Acknowledge but the right on your part to say what opinion shall pre vail, and you endanger at once the perpetuity of religious freedom, by subjecting it forever to the capricious changes of a vacillating majority. There is then no safety-they who are in the ascendant to-day, may be in the declination to-morrow. Nor can we have any guaranty against infi delity itself, acquiring numerical force and usurping the right, according to your own precedent, to engraft its odious doctrines upon the country. Safety can only be insured by abstaining altogether from such action; then indeed, where none are preferred, there is but one interest to subserve, and that is toleration.

If the resolution proposed by the gentleman from Adams should be carried out, do gentlemen know what amount they are paying? We sit here not as censors upon particular religious opinions, but upon the general correct morality of the whole community, We sit here, at any rate, as a committee in relation to the expenses of the commonwealth, and we are bound to know what services are rendered before we pay for them. And last, not least, whether we have been benefited by them. Can any one say that is compatible with the dignity and beauty of holiness, that after a pious offering at the throne of grace, we should instantly convert this hall into an arena of political strife? The amount proposed is enor mous. If we take it into calculation, the pay, at three dollars per day, for five minutes employment, would amount to $125,000 per annum. Let us reflect before we thus fritter away the funds of the people, and ponder over the objects to which we would apply them.

I am sorry, Mr. President, to be obliged to express my sentiments in this way, because no man is more disposed to respect the feelings of these gentlemen than I am, and although I am willing, as a private individual, to contribute towards their support, as a duty I owe to society, and as a means of upholding the general principle of religious exercise, yet 1 cannot lend my aid to take the funds of the commonwealth, for the purpose of applying them in a manner which may lead to the establishment of a dangerous precedent.

In making these remarks, let me invoke the spirit of charity for myself that I would beg to have extended to others. If it has been my misfortune to see, unlike others, it is a constitutional infirmity, marked by that frailty which characterizes all things human. It is foreign to my feelings, to invade the barriers of religious consolation, in whatever bosom it may be cherished, or wheresoever it may be found, no matter how the sentiment is entertained, only so that it is productive of good in precept and in practice.

The feebleness of humanity requires support, and earnestly seeks it, whether in the labyrinth of metaphysics, the abstruse studies of theologi cal philosophy, or the more bland teachings of a revealed religion. There is a light of hope that sustains every one, and points him to another and a better existence, and if we differ as to the mode of travelling the bright path that leads to virtue, it is immaterial only so that we attain the end. Indeed, it would be a culpable effort that snatched from the meek and lowly follower of religion, the only support and comfort of his probation here, by an infliction of severe opinions upon him, inimical to his own rational views, and subversive of those delightful impressions which cheer him onward. He who would rob affliction of its solace, or destroy the

steadfast faith of the humblest of his fellow mortals, well deserves the obloquy, as he merits the reproach of that Deity he professes to worship. There is as much cruelty in the exercise of such a purpose, as there was in days of yore, when the animal machine moved but by the impulse of an unfeeling master, or became the incarcerated victim of his relentless power.

I hope sincerely our enthusiasm will not mislead us into the adoption. of measures for which, perhaps we may express regret when the remedy has gone from us. At all events it is safe to negative the resolution before the convention.

Mr. DENNY said, that he had hoped the convention would have disposed of this proposition, without entering into this wide and irrelevant discussion. It was not the friends of this proposition who had extended the debate to this unnecessary length, and thrown open topics which were in no manner connected with the principle of the resolution. A union between church and state! He would ask the gentleman from the county of Berks, (Mr. Keim) whom he (Mr. D.) esteemed as a man of sense, whether he was serious in the assertion he had made that the introduction of prayer into this convention was dangerous to the liberties of the country? Sir, (said Mr. D.) I might have expected that the gentleman would have learned a lesson from the quotation which he has himself submitted. That whole quotation was a prayer to that Being before whom we ought all to humble ourselves. It was a prayer for mercy. And will the gentleman deny to the human family the blessing of prayer? or will he say that they shall not approach in supplication that Being to whom we are all indebted for life, for health, for safety, for intelligence, and for the blessings of religion, because it would be dangerous to the liberties of the country? I cannot believe, Mr. President, that the gentleman is serious in the expression of such sentiments. There is too much intelligence in the community, to allow men to be misled by observations like those which have fallen from the gentleman from Berks, and the gentleman from the county of Philadelphia, (Mr. Earle.) I tell the gentleman that the political controversies of men have done more to inundate the world with blood, and to rend human governments asunder, than all the religi ous controversies to which he has alluded. Religious controversies, it is true, have been fierce and bloody in many ages of the world. This is a fact well known to all of us. But the examples which we have had before us since the meeting of this convention, ought to teach us--if we do not wilfully close our eyes,-that there is no danger that any religious controversy will arise here, where so many clergymen, of different denominations, have daily offered up their prayers to the throne of grace. I should have supposed that the very circumstance that all these gentlemen, of so many different persuasions, had appeared here at our request, would be evidence enough that there was harmony and a mild spirit of christianity prevailing here--and not a spirit of ruthless controversy. The gentleman from the county of Philadelphia, talks of taxing the people; about going to gentlemen and taking a tax to support a religion which they are unwilling to support, and to which they can not yield their conviction.

