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No. 37 Vot, Vl.] From the Works of Miss Jane Taylor. HOW IT STRIKES A STRANGER. In a remote period of antiquity, when the supernatural and the marvellous ob tained a readier credence than now, it was fabled that a stranger of extraordinary ap pearance was observed pacing the streets of one of the magnificent cities of the east, remarking ( with an eye of intelligent curi osity every surrounding object. Several individuals gathering around him, question ed him concerning bis country and his busi ness ; but they presently perceived that he was unacquainted with their language, and he soon discovered himself to be equal Jy ignorant ol the most common usages of society. At the same time, the dignity and intelligence of his air and demeanour forbade the idea of his being either a bar twmnora luaatick. When at length he understood by their signs, that they wish ed to be informed whence he came, he pointed with great, significance to the sky ; upon which the crowd, concluding him to be one of their deities', .were proceeding to pay him divine honours : but he no soon er comprehended their design, than he re jected it with horror ; and bending his knees and raising his hands towards heaven in the attitude of prayer, gave them to un derstand that he also was a worshipper of ithetoiowers above. i A'fef a time, it is said, that the mysteri ous stranger accepted the hospitalities of one of the nobles of the city ; under whose root he applied himself with great diligence to the acquirement of the language, in which be made such surprising proficiency, that in a few days he was able to bold in telligent intercourse with those around him. The noble host now resolved lo lake an early opportunity of satisfying his curiosity respecting the country and quality of his guest: and upon his expressing this desire, he stranger assured him he would answer his inquiries after sunset. As night approach ed, be led him forth upon the balconies of the palace, which overlooked the wealthy and populeos city. Innumerable lights from its busy streets and splendid palaces were now reflected io the dark bosom of its noble river; where stately vessels laden with rich merchandize from all parts of the known world, lay anchored in the port. This was a city in which the voice of the Jmm-u and the viol, and the sound of the millstone were continually heard: and craftsmen of all kinds of craft were there; and the light of a candle was seen in every dwelling ;<s• the voice of the bride & bride groom were heard. The stranger mused Upon the glittering scene, and listened to the confused murmur of mingling sounds. Then suddenly raising his eyes to the star ry Armament, he fixed them with an ex pressive gaze od the beautiful evening star which was just sinking behind a dark grove that surrounded one of the principal lem pies of the. city. “ Marvel not,’’ said he to bis host, ‘"that I ain.wont to gaze with fond affection on yonder silvery star. Ttiat was my home ; yes, I was lately an inhabi tant of that tranquil planet; from whence a vain curiosity has tempted me to wander. Often had i beheld with wondering admir ation, this brilliant world of yours, ever one Os the brightest gems of our firmament: and the ardent desire I had long felt to knoyt something of its condition, was at length unexpectedly gratified. I received permission and power from above to Ha ver*? the mighty void, and to direct my course to this distant sphere. To that per mission, however, one condition was annex ed, to which my eagerness for the enter prize induced me hastily to coosent; name ly, that i most (henceforth remain an in habitant of thi| strange earth, and undergo all the vicissitudes to which its natives are subject. Tell me, therefore, I pray you, what is the lot of man ; and explain to me more tolly than iyet understand, all that I hear and see around me.” “ Truly, Sir,” replied the astonished no ble, “although I am altogetherunacquaint with the manners and customs, products and privileges of your country, yet, me thinks 1 cannot but congratulate you on your arrival in our world ; especially since it has been your good fortune to alight on a part of it affording such various sources of i enjoyment as this our. opulept and luxurious [city. And be assured it will be my pride Land pleasure to introduce you to all that is Itnost worthy the attention of such a distin- Iguished foreigner. Our adventurer, accordingly, was pre sently initiated in those arts of luxury and ■pleasure which were there well understood. We was introduced by bis obliging host, to ■heir publick games and festivals ; to their Bieati teal diversions and convivial assem- Kties : and in,a short time he began to feel Bpme relish for amusements, the meaning |W which, at first, he could scarcely compre | bend. The next lesson which it became fdesirable to impart to him, was the oeces- Ls'ily of acquiring wealth as the only means lof obtaining pleasure. A fact which was ■no sooner understood by the stranger, than Die