t t ingly, that relate to this agency and its results in the experience of the churches in the United States, are those in which he himself feels most interest, and to which he would specially direct the attention of the reader. The author has divided his work into eight Books. The First is devoted to preliminary remarks intended to throw light on various points, so that readers the least conversant with American history and society may, without difficulty, understand what follows. Some of these preliminary remarks may be thought at first not very pertinent to the subject in hand, but reasons will probably be found for changing this opinion before the reader comes to the end of the volume. The Second Book treats of the early colonization of the country now forming the United States; the religious character of the first European colonists -their ecclesiastical institutions-and the state of the churches when the Revolution took place by which the colonies became independent of the mother-country. The Third treats of the changes involved in and consequent upon that event—the influence of those changes the character of the civil governments of the States-and the relations subsisting between those governments and the churches. The Fourth exhibits the operations of the voluntary system in the United States, and the extent of its influence. The Sixth is occupied with brief notices of the evangelical denominations in the United States-their ecclesiastical polity and discipline-the doctrines peculiar to each-their history and prospects. e The Seventh treats in like manner of the unevangelical sects. The Fifth treats of the discipline of the churches-the character of Ameri can preaching—and the subject of revivals. The Eighth shows what the churches are doing in the way of sending the Gospel to other lands. From the very nature of such a work, it was requisite that the author should consult many authorities. In order to procure the requisite materials, he visited his native country last year, and so abundantly was he supplied with what he needed, that, in the actual execution of his task, he found himself in want of only one or two books and documents, and these of no essential importance. But he would be guilty of great injustice were he not to acknowledge his obligations to many distinguished friends in America for their kind co-operation and aid. Without naming all who have anywise assisted him by furnishing necessary documents, or in communicating important facts, he cannot forbear to mention the names of the Rev. Drs. Dewitt, Hodge, Goodrich, Bacon, Anderson, Durbin, Emerson, and Schmucker, and the Rev. Messrs. Tracy, Berg, and Allen.* To the secretaries of almost all the Religious Societies and Institutions in the country he is also greatly indebted for the Re * These gentlemen belong to the Reformed Dutch, Presbyterian, Congregational, Methodist, Lutheran, German Reformed, and Baptist churches, and are among the most distinguished ministers in the United States. ports, and in many cases, also, for the valuable hints they have furnished. Nor can he omit to acknowledge the kindness of Dr. Howe, Principal of the Institute for the Blind at Boston, the Rev. Mr. Weld, Principal of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Hartford, in Connecticut, and Dr. Woodward, Director of the Hospital for the Insane at Worcester, Massachusetts. For the invaluable chapter on Revivals, the reader, as well as the author, is indebted to the Rev. C. A. Goodrich, D.D., who has long been a distinguished professor in Yale College, at New-Haven, in Connecticut, than whom no man in the United States is more capable of treating that subject in a judicious and philosophical manner. Nor should the names of the Honourable Henry Wheaton, the Minister for the United States of America at the court of Prussia, and of Robert Walsh, Esq., now residing in Paris, be omitted. Among other obligations, to the former of these gentlemen, the author is indebted for some views which the reader will find in the Third Book; and he has to thank the latter for many important suggestions which he has found much reason to appreciate in the course of his work. He makes this acknowledgment with the more pleasure, because Mr. Walsh is a Roman Catholic, and yet, with a kindness and liberality in every way remarkable, he tendered his assistance with the full knowledge that the author is a decided Protestant, and that his work, however liberal the spirit in which it is written, was to be of a thoroughly Protestant character. One word more to the English reader. The author deems it right to say that his work was originally designed and primarily written for Germany and other countries on the Continent of Europe. Accordingly, it is fuller on some points than was absolutely requisite for British readers, these being, no doubt, better acquainted with the United States than are the inhabitants of the Continent. Deeply sensible that the work is far from perfect, he commends it, nevertheless, to the blessing of Him without whose favour nothing that is good can be accomplished. GENEVA (SWITZERLAND), September, 1843. CONTENTS. CHAP. XI.