^>. ■^ .1-5 %V1 '^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I us lAO 2.2 1.8 1.25 lA. IIIIIL6 Photographic Sciences Corporation /. w €// A' ^ '^ €^ l/j ,\ ^> :\ V \ "% O^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 c^ ^4? r CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Instltut Canadian de microreproductlons historiques I Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. □ n n / n Coloured covers/ Couvertura de couieur r~n Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagie Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie et/ou peiliculde □ Cover title missing/ La Le titre de couverture manque □ Coloured maps/ Cartes giographiques en couieur □ Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couieur (i.e. autrn que blaua ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couieur Bound with other material/ Reli* avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liuke serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties lors d'uhe restauration spparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela italt possible, ces pages n'ont pas Hi filmies. The( to th L'Instltut a microfilm* la meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a iti possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-^tre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger una modification dans la methods normale de filmage sont indiquAs ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couieur □ Pages damaged/ Pages andom magmas □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur^es et/ou pelliculies ^^ D D y Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolordes, tacheties ou piquees Pages detached/ Pages ddtachees Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Qualiti inigale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplementzire The I poss of th filmii Orlgl begii the \ sion, othe first sion, or ill □ Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible The shall TIIMl whic Map diffe entir begii right requ mett Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 filmdes A nouveau de facon ^ obtenir la meilleure image possible. D Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplimentaires; This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Cc document est film* au taux de reduction indiqu* ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 1 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Library of the Public Archives of Canada L'exemplaire film6 fut reprodult grdce i la gAnirositA d?: La bibllothdque des Archives publlques du Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Les Images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu do la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire film6, et en conformitd avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated Impression. Les exempiaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim6e sont film6s en commen9ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreirite d'impression ou d'lllustra'Jon, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exempiaires originaux sont filmis en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une emprelnte d'impression ou d 'illustration et en terminant par la dernlSre page qui comporte une telle emprelnte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol -^(meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles sulvants apparaitra sur la dernlire image de cheque microfiche, r elon le cas: le symbola — ► signif le "A SUIVRE ", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in une exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, plannhes, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre fiimds it des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reprodult en un seul cllch6, II est filmd A partir de Tangle sup6rleur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes sulvants illustrent (a mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 th; * *^ «r«i^ THE BAPTISTS IN AMERICA, u If :■ V''' f*.> " H S5 am ^ 37V THE BAPTISTS IN AMERICA; A NARRATIVE OF THE DEPUTATION FROM THE BAPTIST UNION IN ENGLAND. y*:.\t}''- 1 \ iiiailili '^m TO O > % O u EPARTURE FROM RICHMOND.-ACCOUNTS OF PUBLIC MEETINGS AT BALTIMORE AND NEW YORK . . gU CHAPTER V. STATEMENT RESPECTING THE ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF THE ANTT-SI ATri^p,. « i-^r,- '^^ TuvIETY AT NEW VORK . iOl #1 VI 11 CONTENTS. CHAPTER VI. "OSTON.— -PUBLIC MEETINGS CHAPTER VII. ""ADAS, AND BV BUFFALO TO UT.CA. S«.^.„» IV.-P™g,ess fro™ Sugar Hill to Montreal ^•=:r^s:^-z:'So-c::^^^^ S.„.o. VI.-Uppe, Ca„ada.-Nia.ara.-Ca.p Moe.i„, 144 148 159 175 186 215 Sk™» VIII._f™„ Buffalo >o U&a, by „,e Erie Caoal 228 254 CH..PTER VIII. DR. HOBY'S JOURNEY INTO THE WEST. Section I.-Uoston to Pittsburgh . * • • Section Il.-Pittsburgh to Albion Section lII.-Albion to Utica 264 283 313 I ■ ,m£J.^ CONTENTS. IX CHAPTER IX. HAMILTON. — UTICA.— SCHENECTADY.— SARATOGA.— ALBANY.— DIVISION OF THE CHURCH THERE, AND «^^'^^^ 339 CHAPTER X. DR. cox's JOURNEY TO THE STATE OF MAINE. From Albany through New York and Boston to Portland.-Sacra mental Sabbath. - Brunswick. - Topsham. - Merry-meeting Bay.-Augusta.-.Waterville.-.Accountof the College and the Commencement.- Visit to Bangor.— Lumber Mission.-Indan Settlement.-Account of the Country, and of the Baptist Deno- mmation m Maine 362 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 . agg ■I CHAPTER XII. DR. cox's TOUR FROM BOSTON, THROUGH PLYMOUTH AND NEWPORT. TO vnnvrnvmrv .__ ' ~ • . 432 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIII. COMMKNCEMKKTOP3HOWN UNIV.KS.tV.-CO.RSK OK olll'ZT ""^" -— WI..,.MS'S P.ACK OP LANDING.- WORCESTER ASSOCIATION. - CAMP MEETING. -SPRINGFIELD. -HARTFORD AND THE ASSOCIATION. - NORTHAMPTON. - ALBANY, AND PASSAGE DOWN THE HUDSON.-FINAL VISIT TO NEW YORK . 442 CHAPTER XIV. SUMMARY VIEW OF THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES ^ • • • . 486 STATISTICS . 511 ENGRAVINGS. ^"^nnial Convention, facine Title-page. Camp Meeting .... 157 School Room at Chatham " " 200 Bredalbane g^ Church at Auburn . . . ' 258 Church at Providence . . '. ' 265 Church at Albany . . ^^7 House m which V^hitefielddied '. 421 Church at Boston . 407 Brown University . .' .' " lU Plamfleld Institute . tss New York University . ! ! ! 484 "m^X. NARRATIVE. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. "What do you think of America ?"-Th is is one of the most frequent of the many questions ad- dressed to a visitor in the United States, and surely .s one of the most natural; though an eager cu- nos.ty has sometimes been remarked upon by travel- lers, as If ,t were discreditable to national character But would any of the denouncers of the inquisiti" Yankees, (a name which the New Englander appropnates with pride) be wilHng that they should treat the.r visitors' researches into the mental mo ral, and physical features of the countiy wUh Mf fe^nce ? Would they be willing to have'it :*;; that their opinions would not repay even the trouble 'eadmg ? Ought not this anxiety, though a little everish m its degree, to be regarded a. ufeful in tendency, rather than scoffed at as ridiculous ' the principle upon which the present work i, constructed ».<>;"-- •'— -j- -r • " „....g „,„, „j avoiding indiscriminate B < ' 2 INTRODUCTORY, censure, which would be unjust, and undistinguishinff panegyric, which would be injudicious, it is fair to observe at the outset upon the questioning habits of the western world, that as curiosity is one of the elements of our mental constitution, and is the one great instrument of acquiring knowledge, if Ameri- cans possess 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 suggest 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 If, however, the reproach be intended solely to re- present their sensitiveness with regard to the con- clusions to Which their friends from the " Father- land" may come respecting themselves or their institutions, then it may be viewed as, at least, com- plimentary. It presupposes that our judgment is thought to be of some importance ; and that as an older and more advanced 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 us that must be reciprocally beneficial ? United by a common origin, a common language a common Christianity, we are capable, if ready to act m fraternal combination, of impressing a cha- racter upon the future destinies of the world In some points of view, indeed, the question pro- INTRODUCTORY. o posed, whether for the purpose of elicitin;; praise or cha leng,ng er^ticisn., scarcely admits of ™ d" reet or a very definite answer. Vague and ~l Xn the ^IZ '^^y « """""ing. and which are oi ten the substitutes rather than the expressions nf mten^ent ideas. It is true that there is IC—l dent,ty among the confederated republics of Ame nca than among the separate kingdoms of Europe but ,„e must be allowed for them to be m 2ed into a general homogeneous uniformity. If the in quiry regarded particular states or sectional dilT ■ transatlantic world, approximating national charac ter ,„ each, might be given; b„t%e mus be cl.' tt h nToTt' ""!" '"^ r-lizations, and alll the hand of time to amalgamate and prenaro fl,» CO ours for the ultimate exhibition of a w rdefined and finished portraiture of the whole If, however, it would be difficult to furnish a £7witl\rifcZ:?f"f ^' ''T ''' -=- increase of commercial and social intercourse, to awaken in the minds of the grea majority on the other side of the Atlantic ! ^ ! inent which we believe is extensiv:iy1S?oe .X th s, that the endeavour to promote dislike of each other among either people by partial and preLS representations must be discbuntenanced^ 2 S^ and tt nothing can be more desirable thZ an.' cere and permanent union. It is not excl„«;™i.. orpnmariiy to statesmen and legislators w-e"m,',st B 2 ■ i.\ It 4 INTRODUCTORY. look ; but to men who can coalesce upon another and a nobler 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 recder may perceive what we must think, and be enabled to farm 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 tempt- ing a course. It would certainly be easy to gratify friendship, or provide a feast for criticism, in this manner ; but we feel much more inclined to omit every thing 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 '\at the goodness and great- ness of God demand an admiring and a grateful re- cord. We may be permitted, therefore, to deviate, if, indeed, deviation it may be called, from a genera! rule, in this instance, because we cannot pass over in silence the striking manifestations of an ever- wakeful Providence. On the second day of our voyage, (March 13th, "^m^tr^c;^ INTRODUCTORY. 5 1835,) a contrary wind impelled us towards the coast of Ireland. The captain had placed a man in the bow of the ship, on one side, to look out, while he with his telescope watched on the other! Tlie vessel was sailing about nine or ten knots an hour. On a sudden a voice exclaimed, '* There is a porpoise playing about, exactly abreast of us." The mate, standing close by, applied his glass, and exclaimed, *' A porpoise, it is a huoy !" The lis- tening ear of the captain caught the sound, and uttering with a stentorian voice the words " Helm up— 'bout ship !" he ran to the helm with an eager- ness that at once exhibited our situation. For a moment or two the rope by which it was turned caught, but was happily disentangled. We had, a^ with the velocity of lightning, shot by the mark that warned us of shoals and dangers ; and had the ship missed stays, all had been over. As it was, we expected every instant to strike ; and the nature of the case would have required an immediate launch of the boats in a boisterous sea, at the ap- proach of night, and with a south-west wind in- creasing to a gale. We repeated to each other the words, " The will of the Lord be done ;" though, even at the crisis of danger, we were not altogether destitute of the hope that the promise would be fulfilled in us, " he shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in." Tempestuous as the weather proved, we were ne- vertheless able to maintain worship on board once on every sabbath, and to pay some little attention to {»•! 6 INTRODUCTORY. the children of the steerage passengers, by having a kind of Bible class. On the 27th, when crossing the banks of New- foundland, we were startled, at five in the morning, by the vociferations of the mate, calling to the cap- tain below, " Ice, sir, ice!" We were running at the rate of ten knots an hour, directly upon one of those drifting masses that descend from the north, during the months of April, May, and June, known by the name of icebergs. It was beautiful,' indeed, in the grey light of the morning, but too clearly resembled other objects of sense, which are at once attractive and destructive. This danger was skilfully avoided; but the increase of the wind, and a storm 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 in the deep." Watery mountains rose m magnificent succession, and appeared every mo- ment ready to overwhelm us ; yet we often ascended from the liquid valleys and scaled the watery heights with a dignified ease and triumph, as if our floating ark were maintaining a desperate, but ever-success- ful struggle with the roaring elements around. Frequently, indeed, the froth and foam-covered summits of these Alpine peaks and ridges, called by the sailors ^' curlers," wo ild pour in hogsheads of water upon us, and dash with irresistible fury across the deck ; or, when prevented by dexterous •'Wl INTRODUCTORY. 7 management, would seem to deal forth upon our agitated ship the blows of some maddened giant's hand. Awful was the solitude— awful the con- tmsted silence of the ship's company and the thun- der of conflicting elements— awful, too, the frequent descent of the wind perpendicularly, holding us in long suspense, as if resolved to push and bear us down to the depths— and awful the occasional sus- pension of our gallant bark upon the top of the white billows, when every timber trembled, as in terror, while about the next moment to be pre- cipitated to the yawning gulf below! What moments were these fox humiliation before God, for solemn searchings of heart, and for the secret breathings of fervent prayer ! What moments these for tender recollections, yet filial and firm depen- dence on omniscient love ! Vet was the scene full of beauty as well as gran- deur. Who that has never witnessed similar exhi- bitions can conceive of the variety of forms into which the giant waves were tossed by the tempest; the majesty and terror of their motions ; the ever- limiting, ever-widening horizon of view ; the con- tinual shifting of the fine perspective of rolling billows and mountain ranges ; the frequent lifting up of the waters into a kind of perpendicular clift* or apparent head-land crowned with fleecy snow and streaked with inimitable colours, as if a thou- sand Niagaras were there ! The wind would some- times catch the top of a wave and disperse it in a furious spray which, in its diffusion, would reflect innumerable rainbows ; while immediatelv hpnppth k 8 INTRODUCTORY. ■ the foaming and curling summit would appear, for a depth of several feet, streams and streaks of tran- scendently clear, bright, living colours, contrasting with the general hue of the ocean. Mountains of deep mdigo were crowned with summits of brilliant green, and these again crested with white foam which sometimes blended with other cataracts, and spread mto silvery sheets. Nothing could be at once more beautiful, and more terrible. We thought of the power and the grace of Him, 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 of 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— it was that of T. Purser, Esq.,— was heard to pronounce our names; and in one quarter of an hour we had made a friend and found a home. ^■^^V.^i^ 9 CHAPTER II. JOURNEY THROUGH PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, AND WASHINGTON, TO RICHMOND. After a brief interview with a few friends, we left New York on the 16th of April, and proceeded by steam packets and rail roads in the usual course by the Rariton, to Amboy ; whence we crossed to Trenton, the seat of the state government, and went down the Delaware to Philadelphia. We were given to understand that the heavy fall of snow which enveloped us during at least half the distance, did not occasion any great privation in point of scenery; a statement which frequent glimp- ses of the low and swampy shores of New Jersey corroborated. Afterwards, in sailing between this state and Pennsylvania, the latter appeared more rich m cultivation, though the Delaware itself was still the finest object. The appearance of some of the villages is attractive, particularly Burlington which looks smilingly upon the serpentine course oi ihe river. The approach to Philadelphia is im- posing, the city seeming to extend in a graceful sweep along shore for two or three miles. As we spent some days here, of which one was the sab- bath, an opportunity was afforded of acquiring much information and inspecting many public institutions. AC iii^....t.j^.^„^ ciixwiiiciuiy beminary at Hadding- B O 10 PHILADELPHIA. 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 church in Sansom-street. Beii 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 Philadelphia Baptist Association. Arrangements are in progress to introduce the students to the manual labour system, as a means of preserving health and diminishing the expenses of education. At the time of our arrival, another baptist seminary was forming at Burlington, chiefly we believe through the exer- tions of Dr. Bn.,ntly, whom we had the pleasure of visiting. It has since been opened, and our devout wish is that both may flourish and bear fruit to the glory of God. The water- works at Fair Mount, on the Schuylkill, are the boast of the Philadelphians, which a cele- brated traveller declared he would mortify 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 m.achinery is simple, being turned 1 — xj— _ 1 uvt; iurge :^i;^> PHILADELPHIA. 11 wheels propelled by the water of the Schuylkill. The pistons work in cylinders placed horizontally. If all the wheels were at work, they would raise seven millions of gallons in twenty-four hours. In case of fire, it is only necessary to screw the hose to hydrants, which are placed at suitable distances. • The Penitentiary is a gaol for solitary confine- ment, to the superintendence of which Mr. George Dudley, nephew of Mr. Charles Dudley of the British and Foreign Bible Society, is appointed. The whole arrangement is excellent in point of cleanliness and accommodation ; but although each unhappy prisoner is allowed a good supply of pro- vision, a small yard for exercise, and a cell lofty, light, and warmed in winter by a water-pipe, it is found that perfect solitude is inexpressibly irksome. It is a method resorted to not merely for punish- ment, but amelioration. Man, being of a social na- ture, the sole companionship of a guilty conscience is the severest of inflictions ; and although a (juestion might arise as to the extent to which it is legitimate to pursue a course which tends towards the extinction of an original element of our being, yet the testimony of experience proves that such discipline for a time, is conducive to moral improvement. U alone, they are not, however, without employment, being fur- nished, each according to his capacity, with the means of spinning, weaving, shoemaking, and other labours. *' The Pennsylvanian system," say the Inspectors in their sixth report, "is emphatically a mild and humane system. Let us look for a moment at the t.*...«Kxv.i vi wic iiiajuiitj ui uiuse wno Uecome subject '--C^-X. 12 PHILADELPHIA. to Its regulation. We find them living a hurried and thoughtless life of hourly excitement, and shuddering at the possibility of a pause which could let in (to them the demon) reflection. We see them wantii.^^ the ordinary comforts of clothing and cleanliness^ without a home save that afforded by chance compa- nionship. We find them in the brothel and the gm-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 mfamy 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 inducted. 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 ""^S^m^i^^nk. ]3 PHILADELPHIA. Who are WH^iM:, t.^n^^^rLr: J d.et.ve feelings usually generated by prison diSpfee" ftnd no place and they leave the establishmentSh enf^ents of regard rather than resentment, ZSs those who have attempted to alter thei^ ! habits." ^ ^' ^'^"^^ ^'™«is The Girard College for Orphans is now rising into a mag„,fioent structure, under the care, and T oordrng to a plan devised by Mr. Thomas Walter Z The CO umns are of the Corinthian order, to stand on a basement of twelvo ofo„. ,. whole edifice Al tbTT^ ^ s»rroundmg the but, as it is tenned, a coUel rr "'" ''"'''' hibited, by the wil o tSdono^fr'""''" '" P'" peculiar dress, that they .l^": ' nrbrT "! ''"^ remark or contempt and fS\^ ^ "^J'"''*' "^ -which they aiZUlJ Tt l^V^ orl""'"^ conduct. The instruction is to embral "I wntmg, grammar, arithmetic, geo"rap, ! Z'"^' t.on, surveying, practical mathemafc ^ ^'" .^tural philosophy, the French 2 Cish r* .-ages, and, if ehe t™stees choose,'S :," * 1 14 PHILADELPHIA. 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 was read, and the spot where Penn signed his treaty with the Indians. A visit to the Navy Yard afforded an opportunity of seeing the " Pennsylvania," a man-of-war on the stocks, of 140 guns. Whether this immense appa- ratus of n^ischief 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 should 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 So- cieties formed prominent topics of conversation; and having ascertained the character of some appre- hensions entertained respecting the immediate pur- port of our visit, we were enabled to present the subject in a view which we had every reason to con-^lude inspired confidence, while it involved no compromise of sentiment. We preached on the sabbath at several of the r»Viiii»r»lipo tj.fid obtRinod much VRluRble. inforniRt.ioT! respecting them. Our reception was every where ^-^ V he died •f riches legacies Drdinary tion and ranklin, endence is treaty ortunity r on the se appa- ilding at ermine ; ii might ountries spent at lev. Mr. krolina. h many -nee So- Tsation ; e dppre- ate pur- sent the :;ason to )lved no 1 of the PHILADELPHIA. ]g kind ; our intercourse with ministers., and people gratifying, and such as bespoke a deep interest in the object of promoting fraternal union between the churches of Britain and America. The presbv- 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. pJ^j'^T''' <'«"'»"in«ti»n is of recent origin in Philadelphia. In 1802, the first church, situated in becond-street, wa. then the only one, and consisted of sixteen members, under the pastoral care of Thomas Ust.ck, who had been preceded by Morgan Edwards ,„d William Rogers. At present thfre are eight baptist churches, besides two Africar comprehending about three thousand membei^' Z: V l^' ™ " P-Perous state, with Wge places of worship ; particularly those of Dr. Brantlv m whose church more than one revival has occur-' red and Mr. Kennard. The church of whieh the latter is pastor was only constituted in Septem- ber, 1817; nevertheless, it now consists of between five and six hundred members. Spruce-stre, though at present without a pastor, is acquiring^.' eet IS beginning, after a season of depression, to pated that the capacious edifice, which is estimated to contain nearly 3000 people, will be again filled The name of Dr. Staughton is intim»,„l,. „! 1 cated with Sansom-street,^and with th7progresrof (Ml i J M.1 16 PHILADELPHIA. 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 congregatipns 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 them 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 fixmg 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 nearly forty years, expired in the city of Washington, December 12, 1829. His me- mory, however, will not soon fade away ; and while throu theE appea sities their < blend] The kind ] 1707; doctri] fession was fo pose 01 the edi feeble and av Associa the Sui prevale church( thrives After PHILADELPHIA. 17 sure of his recollected virtues, and the surviving power of his honoured name, a far distant posterity to 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- mg tablet shall have perished. We left Philadelphia with the impression, that the churches, both baptist and psedobaptist, were considerably divided in sentiment, on what is termed high and low Calvinism. They appear to be passing hrough a process similar to that which agitated the bnghsh churches for some years after Mr. Fuller appeared on the field of controversy. These diver- sities have, perhaps, in some measure, exasperated their divisions ; but we trust that light and love are blending their holy rays. The Philadelphia Association is the oldest of the 1 in^ '"^ ^,'^^"«^' ^^aving been organized July 27 1707; and it is the parent of many others. The doctrmes it maintains assimilate to those of the con- fession of 1689. The Central Union Association was formed in Philadelphia in 1832, for the pur- pose 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. The Bridgewater Association was formed in 1826, by a separation from the Susquehannah, on the alleged ground of the preva ence of Arminian sentiments ; and though the churches of which it is composed are small, religion thrives among them. After nassino" rlnwn *v.^ t^^i • ^ — -, „i,„j, ^^^^ -i-rcittvvare m liie steam ff; » «i % y iH si -k f] fa,} 18 BALTIMORE. packet, crossing by a rail road to the Chesapeake, and traversing its noble waters to Baltimore, we were happy to find our trip of 120 miles ter- minate in the hospitable mansion of Mr. Levering. The evening closed agreeably among many chris- tian friends, at the house of T. Wilson, Esq. Our reception was every thing that could be desired ; and both on this occasion, and on our return, it was gratifying to find genuine piety uniting with worldly respectability to enrich, with greater glory than her monuments or mansions could confer, this beautiful city. It is situated at the head of the tide 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 ; now it may be regarded as the third city of the union, with a population rapidly approaching to 100,000. It is the first flour market in the world, having sixty mills in constant operation. It has, besides nume- rous cotton and other manufactories, a roman catholic cathedral of the Ionic order ; the battle monument erected in memory of those who fell in the conflict of 1815; the Washington monument, of white marble, with a colossal statue of their hero, the largest of modern times, standing on the sum- 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 which appear magnificent private residences. There are, in addition to the episcopalian, pres- byterian, and methodist, an African and three other baptii 1785. of CO] exper becan memt an adi incide is ten nated succesi reform and cl] I follows '' tunitiei tists, \ some { many o if it be baptism of Mr. church, anticipa piety a] months ] enjoyed, many of valuable The o] ! situated 1794, th] ^'^'mx .■ BALTIMORE. 19 baptist churches, of which the first was founded in 1785. This place of worship is spacious, capable of 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 an advancing state, and partly from the discussions incident to that secession, and the spread of what IS termed " Campbellism." This sect has origi- nated in the zeal of Mr. Campbell, formerly the successful antagonist of Robert Owen, the soi^disani reformer of the world, from Lanark. The residence (and chief influence of Mr. C. is in Kentucky. His followers, with some of whose leaders we had oppor- Jtunities of intercourse in various places, are bap- tists, who hold some of the principles, and adopt some of the practices of Sandemanianism, and many of whom associate with these a doctrine which if It be not identical, is intimately allied to that of fC^^.i?^'"''''^""- ^^ '^' ^^^^"^ settlement of Mr. Hill, m Baltimore, as pastor of the first church, the people are confidently, and with reason, 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 among the most consistent and valuable members of the church. The origin and singular trials of the second church s.uated at Fell's Point, demand a brief record. In I h!!ch r^^^^ -embers of the general baptist cn„.cli at x^uicesier, ot the new connexion, emi- 111. III .. M 20 BALTIMORE. grated 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 support 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 gra- tuitously by Dr. Bond, of the episcopal church, in a place which had been fitted up for his congrega- tion. They were soon afterwards much scattered, in consequence of a prevalent ague and fever. Two were dismissed to another society. In 1797, how- ever, they erected a small building of brick ; but while engaged in this work, the half of their num- ber died of the yellow fever— in fact, Mr. Healey was left, as to male members, alone. Still he per- severed, labouring and preaching for ten years with some success. In 1807, the church joined the Bal- timore Association. Two years afterwards a schism took place during the pastor's absence. A secret effort had been made to elect another in his room, and at length nine or ten persons were excluded ; in the same year, however, ten were added . In 1 8 1 1 , a new place of worship was reared, forty by fifty feet in dimensions, in Fleet-street, Fell's Point, and 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 tl since r makin The next a1 of our have o ting, MS vations pastor in-law sioners I attenti( I places : f kind, Si . looked, to mar' the Pilj Signing Rescue memeni seats an sentativ order, li as much we did great ex limb, an the wine gether r inspired general ^'^i^V r ^ ew York, continue cordingly ealey, to meed his 9 for the le-half of !, and the is family ited gra- hurch, in ■ongrega- cattered, 2r. Two )7, how- ick; but eir num- '. Healey he per- }ars with the Bal- a schism A secret lis room, deluded ; In 1811, ' by tifty )int, and Ired and hey had Y yellow I weeks. WASHINGTON. 21 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 of our principal destination. As other travellers have often described it, and as congress was not sit- ting, 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 srn- ^ in-law Colonel Wheeler, secretary to the commis- ^ sioners of the French treaty, who paid us every J attention. Under his guidance we visited several I places: the capitol, so much celebrated, and, of its I kind, so really beautiful a structure, was not over- "" looked. In fact, after surveying the hall or rotunda to mark its painted decorations of the Landing of the Pilgrims, Penn's Treaty with the Indians, the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Rescue of Captain Smith by Pocohantes, with other mementos of glory, and glancing at the unoccupied seats and presidential chair of the house of repre- sentatives, we ventured to ascend to the summit, in order, like the poor pigmies of our race, to enlarge as much as possible our little horizon of view. This we did by mounting up an external staircase of great extent, which trembled and creaked in every limb, and even swayed, or seemed to sway about in the wind. The giddy height, however, did not alto- gether repay our ambitious eifort. We were rather inspired with melancholy than admiration. The general aspect of the country, as it appears from 22 WASHINGTON. this elevation, is desolate and dreary ; the forests, if forests there have ever been, have disappeared ; the river is too distant to be imposing, in fact it looks only like a silver thread ; the city itself, which was to be, is so broken into fragments, so incomplete in its projected buildings, streets, and roads, and so destitute of life and movement at this tmcongres- sional season, that one could not help sighing over the outline of a magnificent failure. In the evening. Colonel Wheeler introduced us to the president. General Jackson. We found him in 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- portunity of familiar and animated conversation over a cup of coffee, on topics connected with some of the most important interests of our respective countries. Recent intelligence from Europe was touched upon, and particularly news relative to Ireland, which led to a somewhat extended discus- sion of the compulsory support of religion as con- trasted with that which is spontaneous and voluntary. It was gratifying to ascertain that the mind of the chief magistrate of this mighty nation was as free from all the sophistries arising out of the unhal- lowed blending of things sacred with things secu- lar, by the alliance of the church with the state, as his person and court were disincumbered of the pomps of royal etiquette. He uttered, with great emphasis, these memorable words, " Human legis- lation in matters of religion may make hypocrites, but it cannot make christians." On the tithe sys' minvited ginia; i He has and fori icentatt< he insan [upon th [were noi which p pistols, [presiden fnent. We w irri/al, hibition /olumbif Jge of t istablishi md avail: m oppor tVASHINOTON. 23 tern, particularly as it was working in Ireland, which led to tlie conversation, the president spoke with still kindling energy, and in terms which har- monized with what may now be considered public opinion in every part of the British empire, till all the soldier was apparent as the general exclaimed, " I had rather die a thousand deatlis, than see my wife and children starve while I wag robbed of one- tenth of my labour to support a religion 1 disan- I proved." ' The president is a man venerable for age, and listinguished for military talents. He courteously pnvited us to dine with him on our return from Vir- ginia ; a pleasure we were compelled to relinquish 1e has acquired much celebrity for self-command nd fortitude ; but we fancied that the then very re- cent attempt on his life, by Lawrence, since proved to be insane, had a little shaken his system. We stood upon the spot at the entrance of the capitol, and were not unmindful of that remarkable providence which prevented the discharge of two percussion pistols, vhough the caps exploded ; by which the president escaped from a danger the most immi- |nent. We were unfortunate, on tlie first day of our irrual, m being too late to witness a quarterly ex- hibition of the proficiency of the students at the Columbian College ; an institution under the patron- age of the baptist denomination, and at its first Bstabhshment, distinguished by the brief residence ^nd available talents of Staughton ; but we seized an opportuiiitv of vi'cJfi-^o. r>,. r^i,_ ,. , rand r il } ,i ne pre- II 24 WASHINGTON. sident, and looking through the institution. The location is good, and commands a line view of the cap'itol at the distance of two miles and a half. This college was incorporated by an act of congress in 1821 ; the course of instruction began in 1822 ; the buildings are unfinished, and we cannot com- pliment our frirnds on the style of those which have been completed. In America, generally, while all kinds of architecture, excepting naval, is inferior to that of Europe, the college structures are reared, without even the ambition of excellence. We often felt inclined to remark, that it seemed as if the mills and factories were taken as models for the colleges, to be again, in turn, taken as models for mills. It is, however, but fair to admit, that our own college at Bristol sometimes occurred to recollection. The institution at Washington has suffered severe trials, from which it seems to be beginning to emerge. The provisions for instruction appear to be ample in all the branches. There is one advantage v/hich from the circumstances, is peculiar to this establish- ment, namely, that on occasions of great interest, the students are permitted to attend the Supreme Court of the United States, and the debates in Congress. Of 300 pupils who have received edu- cation there, forty have devoted themselves to the ministry. We gave one day to Mount A^ernon, M^hich the name of Washington has rendered illustrious. Our ministerial brother Cornelius, pastor of the baptist church in Alexandria, an incorporated city about six miles on our way, came to accompany us to his m. The w of the I a half, congress in 1822; lot com- lich have while all inferior g reared, ^e often the mills colleges, tills. It I college .n. The re trials, emerge. )e ample ^e v/hich stablish- interest, Supreme bates in ed edu- s to the lich the s. Our } baptist y about is to his WASHINGTON. gg residence. At Alexandria, where Mr. C. has been labouring ten years, there is a church of 200 mem- bers, and a school of 100 children. Most of the members were baptized by the present pastor, and the church enjoyed much peace and prosperity, till a recent attempt to introduce hypercahinism threat- ened division, and it was supposed about fifty would separate ; but it is worthy of remark, that not a single coloured person, whether slave or free, seceded ! After crossing Hunter's Creek, and pursuing a toilsome ascent thickly covered with embowerino- woods, we beheld the dwelling of Washington" and by the favour of his descendants, surveyed Its interior. The rooms are small, but neatly fur- nished ; the relics not numerous ; if, though half mteidicted, we snatched a glance through the tele- scope oi the departed patriot, we shall be more than torgiven. The summer house in which he delighted to sit and contemplate a beautiful sweep of the Potomac, with its bordering of wooded hills and vales IS m 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 byestander wi h the thought that monumental splendour would only enfeeble the superior lustre that encircles sucli a name? Certainly the marble and the epitaph are insignificant appendages to real greatness; but trangers from the old world, cannot be expected ■'"' '"^ '^^^'^ "^^c^^« "ook of a private estate, c I ll 26 WASHINGTON. when the lands are liable to be transferred quickly into the hands of strangers. In the same manner, Monticello the seat of Jefferson, contains no mau- soleum for the permanent abode of the dead. 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 surrounding dilapidations. It is, indeed, fenced, but when curiosity prompts to the trespass, and you reach its entrance, it is impossible to dis- sociate from 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 thrown aside with other lumber, and the whole appearance quite neutralizes the so- lemn and appropriate impressions which such a scene ought to produce. On our return to Washington we passed a most agreeable evening at the house of Mr. Elliott, in a very select society. Among the gentlemen were some of the clergymen and other intelligen- inhabi- tants of the town, together with Col. Wheeler and Judge Cranch, chief justice of the supreme court; of Columbia, 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 with a happy escape from dislo- cation to Fredericksburgh. In passing up the Po- tomac whose banks are fertile and more loftv than those severs them and ai captur almost sand s] Fre( of no g the SOI a hund Bay. sing St place \ course, to who] and per At the occurrei being a sired. ration o sufHcien associati it necess personal Dr.C means ol lowing d endeavon condition to mp tlic til an l_ WASHINGTON. ^7 I those of the Delaware or Chesapeake, we crossed : several iishemen's seines of great extent. One of < them was not less than a mile and a half in leneth cTlt r/™"S''V" *' ^"'"'"^'"S summer hai captured, besides three or four hundred shad, the almost mcredible number of seven hundred thou- sand SIX hundred herrings. Fredericksburgh is a town of extensive trade, but oi no great pretensions in appearance. It stands on the south side of the Rappahannock river, more than a hundred m.les from its outlet into the Chesapeake Way. It has a numerous baptist cause in an increa- sing state and three other churches. From this place we diverged at a right angle from our direc course, for the purpose of waiting on Mr Madilon to whomJudgeCranch hadgivenus anin;;odSo"' occurred whch°''-l IT ™'^^P''<=»'^'' ''''«"'<=les occurred which induced the apprehension of not / «We to arrive in Virginia so early as we de sired. The deputation, therefore, agreed to Hel ration of some dav« that ™ . i ^ ^P^' »uiue aays, that one at least m eht be in sufficient time at Richmond to attend tZ , association of Virrinia Thi. 1 ^*"*'™' ;, „„ '"gmia. ihis circumstance renders ■t necessary to adopt, for a few pages, the form of personal narrative. °* mefn'; JJ^' ^ "^^'-^^-Being left alone, without the owing day, I determined to employ the interval in endeavourmg to ascertain the moral Tnd 1] condition of this part of the countrv If ^^''".' tompfl^uf .u.i.--, , "^e country. It occurred — ...«. ..xc ^c«t meiiiod would be, after some in- c 2 ! I i If 28 JOURNEY TO quiries, to take a solitary ramble in the pine forests, wliere the scattered habitations were to be found. In a short time my attention was arrested by the ap- pearance of wliat at first seemed to be a log-house, but whi^h, on a nearer inspection, proved to be a school-room. I thought in so wild a country I mii> lit be forgiven for entering the open door with- out ceremony. The master received me courte- ously, and answered my questions without hesita- tion ; while, as I seated myself on a bench, the encirling group of girls and boys, amounting to about twenty-tive or thirty, looked with an expres- sion of countenance that hovered between wonder and merrinjent. 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 imparting his very cheap instructions in writing, reading, arithmetic, geography, and history. 1 requested some specimens of their progress. They were not contemptible, and probably greater in reality than appearance ; for more reluctance to speaking was betrayed than is always incident to 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 pleas- ing hope of the immediate future ; I was in a slave state in Virginia ; and the slave-holding states will f : not i i read I Still '\ and. not 0] on im Thee \ by th privat ^ provic sK and u] ^ Pur ''■\ upon 1 and St that ai It was termed vicious prostra childre M remark m those f] 'S room. 1 of mam fl ledgme] H to be w: 1 Myn 1h circums 1 mode of fl wife at 9 sympton wm^ ousness ^ forests, found, the ap- -house, to be a intry I )r with- courte- hesita- 3h, the ting to expres- wonder athered ior, and is, came s abode 'pose of ivriting, )ry. 1 They later in mce to dent to Id. If, le soil, lefits of e result jlished ! e pleas- a slave tes will m RICHMOND. 29 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 another house of a very different character, and strikingly illustrative of the good and the evil that are intermingled here in the elements of society. It was the dwelling of what in England would be terined 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 contrast as could well be imagined to those from whom 1 had just parted in the school- room. Vacancy of countenance and obsequiousness of manner, together with his own too ready acknow- edgments, bespoke a degradation of the species not to be witnessed without poignant anguish My next visit was to a family in the same general circumstances ; but entirely dissimilar in the whole mode of their existence. I found a farmer and his wife at their early evening repast. At first some rrr. ?!t-"^ • ""'"^ '^^^-^^^ ''^^ --^- ~ ' "^ "^^'^ xccepiion. iiie ice, however, soon in I , tin Oii 30 JOURNEY TO melts from a Virginian heart, and when the stranger was found to be a minister of the gospel, sertiments and affections flowed freely. In truth I enjoyed a season of unreserved christian and spiritual commu- nion; and obtained the information that the only two churches in the vicinity, of one of which they were members, were of the baptist persuasion. Abortive attempts had been made to sow doctrinal dissension, but the cause was not unprosperous. Another call, at the distance of a mile, brought me into a higher grade of worldly respectability, where I found a New Testament religion united with a Virginian hospitality. My stay was, perhaps, im- prudently pirolonged, and as night soon enveloped my footsteps, it was no tempting journey through the recesses of an unknown wilderness. But there was sublimity in the emotions excited in the mind by a loneliness and a silence, interrupted only by the whispers of soft winds among the forest trees. Now would the active thoughts seize the wings of the lightning and speed their way across the ocean solitudes towards home ; and anon, by the light of the glittering stars, spring upward to a brighter and a better world ! Having reached Richmond on Friday evening, after a journey of some little peril, and no small amusement, I was ushered into the friendly abode of Mr. Wortham, amidst the kindest welcomings of its inhabitants, and of many ministers already assembled for the ensuing christian festivities. On Saturday, April 25th, the General Association of Virainia held its twplffh jmnnal aooainn T'l^^ intro( Geor^ heard derstc preacl urged the nt mises affecti consci in cha ventio churcl volenc States, Weste] other 8 Associs compos eties. associal commu partly \ Pennsy] and 280 tion; to the past have, m tion to a been fo] brought even in Of o i;^»s*^v vi-^ . RICHMOND. 31 tranger timents joyed a ;ommu- le only ch they ;uasion. Dctrinal perous. ght me , where with a ps, im- i^eloped hrough it there e mind >nly by fc trees, ings of B ocean iight of ter and i^ening, 3 small T abode omings ilready s. On tion of mtroductory discourse by the Rev. Cumberland George, from the words, " Have faith in God," was heard with much attention ; and afforded, as 'l un- derstood, a fair specimen of the southern style of preaching. He refuted many objections that had been urged against missionary enterprises, and showed the necessity of dependence on the power and pro- mises of God. It was sound in matter, ardent and affectionate in manner, and pointed to every one's conscience and heart. This association corresponds in character and constitution with the State Con- ventions, whose design is to unite the several churches in the common objects of christian bene- volence. In Virginia, as in each of the l^^w England States, and several of the Middle, Southern, and Western States, there are education, missionary and other societies, which meet in conjunction with the Association or State Convention, which is, in fact composed of the anniversaries of these several soci' eties. There are in Virginia, forty-three baptist associations, comprising 441 churches, and 55,602 communicants, besides three associations which are partly situated in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. Of this number, thirteen associations, and 280 churches harmonize with the General Associa- tion ; to these have been added 3,696 members during the past year, and 340 to the other churches. They have, moreover, employed ten missionaries, in addi- ^on to a general agent. Three new churches have been formed by their means, and 280 members brought into the communion of saints. In the ^ -' ""J J «- ociiixuu was preached by Mr. m 1 li rr "is ' ■ kI 32 RICHMOND. Edward Baptist, before the Virginia Education So- ciety. It was addressed chiefly to candidates for the ministry. v The sabbath morning opened with all the bright- ness of a southern sky. It came, too, rich in spi- ritual privileges, and abundant in ministerial and christian intercourse. The bustle attendant upon arrivals in this "city of our solemnities," had sub- sided into a profound tranquillity, which seemed equally to reign in nature and in the sanctuaries of piety. I was requested to preach at the first church. When I beheld the vast assembly, com- posed of three classes of hearers, the white popula- tion occupying one side, the black, the other, and ministers of the gospel from distant parts, crowd- ing the centre, I could not be insensible to my re- sponsibility, or easily suppress overwhelming emo- tions, while I attempted to preach from the words recorded in Psalm Ixxii. 19, " Let the whole earth be filled with his glory." In the afternoon, Mr. Choules, of New Bedford, delivered a very suitable discourse. At the close of it, the singing of the coloured people was delightful. They joined hand in hand, swaying backwards and forwards, and uttering tones of a peculiar kind, which were often truly melodious. It was like the voice and the heart of one man. Their radiant, though swarthy counte- nances, with eyes ever-brightening as they sang, expressed a pleasure, which, to every christian spectator, appeared to result from that conscious emancipation and freedom of soul, of which religion renders it susceptible, even amidst the fetters and ."WiiaS^-^Hi.-'fe ition So- ls for the e bright- i in spi- irial and ,nt upon fiad sub- seemed uaries of he first ly, com- popula- her, and , crowd- 3 my re- ng emo- le words )le earth on, Mr. suitable •; of the led hand 'ds, and re often lie heart counte- ;y sang, jhristian onscious religion ters and aCHMOND. 33 degradation of an outward bondage. Their hymn commenced with the following verse, which fell plaintively upon the ear, " There is a land of pleasure, Where peace and joy for ever roll ; 'Tis there I have my treasure. And there I long to rest my soul. Long darkness dwelt around me. With scarcely once a cheering ray ; But since the Saviour found me, A lamp has shone along my way." When I thought upon their melancholy condition, and saw the power of truth and sacred song kindling such a joy in hearts so sad, and when I observed multitudes crowding around in an evident sympathy with their enslaved condition, in a State advancing, however, rapidly in spiritual attainment an^ righ- teous purpose, I could not help stepping upon a bench and claiming their attention to a short address. They listened, and many of them, accustomed to its glad tidings, loved the gospel. They seemed fully to apprehend that in its saving and sanctifying influence it gave inward freedom, and inspired heavenly hopes ; and at the close they exclaimed, ** Brother— stranger, shake hands with us!" It need not be said that this was at once complied with ; and if it were impracticable to extend the friendly token to every individual of many hundreds, there was at least a fellowship of humanity, of benevolent sympathy, and of christian love. The BJinm c3 ]" 34 RICHMOND. cation Society was held on Monday morning, when several very sensible and animated speeches were delivered. The report was highly encouraging*; the subscriptions liberal. There are at present under the society's patronage, sixty students in the seminary, which is prettily enclosed in well culti- vated garden grounds, about a mile from the city. The institution began about four years ago with fourteen students. The general plan of studies is intended for those who are preparing for the chris- tian ministry, without having had the advantage of a previous education. It embraces a period of four years ; of which the first is English, with a com- mencement in Latin ; the second comprehends a commencement both in Greek and mathematics; the third unites with these logic, rhetoric, natural and mental philosophy; and the fourth combines those studies which are more definitely theological and fitting for the pastoral office. Besides the beneficiaries, young men of good moral character may be admitted who will defray their own expenses. No beneficiary is introduced till he has sustained a trial of one session; and each one is pledged to pursue the whole course. This seminary combines with its literary plans the system of manual labour, by which three hours' work per day is required of each student, for the twofold purpose of recreation and gain ; the nett proceeds of the labour, whether agricultural or mechanical, as their early habits direct, being appropriated to the students by a fair calculation. After dining: at Judge Clopton's, it had been •■':=lMf--*i»?s»a.: RICHMOND. 35 g, when les were iragin^; present s in the ill culti- ;he city, go with udies is le chris- atage of of four a com- lends a matics ; natural )mbines ^logical ies the laracter penses. ained a Iged to mbines labour, lired of reation whether habits ^ a fair i been arranged t( repair to the premises, where the stu- dents and company were to receive an address. Torrents of rain, however, disarranged the plan, and occasioned the meeting to be deferred to the follow- ing day. Accordingly, after the business of the Virginian General Association had occupied the hours of the morning, at four o'clock on Tuesday the members of the society, the delegates of the General Association, and a large concourse of ladies and gentlemen, rode to the premises. One of the students, Mr. J. L. Shuck, delivered an oration, and I afterwards endeavoured to fulfil the duty that had been devolved upon me by the authorities, of addressing the students and the assembly. At the close of it, Mr. Shuck stepped up to me with a bouquet of beautiful flowers from the gardens, say- ing, that this was a fragrant though frail token of their present gratification in greeting me from the land of their fathers ; and that whatever might be thought of the value of the flowers, he could safely assure me that '* Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these." Mr. Malcom concluded in prayer; and after perambulating the grounds, we returned. My colleague had now arrived. Br. Hohy's ^ccomw^. ~ Pursuing the route to Charlottesville and Staunton, I intended to visit the natural bridge of Virginia, and to travel to Rich- mond by way of Lynchburgh. I regretted that the stage arrangements prevented my availing myself of Judge Cranch's letter of introduction to the ex- president, Mr. Madison : we stopped for the night — 1.„ ^uii^^ &xxOit; oi iita rcsiueace, ana proceeded 36 JOURNEY TO the next morning at half-past two o'clock. Monti- cello, the seat of Jefferson, is passed as you enter Charlottesville, and the university, of which he was the father and founder, is erected at the opposite end of this quiet and genteel town. The site of these college-buildings is admirably selected on rising ground, bounded by two roads, that leading to Staunton passes by the Rotunda. This is the chief edifice, and contains in the basement, class-rooms for lectures and recitations, over which the noble hall, with its gallery supported by forty pillars, forms the library. Ten dwelling houses, live on either side of the quadrangle are connected by arcades with the Rotunda, and between these pro- fessors' residences are the chambers for the students ; thus presenting all the details calculated to render the establishment complete. The university of Virginia did not flourish with the most auspicious patronage of the state and of Mr. Jetferscn. How^ much soever we may deplore the infidelity of that great man and distinguished patriot, one can scarcely regret the opportunity for the fair trial of his prin- ciples, as connected with education, inasmuch as the experiment turns out so signally to the honour of revelation. So lon^ as infidelity was the pre- siding genius of the place, it languished and decayed. Now that there is no longer any systematic hostility against " the truth," this temple of science promises to rival the most prosperous of the literary institu- tions of the land. The faculty consists of ten pro- fessors, and 209 students call this thriving univer- sity their alma mater, A sort of uniform is worn "•fe|sS#**-.