all persons who traversed the forest.

I could not help regarding this as a fresh illustration of that providential kindness which so frequently ordains the proximity of the bane and antidote.

The preceding particulars will convince you that some indications of genuine, influential, religious principle occur, even to the rapid traveller in almost every part of the United States. During my residence in Boston, New-York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Charleston, I have seen that there is in each of them an extensive society of exemplary christians; and I have had the pleasure of forming an acquaintance with many whose virtues I would gladly emulate, and whose characters are an ornament to their profession.

But you will wish to know in what degree vital piety prevails in the community; and I regret that I cannot tell you more explicitly; the subject does not admit of precision. The extent in which religion prevails here is known only to the Searcher of hearts; but there is the strongest reason to believe that it is very considerable. Indeed I am disposed to think, that a cursory traveller visiting England and America, without prejudice, and with equal opportunities of observation, would draw a more favourable inference, with respect to the state of religion in the Atlantic cities of the latter, than in the towns or cities of the former. Whether a long residence in the respective places, would not lead to some change in his opinions, or at least hold them in suspense, I am at a loss to decide; but I believe it would.

I confine my supposition to the Atlantic cities, because the benighted shores of the Gulf of Mexico, and many portions of the western wilds, possess few features in common with our favoured country, and should rather be compared with our colonial possessions in the East or West Indies;indeed I might include extensive districts in the back parts of many of the Atlantic States, where population is thinly scattered, and opportunities of public worship occur only once or twice a month. In some of these, I thought I observed great coldness in religious concerns; the unfrequency of public ordinances rendering the inhabitants rather less willing than more so to avail themselves of them when offered. I felt more disappointed in such districts, than in the frontier settlements. In the latter some spiritual as well as temporal privations are naturally to be expected; though I thought their inhabitants exhibited much greater solicitude for schools and churches than those of the former. In fact, the new settlers from the Atlantic States have, in many cases, participated in the advantages of that general revival of religion which promises to be the characteristic of modern times; and before their zeal has had time to cool in solitude and separation, it has often secured a provision for those religious ordinances by which it may be cherished and sustained. But the back parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia were settled in less auspicious days; and we must not be surprised if the flame of piety, burning less brightly at that time even on the coast, should grow pale and sickly when removed into

an atmosphere which ministered little to its support.

Generally speaking, it has appeared to me, that the style of preaching in this country is more Calvinistic than with us, and that there is also less opposition to the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel among men of the world. It is owing partly to this circumstance, that the profession of religion involves less of that mitigated persecution of modern days, which a decided Christian must often encounter with us in the regrets or remonstrances of opposing friends, or the ridicule or distance of sneering companions. A religious profession might, therefore, be supposed to be more common; and perhaps may be rather so, though this has hardly struck me.

Whatever may be the actual state of religion in this country, I am quite satisfied that it is on the advance. There may be local exceptions; but my inquiries and observations in every part of my route have led me to a confident conclusion as to the general fact. Many of the societies for the promotion of religion are of recent origin; but they are gradually diffusing themselves over the Union, and the sympathy which was first kindled by commiseration for the Otaheitan or Hindoo, instead of being exhausted on distant objects, seems to derive fervour from its very expansion, and is now visiting the hut of the Aborigines, the log-cabin of the Back-woodman, and the habitation of the careless and uninstructed "neighbour." In New-Orleans, in March, 1815, there was not a Bible to be found, either for sale, or to be given

away; and the only Protestant place of worship was in an upper room belonging to an individual. Now, a Louisianian Bible Society is in regular operation, and the inhabitants have a handsome Episcopalian and Presbyterian Church. The Sabbath is still dreadfully and generally profaned there; but it is religiously observed by many, the influence of whose example is daily extending. At the boarding house where I lodged, were several naval and military, as well as mercantile gentlemen; and I remember an officer who had been drilling his rifle corps one Sunday, remarking on the strong representations which the Presbyterians had been making to him on the subject. He defended the practice by those arguments of expediency which have been worn thread-bare by the commanders of our volunteer corps. A few years since, no remonstrance would have been hazarded; or if hazarded, the summary argument of a pistol would probably have silenced the interference.

Unhappily, however, while religion is extending its boundaries in the United States, Unitarianism is but too successfully urging what we consider its conflicting claims; but this, and the state of morals, must form the subject of another letter. This letter is already sadly too long.

9

LETTER VIII.

Salem, 24th Feb. 1821.

In my last, after giving you, I think, what you would consider an encouraging picture of the present state, and still more so of the future prospects, of religion in this country, I expressed my regret that Unitarianism had acquired so much influence, and promised to say more on the subject in my next. From all I can learn, it appears that Unitarian opinions have been entertained in NewEngland for fifty years at least, and perhaps much longer. Generally speaking, however, they were not very openly avowed, till much more recently; some of those who held them concealing their sentiments because they were unpopular,―others because they felt indifferent about them,-and others, more reflecting and philosophical, because they conceived that their extension would be most effectually promoted at that particular time by reserve and caution. The first Unitarian congregation formed in America, was established in the King's Chapel soon after the Revolution. This was the chapel in which the Governor worshipped; but becoming afterwards private property, and the majority changing their sentiments, they expunged from the church prayers all allusion to Trinitarian doctrines, and openly denounced the Trinity. The minority of course retired. In 1792 a Unitarian congregation was formed in Portland, in the destrict of Maine; and another at Saco, a