viously to our last meeting. He laboured in the middle settlements of the southern part of Vermont, as was narrated in our former Report. At a later period, Rev. John Willard performed missionary service thirteen weeks, in the north-eastern part of the same State, and in the adjacent part of New-Hampshire, near Connecticut river. Rev. Gardiner Kellogg, during the same season, laboured eighteen weeks, and Mr. Christopher J. Lawton fourteen, in the District of Maine; and Rev. Royal Phelps and Mr. Ebenezer Wright, each of them, nineteen weeks, in the State of New-York: Mr. Phelps in Cayuga and Genesee counties, and their vicinity; Mr. Wright in the destitute settlements near Black river, and in the county of St. Lawrence. In their missions they evinced the same diligence, zeal, and fidelity, as your former labourers in the missionary field. They preached on the sabbath, frequently on other days, delivering five or six, in some instances, seven or eight sermons in a week; where there was occasion they formed Churches; administered Baptism, and the Holy Supper of our Lord; visited schools and families, to give religious instructions; counselled and prayed with the sick; and, as providence called them to it, officiated at funerals, to offer consolation to mourners, and admonish others to prepare to die; seizing all opportunities to benefit the souls of men, and build up the kingdom of Immanuel.

After finishing his mission in Maine, Rev. Gardiner Kellogg was employed, during the winter, twenty weeks, on the ground visited the preceding summer by Rev. David H. Williston, in the southern part of Vermont. The present season he has undertaken another mission of fifteen weeks in the district of Maine; where also Mr. Nehemiah B. Beardsley, of West-Springfield, has been employed for the same time. Rev. Ebenezer Wright has been several seasons in your employ. That he might be furnished with authority for the ministerial duties, the ministers of the Central Association in the county were requested to ordain him as an evangelist. The service was performed in January, at Westhampton; soon after which he removed with his family, to the county of St. Lawrence, in New-York. He is now on Missionary ground, and engaged in your service twenty weeks, the present year. He is to labour again in the field occupied by him the last season. Rev. Royal Phelps has undertaken a mission of the same term, to be fulfilled in the destitute settlements, not more than thirty miles distant from his dwelling in Sempronius, county of Cayuga.

The distribution of copies of the Holy Bible with other godly writings, in union with preaching the Gospel of life, has, from the commencement of the operations of this Society, been considered, by the Trustees, as the most hopeful method of promoting Christian knowledge, and saving the souls of men. New evidences of the beneficial effects of this manner of proceeding are yearly received. One of your missionaries in his journal of the last year, noticing the state of religion, writes, that, "Where there are Churches they generally meet on the sabbath; and missionary books," (for they have few others,)" are very helpful and beneficial in their religious meetings. Indeed, without them their meetings would not be very profitable." He adds, "the books are esteemed a valuable treasure; they are carefully preserved and, I believe, in most places, attentively read, and are the means of diffusing much religious knowledge.”

VOL. IV. No. I.

G

In this view of the usefulness of sending pious instructions to our needy brethren, it is with peculiar pleasure and gratitude to God, that we notice the liberality of the charitable Female Association, whose benevolence has furnished a large portion of the fund, from which books have been purchased for distribution. And it is pleasing to indulge the belief, that while their hands are opened, the hearts of the pious of this association are breathing prayers to God to bless their liberality to the good of perishing souls; and that the gracious God hears and answers their prayers. Some souls are probably now in glory, and more in the way to it, who will eternally praise God for the benefits derived from these female charities: some having first received serious impressions, others having been quickened, encouraged, and directed in their christian walk, by the books distributed, together with the preaching of the word.

In addition to the books sent to be distributed by your missionaries the present year, a selection to the value of fifty dollars, of Bibles and other Christian writings, has been committed to the Trustees of the Female Charitable Society of Whitestown, to be dispersed by them, to the needy in their vicinity; in the undoubting confidence, that the pious zeal which has been so successfully exerted to replenish your funds, for the noblest purposes of charity, will be no less ardent and discreet in searching out the fit objects of your bounty. And we cannot on this occasion forbear to express our tender sympathy with the trustees and members of the Female Charitable Society of Whitestown, on the afflicting death of their late excellent treasurer, Mrs. Sophia Clark. Her Christian virtues, which, seen in the light of the Saviour, ensure the belief that she joyfully rests from her labours, sweetly invite to imitation. God gives a reward of grace in heaven to his servants who are faithful on earth. And to support his cause, he provides others to act in the places of them whom he removes to glory.-[A paragraph is omitted here, which contains merely a reference to Schedules of books and monies.]

