a glance at the opening of this report, their ascended and All-powerful Lord has not left all that His preached Gospel, and divine ordinances, and accompanying spirit are to effect, to be matters of faith and visions of prophecy; and they proceed to narrate what is recorded history, and in reference to the growth of our churches, will then ask all their brethren in the great Salvation to exclaim, in devout admiration, "What hath God wrought!" Such an expression especially becomes them at this juncture, when the growth of the churches formerly under the care of the Synod of New-York and New-Jersey has been such as to cause a separation in that body, and the formation of two independent Synods. Not the straitness of the land, but the density of the population, has led to this amicable division; and it seems important that this circumstance should be distinctly adverted to, as the present is the first meeting ever held by the Synod of New-York. Although we have become two bands, we each surname ourselves by the name of the God of Israel, and we rejoice that in the kind Providence of the King of Zion, it has become necessary to form two camps, where not long ago the militant church set up the standard of the Cross with numbers less than the three hundred in the com pany of Gideon. May each Synod prove, by deeds of valour in the service of the Lord of Hosts, that God is in the midst of us of a truth, and by a continual advance into the wilderness before us, which is the possession of the Enemy of mankind, that we are all following the moving pillar of cloud and fire, and are never to rest till the whole land be possessed, and an inheritance in Jerusalem secured. This Synod gladly report, that they find many proofs of such an advance, however the standardbearers sometimes faint when pursuing, or the church, but partially sanctified, fails to make the glory of the Lord exclusively its rereward. This Synod, since the separation, is composed of five presbyteries, and seventy-four ministers, and seventy-seven congregations, the following particulars, in reference to which, are to be noticed. They in the first place deplore, that in narrowing down their field of observation within the limits of the past year, it becomes their duty to report that great coldness has pervaded most of their churches-little effect from a preached Gospel been manifest, and little fruit reaped in proportion to the seed sown It follows from this fact that all the churches are now called to humiliation, and mourning, and prayer, that the things which remain and are ready to die may be strengthened; and things which are not, bring to nought things that are. In the Presbytery of Long-Island, there is much to lament in the little power which the church has exerted upon the world around, or upon its own members, in proportion to what might have been expected from former experience of the Lord's mercies. In general, the preaching of the Word, the administration of the ordinances, the catechetical instruction of the children, societies for social prayer, and religious and charitable associations, have all been continued; yet there has not been that increase in this presbytery which the fermenting nature of the leaven of truth leads us to anticipate. A cloud rests upon churches where we have in former times gladly reported that the Spirit descended in showers of blessing. We find, however, an omen for good in the lamentations which the Synod has heard from the members of that Presbytery, and in the fact that their eyes have not become so accustomed to the darkness as not to miss the light, nor their hearts too heavy to implore a refreshing from God's presence. The presbytery very wisely selected the most effectual means to obtain those best gifts they covet earnestly. In September last they appointed a day in which the churches should assemble to pray for a revival of God's work in the midst of them; the consequence of which has been highly beneficial; the activity of the ministers has been increased, the attention of the people excited, and the eyes of all are directed to the heavens, whence cometh their help. The Synod would embrace this occasion to enforce upon the observance of their churches the imitation of this example. The prayer of two is prevalent in heaven-a threefold cord is not easily broken; the cry of a whole church will not fail to reach the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, when it has no other object but to implore that he would glorify his name and save sinners, and is founded upon no other appeal than the divine covenant that He will enlarge Zion, and make the place of his feet glorious, and cause an innumerable multitude to wash their garments white in the blood of the Lamb. We would solemnly recommend periods of fasting and prayer to be appointed, not only by presbyteries, but by individual churches, in which they shall mightily intreat the Lord, and "give him no rest till he establish Zion-till He make her a name and a praise in all the earth." We say to our churches that there be some devils which go not out but by fasting and prayer, and some clouds which pass not away but by patient intercession, and some blessings which come not without long waiting"the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until be receive the early and latter rain," and therefore, if the night be as dark as Jacob found it at the ford Jabbok, abstain not from wrestling, the angel of the covenant is