the great city; and others, freighted with the manufactures and luxuries of almost every clime, were conveying them to the interior of the State. You may think there is some effort of imagination in this account; but I do assure you it comes far short of a sober statement of the impressions which these various objects made on my mind. It added much to our pleasure while on board the Steam boat, that we were favoured with the company of Mr. and Mrs. Bethune. Mr. B. is a most exemplary Christian. I scarcely ever knew a man in his situation, who manifested more humility, simplicity, and sincerity of character. There are few, if any persons in the country, who have been more active in works of faith and labours of love. As we had much conversation together, I became acquainted with many facts in the history of his life, of which before I had not heard. I had previously received an impression that he was an American: but I learned that he was a native of Scotland; that when a young man he went to reside in the West Indies, and finally took up his abode in the United States. After he came to this country, he became hopefully pious, and joined the " Associate Reformed Church." He informed me, that before there was any "Tract Society" in New-York, he had distributed at his own expense, several thousands of tracts; and that he had also procured Bibles for gratuitous distribution, before there was a Bible Society in America. And if any blessings will accrue to our country from the general establishment of Sabbath schools, it is more indebted for them to Mr. and Mrs. B. with their pious mother, Mrs. Isabella Graham, than to any other individuals. They not only supported Sunday schools at their own expense for several years, but at last, they successfully called the attention of the religious public to these very important institutions. He by no means mentioned these things in a way of boasting. So far from this, he expressed his deep regret at the manner in which his name and charities had sometimes been noticed by his friends; and he spake of it as an evil much to be lamented, that in doing good at the present day, so much incense is offered to human vanity. I am sorry to say that Mr. B. is very much out of health. He intends to stay six weeks at this place, with a hope that the waters will remove his complaints. But he appears to be a dying man, and I should judge from his conversation, that he is ripening for heav en. * While we were several miles below Albany, a person came on board for the purpose of supplying such as were travelling farther, with carriages. We engaged one conditionally, and when we came to the wharf, we found a number of elegant stages with the horses harnessed, and ready to start at a moment's notice. Our party seated themselves in one of these vehicles about three in the afternoon, and after passing through Troy, Waterford, and some other towns, we arrived here about 11 o'clock on Saturday night. We ordered the stage to drive to Union Hall, but it was so pre-occupied with guests, that we were obliged to seek accommodations at another house, and when we stopped, we found that was full also. We then went to Congress Hall, which is an elegant and spacious building, where we remained for the night. I resolved, if possible, not to continue there, for when we came up to the door, although it was very late on Saturday night, a band of music was playing, and a ball was just terminating. I felt as though we had indeed arrived at "Vanity Fair," and that I was not in a house where This eminent servant of Christ died on the 18th of September. His loss was lamented by Christians of all denominations. a Christian could calculate on much religious enjoyment. As many pious persons annually visit the Springs, it is surprising to me, that an establishment has not been opened, where sober minded strangers may enjoy the benefits of the place, without being annoyed by scenes of folly and dissipation. I trust that before long such a house will be found. I would have it fitted up with taste and elegance; but I would also have such regulations, that piety should not be laughed out of countenance, nor should a blessing at the table, or morning and evening prayers be dispensed with, to avoid the ridicule of the thoughtless and profane. From the remarks I have repeatedly heard, I am confident, that he who shall offer these accommodations, will receive an extensive and liberal patronage. At seven o'clock on Sabbath morning, I called on Mr. who gave us the most cordial invitation to his house, which was as cordially accepted. I must say that I have never spent three or four days more pleasantly from home. Our time has passed away in resuming the intimacies of a personal friendship, which commenced nineteen years ago, and has only been interrupted by the providence of God separating us from each other. On Lord's day I preached twice. I also delivered a discourse last evening. The congregation was not large, but I have some reason to hope,from the attention and feelings which were manifested, that the services were not unprofitable. Every morning we take the Congress waters. When I draw near the place, and see what a collection of people there is about the spring, it always puts me in mind of the Pool of Bethesda. It is, however, rather amusing to see the immense provision that is prepared for these invalids at the hotels. You would not suppose that such tables could be spread for the sick. Every body, however, has the dyspepsia, and has come here to be cured. The way in which this desirable object is sought, is early in the morning