From Rev. J. Wood, Little Muddy, the children frequently, both in the Franklin Co. I rejoice and feel grateful to God, that the churches had put it in the power of your Society to aid this little church of which I am pastor. We as yet need your help for ourselves, and more for the region around us. We are alone, and would that the churches could know the loneliness of our condi tion. Help, self-denying help is what we need here. There is hard work to be done, and the promise of an immedi schools and at the regular hour for preaching, adapting a sermon to their capacities. Our hope is in the rising generation, and truly we have here something to hope for from them. I have also given more than usual prominence to doctrinal preaching— deeming it necessary in order to give stability, especially to our younger brethren, who are exposed to wind of doctrine," and to " the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, wherewith they lie in wait to deceive." every From Rev. S. G. Wright, Stark Co. Triumph of faith. ate harvest is small. The institutions of the Gospel are to be planted, and ignorance and prejudice overcome by evangelical truth and christian patience. One sister, in the Lafayette church, I cannot exult in any special mani- has recently closed her pilgrimage. festations of God's Spirit. Yet I can Her disease was cancer, and for a year say that he has not forgotten us or left or more, "Not a week passed," said us without some manifestations of his her physician, "that she did not suffer favor. During this quarter, we have more than a martyr at the stake." Yet had ten additions to our church, nine not a murmur escaped her lips. She of whom were added by letter. Two often said, "I fear lest I shall become were also added to the Eight-mile impatient." She awaited with compochurch. They were the heads of sure her dissolution, and in her dying a large family. The Lord led them moments, twice opened her eyes upon by a way they knew not. The usual her attendants, with a full smile upon means of grace they did not en- her countenance-seeming to die in joy, yet God could reach them, and we raptures. She was a bright illustration trust graciously accepted them into his of the power of religion to support, unfamily. Since then God has laid his der protracted acute pain, and in the hand heavily upon that little church. pangs of dissolving nature. Though He has removed by death the most effi- she suffered, as it were, a thousand cient male member. What is our loss deaths, yet she had more real enjoyment we trust is his infinite gain. But the than many who feel no pain of body, and effect it will have upon the church, to whose temporal prospects are without a me is yet unknown. God can, and if cloud. In the former part of her sickhe sees best will, overrule it for good. ness she had much anxiety respecting They need a minister there to encou-her children, several of whom were rage their hearts. Nearly all in that neighborhood have been sick. One large family were all sick at once. They were so much so that when one of the children, a girl of about twelve, died, not one of the remaining eight in the family were able to attend her corpse from the house. Instruction. Sabbath-schools have received considerable attention from me, during the past three months. I have addressed quite young; but for several months before her death, she said her anxiety was all gone, God would provide for her dear children. Her love towards Christians was ardent, and my occasional visits to her seemed to be the richest luxury-a feast to her soul. She often remarked, that it seemed to her, Christians had too little love for one another. She is the fifth member of my little flock that have done with my counsels and prayers, and gone to be with their Lord. I trust that they have found a peaceful home-a safe retreat. I feel constrained to repeat what I have so often before written, viz., that my labor is almost lost by expending it on so wide a field. I am sometimes almost discouraged, but I cannot make up my mind to relinquish any part of the field. May God, of his infinite mercy, so guide his missionaries here, that they may accomplish the utmost in their power to promote the glory of God in the salvation of souls. From G. C. Wood, Manchester. Severe affliction. GEORGIA. Our readers are probably aware that there is, in some sections of the South and West, a subdivision of the Baptist denomination distinguished for its opposition to all organcetions for doing good. A missionary of the Society whose labors bring him in contact with these people, gives us the following statements. The Baptists here are divided into two parties, called Anti-missionary and Missionary, or "Hard shell" and "Soft shell" Baptists. The missionary party, as their name indicates, have very much of a missionary spirit, and do much for the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom and the promotion of the benevolent institutions generally; while the anti-missionary party are violently opposed to all the benevolent and missionary enterprizes of the country. They have collected their sentiments to be printed in a volume. Their views on this subject are embodied in the 13th article of their creed, which I copied from the manuscript, and is as follows: "We believe that Theological Semina In my last report I stated that our fears about a sickly season were beginning to be realized; and the last three months have been the most distressing ever witnessed in this section of Illinois. Our oldest settlers say that they never knew such a season before. In this place and vicinity, not a family have escaped who have not had more or less sickness; and at Whitehall it has been equally distressing. Sometimes it was very difficult to find well persons enough to administer to the wants of the sick. I know not, however, that these series, Sunday School Unions, Baptist vere chastisements have been the means of quickening God's people to more diligence, except in a very few cases, and only one case where they have been instrumental in bringing the sinner to Christ. Our congregations have often been much smaller than usual, and the prospect of accomplishing much is very discouraging. Yet we hope for better days, and if but a few come out of the furnace purified and refined, the standard of piety will be elevated, and the cause of the blessed Savior advanced. Another thing which has for some time