parent. Upon myself, the change opened with as much suddenness as power.

given on the Sabbath, at the chapel where the stu- | dels; and many went to every length they could dents were required to attend, and we were accus- reach, of levity, profaneness, and dissipation. So tomed to hold also a meeting for familiar religious many animosities and irregularities prevailed, as instruction one evening during the week. At this to endanger the general reputation of the seminary. meeting, however, scarcely any were present; a "Some of the students who were differently sismall portion of the actual members of the church tuated from myself, may perhaps have noticed prewere accustomed to attend, but never any one else. paratory movements on the common mass of mind, If a single individual, not professedly a Christian, indicating an under-current of feeling, gradually had come in for a single evening, it would have gaining strength, and preparing the community been noticed as a rare occurrence, and talked of by for the results which were to follow. But I saw the officers as something unexpected and extraor-none; and none such could have been generally apdinary. Our hearts ached, and our spirits sunk within us, to witness the coldness and hardness of heart towards God and duty which reigned among "The first circumstance which attracted my atso large a number of our pupils. Every private tention was a sermon from the President on the effort which we could make with individuals en- Sabbath. I do not know what the text and subject tirely failed, and we could see, too, that those who were, for, according to a wicked habit, I had been professed to love the Saviour were rapidly losing asleep till near its close. I seemed to be awakened their interest in his cause, and becoming engrossed by a silence which pervaded the room; a deep, soin literary ambition and college rivalry, dishonor- lemn attention, which seems to spread over an asing God's cause, and gradually removing every cb-sembly when all are completely engrossed in some stacle to the universal prevalence of vice and sin. absorbing theme. I looked around, astonished, and "There was then in college a young man who the feeling of profound attention seemed to settle had been among the foremost in his opposition to on myself. I looked towards the President, and religion. His talents and his address gave him a saw him calm and collected, but evidently most great deal of personal influence, which was of such deeply interested in what he was saying-his whole a character as to be a constant source of solicitude soul engaged, and his countenance beaming with to the government. He was repeatedly involved in an expression of eager earnestness, which lighted difficulties with the officers on account of his trans-up all his features, and gave to his language unugressions of the college laws, and so well known sual energy and power. were his feelings on the subject, that when at a government meeting, during the progress of the revival, we were told with astonishment, by the President, that this young man was suffering great distress on account of his sins, it was supposed by one of the officers that it must be all a pretence, feigned to deceive the President, and make sport for his companions. The President did not reply to the suggestion, but went to visit him; and when I next saw him, he said, 'There's no pretence there. If the Spirit of God is not at work upon his heart, I know nothing about the agency of the Spirit.'

"That young man is now the pastor of a church, active and useful, and, when commencing this narrative, I wrote to him to send me such reminiscences of this scene as might remain upon his mind. He writes me thus:

"VERY DEAR SIR,

""What could this mean? I had never seen a speaker and his audience so engaged. He was making a most earnest appeal to prevent those who were destitute of religion themselves, from doing any thing to obstruct the progress of the revival which he hoped was approaching; or of doing any thing to prevent the salvation of others, even if they did not desire salvation for themselves. He besought them, by all the interests of immortality, and for the sake of themselves, and of their companions, to desist from hostilities against the work of God.

"The discourse closed, and we dispersed. But many of us carried away the arrow in our hearts. The gayest and the hardiest trembled at the manifest approach of a sublime and unwonted influence. Among some who might have been expected to raise the front of opposition, I resolved not to do it, but to let it take its course, keeping away from its influence, without doing any thing to oppose it; but

