en and nine, and finally forty days, during which each Parish Church. could afford protection to offenders. But whilst there were certain classes of criminals debarred from protection in the ordinary places of refuge, as for instance highway robbers, Westminster had the distinctive privilege of extending protection to all. So it soon came to pass, that the boldest malefactor might have his place of refuge, prowl through the streets a terror to all, and yet retire to his protection, unpunished for his new crimes; and so tenaciously was this institution of Anglo-Saxon days retained, that even the Reform-Parliament (1529-1536), in true obstinate English love for sacred antiquity, allowed the place of refuge at Westminster to continue in its immediate neighborhood.

Let us glance at Anglo Saxon architecture, in closing. Here Wilfried's name is prominent, the same Wilfried who when an exile from York, established Christianity in Sussex (668). It was he who covered the Cathedral of York with a lead roof, and introduced glass-windows instead of linen curtains. The Abbey of Hexham on the borders of Scotland was his last much-admired work. As Solomon brought his workmen from Tyre, so Wilfried his builders from Rome: it was boldly stated that there was nothing more beautiful than Hexham this side of the Alps. After a thousand years its old magnificence had indeed disappeared, when Lee, the opponent of Erasmus, sat in Wilfried's chair, but he was ready to break a lance for the preservation of the old "Hagulstald," that had extended its peace and blessing during the borderwars, and was not willing that its architectural grandeur should go to ruin.

In the days of the Reformation an opinion was held adverse to AngloSaxon Christianity. Bale, Bishop of Ossory, who was of the number of those exiled under bloody Mary, and Parker, the teacher of Elizabeth, who was made by her Archbishop of Canterbury, expressed the opinion, that England in the sixth century had only received panegyrists of Romish customs, but not ministers of the faith. Such an opinion was manifestly given in the heat of the fight, of the good fight. But when one recognizes Christ as the beginning and end, when one is not so blinded as to extol Christ our Lord as appearing in something wholly new in the work of our blessed Reformation, he can by careful examination among the Angles and the Saxons, find even in Ethelbert's house costly pearls to rejoice his heart; if there are not contained forces in monastic robes, our glance must be more free and the treasures more incorruptible which have been the results of guidance from on high.

MEMORY AND ACTION.-Memory presides over the past; action over the present. The first lives in a rich temple hung with glorious trophies, and lined with tombs; the other has no shrine but duty, and walks the earth like a spirit.

AS IT WAS.

BY MARY ELLEN.

[Concluded from last Number.]

EDUCATIONAL.

In proportion to numbers, we do not hesitate to say, that in this regard, they are in advance of the Northern section of the Church. Especially, is this true of female education. If not in realization, it expresses itself in their ardent aspirations. Youth seemed to lay hold of their opportu nities for instruction, as of a prize, ready to elude their grasp. To use a North Carolina provincialism, the public schools were "of no account;" hence parents were called upon to make greater sacrifices for their children. Upon such the influence of pastors and earnest laymen was such as almost to compel an acquiescence on the side of duty. In this, pastors themselves took the lead, and example goes farther than precept. When a pastor attaches importance to the educational interests of his family, the leaven generally permeates his entire flock. One faithful laborer opened a school himself, in order to afford nurture to the lambs of his fold, including those of his own household. Earnestly he thus strove to lead them to the "Higher Life." A minister's wife plied her needle (sewing machines were yet a rarity) day after day, to enable her to increase their small income sufficiently to educate a family of daughters. This seemed to be the burden of her hopes The family of another, in straitened circumstances, actually denied themselves, to furnish wherewith to supply the necessary amount to enable one of their number, in turn, to obtain this coveted boon. It has been our happy privilege to assist in teaching. the "young idea" in hundreds of instances; yet we have failed to see anywhere, a greater amount of enthusiasm in the class room. Their advantages were necessarily more circumscribed, and "Blessings brighten as they take their flight." If possible, it would seem as though these privileges were afforded too abundantly in some more highly favored localities, or purchased too cheaply; else why so much neglect in way of appreciation?

