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THE 
 
 FOREIGN VISITANT? 
 
 v£5 
 
 UNJNG 
 
 INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS 
 ANi> REMARKS, MADE BY AN INHABITANT 
 
 OF 
 
 TERRA I.YC0GN1TJ1, 
 
 ON r THE 
 
 •CHARACTER AND MANNERS OF THE INHABITANTS 
 OF THIS earth; 
 
 PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO THE 
 
 LORD'S DAY. 
 
 SECOND EDITION, WITH ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS- 
 
 BOSTON : 
 
 Printed for the Proprietor, by T. B. Wait & Sosw 
 1814. 
 
DISTRICT CXERK'S OFFICE* 
 
 DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS TO WIT : 
 
 BE it remembered, That on the sixteenth day of May, A. D. 1814 r 
 and in the thirty-eighth year of the Independence of the United States 
 of America, DANIEL OLIVER, of the said district, has deposited in 
 this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, 
 in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " The Foreign Visitant : containing interesting observations and re- 
 marks, made by an inhabitant of Terra Incognita, on the character and 
 manners of the inhabitants of this earth; particularly in relation to the 
 Lord's day. Second edition, with alterations and additions. "' 
 
 In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, intitled, 
 "An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of 
 Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies, 
 during the times therein mentioned ;"' and also to an act intitled, * An 
 act supplementary to an act, intitled, an act for the encouragement of 
 learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the 
 authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mention- 
 ed ; and extending the hem fits thereof to the Arts of Designing, En- 
 graving, and Etching Fistorical, and other Prints." 
 
 WILLIAM S. SHAW, 
 Clerk of the District of Massachusetts* 
 
THE VISITANT. 
 
 A n inhabitant of some distant and un- 
 known part of the universe, is supposed 
 to visit this earth, with the view to make 
 himself acquainted with the characters, 
 the manners, and the customs of the inha- 
 bitants. He arrives on the first day of the 
 week in which secular business is per- 
 formed. In the place where he arrives, 
 he finds the people in plain, but decent 
 and cleanly apparel, and diligently em- 
 ployed in a variety of occupations, while 
 health and contentment are visibly marked 
 on their countenances. Some are at work 
 in their fields, cultivating the soil ; some 
 are engaged in making and improving 
 roads, fences, bridges, &c. ; some in dif- 
 ferent branches of the manufacturing and 
 mechanic arts ; some in mercantile em- 
 ployments ; and a small number in the 
 I* 
 
practice of law, of physic, and of instruct- 
 ing children and youth. The practition- 
 ers in law and physic he soon finds are 
 not pressed with business, as but few 
 controversies exist among the people, and 
 as their temperance and industrious habits 
 preserve them, in a great measure from 
 the attack of sickness ; and the instructers 
 of children and youth, he observes with 
 much satisfaction, are assiduous in their 
 endeavours to instruct their charge as well 
 in the principles of sound morality and 
 religion, as in the elements of literature. 
 The women, he notices, are generally 
 engaged in pursuits different from those 
 of the men, and that they are not less in- 
 dustrious. Some put their hands to the 
 spindle; some lay hold of the distaff; 
 some are busily engaged in their looms ; 
 some in a variety of useful needle work ; 
 some in providing food for their house- 
 holds ; all are employed in some domestic 
 and suitable business. In addition to 
 these occupations, some, he notices, are 
 travelling in the streets, in carriages, on 
 horseback, or on foot, either for amuse- 
 ment, For social intercourse with their 
 
friends, or lor the transaction of their ne- 
 cessary concerns. 
 
 In most of the families which he visits, 
 the Visitant notices a collection of books, 
 neatly arranged in a small case, upon a 
 shelf, or in some other convenient place. 
 These, upon examination, he finds well 
 calculated to impart rational amusement 
 and interesting and important instruction. 
 Among them he seldom if ever fails to 
 discover one, which they call, the Bible, 
 These little libraries he finds are not 
 for show, but for use. The Bible, and 
 some other useful books are daily ready 
 sometimes by an individual, while the 
 others listen with attention ; and at other 
 times, most of the members, when not 
 engaged in other pursuits, are seen read- 
 ing silently to themselves. In their social 
 visits, he finds, that their time is employ- 
 ed, not in warm and intemperate disputes,, 
 either about religion, or politics, or any 
 other subject ; and that their conversation 
 does not turn upon subjects of scandal, 
 balls, and assemblies, fashions, and dissi- 
 pating amusements ; but upon subjects, 
 calculated to improve their minds and 
 
their hearts; to cherish the social, and 
 religious affections, and to promote the 
 best interest of the individual and of so- 
 ciety ; nor is it unfrequently the case that 
 they meet together, expressly for the 
 purpose of spending an hour in social 
 prayer, reading the scriptures, or some 
 other serious and instructive book, for re- 
 ligious conference, and for' admonishing 
 one another in psalms, and hymns, and 
 spiritual songs. Such are the principal 
 employments in which he finds the people 
 of the place diligently engaged, during 
 the six first days of his visit* 
 
 But no sooner does the seventh day 
 arrive (the day which succeeds the six 
 days of labor) than the Visitant finds, to 
 tiis surprise, that the inhabitants suspend 
 the principal employments in which they 
 had been engaged. Although awake, ac- 
 tive, and in the enjoyment of health, they 
 immediately cease from their accustomed 
 labors and pursuits. Seasonably, in the 
 morning, he finds the families assembled 
 together, in their several habitations, when 
 the heads of the families, whether men or 
 ^zvomen, devoutly read a portion of the 
 
Bible, and then take the lead in solemn 
 prayer, and supplication, together with 
 thanksgiving, to God. During these ex- 
 ercises all are engaged, and seem deeply 
 interested. This employment, however, 
 did not excite so much surprise in the 
 Visitant, as he had witnessed the same 
 the six preceding days. But his surprise 
 chiefly arose from observing that the prin- 
 cipal occupations in which they had been 
 engaged on the other days were suspend- 
 ed, and that nothing of labour was done 
 but what necessity and mercy seemed to 
 require. Th^ Bible, he observes, is now 
 the principal book, which the families are 
 engaged in reading; a book which he 
 finds treats of the being and perfections of 
 God, of his laws and government, of 
 the relations in which men stand to him, 
 and of the obligations which result from 
 those relations. This book he also finds, 
 treats of man's apostacy , and of the method 
 of recovery from it by Jesus Christ, the 
 Almighty Saviour ; in a word, that it treats 
 of the most important, sublime, and inte- 
 resting subjects. This book he observes 
 is read with the deepest interest, and most 
 
10 
 
 devout attention, while newspapers, and 
 political pamphlets, or such as relate to 
 the concerns of the present world, are 
 wholly laid aside. He also observes that 
 their conversation is wholly turned on 
 subjects of everlasting moment. No vain 
 and trifling words proceed from their lips, 
 but such only as are grave, seasoned with 
 salt, and adapted to minister grace and 
 important instruction to the hearers. 
 When not otherwise engaged, he finds 
 them employed in secret devotions, or in 
 that solemn meditation, which indicates 
 that their thoughts are caised above earthly 
 objects, and that their affectionaare placed 
 on invisible and eternal things. 
 
 Having noticed that the inhabitants 
 were engaged in these and other similar 
 employments, from an early hour on this 
 day , till the sun had ascended almost mid- 
 way the heavens, he was surprised to find 
 them better attired than had been usual 
 on the preceding days, and that in thus 
 attiring themselves they had spent but a 
 small portion of their time, and with little 
 or no noise, bustle, or parade. Being 
 thus attired, he observed them issuing, 
 
\i 
 
 nearly at the same time, from their doors, 
 travelling from all quarters in a serious 
 and solemn manner, to a capacious and 
 decent building, which they call the house 
 of God. Struck with the novelty, and 
 impressive solemnity of the scene, he 
 mingled with the throng, which consisted 
 of all ages, all who were able to leave their 
 homes, and repaired with them to the 
 house of general resort. Here he finds 
 nothing said, nothing transacted of a 
 worldly nature. The Bible which he had 
 observed was so much used in their pri- 
 vate dwellings, is the principal book for 
 their instruction in the house of God. He 
 notices that one man in an elevated situa- 
 tion, and apparently devoted to the work, 
 leads the devotions of the assembly, and 
 communicates instruction from the Bible, 
 Deeply affected himself, with the solemn 
 transactions in which he is engaged, his 
 grave and impressive manner, deeply af- 
 fects his attentive audience. No levity 
 of coneluct; no vacant gaze ; no curious 
 eye ; no drowsiness ; no indifference is to 
 be seen. All is decorum, decency, so- 
 nty, and devotion. In the course of 
 
