DELUSION. Sitting in our office a few days ago, we were suddenly alarmed and called to the door by hearing the stentorian cry of a man in the street, who, from the noise he made appeared to be in great agony and distress, or engaged in giving some dreadful alarm to our citizens. On gaining the door we beheld the alarmist walking rapidly through the street, swinging both arms vehemently and distorting his face horribly, uttering many incoherent calls on the people, whose curiosity attracted them to the windows and door, to " look out !”' “ God Almighty was coming!" "the end of all things was at hand!" and "the people were all going to hell!" accompanied by an occasional asseveration that he "was ready to meet his judge and should stand as a witness against those he warned of their impending fate if they did not get religion!" This, as far as we could understand him, was the amount of his vociferations, though he hallooed so very loud and the froth so filled his mouth, as to prevent a distinct and perceptible articulation. Our whole soul melted in pity for the deluded man, while our indignation was raised; we could not help it-towards those who had been successful in preaching him into this melancholy condition. At first we presumed it must have been some deranged individual-rendered so by that system of religion which drives hope from the heart and reason from its throne to give place to the desolating reign of terror; but on enquiry, we ascertained that the man was not reputed insane; that he was rational on every subject but that of religion, (and his brethren thought him to be so in that,) but that being a very devoted Methodist, and sincerely believing the doctrines he heard preached, he had become partially deranged in matters of religion, and deemed it his imperious duty to lay aside his business and go forth, under the notion that he was so called of God, to warn his neighbors and the villages to " get religion" immediately or they would all shortly go to hell. On returning to our room, we could not forbear exclaiming : Alas! how many a worthy member of society has been driven to insanity and even suicide; how many happy and flourishing families have had the fountain of their enjoyment poisoned and the source of their prosperity dried up forever, by the distracting influence of that doctrine which represents God as an enemy rather than as the friend of his creatures, and which asserts that, instead of making them happy in another state of existence, he will render them infinitely miserable to all eternity! And yet the advocates of such a doctrine tell about the injurious tendency of a more grateful and animating religion!—Christian Intelligencer. PROSPECTUS RESTORATIONIST REVIEW, By Rev. S. C. LOVELAND. Among the various publications of the Universalists, we have nothing that professes to be a general review. Authors of our denomination are, at this day, becoming numerous, and, as might be expected, are often discordant. Among others with whom we are daily conversant, we find no less variety of strange and contradictory sentiments. A religious review, could it be conducted with partiality, and candor, it is thought, would not fail to be serviceable to our brethren ; and might extend likewise a happy influence to the general society of other denominations. The doctrine of our Lord aud Saviour Jesus Christ, is, confessedly, no other than one system of divine truth. There is one body, and one spirit; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all." From these considerations, we state that the design of this work is to promote unity of feeling, and so far as practicable,harmony in doctrine. In our criticism,we mean to be liberal and fair, in censure, as sparing as propriety and a general aim to support the interests of religion, will permit. Should the hypocrite occasionally feel the keenness of severe rebuke, or the artful, that his devices are in danger of exposure, we have only to say, that the general interests of the religious community will not allow much sympathy for the sorrow of the former, nor any passive concessions to the cunning of the latter. We shall feel a high degree of satisfaction, in finding that our labours tend to protect the innocent and unwary from the treachery of their wiles. It may, perhaps, be thought that we assume much in taking a stand as the umpire of authors, and that we are endeavouring to fix in divinity a standard of human orthodoxy. But such motives we entirely disclaim. We would, by no means, assume any thing beyond our rights. We make no pretensions to infallibility; we ask no servile submission; nor demand any rights which belong to others.— We claim no received authority from bishops, archbishops, doctors of divinity, nor any of those peculiar distinctions that are known in the religious world. Our steady aim will be to commend ourselves, as faithful labours, to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Of all these things, we hope to make full proof by our works. In our reviews, we calculate to embrace remarks on the theological works of different religious sects, which may have any particular bearing in favor of or against the views of Restorationists, interspersed with many general and special remarks on the subjects of which they treat. In our remarks, we calculate to comprise whatever may be thought useful or entertaining in relation to those subjects. All works of a moral and religious nature will be considered as coming within the purview of our plan. We may occasionally notice other subjects, and more especially, where they have a relative connexion with those of the Scriptures; but such notices will be less frequent. We shall not confine ourselves to recent publications, but shall sometimes notice, in our review, those of some considerable standing. Besides reviews, we purpose another department, which will embrace notices of recent publications; and in a third, to give a list of new works, which, as respects our state, shall be complete, so far as known. A miscellaneous departiment of original and selected pieces, suited to the general character of the work, it is thought, would be suitable to give it variety and interest; especially to such as are not profited by elaborate discussions. The Editor is sensible that, on his part, he engages in a work of no small moment. It will require the best and unremitting exercise of his mental faculties.