NARRATIVE OF THE STATE OF RELIGION WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE SYNOD OF GENEVA, (N. y.) THE Geneva Palladium, of the 11th of March contains a Narrative of the state of religion within the bounds of the Synod of Geneva, as reported and approved by the said Synod at their session in that village on the 18th February. The Synod considers the state of their churches to be on the whole, more prosperous than in former years. Their numbers have been zealously multiplied, in new settlements, and missionary labors extended; pastors installed over churches, and houses reared for public worship; on which they acknowledge the special smiles of heaven, rendering a degree of efficacy to their feeble efforts; and also in many instances, the cop.ous effusions of the Holy Spirit. The monthly concert of prayer, was generally observed with interest; and Sabbath Schools generally instituted, and extensively useful. We extract the following: "As a more particular statement they say, the Synod would observe, that in the extensive region which Niagara Presbytery embraces, (110 miles by 50, Buffaloe being a centre) numerous churches have been collected, considerable missionary labor spent, and great and permanent good, it is believed, effected in bringing that disorganized and scattered mass of population, to more regular habits of morality, observance of the Sabbath, and of divine worship. A special attention may be said to have characterized the religious aspects of Lewiston, Clarence, Cayuga Creek, Pembroke, Gainesville, Le Roy, Fredonia, and what is particularly interesting, the Aborigines at their villages near Buffaloe. By these special favors, and the more ordinary attention, the churches within the bounds of the Niagara Presbytery have received an animating increase. "The Presbytery of Ontario appears to have been favored with harmony among ministers and churches; a growing influence of piety, and some special attention in the towns of Pennfield, Bloomfield, and Riga. "The Presbytery of Geneva deplore the lukewarmness of their churches; but, at the same time, report a gradual reformation of the people within their bounds, and a uniform attendance on the means of grace. The town of Ulysses has experienced a copious refreshing, and already reckons about fifty among the professed converts. "Within the bounds of Cayuga Presbytery, the village of Aurora has received an abundant effusion of the Holy Spirit, since August last, and about 50 hopeful subjects of grace, are reckoned among its fruits.-Their churches are walking in harmony and love. "The Presbytery of Onondaga have many good things for which to praise the great Jehovah. A deep and general seriousness in the course of the last year has pervaded the first church of Onondaga, the first church of Pompey, the village of Orville, the towns of Sullivan, Lenox and Lysander; by which the kingdom of the Redeemer within their limits, has been greatly increased and strengthened. "The Presbytery of Bath presents a truly affecting instance of divine power and grace in the town of Prattsburg. In the adjoining corners of Bath and Prattsburg, about 30 have recently been brought to the knowledge of the truth, as it is in Jesus; and in the more central part of Prattsburg, the work within two weeks past has assumed the most interesting features, and an overwhelming influence. Between forty and fifty, it is credibly stated, have been hopefully born again within the short compass of ten days; and the present moment with that people, is a season big with the prospects of Zion's glory, and travailing for the birth of many souls." To the above general statement, the stated Clerk takes the liberty to add the following particulars:— "From the reports of the several Presbyteries, it appears that there are now belonging to this Synod, 92 ordained ministers, and 11 licentiates: that they have under their care, 143 congregations: that, during the last year, 191 adults, and 1099 infants have been baptised: that, during the same time, 1018 have been added to the number of communicants; and that the whole number of communicants is 7084. "If the annual reports had been obtained from all the churches under the care of the Synod, the number of communicants would probably have amounted to more than 8000." "The increase of the number of churches and of ministers of the Gospel, within the bounds of this Synod, for a few years past, is almost without parallel; and must be truly gratifying to all those who "pray for the peace of Jerusalem." In the autumn of 1805, the Presbytery of Geneva was formed, and then consisted of only three ministers.