THE

DOMESTIC MISSIONARY CHRONICLE.

SEPTEMBER, 1843.

BOARD OF MISSIONS.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM MISSIONARIES. The following communication is from a valued siderable additions to the church. In brother, who has recently taken the pastoral all ninety-five persons have been admitted charge of an infant church in our own city, (Phi- in that period. Of these, not a few are ladelphia,) and to whom the Board has given some aid. The report of his labours, which we among the youth of the congregation, for have somewhat condensed, will show with what which our hearts would rejoice and take encouraging success these labours have been at- courage. Biblical and catechetical intended. We would, however, ask the attention struction has been attended to, and family of our readers more especially to the valuable visitation of the pastor and elders, from and seasonable remarks on the whole subject house to house, with the regular administration of gospel ordinances, have been the blessed means of the ingathering of precious souls to our Lord and Master. While therefore we increase in numbers, our earnest prayer is, that we may grow in grace, and make proportionable advanceinent in the divine life.

of Domestic Missions which accompany the Re

port.-ED.

Before closing the Report, we cannot but express our unfeigned gratitude to the Board, for the appropriation made to our infant church. We indulge the hope, that at no distant period, we shall be able to help ourselves, and at the same time do our part to aid in sending the Gospel to others.

REPORT.-In calling the attention of the Board of Missions more particularly to my own charge, we have much reason for mutual congratulation, neither is there wanting cause sufficient for sorrow and mutual condolence. The former, we trust, greatly predominates. Much reason have we, as a church, to offer up devout thanksgiving to the Lord for the continued tokens of his presence and favour. "Hitherto the Lord has helped us." Although the members of our church are but few, when compared with the more numerous, wealthy, and influential churches around us, yet, "by the good hand of our God upon We hesitate not to affirm, that the spirit us" we have continued to increase. It is of missions is the cherished spirit of the true, we cannot speak of any unusual out-true Church of God in all ages. To impouring of the Holy Ghost, in the revival part to others the light and joy of the gosof religion amongst us, yet we have some pel, is the first desire of a heart turned good evidence from the number, and the from the idols of the world, to the love of character of the recent accessions made Jesus; we rejoice that this spirit is found to our church, that the Spirit of the Lord in the Presbyterian Church. In order, had been, and still is, in our midst. Dur- therefore, to extend the boundaries of our ing the last nine months that we have Zion, to strengthen and sustain feeble been aided by the Board, we have had churches already planted, as well as to three communion seasons, which have aid in spreading the gospel in foreign proved truly refreshing to our souls; lands, all that is necessary, under the at each of these there have been con-blessing of God, is a more united and conVOL. XI.-36

centrated effort. It is of the first im-ed to any people, unless the institutions ef

portance, that the Missionary enterprise the gospel are planted down among them, should not be subject to the fluctuations of and rendered permanent; an occasional sera transient zeal. This is a work in which mon from a passing stranger is not likely to every church should take a part, and do much permanent good. Itinerant misthe supplies for this object from all our sions, as they have generally been prosechurches should be regular and constant. || cuted, can never of themselves reach the As our churches multiply, and converts point, nor accomplish the object. The are increased, the channels of benevolence minister of the gospel, in order to exert a should be enlarged, and should send forth proper influence on the community, must from year to year, a larger supply for the be "the shepherd of the flock." His wants of sinful and dying men. There own interests must be identified with are yet many, very many important points theirs, and his own affections and sympawithin the reach of our liberality to be thies must be excited in their behalf by occupied, and many feeble churches still daily intercourse. But it may still be askneeding the fostering care of the Board. ed, How is every destitute congregation, To whom then is the Board to look for the and every district of country, sufficiently means to accomplish these grand objects? extensive and populous to form a congreTo the people, to the churches of our com- gation, to be furnished with the means of munion in all portions of the land. At this grace? Some are too poor, and others too crisis, in our great enterprise, it is the parsimonious to support the institutions of duty, the imperative duty of the churches the gospel; and thus, between poverty to wake up to this important subject. and avarice, the waste places of Zion do While we do our part in the work of for- mourn, they are neglected, and their spireign missions, our own beloved country-itual desolations become more fearful and the home of our children should not be appalling; and is there no remedy? Yes, overlooked.

