388 Mission among the Cherokees. is 33 feet by 23, and is constructed on the Lancasterian plan. This furnishes a very commodious house for public worship. The dwelling house is 52 feet by 20, with a piazza of seven feet in front, and an open space of eight feet in the middle, being calculated for two families. Twice we have attempted to dig a well; but repeated rains have compelled us to relinquish, for the present season, the prosecution of so important an object. Our mill, we have supposed, was nearly ready to run, when it was discovered that one of the stones was too soft. While we were preparing another, an uncommonly high fresh of water swept away a part of the dam. The season is now so far advanced, and we have so much unfinished business, that we do not expect to repair it before the opening of the spring. This disappointment is severely felt, as the nearest mill at which we can have grinding is sixteen miles distant, and the waters have been so high for some time that we could seldom go there. We have made arrangements to get our meal from the settlements during the winter. It will be impossible to estimate the expenses of the next year from the present. They will, we trust, be much less, but still will be considerable. Many things remain yet to be done, before the establishment can be considered in any tolerable manner complete; and the advantages to be derived from our stock and plantation will not have come into full operation. While we make the above statements, we take this opportunity to notify the committee of the high sense of obligation we feel to the pious people of Tennessee, for the many favours we have received from them, as well as for the interest they have manifested for the mission. For particulars on this subject we refer the committee to the late communications made to the Treasurer. We conceive it to be of vast importance, that all who engage in western missions, not only know how to labour, but that they be both able and willing to labour, with their own hands. That they literally "endure hardness as good soldiers;" that they come prepared to conform to circumstances; that they come down, in a certain sense, on a level with these people, to take them by the hand and conduct them, step by step, through the various stages of civilization and instruction. The Indians are a people on whose minds first impressions have a powerful influence. The establishment of missions in the west is attended with difficulties of a very different nature from those in the east. We know the great head of the church can remove these difficulties at once, and we would not distrust his protection to his cause. But we are required to exercise the wisdom of the serpent, as well as the innocence of the dove. We hope for the prayers of God's people, that we may be divinely directed, and that our faith fail not. With much respect and esteem we are yours, &c. CYRUS KINGSBURY, LORING S. WILLIAMS. Moravian Missions. 389 London Association, in aid of the Missions of the United Brethren. An Association with the above title has been formed, under the management of a president, treasurer, two secretaries, and a committee, which shall consist of all clergymen and other ministers who are members of the association, together with twelve lay members, to be chosen out of the members of the association; but any of the members to be at liberty to attend the ordinary meetings of the committee. A subscription of one guinea per annum, or a weekly collection of sixpence, shall constitute a member; and a donation of ten guineas and upwards, or a congregational collection of twenty guineas, shall constitute a life-member. The whole of the funds obtained (after deducting incidental expenses) shall be remitted to the conductors of the missions of the United Brethren. Every member of the Association will receive the periodical ac counts of the missions. The following is a part of the address of the Committee : : "As early as the year 1732 the Brethren's first mission was established this has multiplied into nine and twenty settlements, in which above one hundred and fifty missionaries are employed. In Greenland and Labrador; among the hordes of the Delawares, and other native Indians in North America; the Hottentots of Africa; the Negroes in the West Indies, and on the continent of South America; it has pleased the Almighty to give them ability to labour in preaching the Gospel, and to crown their endeavours with success. "These extensive missions have been supported by voluntary contributions from their own body, and with some aid from other Christians. But their resources begin to fail-their congregations, always few, and in general poor, (those on the Continent being further impoverished, and their settlements almost ruined, owing to their situation in the very seat of war,) have not been able to contribute as formerly to their support. Their collections have in consequence fallen, of late, so short of their expenditure, that they are upwards of five thousand pounds in debt and owing to this circumstance, they are not only prevented enlarging their plans, and embracing the opportunities now offered them of extending their exertions, but have reason to apprehend that they must contract their present sphere of operation. In short, this favoured mission must fall into decay, unless Christians of other denominations are inclined by Him who has all hearts at his disposal, to come forward to its aid." The Committee of the London Association earnestly solicit the co-operation of their Christian brethren of all denominations. STATE OF RELIGION IN NEW-HAMPSHIRE. Report of a Committee appointed to take Minutes of the Religious From the accounts given by the Delegates from the several Associations of this State, it appears, that the moral and religious 1 390 Narrative of the State of Religion aspect of some parts of the State is still gloomy and deplorable; that some places lie waste and barren in a great measure, and the people sit in darkness; that some of the churches are in a low and declining state, and there is an appearance of lukewarmness in many professors of religion; that the neglect of public worship, of the family altar, and the ordinances of the Gospel, and the prevalence of vice and error, are manifest: But the intelligence received from other parts of the State is pleasing, and calculated to encourage and animate the friends of Zion. The refreshing rain of the Spirit is falling upon some places, and the sun of righteousness shines upon them with his reviving and cheering rays. Some of the churches have had enlargement, and deliverance afforded them. The great Immanuel is riding forth in the chariot of the gospel. His arrows are sharp in the hearts of his enemies, and many are brought to bow to bis sceptre, and become his willing subjects. Some places have been visited, in the course of the year past, with copious effusions of the Holy Spirit, particularly Sandboraton, Acworth, Mount-Vernon, and Raymond. In the first of these, 91 have been added to the church. To the church in Acworth, 68 have been added; and in this place, the Lord is still carrying on his glorious work. It is not long since the revival commenced in Mount-Vernon; but its progress has been so rapid that 70 have already become the hopeful subjects of renewing grace, and about forty more are impressed