ed, that it behoved the East India ORDINATIONS. Company to put an end to it; and his decided feeling was, that no danger was ordained to the work of the minis Sept. 8. Mr Washington Christian whatever would arise in India, if the try, in New York. Sermon by Rov. Company interfered to abolish the prac. D.'Dunbar. tice. Notwithstanding the intelligence Sept. 10. Rev. Thomas B. Ripley which Missionaries have imparted on was 'installed Pastor of the Baptist this subject, multitudes in Christian church at Bangor, Maine. Sermon by Rev. A. King. lands appear not to be sensible of the extent of the evil at present existing: Sept. 10. Mr Joshua Fletcher, a Persons unfriendly to Missionary ef graduate from the Hamilton Seminary, forts have represented the evil of a few was ordained at Saratoga Springs. Ser: widows being burnt as not of sufficient mon by Elder E. D. Hubbel. Sept. 14. Mr John Middletown was magnitude to call forth the strenuous efforts which have been urged on ordained as Pastor of the East Baptist the religious community for evangel. Rev. John Stanford. Church in New York. Sermon by izing the world. But the extent of this barbarous practice is very ap. dained to the work of the ministry, at Sept. 24. Mr Levi Walker was or palling, as will appear from the number Hubbardton, Vt. Sermon by Rev. of Suttees in the Presidency of Ben R. Sawyer. gal alone for ten years, viz. from 1815 to 1824, published in the New Baptist dained missionaries and evangelists, at Oct. 1. Sixteen young men were or Miscellany for Jan. 1829. Park Street Meeting House, Boston. 1815—378 1821–655 Messrs C. M. Putnam, P, W. War1916-442 1822-583 riner, C. W. Babbit, H. Shedd, J. M, 1817-707 1823-575 Wead, J. M, Rowland, H. O. Higley, 1818—839 1824-572 A, H, Reed, and M. M, Post, who are 1819-650 expected to become missionaries in the 1820—598 Total, 5997 Western States, under the patronago of the American Home Missionary SoREVIVAL IN PAWTUCKET. ciety: Messrs. Harrison Allen, William Harvey, Cutting March, and Hollis Letter to the Editors. Reed, as Missionaries to the heathen, “ Oct. 1829. under the direction of the American “ It is a time of revival in this place, Board of Foreign Missions; and Messrs, We received about 20 into our church A. R. Clark, H. Little, and J. K. Young yesterday. About as many have late. expected to become agents of the ly been received into the other Baptist American Education Society. Messrs, Church in this place; perhaps as many Allen and Marsh are expected to join have, or are about uuiting with the some of the Indian Missionaries among Episcopal Church, and a number with the Indians of this continent, Messrs. the Congregational Church.” Harvey and Hollis Reed will probably join the mission at Bombay. The introductory prayer was by the Rev. Dr Spring of the city of New Held its annual meeting with the York; the sermon by the Rev. Dr. Second Baptist Church in Haverhill, from Luke xiv. 21, 23 ; the consecrat. M'Dowell, of Elizabethtown, N. J. Mass. Sept. 23 and 24. Rev. Lucius Bolles was chosen Moderator, and Rev. ing prayer by the Rev. Mr. Perry, of C. 0. Kimball , Clerk. The introduc: Bradford ; the charge by the Rev. Dr. tory sermon was preached by Rev. Dana, of Newburyport; the right hand Rufus Babcock, jr. from 1 Cor. xv. 58. of fellowship by the Rev. Mr. Proudfit The contributions were 351 dollars for of Newburyport; and the concluding Foreign Missions, 92 for Domestic, and prayer by the Rev. Mr. White, of John's 293 for Education. The Association Island, S. C. consists of 19 churches, has 16 ordain Oct. 7, Mr Harvey Fittz was ordain, ed ministers, received by baptism the ed at Waterville, Me. Sermon by last year 168, and contains 2460 mem Professor Ripley. bers. The churches at Lowell, Ames- Oct. 21. Mr Elijah Foster was or, bury, and Marblehead are enjoying dained Pastor of the Baptist Church at seasons of refreshing, and the general Dover, N. H. Sermon by Rev. N. W, prospects of the churches are gratifying. Williams, THE SALEM ASSOCIATION MEETING-HOUSES OPENED. Sept. 22, a new Baptist meeting- Oct. 21, the new Baptist meetinghouse was opened at Brockport, N. Y. house at Dover, N. H. was dedicated. Sermon by Dr Comstock. Sermon by Rev. Mr Stow. Oct. 14, a new Baptist Meeting- Oct. 22, the Baptist church at New House, erected in Brunswick, Me. Bedford opened a new and commodiwas dedicated to the service of God, ous place of worship. Sermon by Rev. Sermon by Rev. Mr Titcomb. Dr Sharp, of Boston. ,50 1,00 Account of Moneys received by the Treasurer of the General Convention of the Baptist denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions, from Sept. 22, to Oct. 20, 1829. 