there has been blessed in turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. Though much has been done in this department of benevolence, more remains to be done. Thousands of children in our land are yet without the blessing of Sabbath School instruction. The interest of the field equals the demand for labourers: both combined ought to put every minister and elder and parent upon the most strenuous and selfsacrificing exertions.

The monthly concert for prayer on the 1st Monday of each month, is now generally observed; though not with the interest or as numerously as could be desired. The Concert of prayer for Sabbath Schools on the 2d Monday of each month is also becoming more general. These seasons of prayer and almsgiving keep the great objects of Christian benevolence distinctly before the Churches: here the power is applied which moves the wheels of this great moral machinery that is to convert the world.

The cause of Education for the christian ministry has received a new impulse. The Assembly's Board and the Branch connected with the American Education Society are each enjoying the patronage of the Churches, while other societioes in various districts are doing much for this good cause. These societies are the fountains that must supply the rivers that water the cities of our God. If this broad land is to be furnished with able and devoted ministers of the New Testament, much more must be done. The increase of population and the places vacated by death demand all the men that can be furnished and even more, so that no agressive movement can be made upon the kingdom of sin and error unless a fourfold exertion on the part of the churches be made. And the Holy Spirit of God seems in a great measure to be withdrawn from most of our Colleges and Academies: if the prayers of the church be not more directed to these interesting groups of young men we may fear that the ways of Zion will still mourn and her desolate heritages will lie waste. It is an encouraging fact that though the number of Theological Seminaries has increased, the number of students in each is not diminished.

If every Church would consider itself an Education Society, and feel bound to train up her sons, as some churches have done, for the Lord, there would be no want of ministers. It is devoutly to be wished that this subject were more earnestly pressed upon the attention of the churches.

The cause of Missions, Foreign and Domestic, notwithstanding the pecuniary embarrassments which have pressed heavily upon many parts of the country, has steadily advanced. The Assembly's Board of Missions has accomplished much, and the success of its operations proves that while other societies of a kindred character increase and prosper, the field is broad enough for every laborer. The Home Missionary Society, a noble institution, is going torward with its numerous agencies and auxiliaries with encouraging prospects; and if the love of Christ reign in the Directors and Agents of these excellent Societies, they may accomplish much for Zion. Let them rise and flourish till every congregation shall be blessed with a pastor, till all the waste ground in our vast territory be brought under the culture of the spiritual husbandman. The Seaman's Friend Society is beginning to exert a wide influence upon that hardy class of men who go down to the sea in ships and do business upon the great waters. It is regarded with interest by the churches and it has already taken its proper stand among the great Christian enterprizes of the day.

The Colonization Society is viewed as more and more important and is receiving a considerable portion of patronage.

The cause of Temperance has advanced with astonishing rapidity. From every quarter the glad intelligence is received that the greatest evil that ever cursed our land, which like the plagues of Egypt had come up into all our dwellings, has been powerfully checked. If the tide has not been turned, its volume has been greatly diminished; many lives have been preserved and millions of money have been saved.

So many appalling facts have been presented, so powerful an impression has been made upon the public mind that no member of the church can use or vend spirituous liquors without prejudice to the cause. If no harshness or vituperation be employed to advance this enterprise, it will ultimately tri

umph: but patience and unceasing exertion are indispensible. Until intoxicating liquors are entirely banished from Groceries and Inns where they ought not to be kept, and be confined, as they should be, to the druggist's shop, the work can never be accomplished. May that time speedily come.

This cause is intimately connected with the prosperity of Christ's kingdom. In some cases the temperance reformation has prepared the way for, and resulted in, a gracious work of the Spirit.

From the General Association of Connecticut encouraging reports have been received. The Churches are walking in the truth; and if some of them have been deprived of their pastors, others have been blessed with the presence of the holy Comforter. Showers of grace have descended the past year upon many churches and great numbers have apparently commenced a new life. More recently the power of God has been specially manifest in Norwich, Saybrook and Enfield. Benevolent Institutions are receiving vigorous and increasing support.

From the General Association of Massachusetts we learn, that after a temporary suspension of the divine influences, God is beginning to revive his work and to grant special tokens of his love. In Boston and the vicinity God is raining down righteousness. Throughout the Commonwealth the line of distinction between truth and error is more visibly drawn: many feeble churches have been strengthened; and evangelical truth is producing its legitimate effects.

