Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

place of two days continuance : Within the period, five sermons were preached, many prayers made, and a number of exhortations given. About three thousand were supposed to be present, and the exercises were atattended with great solemnity, and evident manifestations of the divine presence. The scene closed with the administration of the Lord's supper, to, as was supposed, about eight hundred communicants. And while these, many if not all, rejoiced and magnified the Lord, many others beholding the things which were done smote their breasts and returned."

66

This meeting, we trust, the Lord is causing to operate, as a mean of reviving his work amongst us at this time. And we trust that numbers from adjacent towns, returned with wounded spirits and pricked in their hearts.

The truths which have been most frequently attended to, and most evidently succeeded by the blessing of God, in this revival have been the divine holiness and sovereignty, the grace of the gospel and the sinner's total depravity and dependence. And those who have obtained a hope, that they were the subjects of divine grace, have almost without exception, appeared fully, understandingly and cordially, to assent, to all those humbling doctrines of the Bible.

I shall conclude this narrative with some general information of the state of religion in the western district of this state.In Bennington and Rutland counties, within little more than a year past, the spirit has been wonderfully poured out upon a number of towns, and about a

[ocr errors]

con

thousand have been added to the different branches of the gregational Church of Christ.— Bennington, Sandgate, Rupert, Dorset, Tinmouth, Rutland, Branden, Pittsford, Benson and Orwell, have shared the most largely in this shower of divine grace. Not less than fifty have been added to the Church in each of these towns. And in several of them, there have been added to the Church more than a hundred. Most of the other towns, in those counties, have shared in some degree, and as the work appears still progressing, we hope the Lord has reserved a time of speedy and wonderful refreshing for them all. In the county of Addison, several towns have likewise been favored with some droppings from the same cloud. In Bridport, Addison and Weybridge, there have been considerable additions to the Church the winter past. In Chittenden, the most northern county in the district, there are very hopeful appearances. Within the year

past there have also been settled in this district seven congregational ministers, and none have died or died or been dismissed. A number of Churches have also been formed, and there is a prospect of the speedy organization of a considerable number more. In Hebron, a town adjoining this, in the state of New-York, there has been a great awakening the winter past, and the work now appears spreading around them. No minister was ever settled with them, nor church formed, and the gospel but seldom preached. But the Lord has been pleased to pass over to their help, and to work amongst them for his great name's sake. Soon after the

work began, they engaged a candidate, the Rev. James Davis, whose labours have apparently been crowned with great suc

cess.

The first Ser

the year 1796.
mon for its benefit, was preach-
ed in St. Andrew's Church,
Edinburgh, by the late vene-

A church is now organi-rable Dr. Erskine, one of the

zed there, consisting, I think, of more than fifty members, and the Lord is yet adding to them, as it were, daily.

Should not the friends of Zion rejoice and be strong in the Lord. From the east and from the west, from the north and from the south, are heard 66 songs, even glory to the righteous." The voice of the Bridegroom is heard in our land.

The foolish and the wise are

hief promoters of the institution, when .145 1 6 sterling were collected. Liberal collections and contributions were made by Christians of various denominations, in different parts of the country; and by the end of the year, the funds of the Society amounted to a sum that warranted the Directors to think of attempting a mission to the Heathen. From the Commencement of the Society, they had

awakening from their long slum-invited such persons as were in

bers together. When the ene-
my came in like a flood, then
did the Lord lift up a standard
against them.
Let saints re-

Let Zion

joice in their king.
arise and shine, for her light is
come. The Lord is gathering
in his elect from the four cor-
ners of the earth. And have
we not reason to believe, the
great battle of God Almighty
will speedily succeed this exten-
sive and wonderful effusion of
the Holy Spirit, that of late has
appeared in our land and other
parts of the world. Woe to
the inhabitants of the earth, that
shall survive this day of the pow-
erful manifestations of divine
grace, and be found amongst the
incorrigible number, whom the
Lord will destroy with the
brightness of his coming!
I am your's, &c.

JOHN B. PRESTON.
Rupert, (Vt.) July 7, 1804.

