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RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

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A Narrative of the State of Religion, within the bounds of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and of the General Association of Connecticut, of New Hampshire, of Massachusetts, and of the General Convention of Vermont, during the year 1813.

THE cause of Zion lies near the heart of every sincere follower of the Redeemer. He deserves not the name of a disciple, who cannot join the Psalmist in saying, if I forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning; if I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. In the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom, the honor of God, and the everlasting welfare of the souls of men are involved. That benevolence which distinguishes our religion, incessantly utters the prayer, thy kingdom come; and when the news reach the truly religious man from any quarter of the earth, that the interests of the truth as it isin Jesus, are advanced, and that the followers of the Redeemer are multiplied, he experiences a joy, similar in kind, to that which swells the bosoms of the angels of light, when sinners are brought to repentance. To those who are most tenderly concerned for the prosperity of Zion, and who are waiting, and praying, and striving, for the peace of Jerusalem, we have the happiness to state that though we find many things within our bounds to deplore, yet, on the whole, we have abundant cause to thank God and take courage. Amidst much coldness, and declension, and iniquity, we discern evident tokens, that God has not forgotten to be gracious. In some places within our bounds, during the past year, the spirit has descended like a gentle dew, and in others, in copious showers, making the parched he heath as a fruit

ful field.

VOL. V. NO. 7.

The state of religion among a people, may be judged of with tolerable correctness, From that attention which the ordinances of religion and the means of grace receive, and from those exertions and those sacrifices, which are made, to extend the Redeemer's kingdom. By their fruits ye shall know them, is a rule of judging, prescribed by the Saviour himself. We view it then as an evidence that God, by the precious influences of his Spirit, is in the midst of our churches, when we hear that there is, within our bounds, a respectful and general attendance on the preached gospel; that children and the youth, and in some places the aged, are instructed by catechism, in the great truthsand duties of religion; that missionary and bible, and religious tract societies exist, are numerous and extensively patronized, and are successfully exerting themselves, in spreading a knowledge of divine truth; that young men of hopeful piety, and promising talents, are taken from those occupations, to which their poverty had confined them, and are educated for more extensive usefulness in the church, as gospel ministers; that associations of young people are formed, for the laudable purpose, of sending the gospel to those, who enjoy not its stated ministrations; that the heathen in distant lands are remembered with tender solicitude, and contributions are cheerfully and liberally made, to send the gospel to them; that praying societies are extensively instituted, and devoutly attended, and a hope is thus warranted, that the windows of Heaven will be opened, and the richest blessings descend on this guilty world.

The number of churches within our bounds, has, during the last year, considerably increased; and destitute congregations, through the faithfulness of our ministers in their neighborhood, have been extensively supplied with the administration

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of the gospel ordinances. We hope that those, who have been thus favored will not forget the solemn obligation which they are under to establish as speedily as possible, the gospel ministry permanently among themselves. We state with pleasure, that great harmony prevails in our churches, and people appear to be walking together, in the charity, and faith, and order of the gospel. Infidelity and other ruinous errors conscious of deformity, seem to court concealment; while truth goes forth in her native loveliness, and meets with extensive approbation.

But we have still more encouraging things than these to make known. In a number of places within our bounds, during the last year, there have been extensive revivals of religion. Scenes resembling those of Pentecost, have been witnessed, in which solemnity has pervaded a people, sinners have been brought to inquire with solicitude, and with trembling, what they must do to be saved, and have at length been brought to rejoice in that glorious liberty wherewith Christ makes free. Fresh evidence has been afforded of the reality of the religion of Jesus, and of the power and grace of God. We have seen the Ethiopian change his skin, and the leopard his spots, and have been forced to exclaim, in view of such miracles of mercy, this truly is the finger of God. The Prebyteries, in which such revivals have principally taken place, are Jersey, Hudson, Onondaga and Albany ; and the places which have been most extensively visited, are Homer, Newark, Elizabethtown and Connecticut Farms.

been often made a mean, by the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, of bringing them into his fold. A strong incitement has thus been afforded to parental and ministerial fidelity, and the pleasing hope is. excited, that a generation shall rise up to praise God, when their fathers shall have fallen asleep We have also seen, in the events of, the past year, viewed in connection with their circumstances, fresh, and impressive evidence, that God is a prayer hearing God, and that it is generally in answer to the earnest supplications of his people, that he appears in his glory to build up Zion.