gratefully accepted the offer ofhis friend By host to place him in a situation in which ■he might amass riche*. To this object he ■began to apply himself with diligence ; and Kras becoming in some measure reconciled ■o the manners and customs of our planet, ■strangely as they differed from thqse of his THE MISSIONARY own, when an incident occurred which gave an entirely new direction to his ener gies. m It was but a few weeks after his arrival on our earth, when, walking in the cool of the day with his friend in the outskirts of the city, bis attention was arrested by the appearance of a spacious enclosure near which they passed ; he inquired the use to which it was appropriated. “ is,” replied the nobleman, “ a place of publick interment.” “I do not understand you,” said the stranger. “ R is the place,” repeated his friend, “ where we bury our dead.” “ Excuse me, Sir,” replied bis compan ion, with some embarrassment, “ I must trouble you to explain yourself yet furth er.” The nobleman repeated the information in still plainer terms. “ I af n still at a loss to comprehend you perfectly,” said the stranger, turning dead ly pale. “This rajjst relate lo something of which I was not only totally igoorant in my own world, but of which I have, as yet, had no intimation in yours. I pray you, therefore, to satisfy my curiosity; for if 1 have any clue to your meaning, this, sure ly, is a matter of more mighty concernment than any to which you have hitherto direct ed me.” “ My good friend,” replied the nobleman, “yon must be indeed a novice amougst us, ifyoo have yet to learu that we must all, sooner or later, submit to take our place in these dismal abodes ; nor will I deny (bat it is one of the least desirable of the circum stances which appertain to our condition ; for which reason it is a matter rarely refer ed to io polished society, and this accounts for your being hitherto uniformed on the subject. But truly, Sir, if the inhabitants of the plac.e whence you came are not lia ble to any similar misfortune, 1 advise you tohetake yourself back again with all speed; for be assured there is no escape here; nor could I guarantee your safety for a single hour ” “Alas,” replied the adventurer, “ I must submit to the conditions of my enterprize; of which, till now, 1 little understood the import. But explain to me, I beseech you, something more of the nature and conse quences of this woudrous metamorphosis, and tell me at what period it most common ly happens to man.” While he thus spoke, his voice faulter ed, and his whole frame shook violently ; his countenance was pale as death, and a cold dew stood in large drops upon his forehead. By this time his companion, finding the discourse beconiiog more serious than was agreeable, declared that he must refer him to the priests for farther information ; this subject being very much out of his pro vince. “ How !” exclaimed the stranger, “ then I cannot have understood you ;—do the priests only die ?—are not you to die al so ?” His friend, evading these questions, has tily conducted his importunate companion to one of their magnificent temples, where he gladly consigned him to the’ instructions of the priesthood. The emotion which the stranger had betrayed when he received the first idea of death, was yet slight ia comparison with that which he experienced as soon as be gathered from the discourses of the priests, some notion of immortality, and of the al ternative of happiness or misery in a future state. But this agony of mind was ex changed for transport when he learned, that, by the performance of certain con ditions before death, the state of happiness might by secured. His eagerness to learn the nature of these terms, excited the sur prise and even the contempt of hi 9 sacred teachers. They advised him to remain satisfied for the present with the instruc tions he had received, and to defer the re mainder of the discussion till the morrow. “How,” exclaimed the novice, “say you not that death may come at any hour? —may it not then come this hour?—and what if -it should come before I have per formed these conditions! Oh ! withhold not this excellent knowledge from me a single moment !” The priests, suppressing a smile at his simplicity, then proceeded to explain their Theology to their attentive auditor: but who shall describe the ecstacy of his hap piness when he was given to understand, (hat the required conditions were, general’ ly, of easy and pleasant performance ; and that the occasional difficulties or inconve niences which might attend them, would entirely cease with the short term of his earthly existence. “If, then, I understand yon rightly,” said be to his instructers, “this event which you call death, and which seems m itself strangely terrible, is most desirable and blissful. What a favour is this wluth'is granted to me, in being sent to inhabit a planet in which I can die !” The priests again exchanged smiles with each other; bat their ridicule was wholly lost upon the enraptured stranger. When the first transports of his