Churches in Boston had become Unitarian.  In the Old South, however, there were a few people, eight in number, who formed a “Society for Religious Improvement.”  They could not at first pray together; they only read the Scriptures and conversed on religious subjects.  But they grew in wisdom, fervour, and zeal, and were eventually the means, not only of reviving religion in the Old South, but also of giving an impulse in Boston which is felt to this day.  Church after church on orthodox principles has been instituted, till there are in Boston more than a dozen large and vigorous churches of the Congregational order; and the Old South, the honoured “mother of churches,” has had her “youth renewed like the eagles.”

But how came Congregationalism to be so deteriorated?  It was owing to its having been made the State religion.  All were at first taxed for its exclusive support.  This was felt to be unjust and oppressive, and it brought the favoured system into bad repute.  Then a modification of the law was adopted, and the citizens had their choice of systems, but were taxed for the support of some system or other.  This provision, likewise, began ere long to be felt as unjust towards those who did not wish to maintain any system, or at least not by taxation.  This law, moreover, gave a virtual support to Unitarianism.  “This,” says the Rev. Mr. Button of New Haven, “has been more fully illustrated in Massachusetts than in Connecticut.  The repeal of the law for the compulsory support of religion in that commonwealth has proved a severe blow to Unitarianism.”

After the morning service at the Old South, we turned in to see Park-street Church, another Congregational place of worship, which for the following reason I was curious to enter.  A few years ago a coloured gentleman of respectability instructed a friend to purchase for him a pew in that church.  That no objection to the sale might arise from any neglect of decorations, the new proprietor had it beautifully lined and cushioned.  It was made to look as handsome as any other pew in the church; and, when it was finished, the gentleman and his family one Sabbath morning took possession.  This gave rise to great anxiety and alarm.  Niggers in the body of the church!  What was to be done?  In the course of the following week a meeting was held, and a deputation appointed to wait upon the gentleman, and to tell him that it was against “public feeling” for him to occupy the pew in question.  The gentleman remonstrated, and pointed out the injustice, after he had purchased the pew, and incurred the expense of fitting it up, of not being allowed to enjoy it.  To this the deputation replied that they were sorry for any inconvenience or loss he might sustain, but public feeling must be respected, and the pew must be given up.  Against this decision there was no appeal; and the gentleman was obliged to let the pew be resold for such a price as the white aristocracy thought fit