tional churches to become Presbyterian || from Rev. F. A. Strale and lady, of Allentown, who have agreed to return and commence a school in April next. I need not speak to you of the great importance of the religious education of moth in their form of government; had 7 elders and 1 deacon ordained; established 1 bible class and 4 sabbath schools; and attended a large number of monthly concerts, meetings of session, bible class anders, and of having their influence well prayer meetings; and exerted my feeble influence in many other ways when I had the opportunity, in promoting the cause of Christ. These services I humbly submit to the consideration of your Board, and commend them to the blessing and glory of God, to whom all the praise belongs. Dedication of a new church, and sale of news. Our church, which we have just dedicated to the service of God, was built principally through the zeal and liberality of two gentlemen, the one a member directed, at this eventful period of the church. I would only say, that the success of this important institution depends very much, under God,upon your Board; for if the preaching of the Gospel is not supported among us, we cannot expect that parents will entrust their daughters to our care, and the consequence will be a failure of our plans and expectations. I hope that these few brief hints may have the influence upon the minds of the Board which we feel their importance demands." We learn with regret, that our Missiona of the church, the other of the congre- An important station in Pennsylvania. gation. The building is very handsome and convenient, and is completely finished in every part; it cost nearly $1300,ry in Warren County, has engagements and promises great good to this place which render it necessary for him to leave both in a temporal and spiritual point of view, if the gospel can be supported in his present field of labour in the Springand we publish a few extracts from his last communication, dated Sugar Grove, Jan. 22, 1831, in hopes that it may meet the eye and secure the services of some one who will say, "Here am I, send me." it. We appointed last Saturday to sell the pews on which the whole expense of the building was levied, and although the day was extremely inclement, they were all sold except 7, and they will soon be disposed of-some who have purchased, have since refused a rent of 15 per "I shall be under the necessity of leavcent, on the cost of their pews. This lit-ing this field of labour on the expiration tle flock are greatly rejoiced in the pros of my present commission. It is with pect of enlarging their borders, and I mention these facts to shew the encour-duous and the adversaries many, there is I do so, for altho' the labour is arregret agement you have to continue to them your fostering care; but if you withdraw an effectual door open for usefulness in your aid from them now, they must ei the cause of Christ. There is a congrether close the doors of their temple, or and Brokenstraw, and at each of these gation organized at Warren, Sugar Grove open them to the Baptists and Methostations religious services are attended to dists, who have each already applied for every Sabbath, and once during the week, admission into it. whether I be there or not. There is a Bible Class at every station. Tracts are in circulation, and Sabbath schools are particularly attended to. It is of vast importance to the cause of religion that a person be here to occupy the ground on my leaving it; indeed it would be better to have one here in April, so that I might go round with him and introduce him at the different stations. The object in view in the present communication is to solicit your Board to send a labourer here with a general commission for Warren County, in April. With aid such as is usually granted by the Board, there will be no difficulty in supporting one Missionary, indeed, I hope efforts will be made to keep two in the The enemies of the cross also are using At this station they are now collecting materials for a Church which is to be put up next Spring, in neither of the other stations have they yet a Church. tings, at least one per week, in different neighborhoods, within my field of labour. I have visited 50 families. I spent two days in every week going from house to house, preaching the Gospel, to old and As for the qualifications of the labourer, let him be as able a one as can be had, for he will have to maintain the ground against Deists, Universalists, Arminians, &c. &c. He will find zealous assistants in every station, kind treatment, an un-young, masters and servants, and this I commonly healthful country, and plenty of labour. have found to be the most pleasant and profitable part of my public labours. I That the Lord may incline the heart have organized a Bible Class at one of of some devoted servant of Christ to bend my places of preaching, of about 50 memhis way in this direction, and bless his bers, most of the members are young exertions in watering the seed I have at-people : But some of my fathers and motempted to sow, is the prayer of your pre-thers in Isreal have connected themselves sent Missionary. A Missionary's lamentation. with the Class for the double purpose of increasing their own knowledge of God's blessed word, and of encouraging their children, and the youth in the bounds of A Missionary in Venango County, Pa. the congregation, to study the best of all under date of Jan. 20th, 1831, thus writes, books, the Bible. At my other place of I have spent three months more in this Class, we would have organized one bepreaching we hope soon to form a similar field of labour. If my