American Colonization Socciety. 313 turned loose, who were neither freemen nor slaves, constituted a great moral evil, threatning to contaminate all parts of society. Let the colony once be successfully planted, and legislative bodies who have been grieved at the necessity of passing those prohibitory laws, which at a distance might appear to stain our codes, will hasten to remove the impediments to the exercise of benevolence and humanity. They will annex the condition that the emancipated shall leave the country; and he has placed a false estimate upon liberty who believes that there are many who would refuse the boon, when coupled even with such a condition. On motion of Mr. Key, Resolved, unanimously, that the thanks of the society be presented to the president of the society, for his aid and influence in promoting the objects of the society; and that he be requested to furnish a copy of his address for publication. On motion of Mr. Bayard, resolved, unanimously, that the thanks of this society, be presented to the members of those Auxiliary Societies that have been formed in various parts of the United States, to forward the plan and to contribute to the funds of this institution. On motion of Mr. Herbert, resolved, unanimously, that the future annual meeting of this society, be held on the last Saturday of December. The society then proceeded to the appointment of officers for the present year, when the following persons were elected. The Honorable BUSHROD WASHINGTON was unanimously elected President. Vice Presidents. Hon. William H. Crawford, of Geo.; Hon. Henry Clay, of Kentucky; Hon. William Phillips, of Mass.; Col. Henry Rutgers, of of New-York; Hon. John E. Howard, Hon. Samuel Smith, and Hon. John C. Herbert, of Maryland; John Taylor, Esq. of Caroline, Virg. ; Gen. Andrew Jackson, of Tenn.; Robert Ralston, Esq. and Richard Rush, esq. of Pennsylvania; Gen. John Mason, District of Columbia; Samuel Bayard, New-Jersey. Managers. Francis S. Key, Walter Jones, John Laird, Rev. Dr. James Laurie, Rev. Stephen B. Balch, Rev. Obad. B. Brown, Benjamin G. Orr, John Peter, Edward J. Lee, William Thornton, William H. Fitzhugh, Henry Carroll. E. B. Caldwell, Esq. Corresponding Secretary. COMMISSION. To Samuel J. Mills and Ebenezer Burgess. GENTLEMEN-The Board of Managers of the American Society for colonizing the free people of colour of the United States, have appointed you their agents on a mission to explore a part of the west coast of Africa, for the purpose of ascertaining the best situa 314 First Anniversary of the tion which can be procured for colonizing the free people of colour of the United States. You will act in conjunction as much as possible; but should you be separated to forward the objects of the mission, or by a dispensation of providence, you will act as if you had a separate commission, taking care, in case of acting separately, not to let your engagements interfere with each other. The situation to which you have been called, is one of great importance and responsibility, and will require from you the greatest diligence, skill, and prudence, as the success of the benevolent designs of the society may in a great measure depend upon your mission. General instructions will be given with this commission, but very much must be left to your own discretion and prudence, on which the board place the greatest reliance. The objects of the society are of that enlarged benevolence, affecting, as they believe, not only the temporal and spiritual interests of thousands of our fellow-creatures in this country, but in Africa likewise; that they calculate upon the cordial aid and co-operation of the philanthropist of every clime and country, whose assistance you may need in the prosecution of your design; and they are the more sanguine in their calculations for this friendly support, from the attention which this class of the human family have received from the most distinguished individuals in Europe, and particularly in Great Britain. But whilst we thus say "be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves," and recommend you to the benevolent and feeling stranger, your principal reliance will be on Him who has made of one blood all the nations of the earth, and in whose hands are the hearts of all the children of men, to turn them as he pleaseth; may He be your protector, and preserve you from "the arrow that flieth by day," and "the pestilence that walketh in darkness," and "the destruction that wasteth at noon day." and May that "Saviour who is to receive Egypt as a ransom, Ethiopia and Seba to himself”--who hath promised to call his sons from far, and his daughters from the ends of the earth,” "make for you a way in the sea and in the wilderness," and a path in the mighty waters," that all may issue to his honour and glory, and the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom. BUSHROD WASHINGTON, President of the American Colonization Society. E. B. CALDWELL, Secretary. To his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, Patron and President of the African Institution. I have the honour to inform your Royal Highness that an association of a number of persons, residing in various parts of the United States, has been recently formed at the city of Washington, under the denomination of "The American Society for colonizing the free people of colour of the United States."-The object of this institution, indicated by its name, is to promote the In the accolonizing of those persons, with their own consent. American Colonisation Society. 315 complishment of that object, it is necessary to determine upon a proper country wherein to plant the proposed colony. Africa, and particularly the western coast of it, has with this view hitherto principally engaged the attention of the Society; and, in order to acquire all the information which it may be material to possess, in fixing its judgment on that important point, it has deputed to Europe and to Africa the bearers hereof, Samuel J. Mills and Ebenezer Burgess. Aware that the African Institution has been long occupied with schemes of benevolence connected with Africa, and the people and descendants of Africa, the American Society has directed me to address your Royal Highness, as the Patron and President of the African Institution, and respectfully to solicit any aid and assistance which it may be convenient to render to those deputies, in the business with which they are thus charged. These gentlemen will promptly afford any further explanations which your Royal Highness may require, relative to the nature and prospects of the American Society. I am sure that it would be quite unnecessary to trespass further upon the time of your Royal Highness, in expatiating and insisting upon the benefits which may result from the successful establishment of the contemplated colony, to the colonists themselves, to their descendants, and to Africa. Restored to the land of their fathers, and carrying with them a knowledge of our religion, of letters, and of the arts, may they not powerfully co-operate with the benevolent