— How fully he shall be able to accomplish the various objects of the work, and the anticipation of his brethren, will remain to be decided only by actual experiment. He confesses that he approaches it with no small degree of diffidence, but not without feelings of engagedness that prompt to mental exertion and assiduous per severance. CONDITIONS. The work is to be published in a duodecimo form, once in two months, each number containing 48 pages, and to commence as soon as sufficient encouragement shall be given. The price to subscribers will be one dollar per year, payable at the end of the year. A discount of 15 per cent. will be allowed to those who pay in advance, or once in three months from the reception of the first number. Agents will be allowed a deduction of one sixth,when they take the whole responsibility of collecting and making remittances; and six cents each for every good responsible subscriber, without further accountability. The work will be sent to any part of the country, where conveyance is practicable, at the expense of subscribers, in such manner as they shall prescribe. Subscription papers to be returned to the Editor in Reading, or to D. W. Watson, Printer, Woodstock, Vermont. Subscriptions received by the Editor of this paper. From the Utica Evangelical Magazine. OBITUARY OF REV. CHARLES R. MARSH. The following extract of a letter from Rev. N. Doolittle, dated, Berkshier, Tioga Co. April 1st. contains the first and only intelligence we have received of the death of one of "the excellent of the earth," one of the most amiable young man we ever had the privilege and the happiness of knowing. "Our brother, and my invaluable and esteemed friend, C. R. Marsh, is gone. I believe he died on the 18th March. The particulars of his death I have not learned. He was an extraordinary young man of a briliant genius-possessing superior talents, and a fruitful imagination. He has "fought the good fight, he has kept the faith, and finished his course in early life. But in the morning of his days; in the midst of his usefulness, he is called away! How dark and mysterious are the ways of Heaven! His loss will be deeply lamented by all who knew him." The above intelligence is of too sad, too afflictive a nature to permit our swelling hearts to find language suitable to express our feelings on the occasion, brother" Marsh, "very pleasant hast thou been unto me." He died of Consumption, we believe in the 27th year of his age. From his earliest labors in the gospel ministry, we have been acquainted with this amiable, this incomparably youth. He commenced his labors in the ministry of Reconciliation and received a letter of fellowship in the same season (1822) with us; and together were we ordained to the sacred work of this holy calling. For the first two years and an half of his ministry he labored with success, for the most part of his time in Vermont, in the vicinity of his native place, (Shoreham.) And for the last three years of his ministry and life, he has resided and preached in Montrose and Brooklyn and vicinity, Pa. His labors here were very abundant and equally successful. In addition to his duties of preaching the gospel, he conducted for 2 years a Religious Periodical, entitled the "Candid Examiner." By these double labors, he was instrumental in spreading the knowledge of the truth, and conveying the joyful tidings of a world's salvation to thousands af people who had long sat in darknes; and proclaiming 'peace to those that were afar off and to those that were near. He possessed more, much more, than the ordinary qualifications for a gospel minister. To the mildest of tempers, the most amiable of dispositions, the most gentle and wining manners, a sound mind, a discriminating judgment, and a good education, he added a zeal and devotedness of heart worthy the sacred cause in which he was engaged. His heart was filled, his soul deeply imbued with the love of his divine master. And he sought to discharge with zeal and fidelity the several duties he owed to his God, his Redeemer, and humanity. But alas, this bright luminary, that shone with so much brilliancy so short a time, has set, to rise no more on this world! This beautiful blossom-though not without fruit-is cut down ere it had arrived at matutity. Ah, how short at longest is the life of man! How brief the period of his usefulness! But when we see a youth like this, so promising, so dear, so useful in the world, cut down in the very morning of life, the hearts of the living sensibly feel the stroke, and we almost murmur at the dispensations of divine Providence. But we must remember it is God that hath done this, who sees not as man sees. We trust this departed and worthy young man has gone to a better world than this, to receive a "crown of life that fadeth not away." His memory on earth will long be endeared to all who knew him. May his virtues be embalmed in our hearts, and faithfully exemplified in our lives. S. WITCHCRAFT! Impossible as it may appear in this enlightened age, there are hundreds of people in this state, and some preachers too, that have the same belief and dread of witchcraft, as characterized the inhabitants of Salem and vicinity in the days of yore. We have seen horse shoes, nailed on the thresh-holds of doors, in our perigrinations through the Piney woods, to prevent the intrusion cf these incarnate devils; and woe to the old lady, who happens to turn back from a door, where this potent charm is set to guard its entrance. She must be a witch! Many a plank and tree, will bear the marks of silver bullets, some of which have been dis charged within a short time past, at certain figures made of chalk and charcoal, and said to represent sundry old ladies, in the form of witches. And that there may be no mistake in the business, and that the existence of foul witch" and "goblin dainned,” may be established beyond the reach of controversy, we assure our readers, that the aforesaid images have been made, and silver bullets discharged, by pious and goldly preachers; and church members. And, what is still more two or three old ladies happened to die-some time! Doubt this, Infidel, if thou durst!