my Saviour, and pray him to preserve me, he has pity upon me, and grants me again a sense of his love, freeing my heart from evil." One of the people related an account of a quarrel between her and her husband; but added, "Our Saviour has granted us grace to be friends again. We confessed to cach other our sins; and kneeling down, prayed him to take all enmity and bitterness away from us. He heard our prayers, and we now live in peace. This has given me new courage, firmly to trust in him." One of the communicants said, I am not able to find words to describe the mercy and favour shewn to me on this occasion. What I felt during the holy Sacrament, and what my heart enjoyed, I must take with me to eternity; for it is not possible to speak of it here. I thought, O my God! is it possible that such a wretched creature should enjoy such bliss!” FARAMIRO, &c. The Mission in this place, among the negroe-slaves, is in a prosperous state; and the congregation receives a gradual increase. From the West India islands in general, the latest accounts, up to May, 1803, are pleasing. In St. Kitt's Barbadoes, the Danish islands, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Jan, the Missionaries were well, and diligent in their labours. CHEROKEE INDIANS. Considerable difficulties have presented themselves in attempting to establish a Mission among the Cherokees. Colonel Meigs, agent of the United States for the Cherokees, has taken pains to forward this object. The brethren Wohlfahrt and Byhan attended a council of the Indians at Esternally; at which about 160 were present : — they were cordially received by the chiefs; but, about two months after, at another council. they came to a resolution, in consequence of a misunderstanding, which amounts almost to a refusal of their labours. By a subsequent conference, how ever, the obstacles seemed, in some measure, removed. Some of the chiefs shook hands with the brethren, and others shook them by the shoulder; which, among them, is a more expressive way of shew. ing friendship. CREEKS. Brother Steiner, in Sept. 1803, took a journey into the Creek country; and paid a visit to Col. Hawkins, the agent, to confer with him on the best mode of establishing a Mission. The Colonel received him kindly; and promised to do every thing in his power to protect the Missionaries, and to procure admission into a good Creek family, where he might best learn the language, &c. The people consist of about 70 or 80,000 souls. They live on the rivers, Mobile and Chatahochie, within the territory of the United States, in thirty-seven towns, and many villages. They are said to be rather jealous of the Christian religion, having heard much of the cruelties formerly practised by the Spaniards and the Romish priests. They likewise accuse some ministers of the English church, of having interfered in their political con- May the Lord open a door for his gospel among these poor people ! cerns. Baptist Mission, East Indies. THE Thirteenth Number of the Periodical Accounts of this Miswhich presents a variety of pleas sion has lately been published, ing and interesting matter. The following paper is selected, as giving the most complete account of the present state of the work :From the Missionaries to the Society. Serampore, Aug. 1803 Very dear brethren in our Lord Jesus Christ, "WE again address our quarterly epistle to you, not merely as a matter of duty, but as a matter of enjoyment to ourselves, and of conveying enjoyment to ours, --- mingled with hope: you foresaw that there would be many obstacles to over@oine, and many trials to endure. The Lord, in infinite wisdom. saw proper also, for several years, to try your patience and to deny the success, which you earnestly hoped for, and had probably anticipated; yet, even in that long and gloomy period, the favourable appearance in several, though in the end abortive, served to keep up our spirits, and to enCourage you.. By apparently very dark and distressing providences, the seat of the Mission was removed from the place where those hopes were raised; death afterwards was suffered to make many very alarming inroads upon us, and we had much to struggle with; being then without a settled habitation, and often put to shifts for our temporal support. -- "Yet the Mission was never deserted of God. The removing it to Mudnabatty, at first, was the mean of preserving it in its very feeble and infant state; and of expediting the translation of the Scriptures. Its after removal to Serampore, was the necessary step to the use of our printing [To be concluded in our next.] MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS, &c. Rev. Mr. Moorhouse and friends, Huddersfield, Yorkshire .100 Legacies received since the Annual Balance on the 1st of June last: Mr. Raybolt, late of Kent Road, by Mr. Bacon 10 360 0 Jane 5. HOME INTELLIGENCE, The Rev. W. Podmore was set apart over the newly formed church at Little Waltham. The ministers engaged were Mr. Thornton, of Billericay; Mr. Stevenson, of Heddingham; Mr. Foster, of Malden (who preached from Heb. xiii. 7); and Mr. Frost, of Dunmow. Sept. II. The North Wiltshire Religious Society held their Second Meeting at the Rev. J. Barclay's place, Malmsbury. Three appropriate sermons were preached on the occasion. Mr. Mantell, from 1 Cor. xvi. 10; Mr. Friend, from Ephes, ii. 13; and Mr. Clift, from Jer. xxxii. 