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the General Association are so momentous, that we indulge the reasonable expectation, that the ministers of Christ will actively and. seasonably promote it, and that all the enlightened friends of evangelical truth will give it their countenance and their prayers. We gratefully receive, and gladly publish the following communication, which presents the nature and design of the proposed union in the most fair and unexceptionable light, and must do much towards solving the doubts and removing the diffculties of every impartial inquirer. EDITORS.

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THE disconnected state of the Associations within the limits of this im4 portant section of New England; the little acquaintance which its ministers have with each other; and the hope, that by drawing closer the bonds of union, the cause of truth might be better promoted, suggested the expediency of forming a General Association, A convention of ministers was proposed to ascertain the general opin-› ion on the subject. Delegates were chosen accordingly by several Associations, who met in Northampton, July, 1802. They united in the opin ion, that it was expedient that a Gen. eral Association be formed. They agreed to admit as articles of faith the doctrines of Christianity, as they are generally expressed in the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, for the basis of union and fellowship." On this ground they recommended to the sev eral Associations, from which they came, to choose two delegates to represent them, who should meet and organize the General Association; the door being left open for other Associations to unite, if they should be disposed.

The objects to be kept in view they agreed should be, "to promote broth erly intercourse and harmony, and their mutual assistance, animation and usefulness, as ministers of Christ to obtain religious information relative to the state of their churches, and of the Christian church in this country and through the world; and to cooper. ate with one another and with other Vol. III. No. 2. M

similar institutions, in the most eligible manner for building up the cause of truth and holiness."

Upon these principles, and embracing these objects, the Association was formed, and has proceeded. Annual meetings have been holden. At this time delegates from seven Associations are convened.* Harmony prevails, and pleasing prospects of the increasing utility of the Association are presented. Information is received! from the members, that a considera- › ble number of the churches in the connexion are in a prosperous state, and to several, within two or three years past, there have been large additions; the Lord having been pleased to accompany the means of instruction with abundant influences of his Holy Spirit. In Hadley, Northamp ton, Southampton, Westhampton, Easthampton, Williamsburgh, Williamstown, Stockbridge, Sandisfield, Lee and Bradford several hundreds have made public profession of relig ion. It is noticed with peculiar pleas ure, that the very serious attention, which has prevailed in Williamstown, has been extended into the college, and affords the churches a pleasing prospect from the institution. It is also communicated that there are hopeful appearances at the present time in Charlemont, Hawley, and several other places.

It is further stated, and the Association deem it their duty to present the unpleasant fact to the public eye, that there is a tract of country of nearly twenty miles square in the northern part of the county of Berkshire, containing seven towns, with a numerous population, in which there is not one settled Congregational minister; and that all those towns, Williamstown excepted, are in a condition which yields no rational hopes, that by their own efforts any of them will be soon supplied with sound evangelical teachers. They are therefore earnestly recom mended to the attention of those missionary Societies and Associations of ministers, which can most conveniently afford them that aid, which they so much need; and the rather because this region is nearer

According to the present plan, two delegates are chosen by cach c socia tion. EDITORS.

home, than any other which has been the scene of missionary labour. And for encouragement, it is further stated, that when ministers have occasionally visited this almost forsaken people, they have been gratefully received.

The General Association is founded upon the pure principles of Congregationalism. One design of it is to cherish, strengthen, and transmit these principles. It wholly dis claims ecclesiastical power or authority over the churches, or the opinions of individuals.

The objects of this Association being in no respect incompatible with those of the Convention of ministers annually holden in Boston, no interference between them is designed, or can reasonably be apprehended.

Having these views, the General Association continue to invite their brethren to unite with them in an institution, so evidently promotive of the all important interests of Christianity, And for their accommodation it is hereby notified, that the next meeting of the General Association is to be holden' at the house of the Rev. Samuel Austin in Worcester, on the last Wednesday in June next, at 9 o'clock, A. M.

STEPHEN WEST, Moderator. Attest, SAMUEL AUSTIN, Scribe. Windsor, June 25, 1807.

For the Panoplist. Transcribed by Enoch Hale, Secretary.

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The result of their consultations was a persuasion, that the eivil, moral, and men might be essentially promoted by everlasting interests of their fellowunited and systematie exertions for diffusing evangelical truth." Accordingly, on the first of September of the year before.mentioned, they associated by the name of "The Massachusetts Society for promoting Christian Knowledge," and adopted a constitution for their government. They have since been incorporated by an act of the Commonwealth.

In the year 1804, this Society distributed books in Massachusetts Proper, in Rhode Island, Virginia, South-Carolina and Georgia, to the number of 6258, and in the year 1806, in a compass a little more extended, to the number of 9174. Among the books distributed are several of the works of Doddridge, Henry, Burder, Wilson, Lathrop, Vincent, Leslie, &c.

