monthly distribution of tracts was introduced in October, and has been regularly attended to ever since, at an expense of about $15.

Twenty families, destitute of the Bible, have been supplied with the bread of life.

At the date of my commission our little church, just organized, consisted of ten members, a feeble band. There was nothing in the state of feeling worthy of mention during the first half of the year. About the 1st of March, there appeared to be a waking up, on the part of Christians; and some indications, that God was about to appear for us. He did appear; and though we have not enjoyed any thing like those powerful revivals, which distinguish the present day, yet we were refreshed. Almost every week, for a considerable time, added one or more to the number of those, who seek for the welfare of Zion, and pray for the prosperity of Jerusalem.

| bit appearances of interest among the scholars on the subject of religion. And in addition to them, we have succeeded in establishing a new school in an adjoining neighbourhood, where the effects of such an institution are greatly needed. And so far the promise of this school is encouraging. Difficulties of a sectarian nature have very much tied our hands, and impeded us in our advancement in the important work. We hope they will soon be removed.

The additions made to the church at the communion during this quarter are five members. Removals by death and dismission have taken from us two, which leaves a net increase of three, and makes the whole number of members one hundred and nineteen.

With others of our sister churches we have recently enjoyed the season of a four days meeting. It has been to many a special privilege, and a time long to be remembered. If the good done to christians We have received to our communion alone, in awakening, in comforting, in twelve by letter, and eighteen by profes-stimulating to holy work, be considered, sion of faith, during the year; so that our church, in number, is four-fold what it was at the commencement of the year. Our present prospects are somewhat flattering; and we hope, during another year, to have a church erected, and the institutions of religion established on a firm foundation.

LONG ISLAND.

we have reason to be thankful and rejoice. But benefits beyond this have been realized. I am not able indeed to report any result like a general and special concern among sinifers or the unconverted, but awakenings have occurred, and a few hopeful conversions taken place. With these and the number who were entertaining hopes before the meeting, we have a fair prospect of receiving eight or ten memFrom Rev. Joseph Nimmo, Sweet Hollow.bers at our next communion. The attention to the cause of the church and to religion, seems to be uniform and increasing among us. Our house, which was supposed, when first built, to be adapted in its dimensions to the ingatherings of several years, is already usually filled. Instances are occurring every week of new families being added to the congregation, which heretofore were out of the habit of attending any place of worship. These things look encouraging, and induce us to believe that in a short time the church here may be put on an independent footing.

VERMONT.

Interesting History of a Missionary's

Labours in a feeble Church.

A little church has existed here about forty years, but has never had a settled pastor, and only occasional preaching. It was an unpromising field; the great body of the people had grown up in estrangement from the sanctuary, and could not easily be approached. With God's help, almost every thing was to be done; and my health very slender. Our place of worship was unfinish

My Bible Class is still attended to regularly, and promises good to this grow-ed. It had been erected and covered, and ing flock. The interest which continues to be evinced on this subject is exceedingly gratifying to me, and augurs much for the final triumph and influence of divine truth an.ongst this community. The attendance, in general, is the same apparently, as would be, if substituted by preaching.

The Sabbath School cause seems still to witness a growing prosperity within our bounds. Those already reported, exhiVol. IV.

the ground pews made some seven or eight years before. It was soon neatly finished and painted. I estimated the expense incurred the first year for needful purposes, other than my support, at about $1000. This was borne by a few. They thought they made considerable sacrifices. The inhabitants generally are poor, or in very moderate circumstances. I looked to the Sabbath School, as one of the most effec

15

tual means of building up this church. A small school had been established, and was in operation when I came. There were two men, and but two, the Deacons, who were at all qualified for conducting it. I soon established a Bible class in connexion with it, which I instructed myself. It was very discouraging at first. Our library was small; and people here were so unused to giving, we feared to call much upon them, and if we did, we got but little. The Deacons, who are heart and soul in the work, and myself, provided the means of procuring books almost entirely, for more than two years, out of our own pockets; and we could induce only about forty or fifty to join the schools. These were often inconstant in their attendance. We talked and laboured with the people, in public and private, and at length saw an interest on this subject generally, but slowly, prevailing. The numbers and influence of our schools have been steadily increasing up to this time.

About two years ago a gentle refreshing commenced, and lasted about a year. About twenty united with our church, mostly by profession. Most of these were young men of great promise, or heads of families. There was something remarkable in this blessing, have always

began to establish Sabbath schools in the different districts. We have six flourishing Sabbath schools, with good libraries, and good instructers. Almost our whole population attend as members or spectators, regularly. One of the young men was assigned to a district, where there was but one or two praying families; the rest rarely attended meeting anywhere. As one of them said lately,-it was the Sodom of the town. The teacher began with a few, under great discouragement, but persevered. He was indefatigable in his efforts to render the school interesting, and to induce the neighbours to join. Within three months he had about forty scholars; and now the whole neighbourhood, almost without exception, old and young, attend. Perhaps thirty have found that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

The monthly distribution of tracts has been entered upon with success. I brought this subject before my people a little more than two years ago. I talked and preached on the subject till I was discouraged; (I have but little faith,) but I did not give it up. I took another way, when God gave me new helpers. My lyceum men, ten of them, are our distributors.

