INDICATIONS. STRAWS shew which way the wind blows. Small circumstances indicate the state of popular belief and feeling more truly than they can be ascertained by elaborate inquiry. Thus, while two thirds or more of the Christian world are professed Trinitarians, we occasionally find a complaint like this: "In our early days we were in the habit of hearing the Nicene creed read in the morning, and the Apostles' in the afternoon of every day. Was this custom local, or has it once been general and discontinued of late?" The same paper in which the above is found, contains a long article upon the use of the Nicene creed, the object of which is to restore the same to the conspicuous position that it was once made to hold in the Episcopal services. The writer asks "Why is that creed read in church so seldom?" We will answer. Because comparatively few persons believe it. The majority of almost every Episcopal society silently prefer to keep it out of sight. It expresses the doctrine of the Trinity in too bald, too incredible a form. The Apostles' creed, which is truly a Christian creed, suits them better. This fact we regard as among the many indubitable proofs that a quiet revolution is going on in the Christian churches, the results of which, whenever they develop themselves, will very much astonish those who are half asleep. E. STRAY THOUGHTS FROM A SCHOLAR'S DAY-BOOK. 1. State of Religion now. THE majority of men have never been deeply religious, in any age or country. I grant them bravery, industry, love of country, attachment to their families. But religion, that power which confirms while it softens, elevates while it humbles, has never belonged to the mass of men. They have seen God by reflection, afar off, at remote intervals. They have not lived near him daily, and seen him face to face. To them Paul's word, "God dwelleth in you," is but a poor figure of speech. Hence every where religion is shewn by its signs rather than its proofs. Men talk of the earthquake, the wind, and the fire, but the still small voice they reck not of. Men measure the deepness and power of the religious sentiment by festivals and temples. Foolish men! Did religion really dwell in you, each day would be a festival, your soul the temple. We are told religion takes a deep, strong hold of our na tion, and as a proof it is said, "Look you, how ready they are to build churches and fee ministers." Is this all? Call you this religion? That sentiment comes from the heart, not the purse. In these days the mass of men make public worship a substitute for private devotion. Vicarious sacrifices and imputed righteousness have always been a faith of the people, of the greater part of the obscure and the honored, the poor and the rich. At this day the mass of our countrymen resemble men sitting bound at the entrance of a cave, their backs turned to the sun, their faces to the solid walls of blackness that extend before them. Behind them are men passing, and business doing; the remote sun casts the shadows of objects with a dusky light, before these patient sitters. They look on this sport of shadows and take interest therein. They call it life, and shout when it seems to go gaily on. They fancy the shadows to be substances, hope that more light will ray out of the darkness; but they never turn round and look upon the sun. 2. Prayer. NOISELESS and soft falls the dew! Softly it falls; on the flower The quickening influence blesses. II. Thus, maiden! descendeth the spirit of prayer, Touching the heart Softly it cometh; quickening Inspiring most gladsome communion, P. В. UNION. FROM THE GERMAN OF NOVALIS. GIVE me thy hand in faithful token That thou my friend wilt always be; SHEPHERD'S SUNDAY SONG. UHLAND. 'Tis the Lord's day indeed! On the broad meadow all alone, In prayer I bend the knee; Ó sweet devotion! bliss profound! Silence o'er hill and mead! The skies so solemn, still and bright, Heaven seems just opening to the sight, 'Tis the Lord's day indeed! THE CHILD IN THE CRADLE. SCHILLER. HAPPY infant! in thy cradle Endless space thou seemst to see; Be a man, and all creation Is not wide enough for thee. ANTICIPATION AND REALITY. IB. YOUTH, with thousand-masted vessel Ploughs the sea at morning's light; Age, in shattered skiff escaping, VOL. VIII. 48. MONTHLY RECORD. FOR DECEMBER, 1840. BETHEL AND SABBATH CONVENTION. A Convention has been held in our city during the last month, with the view of making an effort to change the custom of travelling on the Sabbath upon the Western waters. It was called by the friends of the Bethel cause with primary reference to the influence of the present custom upon the boatmen, and secondarily to the wider effects of this custom upon the country at large. At present boats come and go, land and depart, load and unload on the Sabbath very much as on any other day, upon all our great streams and canals, and coaches run as usual on our roads. The hands engaged in these boats and coaches, have consequently but few if any days of rest, few if any opportunities for religious and moral culture. Can no reform be made in this custom? Is all this travelling, lading and unlading, coming and going on this day necessary? Do the highest interests of the country demand that the portion of time usually consecrated among us as a holy season, should be thus by so large a multitude of river and canal boatmen, captains, drivers, travellers, &c. made common time, and spent in common occupations? What are the duties of owners of boats and stages, shippers, merchants, travellers, and the community at large, upon this matter? What are the rights of captains, pilots, boatmen, in this relation? Is it right, is it practicable in a word to change the prevalent custom of travelling on the Sabbath upon our Western waters and roads? These were the questions submitted to the Convention. Resolutions were adopted strongly recommending the proposed reform on the grounds of duty and expediency; Reports were prepared for circulation among the religious people of all classes; and the Convention adjourned, having resolved that during the coming year attempts should be made to produce a thorough consideration and discussion of the various religious, social and economical questions involved in the proposed change, and that another Convention should be held the next autumn in Cincinnati, to carry on the movements. We propose to make a few remarks upon one part of the subject. We doubt whether the position assumed, as to the ground upon which this reform should be based, is tenable; at least we doubt whether it is either right or wise to assume this position. Almost without exception, the speakers in the Convention agreed that the prevalent custom must be emphatically and pointedly denounced as a breach of the fourth commandment; that the judgment of churches and ecclesiastical bodies should be fulminated against it; that the public conscience must be directed with unsparing condemnation against any and all who violate, or cause others to violate the sacred day; that, in the words of one speaker," the Sabbath breaker should be considered guilty like the thief or the liar, and should feel that the thunders of Sinai were around his head." Now we feel confident that an attempt, begun in this spirit, will array against it a mass of prejudice and opposition, which must to a great degree defeat the purpose of the movers in this reform. The time has passed when the community will bear this kind of domineering tone from the mouths of priests. Men of selfrespect feel, and justly feel, that frail fellow-mortals must not be tolerated in these claims of being the infallible leaders of public conscience. If we wish really to do society good, and persuade men that this custom is wrong and hurtful, we should not begin with reproach. The tone of condemnation is to be assumed late, if at all, in all reforms, and never until from full discussion the reason of all who are fair-minded is satisfied. Surely this time has not yet arrived as regards the Sabbath reform. The custom on the Western waters has grown out of the general stir and movement of a rapidly rising country; and thousands have no scruples as to travelling on this day, or using the time of others to aid them forward, for the reason that it is customary. Changes in the habits of people are not at once introduced; and justice and prudence equally prescribe a moderate and considerate tone in those who would commence the change. For ourselves, we think that if a hue-and-cry could by possibility be got up of uncompromising censure against so-called "Sabbath breakers," with the stern, persecuting, spying and scandalous feeling which must accompany it, greater evils would be produced than arise from the existing custom. The old Puritan |