VISIT TO THEIR SETTLEMENT. 285 a vacant seat on one of the forms set apart for the accommodation of the "worldly people," many of whom, attracted very possibly by the same curiosity as ourselves, had come from a considerable distance to be present at these ceremonies. The church, or meeting house, consisted of one neat oblong room, somewhat about seventy-five or eighty feet long, and perhaps about fifty feet in breadth. Seats were carefully arranged on one side for the visitors, and at each end for the members of the society, who soon after entered in parties of some three or four at a time, assuming their respective places, each in his turn as he came in; while the sisterhood, saddened and dejected, glided softly onward to the seats allotted to them at the opposite end of the building. The dress and contour of the entire was of the most primitive cast, bearing some resemblance to the more precise of the orthodox quakers of the old country; especially the females, who wore upon their heads small snowwhite muslin caps, made after the same mode, and aprons of a similar texture, that in keeping with an equally unpretending dark coloured stuff dress, made up of the scantiest materials, gave a perfect uniformity of appearance to the entire. At length, the last of the party arrived and took their seats in silent congregation with the others, the men at the one end, the sisters at the other, with demure and downcast eyes—their hands piously clasped and resting on their knees, where they had spread a neat white handkerchief, that each had carried with her to the meeting, folded and crossed over the left arm, as they silently passed along. The solemnity of an austere silence was at length broken in upon by a simultaneous move of the entire body, without any apparent notice, though with such sudden and one accord, as must have proceeded from some well understood signal apprehensive to themselves. Each took the place previously assigned to him, forming two compact bodies of different sexes, of about seventy in either, drawn up, with regular military precision in rows of about ten each; the males facing the others in opposite lines, enlarging the centre or neutral ground between both, in nearing the part of the church, where nearly two hundred strangers were sitting as lookers-on. The contrast in the outward appearance of each party was immeasurably great. The men, the very prototype of good health-ruddy and well cased, some of them young and even good-looking, and all apparently happy. The females, on the other hand, emaciated, dispirited and melancholy—apparently struggling with their inclinations in the strange mode of life they had chosen for themselves, They were certainly not handsome; their general features, with the exception of a few old matrons, in whom the traces of former good looks had not been altogether effaced, of a most repulsive character, increased in their ugliness by the formal set covering of their heads, enjoined upon each, without reference in its aptitude to their peculiar features. THEIR RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES. 287 The entire had now taken their places, with hands devoutly clasped-thumbs crossed, their eyes resting upon the ground-the sisters, each with their white handkerchief again folded in oblong form, and crossed upon their left arm as when they had first entered. A profound silence had spread over the entire assembly. Our apprehension became excited, while with a painful, half reluctant curiosity we watched the first series of the proceedings. At length one of the elders stepped forth from the front rank, facing the strangers who were lookers-on, and commenced in a staid puritanical tone, to address the meeting,-" Brethren and sisters, I feel moved to speak to thee a few words. This is the Lord's day-a holy and sanctified day, set apart for religious purposes. It becometh us to observe it with due decorum, and use it for that end. We have received blessings from the Lord, and have found favour in his sight, and should therefore praise him with thanksgiving." The last word had scarcely sounded upon the ears of the congregation, when immediately, a loud shout was raised, that almost shook the very ceiling of the building. Each seemed to vie with those around, and to perform his own part to admiration-screaming, rather than singing to the fullest amplitude of their voices, that which was probably intended as the first, or introductory hymn of their service. Anon, and all was again silent; when another of the elders stepped forth from the front rank, and in the fulness of excited zeal began to address the "Brethren and sisters assembled," and endeavoured to impress upon their minds, the extreme good fortune that had multiplied and showered blessings around them. They had sought the Redeemer in their solitude, and found him. They alone had fulfilled the divine precept of the gospel, in their self-denial and abandonment of the world-the world's lusts--its depravity and sinfulness, and they were now in a state of grace; and by the renunciation and self-atonement they had practised, had attained an holy state of perfection. "It is thus," continued the speaker, "that our salvation is ensured beyond all reasonable doubt, and death despoiled of its many terrors." They cared not when they should be summoned to their last dread account, as they were always ready to meet their GOD, to receive their reward in the happiness that is secured to them in the next life; for theirs was the religion of Christianity-" Aye, the very essence of true Christianity." Thus he went on, in a pharisaical and self-approving strain, the brethren and sisters listening with devout and fervid attention. The assembly was again silent. After a few moments' pause, the entire broke forth in another hymn of loud and boisterous music. At its conclusion, a third speaker came forth from the same rank as the other two, and stepping forward a few paces towards that part of the meetinghouse occupied by the visitors, who were eagerly watching every strange evolution of these strange proceedings, commenced to address them as follows, "Brethren and sisters, I feel moved to speak to thee THEIR RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES. 289 a few words; but it shall be a few words, as I do not intend to address thee long. There are many amongst you this day, who have come here from various remote districts of the country, excited by curiosity, to see and witness our religious observances. We wish to treat you with courtesy ; but in return we think we are undeserving your scoffs and ridicule. We observe many of you laughing and whispering, and forgetting that decorum that should be observed in a house of religious worship. Our form of prayer may appear strange to you; no doubt it does, for it differs materially from that of the worldly people of this life. But we think we are right-we conscientiously believe that we are following the strict precept of the gospel, and consider that we are at least entitled to your forbearance." Having administered this gentle reproof, by the bye, somewhat deserved, yet, as we rather thought for the purpose of restraining the risible propensities of the children of Baal, who were about to witness the strange exhibition which so soon after followed, this pious brother resumed, by calling on the fraternity to join him in loud hallelujahs and praises to the Lord, for the manifold blessings, and spiritual advantages they enjoyed. To praise him with music, and in the dance; for the Scripture saith,—“Oh! clap your hands all ye people;" "Shout unto God with a voice of triumph;" "Sing unto the Lord a new song;" "Sing his praise in the congregation of the saints;" "Let the children of |