I took hold of the temperance reformathought. I had, from the first, been look- tion early. But it made slow progress ing anxiously, and praying for, materials here. One of my deacons, good a man as to work with; and I had promised the he is, said, when solicited to give his Master I served, if he would give them name,-I will wait a year, and if I can do me, I would do the best in my power to without spirits so long, I will join. He is turn them to account. Now he granted unquestionably the most influential man them. I immediately collected them, within the town; and so we had to do without my deacons and others, who were disposed to attend, into what I called a religious lyceum, held weekly at my house. We used to spend about three hours in familiar conversation on the leading doctrines of Christianity, and on such subjects as were calculated to imbue them with the spirit of the present age, and fit them for the work I had in view. As soon as it was prudent, I invited one and another of the most promising to my study, and told them what I wanted of them. I told them there was much to do, and the Lord Jesus expected them to do much, and they must do it; and must fit themselves for the work. I wanted to enlarge the Sabbath || school; to commence the monthly distribution of tracts; to get religious periodicals in circulation; to give new a impulse to the cause of temperance, and benevolent efforts. Up to this time it seemed to me that but two men, my deacons, had ever breathed in the atmosphere which now surrounds the churches. We soon

his influence almost a year. We have now about 120 members. You can hardly imagine how difficult it has been to get such things a-going. We are a "byplace." Little information was circulating as to what was going on in the great world, except what came in the vile country papers. I bought and distributed tracts and sermons on this subject to the measure of my ability. We are a poor people. My own means are slender. I have only $300. Our Society have given about $50 a year for foreign objects. We study economy; we live plain; but my wife has been sick a great deal. I presume that the lamp of the sick room has not gone out, by night, for six or eight months, reckoning it altogether. This has been an amazing tax upon my time and strength. In regard to the present state of religion, I hardly dare trust myself to describe it. The place is so changed, I shall be in danger of saying too much. About the last of May a revival commenced. It

proceeded rather rapidly. June 21, we in whom there was no guile." In the trycalled a three days meeting. The power ing situation he was called to occupy, he of God was remarkably displayed. Oppo- never was thrown off his balance. Opposition was entirely overawed; there has sition and obloquy were invariably returnbeen none openly. The work has been ed with kindness, forbearance, and sincere too glorious for any body to speak against | Christian affection. In this way, our broit. Not far from one hundred have ex- ther moved among the churches as a minispressed a determination to serve God. The tering spirit, "dispensing good where'er work has been still and solemn. The sub- he came." I know of no one of whom it jects appear to grow in grace. The little might be said with greater propriety," the church of between sixty or seventy, was labours of his life were love." It was this last year increased to eighty, and during spirit which made him welcome to every the last two Sabbaths to 115. Many more church, and won its way to every Christian are expected. The subjects of this work bosom. Prejudice and jealousy were ofare almost all Sabbath-school scholars. ten found to yield to that sweetness and All ages belong to the schools. The state Christian affection, with which he treated of feeling is still interesting. all who differed from him in opinion. Wherever he went he left the savour of godliness behind him. No church, I believe, ever had just reason to complain of his visits, while many can bear testimony to the good effects of his labours among

DEATH OF REV. RALPH CUSH-
MAN.

It is our mournful duty to announce to our readers that this devoted servant of Jesus Christ, and indefatigable labourer in the Home Missionary cause, departed this life on the 27th Aug., at Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio.

There is no occasion for us to speak of the character of our dear brother, to any who shared the pleasure of his personal acquaintance, or enjoyed his professional labours. The following testimonies from letters written to us on the occasion of his death, speak our own feelings as freely as we deem it consistent with Christian propriety to express them, though were we to give vent to the full tide of emotions which this sore bereavement has gathered in our hearts, we should perhaps speak more at large, and in still stronger language. From a Clergyman in the West to the Cor

responding Secretary.

them.

heavenly minded, tender, gentle, affecIn private life, he was the same: always prayer, and preaching, his great theme was tionate and faithful. In conversation, in redeeming love. Many will long remember his conversation, his prayers, and his sermons in the family circle. O! he was ripe for heaven! My dear Brother, my heart is full. The tears now dim my eyes while I write. I had found Br. C. a friend with whom I could take sweet counsel. down-always cheerful, always ready to He was never discouraged, never cast assist, and to co-operate in every measure which had for its object the promotion of the cause of Christ, and the salvation of It was more of a pleasure to labour with such a man, even in perplexing circumstances, than with most persons where all is fair and calm. Under his care, the Home Missionary cause, so dear to all who can appreciate self-denying efforts to do good, was growing constantly in public favour, its sphere of usefulness enlarging, and many feeble churches were receiving a new impulse."

men.

