Notices of Auxiliary Societies.

VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY" people of God in Vermont labor with

GOD. Look at our half million of white || out a Gospel ministry-and our 3 miladults unable to read and write-our lions of slaves-and ponder whether 80,000 citizens, who have served their our country does not need an able, actime in Jails and Prisons-our 8,000 tive, pious ministry. Will you aid in convicts now in confinement-our furnishing and sustaining such an im400,000 families without the Bible-our portant instrumentality? 5 or 6 millions of free population with

Correspondence of the A. H. M. S.

IOWA.

pleted. Little did we think, nine months since, that our congregation

From Rev. O. Emerson, De Witt, Iowa. would so soon exchange their upper

room for a neat little chapel well fin

Views of missionary life, by those who ished within and without. Without the

have tried it.

aid your Society has rendered us in supporting the Gospel, it is altogether probable that this church would have been without a place of worship for years. In erecting the house great praise is due to a few who "had a mind to the work."

The western missionary, along with trials, has pleasures peculiar to himself. Our Master requires here no more of labor and self-denial than we are able to practice; and who at the East, or in any part of this lost world, would be willing to do less than all he is able, in In the western portion of my society the work of the ministry? We have we have enjoyed a precious little revino privations but those to which our val for some weeks past. Near the fellow-citizens are hourly submitting close of the year our meetings became for the sake of gain. They do this for solemn and interesting. The effect of an earthly reward, while we anticipate the preaching upon the hearts of Chrisan incorruptible inheritance in heaven. tians was soon manifested by the heartOur brethren are happy in their work. felt confession of their backslidings and We in Iowa have the very extremity their return to God. Some were found of the domestic missionary field. We to be anxious; and then the voice of have inconveniences to which even the the young convert heard. Our meetbrethren of Illinois and Indiana are not ings continued for nearly two weeks subjected; and yet our brethren here which resulted in the hopeful converare, we believe, all of them, free from re- sion of some ten or twelve souls. This grets that they left the East. We number will doubtless seem small to know of none who would not deeply those at the East who are accustomed regret to abandon the prospects of useto see hundreds pressing into the kingfulness that are opening before them. dom; but it gladdens the hearts of your western brethren in the scattered popuFor myself, I am free to say, that I have yet to know the first moment of regret that I am to see my New-England home and my early friends no more.

WISCONSIN.

lation on our prairies, to witness even one sinner turn to Christ. This is peculiarly the case when we reflect that most of the impenitent here, have passed through several powerful meetings at the East, and many, I regret to say, seem to have fled from the East to rid themselves of those moral and religious

From Rev. Hiram Foote, Racine, Wis. restraints imposed upon them there.

Church erected.

Our house of worship is now com

Nor is it uncommon to find some old professors of religion, whose motives for removing west, were no better than those just alluded to. In many in

sion, of the revivals we had here en

stances, when I have found one of the most hardened, reckless beings in com-joyed, of the Washingtonian cause, &c. munity, the truth has come out, that he This he directed to his brother, and reonce "joined a class," or took the vows quested him to ask the pastors of two of God upon him in the holy congrega- dissenting churches in his native place tion. There are hundreds all over this to read it to their congregations on the western land who, when they left their Sabbath, urging his relatives to attend churches at the East, neglected to take those churches while the letter was letters, thinking they could "send for read. After the letter was written, them at any time;" "did not know he said of his own accord, now let us where they should locate," or "sup- pray that God would bless it. We then posed there was no church of their de- bowed the knee together, and seemed nomination at their place of destina- to be agreed touching the thing we tion." Temptation is thus presented asked of God. He has since heard of to neglect the communion table, public the reception of that letter and of the worship, the family altar, the closet, and great interest with which it was heard finally to procure no letter of dismission, by his relatives and the friends of his join no church, and become content to youth. The seed which has been thus live without God in the world. Say, I sown by this foreigner was watered by beseech you, to Christians removing prayer. We know not yet what fruit westward, Bring your letters and your has been produced; but we may know religion with you. Bring your family when the millions shall stand before altar, your love for the closet, the wor- the throne of God, who will there praise ship of God, and the ordinances of the him for the blessed influences of the Gospel. All these you will need, with Home Missionary Society. Though a your christian armor bright, to endure Home Society, its influence is felt the temptations and trials incident to through the world. the new settlements of the West. With them, you will be a blessing to us, without them a curse.