12 
 
 the interesting transactions, numbers unite 
 their melodious voices in uttering the 
 memory of the divine goodness and mer- 
 cy. After a considerable time spent in 
 these exercises, he observes, that the as- 
 sembly retire from the house of God, in 
 a decent and solemn manner, to their re. 
 spective habitations, to the habitation of 
 others in the vicinity, or to the covert of 
 shady trees, for the purpose of refreshing 
 their bodies. During this repast and re- 
 tirement they held converse on the inte- 
 resting things they had heard in the house 
 of God, not however with a cavilling and 
 captious disposition, but with the spirit of 
 meekness and wisdom ; with a view to 
 mutual improvement in knowledge, in 
 the religious affections, and in practical 
 piety ; with the view to each others con- 
 solation and assistance in the way to the 
 New Jerusalem, the city of the living 
 God. Having thus refreshed the inner, 
 as well as the outward man, the dispersed 
 assembly return from the several places of 
 their retirement to the house of God, 
 where the foreign Visitant finds them again 
 employed in the same exerfises in which 
 
they had before been engaged, and with 
 the same interest and solemnity ; nor is 
 
 the number of worshippers diminished. 
 These exercises concluded, he notices, 
 that the assembly leave the house of God, 
 not with precipitation, as if they were 
 wearied with their confinement and servi- 
 ces, but slowly, and with a sedate and 
 solemn aspect. And thus they return to 
 their own houses, conversing with each 
 other by the way, upon the things which 
 they had heard from their beloved instruc- 
 ted and upon such other subjects as were 
 calculated to impress their minds with 
 eternal realities, and to raise their souls 
 to God. Nor are their religious exerci- 
 ses terminated when they arrive at their 
 own dwellings. Here they find employ- 
 ment to the close of the day in the exer- 
 cises of piety and devotion, in reading 
 the Bible and books of a religious nature, 
 in social and secret prayer, in serious 
 and devout meditation, attended with 
 pious and appropriate instruction com- 
 municated by parents to their children. 
 
 Such was the surprise excited in the 
 taind of our Visitant that with eagerness 
 
1£ 
 
 he inquires, What mean ye by the exer- 
 cises of this distinguished day ? Whence 
 is it that ye lay aside your usual employ- 
 ments of a worldly nature on this day, 
 and devote it wholly to the things and 
 service of God ? — To these inquiries it 
 is replied ; God, the Creator of all things 
 has commanded, " Remember the sab- 
 bath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt 
 thou labor, and do all thy work ; but the 
 seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy 
 God ; in it thou shalt not do any work, 
 thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy 
 man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor 
 thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within 
 thy gates. For in six days the Lord 
 made heaven, and earth, the sea and all 
 that in them is, and rested the seventh 
 day ; w 7 herefore the Lord blessed the 
 sabbath day and hallowed it." This day, 
 the Lord our God challenges as his own y 
 and has commanded that we " turn away 
 our foot from doing our own pleasure :" 
 that we "call the sabbath, a delight, the 
 holy of the Lord, honourable;" and that 
 we honour him, not doing our own ways, 
 nor speaking our own words. To heark- 
 
16 
 
 en to this command, vvc feel ourselves to 
 be under the most sacred obligation. One 
 dav in seven, therefore, we observe in this 
 manner ; and this we esteem a most de- 
 lightful, as well as reasonable service. 
 
 At this, the foreign Visitant, with 
 devout fervor and holy energy exclaims ; 
 How admirably adapted is the religious 
 observance of this day to excite in the 
 soul emotions of gratitude, of love and of 
 reverence, to the great Lord of the sab- 
 bath, to abstract the mind from the cares, 
 and entanglements of the world, to spiri- 
 tualize the affections, to enkindle a holy 
 zeal, to communicate consolation to the 
 heart, to stimulate all the powers both of 
 bodv and soul to vigorous exertion in the 
 divine service, and to prepare men for the 
 joys and employments of God's temple 
 above ! Surely all, who feel their depen- 
 dance upon Him, who blessed the sab- 
 bath day, and sanctified it; all who feel 
 their obligations to him, revere his au- 
 thority and love his character, must call 
 the sabbath a delight, and esteem it, the 
 holy of the Lord, honourable; they must 
 indeed welcome this "sweet dav of rest " 
 
±G 
 
 of devotion, of sacred service. My won* 
 der ceases, that you should regard it thus. 
 The Visitant adds, I heard the vene- 
 rable man who led in your public devo- 
 tions, and who, with so much solemnity 
 and engagedness instructed you from 
 the Bible, read with peculiar emotion and 
 emphasis, this interesting passage " For 
 God so loved the world, that he gave his 
 only begotton Son, that whosoever believ* 
 eth in him should not perish but have ever- 
 lasting life" These words seemed to be 
 the foundation of his whole discourse, in 
 which great and marvellous things were 
 brought into view. I received the idea 
 that this world was originally in a better 
 state than at present *; that the progenitors 
 of your race were, at their creation, in a 
 state of perfect purity, and very high 
 enjoyment ; that by sin or disobedience, 
 they soon forfeited, and lost that happy 
 situation, and that their descendants are 
 now, and ever have been since the fall, in 
 a state of sin and condemnation ; that in 
 consequence of this apostacy, God the 
 Father was pleased in great mercy to give 
 up his well- beloved Sonu to be made in 
 
I? 
 
 the likeness of men, and to die in their 
 behalf; that God the Son, having life in 
 himself, was pleased to unite human 
 nature with his essential divinity, and sub- 
 mit to an ignominious death, by which a 
 ivay was prepared for the deliverance of 
 men from condemnation in this world, 
 and from everlasting shame and contempt, 
 and that they might be restored to the 
 favour of God here, and be admitted to the 
 full and blissful enjoyment of him, here- 
 after, for ever ; and in fine, that all who 
 should return from their apostacy and be- 
 come his obedient and faithful servants, 
 should, on account of what the Eternal 
 Son had done and suffered for them, ob- 
 tain this unspeakable and everlasting fa- 
 vour." " These," continued the Visitant, 
 "were the leading ideas, communicated by 
 the venerable man of God, if I correctly 
 understood his meaning, and they filled 
 me with sentiments of astonishment and 
 delight." 
 
 To this it w r as replied, " You rightly 
 understood the ideas which it was meant 
 should be conveyed. These ideas how- 
 ever are but mere sketches of the history 
 9* 
 
IS 
 
 of redemption. Who can comprehend the 
 person of Emanuel? Who can unfold 
 the great mystery, God, manifest in the 
 flesh, the very brightness of the Fath- 
 er's giory veiled in humanity, and sub- 
 mitting to the death, to magnify the bro- 
 ken law of God ; to save rebels from the 
 sentence of eternal damnation, and fit 
 them for eternal life ! These are things 
 which the angels desire to look into, but 
 ■can never fully comprehend ! They are 
 things, which the boldest imagination can 
 never reach, which wholly baffle the 
 powers of the most penetrating created 
 mind. It is sufficient for us to* know, 
 that a foundation is laid in the blood of 
 Christ for the pardon of sin, on the exer- 
 cise of repentance towards God, and faith 
 in the Eternal Son, for a restoration to 
 the divine favour, and admission into 
 future glory. — But it is carefully to be 
 remembered, that repentance, and faith, 
 imply the keeping of the command- 
 ments. V 
 
 "Jesus Christ, after his crucifixion, con* 
 tinned under the power of death, but for 
 a short season. On the third dav he rose 
 
triumphant. As this is the day of the 
 
 k on which his resurrection occurred, 
 it is the day observed by us, as the sab- 
 bath of rest from our worldly employ- 
 ments, in commemoration of that joyful 
 and stupendous event." On hearing this, 
 our Visitant with rapture exclaims, 
 Illustrious day ! who, that duly appre- 
 c iates the glorious work of redemption, 
 who, that feels his obligations to the Di- 
 vine Redeemer, but must greatly rejoice 
 in this day, call it a delight, and keep 
 it holy unto the Lord ! 
 