[blocks in formation]

clined to devote themselves to missionary work, to come forward, and offer their services. Various candidates appeared.They were examined with the most scrupulous attention; and those who were found qualified were accepted by the Society, and educated for their work, under the direction of a Committee appointed for that purpose.

The first attempt of the Soeiety was on the western coast of Africa, to which they sent two Missionaries about the end of the year 1797. The proceedings of these Missionaries, and of those who were afterwards sent to the South-sea Islands, and to Jamaica, it is unnecessary to detail here, as they have already been presented to the public in the Reports annexed to the Sermons which were preached before the Society, and printed at their desire. Suffice it therefore to say, that the present state of the Society will appear from the Report of the Directors that was read to the General Meeting of the Society,

at their last anniversary; and Besides these meetings, Mr. as this Report has not appeared Reid began in April last, a dayin any periodical publication, we school, for instructing children presume it will not be unaccep-in reading, writing, and the prin table to our readers.

REPORT of the DIRECTORS of the

EDINBURGH MISSIONART SoCIETY, to the General Meeting of the Members of that So ciety, held at Edinburgh, the 30th day of March, 1802.

A

LTHOUGH nothing very remarkable has occurred in the transactions of the Society during the preceding year, the Directors think it their duty to embrace the opportunity which this anniversary affords them, of giving to the friends of the institution, a short statement of their proceedings.

They are happy in being able to inform them, that amidst all the sickness and mortality which have prevailed in Kingston, Jamaica, their Missionary there, Mr. Ebenezer Reid, has been mercifully preserved; and, by the last accounts, was labouring not only with much diligence, but with some appearance of success, among the numerous Heathen in that place. The meetings which he had opened for their instruction were well attended, particularly that on the Sabbath evenings; and there is reason to hope, that some of these poor neglected people have, through the blessing of God, experienced a saving change. Several white people, also, attend regularly and devoutly on these evenings; some of whom have acknowledged, that their design in going there at first, was only to ridicule and disturb the exercise.

ciples of religion. At first, few attended; but at the date of his last letter, the number had considerably increased. The Directors have the best reason to be satisfied as to the general propriety of his conduct. It has been repeatedly certified to them from a very respectable quarter, and for the satisfaction of those who are particularly interested in this mission, it may not be improper to quote what a worthy gentleman in Kingston says of him, in a letter to his corres. pondent in Edinburgh: "Mr. Reid is a truly pious man, and has much at heart the prosperity of the gospel. I believe he is doing good among the poor people here. His manners are so inoffensive, and speak so much love, that he is esteemed by all who are acquainted with him; and I have a hope, that he will also do good among some of the people here from Scotland, as many of them attend his meetings." But although the Directors have good reason to be satisfied with Mr. Reid, yet it must be evident, that in such a place as Kingston, the labors of a single catechist must be very limited. It has therefore been their earnest wish, to send out more laborers to that important station, and, in particular, a minister of the gospel. With this view, they published, in conjunction with the Glasgow Missionary Society, an address to the public, on this subject, in which were given the outlines of a plan that was approved of by both Societies, and such reasons urged as

were most likely to influence the minds of Christians; but as yet none have come forward to offer their services. The Directors of both Societies have this object much at heart, and will not fail to exert their best endeavors to promote it.

nation.* During the whole of their voyage, the weather had been remarkably favorable, and they speak much of the goodness of God to them in various respects. In particular, they mention, with lively gratitude, the blessing that has attended their labors, and those of their brethren, both amongst the convicts and the crew; several of whom, they have good reason to think, have been savingly turned to the Lord.

