demands of the cause. That pledge was ultimately, though with too much reluctance and tardiness, redeemed, and good has been accomplished which the mind of an angel could not calculate. But what shall be done for the future? So far have the payments of the Society exceeded its receipts since the last anniversary, that the treasury is not only empty, but overdrawn, at the present time, more than $5000; and if we pursue the same system as formerly, a system which is necessary to the vigorous prosecution of the work, it must probably be overdrawn in course of the year to a much larger amount, unless the friends of the cause shall come forward more promptly, and with more than their accustomed liberality, to furnish the means of meeting its increased demands. Pledges have already been made, and must be redeemed in course of the coming twelve months, beyond the amount expended in any former year. And it is because "more liberality" is likely to be excited by the expectation of good to be done, than by the disposition to cancel obligations incurred for that which has been done," that it is deemed expedient to make this early expose of the wants of the A. H. M. Society for the present year. More than three fourths of the labour of the year is yet before us. It is a "good to be done," and if the blessing of God shall accompany the operations of the Society in any proportion to that which has crowned the preceding years, it is a good which will infinitely overpay every past and every future sacrifice of its friends. More than 550 missionaries are to be employed-more than 800 congregations and missionary districts to be aided in their support, and more than 10,000 souls to be converted under their ministry. To accomplish all this, more than $50,000 are yet to be raised. If this amount may be contributed with greater cordiality while the good remains yet to be done, let the friends of the cause avail themselves of this seasonable notice of its necessities, and of its glorious prospects, and Now, in the beginning of the year, and before obligations shall of necessity have been incurred for that which HAS been done, let them provide for its wants by liberal contributions. In this way only can the evil, so much regretted, of an overdrawn treasury, be avoided. The field of the Society's efforts never before presented so much encouragement as at the present time. Many portions of it are already white unto the harvest. The so much needed work to be done must not be retarded by the reluctance of those who love Zion to provide seasonably the necessary means. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, and all the good to be done, will be done, to the glory of God, by us. HINTS TO GOOD MEN AND WOMEN. "PREACHING THE GOSPEL BY PROXY." doing much, and whose piety constrains There is a style of contributing to them to do good in the most direct way, charitable institutions which seems to and to the extent of their ability. The us to be privileged above the common privilege of wealthy Christians, in this walks of beneficence. It is fully reach-respect, might well be envied by the ed only by those who have the means of poor, were it not that He by whom ac has determined, for the remainder of his life, to" preach the gospel by proxy," in Missouri; and arrangements are made by which he will soon be thus on the field of his choice, in the person of a faithful man, as we trust, who is already appointed a missionary to that state. This generous example has been followed, in part, by several others. than if I were to quit the calling in which tions are weighed, and who always beholds the gifts which are cast into the treasury, once gave to "a certain poor widow" the praise of having "cast in more than they all." Yet, if we have a heart to consecrate all our possessions to God, it is a privilege to be rich. If devoted piety in the poor may thus magnify the value of "TWO MITES," when it is the whole of one's living, the same A gentleman in Pennsylvania, as spirit will give a proportionate increase published in our last, [see Home Miss. to the work of the gifts of the wealthy, vol. v. p. 43.] has pledged the contriprovided they also DO WHAT THEY CAN.bution of $100 annually, so long as God We have had delightful evidence of shall spare his life, and bless him with the existence of this spirit among some the ability to do so; and inquires what of the more wealthy contributors to the amount will be necessary to support a funds of the American Home Missiona- missionary in the valley of the Missisry Society. Annual contributions from sippi? wealthy individuals have been received, within the last year, of from $100 to $2,000; and in many minds there seems to have arisen a new feeling of responsibility as to the appropriation of their gifts to the best purposes. It begins to be perceived more clearly than formerly, not only that it is the duty of Christians to give, but that they are equally bound so to condition their contributions as to promote most directly and efficiently the objects for which they are bestowed. Four men in Boston, through our agent in Massachusetts, have just sent us their pledge of $100 per annum, to support a missionary in the west. We are now happy to add the following extract of a letter, received a few days since, from our esteemed friend, B. F. BUTLER, Esq. of Albany, addressed to the Cor. Secretary. MY DEAR SIR, "From your last report it appears, that the average expense of maintaining the missionaries in your employ, so far as it One contributor of $2,000 has ac-devolves on your Society, is a little more cordingly specified certain immoralities tending to intemperance, which, if they are allowed in any of the churches, shall debar them the privilege of receiving aid from his donation. than $100 per annum. It is probable that it will not, in any year, exceed $150. Under this impression, I take pleasure in proposing to defray, during the present year, the expense of one of the labourers to be employed by you; and I enclose my check for one hundred dollars, to be applied to this purpose. The balance shall be paid at your next anniversary, on