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will settle rapidly. Almost all the vacant land around me has been entered this season by persons who expect to settle upon it next spring. We need a revival, that these souls may be converted, and this influence consecrated to the service of God. I desire your prayers in our behalf.

My congregation, I think, is steadily on the advance. Our people are now taking measures to erect a house of worship, which will be central and comfortable.

MISSOURI.

From Rev. W. T. Dickson, West Ely

others to the exclusion of more important interests. How long this state of things is to last, no one can tell. It has already continued until every one is sick of hearing of suits and sales. In the midst of these troubles, some professedly pious have fallen into sin, and shown, too clearly, that "the spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience," still governs them.

But notwithstanding all our troubles, we have reason to be encouraged. In our place the house of God and the prayer-meeting are not forsaken. Christians manifest, in their prayers, a growing desire for an outpouring of the Spirit, and God has shown his willingness to bless his truth to the conversion

of sinners. During the year 16 have been added to this church on exami

nation.

Wanted.

Since I last wrote I have travelled more than 500 miles to fill various appointments. By this means I have seen the great destitution, the moral wastes, Tracts and Sunday School Books that surround us. Only a few days ago, on my way from Synod, I attended a During the summer I have distributed meeting on the border of the Grand many tracts; and that I might be able Prairie, half way between the two to scatter them extensively, I have atmighty rivers, the Missouri and the tended meetings during the week. No Mississippi. I preached there three doubt great good might be done in this times to as many people as could possi-way if we had a liberal supply of these bly be crowded into the house, and a messengers of peace. I have also obnumber were compelled to go away for tained a supply of the bound volumes want of room. They listened to the of the American Tract Society, which I truth with fixed attention, some even intend to sell, if possible. If there was weeping. There is a small church any means of securing books to establish there, organized by Br. Townsend; Sabbath schools, I could organize seveand if there were a devoted, well adap-ral so near this place as to be able to ted man there now, he might be the means of doing much good. But many, very many such fields of labor might be found, if we had the means and men to occupy them. For these we will pray, and we may hope the time is near at hand when the Gospel in its purity and simplicity shall reach every hamlet in Missouri; for whatever obstacles and discouragements may now appear, (and there are many,) God will remove them, and raise here for himself families like a flock, since he has included this state also in the possessions given to his Son.

Trials.

The pecuniary embarrassments and endless litigations with which many here are troubled, have an injurious tendency, occupying the minds of Christians and

watch over them, and keep them in operation. Perhaps Christians of the East might be induced to make some effort to supply us with books for Sabbath schools. They are greatly needed, and would be advantageously employed. It is important that missionaries here should be supplied with every means to extend their usefulness, for they are far too few for the extent of the field.

Without wishing to detract from the value of the labors of either Colporteurs or 8. School agents, we believe that missionaries, from the nature of their office and their position in the destitute districts, enjoy peculiar advantages for the judicious distribution of religious publications and for building up Sabbath schools. Many of the missionaries who could be conveniently supplied from the depot

of the Am. Tract Society, have received each 5000 pages of tracts, and in a few instances larger grants. Aid in furnishing S. School libraries has also been generously afforded by the Am. S. S. Union, and the Mass. S. S. Society. But after all that has been supplied from these sources, it is still true, that our missionaries are lamentably destitute of the facilities which the press is capable of furnishing to aid them in their work.

near two hundred inhabitants now. I had the honor of preaching the first sermon ever delivered at that place. I expect to organize a church there. My congregations there are about one hundred and fifty. God seems to incline the hearts of that people to hear the word of the Lord.

There is another point about fifty miles north-west of Oregon, where I learn are some Presbyterian families, whom I intend to visit this fall if the winter does not set in too soon and too

From Rev. T. S. Reeve, Oregon, Holt severe. Co.

The Extreme West.

