alone can be efficient as missionaries; neither will such men forego the benefits of that society, which will properly appreciate their talents and render them doubly useful in their day and generation, for situations in which their sphere of usefulness would be so limited, and many of their most valuable acquirements in a manner useless. Such places must be left to a class of preachers sui generis, who can create that kind of excitement, and make those appeals to the feelings, necessary to produce effect, which men of cultivated minds and improved tastes cannot do; for with such it must be affected, insincere, and of course ineffectual.

"On the other hand, able men will be willing to go into large towns or cities where there will be a suitable field for the exertion of all their talents; where there are ample means of obtaining a support; where they will be able to spread religious knowledge through the medium of the press, as well as from the pulpit and where they will be in situations to continue those religious instructions and exhortations, which are necessary to secure the good fruits of christianity.

"With these views I shall confine my remarks to those towns and cities, in which I have reason to think the establishment of Unitarian preachers would be most useful to the cause of religion.

"Harrisburg, (Penn.) is the seat of government, and has a population of 3000. At the time of my visit the society of Unitarians was small, compared with churches in this vicinity. It was increasing as rapidly as could be expected under the circumstances of its situation. A few tracts had been procured, and had carried conviction to the minds of many. Harrisburg is an important place, not only as the capital of the state, but in its location and population. During the session of the legislature, many of the members attend the meetings of the Unitarian society, as often as they have preaching. The society is composed of the most respectable class of the inhabitants. I know of no reason why assistance would not be profitably afforded to them.

"In Northumberland and its vicinity, Mr Kay has

opened a wide field for missionary labors, and can, only at long intervals, visit all the places where he is requested to preach.

Pittsburg, (Penn.) is a large and flourishing city. The Unitarians here have a convenient meeting house, a handsome brick building, situated nearly in the centre of the city. They are, however, in debt for the building, and are obliged to pay a ground rent of $100 a year. Their present preacher was formerly a methodist minister; he was excommunicated for his religious views; he preaches extempore, and is not a regular pastor, neither does he make preaching his profession. They are desirous to obtain a pastor. There is reason to suppose a large society might be collected, and much good done by an able preacher. Their former minister used to gain a partial support by teaching a school. The situation is important and the number and character of the inhabitants, collected from all parts of the world, show that preaching is here necessary, if anywhere. The condition of this society calls loudly for the attention of those who have to spare. It must also be considered, that they have no neighboring minister, occasionally to give them

sermons.

"Steubenville, (Ohio) is the next place that I shall mention as favorable for missionary exertions. It is situated immediately on the bank of the Ohio, at the distance of 30 miles from Pittsburg, and in the midst of a fruitful, healthy, and thickly settled country. Here is a society of Unitarian Christians. In the town and county, there are many Friends, who are, generally, favorable to Unitarian views of christianity. Several of the leading men in the place are from New England, and are desirous of forming a society. Steubenville is so near Pittsburg, that they might be associated, and I doubt not that between the two places they would support a missionary. At almost all seasons of the year, boats are passing continually from one place to the other, so that the expense of time and money would be inconsiderable. I am confident, that a zealous and devoted man might build up and increase a church in both these places. Steubenville has several manufacturing establishments, two or

three banks, an academy, and a printing office. Under these circumstances, I should think no one who has entered the profession with right motives, and who is not elsewhere engaged in the ministry, would hesitate to go, and labor where the harvest is indeed great, but the laborers few.

Marietta, (Ohio) is also situated on the Ohio, over 100 miles from Steubenville. It was one of the first settlements made in the State. It is laid out in fine taste, and is adorned with many elegant buildings, both public and private. A paper is here printed; there is also an academy.

A large number of the inhabitants do not attend the Presbyterian or the Methodist church, and are called Universalists, though they seldom have preaching of any kind. Among the reasons for anticipating success to a Unitarian preacher in Marietta, may be considered the manner in which religion is there supported. The Ohio Company Grant, including Washington, Morgan, Meigs, Gallia, and one or two other counties, was given or granted on the condition, that one out of a particular number of districts should be rented land for the support of religion. Marietta is a rented district; the inhabitants are obliged to pay a stated rent in support of religion. Thus each sect gets all the signers it can, and draws money in proportion to its numbers. I was told that the Universalists were the most numerous and drew the largest share of money; but instead of procuring a preacher, they have appropriated it to the purchase of a library. This shows that they are not anxious to build up the Universalist faith. I think many of them would give their support to a Unitarian minister. There are likewise many who are Unitarians at heart. Though Marietta is not now rapidly increasing, it is so situated that it cannot fail to become a large place. It is situated not only on the Ohio, but also on the Muskingum. This river is navigable 100 miles for batteaux, and nearly 200 for small boats, and from the head of boat navigation, with one mile of portage, there is water communication by Cuyahoga river with lake Erie. The Muskingum is 250 yards wide at its entrance into the Ohio, and runs through the middle of the town.

"Paris, (Kentucky.) Mr Eastin has here a small society. He is an old man, and is fast hastening to the reward of his labors. When the shepherd shall be smitten, I fear the flock will be scattered. He is a professed Unitarian, and has long been engaged in the ministry. When he heard and witnessed the efforts of his christian brethren in the cause of truth, a gleam of joy spread over his countenance, and seemed to invigorate his frame, already exhausted by confinement and sickness. Paris is distant about 17 miles from Lexington.

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Lexington and Louisville, (Kentucky.) In Lexington, I should think Unitarian efforts would avail but little. In Louisville, several respectable gentlemen were of opinion, that a popular Unitarian preacher might soon establish a good society. The reasons for this opinion, are the character of the present preachers, the number of inhabitants who at present seldom attend any church, and the number of literary men, who entertain liberal views of religion. Louisville is about 70 miles distant from Lexington.

At

"St Louis and St Charles, (Missouri.) These towns are situated between 18 and 20 miles apart. At St Louis there are many who do not attend church, because they have not able preachers, nor men of their sentiments. St Charles, I could not learn that there were any houses built solely for public worship; there is certainly little effectual preaching, though there are many who would properly appreciate, and partially support a missionary.

Indianopolis, (Indiana) is a new place, and has been but a short time the seat of government. There are a few men of liberal sentiments, who would be pleased with a Unitarian preacher. The field for exertion in the ministry at Indianopolis is at present limited. In the eastern part of the State, in Fayette, Franklin, and Wayne counties, are several fine villages, situated near together, where I think a missionary would have full audiences, and might, by continued labors, do much good.

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Cincinnati, (Ohio) is by far the most favorable place for the establishment of a Unitarian church of any I visited. There are many professed Unitarians, who are anxious for a minister; and all that is wanting is a pious,

devoted, and able minister, who may be a nucleus around which a society and church may be formed. I know not why a minister should hesitate to make Cincinnati a permanent residence.

"Because I have mentioned the foregoing places as favorable for missionary efforts, I would have no person think that a preacher would immediately step into a fine meeting-house, or into ample means of support, or even into a church already organized; but rather into places, where some have neglected religion because they have heard it represented in a manner repugnant to reason and their consciences, others because they have seen it made a matter of experiences,' confessions, and creeds, an austere, exclusive, and gloomy system; into places, where one must labor as becometh a minister of the gospel, and reap the reward of his labors in seeing a church grow up around him. Preachers at first may promise themselves hearers in all these places, but it will depend on their own powers whether they interest and retain them. They may reasonably calculate on a rapid increase of strength and numbers, but their own exertions must effect it, and if they will not devote all their powers to their profession, they ought not to be supported in it. I have spoken of but few places in Ohio, not that these are the only ones of which I could speak favorably, but because I should not know where to stop, should I undertake to single them out. The country lying south from Columbus, between the Muskingum and the Miami, is filled with large, populous, and flourishing villages, so that the whole time I was absent would hardly be sufficient to gain an accurate knowledge of their religious condition.

"The Christians. It would be useless to repeat here their religious views and opinions.* As to their religious character, I was never among more practical christians in my life. Family worship I have never known them to

* For a full and accurate account of the Christian Denomination, their history, sentiments and numbers, reference may be had to a letter addressed by Rev. Simon Clough, one of their elders, to the Secretary of the General Baptist Assembly of England, which has been published in this country, in a pamphlet, and may also be found in the Christian Examiner, vol. 4, (for 1827) pp. 183–193.