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them into the church, and somehow securing their eternal salvation? The great candles on the altar are now lighted. His colleague delivers an address to the children, accompanied with prayers and sacred melodies. The other then examines them, the first question being, How do little children become members of the church of Christ? and the answer being, By baptism. To all the questions they reply together, as with one voice. His colleague repeats the Apostle's creed, and asks, Do you profess this as your faith? Yes, they reply. Do you desire to live by it as christians? Yes. And thus hope for salvation? Yes. He now solemnly declares them confirmed members' of the christian church. terwards they pass around in succession to both the pastors, who take them by the hand. They then pass around again, five or six kneeling at a time before the pastors, and receiving their hands upon the head, with a blessing and a few words of exhortation. This done, the pastors and the children kneel down together, and one of the pastors offers a prayer for them. During this exercise especially, and the one preceding, many of them are dissolved in tears, and some weep aloud; and the sympathetic emotions of many in the assembly are manifest. The Lord's prayer, a benediction, and hymns with the voice, and organ, and a full band of instrumental music, close the solemnity.

Oh! how few, in all probability, among these precious souls, understand the scriptural doctrine of being born again, or have, in reality, "passed from death unto life." And how awful the mistake to imagine themselves regenerate, and safe in the bosom of the church, if they have not been "created anew in Christ Jesus." The tears that were shed may have been the tears of penitence and holy joy; but, alas! how much is it to be feared, that in most cases, they were only the offspring of agitation, or of merely natural affections, or of that goodness which is as the morning cloud and as the early dew! May he that knows the heart have mercy upon these children, and upon their teachers; and hasten the time when his truth and his commands shall cease to be perverted. To teach children the way of salvation, to examine them, and to pray for them, are unquestionably duties of the first importance. But let them be done in such a manner, as, instead of deceiving the child into an ungrounded confidence, shall tend to impress upon his mind the con

viction of his need of that spiritual regeneration without which instruction and prayers are vain.

I have presented you, my dear sir, the brightest view of the religious state of this place; for it is almost exclusively at church that any appearance of religion is to be seen, so far as my observation has extended; and I have had a good opportunity to observe. At table, there is, in some instances, a few moment's pause, for silently asking a blessing, and giving thanks; but generally there is no such devotion, even where clergymen are present, The only person whom I have heard ask a blessing, is a little boy, who, in a family where I often dine, is called upon to repeat a form. Family prayer,' so far as I have been able to discover, is quite out of use. In conversation, the name of God and of Christ, by preachers themselves, and all sorts of people, men, women, and children, is used for exclamation and emphasis, as currently and as gracefully as by common privateersmen; and religious circles treat with derision what they call pretism, and our notion of being renewed by the energies of the divine Spirit. Yet all-all cling to the christening of infants; and men who are scarcely ever seen at public worship, come to the preacher, and request him to baptize their children at home,where, indeed, most of the christenings are performed. It is a darling relict of man's pernicious devices, substituted for the directions of our Lord; and it grieves me to think that any of a more christian character are unwilling to let it go. My sheet is filled, and I can only add, that the more I see of Europe, the more am I impressed with the conviction, that our brethren in America must rise in the strength of the Lord, and bear an important part in the reformation of christendom, and the conversion of the world. Adieu. Yours, &c.

Account of the Church, and of a revival, in Southbridge, in a letter to Dr. Baldwin.

Dear Brother,

Aug. 31, 1824

Conscious that you feel a deep interest in the prosperity of Zion, I write in hope that a brief account of the rise and progress of this Church, may afford you a degree of pleasure. Agreeably to request, I visited this town, and assisted in forming a Baptist Society, in May, 1816; and the

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Junc following, removed my family curred worthy of notice, unless I say, 2 from Woodstock, (Con.) and commenc- precious youth put on the Lord Jesus, ed my labour with them. Previous to by obeying his command, and were this, there had been but little preach- received into the fellowship of the ing in this place, notwithstanding church. there was a Congregational Church,

