were providentially un- important. I had been expressly cautioned against driving over a long corderoy or gridiron sort of bridge, in crossing a vast mud-hole where the water was now deep, and the logs and trunks of trees were rotten. My directions were to keep in the water to the left. We naturally supposed we were to proceed [by the side of the bridge, whereas it was meant that Iwe should diverge far into the forest, keeping the jtrack of other wheels, which we did not observe, ^hen we reached the deepest part of the mud, the poor exhausted horse stuck fast, and every effort only rendered the case more hopeless and desperate ; lie began to plunge, and threatened to lie down. It bppened that a horseman with a fleck of sheep was [n the road ; I implored his assistance still further [o dilapidate the bridge by rolling toward us two or 318 ILLINOIS. :i '»«*a4i«| three logs. By these I contrived to leave the wag- gon, and being left by the friendly traveller to L own resources, I completed my raft by usmg more timber, so as to venture on hghtenmg the dearborn of my luggage- This was no sooner effected, than my young driver screammg at the top of his voice, " Ah ! Joe, Joe, (the name ot the horse) you rascal you, what are you about, Joe!" vanished out of my sight. They were m, far away in the wood, and in due time made tto appearance at the end of the bridge, in a plight. forlorn and ludicrous as can well be imagined. A was speedily adjusted, and we reached he WaW at Lavalette's Ferry. I had not anticipated d* culty on the Indiana side of the Wabash, buttt proved a hazardous excursion. Two or three Urn we drove through what appeared widely extendi lakes of considerable depth, without a trace of road; recovering the track as we could, on the others* it appeared as if all the promise of a harvest was en. tirely swept away. Vincennes is an old French settlement. It . . handsome town-the catholic chapel or cathedral, the most imposing building. Just before my v.^: the last baptist family of the old church hac; jom« the " reformers." I was told the work was U roughly effected in that town, but there never H been many in communion. The journey across Indiana, I performed by stage, in a very poor state of health, and gre* fatieued. We were two days on the road, each * _.„-.:„„ v>»tw»Bn two and three in the morning, INDIANA. 319 ffo not more than fifty-six miles. In many places, the torrents had washed the roads away ; so that the deep channel, which had been a road, was often avoided ; and some of the mud holes were so deep, that the hind wheels sunk to the axle, as the weight of the carriage was thrown back by the struggles of the horses. The churches, of which I could learn any thing, seem to have built their places of worship, so that a minister could serve three or four, which should be respectively within reach of a considerable number of the members. School-houses are frequently seen, and there is great demand for more competent teachers. The farms are ill-look* ng, and had not an air of comfort about them. One could not but suppose that the land was occupied by squatters in many places, who, not having secured a title to their estates, were careless of improvement. This was a time of great scarcity ; I was assured that many of our teams had not been fed with oats for days, and were starving on a short supply of inferior hay, which their miserable appearance sufficiently attested. It is quite possible for too large a pro- portion of capital to be absorbed in manufactures. While the population of America increases by I millions, it will be a momentous object in political economy, to adjust the employment of capital land labour, so as to secure improvements in agri- I culture. On reaching Louisville, I could scarcely recognise [two or three friends, whom I had left in perfect health ; the cholera had so reduced and altered them. J 320 CINCINNATI. Perhaps this circumstance aggravated my own symp- 1^7- that it was with difficulty I could occupy Mr Wilson's pulpit, on my arrival. I ascended the Ohio to Cincinnat., and havmgbee, welded by Mr. and Mrs. W. Orange, who would weicomeuuj tv,o;,. D-nest I found my home have detained me as their g»^«'^' g 'baptist with Mr. Lynd, the pastor of the bixth btreet Daptm Ihurch His estimable wife was the daugh er rf r:tred and beloved Staug^^^^^^^ ^ 7r LynT^ Thr:lrof which he is pastor,,, of xMr. Lyna. i formed by a secession t :rSrfn: "Jlmrr AUhough^f 120 H from a reionut^u i „,,^ipft the town, to travel rf-^^rCraSnlmh*:. Th;associ. further ^«^'*' *^ " f "i^^.h is connected, is so im- *"" " tdtS 1 atromian leaven, it was ev TelTttt tt - ;e.i"g t^^^^^^^ their countenance oi is also pros- under the P-tora ca^« o M Cook. .^ ^ J^^^ ^rh rflfty'crurTpeople, which was formeJ church ot htty coiouit. ^^ r ^ ^^^^^ ^^"^^"''"VLs'aXoduistday-schoo,. churches, sup.wrts a well co theWacb Considerable efforts are mad o-^^^^^^^^ , ^ One large -^^^ ^^ ^ ™^^^^ presented, assured was a tair specime , ^ g. .espectable,attent.ve,andintelgen^abo^^^^^^^^ dren, and young people,^s I eve s ^_^^ ^^^ , .v.« aamft nurposes. 1 was gidt" ^^^^ ;;nicti;ns given , so far as a brief observation cu»„,. me to ji and tea( school 1 would I ticularl; their la languag by theii more ei Aref table w eommu Englisl houses, sixty-fi the san numbe; nearly said to is not ( The and ai christi gether times. Fro jof W( antici their ichrist [tions Ithet CINCINNATI. 321 own syrnp. uld occupy laving been who would id my home treet baptist daughter of ose valuable the able pen ! is pastor, is y a secession 1 of 120 bap- own, to travel The associa- ited, is so im- n, it was ex- ,s, and one or twn from, for Enon churcli, t, is also pros- re is a baptist eh was formed like the sister sund Ay-school puct the blacks, nd which I was rs, presented as ,t a body of iw convened foi ed with the in ervaxioii uuowj'^^ me to judge. The statements of the superintendent ajid teachers were highly satisfactory, and the whole school listened to a brief address, in a manner which would have done credit to any assembly ; and, par- ticularly, when I touched upon the importance of their labouring to acquire greater correctness of language and articulation, and to help themselves by their own improvement, that their friends might more effectually help them. A refreshing season of communion at the Lord s table was enjoyed at the Enon church, when both communities united, and the two pastors, with their English visitor, officiated . I preached in each of the houses, which are good and spacious ; one of them sixty-five feet by fifty-five, and the other of nearly the same dimensions. Cincinnati contains a large number of places of worship, the proportion being nearly one for every 1000 inhabitants ; as there are said to be twenty-four churches, and the population is not quite 30,000. The various denominations are ably represented, and among them all there is a growing spirit of christian enterprise, while none have been alto- gether free from the discords and divisions of the times. From the formation of "The General Convention of Western Baptists," most auspicious results are anticipated. Our churches have struggled with their full share of difficulties, but no section of the christian body appears to rejoice in the anticipa- tions of a brighter hope. Dr. S. M. Noel delivered the first discourse relative to this Western Conven- 3'22 CINCINNATI. V « ift-^S Buring the sittings at that *'°"' aToT'nly -- clatution fonned, Wt a period, not oniy ^* ^^^._j ^nd subsequently U of 7°XaIpteT -aken the eUI printed, admirably adapted ^^^.^^^^^ ^^ jga^^ from their torpo- J?« ^^^ ^^, ^,,^1,^. was not less mterestmg delegates, from the ^^^'^^Jf ^^^^ Tennessee and ,io„ of .1«34, r«%f;r;o:d objects are, ". Missouri united The p p ^.^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ survey the wide held j^^^„„i,e yie^so. rr--hl;:s ^f effo^^^ -d e^ae new inte.. ''I3if-f--t:;;e:t"r: Baptist Edu^Uon ^^ yjrr^ronghoutt.' Z. A conviction of the need of this, ha. u" dLening and spreading among them fa been '"'eP^"'"^ \-^^^ „„ longer be cause to '"^"^Cwa" of Se^al co-operation. The., regret the want o g meeting, m\ ^t Tt:T™^tl "ommittee in the seeoJ referred to a specM , ^jf^^a by « ^^*''" "X were auE'l I make over^ trustees, who were d ^^ ^ wW« r?r'^^;rltrion of a new in J finally dec.dedi°,,i\tde of the Ohio, but not ^ CINCINNATI. 323 of land are obtained, whicl: site already, from rapid improvement, is worth more than double the amount it cost. A theological seminary here, will, no doubt, combine the energies both of t-ie wealthy and lite- rary members of our churche a . How great a change is this from the period, when, in consequence of r^f'edices against education, the influential baptists of t) r west declined the offer of Lano seminary ! M, Lynd accompanied me to Dr. Beecher's, who was'not at home, and I was not so happy as to see him during my stay. The presbyterian theological institution, of which he is president, has beevi m a state of th.^ greatest excitement : half the students have retired from it, in consequence of their deter^ mination to mTbtain anti-slavery principles and proceedings. They assert, " we have scruDulouriy performed all seminr- duties, as our n -mctor. will testify. We are not aware of havmg done any thing which could have b^en left undone, with- out a surrender of principle. On the con.-.ry we mourn that we have done so little, and suffered so little, for those who have lost every thmg m the vortex of our rapacity ; and now all manacled, trampled down, and palsied, cannot help them- selves." In this spirit, many of the students de- voted themselves to sunday-schooi teaching, to keeping evening schools, and maintainmg friendly intercourse with the blacks ; but they deny ever having been guilty of boarding in their houses, or walking the streets with any of them, however respectable, in reply to the charge of givmg the institution a partisan cnaraciei 324 ,,. ■;,,;! CINCINNATI. ^ , • 4.-^« «;ofiptv has received the fact, that the CO -™ -.ty ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ „,ost >^-'>^;f^^^J%^, animosity has given ri. '"*""' rl ualTe^erity ; but when fifty-one young to much muiual beyemy , , . ent of reasons ™en append *«- "^™«^ /^ V*^! 1 which more for -t-S,X:"a ~7hut for distant, ::r;hrltt\\o.»^ats^^^^^^^^^ be abolished. ^ of a There was -*-^ J^^y'at Cincinnati. Th. celebration on tl^e 40^ o Ju^y- ^^ ^^^ ^^^ only attempt was the t""""^ .„, and the asceit and their horses w.th^. few n^^^^^^^^^ the day, , of a balloon. " *\^7J /temperance festinl, accompanied '^fe^/'''*™^ . respectable and ver, at which we found a '"f7.f '^ ,,tard of " the eheerful '^'^^^f^^^^t:: Xtn thecit,, T>'Trt^£-t -rl under the shaded ^here the ^^^^^^^^'Vopriate prayer offered «, f 'm "Tvnd te Deaaration of Inde-,endenco m by Mr. Lynd the Ue ^^^.^^^^^^ ^^.^^ „ read, and an orat.on ^ i„vective, bul •'''"'? [TfJ^e tret r: simple and W consisted of little nioi« A^nPricans little bistorical sketch of past -J^^^^'"^^^^^^^ .nowhowniuchinaio.^ to the sympathy ot n.my m th ^^^^^.^^^ ^, patriotism was ^^^ Ji/own liberties, civil agonising alarm tor the r owi religious, or they would not pou. the iiidiscrin Britain obstinac which s( ears, " < hut our sions to the sub respecti I had b< at the title of gin, to The wil to Afri venture dry wit If I tomar}' still m 6th. positio when regula CINCINNATI. 325 ii-discriminate abuse on all, because the councils of Britain were then so recklessly urged on by the obstinacy of power. Among the toasts, was one which sounded somewhat exceptionable to English ears " Our country^ our whole country, and nothing hut \-nr country r There was probably some allu- sions to existing distractions in the public mmd on the subject of slavery, relative to which, and the respective projects of colonization and emancipation, I had been (not unwillingly) drawn into controversy at the meeting. I endeavoured to maintain the title of the black population, thoagh of African ori- gin to those rights of men about to be proclaimed. The wild project of shipping oft* the coloured people to Africa was strenuously contended for, which I ventured to compare to an attempt to dip the Ohio dry with a bucket. , If I was surprised at the absence of the cus- tomary procession and show on the 4th, I was still more so by a demonstration witnessed on the ,6th. I had been prevented by increased indis- i position from leaving the city, and was writing, when the sound of a drum, beaten to keep the regularity of march, caught my ear. I was struck with the very genteel and uniform dress of a large hod" of line-looking men, who wore blue coats and white trowse , before I noticed the contrast of the* coal-black countenancesof many of them with their snow-white linen. I soon saw they were all co- lloured people ! This fact filled me with surprise, Ibut how was it increased when the banners they m q U. ■,•■;■• 326 CINCINNATI. . , foirW m view ^ On one was inscribed- carried were fairly in view . v,«ot« live and our families maintain." 'We by steam-boats live, anu uu a\^'^r^ intended to represent the first slaver which sailecl lo *^'^ 't'^S^ouSenS of liberty ho,e.d '"Setie form, aid was just about to pl« over the numuie ^ ^^ ^^^^^^^ on his brows a chaplet^f a-el ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^, e,edit the evidence of my o^^n ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ heart did I ^^^^^^^J'*^^* "^^ ^ere offended, and «ift^e Owen failed of engaging. he had J his opin the mos and vulg men are baptist c posals t numeroi efforts li ductive, fidence the nui diminis' their vi yields t by the i of thos the bre for pra of adv the wh DAYTON. 327 inscribed— tiaintain." ent the first shores ! A chains were erty hovered bout to pljwe ould scarcely hut from my d beheld that offended, and it the parties ivho employed mined, that it This was trulj these cheerful I responded to ;ht but groans jn I not ahon 19 more dispk] its rival Louis- f which n ^^ appear destiaei latter will pro md warehousi )eU 80 cffectualil )wen: here, toft ring the atteiitifli he had anticipated, many being apprehensive that his opinions were atheistical. Infidelity Is, for the most part, confined to men of little education, and vulgar minds ; while scholars and professional men are generally believers in revelation. The baptist churches here are far less agitated with pro- posals to reform, or to adopt one or other of the numerous devices of the day. Recent energetic efforts had proved singularly powerless and unpro^ ductive, thereby strengthening the hope and con- fidence of th ^ regular and settled churches. As the numbe: , of those wedded to early habits is diminished by death, if not by some modification of their views ; as a niggardly economy in the churches yields to a generosity always so richly compensated, by the improvement it secures ; and as the number of those who will consent to lead the devotions of the brethren in the social meetings of the churches for prayer, shall bear a greater proportion to that of advisers who insist on managing their affairs, the whole aspect of the west will brighten. I was not sorry to leave the channels of the rivers, and, in the hope of finding more repose than in the stage, went to Dayton in the canal boat ; |it was less fatiguing, but consumed another day. iHamilton is a good town and well situated on jthe banks of the canal ; there is a baptist church f about sixty members. We reached Dayton at ve in the morning ; it is a thriving place of 5,000 inhabitants, remarkable for abundant water power, btained by the junction of Mad river, with the iami. The streets are so wide as to spoil the ym^ 328 DAYTON. ^ivitiff the whole a rambling general appearance, .i^ g .^^ .^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ,, and unfinished air. ^^^ j.^^^ ^^j^^ the baptists here, hut they ""'*^'^" , oil the towns 1 have seen in the west '" "'''•^^^ 'for* d churches;" most of the m«. there are re*""^"^" „^ j conversed, were pious ters of them -^^\^^^2lm -P-*-» <"^^ persons, scarcely <^^*'^ * i,,/, ^nd the regular Lee existed between the n..h _^^^^^^ _^^^ ^ taptist cl''^'-'^^'-^*: .. iJ 'hapels. Mr. Clark ha« k. preach at any of tl^ eh p^^^^^^ ^^ Dayton and . a small church of forty ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ singularly unfortunate, in ,] pleSiave been PT^;"; ,te " reforn-d," wlio«.; Lrship, which IS held by^>e .^ ^^^ , „ot much »°- "7 nr^itbdrawn from by the., those which expect, o be ^^^ ^^^^^_^ I '^yP'-^'^oT^e ' 1 -liool regulars." They.l the name of the o ^.^^^ ^,^^^,^1 present --^'P '", ^e Ztians ; but Mr.*! man lutherans and tec p^^,.^, i preaches also to -'«*« Pf ^ n,tia„s are a \J and in many P^''";^ phraseology comiuon J preacher uses the "''I'^'y » „it,,out toucU themselves -1 the oHo^^^^^^^ ^^^,„,^,, „f J churches ^^" 7;" ,,,,. but there are many ^k into any regular ehux-hes, ^j^^_^ hlend in '^^'^-^^r'J^.tlJ opinions. T ;!":^:lSrtL Mby Mr. Bamey, who. DAYTON. 329 ters superintend the female department ; they are members of the baptist church, and are held in de- served estimation. I much regretted that here, as elsewhere, in the west, the period of my visit was that of the vacation. So far as opportunities of observation and inquiry presented themselves, the improvement in the numbers and the qualifications of teacheis appeared to be considerable. Where they are members of churches, and known to be i esteemed in those communities, the public have the very best guarantee for the effectual discharge of their important trusts. There are now so many institutions whose chief object is the training of teachers, that, ere long, the district or common Ischools will be supplied with such as havmg been educated for that profession, will greatly elevate [their callino-. The manners, as well as the mind, Iwill receive increasing attention, from those who lare themselves more cultivated; and even the lewest states threaten by far to outstrip our older puntry in provisions for universal and liberal Instruction. Some of the reports on education and pn home missions, exhibit most deplorable views ; Lit when the object is avowedly to rouse attention [o specific wants of the community, the writer or Ipeaker is sure to gauge tlie depths of wretched- Ls, so as rather to aggravate than diminisli the [lainis of the object he pleads for. On a careful lomparison of such statements, with corresponding lescriptions of the British population, including |ie dense masses of neglected children in our panufacturing towns and the metropolis, in the 330 COLUMBUS. *fF . r,A «.a.ttered agricultural districts, and i. rr^d it may b coidently affirmed, that W ;::r;cirLd reli,o. wor^.^ ^ :d;r;.rtr'"air;ractical and e.en.| purposes. a„„;„o-fiftld to Columbus. Mr, % passed through Spnngfteld to Cressy, the pastor of ^-^ J^ ^, ^ from the old church was fr"™ l'7^^^i,, ;, ,]| was *oo feeble to 1^««1 °"7„ t^^ community, «I ! energetic labourers are f°""; "^^ ,« solicil««,l whom I saw several; \"* ^li*l^„„etiUtkl to show me every -"n and to d morrow, the boat arrived, and ami ] of a rapid --^^ ^^^T t^'sL- appears ,e,| As you leave Cle^^'lanU t ^^_^ , bold, and the *«-" J^'l* "Pf, ^tU churche,»l' presents ---1 J^nl^an «c e^^^^ ^^^„.„^ , . buildings, which »°^ f *;^7^,, refreshing, J The passage down the lake J ^ I whether it was from the c"" ^^*j; ^,,^ ^tl J we had left, or with the f.^^P f ^^f^;*^i„„, tJ ^-- *n ^^'Gri^dtivit o^Slnd, to taJ boat went up Grand mver j wood, and on returning .t ^^ J^^^^^^ J^ observe the distance to -'"'f f^J,l\he U 1 1 1,0 traced as it meandered tnrougi could be facc'l ^^^ ^^^^ ^„^ ^^ liant waters of trie / theatre, wta by a glorious sun-set-a ^ ^^ ,„d ta commingled sapphire and p. .ay » .^^ ^^ of wondrous variety ei»;u.uit.« ..- BUFFALO. 333 isters, both dient to ad- i form which assuming is, ion shall be Ler churches, witli regular ,tor at Cleve- been foraed ix members; ay active and ommunity, of vrere solicitous •ainmetilltk ; tlie confusion ent on board, e appears very aat tahle land, d churches and ,e morning sun refreshing, ani with the forestsl , of the Atlantic jr mirror. Thi nond, to takei irery striking I muddy strcai hrough the bi 3 fine, and cloi .9 theatre, wh )eauties and li with its m changes till the curtain of night was dropped, and the whole scene vanished. Worn out with fatigue and indisposition, I retired early, and kept my berth till some time after the vessel reached Buf- falo, and all was quiet on hoard ; then, in the early dawn of the Lord's day, I landed, and shortly after- wards found a welcome home with elder Tucker. Fom- years ago, so depressed was the state of this congregation ,%here were scarcely 100 worshippers; but Mr. Tucker has been so greatly blest, that the church now consists of 270 members, with a school of 120 ; and the cause generally is so flourishing, that it is determined to dispose of the present place of worship, which holds 700 or 800 persons, and to erect a more spacious edifice on a more eligible spot. Every arrangement was made to carry this design into immediate effect. Several important public meetings had been held in the city during the second week in July, which were closed on sabbath evening the 12th, by one which had for its object the formation of what imight be designated a city missionary society. All Idenoniinations were united in this object, and a large assembly was convened in a spacious presby- erian church. A good feeling prevailed, and it was itated that to provide tracts, and to support an tineran. preacher, $1,200 would be required for me year. This sum it was proposed to raise at the iieeting, and small pieces of paper were handed ound the assembly, that persons who had not come idequately provided might inscribe their names for lubscriptions. In a few minutes the papers were 334 BUFFALO. A V.P,. the total amount was found to ex. returned, when the to ^^^^^ lii. ^ Considerable d-t«bar^.c J - ^^^^ ^^^^ ^ what was regarded as a mo ^^_.^ ^ ^^-\a^?CwLran":slmed.and.ew^ reported that .ne wm ^^ ^^^ ^^ information in fact, considerably !?;: ^^nfusion of statements, could he g---^^^^^^^^^^ occur of a. this was one ot nunierou ^ ^ ^j auction from the Bnt'sh "^ ^^,, exist, that many ^^^^^^J^^^^ " fo«„d base eno»gl is asserted, « a « W» -a- ^^^ ^^^ ,^„„,„ ^ to carry on a sort of slave ^^ ^^^.^ making repnsals of as many b ^^^^ veigle and carry off to tl^^-uth._^^^.^y^^^^^^ ^'^rfwhi wl "ad them in custoay, »» to Buffalo , tW w ^^^ ^^^^ ,y they were slaves, a" r gj^ ^^j^j^ coloured people to rescue them a ^^ and the stone was ^'-'T; J^^; „i^ i„to the J the life of the white. Anx"q y J ,,,^e -^^'"-^SrC certain of e J that generally, the wu ^^ ^^^ ^j^^ ;h.t600 i..~n. «.r. d«l».» "• » - thecourf tenth wei as " disci ters were after left deemed i tracted r period, ii infection for, or ra offensive The p< lelapsed, [and was il had y from Ca] [0 Toron ill with listened, sounds, ^ KIACrARA. 335 bund to ex- J town, from us deed. A man — it was , and he was, 3 information jf statements, L occur of ab- So doubt can anada ; and it id base enough he frontier bj is they can in- . family, whom liswayhrouglit n custody, said made by some L scuffle ensued, \ms endangereii iry into the prfr L the conclusioii,! certain of esca^j B of the hlack. ate church he i prevented tki ain extraordi 5 of serious evil le excitement Bvivalist, and ^veiled with bi UC uv"T^* — the courr ; of a few days, of whom not more than one tenth were thought to have continued in the word, as " disciples indeed ." The two presbyterian minis- ters were unable to control the torrent, and shortly after left their respective churches. The baptists deemed it prudent to stand aloof, but to hold pro- tracted meetings during the greater part of this period, in order to preserve their people from the infection; for which they were constantly prayed for, or rather against, by the revivalists, with very offensive allusions. The period fixed for rejoining my colleague had elapsed, and he had already passed through Buffalo, [and was travelling through the state of New York. I had yet to visit Niagara, and before returning from Canada, I also purposed crossing Lake Ontario Toronto. By the customary routes, I atk npted dl with as little delay as possible. I gazed and listened, amidst those sublime and awful sights and iounds, where God pours the waters from the hollow f his hand, and they return their " everlasting in- lense," accompanied with the deep and solemn voice f ceaseless adoration ! My excursion to Toronto was useless. In going, e ascended Brock's monument ; and, in returning, stopped at Queenston, aiid crossing the Niagara to lewiston, rode to the Whirlpool, to spend three or lur hours in the contemplation of that scarcely less isorbing and overpowering scene than the tre- endous cataract itself! At this angle of the river, e angry waters whirl round in the vast elbow, and their impetuosity form many smaller eddies; i;)' 336 NEW VOBK. 1 , „<. thp mio-hty torrent, whicli 19, in while the rush of tl^e = J o„t„i„, a«t, r;o:fe;^«vS^nH.n..n.sonthe.^ of time flowing Into eternity. ^^^^^ ^^^ ^" Tti™f NewYK'utica, I vi.^^edt. across the state ol i^^™ „,„ colleague had passed, ,ame towns *-»f ;J 2, :„ative. I enjojed andtherefore onut a d -led.^^^ ^^^^ ^, ,, . also a transient interv e sojourned. At estimable brethren -*;'; °™j„„,, ^.eceived . Rochester, deacons ^^S« J'J,^ ;, „„, ,, courteo.-,ly : Ae. ^^".^^y f ; '^Hich even thecM, those favoured ^^^^ ^f ^/e ^tToduced as memte' dren, while very young, ar^^^^^^ to say whether k of *« •'^"■f 'the Jnd of a stranger is most i.- these regions, the mmu ^„re— the creatioi pressed with the ^^^^J^^^: ^he innume J of human art and industr) J , indications of f ^-Xfjuospitable abode and religion. 1 '^'^^^ Kingsford, at Utica, our friends, Mr. and M- ^^^^ ^, a state of great -1-— j^^^^^^^^ experienced, long a journey. 10 „f that ta, record among the spec ^^.^^ ^^, ^'^"'r'Sxtrirdlsameday.andwe., S*""^- ;id to reunite after a separation ot™ thus permitted to reu ^^^^^^, „j than six week , f ""^ J 1 ^ ^ ,^ery vanetji ing «-^^^"**"i:f,ret with L serious a.c* conveyance, we J^*^';, .„terruptio. inourdu. onrl exnerienced but bUgm. either from sickness or taiigue. VERMONT. NEW HAMPSHIRE. 337 which is, in itario, assists on the stream Lockport and ^, 1 vis^d tlie ue had passed, ve. 1 enjoyed e of the same ;ojourned. At i received m naer is one of L even thecMl- led as members say whether in rev is most J -the creation! lie innumeraM srature, morals,] pitable abode ord, at Utica, the fatigue of ;re experienced, s of that beni| ched over me I day, and we w ieparationofini iod, notwithstaBi jy every variety ) serious accidr ptioiiinourdutt Before resuming the united narrative, I will here introduce a few memoranda relative to my subse- quent separate excursion, while my colleague visited Waterville in Maine. The state of my health deterred me from attempting that long journey by steam-boats, with sufficient rapidity to insure arriv- ing in time for the opening of the college commence- ment : I therefore preferred an excursion througli Vermont and New Hampshire, wishing to see Lakes George and Cham plain, and the scenery of the Notch in the White Mountains. I should have duly reached my destination as proposed, but for delays occasioned first by indisposition, and then a consequent failure in conveyances. My first trip was to a meeting of ministers at Ballston, which is held quarterly, for the purpose of conferring on the interests of their respective churchps, and also by free and friendly remarks on the public services oC^ each brother, to promote mutual improvement and^ efficiency in the work of the ministry. The pros- perous state of these churches is mentioned else- where. Among them much discussion has arisen relative to making the principles of temperance societies, a term of church communion. This prac- tice is extending among the churches, which thus constitute themselves temperance societies, but do I not require subscription to the pledge ordinarily [signed. This specific legislation upon a point where no express injunction is adduced from scripture, may be regarded as of doubtful authority, ^ it such is the spirit of the times. A i._ 11 :^ ^*.«,.,x.u -^rii-h i-ha lien niflrfp in these '41 338 LAKE GEORGE. m: r.f trpps which are forcibly torn „p by a veiy p ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ,,. strength ot many y „,_„„„ed for a fence, vitk tracted, these stumps are -^^^^^^^^ ,^^^^^ *^ rT dXcheTb tt weather, they have tW washed and Weaetiea »y ^he route to 'fthe faUs of the Hudson, where we crossed, were and tl^e **"',„.„„ tj,e low state of the river; so inconsiderable from *e ;° ^^^ ^^^ .^ ^^^ that it was easy to explore lu naked rock. beautifully situated at the Caldwell IS a vu ^ ^^ ^^^^^^^^ southern extremity of he lake- ^^ ^ Uereby sickness and wa unable to y^.^^ ^ „..bers of a church ^^^^ ten churche. Lake G-'-g^;;';;: ; ge'nrally prosperous; thej ^''f-nToC 10 )0 members, 'and have recently ruedtc-sed activity, while many access... Je been made to *e^ -'^^^^^^^^^^ ^,,,, ^iscta The waters of tins tr^sU ^^ ^^^^^^^^.__^^ Ae finny tr.bes J J^^^.^^ ,,,t„d it_tbe . raantic r°*' ^^ all the world, r%rl tCUed population ot „eees.ityfora-tho of^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ,y ,,e State adopted and f '^"S\;;, ^re : it is designate. Convention of New Hamp ^^ ,^.^^^^ ^^^_ .. eircrdt preachng. J' of languishing and prises in its objects, the '^^^'""f, y ti,eir pulpits, i. .1 „v,„r<.hpsbv a transient supply 01""= v f < feeble churches oy a ^^ ^^ conveying and the planting on^^--^' ^^^^,^^,,^ ,„, the " glad tidings to many a ^^ preaching the go.pel >" "'''"J ^f "^J. , Je district, agents employed a. ^vangeUs^, fo^ ^ ^^^ and during a specific -'';«"' ;™Jie. as .« dents from the ^<^^^^i;^'^^, for the peri^ •ie-^^rCdar'sulsettfed pastors, as « of a vacation, '^f f ;.;,^'=^,„,„,,ience absert fro. ari-ange so as to be ^'^' ;™ g„,u a mode ot tl'eir post for the -'^'-- ^ ,;,„,a .'..strict b, evangelizing many __ J-^^ ^^^.^^^ ^^_ " '■i-oi' V-;"*?; - h en .nven to it by o» sideration than has ^ '" J""_"^ ^„„„toi„ pass calW t>»"'=""'*^;*:*'\ttionlp«ssi"SS*™nger.» ,„„„ arrests th-. ^^>t o- P ^^^ ^^^^^^ f :; :l * W laJed feet above the ...: "^ T„<: nice up to v,hich a friend^' hn?' ^'"■''Zc lee; "fthe traveller, ver; ..i.tinc* reBeniblcB a facs or rather a head, chaplet or may be rega little lali es ^ As a spec and village! uncleared i respectable dined was was literall seven weeki mouth, yon amphitheati positions ai of the road At New 1 a view of ! method of 1 of which ji thence proi with Mr. ( in tliat city This floi members, i place of wc school is <: purpose, ai adequate ai of scholars oli-fatihioTi :he site of ktantial lo^ .Indians, a: i^*^.': A-'/fki'l-.^'t NEW HAMPTON. 341 isli the J of the ition of e great Las been le State signatt-i Lcy com- aing and • pulpits, 3nveying Aon, and en. The district) sucli stu- »s as are ;lie period irs, as can isert, from a mode of Ustrict hy M'lous con- it by our pass called of the old Bger. Tlii* and broken e the ii^««i' endb' iinger f^^ .ni:,tinctly th a Bort oi chaplet or helmet round the brows. The figure may be regarded as the genius of one of the loveliest little lal; es which ever reposed at mountain foot. As a specimen of the rapidity with which houses and villages are called up, as if by magic, in some uncleared ft rests, we were informed that a very respectable inn and ample outhouses where we dined was built of timber, every plank of which was literally growing in the neighbouring woods seven weeks before our visit ! On the road to Ply- mouth, you seem to be leaving an ever shifting amphitheatre of splendid mountains, whose relative positions are incessantly changing by the windings of the road. At New Hampton I spent part of two days, with a view of becoming acquahited with the ordinary method of tuition adopted at the Female Seminary, of which particulars will be given hereafter, and thence proceeded to Concord to spend the sabbath with Mr. Cummings, pastor of the baptist church in that city. This flourishing com?imnity, consisting of 148 members, now meets in a new and very handsi^me place of wc ship, with a lofty spire : a good Sunday school is collected into convenient roo>ii for th^' purpose, and the growing congregation provides an adequate agency for teaching the numerous classes of scholars. The congregationalists have a large oU-fa-diioned meeting-house in this city, built upon the site of one which not a century ago was a sub- istuntial loff pP'^t«'*'.''"tlrierOfthelattoV i,i„ ,v>;n;stprs and missionaries, yji ">>= very able m.niste s a ^.^^^ _ ^.^ ^^^ ^ seven have gone to burman appointed to -f -^"^ thimt ..ut fift» by this time set sail, leavin (.^y,,| engaged in diligent preparation or the labour. Seven have gone t" *« ^^^ ^^^ ^J Valley, and upwards of twenty, ^^^'^ i fL tlic xame destination. Ine w»i . 1 .„g for *^ ;»^; ,^ „f the institution, as mA represents the growin o ^^y bealthful, and — ^tny ;-y "-^H vated with «uch toil ^^ * "-"J P^. ^^ ,{ ^ and has ''e^" '"PP „. /u; Kin- of Zion. saints, and the blessing of the lim„ 01 "th: situation of the — J^^^^^^^TJ, fe ,eautiM. There are - *s abou ,y 60, and four^stor- h^h they ^ ^^^^, , rentyrulu'^^i '>.> ^>* •* <9v%^/ Photoeranhic Sdences Coqxiration 33 WIST MAIN STRUT WIBSTM.N.Y. 14SI0 (716)k72.4S03 ^ 350 HAMILTON. i classes, Ae freshman, the sophomore, the junior and the senior, which express different degrees of ad- yancementinliteratureand3cience;thelatter,besides the Greek and Latin classics, and the Hebrew Ian- euage, are conducted through a course of mtellectutd andmoral philosophy, and are made acquamted wrth Cicero-s philosophical works. The theological de- partment embraces two years, comprehendmg He- brew, biblical antiquities, principles of mterpreta- tion and exegesis of the New Testament intelte. tual philosophy, together with a conrse of biblical, systematic and pastoral theology. &mce the return of Professor Sears from Germany, on the eve of our departure, during the first few days after his arriv. , we had the pleasure of interviews at New York. We fully anticipate that the institution will demc important advantages from his acquisitions dum two Years of absence on the European continent. It ought to be observed, too, that the businm of each cUss is begun with prayer. In this, as jn the other institutions, the students are usual!) dismissed at five in the afternoon after being collected for singing and prayer. On one of tb, days of our visit, tliey consented to prolong thei. collegiate attendance, by delivering seven declam.- tions This afforded an opportunity of judging «l their talents in composition and oratory. One or two only of the pieces, however, were original, an these were very creditable. Two or three evird great proficiency in the art of public speaking, anJ were free alike from inelegance of manner, ano t... vices of pronunciation ; others betrayed a neglKi t cn both gretted t alike req cable to Theba nitude, a 300 men Mr. Per] Utica, self in 1 or 14,00( its due s] tablishm Mohawk and is ei Trenton as they 1 excursioi we do n only, the the kin( Mr. and enjoyed occupied town ant is a good which a' the pasti neld Mr vant of ( a chu^-li TRENTON FALLS. 351 cn both points, similar to that which we had re- gretted to observe elsewhere. Fidelity and affection alike require this remark ; especially as it is appli- cable to many of the institutions of both countries. The baptist church in the village is of some mag- nitude, and in a thriving state. It consists of about 300 members, under the pastorpl care of the Rev. Mr. Perkins. Utica, in which locality a single settler fixed him- self in 1784, contains at present, probably 12,000 or 14,000 inhabitants, and is a handsome town, with its due share of literary, ecclesiastical, and other es- tablishments. It stands on the south bank of the Mohawk river, ninety-four miles west of Albany, and is encompassed by a richly cultivated country. Trenton Falls are in this vicinity, and afforded us, aa they have done many a stranger ' fore, a day's excursion. On the varied beauties of the place, we do not suffer ourselves to expatiate; we shall only, therefore, record our grateful remembrance of the kind attentions of Mr. and Mrs. Kingsford, Mr. and Mrs. Beebee, and others with whom we enjoyed pleasurable and profitable association. We occupied the sabbath in various labours in the town and neighbor rhood. At Whitesborough there is a good congregation, and a church of 250memberr, whirU appeared to be in a flourishing state, under the pastoi'al care of the Rev. A. L. Co veil. At Deer- tield Mr. Reed labours, who is a plain, devoted ser- vant of Christ. His ministry is much bit sed amoiip^ a chur h of about seventy or eighty members, and a 352 SCHENECTADY. gunday-school of thirty children. At this place an opportunity occurred of witnessing a " donation „artv " The meaning of this is, that a day of social entertainment is held at a beloved pastor s house ; but the feast is furnished by the visitors who take upon themselves the whole management. What ever needle work is performed on that day is «ifl. materials brought by the guests, and left m the shape of garments for the family-Ae books read or fooked at, are presents for the ch.ldren-many 7( he articUs used, are an addition to the house- hold goods of the parsonage. Once a year, a se., sonable token of a people's regard is, m this way, eft at the minister's abode, in the shape of money, neat meal, or otherwise ; for no one comes empty Sd, and cheerful devotion sanctifies the seen. The dull uniformity of a canal navigation of eigta, miles, from Utica to Schenectady, is relieved by k numerous charms of the Mohawk valley ; m gl.d.^ Through which an observant and rettectmg m.. will find ample opportunity for the exercise of* Zers, both in the study of character, as it present. S in the curious melange of literate and iH... S eisurely and busy, thoughtful and thoughtta, S and gay beings, that are thrown mto tenipi r^rrcompLionship in the long narrow cabm o tl^^ Toi and in recalling to view, from the deptW time gone by, the tribes that wandered in the fn* Z, but, alls', the guilt and the barbarism of sav^ life, amidst those enamouring solitudes. . SoHBNBCTADV is distinguished by the Union W| SARATOGA* 353 lege, belonging to the presbyterian denomination. It is a handsome building, finely situated, and in (rood estimation as a seminary of learning. The baptist church here was constituted in 1822 ; it has enjoyed some refreshing influences from on high, has a flourishing sunday- school, from which many have joined the church, and comprises 150 or 160 members. The Hudson P'^er Association held its twentieth anniversary on the 16th of June, in Schenectady. It is one of the largest and most effective associa- tion ' in the country, embracing forty churches, and 5,257 members, of whom 710 were received during the past year. The association has a fund of about $1,800 for the widows of ministers. They resolved to raise $800 during the year for the New York State Convention, and when the accounts were completed, it was found that nearly double the sum had been subscribed ; upon which, with characteris- tic zeal and generosity, they amended their proposal for the future, by agreeing to make the annual do- jnation $1,600. After twenty-two miles of rapid transmission by fhe rail-road, we found ourselves at Saratoga, hap- )ily associated with the family of Wayland, embra- ping the father and sisters of our friend the presidei .t It Providence. Here we had anticipated a few days )f retirement, but the kindness both of old and new friends prevented, and involved us alike in private |nd public engagements. We were introduced to [hancellor Walworth, and a considerable number [f episcopal and presbyterian clergymen. Saratoga 354 ALBANY. imparts its name to an association of about twenty baptist churches, containing 2,988 members, of| whom 292 were added last year. The churches are well supplied with pastors wholly devoted to their I work Some of them have been greatly blest; among others that of Mr. Powell, pastor at Milton, who received eighty-five during the year before kst, Mr Parr has been settled at Ballston Spa only im] years and in that period has baptized 200 members;! the church now consisting of 250. The pastor at the Springs, the Rev. J. Fletcher, has a prosperous church of 194 members. The sun day-schools con- nected with these churches consist of about 100chil.