They would further observe, that the law for regulating licences has not only been in substance of long standing, but as it now exists, is wisely calculated to effect its original design. Were it suitably attended to by those whose duty it is to observe the regulations it contains, and particularly by selectmen, in duly regarding the character of the persons who apply to them for approbation--in limiting the number "necessary for the public good," instead of recommending any merely for their private emolument -in causing 66 to be posted up in the houses and shops of taverners and retailers, a list of the names of all persons reputed common drunkards, or common tiplers, or common gamesters, mispending their time and estate in such houses," and by forbidding such taverners and retailers to sell spirituous liquors to such persons, under the penalty which the law provides, there would be fewer instances of the breaches of that law, and a better disposition in the per sons licensed, to comply with its salutary provisions. If selectmen would also (as another law requires) see that guardians were appointed to every person who, "by excessive drinking, gaming, idleness or debauchery of any kind, so spend, waste or lessen his or her estate as thereby to expose himself or herself, or his or her family or any of them to want or suffering circumstances, or the town to which he or she belongs, in their judgment, to a charge or expence for their maintenance or support," much evil would be avoided and much good produced. In short, the legislature as well as the people, rely almost entirely on these fathers of the town for the benefits which these laws were intended to produce. With their faithful attention, the endeavours of others to secure those benefits to the community would be much encouraged; without it, they must be arduous if not ineffectual.

They conclude by expressing their ardent wish that the time may soon come when a due sense of the evils we deplore will be duly felt by all who now (perhaps thoughtlessly) encourage them

when the blessed effects of good order and sobriety will be experienced-and when we shall have the satisfaction to reflect that we may have been in some degree instrumental in producing them. It is consoling to reflect upon appearances of moral and religious improvement among us. How far societies like ours may have produced

a serious consideration in the minds of any, we presume not to determine. But, have we not reason to believe that the disposition of a few to promote the cause of virtue and religion would stimulate others to join in the attempt?. Happy, thrice happy, would it be to all, were these principles prevalent in every heart. It may be unbecoming to express sanguine expectations that an immediate and great reformation will attend our efforts, though we have already reaped some reward of our labours, Yet the generations to come may derive incalculable benefits from them; and it should be considered that all experience declares that most important and blessed effects are frequently the result of limited and feeble undertakings Reflect on the astonishing increase of moral and religious societies in Europe: Bible Societies, Missionary Societies, Tract Societies all designed to spread the knowledge and promote the principles of christianity-many if not all of which sprung from the laudable zeal of a few individuals. "Look at the wonderful efforts to do good which our own country exhibits. Eight years ago there was not a single Bible Society in the United States, now there are upwards of an hundred. Three years ago there was scarcely one Moral Society, now there are hundreds." In addition to these, contemplate the highly important alliance or religious treaty, recently formed and ratified by three great potentates in Europe, and the intended establishment of Peace Societies. All designed and suited to diffuse the spirit of the gospel and increase the happiness of man. These are considerations which should strengthen our hands and encourage our hearts.

To help, in some degree, this great cause, we wish to support the salutary laws of this state, to produce a reformation in those who are in the habit of violating them; and we cannot but think that those who disregard or encourage crimes which are against the laws of God and man, are in some degree partakers in the guilt. He whose government is without defect, and whose sacred word, contains many warnings and prohibitions against intemperate drinking, and declares that drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God, will, if we seek his blessing, and possess a becoming prudence and zeal, unquestionably prosper our well meant exer. tions. Let us, therefore, not relax or

look back, but conducting with deliberation and discretion, "let us stand to our work and go forward;" yes, let us persevere in the undertaking we have begun, until few be found who will not patronize our design, and rejoice in our

success.

SAMUEL FREEMAN, Chairman. At the annual meeting of the Society for suppressing vice and immorality, holden at the Friend's meeting-house, in Portland, April 27, 1816, the foregoing Report was read and accepted. T. BROWNI, Secr'y.

From New Orleans.

IN the month of August last the Philadelphia Bible Society forwarded an order to England for 300 Spanish Testaments, designed for distribution among the Spaniards at New Orleans. Upon hearing of this order, the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society voted 1000 Spanish Testaments, 500 French do, and 100 French Bibles, to be forwarded to the Louisiana Bible Society for gratuituous distribution among the destitute in that quarter. These books arrived at New Orleans in January last, and have since been distributed, and received with gratitude and joy by the inhabitants of that city. About 600 of the French Bibles printed in New York have also been rapidly distributed, and very generally read, particularly by the youth in schools.

From Natchez.

A letter has been received, dated Natchez, March 4, from Mr. Daniel Smith, a missionary, who left Boston for New Orleans in October last, with about 1000 English Bibles, and a large number of religious tracts and other books for gratuitous distribution; twenty-five of the Bibles were deposited at the Custom House in New Orleans, for the use of the shipping that clear out from that port, and 225 were distributed among 8 or 900 troops in New Orleans. A Bible Society has been organized on the Amite, called "the Amite and West Florida Bible Society Its subscriptions are large already. The ladies at Natenez have formed a cha itable Society for the instruction of poor children.

The subscription amounts to 500 dollars, and it was expected that a charitable school would soon be established. The English Bibles sent on to the Missouri Territory, have all been distributed, and more are wanted.

From Erie.

