endued them with fuitable gifts and graces, the directors think, that the patronage of this fociety, to introduce them and to affist (if neceffary) in fupporting them, would be legitimate and beneficial exertions. Such a miffion, in itself, must be regarded as an object of great intereft, on account of the increafing ftate of the colony, and of the number of children that stand in need of learning and Chriftian instruction; befides which, it fhould be remembered, that in the event of a religious intereft being, by the Divine bleffing, established and enlarged at Port Jackfon and the settlements in its vicinity, our miffions in the South Seas may be vifited with comparative frequency and facility; and be relieved, removed, fupported, or enlarged (as circumftances might require) with peculiar advantage. It is therefore hoped, that these confiderations, on a fubject of manifeft importance, will not be unimpreffive on the minds of the prefent meeting, nor be unimproved in the deliberations of future directors. At the laft general meeting, two objects of great importance and of clofe connection with the defigns of this fociety and the general interefts of religion, were committed to the execution of the directors. They were authorized to take fuitable measures for printing as large an editition of the Bible, or of the New Teftament only, in the French language, as fhould appear to them neceffary, with a preliminary differtation on the evidences of its divine infpiration for the purpose of their being diftributed in France and Belgium, by eligible and efficacious means. And they were alfo authorized to appropriate 500l. per annum to the improvement of a certain number of miffionaries of promifing tal ents and approved piety, by afford. ing them appropriate inftruction for the fpace of two years previously to their actual entrance on miffionary duty; and to carry these measures into effect conformably to the report made on this subject to the faid general meeting. The directors have, fubfequently, taken both of the above mentioned objects into their confideration; and are purfuing measures to carry them into effect. The directors have now concluded a report of their operations during the last year, with respect to the miffions that had previously been established by the fociety, and to fuch other objects as in their judgment are legitimate, benevo lent and important. And they have prefented fuch a view of the interefts and efforts of this inftitution as they think is calculated to engage the attention, encourage the hopes, and animate the exertions, of every Chriftian, in behalf of a well-connected and greatly-enlarged work of God. To cherish and increase a miffionary fpirit, by fuitable reprefentations of the pitiable ftate of Hea then and unenlightened countries, and the highly impreffive duty of holding forth to them the word of life and falvation ;-to employ with difcretion, wifdom, and energy, fuch means and miffionaries as the Providence of God fhall prefent to their patronage and fuperintendence; and by a correfpondence with every part of the Chriftian world to diffeminate miffionary knowledge, and to direct miffionary efforts; thefe it is hoped, will be the continued objects of the Society's folicitude, and of the Directors future labors. Of the benefits to be derived from an enlarged and attentively cultivated correfpondence with refpectable individuals and Societies in foreign | tution, whofe operations are inten parts of the world, the Directors think very highly. In the courfe of the past year letters have been received from America, Holland, and various parts of Germany, which evince, that by the diffemination of miffionary intelligence, miffionary zeal has been created and put in action. In America, feveral focieties have been formed, and have commenced encouraging exertions for the purpofe of inftructing and converting the native Indians In Holland and Germany fimilar inftitutions have een eftablished; refpectable and pulent individuals have offered their patronage and co-operation this fociety has, in confequence, been fupplied with fome valuable miffionaries; and at the prefent time fix effeemed and fuitably inftructed miffionaries are at Berlin, waiting the directors' acceptance of their offers to preach the gofpel among the Heathen nations in Af rica. A miffionary fociety, of great refpectability and promifing afpect, has alfo lately been formed at Tain and Inverness, in the northern extremity of Scotland. ded to be more especially directed toward the continent of Afia and Africa; our moft ardent prayers fhall be offered for a diftinguished benediction on their zealous endeavors; and we truft we fhall have to unite our thankfulnefs and joy on account of their abundant fuccefs. The energies of Chriftians of every name are demanded in a field fo bounded in extent and important in its confequences; and we indulge the hope that every minifter especially, who feels the immenfe importance of this cause, will imprefs upon his congregation and connection a proper attention to this fubject, that we may be furnifhed with an adequate fupply of faithful and devoted men, who are defirous of introducing the gospel among the Heathen nations, and poffefs the felf-denial, patience, and other qualifications which are requifite for fo ardent a work. From fuch a widely extended foundation of fubftantial knowledge and enlightened zeal, a fuperstructure of eminent worth, of a durable nature, and