might urge upon so plain a point, mere prudence could not but be alarmed at an attempt, however quiet, to disturb the creed of sixty millions of people. Accordingly, having entered the assembly, I rose, and, to the admiration of my aunt, made the following oration: "I rise, sir, to oppose the motion which has been submitted to the assembly, on the following grounds: "In the first place, the Hindoos are savages, and Christianity was never designed for savages. "In the second place, the religion of the Hindoos is a very good religion: why then should we wish to change it? In the third place, their religion has made them excellent slaves for centuries: why then teach them a religion which is only fit for freemen? "In the fourth place, they are sunk so deep in vice and misery, that it is impossible to release them from it; why then attempt it? "In the fifth place, who would think of beginning to convert foreign nations till we have converted every one of our own people? "Sixthly, when the time comes for the general conversion of the world, some sign will be sent from heaven to tell us it. "Such, sir, are my reasons for resisting the measure; and whoever promotes it and opposes me, is an enthusiast, and an enemy to the king and to the church of England." Having made my speech, I will own that I expected, as the very smallest return, the loud acclamations of the astonished assembly. But a most profound silence ensued, till a clergyman (who I then thought looked old enough to know better) arose, and thus addressed the assembly: "Instead, sir, of replying directly to the reasonings of the speaker who has preceded me, I will simply put another case, and request his decision upon it. Suppose, instead of the present assembly, a thousand Peruvians convened on the banks of the Amazon, to take into consideration a supplication from the nations of Europe to supply them with that bark of Peru, which is the only known antidote for a large class of our diseases; and conceive, if you will, the preceding speaker (who I am sure would be happy to undertake the embassage) to be the advocate of these feverish and aguish nations to the only possessors of this antidote. Imagine him to arise amidst the tawny multitude, and with much feeling and em phasis to state that at least sixty mil. lions of people depended upon their determination for health and life. At once, I am persuaded, the cry of that multitude would interrupt the pleadings of the orator, and one and all would exclaim, 'Give them bark!— give them bark! and let not a European perish, whom it is possible for a Peruvian to save.' Thus far all would be well. But conceive, instead of the assembly being permitted to act upon this benevolent decision, some Peruvian, of an age in which the prevalence of policy or mere prudence over justice and benevolence is more intelligible and pardonable, to arise, and thus to address his countrymen: 46 6 Peruvians-You are far too precipitate. Consider, I beseech you, the character and circumstances of the persons for whom this privilege is demanded. "In the first place, they are civilized nations-they read and write, they sleep in beds, and ride in coaches--they wear coats and trowsers: who then will say that bark is meant for such persons as these? "In the second place, their fevers and agues may have many excellencies with which we are unacquainted why then attempt to cure them? In the third place, their fevers and agues assist exceedingly to thin their armies: why then strengthen them merely to destroy ourselves? "Fourthly, those fevers and agues are so deep seated and violent, that it is impossible to cure them: why then attempt it? "In the fifth place, who would think of curing foreign nations till we have cured all the sick in Peru? "Sixthly, when the time comes for the general cure of fevers and agues, I have no doubt but the Great Spirit will give us some sign from the mountains. "Such, Peruvians, are my reasons for opposing the wish of the speaker; and whoever promotes it, or opposes me, is a madman, and an enemy both to the incas and the Great Spirit.' "Now, then," continued the old clergyman, "supposing the Peruvian orator thus to reason, I should be glad to know by what answer that young gentleman would repel his arguments. He then, to my infinite horror, sät Eighth Annual Report of the N. Y. M. Tract Society. 435 down, and left me with the eyes of the assembly fixed upon me, as if waiting for my reply; but not having any pre cisely ready, I thought it best to be taken suddenly ill, and to leave the room. RELIGIOUS AND MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. THE EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEW-YORK METHODIST TRACT SOCIETY. It is wise at stated periods to review past transactions: and this course is profitable, not only to individuals and societies, but to whole communities. Under this conviction, the managers of the New-York Methodist Tract Society have reviewed the proceedings of the past year, and beg leave on this evening to make their eighth annual report. In presenting it to the society and the religious public, they feel happy to meet so many of the friends and patrons of the institution, and to observe among them an increasing