Newspaper Page Text
JV I
4s ob * site for Ifc* Literary lostitotioo con
templated by the Coßvetrtioo, reported,
<bar the time named for the meeting of the
committee*, was ifceonveoient to the com.
mitten appointed on the part of the Georgia
General Association, and that neither hud
assembled. Nothing therefore had been
done. Col. A J. Lawton, Col. A. Blocker,
Ref. John Landrum, Re* W. B? Johnson,
and Rev. C. D. Mallary were appointed a
committee to meet and act with a commit
tee troth Georgia, on this subject; and
with authority to proceed to the duties of
their appointment, though the committee
from Georgia, should, from any cause fail
to attend.
The subject proposed last year by the
General Association of Georgia, es forming
a standard confession of faith, was indefi
nitely postponed. A resolution was adopted
approving of the formation and objects of
the General Tract society at Washington,
and recommending it to the support and
attention of the churches in thi state
The propriety of employing a Domestick
Missionary, to derote his time to preaching
the Gospel and making collections in aid of
the funds of the Conrention, was committed
to the Board of Managers.
The Rev. Mr. Grosvenor, of George
town, was appointed to prepare the next
address, in answer to the followiogquery:
“ What are the important interests and
principles of union, which should excite
and direct the General Convention and
State Conventions of the Baptist denomina
tion in the United States, to a cordial co-op
eration in the measures they adopt for the
benefit of the churches?”
The next meeting of the Convention will
be held at Camden, on the Saturday be
fore the fim Lord’s Day in December
next.
General State of the Associations united
in the Convention —Charleston Association
contains 38 churches, 19 rdained minis
teis, 11 licensed preachers, and 3988 com.
mnnicant*—l7o baptized last year. Edge
field Association contains 35 churches, 13
ordained ministers, 3 licensed preachers
and 2942 communicant*—lß7 baptized last
.year. Savannah River Association con
laws 24 churches, 14 ordained ministers
G licensed preachers, and 3282 communi
cants —485 baptized last year.
It appears from the abovp, which may
be considered as strictly official, that 97
churches, 4G ordained minister*, 20 licen
sed preachers, and 10,212 communicants,
are united in the Convention; and that
842 persons were added to it the last year
by a publick profess-ion of religion. With
iu the bonuds of the Salnda Association, a
respectable society exists, auxiliary to th
Convention ; but as that Association is no ;
nt prevent united with the State Conven
tion, the above estimate does oot locliuJ.
Hoy ol the churches, ministers or comma
nicauts of lhat body. There are also oili 1
er Associations in South Carolina who are
? not coutieeted with the Stale Convention.
South. Intel.
from the JYcw Ilaren {Con.) Religious Intelli
gencer iif Jan. 8.
REVIVALS OF RELIGION.
A correspondent informs us lhat revivals
have recently commenced in Malta and
Bailston, N. Y. and that there had not been
so much attention to religion in Saratoga
county for several years. - In one place
thirteen came forward at the close of a
meeting and requested their minister and
Christ lans to pray for them ; aud at another
place time made (be same request. At this I
time it was not known that there was a soui !
under conviction till the request was made, i
We learn from the Chrisiian Secretary i
that a revival in Branford, (Mass.) which j
commenced in Nuvember last, is still pro i
grossing. Mare than 20 have united witn I
the Baptist church in that place. And iu i
West Boy Ist on more than 40 give evidence
of having experienced a change of heart.
The work is powerful arid appears to be
extending all over the place.
A revival which commenced in Ashford
about three months ago, has been going on
in a powerful manner. It is stated lhat
nearly every person in the Factory and in
the village, that is over twelve years old,
has been made a subject of the work, li
is believed that more than one hundred
hav* “chosen that good part which shall
never be taken away ”
“ The wind blunteih where it listelh , and we
hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell whence
it comtlh nor whither it goeth ; so is every
one lhat is born of the Spirit.’’’
Philosophers may reason—Skeptics may
deny—Bigots may murmur—lnfidels may
deride, and the united wisdom of the world
may attempt to find out the way, and the
niii'.d of the Spirit, hut all their ooise and
strife, are vain. God is carrying on a work
of gr ace and mercy in the earth. His Holy
Spun in secret whispers like the gentle
.zephyr, is operating silently, (bough pow
etlully, iu the hearts of sinners, and trans
forming them iulo the image of Christ, and
preparing a people for bis praise. And
notwiths!ending wicked men and seducers
wax worse and worse, yet, “ The secret es
the Lord is with them that fear him, and he
will shoiv them his covenant.”