In future Nos. of the Panoplist, we shall present our readers with inter esting extracts from some of the nu merous letters to the Directors of the Society, from their agents to whom books have been sent for distribution, containing strong approbation of the design of their institution, and encouraging accounts of its usefulness.

It is with much satisfaction we learn, that an institution of the same kind with the above has been lately formed at Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, by the name of "The Providence Association for promoting Christian. Knowledge." In their address, they say, "We have in view the promotion of no interest separate from

MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR PRO- that, which involves the highest hap

MOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWL
EDGE.

EARLY in the year 1803, a number of gentlemen, among whom were his Honor Samuel Phillips, Esq. late Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, and the late Professor Tappan,*, stimulated by "the success of individuals and of societies, in disseminating Christian knowledge by means of religious Tracts and otherwise, were induced to confer together repeatedly on the best means of promoting the same important object.

These eminent men both died before the Society was formed.

piness of our fellow creatures. Whatever be the religious sentiments, which we individually embrace and advocate, we are resolved to adopt no measures in our associated capacity, which will favour one denomination of Christians, in preference to another. In determining on books for distribution, we shall, agreeably to our constitution, carefully avoid all such, as are on points of controversy, and select those only, that contain sentiments in which all real Christians are cordially united."

This Constitution we shall publish at large in a future No. of the Panoplist.

Extract of a Letter from a respectable Gentleman, dated New London, July, 1807.

"We had a delightful day yester day. Seven were added to our church; all of them, I trust, ordained to eternal life. The complex. ion of all our late converts has been very uniform and satisfactory. Two were propounded yesterday. About ten are in a hopeful way; besides which, four children, of about 12 years of age, have all together appeared on the side of religion, with the features of a new creation on their souls. This event has given a new animation to the friends of religion. On the whole, I am inclined to think, that our awakening is on the increase."

GREAT BRITAIN.

London Missionary Society. ONE of the missions of this society in SOUTH AFRICA (viz. that stationed at Klaar Water) appears by the last account from that quarter to be in a flourishing state. The number composing the settlement is stated to be 784, of whom 80 can read. There is among them, it is said, "a great desire to hear the word of life; and numbers are brought to a saving knowledge of divine things." The mission at Zak river, under the Rev. Mr. Kicherer, does not seem to enjoy the same degree of prosperity. A long drought had occasioned a dispersion of the settlers, and the depredations of the neighbouring Boschemen placed both the lives and the property of those who remained in imminent danger. The school however still contained 31 children and 11 adults, and the whole number in the settlement was 103.

A missionary, Mr. Creighton, has been sent to the newly captured colony of BUENOS AYRES, containing a. population of 70,000 souls.

A free school is about to be opened by this society for the instruction of children of Jewish descent, both male and female. Grown up females of the same race, who wish for instruction, may have it at the same place from ladies, who attend daily to suCh. Ob. perintend the girls' school.

PENITENTIARY.

An address has recently been circulated, signed by about twenty respectable merchants and others in London, containing proposals for a new institution, to be called "THE LONDON FEMALE PENITENTIARY,

the object of which shall be to afford an asylum to unfortunate females, who shall have deviated from the paths of virtue, and are anxious to be restored, by means of Christian instruction, moral discipline, and the formation of industrious habits, to a respectable station in society." All who are acquainted with the extensive prevalence, and the fatal effects of the evil which it is intended to remedy, must feel a lively interest in the formation and progress of such an institution. The Magdalen charity, however excellent, both in its design and in its effects, is obviously inadequate to meet more than a very small proportion of the enormous mischief in question; and it must therefore be admitted, that one or more additional institutions of the same kind are loudly called for. We only hope that they will be formed with a due regard to the extreme delicacy of the case, and with the same prudence and circumspection, which have distinguished the management of their prototype. Ch. Ob.

IRELAND.

ciety had been formed under the title WE formerly mentioned that a soof The Hibernian Society," for the purpose of diffusing religious knowledge in Ireland. The committee appointed to conduct its concerns, have lately published a report, which, if correct, is highly important, and ought to call forth the warmest éxertions of the friends of religion and hamanity, in order to rescue our fellow-subjects in Ireland from their present state of barbarism and moral degradation. In the south, the prosaid to be 20 to one; scarcely any of portion of Papists and Protestants is the former, and few even of the latter, possess a copy of the holy scriptures. Schoolmasters are much wanted in every part of Ireland; and such is the solicitude manifested by

the Roman Catholic poor for the instruction of their children, that it is believed they would be willing to send them even to Protestant schools, and to permit them to read the Bible as a school book. The committee state that they have been forming a plan for instituting schools in every parish in Ireland, in which no religious tract

or catechism is to be introduced, but the scriptures only. This is a great and good work; but we trust it will be superseded by the provident care of the government, which, we understand, is now directing its attention, too long withheld, to this momentous object. Ch. Ob.

