ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF GOD IN NEW-LONDON DISTRICT.

Extract of a letter from Rev. Erastus Otis, to the Editors, dated Millford, March 27, 1821.

DEAR BRETHREN,

THE following outlines of a work of God in the NewLondon District, you are at liberty to publish in your useful Magazine.

I am at a loss for language to express the great things the Lord has done for this district within two years; especially when I reflect that we live in those regions where the fire of reformation has not spread with that rapidity, as you have been accustomed to witness in your part of the country. Our Camp. Meetings, the year past, have been attended with great and lasting good to the souls of men. Some hundreds have been made the subjects of converting grace. The work has embraced men of almost all ages. Parents and children, friends and neighbours, before strangers to that divine love which so strongly cements hearts together, have felt its uniting influence, and have hailed each other as children of the same Father, and as being candidates for the same blissful immortality. To witness their child-like simplicity, when brought from darkness to light, was truly delightful to my soul.

The work thus begun has progressed, and spread in different directions, so that the whole district has been greatly blessed.

Our increase last year was not far from one thousand; and the glorious work is still extending among the several circuits which compose this district; so much so, that we daily witness the convicting, converting, and sanctifying power of God on the souls of men. The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! Let the earth rejoice, and all the friends of Zion shout for joy! Needham circuit especially has been highly favoured of the Lord; and the labours of brothers Osborn, Pain, and M'Kee have been greatly owned of the Lord. Brother Tucker is also reaping a rich harvest of souls in Somersett, where the work has recently commenced, and continues to increase. Some far advanced in years are the subjects of it. Providence also, under the faithful administration of brother Otheman has been highly favoured and such is the attention excited, that hundreds are sometimes under the necessity of retiring for want of room. I suppose brother Otheman has sent you a particular account of this gracious work.

It is to me no small satisfaction to be the harbinger of good tidings to the friends of Zion. Not only careless sinners are aroused, and brought from darkness to light, but those also who had a name to live while dead, are brought to life, and many

lukewarm professors, have had their souls quickened, while believers have been excited to seek for full redemption in the blood of the Lamb; and not a few have found this pearl of great price, and are now walking in holiness, rejoicing in hope of the glory of God.

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O! that the good Lord might impart this divine flame to you, dear brethren, and to all the disciples of our blessed Lord. I am, with esteem and love,

Yours,

ERASTUS OTIS.

LETTER FROM MR. JOHN GOODSELL, TO THE REV. PETER P. SANDFORD.

DEAR BROTHER,

BEING persuaded that the prosperity of Christ's kingdom is a subject in which you are highly interested, I send you an epitomized account of the work of grace among us, which has been gradually carried forward since last spring. An attention to religious instruction and much solemnity in our congregation for several months, were indicative of the revival of religion now witnessed among us.

During that period of time, the peculiar tenets of Mr. Calvin of eternal and irrespective decrees, were fully and critically investigated before our congregation, by brothers Sd and Bn. This excited much interest among our brethren and the people generally; but the advocates of the doctrine of particular election and reprobation, believed that the result of their polemical discourses would prove unfriendly to the interest of religion. If (thought 1) the doctrine of free and fuil salvation, which our brethren preach, and which they oppose to partial redemption and eternal reprobation, be true, their labour will be found "not in vain in the Lord." I waited anxiously to witness the result of their ministerial labours, and am happy to state, that some have been not only persuaded that grace is free for all, but themselves are now the subjects of that grace.

Our camp-meeting on the 20th of August last, was a time of great prosperity to our Zion. During the meeting, our preachers and people were greatly animated in the work of God, and the labours of the stand and of the praying circles, were attended with much solemnity, and were executed with ease and regularity. The word preached served to disarm the sinner of his weapons, and drive him from his subterfuge of lies, in which he trusted, and as the arrows of the Almighty with which his soul was wounded. The tears profusely shed, gave witness of general concern and anxiety to be saved: and many that came to the meeting to satisfy a vain mind, went therefrom converted to God.

