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continued such for a considerable length of time, so that four weeks elapsed before any of our physicians discovered its true character, so as to venture to call it by its true name; and another week passed away before they could all be persuaded of it. From its commencement, no death occurred by it until the 6th of December, since which it has been very fatal. As a consequence, all business is at a stand; the schools are suspended; and the places of worship nearly deserted. Many are sick, and they must have attendants. The whole village is affected with the disease. It seems to transgress all bounds, and to seize every body, whether protected by previous vaccination or not. And even some who had previously had the smallpox, have been pretty severely affected by it. Several have died by it, who showed signs of vaccination on their arms, some of which had all the appearance of being genuine and good. They supposed themselves fully against its ravages; but they are gone.

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Fifteen, who, a few days since were among us in all the buoyancy of spirits and of life, now lie beneath the turf. What the end will be, God only knows. The disease stole in among us in so mild a shape, that almost the whole community were fully exposed to its contagion before they were aware of the danger. And when the alarm come it was too late to flee, or to take measures in selfdefence. And when resort was made to vaccination, it was found that we had imposed upon us a vitiated, if not spurious vaccine virus, which proved to be no protection, yea, much worse than

none.

God meant to scourge us; he did not intend that we should be able to escape or elude it. And we feel but the just expression of his wrath. May Heaven dispose this people to profit by this severe judgment.

During the quarter, I supplied the desk in this place. I have also kept up my meetings at Belmont, and have preached several times in other places. We have constantly a church prayermeeting on Wednesday evening, and the monthly concert on the first Monpay of the month.

When I look back on the year now closed, I sometimes feel discouraged in view of so little that has been accomplished; and yet, I think there has been some progress made. We have a better house in which to worship, a well seated, well lighted, and well warmed room.

We have a more respectable, and more constant congregation. We have quite a respectable choir of singers, while at the commencement of the And from year we had next to none. the serious attention given to the preached word; and the great number of different individuals that have at different times heard the word, we cannot but believe that seed has been sown which will one day be seen bearing fruit to the glory of God, and the glory of his grace.

Many trials and much labor.

Like other brethren in the missionary field, I have "lights and shadows" in my labors-have causes of grief, and occasion for encouragement. This place has had the reputation of possessing a high standard of morals; but, alas! the gold has become dim-the day of trial has come, and some are "found wanting." Three stores in our village keep and sell alcohol. Members of the Temperance Society are reported to have violated their pledge; and in an adjoining county to have engaged in a drinking frolic. But, worse than all, a minister, on returning from the East, landed on Saturday night; and early the next morning, with some of the members of his church, started for home, and traveling all day on Sunday, reached here in the evening. The influence of that example has done great evil in this community.

My labors are extended over a wide field, and are so much diffused, that I fear sometimes, they are productive of but little good. I have never realized so fully, as of late, the force of the Apostle's statement," In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness; besides those things that are without, that which cometh

upon me daily, the care of all the churches."

My labors are more than I can endure, and are fast exhausting my physical energies; but I can see no place to stop. I want, AT LEAST, TWO BRETHREN with me in this field. Will they come?

ILLINOIS.

Utility of S. S. Books.

An Inviting Region.

great importance; equalling, perhaps, The field I occupy is assuming a any other in this part of the State. About this place there are eighty families convenient for one congregation. On the -, as I stood, one morning, at the door of one of our brethren, I counted sixty smokes issuing from the chimnies of settlers, and this was not one half of the families within the bounds of our church there. The numbers are constantly increasing—much land yet at $1 25 per acre, and that full as good as any already occupied for farming purposes.

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Backsliding and Crime,

Our Sabbath Schools are increasing in numbers and interest. The books, last summer, have aided us very much. It is delightful to call upon families and see what interest is excited by parents and children in perusing them. Some portions are committed to memory. I rejoice, particularly at this time, in the I have previously given you some introduction of the Sabbath School statement of the moral character of this publications, because they constitute people. Yesterday I called on Mrs. almost the entire reading of the young, awaiting his trial for murder. He and whose husband now lies in jail, other books being but few. We are his wife came here nine years ago, trying to raise a spirit for purchasing from libraries for themselves. The children a Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvahave began to hand in their contribu- nia. They were among the first settions. I hope by the next report, that I tlers after the Indian war. For a time shall be able to forward at least five dol- they maintained family worship. But lars. We have three schools in opera-church, and but few professing Christhere being no public worship, no tion this winter, which I meet at least once in four weeks. We shall commence a fourth in the spring, and perhaps a fifth. None of these will be less

than five miles from each other. We could not have increased the interest for schools to such an extent, had it not been for the libraries furnished-two from the Massachusetts S. S., and one from the Am. S. S. U. But these books do no suffice..

tians, they began to lay aside their dofor other than holy purposes. Neigh mestic altar, and to employ the Sabbath bors would visit each other, and look up claims, and get into disputes and contentions about claims, &c. This these evils, until it resulted in the death man partook as deeply as any other in of his next neighbor.

try.