to drink six or eight tumblers full of Congress water; then eat a breakfast sufficient for two or three people; and at 11 o'clock, drink three or four tumblers more. Having done this, they are prepared at 2 o'clock, P. M. to sit down to a table which is loaded with all the substantials and superfluities of the season. At the hall where some of our friends are, there are about 150 visitors, and other large boarding houses are completely filled. have much more confidence in the medical qualities of these waters, than I had previous to my visit, and have no doubt that in innumerable instances, their effects have been salutary in removing disease, and imparting health and vigour to the human frame. I It is, indeed, a place of great resort for the gay and fashionable world; and without peculiar caution, Christians are in danger of a dissipation of mind, unfavourable to the health of the soul. This evil might to a considerable degree be avoided, were there such an establishment as I have mentioned, and were Christians faithful to themselves, in seeking the society of those who are both intelligent and pious. I am yours, &c. [Concluded from page 42.] REVIEW. The History of the Christian Church | to receive it into the number of from the Birth of Christ to the Eigh- those already established. Accordteenth Century, including a very inter-ingly we find one Roman Emperor esting account of the Waldenses and introducing it among his closet reAlbigenses. By WILLIAM JONES, Author of the Biblical Cyclopedia, &c. ligions, and another proposing to First American, from the 4th London the senate to give it a more public Edition, published by Spencer H. Cone, entertainment. But when it was (N. Y.) 1824. 2 vols. pp. 483, 492, and found to Albany, by John B. Johnson, pp. 575. carry its pretensions higher, and, like the Jewish, to claim the title of the only true one, then it was that it began to incur the same hatred and contempt with the Jewish. But when it went still farther, and urged the necessity of all men forsaking their own national religions, and embracing the pel, this so shocked the pagans, that it soon brought upon it the bloody storm which followed. Thus you have the true origin of persecution for religion; a persecution not committed, but undergone, by the Christian church." gos In the last Number, we remarked some of the characteristic traits of the Christian church, during the three first centuries, as they are detailed both by their own apologists, and their persecutors. The question naturally arises, Whence arose this persecution ? That it continued for about three hundred years with short interruptions, is the historical fact. That the Christians were never guilty of any thing which deserved such barbarity, nay, that they were peaceful, inoffensive, In proof of this opinion, the Bishop. benevolent members of society, is relies much upon the following pasequally historical fact. Why then sage in the memorable letter from was it, that throughout every prov- Pliny to Trajan: "For I did not ince of the Roman empire, under in the least hesitate, but that whatthe mildest as well as under the ever should appear on confession, most tyrannical emperors,they were to be their faith, yet that their frobutchered by thousands, and the wardness and inflexible obstinacy name of Christian was sufficient to would certainly deserve punishcondemn a man at any time to ig-ment." "What," continues Bishnominious death? op Warburton, "was the inflexible To this question, several answers obstinacy? It could not be in prohave been returned. That gener-fessing a new religion; that was a ally received as the true one, and thing common enough. It was the which our author considers satis- refusing all communion with paganfactory, is given by Bishop War-ism, refusing to throw a grain of burton in his " Divine Legation of incense on their altars." Moses." It is briefly expressed vol. 1. in the following passage: "When Christianity arose, though on the foundation of Judaism, it was at first received with great compla-ness of that persecution which ascency by the pagan world. The gospel was favourably heard, and the superior evidence with which it was enforced, inclined men long habituated to pretended-revelations p. 193, Now, although this might be considered a circumstance among others which contributed to the bitter sailed the church, yet we must confess it appears to us very unsatisfactory, if given as a full solution of the whole phenomenon. And we are altogether of opinion, as we shall more fully explain in the se- || tions, degenerates into the most in quel, that the very quotation on which the author relies for the support of his hypothesis, leads us, if considered attentively, to quite another result. The fact seems to us, that the persecution was too malicious, and too enduring to spring from such a source, as in the passage quoted is attributed to it. The heathen did not care enough in gen eral about their religion, to be so much enraged simply at another man's declaring that his was the only true one. The cause is not equal to the effect; and therefore we must seek for another. In endeavouring to assign the cause for so relentless a persecution of men so absolutely unoffending, we may look at the attitude in which they stood, first, toward the rulers, and secondly, toward the people of the Roman empire. worse." sufferable tyranny. Such, I am Now the disciples of Christ presented to the world, the human character in an almost new attitude, It was in the attitude of disobe. dience, even unto the suffering of bonds and imprisonments and