six years preceding the last, the annual contributions amounted to $682,31; whereas, only $412,64 were received at the last anniversary; showing a decrease of $270. For the first four years, the average was $737,84. Now considering that the Association contains nearly one thousand members more than it did at the formation of the Education Society, it is difficult to account for this deficiency; and should there continue to be a proportionable decrease, instead of receiving more beneficiaries, the committee will be under the painful necessity of discharging a part of the present number. But it is confidently hoped that this statement, when read by the churches, will produce a speedy and efficient effort throughout the body, to revive the interest of this very important institution. If the members of the churches seriously reflect upon the value of an enlightened ministry, and contribute according to the ability which God has given them; it is believed that a sufficient sum may be raised without any one being burdened.

The Association now contains about 3900 members. Deduct900 from this number, as too poor to contribute any thing, and there remain 3000. If each member contribute upon an average only one cent per week, the sum of $1560 would be annually raised. And cannot this be reasonably expected? Besides, there are many generous individuals who are not members of churches, that willingly assist in this object. God has given to some of his people an abundance of earthly goods. Others, whose estates are not large, have few, if any relatives who need their assistance. Such of the friends of Zion will do well, before entering that world where food and raiment are not needed, to think upon this useful institution, and bequeath such a portion

of their property as piety and
wisdom may dictate.
The pres
ent time calls loudly for pastors
and missionaries of solid informa-
tion, who shall be able to go in
and out before the congregation of
the Lord, and to instruct them in
the things of the kingdom of God.
The increase of population is such
as to require a constant and large
increase of faithful teachers.
Churches of our own denomina-
tion are rapidly multiplying,
while the number of ministers is
advancing but little more than
sufficient to supply the natural de-
crease."

If then we would be promoters
of the cause of Christ in the
world, we must contribute pro-
portionably to the exigencies of
the church. But let no one who
has an interest at the throne of
grace, think it enough to contrib-
ute of his silver and gold. The
great Husbandman has directed
his disciples to "pray the Lord of
the harvest, that he would send
forth (more) laborers into his har-
vest." It should be the anxious
desire, and fervent prayer of eve-
ry christian, that the efforts of
this society may be owned of God
in bringing into the christian min-
istry, spiritual and devoted labor-
ers, and such only. Your com-
mittee have no belief that grace-
less ministers can be of any ser-
vice to the cause of God, howev.
er learned they may be; nor that
men of real piety should be en-
couraged to engage in this holy
service, without a special call
from Heaven. While therefore
it rests with the churches to ap-
prove and license only such as
give evidence of possessing gifts
which are designed by Christ for
public use; they may rest assur-
ed that the committee will ex-
tend patronage to none,
of whom,
after examination, they are not
satisfied it is the will of God they
should be preachers of the gos
pel.

125,50

8,00

3,00

Moneys received by the Treasurer of the Bap. Miss. Society of Massachusetts.

1824

June 21. By Cash of Rev. L. Bolles, interest on

Mr. Cornish's legacy,

July 10. By interest at Loan Office,

12.

By Cash of Mr. David Beal,

E. LINCOLN, Treas.

Amounts received for Foreign Missions, at the meeting of the Boston Baptist
Association, at Boston, Sept. 15th, 1824.

From Charlestown Fem. Bap. Miss. Soc.
Bap Ch. and Soc.

Children of Miss Wyman's School, Charles-
town, for benefit of Burman Schools,
Friend in Charlestown, for benefit of Jews,
Dunstable Fem Char. Soc. Burman Miss.
Collect at Chelmsford Monthly Concert,
Malden Bap. Ch. and Soc. for Mr. M'Coy's
Station,

Malden Fem Mite Soc. for Indian Miss.

Friend, for eduation of females in Burmah,

* Transmitted to the Treas. of the Boston Bap. For. Miss. Soc.

† Transmitted to the Treas. of the Salem Bible Transl. and For. Miss. Soc.

Moneys received by the Treasurer of the Evangelical Tract Society, Sept. 15, 1824.

Account of the Treasurer of the Boston Baptist Foreign Mission Society.

Nov. 15. To draft in favour of Mr. G. D. Board-
man, paid,
45,00
Cash paid for advertizing An. meeting, ,75
Dec. 11. To draft in favour of Mr G, D. Board.
man, paid,

EXPENDITURES.

