present year, in Missionary labours, in the || I have acted somewhat onthe plan of a cir counties of Marion and Johnson. Two The way prepared for organising a new "Yesterday I attended an appointment previously made; for the purpose of forming, not a church, but to use a Methodist phrase, a class. Ten persons presented themselves as members of the Presbyterian church; and three I received on examination, thus constituting an association of persons for religious purposes consisting of thirteen, and I trust they are the children of God. In this neighbourhood I preached frequently last fall, a number were awakened; and because they had no prospect of a Presbyterian church being formed in the neighbourhood, about twenty joined the Methodist church. Necessity of itinerant or circuit preaching. "The people of this county can never be supplied with preaching only on the plan of forming circuits. If we would increase our church we must go to the people; we must go and search them out. The people have not the disposition, nor have they the means, if they had the desire of going any distance to meeting -you must go to every settlement, to every family in the whole world. It is desirable both to the preacher and people to have preaching all the time in the same place; but on this plan the command of Jesus Christ, "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," can never be obeyed. The plan of itinerating practised by Paul, and by a greater than Paul, and which has been carried on so successfully by the Methodists, is the only one that will carry the gospel to the ends of the earth cuit rider for fifteen years, during which time I have travelled through much of the whole of Kentucky and Indiana, and Tenessee, Alabama, Illinois, and nearly can say, to the honor of the Methodist society, I have hardly ever entered a neighbourhood however poor and remote, but had been visited by some circuit rider. And how are they able to do this; is it because they have more zeal, a greater desire for the salvation of men. No verily it is not; but it is because their society supports them in this laborious work. Their system is powcounted for because it is the plan of God. erfully efficient. This can only be acThe primitive church had her evangelists; and I rejoice that this long neglected institution is now revived in the missionaries of our church-let the Presbyteries, let the Synods, let the General Assembly support the present plan of Missions, and there is no doubt of its being equally, if not more successful than any other system ever put in operation. In my opinion there is no other way to sustain the ministers of the gospel on this field. If they are left to support themselves in the present situation of the country, not one in ten could remain on this ground. Bear them up a few years longer and then we will aid in sending the good news still further west. They must be supported or your Sabbath schools, Bible societies, Tract societies, Temperance societies, and every other moral and religious institution will languish, will die. The whole amount of money now in the Lord's treasury has flowed from a few benevolent hands, out of 200,000 communicants not more than two thousand probably have given one dollar to this cause-we will do what we can to support ourselves but the plain truth is, we cannot live unless we are assisted. "From Mr. J. S Thomson, dated Crawfordsville, Aug. 23d, 1830.” A new church organized in Portland. A short time after I wrote you last, I organized a church in the village of Portland consisting of 27 members. In this place I preach one fourth of the time as formerly. The state of religion in this place I do not consider as flattering as it was some months ago. Universalist principles and other infidel sentiments have very considerable influence here and in other places thro'out the county. Notwithstanding all the efforts that have been made to support the cause of Christianity it is to be lamented that infidelity is increasing and becoming bolder and more systematic. In the Coal Creek Church the cause appears to be gradually gaining ground. We had a communion in that Church two weeks ago at which time we received 9 members to the communion of the Church 6 of these on examination, 2 of them were baptized, making 11 that have been added since my last communion. One of those received on that occasion was an old man. He had long been a regular moral man and some fears were entertained that he would rest satisfied with that. I visited him a short time before the communion, for the purpose of discharging my own conscience, by conversing with him on the subject of his soul's salvation. I found both him and his wife willing to converse on the subject. He appeared to enter into the subject in earnest. The result was, that both he and his wife came forward and gave satisfactory evidence that they had found favour in the sight of God. He communed with the people of God on the Sabbath day. But this was to be the last as well as the first communion that he was to celebrate with the friends of Christ on earth. The same week he was taken ill, and on the next Sabbath his