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Nor is our literature for the blind inconsiderable, when it is borne in mind that it is not ten years since printing in "raised" characters for their use was first introduced among us. Above thirty volumes have been published at Boston, and about half that number at Philadelphia, comprising several of the most interesting religious works in the English language, and the perusal of which has already proved a blessing to many of the blind.* It is gratifying to think that these institutions have all along been, to a great extent, in the hands of good men, so that this benevolent enterprise has taken a happy direction from the first.

a large annual grant to give permanency for which many of them show remarkable to the projected institution, the corpora- aptitude. tion entered vigorously upon the work, and opened a school for the blind, which has now been for ten years in successful operation. As the property, so munificently given by Mr. Perkins, was found not in all respects suitable, it was exchanged in 1839 for Mount Washington House and grounds, in South Boston, beautifully situated near the bay which spreads out to the east of the city, and in every way adapted for the purpose. The institution is under the direction of Dr. Samuel G. Howe, a man of remarkable qualifications for the post. The number of pupils is about seventy, and they are reported to be making excellent progress, and remarkably happy. There are four other institutions for the The Report of the Boston institution for blind in the United States. New-York has 1841 gives us the history of a child who one, which had last year about sixty-five had been four years a pupil there, and pupils; Philadelphia one, which had sixty- whose case is more interesting, probably, two pupils; Columbus, in Ohio, one, which than any other that has ever been known. had fifty-eight pupils; and in the same es- Laura Bridgman, born in 1829, had lost, tablishment with the asylum for the deaf when twenty months old, the faculties of and dumb at Staunton, in Virginia, there is sight, hearing, and speech, and partially that a department for the blind, with about five- of smell. At the age of nine she was placed and-twenty pupils. All these four have at the institution. There she learned to sprung up since the establishment of that read and write, and has made very considat Boston in 1832, and they are all flourish-erable progress in knowledge. The details ing. The number of pupils in the whole of the manner in which she acquired these five was, last year, about 270. The whole arts are exceedingly curious, but to give number of the blind in the United States them does not fall within the scope of this in 1840 was 6916. work.

A few years ago, a Mr. Will, of Philadelphia, bequeathed a sum to be laid out in establishing a hospital for the blind, but the institution that has arisen out of this bequest is not a school, but a retreat, where

CHAPTER XXX.

the aged and infirm blind may pass their CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE DEVELOPMENT remaining days in comfort.

Although these institutions are aided by the Legislatures of the states within which they are established, most of them, nevertheless, may be traced to the benevolence of Christian citizens, acting individually or together. Few establishments can be contemplated by the eye of Christian sympathy with greater interest than these quiet retreats. There the blind not only learn the elements of a common education,* and such an expertness in some of the mechanical arts as enables them, even while under tuition, to contribute towards their own support, but cultivate music also, by which many an hour sweetly passes away, and

Joseph B. Smith, a pupil of the Perkins Institution and Massachusetts Asylum for the Blind, pursued the study of Latin, Greek, and the other branches of a preparatory course with success, and entered Harvard University in the autumn of 1839, where he has made respectable progress. He gets his lessons with the help of his companion, who carefully reads them over to him, and seeks out in the lexicon the meaning of words he does not understand. In geometry, when the diagram is too complicated for him to retain a clear conception of it, he causes it to be "embossed" upon thick paper, that he may examine it with his fingers.

OF THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM.

WE here close our notice of the development of the voluntary principle in the United States; the results will appear more appropriately in another part of this work. If it is thought that I have dealt too much in details, I can only say that these seemed necessary for obvious reasons. There being no longer a union of Church and State in any part of the country, so that religion

ton are, the New Testament; Parts of the Old * The books published by the institution at BosTestament; Lardner's Universal History; Selections from Old English Authors; Selections from Modern English Authors; Howe's Geography for the Blind; Howe's General Atlas; Howe's Atlas of the United States; Blind Child's First Book; Blind Child's Second Book; the Dairyman's Daughter; the Harvey Boys; Blind Child's Spelling Book; Blind Child's English Grammar; the Pilgrim's Progress; Baxter's Call; Sixpenny Glass of Wine; Life of Melancthon; Book of Sacred Hymns; Viri Romæ ; Pierce's Geometry, with Diagrams, illustrative of Natural Philosophy; Political Class Book; Blind Child's Manual.

