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. - j-- _ _ . . —>r-v —'■■—■■ r— * H jam vHk \ j \ hk U| hk ■ ■■■ ■■\ vhf j j y i i Vol. V. flsflysc@QSE©gMo©aATr. Bjr 4n4rewi 4k OrbwaM. Carner of Randolph and Broad streets, (vp-stairs.) COLUMBUS, Ga. —— terms. THREE HOLLAKS par annum —to 4hm. Tt eopUa for ‘s s, “ • •* for fesO •• , Two dollir* f<ur*i* month*. “ money i enJSnd. !■'yii:'.. ■- I’ A DHcVtfrsfe (Delivered in tke Firm Congregational Church, New Or loan*, April 99|ill8tfl.) ■V EEV. THEODORS CLAPP. * “A‘tin** to weep and a time to Isaeh; a time to mourn and a time to dance."— Etfuiattes 3; 4. It is generally admitted that the words “laugh” and “donee” are used in the text figuratively, to express the idea of a glad, happy, rejoicing state of mind. They present a good instance of that species of trope which the rhetoricians call by 1 the name of metonomy. This is a word derived I from the Greek language, and signifies the sub •titution of one term for another, to which it is associated by some obvious and striking relation. Consequently, the text contains the proposition that our Heavenly Father has ordained times for the devoting of ourselves to innocent and useful recrealii n. He has, in wisdom and mercy, in* lerposed intervals of rest and refreshment among our ordinary cares and engagements —among the toils and trials, the sorrows and bereave ments of our earthly pilgrimage. The impression prevails to some extent in this city, and to a great extent among those abroad, who are personallyunacquainted with us, thatthe members of this church and congregation, togetli er with their pastor, are the abettors of those forms of amusement or recreation which are deemed of an immoral and deleterious tendency by Christian communities in general. We are represented as laboring, both by precept and ex ample, to persuade those around us to lead that gay, thoughtless, inconsiderate kind of life, which is entirely at war with the awful realities of re ligion and a future state. It is thought that your pastor employs all the resources of his official station to unsettle in men’s minds the belief ol their accountability to the bar of God. We preach, it is believed, by multitudes, an easy, lax, latitudinarian system of morals and theology nrncliie*|jhe wgg-gieti.in that maukiud geucies, revel in the joys of sense, drink without restraint of pleasure’s guilty cup,- and escape the punishment doc .to their transgressions, both in the present world and that beyond the grave.— Weare accused of denying and eveu ridiculing j everything like religious seriousness. Yes, mul titudes really suppose (hat we enter the pulpit from Sabbath to Sabbath to disprove and dispar age what arc regarded by orthodox pulpits as the most solemn doctrines concerning death, judgment and eternity, which are to be found in the Inspired Volume. It is unfortunate that these defamatory rumors in regard to our church should have been dis seminated so extensively. I cannot be mistaken ia respect to the estimation in which we are held at a distance, touching this subject; tor, within the last tew years, 1 have received letters from dis. tinguished gentlemen, who are our friends, anxi. ously inquiiing as to the truth of the report that *6 are in favor of horse-races, theatres, Military P*fades, shooting matches, wrestling rings, fltc., on the Lord’s day ? I say it is unlirtun|te that such % glandsr should be so widely spread; for, al though utterly unfounded, it will be received as authentic by hundreds and thousands those who are ignorant of our reai views and proceed ings as a church. Such a mode of attack does its execution with inquiring into the lactsiapper tabling to the case. In religious matters, per. haps, all persons are inclined to shape their belief so as to make it accord with their wishes. The great majority of Christians in the ibnited States would look upon the prosperity of our church and the prevalence of our sentiments as a tremendous calamity. Os course they are pre disposed to welcome as true any rumors (fending to our dishonor and injury. In this state ofthings we must not expect to ho dealt justly by. With deep sorrow | have noticed the fact that, If late, have cease I to re .jJf Unsound Sfeussion and legitimate re *oning the maintenance ol their peculiar v pwe.