4 Narrative of the State of Religion within the Bounds of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in the United States, for the Year 1808. Read in the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, May 25.

THE General Assembly acknowledge, with ardent gratitude, the distinguished benignity of God to the churches within their bounds during the year past. He hath truly done great things for us, building up the waste places of Zion, and adding unto the number of such as shall be saved. From every quarter, with but few exceptions, we hear of harmony among our ministers, order among our congregations, an increased attention to the ordinances of the gospel, and the progressing triumphs of that grace, by which alone sinners can be reconciled to God. In many places, especially within the bounds of the synod of New York and New Jersey, times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord are experienced. The Spirit has been poured out on considerable portions of country, and fruits of righteousness have appeared, honourable to the kingdom of Christ, and inviting to the world which lieth in wickedness. Unhallowed combinations have been broken up; enemies to the Cross have been confounded, and, in many instances, made the subjects of divine grace.

It is observable, that the work, though powerful, has progressed with great silence, uncommon solemnity, and free from all appearance of extravagance.

The revivals have been preceded in every instance by a union of prayer among Christians, to which they have felt constrained by the fervent desire of their hearts, that Christ might be glorified, and by deep and solemn impressions of the value of precious and immortal soals. Believing parents, more es

pecially, have been influenced to wrestle with God in behalf of their children. We record with peculiar emotions of delight, for the encouragement of the godly, that, as in all ages past, so still, our God is a hearer of prayer. He has come down from his high and holy place, and granted the requests of his people. The consequences have been, that the assemblies of the saints were crowded vith enquiring sianers. Many meetings for prayer and praise have been established. It appears, that in several places a number of persons have adopted the plan of assembling together on the Sabbath morning, immediately be fore public worship, and spending some time in religious exercises, particularly in prayer, for the divine presence and blessing in the public institutions of his worship. This, if properly managed, may prove a happy preparative for the worship of the sanctuary. would, however, earnestly caution all who are under our care, against suffering public duties to interfere with the duties of the family and the closet.

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Among the visible fruits of an increased attention to the gospel, we recognize the establishment of benevolent institutions, as peculiarly characteristic of the religion

of Jesus. We mean associations for the relief of destitute widows and orphans,-for the instruction of the ignorant in divine knowledge, and for the benefit of the poor generally. It is a distinguished excellence of the gospel of Christ, that it is suited to the poor, not merely to their afflicted condition, but to their intellectual acquirements! Christians can give no better evidence of their sincere attachment to the Lord who bought them, than by manifesting love, not only to their brethren in Christ, but to mankind in general. The fruits of beaevolence ought ever to accompany the profession of piety; and it is exclusively the

• In those districts of country, as well as in some others, the want of gospel ministers is severely felt. People are suffering for lack of instruction, and calling for help; but help adequate to their necessities cannot be obtained. The assembly regret that so few, comparatively, offer themselves as candidates for the holy ministry; and they hope that the attention of the churches under their care, will be directed to this important subject, that, by their united exertions, some effectual plan for statedly supplying the wants of Zion may be formed,

With such abundant cause of gratitude, is connected cause of sorrow and humiliation. We have observed with pain, that, in some presbyteries, the duties of family religion, and of catechetical instruction, are neglected, Truly, it is shameful in men who call themselves by the name of Christ, not to honour him before their families, by worshipping him statedly! Every head of a family is responsible for all its members to God and his country. How can he expect to fulfil his duty, if he does not pray for and with them, and instruct them from the word of God! If he does not honour God, it cannot be expected his family will; and a Christian family living without family-religion, is a contradiction. It argues on the part of such pro

XVI.

DISTRESSES OF THE SWEDES.

(Continued from page 494.) Extract of a Letter from a respectable Merchant at Koningsberg, datea June 13th, 1808.