But while we thus rejoice in the divine goodness, we have reason, also to deprecate the divine displeasure. In too many places, within our bounds, a lukewarmness and a neglect of religious ordinances prevail, and the vices of profane swearing, drunkenness and sabbath breaking, exist, to an alarming degree. In other places, things temporal, trifling in their nature and) momentary in their duration, engross the chief attention, to the neg lect of those things, of whose importance and duration, we cannot at present, adequately conceive.While the prince of darkness is thus striving to maintain an unhallowed dominion over the souls of men, let those who are clothed with the Christian armour labor, under the direction of the great Captain of their salvation, to deliver them from this cruel bondage, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. We learn that an awful mortality has prevailed, in many places within our bounds and within the bounds of those sister churches, with which we are connectcompelled to add, that this dreadful vistation of the Almighty, does not seem to have been extensively a

In many places also, where noed; and we are sorry to be

special revivals have existed, the cause of religion presents a pleasing aspect; and the church looks green and flourishing, under the gentle | mean of producing repentance and

dews of divine grace, distilling upon it. Numbers are from time to time, added to the Lord, of such, we trust, as shall be saved. The religious instruction of children has been blessed, and that watchful care, which has been exercised over these lambs of the flock, has

reformation. A sleep like that of death, must have surely fallen upon those, who can thus stand unmoved in their impenitency, while the arrows of death are flying thick around them.

From the General Association of Connecticut we learn, that though.

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In Yale College, appearances in a religious point of view are in a high degree hopeful. Many of the youth of that seminary, are anxiouslyinquiring what they must do to be saved. The souls of all mankind are equally precious, but we cannot but feel, that it is a subject of uncommon rejoicing, when by reviving religion in our most respectable seminaries of learning, God is preparing for an increased number of able and faithful ministers of the gospel

Missionary, and bible, and religious tract societies, are liberally supported, and the people of this state have extensively contributed to the missions of the east. They are also with their brethren in Massachusetts, making great exertions to arrest the progress of intemper ance, that angel of darkness and of death, who with a giant step, has passed through our land, and slain his thousands, and tens of thousands, and who is still continuing his awful work of destruction.

From the General Association of Massachusetts Proper, we have received encouraging intelligence.Religion there not only maintains its ground, but gains new conquests. The cause of error, to say the least, is stationary; while the cause of truth and righteousness, is steadily advancing. In some parts of that State, pleasing revivals of religion have taken place. A great, and general, and promising effort is making, to suppress intemperance, and its kindred vices. In no other part of our country, has such liberality been manifested, in founding and supporting benevolent religious institutions, having for their object the education of young men for the

gospel ministry, without expense to themselves; the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures in our own language, and the preaching of the gospel, in destitute parts of our own country; the translation of the scriptures into the languages of the east, and the diffusion of the light of divine truth among those, who are sitting in the region and shadow of death. When Christians in other sections of our country, are informed, that the inhabitants of Massachusetts have contributed, during the six years last past, for the above purposes, a sum probably not less than half a million of dollars, will they not be provoked to go and do likewise?

From the General Assembly of New Hampshire we learn, that though many of their towns are destitute of churches, and of the regular administration of gospel institutions, and there vice lamentably prevails, yet where religious ordinances are established, they are not enjoyed in vain. Ministers are faithful and zealous, in inculcating truth, and in opposing error; and are laboring to strengthen the hands, and encourage the hearts of each other, in their great and good work, rk, and the Churches, walking in the faith and order of the gospel, are edified and increased. The serious people of this state, are continuing their efforts with their brethren in Massachusetts and Connecticut, to suppress the growing evil of intemperance.

From the General Convention of Vermont, we learn, that religion is, on the whole, progressive among them; that some new churches have, during the past year, been formed; and that numbers of those which have, in time past, been destitute of the stated ordinances of religion, have settled gospel ministers among them. Benevolent institutions, for the promotion of the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, are increasing in number, and are respectably supported. The ministers and churches are happily united, in the faith and order of the gospel. Revivals of religion have existed in several places, and in Middlebury College, an unusual

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degree of seriousness has prevail-umphs of the cross; and in the ex

ed.

On the whole the Assembly think that religion has lost nothing, but on the contrary has gained much during the past year; and we would record the fact to the honor of Him, whose is the kingdom, the power, and the glory.

We exult in this consideration, though the nations of the earth are convulsed, and our own beloved country is at length involved in the wide spread flame of war; and is solemnly called to humble itself before a Righteous and Holy God, while it feels the infliction of one of his sorest judgments. But recollecting notwithstanding, that it was long since the divine prediction, that Jerusalem should be built in troublous times, and observing that in our day, amidst all the falls and revolutions of empire which have afflicted and changed the face of the world, that greater efforts have been made to extend the Redeemer's kingdom, and with greater success, than for many centuries before; we even derive encouragement from circumstances and events, which, viewed in themselves, seemed hostile to Zion, but which in the hand of her Almighty King, and to demonstrate that her cause is his own, are overruled for her prosperity and triumph,

ertions which are now making, and which have recently been made, and in the success which has crowned them, we think we perceive the dawning of that day, when the great Sun of Righteousness shall arise on all the world, with healing under his wings.