— “They rather appeal to the fancy, feelin ;s, pas sions and prejudices ofiheu respective vrtarieg. They do not appear to wish to have the < ause of truth tried upon its merits* Hence ti&BPide&us efforts to gaiu their points by other alts, influ ences and impressions, than that power of fair argumentation fitted to carry conviction to the bosoms of the just, candid and noble. k corrupt, immoral pulpit is an engine of evil of the most tremendous import. A writer allu ding to the sacred desk in Great Britain during the reign of Charles 11, exclaims tbus: “Pulpits their sacred satire learned to spare, And vice admired to find a flatterer there; . Encouraged thus, wit’s Titans braved the skies, And the press groaned with licensed blasphemies.” If this pulpit actually exerts an influence unfa vorable to good morals and religion, you should not tolerate Us existence a single week. If its tendencies be deleterious let it be demolished at once and erased from the memory of man. We are all more or less weak and prejudiced beings. Now, your pastor is so blind and perverse, that he believes with all his soul in the superior, practical efficacy of the system of truth avowed Mid taught in this church. If this system were understood and only appreciated by all mankind, then all tyould be raised to milienial glory and perfection. But, want of time forbids our pur* suing this topic any farthor on the present oc casion. We all admit that there are some sports prev. alent in this oity on the Sabbath which are quito reprehensible. But what have this church and congregation to do with them ? Wore they orig A JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE toi.i vinos. *!, ’• - 3 , ‘ jgg - lasted by us 1 Have we ever uttered a word or lifted a finger in the way of promoting them ? There are similar amusements in the Northern cities and their suburbs on the Lord's day. Was it ever suggested that the liberal churbhes there are the cause of these delinquencies ? Upon what grounds, I should like to be informed, is our church selected us the scape.goat to bear all the sins, follies and moral abominations commit ted in New Orleans on the first day of the week ? Look it what are called she respectable scenes of recreation in our city. Among those who attend on them you will see ns many; in propor. tion, coining front the other churches as from our society. There is, indeed, one point of difference be tween this and the other pulpits in the neighbor hood. They denounce all those amusements practised by the rrtost genteel and fashionable circles among us. They say that our great du ty in this world is by mourning and penitence to escape the miseries of everlasting perdition in a future state. According to their representa tions, we cante into the world under the wrath and Curse of Almighty God, in consequence of the primitive transgressions of our first parents. If in a state of impenitence, we are every mo ment suspended by the brittle thread of life over the pit of endless ruin, how, then, can we en gage, even for one evening, in the gaieties and splendors of social delight, knowing that before it shall terminate, we may he summoned to die in unpreparedness and he consigned to the horrors of eternal punishment ? If this he a true picture of our condition in life, then, indeed, we should abstain from all forms of earthly enjoyment and pass all our days in sighs, tears and wretch edness. If I thought there was a solitary person in New Orleans exposed to endless misery, I should he perfectly miserable myself. I should look upon mv very existence as an unspeakable curse. I should lose my reason and become a maniac. But we cherish very different sentiments con cerning the character and destination of man. We cannot believe that this beautiful world, with all its diversified and exquisite adaptations for the promotion of happiness, is under the curse of Heaven and intended to he the abode of Jorrow and degradation only. For what purpose has the hand of Providence spread around such in numerable objects of delight hut thut we might rejoice as tve travel to the grave, and constantly send up our thanksgiving to the henificent Au thor of every good ? It were easy to show, did time permit, that the highest enjoyment of tem poral blessings is perfectly consistent with the repentance and holiness inculcated In the gospel. ■-- - -rs wmmn) il>. X. .... er will he his relish for all theWtural pleasures of the present existence. x On this subject we endeavor to follow the teachings of the Bible. The text goes beyond the simple affirmation, that we may occasionally amuse and entertain ourselves during the inter vals interposed among our graver occupations ; hut it represents innocent recreation in the light of an express, positive and sacred duty. It has been enjoined upon us by the same authority which has ordained public worship, prayer, preaching andthe Sabbath. We have no more right to dispense with the appropriate amuse ments, than we have to neglect the feeding, cloth ing and education of our children, payment of debts, or the observance of the laws of charity in our intercourse with the world. And with reference to this topic, at least, the dictates ol reason coincide with those of scrip ture. The question is often proposed to me, “What course do you pursue when you find the language of Sacred Writ contradictory to the principles of common