11
1l-
DEFENCE OF THE GOSPEL.5
BRANDON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1838,
VOL. X. NO, 44r
..- J rT ; v . v . t ; . : r- .
... ' r . ' . t ... 1 r - " . . w . - '
cau .y m y :t 1 1 ui v .a:. jimb t. t.t. :ui.;U-. ..:. T-.r ... - AM SET for the
1 ' i'ii 1 " ; : 1 j .
i f ,V r ' . . ,
- rrrtiM.
Vx".
e4 weekly, at -$2,00 a yeau PJble within four
after tout month and" witbia eiht
$2,zWrtUal2$t Vaoatha.nfl jftithid the 'TWry
g3,Srwttcrth clo of th yer, torU in. the
rttid.-' "It- V; u t1 iw.'V.'c
T?,tomraiei who reciv twebr or , raora
. o:mj In out bundlal and pay within four months.
at $1 ;i-fur four months to ma aa. above.
$1,75 within eight roontlis c.
0 j-Ajents, who procure and pay fof lis .lub
cnberr, trreouutaio ins ivtvdiu copTraua.
ft N pai'T b diMeontiauedtiotil irrfcslra-
e are piJ., JiceM at the discretion of th pub-
03 AM letters to aecurt attention, .must come
4v . For the Vermont Telegraph.
Wi dead I. The messenger thcn.turn
away
As the tad truth rasVd wHdly to toy heart j ' "
c4M0tbe-ailIid.heTr,Ah1tla1',
. m yea ! he did tU m Elizabeth. was dead !
Oh remember, apd can, nef forjet, .
jhe" iimny das oTfehildlioodr hoW my heart'
Qoei back, and Jbg;ra round xnynariverak; ; ;
TJbere wft together, hand in hand we're stray 'd
Arid pluck'd the Vild flower fronitts native vine!
Ot if perchance out Canty fed the way! '
Ve cllmb'd the ateeV-and rugged mountain high ;
'Or where the beaoteoua streanifot's gentle flow
MuVuiur'4 in soft pellucid windings, on
Thro' the, reen mtfadctwj there, beneath the shade
Ofjhe green . willow, on a mossy scat,
Reclined ws there our1' weary limbs to rest.
Tlraa wklrtte changca rolfi in silence 'on;
Yet md by side' together, still we. grew,
Unmindful of the future, till the line
The painful separation line was drawn,
nd each, o'er life'a tompestuous ocean boand,
Embark'd (unconscious of our future doom.
Ui.; ii'u- . .'. . .
Fororer be thy blessed name, adored, Y
Oh Thoo who wouldst net bare the sraner die";
' Who wrote ber pardon on her drooping heart,
And gave her sou) the beauteous tiut of heaven.
Consumption canoe, with chHling mildew cold
On Vampire's Tainted Wfng It slOwiy "came '
: hd upon .the attenuated thread, , j
That binds the fettered soul to cumbrous clay.
Slovf wa'i it workj but sure J its reckless hand,
garered .the cord aad.lt the'soul go freej . ;
Her Savior call'd and to his kind command,
Iter apirit linger' d notnor murma'r'd ahei '
OuVealmlxttin(gi aJijimiitUy. tieavi.. t -..J.
(For ties thore were tat bound her very soul;,
TtfeaithWhukBandchri
And friends to wbich- her geseroo heart bad eking
8 he lovetl them all, but loved her Savior more.)
lie tall'd, and quick her joyful spirit (lev, '
Oa wings of (Withi to meet h& kind embrace, ' -Aocher'd
aad M&ahe there will etSr resC.S ' L
Reeliu'd apon her Savior's peaceful breast.
Woman, hast thou a hnsband baa thy soul, ,
Ycaxned O'er. the temkr oflTprinz 0f thf lovef
Aad eana thou Prt with all for Jesus', sake I , -.
Zfnot, call not thyself a child of beavtfn,
IPitofutd, July, 1633. &
1 V V luHi.'
r
S)tnss
to.tbO. Wemory of
f til
trof
1XaotIcsW
I! 'If
Tbe tun bas gained bU fprvid prime y f
Tbr( vernal tide ajaia is flown
IA tritrmph o'er th immortal mind j "
And dear hi raemory aljiU liv .
