Newspaper Page Text
remne their equal station among the nations
• of the earth.
A (rreat effort has been made in Spain
ami Portugal to improve the condition ot
the people, and it must be very cousoling to
all benevolent minds, to see the extraordin
ary moderation with which it has been con
ducted. That it may promote the happi
ness of both nations, is the ardent wish of
this whole people, to the expression ot
which we confine ourselves; for, whatever
may be the feelings orscntiments which ev
ery individual under our government has a
right to indulge find express, it is neverthe
less a sacred maxim, equally with the gov- 1
ernment and people, that the destiny of ev
ery independent nation, in what relates to
such improvements, of right belongs, and ;
ought to be left exclusively to themselves.)
Whether we Fenson from the late war, or j
from those menacing symptom* which now <
appear in Europe, it is manifest, that if a >
convulsion should take place in any of thus* 1 j
countries, it will proceed from causes which j
have no existence and are utterly unknown j
in these states, in which there is but one \
order, that of the people, to whom the sol
erfeignty exclusively belongs. Should war
break out in any of those countries, who
can foretel the extent to which it may he
carried, or the desolation which it may
spread? Exempt as we are from these cau
ses, our internal tranquillity is secure; and,
distant as we are from the troubled scene,
and faithful to first principles, in regard to j
other powers, we might reasonably pre- 1
sume that we should not be molested by;
them. This, however, ought not to be cal-1
culated on *S9 certain. Unprovoked mju j
ries are often inflicted, and even the pecu
liar felicity of our situation might, with
some, be a cause for excitement and ag
gression. The history ot’ the late war in
Europe furnishes a complete demonstration,
that no system of conduct, how e ver correct
-;jn principle, can protect neutral powers
from injury from any party ; that a defence
less position and distinguished love of peace,
are the surest invitations to war; and that
there is no way to avoid it, other than bv
being always prepared and willing, for just
cause, to meet it. If there he a people on
earth, whose more especial duty it is, to ho
at all times prepared to defend the rights
with which they are blessed, and to surpass
all others, in sustaining the accessary bur
thens, and in submitting to sacrifices, to
make such’ preparations, it is undoubtedly
the people cf these states.
When we see that a civil war of the tnns>
frightful character, r..ges from the Adrialick
to the Black Sea: that strong symptom
of war appear in o<her parts, proceeding
from causes, which, should if break out,
may become general, and be-of long dura
tion ; that the war still continues between
Spain and the independent Governments,
her late Provinces, in this hemisphere;
that it is likewise menaced between Portu
gal and Brazil, in consequence of the at
tempt of the Infer to dismember itself from j
the former; and that a system cf piracy, ofj
great extent, is maintained iii the neigh
bouring sea*, which will require equal vig- i
ilance and decision to suppress it, the rea
*ons for sustaining the attitude which we
now hold, end for pushing forward all one
measures of defence with the utmost vigour,
appear to me to acquire new force.
The United Stales owe to the world a
great example, -and, hy ’hereof, to
“the cause of liberty and humanity, a
oos support. They have o f-r succeeded
do the satisfaction of the virtuous and en
lightened of every conn try. There is no
reason to doubt, that their whole move
ment will be regulated bv a sirred regard
to principle, ill our institutions being found
ed on that basis. The ability to support!
our own cause, under any trial to which it
may he exposed, is the great point on which 1
the [sublick solicited : rests. It has been of
ten charged against free governments, that
they have neither the foresight, nor the vir
tue, to provide, at the proper season, for
great emergencies; that their course is im
provident and expensive; that war will al
ways ij-j/j them unprepared, and whalever
may be its calamities, that it* terrible warn
ings will be disregarded and forgotten a
soon as peace returns. I have full confi
dence that thi charge, so far as relates to
the United States, will be shewn to be ut
terly destitute of truth.
JAMES MONROE.
IVaskington, December 3, 1322.
Moral and Religious Miscellany.
From the Knoxville Register.
SYNOD OF TENNESSEE.
