Newspaper Page Text
No. 3 Vol. IV.
A NARRATIVE
Os the State of Religion, within the bounds
of the General Assembly of the Presbyte
rian Church; and of the General Associa
tions of Connecticut and Massachusetts, and
of the General Convention of Vermont, du
ring the last year.
The General Assembly in sending to the
churches the annual narrative of the state
of religion within their bounds, wish them
grace , mercy, and peace from God our Father,
and Jesus Christ our Lord.
We have much reason to offer our
thanksgivings to the Great Head of the
church, for the many tokens of his love,
with which he has visited that portion of it
which is in ou? land, during the past year.
Me has given many convincing proofs, that
he has been present with the assemblies of
his people to bless them by bestowing on
them the influences of his Holy Spirit,
llim we acknowledge and adore as our Re
deemer and Head, as the foundation of our
hopes and the source of all grace, and we
ascribe glory and dominion to him that loved
us, and washed us, from our sins in his own
flood.
But while there are many reasons for
thankfulness and rejoicing, there is much al
-90 to be deplored.
It is with deep sorrow, that the Assembly
“have heard numerous complaints of luke
warmness and conformity to the world,
among professing Christians. The neglect
of family prayer, the want of zeal forex
tending the interests of the Redeemer’s
kingdom, attachment to the world, confor
mity to its sinful customs and pleasures, and
in some instances, dissensions and backslid
ings prove that these complaints are but
too well founded. Such professors seem
to have forgotten the deep obligations
which they are nuder, from their own vol
untary engagements of obedience to God,
and from the dying love of Him who gave
himself for them, to redeem Ihem from all
iniquity; that the God whom we serve is
“a jealous Godand that the sins of bis
people are peculiarly hateful to him. We
affectionately, and yet solemnly call upon
them to remember from whence they are fal
len. and to repent and do their first works;
to be watchful and strengthen the things which
remain, which arc ready to die.
In some parts of our land, attempts are
made to propagate the most peroicious er
rcurs. With a Zeal worthy of a better
cause, and under lofty pretensions to supe
riour rationality and to deeper discoveries
in religion, some are endeavouring to take
away the crown from the Redeemer’s head;
and to degrade Him who is the mighty God
and the Prince of life, to a level with mere
men, and to rob us of our hopes of redemp
tion through his blood. Pretending too, a
more expanded benevolence to man, and
more ennobled ideas of the goodness and
mercy of God, they assiduously propagate
the sentiment, that all men will ultimately
obtain eternal happiness, however sinful
their present temper and conduct mav be,
without any regard to the cleansing of the
blood of atonement, or the sanctifying influ
ences of the Spirit of God. Believing that
these sentiments are utterly subversive of
gospel truth and holiness; that they are
alike dishonouring to God, and destructive
to the present and eternal welfare of men,
we cannot but affectionately warn you
against them. Beware , brethren, lest ye al
so being led away with the errour of the wick
ed, fall from your own steadfastness. Cher
ish an ardent attachment to the truth which
is according to godliness: and seek to expe
rience in your own souls its sanctifying in
fluence.
The gross vices of intemperance, profane
•swearing, Sabbath breaking and gambling,
still extensively exist. The extensive use
of spirituous liquors continues to produce
the most deplorable effects, and threatens
still greater injury. That such crimes
should any where exist, is matter of aston
-s'hinent and sorrow. They prove that man
has deeply apostatized from God: and that
our nature i< both degraded and depraved.
But there is one subject to which the As
sembly advert with the most painful feel
ings. Vast sections of our country, partic
ularly our frontiers, are destitute of the sta
ted means of grace, and are loudly calling
open us, in the words of the man of Mace
donia, come over and help us.
In the Presbytery of Niagara, which con
sists of twenty-six congregations, there are
but four which have pastors. In the Pres
bytery of Genessee, which consists of nine
teen congregations, two only have pastors,
but one enjoys the stated preaching of the
gospel more than half the time. In the
preshytery of Bath, the churches are few,
nnd most of them destitute of the ministry
of the word. There are but six ministers
in nearly as many counties. Multitudes are
evidently living without God in the world,
and paying not even an outward respect to
the institutions of the gospel. In many
families, the Scriptures are not to he found,
nnd in too many instances, little or no desire
Ms shown to possess them. In many places
no meetings for the publick worship of God
are held; and in many others such meet
ings are thinly attended. In the Presbyfe
s y of Champlain, many towns are destitute
of a preached gospel and church privileges;
and in the Presbytery of Susquehanna,
which spreads over an extensive country,
THE MISSIONARY.