The Pennsylvania Institute, besides printing portions of the Old Testament, has published a Guide to Spelling; Select Library; Student's Magazine; French Verbs; a Grammar; and two or three books in the German language.

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must depend, under God, for its temporal Nor is this principle less beneficial to support wholly upon the voluntary princi- those whom it enlists in the various enterple, it seemed of much consequence to prises of Christian philanthropy than to show how vigorously, and how extensive- those who are its express objects. The ly, that principle has brought the influence very activity, energy, and self-reliance of the Gospel to bear in every direction which it calls forth, are great blessings to upon the objects within its legitimate the individual who exercises these qualisphere. In doing this, I have aimed at ties, as well as to those for whose sake they answering a multitude of questions pro- are put forth, and to the community at posed to me during my residence in Eu- large. Men are so constituted as to derive happiness from the cultivation of an independent, energetic, and benevolent spirit, in being co-workers with God in promoting his glory, and the true welfare of their fellow-men.

rope.

Thus I have shown how, and by what means, funds are raised for the erection of church edifices, for the support of pastors, and for providing destitute places with the preaching of the Gospel-this last involvthey are apt to exercise a most corrupting influence ing the whole subject of our home mission- on one another. Let him there observe the pains taary efforts. And as ministers must be pro-ken by bands of devoted Christians, pastors, and vided for the settlements forming apace in the West, as well as for the constantly increasing population to be found in the villages, towns, and cities of the East, I entered somewhat at length into the sub-mark the earnestness with which faithful ministers ject of education, from the primary schools up to the theological seminaries and faculties.

members of their flocks, to gather these into Bibleclasses and Sunday-schools, to induce them to attend church, to provide libraries of good books for them, to open public lectures on scientific and general as well as religious subjects; above all, let him

preach the Gospel to them, and the assiduity with which they watch for their souls; and he will perceive how much may be done, even under very unfavourable circumstances, for saving men's souls from ruin. I have never visited more virtuous communities than I have seen in some of those villages, or any in which the Gospel has triumphed more signally over all obstacles.

It was next of importance to show how the press is made subservient to the cause of the Gospel and the extension of the kingdom of God; then, how the voluntary principle can grapple with existing evils in society, such as intemperance, Sabbath breaking, slavery, and war, by means of diverse associations formed for their re-in 1827 had only 3500 inhabitants. pression or removal; and, finally, I have reviewed the beneficent and humane institutions of the country, and shown how much the voluntary principle has had to do with their origin and progress.

The reader who has had the patience to follow me thus far, must have been struck with the vast versatility, if I may so speak, of this great principle. Not an exigency occurs in which its application is called for, but forthwith those who have the heart, the hand, and the purse to meet the case, combine their efforts. Thus the principle seems to extend itself in every direction with an all-powerful influence. Adapting itself to every variety of circumstances, it acts wherever the Gospel is to be preached, wherever vice is to be attacked, and wherever suffering humanity is to be relieved.*

*There is one field on which the voluntary principle is accomplishing perhaps as great triumphs, and diffusing as happy an influence as on any other, but which I have not yet noticed. I refer to that presented by the numerous manufacturing establishments which have been springing up during the last five-and-twenty years in the Middle and Northern States. Large factories in the Old World are proverbial for ignorance and vice. But if a man would like to see religion flourishing in manufacturing towns and among "operatives," let him visit some of those towns in New England in which cotton, woollen, or other factories have grown up, and where hundreds, in some instances thousands, of men and women are collected together under circumstances in which

No manufacturing town in the United States has grown up more rapidly than Lowell, near the Merrimac River, about thirty miles northwest of Boston. It was but a small village not many years ago, and But in 1840 these had increased to 20,000. As it derives great advantages for cotton, woollen, and other factories, from the vast water-power it possesses, several companies have built large mills, and employ a great number of people, mostly young women above fifteen years of age, who have been led to leave other parts of New-England by the inducement of higher wages than they could command at home. This is an object with some, in order that they may help their poor parents; with others, that they may find means to prosecute their education; and with a third and numerous class, who, being betrothed to young men in their native districts, come to earn for themselves a little "outfit" for the married life. Let us see what opportunities for religious instruction are presented to these young persons.

