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63; Welch Ch., Radnor, O., 229;
Rockford Ill., 2; Royal Oak, Mich.,
21; Salem, Mo., 244; Savannah,
Mo., 148; Somerset, Mich., 21; Stark
Co., II., 105; St. Clair, Mich., 21;
St. Joseph, Mich., 213; Wabash,
Ind., 108; Warrensburg, N. Y., 47;
Welch Ch., Columbus, O., 113, 160;
Whitewater, Wis., 130; Williams-
port, Pa.,

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46

Tour through N. Missouri,

283

Rhode-Island D. M. S.,

32

To work, a privilege

92

Rice, Rev. J. H., D. D., appeal of,

73

Tracts and S. S. books wanted,

196

Romanism, (see Catholics) Progress in U.

Treasurer's acknowledgments, (see Re-

S.,

215

ceipts.)

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Monthly Concert for May, 1843.

FROM our files of interesting communications-some asking for aid in sustaining the Gospel among the destitute-some from ministers requesting to be sent where the harvest is plenteous and the laborers are few-and others from missionaries whose toil the Holy Spirit is blessing to the enlargement of Zionwe make a few selections, for reading at the Monthly Concert. And we take occasion to urge upon our readers, and especially upon those whose office it is to lead the devotions of the people in public prayer, to remember the request that comes up in almost every report of every missionary, in all parts of the land—“ Brethren, pray for us." We earnestly desire that this request may not be considered as a mere matter of form, but as the utterance of hearts weighed down with the magnitude of interests, too great for the care of any power less than divine. If any class of laborers in the vineyard of God are doing a work involving great results, and demanding self-denial, faith, wisdom and untiring industry, it is composed of the ministers in our frontier states. And if any portion of the ministry is more separated than others from that personal christian sympathy and co-operation, which strengthen the hands and sustain the hearts of the ambassador of Christ, they are the missionaries in the West.

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to ride another mile. I was assisted from my horse by a kind friend, and in his house found hospitable entertainment. An interesting revival was in progress. I preached in the evening. Next day, rode 22 miles, and held a meeting, though much fatigued. The third day, rode through a swampy wilderness, occasionally passing a cabina long, cheerless, toilsome journey. Late in the day, arrived at Winchester, the county seat of Randolph co., Ind. This was the place I had engaged to visit some weeks before. In the eve

ning, at twilight, the large brick courthouse was filled with attentive hearers, hungry for the Gospel. I was just able to preach-(the excitement supported me.) On three succeeding days, I preached twice each day, and held

regret it; but rather rejoice that I am counted worthy to toil and suffer for my Lord and Master.

prayer-meetings and inquiry meetings; From Rev. R. N. Wright, Belvidere,

Boone co., Ill.

The last quarter, and indeed the half year that has elapsed since the date of my present commission, has been with us a time of more than usual religious interest; and this interest has increased in all this region as far as I have had the means of knowing. God is evidently building up his own kingdom. There is reason to believe the work received a more than ordinary impulse as far back as at the meeting of the Synod of Illinois, in October last, at Bloomington. The Spirit of the living God was there; and many of the brethren in the ministry seemed, at that season, to ob

administered the Lord's supper on Sabbath, under the most interesting circumstances I ever witnessed. Nine came forward for the first time, some of them county officers. Many more anxious. The communicants were about 30 in number. And who were these? From almost every state in the Union, and every nation in the civilized world; yet in the wilderness. Descendants of the Puritans, Scottish Presbyterians, German Reformed, Lutherans, &c. One aged man particularly attracted my notice. His residence was on the Mississinnewa, 16 miles from Wiuchester, where they fit out boats for NewOrleans. Let those who sit in cushioned pews, and recline upon stuffed lean-tain a fresh anointing from on high, ers, and sleep comfortably under the preaching of the cross in our eastern cities, think of Nathaniel Davis, on the banks of the Mississinnewa, setting out by early dawn, and facing the cold breath of winter, 16 miles, clad in "blue jeans" only suitable for a strainer, and then see him sitting in a cold court-house, (brick floor and no stove) with a three-cornered rail for a seat, wiping away the cold tears with his hard hand from his hard cheek, occasionally breaking forth into a hearty acclamation or shout. He assured me that his prayers had been answered, for he had long been praying God to send him a minister, and now one had come within 16 miles—and his prayer was answered. "Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, &c." He urged me to go to his cabin, for then there would be a little jubilee.

