stout and rebellious heart, who has been laboring under convictions that have effectually disturbed his peace for many months; but then he resolved to yield the unequal contest, and submit meekly to Him whose right it is to reign. When

the state of feeling in the community is encouraging. Three have united with the church by letter since my last report, and, so far as I can judge, I consider it quite an increase in moral strength. Though I preach to them but one fourth of the time, and they are few and scat-he presented himself before the altar of tered, yet they have meetings every consecration, by his side stood his eldest Sabbath, and they are increasing in in- son and daughter. As there they bowed terest. The prospect now is, that seve- before the Great Head of the Church, ral families from the Western Reserve, and the ordinance of baptism was admiin Ohio, will move into this neighborhod.nistered, it was a delightful family

MISSOURI.

scene, and one that shed joy through many hearts.

Another was an old lady some seventy years of age. Having been examined

From Rev. I. B. Ricketts, St. Clair Co. and received, at the moment this was

The Macedonian cry.

I have repeatedly pressing calls to go in different directions to preach. The field for usefulness here is very wide, and how I can extend mine I know not, as it is very wide already. O, that the Lord of the harvest would send more laborers into this part of the field who would not count their lives dear to win souls to Christ!

From Rev. J. B. Townsend, Paris.

This has been delayed a few weeks that I might report the results of our communion seasons, which were about to take place at two different points in my field. They are past, but the memory lingers around them, marking them as sunny spots in a cloudy sky. In connection with each the meetings continued three days, and were well attended, although during the first the weather was very unpleasant, and the waters very high. These seasons were not marked with the "rushing mighty wind" of God's Spirit, when multitudes fall before his approach, but rather by a quiet, peaceful, christian communion and fellowship, delightful to the pious heart, while the dews of grace gently settled over the camp, causing some hearts, hitherto barren as the desert, to bud and blossom as the rose. Six were added to our communion, five on profession of their faith and one by letter. One was a man in middle age, with a

declared she seized my hand, her eye sparkling with the animation of youth, and said, "Now I am a member in the same church with my son W—, the only one of my children who has made a profession of religion."

Our Sabbath school is doing well this summer, and is large in number. The Bible class has been large and prosperous, with the exception of two or three Sabbaths, when interrupted by other appointments.

When I take into consideration the circumstances with which we are surrounded in this part of Missouri, I wonder that even a little is accomplished, and it shows, in a striking manner, the arm of God is with us, for we are in the midst of great excitement arising from three causes. 1. The late disturbances among the Mormons. 2. The heavy rains and high waters which have destroyed a vast amount of property, and reduced many wealthy families to poverty. 3. Politics. On these the community is in a perfect mania; and what makes the matter worse, many of the leading members in the churches are carried down on the bosom of the vast current.

We are now beginning to suffer from sickness. Since my last Mrs. T. has been very sick from a severe attack of congestive fever, but a kind Providence has so far restored her that she is about the house. I have not been prevented from performing my duties on the Sabbath, although I have had the chills and fever. I left my bed, dressed, and mounting my horse, rode to the church and preached, when for days previous I

had not stood upon my feet fifteen minutes. I have not had a chill since. Whether it would prove a universal cure I know not; it operated finely in this case.

WISCONSIN.

shelter them from the rigorous cold of a December day, save a few sheep-skins sewed together. Aside from the teakettle we saw but one article of furniture, and that a wooden bowl, partly filled with what I took to be shorts, kneaded and prepared for baking. This, as near as I could learn, was all they had in the house with which to support life. In another family which my wife

▲ Norwegian settlement—A tale of visited, in connection with the physician,

distress.

This settlement occupies a space of country commencing about five miles above the village of Rochester, on the Fox River, and extends up that river about ten miles, with a breadth of several miles. The number of inhabitants I am not able to give; it is thickly settled, however. The majority of them know nothing of the English language, and so far as I learn care nothing for it. An English school has been taught among them one or two winters, by means of which a few of the children have acquired some knowledge of our language. Many of the parents, however, reject the opportunity, and with ignorant self-conceit say, they have no need of English." A few of them possess abundance of pecuniary means, have neat and comfortable dwellings, and live well. But the great majority of them, and especially those who emigrated from the barren highland regions of Norway, are poor and miserable, and know little of the arts of husbandry whereby to gain a livelihood; consequently they have been wasted by famine and disease to a fearful extent. The amount of wretchedness and suffering which prevailed among them last winter, was such as absolutely to mock all description.