| dren each. Albany oi next transient resting place, is tlie capital of the state of New York, and a city of gre^t commercial importance. Its general appearanceii imposing, and the traveller is gratified in peramk latinff its spacious and substantially built streets; but he wonders so great a city should have beei constructed above the shallows and rapids of ty Hudson. Wealth and science have now to remedj the inconvenience ; and though the expenditure k been and will be prodigious, by contracting t^ width of the river, and deepening its bed wj dredging machines, these enterprising people ^i every day facilitating the navigation. Among the edifices appropriated to divine wM ship, the church of Dr. Welch is conspicuous. H splendid portico is formed to correspond with of the Female Academy ; so that while two su out twenty embers, ofj tiurches are ted to their | satly blest; r at Milton, j before last, pa only two lO members; he pastor at j I prosperous schools con- out 100 chil- place, is the city of greit] ippearance i in peramk'l built streets; id have beeil rapids of m ow to remedji pcnditure k ntracting tk its bed yi'i ig people an >> iz; -«! n < a (4 a « a u Q 1 Lo divine wu spicuous. end with w bile two 811 elevations ( pearance oi value of pr A gentlema nity, has e: either side " , sign of the is approprif stead, then quently the that the as< few steps, 8 I in due prop Imental eleg [are interna jstantial, bv naileries, ai dome, whic A custoi baptisteries ^hip. This pf sinking 1 in open, i nth ends g front of th ped ; and Jnd two chi asy to imaj lese bapti ^antheflo( andidates Welch's el ALBANY. ^56 elevations contribute materially to improve the ap- pearance of the street, they must also enhance the value of property in the immediate neighbourhood. A gentleman connected with Dr. Welch's commu- nity, has erected private houses of great value on either side the place of worship, to complete the de- sign of the architect. The basement of the church is appropriated to schools, and a lecture room. In- stead, therefore, of descending to them, as is fre- quently the custom, the whole is so well contrived, that the ascent to the floor of the chapel is only a few steps, and the height of the ceiling and dome is in due proportion to the building. While an oma- Imental elegance pervides the exterior, few structures [are internally more chaste and pleasing. Six sub- [stantial, but not too massive pillars, support the ralleries, and then rising to the ceiling, sustain the lome, which springs from them. A custom prevails in America of constructing baptisteries above the floors of the places of wor- ship. This struck us as far preferable to the method jf sinking them into the earth, as we do in England. Ln open, and, in some places, a handsome tank, nth ends gracefully curved, is seen immediately in front of the pulpit. The space within is well car- peted ; and being capacious enough for a small table |nd two chairs, has an attractive appearance. It is isy to imagine a contrivance for a platform around lese baptisteries, raised about three feet higher lan the floor, from which the administrator and the mdidates " go down into the water." At Dr. Welch's church, they have preferred a plan of 356 ALBANY. removing their open baptistery when it ,s not reauired for the immersion of the christian cob- verts It is made to draw backwards and forwards; and as it is placed on rollers, this baptistery, era when filled with water, is easily moved by its ap- pendage of simple mechanism. We must confe,, diat we were exceedingly gratified with the col- «truction of several of a similar kind hut w,a slight variations ; and cannot but think that araisd platform is preferable to the ordinary method adopted in our own country. 'Hie descent into the water is equally convenient, and even s"gg«'t» '^ of the banks of a river. A raised tank or bath could often be obtained at a smaller expense tha, that which is incurred by sinking a baptistery. Both the churches at Albany have emmentl, prospered. Mr. Ide, who succeeded Dr. Welch 1 the old church, where the greatest number of me. bers remained, has enjoyed a remarkable re™d Notwithstanding the amicable separation of th«! who went to form the new church, Mr. Ide h^ 340 members. His own account of this seasoB refreshing from the presence of the Lord is thi eiven by him in a letter dated Feb. 17th :— "A few weeks since, indications became ap rent that a work of grace had commenced ain« us A deeper seriousness, and a more earnest i tention to the word, were visible in the congw tion; a spirit of repentance, and confession ' ardent supplication, was diffused through church ; some drops of mercy fell, and twehe * baptized. ill. :»r./*fiii.o flip church, afi ALBANY. 357 solemn deliberation knd prayer for divine guidance, appointed a series of religious meetings, as a spe- cial effort for the conversion of sinners. This effort was preceded by a fast, at which the presence of I God was manifest among his people. They hum- bled themselves before him, confessed their sins, and piayed for the revival of his vrork, with a depth and fervour of feeling which could be pro- Iduced only by that blessed ' Comforter,' from Iwhom all holy desires proceed. The public ser- Ivices chen commenced, and were carried on prin- cipally by the assistance of brother Parr, of iBallston, who laboured with us during their con- Ttinuance, with great acceptance and efficiency. The manner in which the meetings were conducted, vas perfectly simple ; no machinery was put in bperation; the only means employed, were the breaching of the word, prayer for the Holy Spirit, Ind special instruction in the case of convicted jinners. The appearance of the assemblies, and of lie meetings for religious inquiry, was calm, Brious, attentive ; and the stifled sigh and falling fear were the only external marks of the deep [eling which pervaded them. The heavenly in- lence descended like a sweet, gentle, silent rain, lelting and subduing the heart with its noiseless [It irresistible power. ["The number of conversions which have taken ace none can compute but He who ' knoweth em that are his.' Last sabbath fifty-two were otked. The ordinance was witnessed by an ^Bmense coufvreo'ation^ and thousands wlio came 358 ALBAHV. w» tn p-ain admittance. The whole iwim- were unable to gam »a^^^^^^^ of the work, ber baptued since ^^J°^ ^^. ^,, Ueads of is sixty-four. Of these, 'remainder w families in * «/"»« °* ]^ ^f ,He,n teache^i, rsSiZrm:l-e. of the bible el. --^^raCrir::eS."wr: Zrrorth: flS sabbath of March; and. tize ag.iiu ui rpinioins- converts is irait "^'-^'XXrercta^rnrrfoUow thei. 1^ mg, with BOieniu i ,^ ^^^j r«a "Jth U MM "1* • »■■"»• "'"•■ "* ' voted piety ! .< q. b. Iot' Such signal success as that enjoyed by Such sign regarded as brethren at A ''^Z' . /. ^j^rf^tian spirit ''r^nrrtiewJ -l^ied not many .0, rt^ettC attempts to enlarge the church before, « ""^'^ qj this movement, w.j :igMte loni, is so deeply inter«» Itrillngly charactcnsac^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ persuade ourselves to omit It. inej. Ls to the Hudson River Association 'f* has a transaction of bucU aeuc^^j »"" .. r- ALBANY. 359 been consummated with so much apparent harmony. In the progress of the measure it \ as our frequent and earnest prayer, that nothing might arise to Ibring a reproach on the cause of the Redeemer, or Imar the union of jis people. That prayer has been granted. When the period of separation actually arrived, emotions of regret and anxiety were ex- ijited, which few if any of us had fully anticipated, tnd which were most sensibly felt by those who Wd been associated in the church from its origin, bd during its whole existence had watched] vith intense solicitude, over its growing interests. ^hile we could not but rejoice in the prospect of lecoming * two bands,' we well remembered the Ime when we were few in numbers and feeble in jesources ; and, as we reviewed all the way in Jhich the Lord had led us together, we felt how ainful is the separation of those whose hearts have bcome united by a long companionship. " From the strong attachment which the church |d congregation felt to our late pastor,— an at- fchment formed and cemented by years of affec- bnate and successful labour among them, and im- jired by no counteracting circumstance,— it was ■t surprising that the more wealthy and promi- ttt part of the church, and many of the congre- |iofl, should embark with him in his new enter- jse; and it was, perhaps, more from a sense of ■ty than from choice, that more did not do the ne. Anterior to the proposed division, a meet- [ was held for the purpose of selecting a suitable ,„«.,. v^i5i-c V4 5,ii5; iiJTB^ ciiurcu alter the 360 ALBANY,. contemplated resignation »[ D-W^J^^^^^ ^t: I suit was the unanimous election of our present . ^ronosals were accordingly made to hm, SleC:?d, and about the flrst of Octob.| ^mr>menccd his ministry among us. ,, ,, I ""prev ous to the arrival of brother Ide, iU who chose to identify themselves w.th the new >n.| ist received their dismission : the dw.s,on pm- teresi, recci ^„ ^1,0 9'2nd of September. Letters, r^rt^^eTern g-^ed at several suhsc J rS;rtalwU.mmher dismissed to».| ^''rwH^rrsr^s-yej^ wneii, »i found that thoughl especially in P-^^S '^ addhion, L J inferior ; when ^^/'^X c^n a^""' "» * E^ndleirintlesadneJofourheaJ^ ado^t the desponding inquiry of the p ophet J lorn shall Jacob arise? for he is small. -We J [orver, assun.ed the obligation and could ou however, ^^^^^ ,j„my t, cede,-an oW-^a >on J"'^ ^^ ,„„did dared to assume had we 'oresccn « n in which the separation would ?!»«« "^ ' .. In this state of things our present pastor fenced his labours, greatly f f "-l^-J^^/; „ect so different from what he had been ' Sect, while few of the band uround him c ALBANY. 361 venture to give him any encouragement. Soon, however, after his public services commenced, the congregation began to increase, and some who had not previously attended with us, became members of the society. In a few weeks, also, the presence of the Holy Spirit was indicated in our assemblies. The word was sealed with a divine energy — profes- sors were quickened — backsliders reclaimed — and some of the impenitent awakened and converted to God; so that by the 1st of January, our number had been increased by twelve baptisms, and several additions by letter. At this period the tokens of mercy became still more marked and decisive. An increased spirituality pervaded the church, our so- cial and devotional meetings became crowded, the church began more fervently to wrestle with God for his blessing, and to cry with yearning and im- portunate desire for the revival of his work. An unusual attention to the word and a deep solemnity were manifested in our sabbath assemblies. Many, on personal inquiry, confessed themselves convicted of sin, and concerned for their salvation. And throii'^h the whole congregation there existed a seriousness and tenderness of feeling, and a suscep- tibility of impression, which could have been pro- duced only by Him who holds the hearts of men in his hands. From these appearances we could no longer doubt that God was about to ' hasten his work,' and that the indications of his i)resence summoned us to action in language similar to that lie addressed to his ancient servant, * When thou hearest tlie sound of a going in the tops of the nml- R 362 ALBANY. berry trees, bestir thyself.' Impressed by such un- ecuivocal intimations of the Divine will, the church took into consideration the propriety of devoting , portion of time to special religious exercises. After solemn deliberation and prayer for divine guidance, it v>as unanimously resolved that the leadings of tk Holv Spirit, exhibited in the state of the church and congregation, justified and demanded such a me.- sure, Li we felt constrained to adopt it, humbly trusting in God to bless it, and deeply sensible tU all success depended on his gracious favour T.e services thus appointed commenced on he 2oth o January, with a season of festmg humiliation, m prayer. It was a day never to be forgotten. 11. God of grace was evidently present, melting b« people before him, subduing them mto pe« and producing in their hearts the prayer of fajta, and exciting desires and expectations which 1». Tuage seemf too feeble to utter. The exercises ,er. continued the greater part of two weeks. The resu t of these services, during their contin««.« Lid since their close, has been such as to stren^h» :^ hands and encourage our hearts far beyond «, „ost sanguine hopes. In the «««<=»« 7^^'' '•^H followed, we have the most «f>"-"«""8 JX^ J the measure was approved of heaven, and that (W was with us of a truth ; for we have beheld tte TeSn power of his grace displayed in bowingj lltitude'o the cross of Christ, and unitm td to his neople. And let others judge of it as twj nC we kno% that to us it has been ■ lifefrondency, wer3 dis- nnayed at our weakness, and torn from the supports Ion which we had been accustomed to lean, it was [then that he revealed his arm, and travelled before is in the greatness of his strength, to show that his Tork *s siccomplished ' not by might, nor by power,' l>ut by his omnipotent Spirit. ' Not unto us,' may '^e exclaim, ' not unto us, but unto God belong fhc praise, the efficiency, and the glory.' In con- plusion, permit us to say, that in the prosperity R 2 364 ALBANY. which has attended both our sister church and our Iwn, since the division, we rejo.ce m the assured ^.Action, that the attempt to establish a new m- ^rest in onr city, has greatly widened on field of usXlness, extended the influence of baptist prm- cipL, given -- o^-'^^'l ^P^*^ V TV 'uth and holiness, and received, «" *« S«°VS accomplished, the broad and legible seal ol Goi You, we doubt not, will unite to ' magnify the Lord ""'^We have three sabbath schools connected with the church, one of which has been recently com- *Led We have also collected for the _Bapt. State Convention and Home M~ »m The Pearl-street CA«rc* make the following sUe- ment : " Although for many years we have been as- liated with you in the labours -J-"«-- * kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, ye* ^i'" now in the holy providence of God, m a position th« end r it neJeLary to solicit adniission mtoyoj, hody. TUebi.oryc.thepa;t^-^^^^^^^^^ gracious manifestations ot ine uivn Ld goodness, and the --1---°; -;1-X .■idents connected with our mutual ctfort, and m. Soy>nent, inspires hope for the f"--** f"! re'un on with you. will tend under the divine bb „g to promote the glory of God, and our «.| Jwtual improvement. With the pecul>ar f »J Testing cimimstances that have combined to d Play the power and gnice of the great Head of d £cb, in the progressive advancement ol is c. :„ „.„ .itv. vou are for the most part famdiar, m ALBANY. 365 unnecessary therefore to occupy your time with the detail — a very brief reference, however, to some of the most prominent incidents in our movement, will not, we presume, be deemed improper. " The power and favour of God attending the mi- nistry of his word, had so increased the number and resources of his people, that in the year 1833, an impression rested upon the minds of many, that the abounding mercy of God, in increasing our strength, demanded renewed exertion ; and that efforts should be made, to extend the influence of the denomination, by the promotion of a new in- terest in this city. The indications of the divine will were, in our judgment, to clear to be misunderstood, and too strongly marked with impelling goodness and grace, to be resisted — the voice of his Provi- dence, was to us loud and distinct, requiring his spiritual Israel to move forward ; under this con- viction, and in obedience to what we contemplated as the imperative claims of solemn duty, 122 mem- bers of the church, united with their pastor, and several gentlemen of the congregation, whose gene- I reus and disinterested co-operation materially aided the church in this effort to advance the kingdom of Christ. Pecuniary sacrifices were necessarily re- quired to a large amount ; and the requisition was cheerfully met by our brethren with a ready zeal and liberality, that clearly evinced the sanctity and simplicity of purpose with which the enterprise was Icommenced, and prosecuted under the favour of God |to a happy completion. A commodious and beauti- .^ 366 ALBANY. ful house has been erected in the centre of the city, and on the 26th October, 1834, set apart by religious exercise for the worship and service of God. On the 27th, a council composed of delegates from chr.rches connected with this association decided to recog- nise us as a regularly constituted and independent church of Christ ; as such, we have since continued to worship God, celebrate his ordinances, and ad- minister the discipline of his house . A summary of our faith will be furnished you by our delegation, by reference to which you may ascertain our views of gospel truth. " And now, dear brethren, acknowledgmg no sove- reignty but the unlimited supremacy of the King of Zion ; no law of binding obligation in his spiritual kingdom but his holy word ; feeling it to be at once our duty and our privilege to maintain mviolably those holy principles of truth and righteousness that have ever distinguished, and that still constitute the glory of the church of Christ, we respectfully so- licit the favour of admission to membership in yonr body. . " With relation to our present state, we may trom say that the God of grace still smiles upon us witt his favour, and constantly furnishas new motives for profound humility and grateful praise. Our increase in number has not been large, yet M faithful ministry of the word has been graciouslj own^d by the Holy Spirit, and the saving strength of our Redeeming God revealed to some preciow souls who have been constrained to renounce th( ALBANY. 367 world, and submit to his institutions. We feel that our labours, responsibilities and sacrifices have not been * in vain in the Lord,' since the house we have built for the glory of his name, has already become the birth place of immortal spirits, and a scene of holy joy, where the God of love has deigned to visit his people, and unveil the glory of his presence. The church continues to walk in happy union, in obedience to the * new com- mandment' of its glorious Head — united in affec- tion and ser *ment, in their councils and measures, they present the distinguishing and essential mark of discipleship in their * love one to another.' That this harmony may continue uninterrupted, so far as human means may secure its perpetuity, a cautious discrimination is exercised in the admission of mem- bers, and in the cultivation of their spiritual gifts, influenced by the conviction that the interests of Zion are best promoted, the beauty and strength of the church of God enhanced, by ^.he consistency, unity, and concentrated energies of its members. " We have commenced, and we trust efficiently., a regular system of christian benevolence, comprising, in connexion with objects of a more local character, the following objects of benevolent operation : — edu- cation, American bible society, baptist general tract society, widows' fund, domestic missions, sabbath infant schools, orphan asylum, foreign missions, mite society. " Our very recent organization, and the impracti- cability of immediately collecting the subscriptions, I renders it imTiossible to report at this session the 368 ALBANY. amount we may obtain for the promotion of these objects. We send by our delegation, for the State Convention $100. " We have, connected with the church, two bible classes, well attended,— and two sabbath schools. " The church was constituted 27th October, 1834, with 123 members. Received by baptism 15, by letter 16; dismissed by letter 5, by death 1 ; leaving the present number 148. " Sanctioned by the church at their regular meet- ing, held June 11th, 1835." 36& CHAPTER X. DR. cox's JOURNEY TO THE STATE OF MAINE. fYom Albany through New York and Boston to Portland, — Sacra- mental Sabbath. — Brunswick. — Topsham. — Merry-meeting Bay.— Augusta. — Waterville. — Account of the College and the Commencement. — Visit to Bangor. — Lumber Mission. — Indian Settlement. — Account of the Country, and of the Baptist Deno- mination in Maine. The approaching anniversary of the college of Waterville, determined me to hasten my departure from Albany on a separate expedition to the state of Maine. Accordingly, on Wednesday, the 29th of July, I descended the far-famed Hudson or North River 150 miles to New York. The renewed, ever- renewing, and delightful associations of memory with the magnificence of the Catskill Mountains— the enchantments of the scenery on the rock-bound and wood-covered shores, as they arose, approached and receded, in endless succession, like the visions of romance — and the exciting interest awakened by the little fleets of vessels, with their snow-white sails, conti illy gliding into view, one by one, from behind every bend and turn of the river, rejoicing in the breeze: — all these attractions I forbear to describe, notwithstanding Hannah More's pretty hnes, in her somewhat over-estimated jeu d esprit — — _ -4-^^ , R 3 370 ISLE OF. SHOALS. "The joy of seeing is to tellr— And curiosity would sleep. If her own secrets she must keep : The bliss of telling what is past,^^ Becomes her rich reward at last." The next day I passed through the Sound at the back of Long Island to Providence and thence to Boston, a distance of 250 miles. Unwdhng to d^ turb m friend at a late hour I proceeded with several gentlemen to the first hotel m the city, where we failed, however, to obtain accommoaation, as they had already, during the day, refused m persons. This was indication enough of he rave ling Bpirit of America. What a busy ant-hill mus^ thi! country appear to any one supposed to be raise^ to a sufficient altitude, and endowed with adequate powers of vision to comprehend the whole at a ^^^he 'following morning I hastened by the steam- mcket to Portsmouth, and then proceeded to S^.tr. We touched at the Isle of Bhoals-ocky and awful for shipwrecks ! A large party of free-wi | baptists, who had been holding a protracted meet. ing in this wild and desolate ocean solitude, cameo board. I was gratified to see once more Mr^ a^^^ Mrs. Noyes, and several ministers whom I hadm in Hampshire. Mrs. Noyes had been a dihgcBl labourer for many months, amongst the thm pop. lation of this region, which seemed a mmiau. exhibition of the Scilly Isles off the -ast ofC^^^ ,„oll On Saturday, I travelled by coach to Portland through Berwick, Kennebunk, and across the riv« Saco. A tion of th a fellow packet t that it wi absence i of two c contrary, be a men Portland stances, t vast scah practice < forest Ian the maint in the ha: The sa ment froi to the ba Rev. J. ^ After a i Rev. B. administc Mr. Mag for the oc the churc • This ei his office. ton for fort labours as a hood of Bo namely, the PORTLAND. 371 ind at the tlience to ing to dis- leded with the city, modations, efused 160 the travel- it-hill must to he raised j th adequate | t^hole at a I r the steam- oceeded to I )als — rocky,] ^- of free-will racted meet" ade, came ore Mr. 8 m I had mei ,n a diligenl le thin popu a miniatup )ast of Corn 1 to Portland ross the rive Saco. A considerable discussion on the Sanctifica- tion of the sabbath arose, with a professor of religion, a fellow traveller, who proposed to take the steam- packet the next morning. While he maintained that it was lawful to do so, on account of his long absence from home, and the inconvenient detention of two days, I was sustained in maintaining the contrary, by another gentleman, whom I found to be a member of one of the presbyterian churches in Portland. It is to be feared that, in very many in- stances, the enterprise of the country, acting upon a vast scale of distance, and stimulated by the gainful practice of purchasing immense tracts of uncleared forest land, interferes with the spirituality of religion ; the maintenance of which requires peculiar vigilance in the hard contested race of commercial emulation. The sabbath, August 2nd, was one of " refresh- ment from the presence of the Lord." I preached to the baptist congregation under the care of the Rev. J. S. Maginnis, in the morning and evening. After a sermon in the intermediate time, by the Rev. B. Stow of Boston, the Lord's supper was administered. With pious and fraternal courtesy, Mr. Maginnis insisted on devolving the presidency for the occasion on the aged and venerable pastor of the church at Newton, Mr. Grafton,* and myself. * This excellent and aged servant of Christ has ju«t resigned his office. He has been pastor of the baptist church in New- ton for forty-eight years, and has been greatly blessed in \m labours as a minister. Five of the churches, in the neighbour-' bood of Boston, originated from the baptist church in Newton, namely, the churches in Cambridgeport, Roxbury, Brooklinej 372 PORTLAND. Several of our ministerial brethren w:;re present, on their way to WaterviUe ; and it proved to be "a soul-reviving feast." Thought, more swift than lightning, traversed the mighty Atlantic, and com- bLd the sacramental festival of Hackney and Portland at the geographical distance of more than 3,000 miles, uniting, in its enraptured association, the thousands of Israel in England and America and even to " earth's remotest bound. It pictured forth the period when every animosity and prejudice shall be removed by the religion of Jes-is 'rhose Bower was now overwhelmingly realized at the teble oi the Redeemer: and when the free, enslaved no more by their own passions, and the bond unbound from their chains-when men of every age of ever, rank, of every colour, shall be emphatically one in Christ;" PiW, more, imagination scaled the heavens, and u-r't. ' "'.^ recipi-^rts below in fellow ship with the spirits above. " O nodes, caimgu dmm '•' might a sanctified heathen have exclaimed, with a new application of the words of Horao or rather— for " there shall be no night there ! -m the impasioned language of Cicero, " O pra>cl^rm Watertown, and Newton Upper FaUs. Mr. «f ^"J^ ' remarkably green old age. His step is still elastic, and ton. llectual faSlties are retained in *eir almost und.ni,n,M vigour i etm the withering hand of time has been laiduponhm, and he feels sensibly the infirmities of decUnmg years. Witta Tfew months he has been deeply affected by the death of to wife, and his only surviving daughter, who for several years n. Ld i« his family. BeUeving, as he did, that his labours could no tiOD. . , , . 1-: i« \^a haa tnvftn in hi9 resifltna- longer be vaiuaoie lo lua H'=wt'*-' "^ — o p.ccommo( PORTLAND. .?73 ^im, cum ad illud divinum animorum concilium ccb- tumque projiciscar, cumque ex hac turha et colluvione diseedam /" No wonder that, amidst the obscurities of his age, and the imperfections of his philosophy, which threw the chilling shade of apprehension over the brightest prospects of his spirit, struggling to be free, and reaching after immortality, a man of his stamp in a fervour of emotion should afterwards add, " If I err, in believing the minds of such men (as he had named) to be immortal, I willingly err ; nor do I wish, while I live, this delightful error to be wrested from me." Thus did the noble orator all but *' lay hold on eternal life ; " and had one beam of revelation illuminated him, how would he have been prepared, with the certainty of hope, to have joined in strains like those of our modern poet — " O happy, happy company. When men and heavenly spirits greet. And those whom death hath severed meet. And hold again communion sweet ; . O happy, happy company ! '* The church of Mr. Maginnis is connected with I the Cumberland Association, comprehending about fifteen churches ; which form a branch of the Maine Convention. It numbers about 270 members, and is in a thriving state. The place of worship is [perhaps capable of containing 1,000 persons, and is Iwell adapted, like most in America, for comfortable pccommodation. On Monday, I proceeded on my journey through Jorth Yarmouth on Casco Bay, where there is a church of 1 70 or 1 80 members ; through Freeport, 374 TOPSHAM. which contams a church of nearly 120 member through Brunswick, which has a church of ICO members; and,, finally, across the Androscoggm to Topsham. The church in this place now meet ma commodious edifice, which was opened for wor.kp in May. So lately as 1832, the people were few ,„ numblr, destitute of a pastor, -^ opP-ed^v witnessing the desolations of Zion. Preaching was !embled for united prayer. Two happy results fo owed from this course. Union was mcreased ui perpetuated, and greater efforts were excted to V LTn a pasto; by beholding, from sabbath to sabbaft, he pufpit vacant, and by hearing no vo.ce of conA ion addressed to the poor in spirit, and no noto of warning to the impenitent. In the summer of 1833, Islbfth-school was opened for the "rst t.me ,. connexion with the baptist society. This school ™ stmnped with a signal blessing A young lady, wk enlged as a teacher, had, for some years, md«V a hope in Christ, but had never mude a public pr. fe sion of her faith in him. By means of her • nexion with the school, her love to the Savour » enkindled anew, and a corresponding des.re to u,* with the church. She was the earnest of * happy and extensive revival of religion which t. Zl which embraced within its influence eigh o7ten connected with the school and bible c\m From these facts, wc learn that there ^«>*''', important antecedents to the present flour.h^ ...L „r .!,„ .hurch. wiiich, if not the cause, «« Zir; connected with it; viz. assembling m MERRY-MEETING BAY. 375 sabbath day for prayer when destitute of preaching, and the establishment of a sabbath-school. The church in Topsham belongs to the Bowdoinham Association of twenty-six churches. We travelled near the coast, and were delighted with the scenery, which was richly diversified by islands, thirty in number, lying along the shores, some of them in the highest state of cultivation. We passed near Merry-meeting Bay, a name derived from the large annual assemblies of the Indians in former times. They came to this spot from almost incredible distances, that the principal chief might appoint the hunting grounds of the different tribes for the ensuing season. The name is indicative of the kind of meeting held, which lasted for at least a fortnight. There is something so entertaining to the fancy, in the idea of the sons of the forest asso- ciating in their native character and simplicity, to indulge the hilarity and freedom of intercourse accordant with the great annual festivity of savage life, that wo are tempted for a moment to overlook its inevitable evils, and a certain impression of melancholy • seemed to shade the beautiful and brilliant scenery, from whose haunts progressive j civilization, a calculating policy, or an oppressive I power, had driven these free-born children of na- ture. At one moment, as we travelled on, imagina- tion peopled these shores, viewed complacently their mirth and their native glory, beheld their dance, and listened to their song, and thus recalled de- Iparted ages and a vanished race ; the next, how- J f its jcniea me ifciiecting rtaiuy oi uieir wiiiii 376 AUGUSTA. disappearance, and the everlasting termination of their revelries and their dominion. Yet, however lamentable were the first means adopted for effect- ing the change, what benevolent and pious mind can do otherwise than hail the progress of improve- ment, the growth of knowledge, and the triumph of religion? The tomahawk has been superseded by the implement of husbandry, and the war-whoop by the " church-going bell." Hallowell appeared to be a flourishing village. It is situated on the river Kennebec, at the head of tide water, and contains about 3,000 inhabitants, a bank, an academy, and three churches. Three miles further on the same beautiful little river is Augusta, which though not a city, is the seat of go- vernment. Its general construction displays taste and elegance. In the evening I met some christian friends at the Rev. Mr. Tappan's^ the presbyterian minister, at whose magnificent church I afterwards preached. My lodging for the night was at the house of the baptist minister, whose congregation has been recently formed, and is in a prosperous condition. At a baptism in March, tw member of the legislature was immersed. A new place of wor- ship, of considerable size, has been erected, which at the time of my visit was on the eve of being opened . On arriving at Waterville the next day, I was immediately welcomed into the agreeable abode of Dr, Babcock, president of the college, where every one waH engaged in busy preparations for the com- mencement.. The whole district through which I had trave cultivatec along the importam which ar€ are sever originatec retired as with rega it to a gr€ was gratif the comn not waite ance of th before at have, wit ment of h menced a ameliorati a storehot a wise pol in tlie tri from dista to other i only, but Waterv under the The follo\ instructioi sident, anc oratory ; ( thematics WATERVILLE. 377 ition of lowever r efFect- s mind nprove- imph of ?ded by '-whoop village. head of tants, a Three river is Lt of go- ys taste hristian t)yterian erwards > at the negation )sperous mber of of wor- 1, which )f being U I was ibode of re eyei7 the com- which I had travelled from Augusta was mountainous, but cultivated, and the Kennebec meandered gracefully along the valley. Waterville is a place of growing importance. At the Teconick Falls In the town, which are at the head of the boat navigation, there are several manufactories, which have themselves originated a considerable village. The pleasing and retired aspect of the whole locality, and its position with regard to the state of Maine in general, adapts it to a great public institution for learning ; and I was gratified to find the sympathies of every class of the community enlisted in this object. They have not waited for a long revolution of time, the clear, ance of the country, and the progress of refinement, before attempting a literary establishment; but have, with the zeal of Americans, and the discern- ment of legislators, patriots, and philosophers, com- menced at once the refining process — the moral amelioration of this noble state, in the provision of a storehouse of knowledge for her rising sons. With a wise policy on their part, too, they have conjoined in the trusteeship of their foundation, gentlemen from distant parts, some of whom, though devoted to other institutions, have given, not their names only, but their active co-operation here. Waterville college was founded in 1818, and is under the direction of the baptist denomination. The following gentlemen constitute the faculty of instruction :— Rev. Rufus Babcock, Jr. D. D., pre- sident, and acting professor of moral philosophy and oratory; George W. Keely, A. M., professor of ma- thematics RTid nRtiirnI nhiL^ar^rkltir . Pa.r r<»1..:^ i'V * XVC 7 378 WATERVILLB; I Newton, A. M., professor of rhetoric and the He- brew language ; Ezekiel Holmes, M. D., lecturer on chemistry, mineralogy, geology, and botany; Phinehas Barnes, A.M., professor of the Greek and Latin languages and literature ; Rev. Samuel F. Smith, A.M., acting professor of modem lan- guages; J. Everett Farnam, A.B., tutor in mathe- matics, and librarian; Samuel Randall, Jr. A.B., tutor in Greek and Latin. The college year is divided into two terms. The first vacation is five weeks from the commencement; the second eight weeks from the second Wednes- day in December. At the close of the term there is a public examination of the several classes, when the students are subjected to the closest scrutiny. There is, besides, an academy near the college, under the direction of a committee appointed by its trustees, and conducted by gentlemen of literary and scientific attainments. The incorporation of the manual system of labour into the plan, has been deemed here peculiarly advantageous. There are extensive workshops on the college premises, in which the students usually labour three hours a day. Dr. Babcock's statement on the subject is, that " considerably more than one half of the whole number of students in college are regularly engaged in labour (chiefly in the college shops) three hours a day. Their earnings vary from 60 cts. to $2 50 cts. per week, according to their skill, strength and diligence ; but, on an average, they pay for their board by their labour. This system of labour ha. been in euccessful operation for more than two yc»r» (with th( when th work in doubtful, found his vigour. prosecuti a day in also esse] ment of i the stude " It is departme ment in failed?' i success h are able-l labour, ai have an e shops, at \ have been and only on llie oci for purchi rious kinc ciples of t processes mon ingei accustom € work to \ and tuitio ]paid in ad WATERVILLB. 