This is very strange doctrine. I can assure the gentleman that I and my constituents have been taxed for worse things than prayer in this

hall. They have been taxed for the speeches of that gentleman, which will fill a volume of debates. But I do not intend to travel beyond the immediate question before the convention. I rose merely to express my sentiments at the remarks of the gentleman from the county of Bucks, and also, the hope that we may consider this resolution with a better spirit than has yet been manifested. I was about to suggest, therefore, that we should either dispose of it at once, or refer it to a com mittee.

Mr. PORTER, of Northampton, said that the proceedings of the conven tion reminded him, every once in a while, of one of Stern's chapters, which relates to the kings of Bohemia,-which, after leading us on a little way, digresses, and never gets back again. So it was with the convention in the present instance.

If gentlemen would second him, he would, with a view to get back to the proper issue, move the previous question.

Mr. WOODWARD said, that under the leave of the convention, he would just state, that many persons would be much satisfied, if the gentleman from Adains, (Mr. Stevens) would allow his modification to stand; and,

Mr. HEISTER said, that if the resolution was not so modified, he must vote against it.

The call for the previous question having been seconded by the requi site number, and the question recurring,

Shall the main question now be put?

The yeas and nays were required by Mr. STEVENS, and Mr. REIGART, and are as follows, viz:

YEAS-Messrs. Baldwin, Barnitz, Bonham, Brown, of Northampton, Chandler, of Philadelphia, Chauncey, Clapp, Clarke, of Beaver, Clark, of Dauphin, Clarke, of Indiana, Cline, Craig, Crain, Crawford, Crum, Cummin, Cunningham, Curl, Dickerson, Dillinger, Donagan, Donnell, Doran, Farrally, Gamble, Gearheart, Grenell, Harris, Hastings, Hayhurst, Hays. Helffenstein, Henderson, of Dauphin, Hies ter, Kennedy, Kerr, Long, Lyons, Maclay, Mann, M'Call, Meredith, Merkel, Pen nypacker, Pollock, Porter, of Lancaster, Porter, of Northampton, Purviance, Read, Royer, Russell, Saeger, Scheetz, Shellito, Snively, Sterigere, Stickel, Taggart, White, Woodward, Sergeant, President—61,

NAYS-Messrs. Agnew. Ayres, Banks, Barndollar, Bedford, Bigelow, Brown, of Lancaster, Brown, of Philadelphia, Butler, Carey, Chambers, Cleavinger, Coates, Cox, Darrah, Denny, Dickey, Dunlop, Earle, Fleming, Forward, Fry, Fuller, Gilmore, Henderson. of Allegheny, High, Hopkinson, Houpt, Hyde, Ingersoll, Jenks, Keim, Konigmacher, Krebs, Magee, M'Cahen, M'Dowell, M'Sherry, Merrill, Montgomery, Overfield, Reigart, Riter, Ritter, Rogers, Scott, Sellers, Seltzer, Serrill, Sill, Smith, Smyth, Stevens, Thomas, Weaver, Young-58.

So the convention determined that the main question should now be taken.

And on the main question, being,

Will the convention agree to the resolution?

The yeas and nays were required by Mr. KONIGMACHER, and Mr. FORWARD, and are as follows, viz:

YEAS-Messrs. Agnew, Baldwin, Barnitz, Biddle, Chandler, of Philadelphis, Chauncey, Clapp, Clarke, of Beaver, Clark, of Dauphin, Clarke, of Indiana, Cine, Craig, Crain, Crum, Cunningham, Denny, Dickey, Dickerson, Doran, Farrelly, Forward, Gamble, Harris, Hastings, Hays, Helffenstein, Henderson, of Allegheny,

Henderson, of Dauphin, Hopkinson, Kennedy, Kerr, Long, Lyons, Maclay, Mann, M'Call, Meredith. Miller, Merkel, Pennypacker, Pollock, Porter, of Lancaster, Porter, of Northampton, Purviance, Regart, Rogers, Royer, Russell, Saeger, Scheetz, Scott, Sellers, Shellito, Sill, Sterigere, Stevens, Taggart, White, Woodward, Sergeant, President-60.

NAYS-Messrs. Ayres, Banks, Barndollar, Bigelow, Bonham, Brown, of Lancaster, Brown, of Northampton, Brown, of Philadelphia, Butler, Carey, Chambers, Cleavinger, Coates, Crawford, Cummin, Curll, Darrah, Dillinger, Donagan, Donnell, Earle, Fleming, Foulkrod, Fry, Fuller, Gearhart, Gilmore, Grenell. Hayhurst, Hiester, High, Houp, Hyde, Ingersoll, Jenks, Keim, Konigmacher, Krebs, Magee, Martin, M'Cahen, M'Dowell, M'Sherry, Miller, Montgomery, Overfield, Read, Riter, Ritter, Seltzer, Serrill, Smith, Smyth. Snively, Stickel, Thomas, Weaver, Young-58. So the resolution was agreed to.

