and continued them till some time in September or October, when three or four persons were convinced of sin and experienced religion. About the middle of February following I invited the villagers to attend a conference with me on Thurday evenings, and to pray for the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom.The divine presence was more and more realized in our meetings, and the sighs and tears of the congregation spoke this language, "Oh, that my lead of sin were gone," &c. About this time the Rev. Mr. DAVIS, who was preaching in the Presbyterian congregation, called on me, and requested to join me in the meetings; and his labours were a great help to push forward the revival. During the work in Funday's Bush, there has been added to the Baptist Church, seventeen; to the Presbyterian, thirty-seven; and to the Methodist, forty-nine. In another class, four miles east, twenty-two have lately experienced a change. In the N. E. part of the town, where the Christian Society hold their meetings, rising of forty have professed hope in Christ. In the class in Kingsborough about twenty-five have professed to obtain forgiveness of sins. Four have been added to the Presbyterian Church in that town. The whole number, as far as I have been able to ascertain, who have professed hope in Christ during this revival, from five miles east to eight west, is one hundred and ninety-four; and the work is now the most prosperous that it has ever been, taking the whole together.-Unite your prayers with ours that every soul may be made happy in God. REVIVAL OF RELIGION ON ONTARIO DISTRICT. To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine. DEAR BRETHREN, The Lord has been pleased to visit this District (Ontario) in mercy the present year. And when we contemplate the difficulties through which we have struggled, the disappointment of the enemies of the cross of Christ, and the reviving of the hopes of the friends of Zion, we deem it our duty to mention the loving kindness of the Lord. Four years since, Unitarianism or Arianism, seemed to threaten the entire overthrow of the work of God in some Circuits on this District, and on some others, divisions and wild and ranting fanatics, caused the spirits of the faithful in a degree to sink. But the Lord has turned again the captivity of Zion, and made us to rejoice. Though for two or three years we saw no great awakenings, yet we saw that truth and rational scriptural piety were evidently gaining ground. meeting-house, and still seem to be prospering. But we have the greatest and best news from Lyon's Circuit. Brother SABEN, the preacher in charge of that circuit, writes as follows:-"we have on this circuit five chapels, and one parsonage, thirty classes, and eight hundred and fifty members: some of them were among the first fruits unto God under the labours of WESLEY and FLETCHER in Europe; others the first fruits of Methodism in the Southern states. In them we yet discover many lively traits of that pure love and zeal which characterised those holy men and ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ.” From the annual Conference where we received our appointment to this circuit, we came directly to our work, in the name of the Lord, hoping and praying for a revival, and it was soon perceived that the way of the Lord was preparing in several places. Many of the official and private members of the church, caught the spirit of reformation, and cordially united with their itinerant brethren, to advance the cause of the Redeemer; and all glory be given to God, our labour was not in vain in the Lord. The present year we have had some glorious revivals. The town of Adison, on Canisteo Circuit, has undergone a great change, in a moral and religious view, and great has been the joy of the pious few who have been praying, and looking, for the coming of the Lord, We soon perceived the serious attenwhile they have seen old men and mai- tion of the listening multitudes to the dens, young men and matrons, coming word preached, accompanied with tears and inquiring "What shall we do to be and cries for salvation in Jesus' name. saved? Several other circuits have had Nor were they turned empty away. In some showers of grace. The last year our prayer-meetings scores of these Catharine Circuit was peculiarly favour- deeply penitent mourners, witnessed ed, and more than one hundred were the power of Christ to save, while bowadded to the Church in one neighbour- ing before his throne in the attitude of hood, where they have since built a humble suppliants. Husbands and wives, parents and chil- and ripening. Indeed we have been dren, brothers and sisters, many of whom all the year harvesting, and are yet in had been the subjects of prayer for years, the midst thereof, and who can tell what are now rejoicing together and abound- the Lord will yet do while his people ing in love to God and man. And pray and believe? through the whole of this work we have seen very little in our meetings to disapprove. The converts appear to take deep root in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, and bring forth acceptable fruit at home and abroad. This