10,00 From Leri Farwell, Esq. Treasurer of the Boston Baptist Associ ation, it having been received by him at the late annual meeting in Boston, and was contributed as follows, viz. From the Female Prayer Meeting, Cambridge, 3,28 Monthly Concert, Dedham, 35,50 A friend in Dedham, for Burman Bible, 3,00 Baptist Church and Soc. Woburn, 3,00 Female Primary Society, Charlestown, 42,41 Lord's day School Mission Soc. do. 4,00 J. S. (Wendall,) for Burman Mission, 1,11 Concert of Prayer at Littleton, 11,55 Dedham Female Mite Society, 25,50 Missionary and Education box, kept by Mrs Aldrich, Dedham, 2,50 Brother Joshua Tucker, for Burman mission, 10,00 Miss. and Education Soc. connected with the Sturbridge Association, by Rev. Mr Parker, 20,00 30,70 Sharon Female Bap. Burman Miss. Soc. 7,25 46,84 Sabbath School, do. do. 3,16 Per Rev. Moses Curtis, for Burman Bible, -50,00 Female Missionary Society, Medfield, 11,80 Cambridge Female Benevolent Society, 25,00 -341,97 Philadelphia Bible Society, to aid in printing the Scriptures in Burmah, per Rev. Dr Staughton, 100,00 Miss Hannah E. Fowler, ,25 Miss Hannah Morrill, 2,00 Miss Mary Mulliken, ,50 Eastern Maine Association, a collection, 23,00 Penobscot do. 17,65 Lincoln do. 12,37 23,00 Per Rev. Dr Bolles, 178,77 Rer. Hadley Proctor, it having been received by him from the Ex ecutor of the Estate of Eleanor Blakely, of Paulet, Vt. being one year's interest on 50 dollars, bequeathed by her to the Convention, 3,00 From Mission box kept by a friend, per Rev. Mr Knowles, 2,11 Young Men's Bap. Tract Soc. Cambridge, per Mr Stephen Brown, Treas. for publishing Tracts in Burmah, 10,00 Calvin Blanchard, Treas. of the Middlesex Bap. Miss. Soc. for Foreigu Missions, per Mr E. Lincoln, 54,75 H. LINCOLN, Treas. FEW men are exempt from a passion to appear the first in their own departments in life. Many are not satisfied with the good opinion of men in their own departments only. They wish that all men, of every grade, may entertain a high sense of their excellence. If we survey any branch of the sciences, any departments of literature, or any of the active professions of life, we shall find many a one who imagines that he knows a vast deal more than he really does know, and who would be very reluctant not to appear to others to be more accomplished than his highest self conceit will allow him to believe that he is. How often have persons been heard to expatjate on the beauty and elegance of botanical studies, the wonderful properties of chemical substances, the incomprehensible principles of gravity, the sublimities of astronomy, and indeed on almost every subject, a knowledge of wbich commands esteem, when all their knowledge of those things has been derived from listening to the incidental conversations of others. How often are the merits of an author discussed by those who have never read, and perhaps never seen the work, which they take the liberty to commend or to censure. This pedantic spirit, although reprobated by the whole world, and despised even by those who cherish it, is yet permitted to enter the place which, more than any other, should be carefully guarded against the intrusion of puerile and unholy feelings; I mean the pulpit. As no man on earth can plead an entire exemption from what is something less than perfect wisdom, and perfect dignity, so the preacher, in common with other men, is liable to be ambitious of gaining a reputation for deep and varied knowledge. The present state of sacred learning and the just tribute of respect which is almost universally paid to those who have contribute ed towards producing this state, increase the motives to an ostentatious show of critical learning. In an age when a vigorous spirit Dec. 1829. 52 of enterprise and of improvement is producing uncommon activity in the general mass of society, who is not ashamed of listlessness ? Who is willing to be classed among those that are pronounced to be but half awake? Who does not find a gratification in being regarded as a leader in the march of improvement ? We live at a period in which sound biblical criticism is deemed of very great importance. Such criticism is serviceable in respect to a thousand uncontroverted topics which are presented in the Scriptures; and in respect to the great questions of religious controversy, which call forth the highest efforts of genius, its value is unspeakable. It is easy, therefore, for teachers of religion, to assume the appearance of great attainments in professional learning, in order to be thought imbued with the spirit of the times, as well as from an honest zeal to contribute something towards establishing the creeds of their different orders. The possession of great substantial learning, combined with sound common sense, will effectually secure a man against the charge of a vain display. Needlessly assuming the appearance of an estimable quality, justly exposes to the suspicion of being deficient in that quality. It is the coward that boasts aloud of his courage, the bigot of his candor, and the tyro in learning of his extensive treasures. A man in whom this spirit reigns would seem to regard as the brightest parts