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others, perhaps with a little col- reproach of the grossest offences ouring, till the whole neighbour-will not be wiped off from a church,

hood is filled with scandal. Difficulties thus take their rise, and increase by gradual accessions, till the church is divided into parties, and rent with animosities and mutual jealousies, and made a taunt, and a reproach, and a proverb, in the mouths of its enemies. Is this a picture of fancy? Have we no sad examples of it in real life? And is it not the natural result of that state of coldness and stupidity into which a church sinks down, after a revival season? And what church can promise itself an exemption from such a result, when it has once begun to backslide? If any have not yet reached such a point in their downward course, I venture to say, that if they have grieved away the Holy Spirit, and Tost the lively exercise of the Christian graces, they are rapidly verging towards it. No earthly No earthly power can arrest their progress, unless they will awake, and repent, and turn to God. Nothing but a revival of religion in the church can prevent its being thus torn in pieces.

even by the excision of an offend er, while there is any room for that act to be ascribed to improper motives. Hence all attempts to maintain the discipline of the church, in such circumstances, usually fail of success. And churches which have made the experiment, usually become discouraged, and suffer offences to pass without notice. Let me not be thought to advocate the neglect of discipline in the churches. Its neglect is exceedingly criminal, and highly offensive to God. church can prosper without discipline. It must be maintained. And in order to maintain it, the church must awake from their slumbers, and be alive to the honour of God and the welfare of souls.

No

3. Let them consider how necessary is a revival in the church, to prepare them to maintain the ordinances of the gospel. On the church it depends whether the ordinances of the gospel shall be maintained.-It is not to be expected that others should feel 2. Let them consider how nec- much solicitude on the subject. essary is a revival in the church, When the church are indifferent, to prepare them to maintain the it is to be expected that others discipline of the gospel. What will be so. Or if the church has been said under the last par- are indifferent, and the mainteticular, will throw light upon this. nance of religious institutions is In such a state of things as is committed to other hands, it is there described, cases of discipline scarcely to be expected that they are multiplied, while the power will be maintained in their purity. and the disposition to attend themMen of the world do not love the are greatly diminished. How can gospel of Christ. Let the maindiscipline be maintained, when tenance of religious institutions the church is divided into parties? be committed to their hands, and How can the discipline of the gos- they will very soon be corrupted. pel be administered, without the The church usually make up but a spirit of meekness and brotherly small part of the population in any love? How can an offender be place. Their influence depends brought to the exercise of a proper very much on their union, and temper, without the exercise of a their consistency of character.proper temper towards him? The Let their influence be diminished

by disunion, let it be weakened by a depression of the Christian character, and let their disposition to exert what there is be enfeebled by the decay of religion in their hearts, and what efficiency will they exert for the maintenance of gospel ordinances? In view of these things, it is easy to account for the fact, that the support of the gospel so often fails, and that so many churches are destitute.When we look at their numbers and their wealth, we see no reason why they are not supplied; but when we look into their internal state, and ascertain the feelings of their hearts, we see reasons enough to account for it. Let such a church experience a revival of religion, let them be united in their views and feelings, and let them feel the importance of gospel institutions, and the support of them will be easy

Let religion be in lively exercise in a church, let all its members maintain a consistent character, and they exert a mighty influence. But let them lose their Christian character, and put out their light, and the effect is most disastrous. Then the enemy comes in like a flood. Then iniquity abounds. Then evil men and seducers wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Such has been the influence of a revival, and such the influence of a subsequent declension, in every instance, to a greater or less degree. Is it most desirable, that vice and immorality should be restrained, and the good order and happiness of society promoted? Then it is of great importance that there should be a revival of religion. to increase the strength and efficiency of the church, and to add to their num bers and their influence.

5. Let them consider how necessary is a revival, in order to perpetuate the existence of the church, and prevent its becoming extinct. Is there nothing painful in the thought, that the church to which we belong shall cease to be? Can we look back upon all the privileges we have enjoyed in it. and all the sweets of Christian intercourse-Can we call to mind the prayers we have mingled together before the throne of grace, and the delights of Christian communion at the table of our common LordCan we remember when we have taken sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company. And can we look forward to the time when these privileges shall here be enjoyed no more, and these precious seasons be no more known-Can we anticipate the time when this commun

4. Let them consider how necessary is a revival in the church, to increase its efficiency in promoting the order and happiness of society. It is to the influence of the gospel we are indebted for all the blessings of civilized life. Where this is felt, good order, and good morals, and intellectual improvement prevail, accompanied by all the charities of social life. Where this is wanting, there vice, and immorality, and ignorance, and superstition, reign; and the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty." And in proportion as the influence of the gospel is felt in any place, in the same proportion is vice restrained, and the good order and happiness of society promoted A single consistent Christian is like a light placed upon an eminence, which shoots its beams far into the surrounding darkness. The wick-ion table shall be removed, and ed see it, and are abashed. Like those ferocious beasts which prowl in darkness, they fear to approach. I this vine which the Lord's right

this sanctuary of God shut upCan we contemplate the time when

hand hath planted. and which | ciated, when first we knew the

Lord-how many of their places are now vacant. We shall go to them, but they will not return to

us.