But the prince of darkness will not be dispossessed of his dominion without a struggle. It is to be expected that before millennial glory

shall irradiate the earth he will

muster his hosts unto battle, and that he will dispute for his territory at every step, with the champions of the cross. The circumstances of the church and of the world demand great sacrifices from Christians, and afford every encouragement to make them.

Let all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and who are awaiting for the consolation of Israel, being strong in their Lord alone, rise in the majesty of their strength, and resolve, and let their piety, their prayers, and their exertions, testify to the sincerity of their resolution, that for Zion's sake they will not hold their peace, and for Jerusalem's sake they will not rest, until the righteousness thereof shall go forth as brightness, and thesalvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. By order of the

The prospect of victory animates the soldier to daring exploits; and Attest, surely a heroic fortitude becomes every soldier of the cross, when the assurance is given in the word

of God, and when this assurance is confirmed by the dispensation of Divine Providence, that his labor shall not be in vain in the Lord. The events of the past year admonish and encourage us to be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

General Assembly,

JACOB J. JANEWAY,
Stated Clerk.

Philadelphia, May, 1813.

A Letter from Mr. Samuel J. Mills, Jr.to the Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecti

cut.

Last summer, Messrs. Samuel J. Mills, Jr. and John T. Schermerhorn, candidates for the ministry, from the Theological College at Andover, commenced a tour through the western and south western parts of the United States, to learn the situation of the people with regard to religion, and to perform missionary labor as they should have op

Glorious things are spoken of Zion, the city of our God. Her boundaries must be enlarged, until they shall embrace the whole family of man. And we behold in the events which are now taking place, comfortable evidence, that the night is far spent, and that the day is at hand. A noble spirit animates the protestant world, to spread the tri-portunity. The following account

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of their travels, from Marietta to New-Orleans, is contained in a letter from Mr. Mills to the Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut.

"I LEFT Marietta the 24th of October, 1812, and proceeded down

bath) preached at Belprie, a NewEngland settlement. Thence proceeded through Galliopolis to Chilicothe, where I arrived November 2d, preaching occasionally on the way, and distributing the Constitution of the Ohio Bible Society. The prospect was favorable, as it respects the increase of the funds of the Society; at least as much so as could be expected. On the 7th came to Springfield, on the head waters of the Little Miami. Here I tarried two or three days, detained on account of the rain, and waiting for Mr. Schermerhorn, who left Marietta the same day that I did. He went up the Muskingum, and came on by Zanesville and Franklinton to Springfield, where he arrived the 10th. We proceeded on our way to Dayton, and put up with Dr. Welch, the Presbyterian minister residing in that place. From Dayton, I came on to Lebanon, near the Little Miami, and thence to Cincinnati. Brother Schermerhorn went down the Big Miami by Franklin to Cincinnati, at which place we both arrived the 17th of November.

state, New Connecticut excepted, twenty four. These ministers have one church at least under their care, some have two or three. There are three Congregational ministers in this part of the state,Mr. Potter, residing near Steubenville, has no charge; Mr. Robbins Washington county; and Mr. Harris in county.

"South of New Connecticut, few Bibles or religious tracts have been received for distribution among the inhabitants. The Sabbath is greatly profaned; and but few good people can be found in any one place. There are, however, a number of Societies which are wishing to obtain ministers for settlement for a part of the time at least, more commonly for six months in the year. The New Light Societies have been numerous in the western part of the state; but are at present fast declining. They had lately, in their connection, 7 ordained preachers, and 6 licentiates. The Baptists are somewhat numerous in certain parts of the state. But the Methodists, according to their own calculation, are far the most numerous religious denomination, in the state of Ohio, south of New-Connecticut, which is, in my opinion, far the most desirable part of the state; certainly as respects the moral and religious habits of the people living there. They are far advanced above any portion of country of equal extent and population, west of the mountains. The Shakers have a village 25 miles in a northern direc

" I shall at this time only mention the number of Presbyterian ministers, in the state of Ohio, south ❘tion from Cincinnati. They reckon

and west of New Connecticut. By recurring to the census of 1810, you may form some idea of the religious state of this part of our western country. I shall name those counties that have one or more Presbyterian ministers, residing within their limits. Those not named are destitute. Columbiana county, one; Jefferson, four; Belmont, one; Athens, one; Delaware, two; Fairfield, one; Licking, one; Muskingum, one; Pickaway, two; Ross, two; Knox, one; Washington, one; Montgomery, one; Warren, one; Highland, one; Hamilton, two; Butler, one; in the whole

their number at about 400. I believe they are not increasing at the present time.

"From Cincinnati Mr. Schermerhorn and myself came down the river Ohio to Laurenceburgh in the Indiana territory. Left that place the 24th of Nov. crossed the Ohio into Kentuckey, and came down the river about 50 miles; then again crossed over into Indiana, and came down some miles on that side of the river; then crossed back into Kentuckey, and continued our course within 30 miles of the falls of the Ohio, preaching occasionally. We found the inhabitants in a very des

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