from the presence of the Lord, was neither preceded by unusual lukewarmness, nor ushered in by any remarkable providence-their meetings gradually became numerous and crowded, and a deep and solemn silence, like the stillness of the grave, pervaded their assemblies. In Greenbush upwards of 60 have been added to the communion of the church-in Hempsted 79-and in Chester 160 have been gathered from the world to the congregation of believers. At the commencement of the revival in Chester, the state of religion was uncommonly low, and professors had long slumbered over it, with apparent unconcern-yet, the set time to favour Zion had come; and when the anxious inquiry was heard, "what shall we do to be saved," many were awfully convicted of having hardened their hearts and resisted the strivings of the Spirit.

The reports from the Presbytery of North River, represent the state of vital godliness within their bounds to be on the whole low, and still declining. They speak of the decrease of their numbers, and the coldness of professors, as causes of sorrow and humiliation.

A

The aspect of religion in the churches of the Presbytery of New-York, is more encouraging. Their reports state a general increase of their numbers and prosperity. In the Brick Church there has been, during the past year, a revival of religion, and as the fruit of it about 80 souls have been hopefully converted. The Mission Church, which was commenced and continues to be supported by female benevolence, prospers. new Presbyterian church, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Frey, has been organized, of which, several Jews are members, and a commodious place of worship erected for them in Vandewater-street. There have been two other new churches formed, within three years, in the city of New-York, and it is with pleasure we hear of their prosperity, and the happy influence they exert in their vicinity.

From the Presbytery of Jersey, the reports have not, for many years, spoken so loudly of spiritual leanness and barrenness. The past year has been a season of mournful declension, of spiritual slumber and worldliness among professors, which calls loudly for humiliation before God. With united voice they tell the sad evidences of the withdrawment of the special influences of God's spirit, except in the congregation of Bloomfield. There it has pleased the sovereign God to pour out his Spirit.

Decisive tokens of this were first clearly visible in the month of January. In this gracious work of God the Spirit, the members of the church became deeply sensible of their guilt, in slumbering over the interests of Zion, and devoting so much of their time to the things of the world-these impressions were more and more deepened-Christians were brought to mourn-they were quickened in duty, and more closely cemented in the bonds of brotherly affection and united devotion. As the fruits of this revival, upwards of 130 entertain hopes of having passed from death unto life, and of these about 70 have united with the church. While we rejoice in this memento, that God has not entirely withheld the showers of his grace from this section of his church, which in many former years has been emphatically marked as revival ground; yet, the symptoms of spiritual slumber, and death, and devastation, are too visible not to be seen, too criminal not to be reproved, and too foreboding not to be lamented.

Within the Presbyteries of NewBrunswick and Newton, there have been no general revivals. In the church of Princeton an increased attention to religion has been witnessed. In the church of Newton, a special work of grace commenced about the first Sabbath of March, after a winter of uncommon spiritual coldness. In the progress of this revival 32 persons have been received into the communion of the church. This work of grace, like the others which have been reported, has had a reforming influence on the morals of the congregation. While the churches of this Presbytery have whereof to bless God, they have, with their sister Presbyteries, also deep reason to say, oh that the Lord would revive his work in the midst of the years, "in wrath remember mercy."

The Synod further report, that the various institutions of piety and benevolence, auxiliary to the cause of God, within their bounds, have been generally supported, and some enlarged, during the past year. Sabbath schools and biblical classes, established in most of our congregations, continue, and are still attended with the same happy results. In some of our congregations the principal additions to the church have been made from these schools and classes. Charitable associations, notwithstanding the pressure of the times, have generally exhibited their usual liberality. The African school continues to encourage our hopes. There are at pre

sent six pupils under the care of the board of Managers, who are making commendable progress in preparation for the gospel ministry.

In the college of New-Jersey, although there has been no general revival or awakening, yet fourteen students, belonging to that institution, have, within the last year, made a public profession of religion.

The smiles of Divine Providence are still resting on the Theological Seminary at Princeton. The highest number of students connected with it, during the summer session, was 76. The spirit of missions is still gaining in the seminary : -of about 26 students, who, during the last session closed their studies in the institution, considerably more than half have been engaged, or are about to engage in missionary service. One was recently ordained with a view to a mission in the Sandwich Islands; another, for the purpose of taking charge of a tribe of Indians in the western part of the state of New-York. The attention of the students to prayer meetings, Sabbath schools, and other pious and benevolent associations, continues rather to grow than to diminish. Thus it appears this school of the prophets is still under the fostering care of the Head of the church. While, therefore, God in his providence is removing his servants one after another, the Synod feel thankful that he is raising up so many young men of talents and hopeful piety for the ministry.

