From the Christian Observer. IT Tis a question of much importance of what kind the amusements of Christians ought to be, and how far, consistently with their character, they may indulge in them. As the subject has frequently occupied my thoughts, I have of course formed some opinion concerning it; which, if it have not the good fortune to meet the approbation of yourself and the generality of your readers, may have the good effect of inviting to the discussion some who in that respect may be more successful. amusements. If the greater part are not decidedly vicious, in such a degree as the world tolerates and approves, (and that is a considerable one), charity itself must pronounce them to be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. And is there no danger to a Christian in associating with such characters? Is there no danger to youth particularly in such an association? Is there any thing which tends more powerfully to an assimilation of character in different persons, than an association in their pleasures? It can hardly be pretended, by the most zealous advocate Permit me, then, to state it as for the amusement in question, my opinion, that the amusements that it does not operate as an inof Christians should be their re-centive, of the highest power, creation, not their business.- to vanity and every kindred disThey should be rather of a pri- position; if, indeed, its natural vate, than a public and gregari- tendency, in some respects, be Dus, kind. Still less should they not worse. And it must be albe of such a nature and charac-lowed by all who are acquainted ter, as tends to sink the grand with the subject, that a passion distinction, which ought ever to for amusements, often generated divide the religious from the ir- and almost always strengthened religious part of Society. Least by this particular indulgence, of all should they have in their while it enervates the mind, rencomposition any thing which is ders it unfit for the prosecution directly and decidedly sinful. of the regular duties of life, and With respect to theatrical en-extinguishes many human virtertainments, the opinion of the tues. Christian world seems to be If any, who have partaken of pretty well determined. But such diversions without personthere are others of an inferior, al injury, should allege their and, as I am willing to admit, of own case to invalidate what I a more innocent kind; balls, and have just been saying, I shall onconcerts, for instance, an attend- ly add, that, by this very circumance upon which some are dis- stance, they are disqualified from posed to consider as not incom- giving an accurate judgment uppatible with the Christian char- on the subject. And if this is acter. Upon these, therefore, not the case with others, as with I propose to offer some remarks. many most unquestionably it is It certainly becomes a Chris- not, a Christian should consider tian seriously to enquire, and to how far he is justified in encou the best of his ability determine, raging by his example a gratifiwhat is the predominant charac-cation of which others cannot ter of those who frequent these : partake without danger, if not without guilt. Unquestionably men of character, virtue, or religion, never appear so much out of place never appear so contemptible, as in a scene and occupation, which the gay and the dissipated claim peculiarly as their own. And one is tempted to pity the condition of worthy persons, who, with all their awkward attempts to assume the manners, and accommodate themselves to the spirit of their company, are shunned and ridiculed by the very persons, for whose sake they make the sacrifice. There is, at least, in the amusements here condemned, a levity, a dubiousness, little consonant with the prevailing sobriety, circumspection, and self-jealousy, which belong to the Christian charac ter. But I consider the matter in another light. There is a language in the conduct which I am reprobating. Men may Men may speak by actions as well as by words. Language, properly so called, is a system of arbitrary sounds, which, by a tacit, implied, and known consent, convey certain definite ideas. No formal or express compact was ever made by any individual to this purpose. The sounds themselves are so far from hav-. ing any necessary connection with the ideas for which they stand, that in some other language they may denote directly the reverse. Yet such is the obligation arising from the consent abovementioned, that a man by his words may not only produce evils of the most serious nature, but become justly chargeable with the guilt of causing them. Actions are significative upon the same principle; and in most cases we are as much bound to abide by their meaning-as much liable to the imputation of their natural consequences. Now, judging according to the known sense which the world in general, both those who have religion and those who have none, put upon frequenting places of public amusement, I consider such conduct as a badge, a signal, a mark, by which the person so acting gives it to be understood, that he is on the world's side; that he classes himself with those who live without God in the world, and who look for no happiness but what is to be enjoyed here. If this interpretation should be only doubtful, it would still be incumbent upon a Christian to be on his guard, and neither give just offence, nor put a stumbling block in the way of his brother. There is a respect due even to the prejudices of men; and if, by inattention to these, we embolden others to transgress, or defeat our own usefulness, we shall not be accounted by our judge as guiltless of the injury that is done. X. Religious Intelligence. AT the last general meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society, a report of the committee was read, and has since been printed, which contains much interesting information. The knowledge of the establishment of this society has been diffused, not only through the united king, doms, but over the continent of Europe, and has produced the happiest effects. In Ireland the most favorable reception was given to the plan; and, in Scotland, the syned of "Glas gow and Air were so much impressed with the beneficial tendency of the institution, as even to direct collections to be made for its benefit in all the churches and chapels within their bounds. At Nuremberg, in Germany, a Bible Society had been formed, to which a number of persons, not only in that empire, but in Switzerland also contributed; and the formation of which had been greatly promoted by a donation of 100/. voted by the committee of the English Bible Society. The Nuremberg Society had begun to print 5000 copies of a German Protestant edition of the New Testament, for distribution among the poor Protestants in Germany, who are greatly in want of the scriptures, and it is expected soon to be able to print a large edition of the established Lutheran Bible complete. In the Prussian dominions it was proposed, under the auspices of some noblemen and general officers, to print a new edition of the Protestant Bohemian Bible which had become very scarce. The committee had recommended the formation of a society for the purpose, and promised to contribute the sum of. 100/. as soon as such a society should be begun. But