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sound and bright, after the wear of almost six thousand years, the author concludes that with common use it may endure more than one thousand years to come. "It does not appear that those heavens and this earth, which atter the lapse of six thousand years, still display so much magnificence, and shine in so much glory, will, in little more than a thousand years, have grown old as doth a garment, and become unfit for use." p. 18.

A prudent man may judge how long a garment will last; a skilful artificer, by examining the timbers of a building, may judge how long it will stand; but none, it is believed, but the divine Architect, so thoroughly knows the structure of the universe, as to foretel either its continuance or dissolution.

The following reflections, arising from this extended view of the Millennial period, are animating, and furnish a fair specimen of our author's style and manner. "What ideas does this article give us of the designs of Deity in creation and redemption! How august appears the character, how complete the victory of Jesus! Where once stood his cross now stands his throne. And the same world which once saw the transitory triumph of his adversary, now sees his own abiding triumph, and pays to his divinity a perpetual homage. This glorious period the death of Christ principally respects. All previous conquests are unimportant. Those subdued by his grace during six thousand years, will be few compared with the number who shall crown his final triumph. How great that number will be I dare not even conjecture. But, though I dare not, I love to agitate the question; to recount the hundred and forty and four thousand; to contemplate, and to become absorbed, in that great multitude of the redeemed, from among all nations, a multitude which no man can number."

In relation to that happiness which believers will experience,

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Though we cannot give our unqualified approbation of this sermon, we, on the whole, consider it as possessing no ordinary degree of merit. It is evangelical and deeply impressive. The author imitates, with much success, the thundering eloquence of the French pulpit. One can hardly read the following paragraphs, without believing, that the writer had received the falling mantle of Pastor Saurin. In reference to the Pagan world he exclaims,

"And now, O my God, what more shall I say? Can the unfeeling heart of man contemplate miseries the most extreme, and not be moved?— From the hill of Zion, beaming with light, and smiling with life, let me direct your view to the vale of darkness, and the shadow of death.

of humanity, O that I could describe "Yonder are the pagans. Friends them to you!-cold, naked, famished, friendless; roaming the desert, burning with revenge, and thirsting for blood.-Yonder are the pagans. Friends of Immanuel, O that I could describe them to you, assembled on the ground of enchantment, practis. ing the heavens by the sacrifice of ing the delusions of witchcraft, insultdogs, and paying their impious adorations at the shrines of devils!

From these profane devotions, the hoary warrior retires. His steps totter with age, he reaches the threshold of his but, and sinks beneath infirmi

ties, on the cold earth, his bed of death. No sympathizing friend par takes in his misery, no filial hand is stretched out for his relief. The wife of his youth has forsaken him; his daughters are carried captive; his sons have been slain in battle. Exhausted with sufferings, and weary of life, he turns his eye upon the grave. But the grave to him is dark and silent. Not a whisper of comfort is heard from its caverns, or a beam of light glitters on its gloom. Here the curtain drops, time ceases, eternity begins: Mighty God, how awful is the scene which follows! But I dare not attempt to lift the veil that cov ers it. A moment since, and this immortal soul was within the reach of prayer: now its destiny is fixed, and just, eternal Sovereign! are thy decisions." p. 28, 29.

Again;

"Can it be that the tender mercies of such an auditory are exhausted? Have you then nothing more to lend to Jesus Christ? Have you no longer any alms to bestow on your suffering brethren, and shall I tell them you have not shall I recall the missionaries you have sent them, and extinguish the hopes which your former charities have inspired? Shall I pronounce on the savages their doom, shall I say to the pagan just emerg ing from the gloom of nature and directing his steps towards the hill of life, Go back into your forest, cover again your altar with victims, mutter your nightly orisons to the stars, and be

satisfied with the vain hope of the country beyond the hills? Are these the sentiments of Christians; Christians whose hearts have been softened by redeeming love, whose immortal hopes rest on sovereign mercy, and whose unceasing song, through eterfal ages, will be, grace, rich grace?" p. 37, 38.

The Hurt that Sin doth to Believers; to which is added, a word of entreaty to all those, that name the name of Christ, to depart from iniquity. By NATHANIEL MCINTIRE. Boston. Belcher and Armstrong. 1806. pp. 41.

THIS little pamphlet, the production of a layman in a humble walk of life, bears the marks of piety and good sense. The author seems to possess an intiwith the mate acquaintance with Scriptures. Some little inaccuracies must be expected, but they are readily overlooked by those, who wish for a plain representation of important truth, and who prefer a pious sentiment to an elegant period.

Religious Intelligence.

UNITED STATES. REGULAR intercourse has for some years past subsisted between the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, and the General Association of the State of Connecticut. Lately the Convention of the State of Vermont have been received into the connexion. Delegates from each of these representative bodies attend and act at their respective annual meetings, and communicate information concerning the state of re

ligion, within their several jurisdictions, and confer together, with a view to devise measures best adapted to preserve the harmony and advance the prosperity of the churches. Much advantage to the cause of our common Christianity has already been the result; & it is earnestly hoped that the Congregational churches in Massachusetts and New Hampshire will speedily make the necessary arrangements for joining in this useful intercourse.