sense ?” My reply is, I have never yet met with an in-tance of the kind. Every part of the inspired volume, correctly in terpreted, is undoubtedly harmonious with the decisions of reason. But if I found a text in the Bible affirming what was repugnant to my un derstanding, after the most patient and thorough investigation of which I was capable, I should be compelled to repudiate it altogether. For, once entering upon the ground, that absurdities may he received as true in tfyir religious depart, ment, we might proceed* lißm error to error, till lost iu hopeless doubt andek?pttcism. In this way I might he ted 00 to deny the truth of all religion and even the existence of a God. But, with respect to the subject before us there is no real difficulty, if one should try to live a month without food or sleep, what would be the uua. voidable result? So perpetual, unintermitlcd labor wuuld, of necessity, destroy health, peace, happiness and life itself. The law of the text then, is inscribed upon our physical, intellectual and moral nature by the fingei of the Almighty. Think how much is done in this city every winter to provide our population with sufficient amusements. We hove halls, parties, splendid shows, theatrical exhibitions, &c. There is much no doubt in the entertainments w’hich pre vail in this gay ’ emporium, offensive to refined aad Christian taste.'. But leaving this point out ofriew, I would remark, that the natural recre ations which the Creator furnishes for our enjoy ment each passing season, infinitely exceed in number and value ail those derived from artificial sources. What, you may inquire, does the In finite One employ his perfections in bestowing upon man those shows, pomps, and pageants which have no higher end in view, than to enflble him to white away an hour nr two in idle and fleeting diversions? My friends, worlds can not tell in what manifold ways our God is working constantly to promote our personal, selfish and even sensual gratifications— If we lived so as to enjoy alt the bounties of hea ven, we should find a paradise even on earth.— Let me invite you to reflect upon the meaning of the words “heauiilul” and “sublime.” They are applied to all the forms and degrees of plea sure that flow in upon us from every object with in the circumference of human knowledge. We perceive the delicate blending and mysterious presence of beauty and grandeur in the rich plain, the fertile valley, the green meadow, the fragrant flowers, gardens and oichards of spring and sum mer ; the meandering rivulet, the placid lake, tho glad waters of the dark blue sea, flee. Dr. Blair in his essay on taste remarks, that necessary purposes of existence might have bccß answered, though our senses of seeing and heatfl ing had only served to distinguish external obi jects, without giving us any of those refined anti delicate sensations of beauty and grandeur, wtim which we are now so much delighted. But byl investing all outward things with the robes off loveliness he has widely enlarged the sphere of] our pure and innocent delights. God has so ar ranged the universe that all nature, life and str-- ciety are lull of the means of recreation. The firmament, suns and stars, days and nights, times and seasons, winds andewenther, tides and tem pests, flowers, trees and animals, afford us un ceasing entertainments by those displays of mag nificence, by those ever-varying manifestations in the delicate colors, grateful figures and mo tions that pervade the system of physical nature. When night hides the glories of the external world from our view, m our rooms and amid the endearing scenes of home we may gratify our taste by pictures, books, the harmonies of musie, the interviews of friendship and the charms of congenial intercourse. There is nothing natu. rally pleasing which may not he enjoyed in mod eration, and in strict conformity to the laws of virtue. Supposing this doctrine to be true, you may say, still, there is great difficulty in designating the particular amusements which may he safely recommended by Christian parents, guardians, and instructors. Now, this is a point, which each one must decide for himself. Here, as everywhere, the dictates of conscience is the grand law by which we are to he governed in our recreations. Every thing we do in life should square with the doctrinesof pure religion. Let us engage in no amusements upon which we CAnnot consistently invoke the blessings of Heaven. Let us in every emergency of life en deavor to do that which we shall not wish un done in a dying hour. I lately read, in a news paper, an account of a hall in one of the New England States, which was opened by prayer from the parish minister. Whether the scene of amusement thus dignified was right or wrong, the prayer might have been perfectly appropri ate. But ifthe persons who participated