the influence of British example has extended even to the Roman Catholics in Germany. A priest of that communion avows his intention of promoting the establishment of a Bible Society among its members. He observes that, notwithstanding the blind bigotry which still too widely prevails in his Church, many of the clergy, both in Suabia and Bavaria, the number of whom daily increases, not only recommend but strongly promote the reading of the scriptures, particularly the New Testament. Subsequent information has assured the committee, that associa 1806. tions for printing and circulating the Holy Scriptores are actually forming among the Roman Catholics of Germany. To encourage these beginnings of good, the committee had authorized the Nuremberg society to distribute among the Roman Catholics 1000 New Testaments to be paid for by the British and Foreign Bible Society. With respect to the want of Bibles in different parts of the Christian world, it had appeared that, in the southern provinces of Ireland, not above a third of the protestant families possess Bibles; and that amongst the papists who are far more numerous, a Bible is not to be found in more than one out of 500 families; that the funds of the Dublin association are very inadequate to supply the increasing demands for Bibles; and that English Bibles are almost exclusively the objects of that demand among the lower ranks, very few of whom can read Irish. In Alsace the want of Bibles, both among the Protestants and Roman Catholics, had been stated to be so great, that the committee were indu ced to contribute with a view of remedying the evil. In Sweden, owing to the paternal care of the government, and the gen eral diffusion of religious knowledge and zeal, no want of Bibles exists. Bibles also in the languages of Finland and Lapland, are currently distributed by societies formed for the purpose. In Holland the poorest people can procure Bibles, and the deacons are accustomed to make strict inquiry of each individual, whether he possesses a Bible and reads it.. A correspondence had also, it is said, been opened with Denmark, Russia, and Bengal. Donations to the Missionary Society of Connecticut. Jan. 8. From a charitable pious Lady of Huntington 14. 2d Society, Rev. George Colton, of Bolton, Female Association at Hebron, for the dis tribution of pious Books, Certain females in New-London, $.5 25 9 12 THE Connecticut Evangelical Magazine. (PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS.) VOL. VI.] MARCH, 1806. [No. 9. DIED-Of a pulmonic consumption, at sea, on the passage from Norfolk to Charleston, bound southward on a journey for his health, in the 39th year of his age, and the 11th of his ministry, the Rev. JOSEPH WASHBURN, pastor of the Church of Christ in the first Society in Farmington. His death, which happened on the morning of the 25th of December last, was serene and peaceful; and he expired, in the arms of Mrs. Washburn who accompanied him, without a struggle or a groan. Oppressed with grief too big for utterance, and tossed with a tempest for several days in extreme danger, she arrived safe at Charleston, the 4th of January. Whether the remains of our deceased friend were carried to Charleston, and there interred, or committed to the sea, we are not yet informed. He left four young children, all too young to be fully sensible of their loss, irreparable as it is by any earthly comfort. The people, lately his charge, deeply feel this stroke of divine Providence, by which they are deprived of the labors of their beloved pastor, in the meridian of life; and his brethren in the ministry, to whom his character is known, will lament the loss of one of their number whose praise is in the Churches. Mr. Washburn was one of the Editors of this Magazine, and until called off from his labors by sickness, a faithful and highly useful member of the publishing Committee. The Editors condole with his afflicted family, the bereaved Church and Congregation, and his numerous friends, to whom he was so deservedly dear, under this visitation of a holy and righteous Providence. May the people of his charge remember the truths he has delivered, and the warnings he has given them; that they may meet him with joy at the judgment day! And may his surviving brethren in the ministry, be animated to renewed zeal in their Master's service, that they may receive the plaudit of, "Well done good and faithful servants." The memory of the just shall be had in remembrance. VOL. VI. No. 9. Rr For the CONNECTICUT EVAN- | cial and private duties of the GELICAL MAGAZINE. Christian life: His religion sat easy upon him-he was, in ge Attempts to Christianize the In-neral, far from an affected austedians in New-England, &c. (Continued fron p. 210.) CHAPTER II. NUMBER xiii. Rev. John Eliot's Life and Character, as a Christian and as a Minister to a particular Church and Congregation, abridged from Dr. Cotton Mather-His Death, and some circumstances preceding and attending it. M rity. As a Minister, he was faithful, diligent, prudent, rationally zealous, bold, and intrepid in the cause of the Redeemer; he gave himself to his work, and finished the services assigned him with uncommon vigor and fidelity. As a Christian, he was eminent for fasting and prayer. He viewed these instrumental duties of religion of great importance to promote vital piety. He not only made it his daily practice to perform secret prayer; but "R. Eliot's character in ear- he would, not uncommonly, set ly life was briefly drawn apart whole days for prayer, in a former number. He sup- with fasting in secret places beported, to the last, the reputation fore the God of heaven; espehe then gained-lived and died cially, when there was any rein the high esteem of good markable difficulty before him, men, as a Christian, a minister, he took this way to encounter and an evangelist to the Indians. and overcome it; being of Dr. His character as a Missionary Preston's mind, "That when to the natives has been placed we would have any great things before the eye of the reader in to be accomplished, the best po some preceding numbers: what licy is to work by an engine, remains is to delineate his cha- which the world sees nothing racter as a Christian and as a Mi-of." He could say, as a pious mister connected with a particu-man did upon his death-bed: lar church and society. This" I thank God, I have loved faswill be abridged from Dr. Cottonting and prayer with all my Mather, who resided near him, heart." He kept his heart in a and had a particular acquaint- frame for prayer with a wonderance with him, and viewed him, ful constancy; and was contias we shall see, as an eminent nually, as opportunities presentChristian; and as a pious, zeal-ed, exciting all about him to this. ous, indefatigable, and very use- When he heard any consideraful minister. ble news, his usual and speedy reflection upon it would be, Mr. Eliot, as a Christian, appeared devout, heavenly-minded," Brethren, let us turn all this submissive to the will of God into prayer.” When he came under trying dispensations of to an house, that he was intihis Providence ; was modest and mately acquainted with, he humble; and was distinguished would often say, "Come, let us by a careful attention to the so- not have a visit without a prayer: |