Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-04
The New York Tribune Of the Let ipstau,


says, that a remarkably earnest state of feel
ing on the subject of religion has been de-
veloping itself, for some time past, anoog all
classes Of the community of the city of New
York. including those out Of the church, as
we'll as those 10 it. Nor has this quickened
Interest in religion, and this increased atten-
dance on religious meetings, been confined to
that city; for it extends in All equal, and, In
many instances, in a greater degree, to all
parts o the country. Everywhere, men are
crowding 70 these meetings, and the spirit
with which thu crowds are impressed, seems
to be animating the whole land. Ii is be-
level that as many as hundred prayer
meetings have been established in different
cities and towns throughout the country,
from the single example OF the MONDAY
meeting held in the "Od North Dutch
Church." in New York. A similar religious
feeling has not been known in New York for
twenty five years.
la New England, and particularly in Con.
necticut and Massachusetts,, an universal
feeling prevails, and the number of CONVEX
sons and additions TO the membership OF the
churches, is Unprecedented. Similar &C
counts are received largely from the West.
aud 10 some instances from the South. Mul-
riplied religious meetings are everywhere
held in the churches, aud widespread, aud
wider-spr eadng, interest exists.
1t il, of Course, impossible to give accu-
rate, or even approximate, estimates OF the
numb Der Of actual conversions resulting from
such n work. The increase Of religion 10 a
community i not TO he measured hy figures.
The correspondence Of a single newspaper
reports more than thousand conversions III
- single week and religious JJurual 10
New York city recently stated that II had
counted seven thousand in two week. and
this was merely the number which happened
to be given among the religious items" OF
only portion Of the general newspaper
pres. during that time. 1t Is not unlikely
that there have actually occurred, in single
tocek in all parts of the country, my thou
sand conversions.
Some time ago, a plan was set on foot 10
New York and Brooklyn, which was adopt-
ed by u large number OF churches, Tor
the purpose of promoting attendance at d.
vine service on the Sabbath, By systematic
visitat!on of assigned DeighborhOod'. Each
church that entered into the enterprise was
allotted certain bound or parish OF which
1t was the centre, in which every house was
to be visited, and the religious condition OF
every family inquired into. The districts at
first chosen TO be visited, were chiefly iow
neigh borhoods, where both tho temporal
and spiritual destitution Of the people were
painfully apparent. Parents were solicited
to 90 to church, and to send their children
to the Suudsy, the Mission. or the Industrial
School. In this way, thousands OF persons,
many Of whom were formerly degraded and
vicious, have been reclaimed. Gradually,
these visitations were extended, 81 as to III
clude the more fashionable streets, until none
were exempt. The reports prove that the rich
were quite as remiss, rs regards attendance
upon divine service, as the poor, npt"lth-
standing It is considered as in certain de-
gree re- pectable and fashionable.
The Tribune gives reports OF number oil
churches in New York ard Brooklyn, and
the neighborhood, showing the extraordinary
efforts which are being made, and the add
tions to their membership. The additions
given are generally large. Not the least To-
teres.ing is the revival going on among the
seamen. Large numbers OF coaEersionS
among this class of people have taken place,
and a great interest in religion continues 10
prevail 10 the mariners chape!1, ana on
board the North Carolina receiving ship.