W. M. Engles is Pastor. The venerable Joseph Eastburn engaged in prayer, and Mr. Engles read the report of the managers. The Rev. Mr. Boyd, of the Episcopal Church, delivered an appropriate address, and was followed by the Rev. Dr. Neill and the Rev. J. Eastburn, A collection of $28 32 was then taken up, and the Rev. Dr. Cathcart, of York, Pa. made the concluding prayer. We regretted to learn from the report, that the society is in debt upwards of $130; and were not a little surprised, considering the number and respectability of the audience, to learn that the collection was so small; and we should most cheerfully comply with the request of several members of the society, to plead its cause, if any thing more were necessary than the bare mention of the above facts.

From the Boston Recorder.
OBITUARY.

DIED, at Madison, Indiana, on the 15th of October, the Rev. THOMAS C. SEARLE, pastor of the church in that place, aged about 32 years. His excessive labours in preaching brought on a fever, which terminated his life, to the irreparable loss of his church and congregation, and to the great affliction of all who take an interest in the promotion of sound learning and of pure religion among our brethren in the new settlements of the west.

Mr. Searle was a native of Rowley, Mass. and a graduate of Dartmouth College. He received his theological education at the excellent Seminary in Princeton, N. J. to which he ever felt a warm attachment, as well as to the doctrines and discipline of the Presbyterian church. He had many inducements to settle in the ministry among his friends in New-England; but the deplorable condition of our western brethren in respect to religious ordinances, weighed upon his heart, and made him break away from the endearments of kindred and all his early attachments, that he might carry the gospel to the destitute. Without property, and with a small family, many discouraging considerations would naturally spring up; but being satisfied as to his duty, he placed the most entire confidence in the good providence of the Master whom he served. He went forth in faith, like Abraham, not knowing whither he went. At the distance of 1200 or 1500 miles from New-England, as he was descending the Ohio, he was induced, about two years ago, to stop at Madison, where he opened an academy, and was settled in the ministry. If he was not the first Presbyterian minister established in Indiana, yet, it is believed, that not more than one or two ministers could have been settled before him. Unceasing in his labours in proclaiming, wherever it was in his power, the glad tidings of salvation, with a zeal ever flaming, with many plans for advancing the literary, moral, and religious interests of Indiana, he, in the mysterious, but righteous providence of God, has been called to a better world, leaving an afflicted widow and infant son. He died in the peace of the believer, in the triumphs of assured hope. Like LARNED, he has fallen in early life, a victim to his zeal in the cause of benevolence. In his short life he effected much in the cause of religion; but his memory may do more for that cause than his life.

Civil Retrospect.

CIVIL RETROSPECT.

December, 1821.

FOREIGN.

No news has reached us from Europe since the last month, to vary in any respect the aspect of affairs in that quarter of the globe. But, not to disappoint our friends who may expect something at our hands, (since, as editors, we are in a measure bound to furnish something, whether we have materials or not,) we shall offer a few reflections on the state of Ireland. By the last accounts from Ireland, it appears that in some parts of that country very serious acts of violence have been for a length of time committed, and that military force is employed, and with necessity it seems, in the heart of that country, to enforce the ordinary administration of the laws. The acts of violence have been chiefly directed against the excise officers, and against those engaged in securing the tithes of the clergy. The disorderly appear to act in bands, endeavour to seize arms wherever found, and at whatever destruction of property and expense of life, and force those whom they may wish to secure, to bind themselves to their cause by secret oaths. When we consider the Irish character-the able men in war, in letters, in politics and in religion, for whom the world is indebted to that country-the capacity of its population for improvement, and its internal materials for wealth, comfort, and advancement in arts, we cannot but feel equal wonder and regret at its debased condition. Member of an empire whose naval power secures entrance for its commerce into every part of the world-whose system of policy has uniformly been promotive of commerce, and of course afforded encouragement to industry and improvement in all the arts and refinements of life; of an empire distinguished for its wealth, its establishments for the advancement of letters and the spreading of religion,-Ireland, nevertheless, remains, to a very great extent, shrouded in the darkness of ignorance and superstition, unimproved by the industry, enterprise and commerce of that empire, and wearing the garb of an imperfectly reclaimed barbarism. No slight causes can have been the means of the retardation of this country in the general march of improvement. What they are we cannot, from our imperfect knowledge of the country, accurately ascertain; but among them we think will be found the desertion of the country, as a place of residence, by their nobles, who drain their wealth from its lands, and who, by their influence as members of its society, and by their encouragement of its arts, and patronage of its moral and religious institutions, ought to have reciprocated the benefits they derived from it. An aristocracy is at all times and in all places a great evil, both in a temporal and spiritual view: but the evil is in some cases mitigated by the liberal assistance it sometimes affords to a non-resident aristothe efforts of religion, by its countenance, its power and its wealth-by the patronage it affords to learning, and encouragement to the arts: cracy, however, seems to be evil and only evil.

