contribute, with the divine blessing, to the same god-like and worthy object. This you can do, not only by your liberal contributions in the form of money, but also in prayer, in holy sympathy, in groans of the Holy Spirit's origination, and intercession, too big, too pregnant with holy desire for utterance.

And while you have every reason, from the sacred scriptures, to believe that these shall not be without their salutary and appropriate effect upon them, and the glorious cause in which they are engaged, they shall, at the same time, exert the most beneficial influence upon yourselves. If there is one truth more evident than others, it is perhaps this: that man was designed for active pursuit. And how inexpressibly important is it that his efforts should be directed to useful objects? And how much more important still, that they should be made subservient to his own chief good, and that of others? While you are engaged, however humbly, in this work, it will almost inevitably exert some beneficial influence upon your own personal religious character.

While in your correspondence, you are in the habit of hearing of the origination, progress and prosperity of the work of God abroad, and especially among the heathen tribes of the common family of man, in behalf of whom you had contributed your humble mite, and sent up your prayers before the throne of grace, it will naturally lead you to self-examination, to repentance, and increasing efforts for advancement in your own spiritual cause.

Nor is this at all unaccountable; since to do good, and to get good, are but correlative parts of the same essential principle in piety.

Here we might very fitly summon your attention to the words of one who was deeply acquainted with the moral slumber of Christendom upon the subject of evangelizing the heathen. His words are, 66 It is an awful fact, that the spirit of missions has to christianize the church, before the church can christianize the world. If this be the fact with regard to the Christian churches generally, I would ask, is it at all surprizing that we find circulating in some of the popular papers of the day, sentiments as erroneous in doctrines and principle, as they are obviously dark and corrupt in the moral features which distinguish them?Whether their authors aré nominal Christians or actual infidels, it is but too apparent, that the love of this present world has so blinded their eyes as to induce them to feel more solicitude for the preservation of a few dollars in our own country, even if it be to afford profuse enjoyment to the individuals who may have monopolized them; than to suffer them to go out of its borders, to carry the gospel to those who are ready to perish. What if these writers have urged with some plausibility a preference for the heathen of North-America, without seeming to know, or being willing to acknowledge, the exertions which have been made, and are now successfully making, for their conversion; as well

as the cheering prospects which sweeten the labours of those who are engaged in this benevolent enterprize. And, what if they have hit upon some pertinent remarks with respect to the proper security of money contributed for such purposes; still it is evident to every well-informed Christian, that the spirit and impetus of the whole, was, if not designed, at least, well calculated to serve the general cause of error. It is pretty evident that these gentlemen have very poor ideas, to say the least, of the genius and ultimate destination of the gospel dispensation. They appear to afford a fresh and lively illustration of these words of the holy apostle, "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Indeed, after all their profession of respect for piety, their sentiments afford strong reasons to suspect, that some of them, are disciples of a school with which the gospel knows not to fraternize. But their sophistry will scarcely elude the rectified moral judgment of any true believer. Do but contrast their sentiments and the spirit which their productions breathe, with the following words of a worthy Missionary who has spent many years in India. When writing to a friend he exclaims; "Ah! my dear doctor, I can never convey to your mind that awful feeling of Christian solitude-that overwhelming loneliness which I have sometimes experienced when standing fifteen thousand miles from a Christian land, among forty or fifty thousand mad idolators, hearing their shouts and seeing their phrensy-How pierc ing the thought! that this was an exhibition of the mental and spiritual condition; this the brutal worship, and this, the preparation for eternity, of five hundred millions of the human race! Oh! under these impressions, the Christian church becomes almost invisible, and the work to be accomplished appears so prodigious, that nothing but the recollection of the promises; of Calvary; and of Pentecost, preserves the mind from absolute despair.'

. With this evangelical servant of Jesus Christ, let us, in our humble sphere, my brethren, be content to participate in the toils, while we hope to share in the triumphs of that cause, which while it is shedding a moral lustre over our guilty globe, is advancing onwards to the accomplishment of its glorious designs in establishing the universal triumph of the Redeemer's sceptre.

From Penn's Maxims.

The want of due consideration is the cause of all the unhappiness man brings upon himself. For his second thoughts rarely agree with the first; which pass not without a considerable retrenchment or correction. And yet that sensible warning is, too frequently, not precaution enough for his future conduct.

Well may we say, "Our infelicity is of ourselves;" since there is nothing we do, that we should not do, but we know it, and yet do it.

REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN NEW-BEDFORD AND FAIRMAVEN.

Communicated by the Rev. S. Sias.

In these towns are Bedford, Fairhaven, and Accushnett villages. The two former being at the harbour, and connected by a bridge, are united in the NewBedford station. The latter at the head of Accushnett river, about four miles from Bedford, is the seat of Fairhaven station. As each of these stations includes a part of both towns, they are blended together in this account of the gracious out-pouring of God's Spirit.