Influence of the A. H. M. S.

One brother who feels greatly indebted to your Society, after hearing a sermon in its behalf, said: "I gave all I had, a shilling, and if it had been a dollar it would have gone as cheerfully, for I believe that Society must save our country. What could our poor congregations do without it?" I have been interested by an influence of your Society across the ocean. The voice of a feeble missionary in Wisconsin may be heard in the heart of Great Britain. An unlettered Englishman, who was apparently converted here two years since, and who has given delightful evidence of growth in grace from that time, came to me, some months since, and said: "While lying on my bed last night, I thought I must do something for the salvation of my friends in England; it was impressed on my mind that I must write them a letter." I penned for him a letter which he dictated, giving an account of his conver

ILLINOIS.

From Rev. E. E. Wells, Missionary to destitute places in the vicinity of Chicago.

Success.

Since my last report, I have been constantly employed preaching every evening through the week in different neighborhoods, and two or three times on the Sabbath, visiting from house to house, &c. The Lord has poured out his Spirit and produced a general awakening among the people, particularly in two districts, about 8 miles from each other, and a few miles north of Chicago. The work commenced at a point about 18 miles north of the city, on the north branch of the Chicago River. I visited that place about the first of December, in the course of my missionary labors, and discovered such indications of the presence of the Spirit of God, as I thought warranted me in spending a few days there and making some special efforts. I accordingly commenced preaching in private houses in different neighborhoods, giving out

my appointments from one evening to another, as Providence opened the way. The interest and solemnity soon increased; and in the course of a week, I had the happiness of hearing from a number, the anxious inquiry, "What must I do to be saved;" and in about three weeks, between 30 and 40 professedly gave their hearts to the Savior. Among the hopeful subjects of the work, are to be found some who had been professors at the East, but who gave up their old hopes, that they might obtain such as would better stand the test of eternity. Several English families also were more or less interested during the progress of the meeting, and some of their number have, I trust, found Christ to be a justifying Savior. A church has been organized on total abstinence principles, and twelve individuals subscribed to the articles of faith and the covenant, and as many more will probably be prepared to unite before the appointed time for their first communion.

I commenced a similar effort at a place called Union Ridge, 8 miles S. W. from the North Branch, and about 10 miles from Chicago. Here also the

places for much future good. Prejudices against our doctrines and our kind of preaching, seem to have been in a measure done away. When we look at the moral aspect of the communities, and contrast it with what it was, we can say truly, "what hath God wrought."

But it must not be thought, that nothing remains to be done; for unless the efforts which have been already made, can be followed up perseveringly, much will be lost. My field is an important one, it being in the vicinity of Chicago, which is destined to be a great commercial emporium, and the country is constantly filling in with population.

And yet, such are the embarrassments of the settlers in the region referred to, that they can do very little for a minister; and unless the principal part of his support is furnished by the A. H. M. S., the missionary must relinquish his labors. We earnestly hope this may not be necessary. Will the churches of the East allow those lights just kindled in the midst of darkness to be quenched?

Mr. F. labors at Batavia and Big Woods. In the latter, a protracted meeting was held in December, of which he says:-—

good Spirit went before me, and accom- From Rev. L. Farnam, Kane Co., Ill. panied the preached word with His special influences, convincing men of sin, and bringing them to bow in sweet submission to the Savior. Several heads of families, and a number of youth, who had been gathered into a Sabbath school which was formed about a year ago, now give good evidence of having "passed from death unto life." Did my limits permit, I might specify some cases of marked and peculiar interest, in which it pleased God to make a signal display of His grace. Last week I organized a church on the Ridge, with the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Drake, and on the Sabbath, 16 adult persons took the vows of God upon them. Several more would have come in on profession of their faith, but were prevented from attending by the extreme inclemency of the weather.

