Liberality at Home.-American Tract Society.

329 formed; in all the different denomin- of the acceptance of their labors, by ations, 407 congregations, are report-blessing, to the conversion of souls, ed as having shared in the same gra- the reading of these silent auxiliaries cious and Divine influences. The number of hopeful converts, in these of the Bible. If he has thus owned revivals, is estimated at twenty-six their labors on earth, what will be thousand seven hundred and sixty-their acceptance above? Our readers four. This most refreshing intelli-will remember, no doubt, some facts gence has been collected with great care, from the various religious publi- which we published concerning this cations, of the different denominations society,-accounts of conversions by and states, and will be communicated the reading of Tracts. Upwards of to the churches more minutely in this forty instances were then known to paper. Is there joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth? What! in the Committee, by the reading of but view of this scene? In one country, in six copies of the Tract entitled "Six-a single year, more than four hundred teen short Sermons." Of this Tract revivals of religion, and more than 24,000 copies have been published. twenty-seven thousand hopeful con- If the remaining ones would be likely blessed, who could calculate the good resulting from them?

verts.

Boston Recorder.

CARLISLE, DECEMBER 12.

LIBERALITY AT HOME.

We have been credibly informed, and it is with pleasure we state it, that Rev. H. R. Wilson, late pastor of Silver Spring congregation, has been

made a life member of the American Tract Society by an unknown female of said congregation.

AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.

This institution has been in operation nine years; during which time it has published about 3,000,000 Tracts. The matter contained in these Tracts are on subjects which interest every mind, the salvation of immortal souls. God has always owned the labors of those who have sought to glorify him, let the attempt be ever so feable; nor has he left those engaged in this mean, without some tokens of favor. He has given them an assurance

The means whereby this society is supported are, annual subscriptions, donations, and the contributions of persons becoming life members.

In looking over the list of life mem-. bers, with which the last report furnishes us; in May last there was not one life member in Pennsylvania! This is a fact which should be attended to by the advocates of Tract societies. The society is in want of funds to supply with Tracts their numerous depósitories, to defray the expenses of printing in foreign languages for distribution among the destitute heathen. Shall they want?-By the list of life members we observe, that the females have, by their magnanimity, contributed much to the promotion of the society's interests, by making the pastors of their churches members for life. This they done, by raising a sum of money among themselves a

and 500 of the seventh. Each con. tains 300 pages. These can be had at 50 cents, per vol. which will enable any person so disposed to add to his library, for the trifling sum of $3 50 cents "seven volumes, containing 2,100 pages of important matter, exhibited in a striking and impressive manner, and in the very form in which

mounting to $20 or more. Has none of the ladies in Pennsylvania as much love for the prosperity of this noble institution, and their pastors, as those elsewhere? we should think so. Let it not be said that the society being located at a great distance, and the interest excited by its operations less known here, than in the neighboring states, is not to receive our charity.it has been blessed to the salvation of They have brought their labors to the thousands." centre of this state, in order that we might receive the benefit of them. They have in Pennsylvania two depo sitories, both of which are supplied with a good variety. One at Harrisburg, under the agency of Mr. Alex-so inclined to have them: they are ander Graydon, the other at Phila-sold by Mr. Graydon, at a mill a page delphia, in the care of Messrs. Littell and Henry.

It would be gratifying to see an extensive interest taken in the distribution of Tracts, and the encouragement of Tract societies. The matter contained in them is evangelical. They are, as the London Tract Society says they should be, composed of "Pure Truth, flowing from the sacred fountain of the Bible, uncontaminated with error, undisturbed with human system, clear as crystal, like the river of life. The christain commu

nity do not see in them any thing that would tend to injure the interests of their religion, but every thing suitable to improve the mind, and point the

soul to heaven.

Mr. Alexander Graydon has those tracts on hand, at his depository, both bound in volumes and in single numbers. The cheapness at which they can be had, will enable every person

that is, ten cents per hundred pages. Tract Societies, Sabbath Schools, and individuals, can be supplied at the same rate, with any quantity; and

we think it would be to the advantage of Sabbath Schools at least, to procure them for reward books and for gratuitous distribution among the scholars.

RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

The Publishers of the Christian Al

manac for 1824, have taken care in collecting a list of all the Religious || Periodical Publications in the United States; from which it appears, that there are 43 in all, viz:-2 in Maine, 1 in New-Hampshire, 1 in Vermont, 6 in Massachusetts, 1 in R. Island, 6 in Connecticut, 8 in NewYork, 7 in Pennsylvania, 1 in Dela

The American Tract Society have had bound in strong, neat full binding, 1000 copies of the first five vol-ware, 3 in the District of Columbia 2 in Virginia, 2 in S. Carolina, 1 in umes of their tracts, 200 of the 6th Georgia, and 2 in Kentucky. Of these,

331

Young Men's Missionary Society-Trial of Joseph Nelson. 20 are monthly or simi-monthly; thus would be desirous of obtaining the name of Christians must have the news of the day from all quarters of the country; while they never think

the remaining 23 are weekly. Taking these on an average, there are one thousand patrons to each of them; which will make 23,000 copies of of taking those which relate to the triweekly religious intelligence circula-umphs of that faith of which they proted, among at least 5 times that num-fess to be participants! Hence we ber of people, and 20 thousand copies have seen instances, where there was of the first description added to the but one religious publication in a state, above, would make 120,000 papers, of its suspension for want of patronage. circulated monthly among (at a just And hence we see the conductors of estimate, of 5 in each family receiv- others subjected to penury and want, ing these publications, capable of read-and their means of usefulness contracing,) about 600,000 souls.-Large as ted, owing to the scanty subscriptions this may appear, how trifling the a- obtained to their works.-But the mount, when compared with the my-times are brightening. Ere long, it is to riads of intelligent and able citizens be hoped the praise worthy undertawho do not receive a glimpse of a re-kers will not sink in dejection under ligious newspaper during their life the impression, that Christian's are untime! How many states yet remain generous; but when, instead of speak. without one religious newspaper with-ing to contracted thousands they will in their bounds? We will not make tell the conquests of the gospel of an estimate, but would just observe, Christ, to millions of rejoicing hearers. that Maryland, New-Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, N. Carolina, Mississippi, &c. appear not to have any of this description printed within their, limits. It would be needless to inquire, why the religious intelligence is not propagated equally as wide as political. The reason is plain. There is not as much ambition for the cause of the Gospel as for the elevation of great men to places of honor and emi

nence.

There is a glaring absurdity apparent in the procedure of mankind. Were any person to visit personally, the whole community of the U. States, and ask them if they were lovers of religion, but a small minority would answer in the negative; yet those who

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

A quarterly meeting of the Managers of the Young Men's Missionary Society, will be held on Saturday next, the 13th inst. at three o'clock, P. M. at the School room of Mr. Gad Day. Punctual attendance is requested.

Joseph Nelson, the person who was confined in the Jail of this county some time last harvest, on the charge

of killing his brother, received his trial last week at the court of Oyer and Terminer, of Perry County. The jury found a verdict against him of "murder in the second degree.

332

Infidelity and Christianity contrasted.

he was sentanced to 12 years imprisonment in the state penitentiary located at Philadelphia.

For the Miscellany. Among the numerous methods which have been adopted by different men in different ages of the world, to emblazon their character or trumpet their fame, none has been attended with less difficulty or presented fewer inconveniencies, than a profession of

disbelief in the doctrines of revelation. That which shocks our feelings must attract our notice, and though the Infidel possesses a reputation not of the most noble kind, yet his profession having been made, only for the sake of acquiring a name, he has gained his end. Hence we see that his instigating principle is vanity, for which he never would be known in the common walks of life, he may by casting out his insinuations against the Bible, a Heaven or a Hell, draw

ate.

whole animated creation shows the glory of its Creator; and while all the objects in the universe bear the impress of his Almighty hand, the deluded Infidel regards them not, or at most considers them things self-existent and self-created. The rippling rill as it murmurs over its rough and stony bed, the gentle breezes of the morning that waft on their wings, "the fragrance of a thousand varied sweets," speak the goodness of their Creator, and even the very floweret which he treads beneath his feet teaches him a heavenly lesson. God speaks in the rushing winds;-but he thunders;-but he is insensible. The hears not. God's voice sounds in his power of his arm is manifested in his lightnings;--but he trembles not.-Ah! thou high-spirited Free-thinker, where didst thou learn the non-existence of a God? was it in yonder silvered moon which sheds its mild

