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nance was administered for the first time. There are in this neighbourhood 20 persons from different and distant Churches, who in about a month will probably receive fellowship as a Church. I have never seen any region in my life that needs gos. pel labourers more than this."

On the 17th of August, Mr. Blake returned to Cold Spring, and assisted in the organization of a Church. From this place he proceeded to Conewongo, where he had the pleasure of baptizing another female on a profession of faith. It was the first time that any one had ever been buried in baptism there. Two more converts were expected soon to follow their Lord and Master in this blessed ordinance.

In a letter accompanying his journal, the brethren in that region state, that they had lived there from one, to three years, without any preaching, until in the providence of God the benevolence of this Society sent them Elder Blake. They express the most unfeigned thankfulness for the attention which has been paid to their case, and in pathetic terms beg, that we would remember them in their deep poverty, and send them Missionaries, or they will have no one to dispense to them the word of life.

Rev. Ezra Going has been appointed to labour as a Missionary for one year in the western part of New-York. When he first arrived at the scene of his operations, he experienced much discouragement. But he described for himself a missionary circuit, and prosecuted with zeal the duties of his profession. After mentioning the towns which he alternately visited, he observes, "While at Buffalo the Church appeared to revive, one was restored, 2 or 3 backsliders returned, a few were serious, and meetings increased."

In Clarence, although but little is yet accomplished, there is a pleasing prospect of a revival, and of a number of valuable additions ; some by letter and some by baptism. Concerning Buffalo, he says, "I know not what to write. Our prospects have been scarcely two days alike. The first Saturday in February we spent in fasting and prayer. I believe we experienced the presence of God, and were blessed with a token for good. We have since enjoyed some refreshing from the presence of the Lord. More than 30 have obtained a hope in Christ; and others are still inquiring what they

must do.

Never have I felt so deeply my own insufficiency, or met with so many discouragements. For a considerable time, I feared that I was planting upon a rock. But of late I have hoped, that I was not labouring in vain. I have visited 17 towns; preached 70 times; attended 40 or 50 other meetings, and visited as much as my strength would admit. I have formed two tract Societies; and distributed several thousand pages of tracts."

Rev. Whitman Metcalf, who accompanied the above named Missionary, and we are happy to say, is a brother of a kindred spirit, has also gone forth under the patronage of this Board for one year. In concurrence with Mr. G. he also formed an itinerant circuit, in which he has not preached in vain. He has been instrumental in promoting a very pleasing revolution in one church in particular. When breaches were healed, harmony restored, and a spirit of humiliation and prayer was visible, then it was the pleasure of God to bestow the influences of his gracious Spirit. In one neighbourhood in particular, where a few weeks before, a dozen persons could not be persuaded to attend a conference meeting, al

most the whole neighbourhood || And it may be proper to add, that in the course of my visits, I have distributed several thousand pages of Tracts."

Pennsylvania.

Rev. Benjamin Oviatt has spent 3 months in the service of the Board. His labours were chiefly confined to Alleghany and Potter counties, Pa. He found a state of feeling among the people peculiarly interesting. In his mis

will now collect three evenings in a week. Not unfrequently 20 or 30, and sometimes more, will speak in an evening of the goodness of God to them, while some will express their anxious desires for the salvation of their souls. "Our meetings," he says, 66 on the Sabbath have been very large. Many have come and returned because they could not get in so as to hear. Baptismal and communion seasons have been very sionary tour he promoted and took interesting. God has manifested a part in the constitution of two his presence and approbation. I Baptist Churches; he attended am not able to state the number one ordination, and gave the Right that have experienced a hope in hand of Fellowship to the candiChrist. Twenty-seven have unit- date; and having witnessed some ed with the Church. Nineteen remarkable instances of converby baptism and eight by letter. sion, he had the pleasure of bapSome came forward with letters tising 18 persons, and of seeing dated years since; and others them go on their way rejoicing. expressed a hope which they had But although this information is cherished years before, but had animating, he states one fact concealed it from their friends. which should excite our commiserA number more anticipate a Sab- ation. He says there is but one bath in two weeks, when they can Baptist minister within 60 miles manifest their publick attachment of the place from whence he adto Christ by obeying him in his dresses his letter. Who can lisordinances. The people here often to this statement without feelexpress their gratitude to ing the importance of increased your Society for aiding them in exertions for the support of Dotheir destitute condition. In mestick Missions ? China there is nothing special; except that the Church enjoys a union which it has not had before for Rev. Squier Abbot has been years. In Freedom, a branch of employed by us as a Missionary the China Church, we have ex- for 3 months in Ohio. Having perienced many interesting sea- given a minute account of the va sons. Eight have united by bap-rious places which he visited, the tism, and six by letter, and reception that he met with, and there is encouragement to hope the various degrees of success that the Lord is still among them. which apparently followed his laIn closing my letter, I submit bours, he remarks I have rode with diffidence the following as a 711 miles; preached fifty-nine brief sketch of my feeble services. sermons; baptized 7 persons, and Since I engaged in the service of broke bread to one church. your Society, I have preached have enjoyed many precious sea117 sermons; attended nearly 70 sons; and have often heard the other meetings, and visited be- brethren express their gratitude to tween 170 and 180 families, be God, and their thanks to your sides a number of schools. Board of Missions, for sending

