and even suffering they cause in A SABBATH IN THE ASYLUM For the Magazine. IRRITABLE CHRISTIANS, THERE was a clergyman, who was of nervous temperament, and often became quite vexed, by finding his little grand-children in his study. One day, one of AT HARTFORD.* [Written by a Pupil.] THERE is an interesting meeting in the Asylum for the D. This article may interest some of our of the families who may receive it. Probreaders, especially the younger members ably nearly all are aware, that at Hartford, (Conn.) is an Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, to which young persons are adınitted, from various neighboring states, to be educated. Strange as it may seem, though they cannot speak or hear. On a they may be taught to read and write, recent visit to the Institution, we attended a lecture, which was delivered by signs, and was about an hour in length. It was on natural history, and was - listened to, we were going to say, though looked at, would be more correct, with intense interest, by a crowded assembly of deaf mutes. Perfect silence reigned, during the whole time. We requested that one of the pupils would write an account of a Sabbath, as spent there, for insertion in the Magazine, and have received the fol lowing, which we publish, without altera tion. We wish some of them would send us more descriptions of scenes they witness in the Asylum. The expression, D. & D., is the common abbreviation used in the Asylum, for the Deaf and Dumb.-EDS. & D., every Sabbath, like any common meetings in the United States, which is the best day in the week, the best day in which heavenly things are taught, about our souls, and a future state, that will make us better and happier. We should think of the goodness of God, who hath given it to us to spend, so we may become more useful and good unto salvation, and dwell in his presence, with the holy and happy angels forever. When the D. and D. rise every Sunday morning, we offer prayers to God, and thank him for keeping us alive through the night and the past week. At 6 o'clock we are called to breakfast, then attend prayer before eating, and after cating. After an hour or two, we change our clothes, then all are seated in the parlor, and begin to study our les sons, which are in the Bible or catechism; also read some good books, not about amusement or trifling things; but about important and religious things, which are very necessary. The eldest pupils are willing to advise the youngest, and tell them not to talk about worldly things, and be attentive to their studies. After the girls are all seated around the parlor, the Principal of the Asylum comes almost every morning to inquire if all the pupils are well. At half past ten o'clock, all the pupils are called into the chapel, to attend meeting, except Miss Brace, who is deaf, dumb, and blind; she always recollects the Sabbath, and dresses herself neat and clean, then sits in her rocking-chair. Her appearance seems though ful in her mind; she uses to be quite still, and walks softly around the rooms. When the meeting is ended, some of the pupils copy the sermons in a writing-book, also find the text in the Bible, for to keep in remembrance, after they leave the Asylum. The text last Sabbath, was 2 Chronicles 33: 12. I was much surprised at the story about Manasseh, for he was so very proud and wicked a king. How much his father had advised him before his death; told him not to worship idols, but only God. Soon after, he refused to do so, and forgot the great God. He continued in worshipping the the moon and stars still quite old. Then many people were discouraged with him, and bound him with fetters, and put him in prison, for he was so very cruel. While he remained in prison for some time, he indeed, felt greatly sorry for his sins and bad conduct; he prayed to God for pardon, and God forgave him. This text teaches us how God afflicts people, when they do any wrong actions, and they should not murmur against him, but submit themselves to his will. The clergymen have explained many interesting stories to us, about the history of the Bible, some of which I had never heard before. O, how many poor and ignorant D. & D. there are, in the desolate regions, who have never been taught about their immortal souls. Every Sabbath, after the sermons are explained, part of the girls sit in a circle, and converse with each other, about the lecture on religion. At 6 o'clock, we are calledto tea; when done, in half an hour, the pupils take a short walk. While getting dark, they light the lamps, and place them on the tables and shelf; then several of the instructers visit us, and tell us stories or news, what had happened; then they bid us good night and return home. Now, the Sabbath is past and gone, and another will begin every week, and we must feel very grateful to our heavenly Father, for giving it to us, that we may rejoice our hearts, for that blessed day, to spend it with gratitude. We should be serious, and treat our instructers with great kindness and respect, because they have taken much pains in teaching us the Gospel, and many useful things. board, immediately." By this time the schooner was so near, that we all were of opinion the distress was only the drunkenness of the captain, who still continued crying out as before, "I am in distress, last night had a severe gale, - split my head-sails, and had to stand off shore, send your boat on board." I accordingly hove the ship to, lowered away the quarter boat, and, with five seamen and an officer, obeyed the orders which had been so often repeated. In about three minutes, I found myself on the deck of the schooner- - Capt. of and four days from N, bound for N―. I addressed myself to the captain, by asking what was his distress. His reply was, I was taken very ill, two days ago, and want medical aid." I felt his pulse, and looked at his tongue, and asked for some kind of spirit, to prepare a remedy for him, but Mag.clared they had nothing of the both the captain and mate, de A SHIP IN DISTRESS. OR, GIN AT SEA. [Communicated for the Rel. by the Captain of a Packet