"Dear Brother--Ere this reaches you, you will doubtless have heard of the death of our dear Brother Cushman. He died at Wooster on Saturday the 27th Angust. Mrs. C. had left Cincinnati on Friday morning previous, but did not arrive in season to witness his death. His sickness and death were like his life, a bright exam- A clergyman in Kentucky writes, "The ple of Christian meekness, patience and death of Brother Cushman has spread a holy confidence in his "Divine Master." gloom over the friends of the A. H. M. S. in "Daring his short residence in the West, this valley. We have no doubt, that our our brother had endeared himself to a large loss is his eternal gain. A more holy man circle of Christian friends. All devoted than he was I never knew. I have trafollowers of Jesus Christ seemed to leve velled with him, preached with him, him, however widely they differed from prayed with him in private, conversed him in some things. None but the most closely and familiarly with him on his own prejudiced could resist his uniform meek-personal religion, and I do believe that he ness, patience, goodness, and unaffected had more of the mind of Christ, than any humility. He was "an Israelite indeed, man with whom I have been acquainted.

Appointments by the Executive Committee of the A. H. M. S. from Aug. 15th, to Sept. 15th, 1831.

The Treasurer of the American Home Missionary Society acknowledges the Receipt of the following sums, from Aug. 15th to Sept. 15th, 1831.

AMERICAN PASTOR'S JOURNAL,

OR,

ORIGINAL SKETCHES OF REAL CHARACTERS, CONVERSATIONS, AND STRIKING FACTS, FURNISHED CHIEFLY BY CLERGYMEN.

LAST DAYS OF REV. RALPH CUSHMAN.

[For notices of the general character of this devoted

servant of God, see page 115.

The following facts, principally collected from the attendants of Mr. C., after his decease, have been furnished by Rev. W. Cox, Wooster, O.]

AGREEABLY to my promise, I hasten to make you acquainted with some of the particulars of an event, which has taken from the church one of her brightest ornaments, and from the cause of Home Missions, one of its most lovely and devoted friends.

could refrain from vomiting whilst preaching. But though so much indisposed, the congregation bear testimony, that the sermon was unusually interesting, and that his prayers partook much of a devotional spirit, and expressed ardent desires after the heavenly state. In his addresses to the throne of grace, it was remarked that he more than once thanked God for the glorious and peaceful habitation which he had provided for his people; and at one time, seeming to forget that he was not alone in the closet, he exclaimed, "I hope it is not long before I shall fully enter upon the enjoyment of those heavenly mansions, which the Lord Jesus has gone to prepare for those that love him!"

On Wednesday, August 10th, I met Mr. Cushman at Loudenville, twenty miles from Wooster, on his way to the Western Reserve. I was journeying to Cincinnati; and, Gen. B. having accompanied me, I introduced Mr. Cushman to him, and they returned to He returned to Gen. B's., and took Wooster, where they arrived on the medicines which had been prescribed, morning of the 11th. Mr. C., after He slept but little, and passed an unconsiderable solicitation, consented to comfortable night. He was visited in spend the day at W., and preach in the the morning by the physician, who adevening. But before night he felt him-ministered more medicine, and remainself so unwell, that he would not have attempted to preach, had he not been unwilling to disappoint the people, no other minister being in the village to address them in his place. So ill was he, that he vomited several times on his way to the church, a distance of a little more than one fourth of a mile. Before entering the church, he called on a physician and procured a mild medicine, which gave him temporary relief.

He preached his last sermon in the Presbyterian Church in Wooster, on the evening of the 11th of August, from John iii. 7: "Marvel not that I said unto you ye must be born again." During the exercises he was so unwell, that he was compelled to omit the customary singing at the close, and immediately on pronouncing the benediction, he retired from the house and vomited. On the next morning he informed his physician that he had felt much distressed, and that it was with great difficulty he

ed with him during its operation. The immediate effect of the prescriptions seemed to be favourable. During the day he spoke much of the goodness of God, in disposing of him so mercifully in the midst of strangers, and thanked the Lord repeatedly, that he had been permitted to reach the dwelling of a family from whom so much kindness and affectionate attention had been received. Concerning himself, he remarked, "I know not what the Lord is about to do with me, but I am of little consequence."

On Saturday the 13th, he was much better: he left his room several times, conversed with his physician and Mrs. B. concerning a visit he had made to Madison, Indiana, and spoke with great delight of the goodness of the Lord manifested to him on that occasion. During the day he was visited by a number of individuals from the neighborhood, with whom he conversed freely and cheerfully about the cause