Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-06

And Il is precisely similar feeling to that which
is exhibited at these and other religions mset;ngs
in this city, that Is now spreading throughout the
country.
THE EFFECT IN THE CRY.
The "Great Revival" as all men call n d now
an absorbing topic, even for ordinary converse
ton The religious meetings that are held in
various parts OF the city during every day. are
matters OF common and street talk. Notices of
meetings for prayer and other religious ersrcses
havd been publicly placarded in many of the places
where handouts are usually posted. In many
counting-ro"ms and stores, similar printed adver-
tisements have been hung up, calling the attept;c,
OF business men and others TO the devotional con-
voc IONS In addition to these, tracts have been
distributed IN the cars, In the omnibuses. and IN
the Terry boats, calling the attention Of The chance
H. y ing subject q religion, quoting passages
rom the scriptures, and giving notices Of the meat
ngs. Such tracts have even been dronnad m m.
pavements Of the streets, for passers.by to pick
up--so that he who runs may rad.p
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
AT Plymouth Church, Brooklyn. Of which the
hev Henry Ward Beecher is Pastor. the conore-
gauons are, II possible, continually increasiug n
SIZE. ms increase is measured, not by the ,,u,n
per OF persona who succeed in getting into the
mouse, ior that is always filled to its utmost cana
Guy, Dut by the extra numbers Of those who try
~ get ~ put cannot OF late the multtudes that
day evenings, have been SO numerous tHas \ haa
been estimated that on some occasions a,ita g
many persons have been compelled to 20 away AZ
inside. iooill
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
The general revival is shared by the Presbvta-
rian Churches equally with those Of other ss,,o,,;
nations. Nut long since one Of the Preshvter;as
New SCHOOL, voled to make visit, ia BODY Il
each church within lis bounds, for the purpose Of
melting II, by friendly appeal, to greater religious
ac'iYiy. Inc meetings o., these occasions were
OF unusual interest Brief addresses were made
by each of the pastors, and as the Preshyterv
passed from church to church many members az
churches already visited expressed desire 10 he
present at the services held in other places n
this manner the congregations from place 10 place
increased in rapid ratio, until the GATHERINGS
were thronged. The result Of this is seen already
in the churches -A-'S1y
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
the ministers cf the Methodist Church in this
city state that they have never known 40 general
an awakening Of religious feeling among tie Me-
1nouis.s as tnat which il now going on in this city
and vicinity. Tho Presbyterians' thew saw have
perhaps been even more jealous and s,ccessfnI IN
the work than they; but both denominations have
received very large accessioDs of late. and the
revival is spreading very rapidly
EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
The Episcopal churches do not as a peneraI
thing, court the term revival But the Episco-
pal newspapers speak of an increased relipiona
feeling IN their churches, and of an increased num-
Der of Combinations" -
DTsRFcA Ann Axn Dpsp,,, n. -. r,
IN New YoRK.--The Grand Jury wonld re-
spectively present that a serious and growing
evil is the disregard by certain classes of the
public OF the laws designed to preserve the
due observance of the Sabbath. Although these
laws abundahtly provide for the prohibition of
all occupations, exhibitions and entertainments
calculated to detract from the quiet and respect
due to the day, and (if properly enforced) are
such IN tneir nature as to insure to citizens of
every denomination the full free and undis-
turbed opportunity for rest and worship. vet in
some oil the most populous sections of the CITY.
on the afternoons and evenings of that day.
theatrical exhibitions, secular concerts. bowl.
ing and pistol galleries, juggling shows. dan
cling houses bands of music, tippling saloons.
and every species of lawless entertainments
are maintained, in open violation of the law
and in disregard of the public authorities. To
these lawless places are attracted vast numbers
OF the unguarded youth and demoralized ma
turity OF both sexes; and dissipation, excite
ment communicating associations quarreling
ana frequent violence are among the conse.
quences. independently of the annoyance and
offence which these disturbances create to the
law-observing and Christian portion of he COM
munity, the fact that the laws may thus openly
be violated, and the constituted authorities f,ll
TO secure their due observance cannot but pro-
dnce the most pernicious effect upon the i'll
disposed, who participate in these lawless gath
erings, as well as those who are encouraged in
their evil courses by the inefficient administra-
ton OF the law. We would recommend that
the laws for the suppression of these exhibit
IONS DC rigidly enforced, and that it be made
the special duty of the Police TO suppress them
oy the undertaking execution of the law. It
would be out of place TO enlarge upon the
consequences of these unlawful gatherings;
put It cannot be denied that they are among
the fruitful causes, engendeiing in the corrupt
ed youth OF our city the fearful tendencies to
crime which are daily manifested in our Grim
inal Courts
we are sorry to say that our constitutional
citizens" here, take particular pains to hold
their funerals, and march with bands Of music,
on the Sabbath, disturbing the worship in our
churches, an6, on their return from the grave,
giving the day the appearance Of a gala-day,
by their lively drum and fife, and band Of
music.
WHAT IsA misunderstanding TO ancient
custom, whatever chattc was the immediate oc-
casion of the death Of any reasonable creature