^^yii>.;, RICHMOND. 37 l»y the gentlemen who study liere, which consists in the coats being: of the same colour, cut, and quality Monticello, at a somewhat greater distance from the town in a nearly opposite direction, was the seat of Jefferson ; there he had his abode, and thence he beheld the college buildings grow at his bidding. His ashes repose in a spot enclosed in a rough man- ner from the grounds, and used as the burial place for the family, several of whom are interred there The mansion is erected on the table summit of a lofty hill, and as to external architecture and general appearance is in keeping with the beautiful and diversified scenery it commands; but how much was there here on which to moralize ! This deserted residence was about to become the dwelling of a descendant of Abraham; and at no great distance the slave, who was the mother of Jefferson's chil- dren, and who was left in bondage, or if liberated was unprovided for, had her humble abode ' The granite column may stand for ages over his grave • but on the brass tablet to be inserted, it might be engraven that he was literally t\^^ father of some of 1 his own slaves ! The possibility of reaching Richmond by way of Lynchburgh, and the probability of falling in with some coffles of melancholy captives, who though mnocent, perhaps virtuous and even eminently pious are often driven in this direction, as I was informed' [from their country and their homes, induced an excur' W yet further west. It was a delightful ride across the blue ridge, from the summit of which the distant nllee"li — i • « . ■■ ^ -^. -..--1... .^.^ muuniuins was distmctiy seen. I 38 JOURNEY TO The forest was every v/here illuminated by the bright blossoms of dogwood. The only slaves met with, were five fellow passengers, three females and two men, who appeared to be accompanying their master. I was surprised at the readiness with which the owner of these slaves conversed in their loresence on the rights and claims of the Indians, although much of the discussion was as applicable to the black as to the red races in America. Neither did he appear oftended at the familiarity with which I addressed one of the men, who seemed anxious not to incommode me, in language by which I inten- tionally conveyed my sense of his equality as a fellow passenger in a public conveyance. To reach Richmond by the opening of the convention, I was under the necessity of relinquishing the intended tour, and returning to Charlottesville to sp id the sabbath with the baptist church. Mr. indsey Coleman, the pastor, has also the care of three other churches situated at considerable distances, and was not expected on the Lord's day. This cir- cumstance afforded an opportunity of ascertaining what is customary with congregations during such absence of their ministers, which too much resem- bles the state of those parish churches in England, where similar causes* prevent the stated worship every Lord's day. Yet religion is not so wholly neglected in America, as in some of those rural districts, because it is the habit of part of the con- gregation to attend worship elsewhere, and probably where their own pastor is officiating, while the more active and zealous Persevere in their customary ,.? empl Char] OCCUf These the re the la tures peare( tliem i affecte tender are in 'I stance SShe wi the pr( you?" woman I any mc I to?" " [name o do yoa; He ism "Theo rWhyc (don't k] [thing al re to tl Wher< me." S( i^hose c iefipipnt RICHMOND. 39 employments as sabbath-school teachers; and at Charlottesville particularly, a part of the day was occupied in the instruction of the blacks and slaves These much-neglected people are now instructed in the room under the baptist place of worship; andas the laws prohibit teaching them to read, the Scrip- tures are read to them, and explained. These an peared greatly delighted by the interest taken in them by their English visitor, and some of them were affected to tears. Much indeed do they need the tender sympathy of christians. Multitudes of them » are m gross ignorance. The following is the sub- stance of the first conversation I had with a slave She was a girl of about ten or twelve years old, and ,; the property of a christian owner. 1vJ.T.a^ ''.{?""' """""•" "^■^■" "How old are you? ''Idontknow.""Whoisyourmother?" "The woman below." "Who is your father?" "Idon'tknow tl'TZ *r *'"'* '"^r^" " "^^0 do you belong nameofhermaster. "Who is your Sammy?" "Who doyoumean?" " Why, don'tyou know?" "Soandso Heismy bammy." "Do youlcno^^ho made vou"" The old one." " Who doyou mean by the oM one^" "Whydebiltobesure." "Have you a soul?" "No I Won t know what you mean." " Do you know a^y khmg a out God?" "No, mother says'she wilHa"! me to the room there, that I may hear something." Where shall you go when you die ?" " To the old me. Some attempt was made to instruct this child I'hose curiosity was irrepressible, and who was noi 1 i ! ^JH ■^ ... i^ J 40 JOURNEY TO As on the excursion west of Charlottesville, the rights of men formed the chief topic of conversation, notwithstanding the presence of five slaves, so on the road to Richmond, during the greater part of two days occupied in the journey of sixty miles, sla- very and the African race were constantly the sub- jects of discussion. Judge , a gentleman of great intelligence, and of remarkable conversational powers, was a passenger, and took no small share in the controversy. The ground assumed was, that slavery was almost universally felt to be a grievous curse, — that there existed an earnest desire to be delivered from it, — but, that the whole system was so compassed about with difficulties, emancipation was altoge'ther hopeless. The position occupied on the other side was, that the immediate, universal, and total abolition of slavery, was the most righteous, sale, and benevolent course ; and that religion, jus- tice, and philanthropy, demand this for the op- pressed, whatever questions of compensation may arise between oth i* parties, and whatever legisla- tive enactments may be provided for the public se- curity, both of the pale and coloured races of citi- zens. The discussions of this subject on the journey, produced a conviction on my mind, which I had innumerable opportunities of verifying, viz. that the most conflicting and contradictory statements can with the greatest ease be obtained from advocates of slavery, respecting those who are so mucli wronged. You have only to express an opinion relative to the capacity of two millions and a half of human beings, and assert your persuasion, m!SS^^i:'-^^e diflFusion of divine truth m Ireland, and on the continent of Fan>pe, with our colleges for theeducation of tlie rising ministry, are all favoured with support, pith usefulness, and with prospects unenjoyed at any former I period of their history. Every year deepens our conviction, TP THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. Expectations, it appears, were entertained that we should have stood forward not merely as abolition- I \ that while we honour God by extending his glory, he will honour us with increasing personal enjoyment, and with growing suc- cess in accomplishing his great designs. We cannot, beloved brethren, pass from this topic, without expressing our high gratification, excited by the kind sympathy you have manifested towards our Irish Society, and the affection ate esteem you showed towards our brother, the Rev. Stephen Davis. We accept these expressions of your christian bene- volence, both as indicating your zeal for the common cause of extending the gospel, and as showing your regard to us, as a l| denomination. The value of your donations was exceedingly en- hanced, by being given at a season when they were so especially I needed, and by the cheerful promptness with which they were afforded. We regret to add, that the society you thus soj materially assisted, is yet burdened with a heavy debt, and haj greatly suffered from the death of its revered secretary, the Rev. Joseph Ivimey. We trust, dear brethren, that you will unite with us in praise to I our heavenly Father, for the many things which claim our gratitude. Our lot is cast in the most eventful times which have ever passed over our country. We feel more urgently called upon than at any I previous period, to oppose infirlelity and false religion at home, and to join the ranks of the chi istian church at large, in destroying 1 the heathenism and superstition which yet govern so large a j portion of the earth. We witness efforts daily increasing in number and in power, to separate in our country the unholy union between the church and the world ; and tremblingly alive I to our responsibility and our dangers, we implore the million! j of our beloved brethren across the Atlantic to " pray for us." Entreat, we beseech you, our Father and your Father, our God and your God, that in this great contest we may be preserved from the defilements of the world, and may hate even the gar- ments spotted by the flesh. Implore that on us the Spirit of our God may descend, that we may exemplify the pure and eniight- THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. 7} ists, which we were universally known to be, but as advocates of particular meabures, and associates with a specific agency, sent for the avowed purpose of lecturing upon the subject of emancipation. On this account alone, it may be proper here to intro- duce a topic, which, otherwise, would not have been touched upon in these details. Further re- marks will be necessary hereafter, in adverting to another meeting. At present, we have only to ex- plain that the laws of the state prohibit all such public discussions in Virginia, as that which it had ))een imagined we might have introduced at Rich- ened principles of Christianity, and constrain the enemies of the truth to glorify our Lord. And now, beloved brethren, we repeat the assurance of our warmest affection for you. We sympathize in aU your joys and your sorrows : we earnestly pray that you may enjoy the pre sence of the great Head of the church in all your assembhes ■ and that wisdom and power may be bestowed upon you • and finally, we entreat our God, that om 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 till the earth be filled with his glory. ' Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with vou all. Amen. ^ We are beloved brethren, yours, in the faith and service of : our blessed Redeemer. [Signed by order and in the presence of the Baptist Union m .New Park-street Chapel, London, June 18, 1834.] F. A. Cox, L.L.D., Chairman. W. H. MuRCH, of Stepney CoUege, Joseph Belcher oecretaries. ' W. Newman, D.D., J. E. Gile«, Charles Stovfl iHOMAs Price, Thomas Thomas, Committee. 72 THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. mond ; consequently, the convention would have been dissolved by the magistrates, had it been attempt- ed. But the convention itself would not, and could not have been convened, with the understanding that the abolition of slavery was to be discussed ; and inas- much as such discussion in the triennial meeting of the missionary society, would not have approved itself to the majority of delegates assembled for other purposes, they would have dissolved themselves without, had it been attempted, awaiting magisterial interference. 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 cultivatibg christian love and intercourse with dis- tant 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 ad verted, and at so sacred and heavenly a meeting as that which it was our privilege to attend, would have been, on our part, an intrusion as rude a? it would have been unwelcome ; as injurious as it would have been indelicate. Could we even have elicited, by any means, the agitating discussions which an avowal of anti-sla- very sentiments, on such an occasion and in a slave- holding state, would have called forth, it became obvious, from our private inquiries and conferences, that we must necessarily have at once frustrated every object of our mission, awakened hostility and kindled dislike, not to ourselves only, but to our whole denomination ; and, above all, roused into em- bittered activity, feelings between christian breth *s«. -<*•*•• THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. 73 Iren which must have severed the baptist churches who required to be convinced, and not coerced' This question assumed a shape, which not onlv exhibited all these dangers, but, as it has been more and more evinced, tended to the political disruption of a mighty empire. In a state of moral and spiritual feeling, too, in which we had succeeded in calling forth the kindliest emotions the warmest affections, the loveliest spirit towards ourselves, towards England, and mankind we were, according to some persons, to have thrown the apple of discord-we were to have compelled the actions of those to whom we were foreigners ^nd by whom we were cherished and loved-we Kre at our outset to have aimed a blow at the ^ery constitution of their own society, to which we ^ere only visitors, and admitted and for the time Sncorporated as delegates, to unite in holy love bid holy effort, British and American churches- ill this we were to have done, as some fervent ^pirits argue, reckless of consequences to our- elves and to them-to the utter confusion of all kder, the ruin of all christian feeling, the de- truction of all love and fellowship ! And could we Po It. Will the warmest partisan, if he be a hristian, say we ought to have done it ? Could our Jonscience^ have been satisfied to do it ? Would Ll''!^''!r ^""^ ^^^^riminating judgment have lanctiOiied the attempt ?— I On the ensuing Sabbath (May 3rd) each of the [eiegates was appointed to preach twice; an ar- langement with which, notwithstanding their desire E i Itij 74 THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. to be hearers, the kindness of their American bretliren rendered it impossible to refuse com. pliance. Crowded and attentive audiences were assembled at each meeting. Other ministers were also engaged in their appropriate duties in diffe- rent places of worship; and it was a pleasing fea- ture of the religion of the city, that the regular ser- vices of the presbyterian and methodist churches were on this hallowed day transferred to the visiting brethren of the denomination which assembled on the occasion. It was deeply regretted afterwards, a regret in which we fully participated, that pre' parations had not been made for an out-door ser- vice, in which all the thousands of Israel might havcj united in worship. This was the only circumstance that seemed wanting to complete the pleasure of this great denominational festivity. i In the course of the proceedings during the past week, the executive committee of the AmericaDl Baptist Home Missionary Society had presented a I solemn and impassioned address to the convention on the claims of home, which, like similar communi- cations, had been referred to a subcommittee. This i appeal concluded by imploring the convention to enter upon the business of the home mission, with a determination not to separate '* till the deliberations L growing out of our affairs and relations shall be j concluded, even though protracted for several days.' It was resolved to print this communication with the minutes; and on account of the importance of the object, the members were entreated to give their attendance for two days. It ^vas the anniversary of THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. 75 the society, and was to be held on Monday, May 4th The sittings of the convention having proved unu- bually interesting, an apprehension was entertained est the continued excitement of the previous week' fehould prevent a powerful interest in this meeting' especially as the estimable secretary, Dr Goin^' ^liough he had travelled from ^ew York on pur ^ose, liud been hitherto incapacitated by an attack 3f cholera from attending the meetings. , A few members of the convention had been obliged ^0 leave, but the assembly at ten o'clock on Monday May 4th, was not perceptibly different from those mother occasions. The Hon. Heman Lincoln occu pied the chair, and Mr. Cone read the report The letails of this valuable document well sustained the ^ppeal that had been previously addressed to the fjonvention. The principal field of the society's operations is the Great Valley. Ninety-seven preachers are employed ; but as many of these were iescribed to be working, rather than writing men iy which was meant, doing the work of evangelists' •ather than reporting its performance, only a general riewof success could begiven. During the year, sixty mw churches had been constituted, and 2500 mem- bers added, of whom 1200 were new converts. The pphcations for assistance continued to increase in umber and urgency. In deploring the destitution t the churches, it was stated, that among 5888 hurches, there were only 3110 ministers ; and when ^judicious deduction is made for such as are but ^perfectly qualified, or partially devoted to it I^Uile the more populous and longer-settled regions' E 2 .ipli 76 THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. iiii have a far larger number of pastors in proportion to tlie number of cliurelies than the more recently settled counties can have, it is obvious, that the vast sphere of the society's labours must be distressingly destitute. It is true, many of these churches meet in what may be regarded as merely preaching sta- tions, suited to the convenience of a very scattered po})ulation, where the superintendence of three or four such churches is an essentially diiferent kind of service from tliat which it must be in an old and 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 ]y(issionary {^^ociety can be achieved. It may Avell be extended beyond that limit, when the object avowedly aimed at, is to provide between 2()0() and 3000 more well-qualified and educated christian minis- ters, together with the means for the sound and religi- ous 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 fixed on Tuesday, May 5th, as the day of our departure for New York, where we proposed to attend the anniversary meetings of the most impor- tant societies. As several of our valued brethren from the west, particularly the devoted and ener- THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. 77 tic labourer in the Great Valley, the Rev. J. M. Peck, were anxious to have a conference on the best I means of evangelising that vast region, we met for the purpose, through the fraternal kindness of the Rev. I. Hinton, to whose house the party was in- vited. Muny judicious suggestions were made, and some projects discussed with special reference to emigrants, wlio are often imposed upon, and expe- rience inconvenience and loss for want of informa- Ition. The last evening was spent with the friends, whose [courteous liospitality during the period of the meet- ings demands a grateful record. Mr. and Mrs. JWorthuni, we trust, will feel assured that we shall lever entertain a lively sense of the numerous kind- Inesses received from themselves and their family jduring our visit to Richmond— a place never to be jerased from our memories, where we were conti- Jnually prompted to think of "the general assembly land church of the first-born." On its inhabitants, Itogether with all the christian multitude with whom Iwe held communion there, we will not cease to im- Iplore the descent of " showers of blessing." Last Jdays and last hours will arrive ; the most delightful ^nd 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 be reneAved,— in all the contrasting loveliness of a bright and balmy niornnig. Horses, carriage, and servants were in ^arly requisition, and by the devoted attentions of tr. Wortham, and his son. Dr. Wortham, no in- ^N IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // 1.0 I.I |50 "^ 3.2 12.2 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 < 6" — ► Photographic Sciences Corporation ?3 WI-ST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 4^ 4^ c^j z 78 ''I ii f 'i Mli!|jl 1 |lr m THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. convenience was experienced, though it was reces- sary to be on board the stefcoi boat at six o'clock. Tlie whole time of this rii^it 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 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 principles and feelings, and those of our brethren at home, in 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 might 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 at home have used, in order to repel those which have always been adduced in support of this system, were employed there for the same purpose; and solemn appeals were made to the THE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION. 79 brethren en the influence which the church of Christ in general, and our own section of it in particular, ought to exert. The honour put upon our own brethren, who not only first suffered for Christ's sake, and then became instrumental in rescuing his suffering flock, was adduced ; and in return, each of the brethren assembled gave, con- secutively, an opinion upon the general aspect of their affairs, and the existing movements of various parties. We had no reason to regret having sought this conference, which may not have been unat- tended with benefit on the minds of our friends. We trust that our next meeting, whether on earth or in heaven, will be marked by reciprocal and joyous congratulations on our own freedom from every u-.holy prejudice, and the universal happiness of an emancipated world ! I i 4 II ii. 80 »k I , CHAPTER IV. DEPARTURE FROM RICHMOND. ACCOUNTS OF PUBLIC MEETINGS AT BALTIMORE AND NEW YORK. Although upwards of a week had been spent in Richmond, we could not command leisure for more than a hasty glance at the city. The business of that solemn convocation which we had crossed the Atlantic to attenii, and the sittings of associated institutions, absorbed the whole of our time. The city being built upon an eminence on the banks of the James river, presents, in some points of view, a very imposing appearance, but when examined in detail, scarcely sustains the expectation raised. Some of the public buildings are worthy of the chief city 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 spring. The population of the city is about 16,000; there are twelve or thirteen churches, offering ample accomo- dation for public worship. The edifice in which the first baptist church asseinble, is a spacious old- fashioned building, capable of holding more than JAMES RIVER. gl 2000 hearers, and attended by multitudes of co- loured people, but few of whom were seen at either the second or third churciies. Mr. Taylor's is a large commodious bouse, and the congregation is highly -«spectable. The number of members is between 400 and 500, Our third church meets in a new pi ice of worship; the attempt to raise a congregation in that part of the city is recent, and there is a very encouraging prospect of success. Our course was down James's river, a beautiful navigation, in fact, the most attractive we have hitherto seen. In width, it may be compared with the Thames, but the scenery is generally supe- rior. For fifty miles, the banks are frin'>' d 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 people, chiefly baptists; many of them wealthy, Mr. Hume, the minister at Ports- mouth, who accompanied us, was once settled a few miles from Richmond 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 re- flected as in a mirror upon the unruffled surface, and with a clearness, and to an extent, which 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 mo- E 3 I 1^ 'Ml f;' il -i li^i •rfi mm 82 PORTSMOUTH. l! i * ment at the point where Jamestown, the first set- tlement 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 heaichy and flourishing state. The chapel contains about 1000, and they are going to erect a new one to hold, probably, double the num- ber. The 116 members who have recently joined, are, for the most part, Mr. H. states, persons of intelligence and influence. They have a prosperous Sunday school, consisting of 400 scholars. In 1830- 31, a glQrious work of religion commenced in Ches- terfield county, which continued from eighteen to twenty-four months. During this time, 1200 were baptized and added to the churches. Among these were very many of the highest worldly respectabi- lity, — chiefly males and whites ; and they have since, with few exceptions, continued stedfast, and proved themselves useful members of churches. There is a flourishing baptist church 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- pointment 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 JAMES RIVER. 83 the floating floodgate, a simple and ingenious con- 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 an immense ellip- tical tun or vat made to fit into grooves, as it gra- dually sinks, by increasing its specific gravity by letting in water,— when it has reached the bottom, the water is pumped from the dry dock : as occasion requires, the dock is again filled, and the gate as easily rises, by pumping out some of the water which had 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 way to 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 J ■ ■ 1 r^f 84 JAMES RIVER. with great simplicity and faithfulness. Several ex- pressed themselves as both surprised and delighted, while some seemed peculiarly impressed on hear- ing such truths from the lips of an Indian. Mr. Jones informed us he had 230 members who do not understand English. He was originally induced to go among the Cherokees 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 en- deavours. Wherever two or three were con- verted, others were sure to follow ; and applica- tions 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 interest- ing 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 m 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 Englisli days, a group of little girls were overheard using the prohibited dialect. On being interrogated they said, "w;e were praying, and did not know how to pray in English^ This was the commencement of considerable 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- JAMES RIVER. 85 Saxon race never have lived, and never can live in the neighbourhood 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 send 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 ms 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 India.i 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 hi™" -ay. Me wid you till you die. it ' i t js -J .« li \. If 86 JAMES RIVER. ijjaiii I 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 mag- nificent rivers. These take their rise for the most part in the same central mountain regions, and here commingling their streams, pour their accumulated waters into the Atlantic. The ocean outlet is guar- ded 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 sle^p in the packet. A gentleman on board, a Virginian planter and a slave holder but an abolitionist, informed us that although he had sat in congress, he was compelled to relinquish public life as a politician in conse- quence of his views on the subject of emancipation. Whether such a determination on the part of a be- nevolent and intelligent man arose from the difficulty of securing his election in a slave state, or the subsequent difficulty of discharging his duties as a statesman, 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 'I I JAMES RIVER. 87 elevate 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 favellerwason horseback, and thinking he heard a human voice, he rode toward the thicket whence it seemed to proceed . When sufficiently near, he over- heard a voice, though he could discern no object ; 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 smner ; save poor nigger !" Here the horse snor- ted, and alarmed the prostrate black. He raised himself a little and cried out beseechingly ; " Oh no whippee poor nigger." Mr. S. " What were you domg?" Slave: "Praying to God." Mr S "What for?" Slave: - Me poor nigger; sinner black heart, black as skin ; me come to wood pray God.aveme." Mr. S. " Boy, I pray to the same (xod. 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 readdy 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 offensive stain of sin, upon the white man, and the black. kit » hi ' ! ' i ^■. M ■ ti ii > } ¥. 88 BALTIMORE. mm, 'Siil!! 11 ! In the evening we received a respectful applica- tion from a few gentlemen who had formed them- selves into a committee, of which the Virginian planter was chairman, to request that we would engage in such devotional exercises and addresses as we might think proper, provided the captain would give his consent, and it should be found generally agreeable. We, of course, consented, and as the greater part of the passengers were present, we had a numerous and very attentive audience. It was delightful thus to be permitted to scatter the seed of the word in every variety of situation, accompanied, as it was, by those who led our devo- tions, with many fervent prayers. On our arrival at Baltimore on the morning of the 7th, we met with a second cordial reception at the house of Mr. Levering. At three o'clock, a Bethel meeting was held in the large baptist chapel ; on which occasion, after a sermon by Dr. Cox, Dr. Hoby, Mr. Sutton and others addressed the assem- bly. In the evening, the second annual meeting of the Maryland State Bible Society was convened in the presbyterian church. The ajr^embly was large, and cha 'acterised by the utmost seriousness of conduct, and unanimity of feeling. On the following day we attended and took part in the anniversary of the Sunday School Society. It afforded us great satisfaction to find a powerful inter- est in this cause kindling in this '* monumental city," which comprises now not only those of a patriotic character, but monuments in honour of religion, benevolence, and science. A visit to the public BALTIMORE. 89 schools did not, however, afford all the satisfaction anticipated. It cannot but be regretted that there should exist in any part of Christendom a power and influence sufficient to prevent the introduction of the Holy Scriptures, into these seminaries. Whe- ther this was accomplished in Baltimore by popish or infidel objectors, could not be ascertained on inquiry perhaps it was a combined effort ; but certainly some questions of a very general nature though con- nected with revelation, and put as was thought in a very kmd and proper way, were sometimes an- swered with a pertness, and sometimes with a sullen- ness, 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 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 hues indelibly burnt in Afric's colour still dyeing the children of America, and proclaiming the wrongs which Ethiopia has received from our I ^ifi ft V- } • if-f ^ ^ 90 BALTIMORE. 'M hands. How weak and foolish lo this feeling of surprise ; as if the mind of genius cannot create, and the hand of art evolve, a form as beautiful or a,« majestic from the rough mass which nature in her laboratory has stained with deeper tints, as from the Parian marble of purest white ! Who then will call in question divine skill? The prejudice in refe- rence +0 corporeal form must yield to the demonstra- tion of fact ; and it may yet be demanded, whether there are any data to show original mental inferi- ority \vhen God 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 addres- sing 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 of 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 dpficient in evangelical sentiment, by a stranger prepossessed with the erroneous notion that the congregation could comprehend nothing but the most plain ele- mentary truths. But the preacher spoke as if he BALTIMORE. 91 knew that his audience would appreciate whatever is ordinarily 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 these christian worshippers, produced the conviction that there existed no difference between them and their whiter brethren of similar rank in hfe, if they were free, but that imperfect articu- lation of our language, which is perhaps a misfor- tune rather than a fault. In the morning, the rirst baptist church, of which the Rev. Mr. Hill 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, and with its beautiful entrance may be regarded as one of the ornaments of the town. In the afternoon it was crowded to excess. Dr. Sharp of Boston preached a judicious and impressive sermon on behalf of the home mis- sion ; 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 he was barely able to t; ' n 'fii r u ^11 IJ 92 NEW YORK. 1 , 1- ! .' iiii accomplish, having been detained in solitude by 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 Colonization 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 opce 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 1,236,V71 dollars. 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 NEW YORK. 93 interest, and brought together a vast concourse of ladies and gentlemen of the first respectability. 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 the instructions are judiciously confined. The charm was so great, that in two or three hours the audible commuiiication of ideas appeared to be almost unnecessary, especially when the attitudes of devotion imparted meaning, 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 infant voices join the song Of Moses and the Laiab.' I 1^ i m M 94 T^EW YORK. ! iii fi' 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 fr6m four to sixteen years of age, of whom 25,000 attesid the Sabbath schools. The metho- dists 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. The following is an affecting anecdote of a little coloured girl in one of the schools. About a fortnight before she was seized with the small pox, which terminated in her death, she gave evidence of a change of heart. Patience, resigna- tion, and love of the Saviour, were strikingly evinced during her illness. When quite blind she exhorted all around her to bless and praise the Lord, and ex- claimed, " Come, Lord Jesus, and take me home, and put me on a 7vhite robeT When no longer able to speak, her hands were lifted up in prayer ; and in this attitude she calmly expired. tmmiMimi NEW YORK. 95 On Wednesday, the annual meeting of the Tract Society was held, S. V. S. Wilder, Esq., 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 auxiliary societies, public meetings, and respected individuals, in various parts 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 landsr Nearly three millions of tracts and I volumes had been circulated during the year Re- ceipts during the year, 9,230,781 dollars, exceeding' the previous one by 25,000 dollars. 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 esti- mated that they passed four hundred and forty-five 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 otl.pv. '■^lf:f f''! f: t n t ' t i U: X • -■ ■ I ; H i 1 iiiiiil •^" NEW YORK. Still, - 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 Juggernaut. He had gone out in an evening in his clean white dress, and had been so thronged by eager applicants, 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 instrumen- tahty of a tract, and nearly all the native conversions could be traced to similar means. Mr. Abeel stated that the religion of the Boodhists was pror.igated m China m the same manner. He exhibited several showing that their zeal and ingenuity had preceded us, m the diffusion of idolatry. The American Home Missionary Society met in the evening. Though assuming a general designation it Ls composed of presbyterians and congregationalists. Uie number of missionaries employed is 719- of whom 484 are settled ministers. The numbed of congregations supplied, is 494. The whole num- ber added to the churches by profession, through this mstrumentality, during the year, is 3000; sal ?o nnn r' ^^^"^40,000; and Bible class scholars, n^ ^ru ^""^'P*'"^"""^*^^ >^^^^' 81,260 dollars. On Thursday morning, the nineteenth annual meeting of the Bible Society was celebrated. Hon, J . C. Smith, president, in the chair. New auxilia- ries, 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 iormed. Many books had been imported for emi- -W ^^^ u.iA'^liM% NEW YORK. 97 grants, in the Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and Polish languages. Bibles issued, 47,703 • Tes' taments, 75,523 ; together, 123,236 in eleveii 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 This 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 religious 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 m 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- r r oft)'"' ""'^ '' ' '''' amou^ntthanr^ic, alarm at the exhausted state of their treasury. Con viction had gained ground upon the chur.Vc ^ho. F II Ml : I in 98 K£W YORK. ! 'i! 1 ill i j i :i i i i ) 1 ! i 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, al^ the bold and energetic plans of home and foreign missions must be injured, and the work of the world's redemption materially retarded. The solemn and important pledge given on a pre- vious occasion was renewed, " that no young man of suitable qualifications shall fail of entering the 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 some students for the minis^-y, 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, mani- fested 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 Red- ding presided, was distinguished by a remarkably NEW YORK. 99 krge 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 from Liberia, was ordained to the ministry. The society has appropriated 12,000 dollars to the 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 Endish 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 mani- fested 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 dLty and were often privileged to take a part in thei^ proceedings. Our impression was, that we had never witnessed anniversary assemblies of greater, If of equal, effect; and the allusions we had onna' F 2 1. 1 i. ■ \ \ ' 100 NEW YORK. sion to make to tlie relative circumstances of Ame- rica and England, which had for their object to unite them in heart to each other, were received with uneqi;ivocal indications of delight. Every assembly and every individual seemed to glow with intense emotion; and a thrilling sensibility to the great objects of christian benevolence, per vaded all the classes and ramifications of society. During the progress of the proceedings, it appeared to us that the chairman's frequent interference to repress extraordinary manifestations of approval on the part of the audience, was injurious to the general effect ; but this idea might be owing to our English prejudices, for it evidently arose from an exalted sense of religion, and was in accordance with the usu i decorum of the religious meetings of America. The anniversaries of the year were esteemed of a higher order and character than had ever been known, and were plainly indicative of the growth of religion itself. It ought not to be unrecorded, that meetings for solemn prayer were held at half- past five o'clock every morning. 101 f : CHAPTER V. STATEMENT RESPECTING THE ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY AT NEW YORK. It has been intimated (page 92) that we declined attending theanniverpar> meeting of the Anti-Slavery Society held on tlie morning of Tuesday, May 12th, at New York. In compliance with the expectations of our own denomination, and that of other christian communities, we proceed to give a distinct and we trust satisfactory explanation of the course we thought it right to adopt at this important crisis. Being desirous of obtaining information before pledging ourselves to any particular proceeding, we returned no answer to invitations from Abolition and Colonization Societies. We had determined previously to the meeting at Richmond that we would on no account commit ourselves to any public discussions 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, it 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 ux diuversai emancipation itself, so dear to 1 m mmk 1" m ■1 i > 1 1 i ] i! ; i I' ? t I 5 pi 102 NEW YORK. iii 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 opportunitv to give an opinion^ is doubtful; it is much more probable that, as Americans, they would feel greatly relieved bv pursuing their course alone, and unencumbered by those who were 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 r'- lit. It is re^ markable that the invitation to D^ C x made no allusion whatever to the character in which he appeared as a delegate from the Baptist Union, and that it made no mention of his colleague ; it was, in fact, couched in such terms as to render his reply, in his own name, and without reference to hio public engagement, in the highest sense proper. Such was the violence of party feeling, that it would have been impossible to have taken any part in these .'jmtmtmM.:. NEW YORK. 103 ! » I! r proceedings without being understood as concurring in measures, respecting which we entertained se- rious doubts, or else of specifying what we could not wholly approve ; and at the same time we must have assumed an attitude of hostility against other measures, which we did not wholly disapprove. Our own denomination is known to be painfully divided in reference to the society, and very fe^^ of its influential members in America, belong to the baptist body. This might have been fairly taken into the account by those who have gratuitously indulged in ill-founded censures. Having dispatched his brief answer. Dr. Cox, £ : the request of Dr. Milnor, attended another meet- ing, that of the Deaf and Dumb Institution, whose anniversary was held at the same hour. His col- league was left to pursue his original intention of being present both at the abolition and colonization anniversaries. From these introductory remarks wc proceed to separate narratives. Dr. Holy's statement. — I did not reach the church till some progress had been made in the business; and not wishing to advance to the platform, took a seat in the gallery among the coloured people, partly with a view of observing what degree of interest they took in the proceedings. I heard only righ- teous, manly, and benevolent sentiments, with the exception of a few expressions to which the descrip- tion only of rhetorical flourish need be given, but which unhappily afford a ground of attack from op- ponents which no judicious advocate should give. T line fVlQ n1-lt%i<~i4-Cr.'.n,*^., ^tf aV- -lI- t J "^^ ^iiiiBtioiiiLj xjL Liix: Kuuui vviis uenounced as B^^^^K ■1 ■ f ■ 1 5 H ! . f 1 • ; J ; s 1 f ' 1 I 1 1 1 : i 1 \ 1 1 t 1 1 i ■ ; « i ' 1 IIIIIIBBi^. ;• 1 1 i^ ^^^^^^^^B- ^H^H ^B^ '1 E 1 iwii I'F II m ii n i i,: i 104 NEW YORK. the black mark of hypocrisy on their front." Mr Thompson commenced his speech with a reference to the disappomtment he felt at the absence of ft Cox, m cemperate language, and such as could not g.ve offence; bat he ought also to have rei the short letter, which was omitted. At thecW of bs address, he resumed, in a very diiFeren,' Ind'th ' . TV''' '^"^"=^^ "' denuncia C and though he chiefly referred to Dr. Cox W speakmg, .„ the plural number of the delel! he .r eluded both when be said they were Perish the thought! before I can entertain such an idea I musi be recreant to all the principles of the Bible, to all the claims of truth, of honour, of humanity. No, sir : if a man is not the same m every latitude; if he would advocate a cause witl. eloquence and ardour m Exeter Hall in the midst of admiring thousands, mthecBM&e he is m America can close his lips and desert the cause he once espoused, I denounce, I abjure him as a co- adjutor in the cause in which I am engaged. Let him carry his philan hropy home again ; there let him display it in the loftiest or the tenderest strains ; but never let him step his foot abroad unti he IS prepared to show to the world that he is the friend of nis Kind of everv countn'." f3 fflfH"! IOC NEW YORK. this, he would hesitate to assert in another conn- try, and under other circurnstanc s. We enter- tain the same views and feelings as yourselves rela- tive to slavery; but we have intrusted to us a specific mission, and acting in the fear of God, and we trust with parity of motive, it is our desire not to compromise other interests in reference to which we are deputed. We have prescribed to ourselves a course, according to the best dictates of our own judgment, and ought to be allowed to pursue that course without being assailed by attacks calculated to injure us in the engagements we have in view." Further detail is unnecessary ; but after the meetin? was dissolved, I went on the platform, was intro- duced to the gentlemen present, and more fully discussed the subject. At a meeting held the following day, we botli attended, for the purpose of conference with Mr. Thompson and his friends, on what appeared to ourselves to be a very unwarrantable attack, Dr. Cox entered the church, and heard Mr, Thompson; but as there appeared a great dis- position to disturb, on the part of several persons in the entrance, I attempted a justification of move- ments to bring about emancipation, and induced several to enter the meeting and hear attentively, while others quietly departed. At the close of his address, Mr. Thompson came to confer with us for a few minutes, and appointed the same afternoon for an interview. Accompanied by Mr., Tappan and others, he called shortly before the hour of meeting of the Colonization Society. After much conversa- NEW YORK. 107 tion, we expressed our intention to go to the colo- nization meeting, when Messrs. Thompson and Tappan said they were also going. Dr. Cox walked with those gentlemen, discussing the subject; but I preceded them a few minutes, from an apprehension that it would be difficult to obtain admittance. Aware that Mr. Thompson had laid himself open to remark, and that in all probability some use might be made of it, by which our names might be intro- duced as if favouring the Colonization as opposed to the Abolition Society, I determined, should there be occasion for it, again to interrupt a public meeting, by requesting that we might be permitted quietly to pursue our own prescribed course. The opportunity presented itself, by one of the speakers commencing some severe reflections on the intem- perate and unjust attack made upon Dr. Cox ; when I said, - If I may be pardoned for taking so great a hberty, I beg leave respectfully to request that as my colleague and myself have deemed it right, what- ever our private opinions may be, to take no pub- lic part m these agitating discussions which are creating so much division among christians, we inay be permitted to pursue our course witliout being made the subjects of remark on occasions like fhese. It was maintained that the attack was un- ^varrantable, and the speaker added, - We know you are abolitionists; but altliough Mr. Thompson '« your countryman, we cannot consent that you should throw your a^gis round him; yet, in com- pliance with the request, and out of respect to your o ' '- ""* wuivu luriher i*emark. ' ! I M ■ ! '-,t I liififi 1^8 NEW YORK. It may be proper to add, that subsequently we met a large party of the friends of abolition, at the house of one of the leading members of the committee with whom every topic was fully discussed, and in the most friendly spirit. Mr. Thompson was pre- sent. Dr. Cox concluded the evening in prayer, and we left the party in company with Mr. Birnie. At this interview, Mr. Thompson clearly intimated, that my opinion in favour of compensation, not as proposed in Britain, but on loss being actmlly proved to he sustained by a change of legislation, and, also in favour of forming a black republic on the slave coast of Africa, apart from all that is objectionable in the American Colonization Society, were thte reasons why, as he said to me, "we did not want you." To this it could only be replied, " then why include me in the censure? ' Mr. Thompson was awai-e, before he left Eng- land, that these were the views entertained, I and it is to be regretted that such opinions are never admitted in the discussions of American abo- litionists. Dr. Coxs statement. — During my progress from Richmond to New York, I had ample opportunities of discussing the merits of the Anti-Slavery and Colonization Societies, and of ascertaining from themselves the feelings of many of the leading members. Ou board the steam-boat, I was, for the first time, informed that I had been advertised a^ the mover of a resolution in the anticipated anni- versary of the Anti-slavery Society. This I found was done upon the ground that *' silence ^ives NEW YORK. 109 consent;" the committee having requested me by a letter brought to Richmond, to appear on that occasion. I blame no one for this interpretation as it was not unnatural to presume upon my co- operation, especially when some who knew me in England, calculating upon my avowed principles and my position there, ventured, on their own responsibility, to assure them of my attendance The reason, however, of that silence was chiefly an indeterminate state of mind upon the question of appearing at the anti-slavery anniversary ; and this suspense arose from perceiving, even at that early period of my visit, some of the difficulties which were likely to perplex my course, whatever deter- mmation might be formed, as well as from a desire to acquaint myself more fully with the state of con- Hictmg parties, and the various bearings of the sub- ject upon the internal circumstances of the new country to which I had come. Upon my arrival in New York, almost my whole time was absorbed by an influx of gentlemen repre- senting the sentiments of adverse parties. In the afternoon of Monday, the day previous to the public meeting, and the day of my arrival in the city, ten geiitlemen, deputed by the Anti-Slavery Association of Delegates, did me the honour of a call to request my attendance on the morrow at the anniversary of their society. Of these Mr. Thompson was one Ihe proposal involved considrable discussion. he result was, an agreement on the part of this deputation that three of their number as representatives of the rest and as the medium of ^Hn 1 1 1 1 ' i h ^ 1 1 i f ■ . i i 110 NEW YORK. - communication to the general committee, should revisit me on the ensuing morning before the public meeting, to receive my ansvrer to their request. That answer was read by my colleague, and given with his full concurrence, though no reference had been made to him in the invitation. It was as follows : — " Gentlemen, May 12, 1835. " If I decline the honour of appearing on your plat- form this day, on occasion of your anniversary meet- ing, I must be understood to assume a position of neutrality, not with regard to those great principles and objects which it is well known Britain in general, and our denomination in particular , have maintained and promoted, but with regard solely to the political bearings of the question, with which, as a stranger, a foreigner, a visitor, I could not attempt to inter- meddle. I am, gentlemen, yours respectfully, " F. A. Cox." What became of this communication? It was put into the pocket of one of the gentlemen who waited upon me, and never saw the light till it was produced in the closed doors of the committee room, after all the public proceedings had ended. Here I have to complain heavily of an unfair concealment. These gentlemen had requested my attendance at the meeting, or my reasons for non-attendance. I gave them a brief and courteous reply, which, in the circumstances, was necessarily a replg to the inquiring public through their medium ; for I had NEW YORK. Ill been advertised to take part in the proceedings, the newspapers on both sides had canvassed the' ques- tion, and published my former speeches,— and my official as well as personal character, together with the proceedings at Richmond, had invested me with a notoriety which rendered the application in ques- tion of the nature of a public transaction. When Mr. Thompson came forward with his unmeasured vituperations, and said, " I leave him to explain liimself," my note remained still unread ;--he was suffered to denounce and abjure, till he was inter- rupted by my colleague, and by the mingled hissings and plaudits of the meeting; but my note remained still m concealment. My excellent friend the Rev Baron Stow had said, " I am requested to occupy the place of another, who was expected to take part in these exercises, and of whose efficiency the high est expectations were rationally formed. Deprived as we are of his aid, I cannot consent to occupy his place but propose the space io be left, as he has left 1 , blank. But neither then, nor at any time was that note produced which was written for the v^ry purpose of being read, and as at least within the briefest compass, an attempted justification of njyscenous absence. I hold Mr. Stow guiltless of all discourtesy, because he has disclaimed it both m private and public communications, and because especially in the latter it is evident the note was at the time concealed from him, for he says, after my arrival at the place where the anniversarv was to be held, the chairman of the committeeTf airangements mformedm^ that Dr. Cox had declined aDDearino- nr, fV.» ^l-ff^ " ^^t;ciinea : ' ■^ i \ ill. 112 NEW YORK. |M| liiii The accusatory language of Mr. Thompson, and that of many in England not acquainted with the facts, who at present sympathise with him as their agent, seems to require some statement on my part, which, however, I should be almost disposed to deem unnecessary, were it not that the body who reposed in me their confidence, as well as tin? public who have been loudly appealed to on the subject, must be held entitled to at least a brief explanation. Let it be observed, that in my note to the com- mittee of the American Anti-Slavery Society, I distinctly guarded against the supposition that I had in any degree abandoned my anti-slavery princi- ples; the neutrality affirmed relating solely to the " political bearings" of the question. It was ira- possible not to perceive that three parties were equally eager on the subject, the Anti-Slavery So- ciety, their opponents, and the colonizationalists, Even in the very heat of the affair, Mr. Stow, an active member of the anti-slavery committee, pub- licly declares in his letter in the newspapers, that at the time " he viewed me as placed in a very deli- cate and difficult position." The slave question is doubtless one of humanity and religion ; but it is also one of internal policy, relating to the civil administration of the country. It is a question between independent states and the federal government, and has no inconsiderable rela- tion to the elections of congress. Reasoning from the power of our own consolidated government, we are apt to infer, that it is only for the congress of the United States to speak the word, and the en- NEW YORK. 113 jslaved will be free. This is not the case. Congress Ihas no more authority to dissolve the relation be- Itween the master and his slave, in the different Estates, than it has to prohibit Great Britain bylaw from mipressing or flogging her seamen. Shielded by the constitution, each state ig sovereign and Independent, admitting of no dictation or control foy congress either in civil or criminal matters. Ihe laws of congress have reference to general k-elations-the protection of commerce-offences committed on the high seas, and intercourse with .ther nations. No law of congress could touch Bven a murderer, who must be condemned or ac- quitted by the law of the state in which the offence .as committed. Public proceedings, on our part, .ould, therefore, have entangled us with the politics Di the country. ^ My colleague and I were not pledged by any xpressed or understood engagement to attend the ^nmversary of the Anti-Slavery Society. The docu- tient with which we were intrusted, and by which ^e were sent to America, abstained from all allu- Nn to the subject of slavery, expressly that we Kht go unfettered, and act according to cur judgment m any emergency. The wishes of our hn nearts were indeed well known as to the gene- fa question, but the necessity or propriety of at- pdmg this or that particular meeting could not N was never attempted to be decided at the dis- tance of 3,000 miles, and in total ignorance of xistmg circumstances. My anti-slavery sentiments were not only fully v( I i 114 NEW YORK. known, but at the time extensively circulated by the citation in the newspapers of a speech I made in London, and when I was myself in the! chair. 