Richards. His first sermon to boured much, to establish his the people with whom he after-people in the firm belief of the wards settled, was from John iii. doctrines of the gospel. Feel3. Verily, verily, I say unto thee,ing a deep sense of the imporexcept a man be born again, he tance of religion, he zealously cannot see the kingdom of God. strove to impress their minds with the weight and reality of eternal things. A crucified Sa

theme of his public instruction, and the cross of Christ was his

He was ordained, by Consociation, pastor of the third church in Guilford, Dec. 31, 1766. Inviour was the foundation and the work of the ministry he continued until his death, April 23, 1808, being then in the se-confidence and joy. To please ventieth year of his age, and forty second of his ministry.

God, and not men, in the manner of discharging his public duties, seemed evidently to be his great desire. In his preaching and conversation, a tender concern for the glory of God, and an affectionate regard for the flock of the Redeemer, were a

the number of true believers, and to animate those who believed on the name of Christ in the divine life, he was willing to spend and be spent. Few minis

In Nov. 1767, he was connected in marriage with Miss Sarah Robinson, by whom he had eleven children, eight of whom are still living. It pleased an holy and sovereign God, in the course of his providence,bundantly manifest. To increase to visit him with repeated and sore trials. In Sept. 1795, Dr. Lyman, his son in law, while on a visit at his house, sickened and died, at the age of twenty seven. In April 1799, he was called toters manifest a greater love for the affecting scene of parting souls, or have their conversation with his consort, who, after a more becoming the gospel, more long and tedious illness, endu-seasoned with salt, more edifyred with Christian patience and ing to saints or admonitory to resignation, departed this life, in sinners. He made no ostentathe fiftieth year of her age. Try-tious display of his goodness, ing dispensations appeared ever but its reality could not be doubtto be accompanied with a gra- ed, by those who had opportucious influence upon his heart.nities of intercourse with him. They made him humble, prayerful, and watchful. Of the divine government he entertained just and scriptural views, and to the divine will be bowed with a Christian temper of mind, saying, Not my will, but thine be done.gathering of souls, and the conIn July 1799, he was again connected in marriage, with Mrs. Anna Bates, of Durham, who survives him.

Although his ministry was blessed with no special showers of grace, yet drops, efficacious and reviving, distilled from time to time, upon the garden of the Lord. There was a gradual in

cerns of the church were managed with much wisdom and order.

It was observed by his people, In his preaching, Mr. 3ray and worthy of remark, that as was plain, practical and evangel-his race was almost run, he beical. Sound in the faith, he la- came more zealous, affectionate

and powerful in his preaching] bers were finished, from which it appears to have been his design, to exhibit, in a plain and concise manner, the evidences of revealed religion, the wiles of satan exerted peculiarly at the present day for the destruction of youth, and the most hopeful methods of resisting these wiles; and the infinite importance of real, experimental religion.Whether he designed this tract for the view of the world or not, it indicates that the rising generation employed much of his thoughts.

and ought to be gratefully acknowledged, that in the last years of his life, there was more vigor and earnestness among Christians, and greater numbers were awakened from carnal security, and gathered into the fold of Christ. When his sun was ready to go down, it pleased a merciful God to gladden his heart with a view of the dawning of that morning, which has since brightened into clear and perfect day; a day in which many souls have been added unto the Lord. As the evidences of a gracious visitation and special attention increased, just before his death, his soul was refreshed and animated, and in anticipation of a glorious harvest among the dear people whom he loved to the end, he rejoiced and gave thanks to God. The very close of his life was marked with anguished a few days and died. As unusual degree of zeal and har- his strength became much exmony among the followers of the hausted, and his state, of course, Lamb, with serious enquiry about critical, beholding his end apdivine things, and great enga-proaching, he set his house in gedness to attend the means of grace.

How joyful, how consoling, to a faithful servant of the Lord, ready to depart, are circumstances like these!

