under the labours of the Rev. I. P. Labagh. The Spirit of God has arrested some souls at Wynant's-Kill, and awakened the church to earnest prayer. God has been pleased to do good in the Classis of Rensselaer. Appearances have been hopeful at Catskill. At Kinderhook, the church is agonizing in prayer for the conversion of sinners. Clermont is not forgotten in God's thoughts of mercy. The spirit of prayer greatly rests on Schodack; and Athens has enjoyed, and is enjoying a sweet and blessed revival. From the Minutes of the German Reformed Church, laid on the table of Synod, and from the statement of the Corresponding Delegate, your Committee are enabled to report, that the prospects of that large and interesting portion of Zion are unusually cheering. The Seminary of that Church is now in successful progress. The ministers are multiplying, and though, as is frequently the case in all Christian communities, the Report complains of lukewarmness in many, yet the spirit of devotion has gone forth more extensively than in former years, and a powerful work of grace has blessed more than one section of the church. The Presbyterian Church, through its Delegate, communicated to us the Narrative of the State of Religion within their bounds. In the wide extent of that Church, great diversities of circumstances exist; but the sum of information clearly indicates that God is in the midst of them, and that he rides in the chariot of salvation among them, from conquering to conquer. Among the indications of the Divine smile on our Church, your Committee present with great pleasure, the success of our own Missionary Society. A very pleasing increase of liberality to this institution is manifest from the augmentation of the funds. But what is truly cheering to every Christian, is the fact, that through the instrumentality of this Society, several languishing and destitute churches have been revived and supplied with the Word of Life; and some of them in less than a single year, have been enabled to support the Gospel without further assistance from this society. In consequence of the labours of these missionaries, not only have scattered churches been gathered together, but a considerable number of precious souls have been arrested, convinced, and brought into the liberty of the children of God, and into the communion of his saints. By these results, every friend of the Church and of souls must be encouraged to repeat and increase their exertions in favour of our Missionary Society. It is manifest from comparing together the number of communicants in the church, the ordinary amount of individual contribution, and the whole amount received into our treasury, that not more than one out of four of the members of our Church contributes to this Society. Will not the friends of our Church come up more generally to the help of the Lord? Do our brethren and sisters realize the value of souls, and their approaching account at the tribunal of God? O let them cast in "of their abundance," or their "two mites," into the treasury, by which they may be instrumental in gladdening a saint weeping in solitary places, in recovering many a poor sinner taken captive by the great adversary, and in brightening the crown of glory which they hope to wear forever. Another subject which calls for gratitude to God, and is intimately connected with the state and interests of religion, is the prosperous state of our Literary and Theological College. By the generosity of the members and friends of the Church, the subscriptions for the support of the third Professor, are in great forwardness. The Literary Department is in full and very prosperous operation, and offers the certain prospect of being an abundant fountain, whose streams shall supply our Theological Seminary, and flowing abroad, will gladden many a waste and solitary place of Zion, and many a parched and barren spot in the destitute world. We congratulate the Churches on the resolution of General Synod, recommending the formation of Education Societies in the several congregations belonging to our body. Undoubtedly, no measure could be more necessary in the present state of our School, nor more auspicious to the interests of our Institution. Perhaps the Societies are formed in all our congregations, and in successful operation; but your Committee have no knowledge of the fact, except so far as relates to the Classes of New-Brunswick, Albany, and Rensselaer, in each of which efforts have been made, funds raised, and three young gentlemen are now assisted by them. It is hoped that, as far as it is practicable, this example may be imitated. Young men can be found of suitable qualifications, who will gratefully accept the aid of the pious in obtaining the education necessary to enter on the pastoral office. How soon would all our vacancies be supplied, and how rapidly might our boundaries be extended, if every church having the ability, would support one candidate for the ministry. O that the time were come, when every Christian shall awake to the importance of this subject, and while they generously provide missionary means, they would also provide men to be employed by those means. The Committee recommend to General Synod the adoption of the following resolutions: 1. Resolved, That it be enjoined on the Consistories of the respective Churches under the jurisdiction of this Synod, to exhibit to their respective Classes at their annual meetings,—and upon the Classes, to transmit through their Delegates to General Synod, written and particular accounts of the state of vital godliness within their bounds, the subjects of sorrow in the Church, the state of the congregation, the prevailing vices, the efforts of benevolence that are made, and whatever else may be deemed interesting as the materials of the report on the State of Religion. 2. Resolved, That as it does not appear that the different congregations have complied with the resolution of General Synod in regard to the formation of Education Societies, therefore this Synod do earnestly repeat their recommendation on this subject. Herewith is transmitted the table of Statistical Accounts. All which is respectfully submitted. I. N. WYCKOFF, Chairman. |