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were schools in Russia, but that perhaps they were not on so improved a plan as those in England. I said the difference laid there; I then said, in the mechanism of the English schools; and that in consequence of the great number of boys, that one master could teach, education became cheap, so as to be even in the power of the poor. I then enlarged on the benefit of education. I observed, that his empire was great and powerful; but what would it be, if his subjects were improved by a wise and universal education! His empire would be more powerful, more happy, and more permanent. Nothing contributed so much to make subjects useful, orderly, virtuous and happy, as an acquaintance with the truths of the gospel; and education, in as much as it taught them to read, was one of the outward means of enabling them to know these truths. In this point of view, these schools were of inestimable value.

He replied, that there was no surer foundation for peace, order, and happiness among a people, than the Christian religion, and added, "This is quite as necessary for kings as for the people."

I then informed him that Mr. Allen, and those that laboured

with him on this subject, were not labouring for a private or a partial good; their views extended to the whole world; and for this purpose, they were educating foreigners of different nations to qualify them to carry the system of British education into the countries to which they severally belonged. They had lately educated, one from Denmark, and another from France, and they would be glad to educate one from Russia with the same design.

On hearing this, the Emperour seemed pleased, and said, "You may be sure. I should be glad to promote the system in Russia; and said he was sorry to take his leave of me so soon, but that he had more engagements than he feared he could perform, whilst he staid in Paris. He added, remember me kindly to Mr. Allen, and his good friends the Quakers; and tell Mr. Allen, that I wish him to write me on the subject of his schools; he may depend on my countenance in Russia. He then took my hand and said, my best wishes attend you to England; and if, at any time, I can be useful to the cause of the poor Africans, you may always have my services, by writing me a letter.

POETRY.

PARODY OF robert soUTHEY'S ODE, WRITTEN ON SUNDAY MORNING.

Yes I will seek the hallowed house of prayer,

And listening to the precepts taught me there,
Adore the God of nature, and of Love.

The swelling Organ's peal

Shall rouse my languid zeal,

And every sense to wrapt devotion move;
No gorgeous altars and no mystick vest,
Awakes the ardour of my breast-
Yet truth, with purest ray,
Shall light the devious way,

And point to future bliss my dazzled sight;
Shall teach me to sustain

Severest mortal pain;

Make sorrow's burthen on the heart sit light,

And change despairing gloom to visions bright.

With mended heart, I'll leave the house of prayer,
And to the woodland grove repair;

There feast with nature's charms mine eyes,

And listen to its melodies.

The primrose bank shall then dispense
More fragrance to the awakened sense;
For gratitude shall that pure joy impart,
With which it warms the elevated heart;

And the full tears that down my cheek will steal,
Shall eloquently speak the praise I feel.

Yes-I will seek the hallowed house of prayer,
Nor let my erring footsteps stray;

For pure religion meets me there,

To guide me through life's thorny way;
Not her in false Philosophy array'd,
The idol of the modern Poet made,

And taught with modern liberty to roam:
But such as warms the real Christian's breast,
His sorrows sooths and calms his griefs to rest;
Her influence lends from dark despair to save,
Displays a brighter world beyond the grave,

And bids him seek in Heaven a peaceful home.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

PETITION TO CONGRESS, FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS CONVENTION OF CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS.

A COMMITTEE, chosen by the Convention of Congregational Ministers the last year, to petition Congress on the subject of the transmission and opening of the mail on the Lord's day, prepared the following Petition, which was presented at the last session by the Hon. Mr. WARD. It is devoutly wished, that this and similar peti

tions, from various parts of the United States, may receive the serious attention of the National Legislature at the approaching session.

PETITION.

THE Convention of Congrega tional Ministers, in the Common

wealth of Massachusetts, beg leave respectfully to renew their memorial to the Honourable the Congress of the United States, respecting the transmission and opening of the mail on the Lord's day. It is with solicitude and grief that we have seen this usage, sanctioned as it is by publick authority, made the pretext for various encroachments on the regular observance of the Sabbath.

From the concurrent testimony of divine Revelation and of general experience, we are solemnly convinced, that our social and civil institutions cannot be preserved, unless the publick manners are formed on the basis of sound morality; that such morality cannot be maintained among a people, without the active sense of religious obligation; and that neither can long exist when the Sabbath ceases to be regarded as an ordinance of Heaven. We believe this sacred institution, with its systems of moral restraints, to be a more effectual preventive of crimes, and a better shield to the vital interests of the community, than any code of penal statutes that can be framed.

at their last session, in which he says:-"That publick policy, pure morality, and undefiled religion, combine in favour of a due observance of the Sabbath;" and though, in time of war, the daily carriage of the mail may be supposed necessary for important publick purposes, "when peace shall arrive, the necessity will greatly diminish; and it will be, at all times, a pleasure to this department to prevent any profanation of the Sabbath, as far as relates to its official duty, or its official authority." We are aware, that to prevent the carriage of the mails, and the delivery of letters and papers from the PostOffices on the Sabbath might seem to be inconvenient, especially in our large towns. But we cannot consider the continuance of the practice to be indispensable, even in such towns, as we are well informed, that in London, the first commercial city, this practice does not exist.

With these impressions, respected Legislators, we beg leave to approach you, as the guardians of our civil and sacred privileges, and to express an earnest bope, that the Among the reasons which en- speedy and effectual interposition courage us to repeat our represen- of the National Authorities may tations on this subject to your provide a remedy for the evils of honourable body, we are happy to which we complain. And, as in mention a report of the Post-duty bound, your memorialists will Master-General, made to Congress ever pray.