66

she found the sick mother in bed with her dying husband, with no one to administer to their necessities, or even to speak a word of consolation to them, save two little girls of some seven and nine years of age. Before the fire stood a little naked child, reduced to a skeleton, and having every appearance of being literally starved; for, so far as could be judged, no disease was preying upon it. At another hut where the physician called, he found a dead man lying upon a bench out of doors, and ten sick ones, some of whom were dying in doors. These are by no means isolated cases. They are just what might have been witnessed almost any day during the last winter. One hundred deaths are reported to have occurred among them. These startling disclosures might seem at first to astonish one, considering that they are in a country distinguished for its abundance, as well as christian benevolence. Whether that vigilant charity which is ever on the alert to seek out the abodes of want, existed in due degree, we will not undertake to assert; we fear not. Many palliating considerations may, however, be offered in extenuation; among which I may state, that this settlement, forming a distinct community, speaking a foreign language, and withal jealous of every thing American, and wrapped up I visited one family in which I found in ignorant self-conceit, may be supevery individual, eight in number, pros- posed not to enjoy much intercourse trated with disease. Two of them, the with our citizens. Consequently their father and a daughter of some sixteen condition must remain hid from obseryears of age, were then shaking vio-vation till it becomes so insupportable lently with the ague. The daughter shoeless, and both nearly destitute of all clothing, stood hovering over a few live coals, by the side of which stood an old filthy looking copper teakettle, from the spout of which they would take their turns in drinking. The others were huddled together into bunks filled with prairie hay, with nothing over them to

that the convulsive heaving of suffering humanity, no longer able to endure the barrier of national prejudice, rolls its tale of wo on the diffusive winds of heaven in a language not to be misunderstood. It must be farther observed, that a large portion of these sufferers consisted of emigrants who had just arrived from Europe in the last days of

lake navigation, and without any means of self-support, the frosts of winter closed upon them, and no alternative remained but to force themselves by scores into the poorly provided habitations of their countrymen. Herded together as they were in narrow abodes, by the combined influence of famine and personal impurity, they soon became victims to disease. In their distress they were not altogether neglected. The wakeful and sympathetic ear of Samaritan kindness was at length arrested by the sad tale

worship is too strait for us; we hope to have a larger and more convenient place soon. We shall have some additions to that church also at their next communion. A Sabbath school was organized at that place last Sabbath under very favorable and encouraging circumstances. To all those who aid in sustaining the missionary of the cross we would say, "Brethren, pray for us."

Home Missions in Wisconsin.

The longer I tarry here, and the more I travel, the more I see and feel the great need and usefulness of Home Missions in churches now exist of the Congregational this territory. Between 60 and 70 and Presbyterian order. Fifteen or twenty of these are nearly or quite destitute than half of all must perish were it not of any preaching. I suspect that more for the aid from your Society. I know of but two country churches in this county (Milwaukie) able to go alone.

of misery, and forth went the messen- From Rev. J. Foster, Oconomowoc, Wis. ger of mercy with relief without stint or grudging. Barrels of flour and meat were despatched with praiseworthy promptness. Many of their children were taken by Americans, so that now it is very common to find a Norwegian boy or girl in American families. This people have a minister settled among them. They call themselves Lutherans. There is one family among them who have been in America for several years, and have become hopefully pious. They speak and read English. They have very little intercourse with the others, owing, as they say, to the enmity exist. ing against them on account of their religion. They regard them but little better than the Catholics. Although they attend on the outward ordinances of God's house, yet as a people they give no evidence of real piety. A Sabbath school has been established in this man's house, and all invited to attend. Some few, perhaps 15 or 20, have done so. It is to be hoped that by proper management, and pursuing a judicious course with them, their prejudice may ultimately be removed, and their hearts become accessible to the truth.

From Rev. L. Rood, Muskeego, Wis.

The effect of last winter's revival

here has been decidedly good. Nearly all the supposed converts have maintained their hopeful standing. Some three or four have not yet joined us, but

will do so soon.

A visiting tour.

The first house at which I called was that of a leader in Universalism. The attached to the "blessed doctrine"man was absent. His wife is strongly thought it a good thing to go to meeting if it were not wet, nor cold, and if the house were convenient. None of the family have I ever seen at meeting. A young man present fell to talking very fast. He did not attend church at all; thought all would be saved; believed part of the Bible was true, but soon said that "it is no better than Josephus or Rollin;" and as to any hereafter, "it is all mere theory or vision."

The church at Franklin is in a prosperous state, although at present but a few members, yet at our next communion we expect an addition of 8 or 10. Our congregations are very respectable as to numbers and interest, and are in- The next house was occupied by Gercreasing. The church at Caledonia is mans. We could not converse together in a prosperous state. Our congrega-enough to learn any thing satisfactory. tions are increasing, and the most con- At the next I found a woman who is venient place that we can obtain for somewhat thoughtful, and always ready

to attend church, but is opposed by her family. Soon her husband and his brother came in for their dinner. As soon as the ordinary civilities had passed, without any advance on my part, one of them said, "Well, I believe in Universalism." The other said, "So do I, and here's at ye." I said I did not come to dispute, but began to relate some of my own experience. I had little reply, but learned on leaving that "they meant to form some belief before long-as soon as they had time."

In the next family I found the wife in the fever which follows the ague; I

it is manners to ask you to pray before going to-bed." I endeavored to ask God, by his Spirit, to convince of sin, and appear in mercy for that family.

As I was leaving in the morning the mother said, "I had no idea that my sons were half so bad-I never talked with them"-and many other things she said with tears.