spirit fled as we trust to drink wine new in the kingdom of God. O, how faithful should the ambassadors of Christ be to preach in season and out of season. From Mr. J. Thomson, Aug. 23. We have had a communion also in Providence, the little congregation where I preach one fourth of the time. That little church considerably more than doubled itself on that occasion, receiving an addition of 17 members; but 3 of them however were on examination. Two of these heads of different families, who had their children baptized, 7 in number. From Mr. T.E. Hughes, dated, Dunlapsville, Union Co. Ia. August 3d, 1830. Although there has been no special outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Dunlapsville, nevertheless many things have occurred for which we have reason to be thankful and which demonstrate that the Lord is not very far from us. A very great change has taken place in the moral aspect of this people, their attention has been much excited, and the number of regular attendants upon the means of grace has increased by nearly one half, all are exceedingly orderly and attentive, and a number feeling. This people begin to see and feel their need of the stated means of grace, and although they are as yet but few and feeble, they are making animated exertions to secure the preached Gospel of Christ among them. They are now repairing the house of worship;have obtained a small piece of land and are about building a house upon it for the special use of their ministers; in addition to this they have made out a regular call and presented it to Presbytery for one half of my labours. The Bible, Tract and Sunday School societies are in a flourishing state and exerting considerable influence over the morals of the people; with regard to intemperance although no considerable efforts have as yet been made, yet many see and feel its ruining consequences, and a number have adopted the principle of entire abstinance. NEW. YORK. From the Rev. J. Myers, dated Brockport Sept. 1st, 1830. Since my last report (in March) only ten members have been added to our little church: and of these only two were on examination, the other eight on certificate. Three have been dismissed on certificate making our present number 57. A church finished and dedicated. In the good Providence of God, the Church edifice which my 'congregation commenced about a year ago, was completed in June last, and we were permitted to occupy and dedicate it to the service of the triune Jehovah. It is a neat, well finished building, and the special blessing of God seems to have attended and crowned the efforts of my young and feeble congregation in this laudable enterprise. It is a beautiful monument of what a comparatively weak people can do if they have a mind to the work. Since we have occupied the Church our congregation is gradually increasing; and I doubt not will soon be as large as the majority of our congregations in this country, and after their church is paid for, they will be able to support the Gospel without foreign aid. I trust they will not need, nor ask for aid from the Board, but one year longer. PENNSYLVANIA. From Mr. J. C. Watson, dated Lower Mt. Bethel, Pa. Oct. 14th, 1830. Sabbath School and Bible Class. my charge, is large and flourishing. The teachers are faithful, and the scholars are attentive and diligent. I have made it a point to examine them publicly, every month on the shorter catechism. We have also obtained a valuable library for our school which does excite the interest of the children in no small degree. My Bible Class has been to me one of my most interesting charges. While I have been benefitted myself in making preparation to meet my class; others also who rarely before opened the Sacred Volume have acquired (at least) a taste for the perusal of divine truth. as Temperance. In the cause of temperance I have not been inactive. When I came here I found the people without information, to the great evil of intemperate drinking; and my earnest wish was to arrest the progress of that vice here as effectually as possible. For this purpose, I procured (at my own expense) tracts which treated on the subject. And by scattering these silent messengers among the people, I believe I have done more, than if I had attempted to drive the people into the measure. So far as my tracts have been circulated, they have produced the desired effect. And we apprehend little or no opposition, from the mass of the people, in our attempt to form a society. VIRGINIA. I here met with an aged female who had long been a professor of religion but had been almost entirely deprived of the means of grace-though ignorant she appeared to have some correct views of divine truth-amidst much darkness an occasional ray of hope that she was a child of God would enter her soul-I conversed much with her about the state of her soul, also read to her the tract entitled "Questions and Coun| sel,” and preached at her house in the evening-she appeared very much revived and comforted by the truths of the Gospel, In all this region of country within the bounds of the Lexington Presbytery, west of the Allegheny, embracing 