liberty; let them also consider how they would feel should they experi ence such a reverse of condition as to read in the news-papers advertisements for the sale of themselves and their children, either "separately or together as may best suit the pur. chasers;" then say whether in such a case they would boast of living under a free government or in a land of equal rights, and whether no better name than fanaticism is applicable to the conduct of men, who feel for the southern slaves, and are disposed to do something to effect their emancipation Is there not a shocking and criminal insensibility generally indulged in our country respecting the condition of the slaves? Let us look for one moment on some expressions which were written by Mr. Monroe in his late answer to an address from the committee of the town of Providence -"Every where, says the President, in our country the reflecting mind cannot fail to observe the blessings of a free government. Living under a constitution which secures equal civil, religious, and political rights to all, it is a great consolation in administering it, that the people have formed so just an estimate of its value, and from rational conviction and not from blind prejudices, are sincerely devoted to its preservation." In quoting this passage no desire is entertained to reproach the President; but we most sincerely wish to lead people to reflect on the manner in which the degraded condition of more than a million of blacks is entirely overlooked in speaking of our "free government" and the equal rights of all our fellow citizens. The President is not alone in this inconsistency. He is supported by the language and the conduct of a large majority of the writers and speakers of the present day. But in what sense is our government free, while nearly a sixth part of the whole population of our country are slaves, and liable to be sold at auction to the highest bidder? Does a free government mean one which insures to the people the rights of freemen? Or does it mean a government which is free to authorize one class of its subjects to enslave and make merchandize of another? MEETING OF THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. London, May 7, 1817. THE Report briefly mentioned the flourishing state of the Society, and its rapid extension through the world. The spirit of peace had poured on the world a rich abundance of moral and intellectual blessings. Christian knowledge is now confined to no country: the African and the Asiatic the Hottentot and the Hindoo, are enabled to trace the mind of God in the pages of Scripture, and rejoice in there contemplating a sublimer revelation than in sun, moon, and stars. The crescent of Mahomet sinks before the rising beams of Christianity; a Mahometan aged 40 had learned to read, purposely that he might read the Scriptures. The first bible sold in Africa was to a Hottentot. An African said of the Scriptures, "These are the weapons that will conquer Africa-they have conquered me." "The Report stated the formation of various Bible Societies at home and abroad, particularly in Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, &c. and even among the Catholics, thousands of whom now read the Bible: also in the East and West Indies, America, and Africa, where a Hottentot of 50 years of age learned to read that he might read the Bible. The Report concluded with giving thanks to God for a disposition to encourage the distribution of the Scriptures, and im ploring the Divine blessing on its exertions, The Report, together with the whole proceedings of this meeting, were replete with the most lively interest, and equally encouraging with those of any former Anniversary; but as we expect to be enabled to furnish our readers with a detailed account in our next Number, we shall for the present confine ourselves to a few of the most prominent facts stated in the Report. The object of the Society is increasingly felt and promoted in every quarter of the globe, and new fields are continually opening for the dispensation of its bounty, by encourag ing the establishment of Societies for perpetuating the distribution of the Holy Scriptures, by granting to them pecuniary aid at their establishment, and in the progress of printing large editions of the Holy Scriptures Among the Roman Catholics upon the continent large impressions of the New Testament have been circulated at the charge of the Society, as well as to Protestants situated in Catholic countries, which have been attended with the most beneficial results. The Auxiliary Societies in the United Kingdom, although much increased in number, continue their operations with vigour, and, notwithstanding the past year has been one of peculiar distress, they have contributed to the Parent Institution no less than 52,0271 98. 