INDIANA. Help from abroad necessary. My commission came in a time of need, for it has been by using the most rigid economy that my family has been sustained. The people among whom I labor are poor, and unaccustomed to supporting a minister. Some of the more prominent members of my churches have been rescued from the lowest depths of drunkenness and vice. The idea, moreover, of supporting a minister, is so repugnant to the prejudices of the people in this section of the State, that it is one of the greatest obstacles in the way of your missionary. Changes taking place. My labors, during the past quarter, have not been in vain; the Lord has crowned them with his blessing. The people in the neighborhood look upon me with less suspicion; they begin to feel that I am seeking their good. Some few months ago I endeavored to establish among them a Sabbath school, but in vain; now we have one in successful operation. One man and his wife, formerly bitter opposers, have been led, I trust, to Jesus Christ. to Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Northern Illinois, and so much sympathy felt for them in the East, to the almost total neglect of Northern Indiana. I can account for it only by supposing, that until lately it was easier for emigrants to get to those points than to this region. That those points of this great valley are more important than this, or more promising in any sense, I cannot imagine. That they are more destitute of the means of grace, cannot be true. You will not think it strange, therefore, that I should feel some chagrin and disappoinment in looking over the new appointments for September, to find three sent to Missouri, eleven to Iowa, five to Wisconsin, three to Illinois, five to Michigan, two to Ohio, and not one out of the whole twenty-nine to poor overlooked and neglected Indiana. The A. H. M. S. has not willingly overlooked or neglected Indiana, as we hope to convince our correspondent, if the Lord smile on measures, the plans of which are maturing. Meanwhile, we willingly give publicity to his facts. Let us look for a moment at this neglected region. The Presbytery of the northern part of Indiana, as far Logansport embraces, at present, all south on the line of the canal as LafayThe church of is still in an in- ette. This territory comprises 30 orteresting condition. A decided advance ganized counties, with a population of is manifest among the people in the at least 175,000-probably 200,000 is better observance of the Sabbath, and nearer the truth. If one of the most in attendance upon public worship. important canals in the United States, The hills, with which we are surround-running through a fat valley, supplied ed, are settled with Roman Catholics, with a great abundance of water-power, mostly French; they have a church of stone, iron, timber, &c., furnish an inthree hundred members. This church ducement to emigrants, then this popuis regularly supplied by a French priest, lation is to become half a million besupported almost entirely by foreign fore we can educate on the ground, ten aid. Plea for the upper Wabash country. It seems strange to one who has been raised in the West, and who has been for the past sixteen years specially conversant with this Wabash Valley, to find so much importance attached ministers. There are now fifteen or sixteen ministers and three licentiates, in connexion with the new Assembly, and twelve with the old Assembly on this field; that is, about one minister to every 6,500 souls. I have not the means of knowing the supply of the ministers of other evan gelical denominations. The Catholics || county shall be supplied with a copy of are making as much effort to preoccupy the S. Scriptures. Indiana as they are Iowa, or any other region of the West. We are feeling deeply the results of the neglect of this field. Almost all the important points are already occupied successfully by others, and those who are here before us, take no small pains to get our scattered members to join them. Many are thus committed all over this field; so that we commence now under great disadvantages. Every month's delay in occupying all the important points in this valley, is a great loss to all our interests here, or rather, those of the good cause as far as promoted by us. I could give you particulars illustrating this point if they were needed. None but one who has had some experience in collecting and organizing a handful into a church, in a promising village or country town, where other denominations have already planted churches, part of whom were proselyted from our denomination for want of a church of their own, can appreciate what injury delay is doing us. Four Sabbath school libraries from the Am. S. S. Union, have just come to me for my disposal; two of them I ob tained for brother Sadd, and two for brother Thomson of Wabash ; the latter are for Lagro and Huntington. Forty dollars worth of tracts from the American Society have also come to my address, for your missionaries in this part of Indiana; by these means our opportunities for doing good have been great ly increased. The good seed will now be scattered broad-cast. I have, till this year, spread my labors over several counties. These labors have been attended, as I have from time to time informed you, with considerable success. Hereafter they will be confined mostly, if not altogether, to Miami county. I shall speak, at least once every Sabbath, in Peru, and once some place in the county, as I have several of them within six or seven miles of Peru. Miami county needs missionary labor almost as much as any county in this state. From Rev. Asa Johnson, Peru, Miami| Co., Ind. Our church is in a prosperous state. Those who united with us last winter and spring, with one or two exceptions, continue to appear well. We have had no case of discipline. The church is united, and the most of the members appear to be growing in grace and knowledge. Our Sabbath school continues in a very prosperous state; to its library $20 worth of books have just been added, a donation from two gentlemen of Westborough. Collateral usefulness. Since my last report, I have been instrumental of forming a County Bible Society, auxiliary to the American Bible Society. We have just received from the Parent Society, $130 worth of Bibles and Testaments. We intend, with the divine help, that before the close of the year, every family in our