-Religious Character of the early Colonists of America.-Emigrants from Scot- CHAP. XII.-Religious Character of the early Colonists.-Huguenots from France CHAP. I.-General Notice of North America CHAP. II.-The Aborigines of North America CHAP. III.-Discovery of that Part of North America which is comprised in the Limits of the United States.-The early and unsuc- cessful Attempts to Colonize it CHAP. IV. The Colonization of the Territo- ries now constituting the United States at CHAP. XIII.-Religious Character of the early Colonists.-Emigrants from Germany 15 · CHAP. XIV.-Religious Character of the early CHAP. XV.-Religious Character of the early CHAP. V.-Interior Colonization of the Country CHAP. VI.-Peculiar Qualifications of the An- glo-Saxon Race for the Work of Coloniza- CHAP. VIII.—The Royal Charters CHAP. IX.-How a correct Knowledge of the American People, the Nature of their Gov- - CHAP. X.-How to obtain a correct View of the Spirit and Character of the Religious Institu- CHAP. XI.-A brief Notice of the Form of Gov- CHAP. XII.—A brief Geographical Notice of the CHAP. XIII. Obstacles which the Voluntary System in supporting Religion has had to en- counter in America: 1. From the erroneous Opinions on the Subject of Religious Econo- my which the Colonists brought with them CHAP. XIV. - Obstacles which the Voluntary System has had to encounter in America: 2. From the Newness of the Country, the Thin- ness of the Population, and the unsettled state CHAP. XV.-Obstacles which the Voluntary System has had to encounter in America: 3. CHAP. XVI. Obstacles which the Voluntary System has had to encounter in America: 4. CHAP. II. Religious Character of the Founders of New-England.-Plymouth Colony CHAP. III.-Religious Character of the early Colonists.-Founders of New-England.-Col- CHAP. IV. Religious Character of the early Colonists.-Founders of New-England.-Col- onies of Connecticut, Rhode Island, New- Hampshire, and Maine.-General Remarks CHAP. V. Religious Character of the early Colonists.-Founders of the Southern States CHAP. VI. - Religious Character of the early Colonists.-Colonists of New-York CHAP. IX.-Religious Character of the early Colonists.-Founders of Pennsylvania 17 20 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 40 CHAP. I.-Effects of the Revolution upon Reli- gion. Changes to which it necessarily gave CHAP. II. The Dissolution of the Union of Church and State not effected by the General Government, nor did it take place immediately 104 CHAP. III.-Dissolution of the Union of Church and State in America, when and how effected 105 CHAP. IV.-Effects of the Dissolution of the Union of Church and State in the several States in which it once subsisted CHAP. V. Whether the General Government CHAP. VII.The Government of the United States shown to be Christian by its Acts CHAP. VIII.-The Governments of the Individ- CHAP. IX. The Legislation of the States shown to be in favour of Christianity CHAP. X.-The Legislation of the States often bears favourably, though incidentally, on the CHAP. XI.-In what cases the action of the Civil Authority may be directed in reference CHAP. III.-How Church Edifices are built in CHAP. IV. How Church Edifices are built in CHAP. V.-The Voluntary Principle developed. -How the Salaries of the Pastors are raised 136 CHAP. VI.- How Ministers of the Gospel are brought forward, and how they become set- CHAP. VII.-The Voluntary Principle developed in Home Missions.-American Home Mission- CHAP. VIII.-Presbyterian Board of Domestic CHAP. IX.-Home Missions of the Episcopal, Baptist, and Reformed Dutch Churches CHAP. XI.-The Voluntary Principle developed. -Influence of the Voluntary Principle on Ed- CHAP. XII.-Grammar-schools and Academies CHAP. XIII.-Colleges and Universities CHAP. XIV.-Sunday-schools.-American Sun- CHAP. XVII.-Education Societies CHAP. XVHI.-Theological Seminaries CHAP. XXII.-Efforts to promote the Religious CHAP. XXIII.-Of the Influence of the Volunta- Page 132 134 140 CHAP. XXIV.-The American Prison Discipline 178 CHAP. XXV.-Sundry other Associations CHAP. XXVI.-Influence of the Voluntary Prin- ciple on the Beneficent Institutions of the CHAP. XXVII. Influence of the Voluntary Principle on the Beneficent Institutions of the Country.-Asylums for the Insane. CHAP. XXVIII. - Influence of the Voluntary Principle on the Beneficent Institutions of the Country.-Asylums for the Deaf and Dumb CHAP. XXIX.-Influence of the Voluntary Prin- ciple on the Beneficent Institutions of the Country.-Asylums for the Blind CHAP. XXX. Concluding Remarks on the Development of the Voluntary Principle . 