to the gracious head of the church, as well as injustice to the friends of religion, not to announce, that the afpect of our American Zion is, in general, unufually cheering:-and that thofe who feel interested in the advancement of the Redeemers kingdom, while they are called upon by new and additional motives to implore the continuance and extenfion of his mercy, have abundant reafon to be encouraged, and to rejoice in the hope that God will make still more rich and glorious difplays of his power and grace-" until he establifh Jerufalem and make her a name and a praise in the earth-Until the righteoufnefs thereof go forth as brightness, and the falvation thereof as a lamp that burneth."

The feafon for fpecial prayer, and other religious exercises, appointed for laft evening, was duly attended by the members of the Affembly, and a very large concourfe of the citizens.

Dr. Green, who has ferved the General Affembly as stated clerk fince its first institution, having fent in his refignation; the Affembly accepted the fame; and refolved, that the thanks of this houfe be prefented to Dr. Green, for his long, diligent and faithful fervices; and that the Affembly proceed to elect another to ferve in his ftead. A ballot being taken, the Rev. Philip Milledoler was duly elected.

A petition from the Rev. Thomas L. Birch, a foreign minister, was brought in and read. In this petition Mr Birch states, that in pursuance of permiffion given by the laft General Affembly, he ap plied to the Prefbytery of Huntingdon, to be received on trials; agreeably to the standing regulation refpecting the reception of foreign ministers and licentiates: that the faid Prefbytery refused to receive him agreeably to his request; giving as a reafon, that certain reports, affecting Mr. Birch's moral character, were circulated within the bounds of the Presbytery of Ohio; and were fanctioned by the minutes of this Prefbytery. Mr. Birch therefore applied to the Affembly, and prayed for redrefs.

Mr. Birch was heard in fupport of his petition, and the members of the Presbytery prefent, were heard in explanation and defence of their decifion, in rejecting Mr. Birch.-The Affembly then proceeded to the confideration of Mr. Birch's petition, when a motion was made and feconded, that it be refolved, that as the laft Affembly, had fully confidered the reports in the Prefbytery of Ohio, referred to in the records of the Prefbytery of Huntingdon, and declared that these should be no bar to the reception of Mr. Birch, by any Prefbytery; the Prefbytery of Huntingdon acted improperly in rejecting him, on that ground. After fome difcuffion, the further confideration of this fubject was deferred till the afternoon.

The Affembly refumed the confideration of Mr. Birch's petition. The refolution moved in the forenoon being under confideration, a motion was made and carried to poftpone the fame, in order to introduce the following, as a fubftitute, viz.

Resolved, That as the laft Affembly have declared, that any Prefbytery is at liberty to receive Mr. Birch on trials, the Presbytery of Huntingdon ought not to have rejected him on the ground mentioned in their records; but to have taken him up, and dealt with him according to his merits. The question on this motion was determined in the affirmative.

It was then moved and feconded, that the Prefbytery of Huntingdon, or any other to which he may apply, be directed to receive Mr. Birch on trials, agreeably to the regulations refpecting the reception of foreign minifters and licentiates; and that fuch Presbytery may abridge the period of his probation, if they think fit.

The fame being under confideration, it was moved and feconded, to ftrike out in the above refolution, the words "or any other to which he may apply."

After fome debate on this amendment, the Affembly adjourned. The Affembly refumed the confideration of Mr. Birch's petition. The amendment moved laft evening was poftponed, in order to inftitute an enquiry, whether Mr. Birch has conformed to the injunction of last Affembly, requiring him not to preach within the bounds of the Prefbytery of Ohio; without the permiffion of that Presbytery. Mr. Birch having been charged in the courfe of debate, with violating this injunction; he was called, and an opportunity given him, to make his defence on that particular point. Mr. Birch appeared, and defired to be heard generally, on the fubject of his petition. The Af fembly refolved, that as he had already been fully heard, on every thing that can effect the decifion of the queftion before the house, except only the one contemplated; Mr. Birch, fhall, for the prefent, confine his defence to that point only: but that he shall afterwards have a full opportunity, of vindicating his character on any particular, in which it shall appear to labour.

Whereupon Mr. Birch declined to speak further, and withdrew in a contemptuous manner; fignifying his intention to decline the jurisdiction of the General Affembly.

