for brethren to dwell together in Fourth. Let it not be supposed that we depreciate the doctrines of the gospel, by attaching such importance to keeping the commandments of our Savior. The doctrines he taught are all important, as motives to obey his benevolent precepts. This is their proper use; and our belief in them can be of no saving benefit to us, unless it disposes us to obey him, and to walk as he walked.-Such a faith in Christ, or hope of salvation through his blood, as does not work by love and purify the heart, is no more of a saving nature, than faith in Mahomet. HURRICANES IN 1815. diction was verified about the time of the General Election. From that period till the sun passed the equinoctial line in September, the hurricane raged with considerable strength. But at this last period a tornado took place in the natural world, which filled the stoutest hearts with terror; and through a vast extent of country its destructive effects were witnessed and felt. It is however supposed by some, that this natural tempest bad a favorable influence in giving a check to the moral hurricane. "They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." Hosea. THE natural, the political and the religious worlds are all liable to destructive hurricanes. For many years prior to 1814, the continent of Europe was almost incessantly afflicted with political tornadoes; and vast and dreadful was the desolation. Be fore the tempest subsided in Europe, it spread across the Atlantic, and involved the United States in the general calamity. After the first abdication of Napoleon, the hurricane subsided in Europe, and hopes were excited of lasting tranquillity. But scarcely had the tempest done raging in our country, when Napoleon suddenly escaped from Elba and appeared in Paris. All Europe was again in agitation. Almost as soon as we had been delivered from the political tornado-and near the time of Napoleon's arrival at Paris-signs of a religious or an irreligious hurricane appeared in our vicinitv. Some who had been in the habit of observing the "signs of the times," readily foretold the approaching storm. Their pre The causes of natural hurricanes we shall not attempt to unfold; the causes of those of a moral nature are more obvious. But in both cases there are probably predisposing circumstances. The moral hurricanes are generally produced by the restless spirit of aspiring individuals, who are not contented with their just share of rights and fame, and who flatter themselves that the public good will be promoted by their invading the rights and diminishing the respect shown to others. Thus furnished with self sufficiency and a persuasion that their cause is good, they diffuse their hostile spirit into their adherents, and the sound of wind is soon heard. If any resistance be made, its rage gradually increases, till it assumes the character of a hurricane-disturbs the peace of society, or involves nations in all the horrors of war. In some of their effects the several kinds of hurricanes bear a stiking resemblance to each other. In particular, they make no proper distinction between good and bad; so that the best are as likely to be injured or destroyed by them as the worst. As the late natural hurricane prostrated the most valuable fruit trees with as little ceremony as it did those of no worth; so it is with political and religious tornadoes. In political convulsions, a good character affords no security; the most pious and useful men are as likely to be destroyed as the most vile. And in the hurricanes which are raised on religious subjects, the good and the bad are blended together in one indiscriminate doom. We might as reasonably conclude that a fruit tree was absolutely worthless, because it fell before the hurricane, as to con clude that a man is destitute of piety and goodness, because he is denounced as such by party zeal. For passion, prejudice and party spirit-of which moral hurricanes are composed, are as blind to the virtues of those who stand in their way as the natural whirlwind. As we never should judge of the qualities of a tree by the effects of a hurricane; so we should never judge of the moral characters of men by the aspersions of party zeal. What should we think of the Messiah, if we were to form our opinions by the censures past upon him by the chief priests and elders in the time of the moral tornado at Jerusalem! Thousands and thousands of his followers have been denounced by the same spirit, and loaded with invectives and reproach. In the time of the natural hurricane, we did little in self defence, except to secure-the doors and windows, and to set a few props against the fences; in like manner we have conducted in the Christian Disciple in respect to the moral whirlwind. We have lamented, and we still lament, that the peaceful religion of Jesus Christ, should have been made the subject of angry contention among his professed disciples-and that the passions and prejudices of christians should have been excited one against another. If any christians are so blinded as to suppose that such are the best means of promoting "pure and undefiled religion," they are surely objects of compassion, and not of envy. As this year is about to close, we hope that the war spirit among christians in our land will end with it; that those who may live to commence another year, will be prepared to attend to the things that belong to their peace, and disposed to cultivate that love one to another by which they may be distinguished as the disciples of a meek and benevolent Savior. The value of a blameless life Yes! they might learn who waste their What it must be to know no sin; They who pollute the soul's sweet prime, What, to be spotless pure within. Go! then, and seek her humble grave, "'Tis not the measure of your powers, To which the eternal meed is given; 'Tis wasted or improved hours, Which forfeit, or secure your heaven." RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. Annual Report of the Fragment Society. IN presenting the third annual report of the Fragment Society, the directors would indulge the hope, that they shall not be regarded as inattentive to the interests committed to their trust. They