affairs, an augmented income, to meet the constantly growing expendi. ture. Could we prevail on every congregation connected with us, (where it is practicable,) to make an annual collection, as is the laudable custom of some, our operations would be proportionably extended, and the Directors might look forward to numerous Missions, which they have scarcely had the courage to contemplate.

The cause is the Lord's. He who suffered on the cross, that he might become the Saviour of the world, has strictly commanded his disciples to proclaim his great salvation to every human being. By the help of God, let us endeavour to do this. As yet we have done but little. We may say, to-day, as the venerable and victorious leader of Israel did when retiring from the world-" There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed." While, therefore, the great Disposer of life continues our active powers, and while he indulges us with the privilege of devoting a portion of our substance to him, let us proceed, with renewed vigour, in the delightful work and let us stir up the rising generation to join us in it; that so, when those of us who had the happiness of commencing this Society shall cease from our labours, our posterity may continue the work, with superior wisdom, zeal, and success, till they behold "Satan falling as lightning from heaven;" till they exultingly shout-" The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever."

(To be continued.)

DOMESTIC.

140

Report of the Directors of the Northern Missionary Society.

Ir is with mingled sentiments of gratitude and humility before GOD, that the Board address the General Society upon the return of another anniversary. Some difficulties have arisen which have retarded the success of the mission; but still, under the good providence of God, our missionaries have maintained their station at Oneida.

The orders of the Society in regard to Anthony Adgaquid, and Abram the Indian, recommended by Mr. Jenkins, have been obeyed. The former, in Mr. Mairs' family, has been furnished with clothes to the amount of $20; and from the report of his teacher, he appears worthy the particular attention of the Society, The latter has received presents, in a bible and blanket, to the amount of 5 dollars 12 1-2 cents. The board would suggest the propriety of continuing attention to this old Indian.

Two houses, one for the residence of the missionaries, and the other for the accommodation of teaching, have been erected or repaired by our missionaries; the expense of which amounted to $187. 25. which the Board has ordered to be paid.

The constitution, as amended, together with the last annual report, names of officers, &c. was printed, and copies transmitted to the New York and Hampshire Missionary Societies.

None of the occupants of the lands granted by the legislature have applied to the treasurer for leases; nor has the committee applied to the legislature for relief. Would it not be well either to renounce these lands altogether, or take some effectual measures for securing their income?

At the recommendation of Dr. Basset, immediately after the annual meeting of 1809, the committee of missions employed Mr. Andrew Vandenburgh, as a school-master and catechist, at the salary of 250 dollars a year. In May last, he reported that he had not been very successful, he being obliged to be absent for some time, and when present, the necessities and perverseness of the Indians prevented a general attendance on his instructions: He, however, expressed a willingness to make further attempts or not, as the Board deemed most eligible, and they directed him to continue in the employment until the present meeting of the Society, He has, since that period, been more successful in obtain ing pupils. We refer you to his journal, which, however, gives no ac count of the progress of his pupils, or of the method of instruction which he has adopted.

Mr. Jenkins has continued in the performance of his duties as preach. er, catechist, and school-master, at Oneida and Squasselow. It appears from his journal, that he understands the meaning of almost every word in the language of the Indians, but is yet unacquainted with its inflections and government. He is preparing to preach in their vernacular tongue, which will save the expense, and avoid the unfaithfulness of such interpreters as can now be obtained, and we trust, will greatly promote his usefulness among his hearers.

Mr. Jenkins reports the following to be the state of the church among the Indians, viz.

Number of communicants,
Received last year,

Baptised, about

24

5

40

Agreeable to permission, Mr. Jenkins has preached to the people of Sullivan about once in six weeks. He has not yet received any contributions, but they have promised the Society 30 or 40 dollars for his services.

It comes

The people of Lenox and Smithfield, formerly the town of Sullivan, have petitioned for a part of our missionary's services, and have subscribed sixty dollars, and probably will contribute more. strictly within the design of this Society to send missionaries to the frontier settlements; and the Board are of opinion, that a part of Mr. Jenkins' time may be profitably employed in the above mentioned places.

On the whole, prospects are gloomy; the designs of unprincipled whites, and some other difficulties, have prevented the success which was hoped. We would still, however, be found in the way of duty, and look to GOD for his presence and blessing.

JOHN M. BRADFORD, Committee.
JOHN L. ZABRISKIE,

Albany, 4th September, 1810.

1040

Extract from the Minutes of the General Association of New Hampshire.

The following report on the state of religion was read and accepted. The Committee appointed by the General Association of New Hampshire to draw up a report, relative to the state of religion within their bounds, and the bounds of their connexions, have comprised what they deemed necessary in the following statement.

The portion of country, over which our churches are scattered, is too extensive to admit of a detailed account of the local and peculiar circumstances, by which they are severally distinguished. To present a few facts, both of a dark and luminous nature, is all that can now be accomplished.

