of the poor-in the circles of refined elegance, and the cabins of servitude-among men of letters, and savages of the forest, there has been one pervading influence, one indiscriminate transformation of character. They do all speak in our own language the wonderful works of God:

It is a very interesting and gratifying circumstance, that the same reports, which announce these revivala, so wholly unexampled in number and extent, generally contain direct testimony as to the means which have been blessed to their production and promotion. From these authentic sources, the Assembly has collected some valuable information upon a subject so vitally important, as to commend it to the special attention of all the churches. In examining the narratives, which the most highly favoured Presbyteries have given, of the gracious operations of the Spirit of God within their bounds, there is the clearest evidence, that the blessings bestowed, have been in proportion to the appropriate means employed. A spirit of fervent prayer, deep humiliation, and active effort in the churches, and a course of devoted, persevering, and judicious labours on the part of the ministry, uniformly preceded the displays of pardoning mercy.

And in these spiritual harvests the amount of good actually accomplished, has appeared to depend upon the diligence and fidelity with which the field has been cultivated; insomuch that in several cases, the reports distinctly state, that the work of grace extended to every place where an active and faithful ministry was enjoyed. The heart-searching appeal, which this statement addresses to all our members and ministers, needs no argument to enforce it.

Upon another subject of deep interest, there is a general unbroken testimony from all parts of the church, which have been blessed with a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. We refer to the rich and precious blessings which have attended the numerous protracted meetings which have been held throughout our borders. Whatever honest difference of opinion there may have been, as to the utility of such convocations, whatever fears may have been cherished as to their tendency, the question now seems decided, that the Lord has signally owned and abundantly blessed them, and that the seal of divine approbation is visibly and indelibly fixed upon them. From all portions of the church we hear the language of praise, for the great things God has done by means of protracted meetings, and of the glorious displays of converting grace which have rendered them eminent ly seasons of mercy.

Among the means which the Lord has

graciously owned and blessed during this year of jubilee, many of your reports specially commemorate the influence of temperance societies. It is now a well established fact, that the common use of strong drink, however moderate, has been a fatal, soul-destroying barrier against the influence of the gospel. Consequently, wherever total abstinence is practised, a powerful instrument of resisting the Holy Spirit is removed, and a new avenue of access to the hearts of men opened to the power of truth. Thus, in numerous instances, and in various places, during the past year, the temperance reformation has been a harbinger, preparing the way of the Lord; and the banishment of that liquid poison, which kills both soul and body, has made way for the immediate entrance of the Spirit and the word, the glorious train of the Redeemer.

Signally efficacious also in promoting this glorious work of grace, have been those institutions which afford religious instruction to the young-which convey the messages of salvation to children, before they are steeled against them by pride and prejudice-which apply the balm to their diseased hearts before the malady becomes inveterate, and which present the overtures of a Saviour's love to those who are on the threshold of life, and not yet fully enlisted under the banners of Satan. The discovery seems to have been reserved to bless this age of the world, that the fairest and most promising field of religious effort, is afforded by early childhood-that it is not wise to wait until the enemy is entrenched and fortified, before the attempt is made to dislodge him-and that there is a method of preaching the gospel, most effectually, to a whole generation of children. Sunday schools and Bible classes accomplish this most benevolent object. And the history of the Holy Spirit's operations during the past year, in blessing so many hundreds of our churches, and calling so many thousands of sinners to repentance, affords a full and cheering testimony upon this subject. Sunday schools have proved the nurseries of revivals; their teachers have been found efficient, devoted labourers in gathering souls to Christ, and their pupils have come in lovely bands at the gospel call, clustered round the cross, given up their young hearts to God, and sung hosannah to the Son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

We notice only one thing more in the reports of revivals, and that is the mighty power with which the simple truths of the gospel have been attended. We have been too prone to believe, that the champions of infidelity were only to be encountered by subtle and skilful argumentation

that the pride of unsanctified intellect

sand teachers who are engaged in leading nearly six hundred thousand young immortals, to the saving knowledge of the Redeemer, cannot be contemplated by Christians without emotions of wonder and gratitude. Surely it is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.

The cause of temperance continues to extend and multiply its triumphs, notwithstanding the machinations of Satan, and the madness of the multitudes, who are striving to demolish the only barrier which can secure them from destruction. The testimony of our churches, as to the signal success which has crowned the efforts of the friends of this cause, the astonishing effect which has thus been produced upon public sentiment, and upon the habits and customs of the higher classes, and especially as to the unquestionable connexion between total abstinence from ardent spirits and the success of the gospel, is of the most decided and gratifying character. The formation of a temperance association in each congregation, has taken place extensively, with the happiest results. While, therefore, in view of these things, the friends of temperance are called upon to thank God and take courage, let them remember that much, very much, remains to be done. Let them not remit their vigilance and activity, for their foes never slumber. All the powers and resources of the kingdom of darkness are vigorously employed in opposition. Much indeed has been done in staying this plague among the more intelligent and elevated orders of society: but all the energies of Christian benevolence are demanded, to stem the torrent which is spreading misery, and guilt, and ruin, through the dwellings of labour and poverty. A great work is still to be effected in the church. The sons of Levi must be purified. The accursed thing must be removed from the camp of the Lord. While professing Christians continue to exhibit the baleful example of tasting the drunkard's poison, or, by a sacrilegious traffick, to make it their employment to degrade and destroy their fellow-men, those who love the Lord must not keep silence, but must lift their warning voice, and use all lawful efforts to remove this withering reproach from the house of God. Let all our congregations become efficient temperance associations, let all our ministers and elders be united, consistent, and persevering in this cause, and we may derive from experience a full persuasion, that the ravages of the direful foe will be arrested; that the rising race will be rescued from his deadly grasp, and thus a most formidable obstacle to the success of the gospel, will at last be removed.

