opinions which interfered with his edu-||ness of particular acts of transgression, but cational creed.

also that your heart is the seat and fountain 3. There has been no neglect of study. of sin?- That in you, naturally, there is no A report was circulated that study was good thing? Has a view of this led you to laid aside in the college to attend to re

despair of help from yourself? To see that

you must be altogether indebted to Christ ligion. Nothing could be more false. for salvation, and to the gracious aid of the Study has probably never been pursued Holy Spirit for strength and ability rightly with more diligence and success. Our to perform any duty ? pupils were informed that if, at any par

2. On what has your hope of acceptance ticular recitation, an individual should with God been founded? On your reforfind that his mind had been so exercised mation? on your sorrow for your sins? on as not to permit him to get bis lesson, good works and religious observances? or

your prayers ? on your tears ? on your he should, on application to his teacher, has it been on Christ alone, as your all in be specially excused; and this indul. || all? Has Christ ever appeared very pregence has been frequently asked and cious to you? Do you mourn that he does granted. But not a single recitation of not appear more so ? Have you sometimes a class has been omitted ; and every in-| felt great freedom to commit your soul to dividual lesson or recitation, incidental- him? In doing this (if you have done it) has ly omitted, has been strictly required to it been, not only to be delivered from the be made up for the quarterly and semi-punishment due to your sins, but also from annual examinations. It was early and

the power, polution, dominion and exis

tence of sin in your soul? earnestly inculcated on the youth of the 3. As far as you know yourself, do you college, that not only did christian duty hate, and desire to be delivered from, ali sin require as regular an attention as possi- | --without any exception of a favorite lust? ble to all the lawful concerns of life, but Do you pray much to be delivered from that their minds would act more vigor- sin? Do you watch against it, and against ously and more correctly on religious temptation to it? Do you strive against it

, subjects, and in religious duties, if a suit- and in some good degree get the

victory able portion of their time should be dili- over it? Have you so repented of it as to

nave your

soul really set against it? gently employed in their proper

studies. 4. Have you counted the cost of follow4. There have been no compulsorying Christ, or of being truly religious ? That exercises. Every thing, beyond the it will cut you off from vain amusements, stated religious instructions and duties of from the indulgence of your lusts, and from the college in ordinary times, has been a sinful conformity to the world? That perfectly voluntary ; unless the short ad it may expose you to ridicule and condress, on Saturday evening after prayers, || tion? In the view of all these things, are you

tempt?-possibly to more serious persecumay be considered as a slight exception. willing to take up the cross, and to follow No one has suffered either censure or Christ whithersoever he shall lead you? reproach, who chose to be absent from Is it your solemn purpose, in reliance on any religious exercise or engagement his grace and aid, to cleave to him, and to which had its origin in this revival. his cause and people, to the end of life? Snch, gentleinen, is the statement

5. Do you love holiness ? Do you love a which I have judged it proper to make Holy God, and because he is holy? Do to you, in regard to a work, which in its conformed to God and to his holy law? To

you earnestly desire to be more and more salutary efficiency, has been all of God; bear more & more the likeness of your Reand the whole praise of which is to be deemer? Do you seek, and sometimes find, ascribedl, most unfeignedly, to Him communion with your God and Saviour ? alone.

6. Are you resolved, in God's strength,

to endeavor conscientiously to perform QUESTIONS AND COUNSEL FOR THE STU- your whole duty--to God, to your neigh; DENTS OF NASSAU HALL, WHO HOPE | bor, and to yourself? Do you perform com

mon and relative duties conscientiously, as

part of the duty which you owe to God? Questions.

7. Do you make conscience of secret 1. Have you seen yourself to be by na-prayer daily? Do you not sometimes feel ture, and by practice, a lust and helpless sin- a backwardness to this duty? Do you at mer? Have you not only seen the sinful-|| other times feel a great delight in it ? Have

THAT A WORK OF SAVING GRACE HAS
BEEN WROUGHT UPON THEIR HEARTS.

jòu a set time, and place and order of exer- therefore content yourself with a careless or cises, for performing this duty ?

cursory reading of them. Read and delibera 8. Do you daily read a portion of the ate, and exainine yourself closely, on the Holy Scriptures, in a devout manner? Do questions under each head; and let your you love to read the Bible? Do you ever heart be lifted up to God, while you are conperceive a sweetness in the truths of sidering each particular question, in earnest Holy Scripture? Do you find them adapt-desires that he may show you the very truth. ed to your necessities, and see, at times, You cannot ordinarily go over all these a wonderful beauty, excellence and glory questions at one time. Divide them therein God's word? Do you make it the man fore, and take one part at one time, and an of your counsel, aud endeavor to have both other at another. But try to go over the your heart and life conformed to its doc-whole in the course of a week; and do this trines and requisitions ?

