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place. He has been successful in gathering an average congregation of 100; Sabbath School, 65. The church is small, only 6 male members, 26 female. It is to be hoped religious interest will revive in this community.

32. Seabroke, South. This remains a very hard field, but under the earnest labors of our missionary, blessed of God, it continues to yield some fruit to his glory. A check has been put, somewhat, to the tide of intemperance, which has long rolled in upon the community of some 500, of whom about onefifth are reported as habitual drinkers, spending most of their time and money in drinking. "We have put the temperance pledge," says the missionary, "on our church records, and require every member to sign it." Church membership, 29, of whom 11 are males; three additions the last year.

33. Stoddard.-Our missionary, Rev. J. W. Ricket, closed his labors here 1st of January. Since then, there has been very little preaching in the town. The church holds "reading meetings" on the Sabbath, prayer meeting on Sabbath evenings, and at other times. It is greatly reduced in numbers by deaths and removals, and is in a state of discouragement; not entire, but is hoping against hope. It has strong claims on the sympathies and prayers of its sister churches.

34. Wakefield.-Rev. S. Clark commenced service here May 1st, of the present year, under favorable auspices. Church and society subscribe more liberally for support of the Gospel than heretofore. Church membership, 30, of whom six are males. Average congregation, 65; Sabbath School, 30.

35. Washington.—Mr. Colburn labors here earnestly and acceptably, though under many discouragements. The majority of the community have no attachment to the sanctuary; attendance on public worship not exceeding, on the average, 75; Sabbath School, 50. But 3 male members in the church, 16 females.

36. Wilmot.-Things remain here much as in former years. Our missionary, church, and people, live in each other's confidence and move together in harmoney and love. Two infant baptisms within the year. Church embraces 49, of whom 19

males. Total of contribution to benevolent christian objects, $83.77.

37. West Stewartstown.-Rev. Giles Leach peformed a very acceptable, useful mission here of three months in the autumn and early winter. Since then, there has been but little preaching though commendable effort has been made by a portion of the people to secure it. This is an important, but very difficult place of missionary work.

38. Wolfeboro', North.-Mr. B. C. Henry, of Princeton Seminary, labored here four months in 1871, and is again here for a like period, the present year. His services were highly acceptable, and greatly useful the last year, resulting, under God, in a pleasing revival, of the fruit of which, 12 were added to the church, making the present number, 24. Mr. Henry writes: "Those who then-last year-came out from the world, have almost all remained faithful. Our meetings are well attended. Many who are not members of the church and society come. The working force in the church has been greatly increased, and I think, could they have a settled minister, the church would prosper."

39. Wentworth.-Usual prosperity in the church here, though it has been weakened by the dismission of six valuable members to other churches. Present number of church members, 54, of whom 10 are males; average congregation, 75; Sabbath School 70. Prayer-meetings, Sabbath evenings, and at other times, well attended by many not professing godliness.

CONDITION OF THE MISSIONARY CHURCHES.

From the foregoing details, it will be seen no special changes have occurred in them during the year now reported. Harmony and good felling have prevailed, generally, between our missionaries and the churches they have served. The former have labored faithfully, in season and out of season, in the pulpit, the Sabbath School, the prayer-meetings, visiting the sick and afflicted, and from house to house, for religious purposes; and thus have been instrumental of maintaining a good degree of religious interest in the fields of their labors, but none report re

vivals of religion within the year; though, in some instances, additions have been made to the churches, as the fruits of such in the year preceding, particularly in that of North Wolfeboro.' We are not to conclude no good is done in a missionary district, unless there be conversions and additions to the churches. There is a great gain, if Christians are edified and built up in the faith; if Bible truth be presented to, and impressed on the minds of the impenitent; children and youth brought into the Sabbath School; prayer-meetings maintained. In these various ways, the incorruptible seed is sown, which we may expect will produce precious harvest in time, to the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

STUDENT MISSIONARIES.