The Committee appointed to prepare a con
densed narrative of the state oj Religion
■within the hounds of Synod, read their Rc
port, which was accepted and approved ,
and is at fallow: m
The Synod have reasons of gratil ude
Almighty God for (he displays of his distin-j
guhmg grace, during ihe past ear. They ,
have also much to lament. The supreme 1
loe of the world and of its'secular.pursiiits j
sways the -hearts of thousand?, and excludes
the love -and acknowledgment of God. In
fidelity, in its open forms, israrely met with ;
yet, in many places, profane swearing, Sab
bath breaking, neglect of publick wioj
and other forms ol iniquity, mark the guilt
of I lie inhabitants, and loudly proclaim their
revolt from God and his Kingdom. Parents,
in numerous instances, neglect family wor
ship, and the covenant dedication of their
children to God. Owners of slaves, in
of instances, criminally neglect to
instruct their servants, and leave their
minds smitten by moral death, to waste
away under the energy of guilt, without
employing the requisite means of their re
demption. Synod, notwithstanding
this dark and sad picture, rejoice in the
work of Divine goodness and mercy in the
churches under their care. From several
Presbyteries there has been no report made
to Synod. Nor does it appear that there
has been a revival of religion in a remark
able degree, in wny of the Presbyteries.
The progress of religion has been grad
ual. There have been comparatively tew
instances of apostacy, few occasions ot sus
pension from communion. Professors 11
religion in general manifest a spirit of firm
ness in the cause of Christianity* A gener
al union in doctrine and practice prevails.
The number added to the church during
the present year is considerable and anima
ting. In some sections more than usual
have professed the power of the Son ot Man
to forgive sins on earth. A large number
1 of new churches have been organized and
‘occasionally visited by ministers. Sabbath
! schools in various sections are in lively op
eration, and provp the means ot diffusing
j religious knowledge among hundreds who
| have scarcely any other means ot in-true-
I liar. The monthly concert tor prayer to
| procure the Divine influence to enlighten
I ami save our ruined world, has been attend
-I.dto by number*. Religious inlormstion,
| through periodical publications, has been
! widely circulated, which has produced an
enlargement of view, and a spirit ol zeal in
re*pect to the interest of religion at home,
and the universal triumphs ot the cros*. A
number of missionaries have been employ
ed in visiting destitute places, anil proclaim
ing salvation to the inhabitants. Ihe >Syu
oa fee I reason of thankfulness for the large
; number of pious young men ot talents, who
have turned their hearts toward the holy
I work of the gospel ministry, and tor the
. exertions made tn support these pious young
I men. by charitable societies, and individual
! durations The Synod truly sympathise
with those who are destitute of the mentis
of grace, and are anxious to obtain the reg
ular preaching of the gospel, but have
hitherto not hern able. Let us pray that
the I.nrd mav raise up faithful labourers in
numbers sufficient to supply the destitute
and dying parts of our country.
The Synod recommend to the churches
under their care, to walk worthy ot their
high vocation, and adorn the doctrines ol
God onr Saviour.,
Let union and brotherly love continue
and abound. Let due attendance be given
to publick worship, family religion, the in
struction of children and servant?, and all
the ways by which God may be glorified,
and our souls blessed and ,-aved.
“ Finally brethren, farewell. Be per
fect, he of good comfort, be of one mind,
live in peace, and the God of love apt!
peace shall be with you. 5 ’
JOHN ALLAN, Moderator.
Attest, Robert Harms, Clerk, pro tein.
INDIANS OF THE ROCKY MOUN
TAINS.
The Rev. E Chapman, of the Union Mis
sion, in a letter, dated July sth, Says,
“ From travellers of our acquaintance, and
of undoubted veracity, we have lately re
ceived the following facts concerning some
jof the Indian tribes of the Rocky Moun
tains :
j “ The Kiswavs, Arapahoe', latans or
I Chamanchies, and Crows, are wandering
tribes, inhabiting the prairies at the foot of
the Mountains on this side. They have no ,
settled towns. Wherever they go in pur- 1
: suit of game, they take therr houses of
dressed skins and tbeir furniture with them, j
From their game they derive both their
food and their clothing. The Crows range
, north of the Arkansaw river, and the oth
ers south of it. They are very numerous. |
The latans alone are said to muster 20,000,
which would make their population amount
to about 80,000. The other tribes are
i said to be quite as numerous.