have baptized 26 persons, and 15 others were received by letter.

Ohio.

66

I

them the blessed gospel. "Could christians in Boston, (he writes,)

agents

hear the pressing solicitations that | States and Territories far West. other ministers, as well as my- And if, after mature deliberation, self, receive, in which the Macedo-a system of means should be denian cry is repeated-Come over vised having this object in view, and help us-I am sure it would and duly authorized should affect their hearts. There are be appointed to receive aid from multitudes in this western region societies and individuals, it is who are perishing for lack of hoped that they will meet with knowledge. And although many due encouragement. are led away by erroneous doctrines, yet, blessed be God, there is reason to hope, that many do hunger and thirst for the bread These and the water of life. greatly rejoice when they hear the tidings of salvation by Jesus Christ."

States bordering on the Missisippi

river.

In this region Rev. John M. Peck has been employed 6 months as your Missionary. As most of his letters addressed to the Board have already been published, it will not be necessary in this Report to give a particular account of his excursions and labours. We would however express the gratifying conviction that he has been an instrument in the hand of God of doing much good. His attempts to set in order the things that are wanting, in many of the churches; the zeal and industry with which he has established Bible Societies and Sabbath schools, and the interest which he has taken in the distribution of religious Tracts, cannot fail of receiving the appro bation of christians, and the special blessing of the God of grace. Mr. Peck has expressed his deep anxiety that a circuit system should be established in supplying the West with preachers of the gospel, and that specific funds should be raised in the different States to meet the necessities of this case.

The following persons have also been appointed Missionaries.

Rev. Asa Niles,
Isaac Kimball,
William Bentley,

M. W.

3:

6:

: 6

Elisha Andrews,

3:

Thomas Barret,

2:

James M'Coy,

6:

Hatch, 6:

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During the past year the Board have appropriated one thousand and two dollars for the purpose of assisting poor and infant churches in maintaining the constant and regular ministry of the word. From the experience which the Trustees have had on this subject, they are convinced, that there is no way in which they can more effectually subserve the cause of Christ. There are churches now, in a flourishing condition, which owe their visibility to our timely aid; and some are in possession of commodious meeting houses that, without appropriations from this Board, would have been obliged to meet in private houses, and probably they would have met no where. In a letter from one Society of this kind, thanking us for past and soliciting future We are fully impress-aid, the following interesting stateed with the belief that his plan is ments are made. Until Nov. 1823, both wise and practicable. We there was no Baptist Church in can see no other way in which a this village. At that time, a suitable provision can be made for few scattered christians formed the religious instruction of the themselves into a church.

The

part of this State, for whose min-
ister the Trustees had appropriat-
ed 50 dollars, we have received
the following information.
"The
church in this place have main-
tained stated preaching the year
past; and not without a blessing.
Twenty-seven have been received
since March, 1825. Fourteen by
baptism and thirteen by letter.
There is a prospect that a number
more will join. We feel grateful
for the assistance we have receiv-

that your bounty has not been misapplied." Other cases might be mentioned; but these it is believed are sufficient to show the great importance of such appropriations.

Christian Watchman.