Amidst the darkness and gloom of this
moral wilderness, how cheering is (he light
ot life; and white Satan and bis emissaries
are endeavouring to undermine the founda
tion of the Christian’s hope, and obstruct
the progress of light and truth, how blessed
is ihe assurance that the almighty energies
ul the Holy Ghost can, and will renovate
ibis ruitwd world, and make it (be garden
of the Lord-
Lei such, then, as have experienced the !
bright rising ot the Sun of Righteousness in
their hearts, nod on whom the Holy Spirit
has descended with bis translormiug power,
supplicate ih# Father of lights to extend
the triumph* ol his grace. For he will be
sougio auto by Uw house of Israel to do
these things for them. “ None bat Jesus
can do helpless tanners goodand none |
but the Holy Spirit can “ take of the things,
of Jesus” and make them manifest to the
soul. The duty of prayer and labour be
longs to creatures; the power to bless, be
longs to God, and blessed be his name, he
has said, He is more willing to give u* the
help of his Spirit, than are are to ask him
for it.
REVIVAL IN TOWNSHF.ND, VT.
During the revival in Towhhend. which
commenced Bbout two years ago, between
70 and 80 have been brought out of nature’s
darkness into the light and liberty of the
‘Gospel. The Rev. Mr. Clark, in his nar
rative published in the Recorder and Tele
gr sph, say*
After the difficulty in the church was re
moved, the professed followers of Christ
began to awake out of sleep They ap
peared more humble and prayerful, and
more active in endeavouring to advanco
the kingdom of the Divine Redeemer.—
They mourned over the desolations of Zi
on, and the stupidity and moral death which
reigned around them. Upon a Sabbath
noon, not soon to be forgotten, some of the
members of the church convened at my
room, to give vent to their pious feelings,
and to consult together respecting the best
means which could be used, for theconvic
tion and conversion of sinners, and the sane
tificaiioo of saints. One says, “ what shall
vvedo? something must be done.” Anolh
er answers, “ that has been said long
enough—something not only ought, and
must, but shall be done “ Having coma to
this conclusion, believing that their only
help was in Jehovah, and knowing him to
he a prayer hearing and a prayer-answer
ing God, a present help in time of trouble—
they came to the resolution that they would
-pend a certam portion of every Saturday
evening in their closets, to plead for the
outpourings of the Holy Spirit. They did
not plead in vain. Soon there were plain
indications for good. The church were
awake and active. Sinners could sleep no
longer in their sins. The Divine Spirit
descended like a mighty rushing wind, and
many, with a pained heart and an accusing
con-cience, entered the conference room,
and the meeiings for inqsiry. In one week
more than twenty were hopefully born into
the kingdom. The work of conviction in
most instances was short, yet deep and pun
gent. In some, however, long aud painful
was the struggle, before the sinner was wit
ling to accept of salvation upon gospel
terms.
The revival has been principally among
the youth. The young have been taken,
and the aged left—some of whom, to hu
man appearance, are suffered to fill up the
measure of their iniquity, and ripen for ev
erlasting ruin ; which awtul doom witl the
Lord in infinite mercy prevent.
The greater portion of those hopefully
converted, were children of believers.
Among this whole number, not one but
whose parent <>r grandparent , was a pro
fessed follower of Christ. Jehovah still
remembers hi* ancient covenant and holy
promise : “ I will be a God to thee, aud to
thy seed after thee. And they shall keep
my commandments. I will pour my Spirit
upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy
offspring.”
AN AFFECTING NARRATIVE.
Two little boys, decently clothed, the
eldest appearing about thirteen, and the
youngest eleveD, called at the Lodging
House for Vagrants in Warrington, England,
for a night’s lodging; the keeper of the
bouse, vf,ry properly, took them to the Va
grant Office to be examined ; and, if proper
objects, to be relieved. The account thei)
gave of i hemselves was extremely affecting;
and no doubt was entertained of its truth.