not far away-the day will soon dawn, and then you will "name the place Peniel." Of the state of religion within the bounds of the Presbytery of Hudson, the Synod can make no very favourable report. The churches in this district have grown, yet in small measure. and the accessions fall far short of what the zeal and affectionate interest of the pastors desire. Except in Goshen, where more than ordinary attention has been exhibited, there is much coldness, and we can only find in the general habits of attention to the preaching of the Word, and duties of family devotion among Christians, and instruction of the youth, what proves to us that God is yet present with his servants. In the Presbytery of North River, the Synod find much the same state of things which is reported by the presbyteries just mentioned-it is added only, that the Sabbath-school in Newburgh has been remarkably numerous, and we hope the seed of eternal life is not only scattered over a large surface, but sunk into some precious hearts. Of the Presbytery of New-York, composed of 23 churches, 17 of which are in the city, the Synod can speak the most in detail, as the reports from its members have been the most explicit. They find it specially to be commended that the ministers and elders of the churches, in their offi. cial character, are diligently employed in enlarging the bounds of Zion, in sending the Gospel, if not into the highways and hedges, yet into the garrets and cellars of that crowded metropolis; that presbyterian churches are rising in every direction, three having been completed during the last year; and that they are filling with Christians, who think it not enough to gather the manna which falls at their own door, but who endeavour in some measure to fulfil the great command of our Lord, and preach the Gospel to every creature. In the unexampled growth of these churches, the efforts of missionaries, the zeal of private Christians, we see the seeds of health and everlasting life to that city whence death annually carries so many to the bar of God and sealing of eternity; and we anxiously pray that the period may not be far distant when its dense population will be purified, its caves and haunts of wickedness abandoned, its churches ten times multiplied, its family altars be nume rous as its household fires, and the members of the body of Christ be many as its breathing immortals. Until that happy issue of their prayers and labours, the Synod says-let no man give over-let no man rob God of a seventh of his time, or a tenth of his substance, lest such an one be counted an enlarger of breaches, a breaker down of houses to dwell in. In the case of individual churches, the Synod have to note that special encouragement has been given to the practice of strict catechetical instruction, from the success experienced by the pastor of the Cedar-street church during the fifteen years of his ministry in that place, In the Brick Church there has been rather an increase in external attention, but not so many proofs of the spirit's influence in the conviction and conversion of sinners, as were reported at a former period. The elders, together with private Christians in this church, are active in aiding their pastor-visiting the sick, conducting meetings for social prayer, and promoting the cause of Christ, with an unusual zeal, and orderly distribution of their force and intelligence; and the Synod would commend their example, especially to the eldership in our churches. In the Wall-street Church, the state of religion is more prosperous than in any former year except the last. The New Church in Provost-street has experienced much success. The revival which was reported to the Synod last year in the Orangestreet Church continues, and the Session have received an addition of 129 members, 102 of whom are from the world. It is in general to be remarked, of the Springstreet church, that religion has been flourishing; 84 having been added to the communion during the past year, 36 of whom were from the world; and of the roome-street, Bowery, Brooklyn, and Seventh Presbyterian Churches, that the success of the Gospel has been encouraging. In the Rutgers'-street Church, effects more conspicuous have been wrought, as we trust, by the divine spirit. Within the last year 172 members have been added to the communion, 136 of these upon confession of their faith, of whom O are heads of families. In connecting with the foregoing narrative, a report of the state of religion in the churches under the care of the Second Presbytery of NewYork, the Synod notice, as a chief subject of gratitude, that the history of the last year has happily shown that our union did not bring together discordant materials, and that the visible temple of the Lord has in this case gone up without noise. Our brethren from that presbytery report the unanimity of their churches in this union, and the general affection which subsists in the midst of their own churches, and with the sister churches around them. From the Murray-street Church the next report promises to be more ample and animating, as their pastor has been lately installed, and is about to make trial of his ministry with every encouragement. In the other churches the word of God, and the holy ordinances, are regularly dispensed. Those who sow faithfully and bountifully, shall reap in like measure. The statistical reports from the other presbyteries are not complete, but within the first presbytery of