the Saviour as the ark of safety, and tell you that if you truly and perseveringly look for his grace and aid, you shall not fail to find them, and be led by them to safety and salvation. Young as you are, you have no time to lose in attending to this great concern. Some of your companions, whose hold on life was as firm as yours, you have seen sinking suddenly to the grave. You have, therefore, proof incontestible and alarming, that your youth affords no security against the immediate arrest of the king of terrors: and if it did, the continuance of life without true religion, could never be desirable If terminated without it, the space afforded would only be to you the opportunity of "treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath:" or if saved at last, as "brands plucked out of the fire," you would have incurred much anguish in this world, and a diminution of happiness in the next; from the whole of which, early piety would have been your complete preservation. Now, therefore, I beseech you-by every tender and by every awful consideration, I beseech you-yield yourselves "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." True religion, lovely in all, is most lovely in the young. So let it eminently be in you. Recommend it in your example, by all its powerful attractions, by all its native charms sary to you. Often, and at length, have you heard me detect these fallacies. You have only to exercise your memory and your candor, and you, will, I flatter myself, admit that Í have demonstrated to you incontestibly, that youth is infinitely the most favorable time to enter on a life of piety; that such a life, truly understood and exemplified, cannot be gloomy or cheerless; that on the contrary, it is favorable to every pleasure worthy of a rational and immortal being; that the sacrifices which it requires are far outweighed by the enjoyments which it ensures; that the sense of unconditional safety in all events, which it produces, gives a serenity and peace which nothing else can bestow; that true spirit, genuine honor, real dignity, amiable tempers and gentle manners, are its legitimate offspring; that it enjoins industry and fidelity, and thus leads to prosperity on earth as well as to happiness in heaven ; that in short, and in the language of infallible truth,* "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." In this manner I have endeavored, you will recollect, to remove your prejudices against a devout and holy life. But to remove prejudices is not enough; the life itself must be entered on; and other, and still more interesting considerations, are usually blessed of God to incline men effectually to that as far as possible you may enengage in it. These considerations, gage others to think favorably of it. therefore, I have been accustomed Associate it with every generous and to press; and would to God that I manly endowment and enterprisecould now press them effectually on with improvement in knowledgeevery individual of you. Would to with courtesy of demeanor-with God that you might now receive and emulation and activity in businessfeel as you ought the solemn and mo- with inviolable integrity in every ofmentous truths, that you are sinners fice of life. Shun, as a pestilence, by nature and by practice, and that the society of the wicked; be watchtill renewed by the power of the Ho-ful against the thousand seductions ly Spirit, and united to Jesus Christ by a lively faith, you are every moment in danger of perishing for ever -in jeopardy of hopeless and inconceivable misery. From this danger | and jeopardy I urge you to flee, as knowing that the flight is for the life of your souls; and I point you to 1 Tim. iv. 8. VOL. VI. No. 4. to vice and misery which surround you; be moderate and guarded in your pleasures; "flee youthful lusts;" be obedient to your parents, docile to your teachers, respectful to your superiors, kind to your inferiors, benevolent and just to all. Thus if you shall be spared in life, you will be preparing to pass it with happiness and honor; and at whatever U period you shall be called hence, you from any of their pastors, whether will assure to yourselves the reward living or dead. May thy special "of the good and faithful servant." blessing rest on the endeavor now Nothing now remains but to com-made by thy servant, that they may mit myself, and you my people, to have their duty "always in rememAlmighty God, our common Fa-brance after his decease." May he ther who is still their pastor, be abundantly prospered and succeeded in his public labors, and abundantly comforted in his own soul. May this people never want pastors "ac O most merciful God and Saviour, who hast condescended to make known, and to endear thyself to thy church and people, by styling thy-cording to thy heart, who shall self 66 the Shepherd of Israel," gra- feed them with knowledge and unciously vouchsafe to receive from derstanding" May they ever hold thy unworthy servant, whom thou fast the truth in the love of it-the hast been pleased to honor with the truth as it is in Jesus Save them office of an under pastor in thy from all heresy and error: save church, the resignation of the charge them from barrenness and unfruitof that flock, of which he has been fulness under the cultivation of thy from his youth an overseer-Called, hand: save them from hardness of as he believes, by thy providence, to heart and blindness of mind: save another station, he resigns into thy them from all discord and dissension. merciful hands, whence he received Make them an example of all chrisit through the ministry of his breth- tian excellence Pour out upon them ren, this important and precious copiously the influences of thy most trust, which thou hast favored him Holy Spirit, that many may be born so long to hold—And oh! through and taught of God; that converts the blood of the everlasting cove- may be greatly multiplied; that thy nants-through the prevalent inter-church may be greatly enlarged; cession of the great Advocate on high-through the infinite