* The Presbytery then included all the district of country now contained within the boundaries of the 8 Presbyteries which constitute the Synod of Geneva. Thirteen years and a half ago, this district of country contained only one Presbytery, and only three regular Presbyterian ministers, and perhaps eight or ten small Presbyterian churches. Now it contains eight Presbyteries;† 92 Presbyterian ministers; 11 licentiates; 143 Presbyterian congregations, and more than 7000 communicants in these congregations. And besides this increase in one denomination, there have been considerable additions to the number of ministers, of congregations and communicants in various other denominations. "Such an immense increase, in so short a time, and in so small a district of country as that embraced by the Synod of Geneva, calls loudly on all the true friends of Zion, for expressions of gratitude and praise to him whose "paths are goodness and truth to all such as keep his covenant;" to Him who has promised that the gates of hell shall never prevail against his church." Geneva, Feb. 22, 1819. DONATIONS TO THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. The Treasurer of the American Education Society acknowledges the receipt of the following sums into the Treasury-in March, 1819. A friend in Hallowell, saved in consequence of omitting unnecessary trimmings on clothing the past year, A friend, after hearing the sermon in Park Street, by the Rev. Edward Payson, Elias Gould, Henniker, N. H. by the hands of J.C. Procter, Joan Kent, Benson, Ver. by the Rev. Asa Eaton, Col. David Marks, Middlefield, Ms. by Reynold Bascom, A female friend in the State of N. York, through the medium of the post-office, being the avails of her own industry, $1.00 1.00 500 00 5 00 3.00 • 11 00 40.00 Collected by the Rev. R. S. Storrs, at the south, 560 00 Rev. Mr. Woods, Warner, NH. 1. 45' Hillsborough County Bible and Charitable Society, which sum they received of the 15.00 A lady, by the Rev. Sereno E. Dwight, 3 00 Sundry annual subscribers of the Old South Church, received of the Rev. Pastor and 181 19 Fem. Aux. Ed. Society, Monson, Ms....(also, 1 pair haif hose,) Collected in Hamilton, and transmitted by the Rev. Manassah Cutler, 3.41 30 05 A young lady in Western, Ms. by the Rev. Munson C. Gaylord, 5.00 Joseph Mitchell, Boston, 5.00 By the hands of the Rev. Dr. Eben. Porter, being the second annual payment of the sum requisite for the education of a pious youth selected by the Directors, and maintained at the expense of the donor, From the following elergy men, contributed by ladies of their respective churches and From annual subscribers, 200.00 40.00 100 00 279.00 $2,047 10 The Rev. Messrs. Jedidiah Chapman," John Lindsley, and Jabez Chadwick. These were the only regular Presbyterian ministers then in the country Their numbers were sqOI inere used by the addition of the Rev. Messrs. Higgins, Woodruff, and Mandeville. †Two new Presbyteries were formed at the late meeting of the Synod. NEW-ORLEANS. In the Annual Narrative of the Conn. Miss Soc. published in our last number, p. 124, are some inaccuracies, which are corrected by the Rev. Mr. Cornelius, in a letter addressed to the Editor of the Recorder, which we copy: SIR, Andover, March 30. 1819. In the conclusion of the Twentieth Annual Narrative of the Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, a notice is taken of the services which I rendered in New Orleans, under the direction of that Society. Two or three mistakes, inadvertently made in their statement, I hasten to correct, because I am persuaded the Trustees will find, by a careful perusal of my Journal, there is no foundation for them. 1. It is said, "he," alluding to myself, "was instrumental of forming a regular Church and Congregation, which have obtained an act of incorporation from the Legislature." No Church was formed by me or any one else while I was in NewOrleans. Mr. Larned and myself united our exertions, to establish a regular Congregation, which was incorporated, as stated-and it was expected that at some future time Mr. Larned would be able to collect and organize a Church. 2. It is said "by these," that is the Church and Congregation, he was earnestly importuned to tarry and take the pastoral oversight of them." No official communication was ever made to me on the subject. Previous to the arrival of Mr. Larned, many individuals expressed a strong desire that I would continue in the city. "This," as stated by the Trustees, I felt myself under a necessity of declining, and directed their attention," in those cases where it was not already directed, "to Mr. Larned." Soon after his arrival, an earnest and perfectly upanimous request was presented to him by the New Congregation, and his acceptance greeted with universal joy. 3. It is further stated that I "preached statedly and frequently to the people, previously to the arrival of Mr. Larned, which was nearly two months." The first part is correct-but if the worthy Board of Trustees will look again into my Journal, they will find I have mentioned my own arrival in New-Orleans on the 30th of Dec. 1817, and that of Mr. Larned on the 22d of January followingmaking a difference of but little more than three weeks. From the time of Mr. Larned's arrival, until the Congregation were regularly organized, I labored in connexion with him-after this, which was about five weeks previous to my departure, I turned my attention to the poor and the sick, and others in the most destitute parts of the city. I take the liberty to request all Editors, who have copied the Society's Narrative, to copy also the above corrections. Your friend and