ed to the close of the effort. Still, although many sinners were convicted, few were converted; there being evidently some obstacle in the way. I accordingly assembled the little church and laid the case before them, and exhorted them to confess and repent of their sins and humble themselves before God in prayer. On Tuesday I was called on to preach a funeral sermon, (providentially as would appear,) when many persons were present who had not attended, and would not probably have come in on any other occasion. It was a solemn scene, and many were deeply affected. That evening, sixteen persons professed their anxious solicitude for salvation. The meetings continued upwards of two weeks, during which time thirty-four publicly expressed their determination henceforth to serve God, of whom a good proportion were hopefully converted.

Trophies of grace.

Among the hopeful converts in this work were some of the most wicked men in the place, and several sons of pious parents, whose prayers were now answered, and who were perhaps permitted to look down from heaven and see their wandering sons after so long a time, brought into the fold. "In the morning sow thy seed, &c."

entered into covenant anew with God aud the church.

Another interesting case was of an intelligent Scotchman. He resisted long, but the truth would not let him rest, and finally, one evening, he went home, and while alone in his cabin, the thoughts of his sinfulness overcame him. He could not rest, and at length taking pen and paper he wrote a full confession of guilt, and profession of repentance and submission to God, which he dated and signed, and put in his pocket, and the next night publicly reewed them, and from that time was a new man. It is remarkable that in this transaction, without ever having read or heard the suggestion, he should have adopted the very course recommended by Dr. Doddridge in his Rise and Progress.

Another man had for years belonged to the sect called "Christians," but was bitterly opposed to evangelical religion. He heard a sermon on Sunday evening on the text "What must I do to be saved?" when the doctrine of salvation by faith alone was set forth, his ire was aroused, and his opposition was loud and bitter. He attended again on Monday, and that night could not rest. On Tuesday he debated within himself whether to go again, but finally went, not dreaming, as he says, of yielding his heart to God, when the discourse was on "resisting the Spirit," and, as he says, described his case exactly. He was convinced, and yielded to the truth, and now appears to be truly born again.

A solemn warning.

On one evening, four young men came forward as inquirers, of whom it was said, that if the place had been searched, four others less likely to be affected could not have been found. One of these was the owner of the chief gambling establishment in the place, One other affecting incident, of anoconsisting of a grocery, billiard-room, ther character, I record as a solemn ball alley, &c. He was completely cut warning. A young woman, about 16 or down by the truth, and wept like a child. 17 years of age, had attended some of Another young man from Pennsylva- the meetings, and her mind was somenia bad made profession of religion five what affected. On Thursday she was years ago, but, coming west, broke away invited to a ball some miles distant, but fron all restraint, and indulged in was not inclined to go, preferring to atswearing, playing cards, &c. For some tend the meeting. She was, however, time he resisted, and plunged into dis-persuaded; and went to the ball, took sipation, and even on the day when he submitted to the Savior, he spent the afternoon in a grocery, playing cards, &c. But the Spirit of God would not let him rest; his sin found him out, and be, I trust, has been saved, and has

cold, was brought home sick, and died; and just one week from the day she left home well, I preached her funeral sermon. Her physician forbade all religious conversation with her, and from what I could learn, although I visited

the house twice while she was sick, not || myself to labors among the miners, had a word was said to her about her soul. I not another charge! Would that some Brainerd could be found who would

The tithes brought in, and the bless- enter this field, and labor from cabin to

ing poured out.

cabin, as he did among the natives, and break the bread of life-what results

would follow! IS THERE NO BRAinerd

FOR THE MINERS?.

One other fact well deserves to be recorded. One individual contributed a large proportion of the funds for erecting the meeting-house, but so unpromising was the prospect, and so wicked the place, that he began seriously to From Rev. A. M. Dixon, Plattville, Wis. doubt if the money was judiciously expended. But mark! His nephew (he has no family,) was one of the most hopeful subjects of the work, a promising young man, who resides with him, and in whom he feels a deep interest. Soon after his conversion, and while the work was progressing, he (the uncle) said to me, while his eye filled with tears, "I never expected to see such a scene here. I had begun to doubt whether the money expended in the meeting-house was well applied.

