want of a legal provision for ministers of religion; but I believe the deficiency is also seriously felt in many of the old States.

The example of the United States has often been cited, both by the opponents and advocates of church establishments, in confirmation of their respective opinions. I think, however, that both parties are premature, and that many years must elapse before the result of the experiment can be ascertained. Indeed, so long as America participates freely in the advantages of the ecclesiastical establishment of Great Britain; so long as she has ready access to the writings of British Divines, and the valuable fund of

whole ground is laid waste. Too often have I witnessed this with mine own eyes; too often have I seen the lambs of the fold devoured, because a shepherd was too far distant to hear their cries. What must be my feelings under such circumstances, the beatings of your own bosoms, as you read this, can best express.'

'In doing the duty above alluded to, I have found the labours of a missionary inseparable from those of the Episcopate; and, to a person of my age, this assemblage of fatigue is more than can be borne. Incessant speaking in private, as well as in public, in teaching the rudiments of Christianity to the young, in explaining and defending the first principles of our religion to the ignorant opposer, have already much impaired my voice and my general health; and should this state of things continue, to all human view, my strength will soon be brought down, in my journey, and my days will be shortened."

theological learning, which has been accumulating for centuries; so long as she can refer to the Liturgy of the Church of England, as a record of those fundamental doctrines in which most of her religious sects were once agreed, as a landmark by which to trace any deviation from their primitive faith, she can no more be adduced as conclusive evidence, that religious establishments are inexpedient, than the existence of Quakers, in the midst of other communities, can be appealed to as a satisfactory proof of the possibility of their existing as independent nations, without exercising the right of self-defence. I by no means, however, mean to deny, that the degree in which religion flourishes in America, without a legal provision for its support, furnishes a presumption, that establishments are not so necessary as some of their advocates contend.

Generally speaking, it has appeared to me, that the style of preaching in this country is more Calvinistic than in England, and that there is also less opposition to the peculiar doctrines of the gospel among men of the world. It is owing partly to this circumstance, that an attention to religion involves less of that mitigated persecution of modern days, which persons of piety must often encounter with us,

in the regrets or remonstrances of opposing friends, or the ridicule or distance of sneering companions. A religious profession might, therefore, be supposed to be more common; and, perhaps, may be so; a state of neutrality or indifference certainly is.

Whatever may be the actual state of religion in this country, I am quite satisfied that it is on the advance. There may be local exceptions; but my inquiries and observations in every part of my route have led me to a confident conclusion as to the general fact.* Many of the societies for

* In confirmation of this opinion, I am happy to adduce the respectable authority of the Rev. Wm. Ward, of Serampore, who, after a long residence in India, visited England and the Continent of Europe, and was travelling in America at the same time as myself. In a letter, dated London, April, 1821, (about two months later than the date of the preceding letter,) he observes, "The number of religious institutions in America exceeds, if possible, those of England. Bible, Missionary, Tract, and Sunday-school societies, are very numerous. The American Bible Society is a noble institution, doing great good. The Orphan Asylum at New York has been favoured with such remarkable instances of the Divine care, as to remind one very strongly of the institution of Professor Frank, in Germany.

"But there are some institutions existing in America, which I have not heard of in other countries, At Boston, and in other places, a missionary for the town and neighbourhood is maintained and employed: his work is to carry the gospel to the poor; to preach in cellars, in garrets, and amongst those who, by their poverty, or their peculiar circumstances, or their

the promotion of religion, are of recent origin; but they are gradually diffusing themselves over

disinclination, are excluded from the public means of grace. I met two or three of these interesting missionaries. Societies of ladies exist for assisting poor Christian students, by purchasing cloth, and making them clothes. Other ladies are united to work together one day in a week, fortnight, or month, devoting the produce of their sewing, &c. to some good object. One of the party reads for the edification of the rest. Societies of girls, and separate ones for boys, are numerous : these have meetings, and devote a quarter, or a half, or a whole dollar a year each, to some Christian object. In the church under the care of the Rev. Mr. Payson, of Portland, a number of married females have associated, under a solemn engagement, that the survivors will, as much as possible, seek the spiritual good of the children, from whom any mother, in this association, may be removed by death.

"The different denominations in this country come together in delightful harmony, and co-operate without being obstructed by those impediments which exist in other countries. The Sunday-school Union, in New York, exhibits a noble specimen of the true Christian feeling; and the Union flourishes accordingly.

"In short, I found more places of worship in the large towns of America, than in similar towns in Britain; and much genuine piety among the Presbyterians, the Congregationalists, the Evangelical Episcopalians, the Methodists, and the Baptists; and, as far as my journeying extended, I observed a cheering exhibition of Christian progress. As in England, all denominations of real Christians are increasing; and all are growing better. The revivals in different sections of the Union, are greater than ever. I have made special inquiry into the nature of these revivals, and find, that the far greater portion of those who commence a religious professsion

the Union, and the sympathy which was first kindled by commiseration for the Otaheitan or Hindoo, instead of being exhausted on distant objects, seems to derive fervour from its very expansion, and is now visiting the hut of the Aborigines, the log-cabin of the backwoods-man, and the habitation of the careless and uninstructed neighbour. In New Orleans, in March, 1815, there was not a Bible to be found, either to be sold, or gratuitously distributed; and the only Protestant place of worship was in an upper room belonging to an individual. Now, a Louisianian Bible Society is in regular operation, and the inhabitants have a handsome Episcopal and Presbyterian Church. The Sabbath is still dreadfully and generally profaned there; but it is religiously observed by many, the influence of whose example is daily extending. At the boarding-house where I

under these impressions, continue till death to adorn the doctrine of divine influence.-Christian missions, too, begin to be more and more popular, and the duty of the church to identify them as an integral part of its institutions, begins to be more generally felt and acknowledged in this highlyfavoured country."

Duncan remarks, "No one of reflection and candour can fail to be convinced, that truth and righteousness, do, to a very important extent, prevail; and that those principles are in a state of increasing progress, and develope much.”