We have now rrived a period over which Rev. Jason Park was or- where it is proper to be more particdained about this time, and conse- ular, as it comprises a narration of a quently the state of society was not work of grace more general than any the most pleasant. Our society, very other with which we have ever been fortunately succeeded in purchasing favoured. Sometime last fall the Meeting-House, which was own- attention to religion began to increase, ed by individuals; and the year after and some were impressed with the idea my settlement, built the parsonage that God was about to revive his work where I now live. In February, 1817, in this town; but nothing appeared the Church was constituted, consisting very encouraging until 3 came forof 27.

ward and requested baptism. From In the year 1818, we were favoured this to the present time the good work with a pleasant revival, which con- has been gradually progressing, and tinued nearly through the succeeding nothing appeared, which looked like year; and 20 were added to the enthusiasm, or a zeal without knowlChurch by baptism. But in this in- edge. The awakened have almost constant world, Israel often appears universally been brought to see the like the burning bush, which was true infinite purity and strictness of the diof us in 1820. Our members had gen- vine law, to read their just condemerally fallen into a lukewarm state, nation thereby; and to fly to Immanand soon became encompassed with uel as their only refuge. portentous clouds, which threatened We believe, in the judgment of us with speedy dissolution. Under charity, that more than 40 have shared these circumstances a few, possessed of in the gracious work, 27 of whom have Daniel's spirit, agreed to meet weekly been buried with Christ in baptism, on to seek the Lord their God by prayer profession of their faith, making our and supplication, that he would heal present number 87.

Persons of the our backslidings, revive our graces, and first respectability from the youth of 12 bless us again with a refreshing season. to the man of grey hairs have been It was not long before the sun of right- the subjects of this work. The change eousness lifted upon us his soul-cheer- produced by this good work ing presence, in answer to prayer, our Society, is very apparent.

in

In which dispersed our gloom, enlivened those houses where God was not the church, and granted us an accession worshipped, the morning and evening of 5 by Baptism, during the year 1821. sacrifice is daily offered. Those who This and other incentives induced us seldom if ever attended divine service, to continue our social importunity, are now constant in the duties of the with interest and pleasure ; believing sanctuary. And some who were over that God had not said unto the seed fond of vain diversions, now view them of Jacob, “ seek ye me in vain." We altogether incompatible with man's were not obliged to lift up our eyes accountability; and appear truly deunto the hills, from whence cometh lighted in meeting for prayer and reour help in vain; for a compassionate ligious conference. Father shed down the Holy Spirit in The special agency of the Holy gentle effusions, and there appeared a Spirit has been remarkably apparent cloud, to the eye of faith, “ like a in this reformation, almost to the exman's hand,” which we fancied indic- clusion of ordinary means. And if any ative of abundance of rain. It is evi- one has been honoured as an instrudent that we were not prepared for an ment in forwarding this blessed work, extensive refreshing ; consequently, let the name of the Lord have all the our anticipation was not fully realized: praise. All who have bowed to the nevertheless, a number experienced sceptre of the Lord, appear well estaba hope in 1822, and 11 returned to lished in the doctrine of grace; and if give God glory, by following Christ in we were to calculate on future usefulthe ordinance of baptism, and uniting ness from their present appearance, with this church. During the follow- our anticipation would be great, but ing year, it might have been said of we are too well acquainted with the

“behold how good and how pleas- depravity of the human heart, to exant it is for brethren to dwell together pect a high degree of perfection in this in unity! Excepting this, nothing oc- life. We hope the great Shepherd of

us;

the sheep will take these lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom until he shall present them faultless before the Father with exceeding joy."

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I transmit to you with this letter 10 dollars, which was given by a friend, to constitute me a life member of the Tract Society. Also 6 dollars 75 cents, a collection which was taken for the Indian Mission, after a sermon preached at the celebration of our National Independence.

I subscribe myself your sincere friend, and unworthy brother in a precious Saviour, GEORGE ANGELL.

REVIVAL OF RELIGION.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A FRIEND.