 As it was the object of our Visitant, 
 when he first alighted on the earth, to 
 make critical observations on the charac- 
 ter and conduct of men, so, from what he 
 had already witnessed, particularly in re- 
 lation to the sabbath, he found his desire 
 increased to pursue the object of his vis- 
 it. He had formed a very high opinion 
 of the religious character of the inhabi- 
 tants of the place, which had been the 
 scene of his observations, from their gen- 
 eral employments and habits, and espe- 
 cially from their strict and devout obser- 
 ve of the sabbath. And, as these ob- 
 
20 
 
 servations had been to him a source of 
 high enjoyment, he determined to tarry- 
 longer on the earth, and extend his visits 
 to other places, and other inhabitants, 
 expecting to find in them the same traits 
 of character, he had already discovered, 
 and to derive from them the same satis- 
 faction he had derived from those which 
 had already arrested his attention. — He 
 accordingly conveyed himself on the 
 wings of the wind, to a place at a consid- 
 erable distance, which exhibited a more 
 pleasant and inviting appearance, on some 
 accounts, than the place he had just left. 
 Similarity of habits on working days, 
 generally marked the character of the in- 
 habitants. They were diligent, he ob- 
 served, in their pursuits, which were va- 
 rious, and in many respects of like kind 
 with those he had noticed in the place 
 which he had lately left. They appeared, 
 however, to be more wealthy ; to be 
 more engaged in traffic ; to carry on their 
 business on a more extensive scale ; to 
 pursue the professions of law and medicine 
 to a greater extent ; to be more polished 
 in their manners, and to live in higher 
 
21 
 
 style. Their social visits, he observed, 
 were more formal and attended with more 
 parade; and their manner of communi- 
 cation with each other in their social cir- 
 cles was less interesting, and less instruc- 
 tive, as subjects of the highest impor- 
 tance, those which respect the soul and a 
 future state of existence, were seldom in- 
 troduced as topics for conversation. And 
 when this zvas the case, he noticed that 
 they appeared but little interested, and 
 that their conversation was languid and 
 formal, unless it bordered on levity, or 
 was enlivened with witticisms, which 
 seemed to our Visitant very unsuitable 
 to the solemnity of the subjects. He ob- 
 served further, that when conversing on 
 matters of religion, they appeared to have 
 a very high opinion of themselves in a 
 religious view, and to discover little or 
 no humility on account of their apostate 
 and sinful condition. They appeared in- 
 deed not to be sensible that their minds 
 were naturally enmity against God, and 
 that they were deserving of his everlast- 
 ing displeasure. Nor did they scruple 
 even to ridicule some of the religious 
 
22 
 
 opinions and practices of the inhabitants 
 of the place, of which our Visitant has 
 already given an account. Instead of 
 occasionally assembling together in the 
 evenings, or at other times on their work- 
 ing days, for reading the Bible and books 
 of piety, for social prayer, singing psalms 
 and hymns and spiritual songs, and for re- 
 ligious conference, he noticed that their 
 meetings were at the theatre, the ball, and 
 exhibition room; and at other places 
 where scenes of levity, vain amusements 
 and conviviality, in its multifarious forms, 
 were exhibited. 
 
 These strong shades of difference in 
 the habits and pursuits of the inhabitants 
 of this place from those of the inhabitants 
 of the place which he first visited, occa- 
 sioned our Visitant no small disappoint- 
 ment, as he had expected a much grea- 
 ter uniformity of character and pursuit 
 among the inhabitants of the earth. And 
 not only was he disappointed, but he was 
 led to doubt, whether the inhabitants of 
 both places were of the same * species ; 
 whether they professed to worship the 
 same God, and to take the same Bible for 
 
the rule of their faith and practice. This 
 doubt instead of being removed was great- 
 ly strengthened, when he had more par- 
 ticular!) investigated their religious cha- 
 racter ; for he found that many of them 
 did not maintain even the form of reli- 
 gion in their closets or in their families. 
 In some of the families indeed he observ^ 
 cd, that social prayer was occasionally, 
 but seldom maintained, and in others on 
 the morn ins: and evening: of each day 
 with great formal exactness. But in 
 these, their devotional exercises, he dis- 
 covered but little confession of unworthi- 
 ness and guilt; for they did not suppose 
 they deserved everlasting misery ; saw 
 little or no appearance of a contrite spir- 
 it, and broken heart ; heard but few peti- 
 tions for pardon, and these offered in so 
 lifeless a manner, as to furnish much evi- 
 dence that the petitioners did not consider 
 themselves as having: really offended their 
 Maker. He noticed, indeed, that in their 
 devotional exercises, they uttered many 
 expressions indicative of the high sense 
 they had of their love to God, of their 
 gratitude to him, of the integrity and up- 
 
24 
 
 Tightness of their hearts and intentions, 
 and of the many duties to God they had 
 faithfully performed, and acts of charity 
 to men. In a word, their prayers seemed 
 rather as eulogiums on themselves, than 
 humble confession and petition to God; 
 for they did not scruple to vaunt, that they 
 were not like other men, and particularly 
 the men of the place which our Visitant 
 had lately left. 
 
 Another circumstance which arrested 
 his attention, was, that the Bible, which 
 he found in most of the families, appeared 
 quite unsullied ; he knew not at first how 
 to account for it, but observation soon 
 satisfied him, that it was owing to its be- 
 ing seldom used. 
 
 These things rendered the situation of 
 our Visitant unpleasant, filled his mind 
 with doubtful musings, and made him 
 desirous to leave the place. But as he 
 had not yet witnessed the manner in which 
 they observed the sabbath, and feeling a 
 strong inclination to satisfy himself in this 
 particular, he resolved to protract his visit,. 
 till that day should have passed. He ac- 
 cordingly waited with impatience for its 
 
arrival, indulging the hope that the ap~ 
 pearance of the inhabitants on their holy 
 day, would be more pleasing and satisfac- 
 tory. The sabbath at length arrives; but, 
 to disappoint his hope. He finds a large 
 portion of the morning of this day spent 
 by many of the inhabitants in sleep, or 
 indolently in their beds. The remainder 
 of the morning, till the time for their as- 
 sembling at the house of God, is spent in 
 preparing and taking their morning re- 
 past ; in splendidly attiring themselves 
 for the public religious services of the 
 day ; in conversation about the weather, 
 and in desultory observations on subjects 
 unconnected with religion, and reproach- 
 ful to them as professing christians — 
 Some of them, indeed, he notices, find 
 time to read a portion of the Bible, and to 
 unite in social prayer. But, as on pre- 
 ceding days, these services are performed 
 hi so indifferent a manner, or with so 
 much self complacency, and ostentatious 
 parade, as to exhibit little or no evidence 
 of their being acceptable to God, or be- 
 neficial to themselves. 
 The time for their assembling in the 
 3 
 
26 
 
 house of God arrives, whither the inhabi- 
 tants in splendid apparel now direct their 
 course, either on foot or in elegant car- 
 riages. Contemplating on their appear- 
 ance, and listening to their conversation, 
 our Visitant exclaims to himself, Can 
 these people be going to the house of 
 God? Is it their object to bow and 
 kneel before God their maker, and wor- 
 ship him in the beauty of holiness ! Are 
 their hearts attuned to solemn prayer, de 
 vout praise, and to the instructions of 
 God's word ! Were it not that this is 
 their holy day y and this their house of re- 
 ligious worship, well might it be believed 
 that they were entering the theatre, or 
 some place of amusement. 
 
 Soon, however, they enter the house of 
 God. The public services commence. 
 They are quickly over. In form % they 
 resemble those which our Visitant had 
 witnessed on the preceding sabbath; but 
 how faint is the resemblance in the so- 
 lemnity, the awakened, diligent, and anx- 
 ious attention of the worshippers ! The 
 man who led in the devotions of the as- 
 sembly, and who instructed them, appear- 
 
cd widely different, both as to matter and 
 manner, from the man who officiated on 
 the preceding sabbath. In prayer, he 
 appeared less devout, less humble and 
 impressive. The discourse which he de- 
 livered, and which he said was from, or 
 agreeable to the Bible, scarcely referred to 
 man's fallen and ruined state; to his re - 
 ■ demption by the sufferings and blood of 
 Christ ; or to the subjects of repentance 
 and faith as the condition of salvation. 
 His discourse consisted principally in ob- 
 servations recommending the culture of 
 the social affections, the discharge of 
 moral obligations, and the performance of 
 religious duties. But the character of 
 these observations was so general, so 
 vague, and indistinct, that the Visitant 
 could hardly conjecture what was their 
 object ; whether they were intended for 
 the benefit of his hearers in this world 
 onlv, or whether they had a bearing on 
 their future welfare. He would have 
 concluded the discourse had no reference 
 to a future state of existence had it not 
 been, that toward the close of it, he ob- 
 served to his hearersj that if thev would 
 
28 
 
 do these things they should never fall, 
 but that God would be well pleased with 
 them, and give them a rich and everlast- 
 ing reward in heaven. Such was the 
 matter of his discourse. His manner, 
 however graceful it might appear to his 
 hearers in general, was to our Visitant 
 far from pleasing. It exhibited none of 
 that simplicity, gravity, and impressive 
 solemnity, which becomes the ambassa- 
 dor of God to sinful men. The speaker, 
 in short, appeared but little interested in 
 his subject ; and the feeling which it 
 excited in his hearers, seemed to be as 
 little, and even less than his own. None 
 seemed to be much affected by what they 
 had heard, nor indeed to understand it, 
 for his discourse was but a desultory ha- 
 rangue, about moral and religious things, 
 undefined, unexplained, and unapplied. 
 