account may appear small when compared with some from larger fields and abler pens, but to us it appears great, who have been so long combatting the enemy, without winning much spoil. The subjects of this work are young, How many have been converted can- middle-aged, and old, from eleven to not now be easily ascertained; about two seventy-five years. Several thus adhundred and eighty, have joined the dif- vanced in life have given the most satisferent societies, on the circuit the present factory evidence of a real change of year. The work has been gradually heart. progressing for eight or ten months; perhaps the seed sown years ago by the servants of the Lord is now springing up Yours respectfully, ABNER CHASE. Milo, July 1st, 1824. AN ACCOUNT OF A CAMP-MEETING HELD IN TELFAIR COUNTY, GEO. To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine. Dublin, Georgia, Sept. 13, 1824. DEAR BRETHREN, PERHAPS it will be gratifying to your readers to hear that God has revived his work in the thinly settled parts of Georgia. If you think the following worthy of public attention, you may insert it in your excellent Magazine. For several years past religion has been at a very low ebb about the fork of the Oconee and Oakmulgee rivers. The people who live there and for miles above and below, with a few exceptions, were entirely thoughtless of eternity. Many had given themselves up to wickedness, and others were strongly inclined to infidelity. And though they have had Methodist preaching for years, but few embraced the gospel; so that our preach ers had to join in the prophet's lamenta tion, Lord who hath believed our report, and unto whom is the arm of the Lord revealed. For the last two years religion has been gradually gaining ground. A few miles above the junction of the two rivers, several joined society, and last year they desired to have a camp-meeting, which was granted them. This meeting proved a blessing to many. The camp-meeting in that place for this year, commenced Wednesday evening, Sep. 1. It was attended principally by the people of Telfair, Montgomery and Appling counties. The congregation amounted to about six hundred. But here the presence of God was manifested in a powerful manner in the awakening and conversion of many precious souls. During the first sermon the congrega tion appeared very solemn; and under the second many began to cry for mercy. From this time the work went on in a surprising manner. Crowds flocked into the altar, desiring the prayers of preachers and people, all of whom appeared in the greatest distress. On Saturday and Sunday the good physician applied the balm of Gilead to many of their wounded souls and made their broken hearts to rejoice. It was common for these young converts, as soon as they felt the pardoning love of God, to rise and declare what God had done for their souls, and conclude by exhorting sinners to seek salvation. Among others, there were several children from twelve to fourteen years of age, earnestly engaged in exhorting their friends to fly to Jesus, assuring them that He was merciful and would receive them if they would submit to him. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. These words seemed to be remarkably fulfilled on the present occasion. On Sunday evening the work spread in an astonishing manner through the congregation. Some who had hitherto made it a subject of ridicule, began now to experience its blessed effects themselves. In the midst of this work, a Baptist Preacher who had been labouring with us during the meeting, arose on the stand, and declared to the congregation that he had no doubt but this was the work of God; and warned the people, especially professors of other denominations, of the dangerous consequences of opposing God's work, and of fighting against Him. He told them this time God spoke peace to many of their souls. that he felt as solemn as death. Then lifting up his hands and eyes toward heaven, he prayed God to send holy On Monday morning thirty-four profire on the people. An awful solemnity fessed to have been converted at this rested on the assembly, and the power meeting, and a number went home fully of the Highest overshadowed the con- resolved not to rest until they found gregation. Some fell to the ground, Jesus precious to their souls. I trust and others screamed for mercy. He the fruits of this meeting will continue proposed to the mourners to come into to appear. To God be all the glory. the altar; and it was soon crowded I am, dear brethren, with penitents who continued in prayer Yours in Christian love, to God until after midnight. During JOHN J. TRIGGS. THE SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEW-YORK METHODIST TRACT SOCIETY. THE Managers beg leave to lay before the Society a brief statement of their transactions the past year, and the present state of the Institution. Notwithstanding the failure of support from auxiliary societies, the managers are happy to state that the society is free from debt, and that there is a considerable quantity of Tracts in the depository ready to supply associations and individuals who may wish to purchase. A depository has been