The records of the past year afford cheering evidence of the steady progress Ch. Adv.-VOL. X.

and extended influence of Christian Missions. The host of the Lord, enlisted under these banners, has received a great increase in strength and numbers. Every revival forms a centre of missionary influence, and every renewed heart glows with ardent desire for the spread of the gospel. To this precious cause, much of talents, influence and property has been recently consecrated. Churches which have been blessed by the effusions of the Spirit, are usually liberal in furnishing the means of sending the treasures of salvation to the destitute and the perishing. Your reports furnish examples of this sort worthy of particular notice. Two of the churches, which have lately enjoyed a season of revival, have contributed, one six thousand dollars, and the other four thousand, exclusively to the missionary cause. The subject of foreign missions excites a much deeper interest than formerly. Students in theology are directing their views anxiously towards this field of labour; and a number of young men of high promise, have recently devoted themselves to carry the gospel to distant heathen lands.

The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, continues to enjoy the favour of the Great Head of the Church, in the increasing success and extent of their vast operations. It must afford a lively joy to every pious heart to reflect, that every quarter of the globe receives spiritual blessings through this noble institution of our own land, which is connected with our own church, and which seems destined to exert a very important influence in producing the final triumph of the cross, and in causing the kingdoms of this world to become the kingdoms of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The Assembly would hail with pleasure, the appearance of a deeper interest in the subject of Foreign Missions, recently manifested in the churches of the West, by the establishment of a Western Foreign Missionary Society. We would that all our churches might have a strong sense of their obligation to send the gospel "to every creature," and afford fairer evidence of the sincerity of their daily prayer, "thy kingdom come."

The Assembly's Board of Missions reports a gratifying amount of labour and success. The whole number of missionaries employed during the past year, is 256. The ministerial labour performed, is equal to 154 years. The congregations and stations supplied, are about 400. The missionaries employed by that Board, have reported about 600 Sabbath schools, and 300 catechetical and Bible classes. All the benevolent institutions of the day are attended to by the missionaries. The number of temperance societies, either formed or promoted by them, is estimated at 350,

2 M

containing 15,000 members. In nearly 50 of the congregations, supplied by the Board, "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord" have been experienced; and more than 1000 have been added to them. The additions to all the churches sustained by the Board, is estimated at 2000.

The American Home Missionary Society has conducted its operations with increasing efficiency and success. Its missionaries, during the last year, have been 509, who have been employed in 745 congregations and missionary districts, in the United States and Upper Canada; and 177 of this number have had their fields of labour, west of the Alleghany mountains. These missionaries have reported 361 years of ministerial labour performed. Sabbath schools, Bible classes, temperance societies, and other benevolent efforts sustained and blessed in the congregations aided; 187 special revivals of religion, 9,257 hopeful conversions, of whom 6,033 have been added to the churches on profession of their faith, and 1,356 by letter, making in all, 7,389 reported as added to the churches under their ministry during the last year; and the labours of the missionaries, in every respect, have been more signally blessed, than in any previous year.

The Board of Education of the General Assembly has, during the last year, through the Divine blessing, been prospered to an unusual degree; and its prospects of extensive usefulness, in training the sons of the church for the work of the ministry, are of the most auspicious kind. This is a cause so important in its character, and so very urgent in its claims upon the patronage and prayers of all God's people, that we feel called on to recommend it to their special attention and regard. It has pleased God to suspend the conversion of the world, upon the preaching of the gospel. The raising up, therefore, of a sufficient number of holy, faithful, and devoted men, to supply the wants of our country, and of the world, lies at the very foundation of Christian missions.

The Board have under their care at this time, 267 youth, in various stages of preparation for the work of the minitsry, in fifteen states of our nation; and have made arrangements for carrying forward their agency, during the coming year, in every part of the Presbyterian Church.

The American Education Society, in connexion with the Presbyterian Education Society, which is a co-ordinate body, has now under its patronage 673 beneficiaries, having received 226 during the year. It has expended the last year, $41,362 56. From former beneficiaries there has been refunded during the year, the sum of

$1,312. The young men under patronage have earned, by their industry, the gross sum of $15,568. Fifty-six, in 7 theological seminaries, have earned on an average $58 each. About 60 of the beneficiaries will this year complete their course of study, and receive license to preach the gospel; 10 of whom are expecting to devote themselves to foreign missions. And it is expected that the coming year will witness a great enlargement of the operations of this institution.