-Wilmington, N. C. Liberalist. FATAL EFFECTS OF SUDDEN JOY. In the year 1897, when a stagnation took place, owing to the war with France, a young man in Dunfermline, a flax-dresser, entered his Majesty's navy at Bolness. Upon his arrival at Spithead, he happened to be put on board the ship of Admiral Cochrane, a brave and generous commander. The Admiral, from some cause or other, took a liking to the young man, and exalted him step by step, till at last he was promoted to be prize-master of the fleet. In this situation he accumulated 60,000 pounds. This sum was transmitted to Edinburgh, and deposited in the royal Bank of Scotland. At the same time the flax-dresser wrote to his former employers in Dunfermline, to desire his father to purchase an estate to the amount of the above sum, and as near to his native place as possible. The old man was sent for, and too hastily acquainted with the affluent circumstances of his son. The effect was fatal, The sudden tide of joy rushed with such impetuosity upon him that he stood motionless: his eyes expanded, his nostrils dilated, his mouth wide upen, like the picture of horror. At last he fell insensible on the floor, never spoke more, and expired in the course of a few days. Liverpool Advertiser. The American Bible Society, has 15 presses in operation, and is shortly to have four additional power presses, all worked by steam, and equal to eight common hand presses. In the course of next summer four more áre to be added, so that there will then be in all what is equal to 30 or 31 common presses. Mr. Burr's Legacies.--We find in the Rutland (Vermont) Herald the following statement of the sums bequeathed by the late Mr. Burr, to the cause of learning and Christian philanthropy. American Board of Foreign Missions, 66 Home Missionary Society, 66 Tract Society, Colonization Society, Bible Society, : : Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, Manchester Congregasional Society, << Literary Seminary, $17,000 10,000 10,000 7000 Mr. Burr's estate is estimated, it is said at $150,000. He was a bachelor, and his relatives are all far from being poor. He therefore felt himself at liberty to gratify, as far as he was able, the desires of his heart for the well-being of his fellow men.-Vt. Chron. 3000 : $96,000 Middlebury College, Williams College, Dartmouth Colllege, CONVERSION IN THE MINISTRY. We are happy to learn by a letter received a few days ago from Gray, (Me.) that Rev. JAMES COLLEY, Jr. an Elder in the Free-will Baptist connexion, has recently renounced the idea that sin and misery will be endles, and has preached a number of discourses in favour of the universal grace and salvation of God. We have no personal acquaintance with Mr. Colley, but presuming our information is correct, we congratulate him on "the increase of faith," and wish him " peace in believing," "joy in the Holy Ghost," and an abundant success in "turning men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God." Christian Intelligencer. Brother TURNER, late of Portsmouth, have accepted the invitation of the Unitarian Society in Charlton, Mass. to become its Pastor, has removed to the latter place. Mr. T. informs us, that he takes charge of the Church and Society in Charlton, "without any sacrifice or renuciation of the principles, for which during thirty years, he has contended according to the best abilities he possesses." Ib. To the publishers of Papers and Periodical works throughout the United States. It is intended by the 1st of May next in a pamphlet with other statical matters, to notice all the Newspapers and perodicals in the United States, and the city or town where published, &c. A copy containing the above shall be faithfully forwarded to each of you, who will insert this notice once and forward a paper or a copy of the work you publish, to Philadelphia, directed to "THE TRAVELLER.' Philadelphia, February 22, 1828. P. S. Since the above Circular has appeared, Papers, &c. are daily pouring in through the mails from every part of the compass. They are immediately taken from the Post Office here and filed; and their titles, &c. arranged for publication. I am under grateful obligations to those gentlemen who thus aid me in this only practicable way of coming at certain information in regard to the im-` mence extent of the floating Literature of this Republic. It is very desirable that no publisher in the United States, fail in sending on a copy as above respectfully proposed. THE TRAVELLER. Philadelphia, April, 18. From the Vermont Chronicle. IT'S MY FATHER. MR. EDITOR,-The following is a a true story of a scene which was witnessed in one of our villages, March 6, 1828. It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when there came along an ox sled, as if returning home after having discharged its load. The sled was drawn by a pair of feble oxen, and driven by two little boys apparently of the ages eight and ten. On the sled a little transversely lay at full length what seemed a man-and on closer view, a man dead drunk. "What have you there ?" I said to one of the little boys. "It's my father." "Your father!" said I, "who is he?" He spoke his name. "Why, what's the matter with him?" I inquired further. drinks too much," he replied, grief and shame conflicting in his countenance, while he strove to hide his embarrassment by urging on at a quicker pace the unconscious team with their less conscious load. "He Reader, pause a moment and ponder on a fact like this. A father takes his little sons to market-gets drunk in their presence-is placed, a public spectacle on an ox sled--and by them, even his own sons, driven to his own family! How sickening! how mournful! The charnel house is not more revolting, the funeral procession is not more affecting. |