Cesar. But neither did Philip nor Caesar impose a yoke on the necks of a free peo. ple. In both cases, the people were en slaved by their passions, and by the un restrained depravity of the heart. Liberty was not immolated eitirer at Cheronea or Philippi. She had been long declining; and those places only witnessed her dy ing struggles. It is the immutable pur pose of God, that a people, destitute of moral principle, shall be neither free nor happy. We may, therefore, consider Jehovah, speaking to us, as he once spake to Israel. Put away the evil of your doing's from before mine eyes. Cease to do evil and learn to do well. Them, that honor me, I will honor: and they, that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed. "In making this appeal to the venerable guardians of the state, I do not suggest the idea of multiplying laws for the suppression of those vices, which have been mentioned. If the laws, now exist ing, were executed, the evil would soon be suppressed. If they can be executed, and are not, it is evident, where rest the responsibility and the guilt. But, if our national character has so degenerated, that magistrates would not be supported in executing the laws; if the torrent is so heavy and rapid, as to overwhelm the aivil authority, then is immediate refor mation our only hope. Considering the numbers, which compose this legislative body, the talents, wealth, and character, which it embraces, its influence, if concentrated on a particular object, would be incredibly powerful. There is scarcely a town or plantation in the Commonwealth, which is not here represented. That you have popularity and influence in your respective towns and districts, is evident from the places of honor, which you now hold. You are, therefore, the persons to engage in this work of reforim. You may unquestionably do much. And, permit me to say, that when God gives means and ability, there is something, which he will require us to give in return; I mean an account of the manner, in which we use them. Nothing, at present, is better understood, than systematical operation. Our political contentions have taught us to carry this art to high perfection. Let there be the same union of zeal and system to suppress vice, and to revive the habits, the spirit, and piety of our forefathers, which is discovered in bearing down a rivs interest, and your names will be forever recorded, as the honored instruments of perpetuating the union, and of achieving the salvation and glory of Four country." pp. 25-29. We have been seldom more deeply impressed with the digVOL. X. nity and importance of the Christian ministry, than while hearing the preceding paragraphs delivered. The audience generally were deeply attentive; the persons, to whom the preacher addressed himself, received his expostulations, apparently at least, as it became them to receive a message from God; and there is reason to believe, that so seasonable a testimony to the truth has not been ineffectual. Let the people bear in mind their duties, as they are here brought into view; let every true friend of his country accomplish his full share in producing a national reformation; and let him never think of contributing to place in office men who swear profanely, or violate the Sabbath, remembering that every such man, to use the words of Dr. Appleton, "does much towards demolishing the foundations on which civil society is supported." applicant, as his or her circumstances may require. "Accommodations will be made for those patients, for whom the occasional or constant residence of a friend or attendant with them is advisable. "Expenses will be proportioned to each patient's pecuniary situation, and to his demands on the Institution. The expenses will not exceed those in similar estab Jishments. "The object of the Institution has been a subject of the particular attention of the Physician from the commencement of his professional pursuits. He has visited most of the establishments for the Insane of Our Country, of the British empire, of France, Italy and Switzerland; and he has formed such connexion with them, as will give him early information of improvements, which shall be adopted in them." p. 3. Dr. Parkman proceeds to give a somewhat more particular account of the intended institution, and adds a description of the manner in which the insane should be treated. We do not consider ourselves as qualified to judge on such a subject; but all that is here said appears to us in the highThe est degree reasonable. zeal with which Dr. P. engages in this benevolent enterprise may be considered, not only as proof that he possesses humane feelings and a strong desire to mitigate the sufferings of his fellow men, but also as a pledge of his success. The institution has not the means of extending its influence to objects of charity; but will be ready to second the views of the charitable. The superintendent, as is stated, at the close of the pamphlet, is encouraged by the support and advice of his professional fathers; and the Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital have expressed their warmest approbation of this plan, and their best wishes. for its success.' RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. A Narrative of the state of religion within the bounds of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church; and of the General Association of Connecticut, of Massachusetts, and of the General Convention of Vermont, dur ing the last yeur. IN reviewing the dealings of Divine Providence towards their churches the past year, the General Assembly have abundant testimony, that the King of Zion