Upon a review of the whole, the Synod, relying on the promises of God, take courage, and resolve that for Zion's sake we will not hold our peace, and for Jerusalem's sake we will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.

THOMAS C. SEARLE.

[From the Boston Recorder.]

Died, at Madison, Indiana, on the 15th of October, the Rev. THOMAS C. SEARLE, pastor of the church in that place, aged about 32 years. His excessive labours in preaching brought on a fever, which terminated his life to the irreparable loss of his church and congregation, and to the great affliction of all, who take an interest in the promotion of sound learning and of pure religion among our brethren in the new settlements of the west.

Mr. Searle was a native of Rowley, Mass. and a graduate of Dartmouth College He received his theological education at the excellent Seminary in Princeton, N. J. to which he ever felt a warm attachment as well as to the doctrines and discipline of the Presbyterian church. He had many inducements to settle in the ministry among his friends in New England; but the deplorable condition of our western brethren in respect to religious ordinances, weighed upon his heart and made him break away from the endearments of kindred

and all his early attachments, that he might carry the gospel to the destitute. Without property and with a small family, many discouraging considerations would naturally spring up; but being satisfied as to his duty, he placed the most entire confidence in the good providence of the Master, whom he served. He went forth in faith, like Abraham, not knowing whither he went. At the distance of 1200 or 1500 miles from New England, as he was descending the Ohio, he was induced, about two years ago, to stop at Madison where he opened an academy and was settled in the Ministry. If he was not the first Presbyterian minister established in Indiana, yet, it is believed, that not more than one or two ministers could have been settled before him. Unceasing in his labours in proclaiming wherever it was in his power, the glad tidings of salvation, with a zeal ever flaming, with many plans for advancing the literary, moral, and religious interests of Indiana, he in the mysterious, but righteous providence of God, has been called to a better world, leaving an afflicted widow and infant son. died in the peace of the believer,-in the triumphs of assured hope. Like LARNED, he has fallen in early life a victim to his zeal in the cause of benevolence. In his short life he effected much in the cause of religion; but his memory may do more for that cause than his life.

He

New-York Religious Tract Society.

Among the contributions to this Society, reported at the last meeting of the Board, were the following:From a few Ladies of the Rev. Dr.

Romeyn's Church, to constitute their Pastor a member for life, $20 From a few Ladies of the Rev. Dr.

Spring's Church, to constitute their Pastor a member for life, $20

ANECDOTE.

From the fifth Report of the CourtlandCounty Bible Society.

A poor woman in Montreal received a Bible from the British Agent in that city. A Romish Priest, hearing of the circumstance, made her a visit, intending to deprive her of the precious gift. He offered her five dollars for her Bible. She declined taking it. He then offered her ten, and afterwards fifteen dollars; she still declining, he left her. The next day, he returned, and offered her twenty-five dollars. She accepted the offer, and, with the money, purchased twenty-five Bibles, which she

distributed among her destitute neighbours, under such conditions, that the Priest could not obtain them.

VARIOUS NOTICES.

[From the Boston Missionary Herald.]

A person who, in behalf of a Society of benevolent females, had sent a donation to the Cornwall school, thus writes

"Our donation, though small in itself, was derived, in part, from different Christian names, and is most cheerfully appropriated by the Board of Officers, at present exclusively Episcopalian, to the grand and blessed object, in which all the saints delight :-that of evangelizing the world. The work is the Lord's, and who can hinder. The ingathering of the heathen, and the conversion of the ends of the earth, are among the immutable purposes of Heaven, and "those purposes shall stand; yea, our God will perform all his pleasure We rejoice greatly, Sir, and bid you God speed, in every design and execution of love. How thankful should Christians be-themselves redeemed from slavery and death-that they may co-operate in designs of infinite benevolence; that they may be instrumental in sending grace, mercy, salvation, to thousands of immortals sitting in darkness and the shadow of death."