The report from the General Convention of Vermont states that generally the Holy Spirit's influences have been withdrawn from the churches in that body during the past year; but that a powerful work of grace is now in progress in Castleton and the vicinity; in which great numbers are turning to the Lord. The temperance cause is signally triumphant there.

From the General Association of New-Hampshire,we learn that many of the waste places in their Zion are about to be built up, the cause of benevolence is prospering and no inconsiderable number of extensive revivals of religion have been experienced.

From the General Conference of Maine no communication has been received. From the Reformed Dutch Church, we learn that the Lord is smiling upon that portion of Zion. It contains 200 churches and numbers 150 ministers. Her Theological and Literary institutions are flourishing, and the benevolent enterprises of the day are regarded with favour and receive a liberal support. From the Synod of the German Reformed Church, we learn that while some prejudices exist in some sections against benevolent institutions, still the churches are rising in spirit and power: that the truths of the gospel are faithfully preached, and in the churches of Frederick city and Baltimore the Lord is pouring out his Spirit and bringing sinners to the foot of the cross.

It is painful to record on the same page with the triumphs of grace and the spread of truth, the ravages of disease and the reign of death. Although the harvest is plenteous and the labourers are few it has pleased the great Lord in his inscrutable Providence to lay aside some and to call off from the field by death, others in the vigour of life and in the midst of their usefulness; thereby admonishing all to work while it is called to day, and to double their diligence lest they be found sleeping.

In closing this report, we are constrained to say, that of ministers & churches to whom so much is given, much will be required. God has called us to live in an age when the foundation of an edifice on whose spires the light of the millennial day will dawn, are to be laid: the work has commenced and the form of it will depend in no small degree upon us: if ever wisdom from heaven was needed, it is needed now. Let each member of the church, no matter what his station or where his residence, feel that the word is addressed to him,"Arise and build." It may be the Lord will work with us; soon the topstone shall be brought forth with shoutings from a thousand tongues, grace, grace, unto it. Even so, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.

By order of the General Assembly,

EZRA STILES ELY, Stated Clerk.

A LETTER

From the General Assembly to the Churches under their care, on the subject of the Monthly Concert.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, to the People under their care. "Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Christian Brethren,—In attending, during our present sessions, to the reports from the several Presbyteries in our connexion, on the state of religion within their bounds respectively, we have been deeply grieved to find that the Monthly Concert for prayer has not been regarded in a manner corresponding with its unspeakable importance. In some Presbyteries and Congregations, indeed, it appears that the appointed season has been better observed than in others: but in almost all the observance we fear has been defective, and in many no room is left to doubt that the neglect has been great and lamentable. We, therefore, feel it to be our indispensable duty to call your serious attention to this subject, and to endeavour to speak to you upon it, with the plainness, the fidelity, and the tenderness, becoming those to whom has been committed the care of souls, and who are under an awful responsibility for the faithful discharge of their sacred trust.

As it is our earnest desire that our views may in no respect be misapprehended, we would first of all observe, that we are very far from wishing to place the day or evening, assigned for the monthly concert, on the same footing with the holy sabbath. None but God, who gave us all our time, has a right to hallow any portion of it; and he has hallowed no more than one day in seven. This you know is the doctrine of our church, and it is a doctrine which we wish not to contravene, but to maintain and teach. There certainly may be occasions when the most fervent Christian may not only find it his duty to be absent from the monthly concert, but to employ the time of its continuance in such secular business as would be utterly improper, during any of the sacred hours of the sabbath. But on the other hand, consider, brethren, that the word of God does plainly teach, that we should, as occasion requires, set apart a portion of secular time for special prayer, and for fasting too, when the aspect of God's providence plainly calls us to these duties. Recollect also, that from the nature of the case, it is not possible there should be an extended union for special prayer, without a public agreement or understanding, as to the time when individuals shall come together for the purpose. Now, we regard the monthly concert simply as a season for special prayer for the revival of religion, which the signs of the times plainly indicate to be proper; and which serious Christians throughout protestant Christendom have voluntarily agreed to observe, that their supplications may go up, as with one voice, to a prayer hearing and prayer answering God.

