our

--

We cannot, perhaps, better commence Monthly Record" of American intelligence for another year, than by presenting to our readers extracts from private letters which have come to our hands, describing the present state of religion and society in the United States. Though the statements are rather desultory, and necessarily brief, yet as they have been penned by men of piety and intelligence, who now reside in that country, they will be received with greater confidence by our readers, as they are necessarily free from those partialities to their country and its institutions, which we believe characterizes the statements of most American citizens The first is from a minister now settled in America. "I was installed over the church in this place, on the It is an inland town, about - miles from Boston, in the State of Massachusetts. My parish consists of about 1000 souls, with a church of 120 members. You are aware, that with us Independents of puritan descent, the communicants or church members, consist of those, and those only who give credible evidence of heart religion My salary is 600 dollars (£126.) which is rather above the average amount in our country towns. While I rejoice to hear of the continued spread of the Gospel in your country, in a few things perhaps we are ahead of you. Moral influence was never before so powerfully felt in this country, as within the last eighteen months, for the suppression of intemperance. Drunkenness has been, and still is, our peculiar national sin, though we have a large share of others, especially profaneness and Sabbath breaking, not to speak of our exuberant vanity, of which your countryman, Captain Hail, seems have had quantum sufficit. By the bye, on looking through his work,* I was much surprised to find its almost entire neglect of the religious state of this country; he evidently knew nothing about the matter. Mr. Hodgeson, of Liverpool, is the only English writer I have seen, whose impressions seem to correspond with the facts in this particular. He is a truly liberal minded and religious man, and deserves the confidence of his readers. But the good Captain is certainly a traveller, and sometimes jumps

*

to

Captain Basil Hall's Travels in North America in the years 1827-28. 2 vols.

to a traveller's conclusion. Still, the impressions made by his book, so far as simple facts are concerned, are in the main just, but his speculations upon them must be received with caution. His education, preconceived opinions, and habitual associations, render him in the view of We, the People,' totally incompetent to frame an opinion on many things, about which he decides with no slight appearance of self-satisfaction. Before this long digression, I was referring to the efforts of the Temperance Society. The motto of the day is, touch not, taste not, handle not.' Entire abstinence from spirituous liquors is becoming, not only common, but fashionable in all the States of New England and in New York, and is extending to other members of the Union. Next to America, Britain is now disgraced by that more than beastly vice, intemperance. It is high time something were done for your favoured land. Let no more Dew' be distilled on any Scottish 'mountains;' it stupities and destroys thousands-cannot something be done? Must not something be done? shall not something be done for England and Scotland on this subject? Have you considered it, and prayed over it; if not, let me ask you to do it at once.

"Prison Discipline with us is becoming a science. We have another Howard in Louis Dwight, the Secretary of the Prison Discipline Society. I was glad to see that his reports had fallen in the way of Captain Hall. They are, I believe, more valuable than any similar documents ever published in this country. By the results of his investigation, our prisons are built, our governors governed, and our criminal code modelled. Such is the influence of mind, piety, and zeal.

66

Captain Hall totally misconceives the extent of Unitarian influence in this country. It is a mere local disease, limited to Massachusetts, and especially the vicinity of Boston. Elsewhere it is little known, and of little power. Even here its influence is greatly broken, and we trust the system has received its death-wound. Its advocates have recently come out with an explicit denial, that the Scriptures are a revelation. They have been forced into this denial by the urgency of arguments derived from Scripture. Thus their system or the Bible must be given up.

"I have just returned from the Examination' at Andover, when 33 young men finished their preparatory theological studies, 16 of whom were ordained as missionaries, 8 to our destitute western settlements, and 8 for American Indians and Asia.

"Andover is the oldest theological school in the United States. It has a President, three Professors, and two assistant Instructors. The time occupied is three years. The regularly educated congregational clergy men of America usually spend about nine years in preparation for the pulpit, two years being requisite for making preparatory acquisitions to enter college; four years at college, and three at our theological schools. In this calculation we thus proceed. Young men have had no special advantages of education till they are 13 years old; from 13 to 18, or 20, they become pious, as many do in this country in the seasons of revival. After their character has been tried, and there is reason to hope they will hold on their way, if they are of promising talents, and are in needy circumstances, The American Education Society takes them under its protection, and assists them to help themselves, it being accounted a great object to excite a spirit of self exertion. That Society has now in a course of education about six hundred young men. Formerly it only had 400, but within a few months a special effort has been made, which had thus increased the number.

"Andover is a great moral instrument in this country, and exerts, through all its offiecrs, a powerful influence, but especially so through Professor Stewart. He is a man about forty-eight years of age, in the freshness and vigour of his talents. His work on the Epistle to the Hebrews has been republished in England, as also other of his productions. He has done more for biblical interpretation and illustration than any man in this country, and, I presume, than any man in Great Britain. He is now at work on the Epistle to the Romans, and had proceeded in his commentary through the seventh chapter. I hesitate not to say, that should he be spared to finish this work, it will be of more value than any exegetical theological work ever published in the English language. It will give a tremendous blow to Arminianism in both countries. At the recent examination at Andover, a Society for Bibli cal Examination was formed, the object of which is to set the ministers to study the Bible, and to ascertain with simplicity and precision what it teaches. It is designed for various and extensive investigations. Professor Stewart has also issued proposals for a quarterly theological work, to be called the Biblical Inquirer, which is to contain original and translated articles, especially from the German."

