them from week to week, and cheerfully send their gifts into the treasury of the Lord. This period in the history of Christ's followers, we believe will at length arrive; and we hope it is not far distant.

But it is in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our churches that we witness the rich displays of divine power and grace. In the report of the last year, we find the following remarks: "The little cloud has arisen on the one hand towards the sea -and on the other, it has been coming from the great river; and since it continues to rise and spread, we are encouraged to look for its enlargement, till it shall cover our horizon, and refresh the whole vineyard of the Lord. We ought now to take down our harps, cease our slothful lamentations, and preparing for the field, go forth with the precious seed, expecting a glorious harvest. It is time to expect the refreshing influences of the Spirit, and to use all diligence, that we may be prepared to receive them." These remarks were made under the encouragement and the incitement to faith in God and to the discharge of duty, afforded by only ten distinct revivals within our whole bounds. In looking at our present history, we perceive that these remarks were not illtimed. The cloud has covered our whole horrizon. The showers of divine mercy have descended, or are now descending, on some of the churches and congregations in every District Association composing this body. In the Caledonia Association, two churches and congregations have been favored in a greater or less degree, with the influences of the divine Spirit; in Deerfield, five; in Haverhill, two; in Holles, six; in Hopkinton, nine; in Monadnock, four; in Orange, seven; in Piscataqua, seven; in Plymouth, five; in Sullivan, three; in Tamworth, five; in Union, seven; making in all no less than 62 churches and congregations that have or are now experiencing the convicting and converting influences of the Spirit of God. And this number seems to be increasing with the lapse of every week. In view of these facts, we are led to exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" O the abounding grace of God to sinners-O the heighth and the depth, the length and the breadth of the unfathomable love of God to sinners.

The revivals within our bounds have not only been numerous, but they have been characterized by their great stillness and power. There has been comparatively little animal excitement. Convictions of sin have deen deep, and the great majority of cases, of short continuance. The subjects of them have been of each sex, and of all ages, from childhood to very advanced life. An unusual number, however, have

been males. Men of learning, wealth, and influence of high standing in society, have apparently become truly pious, and taken a decided stand in favor of religion. The tall cedars of Lebanon, and the sturdy oaks of Bashan have been bowed before the Spirit of God. The infidel has acknowledged the divinity of the Bible, and cherished its spirit; and the determined opposer of religion, and hater of its truths and its friends, has become the lover of Christ, the firm advocate of his cause, and the friend of his people.

In regard to the subjects of the late revivals and of those which are now in progress, we must say generally, that time alone will allow us to judge of the genuineness of their piety. By their fruits we must know them. But so far as we can judge at the present time, though their change has been in many instances a sudden one, their faith seems to be that which works by love, and purifies the heart, and overcomes the world. Wherever differences previously existed, a reconciliation has been sought-they have exercised a forgiving temper, as they hoped to be forgiven. And in some instances where persons had been guilty of fraudulent transactions, they have made restitution-and have generally acted on the determination to owe no man anything, but to love oneanother.

The means employed in promoting these revivals, have been Temperance Societies, Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes, the preaching and ordinances of the Gospel on the Sabbath and at protracted meetings, and at other times during the week. These means have been preceded, attended, and followed by humble, fervent, faithful prayer, and the Holy Spir-. it, the ascension gift of Jesus, has gloriously followed in their train

Our Temperance movements seem to have been instrumental in preparing the way for the coming of the Lord-to have opened a door of access to the truth to many hearts. These movements are still onward. But their progress is comparatively slow. There is occasion for increased exertion in this field of labor on the part of every christian, and every patriot. Every man who loves the Saviour, and loves his country, should lend his example and his influence to enlarge the noble phalanx who abstain entirely from the use of ardent spirits. Let this be done in New Hampshire, and we shall soon have the happiness of saying with our sister State of Connecticut, that a Temperance Society on the principles of total abstinence has been formed in every Town within our limits.

Sabbath School and Biblical instruction, are, as means of grace, receiving increased attention, and their influence is greatly extending among us. Our churches seem to be re

ceiving the impression that children may, in very carly years, become the subjects of God's renewing grace. And God himself, in some of our schools is illustrating the fact, that the lambs of the flock, are the objects of his tender care and Covenant love. In one school, 40 of the scholars have become hopefully pious. In others, we trust, the Saviour has erected many living monuments of his redeeming mercy. And here we trust we shall be excused if we introduce a single fact, out of the many which might be introduced to encourage effort in behalf of Sabbath Schools. A pious female in very humble circumstances, and living in a neighborhood where ignorance and intemperance, and vice of every hue seemed to reign triumphant, concluded to make a humble attemp, with a reliance on God, at the reforming of her neighbor hood. She opened the doors of her cottage on the Sabbath for the instruction of the children of her vicinity. She collected several of them, and prayed with them, and told them of the Saviour of sinners. This she did in language adapted to their capacity-and she saw the tears stealing down their cheeks-tears of penitence. Two of the children have already become, it is believed, the subjects of genuine conversion. Those in the most obscure situations, and in the most unfavorable circumstances, may do good-may be instrumental in the conversion of souls. What christian at this day can say, "I have no influence."