among twenty-six congregations, which are
widely scattered, there are but ten minis
ters. Os twenty-nine congregations, which
belong to the Presbytery of Erie, twenty
one are destitute of a stateJ ministry; and
of thirty-three congregations which belong
to the Presbytery of Louisville, more than
half are in the same destitute condition. In
the Presbytery of Union, two or three
times the present number of ministers are
needed, to supply the spiritual wants of
that portion of our church. In the Presby
tery of Grand River, which consists of
twenty-nine congregations, there are but
twelve ministers. The Presbytery of West
Tennessee, which spreads over a large
tract of country, and embraces within Tts
bounds a population of 310,000 inhabitants,
has only fourteen ministers belonging to it;
and there i9 not a single licentiate within
their bounds. The few missionaries that
have passed through this region have been
well received, and much solicitude is mani
fested by the people to obtain the labours
of a zealous and enlightened ministry.
That section of our church which is con
tained within the bounds of the Presbyteries
of Missouri and Mississippi, loudly calls for
the attention of the Christian publick.
The Presbytery of Missouri extends over a
country nearly 300 miles square, and con
tains upwards of 120,000 inhabitants; and
much of it is still a moral waste. Thou
sands are crying for the bread of life : and
there is reason to believe that many new
churches might be formed, if there were a
sufficient number of faithful and devoted
ministers. The Presbytery of Mississippi
too, covers a vast extent of country, embra
cing the two states of Mississippi and Louis
iana, the population of which must consid
erably exceed 200,000 souls. Though
covering such a vast extent of country and
embracing so large a population, only eight
ministers belong to it, and only four licen-’
tiates are under its care. Several towns of
importance which are rapidly increasing in
population and wealth, present most inter
esting stations for missionary labours.
Among these New Orleans deserves to be
particularly mentioned, as presenting a
field for exertions truly astonishing for mag
nitude, interest and difficulty. It contains
46,000 inhabitants, and is annually growing
in resources of all kinds. The short minis
try of Mr. Larned we have reason to be
lieve was very useful,.and while we affec
tionately sympathise with the congregation
in that city, on the loss of their late esteem
ed pastor, we offer our prayers to God, that
he would speedily bestow on them another
faithful pastor to supply his place. The
Presbytery of Georgia, which extends over
more than half the state of Georgia, and
consists of but eight ministers; and the
Presbytery of Concord, contain within their
bounds, extensive tracts of country where
the ordinances and institutions of religion
aOe hardly known.
In most of these destitute parts of our
country, pernicious errours are assiduously
and successfully propagated; and in all of
them gross immoralities abound. Remov
ed from the benign influence of the gospel
of Jesus, without its powerful restraints,
destitute of Sabbaths and Sanctuaries, un
checked by the solemn admonitions, and
uncheered by the glorious hopes of the
Gospel, multitudes there, live in sin, and die
in impenitence. Seldom does the herald of
salvation raise his inviting voice among
them, and seldom do the sounds of prayer
and praise ascend as grateful offerings to
heaven. And these are our brethren;
hone of our bones, and flesh of our flesh;
many of their fathers worshipped with our
fathers in the same Sanctuary, and with ma
ny of them we have gone up to the house of
God. Surely their claims upon our Chris
tian liberality are peculiarly strong: and
we cannot suffer their earnest requests
that we send them the word of life to be re
fused.
It is truly gratifying to learn, that a very
earnest desire is felt and a laudable zeal
shown, to obtain the gospel ministry in these
destitute parts of our land. Many of the
followers of Jesus offer up to him their fer
vent prayers, that he would send among
them faithful labourers; and Sabbath day
schools, and Missionary, and Education So
cieties, have been in some places establish
ed. In some instances, the destitute con
gregations persevere in maintaining pub
lick worship; and there is an increasing
attention to the means of grace. We have
heard, too, with pleasure, that in many of
these destitute parts of our land, ministers
have frequently gone forth in company,
two or three at a time, and preached, and
visited, and God has greatly blessed their
labours.
But, we turn to contemplate more pleas
ing subjects. It cannot but be gratifying to
the friends of the Redeemer’s kingdom, to
learn, that with few exceptions, the state
ments which we have received from the
different Presbyteries, represent the inter
ests of religion to be on the increase.