“The Anpaches and the Utaw-s are the
1 only tribes known to our informant* on the
west side of the principal ridge of moun
tains, who pursue (he same wandering hab
its. They are also numerous, and are en
tirely independent of their Spanish neigh
bours, in religion, government, and mode of
living. They are remarkable for their
neatness in dress arid cookery, for their dig
nity of deportment, their hatred and con
tempt of the Spaniards, and (heir respect
lor Americans. They are very brave and
hospitable; and their women form their
dress more like that of our ladies than any
other Indian females.
The Tous and Pickoories live in towns
situated in the vicinity of Santa Fe. They
are Catholicks, and are nnder the Spanish
government; but are, int every thing, vast
ly snperioisr to their Spanish neighbours.
The Navahoes are a large nation, living
in the mid*t of the mountains, about 150
miles north wed of Santa Fe. They are
extensive agriculturists, and are immensely
rich iu flocks and herds. They possess and
work the richest mines in North America".
Thpy profess the Christian religion, aud
are taught by their own native preachers.
LjThey were, probably, originally instructed
coy the Jesuits ; but ate now dependent on
|no other natron for the education of their
| Clergy. May not this be the W'elsh colo-
; ny spoken of by Stnddart?
j It is said there are few Indians eat of
the.- mountains in comparison with (he mul
titudes on the western side. Let us not
icease to pray Hnd-strive that these wander-1
ing sheep may he gathered-into the fold-of
Christ. Pray for us, that we may be faith
ful, and may net labour in vain.
[Missionary Register.
BIBLES.
Extract from the report of “ The Young Men's
Auxiliary Bible Society, of Pittsburgh.
A poor woman, a few days ago, solicited ;
a bihle for her son, an orphan boy, sixteen
years of age, whose thirst for knowledge
; was such, lhat he bound himself one year
i to a person, who engaged to send him the
■ second year to school. A bible was given
! tc a poor woman, forty years of age ; and
she has since gone to a sabbath school, and
I learned to read it with tolerable facility, I
although \thea she commenced, a few
months ago, she could not spell in three let
ter*. Two of your managers, in a late
journey into the country, went into the
house of a poor Black family, which consis
ted of ail old woman of 00, her son, his wile
and 0 small children. They were at break
fost, surrounding a crazy table, which was
covered only with a little Indian bread, a
few apples and something like ton. 1 his
was all the nourishment their scanty means
afforded; yet thankfulness and gratitude,
peace and contentment, evidently abode in
this roofless mansion, because it was illu
minated hy the spirit of Gnd. Religion was
here. This was indeed a Bethel; and that
God, who was unknown to the Athenians,
was here worshipped in spirit and iu truth.
An old half worn testament, with a levy re
ligious tracts, constituted the library ot this
poor but happy family. The poor man la
mented that his Sestament was so torn and
dim as to deprive him almost ot the felicity
of reading 4 the heavenly tidings,’ in which
his soul seemed to delight. One of the el
egantly printed Testaments ot the American
Bible Society was immediately given him;
and he expressed his joy and gratitude, by
asking in the most humble manner, it it
would be agreeable to hear him read a
chapter. He read audibly and <h.inclly
the 7th chapter of Matthew, and his answers
and explanations gave indubitable evidence
“that he was taught of God.” Hi* faith
was so great, and his evidences so bright
andjdiining, that Mr. \V——, on leaving the
home, exclaimed in the words of our bav
iourA” I have not found so great faith, no,
nut iu Israel.”
IRELAND.
Retract from the Quarterly Chronicle of {fa
irish Rvangelical Society.
The following Letter was recently ad
dressed to one of the Secretaries hy a much
respected minister, a friend and member of
the Society, in the neighbourhood of Lon
don. It is here inserted, as furnishing an
illustration of the interesting features of the
Irish character, sanctified and regulated by
religion,—as authorizing the hope of that
enlarged liberality and energy the cause of
evangelization may ultimately receive from
the Irish themselves, in proportion as the
principles and blessing of the Gospel may
become felt among them—and as affording
a powerful incitement Tof more extended
liberality, to rtH the friends of this sacred
cause, that poor Ireland may have the
hles-ings of the Gospel Ministry.
