advantages of every part within the reach of all-our country combines all the physical elements of unrivalled greatness. Nothing but moral causes can prevent her becoming a Colossus among the nations. These may break up our Union and destroy our existence as a nation, and cripple the energies of the several fragments of our great confederacy. But not even these can prevent an immense accumulation of wealth and power, within a territory so vast and so richly endowed with all the advantages which the God of nature can bestow. Just so certainly as the sun continues to shine, the rain to descend upon a soil of such singular fertility, just so certainly that soil will become one unbroken expanse of fruitful fields and blooming gardens, thickly set with thrifty farm-houses, densely peopled with wealthy and independent farmers. Just so certainly as the Atlantic wave continues to beat on our extended coast, and the waters of the Mississippi and its tributaries to wash our scarcely less extensive frontier, and innumerable other streams, large enough to be the highway of nations, to intersect every portion of our country-just so certainly all these waters will be lined with villages and cities, and covered with the whitening sails and curling smoke of vessels of every kind, laden with the productions of nature and of art of every clime. The American who lives a century or two hence, will see the agriculture of his country teeming like the wild exuberance of the prairies, her commerce flowing out like her mighty rivers, her shipping shooting up its masts like her giant forests, and all the operations of art and the monuments of society proceeding on the same scale of unequalled magnificence with the creations and agencies of nature herself. So certain and so speedy is this issue, that it will be consummated long before the present plans of benevolent effort will have reached their accomplishment. And we ought to deliberate, and pray, and contribute, and labor as if that future were already present, and our country now holding a peerless place for wealth and power among the nations of the earth.

R

Population of our Country.

Our country will soon be among the most populous on the globe, and so on the simple score of numbers, entitled to the first place in our plans of Christian benevolence. Let not the incredulous reader start at this bold announcement. It is not more bold than certain. Our present population is nearly nineteen millions. It doubles once in twenty-two years. To make the calculation as simple as possible, and at the same time be sure that we do not arrive at too large a result, let us reckon our present population at twenty millions, and suppose it to double once in twenty-five years. Then, twenty-five years hence, it will be forty millions; fifty years hence, eighty millions; seventy-five years, one hundred and sixty millions, and at the end of the century, three hundred and twenty millions. So that in 1943 we should already have a population as large as the teeming myriads of China. Unknown causes may operate to modify somewhat this result. But, sooner or later, it is certain. This vast multitude may not come within a century, but they will cetainly come, and that within a short time. They will be here as soon-alas! I fear, far sooner than we are prepared to re

ceive them and confer upon them the blessings of the Gospel. They will be here sooner than we can expect to evangelize the same number of souls in any other part of the world. We may count on them as already here, for they are as certain to feel the whole influence of our plans and efforts, as if they were now in actual existence. The immense population of China and Hindostan presents a strong argument in their behalf. We feel, and ought to feel its power. The thought, that so many souls must perish before we can reach them with the gospel, is overwhelming. But let us not forget that the same argument applies with all its force to our own country. Before the Foreign Missionary Society can expect to reach three hundred millions of Chinese, the Home Missionary Society will have three hundred millions of Americans to care for and preach the Gospel to. The American Christian, of the present generation, can labor as directly for three hundred millions of his countrymen, as for three hundred millions of heathen, in a strange land. He can reach them as quickly. He can influence them as certainly. On the score of numbers simply, he is equally bound to feel an interest, and exert an influence in their behalf. Nay, when we consider the social, political, and moral, as well as the singular natural advantages of our country, there is no country on the globe likely to support so large a population two centuries hence. And it is in behalf of all these, so many, so wealthy, so powerful, so nearly related to ourselves, that the cause of Home Missions labors and pleads.

Correspondence of the A. H. M. S.

IOWA.

The new Missionaries.

We continue to receive the most gratifying evidence of the spirit with which the new band of missionaries to Iowa have entered on their work, and of their acceptableness to the people. One who has been in that Territory for years thus mentions them

The brethren recently arrived seem to have come with the right spirit, and are laboring with energy and success. They are winning for themselves the praise of the churches, and the favor of the community at large.

Another says

Since my last report, your missiona

ries in this field have been cheered by the arrival of the band of young brethren from Andover, who have come to share with us the labors incident to the planting of the Gospel here. I have seen but one of them; but I hear favorable reports from all, as to the spirit which they manifest, and their acceptableness with the people. They are distributed in different parts of the Territory, where their labors are most pressingly needed, and I have no doubt their influence will speedily be seen and felt.