Infidelity is scarcely any where openly
professed. The churches are generally
walking in peace. There is generally an
increased attention to the publick ordinan
ces of worship; and many new congrega
tions have been organized, and new church
es erected ’throughout our country. Sev
eral of these have been built in regions,
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.— Jescs Christ.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.) MONDAY, JUNE 24, 1822.
where but a short time 9ince was nothing
but a waste wilderness, uninhabited by civ
ilized man.
The monthly concert for prayer is gen
erally observed. Bible classes and the cat
echetical instruction of youth, are still con
tinued with the most beneficial effects.
Baptized children with their parents, have
in many instances been convened, and re
minded of the solemn obligations imposed
upon them, by the baptismal covenant.
Praying Societies are very generally estab
lished. Sabbath day schools are numerous
and flourishing, and thousands of youth who
probably would otherwise have grown up
ignorant and vicious, have by means of
tbe9* institutions been instructed, and fitted
to make useful members of society.
Liberal patronage has generally been
extended to the various benevolent and
pious institutions, which are established
within our bounds, and many Missionary,
and Education, and Bible Societies are
flourishing. It has given the Assembly un
feigned joy, to hear of the flourishing con
dition, and ihe increasing prosperity of the
American Bible Society. During the past
year a considerable addition has been made,
both to its funds, and to the number of
auxiliary societies connected with it. We
offer our fervent prayers that the blessing
of the God of heaven may rest upon it.
Several societies for the education of poor
and pious youth, who have the Gospel min
istry in view, have been established during
the past year; and the churches appear in
some degree to be awaking to a sense of
the importance of this subject.
It is with pleasure we notice the forma
tion of several Missionary Associations of
young men. The Young Men’s Missionary
Society at Richmond, is entitled to particu
lar notice. During the last year they have
employed eight missionaries, and have ex
pended in their support about one thousand
dollart.
The students in the University of North
Carolina, who are members of the Dialec
tick Society, have generously engaged to
contribute $250, payable in five years, to
wards endowing a professorship in the
Theological Seminary at Princeton. It de
serves also to be mentioned, that several
children in the Island of Ceylon and in oth
er places, are clothed, and fed, and instruc
ted by the contributions of pious females,
residing within our bounds.
From the report of the Board of Missions,
the Assembly are gratified to learn, that the
missionary concerns of our church, appear
to be crowned with the blessing of God.
The number of missionaries is increasing,
though by no means sufficiently to meet the
growing demands of a rapidly increasing
population. Our Seminary at Princeton, is
yearly furnishing valuable missionaries,
whose labours are received with gratitude,
and accompanied with a blessing. Under
these circumstances it is hoped that the
churches will not fail to take up annual con
tributions for the missionary fund, to the
application of which the Presbyterian inter
est is so much indebted.
It is also gratifying to learn that God still
blesses with the influences of his Spirit sev
eral of our colleges. Hamilton College
has about 100 students, a majority of whom
are pious. Union College has about 240
students, and of these about 70 are hopeful
ly pious.
But we have not only to rejoice in the
general increase of the interests of religion,
there are also special reasons for thankful
ness. On many of our congregations God
has been pleased to pour out his spirit, and
to grant them times of revival and refresh
ing. The congregations of West Bloom
field, Lima, Avon, Groveland, Nunda, Rich
mond, Livonia, and especially Mount Morris
in the Presbytery of Ontario—of Phelps,
Lyons, and Junius 2d in the Presbytery of
Geneva—of Otisco, Onondaga Ist and 2d,
Pompey 2d and 3d, and Camillus in the
Presbytery of Onondaga—of Winfield,
Whitesborough, Mexico and New Haven,
in the Presbytery of Oneida—ofCoopers
town and Springfield, in the Presbytery of
Otsego, while in Cherry Valley there has
been a constant ingathering of the fruits of
the late revival—of Sacketts Harbour,
Watertown, Ist and 2d Society in Adams,
Lorrain, and Rodman in the Presbytery of
St. Lawrence, have been visited with the
special influences of the Holy Spirit. At
the military post at Sacketts Harbour, sev
eral of the private soldiery have been sub
jects of the work. In the Presbytery of
Champlain, revivals have been experienc
ed in the congregations of Plattsburg,
Chazy, Champlain and Constable, and also
in the congregation of Windham, in the Pres
bytery of Londonderry. Though the late
powerful revivals do not continue in the
Presbytery of Albany, yet their precio'us
friuts remain. With very few exceptions
the subjects of these revivals, continue
steadfast in the faith, and attentive to the
duties of religion.