The Trustees have in an official

whole number was 15, of them, only four were men and two of them lived at such a distance, that they were of little use, and afforded us no pecuniary aid. In 1824 we applied to Mr. H. who continued to serve us until Sept. last. We met with unexpected difficulties: but we believed that our cause was good, and were determined to persevere. Three of us built a small vestry which cost us $650-in this we continue to meet to the present time.ed from your Society, and hope In July last it pleased the Lord to look on our low and feeble state; he visited the vestry, and revived his work among us. Since that time 45 have been added to this little church, and there are some more who will probably soon join us. We now are encouraged to hope that the Lord will continue to bless us. Our vestry has become too small for us, and we have within a few days determined to From the arrangements build a large and good meeting- which have been made, it is probhouse. We have purchased land, able the Society will derive some and are collecting materials for pecuniary aid from that publicabuilding. The house will cost tion. This consideration however us $4000. We have already been had not so much influence with indebted to your Society for $100, them as a belief that the piety and and before we concluded to build, ability with which that paper is we had determined to ask no more conducted, render it deserving of aid. We can indeed support our a more widely extended circulaminister, but we are not able to do tion. It will scarcely be less it, and to build at the same time. gratifying to the Board than to its Had we received no support from publisher, to learn hereafter that your Board, I have good reason this highly useful vehicle of relito believe, that we should not now gious intelligence, has greatly have been a Society. It encour-multiplied the number of its preaged us to hold on in the darkest sent subscribers. times until the Lord appeared for us.

Another church that has received repeated aid from this Board, has been enabled to redeem their meeting-house, which had been alienated from them not in the most liberal and honorable manner. It is still however an important crisis with them, and they are now looking with great anxiety to this Society for help.

manner extended their patronage to the Christian Watchman, a religious newspaper published in Boston.

American Baptist Magazine.

This work is still published under the direction of the Trustees. Although the number of subscribers for it is respectable, yet it is not so great as in former years. This is partly owing to the increase of other religious publications, and partly to the want of efficient agents whose duty it should be to devote themselves enFrom a Society in the westerntirely to its interests. We do JULY, 1826.

28

soon be in operation, which will secure to the American Baptist || Magazine a much greater portion of readers.

It is

trust, however, that means will must enter upon a wider field and more extensive plans of usefulness. questionable, if amongst all the excellent institutions for the spread of the Gospel at home, with which our country abounds, there is one with no greater resources, that has been the instrument of such extensive good as this Society. Much of the field over which its first missionaries travelled more than twenty years since, is now overspread with large Associations, flourishing Churches, Missionary Societies, Foreign and Domestick, Theological Schools, and now ex

The publishing Agent in this city has not been able to prepare his accounts so as to state what will be the profits for the last year. The probability is, they will be much less than have been declared on former anniversary occasions. The Board mention these facts, not as causes for discouragement, but from a conviction that the So-hibits the joyful prospect of a rich harvest ciety should have a full view of for succeeding ages. Fixing the mind on all its concerns. They are fully the exertions of this Society for the year persuaded, that nothing more is recently closed, the results are in no ordiwanted, than the countenance of nary degree gratifying. Twenty-two Ministers and private christians missionaries had received appointments to this valuable work, to increase in all to the amount of ninety-six months, its circulation four fold, and thus or a period of eight years, the most of to make it instrumental, not only which has been performed, and this has of diffusing much knowledge cost the Society less than 2000 dollars. through every part of our country, Sixteen feeble churches have received the but of annually enriching your aid that has enabled them to obtain the treasury to an indefinite amount. regular dispensation of the word and orAll which is respectfully sub-dinances at an expense of 1002 dollars. mitted. DANIEL SHARP.

Sec'ry.

RELIGIOUS WANTS OF THE
WEST.

We earnestly recommend to the serious attention of all our readers the following

CIRCULAR ADDRESS. Having been appointed Agent for the BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS, for a few months, to increase its funds and its Auxiliaries, that exertions upon a more extensive and systematic scale may be made in the States bordering upon the Mississippi, the undersigned begs leave to address the Baptist community and the friends of religion in general on these important objects.

Labours of the Society.

THIS Society has steadfastly prosecuted its labours, and enlarged its benevolent efforts to promote the Gospel in our own country from its infancy to the present time, and now the openings in the Providence of God plainly indicate that it

And from the manifest fruits of the la

bour of these missionaries, and the aid

afforded to these churches, it is abundantly evident, that the blessing of God has followed in no ordinary degree.

The number of souls converted, the amount of spiritual consolation administered to the flock of Christ scattered through the wilderness, the backsliders that have been reclaimed, the vice that has been lessened or prevented, the influence that has been exerted favorable to morals and religion over a mass of population on the frontiers, the amount of good in Sabbath school instruction, the revivals of religion, and all the direct

and indirect benefits that are the fruits of this one year's labour, is incalculable. Eternity alone can estimate its value.

Future exertions.

But there are decided indications in the opening events of Providence, that this Society ought to increase its efforts and multiply its resources more than two fold, the present year. A number of small

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