with pleasure avail themselves of this opportunity to present a concise statement of their transactions the past year. In discharging the duties devolving on them, they have constantly endeavored to dispense your charities to those persons whose necessities were most imperious, and whose characters, after careful investigation, were found to be deserving; always visiting those not recommended, and often those that were. Believing that much may be done to reform the morals of the poor, by advice kindly administer ed, and instruction affectionately imparted, at a time when other necessities are supplied; and finding many families and individuals, destitute of the sacred scriptures, and almost, of course, living without God, and with out hope in the world; the directors obtained of the Massachusetts and Female Bible Societies many copies, and distributed them wherever needed, receiving not only their fervent thanks, but the repeated assurance that they should be carefully kept and read. When we look back to the last anniversary, and contrast the state of our country now with what it then was, we are powerfully constrained to lift up our hearts in gratitude to Him, who has bid war to cease from our land. The pleasing restoration of peace gives ample encouragement for the support of that portion of the poor who are able to labor, many of whom, during the pressure of the times, were cast upon the charity of this society; still, however, there are many, very many, utterly unable to help themselves-the sick, infirm, and the aged. The attention of the directors has therefore been more especially devoted to the relief of such. From this class of per. sons the calls are frequent, numerous, and urgent. Though much distress has been relieved by the means already imparted, a much larger amount would be requisite to grant needful relief to all; and we do cherish the hope, that the resources of this insti tution will increase rather than dimin. ish, and that those who have felt it their duty during the war, to lessen their subscriptions, or withdraw their names, will now return, and again cast their mite into this treasury. Unerring truth has assured us, that "the poor shail never cease from out of the land;" the maimed, the halt, the blind, the idiot, the widow, the fatherless, and the stranger, are still among us; a cold winter is before them, and they must be exposed to its chilling blasts; many of them are looking up to this little as sociation for assistance, and how can we better evince the sincerity of that gratitude we ought to feel for the bles sings we ourselves enjoy, than by devoting our time, talents, influence and prosperity to the relief of our fellow creatures. The cup of sorrow still goes round; we know not how soon it may be proffered to each one of us. How powerfully should this consideration urge us to mitigate its anguish to those now tasting its bitter, though perhaps salutary, contents. The contributors to this society know, that “it is more blessed to give than to receive;" the sick, aged and infirm, have called down blessings on them; the infant of a week to the grey headed, have had their sufferings in some de gree alleviated. There is every thing to encourage, and stimulate to perseverance in well doing. The Most High has said "the liberal soul shall be made fat"-"cast your tythes into the store-house, and see herewith if I will not pour you out a blessing." Soon, it may be very soon, the account of our stewardship will be called for, "freely ye have received, freely give," remembering that God loves a cheerful giver. The whole amount of subscriptions and donations the last year, was 897 dollars 70 cents, which with 7 dollars and 30 cents balance in the Treasury made 905 dollars. Of this sum 898 doilars have been expended, leaving a balance now in the Treasury of seven dollars. The directors have been enabled to assist 500 families, by distributing 248 Gowns, 148 Petticoats, 181 Chemises, 11 Coats, 96 Pantaloons, 86 Jackets, 20 Shirts, 257 pair Socks, 473 pair Shoes, 1 Rug; besides, of infants clothing, 56 Frocks, 63 Shirts, 43 Blankets, 34 Petticoats, 186 Napkins, 3 Cradle Quilts, and 5 Night Gowns. The rekef afforded by loaning bedding and other comfortable articles to the sick, cannot be estimated but by the recipi ents, and by those who have witnessed the tears of gratitude with which they have been received, and the same expressions when they have been return ed. Fifty-two families have been assisted in this way. This department engrosses much of the funds, as the articles are expensive, and being in constant use, often need replenishing. After being worn, however, and repeatedly repaired, when no longer fit for loaning,they are given to those most in need. Among the articles loaned the last winter were cloaks for charity schools, to enable them to attend church and school in a comfortable manner. They were returned clean and neat in the spring. These children have fre quently been employed for the Society, and in return have been furnished with Shoes, &c. Several valuable donations of clothing have been received, also two pieces of cotton, a mattrass, and an easy chair, for which the Society return thanks. The Society voted to appropriate the donations in cash which may be made them in future to the foundation of a fund. Report of the Trustees to the Evangelical Missionary Society in Massachusetts, Oct. 4, 1815. THE Trustees with religious joy congratulate the society upon the auspicious event, which has taken place in our country since their last anniversary; and that we are again permitted to pursue the interests of the Prince of Peace, unobstructed by the crimes and miseries of war. By means of a liberal contribution at the semi-annual meeting of the society in Boston, the Trustees have been ena bled the present season to extend the field of their missionary labors in some degree beyond that of past years. In addition to the aid which has usually been afforded to the Rev. Messrs. Nurse and Warren, they have employed the Rev. Stephen Bemis as a missionary in the town of Thornton, State of New-Hampshire. They have given assistance in the support of one men's and three women's schools in |