But I am satisfied now."

How often does it thus prove true that meeting-houses are seldom built in vain, and no investment is generally more judicious in every point of view, than such a one as his?

Such are some of the circumstances of this interesting work. But no adequate idea of it can be formed by one not familiar with the place. Such a change! It reminded me of Baxter's account of Kidderminster. Many a tongue familiar with profane oaths, exchanged them for prayers; and many might be seen with their Bibles, who were hitherto more familiar with their cards.

The mining region as a missionary field.

Mr. D. (as stated in the Home Missionary for Sept.,) has had the charge of the academy at P., and labored in the ministry in different places of the mining region, principally on the Big Platte River, and at Fairplay. Speaking of the revival reported in the preceding article, he says:

These infant churches are as dependent on you for spiritual food, as the child on its earthly father, for temporal food. This work at Fairplay has not only saved souls and enlarged the church, but the irreligious community has been made better. A man had lost a gold watch before the work commenced-after its commencement, it was brought back, laid on the door step, well wrapped in paper, for the owner.

Suitableness of Home Missions to the

mining country.

Here is a vast number of immortal

beings from all parts of the world, hundreds of them have come to remain but a little while, till they make a "raise,” and then they are to return home. This makes them more careless about securing the stated means of grace. Again, the population is migratory-to-day a And in conclusion I remark that I do" prospect" may be struck in this region not believe there is a more promising and interesting field for ministerial labor than this mining region, embracing the S. W. corner of Wisconsin, the N. W. corner of Illinois, and a small section of Iowa opposite these. The miners have leisure, and will attend meetings in the evening, and are very susceptible to religious impressions; and many points are now presented, where such scenes as I have described might be witnessed as the result of faithful preaching. I would love to devote

or immediate vicinity, and all rush here like an army of locusts; but soon the excitement dies, and another prospect is struck some miles distant, and the ground is forsaken, and all make a rush to that place. This is going on continually all through the mining district, and unless the missionary is prepared with his boots on, and his hat in his hand, ready to go, they will be without the means of grace. Were it not for your Society, this mass of mind would be almost entirely destitute of the means

of grace, as used by our denomination. || considerations. And not among the Who are these miners? And to whom least of these, is the cheering circumare you giving the Gospel? Simply to stance that we have a few tried ones to 80 many souls? Is this the only motive hold up our hands-brethren and sisters to move the eastern churches to give of prayer-and such too, as manifest an the Gospel to this mining region? No; ardent solicitude for the welfare of here are congregated the sons of eastern Zion-whose burden it is, that this enfathers and mothers. You give the tire territory, and this great valley, and Gospel to your own children. Go into the world, may become converted unto a miner's cabin, and whom do you find? God. Another cheering indication of Two or three young men of intelligence good is the formation of a county Bible and thought. Inquire into their origin Society. And of this we are happy to and history, and you will find one a say, it has traversed almost the entire broken merchant of New-York, who county, entered into every house and has come to make a "raise ;" another, every log-cabin, and supplied the destithe son of a merchant in Boston, and a tute with a copy of the Holy Scriptures. third, the son of a Connecticut farmer. The results have been salutary. AnoThey have left their parents, their ther, is the onward course of temper books, their preaching, all behind. And ance. will you not furnish the means of grace to your children? I was talking with one young man who had come from the East, he told me he had a mother and sisters at home, who were pious. He had been induced to go into a grocery, to deal out spirituous liquors. He said his mother and sisters would weep if they knew what he was doing. But, says he, "when I write I do not tell this part of the story." So, hundreds of eastern youth will fall, if the means of grace be not brought before them. The influence of the Gospel alone will enable these and other youth to withstand temptation.

A few weeks since we were visited by a reformed drunkard from Ohio, who has given a new impulse to the cause, and waked up the sleeping energies of not only its friends, but enlisted new energies. A goodly number have signed the te-total pledge; a few drunkards have been reformed; and we hope the days of drunkenness and of the distillery are about to be numbered in our village and town.