From the information received by the Delegates, of the different Associations belonging to this body, it appears that a dark cloud is hanging over various parts of our Zion. There are many congregations; many precious souls, who, notwithstanding the benevolent exertions which have been made to supply their wants, are yet destitute of the common means of salvation. There are many illiterate teachers, who, with much zeal, profess to lead others into the path of light, while they themselves do not carefully distinguish it from the way of darkness. There are also within the bounds of our Associations, many persons who are grossly inattentive to the Scriptures of truth, which alone are able to make us wise unto salvation; many who are chargeable with open profanation of the Lord's day; who, instead of employing it in the duties and exercises of religion, spend it in the pursuits of business, or in scenes of idleness and dissipation; many who openly disregard all the ordinances and institutions of religion. In a word, there are many, who depart from the faith once delivered to the saints, and eagerly embrace doctrines, and pursue practices, subversive of Christianity.

This dark, impending cloud, we cannot expect will be removed, till we pray with more fervency, and make greater exertions in the cause of truth. The Lord will come and bless us, when we suitably desire his gracious advent, and are prepared for his blessing. For this, he will be inquired of by the house of Israel.

But while so much darkness overspreads our churches, we congratu late the friends of Zion, that we have reason to be thankful for the special beams of grace, which God has shed upon some of our Churches, in the course of the last year. In Newport, Croydon, and some other places, a deep attention to Divine things has prevailed; and many souls have been hopefully converted to the truth. In other parts of the State, where no special revival has appeared, an increased regard to the public ordinances of religion has been observed; and hopes have been excited that God was about to arise, and build up his cause. Missionary labors have been performed in various parts of the State, with apparent

success.

In our sister churches, the Redeemer's kingdom is advancing. In Middlebury College, and its vicinity; and in several other places in Vermont; and in the counties of Essex and Worcester in Massachusetts, the God of grace has, we humbly trust, bowed the hearts of many to the sceptre of Jesus.

In tracing the gracious footsteps of Providence from north to south, we are presented with the precious tokens of Divine love. In several parts of Connecticut, that favoured section of the Church, many have lately been gathered into the fold of the great Shepherd. In the middle and southern States, where the smiles of Heaven attend the Presbyteri an connexion, we find much reason to bless God for the rich effusion of his grace in the recent conversion of sinners.

Thus, while we lament the degenerate state of our country, we have great cause to thank God for the display of his mercy. Though much

moral darkness has long brooded over the extensive region, which our Associations and Presbyteries inhabit, yet the Sun of Righteousness has pierced the cloud, dispelled the gloom, and, upon many places, shines with increasing lustre.

Through the medium of Missionaries, employed by various Societies, we are informed that the barren wilderness begins to bud and blossom as the rose.

On the whole, we find no reason to sink into discouragement, nor to slacken our efforts. God rules over all; he holds every being and event in his hand; and will make all things conspire to overturn the kingdom of Satan, and to usher in the universal reign of the Redeemer. Let us then gird up the loins of our minds, and watch unto prayer; for he is faithful who has promised. Let us fervently co-operate with the great Head of the Church in accomplishing his glorious purposes. Let us be steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. (Panoplist.)

*

Preaching in the Hospital and Alms-House, in this City.

THE Alms-House, in this city, contains from ten to twelve hundred souls, and the Hospital about two hundred persons, who are continually changing. The spiritual interests of both these places have too long been lamentably neglected. We rejoice that the Gospel is now regularly preached to the poor in these melancholy abodes, and fervently pray that it may be blessed to the salvation of multitudes among them. The following is the plan which has been matured, and has thus far met with the wished for encouragement.

New-York, November 19, 1810. We, the subscribers, being desirous of extending the blessings of a preached Gospel to the poor, in the Hospital and Alms-House, in the city of New-York, do hereby agree to pay annually, on the first day of January, the sums annexed to our names respectively, towards the attainment of that object, reserving to ourselves the liberty of withdrawing our subscriptions at our pleasure, and agreeing that if they be not withdrawn before the last day of December, they shall remain obligatory for the year following. We agree that the Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely shall be employed from the date hereof, as a stated preacher to the Hospital and Alms-House, in consequence of this subscription, and that the monies subscribed shall be payable to his order. In the event of his death or resignation, a successor shall be appointed by the subscribers, assembled by public notice, until a different arrangement shall be made by the subscribers so assembled. The surplus, if any shall be subscribed and paid above the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, shall be paid over to the New-York Bible Society; for the ascertaining of which, the preacher, for the time being, shall make an annual report to the Clergy subscribing this agreement, of all subscription monies received by him."

We cannot but hope that the time is not far distant when the StatePrison, Bridewell, and the Debtors' Jail, in this city, will be also blessed with the glad tidings of great joy.

A Sketch of the Character, and an Account of the last Illness, of the late REV. JOHN COWPER, A. M. Fellow of Bennet College, Cambridge, who finished his course with joy, 20th March, 1770. Written by his brother, the late William Cowper, Esq. of the Inner Temple, author of "The Task," &c. Faithfully transcribed from his original Manuscript, by John Newton, Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, and St. Mary Woolchurch.

THE Editor's motives, which induce him to pubfish the following narrative, are chiefly two. 1. That so striking a display of the power and mercy of God, may be more generally known, to the praise and glory of his grace, and the instruction and comfort of his people.

2. The boasted spirit of refinement, the stress laid upon unassisted human reason, and the consequent scepticism to which they lead, and which so strongly mark the character of the present times, are not now confined merely to the dupes of infidelity; but many persons are under their influence, who would be much offended if we charged them with having renounced christianity. While no theory is admitted in natural history, which is not confirmed by actual and positive experiment, religion is the only thing to which a trial by this VOL. IV.-No. III.

P