 The exercises of the afternoon excited 
 more attention, and awakened more inte- 
 rested feelings in the audience. This 
 appeared to be occasioned partly by the 
 subject, and partly by the manner, of the 
 preacher's discourse. The subject had 
 sometimes a bearing upon superstition, 
 
29 
 
 sometimes upon bigotry, sometimes tipon 
 enthusiasm, sometimes upon fanaticism, 
 sometimes upon metaphysics, sometimes 
 upon meetings for prayer and religious 
 conference, on working days or the eve- 
 ning of such days, and sometimes upon 
 hypocrisy and religious grimace. With 
 these names and things our Visitant had 
 not been so conversant, as fully to under- 
 stand their nature and import, or to com- 
 prehend the design of the preacher. But 
 he afterwards learnt the discourse was 
 meant to be levelled at the religious sen- 
 timents and practices of the inhabitants of 
 the place which he had first visited. In 
 his manner, the preacher discovered much 
 zeal and engagedness, which seemed to 
 border on spirited resentment. He closed 
 his discourse by warning his hearers with 
 great energy, carefully to avoid the bad 
 things which he had enumerated, as evils 
 more to be dreaded than the sword, 
 famine, or pestilence ! 
 
 Such were the public exercises of the 
 day. Not only did our Visitant notice 
 them with a scrutinizing eye, and atten- 
 tive ear, but with grief and sorrow of 
 
 7 o 
 
 3* 
 
SO 
 
 heart ! Great indeed was the contrast be- 
 tween these exercises and those which he 
 „ tiad witnessed on the last sabbath. Nor 
 less striking does he find the contrast be- 
 tween the appearance and conduct of the 
 inhabitants of this place, and the ap- 
 pearance and conduct of the inhabi- 
 tants which he first visited, during that 
 portion of the day which was not devot- 
 ed to public worship. The inhabitants 
 of the place which he first visited, it has 
 already been noticed, made it their object 
 to spend the whole of the day in devo- 
 tional aad appropriate exercises. 
 
 And here it may be worthy of special 
 remark, that believing the sabbath to 
 commence at the setting of the sun, on 
 the last of their working days, they sus- 
 pended all labour but that of necessity 
 and mercy at that time. So scrupulous 
 were they to begin the sabbath at the set- 
 ting of the sun, that they made vigorous 
 exertions seasonably to accomplish all 
 their worldly business, which required 
 their attention, before the sabbath should 
 commence, or the sun go down. But 
 the inhabitants of the place where our 
 
.ii 
 
 Visitant now is, fix the commencement 
 of their sabbath at midnight, and consider 
 it as closing at the midnight next follow- 
 ing. Why the sabbath should be thus 
 differently limited by people who have 
 the same Bible, and who profess to obey 
 its laws, our Visitant could not at first 
 conjecture, and especially as the law of 
 the sabbath expressly requires that the day 
 should be kept holy from evening to eve- 
 ning. Nor could he fully satisfy himself 
 upon this point. His conjecture how- 
 ever was, that the inhabitants of the place 
 which he first visited, as they really de- 
 lighted in the sabbath, thought it more 
 reasonable to begin the day, when their 
 minds and bodies were awake and active, 
 and that this was indeed the will or com- 
 mand of the Lord of the sabbath ; but 
 that the inhabitants of the place where he 
 is now visiting, in conformity with their 
 inclination, remembered the commence- 
 ment of their sabbath, in XXYtforgetfidness 
 of sleep. Whether this supposition were 
 correct, the reader will conjecture for him- 
 self. 
 
But whatever may be the views of the 
 inhabitants of the last mentioned place, 
 our Visitant observes that the evening of 
 the last of their working days was the 
 most busy evening in the week. The 
 mechanic's hammer, and the woodman's 
 axe, are heard in all directions. The 
 counter of the shopkeeper is unusually 
 thronged, and women are uncommonly 
 busy in despatching their domestic af- 
 fairs. All things are full of such labour 
 as our Visitant considered very unsuit- 
 able to the evening. 
 
 The manner in which the inhabitants 
 spend the morning of the sabbath has 
 already been noticed. Their public ex- 
 ercises have also been briefly reviewed. 
 The rest of the day was spent by some, 
 in carelessly reading a few chapters in the 
 Bible, or a sermon, or a treatise on moral 
 philosophy ; by others, in reading news- 
 papers, political pamphlets, essays on 
 various subjects, novels, and works of 
 like description. Many made the after- 
 noon's discourse of their preacher the 
 subject of animated conversation. " Mr. 
 did well in giving the inhabitants 
 
33 
 
 of a good trimming. They deserve 
 
 it for their uncharitabteness, hypocrisy, 
 &c." Some sauntered in their gardens, 
 orchards, and fields ; some assembled 
 together for a pleasant repast at the tea- 
 table, and for social and brilliant conver- 
 sation ; others were engaged in posting, 
 or otherwise adjusting their accounts; 
 and others were lounging on the sofa or 
 the bed. Some few, in their usual man* 
 ner\ offered up the evening sacrifice in 
 their families. 
 
 Another circumstance which our Visi- 
 tant noticed, was, that a considerable 
 portion of the inhabitants attended public 
 worship but one part of the day. Some 
 were detained at home on the former part 
 of the day, for the important purpose of 
 preparing sabbuth-day family dinners.* — 
 Others, after despatching these dinners, 
 neglected the afternoon service, from a 
 strange kind of lethargy or stupor. Be- 
 sides, a considerable number of the inha- 
 bitants, instead of visiting the house of 
 God on either part of the day, were driv- 
 ing away on horseback, or in their car- 
 riages, to visit their friends, or to transact 
 
business of importance. These people, 
 our Visitant observed, travelled in this 
 manner, and for these purposes, on the 
 sabbath, more than on any other day ; nor 
 were the loaded teams and droves of cat- 
 tie few in number, which he saw moving 
 in the streets, with their drivers. In ad- 
 dition to these things he was informed by- 
 unquestionable authority, that collectors 
 of toll at turnpike gates, received general- 
 ly twice as much " tribute money" on 
 the sabbath, as on any of their working 
 days, and that the toll collectors were 
 hired to refrain their feet from the house 
 of God, for the important purpose of col- 
 lecting the toll exacted of sabbath day 
 travellers ! 
 
 Our Visitant, not a little shocked at 
 this irreverence and violation of the sab- 
 bath, ventured to express his surprise, 
 and his disapprobation of the conduct 
 , which in several respects he had noticed. 
 As this day is the sabbath of the Lord 
 your God, said he to several of the most 
 respectable persons in the place ; as you 
 are required to " remember and keep it 
 holy, not doing your own ways, nor find- 
 
,ng your own pleasure, nor speaking your 
 own words," and as you acknowledge 
 the obligation of this requirement, how 
 am I to account for it, that the day is ob- 
 served in so lax a manner ; and in so 
 many instances, so flagrantly disregarded, 
 as holy time ? To tins it was replied ; — 
 However the day is not regarded by all 
 among us in so decent and religious a 
 manner as could be wished, yet we con- 
 sider the punctilious and rigid manner in 
 which it is regarded by some, and parti* 
 cularly by the inhabitants of the place 
 which you first visited, to be but a super- 
 stitious service, and an affectation of sanc- 
 titv. iC The sabbath is made for Ran, 
 and not man for the sabbath," The pub- 
 lic worship of God on this day we esteem 
 as a valuable institution, and as such, we 
 think it important practically to regard it. 
 This we mean to do ; but to muke it a 
 day of rigid discipline and penance, is 
 consistent neither with our inclination, 
 nor anv article in our creed. The time 
 which is not spent in public worship, or 
 at least a portion of it, we devote to the 
 offices of friendship aixLsocial intercourse, 
 
36 
 
 to business of necessity, and occasionally 
 to short excursions for health, and the 
 exhilaration of our spirits. As for the 
 transaction of worldly business in driving 
 teams, and cattle, &c. on this day, we do 
 not approve of it when it can be well 
 avoided. These things we really consi- 
 der evils, which ought to be remedied ; 
 and to discountenance them we exact 
 toll of travellers, teamers, &c. on this 
 day; believing, as we do, that demanding 
 toll of such violators of the sabbath, will 
 in some good degree prevent travelling 
 and worldly business on this day. We 
 not only consider our conduct justifiable, 
 but highly instrumental to the reformation 
 of morals! To promote the interest of 
 morality and rational religion^ is with lis 
 a most important object ; and to encou- 
 rage and animate us in this pursuit, our 
 excellent minister spares no pains. He 
 fails not to assure us in the strongest 
 terms, of respectability in this world", and 
 happiness in the next, as the reward of 
 our meritorious exertions. Yea, by line 
 upon line, and precept upon precept, he 
 teaches us that the very devils (if by 
 
;^7 
 
 the way there be such beings) would 
 mount the skies, if they would cultivate 
 reason and good morals ! Although the 
 state of morals and religion among us is 
 not, in all respects, quite so good as might 
 be wished, yet we consider it as quite 
 desirable, and as advancing fast to perfec- 
 tibility. Liberal in our religious senti- 
 ments, free from the shackles of bigotry, 
 superstition and enthusiasm, and guarded 
 as we are against the infection of religious 
 fanaticism, we are established in steady 
 habits ; we cultivate the social affections ; 
 enjoy the cheerful intercourse of society ; 
 indulge innocent amusements and convi- 
 viality ; and with confidence anticipate 
 that plenitude of happiness which, our 
 minister assures us, awaits us in a future 
 world. 
 
