Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

They are to continue their work, Mr. Lyman ten, Mr: Chapin twelve weeks. No communications have been received from the last named gentlemen. Those in New-York had been on missionary ground a few days; on the 16th of June, one of them writes, "The people so far have given us a very welcome reception, and are very obliging and attentive to the preaching of the gospel." From those in the District of Maine more information has been received, both pleasing and interesting.

The new settlements present to us a diversity of conditions. Some of them, become able to support Christian institutions, are no longer dependent on the charity of missionary societies; but others lately commenced have but here and there a lonely family in the wilderness to excite the commiseration of the friends of souls. And many, that contain a considerable number of inhabitants, are no less needy; for, collected from different parts, of dissimilar habits, and of several denominations, as well as in many of them too insensible of the importance of religion willingly to give their money to purchase its privileges, they are in no favourable situation to supply themselves with the means of grace and salvation. The few among them who love the worship of God are weak; illiterate and unqualified teachers are at hand, who offer their services for little or no reward; characters proper to be employed are not readily found; to discriminate between them and dangerous pretenders, is not always easy, where impositions by immoral and erroneous men are too frequent. Under such circumstances the new settlements look to missionary societies for help. And it is believed help of real importance has been given. People, who, having gone from preaching and ordinances, were in danger of becoming heedless of both the duties and the hopes of Christianity, have been awakened to attention. An occasional sermon or a pious tract, impressed by the thought, that unknown and distant christian friends were concerned for their souls, has aroused their sleeping mind and excited it to activity. A gracious God, hearing the prayers

which have accompanied the exertions of the pious and charitable, has blessed them with different degrees of success in various places.

Family religion is of consequence worship is attended in places where it encouraged and increased, public established, and the settlement of was not before observed, churches are ministers promoted. The morals of many individuals are reformed, and charity requires us to believe that not a few souls, that were perishing in unbelief, are recovered to the way of joy to those whose alms and laof life, and will be an eternal crown bours of love have promoted their salvation. Rev. Nathaniel Dutton in appears that missions have been the his journal observes, "It evidently means of great good in this country. I have conversed with several who dated their conviction and conversion under such missionaries."

These are not unimportant fruits of missionary exertions. The Saviour of the world preached several years, and wrought many miracles to make but a small number of disciples. To regenerate men, is a difficult and interesting work, and however successful the Holy Ghost will his love and zeal teach us, to view no render it in the day of Christ's power, labour lost, nor any expense useless, which God makes a mean of saving, if it be only a few or even one soul, for whom the Saviour paid the price of his blood. But,

tion of men in the new settlements, To promote religion and the salvais not the only inducement to liberal. ity to the missionary cause, Donations to the Lord brought with a piglory. Give freely to him, and arous heart increase longings to see his dent will be your love and effectually the Holy Ghost. While reaching out fervent your prayers for the grace of your hand with the tender of the gospel to remote objects of charity, what will not be your earnest solicitude for souls that are near? With what trembling concern will you look upon your neighbours, upon your children, and on yourselves, that you With what godly fervour will you then receive not the grace of God in vain? fusions of God's Spirit, where means address the throne of grace for the ef

are stadedly enjoyed, as well as where they are only occasionally used? God delights to hear prayer, the sincerity of which is witnessed by liberal sacrifices on his altar. In some blessed instances, while people were giving their substance to send the gospel to their destitute brethren, they have been awakened to a religious attention to their own souls. They sowed their carnal things and reaped spiritual things. The bread which they cast upon the waters, to feed people that were perishing for lack of knowledge, has been returned to themselves in the bread of life.

In ministering to the destitute in the new settlements, the perishing heathen are not forgotten, though little as yet has been done to carry them the words of eternal life. A covenant of friendship has been entered into with the Stockbridge Indians, as the opening of a door to their more western brethren. And fifty dollars have been appropriated, to be used as soon as opportunity offers. The committee are making inquiries and waiting for the providence of God to order circumstances favourably to employ a 'missionary or school master with a prospect of success.

Since the last annual meeting, $1329 91 have been expended, $981 58 1-2 have been paid to missionaries; $299 37 for books, including the printing of the last Report, and the binding of 160 vols. and $41 95 1-2 for other expenses.

344 bound volumes and 831 pamphIcts have been sent out for distribution.

To replace the monies taken from the treasury $1511 30 have been received; of which $850 47 1-2 were contributed by towns and parishes in the county, besides $193 10 1-2 giv. en by the Charitable Female Associations, 69 48 were contributed in the new settlements, 879 are donations of individuals out of the county, $119 were presented by the charitable Female Association of Whitestown, New-York, $41 20 were collected at the last annual meeting by public contribution; $187 30 were obtained by books, &c.

A more detailed statement and the audit of the Treasurer's accounts are contained in the Appendix; which show the promising state of our funds.

