says the Report, "we owe a debt which we can never fully repay." The 18TH ANNUAL REPORT was presented at a meeting of the Society at Painesville, O., Sept. 21, 1844. The Annual Receipts were stated to have been $2209, besides notes and other property of the value of $200 more, and boxes of clothing and other articles estimated at $300. Effect of Agency. In some of our churches much prejudice has, for a considerable time past, existed against the employment of agents by our Benevolent Societies. The experience of this Society for the last two years, goes strongly to show that they cannot, at present, be advantageously dispensed with. During the first half year of this period, the Society employed but threefourths of a month's agency, which was principally occupied in conducting its correspondence, and in other duties besides the collection of funds. The income of the Society during this half year was less than $100. During the corresponding half of the year which now closes, we have employed six months' agency, and received an income of $950. During the second half of the last year, the society employed three and threequarters month's agency, and received $850 During the corresponding months of this year, six months' agency have been employed and an income received of more tan $1,250; making the total income for the year ending Sept. 10, 1843, in which four and a half months' agency was employed, $944, and of the year ending Sept. 20, 1844, in which 12 months' agency was employed, $2209. Encouraged by these tokens of Divine The Church not aware of her position. of the dangers that threaten us; and of We are not yet, as a people, sensible the importance to ourselves and to the world, of greater efforts to sustain and extend, especially through this Great Valley of the West, the influence and institutions of the Gospel. The fact, that hitherto the population of this valley has doubled every ten years, and now to very many; and it is equally easy to amounts to near eight millions, is familiar understand, that continuing to increase in the same ratio, we shall, in ten years more, have here a population of fifteen millions, and in twenty years, of thirty millions, and that still it will go on, rapidly increasing until it shall have doubled again and again. But do we equally feel the important influence which the vigorous prosecution of the Home Missionary work, at the present time, even during this now present year, will have upon the moral character and destiny of these millions, and through them, upon the destiny of our land and the interests of the world? Time will not wait the tardy movements of the church. These gathering millions will not wait. They will soon be here. And if they are to be enlightened and pious citizens, whose influence shall be safe to our country and a blessing to the world, the parents who are to train them must now be brought under gospel influence, and enjoy with their families gospel institutions. But this cannot be done without a very great increase of missionary effort. Address favor, in the increase of our funds, we of the Rev. N. B. PURINTON, in support of have recently appointed a larger number of missionaries than usual. Twenty-seven missionaries have, during the past year, held commissions from us, to labor in 32 different congregations and missionary districts; 23 of whom still hold their appointments, and are engaged in preaching the Gospel in the several fields that have been given them in charge. Four of this number have, during the last year, been installed as pastors over the several churches where they labor. the following Resolution. Resolved-That the importance of the work to be performed by the Home Missionary Society demands that the sphere of its operations be IMMEDIATELY enlarged. Mr. MODERATOR.-In advocating this Resolution, I do not stand before you to urge the measure which it contemplates, with the blind fanaticism of a Peter the Hermit. Nor will I favor that senseless zeal that would tear the churches from their foundations, and precipitate them, 174 upon the destitute portions of our coun- truth bursts upon me at once, that there "Tho' deep, yet clear; tho' gentle, yet not dull, Strong without rage, without overflowing,full." || I am told that the great object of this Institution is, "To assist congregations that are unable to support the Gospel ministry, and to send the Gospel to the destitute, scattered over an area of 2,000,000 square miles." When I survey the Western States and Territories of this Union, I find them spread out over a surface of 450,000 square miles, and already containing a population of 4,000,000 of human beings; whilst the unexampled rapidity of their increase by birth and immigration, doubles the number of their inhabitants every 10, 12 or 15 years. Over this whole field, except here and there a bright spot which tends to make the darkness visible and more appalling, a night of error reigns, unbroken by a returning moral day. From every part of the great Western Valley, appeals for help follow upon appeals, borne upon the wings of each Western breeze, to our ears. They grow louder and louder, and if we are not men of marble, they must melt our hearts. They tell us of their destitutions. They tell us the young Giant the West is rising he is now shaking his locks: he is now preparing, as a strong man, to run his race. And the important question now is, shall his soul be nerved to fulfil his destiny by the dark spirit of Popery, Infidelity, and kindred errors; or the mild spirit of the Gospel? In his onward course to power, and note shall he hew his way with the weapons of superstition and religious intolerance, or carry in his hand the olive branch of peace and love? To meet the present exigency I turn to the Home Missionary Society: and I see it has only 365 men in the western field; or one minister to 6000 souls, allowing one half of the population to be already well supplied with evangelical The sad ministers from other sources. In this crisis of our affairs, to go forward at the present slow rate, insures defeat, equally with a retracing of our steps. What then remains but that the sphere of the Society's operations be immediately