1 have besides already adverted to the tenns of my public note, which of itself was calcdatedto remove any incipient suspicion of altered opinions, Mr. Thompson was to America a foreigner, to me comparatively a stranger. With his public career I was in some degree acquainted, but in the sanction of his appointment I had no concern. He and others have widely circulated that I was a mem- ber of the very committee that sent him on his mis- sion ; but I had nevertheless no other participatioD in the deed, than that which is involved in the mere responsibility of membership; for I was at none of | the meetings when this mission was planned, or the agent deputed. As a foreigner, his embassy was peculiarly unacceptable to the American public; nor is such a jealousy unnatural, when the events of sixty years are recalled to mind. If the case had even been stronger — if I, in the character of a mem- ber of the committee in England, had been direcili concerned in that measure, but had found by ex- amination on the spot that a mistake had beenj committed, either with regard to the method or the I man, I was surely not bound to sanction and per- petuate what I might have perceived, though at a late hour, to be inapt or injudicious. Will it be contended that I was under an obli- gation to identify myself with an individual, who I scrupled not to employ the language of fierce invective — and invective against whom ? not merely | >i-t- - NEW YORK. 116 against slave holders-— against your driving, lash- ing, sanguinary oppressors, but against men of elevated christian character, zealous in promoting every good work, whose names will be immor- talized when those of their calumniators will be extinct. I mean to separate the English anti-slavery agent from the American anti-slaverv committee and I society, amongst whom are individuals of the best ^ character, and of exalted piety, and I do so for two I reasons ; first, that they are amenable for their actions only to their own country, and have a right to act politically in the character of American citizens ; and, secondly, because I was particularly distinguished in Mr. Thompson's vituperative anti-slavery speech at the anniversary. I may be reminded, perhaps, that the neutrality I assumed respected the political bearings only of the question, and that I might have reserved this point, and adverted to its other relations. But every considerate person, who re- flects upon the frenzied agitation of the moment must perceive, that by appearing on the platform at JNew York, I must have committed myself to the whole subject. A speech, containing any censure ot the conduct or language of the leading advo- cate, would surely have been more-inconceivablv more detrimental than mere absence, even sup- posing it possible, in discussing the moral and rehgious bearings of the subject, to have avoided he political. The object of Mr. Thompson was to obtain my sanction to his procedings; and m one word, I could not give it. At the house pt my namesake, the respectable physician in New ^ .1 ><■ i V 111 IIG NEW YORK. ii'i iiilfl !'■' Il York, Mr. Thompson reasserted that the religion of the north could only be regarded as hypocrisy and deception, while they continued to refuse co- operation in the anti-slavery proceedings. I re- ferred to men of the highest excellence, of all de- nominations, with many of whom I had become ac- quainted, and to the possibility of many reasons exist- ing, why exactly our views or measures might not be concurred in. He persisted in his declaration. 1 speak now, not of any printed modification, but of a definite statement made to myself, without choosing to report stronger affirmations, as reported to me by others. I need take no pains to analyse and refute such ^ representation. Mr. Thompson, since his return to England, in his very first speech, declares, " America is a wicked nation." This is not a whit the less objectionable, because it was imbedded in soft and silken eulogiums. It is a kind of generalisatioD which commits a cause, and can answer no end but that of provocation. If some of the states of the confederacy deserve reproach or need instruction, let not all be denounced to the whole civilized world, because they do not unite in the mode of attacking a great evil which a few have adopted. It maybe inquired. How are the slave holding states ever to be made free? I answer, by each state acting for itself, and each separate legisla- ture being brought to act in its own indepen- dent character and in consistence with the federal constitution. Three at least of these states are tending to emancipation, and all, even of the worst, were, by some of their leading magis- ! ! NE^ YORK. 117 trates, pursuing a course eminently useful to the Blaves, and adapted to the final issue of emanci pation. Exasperating measures, and the lanffua^e Df invective have checked and thrown hack the kause, though I hope and believe, each state will uccessively emancipate her slaves, in spite of every bbstacle. An anti-slavery agent from this country might have pursued a course which would have been nse, and must have been beneficial, which would ave tended to unite the good of all classes and barties, which would have been honourable to Bntam, and felicitous for America. That course has unhappdy not been pursued-not, I mean, by the Inti-slavery agent. ^ The paramount object of our mission was to fefFect a fraternal alliance with our American bre- Ihren ; but those who commissioned us knew per fectly well that they were largely implicated in slave bldmg. Ardently as they desired and as we desired k accomplish something in a cause, important to be welfare of nations and the interests of religion et the committee could not be guilty of the folly K sending us across the Atlantic, first to ask their tadship, and then to aid their dissensions. If our rethren in England had meant to say, We can have fellowship with them because they are slave Nders,— then why seek it? After the convention of Richmond, I was placed in position of increased delicacy and difficulty. It was ton both sides that we had succeeded in forming I imk of connexion between the baptist churches i America and England, and it was well understood «nng that season of holy excitement. th«t wo i, J I - / •••• jtiOiLl if m i 1 1 WKft P 1 ^ ^1 * 1 } 1 I i f m ^ 1 il mm. 1 'ri 118 NEW YORK. ji not compromised or concealed our principles. Sound judgment as well as christian feeling would surely suggest, that a public step taken almost imme- diately after the general meeting, which would at once have the effect of embroiling a whole denomi- nation of more than 6,000 churches, should only be detormined upon under the clearest conviction of | duty, and with the most evident probability of accom- plishing the greatest good , Prudence at least sug- gested, that it would be important to ascertain whether the allowedly great and glorious cause of emancipation itself would by such a proceeding be ultimately promoted ; or whether we were not more likely to become the monuments of indiscretion and object^ of scorn amidst the distractions of a now united and prosperous denomination. I ask em- phatically, had I appeared at the anti-slavery meet- ing in New York, should J , in the judgment of the considerate and the wise, have been doing good or evil ? Would the special purpose of our mission, a high, a holy, and a paramount one, have been accomplished or nullified ? Would American and British christians have been united in holy fellow- ship or separated in mutual exasperation ? Would it I have been acting in the spirit of martyrdom or in tbe | spirit of madness? — These 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 that the | decision taken in reference to the anti-slavery anni- versary was not unappreciated by the wise and the I gcod of America. NEW YORK. 119 From the Rev. Dr. Welch, of Albany. ''August 18, 1835. As in all probability I shall not be favoured with motlier interview previous to your leaving the ountry, I take the liberty of addressing you in a few lines, and I trust it will not be deemed im )roper or officious to express the gratification ■eceived from your visit, and the general feeling of ;he salutary influence of your example and ministry md that of your esteemed colleague. You will per ait me to say, my dear brother, in the honest ixpression of sincere regard, that if you have de •ived pleasure at all commensurate with what you ^ave imparted, the reminiscences of Albany will be umbered among the most pleasant of your re collections of America. The church, I am per- iuaded has derived important benefits from your Faithful labours ; and the delightful interchange of sentiment and feeling in social intercourse is yet •emembered. Indeed, your visit has furnished us ^vith the most convincing evidence that this reci "rocal courtesy is eminently calculated to promote |armony of feeling and concert of action^n ou' lenommation on both sides the water. ''And now, my dear brother, I will advert to a subject upon which we frequently conversed Ind :f .:? P-"^""y -ercised yourmind dur ngVo" r with us I refer to the slave question. A Jo" that lias been realized as beneficial in the teX les of your mission to this count^v .i.... ' , '^ " .7 5 vxivic aus Deen > \ \ P } : 1 ' ! ■ ?■ f \ ; i 1 1 j ^1 ^HK , 1 ■ ■Hh I \ i 120 NEW YORK. PI nothing in my judgment more salutary and im. portant, than the influence of your discreet and prudent example upon this subject of all-absorbin? 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 question ' of this country, embarrassing and afflic- tive in every point of view, and to an extent of which our brethren in England can form but a ver/ imperfect idea — it is felt universally to be a curse to the f'ountry, 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 the 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 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 j slavery is a sin ; whether the interests and happi- ness of the white man are in any way promoted by I 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 questions ; and there is but one feeling, and one opinion among all who fear God, and love I I t NEW YOBK. 121 tlieir country, and entertain intelligent views of its true interests. That there may be those whom cupKl.ty has rendered cruel, and whose perceptions upon this subject are obscured by selfishness and brutal Ignorance, may be admitted without affecting the quesfon, or mipugning the intelligence or th! moral sens.bihty of the people ; but they are com paratnely very few and their number is rapidi; dmiinishmg— the whole country, and more cially the southern states, as certainly groan under the pressure of their slave populatL as he coloured man groans under his bondage. But the question ,s, what can be done to relive both u! and them; how shall this ucknoroledged J Z removed ; how shall the sable race le rZltll ...then, nghts, and the integrity of our gove mnet and of our constitution, the stability of our iZ^ ..ons, and the order, happiness, an'd sZylfZ commumty be secured? You, my dear brothlr have heen able by the force of public sent m „ ' I f "'^ ™r »f >-"-■ legislature to decla X . a,ery shall not exist within the boundaries of e B„t.sh empire; but it will eertainly require no argument to convince you who have passed^ wUh Z :;3trti:nfi"?--^ le.-Ia„„g with reference to Ms ewfir: > 7"" Nci-arated from its horrors bv the . '^'T''' -an, and grappling witH ^Ce TsTexi L:'^ '"ountry, with all that is hateful! tiZn! tourown firesides, and in our own bosom N " "^^l-'^''^ "> P^ove to you that the w;., „, ' ' 122 NEW YORK. i,i f! in energy that were found adequate to the removal of the evil in the one case, would be found hopelessly inadeqiuite 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 the 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 rasli 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 suppress. 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 NE1>' YORK. 123 feelings, indulge in indiscriminate censure and vio rated feeling, and un^lirJ:^;^:^ '''''^ " In this State of clime-s vr^,.^^ n.y dear brotl.er, h f ;c':red T^™'!"* """^'^• bation, and raised you W I fn H ^°" *" "PP^"" wiseandgoodofal/pTrtef ™ r,"'"™ "f ^''^ not a little to this rLl ,;, ! ' '"'" <=»''"-ibuted de.nea„„„r, and cLS^t^rrtheTT"^ and embarrassments of your 4 ^'"'^' stand forth in bold reliefCder tLe^'^br """''^' rSitlr-L^t;-^^^^^^ •n which you mingled, whilet 1 T 'f'^''=°"«« fiuenee in directing th S o h^ ' ^P^^ '"- " fraught with appalling eonsenueneesw""' "^ " N - of more weighf andX l™^' SSdlt?"' -^"-' '» -- onf IJiiuuc aeoate, upon a subject in th^h- i. «ared m the high character of a teacher If T teousness, manifested a decision of !f ^^''" %%ed a consistency of rd^ct JoX t;';"' ttation as the representative of the Enll^I ^ T"' If highly honourable to yourseff f I ''''*^^' ■e vie,,, of every reflectinrmln T """"""^ '" »-'"^'^- -ed no: t^s ;;esslro/r'""^ I aeteimine your course in ■ G 2 I 3. ■ f. ; i. ' 1 i i; ; ■ ; f ^^^^^^^1 1 n ! ; \ , }■', 124 NEW YORK. every difficult subject, but t! "iv 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 and regard of the wise and good so explicitly and frequently expressed. But the American church is deeply indebted to you, and I 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 diiferent 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 heen most beneficial upon the interests of Zion, and has been eminently calculated to reflect honour upon our denomination. So well convinced am I of this 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." i I NEW YORK. 125 From the Rev. Dr. Sprague, Albany. Dec. 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 nitroduce a very brief extract from the post- script of a letter I had the pleasure of lately receivmg from liim. It may justly be regarded as speaknig the sentiments of the great body of pres- byterian and congregational ministers. "P.S As I have not heard from you since you reachefl 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 f probation of every enlightened and judicious \mn * ^ * (Here 1 omit some personal references.) Of all the mdividuals I have ever heard speak of the course you took at -^ew York" (N B This is written more than six months after the meeting) there has been but one who has not most decidedly approved it, and he one of George Thompson's mo.tmtnnate friends. I hope you will be able to satisfy our English brethren that the American christians are not the friends of slavery; but that tlie great mass of our whole community at the north Regards it as a deadly scourge, and earnestly desires m the country may be freed from it." « • i I , 126 NEW YORK. II !i . 1 i 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 recipvocate.- Ever and most 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, and i have no doubt eminently useful in a varieiy j a ' NEW YORK. 127 '^''^y- . * • Their position and movements m regard to the much vexed question of slavery, has been truli/ dignified and fortunate. " Howard Malcom." To the preceding I feel it unnecessary to 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 (ould not safely enter upon its discussion." Sept. 30, 1835. ; I \ & 128 CHAPTER VI. JOURNEY THROUGH NEW HAVEN AND NEW BEDFORD TO BOSTON. PUBLIC MEETINGS. The vaiiety 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 prevention occurred during the following business week at Boston. But the ac- count 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 wliicli 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 harmony with the university buildings, which have rather 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, NEW HAVEN. 129 museum, and gallery, which are worthy of thi« an- cient seat of learning. The students were dispersed for tlie 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 obe- dience 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. We passed an agreeable evening with Mr. Neale pastor of a very flourishing baptist church of 230 members. From a previously low state, this con- gregation has so improved since his settlement, that It had become necessary to make a great enlarge- ment of the place of worship. Many of the coloured church, together with the pastor of it, are baptists. In proceeding to Hartford, our pleasure was greatly enhanced by the company of Dr. Taylor and the Kev. L. Bacon, pastor of the congregational church. The conversation turned upon revivals in colleges, and our enlightened and distin^-uished fel- low iruvellers detailed many particulars of one which g3 !. f, t' " ', ' 1 "I 1 i i 1 ;■ i T 130 NEW HAVEN. ~ ( ■Hi 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 from 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 mini- strations 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 em- braced the salvation of the gospel. A solemn at- tention 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; preaching specially adapted to the occasions, reli- gious conversation, and meetings called for the pur- pose of addressing those whose attention was more = as a better o MIDDLETOWN. HARTFORD. 131 or less awakened to the concerns of the soul. Though the religious interest had been deep and general, there had been no derangement of the regular 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 discouragemer , ' 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 depen- dence 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 tlie revival ly 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 8,000 dol- lars to erect a building for their accommodation, the foundation of which is already laid. It was with difficulty we could continue our route without pausing at Middletown, where we saw the Rev. Mr. Cookson, the pastor of a prosperous church of nearly 300 members. There are three bap- tist 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 better opportunity will hereafter occur, refrain f ■ 1 1 1 f- I 1 i ' ' \ \ • 1 1 ■ I t n 132 NEW BEDFORD. PK i iiPi! at present from giving particulars either here or at Providence, which we transiently visited, where we were most cordially welcomed by Dr. Wayland, pre- sident 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 flourishing 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 J)opulation, the prospect of ministerial use- fulness considerable. At no distant period they have, to use an American phrase " experienced a revival." It was described as h eason of hallowed excitement, 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 descending grace was apparent, and if it passed away as a copious shower, it left behind a most refreshing influence. Our friend Mr. Choules related to us 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 with multitudes who crowded to the service, beheld the V Ciicrauic; wionvp uapiiiiv tjj - £2X£.X1XVX OX\.7X£ -l-TAX ? "••SO"- BOSTON. 133 principal of the Fairhaven academy. In America, where immersion is so prevalent and 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 by reflecting men as a fine exhibition of primitive Christianity. Hastening from New Bedford to Boston, we im- mediately repaired, according to previous agreement, to the house of Dr. Sharp, whose kind insistance left 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 thi 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, ho>/ever, 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 were in more immediate association. Ihe nineteenth anniversary of the American Edu- cation Society, was held almost immediately after our arrival m the city, in the proceedings of which we readily took a part. To educate pious young men 134 BOSTON. :i' i . for the gospel ministry, is the object of 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 extraordf- 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 mmistry. It has made appropriations to young men of every state in the Union— and during the last year, aided 1O40 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 suitabi.8 efforts on the part of those patrriiized 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 beneiiciaries. Nothi.:g but want of space prevents the insertion of important particulars of the American Temper- ance Society, the Massachusetts Sunday School Union, and many others, which require no panegy- BOSTON. 135 JmeJlTThtFir ?°f "^"f "^ ^^P«^* Mini. lers mei at tiie l^ederal-street church or. ih^ o«^i, *r:'f' '.•'%''^^- ^'- «W.t'C half ' The delegation from ministers in EnglandTo th» General Convention of Baptists in AmfrTa h present, were introduced b/the presfdTnt ' "' On the motion of the Rer. Dr BoIIb« it soW^, " that we greet with plea^ul "he t^lZ our brethren from England, as a eheerlg iSlJ of th union existmg between English an! Amerta" christians and that we cordially welcome the"T The annual essay was then read by the president fe topic was, " the importance of pLticll wMom to the minister of the eo^nel " ft h. '^'7<"" printed. ^ '^ " ^^ «'n<=e been The importance of a new quarterlv nnW; *• P was tlien discussed, and a si gt;.:! ~ f opmionm favour of its establishment X-vr A 'ommittee was appointed to make In ^ »™ngements for ts bein^ issue7»n , t ""^""""^'^ services of the Rev Prlf k? . , '"""■" *** liie nev. i-rol. Knowles m the editorshin " '*""' ""'^" amiouiices the work as I; ■■ ■ ' ■■ ■ f ! i 136 BOSTON. iiW begun, under the name of " the Christian Review." J* 5,000 have been subscribed as a fund. We sub- join the prospectus.* * " Prosps:ctus. — Gould, Kendall, and Lincoln propose to publish a new periodical work, to be called * The Christian Rt- view.' Edited by Professor James D. Knowles. ITie object of the Christian Review will be, to promote the interests of rehgion and literature. It would not be necessary to add another to the ex- cellent works which are already labouring in thi? good cause, if it were not evident, that the great and increasing denomination of baptists need a work of this kind, through which they may hold intercourse with each other; may explain and defend their principles; may utter their opinions on subjects of general in- terest; may express their judgment respecting books, and especially those which in any manner afFect themselves; may report f^cts which are worthy of a permanenc record; a work, in short, which shall, at once, be suited to the wants of the de- nomination, and which shall enable them to contribute their due proportion to the immeasurable power of the periodical press. The want of such a work has long been felt, and a simultaneous expression of desire for it has been made in vari- ous parts of the country. The denomination have ample pecu- niary and hterary strength to sustain it ; and there can be no doubt, that, with suitable exertions, the Christian Review may be made worthy of the position which it assumes. The co-ope- ration of some of the ablest men in our country and in England has been promised, and contributions may be expected from individuals in France, Germany, India, Burmah, and other foreign countries. The plan of the work will embrace a consi- derable variety of topics, in order to adapt it to the condition and wants of the denomination. It will contain, in such order and proportions as may be convenient, reviews, or critical no- tices, of such books as may deserve attention; essays on doctrinal and practical religion, and on literary and scientific subjects; articles on biblical criticism and sacred hterature; biographical sketches of eminent individuals ; historical notices of churches, associations, institutions nf Ipaminor. hpnpivolent BOSTON. 137 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 to- ken 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 J- 100, (the sum necessary to constitute a life director) in the hope that some other brother would contri)3ute 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 tho NoHliern Education Society during the past year, IS 131; received during the same period, thirty; societies, &c.; statistics, particularly those of the baptist de nommatzon ; occasional items of literar, . scientific, and rXiou^ mteihgence. This general plan wiU be enlarged and ZZ7d as experience may suggest. mourned, "Co.rfi^.o„..-The work will be issued quaiterly, on the fiist day of March, June, September, and Decemb^r-com raencing with March ^^■^f^ v u , ^^^^^"^^~com. g iviarcn, 1836. Lach number will contain ifin annum mv.hu T^' •" '>''?""'"'> ^e three doUara per mm, payable in advance, or on the delivery of the first number: th,e will i„ all eases be atrietly adhered to. 138 BOSTON. dismissed, twenty-four— leaving the present number 106. Of those dismissed, thirteen had completed their education, and have since entered or were about to enter on important 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 office; 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 missionary to Africa, under the patron- age of the Baptist Board for Foreign Missions; two have died ; three have been dismissed, with a prospect of supporting themselves ; two have been discontinued, for want of suitable promise ; and four have been dismissed, having for various causes, sus- pended their education for a season. The whole number, upon 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 preparatory study. They are found in the following institutions :— Newton Theological Institution, Massachusetts; Han Jton 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, BOSTON. 139 Ohio; P^ew 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; wLterville Maine ; Bluehill, Maine ; Worcester Manual Labou^ High School, Massachusetts; Black River Ver raont; Rockingham, New Hampshire. The'vounir men are-from Massachusetts, sixty-nine ; Vemont! thirty; Connecticut, sixteen; ^ew Hampshire fif' teen; Maine, eighteen ; Rhode Island, ten ; the state of ^ew^ York, fourteen ; the province of ^ew Brunswick, two; Nova Scotia, one; District of Columbia one; 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 J"? 096 17 • 'iltflT'^'" treasuriesof the respective branches,' .1^^08,70, mcreasmg the whole amount received *7,039,C6, by the branches, ^2,308,70, making the whole amount received, J'9,348,36, and leayL a Wancem the treasury of the parent 8ocietyo«56 51 Dunng the year, four classical schools of reputation ave been opened in New England, under the aus- pices of the baptist denomination, namely, Union Academy in Kennebunk, Rockingham Academy at Hainpton Falls, New Hampshire, Black Rlrer Academy at Ludlow, Vermont, and the Worcester Manual High School at Worcester, MassachusI nc.r^ ucca coiiectea already more than 200 U' ! 140 BOSTON. youth ; and each institution has several studying for the ministry. In ^e^y England, there are thirteen ot these seminaries, besides two otliers exclusively devoted to female education, which are annuall impartmg their benefit to more than 2,000 youth The Massachusetts Baptist Missionarv Society held Its annual meeting on Wednesday, 'May 27 at which time, the amendment in its charter' changmg its name from Massachusetts Domestic Missionary Society to Massachusetts Baptist State Convention, was proposed to the society and una- nimously accepted. At a subsequent hour, the Massachusetts Baptist State Convention held a special meeting at tlie same 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 T'is 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 Society 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 wc have given at the Rich- mond Convention. Two other public meetings were held afterwards HARVARD.—MOUNT AUBURN. I41 on the same day : tlip laof nr^^v^^ 1-1 , in ^" ^"^ attendance, and in «l..eh we had frequently taken part. With feew" »e trust, of devout gratitude to God, we returS late to our home. At Richmnn.l „''^''™*"™ed VI 1 T> . 'iiciimonci, Baltimore New U,k, aud Boston, we had been enabled to fuM every engagement, and neither from fatigue n„ I ,nd.pos„.on had we been absent from thesfnume rous assemblies. nume- The following day was occupied by excursion. f„ Cambridge, Mount Auburn cemetery andN / ,TI,e„logical Institution. At Harvard ^^^,2^ j In : ran'ihe iK;: T, '"'^ "^"'^ ""^«- ,„,n Ti. T'[ ^ ^ °' ^ ^'^'^o'" and a gentle- man. The library, museum, and colleo-e biS keupon a scale worthy of tlis ancient I^at of t^' ■n, established by the enlightened pi:;;:™; rl' of their country, in 1738. There are fh;.. professors and tutors ind ;. i ^ , ^"^'^ |el«s, 450 students ' " ""^'"^ ''"" """^'"^^^ Mount Auburn cemetery promises t^ ),«„„ £^:::e:rdrt^;i^--^^^^^^^^^ Pjace of repose for the dead lll^^^^^^^^^ "^ ^^^ Hannah Adams, to whose " ^i L „ r' r' '^" !'>'^ 'ate Andrew Fuller wrote aT-." ,J^ ^^^ ■K< f • I ^^^ ■ * ^ f 1 1 i J ; i I 142 iiiii MOUNT AUBURN. 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 OF J MOUNT AUBURN, SHE DIED DECEMBER 15, 1831, AGED 76. 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 denomi- ation, whose noble generosity provided an establisli- ment worthy of themselves and their churches, and so truly in keeping with the prospects of the general body. We needed the repose enjoyed on Saturday, for the 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 asseni- i> niiiin I BOSTON. j^g Med in the spacious places of worship which our brethren have erected i„ this capital of fhe state Few as were" the opportunities, on this our fi. . visjt to Boston, of indulcino- .v • ""' U.,weca„noto:!ftrnCw1^^^^^^^^^^ .i. fad, eLbled usttM^'Xlf ^^7 ,"" .inisters and gentlemen of the ,5^ In /h t^'"^ ktm, and in society so selected wl f f V' ''"'''■ ;anee of life without its Sty "1^ *' ''" k pon.p, freedom without rii'tTtd^rr" Uwuhout sectarianism and unchantlb 'ene"s '; f ^..Mever,, nail probability, to be .;Li''' 144 CHAPTER VII. DR. cox's JOURNEY THROUGH NEW ENGLAND TO THE CANADAS, AND BY BUFFALO TO UTICA. Section I. Boston to Lowell. — Haverhill. — Public Baptism in the River at Dover. On the 4tli of Junj, I left Boston, for the purpose i of visiting Upper and Lower Canada ; having ar- ranged with laiY colleague that he should proceed I alone to the distant west. Whatever reluctance w^e felt to this temporary separation, we could not] feel satisfied to return to Europe without some per- sonal acquaintance with these important portions I of the American continent. My first day's journey was through Medford, Woburn, and Tewkesbury to Lowell, where I preached in a temperature of 89" ; but this secmiii§;| prognostication of an intense summer, was happilj not fulfilled. Lowell is regarded as the Aniericanl Manchester. It is situated on the river MerrimackJ about twelve miles from Boston. The village and the first factory were formed in 1813, at wliicli time there were only two houses; at present, contains twenty-three or twenty-four cotton ai woollen mills, and about 15,000 inhabitants. Tlij •..Jiiliiili ill iaiiijii %-; *r^.: i m t f 1 1 r i i j i 1 \ 3 j \ 4 i < ( j 1 ■ i 1 ! I 1 ( 1 i 1. i i,-- m ll } i ! '- . .11 Hi 'hB ' 1 ■' .-'^ 1 I i ._Jj r^j ^^R * »?p»-r ■ -*^ i -^B 1 ; ' » I I falls of th ciJities for tween fou but tkey a whose abj( apparent England. dren of res a desire to tence, are to suffer th tion from t of these yo stage. Thi of acquaint] of the faet( character o valence of them stated ir- —adjoining to 11^ I were not me: earnings, w week, accorc themselves i respectabilitj ral tuition i are fifteen pr and one high town, under at once unive 'administratio] Besides ot LOWELL. 1.;. falls of the river amount to tl.irty feet, affording fa- cihties for extensive operations by water power Be t^een four and five thousand girls work in the mills ■ but tkey are a different class of persons from those whose abject poverty and vicious habits are but too apparent m the large manufacturing districts of England. Most of them, nearly all, are the chil- dren of respectable fanners or tradesmen, who from ades,re to obtam the means of independent sUsis- tence are content to engage in these labours, and to suffer the privations incident to an early senara- .,o„ from their friends. On the ensuing da/, 2Zll of these young peopl. were my compLio'n LT stage. This afforded me an opportunity, not only acquamtmg 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 t en, stated, that of thirty who worked in a room adjoining to hers, there were only four or five thM >vcro not members of christian churches. With their ™mngs, which are from two to five dolla s per week, according to their skill, they frequently pu Aeniselves to school; thus becomLg qualified for respec abihty and influence indomestif Hfe, orgtne in] tuition in district schools. In Lowell fee r fii^een primary schools, three grammar s hooTs nd one h,gh school. These are supported 1 1 ,e ol" "'*^,/'---«°" of « eo^^ttee, J Besides other churches, there are two of the H II / \ 146 LOWELL. 1 I 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, vo- luntarily divide, in order that 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 montli; and there are at present no fewer than 300 members. Prayer and conference meetings, inquiry meetings, and preaching at the boarding houses, are maintained weekly. At the close of the service on the sabbath evening, persons who m.ay 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 msetings among themselves on the afternoon of the sacred day. These facts, and they are not solitary ones, may convey some impression of the hallowed zeal which blazes on many of the HAVEBHILL.— DOVER. 147 ot 0™ ! "'""' '"'* ^''"''' ' '™^*' '^'" kindle on Although I had taken my place by the coach from Lowell nt,rely through to Dover, I was stopped ^ Haverhm by the .rresistible hospitality of Colo„e interview wie, „, oltSl Ve lerOel J! -Hou-d soft and trfn^lnttl^^ret:: mZ f™" "^;"^.^'^''«™« must be peculiai grate fu to him, while It is freshening inio ^nirifLf ? unance nnder the cultivation of M. H '^ "''" ordained a. pastor. Brtf as Ih^notT^ 7'^ -::rptiru:ed~^^^^^^^ or the Great Falk P. !u i ^ Sommersworth vi-age, x!t%io^™; : 7;f .' ""■« r--v ing state, I was conducted on tl, kV"."" '"'™'"=- ot te wa deXd tf • T^""^' ^'^^^^'^^ »" :.awge, orri:i;x'ruitiT •'rnr -r„rhtr'"!-™^''^ ^^^ soS-atter:! fe '^"'^ ^tiiiiirig peculiarities H 2 I' 148 DOVER. of the scene — the company occupying both sides of the river, and 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 to bless with their commingling beams, the happy candidates. 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 in- 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 ParsonsJield.^Rmvals.—Pmasf 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. I sides of le of voice Jtting sun 'he rising , as if the ened her •less with lates. irty years ' of deists Bcted to- naintain- , he had 'hose in- aptive to PARSONSFIELD. j^g Renumber of scholar, i„ the first term was seventy, three; m the second eighty-eipbt. It is under the ,upenntendence of a board of trustees. A baptist church was formed in this village of 2,500 inhah! ^„.s in June. 1834, consisting 'of seventl m „' bers, over whom Mr. Lincoln was ordained in the followmg December. Eleven were added to their number dunng the rirst jear. There is also a con- gregational and an unitarian church. Our course a terwards conducted us through the beautiful hamle of Alhon, which se.iued to spring up like a white roe aniong the fir-clad mountains. The venerable elder, .m,th now eighty-three years of age, receTved re^T \Tr '^r "'"'' ^'^^^^ -'■'->' we saw the Shaker village. These institutions which occur occasionally in the United States, "2^ be regarded with some veneration. They are In eed distinguished by neatness and indust,?^ Z no les«» by hostility against the principles oT chr sti amtyand the welfare of social existence. It mt «ein severe, but I am afraid it is but too corrlTto :i:firofo:r^'^^^---*>'«^-o- 4 mis Th"""'"'?' »* *« '"^ton<=e of fifty „r my miles. The academy at Parsonsfield has re- ently experienced a revival ; about ten of the scho I iects of r I 1 ^^ " ^""^ "laminations in sub- lii! !.. r;._ T''«y .heard with interest remarks on ■' '"'""• <*" ""= importance of a sound edu- ji WWI?;. 1 i ! i n' ' i 11 .. . I 1 150 PARSONSFIELD. 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— "^ere, then, is arevivalT 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 jhurches, and the affectionate confidence which ap- peared to pervade 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 vneeting 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 were conspi- cuous. Her age was thirteen. At another Villno-P snnn pft-OT. <-lio ar^^^nr-nimani n( PABSONSPIELD. J51 a similar prayer meeting last autumn, the church agreed tliat every member should adopt a system of visiting each other for the promotion of religion In a fortnight all had been visited. The regular and extra assemblies for devotion now became fuUv attended when impenitent persons were pointedly addressed. The practice of fasting also was intr,; 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 meet- ings were held in all. Besides others, twenty-six were added to the baptist community. Ill 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 m question a remarkable degree of general attention to the word had been 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 unregenerate, which were observed for three weeks successively. During this period individuals frequently rose to request IpeciaHnter- cession for particular friends, till, as the nar^to, expressed it, there was " a general melting do^n " In detailing a fourth specimen, in which prayer meetings were established for thirty evenings i^ -«, .XX. oyva^^r aaverted to the first pro- 1 f f >■ i ( - m 1 ! i 1 i 152 PARSONSFIELD. tracted meeting which he had attended about five years; ag- in the state of New York, After the econfl sennon 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 con sidei able 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 emotion. 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 ridiculed the efficacy of prayer, Protracted meetings, however, for this purpose, were held, and so deep 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 and 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 snecial nraver, it P? H Ti M PAB90N6PIELD. jg.J and at their own solicitation. It happened one evening that when the children assembled no teacher came The minister accidentally passing bv, 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 con.' lany withm. He heard distinctly a little boy of eleven years old praying with the greatest fervour and pro- priety. Others engaged 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 m these reinmls persons who had before been serious hut undecided in religion, or were thev entirely new converts from the world? The answer was, that in general they were newly converted- a« for example, 110 professed religion o'n one occasion' of whom forty had been previously impressed. I What perr^nent effect, if any, was produced npon .hsei^ho did not profess religion at the time in gues- tm, though they were powe, fully affected ?-At,Zev ■ A large proportion continued to give evidence of piety, and united with other churches. In manv cases however, persons who seemed to believe Mhed (as the narrator expressed it) at the time rorn the ordeal of a public baptism, grew cool, and became finally hardened. 3. What is the ratZf conversions in a revival, and of the stability of the ■' '" '"^"^' «'«'5'2^y oui Of t/te regular services h3 1 il I I , r 154 CONWAY. (. 1 . a I !^ ,'.i,':'l !., '' I, 1 ■ ' ■ ^^' E' 'iiil 1 of religion in a period of three or four years or mare? 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, probpbly 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 loftiest range 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 appropriated the names of their admired presidents, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Monroe, and Quincy. This association is, however, scarcely con- THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. Jgg dstent with good ...,i. It forces you always to thmk m metapho. It Las no discrimination in it • and at some sudden ...n, fconversation, you scarcely know whether you are talking of men or moun- tains. The reader •• i ; now be pleased to think only of the latter, and to accompany our party into this wJd scenery. Although avoiding in general much deviatK,n from the direct purpose of furnishing a re- port of re igious affairs, I may be allowed to assume the traveller for a moment in describing our course through the y„tcA. This term, and that of Z IS applied to a narrow defile, in one place onf; wenty-three feet wide, through which is a road crossed by the river Saco ; but can any thing be -nore out of taste? A notck makes one think of^th^i^fc 2 used to cut in the days of boyhood, to measure fTM"""* ""' ^"^'"^''y'' ""da^^p remind! one of the hedges and fences we were accu,tnZTr ^-k through in the same frolicksoL .elr '" Whoever has an eye for nature, or a recollection of Switzerland, will find ine.pres ible gratific fon StTnSntoffi-^^^ r^LTi/rranirfrrs bv,iH!„!f. '"^^P.-io-ntam, and anon, runninir side . - .^ ".u. »ome oubbling brook, or more rapid tor^ MF* ' ffi' El ~ ml If 1' f^M 156 THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. i 'ii' ■ II I 1 ' ^' i i n :iil rent— then again ascending to unfold scenes of de solation, where the busy whirlwind and the blastin. 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 btnas had vomited their lavas on the scorched and woe-stricken hills;— as these scenes become 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 whisper- ing cascades, inviting you to contemplate embower- ing groves, or shelving rocks, or graceful curvatures fringed with shrubs and verdure, other emotions arise of bewildering astonishment and admiration Yoii are ready to ask. Where am I ? Where is languac^e' Where is the poet's frenzied eye and fervent p^n' Where isthe painter s canvass, and the glowing touch? Where is th^ power that can perpetuate in the me- mory, these woods— these torrents— these niightj ruins— these cloud-capt and forest-girdled moiin- tains— 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 streaming 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- 157 THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. lated turrets on their irregular summits. As he L in bfld defiance to ZmZT^^Z I'^t T' nodding forests to menace L CCh Vur'"" fevourmg turn in the road enables C^^' ,• f " beneath their frown, and evad tLi p wt'" T lengthenmg defile, however «h„t. '^ f ^^ the creations of romancr tl' , . " ["P"" ^^ '*« "I romance— the cleft and scarred ^ sixty- tras I hope not, I would not could I help it-no I woud not come down till I have seen Babylon the «her of harlots. falI-„ot till I have stood long enough to preach a funeral sermon for Babylon and Loo?' if ^''°^^"'^ "'■'^'"' '« >»»'* be very r ^'"'' """^'nn.ation. • As a young man mar- ^^^^^T ■BS ^^^^B ftc' t I 1 i i < i i i ' : r : 1 i 1 ' I i i f I : ■ 164 LI8B0N. rieth a virgin, so have I married thee.' Yes, the Lord Jesus married the church in these lands when she was a poor despised virgin ; but see how beautiful 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 to keep silence day or night.' Not by day; 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, letusremem. ber the church has had her dark times in this land, They were dark and difficult seasons when I tra^ versed 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, thenun- cut and uncleared, to search for persons to preacli to and places to preach in ; when we used to lie down in the woods 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 lor your encourage- ment, 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 prosperity or adver- sity. No, not even when it is night in your own souls. Why, here is an encouragement. It has been often found, and I have often felt it, that when mi- nisters have their worst times in preaching, they have been really the most successful. I remember that on one occasion in particular, I was so shut up LISBON. 16S and so miserable in my own soul in preachinff that te words seemed as if they would not come forth ,.e,werc like ic.cles freezing in my month; hnl Nil I struggled on and on, and in the midst of my embarn,ssme„t I secretly said to God, if he would «t l,elp me and grant me but one, one soul for my ,re, Iwould never be unbelieving again, as I had been when I begun; and, lo! the resuU was fifty ddmons m a short t.me. Oh, keep not silence-i Ion, go on m your darkest times ' " In tl,e evening there was another service, when Mr. Woodman of Sutton preached, at the dole of whose sermon an invitation was given to any who nnglit be concerned about their salvation to comi ilorward to the front seats, which were appropriated fcosucl, underthe designation of a„^,-„„,,;i;,/About M or twelve advanced to the spot, and were prayed for most fervently by different ministers in succ^s Un who knelt in the aisles, and gave full vent to e impulsive feelings of the momenl Conv rrion! [Isowere held from time to time with the indTvTdt" huestion, some of whom, at the instigation of the [..msters, publicly confessed their faults, and he hn™? terminated amidst much excitemem. These Monstrations were again exhibited, and on a larg" Nle afterwards, to which I shall presently refer It elirh '? ''"'^ ""' ''"""'*• ""'^ «"<^ *at can- lot easily be forgotten. In addition to the usual fttracfons of a denominational anniversary, the pre hee of persons from such distant places, Mr. SuLt r/r i:;! r^ "-'«" ^^-P^. together with proposed ordination of a missionary to accom- I ^ K f1 m mm -"•""li. 166 LISBON, of pany Mr. Sutton on his return to OrisHa, a another to procluini ilio f^ospol in tlie valley of the Missisippi, were concurrent circuniHtances well cul- culated to awaken extraordinary interest. As an overHowin^ attendance was anticipated, arrange- ments were made to conduct t]w services in the woods, which constituted it in fact at once an annual, missionary, and camj) nieiitinu:. When 1 looked abroad from my window in the early mornin^^, I saw what would probably prove a preventive of our out- door meetings. Vast masses of vajjour rested like heaps of wool upon the nu)untain tops, and a chill? breeze })ortended descend injjj showers. When the r6munce of feelin«r is awakened, how apt are we to inuigine that all thin«,rs must be in harmony with our wishes and projects; and indeed, throujrhoutlife, and every day, we are foolishly for^ettinjr that there may be other and hif>her harmonies in the econoinj of providence, than those which the little selfish- ness of individuals conteuiplates as so important, Sometimes the threatenin«r vapours appeared to be retiring, and then clung- jij^aiin by longf and pendant arms to the summits, as if unwillinj^ to depart. At length, however, they withdrew, revealing one of nature's fairest amphitheatres, in which we had fixed an altar for the living (lod. The day, was the day of " sacred rest ; " the place, was the place no more of savage existence and infernal immolations; the hour, was the hour when thousands and tens of thousands in America, and in many a land, encom- passed their Father's throne, with the sounds of worship, and the love of children. LISBON. 167 Tli(! pluce of Hssonibly was aptly chosen. At the aj)[)oinf(!(l time, we walked up a ^renth; ascent, pre- ceded or fblh)we(J by the ^ratherin^r nmltitudes', to a hrrove, wh(!re the soleninities were to be condacted. From north and soutli, from east and west they came ;' like the predicted How of earth's last and best po' pidiitioii, ''to the mountain of the Lord's house, wiiich shall be established on the top of the hills.'' Here was a stream of people treadinj^r the verdant vale, aiKl there a little company or family marching hvith a sabbath step, with " hearts burning within thein," like the disciples on their journey to Em- „,a.is-mid 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 nuiy 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 Ipu 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. Ithe waggons in the rear, are occupied with those who Icoiild not obtain seats, while the horses are let loose among the trees, and wander for a time at will pome of the beautiful beech and maple trees, too' B^tretch their arms to sustain the eager youth, o^ Hned samt and sage. A hymn is announced N the commencement of the worship, and anon he voice of praise from 3000 worshippers ascends |To the skies, and echoes among the hills ! Heaven ^' iV qv >.\ Photographic Sciences Corporation ^'\ w^ ■^.'^ 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 f^mmtmm ..'U % 168 LISBON. and earth are now adoring " the Lamb that was slain 1 " After prayer, having been requested to deliver an introductory discourse on the general subject of mis. sions, 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 sonice was performed, when Mr. Benjamin F. Neelywasset apar,t for the valley of the Missisippi. All rehgious denominations are waking to this project, roused by the rapid extension of catholic influence. An im- pression has gone forth, that the supporters and advocates of popery, encouraged by the far reaching policy of the great European centre, have com- menced 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 circulation of the scriptures, the encouragement of missionary enter- prise 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 furnish a brighter page for future history, than Thermopylae or Salamis. LISBON. 169 In the afternoon of this day, Mr. Sutton excited great interest by a sermon, which was at once a mis sionary and farewell d'scourse. The specimens of Indian gods which he had been accustomed to ex Libit in his journeys through the States with con- siderable effect, were once more presented to the multitude, whose mute attention, and weeping eves told the story of their compassion for the deluded millions of Asia. In the evening, after a sermon by Mr. Marks of Portsmouth, an invitation was given in the custom 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 mmisterial friends. In a quarter of an hour but not without repeated importunities, about thirty-five persons, men and 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 Aoyes engaged in this manner in prayer, each fol- lowing other ministers of the denomination. Everv sentence or two was accompanied by loud responses from the assembly, with words or groans of assent. 1 lus they prayed, sung, confessed, and ejaculated. 1 le impassioned character of the supplications was otten astonishing for fervency and flow. The whole Htmospliere seemed infected with excitement It encompassed you, and forced you to breathe it. You seemed to have got into a new element of existence. I 1 ' 1 ! ] ; - I thTi' 111'-. w , 1 i I } -'«>iiiil- ■■;. ■■■ !,; Kiiki> i 5 - j ■ TT:^ 170 LISBON. The whispers or appeals to candidates in a subdued tone were often solemn, seasonable, and pointed. " Consider, you have taken the first step ; the first step in religion is infinitely important ; to be decided 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- ties, and in some instances, especially as the atmos- phere 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, drawling, vociferous accentua- tion, difficult to express on paper; as glo— ry. ho — ly, everla — s — ting. The impassioned ardour of one prayer in particular can never be obliterated from my memory. It was that of one of their chief ministers. I felt at the moment, that if I could not entirely sympathise — if from any scruples I could not glow, and burn, and blaze as he did, it was be- cause my heart was frozen and dead. The utter- ances fell tremendously, and sometimes from their vehemence and rapidity, almost unintelligibly, upon LISBON . 171 my unaccustomed ear. " O Lord," said he, " look upon us and bless us ! Our help is in thee ! We seek thy face as thou hast desired ! O, look upon these souls, these precious souls ! Here is a company of 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 moarn — a mo — o — o — ourner ;" and here the speaker, with a passionate utterance no terras can describe, and with 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, sig! >, 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 be 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 and bustle incident to a liody of people, variously occupied, and in a state of i2 ^^mm M i .) / 172 LISBON. excitement. My recollections of what passed sub- stantially, shall be limited to a brief report of two or three cases, which may stand, each as a specimen of a class, and, together, as an average of what is developed in many revival movements. Entering the seat, then, and selecting my candidate, I in- quired, "Whai, 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?" — "0 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 powenfully as you do at present?" — "O yes, kt, 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, hav'ig 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?" 