181 • 142 144 145 146 148 150 172 174 176 177 THE CHURCH AND THE PULPIT IN AMERICA. CHAP. I.-Importance of this Part of the Sub- CHAP. II.-The Evangelical Churches in the United States maintain Discipline. CHAP. III.-The Way in which Membership in CHAP. V.-The Administration of Discipline CHAP. VI.-Character of American Preaching CHAP. VII.-Revivals of Religion CHAP. VIII.-Supplementary Remarks on Re- CHAP. X.-Concluding Remarks on the Church THE EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN AMERICA. CHAP. I.-Preliminary Remarks in reference to CHAP. II. The Protestant Episcopal Church CHAP. III.-The Congregational Churches CHAP. IV. The Regular Baptist Churches CHAP. V.-The Presbyterian Church . 229 CHAP. VI.-The Methodist Episcopal Church CHAP. VII.-The Moravian Church. CHAP. VIII.-Smaller Baptist Denominations . 251 RELIGION IN AMERICA. BOOK I. PRELIMINARY REMARKS. CHAPTER I. GENERAL NOTICE OF NORTH AMERICA. THE Configuration of the Continent of North America, at first view, presents several remarkable features. Spreading out like a partially open fan, with its apex towards the south, its coasts, in advancing northward, recede from each other with considerable regularity of proportion and correspondence, until, from being separated by only sixty miles at the Isthmus of Darien, they diverge to the extent of 4500 miles; the east coast pursuing a northeastern, and the west a nothwestern direction. Parallel to these coasts, and at almost equal distances from them, there are two ranges of mountains. The eastern range, called the Alleghany, or Appalachian, runs from southwest to northeast, at an average distance of 150 miles from the Atlantic. Its length is usually estimated at 900 miles.* Its greatest width, which is in Virginia and Pennsylvania, is about 120 miles. Rather a system, than a range, of mountains, it is composed of parallel ridges, generally maintaining a northeast and southwest direction. But as it advances towards its northern extremity, and passes through the New-England States, it loses much of its continuity, and gradually runs off into a chain of nearly isolated mountains. The southern extremity gradually sinks down into the hills of Georgia, unless, indeed, we may consider it as disappearing in the low, central line of the peninsula of Florida. The northeastern end terminates in the ridges of Nova Scotia. The whole of this range is within the limits of the United States, excepting that part of it which stretches into the British Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. We may remark, in passing, that although this mountain range apparently separates the waters which flow into the Atlantic Ocean from those which fall into the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence, such is not really the This is the length of the chain considered as a continuous range, from the northern parts of Georgia and Alabama to the State of New-York. Taken in the extensive sense in which it is spoken of in the text, the entire range exceeds 1500 English miles. case. These mountains simply stand, as it were, on the plateau or elevated plain on which those waters have their origin. Rising in the immediate vicinity of each other, and often interlocking, these streams are not in the least affected in their course by the mountains, the gaps and valleys of which seem to have been made to accommodate them, instead of their accommodating themselves to the shape and position of the mountains. In a part of its northern extension, this range of mountains seems to detach itself entirely from the plain where those streams have their source, and lies quite east of it, so that the streams that fall into the Atlantic, in making their way to the southeast, as it were, cut through the mountain range, in its entire width. When first discovered by Europeans, and for a century and more afterward, the long and comparatively narrow strip of country between the Alleghany range and the Atlantic Ocean was covered with an unbroken forest. The mountains, likewise, up to their very summits, and the valleys that lay between them, were clad with wood. Nothing deserving the name of a field, or a prairie, was anywhere to be seen. On the western side of the continent, as has been stated, another range of mountains runs parallel to the coast of the Pacific Ocean. This range is a part of the immense system of mountains running from Cape Horn throughout the entire length of the continent, and seems as if intended, like the backbone in large animals, to give it unity and strength. It is by far the longest in the world;* and bearing different names in different parts of its extent, it is the Andes in South America, the Cordilleras in Guatimala and Mexico, and the Rocky Mountains† in the north. |
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