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be numbered among the more favoured parting. With reference to this subject, Wedof our Zion. Several instances of hopeful nesday, the 25th of March, was observed conversion have occurred since the date of by us as a day of fasting and prayer. On my last communication, and a few individuals are now under religious impressions. The work is still silently and gradually progressive."

sion from different Presbyterian and Congregational Churches, and expressed their desire to unite in forming a Presbyteriau Church, proceeded to choose their officers, who were immediately set apart to their office, agreeably to the directions of the Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. The Church

this occasion a considerable number of people assembled, when the reasons for forming a Church were stated at large, and the Divine direction was particularly Some time in the month of February last, supplicated. It proved a season of pecuthe Directors were called upon to give their liar harmony and love. God appeared to advice as to the propriety of organizing a affix his seal to what had been already Church in this part of our city, and under done, and to encourage his people to take the more immediate inspection of your the decisive step. The following Friday Missionary. The distance of this neigh- was accordingly fixed upon for the formabourhood from any house of worship-the tion of the contemplated Church. On that extent and rapid increase of its population-occasion, which, we trust, will be gratefully the corruption of principle and of morals, remembered, twelve persons having prewhich characterizes it-the little prospect sented their certificates of regular dismisof promoting a thorough reformation without united influence--and more than all, the opportunity which the work of the Lord, in that barren region, afforded of collecting and combining the influence of the pious; these were considerations which convinced the Board that it was the part of Christian wisdom to go forward in this object. Alluding to the establishment of this in-being formed, nine persons were admitted "But the from the world to their fellowship. It fant Church, Mr. Baldwin says, transaction which has of late excited the scarcely need be said, that the transaction deepest interest here, is the formation of the Seventh Presbyterian Church in the City of New-York. This measure was long a subject of solemn consideration, and we If the formation of the first Christian believe, of fervent prayer, previously to its being laid before the Board of Directors Church in this section of the city was an for their advice. Their decided opinion, interesting event, the first celebration of the while it confirmed existing impressions in holy supper could not be less so. "The favour of the measure, did not induce pre-little company of believers," adds Mr. cipitancy in effecting it. Never have I, on Baldwin, "drew around the table of their any occasion, observed greater anxiety Lord in circumstances which somewhat among Christians to know the will of the resembled those of the first Christian Lord, or more apparent readiness to submit Churches. An upper room was, indeed, all to it, however crossing to natural inclina- that could be provided; but we have reason tions it might be, when known. The for- to believe that it was dignified with the mation of this Church was effected in cir-stately presence of Immanuel. The place cumstances which tried men's souls. The might have been justly named Bochim, for state of things was such as almost neces- it was truly a place of tears." Since the sarily to exclude the influence of worldly motives from the transaction, and to enforce reliance on the Divine protection and bless

was affecting. We trust, that God did vouchsafe his special presence, and that many hearts were filled with holy enjoyment."

formation of the Church at this place, nothing has occurred which should discourage the efforts of this infant people, or of

this Missionary Society. To those who Church has been received under the fosterview the transaction with a benevolent ing care of the Presbytery, and impressions, favourable to religion, made on a large and most important section of this growing city, which, we hope, will go down to succeeding generations; and, to crown the whole, the little clouds which rose, and poured upon us their mercy-drops, still linger in our sky, and seem to be collecting for a still more refreshing shower." In reviewing what has been done through their feeble instrumentality, in this portion of our city, the Board may well say, "It is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes."