'I trust you will not take it amiss if, in the present crisis, when all resources of charity in this country are entirely exhausted, I impart to

you

the disasterous state of the town of Heiligenbeil; and request that, through your kind intercession to the inhabitants of your wealthy city, you will endeavour to procure some relief to the unhappy sufferers in that place; for in no instance where benevolence has been shewn, could it have been better applied than in the present case. Last year the suburbs of this town were totally destroyed by fire. In the last destructive war, when Braunsberg (only one mile distant) was taken by the French, it was the head quarters of the Prussian army for upwards of five months; and at a time when there was so great a scarcity of provisions and forage, that the greatest distress, nay even famine, prevailed. The military took every thing from the inhabitants; the little corn they had 4 D

There

was consumed for forage; and, when the French troops advanced, plunder ensued; all the horses, almost all the horned cattle and sheep, were taken away. The few that remained were destroyed by an epidemical disease; so that, in this poor town, neither provisions, cattle, nor even seed had even been left to sow. There were no hands to be found to work, for the greatest part laboured under a dangerous flux, and were confined through this sickness several weeks. were no cattle to plow with, nor food to feed them. In the midst of these misfortunes and distress, the last disastrous event occured. During a violent storm in October, a fire broke out; and, in less than twelve hours, the whole town was laid in ashes; nothing, not even the church and clergyman's house remained unconsumed. To attempt to save any thing was in vain, for, in less than half an hour, all was in one flame! more misfortunes, more disasters, have scarcely ever occurred to any town in the world. The unhappy inhabitants live as yet in barracks, on the pillance of what their impoverished and ruined neighbours are able to afford them. Grief and misery are their lot, and with little prospect of deliverance. There are, no doubt, many benevolent men in London, who, on being made acquainted with the sufferings of these unhappy people, would gladly contribute towards alleviating their distresses. Have, therefore, the compassion to raise a subscription in their behalf; you will, I am sure, never do a greater act of charity, and I will employ what may be thus raised, to the support of those who may stand most in need of it. Pray exert yourselves to the utmost of your power.'

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Extraet of a Statement by the Rev. Charles Haegg, D. D. Rector of the parish of Nerpes, but now a fugitive, published in the Stockholm Gazette, September 16, 1808.

• Several villages in the parish of Nerpes, as also many houses in Lappfi rd and Christinestad, have, with hundreds of their inhabitants, borne the weight of the boundless

cruelty of the invaders of our country. About 120 well-built farms have, in this parish, been burnt to ashes by the Russians; the cornfields and meadows in most parts have 'been trampled down; - cattle, and all kinds of tame animals, seized and killed, or driven into the yards of the farms, to be with the houses destroyed in a common flame. The inhabitants, without distinction of sex, age, or situation, have been dragged away, God only knows where! hung, beheaded, shot, stabbed, flogged to death, burnt alive, or suffocated!

it

This statement I have thought my duty to lay before the public; not indeed to excite compassion for myself: no; blessed be God, I want for nothing. No: I owe the truth to the benevolent inhabitants of Stockholm, and the provinces, who have so charitably assisted my fugitive countrymen; and, I trust, it will also be an inducement to others to follow their noble example. The times are hard and pressing; but it is just in such times that the exercise of Christian duties more immediately ennobles and gladdens the heart; and, if it be a great satisfaction indeed to draw off a dish or two from the luxurious table, — to refuse partaking in expensive pleasures, to dress in a simple attire, to throw off the ring that ornaments the finger, thereby to be able to house houseless fathers, "to comfort disconsolate mothers and widows, and to clothe naked and hungry children, how much greater blies awaits those who, relying, as Christians ought, on an almighty and kind Providence, share their scanty portion with their poorer neighbours!"

Extruet of a Letter, dated Hernosand, dep. 9, 1808, to a Swedish Gentleman in London.

• When the Russians had plandered Wasa and all the surrounding villages, they proceeded to the town of Christina, and also paid a visit to your worthy and respectable uncle, Mr. B. All his property, consisting of money, plate, lineup, wearing apparel, and bedding, was carried off; and whatever comes

under the denomination of furniture, was broken to pieces. Three persons were stabbed to death, and the greatest cruelties perpetrated, of which your uncle was compelled to be an eye-witness. Your cousin Edward was all anxiety to save his mother and sister! He had just time to run with them to the sea-side, where he put them into a boat, which he pushed out to sea with all his might, happy thus to rescue them from the grasp of these barbarians; committing them in preference to the clemency of the ocean. Imagine to yourself their state of mind,-two ladies left alone on the waves, without strength or skill to manage the oars! but they were saved by means of a fisherman, who picked them up the next morning. Edward, having thus launched his mother and his sister to the care of divine Providence, flew to the assistance of his beloved father, whom he found already in fetters: he then implored their mercy, and offered, as the ransom of his father, to become himself their slave for life. This, which might have moved the most savage breast, had no effect on these ruffians, who, on the contrary, seized upon him in the sight of his father, tied him between two horses, rode by Cos sacks, who galloped off in full speed! Thus was poor Edward forced to run, or be unmercifully dragged; and no account has yet been received of him, whether he be now. among the living or the dead.

