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in New-York, and had learned better | father, renounced his infidelity and emhow to prize the blessings they had al- braced Christ. His heart overflowed ways received from His hand. They with gratitude, that he had escaped the felt they were very near home; and O, dreadful vortex of deism. One aged as they calmly talked of it, their coun- man, who had passed his three score tenances beamed with heavenly joy! years and ten, who had sometimes been They had come to the West with their a deist and then a Universalist, &c., sons, who were professors, and have was brought to taste of a Savior's parbeen in comfortable circumstances, but doning love; and while the tear of pefrom different causes have become nitence and bitter regret for a life thus poor-their dwelling poor, and they had spent, rolled down his furrowed cheek, but few of the comforts of life, and were he warned the young not to follow his almost destitute of clothing. We visit-example, as they valued their souls: ed a number of cabins where poverty" for there was no happiness in the was written upon all we saw. Yet we road he had travelled, and but few of often found that Jesus was there. These visits served to humble us, and to make us more thankful, and our souls were refreshed in endeavoring to comfort others. How little our eastern friends know how to sympathize with those who are enduring the privations of the new settlements of the West, and are endeavoring to lay the foundations of society in the cementing and moulding truths of the christian religion!

them would ever see his years." Said he, "I have now but a poor remnant of life to give my Savior-I am a miracle of grace, but I am not ashamed to own my Lord." The night before he made this confession he had refused to attend meeting, and his family had gone, leaving with him a little grand-daughterhis soul was so distressed he could neither sleep nor stay at home. He took his cane, left the child in bed, and walked over a mile after eight o'clock to the place of prayer, where he yielded to Christ. Others followed those hoary

During our labors in V. we hope more than twenty passed from death unto life; many of the number were in the morning of life, young men and women in the vigor of youth.

We preached on Sabbath in a barn, and were surprised to see so many people assembled where so few dwell-locks into the kingdoin. ings were to be seen. We felt at once encouraged, as we witnessed the solemnity and profound attention of almost all present. They seemed hungry for the word. They said we must not leave them and although it was difficult for us to remain, yet we felt it was more difficult to go away. We did no-organized at Virgil, commencing with 13 thing about organizing a church, but continued to preach the Gospel. I remained with them about ten days; brother C. with me a part of the time. We preached at nights in a private house crowded to excess; visited from house to house during the day.

Trophies of grace.

Since the above meeting a church has been

members. A number more who were not then prepared will unite the first opportunity. It was a solemn and interesting occasion.

Perhaps many of our eastern friends may think the planting of these little churches of a few scattered individuals is a small business; but we feel that we are securing an invaluable legacy The interest increased until near the these little churches planted and waterfor coming generations. We expect last. The gentle breath of God's Spirited through toil, sacrifice, and self-demoved over that settlement, and tall cedars and proud oaks that had resisted the Holy Ghost in revivals at the East, were humbled under the mighty hand of God, and sweetly bowed to a Savior's claims. One intelligent and educated young man who had been a deist from childhood, trained by an infidel

nial, will become as light-houses, saving multitudes from making shipwreck of their souls by bringing them within their influence, and guiding them to the haven of eternal rest, long after their founders shall have been gathered to their fathers. Let none then conclude, the missionary that wanders over these

prairies is engaged in a small matter. Eternity will tell of its magnitude and importance.

Ministerial qualifications.

If there is a spot on earth where the minister needs to be thoroughly_furnished with the Holy Ghost and the whole armor of truth, it is in the West. It would seem as though the great enemy of all good must have all his machinery put in motion in this great valley. In addition to every other form of error which your missionaries have reported, I would add that of Swedenborgianism. A minister of that sect has been laboring in Canton for the past two weeks-preaching often. He had so much that was curious, the multitude went after him-many professors in orthodox churches gave their example by attending all through, and some few have united with them. They have now an organized church of about 25 members. Surely this is the "last time"-lying spirits have gone forth, and would deceive were it possible. the very elect. Thus the enemy approaches us and makes inroads upon this mass of unsettled mind in every possible way and form. We have to meet it as well as we can, and thank God, the simple truth and prayer are mighty and will prevail, though it cost a struggle. O, will not Christians at the East pray God to keep the missionary and the feeble churches by his own right hand, that they be not overcome by the enemy! And that He will send more watchmen into the Valley; for the enemy is fast gathering his hosts to

battle!

From Rev. T. Cole, Knoxville, Ill.

Children's own meeting.

We have two Sabbath schools connected with our church. One of these in Knoxville contains about 100 scholars, of whom the average number in attendance is 71 for 6 months, and the other three miles in the country averaging about 40. This department of labor is well sustained, and seems to blossom for a rich harvest.

Once a month, on the Sabbath preceding the monthly coucert of prayer for Sabbath schools, I preach to the children. They regard it as their own meeting, and the sermon as intended specially for them. This is our best attended meeting, and to myself and I think to others also, the most interesting and pleasant. I hope by thus giv ing the Sabbath school a prominent place in my efforts, not only to interest, instruct, and lead the children to the Savior, but also to elevate this important institution in the regards of the church and community. Our school is well provided with books from the press of the American Sunday School Union, and could the benevolent individuals of Perrysville, Conn., who furnished the means to purchase this library, witness the interest taken in these books by our children, they would feel well rewarded.