379 the He- lecturer botany ; e Greek Samuel lem lan- n mathe- \r. A.B., ns. The [1 cement; Wednes- rm there jes, when scrutiny. college, ted by its f literary ion of the has been riiere are smises, in urs u day. t is, that ;he whole y engaged ree hours i$2 50cts. mgth and for their abour ha? I two yeif* (with the exception of a few weeks last autumn, when the scarcity of lumber partially suspended work in the shops) and the results of it are no longer doubtful. The regular exercise thus furnished is found highly conducive to health, and to intellectual vigour. No student is hindered in the successful prosecution of his studies, by employing three hours a day in work. The good order of the college is also essentially promoted by this ki d of employ- ment of the leisure hours of so large a portion of the students. " It is often asked, ' How can your manual labour department continue to flourish, when the experi- ment in so many ether institutions has entirely failed?' Several circumstances have conspired to its success here. A large proportion of our students are able-bodied men, who have been accustomed to labour, and do not regard it as dishonourable. We have an excellent and popular superintendent of the shops, at a reasonable charge. The shops, tools, &c. have been furnished by contributions for the purpose, and only need to be kept in repair, by a small tax on the occupants. We have also unusual facilities for purchasing lumber, and disposing of work of va- rious kinds from the shops. By carrying the prin- ciples of the division of labour into effect, the several processes are so simplified, that young men of com- mon ingenuity, even it' they have never before been accustomed to the use of tools, very soon learn to work to good advantage. The low price of board and tuition (only SI a week for the former, when paid in advance, and $20 per annum for the latter) 380 WATERVILLE.' are an encouragement to many worthy young men, thirsting for the advantages of education, to endea- vour to procure one here, chiefly by their own efforts." The general course of study assimilates with that of other considerable institutions. Generally fifty or sixty students are preparing for the christian ministry. There are weekly exercises in declamation and composition. All the students are required to read from the Greek Testament into English, with- out note or comment, in connexion with morning prayers in the chapel. The portions thus read are critically examined in a bible class, under the direc- tion of the president, on Sunday evening. In this manner the principal parts of the New Testament, in its original language, pass under critical review every year. Courses of lectures are delivered to the several classes on the following subjects: — the various branches of natural philosophy, chemistry, mi- neralogy, geology, and botany, rhetoric, Greek and Latin literature, German and French literature, the Hebrew language, moral philosophy, political economy. The requisites for admission to the freshman class, are testimonials of good moral character, a thorough acquaintance with English, Latin, and Greek grammar, Caesar's Commentaries or Sallust, Virgil, Cicero's Select Orations, Latin prosody, Latin composition, the gospels of the Greek Testa- ment, Jacob's Greek Header, ancient and modem geograpl tion, the so far as of the s( faculty s mended tively SOI history. On the gentleme deliver o amongst Society, i sions the processio church. The se After the o'clock a of music, faculty ar ment, anc ter of a nc was throri the honoi president, salutation row of th terest glit exercises nessed th uiu uiose i WATEBVILLE. 381 ng men, endea- leir own tes with Generally christian ition and uired to sh, with- mornins read are he direc- In this jstament, i\ review e several ; various stry, mi- 3, Greek iterature, , political freshman iracter, a atin, and ►r Sallust, prosody, jek Testa- d modem geography, vulgar and decimal fractions, propor- tion, the doctrine of roots and powers, and algebra, so far as to enable the student to solve equations of the second degree, or such acquisitions as the faculty shall judge equivalent. It is also recom- mended to students in preparation, to read atten- tively some convenient manual of Greek and Roman history. On the day previous to the commencement, two gentlemen from a distance were selected as usual to deliver orations before particular societies formed amongst the college students, such as the Peace Society, and the Literary Society. On these occa- sions the members and friends proceeded in solemn procession, w ith hired bands of music, to the baptist church. The season of Commencement was auspicious. After the necessary preparations at the college, at ten o'clock a procession, with similar accompaniments of music, and consisting of graduates, students, the faculty and president, members of the state govern- ment, and otl' 3r gentlemen, marched about a quar- ter of a mile to the baptist chapel or church, which was thronged to suffocation. To me was assigned the honourable post of walking side by side with the president, and receiving with other gentlemen the salutations as we passed uncovered through a double row of the literary assemblage. Hours of much in- terest glided away while we listened to the various exercises of the candidates for degrees, and wit- nessed their reception of university honours. At uic CiOse it aevolved on me lo deliver an orution '' on 382 WATERVILLE. the Study of literature," which was most courteously received. It would be doing no more than justice to speak in terms of commendation both of the instructions of the tutors, and the progress of many of the stu- dents in this young but thriving seminary of learn- ing. The progress of the past affords a pleasing prognostic of the probable success and distinction of The future. That a recent establishment should not at present be able to compete with the older schools of Europe, is no real disparagement ; but there is an emulous spirit at work both here and elsewhere throughout the Union, that will in time render it needful for the rest of the world to hasten forward with more assiduity in the career of im- provement, or withdraw the language of reproach and self-adulation. In the moral revolution of the globe, it seems to be the settled conviction of com- petent judges, that America is turning to the light, and may even yet, and at no distant age, outshine her competitors. If the fixed and unrivalled splen- dour of illustrious men in all the departments of art and science and literature, invests the universities of Europe with i halo of glory, our transatlantic brethren claim, f.nd justly claim, a fair participa- tion at least in the great names of our honoured country, and point to some literary stars on their own horizon, which already indicate the approach- ing constellations of future time. Their present tendency throughout the states is rather to the solid in acquirement, than to the showy. They are wisely^ laying a substantial foundation, and mean to raise the s they are < female se: vailed deg strife they litical stru a resistanc upon their all; and e fleeted lus discourage discolour 8 learn for i. and union To me made at ^ ment, and demical, w not unfreq America, tl or perhaps some few i tare were i lege, and i feet in the ceahng art no ease in mental to e fo«'cibly an iK)t, if I ma and attitud either nothi rteously o speak ructions the stu- ►f learn- plea-sing stinction t should he older ;nt; but lere and in time hasten r of im- reproach )n of the of com- lie light, outshine ed splen- nts of art iversities isatlantic sarticipa- bonoured on their ipproach- r present » the solid They are 1 mean to WATBRVILLE. 383 raise the superstructure before they adorn it. This they are doing almost everywhere, even in their female seminaries, to an extraordinary and unri- valled degree in pure mathematics. In the mental strife they seem as determined as once in their po- litical struggle. Happily here it is a rivalship, not a resistance. We ought to cherish, and not frown upon their youthful vigour. They are our sons after all; and even if they surpass, they will throw re- flected lustre on their venerable sire. Let Britain discourage the poisonous infusions of prejudice that discolour and debase our periodical literature, and learn for the second time that hatred is feebleness, and union is strength. To me it appears, not only from observations made at Waterville, but at every other commence- ment, and every other institution, collegiate or aca- demical, which I had opportunities (and they were not unfrequent) of attending during my visit in America, that the art of oratory is greatly neolected or perhaps I should say, misunderstood. Amidst some few admirable exceptions, manner and ges- ture were neglected. On the platform, in the col- lege, and in the pulpit, there was an evident de- fect in the graces of delivery. The art of con- ceahng art is not understood. There is little or no ease in speaking, but an awkwardness detri- mental to effect. Well constructed addresses, often forcibly and sometimes beautifully written, were iK)t, if I may use such an expression, well set. Tones and attitudes were seldom joood. The hands had either nothing to do, or knew not how to do it; and i 1 1 I ill I 384 BANGOR. the voice had no chance of being regulated by a just ind appropriate modulation. The art of reading well, too, is as much disregarded there as in Eng- land ; an art which is worthy of cultivation, espe- cially in connexion with the exercises of religion. Throughout the northern states the English laDgiT-^f^e is indeed better spoken by the multitude than at home, for there is a freedom from some of our barbarous provincialisms ; but the Attic dialect of the best circles of our jnetropolis, and the best speakers throughout our land, is not yet attained. I wish I could persuade Englishmen to imitate the good sense of Americans, and Americans to appre- ciate the good taste of Englishmen. Instead of returning immediately from Waterville, I was persuaded to prolong my journey to Bangor, This enabled me to see an extensive country, partly cleared, but in general finely covered with its ori- ginal forests. Bangor, at the head of the navigation of the Penobscot, is every hour growing into great- ness. In 1830 it contained 2,500 inhabitants; at present there are nearly 10,000. In visiting different parts of the town and neighbourhood, I was struck with the general bustle and almost visible progress of every undertaking ; all was motion. Here stones were cutting — there houses erecting — yonder, tlie rude outline of a new street forming by six oxen chained together, and engaged in ploughing up the ground v/hich was hereafter to be levelled and ar ranged. It seemed, in fact, the very metropoHsof pn^^»"»^T'i«** - and pverv one was urced forward — mer chant, meclianic, lawyer, and orator, by the impel LUMBER MISSION. 385 3d by a just of reading as in Eng- |,tion, espe- )f religion, sh laDgu'^P'e de than at )ine of our c dialect of id the best et attained, imitate the IS to appre- Waterville, J to Bangor, mtry, partly with its ori- e navigatioD g into great- labitants; at ting difterent I was struck ible progress Here stones -yonder, tlie bv six oxen ghing up the elled and ar- metropolis of rward — mer- jy the impel- ling persuasion that Bangor was to be the leading town of a mighty state ; to whose advancing great- ness every one seemed to feel that he was no incon- siderable contributor. I was politely received by Professor Pond at the Presbyterian Theological Insti- tution, which is erected on the side of a lofty hill, over- looking the town, and commanding an extensive pros- pect. I preached on the evening of my arrival at the baptist church to a numerous audience. This cono*re- gation is thriving under the pastoral superintendence of Mr. Curtis, who was amongst the very earliest promoters, if not the original deviser of the " Lumber Mission ;" but in this effort the baptist church was mmiediately and zealously supported by the congre- gational merchants. Lumber is the name for timber cut up in any way, and forms the staple article of export from the mouth of the Penobscot, and all the chief rivers of the state. To procure it, a hardy race of men is sent into the woods of the interior, at the close of the year ; where they construct camps of various descriptions, made of logs notched into each other, and planted where the trees are thickest. In these they domesticate themselves for three or four months, sallying forth as the weather will per- mit to hew down the tall sons of the surrounding forest. These are deposited as conveniently as pos- sible for taking advantage of the floods or ^'freshets'' of the ensuing spring, which float them into the streams and rivers, on which saw-mills are con- structed. Finding from 3,000 to 4,000 of these " lumber-men" were thus annually secluded from all otiier society throughout the period of their en- s 386 LUMBER MISSION. campment, and of course from all the public means of divine grace, the friends of this mission proposed supplying them with such a portion of their means as it might be practicable to afford. It was thought that their seclusion from ordinary society would operate favourably in inducing a disposition to attend to a missionary; and tLis expectation has been realized during the season in which it has been tried. A brother, originally a convert of the gospel among these woody solitudes, had been ordained to the general work of the ministry a fortnight before the scheme of systematic exertion was ripe. He was engaged to devote two months to the service as an experiment, and it everywhere succeeded. In his journal this missionary speaks of " small but atten- tive audiences" throughout his course. They ave- raged thirty to thirty-five individuals, but often amounted to fifty, and sometimes to seventy. Tliough a rough race, he found them not only re- spectful, but hospitable ; and so generally willing to attend to his object, that he preached every night but three, during the seven weeks of his itineracy. They would in no instance receive payment for the accommodation he found amongst them. Occasion- ally he was hailed by a religious lumber-man as bringing cold water to thirsty souls; and several times the little audience furnished a praying brother, and one who, according to the custom of various churches there, could exhort his companions after sermon. These men are dispersed, on the opening 01 tiie sprmg, iike me irucs iiiuy 11:11, lu an v*iicv.- tions, southward. It is not i will speedil} paration fro are two con| and one unil culiarly mar ligious. As wears the as what action s amount is de the work is j At the dis is an island ^ raent to the Town. It ii Newell nobr • self-denying the catholics settlement, resolved to i ever, crossed fixing hersel labour at th< avail themse] singular that so neglectful broken tribei upon their ar The corpoi the city mills tbe same rive and are the n INDIAN SETTLEMENT. 387 It is not improbable that another baptist church will speedily be formed in Bangor by a friendly se- paration from the primary society. Already there are two congregationalist churches, one methodist, and one unitarian. The American spirit is here pe- culiarly manifest at all public meetings, civil or re- ligious. As soon as a project is announced, which wears the aspect of utility, the question is — " Well, what action shall be taken upon this ?" The requisite amount is determined, dollars instantly pour in, and the work is accomplished ! At the distance of twelve miles up the Penobscot, is an island which has been appropriated by govern- ment to the Indians. Their settlement is called Old Town. It is inhabited by 300 Indians. A Miss Newell nobly undertook their instruction ; but this self-denying effort was attempted to be frustrated by the catholics, who contrived to expel her from the settlement, of which they, as in most other instances, resolved to maintain entire possession. She, how- ever, crossed the narrow branch of the river, and by fixing herself on the opposite shore, continued to labour at the nearest accessible point. Many still avail themselves of her persevering assiduity. It is singular that the different denominations have been so neglectful of the Indians, the fragments of whose broken tribes still linger, like the fading twilight, upon their ancient domains. The corporation mills, or as they are now called, the city mills, are situated three miles and a half up the same river. These are worked by steam engines, and are the most extensive saw-mills in the United s2 >:--■ m- 88 MAINE. States. They are valuable inventions. On account of the rapids, the people, nothing daunted, are about to construct a sluice of 900 feet in length, to run the rafts down. The Kinduskeay river falls into the Penobscot at Bangor, and contributes its quota of suitable banks for the construction of wharves. I returned by the river, and along the enchant- ing coast of Maine to Portland ; thence to Ports- mouth, after another day's agreeable ride, though " some warm." At Portsmouth I preached twice to the calvinistic baptist congregation, which was, at the time, destitute of a pastor. The place of wrrship contains 600 or 700 people. In general, however, it is not filled, and seems to need re-anima- tion. There is also a free-will baptist church, and some others of the presbyterian or congregational order. The town is situated on the Piscataqua river. It has a fine harbour, open at all seasons, and is the only seaport of New Hampshire. I hastened thence to Dover, and on a subsequent day, through the magnificent mountainous district of Gilmanton to New Hampton. My tour into Maine was attended with many pleasures and some labour ; but I could truly say of this, and all similar engagements li the same great cause, " labor ipse voluptas." Of the country, and of its religious aspect, it maybe desirable to subjoin a few words. Maine comprehends 32,000 square miles, and about 400,000 inhabitants, or twelve to a square mile. The northern parts are nearly m- peopled. Geologically speaking, it possesses the chief characteristics of a primitive country, that is, rugged c( hilly surl tivation ; obstructi] navigatio the great native foi the chief the Unio] harbours is cold, b A sket< tion in tb rative. TheMj associatio of these, compreht They havi societies, thern Baj a sunday- the conve not only from the their stat( and use e of religioi their recc activity tl cumstanc ''Easter MAINE. 389 account ted, are sngth, to falls into ts quota larves. enchant- :o Ports- , though ed twice lich was, place of general, 'e-anima- ircli, and egational pa river, and is the ed thence ough the aanton to ith many lily say of ame great mtry, and to subjoin 00 square welve to a learly un- messes the •y, that is, rugged coasts indented with harbours, a broken and hilly surface, a hard and granite soil of difficult cul- tivation ; with lakes and rivers, ill adapted from obstructing rapids or shallows, for the purposes of navigation. Agriculture is but little advanced, the greatest part of the country being covered with native forests. These, and grazing farms, furnish the chief exports. It has been the fourth state of the Union for shipping, as its extensive coasts and harbours are favourable to commerce. The climate is cold, but salubrious. A sketch of the history of the baptist denomina- tion in this part of the country shall close this nar- rative. The Maine Baptist Convention is composed of nine associations, which comprehend about 240 churches; of these, 150 are destitute of pastors. The whole comprehend between 16,000 and 17,000 members. They have been accustomed to engage in missionary societies, to assist by a branch institution the Nor- thern Baptist Education Society, and in 1834 formed a Sunday-school union. The secretary and agent of the convention is employed in visiting the churches, not only to procure donations for general objects from the more wealthy, but to obtain information of their state, to preach for those which are destitute, and use efforts, or devise expedients for the revival of religion. Two or three brief extracts from one of their recent reports, will convey some idea of the activity that prevails in some districts, and the cir- cumstances of their domestic missions. ^^ Eastern Maine. — Our venerable fatherCase,whose m 390 MAINE. labours have been so unceasing, long protracted, and useful, spent five weeks in this association, with the people of No. 8, Branch Pond, Trenton, and vicinity. His return was highly gratifying. It seems the Lord blessed him, and made him a blessing to the people. He mentions one interesting fact. Speaking of being in Branch Pond settlement, he says, ' Here I found an infant baptist church, which was constituted the 8th of December last, chiefly the fruits of a late re- vival in this place. Here I visited several families and attended several meetings, preached two ser- mons on Lord's day, and then rode six miles towards Ellsworth village, and preached again in the even- ing. This late revival in religion has extended about six miles on this road, and every family in tJmt dis- tanc has shared in the good work save one.' Br. E. Bedel h-^s been a missionary for the year, in this as- sociation, mostly, however, on the islands. The Lord has blessed his labours. He has baptised thirty. Br. D. Dodge has also spent four weeks. '* Penobscot, — Br. Roundy has been employed every fourth sabbath in Bradford. To the little church in thisplace, the committee of this association appro- priated fifteen dollars, which enabled them to secure preaching one fourth of the time. Br. Roundy says, * When I commenced my labours here, which was in December last, the church was rather low, but since that time the Lord has appeared for their help. I have baptised nine, and broke bread to the church. They seem much encouraged.' Br. Hale has spent three sabbaths, one in St. Albans, and two in Ga^ land. He baptised one. Br. J. Hatch has spent MAINE. 391 •acted, and n, with the id vicinity. IS the Lord the people, ig of being ire I found itituted the f a late re- ral families d two ser- ies towards 1 the even- iided about in that dis- le: Br. E. ", in this as- Binds. The tised thirty. I. 1 employed ittie church ition appro- ^m to secure oundy says, which was ler low, but p their help. the church, le has spent two in Gar- ;h has spent eight weeks in the service of the convention in Exe- ter, Stetson, Etna, and Plymouth. He has enjoyed some precious seasons, and baptised fourteen. . The people paid fifteen dollars, and he last fall sub- scribed to the convention ten dollars, so that the expense of Br. Hatch's mission was small. Br. J. F. Page received an appointment of seven weeks in the north-eastwardly part of this association, which appointment he has filled. He mentioned one cir- cumstance worthy of notice, viz. — In La Grange, he found seven members of the church in Bradford, who frequently attend the conferc ace of the church, by going twelve miles through the woods on foot, having to cross Dead Stream on rafts. While on his mission, he was instrumental of the conversion of several, and baptised one. In one place, where the population is fast increasing, his spirit was stirred within him, on viewing the situation of the people, for whose souls no man seemed to care. Br. Z. Hall spent five weeks in visiting the little churches east of the Penobscot river. In one place, he says, *the people docked together from all quarters; men, women, and children, came a number of miles through the woods by night, with lanterns, and torches, to hear the word ; and it was easy preach- ing ; I never saw greater signs of a general reforma- tion in any place.* He would have protracted his labours, had not sickness and death in his family calle< him home. Br. S. Dexter received an ap- pointment of twelve weeks in Stetson, Dutton, Kirk- land, and Bradford. In one of these places, he proposed to the people to hold a protracted meeting, « t^ 392 MAINE. which was attended with a blessing. A revival eom- menced in the meeting, which has brought more than twenty into the church of Newport, and has raised up a small church in Stetson. He says, ' I laboured most of the time under very feeble health, but never in my life did I labour (as I thought) where God approved, and his cause required, more than in this short mission.' " Previously to the year 1804, the Bowdoinham As- sociation was the only one which existed in this state. At its annual session in 1804, this association deemed it expedient to divide ; accordingly, the churches east* of the Kennebec river, and one at least west of it were dismissed . In 1805, these churches, together with others rocently organized, were formed into the Lincoln Association, which, at its annual session in 1806, numbered but twenty-one churches, and 1,151 members ; but, notwithstanding every obstacle, in- creased rapidly. In 1805, the first baptist church in Sedgwick— a church of 128 members, which, with its excellent pastor, the late Rev. Daniel Merrill, had recently renounced the paedobaptist principles, united with this body at its organization. In 1818, this association had so increased, that it numbered sixty-one churches. Thus it appears that within the short term of twelve years, the baptist churches east of Kennebec river, increased from twenty to sixty-one ; and several small churches were gathered in this section, which did not then unite with the association. During the same pe- riod, the communicants increased from 1,151, to nn!lBid[p**fi.l^lv mnrt» tlmn i^-.'lOO. This i having b< and by n Penobsc( pendent Lincoln j two asso( branched bered nil The forn five chui parent b< churches Thech a delegat 1818, am called th its first i fifteen ch body, the not only istence u already ^ larged, s formed, s the Easti eight chi meeting, was accoi original v ciations a ties in M MAINE. 393 This association at its annual session in 1818, having become extensive, thought proper to divide ; and by mutual agreement, the churches east of the Penobscot river were dismissed to form an inde- pendent body by themselves. Since that time, the Lincoln Association has been twice divided, and the two associations, Penobscot and Waldo, have been branched from it. The latter at its last session num- bered nineteen churches, and 1,087 communicants. The former, at its last session, numbered thirty- five churches, 1,908 communicants. Whilst the parent body (Lincoln) still numbered twenty=eight churches, and 2,460 communicants. The churches east of the Penobscot river, met by a delegation in Bluehill, on the 12th of November, 1818, and organized themselves into a body, to be called the Eastern Maine Association, which at its first annual session in October, 1819, embraced fifteen churches, and 1,042 communicants. To this body, the Lord has been signally gracious. It was not only small in its beginning, but came into ex- istence under many disadvantages. The churches already gathered have, however, been much en- larged, several of them have divided, and others formed, so that at its annual session, last September, the Eastern Maine Association embraced thirty- eight churches, and 3,209 communicants. At this meeting, it was deemed expedient to divide, which was accordingly done by a unanimous vote. — The original designation was dropped, and the two asso- ciations assumed the names of the respective coun- t,l«s in wlilnli tlipv iKtiPti Ini'Mted Hanno'*!' •»»».! s3 : |i :. 3f>4 MAINE. W^iahington. Of the thirty-eight churches, twenty- tv> are in Hancock, and sixteen in Washington ; in the latter, most of the churches are destitute of pastors, there heing at this time but six ordained ministers. The churches in the Hancock Associa- tion are better supplied, there being twelve ordained ministers connected with it; besides these, there are eight candidates for the ministry, some of whom are hcensed, and engaged in preaching most of their time ; others are in a course of preparatory study. Still, many of the churches are destitute of pastors, and some of them have preaching but seldom* In traversing the country from Waterville to Bangor, I perceived a considerable destitution of re- ligious means ; and my inquiries respecting other parts, notwithstanding the pleasing citations just introduced, lead to the conclusion, that this remark is but too capable of an extensive application. Op- portunities, however, for the diffusion of the gospel are numerous, were there but a sufficient multipli- cation of ministers. Still, in some of the principal places, Christianity is taking a deep root, and ob- taining a spreading influence ; and it is to be de- voutly anticipated, that this will be increasingly realised, as forests fall and cities rise. INSTITUTIO: — NEWTC — MEETi; TUTE OF field's ' The vill situated n( agricultura theatre of 1 is rather in of cultivati have been ; in the woe machinery the forest, at the foot commands direction ( Maine ; in White Moi to the state away in the tions, the c miles. At the fo uae small 395 CHAPTER XI. INSTITUTION AT NEW HAMPTON. ANDOVER. SALEM. — NEWTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION. MR. COBB. — MEETING AT FANEUIL HALL. — AMERICAN INSTI- TUTE OF EDUCATION. NEWBURYPORT. WHITE* field's TOMB. CHURCHES AT BOSTON. The village of New Hampton is romantically situated near the centre of New Hampshire, in an agricultural district, and encircled by an amphi- theatre of lofty hills. The wildness of the scenery is rather increased than diminished by the progress of cultivation, owing to the remnants of trees that iiave been felled ; so that if the axe no longer rings in the woods, there remains ample work for the machinery invented for extracting the stumps of the forest. From a lofty hill, called the Pinnacle, at the foot of which the little town reposes, the eye commands an extensive panorama, looking in one direction over the Lake Winnipiseogee far into Maine ; in another, to the aspiring summits of the White Mountains; and, in a third, across Vermont, to the state of New York, where the horizon fades away in the distance. It is said that, in some direc- tions, the diameter of the circle is more than 100 miles. At the foot of this commanding eminence, stood one smaii building, used for an academy, which 396 NEW HAMPTON. was offered to the Baptist State Convention in 1825. The convention itself was at that time but recently formed ; they, however, accepted the trust, and after struggling with many difficulties, and encountering no small degree of religious prejudice and opposi- tion, their application to the legislature for a charter was successful, additional buildings were erected, and the enterprise gave every promise of success. In thj course of two or three years it was deemed expedient to establish a female department, and a neat commodious building was erected on the rising ground, where a good congregational meeting-house already stood. Each has a spire, and together they present a very picturesque appearance. In a short time, it was found necessary for the accommodation of the increasing number of youths at the school, and students in the theological department, to rear a spacious and substantial college 100 feet long, by 36 wide, in addition to a hall, which had previously been built. The distance between the two semi- naries is about a mile and a half, but the whole institution is under the presidency of Professor Smith, who is the theological tutor. The anniversary of this seminary excites much interest among the baptists in the state; and we had been repeatedly requested to attend its celebra- tion. The institution has been much patronised by the city of Boston, chiefly on account of the female department. Miss Hazeltine, the lady who presides over it, is not only a native of Boston, but under the pastoral and paternal eye of Dr. Sharp, she has risen to merited distinction. The powers of her mind, teaching, ei in this ard three able ments, in i tion with t fron- "Sosto and its adv of erecting There are either boarc purpose, or Some of th( are men of already occ tained the : ledge. Bei! liberal educ amply to pr further, a th ministry. [ students. After a cc paired to th Mr. Simpso influence, w the instituti president at the hospital carriage to were alsq ac ance to Con NEW HAMPTON. 397 her mind, her attainments, and a happy facility in teaching, early marked her out, as likely to excel in this arduous and responsible station. Two or ' three able associates take their respective depart- ments, in most efficient and harmonious co-opera- tion with the lady president. Many young ladies fron- Boston have received their education there ; and its advancing celebrity has led to the intention of erecting a new and more spacious edifice. There are four classes of male students, who may either board themselves, at the houses kept for that purpose, or live as in other colleges, in commons. Some of these are youths of a tender age, and some are men of mature years, who, though they have already occupied various situations, have ascer- tained the need of enlarging their general know- ledge. Besides these, the institution furnishes a liberal education, both classical and literary, so as amply to prepare young men for college ; and it is further, a theological seminary of candidates for the ministry. There are in the whole about 230 or 240 students. After a cordial welcome to the institution, we re- paired to the dwelling of the Hon. H. Y. Simpson. Mr. Simpson is a judge, and possesses much local influence, which renders his devoted patronage of the institution highly advantageous. He was the president at the anniversary. We not only enjoyed the hospitality of his house, and the use of his carriage to convey us to the different meetings, but were alsq accommodated politelv with that convev- ance to Concord, a distance of thirty miles, to enable 398 NEW HAMPTON. US to remain to the close of the public exercises. The father of the judge is still living. Old age has darkened his corporeal and dimmed his intellectual vision, but he is the wreck of a noble specimen of our nature. He was a colonel in the war of Inde- pendence, and bears in his person honourable scars, besides a bullet or two which could not be extracted, and which he will carry with him to the grave, it was easy to kindle the latent fires of his mind, by allusions to scenes with which he had been familiar in his youth. He has an indomitable love of liberty mingled with the finest feelings of a generous and benevolent heart. He loves and venerates England, but thinks .hat the interests of the whole world required the independence and free institutions of his country. The examinations commenced in the male depart- ment, and were conducted by President Smith, and Professors Morse, White, and Sherman; any visitors being invited to put questions as they proceeded. A committee of seven was appointed to report. Youths of from eight to fourteen or fifteen seemed to compose the school of the English department, and, in their examination, particularly in arith- metic and book-keeping, displayed the ordinary measure of proficiency which a diligent tutor will generally secure . A curious circumstance occurred, illustrative of the prevalence of the republican spirit, and showing how the passion is nursed in very childhood. Three little boys were to have been examined in geography, me luiur muu^iit i"«= there was scarcely time for the examination of thi' little els and dete of these be exami by their As the generalb less exte seminarii chiefly q the evide and in si divinity. The cl a careful construci the freqi] Greek a:r mathemij accuracy language attention advantag and the s considers of this d when, at addresses The ex anticipate tensions NEW HAMPTON. 399 ixercises. 1 age has ;ellectual jcimen of of Inde- ble scars, extracted, jrave. it mind, by Q familiar of liberty erous and England, ole world tutions of He depart- )mith, and ny visitors proceeded, to report, en seemed jpartment, in arith- 5 ordinary tutor will ; occurred, ican spirit, id in very have been ;ion of thi' little class ; but instead of simply intimating this, and determining for himself, he put it to the vote of these republican youngsters, whether they would be examined or not, when the negative was carried by their uplifted hands ! As the theological students of this institution are generally of a class to be contented with a brief and less extended course of stu ly than in some other seminaries, our young ministerial brethren were chiefly questioned in mental and moral science — the evidences of the inspiration of the scriptures — and in subjects connected with biblical studies and divinity. The classical examination embraced translations, a careful analysis of language, and the grammatical construction of sentences. We were pleased with the frequent use of the black board for writing both Greek and Latin, as well as for its customary use in mathematics. We regretted, however, the want of accuracy in the formation of the letters of the dead languages, and trust that this point will attract the attention of the tutors, who must be aware of its advantages. In various branches of mathematics, and the study of natural philosophy and chemistry, considerable T^rogress was manifest. In the evening of this day numerous assembly was convened, when, at the request of the ministprs, we delivered addresses on the subject of education. The examinations in the female department were anticipated with great interest, and, to us, it ap- psareu. tuat tuis seminary couiu assert greater pre- tensions to superiority in comparison with others 400 NEW HAMPTO"^ than the boy's school. An opportunity had been afforded of attending the ordinary studies of the pupils, having nevertheless a reference to the exa- mination ; and a more substantial course of educa- tion we never witnessed. Whatever was taught, appeared to be taught thoroughly. No doubt con- siderable preparation had been made expressly for the annual display ; but ample evidence was given of an acquaintance with principles, and not merely the attainment of a superficial smattering to be for- gotten as quickly as acquired. It was sufficiently obvious that the exercises wi not mere recitations from memory, but a vigorous application of mind was apparent, both on the part of teachers and pupils. We shall give a brief enumeration of the topics which engaged our attention on the public day. A judicious examination in Butler's Analogy was proceeding as we entered the hall ; the teacher took the ground of such opponents as the author combats; and by stating in her own language the objections he answers and removes, elicited the knowledge which had been obtained by the previous study of the work, and of the subjects it contains. This was followed by examinations i algebra, on the black board, which was covered with figures, executed with the utmost neatness. Many demonstrations were thus given in the liigher branches of arithmetic, and in algebra. Quadratic equations were perform- ed by the young 'adies, with perfect accuracy, and explained with the promptitude which bespeaks clearness of conception. Next followed a class of botanists, wl distribution sify and arr? ginal discuss memorating terlude. Tl two young < conducted b^ the first and then transla on education tended to rej made by tw which led to tive pursuits dicative of c( posed the pi( lightened th history, with by dictation, the children scribed on a or seven yea An original ] tronomy — an is — reading i and translate must have be sis of each 1 tomed ; but 1 ""jcp'cCilliCnS wc that the who "SEV: HAMPTON. 