<- A PASTORAL LETTER FROM The General Assembly of the Presbyterian in the United Slates, to the Church, Churches under their eqre. - Dear Beererex, Tue time in which we ad- dress you is very unportant and interest- I'lie free conversation on the state of yeligion has exhibited abundant evidence, ing. that the Churches under our care have ne- ver been in a more prosperous condition than during the lastyear.. In the year im- mediately preceeding, perhaps special re- vivals were more remarkable aud more nu- merous, but as it relates to the général ex- tension of religious influence, the organi- zation of new congregations, and the wide spreading success of Missionary labors, the aspect of the Church has probably never been so promising as at the present time— and when in addition to this we reflect on the various institutions, not only in our own connexion, but in the Christian world at “Jarge, calculated to extend the kingdom of our Redeemer; the zeal and liberality with which those institutions are supported ; and the extensively beneficial effects which they are cvery day producing ; we aie ob- liged to consider the present moment as forming an important era in the annals of religion. general movement of Protes- tant Christendom has taken place ; an unu- sual blessing has descended on the Church of Christ : aud we are probably approaching some day of the Son of Man of no usual or ordinary character. ‘The present therefore is no doubt a favorable timé, not only for extending the influence, but for advancing the purity of the church; for the exterpa- tion of any errors, and the abolition of any unchristian practices which may have found entrance among us, during the long period of comparative darkness and deser- tion through which we have passed. And although we do not believe that any thing immoral or vicious is more pravalent new than at some former periods or even as auch so, yet the existence of such things tthe present time, strikes 't lie minds of se- rious christians with an appearance of greater deformity, and fills them with more pungent regret as it is exhibited in such dark contrast with that promising and won- derful aspect of things so extensively dis- played by the christian world. The free conversation on the state of religion has brought some such things to our view, against which we feel constrained to bedr ‘our decided testimony ; and we would en- ter upon this duty with the tenderness and seekness, but at the same time with the firmness and authority which becomes a Judicatory of the Church of Christ. The first thing we shall notice is the crime of Drunkenness. This crime has at «ll times been a curse to our country, and has often made lamentable inroads upon our Church. We are convinced that it may be opposed more successfully by pkeven- tion than in any other way. When the character of drunkenness is fully formed, the unhappy victim is lost to those motives which ordinarily influence all other classes of men. In this state of things nothing but a mirdcle of divine grace can effect his re formation. The certain and acknowledged prospect of the wreck of his family, his for- Aune, and his character ; and even of the ru- an of his immortal soul, is not sufficient to arrest his course: and yet perhaps the same man may formerly have been in such a state of equilibrium or indecision upon this subject, that the smallest motives might have prevented the formation of a habit, which in its rhaturity bas become so irresistible. This consideration is certain- ly sufficient to justify an effort for saving our fellow men from the domination of so destructive a vice. For this purpose we earnestly recommend to the officers and members of our Church to abstain even from the common use of ardent spirits. Such a voluntary privation as this; with its motives publicly avowed, will not be with- out its effect in cautioning our fellow chris- tians and fellow citizens, against the en- .croachment of intoxication 3 and we have the more confidence in recommendiiig this course as it has already been tried with success in several sections of our Church. The vice of Gambling has also been for- €ed upon out attention. We indeed hope thay few, or perhaps none, of our actual professors, have Pete themselves in the practice of what they consider as coming ainder the denomination of gambling. But perhaps there are sone addicted to this practice who have evinced a predeliction for our church, and forms of worship, and who are not unwilling to receive the word of admonition. from us. Such we would earnestly exhort to consider in the most se- ious manner, the consequences of the course they are pursuing, and the awful Jessops which the experience of the world, is every day exhibiting on this subject. But it is further our duty to testify, that all ercoutagement of lotteries, and purcha- sing of lottery tickets; all attendance on horse racing, aod betting on such, or any other occasions ; and ail attempts of what- ever kind to acquire geig without giving an - @ir 351d A LX (posed on them. and participate in the guilt which attaches to that vice, On the fashionable, though as we believe dangerous amusements of Theatrical Ex- hibitions and Dancing, we deem it negessa- ry to make a few observations, The thea- tre we have always considered! as a school of immorality. If any person wishes for honest conviction on this subject, let him attend to the character of that mass of mat- ter, which is generally exhibited on the stage. We believe all will agree; that comedies at least, with a few exceptions, are of such a description, that %¢*firtuous and modest person cannot attend the repre- sentation of them, without the most pains ful and embarrassing scnsations. If indeed custom has famiiiarized tbe scene, and these painful sensations are no longer felt, it only proves that the person in question, has lost some of the best sensibilities of our nature; that the strongest safeguard of virtue has been taken down, and that the moral character has undergone a serious depreciation. eh With respect to Dancing, we think it ne- cessary to observe, that however plausible i: may appear to some, it is perhaps not the less dangerous on account of that plausi- bility. It is not from those things which the world acknowledges to be most wrong, that the greatest danger is to be apprehend- ed to religion, especially as it relates to the young: When the practice 18 carried to its highest extremes, all admit the con- sequences to be fatal ; and why not then ap- prehend danger, even from is incipient sta- ges. Itis certainly in all its stages, a fas- cating and infatuating practice.’ Let it once be introduced, and it is difficult to give it limits. Tt steals away our preci- ous time, dissipates religious Impressions, and hardens the heart. To guard you, be- loved brethren, against its wiles and its fas- cinations, we earnestly recommend’ that you will consult that sobriety Which the sacred pages require. We also trust, that you will attend with the meekness and do- . equivalent, involve the Gambling principe, ] 4 Ao How | From the N. Y. Evening Post. { Mr. Editor--It has been sagely said that] this is the age of wonders ; that it is, I think none will deny, after perusing the follow- ing circular. It was received a few days since from a correspondent in St. Louis, who writes, that the author, capt. Symmes, 1s a very respectable man, a man of intelli. gence, and really sane in mind. He also states, that Symmes is diligently engaged in forwarding his scheme, and that upwards of twenty credible persons have actually engaged in this expedition. CIRCULAR. Light gives light, to light discover—= ad in Sinitum, St. Louis, (Missouri Territory,) North America, Aptil 10, A. D. 1818. TO ALL THE WORLD! I declare the earth is hollow, and habit- able within ; containing a number of solid concentric spheres, one within the other, and that itis open at the poles 12 or 16 de- grees. I pledge my life in support of this truth, and am ready to explore the hollow, if the world will support and aid me in the undertaking, INO.CLEVES SYMMES, of Ohio, Late Captain of infantry, N. B. I have ready for the press a trea tise on the principles of matter, wherein 1 show proofs of the above positions, account for various phenomena, and disclose Doctor Darwin’s golden secret. My terms are, the patronage of this and the new worlds. I dedicate to my wife and ten children, I select Dr. S. L Mitchell, Sir H. Davy, and baron Alexan: der de rlumboldt, as my protectors. I ask one hundred brave companions, well equipped, to start from Siberia in the all season, with reindeer and sleighs, on the ice of the frozen sea—1I engage we find warm and rich land, stocked with thritiy vegetables, and animals, if not men, on reaching one degree northward of latitude cility becoming the christian character, to the ‘admonitions on this subject, of th whom you have chosen to watc souls. And now, beloved brethren, thal have pointed out, and from all other dan- gers which beset the path of life and ob. struct our common salvation, and that the] reat head of the church may have his holy keeping is our sincere and tiopate prayer. Amen, { J. J.JANEWAY, = Moderator, " : ’ f ud June, 1818, {dn oh 0% Resolved, That the General Assembly recommend, and they do hereby recom- mend, to the Pastors and Sessions of the dif- ferent churches under their care, to assem- ble as often as they may, deem necessary during the year, their baptized children with their parents, to recommend said children to God in prayer, explain to them the nature of their Baptism ; the relation which they sustain to the Church ; and the obligations which their Baptism has im- nit! We have long been apprised of the cir- cumstances alluded to in the paragraph from the Savannah Republican, and as it will, doubtless, gb thé rounds, it may be well to state them. If we are not mismn- formed, the dispute between generals Jack- son and Scott arose respecting thé celebra- ted ¢ general order’ issued by Jackson. It appears that general Scoft expredsed an opinion unfavorable to the manner and spirit of that order, as being calculated to create insubordination. This opinion was expressed one evening at a party, and to one person only, a resident of this state, and a politician who seems designed, by nature, to push on mischief. An anony- mous letter conveyed to general Jackson the opinion, in all probability, expressed in confidence and without the least expecta- tion of its reaching general Jackson, or without the least intention of wounding his feelings: Gen. Jackson, impetuous and irascible in the extreme, took fire at the supposed insult, and a warm correspond: ence has taken place; which, we trust, will be amicably terminated, considering, as we do, that gen. Jackson should have treated the anonymous informer with the silence that he merited. With respect to that general order of Jackson’s, the people of the United States, by common consent; pergiticd it to pass by without comment, in consideration of the eminent service which he had rendered to his country. It is, however, a fact, that a document, so dangerous to subordination and good government, has never been heard of in the annals of any nation ; and if general Jackson is desirous of fighting every citizen who holds that opinion, he will have his hands full. General Wash- ington in the most perplexing period of his service, when in fact, there was no go vernnient ever issued such an order. The attempt; however, to produce a quarrel be- tween two eminent men, by which thei: hves may€be jeopardized, merits, if made, the indignation of every citizen. h for your| you may be guarded from the dangers we : you inj¢ [thing like a prophetic spirit of the future. | Whether that was the case in the striking incident now about to be recorded, it is not Captain Hull, Lieutenants Turner and Fo lus excellency gov. Wm. Clark. "ORIGINAL ANECDOTE. It has been remarked that frequent] 82. We will return in the succeeding 1 0 Y : y the human mind, in the last stages of its earthly xistence, has been endowed with some- pretended to say. The facts are, however, unquestionably true; and are well known to many of the officers of the American army The coincidence of the circumstances is, indeed, very striking ; and the facts deserve to be recorded, not only as an evidence of the undaunted bravery of the American officers ; but as a signal instance df the ful. filment of their own predictions.