enlarged? God, to make good men and good causes more efficient, often brings them into the most critical emergencies that their utmost resources may be brought into action. In the present emergency missionary operations should be immediately enlarged, because I. The continued prosperity of the church demands it. In his discussion of this topic, Mr. P. remarked that "Connected with the Synod of the Western Reserve are one hundred and thirty-five churches, with a population of 10,000 members. The amount contributed to the funds of the Home Missionary Society the last year by these churches, was 900 dollars. The average sum would be the mere pittance of 10 cents, to each member. I will not," added Mr. P., "discuss the self evident, and oft repeated proNor that position, that the West will not be converted at this rate of giving. other truism, that the piety of the church is measured by her beneficence. But I will say we cannot afford to give so little, because we cannot afford to have spiritual blessings measured to us again, according to the present scanty measure that we ourselves mete out to the destitute and the perishing. Like the king of Israel, who, when he was commanded to smite upon the ground, smote but thrice, and stayed his hand, and so lost the full blessing of complete deliverance, in the utter destruction of his enemies, so we have stopped short, when we should have kept on giving, and have thus failed of the blessing attached to the promise that "they who sow bountifully shall reap also bounti fully." (2.) But another reason for the inmediate enlargement of our home operations is, that the safety both of our civil and religious institutions, most imperatively demands it. It is a fact that is every day becoming more evident, that the centre of our country's population will soon be in the heart of this great Western Valley. Accompanying this fact is another, that the West, will give to our institutions their permanent character, whether for good or for evil, and to our country her destiny. What the character of the West shall be, depends solely upon the character of the influences that are employed to mould it. It is more than seen, it is already deeply felt, that we cannot depend on our existing constitutions, and laws, however excellent they may be, to do the vast work of moulding the national character. For the corruptions of a people, as the history of Republics has most painfully shown, soon overleap the bounds of their original compact and laws. The great experiment, whether we are capable of self-government or not; is now making here. The elective franchise makes every man a sovereign, and the doctrine that, the "Vox Populi" is the " Vox Dei" meets with general favor. In the mean time the vast deep of mind is moved by fierce political contests, and its foaming surges rise up with impetuous fury against the constitutional barriers, and threaten their destruction. Added to this are the aggressive movements of a power from without; that alike despises, and seeks to subvert, both our civil and religious institutions. The Apocalyptic Beast is watching with intense anxiety, and straining his eye-balls, for a favorable moment to spring in upon us, with one immense bound, and make us his prey. Rome has more men-more money-more cunningand more perseverance, than we have. Have we 300 missionaries in the West? Rome has double that number! Do we expend 50,000 dollars for missionary operations yearly, in the West? Rome expends more than six times that sum. Do we persevere in our work for a time? Rome never stops short of universal victory, or universal defeat. If the members of our eastern churches emigrate to the West by hundreds-Rome pours hers in by hordes, and by thousands. Have we not then reached a fearful crisis? We have-and we seem not to know it. It is like one of those fearful crises in nature which take place when men are locked in the arms of sleep. It is midnight, and naught disturbs the listening darkness of the world without. The elements combine, in secret the crisis is formed, and the first intimation that the sleepers have of their danger, is the coming down of the whirlwind in its wrath. Must we not awake, and do what is to be done quickly? We must. And the only rational ground of hope, is in an immediate enlargement of our operations, for the salvation of our country. We must not only preserve but perpetuate our institutions. How shall we do it? Only by casting the leaven of Protestant Christianity, into the great mass of Western mind; for Christianity changes every thing into the likeness of itself, and now is the time to do it; for error rides post through the land, and soon will the destiny of the West be irreversibly fixed. O, will it not be a burning shame, in christianizing other lands, to leave our own to Infidelity and Roman heathenism? What will the islands of the South Sea say? Let it never be told on the plains of India, and above all, let not the emissaries of the Papal Beast, triumph in our folly. But again (3.) The necessities of the heathen world, call upon us to enlarge the sphere of our Home operations, at once. Now Home and Foreign Missions are not different causes; for the last, is only the first extended: consequently he that loveth the one, must love the other also. But the proposition is in more than one sense, true, that the heathen world cannot be evangelized until the Home Missionary cause is triumphant. Much of the capital, the men aid the money, by which the world is to be converted, is not as yet available to the church. And now God has raised up this Home Society for the purpose of creating capital for foreign use. Shall we not then follow where the providence of God points out the way, and at once enlarge our Home operations? Shall we not now arise and work while we may ? Do you love the souls of the heathen, and would you multiply the means for their rescue from eternal death? adopted: While you give with one hand to the fo- to occupy a very high rank among our benereign cause, withhold not the other from volent objects. The following resolution was the cause at home, for, what machinery is to labor, that the home cause is to the work to be done abroad. It