 To these observations, our Visitant lis- 
 tened in silent and thoughtful attention ; 
 but making no reply, he left the group 
 with mingled emotions of grief and asto- 
 nishment ; nor could he forbear exclaim- 
 ing to himself, Must not the hearts of 
 these men be " deceitful above all things, 
 and desperately wicked?" Strangers to 
 4 
 
38 
 
 the power of religion, they rest in its 
 forms ; they embrace a shadow for a sub- 
 stance ; they neglect the Rock Christ 
 Jesus, and build upon the sand ; they for- 
 sake the strong hold, and trust in a refuge 
 of lies ! 
 
 Having gratified his curiosity with re- 
 spect to the inhabitants of this place, but 
 to the disappointment of his expectation, 
 ourVisitant now resolves on another visit, 
 with the hope of making more agreeable 
 discoveries ; he accordingly conveys him- 
 self with his usual facility to a considera- 
 ble distance, where, observing a large 
 concourse of people, he alights with the 
 persuasion that some very important en- 
 terprise was the object of the assemblage. 
 Mingling with the crowd, that he might 
 learn what so much arrested their atten- 
 tion, he soon found, to his great surprise 
 and chagrin, that several persons on horse- 
 back were on the point of riding to a cer- 
 tain distance — then to ride back again — 
 and that the multitude had assembled 
 from many miles in all directions to see 
 the wondrous feat. On expressing his 
 astonishment^ that the act of riding on 
 
horses should draw together so great a 
 number of spectators, and so highly inte- 
 rest their feelings, he was informed that 
 the horses with their riders were to move 
 with great speed. But why should that 
 circumstance, inquired the Visitant, so 
 much interest the feelings of the specta- 
 tors ? Will either the horses or the riders 
 appej#%iore graceful by moving rapidly 
 than slowly ? Or will the spectators better 
 enjoy a quick motion? Or will . . . No, 
 no, was hastily the reply ; you do not 
 understand the business ; the horse that 
 first returns will win his owner thousands 
 of dollars. Here ended the dialogue ; it 
 was broken off by the starting of the hor- 
 ses, and the shouts of the multitude ; and 
 our Visitant was overwhelmed with as- 
 tonishment, and perplexed with strange 
 conjectures. In the mean time, the hor- 
 ses pursued their course with the velocity 
 of the wind ? the ground trembled under 
 their feet, and the air was rent with a peal 
 of shouting. Soon, the coursers were on 
 their return, and if possible, with accele- 
 rated speed. Victory to the competitors 
 remained doubtful to nearly the close of 
 
40 
 
 the race, when one of the horses, melting 
 with heat and trembling with the violence 
 of the exertion, fell lifeless beneath his 
 rider; the second by a mis-step stum- 
 bled, and dashing the rider on the ground, 
 left him a breathless corpse ; the third 
 arrived indeed at the goal, but reeking 
 with sweat, covered with dust, and trem- 
 bling in every joint, almost to fclifcsolu- 
 tion. The shouts from the multitude 
 are now redoubled, mingled with mur- 
 murs, most horrible oaths and execrations. 
 All is confusion and wild uproar. Some 
 thought it was not a fair race ; others ap- 
 peared undetermined ; while the gamblers 
 insisted on taking the purse. Our Visi- 
 tant, almost petrified with horror, hastened 
 from the scene. Directing his course 
 he knew not whither, but to escape the 
 tumult, he soon discovered a capacious 
 building, pleasantly situated,near to which, 
 on an elevated sign, he saw in fair .cha- 
 racters, the word entertainment. 
 Hither he repaired, with the expectation 
 of finding a peaceful asylum from the 
 tempest he had just escaped. But lo ! 
 entering the house, his eyes met several 
 
*1 
 
 objects in human form, stretched on the 
 flour and on benches, with pale and hag- 
 gard, or bloated faces, apparently dead ; 
 while he observed others, either stagger- 
 ing or reeling across the rooms, or gree- 
 dily swallowing strong and ill scented 
 liquors. While with astonishment, bor- 
 dering on stupor, he was witnessing this 
 scene, he was roused from his reverie by 
 the trampling of horses, and a confused 
 sound. The house was soon filled from 
 the race ground, and the call for rum, 
 brandy, gin &x. &c. was heard from many 
 more than could be readily supplied. 
 The several kinds of liquor, however, 
 circulated with great rapidity. This was 
 followed by roars of laughter, vollies of 
 oaths and curses, high and angry threats 
 and u smiting with the fist of wicked- 
 ness. 51 All was confusion worse con- 
 founded. Our Visitant fled with increas- 
 ed disgust, and consternation. 
 
 Retiring beyond the reach of noise and 
 riot, he sat down upon a friendly rock, to 
 meditate, to seek repose, and to quiet the 
 tumult of his almost distracted thoughts. 
 In this situation he remained, till he was 
 4 * 
 
42 
 
 surrounded by the shades and damps of 
 evening. To avoid the evils which 
 these threatened, and with a view to find 
 refreshment, and convenient shelter for 
 the night, he repaired to the town ; and 
 that he might avoid as much as possible 
 noise and tumult, he sought an obscure 
 and unfrequented house. 
 
 Soon he found, as he imagined, the 
 object of his search. He entered the 
 building, and was received with great 
 civility. On being asked, what he would 
 please to command, our Visitant replied 
 that he was desirous of some refreshment, 
 and of the favour of a bed for the night. 
 You shall be gratified, was the answer ; 
 when he was conducted into another 
 apartment, handsomely furnished, and 
 exhibiting an air of elegance. This ex- 
 cited in our Visitant no small surprise, as 
 the outside of the building scarcely prom- 
 ised internal neatness : nor was his sur- 
 prise abated on being addressed by sev- 
 eral ladies with cordial welcome, with 
 the appearance of friendship and a forward- 
 ness and intimacy of demeanor, which, 
 from strangers, he had not anticipated* 
 
His fair hostesses were elegantly attired, 
 and vied with eacli other in their polite 
 and courtly attentions. The hospitable 
 table was soon spread, and furnished with 
 delicacies. Of these he partook with 
 gratitude, and his drooping spirits were 
 revived. Pleased with the idea that he 
 was now in the region, and among the 
 friends of benevolence and religion, he 
 ventured to introduce those subjects as 
 topics of conversation, which were con- 
 genial to his own feelings, and which he 
 presumed would be to theirs. — But to 
 his astonishment, he observed them gaz- 
 ing upon him for a while with speechless 
 curiosity, which was followed with reit- 
 erated bursts of significant and contemp- 
 tuous laughter. Before he could devise 
 an explanation for the rudeness of their 
 conduct, several gentlemen entered the 
 apartment with an air of great ease and 
 familiarity, and with the same air were 
 received by the ladies. The intimacies 
 between them which soon ensued, con- 
 vinced our Visitant, that the region and 
 company into which he had fallen, were 
 so pure and holy as he first thought. 
 
44 
 
 For some time he had escaped the ob- 
 servation of the gentlemen, as he had re- 
 tired, from confusion, to a corner of the 
 room. On being observed by them, 
 they inquired of the ladies, who was the 
 clod-pole they had secreted, and rushing 
 upon him, violently dragged him to the 
 door, hurled him into the street, and loaded 
 him with abuse and execrations, while the 
 fair, the benevolent^ the friendly, the reli- 
 gioas females, shouted applause. 
 
 Stunned with amazement and sore with 
 rhis bruises, our Visitant, sad and sorrow- 
 ful, paraded the streets, not knowing 
 whither to direct his course, or where to 
 lay his head. Resolved to enter no build- 
 ing inhabited by man, he at length came 
 to a large edifice, in a very shabby condi- 
 tion. Its open doors invite his entrance. 
 To his great satisfaction, he finds no 
 other inhabitants but the " solemn owl," 
 and other " birds of night." Here he 
 found repose in the arms of sleep, till the 
 morning sun awoke him from the sweet 
 insensibility. The building now exhib- 
 ited every mark of neglect and decay. 
 Leaving it, he determined to tarry no Ion- 
 
ger in a place, where he had seen nothing 
 but vanity, riot and licentiousness. But, 
 as he stood musing, and unresolved 
 whither to go, he was accosted by a man 
 of a grave and venerable appearance, in a 
 courteous and friendly manner, " You 
 seem, Sir," said he, to our Visitant, "to 
 be a stranger in this place. Any assis- 
 tance you may need, which it is in my 
 power to give, will readily be afforded." 
 Thanking him for his courtesy, the stran- 
 ger replied, that his visit to the place was, 
 tor his own satisfaction, to make observa- 
 tions on the character and manners of 
 the inhabitants, and particularly in rela- 
 tion to the sabbath ; but that as he had 
 learnt much in a short time, he intended 
 immediately leaving the place, and was 
 then deliberating in what direction to 
 shape his course. u Could you, sir," 
 continued he, u direct me to any town or 
 region where my observations would be 
 more satisfactory, you would confer on 
 me a great obligation. If too severe, you 
 will have the goodness, sir, to pardon 
 this remark." The venerable personage, 
 for some time remained silent, observing 
 
46 
 
 the stranger with the eye of scrutinizing 
 curiosity. At length he observed — " I 
 am not, sir, an inhabitant of this place, 
 nor has the significancy of your remark 
 oil its inhabitants given me offence ; it 
 has rather excited my curiosity, and in- 
 duced the belief, that, although personally 
 strangers to each other, there is an intima- 
 cy between our sentiments, feelings and 
 pursuits. Shall I ask of you the favour to 
 repair with me to my temporary lodg- 
 ings, where you will find refreshment, 
 and where I entertain the hope, that an 
 interview will be mutually interesting and 
 beneficial to us." 
 
