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the ultimate end of all its institutions is to raise up and preserve, in the midst of a sinful world, a holy people. Without this, numbers and influence are nothing. We deprecate more than any thing else, that ecclesiastical pride which builds itself up upon the numbers and popularity of the church, while that church is sinking in the spirit and tone of its divine life. From such a state of things, we on both sides of the water, are doubtless united in saying, Lord preserve us ;-make us holy, and make us instrumental in spreading holiness throughout the earth.

We congratulate you, dear Fathers and Brethren, on the general prosperity that attends you, both in your labours at home, and in your missions abroad; but especially on account of the perfect harmony, which you inform us prevails among you; and we pray that it may ever continue. Of ourselves, though we are not able to say quite as much, yet in our present General Conference, which is now nearly closing, amidst some differences of opinion concerning the modes of administration, we find that we harmonize in the essential principles of Methodism. From this we are encouraged to hope, as intimated in his parting advice to us by your esteemed messenger, the REV. MR. REECE, that our minor differences of opinion on other subjects will soon be swallowed up in our attachment to the common cause. You too, in former days have had your difficulties; but those days have passed by, and peace and union now cheer you with their benignant rays. And we are hoping that before we shall have arrived at your age and maturity as a church, we shall overcome any little difficulties that may now attend us.

Brethren, pray for us. And may the God of peace dwell with us, and dwell with you. Finally, may this great army of the faithful who in two grand divisions are now carrying on the warfare in both hemispheres, so acquit themselves in the church militant below, as ultimately to unite with the church triumphant on high, where no ocean shall roll between, and no reciprocal messengers of love shall be needed, to recount their victories and triumphs. We are, dear Fathers and Brethren, yours in the bonds of ministerial labour and Christian love.

Signed in behalf of the Conference,

Baltimore, May, 1824.

ENOCH GEORGE, President.

NOTE. In the address sent to England a few verbal alterations were made which should have been inserted in this, but were inadvertently omitted. This, however, is substantially the same with the one sent.

Religious and Missionary Intelligence.

ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF GOD IN HOLSTON DISTRICT.
To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine.

DEAR BRETHREN,

THE following is a brief account of the work of God in the Holston district, Tennessee Conference, during the year 1823.

THE attentive readers of your useful Miscellany, will recollect that an account of the prosperity of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the year 1822 in this district, was published early in 1823. The close of the year 1822 was marked with signal displays of the out-pouring of the Spirit of God, and the addition of many to the Church, who are now "burning and shining lights." We commenced the following year with great expectations, which have been fully realized.

In the early part of the year, our quarterly meetings were spiritual seasons, and often crowned with the conversion of souls. The revival has been somewhat general throughout the district, but particular sections have shared more largely in its happy effects. In Abingdon circuit the work has been general; in almost every neighbourhood, and amongst every class of society, the Gospel has proved the power of God unto salvation. It is neither advisable nor possible to give a minute statement of many particulars that would be pleasing to the zealous Christian. I will, however, notice a Love-feast, held in the town of Abingdon, on Sunday morning, June 28th. At this place, Methodism was in its infancy, and strong prejudices appeared to exist against Love-feasts and Class-meetings. After sermon on Saturday, the nature and design of a Love-feast was explained, which seemed to excite a general wish to be present on the following morning; many attended-not less, it probable, than two hundred persons were admitted, one half of whom, perhaps, were not professors of religion. The meeting commenced with singing and prayer; and the simple and eloquent manner with which many afterward testified the great things that God had done for them seemed entirely irresistible. The flame of love was soon kindled into rapturous joy in the hearts of the saints, while floods of tears involuntarily burst from the eyes of those who had been brought thither by idle curiosity, or had been

induced to come with a desire to know the nature of our economy and to profit by our meeting. All appeared reverently to acknowledge that God was present in the assembly of his saints, and to feel that they were in the hallowed sanctuary of the Lord. The good effects of this happy meeting have been seen on earth, and I doubt not, will be disclosed in Heaven, in the endless salvation of many souls, to the praise and glory of God. Upwards of six hundred members have been added to the Church in this (Abingdon) circuit this year.

Holston circuit has likewise shared largely the benefits of the revival.Within its bounds hundreds have been awakened and savingly changed by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the love of God and to the practice of good works. At Jonesborough, Washington county, Tennessee, an extraordinary out-pouring of the Spirit has been experienced. The members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in that place, have increased from about thirty to upwards of one hundred-many of whom are highly respectable, who bid fair to adorn their profession and become eminently useful in the Church of Christ.

Camp-Meetings have been rendered exceedingly useful in giving an impulse to, and in promoting the revival of religion amongst us. When well conducted it is highly probable there is no institution which is so well calculated to effect the great end of the Gospel scheme, at certain times, and under certain circumstances, as they are. This, I think, we must admit, if we judge of causes by their effects. Our first Camp-Meeting was held the last week in July. We were favoured with agreeable weather, and in general, with the good attention of a large and respectable audience; many at this meeting were happily converted from the error of their ways, and many were comforted and confirmed in the truth; it was certainly, upon the whole, one of the happiest seasons amongst the professors of religion that I have ever witnessed. There were two

hundred and thirty-five communicants at this meeting, and forty persons joined the Church.

