Images de page
PDF
ePub

But joy shall spread a brighter train,
And mirth indulge its freest strain,
The happy day which absence ends,
And gives me back my much-lov'd Friends.

Cattskill Recorder.

TO THE MEMORY OF ANTHONY BENEZET.

Friend to distress and patron of the poor,
The injur'd shar'd his service and his store;
His time, his talents, all alike design'd,
One universal good to human kind.
Fix'd in the principles which he profess'd,
But gen'rous and humane to all the rest;
Diffusive thus his charity began

And flow'd in unexhausted love to man.
Hail favour'd spirit! now immortal rise,
And join th' exalted worship of the skies;
Where bliss perfected flows one boundless tide
And names no more your love and life divide ;
Dissolv'd the narrow tie, th' impure alloy,
And God reveal'd shines forth your endless joy.*

A LITERARY WORK PROPOSED.

Mr. Joseph E. Worcester, of Salem, has issued proposals for publishing a Universal Gazetteer and Dictionary of Geography, ancient and modern; containing a more complete enumeration, than has hitherto been published, of the Kingdoms, Countries, Provinces, Cities, Towns, Forts, Islands, Mountains, Capes, Seas, Bays, Lakes, Rivers, Indian Tribes, &c. in the known world. With a copious account of all the important articles.

The Gazetteer now proposed will, so far as it respects the modcrn geography of the eastern continent, be founded upon the basis of that of Cruttwell, with additions and corrections. On the subject of ancient geography, the work of the celebrated D'Anville, will be made the principal basis. With respect to America, materials have been collected from a great variety of sources. And the work will be found far more complete, with regard to this continent, than any that has yet been published. It will comprise in two large volumes, and in one alphabetical series, more than four times as many articles of Geography, as are contained in the Gazetteers which have been published in America.

These lines are but an extract; whether they have been before published, we are not informed.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Facts relating to the London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews; collected from the Seventh Report.

THE Patron of the London Society is the Duke of Kent. The society has fourteen Vice Patrons, viz. one Duke, five Earls, and eight Lords. The President is Sir Thomas Baring. The Vice Presidents are seventeen persons of high standing.

There

The life subscribers to the society are 235; the lowest of the life subscriptions is 101 sterling, and the highest 2101. The amount of an annual subscription is at least one guinea. The annual subscribers are more than one thousand. are between fifty and sixty Auxiliary Societies. Many liberal donations have been made to the society. One of 9001 one of 6001 and one of 4001. These three are anonymous, and they are the largest which we have discovered in the report.

This society is composed of members of the established Church and of Dissenters; and the concerns of the society were managed for several years, by a committee composed of both descriptions. At length the society became subject to pecuniary embarrassments of a threatening aspect; and it was found that many members of the established Church had declined affording relief, from a conscientious scruple respecting the propriety of associating with Dissenters in matters of discipline. When this became known to the dissenting subscribers, they held a meeting on the subject and passed several votes, the most important of which was the following:

66

That as it appears that many zealous members of the established

Church have expressed their conscientious objections to unite with the society, whilst its affairs are managed by a committee consisting of persons of different religious denominations, and have intimated their willingness to support it if carried on exclusively by Churchmen: this meeting embraces the opportunity of proving, that they never, as Dissenters, had any other design but the conversion of the Jews to Christianity and as it is probable that the assets are nearly sufficient to cover the debts, they therefore cannot feel the smallest objection to withdraw in favour of such brethren of the established Church, who testify a lively zeal in the grand cause, possessing also the means for promoting it.”

This meeting of the Dissenters was held Feb. 6, 1815. At a subsequent extraordinary General Meeting of the London Society, the offer of the Dissenting brethren was accepted, as manifesting "ă spirit most truly conciliatory;" and they were earnestly requested to favour the society still, both with pecuniary aid and their prayers. This conduct of the Dissenters must have made a favourable impression on their brethren of the establishment. In the annual Report of May, 1815, the committee say, "They believe that, with few exceptions, the Dissenters who were previously subscribers will continue their support to the society."

The London Society is now wholly under the control of the members of the Episcopal Church; and the established forms of worship are

[blocks in formation]

Extract from a Speech of George Griffin, Esq. delivered before the American Bible Society, at their meeting in New-York, May 13, 1816.

66

EIGHTEEN centuries ago, the divine author of our religion, about to ascend to his native heavens, pronounced with his farewell voice, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." A little band of Christian heroes obeyed the heavenly mandate; and, clothed in their master's armour, encountered and overcame the united powers of earth and hell. But the apostolick age did not always last. Seventeen hundred years have since elapsed, and more than three fourths of the human family are still enveloped in Pagan or Mahometan darkness. A lethargy, like the sleep of the sepulchre, had long fastened itself on the Christian world. It was the tremenduous earthquake of modern atheism, that roused them from this slumber : and while, during the last twenty years, the vials of God's wrath have been pouring upon the nations, convulsing to its centre this distracted globe, the Bible has re-commenced its triumphs. This tree of heaven's planting has stood and strengthened amidst the prostration of thrones, and the concussion of empires. The apostoJick age is returning. The countries of Europe, which lately rung with the clangour of arms, are now filled with societies for the promulgation of the gospel of peace. Through those fields, but lately drenched in human blood, now flow the streams of salvation. Europe is bending

under the mighty effort of extending redemption to a world. Kings and emperours are vying with the humblest of their subjects in this stupendous work. The coffers of the rich are emptied into heaven's treasury, and there also is received the widow's mite. But there is one nation which has stood forth pre-eminent in this career of glory. With the profoundest veneration. I bow before the majesty of the British and Foreign Bible Society.This illustrious association, (its history is recorded in heaven, and ought to be proclaimed on earth.) has been instrumental in distributing a million and a half of volumes of the word of life; and has magnanimously expended, in a single year, near four hundred thousand dollars for the salvation of man.This transcendant institution is the brightest star in the constellation of modern improvements, and looks down from its celestial elevation on the diminished glories of the Grecian and Roman name.