NO. 2.

PASTORAL ADDRESS.

BELOVED BRETHREN,

We, being set for the defence of the gospel, and engaged as the ministers of Christ to promote the glory of God and the good of his kingdom, would address you with our most friendly salutations, earnestly desiring and praying, that you and your children to the latest generation, may enjoy the blessed privilege of inheriting the kingdom of heaven:

To this end may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. And in order to realize this blessedness, remember, Dear Brethren, what is necessary on your part. Remember first of all your dependence on God, your need of the mercy and grace of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you and to keep you in the love of God and in the obedience of faith unto eternal glory. Never let the impression of your own sufficiency have place in your minds a sin

gle moment.

But feel and say we are not sufficient to think any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God. If at any time you are tempted to let go your hold of Christ, and to lean to your own understanding, you will find yourselves in danger without any thing to rest your souls upon. And besides, in such a case as this you will be chargeable with the guilt of neglecting Christ and grieving the Holy Spirit to leave you to despair and ruin. Beware then of the deceitfulness of your own hearts, and flee, as it were, from yourselves, to Christ as the only hope and refuge of your souls. Let your eyes be ever toward the Lord. Let your souls follow hard after God. As the heart panteth after the waterbrook, so let your souls pant after God, the living God.

You are

Another thing to which we would exhort you, is to have a deep concern for the moral and spiritual improvement of the rising generation. Your children are the hope of the church and of the world-such as they are so will the nation be, a nation of enemies, or of friends to God and man. not ignorant of the dangers attendant on the rising generation, nor of the incessant measures to corrupt and to destroy those, who are to fill your places after you are laid in the dust of the earth. You cannot then be indifferent to the character which the rising generation shall sustain, if you wish well to those who shall come after you. Be engaged then, to instil into their minds the principles of truth and righteousness. Command them to keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that it may be well with them, and those who shall come after them.

Another thing we would urge upon you, is to avoid the indulgence of any unlawful pleasures, and to learn to take pleasure in nothing but in doing your duty toward God and man. This will save you much trouble and cost; this will make you always happy. It is a reflection on the Divine goodness to suppose that unlawful indulgence is at all necessary to one's happiness in time or eternity. It is certain that God has united our duty with our interest; and it is equally certain, that we ought to seek pleasure only in doing the will of God. In this way we shall avoid all intemperance, all frivolous amusements, and all expensive and perplexing extravagance, and shall walk in the ways of wisdom, which are pleasantness, and in her paths, which are peace. It is high time for christians to learn this most obvious lesson, that the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. For it is certain, that if men cannot be happy in doing their duty, they must be miserable. Another thing we would urge upon you, is the duty of prayer to God. Pray always with all prayer and supplication in

the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverence and supplication for all saints. The duty of prayer is abundantly inculcated in the holy scriptures; and these are abundant encouragments for us to apply to God, through Christ for every thing we need, both for things temporal and for things spiritual and eternal. The consideration that every good and perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights, and that we need every thing from him, and can have all things freely given us of God whenever we ask for them in faith, should move and urge us to pray to God, through Christ, with all prayer.

And we would particularly urge you, and beseech you, Beloved Brethren, to attend constantly the duty of social prayer, at the monthly concert, in which you will have the concurrence of the people of God in every part of the earth. You know how much our blessed Saviour encourages his disciples to be agreed touching any thing they shall ask of the Father in his name. And here you have the agreement of all the children of God throughout the world. The time foretold by the prophet is evidently drawing near, when It shall come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities, and the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of Hosts. I will go also, yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord." This will be a blessed time; and blessed are they who anticipate this spirit of prayer, which shall be poured out upon the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.-Refuse not then, Beloved Brethren, to coincide with this spirit of grace and supplication for all the people of the earth.

Finally, Dearly Beloved, and longed for in the Lord, we exhort you to come out from the world, and be ye separate from all that is contrary to the kingdom of God. Be ye holy, for I am holy saith the Lord. Touch not, taste not, handle not that which will pollute your souls, and which has been the ruin of thousands and millions of the human race. It is high time that every christian professor should be distinguished from all other people, in purity of heart and life, in humility, patience, prayerfulness, heavenly mindedness, godliness, brotherly-kindness, and charity. Let us then deny ungodliness and worldly lust, and live soberly, righteously and godly, in this evil world, that we may look for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be glory in the church, world without end, Amen.