knowledge. When I first visited it, there was nothing like the feature of a religious society. Excepting three or four families of wealth and respectability, the inhabitants were generally of the poorer class, Their ignorance of the great and fundamental doctrines of christianity was lamentable in the extreme. I commenced preaching, and visiting from house to house, for the purpose of communicating instruction in a plain and familiar manner. In a short time there was a general attention throughout the village, and the people manifested an eager desire to hear the glad news of salvation. The School-house became crowded, and solemnity appeared to pervade the audience. Several began to be deeply concerned for their spiritual welfare, and to inquire, in the language of the Scriptures, what must we do to be saved? The good work continued to increase, and new instances of conviction were multiplied. Things verged to such a crisis as seemed to justify the establishment of a branch of Christ's Church in this village. Accordingly, after some conversation on the subject, a day was appointed for the purpose of attending to this solemnity; when, with the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Williams, of Rochester, I organized a Presbyterian Church. The whole number of members at the time of the organization was six, four of whom were previously professors of Religion. On the last Sabbath, which I spent in the place, I administered the Lord's Supper, when there was an addition of four more, who professed their faith in Christ and attachment to his cause. After the preparatory lecture I baptized two adults and 12 children. The season was peculiarly solemn, and I have reason to believe made a very deep impression on the minds of several. Besides those who have already assumed the Christian name, there are 12 or 15 who continue seeking for their salvation. Such being the state of things, I confess it was not without painful emotions that I considered myself under the necessity of leaving them. They followed me with tears in their eyes, entreating me to remember their situation and represent their case to the Christian sympathy and benevolence of your Society. They are willing to contribute towards the support of the stated preaching of the gospel, and would do all in their power to render the situation of a minister pleasant and agreeable." Mr. Henry also preached occasionally at a neighbouring town called Perrington, where, previously to his visit, something like a revival of religion had taken place, through the instrumentality of a few pious individuals, who had established prayer meetings and a religious conference on the Sabbath. The work had been greatly checked by the introduction of doctrines inimical to vital piety. Those of the Universalists had been industriously circulated, and many were led away by them. His meetings, however, were well attended; and he had the pleasure to find that those pernicious sentiments were daily losing ground, and that several who had embraced, renounced them as false and destructive. The Board would add, that sympathizing with the people of Carthage and its vicinity, in their interesting case, they have directed their Committee of Missions to look out for a missionary to be sent to that place. The last report mentioned that Mr. JOHN E. MILLER had succeeded Mr. Phillips, who commenced a mission among the destitute inhabitants of the northeastern parts of the suburbs of this city, on the first of Oct. 1817. Mr. Miller entered on his labours on the first of November, continued in the service of the Society for 4 months, and was indefatigable in the discharge of his duties. He visited from house to house, the abodes of ignorance, poverty, and distress, distributed Bibles and Tracts, and preached the Gospel in Sunday Schools, and wherever he could gather a company of sinners to hear it from his mouth. Though he met with many discouragements and difficulties in his work, principally from the want of a suitable place, in which he could statedly preach to the poor; yet, we have reason to believe, that his labours were not in vain in the Lord. Through his exertions, the ignorant were instructed in the way of duty, and the vicious reproved, and in some instances reclaimed. The souls of poor and pious saints were refreshed by his conversation and his prayers. The sufferings of the sick were alleviated by his kind attentions, and the pillow of the dying was softened by the consolations of the gospel which he administered. Of the families he visited, while a few turned a deaf ear to his counsels, and refused admittance into their houses, both of him and of the Bible which he proffered, many received him gladly as a messenger of mercy, and earnestly desired a repetition of his visits. Under his ministrations, sinners were convinced of their sins, and having obtained hope in our Saviour, connected themselves with Christian Churches. Among the number was a hoary-headed man of 70, and his grand-daughter of 20 years old. Some who