themselves now know, shall be seen, the riches of divine grace will appear still more admirable, in the sight both of men and angels. Also, it will be necessary that the whole heart of God's people be brought into view, to justify them from the aspersions now cast upon them, and to show that they are very different people from the unsanctified. It is no uncommon thing, for the most grievous charges of hypocrisy to be brought against them. Both their profession and conduct are imputed, by the wicked, to the worst motives; and the grace of God in their hearts is denied.These aspersions on the work of the Holy Spirit and on them, I God will confound and wipe away. To do this, the thoughts and feelings of their hearts must be disclosed; and though there will appear in them more sin than is now conceived, still it will be seen, that there is an essential difference of principle between them and the ungodly. God will own, before all creatures, the beginning of his own image in their hearts. Reader, how awful, glorious, and interesting a day that will be! How glorious for the great moral Governor of the universe, when it is seen, that every ap pointment of his providence to every creature is right and wise. By the final sentence pronounced, the eternal perfection of his government will be demonstrated. How awful a day for the wicked, and how blessed an one for the believing! The total depravity of human nature will be no longer denied, nor the need of divine grace, for the salvation of any one, doubted. The evil of sin will appear in all its horrid colors. It will appear that nothing but almighty power and wisdom could have restrained sin in this world; and that to be left under its reigning power is the same as to be left in a state of eternal torment. Every mind will be awed, and every mouth stopped by the greatness of the transaction. O reader, dost thou know such a day is before thee, and canst thou forget it? Art thou ready and willing to have thy heart disclosed, thy motives revealed before an innumerable company of angels and men? Will the darkness and secrecy of this world be any protection to thy hidden sins, when thou standest in the light of divine knowledge? Hast thou ever repented and obeyed? If thou hast not, delay not a moment to make thy peace with God. X. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE, SIR, I was directed by the Gentlemen who were present at the late meeting to organize the Society Auxiliary for Foreign Missions, to | transmit to you an account of the past proceedings respecting the Society, and to request you to publish it in your Magizine. Yours, HENRY A. ROWLAND. Auxiliary Foreign Mission So- shall give notice of the annual meet ciety. ing in the News papers printed at Hartford, at least three weeks before the time of meeting, and special meetings may be called by the 9. Whatever expenses shall arise ciety, shall be defrayed by monies drawn from the Treasury by an order signed by the President, or in his absence, by either of the Vice-Presidents, or in their absence, by the Secretary. HARTFORD, 4th Feb. 1813. The North Association of Hartford County at their session in E-President, or in his absence, by eifield, on the first Tuesday in June, ther of the Vice-Presidents. 1812, judged it expedient that a Society Auxiliary to the Board of Com-in transacting the business of the Somissioners for Foreign Missions be formed, and appointed the Rev. Messrs. Nathan Perkins, D. D. Andrew Yates, Henry A. Rowland, Noah Porter, and Nehemiah Prudden, the Hon. John Treadwell, Esq. the Rev. John Taylor, Samuel Pitkin, Esq. Maj. Martin Ellsworth, and Deacon Jonathan B. Balch, a Committee to form a Constitution for the same, and take such measures as they shall judge expedient to car-reign Missions, except as above exry it into effect. Said Committee cepted. met according to this appointment in Hartford, on the last Tuesday of June past, at the house of the Rev. Nathan Strong, D. D. and formed a CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE 1. The name of this Society shall be the Foreign Mission Society of the North Association in Hartford County and its vicinity. 2 The object of the Society shall be to raise money, to support Foreign Missions, and to aid the translation of the Bible into various languages. 10. The Treasurer, on receiving the annual tax, shall pay the same, and all other monies received by him, to the Treasurer of the American Board of Commissioners for Fo 11. The Auditor shall annually, previous to the annual meeting, examine the accounts of the Treasurer, and a statement thereof shall be made and exhibited to the Society at each annual meeting, and the same being accepted, shall be recorded by the Secretary. 12. If the office of the Secretary or Treasurer shall become vacant during the year, the President, or in case of his absence, the Vice-Presidents shall designate a person to fill the vacancy. 13. No alteration shall be made in this Constitution unless by a vote of 3. Every person, who shall sub-two thirds of the members present scribe the Constitution, and shall en- at an annual meeting, nor unless the gage to pay to the Treasurer of this motion for the alteration shall have Society,annually, a sum not less than been made at least one year previone dollar shall be a member. ous to its adoption. 4. Every person, paying the sum of fifteen dollars, which will be ac- 'The Committee issued a Circular cepted at three equal annual instal-inviting persons who become memments, shall be a member for life. bers of the proposed Society to attend 5. The Officers of the Society a meeting for the purpose of organizshall be a President, Vice-Presi-ing, at the State-House in Hartford, dents, a Secretary, Treasurer, and on the third Wednesday in October Auditor, to be chosen by ballot at last. A number of Gentlemen met the annual meeting. at the time and place specified. After largely conversing on the subject, it was agreed to adjourn to the 4th day of Feb. inst. in order to take further advice of the Association. Previous to which adjournment the association met at Northington, when the question respecting the Auxiliary Foreign Mission Society, a Constitu 6. The Society shall hold its annual meeting on the third Wednesday in October in each year. 7. The first payment shall be made at the first annual meeting to the Treasurer when elected. 