thy God with all thy heart-and thy neighbor as thyfelf.-Chriftians are alfo united in loving God, for the fake of the fame at. tributes, adminiftrations and excellencies, for his purity, his law, his gofpel, his abfolute fepremacy and univerfal providence; and they delight in the moral likeness of God, in whomfoever it is difcovered; they love the faints. Further Chriftians are like each other in their difaffections. The fame things are the abhorrence of them all. Whatever opposes the common intereft, is the averfion of the whole fociety. Above all things they hate fin, and on the fame account, because it is pernicious, oppofed to God, and tends to injure his kingdom. Their hatred of iniquity produces the fame effect on all, caufes them to forfake the practice of it with repentance, oppofe temptations, refift the devil, and deny themfelves all ungodlinefs, and every worldly luft. Every individual confiders that as his enemy, which is an enemy to the caufe; for they have no partial interefts: The profperity of the whole is the treafure of each.-Again: The union of Chriftians is the more complete, because the comforts of all arife from the fame fource. All rejoice exceedingly in the manifeftations of the perfections of God, in contemplating the stability and perpetuity of his government, and in anticipating the period which approaches, when all the redeemed fhall be with Christ where he is, and behold his glory. All Chriftians in this world are alfo affected with the fame for rows. They are grieved at their paft fins, groan under the sense of their remaining depravity, and mourn when the light of God's countenance is withheld. They lament the wickednefs of fuch, as will not believe on Jefus Chrift. And all the declenfions which they obferve in themselves and others, are caufes of godly forrow. In this fociety, all the true fpiritual members look for the fupplies they need, to the fame fource. As branches of the fame vine, they all draw their fpiritual nourishment from Chrift,-depend on his atonement and righteoufnefs for pardon and acceptance with God,-have not their confidence in the flesh, but depend on the fanctifying influences of the holy fpirit, and say with David, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right fpirit, within me.'-Chriftians are alfo united in their fentiments and feelings, refpecting the things of this world. They confider them as of little value, they see that they cannot ferve both God and Mammon, and they cherish the idea of being but pilgrims and ftrangers on earth. Chriftians have alfo embraced, in all ages and nations, the fame leading fyftem of doc. trines. The belief of one holy God, who has the direction of the univerfe,-of a glorious Redeemer, of the efficacious influences of the fpirit,-of man's natural and total depravity of heart,and of future and eternal retributions, are all plainly revealed in that facred volume, which they all acknowledge as the revelation of God, and in these things they have but one opinion. Chriftians are united in proportion as their hearts are intensely fixed on divine things, and as it is their meat and their drink to do the will of their Father who is in heaven. In this life, it is admitted, that their union is imperfect, because their fanctification is not complete; but as foon as they en-reftraints fhall be taken off, and ter on the invifible world, it will they shall be given up to the selfish this holy fociety, which Chrift But has redeemed with his blood. The perfect union which fubfifts between God, and the whole fociety of holy intelligencies, is a moft peculiar and wonderful foundation for the highest focial happinefs which can.be conceived of; and the certainty of the accomplishment of the objects they feek, and of their eternal union, muft give evidence, that every member will have an eternal weight of glory.- -What a motive this to holinefs? 6 The view we have taken of Chrif. tians will show, on what account, and with what manifeft propriety, they are called in the holy fcriptures, The excellent of the earth,' and why they are exhorted to be like minded, having the fame love, being of one accord, of one mind.' Finally The enemies of this union, and of the principles of the union, must be defperately wicked at heart; and having no impartiality or benevolence, as a principle of cordial union among themselves, they are fitted to be the eternal inftruments of divine wrath upon each other, when all VOL. IV. No. 8. MIKROS. Report of the Truflees, tothe Hampshire Miffionary Society, at their annual meeting, in Northampton, on the last Thurfday in Auguft, A. D. 1803. T HE Trustees would just remind the Society that in Auguft laft four Miffionaries were in their employment. The Rev.. Mefirs. Taggart, Hale, Taylor and Grout. Meffrs. Taggart and Taylor, were employed in the ftate of New-York-and Meffrs. Hale and Grout in the diftrict of Maine. Their miffions were of different durations. Two for fixteen and two for twelve weeks; owing to the different times at which they were undertaken. In general they were gladly received and kindly treated. Their fervices were gratefully acknowledged. Infome