It appeared that hut a few weeks had elap
sed -ince these poor little wanderer- bad
resided with their parents in London. The
typhus fever, however, in one day, carried
off both father and mother, leaving them
orphans in a wide world, without a home,
and without friend-! Immediately ufter the
last mournful tribute bad been paid to their
parentVmemory, haying an uncle in Liver
pool—poor and destitute as they were, they
resolved to go and throw themselves upon
his protection. Tired therefore, and faint,
they arrived in Ibis town on their way.
Two bundles contained their little all. In
the yo-mgest boy’s was found, neatly cover
ed and carefully preserved, a Bible. The
keeper of the lodging house, addressing the
little boy, said, “ You bnve neither money
nor meal, will yon sell me this Bible ? I will
give five shillings for it.” “No 1” exclaim
ed he, (the tears rolling down his youthful
cheek) “ I’ll starve first.” He then said,
“There are plenty of books to be bought
beside* this; why do you love the Bible so
much?” He replied, “No book has stood
my friend so much as my Bible.” “ Why,
what has your Bible done for you?” said
be. He answered, “ when I was a little
boy, about seven year* of age, I became a
Sunday scholar in London: through the
kind attention of my master, I soon learned
to read my Bible; this Bible, young ns I
was, soon showed me that I was a sinner,
and a great one too; it al*o pointed me to
a Saviour; and I thank God that I have
found mercy at the hand of Christ, and am
not ashamed to coofess him before the
world.” To try him still further, sixshil
lings were then offered him for bis Bible.
“No,” said be, “ for it has been my sap
port all the way from London : hungry aod
weary, often have I sal down by the way
side to read my Bible, aod have found re
frehment from it.” Thus did he experi
ence the consolations of the Psalmist, when
■he said, “In the multitude of sorrows that
I had in my heart, thy comforts have re
(freshed my soul.” H was then asked—
i “What will you do when you get to Liver-
I- pool, should your uncle refuse to take yon
in?” His reply may excite a blush in many
11 established Chnsiians—“Rly, Bible tells
i j me,” said he, “ When aiy father and moth
™ ‘ . -v"* l a . v * **
|et forsake nse, then the Lord will take me
: up.” The man could go no farther; tears
choked his utterance, and they both wept
together. They had in their pockets, tick
ets, reward* for their gobd conduct, from
the school to which they belonged, and
thankfulness and humility were visible in
alltheirdeportment. At night, these two
little orphans, bending their knees hy the
side of their bed, committed theaiselves to
the care of their heavenly father—to Him
whose ears are ever open to the prayer*
of the poor destitute ; and to him who has
said, “ Call upou me in the day of trouble :
I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorily
me.” The next moroing these refreshed
little wanderers arose early,addre-sed them
selves to their Maker, and set out for the
town of Liverpool; and, may He, woo
hears the ravens when they cry, hear and
answer their petitions, guide them through
time, and bless them in eternity.
[Wirt, of Adult Schools.
From Dr. Chulmer’s Sermons.
All the descriptions we have ot heaven
in the scriptures are general, very general.
We read of the beauty of the heavenly
crown, of the nnfadiog nature of the hea
venly inheritance, of the splendour of the
heavenly city ; and these have been seized
upon by meujof imagination, who, in the
construction of their fancied paradise, have
embellished it with every image of peace,
and bliss and loveliness ; and, at all events,
have thrown over it that most kindling of
all conceptions,.the magnificence of eterni
ty. Now, sor.h a picture as this has the
certain effect of ministering delight to eve
ry glowing usd -usceplible imagination.—
And here lies ihe deep luid delusion, which
we have occasionally hinted at. A man lis
tens in the first instance, to a pathetick aod
highly wrought narrative on the vaoities of
tune; and it touches him even to the ten
derness of tears. He look*, in the second
instance, to the fascinatiug prospects of an
other scene, rising io all the glories of im
mortality from the dark ruins of the tomb ;
and he feels within him all those ravish
ments of fancy which any vision of united
grandeur aod loveliness would inspire.—
Take the** two together, and you have a
man weeping over the transient vanities of
an ever shifting world, and mixing with all
this softnes* an elevation of thought and of
prospect, as he looks through the vista of
futurity losing itself in the mighty range of
thousands and thousands of centuries. And
at this point the delusion comes in, that
here is a man who is -all that religion would
have him to he—a man weaned from the
littleness of the paltry scene that is around
high above all the evanes
cence of thing* present and things sensible,
and transferring every affection of his soul
to the durabilities of a pure and immortal
region. It were better if ibis high stale of
occasional impressment on the matters of
time iitid eternity, had only the effect of
imposing the falsehood on others, that the
man who wa* so touched aud so transported
had on that single account the temper of a
candidate for heaven. But the falsehood
takes possession of bis own heart. The
man is pleased with his emotious and bis
tears ; and the interpretation he puts upon
them is, that they come out of the fulness of
a heart all alive to religion, aod sensibly
affected with its charms, and its seriousness
and its principle. Now, my brethren, I
will venture io say, that there may be a
world of all this kind of enthusiasm, with
the very man who is not moving a single
step towards that blessed eternity over
which his fancy delights to expatiate.