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The embarrassed circumstances of the country have, no doubt, di minished the contributions; but your Trustees are persuaded that good-will to the missionary cause, and charitable regard to perishing fellow-sinners, do not languish in the hearts of God's children. We do not admit the thought, that people, who have begun to give to the Lord, will become weary in well-doing. No, brethren, in due season you will reap, if you faint not.

The day in which we live is important, and the prospect before us animating While the nations once called Christian, in which God has been neglected or his name grossly blasphemed, are suffering under heavy judgments, in just punishment of their impieties, it is interesting to behold an Almighty Providence protecting and peculiarly favouring the people among whom religion is respected, and where noble exertions are made in works of charity to promote Christianity, both among themselves and in foreign countries. The door is more widely opened than formerly for the Gospel to be carried to the heathen. Many seem, as in the vision of Paul, to stand and say, " Come over into Macedonia and help us." Come into Asia, preach to us the Lord Jesus; return the blessing which once passed from Asia into Europe, and thence into

America.

God, in New-England, as well as in Europe, is preparing to answer Will it not excite in a feeling heart grateful emotions of piety

the call.

to be informed, that there are among us men disposed to give their lives to the Lord, to preach him to the heathen? In New-England, there are young men, liberally educated for the ministry, so animated by the Spirit of Christ, that they are ready to leave father, and mother, and country, to tender the Gospel to those who are perishing in a far distant land. The believer, who sighs to God at the sight of millions of heathen, may be encouraged. Is not the Lord's hand visible? Will he not provide the necessary means to enable the zeal, which his Spirit inspires, to act?

There are other incitements to exertion. Evident are the instances of the co-operation of divine grace. Many of these are seen in the missionary field. Your labourers notice tokens of the Spirit's work in different places. In Vermont, from Waterford to Canada line, and in several towns further south, Mr. Willard states, that considerable atten. tion appeared. In Granby it was general. In Guildhall, seventy were added to the Church. The same co-operation of the Spirit is noticed in the District of Maine. In Albany, Bethel, and Temple, Mr. Kellogg writes, "I found some who are considerably impressed, and a few in some other places. At Webb's pond a serious attention to the concerns of eternity, was general. I found serious inquirers in almost every house." God is, in like manner, exciting the attention of people in the State of New-York, in the settlements on Black River. Mr. Wright observes, "God appears of late to revive his work in many places in this country." Where he laboured, he believes as many as seventy or eighty had hopefully experienced religion, since the preceding year; and many, in various towns, were then, to appearance, under deep and pungent convictions.

A letter from Mr. Wright, since the commencement of his present mission, gives a pleasing prospect of the success of his labours in the county of St. Lawrence; and mentions an increase very lately made to the Church in Madrid.

Where no uncommon attention prevails, individuals are seriously impressed. And a pious few, scattered over the missionary field, welcome the spiritual labourer with feelings not to be described. Believers, who enjoy preaching every Lord's Day, do not easily conceive the ardour of those who can hear but a few sermons in many months. Mr. Phelps, after preaching in a place on Saturday, three times on the Sabbath, and again on Monday, observes, “The people appear so anxious to hear the words of eternal life, that it is difficult leaving them."

All your Missionaries express the same sentiment of the importance of their employment, as both highly needed and beneficial. Mr. Kellogg, who had opportunity to notice the effect, where your exertions have been made from the beginning, says, "Though error and irreligion greatly prevail in these new settlements, there is reason to believe they have been considerably checked by missionary labours. They have, 1 believe, been productive of great good; but there is a loud call for persevering exertions, and encouraging prospects, that the interests of the Redeemer may be promoted by them. Their good effects are perceivable in almost every place, and much good is undoubtedly done, which escapes every eye but his who seeth in secret."