"My obligations to you as a friend and instructer, make me anxious to fulfil my promise, of draw-neutrality was impossible. ing up a sketch of the revival at Amherst College "It was probably with an intention somewhat during the last two or three weeks of April, 1827. similar to that which prompted the meetings which I have been delayed, partly by sickness and the un- the irreligious students held by themselves the year usual pressure of duties here, partly by the diffi- before, that the following plan was formed. A stuculty of settling in my mind a clear idea of what dent, who was temporarily my room-mate, imporyou wish, and partly by the impossibility of reviv- tuned me to invite one of the tutors to conduct a ing the memory of facts and impressions in the ex-religious meeting in my room. I told him I would, act order of their occurrence. If this communica- if he would obtain the promise of certain indivition should reach you too late to answer your pur- duals, ten in number, whom I named, that_they pose, it will at least prove my wish to yield you such would attend. I selected such individuals as I was assistance as I may. confident would not consent to be present. In a short time, he surprised me with the information that he had seen them all, and that they had consented to the proposal. Of course, I was obliged, though reluctantly, to request the tutor to hold such a meeting. Most of us repaired to the place at the appointed time, with feelings of levity or of bitter hostility to religion. My room-mate had waggishly placed a Hebrew Bible on the stand. Whether this circumstance, or the character of his auditory, suggested the subject which the tutor chose, I know not; but, after opening the meeting with prayer, he entered into a defence of the Divine authority of the holy Scriptures, from external and internal evidence, which he maintained in the most convincing manner; and then, on the strength of this autho

"For a considerable time previous, the subject of religion in college had fallen into great neglect; even the outward forms were very faintly observed. During nearly two years, in which I had been connected with the college, I had never heard the subject mentioned among the students, except as matter of reproach and ridicule. At least, this is true, so far as my intercourse with the students was concerned. Those who professed piety, either through timidity or unconcern, seemed to let the subject rest, and were chiefly devoted to indolence or literary ambition. But while religion was shamed and fugitive, irreligion was bold and free. A majority of the students were avowedly destitute of piety; and of these a large portion were open or secret infi

rity, he urged its promises and denunciations upon | semble at the appointed place. It was plain that the us as sinners. The effect was very powerful. Se veral retired deeply impressed, and all were made more serious, and better prepared to be influenced by the truth. So that this affair "fell out rather to the furtherance of the gospel."

"My own interest in the subject rapidly increased, and one day, while secluded in my apartment, and overwhelmed with conflicting emotions of pride and despair, I was surprised by a visit from the President. He informed me that he had come with the hope of dissuading me from doing any thing to hinder the progress of the revival. After intimating that he need feel no apprehensions on that point, confessed to him, with difficulty, the agitation of my thoughts. Apparently much affected, he only said, Ah, I was afraid you would never have such feelings." After remaining silent a few minutes, he engaged in prayer, and retired, advising me to attend a certain meeting of my class-mates for prayer. I felt very much like the Syrian general, when offended by the supposed neglect of the prophet; for I thought he would have seized the opportunity to do some great thing for the relief of my laboring mind.

"With feelings still more excited, I repaired to one of my class-mates, who had the reputation of being one of the most consistent Christians among us. I asked him, with tears, to tell me what I should do to be saved. He, too, betrayed his wonder, and only resorted to prayer with me, in which he could do little but say, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on us." Long afterward I learned that when he left me, to join a circle assembled that evening for prayer, he told them that my inquiry for the way of salvation made him feel as if he needed to learn it himself.'

hearts of many of them were full of such emotions as I have described. Others, who were still unrenewed, would sit with downcast eyes, and when it came to their turn to be questioned, would make an effort to control their feelings, and finding that they could not recite, would ask me to excuse them.Others, known heretofore as enemies of God and religion, sat still, their heads reclined upon the seats before them, with their hearts overwhelmed with remorse and sorrow, and eyes filled with tears. I could not ask them a question. One morning, I recollect, so strong and so universal were these feelings, that we could not go on. The room was silent as death. Every eye was down; I called upon one after another, but in vain; and we together prayed God to come and be with us, and bless us, and to save us and our class-mates from sin and suffering, and then silently went to our rooms.

"The buildings were as still this week as if they had been depopulated. The students loved to be alone. They walked about silently. They said little when they met, as men always do when their hearts are full. Late in the evening, they would collect in little circles in one another's rooms, to spend a few moments in prayer. I was often invit ed to these meetings; and it was delightful to see the little assembly coming into the room at the appointed time, each bringing his own chair, and gathering around the bright burning fire, with the armed chair placed in one corner for their instruct er, and the two occupants of the room together upon the other side. They who were present at these meetings will not soon forget the enjoyment with which their hearts were filled, as they here bowed in supplication before God.

