human heart, to the holy religion of Jesus of Nazareth, will be triumphant, and that in some parts of our land its heavenly voice will almost cease to be

God will not withhold the blessings of
his providence and grace.
He ever
keeps his eye upon his holy habita-

MASSACHUSETTS MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

the present year, the Trustees of the Society, made an application to the General Assembly, at their late session for another Brief, for the further term of three years; which was very liberal-heard. ly and cheerfully granted. The Le- The contribution of May last, tho' gislature and people of the state appear not all received, is expected to amount much disposed to support that impor- to nearly four thousand dollars. This tant Institution, which is the most effi-is several hundred dollars more than cient Missionary Society in the United the last year, which was greater than States. Nor have the smiles of heaven any one preceding. While the people been less conspicuous upon the judi- of this State continue their exertions cious arrangements, and the laborious to supply their destitute brethren in the exertions of the Trustees. The informa-new settlements, with the word of life, tion respecting the religious state of the western country, recently laid before the public, seems to have produced a general impression, that all our charit-tion,-Con. Ev. Mag. able exertions are needed, and can be most usefully applied in disseminating the blessings of religious instruction, among the distitute people of those infant settlements. The calls upon the Missionary Society, for their benevolent assistance, are very frequent and pressing, accompanied by the most Mr. Colbey's labors were chiefly at grateful acknowledgements of the peo- Waterville, Farmington, Vassalbople of those destitute regions, for the rough, Fairfax, and Readfield in the favors already received. The efforts, county of Kennebeck; Paris, in the for this purpose are further encourag-county of Oxford; and Noridgwalk ed with the reflection, that those which and Fairfield, in the county of Somhave been hitherto made, have been erset. Besides preaching on the Sabaccompanied with the signal approba-bath, he preached on other days as he tion of Divine Providence. No Chris tian mission, in proportion to the means employed, appears to have been productive of more good, than that which has been supported by this state, for sixteen years. It has met with no particular frown of Heaven; and has been constantly blessed for the gradual furtherance of the gospel of Christ.

Extracts from the conclusion of the report of the Trustees of the Massachusetts Mise sionary Society.

[Continued from page 66.]

had opportunity; but as in some of the places he found it inconvenient for the people to attend public meetings on secular days, he spent much of his time in visiting from house to house, which he thought he found to be as useful as more frequent preaching. "Indeed," he says, " being most of the time stationary, located in particular places, my duties were more like those There is no Christian country, in of a pastor of a parish, than of a travelwhich the exertions of the pious and ling missionary." "In all the places charitable are more needed, for the where I have preached," he adds, “I dispersion of gospel instruction, than have found people not only willing but our own. The genius of our political solicitous to hear the Gospel. In mainstitutions forbidding the interference ny places, meetings have been crowof civil authority for the support of di-ded, solemn, and affecting." "Very vine ordinances, unless the exertions many expressed gratitude to the Misof the friends of Zion be made with constancy and perseverance, there is reason to fear that the hostility of the

sionary Society for their goodness to them in sending missionaries amongst them," In his journal under date of

man, and whose are the silver and the gold, give the willing heart and the full and ready hand; and soon, throughout our own land, and in all lands, may the wilderness and the solitary place be glad, and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose. Boston, May 24, 1814.

