over a suffering and degraded continent. It is impossible to believe, for one moment, that a plan which promises such splendid results will be suffered to languish by the American public. The countenance and patronage already extended to the infant settlement by the government of the United States, shows that the object is and ought to be a national one. The Managers entertain the hope, that ere long this must become a general sentiment throughout our country, and that every heart must be awakened to the claims of this Institution. OBSERVATIONS ON INFIDELITY. (Extracted from the SERMONS of the REV. ANDREW THOMSON, of Edinburgh.) Ir is amidst trials and sorrows that Infidelity appears in its justest and most frightful aspect. When subjected to the multifarious ills which flesh is heir to, what is there to uphold our spirit, but the discoveries and the prospects that are unfolded to us by Revelation? What, for this purpose, can be compared with the belief that every thing here below is under the management of infinite wisdom and goodness, and that there is an immortality of bliss awaiting us in another world? If this conviction be taken away, what is it that we can have recourse to, in which the mind may patiently and safely repose in the season of adversity? Where is the balm which I may apply with effect to my wounded heart, after I have rejected the aid of the Almighty Physician? Impose upon me whatever hardships you please; give me nothing but the bread of sorrow to eat; take from me the friends in whom I had placed my confidence; lay me in the cold hut of poverty, and on the thorny bed of disease; set death before me in all its terrors ;do all this, and only let me trust in my Saviour, and "pillow my head on the bosom of Omnipotence;" and I will "fear no evil;" I will rise superior to my affliction; I will "rejoice in my tribu→ lation." But let infidelity interpose between God and my soul, and draw its impenetrable veil over a future state of existence, and limit all my trust to the creatures of a day, and all my expectations to a few years, as uncertain as they are short;-and how shall I bear up with fortitude, or with cheerfulness, under the burden of distress? Or where shall I find one drop of consolation to put into the bitter draught which has been given me to drink? I look over the whole range of this wilderness in which I dwell; but I see not one covert from the storm, nor one leaf for the healing of my soul, nor one cup of cold water to refresh me in the weariness and the faintings of my pilgrimage. The very conduct of Infidels, in spreading their system with so much eagerness and industry, affords a striking proof that its influence is essentially hostile to human happiness. For what is their conduct? Why, they allow that religion contributes largely to the comfort of man,-that in this respect, as well as with respect to morality, it would be a great evil were it to lose its hold over their affections,-and that those are no friends to the world who would shake or destroy their belief in it. And yet, in the very face of this acknowledgment, they scruple not to publish their doubts and their unbelief concerning it among their fellow-men, and with all the cool deliberation of philosophy, and sometimes with all the keenness and ardour of a zealot, to do the very thing which they profess to deprecate as pernicious to the well-being and comfort of the species. Whether they are sincere in this profession, or whether they are only trifling with the sense and feeling of mankind, still it demonstrates the hardening influence of their principles; and from principles, which make those who hold them so reckless of the peace, and order, and happiness of their brethren, what can be reasonably expected, but every thing which is most destructive of human comfort. It is true, the Infidel may be very humane in the intercourse of life; but, after all, what dependence can be placed upon that humanity of his, which deals out bread to the hungry, and clothing to the naked, and yet would sacrifice to literary vanity, or to something worse, whatever can give support in trial, and consolation at death? He may sympathise with me in my distress, and speak to me of immortality, and, at the very moment, his constitutional kindness may be triumphing over his cold-blooded and gloomy speculations. But his speculations have shed a misery over my heart, which no language of his can dissipate, and which makes his most affectionate words sound in my ear like the words of mockery and scorn. He has destroyed me, and he cannot save me, and he cannot comfort me. At his bidding I have renounced that Saviour in whom I once trusted and was happy; and have banished that Comforter, who once dwelt with me, and would have dwelt with me as a Comforter for ever. And he now pities me!-as if his most pitying tones could charm away the anguish of my bosom, and make me forget that it was he himself who planted it there, and planted it so deep, and nourished it so well, that nothing but the power of that Heaven, whose power I have denied, is able to pluck it out! Yes; after he has destroyed my belief in the superintending Providence of God,-after he has taught me that the prospect of an hereafter is but the baseless fabric of a vision, after he has bred and nourished in me a contempt for that Sacred Volume which alone throws light over this benighted world,—after having argued me out of my faith by his sophistries, or laughed me out of it by his ridicule,-after having thus wrung from my soul every drop of consolation, and dried up my very spirit within me,-yes, after having accomplished this, in the season of my health and my prosperity, he would come to me while I mourn, and treat me like a drivelling idiot, whom he may sport with, because he has ruined me, and to whom, in the plenitude of his compassion, too late, and too unavailing, he may talk of truths in which he himself does not believe, and which he has long exhorted me, and has at last persuaded me, to cast away, as the dreams and delusions of human folly! From such comforters, may Heaven preserve me! My soul, come not thou into their secrets. Unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united!