.In t;und faithful breasts enshrined. :
inl was hU hcart hi love sincere,
'Enfolding all the ra;e of. man; ;..
While charity, a fountain clear,
: Throujh all hit life unfilling rah.
Mote blest Ihaa who, froraanguine fields, .
In triumph wears the laurel crown, ' '
Ha leftiname' wMch grateful yielJi' ;
.-Such meed. at peace delights to own. : 4
0a rayless minds he joyed to ope - - '---
v,Theboly gotpel'a heavenlf light j
a m w - a.- r a
t" ii: vT: r -
His. fame let other days declare,
Whom friendi deplore and Zion weepv:
iv cue love oeaews me green tun wucie
3:.ThVhusb'agd and 'he1 father sleeps.'
Sweet be that sleep lAoove his lomb,' ;
iTh'e wUloVVensirr odugh'anaii bend i
Th.rvtr ftftwf IrthainrHdoml Shti
Atfd MseVguards.biwest deend.
' - - J-- ' - ' -''"N
Then reit thet "thus tilU.imehall 4iettn:15
Cot oneyVhose eye would "bltsrauch tvne.'Hocal authorities are-unjust and oppress:
: U 'robey-fur HeaW has clatme'd it trwrj.i fwtfwhy you not appeal to th king 5
f ., '- . , court in Ava, and have the officers either
LWlIeavrn i death'ahall neer jrive " 1 removed or nunished' "Sometimes it
1 . ... 1
1 And heaven, all earth ana iumreu$u.,.iestr.-as.-fo.disam.-aiifBusBieioTi."jui tne
Shall fift ber golden portals high, t . ,-t
10 welcome in uie rausuiucu uuw
Newton, June 26,1833. ;w
"! '' " For tha VcriacntTeler-spbi!
.
I3lPL,TJKJICiEOF EAttPtE.
Soma weeks since,' while baptism was
beinj administered in Soathington, Connn
Dy r.ir.'A. pastor 01 tne iiaptisi nurcn in
at rUce, a youn;- man, who stood pro-
pouaded at tbe PrcsbyterlatCharcb, feeling
impelled by t sense of duty to follow "tha
aiampla of his Savior, came forward,- after
some Of i oir six bad been baptized, and f
. - . .
tat Li ..rnti' rr"pctan' exrLilmnS.
br, f,.r.;.i fn.n.i 1 Mm
- it I-; : I f rave and hartizr J hua. la
. . ' '
vo ir o :- -ir rr"cl,t3.th5 great tur
qaesud taptism on a profession of bis faith. Doeainot every one: knov Itbat; where
The administrator for a moment hesitated, American .Slavery exists,, not only ' has
llk f!iiiniM K!f'. unpTrwMir? Inffftlp'nrA htnA tr crime hut labor
.-- -, , 1
,Xr" cf IVtsbrterua and Dartii ircctafors;! Who labors cl eerfillv and energetically
- t : k. nrt Witkejs.
; RELIGIOUS MISOELLANY.
'rl'J ,l j from Chrferiaa Reflector.
'jExtraci; frb Mr. lUcmd? JotunuO. .
' "' ETlie of Oppression
l:MK'KiocaW if we Vtrterftber 'right,
tnetit froVri th State of Virginia, as a mis
sionary lo Burroah. V havnot obser?
d tie fact, if be has ever soun'Jed a note
of Ternonstrahi, or raised 'a connplaint
againit the slavery of Virginia; anj it is
not uncommoa to" bear supporters of the
Rqrman mis. ion declaim agiinst all in
terference of telijpous men vvith the af
Atirsoi'gOTernmeitt "Submit," say they,
'.to the powers that lu.' Chiist and his
a poslles never said anything against the
opptesii-e slarery which 'existed a-ound
them.' " But Mr. Kincaid somewhere
finds a uthority for exposing the oppression
of the Burmese, ana the American Bap
tist Board publish his animadversions to
theKorl(is -This is righ, we admit, but
ye only wish, that both the missionary
and the Board would preserve a dignified
consistency. : In the Augnst number, l34,
of lhe' same Magazine, assurance is given
that nothing more shall appear, in iis col
umns on the subject of slavt-ry. See the
end of hat number. Instead of thinking
it wrong or out of place to publish what
Mr. Kincaid has wrkten. we are happy
. -' u : tUa. as l.u ...
