3817.] MISSION SOCIETIES.....COLONIZATION OF BLACKS. this Association $797.* As the report of the Secretary of this Society will appear in a future number of the Magazine, it is not necessary we should give a minute account of its operations. The Association voted, that it be recommended to the churches, to afford assistance in collecting a library for the use of the Baptist Education Society. Books are to be lodged with the Executive Committee. It is hoped that the above recommendation will have a good effect. Many individuals who cannot conveniently add to the funds of the treasury, may have it in their power to enrich the library with the works of men distinguished for their piety and learning. MISSION SOCIETIES. A Society has recently been formed in the city of New-York, under the title of "The United Foreign Missionary Society," composed of the Presbyterian, Reformed Dutch, and Associate Reformed churches, and all others who may choose to join them. The object of the society is "to spread the gospel among the Indians of North America, the inhabitants of Mexico and South America, and other portions of the heathen and antichristian world." The Hon. Stephen Van Rensellaer is President, Rev. Doct. P. Milledoller, Corresponding Secretary, Mr. Zechariah Lewis, Recording Secretary, and Mr. Divie Bethune, Treasurer. Besides these, the officers of the Society consist of six Vice Presidents, and twelve Managers. The Board of Managers have published an address to the three denominations who are united in this society. It contains many interesting and impressive thoughts, but we have not room to insert it in the present number. On Wednesday, the 8th of October, the "Boston Baptist Foreign Missionary Society" held its annual meeting in Boston. The Secretary, in closing his Report, observes, "On a general view of the prospects relative to missions, we see much to encourage us, and would exhort our brethren to continued and increased exertions, till the wilderness and solitary place shall be made glad, and the deserts rejoice and blossom as the rose." In the evening an appropriate Sermon was delivered before the Society at the First Baptist Meeting-house, by Mr. Sharp, and a 239 COLONIZATION OF FREE BLACKS. [From the N York Christian Herald.] We understand that the American Society for colonizing the free people of colour, have appointed the Rev. Samuel J. Mills of Connecticut, their agent, to go to England, and from thence to the coast of Africa, for the purpose of obtaining information re. specting a suitable place for establishing the contemplated colony. is deemed advisable to employ two provided adequate funds can be raised agents on that interesting mission, to enable the above Society to prose It Baptist Church and Society in Woburn, 845,28 of the above sum ⚫ 32 dollars were received from the which by mistake was not noticed in the Minutes. were received from Portland and Bath. cute the object. An Auxiliary Society to that Institution was some time since formed in Baltimore, one more recently at Philadelphia, and another at New Brunswick, (N. J.) from which considerable aid may be reasonably expected. As a specimen of the interest which this undertaking has excited in some of the southern sections of this country, we give the following extract of a letter to the Editor from a worthy clergyman in Frederick County, Virginia. "DEAR SIR, "I hope ere long to be able to give you some encouraging information about the success of the colonizing plan in the neighbourhood where I reside. We have formed an Auxiliary Society here, and in a little time, and from a very few persons, have obtained subscriptions to the amount of four or five thousand dollars. We hope to double it at least. God grant it may be ten, yea, an hundred fold." Ordinations, &c. On the 10th of September, at the Second Baptist Meeting-house in Bosand ton, Messrs. James Colman, Edward Willard Wheelock, were solemnly ordained to the work of the ministry as missionaries to Burmah. Mr. Winchell introduced the services by reading select portions of the holy scriptures. Rev. Mr. Grafton, of Newton, made the introductory prayer; the Rev. Mr Chaplin, of Danvers, under whose instruction the young gentlemen had received their education, delivered a discourse from Galatians i 9. And when James, Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perce ved the grace that was given unto ne, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen. The Rev. Mr. Bolles offered up the consecrating prayer, while a number of brethren united with him in the imposition of hands. A charge was then delivered to the candidates, by the Rev. Dr. Baldwin; after which the Rev. Mr. Sharp gave the right hand of fellowship. Rev. Mr. Williams prayed at the close. All the performances were appropriate, and listened to by a crowded assembly, with much interest and many tears. The reflection that these young brethren, with their companions, were soon to bid farewell to their native land, never again to return, contributed much to the solemnity of the occasion They are expect. ing to embark for Calcutta the first opportunity, from whence they will proceed to Rangoon, to become associates with Judson and Hough. Many prayers ascend the throne of grace continually, that