Lord's-day, Nov. 28, he says" After this work must not be remitted, but meeting (at Vassalborough) rode to must be increased, or many thouthe upper part of Augusta, and preach-sands of the present generation, within ed an evening lecture. Here the the limits of these States, will die withLord appears to be specially present. out instruction; other generations will For several weeks past, the people grow up in fatal ignorance of God; and have been very attentive to serious multitudes after multitudes will perish things, and it is thought that about thro' the negligence of those who might twenty in this little neighborhood have minister to their salvation, and whose been brought to the knowledge of the responsibility,in this regard,to the great truth. The house was crowded, and Judge of all, is awfully solemn. May every one seemed listening as for eter- this be deeply felt by every member nity." Of the congregational socie- of this Society; may every member be ty in Paris, composed of about thirty in earnest to cause it to be deeply felt families, he says, "I was very much by all around him; may He with interested for this society. Surround-whom is the preparation of the heart in ed with Sectarians, Baptists, Universalists, and others, the society seemed like a good man struggling with adversity. Their candor, sincerity, and attentive solemnity pleased me much. There appeared to be many inquiring souls among them. They are worthy the attention of Missionary Societies, and demand the prayers of the friends of Zion." Of Norridgewock he says, "While in this town I conversed with some young persons under deep convictions; and, from what I could discover, have strong hopes, that the Lord is about to pour out his Spirit here, and revive his work, which seems to have been pretty much suspended as to a general reformation for about eighteen years. Christians seem much engaged in prayer and sinners appear solemn and attentive." In some other places he noticed some encouraging appearances. The total of net receipts within the The plan of more stationary mis-year were reported to be 87,216/ 6s 9₫ sions and especially of assisting par-and of payments, 84,652 18 5d and ishes and societies desirous of a per- the Society's engagements with its domanent ministration of the Gospel, but mestic and foreign Societies, for the not yet quite able to support it, ap-current year, 28,600l. The Total ispears to meet with very general favor,sue of Bibles and Testaments, by the and to promise great and lasting bene

fit to many.

The following is taken from a late Eng

lish publication.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.'

ON Wednesday the 4th of May last, the 10th Anniversary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held at "The Free Mason's Hall, Queen st. Lincoln's inn fields." The report read by Lord Teignmouth, the President, contained a variety of interesting matter relative to the progress made by the Institution in different parts of the world.

Society, both at home and on the Continent, amounted to 1,026,845, and if The harvest truly is plenteous, but to these be added 122,000, printed or the laborers are few, and the means now printing by societies in Europe onyet supplied for supporting them com-ly, aided by the Society at home, the paratively small. What has already been done in this good work is little in comparison with what remains to to be done. Exertions for promoting

total amonnt will be 1,158,850 copies.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Bishops of Salisbury and Norwich, 17954

THE

UTICA CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE.

VOL. II.

OCTOBER, 1814.

For the Utica Christian Magazine. INSTRUCTION FROM THE BOOK OF ESTHER.

No. 4

pointed his devices, so that he could
not perform his enterprise. He set
a snare for himself. He dug a pit
which he fell into himself. His wick-
ed device, which he devised against
the Jews, returned upon his own head,
and he and his sons were hanged on
the gallows prepared for Mordecai
[See chap. vii. 9, 10; also chap. ix. 25]
Except they repent, all the enemies
of God and his people will likewise
perish. All the violent dealings of
the wicked against the righteous, will
return upon their own heads. While
they are plotting the overthrow of the
Lord's hidden ones, they are treasur-

wicked machinations will be made to work together for good to them that love God; just as the wicked machinations of Haman advanced Esther, Mordecai and the Jews to higher honor and greater prosperity.

{Concluded from page 72.] X. In this book we have a striking comment on several scriptures, which speak of the sudden and unexpected destruction which will come on the enemies of God and his people. The case to which we have been attending, is a bright illustration of that text, Prov. 16, 18; Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall; and of that in the 20th chapter of Job; The triumphing of the wicked is short-though his excellency mounting up wrath for themselves, & all their up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds, yet shall he perish forever. It is also an illustration of Job, v. 12—16; He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; and XI. The case of Haman and Morthe counsel of the froward is carried || decai, taken together, reflects much headlong. They meet with darkness light on that sage observation of the in the day time, and grope in the noon-inspired Solomon, Prov. xxix. 2; day as in the night. But he saveth the When the righteous are in authority, poor from the sword, from their mouth, || the people rejoice; but when the wicked and from the hand of the mighty. So bear rule the people mourn. There that the poor hath hope and iniquity was a time when wicked Haman did, stoppeth her mouth. The case before in effect, rule the kingdom of Persiag ùs is also a comment on Psal. ix. 15; and then the city Shushan was perThe heathen are sunk down in the pit plexed. Then there was great mourn that they made; in the net which they ing, when loyal peaceable subjects hid is their own foot taken. Haman's were denounced as though they kept proud and haughty spirst never rose not the king's laws. Mordecai was to so high a pitch as it did, not more not only a man of talents, but of picty; than twenty four hours before he had he worshipped the Supreme Ruler, his fall, when he fell to rise no more. When he filled the same place, which His triumphing was short. He had but Haman had filled before him, it is said, just begun his career of glory, before The city Shushan rejoiced and was he came to the most disgraceful end. glad. The Jews had light, and glad He was crafty, but the Lord disap-ness, and joy, and honor. In reading