The design of the Am. S. S. Indispensableness of a Stated MinisUnion, of granting $3,000 to this Valley, gives great joy to those of us here who mourn over the desolations and errors that surround us. Errorists here mourn most bitterly, that children are furnished with reading of such a character. And still these books find the most ready access to families; I have found no instance where they are refused. I hope we shall not be overlooked in the appropriation, and in the mean time I will do what I can to raise something on our part.

This melancholy result of spiritual destitution, shows the vast importance of a settled ministry, early in every settlement. If there is not the public worship of God, there will be no Sabbath. If men tarry at home, they will not be likely to spend the time in private devotion. The Sabbaths, where there is not a competent ministry, are employed, too often, even by professors of religion, for secular purposes. How

ary, for want of just such help as they can render.

Could I speak to some of those sons of

much better it would be for those who are about to emigrate into a new country, to write to a minister of their own order, to direct their location? By liv-the church at the East, to whom God ing for some considerable time without has given pecuniary means of establishthe ordinances of the Gospel, habits are ing themselves in such places, without contracted which often terminate in material detriment in a temporal point ruin. Some among us, in the church, of view, and generally with great adwhose christian character had well vantage, I would say, How long, O ye nigh been destroyed in this way, are children of light, shall the children of still blighted, and it is a matter of this world be wiser in their generations doubt whether they will fully recover than you? If they can cheerfully foretheir spiritual strength and vigor. It is go all the evils connected with emigrapainful to hear them suggest that the tion and a new settlement, for the sake Sabbath is not of binding force, and of worldly good-a fading treasurelaugh at the primitive strictness of the cannot you endure the same, to save Fathers of New-England. With them, deathless spirits from eternal wo, and revivals of religion are of but trifling to give yourselves a treasure which importance, or the early training of moth cannot corrupt nor thief steal? their children, or a domestic altar, or Dear brethren, the Lord hath need of atendance on divine worship at the you in some of our new county towns, sanctuary. Christians should be cau- and country villages, that are soon to tioned, who are thus coming out from contain thousands of souls, whose weal the New-England churches, and not or wo for eternity may depend upon the left to suppose that there will be no dan-habits now formed, and the character of ger of their ruining their own and their children's souls.

Pious Laymen Wanted.

the institutions now planted and sustained. Now is the seed time. Now the cement is in a proper state for use, but soon will be as hard and unyielding as the granite rock.

Could you see this subject as I see it, nothing but impossibility would prevent your being settled speedily in some of these important locations in this fruitOne great reason that so little is done ful valley-fruitful in every thing but in some parts of my field is, the want of the fruits of righteousness-and destined a resident layman, who is qualified to one day, if American Christians are give permanency and interest to prayer faithful stewards, to be a "name and a meetings; keep up the regular worship praise in all the earth." Three out of of God on the Sabbath, when destitute four places where I preach statedly are of preaching, by reading sermons, and in pressing need of such men as many conducting the exercises; and superin- of our eastern churches can spare, altend and sustain Sabbath schools. The most without missing, who now do alemigrant merchant, lawyer, and physi- most nothing, from the simple fact that cian, look out some newly located coun- others more experienced fill all the ty-seat, or thriving village, where they places of responsibility. We want not find facilities for establishing them that class of men who expect to exert selves in successful business. The influence by the wholesale, by just comfarmer locates himself with reference ing out here, and looking on, and giving to quality of soil, and proximity to mar- advice, and who will then wonder that ket. They are studious to adapt means the people are so stupid as not to regard to ends. But, alas, how few pious lay- their opinion as oracular. We want men, who have all needed qualifications humble, hard-working men, who are for building up the Redeemer's king-willing to come down to the level of the dom in the great valley, stop to survey inhabitants, i. e., not act as if they felt the field with reference to some desti- ABOVE them—but who would pursue a tute place where almost nothing is ac- course calculated to gain their conficomplished by the disheartened mission-dence. Such men we need, and you

can spare. send me ?"

Who will say, "Here am I, || the Bible. There is a good degree of interest manifested in the class; it numbers from thirty to forty. We sustain three weekly prayer-meetings.

From Rev. B. B. Drake, Elk Grove, Ill.

When I last wrote, we had no convenient place in which to hold the stated meetings of the congregation, except at two extremes of the church. There seemed to be much division among us, not only in respect to the location and building of a church edifice, but also in respect to the location and erection of a school house, or school houses. But since I wrote, two good school houses, (18 by 24 feet,) have been erected, and made comfortable for schools and for religious meetings. They are situated near the extremes of our Grove, and will accommodate our church as a body, much better than those where we have, for some time, been obliged to meet. We expect to occupy the two alternately.