We anticipate as the result of the labor in these two places, the gathering of from 40 to 50 members into the two churches which have been formed. I think I can say also, with confidence, that an opening has been made in both

Great stillness and solemnity pervaded the assemblies. Old backsliders, who were once professors, but who had lived for years without any appearance of religion, were cut down by the power of God, and brought to confess their exceeding guilt in forsaking Him. Of such, the country is full, and many who before were not suspected of ever having professed religion, were brought to light, and some, we trust, to repentance. Sinners were made to tremble, and some appear to have been born again.

A middle aged man, who had for many years believed and advocated Universalism, and who had carried out the doctrine practically, in Sabbathbreaking, &c., and who professed last week to submit to God, arose in the meeting, and said, “My friends and neighbors, you are all acquainted with

the opinions I have entertained and ad-weak. Since that, my crutches have vocated, for a number of years past. been exchanged for a cane; I have I wish now to declare, that I believe met my appointments, with some modithat doctrine no more. I intend, by fication, and have been much of the the grace of God, to serve the Lord time in my sleigh from home; but the the rest of my days." This man has surgeons tell me it may take a year to erected a family altar, and appears as recover the use of my ankle, if I ever yet to have truly turned to God. The do. teacher of the school-a young man from the East-who once thought he experienced religion, and was sometime connected with a church, but for twelve years has considered himself destitute of religion-did not pray nor have the Bible read in school-was brought to a sense of his sins, and continues to run well. He immediately commenced praying in his school, introduced the Bible as a reading book, and is laboring to promote the spiritual good of his pupils.

How many have been reclaimed and brought to God, I am unable to say; but the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad, and to him be all the glory.

This has been a severe affliction. But though "all" His "waves have gone over me," and His "wrath lieth hard upon me," it is good to be afflicted. I will justify God in all his ways.

Most affecting was it in my trouble to see the hand of the A. H. M. S. ready for my help. I was poor, sick, and among strangers; but that hand was there to minister to my wants. True, I found sympathy and aid from these strangers, but I have at no time felt so great an obligation to the Society, as its aid supplied me with surgical and medical service, and other things necessary, to an amount of between $30 and $40. If I had had no such resource, I know not but the mental agony of both myself and wife, who was with me as my nurse, would have been more difficult to bear, than the

From Rev. E. G. Howe, Abingdon, bodily pain, very excruciating though

Lake Co., Ill.

Affliction alleviated by missionary aid.

I intimated in my last report, that I was detained, at its date, after the meeting of the Presbytery at A-, by an injury received in watering the horse of one of my missionary brethren. While writing it, I supposed I should be able to travel in a few days. But having arisen from the bed to write, I

it was. Indeed the Missionary Society upholds the minister in these new settlements, at every step, for I can hardly conceive it possible for one who is devoted to his work, to continue here a year without support in addition to that derived from his people.

Tried, but not unhappy:

became a sufferer for my punctuality; From a Missionary who went from

for, in resting my sprained and bruised foot on the floor, I took a bad cold in it, which caused it to inflame, suppurate and slough, reduced me, through pain, to a skeleton, and confined me to the bed in that place, most of the time in agony day and night, 33 days, and in the vicinity 14 days longer. I then moved slowly 30 miles north, to one of my preaching places, where cold weather and snow arrested me, till I had visited all the families. It was the 2d of December before I arrived at home, having been two months absent, and being even then very lame and

New-England.

Under all the various trials and diffi culties of a missionary life, I am content. I am happy in "being counted worthy" to do something to form christian society in this wilderness. I have no desires to return to New-England. There are indeed discouragements to be encountered-the lukewarmness or apostacy of some, who in other places had a name to live; the inroads of different errors, causing some of the disciples to waver from the truth; disregard of the Sabbath, profaneness, and