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It is believed from observation taken at the meeting, and from report of the numbers taken into society on this and the adjacent circuits, since the camp-meeting, that more than one hundred were converted at it.

The morning of separation was a time of general sympathy, and the sighs and tears of the people were expressive of the tender regard which these kindred souls reciprocated in giving the parting hand, and that their hearts were united in the bonds of a peaceful gospel: even those of the multitude that were not moved by the thunder of Sinai, nor at the "shaking of his glittering spear," were deeply affected at this parting scene. I found after the meeting was concluded, a pupil of mine, weeping, whom I asked why she wept, she replied, "I want religion." I asked her father how long time his daughter had been thus exercised; not (said he) till the present moment. I asked the mother if she were willing that her daughter should embrace religion: deeply affected, she replied, "O yes." We kneeled before our God and made intercession for this penitent soul. The season was gracious; the circumstances of the meeting were affecting. While many were wounded, some were comforted with a sense of pardoning grace. Our prayermeeting on the second Thursday after the camp-meeting, was attended with signal instances of divine goodness. While prayer was made for the people, I noticed some penitents who had kneeled, and were groaning for redemption in Christ. A short distance from these, I found a pupil of mine weeping, and saying, "O God have mercy on me." I invited him to repair to the room in which the people were principally seated, and in which his mother and sister were deeply affected at a view of their moral wretchedness. I had been engaged in prayer but a short time for these mourners, when I was interrupted by the noise of a young man fallen close behind me, who was much affected: he groaned, wept, and trembled. At this instant I perceived another in an adjoining apartment who had left his seat, and had chosen a more humble place, on which he had prostrated himself before God. His humble posture, his earnest intercession and his groans, were sufficient to engage the pity of all, even of those whose hearts are callous to human woe: nor will (I think) the picture of that penitential scene be soon obliterated from my memory.

At succeeding meetings, the work of grace went forward with equal strength and rapidity; and while some were brought captives at the feet of Christ, others were emancipated from the bondage of sin, and praised God for redeeming love. During this period of peculiar grace, twelve pupils of mine have been hopefully converted to God, who give evidence of a work of grace wrought upon them. The number converted in this

place is more than twenty; and our class is not the only one that has witnessed so prosperous a time: many sections of our circuit have been sharers with us in this harvest of grace. The number taken into our society on this circuit, since the campmeeting, is more than one hundred. Nor is our circuit alone benefited by our late camp-meeting; the good effects of it have been realized on New Windsor circuit. Brother H. Bangs, of that circuit, informs me that he has added nearly one hundred to our society. A goodly number (the definiteness of which has not been ascertained) has been added to Dutchess circuit, who embraced religion at our late camp-meeting.

I am your brother in the kingdom and
patience of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Peter P. Sandford.

JOHN GOODsell.

SECOND ANNUAL REPORT

Of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

AT the present time, when the success of Missionary exertions bas answered every objection which the ingenuity of men could raise against the cause, it is needless to say much in its defence. Experiment is the truest test of all theories. And christianity, in all its branches, acquires new lustre, and exhibits increased excellence whenever its merits are brought to a close and impartial investigation. Even the malice of its foes has been rendered subservient to the manifestation of its superlative excellence. Who, then, will refuse to lend his aid for the diffusion of christian principles? It is devoutly hoped that the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, will contribute its full quota towards accomplishing the grand object for which the Saviour came into our world.

According to an article in the original Constitution of this Society, the General Conference was authorized to locate the parent Society wherever the Book-Concern should be established-to make provision for the equitable apportionment of its funds, and any other alteration which they might consider expedient, if recommended by the Board of Managers. In conformity with this provision, and with a desire to have the ultimate management of the Society under the General Conference, the Board submitted the Constitution to that body at their last session in Baltimore, for their sanction, recommending, at the same time, that the words “Bible,” and “In America,” should be left out of the title of the Society. The object contemplated in recommending these alterations, was, to make the Society exclusively Missionary. The number of bibles and testaments published and distributed by the American Bible Society, and its numerous Auxiliaries, the Board thought were amply sufficient to supply the destitute with the word of life, without devoting the funds of this Society to that purpose.