inftances ferious impreffions were made, convictions produced-reformations effected-difficulties were removed-order and peace reftored-fchools were vifited, examined and inftructed-churches formed and the ordinances adminiftered. People, when feasonably apprized, crowded to attend lectures and conferences and hear the word of life. They were not eafily fatisfied with hearing; and noticed with wonder and pleasure the measures which were taken for their best intereft by those who lived fo remote from them. They eagerly folicited renewed tokens of their friendship and love. In a P p fmall differences-collect into a church flate-fettle a gospel miniftry and keep the unity of the fpirit in the bond of peace. They were directed to receive and bring with them what was freely offer. ed to the Lord, to obtain correct information refpecting the religious ftate of our infant fettlementsto keep exact journals of their miffions-and fo to demean them. felves that the important objects aimed at might be attained. In this manner we think, we may fay, that they have conducted; as will more fully appear from the account which they have brought, and from the teftimony of those among whom they labored. few inftances they contributed fmall fums to the funds, which have been duly received. Frequently different religious fects attended with decency upon their public labors, and appeared pleafed and profited. Seldom did a fpirit of indifferency render the appointment of a lecture improper. The contrary to this was fo apparent that they affembled, when they could, in uncomfortable places and inconvenient buildings-as the fettlements are scattered, and fome lately and thinly inhabited, the affemblies differed in their numbers. Sometimes they amounted to several hundreds. Where they kad once been favored with the word of truth they fought a fecond benefit. The Miffionaries penetrated thro' difficult and rugged ways into places where none had been fent before, and were unexpected. They labored both publicly and privately, and feized occafions as they offered to be extenfively useful. They did not fpare themselves but labored much in the Lord, and we charitably hope that the bleffing of fouls, ready to perish, refts upon them. They alfo diftributed the books" In general my reception has been which were committed to them as very cordial. People fhewed a they judged would moft effectu- difpofition to hear; the religious ally fubferve the general defign. affemblies particularly on the Some of them were defigned for Lord's day were ufually large children-fome for heads of fam- confidering the places where they ilies and more private ufe, and convened; and, many times, large others for public affemblies on the collections affembled at weekly Lord's day. They were directed lectures. People feem both to more particularly in their private feel and exprefs a gaateful fenfe inftructions to encourage family of the pains which have been taprayer the pious inftruction of ken by the feveral Miffionary Sochildren-a regular observation of cieties to afford them fupplies." the Lord's day-meeting on that After mentioning fome difadvanday for public worship-to guard tages and difcouragements under the people against thofe who might which Miffions feem to lie, he proendeavor to turn them from the ceeds; "From the beft informafaith and the practice of the Gof- tion I have been able to obtain, pel-to urge upon them to lay afide the ftate of religious fociety ap Rev. Mr. Taggart, while performing a miffion of fixteen weeks, travelled more than fourteen hundred miles; preached 83 fermons ; -29 in the county of Oneida; 19 in that of Onondaga; 18 in that of Chenango; 10 in that of Cayuga; 4 in that of Herkimer, 2. on the line between Herkimer and Otfego, and one in the county of Montgomery-baptized 4 children and adminiftered Lord's fupper once. He obferves, pears to be progreffive. Settled | friendly intercourse.-To impress Minifters are getting into fome a deep conviction of the imporplaces, and the number is increaf- tance of religious inftitutions and ing, and their labors appear to public worship and the regular difhave been, in fome inftances, penfation of the word, as relacrowned with remarkable fuccefs. ting both to the prefent and fuMiffionaries have, I believe, in ture life. To work fincere refome places done much good; par- gret for the precious privileges ticularly by forming focieties and which they had loft by their remopreparing the way for the fettle- val, and an ardent defire to regain ment of the Gofpel; and God them.-The Miffionaries are inhas, in various places, been pleaf- ftrumental in forming regular ed to pour out his fpirit, fo as to churches which are productive of cause the wilderness to bud and extenfive good-Vifiting, inftructbloffom as a rofe, in a spiritual as ing and praying with schools alfo it does in a literal fenfe." produce happy effects.