-Wesleyan Meth. Magazine. ANECDOTE OF PRIMATE ROBINSON AND THE REV. C. WESLEY. THE late PRIMATE ROBINSON, who, it is well known, attached to his manners a high degree of personal dignity, happened to meet Mr. CHARLES WESLEY, at the Hot Wells; when, after making some good-natured observations on the variety of scenes they had passed through since they had left College, (for they had been fellow-collegians,) the following conversation took place between the Archbishop and Mr. WESLEY. "PRIMATE. I knew your Brother well. I could never credit all I have heard respecting him and you. But one thing in your conduct I could never account for, your employing Laymen. WESLEY. My Lord, it is your fault. P. My fault, Mr. WESLEY? W. Yes, my Lord; yours and your brethren's. W. Why, you hold your peace, and "the stones cry out." P. Well, but I am told they are unlearned men. W. Some of them are in many respects unlearned; so "the dumb ass rebukes the Prophet!" His Grace said no more.-ib. ANECDOTE OF THE REV. JOHN FLETCHER. "THIS evening I have buried one of the warmest opposers of my ministry, a stout, strong young man, aged twenty-four years. About three months ago, he came to the church yard with a corpse, but refused to come into the church. When the burial was over, I went to him and mildly expostulated with him. His constant answer was, that he had bound himself never to come to church while I was there; adding, that he would take the consequences,' &c. Seeing I got nothing, I left him, saying with uncommon warmth, (though as far as I can remember without the least touch of resentment) 'I am clear of your blood; henceforth it is upon your own head; you will not come to church on your legs, prepare to come upon your neighbours' shoulders.' He wasted from that time, and to my great surprise hath been buried the spot where we were when the conversation passed between When I visited him in his sickness, he seemed tame as a wolf in a trap. O may God have turned him into a sheep in his last hours!"-Benson's Life of Fletcher, p. 85. on us. Religious and Missionary Intelligence. CREEK INDIAN MISSION. In our last number we gave an extract of a Letter from the Rev. WILLIAM CAPERS, which contains an encouraging account of the School at this place. We have since received two letters from the Rev. ISAAC SMITH, which give a very interesting account of a revival of religion among the children which are under the care of the Mission School. Several of them give evidence of a sound conversion, and others are seeking salvation in the name of Jesus. For a more circumstantial account of this work, see Youth's Instructer and Guardian for this month. GRAND-RIVER MISSION. WITH great pleasure I comply with your absence to the Conference, I have the request, to "give an earlier account" continued to meet with our Red-Brethof the state of this Mission, having late- ren every week, giving them public disly much cause for gratitude to God, for courses, as well as answering their anx the increasing displays of his grace and ious inquiries concerning the things of mercy to the dear people of my charge. God. The Lord has indeed been gra At the Conference in July I mentioned cious to this people, pouring out His the commencement of a good work Holy Spirit on our assemblies, and thereamong the Mowhawks and others. This by giving the spirit of penitence, of encouraging beginning has since increas- prayer and of praise. About the first ed, and is now spreading in a powerful who appeared deeply concerned for awakening in a number of families in the northern part of the Indian Reservation. When I visited and preached to these Indians last June, I found several under awakenings; for they had heard, occasionally, a sermon from brothers Whitehead, Storey and Matthews; and had for some time been in the habit of coming together at the house of T. D. to hear prayers in the Mowhawk. Several manifested much concern, and appeared very desirous of the prayers and advice of the pious. These, with two youths who had lately received religious impressions at the Ancaster Camp-Meeting, I formed into a society; giving charge of the society to brother S. Crawford.* His account of the progress of the revival during my absence to Conference, I here insert from his letter to me. We must beg some indulgence for being particular, considering that the subjects of this work are the first fruits unto Christ; and, that this revival may be seen in the native simplicity of these artless Indians. Bro. C.'s account is as follows: "During * Brother Crawford appears to be a pious youth, of ardent, but prudent zeal for the cause of Christ. He came with recommendations from the east last spring, and is now studying the Indian language with a view to usefulness among the natives of the forest. He lives with the In. dians, faring as they fare,-is esteemed by them, and is making considerable proficiency in the language. VOL. VII. their souls were two women. One of them had, about fourteen years ago, known the way of the Lord; and had belonged to our society in the Allegha ny. Having been a long time without the means of grace, she had lost her comforts and