(To be continued.)

CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF IRELAND.

On the 25th and 26th of November, 1829, a meeting was held at Belfast, for the purpose of forming a "Congregational Union." There were present, the Rev. Messrs. Browne, of Moy; Wilson, of Belfast; Radcliffe, of Londonderry; Silly, of Armagh; Flinter, of Carrickfergus; Hanson, of Bangor; Carroll, of Richhill; and Shepperd, of Newry; and letters were read from the Rev. Dr. Townley, of Limerick; Rev. Messrs. Urwick, of Dublin; Carlisle, of Sligo; W. H. Cooper, of Dublin; M'Crea, of Dublin; Foley, of Kilmainham; and T. H. Justice, Esq. of Mallow.

After long and mature deliberation, it was unanimously agreed, by the brethren present, that the following be the name and regulations of the Union :

I. The Union shall be called "The Congregational Union of Ireland." N. S. NO. 61,

II. The object of the Union shall be to afford pecuniary aid to poor Independent churches; and to defray the expenses of Independent ministers, not in connexion with the Irish Evangelical Society, who may perform itinerating services.

III. The Union shall faithfully confine itself to the objects stated in the foregoing regulation; and shall in no case assume any authority whatever over churches or individuals.

IV. The Union shall not solicit pecuniary aid from any congregation whose minister is connected with the Irish Evangelical Society.

V. The affairs of the Union shall be managed by a Committee, consisting of the minister and a member of each church in its connexion; and, for despatch, there shall be a local Sub Committee to transact the usual and routine business.

VI. There shall be general meetings
H

of the Union twice a-year, to be held at such places as shall be agreed on at each previous meeting.

The Sub-Committee for the present year, are: Rev W. Browne, Moy; G. Silly, Armagh; J. Carroll, Richhill; W. Flinter, Carrickfergus; J Hanson, Bangor; and N Shepperd, Newry; with six other gentlemen. Rev. John Wilson, Belfast, Secretary; Mr. Henry Horner, Belfast, Treasurer.

Address to Christians of Great Britain

and Ireland.

Dear Brethren,-Another Society has been formed for supporting and propagating the Gospel amongst Irishmen. Its name is "the Congregational Union of Ireland." But though denominational in its name and management, its measures will not be dictated by the spirit of party. It was formed from a conviction that such an Institution was an important desideratum, and might be a means, additional to those already in existence, of more widely extending the kingdom of Christ. The sphere of its operations has been hitherto unoccupied, and will be perfectly distinct from that of other Societies. It will interfere with no orthodox body-its department of labour will be peculiar to itself-it comes into collision with no existing association - nothing is contemplated by it but the glory of God and the salvation of souls, the comfort of the denomination to which it more immediately belongs, and the utmost harmony with all evangelical sects and inititutions.

The object of "the Congregational Union of Ireland" is two-fold ;-to afford pecuniary aid to poor Independent churches, and to defray the expenses of Independent ministers who may perform itinerating services.

Most of the Independent churches in Ireland are peculiarly situated. They stand approved by their brethren of other communions for orthodoxy, and exemplary zeal. None, in proportion to their means, have made more strenuous exertions in the cause of truth than they. Their pastors and private members have been always in the van of those who oppose the fearful errors of the day, and endeavour to destroy "the man of sin." But they are generally poor-so poor, that in several cases, they have with difficulty maintained the Gospel amongst themselves. They have not the legal resources of other denominations to aid them in their poverty. Their principles lead them to seek assistance from another quarter;--to look for it in the Christian liberality of any of Christ's flock, whom God has prospered in his providence. It even, to a certain extent, de

pends on these, whether some of them may continue to exist.

But it is presumed, no Christian could look unmoved upon the downfal of any one of the Independent churches of Ireland. These little bodies of the faithful have been so like the churches in Judea, from which the word of God sounded out to all the region around-they so carefully avoid every thing denominational in their efforts for the eternal welfare of the unrenewed several of them, and these the poorest, are situated in districts, otherwise so completely destitute of the Gospel, that their existence and prosperity are in a manner identified with the general interests of Christianity. To aid them in their poverty, is to aid the cause of God in a way perfectly consistent with the peculiar views of any orthodox Christian; but to neglect them, is to be indifferent to the only means by which the interests of Immanuel's kingdom, in the existing circumstances of some portions of Ireland, can be promoted.

The other part of the Union's object defraying the expenses of Independent ministers who may perform itinerating services-may be called its missionary department. The grounds on which it claims support, are the cheapness, the peculiarity, and, it is hoped, the efficiency of the way in which it proposes to propagate the Gospel.

