NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME!

An intelligent correspondent in Illinois thus expresses his sense of the importance of evangelical efforts at the present time:

time with us. Owing to the stoppage of the public works every one feels discouraged and perplexed-the sea and the waves roaring, and men's hearts failing them for fear. But in the midst of these perplexities, God has graciously visited us the Spirit has been poured If ever there was a period in the hisout, the seed cast into the ground has tory of Christ's Church, when all Chrisgrown, and blossomed and ripened to tians are called upon to consecrate themthe harvest. Some precious souls have selves entirely to the redemption of the been added to the church and are re- world, that age and that period is the joicing in the Lord. Our last commu- present. They can now turn the curnion was a most delightful day. Allow rent of influence to Christ. They can me to mention one fact. Among the now, especially in this western country, number admitted to the church was one mould society in all its features, in conentire family. The father, mother, and formity to the holy principles of the Goseldest daughter, were received on pro- pel. Christians now have the power to fession, and two other younger children plant deep the foundations of the Goswere presented by their parents, and pel on these beautiful hills, and in these solemnly dedicated to God in bap- enchanting prairies, and to save the tism. It was a solemn and interesting thousands who are seeking their homes scene. The father, up to the time of in this western world. O if out of the his conversion, had been a profane abundance of the wealth that God has swearer, and a common drunkard. He given the churches, Christians were to was generally regarded as a hopeless give even a tithe of the silver and gold character. Now he is an humble, de- which justly belong to God, this great voted, and useful Christian. The valley, now liable to be blighted by inmother had for a long time been in a fidelity and error, would be as rich and wretched state of mind, almost per- beautiful in its moral, as it is in its physuaded to be a Christian, and yet un-sical features, and the redemption of willing to give up ali for Christ. But this lost and guilty world, would be now the language of her soul is, My speedily consummated. beloved is mine and I am his." The change in the daughter is equally remarkable. She is a very intelligent girl of sixteen. Previous to her conversion she was very gay and fond of Though we cannot rejoice in the outcompany-the ball-room was her de- pourings of God's Spirit, and the conlight. But now the prayer-meeting, version of sinners, yet we feel that good the Sabbath school, the Bible class are has been done. The Gospel, as it the places of her choice and of her con- is exhibited by your unworthy misstant attendance. To use the words of sionary, has made an impression. I the mother, they are now a "very hap-never have felt more encouraged in repy family."

66

From Rev. B. F. Morris, Warsaw, Ill.

gard to the church at Warsaw, than I The church is in a better state than do now. We are gaining, not only in it has ever been. Our people grow in numbers, but, which is infinitely better, grace, our prayer meetings are better we are gaining in holiness, and conseattended, there is more feeling in prayer quently in power to do good, and to win -more of that earnest pleading which souls to Christ. The church is more seems to say, "I will not let thee go ex-united than it has been for years. And as cept thou bless me." Our Sabbath a result, its influence and power are beschool and Bible classes also are pros- ginning to be felt on the community, a pering and exerting a good influence large share of which are impenitent. ever the minds of the young. The at- Ability of the Western Churches to tendance on the means of grace is very good. The temperance cause is working wonders-I have never seen any thing like it before. "Bless the Lord, to train churches to the habit and duty O my soul !"

sustain the Gospel.

I feel that it is of great importance

of aiding, according to their means, to || home and possession of the Indian, in support all the institutions of the Gos- which no traces of civilization or Chrispel; and I am well convinced, that || tianity were found. Now, upon its broad there is not in all the western country, and beautiful bosom, sixty thousand a single church or congregation but white men, each possessing a soul that what can do something to support outweighs the world in value, are movpreaching, and as a general thing, they ing and forming their character for eterare willing. It only requires a little nity. Every year, thousands are pourwisdom on the part of ministers and ing into this rich and unoccupied porchurches in the presentation of this sub- tion of our nation. And who can paint ject, to secure something from the pub- that dark moral landscape that will be lic. But they cannot do all. For a seen here in another generation, unless time, we must look to the East for aid. the Gospel shall come in to mould and And whilst churches and congregations give permanence to the forms and inare doing what their poverty and cir- stitutions of society? There is a great cumstances will allow, O let not those work to be done in this territory. Much churches and Christians whom God has land yet remains to be possessed, in a so signally blessed, refuse to heed the religious as well as in a natural sense. Macedonian cry, and come over to help their feeble brethren, who are struggling for lile in those far-off ends of the earth. Let them grant this help, and they will not only feel the luxury of giving, but God will be honored, Christ and' him crucified preached, and souls, immortal souls, be saved.