A letter from a Clergyman of Walnut Creek, Erie County, Pennsylvania, to the Editor of the [Chillicothe Weekly Recorder, dated February 16, 1816, says "Moral Societies have been formed throughout Erie Presby tery generally. We have formed one in each of my congregations We have also formed a Female Cent Society in each, to which there is a respectable number of Subscribers-the funds of these are to be appropriated solely for the education of poor, pious youth for the Gospel Ministry-the first donation will be made to the Theological School at Princeton." Recorder.

From India.

Extract of a letter from the Rev. SAMUEL NEWELL, Missionary to India, to the Rev. Edward D. Griffin, D. D. dated

BOMBAY, June 11th, 1815. Dear Sir-By the present opportu nity I send to Dr. Worcester my journal, which contains the history of all my wanderings and afflictions from my arrival in India till I came to Bombay. I have requested Dr. W. to let you see it This will supply the place of many letters. You will also learn, from our communications to the Board, from time to time, the history of our Mission, and its present state. We have been carried through a series of afflictions, painful and distressing in the extreme, and have often been ready to say, "The mercies of God are clean gone, and the Lord will be favourable no more. But we can now sing of the goodness and faithfulness of God, and say, "Hitherto the Lord hath helped us." We are now permanently established in this important place, and have, through divine goodness, made so much progress in the language as to be able, though with stammering lips, to preach the good news to a people to whom Christ was before unknown. Mr. Hall and myself are the only Protestant Missionaries on this side of India, except an Armenian brother at Surat, in connexion with the Serampore Mission. The Mahratta language, which we are learning, is the language of many millions of people in this region. There are two hundred thousand in Bombay alone.

[Newark Centinel.

As successor to Elizabeth, James I. who had heen king of Scotland, ascended the throne of England, 1603, and reigned over both nations. The long and prosperous reign of Elizabeth had prepared the way for James to enjoy a considerable share of tranquillity. He gloried in the character of a 66 pacifick prince," and avoided war till near the close of his life.

The severity of Elizabeth had weakened the Popish party; but the sect called Puritans had made their appearance, and when James ascended the throne, they were found to be numerous. This sect was in some things imprudent and assuming, but they were among the foremost in pleading for civil and religious liberty. About 750 clergymen of this sect presented a petition to James, soon after his arrival in England. They entertained a hope, that he would abate the rigour of the laws which had been enacted against them, and in favour of the ceremonies of the Episcopal church. James was much more tolerant than his predecessors, but he was aware that the EpisVol. IV. No. 7.

copal hierarchy was more favourable to mone norchy, than the principles of the Puritans.

The king regarded himself as a learned theologian, and was fond of disputing. In the Puritans he found more of a similar spirit than was agreeable to him, as their views were not accordant with his own.

But while the Puritans appeared as advocates for liberty, "they maintained," says Hume, "that they themselves were the only pure church; that their principles and practices ought to be established by law, and that no other ought to be tolerated." Such has too often been the case with advocates for religious liberty. While they have perceived the evil of intolerant principles, as exercised towards themselves, they have too readily adopted them, as soon as power came into their hands. The Puritans are not alone in this inconsistency.

It was in the reign of James, that the daring gunpowder plot was discovered-a plot for blowing up the king and parliament, and which came near to being executed. This, however, ap

pears to have been a project of a few Papists, who were so bewildered by fanaticism as to imagine, that any means were lawful, which would advance the cause of Popery.

One of the most important events in the reign of king James, was the translation of the Bible. The translation which was made under his patronage and direction, has been in common use from that age to the present. That event probably contributed much to the improvement of society, as it was done in a time of peace, and must have excited considerable attention to the scriptures. Although there were some defects in the character of the king, his reign was probably more favourable to the progress of religion and virtue, than any one which had preceded.

King James died in 1625, and was succeeded by his unfortunate son, Charles I. The history of Charles is in a great degree composed of records of deplorable and sanguinary scenes. He reigned over England, Scotland, and Ireland. In each of these countries a restless, fanatical, and blood-thirsty spirit prevailed.

The population of these islands was principally divided into three or four large sects; Papists, Episcopalians, and Puritans, or Presbyterians, and Independents, each of which possessed the principle and spirit of intolerance and persecution.

Historians represent, that a “spirit of religion" prevailed in this age; and it is unquestionably true, that great attention was paid to what was called religion, and

that there was indeed a considerable number of men in the different sects, who were eminent for real piety. But from the facts recorded of this reign, it is very certain, that the predominant zeal was neither according to knowledge nor charity. The fervour that prevailed was not the fervour of love one to another ; and it had but little resemblance to the mild, forbearing, pacifick, and benignant spirit of the Messiah.

Their zeal for God was expressed, not in works of selfdenial and beneficence, but in oppressing and destroying one another. Nor is this remark to be limited to any one sect; it will apply to all which have been named.

re

In Ireland, the religious zeal of the Papists, in 1643, was displayed in one of the most horrible massacres which blackens the pages of history. "An universal massacre commenced of the English. No age, no sex, no condition was spared. The old, the young, the vigorous, the infirm, underwent a like fate, and were confounded in one common ruin. Amidst all these enormities, the sacred name of RELIGION sounded on every side,-not to stop the hands of the murderers, but to enforce their blows, and to steel their hearts against every movement of human and social sympathy. The English, as hereticks, abhorred of God, and detestable to all holy men, were marked out by the priests for slaughter; and of all actions, to rid the world of these declared enemies to Catholick faith and piety, was represented as most