The kind of ministry needed.

From a Correspondent.

Since I have been at the West I have been repeatedly impressed with the idea of the necessity of the Home Mission ary Society's operations to the religious advancement of the western people. The people are poor in many instances. When their wheat crop fails, as it does in this vicinity this year, they are obliged to buy their bread stuff, and often run in debt in doing it. What then could the people do without your Society? Again; there are elements in the character of the people at the West that demand the preaching your Society furnishes. Some other denominations may pioneer, but they pioneer like the wood-cutters in the slashes; they leave a mass of impassable rubbish. They lead the way, but by no means clear the way. One may be said to burn over the land. Another, as in this region, to submerge it.

the meeting-house is in progress, and the cause of temperance receives aid, because your Society have afforded assistance; for without it I see not how any of these objects could be secured. Our society are few, very poor, and much scattered, and there is no one with spare time sufficient to devote to any one, and especially to all of these things. Besides, I have formed another church, in addition to the performance of much other missionary labor. This is indeed but laying the foundations, and yet it is an important business.

A missionary encouraged.

I am greatly encouraged in my work from the remarks of Professor Stowe and others at the anniversary meeting of your Society. Perhaps those good men little thought, when they were addressing you, that they were indirectly administering large draughts of sweet consolation to the distant, toiling missionary.

Poverty of the people.

The result of much of the preaching at the West, is a fastidious taste in some hearers; in others, a perfect dislike of all preaching. Another kind of preaching is then wanted; your Society, tering habits of benevolence in my peoYou speak of the importance of fosI think, furnishes that preaching. May the Lord bless your Society till it is able ple. I endeavor to do so. I have to supply all the places destitute of preached twice on the subject of Dosuch preaching! The firm entrench-mestic Missions, and have made some ment of Christianity at the West depends upon such preaching. I am no bigot, and will concede that other denominations than those that compose your Society may do much in forming religious society at the West, but there needs to be the stamina of a sounder orthodoxy co-operating with them, else the whole structure of society will have to be torn down and remodelled in a few years, like most of the western houses. A solid foundation is wanted to build upon. When that is obtained every thing will not rack, or look piteously, as if it asked mercy of the elements to remain in its place. I speak figuratively, but I think I do not speak error

or nonsense.

collections, and though I know a peoriches of their liberality, yet when I go ple's poverty should abound unto the into the log cabins of my people, and see the privations to which they subject themselves to secure a few acres of land, I cannot press them to give money when it is almost impossible to be obtained. We are now passing through the sickly season, and as is usual we are pressed with all its inconveniences.

A word to the conscience.

Notwithstanding all the care of the Society to gain the best information concerning the need of the churches to which it extends aid, it sometimes happens that assistance is exFrom Rev. J. W. Smith, Eaton Rapids. tended to churches less needy than many who

Progress perceptible.

do not ask it. It is feared that there are communities so wanting in the right spirit, that The Sabbath school is prospering, they will present an exaggerated picture of

their feebleness, for the purpose of obtaining money which would send a minister into charitable assistance, and thereby shifting a place never yet blessed with a faithful from themselves the burthen of sustaining and competent ministry, nor made vocal their own privileges. This is most ungene- with the high praises of our God? I rous. Instead of asking, “Can we obtain aid feel that I must not after this year. And I am constrained to think that many of from abroad?" the question ought to be, "Can we do without it?" We wish that my brethren might adopt the same deevery church receiving help from the A. H. termination. I feel willing to curtail necessary expenses for the good of our M. S. would agitate this question. If it were country. And if the West is saved faithfully done, we believe many of them from impending ruin, something like this would speedily relieve the Society of the remust be done by many. If the rich sponsibility incurred on their account. Let will not impart of their abundance sufevery missionary ask himself, "Is it right for ficient for this work, the poor must from me to be aided? Is it just to the contributors" their deep poverty abound unto the who cast their hard earnings and gathered riches of their liberality." savings into the Lord's treasury? Is it kind to the still newer and more needy communities, who cannot get aid because there is nothing to give them? Are my people rob. bing others to relieve themselves?" And let him put these questions to his people-to the public assembly, as well as to individuals in private. No harm would ensue in any case, while doubtless in some the result would be an early assumption of the support of their own institutions. Read below the feelings of one missionary on this subject.