every week, for some months. When you 9. Have you ever attempted to covenant find yourself doubtful or deficient, in any with God? To give yourself away to him, || point, let it not discourage you; but note solemnly and irrevocably, hoping for ac- down that point in writing, and bend the ato ceptance through Christ alone; and taking tention of your mind to it, and labor and God, in Christ as the covenant God, and pray till you shall have made the attainment satisfying portion of your soul ?

which will enable you to answer clearly. 10. Does the glory of God ever appear It is believed that you cannot fail to see to you as the first, greatest and best of all how each question ought to be answered. objects? Do you desire to proinote the gio- 2. Remember that secret prayer, readry of God, as the chief object of life? ing the word of God, watchfulness and self

11. Do you feel a love to mankind-such examination, are the great means of preas you did not feel before you became reli- serving comfort in religion and of growing gious ? Have you a great desire that the in grace. In proportion as you are exact souls of men should be saved, by being and faithful in these, such usually, will be brought to a genuine faith and trust in the your inward peace, and the safety of your Redeemer? Do you love God's people with state. Unite them altogether, and never a peculiar attachment-because they bear cease to practice them while you live. Think their Saviour's image ? and because they often of the character of Enoch, a d try to love and pursue the objects, and delight in walk with God-Read Mason's little book on the exercises, which are most pleasing and self knowledge, I recommend it as exceldelightful to yourself? Do you from your ent. heart, forgive all your personal enemies, and 8. Besides the Bible, have constantly in refuse to cherish or entertain any senti- reading, at your leisure hours, soine author ments of hatred or revenge? If you have of known piety and excellence. Read Ow. injured any person,

have
you
made
repara-

en's works, Baxter's Saints' Rest, Dodtion; or are you ready & willing to make it? ridge's works, Watt's works, Witherspoon's

12. Do you feel it to be very important works, Newton's works, Scott's Works, to adorn religion, by a holy, exemplary, a-Venn's Whole Duty of Man, The Christian miable and blameless walk and conversa- Observer, &c. &c. tion? Do you fear to bring a reproach on 4. Do not suppose that any evidence the cause of Christ ? Does this appear to which at present, you may think you posyou extremely dreadful? Are you afraid of sess, of a gracious state, will release you backsliding, and of being left to return to a from the necessity of maintaining a constate of carelessness and indifference in Re. stant vigilance in time to come ; nor from ligion?

repeated examinations and trials of your13. Do you desire and endeavor to grow self even to the end of life--Maný marks in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ and evidences of a grcious state are set your Saviour, more and more? Are you down by pious writers. But they must alt willing to sit at his feet as a little child, and come to this-to ascertain what is your preto submit your reason and understanding, valent temper and character-Whether, on implicitly, to his teaching; imploring bis the whole you are increasing in sanctifica-. spirit to guide you into all necessary truth, tion, or not? If you are, you may be comto save you from all fatal errors, to enable orted; If not you have cause to be alarmyou to receive the truth in the love of it, ed. It is only he that endureth to the end and to transform you more and more, into that shall be saved. a likeness to himself?

5. I think it of very great importance to Counsel.

warn you not to imagine that true religion 1. Remember that these questions are is confined to the closet or to the church; intended to point your attention to subjects | even though you apprehend that you have of inquiry the most important. Do not great comiort and freedom there. Free:

B

a

a

dom and comfort there are, indeed most , humiliation undoubtedly exist, true relidesirable ; but true religion reaches to eve- gion and sound morals, are on the whole ry thing. It alters and sweetens the tem- | making a very gratifying progress. Inz per. It improves the manners. It goes Gidelity has becoine insignifican', both in into every duty, relation, station and situa- the numbers and talents of those who tion of life. If you have true religion you will have a better spirit, you will be better affect it. Vices hitherto domineering, sons, better scholars, betier friends, better bave been, in many places, successfully members of society, and more exemplary encountered by the efforts of the friends in the discharge of every duty, as the sure of Godliness. The destructive sin of inconsequence of this invaluable possession : temperance, against which the zealous And if your religion does not produce these labors of the church and the inffuence of effects, although you may talk or inward all good citizens have been of late with comforts, and even of raptures, you have great reason to fear that the whole is a de peculiar energy directed, does not exhilusion, and that the root of the matter is bit itself to its former extent of atrocity

Order, harmony, not in you.

