44 Revivals of Religion.-Summary. CARLISLE, FEBRUARY 6. Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg. On Sunday last, the 1st instant, the sacra ment of the Lord's Supper was administered in the above church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. R. Dewitt, at which time eighteen persons came forward for the first time, and partook of the ordinance. Revival of Religion. We observe by an extract of a letter published in the papers, that a revival of religion has lately commenced in Washington, Pa. under the ministrations of the Rev. J. B. Patterson. "Several quite lately, (says the letter,) have obtained a hope in Christ." REVIVAL. By a letter from Guilford, N. J. we learn that there is a glorious work going on in Sidney, a town adjoining. The Lord appears to be pouring out his Spirit in copious effusions. Many are anxiously inquiring. The number of converts is about twenty, and the work is still progressing. Christian Gazette SUMMARY. Education Society of Pittsburg, Pa., was organized in Feb. 1822. It now consists of 88 members, who contribute annually to its funds, $5 each. The society has had one beneficiary under its care, who has completed his collegiate education, and is now pursuing his studies in the Theological Seminary at Princeton. The society has expended in his education $226, 79 cents. Reformation in Boston.-A Society entitled the Penitent Female Refuge, has existed in Boston for 3 years whose aim has been to protect the repenting unfortunate females of that city. How far their exertions have prompted the city government to diligence in this respect is not know; it has however, with a strong hand, taken hold of the evil; and there has been, for three months past, more than sixty and sometimes more than ninety abandoned Females in the city Jail. Seamen.-It has been recommended by the Board of managers of the New-York Bethel Union, that a savings' bank, expressly and exclusively for seamen be established, and that a small but well selected library The Portland Society for promoting christianity among the Jews.be considered by ship owners as a part The first annual report of this society of the necessary out-fit of every veswas read on the 14th of Jan. last. It sel. has been in existence one year, and has 75 members, seven of whom have become life members by paying $20 each. The amount of money received into the treasury the past year is $473, 02; $200 of which was a donation from a female society of that place. Young Men's Education Society of Boston, composed of young men under 35 years of age, has been in operation for 5 years, during which time it has paid into the Treasury of the American Education Society more than $3,500; and in other respects assisted For the Religious Miscellany. REVIVALS IN COLLEGES. Those special seasons of excitement, usually termed revivals of religion, must be viewed with deep-felt interest by every individual, whose mind is tenderly alive to the worth, the parent institution very importantly. In its zeal for the cause, it has invariably endeavored to excite a general interest on its behalf, by printing and circulating its reports and other interesting information within its reach;-by having at each of its anni-and the welfare of immortal souls. versaries, sermons preached, which they caused to be printed and circulated; communicating numerous facts to the public in this way. Ordination.-The Rev. Ebenezer Newwell, was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church and society in Oxford, Mass., on the 17th Dec. last. The services performed on the occasion were solemn and interesting. Receipts for Princeton.--The Treasurer of the general Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, acknowledges the receipt of $943 in the month of Dec. for the Theological Seminary at Princeton. The number of Students in this seminary, as appears from the last Catalogue, is,-first class 27, second class 39, third class 47-total 113. When we survey the heavens above the planetary system, we behold por- Crawford County, Pa. Education Societies. In this county, where Alleghany College is located, there are no less than 12 Education Societies, auxiliary to the Presbyterian Education Society; the avails of their annu-joy. In reverting to the recent revivals al contributions are appropriated to the formation of a fund, to assist the indigent and meritorious students of that College, in getting an education Com. Hull has ordered a library of Oft has it been, that the tears shed 1000 vols. for the use of his crew, pre-in secret, over the wastes of Zion, paratory to a long and distant voyage.and the earnest wrestlin with which many of our churches have been visited, it is pleasing to observe that in almost every instance, their causes and their consequences can be traced to the prayers and the efforts of God's own people. of those Where but two on earth agree with respect to a specific benefit, & in the faith of the promise ask it of God; they have the assurance of Him that changeth not, it shall be given them. whose sighs, and whose prayers pre-special prayer. Would christians, therefore, feel the importance of the out-pourings of the Spirit upon colleges, and present them in the arms of their faith before the throne of the Most High; their prayers would ascend as a sweet smelling incence, and the command would go forth, let these dry bones live. But in addition to a positive precept and promise, the people of God have facts to encourage their faith, and incite them to duty. Revivals have taken place in colleges. In answer to prayer, showers of grace have descended upon these gardens of literature, whose genial influence has caused many a tender plant to bloom, and blossom, and bring forth fruit unto eternal life. Now, if one college has thus been visited by a special season That special prayer should be made of religious excitement, why should for revivals in coileges, we have both not all? Let the lovers of Zion, thereprecept, promise, and precedent. We fore, prize their privilege; and whilst are commanded to pray that laborers surveying those wide wastes of moral be sent into the vineyard. From desolation, which cover the fairest whence are those laborers to come? portion of our globe, they must exunless from those nurseries of learn- claim with a sigh, "truly the harvest ing, where the treasures of wisdom is great," let them offer up their unitare unfolded, and the youthful minde fervent, importunate prayers, that imbibes the elements of knowledge. God would pour out his spirit, and But