through their instrumentality thousands of Burmans may be brought to the saving knowledge of the Gospel of Christ. At the meeting of the Boston Bap. tist Association at Danvers, on Sep. tember 17th, Brother Ira Chase was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry, by imposition of hands and solemn prayer. Brother Peak made the Ordaining Prayer. Brother Baldwin delivered the Charge. Brother Winchell presented the Right Hand of Fellowship. Brother Bolles made the Concluding Prayer. The exer cises were solemn and appropriate; and the impressions made on this interesting occasion, it is hoped, will be lasting. Mr. Flavel Shurtleff was ordained at Bridgewater, (Mass) on the 18th of September. Rev. Doct. Messer preached on the occasion. Of the other services we have not been informed. ton. On the 3d of September, Mr. Sereno Edwards Dwight, son of the late Doct. Dwight, president of Yale College, was ordained as pastor of the Congre gational Church in Park-Street, BosThe Rev. Lyman Beecher On the preached on the occasion same day Messrs. Elisha P. Swift, Allen Graves, John Nichols, Levi Parsons, and Daniel S. Butrick, were ordained as missionaries to the pagan world, some of them to erect and sustain the standard of the cross in the benighted regions of Asia, and one of their number at least to devote himself to the instruction of the Indians in our own Country. On Lord's-day, Oct. 5th, Messrs. Allen Graves, and John Nichols, departed from this place as missionaries to Bombay. TO CORRESPONDENTS.-The Report of the Female Missionary Society of Boston, has been some time on our files It is too long to be inserted en tire, but we design to insert extracts from it in the next number. The Re view of Robinson's History of Baptism may be expected in our next. Several interesting articles are on hand. "The present moments just appear, Then slide away in haste." THE Commencement of a New Year brings with it a train of interesting reflections, which, if rightly improved, may render us wiser and better in time to come. What affecting changes have taken place during the last twelve months, within the narrow circle of our own acquaintance! Some of every age and condition have been called to close the scene of life, and render up their final account to God the Judge of all. Many, who have passed from this stage of action, were eminent for their piety, and some for their zeal and activity in the service of Christ. For these we sorrow not, as those that have no hope. They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. Others, we have reason to fear, have been cut off in their sins, and driven away in their wickedness. How affecting the thought! How awful their condition! In the close of the year, each one ought to make a solemn pause, and reflect on the manner in which he has spent the months that are past. O my soul! what hast thou done for the cause of Christ? Hast thou been actively engaged for God, or hast thou VOL. I. 31 been slumbering and sleeping with the slothful? Another portion of thy allotted time is gone, and numbered with the years beyond the flood. Let a consideration of thy past remissness, arouse thee to more spirited exertions. Every thing invites to activity in so good a cause. Thy time is short, therefore whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest. It is true, the past year has not been distinguished by the revolution of kingdoms, and the fall of empires: By the movements of hostile armies, and the din of arms: By conflagrated towns, and ruined provinces:-But by what is infinitely more important, the steady march of TRUTH. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. Large accessions have been made to the Redeemer's kingdom in various parts of this land. Continued, and even increased exertions have also been made, for extending the triumphs of the Cross in heathen countries. Bible Societies have been multiplied, and the number of missionaries to the heathen has been considerably increased. These things call loudly for gratitude and praise. This New Year commences under circumstances peculiarly auspicious. The world, with few exceptions, enjoys a profound peace. Superstition and bigotry, enfeebled by age, have lost much of their influence; and persecution and intolerance have lowered their frightful crest. What a delightful prospect opens for benevolent exertion! Never was there a time since the commencement of christianity, when more was doing, or when more was needed to be done. The fields are white already to the harvest, and millions are perishing for lack of knowledge. The Lord is now calling to his people by the voice of his providence, saying, be strong, and work, for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts. Let us imitate the example of our blessed Lord, and work while it is day, remembering the night cometh when no man can work. What changes are to pass over us during the present year, is only known to God. Perhaps, with respect to some of us, the complaint has already been entered "Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none; cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?" Concerning others, the decree may have already passed, This year thou shalt die. But should a gracious Providence spare us this year