OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH-SERMONS. 119 sanctification of the Christian Sabbath, that after a night of stillness and repose, one entire day from morning to night should be devoted to its duties, than that it should be made up of a fragment of one day, and three quarters of the next. The man of business cannot dismiss worldly concerns from his mind by the mere locking of his warehouse door; and, however conscientious in the discharge of what he may consider his duty, he cannot be so well disposed for meditation, as when he rises to begin a day on which no secular employment is permitted to intrude. Even here, the Episcopalians and the Methodists dissent from the prevailing system, and the consequence is that many avail themselves of this difference of opinion, and neither observe the one evening nor the other. Throughout this State travelling on the Sabbath is strictly prohibited, and the prohibition rigorously enforced; the Mail of the United States is the only privileged conveyance, for the laws of the Federal government, by which it is appointed, are not subject to the control of the local legislature; but neither on foot, on horseback, nor in a private carriage, is it possible for a traveller to escape the Argus eyes of the civil officers. The Sermons which I have heard in New Haven, the appearance of the congregations, and other cir man, who had an opportunity of reading the manuscript of this letter, wrote with a pencil opposite to this portion of it-" I am persuaded a very uncommon occurrence-I never met with it. Calls are made among intimate friends, but rarely is there jollity or mirth.” · cumstances, give me reason to think well of the state of religion here. In the College chapel I heard a judicious discourse on the evidence which is sufficient to establish the truth of a miracle. The Professor successfully combated the doctrine of Hume on this subject, and proved the validity of the testimony which we possess, respecting the miracles that are recorded in Scripture. In one of the congregational churches, I heard that text again illustrated which had formed the subject of one of the sermons that I heard in Boston, Pilate's question "What is truth ?" On this occasion, however, the Preacher treated his subject in the first place as a question of pure metaphysics, and illustrated it in a most luminous manner. I do not recollect having heard on any occasion from the pulpit, a more masterly exhibition of vigorous thinking and close reasoning, or language more accurate and appropriate. It was not however a mere metaphysical lecture, for the whole train of argument was made subservient to the illustration of the great gospel scheme of salvation. The preacher demonstrated that every attempt to overthrow the economy of salvation through Christ Jesus, was in fact beating the air, and fighting against God. Immediately before the sermon, banns of marriage were proclaimed with a loud voice from the desk; I have not in America been present on any other occasion when this was done. SABBATH SCHOOL-ORGAN. 121 At the conclusion of the afternoon's worship, I saw in one of the churches a Sabbath School, consisting of the young persons belonging to the congregation. This was conducted more upon the plan of the Scotish Sabbath Schools than any which I have hitherto seen here, for it was exclusively devoted to religious instruction; it was obviously however a recent attempt, and not matured in the execution. There was a teacher to about every dozen of children, who heard them repeat whatever passage they had voluntarily prepared; there was no system of regular and prescribed exercise, in which they could all join, nor did I hear any attempt made at illustration by parallel passages. A beginning however has been made, and a little experience will soon enable them to improve upon the mode of conducting them. In one of the congregational churches they have recently introduced the organ, as an auxiliary in Psalmody; but a special stipulation has been made by the more aged and less enthusiastic in harmonics, that no voluntary is ever to break in upon the solemnity of worship, or mar its intellectual character ; the instrument is allowed to lead and harmonize the voices of the congregation, but to do nothing more. |