For a considerable time past, the Directors have had under their consideration, a proposal for sending a mission to the borders of the Caspian Sea.-They have been at great pains to procure the best information on the subject; and the result of their inquiries is in favor of the design. After much delib

In the course of last month, they had the pleasure of receiving accounts from Mess. James Elder and William Scott, the two Missionaries who sailed for the South-sea Islands in May, 1800, along with some other Missionaries from the London Society. It was mentioned in the report of last year, that during their passage to Rio Janeiro, an uncommon sickness and mortality prevailed among the convicts that were on board the ship. Several of the Missionaries were taken ill; but all of them, except the Sur-eration, many meetings, and geon, recovered. It appears from their late dispatches, that after they left the coast of Brasil, the fever again broke out in the ship. Several of the Missionaries were seized with it; but all of them mercifully recovered, except one young man from London, of a weakly constitution, who died of it a few days after they landed at Port Jackson, in New South Wales, from which the letters are dated. Mr. Scott had constantly enjoy ed good health since he left Britain: But Mr. Elder, whose medical skill enabled him to be very useful among the sick, and on whom the care of them devolved after the death of the surgeon, caught the infection, and was confined for some days to his bed. At the time of his writing, he was quite recovered, and expected in a few days, to sail for the place of their desti

fervent prayer for the Divine direction, they have at last resolved to attempt a mission to that quarter; at the head of which they propose to send the Rev. Henry Brunton, whose return from Africa was noticed in the last annual report, and whose tried abilities and zeal, entitle him to the confidence of the Society. His health is now reestablished, and preparations are making for his departure. It is expected that he and his companions will be ready to set out in a few week.t

*Since this Report was read to the Society, the Directors have received letters from Otaheite, where their Missionaries arrived safe on the 10th July, 1801.

+ Owing to some circumstances which occasioned the delay of this publication, the Directors have it in their power to mention, that Mr. Branton and his companions set out

The Directors continue to pay all the attention in their power to those young men who are received by the Society, as candidates for Missionaries.They are happy in stating, that those who, at present, are under their care, afford such proofs of piety, talents and assiduity, as encourage the most sanguine hopes of their future usefulness. It is with peculiar satisfaction they have learned, that the translation of the scriptures into the Bengalee, language, to which this Society as a body, and many of its members had individually subscribed, is now far advanced: a large edition of the

the

in the month of April. They sailed from Leith to St. Petersburgh, where, agreeably to their instructions, they communicated their design to Russian government, and obtained not only permission, but encouragement, to prosecute their undertaking. In consequence of letters which they re

ceived from M. Novassi zoff, a nobleman of high character and great influence in the Russian court, they met kindness where ever they came. They arrived at Moscow on the 6th of June, at Serepta on the 7th of July, and at Astrakhan on the 22d of the same month. On the 10th of August they left that city, and proceeded towards the mountains of Caucasus. Having explored the country in different directions, which they were enabled to do in fafety, through the kindness of Gen. Knoring, the Governor-general of these provinces, who ordered a guard to attend them, they at last have fixed on a place where they intend to settle; and where, from various circumstances, the Directors have reason to think they will enjoy very peculiar advantages for propagating the gospel. The Directors are desirous to follow up this remarkable opening of Providence, and propose to send out Mr. Brunton's family, and some additional Missionaries, in the fpring, provided they can obtain the means necessary to enable them to do it.

New Testament has been printed; and a copy of it is at present in the hands of the Directors, which any of the members, who chuse it, may have an opportunity of seeing.

The Directors take this opportunity of returning their hearty thanks to the annual subscribers, and other benefactors of the Society. They acknowledge their obligations to the late pious Miss Fall, who assisted the Society while she lived, and bequeathed to them, at her death, a legacy of one hundred pounds sterling. To the late Mrs. Stevenson, LeithWalk, whose worth was well known, and whose memory will be long and affectionately remembered by many who are now present, the Society are indebted for a legacy of fifty pounds sterling.

Notwithstanding these benefactions, the Directors are sorry to mention, that the funds of the Society still continue to decrease. Although the utmost economy has been studied in the management of its affairs, yet, for some years past, the annual expenditure has very considerably exceeded the receipts.

This lays them under the necessity of earnestly soliciting the assistance of all the friends of religion. They have no wish to amass large funds, or to suffer any of the money with which they are entrusted to remain unoccupied ; but as Missionary attempts among the Heathen are necessarily attended with great expense, their labours must be limited indeed, if they are not liberally furnished with the means of carrying them on. They are very sensible, that the scarcity and dearth

« ZurückWeiter »