emotion bad subsided, he began to reflect with sore uneasioe's* on the time he bad already lost since his arrival. MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, MARcin^ST “ Alas, what have I“been doing!” ex claimed he. “ This gold which 1 have been collecting, tell me, reverend priests, will it avail me any thing when the thirty or forty years are expired which, you say, I may possibly sojourn in your planet?” “ Nay,” replied the priests, “ but verily you will find it of excellent use so long as you remain in it.” “Avery little of it shall suffice tne,” re plied he : “ fer consider, how soon this pe riod will be past : what avails it what my condition may be for so short a season ? I will betake myself, from this hour, to the grand concerns of which you have charita bly informed me.” Accordingly, from that period, continues the legend, the straDger devoted himself to the performance of those conditions on which, he was told, his future welfare de pqpded; but, in so doing, he had an oppo sition to encounter wholly unexpected, and for which he was even at a loss to account. By thus devoting his chief attention to his chief interests, he excited the surprise, the contempt, and even the enmity of most of the inhabitants of the city ; and they rarely mentioned him but with a term of reproach, which has been variously rendered in all the modern languages. Nothing could equal the stranger’s sur prise at this circumstance ; as well as that of his fellow citizens appearing, generally, so extremely indifferent as they did to their , own interests. That they should have so little prudence and forethought as to provide only for their necessities and pleasures for that short part of their existence in which they were to reroaiu in this planet, jhe could consider only as the effect of disor dered intellect; so that he even returned their incivilities to himself, with affection ate expostulation, accompanied by lively emotions of compassion and amazement. If ever he was tempted for a moment to violate any of the conditions of his future happiness, he bewailed his own madness with agonizing emotions; and to all the in vitations he received from others to do any thing inconsistent with his real interests, he had but one answer, —“ Oh !” he would say, “lam to die—l am lo die.” ——*xx::xx* — From the National Intelligencer COLONIZATION SOCIETY. The eighth Anniversary Meeting o/ the i American Colonization Society was held ort Saturday evening, in the Court Room at the Capitol. It was attended by an aini ence of high respectability. Several of lie Judges of the Supreme Court were prha ent. as well as eminent members of lie Bar, and many of the Reverend Clerjj. The number of ladies, too, who anima ed the proceedings of the meeting by th ir presence and their smiles, we were pleated to notice, was greater than us il. Tie venerable Lafayette (ever true to lue cause of freedom, in all its forms,) hoso ir ed the Society by his attendance. The Chair was taken about half past seven, by William H. Fitzhugh, Esq. one of the V ec Presidents. The Annual Report was then read by the Rev. Mr. Gurley, liesidcct Agent of the Society. ~ This document, which is oi'consntfrable leogtb, presents, upon the whole, an en couraging view of the state of this great and interesting enterprise. Mr. Gurley, who returned a few months ago from a vis it to the Suciety’s settlement at Liberia, gives a cheering account of its condition aod prospects. Some evils, as might have been expected, were found to exist there; but these have been greatly mitigated, if not wholly removed. The arrival of the new colonists, who sailed from this country early in the year, produced the liveliest joy. The town of Monrovia is increasing with rapidity ; its defences are complete, and its inhabitants, for the most part, are contented and happy. The Society’s attempts at home, toward an augmentation of its fusds, have not yet met with that success (hey so well deserve—but the Directors are ans mated with a determination to persevere in their laudable efforts until they shall have succeeded in rendering the undertaking an object of national enterprise. When this point shall have been reached, they look upon complete success as certain. The death of Gen. Harter received an appro priate notice, and his eothusiaslick devotion to the great design of the Society was com memorated with becoming eulogy. The Chairman then stated to the Meeting that a distinguished gentleman from New Jersey was in attendance from the Auxilia ry Society of that State, and who would now address the Meeting. Richard Stockton, Esq. then rose, and stated the formation and proceedings of the Auxiliary Society in New Jersey, together with the unlooked for success which had attended its exertions. He presented copy of its Constitution, together with a se ries of resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors; and having thus concluded (be duty assigned him. as a delegate, be pro ceeded to address the meeting with great feeling and eloquence on the