is the guardian of his people. Every glance discovers the finger of God. In those congregations that are favored with the institutions of the Gospel, the Assembly are happy to find a respectful, and general attention to the preached word. Though in a few places, there has been a partial suspension of ministerial labors, arising from the unhappy state of some congregations on our frontiers; and in others, some defection in the regard which has been heretofore paid to the duties of the Sanctuary, yet there has been, on the whole, an increased attention to the means of grace. There is a state between that stupidity, which casts a gloom around every pros pect, and that excitement, which gilds every prospect with hope, that characterizes many of our congregations. In these churches, there is no general out-pouring of the Spirit. of grace; but there is that anxiety to hear the preached word, that solicitude to frequent public and private associations for prayer, together with some instances of conviction, and more of solemnity, which we venture to hail as the earnest of better days. In many of our congregations, these days of hope have already issued in sea Sons of refreshing and joy. The same Savior that took away the hard and stony hearts of the Jews in Babylon, and that shed forth his Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, is giving before our eyes, signal exhibitions of his amiable sovereignty, and irresistible grace. In many places, the people of God have been roused from their lethargy; affected with clear views of divine things; and animated with ardent desires to promote the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom, and to see it promot ed in the world. The attention of the thoughtiess has been powerfully arrested. Mulcitudes have been awakened to a sense of their sinfulness, their danger, and their duty; and many a stout hearted rebel has been brought to bow before the feet of a crucified Savior. The Congregations that have been eminently favored with these effusions of mercy are in the towns of Pompey and Homer, within the Presbytery of Onondaga; in Utica, Whitesborough and Litchfield, within the Presbytery of Oneida; and in Hebron, within the Presbytery of Columbia. In several congregations within the bounds of the Jersey Presbytery, in addition to the gleanings of an earlier harvest, there have been a number of extensive revivals. NewProvidence, Morristown, Bloomfield, Orange, Newark, Elizabethtown and Connecticut Farms, have been highly favored of God. In Hanover, South Hanover and Springfield particularly, the right hand of the Lord has been truly exalted, within the course of the past winter. While casting our eyes toward this favored district of country where there have been three extensive revivals in eleven years, we remember with thankfulness the years of the right hand of the Most fligh, and render praise to him shose mercy endureth forever. In Princeton and in Kingston, within the bounds of the New Brunswick Presbytery, we have also the privilege to state, that there is an increased attention to religion. We are exceedingly happy to hear that God is draw ing so near one of our principal Seminaries of learning, and we indulge the hope, that he will again visit in mercy, this favored Institution. We have reason to believe that vital piety is evidently rising in influence in some parts of Virginia. In Richmond, Petersburgh, Fredericksburgh, and particularly Norfolk, there have been considerable effusions of the Spirit, though no general revivals. New churches have been established; encourag ing additions to them have been made; and at the present time, the prospect is unusually animating. In the counties of Albermarle, Culpepper and Madison, very considerable attention has heen excited by the labors of Missionaries.In the congregations of Hawfields and Crossroads, within the bounds of the Presbytery of Orange, there has also been some unusual seriousness. In the Presbytery of West Lexington, the prevalence of malignant disease has been followed by deep searchings of heart and anxious cries for mercy. And among the blacks in the Presbytery of Harmony, we are rejoiced to learn there is much solemnity, and great engagedness in divine things-In some of the aforementioned places, the attention to re ligion seems to be at present on the decline, and in others it is still advancing. The whole seene is enough to gladden the heart. The risen Redeemer still has the work of salvation in his own hands, and turneth the hearts of the children of men, whithersoever he will, as the rivers of water are turned. The subjects of these revivals have been chiefly from among the youth-from the children of believing parents; and in some places, particularly from the youth who have paid punctual and respectful regard to catechetical instruction. The general character of the work has been such as usually marks the genuine operations of the Holy Spirit. Though not without great power of feeling, the subjects have been free from the appearance of extrava gance. The seasons of worship have been sacredly still, rather than tumultuously violent. The speechless agony of multitudes who have been brought to see their sinfulness and their danger, has been more the effect of truth bearing down upon the conscience, than that transient and vicleat emotion, excited by natural fear, and cherished by animal feeling. They have been deeply impressed with a sense of the infinite majesty and holiness of God,of the spirituality, extent, and obligation of the divine law, the exceeding sinf iness of sin, the total depravity of the human heart, the necessity