had formerly professed the name of Jesus, but who had forsaken his service and his ordinances, had their steps again directed to his sanctuary. The lambs of the flock were not neglected by him. He often met with a little groupe of Sunday scholars of about ten years of age, who had associated to devote an hour, weekly, to the duty of social worship: He found them thus worthily engaged; and when he left them, he encouraged them to persevere. In the first two months of his engagement he visited 97 families: in the whole period he made 237 visits to the poor, and distributed among them 623 Tracts and 55 Bibles. In the beginning of January Mr. Miller commenced preaching statedly on Wednesday evenings, at a house in Norfolk street, where he had increasing, attentive, and, towards the close, crowded and solemn audiences. To them he delivered his farewell address, after sermon, in the evening of February 25th. His hearers were much affected, and many of them expressed a deep regret at his leaving them. In speaking of these meetings, he observes, "The meetings which have been held in this street, I can confidently say, for the encouragement of the Society, have not been in vain. A great improvement has taken place in the morals of several persons in the neighbourhood. A number who were immoral, and who had entirely neglected public worship, are now moral, and attend the public ordinances of God's house. Several who were careless about religion, begin to think seriously about their souls." Mr. Miller also, during the months of January and February, preached regularly on Sabbath morning to the Sunday scholars in the room of the Henry-street Free School, and in the evening to their parents and others in the same place. On the 22d of February, he observes, "The number of scholars assembled was large. They have much improved in their attention and conduct since I have preached to them. Some of them are uncommonly attentive, and often tender under preaching." His congregation of adults here was also on the increase. In the evening of March 1st he preached his farewell sermon to an assembly of 3 or 400 persons. During the exercises much solemnity prevailed, and he trusts they will not be forgotten. The Board would only add Mr. Miller's testimony in favour of the Report on the subject of Pauperism, published in this city during the last winter. He says, "The causes of the poverty and of the degradation of the poor, are justly stated in that report; and I feel sensible, from the intercourse I have had with them, that the Committee have suggested the very best methods for correcting the many evils existing among the poor." The Society cannot fail to recollect the notice, in the last report, of the steps which had been taken to procure ground in the vicinity of Corlaer's Hook, for the building of a Mission house, the approbation with which the plan of erecting such a building was received, and the vigorous measures then taken in relation to that subject. In addition to one thousand and twenty eight dollars, which was subscribed on the spot, the sum of one thousand one hundred and forty five dollars was afterwards added to the subscription by members not then present, and other persons friendly to the object. The Committee, previously appointed for the purpose, waited upon Col. Rutgers, who promptly offered to the Society the donation of any vacant land belonging to him. It was with regret that the Board were not able to avail themselves of that gentleman's liberal offer: there being no situation within the limits of his estate deemed suitable for the purpose. After various negotiations with different individuals, they at length fixed upon two lots belonging to Col. Willett, on the north side of Broome-street, between Lewis and Cannon-streets, and in the vicinity of Mr. Miller's missionary labours. Those two lots they leased for twenty five years, from the first day of May, for $100 per annum. A Committee was appointed immediately with full power to build a Mission House. This duty has been performed in a manner highly satisfactory to the Board, in the erection of a very handsome place of worship, 40 feet by 50. This building has cost, including its furniture, about 2800 dollars, which will exceed the amount subscribed for that purpose by about $627. This sum the Board will have to pay out of their Missionary funds, unless it be raised, as they hope it will be, by voluntary donations from those who have not yet contributed to the object. They have caused the house to be insured for 2500 dollars. It was dedicated to the service of God on Sabbath evening the 11th of October. A sermon from Psalm cxxxii. 