In the Presbytery of Troy, the congrega
tion of North Pittstowo ; in the Presbytery
of North River, the congregation of Smith
field; and in the Presbytery of Long Island
f iie congregations of Union Parish, Saghar
bour, Easthampton, Bridgehampton and
Southampton have also been blessed with
revivals.
In the Presbytery of New York the bles
sings of divine grace have extended to many
congregations, and seem to be extending to
others. The congregations of the Brick
Church, the Orange street Church, the
Spring street Church, and the Church at
Corlaer’s Hook, have largely partaken of
the blessed influences of the Holy Spirit.
In the congregations of Ramapo, Roxbu
ry, Chatham, and Morristown in the Pres
bytery of Jersey, and GibsoD, and Silver
Lake in the Presbytery of Susquehanna,
the Lord is making glorious displays of the
power of his grace ; while in the last Pres
bytery, Westmoreland, Wilkesbarre, Wva
lusing, Kingston, Bridgewater, and Great
Bend have been favoured with less power
ful, but very encouraging operations of di
vine grace.
Several of the Presbyteries in the Synod
of Pittsburg, have been engaged in special
efforts for the revival of religion, and in
several of the congregations of the Presby
tery of Redstone, and some others, consid
erable religious excitements have prevail
ed, and very encouraging additions have
been made to the churches.
In the Presbytery of Philadelphia, a re
vival has been mercifully granted to the
congregation of the first Presbyterian
church, in the Northern Liberties, and re
vivals have also been experienced in the
congregations of St. Georges, Charlestown
and Newcastle, and especially in the second
church of Wilmington, in the Presbytery of
Newcastle.
A number “of the congregations in the
Presbytery of Portage, among which, Tal
madge, Windham, and Brownhelm are par
ticularly named; and the first Presbyterian
church of Richmond, in the Presbytery of
Hanover, have also shared in the blessings
of these revivals.
In the Presbytery of Abingdon, though
there has been no special revival, yet,
there have been, within the last year, lar
ger additions than usual, to the comrnuniou
of the church, especially in the united con
gregations of Mount Bethe: nd Providence.
The congregations of Eno and Little
River, the church of Cross Roads, of Buffa
loe, and Allemauce, of Oxford, and other
churches of Granville county, and of Hills
borough in the Presbytery of Orange, of
Buffaloe in the Presbytery of Fayetteville;
of Bethany, Back Creek, and Unity, in the
Presbytery of Concord, have also been
blessed with the reviving influences of the
Holy Spirit. In the congregations of the
last named Presbytery, it is believed that
nearly two hundred persons have experi
enced the renewing influences of (he Spirit
of God, and a large proportion of these are
the children of pious parents, a number of
whom are training up for the ministry of
the gospel.
The same benign effects which have at
tended past revivals, have attended these.
Professing Christians have been awakened
to zeal and devotedness to the cause of
Christ. And though the operations of the
Holy Spirit, on the minds of sinuers, have
been diversified, yet, generally they have
felt deep and pungent convictions of sin,
accompanied with a sense of their undone
condition as transgressors of the divine law,
and a discovery that salvation can be found
only in Christ. Deep silence has prevail
ed in the religious assemblies.
This blessed work has been confined to
no particular age or sex, or class of society.
Blooming youth and hoary age; the child
seven years old, and the sinner weighed
down with the sins of three score years and
ten, the infidel, the profane, and the mere
moralist, have alt been brought to a sense
of their lost condition ; have been made to
bow to the sceptre of the Prince of Life;
have sought salvation from his hands, as
his free gift, and, we trust have found de
liverance to their souls, through his peace
speaking blood.
Among the means which God, in his sov
ereign good pleasure, hqs blessed, to the
producing of these blessed effects, special
prayer, on the part of his people deserves
first to be mentioned. In many congrega
tions, particular days have been set apart
for fasting and prayer. Concerts for pray
er have been held by private Christians,
and they have frequently met in religious
societies at the rising of the sun.
Pastoral visitation from house to house,
and, also, visitations by private Christians,
with personal conversation on the concerns
of eternity, have been greatly blessed.
In the preaching of the word, the spiritu
ality of God’s law, and its tremendous curse
denounced on sin, have been explained and
pressed on the consciences of sinners; they
have been warned of their inability to work
out a justifying righteousness of their own,
and have been solemnly exhorted to imme
diate repentance and faith in Christ.
The fruits of these revivals have been
exhibited in the moral reformation produced
in the lives of tlts*e who have been their
subjects; and in an increase of the spirit
of prayer, and of liberally, in the support
of the gospel.