operated very much against the interests of religion, is the great political excitement of the day. Many even of the friends of Christ seem to be carried away with it. State Conventions, Missionary, Bible, Tract and Temperance Societies, together with their whole train of connexions and kindred institutions, are corrupt, unscriptural, without foundation in the word of God, and therefore improper." Their practice is in perfect accordance with their creed. They manifest deadly opposition to the cause of temperance-though many of the missionary party concur with them in their views on this subject. Some instances have occurred of the excommunication of members from the church for having joined a temperance society. As I was travelling in C. county, a few days ago, I fell in company with a tall athletic man. He was remarkably talkative, and he threw out among other things, some severe reflections on a church that was lately established in M., whereon, a dialogue took place, of which the following is the substance. In most places the cause of temperance suffers much during political campaigns. And this has been the case in one of the places where I preach. I hope, however, that the hydra is slain there, a majority of the citizens hav-church that makes you dislike it? ing lately voted to have no grog-shops in the village. Question. What is there about that Answer. Its government is unscriptural and arbitrary, its ceremonies are useless, and the whole form consists of outward parade. Q. What church do you like? A. The Baptist church. I am a member of it. Q. To which of the Baptist churches do you belong? For I understand they are divided into two parties. A. I belong to the primitive Baptists. I am an ordained deacon in the church. A. Are they the party called hard shell and anti-missionary Baptists? A. They are called by these names. Q. What is the difference between the missionary and the anti-missionary Baptists? A. I am no scholar. I never read a word in a book in all my life; so I cannot tell you all the differences between them. But the church that I belong to is opposed to all Missionary, Tract, Sunday school and Temperance Societies; and I am opposed to them. Q. Ought you not to be very cautious in opposing things, least you oppose some things that are good? You say you cannot read; consequently you are deficient in one great source of information; so you should study well the nature, design and tendency of every thing, before you manifest opposition to it. By opposing missionary operations you oppose the whole system of Christianity. Our blessed Saviour came from heaven to the earth on a mission to redeem the world, and in that respect he acted as a missionary. When he was on the earth he promised that if he should go away he would send the Holy Spirit to reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. The Spirit came according to his promise, and is to be viewed in the light of a missionary fulfilling his divine mission. Our blessed Redeemer commanded his twelve apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. So they were missionaries to all intents and purposes. We are required to pray to the Lord of the harvest that he may send more laborers into his vineyard, and these laborers are no other than missionaries, who are to proclaim the gospel to perishing sinners. The preaching of the Gospel is the grand means that God is pleased to use in the conversion of sinners. A. I am not so much opposed to missions; but, what is the ary to it for? I am opposed to the missionary. I explained the force of this termination, and asked Q. Did you ever know of a sinner being converted that never heard the Gospel preached? A. I do not know of any man that was converted who never heard the Gospel preached. Q. Do you excommunicate members of your church for joining the temperance society? A. We have had no case of the kind up before the church that I belong to. But there was a case in a neighboring church of a woman being excommunicated for joining a temperance society. She and her husband were Baptists. He became a drunkard, and his drunken frolics were so base and so frequent, that the church at last expelled him. Sometime afterward he agreed to join the temperance society if his wife would put her name down. They both did so. The church brought her up, and excommunicated her for signing the temperance pledge! KENTUCKY. From Rev. J. Black, Missionary in destitute places in the Synod of Kentucky. After reporting several meetings, more or less protracted, and the favorable results attending them, Mr. B. continues In August, besides several two or three days meetings held at different points, we held one in a region where Presbyterianism was before almost unknown. This meeting resulted in several hopeful conversions, and arrangements for permanent preaching, and we hope a church organization at no distant day. Several prominent and influential persons in the neighborhood have requested it. At the close of September I commenced a meeting at Tompkinsville, in Monroe county, which soon became greatly interesting. At the close of this meeting we organized a church of eight members, with the prospect of a number more at the next meeting. 1843. For the winter, my labors on the Sabbath were confined to the church, but since April they have been divided between Vevay and the vicinity. For the last six months, I have preached This whole region has hitherto been overrun with Campbellism. Some fifteen months ago, they immersed about one hundred and fifteen or one hundred and twenty in this place, and as a fair specimen of the work, take the follow-regularly at five other places, and as ing fact: "One being at work, threw down his tools and his apron, and said, 'Well, they're all joining the church,' and swore that he would go and be baptized too,' and accordingly he did so, and in less than half an hour afterwards was buried in the liquid wave.'" The only questions asked candidates for immersion are: 1st. Do you believe Jesus Christ was the Son of God? 2d. Are you willing to be immersed for the remission of sins? As a fearful consequence of all this, vital religion received a mortal stab. Sabbaths became awfully desecratedno prayer-meetings, no Sabbath schools, none of those delightful and healthful institutions, which are so necessary to a growth of grace and piety. At the meeting of the Synod, a recommendation was passed "that all