8d., (upwards of 231,000 dollars) and as their local wants become supplied with the Holy Scriptures, they progressively allot a considerable portion of those contributions to the general purposes of the Parent Institution, without requiring any return in Bibles and Testaments, thereby enabling them to promote more extensively the printing and circulation of the Holy Scriptures in countries destitute of the Word of Life. The sum of 21,954/. 7s. 6d. has been received during the past year for Bibles and Testaments. The total net receipts was 84,0401. 17s. 4d. (upwards of 374,000 dollars) and the net expenditure 89,230l. 9s. 9d. (almost 400,000 dollars.) The total number of Bibles issued during the year, ending the 31st March last, was 92,239, and of Testaments 100,782; making the whole number issued by the Society exceed A MILLION AND THREE QUARTERS of copies of the Holy Scrip tures. Dr. Thorpe, of Dublin, mentioned a noted criminal lately executed in Ireland, who had never seen a Bible till he saw it in his cell a little before his execution; then laying his hand upon it he said, "Had I possessed a copy of this book ten years ago, I had not been here :" and he spent the last minutes of his life in advising the spectators around him to procure a Bible, and to search diligently its contents. He stated that a desire to read the Scriptures was much on the increase among the Roman Catholics of Ireland, yet there were thousands of them who had not seen a Bible. Rev. Mr. Patterson, from Russia, stated, that fifteen millions of Bibles were wanted for the Russian Empire. Formerly 2000 annually were thought enough now 200,000 were not half enough. The great and good Alex. ander, besides the 10,000 rubles which he annually subscribes, has given a palace and gardens for the use of the Society, and now promises to furnish both. NOBLE BENEFICENCE. THE Paris papers of Monday record a noble act of the Emperor of Russia : A German Clergyman at St. Petersburg had procured a subscription of 3000 rubles for the distressed inhab itants of the Swiss Canton of Glaris, whose wretchedness is extreme. The list of subscribers being shown to the Emperor, he enrolled himself among them for the sum of 100,000 rubles; inscribing his name with his own hand, as if to shew the cordiality of the deed, and ordering that the money should be paid immediately. This contribution is from his own purse; there is no fund in Russia, out of which it can be paid, without affecting him. The amount is about 22,500/London paper. ; Count Romanzoff, a Russian nobleman, no less distinguished for his eminent talents than his great wealth, has lately undertaken several most patriotic projects, for the instruction and improvement of his countrymen. He has built four churches upon his estates for different sects of Christians he has also, at his own expense, engaged and sent a vessel round the world on a voyage of discovery; he is also about to establish some schools on the recently discovered system of education, for the direction of which he has sent for a competent English instructer.—ib. At the anniversary meeting, a short time since, of the "British and Foreign School Society," it appeared in the course of a most interesting report which was read of the progress, which the system is making in all countries, that the late philanthropist, Mr. Reynolds, had transmitted to the society the noble donation of £3000; and that the patriotic Mr. Owen, of Lanark, had also given £1000 to for ward the exertions of the Society for the benefit of a rising generation-ib. AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY. The Treasurer of the American Bible Society acknowledges the receipt of 1332 dollars 15 cents during the month of July. The following clergymen have been made members for life by the payment of 30 dollars each, contributed generally by the ladies of their respective Societies. Rev. Charles H. Wharton, D. D. rector of St. Mary's Church, Burling ton, N. J.; Rev John Keep, of Blandford; the Rev. Thomas Lyell, New York, a director for life, $150; Rev. Dr. Hezekiah Kipley, Green Farms; Rev. Noah Porter, Farmington, Con. ; Rev. John Mason Duncan, Baltimore; Rev. Bennet Tyler, Southbury, Con; Rev. Samuel Shepherd, Lenox, Mass.; Rev. John Smith, Cooperstown, N. Y. ; Rev. Samuel Willard, of Deerfield; Rev. Dr. Joseph Strong, Norwich, Con.; Dr. John R. B. Rogers, New. York; J. B. Laurence, Salem, Mass.; Robert Hartshorn, of New-Jersey. Donations to the Biblical Library. By Mr. Z. S. Barstow, of Hamilton College-A Dutch Bible, 2 vols. 12mo. with cuts, and Psalms set to music. Amsterdam, 1778. Rev. John T. Kirkland, DD. LL. D. Samuel Parkman, Esq. Rev. Francis