Therefore, resolved, That in confequence of his conduct, and also of his having never been in regular ministerial communion, with the Presbyterian church in the United States of America; the Gen. Affembly decline all further proceedings with Mr. Birch, and declare to the people, and to the feveral Presbyteries in their connection; that he is a perfon, henceforth, poffeffed of no authority derived from said church, to exercise any part of the ministerial functions.*

An election was held for the choice of a standing committee of miffions, when the Rev. Doctors Samuel Blair and Afhbel Green, the Rev. Meffrs. Philip Milledoler and Jacob J. Janeway: Doctor Elias Boudinot; Meffrs. Ebenezar Hazard and Robert Smith, werę elected members of the committee for the enfuing year.

The foregoing are all the minutes refpecting Mr. Birch, made by the Affembly of this year.

The Prefbytery of Ohio informed the Affembly, that, agreeably to the order of laft Affembly, they fent a miffionary to Marietta, and that his journal has been laid before the committee of miffions.

The Affembly took into confideration, that part of the communication from the fynod of Kentucky, wherein they ftate, that they find themselves unable to answer the demands upon them for miffionary labours; and pray the Affembly to attend to their deftitute fituation; and send out miffionaries to spread the bleffings of the gofpel, among the multitudes within their limits and on their borders; who are looking for, and ready to hail, the meffengers of the gospel of peace.

On motion, it was agreed, that the request be granted; and that that part of the country, be confidered as under the care of the General Affembly, in miffionary concerns; and that the committee of miffions be directed to pay attention to it.

On a review of the second report of the committee of miffions, the Affembly, adopted the following refolutions, viz.

Refolved, That the Rev. Meffrs. William Arthur, John Lindsley, Stewart Williamson and Dr. Thomas Read; together with Mr. John Chavis, a black man, licenced by the Prefbytery of Lexington, be appointed miffionaries, for the times, and on the routes fpecified in the report.

Refolved, That the Rev. Mr. Blackburn, be employed as a mifhonary to the Cherokee Indians; and that the standing committee of miffions, give him such instructions, as circumstances, in their opinion, require.*

Refolved, That the miffionaries be left at difcretion, as to the time of the year in which to perform their fervices, provided their tours be completed, fo as to enable them to report, agreeably to the inftructions of the committee of miffions.

Refolved, That the committee be vefted with difcretionary power, to fend miffionaries, the enfuing year, to Norfolk in Virginia; to the city of Washington; to the Genefee and Sparta, in Ontario County, State of New-York; if it can be done without embarrafling the funds.

Rofolved, That it be enjoined on the Prefbyteries, to use their utmost diligence, to find out and recommend fuitable perfons, and especially ordained minifters, to be employed as miffionaries: as it is contemplated to send out many more miffionaries the ensuing year, than the prefentt.

* Mr. Blackburn is taking meafures, under the aufpices of the committee of miffions, for eftablishing a school on the borders of the Indian Territory, for the purpose of inftructing the Indian youth in the English language, AgriCulture and the mechanical arts, with other branches of useful knowledge.

The committee clofe an interefting report, in nearly the following terms: It is greatly to be lamented, that fuch a fcarcity of miffionaries Exifts

Refolved, That the fynod of the Carolinas, be authorized and requested, to fend a miffionary, the next fummer, for fix months, to the Miflifippi Territory; and that the General Assembly will affift them, if neceffary, in paying for his fervices.

And whereas it is of great importance, that the pulpits of those miffionaries, who have paftoral charges, be regularly and fully fupplied; and fo the miffionaries enabled to profecute their labours, without anxiety, or apprehenfion, on that score;

Refolved, That the following preachers be appointed; and they hereby are appointed, to fupply the pulpits of Dr. Read and Mr. Arthur, during their miffionary tours: that the faid miffionaries, give feafonable notice to the perfons appointed; and that these last pay a fpecial attention to the fulfilment of their appointments.

The Rev. John Collins, was appointed to fupply Dr. Read's pulpit, the first fabbath, in the term of his miffión: Rev. John E. Latta, the fecond: Rev. John Johnson, the third: Rev. Thomas Grier, the fourth: Dr. Samuel Blair, the fifth: Rev. John B. Linn, the fixth Rev. Philip Milledoler, the feventh; and Mr. John Waugh, the rest of the time.