ascertaining the average sum. And I desire to be considered as engaging to continue this contribution, so long as Providence shall ena Another, who contributes $1,000, directs the appropriation of a sufficient portion of it to pay the full salary of one of the most important agents of the Society, and thus secures, by his contribution, the constant labour of a talented and devoted minister of the gospel in able me to do so without injustice to my sphere of distinguished usefulness to the cause of the Redeemer. Another, who has pledged the contribution of $116 per annum, as long as he lives, has done it on the condition that he shall have the privilege of appropriating that amount to the entire support of one of the Society's missionaries in the state of Missouri. In the language of his own communication, under the signature of a "Friend to Missions," he family or others; subject, however, to the further qualification, that your Society shall faithfully adhere (which I doubt not they will) to the evangelical and catholic principles which have thus far distinguished their operations. "I cannot sufficiently express to you the happiness I feel in the belief, that I shall thus be enabled, through the medium of your Society, to fulfil the duty of preach. ing the gospel to my fellow men; and in a way too, much more likely to be useful, Providence has placed me. To the guid- cross is the power of God unto salvaance and blessing of God, I fervently com- tion, be encouraged by such a provision mend, not only the missionary who may to enter the field? By what other be employed by this contribution, but all means can they who possess property the labourers in the service of your Socieuse it to promote so directly the cause ty. May they be men of sound principles of salvation? Here is an expedient by and exemplary piety-thoroughly qualified which the farmer, as he tills his ground, for all their important duties-full of faith, the mechanic, as he works at his trade, and wisdom and enlightened zeal! May they be kept from all strife and contention; the merchant, as he measures off his from all improper interference with politi- goods, the physician, as he administers cal or other extraneous concerns; from healing to the sick, and the lawyer, as ambition and intolerance; and from every he settles the claims of property and thing, in a word, that is repugnant to the pleads the cause of the oppressed, may spirit, or the precepts, or the example of all be preachers of the gospel by prory. their Master! And may the spirit of truth Young men, also, who are not called as direct, and accompany, and bless all their was Aaron, may take on them this office ministrations; and thus secure to them, without presumption;-and even the both here and hereafter, the joy and the daughters of the rich, who inherit the crown of those who turn many to wealth of their fathers, may thus preach righteousness,' and who shall the gospel. This, too, is a provision by stars in the firmament for ever! which the widows of the wealthy, that mourn, may have "appointed unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness," because shine as “I am, dear sir, with sincere and affec. tionate regard, your friend and brother, B. F. BUTLER. REV. ABSALOM PETERS, Cor. Sec. A. H. M. S." What is the language of the forego-they may thus send good tidings of ing examples to the wealthy Christians good to the destitute and the afflicted. of our land? Let him that readeth un-be wealth in possession, or the ability Who, that has the means, whether it derstand. These examples are not selected because they are more liberal than others which might be named. Many of the poor, it may be, have "cast in more than they all." And the contributions of other men of wealth have been equally bountiful. But these examples exhibit a connexion between the contributions to this Society and the specific object to be accomplished by them, which cannot fail to be interesting. They show the fact that the contributor of any sum, does, in effect, preach the gospel during the time that his donation supports a missionary. Will not all who love the souls of men, and believe that the preaching of the to earn it, will refuse to put forth exertions to contribute from $100 to $400, for the sweet satisfaction of feeling that every Sabbath-day, and, both in season and out of season, during every week in the year, he is preaching the gospel by proxy to the poor? Let this be done by only one half of the wealthy in our churches, who hope that, within the last year, they have become new creatures in Christ Jesus, and then let the poor cast in their mites, and the work of Home Missions would be amply provi ded for. And let every reader of this ble for a portion of the means necessary article feel that he is himself responsi to this result. REPORTS OF MISSIONARIES. MISSOURI. From Rev. J. M. Sadd, Farmington, St. on hand. There is no week-day school Francis Co., Mo. ply of which I have been enabled to keep where it would be proper for me to enter for religious instruction, except one under I have used much pains to distribute the care of Mrs. S. She takes much pains tracts far and near, all around me, a sup-" "to cultivate piety, and prays with the and more on the Sabbath. The sacrament was administered to the little church, to which table came a number of our Me scholars. Sabbath Schools are becoming more and more prosperous and useful in this section. I have organized four in this county, all doing well, and expect to organ-thodist brethren. Some old people, who ize another this week. The one in Farmington has prospered beyond my expect. ations. It numbers about 43 scholars, eight teachers; library of 130 volumes. Two teachers have been converted since the school commenced, and another is very anxious. My Bible Class numbers 15 members, and is interesting. It has been very difficult to conduct prayer meetings until of late, because there has been no one, commonly, to pray but myself. We have had, however, commonly one every week. had long lived astray from God, who had once been members of a church, (though no one knew