of regeneration by the Almighty power of the Holy Spiritof justification, not by works, but freely by the grace of God, through the redemp tion that is in Christ Jesus-the indispensable necessity of an interest in atoning blood, and of that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. The General Assembly are gratified to learn that praying societies, established toy the special purpose of imploring the ef fusion of the Holy Spirit upon the churches; charitable institutions for the ai of poor and pious young men for the Gospel ministry, and for sending the Gospel to the heathen-and societies for the relig ions instruction of the children in the suburbs of our cities; have increased in number and are widely extending their influence. Nor can they regard, with too much gratitude, the heavenly ardor of many pious families, whose weekly as30ciations for prayer, and daily exertions in the distribution of Bibles among the poor, show us what it is to imitate the example of him who went about doing good. The Assembly feel no small satisfaction, in stating the increase of united and vig orous efforts in some portion of country within their limits, for the advancement of morals. A solicitude upon this subject is beginning to be felt. The indispensa ble necessity of embodying the influence of the land in favor of religion and moral. ity is beginning to be felt deeply; and we cannot but hope chat such a combination will be formed; and cannot but believe that it will be greatly successful. During the year past, Bible Societies have greatly increased in number and utility. Few districts of our country are now without them. Their influence is widely extensive, and incalculably beneficial. Experience has proved that no human exertions are so effectual to harmonize Christians, to excite relig ous-zeal, to suppress vice and immorality, and to diffuse light and knowledge, as the gratuitous distribution of the Word of Life.* The Assembly rejoice, to have it in their power to state, that the Great Head of the Church, has vouchsafed a signal blessing, on the Missionary efforts of the past year. Forty Missionaries have been employed the last year, whose journals fford the most pleasing testimony of the beneficial result of their labors. Several Lew churches have been organized, and more have been put into a forming state. Many new churches are growing up in the western parts of Tennessee; a Missionary Society has lately been formed in that State. The call for Missionary exertion is loud, and the services of our Missionaries have been received with emotions of gratitude and joy. In taking a view of the state of religion within the bounds of the Assembly, an interesting object which arrests the attention, is the infant Theological Seminary, lately established at Princeton. From this Seminary it is hoped, that many able and faithful laborers will go forth to reap the whitening harvest, The state of this Seminary is at once promising and critical. *A circumstance of peculiar interest to the church, occurred lutely in one of the Western towns of Virginia. "A pious young man was employed to sell on the day of election, Bibles for the Bible Society; who having disposed of them, sent for an additional quantity. "The person who appled for them is a pure descendant of him who "as a prince had power with God and with men and prevailed." But he is converted to the doctrine of the cross; has been baptised in the name of our crufied but adored Master; is a member of Messiah's church militant; lives in the farth and hope of "the truth as it is in "Jesus," and adorns the doctrine of God our Savior. Behold this Israclite, carrying in the presence of a vast assembly of citizens Stereotype Bibles, and exert ing himself to increase the dispersion of the word of life. The Jew laden with that Gospel which his Fathers rejected!" It is under the immediate superintendence and instruction of two able Professors, who devote their whole time, laboriously to the education of the youth committed to their charge. The number of these youth has already been as great as twentyfour; and if the means of supporting the establishment shall be furuished, there is the most flattering prospeet that it will become a fruitful nursery for the church. But unless these means shall be furnished speedily and liberally, every prospect will be clouded, and the raised expectations of many of the friends of Zion: utterly disappointed. The Directors of that Seminary have reported a statement of the assistance which has been furnished by benevolent associations of females, to such of the Theological students as need pecuniary aid, which has surprised, gratified, and exceedingly rejoiced their fathers and brethren in the church. Let them proceed, and abound in these works of pious benevolence, so worthy of them, and so ornamental to our holy religion; and let all of both sexes, who witness their liberality, resolve to go and do likewise. In this review we rejoice. Who is a Godlike unto our God, that passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his her itage, and will not retain his anger fore ever, because he delighteth in mercy! But we leave this pleasing prospect. We turn with grie from these scenes of verdure and delight, to that extensive waste, where no verdure animates; that barren heath, on which there is no dew, nor rain from the Lord. Between three and four hundred of our congregations are destitute of the sta ted mistrations of a preached Gos pel. Thousands in this land of vision are destroyed for lack of knowledge;thousands suffering a famine, not a fum ine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the Lord.