 The Visitant readily accepted the in- 
 vitation, and was conducted to a plain, 
 but decent building, where, having been 
 entertained with an agreeable repast, he 
 inquired of his friendly host, whether the 
 place of his permanent residence was 
 at any considerable distance, what had 
 brought him among a people, whose man- 
 ners and pursuits were so uncongenial to 
 his own ; whether he was intimately ac- 
 quainted with the people? &c. From the 
 answers to these queries, our Visitant 
 
I . 
 
 learnt, that his host was an inhabitant of 
 the place which he had first visited ; 
 that business of an urgent nature had 
 brought him hither, and that his acquain- 
 tance with the inhabitants was considera- 
 bly extensive, and not less unpleasant 
 than it was intimate and general. 
 
 In the course of conversation, he learnt 
 the following particulars, in relation to 
 the inhabitants of the place : That their 
 religious sentiments (if they may be so 
 denominated) embraced almost every 
 thing but the truth ; that some *)f the 
 people were deists, some professea athe- 
 ists, and that many troubled themselves 
 about no religious sentiments at all ; but 
 that all were united in ridiculing and des- 
 pising every sentiment and every -practice 
 that had the stamp of seriousness and de- 
 votion. 
 
 With relation to their manners and 
 pursuits our Visitant was informed, that 
 they were highly profligate ; that a large 
 i portion of their time was devoted to horse 
 . racing; gambling of various kinds ; to 
 ! stage players, balancing masters, tumb- 
 * lens, merry Andrews, jugglers, fortune 
 
48 
 
 tellers, mountebanks, to sensuality and 
 idleness ; that many abandoned themselves 
 to the most horrid profanity, to fraud, 
 theft, drunkenness, quarrelling, and al- 
 most every vice and evil that can be nam- 
 ed and devised ; and that duelling and 
 murder not unfrequently occurred ; that 
 the books which were read among them, 
 by those capable of reading, were those 
 of the most romantic, corrupting, and li- 
 centious nature ; and that the small num- 
 ber of bibles and books of a serious des- 
 cription that were to be found in the place 
 were read more for ridicule and merri- 
 ment, than for instruction and improve- 
 ment. * 
 
 This information, notwithstanding what 
 our Visitant had seen and heard, and felt 
 among the inhabitants of the place, he 
 could not but hope represented them in 
 too unfavourable a light. He therefore re- 
 solved more fully to satisfy his mind, by 
 a thorough investigation of their character 
 and pursuits ; accordingly, he remained in 
 the place till the arrival of the sabbath. 
 During this period, he availed himself of 
 
\v 
 
 every opportunity in his power to accom- 
 plish the object of his visit. 
 
 The result was, that the information 
 communicated to him by his venerable 
 host was far from being of an heightened 
 representation. Grieved, disgusted, and 
 almost petrified with horror, by the un- 
 principled and flagitious manners of the 
 inhabitants, he was impatient to leave 
 them. But hearing that a preacher had 
 just arrived, who was called, a Missionary, 
 and who, it was expected would preach 
 the next day, (the sabbath) if he could 
 obtain the ears of any of the people, our 
 Visitant resolved to tarry, to hear the 
 preacher, to see what would be his recep- 
 tion, and what would be the effect of his 
 preaching, if he could gain an audience* 
 He accordingly tarried. Sabbath morn- 
 ing arrived, and was uncommonly plea- 
 sant. The streets as usual were filled 
 with jjpbple, and their pursuits w T ere much 
 the same as they had been on other days. 
 But to the disappointment of our Visitant 
 he observed many of the people in high 
 glee, on account of the preaching with 
 which thev were about to bq entertained. 
 
50 
 
 This for a time encouraged him to hope 
 that some of them were desirous of reli- 
 gious instruction ; but he soon found, 
 from their conversation, that a love of no- 
 yelty, and a disposition to abuse the prea- 
 cher, and ridicule his preaching, were the 
 principal considerations which occasioned 
 their uncommon flow of spirits, and made 
 them desirous to hear what the babbler 
 hadi to say. 
 
 The time having arrived, when the 
 foreign Visitant expected that religious 
 services would commence, he observed a 
 very considerable number of people di- 
 recting their course to the large building 
 which had offered him shelter on the first 
 night of his visit to this inhospitable place. 
 Concluding that this was the building 
 where the public exercises were to be 
 performed, he thither directed his steps ; 
 but greatly were his eves and ears offended 
 by the levity, the coarse jokes, a§id the 
 profanity of the people, as they were hur- 
 rying to the place and the exercises 
 ■which required a far different appearance 
 and demeanor. He soon entered the 
 shabby and neglected building, which he 
 
afterwards learnt, had in former times and 
 better days, been appropriated to the wor- 
 ship of God ; and that no inconsiderable 
 number of the inhabitants had been reli- 
 gious and devout worshippers ; but, that 
 being grieved with the licentious senti- 
 ments, and the still more licentious practi- 
 ces of the inhabitants, they had long since 
 retreated to the place where he made his 
 first visit. 
 
 Having entered this ruinous, but once 
 sacred and venerable building, he soon 
 accommodated himself with as convenient 
 a situation as the place could furnish. But 
 what was his indignation, when he observ- 
 ed that the people who had entered, and 
 were entering the house, scarcely main- 
 tained any decency of behaviour. Instead 
 of taking their seats with gravity, they 
 were strolling here and there, backwards 
 and forwards, talking of the news of the 
 day, and of the ordinary affairs of life, 
 and concerns of business, as though they 
 had been on 'change, rather than in the 
 house of God. With anxiety our Visi- 
 tant waited the arrival of the preacher, 
 hoping that his appearance would hush 
 
52 
 
 the tumult into silence. He soon appear* 
 ed ; and with all the meekness and dignity 
 becoming his sacred office. The noise 
 in some measure subsided. The hissing 
 of contempt, the sneer of derision, and 
 the pointing-finger of scorn were, howev- 
 er, to be seen or heard in many parts of 
 the house. The preacher ascended a 
 shattered and tottering eminence, which 
 once bore the name of pulpit. With a 
 mild, but solemn aspect he cast his eyes 
 upon the assembly. He gazed on them 
 with the mingled emotions of astonish- 
 ment, grief and indignation. This pro- 
 duced no effect. In a calm, but pathetic 
 manner, he addressed them on the impro- 
 priety and indecency of their conduct. 
 But all in vain ! He ceased to speak. The 
 grief, and working of compassion in his 
 soul forbade utterance to his tongue. His 
 heart was almost ready to burst with the 
 yearnings of commisseration. But soon 
 finding relief by a plentiful gush of tears, 
 he was agreeably surprised to find the 
 assembly struck mute with sympathy and 
 astonishment. Encouraged by this cir- 
 cumstance he immediately introduced the 
 
solemnities of the occasion. In prayer, 
 he was exceedingly devout and solemn. 
 Several in the assembly appeared deeply 
 affected. Prayer being ended, die holy 
 man of God, opening his Bible, read in an 
 emphatical manner the following passage. 
 " Wherefore ye be witnesses unto your- 
 selves that ye are the children of them 
 which killed the prophets. Fill ye up 
 then the measure of youf fathers, ye ser- 
 pents, ye generation of vipers ! how can 
 ye escape the damnation of hell." Mak- 
 ing a solemn pause after reading this pas- 
 sage, he at length observed that these were 
 the words of Jesus Christ, who spake as 
 one having authority , and not as the scribes. 
 He noticed the occasion of the words, 
 their import and their application. Then 
 in the most forcible and moving manner, 
 described the character of Christ, and in 
 a concise but most luminous and cogent 
 method illustrated and supported the truth 
 of the christian scriptures. By the truth 
 of these scriptures, and by the authority 
 of their divme Author, he observed to his 
 hearers, he was constrained to sav to them, 
 5 * 
 
Wk 
 
 that their character was but too justly de- 
 scribed in the passage he had just been 
 reading ; that they were deeply interested 
 in it, and that in their present course, they 
 could not possibly escape the damnation 
 of hell. In the conclusion of his discourse, 
 he entreated and conjured his hearers, in 
 the most persuasive and urgent manner, 
 to search the scriptures ; to search their 
 own hearts, and to review their conduct 
 that they might be convinced that these 
 things were really so ; to embrace the 
 truth ; to exercise unfeigned and deep re- 
 pentance towards God ; to believe in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, and immediately to 
 return from their abominations to the God 
 of infinite mercy, that he might pardon 
 their sins, sanctify their hearts, and receive 
 them into favour. 
 
