rely on God for success. Union and zeal are power, which, by a blessing from the Great Head of the church, nothing can withstand. Prayers and charities, if devoutly poured forth, are powers before which the idols and temples of the heathen must fall. This is plainly indicated by the success of experiments already in operation. Difficulties in prosecuting this great work, are every day overcome, which, a few years since, would have disheartened the warmest friends of Zion. But these glorious results have not been obtained by divided counsels, and random efforts. Many denominations of Christians have coalesced; have poured out their benefactions and their prayers on the same ground, and in all the power and strength of union, have waged a successful war against the ignorance, the barbarism and the idolatry of many a pagan nation. What has already been done shows what may yet be achieved by united prayer, and extensive co-operation, even though, while the work is prosecuted, nations should learn war again, and blood rise "even unto the horse bridles."

4. We learn the importance of revivals of religion. They multiply the kindred of the Lord Jesus Christ. In seasons of general stupidity, it is ordinarily the case that some individuals are renewed and allied to Christ; but in modern times, by far the greater part of the accessions which are made to his family, is derived from the revivals by which the present age is so remarkably distinguished. If a revival issued in the conversion of only a single soul, the consequences of it would prove it to be a blessing of immeasurable importance. Hence the immortal Edwards observes, "More happiness, and a greater benefit to man, is the fruit of each single drop of such a shower, than all the temporal good of the most happy revolution in a land or nation amounts to, or all that a people could gain by the con

quest of the world." But the consequences of every such time of refreshing are, that numbers are savingly joined to Christ, while the former members of his household are quickened and comforted: that numbers who are helping others on to destruction, are diverted from this work of cruelty and death; that numbers who had given their pious friends, and the church of God much cause of grief are made "workers together with" them in promoting the interest of the holy fraternity; that many a husband or wife has now a godly companion; that many a parent has now a pious child, and that many an aged Simeon that had long been waiting for one more spiritual harvest, can say in the rapture of his satisfied soul," Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation."

Finally. It is the duty of christians to increase their union to Christ. This duty is paramount to every other; for they will neglect all other duties, in proportion to the deficiency of their spiritual alliance to him. Are we his brethren? It becomes us to reflect with great solicitude, that it depends on the degree of our moral affinity to him, how far we shall labour to promote union among ourselves: how far we shall strive to enlarge the divine family; and how far we shall prize, and endeavour to promote revivals. If we would love one another more, we must first love him more. If we would partake more largely of the social benefits of religion, we must hold more uninterrupted and familiar converse with him. If we would perform any duty more acceptably to God, or profitably to ourselves and others, let us abound more in that faith which unites us to Christ; and keep our eye steadily fixed on that world, where, by a perfect transformation into his likeness, we shall be all that infinite grace can make us, and possess all that infinite love can give us.

To the Editor of the Christian Spectator.

SIR,

al churches in this place. A relation was made particularly of the scheme pursued by the brethren in visiting and holding conferences in the neighbouring villages, and in the churches and towns more remote;

together with the manner in which their labours have been blessed by the Holy Spirit, in causing revivals of religion to take place all around us. A reply to this communication was made in April, and as I think it may be useful to the churches of Christ in our country, to know the opinion of so distinguished a minister of the gospel on this subject, I take the liberty to send you his letter for publication in the Christian Spectator.

I am Sir, your friend,

TIMOTHY DWIGHT.
New-Haven, July 10, 1821.

ANDOVER, April 27, 1821.

My dear Sir,

Yours, written some time since, was duly received, and has been read until it is literally worn out. Soon after receiving it, I communicated the substance of it to our meeting, on the evening of the general Monthly Concert of Prayer. This occasioned it to be inquired after, and read by all those persons among us, who take peculiar interest in doing good. This very day, I have lent it, to be read to-mor row evening in the Conference at Salem, conducted by laymen; and where, at present, a revival is begun. I thank God that I have lived to see the day, in which laymen are beginning to feel as if they had something to do, as well as ministers, in propagating the truths of the gospel. Thus did they in primitive ages.

I have only two cautions to suggest; and these I think important to the object in question. 1. Let no one undertake to teach any more than he has learned. Let him not usurp the place, or claim the prerogatives of a regularly ordained minister. This caution is necessary to preserve good order. 2. Guard well against all approaches to mere excitement of the passions, and appeals to simple, natural feelings; in other words, against any enthusiasm or extravagance. Guard well against a censorious spirit in respect to Christians who do not at once fall in with our

views, and who are afraid of enthusi

asm.

While the object is not at all abandoned, they may be treated with tenderness; and when they see the good effects of the practice they will fall in with it. Guard well against being proud of success; or being disposed to feel elevated, so as to look with disdain on a humble minister, whose labours have not been blessed. The greatest danger of those whose labours are blessed, is spiritual pride. If this once euter the sacred enclosure of the church, it will mar the fairest portion of God's inheritance.

