The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-19

strangers apparently all was darkness. Lord what
wilt Thou have me do was tho outburst Of my spirit
remembered me at st. Andrews-the Rev. Mr.. Thorn
son, in whose house found my first home. He had
been student there, but was now settled In con-
gegation Of the Old School Of Presbyteriaas In New
York. He was thorough Scotchman, combining
what is good and worthy in the Scotchman with
the best traits Of the American character; and when
you have this combination you have q sound type of
character, and that most worthy one. He knew
New York perfectly, and asked me questions as to
the different religious bodies in this country, while
informing me, az the time, what were the reli-
gious bodies in America. The magnitude of their op-
erations, as related by him. struck me with much as
constituent. They are building churches and schools,
setting up all sorts of institutions for the spread Of
missionary operations at home, abroad, everywhere
You know that there is no Established Church in
America, and therefore no social superiority there
And, as a consequence of this state of things in
America, all the religious bodies come together
with much greater freedom, ease, and familiarity
than in the old country There are many noble
minded men both among the clergy and the laity;
and found that, when l came among them as
Notwithstanding by the same Head, and
trying to be animated by the same spirit, was
ceived with open arms by all. did not require to
give up the distinctive principles Of the church Of
my fathers; but found that, when we came to dis
cuss minor matters, to meet with men Of other
bodies ON common ground, the great and glorious
principles Of Divine Christianity into full
and active operation. Most Unexpectedly had
calls from many of the leading evangelical clergy
men and pious laity in New York and their homes
and their pulpits were at once thrown open to
me. II one could have multiplied oneself twenty
fold there would have been abundance Of work;
| indeed, next day / could have got work in a ham
bred pulpits (Hear, hear) This was spirit Of
fiankness and cordality that was quite new to me-
felt at once at home thoroughly at home. How
ever it was al Philadelphia that the centre OF in
fuence lay which chiefly prevailed in taking me to
the States, it was resolved that there the ground
should first be broken. And here l may state, that
whenever the undetermined man to whom have al
ready referred heard that there was hope of my
crossing the water, without my knowing it, letter
reached me from his agent in Liverpool stating that
their commission was to learn by what ship was to
go, as their orders were to give me the best accom-
mediation, not only for myself, but also for my fam-
ly, if they would accompany me- (Cheers.) Why
should not state this? 1t is our common Christi
anty that thus opens the heart in this manner.
(Hear, hear3 On our voyage to Philadelphia, we
encountered most severe weather. When about half
way, there came on a most terrific snow.storm; in
deed, within half mile of the terminus on the Della
ware river, We stuck fast but ultimately got into
the TO carry us across to the city OF Penn,
with its four hundred thousand inhabitants. From
what | SAW expected that two or three friends
might perhaps be there to welcome on our ar
rival; but when the storm came on with much Sc
verify, certainly did not think that we should find
BILE minded man, Dr. Murray of Elizabethtown author
of the celebrated Letters of Kirwan, which have
rendered much service to the cause OF Protestant
ism (cheers)-and when we arrived at Philadel-
pha, our only thought was to get to bed as soon as
possible. But what was my amazement when, on
entering the spacious mansion found about seventy
ministers OF all denominations in Philadelphia,
waiting to greet the missionary Of the Free Church
of Scotland, and to welcome him to their homes
(Cheers.) really do not know where such another
assemblage could be found for such purpose, and
on such night In fact the cordially of the greet
ing was such as to astonish and oyerwhelm me. l
could not conceive myself that not in the he
test circle of old familiar friends in Scotland.
tried to imagine that was not at home, but it fair
Ixy boat lok.r kl.nAo
other country struck me at once Everybody knows
when he goes across the channel that he is from
home, were it for nothing else than hearing the
French tongue spoken. There are, however, good
men of them annually among us. Would that we
had ten thousand such as NJ. Monod (Cheers.)
Well, but to return. The first meeting was
to be held next night. There were seven
communication was by means of sleighs. The meet
ing was held in the largest hall in Philadelphia,
capable OF containing three thousand persons. Not
withstanding the storm, the room was packed, and
the platform contained company of ministers be-
longing to all the evangelical denominations, such
as had not assembled in such numbers before. In
and the neighborh0od were present. What was one
to say to such an audience The simple ground ia
ken was this-we are believers in one gospel; sim
ners BY nature but redeemed by the atoning sacrifice
OF the Lord Jesus Christ and redeemed by the grace
OF the Holy Spirit. We were all agreed upon these
points; then we one in hcart-one in feeling
one in sentiment-one in everything that is worthy
of being united upon: and, being in every thing
such shall be family in the realms of glory
find that there was band that bound us together
and was not long in discovering the fact, for the
Christian people Of that land are noble minded
people. We had many meetings in that place,
all more crowded than another, or, rather, the
numbers who could not get admittance increased
on every occasion. There was a great meeting
for Sabbath observance-a subject which is greatly
exciting the attention of the wise aud the good in
that great land; and meetings for many other
objects besides, including home city missions. All
these meetings were attended and something said
at each 1t was real evangelical alliance in full
and active operation. (Hear hear) Well, then,
after season, turning back again to New York,
and taking up my abode with another Mr.. Stuart
there-a large-hearted, generous man-many public
meetings were held there also, but the reception
was after the same fashion the part of both lay
men and cergymen. In fact, it is impossible to
look back on these meetings without at once &C
knowledglng the hand OF God from beginning to
end; none was more astonished than the individual
who is now addressing you at the reception which
in every case he received Passing from these
tai Of this great country Washington. Arrived
there, found the same kind Of feeling pervading
the people OF all shades of politics. OF COURSE they
manifest certain pecularities of habit and manner;
but l did not go there to find little matters
for petty paltry carping criticism l went to
see what was worthy of being seen; yea, and to
be edited. With regard to the civil head of
that great republic, must speak of him as ! found
him. was utterly astonshed, after being accusom-
ed to the unapproachabe distance of their high
mightinesses and other royalties in the Old World to
find the new OF this great country, America, with
commerce nearly equal to our own, and resources
which in time win prove vastly superior, coming
down stairs like private gentleman plainly dressed,
without fuss, or show, parade and demeaniDg
himself with benign kindness Of manner, well
as the greatest simplicity, calmness, and dignity,
such as became the head Of such a great country.
Here there was no footman, or others arrayed in
scarlet, or golden drapery, particolored raiment
no tnsel, no pomp, no display whatever. have no
wish to crafty sickly TASTE by making any re-
ference to the style of wester life the household
economy, or the private conversation bat must
say that the inquiries which this exalted parsonage
made about sundry affairs, the knowledge which he
protested OF what going on everywhere, and the
desire to know about the existing state of things
more particularly in British India, were OF nature
ing intelligence and, whatever might be the OPT