We are also solicitous that you should by no means suppose that we think the observance of the monthly concert, however strict, may come in place of the duty of prayer at other times, and in other forms. No, verily! On the contrary, it is with sorrow we find ourselves compelled to believe, that in the disregard of the concert, we see, not merely a single omission, but a sad and strong indication that the spirit and auty of prayer in general, are in a low and languishing state at present, among the professing people of God within our bounds. If there was as much fervent and effectual prayer as there ought to be, in the closet, in the family, in the social prayer meeting, And in the public worship of the sanctuary, we are persuaded we should have no occasion to complain that the concert was neglected. The love and holy delight of prayer, experienced and cherished in secret and social acts of warm and genuine devotion, would lead the participants in these exercises to rejoice in an opportunity to join their fellow Christians, in a more extended union for the same hallowed purpose. Alas! brethren, we do greatly fear, that the all-seeing God is witness, that the most of those who habitually, or generally, absent themselves from the monthly concert, do not address him in prayer at other times, and in other ways, with that fervour, frequency, and regularity, which Christian duty demands, and by which the spiritual health and prosperity of their own souls, would be greatly promoted. You perceive, then, that we wish the ordinary seasons and occasions of prayer should be increased, both in frequency and fervour, and not diminished on account of the monthly concert. We only desire that this latter should be added to the former. "These things ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

We shall now, dear brethren, state to you some of the considerations which induce us earnestly to inculcate that the monthly concert should be observed generally, and carefully, and solemnly, by every professing Christian in all our churches; and by all, indeed, who have any serious concern for the salvation of their souls.

The first consideration we shall mention is, that we have no right to expect that any, or that all the means and instrumentalities that are now in use, or that can possibly be used, for the promotion of religion, will be successful-will be attended with any saving benefit, unless the blessing of God be sought, and drawn down upon them, by much earnest and persevering prayer. This is a truth plainly taught in the word of God, and one that has been confirmed by the experienceof the church in all ages. Thus, when God promised to his ancient covenant-people, saying—“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh;" it is added, with reference to these very promised blessings-"Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them." So also, when the prophet Daniel "understood by books," that the captivity of his people in Babylon was near its close, he says, "I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and sup plications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes." But it ought especially to be noticed, that when, by another prophet, the latter-day glory of the church is predicted→ the day which we hope is now near at hand, if it has not already begun to dawn-the day when Jew and Gentile shall be gathered into one fold, and shall acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ to be the true Messiah, the one great "Shepherd and Bishop of souls"— the whole, it is declared, shall be preceded by special prayer, and be given in answer to it; for thus speaks the holy oracle-"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born."

In like manner, we find in the New Testament, that while the apostles and primitive Christians were waiting for the promised gift of the Holy Ghost, on the day of Pentecost-"They all continued in one accord, in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren:" and it was while "they were all with one accord in one place," and doubtless employed in prayer and supplication, that they received, in the most astonishing manner, the blessing for which they had been waiting. It is worthy of observation, also, that in the brief and comprehensive form of prayer, taught by our blessed Lord to his disciples, no one subject of petition is made so prominent, as that which relates to the spread and success of the gospel. And how often did the apostle Paul ask the prayers of the churches to which he addressed his epistles, for himself and the other heralds of salvation? "Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, even as it is with you." And how emphatically does he declare, that all human agencies and instrumentalities are ab. solutely nothing, but as they are used and blessed of God? "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase; so then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."

With all these teachings and examples of holy writ, our own observation, brethren, is in perfect accordance. Have we ever known a revival of religion, in a particular congregation or region of country, which did not commence in the revival of a spirit of prayer among God's people? He began with them; he revived them first-Perhaps indeed, their number was very small, but he impressed their spirits with a deep feeling of the constraining love of Christ, and of the infinite value of immortal souls, in danger of perishing all around them; and theycried mightily unto God for the influences of his Holy Spirit to revive his work; to show forth his glory; and to save sinners from their impending doom. Their cry was heard and answered; the influences of the Spirit of grace descended "as showers that water the earth;" converts were multiplied; and saints and angels rejoiced, over many sinners who repented and turned to God.