"On Tuesday and Thursday evenings we assembled in the largest lecture-room, for more public worship. It was the same room where, a few weeks before, on the same occasions, we could see only here and there one, among the vacant gloomy seats. Now how changed! At the summons of the evening bell, group after group ascended the stairs, and crowded the benches. It was the rhetorical lecture-room, and was arranged with rows of seats on the three sides, and a table for the professor on a small platform on the fourth. The seats were soon full, and settees were brought in to fill the area left in the centre. The President was seated at the table; on either side of him the professors; and beyond them, and all around, the room was crowded with young men, hungering and thirsting after the Word of God.

"I have thus followed out this particular case, in order to give to my readers, by means of a minute examination of one specimen, a clear idea of the nature of the changes which were effected. There were, however, many other cases, as marked and striking as this; so that any person who was a member of college at that time might be in doubt, after reading the preceding description, which of half a dozen decided enemies of religion, who were at this time changed, was the one referred to. In fact, the feeling went through the college-it took the whole. Nothing like opposition to it was known, except that, perhaps, in a very few cases, individuals made efforts to shield themselves from its influence; and one or two did this successfully, by keep ing themselves for many days under the influence of ardent spirit! With a few exceptions of this "I recollect particularly one of these meetings. kind, the unwonted and mysterious influence was It was one of the earliest after the revival comwelcomed by all. It was not among Christians a menced, and before us, crowding the settees in the feeling of terror, of sadness, and melancholy, but open area, were gathered all the wild, irreligious, of delight. Their countenances were not gloomy vicious, and abandoned young men which the inand morose, as many persons suppose is the case at stitution contained. There they were, the whole of such a time, but they beamed with an expression of them; all enmity gone, opposition silenced, and enjoyment, which seemed to be produced by the all- pride subdued; and they sat in silence, gazing at pervading sense of the immediate presence of God. the President, and drinking in all his words, as be I have seen, in other cases, efforts to appear solemn pressed upon them their sins, and urged them to the affected gravity of countenance, and serious- throw down the weapons of their rebellion, and ness of tone-but there was nothing of that here. come and submit themselves to God. The text for Hearts were all full to overflowing, and it was the evening, if I recollect right, was this-'Not with a mysterious mingling of peace and joy-an withstanding, be ye sure of this, the kingdom of emotion of deep overwhelming gladness in the God has come nigh unto you.' Every person in the soul, though of a character so peculiar that it ex-room felt that it was nigh. He spoke in a calm, pressed itself in the countenance by mingled smiles and tears.

"The ordinary exercises of college were not interrupted. The President held two or three religious meetings during the week, but recitations went on unchanged, and I well recollect the appearance of my mathematical classes. The students would walk silently and slowly from their rooms, and as

quiet, but impressive manner, and every word went to a hundred and fifty hearts.

"We listened to the sermon, which was earnest and impressive, though direct, plain, and simple; it told the ungodly hearers before us that the kingdom of heaven was nigh them, and urged them to enter it. We knew we could almost feel they were entering it; and when, at the close of the

meeting, we sang our parting hymn, I believe there was as much real, deep-flowing happiness in that small but crowded apartment, as four such walls ever contained.

was no place for enjoyment, for the seat was so small that we were obliged to sit on each other in turn, and the road was so rugged as to threaten to jerk us out together; yet I did much enjoy the ride. We wound our way through granite hills and rocks, sprinkled with cedar and fir, and disclosing to you, in succession and at intervals, the animated river, the beautiful bay, and the expanded lake, dotted with islets. As we approached nearer to the lake, there arose insensibly on its margin, and among the trees, the village to which I was bound. It looked exceedingly lovely and quiet in the summer lights of evening. It seemed a delightful retirement for an association of ministers; and reminded me forcibly and pleasantly of Him who, with his disciples, often retreated for converse and pray