Religious statistics of Iowa,

I will give some facts which I gathered in my recent visit. In the territory there are eight Congregational ministers, ten churches, and 243 members. The New School Presbyterians have

Importance of a settled ministry in four ministers, six churches, and

the West.

about 150 or 200 members. The Old School Presbyterians have, I suppose, about the same number of ministers, churches and members. The Metho

I am more convinced than ever of the importance of concentration in our efforts to build up Christ's Kingdom. An itine-dists have, say 15 ministers and 800 rant ministry will never convert the world. I have had some experience in this matter in the West, being a native, and having lived all my life in the bosom of the West, I hesitate not to say that we want a settled ministry. I would not discourage, on a small scale, and under peculiar circumstances, a traveling ministry in your operations, but, after all, the people must have pastors to feed them Sabbath after Sabbath, or but little comparatively will be accomplished.

A visit to Iowa.

I was appointed a delegate by the Illinois Association to the Association of Iowa, from which I have just returned. I was deeply interested in hearing the reports from churches, and listening to the trials and labors of our beloved brethren in this new region. Iowa has increased in population beyond all precedent. A few years since, it was the

members. The Baptists, 10 ministers and 500 members. The Cumberland Presbyterians, 5 ministers and 300 members. Episcopalians, 3 ministers and 200 members. In these last I have used my own judgment, not having data before me; but suppose that I have given to each denomination, as many ministers and members as the facts will justify. This is the result-49 ministers, 2193 professing Christians of all evangelical denominations. Suppose now that 10 times as many in all, viz. 21,930,come under the stated or transient preaching and influence of the Gospel, and you have the astounding fact, that there are 38,070 souls in the territory, destitute of the means of grace, a large portion of whom are under the withering blight of infidelity, and all kinds of pernicious error. Oh, is there not a work to be done, and quickly done here, by Christians! If they do not send the Gospel, and preach the Gospel, and live the Gospel, this fair land will be

scathed and desolated, by the fires of From Rev. N. C. Clarke, Elgin, Kane irreligion. Oh that Christians every where might wake up, to the great' effort to evangelize and redeem our own Method of conducting the monthly nation! You cannot, as the watchmen to guard the interests of this great! valley, and other destitute portions of our beloved land, sound the alarm too loud.

The monthly concert of prayer for the conversion of the world, has, for the last six months, been better attended than before that period. It is expected, that at each meeting some interesting information will be given by some brother previously appointed, on some portion of the missionary field. We have had some very interesting meet

From Rev. W. Fithian, Rushville, Ill.ings. I am certain that they might be

He

Home Missions.

My feelings with regard to the importance of effort for the spiritual welfare of this great valley, are stronger than language can express. The appeal on that subject in the Home Missionary, I do hope will awaken the

churches to increased exertions. There

moned to the bar of God. The indi- || An aged Missionary's Testimony for vidual, who was thus suddenly called to his account, it is hoped, was prepared for the summons. He had been a professed follower of the Lamb of God many years, and for several years a very valuable member of our church. He will be missed very much in our prayer and conference meetings; especially at our monthly concert. took a deep interest in this meeting, and contributed much to make the meeting interesting and profitable to others. The church has met with a great loss. By this providence, God teaches us that it is unsafe not to be in readiness for death, at any moment; also he teaches the church, that there is no safety in depending at all on any

creature.

From a Missionary Report.

BECOMING ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN.

To be successful in these western parts, we find it requisite to "become all things to all men;" for great is the diversity of character with which we

is, in my view, serious danger that Romanism, will have a predominant influence in this valley. I have in view some reasons which I have not seen stated, and which it perhaps would not be expedient to state publicly. We need not however despair of Zion's ultimate triumph, for her King is on the throne. vidually, nothing to fear; and if the If faithful in his service, we have indichurch as a body will be faithful, she need not fear. The hopes of millions hang on the A. H. M. Society, and the blessing of God attending her efforts. May God continue to smile upon and prosper you more and more, in your great and good work.

OHIO.

rietta H. M. Agency.