of divine efficiency, may reasonably be expected; and no human means (than thofe juft mentioned) feem better calculated to bring about that univerfal diffufion of piety and happinefs, which being predicted in "the fure word of prophecy," shall certainly be accomplished ;-" when "knowledge of the glory of the "Lord, as the waters cover the "fea." Among other acceptable proofs of an increasing zeal for the introduction of our Saviour's kingdom among the Heathen, we notice, with fatisfaction, the affociation which has lately been formed by feveral pious and refpectable clergy-"the earth fhall be filled with the men, and other eminent members of the Church of England, for promoting that object. Thefe worthy characters being of opinion that their exertions as a separate and diftinct fociety might be more beneficial than by an union with ours, (which comprehends other denominations as well as members of the establishment) have accordingly formed a miffionary inftiVOL. II. No. 9. Religious Intelligence. IMMEDIATELY on hearing of a revival of religion in Kentucky, fundry efforts were made to obtain correct information, from thofe who had been eye witneffes W w of the fcene. The following com-, munications are the first that have been received. They are given to the public, leaving all to judge for themfelves. Many will applaud, many will condemn-let him that judgeth do it in the fear of God. The following is an extract of a letter from the Rev. Archibald Alexander, Prefident of Hampden Sidney College in Virginia, to the Rev. Nathan Strong, Hartford. Mr. Alexander is a gentleman of eminent fcience and judicious piety, and by his late tour through New-England, became known and beloved by many of our Chriftian Readers. Prince Edward, Jan. 25, 1802. REV. AND DEAR SIR, I HAVE deferred writing until this time, that I might have it in my power to communicate fome authentic intelligence of the extraordinary revival of religion which has lately taken place in Kentucky. The inclofed letter was written to me, by the Prefident of Washington Academy, in this ftate; who vifited Kentucky for the very purpofe of examining into the nature of the remarkable religious appearances which exifted there. In this inquiry he obtained complete fatisfaction, and now entertains no doubt of its being a glorious work of God, as you will fee by the contents of his letter. I fcarcely know a man on whofe judgment, in a matter of this kind, I could more confidently rely than upon his. Poffeffing a clear, diferiminating mind, and rational piety, he was in as little danger of being deceived by delufive appearances as any other perfon with whom I am acquainted. You will however judge of the narrative for yourself, and may make what ufe of it, you think proper. I have fent it with a view to its publication in the Evangelical Magazine, if the Editors think it would be useful to the public. In N. Carolina a revival attended with fimilar appearances, has lately taken place, chiefly amongst the prefbyterians. I-am not able to furnish you with the names of the counties or congregations, but I am informed it has extended over a tract of country about twenty miles fquare. The congregations are nearly as large, and inftances of falling down as common as in Kentucky. In this ftate, religious appeat ances are fomething better, than when I left it. At Christmas a number of minifters of different denominations, met together in the county of Bedford, to confult upon the best measures for uniting their efforts, in defence of Chriftianity against the torrent of vice and infidelity which threatened to overflow the land. Their meeting was remarkably harmonious,-prejudice and party-fpirit feemed to have no place amongst them, but with one accord they confented to a fcheme of friendly intercourfe, and general union. Whilft they were together many fermons were delivered, and the effect was great-An uncommon awakening has taken place amongst the people in that neighborhoodand it is hoped a revival of true re ligion has commenced. Washington Acaderiy, Jan. 1, 1802. REV. AND DEAR SIR, I NOW fit down, agreeably to my promife, to give you fome account of the late revival of religion in the state of Kentucky You have no doubt been informed felves in finging or religious converfation. Perhaps about the laft of May or the first of June, the awakenings became general in fome congregations, and spread through the country in every direction with amazing rapidity. I left that country about the first of November, at which time, this revival in connection with the one on Cumberland had covered the whole ftate of Kentucky, excepting a fmall fettlement which borders on the waters of Green-River, in which no prefbyterian minifters are fettled," and I believe very few of any denomination. already refpecting the Green-River and Cumberland revivals I will juft obferve, that the laft is the fourth fummer fince the revival commenced in thofe places, and that it has been more remarkable than any of the preceding, not only for lively and fervent devotion among Chriftians, but also for awakenings and converfions among the careless. And it is worthy of notice, that very few inftances of apoftacy have hitherto appeared. As I was not in the Cumberland country myself, all I can fay about it depends on the teftimony of others; but I was uniformly told, by those who had been there, that their religious affemblies were more folemn, and the appearance of the work much greater, than