From Rev. O. Emerson, De Witt, Clinton Co.

My last letter was written under

243

the only ministers who sympathized with the interests and objects of your Society. We had four ministers present, and knew of three others whose hearts were with us, but whose circumstances forbade them to be present.

deep personal and family affliction. I was confined with fever and ague, my wife was in a declining state, and our hopes of her recovery were at the lowest point of depression. But, through mercy, she is now better, and we are permitted to hope for a speedy restoration. During the first month of this quarter, I was entirely disqualified for missionary service. Since the last Sabbath in October I have been able to preach every Sabbath, and occasionally during From Rev. J. C. Holbrook, Dubuque. the week. The results of these labors have not been revivals of religion; but at all my preaching points, there are in- tioned twenty-five miles south of me, and One of the new missionaries is stacreasing congregations. There is in another the same distance southwest; the community an increasing conviction and these are now my nearest ministeof the importance of religious institu- rial neighbors in Iowa, while I have tions to the temporal and spiritual wel-none north or west of me. fare of society. Along with these labors, in preaching publicly, and from house to house, I have circulated about one hundred volumes of the American Tract Society, and two thousand pages of tracts. We have a quantity of Bibles from the American Bible Society. The labor of distributing them, and making collections, &c., devolves on your missionary. I hope, before the expiration of another quarter, to see the word of God in every dwelling in our county. There is less of destitution in our community than I had expected to find, as well as greater readiness to receive Bibles and pay for them. I have also obtained from the depository of the American Sunday School Union a box of their publications, worth one hundred dollars, which I am authorized to sell at a reduced price. As soon as spring returns, I hope to make these of great value in establishing Sunday Schools.

Cascade.

Cascade, to assist the missionary there I have engaged in a few days to go to in organizing a church. It is an interesting and important point, and I have for some time felt the need of a laborer there. At this point there is one of the most beautiful cascades which I have ever seen, formed by the falling of the Maquoqueta River perpendicularly siderable height, and affording an admiover a ledge of limestone rock of conrable water-power, which is already improved in part by the erection of an excellent flouring mill. As soon as the country becomes more settled, and carding machines, &c., are needed, it will be quite a manufacturing place.

Laborers needed.

The past quarter has also been marked by the formation of the "Congregational Association of Northern Iowa." The meeting was held at the Forks of new missionaries, one could have been I had hoped, that of this band of Maquoqueta, where Brother Salter is spared for Clayton County, (the next located. There were present, brethren north of this). It is a delightful section Salter, Turner, Bobbins, and myself. of the Territory, already considerably We organized a church of eight mem-settled, and will eventually be a very bers, and also the association. body is designed to embrace the Con- Turkey River, and affords a fine opporThis populous county. It is watered by the gregational ministers and churches tunity for settlers to make farms in a north of the Iowa River. To me it was healthful climate, on a rich soil, and in a season of peculiar interest. I looked the neighborhood of a good market, back only three years, when I entered which this place affords-and always this field, and lived more than a year, will, while mining operations shall be and myself and another, now gone, were continued in this region. There are

21*

several professors of religion settled at the county seat, where a church might be organized, and where, in connection with itinerating in the county generally, the labors of a missionary might be advantageously employed. I hope that ere long you will be able to plant a man there.

little interest in these "Yankee measures," but after hearing the nature and influence of it, as brought out in the discourse, were pleased and delighted. I embraced this occasion to present the cause of Home Missions for a thank-offering, and received $4 70. Of their penury they gave it--but willI have recently prea ched to my peo-ingly, and many who had nothing would ple on the subject of Home Missions, gladly have given. It was the first time and am happy to say that much interest this cause had ever been presented was manifested on the occasion. I en- here.

deavored to point out the vast importance of present efforts to plant the institutions of the Gospel in our land, and the responsibilities that devolve upon the present generation, especially those who inhabit the West." A contribution

MISSOURI.

Mo.

The past year has been more peculiarly marked with mercies than any of my life. Through the last long and dreary winter, my health was such as to enable me to meet my appointments, with few or no exceptions. And what was still more encouraging, the people have universally shown a disposition to come together, and listened with great attention.

was taken up at the close of the exer- From Rev. Amasa Jones, Deep Water, cises, amounting to $15 50, which, though in itself a small sum, it is something, when it is considered that we are obliged to depend on foreign aid in sustaining our own Gospel institutions. But I hope that this, our first humble offering, will be followed hereafter by other and more important contributions to the cause which, to say the least, is second to no other in its claims upon the American churches. We have also established the monthly concert of prayer for the conversion of the world, and at each meeting a contribution is to be taken up, one half to be appropriated to Foreign Missions, and the other half to the American Home Missionary Society.