14 counties, there are but two settled Presbyterian ministers and two or three Missionaries occasionally employedthese counties contain probably 60,000 inhabitants; and it is certain that the missionary plan is the only one that will ever effectually remedy their condition-the people are generally settled in vallies between high and rugged mountains; and these settlements are mostly remote from each other; so that congregations that will be able to support their ministers themselves will not probably be formed. OHIO. Extracts from the Journal of a Missionary in Ohio, July 15, 1830. A "New Light" preacher lately From Mr. W.G. Campbell, dated, Lew- made a speech in public, the substance isburg, Va. Oct. 11th, 1830. I have been able to establish a Sabbath School in this place, I think, with encouraging prospects-the first day more than 30 scholars met; a man of middle age, sensible of his ignorance, came forward and asked permission to take his seat among the children, to study the w ordof life;several grown persons have become scholars, and appear anxious to learn-would it not be well for all who are engaged in establishing Sabbath Schools to hold out the idea that these institutions are not intended exclusively for children, but for all who have need of instruction? A group of coloured persons also had assembled hoping that they would be admitted into the school, and appeared much pleased when I told them that provision would be made for their instruction; the condition of these poor ignorant creatures in this country must excite the sympathies of every heart that can feel. of which is as follows; "Males to the 18, are as pure as the angels of Heaage of 21, and females to the age of ven. Another one, while preaching in this village a few days ago, said, “A man ought to be ashamed to pretend to teach that Jesus Christ is God." Monthly Concert in are on their knees! 16th, I hear that Mr. is to preach this evening. He is one of those men who disapprove of "Creeds and Confessions,' "and yet have a Creed, and will not own it! He denies the Lord Jesus Christ; my conscience says I must not go to hear him. Poor man! Will not the Lord Jesus deny him? 26th, Preached once this day at Buck Creek Church (Champaine county) One of Brother Merril's congregations. Find the state of things quite encouraging. Numbers are under conviction; and some rejoicing in hope. In the morning visited the Sabbath School. At night, attended a prayer meeting which was well attended by the people. At this meeting, 15 or 16 came out to the anxious seats, deeply concern ed. ILLINOIS. Thus in the midst of the many discouragements, which we have met to damp our spirits, the Lord has given us much reason for heart-felt gratitude, and in the midst of all our unworthiness, which calls for our deepest sorrow, he has not left us without cause to mingle it with joy. The following is the sum of my labours since my last. Travelled 1152 miles— preached 77 times-attended with bro From Mr. Isaac Bennet, dated Car- ther S. four sacramental meetings, acmi, Oct. 25th, 1830. The work of the Lord advancing. "Since my last, I have spent much of my time in riding with brother Spilman, attending the sacrament of the Lord's Supper through the numerous churches scattered abroad in his field and my own. And with a heart glow ing with gratitude to Him, who, on the eve of his dreadful sufferings, instituted this ordinance as a token of redeeming love to his disciples, I would now record it to the glory of his grace, that he has condescended to smile upon his own ordinance with his reviving presence. An ordinance which it seems that Jesus has always delighted in a peculiar manner to own and bless, to both saints and sinner, who are thus pointed to Calvary. companied him also to the Hickapoo, where he organized a church of about twenty members; twice catechised the forty family visits, and introduced about young people of three churches; made 21,000 (making together with a former supply 39,000) pages of tracts, which have been scattered through every part of my range, having been received through different mediums, but mostly through that of tract societies which I have formed and then acted as their agent. PENNSYLVANIA. From the Rev. John L. Grant, dated Philadelphia, Nov. 11th, 1830. Since my last communication to the Board, the state of things among us, has Several of these infant churches have continued to wear a pleasing aspect. evidently been blessed with a sweet re- Our congregation increases and there is freshing from his gracious presence. still more than ordinary seriousness apAt least some mercy drops have fallen, || parent among the people-since my remany of the saints have been revived, port in February we have had three sanot a few thoughtless sinners have been cramental seasons, in which there were awakened, and a goodly number have, forty-six added to our communion, thiras we hope, found the Saviour precious ty-four of whom were on examination. to their souls. And oh! that the Lord The members of our church (with but would yet increasefit to a gracious, copi- few exceptions) are actively engaged in cous shower. But