It was a meeting of much interest; large, still, and solemn. We were obliged to meet in the grove. The countenances of some beamed with hope, whilst others indicated a heart conscious of its own moral darkness.

Church Organized.

On the last day of the meeting, agreea bly to the request of quite a number of persons, a Church was organized of 18 members, most of whom a few weeks since were in the broad way to death. A number of others we expect will unite soon. There are now a number inquiring what they shall do to be saved. They have a Sabbath School doing well.

The S. S. cause is on the advance in the county. I am not now prepared for a particular report.

The opposition to Presbyterianism is great, and seems to be in a direct ratio to our exertions to do good.

KENTUCKY.

From Rev. J. N. Blackburn, Oldham Co., Ky.

It pleased my heavenly Father to take from me the beloved partner of my bosom on the 19th of July last. The stroke was a heavy one, yet I hope I shall be supported. I trust it will bring me more to Christ, that I may be more faithful in the discharge of my duties, and be prepared to meet her in glory.

Within the bounds of Goshen Church, there are two small Sabbath Schools, containing nearly 50 scholars. These schools are exerting a very happy influence on the scholars and their parents. They are doing more than we anticipated, when they were started, which was last spring. We had hoped that Christians of other denominations would have aided us in this enterprise. All the aid received is, that a few permit their children to attend. In February last a Temperance Society was organized here, which at first met with considerable opposition. By pursuing a steady and prudent course, the opposition is ceasing, and the society gradually in- || creasing in numbers. The quantity of ardent spirits used is rapidly diminishing, and in many families where not a day passed without its use, it is not now seen. We have a small Bible Class, to which I attend once in two weeks. All the members are young persons.

In Goshen Church we held a four days meeting, including the first Sabbath in Au

gust. I was assisted by Brothers Cobb and Simrall. The assemblies were larger on the occasion than I have ever seen here before. On Saturday an awful solemnity rested on the assembly, and a few came forward, professing anxiety about their salvation. On Sabbath morning three young persons gave themselves away to Christ in a perpetual covenant, and were admitted to the communion of the Church. Monday was an interesting day to us here, who are pleased to see the smallest evidence that God has not forgotten to be gracious. After sermon by Brother S., a parting address was given to saints and sinners, when a few came forward and asked Christians to pray for them before we separated, never all to meet again in the same circumstances in this world. Others were deeply convicted, who did not come to the anxious seat. A young lady who was on the anxious seat, told me the other day, she had given her heart to Christ, and was now determined to unite with his Church. I am encouraged to hope that two more interesting young persons will, before long, come out and be upon the Lord's side.

VIRGINIA.

From Rev. A. Brooks, Clarksburg, Harrison Co., Va.

This infant Church has been enabled to maintain peace and friendly intercourse with other denominations, so that all frequently unite in the same worshipping congregation, and enjoy together the ordinances of God's house. The Monthly Con. cert and a weekly Prayer Meeting is regularly observed. The temperance cause is advancing in this and the neighbouring counties. Constant accessions are made to the society in this town.

I attend weekly to the instruction of a Bible Class in this place, and feel encouraged that this part of my labours is productive of some good. The improvement ma. ny have already made in a knowledge of the Scriptures, is very manifest. The Union Questions are used in the class. In addition to these, I give written questions, mostly upon the historical parts of Scrip. ture, and connected with some important information. The answers being found, are given publicly before the class. Much interest is frequently excited in obtaining the answers to these questions. It causes a diligent search into the Holy Scriptures. The parents of the pupils and others are often engaged in looking for the answer

insomuch that one observed to me soon after the Bible Class commenced, "You have set the whole town upon searching the Scriptures."

Some time in May the A. S. S. U. forwarded to this place one hundred dollars worth of Sunday School books, for the purpose of furnishing Sunday Schools in this and the neighbouring counties with libraries. Those in this place that objected to forming a library in our Sunday School of the books of the A. S. S. U., on examining the books, could find no fault in them, and gave their assistance in purchasing a library.

Sunday School Missionary wanted. This part of Virginia affords an impor

tant field of labour for some Sabbath School Missionary, none having yet passed this way. I have found but little time to devote to this object abroad. I have aided in forming six in the vicinity of this place, all of which, except one, are furnished with a library from the depository in this place.

Preparations are now making for build. ing a meeting house-it is very much needed-the place where we now assem. ble is not, on several accounts, suitable and convenient for public worship.

оню.

A Season of Refreshing. From Rev. E. P. Salmon, Ruggles, Hu. ron Co., O.