and effectual mediation of his adored Savjour... he earnestly prays that thou wouldst freely pardon all his ministerial sins; and not less that thou wouldst forgive the transgressions of this dear people, since they have been under his pastoral care Sustain and bless thy servant still, in the arduous duties which may be before him. Make him faithful unto death, that he may receive a crown of life. And may this people be ever thy peculiar charge May they recollect and regard the instructions and exhortations which they have received that thine own people may be greatly comforted: yea, O Lord, if it be thy holy will, that not one of this flock may be wanting, in the day when thou shalt make up thy jew els. And when "the chief Shepherd shall appear," may they and their pastors receive his plaudit, and be permitted to rejoice together for ever, in the kingdom and glory of their Lord. Grant these things, O most merciful Father, for the sake of thy best beloved Son Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, one glorious and eternal God, be praises for ever....AMEN. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CON- REV. SIR, ing up in these troublous times. Religion is revived in various places in our land: God is calling in his people and completing the number AMIDST the desolating judg- of his chosen. In several towns, not ments of God upon sinful nations, it far distant from this, the churches affords a pleasing relief to the pious are favored with a season of refreshmind, to behold the walls of Zion going from the presence of the Lord, and many sinners are effectually called to partake of the gospel feast. The people of this place have been visited by the Holy Spirit, and some during the past summer have been hopefully converted. Though the revival here has not been remarkable, yet it deserves notice; since, with respect to this people, it is something new, and since every instance of the triumphs of divine grace, evinces the truth and importance of religion. been led to induge a hope with trembling, under a deep sense of the deceitfulness of the heart. They have uniformly expressed a deep conviction of their depraved and helpless condition by nature-of their opposition of heart to the ever blessed God-of their absolute dependance on his sovereign grace; and they have found no relief, till, abandoning every other source of hope, they have fled for refuge to the Lord Jesus Christ. When made submissive to God, and enabled to believe in Je In the summer of 1810, a certain neighborhood in the town was visit-sus, they viewed the character and ed by the Spirit, and about 10 were government of Jehovah and the richawakened, and, as we hope,added to es of his grace with complacency, the Lord. From that time, till June, joy, and praise. Doctrines, before of the past year, one and another offensive, were cordially embraced, were brought under serious impres- and became sources of comfortsions, and expressed a hope that That God would be just in their evthey had passed from death unto erlasting condemnation, they feellife. During the last winter, Chris-ingly acknowledge, and say, ict God tians seemed to be more engaged in be glorified, whatever becomes of us. religion, and more concerned than They profess it their sole desire to usual for the prosperity of the be holy, and to love and serve the church, and for the salvation of sin- Lord. Christ appears to them exners. Prayer meetings were ap- ceedingly precious, and to the dispointed, and attended with solemni- tinguishing truths of the gospel they ty and engagedness. And it appears manifest a strong and affectionate now, although nothing special was attachment. The number which then visible, that the Spirit was se- have been awakened is greater than cretly operating upon the minds of that of those who have expressed a some. About the first of June, sev- hope of conversion. Between 30 and eral were deeply convicted of their 40 have given credible evidence that lost and undone condition, and soon they have passed from death unto made to rejoice in the Lord. Con- life. Nothing specially remarkable ference meetings were frequently at- has occurred in the case of any.tended, and the assemblies were ve- For a warning to the self-righteous, ry solemn. Others were awakened, one, a considerable time a member and made earnestly to enquire, what of the church, but resting on pharishall we do to be saved? The work saical ground, was led to abandon progressed gradually through the the delusive hopes of the hypocrite, summer and autumn. No irregu- and to rejoice in Jesus Christ, as the larities of animal passion...no bodily only source of freedom, justification, agitation...no ravings of enthusiasm and eternal life. Another, who had have as yet appeared. It has pro- been long trusting in the error of uniceeded with stillness, but not with versal salvation, was, after considerapidity. The number of those who rable struggle and deep conviction, have been visibly subjects of the induced totally to renounce this dework, is small; yet they have been ceptive and fallacious error. This taken from all parts of the congrega-proves that the Spirit of God does tion,and are of different ages from 18 not teach nor approve of universalyears to near 40. Some were held un-ism. On the whole, we have much der the terrors of the law for a long-reason for praise, that God has reer, and some for a shorter time, be- refreshed this barren corner of his fore they found relief. Some pro- vineyard, with some precious drops fessed great joy and peace in believ-of his vivifying grace. But while ing, and have hitherto evinced their we rejoice with trembling over those conversion to God, while others have who, we hope, have tasted that the terest, and so much complacency; nor was the appearance deceitful; for at the close of the meeting, it was a common exclamation, We have never seen such a day as this." It was truly a good day. We hope the united prayers of Christians, ascended as incense to the Throne of Lord is gracious, we fear