as this work seems some one or more of the benevolent yet to be only in its incipient stage, and operations of the day, and so far as we as I have only a little leisure to write, I can ascertain, are adoring the doctrine forbear, having only briefly noticed it, of God our Saviour; we have found it that it might call forth the prayers of your necessary however, in two instances, to committee and excite their gratitude to exercise discipline, one of these cases God. During these sacramental occa- was for the sin of Intemperance. Our sions a number have been gathered into Sabbath Schools are well attended, and the church, both in brother Spilman's the teachers manifest a growing interfield and in my own; as it respects the est in their employment. In connection VOL. III.-Ch. Adv. 4 H with our Sabbath Schools there are two infant Sabbath day schools, which are well sustained, as also a Female Bible Class, designed for the older scholars and youth more advanced, in this class there exists at the present, some unusual attentionto the subject of personal religion, which has greatly animated the teachers, and led them to assemble their class during the week for special prayer and conversation. No small portion of the city, which is supplied monthly with Tracts, is furnished with distributors from our little band, so you see the people have a mind to work, although their means are limited. Our building, which, from pecuniary embarrassments has long remained unfinished, has at length been completed; last Sabbath we for the first time occupied the main part of our house. Dr. Alexander preached the opening sermon, and I need not assure you, that it was to us, a day of peculiar interest-our prospects are now brightening. The revenue arising from our pews, we hope will soon enable us wholly to support the Gospel, and in our turn to render aid to other feeble congregations,and thus show that we have not forgotten your friendly aid extended to us, by which we still exist as a church. AGENCY OF THE REV. L. F. LEAKE. From the Rev. L. F. Leake, who has just entered upon an agency for the Board, in the Presbytery of Lexington, Va. we have received a report, dated Staunton, Va. Nov. 19th, 1830, informing us of the formation of the following auxiliaries, viz. 50 Cook's Creek and Harrisonburg congregation, 17 annual subscribers, sum subscribed $15 50 Donation, Mossy Creek congregation, 52 annual subscribers-sum subscribed $29 50 Donations, Thomas Bell, 1 00 do cash 62 For Missionary Reporter, 2 subscriptions, $100 Cash received from annual subscribers $15 00 Union in Augusta congregation, 17 annual subscribers-sum subscribed $950 37 TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. The cause of Temperance appears to be steadily advancing, in almost every section of the country, where our missionaries are laboring. In most of their congregations societies have already been established, many of which are large and flourishing, and the influence exerted by them is beginning to be deeply felt by distillers and retailers of ardent spirits. The following extracts from recent reports of our Missionaries, will serve to illustrate the invaluable blessings which frequently result to individuals, and to communities, from their benevolent efforts in this good cause. N. York.-A Missionary in the western part of the state, says, "a Temperance society has been organized, which has occasioned a great reformation among the people, as to the use of ardent spirits. A missionary in Genesee co. N. Y. gives the following account of the reformation and hopeful conversion of an old and confirmed drunkard. "Last Sabbath I administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper in Alexandria, when an old man, about sixty years of age, came forward, was baptised, and took upon him the vows of the Lord. In this man a very great change has taken place. He has for some rance, and when the Temperance socieyears been much addicted to intempety was formed in that place, was one of its most bitter opposers. But from an opposer he has become its decided of its best and most substantial members. friend and advocate, not only, but one And more than this, we trust he has become, through grace, a sincere follower the Temperance society, which is so of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this case much spoken against, and I am sorry to say, by some professors of religion too, has been the means of making a sober man, and so far as we can judge, a christian. I am happy to say that the Bethany Temperance society, now embraces between 150 to 200 members." Virginia.-A Missionary in Pittsylvania co. says. "We have a small but flourishing Temperance Society. This had between twenty and thirty memwas formed the 5th of July, and then bers now between forty and fifty. The subject of Temperance since the formation of the society has been the topic of For Missionary Reporter, 1 subscrip- conversation in every company. Dis Donations, cash tion bers Cash received from annual 50 subscri sought and circulated. There has been cussion is going on-information is 5 50 much bitter opposition and it still con |