Newspaper Page Text
protected by a cover. Q. What sort of
schools existed among the Jews 1
A. Besides the common schools in which
the children were taught to read the Law,
there were colleges or academies, which
were under the direction and tuition o!
some celebrated doctor or rabbi, who, seat- j
ed in an elevated chair, gave comments on
the Law, and explained the traditions of the j
fathers to bis pupils, who stood in a circle!
about his seat, and so much below him, that
their heads were horizontal with his feet,:
which may explain Paul’s expression,when
he says, he was “ brought up at the feet ot
Gamaliel.” The most famous Jewish aca
demies were those of Sbamroai, and Hillel,
and of Gamaliel. After the destruction of
Jerusalem, Tiberias, in Palestine, became
the chief seat of Jewish learning; and Ba
bylon for those Jews who were situated
north.of Judea. The superior schools of
the Jews were furnished with several tu
tors, and were therefore called Bcthrabbo
mm; whereas the common schools were
called Bcthrabban , as having commonly but
one tutor, lo their academies, the Jewish
doctors held disputations, ut which other
persons besides the pupils might be present,
and propose questions for solution. In them
also, degrees were conferred.
Q. What was the origin of the Sanhe
drim, and what its powers ?
A. This was the Grand Council, or the
highest court in the Jewish nation; it was cal
led the house ofjudgement. There seems to
be some ground to believe that this council
originated in the appointment of the seven
ly Elders to assist Moses in judging the peo
ple ; and also in other parts ot scripture
there seems to be an allusion to this body.
But some learned men think that the San
hedrim had no connexion with these elders,
and that it could not have existed through
so long a period of the Jewish history with
out coming into view ; and besides, that the
absolute power assumed by the kings wa
inconsistent with it. They therelore sup
pose it originated with the Asmonean princes,
when they began to exercise the functions
of government. That the Sanhedrim ex
isted in the time of our Saviour, we know ;
lor he was tried by it, and frequent mention
is made of it in the New Testament; hot
its power was greatly reduced after the na
tion became subject to the Romans. Vfe
find in our Saviour’s time they could not in
flict capital punishment. This assembly
consisted of 70, 71, or 72 person*, chiefly
of the sacerdotal tribe ; hut other persons
of distinction and learning might become
members of it. The president was usually
the High Priest; but this was not absolute
ly necessary. There was also a vice-pre
sident, who was required to be a grave and
sober person, of an illustrious family, and
was called Ab, or father of the council.
They used to meet in an apartment of the
temple called Gazilh, from which however
thev had removed previously to our Sa
viour’s death. Their manner of sitting was
in a semicircle ; the pre-ident occupied an
elevated seat in the midway of thecirr.n*,
hdJ the scribes or secretaries were seated
Hi t|)e two extremities,
i\. les : Une or twenty-three members,
which existed in every place where there
were as many as a hundred and twenty in
habitants ; and a court of three judges in
those places where the inhabitants were
Jess than a hundred and twenty.
RELIGIOUS.
REVIVAL IN CONNECTICUT STATE
PRISON.
The following is a copy of a letter written by the
Chaplain of the Newgate Prison in Granby,
Connecticut, to a gentleman in N'ew-Haven, &
first published in the Religious Intelligencer.
Granby, April, 1824.
Dear Sir,—Agreeably to an intimation
in my last, i transmit to you some account
of the revival at the state prison. It com
menced about the first of January. 1 can
not forbear mentioning a circumstance
which occurred at its commencement, and,
which, while it exhibits the madness of the
human heart, and the divine compassion &.
sovereignly, shows also, that the moment
had arrived when God intended to display
his power ; and to convince those who had
hitherto proved invincible to all human
coercion and reproof, that there was noth
ing too hard for him to effect.