'Inl I LISBON. 173 -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?'' -"Yes." "Have you attended this or any place of worship before?"— " Sometimes,— not often." "But never cared about your soul?" "No." "Well, 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 70U 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 ot the respective conditions of mind in the three . I : I ;j!"*^ 174 LISBON. ' I I 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 premises so slight, 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- tinually, if not infallibly, enable us to perceive humility, or detect artifice. Whatever may be our opinion of particular measures, or whatever our sentiiiients on the general question of excitement as a means of religion, it is 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 universallv as solicitous to form character as to promote feeling; and they will then have made the whole moral experiment. I charge 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 skilful application and a judicious control, would be impiety. fit WATERPORB. 175 My intercourse with the ministers and people of this denomination convinced me of their zeal and union. I perceived also much of enlarged benevo- lence, and individual generosity of feeling. Their 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, and 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 som« 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." Haying 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 176 CONNECTICUT RIVER. i 1 m f ' church in the neighbourhood. Milk was set before us, in a " lordly dish," from which we transferred it by means of a kind of saucepan to large basins. During this refreshment, a frankness and readiness of communication were at once gratifying and instructive to the inquisitive stranger. Crossing the Connecticut river, we advanced into Vermont, through Jonsbury, 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 d'ceil along the valley of the Connecticut, is enchanting. The habitations of the new s<;ttlers, 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 . 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, and 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, IS DANVILLE. 177 rivers, 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 geological 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 stale 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 i3 M '^'"^mimmmm 178 WATERBURY. ■ i i harvest is pjreat, anil tlu» 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 Eng. land states have accjuired 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, juclg- mem, and zeal. Many of the churches have ex- perienced revivals of religion, and are vigorously supporting the system of Sunday scUool instruction, Bible classes, and missions. Mount Holly and Chester in the Woodstock Association, and two at Shaftesbury^ in the Shaftesbiiry Association, appear to be among the most numerous churches. Tlie 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 u^xt town of any magnitude, to which tlie traveller arrives, in crossing the state, is Montpelier. The road passes through Waterbury ; * and througli * My colleague, in his progress ♦o 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 rememlyer, thougli 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 age, 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 MONTPELIER. 179 Cabot and Marnh field, 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 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 ago, he cleared the first spot in this cultivated district, which was then all wilderness ; now his children's children are grow- ing up around him, to inherit the land and the liberties, they owe so literally to their fathers." ^ 8Fi;M,'ip:''y'-i;agp 180 MONTPELIER. support, has occasioned the more than proportio- nate increase of other denominations. At the time of my arrival in Montpelier, there was a considerable excitement in consequence of the 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 moral mechanism for several days. This term appears to me accurately to express the facts. I afterwards came into another scene of his operations, the effect of which had been, when the fermenting elements had subsided, to leave in more than one religious community, a re- siduuiA of spiritual coldness, bordering on a disin- clination to all religion, and productive for a time of total inaction. From delicacy I conceal his name, while recording a specimen of his proceedinefs. After repeated 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 were not readily, and without continual importunity and management, 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 MONTPELIER. 181 not brought in fifteen minutes to love God, there will be no hope of you— you will be lost—you will be damned." A pause, and no response. *' Ten minutes have elapsed ; five minutes only left for salvation! If you do not Jove God in five minutes you are lost for ever !" The terrified candidates con- fess-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, as I 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 discrim- ination ; 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 mad from Montpelier to Burlington, a dis- tance of ^seventy miles, has many attractions. It "ins neany parallel to the Onion river for several tfi't 182 GREEN MOUNTAINS. li i ; l«i:.|,iW;i|| Stages, and opens continual views, some near and others remote, of the Green Mountains, over which the everlasting forests are here and there inter- spersed, with patches of verdure and cultivation. In one place, the accommodating driver stopped his coach to allow the passengers a short walk, to con- template the magnificent sight of the river rusliin? 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 |)rincipal declivities of broken or undulating ground ; the one descending to the Connecticut fiver, the other, to Lake Cham plain. They are in general more elegant in their forms than those of New Hampshire, being generally rounded, and some- times wearing a strong resemblance to the Alpine cones. The Camel's Hump and the Mansfield Mount are the most celebrated ; the former, espe- cially, 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 repeatedly 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 religioii more, for this state. The university of Ver- LAKE CHAMPI.AIN. 183 niont, at Burlington, has acquired some celebrity I 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 Champlain. On the opposite shore, rise the mountains of 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 and scien- tific institution, in which provision is made by the erection of separate buildings at a sufficient distance for male and female instruction. Vermont has also formed a state-convention, with its association of churches, and an institution auxiliarv to the Northern Baptist Education Society. Perhaps one of the most efficient instruments of good in the baptist de- nomination, has been the establishment in 1828 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 immediately excited, zeal enkindled, and exer- tions made. The time is assuredly hastening, when the martial prowess and renown of the Green Moun- tain boys shall lose its splendor, amidst the sur- passing glory of a more spiritual generation, - the soldiers of the cross," whose multiplying thousands I'll^the hills of Vermont, will be " valiant for the When I glided up Lake Champlain in a steam , it was iiKe a " sea of glass," which led me \i i 184 LA COLLE. t f 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 little did the view of Cumberland Point, which brought recollections of the sanguinary past, when, in 18K, the English and American fleets met in awful conflict, harmonize with the imaginings of the glorious future, when the " Prince of peace" shall sway his universal sceptre, and " men shall learn 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 v/arlike associ- ations) I proceeded in a hired waggon of the country to La Colle, the residence of Mr. Henry Hoyle. The house 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. Gilroore 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 toll owing morning, 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 " the church-ficoins: bell" in the presbyterian church. LA COLLE. 105 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 rea- son of this is obvious. A settler fixes on some go- vernment grant of land, or, as it is sometimes called ^toncession, cutting his way into the forest; another pursues a similar plan ; then a third, a fourth, and soon. The road is of course lengthened as the habi- tations multiply, without changing the original de- signation, so that it may as well become a hundred miles as a hundred yards. A public inconvenience indeed results, which I bitterly experienced on one occasion, namely, that of being unable 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 come 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 asatract of country in America is cleared, unless tiie plough prevwits, a new forest begins to spring «P, but of a different species from the aboriginal rees. Let the oak be felled, and lo! the maple, the pTch, or the fir shall arise. Do the seeds or ^ots remain m a state of quiescence for centuries, like the , .-..r^xxcci Hi uiu rocK, ana with elastic ■f Tii|v 186 MONTREAL. Iji i 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- 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. Be gars scorn the European fashion of standing by the way-side with a tattered hat, to solicit the poorest donation ; on the contrary, they drive their trade with such planned and orderly management, th they take their frequent, perhaps weekly rounds in a I cart, to collect contributions in the shape of joints of j meat and potatoes ! Section V. I r Montreal. — Journey through the woods of Lower Canada to Chatham, Bredalhane, and Fort Comington. At La Prairie I found myself on the banks of the] river St. Lawrence opposite to Montreal. It isninej miles across, sailino* in a diagonal line : the direct dis-| MONTREAL. IQ7 tance may be seven. The approach from this point is exceedingly imposing, as the cathedral, with theother churches and buildings of the city catch the eye and sparkle in the sun. It is true they are only covered nrjth tin or bright shingle ; but they 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 super- stition and error that cast their deep and doleful sha- ' dows 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 .he fur trade, it is continually increasinrr in importance, and population. The houses are built of 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 \Uh a few English. Many are the gay triflers that Haunt the city, and, as some one has said, it is a place where " nobody may become somebody." 1 witnessed, while here, one of the great Catholic festivals and could not help perceiving in it an oc sionof the deepest sorrow. The city was all in com- •notion, while the streets were paraded by priests in gorgeous dresses perfumed by incense. Instead however, of giving my own description, I will re- finest the reader to nprncp th" o«f.^„„x ^r ., ,^ J, -»»Li !-! ■ 188 MONTREAL. treal Gazette, bearing in mind while he reads it, that this was a religious service conducted on the Sabhath. " The procession of Corpus Christi which took place on Sunday morning last within the city, with the usual solemnities of the Roman Catholic church, proceeded from the parish church through Notre Dame-street towards the Bossecours church, and returned along St. Paul and St. Joseph-streets, halt- 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- mony, but it was supposed that the state of the weather 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' church, where the bishop of Tabarca officiated, escorted by Captain de Bleury's rifle company."- 3andsj regiments^ rifle corps — and all this parade under the name of religion ! To increase the profa- nation, there was a central canopy, with a large piece of glass in the form of a human eye, having gold or silver rays emanating in all directions, in- serted in the front curtain, behind which walked a priest personating Deity ! for how else could it im- press the gazing multitude, who \Yere taught to call it " the all-seeing eye?" And, to crown the folly j and the madness, protestant gentlemen joined tlie j ^^^S MONTREAL. 189 chief procession of the priests, in order to subserve a political object ! How different was the scene to which I was privi- leged to retire with the christian friends with whom I had become associated ! From this popular tumult ^re 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 verv numerous audience in the large American presby- tenan church. The afternoon was devoted to the Lord s supper. There was no procession-no noise -no cavalry with their soldierlike appean,nce-no rifle corps-no holiday-making multitudes admiring t ey 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 ase hme remembering in that hallowed hour of comme moration, their common Lord, and anticipating the leverlastmg 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 Isunday school is connected with this society, and a hssionary fund is established, which has aided Several home missionaries, and from which I had pviis^onary Society at home since my return. The bch" -H '"/'r^ ^'^ ^^^^«^ E"^'l-h and !5cotch, with a few Irish and a few A^-^ -li aim a levv Americans : 190 MONTREAL. i I .!ii II and there is a prevalent attachment to protracted meetings and revival efforts . I cannot satisfy my. self without briefly detailing a few interesting con- versions which have recently occurred in connexion with such meetings held m 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 a« he could reach. The pastor fixed his eye rn 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 ab':t 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 fervor. A few sentences were as follow. — " O Lord, thou hast * The entire names are suppressed from motives of delicacy. MONTBEAL. 191 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 ;' Lord, keep thy word in my heart now! The devil lias often taken the word out of my heart, but OLord, 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 grace 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,wlien it is recollected, that the boy had often lelt 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 manilested to religion often alarmed his parents. If asked whether he loved Jesus Christ, he used to de- elare he did not, nor did he like to go to worship. It r^as too plain to his parents, that he was waxine worse and worse. They became exceedingly dis ressed,and having felt unusual earnestness when jng alone for him, they agreed to appoint spe" jeial seasons to pray together for his conversion. A W iNilft ^^BmBb^SSTt: 192 MONTREAL. ^>«MI 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 impressions were made on many persons. One morning, while this meeting was going forward, a prayer meeting of the family was proposed ; the ex- press object of which was the conversion of the boy. While they were engaged in this exercise, he unex- pectedly came into the house, and heard one im- ploring God for him. This struck him with awe- and from that time, he became concerned for his goul — his convictions were pungent — his inquiries earnest— he was much alone, and greatly alarmed, On^ night, for two hours, he walked tne room in the utmost despair; but at length from the domestic instructions he received, and the sermons he heard, his mind began to turn to the Saviour. One morn- ing he came to his father, and said, " I have found peace in believing." They both knelt down, and he prayed with great artlessness. Next morning, he said to his mother, that he felt his peace going away, and " wickedness coming back to his ht.rt," and wished her to pray with him. His views j of the gospel now became very distinct, his desire after religion ardent, «.: ]'A& joy and peace in be- lieving, steady. Sincp *:jib pc iod, he lias been all| that parents could wish in a child ; his fear of sin I is great, he is never angry, and his obedience is most exemplary. Two things seem to engross his attention, his own improvement in the divine life, and the conversion of sinners to God. The change ||j appears entire ; his mind turns habitually to tneM MONTREAL. 193 subject of religion ; and tliough lie is pursuincr other studies, he frequently takes up the bible to read; he scarcely ever speaks on any other subject than that of religion, which is his very element. After he had obtained peace from the gospel he wished to be baptized, and added to the church • his father intimated that - he would think about it." The boy went to his mother, and said, that " he did not know why his father wished ',o delay his baptism— for as soon as they repented and believed in primitive times, they were baptized and added to the church ;" and at the same time, referred her to several passages in the Acts of the Apostles. It may be proper to observe, that having often seen bap '^isms, he had a strong aversion to the service, yet now he longed to be baptized. He was naturally very proud, and had used very insolent language to the servant when she was first converted, and again when she was received into the church. He went to her, con- fessed his sin, and declared his grief that he had been so wicked. " Indeed, Eliza,/' he said, -* I thought it was all a pretension, but now I feel' it to be a reality !" In a very interesting conversation, with this youth, upon asking him " if he had really separated himself from the world, and felt that he had renounced its sinful pleasures so as to fix an- other habit of thought, desire, and action ;" he promptly and emphatically answered me,—" I have found and know, there is a certain gratification in them, but it is temporary and vain. Oh, sir, the pleasures of religion are lasting and everlasting T An eminent physician in this neighbourhood, had lu \ hi IHHMri^ 194 MONTREAL. been for a long time a notorious enemy to the gospel of Christ. It was not, perhaps, so generally known that he was so far abando ..d of God, as to be active in the circulation of the most infamous publications of the infidel writers. But he has since confessed, that for twenty years past, he had led a miserable life, his mind being always disturbed by his con- science. He attended a protracted meeting held in Montreal, and the word powerfully affected him in- deed, but only to stir up his enmity. He cursed (the expression which he himself used, when giving the account) all those who were actually engaged in the n^eeting ; and when the evening service termin- ated, and he had reached the door, he turned round to curse them, resolving never to come to a meet- ing again. The next night, however, he repeated his visit ; but when the services closed, he still re- mained an impenitent sinner. A protracted meeting was subsequently held at La Prairie, where he re- gularly attended, till his distress became intolerable, and it was evident to every observer, that he was beginning to yield. The burden of guilt now pressed so severely, that he feared the consequences; he tried to pray, but in vain. At this time, a minister entered into conversation with him, to whom he said: " I am miserable ; I have tried every expe- dient to procure ease to my aching heart, but all to no purpose ; I shall give it up ; I must be lost." He was answered, " There is one method you have not tried. " " What is that? " " Faith in Jesus Christ." " Faith? — Oh, I never thono'ht of ^^^2l^ — I ««« it clear. Yes, I can now pray." He went into his MONTREAL. 195 house, called together his wife and children, and in their presence, poured out his heart unto God. A few days after, when relating the circumsliance, he said, pointing to a large building, " Before I be- lieved, 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 insignificant, compared with the mercy he has shown me!" To- wards the close of the protracted meeting, he rose up in the presence of the whole assembly, and ad- dressed them in an impressive and afiecting man- ner; 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 public 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. My ex- cellent friend, Mr. Gilmore, their pastor, had a deep impression on his mind that it would be more advantageous to the general cause of religion for him to itinerate in the country, than to persevere in the more restricted labours of his station in Mon- treal ; and the people, with affe ^ionate readiness were disposed to concur with his own wishes! Nothing could be more disinterested, or primitive m its spirit, than the pastor's proposition ; and to my repeated intimations, that a provision for fha support of his family frofn some quarter was requi- k2 i Iff "'-r 1 U' 11 111 f ■ 196 MONTREAL. sJle, he as often answered, " I am willing to cast myself on the care of Providence, and trust in the Master I serve." In the onferences 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 neighbourhood of Toronto. His ac- ceptance of the proposal, has afforded me greri satis- faction, and by a brief extract from a letter, which I have recently received from him, the reader will become acquainted 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 cultivate : and the same, or a greacer 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 pno-airpd in the MONTREAL. 197 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 begin, if it were but with one. I found he had done so, as you know ; 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 is requisite in it, I am doubtful ; but it is singular and encouraging, that four or five young men, two of them independent 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, or even many, can support themselves; and hence the necessity of a fund, or society, to wliich, in the case of promising young men, recourse could be had at once. Can you or any of our friends show us how any thing can be done for these great ends? Now is the time. Lose a few years, and profane- ness and infidelity will overrun the land; and it may take a century to regain our present position." One of my reasons for wishing to transfer Mr. Bosworth from Toronto to Montreal, here developes itself. It was his adaptation, not only to occupy thf particular post to which he was invited, but to assist personally in that superintendence of cvan- vj^". V s-j-;jffi'-«fj! udent Wii ' pft »- i ij HM' i Whirh I eouif! fh V curujUttH lainiiif 'h- ly mi lifcudt j^rouqd ws I* t cau>' hip had he ton (^ni:i\. ■Ml I christian I felt in J a meetinj describe. A few were scat minister, gious me{ a state of had been nister, wl go, and ai the follow order thai of souls, spirit of p in prayer word." 1 the follov a house n not but re tude, livec son about This circu season wh occasioned continued, What com did he pu fountain o action. IN CHATHAM. 201 christian reader will sympathise with the joy which I felt in ascertaining the following facts, and holding a meeting of such privileged intercourse as I shall describe. A few individuals of the baptist denomination were scattered over this wilderness ; but having no minister, and being almost entirely destitute of reli- gious means and opportunities, they had sunk into a state of spiritual lethargy. Lately, however, they had been desirous of a visit f^om some christian mi- nister, when my friend, Mr. Gilmore, determined to go, and added to the a.inouncement of his intention the following words : — " Now, dear brethren, in order that the visit may be useful for the conversion 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 I 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 jiiuvv imr ieiiniig son ai a i K 3 #! St. . ■) , "I 1 t, liii ■ 202 CHATHAM. sufficient distance to be unseen. Over the snow, and over the brook, and into the forest she went after him ; and there was he observed, bending the knee of fervent and solitary prdyer for a blessing on the 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 unions and tlie appointed season for a series of public ser- vices was welcomed. The first meeting was held on a Tuesday evening, when a sermon was delivered from the words, " As soon as Zion travailed she brought forth children." The ensuing days of Wed- nesday and Thursday were devoted to prayer and preaching, when it was intimated that private con- versation would be held with any who might desire it. From ten to twenty persons appeared to be un. der deep concern, and in the afternoon a consider- able number expressed the most pungent convictions. The officiating ministers, Gilmore and Fraser, were surprised with the frequent and almost general in- quiry, " What shall I do to be saved ?" Friday and Saturday were occupied as before, at which period CHATHAM. 203 several had obtained consolation. On the Sabbath Mr. (iilmore was left alone. Public worship was bejrini at ten o'clock in the morning, but he was com- pelled to continue it till four in the afternoon. The |)eople were repeatedly told the service was con- cluded ; but none of them would move till Mr. G. was unable from fatigue to persevere. After an in- terval of two hours, the solemn 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. Before the close a par- ticular 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 voung men and five women presented themselves. Every one of these has continued to this day; about ninety have since joined the church ; the flow of feel- ing is unabated, and conversions frequently occur. They have now a settled minister, Mr. Edwards, whom I had the pleasure of seeing, and who after- wards accompanied us through the woods. Such is the zeal of these good people, that nothing deters them from immediately professing religion when they feel it ; and last winter, having made a natural baptistry by cutting through the ice, when the ther- mometer was fifteen or twenty degrees below zero, eleven of them, 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 H waste annpar in +1^" «T,n«o^+^« ^:_ i— -PT»/r ^^.f R«fl S'.i|^^^mMB|l.; : 204 CHATHAM. more's friend, lest these children of nature should be embarrassed by the announcement of a di legate from Enjj^land. A free conference ensued. Manj^ofthe speakers were very young, but were ready 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 1 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 liim and believe on him." Another stated that he had lived two winters in a shanty (that is, an inferior log hut made for temporary acconmiodation in the woods), amidst abounding wickedness of every description, He had been conscious of some sense of religion, but was entirely withdrawn 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 thougiit 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 M^as persuaded to go. He conti- nued, however, altogether unimpressed, not only in- luexcnt, udt liOsiiic. JLJUL me chougnt oi wiiai iiuu V • CHATHAM. 205 passed would occur to him in the woods, and one day he began to consider, as lie was working, " What if I should die? What would then become of me ?" He tried to subdue the emotion and to get entirely rid 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 {riven him) he threw it open carelessly, in a kind of j)aroxysni produced by inward conflict. His eye fell I ii])on the following words in Deut. xxviii. 15, " Bui 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 lie might escape the misery which he felt. " Peter M'Farhme," said he, " after this talked to me, and (pioted that passage, ' Who is a God like unto thee, pardoning iniquity,' which proved life to my soul." I watclied with the utmost vigilance, every thing that passed around me during this conference. There was not a man, woman, or child, in the crowded iissembly, that did not manifest entire sympathy with all that was said and done. There was not an eye that did not weep or sparkle with emotion. It was the 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 ]i; m'H,] 206 THE BUSH. f:.':i had been (and this, indeed, was the fact) the subject of familiar conversation ; so that they were neither arrogant, nor ashamed. They appeared to feel themselves to be members of one family ; 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 bad 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. Busk, 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 branch. Mr. Gilmore, Mr. Edwards, and myself, with two christian friends accustomed to the country, con- stituted our cavalcade. Were I to indulge in stories of personal adventure, I might here refer to the awful plunges of my poor animal in deep hollows of TniTio'le/^l mnrl tin VI LiCv ti y cvi 'cgciatiOn Siiu I THE RIVER OTTAWA. 207 might represent the narrow escape which I had, of king 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 ; 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 that sense of helplessness, in the all-encompassing silence and so- litude, which is felt when left for a few minutes alone, waiting for the guiding sound of tlie 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 effect 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 Iiave seen it with its lamps all lighted, from the top of the hill in coming by the western road, so ap- imently 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 f !P Ottawa, and reianded on the opposite coast, at HHi ^ f! ■11^' h- Is f III' 'M i ■^■^^ ]:\t-- 1 1 208 BREDALBANE. ! .1 ^ I ; Lorignal. A project is in embryo, for the construc- tion of a canal of 400 miles in length, for the pur- pose of connecting the Ottawa with Lake Huron, by which 1000 miles at least, of the lake course will 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- tfeal, a thousand pounds worth of this description of property was destroyed by a hurricane. Our next object was Bredalbane, in the forest region of Glengary, which had been distinguished 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 witli 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 lip nnnvairofl !•* I- i 208 BREDALBANE. i ] l-B Hi pi- . uit a^ i. When, i pastoral oi a vigorous at that tini the greater One youn<^ rerted to G strument o: church, at day of fasti] them. It T lukewarmni A general i awakened, j respecting : the commo] day." Int] ing was lieh nith the de( version wer before me, J fought unde ton in Spaii power of re nance had, d the greatest ; meeting closi remember m morrow." H as irresistibl person he a( ■•'"5 iOr lie BREDALBANE. 209 When, in 1834, Mr. Fraser was set apart to the pastoral office, the church did not appear to be in a vigorous state ; but some good was effected, even at that time, in consequence of tlie appropriation of the greatest part of two days to public worship. One young man, in particular, appeared to be con- rerted 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 tlie 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 meetmg closed, he said to several friends—" O, do remember me in your private devotions, and on 'the morrow." His simplicity and earnestness were such, as irresistibly to enforce his request upon every pew he addressed; nor was he remembered in ""^^ ; lOr he went to the morning assembly, calm, if I I 210 BREOALBANB. Wl* ffm. 1 EiS'r" f t i ? M and happy. He said, that after passing the whole night in a state of inexpressible anxiety, he went out about five o'clock to give vent to his feelings in solitary prayer. On his return home, he took up the New Testament, and began to read the sixtli 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 whoui 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 kddressed 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. Bredalbane 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 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 prepar- ing at some distance, and though the sun was intense, religion, awakened into exercise by converse as we walked along, was " as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." The horses were not ready. They pauscu f — J r__„: tuciuscivca uiiG a Dcixiivnv--; UUS Wliu rt PRIESTS MILLS. 211 of which I was accidentally the centre, I remarked, " Instead of parting, you seem to collect as if a sermon were to be preached." " And may we not have one?" they asked. The appeal was irresis- tible; and while I discoursed for a short time on the words—" I, if I be lifted up, will draw all unto me" — they listened — wept — and welcomed a doctrine, ever old, yet ever new, — the attractive eflicacy of the cross. We parted again — perhaps 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 first growth of piety in hearts untrained by the refinement, and unseduced by the deceptions of society ; and it was truly re- freshing and instructive, to see the genuine teach- ings of the Spirit, sanctifying the passions, and ele- vating the soul above the world. The effect was a wonderful transparency of mind, and an extraordinary combination of humility, zeal, and holy love. Oh, how finely did these lilies and roses grow in this garden of the Lord in the desert ! Mr. Fraser accompanied us on foot, six miles through the forest to Glenelg, where we found a lodging at the house of a Highlander who had come two-and-forty years before, to carve out a subsistence for himself in the then unexplored wilderness. He could not speak English intelligibly, nor we Gaelic; so we speedily retired to rest. At another place in our further advance througli uus wild region, called Priest's Mills, a very ditfe- il ' 212 FORT COVRINGTON. rent state of things existed from that which we had recently witnessed at Bredalbane. The corderoy roads were but in harmony with the rude and barbarous condition of the people. Vice and superstition go hand in hand there, and spread moral ruin. In the sober seriousness of folly they assemble annually to practise one of the greatest absurdities that ever en- tered into the human mind. Magistrates and people alike infatuated go forth in battle array, penetrate the forest, and with all the farcical solemnity of a savage barbarism, proceed with muskets 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 fastnesses of the in- accessible wilderness. We proceeded through Alexandria to William's Town and Lancaster. In the midst of fine forests were frequent clearances, and excellent farms. We had now veered round again to the St. Lawrence. Lancaster is situated on a swell of that noble river, which is denominated the Lake of St. Francis. We took a small boat, by which v/e were conveyed ten miles indirectly across this lake, and five miles up the Salmon river to Fort Covring ton— the third scene of a remarkable revival of religion, which it had been my object to visit. This happy event had occurred about fifteen months previously to my arrival: but. at this npriorl tViP i{Ae> nf ff^aVtncr ImH FORT COVRINOTON. 213 considerably ebbed. Their valuable minister, Mr. Saftord, was unfortunately absent from home. My temporary residence was at the liouse of Mr. Willis, where I enjoyed free intercourse with various friends, and many of the converts. The case of one oftiiem 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 werf> resisted ; its l)rinciples altogetlier 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- jjagement with several others to make their son the special object of prayer. He became aware o„^ this ; unwonted anxiety followed upon deep and frequent reflection. The Holy Spirit illuminated and sancti- tied his mind. Conscience was aroused; reason was convinced ; and at lengtli 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 tlie pro- ;,'ress of that conviction, which had now ripened into the maturity of faith. The following occurrence was of a striking cha- mcter. When many hearts were glowing with love to God and souls, during this sacred season, it was proposed to arrange a visit to every family in the settlement, for the purpose of conversing about their religious state, and requesting them to attend the meetings for nraye- and worship. This proposal ■^'j^.-''. B3-icto-.'-' -ir- ■ 1 iiP" 'i! FORT COVRINGTON. was immediately acceded to, and carried into effect- each person having his district assigned him. Two blacksmiths were living in the town ; both of them notorious for profligacy and profanation. One could 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, tlie 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. Unab^<^ to resist altogether the courtesy and kindness of ue 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 ridicule. They paused — a short dialogue ensued, in nearly these terms — "i think," said one, "we FOET COVRINGTON. 215 have been living long enough like devils; let us at least try to live like men ; I confess I have been wrong." "Oh!" replied the other, "I, too, am 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! They hastened together to the assembly : they soon gave evidence oi' 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 maintained a christian consistency of conduct. Section VI. Upper Canada.— Niagara.— Camp Meeting. On leaving Fort Covrington, I traversed a mus- quito wood, in the intensest heat I have ever felt, to the Indian village of St. Ridges ; whence I proceeded five miles across the river in a cance, 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 crazy vehicle, as straight as an arrow, and with a swift- „....},?„ „Uo tw xto iiiguL, Kurpnsea me. I went lip the St. Lawrence in a steam packet to Brockville, i ! 216 OGDENSBURGH. where Mr. and Mrs. Wenham kindly compelled me to remain for a few days. The town, which is beautifully situated on the slope of a hill, contains an episcopal and presbyterian church ; neither of them, I 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 nor the baptist church is large ; but respectable families are attached to each of them. Ogdensburgh is in connexion with twenty- two associated churches, 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 miles, 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- quested a conference with the people who composed the church. About twenty or thirty remained, from 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 re- gularly; at other times occasionally. The Lord's supper is administered about once in two months; BROCKVILLE. 217 prayer meetings are held once a fortnight, but are ill attended; a missionary prayer meeting is maintained 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 ofthemethodists. About four years ago, fourteen or fifteen were added to the church in consequence of a revival meeting. Many of those with whom I con- versed on this occasion, appeared to be persons of ardent piety, valuing the means of grace and anxious for a more abundant supply. In such remote regions we sometimes read a whole volume of the people's 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 ghstenmg 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 idea of 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 address- ing 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 Hrockville. On the evening previous to my depar- fure,I prea.'hed in the presbyterian<;hurch. Brock- ville would be an excellent nlarp as n roc;.i««^ j -Hire ot operation for an active evangelist. His L 218 I ' KINGSTON. efforts would be sustained by the co-operation of zealous ana judicious friends, and the far-stretching wilderness would furnish a sphere of illimitable ex- ertion. The voyage from Brockville to Kingston is usually performed in the night ; but I was fortunate enough to obtain a steam-packet by day, which afforded the opportunity of enjoying a vi^w 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 as 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 conversation with Mr. Robinson, and also with Mr. Murdoch, the congregational minister at Bath, a few miles distant. The methodists are the predominant party, and though the baptists would gladly sustain their own denomination, they feel it at present indis- pensable for the enjoyment of religious ordinances, to unite with that body. Were an itinerant fixed in this place or vicinity, he might visit Barrafield, a place on the opposite side of the river wholly desti- TORONTO. 219 tute, Wolf Island, Amherst Island, and other places. A clergyman is paid fifty pounds a year for preaching 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 being at the time very smooth and sleighing very pleasant. I record this in sorrow, not in contempt ; by no means intend- ing to reflect on a whole body 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. Although the smallest of them, it is 180 miles long and forty broad. Lake Superior is the largest in the world, being 360 miles in length and 100 in breadth, comprehending a surface of 24,000 square miles. Owing probably to the general elevation of these lakes, they are very subject to storms. I was pleased with the beautiful colour and fine taste of the water of Lake Ontario, on which I spent parts of two days and a night. We touched at Coburg and at Port Hope, and at length reached Toronto, the seat of the government of Up- per Canada. Till recently it was called York, but it has now acquired its former name, which I under- stood to be an Indian one, signifying, " rising out of the water." If this were indeed the appellation, it IS correctly descriptive ; for it is situated on a dead flat on the very edge of the lake, and the approach to It IS nnpeded by a long shoaly level stripe of land •extending several miles. The only redeeming cir- cumstance is, that it forms the boundary line of a very extensive harbour for shipping. The .qtmos- Phere I thought dense and heavyVbut°the inhabitants l2 ! ( 220 FALLS OF NIAGARA. If . iiii»'' fi affirm it is a healthy place. It is on the very bordere • of immense forests, into which Yonge-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 death 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 Nia ara 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 day in the wilderness of old, or rising and spreading in the gentle breeze of night, like an incense to the throne of heaven, new obscuring, now reflecting the soft lustre of the moon — who that ever witnessed at 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 ii^; toulin on the left, and onward still to unknown regions overspread with lakes, swamps, and forests which may, nevertheless, one day be inhabited by yet unborn myriads of our fallen race, whose territories, the religious efforts even of these our times, and of us their predecessors, well and prayerfully conducted, may be the means of cover- ing with spiritual fertility ! Section VII. freneral Remarks and Recommendations with Rrference to the Religiom Culture of the Canadm. Before quitting the British provinces, I would offer a few remarks. A brief preliminary statement of the nature of the country itself, in its general features, may assist in the formation of a correct estimate of its moral necessities, and the kind of efforts which may be most advisable for its religious amelioration. 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 comoarative nonnlonsnfiss. From the easti surface i intersect ridge of or bread tario, fr< level and The settl of the p river Nij turist, b( vegetable brious ; -^ rigorous earlier, a diseases a ing, is of cupy the and celel west. Lower < with 600,< to the squ and stretc section thj enclosed fc south-wesi those of th climate is extremes, soil, is in At Ouelm unknown d forests, ibited by 5, whose ;hese our veil and of cover- nce to the I would tatement general I correct kind of religious ts, deno- he river bward of re miles, wo to a articular estimate idequate len 8oli- Froffi THE CANADAS. the eastern frontier to Lake Ontario, 170 miles, the surface is nearly an uniform level of great beauty, intersected by innumerable fertilizing streams. A ridge 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 th Bnest part of the province, 1, ^ between this lake and the river Niagara. Th. 3ii is attractive to an ap-ricui- turist, bemg a fine dark 1 in, mixed with rich vegetable mould. The climate is peculiary salu- brious ; winter being shorter in duration and less rigorous than in the Lower province, the spring earlier, and the summer less intense. Epidemic diseases are rare. The population, generally speak- mg, 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 ^■hmate is severe ; having winter and summer in extremes. The mildest part, and the most fertile sou, IS m the upper and more southerly districts. -- - vv, viic sum or government for all the hi ■ ■ JiH 230 THE CANADA9. British possessions, spring is six weeks later than at Montreal, though the distance is only 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- ranee and superstition, being wretchedly deficient in the means of education, as well as deplorably de- stitute of protestant preaching. Even where churches do exist, there is a frequent destitution of pastors. Catholicism i? prevalent, 400,000 at least, rang- ing under its banners. 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 presby- terians of the church of Scotland have six churches in Quebec and Montreal ; and in the whole number, about forty, and five presbyteries, including both provinces. There are besides seven or eight others, and in the Upper province, a synod of the secession. The congregationalista do not probably number more than ten or twelve churches in both provinces, with feAver ministers. The methodists in both, number 14,000 or 15,000 in society, and about seventy preachers. A number of very small general or free- will baptist churches exist in the eastern townships of Lower Canada, a district on the south of the St. Law- rence, bordering on the States. These are reached from Montreal, by passing through thirty miles of what is termed the French countrv. Thev comprise THE CANADA8. 231 many pious people, but are in extreme want of suit- able and regular instruction. Besides these, there are from fifteen to twenty calvinistie baptist churches almost destitute, however, of settled pastors Mr' Gilmoresays, " I know one township in which there had not been preaching for seven years ; a mission- ary 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 mam efforts have been made by a very pious and zealous young man of the name of Hayt, who has been very active in establishing Sunday schools, and supplymg families with copies of the scriptures. Without missionaries, however, these schools will most assuredly languish and die." I have already mentioned my visit in another direction to the Hiffh- land settlement, under the pastoral care of Mr Fraser, and to some other places. These are few m^. scattered. In the Upper province, there are four baptist associations, comprising between sixty and seventy churches, and forty ministers, many of them very dependent in circumstances, and unlearned men; but they are beginning to value, and their people to patronise, educational societies. Both in he lipper and Lower province, there is a great de- ficiency 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 MiBsionary Society for 1834, a comparison is insti- tuted between Canada and New England, which justly represents tliPi'r t.olo<-.\.^ .•._•„_. ^ , — , »x.*t*LiYc; jjusiiuuu. L/aiiada f -i 232 THE CANADAS. was settled nearly at the same time with New Eng- land, and drew its colonists from a country inferior to none except England in civilization, arts, and enter- prise. 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 legitimate 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 ^iplendid 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, ju. dicious management, and comfort, apDroachins: to THE CANADAS. 233 luxury. In every town, even the most obscure, several schools are maintained nearly all the year' 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 axjute- ness, activity, and intelligence. Colleges of every grade, almost literally swarm in every part of the country. Now observe, it is the influence of an evangehoMl protestant clergy which lies at the root of l!^m 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 m the country parishes, under the authority of a re- 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 recently 't was almost true, that there were no schools for 234 THE CANADA9. the common people of the French Canadians, out of the cities of Montreal and Quebec ; and in 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 mini- sters, one American presbyterian minister, one of the United Associate Synod of Scotland, one con- gregational minister, and one baptist, a free church of the congregational order, and two methodists. It is r/ith great pleasure, I bear my humble testi- mony to the Zealand 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 characteristic ardour, they have here, as elsewhere, acted as pio- neers of the protestant army, who have, however, 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 pene- trate. I have seen them active, I believe them to THE CANADAS. 235 be sincere, and I know them to be usef 1 in every part of America. They ^ave many slanderers, and few imitators. 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 colmt^ie^, and those in particular which characterise the populatif/a of the Britisli provinces. There are for example, the gay, the busy, and the cultivated mhabitan.s 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' m the first instance, among those of our own country. Canada requires a particular order of instrumen- tahty. 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 conti^ nual and exhausting effort ; so that it must be at once obvious, that a person of a weak frame and feeble constitution would be inadequate to such a ministra- tion. He would be insufficient to the mere toil of going from place to place, and suffering the priva- lons 0. an auibulatory life. In addition to this, the If 236 THE CANADA8. severities of the climate demand robust strength and a • vigour of animal spirits to sustain them. This would involve, to a certain degree, the necessity of em. ploying 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 consi- 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 primary importance. Americans are usually, in most respects, men of the right stamp, but as the Canadas are un- der t!:r British government, and the people in general have strong political prejudices, an Englishman 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 thfi chlPT f.nWT^na nnrl moriTT iit'nirr-Hnr\4-a nna /llflfliaOfl . uxxlkJ til v; -..liJ THE CANADA8. 237 over the country, who, though depressed in circum- stances, are often not deficient in sound sense or entirely devoid of cultivation ; and, secondly, because 3 greater degree of refinement in the teacher than is generally prevalent amongst the hearers, would tend at once to elevate the tone of manners and sec re the exertion of a powerful and beneficial influence both moral and religious. In a country, too where society 18 so much in its elements, where there is so great a destitution of spiritual means, amounting in innumerable instances to an absolute famine of the word of God, and where the catholic religion has obtamea 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 the sinner may be abased and the Saviour 'ex- alted. Let the tale of Calvary be plainly told and pomtedly 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 mu«' necessarily live much amongst the people. Thev must penetrate the recesses of the forest, enter their lo^^ houses as well as superior dwellings, and be ca- pabh3 of winning the attention and inspiring the confidence of parents and children. They must not «nly be mmisters, but companions. The pomp of lattice, unsuitable any where, would be singularly .nappropriate and repulsive here. The pure and waited love of souls must be the all-absorbing sen- "^-nt, auu me preacher must be ever and fully •p-^ 238 THE CANADA8. I 1 »HH I; ; "hi W^' ' i accessible. It follows as a matter of course, that the itinerant of Canada should be able to accommodate himself to the privations of a log hut, and be willine to perform those little offices of domestic or personal comfort for which, in another state of socitiy, we are usually dependent on inferiors. The christian 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 Eu- ropean society, among squatters and lumbermen, tjiere may often be demonstrations of character that can be encountered only by patient perseverance in well-doing, and the maintenance of a good temper. In addition to this, there maybe 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 cultiva- tion of a holy temper, there may be unhappy colli- sions, with persons of other denominations than our own. An unyielding disposition or a proud sectarian spirit might prove exceedingly detrimental to the ge- neral cause. Every point of truth may be maintained without compromise, and equally without bigotry. The labourers in the Canadian 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 re- minded by this observation of a singular advantf^e with Tvliipli flip pflFWrte in n"'^«fi'^Ti xvill V>p nttPTinPd ^B qlt^v^„„ in those r widely dii have accei people ma of God, I sccustome of the pas These accc the purpos ring the en m her earl cient lodgi; maturity m a multiplyi be freely o( oratories of The servi ployed in it advocates o: the promoti iiig, and in( in every par through the twisting the ''very family of ardent s country, by cause have n nence. Eve and there h{ ^•Jme places, THE CANADA8. 239 in those remote regions. District school-rooms are widely distnbuted, and to these rooms all parties have access for 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 customed to listen to the occasional addresses .the passing itmerant of whatever denomination. These accommodating buildings may long subserve the purposes of a christian itineracy, without incur- ring the expense of other erections. True religion in her earlier days, may have a pleasant and suffi- cient lodgmg in the wilderness. In her growth and inatnnty more important edifices may be requisite for .n,ult,plymg population ; but at present these may lie freely occupied as the nurseries of piety and the oratories of devotion. ' The service in question demands, that those em- i eyed m ,t should not only be temperate men, but Aocates of temperance. The societies formed for Ihe promotion of this cause are numerous, flourish- '"«• '"'' '»«■•««';!"?• They are striking their roots ZTr r'^T™^' ^•'"'^'"S theirlmification *'»tag the fibres of their influence round almost je^ family and individual. As excess in the use "dent spirits has been the moral ruin of the "M'-T, by a natural reaction the advocates of this \Z '„' ""'' "''S"" *" ''""^'"' "" «^"^™e absti- ce Every thing but water has been interdicted, 1 r "■ ^'" 'y"P*°™^ «f interference, in I ^"e place., with the vinous beverage of the Lord's F^r. In a country so extensively uncleared as 240 i ■ i ifiiiHi. 