JUNE 15th, 1840.
_My dear E._--We shall of course remain in Albany during the Sabbath for
the pleasure of worshipping that kind Friend, who has showered upon us
the blessings we are now enjoying. In the morning we walked to the
church of a Baptist clergyman, Mr. W----h, who has been long celebrated
as a very interesting preacher. This church is a handsome marble
structure, surmounted by a dome, and adorned by a colonade of pillars in
front. The lecture room is below, and we ascended to the chapel, a neat
apartment with a good pulpit and commodious seats. Mr. W. sprang from an
obscure station, being a mechanic, and therefore could only obtain a
common education. What he is, he has made himself, or rather was made by
the Holy Spirit; for we all know how religion refines and elevates the
intellect of man, as well as his affections. After his conversion he
rapidly improved, and now one is astonished at the beauty and purity of
his language. He is not an animated preacher, nor does his _forte_ lie
in arousing a sinner; but he shows forth the truth and beauty of
religion, and expounds the Gospel doctrines with a power and grace, and
clearness, which fascinate the hearer. This church is always crowded by
the _elite_ of Albanian society of all sects, and by the strangers who
are in the city.
In the afternoon we attended service in an old Dutch church, one of the
oldest in the city. It is built of brick, and boasts two spires which
give it a singular appearance. The interior is richly fitted up, with
gilded chandeliers and many comforts and elegant conveniences. Here we
found ourselves surrounded by the old Dutch families, whose fathers
emigrated from Holland and settled themselves here; among them were the
family of the Patroon. I looked around with pleasure upon the sober
benevolent faces of the congregation, for I have always felt a very
kindly sentiment toward our Dutch brethren. The peaceful, even tenor of
their lives; their contented spirit, their industry and integrity
entitle them to our most ‘golden opinions.’ The Rev. Mr. Y----, who
officiates here, is an able, solid, preacher, well versed in the
fundamental truths of christianity.
I am happy to say, the people of this city, are a very moral and
religious people. This applies also to the ‘first society’--which is a
singularity in city history. Beneath their influence theatres,
dissipation, and extravagance cannot thrive. Already I seem to breathe
freer, although so little distant from New York; whose atmosphere, rank
with foreign luxuries, is like a hot house over-crowded by fragrant
exotics; stifling us with perfume.
We admire this city, which however we have only been able to see in our
odds and ends of time. Its situation is very fine, it contains many
handsome buildings, and it is generally kept very neat. A broad street
through the centre leads up to a pretty square, surrounded by several
imposing buildings--the Capitol occupies a fine position here; it is of
dark stone, with a neat marble portico supported by four ionic columns.
The City Hall on the opposite side of the square, is a noble edifice,
built of white marble from the quarries of Sing Sing, surmounted by a
gilded dome. The view from this dome is beautiful; embracing the city at
your feet--green hilly country, dotted with country seats and towns,
among which is the city of Troy--the noble Hudson, winding among this
country and a back ground of mountains. The new State Hall is a pretty
building--the Exchange, is a huge mass of granite, giving one a great
idea of the extent of business which requires so large a structure for
its merchants.
What a different place is this to the town which stood upon this two
hundred years since. Then the only public building was a quaint old
Dutch church, with painted glass windows; adorned with the coat of arms
of those ancient worthies, who, clad in trunk hose and steeple crowned
hats, sat demurely below. There are but few of the ancient Dutch houses
left, and these are daily falling before the yankee spirit of
improvement--which improvement by the bye sometimes merely amounts to
_alteration_. At this city is the southern termination of the great Erie
Canal.