This good work has received a new impulse, during the past year, resulting from the many precious revivals which have been enjoyed. The direct effect of these has been, not only to excite zeal and liberality in the cause of raising up faithful ministers, but also to furnish young men from among the subjects of renewing grace, prepared to devote themselves to the labours of the ministry. Io one Presbytery, there are eighty young men of this description, who have already commenced a course of preparation for the sacred office. From the whole church, therefore, there will come a great compa ny of the sons of the prophets, willing to become labourers in the vineyard of the Lord. Many of these must be supported by the charities of the pious, during their preparatory studies. And every man of wealth in our connexion, who has felt the power of a Saviour's love, would do well to support one student through his course of education. And it is anxiously hoped, that young men thus assisted, will complete a thorough course of study, and not hasten into the ministry with a meagre, scanty preparation; and that, when their studies are completed, they will not linger round the great cities, but will feel sacredly bound, to go far away among the destitute, to make full proof of their ministry, and thus save the church from reproach, and their patrons from distressing fears, that they have laboured in vain and spent their money for that which is not bread.

In connexion with this subject, it is a privilege to be able to state, that several colleges have shared in the revivals which have blessed so many of our churches; and that a goodly number of the students are thus prepared by grace to devote themselves to the Lord. The Theological Seminaries, under the care of the Assembly, are in a prosperous flourishing state. A missionary spirit prevails extensively, in those schools of the prophets, and the number is increasing, of those who are preparing to be messengers of salvation to pagan nations. Thus from these foun tains, there issue annual streams, which not only gladden the city of God, but also refresh the barren wastes, and cause the desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose. It affords much satisfaction to the Assem

bly to be informed that the seminary established by the synod of South Carolina and Georgia, located in Columbia, is now in successful operation, having two professors and sixteen students; and promises much good to that section of the church, where, from peculiar circumstances, such an institution is so vitally important.

The American Seamen's Friend Society, is actively engaged in promoting the spiritual welfare of those who go down to the sea in ships, and do business in the great waters. The blessed effects of such benevolent labours are manifest in all our sea ports, and in almost every vessel that sails from our shores. In every city, sailors now feel that they have a church, and a minister of their own, and that there are some who care for their souls. The measures which have recently been adopted, to send missionaries to seamen in foreign ports, promise to exert an auspicious influence upon the religious state of the world.

The American Colonization Society pursues its noble enterprise with increasing success. To collect the children of a degraded wretched race, as the free people of colour certainly are, and to transport and plant them as a Christian people on the shores of Africa, is surely a design of such unmingled mercy, that every good man must hope and pray for its accomplishment.

From the General Association of Connecticut, we learn with no ordinary emotions of pleasure, that so powerful and extensive have been the revivals in that State, during the past year, that almost all the churches have enjoyed these rich blessings. Those gathered into the visible fold of Christ in this great harvest, are vastly more numerous and more valuable as to character and influence, than in any former year. The happy effects of this mighty work of grace are not confined to its immediate subjects, but are gloriously manifest in the elevation of Christian character, in the moral state of the community at large, and in the flourishing condition of all benevolent institutions. Yale College has been greatly favoured of the Lord, and one hundred and ninety of its students are now the professed followers of the Lamb.

From the General Association of Massachusetts, we rejoice to hear similar glad tidings. More than two hundred churches in connexion with that body, have enjoyed

special effusions of the Holy Spirit, and more than six thousand souls have professedly passed from death to life. Protracted meetings have been generally adopted and greatly blessed, and the temperance reformation has afforded efficient aid, in promoting the work of God.

From the General Convention of Vermont, the General Association of New Hampshire, the General Conference of Maine, and the Evangelical Consociation of Rhode Island, we receive reports, that the state of religion generally is decidedly and increasingly favourable. Many of the churches in connexion with those bodies respectively, have enjoyed refreshings from the presence of the Lord. Benevolent institutions are generally prosperous; temperance is spreading its triumphs; the standard of morals is rendered more pure and elevated; and literary institutions are becoming more and more the nurseries of piety, and efficient auxiliaries in building up Zion.

Thus these ecclesiastical bodies unite with the Assembly, in a grateful acknowledgment of the unequalled blessings which the Head of the Church has graciously bestowed upon this highly favoured nation. He hath not dealt so with any people. Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us, bless his holy name.

But while we remember the days of the right hand of the Most High, it becomes us to be duly affected by the bereavements with which our churches have been visited, in the removal by death of many of our beloved brethren. While we affectionately cherish their memory, let us be admonished by their departure that the time is short. Let us therefore work while it is day, the night cometh when no man can work.

Finally, in view of all these interesting events, and all the encouragements, dangers, and responsibilities, resulting from the present state and prospects of the Presbyterian Church, the General Assembly would affectionately say to all the ministers, elders, and members in our con