Literary and Philosophical Intelligence.

SAURIN'S SERMONS.

Rev. Mr. Sutcliffe, of Halifax, Eng. land, has translated a seventh volume of Saurin's Sermons. This volume consists of twelve discourses on the

following subjects, viz. The Delay of Conversion; Perseverance; the Example of the Saints; St. Paul's Discourse before Felix and Drusilla; the Covenant of God with the Israelites; the Seal of the Covenants; the Family of Jesus Christ; St. Peter's 'denial of his Master; and the Nature of the unpardonable Sin. The Editors of the Eclectic Review, speaking of the Translator of this volume, say, "We are free to acknowledge, that in placing himself by the side of Robinson and Hunter, he has assumed no rank, as a translator, which he cannot honourably maintain." "As the general character of the whole of these interesting discourses," they observe, "that while they display the talents of the orator in a manner little inferior to any of his sermons hitherto translated, they are superior to most of them in exhibiting the earnestness, the solemnity, and the faithfulness of a conscientious ambassador of Jesus Christ." We hope the American Editor of the six volumes of Saurin's discourses, will speedily gratify his subscribers with this additional volume.

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editions of the New Testament and Welch Common Prayer books, a New Testament, and a beautiful nonpareil Bible have already proceeded from the Cambridge press; which will soon be followed by other editions, both at Cambridge and at Oxford. The London press of Mr. Andrew Wilson has produced an edition of Entick's Dictionary, which, for beauty, accuracy, and cheapness, surpasses, it is said, all other editions of that work. Various smaller works are now publishing from the same press; and Mr. Wilson has announced that correct, well-printed stereotype editions of the following works, at reduced prices, will be in the course of publication during the year 1807, viz.

GREEK AND LATIN. HKAINH AIA@HKH, cum Versione

THEODORI BEZAE.

DAWSON'S Lexicon to the New Testa

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From the Report of the Central Vaccine Committee for the year 13, it appears, that 125,992 persons have been inoculated in the course of that year in 42 departments, from which the returns had been received. progressive diminution of deaths is reported in those places, where vaccination has been introduced and an increase in the number, where the practice has been neglected.

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A canal has been projected upon a grand scale, to unite the Rhone with the Rhine, and thus connect the North Sea with the Mediterranean. Its extent will be 71 leagues, and it is to receive the name of Bonaparte. The expense is estimated at 14 millions of livres. M. Koeh, member of the Tribunate, pronounced a discourse on the subject, at a meeting of the Legislative Body; in which he gives a historical account of this project, which was first suggested under the Roman Emperors. He enumerates also the advantages which not only France, but Europe at large, will derive from the execution of this scheme.

So large a demand is expected for the New French Catechism, that a bookseller has purchased the copyright for 25,000 dollars. It is to be stereotyped.

A historical column is to be erected in the Place Vendome; denominated the column of Austerlitz. It is to be 120 feet in height, and entirely cov

ered with bronze. It will display the most memorable events of the campaign of 1805 in basso relievo. The subjects to be represented will be distributed to different artists, who will furnish designs. The pedestal of this column is already begun.

RUSSIA.

Twenty years since, there were but two booksellers' shops in Moscow; the returns of which did not amount to 10,000 roubles per annum. The number is now twenty; and the yearly return is about 200,000 roubles The increase of the trade and circulation of books in Moscow, is principally owing to the exertion of Mr. Novikow. He procured translations from foreign languages, established libraries, studied and anticipated public taste, and traded in books with acuteness and success. Not more than 600 copies of Moscow newspapers were formerly sold; but under his management, the demand increased, in ten years, to 4,000 copies; at present their sale has reached 8,000.

The University of Dorpat, in Livonia, established in 1802, has made great progress in opening schools under its direction, throughout the four provinces of Livonia, Courland, Fionia, and Esthonia. Attention has hitherto been chiefly directed to those establishments, which are especially destined for the instruction of youths intended for commerce, trade, or the arts; and as preparatory schools for those, who are subsequently to make literature their profession. The parochial schools, where the first elements of education will be taught, begin also to be organized: of these, every town, however small, will contain two; one for children of each sex and similar institutions are formed in the country. But, as able teachers are greatly wanted, five seminaries have been formed in the district of the university, for the express purpose of training and qualifying schoolmasters. The Emperor has granted 42,000 roubles per annum, for the support of these five seminaries; which will continue in full acEach student tivity for three years. receives, while in these seminaries, 300 roubles yearly; and engages to take the charge of one of the public

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