mere mental endowment is not thus prepare an abundant supply of the only prerequisite for the ministe- laborers for his spiritual vineyard. rial office. Piety warm and enerMENTOR. getic, constitutes the distinguishing characteristic of the faithful minister; and this is not of men, but from God. There are doubtless, at the present Therefore, since the vineyard of the day, many simple means adopted, by Lord must be supplied with her labor- those who contribute to the promotion ers from literary institutions, and of the cause of benevolence,in enablesince it is the prerogative of Jehovah ing them to do so. It is very desirable to prepare them for the work, christi-that this plan should be more generalans have a warrant to pray that God ly pursued. Were it, we should soon would cast salt into these fountains, cease to hear from the benevolent inand thus make them to be lasting stitutions of our day, pressing calls blessings to the church, and the world. for assistance; but on the contrary, Again, A special promise is made to For the Miscellany. Sabbath Schools. would find more done with less cause of murmuring at the uncharitableness of christians. 47 An annual contribution of $12 to the United Foreign Missionary Society for four years, will secure the edu→ cation of a heathen youth, who would probably, afterwards preach salvation to his perishing brethren. Every cent contributed to the American Tract Society, puts into perpetual circulation, ten pages of tracts filled with e I lately noticed in a number of a Boston paper, that a person had for a number of years past, afforded considerable aid to the American Education Society, thro' systematic means. He lately transmitted upwards of twenty-six dollars, "the amount a-vangelical truth,-which, with God's rising from the percentage of a busi ness devoted to religious charity of the year 1823," to be added to the fund of the Society. blessing upon them might convert many souls to a knowledge of the Saviour. If $12 in this way were annually expended by one individual, he Numerous are the ways in which would, in ten years, give circulation the community could, without feeling to 120,000 pages. A piece of ground any inconvenience in so doing, con- which would produce twelve bushels tribute to institutions calculated to of wheat, at the present price, would secure the spread of the Gospel.-The be adequate to secure this amount; & farmer could have his missionary field,|| very little attention to the other ways (a small portion of his land,) set a- proposed above, would insure that part for objects of benevolence; re. sum.- -Why should the people of serving its products for sacred pur-Pennsylvania slumber; while many of poses. The spot thus dedicated to the spread of the Gospel, might be cultivated in his leisure moments. With what feelings would such a spot be cultivated? The cultivator could have no idea of the vast good his labors might secure. The merchant might devote some particular article of Merchandize, the profits on the sale of which should be sacred to some good cause. The Doctor, (as has been done,) might reserve for benevolent purposes, his Sunday practice. those in the neighboring states are doing wonders? They are not less abie; why should they be less willing? SABBATH SCHOOLS. H. Testimony of the Governor of the State of New-York, in his late Message to the Legislature, in favor of Sabbath Shools:- "The advantages afforded in the establishment of common schools,have been embraced in almost every part of the state, and independent of many And let our fashionable community charitable institutions, meritorious citfollow the example set them, by those izens have, in many places, extended in Malta, curtail the expences of their benevolence to the children of their Tea Parties, &c., and appropri- indigent parents, by the means of ate the amount thus saved, to charita- Sunday Schools: and the adoption of ble purposes. This plan, if generally those humane and truly laudable meapursued, would afford to benevolent sures, has induced numbers to exinstitutions, very great aid. With change their accustomed habits of what feelings, let us again ask, would indolence and dissipation on that such plans be prosecuted? Who knows day, for the more profitable pursuit of but the observance of these, and simi- obtaining a common education. The lar ones, would be the means of bring-prevalence of such enlightened sentiing some souls from 'nature's dark-nents and generous feelings, will esness into God's marvellous light?' sentially contribute to secure to the 48 Anecdote.-Poetry.-Erratum.-Obituary. public, the benefits of the talents of many useful and virtuous members of society, otherwise allowed to remain in obscurity, and will have a direct tendency to afford permanent and substantial advantages to government, where the soverignty rests altogether with the people." ANECDOTE.--The British infidelHume, was desired by a lady at Bath to declare upon his honor whether he would chose his own confidential domestics from his own class of infidels, or from the class of Christians? After some deep embarrassment, he frankly declared in favor of the latter. The British infidels generally, if not universally, decided that the Bible was the best system of morality in the world. THE FEMALE PILGRIM By a Young Lady of Connecticut. And will not thy courage fail? Darkly winding through the vale; Should its deadly waves roll o'er thee, . ERRATUM. In the 12th page, and 13th line from the bottom, in the Report of the Harrisburg Bible Society, for "three hundred and eighty-eight dollars," read three dollars eightyeight cents. Rel. Visitor. In making extracts from the above report the same error was introduced into the Miscellany, (page 26,--1st colume, 8 lines from the bottom,) which our readers will please to correct. A meeting of the Board of Managers of the Cumberland County Bible Society is to be held on Wednesday next, the 11th inst. at 2 o'clock, P. M. at the house of Dr. Wm. C. Chambers. Members are requested to be punctual to the hour of meeting. Carlisle, Feb. 5. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY FLEMING AND GEDDES, TERMS OF PUBLICATION. The Religious Miscellany is published on Friday of every week, at the rate of two dollars per annum; one dollar to be paid when the first number is received. The remainder at the commencement of the next half year. Those who do not particularly specify the time for which they subscribe; will be consid ered and held as yearly subscribers. INDEX. 40 King Rihoriho,——Indian 42 |