opened the last year in Savannah, Georgia, under the care of the Rev. JAMES (). Andrew, from whence we hope many of the society's tracts will be distributed. The business of gratuitous distribution has been attended to as in former years. The inhabitants of the State Prison, Penitentiary, Bridewell, Jail, Alms-house, &c. have been the objects of your benevolence in this respect. In some of the sunday and free-schools also, your tracts have been circulated, and were received with apparent thankfulness and satisfac They have added to the catalogue four new Tracts, numbered and entitled as follows, viz. No. 44, Duplicity Exposed; 45. The duty of caring for the souls of Relatives; 46, Three queries to Deists; 47, A good wife a great blessing. They have also had occasion to re-print No. 6, on Sabbath Breaking, and No. 36, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, by Rev. J. WESLEY. The whole number of Tracts printed for the Society in the course of the year is 15,100. The board have judged it proper to procure stereotype plates for the tract on Christian Perfection, and several others which they expect will be in constant demand, by which means there will be a saving of expense in the publication of future editions. It tion. And although the Board are not is with regret we have to state the unpleasant fact, that we have derived no assistance from Auxiliary Societies during the year, either by the accession of new ones, or by remittances, from those previously formed. The pecuniary support of the Society therefore has been derived from the contributions of its mumbers, and the sale of the Tracts. And here we would thankfully acknowledge the assistance of those preachers who have ordered Tracts for distribution on their circuits, and hope that such orders will be multiplied. It would be easy for the preachers to form Tract Associations on their circuits, and a very trifling contribution from each member of said association would procure a sufficient quantity of Tracts to distribute, to proper persons, all through the neighbourhood, of Managers. by which means much good might be effected. Let it be done. informed that any extraordinary effect has been produced by these tracts, yet, as they all contain important Truth, they cannot doubt but that more or less good will be the result. As the expected assistance from Auxiliary Societies has failed, it appears necessary that other measures should be promptly adopted to facilitate the sale and circulation of your tracts, which it is hoped the Board of Managers for the ensuing year may be able to devise and prosecute to good effect. And now, may the Lord of the harvest "multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness"-to Him be glory and praise for ever and ever. Amen. By order and in behalf of the Board THOMAS MASON, Cor. Sec. New-York, July 29, 1824. From the Wesleyan Missionary Notices. WEST INDIAN MISSIONS. THE Minutes of the Foreign District Meetings having, for the most part, arrived, we have the pleasure to report that, in the great majority of Stations, the work is in encouraging progress. The State of the Societies in the West Indies especially, is improving in stability, piety, discipline, and numbers; and many applications are made by the Missionaries for the assistance of additional labourers. In some of the stations in the South Seas, and in South Africa, the Brethren, both from sickness, and the difficulties and dangers of their work, are in circumstances of outward trial, and exercises of mind, which claim in their behalf our special and earnest prayers. The increase of the numbers in Society, on the Mission Stations, for the year, is upwards of eleven hundred members. BERMUDA.-Extract of a Letter from MR. Dowson, dated Hamilton, May 27th,1824. THE Annual Public Meeting of our not more splendid than I sincerely hope Auxiliary Missionary Society was held it will be useful, going out to our West in our Chapel at Hamilton on the 19th India colonies; two Bishops, three Archinst. It excited an unusual degree of deacons, and a number of Clergy. One interest. The Collection at the Meeting of the principal objects of their appointexceeded that of any former year; and ment, as stated by my LORD BATHURST, when every deduction for printing, &c., the Colonial Secretary of State, only is made, the sum to be returned to the two months ago, in the House of Lords, Treasurers of the Parent Society will is to improve the religious condition of be about £120 sterling, an amount the slave-population. I will maintain which has exceeded our most sanguine expectations; and when the unprecedented depression of the trade of these islands, (in many instances producing deep poverty,) and the prejudices engendered here by evil reports, are deeply weighed, this sum will appear surprisingly great. I have now only time to give you two extracts from the copious and very excellent Speech delivered from the Chair of the Meeting by the HON. JAMES CHRISTIE ESTEN, the Chief Justice of these islands, who presided on the occasion. He has in this Speech borne honourable testimony to the benefits resulting from the labours of your Missionaries