New-York alone, 733 have been added to the communion during the year past, and of the other presbyteries together, 233, about the usual proportion of whom have been upon confession of their faith. The Synod judge it important to notice for the edification of their churches, that in several instances the highest act of discipline has become necessary; and the Synod would improve this saddening providence, by reminding all the mem bers under their supervision that Christ has given to each church, not only the power of admission, but of exclusion, and that this great remedy of offences is of divine authority; there is no other manner in which apostates can be dismissed than thro' public excommunication—their admission has been public, so must be their rejection. If aught could be expected to silence clamour against the Church of Christ, it might be the sufficient reason, that such are its terms of compact—once a member, and you abide a member innocent of public scandal till death, or you will be exhorted, and warned, and intreated, and if your sin force the matter so far, suspended and excommunicated -but you cannot secretly retire. But we sustain this institution neither from the reasonableness of the thing, nor from voluntary compact, but from absolute divine authority; and until the Lord Jesus Christ shall come in the Doomsday, to reclaim the keys, he says to the Churches and their delegated officers, when they judge according to the Scriptures," whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them, and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained." Upon a review of the whole, the synod state that they find in all their churches that family worship and catechetical instruction is attended to, and benevolent societies fostered, and the monthly concert for prayer held, which, in the language of one of the sessions, is found to be "as the tree of life in the midst of the street of the heavenly city and on either side of the river, which yieldeth her fruit every month, and the leaves are for the healing of the nations." The United Foreign Missionary Society, and the United Domestic Missionary Society, deserve and receive from the several churches under our care, no small portion of patronage; we would most emphatically commend them to the liberality of all: they are mighty instruments, which have been brought out to the help of the Lord-the field of operation of one is rich as the souls of our white population are valuable-that of the other, extended as our Western forests. May they soon possess the land they work in, in all its length and breadth. The American Bible Society is supported nobly within our limits, and acts through the wide sphere of influence which its name contemplates. It remains to inform the churches belonging to this Synod, that they stand bound by their representatives, in connexion with the Synod of NewJersey, to fill up the endowment of a Professorship in the Theological Seminary at Princeton; to which service they have expressed their readiness more than one year ago, and in which it is "As hoped their zeal now may provoke many. there was a readiness to will, so may there be a performance out of that which ye have." If the members of our churches make their possession the rule of their donation, there will be no lack to him that giveth, and no want to that Institution to which we have promised this supply. Although in this report negatives have not been dwelt upon, nor what has not been done been stated, the Synod cannot permit this narrative to go to their churches without again enforcing the duty of humiliation and prayer. God has not bless ed us as in years past; the public sins are crying evils; because of intemperance and cursing the land mourns, and because of the profanation of the Sabbath; reasons are innumerable within and without the church, why they should be prayerful and vigilant; and while we would not sadden the hearts of the faithful, or cherish ingratitude, since God has left us a remnant, we enjoin such exercises upon all who have put themselves under our general superintendence. In concluding the whole report, the Synod find every reason in the facts under their observation, to stimulate them to exertion in the cause of the Lord, which is in the end to prevail over all the principalities and powers of darkness. However the ground may look gloomy when they survey the corruption and death which are its prime elements since the fall of man, they rejoice that the spirit of God, the Creator and Redeemer, is in the midst of the chaos, and that the new creation is now remoulding, and the New Jerusalem soon to descend out of heaven, to greet the multitude of converts which the Gospel shall make in this ruined earth. And the Synod would never forget, that in that New Jerusalem are already gathered a cloud of witnesses from this portion of Christ's church-that there are Bishops and Evangelists who have toiled upon the same cold earth, within the same limits where they labour; and that on the spot where they now assemble, Edwards, and Brainerd, and Whitefield have preached; and that since that time, bright stars have ascended from hence to shine forever amidst the lustre of heaven. "Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, During the Month of October, 1823. From the Female Auxiliary Society of Martinsburgh, Va. to constitute the Rev. Charles P. Krauth a life member, by Miss Annabella Anderson, Treasurer, through the hand of