n of the human soul, the
infinitely benevolent designs of redeeming love, the institution
of the means of grace, and the obedience and sufferings of the
Son of God, are frustrated and set at nought. Thus, by one
effectual blow of sin, and the friends of sin, are all the great
and valuable interests of mankind overthrown."

* * * * *

Although our remarks are confined to America, we may mention that it has
been stated by some of our own countrymen who have visited London that
Sunday is generally as well observed there as in New England; yet we find
in the "Salem Gazette" of Nov. 23, 1785, that the attendance on public
worship in London was then rather small as compared with what might have
been seen in Boston at the same date. But that was before the days of the
"sensation" preachers, as they are called,--Spurgeon, Beecher, Talmage, and
men of that stamp, who now draw crowds of people, many of whom are not
always the most religious in the community, but who love excitement rather
than quiet contemplation.

LONDON,

_Sept._ 13. Sunday being a day of rest, 739 horses were yesterday
engaged on _parties of pleasure_.

In fifty churches, eastward of Temple-bar, the congregations
amounted, on an average, to _seven_ for each church in the
morning, and _five_ in the afternoon. This shews the state of the
Christian religion in the metropolis to be far better than could
be expected!

1785.

* * * * *

The following extract from the "Belfast Patriot" of 1825 shows how the
"Lord's day" was regarded in 1776 in the "District of Maine."

FIFTY YEARS AGO. At a town meeting, held on the common, on the
south end of lot No. 26, probably where the meeting house now
stands, on the east side of the river, in Belfast, Oct. 10th,
1776, the town then having been incorporated two years--among
other things "to see if there can be any plan laid to stop the
Inhabitants from visiting on Sunday." "Voted, That if any person
makes unnecessary vizits on the Sabeth they shall be Lookt on
with Contempt untill they make acknowledgement to the Public."

* * * * *

Houses of worship were formerly "as cold as a barn."

Notwithstanding all the comforts and c