The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-02-13

the CALLED feelings arising from the un-
wise elevation of one part of the peo-
pie on a religious account, over the
other part, and where the people las |
bad just seen them in Boston, meet in
convention 10 amend the Constitution of
the State, with The same good humour
as men go to the annual meeting of the
Humane Society in London. saw sew
eral Baptist Ministers in the above con-
vention, as well as among the legisla-
tors of the State of Maine. This NAV
suffice for these subjects.
"Many places of worship in America,
among different denominations, have
wooden steeples which, however,
when painted, look nearly as well as
stone. Among the Presbyterians and
Congregationalists, the vestry, or ses-
sion house, is a separate, and some
times distinct building the small yes
tries, as in England, opening into the
chapel, where the minister can retire,
and see his friends and deacons, are very
rare in the States. The minister goes
at once into the pulpit, and. pulls off
his great coat or cloak, and throws it
over the side of the pulpit. In the
winter, pan of Goals in box is ready
for him to set his feet upon. The SER
vices are conducted nearly the same as
in England-but | was very sorry to
observe that our custom Of lining out
the hymn as sung, scarcely exists and
that singing, in many cases, was pro-
fanely abandoned to the choir, as though
praise, at any rate, might be done by
proxy; or, as though the object of the
Christian worship was partial TO such
and such tunes, which the congregation
could not acquire. How any person
can blame cathedral worship as popish,
and admire these exhibitions in the
front gallery, know not. Notes en-
treating the prayers of the congrega-
ten for the sick, &c. are, in many
places, sent up into the pulpit; and,
directed by these notes, the ministers
visit the sick during the week. The
reading of the Holy Scriptures does not
commonly, regret to say it, make part
of the sanctuary worship. Enct. Watts
generally supplies the forms of praise
to the American people. have seen
selections, the greater part, however,
the compositions of Watts, by Or.
Dwight, DR.. Livingston, Dr. Worcester,
and Mr.. Winchell. American editions
of DR.. Rippon's selection are not un-
common. The reading Of their SER
mons prevails, | apprehend, to con-
siderable degree among the Congrega-
tional ministers, if not among others
also. The services are, in many places
concluded, in the evening at least, with
a doxology, the Congregation standing.
Blacks are members of the churches of
the whites, and sit. down to the Lords
table with the whites, wherever
travelled.
" Elders, as the scripture name of
ministers, is much usedin some parts
Black cloaks are generally worn by the
ministers in the New-England States !;
and | saw several ministers wearing
pig-tails.
"Tbe number of religious institutions
in America, exceeds, if possible, those
of England. Bible, Missionary, Tract.
and Sunday School Societies, are very
numerous. The American Bible Soci-.
ty is a noble institution, doing great
good. The Orphan Asylum,. at New
York, has been favoured with such re-
markable instances of the Divine care,
as to remind one very strongly of the
institution of Professor Frank, in Ger
many. The Deaf and Dumb Asylum,
at Hartford, Connecticut, under the
care of the Rev. DR.. Gmlaudet, pros
pers exceedingly. Ispent some hours
at the Asylum, enjoying flow of
| feelings so sacred and so refined, that
can never lose the recollections of this
visit. Regular prayer-meetings, confin-
| ed to females, held at each others
houses, are very common in America.
6 But there are some institutions ex-
isting in America, which | have not
heard of in other countries. AtBoston,
and in other places, missionary for
the town and neighbourhood is main
tanned and employed; his work is to
carry the gospel to the poor !; to
preach in cellars, in garrets, and a.
mongst those who, by their poverty,
or their peculiar circumstances, or their
dsinclination, are excluded from the
publick means of grace. Imet two or
/ thrae of those interpstinor missionaries