the ordinances of divine worship, or be esteemed before them! God forbid, that ever in the Church of England the Sermon, how excellent soever, should be valued before the service, which is incomparable! For to what end do we come to the house of prayer? Is it to adore God, or to admire men? Is it to praise him for the excellency of his greatness, or them for the excellency of their talents? Should this plenteous provision of preaching be ever again exalted and abused to the neglecting, despising, and disparaging of our public worship, as it was before the Great Rebellion, it will well provoke God to take it again from us; and instead thereof to feed our lusts with preaching, as he did the Israelites with quails, till it "came out of their nostrils, and became loathsome unto them," Numb. xi. 20. It was a remarkable saying, so founded on the judgments of God, that a preaching church cannot stand: and it is also founded on the judgments of God, that a church, which plans its religion in preaching, shall never stand. DR. BISSE. Hospitality Rewarded. THE Czar Ivan, Emperor of Russia, who reigned about the middle of the sixteenth century, was no less admired for the unbiassed manner in which he administered justice, than he was beloved for the benevolence of his heart. Though it was impossible for the Czar to drive poverty from his dominions, yet the industrious and the unfortunate might always depend upon his care and he frequently used to conceal his greatness under the garb of misery, for the purpose of discovering objects who were really distressed. had humanity enough to give him the least relief. Full of indignation at the barbarity of their conduct, he was just going to quit the place, when he perceived a solitary cottage, more humble in appearance than any of those at which he had begged. To this humble habitation he bent his footsteps, and knocked with apparent humility at the door, which was immediately opened by the possessor, who, in a tone of kindness, inquired what he wanted, or with whom he wished to speak. "I am almost dying with fatigue and hunger," said the Emperor, "and implore you to give me a lodging for the night." "Alas!" replied the peasant, you will have but poor fare with us; for, my friend, you are come at an unlucky time, as my poor wife is in labour, and I doubt you will not be able to sleep. But come in; for at least you will be sheltered from the weather; and such as I can give you, you shall be welcome to eat." The delighted Czar entered the little dwelling; and the first objects that struck him were two children in a cradle asleep; another, about three years old, was lying upon an old rug near them; and two others, a little older, were upon their knees, praying to the Almighty to preserve their mother, whose complaining voice they heard from an inner room. "Sit down," said the peasant," and I will go and get you something for supper; for I have not any thing in the house." He soon returned with some eggs, brown bread, and honey, of which he begged the Emperor would freely e; eat.-"My heart," continued he, "is too full to eat at present; for I feel too much for the sufferings of my beloved wife !" One day he was resolved to try the disposition of his subjects, and see how far they were inclined to afford their fellow-creatures relief; for this purpose he dressed himself in tattered apparel, and sallied out into the street. He walked to a village a short distance from Moscow, and told a piteous tale at almost every door; but the distress he feigned made no impression upon the inhabitants, and not one of them "Your charity and hospitaliy," replied the Emperor, 66 must bring down blessings upon your head; and I am sure God will reward your goodness!" "Pray to God, my good friend, that my wife may be preserved to me," said the peasant, "for that is all I wish for in this world." "And is that all you wish for to make you happy?" inquired his august visitor. "All I wish for?" he rejoined. "Ah! judge for yourself: I have five fine children; a wife who loves me tenderly; a father and mother, both in good health; and my la bour is sufficient to maintain them all!" "But your cottage is too small for comfort," said the Czar. "I find it large enough, for it contains us all," replied the man. In a short time after this conversation, this contented being's happiness was made complete; his wife was safe; another son was born, and the delighted parent presented the infant to his royal guest. "Look, look!" said he, "this is the sixth she has brought me ! What a fine child it is! May God preserve him, as he has done my others!" The Czar, affected at the domestic scene, took the infant from its fond parent's arms, and looking in its face, declared he saw marks of future greatness depicted in his features. The peasant smiled at the prediction, and soon after the happy family retired to rest. Their beds were merely made of straw; and the ruler of the great Russian empire stretched himself upon a floor of earth. The peasant and his innocent little