 His manaer being uniformly tender 
 and impressive, yet dignified and solemn, 
 with words flowing from the heart, he 
 could scarcely fail to persuade his hearers 
 to become religious. 
 
 Of him might a Cowper say 
 
 u There stands the messenger of truth : there stands 
 The Legate of the skies ! His theme divine. 
 
His oflico sacred, his credentials clear. 
 
 By him the violated law speaks out 
 
 lis thunders ; and by him, in strains as sweet 
 
 As angels use, the gospel whispers peace." 
 
 The effect upon his auditors was va- 
 rious ; some of them were filled with 
 indignation, gnashed upon him with their 
 teeth, contradicted 'and blasphemed. Oth- 
 ers rushed out of the house, exclaiming 
 that they would no longer hear the bab- 
 bler, who was a fit subject for Bedlam, a 
 setter forth of strange Gods, and who en- 
 deavoured to turn the world upside down. 
 Some " grinned horribly a ghastly smile." 
 Others seemed stu pitied with amazement. 
 Some trembled, and others wept. The 
 scene was strikingly singular, tumultua- 
 ry, interesting, and impressive. 
 
 Such were the prominent features of 
 the exercises and events of the morning. 
 The afternoon exercises were accompa- 
 nied with more pleasing and encouraging 
 circumstances. Although a number, who 
 attended on the solemnities of the morn- 
 ing, were now absent, yet a greater num- 
 ber of new faces were to be seen. To 
 his surprise our Visitant found the house 
 
56 
 
 thronged with people, who in general 
 conducted with decency. Many appear- 
 ed eager to hear the preacher, and some 
 to be deeply affected. The preacher, af- 
 ter addressing the throne of divine grace 
 in a solemn manner, made an affecting 
 exordium, and then read the following 
 words, as the foundation of his discourse, 
 " To day, if ye will hear his voice, har- 
 den not your hearts" His manner of treat- 
 ing the subject, seemed sufficient to car- 
 ry conviction to the most obstinate mind, 
 to melt the most obdurate heart, and to 
 reform the most profligate life. His dis- 
 course was not without effect. But little 
 levity was to be seen in the assembly. 
 A general seriousness prevailed. On the 
 countenances of many were impressed 
 the marks of deep anxiety, and some 
 were dissolved in tears. The exercises 
 being closed, many of the people remain- 
 ed, unwilling to retire. The preacher 
 availing himself of this circumstance, de- 
 voted a considerable time to serious con- 
 ference with them. He addressed their 
 consciences, in words the most weighty 
 and pungent. They were apparently ac- 
 
companied with the convincing opera 
 tions of the Divine Spirit to the souls oi 
 a considerable number, who could not 
 forbear anxiously to cry, " Men and 
 brethren, what shall we do to be saved ?" 
 Whither, O whither shall we fly, from 
 the wrath to come, from the holv frowns 
 of an angry God ! How can we escape the 
 damnation of hell ! Lord ! save us, or 
 we perish ! Such was the desirable ap- 
 pearance of the afternoon meeting. 
 
 So deeply interested was the foreign 
 Visitant in the events of this day, and so 
 highly were his expectations raised, that 
 their effects would be lasting and happy, 
 that he resolved to protract his visit, and 
 continue his observations. This he did 
 to his unspeakable satisfaction, as he soon 
 witnessed a most astonishing revolution 
 in the sentiments, feelings, and pursuits 
 of many of the inhabitants. Many were 
 hopefully brought to the knowledge and 
 acknowledgment of the truth as it is in Je- 
 sus, through the indefatigable exertions of 
 the zealous missionary. They gave the 
 most pleasing evidence of a real change 
 of heart, by an abandonment of their for- 
 
58 
 
 mer evil deeds, and by living soberly, 
 righteously and godly. 
 
 The foreign Visitant, before he left 
 the earth, made the following communi- 
 cation as the result of his observations, 
 and as expressive of his views of the in- 
 habitants. That those of the place which 
 he first visited, were sincere believers in 
 the existence, perfections, and authority 
 of God ; that they unfeignedly belie xcd 
 in the Bible, as the word of God ; and 
 making it the rule of their faith and prac- 
 tice, trulv devoted themselves to the ser- 
 vice of God ; particularly, that the sab- 
 bath was their delight, that they made it 
 their object to sanctify this day and keep 
 it holy, in deed and in truth ; and that at 
 all times their aim was whether they ate, 
 or drank, or whatever they did, to do all 
 to the glory of God: In a word, that they 
 were in a good measure what they pro- 
 fessed to be, the real friends and servants 
 of God ; and of course, that of all men 
 they were in the most eligible and happy 
 situation in this world, and that by the 
 mercy of God, through the merits of their 
 Divine Redeemer, they would be un- 
 
Mi 
 
 speakably and everlastingly happy in the 
 world to come. That the inhabitants of 
 the place which he next visited, while 
 they had in sonic measure the form of 
 godliness, denied the power of it ; that 
 their views of God, of his government 
 of the world, of the depravity of man, 
 of the character of Christ, of the work 
 of redemption, as the foundation of accep- 
 tance with God, of repentance and faith, 
 of the sabbath, and of their duty, were, 
 in general, extremely incorrect, loose and 
 incoherent, and that their conduct of 
 course was equally so ; that although the 
 forms of religious worship which they 
 observed, might contribute to their wel- 
 fare in this world, thev would not be 
 available to their benefit in the world to 
 come ; and that trusting in themselves, 
 that they were righteous, and despising 
 others, more Aope was to be entertained 
 of publicans and harlots than of them. 
 
 The views of our visitant respecting the 
 inhabitants of the place which he last visi- 
 ted were thus expressed : That although 
 their licentiousness in principle was in a 
 great measure the occasion of their licen- 
 
60 
 
 tiousness in practice ; and that notwith- 
 standing their licentiousness in practice 
 cast a baleful shade over their temporal 
 prosperity, and was destructive of all the 
 tender charities, and social enjoyments of 
 life, yet that their situation had not oppo- 
 sed so formidable a barrier to conviction 
 and a real change of heart and life, as the 
 situation of those who maintained some 
 of the forms of religion, while their hearts 
 were obdurately opposed to the spirit 
 and power of it; that notwithstanding 
 when he first came among them, they 
 seemed to be in a hopeless condition, 
 with respect to real reformation, yet, that 
 in many instances they were not irrecov- 
 erable ; that God was able, through the fool- 
 ishness of preaching, to change their 
 hearts, reform their lives, gnd save their 
 souls from destruction ; and that the 
 friends of God, instead of^despairing of ' 
 the salvation of the most profligate, and 
 abandoned of men, should make the most 
 vigorous exertions by sending missiona*- 
 ry laborers among them, and by supply- 
 ing them every other means which prom- 
 ise to be instrumental in turning them 
 
61 
 
 from the error of their ways, and saving 
 their precious souls from hell ; and that 
 to these exertions, it becomes them to 
 add fervent and importunate prayers to 
 Him, who alone can give success.* 
 
 * In the preceding paragraphs, the foreign 
 Visitant has expressed sentiments which appear 
 to correspond with those of Dr. Doddridge, Mr. 
 Poole, and Mr. Cowper, on the same subject. — 
 The former gives the meaning of Math. xxi. 
 31. in the following paraphrase: "Then Jesus 
 said to them, the application is easy ; for thus 
 it is, that notwithstanding your professions of 
 regard to God, yet in your practice you are dis- 
 obedient children, and reject his gospel ; and 
 verily I say unto you, that even the most aban- 
 doned sinners of the age, such as the publicans 
 and common prostitutes, are much more open 
 to conviction, and more likely to be wrought 
 upon than you, and so many of them have al- 
 ready been awakened to repentance, that their 
 example might lead you the way into the king- 
 dom of God ; but with all your pretences to 
 sanctity you will not follow them. For though 
 you have not integrity enough to own it, you 
 know in your consciences, that John came not 
 untc%ou in a suspicious manner, but in the way 
 of righteousness, and did in all his ministry 
 maintain the uniform character of an upright 
 and pious man, as well as of a plain and awaken- 
 ing preacher, yet you believed him not : but the 
 6 
 
62 
 
 Should the reader be disposed to con- 
 sider the foregoing narrative as fabulous, 
 
 publicans and harlots, of whom I spake, believ- 
 ed him ; and you were still so obstinate, that 
 even when you saw it, and perceived a growing 
 reformation amongst the most abandoned of 
 mankind, yet you did not afterwards repent so 
 ^s to believe in him." 
 