Windsor, (N. c.) Aug. 17, 1824. "It is evident our blessed Lord was at work upon the minds of the people some time before it became visible, by this revival. Such was the case of Cornelius and his family. When Peter came to his house, he found them already prepared to receive and obey the word of God. The Lord Redeemer always goes before his ministers, and makes preparation for the success of his Gospel. In some instances nearly the whole family have been baptized. I saw four sisters follow their Lord and Master into the liquid grave a few days past: the youngest did not exceed 12 year of age. This was a very thoughtless family, until this event. Their

conversion happened about the same time, and they were baptized also at the same time with many others. The account which she, (the youngest) gave of her faith was such, that it called forth the admiration of all who heard it. She was very clear in the relation of her faith, and of her justification by Christ, without her own works. In him she trusted for acceptance with God. I cannot give a full account of all such instances, in a letter. Many old persons have also professed, some of whom have been called moral, others much addicted to vice. Young ladies of the most respectable families, and young men of the most promising standing, have openly professed faith in the blessed Redeemer, and have been baptized. Four doctors of physic have already become members of the church. Three of them were married men, who with their wives, are among the zealous

disciples of Christ. Our High Sheriff has been already baptized. The truth is, there are some of almost every station in life.

Every Sunday there are more or less baptized. Last Sabbath forty submitted to that ordinance, and yesterday, which was Tuesday, 7 were immersed according to the practice of Christians in the apostolic day. I know of but few instances where any open concern has appeared in any person, who did not in the end profess repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism by immersion is scarcely called in question. When they profess to be believers in Christ, they without hesitation seek for baptism. The young converts appear to have a great concern for such of their friends as remain unconverted, and especially for those who seem distressed.

The town of Windsor, which heretofore had none who espoused the cause of Christ, is now entirely reformed. The Gospel, formerly slighted, is now heartily received among them, and many have become members of the church. This glorious work is still spreading, and O may the growing

numbers never end!

The greatest harmony prevails among both the ministers and churches. The revival cannot be said to be under any one minister more than another, as there is a general reciprocation in their labours. God blesses truth, whether it is expressed with the beauties of oratory, or in a more homely dress. Our churches are not unacquainted with the danger of receiving members, who may only be moved by passion or the influence of sympathy. Yet after all, we cannot expect to be exempted from what the apostles were not. Simon Magus believed, and was baptized, and was yet in the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. It is however one thing to be willingly deceived, and another to be so unwillingly. Those who make no scruple to receive unconverted persons into their Society, do it with willingness. But it was not so with the Apostles, nor is it so with ourselves.

Up to this date, 410 have been received and baptized.

I remain, dear brother, in the best of bonds,

RICHARD POINDEXTER.

P. S. 23d inst.-At three places, 55 were baptized yesterday; there are others which I have not yet heard from.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER.

town of Orleans, there is a very gen.

eral attention to religion, but no reguA correspondent in Ellisburgh, lar minister of our denomination for a (Woodville, N. Y.) under date of Aug. great number of miles.

Almost every 29, 1824, informs us, that “at the day we have very pressing entreaties present time there is in this region a to come over and help them. Since very general call and attention to the May last, 106 have been baptized inpreaching of the word, and in several to one church in our Association, and places very special revivals. In the I have lately baptized 11 in Richland."

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Lines uritten after recovery from a fever.
AS Ætna burns with unabated heat,
And from his crater pours forth scorching flame,
So rag'd my fever-feeble nature yet
Recoils to think how shook this mortal frame.
Philosophy! where then was thy support?
And Reason! where, O where thy boasted power?
And Resolution: how wert thou the sport
Of every pain and fear in that sad hour !
How, like the ship, that, rudderless, is driven
By gales at random on tempestuous seas,
Alternate rais'd sublimely now to heav'n,
And sinking now in frightful gaping waves.
The mind itself was in confusion lost,
Controll'd by wild imaginations vain;
Distracted, fearful, anxious, troubled, tossd--
With hope elated, then depress'd again.
Where then were joy, ambition, av’rice, pride?
What then were wealth, fame, learning, talents, power?
All nature's pleasures in that moment died.
E'en friends could give no comfort in that hour.
But lo! there shone a beacon from afar ;
Though dimmed by clouds, obscur'd by mortal sense,
Its rays were cheering—'twas the Bethlehem Star,
The Christian's hope--it sweetly beckon'd hence.
It led away to peaceful realms above,
An haven for the troubled and distress'd.
It led to God, the source of truth and love ;
It led to Heaven, where weary souls find rest.
0! never, never from my faithful mind
Shall the impressions of that scene depart;
Hear it all people : God is just and kind,
And serve him with a meek and humble heart.