—About two hours previous to the ever memorable battle of Bridgewater, news had arriveddin the camp of the 9th regiment, that the British were advancing. A number of the officers of the ninth, among whom were Burgett, and Captain David Perry had as- sembled together in a little squad ; were chatting in a friendly and jocular manner; and were commenting upon the news they had heard of the approach of the army. One of the company observed— « well, we shall have warm work to day-—some of us shall be killed=—who shall they be.” Ano- ther in the same tone of jocularity, replied «Captain Hull,” and held up his hand. The company all joined in holding up their hands, and Captain Hull among the rest.—- “ Who next {” rejoined another. ¢ Lieut. Turner,” was the reply, and the vote taken in like manner, «Well, but there must be more than two-~who next !”” was asked. “Lieutehant Burgett,” and carried by a sim- ilar vote, « We want a representative in the British camp—who shall be our repre- sentative !—who shall be taken prisoner All eyes immediately turned to Cautain Perry, who being quite in his dishabilie, had excited some raillery. = « Captain Perry shall be our representative,” was the upan- imous reply, and unanimous vote. Cap- tain Perry immediately retired: and in a few minutes returned, shaved, and cleanly dressed; and in a jocular tone, asked whe- ther he now made an appearance suitable for their representative. The order for forming the line of battle came. The different gentlemen repaired to their different posts. The dreadful con- flict commenced. = The first officer that fell in the 9th regiment, was captain Hull. fighting gallantly, at the head of his com- pany—the second Lieutenant Tirner—the third Licutenant Burgett, all displaying the most undaunted and determined bravery— whilst captain Perry, as if fully to complete the previous prediction, was taken prisoner by the enemy, and carried captive into the British camp ! So striking a coincidence of circurlistances rarely occurs; and these incidents have frequently been the subject of’ conversation and remark, among the American officers, since the ever memora- bie battle of Bridgewater. Nat, Advo cats, Pittsburg Mercury. 2 77 fC n % 7 on) 2 ’. 33 ; boas Boia THE PATRIOT. ‘To speak his thoughts, is every freeman’s right. ] * “ bt — MONDAY, FuLr 6. etl es State of the Thermometer. Temperature of the Weather by Fahrenheit’s Thermometer—in the shade. Le Days.] at sunrise, at 3 P. M, 68 75 8% 86 82 88 76 76 8G 86 gt 89 76 v6 76 80 83 76 78 78 76 86 73 84 §8 00 92 94 97 Jung 24 25 26 27 28 . 29 68 {5:30 62 94 The weather this month has been high ly favorable for the vegetation of grain and TASS. _,.. Fos the Patriot. Mr, Brindle, bd & WE live in anage of speculation. The human mind séems bent to the utmost streach ofits faculties in devising new in- ventions ; and our philosophers seem de. termined to try how far the credulity of mankind will extend, andbow many aston. ishing, marvelous absurdities they can impose upon the world. The time wag when the Priests had the disposal of hy. man faith and governed the minds of meg® at their pleasure, but they have lost thei dominion and hove been succeeded by the ° Philosophers. In your paper of the 13th ult. one of your correspondents who sub. scribes himself ¢ J. H.> has made a formi- dable attack upon our credulity. He tijes to make us believe that a hazzle or birch or willow rod, can be attracted by water in the hands of certain conjurors, notwith- standing the water may be ever so far be- low the surface of the earth. This he calls ¢ Bletonism,’ or the ¢ Divining Rod.’ And appears to be the same thing that we vulgar beings call water smelling. J. H. is pot the first of his order who have ied toimpose tricks of this kind ou the ignor- ant and credulous, and their success indu- ces others to go on with the same game. Some two or three years ago Jodge Cooper wrote several Essays to prové that vegetables had life and sensation sim- ilar ty animals, and that hike animals they wandered and propagated by cohabitation. This whimsical conceit might have been swallowed by the multitude had not alesrn« ed Clergyman taken np the cudgel, or ras ther his pen, and confined the trees, bushes, ge. to the proper station in which natuie had placed them.— Old Dr. 'ranklin once tried to persuade people that a pointed rod of iron could draw down fire from Heaven to the earth, and he succeeded so far toat multitudes of people hoisted rods up against the ends of their houses to prevent the lightning from running down theif tchimnies—and in Bellefonte there 1s onc raised above the cupola of the Court house, projecting down over the roof tothe ground to inform the public, no doubt, that ouf county Commissioners were at the time 'phijosophic believers. This F believe 18 called the Ligtning, not the Divining Rod. ‘ | But one of the most audacious philosos phic empirics that ever appeared in the worl | was an Italian of the name of Galilio —Some two or three hundred years ago he tried to make the world believe that this earth was round like a cannon bullet, or oval Jike sn egg—that it whirled rgand like a top——that people could walk on every side of it with their feet opposite to each other, and yet none of them oy head foremost, and even that it Was SB rounded with immense bodies of water, seas, lakes, rivers, &c. none of which spil- led or run over. In this case the clergy .lso interfered. They proved beyond cota tradiction that the earth was formedlikea © cheese or a millstonzy and Rever moved