The Camp-Meetings in the circuits of Lee and Clinch, were good and profitable, especially in the latter. The Divine presence crowned our assembling together, and was graciously manifested by the awakening power and the comforting influences of the Holy Spirit. Two hundred and thirty-five at this meeting commemorated the Lord's Supper. The New-River Camp-Meeting succeeded the one last mentioned, and as usual, at the place where it was held, great grace rested upon the people, and great good was done in the name of Jesus Christ. Scores were brought to the knowledge of the truth in the remission of sin. Two hundred and sixty commemorated the sufferings of their Saviour.

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The Camp-Meeting in Abingdon circuit commenced Sept. 5th, and, as was anticipated, was attended by a large concourse of respectable, serious and attentive hearers, to many of whose hearts "the violated law," through the messengers of truth, "spoke out its thunders," or by whom "in strains as sweet as angels use, the Gospel whispered peace." On the last night, it is probable that not less than twenty persons obtained a clear sense of their acceptance, through faith in Jesus Christ; and on the following day, after the assembly had generally dispersed, a few pious, zealous souls, who were necessarily detained, improved the opportunity by joining in fervent prayer in behalf of eight or ten persons who were bowed down by penitential sorrow,-six of whom were set at liberty to praise a pardoning God. Three hundred and fifty communicants at this meeting declared themselves the disciples of Jesus Christ; and fifty new converts, were admitted to join the Church.

September 19th, the Camp-Meeting commenced in Holston circuit, near Jonesborough. The revival of religion in this circuit, and particularly in the town of Jonesborough, caused a very great addition of tents and tenters, to a previously large encampment. On this occasion indeed, the arm of the Lord was made bare, and his salvation revealed. Happy scores obtained the knowledge of their sins forgiven.Never, perhaps, was greater zeal discovered by professors of religion than on this occasion, for the conversion of their relatives, friends and acquaintances; and their pious exertions were crowned with abundant success. Upwards of two

Three

hundred at this meeting presented themselves in the altar for admission into the Methodist Episcopal Church. hundred and fifty commemorated the Lord's Supper on Sunday afternoon, which was a time of refreshing from the Divine presence to very many souls.

The last Camp-Meeting I attended in the district, commenced the week following the last mentioned, at a new establishment in Carter-Valley circuit. It was a time of much comfort to the religious. There were many conversions, and more than seventy joined our Church. There is one circumstance which deserves to be particularly noticed; seventeen families were settled upon the encampment, out of which fourteen had souls, one, two or three, converted in them. Many in the neighbourhood have become convinced of the utility of Camp-Meetings, and have resolved to build tents by the next season.

By comparing the Minutes of this with those of the last year, it will be ascertained that upwards of seventeen hundred have been added to this district. Truly the "wilderness and the solitary places have been made glad, and the desert has rejoiced and blossomed as the rose." "It is the Lord's doings and marvellous in our eyes." Let our hearts rejoice in his salvation, and render unto him the glory due to His Name; but while we acknowledge God, the giver of every good and perfect gift, we must attribute much, as instrumental to the extraordinary exertions which have been made to produce the extraordinary effects witnessed. The essential doctrines of Christianity: the one true and living God, manifested in the Holy Scriptures as mysteriously existing in Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Justification by faith alone in Jesus Christ, as God manifested in the flesh, to suffer and die a sacrifice for sin; The direct witness of the Spirit; holiness of heart and life; the immortality of the soul; the resurrection of the body; a future judgment; and a state of future rewards and punishments, have been zealously contended for, as the faith once delivered to the saints. The peculiarities of Methodism in doctrines and church government have not been concealed or sacrificed, but openly avowed and defended as rational, scriptural, and as bearing the test of experience.

At present, there is a considerable revival of religion at Wythe C. H. Va. a place once almost proverbial for vice and infidelity. The Gospel even here, has proved its own energy to save.

JOHN TEVIS.

ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF GOD ON RHINEBECK DISTRICT. To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine.

DEAR BRETHREN,

If you think the following brief notice of the progress of the work of God on Rhinebeck District during the past year, worthy a place in your valuable Magazine, you are at liberty to insert the same. HENRY STEAD. April 15, 1824.

Immediately after our first quarterly meeting on Salisbury circuit, we experienced a gracious visitation of divine mercy and power among the people of our charge: the result of which was, six or eight were converted from the error of their ways. At our second quarterly meeting which was held in Canaan, we were blessed with refreshing showers of divine grace. Three were in a little time added to the society. In September last a new appointment was taken up at Ancram Furnace, on Livingston's Manor. In several subsequent meetings at this place, the power of God was displayed in a remarkable manner. Many stout-hearted sinners were brought to cry aloud for mercy; fourteen at one meeting were seen kneeling at the same bench, weeping for mercy and earnestly desiring an interest in the prayers of God's people. The place of worship was crowded from time to time, and it was with very great reluctance the congregation could be persuaded to leave the house of prayer. In a short period of time, ten persons united themselves in a class; since which, thirteen have been added making their number twentythree. Thus has the Lord favoured us on the Manor; and the fields in that region seem more and more ripe for the

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harvest.