humble servant, ELIAS CORNELIUS. OBITUARY NOTICE. DIED at Portland, Feb. 28, 1819, MARY W. SOUTHGATE, aged 20, the consort of Horatio Southgate, Esq. This lady, the fourth daughter of Noah Webster, Esq. was born at New Haven, January 7, 1799, where she passed the thirteen first years of her life. She was early instructed in the principles of our holy religion, and in such branches of human knowledge, as are usually taught to young ladies of respectable condition. Her temper was naturally mild, her imagination lively, and her disposition kind and affectionate. These qualities were fustered by her education in a family, where the parents treated their children as companions, and where the intercourse of kind offices is not interrupted by discord. In all circumstances of life, she exhibited a charming example of finial love, respect, and obedience; the result no less of principle, than of natural sweetness of temper. As a sister, she was equally distinguished by the warmth, and uniformity of her affections; and as a friend, she was frank, sincere and faithful in her attachments. Her sensibility was extreme; but in the adverse circamstances and afflictions of life, from which no mortal is exempt, and in which she was occasionally called to partake, she manifested unconmon patience and serenity; rarely or never complaining, and showing marks of discontent. She was fond of reading, and for a person of her years, her mind was highly cultivated. During the revival of religion in Amherst, 1816, when she was seventeen years of age, her mind became religiously impressed; and she manifested great anxiety respecting her condition. After some weeks of sorrow and depression, it pleascu Ged to reveal his grace to her soul, and convert her mourning into joy. She found her Redeemer whom she had sought, embraced him with cordial delight. and entered into covenant with God, and with the church in Amherst, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Parsons. During the few years she was permitted to remain on earth, she adorned her profession, as a Christian, without losing her native cheerfulness, which rendered her the delight of her family and friends. In May, 1818, she was united to Mr. Southgate, in the most intimate of all earthly connexions; and left her father's house, never to return Young and inexperienced, she ventured into a situation, the most difficult and delicate, that of a mother-in-law, with a confidence that surprised her friends, whose apprehensions for her were all alive on this occasion. But her good sense, discernment, and kind dispositions, aided by divine grace, enabled her to support her station with dignity, and to the entire satisfaction of her husband and all the connexions. No woman could have been found, more happily formed to the dispositions and taste of her husband. Her ingenuousness, cheerfulness, and affection warmed his heart, and animated his spirits morning, noon and night. She possessed the unqualified love of his whole family. A few weeks experience in the cares and management of a family, made every thing familiar and easy. With such perfect good will did she attend to every duty, that it would seem to her she had done nothing; and yet so great was her fidelity, in every branch of domestic life, as to leave nothing undone. "What I have lost," says her husband in a letter to a friend, "he only knows who gave her to me.-what I need to support me under such a bereavement, he who took her to himself, alone can bestow." Mrs. S. before her anticipated confinement, generally enjoyed good health and spirits. She appeared to grow in grace in union with a pious husband, and anticipated a trying hour, with Christian fortitude, composure, and resignation. The third day after confinement she was seized with a fever, which for two weeks exhibited no very discouraging symptoms, and her friends were rejoicing that the mother and her infant daughter, might live to bless the family and connexions. From that period the disease became alarming, and left little hope of life. When hope was nearly lost, her husband, with the consent of an attending physician,' intimated to Mis. S. their fears that her disease would terminate unfavorably. She received the intelligence without a sigh or a tear-calm and composed as before, she said. "the will of God be done." She conversed on the concerns and interrests of her husband and the family, and distinctly expressed her wishes respecting both. She then requested her husband to read to her the 103d Psalm, which gave her new delight, and from first to last her mind remained unclouded, and undisturbed. Mr. S. asked her, what of all things was most precious to her. She answered, "Jesus," and continued, "if I should take account of all my mercies, they would sink me." At another time being asked, what was most on her mind, she replied, "O Christ. I seem to have but one wish, and that is to be with him." On the Thursday morning before her death, she said, "I fear I feel disappointed to awake in this world. She requested her husband to read to her the hymn, "Jesus, lover of my soul," which he did-and at the close, she said, "that