8. The Secretary shall record all the proceedings of the Society, and tion of which is formed by a Com-| mittee appointed by that body, was brought forward: Whereupon, Voted that it is expedient, in the present state of things that an Auxiliary Foreign Mission Society be formed. Accordingly a number of Gentlemen met in the City of Hartford, on the day to which the meeting was adjourned, and proceeded to organize the Society; when the following Gentlemen were chosen to fill the offices of the Society: Rev. NATHAN PERKINS, D. D. President. Rev. NEHEMIAH PRUDDEN, PLINY HILLYER, ESQ Vice-Presi dents. the numbers, and, we trust, increase the graces of several of these church es. This work of divine grace has prevailed principaly in the towns of Aurora, Rootstown and Randolph. It has not, however, been wholly confined to these towns. Hudson, Tallmadge, and several other places, have experienced some influences of the divine Spirit. The revival has been most general in Aurora and Rootstown. Through the whole of the last winter, an anxious desire was manifested by many in each of these places to hear the word of God: individuals who had long been habituated to spend their money for that which satisfieth not, now cheerfully contributed for the support of a Sermons were preached gospel. Rev. HENRY A. ROWLAND, Sec-heard with great attention; someretary. ENOCH PERKINS, ESQ. Treas. The Rev. Mr. Prudden was appointed to preach a sermon at the annual meeting of the Society in Oct. next, in Hartford, at 2 o'clock P.M. The following account of a revival of religion in Portage county, Ohio, was forwarded for publication in the Conn. Evan. Mag. by the Rev. John Seward, one of the Missionaries in the service of the Missionary Society of Connecticut. times with tears. Notwithstanding these favorable appearances, vanity and folly prevailed in the town of Aurora, to an alarming degree. The winter evenings were spent in unprofitable visits by many; and the youth were uncommonly engaged in attending scenes of pleasure. Every method seemed to be tried by them to silence the voice of conscience which was then whispering in the ears of many, and destroying their sensual peace. But their efforts were vain. Conscience, awakened by the Spirit of God, would speak. It would follow them in their excursions for pleasure; disturb their minds, and disappoint their expectations. All this remose of conscience, however, THE extent of Portage county did not put a stop to vain recreais 30 miles, east and west, and 25 tions. The resolution formed on remiles, north and south. Thirteen tiring from a scene of amusement, years ago, it was a howling wilder- never to attend another, was swept ness, almost entirely destitute of civ- away by the first temptation. The ilized inhabitants. At the present same scene was reacted; the same time, there are nine regular church-stings of conscience were again exes of the Congregational or Presby-perienced; the same resolutions aterian order, within the bounds of this county. Most of these churches have been lately formed; two of them during the last year. At their formation, they were small. The number of members, at the time of their organization into a church, has not generally exceeded twelve or fourteen. The present year, God has been pleased to pour out his Spirit, add to gain formed, and these resolutions shared the same fate with those that had gone before. No one supposed that others felt like himself. Each concluded that all his companions were as stupid, as thoughtless, and as happy as they appeared to be. In the month of February it was found that several individuals were under deep religious impressions.— Toamissionary they expressed clear and distressing views of their sinful, deplorable and alarming condition. town. The revival commenced at nearly the same time in these two places, and in each place the same general appearances were exhibited The principal difference is that in Rootstown there was less appearance of vice the preceding winter, than in Aurora; and the number of hopeful converts is greater in proportion to the population than in any other town in the county. On account of the general prevalence of vice and folly among the different classes of society, and especially among the youth, the friends of Zion, in the course of the winter, became alarmed. They began to awake. A day was set apart for fasting and prayer. This day was observed by the church about the first of March. A missionary at- The exercises of those who were tended and preached on the occa- subjects of this work were powerful, sion. God was pleased to manifest and the effects produced are salutahimself a God that heareth the pray. ry. Previously to obtaining a hope, ers of Zion. Religion soon became the subjects of the work generally the topic of common discourse. A- experienced clear views of their bout the first of April, the Spirit of criminality in the sight of a holy God seemed to descend upon the God. When enquired of respecting place like a mighty shower, and their feelings, they would commonly swept away the refuges of lies. The unburden their minds by weeping, enemies of God were confounded; before any intelligible answer could the mouths of gainsayers stopped; be given. When answers were many were enquiring with great made, they were generally, for subanxiety, What shall we do? Some stance, such as the following: My soon entertained a hope that they feelings cannot be described.' 'I am had passed from death unto life; a great sinner. It seems as if God while the lately mourning friends of could not pardon my sins.' 