Ship.] ABOUT the 20th of September last, on our passage from Havre to New York, in the packet ship off the east end of Long Island, fell in with a schooner, steering off from the land, towards us; and when near, supposing, from their movement, they intended to speak us, backed our mizen-topsail; in a few moments, a person on the bow of the schooner, without a hat or jacket, took up his trumpet and hailed, Ship, ahoy." Hilloa," said I. "Send your boat on board," said he, "I am in distress." "What distress?" I 66 Send your boat on kind on board; but afterwards acknowledged, that although they were strictly a temperance vessel, and had no spirits as stores, they had part of a cargo of gin, in the hold, but denied that it had been broached. They invited me into the cabin, and having but a very few minutes to spend with them, I endeavored to improve these well, by impressing their minds with the importance of immediately knocking off drinking gin, or any other poison, and the immense danger their lives, and the property were exposed to. The mate seemed to hear with the greatest attention, and I hope profit; but the captain was rather too far over the bay, to give heed to advice; but began to curse and swear, drunkard like, because I used plain dealing. Besides the captain and mate, there was a little boy, who seemed unwilling to accuse his m ster of the double crime of theft and drunkenness, but would not deny that the main hatch had been opened. On the cabin table, laid a Bible and Seaman's Hymn Book. Both of them appeared to have been in constant use. While I was engaged imparting advice to the captain and mate, about the course they should steer, &c. my men were employed mending their sails, when we left them, and proceeded on our voyage. I hope the vessel and crew arrived safe, but I have not seen her reported, and fear they were lost. For the Magazine.* A SHORT ARTICLE FOR FATHERS. THIS article is short, because the fathers, for whom it is intended, are too busy to read a long one. It is generally conceded that the mother has duties at home, and the children must be there also; but as to the father, "why, business is so pressing, and money is so scarce, no man that can put two ideas together can expect me to be at home much." Even so. I know a good mother, a kind and a Christian mother, I would fain hope, who is willing to work early and late for her dear children, and who hopes and prays that they may become obedient children of God, and yet they do not unfrequently disobey her. "Richard, why don't you obey at once," says the father, "when your mother speaks to you?" "My love, you know I leave the children entirely to you."-"I know you do, my dear; but I can't help thinking you ought to govern the boys." * Mr. Abbott, Dear Sir, Were it in my power, I would gladly furnish an article for the Religious Magazine; and so much does the subject of the enclosed weigh upon my mind, that I cannot forbear to ask that you will take it in hand, and make an article on the subject, such as it should be. The enclosed may serve to suggest some thoughts; conversations similar to that here supposed, take place daily, I had almost said hourly, in business mens' families. Yours, respectfully, A LEARNER. P. S. I have directed my attention to the families of merchants, from having lived mostly among such. The subject is, perhaps, equally applicable to the families of literary and professional men." [The writer of the above will find a communication addressed to him, at the Pub. lisher's. EDS.] "You are at home, my love, all the time, and really, you ought not to expect much from me, occupied as I am continually; business pressing from Monday morning till Saturday night. I want to be quiet when I am in the house; I must have a fire in my room in future." I might proceed through a variety of scenes, indicative of the state of things in a family, where the father is a man of business, who feels authorized to rest the burden of training up a family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, upon the shoulders of his wife. But how comes the twain in this attitude? Is he not an affectionate husband? Oh, yes; but he is engaged in extensive business. He loves his family,-is a domestic man, in the common acceptation of the terin. He desires nothing but the happiness of his family, and the advancement of Christ's kingdom. He is willing to work early and late, to accomplish these objects; but really, you cannot expect him to attend very much to the education of his children; he must leave that with their mother. Now, I venture to assert, that there is utterly a fault among us; grounded, peradventure, upon a misconception. "No man liveth to himself;" are the words of the preacher. "Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink," &c. "True," says the man of business, "you are bound to glorify God, in preaching; I in the prosecution of business. You are bound to do all that you do, heartily, as unto the Lord; to do it with your might; and so am I. I labor hard in my business, that I may acquire property, to be employed in the service of the Lord.” Here lies the root of the evil. The man in question is really a Christian, and contributes largely to the treasury of the Lord; but it is fatal error which has crept into the bosoms of our men of business, that they must give their whole souls and bodies to it; that doing an extensive business, is the great object of life. God has devolved upon every man a variety of obligations; and he who contends that he must embark his every energy in the accomplishing of any one duty, to the neglect of every other, errs egregiously. Let us suppose a case. A. B. is a merchant; has a wife and six children; is a leading man in church; a prominent man; good citizen, and worthy member of society; he is a thinking man; an active man; a liberal man; and esteemed a consistent Christian. But A. B. is not altogether a happy man. He is distressed to see four or five impenitent children around him, and there are many things in his family that do not please him; and he may be taken away suddenly. But |