The Union will not employ persons as agents-it will merely bear the expenses of approved men who may be willing to itinerate. Hopes are entertained of procuring, from time to time, the services of devoted pastors, who may each engage in a general itinerancy during five or six weeks. By means of such individuals, an immense tract of country may be annually sprinkled with the water of life, for a sum that, upon the usual plan, would support no more than one paid agent.

The itinerances will be general, and will be performed only by ordained ministers. In both these respects they will be peculiar. No stational mission is proposed. The itinerants, like those of the Congregational Union of Scotland, will each travel over one, two, or three counties, preaching not more than twice during each journey at one place. They will be sowers, while stational missionaries may be viewed as planters. The Union's aim will be extensiveness of influenceit will endeavour, though but once or twice a-year, 66 to sound the great trumpet" in as many parishes and villages of the Island as its itinerants can possibly reach. While others cultivate their stated fields, it will, if possible, go

over the whole land, pouring a passing shower upon every district.

As only pastors, and not unordained men, will labour in connexion with the Union, it is hoped its missionary efforts will, with the Divine blessing, be energetic and efficient. It will send forth men of experience and standing in the ministry-persons who have learned in their own spheres of stated exertion to "speak a word in season Such, it is expected at least, will be found willing to give their services. And on the efforts of itinerants so qualified, it is not unreasonable to hope that the special inAluences of the Holy Spirit will be poured

down.

"

Such, dear Brethren, are the grounds on which the "Congregational Union of Ireland" ventures to advance a claim on your Christian liberality. Its Committee deprecate the idea of diverting away a single farthing from the funds of any one existing institution-and a proof of their doing so is given in the solicitude expressed in their regulations respecting the Irish Evengelical Society, the only one with which they were in any danger of interfering. But while they would rather aid than enfeeble other associations that labour for Ireland's good, they would affectionately submit to you, whether they have not marked out for themselves a sphere, at once so distinct and important as to entitle them to a moiety of your pecuniary contributions, and to a place in your prayers and Christian regards.

Another machine for evangelizing unhappy Ireland, has been constructed. But we want the propelling power-we want the money - the good wishes-the prayers of the Redeemer's followers in these kingdoms. On you, Brethren, it depends whether our infant Institution will become 66 a giant in the land," or be a mere helpless and inactive suckling, Strengthen our hands by your contributions encourage our hearts by your prayers-" men of Israel, help." Will you, can you refuse, when, as we hope, cheapness, efficiency, and distinctiveness of operation will mark our enterprize?

You have nursed into manhood other infant Societies before us. The first appeals of former associations, formed for the welfare of Ireland, you have heard and answered. And we cannot believe that you will be indifferent to us.

By order of the Committee,

JOHN WILSON, Sec. Communications on the subject of the Union may be sent to the Secretary, the Rev. John Wilson, Belfast; or to the Treasurer, Mr. Henry Horner, King Street, Belfast.

RESOLUTIONS OF AN ANTI-SLAVERY

MEETING AT LEEDS.

To the Editors.-I am instructed by our Committee to request the insertion of the following resolutions in the January number of your Magazine. The subject to which they refer is one of unspeakable importance, and of deep and fearful interest: it is high time that all our religious communities of every name, should address themselves vigorously, and if possible, simultaneously, to seek the overthrow and destruction of slavery in the British. Colonies. The appeal to the churches in this county has been very cordially met,nearly sixty have already joined the Association, and soon it is expected that number will be doubled. It is intended, in an early part of the ensuing Session, to make an urgent appeal to both Houses of Parliament, in petitions from our respective congregations, and we hope, that in all the other parts of the United Kingdom there will be a similar demonstration of feeling; and indeed, that the voice of the nation will be heard demanding the redress of this national grievance-the speedy extinction of this system of wrong and outrage. What a happy and appropriate sequel to those measures of liberality and justice, which distinguished the Sessions of 1828 and 1829, would be supplied by the abolition of negro slavery in the Session of 1830, and what friend of God and man does not devoutly pray for such a consummation!

I am, Gentlemen,

Your's with sincere esteem,
THOMAS SCALES.

"At a Meeting of Friends to the aboli, tion of Negro Slavery, held in Leeds, on Monday, September 28th, 1822; John Clapham, Esq. in the Chair;

"It was unanimously Resolved, -- That slavery is an evil of fearful magnitude, directly opposed to the well-being and happiness of man, the law of God, and the religion of Christ,-the existence of which, especially in any part of the British dominions, we, as Christians, do most seriously deplore, and the entire extinction of which we feel ourselves called upon most strenuously to seek and promote, by all those means which the Providence of God, and the laws and constitution of our own favoured and happy country, have put into our power.

"That to us it does appear, that the various religious denominations of this country, with perhaps one exception, have not yet applied themselves to the destruction of this great evil, in that determined manner, and with those syste