ILLINOIS.

could say nothing to her. The husband From Rev. E. E. Wells, Sycamore,

came in, a member of the Methodist church. He introduced me to a chamber where lay a young man recently from England; and I had an interview with a spirit full of heaven. Consumption had wasted his frame, his lungs seemed almost rotten, but his soul rested sweetly on Jesus. I prayed with him, he thanked me and said, " May we meet in heaven!" This was a visit I shall remember. He soon after died in the faith.

I found two sons of the next family at the plough. I began conversation on personal religion. They opposed conversation, but I persevered. One of them after a time shed tears, and said he had not attended church for several years promised to go, and to care for his soul. They have both attended some since. I entered the house, the parents were absent. The eldest daughter, of 19 years, said she went to meeting last in her tenth year!-had been to no school, and was unable to read or write with facility. A younger daughter was in a similar state. I afterwards heard that the parents are infidels, and opposed to all religion-meetings, schools, temperance, Bible and Tract societies. Yet I know of no one of more landed property in the region.

At another house, where the writer called and continued all night, a mother was found who had been a member of a christian church, but had long been deprived of privileges, and had sadly neglected her duty. || She was surrounded by a family of unbelievers. On retiring for the night—

One of them said, "Well, I suppose

Ill.

The Storms.

The

We have had, since the opening of spring, embarrassments to contend with, peculiar to the season, the like of which has never been known before in Illinois. We have had a series of heavy rains and driving winds, with but occasional intervals of pleasant weather. streams have continued greatly swollen; and others rendered impassable. The many bridges have been carried away "slues" (sloughs) which abound in this country, and which are generally dry beds of soft mire and water; with flag, through the summer, are still so many or prairie grass protruding above the only a short distance from home, on surface; consequently, whoever goes horseback, or with a team, and returns without getting "slued," as the cant phrase is, thinks himself fortunate. But little produce has been hauled to market, and there has been a general stagnation of business, excepting the necessary work of the farmers about home. Our village has been for a portion of the time completely isolated from the

Owing to its peculiar location in a bend surrounding settlements. of the Kishwaukie, and to its being almost surrounded with running water, have thus been providentially hindered a good proportion of our congregation from attending meeting through the whole summer. For the same reasons, I have been prevented from visiting my people, and holding neighborhood meetings as much as I have been desirous of doing, yet I do not feel that my labors have been in vain. Our Sabbath meet

(2.) A weekly prayer meeting has been sustained by a part of the church which had not sustained one previously; and as to members at least, is well sustained.

(3.) An interest has been felt, and efforts have been made in sustaining the pecuniary interests of the church, which, so far as I can learn, has never been felt before.

ings in the village are well attended did not exert any influence upon the considering the circumstances above community, has been resuscitated and mentioned; and at C., where I preach placed upon a platform, where it can one fourth of the time, the attend-exert an influence for God. There ance and interest manifested, have have been 28 added to our number, encouraged me to hope for a revival chiefly females. in that settlement. We now sustain with interest, a monthly church meeting, together with a "monthly concert," and weekly church and female prayer meetings in the village. At our last church meeting preparatory to the communion, a large proportion of the church contrived to be present, as we had set apart the day as a season of fasting, humiliation, and prayer. We had a solemn time, and I trust not an unprofitable one. I would here add, that several persons in this vicinity are expecting to unite with us, most of them by letter, the first opportunity. I am waiting and praying for a revival of religion in this place. The circumstances that I have found myself placed in through the past season, have led me to feel the need of more faith and patience, and other graces, pre-eminently necessary to a missionary in this western field.

(4.) There is, with very little exception, a spirit of union in views and feelings, and a brotherly love, which are highly commendable.

While I think I can say all this has resulted from your liberality and punctu ality, through the benevolence of the churches, in extending the helping hand, still, I would not have you think that the work is done. I speak advisedly when I say, that it is but begun.

From a County on the Illinois River.

The sheep without a shepherd.

I expect, as the weather becomes cooler, to extend my labors more into the region around. I wish that your Society could send a missionary into this county, especially into the east part of it, to visit and preach in destitute neighborhoods. Such an one would be received with open arms and hearts by very many, scattered up and down on streams and across our prairies. If I could triple my personality this day, I could employ each person to advantage in the service of my Heavenly Master.

Something accomplished.

In summing up the labors of the year, I feel that though much remains to be accomplished here, yet that, under God, much has been done.

(1.) A church which was well nigh dead, and which in reality as a church,

Hindrances in Southern Illinois.

I have now been laboring in the ministry for more than ten years in this state, and carefully watching the working of causes for good and evil; and I think I I am not mistaken in saying that I have never known a season so unfavorable to the direct advancement of Christ's kingdom as the last three months. The difficulties have been both physical and moral. Ist. The great rains and floods. 2d. Political excitements. The latter is destined to give trouble until after the presidential election. I confess I am at a loss to see how to turn these things to good account. In addition to these difficulties, sickness, fevers and ague are threatening us, and already among us, to an alarming extent. Physicians are looking for more than an ordinary run of bilious disorder this season, owing to the excessive wet. But the Lord reigns, and in some way will bring good out of evil. This is cheering to the "watchman." But the worst feature belonging to these obstacles, is the connection of intemperance with political manœuvering. The odious practice of buying