Thanksgiving in Iowa.

Our Governor made us no appointment for Thanksgiving. I thought it best to begin at the start to train our little church to the good old custom of the East. Accordingly, I made an appointment to preach on the subject on the 30th of November. Several of our eastern families had never attended a Thanksgiving in the West-it was a great treat to them; and several of our oldest members, over fifty years of age, had never attended a Thanksgiving before. It was a new and strange thing to them; and at first, some felt but

Quite a harvest of souls, seventeen, were gathered into the Salem church, about the middle of January, (1343). In the same month, five were received into the Deep Water church. The most of these were received on profession. Six were received to the Oseola church, in the early part of summer. All three of the churches to which I minister, have been considerably revived; and have walked together, so far as I have been able to learn, in the unity of the Spirit and in the bonds of peace. My health, though somewhat declining, has been such as has enabled me to attend more meetings, and to preach more, than any other year of my life. I have attended several protracted meetings, which, for the most part, have been meetings of great interest. The one held in the Salem church, in June, was a season of deep interest-some eight or ten were hopefully convert ed, and have since united with the church.

At my last visit to Oseola, in the early part of the present month, we had a

sacramental season. The exercises | Our meetings in that church, through commenced on Saturday and continued until Wednesday evening. The Sabbath was a beautiful day, and a good congregation came together. I visited among the people in the day time, and preached at night. Good congregations assembled and were attended with a great deal of solemnity. Although no accessions were made to the church, yet we have reason to believe much good was done.

the summer, and since my last report, have been crowded, Christians engaged, and some who, before last summer, never attended preaching, have become regular in their attendance, and feel much anxiety with regard to their salvation. Complying with calls from other places, I had been absent from them for several weeks, until Saturday, two weeks ago; when, late in the evening, I arrived at the house of one of the elders. They circulated the notice, and that night we had a crowded meeting. On Sabbath I preached in the meeting-house to a large and so

From Rev. David Wier, Morgan Coun- lemn congregation. On the solicita

ty, Mo.

My regular appointments for preaching, through the latter part of the summer and fall, were much interrupted with sickness. For about seven weeks at one time, public preaching was almost entirely suspended; which time I spent principally in visiting the sick from house to house, by day and by night. Such was the afflicted condition of some parts of my field of labor, that through seven weeks, I got but three nights of unbroken rest.

The afflicting scourge for some time appeared alarming; but the darkening clouds have dispersed, and health is again restored. We have to record the death of a beloved sister in Christ, about eighteen months from Scotland, aged thirty-one years. She was a female of well cultivated mind, and ardently pious. During her illness I visited her three times; which were, to me, occasions of deep spiritual interest. Her mind was strong, her ideas clear, her piety ardent, and her hope firm and unwavering in view of the solemn change.

tion of a worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, we appointed meeting that night, at his house. We had a solemn night, much feeling, and ardent prayer with the people of God, and many tears from some of the irreligious.

One token for good in that church is, the sincere and prayerful co-operation of the Cumberland Presbyterians, in the immediate neighborhood; and we acknowledge ourselves to have been much aided by their prayers.

On Monday, when about to leave, one of the elders of our church, under

standing that my missionary engagement was nearly out, said, "Do you intend to continue?" I told him," certainly." With tears in his eyes, he said, "O, will you not come to us?" I told him, with the will of God, I would serve

them; at which, his emotions seemed to be such as are more easily conceived

than described.

WISCONSIN.

The ministerial ranks are filling up From Rev. E. G. Bradford, Platteville,

We

in our Missouri country, which seems to promise better days to come. are encouraged with the evidence we have that truth is making a silent, but sure conquest over error; and, on the whole, Christians are on the advance in piety. The Moreau Church begins to assume an attitude that is encouraging. The few members composing it feel that the rise and prosperity of Zion is with them the great business of life.

Grant Co.

Distressing sickness?

The cause of the delay of this report is the existence of the small-pox, in an our village. We epidemic form, in have been, and are being, most severely and dreadfully scourged with it. It commenced in this village, on the 28th of October, in a very mild form, and