On leave given,

Mr. STERIGERE, from the committee for that purpose appointed, made report, in part, as follows, viz:

That immediately after their appointment,they appointed Messrs. STERIGERE and Scott, a sub-committee, to proceed to Philadelphia, to make the necessary arrangements for the meeting of the convention at that glace. That the committee, on their arrival in the city, learned that the city councils had unanimously passed a resolution, renewing their offer made on the tenth of July last, to furnish the convention with Independence Hall, or such other building as might be selected, at the expense of the city, for their accommodation, and appointed a committee, with full authority to carry the resolution into effect, on their part. The subcommittee immediately proceeded to examine all the buildings in the city which were supposed to afford accommodations for the convention. After a careful examination, the committee selected "The Hall of the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia," on Locust street, between Eighth and Ninth streets,-which, in their opinion, affords more suitable accommodation than any other building in the city, which could be procured. This hall is about one hundred and ten feet long, by fifty-six feet wide. It has two entrances for delegates and spectators, is lighted with gas, and will conveniently accommodate the delegates and officers of the convention, and about five hundred citizens. Appurtenant to the hall are two apartments, suitable for secretaries' rooms, and for committee rooms. The city councils have commenced fitting up the hall, under the direction of the committee, agreeably to a plan agreed upon by them; and the same will be prepared for the reception of the delegates by the 27th instant.

The Musical Fund Hall is a very valuable building, and has been a long time in the charge and care of Thomas Jefferson Becket, appointed by the proprietors, who are desirous the same shall continue in his care. Mr. Becket is a careful man, of obliging manners, and will make an excellent door-keeper. The committee think it would be best to place the building in the care of an individual approved by the proprietors, and therefore, recommend the appointment of Mr. Becket, as doorkeeper of the convention, from the 28th instant.

The society offer to heat and light the hall and rooms, for seventy dollars a week, and the committee recommend the convention agree to pay the society that sum, for the purposes aforesaid.

The committee cannot conclude this report without expressing

their thanks for the prompt attention and assistance received from the city councils, in the performance of the duties with which they were charged.

The committee recommend the adoption of the following reso lutions:

Resolved, That when this convention adjourns, on the twenty-third instant, agreeably to the resolution heretofore adopted, it will adjourn to meet at the hall of the musical fund society, in the city of Philadelphia, on the twenty-eighth instant, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon.

Resolved, That Thos. Jefferson Becket be appointed door-keeper to this convention, from and after the twenty-eighth instant.

Resolved, That the convention agree to pay the musical fund society, the sum of seventy dollars a week, for heating and lighting their hall and rooms, occupied by the convention during its sessions.

On motion of Mr. STERIGERE, the convention proceeded to the second reading and consideration of the said resolutions.

And on the question,

Will the convention agree to the first resolution?

The yeas and nays were riquired by Mr. DICKEY, snd Mr. KEIM, and are as follows, viz:

YEAS-Messrs. Agnew, Ayers, Baldwin, Banks, Barclay, Barnitz, Biddle, Bige low, Brown, of Lancaster, Brown, of Philadelphia, Butler, Carey, Chambers, Chandler, of Philadelphia, Chauncey, Clapp, Clarke, of Beaver, Cleavinger, Cline, Coates, Cope, Cox, Craig, Crain, Cunningham, Denny, Dickey, Dillinger, Don nell, Doran, Dunlop, Farrelly, Fleming, Forward, Foulkrod, Fry, Gamble, Gilmore, Grenell, Harris, Hastings, Hays, Helffenstein, Henderson, of Allegheny, Hopkins, Houpt, Ingersoll, Jenks, Kennedy, Konigmacher, Krebs, Long, Lyons, Maclay, Mann, Martin, M'Cahen, M'Dowell, M'Sherry, Meredith, Merrill, Överfield, Pennypacker, Pollock, Porter, of Lancaster, Porter, of Northampton, Purviance, Reigart, Riter, Royer, Russell, Saeger, Scheetz, Scott, Serrill, Sill, Smyth, Snively, Stergere, Thomas, White, Woodward, Young, Sergeant, President-84.

NAYS-Messrs. Barndollar, Bonham, Clark, of Dauphin, Clarke, of Indiana, Crawford, Crum, Cummin, Curll, Darrah, Donagan, Earle, Fuller, Gearhart, Hayhurst, Henderson, of Dauphin, Hiester, Hyde, Keim, Kerr, Magee, M'Call, Merkel, Miller, Montgomery, Read, Ritter, Rogers, Sellers, Seltzer, Shellito, Smith, Stevens, Stickel, Taggart, Weaver--36.

So the first resolution was agreed to.

The second and third resolutions were severally considered and agreed to.

SEVENTH ARTICLE.

The convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. REIGART in the chair, on the report of the committee on the seventh article of the constitution.

The question pending, was on the amendment of Mr. PORTER, of Northampton, which was to insert the word "public," before "schools," and after the word "state," to add as follows:

In such manner that all who desire it, may be taught there

Mr. READ, of Susquehanna, withdrew his amendment, and then moved to strike out the whole section, and substitute the follow ing: