After sermon Dr. S. gave out a hymn, and told the congregation that the collection for the support of the “beneficiaries” of that church would be “taken up” that morning; adding that, in consequence of this collection not having been made at the usual time (in May last), some of the young men who were preparing for the ministry, and dependent on that congregation for food and clothing, were now in great want.  He also suggested that, if any present were unprepared with money, they might put in a slip of paper, with their name, address, and the amount of their contribution, and some one would call upon them.

The collection was “taken up” during the singing, At the last verse the congregation stood up.  The benediction was pronounced, with outstretched arm, by the Doctor; and the moment he uttered the “Amen!” all rushed out of the place as fast as they could.  This rushing is a characteristic of the Americans.  It is seen in their approach to the dining-table, as well as in a hundred other instances.  I suppose it is what they call being “smart,” and “going a-head.”

In the evening I went again to the same “church.”  The introductory part was shorter and more simple than in the morning.  The Doctor’s prayer (seven or eight minutes long) was admirable.  I wished some dry, prosy petitioners in England could have heard it.  It was devout, comprehensive, and to the point.  All classes of men—­but one—­were remembered in it.  The slaves were not mentioned,—­their freedom was not prayed for!

The Doctor gave us to understand that he was about to deliver the fifth of a series of lectures to young men in great cities.  The text was, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath;” the subject, “The importance of the Sabbath to young men in great cities.”

The text (he observed) involved the principle, that man was not made to observe certain ceremonies and obey certain precepts, but that the observance of rites and laws was enjoined for man’s own sake.  This principle applied to the institution of the Sabbath.  The body, the intellect, the affections—­all required the rest which the Sabbath affords.  The experiment had been abundantly tried; and it had been invariably found that more could be done, in every department of labour, with the regular observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest than without it.  The farmer, the student, the legislator, had all tried it.  Man could no more do without the Sabbath than he could do without sleep.  Writers on slavery, however they differed on other points, were all agreed on this,—­that the withholding of the Sabbath from the slaves in the West Indies, together with the other cruelties inflicted upon them, had materially shortened their lives! (How telescopic, by the way, are our views with regard to evils at a distance!  West India slavery never wore the hideous features which slavery presents in the Southern States of America.  Slavery even in Cuba, with all its horrors, is far