In connexion with this subject, we are happy to state, that a resolution has been introduced into the house of assembly of this state, providing for an inquiry into some plan of making the paupers supported by law work for the benefit of the public and a report has been introduced into the house, approving the principle and proposing to authorize coercion in the officers of the alms-house in this city for this purpose. One difficulty, suggested by the report, struck our minds as very strange, if not very absurd: the committee expressed that some doubt had existed whether, as these paupers were not convicted of any crime, they could rightly be compelled to labour against their will. Indeed!-Have any class in society so unquestionable a right to support from the public, that terms and conditions cannot be imposed upon ít? Has idleness, improvidence, or even distress, so perfect and absolute a right to our money, that we cannot even direct the mode by which they shall receive it? To us, the very suggestion of a doubt of the propriety of such a measure on such a ground, is a most alarming symptom of a disorder in our system, which, if not now checked before these same poor shall acquire greater influence and numerical importance, will prostrate the whole body politic. The measure proposed in the report will, we suppose, be passed, as it is not without precedent, even in this state, and as the mind of the public demands an experiment at least, upon this subject. We trust that this will be the beginning of a more extensive legislation, and that when the attention of the legislature shall be drawn to this interesting subject, at some period less incumbered than the present with the business of preparing for the operation of the new constitution, important and decisive measures will be adopted.

In Congress the subject of the Bankrupt Bill is fairly under debate; but it is impossible at present to form a rational conjecture either of the features which the bill will ultimately assume, or of the probability of its becoming a law. Jan. 31, 1822.

SUMMARY.

FROM the Serampore mission we learn that death has made a breach in the family at that station. "Amongst the causes of deep sorrow," says Mr. Pearce, in a letter of June 14, "is the death of Mrs. Carey, the wife of our beloved and venerated friend Dr. Carey." He had "the happiness to find the good man bear his trouble with dignity and submission."

We understand that the Rev. Mr. Ward has safely arrived in India, but the particulars of his voyage have not come to hand.

Interesting intelligence has been received from the Palestine mission, but we did not receive it in time for this day's Herald.

From the Union Mission letters have been received, dated Nov. 12, which state that the health of the family was improving; that Mr. Woodruff and Miss Foster were united in marriage on the 11th of November. Respecting the war between the Cherokees and Osages various reports have been in the newspapers, from which we conclude there has been an engagement, which resulted in the defeat of the latter.

A letter from a member of the Great Osage Mission states, that Mrs. Montgomery, and four of the infants of the family, have paid the debt of nature. Mrs. M. died on 28th of October.

Death of Mrs. Morrison. MARY, wife of the Rev. Robert Morrison, D. D. died at Macoa (China) on the 10th of June last, (of the cholera morbus,) after an illness of 14 days. Her sufferings were so great as scarcely to admit of any expression of her views and feelings; but Dr. Morrison says, "I bless God for the assured hope that her departed spirit has reached the haven of eternal rest." She was born in Dublin, Oct, 24, 1791. "In

Bombay. Dreadful ravages are made at this place by the cholera morbus. three days," says the Rev. H. Davies, "I followed 32 persons to the grave, and five more were buried yesterday, and the work of death is still going on.'

Ordinations.-At Sharon, Mass. December 19th, the Rev. JOSEPH B. FELT, over the Congregational Church in that place. On the same day, at Paris, Me. the Rev. JOSEPH WALKER, to the pastoral care of the Congregational Churches in Paris and Norway.

The Seaman's Magazine.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.-Psalms.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY AND BETHEL UNION.

THE Anniversary of this valuable institution was held in the metropolis in October.

It has scarcely ever fallen to our lot to record such a display of public approbation and popular feeling towards an institution of only three years' date. This society has unquestionably laboured with indefatigable ardour and zeal to promote the general good of seamen, and to awaken public attention to this object; and the circumstances of the past month prove that they have not laboured in vain. The anniversary commenced on Monday, October 8, when a sermon was preached in that noble and spacious edifice, Great Queen-street chapel, by the Rev. G. C. Smith. On Tuesday, the 9th, the Rev. R. Marks, vicar of Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, preached for the society at St. Bride's church in the morning: and, on the evening of the same day, the Rev. T. Roberts, of Bristol, preached at Zion chapel.

The congregations were uniformly large, attentive, and deeply interested in the subjects discussed by the respective preachers. Nearly £100 were collected at the different services.