After spending four days in Winchester, it seemed to be the ordering of Providence that I should visit Pleasant Ridge, 10 miles south, where I spent two days and labored incessantly, assisted by brother Brice, in commission from your Society, and whose labors have been abundantly blessed.

I was absent 8 days; preached 17 sermons; held many other meetings and travelled 136 miles. Yet I do not

and to give an assurance that God was about to appear in mercy and build up and beautify this part of his Zion. Many, I doubt not, returned home, praying that they might "be filled with the Spirit," and determined if possible to be consecrated to God, like those who published the Gospel in the days of apostles and christian martyrs.

How far the revivals in progress in this state are the result of that meeting, it is impossible to say, but many are now enjoyed.

In this immediate vicinity, Rockford is visited with an interesting work of grace. I was permitted to labor there a few days in a protracted meeting conducted by the pastor of the Congregational church in that place; and precious souls-we dare not say how many-were hopefully converted to God. It was indeed interesting to see, as we saw there, heads of families, men of years and influence, and those employed in the public business, come out and publicly avow their determination thenceforward to be devoted to the service of Christ. Frequent meetings I learn are continued at Rockford, and the work is still advancing, and in the Methodist Society large numbers, I am told, are hopeful converts.

The church at Pekatonic, also in this

immediate vicinity, under the care of brother D. Clary, is enjoying a powerful revival; which has already materially changed the aspect of the place, causing to vanish the difficulties of a distracted church, and bringing many by the power of the Spirit of God from death unto life.

More remotely in almost every direction revivals are spoken of as in progress with greater or less power. In fact, wherever in this region efforts more than ordinary have been put forth, the Holy Spirit has blessed and conversions have followed.

In our own church an increased spirit of prayer was manifested at the beginning of winter. This was evinced not only in our social meetings, but was found to be true in the case of those members of the church who are isolated from one another, and so remote from the house of God as not frequently to be able to attend public worship. God was pouring upon them the spirit of prayer and supplication. In January, a protracted meeting was commenced and continued several weeks in the Baptist church in this place, which resulted in great good, especially to that church; which, though large, had previously been in a distracted condition, but now had its difficulties happily adjusted. There were also many conversions, and more than 30 were baptized. At the close of this meeting, brother Smalley of Amazon aided me in a continuous meeting in our place of worship, for nearly two weeks, assisted, some of the time, by brother Clark of Elgin. Though the

of a disorderly walk. I have also seen in an evening meeting, where there was no sympathetic excitement, but all was still and solemn, like the grave, an avowed infidel arise and renounce his infidelity, and with deep feeling entreat the prayers of Christians; followed by an almost hopelessly profane swearer, and a fearfully wicked backslider, both of whom expressed a determination to lead a new life, and bespoke the prayers of Christians in their behalf. And of these three men, the two, who are heads of families, have erected the family altar, and the third is believed now to be a praying man. Of a truth, the Divine Spirit is the agent in this revival. Nevertheless means have been employed; the truth has been proclaimed, and Christians have prayed and have not been silent.

In conclusion, I must say, God is doing a great work in this region, much of it through the A. H. M. S., by the instrumentality of its appointed agents, the missionaries, and if those men whom God has given property, above the necessity of present consumption or investment, could see what I have seen, and feel in the manner we are compelled to feel it here at the West, that "the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers few," they would with fervor present their supplications to the Lord of the harvest for more laborers, and not only this, but would give of their substance, sufficient to send into the field twenty where now there is but one.

ganized.

In December I was called to P. county to organize a church. I found a very interesting neighborhood there, mostly composed of New-England people.

weather was unfavorable, being ex-Hungering for the word-church orcessively cold, yet numbers attended, and the Spirit of God was there. How many were truly born of God, is not known. The family altar has been erected in 7 or 8 families, and it is expected 16 or 18 will unite with the church at the approaching communion. The work I trust is but just begun. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. In its progress, under his ministration, I have seen Christians convicted of sin and stripped of their hope, and for a time in an agony of soul very seldom witnessed in the case of an awakened sinner, and yet these Christians had always been conscientious, and were not guilty

That neighborhood is situated about one hundred miles from this place.

I arrived in that neighborhood about nine o'clock on Thursday night, and although the society were scattered ten or fifteen miles round, yet they were all notified that night, and we had a full meeting at ten o'clock the next morning. Two young men I believe

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