as far as the same may be found practicable and convenient, together with Biblical criticism and pulpit eloquence. III. Resolved, That the agents, or missionaries, which may be appointed by the board of missions to travel in our own country, shall be particularly charged with the important concern of giving information to the churches of our denomination, and the publick at large, concerning the true nature and design of the scheme in which the foregoing articles are comprehended, of recommending it to their serious regard, and of affording assistance to those who may be disposed to bring it into operation, in what relates to a right begin ning and organization. EDUCATION SOCIETIES. The information we have received on this interesting subject from the District of Maine, has been like cold water to a thirsty soul At Waterville, Readfield, Hebron, China, Vassalboro, and other places, Societies have been formed to aid young men who are pursuing their studies for the gospel ministry. A Society has also been formed at Sedgwick in support of the same object. We should be glad to introduce some remarks from the letter conveying this intelligence, but our limits forbid. We think we can scarcely utter a better wish for the "District," than that every female in it may possess the same spirit which this letter breathes. We are gratified to learn, that the education of men called to the work of the ministry, came under the consideration of the Bowdoinham Association. After serious deliberation, it was "Voted, To recommend to the churches of this association the propriety of forming societies for the purpose of aiding the Theological Seminary" lately established at Waterville; and our messengers to corresponding associations are instructed to use their influence to engage those associations to adopt similar measures." The Lord is pouring out his Spirit in various parts of this country. In this town he is now displaying the riches of his grace. I have, within a few weeks, baptized 17, and expect shortly to baptize a number more. have much to say. An occurrence reAs it respects our missionary affairs, cently took place which has given a fresh spring to our missionary society. tribe of Indians visited us, and in be A person belonging to the Stockbridge half of his brethren pleaded for the assistance of the Board. This excited the attention of the society. We began to think that while the whole Christian world appeared to be engaged in spreading the knowledge of divine truth, and in sending forth the heralds of salvation to foreign climes; the poor heathen in our own country were too much neglected. The Board having reflected on the subject, and being convinced of the importance of endeavouring to ameliorate the condition of our too long neglected natives, resolved to turn their attention to the Indian tribes. Pursuant to this resolution, an appeal to the publick became necessary. I was appointed as an agent to lay the matter before them, and to excite their liberality. In March I commenced my tour, which has been attended with success. At Morrisville, I assisted in organizing a female society consisting of 29 members. May 13. At Nelson a female society was formed consisting of 91 persons. May 18. I assisted in forming a society at Solon, consisting of 25 females. May 20. Preached in Truston, and a society of 64 females was organized. May 24. In the village of Cazenovia, aided in forming a female society, comprising 36 persons. June 15. Preached at Manlius, and had the pleasure of witnessing the formation of a society of 55 ladies. June 29. Preached at Homer, and assisted in organizing a society consisting of 32 females. July 16. Preached to the church at German, and organized a female society of 19 persons. In addition to the above, some liberal contributions have been made. The success I have met with encourages us to pursue the noble object we have in view. Upwards of ten years ago the "Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society" was formed for the express purpose of sending the gospel among the destitute in our vicinity: hitherto the Lord has led us on with opening prospects, till the incident before mentioned occurred, which led us to reflect on the con dition of the heathen in our own vicinity. There are the remains of 7 tribes in this State, and most of them are Pagans. We are convinced that Providence is loudly calling our attention to these too long neglected sons of the forest. Is not the soul of a North American Indian of as much value as the soul of a Burman or Hindoo? We feel it to be our duty to do all we can for the heathen, both at home and abroad; and we rejoice in the privilege of acting with you in the great and honourable work of conveying the gospel to perishing sinners. the habit of meeting together weekly for the purposes of prayer and praise to God. It was in this circle that the design was conceived; and, to their honour be it recorded, such has been their constant practice ever since. May it be perpetuated in the ages to come! The school is in its infancy, having only commenced with the present year; it is, however, almost daily increasing; and, while prayer is kept in exercise in the society, it is not neglected in the school; the present pious preceptress esteeming it a duty and a privilege to invoke the blessing of the Lord, daily, on her continued exertions, knowing