that the attention is subsiding, and the gracious influences of the Spirit departing. No instance of conviction or conversion has appeared for several weeks. Our conferences are declining, and the deep solemnity apparent in our assemblies, has visibly diminished. Christians are lament-Grace, for the out-pouring of the ing, but the enemy is rejoicing. Arise, O Lord, and plead thine own cause. In these days of rebuke and of blasphemy, what better news can be told to the friends of Zion, than that the Spirit of the Lord is lifting up a standard against the enemy, and filling up the number of his elect?" Let it awaken their praises, and engage them earnestly in prayer, that he would pour down righteousness, and in wrath remember mercy. A. E. Divine Spirit on the nations of the earth, and that the word of life might spread among the nations that never heard of the Saviour. The missionary zeal which it has kindled, will, I trust, pervade the country, and awaken new importunities in prayer for an increase of Christian liberality. There is to be, hereafter, annually, a religious service at 10 o'clock, A. M. on the day of the annual meeting, to pray for the revival of religion in our towns and churches, and for the blessing of God upon the great attempt which is now making to Christianize the nations that call not on the name of the Lord. At this annual meeting, the money paid into the treasury for the translation of the holy scriptures, and to aid Foreign Missionary labors, according to the $1310 11-out of which deduct $5 25 for printing and stationary, leaving a balance of $1304 86 to be paid THE annual meeting of the For-Treasurer's report, amounted to eign Mission Society, for the county of Litchfield, embracing the two consociations in said county, was holden at Litchfield, on the 10th day of February last--the following persons were chosen officers of the Society for the ensuing year. His Honor JOHN COTTON SMITH, President. Rev LYMAN BEECHER, Rev. JONATHAN MILLER, Vice-Presidents. ry. rer. JAMES MORRIS, Esq. Secreta URIEL HOLMES, Esq. Treasu AARON SMITH, Esq. Auditor. An appropriate and animated sermon was delivered on the occasion by the Rev.BENNETTTYLER, from Heb. x. 36. The clergy of the county, and many of the most respectable civilians from the various towns, were present. The assembly was very large, and I can truly say, that I have never witnessed such a collection of people, who, in their appearance, manifested so deep an in over to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, The foregoing sums were paid by the following towns and societies within the limits of the two consociations belonging to Litchfield county, with other donations. Litchfield, 103 104 75 26 88 5 22 60 83 50 2 $ 255 10 10 175 93 22 72 75 11.50 10 19.50 32 Salisbury, 5 Sharon, 51 South Britain, 61 Torrington, 32 Torringford, Washington, Winchester, Winsted, Warren, Contributions by the friends of Missions, on the same day, Total, Deduct for printing and sta tionary, 27 50 51 33 16 59 36 26 1310 11 5 25 1304 86 JAMES MORRIS, Sec'y. 1040 Baptist Mission in India. IT is with very deep concern that we communicate to our readers the particulars of a calamity which has befallen the printing establishment attached to this mission. The account is extracted from a letter from Dr. Joshua Marshman, of Serampore, to Dr. Ryland of Bristol, dated March 12, received September 9th, : and window but one was fastened by a large flat bar of iron which went across it, and was secured by a bolt in the inside. In five minutes, the room was so filled with smoke chat a candle would not live. Finding it impossible to open the windows, or for any one to go in without danger of instant death, we fastened that door again, in the hope of smothering the flame, and, ascending the roof, pierced it over the fire and by incessantly pouring down water, so kept it under for three hours, that nothing but that paper appeared to have kindied, and there the flame was greatly abated. The alarm which we gave brought all the Europeans around us to our assistance, besides our native servants, so that we had all the assistance we could desire. While, however, the flames were got under there, I looked in, and suddenly saw a flame spread about twenty feet higher up. The smoke and steam increased so as to render it death to get three feet within the wall. In a few minutes the flames spread in every direction, and took away all hope of saving any thing from thence, and filled us with terror for Mrs. Marshman's school, about thirty feet to the north-west; a bed-room for the boys, about sixteen feet full north, which communicated with brother Carey's ; and the hall, library, and museum, within twelve feet of it to the north-east. The wind, however, fell and it burned as straight upward as a fire in a hearth, and communicated to nothing beside. It remained burning six "Last night, about six, I was sit- hours, and consumed the beams, five ting in my study, musing over the feet in circumferance, the roof, the dealings of God, who had that day windows, and every thing but the week taken my infant son; and, walls. Happily no lives were lost, what afflicted me far more, three nor a bone broken. The loss we weeks before, dear brother Ward's cannot at present estimate. It has second daughter about six years old, consumed all but the six presses, in a putrid sore throat. While re- which we rejoiced were saved, beflecting on these providences, some ing in a side-room. Two thousand one exclaimed "The printing office reams of English paper are consumis on fire!" I ran instantly thither, ed, worth at least, 50001. Founts of and beheld, at the lower end of the types in fourteen languages, besides office, which is a room 200 feet long, English: namely,--Nagree (two a stage containing 700 reams of Eng-founts large and small,) Bengalee lish paper sent out to print the Ta- (two founts,) Orissa, Mahratta, mul and Cingalese New Testament, Seek, Burman, Telinga, Tamui, enveloped in flames. Every door Cingalese, Chinese, Persian Ara 1812. |