the Lord, nor considered the operations of his hands; none inquired, Where is the Lord, my deliverer, my redeemer? The next morning presented a melancholy sight, similar to what had appeared the next day after our first journey. Several, who apparently had sustained no harm by their ex under cover, than dreadful inflammation began to sieze their hands and feet, the whole limb becoming one entire blister, attended for many days with all the agony of a severe burn or scald. Several had been left in this state at the island, but a far greater number were added to the list after our second journey. I however, escaped on both occasions I continued entirely unmindful of the goodness of the Lord; demonstrating, by my conduct, that "madness is in the heart of man," and that neither mercies nor judgments are of themselves sufficient to humble, nor even to check him in his sinful course. felt some scruples of conscience at the horrid and prevalent vice of swearing, but a few months entirely effaced them: and I not only joined the blasphemer without compunction, but actually considered it as the mark of a high spirit, a sort of necessary accomplishment. In addition to all this, I shortly became acquainted with some of the most vile and infa-posure to the weather, were no sooner mous writings that ever appeared in this kongdom. The circumstance of their being prohibited only served to enhance their value. I read them again and again, and for hours together employed myself in making extracts from them. But I have not the smallest recollection while belonging to this ship, of ever seeing a Bible, though I once endeavored to call to mind that sacred volume; not with the view of remembering and applying any of its contents to my heart, but to dress up a ludicrous account of some late occurances in its peculiar language and solemn phraseology! And, O how vain was I at the approbation these wretched epistles met with from fools who made a mock at sin! With what delight did I hear A late writer, in a highly respectathem say, that I had thrown in my ble publication, has attempted to argue verily verilys, and my lo and beholds, that however foolish and ridiculous to much advantage! Nor did all or many of the ceremonies of the Hindoo any of these events connected with worship may be, it is altogether unthis shipwreck, in the smallest degree just to found upon them a charge of awaken my mind to serious convic-immorality against the worshippers. tions. Indeed, it seemed to have One is ready to imagine that such apleased the Almighty to give me up pologists for the elegant mythology' for a season to follow the devices and of India, indulge themselves in redesires of my blind and rebel heart, narks of this kind, because they are and thus to allow Satan to fill me well aware that those whom they opwith my own ways. Throughout all pose, dare not unveil the mysteries of the perils and mercies I had passed, abomination which they know to exI neither once implored the divine ist; and are restrained by feelings too assistance, nor once returned thanks honorable and sacred to be violated, for my deliverance! No sooner had I from being more explicit than they are. joined my companions at C, than Something, however, may be learnt, I lost sight of the difficulties I had from the following anecdote, commuundergone. Drunkenness, oaths, and nicated by Mr. Pearce on a late occaprofane songs, were in our assembly; sion. but none of us regarded the works of 66 HEATHEN ABOMINATIONS. March 25. This being the time 280 General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church. of the worship of Basanthee, a form of Doorgh, I requested my pundit to set me a copy of the songs usually sung at this festival in honor of Doo-r ga, in the month of October, as I wished to translate one or two to send to my friends in England. He begged to be excused, and at last on being pressed for his reasons, said, that they general so dreadfully obscene that he could never hear them himself, nor allow any one over whom he had any influence, to be present when they were recited.-He added, that the one or two, first sung, were bearable, and he could procure them for me; but that as in the course of the night the passions of the auditors became excited by the music, dancing, and singing, the songs became by degrees so abominably lacivious, that he could not on any account, recite or explain a line. I only feel it necessary to add, that the conversation referred to the festival, as held in the house of the most respectable Hindoo in Calcutta; and let the reader judge whether the rites of Paganism here, may not well be classed with the abominable idolatres' referred to, by the apostle.'-(Lon. Bap. Mag. From the Religious Intelligencer. GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE PRO TESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Moore, D. D. of Virginia.-The In the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies, there were at the opening of the Convention, 31 clergymen, and 19 laymen. This number was subsequently increased.--In the house of Bishops, the Right Rev. William White, D. D. presided; in the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies, the Rev. William H. Wilmer, D. D. Exclusive of the Bishops, the number of the clergy in the United States is 353. In Maine 2; New-Hampshire 4; Massachusetts 29; Vermont 7; Rhode-Island 6; Connecticut 46; New-York 94; New-Jersey 13; Pennsylvania 36; Delaware 3; Maryland 44; Virginia 33; North-Carolina 8; South Carolina 27; Ohio 6; Georgia 4. The following are extracts from the Report of the Committee on the Theological Seminary: With respect to the mode of education pursued in the Seminary, your Committee refer the House, with great The Journal of the proceedings of satisfaction, to the able and luminous this Convention, which was held in report of the Faculty, embodied in Philadelphia in May last, has been the report of the Trustees to the Conpublished. The House of Bishops, vention. The course pursued is, in after the Consecration of the Rev. the opinion of your Committee, exJohn S. Ravenscroft consisted of ten tended and liberal in its character, members, viz:-The Right Rev. Wil- well fitted to render the students able liam White, D. D. of Pennsylvania, ministers of the New-Testament, and Presiding Bishop.