sed of, by referring the whole matter to the Trustees of the Theological Seminary at Princeton, who are required to examine into it, and if in their view, the Synod is entitled to the books and funds prayed for, either in law or equity, the Trustees are directed to restore them.

The General Assembly's Board of Missions also presented their report. It is an interesting document; but I shall say no more of it at present, because it will be published, and then you and the churches may see it in detail.

REVIVALS OF RELIGION IN AMERICA.
(From the "London Record.")

THE following very interesting narrative of the state of religion within the bounds of the Presbyterian Church, was reported to the General Assembly at their late meeting:

"The past year has been such a year of revivals and rejoicing in the Church, as never before was known in this land.

"In former years details of revivals in the different Churches have been given, but this year we can give only the names of the Presbyteries. And we are happy to say, that forty-four have sent in reports of the visitation of God's Spirit, and of hundreds of sinners converted by his power. In the Presbyteries of Champlain, Albany, Troy, Watertown, Oneida, Otsego, Chenango, Courtland, Cayuga, Onondaga, Toga, Geneva, Ontario, Rochester, Genesee, Niagara, Buffalo, North River, New York 1st, New York 3d, Erie, Huron, Cincinnati, and West Hanover, the revivals have been powerful and general beyond any that have ever before been reported to the Assembly. In the Presbyteries of Columbia, St. Law rence, Oswego, Bath, Hudson, Bedford, Long Island, New York 2d, Newark, Elizabethtown, Philadelphia, District of Columbia, Carlisle, Columbus, Chillicothe, Miami, Salem, Kaskaskia, Cleveland, and Charleston Union, there have been revivals more or less powerful. Some of them in years past would have been denominated great and glorious works of grace; and in none of them are less than two, or three, or more churches, blessed by the Spirit, and some of them in a very signal manner. Besides these, some other Presbyteries have reported single churches which have been revived. within their bounds. The whole number of the churches thus visited is more than three hundred and fifty. Many of these revivals are at this time in progress, some of them increasing in power and interest, and almost every week adds the names of some new churches to the favoured list. Our prayer to God is, that the number may never be diminished, nor the work decline, until not only every church, but every soul shall be blessed. How many are already subjects of renewing grace it is impossible to estimate with any degree of accuracy; but in this we may rejoice, that many thousands of immortal souls, who were but a few months ago enemies to Christ, and led captive by Satan, are now obedient servants to the Saviour, and rational expectants of eternal glory.

"The character of this work, so far as we can learn, has generally been such as the friends of God must approve, and desire to see continued,still, solemn, and in some cases overwhelming. In general there has been but little to produce distrust, or to awaken fear in the mind of the most

timid and cautious Christian. And it is worthy of remark, that we hear but little of open and violent opposition. The presence and power of God have been so manifest, that the most vile, though they refuse to repent, have not the hardihood to oppose or to revile. And for this we would give thanks to God, that while revivals are becoming more frequent, and more powerful, they are also becoming more pure from every thing of human origin.

In these great works of salvation, some of all orders, and ranks, and ages, and character, have been included. The child of six and seven years, yet in the infant school, and the aged sinner, who had passed his fourscore years in rebellion, have in the same congregation been brought together at the feet of Jesus; and some of all the intermediate ages. The great and learned officers of state, and the most illiterate servants, have been found together in the same prayer-meeting, on a level before the throne of God. The man of wealth and the poor man have united in begging for mercy of him who is no respecter of persons. It is however believed, that no previous revival ever took so large a proportion of the wealth, and learning, and influence of society as this has done. Literary and professional men, who are at the head of society, giving the tone to public sentiment, have been brought into the kingdom in far greater num bers than ever before was known. Moral men, who have regarded themselves as approved of God on account of the purity of their lives, and the openly vicious and profane, have been alike humbled before God on account of their vileness, and the just sentence of wrath which was upon them. In many instances the intemperate, tottering upon the verge of a drunkard's grave, have been rescued by the sovereign mercy of God, and made temperate, sober Christians.