I was invited to officiate at the prison for
the first time on the Sabbath of the 21 t of
December. I closed my address to the
prisoners with the following remark:—
*• Believe on the Saviour, and he will throw
open the doors of your prison, knock off
your chains, and say to the prisoner, go
’iorth.” la allusion to this, one, whose
chains were uncommonly large, remarked,
with an oath, while passing from the chapel
to his room, “ that Jesns (,’brisl would hare j
hard work to knock off his chains.” This
was the first person awakened. He told
me afterwards, (hat he was distressed at
the moment he uttered it, and wa9 endeav-
ouring to shake off his impressions.—His
anxiety was too great to he long concealed
from hia fellow prisoners, and as be bad
been a leader in iniquity, the disclosure of
his feelings was like an electrick shock.
The prisoners said with amazement ‘ifM.
is serious, it is time for us to attend.’ It was
soon reported that there was some serious
ness at. the prison ; and in visiting it, I found
three or four who appeared to be really so.
But I had feats with regard to their sinceri
ty, and heard them with mu'h caution. 1
expressed my hopes and fears to a few
Christian friends, and while the condition of
the prisoners was made a subject of prayer,
it was thought best to say but little about
it. lo the mean lime we endeavoured to
ascertain whether the work was indeed a
real re vival of religion. I was resolved to
watch its progress, and was soon led to be
lieve., from what was exhibited before me,
that it could not be a deception.
About four weeks had now elapsedthe ,
work had luily commenced. On the fourth
Sabbath it was very apparent in the con
gregation. The progress of the revival
was rather rapid than otherwise; and on
the third Sabbath in Jnnaary, the power ot
God was 100 evident to be unobserved even
by an enemy. There appeared to be a
visible presence of the Almighty. The
Saviour had come to effect his own work-
We all seemed to be in his hand. The en
emy was still —nothing heard but the clank
ing of the chains,and the sighing of the pris
oner.
The work continued to prevail, without
much variation, until the middle ot tebru
ary. The cases of impression since that j
period have been comparatively few. The
number of those who give credible evidence
of having passed from death unto lite, is ,
twenty seven, aod the whole number whoj
have appeared to be affected in view ot
their eternal interests is estimated
at about forty. This, sir, is a very brief
outlioe of a work which has awakened, in
a peculiar manner, the interest oflriends,
opposition of enemies and the curiosity of
the indifferent. 1 cordially concur with
you in the opinion, that it is a fair exhibition
of the “ gratuitous character of divine grace : ’
and the comparative impotence of prisons ,
and racks, and tortures, in the reformation ot
mao. lam aware that the mere man of
the world is disposed to look upon this
work with a suspicious and incredulous eye ;
of this there is too awful evidence before
me. But he who loves our gracious Re
deemer, will, it is hoped, “ be not faithless
but believing”—will rejoice “that where
sin hath abounded, grace hath much more
abounded”—“ that where much is forgiven,
the same loveth much”—will rejoice in
that immeasurable compassion, which of
fers its hopes and consolations, alike to the
moral and the profligate, and illumines and
cheers the humble penitent, whether he be
found in a prison or a palace.
YEW YORK SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION
The Gth Aniversary was celebrated on
the 11th ult. 3000 scholars, with their
teacher- assembled in the Park, and pro
ceeded thence to the Circu*, where after
prayer by the Rev. Mr. Cone, an address
was delivered to the children by the Rev.
Mr. Felt us. Hymns were sung bv the
children at the beginning and close of the
exercises.
INDIAN CONVERTS.
The New Yoik Observer states, that at
a recent meeting of the United I- oreign Mis
sionary Society in that city, a letter was
read from the Rev. Mr. Harris, missiooa
ry among the Tuscarora Indians, dated
Buffaloe, April 29th, 1824, communicating
| (he interesting intelligence that two of the
1 chiefs of that tribe had recently been ad
mitted into the church. Their names are,
John Pollard, a very influential chief, 60
i years of age, and Henry Two Gu ts, also a j
chief, younger, but very industrious, and of.
respect*hle standing. They both appear!
