out the affectation of either. His | elty of its ideas, as with their justeloquence is the lightning's play, ness and importance; and the imor the thunder's roar, which re- pressive manner in which they are gards not the gaze of the dwellers exhibited. on earth. With the eye of a painter and the fancy of a poet, he unites judgment. His fast sermon, in which he points out some of the more general sins of the nation, in order to induce national repen tance and reform, is a good model for such an occasion. While act ing the part of a christian teacher, he disdains to engage in the wranglings of political contention. The grand moral features of the nation occupy his pencil. He dares indeed to notice any immoral ten dencies in the publick acts of rulers. But he does not imagine that the sins of the government are the only national sins; or that it is the part of wisdom, when addressing subjects, to dwell mainly on the failures or the duties of rulers. His work on the Holy Spirit, gives a practical view of the nature and necessity of its operations, and of our obligations to cherish its heavenly influences. In the sermon mentioned at the head of this article, the author obviates an objection sometimes made to christianity, that it does not inculcate patriotism and friendship. He clearly shows that the gospel inculcates principles which involve the exercise of both these virtues, as far as they are consistent with our higher duties and our immortal destinies. The reader will here meet with some of the most valuable thoughts on the nature and advantages of friendship, and especially of christian friendship, which are any where to be found within the same compass. He draws the character of His sentiments are decidedly || that disciple whom Jesus loved, the evangelical, especially as exhibit- evangelist John, with the skill of ed in his later discourses : and a close observer, and the enthuyet he avoids unnecessary subtle-siasm of an admirer. Humility ties and distinctions. It is the more obvious and radical truths of the Bible on which he principally insists; and to the support of which he gives the highest exereise of his powers. In his sermon on Infidelity, he draws its features in all their wild and hideous as pect. He portrays with a master's hand the mischievous principles of the free-thinker, pursuing them through all their intricate wind-quote a few sentences. ings, and exposing their subtle workings to the light of day. and love he regards as the distinguishing features of the beloved disciple, as they evidently were of our blessed Lord. He pronounces the piety of the late Dr. Ryland to be of the same mould and complexion with that which distinguished the evangelist just mentioned; and in this we think, as far as our knowledge extends, he has not misjudged. We will "Humility was, in fact, the most remarkable feature of his character. It was Every christian minister and depicted on his countenance, his manevery theological student will ners, his language; it pervaded almost find himself amply repaid for an every thing he said or did. He might attentive perusal of the sermon scripture, to be "clothed" with it. The most truly be said, in the language of on the Discouragements and Sup-mode in which it operated was at the ut ports of the Christian Ministry: he will find himself elevated to higher regions and breathing a purer atmosphere. Yet we are not so much struck with the novJULY, 1826. most remove from the shallow expedients adopted by those who vainly attempt to secure the praise of that quality, without possessing it. It neither prompted him to depreciate his talents, nor to disclaim his virtues; to speak in debasing terms of 27 himself, nor to exaggerate his imperfec- no disparagement to his undertions and failings. It taught him the rarer art of forgetting himself. His read-standing, to exhibit feeling in reliiness to take the lowest place, could only gion; and to address his fellow on subjects involvbe exceeded by the eagerness of all who creatures knew him to assign him the highest; and ing their eternal destinies, in this was the only competition which the thoughts that breathe and words distinctions of life cost him. His modesthat burn." Deep and tender ty was such, that the praises he was most solicitous to merit, he blushed to receive;|| sensibility is manifest in all his disand never appeared so disconcerted and embarrassed, as when he was necessitated to hear his own commendations." man action. 66 courses. He is distinguished for the strength and clearness of his conOur author's sermons are not ceptions, for the comprehensivetame disquisitions on the beauty of ness of his views, and the vivid virtue and the fitness of things impression he gives of them: he they go to the foundations of bu lays hold of the grand points of man duty, and to the source of hu-his subject; and arrays them beHis object is not to fore us in all the force of arguplease, but to profit; not to de- ment, in all the majesty of truth. light, but to save his hearers. His sermons are adapted by their Without the boast of liberality, clear and masterly delineation of he is candid and charitable. One human character and obligation, to of his best sermons was delivered humble the arrogant and convince at the ordination of an indepen- the skeptical. In fine, it is enough dent minister. Without pretend to say that the author's printed ing to be exclusively rational insermons do not detract from his his religion, all the higher and well known celebrity as a pulpit nobler powers of his nature are orator; a celebrity which has brought into delightful exercise. gained him a place among the first He treads in the path of