The field and the men.

come in contact. Men are here from From Rev. H. Smith, Sec. of the Maevery direction, and with all kinds of peculiarities and prejudices. It is necessary, after the apostolic mode, to go from house to house. I spend much of the time thus; and some happy fruits, through the grace of God, have I witnessed. I am very busy; my field is hard, but God blesses me with uninterrupted health, and I think I do love to work for him.

Strange preaching places.

AtI am to preach next Sabbath. The people are a set of real "rowdies." I have an appointment to preach before the grocery door, and another on a stump near. No one has ever preached there before, that I can find out. I have made friendship with the old grocery keeper, by several acts of kindness, before he knew that I was a minister. He is the king of the place; he says that such a one as I may preach there! What will be the result, I know not. The prospect, though strange, seems good.

The moral aspect of this field does not differ materially now, from the picture of desolation which has been again and again presented to your notice. The progress of the truth has nevertheless, we have reason to think, been fully equal to the means employed ;it has gained ground-if slowly, yet steadily. Unremitted effort, however, on the part of God's people, and unfaltering perseverance and self-denial on the part of the missionaries, as they have been the price at which past progress has been purchased, so, for years to come, they must be the price at which this moral wilderness is to be brought under cultivation, and these spiritual wastes are to be built up.

It is the conviction of this Agency, that if any class of laborers in the great harvest of the world, more than another, calls for the daily prayers and constant

sympathy of the people of God, it is a portion of our Home Missionaries at the West. Poor in worldly goods, charged generally with the support of young and increasing families, the interests of Christ's cause and the sentiments of the churches alike adverse to their engaging in secular pursuits for a support, receiving oftentimes but the merest pittance from the people to whom they minister, (the amount actually subscribed remaining not unfrequently in whole or in part unpaid,) and deriving in many cases from the Missionary Society a sum entirely inadequate with their other actual receipts to support them comfortably they have suffered, they do suffer, and they must continue to suffer, for the love they bear to the cause of the dear Redeemer, to the precious souls which he has purchased with his blood. Still they are regarded as being on christian ground, as sustained by christian sympathy, and are therefore too often, in their labors and trials and faintness of heart, though pressed out of measure, above strength-forgotten by the people of God, not indeed in their annual contributions, but in their daily sympathies and petitions at the throne of grace.

obliged to live several weeks in an old log house, so open, that the rain and snow came into it in such quantities, as greatly to endanger our health. My wife and myself caught severe colds, from the effects of which we have neither of us fully recovered.

My field of labor is very important and extensive, fourteen miles long and twelve wide. I frequently go beyond its limits, to preach to those who are famishing for the want of the bread of life. I have been twice to Royalton on the border of Michigan. There had never been Presbyterian or Congregational preaching in that town. I found a few sheep as it were without a home or shepherd. They were urgent that I should preach there often: they complained of the low character of the preaching in that region, and spoke of its dangerous tendency.

"Factorized Preachers."

Among the greatest difficulties I have had to encounter, are the erroneous views disseminated by certain preachers: they discard education, and tell the people to beware of Pesbyterianism. These preachers genrerally have little or no education. In a preacher of

the character just named, told his friends when I came on, that they had got the

From Rev. G. S. Johnson, Swanton, ground, and it was best to keep it. I

Lucas Co., O.

Trials of a new mission.

I have delayed quite too long, to forward a report of my labors, but my wife has been sick nearly five weeks-a part of that time dangerously sick-and I have had not only to take care of her, but also to attend to our domestic affairs myself. It has been very sickly in this vicinity two or three months past, and I have found it very difficult to obtain help. Our neighbors have done what they could for us: but they have been prevented by sickness from doing what they would have otherwise done. I have preached regularly every Sabbath, two or three times, and held weekly meetings; we were greatly disappointed on arriving here, in finding the new house in which we expected to live, not even covered on the outside, and were

VOL. XV.

made no effort to wrest it from their hands but he has now left it, because the people refused to go to hear him preach. Another preacher came, and endeavored to put down "factorized preachers," or the factorized preachers as he called me, saying that he himself, had never attended school more than six months. I have turned neither to the right nor to the left-but have endeavored to preach the Gospel faithfully, and the people are beginning to think Presbyterianism is not so dangerous as it has been represented. Said a professor to me, the other day, "we have been accustomed to rank your denomination with that of Universalism, but we were greatly mistaken; we now feel perfectly friendly, and are willing to aid you all in our power." I find wherever I go, that there is a great curiosity to hear a Presbyterian preach→ as very seldon had any preachers of that 8