In the welfare and prosperity of his country, as well as of Zion, Mr. Bray felt a deep concern. During the revolutionary war, he served a considerable time as chaplain in the army.

His solicitude for the rising generation is evinced, not only by pathetic addresses to those under his immediate pastoral care, but by a series of letters addressed particularly to the young, which he left in manuscript, but which were not completed. Eight num

It was the will of his divine Master, that he should not outlive his usefulness. He preached the sabbath but one previous to his death, in usual health. In the course of the ensuing week he was seized with a violent cold, which terminated in a fever, under the pressure of which he lan

order, and endeavored to realize the awful scenes before him. He enjoyed the clear exercise of his reason, in the last days of his life, and was blessed with much of the gracious presence of God. Taking by the hand a brother in the ministry, who visited him in his last illness, with humble and fixed confidence, he said, "I am going to my Father's house." His hope rested, not on any faithfulness he had manifested in duty, or good he had done in the world, but solely on the grace of God, through the merits of the Redeemer. On his death-bed he expressed the fullest belief of the truth and excellence of the gospel of salvation, and recommend

ed it most fervently to his family | taken away the chariots and horsemen of Israel.*

and people.

April 23d, 1808, he closed his earthly course, fell asleep in Jesus, and we humbly hope, ascended to the heavenly sanctuary.

On the 25th his funeral was attended by a numerous concourse of afflicted friends, who appeared to feel as if God had

Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his !

*It was a remarkable dispensation of Providence, that Mr. Bray and Mr. Eells, the Clergymen of two adjoining parishes, and classmates in College, were buried the same day;

A Narrative on the Subject of Missions, for the Year 1808; and a Statement of the Funds of the Missionary Society of Connecticut. Published by the Trustees of the Society.

READERS AND BRETHREN,

TH

HE Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut now lay before you their tenth annual Narrative, on the subject of Missions. By inspection of this you will perceive, that the people of God have no cause of discouragement in missionary pursuits. A desirable number of laborers in the gospel vineyard has been found, whom the Lord has rendered able and willing to go forth proclaiming the unsearchable riches of a Saviour's love. By means of their zeal and fidelity, many of your Christian neighbors and brethren, in the new settlements, have been led to rejoice in holy edification and comfort; and some who were foes to God have had their eyes opened on the deadly danger of self-hardening against him-have thrown down the weapons of their hostility, and cordially yielded to the divine government and laws.

No portion of the vast missionary field, in the United States, is supposed to have stronger claims to missionary attention, than the Connecticut Western Reserve, It is calculated, that, upon that tract, there are not far from twelve thousand people; and there has been, before the present year, but one settled minister of the congregational or presbyterian denomination. Its great distance has rendered it impossible for the Trustees to employ as many laborers there as they have wished. But their prospects, in that district, are brightening.

The Rev. Messrs. Abraham Scott and Jonathan Lesslie have wrought in that field, almost the whole, and the Rev. William Wick, a part, of the present season, From Mr. Wick, however, no journals have been received.

Mr. Scott, after describing the variety of characters that compose the population of that country, and stating as an argument of great strength for increased missionary exertions in their

behalf, the awful stupidity of many-the dangerous heresies of others and the open and blasphemous infidelity of a few, has the following remarks:

'Although, on the one hand, there are many things here truly ⚫ distressing, yet, on the other, there are some, that are encouraging. I find, that, even among the worst, there are some, who, at times, are not past feeling. They appear willing to hear what may be said against them. Not only the seriously inclined, but many others, also, profess, and in many respects evi⚫dence, a desire for the gospel.

I have been almost universally received and treated. by all sorts, since I came into this country, with the greatest civility and friendship. There has been an unexpected attention to, and in many places, an apparent solemnity and feeling under, preaching. Inquiries have frequently been made respecting the prospects of other missionaries coming into this country. I trust I need not mention the arrangements, that have been 'made, in almost all the churches here, to have the gospel statedly among them. Many settlements, that are yet unable to sup'port preaching statedly among them, have evinced a desire to have it occasionally, at their own expense.'