in the West Indies. In adverting to some objections made to the Mission, he observed, "I will go farther, and in justice to the Wesleyan Methodists, ask whether it is any proof of their wish to undermine the Church, that in many of their Chapels in England and the Colonies they have adopted its Liturgy; that (to come nearer home) your own Society is anxious to circulate, and does circulate among your members, the Tracts sent out by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, to its District Society in these islands? I will maintain that your Missionaries, in the scene of their operations, of all others the most interesting to us, I mean the West India colonies, have entitled themselves to the thanks of that Church, which they cannot, without being calumniated, be accused of undermining. We see a splendid religious establishment, and that your Missionaries, sent from your Parent-Society, have prepared the way for this establishment; they have been the humble but useful pioneers who have preceded, and removed impediments from its march; and they ought, therefore, instead of being accused of a wish to subvert it, be permitted to share its triumphs; what they have sown in tears, the Church will reap in joy; they have, in fact, laid the foundation, upon which the fabric of the Church will be reared among the slaves in the West Indies." With reference to EDWARD FRASER, a slave, and employed by us as a local Preacher, the Chairman observed, "His character is such as to be far above any praise in my power to give him. Gentlemen who live nearer to him than I do, tell me that the fruits of his instruction to the slaves and free persons of colour are very visible in the whole neighbourhood. Self-taught, he has made attainments in literature, (for of the extent of his religious knowledge I shall not presume to speak,) that would do honour to almost any young man of his age. "In fine, I think it probable, there has been no such slave since the days of EPICTETUS; and that, if the heathen philosopher had lived in our time, he would have been such a slave as I have attempted to describe." This slave is a member of our Society, preaches twice a week,-leads two Classes,-and teaches a Sunday-School. Extract of a Letter from the Missionaries of the Antigua District, comprehending ten islands, dated at their Annual Meeting, St. Christopher's, Feb. 2d, 1824. WE wish, in the most earnest manner, But while we rejoice to witness this to call the attention of the Committee cheering prospect, we feel ourselves to the West India Mission, so far as it pained at not having the means in our concerns this District, and to what we power, which are absolutely necessary to conceive to be its claims on their sup- pursue these important openings. Our port. We believe that there is no ex- embarrassments are, the want of more aggeration in stating, that the West India Missionary-Chapels, and Mission-estaMission is now become one of the most blishments; and the very bad condiimportant Missions in the world. The calls of all classes of the population here for the word of life, are at this time more pressing than we have ever known them to be since we were called to labour in the vineyard of the Lord. The prejudices with which we, as well as our predecessors, have had to contend, are now giving way in every quarter, and we believe that the way is now gloriously opening for the spread of Gospel-truth through all these Western Isles. tion of many of our old ones; and in these painful circumstances we must remain, and the work of God be impeded, unless the Committee extend their helping hand on a larger scale than heretofore; by furnishing us with such pecuniary aid as will enable us to build new Chapels and Mission-Houses, and to repair our present ones; and thus to follow those openings which are now presenting themselves for the universal spread of the Gospel of peace in these colonies. WESLEYAN METHODISTS. We have received the Minutes of the Eighty-first Annual Conference of the Wesleyan Methodists, which was begun in Leeds, England, on Wednesday, July 28, 1824; from which we select the following items of intelligence.* The deaths of sixteen are recorded; namely, eleven in Great-Britain, three in Ireland, and two in the Foreign Missionary Stations, Ditto in Ireland, Number of members now in Great-Britain, 226,939 22,047 Ditto in Foreign Stations, 32,540 Total number under the care of the British and Irish Conferences, 281,526 Number of preachers in Great-Britain, Ireland and in Foreign Stations: IN GREAT-BRITAIN: Number of Methodists throughout the world, taken from the British and American British, American, Total Minutes for 1823-1824. Members. Preachers. * For a more particular account, we refer to the Minutes themselves forthwith to be republished from our press. Of this number of Preachers one hundred and sixteen are supernumerary and superannuated, and sixteen are employed as Missionaries, nine among the Indian Tribes, the Wyandotts, the Creeks, the Cherokees, and the Mowhawks in Upper Canada, and seven in the destitute places of the White population: leaving eleven hundred and forty Regular Preachers. |