The spiritual children of God had for some time deeply lamented the low state of religion in these towns; and many were ready to say in the language of the Psalmist, "Who will shew us any good?" Experience had taught us, that "our help was in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth," and that by him only could "Jacob arise." Our hearts were turned unto him, "to seek by prayer and supplication;" and our daily cry was, "Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us," and "turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south." While, like Elijah, we were bowing ourselves before the Lord in prayer that the heavens might be opened, and a rain of righteousness descend, a servant of the church, who was watching "the signs of the times," fancied he saw a cloud of mercy gathering, which, guided by Divine Providence, he was persuaded would soon overshadow the place, and give "an abundance of rain ;" and while discoursing on the subject of prayer, in the ecstacy of his soul, he announced to the congregation the approach of better days. In the month of August, some few appeared to be awakened to a sense of their condition, and one obtained a lively hope of his acceptance with God. Soon after, prayermeetings were established after the evening preaching, with a design of leading the church into the spirit of travail, and of preparing the way for inquiring souls But it was not till the latter part of November that the work assumed any visible appearance; when, in our lovefeast, several rose for prayers. It is also worthy of remark, that at the Freewill Baptist meeting, the same week, a goodly number rose for prayers also; so that we may safely say the work broke out in both congregations nearly at the same time, without any particular communication from one to the other. From this time the work began to take deep root, and soon became general through Bedford village, insomuch that Baptists, Methodists and Congregationalists all became sharers in the heavenly blessing. By each of these denominations, meetings were now held about every evening in the week; and frequently morning and afternoon meetings were held for prayer and inquiry, in addition to those of the evening. The reformation excited a general attention, and the several houses of worship were often full to overflowing. We soon adopted the method of calling mourners to the altar for prayer, which was often crowded with souls inquiring what they should do to be saved; and there many "found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth," who to them was a Saviour indeed. Although many were opposed to this method, and often spake against it, yet we have good reason for believing it was a powerful means in the hands of God of bringing many souls into the enjoyment of his redeeming love. The writer has seen such displays of Divine grace at the altar, while prayer was ascending to heaven in behalf of weeping penitents, that had he been an infidel before, he must have been convinced now. In Fairhaven village also, a few souls were witnesses of the work of grace. About the last of December the society at Accushnett village, entered into solemn covenant to pray for a revival of religion in that place. It was not long before they saw symptoms of a reformation, notwithstanding the society at the time was in a low and tried state. Mercy seemed to favour them at this time; and as the spark which had fallen among them was just beginning to smoke, the celebrated Mr. Maffitt, whose gift is remarkable for such occasions, came to the place, and spent a day or two with them, being then on his way to New-Bedford. Seeing the prospect of a good harvest, he soon returned there again, and in a short time, the half-smothered fire was blown into a flame. He continued to divide his labours between these two villages for several weeks, where he was

peculiarly instrumental of helping forward the work already begun, and prepared for his entering in. "And herein is that saying true, one soweth, and another reapeth-other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." The work `at Accushnett village, (considering the number of its inhabitants,) was far more powerful than at Bedford. The altar was usually crowded, and frequently from five to ten would obtain comfort in an evening; and on one occasion thirteen were brought into liberty in one meeting, of which the writer was an eyewitness. It was truly affecting to see the hoary head and sprightly youth both mingling their tears at the same altar, and making mercy their plea together; from whence also they rose to glorify God for his redeeming grace imparted to their immortal souls. Here neighbours were harmoniously joining in songs of praise with one accord-brothers and sisters relating the marvellous works of God-husbands and wives giving him glory for what he had done for them-parents and children relating the wonders of Divine goodness together-and even grand-parents themselves rejoicing over their posterity in the third generation, now becoming subjects of the kingdom of heaven. Indeed, had good old Simeon been there, it must have reminded him of the day when he first beheld "the Lord's Christ," and prayed that he might then "depart in peace, according to his word," having "seen his salvation."

It is impossible to tell the exact number of converts among the different denominations in both towns. But according to the best estimate, we may safely compute the whole number at upwards of three hundred souls. The work still continues in the Fairhaven station, but has mostly subsided at New-Bedford. In the former place the work has been almost wholly among the Methodists, but in the latter divided among the different denominations. In both towns about one hundred and twenty-five have been added to the Methodists-between seventy and eighty to the Freewill Baptists-nearly forty to the Congregationalists, and a few to the Calvinistic Baptists. Considering the greatness of the revival, the converts in general give a very satisfactory account of the work of grace on their hearts. I will conclude the account of this extraordinary display of sovereign mercy, in the language of the Apostle, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

New-Bedford, June 1, 1823.

Anniversary of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

On Wednesday, May 21, at 8 o'clock, P. M. this society celebrated its Fourth Anniversary in John-street church, New-York. After singing and prayer, the Report was read, and several addresses delivered tending to shew the importance and utility of Missionary societies, and more especially the encouraging prospects now opening among the aborigines of our country.