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This little flock gathered by your missionaries, must not be left alone in the wilderness. They look to you, and under God depend on you, for the stated preaching of the word. You may tell the friends of Home Missions that the work to which they have committed themselves is but commenced! West contains thousands of God's people scattered over her fertile plains, who are as sheep without a shepherd. They must be sought out, and they will be, by your missionaries; and formed into churches, and you must send them pastors, and aid in sustaining them.

A reiterated Expostulation.

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There was no undue and extravagant excitement. The members of our little infant church there, and brethren of sister churches, who came from a dis

while such mourn in secret, and long || thousand-fold compensated, in the enfor the crumbs that fall from your joyment of such a feast! tables, they refrain to disclose their real situation. I have seen such cases. Some who have not had the opportunity of a communion season for five or six years; while their children are grow-tance, with a holy, working mind, were ing up without the influence of the sanctuary and the stated means of grace.

From Rev. W. Fithian, Rushville, Ill.

Camp-meeting at Versailles.

We enjoyed a very precious campmeeting season in the vicinity of Versailles, in September. Our Methodist brethren held a camp-meeting there the year previous, but they were most shamefully interrupted, annoyed, and hastened away, by some wild, ill-bred characters, who threw into their tents and altar a hornet's nest and rotten eggs and turned the horses loose. They threatened us with similar treatment; but the Lord was very kind to us, and restrained and overruled their wrath and plots, so that we had no disturbance nor injury whatever. And there were those whose pockets, without doubt, were charged with rotten eggs, whose attention to divine truth, at the same time, was graciously secured, who seemed "pricked in their hearts," and down whose cheeks were seen rolling the involuntary tear. A deep seriousness and solemnity seemed to pervade the encampment, and characterized the whole meeting. Every thing seemed impressively to say, The Lord is here! On Sabbath afternoon, we gave an opportunity for such as were seriously impressed and convicted, to designate themselves as subjects of special prayer and instruction, when some fifteen came forward at once. At another time, others came. On Monday evening, we had an inquiry-meeting, where particular instruction, adapted to each case, was more fully given to each inquiring soul. It was one of the most interesting and precious interviews I ever enjoyed with my fellow-man. O, the luxury of recommending Jesus to anxious sinners! Toils, privations, and hardships incident to a missionary here,|| are happily forgotten, and more than a

evidently humbled and quickened in the service of God, and were unanimously disposed to say, "It is good for us to be here." As the result of that meeting, to the praise of our blessed Lord, we may say, that some 16 or 18, we humbly trust, were hopefully renewed; that they are walking on to this day, so far as we can judge, with the same earnest steps in holiness; that not a few Christians were evidently stirred up by the Spirit of the Lord to more earnestness and efficiency in Christ's service; the wicked, in their designs, were mysteriously and effectually foiled and disarmed; and much, very much, prejudice against religion happily removed. A singularly favorable and salutary influence of such a character as, we hope, will is now spread through that region, and long abide. Among those that we hope were converted, was a "tar," of about 40-one of those that we generally call "hard customers," and also a "Mary Magdalene." They were both heads of different families, both entirely ignorant of the Bible, both destitute of any portion of it, both poor and forlorn, and now longed for a Bible, but had nothing to buy one with. I promised to procure them each the blessed book, and have done so, to their great joy. O it is blessed to see such sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed, and in their right mind!

OTTOWA PRESBYTERY.

From Rev. G. W. Elliot, Missionary.

This Presbytery embraces the Presbyterian ministers and churches in the eastern part of northern Illinois.

The field is wide, and the number of churches and settlements that have demanded attention so great, as to render it impossible to bestow upon each as much labor as would be desirable. The present aspect of the field, as a whole, compared with what it was when I entered it, is encouraging. One object I have had in view has been to excite the

churches to obtain the stated ministry, || From Rev. B. F. Morris, Warsaw, Ill. and the destitute settlements to organize churches, where the prospects were such as to justify their doing it. And I have the happiness to report that three of the churches have obtained supplies. Three churches have been formed, and the prospect is, that in four or more other places churches will very speedily be formed, with a determination to maintain the stated worship of God's house. The attention that has been paid to the Sabbath school and the temperance cause in these churches and settlements, has been encouraging. The number of either scholars or members, I am unable to state accurately.

Vacancies.

The number of destitute churches within our bounds, as they exist at the present time, are, one in Lasalle Co., five in Will Co., two in Kendall Co., two, I think, in Kane Co., besides two or three in the extreme northern portion of the state, that are but partially supplied. The settlements that deserve attention are scattered in every direction. At least two whole counties that will naturally fall within the same field, where there is no church of our denomination, and scarcely any preaching of any character usually called evangelical. I could with a bleeding heart reiterate the appeal for help, that is with every breeze saluting your ears from this wide valley. We want men. If we must "preach the gospel to every creature," we must have many more men on this same field, over which I have been ranging the twelve months past, through the heat and cold, the wet and dry of this country.