A daughter of a deceased Reformed minister expressed ardent desires to have an education. She was talented; but her widowed mother could not assist her in procuring the much longed for blessing. The whole Reformed community became interested. One lady came forward nobly, and said, "I will board her gratis ;" another, "I will furnish her books," and the teacher offered her tuition, free of charge. The message was forwarded to the daughter, but her mother lamented her inability to cultivate her few acres of ground without the assistance of this, her elder child. Ar

rangements were subsequently made, but national commotions put an end to their being carried out. Since that, a touching letter has been received from a noble-hearted young woman of that locality, which goes to verify what has been stated. "Oh!" said she, "next to the death of dear friends, do I sadly regret the loss of an education, as a result of the difficulties of the past few years." Though teaching at the time, she felt the want of still greater efficiency in order to act well her part as an instructor of others. Some remarkable instances might here be cited, too, with reference to the earnestness of certain young men. These only prove the extent of the work in the North Carolina Classis, and the field, we have learned, has been increased, and is now ready. In the Sunday-school the same spirit was apparent. No task seemed too much. All was regarded as a happy privilege. An instance or two will illustrate our point. In our Sunday-school was a young daughter of a neighboring minister. His family was large and its support meagre. This little girl did not wish to draw her class donations from that source. She spent her leisure moments from school, in knitting fancy articles, for which she readily found purchasers. The proceeds she cheerfully put in the charity collection. Another young lady of amiable disposition and general worth, had carly consecrated herself to her "Faithful Saviour, to whom she felt she belonged;" for be it remembered, these examples are all from those who received their religious instruction, as based upon that inestimable answer of the Heidelberg Catechism. It was her custom, and seemed her pleasure also, to go into the by ways and lanes, and gather in the little ignorant, neglected children of some of the wretched homes of the poorer classes of North Carolina, of which colporteurs tell us so much. She would bring them from their miserable abodes personally, and gently lead them to her class. So uncertain was their return that she was obliged to follow them Sabbath after Sabbath.

CAMP MEETINGS.

It will surprise some of our youthful "Guardian readers, to be told of Camp-meetings, as held under the auspices of the Reformed Church, and its sister denomination, the Presbyterian. They differed, however, from those commonly conducted by the Methodists, North and South. Properly speaking, it was a "Church Jubilee," or reunion, in which several charges joined, their pastors sharing the labors. There was nothing unusual in the mode of conducting the services-no excitement whatever. A sermon was preached, morning, afternoon and night, with a prayermeeting twice a day. The intervals were spent in a quiet, social way. Their tents were of a permanent character, constructed of boards. camp grounds thus became a "fixture" in the community. The large audience tent occupied the centre, while around it, in regular order, were the family tents, one of which, sometimes, answered for a whole family connection, as representing a "settlement." They contained reception and dining rooms, with chambers in regular pioneer style of architecture. The cooking was done by the negroes without. They, too, by the way, had their camp-meeting after their own tastes, in the rear of the main excampment. The sale of provision on the ground was not permitted at

The

all. The food was brought in wagons, in daily supplies, from the homes of those there represented. In a word everything was done "decently and in order." When we consider the thinly settled condition of the country, in comparison with ours, we are disposed to lay aside our prejudices concerning" German Reformed Camp-meetings."

BURYING GROUNDS.

It is with emotions of sadness that we recall the appearance of some spots which served as the final resting places of their dead; from which their loved ones will "rise to meet their Lord in the air." Presume nothing tests the moral sensibilities of a community, or congregation if you please, as does care or neglect of their "God's Acre." This is a matter claiming too little attention everywhere, out of our larger cities or towns. The Moravians are an exception. They are a people who manifest a keen sense of propriety in things touching the finer feelings of our nature. Generally speaking, burying grounds are the most neglected plots in rural districts perfect thickets of brambles-not those attractive spots, which, by their very loveliness, soothe the mourning heart and raise the drooping, crushed spirit, by inviting thoughts of that "Land of pure delight, where flowers immortal bloom." In the section of country about which we have been speaking, great carelessness existed in this particular. Many burial grounds differed little from the surrounding fields. A desolate, sombre picture for heart memories to dwell upon. Their mode of conveying their dead to the tomb was often of a primitive character. Trust it is no longer "As it Was" in that respect. I might here add, that some few family burying grounds, such as were common here many years since, are better fenced and more care bestowed upon them. Near larger towns, there as here, beautiful cemeteries were seen.