My present location is promising, and an opening for still greater usefulness seems, in the providence of God, to be preparing about thirty miles distant, at a point on the Missouri river. At this point I now preach once every month. Holt county is the extreme west of the state. We have a little church here of nine members, which was organized about a year ago by brother Carson. The court-house is our regular place of preaching, but when it is occupied by others we hold meetings in two different neighborhoods, some eight miles apart. Our ordinary congregations vary from fifty to about a hundred. The people are attentive, and many are apparently serious.

The people are poor, the country new, land not yet wholly paid for, and the population far from settled and stationary.

I have visited all the families belonging to our little circle, and others, and have found these visits attended with good. In this labor I have found some who have been members of the Presbyterian church in other states, but who, on coming out to the West, laid aside their watchfulness, and have lived for years as if they had never professed the name of Jesus. May the Lord, by his Spirit, and the agency of the living teacher, bring all such back again into the fold of Christ.

St. Joseph is the place on the Missouri to which I have alluded. This is a newly surveyed town in the county of Buchanan. It is rapidly increasing in population and mercantile importance. There are about thirty families, and

Sickness.

This season has been attended by the most general and fatal sickness ever known in this part of our state since its settlement. This greatly increased my labor from the middle of August until the second week in October, at which time scarcely a family around us could be found where might not have been seen the traces of disease. By this time my strength was completely exhausted, and disease claimed its victim. While returning from a visit to one of my elders who was very low, I was obliged to dismount and stretch myself upon a large dry log by the way side, and thus gather strength. That night I reached home with the bilious fever, boiling my blood, and scorching my body. The next day my companion was attacked by the same disease, and we lay where we could look upon each other; yet, could extend no helping hand. It was a most trying situation, yet God mingled many mercies in the cup. We had a faithful physician, and soine kind friends; and by the blessing of that kind Providence who lets not a hair of our head fall without his notice, we are again, after five weeks, so restored as to be able to engage in our respective duties, I pray the Lord so to sanctify these afflictions to us that we may be more faithful in doing his will.

Two of our church members have been removed by death, one was, I think, the oldest in the church. Until the last she was devoted to the sanctuary and its privileges, and died almost at the foot of the altar, unwilling to be absent from our last communion, al

though in a feeble state of health. She prevailed upon her friends to haul her to the church in a wagon, and seated near the altar, feeding upon the bread of life, she was struck with death, and soon after returning home, departed in the most peaceful manner to her eternal rest and reward. The other was her daughter, she was in the prime of life, and surrounded by a young family, twenty-five hours before she went to lay in the bosom of Abraham, there to await the arrival of her beloved and sainted mother. Her last moments gave a clear exhibition of the power of religion to rob death of its sting, and the grave of its victory.

From Rev. J. W. Townsend, Paris.

I cast my eye, I am forcibly reminded of the application of the blessed Savior's words, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." I may ride forty miles east and northeast, before I meet with one of our brethren; to the south and south-east, with one exception, it is still farther; proceeding west sixty miles, would bring me to the field of a young brother, who has lately come to the state; but on the north and north-west, Í might traverse county after county, and would meet no one, until I had crossed the disputed territory, and found him in Iowa. Yet these counties possess a rich soil, a healthy climate, and already contain thousands of inhabitants.

Throughout this whole destitution, we are informed, there are scattered Presbyterian

Church organized–A Pastor wanted. families that might be gathered into little

In my last I reported the formation of a church at Florida. Since that time I held a two days meeting in the west end of our county, where were a few Presbyterians isolated from the privileges of a church of their choice. We had a very interesting occasion, which resulted in the formation of a little church, (consisting of seven members,) called the Middle Grove church. On the same day we received four persons on the profession of their faith, and four or five more only wait for my next visit, publicly to cast in their lot with that little flock; I think there is promise of great good at that point, could they only have the labors of a devoted brother, even for one half of his time. But it is out of my power to be with them, except when a month contains a fifth Sabbath, and occasionally during the week. It is a beautiful section of country, thickly settled, and has very little preaching of any kind, except Campbellism.

Still there is room.