The Charitable Female Associations in the county have furnished for several years most of the funds for a large supply of books for distribution, $172 44 1-2 contributed by them remain in the treasury for future use. When Christ dwelt in flesh to preach to men, pious women accompanied him in his journeys; "who ministered to him of their substance." Many of this sex are now his friends, and are ready by both their offerings and their prayers to aid his kingdom. They evidence their love to him by kind acts to his redeemed, and zeal to serve his cause, as well as by attendance on his worship.

It was the character of Christ, that "he went about doing good." To do good is the character of his disciples. It is the way for them to benefit their generation and secure a blissful immortality. The faith, which works by love, and produces imitation of Christ, is to everlasting life.

Alms and prayers united are efficacious. Offered in the name of Jesus for the advancement of his cause, they are acceptable to God, and promotive of the salvation of men. With how delicious a pleasure the pious female who gives her cent a week to the treasury of her dearest Lord, contemplates its extensive effects in spreading the knowledge of his name, as the Saviour of a perishing world? And with what devout satisfaction, will not godly husbands and fathers behold the piety of their wives and daughters in their liberality to Christ and prayerfulness for the prosperity of his kingdom? Strangers, that read the account of their deeds, have benevolent emotions excited in their own hearts. Many are stirred up to imitate what they approve. The sacred flame communicates from breast to breast. It is grateful to view the extensive spread of the missionary spirit, in a few years, through the Christian world, and its effects in Europe, in Asia, in Africa, and in America. The translation of the inspired scriptures into the languages of the east, in which hopeful progress has been made, the extensive dispersion of Bibles by Bible Societies in Europe, and the employment of missionaries to preach the gospel in many dark parts of the earth, as well as in the intant

plantations of our land, evidence the power of God in awakening the zeal of Christians in his cause, and encourage the hope that he will soon do great things for Zion.

It is an interesting age. The gates of hell are moved. The devil and wicked men are engaged. False philosophy and violence combine to delude and destroy. Terrible wars are wasting large portions of the earth. God is shaking the nations and punishing their sins.

All are called upon to exhibit a decided character. And who will not appear on the Lord's side? Not to perish with the wicked, we must be active in defending and promoting his kingdom. How great, or how long continued, will be the calamities of the nations, we cannot predict; but we can with assurance say, God will preserve his church, the Lord Jesus will save every one that believes in him. Let sincerity and zeal in serving him be our hope of safety. To be happy on earth and eternally blessed in heaven, let our wisdom be that which is from above, and our actions those of faith and charity. And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. "He that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

The Trustees request the several religious congregations belonging to the society, that they have a public contribution for the benefit of the society's funds, on the day of the annual thanksgiving, or, if it be thought more convenient, on a Lord's day near that time.

The Trustees also recommend it to the society to pass the following Resolves :

Resolved, that in future years, the annual meeting of the society shall be holden at 10 o'clock of the day ap pointed by the constitution.

Resolved, that in future the auditing Committees be directed yearly to examine the accounts of the Committee of Trustees.

CALEB STRONG.

By order of the Trustees,

APPENDIX NO. 1.

An account of monies expended by the
Hampshire Missionary Society, from
Aug. 28, 1806, to August 27, 1807.
Rev. John Dutton* for ser-
Balance due to missionaries, viz.

vices, A. D. 1805,
Do. 12 weeks services, 1806,
Do. interest on his account,
Rev. Joseph Blodget,
Rev. Royal Phelps,
Rev. David H. Williston,
Rev. Nathaniel Dutton,

Advanced to Missionaries.
Rev. David H. Williston,
Rev. Alvan Sanderson,
Rev. Royal Phelps,
Mr. Ebenezer Wright,
Rev. Elijah Lyman,
Mr. Walter Chapin,

Total for missionaries,

For the printing, purchase and binding of Books, viz. 400 Annual Report and Ser

mon,

72 Bibles, *

12 New Testaments,

$79 82 96

9 44 100

72

136

136

104

47 32

53

50

50 48

981 58

32 75

51

12 Watt Psalms & Hymns,} 5

18 Burder's Vil.Sermons, 3 vol. 36 19 Lathrop's Sermons, printed 1806,

25 50

56

9 12 30

28 Panoplists, Vol. I, bound, 24 Vincent's Catechism, 600 Trumbull on Prayer, 200 Bonar on genuine religion, 14 100 Short Sermons,

Binding 30 Vols. 1. Con.
Evan. Magazine,

Binding 130 Vols. of relig
ious tracts,

Other Expenses, viz. Paid Rev. J. Sargeant as our agent, expenses of making a treaty with the Stockbridge Indians,

Paid Rev. Nathaniel Dutton for his journey and expenses to receive monies for the society at Utica,

Boxes and carriage of books,
Advertising,
Postage of Letters,
Entertaining Committees,
Stationary

4

10

26

299 37

5

15.99

3 25 11 44

87

1 39

41 94

The balance due to Mr. Dutton for 1805, was put into the hand of his agent, and inserted in the last report as paid. But his agent, not having opportunity to convey it to him, returned it with interest, and his account was finally settled the present year.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« ElőzőTovább »