from Lord Granville. They are styled the United Brethren of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The first person of this sect arrived in the United States in 1741, under the protection of Count Zinzendorf. *

At Bethlehem, in Pennsylvania, the Moravians have a large society, occupying a number of farms. There

is a great hall in which all daily assemble for the purpose of public worship. The single men and women have each a separate dwelling. The latter are occupied in various domestic employments,-in fancy and ornamental works, and occasionally in musical practice under the direction of a superintendent. The walls of the large hall where the society dine are adorned with paintings, chiefly Scripture pieces, executed by members. Various branches of trade and manufacture are carried on, the profits of which go to the general stock, from which all are supplied with the necessaries of life. Their whole time is spent in labour and in prayer, except an hour in the evening, which is allotted for a concert. Marriage is contracted in a singular manner. The young man who has an inclination to marry makes application to the priest, who presents a young woman designated by the superintendent as the next in rotation for marriage. Having left the parties together for an hour, the priest returns, and if they mutually consent to live together, they are married the next day; if otherwise, each is put at the bottom of the list, containing, perhaps, sixty or seventy

See Ogden's History of this Society; or Excursion to Beth, lehem and Nazareth in Pennsylvania in 1799. Philadel. 1800. vol. 12mo. pp 167.

names, and, on the part of the girl, there is no chance of marriage. unless the same young man should again feel disposed for matrimony. When united, a neat habitation, with a pleasant garden, is provided, and their children, at the age of six, are placed in the seminary. If either of the parents die, the other returns to the apartment of the single people. In the Moravian establishment there is a tavern with large and excellent accommodations. There are Moravian establishments also in South Carolina, at Bethania, Salem, and other places on the Moravian branch of the river Yadlin. *

Universalists.We have not been able to procure any estimate of the number of persons of this persuasion. They form two divisions; the followers of Dr Chinery, and those of Mr John Murray.

Shakers. The first of this sect came from England in 1774. Their number is inconsiderable. Their principal establishments are at Nisqueunah, and New Lebanon, in the state of New York; at Enfield, in Connecticut, and at Canterbury, in New Hampshire.

The Tunkers, a sect in Pennsylvania, took their origin from a German, who, weary of the busy world, retired to a solitary place about fifty miles from Phila delphia, where he formed a colony on a river named Euphrates. Their religious practices resemble those of the Quakers, none but those who feel the divine influence having a right to preach and exhort. The women live separate from the men, and never associate except for the purpose of public worship, or public busi

* Anburey's Travels, 2d Vol. p. 450, 458.

ness. Divine service is performed twice a day; and the whole time, except a few hours given to sleep, is spent in labour and in prayer. They hold as injurious the doctrine of original sin, and deny the eternity of future punishment; though they admit of a hell and a paradise. They believe that the souls of Christians are employed in the next world in the conversion of those who left this without enjoying the light of the Gospel.

In their conduct they show a stoical indifference to the good and evil of life. They never complain or retaliate, even when insulted or robbed of their property. The dress of both sexes consists of a long white hooded gown, a coarse shirt, and thick shoes. The men wear wide breeches resembling those of the Turks; and never cut the beard, which, in some, reaches to the waist. Their food consists of vegetables only, the produce of their own labour, which is deposited in a common stock for the wants of the society.

Sandemanians.Of this sect there is a small society at Portsmouth, in New Hampshire.

Mennonists, Who derive their name from Simon Menno, a German Baptist, live in Pennsylvania. In the year 1770, their number amounted to 4000, forming thirteen churches, and forty congregations.

Works on the State of Religion in North America. Adams's (Hannah) View of Religion, 3d edition in 8vo, Boston. 1801.

Evans's (John) Sketch of the Denomination of the Christian World, 13th edition in 12 mo. London, 1814.

Gregoire, (Bishop of Blois, and Member of the Institute,) Histoire des Sectes Religieuses. Paris, 1814.

CHAPTER L.

A SUMMARY OF THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, SINCE THE YEAR 1800.

MR JEFFERSON was raised to the presidency of the United States in March 1801. His administration, though it originated at a moment of great party violence, was no less characterised by forbearance and moderation, than by a sacred regard to the true interests of the Union. Properly speaking, it was during his administration that the basis of that system was laid, which has ever since been acted on, and which experience has shown to be well calculated to advance the prosperity and happiness of the states. Though assailed on all sides by clamour and abuse, and tempted to violence by the nature of the crisis, he never swerved from that course which the justest views of the constitution, and a paramount sense of public duty, dictated. For the first time, perhaps, in the history of parties, was seen a body of men raised to power, abiding faithfully by the principles they had professed during their exclusion; and with self denying honesty, labouring to diminish the amount of the influence and patronage they received from their predecessors. Neither can it be said that alterations were made from a rash spirit of innovation. Time has fully sanctioned the maxims of Mr Jefferson's administration. Indeed, both he and those who acted with him were sen

sible, that attempts to serve mankind, without regard to their opinions and prejudices, can seldom have any beneficial result, and that even the most obvious improvements should not be forced upon society. No measure was therefore brought forward, till public opinion was ripe for its adoption. This kept the proceedings of the administration in harmony with the sentiments of the people, insured stability to the changes made, and placed the government on the only basis consistent with republican institutions. The general confidence and satisfaction which this liberal system of policy diffused, was increased by the contrast which it afforded to certain measures of the preceding administration; and the progressively increasing strength of the party with which Mr Jefferson acted, amidst difficulties and trials of no ordinary kind, is the best proof of the soundness of the principles on which he proceeded.

In abolishing all internal duties, (in 1802,) it was justly considered, that, besides the vexations that spring from the collection of such a revenue, taxation, as a necessary evil, should be restricted within the smallest possible limits, since money, however usefully it might be employed by the government, is nowhere so productive as in the pockets of the people. The magnificent schemes of the European governments, so far from furthering improvement, consume the means which would have been more beneficially employed in hands of private individuals. In reducing the military peace establishment, it appeared sound reasoning, that as the situation of the United States required only a