slave-trade, the average profit was never so great as 100 dollars a slave sold; so that the price of one murder, and one instance of manstealing, was not more than $100. At this rate, an expedition, which perpetrated 300 murders and stole 500 human beings, would yield the proprietor a clear profit of only $30,000. In order to amass a fortune of 100,000 pounds, it would be necessary to commit 4,440 murders, and as many acts of man-stealing. All these murders would rest upon the head of the projector, and would be perpetrated in the course of fifteen or twenty years. About 150 such wholesale dealers would be necessary to carry on the slave-trade of England, as it existed twenty years ago. But the whole guilt of the business does not yet appear. The merchant, who contrives and executes the project, trains up his captains, clerks, and supercargoes, and hundreds of seamen, to this system of rapine and murder; he encourages and stimulates the negroes to violence and bloodshed; and thus makes several hundred murderers besides himself. Yet, if this same man were to remove to any large town, in our country or any other, with his character and employment perfectly well known, he would be received with great cordiality by multitudes. It would be stated, that, Esq. an opulent Liverpool merchant, had come to take up his residence there. He would purchase a great house, keep his carriage, and be invited to innumerable dinners, balls, and parties. He would easily sustain the reputation of a man of honor, humanity, and benevolence. Compare the case of these pirates with his. They committed three murders to obtain what appeared to them an immense fortune; he committed nearly nine thousand murders and thefts to amass his wealth: they acted on a sudden temptation; he went on in a long course of cool, calculating villany: they were poor, and felt the power of temptation to be rich strongly; he begun rich, and might have remained so in other commerce: they were ignorant, and had small means of improvement; he was enlightened, and entertained large and comprehensive views: they were young, inexperienced, and ardent; he was advancing from the care and judgment of middle age to the prudence and caution of declining years: they were abroad on the ocean, scarcely hearing of the Gospel; he was in the midst of polished society, and had access to all the means of grace. With the Bible in his hands, and the profession of Christianity on his lips, he sent forth his messengers of death to the helpless, unoffending multitudes of a distant continent; and, from the mere love of gain, kept his malignant schemes in operation, with the full knowledge that hundreds would be killed by violence, thousands perish in extreme and loathsome disease, and other thousands be enslaved, sold, manacled, branded, whipped, and worked to death, for his personal aggrandizement.

I have spoken of a Liverpool slave-trader. For the honor of our country, I could wish that none of this class had been found in New England. Great fortunes have here been made in the same nefarious commerce; and yet the possessors are treated very much like other rich men. Within a few years, many vessels have been fitted out of our northern Atlantic ports, destined to carry on the same trade clandestinely, and under foreign colors, notwithstanding the laws of our own country agree with the laws of God in forbidding it. The hands

of free-men have been employed in forging hand-cuffs and other instruments of confinement and torture for the sons of Africa.

Look at another class of sinners; the fomenters of war. See a statesman, at the head of a cabinet, contrive and aggravate the causes of war, from motives of popularity, glory, or plunder; in a word, from mere selfishness. That such cases have frequently existed, no man in his senses can doubt. See him put armies in motion, and destroy the lives and the happiness of millions Yet, though his character is perfectly understood, he is called a great diplomatist, or a great warrior. If he visits a foreign country, he is hailed as a distinguished guest, an illustrious stranger; his company is sought; his good opinion is courted; he is feasted, and followed, imitated and eulogized. What is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

A picture of privateering might be drawn, which ought to make the reader stare with horror; and many other enormous crimes might be mentioned. I would rather, at the close, direct each person's eyes to his own heart. How many great, foolish, inexcusable sins has every person of adult years committed against God. How aggravated are the sins of well instructed persons in a Christian land. The great Boerhaave, one of the ornaments of Europe, a man of genius, learning, benevolence and piety, was accustomed to say, whenever he saw a criminal led forth to execution, "Who can tell, that I am not, in the sight of God, a greater sinner than that man."

When we see a fellow-being condemned to die, let us not suppose him the greatest of sinners; let us pray for the forgiveness of his sins as well as our own; let us ask for a just perception of the evil of sin, and obtain deliverance from it by faith in the Redeemer.

A. B.

EXTRACT FROM DR. DWIGHT'S THEOLOGY.

We are much afraid we shall not be able to present our readers with a review of this work, which shall in any degree correspond with the importance of the subject, or the merits of the execution. It will be with great reluctance, however, that we shall relinquish the design. We now copy, as a specimen of the preacher's noble manner of discoursing on some of the sublimest topics of revelation, the close of Sermon lxxiv, which is on the nature of regeneration. In the description of this great change, as being worthy of the Holy Spirit, he thus proceeds, speaking of the converted sinner:

"BUT, when he becomes the subject of this great and happy change of character, all things connected with him are also changed. His unbelief, impenitence, hatred of God, rejection of Christ, and resistance to the Spirit of grace, he has voluntarily and ingenuously renounced. No more rebellious, impious, or ungrateful, he has assumed the amiable spirit of submission, repentance, confidence, hope, gratitude, and love. The image of his Maker is instamped on his mind, and begins. there to shine with moral and eternal beauty. The seeds of immortality have there sprung up, as in a kindly soil; and, warmed by the lifegiving beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and refreshed by the dewy influence of the Spirit of grace, rise, and bloom, and flourish, with increasing vigor. In him, sin, and the flesh, and the world daily decay, and daily announce their approaching dissolution: while the soul continually assumes new life and virtue, and is animated with superior

and undying energy. He is now a joint heir with Christ, and the destined inhabitant of heaven. The gates of glory and happiness are already opened to receive him; and the joy of saints and angels has been renewed over his repentance. All around him is peace: all before him purity and transport. God is his Father; Christ his Redeemer; and the Spirit of truth his Sanctifier. Heaven is his eternal habitation: virtue is his immortal character; and seraphim, and cherubim, and all the children of light, are his companions forever. Henceforth he becomes, of course, a rich blessing to the universe. All good beings, nay, God himself, will rejoice in him forever, as a valuable accession to the great kingdom of righteousness, as a real addition to the mass of created good, and as a humble, but faithful, and honorable, instrument of the everlasting praise of heaven. He is a vessel of infinite mercy; an illustrious trophy of the cross; a gem in the crown of glory, which adorns the Redeemer of mankind.

"Of all these sublime attaimnents, these exalted blessings, regeneration is the beginning. What, then, can be more worthy of the Spirit of truth? What effort in creation, what event in providence, is more becoming his character? The rise of an empire, the formation of a world, is a poor and humble display of infinite perfection, compared with the sanctification of an immortal mind. In the progress of eternity, one such mind will enjoy more good, exercise more virtue, and display more excellency of character, than this great world of men has ever enjoyed, exercised, or displayed. Accordingly, God himself divinely characterizes this illustrious work in the following magnificent terms. For behold I create new heavens, and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, neither come into mind. But be ye glad, and rejoice forever, in that which I create; for behold! I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and my people a joy. Of such importance and glory is the new creation, or regeneration, of the soul of man, that, in comparison with it, the original formation of the heavens and the earth is, in the divine eye, unworthy even of being remembered. It was, therefore, a work proper for God the Father to contrive; for God the Son to procure even with his own death; and for God the Holy Spirit to accomplish, with his life-giving and almighty power, in the souls of the guilty, ruined, and perishing children of Adam.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

A Sketch of missions; or History of the principal attempts to propagate Christianity among the heathen. By Miron Winslow, missionary to Ceylon. Andover, Flagg & Gould. 1819. pp. 432.

Memoirs of the life of Miss Caroline Elisabeth Smelt. By Moses Waddel, D. D. pastor of the united churches of Willington and Hopewell, in the District of Abbeville, South Carolina. New York: Daniel Henshaw. 1818. pp. 175. Christ Jesus the Lord, the great subject of Gospel preaching: A Sermon preached in Brattleborough, east society, Jan. 13, 1819, at the ordination of the Rev. Jonathan M'Gee to the pastoral care of the church and congregation in that place. By Samuel Taggart, A. M. pastor of the church in Colerain, Ms. Brattleborough: John Holbrook. 1819. pp. 21.

The Sunday School Teacher's Guide. By J. A. James. Second American, from the Fifth English Edition, with an Appendix. New York: J. Seymour. 1818. pp. 177.

THE

MISSIONARY HERALD.

No. 3.

MARCH, 1819.

VOL. XV.

TWENTIETH ANNUAL NARRATIVE OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT, 1818.

(Continued from p. 96.)

IN Hudson, the Rev. William Hanford has the charge of a church and congregation. Twenty-eight weeks were spent in missionary labors, and 164 sermons preached by him. He formed one church, and assisted in the discipline of another; visited families, and administered the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper. The people of his charge have lately erected a house for the public worship of God.

In Granville, the Rev. Timothy Harris has a pastoral charge. His missionary labors were near the central part of the State. In most of the settlements which he visited, the people gave serious attention to the word preached; and were anxious to enjoy the stated administration of the word and ordinances. In Bennington, the special grace of God has been recently manifested, and some hopefully brought out of darkness into marvellous light. He spent a little more than 11 weeks; preached 37 sermons; visited 116 families; and travelled 436 miles. He has had the pleasure of seeing the work of the Lord prosper in his hands among his own people, of whom 20 have been made the hopeful subjects of divine grace.

The Rev. Luther Humphrey's fixed residence and pastoral charge are in Burton. He spent 28 weeks in missionary labors; preached in 38 different towns; and distributed his labors in such manner as he judged would be most conducive to the prosperity of Zion. In some of these towns were refreshings from the presence of the Lord, and many were brought into the kingdom of Christ. The people, in general, rejoiced to hear the preaching of the Gospel; and, in some places, when they could not enjoy this privilege, they regulariy assembled on the Sabbath, for united and public worship.