The General Assembly, at their meeting in May last, received the following report from the Rev. Gershom Williams, their delegate to the Convention of Vermont ;

"That agreeably to appointment, he attended during the whole of their sessions, which were held at Pittsford that he was received and treated in a manner, which discovered high respect for the General Assembly; that no very important business except the common concerns of their church, came before them-that very agreeable accounts were received of the revival of religion in various parts of the State-that the churches in that quarter appear to be dwelling together in harmony, and that within the term of three years past, a very great change, favourable to the cause of religion, has taken place that it has been a time of refreshing, in which the visible church has been greatly increased-that they have come into more regular order; and are combining their councils in exercising the discipline of the church: that they appear cordially desirous that the intercourse now begun between them and the General Assembly may be continued."

The Assembly, at their meeting in May, 1805, submitted to the consideration of the several Presbyteries in their connexion, "an Overture respecting the education of pious youth for the ministry." In May, 1806, the Assembly resumed this important subject, and having been made acquainted with the opinions of the several Presbyteries, which happily were in unison, they "determined, that the part of the overture, which relates to the selection and education of young men of piety and talents for the gospel ministry, presents a plan, which they consider as well deserving their countenance and support. t is, indeed, an obvious and melancholy fact, that the candidates for the gospel ministry, within the bounds of the Presbyterian church, at present, is greatly disproportionate to the demand, which is made for their services; and that the rapid increase of vacant congregations, taken in connexion with the youth, who are study ing for the ministry, presents a most gloomy prospect of what is likely to be the state of our church in a few

years, if prompt and effectual measures be not taken to furnish a supply of ministers, much greater than the existing state of things is likely to produce. The Assembly were, in. deed, deeply affected by the view, which they had taken of this subject, and were extremely solicitous to adopt the most efficient measures, which circumstances permit, to remedy the evil, which exists, and to prevent its augmentation. But, as the Presbyteries of which the Assembly have the oversight, are scattered over a wide extent of country, and their circumstances are known to be extremely various, it occurred, that an absolute injunction on all the Presbyteries immediately to enter on the execution of the plan proposed, might bear hard on some, if not be entirely incapable of execution. On the other hand, merely to recommend an attention to the plan, without attaching any responsibility to the neglect of the recommendation, appeared to the Assembly incompatible with the high importance of the subject, and with their own duty as the guardians of the church, bound especially to provide for their people a supply of the word of life. It was therefore determined to take a middle course between these extremes, so as, if possible, to avoid the inconvenience of both. With this in view, it was resolved to recommend, and the Assembly do hereby most earnestly recommend, to every Presbytery under their care, to use their utmost endeavours to increase, by all suitable means in their power, the number of promising candidates for the holy ministry to press it upon the par ents of pious youth to educate them for the church, and on the youth themselves, to devote their talents and their lives to this sacred callingto make vigorous exertions to raise funds to assist all the youth, who may need assistance-to be careful that the youth whom they take on their funds, give such evidence as the nature of the case admits, that they possess both talents and pietyto inspect the education of these youth during the course both of their academical and theological studies, choosing for them such schools, seminaries, and teachers, as each Pres. bytery may judge most proper and

advantageous, so as eventually to bring them into the ministry, well furnished for their work-and the Assembly do hereby order, that every Presbytery under their care, make, annually, a report to the Assembly, stating particularly what they have done in this concern, or why (if the case so shall be) they have done nothing in it;-and the Assembly will, when these reports are received, consider each distinctly, and decide by vote, whether the Presbyteries severally shall be considered as having discharged, or negleeted their duty, in this important business.

"The Assembly called upon the synods, which manage the missionary busmess in a separate capacity, to report their diligence and success in this work,

"A report on this subject was presented by Mr. Matthews, in behalf of the synod of the Carolinas. From this, it appeared, that in the course of the year preceding the last meeting of synod, they had two missionaries employed for about nine months each, at the Natchez, and parts adjacent; and that the reports received from the missionaries gave great hopes of continued success, in the mission to that quarter-that one other missionary had spent one month in missionary labour, in the North Western parts of the State of North Carolina: that some of the missionaries appointed by the synod, had been prevented from fulfilling their appointments; and that the synod have directed the Presbytery of Orange to ordain Mr. James Smilie, with a view to his returning as a missionary to the Natchez.

"The synod of Pittsburg did not make a formal report on this sub ject; but a letter to the chairman of the Committee of Missions, from the Board of Trust, which has the immediate direction of the missionary business in that synod, was laid before the Assembly and read.