Through the distinguished goodness of God, I am permitted to forward you my third quarterly report, not wholly destitute of interest. Since my last, we have been permitted to rejoice in an increased visible manifestation of the power of grace. Though we have not been privileged with any public protracted meetings since my labours commenced here, as many other towns in our vicinity have been, yet God has clearly shown us that he needs but the weakest instruments to break up the strongest holds of Satan. There has never been any very powerful excitement here, though in several of our meetings, there has been one or more hopeful conversion. The Spirit, for several months past, has seemed to come down from time to time, like the gentle showers of rain which gradually moisten the earth.

In most cases of those who have hopefully submitted at the foot of the Cross, they have had many days of severe struggle, in which the innate enmity of the

heart towards God, and the means of grace, has been acted out to the very life. You could no more wrest from them the full conviction of the deep depravity of the heart, than you could the belief of their own existence.

We have received into full communion with this church, twelve since I last wrote: these, with the thirteen before received, make twenty-five. Though this may seem a small number to you, yet when added to this feeble and discouraged church, of fourteen, it seems a large and pleasing ac. cession. There are a few others who are indulging hope.

There is much feeling among the im the truth stands out more prominent than penitent; their opposition and hatred to at any preceding time; some of them seem determined to brave Omnipotence. But these, however distressing, are not the most discouraging things incident to a revival. Satan labours successfully only in ambush; when he comes out in open engagement with the truth, he is always slain. We expect to see him fall.

From Rev. X. Betts, Wakeman & Clarkefield, Huron Co., O.

There have been a few cases of interesting change in Wakeman since my last report. A man, who has formerly been a distiller, and who has formerly talked Universalism, though he says now he never believed it, is rejoicing in the hope of eter nal life through Christ Jesus; and his wife, who, some twelve or fifteen years since, made a profession of religion in Connecticut, but has been living here without any church connexion a long time, and without God, as she thinks, has since the change in her husband, indulged again the hope of eternal life through Christ. They remain still disconnected with any church, but manifest to the world a change in their feelings towards religion. We received, on the second Sabbath in July, (at our three days meeting,) nine to our church in W. Of these nine, six are heads of families. The other three were young peo. ple, who had been dedicated to God, in infancy, by their parents, and whose mother's have already gone to their rest, having laid up their prayers in heaven as a legacy to their children, which we trust the Lord has heard and answered. We have had, in the subjects of the Lord's grace among us, abundant evidence that the Lord remembers his covenant. Of the nine received, all but one had been previously baptized; and of some other

subjects of hope, most of them are those who had been laid in the arms of the Saviour by their parents in their infancy, praying him to bless them. We have re. ceived one solitary individual at each of our last two communion seasons at Clarkesfield, but both had been professors of religion before. We consider such additions as very important, not simply as an increase of the visible host of the Lord, but much more especially, as it helps to make the line of distinction more manifest between the church and the world. The residence of professors of religion among us without any church connexion, is a great detriment to the prosperity of the church. Our Sabbath Schools flourish, and increase in interest. Our prayer meetings also, I think, increase in interest.

FIRST FRUITS.

number. But how many of these are genuine, eternity only will disclose; though time may prove some of them to be spu rious. Perhaps one half of these belong to this town. But the present number of converts is the smallest part of the beneficial consequences which I hope will result from it. There is at the present time much feeling in town, and many are un der deep convict ons, and I hope they will continue till they yield their stubborn hearts to God.

THE PATH OF DUTY A SAFE PATH.

From a Minister on the Western Reserve, Ohio.

I was informed a few months ago, by the neighbours, that a person who had opposed religion, threatened me with personal violence, in case I entered his house

Co., O.

If I recollect rightly, in my last report, I mentioned that there were some things interesting here, but that I scarcely dared to hope. Since then, the feeling in this place has gradually increased, and in the same proportion as the feeling increased my labours have increased. Applications were multiplied from every part of the town for me either to hold meetings or preach. These applications I dared not refuse, and as there were few mile members of the church who would take an active part in religious exercises, the conscquence was, that when arrived at the place of my appointment, I had either to preach or give up the meeting. The latter I could not do, as they were generally well attend. ed, and I could not send them away empty.

This interesting state of feeling con. tinued slowly and gradually to increase. Ten or twelve of the church were greatly aroused, about the same number were under serious convictions, and one or two hopeful conversions had taken place, when the church, on the 18th of August, ob. served a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer. The conference of churches for this county, commenced here the day fol. lowing, and the result has been highly beneficial. The conference continued five days, during which time God appeared to manifest himself in answer to the strong desires of his children. The convictions of sinners have been deep and pungent. It is impossible to state with accuracy the number of hopeful conversions, but it is known that forty is less than the whole VOL. IV.

my pastoral visits. I felt, however, that duty to his soul, and to the souls of his family had not been discharged, and that fidelity required me to go, notwithstanding; and, contrary to every body's expectation, I had a most profitable visit. Not a dis. respectful word dropped from his lips, and I had an opportunity of removing some of his prejudices. He had come from a very wicked place, where he had been conver. sant with none but flattering preachers, that cried peace, peace, when there was no peace. The solemn appeals to his heart and conscience, which have been made by Ministers and Christians since his residence in this township, he had conse. quently considered as malicious attacks

from his enemies. He is now convinced that his minister watches for his soul as one that must give account, is actuated by a regard to his eternal interest, and is bound to declare to him the whole truth. He has affectionately invited me to make frequent visits to his house, and is now willing to hear a faithful exhibition of truth, against which he has heretofore close his ears in rage.