"Some of every character and condition in life have been taken, so that we need not despair of any, but should labour and pray in hope and faith for all. In some congregations, especially in the western section of the state of New York, the work has been so general and thorough, that the whole customs of society have been changed. Amusements, and all practices of a doubtful character, the object of which is simply pleasure, have been abandoned, and far higher and purer enjoyment is found in exercises of devotion, and engagements for the glory of God and salvation of men. So far as we can learn, the new converts come at once into all the designs and plans of benevolence which are the glory of the present day, and rejoice in bearing their part in the conversion of the world. Already have the treasuries of many benevolent societies felt their influence. It is also worthy of remark, that in very many instances, and we do not know but in all, where a person has wronged another, on his professsing repentance before God, he has been solicitous to make a speedy and full restitution for the injury; and in all cases, the converts are immediately zealous friends of the Temperance Reformation, and friends of every thing that favours the cause of the Redeemer. All the effect of these revivals that is worthy of regard, is the advancement of the cause of Christ in the hearts of individuals in the church, and in the world. Should they continue and increase, as we pray they may, and produce no other effects than they have already done, they will shortly bring into our country all the blessings promised of God to the church in the latter days. They multiply the families that call on the name of the Lord; they change the aspect and habits of society, by giving the tone of christianity to public sentiment and practice; they silence the clamour of opposers, and close

the lips of the profane; they rescue the Sabbath from under the feet of the impious, break up the deep and strong foundations of iniquity, disperse the assemblies of the wicked, and fill the churches of God from the haunts of dissipation. They close up the fountains from whence flow the desolating streams of intemperance, licentiousness, and every vice; and give increasing energy and triumph to all the plans of benevolence, by which this revolted world is to be brought back to the service and the favour of God. What more, or what difference then, does the church need to bring in her millennial glory? While we pray to God to multiply such revivals, and thus cause his kingdom to come, we would urge all the friends of the Redeemer, and the Ministers of Christ in particular, to be diligent and faithful in using the means by which they are promoted. "In the Presbyterian Reports, Sabbath-schools, Bible-classes, the distribution of religious tracts, faithful private conversation, three and four days' meetings, observing seasons of fasting and prayer, frequent prayermeetings, especially at sun rising, have been mentioned as means which God has blessed. Not from these, nor any other means, however, ought we to expect success, unless they are employed with a heart that earnestly desires the blessings, feels its entire dependance on sovereign grace, and relics, with an unwavering confidence, on the promises of God to grant the request of his people.

"But especially from every Presbytery where revivals exist, we learn that God is pleased to mark with peculiar favour, every well directed effort to promote entire abstinence from ardent spirits. Where this cause is triumphant, it is so sure a harbinger of a revival, that there is no danger in crying, 'the Kingdom of God is at hand.' With respect to the kind of preaching which it pleases God to make effectual, we are prepared to say, there is in it nothing peculiar; nothing but a full and plain exhibition of the great doctrines of the Bible, which are expressed in our confession of faith: but such an exhibition of them as shows the sinner his entire and voluntary wickedness, and that no palliation or excuse can be offered for his violation of God's law; that he is absolutely and entirely dependent on the Spirit of God, and that this dependence affords the strongest possible encouragement to immediate repentance and right moral action, because that Spirit is constantly with him, and urging him to that point; that now his eternal interest is suspended solely on his own choice; and while it takes away all his excuses for impenitence, urges him to the immediate choice of life, by all the motives that can be made to bear upon the mind, and move the heart. We do hope that all these means will be more faithfully employed, with stronger desire, and more humility, faith, and prayer; and we pray, that they may be more abundantly prospered of God. Then will the cry of coldness, and death, and dissensions, which now come from many of the Presbyteries, cease to be heard in our great convocations.

"Though we have dwelt thus long on things that demand our gratitude and praise, yet from the narrative of many Presbyteries, we might declare facts respecting the powers and works of darkness, in the extreme painful and alarming; ordinances of God neglected and despised, the Sabbath and the name of the Lord profaned, the servants of Christ defamed and slandered, and their benevolent designs perverted. Infidelity, Universalism, Papacy, and many errors and delusions still abound, and intemperance still prevails. And it is with extreme and unmingled regret, that we hear of some members of our churches who encourage the latter crime, by making, vending, and using ardent spirits,

"We do affectionately, but earnestly, entreat all such individuals by the love of Christ, and by the value of immortal souls, that they immediately reform, or renounce their profession of having the Spirit of him who sacrificed himself to save the souls of men.

"Other evils have been reported, which are very distressing; but to dwell upon them, and to weep over the ruin they spread, will not redress them. As the Spirit of God is poured out, and his kingdom advances, we know that they will be diminished.

"As the general affairs of this kingdom are very much conducted by societies of different names, in order to learn fully the advancement of the cause of Christ, we must attend to their respective reports.