In Harpersfield the Rev. Jonathan Lesslie has a pastoral charge. He spent 10 weeks in the missionary service, and preached 36 sermons. He travelled over a great extent of the northern part of the State. West of the Cuyahoga, are settlements scattered on the Lake shore to the western boundary of the fire lands. Back from the Lake, about five miles, is another string of settlements; and some still further south to the line of New Connecticut. Most of the towns in Huron County have families in them. On Sandusky and Miami reserves, are considerable settlements; and but one minister of the Gospel to teach them the way of life. Sandusky is increasing in population; but the moral state of the people is wretched, and stil! more so is that of Miami. God's holy day is scarc ly known by many families, and of course is totally disregarded. Yet even in this place of moral darkness, there are two or three Christians, who frequently meet for prayer. He was never so convinced of the importance of the preaching of the Gospel, for the present happiness of men, as during this tour. He and Mr. Coe were appointed by the Grand River Presbytery, to visit the Wyandots, and SenA favorable door seems to be opening for their instruction.*

ecas.

The Rev. Amasa Loomis has been recently installed over the church and congregation in Painsville. He spent thirty-eight weeks in the employment of the Missionary Society. During this time he rode 1800 miles; preached 126 sermons; and assisted in forming two churches. He had the satisfaction to find some serious people in almost every place, and to see a general improvement in mor◄ als, and attention to the Lord's day. Erroneous teachers had crept into some

Another journal has been received from Mr. Lesslie, but too late for insertion in this Narrative VOL. XV.

towns, but made no progress. There was no revival of religion, to any considerable extent, in those parts of the country which he visited; but there were some encouraging and refreshing prospects in Harrisville.

The Rev. Caleb Pitkin is settled over the church and congregation in Charlestown. In twelve weeks, which he spent in missionary labor, he had the pleasure of witnessing some hopeful conversions. In performing his tour, he rode 659 miles; preached 65 sermons, and assisted in gathering two churches.

In Aurora, the Rev. John Seward has a pastoral charge. His tour, of six weeks' service, was towards the western boundary of the Reserve. Within the limits of the Reserve, he observes, twelve churches have been formed within ten months. And when churches are thus rising, it is painful to see them as sheep without a shepherd.

The Rev. Abraham Scott has a pastoral charge in Steubenville, Jefferson county. His missionary labors were performed in several counties, and the term of his mission was eighteen weeks. He preached 74 sermons; visited 50 families; and rode upwards of 900 miles.

In many towns, which he visited, the inhabitants are regular in their morals, and a considerable number of them religiously influenced. Many of them are from respectable congregations, where they had enjoyed the stated preaching of the Gospel. In a number of settlements, the people have formed themselves into congregations, and some into praying societies. They earnestly desire to enjoy the stated administration of the Gospel and its ordinances; and are particularly anxious and distressed on account of the rising generation. Other parts of the country, which he visited, are not only destitute, but have no desire to enjoy Gospel institutions; and appear insensible of their hopeless and deplorable condition without them. This was particularly the case in Munroe county. Not a regular society was formed, or likely to be formed soon. The people made no distinction between the Sabbath and other days. But notwithstanding this indifference, they generally attended on the preaching of the Gospel, which they sometimes enjoyed by Missionaries.

In some places there has lately been an increased attention, and many are convinced of the importance of religious order. He thinks missionaries are much needed in this section of the country.

The Rev. Matthew Taylor spent thirty-two weeks in vacant settlements, and preached 94 sermons. Though there were no revivals of religion, within the compass of his labors, there were many pleasing appearances, and greater encouragement than there had heretofore been. So anxious were the people to hear the word, that some travelled from 8 to 12 miles for that purpose.

The Rev. Joseph Treat has a pastoral charge in Sharon. The term of his mission was sixteen weeks, in which time he rode 880 miles; preached 80 sermons; visited 46 families; and assisted in forming 2 churches. Several towns in Medina county have been lately visited with the special influences of the Holy Spirit, and some precious souls brought to bow to the sceptre of Christ.*

The Rev. William Williams spent twenty-three weeks in the missionary service. He travelled almost 2000 miles; preached 172 sermons; visited 230 families, and 11 schools, and formed 3 churches.

The pastoral charge of the Rev. Simeon Woodruff is in Tallmadge. He employed six weeks in the service of the Missionary Society, and preached 24 sermons. In addition to this he preached 10 Sabbaths in neighboring towns. Part of his labors were in Ravenna. The state of society here, he thinks, is much improved. The people meet statedly on the Sabbath for social worship; and the prospect is favorable, that a church and Society will soon be formed in this place. In Portage, he also preached in a part of the town where there had never been preaching before. Here he was encouraged to hope a church and society would soon be formed. In general the people were very attentive to hearing the worst. The Rev. Nathan B. Derrow was employed thirty weeks in Ohio and India a. During this period he travelled 2730 miles, and preached 116 sermons. Ho assisted in the formation of a Bible Society, and was instrumental of establishing several Bible classes. He observed that as the number of ministers of the Gospel increased, there was an increased attention to Gospel ordinances.

* Further communications have been received from Mr. Treat, but too late to be here noticed.