spirit, there can be no other sentiment than that of high satisfaction in what has been done, and a confident persuasion that the Great Head of the Church will ratify it, as well by his gracious providence in this world, as by his final decision in the next. Thus far, indeed, facts warrant this confidence. At the present time, the Church consists of forty members; and the congregation has become so large as to have rendered it expedient and indispensable to attempt the erection of a house for public worship. With a very laudable commenceBut there are other scenes which present ment, on the part of the congregation, the themselves to our view, that discover the Board, unwilling to leave this infant people divine kindness. The Society were informto struggle under the pressure of such a ed by the report of the last year, of the apburden alone, at their stated meeting, in pointment of the Rev. Hutchins Taylor for May last, unanimously "resolved, that a a destitute section of Pennsylvania. At the subscription be opened immediately in aid last annual meeting, the Board had receiv of the Presbyterian Church at Corlaer's ed no intelligence from Mr. Taylor, and Hook, in erecting a place of worship in that were constrained to inform the Society of vicinity; and that each member of this his bare appointment. It appears that Mr. Board make it his duty to interest himself Taylor arrived at Kingston on the 21st of for the furtherance of this object." The October, 1817. With some exceptions in Board are happy to state, that the subscrip- the early and concluding part of his mission, tion succeeded so far as to enable the con- Mr. T. has confined his labours to Wilkesgregation to commence the building in Au- barre and Kingston. In a letter dated Kings. gust. It is hoped, that, in a few weeks, ton, Jan. 6,1818, he says, "Since my arrival they will be able to occupy the basement here, I have had much intercourse with the story as a place of worship for the Winter; people. My first object was to become ac and that, by the continued liberality of the quainted as early as possible with the mempublic, the whole may be completed early bers of the Church. I endeavoured to lead in the Spring. Speaking of the present them to mourn over the low state of Zion, and state of this people, Mr. Baldwin, in his also to excite among them a spirit of prayer. last communication, says, " We enjoy much | In Wilkesbarre a spirit of prayer among satisfaction in witnessing the Christian union the little flock of Christ has appeared to inand order which has thus far distinguished crease; and the few who are anxiously this little company. The Spirit of God is waiting for the consolation of Israel take not yet removed from us. The increase of courage that a more general seriousness, the congregation keeps pace with that of and spirit of inquiry begins to prevail. But the Church. Our meetings for worship are it is yet a dark day in Wilkesbarre. But of better attended than at any former period. Kingston, blessed be God, I can present a In short, when I look around me, and con- brighter picture. There has been, for trast the present circumstances of this peo-some time past, an evident and increasing ple with what they were a year since, I am solicitude among the people; a few indiviencouraged. The Lord hath done great duals have expressed a deep though silent things for us, whereof we are glad. Our anxiety for their souls. It is manifest that

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the Spirit of God has been striving with them this region, and suppose they have now in in a special manner. Upon pushing my actual employment, six missionaries. The inquiries, I soon found there was a consi- Rev. James H. Mills and the Rev. Calvin derable number in a similar state of mind,Colton have continued their ministrations of whom such things were little suspected since their first appointment, in the summer The Lord is verily among us. We have of 1817. At their last annual meeting, the such meetings as have never been seen Society were informed that the labours of here before. Many appear to be inquiring Mr. Mills had been so far owned and blesswhat they shall do to be saved, and several ed of God, as to have resulted in the organiare rejoicing in hope." As the result of this zation of a regular Presbyterian Church, in visit of mercy, Mr. Taylor informs the Board, that about thirty persons have been added to the Church from the world. Twenty-one of them were received on the same Sabbath, and "the scene," says Mr. Taylor," to the people in this country, was most interesting. It was a solemn and awful day to this little flock, to see so many coming to Zion's solemn feasts."

the town of Clarence, about twenty miles east of the British Provinces. The Board have seen fit to confine the attention of this missionary to the same village during the whole of the year. The beneficial effects of this mission the Society shall hear from Mr. Mills's own pen.