6

In another communication he says, There is, in general, here, at least professedly, a desire for the gospel. In many places they have attempted, and appear still willing to do, as much as ⚫ their circumstances will admit, to have it, either statedly or oc⚫casionally. In some places, where they are not, at present, able to support it statedly, they have attempted to obtain occasional supplies, though with little success. In others, where they are able to support it, at least a considerable part of the time, they have attempted it, apparently to very little purpose.'

The extreme difficulty of obtaining suitable preachers has been the uniform cause of their disappointments.

Mr. Scott further observes, Some seem to be brought to prize the gospel and gospel ordinances, by the want of them, more, perhaps, than they ever did before. They appear solicitously to look up to you, as under Christ, the great head of the Church, to sympathize with them, and still continue to do for them in this respect, thankful for what you have done-at the same time not doubting, but you are using your utmost efforts, for their 'spiritual welfare. Missionaries being but few, and the settle'ments numerous, they are almost as sheep without a shep'herd.'

During the present season, to the date of Mr. Scott's last communication, he had preached one hundred and twenty sermons, in New Connecticut, had four times administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper and baptized twenty one.

On the 13th of March, the Rev. Jonathan Lesslie began missionary service in New Connecticut. In his first communication to the secretary, he observes, I visit the schools and find them in tolerably good order, In most of them the Holy Scriptures

are read, a part of the time; and some attention is paid to the shorter catechism, though not so much as I could wish. This perhaps is owing, in some measure, to the want of books.

I state with pleasure, that the people have, without a single exception, received me with tokens of respect, as a preacher of the gospel, but more especially as one sent by your Society. The < attention which is paid to preaching, in every place where I have been, is a very great encouragement to me in my labors. I believe we are not to expect much open opposition from any on the Reserve. The enemies of the religion of Jesus find, that to 'oppose it, destroys their popularity."

There having been no ordained ministers on the Reserve, except the one already mentioned, and he having only a small part of his charge in that district, it was thought peculiarly necessary, that the missionaries there receive authority to administer gospel ordinances. The Board of Trustees, therefore, at their session, last May, passed the following vote:

'Whereas Messrs. Abraham Scott and Jonathan Lesslie are appointed to labor, as missionaries in the territory called New Con'necticut; and whereas it is expedient, in the opinion of this Board, that they should be ordained as Evangelists;

Voted, That the presbytery of Ohio be requested to ordain them, provided, upon examination, they should be found qualifi4 ed for the work of the ministry.'

Under date of July 20th, Mr. Lesslie observes,' The Presbytery • met, June 28th. Mr. Scott and myself were present. Your request was considered, and the Presbytery unanimously agreed to take us on trial for ordination. They adjourned, to meet on July 12th, when we completed our trials, and were ordained. The Rev. Andrew Gwin preached the ordination sermon, from 2 Tim. ii. 3. The Rev. John Mc Millan D. D. delivered the • Charge.'

In letters dated July 24th, Mr. Lesslie again writes, Great attention is in many places paid to preaching. Individuals in some • places are awakened, and enquiring for salvation. Some few are lying at the threshold of sovereign mercy, and two or three • have given recent evidence of having obtained a hope of salvation, through Jesus Christ. This appears to be a seed time, but we want the rain. The husbandman may cultivate his ground, and sow good seed; but if God withhold the showers he cannot enjoy the harvest. Thus, unless the influences of the Holy Spirit attend the means of grace, sinners cannot be saved. From this consideration, I hope our prayers will continually ascend, united with those of our Eastern brethren in the Lord, to the throne of grace, in behalf of this Western wilderness.'

I have still the happiness to inform you, that although • since I entered on my mission, I have lodged in 130 different families, yet I have been uniformly received with tokens of respect, as a minister of the gospel; and especially as one sent by 4 your benevolent society."