The Religious Miscellany: Containing Information Relative to the Church of ...

to hope, that they will erè long see || appears that their number is no less better times. We extract part of his than two millions. And how are they speech for the purpose better to shew provided with the Scriptures? I have been many years looking in bookselthe situation in which they stand. Af-lers' shops and stalls for the whole ter making some introductory obser- Bible in the Irish language, and I nevvations; in which he stated the obli-er saw but one, and I bought that as gations, which the Hibernian Biblea curiosity, at the price of two guineas.* I went into a part of Ireland, Society was under to the one now where you seldom hear the Irish lanconvened; and referred to the senti-guage, as they have English enough ments of a noble Lord, whose opinion to answer a common question on the roads or in the fields; but I found was "that the greatest blessing to IreIrish the language of their firesides. land was the word of God;" he brings In one place some good friends had into view the statement published by set up a large Sunday School, and one the Sunday School Society for Ire-Sabbath there came in some young land, from which he has gathered the following particulars:

men to look at what was going on; Ï brought them our version of the scriptures, and the moment they saw it "In Antrim, Armaugh, and Lon- they turned away and said they could donderry the number of children ed- not read that book: I asked them if ucated in Sunday schools is to the they would read Irish; Yes, they said, whole population, in the proportion if there were an Irish class they would of one to twelve; and these are peaceall come. I then got a schoolmaster able and quiet counties. But in the to send his son, who could read Irish, county of Limerick-Limerick, too and in that place there is now an well known by its attrocities and murIrish class, reading the Scriptures, ders; what is the number of children where they before turned away from educated there? There are many who the Scriptures with disgust. Now, will be surprised to hear that it is my Lord, are we not bound to beonly as one to nine hundred and sev- come all things to all men, if by any enty-seven. In the whole province means we may save some? When the of Ulster, it is as one to seventeen; enemies of Paul heard him speak in and in Munster, as one to about five their native language, they kept the hundred. These are circumstances more silence; so it will be with regard with which many persons here are to the Irish-speak to them in that unacquainted. They, look for the language, the words of everlasting cause of the evil in a place where life, and you will have their ears, and they will not find it; they do not look blessed be God, you will have their for it in the ignorance of the Scrip-hearts also: for faith cometh by heartures, and the want of education for ing, and hearing by the word of God. the people. I would now give some We have heard of the circulation of information with regard to the poputhe scriptures, by that ornament of lation of Ireland: I mean those who the Roman Church, Leander Van Ess: speak the Irish language. In the I wish we had many such men among provinces of Munster and of Connaught, I have taken the trouble to ascertain from different accounts, the number of those who speak the Irish language and who understand no other; and

*The Irish scriptures had become extreme. searce until the British and Foreign Bible Society reprinted Bishop Bedel's version, of which 5,000 Bibles, and 17,800 Testaments nave been reprinted at its expense.

General Association of Conn,

plied with the stated ministration of the word and ordinances of God; we have had pleasing evidence of the continued efficiency of the Domestic Mis sionary Society, in building up the waste places of our Zion; and but few of the ambassadors of Christ, within our limits, have, by death or otherwise, been removed from the scene of their labors. The various charitable

distinguished, continue to possess and to keep fast hold on the af fections and the patronage of the community, and we are happy in cher

us. But it is certainly an interesting fact; that, during the last year upwards of four thousand copies of the Douay Version, without note or com ment, have been circulated by the Catholics themselves. I would say, therefore, we must meet the prejudices of the people, and not keep from them the corrective of their errors and their crimes. I am well informed by having an intercourse and correspond-institutions, by which our times are ence with many parts of Ireland, that there is now a greater stir about get ting the word, than there ever was before: and even in those parts of the country which are most disturbed,ishing the belief, that with regard to there is a demand for the word of God; and many are inquiring: "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" I trust many here will give their hand to this glorious work, and rejoice in prospect of the time when he that soweth and he that reapeth, shall rejoice together. I feel obliged to your Lordship and this So-measure, realized.” ciety, for the kindness you have al

way

shown to Ireland, and my only design has been to put your benevolence into that effectual channel, the word of God; it is that we ask-it is that we want-and being without that makes us poor indeed."

GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF CONN. This Association convened at Windsor, on the third Tuesday of June. In the Religious || Intelligencer, a report of the state of Religion is published, from which we shall extract the most important parts.

them, the people of this state are generally becoming more and more disposed to devise liberal things. Sabbath schools are generally maintained in our religious societies, and we trust that the importance of teaching the principles of religion and morality to the rising generation is in a good

The Report here refers to the Foreign

Mission school at Cornwall and Yale College, both of which institutions are represented to

be in a flourishing condition. The Theologi tion, has succeeded quite as well as was antical seminary established in the latter institucipated. All it now wants is the patronage of a generous christian public, in order to render it extensively useful.