But with them, we must have something more. These men must be sustained; and your Society must be enabled to sustain them. They will here meet poverty-and what is worse, with much indifference. An interest in the preached gospel must be formed in many cases, and your missionaries will have to be upheld by the friends of the Cross, while he forms it. His hands and his heart will be filled, and his whole time occupied to a degree that will leave him but little leisure for secular pursuits, and hardly time to study economy.

It is the wish (and they are about making the effort) of the church here to secure my labors three-fourths of the time, if not all the time. The main difficulty in the way is the house in which we worship. It is owned by a private individual, and steps are about to be taken to purchase the building. If they succeed in that, I feel as if one desirable point had been gained in planting the true gospel in this rising town. It is a great drawback upon the usefulness and success of a minister to be constantly coming in conflict with others, or even to alternate with another denomination, whom we esteem and love.

Encouraging Progress.

We are not left in the forlorn state of "having no hope" in regard to the prospects and triumphs of Bible truth, and the prosperity of our beloved little church in this village. It is true we have had to contend against a host, mighty and bold, of counteracting induences. For the last four years, adverse winds have been blowing hard against the Zion of God. And so peculiar, so strong, and so threatening did these opposing powers seem to be, that we began sometimes almost to despair. But we feel that a better and a brighter morn has begun to dawn. The darkness and dreary desolation which reigned so long, and with such power, we feel is beginning to give way before the combined influence of evangelical truth and holiness. The last year has been a period of advance. The church, by the addition of several excellent and interesting members, by profession, and a number of devoted Christians by letter, has been, through the grace of God, greatly strengthened and built up. The attendance on public worship, both as it regards numbers and constancy, has been increased during the last year. Our conferences and prayer-meetings, of late, have not only been large but unusually interesting. The Spirit of God seems to be descending in sweet and heavenly power upon the hearts of the brethren. Our church discipline has been carried out with some degree of faithfulness, and practical efficiency;

the solemn act of excommunication hav- || all, he has gained business fast, and is ing been passed on one or two mem- now going ahead of all the lawyers in the bers, who were leading men in our vil- county; as a man, he is deservedly lage; and this, I think, gave us some popular; and as a Christian, he is reconfidence, even among the impenitent. spected and useful. He finds that reThe brethren now are harmonious in ligion is no hindrance to his success in their feelings, and hearty in their co-op- business, and feels that the badge of eration to labor for Christ and his king- Christ is no dishonor to his manliness, dom. On the whole, evangelical prin- or to his profession. Oh, if all our ciples are in the ascendant, and the young men in mercantile and profeskingdom of our glorious Redeemer sional pursuits, would "go and do likeslowly, yet steadily, advancing. We wise," it would not only be to their pewant, however, a still greater, O, how cuniary advantage, but result in a glomuch greater-display of the goodness rious impulsive movement to the cause and mercy of our Heavenly Father. of Christ over the earth. He that hoOur hearts are enlarged, our prospects noreth God, him will God honor. are brightened, our hope is increased. May the Lord pour down his Holy Spirit upon his little church here.

From a Missionary Report.

Godliness is Profitable.

A

I cannot forbear to relate an interesting fact of a young gentleman in the legal profession, who settled in this village last spring. He came here to seek a fortune and fame, by pursuing, with energy and perseverance, the duties of his chosen profession. stranger, unknowing and unknown, he planted himself down in our place. Soon after he had got fairly fixed, he called on me, and informed me that he desired to connect himself with our church, as he had determined now to act out the life of a Christian. I was delighted with his noble frankness, and was encouraged to hope that God intended him for great good to this place. In pursuance of his resolution, he joined the church, by public examination and profession, and united his lot, (in company with another young man,) to the little band of Christ's disciples in this place. He has run well. His christian character has been open and decided. He is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. He is active in all that pertains to the prosperity of Christ's kingdom, and bids fair to be an eminently devoted and useful man.

Now mark the result in regard to his business and standing. As a lawyer, just commencing his profession, in a new country, and an entire stranger to

How to make a Prayer Meeting interesting.

I love dearly the precious prayermeetings. They are the sweetest and richest spiritual seasons that Christians have this side of heaven. They are the the link that binds our Sabbaths togespiritual thermometer of the churchther. We have recently had precious and profitable prayer-meetings; and they were made so in this way :-The brethren proposed that we should have specific subjects of prayer when we met; first, to give definiteness to our petitions; secondly, that we might think, and study, and pray, over them, during the week. The first object, and the proper one, presented, was the influence and importance of the descent of the Holy Spirit. The effect was highly beneficial. It gave a quickening impulse to their hearts, unity to their petitions, faith to their prayers, and evidently brought souls in communion with the Holy Ghost. I think it an admirable plan to give interest to prayermeetings.

INDIANA.

From Rev. Calvin Butler, Boonville, Ia.

Revival.-United Labors. Speaking of a protracted meeting, Mr. B. remarks:

Our meetings have been conducted with entire harmony of different denominations; and among the good effects

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