Many hundred families are reduced to beggary, and have not a house to cover them, now when the winter is approaching. Here, in Sweden, we are cheerfully doing what little we can; but as yet merely the fugitives from Finlaud are not half provided for: but what will become of the distressed in Finland, God only knows!'

Extract of a Letter, dated Stockholm, Sept. 22, 1808, to a Swedish Merchant now in London.

Two very interesting children arrived here some time ago. You have read Gen. Buxhovden's proclamation: That every Finland officer who did not, within a certain time,

desert the Swedish standard, and return to his place of abode, should have all his property confiscated." This, however, had no effect upon these loyal men; and in conse quence, their families were robbed* of every thing. Among these officers is Colonel A- who has an estate nenr Helsingfors, now in the possession of the enemy; upon the first approach of which he joined the Finnish army, and left two sons to the care of a trusty servant, his amiable lady being then on a visit. here with her infant child. These boys, of whom the eldest is about 13, soon shared a common fate with the other families; but on account of their quick talents, they were asked, Whether they would not go to Petersburg, where they should want for nothing. No,' said the youngest, suffer us to go to our mother, and tell her that she must not come here. This answer had its effect, and they were both let free; and have since begged their way to this place, where they now have joined their mother. Their long and tedious march and subsequent voyage, astonishes us all; and might persuade us that children have indeed their guardian angels: Would to God we had means to assist the numerous fugitives !— but their number is too great, and many of them are in want of every thing,

as they come over half-naked, and almost starved to death!'

Subscriptions are received by Messrs. Hardcastle and Reyner, Old Swan Stairs; Mr. Butterworth, 43, Fleet Street; Down, Thornton, and Co. Bartholomew Lane, &c. &c.

have distributed all Dr. Watts's Divine Songs which I brought with me; and some, of the children have learnt them through; but many are still destitute of them. I should be obliged to the Society to send me more of them, and also of Dr. Doddridge's Principles of Religion, in Verse. I am also in want of Testaments, and shall soon be without Bibles. The children bring me their odd halfpence, to save them till they raise two shillings, when I give them a Bible; which, I think, is a better plan with the children, than to distribute them gratis. I have likewise put some in a shop, to be sold to the country people.

In the day-school, we have 140 children. Here I spend an hour every day, which is a great sacrifice; but, I hope, it will not be in vain, as I have an opportunity at the close of the school, to read and expound the Scriptures; and, in a catechetical way, to instruct the children, most of whom are Catholics.

You recommended in your last, the formation of a Society-School; and I have now the pleasure of stating, that one was begun the 12th of last month, in the house of a Quaker, where I had the pleasure of taking tea, in the company of some other worthy persons: since which, it has far exceeded my expectations.

Last week there was a publicmeeting of the subscribers to the

Lancastrian Free-School in this town, and a new committee formed, with power to organize the school in the best manner. In this committee there are the mayor, three clergymen, the priest, two or three Quakers, some other gentlemen, and myself. Mr. Tweeddale, whom the Hibernian Society appointed to Fermoy, is to come here for a month or six weeks to regulaté our school, and is to be succeeded by a person whom the Rev. M. S has en gaged.'

York Street Chapel.

This spacious house of worship continues to be well attended. After the Rev. Rowland Hill (who opened it) had left Dublin, the chapel was supplied for six weeks by the Rev. Geo. Clayton, of Walworth, whose ministry was acceptable to all ranks of persons. Since his return, the pulpit has been filled for six Lord's Days by the Rev. Mr. Maslen, of Hertford, who is also well attended and much approved. This chapel is intended to be supplied by preachers from England; and it is hoped that the great and increasing importance of the cause, will induce many able ministers of the gospel, of different denominations, to lend their aid to the good work. This is a mission inferior in importance, perhaps, to none; and which the servants of Christ may undertake, without any injury to their respective charges.

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£320

758 0 0

804 23

16 14 0

60 0.0

6290 17 3