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His wife observed to him how remarkably happy they had lived rogether; and can it be that it is so soon to end! He replied: "We have. But what is earthly happiness compared with eternal felicity? I shall go, and

you must soon follow. Be faithful."

He was viewed to be dying most of the day; was exercised with but little pain, and on the following morning, death closed the scene.

A MISSIONARY ADDRESS, &c.

(Concluded from p. 36.)

In the state of Vermont, four missionaries have itinerated in the service of the Missionary Society of this State.

One of them, viz. the Rev. John Willard, after he had commenced his service, was obliged to return on account of sickness. He is expected to fulfil his appointment after recovering his health.

The Rev. David H. Williston, performed a mission of seventeen weeks, preaching, exhorting and teaching in every place, and from house to house, as opportunities could be found.

The Rev. James Parker labored in the same state about four months. He visited destitute places by appointments previously made ; administered the ordinances; encouraged Christians; restored harmony where error and vice had crept into churches, and had rent them with divisions; visited schools and families, and publish-. ed the great salvation.

Mr. Asahel Gaylord labored as a missionary in Vermont, for the space of four months. His time was judicously and diligently spent in his calling. In preaching, visiting schools and families, and encouraging the churches to perseverance and stedfastness, he filled up his time as he travelled from one place to another. The reports of these missionaries, respecting the religious state of that country, coincide. One character applies to all the different regions visited by them. The state of religion is low and unpromising. Stupidity with regard to the concerns of a future state generally prevails. The enquiry, Who will shew us any good? is every where heard; while very few are anxious to know what they shall do to be saved. The missionaries were, however, universally received with expressions of gratitude. Of one place of which Mr. Gaylord had heard, that missionaries had there been treated with incivility, he observes, that he was agreeably disappointed. He was not only well received, but treated with attention, and many of the people expressed their gratitude to the Missionary Society for their attention to them. Although the labors of missionaries have not been crowned with success in Vermont, as they were in the year preceding, yet there is great need of continued exertions, and some encouragement to persevere in charitable efforts for their spiritual improvement. They will attend upon the word preached.

The above account of missionary operations, and of the state of religion in those regions into which the gospel has been sent by the charity of the good people of Connecticut, must in general be refreshing to the hearts of Christians. All who feel interested in the prosperity of Zion will rejoice to hear that the wilderness is become like Eden, and the desert like the garden of the Lord joy and gladness are found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. To the Trustees it affords peculiar consolation and encouragement in their duty.

In the space of time embraced in the Narrative, which perhaps does not comprehend more than the labors usually performed by our missionaries in one year, great things have been effected. Many churches have been organized; the regular observance and public worship of the Lord's day have been established in places where these things were totally neglected; professed disciples of our Lord, who resided in places where Christians had not formed themselves regularly into religious societies, and who, for the want of union among themselves, were overawed and had waxen cold through the abounding of iniquity, have been encouraged, united and animated; the things which remained, and were ready to die, have been strengthened; churches, which were organized before, have been preserved, and settled pastors, and others desire to have among them the stated administrations of the gospel; above one hundred persons, principally youth and heads of families in the prime of life, have been hopefully brought into the kingdom of Christ, and have publicly professed to be his disciples; men, notorious for their infidelity and opposition to the gospel, men, whose standing, character, and influence in society enabled them to destroy much good by directly opposing the gospel and by spreading their poisonous and pernicious sentiments, have been convinced, by the Spirit of God, have been reclaimed, and made to build up the kingdom of Christ which they once labored to pull down, and to subvert the foundations of Satan's kingdom which they once endeavored to strengthen. These are certainly glorious triumphs of the gospel. We would devoutly acknowledge the smiles of God upon these labors. That our missionaries have been faithful and diligent, that the people were so far prepared to hear the gospel, that suocess has to such an extent crowned our missionary efforts we ascribe to him who alone replenishes his ministers with grace, and subdues the hearts of his enemies. Let us consider what would have been the condition of our new settlements without these efforts of Christian charity, what would have been the effect upon our country had these settlements been neglected and suffered to grow up in heathenism; let us consider their present state, and bless God that he hath put it into the hearts of the people of this State to minister to them in spiritual things.

The means of the Missionary Society of Connecticut are great compared with their small beginnings; but they are still to be counted small in comparison with the necessities of the people who require, who implore assistance. To enable them to com

ply with these requests, the Trustees rely on the charity of the people in their contributions. It is no more than duty here to acknowledge that this charity has hitherto not disappointed their calculations; the amount of contributions in May last exceeded what it was in any year before. The manner in which the gifts of charity have been expended, in the employment of missionaries and in the circulation of religious books, may be learned from the preceding Narrative, and the statement of accounts subjoined.

Although our American church is now a flourishing and spreading vine, planted by the hand of the Lord, in a land out of which the heathen are ejected; it is still a young and tender vine.— Much is required to be done for the extension, support, and protection of the church in our country; and all must be effected by the friends of the Redeemer, and by gospel instruction which is very limited, in proportion to our extent of country and population, compared with the Christian nations in Europe. The perpetual influence of human depravity, against the institutions and spirit of the gospel, is restless in its operations in every department of society. The incursions which have been made, and still are making in various places, on the order of the Gospel, furnish painful evidence of what may be effected where vigilance is suspended. These considerations represent our condition as alarming, and they call for the most faithful, vigorous and united efforts of the friends of religion, to resist the swells of error, vice and impiety, and to aid in the support and spread of the gospel among us, that we may not be overwhelmed by them.

There is occasion to rejoice that He who seeth the end from the beginning, hath in some measure prepared the people for a day of temptation which seems to be coming upon them. The revivals of religion which have taken place in different sections of our country, and in some of the new settlements, the formation of Missionary and Bible Societies, of Charitable and Theological Institutions, the concern which is felt for the moral and religious welfare of the community, these are all tokens for good. In these we trust the Spirit of the Lord is lifting up a standard, while the enemy is coming in like a flood.

But that success may crown our efforts in the cause of Christ, the talents, influence, and zeal, which the spirit of God hath thus enlisted on the side of truth, must be united in their efforts, and must be directed first to the support, protection and prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom around us, wherever the cry for help is heard. Such was the example of our Lord, such the course of his apostles, and exertions in imitation of them, have not usually failed of success.

It is our consolation that we build up a kingdom whose character is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, and which shall never be destroyed.-Let us therefore unite our endeavors to build up his kingdom. Let us enforce that self-dominion, that ruling of our spirits, which is more noble and blessed than the taking of a city. Let us recommend the spirit of the VOL. VI. No. 2.

H

gospel by our own examples. Then shall we prosper in our efforts, shall be safe in the day of indignation, and shall be accepted of our Master when he cometh.

May we all be found faithful and wait his coming; and may his coming be hastened on!

JOHN TREADWELL, Chairman.

Passed by the Board of Trustees,

January 13, 1813.

Attest,

ABEL FLINT, Secretary.

A STATEMENT

OF THE FUNDS OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT, JANUARY 1, 1813.

No. 1.

Account of Sums contributed, for the support of Missions, in the several Congregational Societies in the State, in the month of May, 1812, pursuant to a Resolve of the General Assembly, passed May, 1811.

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