in the evening’s dance really believed that the recrea tion was prohibited by a Divine law, it is cer tain that they derived from it in the event, 110 substantial happiness. Without a clear con science there is no solid enjoyment,even in a hall room. The human mind is so organized that, when wo go against,jjur sense of duty, it thuu.:, ders and lightens, and pronounces a sentence ol condemnation which fills £.ioirot4nigs oraisqtlietudc. Amusements, then, are not be stolen, connived at and kept out of sight, as if they were incompatible with true re ligious seriousness; hut they are openly and boldly to he employed, so as their paiticipants look upon them as harmonious with tho decisions of a sound and enlightened judgment, and the maxims and principles of pure Christianity. The violation of conscience in scenes of pleasure tend most fearfully to darken, enervate, and corrupt the soul. Let no one, then, indulge in any re creations which do not receive the support and and approbation of his moral sense. Persons sometime have applied to me to furnish them with a list of amusements, which they might pursue with the heart-felt conviction that they were entirely safe, moral and salubrious. But, I have never even attempted to accommodate such applicants ; becau-e 1 am not sufficiently acquainted with one of my fellow beings to he able to see what kind of recreation would he most conducive to his welfare. Each one must pro ceed in this matlcr according to his own best judgment, holding himself accountable to no one hut the Creator. I cannot tell the kind ol diet most suitable to the health of one concerning whose physical constitution and habits I know nothing ; so from ignorance I am incapable of chalking out for any man or woman, ill particu lar, those diversions most congenial to their I health, taste, intellectual and moral improve- ‘ ment. My next door neighbor, on one side, goes ! occasionally to the theatre of an evening. He ] is fond of theatrical exhibitions, and believes that they tend to refresh and improve him. My neighbor on the other hand would feel as if he. were doing wrong, should he go to witness a dramatic performance. He therefore scrupulous ly avoids partaking of such an indulgence. In my judgment, both these gentlemen pursue a correct course ; because each act in harmony with his sincere convictions of truth and propri ety. Ido not condemn either of them. To he sure, no one has a right to engage in diversions which tend to the injury of himself or his neigh bors. But a particular amusement may he ben-, eticial to one, and highly detrimental to another. So that each person is permitted to pursue those recreations which seem most agreeable to his general health and welfare. This leads me to observe that the entertain meets which we select, should harmonize with our character, condition, and employment iu life. With reference to every person, there are some sins to which he is more inclined than to others. This may be, for example, intemperance. Then he should shun all those haunts and associates that might urge him to excess in drinking. We may he constitutionally and habitually too volat ile, inconsiderate, and thoughtless, or too much inclined to gloom, ennui, and depression ofspir its. In either case, we should endeavor lo ac commodate the iigher scenes of social pleasure to the correction and demands of our natural de. feels and prepensities. Especial caution should he used to confine ourselves in this department to those iudulgeuciea which are adapted to our pecuniary means. Pleasure which cost to muck arc not only paiuful in the retrospect, hut often lead to the most disastrous consequences. On ibis rock many young men have been dashed to pieces in New Orleans since my residence berc. Often bavc I seen a noble youth ruined in a short time by adopting a mode of life whose ex penses wete altogether too great for his income. To defray these he Logins to borrow, without any reasonable prospect of being able to make the promised re-payment. Or, perhaps he has recourse to the gambling table, and other im- are. ta that part ot the world, almost without exception, amuse ments are never carried o ft in violation of the principles of the strictest economy. If this wore practised universally, nearly alt the evils of ex cess and profligacy would he banished forever. Again ; our recreations should he adapted to the peculiar employments which we follow. In this city, mechanics, draymen, and other labor ers. to a gicat extent, after toiling hard from Monday morning until Saturday night, spend the first day of the week in riding, hunting, fishing, drinking, carousing and other vulgar sports. To say nothing about the. sin of desecrating the Sabbath, their doings on Lord’s day produce a greater exhaustion of their physical energies than all the legitimate labors of the preceding week. During the prevalence of epidemics, I have noticed tha. usually a greater number of persons among this class of our population is attacked by the yellow fever on Monday than on VJiy other day of the week. And in healthy sea sons, not a few destroy their health and lives by this kind of foolish excess. But when their phys- constitutions hear up under it, they are still tremendous sufferers in a moral point of view.