O, my brethren ! we fear it. we greatly
fear it, that while busied with topicks such
as these, many a hearer may weep or be
elevated, or take pleasure io the touching
imagery that is made to play around him,
while the dust of this perishable earth is
all that his soul cleaves to—and its cheat
ing vanities are all that bis heart cares for,
or his footsteps follow after.
MISCELLANEOUS.
NAVAL TRIUMPH OF THE GREEKS.
An intelligent American, resident at Smyrna,un
der date of October 9th, gives the following
particulars of the naval action fought two days
previous, which resulted in the complete dis
comfiture of the Constantinople and Egyptian
fleets.
Night before last we heard a tremendous
cannonading, which lasted five hours, and
heard two terrible explosions. day
we learn that the Egyptian and Constanti
nople fleet, together consisting of upwards
of 150 vessels, attacked the Greek fleet,
which contained only 70! and they were all
merchant brigs, excepting three or fonr
Polacca ships. They met between cape
Carabourno and Mytilene. The plan of
the Torks was very well devised, but the
undaunted bravery of the Greeks entirely
disappointed them.
The Constantinople fleet came down
from the north of Mytileoe, and the Egyp
tian fleet came rouad Scio, so that the
Greeks were completely surrounded.
These brave men, however, firmly main
tained their ground, and having prepared
their fire ships,went to work heart & hand;
for no soooer had admiral Mioulis made the
signal of attack, than the fire ships were
launched into the very midst of the Turk
ish flpet, and blew up two frigates aod a
corvette. But what is mate astonishing,
the Greek vessels came into regular fire
with the Turkish frigates, and two corvettes
aod two brigs were boarded and taken,aod
another brig was sunk. They also took
the Captain Pacha’s tender. Admiral Mi
oolis, accompanied by a brig , gave chase to
a Seventy Four, belonging to the Egyptian
Pacha, and containing his son, being deter
mined to board her with two hundred men!
The 74 was remarkable for her sailing.ami
by a great press of canvass escaped to the
island ofMy tilene. She was towing a small
!galliot when Ihe chase began, lut was obli
ged to cut her adrift and lit her fall into
the hands of Mioulis. The whole barbarian
fleet was put to route.
It seems almost incredible , and is certain
ly marvellous in a great degree, that 70
merchant vessels should be able to heal in
this way, 150 large ships of war, but it is
nevertheless true.
Onpofthe must astonishing circumstances j
attending their victories is the trivial lossj
they sustain in all their engagements. They :
are said in this instance not to. have lost:
more than two or three fire ships. The
officers of everal European vessels of war j
which were present, were astonished nt
Ihe action Three Greek brigs penetrated
into the midst of four frigates and three 1
corvettes, stood fire with them for fifteen*
mmoles, and drove them off The captain
of a French brig of war spoke one of them
immediately afterwards, and found that they
were uninjured. o
Have the Greeks not proved themselves
worthy of the cause ; and will American*,
think you, have reaoo to repent ot having
done them good ? The Greeks talk of our
country in the most flattering terms, and
with much more amicable and brotherly
expressions than of any nation. They
acknowledge they are much indebted to
the English for their subscriptions and loan,
but the Americans appear to them to have
done all they could without any interested
motives. Our Consul here, who has ‘de
livered a great number of unfortunate
Greek slaves from the hands of their bar
barons oppressors, has a great name among
them. The sight of the unfortunate wo
men brought to Smyrna, is enough to ex
cite the most distressing sensations. The
poor Ip-ariots are all handsome, and very
interesting. We have now at home a little
girl about 11, a perfect beauty; and it is
affecting to hear the little thing talk of the
unhappy slate of her Island. “ I hope,”
says she, “ I shall one day be able to re
venge myself, and feel courage enough to
kill the Turk who took me captive ” He
tore her from her mother’s arms, and would
not even allow them the poor comfort ot
being slaves together, but they were sepa
rated and nothing has since been beard of
her poor mother.