ones soon fell into a profound sleep; whilst the Czar, unaccustomed to such a resting-place, sat upright, contemplating the scene around him with surprise! with astonishment at observing the splendid retinue drawn up before his humble dwelling. The Czar stepped out, and taking the infant from its fa ther's arms, said, "I promised you a god-father this morning, and now I am going to fulfil my word. Yesterday you performed the duties of humanity ; to-day I am come to fulfil the most delightful duty of a sovereign-that of rewarding virtue. I will not remove you from a situation to which you do so much honour, and the innocence and tranquillity which I envy; but I will bestow upon you such things as shall add to your felicity. You shall have numerous flocks, rich pastures, and a house that will enable you to exercise the duties of hospitality! Your newborn child shall become my ward; for you may remember, that I prophesied he would be fortunate." The happy father could not express his joy, but tears of gratitude ran down his cheeks, and spoke more favourably than words. The Emperor himself was quite affected, and so were all who beheld the pleasing sight. As soon as the christening was over, the child was restored to the arms of its delighted mother, but with orders from the Czar, that as soon as it was old enough to be weaned, it should be nursed under his immediate care; and accord it received the advantage of an excellent education, and the Emperor's prognostic at his birth was completely fulfilled: for he was, at a proper period, placed at the head of one of the first departments in the empire, which he filled with advantage to society, and honour to himself. The peasant, as he was accustomed, awoke at the break of day, when the Emperor informed him he must re-ingly it was sent to the palace, where turn to Moscow; but begged he might be god-father to the child, who, as was the custom of the country, was to be christened in the course of the day. "I will be with you," said the Emperor, "in the space of a few hours. But promise me to wait; and, during my absence, I will mention the treatment I have received, to a benevolent, kindhearted man, who, I am sure, will be your friend." The peasant promised and kept his word; but, as his expected guest did not return within the time he named, the christening could not be delayed, when, just as they were setting out for church, the Emperor's body guards were seen preceding several elegant equipages, and followed by the Emperor himself! The peasant, of course, could not recognize his humble guest in the superb habiliments of the prince, and was petrified New-York Asylum for the Insane. THIS Institution is now completed, and open for the reception of patients from any part of the United States. An establishment so useful and beneficent in its nature, and so interesting to the friends of the unfortunate, is worthy of all commendation. But we will forbear remark, and content ourselves with inserting the following address, which contains all that at present may be necessary to meet the public eye. Address of the Governors of the New York Hospital to the Public, relative to the Asylum for the Insane, at Bloomingdale. THE Governors of the New-York Hospital have the satisfaction to announce to the public, the completition of the Asylum for the Insane, and that it will be open for the reception of patients, from any part of the United States, on the 1st day of June. This Asylum is situated on the Bloomingdale road, about 7 miles from the City-Hall of the city of New-York, and about 300 yards from the Hudson River. The building is of hewn free stone, 211 feet in length, and 60 feet deep, and is calculated for the accommodation of about 200 patients. Its site is elevated, commanding an extensive and delightful view of the Hudson, the East River, and the Bay and Harbour of New-York, and the adjacent country, and is one of the most beautiful and healthy spots on New-York Island. Attached to the building are about 70 acres of land, a great part of which has been laid out in walks, ornamental grounds, and extensive gardens. This Institution has been established by the bounty of the Legislature of the State of New-York, on the most liberal and enlarged plan, and with the express design to carry into effect that system of management of the Insane, happily termed moral treatment, the superior efficacy of which has been demonstrated in several of the hospitals in Europe, and especially in that admirable establishment of the Society of Friends, called "The Retreat," near York, in England. This mild and humane mode of treatment, when contrasted with the harsh and cruel usage, and the severe and unnecessary restraint, which have formerly disgraced even the most celebrated Lunatic Asylums, may be, considered as one of the noblest triumphs of pure and enlightened benevolence. But it is by no means the intention of the Governors to rely on moral, to the exclusion of medical, treatment. It is from a judicious combination of both that the