to
icau hi ine ni.jy.iz.mu uuiu ttu ex
posure of the sin of oppression ; and the
following statement of the evil fruits or
influences of oppression on the oppressed,
and Un on the onnressnr VV honP. I
iriroes outihrotiffh the Marine lo thei
South, it will awaken serious attention to otner consiaerauon was or a moment at
a, similar, though still worse state of tendfd l0' andhe certainly did then shake
thinjrs in our own country. If it is said
tnrtt nere only colore people suner,
let it b known that the Burmese are col
ored people. And then, "there will be no
shuffling" like this, when we shall come
to give account to God of our passing by
on the other eide, leaving the black man
in his misery and degradation.
Let us, dear brethren of the Board of
Foreign Mission, and all others, see to it
that our hearts and hands are clean in this
a rv
awfully solemn concern.
. - tm- I t i
"inesunnaa just gone aown w
en
iUn-
we came before TagoUng. while sup
per, or rather dinner,' was preparing, I '
took one, man, and went thru' two streets.
On my way back, sat down in a veran
dah, while' an erderly nian "and two fe
male were mployetl in some domestic
Cpocerns, and soon enured-into conversa
tion with thern. There were many iridic
cations that this town had known better
dayirtbat:'ft' had-formerly? been more
populous and Nourishing; and I inquired
if this were not so. They replied, that,
wuhiri 'tt vear; one third of the population
B u & I J L . . M I k a mm ..m
naa removea. vnu nu iuu uiuoc
o.thia,'!!.! asked. VOppression. The
present governor, is so rapacious, that those
whocodld, bare got together a few things
b a boat, and. fled oft in the night."-
Are they unable to go off openly, and
BeeV'i residence where they choose?1'
b inquired". Yes, they would be seized.
ana tneir, cnuaren agaa p pay tne tax. 7
C.len the whole family is sold," If the
l t-ll .'If. .L.
removed or. pun
is done,. but it seldom does any good, for
a neW1: officer is, likely to be just as bad,
or worse than the old. The best way is
' - - I j ' . ' -.1
10 run ou, anu gei inio anuiurr uionn..
Misrule and oppression are universal in
Barmah, and this js the principal cause of
the shifting character of-tbe population
like the iahds of ihe desert rolled and
driven by .resistless winds. Opptessiori
u so stern ana unpitying.nat mere, is ,nu
incentive' to -industry, beyond what the
most .urgent ' claims of nature demand.
Should any family jise so far above; the
common mass, as to. have a house n iue
comfortable and heat.'it would be the sig
nal for everv underling. 0! -.office to watch
v 'WBBawBMK..wa
Mfeiy Utto pay handsomely inlo the nanas
of a superior . ofliceT;--and secure hia pro
lection. People will necessarily become.
inuoien', jvnea inausxry is ine
road to obbre'ssioni'anrf 'when indolence
" . T-.t I '- -L .- ...loin
ceases o,bt a crime there is an end to all
virtuous and honorable nrinri Kles. Vera-
cify is alraosf wholly un'known, and filse-
. . ... .. . . .... . i?r
hood mingles with all the relations 01 in?
v4M H
1 monv is civen and confirmed, with
$0 far,, that, false tfSti-
l''cnnfirrncd With Such
4 calmness;' arid "socK irfVoow ranee oY hHn:
mind of a Burman honestv.and ,VlTtue
a re. associated "with dullness ; cu'ritiing and
deeeit,' tvith intellectaal atreftgth. V Fraud,
or, a concealed tourse-pf management. s
so
sed lo be associated with every trans
of life.1 -:Transnarency of langoagt
action. of life :'r"'lWnriafen'CV
and character is so entirely unknown, and
soBe'xpected, that aurman stranger, is,
conloundea by it, and suspecting some
j treachery too; deeply ' concealed for his
comprenension, wa;csottrejuaiag iw uo
any dealings with you.'; f ,s
;' "Qoery: ToVwhorn is the remark of Mr.
I K peculiarly 'applicable'; that 'when in-
nce ceaset to be a enme. ur ,
cuu iu Tinnnn inn .nouuiawiv 1 . ... .
- !
plc-(o the skve or the slave holder?
I or industry is esterfceu disreputaole ,adu
intQ snppose the often ceimc:negation-is
his 1 : u : . i.-.fi4i '
. i-inicvisn, ana incunea ioiuuuicu.r.