8, was preached by the Rev. Mr. Matthews, and the Rev. Messrs. Mc Clelland and Mc Leod assisted on the occasion, making the opening and concluding prayers. The Board cannot forbear to congratulate the Society upon this joyful event, and to solicit them to unite in thanksgiving to God, whose good hand has enabled us to build this temple for his wor ship: and, in ardent supplications to the Head of the Church, that he will incline the hearts of the poor to attend in that sanctuary to the ministrations of their present and future Missionaries, and bless them to their present comfort and eternal salvation. On the 14th of September they resolved to employ Mr. Robert Steel, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New-York, as their Missionary in this city. He entered upon the duties of his appointment a short time previous to the opening of the Mission House; and was employed in visiting the families in the neighbourhood, apprizing them of the objects of the Society in its erection, and inviting them to attend the solemnities of its dedication. On Sunday, the 18th of October, he commenced his publick duties as a preacher in that place. His ministrations have hitherto been well attended, and appear to be acceptable to the people. He preaches morning and evening on the Sabbath, and holds a meeting for prayer on Thursday evenings. A Sunday school has been established under the direction of Mr. Steel and a Committee of the Board; and received under the care of the Sunday School Union Society, as School No, 35. The school meets in the Mission House in the afternoon of every Lord's day, is in a prospering state, and likely to be a useful appendage to the mission. During the residue of the week Mr. Steel is employed, as Mr. Miller was, in visiting the sick, the afflicted, and the dying; in gathering scholars for the school, and inviting the ignorant and the poor of the vicinity to attend this sanctuary and hear the Gospel of Jesus, who is able to make the one wise unto salvation, the other rich in faith; and both, heirs of a kingdom that shall never fade away. Early in the spring the Board directed their Secretary to open a correspondence with the London Missionary Society. Several copies of the last annual report were transmitted to that venerated institution, with a number of copies of the anniversary sermon. An answer to this communication is daily expected. In addition to the sums received from the members as their dues, and the collection, amounting to $328 67, made after the anniversary sermon in December last, the Board have received the following donations, (not yet acknowledged,) viz. $30 from several individuals belonging to the Rutgers-street church, 45 Bibles from the Auxiliary New-York Bible Society, 30 from the Union Bible Society in this city, 50 from the Oneida Bible Society, presented to Mr. Dunlap, various donations of Tracts, from members of the Newe Fork Religious Tract Society, and several sums of $30 each, to constitute individuals members for life. The amount in the treasury during the year has been composed of the following particulars, to wit: Balance in the treasury, Nov. 19, 1817, Collected on subscription list for building a Mis sion-house, $791 03. $4901 72 $1996 20 $291 46 And the expenditures have been as follows: Leaving a balance in the Treasury of It will be perceived that the amount already advanced by the Board out of their Missionary funds, for the completion of the Mission House, is $692 29. There yet remains of the subscription list uncollected about $300, and to be paid on account of the Mission House about $200. During the last year twelve Missionaries have been employed by the Board, including Mr. Searle. If Mr. Timlow, Mr. Davenport, and Mr. Woods, have proceeded on their Missions, as it is hoped they have; the Society have still in their employment eight Missionaries, to wit: Messrs. Dunlap, Platt, Woods, Chester, Snodgrass, Timlow, Davenport, and Steel. The Directors have lately received an application from a gentleman who desires to be employ ed as a Missionary on the West banks of lake Champlain. If inquiries which have been instituted, as to his character and qualifications, result in the satisfaction of the Board, the Society will then have a prospect of commencing a new year of Missionary exertion with nine Missionaries in their service.. It will be perceived that the enlarged sphere of action and usefulness, into which the Providence of God has led the Society, demands very ample resources, a great increase of numbers, and all the liberality of themselves and their friends, to enable the Directors to continue such extended operations. It is particularly recommended to every member to interest himself in obtaining new associates and donations from among his friends and acquaintances. On a review of the transactions of the year, the Directors, although they sincerely regret the many infirmities with which they have administered the important trusts confided to them by the Society, and find much reason for humiliation before God for the very imperfect manner in which they have attended upon his work; yet they discover abundant reasons for gratitude to the Head of the Church, for the signal manner in which he has vouchsafed to own and bless their feeble and unworthy efforts to spread abroad the knowledge of his name: giving them, not to say much more than their deserts, but, |