While they have to "deplore the preva lence of vice in various farms," considering the present active state of the church, they are permitted to see "christians doing good;" and "though some things appear dark," they In surveying the year past, the Gen-are led to believe that there were never beteral Association are presented with ter prospects, of support being extended to much, which they regard as matter those institutions "which have for their obof encouragement and of gratitude.ject the divine glory, and the happiness of They are happy to find, that through-man." out the state, a disposition has been manifested to maintain and to attend upon the institutions of religion, and the churches have continued united in the faith and order of the gospel. Several of our vacant societies have by the settlement of ministers, been

sup

"The past year has not been destitute of evidence, that the Most High delights to bless and to build up his church. The General Association cannot, indeed, tell of those extensive effusions of special divine inflnence,

General Association of Conn.

the

since their last meeting, which they see the salvation of God. Though the were permitted to mention two years work of conviction and conversion ago; God has by no means left him- was thus rapid it was evidently genself without witness. Revivals of re-uine. The many hundred converts, ligion have been considerably numer- who have become its subjects, after a ous, and have been marked with sig-lapse of several months, with very nal displays of the power and grace few exceptions, appear to stand fast in of Zion's King. In the county of the liberty of the gospel. In Somers Fairfield, the towns of Greenwich, and Tolland, about two hundred and New-Canaan, Norwalk, Fairfield, & twenty have already been united to Reading have shared in the special the congregational church. In many influence of the Holy spirit, and about of the instances above mentioned, two hundred and fifty have been unit-revival of religion has put a new ased to the visible people of God. In pect on the face of society. It has a the county of Litchfield, the town of most auspicious bearing on the future Sharon has been visited by a revival interest of the Redeemer's kingdom, of uncommon power and extent. One from the fact that the subjects are hundred and twelve have already principally among the rising generamade a public profession of faith in tion. The change recently witnessthe Redeemer, and the work still con- ed in this class of the community, is tinues. But the most interesting dis- surprisingly great. In these congreplay of the grace which brings salva- gations most of those who are esteemtion, during the past year, have beened the flower of the youth-the first in witnessed in a little cluster of towns education and influence-may be seen in the counties of Windham and Tol-sitting together in heavenly places in land, where the meeting of the Gen-Christ: Those who, a short time since, eral Association, in June last, evident- were accustomed to meet for vain ly had considerable influence in pre- amusements, now meet for prayer and paring the minds of the people for the religious conversation, and to sing attention to their spiritual interests, praises to God. Several of our paswhich has been experienced. From tors and churches may well unite Tolland the good work spread dur-with joyful acclamations in saying, ing the subsequent season of autumn, "The Lord hath done great things for winter, and spring, embracing in its us, whereof we are glad.” In a few progress both societies in each of the other places besides the above, in diftowns of Coventry and Mansfield,ferent parts of the state, a degree of and in the first society in Lebanon. special religious excitement has existIn all these places the work has been ed, and partial accessions have been about equally extensive, and appar-made to the church. In some, revivently productive of about equal good to the souls of men. In some of them it has been attended with a degree of rapidity, which has hardly been before known within our limits. The progress of salvation was truly wonderful and glorious. As the devout beholder witnessed the manner in which the conquests of the Redeemer were multiplied it was strongly impressed on his mind, that all which men could do was to stand still and

als are now in progress, or hopefully commencing. Among these may be numbered the town of Kent, the first society in Chatham, and the society of Ridgebury.

From the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church we learn, that while this extensive section of the Redeemer's kingdom has still to deplore the wide-spread moral wastes within its borders; while many regions of great fertility and extent, and rapidly

General Association of Conn.

God for the enlargement of Zion. In both these are means in operation, which, we trust, under the divine blessing, will, at no distant day, cause the church, there to rise and shine in the beauty of the Lord.-By the intelligence received from Rhode Island it appears, that there is an increasing zeal and harmony among the consociated ministers and churches in that state, and that the prospects of the future prosperity and enlargement of Zion is encouraging.

increasing in population, are wholly have now generally subsided, though destitute of the word and ordinances in some instances they still continue. of God, still it has, during the year Many precious fruits of these revivals past, experienced much, which must have been gathered into the kingdom afford joy to the friends of Zion.- of Immanuel. In these states, it is Many instances are related of the re-believed there are not a few, who are vival of religion in the middle, south-accustomed to cry earnestly to ern, and western parts of the Union, marked with distinguished exhibitions of Jehovah's goodness and mercy. The Theological Seminary at Princeton still flourishes, and from that fountain increasing streams continue to issue, and to make glad the city of our God. The operations of numerous missionary, Bible and other benevolent societies, have been increasing both in extent and influence. Associations are gradually forming in different parts, to provide for the regular support of the institutions of our holy religion. Many societies are. Surely no intelligent Christian can waiting only that laborers may be contemplate the present state of the sent to them, in order to their provid-world, and not feel his bosom swell ing themselves with the stated ministration of the word. In view of these facts, we would cherish the hope, that as the tide of our population rolls on to the south and the west, our coun

try may not exhibit a still wider spread

of moral desolation.