and enlightened efforts of the African institution, in the introduction into Africa of christianity and civilization? If the exertions of the two institutions are directed in channels somewhat different, they both have the same common character of hu manity and benevolence-the same common aim of meliorating the condition of the race of Africa. From this affinity in object, the American Society cherishes the hope of friendly intercourse, and interchange of good offices with the African Institution. I have the honour to be, with great respect, your Royal Highness's obedient servant, Mr. Scott, BUSH. WASHINGTON, President of the American Colonization Society. From the Religious Remembrancer. BELIEVING that the following communication will be interesting, not only to yourself, but to all who admire the character of the Emperor of Russia, I beg leave to request a place for it in your interesting "Remembrancer." It was communicated by the Rev. Mr. Paterson, to a preacher belonging to the society of Friends in London, and by him related to the person from whose letter I now copy the intelligence. A. M. M. "For many years a great friendship subsisted between the Emperor of Russia and Prince Galitzin. It is said they had been un 316 The Emperor of Russia, and Prince Galitsin. believers. It is however beyond a doubt, that they were both opposed to the influence of vital religion, as may be observed from the following relation. BLE. "The office of "Minister of Religion" being vacant, the Emperor was desirous of disposing of it to an individual whom he esteemed; but understanding that he was from principle attached to the BIBLE, he altered his intention, and, with some difficulty, prevailed upon the Prince to accept the situation. The Prince very early felt himself in an aukward predicament, not knowing how to discharge, with propriety, the duties which now devolved on him. He therefore applied to the bishop of the diocese, and asked his advice how he should proceed in his arduous undertaking. The bishop referred him to a certain book, where he said he would find every necessary instruction, and which he entreated him to study, observing if he faithfully did so, he would find no difficulty in rightly proceeding in his new situation." This book was the BITo this he made some opposition, but in a short time he secretly obtained a Bible; read it with much attention; and the more he read, the more his understanding became enlightened and his mind satisfied. This was a short period previous to the entrance of the French army into Russia. When the account of that event reached Petersburgh, the Russian Court were in great alarm. Every one appeared to carry terror in his countenance. Prince Galitzin alone seemed calm and composed. This circumstance caused universal surprise. Knowing the sincere attachment which subsisted between the Emperor and himself, the former had noticed it, and could hardly suppose that any person could be thus tranquil under circumstances which seemed to threaten ruin to the Russian nation. Neither would he believe his friend was a traitor, or insensible to the present difficulties. The Emperor one day called on the Prince, and asked him how it was that he was so composed while every one else was in dismay? To which he re- plied, that he had of late read the Scriptures, and that they had fortified his mind against every danger, and given him a firm trust in divine help and protection. 'The Bible lying on the table, he urged the Emperor's perusal of it, believing if he did, it would have the same calming influence on his mind. At these remarks the Emperor appeared displeased, and, with some violence, pushed the Bible from him; it fell open on the floor. The Prince took it up, and entreated the Emperor to let him read the part which was then open. At length he consented. It was the 91st Psalm. The Emperor was much struck with its appropriate and consoling language. 6 "When the Russian army was about to depart from Petersburgh to meet Bonaparte, the Emperor and officers went to Church, as is the usual custom, previous to an army's going on an expedition The Emperor was greatly astonished when that part of the service of the Greek Church was read (which was a portion of the Scriptures) which contained the 91st Psalm. He apprehended that Prince Galitzin (who was with him) had desired this, Revival of Religion at Baltimore. 317 and, on questioning him, he declared that he had not seen the person who had read the service, nor had he directly or indirectly any communication with him, since the conversation they had together about the Scriptures." "The Emperor now became, in some measure, sensible of the value of the Scriptures, and while in the camp with his army, he şent for a chaplain of one of the regiments to read to him. His surprise may be readily imagined when the chaplain commenced, reading the same Psalm. He immediately asked him "who told him to read that particular Psalm?" To which he replied, " God;" for on being informed on what account the Emperor had sent for bim, he had most earnestly implored divine direction in selecting such a portion as would benefit the Emperor; and that it was from a divine impulse he had selected that part. The Emperor now became more and more delighted with the Bible, and his subsequent conduct proves the influence its sacred truths had on his mind." REVIVALS OF RELIGION. Extract of a letter from the Rev. A. N-to his friend in Philadelphia. Baltimore, January 14, 1818. I NOW inform you of the greatest revival of religion at Fell's Point that ever I heard of since the days of the Apostles. Last Sabbath there came 104 forward and joined Society. The preceding Sabbath there were 50; and about two weeks before, there were upwards of 60. So that in the course of three weeks upwards of 200 joined society: the work is still going on, and I shall not be surprised if 100 come forward next Sabbath. This work has the best appearance of any I have ever known. Among the converts we find men and women of standing and respectability: Some, perhaps you may know-P. G————, esq. Mr. W. D, Capt. T, &c. The subject has given rise to public and respectful conversation. The Catholics are alarmed lest they should lose their members. It is said 20 have joined us; and the priests have sent from town 5 of their order to prevent any further apostacy from their church. We are looking out for a revival in the city-we have had a few conversions. Extract of another Letter. The ASTONISHING revelations of divine power are made known here: 74 were added last Sabbath to Fell's Point Church. work progresses there gloriously; every night the church is opened (except Saturday) and filled. We commenced a fast on Friday last, at Light-street, which is to be continued weekly, and a prayer meeting held alternately at Light-street, Old-town, and Eutaw Churches. On the same day brother Davis held his fast, Messrs Richards, Hearly and Reis, attended; Mr. Richards entered into the exercises, and prayed publicly for the congregation, * * Ministers of other Christian denominations. . |