The electrick shock has at length reached our shores. Local Bible Societies have been heretofore established in this country; but they wanted extent of means, comprehensiveness of design, and consolidation of action. It was to be expected, and the Christian world had a right to expect, that the American nation would arise in the majesty of its collected might, and unite itself with the other powers of Christen

dom, in the holy confederacy for extending the empire of religion and civilization. This auspicious era has now arrived. The last week has witnessed an august assemblage of the fathers of the American Churches, of every denomination, convened in this metropolis from all parts of the country, not to brandish the sword of religious controversy, but to unite with one heart, in laying the foundation of the majestick superstructure of the American Bible Society. Athens boasted of her temple of Minerva; but our city is more truly consecrated, by being the seat of this hallowed edifice. It is not a mosque, containing, or reputed to contain, the remains of the Arabian prophet, but a fabrick reared and devoted to the living God by the united efforts of the American Churches. Fellow citizens will you coldly receive this honour, or will you not rather show yourselves worthy of this sacred distinction? I am persuaded, that your munificence and zeal in this holy cause will be recorded as an animating example to the nation. For to whom should it be reserved to electrify this western continent, but to the London of America ?Our country has long stood forth the rival of England in commerce and in arms; let her not be left behind in the glorious career of evangelizing the world.

Extract from the Speech of Peter A. Jay, Esq. before the American Bible Society.

The nations of Europe are now awake and active; they have sent forth the gospel into all lands, and its sound unto the ends of the earth. Their exertions are strenuous and unremitted. They eagerly emulate each other in the glorious strife. And shall we alone be idle? Blest as we are with opulence and ease, shall we be less grateful to

Him who gives them, than nations wasted with war?

Surely, Sir, we shall not refuse to run the race which is set before us, nor to contribute towards the cause of mankind. What charity can be greater, to what can there be stronger motives?

How many are there who thirst for military glory; and what sacrifices would they not make to obtain it! We have long been spectators of the great tragedy which has been acted on the theatre of Europe, and our imaginations have become inflamed. We have beheld mighty hosts encountering each other; desperate battles fought, and victories

won.

We think of the triumphant march, the blood stained banner, the captured artillery, and all the pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war, till many among us would willingly face danger and death itself, to acquire a renown equal to that of some favourite hero. Yet the laurel of the conqueror grows only in a soil which is moistened with blood. It is stained with the tears of the widow, and it thrives in the midst of desolationNor is it durable: amid all the annals of destruction, how few are the names which we remember and pronounce! But is there glory which is pure and enduring, and which deserves to be sought? Yes, the love of fame is a noble passion, given us not to be extinguished, but to be used aright. There is a glory which a wise man will covet, which a good man will aspire to, which will follow him from this world to the next, and there, in the presence of an assembled universe of angels, and of just men made perfect, place a crown upon his brows that fadeth not away.

It is the peculiar province of the clergy, to teach how to acquire this heavenly crown; but I may be permitted to say, that an irrevocable decree has gone forth, an inviolable

promise has been made, that they who turn many to righteousness, shall shine like stars for ever and

ever.

But how shall those who are doomed to business and labour, turn many to righteousness. Such is the constitution of human society, that all cannot be missionaries, all cannot apply themselves to the spiritual concerns of others. This Society enables all to contribute to the spiritual improvement of all. The Bible is the best of missionaries.It will reach where no preacher can penetrate; it will preach where he cannot be heard; it will reprove, alarm, advise, console in solitude, when no passion interferes to drown its voice. Of these missionaries thousands may be sent abroad, and where the seed is abundantly sown, we may reasonably hope for an abundant harvest.

Though the diffusion of the scriptures is the great end of our Institution, yet another blessing will also spring from it. Too long have Christians been divided. Sect has been opposed to sect; angry controversies have agitated the church; misrepresentations have been made and believed; and good men, who ought to have loved each other, bave been kept asunder by prejudices, which were the offspring of igno

Pance.

In this society, the most discor

dant sects will meet together, engaged in a common cause; prejudices will abate; asperities will be softened; and when it is found, as undoubtedly it will be found, that the same love of God and of man animates all real Christians, whatever may be their outward rites, or forms of ecclesiastical discipline, that most of them agree in fundamental doctrines, and that their differences principally relate to points of little practical importance, there must be an increase of brotherly love, and of a truly catholick spirit.

Sir, I pretend not to see more clearly than others through the dim veil of prophecy, but if the predictions which foretel a millenial period of happiness on earth, are ever to be literally fulfilled, it can only be by the accomplishment of another prophecy, that "The knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea." Let us then be blessed instruments in the diffusion of this knowledge, that having contributed to the triumph of the Redeemer's cause, we may be permitted to partake it. Then we shall be entitled to address the Christian Church in the exalting strains :

The seas shall waste, the skies in smoke decay; Rocks fall to dust, and mountains melt away; But fixed his word, his saving power remains, Thy realm for ever lasts, thy own Messiah reigns,

Extract from the Pastoral Address of the General Association of Massachusetts Proper.

Christian Friends and Brethren,

THE General Association of Massachusetts again take the liberty of addressing the churches and people in connexion with them. It demands our grateful recollection, that the year past has been a season of peace, of general health and prosperity, and, as we would hope and

believe, of moral and religious improvement.

The tremendous events of war among the nations, which long excited our astonishment, have passed away; passed away, we would devoutly hope, to return no Still, events, not less interesting, but infinitely more delightful, crowd

more.

« PrécédentContinuer »