— Others are obliged to work nil day in the count, iug-room, even when the summer heat is most intense. They dare not walk or ride out a Sun. day afternoon—their only leisure time—because the church to which they belong forbids. But the Sahhath was ordained for the purpose of re trailing the body as well as improving the mind. From my heart I pity the narrow soul that can condemn out-door exercises on the Sabbath cs icntial to one’s health, as tending to the dishonor of our Creator and his revealed will. These ab surd views of Sunday have invested it with a dark, gloomy and forbidden mien ; made it re. volting to the joyous spirit of childhood, and sur rounded it with associations inexpressibly forbid ding. I delight in the Sabbath. But let it he celebrated according to the intention of its in spired founders. In the primitive ages of the Church, the disciples, when not engaged in pub .lifi worship on holy timo, indulged in social in- music, working, visiting, riding, and yther innocent recreations. Let tho Sabbath, iiied, he a diiy of rest fitam secular employ ments ana sinful pleasures, hut also a day of pure, ’refined, exalted joy—a forerunner of that pure, jsatisfying bliss which we anticipate in the eter nal kingdom of our Father. Children should have, if possible, such means of employment at home as to prevent their wish ing to go abroad for recreation. It is a great mis fortune to the young to he members of a domes tic eirclo where nothing is done in the way of providing suitable pastime and diversions. These are almost as necessary as food and raiment.— In every house it would be well to have an apart ment so furnished as to afford the requisite means for all those umusemonts in which a Chris tian family might with propriety participate. It should contain books, prints, a cabinet of curios ities, the works of art, instruments of music, ac commodations for the games of draughts, chess, <kc. Let a little theatre be fitted up in it for dra -1 malic performances. If it is not sinful to read a good play, there can he no harm in having it ,<bcted on a stage. After the toils of the day let the children amuse themselves here as they please. Let tho parents always be present to extend a guiding, encouraging and helping hand. In superintending their amusements they would , he able to learn their distinguishing traits of char acter ; for when absorbed in diversions children j commonly discover their peculiar defects and propensities. Several families might unite at 1 the same time in scenes of this description. In this way the young would experience their high est delights at home, where is laid the founda. tion of that character which must give a color ing to their destinies, for time and eternity.— Children should he so treated as to sincerely de sire the company of their superiors, even in those entertainments to which they are most strongly attached. A happy home is a heaven ; a gloomy, disagreeable home is an emblem of the world of perdition. There must be, indeed 1 , public as well as private amusements ; but their manage ment should always be in tho hands of the most respectable, intelligent and serious part of the community. Wesley introduced into the church pieces of music which before his time were giv. en up to the exclusive possession of the vicious. He remarked that the devil should not be per mitted to monopolize all the best tunes. Upon a similar principle I would say, let the good as sume the control of these public entertainments which are unexceptionable, and elevate and re fine them. Let those which are of necessity immoral and pernicious he universally discoun leuancedfcdriven from society. Some persons are always ready to engage in those amusements which are called fashionable in the place where they happen to reside, without any re gard to their rectitude or healthfulncss. But we | should remember that no law is more arbitrary, cruel, ] dangerous and unreasonable that) that of fashion. It j does not profess the slightest attention to the dictates of truth and duty. You may be a man of honor and fashion, says Dr. i’aley, and live in the habitual vio lation of every command ot the decalogue. For such a person is bound to recognize the standard mdy es tablished by the customs and etiquette of what is con sidered genteel society. They may do whatever is done in the higher circles of life, although it be ut terly abhorent to the principles