not only enables you to preach the Gospel by proxy at home; but to create new supplies of men and money for the conversion of the heathen world. Whereas, the church of Rome is making vigorous efforts to obtain a permanent footing in the fairest portions of our new settlements; and whereas, the advocates of pernicious error and infidelity are on the ground at work; and whereas, the safety of our institutions depends on the evangelization of the Great West; and whereas, the evan MIDDLESEX (SOUTH) ASSOCIA- gelization of the world is chiefly to de TION. pend upon the evangelical churches of God in this land; Therefore, At its meeting in October, this Association held its anniversary, as an auxiliary of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society Addresses were made by Messrs. Webster, Bullard, Hunt, Allen, and Newcomb, pastors, and Messrs. Shepard and Morse, delegates. The general feeling of the meeting appeared to be, that the cause of Home Missions ought contributions from our churches. Resolved, That the cause of Home Missions, for the establishment of the christian ministry and Gospel institutions in every destitute portion of our land, calls loudly upon every Christian to make the most vigorous and persevering efforts to secure greatly enlarged Correspondence of the A. H. M. S. MISSOURI. It is not always that the greatest need of ministerial zeal and fidelity is among the impenitent. The laborer amid frontier scenes, often finds professors of religion, though reared under the choicest privileges of the Gospel, at the East, in such a state of wandering from Christ, that they are alike unfit for a useful life or a happy death. Indeed, we fear there are thousands scattered through the new States, whose religion is sustained from no internal source of holy principle, "springing up unto everlasting life." How much they need a faithful man of God to seek them out, and deal kindly and truly with them, may be inferred from the following account of a Professor's death-bed. Mrs. B., when told she had but a few hours to live, exclaimed, "O my sins! how can I be pardoned? Must I die with this load of sin on my soul?" Thus she continued, crying, "God be "O! I am merciful to me a sinner." Destroyed for lack of knowledge. Another, and in many respects a different case demanded the missionary's sympathy and attention. He was sent for in the still hour of night to visit Mrs. S. She had been a gay, pleasure-seeking lady, and was called to meet death, with but six hours' notice. Being interrogated respecting her preparation, she expressed no fears about dying, pro vided she could be baptized and obtain || courage the hearts of his people. Five pardon for a few sins of omission-" she were added to the church by letter, had not injured her fellow-men, and making twenty-seven that have been only regretted that her name had not added to the church during the year been enrolled on the record of a given that closes with this report, five by letchurch!" My own health would not ter as stated above, and twenty-two allow me to stand at her dying pillow, upon profession of faith in Christ, of and as no clergyman was at hand, a lay- whom sixteen have been baptized. man was called in, whom she besought Three members have also been added to baptize her! He did so! After to the German church to which I which she seemed to be calm, and was preach once a month. There is an inready and desirous to die! Her friends teresting state of things in that little believe it was gain for her to die. church, and there is reason to hope that the word preached there will be like bread cast upon the waters. But in the contemplation of this, and similar death scenes, I have often had occasion to deplore the deep ignorance, respecting Bible doctrines, manifested by multitudes in this western region. In reviewing the past year we can with the prophet say, "Hitherto has the Lord helped us.' At the comHow sadly perceptible is it, that they mencement of the year the church conhave never been trained in the well-sisted of ten members, scattered and conducted Sabbath school, nor sat under the regular ministrations of divine truth, presented in a clear and connected system. From Rev. E. P. Noel, Ray co. Prevailing Sickness. My labors during the last quarter have been interrupted by sickness; our congregations have been smaller than usual, and the Sabbath school and Bible class suspended. At one time every teacher in the Sabbath school was sick; our own family has shared largely in affliction. Our little daughter was disheartened. They made an extra effort to sustain your missionary. In meekness they bowed together in the prayer meeting, and while they were yet asking, the blessing came, and the old, and the young, and the middle aged bowed at a mercy seat, and together they asked "Men and brethren, what shall we do to be saved?" Now they rejoice together in hope of "eternal life." I have collected but little for the cause of benevolence. Owing to the wet season, many of our people will not make provision enough to support their families. Meetings in the Far West. brought near to the grave, but by the From Rev. B. Ryland, Bolivar, Polk co. mercy of a kind Providence we hope she will recover, and the ranks of our little family remain unbroken by the hand of death. No family has escaped in our vicinity. It is with heartfelt gratitude to God, that, under such circumstances, we are permitted to acknowledge his spiritual blessings as detailed in the following Review of Mercies. Since my last report, we have had two communion seasons; one at N. Prairie, and one in Hermon church. The congregation at N. P. was not as large, owing to sickness and other causes, as was expected. But the meeting was one of interest. Good attention was given to the word spoken. Brothers Renshaw and Ricketts aided me. Our hearts were made to burn and rejoice while we sat in a grove, around the table of our Lord and Master, thinking of his love and death. Three persons were added to the church by On the fourth Sabbath in August we had a communion season, and though on account of many being sick our congregation was smaller than usual, yet the Lord was there to comfort and en-letter. |