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kind their members are to each other in this refpect, tho' they fhould throw their poffeffions into common stock, this alone would not be Chriftian unity.

Nor is the inftitution of the church defigned for the purpofes of amufement, and habits of friendship on these principles. Therefore if its members have ever fo much love and harmony of this kind, there will be in it no Chriftian unity-the ends of this inftitution will be in no degree anfwered. All focieties except the church are formed for purpofes which refpect this world. But Christians are citizens of a kingdom, which is not of this world. The inftitution of their vifible union is of a nature infinitely more important. Tho' the Chriftian fpirit will unqueftionably incline the members to kindnefs in thefe things.

Chriftians incorporate for this purpose only, to ferve the Lord, and promote his caufe and kingdom. This was the original defign of the inftitution. The object is the fame which led our Redeemer to defcend to his abafement and fuf. ferings, and to commiffion his difciples to preach the gofpel, and form and regulate the Chriftian Church. Churches have nothing to do in any other concerns but this fervice, and they are authorifed to do every thing that it is neceffary that they should do to this end. According to the duties required of them in the fcriptures, and their folemn engagements, and profeffions, grounded on the word of God, they profefs, that the Lord Jehovah is their God, that they cheerfully yield themselves to be his fervants, and they covenant to aid each other in this fervice, as one family, in mutual fubjection to the laws of Chrift. All

this they engage, and nothing but what is implied in this. They alfo unite in the fundamental articles of the Chriftian faith. By thefe acts and profeffions, they manifeft that they confider it the whole bufinefs of the community, and of every individual, to make the fervice of Chrift and his kingdom their only employment. This fervice confifts in the faithful performance of every duty-of the whole will of God. It comprehends the private devotions of each individual, and the diligent ufe of all the appointed means of fanctification,-a reverential attendence on the inftitutions of public worship,-a faithful use of their whole influence by example and converfation for the falvation of others, and the edification of each other, every relative duty, and fuitable exercife of kindnefs, and in general, an entire devotion of themfelves to the interests of Chrift. "Then are ye my difciples indeed, when ye do all things, whatfoever I command you.' They engage that this fhall be their only employment to eternity. It is in fulfilling thefe engagements and duties, that Chriftian unity very much confifts. They are in gofpel fellowship, only in proportion to their faithfulnes and zeal in these things.

The unity of Christians is fuch, that they are all actuated by one fpirit, to purfue the fame obje&s. They are all made to drink into one fpirit. They have the fame things for the objects of purfuit as God, as our Redeemer, as the holy angels, the apostles, martyrs, and the whole family of holy in telligencies have had, and will have forever. The first object is the glory of God, and the next is the higheft bleffednefs of his crea

tures. Thou shalt love the Lord

thy God with all thy heart-and | countenance is withheld. They

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: Christians are like each other in their difaffections. The fame things are the abhorreace of them all. Whatever oppofes 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 ungodliness, 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 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 Chrift where he is, and behold his glory.

All Chriftians in this world are 'alfo affected with the fame forrows. They are grieved at their paft fins, groan under the fenfe of their remaining depravity, and mourn when the light of God's

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 fay 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 fee 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 intenfely 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 enter on the invisible world, it will be entire, and remain forever.

reftraints fhall be taken off, and they fhall be given up to the selfish and hateful paffions of their own hearts.

From confidering the unity of Christians, and the things in which they are united, a man, who is not in a good degree zealous in the caufe of God and his king-wicked, faith my God.' dom, and attached to the leading doctrines of grace, may conclude that he is not a real member of

The wicked are like the

troubled fea, when it cannot rest, whofe waters caft up mire and dirt. There is no peace to the

this holy fociety, which Chrift

has redeemed with his blood. But fuch as find their hearts in fellow. fhip with the people of God, to ferve him and his caufe, and to take this fervice, and the comfort

MIKROS.

Report of the Truflees, tothe Hampshire Miffionary Society, at their annual meeting, in Northampton, on the last Thursday in Auguft, A. D. 1803.

HE Trustees would just re

feeing God and his caufe profper-T mind the Society that in

ous and glorious forever, for their portion, may juftly view themselves living members.

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?