Another circumstance, which perhaps initates the passion, and keeps up a spirit of disorder and violence among the Irish is, the heavy exactions drawn from them to support a government, which makes itself known to them as a master rather than a father; which is known less in the promotion of the happiness of the people over which it bears sway, than in its efforts to increase its wealth and power by their means. And it may here be added, that the excise tax which it levies, necessarily authorizing an intrusion into private and even domestic affairs, is itself one of the most inconvenient modes to the people by which their contributions to the support of government can be made, and which, from the peculiar obstacles to its collection in Ireland, is said to be made more vexatious and injurious there than elsewhere.

The tithes exacted from the Irish to support a clergy, who are not received as guides by the body of the people, also, by tending to sour the minds of Catholics to the Protestant religion, and causing them to suspect, as mercenary, all efforts from the Protestants who can have access to them, must also powerfully obstruct the moral improvement of that country. While the character of too many of the clergy thus supported, absorbed in secular avocations, pleasures and schemes, destitute of that hardy zeal, and evangelical earnestness, simplicity and self-denial, which the eyes of the poor so invariably expect in the minister of Christ, affords little to reconcile the people to the support of a religion which they consider heretical, or of a priesthood which they consider profligate.

Another obstacle to improvement (with which our limits oblige us to close this subject) is, the Catholic religion, so generally professed by the body of that nation. By its being in a measure persecuted, the people are more strongly bound to it, by all those feelings which a people of high pride and strong sympathies always possess on such occasions. It is the declared enemy to all mental improvement,

and has ever and every where bound the minds of its disciples in the chains of religious darkness and bigotry, and confined them in the prisons of superstition.

But we hope for better days. The operations of the Bible Societies of England, its National and Sunday School Institutions, the efforts of Missionaries, whom we hope to see engaged in this field, and the introduction of a better spirit into the administration of its concerns, which will sooner or later take place, will give to Ireland the opportunity of improvement; and we shall perhaps be permitted again to see it, as it is said to have been of old, the favoured land of learning, the solemn seat of religion, and the radiating place for the light and truth of the gospel of Christ, as well as a country filled with the comforts of life, and embellished with all the refinements of art.

DOMESTIC.

Since our last number, the only domestic occurrence we are enabled to notice is the meeting of Congress. After considerable difficulty in the choice of a Speaker in the House of Representatives, (for which, in these days of peace and harmony in national politics, we are somewhat perplexed to account,) the Congress was organized, and its session opened with the usual message from the President. It details the very happy situation, for which this people cannot be too thankful. At peace with all nations; settling all remaining difficulties by a submission to friendly powers; left at leisure for the promotion of internal improvement, and industry, and the extension of foreign commerce; bearing the expenses of government by exactions in the form of duties, not felt by the people, we present a picture at which we ought both to rejoice and feel humbled; we ought to rejoice for reasons the most obvious; to be humbled for the little which we are doing in return for these great blessings; for the scanty and limited exertions made for advancing the Redeemer's kingdom, or securing to our posterity the lights of the gospel and the institutions of religion, which we possess; for our profanations of the Sabbath, and for the drunkenness which so alarmingly threatens our moral welfare as a people.

No subject of interest has yet been discussed in Congress. The subjects likely to occupy its deliberations at an early day seem to be, the establishment of a Bankrupt Law, a revision of the Tariff of duties, and an inquiry into the transactions at Pensacola, under Gen. Jackson, noticed in our October article.

A system of Bankruptcy is a thing of very general importance, and peculiarly deserving our notice, as Christian politicians. The extent of promise-breaking, of fraud, of perjury, under the present lax laws and more lax morals, in many parts of our country, is enough to cover us with shame, and strike the observer with loathing nothing seems more lawful here than getting into debt, and the ability, or prospect of ability for payment, seldom enters into consideration;-hence the violation of solemn promises, temptations to fraud, from the necessities of the debtor, as well as the sometimes unjust persecutions of the creditor, and at last the insolvent oaths. We hope that something which will arrest these evils may be done whether a Bankrupt System will do it will depend much, if not wholly, upon the soundness of principles with which it is framed, and the particular objects which its framers shall propose to themselves. We hope these objects will be moral, more peculiarly than commercial; for if the former are attained, there is no fear but that the latter will be added to them.

The subject of the Tariff seems to have lost much of its interest since the last year, and will probably be approached with a considerable devotion to the public good. Yet, with all the skill and experience of our statesmen, with all their facts and principles, and even with their most honest intentions, the issue of their deliberations and plans may be most reverse from their intentions. If we look to the plans of statesmen and legislators of former times, we shall be struck with the fact, that plans, apparently the wisest, have very often failed, from causes which can with difficulty be discovered; and that plans skillfully laid for the promotion of particular objects, have been over-ruled to effects equally important, perhaps, but entirely unexpected. And how striking is the fact, also, that the systems of political economy, written by men supposed to be of the greatest learning on such subjects, are seldom agreed in by those acknowledged to be equally learned; and that, even when so agreed in, practical statesmen reject them. How direct the reference to the over-ruling wisdom of God, and the importance of a national dependence upon him, even for matters in relation to which we seldom think of him as an agent at all.