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"Very great emotions of pleasure appeared to agitate the Assembly, when that part of the report, which regards Hayti, was read. The chief, Christophe, deeply penetrated with the benefit of knowledge and diffusion of the scriptures, invites among his people, all those who could contribute to their improvement. In a proclamation, in the Gazette of Hayti, he says "I invite professors of all sciences; no difference of religion shall be deemed as exclusion. Merit and ability alone shall be considered, without regard to the nation which gave birth, or the creed which may be preferred. After twenty-six years of revolu

tion, and thirteen years possession of hard earned independence, we are not (says the Gazette) the same people. Formerly, as brutes, we bowed under the lash of a cruel and ignorant master; as men we were dead; our faculties all crushed; but we burst our chains, and again erect, we look upward toward heaven as men, as social beings! A new career is now before us; thanks to thee, O God of heaven! Haytians! says the chief, be it ours to shew, by our lives, that blacks, equally with whites, are the work of Omnipotence, and the objects of the kind regard of the Father of all.”

Evangelical Magazine, No. 298.

EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER FROM THE REV. DR. BLESSIG OF STRASBURG, IN ALSACE, TO THE REV. MR. STEINKOPFF.

"You ask me:-1. Whether our Bible Society purchased copies of the scriptures without note or comment? Nor do I wonder at your feeling rather uneasy, as we had announced several years ago a Bible with comments. Now I am fully persuaded, that a selection of the best explanatory remarks on the Holy Scriptures is a real desideratum of our times. This is the more necessary, as many of our present commentaries are written in so profane a tone, and with such striking contradictions to each other.

"But, on the other hand, where is the man fully capable of executing the delicate task of an impartial survey, examination, and selection, without being biassed in any degree by the spirit of our age? I fully concede, that the British and Foreign Bible Society has acted as a publick Institution, a most wise and proper part, in adopting the fundamental rule, to confine its own labours, and its assistance to

December 20, 1815.

other societies, to the dissemination of the sacred text as the word of truth alone, leaving its interpretation to each respective party or individual.

"2. You propose the question, whether our Society has received the grant of three hundred pounds? I answer, we have not. But so much I may say without violating the bounds of modesty, that if there ever existed a period in Alsace, in which every kind of assistance and relief was most essentially wanted, it is the present. You can scarcely, my Rev. brother, form any conception whatever of the entire exhaustion and impoverishment of this country, once so flourishing. Most of our churches, schools, and parsonages, in the vicinity of Strasburg, are either entirely ruined, or stand deserted, having been plundered, torn to pieces, and shaken to their very centre; the property and the furniture of the inhabitants; their Bibles are gone also. We must, as

it were, begin afresh our publick institutions for the propagation of Christianity."

FRAGMENT.

The celebrated John Locke was asked, "What is the shortest and surest way for a young gentleman to attain to a true knowledge of the Christian religion, in the full and just extent of it?" He answered, "Let him study the Holy Scripture, particularly the NewTestament. Therein are contained the words of eternal life. It has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth without any mixture of errour for the matter."

Saving Banks.

Under this novel title, it is proposed to found an Institution in Boston, for the security and improvement of the savings of persons in humble life, until required by their wants and desires. A meeting of gentlemen has been called, and a large and respectable Committee appointed, to apply to the Legislature (now in session) for an act of incorporation, and to digest suitable Rules and By-Laws, to be proposed to an adjourned meeting. Similar institutions exist in England and Scotland; in the former place, under the appellation of "Provident Institutions for Savings," and, in the latter, of "Savings' Banks." The Edinburgh Review, No. 49, and the Pamphleteer, No. 14, contain essays on the subject, explaining their objects and principles, and narrating their beneficent effects. In Philadelphia it is proposed to establish one of these Societies. We agree in the following sentiment, and wish every success to the laudable scheme contemplated: "It is not by the alms of the wealthy, that the good of the lower class can be generally promoted. By such donations, encouragement is far oftener given to idleness and bypocrisy, than aid to suffering worth. He is the most effective benefactor to the poor, who, en

poor, pho

courages them in the habits of industry, sobriety, and frugality." Ordinations.

Ordained at Northborough, October 30, Rev. Joseph Allen. Introductory prayer, by Rev. Mr. Whitney, of Quincy. Sermon, by Rev. Professor Ware, of Harvard University, from Jeremiah xv. 19. "Let them return unto thee, but return not thou unto them." Or

daining prayer, by Rev. President Kirkland, of Harvard University. Charge, by the _Rev. Dr. Sanders, of Medfield. Fellowship of the churches, by Rev. Mr. Abbot, of Salem. Concluding prayer. by Rev. Dr. Puffer, of Berlin.

It may be worth while to mention, as facts in the ecclesiastical history of the town of Northborough, that Mr. Allen is its third religious instructor, in succession; that in every instance, only one candidate has been employed; and that the town has been distinguished for the regular and harmonious attendance of its inhabitants upon the institutions of our religion.

November 11th, At Alfred, Rev. Nathan Douglas. Introductory prayer, by Rev. J. Cogswell, of Saco. Sermon, by Rev. E. Payson, of Portland, from Mark vi. 30, 31. Ordaining prayer, by Rev. Asa Rand, of Gorham. Charge to the pastor, by the Rev. Mr. Fletcher, of Kennebunk. Charge to the people, by the Rev. Mr. Swett, of Sanford. Right hand, by Rev. George Payson, of Arundel. Concluding prayer, by Rev. J. Greenleaf, of Wells.

Candidates.

Mr. David Reed, Cambridge

004

Jonathan P. Dabney do.

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