general ob jects and true policy of file Colonization So ciety. He ascribed the uoexampled pros perity of the United States to one great leading cause, viz: (bat its institutions were based on the principles of moral rectituds, and the equal rights of men. He dwelt with great earnestness on the necessity of adhering to these principles, (which have , so direct a bearing on the design of the So ciety,) and illustrated the positions he took i by ap appeal to history. He drew a glow mg picture of the present miseries of Spain, aud referred with pathos to her past atro cities in South America. He insisted on the doctrine of a providential retribution to nations in their national capacity, and con cluded by anticipating the judgement of pos tefity when the history of (his Republick shall pass in review before it. G. \V. Custis, Esq. then moved the fol lowing resolution : Resolved , unanimously , That General La fayette be ■ appointed a perpetual Vice President of this Society. Mr. Custis supported the resolution by an address of great energy and animation. He went into a brief review of the origin and efforts of the society—paid a handsome compliment to the free principles and pros perous condition of the Eastern States— mourned the existence of slavery to the South—vindicated the Southern States from all approbation of so great an evil, and re joiced that there was, af length, a ground of hope that it will one day be removed. He encouraged the society to perseverance and zeal, and presented the picture of a free Republick, founded on the shores cf Africa, and looking to this society as its ori gin. He then altuded, in strong language, to the efforis of the benevolent Lafayette in the cause of freedom, and adverted, in general language, to an attempt of this friend of liberty to extend its benefits to the African race, near half a century ago. [We have since learned that these remarks al laded to a fact, which deserves to be bet ter known to the world, viz. that, nearly fifty years ago, this friend of freedom pur chased a large estate in Cayenne, with the express view of ameliorating the condition of the slaves upon it. We understand that (he particulars of this interesting piece of history are prepared, and will shortly be published in a periodical work about to be issued by the Society.] The General replied in a few words, ex pressive of tbe gratification he felt when in vited to attend the anniversary of this Soci ety, towards which he had ever felt the highest respect and affection. He believed that it was not usual to offer a resolution like that now presented, while the person who was the object of it was present. He must stale, however, that circumstances placed it out of his power to act as an offi cer of the society, especially as he should probably, ere long, cross the Atlantick; but to be numbered among its members he should consider as an honour highly grati fying to l,iim. He did not know whether it would be proper to decide on such a mo tion while he was personally present. He would, however, candidly repeat, that, to be chosen a member of the Society would be gratifying to his feelings, and very con sonant to the principles of all bis life. General Walter Jones then offered the following resolution, which he accompanied with a few short remarks, expressive of thn deep sincerity with which he perform ed a duty to which be had been appointed by the wishes of his fellow-members : Resolved } That this Society arenleeply penetrated with regret for the great loss they have been called to sostain in the’ re cent death of one of their Vice Presidents, General R. G. Harper; and that his distin guished worth, and especially his zeal and ability in the defence and promotion of the objects of this Institution, shall be held in affectionate and perpetual remembrance. The resolution was unanimously agreed to. Mr. Gurley then addressed tbe meeting in some very pertinent and eloquent re marks on tbe course of policy which this Society ought to pursue. Tbe leading point of that policy he maintained to be an appeal to the moral sense of the country. He dwelt with earnestness on the. power of the moral principle when once put in ac tion, and contrasted its efficiency with that of all lower considerations. He urged the necessity of patience, candour disinterested ness, and resolution, on each of which points, (especially in the wisdom of making fair and unvarnished statements of the So ciety’s progress.) be made many beautifnl observations. He concluded his address by offering a resolution approbatory of the conduct and services of Mr. Asitmun, tbe Society’s Agent at Liberia, whose character he vindicated in the most unqualified man ner. [Tbe resolution being objected to,as pre mature, until the Society had more evidence before them, Mr. G. consented to withdraw it.] Tbe following resolutions were then of fered and adopted without objection 1 . By Rev Dr. Laurie, Resolved, Thai this Society acknowledge with gratitude, tbe important aid which it has received from various Auxiliary Insti tutions By Charles Carter Lee, Esq. Resolved, That,this Society entertain a grateful sense of tbe zeal and fidelity with which the Managers have managed tbe con cerns of the Society during the past year. Tbe annual Election of Officers of the Soeiety was then held, which resulted in [Price $ 3 50 per ann. the choice of the following gentlemen • VICE PRESIDENTS. Hon. Wm. H Crawford, of Georgia, Hon. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, Hon. Wm. Phillips, nf Massachusetts, Hod. Henry Rutcers, of New York, Hon. John E. Howard, of Maryland, Hon. John C. Herbert, do Hon. Daniel Webster, of Boston, Hon. Isaac McKim, of Maryland, Hon. John Marshall, of Virginia, Gen. John Hartwell Cocke, of Virgin*, Gen. Charles F. Mercer, do Robert Ralston, Esq. of Pennsylvania, Right Rev. Bishop White, Jeremiah Day, D. D. Yale College, Gen. Jon Mason, Dis. Col. Samuel Bayard, Esq. New Jersey, Wm. H. Fitzhugh, Esq. Virginia, MANAGERS. Francis S. Key, Esq.; Walter Jones, Esq.: Rev. Dr. Jame 9 Laurie; Rev. Dr. S B Balch; Rev. O. B. Brown; llev. Dr. Win H. Wilmer; Reg. Wm. H. Hawley; R* •’ John Campbell; Wm. Thornton, Ek • To ’ sepb Gales, jun. Esq. .; Col. He"/ A shtoD >’ Dr. Thomas Henderson. E. B. Caldwell, Fh\ Secretary; John Underwood, Record Richard Smith, Esq. ‘Treasurer; Re-- Ralph R. Gurley, Jlgent. And tb"< Ike Society adjourned. From the JW w York Observer. EXTRAORDINARY MUNIFICENCE. Godfrey Haga, Esq. a citizen of Philadel phia, died on Monday, the inst. leaving an estate of more than $300,000, which be disposed of in tbe following manner by his will. To the Pennsylvania Hospital, the sum of SIOOO. To tbe Northern Dispensary, $ 1000: To the Southern Dispensary,slooo. To the Pennsylvania Institution for the. Deaf and Djintb, SIOOO. To the German Society, S2OOO. To the Bible Society, S4OOO. To the Widow’s Asylum, SSOOO. To the Orphan Asylum, SIO,OOO. To sun dry persons, $50,500. To the Brethren’s church (the Moravian church) in Philadel phia, $2090. For the relief of superannu ated preachers and their widows, and mis sionaries and their widows, belonging to the Brethren’s church, SGQOO. To the Society for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen, $20,000. This con stitutes a fund, the interest of which is to be applied by the Society for the purpose of educating pious young men at Nazareth Hall, for Ihe Gospel Ministry. The residue of bis estate, valued at, more than $200,000 is bequeathed to the said Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Heathen, and to be appropriated from time to time, as the Society shall direct. Mr. Haga, who had no patrimonial estate, acquired his large fortune by industry and economy. Throughout life he sustained the character of a good man, (we use the word emphatically) and did not’wait till the hour of death to become charitable. For his connexions, both in this ceuntry and in Germany, be made provision while he was in the enjoyment of health. His donations for (he relief of the poor, and to publick in stitutions, were many and munificent.- When (he Brethren in Philadelphia deter mined, a few years ago, to rebuild their church, he gave them $5000: and those who were best acquainted with him, say, that from Ihe time of Mrs. Haga’s death, until his own dissolution, -be expended in charity more than SIOO,OOO. Tbe simple interest of the money which Mr. Haga has here given for the propaga tion of the Gospel among (he Heathen, will constantly support 25 Missionaries. The whole number of missionaries employed by the United Brethren in all parts of the world, in 1819, was 85. Mr. Haga’s do nation will enable the Society greatly to eularge its sphere of operations. From Poulson't American Daily Mvertistr. THE SCRIPTURES IN SPANISH. The American Bible Society have re cently procured stereotype plates, for the whole Spanish Bible, of the version of (be Padre Scio, from the Madrid edition of 1779, superintended by the translator him self Avery handsome edition printed from them has just left the press; a copy of which may be seen at our office. It js an octavo volume of 1100 pages, neatly and strongly bound in sheets, and on good paper. Tbe objpet of tbe Society is, to circulate these in Mexico, South America, and the Spanish possessions in this hemisphere, ia all of which the Scriptures are very scarce, and command a good price. As the Socie ty sell the copies at the very low price of $1 50, merely covering the cost; we would suggest to merchants trading with those parts, that it might be well for them to send parcels of these books to the ports where they trade. We have no doubt they will find for them such a market as will prove profitable to themselves, while they are promoting the benevolent objects of that institution. Prohibition of Bibles in Syria. —We learn from an article in Bell’s Weekly Messenger, speaking of the firman on this subject, (which was published in our papti two weeks since,) that the spirit with which the injunctions of that mandate are to be carried jntp effect is by *o means es a character to