Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-05-13

called to that interesting class Of sufferers J:
by the war, the orphan children; v "
led the depot Of orphans estapilsmneu d
Hermsdorf, the estate Of count Donna
@here orphan children, from all parts o.
[saxony found temporary residence
md experienced, under the Immediate
direction of the amiable countess, me
|kindest treatment and attention, with
regard both to their bodies and their
minds. until permanent situations were
,rovided for them by the committee es-
tsblished at Dresden for that purpose. a
similar Institution exists at Dresden, un-
,er the care of the sister of the countess
oY Donna, the Baroness Schonberg.
These two sisters daughters OF coun,
stolberg in whose family, P,iety and
philanthropy seem to be hereditary DIS
tinctions. have devoted themselves, dur
ing the late period of distress, with such
seremitting activity to the cause OF ths
helpless children, that thelr gra!g'ui
CUNT y has bestowed uPan them tire 40
|aorable appellatiqn Of the Mothers OF Or
phane: and | thought, that | was acting
perfectly in consonance with the WISHES
ofthc committee, when requested lhein
] add to,he gifts with which the chill
lren we're usually transferred ~ them
to families and permanent situations
That ola Bible. IS donation from the
British and Foreign Bible Society. a
|5nntred dollars, which | consigned to
them fer that purpose. we're accepted
with expressions of gratitude ana loV,
and particular account of their appilca-
tion will be regularly received.
The next place to which l beg leave
o request your attention, is Potsdaip,
a town which is remarkable for conceal
Ing by an imposing appearance, much
poverty. Indebtedness. and immortality.
L found there, in my friend tie Reve-
read Mr.. Bernhardt, the superintendent
of all the schools Of the town. a mcst
jealous and active friend Of the Bible,
who having few years ago, been called
By the Prussian government from Halle,
TO his present situation, has done much
10 reinstate the sacred volume in those
rights, both in Christian schools and ia
miles. from which it has before been al
most utterly excluded. He found but
lew Bibles in the hands of the children
of the middle class in society, and drew
lpon himself,much dissatisfaction, many
sheers. and even open complaints aBd
when he insisted upon the
u4e of the Bible as TIE principal source
ofinsruction to youth. His perseverance,,
by the countenance of his su
periors in the consistory and the govern
ment, has, hoN ever, triumphed over
these difficulties; and the Scriptures are
again the leading book used in the poPu-
lous and vell.regulated schools at Pots.
dam. HE information | gave him Of
the operations and success of the British
aud Foreign Bible Societies, warmed
bis whole heart, and filled him with al
desire to cooperate in the promotion of
their object. ! rendered him 100 dol !
lars. as small beginning OF fund and
so zeslously did he take up the cause
that when | passed again week after
through Petsdam on my return from
Berlin, he had already succeeded inj
forming an association for the dissent
nation of the Scriptures, under the aus
prces ard active cooperation Of the
president of the regency, and received
several contributions trsn tie inhabi
lanis @! the town, added City dollars
to my fermer donation, regretting that
| was not able to give encouragement IT, |
such zeal by a larger sum. ] trust that
the association Of Potsdam will become
a very useful auxiliary to the Prussian|
Bible Society at Berlin.
In the latter city, l had an opportuni-
~ OF conversing with several members
Of the Bible Society established through
he active exertions of the Reverend M. !
Pinkeiton, aided by liberal donat;onI
from this committee particularly withl
Baron schuckman, his Prussian majes-
VS. minister OF the interior Ills excel |
ency expressed much interest in the
success and extensive usefulness of the
new institution, and accepted with much
pleasure set of the Reports OF the Bri |
tish and Foreign Bible Society, which |
,ad the honor of presenting to him. It'll
IS, perhaps, under the present circum-
stances, not to be expected, that the /
progress Of the operations OF the Prussi |
IN Bible Society viii be very rapid but
i will undoubtedly flourish, as its OBJ
ect is 0 fully in unison with the senti-
nents and wishes of the king, and the
ministers presiding in the principal de-
oartments of the government. An en-