JOHN PECK. that success is entirely dependent upon the divine benediction. Yours affectionately, The superintendence of the school devolves upon a committee of twelve ladies, four of whom are more publick officers of the society, viz. Directress, Vice-Directress, Treasurer, and Secretary, who in behalf of the society, beg To the Editors of the Am. Bap. Mag. leave to acknowledge with gratitude, IREDELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. On the 23d of June, 1817, a female society was organized in this place, called "The Female Benevolent Society of Society Hill." The leading object of this society is, to impart instruction, and establish habits of morality among poor and destitute children, by directing their attention to the holy scriptures, and placing them at some virtuous and useful employment. They have erected a female Academy fifty feet long and thirty feet wide, finished in a plain and neat style; at' which there are, at this time, fifty scholars progressing in several different branches of female education. Of these there are three on the benevolence of the society, while the rest are supported by their parents and guardians. This provision they wisely made in the constitution, to render the institution at once a public and benevolent blessing. As I have called it "the institution for prayer," it may be necessary for me to inform you, that the society at first consisted of a few pious ladies, who, for some months previous to the adoption of the plan upon which they are now so harmoniously progressing, had been in the liberal patronage which they have received in support of their benevolent undertaking.* Our respected correspondent gives the names of the ladies and gentlemen, whose united and We generous subscriptions amount to g2072. would insert them, but want of room must be our apology. REVIVALS OF RELIGION. EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO ONE OF THE Marietta, Ohio, Jan. 30, 1819. Rev. and dear Sir, BELIEVING that the friends of Zion, do not despise the day of small things, and as some mercy drops have fallen on this place, which we hope is a prelude to a plentiful shower, I am encouraged to send you this short account for your very useful Magazine. In November, 1817, Deacon E. Emerson, from South Reading, near Boston, came to this place. He sought in vain for some Baptist brethren for four months, when at last he found three, two in the town, and one in the vicinity. Two of them, though in this lonely situation, generally met every Lord's day, to read and pray, which they yet continue when destitute of preaching. In March, 1818, Elder G. Evans preached in the vicinity, and baptized one person; his preaching was attended with a divine power. In July, I baptized three; two of whom owned themselves to be the fruit of Elder Evans's labours, and the third had her at tention called up by reading a tract from the Female Tract Society of this town, which issued in a happy conversion to God. On the 5th of September a church was constituted of only five members, who, the next Lord's day, to their great joy, for the first time in this town received the Lord's supper. Since that time there have been seven added, and there are four others who are waiting for baptism, which is at this time deferred in consequence of my ill state of health. Several others are under serious impressions, and there are six or more Baptists in the town, who are members of distant churches, but who have not yet united with them. There is considerable attention among the people to the word of the Lord. The prospects of the Church in this place appear to me to be flattering. I am yours in Christian love, IT has been thought desirable that I should give some account of the late work of God in Newport, (N. HI.) and forward it to you for insertion in the American Baptist Magazine. Before I give a particular description of the work, it will be proper to take some notice of the state of this church for some time before the work began. For a long season the interests of religion were so low, that most of us were greatly discouraged, and we consider ed ourselves upon the verge of ruin. Nothing appeared encouraging, except that the Baptist Female Mite Society had enjoyed many agreeable meetings, and indulged hopes of a ref ormation. About the first of November last, there began to be some appearance of the work of God. It did not seem to be introduced by means, or instruments; but by a most powerful invisible hand. In all its stages, it has been a "still small voice," No enthusiasm or intemperate zeal has appeared. It has been in some respects like wide spreading flame. At first it began in the north part of the town; and from thence it suddenly broke out in other parts, rapidly proceeding from one place to another, until it soon be came visible in every section of the town. It extended to most of the neigh a bouring towns, in some of which the work has been very powerful. It has affected people of all ages, from sev enty years, down to ten. But there is probably the greatest number of ropeful subjects among the young. When the work was at the height, meetings were attended every night in the week except Saturday; and sometimes a number of meetings on the same night. There have been some of the most refreshing meetings I have ever seen. Language would fail in attempting to describe