The commission from our Master to have the gospel preached to every creature, includes our own country. And to impress upon the Church her imperative obligation not to overlook the destitutions at home, in that commission is found this interesting clause-" Beginning at Jerusalem." The voice of our country calls upon the Church to prosecute this work with new vigour; the cry comes from all sections of our land: "Send us the bread of life." The distressing fact cannot be concealed, that moral desolations are all around us; they meet us in the city and in the country. It is not necessary to cross the Mississippi, nor traverse the plains of Florida, to find places as dark and cheerless as any land of idols. This great country must be evangelized; we speak it deliberately. These United States must be brought under the influence of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how is this great work to be accomplished? We answer unhesitatingly, By Domestic Missionary Operations. Moral and religious instruction cannot be secur-"

there is a remedy. It is found in the plan of missionary operations, adopted and pursued by our own Board, a plan which will meet the exigency, if the churches, in the spirit and power of the gospel, will but promptly and efficiently furnish the necessary means. Much good has already been effected. Wonders have been achieved. Sinners have been converted. Very many feeble churches have been aided, revived, refreshed, strengthened, and established. And many, very many new churches have been formed. We bless God that the spirit of missions still exists among us, and that when an appeal is made to the churches in behalf of a cause so important, their response is made with the interest and zeal of those who feel their responsibilities.

These remarks in favour of new and much more decided efforts for spreading the gospel at home are by no means designed to lessen an interest in foreign missions—God forbid. "The field is the world," and our soul's desire and prayer to God is, that the interest in favour of pagan lands may be increased an hundred fold.

FROM A MISSIONARY IN JEFFERSON

CITY.

still on the increase. Sometimes, while explaining the Catechism, and endeavouring to impress these great truths upon the hearts of my youthful charge, I have seen the tear silently trickle down the cheek, and have been listened to with such deep and serious attention and feeling, as have convinced me that the Spirit of God was operating on the hearts of some-and I cannot but hope that this exercise will prove a rich blessing to numbers.

Incipient Revivals of Religion. During the three months which I have spent here, there has been a gradual increase in attendance on the services of the Sabbath, and a growing seriousness on the minds of numbers. About the first of June the Presbytery of Missouri met at Bloomfield, ten miles from this place. The Lord blessed the effort which was there made, roused in the church an unwonted spirit of prayer, and so blessed his word that some member of Presbytery continued to preach from day to day, and as the result of our labour, I think about thirty, and some of them men of age and influence, have been admitted to the church. On the 11th a Commission of Presbytery met here for my instalment; and here a similar blessing followed the continued presentation of truth: We have already admitted to the church forty-gregation. Three persons, with whom I seven new members, having only forty before. More than half the converts are

men.

On the first Sabbath in this month we had a communion season at one of my stations, which was more than usually interesting. Four persons were admitted to the communion of the church. During the progress of the meeting, which commenced on Friday, there were evident indications of the special presence of God's Spirit, especially on the Sabbath. There is still much seriousness and anxiety, among the younger part of the con

have conversed, have expressed a hope of having experienced a change of heart, and give pretty good evidence that the work is genuine. I trust the time is not far distant, when we shall have many others inquiring for the way of salvation. The church seems to be roused, and our prayer-meetings are much better attend

This is the first decided religious impression which has been made in this city. The work still goes on. The infant church is in a state of delightful harmony and love, still earnest in prayer and firm in its labours of love. In this precious revival the brethren of the Presby-ed than formerly. tery, who were here, laboured with great diligence. If there has been aught peculiar in the preaching, it has been a clearer and more earnest presentation of the distinguishing doctrines of our standards. The truth, too, has been addressed more directly to the intellect of men than it

sometimes is.

DEAU CO.

On the Friday succeeding the meeting above mentioned, we commenced a similar meeting at another of my stations. The weather was at first exceedingly unfavourable, which kept numbers away. On Sabbath the weather was fair, and the attendance was very large. Four persons were admitted to the church. There was much seriousness, especially on Sab

FROM A MISSIONARY IN CAPE GIRAR- bath evening during the closing exercises. I trust many good impressions were made, which will not be lost.

Encouraging appearances. ***** Our Sabbath school, which has been resumed since the opening of spring, is in a flourishing condition. We have been furnished with a pretty good library, and we hope for much good from it. Since the return of pleasant weather, I have resumed the catechetical class, and find the interest in this study, among both young and old, greater than formerly, and

By the little good which has been accomplished, and the clear indications of the presence of God's Spirit among us, I feel encouraged to labour more diligently, and pray more fervently that the kingdom of Christ may be built up here, and to hope that the Lord has yet greater blessings in store for this destitute portion of his vineyard.

FROM A MISSIONARY IN COOPER CO. *****At a recent meeting of our Presbytery, the Rev. Dr. C**** was ordained and installed pastor of the united congregations of R**** and F****. This is a most important field, and it is cause for thankfulness that they enjoy the regular ministrations of the gospel. It is a field over which Campbelism but a short time since spread like fire; but there is reason to believe that this sect is rapidly declining in this region. We greatly need some additional labourers for the region south-stances under which some of our most de voted

Books of the Board of Publication—their value to for ministerial services the past year is