"When the indications of this visit from above first appeared, it was about a fortnight before the close of the term, and in about ten days its object was accomplished. Out of the whole number of those who had been irreligious at its commencement, about one half professed to have given themselves up to God; but as to all the talent, and power of opposition, and open enmity-the vice, the profaneness, the dissipation-the revival took the whole. With one or two exceptions, it took the whole. And when, a few weeks afterward, the time arrived for those thus changed to make a public profession of religion, it was a striking specta-er to the margin of Gennesaret. cle to see them standing in a crowd in the broad aisle of the college chapel, purified, sanctified, and in the presence of all their fellow-students renouncing sin, and solemnly consecrating themselves to God. Seven years have since elapsed, and they are in his service now. I have their names before me, and I do not know of one who does not continue faithful to his Master still."

In the close of the day I reached Brattleborough. A gentleman had been taken into our stage, who had been overturned in his way from Boston, and greatly hurt. Mr. Matheson had kindly sent me word that I could get on by the stages so as to be in time at Meredith; but I soon found that he had been misinformed. It was still very difficult to obtain from the coach-masters any thing like certain information on the route I wished to take. Each one was for urging his coach, though it would take you thirty miles out of your road.

On the morning of the third, I started again for Oxford Bridge. The coach was to leave at three o'clock, but I was called at two; and, five minutes after, I was summoned to enter it. I had been taught to reckon on this before. The ride was very beautiful and varied. Bellows Falls made a striking picture. The height of the fall is inconsiderable; but the river dashes down through the vast masses of gray granite rock in noble style. From the sides of the cascade, the rocks, which have escaped the ruin, stand up in wild and abrupt forms. The pretty village, with its pretty church, and two or three superior cottages, crown the scene. It is both handsome and romantic. This was once a favorite resort with the Indians; they came to fish, and to while away the time, charmed by the beautiful forms and melodies of nature, they knew not why. There are still on some rocks, which have suffered least by the attrition of the waters and of time, a few efforts to represent the human countenance, which discover more skill than we usually ascribe to them.

Oxford Bridge received us before nightfall. The inn at which I rested till morning is among the best I have seen for cleanliness and comfort. The people occupying it were decidedly religious, and I like to connect the proprieties of life with true religion.

At four o'clock I was again in the stage. I had been ready some time; for it was now behind the hour named; but it was on a cross-road, and not exposed to competition. A very heavy fog lay on the ground; and being alone in the coach, I had difficulty in keeping warm. The sun afterward broke out, and the day became very hot. I found that the stage would only pass within ten miles of Meredith, so that I was obliged to leave it, and seek some other mode of transfer. I engaged a wagon and its owner to take me; and after dining, and waiting the pleasure, or leisure, of the party, we moved on The dearborn in which I was conveyed

our way.

As I arrived, many persons who had to go to a distance were leaving. Still, however, the evening, or candlelight services were to come. But as some of the services had passed, and as I have not had an opportunity of reporting the order of such a meeting as the present, it may be desirable to look back to the commencement,

This was an Association of the brethren and churches of New-Hampshire. It assembles at different places; and this was the first occasion of its being convened here. It had been feared that the interest was too weak to afford the needful accommodation; but these associations, as they pass from place to place, are reputed to carry a beneficial influence with them; and there was a strong desire, on the part of the people and pastor, that it should be held at Meredith, as a means of advancing the interests of religion. They met in a noble spirit the claims made on their hospitality. Every house was open, and every house was full. Two or three families had twelve, eighteen, and twenty guests. The inns also were full. I found a room at the inn at which I alighted just vacated; and thinking it my first and last chance for a separate accommodation, I engaged it; but I was not allow ed to answer any charge on its account.

Let me also remark, in passing, that the general circumstances of this place are interesting. The church here was built by common subscription, and was to be a free church; that is, open equally to the use of all, whatever their religious persuasion. As the persons who had settled here were mainly Universalists, it was practically theirs. Some efforts were made by the Home Missionary Society in its favor, and an interest was excited on the side of orthodox opinion and true religion. The Congregationalists have, by their greater numbers and influence, secured it to themselves, and have an excellent pastor in Mr. Young. The church under his charge is only ten years old; it was at first organized with nine members; and it has now 100, with an adult attendance of 400; and the people are full of youthful zeal and activity. There are, besides, 100 children in the Sabbath-school. The Universalists reckon still about 300, and meet in slack numbers at the court-house. The total population is not above 1,000.