to be humble and sincere Christians.|
to Capt. Pollard,” says Mr. Harris, “he
j arose and returned for substance the fol
lowing reply :—“ Brnlher—Since you have
thought proper to invite me to become
numbered in the family of Christ, and have
asked me these solemn questions, I shall
make my answer in a few words. It is a
fact, not to be denied, that in my younger
days, I have lived in total darkness—in a
state of ignorance and sin ; and although I
have kept myself from many of those vices
which have ruined many of my people:
still 1 have to acknowledge that I am a
great sinner in the sight of God. But now,
as I have learned a little of the Gospel,and
have heard of the wonderful love of Jesus
Christ, in dying for the sins of mankind, 1
should be worse than a brute, if my heart
should not repent, and place its trust in his
death alone. I know there are some of
my nation, who turn their back against the
Son of God, and despise his gospel—and
they are displeased with us, because we
are determined to hold fast to the truth.
As to myself, I will only say, that if my
“ hearts’ blood'’ be necessary to alone for
the crime I have committed in departing
from the paths of ignorance and sin, let it
flow freely. Let them take vengeance up
on me, in the presence of my family—and
in open day. I shall make no resistance,
since I shall die in the cause of God.”
“This was spoken with so much feeling,
as nearly drew tears from all present, and
was truly characteristick of an Indian Ora
tor. softened by the humanity of the Chris
tian.”
THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST.
Mr. Editor , — As the following anecdote
j is calculated lo be useful, please give it a
place in the Family Visiler.
“ Two gentlemen were once disputing on
the divinity of Christ. One of them who
argued against it, said, “ If it were true it
certainly would have been expressed in
more clear and unequivocal terms.”
“Well,” said the other, “admitting that
you believed it, were authorized to teach
it, and allowed lo use your own language,
how would you express the doctrine to make
it indubitable ?”—“ I would say,” replied
the first, “ that Jesus Christ is the true God.'”
“You are happy” rejoined the other “in
the choice of your words, for yon have
happened to hit upon the very words of in
spiration ; St. John .speaking of the Son,
says, “ this is the true God, and eternal life.”
If any of your readers doubt the divinity
of Christ, I refer them to 1 John v. chap
ter, for a full and explicit solution of their
doubts. Let them read it with a candid,
unprejudiced mind, and they will find them
selves constrained either to admit the doc
trine, or reject the Bible, as a mere human
production. A Subscriber, j
Family Visiter.
jiddrcssed to the Rev. Jokr^Ufy
son, f RuckcrsvilU , Elbert Geo*
Rev. and dear Sir,
Your letter, bearing date 10th May, 1824,
addressed to the Clergy of the several De
nominations in the upper parts of Georgia,
came into my reception by the last mail;
the perusal of which afforded me no small
source of exquisite delight. It truly sa
vours of that sentiment which I have ever
I breathed since 1 espoused the benign reli
gion of the ever blessed Redeemer. It is
one which is all-worthy in itself, and which
’ 1 ardently wish may take wings and com
mence a flight never to cease, until it shall
I have visited every friend of Zion, and found
•’ a welcome in the heart of every professed
disciple of Christ. 1 humbly trust that it is
not irrational to indulge in the pleasing
hope, that a subject of its infinitely weighty,
-.and almost superlatively vast importance,
will sink deeply into the ears ot many, and
penetrate the deep recesses of the Chris
tian heart. It has for its avowed object, the
. union of Christians of every denomination.
That there are many who thiuk, speak,
and endeavour to make light of it, I have
no doubt. The reason wherefore, is o b
vious, and should be creative of no aston
ishment. That man ha 9 ever shut hi 9 eyes
against light, and chosen darkness, is do
less true than lamentable. Hence the con
demnation of the world. 1 venture to say,
in my opinion, scarcely a man in Christen
dom is so stupidly and willingly ignorant, as
to say, that a concretion amongst the Chris
(inns of every natnr, would uot conduce to
the felicity of the Christian world. It is
granted on all sides, that a reciprocity of
! regard would pull down the bar of disunion.