Here reference is made to the revival in Boston, and also in the Collegiate Institution at Amherst, of both, several notices have heretofore been given. In the latter place it is said, "that of the hundred students in that institution, six sevenths are hopefully the subjects of saving grace."

with emotion.

From the word of

prophecy, and from "the signs of the times," we feel assured, that the God of all grace has in store for lost men more extensive blessing, than what the tokens for good, and the things have yet been experienced. Among which we would earnestly recommend to the friends of truth and righteousness, we will not neglect to mention the Sabbath morning concert of prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit on the colleges in our country. That the members of those societies "be all taught of God," we deem of vital imBy our brethren from Vermont glory of the Redeemer's cause. And portance to the future prosperity and and New Hampshire we are informed, that while they have cause to la of our churches, and all others, who we would urge upon all the members ment the extensive prevalence of love the Lord Jesus Christ, that they lukewarmness and indifference on the fervently supplicate the God of all great subject of religion, and to mourn grace, that he would pour out his Spirtute of the stated means of grace, still out the world; that in the praying that so many of their towns are desti-grace, it more and more copiously throughGod has not left them without some circle, in the family, and in the closet, tokens for good. In those states there they would give him no rest, till he have been, within the past year, nu-make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” merous interesting revivals, which

Poetry-Summary-Notice.

Lines written upon a beautiful and favorite
residence.

Stranger! hither turn thy sight,
O! hither turn thy way,
Ere morning sheds its glim'ring light,
Or brightens into day.

Q! hither turn, to this fair spot;
No longer wand'rer roam;
Here, let each sorrow be forgot,
Here, find a peaceful home.

Does nature's charms to thee impart,
A heartfelt nameless thrill
Of joys, that twine around the heart,
And quite the bosom ill?

Then hither turn, once more refin'd

By nature's lovely glow,

Here, sweets will stream scross the mind,
And soften as they flow.

Has no kind hand on thee bestow'd,
This gift, so mild, so fair,

To bless, while lingʼring on the road,
Of melancholy care?

O come! in evening's gentle hour,
Around this foliage steal,

Here, thou'lt confess a magic pow'r,
And learn that pow'r to feel.

Here, purest pleasure wraps each sense;
The soul here bears that voice,
Which to the spirit whispers peace,
Th' desponding to rejoice.

G. 1.

and Editor of the monthly publication, viz. "Israel's Advocate." Dr. Rowan will conduct the correspondence with Auxiliary Societies, and may be addressed at No. 491 Greenwich-street, N. York; or, communications for him may be left at Mr. John P. Haven's No. 182 Broadway.

ERRATA IN NO. 2.

Page twenty-third, 24 col. line 4, for "con-
nect" read convert.

26, 24 col 1. 19, from ft. for "more im.
pertinent," read from impertinent.
1. 12, for "entirely,', read cer-

tainly.

TRACT SOCIETY NOTICE.

The Managers of the Religious Tract Society of Carlisle will meet at the office of the Religious Miscellany, to transact some important business relative to the interests of the Society, on Saturday the 26th inst. at 5 o'clock, P M.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY

FLEMING And geddes,

South Hanover-Street.

CARLISLE.

SUMMARY.

CONDITIONS OF PUBLICATION.

Revivals.-From Jamaica, W.India the Rev. Mr.Kirbb, Baptist Missionary writes, that on one occasion "the The RELIGIOUS MISCELLANY 18 ordinance of baptism was administered published every Friday, at two dolto 152 candidates, (negroes) in receiv-lars per annum, payable HALF YEARing of whom the greatest caution has been exercised, many more have been rejected than received. In the afternoon of the same day the Lord's Supper was administered, when over a thousand partook of this holy ordi

nance."

The Rev. Stephen N. Rowan D. D., of N. York, has been appointed Agent of the "American Society for meliorating the condition of the Jews,"

Hints on family Govern

ment,

LY in advance.

Unless notice is given at the end of the term subscribed for, it will be considered a new engagement.

AGENTS.