401 botanists, who, with a bouquet for the indiscriminate distribution of a flower to each, proceeded to clas- sify and arrange them scientifically. A lively ori- ginal discussion, on the m -u rational mode of com- memorating the 4th of Jd. ensued, as a sort of in- terlude. This was succeeded by an examination of two young children in the elements of geometry, conducted by one of the elder pupils. Portions of the first and seventh books of Virgil's Mneid were then translated and analysed. A clever dialogue on education was su chained with spirit. It was in- tended to represent a morning visit, supposed to be made by two fashionables, to two literary ladies; which led to an amusing altercation on their respec- tive pursuits, in which were many sallies of wit, in- dicative of considerable ingenuity in those who com- posed the piece. These episodes relieved and en- lightened the meeting, instead of music. General history, with some portions of ancient history, taught by dictation, were introduced. The movements of the children of Israel in the wilderness, were de- scribed on a blank map, and a little girl, about six or seven years of age, gave a history of St. Paul. An original poem followed — and in succession, as- tronomy — an es. ay on America as it was, and as it is— reading in Pre ich, which was well pronounced and translated — and English poetry. These studies must have been instructive, from the careful analy- sis of each line, to which the pupils were accus- tomed ; but there was a cadence, which, without the ens we had, liiiglit have led to the inference, I ^JMVVyllAl that the whole school was accustomed to read line 402 NEW HAMPTON. after line en masses thereby acquiring the same tones and emphasis. A class was examined in Wayland's Moral Science. This was succeeded by physiology, natural history, and geography. A bible class gave so correct a synoptical view of the Epistle to the Romans, and evinced so much acquaintance with the general scope of the author, and the reasoning in different chapters, as to reflect the highest credit on the assiduous teacher, who had communicated so much information. One young lady then read an original address to a society wl: > hid been formed among them, under the a '; a jn of a " Mission- ary Association;" anothei, ^' .t to leave school, delivered a valedictory address. Both these were admirable ; the latter was full of tender pathos. We were then requested to close this long day's session, which we did by an address and prayer. In this seminary, there are but few very young persons. The greater part will probably become teachers, and may be considered as in training for those numerous common or district schools, which will be immensely benefited by a more competent class of instructors. The remainder are young ladies of respectable families, who resort here to linish their education. Of those who are more advanced in age, or who are preparing to become teachcre, no inconsiderable number are necessitated to spend one half their time in some profitable employment ; that by carefully husbanding their wages, they may have wherewith to pay the expenses of their education, during the remainder of the year. This honourable ambition is as creditable to the pupi?, aa it is bene- ficial to soc: are many o propriety of are necessar the seminar] any were ev( but from th dental circu The same the expenses each adapts in the housi approved re members of attend them a college for establishman as in the mal In some ( contrive to 1 lings per wet is small. I) dancing . TI m our opinio success as ii mens of ind] general exce! collects and elegance, sp( served in an i quotations, a elegant prese NSW HAMPTON. 403 ficial to society ; and it is found, that among them are many of the most promising scholars. Such propriety of conduct is displayed, that no distinctions are necessary, and none are attempted to be made in the seminary ; nor could it generally be known that any were ever occupied in mills or other factories, but from their periodical absence, and other acci- dental circumstances. The same charges for tuition are made to all ; but the expenses are materially diiferent for board, which each adapts to her means. All the scholars reside in the houses kept for the purpose, by persons of approved respectability, and where they live as members of the family. The teachers have only to attend them in the recitation rooms. It is in fact, a college for females, as much so as are the university establishmants for men ; only there are no commons, as in the male department. In some of the boarding houses, a number can contrive to live for very little more than five shil- lings per week, each ; and the charge for education is small. Drawing is taught, but not music and dancing . The two former accomplishments are not, in our opinion, pursued in America with the same success as in England ; for while there are speci- mens of individual proficiency, there is a want of general excellence. In studying botany, each pupil collects and arranges, often with much taste and elegance, specimens which are prepared and pre- served in an album, with such apt poetical or prose quotations, as fancy may dictate. We received an elegant present of a Horttu^ Siccus. In this descrip- 404 NEW HAMPTON. m' I tion of female education, so easily attainable by in- dividuals from any class who may aspire to it, England is greatly surpassed by America. We have but few, if any, institutions resembling this ; but it would be difficult to assign any satisfactory reason why the plan of proprietary schools should not be extended to our daughters, or why they should be deprived of the advantages of a more substan- tial and extended education. That a large number of British ladies are to be found throughout the country, who yield to the ladies of no nations in the new or in the old world, may be confidently main- tained ; but equal advantages with those enjoyed in the female academies of America, are by no means accessible. On the contrary, the great mass of females with us, grow up comparatively in ignorance of much that is taught at New Hampton. We must not omit to mention that one of the most delightful features in this institution, is its religious character; and that the most judicious efforts are made to produce and foster religious feeling. Its advan- tages are equally free for persons of every religious community. The teachers manifest a deep conceiii to awaken serious inquiry in the pupils. There is then a class of catechumens formed, and as the inquirers advance towards a decidedly christian cha- racter, they are received into another class, whicli is considered a fellowship of true believers, into which those only are admitted who would be re- ceived, and many are actually received, as members into churches. In the use of these means a sessioD rarely passes without several instances of conversion On the m seminaries { large institi day, when 1 of all descri the number displayed h took of a s and, though in point of whole, and New Hai debt; the i acres of Ian liberal effor raised, one to provide e department. We met j thren from we heard mi One very in ness, accom] related, as il revivals hav the baptist rested in tl much concei church of w was musing erfully impr< personal effo kiii NEW HAMPTON. 405 On the morning of the 13th, the students of both seminaries assembled in the baptist chapel, near the large institution. It -vas a kind of commencement day, when the customary speeches, essays, orations of all descriptions, in Latin as well as in English, to the number of sixty, were delivered. Some of these displayed highly promising talents, but a few par- took of a somewhat coarse and vulgar character ; and, though admirably acted out, were exceptionable in point of taste. A band of music enlivened the whole, and it was a day of much enjoyment. New Hampton seminary is not burdened with debt; the trustees possess a property of several acres of land, besides the college buildings ; and a liberal effort is making to raise $6,000, of which, if raised, one gentleman has promised a fourth part, to provide enlarged accommodation for the female department. We met at this anniversary many estimable bre- thren from different parts of the state, from whom we heard much of the general state of the churches. One very instructie instance of personal devoted- ness, accompanied with extraordinary results, was related, as illustrative of the manner in which some revivals have originated. A Mr. , member of the baptist church at , who was deeply inte- rested in the great realities of religion, became much concerned at the low state of religion in the church of which he was a member. One day as he was musing on the desolations of Zion, he was pow- erfully impressed with the importance of immediate personal effort, and it occurred to him that he had 406 NEW HAMPTON. himself made but few direct attempts. He thought it was by no means impossible for an individual to call at all the houses scattered within a thinly popu- lated district, seven miles around his own dwelling, and converse with some one in each house upon the interests of the soul. Forthwith he formed the re- solution ; and that very hour, taking his staff in his hand, he proceeded on his benevolent but romantic expedition. By the time he had accomplished his purpose, it was thought there was not a house in the circuit, in which one or more hopeful conversions had not taken place; and within a few weeks 200 persons were brought to a knowledge of the truth! . . Some of the revivalists in these parts mamtam that divine influence is often of that extraordinary nature, as to comprise supernatural intimations from God, even respecting the conversion of particular persons; instances illustrative of which were often given. Such communications are represented as indescribable, of which when felt you cannot but be assured, but if not felt they cannot be comprehended. At one town in the neighbourhood of New Hamp- ton we were informed, that three years ago, there of New Ham and are not I country. The break] most cheerfu every variety diversified co about dress, 1 who preferre( garments, ga^ to the eye oi and the meet: cavalcade stn upper to the 1 to Concord, i see no more t: throne ! There is a the road wind a sort of mou ing a pond o is constructed irmly fastene aid over the i was but the name of a church ; but that the pastor lot reach Con had since then baptised between seventy and eighty saving parted each year, and had erected a place of worship eighty 8, Dr. Sharp, feet by sixty, which was so crowded, that serious thoughts were entertained of erecting another cha- pel. Upon the whole it appeared to us, both froni the brethren and friends with whom we associated, ^ ii- _ :„iu_^,«*:/-.»^ /»r»T»iiiiiiT»innff>fl. t.hftt the bautists una. Ilii3 iUiUiiiiativ." >-"»""■"" 7 — i hose coach race among i pposite side our own cc over. We 1 lought iual to 1 popu- elling, )on the the re- F in his tmantic hed his 3 in the '^ersions weeks of the laintain >rdinary ns from irticular re often mted as t but be ihended NEW HAMPTON. 407 of New Hampshire are keeping pace with the times and are not behind the other northern states of their country. The breaking up of this anniversary presented a most cheerful and joyous spectacle. Vehicles of every variety had been put into requisition ; and the diversified costume of persons rather unceremonious about dress, together with the shirt sleeves of thosp who preferred being disencumbered of their upp^r garments, gave the usual peculiarity of appearance to the eye of a stranger. The weather was warm, and the meetings had been very crowded. A lonff cavalcade stretched down the hill leading from tht upper to the lower seminary : there, taking the road to Concord, we parted from many whom we shall see no more till the last general assembly before the throne ! There is a deep romantic ravine through which the road winds soon after you have left the village a sort of mountain pass, which is entered by cross' ing a pond or lake, over which a floating bridge s constructed. The logs are roughly hewn and ' Hamp. irmly fastened, so that a regular corduroy road is ;o, there aid over the surface of the placid water. We did e pastor lot reach Concord till a late hour. Tlie next day d eighty laving parted with the friends who had accompanied ip eighty 8. Dr. Sharp, Mr. Hague and others from Boston t serious ''hose coach we wer^ nlpnat^/l f^^ « i x- .. . ' t serious her cha- 3th from sociated, I bautists iiose coach we were pleased for a long time to race among the trees as it rolled along on the pposite side of the Merrimac, nearly parallel ) our own course,— we pursued our way to An- over. We had but r ah^vi ♦:^« *^ _.._•_ _ — ,,j „ iixxic ly ciijoy aii I t M i'» ■'- :*if 408 ANDOVER. interview with Dr. Stuart ; a heavy rain and the anticipated arrival of the stage for Salem, prevented a minute survey of this admirable college. Very few seats of literature present altogether a more striking appearance. The site is elevated, the grounds well laid out, and the whole institution im- presses a stranger as worthy of the noble generosity of its founders. Our intention, at the time, was to have re-visited Andover, but no subsequent opportu- nity occurred. The number of students, which were about 150, has been somewhat affected, particularly in the theological department, by the secession of between thirty and forty on anti-slavery grounds. This is one of the seminaries which had recently been much agitated upon that topic, in consequence of a long series of meetings, for more than a fortnight, We are unable to pronounce an opinion upon tlie conflicting statements made by the parties : for while, on the one hand, an extraordinary degree of intemperance, vehemence, personality, and indeed the want of every degree of customary decorum is charcred upon the chief speaker, so that it was deemed proper to circulate attested statements of what actu- ally occurred ; it is on the other hand asserted, thatal- though it was a period of religious revival, the deepest interest was taken in the discussions for many succe* sive days, and that besides the seceders, there an many equally determined, on conscientious grounds to form an abolition society. An interruption of tlii course of things during a revival, by the introduc tion of so exciting a topic, is as severely denounce by one party as it 18 lauded by ttUO'"-" '^'^^ II V, V suspicious which do r\ evil in thes that the n thus, from bued with i them upon with the ut having the the conver is self-conf] have prolo: who, as a s tinguished cussions, ji question, as to deplore i Upon the i there is cau was vicious and perhap opposite e> Americans i nation of di godly sorr( 2 Cor. vii., fested to be guides shou the axe to lest intoxic their fruits well as of tl ANDOVER. 409 nd the jvented Very a more ad, the ion im- lerosity , was to >pportu. ch were icularly ssion of grounds, itly been nee of a )rtnight, I pen tlie ties: for y degree id indeed corum s deemed hat actu- d,thatal- le deepesi ly succes there an grounds ion of til introduo lenounce .l-.y-v ifnn suspicious of the soundness of those conversions which do not prevent all connivance at so gross an evil in these enlightened days, are at least desirous, that the religious principles of their youth shall thus, from their very earliest development, be im- bued with universal charity, so as infallibly to pledge them upon this great cause. Dr. Stuart received us with the utmost cordiality. He is a thin tall man, having the unfettered ease of a republican, with the conversational communicativeness of one who is self-confident, without pride. We w ould gladly have prolonged our stay, in the society of a man who, as a scholar and biblical critic, holds so dis- tinguished a place, though in some elaborate dis- cussions, particularly with reference to the wine question, as it may be designated, there is reason to deplore much that is fanciful and hypercritical. Upon the subjects of temperance and abstinence, there is cause to apprehend, that in correcting what was vicious in the habits of the people, some evils and perhaps failure, will be risked by going to an opposite extreme. It is not uncommon to hear Americans deplore, that they were fast becoming a nation of drunkards; it springs doubtless from that godly sorrow, in many instances, so extolled in 2 Cor. vii., that such holy indignation is mani- fested to be " clear in tluMuatter ;" but enlightened guides should pause, when christians are seen laying the axe to the root of the trees in their orchards, lest intoxicating drinks should be expressed from their fruits; and what savours of the impious as well as of the absurd, devising some expedient, and 410 THE TEMPEHANCE QUESTION. !i(i m providing some substitute for wine even at the Lord's supper! Much elaborate research and critical acu- men may be displayed in a controversy to establish an essential difference between the Hebrew tirosh and ain, as if the one denoted a prohibited alcoholic fluid, the other an innoxious and lawful stimulant, when properly administered ; but no one can doubt, whether the Saviour spake of or used such wine, as would in the process of maturing, have " burst old leathern bottles." Whether the ancient Hebrews would have called it ain or tirosh, when it was r w, it required " new bottles," and then " both were T) reserved • It is in the highest degree hazardous to tamper with positive religious institutions: they are sup- ported exclusively by the expressed will of the foun- der. We are under a moral obligation to obey the positive institution, though the act prescribed may in itself be altogether immaterial, a thing of per- fect indifference in respect of moral attributes; hence, any alteration in forms of observance, any substitution of one thing for another, abrogates the institution itself; the very essence of obedience con- sisting in a rigid adherence to the authoritative pre- scription. We were sorry to hear that any of out churches were embarrassed with scruples about the alcohol lurking in the ordinary wines used at the communion; but did not learn that any had on that solemn occasion altogether abandoned the use of it, as some of other communities have done. It is affecting to o')serve how promptly the spirit of n„ Uor,^ of ovon rplio-iniw scrunlea: commerce uviiiio it^cix ^^ .. - -— ^ * for among " communi sufficient t judicious nG We reac Our intelle of the first Brown Un: and deacoi houses. IN without cal of the men Boston, wh to their poi of their cou be bribed ir commerce i the centre, lings, gives Our friends to Nahant, < first waterir call the un: travellers ai disappointm offended wit such feelingi ral tendency compare obj cularly indu] who go acre uf their rivi SALEM. 411 for among the most common advertisements, are "communion wines" for sale; a fact, in itself, sufficient to enlighten the understanding of any judicious man. We reached Salem the same day, August 14th. Our intellectual friend, Mr. John Wayland, pastor of the first church, and brother to the president of Brown University, and his hospitable neighbour and deacon, Mr. Shepherd, received us to their houses. No stranger can visit this handsome city without calling to recollection the noble-mindedness of the men of former days, who refused the trade of Boston, which royal bounty would have transferred to their port as the price of a traitorous desertion of their country's cause. But no ; they would not be bribed into perfidy ! There is not much show of commerce in this city ; but the park-like square in the centre, surrounded with many substantial dwel- lings, gives an air at once of elegance and aflauence Our friends kindly formed a party for an excursion to Nahant, distant nine miles, considered to be the first watering place in the States, as we vulgarly call the unrivalled towns on our coast. English travellers are indebted to mcny of their feelings of disappointment, and their American friends are offended with many a rude remark consequent on such feelings, to a very absurd, though not unnatu- ral tendency in the human mind, to associate and compare objects. This original propensity is parti- cularly mdulged in by visitors from the old country who go acrose the Atlantic to survey the creations oi their rivals, who have sprung from the same t2 412 SAI-EM. Stock, and who speak the same tongue. But how ridiculous to go to Saratoga dreaming of Chelten- ham or Leamington ; or to drive to Nahant with Brighton floating in your recollection ! Our equi^ page would not have disgraced nobility ; it was an elegant carriage, and four fine horses. The excur- sion altogether was delightful, to which the mtelh- gence and refinement of our party contributed not a little. As we stood upon a rock gazing upon the scene where the Shannon and Chesapeake fought, and listened to the details from one of our company who watched from the same spot the phrensied con- flict, we could scarcely repress the imprecation, " Dark be the destinies of those who shall ever plunge our countries into another war ! " The proudest distinction of Salem is her ample and efiicient provision for the education of youth. It is adequate to the wants of all, so that there if any remain untaught it must arise from their own negligence, which, however, is of rare occurrence. Scarcely such a phenomenon is to be found as that of a child born in Salem who is uneducated, and every one may, if he chooses, obtain instruction to fit him for college. Religion is generally flourishing, and m our churches there is much to gratify. That of Mr, WaylanJ is large, consisting of more than 5O0 members ; we preached there, and ^t the second church, which was expecting the immediate arrival of a pastor. About 160 members are here united, - , , _i : «-.r*>«/»tQ+ti-ki-ie indiile'ed. and the most uucunng c.^i.t^i«v.- One circumstance during the devotional pai of public wors gation rem? posture, or a different { as if it wen customary i of Danvers gates into attentive an sists of aboi so large a r interest in meeting anc As much hi as was pos politics, an( versation. We hast spending tl friend Dr. their domes daughter, end of a pa of folding d companions of which D: place on ea completed I relatives am a paper to '. SALEM. 413 public worship was remarkable ; the whole congre- gation remained motionless, without any change of posture, or the slightest adjustment of the person to a different attitude. At first it seems to a stranger as if it were not their intention to respond to the customary invitation, *' let us pray." Mr. Olroyd, of Danvers, was urgent to receive one of the dele- gates into his pulpit, when a large and deeply attentive audience was assembled. His church con- sists of about 150 members. Before our departure, so large a number called to express their fraternal interest in our mission, it proved to us at once a meeting and a separation from relatives and friends. As much had been crowded into a visit of three days as was possible, during which literature, slavery, politics, and religion formed frequent topics of con- versation. We hastened back to Boston for the purpose of spending the 18th of August in the family of our friend Dr. Sharp — a day rendered memorable in their domestic history, by the marriage of a beloved daughter. The bride and bridegroom stood at the end of a parlour, rendered spacious by the opening of folding doors, each sustained by their respective companions, and forming a semi-circle, in the centre of which Dr. Sharp himself stood. We occupied a place on each hand our friend, and the circle was completed by the different members of the family, relatives and visitors. The bridegroom then handed a paper to Dr. Sharp, as the officiating minister, of Wiiicii tiiu iOiiOWuig IB a copy : — 414 MARRIAGE CEREMONY. i " City of Boston, S.S. " An Intention of Marriage, between Doct. James E. Gregerson and Miss Elizabeth W. Sharp, both of Boston, hath been entered with me for the space of fourteen days, and due publication thereof has been made as the law directs. ** In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the thirty-first day of July, Anno Domini, 1835* " S. F. M. Cleary, City Clerk." The reading of this certificate suggested an intro- ductory remark on the object of the meeting. A few plain questions were asked, and answered, respectively, by the bridegroom and bride, when they were pronounced husband and wife. Dr. Sharp then gave a brief, but pathetic address, in the midst of which he presented his newly-marrieH children with an elegant bible, with appropriate remarks on that volume as their chief treasure. We were requested, the one at the commencement, the o.aer at the conclusion of the solemn engage- ment to off'er a short prayer. We may be pardoned for expressing the opinion, that a ceremony so gimple and social, and withal so devout, incom- parably surpassed the superstitious, and, to many, the offensive conformity to which all classes in oup own country are compelled so reluctantly to ftubmit. At the close of the marriage festival, an hour's ride broug address fr students of in the eve Boston ; 1 talented fr 19th of Ai] THE THEOL the baptist usually nu] opportunit; nence in vc tian denom day comple delivered e jects, and i The con( Christ, by . Argument by John G< Methods d1 Bible, by J — -Characte Ij Joshua Prospects c Boston, M tation of \ Braintree, xvii. 12, to Samuel W. Interpretat NEWTON. 416 Miss been days, as the Dr. ride brought us to Newton, where we heard an address from Mr. J. Wayland of Salem, +0 the students of the theological institution, and another in the evening to the alumni from Mr. Hague of Boston ; both worthy of the reputation of our talented friends. On the following morning, the 19th of August, we attended the anniversary of THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION, which was held in the baptist meeting-house. The assembly was un- usually numerous, and we were gratified with the opportunity of associating with gentlemen of e'li- nence in various professions, and of different chris- tian denominations. A class of thirteen had on that day completed the regular three years' course, and delivered essays on the occasion. We give the sub- jects, and names of the speakers : — The condition of the Jews in the century before Christ, by Alvan Felch, of Limerick, Maine. — The Argument for Christianity, derived from Miracles^ by John George Naylor, of Melbourne, England.^ — Methods dif exciting an interest in the study of the Bible, by Joseph Banvard, of the city of New York. —-Characteristics of the Puritan style of Preaching, Ij Joshua Millet, of Leeds, Maine. — State and Prospects of Mohammedanism, by Lewis Coldby, of Boston, Massachusetts. — Sobriety in the Interpre- tation of Prophecies, by Cornelius A. Thomas, of Braintree, Massachusetts. — ^Translation of Isaiah xvii. 12, to xvlii. 7, with a brief Commentary, by Samuel W. Clark, of Wethorsfield, Connecticut — Interpretation of Matthew xxiv. 29 — 31, by John B. . 416 NEWTON. . 1 ; Hague, of Hackensack, New Jersey.— The proper method of treating the Papists, by Francis Sieg, of Cincinnati, Ohio.— Evils of hasty Pastoral Connec- tions, by Russell Jennings, of Meriden, Connecticut, —The Claims of a Pastor's Flock upon his attention, by Joseph W. Eaton, of Boston, Massachusetts.-^ The influence of Philosophical Systems in corrupt- ing Primitive Christianity, by David N. Sheldon, of Suffield, Connecticut.— The Connexion between the Doctrines and the Precepts of Christianity, by Charles Johnson, of Canton, Massachusetts. It would be invidious to express our opinion upon the comparative merits of these productions, but we can unhesitatingly pronounce upon then^ generally as excellent in manner, language, and sentiment ; evincing not only the talents of the speakers, but the value of the instruction they had received under our estimable brethren, the professors Chace, Knowles,and Ripley. After prayer, professor Chace formally introduced us to the assembly, and in conclusion of his speech said, " Honoured Ire- thren ! we welcome you to our holiest places. We greet you as the messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ. From this hallowed scene- from this holy convocation, we would send our christian salutations by you to the land of our an- cestors. We would bid our brethren beyond the ocean, Godspeed, in the promotion of truth and holi- ness, and in all their labours of love for the salvation of our fellow men." Dr. Cox then delivered an address on the subject of the christian ministry. During 1 instructed using proi Chrestoma and antiqu Hebrew P( on the Int the Harmc attending a The middle making use Jahn's Intr pleted the Greek New professor a difficult bo< general ex order, pres passage dis tion also wi prophetical reading on of pastoral duced aad ( read and a professor oi view of th consideratif In ecclesiat gress of reli close of tilt of sacred rli I 11 JJEWTON. 417 During the year, the professor of biblical literature instructed the junior class in the Hebrew language, using professor Stuart's Hebrew Grammar, and Chrestomathy. They had studied also the geography and antiquities of the bible, Lowth's Lectures on Hebrew Poetry, Campbell's Dissertations, Ernesti on the Interpretation of the New Testament, and the Harmony of ^he Gospels in Greek; besidos attending a series of lectures on biblical literature. The middle class prosecuted the study of Chaldee, making use of Riggs's Manual. They further read Jahn's Introduction to the Old Testament, and com- pleted the critical study and interpretation of th^ Greek New Testament. Lectures were given by the professor as an introduction to some of the most difficult books. At each exercise, in addition to a general examination, the pupils, in alphabetical order, presented a written iiiterpretation of some passage discussed at the preceding lecture. Atten- tion also was given to select portions of the Hebrew prophetical scriptures, and to a systematic course of reading on' Jewish history. Under the professor of pastoral duties, sketches of sermons v/ere pro- duced aad criticised, and works on sacred rhetoric read and analyzed. The senior class, under the professor of jiblical theology, were conducted to a view of the evidences of Christianity, and to the consideration of a series of theological subjects. In ecclesiastical history, they had studied the pro- gress of religion from the time of our. Saviour to the close of the eleventh century. 'j In the department of sacred rhetoric they had studied (Pqrter's Lecturer t3 I 4 418 NEWTON. it' 1 If fl Hlft^:: on Homiletics and Preaching, in connexion with Campbell on Pulpit Eloquence, with free remarks by the professor. In addition to a sermon, there had been a weekly exercise, at which one member of the class had read an analytical essay respecting some distinguished preacher of ancient or modern times, presenting a brief sketch of his history, a list of his works, an analysis of one of his dis- cdurses, and a general examination of his style. A course of lectures also on sacred rhetoric was de- livered, and one member of the class declaimed every week. In the department of pastoral duties, twenty-two written lectures had been delivered; and a weekly discussion by the class, in the pre- sence of the professor. The object of this exercise was both to increase a knowledge of these sub- jects, and to cultivate the talent of extemporaneous speaking. Prayer and conference meetings, bible classes, and sabbath-schools had been sustained by the members of the institution, and the students preached in forty-five places. We were invited to attend the meeting of the trustees of the institution in the afternoon. The annual report was read ; and among other business, jhe establishment of a separate professorship of ecclesiastical history was considered, and, we be- lieve, determined. It was to embrace the evidence!* of revelation, the formation, preservation, trans- mission, and canonical authority of the sacred volume, the ancient and subsequent history of the Hebrews, and of the nations with whose history that of the Hebrews is connected; the history of christiai tices whicl with their at reforma world, as ^ minations We sper the widow the Newto was a proj( spared, he of its frien ness of gi looked up< appreciate; revisiting have enraj Natha. . racter of a of excellei in May, 16 commence daughter < several we the 36th ^ noble-hear stantly pre always fro: that he wa God were rich; and had given NEWTON, 419 of Christianity, and the various opinions and prac- tices which have been supported under its name, with their causes and consequences, the attempts at reformation, and the present state of the heathen world, as well as the origin of the diflPerent deno- minations of professed christians. We spent a few days at the house of Mrs. Cobb, the widow of one of the earliest and best friends of the Newton Institution. The whole establishment was a project dear to his heart, and had his life been spared, he would have been among the most active of its friends. This anniversary renewed the bitter- ness of grief in the heart of the widow, as ^he looked upon her fatherless son ; and our sympathy appreciated the feeling which prevented her from revisiting the scene which in brighter days would have enraptured her benevolent mind. Natha si Ripley Cobb, Esq. displayed the cha- racter of a CHRISTIAN MERCHANT in all its varieties of excellence. He was born November 3, 1798: in May, 1818, joined Dr. Sharp's church in Boston; commenced business in 1819; married Sarah, th(^ daughter of T. Kendall, Esq. in 1820; and afte'* several weeks of decline, expired May 22, 1834, ii. the 36th year of his age. He was one of the few noble-hearted men of wealth, whose affluence is con- stantly proved by their munificence. Yet it was not always from what is strictly denominated affluence that he was so benevolent, inasmuch as the vows of God were upon him that he would never become rich ; and he redeemed the holy pledge which he had given by consecrating his gains to the Lord.' N. R. COBB, ESQ. In November, 1821, he drew up the following re. markable document : — " By the grace of God, I will never be worth more than $50,000. '^ By the grace of God, I will give one-fourth of the net profits of my business to charitable and reU- gious uses. " If I am ever worth $20,000, I will give one- half of my net profits ; and if I am ever worth $30,000, I will give three-fuurths ; and the whole, after $50,000. So help me God ; or give to a more faithful steward, and set me aside. ^^Nov.mi. -N.R.Cobb." He adhered to this covenant with conscientious fidelity. At one time, finding his property had in- creased beyond $50,000 he at once devoted the sur- plus $7,500 as a foundation for a professorship m the Newton Institution, to which, on various occasions during his short life, he gave at least twice that amount. Though a baptist, and ever ready to per- form any service for the church and the denomina- tion to which he belonged, yet he was prompt in affording aid tu all wise designs which appeared to have a claim upon him as a christian, a philanthro- pist, and a patriot. He was a generous friend to many young men, whom he assisted in establishing theiiselves in business, and to many who were un- fortunate. Seldom was this excellent man absent from any meetings of the church, even amidst the greatest pressure of business. He rejoiced in the conversion of sinners, and constantly aided his pastor in the in- quiry meeti aifable, his i guished by penetration activity wer scribe his ( sentences, n " Within th views of hea I have been joyed it as m I have everj my family ; and mean d« sick-bed ! ] near prospec infinitely mc Christ, the Alas, hov« days partak mansion, fr< lately depart loved friend and suddenl Scarcely, ho when the in sympathies ^ survivors di< Among th omit the met |ing at Fanu avowed purj JANUEIL HALL MEETING. 421 quiry meeting. His temper was placid, his manners aiFable, his integrity entire. He was, besides, distin- guished by great business talents, and by an acute penetration into the characters of men. Energy and activity were his element. We could willingly tran- scribe his diary before us; but a very few shor^ sentences, uttered in his last sickness, must suffice : "Within the few last days, I have had some glorious views of heaven. It is indeed a glorious thing to die. I have been active and busy in the world. I have en-r joyed it as much as any one. God has prospered mei I have every thing to tie me here. I am happy in my family ; I have property enough ; but how small and mean does this world appear when we are on a sick-bed ! Nothing can equal my enjoyment in th^ near prospect of heaven . My hope in Christ is worth infinitely more than all other things. The blood of Christ, the blood of Christ, none but Christ." Alas, how little did we imagine, while for a few days partaking of the elegant hospitalities of the mansion, from which this christian merchant had so lately departed to our " Father's house," that our be- loved friend, his then surviving widow, would soon and suddenly be summoned to rejoin her husbend. Scarcely, however, had we re-crossed the Atlantic when the intelligence reached us. We blend our sympathies with those who live^ knowing that *' the survivors die !" Among the public meetings of Boston, we must not omit the mention of our attendance at the great meet- ing at Fanueil Hall, convened on the 21 st, for the avowed purpose of neutralizing the influence of the I 422 FANUEIL HALL MEETING. abolitionists in the north, and tranquillismg the agitation of the south, on the subject of slavery. It was an immense assembly, and was both mten- ded and represented to have set the subject at rest, by passing unanimously the following resolu- tions :— - « Whereas it has become matter of public notoriety, that pro- lects are entertained by individuals in the northern states of this Union, for effecting the immediate aboUtion of slavery m our sister states, an^ that associations have been formed for this end • and there is cause to beUeve that the numbers and influ. encJ of these persons have been greatly exaggerated by the ap. prehensions of many of our southern brethren, and too proba- blv by the sinister designs of others, who discern an occasion to promote in the south disaffection to our happy union; andm consequence of the great and increasing excitement prevailing upon this subject, it becomes our duty to attempt to e^m tk ,^nds and assure the confidence of the good people of how states, by expressing the sense of this community upon the«e procedures. We, the citizens of Boston, here assembled, hereby make known our sentiments respecting this momentous subjec in the hope that the same may be favourably received and adopted by other communities and assembhes of our fellow- citizens, so that a public and general sentiment may be demo atrated to exist in the north, adverse to these destructive pro- iects We hohi fuis truth to be indisputable, that the condition of slaver- finds no advocates among our citizens-our laws do not authorbe it-our principles revolt against it--o^;^f «°; wiU never tolerate its existence among them. But althougl they hold th^ opinions, they will not attempt to coerce the» brethren in oth^r states to conform to them, 'fhey know tha Blaverv. with i. : it. attendant evUs, was entailed upon the south by the mother country, and so firmly engrafted upon their sociri system, that the revolution, which sundered their pobtica^ ti« to Great Britain, had no effect whatever m loosening thwe - . . -„'^ - *■— !•» ♦Via nr»innial state. in" which bound the slave lu ais uiaaivi »" ^"^- --- condition of t the federal cor tutes the Amei tion of the SOI all the rest. 1 basis < f that o the policy, anc (li .lurb solemr free act, with a the political s; together prosp half a century. *• Entertaini principles and ter among our We deplore tl Bmall) numbei confiding in tl ling consequer attempts to vi principles of ir feelings of in( mestic relation foreign people upon the prin of foreign nati( their sympathi suited, would abandon its ni confederated s those which re 9vil« of slavery exists, and th competent to r liihed, or endu discomfort anc misery of the s FANUEIL HALL MEETING. 