reason, orators of any age or nation. when he follows the footsteps of the Almighty. Let him but see the impress of Divinity, and he bows in humble reverence, he puts his shoes from off his feet. Without the demureness and cant of the enthusiast, he is devout and earnest. He considers it as A. W. P. S. We are much gratified to learn that the Rev. Robert Hall, has gone to Bristol, to succeed Dr. Ryland as Pastor of the Baptist Church, Broadmead; and that the Rev. Mr. Crisp has succeeded Dr. Ryland as Principal of the Bristol Academy. MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS. The anniversary of this Society was held on Wednesday, May 31, 1826, in the Second Baptist meeting-house in Boston. It may be stated with truth, that the services were unusually interesting. In the addresses which were delivered, the speakers were happy in exciting deep commiseration for the new settlers and feeble Churches in different portions of our land. Many in the assembly were frequently affected, even to tears. Their countenances seemed to say, "We will go home and do more for the diffusion of the gospel amongst our own countrymen than ever we have done." We think that our readers will read with feelings of high gratification the following REPORT. THIS Society was formed twen- and the success which has followty-four years ago. We cannoted them, without feeling, that we review the history of its operations have great reason to thank God and take courage. ence always added to the interest and pleasure of this anniversary, has within the last year been removed from us. At midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh." And he, who for years had been unanimously and deservedly placed the highest among us, heard his Lord say unto him, Come thou up higher. But the men who assisted in its organization, had seen with their own eyes the deplorable condition To expatiate on the services which of many towns and villages, and our late respected President renhad travelled through large tracts dered to this Society, is we think of country, where the people had unnecessary. They are known no settled minister, and only at to us all; and too deeply recorddistant intervals received any re-ed in our hearts to be soon forgotligious instruction. They there- ten. The first year after its fore originated and supported this formation he was a Trustee: the Society, under a most thorough four succeeding years he was its conviction of its necessity and Secretary, and afterwards he was importance. They were not dis- always appointed the presiding couraged in the day of small Officer. For many years he was things, but persevered, until by the sole Editor of the Magazine the influence of their persuasion published under the auspices of and example, they had the happi- this Society, and which has done ness of contributing greatly to its more to increase its funds and prosperity, and of knowing that it was well established in the affections and confidence of the denomination to whom it had looked for support. promote a missionary spirit than any other means which have been employed. The loss which the Trustees have sustained by his lamented death cannot by them be expressed. He was not only a wise man and endued with knowledge, but shewed, out of a good conversation, his works with so much meekness of wisdom, that the blessed influence of his example, gave, for many years, a kind and harmonious character to the_proceedings of the Board. Their prayer is, that the spirit of BALDWIN, which was that of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, may be perpetuated among them. In glancing at the rise and progress of this Society, there is one Inquiry which naturally suggests itselt to our minds; "Your Fath-he ers, where are they? and the Prophets, do they live forever" Of the persons who constituted the first Board, only two are among your present Trustees. A majority of them have entered, as we trust, into the joy of their Lord. SMITH and STILLMAN were permitted little more, than to see the Society commencing its operations under their fostering care, before they were summoned from the labours of earth to the rest of heaven. Having paid this tribute of respect to the memory of one, whose name, while this Society shall exist, can never be otherwise than dear to its members, we shall now lay before you the proceedings of the Board for the One venerated individual, who from the first, was a Trustee of this body, and the only President it has ever had, whom we all de-past year. lighted to honor, and whose pres Rev. David James has been ap pointed a Missionary for three months in the Province of New Brunswick. Although he has not fulfilled the duties of his last appointment, yet, in giving an account of a previous mission, he states some particulars, which, it is believed, will be interesting to the Society. On that tour, he visited a place called Cardigan settlement, in which he found about thirty Welsh families. They were extremely poor, but many of them were truly pious. Having preached to them repeatedly, Mr. James prevailed on such as gave evidence of piety to hold a general conference, at which, twenty persons came forward and agreed to walk together as a Church of Christ. The following Sabbath he administered to them the Lord's Supper. Christians, says he, were refreshed, and sinners seemed to tremble under the word of the Lord." tion of their souls. The Trustees are not without hope that they shall continue to receive gratifying intelligence from this devoted servant of Christ. Vermont. Rev. John Spalding has been employed three months by this Society. Morristown, Johnson, Waterville, Jericho, Essex, Westford, Franklin, Sheldon, Swanton, and