The General Conference took the subject into consideration, made the necessary alterations in the Constitution, and gave the Society their unqualified approbation. The institution is, therefore, now considered under the patronage of the General Conference. And in order to embrace in its operations, as much as possible, the whole strength of our church, and to diffuse its influence through the entire body, the General Conference recommended it to each Annual Conference, and requested the General Superintendents to use their influence to give effect to the recommendation, to form auxiliary and branch Societies within their respective bounds. And we rejoice in being able to say, that some of the Conferences have already formed themselves into Auxiliary Societies.

The South-Carolina Conference, at its last session, became auxiliary, and likewise resolved to make weekly cent collections within the limits of the

Conference, for the purpose of sending missionaries among the Indians or elsewhere. Two missionaries were appointed for the Mississippi, and one to travel through the bounds of the Conference to promote the general objects of the Missionary Society, and to make collections for the instruction of the Indian tribes. The following is an extract from a copy of the instructions furnished the missionary by the Superintendents.

"You are directed, and it is made your duty, to travel extensively within the limits of the South-Carolina Conference, in order, 1st. To do the work of a missionary in such parts as are destitute, and require to be supplied.

2d. To form Societies for missionary purposes; to institute Sunday-Schools, and to instruct the youth.

3d. To use your best endeavours in aid of the general objects of the Missionary Society; to make collections for missionary purposes, and especially for the support of such establishments among the Indians as may be formed under our superintendency.

4th. To visit the Indians, the Choctaws in particular, in order to ascertain the most eligible situation for a mission or missions among them, and to facilitate, by all proper means, the establishment of such mission or missions."

One missionary has been sent from the New-York Conference with instructions, if possible, to preach to the French inhabitants of Louisiana: but by information received from him, it appears he has not yet had any access to the French; but is preaching to large and attentive congregations of the English inhabitants of New Orleans.

In mentioning this mission, the Board takes great pleasure in acknowledg ing a donation of bibles and testaments from the American Bible Society. Hearing that a mission to the Floridas was in contemplation, the Managers of that grand national institution very generously voted a donation of one hundred French bibles, and fifty French testaments, and two hundred Spanish testaments, to the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A part of these were sent to our missionary, Rev. Ebenezer Brown, for gratuitous distribution. In our last annual report, it was stated that the Domestic Missionary Society of Boston had determined to become auxiliary to this Society. They have done so, under the title of "The New-England Conference Missionary Society of Boston, auxiliary to the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church." And in their first annual report, transmitted to us, they acknowledge the existence of a Branch Society in the town of Lynn, and another in Boston. Their report concludes in these words: "We have experienced no diminution of missionary ardour, nor feel any abatement of that zeal for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, by which we were first prompted to unite our exertions with those of our brethren in the common cause. May the great head of the church prosper our endeavours." A Society has been formed in the city of Baltimore, under the following title: "The Baltimore Conference Missionary Society, auxiliary to the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.' Their Corresponding Secretary has forwarded to us their Constitution and first annual report, from which the following is an extract: "The Managers feel pleased in stating that their brethren in Annapolis have, very cheerfully and promptly, united to aid in the cause of missions, and have formed a Society auxiliary to this. In our own country, and among ourselves, much has been done by a few individuals and particular Societies; but being in detached parts, and the number engaged in it comparitively small, no calculation could be made on any thing as permanent. The disadvantages of such a state of things have been felt. System was wanting to unite all parts, and to call forth greater exer tions. To accomplish this important and desirable end, the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church has been established. The plan proposed by that Society, and which, in the recommendation of the General Conference, has been adopted, is, that the parent institution be located with the Book-Concern, and that auxiliaries be formed throughout the United States: that thus, by uniting all the means, and placing them under the view and controul of the Superintendents, they may at once see to what extent they can engage in inissions.

Can we view the providential openings among the aborigines of this country, their reception of the gospel, the conversion of a number of them, and their earnest solicitations for missionary instruction, with indifference? Can