- what makes thpnv sa bat oppressions
" . wuhout hope of re
reward, and, who tnai is
himself every' dav wronged out of his
earnings lor his whole lire; can resist the
temptation, in his 'tarn to practice reprisal
on his oppressor? Hekurely, mast be a
prodigy, who is not made vicious by slave-
ry. aoiomon says that oppression rnaketh
. i- ii i' " .ev.-... 41i uuin iiiiica, will ithiiuiuw, auu no
slave is then uable to he marl wnrw iKaninniot iuc ;r u un.,i.4 ,.
ine TlSe man mad thi nnrr lrrnnrant
mad.
-
Verily it i the just,' the kind voice of ! throne of grace for help. II he can pre-lsahd movements of its complex and deli-
i common Father of i1lU0ao nf manUi i v i... ri u ml ;i,:-. trie r-tlin. ;fl ,,..,,'
the common Father of U classes of men
Let the oppressed go free break eve
ry yoke. If oppression is sinful and
uisraceiui in ine neatnen in liurmah.
how much more so amon? enlightened 1
christians!
IIAUTI!! L.UTIIEO...
Perhaps the finest, richest, and most
generous species of character, is that
whichpresents to the diinty the most re
pulsive surface. Within the rough rind
the feelings are preserved unsophisticated,
robust, and healthy. The noli mt tangt
re outside -Iceeps off that insidoouslswarrri
o artificial sentimental uies which taint
and adulterate, and finally expel all natur
al and vigorous emotions from within "us.
The idea of a perfect man has always
been figured forth in our minds, by the
emblem of the lion coming out of the
,amb and the ,amb ining r out of the li-1
ion.
Of this description of character was
Luther. Nothing could exceed his sub
misrsiveness and humility, when a choice
i i i.i i it
wa WDetner to De numOle or
daring: but when conscience spoke,
no
the torest in his manincent ire.
But if
we behold him one moment, to
use his
pourinor
own quotation from Scripture,
contempt' upon princes, and highly rag-
ing against the nignest uoon eartn, we
see him the next in his familiar corres
pondence, a poor, humble, afflicted man,
not puffed up vvith pride at the great
things he had accomplished, but rather
struck down by a sense of his own un
worthiness. As to his violence, it was
part "of his mission to be violent, and those
utkn to& it frit -lio rh!irrrn I r Kaa Y 5 m xri r
i
1 thy, seem to us not to accuse him, but to I
L.-l m. u.,.. i
accus1: pfuviueimc xiui iu uavc uccu vi
olent, would to him have been not to have
been in earnest. And here it must be ob
served, that bis violence was only verbal ;
it was merely the rousing voice to awak
en Europe from the lethargy of ages.
But let us follow him into private life.
Here it is that we shalL best learp to ap
preciate hirri." We will 'not dwell upon
his constant contentment in poverty, and
his contempt for riches, because tbUisthe
characteristic of almost all great men,
who are really worth more than gold can
procure them; but his long unbroken
friendship with Melancthon a character
so opposite to his own, ana in some re
spects so superior, as be was the first to
acknowledge himself, bas always struck
us as a proof that he possessed much
sweetness and gentleness of disposition.
Envy or jealousy never interrupted for a
momeht the fraternal affection that sub
sisted between these great men. Of those
passions, indeed, Luther 3eetns not. to
have been susceptible. Neither did per
sonal ambition come near him. Though
he had so many titles to it, he never claim
ed tbe supremacy over his contemporary
Reformers. Notwithstanding the great
things he had performed, he gave himself
no air of grandeur or importance. . He
seemed to consider himself as a common
man among common men. He was DK
Martin Luther, and nothing more. There
was a simplicity and commonness in his
habits and conversation, which contrasted
wonderfully with the mighty revolution
h'e'brought about. This simplicity, we
wefe going to say, stows his native great
ness.; but we correct ourselves and add,
that it exhibits that apostolic frame of
mlnawhic'h all the messengers of -God,
frdm Moses downwards,' have displayed.