If it would accomplish the object, 1 would plead with a full and feeling heart for an increase of laborers in this part of the vineyard. So far as our branch of Zion is concerned, I occupy a point of great destitution. Wherever

flocks at convenient points, if the shepherds were only on the ground. Four or five churches are already formed at convenient distances to occupy the labors of two missionaries; and if two faithful, godly men could be sent immediately, these churches would more than half support them.

In view of these facts, I appeal to those eastern brethren, whose hands are not tied by large and expensive families, "Do not your hearts burn within you, as you contemplate these things? Are you not willing to come and share with us the toil of gathering these scattered sheep, and feed these lambs ere they starve or are destroyed by the prowling wolves, so numerous in new settlements? I can say from experience, it is a laborious, but delightful employment, and your reward shall be sure. Come then to our aid, ye men of God, come!

South Western Missouri.

Harmony Presbytery is located at the South-West corner of the state of Missouri. It has within its bounds at least sixteen counties, the most or all of which have rising villages and are rapidly settling. It is a very beautiful portion of the state, and although it has extensive prairies, it is capable of hold

ing and supporting a heavy population, and crowds are flowing in from all directions.

In eight of these counties, we have eleven Presbyterian Churches organized, and seven ministers. Probably in most if not in all the other counties churches might also be collected if we had ministers who could go and lift up the standard of the Redeemer among them. We had fondly hoped that among all the ministers who appear to be looking toward the West, that some one or two at least would look toward our section of country; but we can hear of none. We know not any as yet who will come to our assistance. O! can you not help us? Pray that God would interpose, that this fair portion of his moral vineyard may not perish for lack of vision!

From Rev. D. Weir, Morgan co., Mo.

In New Providence church, in Pettis and Morgan counties, I see a slow advance in evangelical piety. The people in the bounds of this church, have been, since the first of July, greatly hindered by sickness from attending on the public means of grace; yet the church is on the advance. We have, since the date of my commission, received seven members; three on examination, and four on certificate.

In the Moreau church, in the east part of Morgan county, there is an increasing and solemn attention to preaching, by day and by night. In July we had a four days meeting. Christians were much engaged in prayer, and many hardened sinners were made to tremble.

Besides my regular places of preaching, I have preached frequently in seven other places on the pressing request of the people.

From the severe sickness with which this section of country has been visited through the summer, our temperance societies are about as when last reported. From the same cause we have found it impracticable to do any thing in the business of Sabbath schools, the children in almost every family being prostrated.

WISCONSIN.

Ecclesiastical organization.

It is generally known to the christian public, that the Presbyterian and Congregational ministers and churches of Wisconsin have formed a union, by which they become, for all important purposes, one denomination. Of the excellence of the object sought by this arrangement, there can be no doubt; of its success the most sanguine hopes are entertained; though must be left to time to determine the practical operation of an experiment which differs, in many respects, from any previous attempt. Meanwhile, it is proper for us to place the details of the plan on record, as a part of the religious history of the West. The following particulars are taken from a pamphlet issued by the "General Convention of Wisconsin."

"A union of Presbyterians and Congregationalists was contemplated from the first movement towards an Ecclesiastical organization in the Territory. A Presbytery was formed in February, 1839, with provisions by which Congregational Churches might beIn August we had another meeting. come connected with the body. SubseThe congregation was larger than at quently a Constitution was adopted, containthe former meeting, with still increa- ing the general principles embraced in the sing solemnity. On Sabbath we admipresent plan, but retaining the name and nistered the Lord's supper in the grove. some more distinctive features of a PresbyOn Monday we received four on examination; two of whom, a man and his tery. In October, 1840, a special meeting of the Presbytery and a Convention of the Conwife, received the ordinance of baptism, with their family of five children; and gregationalists were held at Troy, Walworth on Tuesday we received six on certifi- Co., when the whole subject was revised, discate. We would have received several cussed and acted upon in their separate meetother members had they not been pre-ings; and, after mature deliberation and vented by sickness from attending. prayer, the two bodies were united under the

name of "THE PRESBYTERIAN AND CONGRE- | bond of union, peace and mutual confidence GATIONAL CONVENTION OF WISCONSIN;" among our churches; and shall take measures and the Constitution, Rules of Business, and for the promotion of the benevolent objects of the day. Confession of Faith, were unanimously adopted, under deeply solemn and interesting cir

cumstances.