“My-dear Sir: 1 enclosed you a one
pound note, which was some time ago put |
jr.to my hand by a poor woman, under the !
following circumstances:—Her name wasj
Peggv: she had been consigned by hen
dying mother in Ireland to the care ot ani
individual, who brought her up as her ser- 1
van!, bestowing upon her only her clothes)
and food as hor wages. Her residence at t
thi* place led to Peggy’s attendance on the
ministry of the Gospel. It met, in her
case, with a heart prepared by divine iullii-
ence to receive it; she imbibed it as the j
thirsty earth the shower. Her appearance j
berime altered, and her whole demeanour
highly improved. Her mistress, finding
her services increasingly valuable, and fear
ing that the temptation to high wages
might effect a separation, proffered, cf her
I own accord, to give her a small yearly sal
| ary. For thia she was truly thankful;
; and some months having elapsed, she came
j to me one evening after the service, appa
i rcntly with great jov, and slipped a piece
of paper into mv hand—it was a one pound
noo j “Peggy,” said I, “what is this?”
“ Your Reverence ,” said she, “it is the first
pound that I could ever call my own since I
was born And what will Ido with it ?Ah
will I forget my country ? — No ; —it is for
poor Ireland—it is for my countrymen to
have the blessed, blessed Gospel preached to
them .” 1 admired her disinterestedness, but
thought the sacrifice too great, as I knew
she must want such a sum for very import
ant purposes. Peggy,” said I, “it is too
much for you to give, I cannot take it.”
“ Oh, your Reverence ,” she replied, with
her characteiistick energy, “ if you refuse
it, / would not sleep for a fortnight :” and
she went awav, leaving the money in my
hand, and exclaiming, “ God bless my poor
country with the ministry of the Gospel ,”
How much does her liberality outshine
that of others! Who has not found the first
possession of money bring with it a tempta
tion to avarice? Whoever gave his first
pound to charity?—lt was what she had
been wi-hing for, for some years: it was
her ail, when she obtained it; yet with a
joy fnr greater than that which accrued
from its possession, she delivered it up for
the spread of the Gospel in'her own coun
try ! Nor is this the first time that l have
seen instances of generosity amongst the
poor, that might make rich men blu*h.
Yours, &c. J. L'”
—-:: -y;.-: sjs : -s::-::
THE KORAN,
In the grand Library at Lyons, in France,
written in the Turkish Language. .
This book of repiote antiquity, and so
venerated by the major part of the inhab
itant of Asia is in Turkish Arabian, every
page having an embellished border, and
containing eleven kinds of text.
The Turkish dialect, formed from the
Arabian, has five letters less; the charac
ter was fixed hy the Vizir Melech, who
about the year 933 wrote out the Koran in
such beautiful and correct style of penman
ship, (bat his letters were regarded as
types.
Sale, Gamier, Roland, Chardin, Prideaux,
D’Herbelot, Turnefort, Marucci, Y>u-Ryer,
andTnrpin have particularly descanted at
large upon this Bible of the Mussulmans.
It is written in verses, the chain of which is
frequently broken, so lhat at the first in
spection it seems to present nothing but a
series of laws, or detached moral precepts.
Besides a trivial maxim i* found a nrnsl sub
lime image ; and near a sterile dogma is a
glowing description ol liumat) virtues.
The word Koran signifies the Book ol
Books as the term ftlishna of the Jews.
According to its believers, it was sent from
heaven during the night ot the 23d or 24th
of the month of Ramadan; but the work
was not given to the world and vested with
publick authority, until the thirtieth year
of the Hegira under the Caliph Omar, sec
ond successor of Mahomet. The t'M
transcripts were in the Coptick; hut it i
not ascertained whether the manuscript
now under review is writteh in those spe
cifiok characters.
The work consists of 114 chapters, of
which the Mahomedan doctors have count
ed the words and letters; in order that nei
ther ignorance nor malignity should add or
retrench a syllable. The number of word*
is 77,039. It is written in a harmonious
and flowing rhyme ; the metaphors are lux
nriaiit, hut the conciseness of expression
frequently renders the sense obscure and
mysterious.
Mahomet wrote his work in the Koreisi
tick dialect, which was the purest ot the
east. Some coadjutors have been given to
this eastern prophet during his composition
of the Koran, namely, Herlebe the Arabian,
Salman the Persian,’Bensalem the Jew, and
Sergius the aiontr, with whom Mahomet
was closely allied when he conducted his
caravans in Syria. The Caliph Al-Mamun
published an edict, which subjected all mus
sulmans to believe the Koran eternal;
which ordinance produced many dissenters
and martyrs, as it uniformly happens when
force is resorted to in cases rt theological
discussions. The devotees for the Koran
never touch or open it without previous ab
lution ; and in order to give timely notice,
to prevent writing these words on the first
page:—“Do not touch this book with pol
luted hands;” they are even scrupulous as
to carrying it under iheir girdles, and upon
the leaves of this work their oath is admin
istered.