I am aware that much is done, but your resources need to be increased fourfold. The field is wide, but the church has ability to occupy it. It must be occupied. The enlargement of every other benevolent effort, as well as the good of our country, call for many "more Home missionaries." Who shall stud this fertile valley with churches and Sabbath schools; who shall fill the land with Bibles and tracts; who shall pour funds into the treasury of Foreign Missions, if no heralds of salvation are sent to the destitute of our own land?

I

conceive that Home Missions are a most important wheel in the blessed machinery by which the earth is to be regenerated. May God influence the churches to labor, and pray, and give more to enable you to spread the

means of salvation!

I am much exercised about the A. H. M. S. I greatly desire that you may be able to thrust forth many reapers into the wide western field. I was much tried by the apparent necessity that this people should draw any funds from the newer fields. I shall not consent to any further call after this year. And I have been thinking that something might be saved by other brethren who Indispensableness of the stated, living are now receiving your aid. I am fully persuaded that many congregations aided might, by greater liberality, sustain their ministers, provided the ministers themselves would urge it as they should, or, if possible, consent to live upon a little less than they have formerly. It appears to me that the present exigency demands something of this kind.

ministry.

I have learned that in this western world, the Sabbath school and the church will go immmediately into a slow consumption without the living preacher. The presence, the look, the voice, the appeal to the conscience and the heart, are indispensable to the spirituality and enlargement of the I know that ministers ought to be sus-church. While I would encourage all tained comfortably. I wish many of them could have more than they do. But when I look over the wide and whitening fields, I cannot but exclaim, how much more are those souls worth than many little comforts I may enjoy! Can I be doing right to receive that

appropriate means to plant and build
up the church, I would put the living
ministry just where the great Head of
the Church puts it, first-it is absolutely
indispensable. There is no vitality,
stability, energy or aggression without
the living ministry.
Bible societies,

family, and generally closing the interview with prayer. He preached three and four times a week during the year; visited destitute settlements, and organ

Sabbath schools, colporteurs, are all good in their place; but they will accomplish comparatively little without the herald of the cross. A system of itinerancy is good, and may be indispen-ized churches, and endeavored to dissable in the new country, but a perma- charge the duties of his commission. nent ministry is infinitely better. I was never so fully convinced of this fact as I have been during the past year in laboring among the destitute. The foundation is laid where there is a stated ministry. It is far different among the destitute. Every thing is to be done. Hence we cannot expect immediate results in the salvation of a multitude of souls in the scattered population of the new settlements, as we do when churches become established. Much labor in digging and laying the foundation and collecting the materials, is necessary before the building rises to view. So it is with respect to planting the Gospel in the new settlements at the West.

But sad indeed was his story of the first year's labor. Instead of seeing a large harvest of souls among the people of his charge, he saw many of them leave for another part of the county, and none converted; while only one male member of his church remained within three miles of him. But another field, more inviting, then opened, and during the second year, about 70 were collected into the church; some by profession, but the great portion by letter.

In the providence of God, I then received a unanimous call to become the pastor of the church at —, which I accepted. That church enjoyed four revivals of religion during my stay among them. Divisions were healed, and the cause of God advanced; and in

Changes in Western Michigan in uine that small township 82 united with the

years.

church on profession, and 74 by letter. Ties were cemented and strengthend, which nothing but death can sever. Friendships were formed which will be lasting as eternity. But my individual church was only one among many that shared largely in the gracious effusions of the Holy Spirit.

Increase of ministers and churches.

But it is encouraging to look at the changes which have taken place in Western Michigan for a few years past. The contemplation fills my soul with zeal and nerves me for future labors. Nine years ago, I wrote to a friend in Calhoun county, making inquiries respecting that as a missionary field. I took the parting hand from my friends; I set my face to the West. When I first came to Michigan there Commissioned by your Society, I ar- was no minister of our denomination rived at the county of Calhoun about who devoted himself exclusively to the middle of October, 1835. Two preaching the Gospel, within 50 miles. little churches were then organized in Take a line drawn north and south from the county. One was supplied with the east boundary of Jackson co., and preaching, I went to the other. Myall the western portion of the state, little salary was $300, half paid by your except here and there a little church, Society, and half by the people. It cost like an oasis in a desert, was a wide me $100 to move my family; and I desolation. St Joseph's Presbytery, paid $54 for my first nine weeks' board. embracing all the western part of MichiEmigration was rapidly pressing into gan and a part of Indiana, contained six the country-speculation raged almost or seven ministers. Perhaps of the to insanity-every thing was extrava- Congregational and Presbyterian order, gantly high-almost every man saw there were twelve of fifteen churches bright visions in the future, and dreamed, on this whole field. if he did not actually think he was rich. What a mighty change has nine years Discouraging indeed were the prospects produced! These beautiful plains and of your missionary. He visited from prairies are becoming the habitations house to house, on two prominent roads, of civilized man; and towns, and villafor 20 miles, conversing with everyges, and churches are springing into

