MICHIGAN.

DEMAND FOR MINISTERS.

Rev. O. P. Hoyt, of Kalamazoo,

they may not be learned in books, are yet
acquainted with men, and know how to
humor them. They will pre-occupy
the ground where we have appointments,
misrepresent the truth, and some of
them venture an attack-Universalists, writes as follows:-
Christians, or Unitarians, &c. I think
no minister need be better prepared and
ready for an attack than he who is
placed on this frontier. But every thing
of this kind serves to make the minister
acquainted with error, and with his own
armor of defence, and his weapons of

war.

IMPORTANCE OF A FIRST IMPRESSION.

There are within the limits of 60 miles west and north from here, some 15 or 20 places, among them several county seats, where churches could be organized, and ought to be forthwith, if there was some one to attend to it. I have intended to go out on a voluntary agency for that purpose. But my hands are full at home. Last winter, for nearly three months, I had to attend meetings nearly every day in my own church; and this summer, the work of revival is going on wonderfully in the outskirts of this town and others adjacent, so that I cannot be away. Brother C. has been compelled to spend half his time, for the last six months, in destitute church

I have found this to be a fact in a new country, that the people who are not pious become attached to the denomination that first comes among them. This is not often spoken of, nor duly ap-es, and towns with no church, in revipreciated. When individuals become vals. Every blow struck seems to tell pious, they already have their predilec- with great effect. It seems like the tions, and their homes previously cho- sin of Meroz to leave the work around sen. This I have observed, and it may us undone. And all this rich and ripe be of use to you in sending out your harvest will perish soon, if no reaper laborers. is found to gather it!

Appointments by the Executive Committee of the A. H. M. S., from May 1st to June 1st, 1842.

Rev. M. Harrington, Morrisville, N. Y.
Rev. M. C. Gaylord, Unadilla, N. Y.
Rev. J R. Johnson, De Ruyter, N. Y.
Rev. P. Bailey, Hebron, N. Y.
Rov. D. Beers, Orient, L. J.

Rev. G. G. Poage, Ridge and Cherokee, O.
Rev. Wm. Chamberlin, Alton, Presb., Ill.
Rev. N. Barrett, Brecksville, O.

Rev. E. Adams, Brunswick, O.

Rev. T. J. Haswell, Chester and Pottersville, N. Y.
Rev. G. T. Hornell, Burmingham, Mich.

Rev. C. Cook, Aurora, Ill.

Rev. J. Wilcox, Geneseo, IL

Rev. Deodat Jeffers, Lawrence, Mich.

Rev. Josephus Morton, Somerset, Mich.
Rev. C. T. Prentice, North Fairfield, Ct.

Rev. E. D. Kinney, Darien, Ct.

Rev. T. Bird, Thorntown, Ind.

Rev. L. Farnamn, Batavia and Big Woods, Ill.
Rev. R. Gaylord, Mount Pleasant and Hartford,
lowa.

Not in commission last year.

Rev. E. H. Stratton, Moscow, N. Y.
Rev. W. B. Heath, Pleasant Plains, N. Y.
Rev. L. Parker, Bloomingdale, Ill.
Rev. E. D. Champlin, Northern Illinois.
Rev. Ira Manley, Jay and Keene, N. Y.
Rev. John H. Carle, Rondout, N. Y.

Rev. Harrison Heermance, Milton, N. Y.
Rev. R. Stewart, Greenville, Ill.
Rev. M. Kimball, Augusta, Ill.
Rev. L. Spencer, Canton, Ill.

Rev. D. Jones, Lacon, Ill.

The Treasurer of the American Home Missionary Society acknowledges the receipt of the following sums, from May 1st to June 1st, 1842.

Norfield, Ct., Rev. Mark Mead, 1 set Dr. Scott's Brooklyn, Susquehanna co., Pa., Presb. Ch., Works.

THE PASTOR'S JOURNAL,

OR,

SKETCHES OF REAL CHARACTERS, CONVERSATIONS, AND STRIKING FACTS, FURNISHED CHIEFLY BY CLERGYMEN.

[For the Pastor's Journal.]

The Epidemic.

IN hearing of the sickness at the West for some years past, the people at the East have almost thought, that all diseases had emigrated westward, and that in order to avoid sickness and death, they need only remain at their quiet eastern homes. But during the past winter and spring, God has taught many portions of the East a far different lesson, by making them feel most sorely the Scourging hand of sickness.

exempt from the dreadful malady. It has entered the cottages of the poor, and the mansions of the rich; the smiling infant and sprightly child, the blooming babe and the man of strength, the infirm and the aged, have all been prostrated by the unseen hand! Many a mother has been snatched from her rising family, and hurried to a premature grave.