Such men are moulded at once by the
Hind that sends them. The accidents of
this w'orkf hare no power (as they - have
upon others) 'to, change er modify their
moral conformation. There is an one
nessi'a1 wholeness, an uhcorilpouhdedness
of character in these elect instruments ;
"on their moraVframe is chiselled by the
Divine, finger one idea, and one only
arid that external to' their' earthly condi
tion. Henee Tvas' begotten the simplicity
and. homeliness of JjUther's walk in life.
Had. he acted the great fnan, he would
haVe 'pfoved.thaV hewas hot the 'apostle.
TheTrarik; nonular, eoa(ie, and some
what pleasant Rearing which marked him.j
has made htm,th-nero.-ot tne popuiace
to this day in Germany. What is also
rcmarkable-in si roan oi his indubitable
and nrofound oietvis, that he had no aus
terity BldckwootVi Magazine.
Don't FORGET, to Pra.y."t Payr
son," writing to a kinsman, in an impor
tant crisis of religious experience, re-
? ."In your present situation, and , for
some time to come, your greatest difficul
ty will bevr tcrmairitain the daily-performance
of closet duties; Ony oar-maintaining
that part,'' the fate, of tbe whole batttle
will turd. This,'-your, great ad versairy
lV Lnotrs. ,; He knows that U he can
beat out of the Ctoset.ahe shall haver yon4
;n ki nwn nower. -.YoU-WilLbe in the
situation of an'army cutoff from supplies
and teinforcementsrand jwiir be'obligedl
either to capitulate; of to sU rrendeir, at ds-cretion-
- r He-wlU thereferi Jeaye ; up
mean untried "to drive or dratyjr?o from
the closet." And
d it "will i'te iiard 'wdrk-to
j.. ; .
maintain that post against him and your
own heart. Sometimes he will probably
assail you with more violence, when you
attempt to read or pray, than at any other
time-, and thus try to persuade you that
prayer is rather injurious than beuehcial
A t Ill WL.!....; t i:
pU n t, K Okf 1, 11 OUVJIJIU UUlim yUU 11L1
his temDtalion. vou mifrht be driven to the
J c
3 I -" - I l
vail on us to be careless and btupid, he will
rarely distress us. He will not disturb a
false peace, because it is a peace ofwhlch
he is th. nthor Rut if hp r-Annfa km
ceed in lulling us to sleen. he will do all
in his power to distress us. And when
he is permitted t0 do this, and the Holy
Spirit withdraws his sensible aid and con
so'ations, when, though we cry and shout,
God seems to shut out prayers, it is by
no means easy to be constant in secret
duties. Indeed, it is always most diffi
cult to attend to them when they are most
necessary. But never. mind, your . Lord
and Master is looking on. He . notices,
be accepts, and he will reward every strug
gle. Besides, in the Christian warfare, to
maintain the conflict, is lo gain the victory.
The promise is. made to him that endures
to the end. The object o our spiritual,
adversaries, then, is to prevent us from
enduring to the end. If they fail 01 ef
fecting this object, they are defeated. Eve
ry day in which you are preserved from
going" back, they sustain a defeat. And
if, by praying yesterday you gained
strength enough to pray to-day ; and if,
by praying to-day, you gain strength to
pray again to-morrow, you have cause
for "thankfulness, if the food which you
take every day nourishes you for one day,
you are satisfied. You do not expect
that the food you ate yesterday will nour
ish you to-day. Do not complain, then,
if you find it necessary to ask every day
for fresh supplies of spiritual nourish
ment: and do not think your prayers are
unanswered, so long as you are enabled
to struggle on, even though it should be
with pain and difficulty. Every day I
see more clearly how great a mercy it is
to be kept from open sin and from com
"P? lac; lf 'ou are lhus
thankful for it.
be
GROAVTII IN GRACE.
" I beseech you in the Lord Jesus, make
every day more and more of Christ, and
try your growth in the grace of God, and
what new ground you gain daily upon
corruption; for travelers are, day by day,
etther advancing farther on, and nearer
home, or else they are not going the right
way to accomplish their journey. Faint
not, because this woWd and ydu are at
yea and nay, and because this is not a
home that smileth upon you; tn"e wise
Lord, who knoweth you, will have it so,
because he casteth a net for your love, to
catch it, and gather it himself; therefore
bear patiently all your burdens and trials
Your Lord is seeking you, and you
seek him, let none have your love and
choice but the Lord Jesus. Set not your
heart upon the world, since God hag.li not
made it your portion ; for you cannot ex
pect to get two portions ; and to be happy
twice, and to have an upper heaven and
an under htaventoo: Christ our Lord
and his saints were not so : therefore let
go your hold of this life, and of the good
r t Sl S
things oi it. Ljearn aaiiy Dotn to pos
sess and miss Christ in his sweet smiles;
he must go and come, because his infi
nite wisdom thinketh it best for you : we
shall be together one day. O blessed is
the soul whose hope looketh straight to
I that day ! It is not our part to make a
treasure here ; anything under the cover
ing of heaven that we can build upon is
but ill ground and a sandy foundation.