them. How affecting must it be, to see a number of youths singing the praises of God with the highest emotions of joy, and others at the same time immoderately weeping under a deep sense of sin, and most fearful apprehensions of immediate eternal destruction! These scenes have sometimes been too solemn and impressive, to admit of a full description. All the hopeful subjects are recon£iled to the doctrine of free and sovereign grace. They generally manifest great self abasement, holy fear, and divine love. We have not observed a single instance of apostasy in those who have lately professed religion. There have been about seven instances of heads of families, who have been the subjects of the work, and have united with the Baptist Church. Several of these were upwards of sixty years of age. And there have been some instances in which whole households have believed and been baptized. A number of the most respectable characters in the town are subjects of the work. These have been baptized and united with the church. I would also observe, that a Juvenile Missionary Society, subject to the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, has been the fruit of the reformation. Several of the young men appear to possess promising public talents. Thus the work, in its nature and effects, is interesting and important. "It is the Lord's doings, and marvellous in our eyes." When I look round and behold such numbers in the assembly, who a few months ago were in the full career of vanity and wickedness, but are now drawn together in Christ, by the bands of everlasting love, it affords me a striking proof of the energy of that divine power which shall finally "gather together in one all things in Christ." The whole number of hopeful subjects is considerably more than two hundred. One hundred and eight have joined the Baptist Church, of which one hundred and four have been bap tized, and four have been received by letter. About ninety have joined the Congregational church; and more than forty the freewill church lately formed. It is expected that a number more will come forward to receive baptism, and join the church. The work is now perhaps nearly at an end. But the zeal of the converts in a considerable degree still continues. In the best of bonds, I am, Rev. Sir, your brother in the gospel, ELISHA HUTCHINSON. Obituary. SARAH CARTER. THE subject of this notice was not particularly distinguished by parentage, or personal endowments. The only things in her history, claiming Christian consideration, are the time, character, and termination of her religious experience. The first thirty-two years of her life were spent, alas! as too many waste a much longer period, in ignorance of God, and a lamentable indifference to their eternal interest. But it pleased Him, who had designed her for better things, to awaken her attention about twoyears ago,tothe momentous concerns of her soul. At this time she resided in Charlestown, (Mass.) where, as she enjoyed opportunities of attending conference meetings, and of sitting under evangelical preaching, and was also favoured with the example and instructions of an amiable and spiritual female, who was an inmate in the same family, her mind became peculiarly solemn. Her residence in this family was short, but not too short to lead her most earnestly to inquire, “what shall I do to be saved?" Some months elapsed without any thing more special occurring as to the state of her mind, when an alarming providence arrested her attention to the subjects of death and eternity. After a short residence in Boston, she burst a blood ves, and was removed to her brother's house inCharlestown; where, for about five months, she languished under her disorder, and the more distressing anguish of her soul. Hopeless and wretched, however, as she was, yet there was mercy in store. Received into the bosom of a family, where the tender assiduities of a brother and sister united with the affectionate attentions of her former Christian friends, her situation was peculiarly favourable. Their labours were divinely blest; their many prayers were heard; her soul was delivered from the horrible pit, and a new song put into her lips by the Comforter, by the powerful application of the following scriptures:-1 John i. 7. Isaiah xli. 7. In giving a sketch of the character of her exercises, it is due to her divine Deliverer to state, that she was not a believer in modern, or improved Christianity. From the day of her “great change," to the last solemn hour, she ascribed all her salvation to Him who loved her from everlasting; who sought her while wandering from him and washed her from her sins in his own blood. She was often exercised with a deep sense of the natural enmity of her heart, and her pollution by sin; but with the blood of atonement in view, she was kept from despondency; and in the exercise of patience, to a degree truly surprising to those, who knew that it was the very reverse of the natural temperament of her mind. Frequently, when her long protracted sufferings drew from her friends an expression of pity, she would reply with solemn earnestness, "How can I complain: Jesus endured more for me; and how thankful should I be, that bodily pain is all I now suffer!" Her affection for all who manifested their love to truth, was uncommonly ardent and it gave her great pain to know that any