existence as if by magic. Well may I ex- || missionaries, during the year, have been claim "What hath God wrought!" The ordained, or installed to the pastoral wilderness and the solitary place is be- care of the churches where they were ginning to bud and blossom as the rose. laboring; one in Limington, York What a multitude have come along after county; one in Temple, and one in me. Instead of one presbytery of six or Strong, Franklin county; one in Houlseven, we have four presbyteries and con-ton, Aroostook county, and one in ferences, containing an average of ten or Harpswell, Cumberland county. There twelve ministers, and from twelve to four-have been some revivals of religion in teen churches. Some most precious sea- different parts of the state, under the sons of refreshing from the presence of ministrations of missionaries, but less the Lord have been experienced. The great Head of the church has manifested his goodness and power in the advancement of the church. Her cords have been lengthened, and her stakes strengthened. My eyes have been per-plying the places of those removed by mitted to see all this-to behold the foundation of the church laid, with many tears and prayers, on ground where, but a few years since, the deer bounded through the forest unscared, and the war-hoop of the savage echoed across its plains and prairies.

Auxiliaries.

MAINE MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Thirty Seventh Anniversary. The meeting was held in Bath, June 26th, 1844. When the annual meeting was held here, in 1810, there were 53 Congregational professors in the place. There are now between 400 and 500; and the Missionary Society has increased in numbers, influence and operations, in about the same ratio. It has never had any very sudden enlargement; but caution has been exercised, that whenever it did take a step, it should be a step forward. It has "held on the noiseless tenor of its way," until the little rill has become a broad river, so that many drink of its waters, until the acorn dropped in the forest-ground has become a wide-spread oak, where many sit in its shade. Behold, what a great matter a little fire kindleth!"

Results of Missionary operations. The Trustees have employed, during the year, some for a longer, and some for a shorter period, seventy-five missionaries, seven in advance of last year, and about the same increase in the annual amount of labors. Five of the

powerful in their nature, and more circumscribed in their influence, than in years that are past. Something over 100 have been added to the feeble churches, probably little more than sup

death and otherwise. And yet there has been great outward prosperity, great internal harmony, great encouragement to the cause.

Financial concerns of the Society.

The expenditures of the year have been about 8000 dollars. The treasurer, besides paying the missionaries at the last anniversary, has met calls of the current year to such an amount, that with the balance of 800 dollars in the treasury, will meet the liabilities of the Society, wanting about 3000 dollars.

History.

The Society had its foundation meeting in June, 1807. There were thirtytwo members, nine of whom only now survive, residing in the state. This number has been increased, so that it would be difficult now to tell the thousands. There are about one thousand life members, the payment for which, in successive years, has brought 20,000 dollars into the treasury, and the number of these is annually increasing. The operations of the Society, at its origin, were necessarily restricted; only one missionary employed the first year. And the sixth year the number had only reached twelve, and the income amounting to about 1000 dollars. In the thirteenth year, which was 1820, the number of missionaries was twenty-six, and the income increased in proportion. There was a gradual enlargement of operation till 1835-6, when silver was no more accounted of than in the days of Solomon, and the income of the So

ciety rose to 10,000 dollars, and the The Massachusetts Missionary Society, to number of missionaries to ninety. The THE MASSACHUSETTS HOME MISSIONARY following year came the sad reverse. SOCIETY. The income was diminished at once fifty per cent., and the missionaries, of course, reduced to half the number. From that time, seven years, the Society has been gradually advancing; so that, the coming year, should there be the the same increase as in the two or three years past, the Society will realize again