greatest success is to be expected in every attempt to cure or mitigate the disease of insanity. VOL. V. In the construction of the edifice, and in its interior arrangements, it has been considered important to avoid, as far as practicable, consistently with a due regard to the safety of the patients, whatever might impress their minds with the idea of a prison, or a place of punishment, and to make every thing conduce to their health, and to their ease and comfort. The self-respect and complacency which may thus be produced in the Insane, must have a salutary influence in restoring the mind to its wonted serenity. In the disposi tion of the grounds attached to the Asylum, every thing has been done with reference to the amusement, agree. able occupation, and salutary exercise of the patients. To Agricultural, horticultural, and mechanical employments, may be resorted to whenever the inclination of the patient, or their probable beneficial effects, may render them desirable. dispel gloomy images, to break morbid associations, to lead the feelings into their proper current, and to restore the mind to its natural poise, various less active amusements will be provided. Reading, writing, drawing, innocent sports, tending and feeding domestic animals, &c. will be encouraged, as they may be found conducive to the recovery of the patients. A large garden has been laid out, orchards have been planted, and yards, containing more than two acres, have been enclosed for the daily walks of those whose disorder will not allow more extended indulgence. The plants of the Elgin Botanic Garden, presented to this Institution by the Trustees of Columbia College, have been arranged in a handsome green-house, prepared for their reception. The apartments of the house are adapted to the accommodation of the patients, according to their sex, degree of disease, habits of life, and the wishes of their friends. The male and female apartments are entirely separated, so as to be completely secluded from the view of each other. Care has been taken to appoint a Superintendent and Matron, of good moral and religious characters, possessing cheerful tempers, and kind dis 28 positions, united with firmness, vigilance and discretion. A Physician will reside in the house, and one or more Physicians, of established character and experience, will attend regularly, and afford medical aid in all cases where the general health, or the particular cause of the patient's insanity, may require it. The relations or friends of patients will be at liberty, if they prefer it, to employ their own physicians, who will be allowed to attend patients, subject to the general regulations of the house. The Institution will be regularly visited and inspected by a committee of the Governors of the Hospital, who will, as often as they may think it advantageous, be attended by some of the physicians of the city of high character and respectability. The charges for the board, and other advantages of the Institution, will be moderate, and proportioned to the different circumstances of the patients, and the extent of the accommodations desired for them. Patients at the expense of the different towns of the state, will be received at the lowest rate. Application for the admission of patients into the Asylum must be made at the New-York Hospital, in Broadway, where temporary accommodation will be provided for such patients as may require it previously to their being carried out of town. A committee of the Governors will, when necessary, attend at the Hospital, in Broadway, for the purpose of admitting patients into the Asylum, and to agree on the terms and security for payment to be given. By order of the Board of Governors, MATTHEW CLARKSON, President. THOMAS BUCKLEY, Secretary. N. B. The friends of the patients are requested to send them an account of their cases, stating the probable causes of their insanity, the commencement, and peculiar character of the disorder. It is desirable that this statement, where it is practicable, should be drawn up by a physician. Applications from abroad, for infor mation relative to the admission of patients, may be made by letters addressed to Thomas Buckley, Secretary of the New-York Hospital. Contempt in which Natives of Low Caste and Females are held in India. From the Journal of Mr. W. Adam. THREE persons came to converse with me. They had all read the Christian Scriptures-readily acquiesced in every thing that I said-and professed to feel deeply interested in the propagation of Christianity in this country, but objected to the means which they had seen me employing for that purpose. They had arrived when I was engaged in the regular Evening Ser→ vice at the side of the road; and was addressing twenty or thirty people, whom I had collected by singing and reading. They thought that such means were beneath the dignity of a Sahib, and useless with respect to the people, since it was only persons of Low Caste whom I could obtain to hear me in this way, and they, from their total ignorance