We have employed the past year, from one to four months, in churches named in the Tabular View," from the Theological Seminay, Princeton, N. J., Messrs. D. K. Campbell, W. D. Thomas, and B. C. Henry; from Andover Seminary, Messrs. J. C. Seymour, C. R. Seymour, F. D. Kelsey. J. Crumrine; from Yale, New Haven Seminary, Messrs. W. B. Danforth, Jotham Sewall, Jr., S. E. Busser, James B. Tyler, George Michael; Union Seminary, N. Y., Mr. Edward C. Hood; Dartmouth College, last graduating class, Mr. Frederick H. Wales; in all 14, a less number than in 1870, not because such laborers could not be had, for nearly 40 members of different Theological Seminaries, have applied for employment in New-Hampshire during their vacations of from three to four months, but for the reason that a less number of destitute, feeble churches, have encouraged such temporary supplies. Several churches, that heretofore have gladly received student missionaries, have become so reduced by deaths and emigrations that they feel they cannot raise funds sufficient even to pay the board of a missionary; and have all but abandoned hope of ever again being able to enjoy a ministry of their own order. Some such unite with other evangelical churches in their vicinity, in sustainining religious ordinances; the best, probably the wisest course, they can take. The increasing weakness and ultimate extinction of not a few of our present very feeble chuches, appear inevitable. While

we must deeply regret this, we will rejoice if other churches of evangelical faith take the ground once occupied by our churches and do the work performed by some of them for more than a century.

NEW, AND RENEWED APPLICATIONS FOR AID.

Deaths and emigrations are causing weakness in churches hitherto sustaining the ministrations of the Gospel, without foreign aid. Several such have signified their necessity for such assistance; some have actually applied. Lempster and Nelson have done so, Epsom, Brentwood, Mason formerly aided but for several years past had managed to get along alone, are again on our list of mission churches, and are likely to remain on it. Others, once assisted, but not for years gone by, will, undoubtedly, ask for renewed help; others still, never yet aided by our Missionary Society, will be making their appeal for assistance. So we must expect "always to have the poor with us;" must conclude, Home Missionary work in our State will demand the benefactions of our stronger churches for generations yet to

come.

THE SECRETARYSHIP.

The destitution of a State Religious Journal of our denomination, the Secretary finds a serious hindrance to communication with the ministers and churches in relation to the interests of Home Missions. The Boston religious papers of our order, are somewhat extensively circulated in our state, but their high charges for appeals of benevolent institutions forbid the use of their columns for this purpose. The Secretary, therefore, is shut up to the Annual Report of our Missionary Society, and to occasional printed Circulars, as methods of informing our churches of the condition and wants of our missionary districts, and of the result of the labors of our missionaries. But these Reports and Circulars, if read at all, by many are but cursorily read, and thus fail of much effect. To supplement these methods, the Secretary attends, so far as practicable, meetings of clerical associations and of County Conferences of churches, with the view of calling their attention to the cause,

and stimulating them to earnest action in its behalf. Through written correspondence, and constant visitation and preaching on the Sabbath, and at at other times, on the subject of Home Missions, he endeavors to keep the thoughts of our ministers and churches to the enterprise. But he deeply regrets his varied efforts accomplish no more.

DELINQUENCY.

Judging from the neglect of many of our churches, from year to year, to contribute to Home Mission, there is painful lack of interest in a cause, so vital to the welfare, moral and religious, of our State and Nation. Of the 191 Congregational and Presbyterian churches in the state, 95, one half, as appears from our treasurer's report, made no contributions to our funds in the year ending Aug. 12, 1871. Among the delinquent churches are many of the strongest in members and means.

WANT OF SYMPAT

The above named facts show want of sympathy in the stronger for the weaker churches. Not a few of the latter are very feeble, both in membership and pecuniary means. Their tax

The average number of

able property, as appears from the books of town clerks, varies from $5000 to $10,000, or $15,000. In 24 churches reported, the average taxable property is $12,012. Their male members are two, three, four, or five, and so on. males in the 39 churches aided the past year, is but 8 1-3. These facts, showing the weakness of our missionary churches, appeal strongly to the practical sympathy, the pecuniary aid of the churches more favored in numbers and means. But, sad to relate, their appeals, in many instances, are unheeded. In one of our Counties, containing ten Congregational churches, several of which are strong, only one contributed-$58.56-last year, to our cause. Four Cent Societies in the County gave $101.67; total from the County in 1871, $160.17; yet we are expending in that County, in aid of Home Missions, $300 per year. In another County, embracing 13 Congregational churches, some of which are among the strongest in the State, donations from six churches were $98.24; from same number of Cent Societies,

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