several other towns, have been favoured with his ministrations. In six towns he was so far successful as to establish 12 Mite Societies, auxiliary to the Burman Mission. He has also promoted the establishment of Sabbath Schools in several towns, and his preaching, it is hoped, has not been without good effect. Rhode Island. There is reason to believe, that an appointment given to Rev. Samuel West to labour 6 months From Cardigan, he travelled to in a section of this State has been Miramichi River. He preached attended with good. In a letter at several settlements in the vi- dated from Richmond, he recinity of the river, and went from marks-"I commenced preaching house to house exhorting the peo-statedly in this town and vicinity ple to flee from the wrath to come. in February last. At which time, He remarks, a number seemed there were but very few attended to be affected by the preaching of publick worship. The church was the word of God." After an ab- || broken sence of some weeks, he returned to Cardigan settlement, where having spent sometime and preached almost every day, he had the high satisfaction of baptizing 8 persons who gave evidence of a work of grace on their hearts. Sometime after this, he again visited them, and remained nearly two months; when, says he, "the Lord glorified his grace in a wonderful manner. Seventeen more have been added to the church, of such, I hope, as shall be saved." Since he finished his first missionary appointment, he has understood that several persons on the Miramichi river were seriously concerned for the salva down and scattered. Meetings were discontinued. However, a few of the best families in the vicinity expressed a strong desire that publick worship should be resumed. But that which gave me the greatest encouragement was a few pious praying females, who through a long scene of wasting and darkness, still kept up regular prayer meetings amongst themselves. I thought surely God has not wholly forsaken the place, since some of his children have hearts to pray. The assembly has been, and still is, gradually increasing. meet on the Lord's day morning an hour before publick worship to pray for a revival of religion. We The devotional exercises have been interesting, and we begin to be a little encouraged." New York. When I consider the blessings which the Great Head of the Church has bestowed on my poor, imperfect labours, I can say, Hitherto hath the Lord helped me. And when I remember the Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, I feel that we all have reason to say, Blessed be the Lord God who hath put such an heart in our brethren to help us in our necessities." The situation of many towns in this great and increasingly populous State, has occupied the serious attention of your Board. They have not only sent Missionaries to preach among the destitute, but have granted pecuniary aid to several feeble Churches. The Society it is believed will be gratified indered an account of six months' hearing what have been some of the fruits of their charity. Rev. Jonathan Blake has ren service in New-York under the direction of this Society. The Rev. Asa Averil who has receiv- principal field of his labours was ed a Mission for the term of three in Cataraugus county, and he months, and who has for several seems to have been blessed in his years been occasionally employed work. The people were anxious in the service of this Board, has to hear the gospel. He found a given us the following information. number of pious persons who were Owing to the weak and defence- desirous of being formed into a less state of the Churches in Church. Arrangements were acWoodville and Richland, and in a-cordingly made; and, assisted by greement with instructions received from you, I thought it my duty to pay some attention to them; and particularly to the Church in the latter place. My hopes were not disappointed. The Lord poured out his spirit, and there were added to the Baptist Church in Richland, 15 persons; and some, who we hope have experienced ligion, have not yet united themselves with any Church. an aged and venerable minister of the name of Vining, an investigation took place concerning their christian character and principles. The result being satisfactory, they were acknowledged as a regular Church of Christ. Before they left the place one man came forward, related his experience, and re-offered himself as a candidate for baptism. Mr. Blake stayed over the Sabbath, and administered The Church in Woodville has baptism and the Lord's supper to until lately been in a very weak them. "It was, says he, a pleasstate. About a year ago, the Lording opportunity. It was the first was pleased to call up the atten- time that either of the ordinances tion of the Church and people, and had been administered in this wilthe happy result has been that 21 derness. Three years ago it was persons have been added to the a waste howling desert. And to see Church by baptism. A Society the Lord's Table spread, and hear has been formed, agreeably to the the expressions of gratitude to God statute of this State, for such for his great goodness, from the cases provided. A meeting-house, lips of these dear disciples, would 60 by 40 feet has been projected; have well rewarded the Society for and a good portion of the shares the expense of sending the gospel are taken up. The meeting-house to them. with the exclusive jurisdiction of it, and all its appurtenances, are guaranteed forever to the Baptist Church and Society in this place. From thence, I visited Cold Spring, where I found a female who was waiting for some one to baptize her. Here this holy ordi |