To live here, a man should have millions
to expend in ransoms. We poor merchants
have already given all that we can possibly
spare, aod yet see many of these unfortu
nate beings suffer without the power to res
cue them. It has been contemplated by
some of us to address the Society of Friends
in America, to see if they would not send
out funds for the Ransom of Slaves —for
though their principles would not allow
them to furnish funds for carrying on the
war, they are nobly ready and forward in
acts of charity. Should they do this, they
certainly mut have the benediction of their
God and Saviour.
INDiAN AFFAIRS.
It appears from the report of Thomas
L. McKenny, of the office of Indiao Affairs,
that 32 schools, containing 916 children,
are iu operaiioD among the Indians within
the limit* of the United States. A table is
annexed, showing the location of each
school, the number of teachers and schol
ars, and by what denominations of Christians
it is conducted. The report* of the super
iotendants are stated to be highly satisfac
tory. Nothing seems to be necessary, he
says, to effect o humane ao object as the
entire reformation of the tribes bordering
on our settlements, in the course of the
present generation, but the necessary
means of supporting Ihe system now in ope
ration, as its enlargement may be required,
and the continued application of the same
zeal and intelligence which have so far
characterized those who superintend and
conduct it During the three first quarter*
of the year, $6,760 IS of the publick mo
ney were expended in the civilization and
instruction of the Indians. The annual ap
propriation for this object by the general
government, is of great service ; but the
labonr is performed by pious individuals,
and a large portion of the expenses defray
ed by the various benevolent societies in
our country. The whole amount of dis
bursements for the same period on account
of the Indians, including presents, annuities,
holding treaties, and carrying them into es
feet, wag $242,849 83. Fam. Visiter.
Plainness in Buildings. —Foreigners who
visit the principal towns in New England,
express their astonishment at the extrava
gance of expense incurred by our citizens
in the construction of our houses. Our
cities are filled with rich and costly palaces,
and tbeir environs are studded with cha
leans and pavilions that vie in splendour
with Foothill Abbey. Times are strangely
altered since the days of Endicott and Win
throp. The following extract from Win
throp’s Journal shews what a watchful eye
the civil authority kept over the plain pu
ritans that first erected huts on ‘ these
shores:
“ The Governour [Wintbrop] having
freely told him [Dept Gov. Dudley] that
he did not well to bestow so much cost about
wainscotting and adorning his house in the
beginning of a plantation, both in regard of
the necessity of publick charges, and for
example—his reply was, that it was for the
warmth of his house , and the charge was lit
tie, being but clapboards nailed to the walls
in the form of wainscott.”
The excess of ornament in Dudley’s
house, for which he was so paternally re
baked by Gov. W. consisted in the house
beiog wainscotted, not with mirrors or rose
wood, but with clapboards , t|ie spoils of fo
rest trees felled at hi* door. An apology
for this wasteful extravagance of Dudley
will at this season of the year be found by
every man of feeling at bis fingers’ ends;
and some apology may be made for the
excellent goveruoar, when we observe that’
(he incident happened on My day, 1032.
[sa/ei Gas. ]
The Death Watch. —Among the popular
superstitions which Hie almost general ili.
mination of modern times has not been able
to obliterate, the dread of the death watch
may well be considered as cue of the most
predominant, and still continues to disturb
the habitations of rural tranquillity with
[groundless fears and absurd apprehensions.
