joices when the people of God have reason to rejoice, and he mourns when they have reason to mourn. His feelings correspond with the

interests of the Church.

In surveying that part of the Church which is under the more immediate supervision of this body, some things seem calculated to excite joy, and others sorrow, in the minds of devoted Christians. In the wise dispensation of his providence and grace, God has kindly furnished us with some renewed and conclusive evidence during the past year, that he continues to hear the prayers and to bless the faithful exertions of his people; that his Holy Spirit is still going forward in the accomplishment of his glorious office-work; that he is determined to perpetuate the establishment of the Christian Church in the world; and that greater numbers shall be found, who, by their lives and conduct, bear testimony to the reality, the efficacy, and the happy influence of pure and undefiled religion.

The Churches which have been more especially blessed with revi. ving showers of Divine Grace, are those of Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Second Church in Albany, Schenectady, First and Second Churches in Glenville, Columbia in Montgomery Classis, and Owasco, and Lodi, formerly Ovid, in Cayuga classis. In Poughkeepsie, the work is extensive and powerful; and sixty-five, most of whom are youth, have been already received into church communion as fruits of this revival; in Kingston, 28; in the Second Church, in Albany, 50; in Columbia, 85; in Owasco, 83, and in Lodi, 52: have professedly taken the yoke of Christ upon them. In the Churches of the Boght and Albany, much successful attention has been paid to the colored population. In some of these Churches the work is represented as still progressing, and its character bears marks of much heart-felt and deep-toned piety. It gives the friends of Zion reason to take courage, and, in the name and strength of their Leader, the great Head of the Church, to move onward in the discharge of their duties, and in the increase of their efforts to evangelize the world.

In addition to those churches already mentioned, your Committee would observe that several others have been favored with at least a few drops of special and saving grace. As far as Classical reports have been received, we learn that the Churches of Union Village, Paramus, Esopus, Hurley, New Paltz, Union Church in Amsterdam Greenwich, Broome Street, and others in the city of New York, as

well as in other parts of our bounds, have been blessed by considerable accessions made to their members. It is already ascertained, that more than 1560 members have, during the past year, been added by confession and certificate to the different Churches under your jurisdiction. And, during the same period, the dismissions, suspensions, and deaths in said Churches amount to about, one third of that number. We have therefore reason to render praise and gratitude to God, for augmenting the number of his professed followers in our connexion more than one thousand, since the last annual meeting of General Synod."

Our Church has been increasing its members not only, but it has also extended its boundaries and influence. Some new Churches have been organized, additional congregations have been gathered, and different Missionary stations along our borders, and within our bounds, have been surveyed and designated. A spirit of benevo lence in its several branches, has, to some degree, been manifested. The benevolent and charitable institutions of the day have put in requisition a share of the energies and treasures of the Church. And some Churches have contributed largely, and, we trust, willingly, to sustain these desirable and heaven-born operations. By the benevolent operations of our Missionary Society, many of the destitute and indigent congregations in our connexion have been supplied with evangelical and successful labors of faithful ministers. Such appears to be the influence of that Society, that we deem it no inconsiderable means in the enlargement of our Church. To its operations we are constrained to attribute a large share of our success. Missionary stations have been occupied, moral deserts have been cultivated, and some of those places formerly desolate and dreary, have been made, by the divine blessing, to blossom and bring forth fruit unto the praise of God's grace. But still we would say to the Mana gers of the Missionary operations, Persevere in your exertions: a great and important work is before you: your field of labors is the world: there remains much land to be possessed: possess it, and cultivate it; and the God of Zion will smile on your efforts and you may eternally associate with those who have been saved through the instrumentality of your benevolence.

A willingness is manifested by some Churches to unite with those of other denominations, in carrying into effect the noble and lauda

ble resolution of the American Bible Society, to furnish every destitute family in our beloved country with a copy of the sacred Scriptures. They have also contributed towards the more extensive circulation of religious Tracts. These little messengers have gone forth with a "still small voice;" and in many instances they have exerted a powerful influence, and performed that for the peace and prosperity of Zion, which no other means apparently could accomplish. Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes, in many of our Churches, have gone into successful operation. Temperance Societies have been formed on the principle of entire abstinence from the use of distilled spirits. And such is their happy influence on the whole population of many towns and neighborhoods, in preserving the temperate from gliding into habits of using intoxicating draughts, and in reclaiming the tippler, and even the drunkard, that they certainly recommend themselves to the attention and most cordial and united support of all the friends of Zion.

The ordinary course of means for the promotion of religion, have been employed in the different congregations favored with stated labors of the ministry. The Gospel has been preached; the ordinances of the Church administered; the Sabbath day sanctified; Catechetical instruction imparted; prayer meetings and other religious exercises observed; and the visiting of families and schools performed.

We

In looking over the whole field before us, we find much to gladden our hearts, and to constrain us to rejoice in the Lord. We may rejoice in the addition of numbers, of strength, and of influence with which the God of Zion has favored us during the past year. may rejoice in that peace, and harmony, and Christian feeling, which have prevailed in most of our churches, and which have been manifested reciprocally in our religious intercourse and interchange of views and feelings with other Christian denominations of our country. And we may rejoice on the approach of that period, when the watchmen on the heights of Zion "shall see eye to eye," and the glory of God in the salvation of souls shall be displayed through the whole world.

From the narrative of the State of Religion within the bounds of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, we learn the pleasing and soul-cheering intelligence, that the Lord is graciously smiling

upon that portion of Zion. No retrograde movement has marked her course during the past year. The elevated rank which she held among her sister Churches, has been fully maintained. The Lord has greatly added to her numbers. Her Theological and Literary institutions are flourishing And the different benevolent enterprises of the day are regarded with increasing interest, and receive a liberal and prompt support.

From the Synod of the German Reformed Church, we learn that the general aspect of things within their bounds is favorable: that in Frederick City and Baltimore the Lord is pouring out his spirit, and bringing sinners to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Your Committee think it necessary, for the prosperity of the Churches and of our nation, that something should be done to promote the more strict and proper observance of the Christian Sabbath. Christians, by their prayers, examples, precepts, and influence, ought to promote the sanctification of the holy day. And we should unite, with other religious denominations, in the promotion of a cause so vital and valuable. And what we do, must be done quickly. No time should be lost. The Sabbath breaker is now progressing in his We must, if possible, arrest his progress, and, by divine influence assisting, show him his error. Soon our period of labors will terminate. Very soon may we be summoned to follow into eternity the departed spirits of our beloved brethren-the Rev. Dr Alexander Gunn, and the Rev. Cornelius D. Schermerhorn, whose period of labors has been closed since your last annual meeting. And if we are found faithful in our labors until we depart hence, we shall be permitted hereafter to enter that heavenly rest, of which the Christian Sabbath we here enjoy is but a blessed anticipation.

course.

Permit us to move the following resolutions :—

1. Resolved, That we highly approve of the leading sentiment contained in the Constitution of the American Temperance Society, and, therefore most earnestly recommend to all the congregations in our connexion, to organize without delay, and encourage and support Temperance Societies, based on the principle of total abstinence from the use of distilled spirits.

Whereas, it is evident that the fourth commandment of the sacred

Decalogue is much violated in many of our congregations, and in the country at large, therefore,

Resolved, That we deem it the duty of the different Classes, Ministers, and all the Churches in our connexion, to take immediate, and, if possible, efficient measures to secure the more strict and proper observance of the Christian Sabbath within their respective spheres of influence.

All which is respectfully submitted.

JACOB VAN VECHTEN, Chairman.