| But whilst arrogance and vanity have the
ascendency over humility, this happy coa
lescence cannot be accomplished. Though
the good resulting from such a measure is
universally acknowledged, yet to some, the
labour and exertion necessary for its com
pletion, are unpleasant. But what is tar
more uadelightful, the petty pride of our
corrupt nature must bp mortified. What
overtures of good from Heaven, through
the instrumentality of mao, or otherwise,
were ever made to the human family, in
any era of the world, which did not meet
opponents? Alas! that we were not per
fectly justifiable in the assertion, that far
the greatest part of the children of men
have always distinguished themselves for
; this malignant spirit of opposition. Though
all the spies that were sent to explore the
respecting ns copiods anffirdance of milk
and honey, its delicious fruits, its exceeding
goodness and superiour advantages, yet,
only one sixth part of them reported the
practicability ot going up, and coming
into its possession. Yet the faithful
few went up, and possessed aod en
joyed. Let it be remembered for our en- 1
couragement, and not for our 9 only, that
the parvity of their number diminished not
those pleasures resulting from their integ
rity aod perseverance. When the Lord
ofGlory, Phoskosmou, the Light of the world,
descended from the Throne of His Majesty,
i and stooped to the forlorn case of fallen,
j degenerate, abject man, his own by crea
tion, by redemption, and by preservation,
would not receive him! Their language
was, “away with him.” But to those who
did receive him, bis beneficent aod liberal
hands were ever open, and supplied their
every want. Surely, ours is a peculiar age
of the world, and highly favoured. If, in
the great day of accounts, it be required of
man according to his original stock, more
will be demanded of the present than of
former generations.
It is not absurd to suppose that the peo
ple of this enlightened Republick, having a
great portion of celestial radiance, and pos
sessing privileges soperiour to almost any
other people upon the globe, will have to
answer agreeably thereto, and receive the
things done in the body, according to what
they have done, whether they be good or
bad. The Arts and Sciences seem to be
j tending towards the zenith of their earthly
I glory, and fast approaching to the summit
of human perfection, whilst affording man
j every advantage which bis dignified nature
! requires. They have recently spread, and
are continuing to distribute their effulgence
j over lands which had long lain shrouded in
the deep gloom of profound ignorance.
Natious formerly unacquainted with, and
consequently destitute of the blessings of
civilization and science, are not only throw
ing off their savage barbarity, but happily
rallying round the standard cf the King Im
manuel, and enlisting under his holy ban
ner. Shall discord be a stranger amongst
those who a little while ago were shut up
in the regions of darkness, whilst its pro
gress, with us, is commensurate with our
light ? Shall all mundane things claim the
attention of man, and speed swiftly towards
that summit of perfection which they are
destined to reach, while the religion of
Christ is consigned to languish in the hands
of its professed advocates ? The beams ot
Divine light are dawning upon this land,
converging to one point, aod forming, as
we profess to believe, a focus, the light ot
which whosoever resists, must inevitably
fall into the dark abj-s of irrevocable woe.
O Deity ! forbid the folly and madness of
man! Let the heretofore insurmountable
walls of Sectarism be rent asunder. Let
sweet rivers of peace, fraternal affection,
and Christian love, flow abundantly into
every soul. Let the hallowed flame of ce
lestial fire catch the altar of every heart,
and burn with unremitting fervour, until the
corrupt nature shall have been consumed,
and the souls of men universally purified,
and absorbed in (he sea of God’s love. —
Amongst the many engines used by the en
emy of souls for man’s disquiet, discord en
ters a principal claim. 41 A house divided
against itself cannot stand.” Had all the
professed disciples of Christ cherished a
spirit of love instead of that of discord and
envy, the whole world, ere this time, in
my opinion, would have been Christianized.