usefulness is to fore this date, if we had a sufficient numbe estimated by what appears, it is very ber of question books. (We use the limited. To proclaim deliverence to Union Questions.) We have sent to the captives, to publish peace to the guilty, principal Towns in the State, but could to hold up to dying sinners a crucified not procure one dozen of question books. Saviour, to comfort the people of God, is So that we will be compelled to send all a pleasing employment, but attended with the way to your city for a supply of books. awful responsibilities, and many discou- Could not the A. S. S. Union send us an ragements. It is a time of barrenness in agent to collect funds, and form unions this part of the Church. The people of auxiliary to their Society. We have the God still slumber, although heaven with funds, and we much need a suitable man all its glories is rapidly approaching. to labour as an agent for Sabbath schools Sinners sleep on the brink of "everlast-in this part of the State. We had four ing burning." We may 'warn, entreat, and urge, but all will be in vain, unless God will arise and work. But alas! how backward are we to ask him to work. We feel that we need his immediate aid, but still we slumber. We have had (in Richland,) a weekly prayer meeting, which is attended by a number, but I fear we have not the spirit of prayer. We "ask but receive not, because we ask amiss." NORTH CAROLINA. Sabbath schools at the commencement of the Winter. Three white schools, and one black school. Two of these have been stopped. One by the Legislature of the State prohibiting "the coloured people, in the State, to learn to read or write, the use of figures excepted." The other school has ceased operation a few weeks for the want of a suitable room. Two of the schools are still in operation, and one of them is as flourishing a school as I have seen in the southern country. We have a Tract Society in Back Creek congre From Mr. A. Y. LOCKRIDGE, dated Row.gation, that resolved at a late meeting to adopt the "Monthly plan of distribution," an County, N. C. January 21st, 1831. I arrived at my destined field of labour on the 5th day of October last.' I found the good people anxiously waiting my safe arrival, yea more, praying that God would come with me, and bless my labours among them. VIRGINIA. From the Rev. C. B. BRISTOL, dated Middletown, Va. Dec. 7, 1831, My time and labours, (since my arri- I came to this place cn the 6th of val) have been divided between) Third November, and found the people waiting Creek and Back Creek congregations with deep solicitude for the arrival of distant from each other about 8 miles. I their Missionary. Since that time I have have preached 26 times, attended the preached eleven sermons, attended four Monthly Concert of prayer, for the prayer meetings, and organized one Bible heathen, as often as Israel's friends come Class, and a Sabbath school in the village, together in other parts of the world, on both of which are now in a very flourishthe first Monday of each Month, to offer ing situation. I have also commenced to God their prayers and their silver and two Bible Classes in other parts of the gold, for the conversion of the world. Be- congregation, in which I contemplate sides the Monthly Concert of prayer, I preparing teachers for Sabbath schools have attended congregational prayer mee-in their respective neighborhoods. My labours have been principally confined to this congregation. I have visited several families, and have been much gratified in witnessing the deep interest, which now prevails, for the regular administration of the ordinances of God's house. My meetings have been well attended, and the audience remarkably attentive. From this unusual seriousness and attention to the means God has appointed, we begin to indulge a trembling hope that the work of grace has already commenced in the hearts of some, which will not "be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away." My Bible Class and Sabbath school have enlisted the attention of the people of all ages in this village to the study of "the Holy Scriptures" which I hope will make many "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." gresses slowly for the want of a sufficient supply of Bibles. From a pretty thorough investigation of two or three townships, we find that between a third and a half of the county will be found destitute. We had no idea of such a want, considering that we had a Bible Society in operation for three years, and the merchants of this place had sold a great many Bibles in addition. We are likewise making an effort at this time to raise a fund to establish a depository of Sabbath school books in this place. A County Auxiliary Society was formed here a few weeks since, for that and other purposes connected with the organizing and fostering Sabbath schools. I have volunteered to act as Agent for this County. NEW YORK. From Rev. W. J. BRADFORD, dated Vir This village in which the Church is located, contains between 25 and 30 fam-gil County, N. Y. Feb. 4, 1831. ilies, some of them belonging to other de- "Our meetings on the Sabbath are benominations. The house of worship is a coming interesting. The number of frame building 45 by 30 feet, it has attendants is increasing and the attention not been plastered nor seated. As near given to the preaching of the word very as I can ascertain, there are 24 members encouraging. One has been received inof the Church in good standing. They to the Church on confession, three or have no session book nor any records of four are indulging hopes; who will prothe proceedings of the session. At pre-bably