RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Rev. Mr. Gericke.

We have formerly mentioned the death of this excellent man; we now add the following Account, taken from the last Report of the Society for Promoting

Christian Knowledge:

"Two other letters have likewise been received, reporting to the Society the much-lamented death of the valuable and excellent Missionary the Rev. Mr. Gericke.

"The Rev. Mr. Holzberg, in a letter dated at Cuddalore, Oct. 12, 1803, reports that Mr. Gericke died at Vellore, on the 2d day of that month.

"It had been Mr. Gericke's intention to get to Cuddalore, in order properly to settle Mr. Holzberg, and re-establish the Mission at that place; but it was the will of God that he should be taken hence, to harvest the fruits of his sowing. The loss was sincerely felt by Mr. Holzberg in particular, as he had been accustomed to look up to Mr. Gericke as a friend and a father. The Society, he observes, had lost a most faithful servant; the Mission its second pillar; and all India a benefactor, and an eminent example of piety and virtue, whose righteous footsteps, he prays God that he may be enabled to follow; and thereby to become worthy of the Society's attentions. And

"The Rev. the Danish Missionaries, in a letter dated at Tranquebar, Oct. 10, 1803, report the most affecting and irreparable loss they and the Mission had suffered, by the death of their ever-dear brother and senior the Rev. Mr. Gericke, who departed this life the 2d inst. at Vellore. Soon after his return from his most remarkable journey to the southern countries, the great success of which, in the awakening of several thousand Heathens to embrace the religion of Jesus Christ, had already been mentioned, his health was attacked by a fever, of which he recovered; but his increasing and incessant labours did not permit him so enjoy that rest which his age of sixty-one years and a weak frame of body required. He was taken with a disorder in the bowels, which he thought might be removed by change of air; but, returning from Rayacottah to Vellore, his disorder increased to that degree, that he was unable to proceed. Thus ended the laborious and pious life of this faithful servant of Christ, after he had served Him in India thirty-eight years, with a zeal and sincerity which was exemplary to the

public, and edifying to thousands, amongst Europeans and Natives of all, ranks and situations. The consternation and grief amongst all classes, at the death of so valuable a man, was beyond description. His soft, mild, meek, and humble character had made him beloved by persons of distinguished stations, and by every one. His conversation was everywhere agreeable and instructive, as his long experience and attentive observations furnished him with important materials to entertain the company, wherever he happened to be visiting. Ile spake with so much circumspection and wisdom on religious and moral matters, on literature, and political subjects, that all who heard him were pleased; and even such as differed from him in matters of religion, had a respect for his exemplary character, and revered his Christian virtues; insomuch, that many called him the Primitive Christian. His public spirit was always active; and he took a great part in any institution for the common benefit. Though the propagation of the Christian Religion was his chief object, and occupied his mind in preference to all other objects, he approved and encouraged, as much as he could, the culture of sciences in those with whom he was connected; and he even paid a monthly salary to an honest and skilful Bramin, for the benefit of Indian literature. In offering and rendering good services, he took very great pleasure; and he never declined any which he found himself able to perform, even though attended with great difficulties. Many addressed themselves to him in their urgencies, and requested his oral or written recommendation, mediation, or assistance, which had cost him much time, great exertions, and not seldom considerable expences and loss of money, besides his vast and extensive correspondence. His charity was boundless. Though the various concerns which were entrusted to him as a man, on whose conscientiousness and exactness all could rely, and some generous rewards for his good offices might have made him rich, he observed the utmost frugality, that he might have to give to the needy

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENce.

To go into a detail, or to mention only
the various branches of his abounding
charity, were impossible; many of
which had come to their knowledge
only by accident. Many widows and

orphans, helpless, afflicted, and op-
pressed, bewail, with flowing tears, the
loss of their benefactor, father, guar-
dian, advocate, defender, and comforter.
To his brethren he was the most ten-
der friend and brother; never assuming
as a senior, but always the first and
most ready to take upon himself the
heaviest burdens, to alleviate, and com-
fort, and assist his brethren.
He was
indeed a shining light, whose gentle
rays enlightened, warned, and enliven
ed. His counsels and advices were ma
turely premeditated; and he never in-
sisted upon his own opinions, nor was
in the least offensive in his paternal ad-
monitions on errors; but rather indul-
gent, silent, and patient when the com-
mon cause was not materially injured.
He never complained of personal of-
fences; and when his conscience and
duty urged him to complain, in order
to avert imminent dangers, he did it
with the utmost reluctance and the most
affecting anxiety; for his tender heart
was full of love towards his neighbour.

"By the death of Mr. Gericke, the Vepery Mission has lost not only its shepherd, but also its support; and the situation of the English, Portugueze, and Malabar congregations would be deplorable till another Missionary should arrive, and be able to take the charge.

"It is with much concern that the Society still has to report, that no suitable supplies of new Mission ries have yet been heard of, to succeed the good men who have finished their course, and exchanged the toil of sowing the seeds of the word of God for the unmixed pleasure of reaping the fruits thereof. The departure of Mr. Gericke, so soon after the loss the Missions experienced by the death of the invaluable Mr. Swartz, is an affecting dispensation; but the Society has confidence that God will still raise up labourers to work in his vineyard, among the Heathen; and spread abroad the knowledge of those sacred truths which alone can make men "wise unto salvation."