The receipts into the Treasury, including the balance in hand at the last anniversary, amounted to $8851 29, and the expenditures during the same period, to $3740 22.

REPORT.

In meeting the Society on this interesting occasion, the board of Managers congratulate their constituents, and the friends and patrons of Missions in general, on the success which has accompanied their exertions the past year. They hail with pleasure the season which assembles the friends of Missionary enterprize, as being a time of mutual comfort, and of reciprocal rejoicing; and more especially when they can, as on the present occasion, review their labours with mingled emotions of gratitude and delight, on account of the prosperity of their benevolent undertakings. To God alone be all the praise. While He guides our course, energy and success will mark our footsteps.

It will be seen by a reference to the Treasurer's Report, that the funds of the Institution have been, during the past year, very considerably augmented, through the multiplication of auxiliaries, and the liberality of individuals. Some of the Annual Conferences have adopted more energetic measures for the combmation of talent and Missionary exertion, and for the concentration of that

spirit of liberality, which more and more pervades the hearts of our people. They are, indeed, becoming more and more awake to the importance of the great objects contemplated by this Society. The remarkable success attending your Missionaries among some of the Indian Tribes, in their awakening and conversion to God, has imparted an increased impulse to the Missionary spirit, and produced a Christian sympathy for them, which, no doubt, will be productive of the most happy results. The Wyandott Mission especially has eventuated in the conversion of several Chiefs, who themselves have commenced preaching and exhorting in their native language; and they are extending their labours among the neighbouring Tribes.

To excite a more general interest in favour of this cause, the board, at the commencement of this year, resolved on printing quarterly Missionary Notices, to detail the most extraordinary fruits of Missionary labour. These have been distributed gratuitously, and have, it is humbly hoped, produced the desired effect. In addition to this and other means used to excite a lively interest in the cause, monthly Missionary prayer-meetings have been established in this city, at which times communications from your Missionaries have been read, and collections taken up to aid the funds of the Society. It is hoped that this practice will be imitated by the auxiliaries, as far as their circumstances will admit.

There are now nineteen Missionaries employed, most of them under the patronage of this Society. These occupy the following stations. 1. The Rev. Alexander Tally includes within his Missionary field, Pensacola, Mobile, Blakely, and the adjoining country. What success has attended this Mission, your board has not been able to learn, having received no communications from the Missionary. 2 The Rev. Jesse Walker, was appointed to labour last year in St. Louis, in the state of Missouri; and, by a letter from the Rev. Alexander M'Allister, after encountering a variety of difficulties, it appears that this faithful man of God, succeeded in raising a Society of about one hundred members, and of erecting a house of worship, thirty-five by twenty-five feet. In consequence of this success, the people of St. Louis have manifested an ability and a willingness to support a preacher, independently of the Missionary Society. 3. The Rev. William Slevenson is appointed to travel in the Arkansas Territory. 4. The Tennessee Conference has established a Mission among the Cherokee Indians, which has a very promising commencement. At their request, the Mission was established, and the Rev. Andrew J. Crawford is appointed to the charge of it. Some of the Indians have made a public profession of religion, and are members of the visible Church.

5. The Rev. James B. Finley and Charles Elliot, have charge of the Wyandott Mission. The accounts respecting this Mission and the School connected with it, are highly gratifying, and afford most encouraging anticipations of the ingathering of the American beathen into the fold of Christ. From the commencement of this Mission the Lord has remarkably acknowledged it by pouring out His Spirit upon the natives, and by enabling them to give satisfactory evidence of their sound conversion to God. There are now one hundred and fifty-four members of the Church, who manifest great zeal in the cause of Christ, and a willing subjection to the ordinances of the Gospel. The School, consisting of about sixty scholars, is in a flourishing state, and is under the government of the Missionary, and four of the Indian Chiefs. This regulation will doubtless have a salutary effect, by enlisting the influence of the chief men of their own nation to produce order and regularity. Twelve of the children have made a public profession of religion, and have joined the Church. These facts shew the utility of combining school instruction with all our Missionary establishments among the Indians.

6. The Rev. Isaac Smith and Daniel G. M'Daniel, are appointed to the charge, under the superintendence of the Rev. William Capers, of the Mission and School at Asbury and M'Kendree, among the Creek Indians. Considerable difficulties have arisen in the way of preaching the Gospel, to the natives of this nation, which, it is hoped, time and patient perseverance may overcome. They have succeeded, however, in erecting a School house, and have commenced teaching the children, who appear to learn well, and the school is in a flourishing condition.

7. The South-Carolina Conference employs, the present year, in addition to those among the Creeks, five Missionaries; namely, one at Monroe, one at Yellow River, one at Gwinnet, one at St. Augustine, and one at Chatahooche. These