Jan. 21, 1818, he says:-"I have the pleasure to say to the Society, that the state From a thorough conviction that the con- of things is becoming daily more and more gregation at Kingston were now able to sup-interesting at Clarence. We humbly trust port the Gospel without the aid of a mission- the Spirit of the Lord is with us. We do ary Society, Mr. Taylor considered it his believe the Lord has blessings in store for duty to take his station in the borough of this guilty people. There has been for seBerwick, about twenty-five miles below veral weeks an unusual attention to the Wilkesbarre. There is no regular Church preached word. Our meetings, both on the formed here, and no Society organized, ex- Sabbath and during the week, are crowded; cept among our brethren of the Methodist my labours are very abundant, and I somedenomination. As to the success of his times feel as if I must sink under them; but mission in this place, the Board have nothing at others I take courage, and feel willing to of a very animating nature to communicate, spend and be spent. Our infant Church is except the establishment of a Sunday School in as favourable condition as we could have of high promise, in rescuing the Sabbath expected. The members are widely scatfrom very general profanation among all tered, and generally poor. Upon the whole, classes of society. Besides his labours in we feel that we have much to encourage these towns, Mr. Taylor has made occasion- ' us, when we look back to the state of things al excursions among the destitute settle- six months ago." The Board were greatly rejoiced to learn ments in the vicinity, where he has been favoured with attentive and solemn audien- that the congregation at Clarence hope to ces, and received many expressions of re-relieve the funds of your Society, by affordspect and kindness. Mr. Taylor closed his ing Mr. Mills some part of his requisite mission in Pennsylvania in August last, and support. By more recent communications was pleased to signify to the Board, that, in the course of the autumn, he should be willing to enter the field of labour in company with the Rev. Messrs. Mills and Colton, in the western part of this state.

the Board have been informed, that this missionary has received ordination as a Gospel minister, and connected himself with the Presbytery of Niagara. "On the 4th of February," says he, "I was ordained at It is to this department of their charge, Le-Roy. The following Sabbath I admithe Directors would now turn the attention nistered the Lord's supper to the Church at of the Society. The Board has sent unto Clarence. Three new members were add

ed. Our prospects grow more encouraging. I an animating prospect. There has been no Within a few days, we discover more strik-relaxation of that attention on public woring evidence that the Lord is in the midst of ship which I mentioned in my last, but a this congregation. The religious excite- constant increase. Several are now inment now seems very general, and our dulging the hope of a renewed state, that meetings are very solemn, and many feel have not yet united with the Church, and deeply affected. O may your Society have not a few appear to be the subjects of deep occasion to rejoice in more abundant fruit seriousness." from their exertions among this guilty people."

Since this communication, Mr. Colton has advised the Board of the formation of a Young Men's Missionary Society, in the town of Le-Roy, auxiliary to this Society: and also of the institution, under very favourable auspices, of a Sunday School and Bible Class, the former of which consists of nearly one hundred children. The Bible Class, under his own direction, has received the attention of about fifty young persons of both sexes.

"Both of these institutions,"

he observes, "have received universal approbation and countenance."

To the Church in Le-Roy, the Board are happy to learn, there are from time to time very pleasing additions, and particularly from among the youth. There are several instances of hopeful conversion, and one espe cially to which the Directors have listened with high interest and grateful admiration.

By a communication of still later date, the Board have been informed of some very hopeful appearances among the youth of that people. We cannot but express our high gratification that your missionary has instituted two Bible Classes, who weekly recite several chapters from the Bible, and listen with interest and eagerness to the different topics of instruction which they present. "These classes," says Mr. Mills, "comprise the most respectable youth of both sexes in the congregation. This course of instruction has also been the means of introducing a very flourishing Sunday School in the village, which hitherto appeared utterly impracticable, for want of teachers. Though the attempt was exceedingly discouraging, I determined," says your missionary, "to make a trial; and we have reason to bless God, who hath helped us, and far more than exceeded our expectations. From this experience, I think I shall sometimes learn to hope against hope; and "We have no shower," says Mr. Colton, when there is the least probability of suc- "but drops of grace are not unfrequent. cess, to make a trial. On the whole, the Last evening, at the close of the exercises prospects of the Church in this region are of my Bible Class, three young persons, brightening. I believe the general impres- driven evidently by the power of their feelsion is, that this part of Zion has great rea-ings, presented themselves to me for counson to rejoice in the labours of the missiona- sel and comfort, substantially in these ries whom your Society has sent into this very interesting field."