We all profess to be children of the same
heavenly Parent, servants ot the same di
vine Master. Says the Redeemer ol man,
“ By this shall all men know that ye are
my disciples, because you have love one to
another.” Would to God that our disciple
ship were thus known. So long as we pos
sess a spirit of hardness towards one anoth
er, and suffer anarchy and contention to
supply the place of Christian regard, rely
upon the veracity of the assertion, that a
name to live, while 44 dead in trespasses
and in sio9,” will avail us little. Ihe words
of the ever adorable Saviour strongly incul
cate the necessity of leaving our gill at the
altar, and seeking a reconciliation with our
brother before the offering. How mani
fest then, is the inconsistency of many pro
fessed Christians ? While they vainly en
deavour to hold out the idea to the work!,
that they are the followers of the meek Je
sus. their actions, speaking louder ‘ban ar
ticulate sounds, give their words a plain
contradiction. Their deeds say, in effect,
“ If you love not your brother whom you
have seen, how can you love God whom
you have not seen ?” “ God is love.” The
power of faith to remove mountains, and all
other possessions, avail us nothing, if desti
tute of love or charity. It is the magnum
bonum, the place of which, not any or every
thing else can supply with equal advantage.
Tha_t_ a]T
tian9 be lost in rnirws fratrum, needs only
their reasonable exertions. That Deity
will smile upon their efforts, and lend his
divine aid for the accomplishment of so sal
utary a measure, I have faith to bplieve.
That the sentiment here manifest,.has been
felt by some of every denomination, I char
! itably hope. We rejoice that you have
broken silence on this universally interest
ing subject. That every individual would
embrace it, and make it his own, we most
cordially wish. But should there be any
who choose to be nonconformists to this de
sirable object, let it not discourage us.
“We know in whom we have believed.”
Heaven be ever thanked for what has al
ready accrued from the effort. I burn and
adore as I write. Truly my 9oul experi-
enced the refreshings from the presence of
the Lord, during the Union Meeting of the
29th April last. It seemed to be the dawn
of that day when the “ Lord shall be King
over all the earth, and his name one.”
The language of my soul is, go on. My
narrowly limited opportunity will not admit
a lengthy address. But be assured my
heart is with you. My little influence, if
any at all, shall not be lacking. When I
say I wish your cause well, I fqel what I
say. May God ever bless and prosperyour
good undertakings, and keep you from those
of a different nature, is the prayer of your
friend.
I have the honour of subscribing myself
your ever affectionate brother in the bond
of Christian fellowship,
JOHN W. S. NAPIER.
Carnesville, Ga. June 2, 1824.
■aZZZZZZSeZZZZZZc—
Colonization Society. —On Thursday after
noon last, Robert Goodloe Harper, Esq. of
Baltimore, one of the Vice Presidents of
the American Society for colonizing the
free people of colour of the U. States, in
presence of the General Assembly and a
gratified audience, expiaihed the views of
the society in its plan abd progress. From
the sketch given of the present situation of
the colony at Liberia, encouragement is
held out to believe that the set time i9
come, to favour degraded, unhappy Ethio
pia. She hath stretched forth her suppli
cating hands to God ; who shall hinder her
emancipation!
CHEROKEE DELEGATION.
A correspondent of the National Gazelle,
who is personally well acquainted with the
now at Washington, has
communicated the following short sketches
of their characters.
Major Ridge. He is a full blooded Cher
okee. He neither speaks nor understands
English. He possesses from nature a mind
of the first order. At home he enjoys a
high reputation for talents as a chief and
orator. In conversation, he is fluent and
facetious. He is distinguished lor magnan
imity and courage, and acquired much fame
in the last war under General Jackson.
When he was informed of the contents of
the address of the Georgia delegation to the
President, he remarked —“ It is very
“Aoltalk—l suppose it was intended for
44 their people at home—they don’t mean
11 any thing else — they have 100 much sense
“ to drive u away.”
Major Lowrv. This is a very sensible
man and of a flue character. He is tiuy*.
turn and prudent. He can read and write
a little and is deemed a genuine Christian.
E. Hicks. A young man ; of excellent
parts. He speaks and writes the English
language well. Owing to his great exer
tions to do so, his style is somewhat turgid.