LOCAL AMUSEMENTS.

Every locality has its provincial sports or pastimes. So here-the favorite of which was, "netting partridges." In this recreation, persons of both sexes and all ages seemed to take delight. The staid parson, for example, would here find relaxation of a health-giving kind; while the young gave outlet to their overflowing vitality. A damp, dull day was considered best for "netting" The birds were not so prone to fly. It was customary to go either singly or in companies; when sport was the end sought, the latter mode was employed. A large net, with wings, so to speak, was used for trapping them. A bevy was sought, and when started, the net was staked some distance in advance, with its wings so spread as to take in as large a scope as possible. The pursuers, on horseback, would then slowly urge them forward, until within the limits of the wings. If successful, the birds dart rapidly into the net, as though it were a place of shelter. One of the number would quickly dismount, close the net, and the game was secured. The excitement is apt to grow intense as the prospect of capturing the prize brightens. They sometimes fly en masse, just as their eager pursuers had hoped to have them safely "netted."

We were told, by good authority, that success was rare when ladies were in the company. They made patient, persevering drivers; but when

silence was absolutely requisite, their enthusiasm would burst all restraint, and away the bird would fly. They would have the invigorating advan tages of the chase, but invariably lost the game. Hence, when sport was the object, the company of ladies was solicited; but when game was to be the result, the gentlemen were apt to "silently steal away.'

We would suggest to those care-worn, overtaxed ministers, who annually look forward in hope, towards their "vacation," that they postpone it until the autumn months, then try "netting partridges," in company with their ministerial brethren of North Carolina Classis, and their hospitable parishioners. They would thus cheer those of their own spiritual household, while they themselves would reap a rich reward in the restoration of exhausted energies. "Ah!" says one, "but I prefer to inhale the breeze 'of the 'mountains,' or quaff the health-restoring draught of my favorite 'springs."" In Western N. C. are both mountains and medicinal springs, which offer their benefits, almost without money or price, in comparison with the extortions of more fashionable haunts.

The ladies, too, have their amusement, in way of compeusation. We here refer to "dipping." or rubbing snuff; a custom peculiar to the Southern country. It is pre eminently feminine, and the effect produced is similar to that resulting from opium or any other stimulant of that nature. In order to take a place in a social circle to "dip," it was necessary to be furnished with a box of snuff, and a little brush made by chewing one end of a small piece of wood, by means of which, the snuff was rubbed on the teeth; to which it was highly deleterious. While there were very many ladies whose breaths were never thus polluted; yet this strange custom was not confined to the lower classes. Young school misses would evade the eye of their teacher, and in some instances little girls that of their parents, long enough for a miniature "dip." Our initiation into a "dipping" scene is still vivid in our memory. The person representing it, was a lady of no ordinary endowments and culture. She had entertained us according to the standard which had ever been the boast of the "first families" of the South. As the evening passed, and our energies began to wane, the gentlemen were left to themselves, while we were politely invited to withdraw to another apartment, and there, around a large, open, hearthfire, we were asked if we would join in a "dip!" We had hoped that this custom so injurious to health, simply prevailed in that country "As it Was;" but alas, we see it stated by reliable journals, that its evil consequence is greatly on the increase.

AN INCIDENT.

A scene occurred during the last Sabbath, there spent, which will long be remembered. It was communion day at "Grace Church." Classis had there convened during the week previous. Some of the neighboring clergymen remained, to assist the pastor. Extra services rendered it necessary for the congregation to take their dinners in the grove, as did our grand-parents in the Olden Time."

Many persons from the adjoining charges mingled their songs of praise in the sanctuary that day. We sometimes query, if that "Good Old Way" has been improved upon in these latter days of short pulpit effusions and pompous display.