with a sense of their guilt and danger; and the work appears to be still increasing. In Raymond, the work has been powerful; 68 have been received into the church; others are rejoicing in the Lord; and some are anxiously inquiring what they shall do to be saved. In some other places, the blessed influences of the Holy Spirit have been, or are still experienced, though in not so great a measure; particularly in Holles, New-Ipswich, Mason, Nelson, NewBoston, New-Chester, Danbury, Pembroke, Canterbury, Henniker, Keene, Claremont, Newport, and Loudon. In some of these places, the revivals, experienced in the course of the year past, commenced in the year preceding; and in other places, revivals have but recently commenced, which it is hoped will continue and become much more extensive. To fourteen churches, nearly six hundred have been added, of such as we hope will be saved, and will be instrumental in promoting the salvation of many others, and the kingdom of the blessed Saviour. In some of the revivals which have taken place, God has appeared remarkably to own and bless meetings for social prayer, and the catechetical instruction of children and youth; and one remarkable revival appeared to take its rise from the relation which a minister gave to his people, of what he heard at a meeting of the General Association. What encouragement does this instance afford to ministers to attend such meetings, and go home to their friends and people and tell them how great things the Lord has by the General Association of New-Hampshire. 391 done for others, and is ready to do for them, if they seek him with all their hearts. In some places, the hearts of believing parents appear to be turned towards their children, whom they have given up to God in baptism. At stated seasons, when they appear before the Lord to worship him, they bring their baptized children, and pray for them, and give them religious instruction, and endeavour to make them feel their obligations to devote themselves to the service of God. And such seasons have been solemn and interesting, and, it is hoped, of great benefit to both parents and children. And we think it not unworthy to be noticed here, that in some of the most remarkable revivals which have been experienced, God appears to have remembered his covenant, and to have acknowledged infant baptism to be his own institution. For in these revivals, nearly all who have been made subjects of special grace, have been such as had received the baptismal seal of the covenant in infancy. This was the case with 80 of the 91 added to the church in Sandbornton, and with 65 of the 78 added to the church in Acworth. Thus God has manifested his glorious power and sovereign grace in some parts of this State in the year past; has delivered many from the wretched bondage of sin and Satan, and brought them into the kingdom of his dear Son; and has afforded us abundant reason to rejoice in his mercy and to bless and praise his holy name. From the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, we have received agreeable and interesting intelligence. The general aspect of the church was never more favourable than at present. Several Presbyteries, particularly in the States of New-York and New-Jersey, have been visited with copious effusions of the influences of the Holy Spirit. Increasing attention is paid to the religious education of children and youth, by catechetical instruction, and the formation of Bible classes. A spirit of liberality in promoting the cause of religion, at home and abroad, is evidently increasing and extending; and the state of morals is manifestly improving. In the city of Troy, the blessed influences of the Holy Spirit have been so abundant, that about five hundred have been added to the several churches and in several other places, the effusions of Divine grace have been copious and remarkable. : The accounts received from Connecticut are likewise interesting and animating. Unity of sentiment exists among the Ministers of the Gospel; and peace abounds in the Churches. Charitable Societies are numerous, and do much to promote the cause of the Redeemer. The waste places of the State are repairing, especially by the exertions of the Domestic Missionary Society. And though the Churches have not been so much increased in the past as in the preceding year, yet the Spirit bas been poured out in many places. Every Association in the State has experienced revivals in a more or less degree; and some towns and parishes have been remarkably favoured with the influences of Divine grace. From the accounts received by the delegation from Massachu 392 State of Religion in Vermont. setts Proper, it appears that the Lord had not forsaken that part of his heritage; but that he is appearing in his glory to build up Zion in some parts of the State. Revivals of religion have been experienced in some towns, particularly in Worcester and Middlesex counties; and societies for charitable and religious purposes have been increased. Glorious intelligence has been received from the State of Vermont. The Lord has done great things for his people in that part of our land. In the midst of judgment he has remembered mercy. Though his anger was manifested towards the people of that State, as well as other parts of cur land, in the year past, in sending drought and frost to cut short the fruits of the earth; yet his anger appears in a measure to be turned away, and he comforts his people. The power and grace of God have been wonderfully displayed in many parts of the State. His goings have been seen in his sanctuaries. Proud infidels have been brought to bow to the sceptre of Immanuel. Stout-hearted sinners who were far from righteousness, have, in many places, been made to fear and tremble before God; and many have been made monuments of his sovereign mercy. He has graciously heard the prayers of his children; and they have found to their unspeakable joy that they have not sought him in vain. The effusions of the Holy Spirit have in many places been copious and remarkable; and more than half of the towns in the State have in a greater or less degree been favoured with them. We see then, in some measure, what the Lord has done in various parts of our land in the course of the year past. He has heard the prayers of his people. He has caused his Gospel to have free course, to run, and be glorified. He has revealed his glorious arm to many in the land. He has filled the hearts of his children with joy, and their lips with praise; and has given them abundant evidence that he will in his own time, accomplish all the glorious things spoken of in the city of God. Let the children of Zion then rejoice in their King, and be strong in the Lord. Let them be animated to more fervent and persevering prayers for the coming of the Redeemer's kingdom; and be excited to more constant and vigorous exertions to promote his glorious cause. Let them be steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as they know that their labour will not be in vain in the Lord. For the Committee, JOSEPH ROWELL. In the year ending July 31, 1817, the Associations in the State, connected with the General Association, were nine-consisting of 98 churches, having 75 ministers, and 6844 communicants. Additions in the year from 64 churches returned, 877-baptisms 1183, adults 200, infants 983. 1 |