not yet discouraged, but who are willing to do what they can, if it be but little. And, as they who trust in Him who is strength in weakness, are permitted to hope under all circumstances, the committee would discharge their present duty, not as despairing of the cause, which they believe to be good, but as endeavouring to "strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die." The vital part of the association is, and always has been, the few persons who are willing to serve punctually on the committee of management; and as these have endeavoured to apply with the greatest economy, to the purpose intended, the very limited funds afforded them, the changes which have so greatly reduced the numbers of the association, have not been followed by a proportionate reduction in the number of tracts annually issued. By making use of the stereotype plates, and obtaining some reduction on the charges for printing, &c. the committee have been able to publish this year, without overdrawing the treasury, a number about equal to an average of what were issued during the preceding twelve years. They have adopted and published one new tract, viz. No. 32. A Memorial of Hannah Field, And have republished the following ten : No. 9. On Self-examination, No. 14. On the Peace of God, No. 15. On Christianity, No. 16. On Time, No. 17. On Education, No. 20. On Troubles, No. 24. On Self-Knowledge, No. 25. On Resignation, No. 28. On Duties of Life, Number previously published, 3,000 Copies. 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 2,000! 14,000 179,000 193,000 Total number published, The whole amount of funds received by the committee since the commencement of the association, and expended in the publication of the above mentioned tracts, and the payment of some small incidental expenses, is 1872 dollars; averaging 144 dollars a year. During the last year, 63 dollars have been received into the treasury, and 90 dollars and 6 cents have been drawn therefrom by order of the committee. The balance in the treasury, reported in 1829, was 57 dollars and 64 cents. The treasurer's accounts have been examined, and found correct. There is a balance of 30 dollars and 58 cents now in his hands. The different tracts approved and adopted by the committee, are now thirty-two; each of which consists of twelve pages; except No. 2, which has four; and Nos. 17-18-28 and 29, which have twenty-four each. A small spring, if it fail not in the drought, may in course of time pour forth silently much water for the refreshing Vol. V. No. 5. 11 of an arid district. This little association has, since its commencement, printed on good paper and type, for gratuitous distribution, no fewer than two millions, six hundred and ten thousand duodecimo pages of the best moral and religious tracts. When presented, these silent instructers have generally been thankfully received from the hands of the distributers; and, though we have had but little opportunity of noticing and recording their particular effects upon the minds of those who have perused them, we are persuaded that it cannot be utterly in vain that such appeals are made to the understandings and consciences of rational beings. And we reverently trust that the blessing of God will rest upon such labours, while they are conducted with a view to his glory and the good of mankind. PROGRESS OF THE TRUTH IN NORTH CAROLINA. We have lately received a letter from a valuable friend, containing very cheering information as to the progress of the Truth, in North Carolina. Our Synod in that state, has been very active in adopting such measures as are calculated to promote the cause of Christ, for some years past. And, in defiance of opposition from the children of darkness, we learn, that different districts, are gra dually supplied with the preached Gospel. One of our young men, who was prepared for the service of Jesus Christ, at Gettysburg, has lately been located at Lexington Davidson county, and we are informed, at a late communion season, many persons, were deeply impressed. Our correspondent says,' that many respectable persons are turning their attention to the all-important subject of religion, although they were heretofore careless and unconcerned, whilst our young brother, is received every where, with marked attention, and affectionate regard. He has been very successful, in establishing a Bible class, which is well attended by young and old. That great auxiliary, in our war with satan, sin, and error, the Sunday School, has also been introduced, although it was deemed impracticable. Our young brother, exaplined the nature of the institution, and proved so satisfactorily, that the greatest advantages result from it, that severa Gentlemen of wealth and influence, who never took an active part in any religious operations, have enlisted under the banners of Jesus Christ, and now not only earnestly upon some occasions, recommend the Sunday School system, but actually visit families in order to induce them to send their children to the Sunday school. Very important business, relative to the Church of Christ, and especially in reference to our own destitute brethren, was transacted at a late meeting of the Synod. As soon as the minutes, shall reach us, we will furnish our readers with a synopsis.-Editor. UNION AMONG PROTESTANTS. Mr. Editor-As you have the kindness, to admit into the Intelligencer, communications from your fellow-christians generally, if they are calculated, to unite the Protestants, I shall occasionally of fer you my lucubrations. For the present, I shall merely introduce myself to you and your readers, as one, who although a Methodist, is sincerely desirous of seeing all Protestants uniting their powers, in defence of the truth. There are many, especially natives of the United States, who have no idea of the necessity of exposing error, and the wretchedness of those who are under its influence, and therefore I approve of the course you pursue. I have known you for a number of years, as the Minister of the Lutheran Church in this place, and the numerous members you have, and the general peace that prevails among them, is proof to me, that your labours are blessed. That you are very much attached to your church and its discipline, I also know, but still you are upon very friendly terms with all the Protestant churches among us, and open your church to any approved and faithful Minister. Now I infer this; Mr. S. agrees in the essential truths of salvation with all. He is at the head of one class of soldiers and has his particular order, regulations and method. He is certain they do not hinder and therefore he will not hear them