The ministers and members of the Association began to arrive on the Monday evening, and held a concert of prayer. The regular sittings were to commence the following morning, and to last for three days. Early prayer-meetings were to be held on each morning at half past five.

On Tuesday, at eight o'clock, the business began. A moderator was chosen; and sundry committees were appointed to dispose of business that might arise. At eleven, a sermon was preached. Two other public meetings were held, and these, with the duties of the committees, occupied the rest of the day.

Indeed, when I look back, and consider what was the spirit of the people, and what the occasions for its exercise, I rather wonder that the results were not greater than they were. And I deliberately think, that they would have been of a most remarkable character had there been less to do, and had one definite object been before the people. But, in

On the Wednesday morning they met again at eight o'clock for business; at eleven, the claims of the Education Society, and at three, those of the Bible Society, were pleaded by suitable statements and speeches. In the evening, an address was made in favor of the Sunday School Union and the Peace Society, by their agents respectively. I was present at these latter services; and though on instead of this, the objects claiming attention in the teresting subjects, they were not very engaging.

short space of time were truly perplexing for numOn Thursday, we met at eight o'clock for busi- ber. Recently, all the great societies have had a ness again. Some minor questions were disposed natural desire to obtain notice at these convocations of. A report was brought up on the state of reli- of the churches. They, therefore, one after angion, which wore an encouraging aspect, while it other, have been grafted on to these meetings; implored more decided help. Resolutions were while they have to dispose of the interests and bupassed in favor of the Peace Society, and condem-siness of the Association. What is local and fanatory of slavery. At ten, the meeting in favor of miliar is sacrificed to what is general and vast; but the Home Missionary Society was held. Dr. Peters neither the home nor the foreign interests were admade a short statement, and called on me, as hav- ministered so efficiently. In this instance, though ing arrived from the West, to support him. I was the business of the Association was not above an constrained to obey the call, and to lead the meet-average, it could not be justly regarded; and so ing in prayer. A subscription, in a liberal spirit, many public societies sought to be heard, that they was then begun in favor of the Society. Many who were in danger of being heard and forgotten. subscribed in their own name, now did so in the name of their children; and Mr. Matheson was requested to offer prayer for them. The meeting was longer than usual, but none were weary of it. It was of a highly exhilarating and pious character; and certainly served the interests of an admirable Society.

At two o'clock, Dr. Cogswell delivered an address in behalf of the Missionary Society; and at three, Mr. Barnham preached, by previous appointment before the Auxiliary of the Home Mission Society. At the close of these exercises, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered. I was called upon, supported by Dr. Tucker and Mr. Matheson, to preside, and there was no refusal admitted. The area and aisles were full of devout communicants; and nearly one hundred and fifty pastors were present. It was a delightfully solemn exercise; and would have been more so to me had my engagements been less responsible.

The direct effect on the people, which is the point to which I would particularly allude, was certainly unfavorable. The rapidity with which their attention was called from object to object, might afford passing amusement, but it neutralized impression. I never felt myself much more in a whirl of business and of bustle than in this retired village; and you well know how very contrary even religious bustle is to religious influence. This people show, by their protracted meetings, that they can appreciate the importance of keeping one only object before the attention for a considerable time, and this principle must be applied to correct the evils which a happy excess of business has brought upon the Associations.

Because these various and bustling claims had allowed one such little opportunity of mingling in quiet with the brethren, I requested that we might meet to breakfast, and hold a conference on the Friday morning. This was very cheerfully accedThe whole was to close by a sermon in the even-ed to; and about twenty of the pastors gave us the ing, and I was urged to preach. But I was already meeting. I need only remark here, that this confer much exhausted, and entreated that the service ence was affectionate, candid, and pleasant in the might rest with Dr. Tucker. Many persons regard-highest degree; and to us, as a delegation, certainly ed the sacramental engagement as the last best the most important. We closed it in prayer, and thing, and departed; and a thunder-storm came on parted with many, many fraternal greetings. with rain, so that the evening attendance was not large. The sermon was excellent and impressive; truly orthodox and strictly practical. It was an excellent close. The Governor of the State and Judge Darling attended most of the services.