1 ■ 1 ■ i i^ I I ! THE CANAOA8. Canada, there are peculiar temptations to indulj^encp in intoxicatinir drink ; wlioever, therefore, proposes to promote their Hpiritual interests should, by his own exanjple, precept, and ready combination with others, aim also at their moral regeneration. It is of great imjwrtance to usefulness, that agents should be exempt from strong national prejudices. As there is continually, and 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, scnipu- lously avoid sinking the preacher in the politician. The itinerants of Canada should be men of great personal piety and 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 prayer, as a means, it may be said, religion has been planted where it does exist, in the wilderness, and by prayer, it has been fostered in the more populous vicinity. The gift, as well as the grace, seems peculiarly de- manded in such a land, both to originate and extend a valuable impression. A very palpable deficiency in this respect, whatever other talents might be possessed, would greatly disqualify, if not totally incapacitate, for this peculiar mission. It would appear almost superfluous, after what CANADA. 241 indulgence e> proposes uld, by his nation with on. that agents prejudices. 189 incre«i8- irent coun- on account pectsofthe sting upon ;ing to the I all things, )n, 8crupu- lolitician. in of great ious move- lie name of ( result of roved cor- I means, it where it yer, it has nity. The iliarly de- inate and J palpable ler talents qualify, if Pxission. ifter what k» beer .,.. d to add, that those who engage in "t oe, However, the mere enerifv and o-- «^ •■*'ne- They nn.st not be men, who arc TT V ' ": "''""y ''y ^''••''"tion of mere uty, or of reward They must be »tinn,latedl mward feelm,., the fervent and the vestal flame olbve ,«(,od and man. They m„,t bemen whowTlI they cannot. Ihe sp.nt of self-denial, and of in ce«nt .eal, must eonsfitute the element of fV act,on, and thus inspired, they will " J] IIpl "".T -heir bodies and spirits, whiJh are j.tj .r^^^«"' """' It seems imjdied in tlie precedii.rr „*„»„ . , •i-fforts for Canada sho'uS'S; 7'^^^^ nonary character; and such, in truth, they must be' but not exchis vely. £ner„ i«hr,. "^y ™"8t be, e».ireiy itinerant, b'nt e^Tiabt rtho^it b^ Stationary, must havp « .1- • ^^ough he be f cce aU-. aX:..:::—; rt ;i:^ he must st.ll be locomotive. Whatever J^Th. ^^-theimperislZ^fentarlffSf -"-ihtorrtC-n:^:;, :i jr„i,,'\- *l ! efficiency and in numbers; while a *'' ""d raonopolisintf spirit will ir.fjZll^ M 242 CANADA. minish strength, and deteriorate piety. Whatever place is occupied, it should be regarded but as a 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 would 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- ing their exertions especially towards each station, on the right and left, religion, it might be hoped, would extend till they met from opposite points, and a vast tract of country in time, and perhaps with a divine blessing at no distant time, be re- CANADA. 243 plenished with christian families and churches As opportunity offered, intermediate stations might be occupied, and as the tree of life flourished and bore fruit, still other spots might be chosen 'n dif- ferent directions, each becoming a centre round which new labourers might move in orbits more or less extended, till the desert should blossom, and spiritual verdure cover the once desolate and barren wild. Direct and vigorous efforts should be mad^- fo 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 we reflect without sympathy on the infrequency of tlie means of grace, even among those who are constituted into little churches there? Can we g^nce even for a moment at the multitudes, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, -Europeans Englishmen, friends,-who have been driven, by the afflictions of life or other circumstances, inL a ^gjon so destitute, without seeking to supply them ^'th christian instruction ? Can we thSk with out some practical effort for their relief, of vast ^lons, which, from natural and national alliance, ''a^e such claims upon us, thousands of " M 2 lose ('r*j I ! I 244 CANADA. scattered people have no bibles, no sabbaths, no preachers, and who are " without God in the world?" I 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 pro- testant faith unfurl her standard in the cities or in the depths of tlie 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 missionary zeal. If the separate efforts of denominations be best, let them be made. There is a preparation 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 ? Is not a colony our second country ? Do politicians complain of the restlessness of the people, and the difficulty of con- trollir. die conflict of opinions and the partizanship of ambitious minds ; and shall we not throw the mo- ral leaven of Christianity into the fermenting 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 " perishing for lack of knowledge ! " NOVA SCOTIA. 245 At the moment of passing these sheets through the press, an interesting communication has reached me from the Rev. E. A. Crawley, a valued minister at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, whose repeated requests to visit that country we were compelled to decline, from the necessity of returning direct to Europe! The substance of this letter, containing a reply to some inquiries, will be a very natural and important 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 Memarks.—The countries to which my remarks will principally relate are the three govern- ments or provinces of Nova Scotia, including Cape Breton, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward's Island. All these possess a constitution, British in miniature, of governor, council, and assembly, 'i'heir 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 25000 baptists. In New Brunswick the ca- tholics ar oerhaps fewer, the other proportic . much the same. In Prince Edward's Island the o^'holks, I imagine, preponderate. Immigra '-'^i into these countries is chiefly oi Scotch and Irish, some few ET>glish and Welsh. I can find no statement of their numbers, but doubtless a very considerable portion of the multitudes who flow con> .4 ' f 246 NOVA SCOTIA. stantly to America visit these provinces. The trade of New Brunswick is chiefly in timber ; that of Nova Scotia in fish, oil, coal, and gypsum ; 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. " !rAc^a;?/2\^ ^ A V \ -f ^1? 1^ 4^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. MS80 (716) 873-4503 ^ .^\,^* ^ M ! r i mM 'I ' i iM 254 BUFFALO. This region possesses great natural advantages from fish, minerals, and timber; also abundant water communication. Excellent coal is raised, and exported in considerable quantity. It must, in time become an important and valuable country. Its moral and religious character then, of course under God, depends on exertions made now." Section VIII. From Buffalo to Utica, by the 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 church, of whom two have been since excluded. Six others, who made no pubhc profession, have, nevertheless, died real christians. Four Indian children have been buried, of whom three had given evidence of piety. James D. Ca- meron was sent out in an unconverted state as epircopal minister to the Indians ; but at length becoming a real christian, he was baptized, and ERIE CANAL. 255 finally devoted himself to missionary labours amonff them, being conversant with their language. He has penetrated 150 miles into the interior, and has lately written to Mr. Bingham, to say that he had a good attendance, and that there was a great spirit of inquiry among the Indians. At Sault St. Mary there has been recently established an episopalian 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 Lockport, about thirty miles from Buffalo, along the canal, consists at present, of about 200 members. It is connected with the Niaga- ra association. At Mr. Burroughs's, at Albion, I met ivir. Metcalf, pastor of the baptist church. The next •norning he accompanied me on a visit to the pres- it J "^r-w^mmm I m pp" f ; ii ^ 1 J ! i i 250 ALBION. byterian minister ; and from their united accounts I obtained much information on the general state of religion. At one period revival efforts, so to speak hindered revivals ; the spiritual was absorbed in the 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 propriety of Ian- guage, and the most fervent manifestations of feel- ing. The real revival of religion bega7i with th- 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 this new place are fifty feet by forty. In another five miles you reach Brockport, where there is a fine academical institution erected by the baptists. It contains ninety rooms for the accommodation of students. The baptist, presbyterian, and methodist I accounts, ral state of to speak, rbed in the bid action, jeal, steady abours and ork in the ago, about st church, Ten others y, of four- their con- ce lit least sion. Mr. t domestic iety of lan- >ns of feel- i with th° tor of the , where he / believer's ndred new ley, where L ; the for- lensions of lother five is a fine ptists. It )dation of methodist i» > ,t I I; f ! J BAPTIST CHURCH, AUDUEN. ROCHESTER. 267 churches are respectable, and the aspiring, owers by which the buildings are surmounted, adorn as dsua! the beautiful landscape, and relieve the wearied eye. Rochester, a few miles onward, is a surprisine t«™. It has sprang, as by a magic touch, from the forest smee 1812. It has now, or soon will con- tain, 20,000 inhabitants. Among others of maeni- tude .t has two baptist churches, which are incorpo- med m the Munroe association. The second, under .he care of Mr. Gallusha, is a friendly sepLration from the first recently deprived of its pastor, Dr Corns tock, by Jlness. One of the ardent revivalists with the assistance of his lady, collected a few «iont,s ago about 500 children in this place, whom eydescnbedas regenerated. My inquiries, amidst c nfl,ct.ng evidence, induced the conclusion that wide only comparatively few were converted and Jo™ the different churches, the whole numb"' ''ere for a t,me assiduously, and perhaps successfrilv in »7m • f """ >"^tr„ctions may be sancti- «• The different congregations united, and I had Aeoppor umty of preaching to a large assemblyln 'le second presbyterian church. ^ Baptist as well as other churches, though small ,t -tabUshed at Mendon, Canand;igua!ld S i, 1„?V" ^T'^^' "'""gh it be enchanting, with l«v.iy villages, and lovelier lakes, is adorned m ^mfi'i'mm I? ''t \U :i ) 258 AUBURN. with moral and spiritual verdure. A curious as- semblage, or rather regular succession of churclies, bordering the street, is seen in Geneva ; episcopal, •presbyterian, Dutch reformed, baptist, methodist, universalibt, 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 erec- ted, in which I preached twice. Doubtless, itcontains 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 presby- terian place in the evening, where he delivered a discourse on temperance, and compelled me to add an address. I had much fraternal intercourse with AUBURN. 259 my friend, who is now a professor in the college at Auburn ; and the next day, visited the celebrated penitentiary in company with him, Dr. Mills, Mr. Smith the chaplain, and others. I was deeply in- terested—saw the delinquents working at their dif- ferent trades -inspected their cells— inquired into several cases of crime— witnessed their silent dinner, and the whole management of this excellent insti-' tution. Mr. Smith conducts worship on the sabbath raornmg, and calls at each of their cells for conver- sation 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 seminary. They go beyond the cautious estimate of Mr. Smith, and believe that ^«Z/ their class are christians. I had an interesting meeting with the students on the Mon- day evening, at which Dr. Cox presided. I addres- sed and prayed with forty-five young men devoted to tk christian ministry. May I be alloA. ed to say, we parted with tears flowing from all eyes ! Dear and distant brethren, farewell ! We have found, as in other cases, earth a painful parting place ; after our respective (may they be successful!) labours here we shall find heaven a glorious meeting place, and with unspeakable joy, shall present the trophies of our ministerial achievements at the feet of an ap- proving God ! ^ We travelled through Brutus, Elbridge, and Ca- milius, at each of which places is a congregational and baptist church, to Syrpcuse. A slight accident on tne road served to illustrate the Au^erican character IjT T — r*v<-«ppMp 260 SYRACUSE. ! I and habits. Our poor waggon broke down ; wu fled to a miserable looking out-bouse occupied bv some wheelwrights, a small house adjoining being their home. They devoted two hours to us 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 informa- tion 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 hanpy 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 jusi left his home on a journey, I could only, therefore, rap at his door ; but could the sound have been prolonged till his return, it would have told him of a brotherly interest in his welfare and that of the church. I was unfortunate again at the village of Cazenovia, eight miles farther, in missing our brother Leonard, who had a church there of about 240 or 250 members ; but the occasion of his absence we learnt in a pleas- ing hour's conversation with his wife. He was gone to confer with his co-agent, the Rev. John Peck, and some ministerial friends, respecting his new appoint- CAZENOVIA LOG CITY. 261 ment to the Home Missionary Society of the State Convention. They are to pay a distinct visit to pro- mote the objects of the society, to each of the churches, of which there are upwards of 700 in the state of New York. At this place all the denomi- nations are m union and attend each other's meetintrs The revivals have terminated well-in sound and lasting conversions. There is, besides, in the dis- trict of Cazenovia, a church of more than 300 mem- bers, under the pastoral superintendence of Mr Peck. I found also a church at Morrisville, where I slept at the house of brother Johnson. An hour or two of travelling in the morning brought us to Log City or Eaton ; the change of circumstances having occasioned a new name to be given to the village. Log houses, which were first erected in this beautiful valley, have now yielded to the character- istic buildmgs of the country, white painted houses with green shutters, with churches whose tin covered domes sparkle in the sunshine. I had a gratifying mterview with elder J. Smitzer. He has been con siderably engaged in revivals, both here and at his ormer residence, the village of Delphi, a few miles distant. He read me the covenant which they are accustomed to use. It is similar in most of the churches, and is renewed once a month. It consists the mutual agreement of members in christian elWship, to fulfil the obligations which their rela- tionship to each other and to God involves The - covenant meeting," which is held by most he churches once a month, resembles a special Church prayer and experience meeting. The Satur- it :J 2G2 WATERVILLE. 1 t 1 1 ■ 1 a tsB 1 1 J i 1 i i ■ day preceding the administration of the Lord's sup- per, is the evening frequently preferred. At Delphi a revival occurred in 1830, when 116 persons were baptized, besides forty, who joined the 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 great 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. Hartshome, pastor of the baptist church at Waterville. There are, besides, two others ; the one presbyterian, the other methodist. So'ae have facetiously pro- posed to change the designation of the town to Whiskeyville, on account of the distilleries. The number of these manufactories is reduced, hut there is no material diminution in the ^^aantity 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 here, among others the following : A few dissipated young men resolved on having a frolic at one of the WATERVILLE. 263 protracted meetings, in which indications of revival were apparent, and the anxious seat was employed. These thoughtless worldlings arranged among them- selves that one of them should pretend to be con- verted, and that the others should play their proper parts in what they intended to enjoy as a laughable comedy. The sol(^mnity of the proceedings, how- ever, disconcerted them. One of their number did stop tlie 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 providence and grace • and learn not to judge of the divine proceedings by the preconceptions of our own minds, but by the evi- dence of fact and the principles of Scripture? My separate journey terminated at Utica. e town to Bi 264 ! "p ' i I CHAPTER VIII. DR. HOBY'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 loco- motive art. A few years ago, and to ordinary travel- lers the contemplated tour was all but impracticable; the wild natives of the forest themselves, would not have dreamed of its accomplishment in the short space of five or six weeks ; now, the entire tour of the States is an easy excursion. The inhabitants of the rocky shores of New England, may leave their homes in tlie early spring, visit the chief cities, and reach the most southern attractions, so as to ascend the Missisippi, and diverging from that direct track, see the Indian territory, and yet return to the chain of northern lakes before the oppressive heat of EST. :o the word ton, for the to be de- ! beginning ate of New- appearance surface ex- 1 the loco- lary travel- >ractieable ; , would not i the short :ire tour of labitants of leave their ' cities, and s to ascend irect track, Q the chain ^e heat of ' Pi t IM II 1 r ! I PROVIDENCE CHURCH, RHODE ISLAM ^^SSBkil.. I I summei of thos( icv han( canals. influeric improve effectual Emigrar enormiti christian crowds t fully exp against £ the weal^ ness mils for Provi the eveni] Dr. Way] Newport. niarkably ject at th( an intervi baptist ch have been 1 hurried tending, if Harrisbur^ in consequ ^ination ol 'ivited, ani lenient del f was irr HABHISBCHOH. 266 summer overtakes them. The refreshing navigation of those mland seas then brings them back, ere the ■cvhand of winter again enchains their rivers and canals, fh.s hvmg stream will probably exert an mfluence upon slave states, and contribute to the ,.nprove„,ent and security of the Indians, more effectually than the tide of permanent settlers. Emigrants m quest of gain soon acquiesce in enornufes wh.ch at first shock them; but if ehr,s.,an and philanthropic tourists, among the cr was that shall move in this vast circle, will faith! St Tu!, ^"r'^r "" '''^'^'■^^^' --i p™«** gamst all unjust and oppressive conduct toward ihe weak and defenceless, the cause of righteous ness ,n„st ere long prevail. I took my dLrLre" or Provdence on the 3d of June, and hiving spe„ theevenrngandpartof the next day with our frS Dr. VVayland I proceeded by the steam-boat ,o Newport. We were here detained by a fog so ' l-rkably dense, as to veil from view evty ob" Ft a the distance of only a few yards. I elyed » .n erv,ew with Mr. Dowling, Ihe pastor of £ ta.s church, and saw some of his friends-they a e been recently blessed with great prosperitv ™e through New York to kiladdphi f ..msburgh. This was an object of some importance ^ c n,eq„e„ee of an engagement to attend the or' taation of Mr. Wilson, to which I.r Cox h=,H 1, ;;«,»d^^which, I feared, might oc^:-;^^^^^^^ f "as greatly indebted to Mr. James of Philadel- N I 266 HARRISBURGH. phia, a deacon ofMr.Kennard's church, for kind atten- tions, hy which I was enabled immediately to proceed on my journey; but one disappointment, accident or interruption after another, left me only to regret not liaving remained in that city, or at the flourishing town of Lancaster, which we had not yet visited. On arriving at Harrisburgh, I was most kindly received at the house of Mr. Fahnestock. Several ministers were expected to attend the ordination, and to hold a series of meetings with a view to the revival of the church. The baptists are few in numbers; their place of v^orship is commodious, though not large — it is well built, with a school room under- ' neath, and occupies a lovely site on the bank of the river. About forty members are united in fellow- ship. The prayer meetings, and tl 9 congregation on Lord's-day evening were good ; but to a stranger there was no indication of any thing to warrant the expectation of extraordinary results from the anti- cipated meetings, and the expediency of the attempt struck me as doubtful, but it was not possible to await the issue. The monthly Sunday school teacher's concert for prayer was held at this time. Some important topic is usually discussed, and that appointed was " The importance of teaching the evidences of religion in Sunday schools.'' It was proposed by the Rev. Mr. De Witt, pastor of the presbyterian church, 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 de- votpd pliristia.n minister, wbnep liiVinnrsnrpflblessinL^ HARRISBURGH. 267 to the whole city, I occupied a portion of the lime in offering a few remarks, and particularly adverted to the happy suggestion of thus extending the ran^e of Sunday school teaching. Mr. De Witt accompanied me to the capitol, and introduced me to Governor Uolf. At his request also, I was permitted to in- spect tlie original deed of grant from Charles II to Wilham Penn. Other parchments were, however ofgreatermterest; for, what was this munificence of the royal profligate, so lavish of what cost him nothing, m comparision with the integrity of the upright and honest man, who duly paid the In- dians an equivalent for their lands ? It sounds somewhat ludicrous, to run over the items delivered byPenn to the aborigines; but the gentleman who favoured me with a sight of the parchments, ^ave me mucl^ information relative to the whole transac- tion; from which it appeared that it was, all things considered, a tolerably equitable transaction. An- nexed to the names of the savage chieftains, are tieir emblems or devices, drawn by their own hands • the shapes of animals, or implements of war, appear Hide y traced, but not indistinct in resemblance. No doubt these figures served aanong themselves tlie purposes of a royal signet. The library is a spacious and rather elegant room • tlie collection of books, both in law and miscellaneou; iterature, is good; but it would be necessary for the eye to become familiar witJi the views of almost um-ivallcd beauty which the windows command 'before a profitable use could bo made of these fruits « t se wisdom of ages. The legislature not being- N 2 ^ I :-:' I'i !■ ,t i ■ ,j 1 268 HARRISBURGH. in session, the Chambers were in some confusion. Hancock's chair is here ; it is the same which this distinguished leader occupied when he signed the Declaration of Independence. I sat in it while con- versing with several gentlemen on the desirableness of everlastiiig peace and union between our respec- tive 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 seemed to divest the whole of that solemnity which pervades our courts, arising, in part, from cumbrous knd antiquated fashions. In this instance, the counsel speaking, was seated, in consequence of lameness ; but, a 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 {prok pudor!) the booted legs of another gentleman of the law. There are two galleries in the dome of the centre 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 Susquehannah wnid.-^ its majestic coi!r«(> amidst those romantic hills, and, as it sweeps along, TUNKERS. 269 washes the base of the elevated spot on which 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 pillars, have a very fine effect. In the journey to Harrisfcargh, 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 instances 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 Tunkers* and Dunkers, who were at this time holding their great annual association in the neighbourhood of Harrisburgh. I had determined on going to it ; but before a conveyance was procured, I ascertained that several of the leaders had already passed through the city on their return home, and that the meeting was dissolved. This was a great disappointment, in- asmuch 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.* rhll'^^'rV^^" ^''^' ^^^^' ^ controversy arose in the protestant ...«xxj ana ixuuund, m wnicn vigorous attempts 11' ■ 270 TUNKERS. Maintaining their nationality in the new world whither they had emigrated, like their countrymen in general, the Tunkers have net, as a sect, merged in, or coalesced with the American churches; they 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 opposed violently, and after having bestowed upon them, in ridicule, the epithet of pietists, they were suppressed, in their public ministrations and lectures, by the consistory of Wittemberg. Notwithstanding they were prohibited from promulgating publicly their views and principles, it led to inquiry among the people. This ;.tate ^of things continuing, many learned men, of the different univer- sities, left Europe, and emigrated to America, whilst others remained, and persevered in the prosecution of the work they had commenced with so much diligence. In the year 1708, Alexander Maek, 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 obligations it imposes on professing christians ; deter- mining to lay aside all preconceived opinions and traditional observances. The result of their inquiries terminated in the formation 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 enough to differ from the popular cliurch, some were driven into Holland, some to Creyfels in the duchy of Cleves, and the mother church voluntarily removed to Scrustervin in Frizland, and from thence emigrated to America in 1719, and dispersed to different parts, to German'«own, Skippeck, Oley, Conestogo, and elsewhere. They formed a church at Germantown in 1723, imder the charge of Peter Becker. The church grew rapidly in this country, receiving members from tht banks of the Wissa- hickon, and from Lancaster county; and soon after a church was established at Mill Creek.'* EPHRATA. 271 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 integrity of life ; but sound and scriptural religious knowledge, and vital godliness, there is great reason 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 dr-ss. and length of beard, as to bring into painfr^ 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 what lie designates " the first protestant monastery " in America. He has proved himself to be an able apologist, but the hope expressed at the conclusion, 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. ; ',m. I] iH '-11 " m 272 1! 1 4 ,,i '■ ' I f '1 1 i* .'f mn 9USQUEHANNAH. no VOW ( f celibacy was required, but the most unsullied virginity was extolled as the greatest of virtues, and marriage itself deplored as a pitiable downfal; there has been some modification of this sentiment, in modern 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 governirent' 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 prdinances, but practise them p- jcisely as they are instituted and made an example by Jesus Christ in his word." At this season of the year the Susquehannah is 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 banks. They are a race who claim the special attention of chrisiicJiiy, many of them havmg grown up in ignorar-ct., and from this va- grant habit of life, first floating idly down the stream, and then returning on foot, are cut ojflpfrom all opportunity of receiving instruction, or attend- ing divine worship. Societies are now formed, and are in active operation for their special benefit. From Harrisburgh, the river is crossed by a very CARLISLE. 273 long covered bridge, extending at least a mile, in- cluding 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 some huge vessel. As we looked down the broad stream, a very long train of oxen was seen stretch- inff 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 i-iver to some green islet, for the purpose of feeding on pasturage of which they are fond ; a habit which 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. The standing army is so small, it is said to be difficult to spare the few men necessary to keep these places in order. When will the nations of the old world dismiss their myriads trained to arms, to the usefid 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 well-built town, of flourishing aspect. I no sooner reached it than, guided by the sounds of the church-going bell, which n3 respectable-looking, well dressed 7oung woman, had been waiting for the stage, and -ad paid her fare to go forward by It to the place of iier 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 for- vvard his lady and two children in the stage, who accordingly got in . On hearing a plaintive entreaty and a harsh, angry, repulsive reply, my attention 270 COLOUIIKD WOMAN. wiiH (Jniwn to tlie coloured woman, who waH earnest in imploring |M!rniiHHion tojro; when tlie followint' (liah)|^ii<; look phice : — " I ho; • you will let me go, sir?" " ( tell you, you eun't." " Hut, sir, you liave taken my monciy!" " Wv,\\, you ean't ^o." " You have recciived my money, sir, and J think I ouf^ht to he i)ermitl(Ml to ^o, as I want very much to get home to-ni^iit." " You ean't ^o, I tell you ; there is no room for you." " 1 think there is room, sir." " There's no room for you, anJudice, which tlm sta,g(! nuister consulted ; or, pc^rhajis, it was that of th(^ lady's lord, who would not submit to the indignity of having liis wile and ciiildren fellow j)assengers with a coloured |)erson. However that may have Ihhui, wluni the driver's [jrcparations con- vinced me I could witiiess no more, 1 took the liberty to interpost;, saying in r('|)ly to tlu> last deci- sion, " there is no room for you," — " [ think we can nndie room for the young woman : at all events she shall have my place.^' (irrieved as I felt at the thought of evils indicted on this portion of my fellow- creatures, numyofwhom, too, are fellow christians, 1 could hardly forbear smiling at the dilennna into which the parties felt themselves so suddenly thrown ! Stupid as the blacks are said to be, I can ordy say, the young woman very ([uickly, hut with great propriety, availed herself of the onnortunity, lii RUNAWAY BLACK. 277 ml th« coach-door being open for my entrance, she (Tot in. 1 had no intention to be left behind ; and therefore, immediately followed. The gentlemen standing round the coach, seemed to be taken by HurpriHc : it was doubtless a singular occurrence • but before their prest^nce of mind returned, the driver was in Hufiicient self-possession to move off, and leave the discussion to those most concerned. 1 remarked two things when we had adjusted our- selves in the coach : first, then; was room in the staf?e, as wc; had not after all the full complement of passengers. Moreover, th(. lady, who would not have ulterfered to prevent the young woman from beirifr left behind, though so far as 1 could see, she herself was the cause of it, was willing enough to let tl.(. good tempered girl have the trouble of nursing all the way, and of trying to please and keep (jiuet :ers to the forms (d't^ovcnnnent atid regular discipline of the churches. These mioht, in some eases, constitute a majority in communities but recently foruu^d, and with c()m|)aratively few men of (»xperienct« and of sound ])ractical wisdom in the otHce of deacons. As churches, moreover, multi- plied taster than competent ])astors could be pro- cured, or than humuis for tluMr supj)ort could be raised, numy i»vils and inconveniences were to be anticipatt>d, and sonu* irivofularities were inevitable. When this incipient order of thino-s shall have had tinu« to settle ant> superseded, and, probably, by many is really 'it'niod, when tliey say, " there is no spirit nor divine "itinencc but the evidence which attends the truth;' «»>d it is to be feared that many, whose minds have o3 !■; 2f)8 HIIKLBYVILLE. uot iKuin woU diHcl|)lin«Ml, will teach this doctrine, as if they had " not ho much an htiurd whether tliere be any Holy (ihost." In rcl'rrcnco to l)a|>tiHin, or "the immersion " it wouhl chMirly not U) conipatihlo with these views to advocatis baptismal ref/cncration: und so far as I couhl Icarn, they arc not in the hahit of preaching it; hut that pardon is made sonu'liow todej)endonu Muhmission to this comnuind of ('hrist, is doubtless (au^dit. A very suhth' distinction is drawn by some, Ix'tween the divine act of justification, und u pleas- in*:; sens»» of foi'^iveness, and acceptance with God; hut tln^se ideas are nu)re confuse»l by others. An unirunnhMl and unqiudiiieti aihh'ess, but in which there is a distinct exinbition of tiie cross, no doubt often r(»sults in tlie hmiI conversion of some, who repent, believe, and are baptized; but many besides, are i»"athei*ed amonji: proh^ssed christians. It can iumlly be otherwise, when a preacher, perhaps. with ininiilabh' simplicity of styh?, and calm solenm addn^ss, pit'st^nts the sacriii(^^ of Christ, as the urand provision for our salvatit)n ; and follows it up by sayinu', *' iNow if yt^u ludieve this, and are willing to submit to the imnuM'sion comnuinded, which I mn pivpared here Hnpportunity would allow. I nnurned from the western states with the convic- tion that all which was truly jrood about the whole system, which hui< assunu^d the style and title oi *' refonHed^' iu our deuomination, is old: and all LOUISVILLE. 299 ijiiit is really entitled to be considered new, has little liesitles its novelty to recommend it. Louisville surprises the traveller who has been dreaiuincr only of a distant wilderness, through which tlio Ohio rolls its waters so tranquilly, till ihey ur(« rultted and broken by the rocks at these falls. A blue ]ine of hills denotes your approacli to the rivor, which 1ms wound its way round the state whioh it bounds for a distance of nearly 200 miles since you left it at Maysville. It is much wider at this bond than in most other places, and presents altoirethcr a new character, from the rapids, which interrupt navigation except when the water is high. The city is not onlydesthied to be the diief townin Kentucky, but on the Ohio ; and is said to be fast takino- the lead of Cincinnati. It is a place of great commeroial 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 first-rate magnitude. It appears surprising that however well selected the site may be in other respects, it should have been cliosou above the falls. This inconvenience is now remedied by a canal, and the buildings will gradu- ally extend as low as Shipping Port and Portland. I wjis indebted to Mr. Quarey for kind entertain- ment and much information, and having ascertained that Mr. Willson was prevented from going to Newcastle by the sudden illness of his wife, he •inwe Hie to his house. The baptist church mav be i^g^rded as divided into two branches, for althoiicrh ffte blacks have a separate place of worship, and t^o 300 LOUISVILLE. H : 5 ? [ ■ pastors or preachers, Henry Smith and Jerry Sample their affairs are managed by a committee of whites. 1 was sorry to leave without seeing tliem, 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 falls 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 with a sea ; I thought we must have grounded, but the pilot took us safely through the brief perils. Having reached New Albany, not more than five miles distance, we were detained seven hours. This rising town contains already 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 the care of other churches. This custom presents a singular contrast to that which obtains among our Welsh brethren, where the different branches at various places form but one church, though there may be many preach- ers ; here the churches are separate and ind pendent, and the pastor is a pluralist. Great inconvGnieriees NEW ALBANY. 301 anvcnienees 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 pastoral or ministerial service, is, so far !wmy observation extended, slanderous. If the evil ^0 conscientiously deplored by many is not daily .iiminishing, it is because the churches continue so rapidly to multiply. There never w^as -^ ire hope- ful prospect of providing an adequate supply of competent pastors. Among the amusing incidents of this voyage, I may mention a compliment paid me by a fellow passenger, who, addressing a friend, remarked of me, that I spoke English pretty well for an Eng- lishman! Much agreeable chat satisfied me that they were seriously of opinion, very few English 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 own grammar; on the contrary, I promised to detect Inmm half a dozen blunders in less than half an hour. Our engine continued its rough hoarse snort at every stroke of the piston in a disagreeable manner but 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! spent a feverish and uncomfortable night, and ■■¥'' i ( 'hit 302 THE OHIO. ■ whether from the paint, or the state of the atmo- sphere, or the almost intolerable heat, I imao-ined myself seriously ill ; and could not divest myself of apprehensions of cholera, which the following cir- cumstance increased. A gentleman on board, of rather melancholy and dejected appearance, en- gaged my sympathy ; he conversed very freely rela- tive to his forlorn situation. Many years of his life had been spent in Missouri, where at length ho found himself m.aster of a large farm, to be inherited by two or three sons. He was thinking of devolv- ing upon the eldest more of his cares, and relievinij himself and his 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 ton-, which he did in company with his beloved and pi nising eldest son. He had derived benefit from the change, and was aboat 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 had no sooner 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, returning to his desolate home, in a more forlorn state than when he left it. I endeavoured to lead him to the God of all conso- lation ; and was happy to find that he was not a stranger to the principles, which dictated the lan- guage, " though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him" — " The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. x was introuuccu to uii acQuaiiituiiCC witii a THE OHIO. 303 .■■M H im 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 in wood,' and landmg our cargo at different towns on *the banks. They were almost exhausted with the un- accustomed labour, when a subscription was aised 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 would listen to him. I was invited into the ladies' cabi. and re- quested to conduct the devotions of the evening. The associations were overpowering! To find a l)ethel 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 (lehghtful. Others of a different description were on board ; men of infidel principles, in quest of the tavoured region where the lamp of truth is extin- guished, that mortals may walk in the light of their oMn fire and in the sparks they kindle. These were on their way to ISew Harmony, hoping to weathe an element more congenial, and to find associates more agreeable, than where the pre- judices of cliristianity prevailed. I blush to say that^ liere, as on other occasions, my country was ^med by oneof her sons, a coarse, vulgar, atheisti- 1 ' i ^'ii 304 EVANSVILLE. ■f 1 i cal objector. The works of Miss Wright and other infidel writings were produced ; 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 " capacious credulity of infi. delity," 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 rela- tive to my route, and I was unable to make the ac- quaintance 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- quate acquaintance with these scattered churches, it would be necessary to travel through the country; I therefore learned with regret that the road to Harmony was not practicable, the flats being covered with two or three feet water. I returned to the boat, being advised to go to Mount Vernon, forty miles lower down, and not far from the embouchure of the Wabash, where I was happy to escape to shore in the middle of a very dark night. I found no regular church here, but had an interesting conversation with two or three persons who deplored the want of stated ministrations of the gospel : that want might be supplied by our denomination, as well as by others, if the baptist churches in these parts were happily freed from existing prejudices. Some of that com- i ' MOUNT VERNON. 305 munion are scattered here upon the banks of the river, but the association after having increased to twenty churches, and more than 800 communicants, a few years ago took alarm by the introduction of irhat once occasioned a like panic among our churches in England. They were not prepared for missions, bible societies, and other benevolent operations. Misguided opposition to these new and but little understood schemes of christian en- terprise, inflicted a blight upon them, from which they have but slowly recovered. Amidst the excitement occasioned by these con- troversies, some very absurd errors were taught by those who at the same time were the champions of the " anti-effort" party. Supralapsarian doctrines «ere commingled with the monstrous figment, that the non-elect are not literally the natural offspring of Adam, but that although Eve was their mother, the devil, who was eternal and self-subsistent, was their father. Much zeal had been manifested in this controversy ; and if such absurdities as those taught by Southcott and her followers, were not without abettors even in the episcopalian churches of Eng- land, it is not surprising that views of this descrip- tion, taught by men of good moral character and lionest zeal, should have produced lamentable effects amidst anew and scattered people, in the depths of these boundless forests, and removed hundreds of miles from the light of cultivated cities ! nor can it Redeemed incredible that even now the Mormonites make a few disciples* * The Mormons may be regarded as a race of fanatics ^»to are m no way connected with any portion of the baptists. 'Ai'i 306 MOUNT VERNON. The legislative spirit of the times, among chris- tians of all denominations, displayed itself in some of these associations, by rules against private chris- tians and churches harbouring such as by their own excepting that as they immerse their converts. From the information given me by a person who seemed strongly in- clined to join them, and from Mr. Peck, I was induced to diflFer in opinion with Mr. P. on the propriety of even so far countenancing this heresy, as to publish any exposure of its follies ; 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 1830, by a man named Smith. The character of the engraving was that of some unknown tongue, and Smith professed to have been suddenly and mira- culously gifted to translate it. He did so, and published an English version of the " Book of Mormon," or " The Golden Bible 1 " In point of style, this production is about as close an approximation to that of the New Testament, as the Koran is to tlie 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 game 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. The 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 : Avritten by command- ment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Written 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 interpretation thereof ; sealed by the hand of Moroni," &c. &c. An angel is said to have pointed out the place where these plates were concealed, and eleven witnesses attest the fact of having seen and examined them. The Mormons are a sect of Millenarians, having high-priests, elders, bishops and NEW HARMONY. 307 efforts appeared to take the work of God out of his own hands. Jealousy of the divine honour led to another remarkable result ; they would not tolerate the existence of an authority which could at plea- sure abrogate or set at defiance the authority and laws of God ; accordingly, some of their rules not only prohibited the holding of slaves, but also corre- sponding 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 is yielding to the influence of growing illumination. As the noxious exhalations of their own unwholesome swamps are dispersed by the clearings of the forest which admit the liglit of the sun, and the winds of heaven, that their beautiful river may roll its bright and healthful waters through a paradise ; so the mo- ral gloom is yielding to the untiring efforts of zea- lous and pious advocates of wisdom and knowledge. It may be in part ascribed to these circumstances, that the advocates of infidelity have met with partial success. The true church was paralysed, and did not encounter the adversary with specific and appropriate weapons of the spiritual warfare. I proceeded to New Harmony by the stage. The deacons, who are sent forth on their ministry after the manner jn which Christ sent his disciples, and in the mean time the families of these missionaries are supported by the church In their ministry they dweU chiefly on the anticipated millennium, and many enthusiasts have made great sacrifices in expectation ot the speedy coming of Christ to reiffn nersnnallv r>n fl,» earth. " ■-■ ^ -■ ~ " w .,.p"ip»^ f } : 1 1 f' 1 ! 308 NEW HARMONY. road was in many places a track of deep mud, wind- ing amidst the most magnificent trees. While con- templating their massive vegetation, the value of the 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 un- derstand that in his judgment those noble trees ren- der that rich soil at present valueless, — they set at defiance both fire and the axe ! The country about Harmony is not so heavily timbered, nor does the land appear so good ; and the town itself, though well situated, presents symptoms of decay. The largest building, which was Rapp's church, is much out of repair, and some houses and stores are empty. Not- withstanding the failure of Mr. Owen's " social sys- tem" project, the place is still the resort of infidelity. Most of those who on this account prefer the settle- ment, are from the old country ! The church, and buildings, added, now constitute the theatre, mu- seum, and assembly rooms ; and although there is a population of nearly 1,000, there is no house of prayer nor any stated preaching. I could hear only of one private residence which was occasionally opened for worship, vl^en a methodist minister chances to travel throujjh. 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 authority might be adduced, not for this opinion only, but for tlie striking contrast in the general character of the community from that which preceded it. There is THE WABASH. much amusement and little toil, giving to the surface of society an air of hilarity, while there is said to be but little real prosperity and contentment. The tes- timony I received was, that in no place in the union was education more talked about and less attended to: and that the youth were for the most part vi- cious, vulgar, and profane. It seems that the whole has dwindled into a mere land speculation, and what- ever loss may have been sustained, the gentlemen whom I saw riding about like the lords of the ma- nor, will probably recover, by the gradual sale of sections of their estate to new settlers, whose im- provements will continue to increase the value of the remainder. I hired a dearborn, or small waggon with one horse, to travel to Albion and Vandalia, or Vin- cennes. The Wabash was greatly overflowed, and Fox Island was flooded, so that it was necessary to descend the stream, and then ascend Fox river against a strong current. The ferry-boat seemed scarcely capacious enough for a larger waggon and a pair of stout horses belonging to another traveller, and we were to land, if we could, just where the late Mr. Birkbeck lost his life, during a similar flood. After one or two attempts this was with difficulty effected, the horses were up to their knees in water, 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 seat in the large waggon, when with all the pride of a backwoodsman having in his care one »vho had never before witnessed a ramble like this, i lA 1 f 1 J i , ) J ft { T _ 1 , : i ; 1 I V I I f 310 ENGLISH PRAIRIE. and was every moment doubtful both of the direc- tion and of the practicability 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 particulaiiy in that of his horses ; and many a young tree was made to bend or break under our axle. I was nevertheless amused when he was dependent upon me for a knife, having lost his own, to cut himself free from the vines which had effectually entangled his beasts, twining round their necks and legs, — they were as 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 providentially had not got out of hearing. In this dismal swamp the air seemed impregnated with decayed wood, and the horses, stung to madness, stamped into existence myriads of musquitoes from the stagnant waters. The novelty of my situation was amusing, but ^ had no wish to repeat such an experiment. With only once placing my portmanteau on the seat from the apprehension that my vehicle would be floated, and one repair, by tying a broken axle-tree, we reached English Prairie, in Illinois. These lakes of pasture are bdunded bv coasts of forest, and numerous herds thrive on the rich herbage in which they may lie concealed ; or if the land be wanted for tillage, with the roughest preparation, one crop of Indian i,:„i, ;n -.^,^i„ CUi'ii, » incii mil aiiipxv ALBION. 311 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. Tliey 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 us dreamed of an interview in the Prairies of Illinois ! I visited friends of my former days at Wam- borough, and called upon many estimable and intel- ligent residents of the neighbourhood. An air of comfort and prosperity pervaded every dwelling; while it was evident that what was enjoyed, was the fruit of their own independent ^industry. It would bean egregious mistake, for persons to emigrate to these remote prairies, if they purposed depending much upon hired labour for their luxuries, or even for their comforts. Judging from the names given to the roads around Albion, it might be supposed it was a city of no ordinary dimensions, but as we drove along Bond-street, I did not observe a single house. The name of the prairie and of the town prepares one to find a truly English settlement, and there is much of the manners and the mind, which would adorn any society in the father-land ; but where was the temple of God? It struck me with no small degree of surprise, that so many of my coun- t^Tnen should have erected for themselves not laerely commodious, but elegant residences, for J ... ^s^^ V--«iii.i J, rrxviiuut SCCUX"lIig a piaCG n t i I I k ,y:iiii 312 ALBION. for the worship of God ! There is a convenient town-hall, or court-house, where worship might be statedly held ; but I believe nothing has been 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 the 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 their civil institutions on the principles taught in scrip- ture! A request that I would stay and preach on Lord's day was cheerfully complied with ; wh6n I took the libertv of urging a solemn regard to divine worship; lest by laying the very foundations of society, in this its elementary state, in a neglect of God and his gospel, their names should be handed down, desecrated, to posterity. May God dispose the hearts of some to undertake what can be done for his own glory ! There is a small baptist church not very far from Albion, but I could not hear of any lying in the route which I now found it necessary to keep. I had secured accommodation for Sunday night at the house of Col. Mills, instead of returning to Mr. Orange's. I wished to see the Rev. Mr. Bliss, a presbyterian clergyman, of whom I had been in- formed, and to hear or preach for him, as the case might l3e ; it was also more on my way towards Vincennes. I parted with my beloved friends in fViii ryidof /-»f a nrnirip tn mppt. nprhans nO ffiOre ILLINOIS. 313 upon earth. It was to me an affecting adieu; to them much more so. I was leaving them to return to the land of our fathers, to our kindred and friends ; but they were to remain, separated by the wide Atlantic from those most dear to them. May all at last meet in the regions where there is " no more sea 1 " By some means my driver failed in discovering Mr. Bliss's church ; and on reaching Col. Mills's I was mortified to learn that we had passed him on the road. I was still more sorry to find that my host had been deeply regretting his not having been made acquainted with my calling as a minister, they would have been so highly gratified to have assem- bled a congregation, and have enjoyed a religious service. I smiled at the idea of a congregation in a spot so remote, and inquired whence they were to be gathered ? where convened ? and how sum- moned ? He told me that a blast of his horn would have quickly brought a considerable number under a grove opposite his house. It was unhappily too late to witness so interesting a scene. Section III, Albion to XJtica. J,000, which .s rapidly increasing. The metko- - .... .xxust iiumerous religious body, having 314 ILLINOIS. 'it I 70 circuits, and 150 local preachers, with 14,000 members. There are sixty presbyterian churches, forty-eight preachers, and 2,(X)0 communicants. In ten congregations of Roman Catholics, there are 5,000, including all ages. The other denominations, except the baptists, are at present inconsiderable; the episcopalians having very few societies and ministers, and the congregationalists not many more, both together not amounting to thirty. The places of worship are small, but are multiplying and improving among all parties. Very conimendablu efforts are making to establish sunday schools, and the cause of education generally is taken up with intelligence and spirit, promising the happiest re- sults. The enlightened advocates of energetic measures assembled at Vandalia, in 1834, to fur- ther this object, so essential to the prosperity of the state, availed themselves of all the experience of| the older republics. Some members of the baptist churches take an| active part in these movements, aijd are in other re- spects influential. They have twenty associations, containing 200 churches, in which 135 ministers are employed ; and the communicants are about 6,000. Whatever evils exist in neighbouring states, are I found in the churches here, but it is a growing i opinion, and, as it appeared to me, well founded, that "reformers" and " regulars," and '* christians, '* which latter are mostly arians, will soon cease to| exert their disturbing influence on the general body. rruy. A>«f oirtloWp IB nrnnminced as in Christ. X tit isi!r5 ■\m:'ttm\{r ILLINOIS. 