The Rev. Calvin Colton still continues at the town of Le-Roy, in Genessee county, and with undiminished prospects of usefulness. "I cannot," says he, "tell of such great things as I have ardently hoped for, but yet there are some good things. There has been a sufficient degree of religious feeling among this people, from the time I first visited them to the present moment, to afford

By communications from their missionary, of still later date, it appears that the state of the mission in Le-Roy is still more favourable.

terms, "What shall we do?" Being altogether unexpected, it was truly and deeply affecting. No less than three children, belonging to our Sabbath School, give good evidence of the Christian character, and a number of others of much serious inquiry; and it is worthy of remark, that the three persons above named are teachers in this school. Conviction appears to be fastened on their minds, like a nail in a sure place."

The number admitted to the fellowship

of the Church, during Mr. Colton's ministra-sisted. This is a very promising plant, in tions at Le-Roy, is forty-eight.

which my heart took the deepest interest. They contemplate a union with the other Church, as soon as they can form a centre, half way between the two. Nothing is necessary to build up a society in this town, and to make these Churches one, but to station a missionary among them, who would, I doubt not, receive half his support from the people. The town of Perry, east of Gainsville, I found an important object of missionary attention-very important. Covington is about ten miles south of Le-Roy. My first attempts among this people were rather discouraging; but by the second time I had been in the place, I had the pleasure of witnessing a great flocking to the places at which I had appointed to preach. With so favourable a commencement, I was compelled to leave the place with the deepest regret. My dear Sir, one man cannot be present every where : how often have I

While the Board have often expressed the sentiment to their missionaries, that ground once occupied, ought, if possible, to be retained; and that more aid can be obtained to their funds, and more good in the end accomplished, by a course of stationary rather than itinerant labour: yet they have uniformly advised their missionaries to extend their efforts to the adjacent country. This both Mr. Mills and Mr. Colton have done with much success, so far as it respects ascertaining the places that are most destitute, and giving seasonable information to the Directors. "The ground which I occupy," says Mr. Colton, "and to which I am accustomed to extend my labours, as far as ability will permit, embraces, Le-Roy village being a centre, what would be equal to a circle whose diameter is twenty miles, the whole of which is filled with settlers. Within a region of this ex-almost coveted this attribute, witnessing the tent, and about this village, there are inhabitants enough, if they could be induced to be organized, to form as many as from six to ten religious societies, each of a thousand souls. It is impossible for me to obey half the solicitations with which I am pressed from abroad. Great, indeed, in this region, is the demand for missionary labours."

crowded assemblies, and importunate solicitations of those who live in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is! Were your Society able to send missionaries and funds, the whole of this country west of the Genessee River, would not only be grateful for your exertions, but the support offered by the people would generally be one half In his last communication, Mr. Colton at first, to increase until they will shortly. says, he was absent from Le-Roy during the become independent societies. It is a very month of September. This time I spent important section of the country, and exin the southern parts of this county, princi- posed at present to the ravages of Sectarianpally in the towns of Gainsville and Coving-ism and Deism; the former in no inconsiton, and preached, in my absence, to ave-derable degree engendering the latter. The rage one sermon per day. Gainsville is advantages afforded by your method of thirty miles south of Le-Roy, the same place operation are very superior, and the Churchvisited by brother Mills, when he first came es will for ever feel their obligations.” out. I found a Church here, and my labours among them were received with tender expressions of gratitude, and attended to with great eagerness, and apparent solemnity. In another part of this town, also, seven miles distant, I thought it expedient to collect a Church, which was organized on Monday the 14th of September. Brother Bull, of Warsaw, was present, and as

The Society will recollect, that at their last annual meeting the Board reported the appointment of the Rev. Jacob Burbank, to a village called Cayuga Creek Settlement, about twenty miles south-east of Buffalo. Through some unexpected failure, the commission of Mr. Burbank did not reach him until he had accepted an appointment from another Society; so that he has never been