As to the occurrences in Florida, our sincere wish is, that they may be found justifiable and praiseworthy; but if they are found the reverse, that they may be punished with that severity which the honour of our country, good faith towards reign nations, and our duty to the God of Justice, so imperatively demand.

The Seaman's Magazine.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.-Psalms.

For the Seaman's Magazine.

NEW-YORK BETHEL UNION.

First Report, presented at the Public Meeting, Dec. 31, 1821.

UPWARDS of eighteen centuries have elapsed since on the mountains of Judea was first heard the angelic overture, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people," followed by the grand chorus, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men."

Ever since the first annunciation of the gospel of peace, has its mighty influence been exerted to meliorate the condition of human life-to bring many sons and daughters home to glory-and to prepare the way for the reign of universal righteousness.

Wherever the glorious Sun of Righteousness has shone, HIS enlightening and enlivening influence has been felt; and, although his beams have at times been intercepted by clouds of ignorance and superstition, he has continued to shed increasing brightness, in his glorious ascent towards the full splendour of meridian day.

It cannot be too often repeated, that the present age has been favoured with greater light and higher privileges than any which has preceded it; and it ought to be recorded with gratitude to the great Head of the Church, it has also witnessed an increased affection and fellowship among his members.

The christian community have begun to feel their high responsibility, and to be actively, extensively, and unitedly engaged in their Master's service. It is no longer the cause of sect or party which animates the counsels, the exertions and the prayers of Christians: in this great work they are "all one in Christ Jesus." "Thy kingdom come," is the prayer of all; and all who feel the spirit and imitate the example of their Master, are desirous openly and actively to engage in his cause-to put on his armour, and to fight his battles. In this warfare there can be no neutrals; they who are not for him are against him.

Every day opens a new door to active usefulness and duty, and it becomes us to acknowledge with thankfulness and gratitude, that a new spirit is given to the humble efforts of pious men. The darkness of ages is rolling away, and scenes the most bright and splendid are introduced to our astonished view; scenes which unfold the triumphs of the cross and the victories of the Redeemer.

In this age of mercy to benevolent institutions, it becomes Christians often and earnestly to inquire what new projects can be de

vised, what new plans adopted, to fill up some remaining deficiency. In answer to such an inquiry may no doubt be traced the recent efforts for the moral improvement of seamen, both in Europe and America.

The first institution having for its object the spiritual welfare of seamen, was a Bible Society for the British navy and army, which arose, under the patronage of the late benevolent John Thornton, in 1780. It declined after his death, but was revived again in 1804, under the name of the Naval and Military Bible Society. In 1806 it took a more systematic organization, and received for its President the Archbishop of Canterbury. Its labours have been greatly blessed, and as one of its fruits may be mentioned the conversion of many naval officers, some of whom are now successful ministers of the gospel.

Within three or four years past, seamen in England have been an object of much religious solicitude and attention. On the 30th December, 1817, a meeting was held in London for the purpose of devising means for their religious improvement, which led the way to the formation, on the 29th of January, 1818, of the Merchant Seamen's Bible Society. On the 18th of March succeeding, arose the Port of London Society.

These measures have been followed with the formation of Seamen's Friend and Bethel Union Societies, in all the principal ports in Great Britain.

In December, 1816, the first movements began in New-York, when a committee was appointed to receive donations for building a Mariners' Church. In March, 1817, the Marine Bible Society was formed; and in May, 1818, the Port of New-York Society for promoting the Gospel among Seamen was instituted, for the double object of erecting a church and supporting a preacher.

While these things were going on, seamen were still without the preaching of the gospel. A new society immediately rose up, under the name of the New-York Marine Missionary Society, whose particular object was to furnish preaching to seamen until the church should be completed; since which time they have been regularly provided with the means of grace.

Laudable efforts of the same general character have been made in many of the cities of the United States.

This general view of the means in operation in behalf of seamen, has been given, to introduce to the christian public a brief history of the rise and progress of the "NEW-YORK BETHEL UNION."

The intelligence of the increased exertions made in behalf of seamen on the other side of the Atlantic, had reached the ears and affected the hearts of Christians here.

Something, it is true, had been done for them, in furnishing them with Bibles, and in the erection of a house of worship, designed exclusively for their accommodation; but a class of people so long excluded from the sanctuary, seemed to require that the messages of mercy should be brought to their very cabin doors.

Christ himself frequently preached and prayed on board of vesselsand his first disciples were humble fishermen. On the shores of Tibe rias he often wandered, to gather the straying seamen to his arms; the waves of Gennesaret often heard his voice; and from among the watermen of the lake, he selected the chief ministers of his kingdom, to whom