There is no good thing can bear our
Weight but Christ ; nothing be foundation
of happiness but God. know all creat
ed power would sink under me, if I were
to lean upon it, and therefore it is better
to rest on God than to sink or fall ; and
we, weak souls, must have a resting
place, for we cannot stand-alone. Let us
then be wise in our desire and choice,
and choose our own blessedness, which is
to trusi in the Lord. Each one of us
hath an idol ; but it is our folly to "divide
our harrow and' little love; it will not
serve two; it is best, "then, to hold it
whole and together, and to give . it to
Christ; for then we, gej double interest
for our love, when we lend it to, and lay
it upon Christ; and we are sure, besides,
that ihe stok cannot, diminish, Follow,
on aftej this love,; tire not of him, but
come in and" see "his beauty and excellent
cy. ana feed youT sonl upon Christ s love. 1
Climb up the- mountain with joy and.
faint not our best things have a worm in
them ; all our joys besides God are" but
woes and sorrows.1' Rutherford.
-Particular, Providence. For my
own part, J fully enter jnto the sentiment
of an ancient writer, that it would not be
worth while to' live in a world that -wns
npf governed by, a Providence Jfothing
is so tranquilizmg and consolatory,, amid
the shifiings and fluctuations, and uncer-
tainiies oi-an inconstant woria, as ine arm
belieftliatmy family , and, myself afe
wholly dependent on the sleepless and un
remitting care of my reconciled iGoi' and
Father. -And he views with' indifference
nothing tvhich can affect s either.; with
good or.witb ill ;Atht every drop in the
ocean of fheans is'in hii hand and at' his
f disposaland that he is makitfg all things
wp rk together, forou r gpocLijfcs, eye , :s
t . irf... u r '
apon, every, nouxqi my existence nis
3pmtf inttniatel y present ur every thoaght
of my heart. His hand Impresses a di-i having since that time been made. A
rection upon every foot-step of my going. then, the. churches are now, in a srme of
Every bieath I inhale is drawn by an en- peace arid -'external prosperity. Diflerci
ergy which God deals otlt to me. This ces of opinion exist concerning the cardi
body; which upon the slightest derange-(nal truths of-lhe gosjeVpand trre churc! -ment,
woald become the prey of death or es, as also the' ministers, donor agree in
woful sufferings, is now at ease, because their vies of the best mofe of disposing
He is at this moment warding off a thou- of the v Vtxed question of slavery : but
sand dangers, and upholding the thou-
taic uiai-uiijri y. ma piv.cjviug iuu jruvc ;
keeps me through the whole current of S
my restless and ever-changing history,
When I walk bv tne wav na is aonff
. . t . i i
with me. When I enter into comp.inv, !
amid all my forgetfulness of Him, he nev
er forgets me. In the silent watches of
ihe night, when my eyelids have clostxl,
and my'spirits haveaunk into unconscious
ness, the observantye of Him who nev
er slumbers4s upon m ; I cannot fly from
his presence." .Go : -where' I will, he at
tends me and cares for the.
. t
RELIGION IX NEW ENGLAND.
At the meeting of the General Confer
ence of Maine, tne delegates from .other
states, gave a statement of the progress of
religion in their respective states,, which
we extract as reported in the .Christian
Mirror, tqr the purpose ol giving a gen-
erai view oi tne reunions coiiaiuon oi
New England. N. Y. Evangelist.
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF MAINE.
The General Conference of Maine, the
Maine Missionary Society, and the Maine
Congregational Charitable Society, held
their annual meetings in Saco, the last
week, commencing on Tues-day rnor
the 20th ult. The Rev. J. W. Elling
wood. Moderator of Conference, com
menced the exercises vvith reading the
scriptures, sirging and prayer.