"That noble Institution, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, in which our own church is equally interested with the Congregational and Reformed Dutch Churches, is making a steady and successful progress in its operations among the heathen. More than 1,200 converts from heathenism are connected with the churches formed in its various missions; and it is a fact interesting to the Assembly, that a majority of its missionaries, and much the greatest number of its mission churches, belong to our denomination. The whole number of its missionaries, clergy, and laity, male and female, now in the field, is 235.” The Report proceeds to give an account of the labours of the different societies in connexion with the Presbyterian Church, and then concludes: "The revolutions taking place upon the Eastern Continent, and the power of God there manifested in overthrowing the thrones of kings, wresting the sceptre from the hand of princes, causing the long-oppressed to breathe the air of freedom, humbling the crescent of the false prophet, 'entering the strong entrenchments of the man of sin, and scattering his devoted hosts, give encouragement, that the day of the world's redemption is rapidly approaching. The Lord is shaking terribly the earth, and overturning the nations, to prepare the way for him whose right it is to reign.

"Let us give ourselves wholly to the work of the Lord, that in our beloved land it may speedily be accomplished; and that as we bear the standard of the cross among the nations of the earth, we may witness with joy their submission to the Prince of peace.

"By order of the General Assembly,

"EZRA S. ELY, STATED CLERK.

"PHILADELPHIA, June 3, 1831."

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[The following communication was read at the late meeting of the General Synod of Ulster at Coleraine, and excited a deep feeling in the minds of the Assembly. A Committee was appointed to return an appropriate answer. We hail the circumstance with unmingled satisfaction.-EDIT.]

"PHILADELPHIA, June 2d, 1830. "The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America to the Moderator and Members of the General Synod of Ulster in Ireland.

"VERY DEAR Brethren in THE LORD,

"We desire to enter into a friendly and brotherly correspondence with you, so that we may know your state, your encouragements,

and your trials, and rejoice with you in your joys, and weep with you in your sorrows, and that you may take the same interest in us.

"Holding the same common symbol of faith and practice, and being called by the same name, it seems to us highly proper that we should cherish the spirit of a holy brotherhood in all the concerns of our common Lord and Master, in his kingdom in this world.

"We congratulate you on the all-important change which has lately taken place in your Body, freeing you from those who deny the only Lord God and Redeemer Jesus Christ, so that now, in the unity of the Spirit in Christ Jesus, you will be able to live in the bonds of peace.

"As several of our members are in correspondence with their brethren of the Synod of Ulster, we suppose you are not altogether ignorant of the state of our church, as to extent, doctrine, and discipline. You know we hold the same standards with yourselves; a copy of our Constitution, with the Assembly's Digest, is herewith transmitted to you for your acceptance.'

"We believe you will rejoice with us in the prosperity of the benevolent societies of our country. Our Bible operations are prosperous. Many large sections of our country have already a Bible in every family willing to receive it; and we are not without hopes, that every similar family in our whole country will have a copy of the Holy Scriptures within one year from this time. Our National Bible Society issued from its own presses 238,000 copies during the past year. Our tract operations are also extensive and progressive through all our states. The American Tract Society issued over 62,000,000 of pages of religious tracts during the past year. In many sections of our country, a religious tract is placed, once a month, in every family which does not refuse it, and the effects are good.

"Our missionary operations, both foreign and domestic, appear to be blessed by the Great Head of the church. In addition to all that we are permitted to do for the heathen abroad, and in our Western Wilderness, there are now more than 600 domestic missionaries busily engaged in building up the waste places of Zion in our own land.

"Our Sabbath schools are flourishing to a very encouraging extent. About 550,000 children are in these schools, in the several states and territories of our Union, taught by about 55,000 teachers; and a late resolution of our Sunday School Union has given us a pledge, that, in reliance on divine aid, there will be a Sabbath school established, within two years from this time, in every settlement in which it shall be found practicable, in all the great valley of the Mississippi, extending from Canada on the North, to the gulf of Mexico on the South; and from the Alleghany Mountains on the East, to the Rocky Mountains on the West, a territory of very near twelve hundred miles square, having a population of nearly 4,000,000, and supposed to contain more than 500,000 children, of suitable age for Sabbath school instruction.

"The subject of Temperance, of Infant schools, and of the sanctification of the Sabbath, are receiving considerable and encouraging attention. We have no doubt these societies are doing very great good. For the particular state of religion within our bounds, and through our country, we refer you to the Narrative appended to our Minutes, herewith transmitted.

"Desiring a favourable and speedy reply, and wishing you grace, mercy,