the ministers and church sessions, immediately form in their respective congregations, auxiliary societies, on the monthly contribution plan, and that they hold a monthly prayer-meeting, for the blessing of the Great Head of the Church, upon this noble effort. ral of these societies I organized some time ago, and they are doing nobly. May the Lord smile upon them. INDIANA. soon as practicable, I intend to occupy two or three more, and then my field will indeed be large. a When I first came here I commenced Bible-class of young ladies and gentlemen, which was attended with much interest during the winter, seldom having less than twenty present. It is now attended by old and young, and on some mornings is very interesting. My labors on the Sabbath have been to attend a Bible class in the morning, and preach in the church, and then ride from one to five miles, and preach at different places in the afternoon-generally hav ing a larger audience than I have in the church. Besides the Sabbath school in the church, we have held a Sabbath school in a very destitute neighborhood, with much encouragement-a neighborhood that I visited from house to house, and found nearly half the families without a Bible. I have been much encouraged to preach in that neighborhood from the good attendance and attention. Since I came here, ten have united with the church, nine of them on exaSeve-mination. The church now numbers nineteen members. From Rev. H. Wasson, Vevay, Switzerland Co. Vevay is the place where, in 1804, a colony of Swiss emigrants established themselves, with the intention of cultivating the vine. The experiment for a time appeared to be successful, but it has gradually given place to the common husbandry, so that the settlement is scarcely distinguished from others around it, except in the larger admixture of people of foreign origin. I have been more encouraged for the last two months than at any previous time. My congregations have been larger, and the current of feeling seems to be turning towards our church. Yesterday was our communion season, when four worthy members united. The Campbellites are making vigorous efforts in this vicinity, and if we give up they will occupy the ground. The field is a hard one, yet the Lord can make it easy. I can see tokens of good and evidences of a change. A token for good. The recent meeting of the Synod of Indiana was characterized by a remarkable revival of pious feeling in the hearts of minis I came here the first of November, ters. Much time was spent in prayer, con fession and mutual admonition and encou-regions had merged from a state of enragement. One of the number writes as fol- tire barbarism. When I first came to lows: this country, all beyond Crawfordsville, northward, was entirely a savage counThe subject of declension in our try. Now, and for several years past, churches is taking a very deep hold of it has been the most flourishing part of the hearts of the brethren. We had a Indiana. The same is true of the other most melting season during our prayer states mentioned. Why is it so? Why meeting, which was held every day du- is it that after seventeen years, I can ring the sessions of the Synod. It look north and east of me over a counseemed that we must go hotne with try larger in extent than the state of more of Christ in our hearts than when Connecticut and not find a single Preswe came. Formerly, God blessed my byterian or Congregational minister, labors to a considerable extent; but Old or New School; while at the same lately, he seems to withhold the bless- time, those northern counties are coming, and I fear I have very little unc- paratively well supplied with an ention in my preaching. I say this to you lightened ministry. One answers-and with tears. I feel almost if not quite I have heard it a hundred times repeatashamed to receive the funds of the ed-It is because the inhabitants of church, so little can I see accomplish-southern Indiana have no enterprise, no ed-so much does the word seem to good society, no intelligence. Be it so; fall like water on the ground. But is that a reason why christian people, must preach, and I will try to preach and christian ministers, should, to a Christ, and try to know him, and him great degree, neglect this yet interestcrucified, more and more. O, do praying field? But why is there a want of for me! Although I feel unworthy of your help, yet I know not how I can devote myself to the work without it. A Word to the Patrons of the A. What should we do in this region of desolation without the help of your Society? What untold blessings are bestowed through its medium on poor sinners here! What consolation for you to read Christ's words, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." South Western Indiana. The question has often been asked by eastern people, (who are very apt to find fault with what they find in this country, the state of society, education, &c.,) and the question has arisen in my own mind, Why is it that southern and south-western Indiana is so far behind northern Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, when many parts of this country were settled years before those enterprise and intelligence? The cause is to be found in the facts that attended its settlement. As slavery on the other side of the river became refined and wealthy, the poorer class were forced to cross the Ohio and settle on Congress land, and after struggling through many difficulties, heightened by a want of piety and knowledge, some, perhaps, have paid for their lands, and others migrated farther west or south. A poor class of eastern people, 20 or 25 years ago, came in and struggling through untold difficulties, and not being able to mould western minds easily, have contributed their share likewise to hinder the growth of this country. I can see, however, a great advance in all this region, since I first came here; while one merely passing through, or only making a short stay, as is very common, sees nothing of it. The time will come, however, i have little doubt, though in all probability it will be after my poor tenement shall have been worn out and laid aside, that this country shall receive a greater share of ministerial labor; when it shall not be said by one after seventeen years labor, that he stands as on the corner of Connecticut, or of a larger field, with not a single one in all the region of similar belief or feelings. |