and placid rays around thy dwelling? was it in the noon-day sun which

forth marked tokens of deference to his wisdom from the vulgar and illiter-warms thee with its genial heat? was it in the furious hurrican which howls This being the case, how great must be our astonishment to number around thy casement? or from which among the ranks of the adherents to one of God's works didst thou obtain Infidelity, men of the finest talents thine information? He looks about and noblest intellect? Yet such is the and hesitates for a reply. He may lamentable truth. Scarcely any civil-look in vain. None of Nature's works ized age or nation has been exempted speaks in a kindred language with his from its fatal influences, and often in- own. If he asserts that all the obdeed, has it proved a perfect epidem-jects which diversify the face of the ic. No sentiment that ever deranged universe sprang from nothing, he asthe human intellect, can be so deeply serts that nothing has produced a marked with the very hue of Hell substance, and upon this self-evident itself, 'Tis the foulest stain that ever axiom he founds his system of Iufiblotted the human character-Tis delity. Does he begin to doubt, and the most deadly corruption that ever would he learn his first lesson of preyed upon the human heart-Tis heavenly wisdom? let him go and ask a cherished poison which taints the of Plato, of Cicero, of Socrates, upon very life-blood of the soul. It de- whom the sun of righteousness never faces that noble and glorious image shone, and to whom the volume of inwhich God stamped upon the human spiration was always closed, if there form; it tears from the soul that re-is a God, and they will open the book cord which God has there placed of of nature and bid him read & underhimself, and sinks its victim far be-stand.-Let him ask yonder squalid low the brutes which perish. The savage and hear his answer, then let

Infidelity and Christianity contrasted,

333

so depraved and besotted, as to be capable of adopting it.

pel.'

and wrath, he now sees "life and immortality brought to light in the gos Before he mourned in despair; he now rejoices in hope; he feels that he has been bought with a price and his greatest desire is to be subservient to the cause of his great Redeemer. He knows that he must soon enter upon eternity and he is continually pre

him interrogate his own heart and await its reply If this is not enough let him visit the Infidel's dying bed, But with what different feelings and there view frail mortality strug-can we turn to the contemplation of gling under the grasp of the king of the humble Christian. He knows that terrors-there let him see depicted in there is a God-he hears him in every the countenance of the unhappy suf-wind, he sees him in every tree, in ferer, the horrors of the second death; every plant, in every herb, in every ask HIM if there's a God, ask HIм if leaf. He knows that he is a God of there's a Hell, and let him abide by justice, he knows that he has broken HIS answer. If we cast a single His laws, and become amenable to the thought upon all the unbeliever's penalty. But he also knows, that this views, we cannot avoid seeing how penalty has been paid, and where be fraught they are with the wildest ex-fore he could see nothing but terror travagancies. Where can be cast his anchor when his frail bark is tossed by the tempests? Where will he find "a refuge from the storm?" where a shelter from the whirlwinds when the waves of adversity roll around him in tremendous fury, what kind friend comes over his "sea of troubles" and commands the raging billows to be hushed. And when he casts his pene-paring provisions for his journey. trating thoughts even to the verge of The contrast between the two chahis earthly existence, does he not racters is wonderfully striking. The hear within himself something that Infidel has nothing upon which to rest tells him that the soul "shall flourish in time of distress; the Christian in immortal youth," or does he hug looks to his Saviour, and draws from with joyful delight the horrid hope of the "fountain-head of life and light" annihilation? And when the mandate all those supplies of grace & strength has gone from the "high chancery of which are necessary for him. The heaven" for the messenger of death, hopes of the Infidel (if he has any) to summon him to appear before the are vain and chimerical;-the Christitribunal of his God, when he sees the an's is "an anchor cast within the world and all its scenes fast receding veil;"-the Infidel looks not beyond from his view, what then supports his the scenes of present existence, but fainting spirit? Hope presents not a centres his enjoyments in objects single ray of joy, and faith holds out which in themselves, are but frail em to him no glorious prospects of a joy-blems of their perishing mortality;—ful eternity. He then believes, but the Christian with steadfast faith, ah! his faith is vain, his cup is filled strives after the mark for the prize of up with the measure of God's indig-his high calling,-a crown whose nation and wrath, and he is already pearls are righteousness, whose beginning to taste the awful mixture. shoicest jewel is eternal glory, and Such is the end of the Infidel. In in the struggle with the king of terhim the whole creed of Infidelity is rors, the Infidel writhes in agony unin itself so absurd, so blackened byder the expectation of that punish"the dunnest smoke of Hell" that it ment which he so long disregarded;must be a matter of amazement as while the Christian in the triumph of well as sorrow, that any can be found faith, shouts "Oh! Death where is thy