And let a few more years pass away without a revival, and none arise to build the walls of this Zion, and the place that once knew her shall know her no more forever. Do our hearts respond, Oh that this church might live! Oh that it might arise and shine!

he has often watered with the dews of heaven, and which we have seen so fair and flourishing, shall droop and die, and this beautiful herit tage of God lie waste-Can we anticipate all this without emotion? But let no revival of religion take place, and how long will it be, before all this is realized ? What inroads has death made upon the church already!--Our fathers, where are they? and the pil-Let us awake, then, before it is lars of the church, have they not too late. fallen? The companions of our youth, those with whom we asso- |

A FRIEND TO REVIVALS.
Utica Christ. Repos,

Religious Intelligence.

GREAT INCREASE OF ROMAN CATH

OLICS.

containing 2000, and yet insufficient for the accommodation of new According to returns laid be- converts to Popery; 3000 Roman fore Parliament, about thirty five | Catholic children were confirmed in years ago, the then number of Ro- | 1813,in Liverpool, Manchester and mon Catholics was 69,376; but, Preston; the Roman Catholic chapaccording to the statements of cer- els in Lancashire and parts of the tain Roman Catholic writers, the adjacant counties are nearly as number of souls belonging to their numerous as the Protestant churchcommunion amounted, about six es. Jesuits officiate in all of them; or seven years ago, to 500,000. the Jesuits of Stonyhurst are lords In the year 1781, there were of that manor, of which they reonly three Roman Catholic schools serve, for the use of their estabof any note in England; but at lishment, 1000 acres; they invapresent upwards of fifty; most of riably dispossess their unconverthe Roman Catholic chapels, the tible Protestant tenants, as soon number of which is actually no as their terms expire, and substiless than nine hundred, were built tute Roman Catholics in their within the last thirty-five years; places; they find means to restrain in the collegiate establishment at many Protestant booksellers from Stonyhurst, there are accommoda- selling any books against Popery, tions for 500 pupils, besides pro- while there is a Popish bookseller fessors, managers and domestics. | in a large town, whose shop is Before the arrival of the Jesuits, abundantly supplied with publicathere were not more than ten or a tions hostile to the cause of Protdozen Roman Catholics in the im- estantism; their ablest orators regmediate neighbourhood of Stony-ularly preach against the doctrines hurst, but now several thousands; within a few years, there have been erected near that place two spacious chapels, each capable of

of the Reformation and the Established Church; they frequently despatch agents to Ireland, and appear to be deeply interested in

the religious and political concerns, attended. God is pouring out kis of that distracted country.

Col. Mag.

AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.

This Society has been in operation ten years. During this time, it has published 4,217,500 Tracts. Its receipts have been, from donations, $12,467,54, and for Tracts sold, $22,366 06. It is estimated, that about one third of the amount received by donations, has been delivered to donors in Tracts at cost. Hence, the amount of charity, which has been suffered to remain at the disposal of the Society, is about $8500. With this sum, in ten years, 4,217,500 Tracts have been printed; that is, each dollar, devoted to the objects of the Society, has already been, on an average, the means of printing about 500 Tracts. But, the value of the Tracts, now contained in all the Society's Depositories, is more than $8500.Hence, every dollar given, has not only been the means of printing 500 tracts; but remains somewhat increased, to print the same number, in an equal space of time, or about once in five years, so long as the Society shall continue its operations. Perhaps an equal sum of money was never more advantageously appropriated. See "Proceedings of the First Ten Years" of the American Tract Society.'

REVIVAL IN LOCKPORT, N. Y.

We have been favoured with the perusal of letters from Lockport, Niagara county, N. Y. which give information of a powerful revival of religion recently commenced in that place. In the first, dated December 13, the writer says, "I have just returned from one of the most interesting meetings I ever

Spirit on this wicked place. O it is a solemn time indeed! It would do your heart good to witness the engagedness of Christians." Another letter, dated Sabbath evening, December 19, says

66

This day has been peculiarly interesting. The meeting-house was crowded with hearers, so that many could not obtain seats.— Have we not reason to think it the work of God, when the Universalist, the Deist, and those who have denied the divinity of our Savour, come out from the world, and profess to be on the Lord's side?" Bos. Tel.