death, of every sort of command which affected their religious worship; one of those things on which the rest of the world were so universally complying. To disobey, was bad enough; but to disobey where no one would ever have dreamed of disobedience, was insuf Christianity appeared, at a time of the world when the rights of the subject were exceedingly ill understood. The government was universally despotic. Let the chief magistrate do what he would; let him burn a city, or massacre a legion, he was esteemed, it is true, a bad man, but it was never dreamed that he had exceeded his pow-ferable. The people accused the ers. It was his to command, and the people's to obey. And this same spirit pervaded the whole administration of government, from the Emperor at the capital, down to the petty ruler of the most insignificant province. The provincial governor in his own district, felt himself as absolute as the Emperor at Rome. It was every where a government of will, and no where a government of law. It is not necessary here to mention how rapidly the spirit of despotism luxuriates, if unrestrained, in a human heart. "Caprice," says a correct observer, "is a vice of the temper, which increases faster than any other by indulgence; it often spoils the best qualities of the heart, and in particular situa An Christians of heresy. The order was issued that they should worship as other men did; but they remained immoveable as adamant. emperor thought proper that his statue should be adored. Other men bowed down to it; but the universal language of these men was, Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. The magistrates found themselves unexpectedly committed. They met in the disciples of Christ, unyielding disobedience to their commands. Nothing in flames despotism to madness like cool, unwavering defiauce. They at once threatened severe punishThreatenings were inef ments. fectual, and they were speedily || have swayed by far the greatest input in force. Still the spirit re- fluence, among a people of such a mained unsubdued; and if men character as that of Rome during the could not be cured of this obstina- || three first centuries of the Christian cy, they were mortal, and the num-church. After these, would natuber whom it infected could be les-rally follow the men of wealth. In sened. Physical force, imprison- bad governments, wealth always ment, and death, the grand argu-confers power almost despotic withments of despotism, were always at in the limits of its influence. It hand; and as the sufferers never of- can oppress or defend, can support fered to raise a party in their own or destroy; and such a power will defence, they might be used with- always find men obedient to its out fear,and they were used without will. After these might be ranked control. It is to such a state of the philosophers, who continued to things, we suppose the passage in maintain some reputation for wisPliny's letter above quoted to re- dom, by dealing largely in what fer. If such were the relation in they did not understand; and thus, which the Christians in the first like some philosophers of the prescenturies stood to the whole race of ent day, establishing the reputation rulers in the Roman empire, it is of profound and consummate erueasy to see, how readily artful and dition. interested men, by arousing against them the vanity of a weak, or the malevolence of a despotic administration, might have excited against them a storm of persecution. Let us now, in the second place, consider the relation in which the early Christians stood to the second class of society; the men who, holding a sort of intermediate rank between the rulers and lower classes of people, had it in their power more directly to influence either, in a question of this nature. If Now it is easy to see that the interests of all these men were directly opposed to the advancement of Christianity. It is evident at first blush, that the whole mass of the heathen priesthood would exert their united strength to crush it. Christianity succeeded, their occu pation was gone. Disqualified for every other business, deriving their means of living, and the whole of their respect and influence entirely from the existing system, we may conceive with what virulence they would attack a religion, which de The class of persons to whom we refer are the priests, the mer-clared their theology a fable, their chants, the philosophers, the more rites abominable, and themselves opulent mechanics, and in gen- with their followers, in danger of eral, the more elevated portion of eternal death. The love of gain, what is commonly considered the the pride of the human heart, and middle class of society. By far every principle which exasperates the more influential of all these to exterminating hostility, would were the priests, as is always the conspire to render them most rancase among an uninstructed peo- corous enemies to the rapidly adple. Bearing the character of am- vancing doctrines of Jesus of Nazbassadors from heaven, and profess-areth. And this was not in prosing to know how sin may be for-pective; it very soon became to given, a knowledge of which every man deeply feels the importance; associating with men in all the relations of life, and the organs of a system which had been believed by their ancestors for ages; it may well be supposed that they must them an alarming reality. Pliny's letter to Trajan, was written about the close of the first, or the beginning of the second century. At this early era, he thus speaks of the progress which Christianity had made in the province of Bythinia: |