Consider attentively, brethren, the signs of the times. The day in which we live→ blessed be God-is a day of much Christian enterprise, and of great expectation. But in our country at least, it is also a day in which the great adversary of souls, and his agents among impious men, are alarmed, awake, active, alert, banding together, forming every device, and putting forth every energy to arrest & counteract the progress of truth and righteousness. We derive encouragement from knowing that if God be for us none can be against us, so as to succeed eventually. He will ultimately and assuredly take care of his own cause, and sustain it effectually. But in the meantime, if we are not much engaged in prayer that he may now appear, and plead his cause among ourselves, we cannot tell to what lengths, in just displeasure at our remissness, he may suffer the wicked to prevail and triumph, and cover us with confusion-before he arises and scatters them as chaff before the whirlwind. We cannot tell but he will suffer his cause to

languish and almost expire, in our own happy land, while he shall be pleading & reviv ing it in other countries. We verily are in jeopardy; and our refuge and hope are in God alone. Use whatever other means we may, if there is not much earnest prayer-the prayer of faith, wrestling with the angel of the covenant, the mighty God of Jacob, for his interposition, for his blessing on the other means, for his efficiency to be imparted to them--all will be vain and utterly abortive. The power to give them effect is all of God: and he seems to be waiting, to see whether we are sensible of our dependence, whether we acknowledge it, whether we deeply feel it, whether it will bring us with great and united importunity to his throne of grace, to plead with him to exert his power in our behalf; to send down his Holy Spirit; to turn his enemies into friends; to melt down all opposition, and to give his cause a glorious triumph throughout our beloved country; and ere long, throughout the world at large. Our Sabbath, and Infant, and Common schools, our Bible classes, our Bible, Missionary, Education, Tract, and Temperance societies, our Colleges and Theological Seminaries, our Catechetical instructions, and the faithful and sound preaching of evangelical truth, are all means— most happily adapted in their nature and design, to promote knowledge, human happiness, and the salvation of immortal souls. But none of these, nor all of them combined, will effect what their best friends desire, unless the special blessing of God attends them. In the monthly concert all these institutions and operations ought to be remembered; they ought to be borne on the hearts of God's praying people, when they beseech him to revive pure and undefiled religion. These-we repeat it-and all other benevolent institutions and operations, ought to be regarded simply as moral means; as instruments admirably fitted to produce reformation; but which notwithstanding never will produce it, on hearts naturally at enmity with God, unless he take them into his own hands, and put into them a resistless efficiency.To think otherwise, is to idolize human instrumentality; it is to put it in the place of God. On this he will always frown; and if we are thus self-sufficient, he will frown on us, and will show us, by mournful experience that without him we can do nothing; that all our best plans and efforts will effect nothing, till he shall please to interpose and crown them with success. It is in prayer that we recognise this truth; we acknowledge it to God, and we impress it on our own hearts. We go out of ourselves; we confess our utter impotence; and "we lift up our eyes to the hills, from whence cometh our help:" deeply sensible that "our help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." In our extended concert of prayer, if rightly conducted, there is a wide recognition of this great and essential truth; a recognition of it in regard to all the exertions, plans and efforts, that are now in use throughout protestant Christendom. We solemnly profess before the Sovereign of heaven and earth, that we feel our nothingness; that we are sensible that without his interposition and aid, we shall, by all our doings, effect nothing for the promotion of his cause; and we earnestly plead that he would not withhold that blessing which is essential to success-that he would "arise and plead his own cause." In this view the importance of the concert is unspeakable.

But there are other considerations relative to this season for special prayer, which deserve our serious regard. One is, the encouragement which we derive from holy scripture, to expect that an extensive union in prayer will be more prevalent than that which is less general. An instance of this we have in the case of the Ninevites, who by a deep humiliation "and crying mightily unto God," were preserved from the judgments of the Lord, which his own prophet had denounced. Another striking example is recorded in the book of Esther, from which it appears that the whole Jewish nation, when imminently threatened with utter extermination, entirely escaped the peril, after a general humiliation and looking to God for deliverance. Our Saviour himself taught the peculiar efficacy of union in prayer, when he said "where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." The smallest number in which union can exist is mentioned, for the manifest purpose of establishing the principle that social prayer is, for certain purposes, more prevalent than that which is individual and solitary; and hence the strong implication, that extended union may warrant the hope of an extended blessing. It is further to be considered, that the very thought that many thousands, in different parts of the world, are engaged with ourselves at the same time, in sending up their petitions to the throne of God's mercy, is calculated greatly to encourage, excite and animate us, in our devotions. This proceeds from that social principle of our nature which God has given us, and in accordance with which our lawful desires and petitions, addressed to himself, are most likely to be answered. Again-It is a very interesting consideration that the misionaries, who are gone forth to declare the glad tidings of salvation to the destitute in our own country, and to declare them in foreign lands to Jews, Pagans, and Mahom

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