of different shades. In Baltimore a splendid and costly Unitarian chapel was lately completed; but I was told that it is almost entirely mortgaged to the banks. In Philadelphia there is a small Unitarian chapel. In New-York, a new Unitarian chapel, or what the orthodox consider as such, was opened, while I was there, by Mr. Everett, the Professor of Divinity from Cambridge, (Massachusetts.) I was told it was numerously attended, as Mr. Everett had some reputation, but that it was generally rather frowned upon. As, however, those whom I heard speak of it, were among its strongest opponents, I know not how far to conclude that that was the case. The chapel was opened on a week-day, and the minister was said not to dwell at all on doctrinal pointsa line of conduct you would anticipate from a sagacious advocate of his scheme.

But Boston is the head-quarters of Unitarianism; and many of the Unitarians there are so amiable, and so intelligent,-possess so much practical kindness, and so many social virtues,as to exert a powerful influence in favour of their opinions, and to shame many a narrow-minded, indolent professor of a purer faith;-a faith which too many of us are apt to forget it is our duty to illustrate, as well as to maintain,-and to exhibit not merely as a dry system of restraint and prohibition, but as a source of the most generous incentives to excellence in all that is "lovely and of good report."

There are many things in the situation of the respectable classes of society in Boston, which

are calculated to promote the extension of Unitarianism. In the first place, the strong traces which still remain of those habits of order and morality which their religious forefathers left as a rich inheritance to the population of New-England,-habits intrinsically valuable, and entitling the possessors to esteem, but rather apt perhaps to lull asleep any suspicion of error in the creed with which they are found connected. 2dly, A consciousness of literary superiority to the rest of the Union; an undue appreciation of talent in the estimate of character; and an association adroitly established between liberality and Unitarianism-all strengthened, if not produced, by proximity to the most celebrated university in the United States, where the principal professors are Unitarians, and the system, though ostensibly neutral, is Unitarian also. 3dly, A state of worldly ease and comfort, in which the necessity of religious consolations is apt to be less strongly felt, and their foundation to be investigated with less trembling solicitude than under poverty and affliction.

I am not, however, without hopes that the tendency of these circumstances will be fully counteracted by a more auspicious influence; I mean, the influence of the warmer piety, the more evident spiritual-mindedness, the more obvious interest in religion, which characterize many who hold the opposite sentiments, and which give to their opinions a persuasive air of sincerity and truth. In fact, so naturally does a high degree of religious sensibility appear to result from correct

and deep views of religious truth, that opinions, which are seldom found in connexion with devotional fervour, seem to want one very important credential of their authenticity. Many of the orthodox to whom I allude, are not only pious but learned, of irreproachable moral character and acknowledged liberality, and are engaged in a course of active efforts in their Master's cause. Among them are to be found all the most strenuous supporters of the Bible Societies, Missionary Societies, and Sunday Schools. Indeed, the American Missionary Society, you are aware, had its origin in this part of the country, where it still maintains its head-quarters, in the very focus of Unitarianism. All this is the more important, as New-England is the "Officina Gentium" of America, and is destined to supply much of the population, and impress its own features strongly on the character, of new States.

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With respect to the ministers,-Mr. Dwight among the Congregationalists, and Dr. Jarvis among the Episcopalians, occupy stations of culiar importance, and seem likely to effect much. The former is the son of Dr. Dwight, the late eminent Professor of Yale College, and is apparently of respectable talents and great activity. The latter is the son of Bishop Jarvis; and I am disposed to believe the most learned, and, as respects most of the duties of his responsible office, the most accomplished, Episcopal clergyman in America. He has a high standing in society, possesses great personal respectability, and was appointed some months since to the new and

handsome Episcopal church in the most fashionable part of Boston. Many of the most respectable inhabitants of Boston have joined his congregation-not a few from Unitarian societies.— Many families are divided in their religious sentiments; some of the members attending Episcopal, others the Unitarian churches.

The most portentous feature in the history of the present state of Unitarianism in this country, is the strong hold it has obtained in Cambridge college, near Boston; the most extensive, and, in a literary point of view, the most respectable college in the Union; in which also a large proportion of the most influential persons of the nation are educated. Many parents are prevented by religious considerations from sending their children thither; but I wish I could say the objection was more general. This, and perhaps Transylvania university at Lexington, are happily the only colleges under the influence of Unitarian sentiments. Yale College, Princeton, Columbia, and all the others that I am acquainted with, are opposed to them; and Yale College has the happiness of having its principal professors men of decided piety. But the noble Theological Institution at Andover, liberally endowed, formed for the express purpose of raising up able champions to contend earnestly for the faith at home, and accomplished missionaries to diffuse it abroad, blest with learned and pious professors ardently engaged in the great objects of their institution, presents perhaps the most cheering view. The only confident assurance, however, of

the triumph of truth, is to be found in the promises of Him who has infallibly predicted its universal reception.-I am glad I have done. it is a painful office to remark on what appear to be the doctrinal errors of others, when conscious of so many practical errors of our own. But I could not refuse your request.

LETTER IX.

Salem, Febuary 26, 1821.

In my letter of the 24th I had no room to advert to the state of morals and manners in the United States; and as these were among the topics on which you requested information, I avail myself of a little leisure to-night to comply with your wishes. I must, however, remind you, that I do not pretend to give you an accurate picture of American morals, (a task to which I feel myself incompetent, although I purposely deferred writing on the subject till on the very eve of embarking,) but merely to send you the observations of a solitary traveller-the impressions I have received in passing rather hastily over this extensive country.

If I were writing to a less judicious friend, I would also remind him that I do not feel myself responsible for any general conclusions he might draw from particular facts, or bound to reconcile the discordant inferences he might deduce from my statements. I am answerable for the facts only; and if they sometimes leave you in an un