From the General Association of Connec
ticut, we learn, that the churches in that
state, are not only gathering the fruits of
the late extensive revivals, but, that the
Lord is mercifully extending his work of
grace to many other congregations. A
large proportion of the members of the mis
sion school, at Cornwall, give good evi-
Price $ s 3 ’ so r r - * nn - or ’ i
’ l $3,00 in advance, $
dence of piety, and the establishment an
swers the most sanguine expectation of its
founders and friends. Arrangements are
making for the extension of the Theologi
cal department ofYale College, with hope
ful prospects of success.
From the General Association of Massa
chusetts, we learn, that there is much rea
son for thankfulness on account of the man
ifestations of the divine presence and bles
sing. There have been, in that past of
our country, great revivals of religion in
the connty of Berkshire. More than 300
young men have been assisted in obtaining
an education, by the American Education
Society, since its commencement. A mis
sionary spirit is much increased, and in
Plymouth and Norfolk counties, a Palestine
Missionary Society is established, which
supports a missionary to the Holy Land.
The Andover Institution still flourishes, and
contains 132 students.
From the General Convention of Ver
mont, we learn, that the interests of the
Redeemer’s kingdom are greatly on the
increase in that Slate. It is true, the want
of faithful pastors is felt. Os 171 churches,
connected with the Convention, near halt*
are vacant. Still the cause of religion is
advancing. Through the past year there
have been great and powerful revivals, in
50 towns, in each of which from 15 to 200
persons have beemreceived into the church
es. These revivals still continue, in many
places. It is supposed that about 2500 per
sons have joined the churches during the
past year. In Middlebury College there
has been a revival among the students, and
two-thirds of their number are hopefully
pious. The spirit of missions is increasing
in the state. Education socielies, are also
formed, and one of these societies, in two
years, afforded assistance to 40 young men.
We have heard, with pleasure, of the
exertions which are made in many of our
cities, to promote the spiritual welfare of
Seamen, and of the success which has at
tended these exertions. Places of worship
for mariners, are opened in several of our
sea-port towns, and both mariners them
selves, and their families have received
great benefit from attending the publick or
dinances of the gospel. The Assembly re
commends to the ministers and members of
our churches, to encourage and promote
the useseful institutions.
The Theological Seminary at Princeton,
continues to enjoy the smiles of the great
head of the church. A missionary spirit is
diffused among the students, and a few have
already devoted themselves to the labours
and privations of a foreign mission. The
churches are already enjoying the fruits of
this most important institution. The The
ological Seminary, at Auburn, under the
care of the Synod of Geneva, is flourishing;
and efforts are also making, with encourag
ing prospects, to establish Theological Sem
inaries in other parts of our country.
The Assembly sincerely congratulates
the churches, under its care, on the recent
union which has been completed between
the Presbyterian and the Associate Reform
ed Churches. We cannot but cherish the
hope that this union will be productive of
the most beneficial effects, and that the
great head of the church will bless it to the
promotion of the interests of his kiogdom.
On the whole, the review of the past
year is calculated to awaken the most live
ly sensations of gratitude, to the great head
of the church, for the blessings which he
has bestowed upon it, and to excite us to
more zeal and devotedness in his service.
We rejoice in the spread of his gospel.
He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and
from the river unto the ends of the earth.
Reviewing his mercies to bis church in onr
’ land, we are constrained to offer to him our
devout praises. Blessed be the Lord God,
the God of Israel, who only docth wondrous
things, and blessed be his glorious name for
ever ; and let the whole earth be fdled with
his glory. —Amen and Amen.
Published by order of the General As
sembly,
A ll
WILLIAM NEILL, Stated Clerk.
Philadelphia, May, 1822.
EXTRACT.
We do not say that all the actions even
of a religious man, will exemplify the puri
ty of his profession, and illustrate the sub
limity of his conceptions. Something must
be conceded to the weakness of humanity,
to the force of conflicting passions, to the
remains of inbred corruption, to momentary
forgetfulness of the awful presence of God,
to occasional deviations from the narrow
path, which, though it is always the path of
.safety, is often the path of suffering.—
But the blighted or unsousd fruit, which
may sometimes be found on the soundest
and most vigorous tree, bears but a small
proportion to that which is as healthy as
the stock whence it springs, which adorns
its parent stem with the beauty of its hues,
and enriches it with the deliciousness of its
flavour.
Covetousness well planted iu the mind,
will starve out all other passions ; it will
suffer hardly any other vice to live by it.
Good humour and mental charms are as
much superiour to mere personal beauty,
as mind is superiour to matter.