-And even in the midst of Gospel privileges, we behold very many and very large portions of our Church in a state of deplorable stupidity. The same rain and sunshine that ripen the wheat for the garner of the Great Husbandria, appear to be ripening the tares for the unquenchable flame. We have also too much evidence of awful declension among many of the professed followers of Jesus Christ. In very many of our congrega Lons, the past year has been a season of calling indifference towards Divine thing. Seasons when the people of God were animated with fervent zeal for the promotion of the Divine glory, have given way to seasons, when the pitiable attach ment to earth, the pursuit of lying vani. gies that cannot profit, unhappy and needless dissensions, have superseded, and almost eradicated the once tender solicitude for the accomplishment of God's gracious designs in favor of his people. O, how shall we speak of that criminal indifference toward the cause, for which the Babe of Bethlehem was bathed in tears, the Son of God crimsoned with blood! Jerusalem is almost forgotten. Zion's fair heritage lies desolate. The spirit, the maxims, and the policy, of the world, begin in some instances, to be intimately interwoven with the discipline and policy of the church.-The tenderest and the strongest bands of union, in some churches, begin to be severed. That noxious weed, the spirit of party, while it embitters the sweetness, and poisons the life of vital godliness, is unnerving the vigor of Christian exertion. Connected with these foreboding symptoms, there is a melancholy prevalence of vice and immorality. Profane swearing, intemperance, Sabbath break ing, and other immoralities, exist in many places to an alarming degree, threatening to sap the foundation of our religious and civil institutions. From our brethren in the New England States we have received very interesting information. From the General Association of Connecticut we learn, that numerous revivals of religion have taken place in that state the past year; particularly in the city of Hartford, in the congregation of East Hartford, Orford, Wethersfield, Simsbury, North Coventry, Litchfield, Milton and South Farms. These revivals have, under God, been occasioned, and promoted by the preaching of the great doctrines of the Reformation. In some instances, this work of divine grace has been slowly progressive; in others, sudden and powerful; but in all, silent, deep, and apparently genuine. The moral influence of this work of grace has been eminently salutary, and sigually manifested, in unusual, and general solicitude for the suppression of vice, and the promotion of morality. From the General Association of Massachusetts Proper we learn, that the cause of truth, iu opposition to Socinian and Arian errors, is on the whole advancing, though not rapidly. A number of revivals of religion have taken place in this state, particularly in the towns of Gloucester, Lee, Long Meadow and Stockbridge. Some favorab e appearances are exhibited at Falmouth, and in sev eral places, in the western part of the state. The number of students in the Theological Seminary at Andover, is about sixty. The greater part of the present members of Williams College, are professors of religion. Spirited and persevering efforts are likewise here making for the reformation of morals. From the General Convention of the state of Vermont we hear some things to deplore, and some, that are matter of rejoicing. In those places that are adjacent to the seat of war there has been an awful defection from good morals, and a lamentable increase of bold and daring vices. A few towns have been favored with special out-pourings of the Divine Spirit, particularly Bridport and Pawlet. Of the members of Middlebury College we are happy to learn there are about fifty who have it in view to devote themselves to the work of the ministry. The On the whole, the Assembly cannot but feel that the cause of religion and morality has been signally advanced the past year. Notwithstanding all the sin and wretchedness of our world, the past year has been a year of joy to our churches. The Lord seems to have come out of his place to redeem Zion_with_judgment, and her converts with righteousness. While, with one hand, he is pulling down strong holds, and casting dawn imaginations, with the other, he is raising Jerusalem from the dust, and clothing her with the garments of strength and salvation. The same voice that is proclaiming the day of vengeance of our God, is also proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. darkness is past. Already is the conmand gone forth to the tribes of the wilderness and the islands of the sea, Arise, shine, Zion! for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee; and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.-It is too late a period, Christians, to sit down, and fold your arms in the gloom of discouragement and inactivity. Yes, it is too late a period.-The mountains of ignorance and idolatry will welcome the feet of them that publish good tidings; the wilderness of this Western world will blossom as the rose; the altars of the East will be overturned; the images of Moloch will be broken down, and the only question is, whether the work shall be performed, and the reward enjoyed by others, or by you? O brethren, our hearts beat high with hope. Will the Lord cast off forever? Will his anger smoke against the sheep of his pasture?' Arise, O God! plead thine own cause! Amen. Published by order of the General Assembly. Attest, Jacon J. JANEWAY, Stuted Clerk. Philadelphia, May, 1814. |