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Religious Intelligence.

AMERICA.

An Account of a Society at Harmony, in Pennsylvania.

[Concluded from p. 397.j

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guide told us to remain a little, as they had, on our account, requested the band of music to attend. They assembled before the pulpit with their various instruments, namely, three violins and a bass, a clarionet, a flute, and two French horns. On these they entertained us with a great variety of airs, the most of them of the solemn kind, and some of them accompanied by vocal music. After our return to the inn, we heard the night watch calling, Again a day is past, and a step made nearer to our end--- our time runs away, and the joys of Heaven are our reward.' They repeat the latter sentence at eleven, twelve, one, and two o'clock; and at three they call, Again a night is past, and the morning is come --our time runs away, and the joys of Heaven are our reward.' The town is watched by two men, and the Society take it by turns.

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prayer;-but I saw that this interesting Society were under the influence of the Spirit of God, and that they worshipped him with reverence and with godly fear. After dinner we visited the soap and Tears of joy came into my eyes, as I excandle works--the dye works--the shear- claimed mentally, This, indeed, is true ing and dressing works the turners, Christianity this is worshipping God carpenters, and machine makers ;--and, in spirit and in truth. After prayer, finally, we were conducted through the Mr. Rapp delivered a sermon with great warehouses, which we found plentifully animation, to which all the congregation stored with commodities. From the paid the most devout attention; after warehouses we went to the Labyrinth, which, with a short prayer and benedicwhich is a most elegant flower-garden, tion he dismissed the assembly. with various hedge-rows disposed in such a manner as to puzzle people to get into, the little temple, emblematical of Harnony, in the middle. Mr. Rapp abruptly left us as we entered; and we soon observed him over the hedge-rows, taking his seat before the house. I found my way with difficulty; but the doctor, whom I left on purpose, could not find it, and Mr. Rapp had to point it out to him. The garden and temple are emblematical. The Labyrinth represents the difficulty of arriving at Harmony. The temple is rough in the exterior, showing that at a distance it has no allurements; but it is smooth and beautiful within, to show the beauty of Harmony when once attained. From the Labyrinth we went to the botanic garden, which is well stored with valuable plants and herbs; and the two doctors pored over them more than an hour. We afterwards went to the doctor's house, where he showed us an elegant collection of plants, all natives of Harmony, which he had carefully arranged according to the Linnæan system. In the evening the Sotiety assembled for divine service; and we attended, accompanied by our innkeeper, who conducted us to a seat appropriated for strangers. The church was quite full, the number of persons being not less than 500. The women sat all at one end, the men at the other. They were singing a hymn, in which they all joined with one accord; and so simply, yet so sweetly did they sing, that it brought to my recollection the passage in Burns's Cotters' Saturday Night:They chaunt their artless notes in simple

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guise, They tune their hearts, by far the noblest

aim."

After singing, they all knelt down to prayer. We followed their example, and never did I pray more devoutly. I did not understand one word of the

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The basis of the Society is religion, and all their temporal concerns are managed in subserviency to it. The greater part of the people were bred in the Lutheran persuasion, and their views of religion are nearly in conformity to it; but the principles which bind them together as a Society may be shortly thus expressed, Love to God, good-will towards man, purity of life, and a community of goods. The pastor is considered as hav ing the call of God. His prayers and sermons are delivered extempore; and if he be indisposed or absent, the Society meet and confer on religious subjects. He is assisted in the management of the religious concerns by elders and deacons of the Society are kept at school till they appointed by the Society. The youth are 14 years old. The school hours are in the forenoon, and the afternoon is devoted to such labour as they can easily perform, it being a branch of the economy of the Society to teach the youth to labour, as well as to read and write. They are taught both the Gerrian and

New York Female Auxiliary Bible

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Society.