From Rev. T. W. Howe, Etna, Lima, and Harrison, Licking Co. Revival. Our little church stood, at the commencement of the present year, exactly where it was January 1, 1842. As many had been dismissed and died as we had received during the year. We were like a ship becalmed; and the prospect of building up a church in this field, whose influence would be salutary and permanent, appeared at that time truly dark and doubtful. Our house of worship could be occupied in the warm season of the year only, because unfinished. The missionary must preach at four different points on the Sabbath, or fail to supply an important portion of the church and congregation. But "our extremity was God's opportunity." Sometime in February a general religious interest was apparent among all classes of hearers; seriousness deepened. The influence felt among us came "as the dew that de VOL. XVI. 20 scended upon the mountains of Zion," || visit, their joyful countenances, as well as their lips and actions, bade me welcome. Happy souls, they had just emerged from darkness into "marvel the wile yielded to the Savior's claims. The husband soon followed. The family altar was immediately erected, on which, I trust, "the sacrifice of broken hearts and contrite spirits," has been ever since regularly offered morning and evening. In my first visit we read the scriptures, talked much of the Savior, sung a hymn, and prayed together. At our communion in June, held in a barn, they, and 19 others, openly confessed Christ before men. Since the revival commenced our prayer meetings are better attended, and an additional one commenced. Two new Sabbath schools have been organized, and that in K. has been sustained. In 1842 a young lady commenced attending that school with no knowledge of the English language, not even of the alphabet. She was then without hope in Christ. She has learned to read the Testament with considerable facility, and what is incomparably more valuable, she is hopefully a "new creature" in Christ, and a member of the church. The Sabbath school instruction was instrumental of both these results. Her German education is good. Three other scholars, and three teachers in that school, have obtained hope and joined the church this year. or like the rain that "comes down on meadows newly mown;" it seemed to fall on all parts of the field at one and the same time. Evidently the all-per-lous light?" About eight days before, vading Spirit of God was at work. No travelling evangelist, or protracted meeting, was instrumental in producing the excitement, though both have done, and will yet do much, we believe, for Christ's cause. To the glory of God we record it, the blessing fell on us like the manna in the camp of Israel. Every part of my field became at once an important point. The inquiry was general-"What must we do to be saved?" To present the truth so as to lead souls to Christ was the great object. Preaching on the Sabbath; lecturing at different places some evenings in the week; holding occasional inquiry meetings for the serious, and visiting from house to house, constituted the principal means used. The 19th of March, 16th of April, and 11th of June, were our communion Sabbaths. Fifty-three on these occasions joined the church-10 by certificate. Twenty were males, and fourteen heads of families. At our communion the Lord was present, and they were precious seasons. About five years ago a young intelligent couple removed from the State of New-York, and settled in a remote corner of this field. Here they were inconveniently situated in respect of religious privileges, and seldom went to the house of God. They heard but very few evangelical sermons in four years, and for inany months immediately preceding last March they had heard none at all. But the "Lord was found From Rev. C. A. Hoyt, Wilmington, of them that sought him not." His Spirit visited them in their secluded retreat, and opened, softened, and subdued their hearts to the obedience of faith. There, alone, they were awakened and led to Christ. They talked, and prayed, and repented together. No Christian pilgrim had visited them to guide their souls to the Savior. No ninister had come to break to them the bread of life; and yet they found the Lord of life and glory. It was my privilege to be the first minister to enter their dwelling. I went alone, though an utter stranger. When I made known my name, and the object of my Clinton Co. I have preached alternately at Wilmington and Bethel on the Sabbath, and occasionally Sabbath afternoon, or during the week, at Sabina, Port William, Harveysburg, Clarksville, and a few other places. The people seem anxious to hear, but we have received to our communion only five on examination, and four on certificate. Of the five, two, a mother and son, had been deprived of the regular ministrations of the Gospel for fourteen years. Of the other three, one was a husband whose wife had long been waiting for the sal vation of God, and whose heart is now so full of joy that the earth seems to her almost a paradise. I have frequently been called to visit the sick and afflicted, but have nothing very special to communicate on this subject, except the hopeful conversion of a young man on his death bed. His last words were, "I shall rest in Heaven to-night." If the friends of Home Missions could have seen the aged and pious grandmother, as she grasped my hand, and spoke by silence and tears what words could not express; or could they have seen the unutterable interest with which the dying young man caught every syllable which fell from my lips; or witnessed the calm confidence and holy joy with which he repeated, "I shall rest in Heaven to-night," they could not regret the sacrifices they have made in such a cause. Another young man lately died in hope. A short time before his death he said to his father, who was very much addicted to profanity, "Father! I cannot die happy until you promise me that you will never swear again." We have recently established a Bible class in Wilmington. We have one regularly organized Sabbath school, 30 scholars and 6 teachers, and our members assist in several others. We have one weekly prayer-meeting in Wilmington, and one every other week at Bethel. The cause of temperance is on the advance. I am the only Presbyterian minister in Clinton Co., and feel greatly the need of your counsel and your prayers. From Rev. M. M. Jones, Welch