and important institutions, and a much-frequented harbor. The Catholics are a one fifth of the population. The rest is divided into a multitude of sects, the principal of which are the Presbyterians, Episcopalians and Methodists. Then come the Anabaptists, the Quakers, the Universalists, the Unitarians, Swedenborgians, or people of the New Jerusalem, some Jews, &c. It is to be remarked, that all these sects, the first three especially, are divided by schisms and intestine dissensions. The sect of Episcopalians, for example, which separated from the English Church at the period of the revolution of this country, in 1776, is actually on the eve of suffering a new schism: one party verges toward Arminianism, and wishes to preserve the hierarchy; the other inclines strongly towards Gomarism, and endeavors to introduce the popular forms of the Presbyterians. It is now two years since their last Bishop, James Kemp, died; and, notwithstanding repeated efforts of the electors, they have not yet been able to agree on the choice of a successor. "Already has a great schism occurred among the Methodists; they are divided into Orthodox and Radicals; the first retain the Bishops; the second have entirely shaken off the yoke of those pretended Prelates. From the ranks of the Quakers, who are ordinarily so peaceable and tolerant, not to say indifferent, arose, five or six years since, a bold and enterprising man, who has drawn the half of his sect into deism. The name of this new apostle is Hicks. On all sides new temples are rising to receive his proselytes, while the old are deserted. "All these sects have at Baltimore a great number of ministers and churches; of the latter some are sufficiently large and beautiful, but all are entirely eclipsed by our own superb metropolitan church. The churches of the Catholics are five; the metropolitan, the old church of St. Peter, which supplied its place until 1821, and in which parochial service is still performed during the week; the church of St. John particularly destined for the Germans; that of St. Patrick, and that of St. Mary, which is the church of the seminary and of the college of the same name. There is also a chapel in the hospital, possessed by the Sisters of Charity, where the holy sacrifice is celebrated very frequently. "The metropolitan church, of which Mgr. Carroll had laid the foundation, was happily completed by Mgr. Marechal, who has formed of it the most beautiful religious monument in the United States. It has an organ equal to that of Notre Dame at Paris, and a choir, that executes the most difficult pieces as well, as can be effected in cathedrals best furnished, in this respect, whether in France or Italy. This ability of our musicions contributes to produce a happy effect on the Protestants, whose worship is so naked and dry. The principal altar, the paintings, the ornaments-all befit the metropolitan church of the United States. The body of the house is in form of a cross, has its nave, its two ailes, its choir, and the sanctuary in a circular form. It is 165 feet in length, (withont reckoning the portico, which will be 24 feet,) and 77 in breadth; the diameter of the dome is 60 feet within, and 77 on the outside. Its height, from the base to the summit, is 116 feet, and it is surmounted by a cross 11 feet high. The two towers, which it is proposed soon to erect on the front of the church, will be 120 feet high. "This beautiful church, built on the highest ground in Baltimore, overlooks the whole eity and its vicinity, including the bay, which is ordinarily covered with ships. The protestants themselves consider the cathedral as the ornament and honor of their city, and frequent it with an interest almost equal to that of the Catholics. “The church of St. Patrick, erected by the labours of the wor thy M. Moranville, a French priest, its last pastor, who has left a nane so dear and venerated in this parish, is a considerable building, of a noble and light construction, with an organ, and a clock sufficiently lofty. "The church of St. John is not indeed so large, but still excites an interest. That of the seminary and college of St. Mary is a building in the Gothic style, and of remarkable taste. Divine service is performed in it with the plain Gregorian chant, following the customs of the seminaries of France. A vaulted chapel, constructed beneath the principal church, allows great facility for several pious exercises. Having been built more than twenty years, this church of the gentlemen of St. Sulpice has singularly contributed to excite in Baltimore the spirit of religion which distinguishes the Catholics of that place. Uunder M. Nagot, and Messrs. Dubourg, Flaget and David, (the last three of whom have become Bishops,) and with so many brethren worthy of them, the pious conferences and associations, the religious ceremonies, &c. have not ceased to edify and interest Catholics and Protestants at once, the Americans and the French. "The zeal of the Catholics at Baltimore is signalized by all the various good works which are seen in the most pious cities of France. There is a numerous society of the most respectable ladies, who devote a portion of their time to obtain spiritual and temporal relief for the wretched; they visit the poor and the sick at their own homes and at the hospitals, and provide for their wants. With the clergy and the Sisters of Charity, they superintend the education of children; they contribute to the support of an asylum for orphans, and a numerous school of poor children, and assemble on Sunday those children of their own sex, who cannot attend on working days, to teach them reading, writing, and to say their prayers, &c. "There is also a society of men who do for boys what is done by the ladies for girls. These schools are frequented not only by the Catholic, but also by Protestant children, many of whom embrace the Catholic religion, or at least receive impressions in its favor, which they carry into the bosom of their families. "Many associations have also been formed among the people of color, both for instructing their children and visiting the sick, under direction of the different priests of the city. This sketch of the piety which prevails at Baltimore may serve to exhibit what is practised in other parts of the diocese, in proportion to their means and population. "Mgr. the Archbishop of Baltimore, reckons in Maryland and the District of Columbia fifty-two priests. Beside Baltimore, Washington, Georgetown, Alexandria, Fredericktown, Taneytown, Emmetsburgh, and Hagerstown, which have stated pastors, there are churches in several places