423 condition of thinjira continued and existed at the adoption of the federal constitution. By that sacred compact which consti- tutes the American Union one nation, the rights and jurisdic- t n of the southern states were recognized and confirmed by all the rest. Tl actual state of their social relations was the basis ' f that compact ; and we disclaim the right, and disbelieve the poUcy, and condemn the injustice of all efforts to impair or dibturb solemn obligations thus imposed upon ourselves by our free act, with a full knowledge of their nature and bearing upon the political system, -f-d by an adherence to which we have together prospered in peace, and triumphed in war, for nearly half a century. "Entertaining these views, we solemnly protest against the principles and conduct of the few, who in their zeal would scat- ter among our southern brethren, firebrands, arrows, and death. We deplore the illusion of a greater (though we still believe a small) number of estimable, moral and pious persons, who, confiding in the purity of their motives, but blind to the appal- ling consequences, unconsciously co-operate with them in their attempts to violate the sacred faith of treaties^ and the plain principles of international law. And above all, we regard with feelings of indignation and disgust, the intrusion upon our do- mestic relations of alien emissaries, sustained by the funds of a foreign people. The national government has uniformly acted upon the principles of non-intervention in the domestic policy of foreign nations, and the people have imposed restraints upon their sympathies and feelings, which, had these only been con- sulted, would have led them to compel their government to abandon its neutral position. Surely the obUgations which confederated states owe to each other are not less sacred than those which regulate their conduct toward foreign nations. The 9vil« of slavery fall more immediately on those among whom it exists, and they alone, by natural and conventional right, are competent to make laws under which it shall be mitigated, abo- lished, or endured. These Is can only be aggravated, to the discomfort and danger of master, and the prejudice and misery of the slave, by attempts to encroach upon this jurisdic- XiVl m^ 424 FANUHIL HALL MEETING. 1i tin> " llerefore Resolved, That the people of the United States, by the constitution under which by the divine blessing they hold their most valuable political privileges, have solemnly agreed with each other to leave to the respective states the junsdichon nertaining to the relation of master and slave withm their boundaries, and that no man or body of men. except the peopl. or governments of those states, can of right do any act to di.- solve or impair the obligations of that contract « lUsolved, That we hold in reprobation aU attempts, in what, ever guise they may appear, to coerce any of the United State. Z aboUsh slavery by appeals to the terror of the master or th. '''^RLirThrwe disapprove of all associations instituted in the non.slave-holding states with an intent to act within tk slave-holding states without their consent. For the purpose of e Jring freedom of individual thought and expression the, irreedless; and they are inexpedient inasmuch a^ they ^^ To those personsinth^ southern states, whose object ,t istoeffm a ^solution of the Union, (if any such there may be now., herT^ter) a pretext for the furtherance of their schenies. " S J That all measures, the natural and direct tenden , of wteh i o excite the slaves of the south to revolt, or .. 11^ among them a spirit of insubordination, are repug.™ The duties of the man and the citizen, and that where 8»^ me^ureVbecome manifested by overt acts, which are cognizaM. r^Ztitutional laws, we will aid by all the means in,ow •"TClrSrwhir rrommend to others the duty^ .acrift^^g their opinions, passions, and sympathies upon ft. a?^ of fhe laws, we are bound to show that a regard to th ™lmav of those laws is the rule of our own conduct; »d conZently to deprecate and oppose all tumultuary assembli Hrintus or violent proceedings, aU outrages on person ^ tSTZ ^H legal notions of the right or duty of executij, rSTud vindictive justice in any mode unsanctioned b, law." Three long addresses were delivered, with wUcii the assemb] their satisfac by a speech seemed cripj to maintain 1 presented to Mr. Fletche mation of th vereign and its own bore longed to c-ai stitution lef And this wa; so by design, deliberately- to abide by i still live an( not on a lai constitution, let us hope t and the free bound up to^ that union is torn asundei may be in ou If the glorioi be torn dowr The Hon. Igreat moral a it a necessar I < [sinuation in ] political view ites, by By hold agreed sdiction n their ; people t to dig. in what* d States ?r or the istituted ithin the rpose of ion they ey afford 3 to effect e now 01 tendency alt, or to epugnimt [lere such ognizable IS inrOur le duty of upon tb« ird to the duct; and .sserabUes, lerson and executing ctioned bj I h whicl* FANUEIL HALL MEETING. the assembled multitudes vociferously expressed their satisfaction. The resolutions were introduced by a speech of talent, in which th(i orator, however, seemed crippled by his subject. Its great object, was to maintain the integrity of the Union, which was re- presented to be endangered by abolition proceedings. Mr. Fletcher said, *' Itis known that before thefor^ mation of the constitutfon, every state possessed SO"^ vereign and exclusive control of this subject within its own borders. The power of its regulation be- longed to each individual state. And thus the con* stitution left it — untouched — entirely exclusive. And this was no mistake — no accident ; it was left so by design. Into this compact we entered freely — - deliberately — and pledged ourselves most solemnly to abide by its provisions. Under that compact we still live and flourish — the sun in its circuit looks not on a land more blessed. Under that sacred constitution, then — faithful to its spirit and letter—^ let us hope to live and to die ; the hopes of the slave and the freeman — the black and the white — are bound up together in the union of these states. If that union is ever in the providence of God to be torn asunder, I trust, in that melancholy event, it may be in our power to say that — We are guiltless I If the glorious banner that waves over us is ever to be torn down, may it not be by our hand !" The Hon. M. Sprague admitted slavery to be a great moral and political plague, but seemed to deem it a necessary evil. There was a great deal of in-» Isinuation in his speech respecting: the personal and political views of abolitionists^ ultimate and ulteric?: 426 FANUEIL HALL MEETING. objects. He deprecated the course they pursued by saying, " he saw no good that could result from agitating and inflaming the public mind at the north on this solemn and delicate subject ; not if the ex- citement pervaded every section and state on this side of the Potomac. What benefit would result from such an excitement ? Is it proposed to operate on the fears of the slave-holders? By such a course you might bind the cords of the slave closer— make his chains heavier— and dig his diingeon deeper; fot fear hardens the heart against all touches of human- ity but you could effect neither his emancipation nor the improvement of his condition." Many cus- tomary analogies were introduced to show that the privation of the slave was like that abridgment of liberty in reference to children,'>natics, apprentices, &c., without regard to the frequent replies, that the sophistry of such reasoning is to be detected in the want of resemblance between the things compared. An effect perfectly electrical was produced by a re- ference to Washington as a slave-holder:—"' When Massachusetts stood alone, breasting the torrent of British power, and when our gallant brethren of the south came generously to her assistance— what was then thought of communion with slave-holders! When the streets of Boston and the fields of Lex- ington and Concord were flowing with the blood o( our citizens, spilt by the myrmidons of Great Britmn —when that man— a slave-holder— {tnvmng to the full-length painting of Washington, which forms the most valuable decoration oi oia raneuu;^ .^uj that slave-holder, who there smiles upon this audi ence — with onited in d from this 1 reproach tc them !" The Hon< cal acumen concile slav< standing hi were many sympathize The Ame period hold spacious ha" It was grati teachers of i and female, essays ^n g conferring 1 sions on que 300 were p men on the other good cessity of a the mind in 1 usual was s useful disci schools. N others. Thi and the adi IffPTlornl nu\-n' workoftuit AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 427 fursued It from e nortli the ex- on this I result operate I course — ^make per; fot human- cipation any cu8 that the jment of rentices, , that the jd in the )mpared. L by a re- -" When orrent of L'enofthe what was -holders! s of LeX' } blood o( at Britain ng to the ich forms rvllAlll ence — with the slave-holders under his command — nnited in driving the enemy from our streets, and from this hall — our fiathers surely thought it no reproach to hold communion with him and with them !" The Honourable H. G. Otis, expended much criti- cal acumen in so elucidating the scriptures, as to re- concile slavery with the word of God. But, notwith- standing his general popularity as a speaker, there were many besides ourselves, we trusty who did not sympathize with his theology. The American Institute of Education was at this period holding its annual series of meetings, in the spacious hall of representatives, in the state house. It was gratifying to witness such an assembly of the teachers of seminaries convened from all parts, male and female, for the purpose of hearing prepared essays ?n given subjects relating to education, and conferring together in the manner of formal discus- sions on questions of moment in relation to it. About 300 were present ; ladies on one side, and gentle- men on the oth^er, in semicircular seats. Among other good essays, was one delivered " on the ne* cessity of an acquaintance with the philosophy of the mind in order to teach others." The matter as usual was superior to the manner. There was a useful discussion on the condition of the district schools. No opportunity was afforded of attending others. This institution has existed but a few years ; and the adaptation to usefulness, of its plan of a this audi'l^ork of tuition, is evident. cii^a^cu III biic 428 WHIT£F1£LD> On the 24tli, we made an excursion to Newbury, port thirty-nine miles from Boston, to see the tomb of Whitefield. On our arrival, we hastened to the depository of the precious remains of that eminent servant of God. On the Saturday before his decease, he had preached at Exeter fifteen miles distant. It was his last sermon, and a still surviving hearer remembers the hard asthmatic breatumg against which his impassioned spml struggb . daring its delivery. He was to have preacLd the next day in the first presbytenai church at Newburyport, where his dust now reposes; but instead of ascending the pulpit to preach, he was called to rise to the nobler elevation of a man- sion above. The assembled multitudes awaited h« appearance amongst them in vain. It was the sab- bath morning; to them how mournful-to hm how glorious ! In the south-east comer of the church .8 a cenotaph, which was erected a few years since by Mr. Bartlett; and through the window immediately behind it, we gazed on the house just v.sibe througl the trees where Whitefield breathed his last! We descended with some difficulty into the^'fterrane- ous vault, which is immediately behind the pulpit, in a small chamber like a vestry, external to the body of the church. Deep expectant emot- thrilled through our bosoms, while a kind of tr»p door was opened, and we descended beneath the floor to another door, which stood perpendicular J, bv which we entered, or rather crept, into the awful akd silent sepulchre. There were tnree co.« placed in parallel lines ; two of them containing the >^ 'I :'I||I|| ^bury- 1 tomb led to P that before fifteen a still hmatic spirit have yterian eposes; ach, he a man- ited his the sab- lim how hurch is since by lediately througli 3t! We )terraiie- e pulpit, I il to the emotions i of trap leath the I iicularly, the awful] 3e CUiii": lining the I i mortal part former paste our seats, tl the other, ^ over which, moved, to r< prison-hous( We gazed o handled the teousness ;"- blessed dea whispered c him both foi In the eve I slaves was t( We were ea Iment iiisteai Isuperseding We readily jtered servic [dresses with tendance w lastor of th( Rists of 200 Jo 500 or 6! l)f 150. The next friends Dr. S 'obb, and o [inity of Bi fr. Warne. Ixistence : 1 ITHITEFIELp. 429 mortal part of Mr. Parsons and Mr. Prince, the former pastors of the church. We instinctively took our seats, the one on the one cofui:, the other on the other, with the coffin of Whitefield between, over which, when the upper part of the lid was re- moved, to reveal the skeleton secrets of the narrow prison-house, we bent in solemn stillness and awe. We gazed on the fragments — we contemplated and handled Ihf; skull of that great " preacher of righ- teousness;" — wo thought of his devoted life, his blessed death, his high and happy destiny; and whispered our adorations of the grace that formed him both for earth and heaven ! In the evening, a prayer meeting on behalf of the slaves was to be held at the baptist place of worship, I We were earnestly requested to allow an announce- ment instead, that we should preach ; but declined [superseding a meeting for so important an object. We readily agreed, however, to unite in the unal- jtered service, consenting only to intermingle ad- Iresses with the devotions of ^he occasion. The at- tendance was very numerous. Mr. Williams is pastor of the church, which is flourishing, and con- sists of 200 members. The conjjregation amounts [0 500 or 000, and there is a good sabbath-school tf 150. The next day we returned, and met out agreeable friends Dr. Sharp, Mr. Malcom, Dr. Cumstock, M-s. 'obb, and otli^r ladies and gentlemen from the vi- [inity of Brookline, at the house of our brother, fr. Warne. This was one of the s'lnny days of ustence : but of this party Mrs. Cobb is nj more, i i ,•♦.,,» - KnUjJ ' 11 430 HARVARD COLLEGE. M and Mr. Malcom is gone on a three years' important embassy to the east, to subserve the interests of "ttrpolite urgency of the Hon. Heman Lincoln, who had been precluded from receivmg u. as b, Quests during former visits, now con~d «s To transfer our temporary residence to his abode. Wewe e thus conveniently situated for attending the commencement of Harvard college^ambndg., which W.S celebrated on the 26th. We were in- lued to it '.y an obliging card from the president, Dr Quincy This splendid university is truly on. of the eyes of he nation, albeit to us there s thee Wically not a mote only, but a beam m i . Our logically ■>" „f ,v,„ first men in the state introduction to many of the tirst men was truly gratifying, and --e partook with an im- raense company of the sumptuous repast, a erth "terary festL/had terminated. Of this intel Uctn. display we shall be pardoned for omitting further Intio'n, as we must notice that at Provid nee which was, in all important particulars, aim.la.. A Ter e of leaureson Peace were about to be dchverj I, Cambridge ; and among the lecturers we K; nri the names of Channing, Fletcher, Spr.vguc,^n'- •"r^et^wl^a day of ministerial labour, wh» each of us preached three times. 'Ih.s w« » arrangement which we both regretted as . M almos't no opportunity to sit at tUe feet o ' brethren, and hear their instrucuon By gomg fulfil a preaching engagement at Ch^rU-s to another opportunity was afforded of meeting j.-U. Grafton, as h the course o Jackson, that of the baptist ( who has now chaplain in tl I" knew him v/c judgment, an He assured I conviction of truly pious m to private dev^ with great reg We shall n( social engage] villas in the i incomparable, musual clv<:?arn In one occasi luddea appear :!0 a moi e su e'i^fc, and as io remint |illar of the vs^i '^ it was pr ifl a fire on sks, and die "!d» v\3S and si also seen .>ur frier rwar . \\ which upw WASHINGTON. 431 Grafton, as lie is familiarly called. He stated in the course of conversation, at the house of Mr. Jackson, that Dr. Hezekiah Smith, formerly pastor of the baptist church at Haverhill, in Massachusetts, who has now been dead about thirty years, was a chaplain in the army of General Washington, and knew him '/ell. Mr. Smith was a man of great _juclgment, and very cautious in his conclusions. He assured Mr. Grafton that it was the settled conviction of his mind, that Washington was a truly pious man. He believed him to be addicted to private devotion, and he attended public worship with great regularity. We shall not enter upon a detail of private and social engagements. From some of the elegant villas in the neighbourhood, the view of Boston is incomparable, and we were often struck with the ellectual f ""^^^^ clearness and brightness of the atmosphere. ^ further f'^^"® occasion, our attention was dn^wn to the Evidence, r^^^" ppearance of a cloud slowly formiiig its-U lilar. Af '^ ^ ™°^^ sublime pillar than the imagination e^ i icliveredl" *^'''"'^'' ^^^ resting in the motionles; atmot. ' .re, ve h ardT ^ '^ remind the reader of scripture of thfi cloudy ^^y V. vPJ*^ 0^ tlie wilderness. We afterwards ascertairsed *"* it was produced by an exj 'k sion of Piltpetre ."^, whenir'^^ ^ ^^^ ^^ ^ard a vessel, which blew out her '_. ..leeks, and did much damage in the nin^hbourj^g Hi vos and strc^ets. 'Live great firo ai ..arh^stown mgi' m mr friend Mr. ^.^rne's, two ci i«»ree dryi WB,r V . It consumed more than 100 dwellings, which upwards of 300 i? -nilies wero rendered 432 WEBSTEtt. . , r,,e loss was supposed to be *2OO,O00. houf^eless. Tue loss wa if ^^^ ^ HeTalVd A c an~e, with an eye approaehin, Hehasauaw countenance is not go to brilliancy ; but tnoug ^^ j^^^ decidedly characteristic o^^^^^^ .^J,^^,^, general m-^^^;;^^^^^^ to us to hei„ superiority, ^'''^""f , ,;,' ,„! Our convem. alf respects ^-''^'^^r'll^t^Xt^,^..^^ ^^"^"«' tion was ---;^;'^";f pou'e with high satisfac. S'tre'p^:S: permaU of peace het,ee.| %tlt '"larly huilt city, rising on.. jr. .ater to the ^0^^^^:^):^^ crowned hy the state^ouse Th - ^^^ ^ elevation is one of the ft"«f ' ^^^hjh Mo„„„d p„nic sc«ie froin J B kei s ^^^ Wd protaWy; Bt;^^^ objects which ordinJ ^uSUTllers, but must forego description fJ ^rirb^r^-^^^^^^^^^^^ -Errifrstate:^^^^^^^^^ ,trengt of our U ^^^^ „„i„flu..m.al . states, that «"|y'' '''^ j ^i,;,,, ^„ad be | gregations exist n the^ ar, ^^^_^ ^ ^.^^, ^ ^rp^rit; Xwhich God had honourea brethren in with some oi the south. some of the for the puri now our pr: sion of these churches are divisions, ar evidences thi that this pro welfare and Religion \ all denomin almost equal their honou more remar garded as t churches m less of mod The acquair our churche f>^ these, D ,uished for tical Wit. Jon adorn the € to concede [and experie moderjitor ( lui shed fri( been chara CHURCHES IN BOSTON. 433 00,000. Ion. H. ^''ebster. oaching 9 not 80 1 yet his ellectual ; to be in I ionversa- geology, satisfac- between! tlie bapti 8outl\, ^^^j;^ '': tTaotiti: nrrni'dtSt: «;: ""'. 'seven o'r eight thousand may be estimated Tthe number of sited hearers dispersed among It^ach church supports a flourishing su. "'Ctventh church was constituted very short. IS the e had ts de- ter hy m and .s own re are which embers lerahly y them, •espeets ic anni- chapel vas the jded ov lis place six, and hearers, pels are ity-four, itors are the first All are iler size, ip-street, ;ute of a I estimated I ;d among] tiing sun- FEDERAL STAEFT CHUHCH, BOSTON. 7 shorth before our the intentio: the second that Dr. S' Accordingly Church wai service is so christian fee quote it fro] " Agreea last, a new sabbath eve in Boston, 1 Baptist Chi " By lett the several churches ii Cambridgej sider the ex usual exam to recognize purpose, as , to appoint I " The scr prayer offei Rev. Dr. S consider on good works by the Rev. the right 1 Stow, and Hague; cor II CHURCHES IN BOSTON. 435 before our visit to the city. Notice was given of the intention, stating that members dismissed from the second church were to form the seventh, and that Dr. Sharp was to preach on the occasion. Accordingly, on April the 5th, the North Baptist Church was formed. The account given of this service is so instructive, and indicates so truly the christian feeling of the parties concerned, we shall quote it from The Christian Watchman. " Agreeably to a notice which appeared in our last, a new church was constituted in this city, on sabbath evening, it being the seventh baptist church in Boston, to be known by the name of the North Baptist Church. " By letters missive from the second church to the several baptist churches in this city, and the churches in Charlestown, East Cambridge, and Cambridgeport, a counsel was convened to con- sider the expediency of this measure ; and after the usual examination, the council voted unanimously to recognize the brethren who had associated for the purpose, as an independent church, and proceeded to appoint brethren to perform the services. " The scriptures were read, and the introductory prayer offered \^y Rev. E. Thresher; sermon by Rev. Dr. Sharp, from Heb. x. 24 — * And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works.' Prayer, previous to the recognition^ by the Rev. Mr. Miller, pastor of the new church ; the right hand of fellowship, by the Rev. Mr. Stow, and the address to the church by Rev. Mr. I Hague ; concluding prayer by the Rev. Mr. Collier. u 2 R: < ^36 CHUBCHE9 IN BOSTON. " The occasion was one of deep and affecting in- dismissed f.o. the second^^^^^^^^^^^^ S^ J^^^ ^, in number. They have ™ ^^^^ ^^^ their brethren as deacons two ^^^ viouBly served in the second church. ^^^ ^^^^^ bers have ^^^ "^^ . ^''^" Srlh this, churches, with a v^ew of uniUngw^ eonstituted in .. When the second church was J ^^^ 1743, Binety-two years .nc,^ — ^ ^^„^-,^,^ member Smce *f P^™ ;„ constituted in the Tr]C;t r n thTvic::ity of the city-, n.0. ?iTeL composed, in part, of members -'f^f°l'2 .ul^S^t unanimity of ru^;::;,rttr2'rc^ndthemembe. ^''.^Slfchurch in Baldwin ph.ee it seems, were i. pressed with a conviction that ,tws -^ J Lm to sit down at thejr ^^^^^^ ^„, ,„, while the world was f»" °* ""|. -^ .j ;„ their sinners by thousands were penshmgrn^ , \ -\^'''- tl^deSr 'leave! 'church and Ihl^ b^d^t, but bec.^^^^^^^^^^^ They have over Aven ham, for t] circumstai May the li W< wer tist cliurcl] serious the solution, tl among the It is dif mnnity th most to I: ever it wei nour conft one body mained fai Withou may be p< discoverin originated which at cellent br< pastoral ci of that be street chu them, and attending contribute If we 'v I CHURCHES IN BOSTON. 437 ; in- ■eall nine je of pre- nem- otlier ed in ily six rches, in the ; most TS dis- recent jircum- )t from ;el, and imity of lembers | \vere im- plght for entmcnt, ,nd while , in their' ^rent out, urch and Lurch and r them to enterprise. They have a commodious house of worship in Han- over Avenue, and the Rev. Mr Miller, late of Wen- ham, for their minister. Commencing under such circumstances, who can doubt their prosperity? May the little one become a thousand ! " Wt were grieved to hear that the coloured bap- tist church was so much distracted and unsettled ; serious thoughts were entertained of advising its dis- solution, that the members might scatter themselves among the sister churches. It is difficult to decide, to which religious com- munity the recent growth of orthodox opinions is most to be attributed, or who preserved truth, if ever it were really endangered. It was not an ho- nour conferred by Him who is " the Truth," upon one body exclusively, but some of all parties re- mained faithful amidst general defection. Without incurring the charge of sectarianism, we may be permitted to express our gratification, on discovering that the congregational cause in Boston originated with the baptists. Their first church, which at present enjoys the ministry of our ex- cellent brother Hague, too, was formerly under the pastoral care of Dr. Stillman, and was the nursery of that body of people who constituted the Park- street church. Some large donations were given by them, and a great proportion of the whole expense attendmg the erection of that important edifice was contributed by the baptists. If we were so highly gratified with our inter- course with the churches within the city, we were not less so with those in the neighbourhood. The * * lu IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) fe :A 1.0 I.I ■50 *^" mhhi St y£ 12.0 m 1.25 1.4 ill 1-6 ^ 6" — ^ olfe ^wV ■V* ^ op. Photographic Sciences Corporation V '4 '* <^/V 33 WIST MAIN STRICT WiiSTIR.N.Y. UStO (716) •73-4S0S 4^ A ■«'^ s 438 CHURCHES IN BOSTON. churches at Cambridge and Brookline, as well as others, are prosperous ; and our friend and country- man, Mr. Warne, enjoys much encouragement in the delightful village which is the scene of his labours. The church at Charlestown, under the pastoral care of Mr. Jackson, contains .nore than 300 members, and the first Cambridge church, un- der Mr. Lovell, between 200 and 300. The small church at Roxbury has encouraging prospects. This place is distinguished as the residence of Elliot, a name which seemed to consecrate the spot. We looked with eager gaze and delighted retrospection upon the scene of his pious, self-denying, and long- continued exertions. Within about twenty miles of Boston there are twenty-seven regularly educated ministers of the baptist denomination, besides many others who have not enjoyed the advantage of early or collegiate instruction. DR. cox 8 TO ANI Once more on the 28th cuitous rout( Providence ; to attend the For some i ourselves froi the sea shore, is seen in alo and the scat at this place churches, whi exact and om It will com people to me stopped to ch gers hastened orchard, and yellow apples looker-on, wh prietor, '* In free to do as yes, sir," he ** pretty mucl passed a scho ' 439 CHAPTER XII. DR. cox's TOUR FROM BOSTON, THROUGH PLYMOUTH AND NEWPORT, TO PROVIDENCE. Once more I parted from my collepgue at Boston', on the 28th of August, in order to perform a cir- cuitous route through Plymouth and Newport to Providence ; at which latter place we were engaged to attend the university commencement. For some miles we seemed unable to disentangle ourselves from the salt marshes and sinuosities of the sea shore. The residence of John Quincy Adams is seen in alow but pretty situation, between Boston and the scattered village of Hingham, The road at this place separates the baptist and unitarian churches, which stand on their respective heights in exact and ominous opposition. It will convey some idea of the character of the people to mention, that on one occasion when we stopped to change horses, a number of the passen- gers hastened sans ceremonie into a neighbouring orchard, and picked up or gathered some beautiful yellow apples, called " high tops." I said to a looker-on, who had something of the air of the pro- prietor, '* In this land of liberty every one seems free to do as he pleases, and help himself." " O yes, sir," he answered with great nonchalance, ** pretty much so." In two minutes afterwards we passed a school-house, whose merry little inmates 440 PLYMOUTH. were just rushing forth from their mormng lahours, and without any hesitation began to pelt the apple trees, and like their elders, '' help themselves" m unmolested and fearless security. Within the last ten miles of Plymouth the land is sandy, and partly covered with the spruce fir. On approaching the hamlet of Kingston, five miles distant, a baptist church of some magnihcence is seen half erected. Reflections and anticipations now beg; ii to crowd upon the mind, and I willingly permitted imagination to regard some of the thickets of the yet unfallen forest as the chosen oratories of the persecuted, in their first exploratory wanderings over these dreary solitudes. The weather was un- favourable, but I determined to retain my outside place, in order to survey the entire and interesting locality. Here and there a fragment of rock pro- truded above the sand, which I fancied might have been to our pilgrim fathers an altar of prayer era place of tears ! It was no mean assistance to the busy thoughts as we approached the place of desti- nation, to observe a solitary ship lying between two points of land, and precisely where, in all probabi- lity, the pilgrim vessel anchored 215 years ago. 1 felt as if the ages had rolled back, and the pen of time was engaged in recording a present transaction. Plymouth is not very dissimilar ini.c aspect to the veritable Plymouth of Old England. We passed the Pilgrim Hall to the hotel termed the Pilgrim House, opposite to which some of the grave-stones in the burying-ground are visible on the heights. While partaking of the bounties ol PILGRIM HALL. 441 Providence at a well-spread table, I could not but reflect on the hard fare and many sorrows of our expatriated forefathers. I was much interested in Dr. Thacker, whose whole heart is in the pilgrim story, and whose ever fluent tongue ceases not to tell it. In fact, he seems like a spider (may he pardon the allusion !) who has woven all the circum- stances round him, and lives in the centre of his de- lightful entanglement. To him, at an extreme old age, the Pilgrim Hall and the Pilgrim burial-ground are every thing— the sphere of his existence. It is a glorious piece of enthusiasm ! The rock I visited alone ; the other two places in company with Dr. Thacker and Mr. Cushman, the baptist minister. The former has nothing in itself to interest, being, in fact, scarcely visible, and trampled every hour by the feet of busy tribes of goers and comers to the wharves that have no history in them; but its associations, which give " tongues to trees," and to stones too, make it a place of mysterious musings and whisperings. It may be asked. Is there any thing in the Pilgrim Hall to interest? Nothing, or every thing, just as the taste is of the individual who visits. There are sundry old remains — cups, dishes, broken rings, &:c. ; but then they are memorials of other days. I minuted down, among others, a pewter dish belong- ing to Captain Miles Standish, who went over in the May Flower in 1620; a Chinese mug, the property of the mate, and another, once owned by Mr. Clark ; a piece of the chest of General Edward Winslow, and the armed chair itself which belonged to u3 442 BURIAL-GROUND. Governor Carver, who came in the first ship, and the cane of William White, whose son, Peregrine White, was the first English child born in America. There also 1 was shown King Philip's cap, the cele- brated Indian chief; and best of all, the bible of the good, the holy, the sainted Elliot ! The first debarkation of the pilgrim fathers was on Clark's Island, which is seen across the bay from the window of the Pilgrim Hall. A large mass ol the rock of landing, detaced for the purpose has been deposited in front of this building. It is inclosed in an iron fence, which consists of palisades or rails in the shape of boat hooks and harpoons, arranged alternately, with scollop shells and heraldic curtains, inscribed with the forty-one names of the persons who first landed. The fragment of rock itself is marked with the date 1620. The site of the burial-ground is fine, on an ele- vation that overlooks the town and bay. The me- morials are all plain stones, now obscured by time, and sinking away. Death is deeply impressed on the whole scene. The very trees which had been recently planted to throw some verdure and beauty over the place, are dead, as if in sympathy. The adornments of nature, in such a place of silence imd of sepulchre, are thought by many to be incompa ible with its character ; but why should not we proclam in this manner a kind of triumph over the last enemy," since the " Captain of salvation ha. achieved it on our behalf? Why should not the beauties of vegetative life be made to appear, tU amidst its buddings and blossomings, we may be COL. BULLOCK. 443 reminded of those trees of immortal growth which are " on either side the river" of the visioned paradise of the Apocalypse, and thus be encouraged to sing, " O grave, where is thy victory!" The evening was spent at the house of Dr. Thacker, where, in a family and friendly party, I met Colonel Bullock from the south, with whom and his lady I afterwards travelled. We had much conversation on the state of Georgia, where he resides as an influential magistrate. Notwithstanding the de- graded condition of the slaves, and the frequent cruelties to which they are exposed by inhuman task-masters, it is cheering to know that even there, in many instances, their circumstances are alleviated by good usa^ri and missionary instruction. To record this is only an act of justice ; unquestionably it alters not the character of the inhumanity that doomed them to bondage, or the unscriptural prin- ciple of slavery itself. In travelling from Plymouth to Rhode Island, I was able for some time to catch occasional glimpses of the elevated burial-ground of the pilgrimr and at the last view from the top of the coach I could scarcely refrain from exclaiming, " Repose, sacred dust, in that quiet sleeping-place, till a morning more bright and beautiful than even this, shall shed its glories over your happier destiny !" Without stopping to record any thing of the beautiful town of Taunton, with its good farm- houses ard richly cultivated farms, or of Middle- borough Green, whose church and graveyard, I encircled with a fine country, are so attractive, at 444 NEWPORT. least for the contemplative philosopher, or of Fall River or of Mount Hope, the former residence of King Philip, I will introduce the reader at once to Newport, Rhode Island : and even here, the neces- sity of condensation compels me to a very brief notice of places and pursuits. In the morning ai,d afternoon of the 30th, I preached for Mr. Dowling at the baptist church ; in he evenmg for Mr. Dumont, at the presbyterian : both are m a pros- perous state. The audiences were very numerous Ld highly respectable. The people connected with the fomer had just completed a new and spacious edifice at the time of my visit, which, in the New England phrase, was " dedicated" a few days after- wards. An .nportant revival "f ^^I'^^mi rienced at Newport in 1834. Previously to that period, Mr. Dowling's church, then under the care of Mr. Choules, consisted of 332 members; then there were seventy added, and at the same time several other churches experienced similar mani- festotions of mercy. Upwards of 100 converts were distributed among four churches, the episcopal tie methodist, and the first and fourth baptist. I am happy to say"-these are the words of Mr. Dowlmg -"that the genuineness of this revival is evidenced by a willingness to engage in works of benevolenee and mercy, not only among those who have recend united with us, but also among those who have Ion been members. We have formed withm the pres ^ ™onth (November) an Auxiliary Foreign Mission^ Society, in connexion with our congregation; an ^^,,, /ekved, a. a beamrdna, to raise, m the ensuing year, at leas preacher." The chun to the War from which commencemi tion, and has baptist deno] associated, I and a spirit surface. At the hoi others, I ha society of E piety and thi stern suppoi freedom. A gratifying tc the office of which he ha which the si the episcopa Bishop Berk in Massachu ledgment for ing of the di obtained it ai is inscribed A of the galler late Lord Bi is now closed charters, and NEWPORT. 445 year, at least enough to support one native Burman preacher." The church of Mr. Dowling at Newport belongs to the Warren Association, formed in the place from which it derives its name, in 1767. From its commencement it has been a flourishing associa- tion, and has contained ministers of eminence in the baptist denomination. At first only four churches associated, but at present there are twenty-seven; and a spiritual fertility spreads over their whole surface. At the house of my friend Dr. Dunn, and at some others, I had an opportunity of appreciating the society of Rhode Island, which still exhibits the piety and the principle of its original founders, the stern supporters of a nation's civil and religious freedom. Among objects of general interest, it was gratifying to see the Franklin press, preserved at the ofiice of the Newport Mercury. The handle which he had himself worked, and the tympan on which the sheet is placed, are still preserved. In the episcopalian church is the organ presented by Bishop Berkeley. It was originally sent to a town in Massachusetts called after his name as an acknow- ledgment for the compliment, but the puritan feel- ing of the day rejected it. At length this church obtained it at the request of the people. The date is inscribed A. D. 1733, with the addition on the front of the gallery, — "The gift of Dr. George Berkeley, late Lord Bishop of Cloyne." The Masonic lodge is now closed ; all in the state having given up their charters, and are no longer incorporated. We passed 446 NEWPORT. by what had been the Moravian church, but which ig now converted into a schoolroom of the episcopal church. At the Redwood library, founded long before the American revolution, in 1737, I saw a black-letter bible, beautifully illuminated, and print, ed at Venice in 1487. I also visited in company with Dr. Dunn his father's tomb. He was a man of genius, and splendid in his occasional mimstra- tions as a preacher. He was driven from England in evil times, when party raged so violently at ihe beginning of the French revolution. In America he pursued commerce with great success. The prayer uttered just before his death, and copied o. his tomb, is characteristic of him. " O bo. find thee not the Roman Thunderer, but the volent parent of good, embodied in human na Assist us this day, amidst the agonies of expiri., nature, which, with the dissolution of the universe, form part of thy wise succession of events ! Save us from the death of sin ! Teach us to say. Thy will be done !" , . , On visiting Mr. Vernon, I found in domestic com- bination, religion, elegance and opulence Among some fine paintings in one of the rooms t>y original masters was one, " the dying Socrates,' by Vandyke. Mrs V. remarked with equal piety and discrimi- nation as we gazed at it, " Oh, sir, he does not after all look as if he felt that holy triumph over death which you described in the sermon of last evening. Then indeed did death seem divested of its terrors! I must not stay to describe the house which we _i nor,oT.al Prescott was so dexterously and ludicroui thoug' the Narraganset a deep dell bay, about si remarkable j Rhode Islanc are deemed l nician charae on inspection to publish th< We reache as the sun i from the resj .tions of mi: Dunn ai )lici ty of fame had croi tory, we foun tic and perso: the literary p the other adc Channing is \ said unimpos edition of hi^ late friend, R versation was vivid, accord] nary writings appeared as y\ I witty in con particular poi CHANNING. 