PROM TIIE SOUTHERN INTELLIGENCER.
CONSISTENCY!!!
This world will probably ever present a
scene that will not only surprise and disgust
the real philanthropist but the true philos
opher.
A Howard, who is said to have taken the
gunge of human misery, and who devoted
himself to the temporal relief of men, will
receive the admiration of all ; but let one
devote himself to save his fellow-creatures
from that misery which no finite power can
gnage, his efforts are termed roman tick and i
his expenditures a waste!
Let a man devote his life ami propertj'to
promote the glory and prosperity of his
country, he has the credit of disinterested
patriotism and benevolence, although his
own fame and fortune are like to increase,
in proportion to his zeal. But let a person
give up all the endearments of friendship;
every prospect of wealth and promotion
which are promised to a man of talents in a
flourishing country, and dedicate his genius
and his strength to remove the veil of
darkness, ignorance and superstition from
heathen lands—there are some so liberal , as
at once to suspect his motives, to charge him
with sinister views, and declare that the
p : ttance given for hi3 support, is absolute
extravagance and injustice to the waots of
our own people!
We should suppose that the effect of the
Christian religion in expanding the affec
tions would be sufficient to -enlist in its fa
vour all men of enlarged minds and liberal
feelings. Neither the example or the
precepts of our Saviour tend to confine our
kindness or our charity within the domestick
or social circle, within the bounds of our
state or our country—but wherever there
is error to be removed, ignorance to be en
lightened, hearts to be purified, and souls
to be saved, there is the field for the la
bours of the Christian, for the manifestation
of his liberality, for the expansion of his
feelings and for the exercise of his love and
charity.
The Gospel of salvation was purchased
hy the blood of the Sou of God ! a price be
yond conception or calculation ! While on
earth, every virtue was manifest in His
life—He lived as a light to the world. He
whose spirit first moved upon the face of
the waters, condescended personally to
teach man the way of salvation ! And when
His life was finally closed hy that death
which opened the gates of Heaven to all
helivers, He commanded His disciples to
proclaim His-name to the whole world!—
That command is binding upon every indi
vidual who has received the blessings of the
Gospel! Shall there be found in this en
lightened country, whose greatness is built
on the foundation of Gospel truth, men
without gratitude for these blessings ! men
who disregard the command of their Sa
viour ! men who undervalue the very treas
ury whence they draw all tbeir wealth:
who are laying up their treasures on earth
only, and value the gratification of the pas
sions, more than the command of the Sa
viour !
If there are not among us men of this
character, why such a clamour against the
efforts to give the Bible to the Indian and
the Asiafick? Why is abuse heaped on
those who go out in obedience to the com
mand of Christ, to spread the Gospel, the
introduction of which cost Him Hu life !
IfChristgave His life, shall not we be wil
ling to bestow some portion of our tempo
r:! possessions for the eternal happiness of
others?
What must Le the death-bed reflections &
the last account of those, who in the enjoy
ment of all the blessings of a happy gov
ernment, of literature, domestick life and
gospel privilege, not only neglect the idol
atrous world which Christ has left in their
charge, hut oppose the efforts of others to
spread the light of the gospel over the
dark regions of the earth? Wlat must be
the solitary thoughts of these, who ridicule
missionary expenditures ns wasteful, while
they are expending the gifts ot a bountiful
Providence in extravagant nnd licentiou*
pleasures, in idle amusement and seducing
games ?
And what must he the character of these
Editors and Journalists of this enlightened
and religious counlry, who declare that the
western iridians are incapable of civilize,
lion, and that every effort in their favour
is only a waste of the publick wealth ; who
abuse the characters and misrepresent the
motives of those excellent men, who are
engaged in the charitable work of preach
ing the Gospel to the Heathen?—Who
condemn as wasteful extravagance the send
ing a printing pres# to Ceylon, but who at
the same time detail with approbation the
bitory of the preparation and result of *
horse race, without any censure of the
enormous sums staked, the. spirit of gaming
introduced, and the corruption generally
diffused over the moral sense of the com
munity! Nothing is said in condemnation
of the hundred* of thousands lost and won
on a race, as though it was more worthily
devoted, than if used to spread the lights of
science and religion over the regions off
darkness and superstition! Nothing is
said in disapprobation of men travelling
hundreds of miles to see a race, as if it was
more laudable than an expedition to carry
the Bible and preach the gospel to those
who “ sit in darkness.”