“ Herein (said the Saviour)|| and shamelessness. is my father glorified, that ye bear much peace, correct principles, stedfastness in fruit, so shall

ye be my disciples.” the faith,ininisterial fidelity, and a decert 6. Be careful to avoid a gloomy, and to and serious attention to public worship cherish a cheerful temper. Be habitually and divine ordinances on the part of the cheerful; but avoid levity. Mirth and laughter are not always sinful; but let your of those dissentions have occurred which

people, generally prevail. Few or pone, indulgence in them he clearly innocent, not very frequent, and never of long con- present a threatening aspect to the prostinuance. Be very humble. Be not talk-perity of Zion. No dangerous, or even ative. Before experienced chris: fans be important error is apprehended to exist. a hearer, rather than talker. Try, in every The missionary has carried the gospel way, however, to promote religion among to destitute thousands, breaking to them your

relatives and friends. Win them to the bread of life, and refreshing them in it, by your amiable temper and exemplary the wilderness with the waters of eternal deportment. “Flee youthful Justs.”

consolation. New Congregations have Shun every excitement of them.-Guard

been formed in various parts of our against dissipation; it extinguishes piety. Be not disconcerted by ridicule and re-country. In some distant sections of proach. Your Savour bore much of these our ecclesiastical community, where the for you. Think of this and be ashamed of stated means of grace have not hithernothing so much as of being ashamed of|to been enjoyed, there is a prospect of him., Trust in his protection, live to la numerous and speedy accession of his praise, and you will spend an eternity | ministers. The additions to the comjo his blissful presence.

munions are, in many congregations, ve A Narralive of the state of Religion with ry large : in almost all considerable ; and in the bounds of the General Assembly informed by several of their southern

of these, the Assembly are happy to be of the Presbyterian church, and of the Presbyteries, are numbers of the African General Associations of Connecticut, of Nero- Hampshire, of Massachusetts

The Assembly, desirous of im. proper, and of the General Convention proving the opportunity which this inforof Vermont, during the last year.

to eternal concerns, and much done to-|| better by the visitations of God, the alien wards promoting the Redeemer's cause from the Commonwealth of Israel, the This is the more worthy of notice inas-man of earth, the unbelieving servant of much as 'a lamentable indifference is the corruption which is in the world known previously to have existed in through lust, has regarded them with inthose towns. A revival of importance difference, or barred the avenues of senhas occurred in the Second Congrega-| sibility against the admission of their tion of Wilmington, in the Presbytery of monitory call. Hence, to the pleasing Newcastle, a fact connected with which, representation ofthings given above, the the Assembly deem it proper to mention Assembly are constrained to acknowlfor the encourageinent of their people :-|| edge some unhappy exceptions. InThere had been a society for prayer, temperance, altho' il should seem, on whose meelings began to be neglected the decline, still disfigures the moral asto such a degree as to threaten its dissolu-li pect of society. In too many parts of tion. Its discouraged friends talked of our country, the violation of the christian this as an event near at hand. Through | Sabbath calls as loudly upon the beliethe restraining providence of God, how-ver to oppose to its influence, his admo. ever it was not dissolved, Circumstan- | nition, and his prayers, as if nothing had ces soon occurred, which under the ad- yet been done. The rancorous hostility ministration of the Spirit, renewed the of political party preys upon domestic face of the congregation: and in a few and social peace, and indisposes men to short months, instead of a single society, admit the kindly influences of religious wasted and feeble, and about to expire, love. The spirit of the world struggles arose four societies, “ fervent in spirit successfully for dominion. And in a serving the Lord;" "quickened to call word many humbling facts present themupon his name;" wrestling like Jacobselves to urge pious people to the throne for his blessing and like Israel prevailing of Grace that they may supplicate a to obtain it. True was the expression more copious effusion of the enlivening of the brother relating this fact,“ the and converting spirit. darkest hour is that nearest day-light." The reports made by the Delegates