447 and ludicrously abstracted in the revolutionary war, thoug' the British fleet was lying at anchor in Narraganset Bay. The party wound their way up a deep dell which approaches the house. On this bay, about six miles fron\ Newport, are some of the remarkable stones which have been lately found in Rhode Island, whose curious and questionable marks are deemed by some antiquarians to represent Phoe- nician characters. I shall omit my opinion founded on inspection, and leave it to that learned fraternity to publish theirs. We reached the summer retreat of Dr. Channing as the sun was setting gloriously; and hastened from the resplendence of mere matter to the corus- tions of mind. That eminent individual welcomed Dunn and me at the door, with unassuming dicity of manners. At the table of a man whose fame had crossed the Atlantic, and must live in his- tory, we found ev ;ry thing to prove that the domes- tic and personal virtues lived in happy rivalry with the literary powers. If the one elevated the man, the other adorned the father and the friend. Dr. Channing is unassuming ; in a degree, too, it may be said unimposing. Himself does not seem a living edition of his works. In this he differs from my late friend, Robert Hall, whose private life and con- versation was a continual reflection, more or less vivid, according to circumstances, of his extraordi- nary writings. He, too, was unassuming, but he appeared as well as was, the great man. Eccentric, witty in conversation, and when consulted on a particular point of doctrine or practical conduct, full 448 CHANNING. of argumentative subtlety and just discnnunafon. These men agree in the superiority, not m the mode Jtheir talents, either in p- ^vate or public, n pr.- vate Dr. Channing is calm, collected, sensible, and Itleeable; Mr. Hall was rapid and chaste m d.c ^fofote: impassioned, and not unfrequently mcon- sfde^tein his'remarks on pers..sor perfomance, and tenac-ous, sometimes playfally, of cunous or uiLtant theories, hastily adopted, and to be soon abrndoned. In public. Dr. Channmg, as a preLher with a unitarian creed, is debberate, acute Targument, interesting in -nner, deWmg « reading well-arranged compositions ; Mr. Hall was wS al orthodox doctrine, somewhat indistinct and hesitating in his utterance, having no elegance ot t!it but vivid, ardent, inconceivably fertile ™ «;raneous thought, and at once convincing, Snt, and impressive; for ever hovermg between the pathetic aiid sublime. iion. lode pri- , and dic- icon- nces, as or ;o be as a acute ng or 1 was, [jt and ice of tile in iicing, ^tween COMMENCEME STUDY. JC OF LANDIN MEETING.— ASSOCIATIO PASSAGE D( YORK. Our respec more into a pc to attend th( sity. This in Nicholas Bro has conferred upon his com raination, ben a distant post* In this new I ancient, thou^ of its existen< as *' the collet yPfovidence Pi Ivldence in 17"; This was an |sity, the chart keeping with i loger Willia ^rovidence w£ 449 CHAPTER XIII. COMMENCEMENT OF BROWN UNIVERSITY. COURSE OP STUDY. JOYCE HETH. ROGER WILLIAMS's PLACE OF LANDING. WORCESTER ASSOCIATION. — CAMP MEETING. SPRINGFIELD. HARTFORD AND THE ASSOCIATION. NORTHAMPTON. ALBANY, AND PASSAGE DOWN THE HUDSON. FINAL VISIT TO NEW YORK. Our respective routes from Boston converged once more into a point at Providence, whither we repaired to attend the commencement of Brown Univer- sity. This institution derives its title from the Hon. Nicholas Brown, whose unparalleled munificence has conferred upon the state of Rhode Island, and upon his country, as well as upon the baptist deno- mination, benefits which will transmit his name to a distant posterity. In this new country the university may be styled I ancient, though it has not yet completed one century of its existence. It originated at Warren in 1764, las ''the college or university of Rhode Island and Y^ovidence Plantations" and was removed to Pro- Ividence in 1770. This was an appropriate situation for the univer- sity, the charter obtained for it being in admirable Wping with the constitution of the state of which ^oger Williams was the distinguished founder, ^rovidence was the spot where Williams landed, to 450 ROGER WILLIAMS. whose memory the following tribute was paid by the Hon. Francis Baylis in the house of representatives. " Roger Williams was one of the most extraor- dinary men of the age ; and when we consider his liberality at that period, we cannot but regard him as almost a prodigy. He contended that church and state were separate, and that the land could not be lawfully taken from the Indians without their con- sent. These were alarming doctrines for those times. He was summoned before synods, and threatened with excommunication, but he stood firmly to the faith; and after repeated trials and persecutions, he was banished as a pest in society, and an officer was dispatched to put him on board a vessel and send him to England. He was warned of his danger, and rising from his sick-bed, fled and built his wig. wam within the jurisdiction of Plymouth colony. But Massachusetts demanded that he should be delivered up, and Governor Winslow, not having sufficient firmnesr to protect him, secretly advised Williams to leave the jurisdiction of Plymouth. He threw himself into a canoe with his companions, floated down the stream, rounded the point of Tockwotton, proceeded up the river, and landed in the cove, and there he chose his place of rest. ' The world was all before him, and Providence his guide. Ue landed at a spring, he found earth and water, and in gratitude to heaven, he called the place Prm- dence, and there he founded his little commonwealth. No cross was reared, no standard was planted, no monument was erected, no coins were buried, and not even a record was made, for these wanderers were destitute the spot on wh the United Sta principles cf t( flourished. T] tolerance amor free to enjoy hi The charter the members o full, free, abs conscience; an( all other officer free and open i The president "Rhode Is]an( "Brown Unive spacious brick but within the h at his own exp though rather s It is eighty-six is called Hope ( pleted, than tl termined on ere iolleges, a chasi [anning Hall. Ihe university li fitted up. B« ilicity of design ith the handso iced with ceme !ntre hall ; an BROWN UNIVERSITY. 451 were destitute of paper and books. And this was the spot on which one of the most thriving cities of the United States now stands. It was here the true principles cf toleration were planted, and have since flourished. The Indians had no such quality as in^ tolerance among them, and with them Williams was free to enjoy his own opinions unmolested." The charter of the university provides, that " all the members of this institution shall for ever enjoy full, free, absolute, and uninterrupted liberty of conscience; and the places of professors, tutors, and all other officers (the president excepted), shall be free and open for all denominations of protestants." The president must be a baptist. The name of "Rhode Island College," was changed to that of "Brown University" in 1804. It consisted of one spacious brick building, called ** University Hall ;" but within the last few years, Mr. Brown has erected, at his own expense, a brick edifice to correspond, though rather superior in architectural appearance. It is eighty-six feet long, and forty-two wide ; and is called Hope College. This was no sooner com- pleted, than the same benevolent gentleman de- termined on erecting, in the space between the two ■ olleges, a chaste and elegant Doric structure, called Manning Hall. The basement story is intended for Ihe university library, over which a spacious chapel 8 fitted up. Both rooms are remarkable for sim- plicity of design and beauty of finish, corresponding 'ith the handsome portico. The colleges are now 'ced with cement, to resemble the granite of the "itre hall ; and when the grounds are properly HI 452 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. planted, and the president's house removed into another situation, the whole will assume an im- posing aspect. , ■ ., The university is in possession of a good philosc phical apparatus, and a considerable library. A fad is provided of $20,000, the proceeds of which are to be annually appropriated to these objects. The beneficent individual already named, contributed no less than $10,000, of this amount Dr. Franci. Wavland is the distinguished president, who, with six other professors and three tutors, constitute a most effective faculty. Under these advantageous circumstances, wt were not surprised to discover the de«P '"J™ taken in the commencement; or to ascertam t t the prospects of this seat of learning were m fc highest degree encouraging. There were at tk time seventy candidates for admission, who we undergoing a scrutinizing examination, and it m thought more than sixty would matriculate. On Wednesday, September the 2nd. t''" 1"^™ societies held their anniversaries J. Lincoln ^ delivered the oration to the Philhermen.an Soc* on " The Influence of Men of Literature. Ihis % an excellent discussion, appropriate to the tm. and calculated to direct the yuAf^^"""^,"' "^ season of great public excitement. In addre s>J "the United Brothers," Professor Uopkin , Williams College, displayed great .yrymaht, thought, and felicity of expression, in an oration' " Originality of Thought and Charaeter. In „.. J.i„ ..rfnrmance. the profoundest homage the human int< lation, was we] ceited infidelit mistaken in ar dependence ar divine revelatic The questior rival societies, college was a brought into fi niversary was religious chara Our valued fri< a discourse on miaries." Fe selves in the hi was great patht (lents of the un tion that Brow: of labourers foi A chaplain, these anniversa meetings, thus literature. At this com] jtwo new memi iliree on the bo literature and « lanner. Witli me difficultiei iniversities. I ruples respec i into in im- hiloso- Afund Lch are . The ited no Francis 0, witli titute a ;es, wc interest lin that i in the at this ho were i it was 1 literarj ►In, Esq L Societ BROWN UNIVERSITY. 453 the human intellect to the authority of divine reve- lation, was well contrasted with a flippant and con- ceited infidelity, whose abettors were shown to be mistaken in arrogating to themselves claims to in- dependence and originality, because they rejected divine revelation. The question of union between these friendly but rival societies, instead of maintaining the two in one college was agitated, and members of both are brought into fraternal relation in a third, whose an- niversary was celebrated in the evening; it s of a religious character, a college missionary l ciety. Our valued friend, the Rev. Mr. Pattison, delivered a discourse on " The Importance of Learning to Mis- nonaries." Felicitous illustrations presented them- ielves in the history of our own missions, and there was great pathos in some of his appeals to the stu- dents of the university, suggested by the considera- tion that Brown had not yet supplied its fair quota of labourers for that holy work. A chaplain, as well as an orator, is selected in these anniversaries to conduct the devotion of the . J meetings, thus judiciously associating religion and Thiswa literature. 16 times At this commencement, the corporation elected d at thi <^o new members on the board of fellows, and idressin ^"^ee on the board of trustees. Several degrees in "iterature and divinity were conferred in the usual lanner. With regard to the Baccalaureate, the me difficulties were encountered as at some other niversities. A number of young men entertained ruples respecting the customary interference of ^g4 BROWN UNIVERSITY. the tutors, in assigning the parts to be taken and the order of appearance in the public exhibition * c—ement day. Strangers could not tho- Ighly understand the bearing of this question. The young men asserted that with them it was mat- terlf conscience, and stated that by arranging among themselves, all suspicion of favounti™ Wdbe avoided. It must he admitted their e- Zlnt and language were respectful, and the S.nt they had recourse to, was simply thatot fo?egoing their honours, by entermg their names for torcgou g ^^ course," as if they had Tot^r ut the IL which had really occupied tl On the other band, the ™as^onse.. tiouslv maintained their dignity, and magmtted their office; deeming it but right, after having Id The studies and watched the progress and fhfracte'ofAeIr pupils, that they should ar^ge for tie public day! though it would necessarily he r:" r li :lss of twenty^ou. as^^a to J customary honours, because *ey jb ected to J system on which they were conferred. As t« terpen declined to take the parts assigrjed tto L the public exhibition, there wore but f« speakers. For the pui business of t erected in the is a wooden fa ture, that it is States, surpass interior of the leries and roo lars and arche ninety-six feet remarkably hij Theprocessi< in the arranger monies read o^ in the state, of their appointed republican app simplicity, whi( with the splen( bridge. The e] last beheld the down the steep iliadowing elmi to the town. ore gowns; exi lion, were trans the young m( There were a is magnificen f the body wer ivoted to those 'proaching the BROWN UNIVERSITY. 455 For the purposes of the exhibition, and the public business of the commencement, a platform was erected m the first baptist church. This structure is a wooden fabric, but of such admirable architec- ture, that It is said there is not a .pire in the United States, surpassing it in beauty or in strength The interior of the noble edifice is spacious. The ^al leries and roof are supported by richly reeded nil- iars and arches springing to the lofty ceiling It is ninety-six feet long and eighty broad ; the spire is remarkably high. The processions were formed in the college grounds mtbe arrangement of which, the master of the cere' monies read over the style and title of the first men in the state, of whom several were present, to take their appointed stations. In some instances, the plain republican appearance, gave to the whole an air of simplicity, which appeared to us in striking contrast with the splendid exhibitions at Oxford and Cam- bridge The effect was fine, as those who followed .ast beheld the long line of the procession, winding own the steep hill, and between the rows of over- shadowing elms, that extend from the universitv to the town. On this day, the professors alone ;ore gowns; excepting that a few kept for theocca- "n were transferred from one speaker to another ^nhe young men ascended to the platform. There were at least 3000 persons crowded into 'IS magnificent church. The galleries, and part the body were reserved for ladies; the rest was ^voted to those who composed the procession. In >proaehing the place of meeting, the hi^he«t in i'' •*pu.:-':s ft J I 456 BROWN UNIVERSITY. ^'°\^^rt\rr« thelelv'es in U, face about, so as ^ ^^^^^ j,;^^ .^e president, to- fo« ^ PX'p'^oS and visitors'walk in sue- gether with *«P'°^''^ ^„„ie dosing immediately cession uncovered. EachcMP » .^ „ftor those who have passed, tne oruei after those wn ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^, reversed, so that the mgne j^^ntial chair, TV Wa^land soon occupied his presiueu"» , Dr. Waylana soo i- . ^ ^ silence, prayer and the vast assembly being hushea r ; fforpd and the business proceeded. Ihericn was offered, and t F^^.^^ uninterrupted T t-oXth bus neL of the day, by occasionally attention to the bus^ Five orations having bee. PT^fbedlLreerwere conferred. Certificates we. ""^ ' ed to S!h students as graduated, with the c». ''"Latin W of announcement; but honorary tomary Latin form ^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ degrees are simpi) p ^ „«» was spread he sits uncovered. A s'"npt»°" ^ j to i„ the d-"g^t;is:srr:fi^^^^^^^^ ^''^ "~Ta;£o occupants. American dispa.1 cessive companies 01 ,. ^ .^.^^^^^ the arraBg. °" nTs CStf Cpa society was to asse-, ments. Ihe fm ^^^ nation is taken fa •r'-SrXs oTthe'e' Greek words * f ■ I aw dey extended fraternity, of wU ---te&:^~^; read an appropriate essay on t ^ ^^^f^^^ ^^^^^ own particular depanmc.ii ..> - In exhibiting talents and c sional duties ceeded by Pr gical Seminal peace, of no o ligious service large and resp church in the were engaged the occasion. We have t^ some minute] principal of tl nation. The no doubt rais present year, 1 • The foUowin, University, is giv REaUIREMEN'i mitted a member pleted his fourtee proportional incn dence of unexcep acquainted with tt be able to constru namely : — Jacob's New Testament, Caesar's Commen translate English [acquainted with ; English grammar, |To enter upon an BROWN UNIVERSITY. 457 lents , and •ank, t, to- L suc- iately pch is \ first, chair, prayer e rich- rupted tonally ig been es were the CU8 snorary lent, as peat was! iral suc-l dispatcli arrange issemblel len fron 3, wbicll oi whicl annivei] '8 matbel niversii] ice of iducatio^ In exhibiting and illustraiting this, he displayed the talents and qualifications requisite for his profes- sional duties in the exact sciences. He was suc- ceeded by Professor Knowlss, from Newton Theolo- gical Seminary, who produced an original poem on peace, of no ordinary merit. In the evening, a re- ligious service was attended by an audience equally large and respectable with that which frequented the church in the morning ; when the English visitors were engaged to conduct it. Dr. Cox preached on the occasion. We have thus described these proceedings with some minuteness, because this is the oldest and principal of the literary institutions in our denomi- nation. The accessions this commencement would no doubt raise the number of the students in the present year, to considerably more than 200.* • The foUowing prospectus of the course of studies in Brown University, is given for the information of the reader. Reouirements fob Admission.~No person shall be ad- mitted a member of the Freshman Class, unless he have com- pleted his fourteenth year, nor to advanced standing, without proportional increase of age. He must bring satisfactory evi- denceof unexceptionable moral character, and be thoroughly acquainted with the grammar of the Latin and Greek languages, be able to construe and parse any portion of the following books,' namely:— Jacob's Greek Reader, the Historical Books of the New Testament, or three Books of Xenophon's Cyropsedia, CiBsar's Commentaries, Virgil, Cicero's Select Orations, and Itranalate Enghsh into Latin correctly. He must also be well lacquainted with ancient and modern geography, arithmetic, jEnglish grammar, and algebra, as far as quadratic equations. |»o enter unon an advanced standino-. Hp Tnnaf ;« ^AAUi u» X r 458 BROWN UNIVERSITY. Parents and religious youth are attracted toBrown University, not only by the celebnty of its president, .horougUy versed in all the preceding studies of the class into which he proposes to ^-^"^^ ^.^^^^,,, G.^ek and MWs^r„"r lin^iaates for admission wiU . =i,hipctert to a rigid examination in both. suDjecied lo a g ._«t^j :„ ti,p followinff course are used The Greek works designated in the louowmg nt'irn:;"— ^ftrdnioralcharaeter,.^^^ Any youug h , admitted to pursue with hirp^t or guardian .ay selec*. und.r ^ — ^^^^ officers of instruction, and subject, m aU respects, and regulations of the ^^ W" ^^^^ ,„ the t^vo day. The annual examination for entrance is neia on j next preceding commencement. FRESHMAN CLASS. ''t^/ZtsZ'o^'r:^ A^^eL, ro»,. A,. Prose, Plato or H«-orf»«M p,^^^ i, ^ translations. „. » oo SOPHOMOBE CLASS. I.V , T^„, -Plane and Spherical Trigonometry, and tl .p S^tiJ:: ia to GeLetry, Latin Poetry, Ho«,: •T'' ^C'-Co^i^'s-ions and Topography. G. ^X%^ . Rhlric, with Composition and Decl. tion. |be perceived that linstructioR in th( BROWN UNIVERSITY. 459 rown ient, S8 into Bk and will he re used without me with study as 1 of the he rules two days »man An- labasis. t(fs AJge\ Anabasii !fs; Greek! 188 is care-l ndalsobjl LntiquitJesj ent writteil and tin Hormi Gw hy; d Decli as a tutor and author, but by his unwearied devoted- ness to the spiritual interests of the youth und r TJdrd Term.— Latin Poetry, Horojje j Calculus or Greek Poetry, Sophocles; Rhetoric, with Composition and Declama- tion. JUNIOR CLASS. First Tem.-Natural Philosophy, Mechanics; Greek Poetry, Sophocles; Logic, with Composition and Declamation. Second 7'(?m.— Natural Philosophy, Pneumatics and Hydro- statics ; Chemistry ; Latin, Juvenal or Terence. Third Tern.— Natural Philosophy, Optics; American Con- stitution; Geology and Mineralogy; Greek, Homer's Iliad or Demosthenes. SENIOR CLASS. First Tern.— Moral Philosophy; Evidences of Christianity; Astronomy ; Physiology. S'f' * rsuggested,'that individuals whose youth would disable «.» from pursuing the above studies ^vith success, would do wisell . " ., . r. .„. of a colleiriate education to a some. to delay uic cuiiiiiicuvi-iiiv ..i- "^ a ^j what later period. The arrangements of such a semmarya^ department sophy, Dr. this, presuppos and some decic sibility. Until he is too young 1. Regulai the Institution the intellectual are made publi( admission. If, at liberty imme scholarship and The Disciplh paternal. The of kind and far by an appeal to or disgraceful p dent render it e ence, he is imn turned to his fri £68 he may yet i fidness. Immo a sufficient reasi tion. Ifanystu year, shall, upor the studies of th tional expense fc him, and thus ei to proceed in th( An "ccurate a( also of the degre attendance, is ke the regular term who may desire The students j BROWN UNIVERSITY. 46j department of tuition, as Professor of Moral Philo- sophy, Dr. Wayland has displayed the originality this, presuppose in the pupil some power of self-government, and some decidedly formed feeling of social and moral respon- sibility. Until the character of a young man be thus far formed, he is too young to enter a pubhc institution. 1. Regulations and Discipline.— The Regulations of the Institution are formed with the sin/:' design of promoting the intellectual and moral advancement of its mem_bers. They are made public, and may be known by every candidate before admission. If, at any time, a student become dissatisfied, he is at liberty immediately to withdraw, with every testimonial of scholarship and character to which he is entitled. The Discipline of the Institution is intended to be strictly paternal. The officers desire to cultivate with their pupils habits of kind and famihar intercourse, and to influence them rather by an appeal to the better principles of the heart, than by severe or disgraceful punishment. If, however, the conduct of a stu- dent render it evident that he is not susceptible of such influ- ence, he is immediately, and, if possible, without disgrace, re- turned to his friends, in the hope that under other circumstan- ces he may yet form a c aracter which will give promise of use- fiJness. Immoral or disorderly conduct is always considered a sufficient reason for directing a student to leave the Institu- tion. If any student, c^fter having con pleted the studies of any year, shall, upon examination, be found incompetent to pursue the studies of the year succeed mg, he is permitted, without addi- tional expense for tuition, to enter the class immediately below him, and thus enjoy a second opportunity of quahfying himself to proceed in the course. An "ccurate account of the deUnquencies of every student, and also of the degree of his attainment in conduct, scholarship and attendance, is kept ; a copy of which account, in connexion with the regular term bill, is transmitted to every parent or guardian who inav desire it. The students generally occupy rooms in the College edifices, I ^L 462 BROWN UNIVERSITY. and energy of his master-mind, in a work on the " Elements of Moral Science," which is rapidly coming into use, as the text-book of American eo - leges. The reviews, in speaking of this admirable book, designate it " a work of the highest order of and board in commons. Any student, however, at the requ.« "his parents, is permitted either tohoard. or 'oboard and o^e. at any suitable private house in the city I' -desired that n - dents residing in the city should lodge at home that the, C asmuch as possible, be und.r the guardianship of th«,- ''T Annual ExPENSES.-The board in commons is charged at its net expense, and varies with the price of prov«^ Good board s furnished at from SI to »1 n per week, and vjoou uwai« +0 $1 61 per week, that which is more expensive at from $1 50 .. a.i oi l Board for 39 week., at *1 00 to $1 1-^S39 00 to 43 68 Board " " 1 50 to 161 - - - >^ "SS^fLSySaSaSl _64_^ _6O0 Jii^ ^ expenses, «21 50 per term, or P ^03 jotolOS 18 S123 00toSl«21 T PAvrNTsU'rhere are three terms of study in each y», 3. PAYMENTS. 1 advance. Students, railei! and the expense "f -ch ' paid » ^'dva „ ^^^^^ ^^ at any period of the course, previously to the last term Senior year. VACATioNs.-Commencemenl 4. Commencement and VACATior." . „ .i.,.i„j(i». held on the first Wednesday of S^P'-'f =^. '""^J ^ Jet wards, the first Te.™ «™---;:lrd7 t v-"» r; rrr'^Tirtercorelces .Laryn. r:„r:n April "- -t;-t:rrM. by a vacation of four weeks. 1 he third term co ^ , *■ »o till liilv 23d— twelve weeks— when It 18 ™ l8t and continues till July zju ceeded by a vacation of six weeks. intellect," a its profounc to his intell university, 1 five classica to the bapl also a noble Provideni factures are affluent ind The intelligi general enl: enjoyed be; from the soi Some stat to give any designs of ii ject of slave tinicntalism state legisla mount to th legislators, raanumissioi ligation of ( but lO a fe unto." W\ God, for on( treasure the the knowlet proprietors)] who needs of the script PROVIDENCE. 463 )ii tlie apidly m col- lirable rder of I request id lodge, that stu- ;hat they ) of theii 8 charged rovi«CM, veek, and )er week. 50 vo $02 :0 50 C4M OOtoS12125 L each year, nts, iinlcM 3, pay five [ass, twelve tive tuition if qualified, ;erm of tlw encementi iiatelyafttrJ U Decemkl vacation i lary 2cl, is succe mences Md nen it is m intellect," and justly assert that " it has acquired for its profound and philosophic author a large addition to his intellectual reputation." In addition to the university, there are in Providence and the vicinity, five classical schools taught by gentlemen belonging to the baptist denomination. The Quakers have also a noble literary establishment. Providence is a large and thriving town. Manu- factures are carried on to a great extent, and many affluent individuals reside in the neighbourhood. The intelligence and polished manners of society in general enhanced the pleasure of our visit. We enjoyed besides the privilege of meeting friends from the south on their summer excursions. Some statements we received, were not calculated to give any favourable impressions respecting the designs of many of the southern people on the sub- ject of slavery. There is too often a suspicious sen- tinuiitalism in reference to obedience to the laws of state legislatures, as if that were an authority para- mount to the laws of God ! Or, as if enactments of legislators, prohibiting instruction or preventing manumission, could relieve conscience from the ob- ligation of doing, not merely to a fellow creature, but o a fellow christian " as he would be done unto." What arrogance must it be in the sight of God, for one who i)rofesses to prize as his greatest treasure the book of God, to take away the key of the knowledge of it from another, who has an equal proprietorship in all its truths and promises, and who needs much more the " patience and comfort of the scriptures," that he " may have hope." It is 464 JOYCE HETH. painful to converse on these points with the most coarse and determined tyrant, who in defiance of every appeal, grasps his fellow creature as uis pre perty, and will tear him limh from limb, rather than part with his prey ; but it is far more humili- ating and agonizing, to hear a defence or palliation of the system, breathed from the lips of woman, or maintained by some youthful candidate for the holy ministry of love ! Slavery presented itself to our view in one ot the most extraordinary and offensive forms of which it is possible to conceive, while we were in this city. The name of Washington, the father of his country, is revered by every patriot of every land. Our po- liticians, and even our princes and captams, may have quailed before his surprising genius ; but his memory is enshrined in the hearts of the wise and tbe good in both hemispheres. We had visited the sanctuary of his home, wandered amidst the decays of his domain, and paid our homage to his worth before his unaspiring tomb. We here saw, still living, the very woman who nursed his infancy; and sAc has worn the chahi and hadye of slavery frcrin that hour to the present time ! Britons blushed for America, and were oppressed with a sickness of the very heart, to think that for more than a hundred years after the infant hero had been pillowed m the bosom of this stranger, Joyce Heth sliould have re- mained a slave. We were ready to ask, when m visited her, where are the sensibilities of a people who can tolerate so gross an outrage upon ever) soft and holy feeling, as to allow this living mum- my, this br the country and often e of thoughtl whose ag:e ^ to have be( second infar she watched was stolen f father of W was evident neglected, si of an aim OS been suffere claws, and t into her ven destitution, i it not occurr that somethi jit were, this las a show ! conveyed fro ife were thu hus heen ga on's father he existing bur years of It was ofte lie authoritj omnumded, tal energy, her times, & JOYCE HETH. 465 my, this breathing corpse, to be dragged through the country, exhibited to the idle gaze of strangers, and often exposed to the rude, offensive merriment of thoughtless youth ? This mysterious antiquity, whose age we found to be 161 years, ought rather to have been cradled in silk, and nursed, in her second infancy, with all the tenderness with which she watched over one of the greatest of men. She was stolen from Madagascar, and was owned by the father of Washington at the time of his birth. It was evident that her person had been shamefully neglected, since she had sunk into the helplessness of an almost miraculous old age— her nails had been suffered to grow till they bent, like birds' j claws, and those of one clenched hand penetrated into her very flesh. She was left in the extremest destitution, and would have died in Kentucky, had ^ Jit not occurred to some keen and shrewd calculator, e decays P^*^ something might yet be made by exhuming, as is worth r^ w^^^' this living relic of a former age, to exhibit las a show! During many months, she had been conveyed from place to place, as the last sands of life were thus running out; and more had doubtless ushed for '^"^ '^^6" gained than the sum for which Washing " ' on's father sold her in 1727, when, as appears i.. he existing copy of the bill of sale, she was fifty- bur years of age. It was often necessary for her to be addressed in lie authoritative manner with which a slave is ommanded, in order to rouse what remained of Ital energy, so as to gratify the curious ; but, at her times, she spoke with vivacity. She has been x3 e most Eince of lis pro- rather humili- illiation man, or ;he holv if le of the vhich it 11 is city country. Our po ns, may but his wise and sited the le lis worth law, still infancy; icry from L'ss of the , hundred cd in the I have re when we f a people >on everj] ing mum 466 JOYCE HETH. the mother of fifteen children, but all her descen- dantThave died before her, excepting two or three ''xt^'vetTable .lave is a baptist, was immersed .rP~c,a^dreeeW^^^^^^^^^^^^ ewIeLnees we Lard, were in ^^^jJ^^^Z r'-i X :':rshr"ttshTtrdl s ; . hausted. She said slie wis heaven in that minute of time, bu must ^^ pleasure, and dare not >;« -Pfjt ^e XoT of herself very clearly m ••«' '^f "";'" ,, ^^^ w V" ," In reply to some questions about her bap- Jesus. m repi^ >^^ ^ ^ , , , ^.^ tism, she said " it was in a nver, and she was that it was the Potomac. ' , Wliile at Providence, we paid a visit to the spo W.Rotr Williams first lauded. We approached tTorCTthe higU ,round, toward tet™, KalrtleVarofthe^chureh^^^^^^^^^^^^ formed two centuries ago, m 10.59. At the per e vx;';r*„ 0,., -_.-»* CHURCHES IN PROVIDENCE. 467 he spot roached LC town, I accom- brother Villiam? perilous ms occu- iin Keho- 1 refuge, tilled that er ill ^^'^ church, and that christians, as such, are subject to no laivs or control but those of King Jesu " during the winter of 1636, Williams and Olney, with their hired attendant, Thomas Angel, crossed the river in a canoe. Life or death seemed, under God, to de- pend upon the manner in which they were met by the Indians, who watched their approach, when the salutation from one of the savages, " What cheer V assured the outcasts of a friendly reception. To c iinmemorate the goodness of God, who had thus guided and preserved them, they ultimately gave their settlement the name of " Providence." The venerable and excellent N. Brown, Esq. entertained a large party of friends, several of whom took leave of us on their return to Boston, under the aftecting impression that we should meet them no more. We enjoyed one day of comparative retirement, at least during the morning, but the labours of the sabbath were exhausting, however delightful it was to worwliip with our beloved friends. It was their sacruinental season, an'' we united in this festivi'l with the churches of Mr. Pattison and Mr. Blane. The latter had in the morning admi- nistered the ordinance of baptism. Among the candidates, were two or three coloured females, young, and of most respectable appearance. It was delightful to see them stand promiscuously with the others, all redeemed with the same blood. [ The general state of religion is better than at any former period. There are four baptist churches, under the pastors Pattison, Blane, Philipps, and W'-m ■m |1' r^ 468 vrOECESTER. I.„son. The first cUuvcU, ^^^^^^^^ 1834,tbrty.two. J^^Jl^"^^ ^go, and was church was eonsUtated ^^ J j„ America; the first baptist f^^f^ Newport, about six the second was f-^f th rd w" the church at years afterwards; the tnir ^ j. j^ted that Swansea, Massachusetts. MrJL.lU P ^^^ he had been at P-^^^f ^^the Warrel Associa- there was but ^Yrf;;. ,^ ^churches, that be- tion, cons.st.ng "f'^edla surprising proof of longed to .t when h^^ -ned 1.^^ ^^^ ^^^_ again passed thro«8-h boston, bade o well to many kind friends. beautifully Worcester is an ""P'^^r; ;u Jotconunand situated. We r gretted t''- -^^ 3^3 „„„,er., sufficient leisure to "^^^^"^ ;;;;'J ,^e exertions of which originated n. *« '"f ^^'^bineinnati. Mr. - individual -;-;::;;: Nlthumberland.* Wilson, an 1^"!^'' f" ""J'" ,,ter in 1795, than he „o sooner settled at Wo. es e ;„!,„. opened his house f»M.--' "^. -^ .„ ^ ^,2, opposition l>-«---« ' ^J„„ a profession of their some converts were ^"^ '' ~ /^ „,■ tUe admini^l faith, which was the ^"^\"'^l^^_ The hospi- tration of the -•'^"-"''^ .'" ^ turelrts of Deaccl -^^!^*-r!'^"l*;bltltirreme.brance. | ^il»on, die Dvii- CAMP MEETING. 469 itifally [luiiand ;mber8, Dions of Mr. nil, who than lie L violent y, 1812, toftlieir admitiis- le liospi- i Deacon ance. Some of our churches in this neighbourhood are large ; they are improved and improving, both in scriptural doctrine and the tone of piety, while con- siderable accessions have been made during periods of revival. Twenty churches are in the Worcester Association, which support more than that number of schools, and many, both of the teachers and scholars, have made a profession of religion. From Brookfield we proceeded the following morning to a methodist camp meeting, held at Wil- braham, twenty miles distant. We determined on this course, as we had been precluded from an at- tendance at the Northern Neck and Salem Union camp meetings of our denomination in Virginia. Our friend Mr. Taylor, who attended the first camp meet- ing at the Northern Neck, and had watched its pro- gress from year to year, since 1831, told us, it appeared at first so doubtful an expedient, that they were in long suspense, before they arrived at the determina- tion to hold it. It was not decided till after a special meeting for prayer, when they had recourse to cast- ing lots ; and, even then, many of the pastors felt averse , though all united . Great floods of rain com- pelled them to gather into forty different houses, where they held four meetings each day. Many were, at that time, brought under concern, and seventy-five converts joined the churches, who proved to be some of the most intelligent, influen- jtial, and pious of their members. Hence that meet- iing has been resumed annually. Whether these meetings are most useful in wakening the inconsiderate and irreligious, in de- al ! f^ 470 CAMP MEETING. • ^^ir.lfpnino' or reclaim- ciding the heBitating, --^"^taffic^uU to decide; ing professed christens, It may bed Jt'the evidence is "-^"^^trnttLchurL, stances much good results from them ^^^^^ encampments m the w ..ecently-settW almost e'"'!"^^^^*^: ''''T'V. «here they are re- country, there can he no doubt «he , expected tliat tiiey ay f freauented by raanyfo. gaiety, and accord.n| be equ ^^^J^ ^^^ ^^^^ mere amusement. We sha .^ ^^ further than by saymg, the sP^^^where 700 or 809 f+i.^fnrpst was an area wiieie ivF borders of the forest J ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ persons "^f^'^^^^'^'^Xle thousands might occur opposite the stand , ^^""^ ^ ,,road aisle ^^"^TdT her og"::o divi^ons., » from the aisle to the camps and ad ^^^^^^^ was allowed to pass l'^-^'*;;^ ::L^^ „f *| about the ground. At to ^^^ j^ J services a minister 'i''»°"";*V ™c\!t,_tUe grou» been thought proper to adoij^ » J - ^^ ^j^„, J was for the t'-^f-'f^!^:;™;: Reaching ; UgJ "^'t^Jbtnt: in eth tent luring the nig.: r^:fl^rp::^u^^^^on^ to -t>- ^-- *lir^l or ^U>rmea tents, ol wn complete circ a distance, as an ordinary ^ Hence no jui them could b persons shoul at the sound trees remain€ of lights, the 1 the tents, and them from v ground, but \ The sermons rather a comi before the si that of the ai noon, we witi with our fe( clamations w this spot, roi ing a ring t i office. Fii t, >:nxi jinvited ; the iwhat wonder sponded to tl crowded tog( P rod am at |om the pros their numbe ;wenty. A i IS none but CAMP MEETING. 471 are re- maybe .surable lany for le scene it in the ) or 8O0 irranged t occupy >ad aisle )ns; one is dram no male o sauntei nt of tk 3ns it bail [le ground i allowed;] ng ; lig^ the nigbt prayer ship at t aving ten' ight. Till r, formed complete circle round the area, and at so great a distance, as to be generally beyond the sound of an ordinary voice, either in prayer or preaching. Hence no justifiable excuse for remaining within them could be given, and the rules were, that all persons should leave them and approach the stand, at the sound of the horn. A sufficient number of trees remained both for shade and the suspension of lights, the forest thickening as you receded toward the tents, and quite concealing the most di^^^nt of them from view. We were several hours the ground, but were unable to stay through the nigjit. The sermons and addresses which we heard were of rather a common-place character. A vacant space before the stand was left for purposes similar to that of the anxious seat, and after the services at noon, we witnessed a scene there, not in harmony with our feelings or judgment. Repeated pro- damations were made foi different classes to enter this spot, round which some hundreds stood, form- ing a ring that was duly preserved by persons in office. ¥'u t, ^nxious souls wishing for conversion were invited ; the minister at the same time narrating what wonders he had witnessed. A few females re- isponded to this summons ; fell on their knees, and powded together on. the grass. Proclamation was then made for backsliders to |oin the prostrate few, and another hymn was sung, heir numbers being gradually increased to about wenty. A third address was made to young men, 18 none but females had entered the ring ; this ap- 472 CAMP MEETING. I 1 1 ■1 , ^The leader. "T^J;";,^,; '£\«ev dur., after another offered prayer ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^_^ ^ this time W«achiT.g on ^^^^ ^^^^^^ m ^^^ penitents, said, somewhat «t«^n /' , .. p fo, | j, leanin, Lheheard,hy*e — am^^^^^^ their or yourselves,— ^-"^ l "_" Prav-" Strange and I, „ the ground faith,"-" Only helieve, } ^^^ ■ ., ^^^ unconnected e^'P--"" ,:!!?. Have love,"-" Let jLfo God,"- prayers, as " Glory *« ' „ ^^_ After a while |< G„d is come, them know .t ^f *7;j,,;toned,"Letuspnj|erte^ all rose and sung ' *' «" p^^ing this prayer, ■ . jfow. Lord again ;" when all fell P'-'f ^7_;„„, ^nd at the close L^ . Glory ! g the people withdrew from tie ™.,^ .