English languages, with writing and cumstances may require--and, according arithmetic; and such as may be destined to its ability, extend its influence to for the study of medicine will receive a other countries whether Christian, Ma college education. At fourteen the male hometan, or Pagan. youths make choice of a profession, and learn it where it is carried on in the Society. The females, at the same age, are occupied in the usual branches of female labour. On Sunday, the Society As soon as it was generally known meet in their religious capacity at nine that the Convention of Delegates from o'clock, in the school-room, to examine the Bible Societies in the United States, the children, who exhibit different speci- had resolved to institute "The Ameri mens of their performances. This ends can Bible Society," a considerable num. about eleven; they meet in the church ber of the ladies of New York, with a at twelve, when they go through the promptitude of benevolence, as honoursame exercises as those before noticed, able to their Christian zeal as charactewhich last about an hour and a half. ristic of their sex, took into consideration They have another meeting at six o'clock the expediency of forming a Female in the evening; and besides the meet- Bible Society, to be auxiliary to the National Institution. On Saturday, ings on Sunday, they have a sermon two nights in the week. There is no instance May 11, a large meeting of ladies of the of the church being neglected by those first respectability was held in the Aswho are well, and able to walk. It is sembly-room of the City Hotel, when it their delight to attend it; and the reli- was determined to form such an associagious and moral deportment of the whole Society is highly praiseworthy. There no vicious habits amongst them. There is not an instance of swearing or lying, or debauchery of any kind; and as to cheating, so commonly practised in eivilized society, they have no temptation to it whatever. As individuals they have no use for money, and they have

are

no fear of want.

The Society purchased their land for about 20,000 dollars, which they so much improved, that we are informed in 1814, they disposed of the whole concern for 200,000; and retired farther into the interior to form a new Settlement, with all the improvements which their experience may suggest.

Bible Society.

tion; and a committee of ten ladies was appointed to draft the constitution. On Tuesday the 14th, a crowded assembly of ladies, of every Christian sect in the city, met at the above place, when the draft of a constitution was read and adopted; and thirty-six managers, composed of ladies from the various religious denominations, were chosen to conduct

the concerns of the establishment for the ensuing year. Seven-hundred dollars (about £175.) were subscribed by the ladies present.

Similar institutions are expected in other parts of the country.

Schools for Indian Youth and Children.

ARRANGEMENTS are making for the establishment of Schools, under Missionary superintendence, in the Indian country, and primarily in the Cherokee tribe. This business is likely to be taken up on an extended scale, and with the aid of government. The managers are looking out for suitable schoolmasters, who are to apply to (Dr. Worcester,) the secretary of the American Board for Missions at Salem.

ACADIAN SCHOOL, NOVA SCOTIA.

We have already stated to our readers the formation of "The American Bible Society;" we have since been favoured with the particulars of its constitution. The Delegates from various local Bible Societies met on the 8th day of May last, in the Consistory-Room of the Reformed Dutch Church. The Hon. Elias Boudi, not, of New Jersey, was chosen president; twenty-one gentlemen were cho sen vice-presidents; Dr. Mason, secre- July 31.--The third annual inspection tary for foreign correspondence; Dr. of this school took place, attended by Romeyn, secretary for domestic corres- many of the most respectable inhabitants pondence; and R. Varick, Esq. treasurer, of Halifax, who were much gratified by Every subscriber of three dollars an- the sight of about 400 children, who are nually is a member; every subscriber of educated in it. thirty dollars at one time a member for life. The Society will add its endeavours to those employed by the societies for circulating the Scriptures throughout the United States and their territories; and will furnish them with stereotype plates, or such other assistance as cir

Mr. Bromley stated, that 892 children (exclusive of more than 100 apprentices and others gratuitously taught in the Sunday School) have received the benefit of education under his immediate superintendance; and that many who had not known the alphabet at their admission 3 M 2

are now occupying useful situations, as clerks, apprentices, &c.

We are also informed, that there are 150 children in the school lately established by Mr. Osgood, at QUEBEC, who are educated free of all expence to their parents.