REVIVAL.

From Rev. S. Woodruff, Strongsville, Cuyahoga Co., O.

The Lord hath at length visited in mer. cy again, the church and congregation un. der my pastoral care. There was no spe. cial seriousness among the people, except a spirit of prayer in the hearts of a few of the pious, till a three days meeting, which commenced on the 22d day of April. This

14

Thirty-one professed to indulge hope in t the mercy of Christ.

It was ascertained that some attended these meetings who had not heard the Gospel for months. The full result of these great missionary efforts, I am deeply convinced, will not be known until the universe shall be assembled before the Judge of quick and dead.

Among the converts, there was one that excited much interest. It was a child of the forest, a young Cherokee, who had but recently arrived, and commenced study. ing at the school on Walnut Hills. On hearing his name, when the rite of baptism was administered, I could not help think. ing how much joy this event would kindle in the soul of that servant of God, after whom this young Indian was named, and who has recently gone to his rest; I mean Jeremiah Evarts.

Lights and Shadows of Missionary Life. We have a Temperance Society of about 60 members, and frequent meetings for addresses and discipline. Still intemperance prevails here shockingly. We hope, however, it will diminish, as the present race of sottish drunkards shall pass away. We have four Sabbath Schools-three of them prosperous and promising. Some of the teachers have classes in two schools, which meet at different hours of the day. There are in the schools 18 or 19 teachers, and about 130 scholars. I attend a Bible Class once in two weeks, of about 20 members-no larger, because several are prevented from attending by being engaged in the Sabbath Schools.

The monthly distribution of tracts has been prosecuted 3 months. There is reason to think that some more have attend. ed meetings in consequence of it. These useful visiters have been refused admittance into 12 families. This measure, and Sabbath Schools, are opposed by arguments that would be truly ridiculous, if the effect of them were not a serious in. jury to many souls. Would you like a specimen? It is said by some that the name of every one who receives a tract is enrolled as a petitioner for a law, that shall impose a tax on all the people for the support of Presbyterian preachers. The Sab. bath School is met with this objection, that it is treating the Scriptures too lightly, for children to say over the verses as they do when committing them to memory. Some parents cannot bear to hear their children use the words of Scripture with so little reverence as to dwell upon them till they can repeat them from memory!

But while there are difficulties, there are also encouragements. About the middle of June, a conference of the churches in this county, was held in this place. At the meeting, considerable seriousness was manifested, and 3 young persons hope that they then passed from death to life. Since that time we have had inquiry meetings, which are attended by about 10 awakened inquirers, youth from the Sabbath School.

From Rev. Henry Shedd, Whetstone, Marion Co., O.

Though we have not received from on high abundant showers of righteousness, yet we would be thankful for some few mercy drops-that some few souls have been hopefully converted. In June, a communion was held in Centre congrega. tion, and 12 admitted to the church-9 on examination, and 3 on certificate. In Canaan also, though no communion has yet been held, 9 have joined the church; 6 on examination, and 3 on certificate.

On the 4th of July a Sabbath School cold water celebration was held in this place by our 3 Sabbath Schools, and two addresses delivered; a very interesting meeting, and, I trust, productive of good. The day was also celebrated here by a few in the old style, attended with drunkenness, swearing and fighting.

RHODE ISLAND.

Results of Self-denial and Perseverance.—

Letter from a Missionary.

The state of the Sabbath Schools is flourishing, exciting a wider and deeper interest. By my efforts in learning the children and young people to sing, we now have a regular singing school. We have had, for some time, the monthly concert, and Sabbath school monthly concert, attended with some interest.

A number of religious publications are circulated constantly in the village; and I hope to effect the monthly distribution of tracts soon, and the organization of asso. ciations, for the principal benevolent ob. jects of the day.

The house for public worship, which I contracted for in the spring, (the whole responsibility of which I took upon myself) is now about finished. In the basement story, I intend a room for a school; have engaged a teacher, competent for school of a high order, and of a religious order, designing to employ not a small portion of time in study, relative to the truth and doctrines of the Bible, and of the Bible itself. Many in this region feel