what had been in Kentucky. Any enthufi-fo for me to defcribe. I had heard aftic fymptoms, which might at first have attended the revival, were greatly fubfided, whilst the ferious concern and engagedness of the people were visibly increased. The power with which this revival has fpread, and its influence in moralizing the people, are diffi cult for you to conceive, and more many accounts, and feen many letters respecting it before I went to that country; but my expectations, though greatly raised, were much below the reality of the work. Their congregations, when engaged in worship, prefented fcenes of folemnity fuperior to what I had ever feen before. And in private houses it was no uncommon thing to hear parents relate to trangers, the wonderful things which God had done in their neighborhoods, while a large fam In the older fettlement of Kentucky, the revival made its firft appearance among the prefbyterians laft fpring. The whole of that country about a year before was remarkable for vice and diffipation; and I have been credibly informed, that a decided majority of the people were profeffed infidels. During the laft winter aply of young people collected round pearances were favorable among them would be in tears. On my the baptifts, and great numbers way to Kentucky, I was informed were added to their churches.- by fettlers on the road, that the Early in the fpring, the miniftra- character of Kentucky travellers tions of the prefbyterian clergy was entirely changed; and that began to be better attended than they were now as remarkable for they had been for many years be- fobriety as they had formerly been fore. Their worshipping affem- for diffolutenefs and immorality. blies became more folemn, and the And indeed I found Kentucky, to people after they were difmiffed appearance, the moft moral place thewed a strange reluctance about I had ever feen A profane exleaving the place. They generally preffion was hardly ever heard. A continued fome time in the meet-religious awe feemed to pervade the ing-houses, and employed them- country; and fome deiftical char acters had confeffed, that from | On each of these particulars I fhall whatever caufe the revival might give you fome remarks. proceed, it made the people better. Its influence was not lefs vifible in promoting a friendly temper among the people. Nothing could appear more amicable, than that undiffembled benevolence which governs the fubjects of this work. I have often wished, that the mere politician or the deift could obferve with impartiality their peaceful and amicable fpirit. He would certainly fee, that nothing could equal the religion of Jefus for promoting even the temporal happiness of fociety. Some neighborhoods vifited by the revival, were formerly notorious for private animofities and contentions; and many petty lawfuits had commenced on that ground. When the parties in thefe quarrels were impreffed with religion, the first thing was to fend for their antagonists, and it was often very affecting to fee their meeting. They had both feen their faults, and both contended they ought to make the acknowledgments, till at laft they were obliged to requeft one another, to forbear all mention of the past, and to receive each other as friends and brothers for the future. Now, fir, let modern philofophifts talk of reforming the world by banifhing Chriftianity, and introducing their licentious fyftems; the bleffed gofpel of our God and Saviour is fhewing what it can do. Some circumstances have concurred to diftinguifh the revival in Kentucky from almost any other of which we have had any account. I mean the largenefs of their affemblies on facramental occafions -the length of time they continued on the ground, in the exercife of public or private devotion-and the great numbers who have fallen down under religious imprefions. With refpect to the largeness of their affemblies. It is generally fuppofed that at many places, there were not lefs than eight, ten, or twelve thoufand people. At one place called Cane Ridge meetinghoufe, many are of opinion there were not lefs than twenty thousand. There were an hundred and forty waggons which came loaded with people, befides other wheel-carriages: and fome perfons attended who had come the distance of two hundred miles. The largeness of thefe congregations was a confiderable inconvenience. They were too numerous to be addreffed by any one fpeaker. Different minifters were obliged to officiate at the fame time at different stands. This afforded an opportunity to those who were but flightly impreffed with religion, to wander backwards and forwards between the different places of worship, which created an appearance of confufion and gave ground to fuch as were unfriendly to the work, to charge it with diforder. There was alfo another caufe which conduced to the fame effect. About this time the people began to fall down in great numbers under ferious impreffions. This was a new thing among Prefbyterians. It excited univerfal aftonishment, and created a degree of curiofity which could not be restrained. When people fell down even in the most folema parts of divine fervice, those who food near were fo extremely anx ious to fee how they were affected,. that they frequently crouded about them in fuch a manner as to disturb the worship. But thefe caufes of | diforder were foon removed. Dif ferent facraments were appointed on the fame fabbath which divided the people; and the falling down |