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

The remarkable success with which the Head of the Church has condescend

ed to honour the Irish Evangelical Society, will be in some degree learnt from the following extracts:

The assembly-room is well attended, though the Romish priests parade the streets to watch their own people during our service. Thursday I visit Castle Town Roche: this is quite new, but I am happy to say likely to prove good ground. On Friday I go either to Doneraile or Buttevant. While I was preaching at the latter place the last time, the priest was walking up and down, in order to prevent his flock from coming in. A friend of mine perceiving his object, went out, and told him we had one seat left for him, if he would come in and hear the sermon. This invitation was not accepted, though the poor man went "TRALEE, COUNTY KERRY. home, and, I hope, ashamed of his conWith pleasure and gratitude I can duct. It only remains for the Society now inform you, that our congregations to exert its full powers, and I believe are as large as ever: the Assembly-room the errors of this church will be exposed on Sabbath days especially, is filled with to the people, and if exposed, it will attentive and respectable hearers. Our soon be overthrown. Saturday I return congregations present at times a soul- to Charleville, where my respectable and reviving aspect, and one is almost com- valuable host assembles a party of pelled to exclaim, "Surely God is in friends, with whom the evening is spent this place." Last night a Roman Ca- in religious conversation and worship. tholic of great respectability was present Thus every Saturday I close the enat the time of preaching, and listened gagements of the week. I have great with great attention to some remarks reason for thankfulness, and not a little from that appropriate text, "Search for the kindness I receive. The Irish the Scriptures." Our Sabbath evening character only wants the gospel to give congregations are computed to consist of it its finish." from 4 to 500 hearers: I could heartily wish we had a place of worship to accommodate the people who are desirous of attending constantly; perhaps there are few places of worship in Ireland or England better attended on the week-day evening than the Assemblyroom of Tralee. I preached at Milltown last Lord's Day morning, and expect to preach at Killarney soon. Our friends are very ready to assist our ef forts, by providing horses, cars, and gigs. There is as much need of zealous labourers in Ireland, as in the dark regions of South Africa. I trust while our friends in England are sending the gospel to the most distant countries, they will no longer neglect the sister kingdom.'

"MALLOW, COUNTY CORK. "On the Sabbath I preach regularly in the market-l:ouse at Charleville; the congregation has greatly increased, and I am happy to say that the house is quite full. I think this an important station. On the Monday I preach at Kilfennen; the room in which we preach is large, but it is crowded to excess. Many here express an ardent wish that the Society may continue to be mindful of them. Tuesday I ride to Fermoy, where the Sessions-house has been prepared for our use by a kind friend-we have about 300 constant hearers, and this in a town where popery exceedingly prevails. Wednesday I preach at Mallow.

"CITY OF LIMERIC. "The great success which has followed the labours of Dr. Townley, has occasioned the purchase of buildings, which have been converted into a place of worship, where many regularly attend to hear with seriousness the word of the truth of the Gospel, and there is reason to hope that the word preached has profited several individuals," being mixed with faith in them that have heard."

"CITY OF CORK.

"Your Committee will perceive in what manner the work of the Lord is proceeding in the county of Kerry, and we have further the pleasure to assure you that it has pleased the Great Head of the Church, no less signally to bless it in other counties in this province. Mr. Gordon is constantly and indefatigably engaged in preaching the gospel in the different towns and villages in the N. E. parts of this county and a part of the county of Waterford, and the effects are manifest, not only in the constancy of numbers who hear the proclamation of mercy with satisfaction and delight, but in the particular experience of many, to whom the truth seems to be "revealed not by flesh and blood, but by the Father who is in heaven." Thus our friends of the London Society will see, that their la bours are not in vain in this part of the island, where the obstacles seemed

greater than in other quarters. But a great work remains yet ito. be done. Clonmel and Waterford, extensive and populous places, are still in great darkness; we entreat the Committee to endeavour to do something for them, as we find more than we can do nearer to us; indeed we are distressed that we cannot do more for Kinsale, Bandon, Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Bantry, &c. in the west of this county."