In 1840 there were fifteen or sixteen churches in

Lowell, in the Sunday-schools attached to ten of which there were 4936 scholars and 433 teachers; in all, 5369. About three fourths of the scholars are girls, a large proportion of whom are above fifteen years of age. More than 500 became hopefully pious others in regard to religion. Including the Sundayin 1839, yet that year was not more remarkable than

schools attached to the other five or six churches, the whole number of scholars and teachers for 1840 considerably exceeded 6000, and nearly equalled a third of the population. Nearly 1000 of the factory girls had funds in the savings banks, amounting, in all, to 100,000 dollars. A decided taste for reading prevails among them. When in Lowell in the summer of 1841, I found that two monthly magazines of handsome appearance were publishing there. One of these was the "Operatives' Magazine," and the other the Lowell Offering." Both were of 8vo form, the one containing sixteen pages, the other thirty-two. Both displayed very considerable talent, and the Offering was filled with original articles, written solely by the female operatives. A third periodical has since been established, conducted by the same class of people.

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We now take leave of this part of our work, to enter on that for which all that has hitherto been said must be considered

as preparatory-I mean the direct work of bringing men to the knowledge and possession of SALVATION.

BOOK V.

THE CHURCH AND THE PULPIT IN AMERICA.

CHAPTER I.

IMPORTANCE OF THIS PART OF THE SUBJECT.

thing which would impede the discharge of its high functions.

But we must not misapprehend the We now come to that part of our sub- Church's office. She has received no power ject which more immediately bears upon of original legislation. She is nothing but the salvation of men's souls, and the im- an agent. Christ is the Lawgiver and the portance of which will be readily owned, Head of the Church. He has given her the therefore, by all who rightly appreciate revelation of his will, and clearly defined the nature and value of that salvation. her sphere of action. Nor can she justly It is interesting to mark the influence of expect his blessing if she goes beyond the Christian institutions on society-the re-boundaries of her duty.

pose of the Sabbath—the civilizing effect By a holy life on the part of her memof the people assembling in their churches bers; by a conversation such as becometh - and the great amount of knowledge communicated in the numerous discourses of a well-instructed ministry. Apart from higher considerations, the benefits indirectly conferred upon a community by an evangelical ministry are well worth all that it costs. It softens and refines manners, promotes health, by promoting attention to cleanliness and the frequent change of apparel; it diffuses information, and rouses minds that might otherwise remain ignorant, inert, and stupid. But what is this compared with the preparation of the immortal spirit for its everlasting destiny? This world, after all, is but the place of our education for a better; of how much moment, then, that the period of our pupilage should be rightly spent!

saints; by well-directed efforts to make known the Gospel to dying men everywhere, whether by the faithful proclamation of it on the part of the ministry whom God hath appointed, or by more familiar instruction in the Sunday-school and the Bible-class, or around the family altar, or by the distribution of the Scriptures and other religious books, united with constant, fervent, and believing prayer, that the Holy Spirit may render all these means successful, the Church is required to exert her influence in saving the world. It is thus that she becomes "the light of the world;" it is thus that she proves herself to be "the salt of the earth." But, in order to fulfil this high mission, she ought to be as nearly as possible what the Saviour of men intended The Church, with its institutions, is of her to be-a company of saints redeemed Divine ordination. It was appointed by by his blood, renewed by his Spirit, and its great Author to be the depositary of the devoted to his service-ever bearing the economy of salvation as far as human co-cross, that she may wear the crown, and operation is concerned, and is designed to combine all the human agencies which God, in infinite wisdom, has resolved to employ in the accomplishment of that salvation. How important, then, that the Church should meet the design of its Divine Founder, not only as regards its proper character, but also in the development and right employment of the influences

preparing for that day when she shall be presented to her Lord," not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing," but "holy and without blemish," for she is "his body."