"These things if ye observe ye shall do well." And observing them

go on, labour, prosper, esteem the reproaches of men as nothing; look at the glory of God and the salvation of never-dying souls; and then rouse up to renewed and still more vigorous action. That the Almighty God may bless the labours of you and your coadjutors in this glorious work, is the sincere and fervent prayer of yours,

Sincerely and affectionately,

M. STUART.

SIR,

Having been employed as an agent for a number of the charitable institutions of our country; I wish through your work to make the conductors of those institutions acquainted with a very great number of unknown friends. It would be natural indeed to estimate the number of friends by the number of contributors, but this would lead to a conclusion, in this case, extremely erroneous. It is a singular circumstance, which I must not omit to mention, that all your unknown friends have one or another family name, from which I conclude that each family of the same name is descended from a common ancestry. These families of various names are spread throughout the nation, and are exceedingly numerous, including in their varieties often more than half the population of a city or a town.

There is a great family by the name of POVERTYSTRUCK, who rejoice exceedingly in the good things that are going on, sincerely regret that they are unable to do any thing, and give unequivocal assurance that as soon as ever they are able they will infallibly give bountifully. I would barely suggest whether it might not be well for these benevolent societies seasonably to enlarge their treasury, for so numerous is this family, that should they all happen at once to make a rush with their offerings, they might not have where to put them. Do not imagine, sir, that all of this name live in log houses, or thatched cottages; their external appearance is often that of competence and wealth; while cottages of forbidding aspect, I have entered, often expecting to find them inhabited by one of this family, but to my astonishment, found them occupied by branches of the LIBERALITY family, a family numerous and powerful in the first days of New-England, threatened

gaining their ancient honours.

The HARDTIMES family I find in general friendly to your great and good designs, of whom the less may be said, as so many of them have been known as patrons of charitable institutions, and hope in a few years to resume their labour of love. So, Sir, you see there is no danger, as some have feared, that the funds will fail; for by the next year, or the year after, the supplies will begin to come in from the HARDTIMES family, and these alone will pay all arrearages, and fill the treasuries of all charitable institutions to overflowing. When I entered the families of this name, I did not always witness at their tables, or in their dress, furniture, or equipage, those retrenchments which their name had led me to expect, from which I am induced to believe that it is their policy to commence their retrenchments upon the 'inner man'first, and upon the outward man' never, if they can possibly avoid it.

The ECONOMY family are behind none upon whom I call, in thrift and respectability, and with one accord intend to become subscribers somewhere, to something good, as soon as they are fairly out of debt for land, and Canton crapes, and Merino shawls, and Leghorn hats.

There are two families somewhat numerous, of different names, but blood relations I believe. Their firm when they do business in partnership, bears the title of SKINFLINT, NOTESHAVER, & Co. When I first enter these families, I believe they rather scowl than smile; but no sooner do my silver accents have time to descend through the ear to their heart, than from the association, I conclude between silver sounds and silver money, their features relax into a full-faced smile. One of the firm above named, took me aside at a certain time, to his iron chest. There,' said he.

'that lock has not been turned these twenty years, but at a premium of twelve per cent. for all that was restored to locomotion and the light of day, and I do assure you sir, that when any benevolent institution can give me as good a premium, I will turn my trunk bottom upwards, upon the treasury, that shall open to receive its willing contents.'

Another family inferior in respectability, but not distantly allied to the two former by blood, is the notorious family of the STINGYS. These it might be thought would be avowed enemies to all charitable institutions; and some of them, I believe a majority, are, but still there is a large and honourable minority, who, if they may be believed, are exceeding friendly to these things; but they do not like, indeed they do not like any one thing that has been done, is doing, or is like to be done. They differ in opinion as to the time, the place, the ways and means, the instruments, the past effects, or the good to be expected from any existing course, and to be sure they are honest doubtless in their dissent from others, and have a right to think for themselves, and are as they often assure me, willing to be convinced if they are wrong.

Now, Sir, I presume you will be of opinion with me, that a golden harvest of charity waves in the fields of the STINGY families, for they are generally rich, and being willing to be convinced, and the arguments being clear and unanswerable in favour of charitable institutions, the gold and silver will be measured soon, instead of counted-will be poured into the Lord's treasury, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

The family of the SHORTSIGHTS, somewhat numerous in our land, do not approve, it must be owned, of Foreign Missions, nor all of them of Domestic Missions; but the most

scrupulous of them speak well of Bible Societies, like missions to the aborigines within our borders, and that charity which begins at home. So, sir, when the charity of the SHORTSIGHT family has done its work of beneficence in their own neighbourhood, they will put on their spectacles and conduct the impatient streams of their benevolence into the treasury of the nearest charitable institution, and when the time comes, happy are the benevolent societies who are next to them.

MR. CANT-BEAR-TO-THINK, the family is extremely numerous, said that he approved of the religious charities of the day exceedingly, for that having somewhat of an itch for reading, he had never, till lately, been accommodated with communications, constant, interesting, and obvious without mental effort. In early life he had read doctrinal magazines and arguments greatly to the injury of his ease, he had always had an infirmity in his head which he believed was constitutional in his family, which rendered close thinking painful, and produced alarming symptoms. It drew the eyes from staring into vacuity in parallel lines, to the convergency of angular intersection, not more than ten inches from the nose, and produced a contraction of the skin upon the forehead as if the surface of the head were about to shrivel up, attended with such a loss of ideas within, in proportion to his efforts to introduce them from without, as made the experiment always cost more than it came to; but since charitable institutions had been got up, there was an abundance of new, and easy reading, and if he thought there was the least danger of their failure, he would subscribe a dollar a year himself, were it only for the noise they make. and he believed many of his family would do the same.

P. Q.