A. W.

a

67 The Rev. Dr. Staughton, Secretary of the Board of Managers of the Baptist General Convention, in a letter of Oct. 21, 1824, states, that the Board have unanimously elected the Hon. Heman Lincoln, of Boston, Treasurer.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
A Constant Reader came too late for insertion in the present number.
It shall appear in the next.

E.
Edward Newton, Logs of the Ship

436
English Baptist Miss. 64, 103, 219, 298, 378,412, 458
Essay on Communion, Review of

402
Evangelical Tract Society, Donations to,

39, 152, 229

272, 312, 352, 383, 432, 464
do. do. do. Anniversaries of 146, 382
Evangelical Missionary Society at Paris

109
Eveleth, Rev. Mr. Letter from

266
Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Baptist

Education Soc. Donations to 79, 152, 228, 432, 463
Extemporaneous Preaching, Review of Mr. Ware's

Hints on

446

F.

43

Farnsworth, Mrs. Polly, Obituary of

268
Ford, Rev. Thomas, Obituary of

36
Funds, want of, for Missionary Purposes

346
Fuller, Mrs. Polly, Obituary of

388
G.
Galusha, Rev. E. Letter from

34
Georgia Planter, Letter from

IST
Goodwin, James C. Obituary of

187
Good Olive, Remarks on

439
Grace displayed the Conversion of a Murderer

343
H.
Hayti, Mr. Paul's Mission to

102, 225, 303
Hamilton Bap. Miss. Soc. Annual Meeting of 176
Hall, Rev. G. Letter from