of morality and reli gion. A distinguished author says: “ The curse and blight of temptation never descends ihUre awfully or more fatally than when it comes amidst the forms of civility and fashion, and the sounds of rouric and pleasure.” Fashion is the land of moral death; prof ligacy and vice, unnatural excitement and wearisome exhaustion pervade its inhabitants; and its numer ous paths to disease and depravation are crowded with pale, devoted and suffering victims.” Fashion, ’tis true, may sometimes be harmonious with our highest good. Such a state of things, when it ec- 8 & MISCELLANY B'ust be ascribed not to principle, but to tin; re- accident, merely.. g H greatest evil attending the fashionable umuse ■ wliich prevail in our city consists in their ex . Bid unseasonableness. In the wintepjthere is Hnnal round of balls, parties, theatres - In general they begirt” tit a late lwml>, and are Hted even io the dawning of the more Finis Bieri engaged in business arc not permitted to tfrw three or four hours sleep out of the I Hfour. ve often heard young men Ray 1 that they had acarcejy tasted .the luxury of a full night’a i w t hir a monthr Andkiiese #iy persons were tlugugb <We day absorbed in pur suits of mercantile or.prbfeseimial life. Very few constitutions are sufficiently compact to endure with impunity such an excessive and long-continued straining of their powers. I have known many fine young men whose health and vigor were completely undermined by a single winter’s dissipation in this city. Upon the altars of that Moloch called Fashion the most precious sacrifices of youth, bloom and beauty are offered. One excess leads to others. The habit of intemperance has often been contraaftd by having frequent recousse to the stimulating drartght to remove the exhaustion occasioned by iil-timed and inordinate devotedness to pleasure. To the inexpe rienced eye, these young men, when engaged in a scene of recreation, may appear bright, beautiful and happy ; but the discerning in these matter* know that the path of their amusements is in reality the broad way to folly and extravagance, guilt and de struction. There is hardly any kind of social enter ment in New Orleans among our respectable classes, which may be considered wrong in principle or na ture. The only evil in this department is that our diversions in time, mode and degree are often per mitted to conflict with the higher duties, purposes and solemn destination of life, and to assail our hon- auu solemn oesiuiaiiou oi me, aim to wiui um Hon or, peace, health, conscience or virtue. If our festal assemblies were to commence at 7 o’clock in the evening, and last not more than three or lour hours, all wouid he well. Those engaged in them would retire pleased and exhilerated, with no unpleasant re membrances, and better prepared for the relreslunent of their nightly repoße. But as our entertainments are actually managed, those who uarticipate in them, though in pursuit of pleasure, workout a harder task than that of the poor laborer who drives the dray trom morning till night, or rolls the barrel and bale along the levee. What is called amusement, notwithstand ing the accompaniments ol the viol, splendid dress es, smiles and gaiety, is nothing more than the sever est form of bondage—a hard and enervating drudgery. Beside, the effect of such recreations upon the mind and moral character is most deleterious. They tend to enfeeblp the vigor of intellect, to lower the tone of conscience, to vitiate the whole soul, and inspire itwith a distaste for the solemn, important duties and destination of a moral and religious lile. | Here 1 may be allowed, it is to be presumed, to of fer a few suggestions to the ladies present concerning toeir duties with respect to amusements. Not many years ago a lady from the North, distinguished alike for moral and intellectual excellence, and a profess ing Christian, passed a winter in New Orleans. She moved among our ;nok fashionable people, and parti cipated in all their gqciat exhibitions gnd pleasures. As she was leaving us, she spoke to some of her in timate friends thus ; “ There is much more ol the good and admirable in your city than I anticipated ; IjUVU Ullllil I IkUl V 141 J V • 414U11 • U4l V 4 V‘4 V'M ) your character is much misrepresented and traduced at the North. But there is one evil among you which I deeply feel and deplore. Your amusements -re carried on with an excess prejudicial alike to com- I fort, health, virtue, and all the graver occupations of life, in the winter they seem to engross your su preme attention ; to be the objects of your highest hopes, fears and anxieties. I have done as you have for the last three mouths, and 1 look back upon them with compunctious visitings. For all my time has literally been taken up in morning calls and evening parties; in unseasonable hours and the consequent languors of exhaustion; in the cares of the wardrobe aud the toilet; in the splendors and gaieties ot the social entertainment. I have hardly had time to read any thing valuable, to say my prayers, or attend, with ailvanlage, the solemn scenes of the sanctuary.”