DESTITUTE CHURCHES.

From the minutes taken at the Vermont Convention of Ministers, September 17, 1824, it appears, that in Windham county there are no less than 13 Congre gational and Presbyterian Churches destitute of Pastors-Pennington county, 6-Windsor, 15Caledonia, 7-Chittenden 4,-Essex, 1-Rutland, 4-Orange, 4Addison, 11-Washington, 11— Orleans, 13-Franklin, 6-Grand Isle, 1.

Of

Total destitute CHURCHEs, of one denomination, in the State of Vermont, 96. The whole number of settled Ministers of the same denomination is but 77. course more than half the churches are destitute of a regular ministration of the word. How many towns there are which have neither Congregational Ministers nor churches, we are not informed. The facts above stated, however, are sufficient to convince every friend to religion and morality, that even in New-England "there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed," and still more to be cultivated and improved.

OBITUARY.

Died Jan. 17, 1825, Rev. DAVID SELDas, pastor of the church in Chatham, Con. He preached, as usual, on the Sabbath, and died on the Tuesday following. He had been pastor of the church in Middle Haddam, Chatham, nearly 45 years; and was beloved by his church and people. by his brethren in the ministry, and by all who knew him. Communicated.

In Mobile on the 30th of November last, Dr. Alva CARPENTER, Son of Dea. Elihu Carpenter, of Seekook, Mass. in the 27th year of his age. Nature had endowed him with a generous, humane and active mind. He was a graduate of Brown University, in 18.8, and turned his attention to the study of medicine. Ill health induced him to seek a climate more copgenial to his constitution. He visited the Southern States in search of knowledge, as well as health. In the first, success attended him; of this his practice so long as bis health remained, is the best evidence. Under a lingering Sickness, he suffered mush, but he suffered patiently; he was afflicted, but not deserted, nor left unpitied. He was not insensible to the first virtue in human nature, gratitude. He fell among strangers; but was with those, whose charity, kindness and urbanity, spring gently and rarely as the drops of a liv ing spring.

Gazette.

Died Feb. 4th, 1825, Rev. JOSEPHUS WHEATON, pastor of the church in Holliston, Mass. aged about 40 years.

The biography of Mr. Wheaton, would be very interesting and instruct. ive. It would serve to show, what native talent, accompanied with industry and virtuous habits, may achieve, amidst formidable difficulties and discourage ments; and, at the same time, striking. ly illustrate the declaration of David, that "verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity."

Mr. Wheaton was son of Joseph Wheaton, Esq. of Rehoboth. In his early youth, he was distinguished by sobriety and good manners He was remarkably free from those follies and vices, to which the young are so prone.He early discovered signs of superiour mental abilities: but the means of cultivating them he had to obtain, in a great measure, by his own industry and exertions. With the avails of a trade, which he had acquired principally by his own ingenuity, he defrayed most of the ex

pense of his education. In college, he was distinguished as one of the best scholars of his class. He received the honours of Brown University, in September, 1812. At this period, his mind was much exercised on the subject of religion. For years before, he had, at intervals, been subject to serious impressions, occasioned, it is presumed, by the example and instructions of a pious mother. At the time of his admission to college, he indulged a hope, that he had experienced a change of heart.— This hope, however, he soon relinquished; having found in himself "a disposition opposed to the gospel." He experienced an increasing conviction of the truth of the peculiar doctrines of the gospel, during his collegiate course; but it was not till nearly the close of it, that he ventured to hope, that his heart had become reconciled to the truth.The indulgence of such a hope, determined his mind, in the choice of a profession. Though (as he wrote, in the relation of his experience) I had previously designed to study physick, and had actually attended lectures, prepar atory thereto; I thought it my duty to engage in that profession, in which I might be most useful. I, indeed, feared that I was not prepared for the important office of a minister of the gospel; but I thought it would afford me consolation, even if I should finally be exclud. ed from the presence of the Almighty, that I had been made an instrument in his hand, in rescuing others from a sim. ilar fate." On leaving college, he pur sued the study of Divinity a few weeks, when he received and accepted an invitation to take the charge of an Academy in Providence, R. I. for the term of one year. But, before this term expired, he was appointed Tutor in the University, and entered on the duties of that office in 1813. These duties he discharged in an able and satisfactory manner, for more than two years. In this time, besides reviewing the classicks and attending to his pupils, he continued the study of Divinity, and received regular license to preach the gospel. On resigning his office, in September, 1815, he received a very unanimous call from the church and people in Holliston, to become their pastor and teacher, and was solemnly ordained as such, on the 6th of December following. Here he pursued his studies with uncommon assiduity, and performed the various duties of the ministeria?

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