also, do we feel an ardent desire to double our diligence in the cause of our divine Master? Much has already been done for the spread of the gospel; yet much more remains to be done. Multitudes in our own land are still destitute of the stated ministry of the word. A cry is heard from our infant settlements, Come over into Macedonia and help us. The Lord grant that a voice may soon be heard crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert an high way for our God." To these desolate regions the missionaries of the cross direct their course. May the Lord go with them, and make them eminently useful in building up his cause. But the missionary cause, important as it is, is not the only one which calls for our attention at this time. The present age is too enlightened to believe the old popish sentiment, that "Ignorance is the parent of devotion." Nor are there many who can persuade themselves, that it is the best evidence of a minister's qual ifications for the work, that he is contented to preach without taking pains to cultivate his mental powers. While we are far from thinking that learning alone will qualify a man to preach; we are as far from believing that much learning will make him mad. Let us then dismiss our prejudices, and assist our pious young brethren, who appear to possess promising talents for the ministry, in obtaining such an education, as will render their usefulness more extensive. This good work has already commenced in different sections of our country, and sev eral churches have been supplied with pastors from these schools which promise much usefulness. Many others are anxiously desiring assistance. What can be done? Must they be denied? Must they relinquish the ministry altogether, or be obliged to enter upon it embarrassed with a consciousness, that they are wholly destitute of every literary qualification? We persuade ourselves you will cheerfully assist them. In a word, let us manifest a readiness to every good work. In closing this address, our friends and patrons will permit us, with the utmost sincerity, to tender them the compliments of the season, by wishing them all a HAPPY NEW YEAR. Biography. MEMOIR OF ELIJAH HUNTER, ESQ. Extracted from Mr. Stanford's Sermon on his death. MR. ELIJAH HUNTER was born at New Castle, near White Plains, in the state of New-York, August 4, 1749, and spent his early years in the usual way of gay young people. At the age of 18 he was put to a store in Tarry Town, afterwards was removed to the store of Mr. Gilbert Drake, near the same place, at which he continued one year. At this period Mr. Hunter formed his marriage connexion with Mr. Drake's daughter, Anna; who now survives him. He and his wife removed to Bedford, and opened a dry-good store; at which place he was very prosperous in business, and had three children. Immersed in worldly concerns, he was frequently led into companies where levity and mirth abounded, which had a strong tendency to lead him further from his God, and to prevent him from cultivating a solicitude for his more important interests. The revolutionary war breaking out, Mr. Hunter entered the first campaign under Colonel Holmes, and marched with the army to the northward; and after staying six months, he returned, and was at the battle of White Plains. Soon after this he had a severe fit of sickness, under which, like many others, he made many promises, should he be restored to health, that he would reform his conduct; but on his recovery became still more thoughtless. The village of Bedford was burnt by the British, which compelled Mr. Hunter to remove his family 30 miles distant; but within three months after, he returned and built another house. The revival of hostilities in this neighbour hood soon obliged him to remove again, and he with his family lived two years at Pound Ridge. At the latter end of this period it pleased God to produce some serious impressions upon Mr. Huńter's mind, which caused him to rectify many parts of his conduct, put his family under more moral regulations, and to be very assiduous in attending the public worship of God. Now the time drew nigh in which the Lord designed to express to him the riches of the Saviour's grace. In order to this he was again arrested by a violent sickness. The physician's skill was apparently abortive, and his family looked for the mortal change. The horrors of Mr. Hunter's mind were extremely great, and he concluded that it was impossible for God to save him. This was the more inc-ased by recollecting the violation of his promises made under former sicknesses. His jovial companions who came to visit im, he earnestly exhorted to bandon To their evil courses, lest iniquity prove their everlasting ruin. On the night he was expected to ex-' pire, he had awful apprehensions that evil spirits hovered round about him. But at sun-rise, while in prayer, his heart received an impression from these words: "Fear them not. Come unto me, and I will give you rest." the astonishment of all in the chamber, he immediately arose out of bed, walked, went to his Bible, and began to praise the Lord for the prospect of his mercy! Thus the Lord bringeth down to the grave and raiseth up again. Eventually Eventually Mr. Hunter's mind obtained solid rest and peace in |