The Rev. Francis A. Latta, was appointed to fupply Mr. Arthur's pulpit, the first fabbath, in the term of his miffion: Rev. Nathan Grier, the fecond: Rev. Alexander Mitchell, the third: Rev. Nathaniel W. Sample, the fourth: Rev. William Latta, the fifth: Rev. Jacob J. Janeway, the fixth: Rev. Alexander Mitchell, the feventh: and the Rev. Francis Hindman, the eighth.

The Affembly called on the Prefbyteries, which are required to make annual collections for miffionary purposes, to report how far they have complied with the orders of the Gen. Affembly on this fubject. It appeared, in confequente, that the Prefbyteries of Oneida, Albany, Columbia, Hudfon, New-York, Long-Ifland, New-Brunfwick, Philadelphia and Carlisle, have fubftantially done their duty in reference to this collection. The Prefbyteries of New-Castle, Baltimore, Huntingdon, and Lewis, have not made the collection.

Ordered, That these Presbyteries take the most prudent and effectual meafures, to forward to the treasurer of the General Assembly, an annual collection (in common with other Prefbyteries) to be applied to miffionary purposes.

True it is, that enough have been found to exhauft the fcanty funds of this year; reduced, as they have been, by anticipations. But had the funds been as large as they are likely to become fhortly; a fufficiency of miffionaries could not be procured, A prodigiously extenfive field, lies ready for cultivation. From The hand of every part of it the cry is heard, "come hither and help us. liberality has been extended, for the relief of those who are perifhing for lack of knowledge Chriftian Charity is waiting in eager expectation of the effects. The fpirit of God, having come down, and already wrought wonders of grace, is ready to go forth with the miffionaries of the crofs, and to fecond their lag bours Missionaries-MISSIONARIES of piety, talents, prudence and zeal, only are wanting."

Ordered, That the commiffioners to this Affembly, from the Pref byteries which have failed to make the collection, lay a copy of the above minute; before their Prefbyteries refpectively.

Resolved, That the Prefbyteries, in future, agreeably to orders heretofore given, be careful to report to the Affembly, from year to year, the names of the congregations within their bounds refpectively, which make this collection, and the specific fum paid by each.

Resolved, That all the perfons, who have heretofore received appointments, as agents of the Gen. Affembly, continue to profecute their agency at difcretion, during the enfuing year: that they pay a fpecial attention to recovering the arrears due on their fubfcription papers; and report to next Affembly.

Resolved, That the agents who have not reported to this Affembly, be careful to forward their reports and accounts, to next Af sembly.

Resolved, That the Prefbyteries of Albany, Oneida and Columbia, be, and they hereby are, conftituted and formed into a fynod; to be known by the name of the fynod of Albany: that they hold their first meeting in the Prefbyterian church of Albany, on the first Wednesday of October next; at 2 o'clock, P. M. and be opened with a fermon by the Rev. Jedediah Chapman; or, in cafe of his absence, by the next senior minister who may be present; and that they afterwards meet on their own adjournments.

Resolved, That the Presbytery of Abingdon be, and it hereby is, taken from under the care of the fynod of the Carolinas; and placed under the care; and formed into a conftituent part of, the fynod of Virginia.

A communication was received through the committee of overtures, ftating the great labour and expence, to which the distant Prefbyteries, in the fouth and weft, are fubjected, in fending commiffioners to the General Affembly; and praying that a plan may be devised, to afford them aid from the funds of the Affembly.

Resolved, That the Affembly are fully perfuaded of the propriety and importance of rendering fuch aid; as far as practicable; and do hereby recommend it to all the Prefbyteries under the care of the Affembly, to confider the propriety of giving fuch aid, and the best means of effecting it, and to report, on this fubject, to the next General Affembly.

A letter was received from certain citizens of Philadelphia stiling themselves friends of humanity; accompanied with a prefent of two hundred copies of a publication on the Vaccine difeafe: requesting that the Affembly will take measures to have the fame diftributed among the people, for their information on the fubject; and to haften that expected and defirable event-the total extermination of that loathfome and fatal difeafe, the fmall-pox. Fifty additional copies of the fame publication, accompanied with a few copies of Dr. Jenner's inftruc tions on the practice of Vaccine inoculation, were also received from

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