Massacvsetts. Although we gave,
last week, a full report of the state of re
ligion in Massachusetts, yet the following
extract from the statement of Rev. L. T.
Dimich will not be uninteresting.
" There are connected with the Gener
al Association of Massachusetts about
3G0 chirrches. These churches contain,
according to the bett reports which have
been obtaineu trom them about 43,800
communicants. There are settled over
these churches about 320 pastors, leavin g
about forty churches without settled pas
tors; the greater part of wbich, however,
are supplied, in other ways, with the
preaching of the gospel, and the ordinan
ces of religion. There are besides these
several churches not connected with the
Association. Perhaps thewhole number
of Evangelical Congregational churches
in the 'Common wealth might be stated at
S80; pastors 340; communicants 50,-
000; and 50 to bO.OOO children in the
Sabbath school. These statements can
not, indeed, be relied on as minutely ac
curate. Yet it is believed, that they are
not far from the truth.
Of the state of religion in these church
es, at the present time it is not possible for
the Delegation to speak so fully as they
could wish. The General Association is
at this very time in session at New Bed
ford; and the information carried up thith
er not having, rf course, come into our
possession. We can say, however, as a
general thing that the phurches are walk
ing in harmony, and observing, in a be
coming manner, the ordinances of the
gospel. There. hav been also, during
the past year, enjoyed by.numbersof them,
times of refreshing from the presence of
the Lord. Particularly has it been thus
during the past winter and spring. In
one county of the state, a large western
county, it has been computed that there
have been 1000 converts from the rank
of the world, to Christ and the hopes of
the gospel. In the city of Boston there
has been a pleasing state of things the
past wiuter and spring. Several hundred
hopeful converts are the result; most of
whom have been, or are soon to be. receiv
ed to the different evangelical churches fit
that city. In Essex county, of which
one of the delegation could speak more
confidently from personal acquaintance, a
large portion of the churches have been
blessed with gentle, revivals. And it is
believed that a. large proportion of the
churches . through the Commonwealth
have fejt some quickening iofiuence from
on high, while in many places converts,
in greater or smaller numbers, have been
witnessed. '
Tbiime3 of refreshing they had en
joyed had been marked as a general thing,
witn some necu iarityoicDaracter. -ine
mpressions.wnicn have been ieit, nave
' ' l "s i. r
been those of intelligent seriousness The
inBuences of the Spirit have been silent
and gentle, .like, the refreshing shower
upon the earth. 7 Conversions have been
clear and peaceful, and the young disciple
bas set put on his way rejoicing, and with
the prospect of. fewer difficulties arising
from, bis own crudeness of views, than
has sometimes fallen to the lot of bis pred
ecessors. As a general thing, fewer . exVi
traorainary means nave Deen employed,
than have in some former years been re-
soneu ip. oooer pasiora i instruction, vis
itation, and other labor, flowing generally
in the ordinary channel, have been the
leading means employed. . Assistance has
been" obtained, in some instances, from
neighboring pastors, when the exigency
has required.
s CONNECTICUT.
The following is Mr. Springs narra-tive.-
. -';
The delegate from the General Associ
ation of Connecticut would refer the Con
fereneev ta the printed minutes "of the last
VMt frti i General Th?w "of the -'condition
w. -..
0f the churches in that - state no Report '
these things have not beenliiiflVred lo in-
terrupt our'narmonvVe'aVrtev'to
,i ir.. rl.t i n : ' 5,1
uuici. UUU .83 yet, KlOUiy preSerVeCI
that sisterhood of churches Cfromene.;of
the most afflictive of. ear thlv calamities--
I a family quarrel. AndJthough Jying pn
the borders of the' Preftyterian-hufch, ,
I we have thus far been Iceit- fionY nnv .
niuiKcu niinicmaiicn. ine.aiv5
which are now Tending that portioiir t.
our Redeemer's heritarre. Vhe delegate.!
a . ' u .:l:?J.t. P--1.-"
uucs uui h.uww uow.. eAiensiveiv- revivals.
have prevailed within the hounds -of the
statev-during.the lasLyeac, and can . speak
wim con,w?jjce oi oniy. one . section rthe
county orHaitforo!. That has heW s iff-.
nally. blessed. -r-Of twenty-three churches.
comprising one Association in that.' counr -t
. ". L I " ' . I " . ' . 1" ' " A ' m
iy, sixteen nave Deen visueaTyjitt seasons - w
of refreshing, within the nast six months.