CHAPTER II.

which it was constituted to put forth for THE EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN THE UNITED

the salvation of the world!

STATES MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE.

As the Church on earth is but preparatory THIS is a point of inexpressible importo the Church in heaven, it was obviously tance to the prosperity of a church; and I intended to bear some resemblance to the rejoice to say that such is the light in which celestial state. As the depositary to which it is viewed by Christians of all the evanGod has committed the custody of his re-gelical denominations in the United States, vealed truth, and as his chosen instrument almost without exception. for its diffusion among mankind, it ought obviously to be kept as pure as is possible for an institution placed in the hands of imperfect creatures at the best, from every

I do not suppose that there is a single evangelical church in the country that does not keep a record of its members; I mean of those whom it has received according to

some regular form or other as members, and who, as such, are entitled to come to the Lord's Supper. As this whole subject is not only important, but by some readers may not be easily comprehended, I may venture upon some detail.

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The

candidate for admission to the Church and participation in its most precious privileges; and such evidence, too, as induces the belief that, as the Scriptures express it, he has "passed from death unto life." belief is almost universal that the sacra1. There is no evangelical church in the ment of the Lord's Supper was appointed United States, that is, no organized body for the converted or regenerated, and of believers worshipping in one place, that should, as far as possible, be administered does not hold a creed comprehending the only to such. The number of those who following points, at least the existence hold a different opinion is small. Accordof one God, in three persons, Father, Son, ingly, it would be found, upon inquiry, that and Holy Ghost, of the same substance, all the pastors of our evangelical churches and equal in all the attributes of their na- are very careful to explain with what disture; the depravity, guilt, condemnation, positions of the heart and will, as well as and misery of all mankind; an all-sufficient with what views of the understanding, one and only atonement by the Son of God, should come to the Lord's Supper, and that who assumed human nature, and thus be- these are truly such as no unregenerate came both God and man in one person, and person can possess. This holy sacrament by his obedience, suffering, death, and in- is rarely dispensed in our churches without tercession, has procured salvation for men; being preceded by a discourse on the naregeneration by the Holy Ghost, by which ture of the preparation required in order to repentance and faith are made to spring up a right "communicating," or receiving of in the soul; the final judgment of all men; this ordinance; and all irreligious persons. and a state of everlasting misery for the-in fact, all persons, be their lives outwicked, and of blessedness for the righte-wardly what they may-who have not the ous. On these doctrines, in their substan- testimony of their consciences that they tial and real meaning, there is no difference among the evangelical churches in the United States.

2. Neither is there any evangelical church in America that does not hold the necessity of a moral life—of a life against which no charge inconsistent with a Christian profession can be brought-in order to a man's being a proper member of a church of Jesus Christ; or which would not promptly exclude an immoral person, on being sufficiently proved to be such, from its membership. No doubt there are immoral persons among the members of the churches. They are persons whose guilt cannot always be established by such proof as the laws of Christ's house require, but their number, it is believed, is comparatively small.

3. There are few, if any, evangelical churches in which the profession of a mere general or "historical belief," as it is called, in the great doctrines above stated, accompanied even by an outwardly moral life, would be considered sufficient to render a man fit to be admitted to the Lord's Supper. Nineteen twentieths of all the evangelical churches in this country believe that there is such a thing as being "born again," "born of the Spirit." And very few, indeed, admit the doctrine that a man who is not "converted," that is," renewed by the Spirit," may come without sin to that holy ordinance.

There may be difference of opinion among truly evangelical Christians respecting the amount of evidence of conversion necessary in the case. But I may unhesitatingly affirm that, with few exceptions, all expect some evidence in every

possess, so far as they honestly perceive the state of their hearts, the qualifications described, are solemnly warned of the sin, and consequent danger to their souls, incurred by unworthily partaking of that holy supper.