-The Right Rev. to train them up in religious habits, John Henry Hobart, D. D. of New-as well as in sound learning. York. The Right Rev. Alexander Your Committee regret that they Viets Griswold, D. D. of the Eastern cannot speak with equal approbation Diocese, composing the States of of the report respecting the finances. Maine, New-Hampshire, Massachu-They have not been able, in all cases, setts, Vermont, and Rhode-Island.- to determine whether the sums menThe Right Rev. Richard Channingtioned as subscribed, have been paid; State of Religion within the bounds of the Synod of Pittsburg. 281 and they have reason to believe that Ohio. From the statement of that the expenses of the institution ex-Presbytery we learn that of the whole ceed its income. They wish to invite number of students. being between the notice of the Convention to this alarming fact, which, they surely need not add, must produce the ruin of the Seminary, if measures to counteract the evil be not speedily adopted. ninety and a hunded, the majority are hopefully pious-others under deep conviction of sin, and earnestly inquired what they shall do to be saved; and at the close of the last session, there were few, if any, of the whole The Committee were induced to number, who were not under serious consider the impediments which re-impressions. It is scarcely possible tard the progress of the Seminary, to think of a more animating considin consequence of noticing the fact, eration to the church of God, than reported to this House by the Com-revivals of religion in Colleges. From mittee on the State of the Church, these seats of science, thus visited of that there are sixty candidates for the Lord, are many youths to go forth the ministry in the Atlantic States into the world, to the help of the alone, of which number there are but Lord against the mighty. Here are eighteen at present in the Seminary. the hopes of Zion: they are bred in Why this vast disparity? Your com- the nurseries of learning and piety. mittee are unable to assign more than Here are the fountains whose streams two causes; some feelings yet re-make glad the city of our God.-maining of the sectional character, May the blessed influence of such and the want of means for supporting revivals extend with rapidity to every indigent students. seminary in our country, that the The prosperity of our Church de-Schools of the Prophets may never pends much, under Divine blessing, cease to be republished from the halls upon the support given to this institu-of science and literature! tion. Without it, our Missionary On the whole, the Synod conclude, Society, it will evidently be seen, that tho' the ways of Zion languish must be inefficient; and a fact stated and mourn; yet they feel gratitude by the Bishop of Ohio, affords a strik-to God that his Spirit has not been ing evidence of this truth. He has now, for nearly two years, had in his hands, it is believed, about $300 for the support of Missionaries, and has not been able to obtain them. The harvest truly is plentious, but it may emphatically be added, that the labourers are few. By order of the Committee, SAMUEL F. JARVIS, Chairman. Bxtract from the Narrative of the state of Religion, within tie bounds of the Synod of Pittsburg. But it is peculiarly gratifying to the Synod to learn, that the Spirit of the Lord has graciously visited many of the Students of Jefferson College, within the bounds of the Presbytery of entirely withdrawn, but that there have been some tokens of his presence in different congregations; and they would state the fact to the honor of Him whose is the kingdom, and the power, and glory. Let all, then, who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and are waiting for the consolation of Israel, be up and doing; and let their piety, prayers, and exertions testify the security of this profession; that for Zion's sake they will not hold their peace, and for Jerusalem's sake they will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation as a lamp that burneth.' Strive at all times to do good. 282 FAMILY WORSHIP. Family Worship. The The stances of the various members of the A family is a little community of family specified-one of whom was members bound together by the most out of health, one in an institution of intimate relations, and no community learning, and others absent. can prosper without religion. Every whole exercises occupied between head of a family ought to consider the fifteen and twenty minutes; and the frown of Providence as resting on his writer verily felt that the place was house, while family worship is not a Bethel, "the house of God, and the maintained; for God will pour out his gate of heaven." All seemed to esfury upon the families that call not up-teem it a privilege to join in the on his name. But the members of a worship, and there was no appearance family in which morning and evening of weariness in any member. devotions are offered in an acceptable writer was present at several of these manner may feel safe under the dis-seasons of devotion. The exercises pensations of a prayer-hearing God, were conducted in a similar manner. who will never wound them but in Sometimes a few simple questions mercy; and when he wounds, his were proposed from the chapter read, hand