It were to be wished that the Assem- from the General Associations of Con. bly could perceive, in a more general necticut, New Hampshire, and Massaamelioration of manners and habits, that. chusetts Proper, and the General Conimprovement of the dispensations of Al- vention of Vermont, afford very exhilamighty God which he expects and map-rating intelligence; resembling, in its prokind are obligated to exhibit. Theminent features, that submitted by the judgments of Pestilence and War have Presbyterier. In Connecticut and Mascarried their desolations over a large por-sachusetts Proper, revivals of magnitude tion of our land; wringing the widows meet the enquiries of the Assembly and heart, and dimming the eye of the father. establish the Lord's claim to the grati. less. Infelicities of a diversified char-tude of his believing people. In the first acter have followed in their train. Re-mentioned of these associations, the versed fortunes, and defeated hopes, most laudable exertions are made tohave not been wanting to tell men that wards the furtherance of foreign mis

they bụild too low, who build beneath|sions. From the other, the Assembly". the skies." But men do not know ;- are pleased to learn, that certain errors, neither will they consider. The effects of a pernicious character infesting that of these judgments have been different district of country for a length of time, on minds of two opposite classes. Nor| bave ceased to advance, if they have will it be a matter of surprize to any not been driven back from their threatwho are acquainted, on the one hand, ening position. Young Ministers, sound with the workings of the gracious prin- in the faith, have been settled of late in ciple, or apprized, on the other, of the many congregations esteemed hitherto force of depravity and the callousness of to be disinclined towards correct princithe heart, to learn that while the real ples. New Hampshire and Vermont, christian has been confirmed and made also, have been partially risited; the

a

former, more especially in the town of|of God may be brought nigh onto them; Haverhill, the inhabitants of which had and others, again, for supplying the long been without a settled Minister and pressing wants and alleviating the bodicareless of possessing the privileges and iy diseases of the indigent sufferer. ordinances of the Gospel.

To the benefits derived from those inThe Assembly would do injustice tostitutions which bave been denominated the subject were they not to advert more moral associations the Assembly bear particularly for the instruction and coun-their willing testimony. Abundant eviselling of their churches, to certain factsdence has been furnished of their sucand circumstances which they consid|cess in repressing audacious vice and er both as instruments and evidences of producing a degree, at least, of external a progressive work of grace extending reformation. Sobriety has obviously been itself through the past year.

promoted by them; and rigidly discounThe "social principle is mighty in its tenanced by them, profaneness has grown operations. ti constitutes a powerful into disrepute, law of our nature, When sanctified by Bible societies, forming a most imporreligion, and consecrated to the imme-litant feature of the religious character of diate service of God, what results of high the times,are multiplying daily. Scarcely import and holy advantage, may not be can there be discovered any consideraexpected from it? Growing out of this ble portion of settled country in these principle, a multitude of associations of states where some association of this a pious and benevolent pature have kiod is not either organized or about to spread themselves through the churches be organized. Words are wanting to under the Assembly's care, as well as express the inestimable value of these those with which we are in ecclesiastical societies, which, by putting the book of connection in the Eastern States. The life into the hands of the needy, enrich practice of uniting the talents, influence, them with heavenly treasures; and which, and resourses of individuals by these hal || embodying, so to speak, the zeal of all lowed bonds and for these religious, christian denominations, and knitting to moral, and charitable purposes is not no- each other persons, who, however they vel. It has been more than once before may differ on many points of greater or this announced to exist among our peo- of minor importance, agree in affirming ple. But it would seem that at no for the word of God to be the only infallible mer period bas it been pursued with such rule of faith and practice, neutralize the vigor, extension, and success, as recent-| asperity of the bigot and the sectarian, ly. The spirit in which it originated is and reconcile the contending members more actively at work than ever, and of the same great brotherhood. The tendiffuses itself far and wide. Christian dency of Bible societies to produce this women--the mothers and the sisters in auspicious result is not now a matter of Israel-the daughters of Jerusalem-experiment: facts have ascertained it. mingling with the softest sensibilities Justice, and the praise due to perseof vature the holier refinements of a gra-| vering piety, forbid the Assembly to pass cious heart-minister of their substance unnoticed the continued labours of one to the Lord Jesus-serve him by serving|| particular Institution ; viz. The Evangelhis poor-and rival, where they do not ical Society of Philidelphia for the insurpass, their brethren in instituting and struction of poor children: the members. maintaining societies promotive of the of which have, during the past year, had interests of his Divine Religion. It under their care about one thousand would be difficult to number the associa- || children of this description. More than tions of these virtuous and praise worthy one of these have proved to be little women formed, some, for contributing brands plucked from the burning, and to the education of poor and pious youth have manifested, in death, the blessed for the office of the Holy Ministry ;| fruits of that sacred sympathy which others, for the distribution of Bibles ;ll brought them out of darkness into light others, for instructing the ignorant of|and from the power of Satan into the adult age to read, in order that the word glorious liberty of the children of Gode