"This Convention embraced the entire territory, and, for the time being, served the purpose of a general and district organization. But the number of ministers and churches soon increased to such an extent as to require the erection of District Conventions, as was contemplated in the original plan. Accord ingly, at the meeting in June, 1842, the Convention of Milwaukie, Beloit, and Mineral Point, were erected, and the constitutions were framed and altered to coincide with the arrangement.

"The District Conventions met in September and completed their organization; and at the meeting of the General Convention in February, 1843, final action was had on the subject; and the Constitution, Rules of Business and Confession of Faith, here presented, were unanimously adopted as the basis of our union, the principles of our ecclesiastical proceedings, and the expose of our sentiments.

"The Milwaukie Convention embraces the counties bordering on Lake Michigan; the Beloit Convention is situated in the interior and covers the Rock River country and vicinity; and the Mineral Point Convention includes the "mining region," and the country bordering on the Mississippi River, and Dubuque, in Iowa Territory.

Constitution of the General Con

vention,

1. This Convention shall consist of the ministers and a delegate from each church belonging to the District Conventions in the Territory of Wisconsin, and shall adopt the fundamental principle contained in the first article of their Constitution as the basis of its organization.

2. The Convention shall meet at least once in each year, and shall be opened with a sermon by the last moderator, and all its sessions shall be opened and closed with prayer.

3. A moderator and temporary clerk shall be chosen annually. The Convention shall also have a stated clerk and treasurer, which offices may be held by the same person.

4. This Convention shall receive and act on all appeals and references which may be regularly brought before them, and shall give their advice and instruction in all cases submitted to them. They shall erect District Conventions, and review their records; shall constitute the highest court of appeal, and the

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5. In all cases of trial in a District Conven

tion, the evidence on both sides shall be fairly taken and recorded, and in cases of appeal, this evidence shall be presented to this Convention as the ground of their decision.

6. Any five ministers, belonging to the be present, being met at the time and place Convention, and as many delegates as may appointed, shall be a quorum competent to do business.

7. At the meeting of the Convention, an account shall be given of the state of religion within its bounds, and a committee shall be appointed to prepare a narrative for publication.

8. Each District Convention shall annually send up their records to this body for examination, together with a statistical report.

9. Considering the importance of harmony in the christian church, and the duty of all its ministers and members to unite in promoting the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, and sympathizing more particularly with our tional churches in the United States, this brethren of the Presbyterian and CongregaConvention will hold correspondence with their general ecclesiastical bodies by delegation or otherwise, as far as may be practicable.

10. Delegates from corresponding bodies shall be entitled to deliberate and advise, but not to vote in any decisions of the Convention.

11. All amendments or alterations of this Constitution, or of the Confession of Faith, shall require the concurrence of a majority of the District Conventions, and no amendment of their Constitution, or of the Confession of Faith, shall be adopted until it shall have been submitted to this body and received its sanction.

Constitution of the District Conventions.

1. CHURCHES BELONGING TO THIS CONVENTION, MAY ADOPT EITHER THE PRESBYTERIAN OR CONGREGATIONAL MODE OF GOVERNMENT, AND SHALL EACH BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETINGS OF THE CONVENTION BY ONE DELEGATE.

As this article constitutes the basis of this organization, it shall never be altered except by the consent of all the churches connected with the Convention.

2. This Convention shall hold an annual and semi-annual meeting; and each meeting shall be opened with a sermon by the last moderator, and all its sessions shall be opened and closed with prayer.

3. A Moderator and temporary Clerk shall be chosen at each stated meeting; and at the annual meeting, a Treasurer and Standing Committee shall be chosen, who shall hold their office until others are appointed. The Convention shall also have a Stated Clerk.

4. A Committee shall also be appointed at the annual meeting, to conduct the several parts of the examination of candidates who

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