The loss of this faithful labourer, in the midst of his usefulness, and when Providence seemed to be opening a wide and effectual door for the admission of the truth, is peculiarly afflictive. Not long before his decease, he wrote to the Society, informing them that he had recently been through the Mysore country, and thence to Palamcotta, visiting

all their congregations. New churches were built, several villages had cmbraced the Christian faith, and renounced their idols. The need of more preachers was exceedingly pressing; for he says, "It seems that if we had vineyard of the Protestant Mission on faithful and discreet labourers for the this coast, to send wherever a door is gress of the gospel!" opened unto us, rapid would be the prothat the native teachers were not so acHe observes, ceptable as Europeans; and adds, "Without good Missionaries, true disthe Mission, it seeins, would lose its reciples of Christ, from home, the work of spectability;" and " Missionaries, without the spirit and mind of Christ, and as full of the world as the natives are, graceless thing imaginable.” would soon make the Mission the most

These last words are weighty and powerful: they well deserve the serious attention of the Society to whom they gaged in Missionary work. were addressed; and of every Society enfectly agree with good Mr. Gericke, We perthat no men are fit for Missionaries who are full of the world,' or destitute of the spirit and mind of Christ.' Such men indeed cannot, in England, escape the name of Fanatics and Enthusiasts; and are constantly ridiculed as such, in some modern religious publications; but the world itself will allow, That they who go to evangelize the Heathen, must be different kind of men, such Enthusiasts as have the Spirit. of Christ, such Fanatics as have renounced the spirit of the world. The labourers at home and abroad! Such, great Lord of the Harvest multiply such we doubt not, was Mr. Gericke,

Extract of a Letter from America.

province of New Jersey, named New"There is a populous village in the ark, where religion has greatly prospered. There are two churches; one belonging to the Episcopalians, another to the Calvinists. The church of the latter is generally crowded every Lord's Day, morning, afternoon, and evening. Attention, devotion, and affection are visible in almost every countenance. Both the ministers who labour among this people, are living witnesses of the shopkeepers or peasants, evidence, by truth. The inhabitants, who are either their whole walk and conversation, that they are not enthusiasts, but sincere folunfeigned pleasure to visit these good lowers of the Lord Jesus. It affords

people in their own habitations, and to be au eye-witness of their industry and faithful discharge of their respective duties. Often I take a walk to this peaceable village, and have the satisfaction to learn that some additional persons have taken "a serious turn" (as they call it). You know, probably, that a strict observance of the Sabbath has been very much enforced in the province of New Jersey. All Banner of travelling, during the time of divine service, has been prohibited; and I have constantly observed, that a due observance of the Sabbath has been always attended with a peculiar blessing; as, on the other hand, the profanation of that day has never failed to produce the most awful effects, Religion and virtue increase or decline in a country in proportion as this day is sanctified or profaned."

General Assembly of the Presbyterian

Church in America.

We insert, with great pleasure, the following account of the General State of Religion, within the bounds of the Presbyterian Church, in the United States, as reported to the General Assembly, by the Committee appointed by them to draw it up, and adopted by the Assembly, at their Meeting held at Philadelphia, May 17, 1804, and following days.

the enemies of religion have studied to misrepresent, and rejoiced to exaggerate, these undesirable events, they are chielly confined to one district of no great extent; and they are certainly very rare, considering the immense region through which this work has prevailed, and the vast variety of characters who have been its subjects.

"The Assembly, moreover, have the unspeakable satisfaction to announce, that the extraordinary influences of the Divine Spirit have, since the last year, been spread over new and very extensive countries, still farther to the south and west. To the north-west and north, from the river Ohio to the Lakes (a vast region which, a few years ago, was an uninhabited wilderness) new churches are forming with astonishing pidity: and the Spirit of God seems to be remarkably poured out, and to accompany the word and ordinances of the gospel with the most solemn and affecting impressions.

"The same spirit appears to prevail through a large portion of the Synod of New York and New Jersey, and the Synod of Albany. Its effects, though more silent, seem to be not less deep nor consoling to the friends of true reli gion. Sinners are convinced, and sincere believers comforted, and established in the faith and hope of the gospel. Trophies are continually raised to the grace of the Redeemer; and nambers are almost daily added to the church "ALTHOUGH every sincere Chris- of such, we trust, as shall be saved.-tian must lament that inattention to the In the churches in which these extraorordinances of religion, and the small dinary influences of the Divine Spirit impression which its sacred truths make are not so conspicuous the power, and on the hearts of men, which are visible the salutary effects of the ordinances of in many and extensive portions of our the gospel, seem, notwithstanding, to country, yet the Assembly have heard, be visibly progressing. That inattenwith the highest satisfaction, of the tion to the things of religion; that neprevalence and increasing influence of glect of its institutions; that tendency vital and practical godliness throughto infidelity, or to scepticism in princiout the greater part of the presbyteries ple, and to dissoluteness of manners, which compose our body. Within those which a few years since the truly pious wide districts, towards the south and had so much reason to deplore, are, in west, from which the last Assembly most places, evidently arrested; and the heard, with so much pleasure, the glad tide of public sentiment has happily betidings of the great salvation manifest- gun to flow in a contrary direction.ed there, the power of religion appears Places of divine worship are, in genestill to prevail, with little abatement; ral, more frequented; the institutions and although, through the subtilty of of religion are held in higher honour, the adversary of souls, and the influ- and attended with greater solemnity ence of human frailty, some errors, ex- and apparent devotion. The like agreetravagances, and instances of reproach-able tidings have been received from ful behaviour, have taken place, which the Assembly do sincerely regret, and most unequivocally disapprove and condean, yet are they happy to learn, and It is a sacred duty which they owe to the churches, to announce, that, notwithstanding the malignity with which

our associated brethren of the eastern churches, who are dwelling together in peace, and in the unity and faith of the blessed gospel.

"The Assembly have likewise heard, with uncommon satisfaction, of the increasing number of societies for the