of every thing but how to obtain a subsistence from one day to another, were incapable of being benefitted by what I said. I told them that I was acting in strict conformity to the commission of my Lord and Master, whose words they, as well as I, professed to revere-Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature-not exclusively to the rich, the wise, or the learned; but to all, of every caste, and of every character. They recommended the establishment of schools for the instruction of youth in the English language, urging the example of Rammohun Roy, who by this means is greatly increasing the number of his disciples; and they-offered to furnish a number of young men who should read our Scriptures as a school book, and receive any religious instructions which might be inculcated. I told them, that I considered schools an important auxiliary in the spread of the Gospel; but that they must never be allowed to supersede the preaching of the Cross, which, is the power of God to those that are saved: and that whatever might be done with respect to the English school which they had proposed, I should be willing to do every thing in the way of labour, and I believed the Christian public would do every thing in respect of expense, to establish schools for the instruction of FEMALES in their own language. The oldest and most intelligent among them carelessly replied, "What have we to do with them? Let them remain as they are." I reminded him, what did not seem to weigh with him much, that they, as well as we, had souls which must be saved or lost for ever; but that they were all, with scarcely a single exception, passing on to eternity, ignorant of the only way of salvation, shut out from the society of Europeans by whom they might be instructed, and entirely neglected by their own countrymen who did not allow them even to learn to read. "They do not know how to go to heaven," he replied: "but they know how to go to hell-and let them go!" This was truly horrible. How hard is the heart of man, until it be softened by the grace of God! These men know and understand: they approve and are convinced: they have every thing that the Gospel requires, but the mind that was in Christ Jesus, the spirit of the compassionate Saviour: and whoever has not his Spirit, cannot belong to him. They have not received the dews from heaven, the sovereign influences of the Divine Spirit. Who can turn man but God? Great apprehensions have been entertained of the danger of an attempt to introduce the Christian Scriptures into schools where natives are taught. These fears may now be given to the winds, when respectable natives, of their own accord, come to us-request schools to be established-and expressly stipulate that the Bible shall be employed as a school book. On one occasion we had an unusual number of females to hear us. When this country comes to stretch forth its hands unto God, it will indeed be a mighty revolution in their manners, if women, in any considerable number and of a respectable character, wil lingly attend on the means of grace, and mix with the other sex in publicly worshipping God. At present, there is not, perhaps, a single Hindoo woman of this description, who has ever been reached by the voice of a Missionary; and, through the ignorance in which all are kept, perhaps not six competent to read the books which are distributed throughout the country. Pride of the learned Hindoos, and Native Superstitions and Prejudice. From the same. ON landing at the river side, we found a man just at the point of death, lying in his bed, surrounded by his relatives, and a few embers at his side ready to light up his funeral pile. We sung a hymn at his bed-side, addressed those who had collected around us, and concluded with prayer to God for the expiring man. After this we were invited by several respectable people to converse with them apart in their own house they readily confessed and lamented the uncertainty and vagueness of all their Shasters; and seemed happy in being assured, that only what was ascertained to be fact had been recorded in our Holy Book, of which we gave them two or three copies. : We then passed farther into the village, and made our stand under a large tree. After we had gone through our regular course of singing, reading, prayer, and preaching, which was not listened to with great attention, wè were invited by some Pundits to approach them. They had remained all the while at a distance, with all the philosophic pride of a superiority to the vulgar by whom we had been surrounded. I was desirous of discountenancing and reproving this unprincipled contempt of the common people, which is so general among the Brahminical tribe, especially those of them who are learned: but thought it better quietly to comply with their invitation, that they might not be unnecessarily offended with me and my message. I found it, however, a very difficult thing to bend my spirit to the nod of these Brahmins. They placed a seat for me, and another for an aged Pun |