We were not to leave till noon by the stage, and Dr. Crosby, whose kindness to us has been cordial and unceasing, proposed an excursion to the hills. This was most agreeable to me, as I could not endure to quit so enchanting a spot without some acFrom this summary of particulars, it may be in- quaintance with it. Time was precious, and away ferred that this meeting of the Association was we went. But it would require sheets to report highly interesting and profitable, especially as it to you what we saw. Let me hasten over it. Supapproached the termination. Those who were pose yourself to have made, gradually, an ascent speaking of it, in comparison with similar meetings of some thousand or eleven hundred feet, and to of the same body, expressed themselves with em- have attained a standing on a bold eminence, comphatic pleasure. And this evidence was by no manding all the objects beneath and around you; means limited to the effect of one or two felicitous and yet not so high as to destroy their importance. meetings; it was to be found in the temper of the Now the finest objects in nature, and on their most people. They were certainly much under the in- magnificent scale, are before you. The hill on fluence of pious sentiment. It was delightful to which you stand runs off in slopes, and is finely observe that the early prayer-meetings were attend- clothed. Behind that swell which rises at its foor, ed with uniform avidity; from 300 to 500 persons is almost hidden the little village of Meredith, being present on those exercises. It was equally chiefly detected by the gray smoke which comes delightful to find that, for the time, the very inn in curling up from the trees around it. There are the which I tarried was converted into a sanctuary; two beautiful bays which lie before it. And then, and all its chambers were made in succession to over the extensive foreground, are eight or nine echo with the voice of solitary or social prayer and lovely lakes, of various form and dimensions, sepraise. At night I sunk to rest, and in the morn-parated and adorned by the pine-clad rocks and ing I awoke, with the strains of supplication on my ear. The pastors discovered a large measure of piety and charity; and they were, without doubt, strengthened in its expression by the example of the father of the Association, Dr. Church.

hills, which cast their dark shadows over their peaceful and lucid waters. And there, to the right, is the lake Winnipiseogee, the mother of these waters, spreading itself out in all its magnificence; and, large as it is, appearing the larger for being

partly concealed by the bold projection of the hills. | come into action; but it was pleasing to find a corIt is studded by innumerable islands, some of them showing only a rocky pinnacle, and many of them having a diameter of one or two miles. The eye can hardly rise from this scene; but when it does, it finds every thing in perfect harmony. Here the ìands run down in fine slopes, and shoot away into the vast distance, forming as noble a vista as can be seen. Everywhere else the land rises and falls most admirably; gathering strength with the distance, valley after valley, and hill after hill, till the hills resolve themselves into the mountains, and the gray mountains and fair blue sky perfect the wonderful picture. Conceive of all this, and much more than this, with all the improvements which sun and cloud, light and shadow, can give to it, and then say whether it is not wonderful! But words are poor things here. It is the very finest thing I have seen in New England, and I must not forget it. We were greatly urged to stay here over the Sabbath; and it was with much regret that we yielded to a sense of duty, in parting so hastily with such a spot, and with such friends.

LETTER XXIV.

MY DEAR FRIEND-About one, on the 6th, we left, as intended, for Concord, on our way to Lowell; the brethren, Bliss, Eastman, Baird, and Peters, being of our company. We arrived in pleasant time, and found others of our friends here. The Rev. Mr. Boutelle, the pastor of the principal church, would gladly have detained us over the Sabbath; but we were obliged to deny ourselves. Religion has thriven in this place, and it would have been gratifying to have witnessed its effects. I made myself, in some degree, master of it by conversation, and this was the most that was allowed by the pressure of other claims.