external distinctions could abate their love to one another. With such views of the unity of the faith, she solicited the visits, conversations and prayers of all who loved the Lord Jesus; and never appeared so happy as while listening to those social religious exercises, which, at her earnest request, were frequently held, by members of different churches, in her chamber. The last of these meetings was held on the Lord's day evening before she died, which was peculiarly interesting, as every one present considered it, the parting scene. The scripture read and spoken from, was this,-"Having loved his own, he loved them to the end." Every eye was suffused with tears, while her's alone beamed with joy in the transporting expectation of being very soon released from sin and suffering, and admitted into his immediate presence.-These eyes were closed in death, the following Wednesday, after a succession of the most severe struggles with the last enemy; during which she would not be restrained from talking with every one who came to look upon her. Some she warned-some she exhorted; and to all she recommended Jesus as the only hope and friend of the guilty. To an own sister, who attended her, she repeatedly addressed the most moving entreaties to seek an interest in Christ, and not to rest until she found rest in him and a few hours before her departure, when in extreme pain, she exclaimed with increased earnestness, O Maria, Christ is precious now-do you seek him, and you shall find him. In recording the effects of grace upon this interesting female, it cannot escape notice, that notwithstanding she had lived so long a stranger to religion -after it pleased God to reveal his Son in her, the advancement she made in the knowledge of the truth, in the short period of nine months, and while exercised with constant bodily pain, was truly surprising. Her affectionate sister, who had witnessed, and had endeavoured to alleviate the anguish of her soul, while under the most powerful convictions of sin for the first five months she was with her-and was now anxiously watching for the first dawn of light, relates, that when that happy moment arrived, she not only became a new creature, but her conversation was so intelligent, serene and heavenly, that she listened to her as to a heavenly instructer. Hence, we may safely conclude, that she was taught by the Holy Ghost, without whose divine instructions none ever did pr ever will call Jesus Lord. SARAH SEAMANS. MRS. SARAH SEAMANS, the late amiable consort of the Rev. Job Seamans, was the eldest daughter of Valentine Estabrooks, Esq. She was born in Johnson, (R.I.) about two miles from Providence. When she was twelve years old, her father removed with his family to Sackville, county of Cumberland, and Province of Nova Scotia. Nothing remarkable occurred in her early life until she was 17 years of age. At that time there was a very powerful work of God amongst her neigh bours; many believed, were baptized, and formed into a church. She, and the person who was afterwards her husband, were both struck under pow. erful convictions at a meeting for baptism. Both of them through divine grace obtained a hope soon after, were baptized and joined the same church. Some years after this event, they removed their relation to the Baptist Church in Attleborough; and afterwards, with a few others, united in constituting the Baptist Church in NewLondon, (N. H.) With that church, she and her husband, who still lives to mourn his great loss, lived in the greatest harmony and peace, for several years. She possessed an amiable disposi→ tion; was kind, sympathising, and benevolent. She was ever ready, according to her ability, to afford relief to the poor and needy. Free from a contentious spirit, it was her constant aim to live in peace with her neighbours. She manifested all the feelings of a tender mother towards her children; and was unwearied in performing all the kind offices of parental love. Nor was this all. Her concern for their immortal interests was constantly displayed. She taught and exhorted them with many tears. Her closet has doubtless often witnessed her prayers, and supplications for their salvation. And it is believed that her ardent de-sires and expostulations with them have not been unavailing; for besides two of them who belonged to the church before, she had the great satisfaction, a little previous to her death, of seeing three more of her children hopefully brought to the knowledge of the truth. It evidently appeared that Mrs. Seamans was one who walked in the path of the just, which as a shining light, shineth more and more unto the perfect day. In her younger years she was at times greatly tried respecting her state. This caused many fears of death. Many tears were shed in those trying hours. Nor could she obtain relief without some appropriate text of scripture brought home to her troubled mind. In one of those conflicts, her mind was greatly relieved, and a joyful and comfortable state ensued, from that blessed word, 2 Sam. xxii. 42. "The Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock, &c." Her husband, by her particular request, preached from the same words the next Lord's day; which was peculiarly refeshing to her mind. In later years she has gradually gained strength; so that she has more generally enjoyed the comfortable assurance of hope. |