will make whole. and brief remarks made; and the In the manner in which family prayers were varied according to the worship is conducted, there is a very passing events, or the train of thought great diversary; so great, that while and feeling, induced by the exercises in some families the benefits derived immediately preceding. For sixteen are estimable; in others, they are al-years, this family has never once failmost entirely lost. Early in 1823, ed, when the father has been at home, the writer was present at the per- of thus uniting, morning and evening, formance of this service in the family in reading the Bible, singing, and of Mr. It was evening. prayer. At eight o'clock the family (not excepting the domestics and hired men) were called together and seated, each one who was old enough to read, with a Bible in his hand. The Bibles were opened and the eye fixed on a particular chapter, when the father said to the youngest, Have you found it, A—? Yes, Sir.' What is the first word?' 'Moreover.' 'Have you found it, B-?' speaking to the youngest. 'Yes, Sir.' 'We will attend. He then asked a blessing, in a few words; the family all read in turn; and the father read short and practical observations from Scott. He then repeated three verses of the 146 Psalm, which were familiar to all the family, and were sung in St. Helens. A devotional prayer follow-ever. ed, offered in great simplicity of language, and i the spirit of paternal formed at regular and stated hours, love. The blessings of the day were that the family may be trained to recounted, and the particular circum-punctuallity and system. It was deeply felt, that if all could be familiar with family worship thus conducted, not one, unless totally destitute of religion, and even of a serious regard to the welfare of the soul, would be willing to neglect so interesting, sacred, and useful a duty. The example of the excellent family suggests a number of thoughts: 1. The exercises of family worship should be performed at seasonable hours, while the mind is vigorous, and none of the members of the family are oppressed with sleep. 2. Domestics and all others connected with the family should be present, because they are immortal beings, and must be saved or lost for 3. The erercises should be per Sabbath Schools in N. Carolina. 4. they should be so short as not to be wearisome. 5. The prayer should be fervent, that the members of the family may feel it to be a transaction of important business with God, and not a mere form. 6. It should specify circumstances in which they are interested as a family, that they may feel, that all their eoncerns are known to God, and all their sins manifest to him. 283 At Back-Creek Meeting-house, in Rowan county, N. C. there has been for several years a Sabbath School for black people, superintended by two of the elders of the Presbyterian church in that place; with, occasionally, some other assistants, male and female. Frequently from 50 to 100 black people attend, of all ages, from the grandfather and grandmother with their spectacles, down to the youngest capacity for learning. The school is commenced and concluded with 7. It should be offered in the name of Jesus Christ, and in humble confi-singing and prayer. The pupils fredence in him, through whom God can be just, and yet regard the cry of the penitent, and pardon and justify the true believer. quently sing and pray among themselves; and though not taught music, only as hearing it from the whites, they sing melodiously, carrying all the parts. Almost all grown can read, and have books and sing with are professors of religion and uniformly support the Christian character. The salutary effects of religious instruction are very evident among them. It is not recollected that any black person belonging to that society nas runaway, or more than one grown slave been severly corrected for perhaps 12 or 15 years. Family worship thus conducted, teaches children religion by almost insensible degrees. While they sur-out parcelling lines. Many of them round the alter of God, divine instruction "drops as the rain and distils as the dew." Such worship too, unites the parents and the children in bonds of inseparable attachment. They humble themselves together before God, and their common interests are spread before him. The children observe the movings of a father's love, and concern for their immortal welfare; they are made to feel that he is a Christian, that he is a friend of God, that he has an interest at the throne of grace; and they will love, and reverence, and obey him. They are made familiar with the truths of the Bible; and these truths, if followed, will be their safeguard through life, and their guide to heaven. And when they have children committed to them, they will train them up also "in the way they should go;" and thus the influence of the pions father will descend from generation to generation. Sabbath School for white people, At the same place, there is also a (there being two suitable houses,) which commenced about the same time. There is no stated number of pupils attend; varying as high as 50 or 60; a large portion of them young and female teachers have each clasmen and young women. The male ses of their own sex. And those who have Bible classes have each Scott's Family Bible, and read notes and im◄ provement, ask questions and make the Scripture read. A class of young judicious remarks on the portion of men read mostly alone, with Dr. Scott's explanation, having occasional attention from one of the older teachers. They use a concordance SABBATH SCHOOLS IN N. CAROLINA, The following was sent to the Editor for the Christian Almanac, but coming too late for that work, it is inserted in the Intel-and a pronouncing dictionary, The Agencer. pupils commit to memory psalms, |