But let me say we are encouraged mostly, because at the present time, and for some weeks past, there has been a rising interest among the members of the church. The Spirit of God seems to be moving in the midst of us.

Not all dark.

A missionary concludes his report, as fol- From Rev. S. Chaffee, Salem, Racine

lows:

Every year and every month brings something new and encouraging to such as labor to promote the good of the community. Discourageinents give way, and we trust the time is not distant, when this little church, planted in the wilderness, will not only be able to sustain the institutions of the Gospel without further aid, but will most heartily contribute to carry forward the opera tions of your benevolent Society.

The dawning day.

Co., Wis.

In Salem we have had an interesting state of things. As a result, difficulties between professors and others have been reconciled. Fifteen persons have indulged hope in the pardoning mercy of God; and a number of backsliders have been professedly reclaimed. Among the cases of recent hope, are five men with their wives. Dangerous errors seem to be giving way under the power of truth. One preacher, who has advocated dangerous sentiments, is now troubled about his soul. There is a great change in the moral

We feel encouraged by a number of aspect of things here.

Light arising in darkness.

I am happy in saying, that there is a general increase of feeling in the community on the subject of religion, and that the Lord seems to be ready to have mercy upon Zion, and that the time to favor her has come. The servants of the Lord are beginning to "take pleasure in her stones and favor the dust thereof." Some of the members of the church are" between the porch and the altar," crying, "Lord, spare thy people, and suffer not thy heritage to be reproached."

From Rev. C. C. Cadwell, Rochester and Cadwell's Prairie, Wis.

The privileged chamber.

The Lord has made a breach in our ranks, in the death of a much beloved sister in Christ. Of her, we can truly say, "blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." During her sickness she was calm and tranquil. She anticipated her departure with joy, and seemed to say with the Psalmist, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." It was a pleasure to be in her sick chamber; for it seemed to be the gate of heaven. She talked to all who approached her. She delighted much in prayer. She was beloved while living, and her death greatly

lamented.

One taken and another left.

A peculiarity in the above case is that it was a time of great stupidity at B., and she was boarding in a rum-selling tavern. Her husband also is a thoughtless man. But her parents were pious. She feels that she has been brought to repentance in answer to the prayers of friends.

ILLINOIS.

Assiduity of the adversary.

In one neighborhood, about 6 miles from our place of meeting, where resides one of our elders, and where a weekly meeting has been kept up, 6 or 8 persons have been hopefully converted, and in other parts of the society, now and then an individual has manifested a hope. These instances of divine mercy and grace have operated favorably upon the church, and some of the members have appeared to be more engaged, and to manifest a more deep interest for Zion, than was ever known here before. But as the church awakes, and is more faithful, the enemy seems to take the alarm; more has been done to counteract religious influence here the season past, than ever before.

society of Universalists has been organized, and preaching obtained for one half of the time. They begin to boast of soon becoming the most flourishing and prosperous society in the place. And they indeed make great efforts to build up their cause. And in many cases, they do apparently quiet the consciences of sinners, by promis ing them life. They pretend that they About the middle of December, a Mr. have nothing to fear in another world, W. called upon me quite early in the that all their punishment is in this life. morning, desiring me to go down to This doctrine is so pleasing to those Burlington, (5 miles below this,) and who wish to live in sin, that many are see his wife, who was under religious carried away with it. A great effort is concern of mind. Brother C. being made in all this region to build up this with me, we went, and found Mrs. W. delusion. A two-days meeting was laboring under a very deep sense of her held in our place, a few weeks since, situation as a sinner. For three days by them, and some who have been and nights she had neither eaten nor serious heretofore, have joined their slept. Such was the agony of her feel- ranks. And now, since they have ings, that she opened her whole heart found, as they pretend, that God has to us, and appeared to listen as for her no terror for the wicked, they are prolife. We pointed her to the Savior. fessedly happy. Such is the infidelity The last time I saw her she was rejoi-that stalks abroad in this western councing in hope, indicating her faith by her try, and its influence is tremendous. works. It strengthens the hands of the wicked