connect with the Church soon, some sent there are only two elders, I expect soon to ordain one or two more. As it regards my support in this place and vicinity, I scarcely know what to say. The inhabitants are in quite moderate circumstances, and there is but little money in circulation among them. They have now about $140 subscribed, they will probably raise about $175 or $200. If they can raise $200, they will expect two thirds of my time. They appear to be very anxious to secure this at least, and if possible the whole of my time, and also to have me settled with them. are serious. We have established a conference meeting in our village, which is well attended. A Bible Class and Tract Society have been established; the Bible Class is generally attended, and promisses well. Our tract society is small, but prosperous. We have engaged in the monthly distribution, every family is supplied with a tract, and we are expecting soon to be furnished with means to supply every family in the remote corner of the town. We feel it an imperious duty to use vigilant efforts for the spread of tracts. As a large proportion of the people are One circumstance which appears re- very destitute of Books, and many are markable is, that those who are not mem- negligent of public instruction, no other bers of the Church appear to be more enmeans will in all probability be so effectual gaged than the members, not excepting as that of tracts. We have a Temperance the elders. Some labouring mechanics Society in a prosperous state, and spreadhave subscribed double to what the el-ing a powerful influence over the town. ders have, who are both farmers in very good circumstances. If the interest which now exists continues, they will probably give me enough to eat and drink. Here is a great field for usefulness. The woods and mountains about here contain many immortal souls who may be brought into the fold of Christ. INDIANA. Want of Bibles in Montgomery Co. From a Missionary in Indiana dated, Crawfordville, Jan. 6th, 1831. We are going on with the work of supplying the destitute families of this county with the Bible, though the work pro-" In short, it is our object to engage in all the enterprises of the day, so far as our circumstances will permit. As it respects the state of religion with us, while we have some things that are cheering, we have much to deplore.While some appear to be living near to God, are enjoying the light of his countenance, and are active in building up his kingdom, others who profess friendship and faith in Christ, appear still to be much attached to the world, are unsatisfied as to the heart, and unwilling to come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty powers of darkness. Among our numbers there have been the measures that have been adopted for some who have imbibed prejudices against the promotion of benevolent objects. But we hope the time has arrived when all such prejudices or fears shall cease to keep Christians from the work. We feel that the present is a time for exertion, and that if duly instructed, no christian can preserve a good conscience, without doing something for the spread of the Gospel abroad and for its success at home. From a Missionary of the Board in Ala bama, under date of Nov. 1st, 1830. Opposition to the Distribution of the Scriptures. "I have mentioned the resolution and efforts of the American Bible Society in public and often in private, but to my sorrow I never meet with a reciprocity of feeling on that subject. Objections are always raised, not directly against the spread of the Bible, but often against the gratuitous distribution; and some there are, who preach, that often sound the tocsin of alarm at all such operations, and they are not without their influence, Bibles have been gratuitously provided to supply this county, but the county will be unsupplied next May, for any thing that now appears. I wish not to be faith less but believing on these subjects, for it is the Lord's work, and I hope he may There is a spread his truth even here. lamentable dearth of knowledge of any kind in this region, and perhaps as little reading as in any community in a christian land. All kinds of iniquity abounds.' REPORTS OF AGENTS. TENNESSEE. From Mr. ALFRED HAMILTON, agent in Tennessee-dated Jackson, Madison co. Jan. 14, 1821. trated by any or all opposition. And rap- On my way to the District, I stopped at Charlotte, Dickson county, where I found a small Presbyterian Church, to which I preached on the Sabbath and organized it as Auxiliary to the Board. There were 25 annual subscribers making an amount of $13.00 of which $4.CO were paid to me. The Auxiliary of New Providence Church, in Carrol county, consists of 29 annual subscribers, making an amount of $15 75. This Church had been organized in '28 or '29, but was never reported to the Board. It may therefore be considered as just formed. Wednesday 22d. Preached at Mount Hermon, in Henderson county, and organized the Church. Eight annual subscribers-amount $4.00. Thursday 23rd. Organized the Church at Cotton Grove, called "Union," in Madison county, Twelve annual subscribers amount $6 50-paid $2.00. Sabbath 26th. Organized the Church of Hopewell, Madison county. Twenty five annual subscribers-amount $12.00. Tuesday 28th. Organized the Church of Brownville, Haywood county. Nine annual subscribers-amouut $5.00. Want of Missionaries in the Western district of Tennessee. I feel that the service of the Board is a laborious and arduous one, but feel at the This section of the State is a very imsame time, no disposition to shrink from portant one, and is destined, I think, to any service however arduous, provided I be the wealthiest and most desirable part can be instrumental in sustaining and urg- of the whole. It is rapidly populating ing forward the "ark of God"-the cause with emigrants from the Carolina's and of our Lord Jesus Christ. My motto is Virginia, who come and bring their capNil desperandum Christo duce."