༡

Two gentlemen not long since, as they were riding in the stage, fell into conversation on the various benevolent objects of the day. At length one proposed that, if the other would do the same, he would engage to pay for the education of as many children in Ceylon, as there were members in his own family, reckoning himself, his wife, and four children; that is $72 annually for six years. The other gentleman had two children, and, of course, $48 a year would be his payment, which he readily engaged to make. Thus in a few moments, $120 annually were pledged for six years, towards the Christian education of destitute heathen children.

An apprentice to a mechanic, on coming of age, sent a donation of ten dollars, (more than a tenth part of all he was worth,) to the support of the missionary cause. Who that is acquainted with human affairs, or has observed the course of Divine Providence, can suppose that this young man is more likely to be poor, than if he hoarded his money or expended it in worldly gratifications? A judicious observer will expect a far different result. It will at length be acknowledged the dictate of true wisdom to dedicate the first fruits of all our increase to the Lord.

D. C.

lem, Washington county, N. Y. it being the first dividend of 5 per cent on a legacy bequeathed by her to this Society of 500 dolls. 25 From a poor Widow, by Mr. R.L Nevins, From Middlebury, Vt. contributed by two Friends in Amwell, per T A. Merrill, Sundries received by Isaac Heyer, Esq. from Abraham Peters, in Bennington, Vt. From Gideon Corning, Agent at Troy, balance of his account,

From William Hollister, Agent at Newbern, N. C.

From Thomas Beals, Agent at Canandaigua, received of East Bloomfield Debating Society,

21

1

4

50

4.40

From the Presbyterian Church at Gor

10

60

88

30

From the Auxiliary Female Missionary Society at Leacock, by Mrs. R. Watson, treasurer, through R. Ralston, Esq. Philad. 16 75 From Mr. Samuel Comstock, Wilton, Conn. by M. Marvin, Esq. to constitute the Rev. Sylvanus Haight a member for life, SO From the Auxiliary Missionary Society at Salisborough, Pequa, enclosed by John M'Cally, treasurer,

Donations by Members,

From Mrs M Card, of Basking Ridge, N. J. by the Rev. W. C. Brownlee,

From the Monthly Prayer Meeting in Dr. Romeyn's Church in Cedar-street, by the treasurer, Benjamin Strong, Esq.

From Messrs. John Reid and John Craig, executors of Mrs. M. Williams, late of Sa

29

11

1

10

tor,

From the Rev. William Moderwell and Thomas M'Dowell, Agents at Augusta, 54.20 From the Cent Society at Warwick, Orange county, N. Y. by their treasurer, Mrs. Deborah Pelton,

From Mr. John Roy, Warwick, do. do. a donation,

From the Missionary Society, Parramus, Bergen county, N. J. of which the Rev. William Elting is president, per favour of Mr. Henry A Hopper,

From part of the avails of a Missionary Field, cultivated at Greenwich, Conn. From the Female Society of Bristol, Saugerties, Vister county, N. Y.

16 72

5

10 6

4.63

14

Dolls. 505 48

WM. WILSON, Treasurer.

VOL. II.]

[No. 7.

BOMBAY MISSION.

Preaching the Gospel.

The Missionaries at Bombay do not forget, that, however important and necessary their other objects of attention may be, preaching the Gospel is their highest employment, as it is the divinely appointed method, by which sinners are usually brought to the knowledge and obedience of the truth. In the most discouraging circumstances, a confidence in the superior efficacy of the means which God himself has established, should never be shaken, as it will never ultimately be disappointed. Whatever human philosophy may imagine, it is by the foolishness of preaching that men are induced to believe, whether they live in Christian countries, or amid the darkness of paganism. Where this divine institution is honoured and maintained with humble reliance on its Author; where the great truths of revelation are proclaimed, in the form of a plain, solemn, earnest testimony; though the effect may not, for a long Jan. 1822.

32

time, be apparent, God will at length vindicate his own word, and prove the wisdom of his own plan.

At Bombay and the vicinity, no material alteration has taken place, as to the times and manner of communicating the Gospel by preaching. The missionaries, in their several spheres, and at many places more or less frequented, were in the constant habit of publishing salvation to the deluded thousands by whom they were surrounded. Not seeing that fruit of their labours, which they greatly desired to see, they were almost necessarily under temptations to despondence and discouragement; and were only sustained, amid the sottish ignorance, and the absurd, wicked, and cruel superstitions, which heathenism every where displays, by the command of Christ, and by those promises which ensure the final prevalence of divine truth over error and sin of every kind, and in every form.

From the last joint letter, dated in January 1821, the Committee deem it proper to quote all that is said on the