N VL. 2.

the history of the Israelitish nation, to build up Zion? Did he mean so? nothing is more apparent than this, Did his heart think so? It was by bethat their national prosperity depended|ing counteracted, that his devices adgreatly on the character of their rulers.vanced the good of the church; but A good prince would seem to revive || Esther and Mordecai made the good the sinking nation, and a bad one of the church of God their direct obwould, in his turn, undo what his good ject. For this they felt tenderly conpredecessor had done. Rulers are cerned ;-for this they prayed to the ministers of God for good to those King of heaven;-and for this they over whom they rule: But wicked presented their petitions before the men have no design to act in concert king of Persia. Mordecai and Esther with God. The Most High sees that sought the preservation of the holy they seek neither his glory, nor the people, the people of the most high people's good; but only their own ag- God; and Haman sought their destruc→ grandizement; and what can be more tion. There was so much difference displeasing to him? If a nation would between them; and there is now the ensure the blessing of God, this must same difference between the friends be one of the steps which they take, and foes of Christ. He that is not they must consult his word, to find with Christ is against him; and he that what sort of rulers will please Him; gathereth not with him scattereth and if they can have their choice, abroad. We are all, both saints and let them select men of God's choice- sinners, continually made use of to men after his own heart. further the infinite plan of Providence ; XII. From the book of Esther we but this does not destroy the holiness draw this instruction, that God can of saints, nor the sinfulness of sinners. make use of good and bad agents to ex- The Most High may make a wise use ecute his designs, and promote the of the wisdom of a wise man, and also good of his chosen, and still these a- of the folly of a fool, to fulfil his coungents preserve their respective charac-sel; but this does not confound the There are a number of actors distinction between a wise man and a brought upon the stage in this sacred fool.

ters.

drama. All, whether Persians or And as this piece of sacred history Jews; whether godly or ungodly, discovers a difference of character were evidently used in the hand of Is-among those whom God makes use of rael's God, to help bring about one to fulfil his designs, so it strikingly event, and promote one great design.leads us to contemplate the different But will it follow from this, that all retributions, which await these differwere worthy of reward? or that all of ent characters. This is not the world them are to be looked upon as posses- of retribution; and yet even here the sing one character? Vashti and Est-Lord is known by the judgments her acted parts in the same tragedy; which he executes. He has repeatedbut they did not possess the same char-ly shown by his providential dealings acter. Bighan and Teresh, who sought that he is preparing a strange punishto lay hands on the king Ahasuerus; ment for the workers of iniquity, and as well as Mordecai, who informed that he is preparing glory and blessedagainst them, and saved the king's life;ness for his afflicted people. In events. were used to bring to pass the purpo-recorded in this book, he designed to ses of Jehovah, in the deliverance of bring out to view the different feelings his people. But this does not destroy of his heart towards different characthe difference of character which exis-ters. He brought Haman to this ted between them. Who can be any strange and disgraceful end, not only more pleased with Haman's insuffera-to punish him for his violent dealings; ble pride and ambition, because these but he hung him high, to be a spectawere made use of to glorify God, and cle to all who should afterwards seek