At Salisbury Falls, a gentle but reviving shower, has been descending ever since our Camp-Meeting in Hillsdale, in September last. About twenty, principally heads of families, have been added unto the Lord's people in this place.

In the month of January last, an appointment was attended in North-Canaan Street, near the Congregational Meeting-House. The Lord set his seal to the truth and some were awakened. Class meetings were soon instituted and

numerously attended by such as seemed truly desirous of the salvation of their own souls, and though the work met with some opposition from those who ought to have been its friends, the cause of Christ gradually prevailed, until in the month of March the work assumed a more decided character and spread like fire in dry stubble. Upwards of forty have embraced religion, and the work is still going on.

Petersburgh circuit has been highly favoured of the Lord this year. Our Camp-meeting in the month of June, though not very numerously attended, was made a special blessing to the neighbourhood. In Adam's village a class of fifty has been formed, principally young persons from eight to twenty years of age. In Pownal a gracious work began in February last, and in the month of March, the cloud of mercy visited the east hill, three miles north of William's College. Here thirteen were converted in one prayer-meeting, and at a subsequent meeting for preaching, six obtained a lively sense of the Divine favour.

Pittsfield circuit has witnessed some visitations of divine mercy. In Tyringham a new class has been formed of

thirty members, principally young con

verts.

Sandlake on Chatham circuit has also been visited with some merciful tokens of the divine regard.

In other places on this district although no very remarkable instances of revival have occurred, the congregations have more than doubled within the last two years. In general our preachers have been diligent and faithful in their work, and we have had much cause of rejoicing in the rock of our salvation.

WESLEYAN METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

We have received the Report of this Society for the year ending 31st Dec. 1823; from which it appears that they have one hundred and twenty-six Missionary stations. These stations demand the labours of one hundred and eighty-three Missionaries, though that number is not actually employed, as some of the stations remain vacant, but will be supplied as soon as practicable.

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Amount of collections for the Society during the year ending 31st December, 1823, is £34650 5s 3d sterling, or $154,001. The Report concludes in the following words :"The Committee are happy to have 'so much reason to believe, that in proportion to this increase of exertion at home and abroad, the spirit of prayer has been more largely poured forth; and that the great work is laid at the footstool of him whose blessing alone can give it prosperity, in humble confession of the total insufficiency, of man. The public acknowledgment which has of late been made of the office of The Lord the Spirit, and the necessity of his continual agency, has had its effect upon Missionaries abroad, whose letters and other communications, give pleasing proof that these are the sentiments which influence their minds; and show that they have been greatly comforted in their arduous and often discouraging labours, by the consideration that the difficulties of their work have been rightly estimated, and that the 'thousands of Israel' in this land of privileges, are striving together with them in their prayers, day and night, making request with tears and with joy. The reasons for perseverance in this hallowed exercise remain unabated, and must continue in their full force, till the prayer taught us by our Lord, Thy kingdom come,' is accomplished in all its fulness; and fully it cannot be accomplished, even in this present world, until the joyful thrilling acclaim be heard in all lands, and is reechoed from the heaven of heavens itself, 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.' Subjects of prayer, of a particular kind, and all subservient to this grand object, are constantly pressing upon the attention of those whose minds are directed to the operation of Missions.-Suitable instruments, endowed with those peculiar qualifications for that variety of service, which is now required by operations so

extended, are to be asked from the Lord of the harvest, whose sole prerogative it is to send forth labourers :-the assistant Missionaries which have been raised up from among the heathen, both in Africa and India, have a special claim upon our sympathy and intercessions, as the first fruits of a native ministry, from which, by the grace of Christ, so much is to be expected :-those of our brethren, who have gone beyond the protection of British power, (now in almost every Colony so well employed by the representatives of Majesty, both to defend and to sanction the self-denying and devoted servants of Christ,) demand our constant remembrance before the throne of the heavenly grace. Living among savage and lawless tribes; capricious, sanguinary, and brutal, they claim, both for their personal protection, and their success among a people so rugged and unpromising, our daily prayers. And, above all, when the malice and subtlety of the great spirit of evil, the ruler of the darkness of this world, are considered; and that he is now the more active, and the more various in his assaults, as he can no longer keep his goods in peace, and knoweth that he hath but a short time; it is the more imperative upon us to be aware of his devices, to arm ourselves in this work with the whole armour of God, to feel our own dependance, and the dependance of all our endeavours upon God, and to pray with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and to watch thereunto with all perseverance.

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"It is thus in humble and prayerful efforts, that we are assured of the divine co-operation. And shall not God hear his own elect, which cry day and night unto him? The history of the past, is the pledge of the future; for to no great effort made, and persevered in, in this spirit, was success ever denied. When

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