Some particulars respecting the prevalence of the epidemic in one town, will pretty accurately tell the story of fifty.

Early in the year 1842, the disease made its appearance in the town of E. Family after family were affected, and some young children fell victims, though as yet its appearance was by no means malignant.

There is a section of country, spread out between two lofty ranges of mountains, being at least 100 miles in length, and 50 in breadth, having the beautiful|| waters of Lake Champlain extending At length it was announced that J. through the centre from South to North. R. M., belonging to a numerous circle This region is highly cultivated, being of friends, and himself at the head of a covered with the habitations of men, small family, was taken violently sick. richly variegated with villages and farm- Beloved in the neighborhood and in the houses, with shady grove and thrifty church, of which he was a member, orchard, hill and dale, winding stream great anxiety was felt in his behalf. and waterfall—both the beautiful and But neither prayers nor tears, nor the grand in the works of nature and of art. best medical skill, could arrest the vioBut in this vale, so delightful and solence of the disease. And soon the prosperous, sickness and death have parting moment came. With calm and been commissioned, for a few months christian resignation, he took leave of past, to make fearful havoc. Thousands his wife and children; of beloved pahave been prostrated by disease, and rents; of his brothers, sisters, and friends; hundreds have been borne to the silent and then fell asleep in Jesus! Soon grave. The epidemic which has almost after, a grand-mother followed, and then universally prevailed, has been called a sister, then a brother's wife, and finally by some, the putrid sore throat; by his own disconsolate widow, after having others, malignant influenza, and by given birth to another child, thus leaving others, erysipelas fever. The disorder behind her three orphan babes! All is generally attended with a high fever, these five adult persons, out of one and a local inflammation in the throat, or family circle, died in faith, leaving bethe lungs, or in the stomach or bowels; hind them the rich consolation that they sometimes by a swelling on the head, or had entered into "that rest which remain an abscess upon some other part of the eth for the people of God." body. No age, or sex, or class, have been || meanwhile the disorder was spreading

In the

ing! I tell it not to reproach the dead, but as a warning to the living.

Thus the disorder raged till, within three or four months time, in a town of only about 1500 inhabitants, more than one half the number felt the effects of the disease more or less, more than 200 were severely prostrated, and about 25 are numbered among the dead!

into other neighborhoods with increased malignancy. Here, was cut down a young man in the vigor of youth, and borne to the tomb; and there, an old man was gathered to the dead, "as a shock of corn fully ripe," both leaving pleasing evidence that for them to die was gain! In some sections so many were prostrated at the same time, that it was extremely difficult to obtain com- As warm weather approaches, the fortable nursing. One family, consist- virulence of the epidemic somewhat ing of a mother, two sons and two abates, yet even up to the first of June, daughters, adults, all were sick together, very many are still sick in the region and after the greatest suffering for a few round about, and many are left in a weeks, the mother and the oldest daugh-feeble state of health. ter ceased to struggle for life, and were both consigned to the same narrow house, leaving good evidence, that in the morning of the resurrection, both would awake in the likeness of their Savior! The gate of the church-yard were these were laid, was not shut a whole week, for many weeks together. Now a young mother is borne hither, torn suddenly away from her lovely babes and affectionate husband! And then, the father of one family and the mother of another, are both in the same day joined to the same congregation of the dead! Others soon followed, while mul

titudes were sick.

While things were wearing this fearful aspect, one man, strong, robust, somewhat advanced beyond the meridian of life, said, "if men would only drink rum enough, they need not fear the epidemic!" So from moderate, he took to immoderate drinking! He laughed at the disease, and made sport of the grave. But he was marked for a victim, and neither his hard drinking nor his presumption, could turn aside the fatal blow. He was seized in the throat, and through pride and haughtiness of spirit refused to call for medical aid, struggling, like a giant, to break the hold of the disease; but he could

not.

That channel which had so long conducted the burning torrent to the vitals, was now itself on fire. After forty-eight hours a physician was called, but it was too late. The hold could not be broken; the fire could not be quenched! He died in his full strength -died, struggling mightily for breath, but it was gone forever! Thus ended the life of the man, who sought to guard against disease by excessive drink

In different places many of the people of God have died in the triumphs of faith, some have had transcendently glorious views of Jesus and his salvation, just before their departure! "I can see Jesus," exclaimed a dying young man, as he looked up steadfastly towards heaven, "O, I can see Jesus, he is inviting me up to the mansions of his Father's house. Farewell, beloved friends, I am going to dwell with Jesus!"

O who can estimate the worth of religion at such a time as this! The Christian can remain calm and happy, even in the midst of sickness and death. He can say, with firm reliance on the promises of God,