"SLIGO. "At our last committee meeting, it was, with a melancholy pleasure, that the accounts were listened to of the interest excited in this neighbourhood by the preaching of the gospel. I am instructed to call your attention once more to the sad situation of these parts for want of itinerants to preach the word of life, and to entreat your assistance for the purpose of enabling us to follow up the favourable impressions made by Mr. Urwick in Bellina and other places."

WELCH

CIRCULATING SCHOOLS. Extract of a Letter from the late Rev. T. Charles, of Bala, Merionethshire, North Wales, to a Member of the Society for the Support of Gaelic Schools, dated Jan. 4, 1811.

[Concluded from page 356.]

Ar first, the strong prejudice which universally prevailed against teaching them to read Welsh first, and the idea assumed, that they could not learn English so well if previously instructed in the Welsh language; this, I say, proved a great stumbling-block in the way of parents to send children to the Welsh Schools, together with another conceit they had, that if they could read English, they would soon learn of themselves to read Welsh; but now, these idle and groundless conceits are universally scouted. This change has been produced, not so much by disputing, as by the evident salutary effects of the Schools, the great delight with which the children attended them, and the great progress they made in the acquisition of knowledge. The school continues usually at one time in the same place six or nine months, which depends on local circumstances, the number of children, and the progress which the children make. In some districts they learn with much greater rapidity than in others; the cause of this is various, which I cannot enumerate here. This has been my mode of proceeding, subject to some local variations, for above twenty-three years; and I have had the only satisfaction I would wish-that of seeing the work, by the Lord's blessing, prospering far be

yond my most sanguine expectations, The beginning was small, but the little brook became an overflowing river, which has spread widely over the whole country in Sunday Schools, the wholesome ef fects of these previous institutions, fertilizing the barren soil wherever it flows.

As to the expediency of teaching young people, in the first place, to read the language they generally speak and best understand, if imparting religious knowledge is our primary object, as it most certainly ought to be, in instructing im mortal beings, it needs no proof, for it is self-evident. However, I beg your attention for a moment to the following particulars; making no apology for the great length of this letter, as you desired me to be particular.-1. The time necessary to teach them to read the Bible in their vernacular language is so short, not exceeding six months in general, that it is a great pity not to give them the key immediately which unlocks all the doors, and lays open all the divine treasures before them. Teaching them English requires two or three years' time, during which long period, they are concerned only about dry terms, without receiving one idea for their improvement.--2. Welsh words convey ideas to their infant minds as soon as they can read them,

which is not the case when they are taught to read a language they do not understand.--3. When they can read Welsh, scriptural terms become intelligible and familiar to them, so as to enable them to understand the discourses delivered in that language (the language in general preached through the principality); which, of course, must prove more profitable than if they could not read at all, or read only the English lan guage.--4. Previous instruction in their native tongue, helps them to learn English much sooner, instead of proving in any degree an inconveniency. This I have had repeated proofs of, and can confi dently vouch for the truth of it. I took this method of instructing my own children, with the view of convincing the country of the fallacy of the general notion which prevailed to the contrary; and I have persuaded others to follow my plan, which, without one exception, has proved the truth of what I conceived to be really the case.--5. Having acquired new ideas by reading a language they understand, excitement is naturally pro. duced to seek for knowledge; and as our ancient language is very deficient in the means of instruction, there being few useful books printed in it, a desire to learn English, yea, and other languages also, is excited, for the sake of increasing their stock of ideas, and adding to their fund of knowledge. I can vouch for the truth of it, that there are twenty to me