— Woman’s destiny looks above and beyond the pomps and vanities of fashionable life. Bite was not made to be a mere fribbler, a doll, a plaything; like the butterfly, pursuing blindly its rapid path through the air, intent only upon the immediate sport and en joyment, till it is suddenly carried against some vio lent obstruction, dashed to the ground and trodden to death. She has been born for immortality. She should spend u portion of the day in the cultivation of her mind and in the performance of charitable deeds. She should resemble in character that noble band of devoted females, the Sisters of Charity ; hab itually visit some abode of wretchedness ; to smooth the neglected pillow of sickness; to cheurthe cold and desolate tenements ofsuflering destitution ; Sup ply the wants of famishing children and soothe the anguish that the knows not of or cares not for. Woman istnost'en angel.” not in the splendor of high life, in the circle of fashion, weaving the graceful dance, attracting crowds ot admirers, brilliant in na tive or artificial beauty, and blushing at her own praises; but when site goes out on an errand of be nevolence to cheer the widowed heart—the helpless orphan—to watch over the sick and whisper words of consolation to the friendless and forlorn.” What eloquent and impressive sentiments. You may think that the subject which I have se lected this morning is beneath the dignity of this sa cred place, day and occasion. Bui, is not that a department of life entitled to the notice <>l the public, where men by the violation of correct principles may involve themselves in temporal and irreparable ruin. Dr. Palcy some where remarks that it is not the out ward magnificence of any situation that most fully de velopes the workings of human nature. The cottage witnesses the same passions as the throne. The gravest theatre of business d4ies not display a keener contrast of human interests aud feelings than the lighter scenes of amusement, either among the rich and great or the poor and ignorant. Last summer I heard an intelligent Presbyterian clergyman re mark, that of all the youug men with whom he asso ciated when a youth in the place where he was born, only two were now flourishing and happy. The re mainder were either in their graves or lost in the abyss of profligacy. We were, said he, the sons of wealthy planters, and imagined that human life was intended tube a mere gala day, to be passed in the soft vicisitudes of pleasure and repose. Our inten tions were good aud our aspirations noble; but hav ing no moral guides aud lights, like children scatter ing sparks among gunpowder, we were sporting with tiie most dangerous elements, when we vainly im agined ourselves to be treading the path of honor, saietyand delight. As soon is 1 was married, I sold my lands and plantations, and settled In a free State, where I might be able to bring up my foms in the way in which they should go—the way of regular labor enlivened by intervals of suitable rest and innocent recreation. A generation of the young men exempted from the demands of a business life, must almost ol necessity be lost in the vortex of indolence aud dis sipated habits. True religion is the only thing which can give to the young that calm, dignified, subdued and rational style of joy requisite to euable them to mingle in scopes of amusement wJH entire ss f ety The best definition 'the religious sentiment which’ f have ever Seen lathe following from the pen of MhsS Har riet Martinesu : ‘'Religion consists in a sbplrenVeah sorbing love of Infinite Beauty.” This phrase Com prehends every thing lovely,both physical and moraj. Now, since moral beauty is Jtpclly more attractive thin the natural and material, the yeeth possessed of the principle just mention*! tMH be id dangerxjf tn dulging in immoral recreations.Mbagfne an assem bly of such convened for ah weflWjfltyteftaiftfttent; Can there be ah holier os- more interesting spectacle on earth ? There sea profusion of all that moat cap tivates the aensaat-souttgand gas hearts overNvhiCh the rSMogit of earfhYdm'vicissitudes come—hr ight buoyant minds to’ whose vistoneilj* fields of humaq. lile are spread out in a perspective ot unmingled beauty—-ears opened to the tdeldOfSa of aoupd.and eyes radiant with pleasure—so sick ness, no linebreaking sorrow, nd blightingdisap pointment; and no forbidding olgeeta mar that scene of indiscribable loveliness. There ia the company of tile select and favored few—the young and gay, the elastic apd happy only. Oif ‘hid (adding world is under certain sircurtistancea