The care of the soul is the one thing needful. What it is to ourselves, the same it is to others. They, as well as we, will have an end

ess being. As we value our own everlasting life, we will, therefore, pity our brethren whose ignorance and sin expose them to perish. We will act with zeal in attempting to save them. In a work of love to immortal souls, who will be sparing or slothful? The Son of God, our Saviour, became man, obeyed, and died, to redeem human souls. His love in the heart, opens the hands, and prompts to deeds of benevolence, to rescue sinners from spiritual slavery and death. The holy pleasure of imitating Christ, and doing good, excites to liberality in lending to the Lord. He who can not go in person to admonish his distant brethren to believe in Christ, by contributing a portion of his substance to send them the Gospel-message, may be a mean of their salvation. But should the happy event not follow, being sincere in giving to Christ, his own everlasting life would be advanced. Such happiness attends deeds' of charity. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

The Trustees propose that this report be printed, and sent to the Congregations connected with this Society, that it may be publicly read to them; and that those congregations be requested to make a contribution to the Society's funds, on the day of the annual thanks. giving, or on some Lord's Day near to it.

By order of the Trustees,

CALEB STRONG, President.

OBITUARY.

DIED, on the 5th of October last, Mr. SOLOMON WILLIAMS, of this City, in the 39th year of his age.

Mr. Williams was a native of Lebanon, in the State of Connecticut, His parents being pious people, trained him up in the fear of the Lord. They also gave him a liberal education, thus fitting him, as far as human endeavours can do it, for usefulness in civil society and in the Church of the living God. The details of his early life are unknown to us, as also the time when he was made alive to God through Christ our Lord." Suffice it to say, that, for a number of years, his Christian course was "the path of the just, which shineth more and more to the perfect day." Few believers have manifested more of the power of the grace of God, in their lives, than he did. His prevailing desire, his constant endeavour, appeared to be," to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.” And though he mourned over his deficiency, and felt as if he made no suitable improvement of divine mercies, yet his brethren with whom he associated, and who knew him best, clearly saw that he was "fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." His humility, tenderness of conscience, Christian affection, and zeal for the glory of God, were truly exemplary. For him to live was Christ. The advancement of the Redeemer's interest, in the salvation of sinners, was the grand object to which he directed his efforts; and the application of the blood of the Cross to his own heart, was his highest joy,

At an early period he had turned his thoughts to the Gospel ministry, but an apprehension that he was not sufficiently vigorous to undergo its labours, as also a jealousy of his own motives and qualifications, deterred him from engaging in the arduous work. He entertained so deep and solemn a sense of the depravity and deceitfulness of the human heart, as also of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that he was at all, times through life, suspicious of himself to an uncommon degree.

About a year after the formation of the New Presbyterian Church in Cedar-street, he was chosen one of the Ruling Elders thereof; and continued to discharge the duties of that office, with fidelity and the full approbation of his fellow-Christians, till his death.

A few weeks previous to this mournful event, he had made an excursion with his family into Connecticut. On his return home, by water, he was taken unwell. His sickness, though not alarming at first, in the issue was unto death. During the whole course of it, he manifested the disposition of a true follower of Christ; and experienced the support and consolation of his covenant God.

He had many strong ties which bound him to life. Circumstances of peculiar tenderness made it desirable for him to be spared to his be loved family: yet would he often say, "not my will be done." He ap. peared himself, at an early period of his indisposition, to be impressed with an apprehension that he should not recover; and mentioned it to his wife, saying," that he feared their affection and solicitude for each other had been too much the occasion of their forgetfulness of God and their eternal interests; and that they were now to be separated that they might glorify him more."

Under the sharpest bodily pains, he would say, “ I am perfectly satisfied with the dealings of my heavenly Father. It is all right. It is all best. He does not afflict willingly and I would not wish one single stroke of his fatherly corrections abated, which shall be for his glory or my profit. No, it is perfectly right. Let him do as seemeth him good."

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Although he had formerly, whilst in health, experienced clear and sweet manifestations of the divine favour and mercy, yet, for several days during his sickness, he was left to mourn the hidings of God's countenance. He could not see any rich provision in the covenant of peace for himself; he could not sensibly realize the presence of that Saviour who had died for sinners. Still, however, he was enabled to cry unto his God: and though walking in darkness, to trust in the Lord, and stay himself upon the God of Jacob. It was thus he was taught to depend, not on former experience, or on frames and feelings for his comfort and security, but upon the simple promise of acceptance through the blood of the covenant. This reliance, and the good hope which accompanied it, became more and more settled, until, as he observed, the day before his departure, he was enabled to give himself wholly and unreservedly to his God upon his own word.

At this time, he gave some particular directions about his temporal concerns; and in the most tender and affecting manner, took leave of his afflicted wife, commending her and his dear children to God and to the word of his grace.

Much of his time was spent in prayer and praise; and when he could not articulate, he gave evidence by his conduct that he was still engag ed in the delightful work.