-Their labors and inftructions are likewise calculated to further and enliven the difcharge of parental duties." The advantages are too many to be more minutely enumerated. baptized 46 perfons--affifted in forming three churches---adminiftered the Lord's Supper 4 times Rev. Mr. Taylor, while performing a miffion of twelve weeks, preached upwards of 50 fermons formed 2 churches-baptized 18 children and vifited 13 schools. After noticing the kind treatment Rev. Mr. Grout, while performwhich he experienced, he gives it ing a miffion to the district of as his opinion that the Miffionary Maine of fixteen weeks travelled. bufinefs is of vaft importance if | 1265 miles-preached 87 Sermons judicioufly managed. That fpecial regard fhould be had to the character and experience of thofe who are employed. He ftates feveral of the advantages, as they prefented themselves to him, arifing from a difcreet and fteady management of miffions. As the following; They ferve to counteract the powerful inclination of people in a new country wholly to neglect the concerns of their fouls and regard nothing but procuring a comfortable fubfiftence.-They check the pernicious influence of the immoral and unprincipled. They encourage and ftrengthen the few pious characters, which are to be met with, in their duty. -They serve to fecure the youth from the dangers to which they are exposed; and incline them to hear and regard the truth.-To convince of the utility of civil order and good neighborhood and 66 vifited the fick-catechiled the children and gave private inftruction to particular families. He appears fully convinced of the utility of well conducted Miffions, and recommends the continuance of them and the encouragement and affiftance of the charitable, in a manner which fhews how nearly the fpiritual intereft of thefe deftitute people lay to his heart. Rev. Mr. Hale, while performing a miffion of about twelve weeks to the eastward preached nearly 60 Sermons-affifted in forming 3 churches-baptized 7 adults and 25 children-administered the Lord's Supper twicevifited the fick, and informed himfelf carefully of the ftate of the people. He was kindly received, labored much, and, we hope, fuc cefsfully, and is convinced of the need and utility of difcreet Miffionary fervices. to the churches-His fermon on ftedfaftnefs in religion, and twọ fermons on the Chriftian Sabbath They all agree that much good-Doddridge's Rife and Progrefs may refult from Miffions, and af--the feveral fermons which have fure us, while the field of labor is been preached before the fociety large and the harveit is plenteous that the laborers are few. Conftrained from love to fouls and animated with the pleafing profpect of ferving them, the Trustees have profecuted their work, and have now four Miffionaries in their fervice: Rev. Meffrs. Fish, Cooley, Crosby and Strong. The three firft for the term of 18 weeks-the 4th, being the last procured, for 14 weeks. The two firft are employed in the counties of Herkimer, Oneida, Onondaga and Chenango, in NewYork: the others in the diftrict of Maine. To avoid interference with other focieties, and to profit ourselves of the knowledge which we had gotten and of the favorable impreffions which we had made, they were directed to take the fame route, to obtain, if able, fuller information-make deeper impreffions of our fincere defire to afford them the bread of life and make them a people prepared for the Lord. alfo divers other fmall tracts, as Plain Truths, Two Shoemakers, Repofitory Tracts No. 7 and No. 8, Familiar Inftructions, Extracts from Henry's life, Hemmenway's Sermon to Children, Vivian's Di alogues, Addrefs from a Stranger, Whitaker's Addrefs, Friendly Vifit. Different books, calculated to promote the leading object, appeared moft eligible. A variety of entertaining, ufeful and religious reading fuits different taftes enkindles a thirst for information-prompts to a good use of leisure hours-animates to emulation and ends in greater improvement. The felection of the Tracts, it is thought, has been judiciously made. The other and larger works are generally known. All the books purchased have not been diftributed. The remainder is referved for future years.* That there fhould be a deftitution of books in a newly fettled and uncultivated country will be easily fuppofed, and readily accounted In the few letters reçcived, they for, when the neceffaries and oraffure us of their kind reception-dinary comforts of life firft and of the large fields of labor which for a confiderable time engross the are before them-of their fair attention of the inhabitants. prospects and hopes, and of their is not then ftrange that the difdefire and purpose to do what is perfion of books is fo commonly expected, trufting in Chrift for gone into by religious focieties. ftrength and fuccefs, and earnestly In this way more good is effected entreating the prayers of thofe than only by employing Miffionwho wish well to Zion. The diftribution of books is again made an object. The hit of the last year has been increafed as the report of the Trustees Dr. Lathrop's vol. on the Epiftle to the Ephefians-His fermons on baptifm and Chrift's warning It *On hand, Bibles 52-Select Sermons 10-Doddridge's Address 400Lathrop's Six Sermons 316-On the Tracts, about 1coo-The Trustees' reChristian Sabbath nearly 1000-The port and inftructions, not exactly afcetained. |