"

who can now read English, to what could months is quite sufficient to teach all the when the Welsh was entirely neglected. children that are of proper age to receive The knowledge of the English is become instruction. I prefer a quicker circulanecessary, from the treasures contained tion to a long stay; frequent returns of in it. English books are now generally the School to the same stations are necalled for; there are now a hundred cessary, unless a Sunday School prevents books, I am sure, for every one that was the necessity of it.--Our children will in the country when I removed from learn their vernacular tongue in three England, and first became a resident of months, better than they will learn Engthese parts. English Schools are every lish in three years.--Numbers of old where called for, and I have been obliged people have learnt to read their Bible in to send young men to English Schools, Welsh within these two years: and, in to be trained up for English Teachers, many instances, the parents have been that I might be able, in some degree, to instructed by the children!" answer the general demand for them. In short, the whole country is in a manner emerging from a state of great ignorance and ferocious barbarity to civiliza. tion and piety, and that principally by means of the Welsh Schools. Bibles without end are called for, are read dili

gently, learned out by heart, and searched into with unwearied assiduity and care. Instead of vain amusements, dancing; card playing, interludes, quarrelling, and barbarous and most cruel fightings, we have now prayer-meetings, our congre gations are crowded, and public cate chising is become pleasant, familiar, and profitable. One great means of this blessed change, has been the Welsh Schools.--6. By teaching the Welsh first, we prove to them that we are principally concerned about their souls, and thereby naturally impress their minds with the vast importance of acquiring the knowledge of divine truths, in which the way of salvation, our duty to God and man, is revealed; whereas, that most important point is totally out of sight by teaching them English; for the acquisition of the English is connected only with their temporal concerns, and which they may never want, as they may, as the majority do, die in infancy. In my opinion, in the education of children, it is of the utmost importance, in the first place, to impress their minds with a sense that they are candidates for another world, and that the things pertaining to their eternal felicity there, are of infinitely greater importance to them, than the little concerns which belong to our short exist

ence.

The neglect of this is, I apprehend, a very great defect in the education

of children.

What I have put down here, is, I apprehend, equally applicable to the Irish and the Highlanders, as to the Welsh. Praying for your success, I am, yours respectfully, &c.

By other letters from Mr. Charles, it appears, that a short stay and speedy circulation of the Schools has been found most profitable. "In certain instances," he says, " I have been obliged to continue the Teacher in the same place nine er twelve months; but, in general, six

LETTER FROM REV. MR. LLOYD.

Dear Sir,

masters

Bala, Aug. 8, 1816.

which Mrs. C. read to me, that you have I was glad to find by a letter, part of the interest of the Merionethshire Cir heart, and that you are not without some culating Charity Schools so much at London towards their support. The hopes of getting a little assistance in Schools have been conducted exactly ac decease, as you can testify, and have cording to your father's plan since his been equally flourishing as they were under his management. Your father, another has been added since his death, latterly, had only three schoolmasters; at a salary of £16 a year each, which will require £64 per annum. There are, upon an average, from 60 to 80 children in each of the schools: in some instances, from 80 to 100. The masters are removed quarterly or half-yearly, accord they remain half a year in the same ing to circumstances; but in general place. The schools are generally kept and still continues, never to employ as in chapels. It has always been a rule, characters. The business of the school but such as are deemed pious Besides learning to read their Bible in begins and ends with prayer and praise. their mother tongue, the children are carefully instructed in the principles of the Christian religion, according to the The schools are occasionally visited by catechisms composed by your father. those that have their superintendance. They circulate in a tract of country containing about 40,000 inhabitants, comprising Merionethshire, part of CarnarMuch good has been done, and is doing vonshire, and part of Denbighshire, by them; but we are apprehensive that unless our funds are increased. The they cannot be continued much longer, pressure of the times has prevented us from receiving even what was promised from the several religious societies in the county. When your father died, there was a balance in his hands of £76, for the schools. The balance at present in the hands of the Treasurer, is £29 155. 31d. as I found yesterday upon examin

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