254
Hewitt, Mr. Thomas, Obituary of

184
He that is called, being a Servant, is Christ's Free
Man

247
Hindoo Worship

416
Holcomb, Rev. Hosea, Letter from

183
Hollis, Mr. Thomas, jr. Memoir of

193
Hough, Rev. Mr. Letter from

207
Honduras, Accounts from

301
Hubbard, Rev. Mr. Letter from

73
I.
Ignorance, an Instance of wilful

49
Immorality of Lotteries

15
Indians, Oneida

22
Internal Evidences of Revelation
Inquisition against the Reformation

283, 313
Indian Reservations in Georgia,

341
J.
Jamaica, Religious Intelligence from

IOB
Jews' Society, American, Report of

173
Jones, Mrs. Letter from

378
Judson, Rev. Dr. Letters from 22, 58, 63, 207, 208, 209

210, 253, 339876
do, do. Journal of

97, 211

K.
Kendrick. Rey. Clark, Obituary of

386
Kimball, Miss Eunice, Obituary of

309
L.
Lawson, Rev. John, Letters from

21, 64, 378
Lamb, Rev. Nehemiah, Letter from

384
Lavater's Daily Rules of Life

III
Letter from a Gentleman in Lexington

183
Letters from Rev. Dr. judson, 22, 57,63, 207, 208, 209

210, 253, 330, 376
Letter from a Georgia Planter

181
Letters to the Editors

31, 266
Letter on Missionary Spirit

54
Letter from a Friend in Georgia

105
Letters from Rev. John Lawson

21, 64, 378
Rev. Mr. Starr

32
Rev. Elon Galusha

34
Rev. Mr. Price

56, 101, 207, 253
Rev. Mr. Colman

58
Mrs. Colman 59, 61,219, 379, 380
Mr. Rowe

64
Mrs. Rowe

103
Rev. D. Tyerman
Mr. Bennet

70
Rev. J. M. Peck

71, 307
Rev. W. Hubbard

73
Rev. John Peck

73
Rev. J. C. Sedwick

74
Rev. Isaac M' Coy 143, 255, 330, 425
Rev. Luther Rice

143, 419
Rev. James Parsons

145, 306
Rev. Hosea Holcomb

183
Rev. Mr. Hough

207
Rev. Thomas Paul
Rev. G Hall

254
Daughter of Rev. Mr. C.

265

A.
Address to Females in America, relative to Educa.
tion of Females in the East

18
Address of the General Convention of the Baptist
Denomination in the U. States

164
Address of American Christians, in behalf of Ben-
gal Schools

219
Address to Baptist Churches in Massachusetts, on
a State Convention

273
Address to Singers

399
Alden, Mrs. Eunice, Obituary of

78
American Bible Society, Notice of

106
do. do. Anniversaries of 147, 384
American Jews' Society, Report of

173
American Board of Commissioners, Report of 305
Angell, George, Letter from

407
Answer to Gaius, on Unity in a Sermon

51
Anecdotes

109, 110
Association Sermon

360
Associations, Letters on

198, 242, 324

B.
Baptist Education Society, New York

29
Baptist Missionary Convention, New York

30
Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, Do-
nations to 40, 79, 151, 229, 352, 391, 392, 432, 464
do. do. do, Anniversaries of

125, 381
do. do. do. Reports of the Trus.
tees of

128, 363
Baptist General Convention in United States,
Fourth Triennial Session of

137
Baptist General Convention, Reports of the Board
of

159, 417
do. do. New Arrangements of

454
Baptist General Convention, Address of

164
Baptist Associations, Letters on

198, 242, 324
Baptist Female Association for Education

309
Bagley, John, Letter from

429
Bennet, Mr. Letter from

70
Bethel Union, New Orleans

178
Bengal, State of Religion in

341
Bequest for Foreign Missions

392
Bertody, Capt. A. Letter from

432
Biography, 8,41,81, 113, 153, 193, 235, 273, 353,

393, 433
Bible Society, British and Foreign, Meeting of 172
Bolles', Rev. Mr. Review of his Sermon

16
Boardman, Harriet, Obituary of

188
Boston Baptist Foreign Mission Society, Donations
to

230, 464
Bond, Mr. Phinehas, Letter from

428
Brown, Hon. Nicholas, Munificence of

75
Burman Mission

56, 97, 207, 330, 376,456
Burmah, Appointment and Departure of Mission
aries to

144
Burmah, Donations for Female Schools in

ISI
C.
Carey Missionary Station, 143, 253, 330, 425, 458
do. do. do. Donations to

3 SO
Carey, Rev. Dr. Account of

390
Case, Rev. Isaac, Letter from

347
Carleton, H. Letter from

392
Calcutta, Miss. Intelligence from 166, 223, 298, 416
Cauldwell, Joseph, Obituary of

76
Churches constituted

38, 39, 76
Church Missionary Society

170
Cherokee Mission, Intelligence from

265
Chase, Rev. Ira, Letters from

338
Columbian College, District of Columbia

26
do.
do.
Trustees of

143
do.
Report of the Trustees of

162
Colman, Rev. James, Memoir of

81, 113, 153
Colrain, Revival of Religion in

145, 306
Colman, Mr. Letter from

58
do. Mr. Death of

27
Colman, Mrs. Letters from 59,01,219, 379, 380
Convention of State of New Xork

30
Conversion of an African

307
D.
Davidson, Dea. Daniel, Memoir of

41
Davenport, Mrs. Betsy, Obituary of

348
Death of Mr. Colman

21
Death of Dr. Milne

109
Designation of a Missionary

417
Difference of Sentiment among Christians, Remarks
on

240
Donations for Female Schools in Burmah

ISI
Donations to the Carey Station

350
Dunbar, Rev. D. Letter from

428
Duties which should succeed Publick Worship 228

do.

69, 71

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225

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