her zeal for God; but now being again stirred up to return to the Lord, she became useful to others of her sex, who were inquiring for the way of life. The other was a woman of moral deportment, and of respectable standing among her nation; but of great and painful afflictions: by a series of family trials she had been borne down with overwhelming sorrows. To this daughter of affliction, the other woman gave religious counsel, urging, that if she would give her heart to the Lord, He would give comfort to her mind, as well as direct and support her in her worldly troubles. She listened to these things with much concern, and as she went to the spring for water, she turned aside several times to pray. At length, under a sense of her unworthiness and sinfulness, she sunk to the earth and was helpless for some time. When she recovered strength she came into her house, and calling her children around her, they all kneeled down to pray. While at prayer, a weight of power came on them, the daughter of fifteen cried aloud for merey, and the mother 5 again sunk to the floor. The daughter fortless to their habitations. The next soon found peace and praised the Lord. day I visited them, when they welcomed While the mother was yet mourning me with much affection, declaring what and praying, the youngest daughter not peace and happiness they felt since their yet four years of age, first kneeled by late conversion. A number soon came her mother, praying: then coming to together, among whom was the Indian her sister, she says, 'Onetye ragh a who, the day before, was so concerned gwogh nos ha ragh ge hea steage? One- for his wife. His convictions for sin tye ragh a gwogh nos ha ragh ge hea appeared deep, and his mind was in steage?' i. e. Why don't you send for much distress. We joined in prayer for the minister? Why don't you send for him; when I had closed, an Indian wothe minister? Shewing thereby a reli- man prayed in Mohawk. While she gious concern and intelligence remark- was with great earnestness, presenting able for one of her age. The mother to the Lord, the case of this brokensoon after obtained peace. She with hearted sinner, the Lord set his soul at her children are now a happy family, liberty. Himself and family have since walking in the enjoyment of the Holy appeared much devoted to the service of Comforter. Thus did the Lord bring the Lord. The next morning, assisted these sincere inquirers to the knowledge by an interpreter, I again preached to of himself while they were alone, calling on his name. "Another instance of extraordinary blessing among this people, was on Sabbath the 27th of July last, when one of our brethren came to hold meeting with them. During singing and prayer, there was much melting of heart and fervency throughout the assembly: some trembled and wept-others sunk to the floor; and there was a great cry for mercy through the congregation. Some cried in Messessaugah, Chemenito! Kitta maugesse, chemuche nene,' &c. i. e. Great good Spirit! 1 am poor and evil,' &c. Others in Mohawk prayed, 'O Sayàner, souahhaah sadòeyn Roewàye Jesus Christ, Tandakweandèrhek.' That is, O Lord, the only begotten son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.' Others were encouraging the penitents to cast their burdens on the Lord. Others again were rejoicing over their converted neighbours. In this manner the meeting continued throughout the day. While these exercises were going on, a little girl ran home to call her mother, who came directly over to the meeting. On entering the room where the people were praying, she was smitten with conviction, and fell down, crying for mercy. While in this distress, her husband was troubled lest his wife should die; but was happily disappointed, when a few hours after, her sorrows were turned into joy, and she arose praising the Lord. From this time the husband set out to serve the Lord, and the next day he also found peace to his soul, as I will hereafter relate. During the day several found the Saviour's love, and retired with great peace and comfort, while others with heavy hearts wept and prayed as they returned com the Indians. After the meeting, observing a man leaning over the fence weeping, I invited him to a neighbouring thicket, where I sung and prayed with him. I then called on him to pray, he began, but cried aloud for mercy with much contrition of spirit; but his tone was soon changed from prayer to praise. The work is spreading into a number of families. Sometimes the parents,-sometimes the children are first brought under concern. Without delay they fly to God by prayer, and generally they do not long mourn before their souls are set at liberty. The change which has taken place among these people appears very great, and, I doubt not, will do honour to the cause of religion, and thereby glorify God, who has promised to give the Gentiles for the inheritance of his Son. "SETH CRAWFORD." "Grand-River, Sept. 1823." On my return from Conference I called and preached to the Mohawks, and have it on my plan to continue to attend to them in my regular route.After having explained the rules of society to them, twenty were admitted as members of society. It was a season of refreshing to us all. On the 28th of September, I again preached to them. The crowd was now such that they could not all get into the house. Their usual attention and fervour were apparent, and near the conclusion of the discourse the hearts of many were affected, and they praised the Lord for his power and goodness. In meeting them in class, they appeared to be progressing finely, advancing in the knowledge and love of God. Several who had been under awakening, having now returned |