Parkman, Rec. Sec'ry. Rev. Dr. Porter, William Sullivan, Hon. Joseph Story, Joseph Hurd, Hon D'l. A. White, James Perkins, Rev. Dr. Popkin, John Howe, and Phinehias Upham, Esq'rs. Auditors. Thomas Wigglesworth, The annual Report of the Directors, embracing the state of the funds, the number of theological students, the system of instruction and discipline, and the general progress made in the objects of the society, opened a very pleasing and encouraging prospect to the friends of the Institutiou. After the business of the meeting was transacted, the society proceeded to the New South Church, where prayers were offered by the Rev. President Kirkland, and a very judicious and appropriate discourse was delivered by Rev. Dr. Porter, of Roxbury, on the design and excellence of the Christian Ministry, as a means of religious instruction. Amos ii 11."And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites." A collection was afterwards made in aid of the funds of the Society. We have much reason to congratulate the friends of religion and of an enlightened ministry on the patronage, already given to this important Institution; and on the increased advan tages it affords to the pursuit of theological studies in the University. COLONIZATION OF FREE BLACKS. delphia was held on the 6th of August, A meeting of the citizens of Phila. 1817, at the State House, for the purpose of further considering the expediency of forming an Association, Auxiliary to "the American Society for Colonizing the Free People of Colour of the United States," when The Right Rev. William White, was chosen Chairman, and William Meredith, Secretary The proceedings of a former meeting, held on the 23d of July last, and the address of the Hon. Bushrod Washington, President of "the Amer. ican Colonizing Society," to the People of the United States, having been read Mr. Ralston stated, that Elias B. Caldwell, Esq. the Secretary of that Society, was present, and might probably be able to give explanations and information, useful to the deliberations of this meeting. Mr. Caldwell, being requested, addressed the meeting, and took a full and satisfactory view of the plan of the Society, and of the reasonable probability of its success. Several Reverend Gentlemen of different denominations, and others, expressed their sentiments cogently and eloquently, in favour of a zealous and cordial co-operation with "the American Society," towards the accomplishment of their design; and the meeting came to a Resolution to form themselves into a Society, to be called "The Philadelphia Society, Auxiliary to the American Society, for Colo nizing the Free People of Colour of the United States." A committee consisting of the Chairman and Secretary of this meeting, Mr. Jonah Thompson, the Rev. Dr. Staughton, and Robert Ralston, and John Connelly, Esquires, were appointed to draught a Constitution, to be submitted for consideration at the next meeting, and an adjourn ment was then carried to Tuesday the 12th, at 4 P. M. at the State House. At a meeting of the Maryland Aux iliary Society for Colonizing the Free People of Colour of the United States, held in the first Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, on the 4th of August, the following officers were elected, who, agreeably to the constitution, form the Board of Managers : President-Col John Edgar Howard loe Harper, Gen. William Winder, Hon. Chief Justice Brice. Treasurer-Luke Tierman. Managers-The Rev. Dr. Inglis, Dr. M'Dowell, Philip E Thomas, John B. Morris, John S. Smith, Dr. John C. Smith, Talbot Jones. From the Boston Recorder. HORRORS OF SLAVERY. MR. WILLIS, THE insertion of the following in the Recorder, will oblige many of your readers; in particular J. K. "In the year 1739, the celebrated George Whitfield, thought it his duty to address a letter from Georgia, to the inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia, and North and South Carolina. This letter was printed in the year above mentioned, and is in part as follows: "As I lately passed through your provinces in my way hither, I was sensibly touched with a fellow-feeling for the miseries of the poor negroes. Whether it be lawful for Christians to buy slaves, and thereby encourage the nations from whom they are bought to be at perpetual war with each other, I shall not take upon me to determine. Sure I am it is sinful, when they have bought them, to use them as bad as though they were brutes, nay worse; and whatever particular exceptions there may be (as I would charitably hope there are some) I fear the gen erality of you, who own negroes, are liable to such a charge; for your slaves, I believe, work as hard, if not harder than the horses whereon you ride. These, after