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Auguft laft four Miffionaries were
in their employment. The Rev.
Mers. Taggart, Hale, Taylor and
Grout. Meffrs. Taggart and Tay-
lor, were employed in the state 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 kind-
ly treated. Their fervices were
gratefully acknowledged. Infome
inftances ferious impreffions were
made, convictions produced-re-
formations effected difficulties
were removed-order and peace

The view we have taken of Chrif. tians will fhow, on what account, and with what manifeft propriety, they are called in the holy fcrip-reftored-schools were vifited, extures, 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.

amined and inftructed-churches formed and the ordinances adminiftered. People, when seasonably 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 pleafure the measures which were taken for their best intereft by thofe who lived fo remote from them. They eagerly folicited renewed tokens of their friendship and love. In a

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fmall differences-collect into a church ftate-settle 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 offered 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 themfelves 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 spirit 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 rug-travelled more than fourteen hunged ways into places where none dred miles; preached 83 fermons ; had been fent before, and were un--29 in the county of Oneida ; 19 expected. They labored both in that of Onondaga; 18 in that publicly and privately, and feized of Chenango; 10 in that of Cay. occafions as they offered to be ex- uga; 4 in that of Herkimer, z tenfively useful. They did not on the line between Herkimer fpare themfelves but labored much in the Lord, and we charitably hope that the bleffing of fouls, ready to perifh, refts upon them.

They alfo diftributed the books which were committed to them as they judged would moft effectually fubferve the general defign. Some of them were defigned for children-fome for heads of families and more private ufe, and others for public affemblies on the Lord's day. They were directed more particularly in their private inftructions to encourage family prayer the pious inftruction of children-a regular obfervation of the Lord's day-meeting on that day for public worship-to guard the people against thofe who might endeavor to turn them from the faith and the practice of the Gofpel-to urge upon them tolay afide

Rev. Mr. Taggart, while performing a miffion of fixteen weeks,

and Otfego, and one in the county of Montgomery-baptized 4 children and administered the Lord's fupper once. He obferves,

the

Ingeneral my reception has been very cordial. People fhewed a difpofition to hear; the religious affemblies particularly on Lord's day were ufually large confidering the places where they convened; and, many times, large collections affembled at weekly lectures. People feem both to feel and exprefs a gaateful fenfe of the pains which have been taken by the feveral Miffionary Societies to afford them fupplies." After mentioning fome difadvantages and difcouragements under which Miffions feem to lie, he proceeds; "From the beft informa tion I have been able to obtain, the ftate of religious fociety ap

pears to be progreffive. Settled Minifters are getting into fome places, and the number is increafing, and their labors appear to have been, in fome inftances, crowned with remarkable success. Miffionaries have, I believe, in fome places done much good; particularly by forming focieties and preparing the way for the fettlement of the Gofpel; and God has, in various places, been pleafed to pour out his fpirit, fo as to cause the wildernefs to bud and bloffom as a rofe, in a fpiritual as it does in a literal fenfe."

friendly intercourfe.-To imprefs a deep conviction of the impor tance of religious inftitutions and public worship and the regular difpenfation of the word, as relating both to the prefent and future life.-To work fincere regret for the precious privileges which they had loft by their removal, and an ardent defire to regain them.-The Miffionaries are inftrumental in forming regular churches which are productive of extenfive good-Vifiting, inftructing and praying with fchools also produce happy effects.--Their labors and inftructions are likewife calculated to further and enliven the difcharge of parental duties." The advantages are too many to be more minutely enumerated.

Rev. Mr. Grout, while performing a miffion to the diftrict of Maine of fixteen weeks travelled 1265 miles-preached 87 Sermons

Rev. Mr. Taylor, while performing a miffion of twelve weeks, preached upwards of 50 fermons formed 2 churches-baptized 18 children and vifited 13 fchools. After noticing the kind treatment which he experienced, he gives it as his opinion that the Miffionary bufinefs is of vaft importance if judiciously managed. That fpe--baptized 46 perfons-affifted in cial regard fhould be had to the forming three churches--adminif character and experience of thofe tered the Lord's Supper 4 times who are employed. He ftates-vifited the fick-catechifed the feveral of the advantages, as they children and gave private inftrucprefented themselves to him, ari, tion to particular families. He fing from a difcreet and fteady appears fully convinced of the utilmanagement of miffions. As the ity of well conducted Miffions, following; "They ferve to coun- and recommends the continuance teract the powerful inclination of of them and the encouragement people in a new country wholly to and affiftance of the charitable, in neglect the concerns of their fouls a manner which shews how nearly and regard nothing but procuring the fpiritual intereft of thefe deftia comfortable fubfiftence.-They tute people lay to his heart. check the pernicious influence of the immoral and unprincipled. They encourage and strengthen the few pious characters, which are to be met with, in their duty. --They ferve to fecure the youth from the dangers to which they are expofed; and incline them to hear and regard the truth.-To convince of the utility of civil order and good neighborhood and

Rev. Mr. Hale, while performing a miffion of about twelve weeks to the eastward preached nearly 60 Sermons-affisted in forming 3 churches-baptized 7 adults and 25 children-adminiftered the Lord's Supper twicevifited the fick, and informed himfelf carefully of the ate of the people. He was kindly received, labored much, and, we hope, fuc

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