The city of Hartford especially, has been
greatly favored with,.di vine influence. In
a population not exceeding ten" thousand,
as many as one thousand have recently
expressed hope in Christ. Every : evan
gelical church, has participated in the .
work, and-is now receiving large access
ions. An unusually large proportion of
these are young men, many of whom,, it
is trusted, will become the heralds, of tha
cross. " Revivals have also existed in some
other of the counties, and innumerous
single churches. Ihe past has-been., a
year of the right hand of-tbe Most High.
The Theological Seminaries at New C
Haven and East Windsor, are Ubbth. s
in a prosperous condition. That
at Jbast Windsor, which is in
debted to Maine for some patronage, and
what is far more valued, for an esteemed
mid efficient President, now contains; thir--ty
student?, and gives promise of, much
usefulness. The cause of Temperance,-:
is receiving .attention, and progresses,"
Sunday Schools and Bible classes flourish,
though not wiih equal prosperity in all
our congregations. We only add, that
notwithstanding the severe pressure upon,, j
the mercantile and manufacturing inter-,- V
ests, the cause of benevoledce has not lan- .
guished among us. 7'be calls from heC?
American tioard were never more cheer-',
fully and liberal ly; responded to than dur
ing the past year. Most of the Churches
doubled their usual annual collections,
and in the city of Hartford nearly $12,
000 n ere raised, a sum four times as great
as had been collected in any preceding
year.
-Saco, June 27, 1838.
RHODE-ISLAND.
The friends of evangelical piety have,
within a few years past, greatly increased
their exertions, and have been crowned
with pleasing success. Rhodetlsland,
though narrow in her limits, is capable
of exerting a very powerful influence in
favor of the gospel. - We hope that tho
friends of the old pilgrim principles will
be awake, and perseverelinlil the State is
filled with holy influence. - The Rev. Mr.
Shepherd said of this State?
The Evangelical Consociation of Con
gregational Churches in Rhode-Island v
embraces 14 churches and" 12 ministers.
but 5 of ihem aTe settled pastors -5 are
stated supplies and two are without charge.
Two evangelical churches within out
bounds are not consooiated. Six of our "
churches are now destitute of pastors, ?
Whole number of members in our
churches about 2000 added tbe last year,-'
mostly by profession, 192 Number of
teachers employed in the Sabbath-schools;
connected with us, 350 Number of schoi:
ars 8207. Number in Bible Class; 300.
Volumes -in Sabbath School Libraries
about 6000. - .. . - v -
The past year has been one ofrmore
than ordinary interest in our churches.-.
Several of our churches have been re-
freshed and strengthened by thevspecial
operations of the -Spirit. Thel great' he
nevolent enterprises of tbe - day receive
cheerful and increasihgasappOrt'lambho'
us. A great degree of harnT6Wy in6c-J
trine and feeding -nappily prevails among
our min isters s and ? b urches; tSabbath
schools - and Bible - classes aiidf; maternal
associations" receive - increased 'attention
among' us. : Irr ne'f nur,:ctiu rches 70
mothers are ' memberst'of the maternal
association. And- 'as 'a "."result of their
prayers and " efforts - during a few years t
past, the husbands ef n;ne of them" have
united with ?the . church, together with
seventy of their children. The attention
of oar 'ministers has been particularly:
drawn to the subject of attendanceion
public worship, and the result has been
an increase of most of our 'congregations
onthe Sabbath. The cause of seamen has
of late a wakened increased interest among
us and several seamen's boarding houses
have been provided forthig interesting but
hitherto much; neglected class- of .the
community:' v . - '.-.--
TheEvangelicalCongrgationalchurch
es in R. I. need the sympathies and pray--ers,
of their sister- churches in N; Eng
land. Many of therii are feeble, and sur
rounded by a populition averse to reli- "
gious order "and to doing anything for the
ministry- Our little State is full of enter
prise, business and life io secular concerns,
but.in things pertainirrg to the fHvorld to
come wide extended desolations prevail. . -In
some of our thickly populated, manu
facturing districts, 'there is 'ho stated
s :
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