- ital with them, and design this as their "Perseverantia vincit omnia." And I permanent residence. The country is desire to spend and be spent-to labour filling up therefore for the most part with and die in the field, leading on the "sacra- wealthy and respectable planters. Its mental host of God's elect" to the great population has increased more rapidly battle of God Almighty-to the final tri- than I have ever known a country to do. umph. The hosts of earth and hell may|| But about nine years ago, the first settlegather, array and concentrate themselves ments were made, and now every Counin vain. The arm of the Redeemer is ty has from five to twelve thousand inhabtoo powerful, and his purposes to save itants. The land is good, and the cliand rescue "his sheep"-and present his mate far the most healthy. Thus it is church arrayed in bridal attire, "with-important in a mere temporal point of out spot or wrinkle or any such thing" view, but it is much more so in a moral before the throne of his Father, too sta- and religious. The moral and religious asble & well concerted, to be stayed or frus-pect of the District, at present, is not in deed the most flattering, but prospectively there is every thing to hope for. ing Executive Committee, in the Cincin- Rev. Ludwell G. Gaines, Charles Cist. I think it is destined to be emphatically a Presbyterian country. The Presbyterian Church is now regarded as the most respectable and stable of any of the others that have a place here. It is regarded as the stay or prop of the land. It is but about seven years since the first Presbyterian Church was organized in the District, and there are now nearly twenty. It is true these are all as yet very feeble, but all that is wanting to increase their individual numbers, and of course their strength is the faithful and By a letter from Mr. Crane of recent devoted labours of the missionary of the date, we have been informed, that the cross. Where, O where shall a sufficient above named Committee have already number of these be obtained. Where entered upon their duties, and adopted are those who count not their lives dear systematic measures for increasing the unto them, if they may but win souls un- funds, and extending the operations of to Christ? Methinks the Church, and the Board. Mr. C. states that he preachespecially the Presbyterian Church, has ed a few weeks since in the Rev. Dr. a dreadful amount of sin to answer for, in Wilson's church, and took up a collecthat she has slept so long; and in that tion for the Board, amounting to $106, her waking energies are put forth so which was afterwards increased to nearsparingly, and in many cases so reluctant-ly $200. He is now in Louisville, Ky. on ly. Ministers must be had: pious youths his way to Mississippi. In a letter dated must be educated and thrust into the har-Louisville, Feb. 2, he states, that he has vest. And this must be dore now: 'twill not do hereafter, the present generation will be lost, lost, and the succeeding one be more difficult to bring under the influence of moral truth. Had I men now at command, I could place 10 or 12 in this district, where, under the blessing of God, they would be instrumental in preparing many, many, souls for immortal || glory. And for want of these men, many very many of these souls, so far as man is concerned, must go down to the region of the dead, unforgiven, and unsprinkled with redeeming blood. Can men be found? Then why are they not sent forth? Do they need support? Is there not money enough in the Church? Christians, children of God, will you not empty your treasures for the sake of rescuing souls from eternal death!! Speak, Dear Sir, loud, and yet more loud than has ever yet been spoken to the Churches to awake and gird themselves for the mighty work which is before them. There are several important stations which could and ought to be occupied as soon as possible by your Board. organized the 2d Presbyterian congrega- MISSISSIPPI. From Rev. T. ARCHIBALD, dated Cloumbus, Mississippi, Nov. 13, 1830. Deplorable condition of the Choctaws. and Synod. I have just returned from Presbytery Goshen, a Missionary station the southOur Presbytery met at ern part of the Choctaw nation. The Churches in the Nation are not in a good much dissatisfied with the last treaty, state. Many of the Choctaws are very and have given themselves up to drunkenness and its consequent evils. I heard that more than two hundred were drunk Val-in one day at a ball play. They say "Our country is sold and we do not care what It affords us pleasure to inform the we do." I think that a large majority churches, that the Rev. SIMEON H. of the common people are opposed to the CRANE has entered upon the active du- Treaty. Our Presbytery has resolved ties of his agency, in Cincinnati and in to spend the evening twilight in prayer, other parts of the Valley. In accordance to the great head of the Church, and to with the earnest request of the friends of recommend the same to the Churches. the Board in Cincinnati and its vicinity, This resolution was made in view of the the following persons have been appoint- great opposition which the wicked make ed by the Board as a Special Correspond-against the Gospel; but had particular VOL. IX.-Chr. Adv. General Agent of the Board for the ley of the Mississippi. V |