of his productions, those niceties which are of inferior practical utility. Hence, no occasion is suffered to pass, when he can give an impression of his deep researches and his accurate discrimination. If he hears a sermon, he finds fault with the exposition. The preacher has failed to give the exact meaning of the original. He has advanced something which is foreign from it, or has not introduced something which belongs to it. He is destitute of unity. He has misapplied his proof texts. He has made use of inelegant and inappropriate language. His pronunciation does not accord with the most approved manner. If a man of this carping disposition is himself occupying the pulpit, he gives the opinions of several distinguished commentators on his text, raises objections to them, informs us what the original says, cites the corresponding text from the ancient versions, offers conjectures of his own, and at length, with much gravity and with decent reverence for the mysterious things of the Bible, tells us his subject is far beyond the comprehension of man's present limited powers. All this is done without regard to time or place, before a popular assembly no less than before an association of ministers; in an ordinary sermon, as well as in a dissertation intended for the members of a Theological Society; as much when plain common sense can be in no danger of mistake, as when the topic is involved in obscurities. What now are the ends which a man proposes in this way to attain? Can he hope to gain the good opinion of men of profound and dignified erudition? They look with mingled emotions of pity and contempt upon all affectation, and especially in him who min a isters at the altar. Does he expect to pass with the multitude for a superior genius? The people generally are not destitute of a sense of propriety. They know that true merit is retiring, that common sense is seldom united with excessive vanity, and they have been told that solid learning renders its possessor modest. It is not difficult therefore for them to detect, in most cases, the unworthy spirit which we are combating. When, too, they consider the object had in view, and the disregard manifested towards them and towards the momentous interests which ought to engross the pulpit, how can they help in their souls loathing this un hallowed affectation ? What! shall a preacher of the gospel endeavor to impress on his hearers a conviction that he is marvellously learned ? Dares he incur their just displeasure by attempting to amuse them with learned trifles, when they have a right to expect the exhibition of sober and all-important truth? How can he forget that they will pity him for his partial view of the supreme dignity of the gospel, and of the everlasting consequences which are connected with the promulgation of it? But should a minister establish among his people a reputation for superior attainments in critical learning, what would he gain ? Be it granted that he deserves such a reputation, still he must know that practical truth, not criticism, is what is particularly expected from the pulpit. And what gratification can it afford him to reflect that through vanity he has failed in discharging the solemn and appropriate duties of his calling ? The indulgence of this spirit is productive of no inconsiderable mischiefs._It has an unhappy influence upon the interests of the hearers. Those whom disgust does not drive from the house of God, may sit perhaps with admiration, perhaps with scorn; certainly, if they be pious and benevolent, with heartfelt regret, that an ambassador of Christ should thus pervert the sacred hours of the Sabbath. In some perhaps will be fostered a propensity to what is curious and speculative, rather than to what is true and serious. In others, and probably the more numerous part, will be manifested a fearful indifference towards vital religion. Thus, the most important station which a mortal can occupy is rendered powerless, the Bible: comes to be regarded as quite imperfect or of little consequence, and the slumber of impenitent sinners is deepened into the sleep. of everlasting death. What public servant of Christ will not tremble at the thought of being held responsible for such results ? Surely, they who preach themselves rather than the Lord Jesus forget. that they, with their hearers, whose applause, not whose salvation, they have sought, must stand before the judgment seat of Christ. The indulgence of this spirit is prejudicial to the cause of sacred literature. Every pulpit pedant brings up against this species of learning an evil report. The impression is too general and too strong, that the functions of the sacred office, to be executed with propriety and effect, do not require so much preparatory discipline as candidates for the ministry feel to be of high importance. From the principles of human nature and from facts it is known, that |