! It is chiefly in the advanced stale of spring
that ihi* little animal commences its rounds,
which is no other than the call or signal by
which the mule and female are led t each
other, and which may be considered as
analagous to the call of birds ; though not
owing to Ihe voice of the insect, but to its
beating on any hard substance with the
shield or fore part qf its head. The
vailing number of distinct strikes wild \ :t
beats is from seven to nine or eleven,which
very circumstance may still add iu some de
gree to the ominous character which it
bears among the vulgar These sounds or
beats are given in pretty quick succession,
are repeated at uncertain interval*, and in
old houses, where (he insects are numer
ous, may be heard at almost every hour of
the day—especially if tbe weather be
warm. The insect is of a colour so nearly
resembling that of decayed wood, lhat it
may for a considerable time elude the search
of the inquirer. It i9 about a oil
an inch in length, and is moderat£j thick/
iu proportion ; and the wing shells are mar-#
ked with numerous irregular variegalions,
of a lighter or gravercolour than thegrount
colour.—JVaL Jour.
THE CONTRAST.
We publish the following extract as t
proud example of that purity of mind, am
stern spirit of morality, which distingoishet
the publick and private life of Georgi
Washington. Among all the proclamation!
and official acts of the military meujof lh
present day, of those who have do jb: slat I
service, as well as of those who have onl
.acted a heroick part on paper, where is lh\
rebuke, where is the prohibition against blas
phemy ?
gen. Washington’s army orders against pro-
FANP.NESS.
lltad Quarters, )
Thursday, July 29, 1779. $
Many and pointed orders have been i*.*u
ed against that unmeaning and abominable
custom, swearing ; notwithstanding which,
with much regret, the General observes,
that it prevails, (if possible) more than ev
er; his feelings are contiuuatiy wounded
by the oaths aod imprecation* of the sol
diers, whenever he is in hearing of them;
the name of that Being from whose bounti
ful goodness we are permitted to enjoy the
comfort* of life, is incessantly imprecated
and prophar.ed in a manner as wanton as it
is shocking. For (he sake therefore of re
ligion, decency and order, the General
hopes and trusts, that if officers of every
rank would use their influence and author
ity to check a vice which is as unprofitable
as it is wicked and shameful; if officers
would make it an invariable rule to repri
mand, and if that doe.* not do, puuish soldiers
tor offences of this kind, it coaid not fail of
having its intended effect.
—SH V tf’.RuN-X S , - Sul Ya wtiu ■ 1 SOW VlM——■
-
National Improvements.
— ——
The following extract from the report of the Sec
retary of War. recently conuiiiiuicated to Con
gress, designates the improvements which i*. is
in contemplation to make under the law of (be
last session.
To determine what particular routes
were of “ national importance,” and which,
accordingly, the board should be directed
to examine, in order to surveys, plans, and
estimates, to be prepared, as directed by
the act.
The first and mo9t important, was con
ceived to be the route for a canal extend
ing from the seat of government, tfy the
Potomac, to the Ohio river, aod thence to
Lake Erie ; aud, accordingly, as soon as
tbe board was organized, it was ordered to
examine & cause this important route to be
surveyed.
The examination of the route was com
pleted in September; but Ihe survey will
not be furnished till the next season. That
part of it however, which is most interest
ing, the section of the summit level of the
Alleghany, including its eastern slope, is
completed, which, it is hoped,-will enable
the board to determine, during the present
winter, on the practicability of the project.
—Should it prove practicable, its execution
would be of incalcoahle advantage to the
country. It would bind together, by the,
strongest bond of common interest and se
curity, a very large portion of *llhis j Un
ion. ‘
The United States may be considered,
in a geographical point of view, as consist- i
ing of three distinct parts; of which the
portion extending along the shores of the
Atlautick, and back to the Alleghany moun
tains, constitutes one ; that lying on the
Lakes and the St. Lawrence another : and
that watered by Ihe Mississippi, including
its varjous branches,’ the other. These
several portions are very distinctly mark
■ ed by well defined lines, and have natural
,ly but little connexion, particularly in a
commercial point 6f view. It is only by
| artificial means of communication that this
natural separation can be overcame; to ef
fect which much has already been done,
j The great canal of New Ybrk firmly
unites the country of the Lakes with the
j Atlantick through tbe channel of the North
River; aod the National Road from Cum
berland to Wheeling commenced under the
administration of Mr. Jefferson, unites, but
more imperfectly, the Western with Jbe
; Atlautick states. But the complete union
:of these separate parts, which, geographi
cally, constitute our country, can only be
effected by the completion of the project
,ed canal td the Ohio and Lake Erie, by
1 means of which tbe country lying on the