315 The missionary, bible, tract, and education societies are finding new supporters every day. * The want of an educated ministry, wholly de- voted to the pastorate of the churches, and sup- Frted by them, is more felt; and coiresponding Arts are made to supply, as well as to increase thf Jemand for such. Another generation will not be satisfied with the vis.t of a minister once in a month to spend two days preaching in some hovel, or pri- ™te house, or in a grove. The churches, indeed, «mble forprayer when the preacher is absent ; o^ Mlow h,s movements, and worship at one of his netghbourmg churches, if not too distant; or min- g.ew.th the nearest congregation of another deno- .na.o„. wh,ch may happen to h,ve preaching; ta these expedients are going out of fashion Th ty years ago there were not 10,000 settlers Mation could have established a different Among the auspicious efforts of the baptists, is naiton semmary and college. Our enterpris n^ EJd nt:*!^^^^^^^^^^ isthep„tK.> f far west eighteen years, and l„ »thor of a very valuable gazetteer of Illinois J man IS better acquainted with the grea vanlv *.s particular meridian. The trustee?: AuZ »Jmore than 300 acres of land, on which already Li: :r^ two.story bnck building with st ne [rasement is erected. Amons- th» fift,, -.,. j-«^ are studying for the minist"^,"a.^d Xls 'Mi Sf M \ii I 316 ILLINOIS. 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 buildings rise as by magic— infidel principles are artfully instilled into the minds of our sons; and nunneries with fashionable boarding schools, sui rounded with every fascination, will mould the feelings and morals of our daughters— so that when they become mothers, they may teach all their little ones to be good and loyal subjects of his holiness at Rome." This note of alarm is seen in print, m every conceivable form ; it is heard on platforms and in pulpits, and in every social circle. Missouri more than Illinois, is said to present evidence that j it is not mere conjecture. It is added, - Pass down the Missisippi, and on both sides of this great river to the Gulf of Mexico, you will find the same measures in train; the same plans to control the interests of education." I It is remarkable, that the baptist churches oti iUiiiois, more than twenty years ago, were first di- vided on the subject of slavery ; many of them ILLINOIS. 317 would enter into no compromise or correspondence with associations where " the spirit and practice of involuntary y perpetual, hereditary slavery prevailed." The other party would not consent to restrict their associational intercourse within the limits from which slavery was excluded by law, but wished to co-operate with their brethren in Missouri and Ken- tucky—hence the rupture, which has been , gra- vated by differences on ol , -^ topics, ever since 1818, when the subject of mih. ns was introduced. A few slaves, brought into Illinois bef re the revolu- tionary war, are still living ; they cannot be sold out of the state, and their children are free. There are also several hundred " indented coloured servants." Besides these apprentices for a term of years, there are about as many free blacks, making a total of not more than 1.500, The free people have mostly been manumitted in slave states, and consequently have been obliged to leave them : their numbers increased so fast from this cause, laws were passed for the pur- pose of keeping them out : they were required to do what was obviously an impossibility, viz. to give bonds that they would never become pau pers. With great regret I turned my face toward the 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 l-oreign Missions ; while there he established a 318 ILLINOIS. 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 over his brethren, as a separate baptist church. They have since built a chapel, thirty-six by forty feet ; have 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 Scotchman, a graduate of Glasgow University. The pastor, Mr. Meachum, is no ordinary man; he was originally a slave in Kentucky, and having first purchased his own time, and then secured his free- dom, he next bought his aged father, from Virginia, who was a godly man, and had been a baptist preacher forty years ! Having removed to St. Louis in 1816, with only $^ remaining, he left his wife and children slaves ; but did not forget them, nor their bonds. By incredible industry and economy as a cooper and carpenter, for eight long weary years, he at length in 1824, by the goodness and mercy of God, was enabled to purchase his wife and children ! A history like this speaks volumes to America and to Britain ! How many thousands of equally noble specimens of human nature, lay ciaiiu ILLINOIS. 319 to an African origin ! But did the solicitude of the man of God, on the subject of slavery, terminate here? Rescued himself from bonds, was he in prosperity as oblivious of his former companions in tribulation, as was Pharaoh's butler of Joseph ? No; his Lord and Master had distinguished him with considerable worldly wealth, in consequence of the rise in the value of lands, which when he was enabled to purchase, were of little worth ; and one use he makes of his wealth is to purchase slaves ! — He buys, but never sells. When a family of them, in distress and agony at the prospect, are about to be sold, and sepaiated, his heart has learned to feel, his eye to pity, and his hand to help : he becomes the purchaser ; gives them the opportunity to pay their own price ; goes to the court and takes proper steps for their freedom. He is now legally the owner of twenty slaves, mostly children, to whom he shows paternal kindness, while he protects them, and prepares them for destined liberty. Secular affairs, under all these circumstances, absorb much of his time, but he is the humble, pious, and devoted pastor of a church of 200 members. The manumission of slaves, and the cause of 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 320 ILLINOIS. 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. In leaving Illinois I met with another adventure, the conser^uences 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 we should diverge far into the forest, keeping the track of other wheels, which we did not observe. When 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 ; he began to plunge, and threatened to lie down. It happened that a horseman with a flock of sheep was in the road ; I implored his assistance still further to dilapidate the bridge by rolling toward us two or three logs. By these I contrived to leave the wag- gon, and being left to my resources, I completed ray raft by using more timber, so as to venture on lightening the dearborn of my luggage. This was no sooner effected, than my young driver, screaming at the top of his voice, ^' Ah! Joe, Joe, (the name of the horse) you rascal you, what are you about, Joe !*' vanished out of my sight. They were soon far away in the wood, and in due time made their INDIANA. 321 appearance at the end of the bridge, in a plight as forlorn and ludicrous as can well be imagined. All was speedily adjusted, and we reached the Wabash at Lavallette's Ferry, I had not anticipated diffi- culty on the Indiana side of the Wabash, but it proved a hazardous excursion. Two or three times we drove through what appeared widely extended lakes of considerable depth, without a trace of r(!ad ; recovering the track as we could, on the other side: it appeared as if all the promise of a harvest was en- tirely swept away. Vincennes is an old trench settlement. It is a handsome town— the catholic chapel or cathedral is the most im^K)sing building. Just before my visit, the last baptist family of the old church had joined the " reformers, " I was told the work was tho- roughly effected in that town, but there never had been many in communion. The journey across Indiana, I performed by the stage, in a very poor state of health, and greatly fatigued. We were two days on the road, each day starting between two and three in the morning, to go 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 avoid- ed; and some of the mud holes were so deep, that the hind wheels sunk to the axle, as the weight was thrown back by the struggles of the horses. The churches, of whicli I could learn any thing, 'eem to have built their places of worship, so thit "minister could serve three or four, which should be '•espectively within reach of a considerable number p3 I , : i»1 322 CINCINNATI. I I of the members. School-houses are frequently seen, and there is great demand for more competent teachers. The farms are ill-looking, 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 lands, were careless of improvement. This was a time of great scarcity ; I was assured that many of the teams had not been fed with oats for days, and were starving on a short supply of inferior hay. It is quite possible for too large a proportion of capital to be absorbed in manufactures. While the population of America increases by millions, it will be a momentous object in political economy, to adjust the employment of capital and labour, so as to secure improvements in agriculture. 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. Perhaps this circumstance aggravated my own symp- toms, so that it was with difficulty I could occupy Mr. Wilson's pulpit, on my arrival. I ascended the Ohio to Cincinnati, and having been welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. W. Orange, who would have detained me as their guest, I found my home with Mr. Lynd, the pastor of the Sixth Street baptist church. His estimable wife was the daughter of the revered and beloved Staughton, whose valuable memoirs have recently appeared from the able pen of Mr. Lynd. The church of which he is pastor, is in a flourishing state , it was formed by a secession from a " reformed" church. Although of i20 bap- CINCINNATI. 323 tised in three years, sixty have left the town, to travel further west, there are 259 mombers. The associa- tion with which this church is connected, is so im- pregnated with the aiitinomiaTi leaven, it was ex- pected that at the next meeting, this, and one or two other churches would be withdrawn from, for their countenance of missions. The Enon church, under the pa loral care of Mr. Cook, is also pros- perous, having 200 members. There is a baptist church of fifty coloured people, which was formed from Enon; it has a pastor, and like the sister churches, supports a well-conducted sunday-school. Considerable efforts are made to instruct the blacks. One large school which I visited, and which I was assured was a fair specimen of others, presented as respectable, attentive, and intelligent a body of chil- dren, and young people, as I ever saw convened for the same purposes. I was gratified with the in- structions given, so far as a brief observation enabled me to judge. The statements of the superintendent and 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 botli communities united, and the two pastors, with their EngliHU visitor, officiated . 1 preached in each of the 1 ' i t 1 I ; 1 1 1 i i 324 CINCINNATI. houses, which are good and spacious ; one of them sixty-live 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,(X)0. 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- tion, November 6, 1833. During the sittings at that period, not only was a constitution formed, but a series of reports were prepared, and subsequently printed, admirably adapted to awaken the churches from their arpor. The first anniversary in 1834, was not less interesting than the first meeting. Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, were repre- sented in the first assembly, held at Mr. Lynd's, and many influential brethren were present, as delegates, from the eastern states. At the conven- tion of 1834, representatives from Tennessee and Missouri united. The proposed objects are, "to survey tiie wide field of action lying before tiie CINCINNATI. 325 denomination, to exchange and harmonize views on the great objects of effort, and excite new interest and energy." Emanating from tliis convention, " The Western Baptist Education Society" promises to exert the most powerful and happy influence throughout the western churches, by training up a competent ministry. A conviction of the need of this, has been deepening and spreading among them for many years ; and there will no longer be cause to regret the want of general co-operation. The sub- ject was introduced in the first meeting, and referred to a special committee in the second. Alton seminary was generously offered by its trustees, who were authorised to make over the whole property, worth ,^8,000; but it has been finally decided to fix the location of a new institu- tion on the Kentucky side of the Ohio, but not far from Cincinnati. One hundred and twenty acres of land are obtained, which 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 the wealthy and lite- rary members of our churches. How great a change is this from the period, when, in consequence of prejudices against education, the influential baptists of the west declined the offer of Lane seminary! Mr. Lynd accompanied me to Dr. Beccher's, who was not at home, and I was not so happy as to see Iiim during my stay. The presbyterian theological institution, of which he is president, has been in a -ate of the greatest excitement : half the students r i. ril M 1 i i 1 i ! »i ill ||JM|tjJMK 326 CINCINNATI. have retired from it, in consequence of their deter- miiirt; on to maintain anti-slavery principles and proceedings. They assert, " we have scrupulously performed all seminary duties, as our instructors will testify. We are not aware of having done any thing which could have been left undone, with- out a su/ieuUer of principle. On the contrary, we mourn that we hn,ve done so little, and suffered so little, for those who have lost every thing in 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 school teaching, to keeping evening schools, and maintaining 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 character, they advert to the fact, that the Colonization Society has received the most avowed and public support, from president, tutors, and trustees. This animosity has given rise to much mutual severity ; but when fifty-one young men append their names to a statement of reasons for retiring from this one seminary, to which more names would have been appended but for distance, and when it is known that similar views arc cherished by many students in other colleges, it is impossible to resist the conviction that slavery must be abolished. There was nothing worthy of the name of a celebration on ine 4ih ui Juiy, wj- v/iiivin^ 10 + 1 TliH m CINCINNATI. 327 only attempt was the tricking out of the carmen and their horses with a few ribbons, and the ascent of a balloon. In the early part of the day, I had been (not unwillingly) drawn into controversy on the subject of emancipation. I endeavoured to maintain the title of the black population, though of African origin, to those rights of men about to be proclaimed. The wild project of shipping off the coloured people to Africa was strenuously main- tained, 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- 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 body of fine-looking men, who wore blue coats and white trowsers, before I noticed the contrast of the coal-black countenances of many of them with their snow-white linen. I soon saw they were all co- loured people! This fact filled me with surprise, bi't how was it increased when the banners they carried were fairly in view ? On one was inscribed — " We by steam-boats live, and our families maintain." Another was a ship, intended to represent the first slaver which sailed to the American shores ! A third, displayed a kneeling negro; his chains were Wkeu off, and, lo! the genius of liberty hovered \ 'r m i 1 ' ( I 328 CINCINNATI. over the humble form, and was just about to place on his brows a chaplet of laurel ! I could scarcely credit the evidence of my own senses; but from my heart did I bless God, that my eyes had beheld that sight. I learned that many were offended, and scandalised, at such a procession ; but the parties were so truly respectable, and those who employed some of them so influential and detennined, that it was deemed expedient to let all pass. This was truly the right side of the Ohio ; and surely these cheerful notes of freedom will not always be responded to across the silver stream, with nought but groans from the slave, while he sighs, " Am I not also a man and a brother?" Cincinnati is a noble city, there is more display and air of elegance about it than in its rival Louis- ville, from the recent prosperity of which it had received a temporary check. Both appear destined to grow and prosper, though the latter will pro- bably become more of a wholesale and warehousint^ mart, to supply the west. It was in Cincinnati, Mr. Campbell so effectually controverted the opinions of Mr. Owen : here, too, Mr. R. Dale Owen failed of engaging the attention 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 numpirous dftvinps nf flip rlnv p DAYTON. 329 efforts had prove 1 sioo ularly powerless and unpro- ductive, there hy ^f .gthening the hope and con- fidence of the rfg Jar and settled churches. As the numbers ot ^ . se wedded to early habits Is diminished by de, fh, if not by some modification of their views ; a.- 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 lepose than in the stage, went to Dayton in the canal boat ; it was less fatiguing, but consumed another day. Hamilton is a good town and well situated on the banks of the canal ; there is a baptist church of about sixty members. We reached Dayton at live in the morning ; it is a thriving place of 5,000 inhabitants, remarkable for abundant water power, obtained by the junctions of Mad river, with the Miami. The streets are so wide as to spoil the general appearance, giving the whole a rambling and unfinished air. Division is not peculiar to the baptists here, but they are far from being united. In nearly all the towns I have seen in the west there are "reformed caurdies ;" most of the members of them with whom I conversed, were pious perscms, scarcely aware that any important I I i ! 11 II ( 330 DAYTON. difference existed between themselves and the regular baptist churches. I was in no instance invited to preach at any of their chapels. Mr. Clark has but a small church of forty members at Dayton, and is singularly unfortunate, inasmuch as while his people have been compelled to leave their place of worship, Avhich is held by the " re- formed," who are not much more numerous; his church is one of those which expects to be with- drawn from by their hyper-calvinistic brethren, who pride, themselves in the name of the " old school regulars." They at present worship in the same house with the German lutherans and the chris- tians ; but Mr. Clark preaches to another people, at New Carlisle, sixteen miles distant. The chris- tians are a large and in many places influential body* where tlie preacher uses the ordinary phraseology common to themselves and the ortho- dox, without touching upon controversy, there are many members of their churches who would unhe- sitatingly be admitted into any regular churches; but there are many who blend in communion with the reformed churches, who are decidedly arian in their opinions. The public school is taught by Mr. Barney, whose sisters superintend the female de- partment; they are members of the baptist church, and are held in deserved estimation as enlightened teachers. I much regretted that here, as else* where, in the west, the period of my visit was that of the vacation. So far as opportunities of obser- vation and inquiry presented themselves, the im- provement in the numbers and the qualifications ot COLUMBUS. 331 teachers appeared to be considerable. Where such teachers are members of churches, and known to be 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 schools will be supplied with such as having been educated for that profession, will greatly elevate their caPing. The manners, as well as the mind, will receive increasing attention, from those who are themselves more cultivated; and even the newest states threaten by far to outstrip our older country in provisions for universal and liberal education. Some of the reports on education and on home missions, exhibit most deplorable views ; but when the object is avowedly to rouse attention to specific wants of the community, the writer or speaker is sure to gauge the depths of wretched- ness, so as rather to aggravate than diminish the claims of the object he pleads for. On a careful comparison of such statements, with corresponding descriptions of the British population, including the dense masses of neglected children in our manufacturing towns and tlie metropolis, in the remote and scattered agricultural districts, and in Ireland, it may be confidently affirmed, that both for education and religious worship, the most re- cently formed states in the ITnion, have more than equal advantages for all practical and essential purposes. I passed through Springfield to Columbus. Mr. j. m H 1 « W i ■ • m •!■■ r '•' i - 1 r 332 WOOSTER. ,.i I i I ii Cressy, the pastor of those who had separated from the old church, was from home. The body was too feeble to divide, as Mr. Jefferies is left with but few hearers; and the new church will not consist of more than forty members. Every thing short of principle might well be sacrificed, to avoid division in these rising towns of the new world. Columbus promises to be a noble city: the state house is handsome, and, together with other public edifices, gives to the public square I an air of magnificence. The churches and schools j of Columbus are in keeping, and you receive i the impression that here the foundations are laid for a first-rate town ; already there are 5,000 inhabitants. Ohio is an incomparable state ; the fertility of the soil, the diversity of forest and of prairie, its natural advantages and incredible improvements, Lake Erie in the north, and the beautiful river, which is its southern boundary, with the grand canal running through the centre of the state to connect them one way, while the national road crosses it the other from east to west, all contribute to confirm the persuasion, lat it will rank among the chief states of the Union. Wooster is a delightful town ; here I had time to attend a trial. The bench was iruly adorned by such men as were there presiding, and the decorum of the whole court was such as to present a fine spe- cimen of a free and intelligent people, interested in the due administration of justice. I could not com- prehend the whole of the cause, but was much im- CLEVELAND. 333 pressed with the ease, order, and simplicity of the proceeding. At this town the baptists are building a very good place of worship. Mr. Jones, the pastor, has com- menced preaching every Lord's day, instead of di- viding the labours of the minister with some distant church. The number of members is 120, notwith- standing many removals further west, and many re- cent deaths. This church had been enfeebled by an unusual mortality among its male members, so that but few remained to conduct its meetings, and tffcntv-six widows had been bereaved of their husbands. The "reformed" meet in the court- house, but are not very numerous. At Cleveland a substantial and spacious place of worship is building for the baptist church ; and, as at many other towns, the people express a desire to have a settled pastor, who shall be neither farmer, nor merchant, nor pluralist. As these views extend, the moral influence of the denomination will greatly increase. At present, partly on this account, very many persons who are immersed previous to their union with christian societies at the Lord's supper, become members of other communities. So preva- lent is this prac^^ce in some towns, even in the New England states, timv paedobaptist ministers, both presbyterian and methodist, find it expedient to ad- minister '^,c "ite as required. Hence the form which the controversy on strict communion Is as- suming is, not as with us, but whether any sanction shall be given to these baptized members of other "hiirches, by allowing their transient communion ' ii- ' ' f: i 331 BUFFALO. if t with regular baptist churches. Mr. Willey, the pastor at Cleveland, was from home; his church has been formed only two years, and contains eighty-six members ; and they have a school of 100. Many active and energetic labourers are found in this community, of whom I saw several ; but while they were solicitous to show me every attention and to detain me till the morrow, the boat arrived and amidst the confusion of a rapid transfer of passen- gers, I went on board. As you leave Cleveland, the shore appears very bold, and the town built upon the flat table land presents several brilliant zinc-covered churches and buildings, which now glittered in the morning sun. The passage down the lake was refreshing, and whether it was from the contrast with the forests we had left, or with the deep indigo of the Atlantic wave, the lake looked like a silver mirror. The boat went up Grand River to Richmond, to take in wood, and on returning it was very striking to observe the distance to which the muddy stream could be traced as it meandered through the bril- liant waters of Erie. The day was fine, and closed by a glorious sun-set— a gorgeous theatre, whose commingled sapphire and pearly beauties and hues of wondrous variety enchanted with its magic 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 board ; then, in tlie early dawn of the Lord's day, I landed, and shortly after- BUFFALO. 335 wards found a welcome home with elder Tucker. Four years ago, so depressed was the state of this congregation, there 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 durinj^ the second week in July, which were closed on sabbath evening the 12th, by one which had for its object the formation of what might be designated a city missionary society. All denominations were united in this object, and a large assembly was convened in a spacious presby- terian church, A good feeling prevailed, and it was stated that to provide tracts, and to support an itinerant preacher, »ji' 1,200 would be required for one year. This sum it was proposed to raise at the meeting, and small pieces of paper were handed round the assembly, that persons who had not come adequately provided might inscribe their names for subscriptions. In a few minutes the papers were returned, when the total amount was found to exceed the sum required by about ^iJ'lOO. Considerable disturbance arose in the town, from what was regarded as a most atrocious deed. A black man threw a stone at a white man — it was re- ported that the white man was killed, and he was, mw- :.;: ^ l 4|: 336 BUFFALO. in fact, considerably hurt. So far as infonnation could be gathered, amidst a confusion of statements this was one of numerous cases which occur of ab- duction from the British territory. No doubt can exist, that many slaves escape into Canada ; and it is asserted, that a class of men are found base enough to carry on a sort of slave trade on the frontier by making reprisals of as many blacks as they can in- veigle and carry oft* to the south. A family, whom the blacks asserted to be free, was in this way brought to Buff*alo; those who had them in custody, said they were slaves. An attempt was made by some coloured people to rescue them ; a scuffle ensued, and the stone was thrown, which thus endangered the life of the white. Anxious inquiry into the pro- bable result in such cases, compelled the conclusion, that generally, the white man was certain of escap- ing with impunity, whatever became of the black. The coloured people had a separate church here, but mutual distrusts and jealousies prevented their success. Some months before, certain extraordinary efforts for revivals were productive of serious evils; so general and so excessive was the excitement oc- casioned by a regular itinerant revivalist, and two or three practised agents who travelled with him, that 600 persons were declared to be converted in the course 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- NIAGARA. 337 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. Tlie 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 to Toronto. By the customary routes, I attempted all witli as little delay as possible. I gazed and listened, amidst those sublime and awful sights and sounds, where God pours the waters from the hollow of his hand, and they return their " everlasting incense," accompanied with the deep and solemn voice of ceaseless adoration ! My excursion to Toronto was useless. In going, we ascended Brock's monument; and, in returning^ I stopped at Queenston, and crossing the Niagara to Lewiston, rode to the Whirlpool, to spend three or four hours in the contemplation of that scarcely less absorbing and overpowering scene than the mighty Niagara! At this angle of the river, the angry waters whirl round in the vast elbow, and in their impetuosity form many smaller eddies; while the rush of the mighty torrent, which is, in fact, Lake Erie flowing into Lake Ontario, assists the contem- plative mind in its musings on the stream of time Howing into eternity. In pursuing my way from Buffalo, I could only take a hasty glance at Lockport, and some other Q 338 NEW YORK. places. At Rochester, deacon Sage introduced to me his young children as members of the church. From three o'clock in the morning of the 16th till nine, a. m. of the 18th, I was travelling through the state of New York, and reached the hospitable abode of our friends, Mr. and Mrs. Kingsford, at Utica, in a state of great exhaustion, from the fatigue of so long a journey. The kindness there experienced, I record among the special favours of that benign Providence, which constantly watched over me for good. Here I rejoined my colleague, and went with him to Saratoga, where we met the brethren of that association, at Ballston, with whose engagements we were highly gratified. I 339 CHAPTER IX. HAMILTON. — UTICA. SCHENECTADY. — SARATOGA. ALBANY. DIVISION OF THE CHURCH THERE, AND REVIVAL. The seminary at Hamilton is, in point of num- bers, the most important theological institution in the baptist denomination. It differs from Newton, which is exclusively a divinity school, in being both a " literary and theological seminary." At Newton, all the students are previously qualified for the same theological studies; but, at Hamilton, they may be al- most equally divided into those who pursue a limited course, embracing only a good English education, with corresponding theological instruction ; and those who are deemed competent to a higher and more com- plete curriculum, embracing the ordinary classic and mathematical courses of colleges, with a view to the appropriate studies of divinity. Among the former, are the greater part of those who enter the ministry at a mature age, and with few advantages, who, in two, three, or four years, leave the institution to occupy stations suited to their talents. Among the latter, are those who have not commenced their whole course of study at Hamilton, but who enter folly qualified for the higher theological depart- ment. Their term of residence varies also according to circumstances, from two to four years. But the a2 lit 1 ;J40 ItAMII/roN. impils vvlio (Mitcr curly, to ))ui'hiu' \\h\ entire system of iiistriu'tion, are re(|uire(l to s)>end four years in the collegiate, and two years in th(» theological depart nient. The faculty, who are profesHors of worth and taletit an diHtin^uished as any wIiuho names adorn the literary institutions of their liiiul, an» of opinion tluit, hy a judicious and constant reference to the sacred ottic(^ of the ministry in all the studies, selectiny; thos»' which ar«» iujportunt to a thorough ]M'epiir!ilion for the work, they may accomplish in six years as much as occupies seven hy the plan of a previous nniversity education, and suhsecpu'ut removal to a theological school. Advan- ta.t»(>s and disadvantai^cs present themselves in this, as in every other luunan device, but certain it is that Maniilton has Ikhmi greatly honoured; many of her ahrmni havin<»- hvvu faithful labourers, not only in the vineyard at home, but in the distant Held of missionarv (MJterprise. The maj»nitude and import- anco of this institution warrants the ex[)ectation that it mayecpisd in its results all the semimiries which the denomination supports in Britain . ¥ro\n the most inconsidtM'able commencement, by a slow but steady increase, it has a e>. >> -(S« '^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 m. \ ^^v ^0) V ^-1, Q- 6^ ' 1,500 After twenty- two miltd of rapid transmission hy the rail-road, we found ourselves at Saratoga, happily associated with the family of Wayland, embracing the father and sisters of our friend the president at Providence. Here we had anticipated a few days of retirement, but the kindness both of old and new friends prevented, and involved us alike in private and public engagements. We were intro- duced to chancellor Walworth, and a considerable Jnion College, [nation. It is and in good The baptist it has enjoyed high, has a jh many have 160 members. its twentieth Schenectady, effective asso- )rty churches, vrere received hag a fund of listers. They T for the New the accounts ,rly double the ich, with cha- imended their to make the ansmission by at Saratoga, of Wayland, 3ur friend the id anticipated dness both of solved us alike Ve were intro- i considerable I I : '.-r 7^ .J a o A al > 4t ■1 ;^. ^uBh < SSbhI cq J < u « s S] 1 a *1 a Ed ^ « ^^Al Q 1 > i >^ ^^^M i "^ UfiiiartS its IjlUUf U.> mi iUSSO! contai ' I'r^-t- ,:l, UU.U ;.'•.» Mi{>pii ; wit! she Sprii." 'arch kH iJi hjkI tin- !':-;■ \<: ^}>a€iou^ ail i abov ^ing th "^ Til tor?. ' ••<»n' fill, a. V 'S irrdh^i !U- i I 11 j I I i :i >. ~, 'l!fr. ALBANY. 347 I number of episcopal and presbyteripn clergymen. Saratoga 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 work. Some of them have been greatly blest ; imong others that of Mr. Powell, pastor at Milton, ffho received eighty-five during the year before last. Mr. Parr has been settled at Ballston Spa E'y two years, and in that period has baptized 200 mbers ; the church now consisting of 250. The tor at the Springs, the Rev. J. Fletcher, has a )rosperous church of 194 members. Their sunday- ichools consist of 200 children. Albany, our n^xt transient resting place, is the iapital of the state of New York, and a city of great wmmercial importance. Its general appearance is imposing, and the traveller is gratified in perambu- ating its spacious and substantially built streets; lut he wonders so great &, city should have been onstructed above the shallows and rapids of the ludson. Wealth and science have now to remedy he inconvenience ; and though the expenditure has m and will be prodigious, by contracting the idth of the river, and deepening its bed with Iredging n.achines, these enterprising people are very day facilitating the navigation. Among the edifices appropriated to divine wor- the church of Dr. Welch is conspicuous. Its splendid portico is formed to correspond with 1 I B ? 348 ALBANY. that of the Female Academy; so that while two Huch elevations contribute materially to improve the appearance of the street, they must also enhance the value of property in the immediate neighbourhood. A gentleman, connected with Dr. Welch's community, has erected private houses of great value on either side the place of worship, to complete the design of the architect. The basement story of the church is appropriated to schools, and a lecture room. Instead, therefore, of descending to them, as is frequently the custom, the whole is so well contrived, that the ascent to the floor of tht chapel is only a few steps, and the height of the ceiling and dome is in due proportion to the building. While an ornamental elegance pervades the exterior, few structures are internally more chaste and pleasing. Six substantial, but not too massive pillars, support the galleries, and then rising to the ceiling, sustain the dome, 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 of sinking them into the earth, as we do in England. An open, and, in some places, a handsome tank, wuth ends gracefully curved, is see*, immediately in front of the pulpit. The space within b well car- peted ; and being capacious enough for a small table and two chairs, has an attractive appearance. It is easy to imagine a contrivance for a platform around these baptisteries, raised about three feet higher than ALBANY. 349 th^ floor, from which the fidipiiiistrator and the candidates " go down into the water." At Dr. Welch's church, they have preferred a plan of removing their open baptistery, when it is not required for the immersion of the christian con- verts. It is made to draw backwards and forwards ; and as it is placed on rollers, this baptirtery, even when filled with water, is easily moved by its append- age of simple mechanism . We must confess that we were exceedingly gratified with the construction of several arrangements, of a similar kind, but with slight variations ; and cannot but think that a raised platform is preferable to the ordinary method adopted in our own country. The descent into the water is equally convenient, and even suggests that of the banks of a river, A raised tank or bath could often be obtained at a smaller expense than that which is incurred by sinking a baptistery. Both the churches at Albany have eminently prospered. Mr. Ide, who succeeded Dr. Welch at the old church, where the greatest number of mem- bers remained, has enjoyed a remarkable revival. i\otwithstanding the amicable separation of those who went to form the new church, Mr. Ide had 340 members. His own account of this season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord is thus given by him in a lettef dated Feb. 17th :-- " A few weeks since, indications became appa- rent that a work of grace had commenced among us. A deeper seriousness, and a more earnest at- tention to the word, were visible in the congrega- 350 ALBANY. Irt ■ tion ; a spirit of repentance, and confession, and ardent supplication, was diffused through the church ; some drops of mercy fell, and iwehe were baptized. At this juncture, the church, after solemn deliberation and 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 God was manifest among his people. They hum- bled themselves before him, confessed their sins, and prayed for the revival of his work, with a depth and fervour of feeling, which could be pro- duced only by that blessed * Comforter,' from whom all holy desires proceed. The public ser- vices then commenced, and were carried on prin- cipally by the assistance of brother Parr, of Ballston, who laboured with us during their con- tinuance, with great acceptance and efficiency. The manner in which the meetings were conducted, was perfectly simple; no machinery was put in operation ; the only means employed, were the preaching of the word, prayer for the Holy Spirit, and special instruction in the case of convicted sinners. The appearance of the assemblies, and of the meetings for religious inquiry, was calm, serious, attentive ; and the stifled sigh and falling tear were the only external marks of the deep feeling which pervaded them. The heavenly in- fluence descended like a swe'^t, gentle, silent rain, melting and subduing the heart with its noiseless but irresistible power. ALBANY. 351 " The number of conversions which have taken place none can compute but He who ' knoweth them that are his.' Last Sabbath fifty^two were baptized. The ordinance was witnessed by an immense congregation, and thousands who came were unable to gain admittance. The whole num- ber baptized since the commencment of th^ work is sixty-four. Of these, about thirty are heads of families in the prime of life. The remainder are young men and women, many of them teachers in the sabbath-school, or members of the bible class. The work still progresses, and cases of hopeful conversion are almost daily occurring. We bap.* tize again on the first sabbath of March ; ard an- other numerous group of rejoicing converts is wait- mg, with solemn expectation, to follow their Re- deemer into his baptismal grave ; and thus to avow their cordial belief of the doctrines, and their cheerful submission to the duties which this sacred ordmance so beautifully and so expressively symbol- izes. May God continue his work, till this city of moral death is filled with a living, active, and de- voted piety ! " G. B. Ide." Such signal success as that enjoyed by our brethren at Albany, may be regarded as the dmne sanction of that truly christian spirit by which the parties were actuated not many months before, in their attempts to enlarge the church by an amicable division. Of this movement, we pre- 362 ALBANY, r i sent the following account from each party, which though it be long, is so deeply interesting, and so strikingly characteristic of America, that we cannot persuade ourselves to omit it. The Jirst church write thus to the Hudson River Association : — " Seldom has a transaction of such delicacy and importance been consummated with so much apparent harmony. In the progress of the measure it was our frequent and earnest prayer, that nothing might arise to bring a reproach on the cause of the Redeemer, or mar the union of his people. That prayer has been granted. When the period of separation actually arrived, emotions of regret and anxiety were ex- cited, which few if any of us had fully anticipated, and which were most sensibly felt by those who had been associated in the church from its origin, and during its whole existence had watched, with intense solicitude, over its growing interests. While we could not but rejoice in the prospect of becoming * two bands,' we well remembered the time when we were few in numbers and feeble in resources; and, as we reviewed all the way in which the Lord had led us together, we felt how painful is the separation of those whose hearts have become united by a long companionship. " From the strong attachment which the church and congregation felt to our late pastor, — an at- tachment formed and cemented by years of affec- tionate and successful labour among them, and im- paired by no counteracting circumstance, — it was not surprising that the more wealthy and promi- ALBANY. 353 nent part of the church, and many of the congre- gation, should embark with him in his new enter- prise; and it was, perhaps, more from a sense of doty than from choice, that more did not do the same. Anterior to the proposed division, a meet- ing was held for the purpose of selecting a suitable person to take charge of the first church after the contemplated resignation of Dr. Welch. The re- sult was the unanimous election of our present pastor; proposals were accordingly made to him, wiiich he accepted, and about the first of October,' commenced his ministry among us. " Previous to the arrival of brother Ide, those who chose to identify themselves with the new interest, received their dismission : the division principally took place on the 22nd of September. Letters, however, have been granted at several subsequent meetings, until the whole number dis- missed to constitute the Pearl-street church, is 130. "When, after the division, we surveyed the strength that remained, and found that though somewhat larger in number, in other respects, and especially in pecuniary ability, we were greatly inferior; when we witnessed, in addition, the de- parture of so many of the congregation, on whom «e liad placed dependence, and realigod the re- sponsibility we had incurred, and the scanty re- sources left us ; we were deeply depressed and hum- Wed, and felt, in the sadness of our hearts, ready to ^y the desponding inquiry of the prophet—' By "liom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. '—We ■f^M^^mi P' ^^m. ■^^H' 354 ALBANY. had, however, assumed the obligation, and could not recede, — an obligation which we should hardly have dared to assume had we foreseen the weak condition in which the separation would place us. " In this state of things our present pastor com- menced his labours, greatly disheartened by a pros- pect so different from what he had been led to ex- pect, while few of the band around him could ven- ture to give him any encouragement. Soon, how- ever, after his public services commenced, the con- gregation 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 through the whole congregation there existed aj ALBANY. 366 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 hi8 hands. From these appearances we could no longer doubt that God was about to * hasten his work,' and that the indications of his presence summoned us to action in language similar to that lie addressed to his ancient servant, « When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mul- berry trees, hestir thyself: Impressed by such un- equivocal mtimations of the Divine will, the church took into consideration the propriety of devoting a portion of time to special religious exercises. After solemn deliberation and prayer for divine guidance It was unanimously resolved that the leadings of the Holy Spirit, exhibited in the state of the church and congregation, justified and demanded such a mea- sure, and we felt constrained to adopt it, humbly trusting in God to bless it, and deeply sensible that all success depended on his gracious favour. The services thus appointed commenced on the 25th of January, with a season of fasting, humiliation, and prayer. It wa^ a day never to be forgotten. The cit*.ng interest awakened by the little fleets o^ rvx^ols, with iiieir snow-white sails, continually 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 lines, in her somewhat ov'er-estimated jeu d' esprit of ♦' Bas Bleu :"— a: OF MAINE. ISLE OP SHOALS. 363 *• The joy of seeing is to tell— And curiosity would sleep. If her own secrets she must keep : The bliss oUelling 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 260 miles. Unwilling to dis- turb any friend at a late hour, I proceeded with several gentlemen to the first hotel in the city, where we failed, however, to obtain accommodations,' M they had already, during the day, refused 150 persons. This was indication enough of the travel- ling spirit of America. What a busy ant-hill must this country appear to any one suppo^d to be raised to a sufficient altitude, and endowed with adeouate powers of vision to comprehend the whole "at a glance ! The following morning I hastened by the steam- packet to Portsmouth, and then proceeded to Dover. We touched at the Isle of Shoals— rocky, Mid awful for shipwrecks ! A large party of free-will baptists, who had been holding a protracted meet- ing in this wild and desolate ocean solitude, came on hoard. I was gratified to see once more Mr. and Mrs. Noyes, and several ministers whom I had met in Hampshire. Mrs. Noyes had been a diligent labourer for many months, amongst the thin popu- lation of this region, which seemed a miniature exhibition of the Scilly Isles ofF the coast of Com- '^aH On Saturday, I travelled by coach to Portland, through Berwick, Kennebunk, and across the river r2 364 PORTLAND. Bf i I' : Saco. A considerable discussion on the sanctifica- tion of the sabbath arose with a professor of religion, a fellow traveller, wh-^ proposed to take the steam- packet the next mc aing. 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 emulatioD. 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 j 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 just resigned ^ his office. He has been pastor of the baptist church in New- 1 ton for forty-eight years, and has been greatly blessed in his labours as a minister. Five of the churches, in the neighbour- j hood of Boston, originated from the baptist church in Newton, j namely, the chuiches in Carabridgeport, Roxburj^ BroOi..iR«- PORTLAND. 365 Several of our ministerial brethren were present, on their way to Waterville ; and it proved to be "a soul-reviving feast." Thought, more swift than lightning, traversed the mighty Atlantic, and com- bined 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 Jesus, whose power was now overwhelmingly realized at the table of 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 every rank, of every colour, shall be emphatically " Oiie in Christ;" nay, more, imagination scaled the heavens, and united the recipients below in fellow- ship with the spirits above. " O nodes, ccencegue deumr might a sanctified heathen have exclaimed, with a new application of the words of Horace ; or rather— for " there shall be no niffht there!"— in the impassioned language of Cicero, " O praclarum Watertown, and Newton Upper FaUs. Mr. Grafton enjoys a remarkably green old age. His step is still elastic, and his in- tellectual faculties are retained ^n their almost undiminished vigour ; still the withering hand of time has been laid upon him, and he feels sensibly the infirmities of declining years. Within a few months he has been deeply affected by the death of his «Tfe, and his only surviving daughter, who for several years re- sided in his family. Believing, as he did, that his labours could no longer be valuable to his people, he has given in his resigna- tion. 1 III II' !||c-i ^mmmmmm:. h i < ■i i i 366 PORTLAND. diem, cum ad illud divinum animorum concilium cee- tumque proficiscar^ cumque ex hac turha et colluvione discedam ! " No wonrler that, amidst the ohscurities 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 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 well adapted, like most in America, for comfortable accommodation. On Monday, I proceeded on my journey through North Yarmouth on Casco Bay, where there is a church of 170 or ISO Tnoinliorci . 4lii./A.ii,vli r«aa«nrf •*M T0P8HAM. 367 « concilium cor- which contains a church of nearly 120 members; through Brunswick, which has a church of 100 members ; and, finally, across the Androscoggin to Topsham. The church in this place now meet in a commodious edifice, which was opened for worship in May. So lately as 1832, the people were few in number, destitute of a pastor, and oppressed by witnessing the desolations of Zion. Preaching was comparatively infrequent; but they constantly as- sembled for united prayer. Two happy results fol- lowed from this course. Union was increased and perpetuated, and greater efforts were excited to ob- tain a pastor by beholding, from sabbath to sabbath, the pulpit vacant, and by hearing no voice of consola- tion addressed to the poor in spirit, and no notes of warning to the impenitent. In the summer of 1 833, a sabbath-school was opened for the first time in connexion with the baptist society. This school was stamped with a signal blessing. A young lady, who engaged as a teacher, had, for some years, indulged a hope in Christ, but had never made a public pro- fession of her faith in him. By means of her con- nexion with the school, her love to the Saviour was enkindled anew, and a corresponding desire to unite with the church. She was the earnest of the happy and extensive revival of religion which fol- lowed, which embraced within its influence eight or ten connected with the school and bible class. From these facts, we learn that there were two important antecedents to the present flourishing state of the church, which, if not the cause, were closely connected with it; viz. assembling each I "''if'"!' ft ; II 1 ' L ■I ii^ I / Ir i If If 9 If ! ; m 368 MERRY-MEETINO BAY. sabbath day for prayer when destitute of preaching and the establishment of a sabbath-school. The church in Topsham belongs to the Bowdoinhain Association of twenty-six churches. We travelled near the coast, and were delighted with the scenery, which was richly diversified hy 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, wliich 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 we 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 civilization, a calculating policy, or an oppressive 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- parted ages and a vanished race ; the next, how- the affectini rusciii ig reality of AUGUSTA. 369 disappearance, and the everlasting termination of their revelries and their dominion. Yet, how- ever lamentable were the first means adopted for effecting the change, what benevolent and pious mind can do otherwise than hail the progress of improvement, 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 government. Its general construction displays taste and elegance. In the evening I met some chris- tian friends at the Rev. Mr. Tappan's, the pres- byterian minister, at whose magnificent church I afterwards preached. My lodging for the night was at the house of the baptist minister, whose con- gregation has been recently formed, and is in a prosperous condition. At a baptism in March, a member of the legislature was immersed. A new place of worship, 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 was engaged in busy preparations for the com- -a^c«u:ni. 1 ne wnoie aisinct through which I had B 3 '»a . i 370 WATERVILLE. :i\ 1 I t * h ' travelled from Augusta was mountainous, but culti- vated, and the Kennebec meandered gracefully alonir the valley. Waterville is a place of growing import- ance. At the'^econick 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 as- pect 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 clearance of the country, and the progress of refinement, be- fore attempting a literary establishment ; but have, with the zeal of Americans, and the discernment of | legislators, patriots, and philosophers, commenced at once the refining process — the moral ameliora- tion of this noble state, in the provision of a store- house of knowledge for her rising sons. With a wke 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 | pniiOawpiiy . "' WATERVILLE. 371 Calvin Newton, A. M., professor of rhetoric and the Hebrew 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 mo- dern languages; J. Everett Farnam, A. B., tutor in mathematics, 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 commence- ment; the second eight weeks from the second Wednesday in December. At the close of the tenn 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 ap- pointed by its trustees, and conducted by gentle- men of literary and scientific attainments. The incorporation of the manual system of labour into the plan, has been deemed here peculiarly advan- tageous. 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 SOcts. to $2 50cts. per week, according to their skill, strength and diligence; but, on an average, they pay for their board by their labour. This sys- j«a of labour has been in successful operation for M- i . 