rective and antagonist power brought universally and successfully to act against them. Especially there is one feature in the state of this community that is peculiar and hazardous. There are not less than 4,000 young women attached to the mills, who have been drawn here by the hope of reward, abstracted from all the safeguards of their families, and transferred suddenly from the utmost retirement to promiscuous society. They are mostly the daughters of farmers, and have laudable intentions in coming. The family has every thing but ready money, and this is a method of getting it. Many of them are well educated; they might teach at school; but they prefer this employ, as it gives them better remuneration. Others thirst for education; they come for six months, and then disappear; and again they come, and again they disappear. In the one instance they are procuring the costs of educa tion, and in the other education itself. They bring with them a sense of independence and rectitude, and this disposes them to adopt means which contribute greatly to their preservation. Instances of sad defection and vice will of course occur, but they are remarkably "few and far between." The steady girls who work in a mill, band together as a sort of a club, and keep up a sense of honor through the establishment. If any one is suspected of bad conduct, she is reprimanded and suspended; and if bad conduct is proved against her, she is reported to the managing party, and a petition is presented for her removal. In an unquestionable case, they would leave the mill if the prayer of the petition was refused.

In many cases, where the evils are thus escaped, great good arises to the individual. Placed in new circumstances, where they are called to act for themselves for the first time, great energy, and sometimes great elevation of moral character, is elicited. The means of religion, too, are supplied to them with greater advantage. Many are brought under its influence, and those who are, are furnish

services, which they could not have had in their original and isolated circumstances. There are, of this number of young women, for instance, about 1,000 who are united to Christian churches, and about the same number who are in regular attendance on religious means.

The next morning we proceeded with Dr. Peters. He was about to go to Lowell, to plead the home mission cause, and I had determined to attend him.ed with opportunities for benevolent and religious Mr. Matheson stopped for the Sabbath at Derry. On this busy line we found some outside seats, and improved coaches; and, after a pleasant ride by the Mammoth road, through a wild and interesting country, we arrived in time to take our seats at the table d'hote of a good and commodious inn. We sought the brethren in the afternoon, and were urged by the Rev. Mr. Twining to make his house our temporary home. President Day and Professor Silliman, both of New-Haven, and the brethren of the town, did us the favor of a call, and we made our arrangements for the ensuing Sabbath.

usually, in itself; but it was above their state and occupation. One was surprised to see them appear in silks, with scarfs, veils, and parasols.

It is, however, generally admitted, that whatever may be the advantages, these occupations mostly disqualify them for the quiet duties and cares of domestic life. In fact, this must, in a measure, be the effect, for there is nothing to exercise the domestic virtues; and it is likely that many may gain a taste Lowell is situated at the confluence of the Con- for society, and appearance, and independent_accord and Merrimack rivers. It is one of the larg- tion, which they may not afterward overcome. The est manufacturing towns in the whole Union, and dress, indeed, of the whole body, when not employsupplies one the most remarkable instances of ra-ed in the mill, was remarkable. It was not amiss pidity in growth. Twenty years ago this spot was a wilderness. Then a small factory was built, which cost only 3,000 dollars. There are now more than twenty large mills, five stories high, with 3,000 looms, and 8,500 spindles, upwards of 5,000 operatives, and a capital exceeding six millions and a half of dollars. The total population is 13,000.The water power is very fine, and skilfully applied by means of reservoirs and canals; it is capable of working fifty more mills. The advantage to the comfort and appearance of the town in the possession of this power is very great, as it allows a vast business to go forward without the nuisance of universal smoke. This class of objects is rare in this country, though common in ours, and I was interested in a new course of observation.

It might be expected in this case, as in every similar one, that many fruitful causes of evil would

The care which is shown to their welfare and safety by the heads of the factories, is also very worthy of praise. Boarding-houses are built for them by the corporations or companies. Persons of good character are put into them, and the rate of payment is determined for them. These housekeepers are tenants-at-will; rules are laid down for their conduct, and transgression is followed by expulsion. They give and receive certificates of chaacter with the young women.

The community at large are alive to the possible evils of their situation, and watch and labor to counteract them. Because temperance here has to encounter strong temptation, it has taken a most decided form. There is not only the usual Temper