The Sun.
London, England, 1821-09-28 00:00:00

RELIGIOUS =MUGS IN AMERICA:

The people of this part of the island have seen
little of field meetings for religious purposes
since the days of Charles II.; but North of the
Tweed they still continue to prevails though
they are not so nutnerotisly attended, nor .so fre-
quent as formerly. During the cruel and arbi-
trary reign of the Monarch above-mentioned,
those Who adhered to Calvin and Presbytery
had no other opportunity of assembling to wor-
ship their Creator, under the pastors of their choice,
than in places df concealment, or in the open air.
The most seirete enactments were enforced against
conventicles Or private meetings. The Conscien-
tious opponents of the religion of the Court were,.
titerefore, sometimes driven to the mountains
to exercise their devotions and a charge of dra-
goons or a volley of musketry often interrupted
their psalm-singing or their prayers. By the es-
tablishment of Presbytery and toleration at the re-
volutiOns all, necessity for such mountain assem-
blages Was removed, but the habit of congregating
in " high places" still continued among one of the
sects that derived its name from a celebrated leader
in the times of persecution. It is still the pr:c-
tice in Scotland to administer the sacrament in
every parish only Once or twice a year, and as
greater numbers assemble on that occasion
than the church can accommodate, a tent is
erected in the church-yard, or some neighbour-
ing field, from which the clergymen of the vici-
nity successively address their united congrega-
tions, Every kind of refreshment is to be found
in sight of the tent, or in the neighbourhood ; the
people are collected from a great distance ; and
the assembly, though met for religious purpcses,
sometimes presents as gay an appearance as one
met for amusement. Hence the origin of Burns'
poem called the Holy Fair.' The meetings de-
scribed in the following extracts from American
Papers will be found of a kind similar to the old
meetings in Scotland, though on a more extensive
scale, and not rendered necessary by the dread
of persecution :

[From the Winchester (Virginia) Republican, Aug. 25.1
A eamp-mecting was held at Stephensburg (Newtown), in
this county, from the 15th to the 21st instant. On the first and
second days (Thursday and Friday) people assembled in great
numbers, and on Saturday there were 101 tents, also 130 was 28 carriages and gigs, and 1,535 people encamped, ex-
clusive of flankers and coloured people. On Sunday there
were 149 waggons, and 53 carriages and gigs, on the camp._
ground, and 32 retailing waggons near it, which made the num-
ber of waggons 181. On the same day the number of people
on the camp-ground was, from the best calculation, 4,762, and
1,200 flankers ; which made the round number of 5,962 white
people, and 590 coloured. On Monday 410 persons received sa-
crament, and on Tuesday 48 joined the society. The meeting
broke up on that day at half past 11, A. 111., after giving full a-
tisfaction to all. For so large a one it was said tokvl been well
conducted, and as good behaviour preserved on the camp.grour d
as could possibly have been expected.

[From the Norfolk Beacon, Aug. 23.]
THE CAMP MEETING ON TANGIER ISLAND.—We learn
from a Gentleman who attended the Camp meeting on Tang:e7
Island, which commenced on the 16th instant, and closed on
Tuesday morning last at eight o'clock, that it was more
numerously attended than ariy preceding it at the same
place. The number of persons present was estimated at be-
tween 5,000 and 6,000 ; the number of preachers not as many
as on former occasions; but a great number were added to the
followers of the Lamb. The decked vessels in the harbour were
judged to be about '2OO, besides 210 open boats. The encamF.
ment consisted of 264 tents, occupying an area of between 400

and 500 yards. The utmost harmony and brotherly love pre-
vailed among the Members of the Church, and caused much

regret that this season of refreshment was so short lived.

MAJOR ANDRE.

FROM AN AMERICAN PAPErt.)—The recent
disinterring of the bones of this accomplished
British officer, who was condemned during the
war of our revolution, for a rash attempt to
penetrate the secrets of the American camp,
has drawn forth the sympathy of multitudes,
and occasioned the frequent repetition of
his sufferings and his disgrace. While the
story of his melancholy exit is the subject of ge-
neral regard, the following particulars may not
be uninteresting to many of our readers :—" On
being apprehended, he was placed under the
immediate care of the late General WILLIAM
ALLEN, of this town, then a Major in the service.
To this intelligent gentleman (from whom this
brief account was some years since derived) he
exhibited some of the most amiable traits of cha- -
racter ; but nothing was so affecting to his keeper
as that extreme delicacy of feeling, which made,
him shudder at the imputation of crime, and to
shrink, not at the apprehended pains of death, but
at the bare idea of a disgraceful one. The eager
eyes of the sentinel who guarded the building
where he was confined, as they gazed upon hint
through the windows, pierced him to the soul, and
covered him with confusion; for, before that time,
his gallant spirit had soared above all criminal
thoughts, and he had never been suspected of a dis-
honourable action. At his earnest solicitation, he
was removed to an upper apartment, away front
the prying eye of curiosity, and from the rude
gaze of soldiers, who might exult over a captive
enemy, of whose acute sensibility they had no con
ception, and to whose mental sufferings they
were perfect strangers. This was the evening
before his execution ; and while pacing this
upper apartment in a state of great pertur-
bation, he adverted to his repeated unsuccess-
ful applications to General Washington for a
change of punishment, that might shield his me-
mory from the infamy of a death upon the gallows.
" Is there no hope for me," with much emotion
he exclaimed to Major Allen. ljie was assured
that there was no probability of his request
being granted. " I will make one last •
fort," continued Andre, and taking his pe:
ink, without the convenience of a tar
chair, he stood against the wall, an
paper resting upon his knee, he mad' .1 an
almost expiring effort in an energe. -le gar. a
letter to the American Gene with, hi,
•
was written with the greater Jac his list a at,
nnd mo •
a moment's study or ref le VI
/Hs
read and admired for tb raPiciltv letter
,ction . Without
and for its powerful p , Yet 't
F cep has bp
feelings of hutnaAtr .00 sence of • -en-
vie-tz its style,
• • ent aPPeal to the,