J. Ross. A plain, unassuming person
—a good English scholar; writes with eaa
and considerable force. He converses ex
ceedingly well, and no one wouid suppose
him to be any part Indian, from his appear
ance or conversation. He is the author of
all the communications signed by the Cher
okee delegation. His deportment is that
of a while American, lo any circle he
would pass for a white man and a gentle,-
man. ‘!
Common views of the Female Character in
INDIA.
1 have remarked that females perform
the severest labours in this country. This
is true of nine tenths of the population, not
excepting the Mussulmans, whose religion
and pride induce them to keep their women
much in the house. But there they are
subject lo hard and perpetual drudgery.
Neither Hindooism nor Mahouiedanism has
any mercy on women. Both are filled
with the grossest libels on the female sex,
and consign them to perpetual degradation.
The Hindoo women are in general etout
and well formed—sometimes they are de
formed in consequence of carrying heavy
burdens while young. To cut off the hair
is the most disgraceful of all punishments
that can be inflicted on females. Yet hea
thenish and barbarous custom has inflicted
this punishment and disgrace on females
the moment they become widows. 44 Thou
shall not afflict the widow and the father-
less,” says the word of God—not so the
Hindoo Shasters. Whenever her husband
is dead, the unfortunate widow is thrust aside
as unclean ; her head is shaved ; her orna
ments, jewelry, and tine clothes, if she has
any, are taken away ; she becomes a slave,
and is kept at the hardest labour, and al
! lowed but one meal a day, even in the
house of a father or a brother ! The Shas
ters teach that women are to be kept in a
state of degiadation. “ Women,” says the
great law giver,“love their bed®, (her
r,reii“uioatnents; they have impure
appetites; they love wiatb, they show
j weak flexibility and bad conduct.” Such
i too is the doctrine of the Koran. Mahomed
was asked if the advice ot a woman wa9 to
be taken. “Certainly,” said the prophet,
“ask their advice, and having got it, act in
direct opposition to it.” Women pay back
wiih a vengeance on the other sex, the
wrongs they endure. They have no in
ducements to any thing good, of course they
exult in what is bad. The widows of Brah
mins and other high castes are forbidden to
marry again. The consequence is, that
most widows lead a dissolute life, so that in
Mahratta, the word lor widow and prostitute
is the same. [Missionary Herald.
THE BAPTISTS IN ALABAMA.
In mentioning the States in which Ban,
list Conventions have been formed, wT
omitted to notice Alabama. A State Con
vention was organized there in the last
year, and our brethren have published
their constitution, accompained with a spir
ited and evangelical address on the subject
of missions. The grand object of this Con
vention is to spread far and wide the saving
knowledge of Christ, by promoting the
means of religious information, by support
mg gospel ministers amongst the destitute,
and by aiding the education of those who
may be called of God to the sacred office.
A State Bible Society is also organized since
the formation of the Convention ; and we
hope these institutions will be as streams ot”
salvation, extending their cheering influ
ence far into our wilderness, causing the
desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose.
[Christian Watchman.
Methodist General Conference.
We have this morning received letters
from our friends in Baltimore, announcing
the appointment of two additional Bishops
for the Methodist Episcopal Church. The
Rev. Joshua Soule, of the Baltimore Con
ference, and the Rev. Elijah Hedding, of
the New England Conference, are the Bish
ops elect. The Rev. Nathan Bangs has
been re-appointed to the Book concern in
this city, and the Rev. Doctor Ruter, for
Cincinnati. The assistant for New York
was not appointed wheo our letters were
written. The Conference was expected to
adjourn on Thursday evening. The Rev.
Mr. Reece, aod the Rev. Mr. Hannah,
British Delegates, arrived in this city last
evening. [jV. Y. Spectator, June 1.
Judge Parsons. —A gentleman had been
concerned in a duel. The ball of his an
tagonist struck his watch, and remain*”
there. It thus saved his life. The watt
was subsequently exhibited, with the ba
remaining in it, in a company where Judgp
Parsons wa9 present. It was observed b;
several that it was to the owner a valuable
watch. “Yes, said Parsons, very excel
lent: it has kept time from eternity.”