sb in effably beautiful; what forms of elegance and gran deur may we not anticipate in that nrt.bler state af existence which awaits us beyond the grave? Yes, it all men were controlled by the love of finite Beauty ; holiness to Jehovah would be inscribed, not only over the doors of our temples, but also those ofotir stores, banks, offices, private dwellings, sa loons—upon all our plains, places and enterprises of ease, pleasure, profit, aggrandizement or beneficence. Each day would be passed by all in the enjoyment of a divine, substantial peace; in a calm, heartfelt and conscientious discharge of the duties devolving upon them, and in a delightful preparation for the higher transactions and purer joys of the World im mortal. Amen.- -iV. O. Picayune. CALIFORNIA; San Francisco, March 7,1849. My Dear C.— i wrote you a few days since on our arrival and improve the detention Os the vessel for Mazatlan, to giVeyob some items of matters and things in this delectable Country. In the first place, so far as one cart lento, the gold stories are all true. The cofisequcnce it that labor, rents, provisions, ssc., are enor mous! j high. Town property for efish is bfi; yond any thing ever heard of in anew country; and lots are selling in this place at from five to twenty thousand dollars— rent from five him. dred to one thousand dollars per month. Car. peeler’s wages eight to ten dollars per day. The steamer California is deserted by fevery soul except the captain and chief mate, and there is no probability of her leaving under two or three months. This is speculation on my part, for therfc is fid saying when she will get either fuel or crew. 1-IUUvI IUV( WI V. IV’ * a Fifty to one hundred dollars per day is noth ing extraordinary for Miners to make. There is however some danger from Indians and our own countrymen, prowling about Tile uomn 1 committing murder and theft. Gold is very abundant and goods extravagantly high, and *n immense population coming forward who all resort to the mines and return merely to throw away the proceeds of their labor. In fact I cati hardly give an idea of the state of the country. Those who ha*ve been here a year, with com mon industry and prudence, are worth from twenty thousand to two hundred thousand dollais. 1 have not been able to procure board in the place, and in company with Mr. Frazer and young Ducros, have pitched our tent a quarter of a mile from town. Wages of servants $l5O to S2OO per rrioiith, and in the cchirse oftwo or three weeks, when it will he seasonable Weath er to go to the mines, none will he had tit any price. Yoti iriay judge what a state of things exist when common laborers can go to the mines and return in a month or sit dreeks with from one to three thousand dollars in gold. it is yet two early for the mass to stirl to the mines, the weather having been very inclement; We intend to go up to the mines and see the country, and have formed a party for that pur. P°se. The great difficulty is ih preurihg ton veyance. The price of passage to Siiiter’s Fort is $25 each, and $5 per cwt. for baggage and provisions. We have an idea <>f Btiyittg a while boat; the price is S7OO. From SutteFs Fort to the Stanislaus the transportation is difficult and expensive, as a team of two oxen and wagon earn SIOO per day ! Gold is selling at sl4 an ounce, but is takeh in trade at sl6. it is worth in Valparaiso sl6, and would flett id the States sl7, ail ex penses paid. MazatlaA, April 9; 1649. C*mJt*!.—The Peruvian bark Fanny, Capt. de Brot, arrived here on the.7tb direct fr'dm San Francisco, whence she sailed on the 29ih uit. A short time brfotwthe Fanliy left, orte csf the boat’s erevv belonging to the United StafeS flag ship Ohio ran 4wy with boat and all. iThey were pursued, captured and brought Shortly after the crew being called to perforin sorrte duty, they refusod to turn out or obey the orders of the officers ; in consequence Os which about thirty of the leaders werb confined in irons—a court-martial was Being held on board the .Ohio, and it was the opinion that Com. Jonel Would hung a number oi the conspirators. There were much disaffection iti the navy. All of the officers of the sloop of war St. .Miry’s had been tried by a court martial save ’two. The Uoitod States propeller Massachusetts arrived at San Francisco, the country is in a very insecure state. A great want o£an^ffec. live military force, aiid the extension of the laws of the United States over the territory. In relation to the mines, there is nnquestioij. ably an abundant supply, oi gold, and it is con tinually discovered In new place*. The go’d region is now believed to extend dfewn a* low as Lower California. The steamer will be detained beta a mouth, and perhaps six weeks, for a supply of goW. At present town lots are worth ib San Fran* cisco SSOOO to $20,000 each tN-O.DeIUL.