^^^^ ^^^ forest i Christ ! glo^ of it, all dispersed to tlie^^ ^^_^^ ^^ ^^^.^^^ ^j^^.* ^^^^^.^^ very """e'^"?"'"" ,V,ttractod our attention, as «e|„eeded all d( ing, -f P«'y;"S j;„"ient at some of the scen.L„,er the wo moved about m astonisn ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^,1 ^^^^ ^^^^^^ we had witnessed. J^^^^^^j^ and soon aft«|j,g effected ii whence *;^''J°^"i„i,^t indications of excltemei.t.E , ^^„ ^^^j, observed the mostvi ,j. ti„g, and on oneotly^h ^^^^^^-^-^ Many of the P^^^ - ndt the'Uuence of tl.L of hope a, two occasions, *«>";'^^ ^^ penitential supph»|it „^, ^^^^, deepest -^^f^^^r'''^^ confessions of a v4, that God 1 tions, minglmg alou j Notwithstanding "fBally one a and worldly *' , / .ouses into the. tue people *° ^ ;::/'*; se.pie.tered spots, . mountains, and ^^''"^ ^,_^^„,,t ^.^estlings «« remain for «'»"y ''^"' ,;" J^.i.t, an oratory inso«« God. Many at that t.nu ^"^^ , ^,„,„bs J cleft of the rocks, f-^^^'^^Z^., seokij ,ees. theyremainej "J ^ •;;^„,li I, f.„m ,.. divine mercy, am^^ -^ ,„„, ,„eva.W sacred seclusion, t'l '^^ '■ ^^,„.„.4d the hel.oUJ The brightened co""t •> ;^ « / . j,, ^.a ascen* of the man whose li«:e shom^ ^^^^ _,,^^, the mountain to — »'« J/^ ^y;'. peace of he., M voice soon expressed holy joy^^^^^l^ ^^^^^^^_ ^„ to occupy his that we shouk plate the seen Wads worth, a Jennings, accc place is remar especially as \ tower erected ( are well laid shade of the s self is a struc I being nothing or genteel con conducting to and the plant though you pa in one side, £ irpendiciilar irmvning like itch a glinips Jurst upon yoi |o()0 feet ahov far surpasse every direct lost agreeabl )od of Newh; le of the hor the Verinoi illfy seems 1 cultivated ( Cc and thcr irioirufn/l i»ho sent wiA Mr I-B' request to meet lus flock, w.th many ;tdTof other dominations, in *- ho- Tho following morning we proceeaea T'"':^. iksoflhe Connecticut to Nortkamp- t"^*t ni to 4end there one quiet sabbath. We' haTbeen' apprLd of the low state o o.u lurches in that immediate vicm.ty ; but ,t wa« t de!ire to look upon the affairs of the deno- niination ia every J'^^^'J. f ,;;;P,',t^,egationalis. As if bv prescriptive right, the con^ieb ""*"■ .1 S^^dwards- elu-rch is a substantial and hani second or bttwarus cuii*. +i. r^la^^w md some building of good dimensions ; bo* pae-. tolerably well attended; they are in the centre o] he town, while the baptist and episcopal place Iship .e built at oppo.^^^^^^^^^^^^^ «r.npared to us, in point ot prospt>ii«^j'» eauX forlorn condition : the former was not :r;L opened for P«Wic worship and^-^^^^^ appearance of having been long «lo««'' • *' « ' w'^ indeed opened, but there --"o other e but such as was carried on by four or five perso L the organ loft, who seemed to be playing a fc m the or^an handsome unitan P'''*"'*T;„« WhofPr.Todd,whowasfr. an ^iii*^ home, we '. not but coi and of th< was treatec that of an exhibition. the burial ported on i in the cent] the man of < erd is a nar who has rej will live w but the simj with some r are diverted even to ordi (Jivision of m FU The early •endered an € nhabitant of ive ; — "Th( Wh .0 sent mplied . many •use of ceeded thamp- ibbath. of our it was 3 deno- onalists lancy in he toml) )ugli the nd holy and the nd hand laces an centre o places fl ties, an be in a 18 not I had i\ the latti er servi re perso ^ing a fi ive ; unitari I was fro NORTHAMPTON. 4gJ home we heard a lecture on temperance, and could not but consider it as a desecration, both of the place and of the sabbath evening. The whole subject was treated m a style which served no purpose but tliat of amusement ; it was altogether a ludicrous exhibition Brainerd's tomb attracted us twice to the burial ground : it is a plain black slab, sup- ported on five small fluted pillars ; a marble tablet in the centre bears an inscription to the memory of the man of God, whose ashes repose beneath. Brain- erd IS a name enshrined in every christian's heart who has read of his devoted labours ; his memory W.1 live without the aid of an eloquent epitaph! but the simple record ought certainly to be engraven with some regard to taste; as it is, one's thoughts are diverted, to notice and to regret the inattention, even to ordinary rules, i„ an inscription, by such a division of words ; the lines are as follows :- SACRED TO THE MEMORY OP THE REV. DAVID BRAINERD A FAITH- FUL AND LABORIOUS MISSIONARY TO THE STOCKBRIDGE THE DELAWARE AND THE SUSQUE- HANNAH TRIBE OF INDIANS WHO DIED IN THIS TOWN OCT. 10, 1747 AGED 30. The early age at which Bminerd was removed •endered an epitaph on the tomb of a yet younger nhabitant of the grave close by, peculiarly impres- " There was a time, that time is past. When, youth, I bloomed Uke thee ; Y 482 NORTHAMPTON. A time will come, 'tis coming fast, When thou shalt fade like me." Mr. Willard, the baptist pastor at Northampton, was from hom.e. His church is small, for although about fifty are nominally members, they are widely scattered. The undertaking originated in the cir- cumstance of many persons having preaching in private houses several years ago, in consequence of some dissatisfaction with the ministry at the old church. Having met with acceptance at about forty different houses, be was induced to erect the chapel; but in the mean time, efficient aid* was obtained where the people had been accustomed to worship, and the few baptists have not as yet been able suc- cessfully to encounter the difficulties of a new undertaking. We were sor.y to leave the neigh- bourhood without a visit to Amherst. At that place our small church is more successful, as they keep up stated worship, and have evperienced some encouragement, of which we had not been apprized. We thought and conversed of our revered Ryland, of blessed memory, as w talked to the spot where the house of Jonathan Edwards stood, and admired, in the dusk of evening, the noble elms which he is said to have planted with his own hands. No man appreciated better, or felt a profounder veneration for the mighty and gigantic theologian than did Dr. Ryland. Mount Holyoke and Mount Tom are the lotty hills between which the Connecticut winds its ^^onpfnl noiirse. The ascent to the first is a very easy excur be driven considered from Monj objects. ] seen, and t] wears a rici country is an inhabite The dist and as it w; day, WQ sta before we r too late foi find our re afforded for and other 1 recording tl afresh by ac We intern but Dr. Cos of a physicij of the oppc Mountains a these sublirr entranced oi stances, the • still higher c at an elevatic the sea. Ro diate neiglibc one side, are THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 433 considered b/ ^r Cit J "^ Le^LTtl 'l from Monte Video, and embrace; i^; o" I .t* objects. R™.„ences 160 miles apart are disti^cdv .seen, and the greater part of the intervening eo«„S wears a r.chly cultivated appearance. Her^ alo the country ,s studded with those fairest ornaments of an mhab.ted district, the temples of reHgTon The distance to Albany is seventy-three miles and as ,t was to be performed by the sta^ T day, we started »t t. • ., ^ "^^ '" "«« afresh by acts of fraternal kindness ^ "* We mtended merely to touch again at this city but Dr. Cox was detained three days under the car^ a phys.c.a„, while his colleague^vaitd ,SnTe f f the opportunity of visiting both the VltT 1 Mountains and West Point 1V„ Catskill these sublime and^ «, v^^ ^ " '"''^'^ entranced on reaching, under ZoJJT^Zr!: t nces, the terrace of the Mountain House, or the st.ll higher crags and points of rock which iut Tul an elevat,on of nearly 3,000 feet fron. th evel o the sea. Round Top and High Peak in /.. diateneighbourhood^ndboutdin;thep^^^^^^^^^^ one side, are 3.700 and 3,800 feet high ' y2 484 CATSKILL. TheKaaterBkiUFalls present ascenescar^^^^^^^^^ .a.i.g, though ^^^:i^^::z:^sz These slopes of majestic g^"^' ^^^^ fr„„ the foliage of the ^^^^ulZTn^^^^ the quan- distant heavens. The faU ^.^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ tity of water .vas not great A ^^^^^ „.ake a s-. %g -^ .^^^tftt a i of 170 feet through which a road is cut, till they are " ThTbaotist church at CatskiU was destitute of a ?! Til been in a rather low condition, pro- pastor. It lias oeeu worship. bably from the -™,/ j'^nrpeople were el Better days are ant.cipa j' -^^^^.J ^^^^^ ti,ey pectine a settled mmister , ana u* b Ld relived on huilding a new hous. The churc^^ of about 3UU, ana loit^ ^^ service, and staiea ^ ^^ fiftv-nine converts ly interesting season oi icv..»M ..- -. had been a< painful to banks of t reach New day, Septei and had it lington wi' repeatedly meeting sc course was which wer Pattersc habitants, i and vulga country, t contrasted for the pi The bad ii many by h the seriou culty is e: avail then the humili number oi very affecl hear the r the churcl from coui with enori drances t< nelle, the vusxjr Ilk J ■ PATTERSON. 486 had been added to the chijrch by baptism. It was painful to pass these and other churches on the banks of the noble river, but it was necessary to reach New York. We had engaged to spend Lord's day, September the 20th, at Newark and Patterson, and had it in contemplation to pass a day at Bur- lington with the Wew Jersey Association. Having repeatedly crossed that state, we were desirous of meeting some of our brethren there, but our inter- course was restricted to these visits on the sabbath, which were at each town highly gratifying. Patterson is a manufacturing town of 10,000 in- habitants, and partakes more of the coarse, ignorant, and vulgar attributes of similar towns in the old country, than is common in America. It may be contrasted with Lowell also in these respects, and for the prevalence of infidelity and Catholicism. The bad influence which Miss Wright exerted over many by her infidel sentiments is still deplored by the serious inhabitants of the place. Great diffi- culty is experienced in persuading the people to avail themselves of sunday-school advantages, and the humiliating cause to which it is ascribed, is the number of emigrants who have settled here. It is very affecting, and at the same time instructive, to hear the natives of a country where all sections of the church are on an equality complain of settlers from countries where state rt ions are supported with enormous revenues, as beii., the greatest hin- drances to the furtherance of religion. Mr. Gre- nelle, the devoted pastor of the church, was danger- f^ 486 NEW YORK. Ill and his people gave their visitor a truly fraternal reception. The church was just revmng from a very languid state; forty had joined withm a shor^ neriod, without any protracted meetings, or special observances; thirty of whom were either teachers or pupils in the sunday-schools, which contain iiO children. The church consists now of 105 members, with a congregation of 400 or 500. Water power is obtained in this town by divertmg the Passaick river from its channel just above the Falls, and tapping the canal wherever a mill is erect- ed through which the stream regains its lower bed. This channel is seventy feet below the upper course of the river, and there is no doubt but the whole body of the stream will ultimately be conducted from the wild and frowning chasm of rock down which i was destined by nature to fall. This romantic spot being now accessible by a rail-road, multitudes re- sort to it from New York o.. a Sunday, as one of the most delightful excursions in the neighbourhood. In population and commercial importance, iNew York is the first city in the United States, although the seat of the general government is at Washington and even the state legislature holds its sittmgs 150 miles distant, at Albany. The political influence of this queen of ^rican cities is so checked and balanced, that -..ader existing circumstances it can never become like the metropolis of a monarchy, a kind of heart to the body politic, whose pulsations affect the remotest extremities. On the contrary, „»rP it even enffulphed in the waters which encircle „ great a portion of it, all that would Uappen affecting tV tion of he ports of th( something' exerted, bj in this res equally th territory. be the eas but owing them can religious ( now the s versaries animating bine the still these supply a relative st It is certa a much i than in ai congregat: The m( worship, ! Presbyteriai Episcopaliai Baptist . Dutch Refo Methodist ] Methodist 1 Roman Cat Friends . Universalis NEW YORK. 487 affecting the Union at large, would be the distribu- tion of her immense commerce among the other ports of the country. In a religious point of view something more of a metropolitan influence is exerted, by the extent of the community; but, even in this respect, the other large cities aspire to be^ equally the centres of their respective portions of territory. This must, in some degree, continue to be the case, both with Philadelphia ,nd Boston ; but owing to theiv relative positions, neither of them can exert the same moral power among the religious community of the west. Npw York is now the seat of the principal societies. The anni- versaries of May present from year to year an animating view of those institutions which com- bine the energies of various denominations; but still these festive occasions do not by any means supply a correct data, by which to judge of the relative strength of different sections of the church. It is certain, for instance, that the episcopalians are a much more numerous and efficient body here, than in any other portion of the Union, while the congregationalists are scarcely represented at all. The most recently published list of places of worship, gives a total of 135, viz. Jews .... Congregationalists Unitarians . . Lutherans . . General Baptists Moravians . . Christians . . Presbyterian . . . Episcopalian . . . Baptist Dutch Reformed . . Methodist Episcopal . Methodist Independent Roman Catholic . . Friends Universalists . . . 33 24 17 15 10 9 6 4 3 ^o«r Jerusalemites Mariners . ^ . v If I ( 488 NEW YOEK. 1 i| 11 I I 1 1. c of New York do not form The ^^^fZt:ot^::... umted with that one association, aeveno anniversary of of the Hudson River and at t ^^^^^^ ^^^ 1835, returned * total oi A ^^ ,i,. New York others are reported as in union ^ ^^^^^^^ Association, and 8^^^,.^*^/^ recently been Besides these, a new cl'"'=^ " ^^„ u small, formed, and there are -- « J^^^y ..^d, tHat and but little known. I* ^^JJ ^^^^ t^e baptist 5,000 persons are ^-J-^^^^^,, ,,, appear sar- churches in New York, u ^ ,„„,„,unity, prising that a few, "/,,!,aration from the Luld be found in a tate of sep ^^^.^^^^^^ general body, who ^ f^' ^^ *:"' '^Hh the other Lught into fra^nal ^Jo-^^ ^^^^^^ ,,, .^e pastors and ''^»'«'"';- , ^ .j ^f io,000, as some -»g-S!^>-XT ver af;, and well attended. of the '^^T\.ZZ7eiove%V-^rs very considera- The d«»°Trj^ te many towns throughout the ble, though there are -^^^no^n^tiori exceeds it. United States, where no denom either in -»^-J?^£-:^ S^^^^^^ The accessions by -aptism t ^^ ^50, of which accounts were obtained, a and to five of ti. o V-ers ^jj d^ J ,,,,,\„d giving an average oi^twen^- ^^^.^^^ ^^ ^^_ evincing that, with the -ont .^^^^^^ either these commum. s mu be _^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ niently "»™'=^°"^' J * L?„. Most of them have, instances, divide and mulupj ^ ^^^.^^^.^ ^ ^^^ in fact, origuui^c- ... -; ,, j^e for the ex- individuals cherishing an a^den des r _^ ^^^^^ tension of the kingdom of Christ, obscure siti in prayer, 8 the districts church. Th street, of w pastor, was alive, to wit characterise worship is 3,000 perse and crowd* public occR bers! It 1 of strength) ones, and holy activil The chu toral care of eighteen or quite ai though un once replei ing in the ( events rna^ in another might wit restored t< 1 large sece form a m eighty-nin< West Bap The Am ears ago, W NEW YORK. 489 [)rm that y ^^ The jfork hers. been mall, , that aptist p sar- unity, >in the oaately i other .at the LS some tended. isidera- Lout the eeds it, ce. [lurches, I to 250, ne year, ich, and of God, inconv€- any other lem have, 3; a few or the ex- et in some obscure situation, and, from time to time, united in prayer, and concerted measures for evangelizing the districts around, by 'e consolidation of a christian church. The number co «posing the church in Oliver- street, of whicii the Rev. S. H. Cone ir the present pastor, was only thirteen ; of whom a few are yet alive, to witness that growth and efficiency which now characterise this thriving community. The place of worship is capable of containing between 2,000 and 3,000 persons, and we had the joy of seeing it full and crowded, both on the sabbath and on other public occasions. The church comprises 749 mem- bers ! It has dismissed very many for the purpose of strengthening feebler societies, or of forming new ones, and manifests an ever-increasing degree of holy activity in the propagation of the gospel. The church in Mulberry-street, under the pas- toral care of the Rev. A. Maclay, consisted at first of eighteen persons. The place of worship is nearly, or quite as capacious as that of Oliver-street, al- though untoward circumstances havt thinned its once replenished &3ats. The general spirit of hear- ing in the city, nevertheless awakens the hope that events may prove more auspicious ; and in this or in another locality, to which probably ^ iie church might with advantage be transferred, it may be restored to its former state of enlargement. A large secession has been recently dismissed to form a new society, which is constituted with eighty-nine members, under the name of '* The jWest Baptist Church of New York." The Amitv-street church was fo/med about three pee members, and fears ago, of forty- now Y 3 ^;,] Hi n -ir ♦' 490 HEW YORK- , *v,. ^pv W R.Wil- flourishing ^""'^"•""Vriu Lted on their new Hams. The heavy debt ^^^'^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^.^uced, the and costly house, ha. been cons.drJl3^ ^^ ^^^ ^„ congregation increases and the cUu accession of many '"^^f"' ^^^s ,f the Rev. C. At Mount P« *;J:J tducted into the C. Williams, ;1;^ was ;;eey^„,d with success; pastoral office, have Deen increase, and there is every f 7^<^/^^ foo „,einbers, of The North Beriah cl^"''^ V/ .f" , exhibits .Kich the ^^-^;::::^:tZlT The place evident signs of progressive ^^^^ of worship which - -^^ «]^;,„a ,„d other 900 or 1000 people. The suna y ^^.^^^^ religious institutions, are in a state to the church, were thirty seven ^^, ^^^ At Brooklyn, the nrst cliurcl, ;^^^^^ members, u-^er *^j;r::^ l^ious place of ,.,,e just -J^'^J^standing the extra expenses worship; and noiwi ,,„^ i,„ve vigorously aided that have been «"=""''•''. 'Sd""»S ^'"^ ^'""' various I'-T^-^rMisIm.y Lety, a Mater- a Young Man s H'-^^^Xciass have been formed, nal Associaticn,andaU.oi usefulness.! with the fairest F-V^^^fj: i"i„ed a pastor of '^'"^ '^^'^ feSri" at populous and .apidly the second churcn, i augmenting town. ^^ .'mmerutc eueli ' However gratitymg It wou R. Wil- ;heir new uced, the ts had an 6. 3 Kev. C. into the L success; ncrease. ambers, of ,r, exhibits The place ;ains about and other of evident , a season of figs was at- mber added )f families. nearly 200 ^r. Howard, ious place of tra expenses orously aided ing the year, ety, a Mater- been formed, ^e usefulness, ed a pastor of , and rapidly- NEW YORK. 491 numc .rate each church in this city and its neighbourhood, we must be contented with thus naming a few ; and referring as we hav- done to the symptoms of prosperity. We were, nevertheless, impressed with the fact that the denomination requires strength here. An accession of ministers, of cultivated minds and hearts, might yet originate several new churches. Our intercourse with the brethren Cone, Maclay, Williams, Summers, Howard of Brooklyn, and others, was truly pleasing ; nor can we forget, espe- cially, the active zeal and fidelity of Dr. Going, in the home missionary department; but, with a hundred thousand inhabitants still untaught in this vast commercial metropolis, v/e could not but feel persuaded that much unoccupied ground remains ; and, with existing resources in the property and piety of the people, much may yet be accomplished. Other churches in our denomination need to be erected ; and the excellent ministers of the city, we are sure, will concur in the fervent prayer, than an increase of ministerial ability and moral power may be made to their body. The day is not distant, we trust, when New York will be as illustrious for her religion, as she is distinguished by her commercial enterprise ; and when the waters of the sanctuary will spread into an expanse of moral beauty and refreshing inlluenoe, of which the present scenery of her encircling streams and enchanting bay, fur- nish but a faint pnu inadequate emblem. Most of the churches display a commendable zeal in promoting the benevolent objects of the day ; and bible classes, and, in some of them, maternal 1^ ¥. < I 492 NEW YORK.. ir( ; associations, are ^- r^^^^^T^n the t --^'^T\-rr-?r^ot a^ - upwards Utence of a I'l'^'^'y' '^Jf jf ^^.^j^^.iy an enlarged f ''" lodrLd "cordial particfpation in the desire to do S^''' ^ i^„,„, „is,ions, *hich operations of the toj«>S ^ ^.^^^^^^ of the enjoy the confidence, prayers ^" , I, „ A strikine instance ol UDerai.iy opi" "^T ft ttat aS double the amount stipulated ,„ the fact, th^t ^™°^ Convention, by the associa- te be given to the btdte wn ^^ ^^^ tion, comprising many f *]- f » j;^^ ,„a influen- Uas been contributed, while the pastors ^^.^^ ^^ tial members are rejoicing m tl e s svstematised efforts, instead of fitful and g Ivements in tbe cause of ben-ol-c. ^.^^^ During the few «iXrwas g^eltly occupied by '" °"^':Cn:;irg "iCly conVences with receiving ana paymb rolative to various christian f'-"«l\^"*^,r„"' mi stT Besides to- subjects connected -* ""^'J^rdenomination, pics of special interest '» ""^ ^ discussions ^rgitsinsti^tions^^^^^^^ attention. Among these, the subject generally was m.t overlooked ^l^^^' l,-^^, Irm the of-^P-^tirlsl ^ttrTn.,uirie. for the instruction of all classes , uu i respecting the "">--« -^""thrdttWeS .ere not equally saUrfac -y^ ^^^^^ ,,,„ entire youtl some time { very genen ianthropistj indifference and the wit was not eas tive to the doubted. ^ among thos people, tha can only in of ignoran race to disi no friends society by It may I nected wit abolitionisi of those c< America a must obvii plan that i to be pract religious I is so deeji of the N< express oi pleased tc counsels, < injured ott idiscord of I NEW YORK. 493 the ex- irds :ged the hich [ the pears lated socia- city, fluen- lon of Bgular evious tied by es with various ides to- ination, jussions Ltions of ged our lucation illy con- )ro vision inquiries f the city d friendB ;hal there ion of the entire youth of that part of the community, and that some time ago they had succeeded in gathering them very generally into the schools. Latterly these phi- lanthropists have had great reason to deplore the indifference of the coloured people to the subject, and the withdrawment of many of the scholars. It was not easy to arrive at a satisfactory opinion rela- tive to the causes of this, though the fact is un- doubted. So much of party spirit appears to prevail among those who profess to befriend these degraded people, that amidst their mutual recriminations, we can only infer, that the suspicions incident to a state of ignorance and prejudice, have led the African race to distrust all parties, and fear that they have no friends who honestly intend their elevation in society by the proffered education It may be true that many colonizationists are con- nected with the schools, and it may be true that abolitionists represent them as not the true friends of those coloured people who persist in regard ■'^g America us their country and their home ; but it must obviously be the duty of all to adopt every plan that is practicable ; and, as soon as it is found to be practica])le, to impart mental, and moral, and religious benefits to tliose to whom the white race is so deeply indebted. Hence it was that at one of the New York anniversaries, we ventured to express our earnest prayer that God would be pleased to unite the hearts, and harmonize the counsels, of all the true friends of Africa and her injured offspring. We did so amidst the universal discord of that jarring season, expressing at the 494 NEW YORK. ■ r, 1 «ame time, our glory and our joy, that although the British isles were small, so vast was our empire that the sun never sets upon it, yet that sun never shines upon a slave. And here do we express again our earnest prayer, that God may be pleased so to ..uide the counsels of the respective states, and so to influence the federal government, that America may free herself from the curse, and wipe away the stain of slavery, by an enlightened course of leg.s- **On"the existing controversy in the Bible Society, arising out of an objection to" assist our denomina- tion in any of its versions of the holy scriptures into heathen tongues, because our missionaries lee themselves bound in conscience to render the word for baptism, by terms which convey the idea of .m- inersion, we are not disposed to enter excepting simply to say, that if the committee of the Bib Society erect themselves into a company of critics upon new versions, in, to them, unknown languages, instead of maintaining the non-mterfer.ng but all- patronizing principle of circulating every versiou in ever, language, approved by competen judges u, those res;ect1ve dialects, then do they depart ron, the fundamental principle, an,l suly the beauty ot an institution, in its division the dishonour, in its union the glory, of our land. Recent information cmvinces us that the subject can bj no means be disposed of in America, as it has been attempted to be settled in England. Among the last of our engagements, was a visi to New Jersey. The locality of Newark possessed lOUgll napire never again . so to ,nd so nerica ay the legis- ociety, omina- iptures es feel e word of im- cepting e Bible ' critics guuges, but all- rsioii in idges in irt from eauty of r, in its )rmation leans be inpted to .^ 1 1' as a visit Dossessed 'li as ■A H H H peculiar i of Brainer in June, 1 on his arc] the Forks Newark hi sent to 18 terian chu two Africs one Romai only three churches t nexion wit] ing states, about twen increasing village of I for a librar was reared under the Schools anc On our I of Dey Stre our home < joyed, am 01 an opportu meeting of sions in on About twen our attenda present wen » Vouijg mil NEW YORK. 495 peculiar interest, from associating- with it the name of Brainerd, who was ordained there as a missionary in June, 1744 ; and immediately afterwards entered on his arduous enterprise at Sakhauwotung, within the Forks of the Delaware. The population of Newark has rapidly increased, and amounts at pre- sent to 18,000 or 20,000. It contains five presby- terian churches, two baptist, one Dutch reformed, two African, one Scotch secession, one episcopal,' one Roman catholic, and one universalist. Of these, only three are tolerably attended. Besides many churches that are unassociated, and others in con- nexion with various kindred societies in neighbour- mg states, the New Jersey Association comprehends about twenty-four churches. A literary institute of increasing importance is situated in the beautiful village of Plainfield, and a new building is erecting for a library and recitation rooms. A baptist church was reared here in 1818, which is now flourishing under the pastoral charge of the Rev. D. F. Hill. Schools and bible classes are in vigorous operation. On our return to the house of J. Fellowes, Esq. of Dey Street, which we had the privilege of calling our home on this last visit to New York, we en- joyed, among other assemblies, public and social, an opportunity of uniting in the weekly prayer- meeting of the ministers and active friends of mis- sions in one of the apartments of Clinton Hall. About twenty-one were convened on tlie morning of our attendance ; and on tliis occasion, the persona present were constituted into a council to examine ayouijg minister who offered himself for ordination 496 NEW YORK. a^ an evangelist in Virginia. The investigations were long and scrutinizing on points of doctrine, proving the judicious caution with which the sanc- tion of such bodies is accorded to candidates for the sacred office. Dr. Cox was called to perform the marriage cere- mony for our friend, the Rev. C. Stuart, well known in England by his published travels, who, for the second time, obtained a facile admission into the " holy state," by a ceremony which loses nothing ot its importance by the simplicity of its administra- tion. That he could engage in the service as the officiating clergyman, is honourable to the country, whose proceedings in this respect will probably be soon imitated in our own land. He was further called to another important and more public duty, that of delivering an address - On the Alliance be- tween Literature and Religion," before the friends of the New York University, previously to the opening of the new and splendid edifice which has been erected. This institution comprises four faculties, namely, those of letters and the fine arts, science and the arts, law, and medicine. It is di- vided into two general departments : the first em- braces the usual collegiate course of instruction which has obtained in the United States, together with a complete course of English literature, and of the sciences, with their application to the arts and to the ordinary purposes of life ; the second includes instruction in the higher branches of literature and gcienop, and in professional studies. In this univer- sity, the bible is to be used as a classic in the de- H M > O 'A ^ 1 i partment c which is at and prayei where one ( are requirei of gentlem( nomination minister of gation, is ( pastor of tl secretary. Our re-ei tober, thou^ till the 2nd. took leave the capacioi in Oliver-st any descripi reference to that althoug rica, with i vision, neith obliterate fr among the : tence, the be NEW YORK. 497 partment of sacred literature, the professorship of which is at present vacant. The scriptures are read and prayer offered every morning in the chapel where one of the faculty officiates ; and the students are required to be present. The council is composed of gentlemen of various professions and different de- nominations of christians. The Rev. Dr. Matthews, mmister of a most respectable presbyterian congre- gation, is chancellor; and the Rev. A. Maclay, pastor of the baptist church in Mulberry-street, is secretary. Our re-embarkation was fixed for the 1st of Oc- tober, though we were unable to get under weigh till the 2nd. On the preceding evening, we publicly took leave of our American friends, who crowded the capacious church of our valued brother Cone, in Oliver-street. We will not trust ourselves to any description of the scene ; but only add, with reference to our departure on the day of final adieus, that although a few hours sufficed to remove Ame- rica, with its mighty people, from the scene of vision, neither distance, nor time, nor change, can obliterate from memory's tablet, or displace from among the most cherished reminiscences of exis- tence, the beloved image of that glorious country! 498 CHAPTER XIV. SUMMARY VIEW OF THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. Having performed a tour of no inconsiderable extent, and made continual observations on tbe moral and religious state of society, it may justly be expected that, apart from the minuter details of ou uited and separate journeys, we^Uould endeavour to represent the general impressions which we re- eeived of transatlantic piety. Our -»«''=--; though, for obvious reasons, maintained cluetiy with the members of our own community , was bv no means restricted to them ; but we prescribe narrow limits to our remarks, both on account of the spe- cified object of our publication, and the wish to avoid interference with the labours of our predecessors m travel We might perhaps safely leave our readers trdeduce their'own conclusions from the infori^a- tion either directly or incidentally communicate in the preceding pages ; but a guiding outline m the form of a summary may be useful &; f «'«"«^; Among the convenient divisions of he country., that of New England, as the comprehensive desif nation of the six following states : Maine, N ^ H„m„shire. Vermont. Massachusetts, CoimecUcut, andlhode Island. These, with characteristic uiver sities, are, nevertheless, considerably assimilated .« their ment are gentrai in thought, liveliest re somewhat < puritanic s] and religio speaks inte a virtuous p ners, in th refinementc between th and the cul The former the sphere cesses of en directs the ] land, which and in the ( baptist, coni nations, cas and piety, a nistry as tal any country denominatec petent opini high estimal Robert Hall ments amor (listinguishe< Uie greates opinion, thai NEW ENGLAND. 499 lTION lerable on tlie Lstly be J of our leavour we re* •course, chiefly is by no narrow the spe- to avoid jssors in ' readers informa- unicated ne in the ence. ountry is .ve desig- ine, New mecticut, jtic diver lilated in their mental, moral, and religious habits. They are generally firm as their own rocks ; independent in thought, and vigorous in action. Retaining the liveliest recollection of their puritanic origin, and somewhat of an ambitious desire to perpetuate the puritanic spirit, they spurn dictation both in politics and religion. The aggregate standard of mind be- speaks intellectual super* .rity, their ione of morals a virtuous pre-eminence, and their comparative man- ners, in the chief cities especially, an advancing refinement. There is usually a mutual reaction between the literature and religion of a country ; and the cultivation of each is reciprocally beneficial. The former, by expanding the mind and enli^^-glrirr the sphere of general knowledge, checks the e-L- cesses of enthusiasm ; while the latter sanctifies and directs the mental culture. It is thus in New Eng- land, which presents, in the more important towns and in the cities, a body of religious people of the baptist, congregational, and other orthodox denomi- nations, cast in as excellent a mould of sentiment and piety, and under the superintendence of a mi- nistry as talented and effective as can be found in any country on the globe. Their theology may be denominated moderate Calvinism, of which a com- petent opinion may be formed by remarking their high estimation of the works of Andrew Fuller and Robert Hall. The mode of inculcating their senti* ments among the most regular and educated, Is distinguished by good sense and strong appeals* "le greatest disadvantage they suffer is, in our opinion, that oi reading all their discourses, a prac- ,,* '. 500 RHODE ISLAND. MAINE. tice which, if it conduce to accuracy, is often found, even where their audiences approve and almost require it, to abate impression. Rhode Island boasts of the name of Roger il- liams, the founder of the state, the chief mstrunient in the establishment of the first baptist church in America, at Providence, and the fi^'st advocate of civil and religious freedom in the new world. Ihe Matarians are principally confined to this sma state, where they were planted as early as 1671, at Newport. Here also reside chiefly the si^-P^^cip^' baptists, a name derived from their belief that the imposition of hands is still binding as a pre-requisite to communion, and their reference to the six propo- sitions in Heb. vi. I, 2, in which that observance is xnentioned. Religion is thriving in the princi^ places, as Newport and Providence; and ir the latter, the influence of the university is highly bene- ficial to the religious as well as literary character of the state. The State Convention has a ways pro- moted home missions with great zeal, and the War- ren Association, founded in 1767, has been dis- tinguished both for vigour in the support of mis- Bionary and benevolent eflbrts, and for the excellen character of its ministers ar a members. Ihe spm of non-submission to human dictation in matters of religious concern, still pervudes the commumty with its primitive sturdiness, . , , i .. Maine has the honour of never having had a slave, a distinction belonging only to one other state, thai of Vermont. Like Rhode Island, Maine has als provided for the literary and religious necessities o its populatic ing baptist numerous r aggregate c increasing, j enterprise ai and perseve some flouris tion, in wh other holy mianism one the associati general then lamentable > nisters. IVew Ham of the Union in 1623, an( numerous ei of the more however, dev and public i small, and d but many of revivals of n the new mow sabbath schoi cieiicy, havir with the uni school may 1 these, many ] increasingly j NEW HAMPSHIRE. 501 jiind, [most iment •ch in ate of The small ;71, at inciple lat the quisite propo- ance is incipal iv the y bene- acter of ys pro- le War- ;eii (lis- of mis- xcellent lie spirit atters of lity with i a slave; :ate, that has also jssitieH ot its population by the establishment of a now flourish- ing baptist university. The churches are neither numerous nor large, with a few exceptions; the aggregate of inhabitants, indeed, though rapialy increasing, is still small ; but both in commercial enterprise and in religious exertion, they are mighty and persevering. There are several associations, some flourishing, particularly the Eastern Associa- tion, in which sunday-schools, bible classes, and other holy undertakings are promoted. Antino- mianism once attempted to lift up its head in one of the associations, but has since retreated; and in general there is much of zeal and union. The most lamentable circumstance is the destitution of mi- nisters. New Hampshire, though amongst the oldest states of the Union, tiie first settlement having commenced in 1623, and the first church in 1638, is not so numerous either in churches or ministers, as many of the more recent sections. Its early inhabitants, however, devoted much time and attention to schools and public worship. The churches are generally small, and diffused among a scattered population ; but many of them have been recently favoured with revivals of religion, and seem to be springing like the new mown grass after a refreshing shower. The sahl)ath schools are increasing in numbers and ei" • eiency, having at present about 100 in connexion with the unioK : the number of children in each school may be nearly the same, and from among these, many have »* turned to the Lord." They are increasingly alive to the benefits of literary as well •¥<': 1 oOa VERMONT.