Triumphs of Christianity among Convicts.

363

this he accordingly did, and it proved to be a labouring youth, whose whole week's wages did not amount to that sum.

The Rev. Mr. Price, of the Retribution, also gave a very gratifying account of the beneficial effects that have resulted from the measures adopted by government (we believe upon his recom. mendation) for dividing the Convicts into classes, and of their attention to religious Instruction. A considerable number had, unknown to him, commenced a prayer-meeting among themselves : and one of them had that day requested him to present to the Bible Society the following lines, which were highly gratifying to the numerous and respectable, body of persons assembled on the occasion of its anniversary, and will, we doubt not, prove equally so to our readers.

To the British and Foreign Bible Society, by a Convict on board the Retribution Hulk, Sheerness.

1

When without form the world was wrapp'd in sleep,
Chaotic darkness moved upon the deep,

God spake the word from his eternal throne-
"Let there be light"—and light that instant shone.
So man by nature, bound in chains of sin,
Feels not his state, though dark and dead within,
Until the gospel breaks the gloom of night,
And in his heart creates celestial light."

1

Long has the world in mournful ign'rance stood,
And raging tyrants dyed their hands in blood:
But mark the change-where Satan reign'd before,
And idol temples flow'd with human gore,
God's blessed word reveals the glorious plan,
And brings salvation down to sinful man;
Untutor'd Indians feel the sparkling ray,.
And midnight darkness kindles into day.

When torn from friends-imprison'd on the deep,
The wretched CONVICT bends his head to weep;
When burning tears in plenteous streams are shed,
And black despair sits brooding round his bed,
Where can be turn-to whom for comfort go-
But to that Word, which comfort can bestow ?
Though we are outcasts, fast in mis'ry bound,
We gladly hear the gospel's joyful sound;
Not only hear, but feel its pow'rful sway,
And humbly bend our sinful knees to pray.
The word of God has pierc'd our darkness through,
And said, though fainting, "Ye shall still pursue.'
Kind Benefactors! much to you we owe
For that dear book from whence our blessings flow.
Still spread the word, success, shall crown the deed,
And JESUS' foes shall at his footstool bleed;
His kingdom spread with joy from shore to shore,
And 66 he that stole, shall learn to steal no more."

364

Remarkable Attention to Religion

REVIVALS OF RELIGION.

"Abbeville, (S. C.) November 1, 1817. "DEAR FRIEND,-Since I last wrote to you, there have been three religious Tract Societies organized in Abbeville District. There is a considerable revival of religión in almost all the churches of our denomination in Pendleton District. About sixty' have been added to our church. We hope it is the beginning of better times for the present aspect of religious society generally in these southern states is by no means flattering. The high price of cotton since the peace seems to engross almost every one's attention. The world is the great object of pursuit, and few are making the important inquiry, What must we do to be saved?

Your's affectionately,

WM. H. BARR."

Extract of a Letter from a Lady in Baltimore, to her Friend in Philadelphia, dated Feburary 7, 1818.

I SIT down this morning to relate to you the goodness and mercy of God, to the inhabitants of our highly favoured city. In this gracious day, he is pouring out his Spirit in copious showers. He, in the plenitude of his mercy, is displaying his glory all around us, by bringing sinners in scores and hundreds to a knowledge of himself by a remission of their sins through the precious blood of Jesus. This new year has been a year of all years to us; by aged Christians it hath been observed, that such displays of divine glory they never before witnessed. God, in his infinite mercy, in the commencement of this revival, was pleased to pour out the effusions of his Spirit upon a place called Fell's-Point, a little distant from the city. It was a Sodom of wickedness, yea, long since, has it been a proverb among the people; but the Lord can work and none can hinder. He can convert the wilderness in an Eden, and the desert into the garden of the Lord. The gracious flame is now spreading all around us, and many, very many, have been added to the Church, and I trust of such as shall be eternally saved. Parents and children, brothers and sisters, the rich and the poor, have been the subjects of this gracious work. Among the happy number, our Governor's daughter is included This work has been principally among the Methodists. Several Sabbaths ago they mentioned from the pulpit, that since the commencement of this year, upwards of five hundred had publicly joined themselves to the Lord in this city, and since that period there has been a very large increase. Q could you have been with us, in some of these gracious seasons, and witnessed for yourself the displays of divine glory, surely your soul would have magnified the Lord and your spirit rejoiced in God your Saviour. Every evening we have meeting, and each returning Friday is kept by many, sacredly devoted to God by fasting and prayer.

Rel. Remem. It will be gratifying to the friends of Zion to learn that the Lord is graciously pouring out his Spirit in the towns of Chichester, and

in several parts of the United States.

365

Epsom, in N. H.—Increased attention to the word is paid by those who have is yet lived without Christ in the world; and a joyful hope is entertained that the present will be a season of refreshing from on high, to many souls. [Essex Patriot.

Extract of a Letter to the Editor of the Boston Recorder, dated Bridgeport, Con. Jan. 19, 1818.

“In Trumbull, five miles from this, is a very general revival. Since the installation of Mr. Taylor, in Sept. the work has been gradually progressing, and attention is still increasing. The conferences are very fully attended-and such à revival as the present has not taken place in that town within the memory of the oldest person living. I am not able to state the number of converts, or the number of those under religious impressions at present."

Extract of a Letter to the same dated Long-Island, N.

January 24, 1818.

Y.

"At Patchague a general seriousness has prevailed during the winter. More than an hundred persons have obtained a hope of their saving interest in Christ. The revival bas extended to Middletown, and some other adjacent congregations. Appearances are animating at Southampton, and several instances of hopeful conversion have taken place."