Church, at Radnor, O. For the last two months, it has been a very interesting time among us. The Lord has manifested his gracious presence, and the power of his grace in reviving his professed followers. There is a deep and interesting state of feeling among us. Some time ago we appointed a prayer meeting for the express purpose of praying for an outpouring of the Spirit upon us and we can truly say, that it was not in vain. The Lord has verified his n Many can say other than the house of God, and the very gate of Heaven. We have reason to be thankful for what we have experienced of the Lord's presence; and I hope and pray that he will continue his kindness to us until we shall see a general awakening among careless sin ners. There are a few English in the immediate neighborhood where I live, and they earnestly requested me to preach for them some part of my time. I have complied with their request, and promised to preach for them once every four weeks; but this will not be allowed to abridge my labors among my own people. Attention of the awakened diverted by controversy. During the last winter the church was revived, brethren at variance were reconciled, and difficulties of years' standing were removed. Solemnity seemed extensively to prevail; and it ap peared as if the windows of heaven were about to be opened, and the Holy Spirit poured out upon us. Just at this time a debate was entered into between two neighboring ministers with a Universalist minister. The result, as feared by our church, was disastrous. Almost all the impenitent flocked to the place of excited, angry controversy. Although our church seemed to be revived and blessed, but few sinners gave evidence of a change of heart. As the result, only four have united with us. A church trying to help itself---Priva». tion. Our new house of worship was dedicated to the service of Jehovah last June. The occasion was of course one of great interest to this church. The people struggled very unitedly and harmoniously in the effort to build the house. Though this required a great effort, our church have commenced building a parsonage. They would not have commenced this undertaking at present, if there had been a suitable house, or part of a house, for us to occupy. Although we are occupying the Yes, out of the tears and toils of the mis that the place where we met was none || &c., I cannot but feel that the Lord has back part of an old house, I could not used my feeble services for good. find it in my heart to complain, especially while our people were making so great an effort in their feebleness to build a commodious meeting-house. When I first made a move for building a new church, some said, Let us first build a house for our minister. But I said, No; for I was desirous that our growing congregation should be accommodated with a house sufficiently large and convenient. I felt willing to submit to the necessary privations, that this people might build a house for the Lord. As the effort will be so great for this people now to build a parsonage, I have deducted seventy-five dollars from my salary for the coming year. The salary in this case is only two hundred and fifty dollars, including seventy-five from the Home Missionary Society. As I feel that I am in the path of duty, I trust the Lord will in some way provide. This kind people will not let us suffer for the necessaries to eat and drink. Ought we to retrench our other expenses, so as to live within our income? I know not where to begin. I cannot retrench in my periodicals, for I have subscribed but for one. I cannot stop adding to my scanty library, for I am doing nothing at present for recruiting it. We cannot retrench in our clothing expenses, for we have purchased but a few articles of dress since we have been here. My first new coat for six or seven years was purchased last spring. I do not suggest these as causes for being discouraged or disheartened, for I believe we are in the path which Providence has marked out for us, and if so, the Lord will provide. True, I do have seasons of feeling almost disheartened, but not on account of my temporal wants, but because I seem to be so little useful. Yet, when I look back four years to the time when I commenced labors here, and contrast our present congregation with the one which we then had, and look upon this church one-third larger than then, and look upon our new Sabbath school library and christian library in the congregation, and our new house of worship, sionary, in his poverty and obscurity, there comes forth a blessing above all price. Those fertile regions will soon flow with milk and honey, and be crowded with people, who will enjoy the advantage of well-established religious institutions; but how little can they know what those privileges cost, what a foregoing of personal ease and intellectual enjoyment, what hard work of body and mind, what months and years of conflict and anxiety, to lay the foundations of their social and moral privileges! We continue our Sabbath school during the winter, and it is flourishing. I have myself the charge of a class of young men, and have visited all our congregation during the year. During this period, I think, the various errors of this region have not made much advance, except that of Universalism. The Universalists were greatly strengthened as the result of the debate above referred to. I intend, as soon as I can, to procure some of the late works on that error. I do not intend to prepare myself for a controversialist, but I feel it to be important for all who are set for the defence of the truth in this region, to be thoroughly furnished, to be prepared to meet every variety of error on all suitable occasions. Plenty of Preachers. Our hearts are deeply pained, sometimes, to hear a person who has travelled as fast as steam and stage can carry him, over six or eight of the western states, in as many weeks, confidently affirm, that the account of the destitution of ministers at the West is exaggerated. “He has been on the ground, and he knows that there are so many preachers there already, that every little town has several, who, with their respective followers, are struggling for the pre-eminence, &c." Statements of this kind are often made, and almost always mislead, because there is just enough of truth in them to make them influential; and yet not enough to leave a just impression. It would |