4 f 1 ! i 1 1 r ' ew Hampton. My tour into Maine was attended with many pleasures and some labour; but I could truly say of this, and all similar engagements in the same great cause, - labor ipse voluptas." Of the country, and of Its religious aspect, it may be desirable to subjoin a ew words. Maine comprehends 32,000 square miles, and about 400,000 inhabitants, or twelve to a i^arc mile. The northern pans are nearly un- peopled. Geologically speaking, it possesses the m innHiiSiiM l^ i 1 '"t^wwufii 1 wr If ^ l^^^l (!! I ^ ■ ' ] I 382 MAINE. chief characteristics of a primitive country, 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- CUiii3!.anCc3 .f 4.1, W d^^ \ji tii\:i.i xjLxjiLix: •\ct4't ^* MAINE. 383 ■&»«er„Jfc,»..-OuryenerablefatherCa8e,whose labours have been so unceasing, long protracted, and ' I Tn TV"'^' '" *'' association, with the roleof No. 8, Branch Pond, Trenton, and vicinity. ,« return was bghly gratifying. It seems the L,rd le.«d h.m, and made him a blessing to the people he mentions one interesting fact. Speaking of bcin^ « Branch Pond settlement, he says, ' Here I found |».nfant baptist church, which was constituted the «lh of December last, chiefly the fruits of a late re- nval m this place. Here I visited several families Uid attended several meetings, preached two ser- mson Lord's day, and then rode six miles towards I Ellsworth village, and preached again in the even- I «f. his late revival in religion has extended about I «mi es on this rord, and every family in tAat dis- I Ime has shared in tne good work save one. Br E Wei has been a missionary for the year, in this as- Wtjon mostly, however, on the islands. The Wd has blessed his labours. He has baptised thirty. "'• U. Dodge has also spent four weeks " Penobscot.-Br. Roundy has been employed ""yfourth sabbath in Bradford. Tothelittle church C?^"' *f <=""""'«*« «f *is association appro- H. fifteen dollars, which enabled them to secu^ Whingone fourth of the time. Br. Roundy saj" Wen I commenced my labours here, which was December last, the church was rather low C t 'at time the Lord has appeared for their help liave baptised nine, and broke bread to the church' l2:zri!T":^i' «^- "^"^ ••- ^pen; i "~ ■" ' ""^ "^ '^t- AiDaiis, and two in Gar- '^^!Bi^^. t ■* 1 1 1 • f i pi j ' i ■ ii ■' 1 ■I 1 ) 'I ::! I- !■ ■ ' ■ t 384 MAINE. land. He baptised one. Br. J. Hatch has spent eio-ht weeks in the service of the convention in Exe- ter, Stetson, Etna, and Plymouth. Ho has enjoyed I 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 conference 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 o( several, and baptised one. In one place, where tbf 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 churchej east of the Penobscot river. In one place, he saysj ' the people flocked together from all quarters f men, women, and children, came a number of milt through the woods by night, with lanterns anj torches, to hear the word ; and it was easy preacl ing ; I never saw greater signs of a general reforma tion in any place.' He would have protracted hi labours, had not sickness and death in his familj called him home. Br. S. Dexter received an a| pointnient of twelve weeks in Stetson, Dutton, Kirl lori/l nn^ J\va, 4- i^r,4.^^J ^V _; 1__ •.!' .' .Jv.ii. v.x»=c^ , wUt iiistcati ui siiiipiy mtimaiing II i it!i \ m\ [?*• 1 '' II ' ■ i 1 ' m ■ ! « ■■ 392 NEW HAMPTON. \ 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 study than in some other seminaries, our young ministerial brethren were chiefly questioned in mental and moral science— the evidences of the inspirations of the Scripture— 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 Lati 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 progress was manifest. In the evening of this day, a numerous assembly was convened, when, at the request of the ministers, we delivered addresses on the subject of education. The examinations in the female department were anticipated with great interest, and, to us, it ap- peared that this seminary could assert greater pre- tensions to superiority in comparison with others than the boy's school. An opportunity had "been ill till NEW HAMPTON. 393 afforded of attending- the ordinary studies of the pupils, having nevertheless u reference to the ex- amination ; and a more substantial course of edu- cation 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 forgotten as quickly as acquired. It wa sufficiently obvious that the exercises were 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 in algebra, on the black board, which was covered with figures, executed with the utmost neatness. Many demonstrations were thus given in the higher branches of arithmetic, and in algebra. Quadratic equations were per- formed by the young ladies, with perfect accuracy, and explained with the promptitude which be- 1 n . r - ^.icaiiicsD wi v;uuut;piiun. i^ext loliOWed a class of botanists, who, with a bouquet for the indis- s3 I I '' .■ ( . ; ^f^ 394 NEW HAMPTON. r- 1 , ,:■ 1 9HDBt criminate distribution of a flower to each, proceeded to classify and arrange them scientifically. A lively original discussion, on the most rational mode of com- memorating the 4th of July 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 jEneid were then translated and analysed. A clever dialogue on edu- cation was sustained with spirit. It was intended to represent a morning visit, supposed to be made by two fashionables, to two literary ladies ; which led to an amusing altercation on their respective pur- suits, in which were many sallies of wit, indicative of j considerable ingenuity in those who composed the piece. These episodes relieved and enlightened 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 described 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, astronomy — an essay on America as it was, and as it is — reading in French, which was well pronounced and translated — and English poetry. These studies must have been in- structive, from the careful analysis of each line, to which the pupils were accustomed ; but there was a cadence, which, without the specimens we had, might | have led to the inference, that the whole school was pr»r»iic+r»Tnorl in rogri lino olVo-p lino an vnnssfi. f,hei*6DV acquiring the same tones and emphasis. A class! NEW HAMPTON. 395 liasis. A class I was examined in Way land's Moral Science. This was succeeded by physiology, natural history, and geography. A bible class gave so correct a synopti- cal 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 so- ciety which had been formed among them, under the designation of a" Missionary Association ;" another, about 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 finish their education. Of those who are more advanced in age, or who are preparing to become teachers, no incon- siderable 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 V vr.v^rj-s.-^ v-j- tiic jjupii, its ii iij oene- ficial to society ; and it is found, that among them "i i 396 NEW HAMPTON. i 1 i ;' 1 I 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 he known that any were ever occupied in mills or other fac- tories, hut from their periodical absence, and other accidental circumstances. The same charges for tuition are made to all ; but the expenses are materially different 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 mem- bers of the family. The teachers have only to at- tend them in the recitation rooms. It is in fact, a college for females, as much so as are the university establishments 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 edu- cation 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 ^i^o-oji^ v5j.psentof a fTortuf? Siccus. In this descnp- tion of female education, so easily attainable by m- NEW HAMPTON. 397 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 ac- cessible. 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 the most judicious efforts are made to produce and foster religious feeling. Its advan- tages are equally free for ptrsons of every religious community. The teachers manifest a deep concern 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, which 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 session rarPl V nn arvma aiiTiaf if nf c» ffw •MrinP PVPTI at thC LOrU S ri ^-r T iviiiscL rj\^si THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION. 403 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 new It reqmred '' new bottles," and then - both were preserved." It is in the highest degree hazardous to tamper with positive religious institutions ; they are sup- Fted 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 pre- 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 a;iy of our churches were embarrassed with scruples about the alcohol lurking in the ordinary wines used at the eommunion; but did not learn that any had on that solemn occasion altogether abandoned the ase of it, as some of other communities have done. It IS affecting to observe how promptly the spirit of commerce avails itself of even religious scruples; Q „„^ ixi-^-cL ■^yjiiiuLion iiuveiTisements, are '7 1%' f 404 SALEM. '1' i 1 ■ ^ ^ ' 1 ■ ' 1 t i ; 1 ' r ■■•i *' 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 affluence. 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 many of the^r 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 indulged in by visitors from the old country, who go across the Atlantic to survey the creations of their rivals, who have sprung from the same stock, and who sneak the same tongue. But how lill SALEM« 405 ridiculoMS 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 intelli- 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 efficient 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 in our churches there is much to gratify. That of Mr. Wayland is large, consisting of more than 500 members ; we preached there, and at the second church, which was expecting the immediate arrival of a pastor. About 150 members are here united, /nd the most cheering expectations indulged. One circumstance during the devotional parts of i 'n ft 1 m HB ! ! ^"ff ! i i 406 SALEM. ^•' i I i 1 %. '■ m I 1 1 ii 1 i 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 Dangers, 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 160 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, slaverj', 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 ^f 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 of 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 which the following is a copy : — MARRIAGE CEREMONY. 407 <' City of Boston, S.S. " An Intention of Marriage, between Doct. James B, Gregerson and Miss Elizabeth W. Sharp, both of Boston, harh been entered with me for the space of fourteen days, and due piiblieation thereof has been made as the law directs. " In testimony whereof, I have here^ ^to set my hand, the thirty-fir- day of July, Anno Domini 1835. ' " S. r. M. Cleary, City Clerk." The reading of this certificate suggested an intro- ductory remark on the object of the meeting. A few plain questions weia 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 newiy-married children with an elegant bible, with appropriate remarks on that volume as their chief treasure. We were requested, the one at the commencement, the other at the conclusion of the solemn engage- inent, to offer a short prayer. We may be pardoned 1 for expressing the opinion, that a ceremony so I simple and social, and withal so devout, incom- i parally surpassed the superstitious, and, to many, the offensive conformity to which all classes in our own country are so reluctantly compelled., At the close of the marriage festival, an hour's nde brought us to Newton, where we heard an W^S^ssmi^' , f 408 NEWTON. 1 . 1 Mil i : ■ r 1 i '; ■ ■| 1;^ B '•■ f 410 NEWTON. !i i 1 , ^ ■ i instructed the junior class in the Hebrew language, using professor Stuart's Hebrew Gframmar, 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 the Gospels in Greek ; besides attend ng 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 the 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 interpretation 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 were pro- duced and criticised, and works on sacred rhetoric read and analyzed. The senior class, under the professor of biblical 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. In the department of sacred rhetoric they had studied Porter's Lectures NEWTON. 411 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 distmguished 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- courses, 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 mcrease a knowledge of these sub jects, and to cultivate the talent of extemporaneous speakmg. 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 the establishment of a separate professorship of ecclesiastical history was considered, and, we be- lieve, determined. It was to embrace the evidences of revelation, the formation, preservation, trans- 'mssion, and canonical authority of the sacred volume, the ancient and subsequent history of the Hebrews, and of the nations with whosP li;«f.„. that of the Hebrews is connected: tl t2 history ? 412 NEWTON. j 1 ' 1 ' ' 1 • ■ • ; : ■! i t - ? i i ■ j 1 ^^^ 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 different 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 thr widow, as she looked upon her fatherless son ; and our sympatliy appreciated the feeling which prevented her from revisiting the scene which in brighter days would have enraptured her benevolent mind. Nathaniel 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, the daughter of T. Kendall, Esq. in 1820; and after several weeks of decline, expired May 22, 1834, in 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 \md given by consecrating his gains to the Lord. N. R. COBB, ESQ. 413 In November, 1821, he drew up the following re- markable document : — " By the grace nf G )d, I will never be worth more than J'50,000. " By the grace of Gou, I will give one-fourth of the net profits of my business to charitable and re- ligious uses. " If I am ever worth ^20,000, I will give one- half of my net profits ; and if I am ever worth 130,000, I vill give three- fourths ; and the whole, after »J5'50,000. So help me God ; or give to a more faithful teteward, and set me aside. ''Nov, 1821. "N. R. Cobb." He adhered to this covenant with conscientious fidelity. At one time, finding his property had in- creased beyond J!'50,000, he at once devoted the sur- plus *JS'7,500 as a foundation for a professorship in 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 atFording aid to 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 themselves 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 constautiy aided his pastor in the in- B ,A lit! i , III i'l i f r^ 414 FANUEIL HALL MEETING. quiry meeting. His temper was placid, his manners affable, 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 short sentences, uttered in his last sickness, must suffice : " Within the last few 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- joyed it as much as any one. God has prospered me. 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 the near prospect of heaven. My hope in Christ is worth in- finitely 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 thi- 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 husband ! 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 21st, for the tt T U W Cv _X? .1* a1. purpuau ui aeuii-uiiziiig xue uinuciicc ui luc PANUEIL HALL MEETING, 416 abolitionists in the north, and tranquillising the agitation of the south, on the subject of slavery. It was an immense assembly, and was both: inten- ded and represented to have set the subject at rest, by passing unanimously the following resolu- tions : — " Whereas it has become matter of pubUc notoriety, that pro- jects are entertained by individuals in the northern states of this Union, for effecting the immediate abolition of slavery in our sister states, and that associations have been formed for this end ; and there is cause to believe that the numbers and influ- ence of these persons have been greatly exaggerated by the ap- prehensions of many of our southern brethren, and too proba- bly by the sinister designs of others, who discern an occasion to promote in the south disaffection to our happy union ; and in consequence of the great and increasing excitement prevailing upon this subject, it becomes oiu" duty to attempt to calm the minds and assure the confidence of the good people of those states, by expressing the sense of this community upon these procedures. We, the citizens of Boston, here assembled, hereby make known our sentiments respecting this momentous subject, in the hope that the same may be favourably received and adopted by other communities and assemblies of our fellow- citizens, so that a public and general sentiment may be demon- strated to exist in the north, adverse to these destructive pro- jects. We hold this truth to be indisputable, that the condition of slavery finds no advocates among our citizens — our laws do not authorise it — our principles revolt against it — our citizens will never tolerate its existence among them. But although they hold these opinions, they will not attempt to coerce their brethren in other states to conform to them. They know that slavery, with all its attendant evils, was entailed upon the south by the mother country, and so firmly engrafted upon their social system, that the revolution, which sundered their political ties to Great Britain, had no effect whatever in loosening those which bound the slave to his master in the colonial state, lliis 416 '1' III ; !:i ;1 :f FANUEIL HALL MEETING, condition of things coiUinued and existed at the adoption of the federal constitution. By that sacred compact which consti- 'utes the American Union one nation, the rights and jurisdic tion of the southern states were recognized and confirmed by all the rest. The actual state of their social relations was the basis of that compact ; and we disclaim the right, an.l disbeUeve the policy, and condemn the injustice of all efforts to impair or distiir]> i^okoiM obligations thus imposed upon ourselves by our free act, with a full knowledge of their nature and bearing upon the political s/stem, and 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 obligations which confederated states owe to each other are not less sacred than those which regulate their conduct toward foreign nations. The evUs 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 evils can only be aggravated, to the discomfort and danger of the master, and the prejudice and misery of the slave, by attempts to encroach upon this jurisdic- tion. FANUEIL HALL MEETING. 417 "Therefore Resolved/rh&t the people of the United States, by the constitution under which by the divine blessing they hold their most valuable polidcal privileges, have solemnly agreed tnth each other to leave to the respective states the jurisdiction pertaining to the relation of master and slave within their boundaries, and that no man or body of men, except the people or governments of those states, can of right do any act to dis- solve or impair the obligations of that contract. " Resolved, That we hold in reprobation all attempts, in what- ever guise they may appear, to coerce any of the United States to abolish slavery by appeals to the terror of the master or the passions of the slave. " Resolved, That we disapprove of all associations instituted in the non-slave-holding states with an intent to act within the slave-holding states without their consent. For the purpose of securing freedom of individual thought and expression they are needless ; and they are inexpedient inasmuch as they afford to those persons in the southern states, whose object it is to effect a dissolution of the Union, (if 'any such there may be now or hereafter) a pretext for the furtherance of their schemes. "Resolved, That all measures, the natural and direct tendency of which is to excite the slaves of the south to revolt, or to spread among them a spirit of insubordination, are repugnant to the duties of the man and the citizen, and that where such measures become manifested by overt acts, which are cognizable by constitutional laws, we wiU aid by all the means in our power in the support of those laws. " Resolved, That while we recommend to others the duty of sacrificing their opinions, passions, and sympathies upon the altar of the laws, we are bound to show that a regard to the supremacy of those laws is the rule of our own conduct ; and consequently to deprecate and oppose aH tumultuary assemblies, all riotous or violent proceedings, all outrages on person and property, and all iUegal notions of the right or duty of executing summary and vindictive justice in any mode unsanctioned bv law." ■ ,^^,„ ct.-aviic;3oca r.ciu UCiiVUreU, With Winch T 3 Ml VH ^fW i I tin ,1 j . I 418 PANUEIL HALL MEETING. the assembled multitudes vociferously expressed their satisfaction. The resolutions were introduced ifey a speech of talent, in which the orator, however seemed crippled by his subject. Its great object, was to maintain the integrity of the Union, which was endangered by abolition proceedings. Mr. Fletcher said, '* It is known that before the forma- tion of the constitution, every state possessed sove- reign and exclusive control of this subject withi" its own borders. The power of its regulation be- longed to each individual state. And thus the consti- tution 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 ! 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- sinuation in his speech respecting the personal and political views of abolitionists, ultimate and ulterior PANUEIL HALL MEETING. 419 objects. He deprecated the course they pursued by sayir - , ^ - e saw no good that could result from agit'i- >ig aiiU inflaming the public mind at the north on tir' ?..>! nn and delicate subject; not if the ex- citement ^ irvaded every section and state on thU side of '^. 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 dungeon deeper ; for 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, lunatics, 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 of our citizens, spilt by the myrmidons of Great Britain —when that man — a slave-holder — (turning to the full-length painting of Washington, which forms the most valuable decoration of old Faneuil) — when ! J J ^ 420 AMERICAN INSTITUTE. ^ I ( t* ) jH i ■ ence — with the slave-holders under his command — united in driving the enemy from our streets, and from this hall — our fathers 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 who did not appear to 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 esFays on 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 other, 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 general conference of those who are engaged in the work of tuition, is evident. command — streets, and ought it no m and with I much enti- res, as to re- Jut, notwith- )eaker, there pathize with 1 was at this stings, in the state house, embly of the 1 parts, male ng prepared Lucation, and >rmal discus- to it. About and gentle- Its. Among " on the ne- hilosophy of 'he matter as riiere was a the district of attending a few years ; ts plan of a [gaged in the If: m I'i > ifij T-^TT-T,!*, /IQl Q a a a •:m.bi -huiH:) ! 1 1 1 T eij!€ -ij 'JpOi^Jl •vaiit of the preacher m EC U M 1 avva ■oiit>-b !| ■. jj : 1 ■I '* ■ J J'l 1 1 ' i WHITEFIELD. 421 On the 24th, we made an excursion to Newbury- port, thirty-nine miles from Boston, to see the tomb of Whitefield. On our arrival, after a brief repast, we hastened to the depository of the pre- clous remains of that eminent servant of God. On the Saturday before his decease, he had preached at Exeter at the distance of fifteen miles. It was his last sermon, and a still surviving hearer remembers the hard asthmatic breathing against which his impassioned spirit struggled during its delivery. Ke was to have preached the next day in the first presbyterian 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 mansion above. The assembled mul- titudes awaited his appearance amongst them in vain. It was the sabbath morning; to them how mournful—to him how glorious ! In the south-east corner of the church is a cenotaph, which was erected a;ew years since by Mr. Bartlett ; and through the window immediately behind it, we gazed on the house just visible through the trees where Whitefield breathed his last ! We descended with some difH- culty into the subterraneous vault, which is imme- diately behind the pulpit, in a small chamber like a vestry, external to the body of the chi^.rch. De.'^p expectant emotions thrilled through our bosoms, while a kind of trap door v/as Dpenr .1, and we de- scended beneath the floor to another, which stood perpendicularly, by which we entered, or rather crept, into the awful and silent sepulchre. There were three coffins placed in parallel lines ; two of \li ^r I- " K 5> ■. t II 1' i i ' i ■ I 'I SKS^SJC I ; 422 WHITEFIELD. them containing the mortal part of Mr. Parsons and Mr. Prince, the former pastors of the church. We instinctively took our seats, the one on the one cof- fin, the other on the other, with the coffin of White- field between, over which, when the upper part of the lid was removed, to reveal the skeleton secrets of the narrow prison-house, we bent in solemn still- ness and awe. We gazed on the fragments — we contemplated and handled the skull of that great *' preacher of righteousness ;" — we 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. 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- tered service, consenting only to intermingle ad- dresses with the devotions of the occasion. The at- tendance was very numerous. Mr. Williams is pastor of the church, which is flourishing, and con- sists of 200 members. The congregation amounts to 500 or 600, and there is a good sabbath-school of 160. The next day we returned, and met our agreeable friends Dr. Sharp, Mr. Malcom, Dr. Cumstock,Mrs. Cobb, and other ladies and gentlemen from the vi- cinity of Brookline, at the house of our brother, Mr. Warne. This was one of the sunny days of existence : but of this party Mrs. Cobb is no more, HARVARD COLLEGE. 423 Parsons and [lurch. We the one cof- in of White- pper part of eton secrets solemn still- gments — we f that great )ught of his 1 and happy of the grace ven! [)ehalf of the i of worship. n announce- but declined t an object. n the unal- rmingle ad- 3n. The at- Williams is tig, and con- ion amounts bbath-school ur agreeable nstock,Mrs. from the vi- )ur brother, nny days of is no more, and Mr. Malcom is gone on a three years' important embassy to the east, to subserve the interests of missions. The polite urgency of the Hon. Heman Lincoln, wlio had been precluded from receiving us as his guests during former visits, now constrained us to transfer our temporary residence to his abode. We were thus conveniently situated for attending the commencement of Harvard College, Cambridge, which was celebrated on the 26'th. We were in- vited to it by an obliging card from the president. Dr. Quincy. This splendid university is truly one of the eyes of the nation, albeit to us there is theo- logically not a mote only, but a beam in it. Our introduction to many of the first men in the state was truly gratifying, and we partook with an im- mense company of the sumptuous repast, after the literary festival had terminated. Of this intellectual display we shall be pardoned for omitting further mention, as we must notice that at Providence, which was, in all important particulars, similar. A series of lectures on Peace were about to be delivered at Cambridge ; and among the lecturers we heard the names of Channing, Fletcher, Sprague, Way- land, and others. The 24th was a day of ministerial labour, when each of us preached three times. This was an arrangement which we both regretted, as it left almost no opportunity to sit at the feet of our brethren, and hear their instruction. By going to fulfil a preaching engagement at Churlestown, another opportunity was afforded of meeting father 1^ I fM t ''^^^H i'^> ' ^m. 1 424 WASHINGTON. Grafton, as he 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 well. Mr. Smith was a man of great judgment, 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 unusual clearness and brightness of the atmosphere. On one occasion, our attention was drawn to the sudden appearance of a cloud slowly forming itself into a more sublime pillar than the imagination can conceive, and resting in the motionless atmosphere, so as to remind the reader of scripture of the cloudy pillar of the wilderness. \7e afterwards ascertained that it was produced by an explosion of saltpetre from a fire on board a vessel, which blew out her decks, and did much damage in the neighbouring wharves and streets. The great fire at Charlestown was also seen by us, under similar circumstances, from our friend Mr. Warne's, two or three days afterwards. It consumed more than 100 dwellings, by which upwards of 300 families were rendered le stated in use of Mr. nerly pastor issacliusetts, ,'ears, was a ington, and an of great conclusions, the settled gton was a be addicted blic worship private and the elegant of Boston is ck with the atmosphere, rawn to the )rming itself gination can atmosphere, )f the cloudy 3 ascertained of saltpetre dew out her leighbouring Charlestown pcumstances, p three days )0 dwellings, ire rendered J I t t FEDERAL STREET CHURCH, BOSTON. l J'^ '- - -1 ■■ , 1:1 i,:i.j[,i ' ■ ■ :■ f ' . i. i i WEBSTER. 425 was sill houseless. The 1( We were introduced by our friend the^^Hon. H.* Lincoln to the deservedly celebrated Daniel Webster. He has a dark countenance, with an eye approaching to brilliancy; but though his countenance is not so decidedly characteristic of genius as many, yet his general appearance and manner denote intellectual superiority. His sentiments appeared to us to be in all respects enlightened and liberal. Our conversa- tion was excursive, but chiefly embraced geology, slavery, and politics. He spoke with high satisfac- tion of the probable permanence of peace between England and America. Boston is an irregularly built city, rising on all sides from the water to the lofty summit, which is crowned by the state-house. The view from that elevation is one of the finest imaginable ; but the panoramic scene from the Bunker's Hill Monument would, probably, be still better adapted for a large painting. We visited the objects which ordinarily attract travellers, but must forego description for what is more appropriate to our mission. It has been the custom to represent the baptist denomination as flourishing most in the south, and chiefly among the slaves of Virginia. The accounts we have given of that state are indeed calculated to inspire devout gratitude ; but to infer that the chief strength of our churches is so confined to the slave states, that only a few feeble and uninfluential con- gregations exist in the large cities, would be pre- mature and unjust. We had been apprised of the prosperity with whicli God had honoured our IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 |^|28 ^ us, [2.5 12.2 1 2.0 1.8 LA. mil 1.6 6" Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 072-4503 ^^' \ iV ^^ Cx^ : hf .. ■! * j i I; r . ! i I i; i brethren in Boston, and had formed a friendship with Svme of these devoted pastors, who met us in the south. We knew that Boston had presented some of the happiest instances of amicable division for the purpose of extending religion, and it was now our privilege to witness the vigorous expan- sion of these effects of a holy zeal. The American churchcci are not perfectly free from strife, divi- sions, and jealousies; but numerous are the evi- dences that churches may divide and prosper , and that this procedure is conducive alike to individual welfare and general good. Religion flourishes here among the orthodox of I all denominations, so that each might boast of] almost equal trophies, while all would unite and lay their honours at the Saviour's feet. This is the more remarkable, as this city has ever been re- garded as the strong hold of unitarianism. The churches maintaining these views, with more or less of modification, are still the most numerous. The acquaintance we formed with the pastors of| our churches at Boston was eminently pleasing. Of these. Dr. Sharp is the senior ; a man distin- guished for enlightened prudence and sound prac- tical wisdom, and for the graces in general which i adorn the christian minister. To him it is easyj to concede the paternal influence due to his years i and experience. Shortly alter our visit, as the| moderator of the Boston Association, our distin- guished friend adjourned the meeting, which had I been characterised by solemnity, harmony, end brotherly kindness, with an address full of tender- i 111 . CHURCHES IN BOSTON. 427 ness and fatherly counsel. He said, "it was the twenty-fourth session of the body which he had attended, and he was happy to know that its de- liberations had never been distracted, either by division or dissension." To this blessed union and harmony we have reason to believe that his own influence has materially contributed. There are seven baptist churches in Boston, some of which are large ; two containing upwards of 500 members each, one 400, and another 300. Considerably more than 2,000 members are enrolled among them, and their places of worship are in all respects worthy of the liberality of the people. The anni- I versary meetings were held in the spacious chapel at Federal-street, of which Mr. Malcom was the much valued pastor. He has been succeeded by Mr. Ide from Albany. The dimensions of this place of worship are eighty-seven feet by seventy-six, and it accommodates, probably 1,800 or 2,000 hearers. The dimensions of three other baptist chapels are eighty feet by eighty, seventy-four by seventy-four, and seventy-two by sixty-seven. The pastors are Dr. Sharp of Charles-street, Mr. Hague of the first church, Mr. Baron Stow of the second. All are well attended, as are the others of smaller size. The African church is situated in Belknap-street, and holds 600 people. It is now destitute of a pastor. Seven or eight thousand may be estimated as the number of stated hearers dispersed among them, and each church supports a flourishing suuday-school. The seventh church was constituted very shortly m ,h ill :<• iir ^yumK WW Kf^V"?J»»^^-ff"^T^S|| ! ^^^^^V^^^B T ^^^^^^^^^B^K I;I ^^^^^^^^B 1 '^ ! 1 ^H^^^^K - ' i 1 ^^^^^^^^^^H f • { ^ , ^^^^^^^^^^H' 'i j » I 'Ji j :i ■; J if ! ii m h : 1' ^ ! .!■ (' 428 CHURCHES IN BOSTON. 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 givci^ of this service is so instructive, and indicates so truly the christian feeling of the parties concerned, we shall quote it from T/ie 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 I 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 council was convened to consi- der 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 by 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. Hague ; concluding prayer by the Rev. Mr, Collier. I i- CHURCHEF TN BOSTON. 429 " The occasion was one of deep and affecting in- terest. Tlie members who were recognized, were all dismissed from the second church, being fifty-nine in number. They have made choice of three of heir brethren as deacons, two of whom had pre- viously served in the second church . Several mem- bers have already been dismissed from the other churches, with a view of uniting with this. "When the second church was constituted in 1743, ninety-two years since, it consisted of only six members. Since that period, four new churches, previously to the last, have be^^n constituted in the city, and very many in the vicinity of the city ; most of which were composed, in part, of members dis- missed from the secoi a church. Before its recent diminution, it consisted of 530. " It is a most gratifying and encouraging circum- stance, that this new church originated, not from strife and contention, but by mutual counsel, and in mutual good feeling ; in a perfect unanimity of judgment, between the church and the members dismissed. " The church in Baldwin-place, it seems, were im- pressed with a conviction that it was not right for them to sit down at their ease and in contentment, while the world was full of ungodliness, and while sinners by thousands were perishing in sin, in their very midst. These brethren, therefore, went out, not because they desired to leave the church and their beloved pastor, but because the church and their pastor desired them to go, believing them to be suitable persons to commence such an enterprize. ''■i :i III If! I' ii lb 'fi I 4 • i ■i ': 430 CHURCHES IN BOSTON. They have a commodious house of worship in H?^n- 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 !" We 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 i 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 Hag :-, 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 attending 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 CHURCHES IN BOSTON. churches at Cambridge and Brookline, as well as others, are prosperous; and our friend and country- man, Mr. Warne, enjoys mucL encouragement in the delightful village which is the scene of his labours. The church at Charlestown, under the pastoral care of Mr. Jackson, contains more than :jOO members, and the first Cambridge church, under 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 instruc- I tion. I ^^^fpplpfp ssssmsmmT* 432 iJlH rl i ) f 1 ,1 > 11 . |if ilit u '{ ' ' I 1 I I I I '■■ 4 CHAPTER XII. DR. cox's TOUR FROM BOSTON, THROUGH PLYMOUTH AND NEWPORT, TO PROVIDENCE. Once more I parted from my colleague 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 seashore. The residence of John Quincy Adams is seen in a low 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." " yes, sir," he answered with great nonchalance, "pretty much so." In two minutes afterwards we ; passed a school-house, whose merry little inmates j li rii PLYMOUTH. 433 were just rushing- forth from their morning labours and without any hesitation began to pelt the apple trees and like their elders, - help themselves" in 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 magnificence IS seen half erected. Reflections and anticipa- tions now began to crowd upon the mind, and I willmgly 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 wea- ther was unfavourable, but I determined to retain my outside place, in order to survey the entire and interesting locality. Here and there a fragment of rock protruded above the sand, which I fancied might have been to our pilgrim fathers an altar of prayer or a place of tears ! It was no mean assist- ance to the busy thougnts as we approached the I place of destination, to observe a solitary ship lying between two points of land, and precisely where, in all probability, the pilgrim vessel anchored 215 years ago. I felt as if the ages had rolled back, and the pen of time was engaged in recording a i present transaction. Plymouth is not very dissimilar in its aspect to the veritable Plymouth of Old -England. We I passed the Pilgrim Hall to the hotel termed the nlgnm House, opposite to which some of the grave- stones in t'o burying-ground are visible on the u •f 'Wr 434 PILGRIM HALL. 1 Jf ' 1 ' I i 1 i ; j. , .. 4i ! heights. While partaking of the bounties of Pro- vidence 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 roTind him, and lives in the centre of his delightful 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 I goers and comers to the wharves that have no history j in them; hut its associations, which give "tongues to trees," and to stones too, make it a place of mys- terious 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. li 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 propertyj of the mate, and another, once owned by Mr. Clark;! a piece of the chest of General Edward Winslow^ BURIAL-GROUND. 43^^ and the armed chair itself wliich belonged to Go- vernor Carver, who came in the first ship, and the cane of William White, whose son, Peregrfne Wh te was the first English child born in America. There also I was shown King Philip's cap, the celebrated Indian chief ; and best of all, the bible of the ^ood 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 PHgrim Hall. A large mass of the ock of landing, detached for the purpose, has been deposited in front of this building. It is inclosed in an iron fence, which consists of palisades or rails m the shape of boat hooks and harpoons, arranged alternately, with scollop shells and heraldic cur- tains, 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 tlie 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 and ot sepulchre, are thought by many to be incompatible ;^ith Its character ; but why should not we proclaim 'n this manner a kind of triumph over the *' last enemy," since the -Captain of salvation" has achieved it on our behalf? Why should not the toties of vegetative life be made to appear, that u 2 [ \" II IW? M lit k i :« f H i 1 .1 ill II ■ 436 COL. BULLOCK. amidst its buddings and blossomings, we may be 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. Notwithstand- ing the degraded 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 usage and missionary instruc- tion. To record this is only an act of justice ; un- questionably it alters not the character of the inhu- manity that doomed them to bondage, or the un- scriptural principle of slavery itself. In travelling from Plymouth to Rhode Island, I was able for so^ae time to catch occasional glimpses of the elevated burial-ground of the pilgrims, 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 farmhouses and richly cultivated farms, or of Middleborough Green, whose church and graveyard, encircled with NEWPORT. 437 a fine country, are so attractive, at 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 necessity of condensation compels me to a very brief notice of places and pursuits. In the morning and afternoon of the 30th, I preached for Mr. Dowling at the baptist church ; in the evening for Mr. Dumont, at the presbyterian : both are in a prosperous state. The audiences were very numerous, and highly respectable. The people connected with !ie former 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 afterwards. An im- portant revival of religion was experienced at New- port in 1834. Previously to that period, Mr. Doav- ling'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 manifestations of mercy. Up- wards of 100 converts were distributed among four churches, the episcopal, the methodist, and the first and fourth baptist. " I am happy to say"— these are the words of Mr. Dowling— *' that the genuineness of this revival is evidenced by a willing- ness to engage in works of benevolence and mercy, not only among those who have recently united with us, but also among those who have long been members. We have formed, within the present month (November) an Auxiliary Foreign Missionary Society, in connexion with our congregation ; and ■ i '1 1 Mi i ■ i 14 NEWPORT. have resolvsd, as a heginningy to raise, in the en- suing year, at h xst enough to support one native Burman preacher." The church of Mr. Bowling 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 office 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 nO» UiUBCU , ail ill tiic ottiic ihxtih^ jji --li "Jj^ ^it^.-. NEWPORT. 439 iiii: charters, and are no longer incorporated. We passed by what had been the Moravian church, but it is 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 ministra- tions as a preacher. He was driven from England in evil times, when party raged so violently at the beginning of the French revolution. In America he pursued commerce with great success. The prayer uttered just before his death, and copied on his tomb, is characteristic of him. " O God, we find thee not the Roman Thunderer, but the bene- volent parent of good, embodied in human nature ! Assist us this day, amidst the agonies of expiring nature, which, with the dissolution of the universe, form part of thy wise succession of events i Save us from the death of sin ! Teach us to say. Thy will be done !" On visiting Mr. A^ernon, I found in domestic com- bination, religion, elegance and opulence. Among some fine paintings in one of the rooms by original masters was one, " the dying Socrates," by Vandyke. Mrs. V. remarked with ecual 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! U . .Ii 1 t{i 1 ji! i 'ifl 1 4. CHANNING. saw whence General Prescott was so dexterously and ludicrously abstracted in the revolutionary war, though 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 from 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 their?. 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- cations of mind. That eminent individual welcomed Dr. Dunn and me at the door, with unassuming simplicity of manners. At the table of a man whose fame had crossed the Atlantic, and must live in his- tory, we found every 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 CHANNING. 441 particular point of doctrine or practical conduct, full of argumentative subtlety and just discrimination . These men agree in the superiority, not in the mode of their talents, either in private or public. In pri- vate, Dr. Channing is calm, collected, sensible, and agreeable ; Mr. Hall was rapid and chaste in dic- tion, often impassioned, and not unfrequently incon- siderate in his remarks on persons or performances, and tenacious, sometimes playfully, of curious or unimportant theories, hastily adopted, and to be soon abandoned. In public, Dr. Channing, as a preacher with a unitarian creed, is deliberate, acute in argument, interesting in manner, delivering or reading well-arranged compositions ; Mr. Hall was, with an orthodox doctrine, somewhat indistinct and hesitating in his utterance, having no elegance of manner, but vivid, ardent, inconceivably fertile in extemporaneous thought, and at once convincing, brilliant, and impressive ; for ever hovering between the pathetic and sublime. suited on a u3 442 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 ancient, though it has not yet completed one century of its existence. It originated at Warren in 1764, as " the college or university of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,'' and was removed to Pro- vidence in 1770. This was an appropriate situation for the univer- sity, the charter obtained for it being in admirable keeping with the constitution of the state of which Roger Williams was the distinguished founder. Providence was the spot where Williams landed, to .Aumk COURSE OP AMS'S PLACE HON. — CAMP ID AND THE LBANY, AND VISIT TO NEW nverged once r we repaired 5wn Univer- rom the Hon. munificence 3 Island, and baptist deno- his name to ■^ ,■■ nay be styled id one century rren in 1764, ie Island and loved to Pro- T the univer- <; in admirable :ate of which hed founder, ms landed, to Hfi '1 • wl] He din lib. as i stai lav* sen He wit fait was dis] hiir and war Bui deli suff Wil thn floa Toe the wor He] in § dene No moil not I ROGBR WILLIAMS. 443 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 firmness 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.' He landed at a spring, he found earth and water, and in gratitude to heaven, he called the place Provi- 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 i' i n il,: ^^'- s 'I;' I { 'f! 1 lilt ^ I III 444 BROWN UNIVERSITY. were destitute of paper and books. And this was the rpot on which one of the most thriving cities of the United States now stands. It was here the true principles of toleration were planted, and have since flourished. The Indians had no such quality as in- t .,!erance 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 *' Br wn 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 colleges, a chaste and elegant Doric structure, called Manning Hall. The basement story is intended for the university library, over which a spacious chapel is fitted up. Both rooms are remarkable for sim- plicity of design and beauty of finish, corresponding with the handsome portico. The colleges are now faced with cement, to resemble the granite of the centre hall ; arjl when the grounds are propeny BROWN UNIVERSITY. 446 are prOpen} 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 philoso- phical apparatus and a respectable library. A fund 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. Francis Wayland is the distinguished president, who, with SIX other professors and three tutors, constitute a most effective faculty. Under these advantageous circumstances, we were not surprised to discover the deep interest taken in the commencement ; or to ascertain that the prospects of this seat of learning were in the highest degree encouraging. There were at this time seventy candidates for admission, who were undergoing a scrutinizing examination, and it was thought more than sixty would matriculate. On Wednesday, September the 2nd, two literary societies held their anniversaries. J. Lincoln, Esq. delivered the oration to the Philhermenian Society on " The Influence of Men of Literature r This was an excellent discussion, appropriate to the times, and calculated to direct the youthful mind at this season of great public excitement. In addressing "the United Brothers," Professor Hopkins, of Williams College, displayed great originality of thought, and felicity of expression, in an oration on " Originality of Thought and Character:' In this masterly performance, the profoundest homage of ! '^ i: 446 BROWN UNIVERSITY. the human intellect to the authority of divine reve- lation, was well contrasted with a flippant and con- ceited infidelity, who^^e 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 societies, instead of maintaining the two in one college, was agitated, and members of both are brought into fraternal relation in a third, whose anniversary was celebrated in the evening ; it is of a religious cha- racter, a college missionary society. Our valued friend, the Rev. Mr. Pattison, delivered a discourse on " The Importance of Learning to Missionaries" Felicitous illustrations presented themselves in the history of our own missions, and there was great pathos in some of his appeals to the students of the university, suggested by the consideration that Brown had not yet supplied its fair quota of la- bourers for that holy work. A chaplain, as well as an orator, is selected in these anniversaries to conduct the de\otion of the meetings, thus judiciously associating religion and literature. At this commencement, the corporation elected two new members on the board of fellows, and three on the board of trustees. Several degrees in literature and divinity were conferred in the usual manner. With regard to the Baccalaureate, the same difficulties were rncountered as at some other universities. A number of young men entertained scruples respecting the customary interference of BROWN UNIVERSITY. 447 the tutors, m assigning the parts to be taken, and the order of appearance in the public exhibition of commencement day. Strangers could not tho- roughly understand the bearing of this question. Ihe young men asserted that with them it was mat- ter of conscience, and stated that by arraneinff among themselves, all suspicion of favouritism would be avoided. It must be admitted their de- portment and language were respectful, and the expedient they had recourse to, was simply that of forccroing their honours, by entering their names for virhat IS called - the partial course," as if they had not pursued the studies which had really occupied them On the other hand, the tutors as conscien- tiously maintained their dignity, and magnified their office ; deeming it but right, after having guided the studies and watched the progress and character of their pupils, that they should arrange for the public day, though it would necessarily be considered a little invidious, if so construed. Many enlightened friends stood by, with the kindest and most respectful regard for their young friends, but apparently glad to see the reins of the chariot in the experienced hands of Phoebus, rather than that an experiment should be tried under the less steady guidance of youth. The result was, that only three out of a large class of twonty-four, aspired to the customary honours, because they objected to the system on which they were conferred. As these young men declined to take the parts assigned them 'n the public exhibition, there were but few speakers. 448 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 'H HI Fop the purposes of the exhibition, and the public business of the commencement, a platform was erected in the first baptist church. This structure is a wooden fabric, but of such admirable architec- ture, that it is said there is not a spire in the United States surpassing it in beauty or in strength. The interior of this noble edifice is spacious. The gal- leries and roof are supported by richly reeded pil- lars 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, in the arrangement of which /he master of the cere- monies read over the &tyle and title of the first men in the state, of whom several were present, to cake • 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 last looked down the long line of he procession, winding down the steep hill, and between the rows of over-shadowing elms, that extend from the university to the town. On this day, the pro- fessors alone" wor^ gowns ; os-^epting that a few kept for the occasion, were transferred from one speaker to another, as the young men ascended to the platform. There were at least 3000 persons crowded into this magnificent church. The galleries and part of the body were reserved for ladies ; the rest was devoted to those who composed the procession. Tr.. BROWN UNIVERSITY. 