July 9. Commission paid for collecting cash of sub-
scribers,
31. Postage of letter from Utica,
Aug. 4 do. do. from Philadelphia,
Sep. 17. Counterfeit bills,
Oct. 5.
do. do.
Draft paid Mr Boardman,

3,40

,12

1,25

4,00

2,00 30,00

paid,

40,00

Apr.
June 15. Cash paid Mr. G. D. Boardman,

To cash paid Rev. Mr. Mc Coy,

149,25

Cash remitted to New York, to be for-
warded to Burmah,

1100,00

Oct. 7. By balance in Treasurer's hands, on An-
nual settlement,
Collection at monthly concert of prayer,
at Dr. Baldwin's meeting-house,
Cash of Rev. Joseph Grafton, being the
donation of Mrs. Mary Esty, for the
gospel amongst the Amer. Indians, 100,00
8. Female Benev Soc. Islesboro', Maine,
Indian Mission,

Oct. 8.

297,33

Baptist Female Soc. Hopkinton, N. H.
Baptist Fem. Miss. Soc. Salisbury, N. H.
Bap. Fem. Miss Soc. Sutton, N. H.
Hannah Dimond, Warner, deceased,
Sarab Swain,

12,25

4,52

1,00

are

LETTER TO ONE OF THE EDITORS. wish to have this child baptized ?

They assent; and he asks, Do you enH (in Germany,) April 11, 1824. gage in its behalf that it shall sustain

a christian character ?" &c. By this Rer. and dear Sir,

time a boy has brought a pitcher of waThough the wide Atlantic is rolling ter, and it is poured warm and steaming between me and my dear christian into the font. The face of the little friends in the United States, they are one is uncovered, and receives the not forgotten; and the confidence that touch of the minister's wet hand three I am remembered in some of their times; “in the name of the Fatherprayers is precious to my heart. and of the Son--and of the Holy

Perhaps a few sketches relative to Ghost," with the declaration that this the religious customs and state of the is baptism; and, what is still worse, people here, would not be wholly des- with the ruinous impression that the titute of interest. Imagine yourself child no longer needs to be born again. with me in St. Moritz' church, of which If the communion is to be administhe Lutheran minister with whom I tered, two prodigious candles reside is one of the pastors. It is the lighted, though the sun itself may be most ancient in the city. It has stood shining. One of the pastors appears while the generations of nearly eight at the altar, on which stands a small hundred years have passed away. We image of our Lord upon the cross, and admire its vast extent, its two inter- chaunts, (in the tone of old Dr. nal ranges of strong and lofty pillars, S.-) several prescribed forms of and its high arched roof, from prayer. His colleague also appears. which the light is admitted. We The communicants stand at a little are surprised at its pictures and carved distance. There are only four! a man representations of monks, saints, angels and his wife, with two other women. of all sorts and sizes, and a thousand Each now in succession approaches other decorations. An image of our one of the ministers at one end of the Lord upon the cross, large as life, at- altar, and, after making obeisance, tracts our attention. The sound of the receives bread directly into the mouth organ is heard. We look for the wor- from his hand; and then, passing shipping assembly. We see a hand- round to the other minister at the othful of people, scarcely forty or fifty, er end, receives wine in the same manand most of these manifestly of the ner with a benediction. poorer class.

They have their hymn To-day is Palm Sunday. It is the books; and some now and then join in time when the children, who, in the the melody. At length the preacher preceding year, have completed their comes forth from near the altar, and catechetical instruction, are confirmascends the pulpit. He makes a very ed. Could you, my dear sir, have been short prayer, the people keeping their with me this morning, in St. Moritz seats. He commences his discourse; church, you would have seen that spaand when he introduces his text the cious edifice filled, which, on common people rise, and stand till the reading occasions, is so empty. In the centre of it is ended. He proceeds ; and, in are sixty one children, generally from the midst of the sermon, the collector fourteen to fifteen years of age, arof contributions comes around with his ranged in a hollow square, and an bag. Upon concluding his discourse, altar placed between them and the the preacher repeats the Lord's prayer, pulpit. The fathers, mothers, brothand after just naming a hymn, pro- ers, sisters, friends, and a multitude

a benediction. He then besides, are present to witness the exleaves the pulpit, and the organ fin- hibition. Hymns with the melody of ishes the service.

the organ, and prayers by one of the If an infant is to be christened, some pastors, commence the services. The of the people stay, and gather round other now ascends the pulpit, and dean enclosure on the outside of which livers a discourse on filial affection, is written, Suffer little children to come from John xix. 25—27. “ Woman, beunto me; and in the centre of which hold thy son." He touches the pasis fixed a basin sufficiently large for the sions with the hand of a master. Tears immersion of a child. The minister, roll down the cheeks of many a parent the parents, and the sponsors, with the and many a child. Along with much babe, enter the enclosure. He makes that was excellent, he skilfully assoan address, stating that they are about ciated the baptism of infants with the to receive this new born child into the dearest sympathies of our nature. And christian church. He repeats the how could he do otherwise, while it is Lord's prayer, and the Apostle's creed; regarded as regenerating, christening,

Is it in this faith that you making them christians, receiving

nounces

and asks,