14. The congregations were numerous and respectable; and there is encouragement to hope this infant society will be productive of much benefit to that part of the country, to which its efforts are directed. The next Meeting will be held at Mr. Friend's, Highworth, the second Thursday in January next. Sept. 12. Mr. John Morrison (whe has preached in and about London for several years past) was ordained pastor of a Mr. congregational church at Barnet. Brooksbank began the service. The introductory discourse was delivered by Mr. Thorp, the charge by Mr. Nicol, and the sermon to the people by Mr. Clayton. Mr. Burder engaged in the ordination prayer; Mr.Smith, of Homerton, in the general prayer; and Mr. Cook, of Maidenhead, concluded. This place of worship had been shut up for nine years; when the Congregational Society for promoting the Gospel, undertook to supply it with ministers. Mr. Clayton, and Dr. Stafford opened the meeting-house, Oct. 9, 1797. It was supplied by various ministers and students, till Mr. Morrison was invited statedly to preach among the people, March 1802. His labours having proved acceptable and useful, he has com plied with their pressing invitation to b 3 X a come their pastor. It is hoped that the cause of God will now revive in this town. The same day a neat place of worship, for Dissenters of the Independent deno. mination, was opened at Burford, in Oxfordshire. In the morning, Mr. Coles, of Bourton, preached from Ps. cxxii. 7—9; and Mr. Hinton, of Oxford, in the afternoon, from Isa. lxii. 6; Mr. Cobbin, of Banbury; Mr. Hughes, of Battersea ; and Mr. Williams, of Fairford, engaged in prayer. The cause of religion formerly flourished at this place; and it is sincerely hoped a revival will be experienced. Mr. Smith, the pastor, labours also in the adjacent villages. Seventeen neighbouring ministers, and several re. spectable members of their churches were present; and a pleasing solemnity rested on the services of the day. Sept. 26. A new meeting was opened at Nash, in the county of Bucks, the for mer meeting being too small to contain Mr. Reynolds's congregation. In the morning, Mr. Carey, of Woburn, beg in prayer; Mr. Hillyard, of Olney, preached from Ps lxxxvii. 2; and Mr. Aston, of the new meeting in Buckingham, concluded. In the afternoon, Mr. Scraggs, of the great meeting, Bucking ham, began with prayer; Mr. Bull, jun. of Newport, preached from Ps. lxxxvii. 5; and Mr. Chapman, one of Mr. Bull's stu dents, concluded. The place was uncommonly full; and, we trust, many were edified and contorted. Sept. 28. Mr. J. K. Parker was ordained to the pastoral office at Barking, in Essex. Mr. Barker, of Deptford, began with prayer and reading; Mr. Thomas, of Enfield, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Gold, of Stratford (by whose occasional labours the congregation at Barking was raised) offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Townsend, of Bermondsey, gave the charge; Mr.Smith, of Homerton, offered the general prayer; Mr. Thorpe, of New Court, preached to the people; and Mr. Smith (formerly of. Eagle Street) closed the service in prayer. Many who attended expressed themselves happy in witnessing the solemnity of the day; and cordially united in wishing prosperity to the work of the Lord in this corner of his vineyard, which was once peculiarly dark and barren. On Lord's Day, Sept. 30, was opened the new Baptist meeting-house, at Eye thorn, near Dover, Kent. The Lord has had a people here for many years; and it is remarkable, that persons of the name of Knott were successively their pastors for 180 years, or more. About fifty years since, their first building, for the sole pur pose of religious worship, was erected, when Mr. J. Knott, of Baston, was of dained their pastor. Soon after which, it became necessary to make the meeting house as large again. When this truly reverend and holy man closed his labours among them, the church consisted of forty-eight members. During the mi nistry of the Rev. T. Ranger, who suc ceeded him, the meeting-house was made a third larger; and a front gallery erected. At the close of his ministry, the number of the church was ninety-three. Their present pastor, the Rev. J. Giles (from Dr. Rippon's church) came among them in 1792; since which time 128 persons have been added to the church. Their present number is 183. This in crease made a more commodious meeting house necessary. The new building is fifty-five feet by forty, including a vestry behind the pulpit, with a four-seat front gallery. This building, with a large stable, will cost more than 1000l.; and, to their honour, it should be recorded, the people have determined not to increase the applications to a generous public, but to pay the whole expence themselves. They have it also in contemplation to erect a new house adjoining the meeting for their minister. The worship of God, at the opening of the meeting, was conducted by Dr. Rippon and Mr. Illidge, both of London. The latter preached in the morning, from Ps. cxv. 12-14; and the Dr. in the afternoon, from Ps. lxxx. 14. An anthem, composed for the occasion, by Mr. Pearce, of Dover, was sung in the morning; and the afternoon service was closed with Handel's grand Hallelujah Chorus. Oct. 17. The Rev. J. Raban was or dained over the Pedobaptist church, Wallingford, Berks. Mr. Griffiths, of Aston Tirrold (late pastor of the church at Walkingford) began with prayer and reading; Mr. Hinton, of Oxford, delivered the introductory discourse, &c.; Mr. Fuller, of Kettering, prayed the ordination prayer; Mr. Cooke, of Maidenhead, gave the charge; Mr. Douglass, of Reading, ad dressed the people; and Mr. Lovegrove, Baptist minister at Wallingford, conclud ed. By unanimous request, the discourses are to be printed. On the preceding evening, Mr. Elliott, of Devizes, preached; and Messrs. Clift and Radford engaged in prayer the business of the Berkshire Association In the afternoon of the 17th, Scott, of