attention to its interest:-and they would avail themselves of this opportunity to render their grateful and public ac knowledgments to the Author of all good, who has brought them in health and prosperity to the termination of another year, and who has crowned their humble endeavours with some success. Although the past year has not been marked by any very signal exertions, yet your managers have not forgotten their duty, nor lost their zeal in attempting to do good. Tracts have been advantageously disposed of, and have found their way into many parts of our extensive country; and the frequent and increasing orders from a distance is a confirmation that they are read with avidity and profit, and that the field upon which the society can exert a happy influence, is wide and extensive. To aid the society in its benevolent exertions to become inore generally useful, the managers have entered into an arrangement with the book agents for the Methodist Episcopal Church, by which tracts can be sent to any part of the United States. This arrangement forms a new era in the history of this institution. Heretofore, from the great extent of our country, and the difficulty of transportation, the operations of the society were necessarily slow and limited. But now, tracts emanating from our bookroom, that great repository of religious intelligence, may flow not only in the larger channels, but in the most distant streams and rivulets in our extended republic. By this means, every station and circuit in our church may be supplied in a short time with tracts to any amount, and of any kind; and the managers entertain a hope that societies and individuals will avail themselves of this regulation to obtain tracts in sufficient quantities to supply the demands in their respective, neighbourhoods; and they would here again recommend to their brethren in every circuit and station, and indeed press upon them the necessity and utility of forming auxiliary societies, according to the copy of the constitution accompanying this report. This can be done in towns and cities at any time, and in the country, with but little difficulty, if attended to at quarterly meetings. The board would recommend that the terms of membership be low, so as to bring it within the ability of all our people, and that they leave a proportion of their tracts at the disposal of a committee, for gratuitous distribution; or that they be given to our ministers, who have frequent opportunities of distributing them to advantage, and to whom they may often serve as an easy introduction to families, in which they may teach the "ways of the Lord more perfectly." The nature and design of our society are at once marked in its name. It is what it professes to be-a religious association, inculcating the doctrines of the gospel, as taught by the Wesleys and Fletcher, those great revivers of primitive Christianity. effects moral essays may have on the general deportment of men, is not for the board at this time to determine; but they are very sensible that nothing but the pure doctrines of the gospel can What good ever awaken sinners, and bring them to an acquaintance with God by the remission of sins. It has been, and still is the study of this society to lead men at once to a knowledge of their lost, undone state, and to show them the glorious plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. In effecting this, they beg the privilege of doing it in their own way. Any association or compromise that would in any respect restrict or prevent them from illustrating and enforcing the truth as they view it, would be deemed improper, and to tally subversive of the intention of the society. With perfect charity and good will to every similar institution, they must follow that course which God has signally owned and blest. The utility of tracts is sufficiently evident: Christians of all denominations, with united voice, bear testimony to their usefulness. He who would object against them, with a hope of success, has come too late: he should have come at least half a century ago. He should have objected before their utility and excellency were founded on a basis that nothing can overthrow: before the poor were instructed, the inquiring directed, and before so many had been happily brought by them to the knowledge of the truth. But though the utility of any thing is readily acknowledged, it still may be liable to failure: for there are thousands who can wish success to a good work of this kind, and can very heart-. ily rejoice in the good done by it, who are nevertheless strangely remiss in not giving it their immediate support, imagining that it can well proceed without them. Nothing can be more erroneous than this. An institution like ours requires the combined efforts of thousands to carry it on properly and we are sensible, did those who are so indifferent to its interest think that the good or ill-success of all was laid upon them, it would arouse them to action. But let all such remember, that whatever good they neglect to do is undone for ever: so much will ever remain undone on account of their neglect. The managers can therefore call upon all to enlist in this work, because it is a method of doing good within the power of every capacity, and equally adapted to every condition in life.The most inconsiderable individual can obtain and give away a tract, which, with the blessing of God, may do incalculable good. The mechanic at his labour, the merchant at his counter, the traveller on the road, and the minister in his charge, all have frequent opportunities of disseminating the doctrines of the gospel by this means: and all this can be done with little expense, and no loss of time. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." Were all thus engaged, it could not be in vain. So much of the bread of life, cast upon the waters, would be seen after many days: it would float in its meanderings to many individuals destitute of spiritual food." Now, brethren, the prospect lies before you. A wide and spacious field of usefulness opens itself to your viewthe Lord has put it in your power to do much good. From the union and energy of our general plan of preaching the gospel, you have access to every town and neighbourhood in the Union. From Maine to Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the distant settlements on the Missouri, you can send your tracts with ease and rapidity. This ability, which heaven has given so eminently to no other people, should lie no longer unimproved. The managers would call upon their brethren throughout our country to arise, and act with them in this godlike enterprise of doing good. The cause is the Lord's: the world will be evangelized. Happy they who are honoured by doing the work of the Lord in any way! They will close this report in the words of that apostle whose soul embraced a world in its affections, whose life was spent and martyred in teaching the wretched sons of men, and who, under the inspiration of the Most High, said, “to do good and to distribute, forget not; for with suchsacrificesGod is well pleased." CAMPMEETING AT COMPO, CONNECTICUT. THIS meeting, which commenced August the 16th, was numerously attended by people from the neighbouring towns, and by a number from the city of NewYork. As there was nothing peculiar to distinguish this meeting (except the place, which presented a romantic appearance, rising from the stand like an amphitheatre, bringing the whole concourse of people full in the preacher's view) from others of a similar character, it seems needless to enter into a detailed account of it. That there was much good done, there is every reason to believe, as there were several who professed to find peace to their souls, and some to be renewed into the whole image of God. It would, indeed, betray a want of due consideration, or an ignorance of human nature, to suppose that all who are apparently wrought upon should bring forth the fruits of righteousness; but that many have done so, who professed to be converted at campmeetings, is a matter of notoriety to all whose opportunities enable them to know; and therefore it is but reasonable to infer that others will "go and do likewise." During the meeting great order prevailed. Though at some times there were eight or ten thousand people present, there were but few interruptions · even attempted by those who are naturally unruly, and none effected worthy of mentioning. This doubtless was owing, in addition to the generally steady habits of the people, to the manly interference of the high sheriff of the county of Fairfield, who came with two of his deputies, and gave attendance during the meeting: and though he had but little to do as a civil officer, yet his presence, in the dignified manner in which he deported himself, no doubt contributed to awe the volatile into a respectful submission to the order of the meeting. Friday morning was the time fixed to bring the meeting to a close. The con cluding exercises of that morning were solemn; but they proved not to be the last on the ground. Though most of the tents were struck, (some had taken their departure by land,) and the baggage put on board of the boats, yet such was the violence of the wind and rain which came on, that it was not possible to sail. Accordingly, some of the largest tents belonging to New-York were re-erected, for the accommodation of the people, and others from NewHaven, &c, were yet standing. In these the meetings were kept up, with some intervals for refreshment and sleep, the remainder of Friday, the whole of Saturday, when on Sunday morning those from New-York were enabled to decamp, and to reach their home in safety. For other particulars the following account, written by one of the preachers from the city, and letter addressed to one of the editors, will give information. FEW religious meetings have excited more curiosity than campmeetings, and by those who have not been intimately acquainted with them, none, perhaps, have been thought more extravagant. Writers, on this and the old continent, have strongly inveighed against them, and even feared the divine displeasure on their account; and some have been so very confident of their downfal, as society became enlightened and the Bible generally read, that they have given posterity their history, and already pronounced their valediction. Society has been enlightened, and the Bible read, yet campmeetings exist, and hold an equal rank, in numbers and respectability, with the progressing state of society. Although they arose among our Presbyterian brethren, in a new and (at that time) uncultivated part of the country, yet they have been found no less useful in a denser and more highly cultivated population; and no doubt the future impartial historian will record them as the means of diffusing much of that religious knowledge which has found its way so generally through our country within the last forty years. A large and thinly scattered population, stretching over a great extent of country, could not be taught in the ordinary way: hence these meetings may be regarded as extraordinary. They are indeed the child of Providence. They never ex isted in theory: they were first adopted from necessity or expediency. No doubt the great Head of the church first instituted them: he still owns them.We will bless him for them, and continue them. Having attended many in the south, I was the more solicitous to visit this, that I might not only be profited, but have an opportunity to mark their comparative usefulness in the eastern states. At an early hour on Monday, Aug. 15th, I repaired to the steamboat chartered by the committee, and was pleased to find so large and respectable a company equipped and bound for the meeting. After we passed Hurlgate, and got into the Sound, one of the ministers from the city called our attention, and reminded us of the errand upon which we were going.After the address, we engaged in prayer, and soon found that the Lord was with us on the swelling wave as in the "city full," and that "where he is, is heaven." We talked, and sung, and prayed; and what was best of all, the Lord talked with us, and spoke peaceably to many hearts. Within a few miles of Compo, at the entrance of Saugatuc river, our boat grounded, but so secure and happy did most feel, that they were almost unwilling to leave the place where they had been blest. Finding, however, conveyances in small boats, at the close of the day we reached the place of destination. This was not only interesting from its broken and irregular appearance, but much more so on other accounts. It was here the British landed in the revolutionary war, when they attempted to burn the military stores; and it was here too, many years ago, that Mrs. of respectable family, was sentenced to be drowned for the sin of witchcraft. The history, however, of these, is irrelevant to our present purpose; and, as dutiful sons, it becomes us to touch lightly even what we might deem faults or foibles in our forefathers. Those days have passed by, and we now take more pleasure in recording what great things the Lord is doing for us in these latter days. The encampment stretched about three quarters of a mile through a beautiful grove of oaks and cedars, along on a high bluff, and contained about one hundred and sixty tents, many of which would hold several hundred persons. The stand, or temporary pulpit, was placed in the north part of one of the finest naturaf amphitheatres I ever saw. Rising gradually on all sides, a congregation of ten thousand could be brought within reach of an ordinary voice, and in full view of the speaker. When this was filled, as it was during the three last days of the meeting, no spectacle could be more splendid. It was here the ambassador of heaven had full opportunity to declare all his commission, to assert the high prerogative of his King, and to announce, on condition of repent ance and faith, a full and free pardon to the guilty and rebellious. In the evening this beautiful grove was illumined in every part by lamps, and formed the appearance of a populous city. At an appointed hour, the thrilling trumpet summoned all to the stand; and as the trumpet blew, and the people moved forward, one could but remember the announcement of the jubilee of the Jews. But this was a better jubilee to many. The meeting commenced as might be expected among those who were no strangers to constant communion with their God: many were blest, and one man cried for mercy.Thus closed the first day. Having slept, on the morrow we awoke, and found no harm had come near our dwelling. The night had passed away, and the sun, fair and clear, shone propitious upon us. Four times a day, during the meeting, we were called to the stand to hear the word of life, and as often, after being dismissed there, we assembled in various places for social prayer. The power and presence of God was eminently manifested at these meetings. Sinners, no longer withstanding the influence of the Holy Spirit, bowed down on all sides, and cried earnestly for mercy. And with many it was only to look and live-to submit, and receive at once the evidence of favour. One young lady, standing near a praying circle, was convinced of sin: she knelt, she prayed, believed, and arose, testifying that God had forgiven her. Seeing her sister in the crowd, gay and thoughtless, she pressed to her, and embracing her, exhorted her for some time in strains that none could resist. Every heart felt, and the most unmeaning face showed sensibility and tears. If ever there was a time that the truth of our holy religion appeared more evident than at another, it was |