Bernard C. Wolff, Esq. Collection at the monthly concert in the 7th Presbyterian Church in N. Y. by the Rev. E. W. Baldwin. Collection at the monthly concert in the Brick Presbyterian Church, N. Y. by Mr. Stephen Lockwood, Collection at the monthly concert in the Presbyterian Church in Cedar-street, NY. Collection in the Presbyterian Church in Salem, Washington county, N. Y. by the Rev. Samuel Tomb, Collection at the monthly concert in the Rev. Mr. M'Leod's Church in Cedar-street, N. Y. by Mr. A. Rose, Avails of a missionary field, cultivated by the Agricultural Missionary Society of Granville, Washington county, N. Y. by Mr. Amos Savage, Treasurer, Avails of a missionary field, cultivated by a few individuals in Moriah, Essex county, N. Y. by Mr. Jonas Reed, Collection at the monthly concert in the 6th Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, by Alexander Henry, Esq. 13 30 7 72 17 37. 13 17 10 00 7 11 20 00 7 20 From the Missionary Society in the Theological Seminary in Princeton, N. J. by Mr. George Stebbins, From the Auxiliary Society of Ghent, Columbia county, N. Y. by Mr. John C. Hogeboom, Treasure, through the Rev. Peter S. Wynkoop, President, Collected at the monthly concert in the Presbyterian Church in Orange, N. J. by the Rev. Dr. Hillyer, From Mr. William Rankin, a member of the 2d Presbyterian Church in Newark, N. J. being a fourth part of the monthly avails of a certain branch of business, the profits of which are divided between the Missionary, Education, Bible, and Tract Societies, by the Rev. Mr. Hay, 15.00 6 00 1 06 9 07 Collection at the month'y concert in the 5th 20 69 1 00 Part of the profits arising from the publication of a work entitled "Narrative of a Private Soldier," by Mr. Joseph P. Engles of Philadelphia, From Miss Betsy Marsh, of Brunswick, Rensselaer county, N. Y. Collected at the monthly concert in the church at do. by do. From the presbytery of Northumberland, Pa. to aid in the redemption of Nicholas, a coloured man, at the Harmony station, by the Rev. John B. Patterson, through the hand of Mr. John Montgomery, From Miss Elizabeth Riggs, of N. J. first payment for educating a child at the Seneca or Cataraugus Mission, by the name of Preserve Riggs, From the young ladies of the Female Academy at Newtown, Long-Island, by Mrs. Bruce, 2.00 For the education of a heathen child, to be named Charles Samuel Stewart, by a female friend to missions, From the Female Auxiliary Association belonging to the Rev. Mr. Phillips' congregation, in New-York, twelve dollars of the amount are to educate a heathen girl by the name of Frances Phillips, by Mrs. A. Ogilvie, Treasurer. From the ladies of the Reformed 'Dutch Church in Market-street, N. Y. to constitute their pastor, the Rev. Dr. M'Murray, a life member, by Miss Jane F. Sniffen and Miss Mary Ann Sproull, 30 00 12 00 From the Female Industrious Society of Doylestown. Pa. by the Rev. Charles Hyde, From Isaac Bronson, Esq. to constitute him. self a life member, by Mr. E. Lord, 14.00 30 00 OTHER VISITS TO GREENLAND. We have entered at large into the particulars of our Missionary's First Visit to Greenland, as it gave an opportunity of stating the chief circumstances connected with the foundation of the Brethren's Mission in that country, and which afford important lessons to other Missionaries. We shall be brief in the narration of his subsequent visits. Second Visit. Matthew Stach arrived in Greenland, the second time, on the 17th of July, 1742. Crantz says During the two years of his absence, only one Greenlander, a woman, had been baptized; but there were many who listened to the Word with joy, from whom a plentiful harvest might soon be expected. Some circumstances are stated respecting this woman which we shall extract, as they may furnish useful hints in other Missions. The account of her conversion is thus given by the brethrenIn a Greenland house, where all beside were hostile to us, there was a young woman who was very much affected. While we were speaking, she held her hands before her face to hide her tears, and softly sobbed forth—“O God! thou knowest that I am exceedingly corrupted from our first parents: have mercy upon me!" When we afterward asked her why she VOL. IV. 45 knelt, she answered, "Because I now begin to believe: I pray daily to God to be gracious to me." Being directed to perscvere in prayer, she began to weep, and to exclaim-"O Jesus! my heart is thoroughly depraved: make me truly sorry for it: take away the bad thoughts, and form me according to thy pleasure. And as I yet know little of thy Word, give me thy Holy Spirit to instruct me." Her companions, very naturally hating the person whose example was a constant reproof to them, treated her with a severity quite foreign to the national character; so much so, that she was glad to take the first opportunity of seeking an asylum with the brethren. She was never weary of listening to the Doctrine of the Cross, and began to speak of it to others. No sooner did any Heathens come to the place, than she paid them a visit, explained to them the reason of her living here, told them of all the blessings which she had enjoyed, and of the still greater happiness which she had in view; and her admonitions were not without their effect. Having been prepared for baptism, and made acquainted with the nature and design of that holy ordinance, she declared that she now no longer believed that Jesus was the friend of sinners because we had told her |