"From this it appeared that the synod of Pittsburg, with a commendable zeal and flattering prospects of success are attempting the instruction and civilization of the Wyandot Indiana, residing at, and near Sandusky; that the synod sent three missionaries thither last summer, each of whom spent two months or more

in the service, and were well received by the Indians that the Indians, having expressed a strong desire to have the gospel established in the nation, a school for the education of their children and the arts of civil. life introduced among them; the sy nod, encouraged by these favourable appearances, had made the greatest efforts to follow the leadings of divine Providence in this case.

"That they have employed the Rev. Mr. Joseph Badger as a stated missionary for one year; two white men as labourers, of whom one to be eventually employed as a schoolmaster; one black man (acquainted with their language, and hopefully pious) and his wife: they have also purchased sundry live stock, household furniture, implements of husbandry, a boat for transportation, &c. all of which were to be forwarded to Sandusky, about the first of April last; that the synod, animated with a noble zeal in this glorious cause, are extending their views to the Seneca Indians, settled on the Alleghany river, and devising means for bringing them "out of darkness into marvellous light."-On the whole, the Assembly were highly gratified by the prospects opened to them by the synod of Pittsburg; and only reg

the want of means to realize the blessings they present.

"The following letter having been read before the Assembly, they agreed to recommend, and do hereby recommend it to the attention of all their Presbyteries, and the youth concerned :

"THE College of New-Jersey was originally founded with a particular view to promote the interests of religion, as well as learning, by training up men of piety and talents for the ministry of the gospel.

The

Trustees of the institution have ever been attentive to this great object, and have made the most generous provision for the support and instruction of theological students. As the encouragements here offered to such students are but little known, the Faculty take the liberty of mentioning them to you, and requesting you to co-operate with them in carrying into effect the benevolent designs of the trustees, by sending hither any young men with whom you are acquainted,

who may need the advantages that are here to be enjoyed.

"All persons who are actually en. gaged in the study of theology, at whatever institution they may have received the preliminary parts of their education, may, on producing proper testimonials of their character, pursue their farther studies here at the moderate charge of one dollar a week for board, and enjoy the assistance of the President and Professor of Theology, without any fee for instruction. This professor gives lectures to the Theological Students twice in the week; and at each succeeding meeting examines them strictly on the subject of the preceding lecture. His course of Lectures embraces Divinity, Ecclesiastical History, Church Government, Christian and Jewish Antiquities, and the Duties of the pastoral Office. He instructs those who desire it, in the Hebrew language, se useful, and almost indispensable to a good divine.

"At every meeting, one or more of his pupils submits to his criticism and remarks, an essay or a sermon on a subject previously assigned. The Professor, together with the President of the College, holds a Theolo gical society once in the week for the discussion of important questions, immediately relative to the science of Divinity.

"The emulation and encouragement communicated by a variety of fellow students, the opportunity of cultivating any branch of science, and an access, at all times, to a large and well selected Theological Library, are other advantages of no small consequence.

In behalf of the Faculty, SAMUEL S. SMITH, President."

We add a half sheet to the present Number to admit entire the following

Report of the Trustees of the Hamp shire Missionary Society, made at their Annual Meeting in Northampton, the last Thursday in August, 1806. THE Trustees inform the Society, that the missionaries, employed the last year, completed their respective Missions without any special incon

venience, with honour to themselves, and advantage and success to the common cause.

Mr..

Rev. Messrs. Payson Williston and Thomas H. Wood, laboured in the counties of Onondago and Chenango; each of them fifteen weeks. Wood rode 1400 miles, preached 70 sermons, administered the Lord's supper once, baptism 15 times, visited 11 schools and about 300 families, attended several conferences and distributed the Society's books, as he had opportunity, and found there was need. Mr. Williston was not less active, laborious and faithful in performing the several parts of his mission.

Rev. Royal Phelps performed a mission to the westward of only 8 weeks. From his journal it appears that he had a truly missionary spirit, and laboured without ceasing, and to much effect. These missionaries, who have entirely approved themselves to the Trustees, assure you of the respect with which they were commonly treated: of the readiness shewn to hear the word preached; to receive more private instruction and attend conferences for religious conversation. Their services were gratefully acknowledged. A repetition of similar ones earnestly requested, missionary institutions highly estimated, and their benevolent exertions almost every where thankfully owned. Often it was difficult for the people to utter all they wished and experienced. In divers places an hearing ear was granted. The hearers hung on the lips of the animated speaker; eager to hear, desirous to improve, slow to depart and ready to return. Impressions were made by the truth, faithfully and powerfully preached, which, it is hoped, will be permanent. The Holy Spirit working. ellectually with the word: renewing the heart and reforming the life. They state that such is the destitute and helpless condition of many of the new settlements that they still greatly, and probably will long need all, which the funds of this society, and other societies, will be able to do for their relief. Many of the infant plantations are small and scattered some of them are divided in their religious opinions, and some are broken. by sharp and unchristian contentions.. Messrs. Williston and Wood had a

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