The annual public meeting was held at the City of London Tavern, on Wednesday, the 10th, in the evening. As early as four, P. M. some persons began to collect in the great room, and the meeting was expected to be very full, both from the increased circulation of the " Sailor's Magazine," and the general publicity that had been given throughout the metropolis; still there was no idea that such crowds would flock to this annual meeting, as the finest season of the year was past, and so many friends to religious exertions were out of town.

We understand that several secretaries and friends of maritime Societies, in various parts of the kingdom, had arrived in London to attend this anniversary-particularly from Penryn, Plymouth, Portsea, Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh, and other ports.

Soon after five, P. M. the great room was crowded to excess, and a general cry was raised, that no more could be admitted; still a multitude of the most respectable ladies and gentlemen continued to arrive, and the orchestra and committee room were quite filled.

It was now absolutely necessary that another room should be engaged, and orders were given to this effect. This room was also soon filled, and several persons went away. Captain Sir George Keith, Bart. of the Royal Navy, condescended to take the chair in the lower room. The ReVOL. VIII

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port was handed down as soon as possible, and the different speakers hastened from one room to another, that the whole of this large and respectable assemblage might be gratified with the very interesting information they had to communicate. The Rev. Mr. Norris, from Norfolk, who addressed this meeting, had been some years in the navy, and was greatly concerned for the salvation of seamen, and his earnest desire to promote their welfare. The meeting was also addressed by Captain Allen, R. N. Lieut. Arnold, and several Ministers, as Messrs. Marks, Roberts, M'All, Sharp, Smith, and others.

The Rev. W. Gurney, rector of St. Clement Danes, in a most eloquent and protracted speech, advocated the cause of the society, and, with much warmth of christian feeling, very properly warned all persons from placing an undue dependence on works of charity, as the ground of justification before God. No reporter having been provided for this room, we regret that we cannot enter more fully into this reverend gentleman's manly and nervous address on this occasion. The whole business of this meeting was well conducted, and every person appeared to be highly gratified with the exertions of the society to furnish all possible information. The gentlemen of the committee were continually on the alert, hastening from room to room, and devoting the utmost attention to the accommodation of every person. At six, P. M, the Right Hon. Admiral Lord Gambier arrived, and immediately entered the great room, and took the chair. The pressure on the platform, and in every part of the room, was so great at this time, that it was with difficulty the business of the meeting could proceed. Seldom has a more respectable or numerous assembly collected in this room. The walls were adorned with flags; behind the noble admiral's chair was suspended the standard of Great Britain, supported on each side by a Bethel Flag. The platform was most respectably filled. Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M. P. and his friends were near the chair. He had taken a resolution, and intended to address the meeting, but the sudden indisposition of one of his family obliged him to retire. Lady Leigh, and other ladies of benevolence and piety, sat near the chair. In the front sat Mr. Brandt, a most respectable American Indian chief, in the full costume and uniform of the Mohawk tribe. The meeting opened by solemn prayer to God for his blessing; after which Lord Gambier said—

"Ladies and gentlemen-It is not necessary for me to explain to you the object of our meeting at this time, as it is well known to you all; and as is usual on these anniversaries, the report of the proceedings of your committee will be read to you. By this you will see what has been done by them in the past year, and I hope it will appear that their labours have been prospered by the blessing of Almighty God." The report was read by Lieut. T. G. Nichols.

The Rev. Mr. Smith then addressed his Lordship, and alluding to the great pressure on every hand, exclaimed, "My Lord, we are boarded on every quarter; the boarders, however, are not enemies, but friends. I seem, my Lord, to have arrived here to-night with despatches of the first importance for your lordship. You may recollect, my Lord, that last year we exhibited a pasteboard castle, that had collected £8 for this society. This set many young persons castle building, not in the air, my Lord, but on terra firma; and the result of their labours I have now the pleasure to lay before you. First, my lord, I have £1 58. with a letter,

us the produce of a Bethel box, kept by a young man and his sister, who have a brother at sea: then I have £1 14s. from another Bethel box, formed by two young women, whose brother is a sailor : next comes 118. from an humble female, for the ship you see on this table, and all these donations flow into the society's funds. I have now to hand your lordship this neatly formed castle, containing about 30s. for the society. The next, my lord, is called Hope Castle, (his lordship kindly took it, and showed it to the company;) this also yields about £1 14s. for this institution. The last is Union Castle, my lord; it has been in the care of an upper servant of a respectable family, who now hands it with £11 as the result of her year's labours for the society. Now, my lord, we have a vessel just arrived, properly equipped and richly laden, regularly consigned to your lordship, and waiting to discharge her cargo. (A very handsome sloop, properly rigged, having an ensign astern, a union jack forward, and a silk Bethel flag at her mast-head, was now handed to his lordship.) Allow me, my lord, to introduce the captain and owner, who will give your lordship some further information on the subject." Mr. T. Phillips, jun. a youth about 16 years of age, stood on a chair, and read the following letter:

"My lord-Having had the privilege of frequently attending the sailors' prayer-meetings on the Thames, and seeing with pleasure, the good that has been done by the British and Foreign Seamen's Friend Society and Bethel Union,' I thought it would be my duty to assist it in an humble way. Having a small cutter of my own, lying up in ordinary, I determined on putting her in commission, and sailing on a cruise, in hopes of falling in with some vessels that would yield a little prizemoney, to benefit the long-neglected seamen of our happy island. I have been out about eight months, and am happy to enclose your lordship a bill of lading for my cargo, which (contrary to the usage of war) has been taken not from enemies but friends to our cause. It would have given me much pleasure to have been more successful.

"I shall conclude, by earnestly wishing that your Lordship's life may be spared to preside at many more anniversaries, and that, in your declining years, your heart may be warmed by accounts of sailors, and particularly the tars of old England, flocking to the house of God on shore, and the prayer-meetings held on board their ships in different ports.

"I have the honour to be, my Lord,

"Your Lordship's obedient humble servant,
"THOS. PHILLIPS, Jun."

"Potter's-fields, Oct. 10, 1821."

"P. S. On overhauling the cutter, I find she has no occasion to go into dock for repairs, previous to another voyage, but as she does not shift well without ballast, the friends of seamen are informed that a little dead weight will be acceptable."

When this letter was read, the bill of lading was given to his lordship, who read it to the company, and £21 128. were hoisted out of the hold, and presented to Lord Gambier, covered with a piece of tarpaulin, and fastened with a rope-yarn. These juvenile efforts to aid the progress of the society were exceedingly well received by his lordship and the company in general. We cannot form a very exalted idea of

the judgment or the piety of any person who would repress them, but, if there should be any of this description, (and who can stand before envy,) we would affectionately and respectfully crave permission to remind them of Matt. xxi. 15, 16. "And when the chief priests and Scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children (i. e. young people) crying in the Temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David! they were sore displeased, and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea, have ye never read out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." (To be Continued.)

NEW-YORK BETHEL UNION.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Extract of a letter from a highly respected gentleman in Vermont to DIVIE BETHUNE Esq. President &c.

DEAR SIR, The years of my life, for the most part, have been spent in the country: yet I have always been pleased with maritime concerns. Indeed I have sometimes wished that I had followed the seas for a livelihood; but have no doubt that infinite wisdom has seen best that it should be otherwise.

Since my voyage and return from the southern states, I have felt a more deep interest in the concerns of seafaring men than before. Having seen their conduct, and held particular conversation with them while "in the great waters," it cannot well be otherwise.

If my heart does not deceive me, I am led to rejoice for what appears to be doing in many seaports, in this and other countries, for the spiritual welfare of that portion of our fellow men. I have read the trans

actions of the "NEW-YORK BETHEL UNION" with pleasure; as well as other articles in the "Seaman's Magazine." This Society embraces the means of doing much good, and by proper management, and holy perseverance, it may be of incalculable benefit, not only to them "that go down to the sea in ships," but to those who do business on the land.

Enclosed are five dollars, which, by your constitution, will make me a member for life. You will please hand it over to the Treasurer. As it is not probable that I should attend the meetings of the Society but seldom, he may enter it as a donation, unless you should prefer to have me a member for life; in which case I should be pleased to meet with the Society, when providentially in New-York.

I do yet hope that this Society will be the means under God, of preventing vessels from sailing out of port on the Sabbath. More particularly I should hope that all the members of the Society would come to an understanding and agreement that they would not themselves sail, or be concerned, or assist in vessels sailing out of port.

I know it will take time to bring the custom into disuse-longer to convince men that it is (to speak plainly) wicked-a profanation of the Sabbath! I know various excuses are brought up. I have heard many, but never heard of one which was satisfactory-not one which would appear plausible at the bar of God.