they have done their work, are fed and taken proper care of; but many negroes when wea ried with labour in your plantations, have been obliged to grind their corn after their return home. Your dogs are caressed and fondled at your table. but your slaves, who are frequently styled dogs or beasts, have not an equal privilege. They are scarce permitted to pick up the crumbs which fall from their master's table. Not to mention what numbers have been given up to the inhuman usage of cruel taskmasters, who, by their unrelenting scourges have ploughed their backs, and made long furrows, and at length brought them even unto death When passing along I have viewed your plantations cleared and cultivated, many spacious houses built, and the owners of them faring sumptuously every day, my blood has frequently almost run cold within me, to consider how many of your slaves had neither convenient food to eat nor proper raiment to put on, notwithstanding most of the comforts you enjoy were solely owing to their indefatigable labours."-History of Abolition of Slam Trade, by T. Clarkson. ORDINATION. On the 11th June last, the Rev. Hart Talcott, was ordained to the pastoral charge of the first Church and 'Society in Killingworth, Con. The in troductory prayer was made by the Rev. John Elliot; a sermon on the reciprocal duties of ministers and people was delivered by the Rev. David D. Field, from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13"And we beseech you brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake; and be at peace among yourselves." The Rev. Frederick W. Hotchkiss made the consecrating prayer; the Rev. William Lyman, D. D. gave the charge; the Rev. Aaron Dutton gave the right hand of fellowship; the Rev. Joseph Vail delivered an address to the Church and Society, and the Rev. David Selden made the concluding prayer. OBITUARY. Died in Boston, Francis C. Lowell, Esq. aged 42. He acquired the reputation of being one of the most useful men in the town. In Holliston, Mrs. Mary, wife of Rev. J. Wheaton. In Beverly, Mrs. Anna, wife of Hon. Israel Thorndike, of Boston. In Ballstown, N. Y. Rev. Dr Bow. den. Professor of Rhetoric in Columbia College. In Watertown, Hon. Amos Bond. In Keene, N. H. Hon. Ithamar Chase, aged 55. In Charleston, S. C. Right Rev. The odore Dehon, D. D. aged 41. In Concord, N. H. Mary Chase-98. NOTICE OF NOAH WORCESTER, ESQ. Died at Hollis, N. H. Aug. 13th, Noah Worcester, Esq. aged nearly $2. He was a descendant of the first minister of Salisbury in this state, and the youngest son of the Rev. Francis Worcester, formerly a minister of Sandwich, Cape Cod. In that town he was born Oct. 4th, 1735. He remov. ed to Hollis in 1753, or nearly that time, and was upwards of 60 years a member of the church in that place. In the time of the revolutionary war he received a commission of Justice of the Peace, and by successive appointments was continued in that office till his decease. He had 16 children-7 by his first wife, four of whom are ministers of religion, and 9 by his surviving wid ow. He had about 70 grand children, and upwards of 30 great grand chil dren. His advantages for education in early life were inconsiderable. The powers of his mind however were nat urally good, and were considerably improved by reading. He was blessed with a memory remarkably reten. tive, and this favour was continued to the close of life. At middle age he was afflicted with hypochondria, and was subject to those infirmities which are its usual concomitants. But in old age he was eminent for equanimity of temper and for patience under the various trials which he was called to endure. As he advanced towards the grave he appeared to grow in grace, and to wait for his great change. As by habitual contemplation he had become familiar with the awful event, he met the king of terrors without the appearance of trepidation or dismay He was naturally of an ardent temper, and was very active in the Amer ican Revolution-having no doubt of the justice of the cause on the part of this country, nor any question as to the propriety of settling controversies by the sword. But after the efforts commenced for correcting public opinion on the subject of war, his "understanding and his heart" most readily acquiesced in the attempts for its abolition Since the commencement of the present year he with great satisfaction became a member of the Massachusetts Peace Society. His bereaved widow and his descendants have the consoling hope that he is gone to join a society where the pleasures of a pacific temper will never be interrupted. To say more would perhaps be improper for the Editor of the Christian Disciple; but to have said less might have exposed him to the charge of insensibility, |