WORTHY OF IMITATION.

Extract of a Letter to the Editor, dated Albemarle County, Virginia, January 17, 1818.

This year has commenced with an occurrence which forms a new epoch in the history of the little church in this place, (the Cove.)

Excited by the many examples held up to view in New-England, on the first Monday in this month twenty Females met together, formed themselves into a Society on the following plan, and for the following purposes. They agree to meet together the first Monday every month, for the purpose of uniting in social prayer and praise, and for religious conference; and at each monthly meeting to contribute as each one may feel able and wil!ing, something to aid in promoting the Christian religion.

.. The Society already comprises every age and class of females among us; from the richest to the poorest; from the grey headed matron, down to the child of seven years of age, (for there is one of that tender age, who has professed a joyful hope in Christ for more than 12 months.) In this association of females, all distinction of age, and worldly circumstances are lost sight of, in the contemplation of Him, in whose name they meet.

Several of these associating females are the subjects of a work of Grace, which has been slowly but gradually progressing here for the last eighteen months. It is believed that about twenty in

366.

Education of Heathen Youth, &c.

that time have been " drawn by the cords of Love," or driven by

the Terror of the Lord," to take refuge in a crucified Saviour.

The subject of this little work are of all ages, from nearly sixty down to six years. [W. Recorder.

HEATHEN YOUTH.

To the Societies in New-York and Wilmington, Del. which we have before noticed, formed on the plan and for the purpose suggested No. 15 of the present series of the Remembrancer, we have now the pleasure of adding that of "The first Female Society of Philadelphia, for the Education of Heathen Youth." This Society was instituted on the 7th inst. in the Female Sabbath School, connected with the Second Presbyterian Church in our city. The following extract of the minutes of the meeting expresses the design of this interesting Association." The members of this Society having paid in their contributions to the amount of Thirty Dollars, it was immediately paid over to ROBERT RALSTON, esq. (who was present) for the purpose of being forwarded to the Rev. Mr. MAY in India, for the education of one Heathen youth, whose adopted name, it is requested, may be JACOB J. JANEWAY, in token of our affectionate regard and christian duty towards our beloved pastor." [Rel. Remem.

A Society for educating poor young men of piety and talents, for the Gospel Ministry, was organized on the 31st of December, in Whitesboro', Oneida county, N. Y.-A sermon was preached on the occasion, and 6 or 700 dollars subscribed on the spot. Jonas Platt, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, was chosen President.

ANECDOTE.

Mr. Armstrong, a missionary in the West-Indies, gives a pleasing account of an aged negro woman:

"We have one worthy old black woman, in whom you would soon recognize the influence of the grace of God. She is, perhaps, upwards of 80 years of age: remembers hearing Mr. Whitfield preach in America; and is a most excellent Christian. At her own request, Mrs. Armstrong has taught her to read, and she can make out a few chapters in the New Testament. Her Bible is her treasure; and you cannot delight the poor old woman more than to sit down and read, and explain a chapter to her. O that there were many such! May the day of God's power be at hand!

Reformation. At a meeting of the Grocers in Buffalo, they agreed to do no business on Sunday; to favour no intemperate persons by harbouring or selling to them sufficient for intoxication; to allow no Indians to get drunk at their stores, and to have no gambling, quarrelling or fighting in their stores.

State of Religion in the District of Columbia. 367.

FOR THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.

State of Religion in the District of Columbia.

At Georgetown and Alexandria, in the District of Columbia, religion is much respected, and is making increased progress. In the former place there is a flourishing Sunday School, in which nearly 300 persons are taught to read the Scriptures: here also an impor tant Bible Association, calculated to supply the poor with the Scriptures on easy terms, has recently been established; and others, on similar principles, will probably soon be formed in Alexandria and Washington-all auxiliary to the Bible Society for the District of Columbia. In these several cities the Gospel is faithfully preached. Between the different denominations of Christians there is great harmony and much mutual charity. This spirit will be more fostered by the Bible Associations already formed, or in contemplation; and it is hoped that it will lead to results of much importance, especially among the middle and poorer classes of society. The present chief magistrate of the United States appears to be decidedly friendly to religion, and recommends it by his approbation and example. Much to his honour, he avows and cherishes just sentiments on this subject that will have an extensive influence. He seems fully to appreciate the importance of Christianity to the national welfare and happiness; and, as far as circumstances admit in this respect, he follows the footsteps of the immortal hero of the American revolution. The gradual effect of peace, the circulation of the Scriptures, the promotion of schools and charitable establishments will, it is hoped, give such a tone to public opinion and feeling at the seat of the national government, that. their influence will be sensibly felt in all its departments, and make Washington the seat of pure manners and correct principles, as well as of true liberty and political science,

BALTIMORE SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.

A "Union Board of Delegates from the Male Sabbath Schools of Baltimore" was formed Dec. 15th, 1817, for the purpose of promoting more extensively and more efficiently the objects of those beneficent institutions. Nine Male Sabbath Schools are now in successful operation in Baltimore, profitably educating, and in part supplying with clothes, eleven hundred and thirty-eight boys; and for the arduous service of teaching them, they are indebted to the voluntary and gratuitous services of young men of respectable standing and pious dispositions.

It appears by the Report of the "Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society," read by the Managers on the 26th ult. that they have during the preceding year gratuitously distributed 625 Bibles, and issued from their depository 5239 of the Common Prayer Fooks. The receipts amounted to $3,497: 70, and their disbursements to $3,346: 56.