449 approaching the place of meeting, the highest in honour walks last, but on arriving there, the studente who lead in the procession, two and two, divide, and ace about, so as to arrange themselves in rank forming a passage, through which the president, to' gather with the professors and visitors walk in suc- cession uncovered. Each couple closing immediately after those who have passed, the order of march is reversed so that the highest in honour enters first. Dr. Wayland soon occupied iiis presidential chair, and the vast assembly being hushed to silence, prayer ^vas offered, and the business proceeded. The rich- toned organ relieved the otherwise uninterrupted attention to the business of the day, by occasionally pouring forth its melody. Five orations having been made, the degrees were conferred. Certificates were presented to such students as graduated, with the cus- ternary Latin form of announcement ; but honorary degrees are simply proclaimed by the president, as he sits uncovered. A sumptuous banquet was spread m the dining hall of the university, but so great was the concourse, the tables were filled by several sue- cessive companies of occupants. American dispatch on such occasions, greatly facilitates the arrange- ments. The Phi Beta Kappa Society was to assemble m the afternoon. This appellation is taken from the initial letters of three Greek words, which designate a widely-extended fraternity, of which numerous branches hold their respective anniver- saries. Professor Craswell, who teaches mathe- matics and natural philosophy in Brown University, M an appropriate essay on the importance of his f I '■ ^ ill m 450 BROWN UNIVERSITY. own particular department in a liberal education. In exhibiting and illustrating this, he displayed the talents and qual'Hcations requisite for his profes- sional duties in iie exact sciences. He was suc- ceeded by Professor Knowles, 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. Parents and religious youth are attracted to Brown University, not only by the celebrity of its president, as a tutor and author, but by his unwearied devoted- ness to the spiritual interests of the youth under | his paternal guidance, many of whom form a bible class under his immediate instruction. In addition to the university, there are in Providence and the vicinity, five classical schools taught by gentlemen j belonging to the baptist denomination. The Qua-' kers have also a noble literary establishment. Providence is a large and thriving town. Manu-j factures are carried on to a great extent, and many affluent individuals reside in the neighbourhood. ^A Tu^lJalipd Tnanners of society in| r^£\TrM^{:k Q' .■-*r*~-^ PROVIDENCE. 45J I 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 calcu- lated to give any favourable impressions respecting I the designs of many of the southern people on the subject of slavery. There is too often a suspicious sentimentahsm in reference to obedience to the laws of state legislatures, as if that were an authority paramount to the laws of God! Or, as if enactments of legislators, prohibiting instruction or preventing aianumission, could relieve conscience from the obligation of doing, not merely to a fellow crea- ture, but to a fellow christian " as he would be done unto." What arrogance must it be in the sight of God, for one, who professes 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 com- fort of the scriptures," that he " may have hope." It is painful to converse on these points with the most coarse and determined tyrant, who in defiance W every appeal, grasps his fellow creature as his property, and will tear him limb from limb, rather than part with his prey; but it is far more humili- ating and agonizing, to hear a defence or palliation ptthe system, breathed from the lips of woman, or pamtamed by some youthful candidate for the holv I ministry of love! Slavery presented itself to our view in one of the imost extraordinary and oiTensive forms of which it liiii 'if. 462 JOYCE HETH. It >{■ I I 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 poli- ticians, and even our princes and captains, may have quailed before his surprising genius ; but his me- mory is enshrined in the hearts of the wise and the 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 she has worn the chain and badge of slavery! from 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 in the bosom of this stranger, Joyce Heth should have remained a slave. We were ready to ask, when we visited her, where are the sensibilities of a people who can tolerate so gross an outrage upon every soft and holy feeling, as to allow this! living mummy, 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 yearsj ought rather to have been cradled in silk, and nursed, in her second infancy, with all the tender ness with which she watched over one of the greatj est of men. She was stolen from Madagascar, am was owned by the father of Washington at the tim^ of his birth! It was evident that her person iiac '\ /fjtmf-fn ill!;!:! Ulijlillli JOYCE HETH. 453 lere saw, st [j been shamefully neglected, since she had sunk into the helplessness of an almost miraculous old age her nails being suffered to grow till they bent, like birds' claws, and those of one clenched hand pene- trated into her very flesh. She was left in the extremest destitution, and would have died in Ken- tucky, had it not occurred to some keen and shrewd calculator, that something might yet be made by exhuming, as it were, this living relic of a former age, to exhibit as 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 been gained than the sum for which Wash- ington's father sold her in 1727, when, as appears in the existing copy of the bill of sale, she was fifty- four years of age. It was often necessary for her to be addressed in the authoritative manner with which a slave is com- manded, in order to rouse what remained of vital I energy, so as to gratify the curious ; but, at other I times, she spoke with vivacity. She has been tlm mother of fifteen children, but all have died before I Iier, excepting two or three grandchildren. This venerable slave is a baptist, was immersed in the Potomac, and received into a baptist church 116 years ago. She sings a few hymns, in a voic^> which brings Homer's grasshoppers to mind. She is often observed in prayer, and expresses herself, on a few essential points, with great clearness. The few sentences we heard, were in answer to our inquiries, at a time when she appeared greatly .i!imimm0l0%ri^t M f : ii'-l . ^i''.^ r 1 ■ t I Iff m ■ i|: ^l 454 JOYCE HETH. exhausted. She said she "wished to die, and go to heaven in that minute of time, but must wait God's pleasure, and dare not be impatient;" expressed herself very clearly in reference to the blood of | Christ as her only hope, declaring that " the hap- piness she felt was of the Lord, through faith in Jesus." In reply to some questions about her bap- tism, she said " it was in a river, and she was sure that it was the Potomac." While at Providence, we paid a visit to the spoti where Roger Williams first landed. We approached! the rock from the high ground, toward the town, which overlooks the retired cove. We were accom- panied, in the excursion, by our esteemed brother! Pattison, the pastor of the church which Williams I formed two centuries ago, in 1639. At the perilous | moment of Williams's landing, the shore was occu- pied by a party of Indians. Warned off from Reho- both, the last place where they had taken refuge, by] the men of Plymouth, because he maintained that " civil magistrates J as such, have no power in the\ church, and that christians, as such, are subject to no\ laws or control hut those of King Jesus,"" during the winter of 1636, Williams aiid 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, " WhatX cheer V assured the outcasts of a friendly reception. To commemorate the goodness of God, who had] ^■4P»%X CHURCHES IN PROVIDENCE. 455 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 \vhom took leave of us on their return to Boston, under the affecting 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 worship with our beloved friends. It was their sacramental season, and we united in this festival 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 Simonson. The first church, in 1831, added fifty- six; in 1832, thirty-six; in 1833, twenty-six; in 1834, forty-two. The present number is 534. This church was constituted 196 years ago, and was the first baptist church established in America; the second was founded in Newport, about six years afterwards; the third was the church at Swansea, Massachusetts. Mr. Philipps stated that '^ " ' ice only seven years, and TOVK 456 WORCESTER. ,1 there was but one minister of the Warren Associa- tion, consisting of twenty-eight churches, that belonged to it when he joined ; a surprising proof of fluctuation of the ministry in America. The salaries range from J>'450 to »S'1200 per annum, averaging about $600. We left Providence, September 7th, and having again passed through Boston, bade once more fare- well to many kind friends. Worcester is an improving town, very beautifully situated. We regretted that we could not command sufficient leisure to visit a church of 383 members, which originated in the indefatigable exertions of an individual now resident at Cincinnati. Mr. Wilson, an Englishman from Northumberland, who no sooner settled at Worcester in 1795, than he opened his house for preaching, and amidst violent opposition persevered, till at length in May, 1812, some converts were baptized on a profession of their faith, which was the first instance of the adminis- tration of the ordinance in that town. The hos- pitality, benevolence, and laborious efforts of Deacon Wilson, are still held in grateful remembrance. 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 5 have made a profession of religion- CAMP MEETING. 457 From Brookfield we proceeded the following morning to a methodist camp meeting, held at I Wilbraham, twenty miles distant. We determined on this course, as we had been precluded from an attendance 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 1 83 1 , 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 meetmg 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 compelled 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- tial, and pious of their members. Hence that meet- ing has been resumed annually. Whether these meetings are most useful in awakening the inconsiderate and irreligious, in de- ciding the hesitating, or in quickening or reclaim- ing professed christians, it may be diflicult to decide ; but the evidence is unequivocal, that in many in^ stances much good results from them to the churches, and to the cause of religion generally. That such encampments in the wilderness, are specially, and ahnost exclusively, adapted to a recently-settled country, there can be no doubt ; where they are re- I ii I I'lmi ,' 11 458 CAMP MEETING. hi i,.J : i III - 1 sorted to in older and populous districts, it may be expected that they will partake more of pleasurable gaiety, and accordingly be frequented for mere amusement. We shall not describe the scene fur- ther than by saying, the space cleared just in the borders of the forest, was an area where 700 or 800 persons might be seated on the rough logs arranged opposite the stand ; while thousands might occupy standing room beyond the seats. A broad aisle separated the hewn logs into two divisions; one for females, the other for men : a line was drawn from the aisle to the camps, and at dusk no male was allowed to pass beyond it, if inclined to saunter about the ground. At the commencement of the services a minister announced the regulations it had been thought proper to adopt, such as — the ground was for the time theirs ; no smoking to be allowed ; no walking about while there was preaching ; lights to be kept burning in each tent during the night ; superintendents to be appointed ; family prayer re- commended ; all to repair to general worship at the sound of the trumpet ; all persons not having tents to retire from the ground at ten at night. The tents, of which there were fifty or sixty, formed a complete circle round the area, and at so great a distance, as to oe 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 CAMP MEETING. 469 of lights, the forest thickening as you receded toward the tents, and quite concealing the most distant of them from view. We were several hours on the ground, but were unable to stay through the night. 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- clamations were made for different classes to enter this spot, round which some hundreds stood, form- ing a ring that was duly preserved by persons in office. First, anxious souls wishing for conversion were invited; the minister at the same time narrating what wonders he had witnessed. A few females re- sponded to this summons ; fell on their knees, and crowded together on the grass in an indecorous manner. Proclamation was then made for backsliders to join the prostrate few, and another hymn was sung, their numbers being gradually increased to about twenty. A third address was made to young men, as none but females had entered the ring ; this ap- peal was unavailing, except in two or three instances. The leaders now advanced, knelt down, and one after another offered prayer : the manager during this time approaching on his knees nearer to the penitents, said, somewhat sternly, and loud enough to be heard by the surrounding circle : " Pray for yourselves," — " Every one x2 you pray, Pray m ""wmmmm 460 CAMP MEETING. m-:'i^\ H r 1 • I 'It \ faith,"—" Only believe,"—" Pray." Strange and unmeaning expressions were lieard during the prayers, as " Glory to God," — " Have love," — " Let them know it for themselves," &c. After a while all rose and sung; then one exclaimed, "Let us pray again;" when all fell prostrate. During this prayer, the people withdrew from the ring, and at the close of it, all dispersed to the tents or into the forest very unceremoniously. The voice of crying, sing- ing, and praying soon attracted our attention, as we moved about in astonishment at some of the scenes we had witnessed. We passed from tent to tent, whence these sounds proceeded, and soon after observed the most violent indications of excitement. Many of the prayers were affecting, and on one or two occasions, females under the influence of the deepest emotions, commenced penitential supplica- tions, mingling aloud many confessions of a vain and worldly course of life. Notwithstanding an occasional gush of feeling, suffusing the eyes with tears, and almost overpowering reason, there was much to produce extreme disapprobation, bordering even upon disgust. In the pens or inclosures on one side of a tent, and crouched on the straw which seemed intended for bedding, were at least fifty females, young and old, crowded together, and doubled into every conceivable attitude ; while one stretched like a corpse, and as motionless, lay pros- trate before a party of six or eight men kneeling, who prayed alternately. Many more were standing around, leaning on the ropes, and some proceeding with their ordinary preparations, on iirst arriving CAMP MEETING. 461 on the ground, or receiving friends. Amidst vhe prayers, it was ever and anon vociferated, " Bless me, O God,"—" Oh do, do,"—" God is coming,"— " God is come,"—" We must have these souls con- verted,"—"To-day— to-day,"— "Good peace of God," — " Now, Lord," &c. &c. Exclamations of the cease- less "Glory! glory! glory! glory be to God ! glory to Christ ! glory i" were disturbing and bewildering ; while clapping, rubbing, and wringing the hands, exceeded all description. No attempt was made to recover the womaa in a swoon during our stay, and we were subsequently informed that many others were affected in unaccountable ways, of which me- dical men could give no rational account, but out of which condition they were at length awakened to a state of hope and joy and peace. It was occasionally proclaimed, " If any of you feel that God has blessed your souls, rise." Occa- sionally one and another thus summoned, would stand up and cry, " Glory, glory!" and move away with a smile on the countenance of most remarkable expression. The people continued to pour into the camp ground, arriving in every variety of carriage; and when the assembly was most numerous, 4,000 or 5,000 were supposed to have been present. It is impossible without beholding this scene to form an adequate conception of it. The moon rose as we left this assembly, among whom, notwithstanding these objectionable proceed- ings, we believe were some hundreds of spiritual worshippers, and we reached Springfield in time to 462 SPRINGFIELD. iifi r secure a short night's repose, previous to our depar- ture for Hartford. Springfield contains a thriving population, and re- ligion is making considerable progress. Our bre- thren have recently formed a church, and erected a place of worship. It was delightful to find, that here, as in every other place where judicious com- mencements are made, success rapidly follows. Mr. Ives, a young brother from Brown University, Providence, had engaged to labour for six months in this delightful town. The church consists of 125 members, and twenty-eight had been added since Mr. Ives began his labours. The sight of Hartford Bridge affected us witli grateful recollections of the divine goodness which we had experienced since the morning of May 21, when before the dawn of day we crossed the long and gloomy avenue, on the way to Providence. We had completed between us a vast circle of several thousand miles, without the slightest accident, and desired to acknowledge the hand of God in our pre- servation. We greatly regretted the disappointment which had been occasioned by our not arriving the previous evening, when an assembly was convened in consequence of notice of ourintended visit; and engag- ing to return the next day, we set off the same hour for Canton, where the Hartford Association was then sitting. This meeting brought a considerable num- ber of the neighbouring pastors together, and it was rendered interesting, not only by the customary business transacted, but by a visit from Mr. Peck, of Illinois, who was many years ago a member of the HARTFORD ASSOCIATION. 4(J3 body. On one occasion, he contrasted the state of the association as he liad known it, with what lie now found it after the absence of twenty years. At that period it contained twenty-seven churches, but scattered over a mucli wider district of country. It has since been twice divided, and now, within a com- paratively small circuit, it consists of twenty-seven churches, and each of the other divisions is not merely in a ilourisliing state, but even larger than the parent body ! The report presented from the respective churches, was not so replete with encouraging statements as it had sometimes been, though tlie accessions during the year had been enough to cheer the hearts of the pastors, and two churches had been blessed with re- vivals. It is on occasions like these, that a visitor is en- abled to form the most satisfactory opinion of the body of ministers who are scattered over the country ; and such an interview as we enjoyed, proved to us, that here also our brethren were men of God, who though not gifted with a high degree of polish and refinement of external manners, are well acquaint- ed with their own duties, whose spirits are deeply im- bued with divine truth, and as far as knowledge of and capacity for that business which is appropriate to their engagements constitutes them such, they may be regarded as men of sound practical wisdom. We cheerfully took part in the associational services, and listened once more to a very striking description of the necessities and claims of the west, from Mr. Peck. Among the most interesting communications ill 464 m i ■ It. MONTE VIDEO. made relative to revivals, were those of the deacon of Canton, whose house is erected at the foot of a romantic and steep range of hills, which overhang the road near the meeting-house; rieing in some places as perpendicularly as a stone barrier thrown up by art, but in others, swelling into beautiful curves, and clothed with foliage, on which the first faint tints of autumn began to blush. As we stood admiring the scene from the house of prayer, he told us, that at their last revival those woods were vocal night and day with prayer and praise ; that it was the practice of the people to retire from their houses into these mountains, and there, in lone se- questered spots, to remain for many hours in ear- nest wrestlings with God. Many at that time sought an oratory in some cleft of the rocks, where, concealed bv shrubs and trees, they remained in tears and prayers, seeking divine mercy ; and some returned not from the sacred seclusion, till like Israel they had prevailed. The brightened counte- nance reminded the beholder of the man whose face shone after he had ascended the mountain to commune with God ; and the cheerful voice soon expressed holy joy and peace of heart. We paid a brief visit to the excellent pastor, Mr. Phippen, and returned with our friend. Dr. Davis, to occupy his pulpit at Hartford. It was arranged that we should turn aside from the road to contemplate the scenery of Monte Video, the seat of Mr. Wadsworth, and the brethren Linsley, Mallery, and Jennings, accompanied us on this excursion. This place is "9\ I'V, MONTE VIDEO. 465 cially as viewed from the summit of a wooden tower erected on the brow of a lofty hill ; the grounds are well laid out, and a small lake reposes in the shade of the surrounding groves, but the house it- self is a structure of no corresponding pretensions, being nothing more than a moderate sized villa, or genteel country residence. The drive and paths conducting to the tower are admirably contrived, and the plantations so skilfully planned, that al- though you pass along the very brow of a mountain on one side, and see the naked cliffs rising like a perpendicular wall 100 feet high on the other, and frowning like some ancient fortification, you do not catch a glimpse of the prospect, which is so soon to burs^. upon you. The summit of the tower is about 1000 feet above the river, and the view from thence so far surpasses expectation, even after surveying it in every direction from the base, as to occasion the most agreeable surprise. Hills in the neighbour- hood of Newhaven are clearly seen, and the opposite side of the horizon presents the picturesque summits of the Vermont Mountains ; while the Farmington Valley seems to stretch out into a boundless region of cultivated country. The Connecticut is visible here and there, meandering through a fertile and variegated region. Mount Talcot, which is crowned by the tower of Monte Video, is descended by a good road, down which we hastened, and were courteously received by Deacon Gilbert, previous to the meeting at the church of Dr. Davis. In this spacious and elegant place of worship a very large assembly was con- x3 iiil" ill ! : t i I ;; m ■ CHARTEft OAK, vened, notwithstanding the previous disappoint- ment. On the following day, September 1 1 , Mr. Gilbert obliged us with a conveyance to visit objects of interest, to which We can make but brief reference. In these hasty remarks, however, we record, with most gratifying remembrance, our interview with the lady whose well-known name so much enriches and adorns the female biography of the new world. America has given birth to men of eminence— her daughters are worthy of her sons, and, among them Mrs. Sigourney holds a conspicuous place, having endeared herself to all who speak our tongue, by many exquisite poetical effusions. Her muse, too, often aids the devotions of christians, as they sing the songs of Zion. We paid a visit to Washington College, on our way to Charter Oak. Having seen the oak, we also looked upon the parchment itself, which was there concealed from the grasp of that unjust op- pressor, James II.* It is preserved in the State House, but has become a useless, though an inte- resting relic. The lands are held by another te- nure, and the state is governed by other laws. It was curious to observe, that the printed paper which lined the little leather trunk in which the o^ I char- * When the king's agent, in 1686, demanded the charter of the state authorities, and would, no doubt, have obtained it violently, if it was not peaceably given up, the lights were sud- denly dashed out. After a momentary consternation, order was restored, and the discussion renewed ; but the charter, which had been lying on the table, had disanneared. safe DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM. 467 ter was originally deposited, was part of a book by the notorious Dr. Featley, who, as an opponent of the baptists, wrote " The Dippers Dipped;" and, in the preface, said, *' He could hardly dip his pen in any other liquor than that of the juice of gall." How impotent and innoxious has this wrath proved with all its bitterness ! Dr. Davis's church consists of 315 members. They meet in a place of worship, eighty feet by sixty ; and the second church, recently formed, of fifty members, but now increased to sixty-six, is also building a good house. Of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and its intelligent and successful super- intendent, Mr. Weld, it is impossible to speak in terms too high. We shall never forget the spe- cimens of facility, to a stranger almost miraculous, with which he communicated to the pupils of his class (nine youths and five young women), who we were, and what were our objects. Partly by manual spelling, and partly by inimitable pantomime, he made them all so clearly understand, that the whole fourteen immediately wrote on their boards, and in very similar language, the following sentence : — " These gentlemen are Dr. Cox from Hackney, and Mr. Hoby from Birmingham, in England. They are come to see the baptist churches^ schools, and institutions in America; and will soon return and inform their friends, who sent them, what they have learned." On returning to Springfield, we readily complied with Mr. Ives' request to meet his flock, with many friends of other denominations, in the house of I I 468 ii ■■ If '|i Bill ii I NORTHAMPTON. prayer. The following morning we proceeded along the banks of the Connecticut to Northamp- ton, intending to spend there one quiet sabbath. We had been apprized of the low state of our churches in that immediate vicinity ; but it was our desire to look upon the affairs of the deno- mination in every variety of aspect. As if by prescriptive right, the congregationalists have maintained the occupancy and ascendancy in this town. The labours of Edwards, and the tomb of Brainerd, seem to consecrate the title, though the whole church lays claim to these great and holy men. Dr. Penny's church is very large, and the second or Edwards' church is a substantial and hand- some building of good dimensions ; both places are tolerably well attended ; they are in the centre of the town, while the baptist and episcopal places of worship are built at opposite extremities, and appeared to us, in point of prosperity, to be in an equally forlorn condition : the former was not so much as opened for public worshiji, and had the appearance of having been long closed ; the latier was indeed opened, but there was no other service but such as was carried on by four or five persons in the organ loft, who seemed to be playing a few psalm tunes. There is also a handsome unitarian chapel. In the church of Dr. Todd, who was from 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 in a style which served no purpose but that of amusement ; it was altogether a ludicrous -.4Rr%\ NORTHAMPTON. 469 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 will 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, in an inscription, by such a division of words ; the lines are as follows : — SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THE REV. DAVID BRAINERD A FAITH- FUI AND LABORIOUS MISSIONARY TO THE 8TOCKBRIDGE THE DELAWARE AND THE SUSQUE- HANNAH TRIBE OF INDIANS WHO DIED IN THIS TOWN OCT. 10, 1747 AGED 30. The early age at which Brainerd was removed, rendered an epitaph on the tomb of a yet younger inhabitant of the grave close by, peculiarly impres- sive : — " Tliere was a time, that time is past, When, youth, I bloomed like thee ; A time will come, 'tis coming fast. When thou shalt fade like me." Mr. Willard, the baptist pastor at Northampton, was from home. His church is small, for althoue-h 'I .! 1:1 Iff I m If 470 NORTHAMPTON. 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, he 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 sorry 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 experienced some encouragement, of which we had not been apprized. We thought and conversed of our revered Ryland, of blessed memory, as we walked 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 lofty hills between which the Connecticut winds its peaceful course. The ascent to the first is a very easy excursion from Northampton, as a carriage can be driven very nearly to the summit. The view is considered by some unrivalled ; it resembles that from Monte Video, and embraces many of the same '■mrm::- THE KAATEIiSKILL PALLS. 471 of the same objects. Eminences 160 miles apart are distinctly seen, and the greater part of the intervening country wears a richly cultivated appearance. Here also the country is studded with those fairest ornaments of an inhabited district, the temples of religion. The distance to Albany is seventy-three miles, and as it was to be performed by the staj,e in one day, we started at two in the morning. It was late before we reached the end of our journey, but not too late for Dr. Welch and Deacon Humphrey to find our retreat. Another opportunity was thus afforded for at least a transient interview with these and other friends ; among whom we cannot help recording the valued name of Dr. Sprague, endeared afresh by acts of fraternal kindtiess. We intended merely to touch again at this city, but Dr. Cox was detained three days under the care of a physician, while his colleague availed him- self of the opportunity of visiting both the Catskill Mountains and West Point. No scenes can surpass these sublime and beautiful views; a stranger is entranced on reaching, under favourable circum- stances, the terrace of the Mountain House, or the still higher crags and points of rock which jut out at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet from the level of the sea. Round Top and High Peak in the imme- diate neighbourhood, and bounding the prospect on one side, are 3,700 and 3,800 feet high. The Kaaterskill Falls present a scene scarcely less striking, though altogether different in character. These slopes of majestic grandeur, adorned with the foliage of the mountain forests, descend from the i ! Ill I n w :i ! ■ 472 CATSKILL. distant heavens. The falls are fine, but the quan- tity of water was not great. A little river seems to make a spring over a dark shelf of rock, under which you nuiy walk ; and after a leap of 170 feet the frighted waters seem to recover themselves in a placid little lake ; but only the instant afterwards precipitate themselves eiglity feet further down, and then rush and plunge off in a headlong course amidst retired glens and deep hollows in the moun- tain pass through which a road is cut, till they are lost in the Hudson. The baptist church at Catskill was destitute of a pastor. It has been in a rather low condition, pro- bably from the situation of the place of worship. Better days are anticipated, as the people were ex- pecting a settled minister; and having land, they had resolved on building a new house. The church consists of sixty-four members, with a congregation of about 300, and forty children in the school. At Hudson, on the opposite bank of the river, there is a large and flourishing church of 238 members, ninety-three of whom had been baptized during the year. At Coxsackie, where a small church of seven- teen had been formed only three years ago, there are now 100 members : their excellent pastor, Mr. Green, was returning from Albany to an evening service, and stated that in the spring, during a deeply interesting season of revival, fifty-nine converts had been added to the church 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 engaered to swend Lord's PATTER80N. 473 day, September the 20th, at Newark and Patterson, and had it in contemplation to pass a day at Bur- lington with the New Jersey Association. Having repeatedly crossed that state, we were desirous of meeting some of our brethren tliere, 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 iilso 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 religions are supported with enormous revenues, as being the greatest hin- drances to the furtherance of religion. Mr. Grenelle, the devoted pastor of the church, was dangerously ill, but very large assemblies were convened, and his people gave their visitor a truly fraternal recep- tion. The church was just reviving from a very languid state ; forty had joined within a short pe- .iVvi, TTiMiwut any jJiuiiaciuQ iiicctiiigS, UF SspeciEl ; , i;t .sif^w^aiaaf 474 NEW YORK. observances ; thirty of whom were either eachers or pupils in the Sunday schools, which contain 220 children. The church consists now of 105 members, with a congregation of 400 or 500. Water power is obtained in this town by diverting the Passaick river from its channel just above the Falls, and tapping the canal wherever a mill is erec- ted, 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 it was destined by nature to fall. This romantic spot being now accessible by a rail-road, multitudes resort to it from New York on a Sunday, as one of the most delightful excursions in the neighbourhood. In population and commercial importance, New 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 sittings 150 miles distant, at Albany. The political influence of this queen of American cities is so checked and balanced, that under 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, were it even engulphed in the waters which encircle so great a portion of it, all that would happen affecting the Union at large, would be the distribu- tion of her immense commerce amono; the other ports of the country. In a religious point of view something more of a metropolitan influence is fM^"it%. NEW YORK. 476 r eachersor contain 220 05 members, by diverting St above the mill is erec- ts lower bed. ipper course it the whole ducted from wn which it )mantic spot multitudes ly, as one of ^hbourhood. rtance, New es, although Washington, sittings 150 influence of ;hecked and !inces it can monarchy , a t, pulsations tie contrary, lich encircle uld happen the distribu- g the other sint of view 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 and Boston; but owing to their relative positions, neither of them, can exert the same moral power among the religious community of the west. New 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. Presbyterian . . . Episcopalian . . . Baptist Dutch Reformed . . Methodist Episcopal . Methodist Independent Roman Catholic . . Friends Universalists . . . 33 24 17 15 10 9 6 4 3 Jews .... Congregationalists Unitarians . . Lutherans . . General Baptists Moravians . . Christians . . New Jerusalemites Mariners . . , 3 2 2 2 1 1 I 1 1 The baptist churches of New York do not form "jir «,r^vv.icn,ivii , ciCTcii ui tjiuiii lire uiiituci wiiii inai I 1 1 ■t lli-l) 476 NEW YORK. of the Hudson River, and at the anniversary of 1835, returned a total of 2,341 members. The others are reported as in union witli the New York Association, and gave a total of 1,600 members. Besides these, a new church has recently been formed, and there are some others, though small, and but little known. It may be safely stated, that 6,000 persons are in communion with the baptist churches in New York. It will not appear sur- prising that a few, in so large a community, should be found in a state of separation from the general body, who will, we trust, be ultimately brought into fraternal fellowship with the other pastors and churches. It is probable, that the congregations cannot fall short of 10,000, as some of the chapels are very large, and well attended. The denomination appears very considerable, though there are many towns throughout the United States, where no denomination exceeds it, either in num- bers, respectability, or influence. The accessions by baptism to ten of these churches, of which accounts were obtained, amounted to 250, and to five of the others, 150, during one year, giving an average of twenty-seven to each, and evincing that, with the continued smiles of God, either these communities must become inconve- niently numerous, or they must, as in many other instances, divide and multiply. Most of them have, in fact, originated in small beginnings; a few individuals cherishing an ardent desire for the ex- tension of the kingdom of Christ, have met in some obscure situation, and, from time to time, united '"tS"^ NEW YORK. 477 ler m num- in prayer, and concerted measures for evangelizing thedistrictsaround, by the consolidation of a christian church. The number composing the church in Oliver- street, of which the Rev. S. H. Cone is 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 - bbath 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 th^ gospel. The church in Mulberry-street, under the pas- toral care of the Rev. A. Maclay, consisted at iirst of eighteen persons. The place of worship is nearly, or quite as capacious as that of Oliver-street, al- though untoward circumstances have thinned its once replenished seats. 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 the 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 West Baptist Church of New York." The Amity-street church was formed about three I ;i( I 478 NEW YORK. years ago, of forty-three members, and is now in a flourishing condition, under the Rev. W. R. Wil- liams. The heavy debt which rested on their new and costly house, has been considerably reduced, the congregation increases, and the church has had an accession of many members, being now 126. At Mount Pleasant, the labours of the Rev. C. C. Williams, who was recently inducted into the pastoral office, have been crowned with success; and there is every prospect of a great increase. The North Beriah church, of 400 members, of which the Rev. Duncan Dunbar is pastor, exhibits evident signs of progressive extension. The place of worship, which is well filled, contains about 900 or 1000 people. The sunday-school and other religious institutions, are in a state of evident prosperity. East Churcl had, during the past year, a season of revival. A series of protracted meetings was at- tended with great good. Among the number added to the church, were thirty-seven heads of families. At Brooklyn, the first church, of nearly 200 members, under the pastoral care of Mr. Howard, have just erected a large and commodious place of worship ; and notwithstanding the extra expenses that have been incurred, they have vigorously aided various benevolent institutions. During the year, a Young Man's Home Missionary Society, a Mater- nal Association, and a Bible Class, have been formed, with the fairest prospects of extensive usefulness. The Rev. J. Bertham has been ordained a pastor of NEW YORK. 479 the second church, in that populous and rapidly- augmenting town. However gratifying it would be to enumerate each church m this city and its neighbourhood, we must be contented with thus naming a few ; and referring as we have done to the symptoms of prosperity. We were, .levertheless, 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 mtercourse with the brei'.ren Cone Mac- lay, Williams, Summers, Howard of Brooklyn and others, was trulv pleasing; nor can we forget, espe- cially, the active zeal and fidelity of Dr. Going m the home missionary department ; but, with a' hundred thousand inhabitants still untaught in this vast commercial metropolis, m 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, that an increase of ministerial ability and moral power may be made to their body. The day is not distant, we trust, when ^e^ 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 influence, of which the present scenery ot her encircling streams and enchanting bay, fur- nish but a faint and inadequate emblem. '< i '-!'> fJi i 480 NEW YORK. 'ill i I 1' ! i :• ! i.l.;; 'li-i Hiili^l 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 associations, are in promising operation. In the associational statistics, almost all report the ex- istetice of a library, varying from fifty to upvrards of 500 volumes. There is obviously an enlarged desire to do good, a cordial participation in the operations of the foreign and home missions, which enjoy the confidence, prayers, and labours of the churches. A striking instance of liberality appears in the fact, that almost double the amount stipulated to be given to the State Convention, by the associa- tion, comprising many of the churches in the city, has been contributed, while the pastors and influen- tial members are rejoicing in the substitution of systematised efforts, instead of fitful and irregular movements in the cause of benevolence. During the few days spent at New York previous to our departure, our time was greatly occupied by receiving and paying visits, and by conferences with christian friends, and inquiries relative to various subjects connected with our mission. Besides to- pics of special interest in our own denomination, which were numerous and important, discussions pending in the Bible Society, and the operations of other religious institutions, naturally engaged our attention. Among these, the subject of education generally was not overlooked. We can fully con- firm the often-repeated reports of ample provision for the instruction of all classes ; but our inquiries respecting the numerous coiouret* people oi uie ciiy nendable zeal of the day; em, maternal ion. In the port the ex- y to upwards an enlarged )ation in the ssions, which tours of the 'ality appears lint stipulated y the assoeia- i in the city, ? and influen- ibstitution of and irregular ork previous r occupied by ferences with ^e to various Besides to- enomination, ;, discussions operations of engaged our of education an fully con- pie provision our inquiries >le of the city I f* m m I h If , i i at**' ■ ' J ').'.: ' ; .1 ■^atiHiuot.v. •le black tbar ]mi't ul '' tnf* atheriiigthei!! V thesephi- t .1 III :.-id -. Hk >• I of (iUi- wSmSl ^ fHH^B ^ HH ^ H ^ •»ibi t(.i 1 ^ i 1 uH ^ IiUhI ^ ■ 1 • ! ' ■ IIhIHh 1 Hj^D (i) UH^ffi ^ l^^H "^ gHMN ^ xnBini 1^ IpHfniH fi^ ^flwDull ^ ? f' BIhumHI ^ IliliHu '^ Hm |||nH|I J ■BH^H ^ ^^H^^H ■M g I > Hiay b l^n^^ffl H m^^R 4j ■'fr . w^HRI >'^ .it ma ' •( - :i Ji ■ ?)>' iwiw m nu'v NEW YORK. 481 were not equally satisfactory. The devoted friends to the education of the blacks, assured us that there were facilities in existence for the instruction 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 tliis, 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 regarding America as 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 practicable, to impart mental, and moral, and religious benefits to those 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 :;#; I m iri I 482 NEW YORK. pleased to unite the hearts, and harmonise 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 same 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 guide 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 legis- lation. 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 feel themselves bound in conscience to render the word for baptism, by terms which convey the idea of im- mersion, we are not disposed to enter, excepting simply to say, that if the committee of the Bible Society erect themselves into a compa-.y of critics upon new versions, in, to them, unknown languages, instead of maintaining the non-interfering but all- patronizing principle of circulating every version in every language, approved by competent judges in those respective dialects, then do they depart from the fundamental principle, and sully the beauty of an institution, in its division the dishonour, in its union the glory, of our land. Recent information NEW YORK. 483 convinces us that the subject can by 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 visit to New Jersey. The locality of Newark possessed 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 Sakliauwotung, within the forks of the Delaware. The population of Newark has rapidly increased, and amounts at present to 18,000 or 20,000. It contains five presbyterian 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 unas- sociated, and others in connexion with various other kindred societies in neighbouring states, the New Jersey Association comprehends about twenty-four churches. A literary institute of increasing impor- tance is situated in the beautiful village of Plainfield, and a new building is erecting for a library and re- citation 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- 111 o^^i 11 n* r\ f Y 2 484 NEW YORK. I! I ] I III sions in one of the apartments, of Clinton Hall. About twenty-one were convened on the morning of our attendance; and on this occasion, the persons present were constituted into a council to examine a young minister who offered himself for ordination as an evangelist in Virginia. Tlie investigations were long and scrutinizing on points of doctrine, and evinced the judicious caution with which the sanction 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 of 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 bo soon imitated in our own land. He Avas 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 .C 17. ngiisli literature, and of 1ilte?\ NEW YORK. 483 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 science, and in professional studies. In this univer- sity, the bible is to be used as a classic in the de- 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, minister 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 Octo- ber, 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 ! m 'In (H I "inwiPPi „ ^ ^ ■■ V i-»|i^. 486 III M CHAPTER XIV, SUMMARY VIEW OF THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. Having perfonned a tour of no inconsiderable extent, and made continual observations on the moral and religious state of society, it may justly be ex- pected that, apart from the minuter details of our united and separate journeys, we should endeavour to represent the general impressions which we re* ceived of transatlantic piety. Our intercourse, though, for obvious reasons, maintained chiefly with the members of our own community, was by no means restricted to them ; but we prescribe narrow limits to our remarks, both on account of the speci- fied object of our publication, and the wish to avoid interference with the labours of our predecessors in travel. We might perhaps safely leave our readers to deduce their own conclusions from the infor- mation either directly or incidentally communicated in the preceding pages ; but a guiding outline in the form of a summary may be useful for reference. Among the convenient divisions of the country is that of New England, as the comprehensive desig- nation of the six following states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. These, with characteristic diver- sities, are, nevertheless, considerably assimilated in 'm^\ NEW ENGLAND. 487 IINATJON nsiderable I the moral stly be ex- lils of our endeavour ch we re* tercourse, liefly with i^as by no 3e narrow the speci- 1 to avoid cessors in ir readers the infor- nunicated ine in the ferenee. ;ountrv is ive desig- ine, New mecticut, stic 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 superiority, their tone 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 enlarging the sphere of general knowledge, checks the ex- 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. The greatest disadvantage they suffer is, in our opinion, that of reading ail their discourses, a prac- f&''^i ''^dh&^X m 488 RHODE ISLAND MAINE. 1. jli w 1 i • ii I i 1 \ ^Klm2^ tice which, if it conduce to accuracy, is often found, even where their audiences approve and almost require it, to abate impression. JRhode Island boasts of the name of Roger Wil- liams, the founder of the state, the chief instrument in the establishment of the first baptist church in America, at Providence, and the first advocate of civil and religious freedom in the new world. The Sabbatarians are principally confined to this small state, where they were planted as early as 1671 at Newport. Here also reside chiefly the six^principle baptists, a name derived from their belief that the imposition of hands h still binding as a pre-requisite to communion, and their reference to the six propo- sitions in Heb. vi. 1, 2, in which that observance is mentioned. Religion is thriving in the principal places, as Newport and Providence; and in the latter, the influence of the university is highly beneficial to the religious as well as literary charac- ter of the state. The State Convention has always promoted home missions with great zeal, and the Warren Association, founded in 1767, has been distinguished both for vigour in the support of mis- sionary and benevolent efforts, and for the excellent character of its ministers and members. The spirit of non-submission to human dictation in matters of religious concern, still pervades the community with its primitive sturdiness. J/amehas the honour of never having had a slave: a distinction belonging only to one other state, that of Vermont. Like Rhode Island, Maine has also provided for the literary and relig-ious necessities of * .; >ften found, md almost Roger Wil- instrument t church in idvocate of odd. The this small as 1671, at X'principle f that the e-requisite six propo- lervance is ! principal nd in the is highly ry charac- as always I, and the has been rt of mis- excellent rhe spirit natters of mity with i a slave ; tate, that has also I W/ I I »;> I Z a; o > '- ..II ^ M:-^:\ y"- 'ye>4! .EW KtMPi'HlRE. 4A)) '•< I'opiilatioii ^jy the **>^:iit>.ishmeiiit of a r; .^m- buptist urjirerF- Tin? ehurtihtiBHrft i^ umerous nor large, with a few ex<'eptioris ^ ng^roir'dte of mlminiixni^, indeed, thougli raps.: ^ 'ner* ]\ awiji!] ; but both in comrnercmj ■< exprrion . they are mighty '*' uid oth^r holy HTHlprTakJitg ; m* '.liaTiisBi orxcf- pted to lift nv its bead m fe ai but bus mio:' retreated, ;..* in of zejil and nTiio)!. The T7m«t tnnce w tl ' ;tifiii ^ rbe *issneiatio' • ■fn ,id ■ . ■< -Mtablt' ' Tiisters,. oftb in lb iOmr UUt XL.. •br-q ;' )me Missionary Society employs a missionary ill taat 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- mg 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 American Baptist Home Missionary Society, drawn up, doubtless, by our active friend Dr. Going. ■Ill W 498 MICHIGAN — OHIO. 11 IS 11^^ plans of operation are settled ; its points of influ- ence are fixed on, and swarms 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 blessed heart. Protestant ministers and missionaries are also in the valley. Besides the native champions of the truth, and instructors of the young, and besides the ministers and teachers who in common with other 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 evangelical denomina- tions, and about 200 ministers are settled there, who were at first introduced by home missionary efforts. By far the greater part of the missionaries of the American Baptist Home Mission Society are employed in the western states and territories. The territory of Michigan contains a numerous popula- tion, among whom twelve of these missionaries are labouring with diligence and success. The friends of education also are making strenuous efforts to establish a literary and theological institution. Ohio contains more than a million of inhabitants. Here baptists are numerous, but they are not entirely harmonious in their views and operations ; many of their churches are feeble and without pastors, and there is great need of missionary labour. Besides indirect aid in a grant of $mO to tlie State Convention, and other grants to difierent local INDIANA — ILLINOIS. 499 societies of ^"200 more ; the Home Missionary 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 sp rit, 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 measures, with the recent formation of an education society, with the intention of establishing a lit-§ Libraries. Maine 1794 10 160 17,000 Maine 1820 7 94 4,000 New Hampshire 1770 11 281 13,000 Vermont 1791 7 81 2,000 Vermont 1800 5 150 5,430 Vermont 1834 5 Massachusetts 1638 27 217 44,500 Massachusetts 1793 7 120 7,200 Massachusetts 1821 9 243 10,750 Rhode Island 1764 8 167 11,600 Connecticut 1700 27 354 19,000 Connecticut 1824 8 43 4,500 Connecticut 1831 6 95 5,000 New York 1754 11 100 14,000 New York 1795 10 232 14,270 New York 1812 6 115 6,200 New York 1819 7 180 2,600 New York 1823 7 44 1,970 New York 1831 16 226 New Jersey 1746 13 215 11,000 New Jersey 1775 6 93 6,000 Pennsylvania 1755 7 93 2,000 Pennsylvania 1783 4 90 2,000 Pennsylvania 1802 7 175 3,400 Pennsylvania 1806 7 47 1,500 Pennsylvania 1806 4 120 8,000 Pennsylvania 1820 4 50 500 Pennsylvania 1832 6 90 Pennsylvania 1832 4 23 Pennsylvania 1833 6 80 Delaware 1833 5 75 1,000 Maryland 1784 6 58 3,100 Maryland 1799 24 193 10,500 Maryland 1830 25 90 7,000 Maryland 1832 6 45 D. Columbia 1799 17 134 12,000 D. Columbia 1821 5 50 4,000 Virginia 1693 6 15 4,200 STATISTICS. 5J5 Colleges in the United States, continued. Name, Hampden Syd--^ey Washington . Univer. of Virginia Randolph Macon Univer. of N, Car. Charleston Coll. of S. Car. Univer. of Georgia Univer. of Alabama, Lagrange Spring Hill Jefferson Oakland Louisiana Greeneville Washington Univer. of Nashville East Tennessee Jackson Transylvania . St. Joseph's . Centre . Augusta Cumberland . Georgetown . University of Ohio . Miami University . Franklin Western Reserve . Kenyon Granville Marietta Oberlin Institution Willouglby Univer. Indiana South Hanover Wabash Illinois . St. Louis Univ. St. Mary's Marion . Virginia I Virginia I 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 Missouri i;74 1812 1819 1831 1791 1785 1804 1785 1828 1830 1830 1802 1831 1825 1794 1794 1806 1807 1830 1798 1819 1822 1823 1825 1830 1821 1824 1821 1826 1828 1832 1833 1834 1834 1827 1829 1833 1830 1829 1830 1831 6 4 9 4 7 5 6 9 6 8 3 4 2 2 C 2 6 3 14 8 6 3 4 5 7 4 7 9 6 4 4 8 5 9 3 5 11 15 7 90 46 211 120 100 100 50 126 104 120 85 70 60 15 30 35 105 45 100 30 130 ea 75 72 36 45 126 40 54 (,7 153 93 90 230 40 95 200 124 50 Volumes in Libraries. 8,200 1,500 10,500 3,050 4,200 3,500 10,000 6,500 3,600 350 3,600 500 5,100 3,000 1,250 3,900 5,000 1,600 2,000 500 1,200 2,000 3,700 1,200 1,900 4,300 3,000 1,000 1,500 7,500 6,000 ;\ r^# ■. ■"^.S .516 STATISTICS. 1 il - Ifif, No. VII.-THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES. Name, Bangor . Andover Harvard Newton Yale E. Windsor New York Auburn Hamilton Hartwick New Brunswick Princeton Buriington Gettysburg Alleghany, T. Canonsburg Pittsburg Fairfax . Pr. Edward's Co. Richmond Columbia Lexington Purman Eaton Maryville Lane Gambier Hudson Alton . Columbus Granville South Hanover Baltimore Charleston Washington Co, Perry County State. I Date, I ^^nomina- tion. 1816 Cong. 1808 Cong. Unitn. Baptist Cong. 1834 Cong. 1819 Episcopal 1821 Presby. 1820 Baptist 1816 Lutheran 1784 Dch. Ref. 1813 Presby. Baptist 1826 Evan.Lu 1825 G. Ref. 1828 Presby. Assn. Ch, 1828 Ass. Ref. Episcopal 1824 Presby. 1832 Baptist 1829 Presby. 1832 Lutheran 1833 Baptist Baptist 1821 Presby. 1829 Presby. 1828 I Episcopal Presby. Baptist , Lutheran 1832 I Baptist Presby. R. Cath. R. Cath. R. Cath. R. Cath. J Tu. Stu. tors dents. Books, 2,300 11,000 1,800 2,000 2,000 3,880 4,500 2,250 1,000 7,000 2,000 4,200 1,800 1,200 1,000 5,000 500 Stevens & Pakdon, Prin.e'rs, 37. Bell Yard. Temple Bar. L^^,: ES. 27 52 36 53 >3 7 10 6 8 3 i ) 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