 Mr. Poole says, " It is a hard thing to con- 
 vince a moral, righteous, civil man that he lacks 
 any thing to salvation; and hence it is, that pro- 
 fane persons many times repent, and believe and 
 are saved, when others perish in their impeni- 
 tency and unbelief, because they think that they 
 have no need of repentance or any further righ- 
 teousness, than they are possessed of." 
 
 "What is all righteousness that men devise, 
 What but a sordid bargain for the skies ? 
 But Christ as soon will abdicate his own 
 As stoop from heaven to sell the proud a throne.*' 
 
 COWPER. 
 
 Of the self-righteous the Poet says, 
 
 « Perish the virtue, as it ought, abhor'd, 
 
 And the fool with it who insults his Lord. 
 
 Th' atonement a Redeemers love has wro^ht 
 
 Is not for you : the righteous need it not. 
 
 Of all that wisdom dictates, this the drift, 
 
 That man is dead in sin ; and life a gift." 
 
 The fact is, mefe moral, as well as immoral 
 
 sinners, will be lost, unless they repeat, and are 
 
6o 
 
 the writer will not be dissatisfied with 
 him, provided, he will not overlook the 
 moral, or design of it. 
 
 Should the reader object to the fable, 
 as unnatural and incongruous, because it 
 represents the three different classes of 
 men as collected into three distinct and 
 separate societies, the writer will not 
 contend with him on account of his ob- 
 jection, provided he will admit, that the 
 characters included in those several clas- 
 ses, are to be found among us and around 
 us, however they may be dispersed and 
 intermixed. 
 
 Should the reader object to the fable 
 because he may think that the characters 
 of the several classes of men, which it 
 exhibits, are wrought with too high a 
 coloring, the writer is not unwilling he 
 should consider his objection just, pro- 
 vided, he will not avail himself of it, to 
 his own disadvantage, or the disadvantage 
 of others. If he will not place his depen- 
 
 renewed and sanctified by the Spirit of God, and 
 keep his commands from good motives. None 
 must sin that grace may abound. 
 
64, 
 
 dance on the form of religion, but imbibe 
 and cherish the spirit and power of it ; if 
 he will deny all ungodliness and every 
 worldly lust ; if he will but suitably re- 
 member the sabbath day to keep it holy ; 
 if he will but do whatever his hands find 
 to do with his might, in the cause of God, 
 and for the good of his fellow men, in the 
 christian character, the acorn will become 
 a great tree, and the writer will be abun- 
 dantly satisfied. 
 
" REMEMBER 
 
 THE SABBATH DAY 
 
 Such is the solemn order of Him, in 
 whose hands our breath is, and whose are 
 all our ways ; and he is one who will not 
 be mocked, and cannot be either escaped 
 or resisted. His bounty permits us to 
 spend six days in our worldly labour; 
 not that a good man will forget his 
 Maker for a single hour ; but the seventh 
 day is the Lord's by a peculiar claim ; 
 on it he rested from his work, when he 
 had finished the earth, the heavens, and 
 all their host. We are informed also, 
 that he hallowed it ; that is, made it holy ; 
 — fixed it as the season when the tribute 
 of gratitude and adoration should be paid 
 him by the joyful multitude. Shall a 
 man rob God ? Or has God withdrawn 
 his claim ? No ; he appears by an ordi- 
 6* 
 
66 
 
 fiance lasting as the sun and moon to 
 have demanded the seventh part of our 
 time for his immediate service and glory. 
 Yet, is there no mercy in this appoint- 
 ment ? Has he no respect to your advan- 
 tage ? Yes ; much every way. Be 
 assured, he needs neither your services 
 nor you. You caa neither shake nor 
 establish his throjie. It is for your sake 
 that he appoints a sabbath; it is then 
 that he meets you with more abundant 
 instruction : thousands adore him in hea- 
 ven for the appointment, which, while 
 they sojourned on the earth, became the 
 means of preparing them for their high 
 abode ; and are there not tens of thou* 
 sands, either here or in the world of dark- 
 ness, whose neglect of such advantages 
 has led them on to a character perfected 
 in guilt ; and to a state that ushers in the 
 midnight of despair ? 
 
 Acknowledge then the love of God. 
 He hath blessed the sabbath day. It is 
 a day of special grace. The immortal 
 King prepares inexpressible delights for 
 those who keep it holy ; he is well- 
 pleased when his creatures pay this mark 
 
67 
 
 of reverence and subjection ; he will bless 
 them eminently ; and you know not how 
 many more of these bright opportunities 
 shall dawn. To you it may be, the last 
 has already set, or is at this moment set- 
 ting. Oh ! look, before you sink into 
 the gloom of death ; look to the mercy 
 of God in Jesus, and say, " Lord, it is 
 enough, fain would I rebel no longer, 
 subdue and pardon me at once." If 
 such a prayer ascended from your heart, 
 we should have every thing to hope. 
 No more would you mispend a sabbath, 
 either by unnecessary absence from pub- 
 lie worship, or by unsuitable employ- 
 ment on returning from it. You would 
 anxiously inquire — "Where can I find 
 the faithful minister who cares for my 
 soul, and will feed it with the bread of 
 life?" Having found one, you would 
 prove your gratitude by the constancy of 
 your attendance, by aiming to fix in your 
 memory the truths imparted ; and by 
 praying over the services of the day. 
 You would not exclaim, " What a wea- 
 riness it is to serve the Lord!" You 
 would find no temptation to ask, u Whve 
 
68 
 
 is the harm, if I spend a part of the day 
 in some diversions ?" Your conscience 
 would suggest, that as far as you did so, 
 you ceased to keep the day holy ; reason 
 might tell you that those diversions 
 would effectually blot out the solemnities 
 you had quitted ; and a still higher prin- 
 ciple would create such a preference for 
 religious duties, that you would treat 
 every thing which invited you away, not 
 as a pleasing amusement, but as a deadly 
 foe. 
 
 It is well for you, that you live in a 
 country where the sabbath is respected. 
 We speak not of the manner, in which it 
 is to be feared, the greater part express 
 this respect; but of the opportunities 
 that offer to those who are willing. Some 
 are undoubtedly less favoured than others, 
 but there are few, especially in cities, 
 towns, and their neighbourhoods, . who 
 are entirely without opportunities ; and 
 even those who are farther removed from 
 public ordinances, whose families confine 
 them principally to the house, and whose 
 situations there, are the least favourable 
 to religion ; even such may manifest 
 
69 
 
 their good will. Let them so much the 
 more abound in reading the scriptures 
 and in secret prayer. Perhaps the Lord 
 of the sabbath may remove the hin- 
 drances ; or if he please, the word of 
 life shall be brought nearer to them, or 
 their incumbrances shall lessen, or what 
 is better than all, their family connexions 
 shall become like-minded with them- 
 selves. And who so likely to obtain this 
 enlargement of privileges, as those who 
 make the best use of privileges already 
 in their possession ? 
 
 Mournful as the neglect of a sabbath 
 is, and widely as the crime prevails, let us 
 be thankful that the sabbath still exists, 
 and that there are persons who know its 
 value. It was well observed by Arch- 
 bishop Sharp, that, " were knot for that 
 happy institution, we should hardly see 
 any face of religion among us ; and, in a 
 little time, should scarcely be distin- 
 guished from heathen." A sabbath! it 
 is the Christians' feast day. It brings 
 into view every thing that purifies, con- 
 soles, exalts, and makes happy. — With 
 angels he celebrates thereon the creation 
 
70 
 
 of the world, and the resurrection of his 
 divine Saviour. His affections towards 
 his fellow worshippers are drawn into 
 lively exercise ; he feels himself to be 
 their kinsman, he shares >vith them the 
 enjoyments of divine communion, and 
 learns how to improve all the remaining 
 days of the week. As the morning ap- 
 proaches, his happy soul meets it with a 
 welcome, and were he to speak, it would 
 be in language like what we borrow from 
 the poet : 
 
 u Another six days work is done, 
 Another Sabbath is begun ; 
 Return, my soul, enjoy the rest, 
 Improve the day thy God has blest. 
 
 Come, bless the Lord, whose love assigns. 
 So sweet a rest to wearied minds ; 
 Provides an antepast of Heav'n, 
 And gives this day the food of seven. 
 
 Oh, that our thoughts and thanks may rise. 
 As grateful incense to the skies : 
 And draw from Heaven that sweet repose, 
 Which none, but he that feels it, knows. 
 
 This heav'nly calm within the breast, 
 Is the dear pledge of glorious rest ; 
 Which, for the church of God remains, 
 The end of cares — the end of pains. 
 
With joy, great God, thy works we view. 
 In various scenes, both old and new ; 
 With praise we think on mercies past, 
 With hope we future pleasure taste. 
 
 In holy duties let the day 
 In holy pleasures pass away ; 
 How sweet a sabbath thus to spend, 
 In hope of one that ne'er shall end V 9 
 
 THE END. 
 
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