'I must Zion beheld with tears of wonder, perish. It is what I deserve.' After admiration, and joy, the speedy and the subjects have indulged a hope in unexpected answer to their prayers. the divine mercy, through a glorified Religious meetings were crowded, Mediator, there has usually been a attentive, and solemn. The anxiety rejoicing in God; a cordial approof many was manifested in their bation of the doctrines of grace, and countenances while hearing the an ardent love for religious duties. word; sometimes there was scarce- One very evident and important efly a tearless eye in the whole assem-fect of this work is a revival of fambly; sometimes we heard an invol-ily religion. Many families now call untary sobbing; sometimes the upon God, morning and evening, heart-rending sigh. The friends of which lately neglected the importGod were animated and greatly en- ant duty. Parents feel the importcouraged. The expectations of Zi-ance of training up their children in on were raised. The work was powerful, but short. The fruits of it, however, remain, and I trust will remain for ever. In the town of Aurora between 20 and 30 are hopefully the subjects of regenerating grace. In Rootstown, about the same number; in Randolph 8 or 10, and individuals in other towns. Of those who have obtained hopes in this revival about 40 have become members of the Congregational or Presbyterian churches. Others will probably soon follow their example. What has been said respecting the revival in Aurora, will apply in most respects to the same work in Roots the way they should go. It is very evident, that an uninterrupted continuance, and a universal diffusion of such a blessed work, would cause the wilderness to bud and blossom as the rose, and the whole earth to resound with the high praises of God. Aurora, Jan. 25, 1813. 147 Dr. Green's Advice and Exhortation to his People. (Continued from p. 78.) III. When a minister is settled, the next inquiry is, in what manner you ought to treat him; and how you | ing diligently on his ministry, and may improve by his ministry in gen- endeavoring to profit by it; by reeral, so as to derive the greatest ad-garding his admonitions and advice; vantage from it. by a ready gratification of his reaIn the treatment of a minister, be sonable wishes; by relieving his careful, on the one hand, not to idol- wants and anticipating his necessiize him; and on the other, not to ties; by constant kindness and atdespise and injure him. There is tention to him and his family; by real danger of both these extremes; assisting him to bear his burthens; and, as is often the case with ex- by sympathising with him in his aftremes, the one has a strong ten-flictions; by habitually and earnestly dency to produce the other. What, praying for him; by letting him see in the first instance, we over value, that he has been the happy instruwe are, in the second, prone to con- ment of leading you to the Saviour. temn and abuse. It has often hap- These are the means by which he is pened since the time of the apostle to be encouraged, and your attachPaul, that a people who once, if it ment to him demonstrated. But all had been possible, would have pluck- extolling of his powers and services ed out their own eyes, and have giv- forbear, out of tenderness to him and en them to their minister,have event- to yourselves, lest you render him ually slandered him, persecuted him; less estimable, acceptable, and useand sought to be separated from him. ful, by undue praise; and above all, I am perfectly aware, that such is lest you offend GOD, by giving to a the strong propensity of the mass of creature what belongs to himself mankind to express adiniration or alone. If you idolize your minister, censure, just as their feelings prompt your sin may be punished by your them, that there is little hope of en-being permitted to admire him,withgaging a large congregation to act with full discretion in the particular now considered. But the malady which cannot be cured, may still be mitigated. The discreet and conscientious part of a religious society, by watching against error themselves, and by using their influence steadily with others to oppose or correct what is wrong, will always produce, in the end, a very considerable and salutary effect. The clergy are often reminded by the laity, that ministers are but men -Let them, then, remember their own suggestion, and not load us either with praise or with blame, which it belongs not to man to receive, without danger or injury. If your minister be popular, he will know it sufficiently by indications which cannot be concealed. Never, therefore, offer him fulsome praises to his face, nor utter them to others. If they come to his ears, and he be as modest and self denied as he ought to be, they will only disgust him, and if not, they may greatly injure him. Give him solid proofs of your friendship and affection-show him that you" esteem him very highly in love, for his works' sake "*-by attend * 1 Thess. v. 13. out receiving any real profit to your souls. Among the causes of spiritual barrenness, we may probably number the improper estimation of means and instruments, to the forgetfulness that it is only "God who giveth the increase." When the Corinthians said * "I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ," they needed and received the severe rebuke of an apostle. Recollect, also, on the other hand, that unjust censure of the ministers of the gospel, as well as an excessive estimation of them, is offensive to their master, and may draw upon you the manifestation of his displeasure. If a minister of the gospel be vicious, or act in any way altogether inconsistently with his sacred office, seek to have him deposed or disciplined at once; and I rejoice to say that, in the present state of our church, I think you will not seek it in vain. If he has been, in your opinion, indiscreet, or negligent, or unfaithful, or in any respect blameable, in a particular instance, let some individual go to him privately, and tell him frankly what is thought to be wrong in his conduct.-Tell him with respect, tenderness, and affec 1 Cor. i. 12. |