— MASSACHUSETTS. as religious education. Many free-will baptists are found in this state, and both parties are propagating their sentiments with great zeal, but little or no co- operation. . , Vermont is considerably improved m practical religion within a few years. Formerly little was done or even attempted in the baptist denomination, but of late the value of associating in the State Con- vention has been understood, and much liberality has been displayed in the cause of missions schools, and ministerial education. All the churches have sabbath schools and bible classes. As m the sta e of New Hampshire, the people have great sincerity of character, and great warmth, with less, perhaps, of what may be termed refinement than in their kindred states of the north . They are by no mean. disposed to lux..ry, though advancing in wealth. Both ministers and people i.. these two states have caught the revival spirit, and seem much disposed to religious conversation and spiritual exercises. These are striking indications of the characteristic energy of the new world. mssachusetts is one of the smallest of the Ne^ England states, but is remarkable for its wealth manufactures, and commerce. In a religious pom Z view, too, it ranks deservedly high. Many of it« towns and villages are famed for enterprise and in- dustry ; and the inhabitants of these, with Bosto .at their head, are distinguished alike by their intellc - tual and moral cultivation. Notwithstanding the long and extensive sway of a row not mcreas.ng unitarianism, orthodox views of theology are pre- valent; a i generally ol nowhere sui promotion c of the chris state. The the country metropolis j harmonious an impulse peculiar car home and i\ ciety, that is and refined; appear rapii and piety, sciousness o if possible, 1 ever stimul means and p The same Connecticut, the numhe^ the state of nistry, and t inp, it assim districts of IN New York a intellectually mediate posi try of the wo the people ; ' CONNECTICUT. 503 valent; a talented ministry is appreciated and generally obtained ; and our own denomination is nowhere surpassed. A pervading solicitude for the promotion of genuine piety, and the enlargement of the christian cause, is apparent throughout the state. The ministers of our body, and of others in the country generally, but in the New England metropolis parficularly, though rivals in talent, are harmonious in feeling ; and their activity imparts an impulse to the states, while they foster with peculiar care, and advance with growing sucr ss, home and foreign missions. Tiie condition o. so- ciety, that is, of christian society, is at once religious and refined ; and throughout the state the people appear rapidly progressive in knowledge, virtue, and piety. They have, perhaps, a sufficient con- sciousness of their superiority ; a laudable desire, if possible, to retain it ; and at least an inward and ever stimulating determination to employ their means and powers for the greatest good. The same general observations are applicable to Connecticut, although it contains only about half the number of b 'i»tist churches ; but bordering upon the state of New York, in the cl aracter of the mi- nistry, and the tone of religious sentiment and feel- ing, it assimilates rather to that than to the other districts of Now England. This state, together with New York and part of Pennsylvania, holds perhaps intellectually, as well as geographically, an inter- mediate position. This is exemplified in the minis- try of tbe word, and in the general temperament of the people ; which in the south is so ardent and im- -ij r' ii:.. 504 NEW YORK. passioned, that not only are many of our pastors . 11.^ hv Pverv thinii: like scholastic prepa- untrammelled by eveiy ining ration, but they are aecustoxned *» P""',/"^ ^^ glowing «pr«6dito«.■&•• - -i ^ v • Ti.n there have been expensive revivals of religion. The state of Lc of ministei pressed tli( support, a] The same The Home in that co Alabama. The phi nates the r mighty riv Gulf of 'Ni and two te lation. Il sent circu: exist in ph ing an infl and all pai there to f new count Many a he for his foil selyting. its strong (lermining public con enjoyment people. F there clain to the see ( * Report ( drawn up, dc MISSISIPPI. 509 state of Louisiana is considered to be more destitute of ministers than any one in ^he Union, but has ex- pressed the utmost readiness to afford aid in their support, and the utmost eagerness to obtain them. The same representation will apply to Missisippi. The Home Missionary Society employs a missionary in that country, another in Louisiana, and two in Alabama. The phrase. The Valley of the Missisippi, desig- nates the region whose streams are tributary to that mighty river, and through it are discharged into the Gulf of Mexico. This valley includes eight states and two territories, with a rapidly increasing popu- lation. It has been truly said,* that from its pre- sent circumstances, in which its moral elements exist in plastic form, it is the proper field for exert- ing an influence on human character and destiny ; and all parties seem aware of it. Every errorist is there to find in the unsuspecting frankness of a new country, a lodgment for his favourite dogma. Many a heresiarch is there to make an encampment for his followers, and arrange his measures for pro- selyting. Infidelity is there, endeavouring to settle its strong points for exercising an influence in un- dermining the public faith, and destroying the public conscience, and thus blighting the present enjoyment, and withering the future hopes of the people. Popery, more rapacious and acquisitive, is there claiming the appropriation of the whole valley to the see of Rome. Its purpose is formed, and its * Report of the A Jiierican Baptist Home Missionary Society, drawn up, doubtk-^s, by our active friend Dr. Going, 1 ! .^ V\ i 510 MICHIGAN. — OHIO. plans of operation are settled; its pomts of influ- ence are fixed on, and swamis of its emissaries are already on the ground, priests and teachers, monks and nuns of various orders, Jesuits and dominicans, sisters of charity, and sisters of the Messed heart. Protestant ministers and missionaries are also in the valley. Besides the native champions of the I truth, and instructors of the young, and bes'des the I ministers and teachers who in common ^.th ot Jer classes, have of their own accord emigrated thither from the older states and elsewhere; and besides that the most numerous religious denomination in the valley is by its ecclesiastical polity, substantially a home mission body;-400 missionaries are sus- tained in the field by three evangelica denomina- tions, and about 200 ministers are settled there who were at first introduced by home missionary efforts. Bv far the greater pari of the missionaries ot the American Baptist Home Mission Society are employed in the western states and territories. Ihe territory of Michigan contains a numerous popula- tion, aiiong whom twelve of these missionaries are labouring with diUigence and success. Ihe friends of education also are making strenuous efforts to establish a literary and theological mst.tut.on Ohio contains more than a million of inhabitants. Here baptists are numerous, but they are not entirely harmonious in their views and operations ; many ol their churches are feebb. and without pastors, and there is great need of missionary l^bour^ Besides indirect aid m a grant of $300 to the State Convention, and other grants to different local societies oU has had dui who have churches, a an obvious i and multiti ready to e^ Granville C pects were are lilieral Efforts a states, to e theological and of a h is of immei and of cou to the pros states. Indiana 12,000 bap same mind power of tl is a redee gives pled^ a general with the r with the ir tion under demption ( Illinois the most ii denominat INDIANA. ILLINOIS. 511 societies of $200 more ; the Home Missionaiy Society has had during the past year seventeen missionaries, who have assisted in the formation of eighteen churches, and baptized 120 persons. There is here an obvious improvement in the state of the churches, and multitudes exhibit an excellent spirit, and are ready to every good work. The progress of the Granville College is most encouraging, and its pros- pects were never brighter. Some of the churches are liberal towards foreign missions. Efforts are making, in conjunction with other states, to establish within its limits, in due time, a theological seminary, on broad and liberal principles, and of a high order. The success of this project is of immense importance to ministerial education, and of course to the interests of the churches, and to the prosperity of the denomination in the western states. Indiana is an important state. It has already 12,000 baptists, but not being joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment, the moral power of the denomination is neutralized ; but there is a redeeming spirit abroad among them, which gives pledge of brighter days. The organization of a general association and its incipient measrres, with the recent formation of an education society, with the intention of establishing a literary institu- tion under religious influence, are working the re- demption of the pledge. Illinois seems destined to be, in some respects, the most important of the western states. Here the denomination was three years ago in a most deplo- P i^ 512 KENTUCKY.— TENN.'.: ^E.— ARKANSAS. rable condition ; for besides being small and feeble it was divided into parties, some ot which were latly opposed to efforts for reform. Nowhere, however, have missionary efforts been more success- ful and salutary. The churches have greatly m- rased in number, and are more 1-— -« - doctrine, and more active in duty. ^^Y''^''\''- vivals have been enjoyed ; measures have been adopted for a concert of action m Fomo^^^^ ^^^ prea'ching of the gospel to the f ^^^^^^^'^^^^J,"^^ of liberality in pecuniary efforts has widely extended . In consequence, a state convention has been formed which not merely exists in name, but f ves prom- of vigorous action on enlightened principles and the Alton Seminary, including a high school, the Iments of a theological institution, and the germ of a future college, has commenced its operations Kentucky has about 38,000 baptist members, and the influence of a numerical majority of adherent. Among them, too, is a vast amount of wealth If the moral strength of the denomination could b combined in its state convention, and wisely directed to secure the entire consecration of its ministerial talent to the work of the ministry, the churches would be supplied with preaching and pastoral la- bour, and the gospel would be preached to multi- tudes now destitute. ^ In Tennessee the baptists have about 30,000 communicants. In each of the three districts o the state there are many excellent mmisters and brethren. The Territory of Arkansas, with a scanty po- pulation, has some creasing, effort and other case of holy efl The fr( stitute a munity, 1 ments giv of a visit some esti general fi late, thro now on much n Their let charactei slavery, i tion in ^ promote anticipat pose this at presei viding I relaxatio produce approxin and ma events ir The h strict CO FREE- WILL BAPTISTS. 513 I pulation, and few ministers of any denomination, has some baptist churches, and the number is in- creasing. Here the struggle between benevolent effort and inaction has commenced, and, as in all other cases, it must be eventually decided in favour of holy effort. The free-will baptists of the United States con- stitute a considerable portion of the baptist com- munity, having about 650 churches. The state- ments given by Dr. Cox, in his personal narrative of a visit to Lisbon, will enable the reader to form some estimate of this denomination. They are in general full of ardour and activity ; and, especially of late, through the incessant exertions of Mr. Sutton, now on his return to India, have engaged with much resolution in the missionary enterprise. Their leading ministers and people display also a characteristic zeal in opposing the principles of slavery, and they evince a spirit of ready co-opera- tion in whatever may be judiciously attempted to promote its extermination. It may be probably anticipated, that, although the churches which com- pose this body and those of the calvinistic order, are at present separated from each other by their di- viding peculiarities of sentiment, yet a gradual relaxation of the rigidities of system will ultimately produce not only an individual but denominational approximation. This has been the case in England, and may, in all probability, be the progress of events in America. The bantists of America are almost universally strict communionists, that is, they admit none to a z3 614 POTTER BAPTISTS* participation with them of the Lords supper, who have not heen baptized or immersed. On this sub- iect, the churches in England are more divided m practice. Many, and indeed a very increasmg number of them, readily admitting p^dobaptists to their sacramental table. Christians of alJ deno- minations are not sufficiently aware, that, while censuring the rigidity of strict communionists, they are for the most part equally strict, and participate in those feelings of bigotry, if they be such, of which they accuse their brethren. Nothmg can be said of strict communion baptists, which may not be predicated of the great majority of congrega- tionalists, episcopalians, presbyterians and others, viz. that they refuse to admit to the Lord s table, those who they themselves consider to b. unbaptized. Many individuals are scattered througho.t the states, who are strongly inclined to the practice of open or mixed commmion, but scarcely any ot the churches would tolerate it, or even allow the latitude of an occasional fellowship with those whom they deem unbaptized, to any of their mem- bers. Some small churches in the vicmity of Providence, who advocate it, have acquired the designation of " Potter Baptists," from a mmister of that name. But although this difference of opinion prevails, in a few ifistanccs there, and m a rapidly increasing number in England, its advocates are nowhere regarded a a distinct body. Both in this country, however, and in America, mult;, tudes who retain their connexion with the other denominations, seek the baptism of immersion ; in the latter i palians, pr We mui that there little of th so fatal to were pecu was a top selves, tha so much { another, \ bourhood cause, so f same citie: plying ch violent dii from a spi From tl Triennial < subsequcn conductinj and associ they do al digests of are admir with inlbr voted att pre-emine spectful a president or local ai maii or RICHMOND. 515 the latter it is exceedingly prevalent among episro- l^alians, presbyterians, and methodists. We must in justice and with gratitude remark, that there exists among our American brethren hut little of that jealous- and censoriousness which are so fatal to cordial friendship and co-operation, or we were peculiarly felicitous in our associations. It was a topic of frequent observation between our- selves, that we rarely heard from a brother minister so much as a disparaging remark in reference to another, whether resident in his immediate neigh- bourhood or at a distance. It is partly from this cause, so far as we could judge, that brethren in the same citieo and towns find such facilities in multi- plying churches by peaceful divisions instead of violent disruptions. They are, in fact, very free from a spirit of envy and hostile rivalry. From the account which we have furnished of the Triennial Convention at Richmond, as well as others subsequently introduced, it will be apparent that in conducting the general business of public meetings and associations the Americans greatly excel us ; as they do also in tlie summaries of proceedings and the digests of circular letters. Their statistical reports are admirable ; minute, well arranged, and replete witli information. They have acquired by their de- voted attention to this object, an unquestionable pre-eminence. We highly appreciate, too, the re- spectful and fraternal methods of addressmg the president for the time being of any denominational or local assembly. Instead of saying, " Mr. Chair- mar.," or spealiing of anotbi r in the parliamentary i i I 516 MimsTRV. style of, " the gentleman on my right," or " on the other side," we have seen on more than one occa- sion or fancied we have seen, the kindlings of tem- per extinguished by the habit and ««lM'^c>pl>"« which reiterates the terms " brother," and " brother chairman ;"-conventbnal terms which have, more- over, the air of courtesy iind kindness, exercise a powerful and salutary restraint upon the etter- vescence of feeling, whether in civil or eccles.astica associations, and, as such, are worthy of a careful and undeviating observance. It is frequent to change from other professions to that of the christian ministry ; not on the ground or with the hope of emolument, but from the principle of a pure and exalted love to souls ; and we have not unfrequently found that the same noble principle has operated in producing changes of residence. It has become, from observations made in America, a kind of maxim with us, that i.e ministry there is too fluctuating, while in Kigland it is too fixed. Iheirs, indeed, is not a systeu.af': movement, but it is one of great, too gr^'. t frequency, because unfavourable to the pastora. .vrnpath^es and influence : yet have we know,, the ...uovils in question dictated by tha* noble spirit of self d. 'ial for Christ's sake, by which a superior situation in point of pecuniary advantage has oeen aband<:ned 'or tlie sake of one . . this re- spect inferior, but promiv.ng more extensr useful- ne88. , , I Pastorul support i., oi. the average, and when general circunistHi.ces are taken into consideu tioii better than in our native land. The actual s'.pcnd is frequent from, sou re instance, n: large eitiei is often gi> and while i eases dese( much lowe in very ret pastor is < the volunt keep a ho In a word, rally find needs — suJ^ The imi of the nun of pastors, in the rem in the so'ii eongr^'gaf tiilly bvai of licentia togetVier v sioned itii ties. Frc ' t pastor observed, uiite, or I inijndenci siprht iuiap The baj W^- MINISTRY. ;i7 is frequently greater, and incidental additions arise from, sources with which we are unacquainted, as for instance, marriage fees, and ''donation parti is." In large cities and to^ms Si 800 or $2000 or upwards is often given, that is, four or five hundred pounds ; and while sometimes ascending higher, and in Ciher cases descending througl: every scale of gradation much lower, a -alary of S200 or $300 is common in very retired places. And with even this sum a pastor is enabled, in agricultural districts, and by the voluntary tithings of christian benevolence, to keep a horse and dearborn if his duties require it. In a word, a truly pious and C svoted man may gene- rally find what he asks for — work; and wh;«anch churches. The considerable supply of licentiates must also be taken into the account, together with the regular administration of cor .mis- sioned itinerants and agents from organized socie- ties. From the multitudes of preachers who are ' t pastors, but who are very efficient, it must be jbserved, that tlie churches v/hicli appear as des- t II ite, or are incorporated under one p istoral super- mi mdence, are better supp'lt 1. than may be at fir^i sip^ht imagined. Tlie baptist denominatioi is rapidly advanciOsA in -*g STATE OF LITERATURE. education and literary character. Whatever may be the amount of actual attainment, some wdication of »t Wa growing taste for knowledge, is afforded :Sette?ousperLicalsandinstitutio^^^^^^^^^^^^ enumerated. AH classes "^ P-^^^^^'T^f^'™ W information, both on general ««l'je'=t«' ^»f "^ connected with their particular vocat ons. While conneneu « i,;„i,i„ nrired that which is education is becoming highly prizeu, ina Lictly theological is more and more diffused, ihe slme preiudices against learning as a qualification Tthe christian ministry, have prevailed here to a. tor tne c formerly m England !ig: ttrudr mUs of ^eiyo. -mu^^^^^^^^ ,ut th^ey are ^i-PP-^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ !ritfr^s::;hr:falUary prejudice, Invothrchurcheshadexpressed their concurrence Tn Xatnal projects, and their ;neUnatu>n to ur- „i,h pecuniary aid for their execution. Ihe reporth ottate conventions and local associations contain "ylmed resolutions for this i»po^ - ten^ which have been . la- .mously adopted. This is on y Ihat might have bee., anticioated from the energetic i common sense character of the people. Nosooner To they see au error, than they begin the -oval ^^^^ if and no sooner do they perceive a good, .an hey Im-ina to its accomplishment. The steps they take to improven.ent are not like ours. " few and far be- Iween " We are more deliberative, they more prompt tween. " i however, reckless, and self-conhdeiit. Iheyari noi, . , • •, f thou^'- rapid, and frequently umte the ac^v.ty yout vitl. the wisdom ..f maturer life. Ihey also act in large rosity, and We have into the coi longing to referring tc increasing i Brown, Wi are the salt savour ! It is wil we record advantages the improv brethren In meet with with the c while no ft ducted for ever devote or theolog as might b can church or, if left 1 mony are t rally incidc of society , rected to t1 Revivals discriminai tion has, i REVIVALS. 519 act in larger masses than we do — with more gene- rosity, and with more combination. We have given by previous details, some insight into the constitution and conduct of the colleges be- longing to our denomination, and we cannot help referring to them once more as full of promise, and increasing in moral influence. Such institutions as Brown, Waterville, Hamilton, Newton, and others, are the salt of the land ; and may it never lose its savour ! It is with feelings of sincere and deep regret we record our painful conviction, that in all the advantages of this vast and efficient machinery for the improvement of the denomination, our coloured brethren have no participation. Here and there we meet with christians of African descent, endowed with the capability of intellectual attainment, but while no female seminaries can be peaceably con- ducted for their advantage, no coloured youth, how- ever devoted and talented, can find access to literary or theological seminaries. The consequences are, as might be expected ; either the affairs of the Afri- can churches are managed by a few white persons, or, if left to themselves, their prosperity and har- mony are too often marred by the altercations natu- rally incident to an uncultivated and degraded state of society, We earnestly hope attention v/ill be di- rected to this vital topic. Revivals of Religion must be looked at with a discriminating eye. While the baptist denomina- tion has, in common rtith others, participated in 520 REVIVALS. their influence, mere justice ^""W '•equ.re .t to be said, tliat tliey have been attended with but little extravagance. This is not a question of sect or party ; it has relation to the interests of religion itself, and we shall, therefore, here briefly allude to it, without attempting to discuss the movements of various de- nominations. . . , There are, in fact, three classes of revivals t the first, and the worst, are nourished by tnjuAaous eamp-meetings : andherewe employ an epithe, for the .akeof another distinction,namely,thatwh,lesonie especially as held in districts considerably pervaded already by regular churches and itinerant ministra- tions, are highly objectionable-others, carefully ar- ranged, discreetly conducted, and annually or occa- sionally convene.' .. places where a scattered popula- tion is destitute or almost unsupplied witb the means of religion, may be attended with signal beneht. I he second class of revivals, comprehends those which are if we may so express it, constructed upon the bJis of protracted meetings, ™d sustained by means of direct eflorts of an exciting and agitating descrip- tion. Some of these have been under the violent guidance of persons who have specially devoted themselves to this object, and succeeded m raismg a gust of feeling, which, like a hurricane or a thunder storm, soon passes away. What appears to us of very questionable propriety ■" *!"; ""«- nagement of these meetings is the direct call for instantaneous avowals at the anxmis seat. We can- not (,uite reconcile this with the due operation and concurrenc this mome of an inw mind newl when we speedy pr( scrupulous tory a sent wheat witl tion we ar forced reli an unwilli that sponi Christ, w occasional is that of very rapid of prayer increased with or wi are dispo tions ; ani tensively we refer, ing for tl sive days great pra^ frequentl; They are poses of adapted t REVIVALS. 521 concurrence of the understanding and the heart in this momentous affair, and especially with the depth of an inward repentance, and the modesty of a mind newly awakened to religious sensibility ; still, when we recollect the powerful impressions and speedy professions of the primitive times, we are scrupulous of passing too sweeping and condemna- tory a sentence, lest we should be rooting up precious wheat with the thickly growing tares. The distinc- tion we are inclined to draw, however, is between a forced religion, or what is urged and stimulated into an unwilling publicity without time to think, and that spontaneous manifestation of devotedness to Christ, which may nevertheless be speedy, and occasionally immediate. The third class of revivals is that of an improved state of things — it may be a very rapidly improved state of things — arising out of prayer meetings, conversations, inquiry, and an increased regard to the ordinary system of means, with or without protracted meetings. The latter we are disposed to advocate, under proper regula- tions ; and their benefit in America has been ex- tensively felt. The kind of assemblies to which we refer, are thoge of ministers and people associat- ing for the usual exercises of worship, for succes- sive days at specified periods. These we think of great practical utility, and likely to be, as they have frequently been, attended with a divine blessing. They are, indeed, liable to be perverted to pur- poses of mere animal excitement, but they are adapted to proniote great moral and spiritual good. 522 REVIVALS. Let them but be conducted with discretion and in faith; then will "the Spirit be poured from on high " the enemies of truth will quail, infidelity be abashed, and the rejoicing church hail the victorious progress of a pure and primitive Christianity. In presentin making a toler; and divisions church. We ? New England, states, and no out the Unioi avowed object that statement No. I.— Tab Ge States, &c. Maine - - New Hampshii Vermont Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New York - New Jersey - Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland - Columbia - Virginia - - Ohio - - - Michigan - Indiana - - Illinois - - Kentucky - Tennessee - North Carolii] South Caroliii Georgia - - Florida - - Alabama Missisippi - Louisiana - Arkansas Missouri IndianTerritc in 523 STATISTICS. In presenting a few Tables of Statistics there is much difficulty in making a tolerable approximation to the truth, as modes and periods and divisions in computation vary in almost every section of the church. We are not aware that, excepting the congregationalists in New England, any but the baptists adhere to the divisions of the states, and no other denomination is diffused so generally through- out the Union. Partly on this account, and partly because our avowed object is to present a report of our own body, we introduce that statement in the first Table of Population. No. 1. — Table of the Population of the United States, and a General View of the Baptist Denomination. States, &c. Maine . - - New Hampshire Vermont - - Massachusetts Rhode; Island - Connecticut New York - - New Jersey - - Pennsylvania - Delaware - - Maryland - - Columbia - - Virginia - - - Ohio- - - - Michigan - - Indiana - - - Illinois - - - Kentucky - - Tennessee - - North Carolina South Carolina Georgia - - - Florida - - - Alabama - - Missisippi - - Louisiana - - Arkansas - • Missouri - - Indian Territory Total of Population. 399,955 269,328 280,652 610,408 97,199 297,6/5 1,918,6< S 320,823 1,348,233 76,748 447,040 39,834 1,211,405 937,903 31,639 343,031 157,455 687,917 681,904 737,987 581,185 516,823 34,730 309,527 136,621 215,739 30,388 140,445 4o,820 Slaves, Baptist Denomination. 17 25 75 2,254 403 3,305 102,878 • 6,119 469,757 32 747 165,350 142,382 246,462 315,665 217,531 15,510 117,549 65,659 109,631 4,578 25,081 500 /■ — Asso. 10 6 / 10 1 5 35 3 13 1 2 2 24 22 2 23 20 34 22 22 9 21 N.B 13 5 2 2 12 Chs. Pas- tors. Llcen 242 92 127 174 31 95 683 39 182 9 35 5 441 330 39 327 200 491 475 372 286 587 20 298 101 16 16 178 9 157 66 82 159 23 81 526 22 114 5 19 4 225 175 25 243 135 179 186 128 134 234 113 35 12 10 77 12 26 17 18 68 1 19 134 7 32 4 2 36 30 3 46 16 37 29 32 47 39 3 2 23 Mem- bers. 16,380 7,610 10,796 18,999 4,874 10,964 68,295 4,000 14,011 636 1,251 533 55,602 14,000 1,249 12,146 6,107 34,791 26,435 21,676 32,040 39,729 500 14,287 2,861 728 181 6,919 200 i^ J 1 524 STATISTICS. No. U.-Summary View of the Baptist Denomination in North America. \ Churches, i Ministers. Baptists in Association, No.l. Baptists unassociated . . . • Free-will Six-principle Seventh-day Dunkers Mennonites Christ-i&ns Rpfonners. or CampbelUtes, have b^n Suted at ISO.doO- but many of these are included in the associa- tional returns, as are some of *]»« ^^^T principle and seventh-day baptists, while several whole bodies, from the peculiarity of their opinion*, are al- together omitted, say, in the gross, 5,890 .00 (;:)6 22 37 50 1,000 3,907 400 450 21 29 40 200 300 Members. 427,800 17,500 30,000 2,197 4,305 3,000 30,000 30,000 Canada . • • Nova Scotia . . New Brunswick . Prince Edward's Cape Breton . Island and 95 55 40 55 46 16 Baptists in North America . . | No. III.— Summary View of other States Associate Presbyterians . . Associate Reformed . • • Congregationalists . . . • Cumberland Presbyterians . Dutch Reformed . . . . Episcopalians German Reformed . . . • Lutheran Methodists • Methodist Episcopal Church Presbyterians .... Quakers, or Friends . . Roman Catholics . . • Unitarians United Brethren . . • Universalists .... New Jerusalem .... Shakers Jews 100,000 3,500 4,549 1,551 500 — 654,902 Denominations in the United 12,886 10,000 129,756 15,000 22,515 60,000 30,000 59,787 30,000 638,784 247,964 220,000 600,000 160,000 5,745 15,000 169 70 100 58 1,071 975 110 70 197 167 800 697 600 186 627 216 150 250 2,648 500 187 24 550 27 15 2,458 2,150 340 165 33 350 33 45 No. IV.— I Name. Brown Univer. WatervilleUniv. Hamilton - - - Columbian - - Newton - . - New Hampton Georgetown- - Richmond, Va. Granville - - - Alton - - . - Furman - - . Mercer - . . . Haddington - - Eaton .... Burlington . - Worcester (Mas Mantua (N.J.) a Middleboro. South Reading ( Florida Inst. Wake Forest Ins Brockport (N.Y by 60 ft. No. Y.—Perioi I Allen's U. S. I Register. [M'Coy's Annual dian Affairs. Quar |The Christian R( Mon l\merican Baptisi [Baptist Advocate ■Sabbath School : |rract Magazine. Semi-M JBaptist Banner. |The Indian Advc Wee IChristian Watchi jChristian Secreta ■Christian Index. Christian Gazette Cross nnd iRnnno ^■r STATISTICS. 525 No. IV.— BAPTIST UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, &c. Name. Brown Univer. WatervilleUniv Hamilton . - - Columbian - - Newton - - - New Hampton Georgetown- - Richmond, Va. Granville - - - Alton .... Furman - . - Mercer - . . . Haddington - - Eaton .... Burlington - - Found, ed. 1764 1820 1820 1821 1825 1826 18:^0 I8;i2 1832 1832 1833 1833 1834 18.34 1835 President. F. Wayland, D.D. R. Babcock, D.D. N. Kendrick, D.D S. Chapin, D.D. ~ J. Chase, M.A. - — Smith . . . - S. Noel, D.D. . - R. Ryland, A.M. J. Pratt J. Rogers - . . . J. Hartwell - . . B. M. Sanders - - J. L. Dagg, A.M. ACADEMIES, &c. Stu- Tutors. dents. 8 167 7 94 8 180 9 50 3 53 2 4 36 3 58 6 183 2' 30 10 10 — — Vols, in Libraries. 19,000 4,000 3,850 4,000 1,800 1,000 1,200 1,000 3,500 1,000 Worcester (Mass.) High School. Mantua (N.J.) Manl.Labour Inst. Middleboro. South Reading (Mass.) Florida Inst. Wake Forest Inst.(N.Car.) 1834. Brockport (N.Y.) College, 100 ft. by 60 ft. No. Y .—Periodical Publications S. Baptist Triennial Allen's U. Register. M'Coy's Annual Register of In- dian Affairs. Quarterly. The Christian Review. Monthly. ^merican Baptist Magazine. Baptist Advocate. Sabbath School Treasury. Tract Magazine. Semi-Monthly. Baptist Banner. |The Indian Advocate. Weekly. |Christian Watchman, 'hristian Secretary, 'hristian Index, 'hristian Gazette. Cross and Banner. Denomination Brandon (Vermont) Lit. & Scient. Plainfield. Union. Rockingham. Franklin. Bp' aington. • w Jersey Classical Inst. Alabama Labour School. in connexion with the Baptist Evangelist (Lowell.) Journal, Weekly of Miss. Valley. Interpreter, N. Car. Morning Star. Pioneer and Western Baptist. Protestant Sentinel. Register, N. Eng. Register, N. Y. Repository and H.M.Record,N. Y. Recorder. Register, N. Hamp. Religious Herald. Southern Baptist. Vermont Telegraph. World. Zion's Advocate. Occasionally. Tracts, of which there are no^' 125, in six vols. r I IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) / § m ^£y % 1.0 !f I.I 2j8 |2.5 Hf us, 12.0 2.2 1.8 1.25 JA 14 ,^ 6" _ ► m r? ^^ 4^^ ■^ /^ .^ uy^. FnotogTdpnic Sciences Corporation '^^i> 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WMSTIR.N.Y. I4S»0 (716) 172-4503 '4^ t-O" 526 STATISTICS. CoLi Name. No. VI.— COLLEGES IN THE UNITED STATES. Name. State. Found- ed. IS B a Volumes in 10 cc^ Libraries. Bowdoinham . Maine 1794 160 17,000 Waterville Maine 1820 7 94 4,000 Dartmouth New Hampshire 1770 11 281 13,000 Univer. of Vermont Vermont 1791 7 81 2,000 Middlebury . Vermont 1800 5 150 5,430 Norwich University Vermont 1834 5 Harvard University Massachusetts 1638 27 217 44,500 Williams Massachusetts 1793 7 120 7,200 Amherst Massarhusetts 1821 9 243 10,750 Brown University . Rhode Island 1764 8 167 11,600 Yale Connecticut 1700 27 354 19,000 Washington . Connecticut 1824 8 43 4,500 Wesleyan Universit y Connecticut 1831 6 95 5,000 Columbia New York 1754 11 100 14,000 Union New York 1795 10 232 14,270 Hamilton New York 1812 6 115 6,200 Hamilton Institutio n New York 1819 7 180 2,600 Geneva New York 1823 7 44 1,970 New York Univer. New York 1H31 16 226 u^ Coll. of New Jerpej r New Jersey 1746 13 215 ii,ooo Rutgers . New Jersey 1775 6 93 6,000 University of Pena. Pennsylvania 1755 7 93 2,000 Dickenson . Pennsylvania 1783 4 90 2,000 Jefferson Pennsylvania 1802 7 175 3,400 Washington . Pennsylvania 1806 7 47 1,.500 Alleghany Pennsylvania 1806 4 120 8,000 Western University Pennsylvania 1820 4 50 500 Pennsylvanian Pennsylvania 1832 6 90 Lafayette Pennsylvania 1832 4 23 Bristol Institution Pennsylva.iia 1833 6 80 Newark Delaware 1833 5 75 1,000 St. John's Maryland 1784 6 58 3,100 St. Mary'i . Maryland 1799 24 193 10,500 Mount St. Mar) 's Maryland 1830 25 90 7,000 Mount Hone . Maryland 18;'.'/ 6 45 Georgetown . D. Columbia 1799 17 134 12,000 Columbian D. Columbia 1821 5 50 1 000 William and Mary . 1 Virginia 1693 6 15 4,200 I: Hampden Sydi Washington . Univer. of Virj Randolph Maci Univer. o;' N. i Charleston Coll. of S. Car Univer. of Geo Univer. of Alab Lagrange Spring Hill Jefferson Oakland Louisiana I Greene viile m Washington I' Univer. of Nasi • East Tennessee Jackson Transylvania St. Joseph's Centre . Augusta Cumberland Georgetown University of O Miami Universi Franklin . . Western Reserv Kenyou . . Granville Marietta Oberlin Institut Willoughby Un; Indiana , . South Hanover Wabash . . lUino 8 . . St. Louis Univ. 1st. Mary'g . iMarion . , STATISTICS. 527 Colleges in the United States, continued. Hampden Sydney Washington . Univer. of Virginia Randolph Macon Univer. o; N. Car. Charleston Coll. of S. Car. Univer. of Georgia Univer. of Alabama Lagrange Spring Hill Jefferson Oakland Lomsiana Greene viile Washington Univer. of Nashville East Tennessee Jackson I Transylvania . ! St. Joseph's . I Centre . j Augusta Cumberland . Georgetown . University of Ohio I Miami University Franklin . . . I Western Reserve iKenyou . . . Granville . . j Marietta . . Oberlin Institution IWilloughby Univer ■Indiana . . j South Hanover I Wabash . . llUino 8 . . JSt. Louis Univ. [St. Mary's . IMarion . . Virginia Virginia Virginia Virginia North Carolina South Carolina South Carolina Georgia Alabama Alabama Alabama Missisippi Missisippi Louisiana Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Kentucky Kentucky Kentucky Kentucky Kentucky Kentucky Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Indiana Indiana Indiana Illinois Missouri Missouri Misaouri Found- ., r ■♦J O 3 ■ «' Volumes ed, ^^ 5"5 in 1774 ^ii <».§ Libraries. 6 90 8,200 1812 4 46 1,500 1819 9 211 10,500 1831 4 120 3,050 1791 7 100 4,200 1785 5 100 3,500 1804 6 50 10,000 1785 9 126 6,500 1828 6 104 3,600 1830 120 1830 8 85 1802 70 1831 3 60 1825 4 15 350 1794 2 30 3,600 1794 2 35 500 1806 6 105 5,100 1807 2 45 3,000 1830 6 100 1,250 1798 3 30 3,900 1819 14 130 5,000 1822 8 66 1,600 1823 6 75 2,000 1825 3 72 500 1830 4 :i6 1,200 1821 5 45 2,000 1824 7 126 3,700 1821 4 40 1,200 1826 7 54 1,900 1828 9 67 4,300 1832 6 153 3,000 1833 4 93 1834 4 1834 8 1827 5 90 1,000 1829 9 230 18.H3 3 40 1830 5 95 1,500 1829 11 200 7,500 1830 15 124 6,000 1831 7 50 r' 528 STATISTICS. No. VII.— THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES. Name. State. Bangor . Andover . Harvard . Newton . Yale . . E. Windsor New York Auburn . Hamilton Hartwick New Brunswick Princeton Burlington . . Gettysburg . . York .... Alleghany, T. . Canonsburg . . Pittsburg . . Fairfax . . . Pr. Edward's Co. Richmond . . Columbia . . Lexington . . Furman . . • Eaton . . • Maryville . . Lane .... Gambier . . • Hudson . . . Alton . . . . Columbus . . Granville . . South Hanover . Baltimore . • Charleston . ■ Washington Co. Perry County Date. Maine Mass. Mass. Mass. Conn. Conn. N.Y. N.Y. N.Y. N.Y. N.Jy. N.Jy. N.Jy. Penn. Penn. Penn. Penn. Penn. Virg. Virg. Virg. S.Ca. S. Ca. S. Ca. Geor. Tenn. Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Iiida. Ma. Ld Ma. Ld Ky. Mo. Denomina- tion. Tu- Stu- tors. I dents. 1816 1808 1824 1825 1822 1831 1819 I'. /I 1820 1816 1784 1813 1826 1825 1828 1828 1824 1832 1829 1832 1833 1821 1829 1828 1832 Cong. Cong. Unitn. Baptist Cong. Cong. Episcopal Presby. Baptist Lutheran Dch. Ref. Presby. Baptist Evan.Lu. G. Ref. Presby. Assn. Ch. Ass. Ref. Episcopal Presby. Baptist Presby. Lutheran Baptist Baptist . Presby. Presby. Episcopal Presby. Baptist Lutheran Baptist Presby. R. Cath. R. Cath. R. Cath. R. Cath. 3 5 3 3 3 3 6 4 6 2 3 5 2 2 2 1 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 Books. 27 152 36 53 53 17 80 56 88 3 24 140 25 20 29 19 39 35 60 22 14 30 10 22 42 11 3 12 30 10 2,300 11,000 1,800 2,000 2,000 3,880 4,500 2,250 1,000 7,000 7,000 4,000 2,000 4,200 1,800 1,200 1,000 5,000 500 %0 II Stev'^TT&TI^on, Printers. 37. Bell Yard. Temple B..r. 2,300 11,000 1,800 2,000 2,000 3,880 4,500 2,250 1,000 7,000 7,000 4,000 2,000 4,200 1,800 1,200 1,000 5,000 500 f