My congregations at the neigboring Groves have generally been good; sometimes very large. I have sometimes, also, been encouraged, by what seemed to me a more than common interest in the great subjects discussed. The first day of the year, though the heavens wore a very lowering aspect, and did indeed pour down its rain ere our meeting closed, the monthly concert was more fully attended than it had been for many months; and I think it was characterized by a corresponding increase of interest and animation. Some came six and seven miles to be present.

Doctrinal instruction.

I am preaching a series of doctrinal sermons, in which many of the people are deeply interested. In our Bible class we use the Shorter Catechism. I think that some good will result from the careful investigation which we are now making of the doctrines of the Bible. I was perfectly astonished to find, in the church, so little accurate knowledge of the system of truth taught in

The stated church prayer-meeting on Thursday night; a female prayermeeting, not very well attended, and a The last is carried about from house to moveable meeting on Monday night. house, and from neighborhood to neighborhood. This meeting has of late been of the church are somewhat engaged. interesting. A few of the choice spirits

A Missionary in trouble.

I do not think there has been a conversion in the congregation for six months. I know not what to do. I have endeavored in all plainness and kindness to place before the church their duty to work for God daily. I have tried to allure them by the glorious things promised to the faithful. I have endeavored to arouse them by a consideration of the woes denounced against the slothful-but all in vain-they slumber on. I wonder that they bear with me so patiently. Whether I warn or encourage, whether I point them to the crown or to the pit, they are well pleased with me. I never scold-but feeling their awful delinquency, I do most earnestly and solemnly place before them their sins, and the fearful consequences of them-and yet they say it is all right, and continue on in their stupid state! I speak of the majority of the church. There are some exceptions-some working men. I know not why my labors are so fruitless here. At N, where I preached two years, the church doubled, and almost every impenitent sinner in the congregation was converted. I know I am a poor, weak, unfaithful worm-but God's word is powerful, and he often blesses feeble instrumentality. Pray for memy only hope is in the aid of the Holy Spirit.

From Rev. R. Mears, Ottawa, Ill.

I came here under what was, to me, very discouraging circumstances. The

church had no stated supply for about five years. There had been very little preaching in the place, save that from brethren of the Methodist denomination. Those influences which come in upon community from speculation and politics, so blasting to vital godliness, had been more rife here than in almost any place in the State.

The Illinois and Michigan Canal, upon which so much money has been expended, came through this place. Here were the influences incident to the public works, together with the vice and ignorance of foreigners, (mostly Irish,) laboring on the canal. The Man of Sin had here one of his outposts in the wilderness.

The congregation has been steadily increasing, and the church say that it is larger than it has been wont to be in former years. There are apparent some evidences of the Spirit's presence. In meetings on the Sabbath, earnest attention is given to the word, frequently when the sinner is warned of his danger, and pointed to Christ, a solemn silence overspreads the congregation.

This place, and the adjacent country, are full of backsliders belonging to all the different denominations.

to preach. It requires much travelling, preaching and visiting, to take care of this flock. I am now permitted again to tell the story of redeeming love. Never shall I forget the goodness of God to me. Never have I felt it more than in my sickness, nor felt more desirous to be entirely consecrated to his blessed service. Pray for me, that my afflictions may be sanctified to me.

My family expenses have been greatly increased by our afflictions; and we have been under the necessity of doing without some of the common comforts of life which were very desirable in sickness. For a month at a time, we were without an ounce of sugar in the house. We are greatly in want of winter clothing, and shall probably be obliged to remain so, as I cannot, consistently with my character as a Christian minister, promise money, because all the cash that will be due me at the close of the year, will be insufficient to meet previous obligations and the doctor's bill.

But with all our wants, dear brethren, I have never repented engaging_in_this work. My Master and Savior had not where to lay his head. I love his cause, and in it I expect to labor until death.

INDIANA.

Sickness.

From Rev. G. D. Miller, Romney,
Tippecanoe Co., Ind.

I am located in a prairie country, interspersed with groves, so that the population is divided into distant and distinct neighborhoods, and on this account, connected with the badness of the roads in the winter and spring, it is impossible for a great number to assemble punctually at any one or two places.

Although I have been laboring for nine months as your missionary in this field, this is my first report. The reason of this apparent neglect is, that soon after I received my commission, I was taken sick and brought near the grave. But God, in mercy, raised me up. My family have also been more afflicted than usual. I had also a widowed sister living within five miles, who, together with her family, were all sick, and I had them brought to my house, where they remain. Thus, sick myself, with a sick family, and all A larger congregation than I have crowded together into one room, with named, could not, except at one place, only one fire-place, you need not be be accommodated, and at that one the surprised at the interruption of my regu-house will not hold more than two lar reports. I have never labored harder than the present year, when I have been able

The congregations, however, are usually as large as could be expected, averaging from one hundred to one hundred and fifty, on the Sabbath.

hundred persons, there not being a church edifice in the whole field. The district school-house is the only place

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