If we could be the means of rousing one
immortal spirit, to serious reflection on this
subject, it would be to us a source of per
manent joy ; for then the Mood of the Sa
viour would no longer he trampled on.
His precepts would be regarded, death and
judgment would be viewed as certain
events, the love of Christ would be valued,
and the anger of God would be feared.
From, the Alabama Courier.
THE SEASON OF PLEASURE.
“ Youth is the season of pleasure ,” say
the young of both sexes, when the voice of
friendship would arrest (hem in their ca
reer of folly.
“ Youth is the season of pleasure ,” says the
infatuated mother, when she urges her re
luctant daughter to repeat those amuse
ments, with which she is already satiated
or disgusted.
41 Youth is the season of pleasure ,” says
the unthinking father, when he sees bis sou
plunging in the vortex of dissipation, and
sacrificing his health, fortune and reputa
tion.
“ Youth is the season of pleasure, ” and with
this wi*e reflection, the aged and the yore , ,
the parent and the child, quiet their ovva
consciences, and silence every remon
strance.
And what do you say, sage monitor? Do
you not admit, that “ youth is the season of
pleasure, ” assuredly I do : but Ido not ad
mit that it is the only season. Onr bounti
ful Creator has not limited the enjnyment
of his creatures to a small period of their
short existence. There are pleasures pro
vided for every stage of our journey ; from
the cradle to the grave ; but the source
of those pleasures is so often poisoned, or
exhausted in youth, that instead of a stream
of living water to refresh us during our pil
grimage, we have nothing left but the
dregs of former joys.
Ye rotaries of pleasure , I address myself to yon ;
“ O wherefore with a rash impetuous aim,
Seek ye those florv’ry joys, with which the hand
Os lavish fancy paints each flattering scene,
Where pleasure seems to dwell, nor once inquire
Where is the sanction of eternal truth,
Or where the seal of undeceitful good,
To save your search from folly.”
If pleasure is an object of such vast im*
portance, why would you rest satisfied with
enjoying it only during childhood and youth,
and leave the rest of your lives an awful
blank? Why not cultivate those intellect
ual resources, which abound not only with
present sweets, but with the germ of fu
ture and solid happiness? Why not labour
to acquire those virtuous habits, which will
be the glory of your wiser years, and the
solace of your declining age?
Yc advocates of pleasure , I address myself
to you. You have sought the same
amusements which your children are pur
suing and you have found, when actually
enjoying them, that they resembled,
“ Tho?e dead sea fruits which tempt the eye,
But turn to ashes on the lips.”
And vet with t!j: advantage of this
mournful experience, you recommend to
your unsuspecting offspring, the same pur
suits—you ensure them the same disap
pointments.
Learn then, ye votaries—ye advocates
of pleasure, and ye self sufficient moralists,
the only means of making time and eternity
one continued scene of pleasure, and learn it
in the delightful language of one, who has
blessed the majesty of truth, with the spir
it and point of the epigram,
“ Lave while you live,” the Epicureans say,
Amvjive to pleasure every passim; day.
“ Life while you live,” the sacred volume crier,
And gin-to God each moment as it dies.
Lord of my life, let both united be—
-1 live in pleasure, when 1 live to thee.
—-ozz-a-zzo*
“No man was ever scolded out of his
sins. The heart, corrupt as it is, and be
cause it is so, grows angry if it be not treat
ed with some management and good man
ners, and scolds again. A surly mastiff will
bear, perhaps, to be stroked, though he
will growl even under that operation; but
if you touch him roughly, he will bite.
There is no grace that the spirit of self can
counterfeit with more success than a reli
gious zeal, A man thinks he is lighting for
Christ, and he is fighting for his own no
tions. He thinks he is skilfully searching
the hearts of others, when he is only grati
fying the malignity of his own; and chari
tably supposes his hearers destitute of all
grace, that he may shine the more in his