where assemblies are held, on Sundays or other appointed times. In some places, the Catholics meet in the most convenient dwelling house; but it is peculiarly interesting, to those who have at heart the progress of our holy religion, to notice the establishments on which its propagation and perpetuity most depend. "The reverend fathers, THE JESUITS, have their principal house at Georgetown, with a magnificent college, having the right of conferring academic degrees. They form Priests who attach themselves to the Society, and are afterwards sent by their superior, under the authority of Mgr. of Baltimore, into the different congregations with which they are intrusted. "In 1790, Mgr. Carroll invited the community of St. Sulpice to partake in his apostolic labors. M. Emery, superior-general of the body, in order to comply with the wishes of the venerable Prelate, detached a colony, whom he sent to Baltimore, where he arrived in July, 1791. These gentlemen immediately founded there a seminary to which they added a college, and in 1805 it received from the government the right to confer degrees. Pius VII. of happy memory, granted it, by a bull dated May 1, 1822, the privilege of a university, with power to confer the degree of doctor in theology. "In 1808, the same persons founded at Emmetsburg an establishment in form of a little seminary. This house occasioned the developement of many precious calls for the priesthood; it continues to form useful members of Society, and to prepare the pupils of the sanctuary for the functions of the holy ministry. It was separated from St. Sulpice in 1819. "But, notwithstanding these facilities for securing a clergy to the diocese of Baltimore, the want of priests is often felt. In truth it is the best furnished of all in the United States; but much remains to be done. A catholicity as numerous as that of Maryland, it would seem, should make greater efforts to multiply the number of ministers of the altars. The fact is, that, to provide the expenses of education for those who are preparing for the ecclesiactical state, the clergy is left to its own resources. and these are reduced to the revenue arising from the colleges. (Concluded in the next number.) AN ERUPTION OF MOUNT ETNA, which took place on the 16th of May, destroyed eight villages, which neither ashes nor lava had reached at any previous period, and many of the inhabitants were buried under the ruins of their houses. The ashes. thrown out of the new craters were carried as far as the mountains. of Calabria. INTELLIGENCER. The Bible our rule of faith!-The right of private judgment our privilege. VOL. V.] FEBRUARY, 1831. [No. 12. FRIENDS OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN INTEL LIGENCER! This number, closes, the fifth volume of the Intelligencer, and may possibly, cause our editorial labors to cease. We deprecate, the very idea, of the non-existence of a work, which was the first in the United States by which Christians, who do not understand the German Language, were informed of the state of, and operations in, the Church, which is distinguished from others, by the appellative, Lutheran, but we fear, that we cannot sustain it hereafter. Five years have elapsed, during which, we performed all the duties that can devolve upon an Editor, examined proof-sheets, answered numerous letters, kept an account of expenditures and receipts, made great efforts to obtain subscribers and subscription dues, advanced money, from our private funds and without any remuneration whatever. We however neither sought, nor anticipated, a pecuniary compensation. All that we did ask for, was, that our brethren would aid us, in contributing original matter, and making exertions, to add to the list of subscribers. This we had a right to ask, for, the Synod appointed us, to edit the Intelligencer-at different synodical meetings, requested us to continue our labors, and frequently resolved that our brethren should aid us, by contributing matter for publication, and by obtaining new subscribers. It was indeed made the duty of each Minister, to furnish us with a sermon or two, during the year. What has been the result? Two or three, occasionally sent com Vol. V. No. 12. 18. munications, we were compelled ourselves to write, and during the last year, not one of our brethren, added to the list of subscribers. We would except, our Agent at Baltimore. This devoted friend of our Lutheran Zion, obtained subscribers, and collected the subscription dues too. If twenty members of our church, similar to him, could be found, the Intelligencer would not only continue to exist, but produce funds for our benevolent institutions, for we never inten ded to receive any thing, for our labors, but the pleasure of seeing them profitable to our people. But, we have appealed in vain! Our Clerical and Lay brethren, unlike those of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches have been afraid to press it upon the members of our zion, as a duty to subscribe to the Intelligencer. Indeed we have heard, of some one speaking of it, as a very inferior work, and actually caused a subscriber to discontinue it. Hence it is very natural to infer, that they very reluctantly, collected subscription dues. Thus we were left to struggle with the expenses, necessarily coming upon us, in order to continue the work. In some instances, uncurrent money has been remitted, and when we endeavoured to shew the impropriety, we were answered in a style, that might be admissible, if we were engaged in an affair of our own, and spending our time and feeble talents, to promote our own profit and aggrandizement. We know that the Synod granted 100 dollars, to a gentleman who was associated with us, during the publication of the first volume. We know that 100 dollars were paid to another, who for a while was located at Boonsborough, Maryland to, add to his support, yet we looked for nothing more, than exertions on the part of others, to sustain the Intelligencer. But we have been disappointed. Some persons who wish to rank among the first of our members, have ordered us to discontinue sending them this work, after the expiration of this volume. Our subscribers are aware of the fact, that we enlarged the Intelligencer. This was required by the Synod, and urged by a number of persons, who promised to exert themselves, to enlarge the subscription list. Our expenses were thus augmented, without receiving an equivalent. Upwards of $800 are now due, a sum scarcely sufficient to liquidate the debt of the establishment, and as the Synod must meet it, we, as Editor and President of the Synod, deem it |