Woburn, preached; and Mess was settled; and in the evening, Mr. Thresher and West prayed. Friday evening, Oct. 19, Taylor, M. D. was ordained to the office of the Christian ministry; and Messrs. Mace donald and Lovelace were set apart to the ehce of Catechists, or Assistants, in the Mission to SURAT. The service (which was conducted at the Rev. J. Townsend's meeting-house, Bermondsey) was begun with prayer, by Mr. Buck; Mr. Collison delivered an introductory discourse: suitable questions were proposed to the Missionaries by Mr. Burder; Mr. Waugh offered υρ the ordination prayer. A Bible was then put into the hand of each of the Missionaries by Mr. Wilks, with these words, "Go, our beloved brother, live agreeably to this blessed word, and publish the gospel to the Heathen, according to your calling, gifts, and abilities.' To which each replied, I will, the Lord be ing my helper. After which Mr. Town send delivered a solemn charge; and Mr. Griffin, of Portsea, concluded the whole by prayer. These Missionaries are expected shortly to sail for Tranquebar, iş an American ship. LONDO N. Methodist Conference. THE Sixty-first Annual Conference of the Preachers in the Wesleyan Connexion, was held in London, July 30, 1804. From the Minutes of their Proceedings, lately published, we learn that the number of persons in their Society is as follows: — In Great Britain and Ireland In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland 120,222 1,419 In the West India Islands In the United States White of America Whites {Coloured People and Blacks "A public collection for the Missions shall be made in all our congregations, in every circuit of Great Britain; and the monies transmitted as soon as possible; but at farthest before Christmas. “We determine, that if any Travelling Preacher or Missionary be employed in, or carry on any trade, he shall be excluded from the iti nerant plan; as we judge that such a pursuit of private emolument is incompatible with cur ministerial duties. "Let the Rules which have been made for the observance of the Lord's Day be strictly enforced; Jet no books be sold at any of our chapels, on any account, on that day; and let all the preachers press upon the people, in their sermons and exhortations, the dreadful consequences of profaning that holy day. 125,466 - 245.688 "The appointment of a monthly fast and a weekly prayer-meeting, in behalf of the nation, is to be con. tinued, and we earnestly exhort all our Societies to a diligent obser vance of them. "The nextConference is to be held at Sheffield, on the last Monday of July, 1805. "Twenty-two preachers have been admitted into full connexion during the past year; 119 are on trial. "The following preachers have died the past year: Charles Bland, William Simpson, Robert Heyward, John Johnson, and Thos, Richardson. The last was removed by the yellow fever, in five days. He had been a local preacher in Yorkshire, but became a Missionary; and arrived at Antigua, Jan. 1, 1803: he went to Dominica, Feb. 2; and died, Oct. 9, in great peace, triumphing over his last enemy. His labours were much owned, and his death greatly lamented." British and Foreign Bible Society. In our account of this excellent Institution in our last Number, an omission was made, by mistake, of the very respectable Names of the Patrons of the Society. We gladly present to our readers the following List: President. Right Hon. JOHN LORD TEIGNMOUTH, Vice-Presidents. Right Rev. LORD BISHOP of LONDON, Sir WILLIAM PEPPERILL, Bart, H. THORNTON, Esq. M. P. We also subjoin the following Circular Letter, lately printed: SIR, "THE Society, which now takes the liberty to address you, founds its claim to your notice, upon the nature of its object, to promote the Circulation of the Scriptures at Home and Abroad: an object, which every one, who professes the religion of Christ, must feel a deep interest in, "The liberal basis of its establishment, also, which unites, to a degree perhaps hitherto unexampled, the zeal and exertions of Christians, of the several denominations, to which the Constitution of this happy country affords equal protection, will, doubtless, give additional force to the claims aris ing from the simplicity, purity, and importance of its design. It cannot be doubted, that, in every part of the United Kingdom, there are many who are actuated with the true spirit of Christian benevolence, and who only want proper opportunities of manifesting it. The British and Foreign Bible Society now presents such an opportunity to them, and solicits your assistance in making it known, as well as your influence and co-operation in promoting the object of its association. "The Society is fully sensible of the hapyy results to be expected from the combined exertions of the Christian community, and is required by a sense of duty to call them forth in the advancement of a work, which it can with conti dence recommend to the blessing of God and the support of every good man. I have the honour to be, Sir,. your most obedient humble Servant, TEIGNMOUTH, President, London, Sept. 1804. 1 Letters may be addressed to Mr. Joseph Tarn, Ironmongers' Hall, London. Extract of a Letter from a Clergyman in Wales, to a Friend in London. "I cannot express the joy I felt on receiving the information of a Society being formed for supplying various nations of the world with Bibles. I hope it will prove a lasting magazine of Welch Bibles, and relieve my anxiety on that head. Those noble institutions, the Mis sionary, the Sunday-School, toge ther with the Bible Society, added now to the other two, complete the means for the dispersion of divine knowledge far and near. The Sun |