it,) now came to the inquirers' seat, bursting into tears. It was an affecting sight indeed. On Monday morning, four aged persons, who had all but one come to the inquirers' seat the day before, came to the session to be examined. They all gave satisfactory evidence of having passed from death unto life, and were admitted to the church. Two others came to the scat on Monday, one of whom is since hopefully converted, and the other a promising case. The united heads of two other influential and wealthy families appear deeply anxious for the salvation of souls. After sermon on Monday, some The Monthly Concert has been attended well, and has been, I believe, a very interesting and profitable meeting. I have read, every meeting, I think, extracts from the Home Missionary, and made other re-addresses were made on the subject of marks relating to missionary operations. Our county is supplying fast with the Bible, although we have no society organized, owing to great opposition before I came here. Certain individuals, however, had some Bibles forwarded, and many have been sold. I design to scour the county soon, and ascertain the wants exactly. We have a monthly tract distribution, which is doing much good. The tract seems to be received cordially by every family. Revival. At the sitting of our Presbytery in April, at Apple Creek, during which time the Lord poured down his Spirit, and brought in a goodly number into his kingdom, I resolved to return home, and be more faithful than I had ever been before. On my return, I found more solemnity than when I left. I preached more plainly, and urged them to an immediate decision. One interesting case of conversion soon occurred. Soon two others, and then another. Some few opposed. A protracted meeting was appointed, which commenced on Friday the 18th of May. On that day, one minister only being present to help me, we organized a church of seven members, and ordained one of them as an elder. Three of these were new converts-two from a neighbouring church, one an old lady, the only Presbyterian in the place a little time since, known to be pious, and the other my companion. We together preached two sermons, and held a prayer meeting every day. We had full meetings each day of the week, and on the Sabbath a great throng. Five or six came forward to the inquirers' seat on Saturday, || temperance, and a society of about 20 members organized, which is increasing every day. Our Thus the Lord is truly with us. little town, which consists of only about twelve families, is a solemn place. A few months since, the Sabbath was almost wholly disregarded, but now scarcely an individual passes across the streets, unless it be for a good purpose. I have reason to believe that a number of the scholars in the Sabbath School are the fruits of this work. Our Sabbath School is now a more precious place for children, as some of the teachers have become pious, and others anxious. We have had trials and struggles, but none worth mentioning, for the Lord has more than sustained us under all, and now crowned our labours with success. Not unto us, but unto his name be all the glory. We are glad to be here. We would not exchange our situation for any one east of us. ILLINOIS. Revival in Bethel, Bond Co., Ill. Extract I must tell you what the Lord has been doing for my dear people. When I wrote you last, you recollect that a few had hopefully passed from death to life. The spring was then just coming on, and my health rapidly declined. For several weeks it seemed to me that I should preach but little more, and, what was still worse, I memorated the dying love of Christ. At the close of the afternoon service, an inquiry meeting presented a scene of deep interest. The inquirers were requested to go to the meeting house, while Christians remained at the stand to pray. About 60 resorted to the house, all of whom were in deep distress. Sighs, sobs, and groans, could be heard from every part of the house. Some hopefully passed from death unto life. Such was the state of things, that it was deemed imprudent to close the meeting that night; and accordingly notice was given that the religious exercises would be continued through another day. This was the last, and truly the great day of the feast. Our congregation this day (Monday) was not so large as on the Sab. bath, but our seasons of worship were scarcely less solemn than the scenes of the judgment. Christians had felt and prayed before, but this day they were in agony for sinners. When the invitation was given for the inquirers to go to the meeting house for conversation, nearly every impenitent sinner on the ground rose, and seemed in haste to reach the place. The few that stayed back were persuaded by their friends to accept the invitation. And now commenced a scene which will not soon be forgotten. Those who were hoping were seated by themselves, the anxious all around them. Soon one left her seat, and placed herself among those who entertained a hope of pardon; then another and another. This awakened the deepest distress among those who were left. Many were unable to restrain their feelings. In the course of about three hours, probably twenty, or more, hopefully passed from death unto life. But few were left, and some of these thought they found the Saviour that night after leaving the ground. At sunset we repaired to the stand, and closed the exercises of this meeting by prayer, and singing "Bless'd be the tie," &c. I have seen most of the converts since the meeting, and in general they appear well. saw evident marks of decline in the work || You know the state of my congrega. tion before the meeting-that an unusually large proportion were pious. The Lord now almost seems to have finished up his work of saving mercy here. Only two individuals, among the members of my congregation who are heads of families, remain out of the ark of safety, and they are inquiring! In some families, where one, two, or three persons were unconverted, the Lord has finished the work! Indeed, when I go around among my people, I hardly know where to look for the impenitent sinners; but few are found |