expresses exactly my feelings." As one of her friends was conversing with her on the subject of her absent friends, she remarked, "If they have the same support which I have, they will need nothing more." On one occasion she requested Mr. S. to pray; when he and all the attendants kneeled around her bed; then with her hand in his, they commended her to God, and asked for that grace which both so much needed-giving thanks to God for uniting them, and granting them so much happiness in the connexion-and mutually surrendering into his hands themselves and all they had, to be disposed of as his infinite wisdom and mercy should deem most for his own glory. From this they derived strength and comfort. On Friday morning she again called for the hymn, "Jesus, lover of my soul." Through the week, she appeared to be wholly abstracted from the world, intimating that her physicians could be of no use to her, and evidently wishing not to have her mind disturbed by their questions. In one instance she desired Mr. S. not to speak to her at that time, for she was thinking of Christ. . On Saturday morning she called for Dr. Watts's hymns, and whispered, “Descend from heaven immortal dove." The whole hymn was then read to her, which seemed to give her new animation. On another occasion, when the first Mentioned hymn was read, she repeated the two lines, "Other refuge have I none, Lo I helpless hang on thee" with an emphasis and feeling which showed that her whole heart was in the subject. When Mr. S. was obliged to dismiss the last ray of hope that her life would be spared, the conflict was too severe for him; and Mrs. S. perceiving his agitation, he was obliged to leave the room. In his absence she called for a hymn book, and on his return, his sister handed him the book with the leaf turned down at the 150th. "Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love." On the morning of the Sabbath, the day on which she died, while the physician was examining her pulse, she said to him, "How long, Doctor?" He answered, "I fear you will not continue long." She replied, "Don't fear." For the last three or four days, she spoke only in whispers. On Sabbath morning, she was heard several times uttering the words, Come, Lord Jesus. A little before 3 o'clock, P. M. on that day, Mr. S. was called out of the room for a moment; but on re-entering the chamber he found her eyes were fixed in death. She remained in this state an hour-and twice the convulsions of dissolving nature shook her whole frame. While all were expecting to hear the last breath expire, she distinctly pronounced the name of the physician who stood in her view, and was probably the first person who met her eye on her revival. Mr.S. was for a moment doubtful whether she had revived, or whether this was not the effect of a wandering mind; but soon her eyelids were in motion, and her eyes began to move round upon those who stood by her; they fixed on a Christian brother, and in an instant a smile lighted up her whole countenance. She turned her head in search of her husband, who was at her head, but not directly in her view. Perceiving this, he raised himself towards her, and received the smile of an angel face, which no pen can describe, and no length of time cau efface. He had strength and courage enough to speak to her, and said, "Mary, are you happy." She whispered, "Happy, happy? O yes." Is Christ with you? "Christ? Christ?" she repeated with a smile. With the same sweet and placid smile she looked on every individual in the room, friends, attendants, and domestics, who advanced towards her to witness this wondrous scene;-and in fifteen minutes from the first revival, she fell asleep in Jesus without a struggle or a groan. Language would fail to describe this scene-there was a beaming glory in and around her eyes, which her face never expresse, even in the bloom of health. It seemed as if her soul drank at the fountain of bliss, in that dark hour; and when she awoke, the joy sparkled in her eye, and suffused her whole countenance. And may we not suppose, that she enjoyed the presence of the Savior, in whose love her whole soul was absorbed; and that she experienced divine support to an extent of which we can have no conception? What but a Savior's love could enkindle animation in the languid eye, and light up a smile in the pallid countenance of death? A spectator of this scene, unconnected with the family, observed, that he had seen many good people die, but he had never before seen any thing like that. I now believe, said he, that "Jesus can make a dying bed The scene had a transforming influence on the hearts of all who were present. The chamber of death seemed like a holy place. It seemed as if the dear saint was permitted to stop at the very portals of heaven, to cheer her weeping friends with one kindly smile; to give brighter evidence of the reality of her faith, and of the efficacy of her religion. And while her friends lament the loss of such a woman, they cannot but extol the riches of that grace which spread light over the dark valley, and cheered and animated her soul on its passage to the pearly gates of heaven. |