It is, indeed, too true that, with all this care, unworthy persons do come to the Lord's table. Many, no doubt, gain admission to the churches who are, after all, not converted. To say that many do so from base, hypocritical motives, would imply a very mistaken view of the case, for with us there is no visible inducement to such a course. No civil privilege hangs on a man's being a member of the Church and receiving the sacrament, as is the case in some countries in Europe,* nor is it reckoned dishonourable for a man not to belong to some church. None among us presumes for a moment that a man must have committed a crime, and on that account been. excluded, if he be not seen going twice or thrice a year, at least on the great festivals, for instance-to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. No such idea is known in the United States. Our pastors and other church officers, whose duty it is to govern the churches, do not profess to be infallible. They cannot know the heart. They can only judge according to the evidence presented to them. They very naturally lean to the side of charity; and with every desire on their part to do their duty, there are many, doubtless, admitted in every church without being truly convert

* In Sweden, for instance, a man cannot give his testimony in a court of justice who has not taken the sacrament of the Lord's Supper within the year immediately preceding!

ed, and when once admitted remain mem- | alone is requisite in order to a man's members, unless they withdraw of their own bership in a church. This, too, it is said, choice, or go to some other part of the often takes place without saying a word country, or are excluded on account of to the pastor, or any other officer of the some open immorality. church. Widely different is the practice which obtains in the evangelical churches of the United States. I will describe it in few words.

Every faithful pastor, who preaches regularly in any particular place for a year or two, is supposed to become pretty well acquainted with the people of his charge. In most cases, he not only comes to know the families that compose his flock, but also, more or less, nearly every individual, especially of the adult population. This is almost certain to be the case where the flock is not very numerous. This general acquaintance gives him some knowledge of the character of almost every individual. With most, if not all, he endeavours to have some conversation, more or less directly, on the subject of salvation, and the hopes of eternal life which they may be entertaining.

But while we cannot hope that even in the evangelical churches which are most rigorously strict in their admission to membership, and to the communion of the Lord's Supper, all the members are converted persons, yet the number of such as are of scandalous lives is small. Nor are such persons suffered long to continue when their characters become known. On this subject our churches form a very striking contrast with some which I have seen in other parts of the world. Nor have we many persons who come in crowds to the Lord's Supper on some great festival, such as Easter or Christmas, and stay away from it during the rest of the year. Still less will there be seen, what I have been told sometimes occurs in Protestant churches which I have visited in other lands, not a few persons waiting outside the church, on such occasions, until the communion service commences, who then make their way in, approach the communion-table or altar, receive the emblems of the Saviour's body and blood, and as soon as possible hasten out and depart! As if there were any virtue in such horrible mockery and profaneness! I bless God that we have nothing that even approaches to this in point of impiety; and yet we have to mourn over the fact that many of the members of our churches do not mani-bers of his church, he learns continually fest that spirituality, devotion, and zeal which they ought to possess. But were there no discipline in our churches, and were all the world, whatever might be their character, permitted to come to the Lord's Supper, the state of things would be in every respect infinitely worse. We do make an effort to separate the Church from the world, and to make it manifest that there is a difference, and that not a small one, between those who belong to the former, and those who seek their hap- | piness in the latter, and have their desires bounded by it.

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In addition to this, his Bible-classes and Sunday-schools bring him into frequent contact with the more juvenile part of the people over whom the Holy Ghost has made him overseer. He finds frequent opportunities of speaking with them about their souls. Besides, he is not alone. The elders, deacons, or other officers of his church, assist him much with their co-operation. Through these, as well as through zealous, judicious, and faithful private mem

the state of mind of most, if not of all the people in his congregation. This knowledge is of the greatest consequence when persons come to converse with him respecting their salvation. In our revivals, as will appear presently, it is common for the pastor to appoint a time for meeting at his house, or at some other convenient place, those who are awakened to a sense of the importance of religion. On these occasions he converses with each individual if it be possible, gives such directions as they may need, and prays with the whole. When they are too many for him to speak to all of them, he makes use of the assistance of some of the most experienced of the officers of his church. Sometimes a neighbouring minister will come and help him. I have seen twenty, fifty, a hundred, and even as many as three hundred persons, all, with few exceptions,. adults, come together in deep distress of soul, on such occasions.

In such little meetings the pastor learns the progress of religion in the souls of his people. But when there is no special “seriousness," as we say, or uncommon attention to religion among his people, then it may be that the number of those who come from time to time to speak to him respect

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