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nary penal laws.—Thus, also, has christian sym-pathy been gradually developed, and brought intoaction that spirit of philanthropy, which desires topromote the welfare of every part of the humanfamily. Hence we have been led into the exerciseof those benign affections, which have pointed out tous the reasonableness and propriety of pursuing a course of mild and humane treatment, towards thoseunfortunate persons who are afflicted with a dimi-nution or aberration of intellect. At this auspicious period let us pause—a scene ofactivity presents itself, fraught with an increase ofknowledge, enlargement of mind, and new powersof rational enjoyment.—A new impulse has beengiven to the Christian family, and its influence ex-tends to every part of the world. The present age may be regarded as most remark-ably auspicious to the interests of mankind, it ismarked by the union of benevolent persons of allreligious denominations, for the promotion of usefulobjects; an improved system of education has beenreared up for youth, which has laid the foundationof the greatest progress in intellectual and moral improvement that the world has hitherto known.First day, or Sunday Schools, are established; and tocrown all, the British and Foreign Bible Society hasbeen organized, and in full operation, with wonder-ful success, and on this day we celebrate the thirdanniversary of the American Bible Society.—Theeffects produced by this union are equal to the mostsanguine expectations of its founders—But Paulmay plant, and Apollos may water, but God alonegiveth the increase.—Relying on a continuance of blessings from on high, the fervent friend of BibleSocieties, viewing with gratitude the success of theseinstitutions in disseminating the oracles of divinetruth, looks towards the times, when the fruits of this seed shall be universally visible—he anticipates,with joy, what has been in part accomplished—that