condemned, and for the same reason, he does not condemn those who differ, as if they could not help him to fight against the great enemy of souls. Surely all protestants could do so too. But Mr. Editor, I think union among all can easily exist, indeed it does; but a schism appears to exist and this I find proceeds from an unnecessary interference with each other, for the purpose of taking soldiers from each other. A man surely has the natural right to select any class he pleases, but neither openly nor secretly, should one seek to alienate any one from his particular society. Let this be attended to, and there is union. And, as long as repentance, faith, justification and the Divinity of Jesus are taught in any society according to the Bible, no one can have a motive for deserting it. The time has come when one effort must be made among us, for the greatest exertions are making, to destroy the work of the Reformers, and to take from us our Bible privileges. No man thinks better of Dr. Luther than I do. I believe he was called by God, to put out of the way, the hindrances to the salvation of man, and though he was a fallible man, yet called as he was, God would not have permitted him to teach any doctrine or introduce a church government contrary to his will. But, Wesley, was also a man of God, and so was Zuingle and all those servants of the Lord, who labored for the Reformation of the church. Now with these facts, and, that no Protestant is required to believe any thing, merely, because Luther, Cranmer, Calvin, Zuingle, Knox, Wesley and others said and taught so and so, why should not Protestants be united? And if united, who will succeed against us? You will soon hear again from A METHODIST. Mr. Editor-I have attended several lectures of a Jesuit, which he delivers on Sunday afternoons, and I assure you a completer farce I never heard of. Cunning, art and device are displayed upon those occasions. I have taken notes, and wish you to publish them. You and your readers would learn from them, how awfully alarmed the Jesuit is, and though he endeavours to deny what you and the "Protestant" publish and then appeals to the audience, whether they are not charitable by taking into their orphan assylum children of Protestants, yet he manages his business so awkwardly that all who hear him with an unbiassed mind, must become disgusted. I have heard several Catholics speak of his course with disgust and they say they will hereafter examine for themselves. I had never seen the "Protestant" but from the character the Jesuit gave it, I was determined to see it. A friend loaned it to me, and I find nothing in all the numbers half so indelicate as his "celibacy remarks" on the 2nd of May. I wish you would also lecture upon the Jesuit's remarks. I will furnish you with faithful notes on which you can rely. A Catholic has promised me some information, which if he finds time to write down, I will communicate to you. I am a Protestant, of the Presbyterian church, and never subscribed for your Intelligencer, but I have determined to become a subscriber, and to purchase the whole work from the 1st Volume. I hope my Presbyterian brethren will all endeavour to aid in sustaining your Intelligencer. I view it as an instrument in the hands of God, to prevent the influence of Jesuits (whom Russia and France have banished) in our country. I really hope, that Protestants of all denominations, will subscribe for the Intelligencer and that most excellent work the "Protestant" which is published weekly in New York. Most certainly, all who can spare the trifle, and love their descendants, will subscribe. I am glad to see, that in every state religious Journals of all Protestant denominations have commenced the defence of the truth. Go on, Mr. Editor, and though attempts may be made to intimidate you, in Maryland at least, Protestants have an overwhelming majority, who will rally around you, at any moment it may be requisite. A PLAIN MAN. INFANT SCHOOLS.-The_man, whom God appointed to in troduce infant schools, was the Rev. John Frederick Oberlin, a Minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and Paster of Waldbach In a future number, we shall publish particulars concerning this man of God and his operations.-Editor. THE BALTIMORE CONTROVERSY. Had we more leisure, and did our plan with the Intelligencer permit, we should review at considerable length, the late controversy which was carried on in the Baltimore Gazette, between a Protestant and a Romanist. But, under existing circumstances, we must confine ourselves within such limits, as will barely enable us, to give our readers an idea of the matter. The controversy was produced by an advertisement in the Baltimore Gazette, stating that the Rev. George Spencer, Dean of St. Asaph, had abjured Protestantism and embraced the Catholic faith. As it was evident to a Protestant in Baltimore, that such publications appeared from time to time, with a view to triumph over Protestants, and to impress readers, with the idea, that if persons of note, especially a dignitary in the Protestant church, embraced Catholicism, that therefore the Catholic church must be "the only true, spotless and infallible spouse of Christ” he believed it his duty, to point out an error. The Dean of St. Asaph is still enjoying his Deanery, and hopes for salvation through the Protestant church. This the Protestant knew, and therefore declared that Mr. Spencer, had not embraced Catholicism. It appears however, that Mr. Spencer was not the Dean of St. Asaph as stated by the Catholic advertiser, but, that a Mr. Spencer, connected with what is termed the nobility of England, did join the Catholic church. The Protestant satisfied of these facts, in a very handsome manner shews, that, if occasionally, a nobleman embraces the Roman faith it is not an occurrence of any moment, when by the force of Truth, hundreds abjure Popery. He then asserts, upon the authority of private letters, The London Remembrancer, The Dublin Examiner &c. that during six months in Ireland alone, independent of many in England, ONE THOUSAND persons abjured Popery, to embrace Protestantism. The Romanist appears again, evidently much dismayed, and according to Jesuitical rule, endeavors to draw the attention of the reader, from the chief point. The Protestant had shewn, that the Dean of St. Asaph, and Lady Paget with her daughters had not embraced Catholicism, that Father Hill was not a relative of Lord Hill, that Mr. Spencer never was a Fellow of Trinity College, &c. contrary to the assertions of Catholics. But, says the Catholic writer "what has all this to do with the subject in question? Is it to |
