rits, on any account whatever. Thus the custom, we hope, has received a check: for the Christian Indians having declined the offer of spirits, and convictions of their evil tendency having been made on the minds of others, the agent ventured to forbid the distribution of any liquors; and for the first time, perhaps, the kegs of spirits were carried away from the Indian camp, and no Indians made drunk on that occasion. The other encouraging occurrence is the good will which has been shown by the government towards the Christian Indians, on account of their reformation and disposition for civilization. At the time the presents were given out, several gentlemen from York, of high respectability, among whom was the reverend clergyman, made them a friendly visit, and on witnessing their devotions, showed much countenance to the work, and encouraged them to be faithful in the good cause they had undertaken. This friendly disposition towards the improvement of the Indians has been manifested by several other clergymen of the establishment, which affords us hope that their influence will be farther extended in behalf of this unfortunate and much-neglected people. The brethren having concluded their business at the Credit, returned to the Grand River, accompanied by a number of their Indian friends, who had been awakened at the late meetings. On the first sabbath in August I met them at the mission house, where our meeting was rendered highly interesting from a remembrance of the late favourable events, the presence of sixty Indian children in the sabbath school, the increase of our congregation, the goodly number of converts to be added to the church, the administration of the ordinance, and the comforts and blessings of grace which rested on the worshippers. Those who witnessed the happy scenes of this day will long remember the impressions which were made upon their minds. The ordinance of baptism was administered to 45 of the converts, and the society was increased to one hundred and one converted Indians. While our brethren were detained at the Credit, two circumstances occurred, which encourage us to hope that our Indian friends will persevere in their resolution to abstain from ardent spirits, and that no fatal impediments can be thrown in the way of bringing these savage tribes to religion and to a civilized state. It had been customary with the agents, after giving out the presents to the Indians, to give them a treat of a few gallons of spirits, not with any fraudulent design, but In a former communication we have as a farther expression of good will and mentioned the importance of native teachhospitable cheer. This custom, it was ers. Every step we advance in our misseen, had produced evil effects; for when sionary labours confirms the opinion we once they had tasted the infatuating bane, had formed on this subject. The native they would continue their drunken revels convert, who is well instructed and mawhile they could obtain liquors, and fre- tured in his Christian experience, will quently till most of their presents were become our missionary to the tribes in expended. This evil it was found difficult the interior wilderness; his knowledge to correct, since the custom had been of their manners, his language, and his established. On this occasion, however, very habits in life having formed him for this work :-brother Peter Jones is already such a missionary. He is a youth of much promise to his nation and the church, and whose labours are continually a blessing to his people. Of his late excursions to some interior tribes, as also an account of the Muncey Indians on the Thames, I must reserve for another letter. This I shall endeavour to forward you in a few days. Till then, farewell. ALVIN TORRY ASBURY MISSION, SCHOOL. Letter from the Rev. ISAAC SMITH, dated Asbury, Oct. 6, 1925. DEAR BROTHER-When I wrote you last I had hope ere this to have had brighter prospects of being useful among these people. The unhappy difference occasioned by the late treaty operates against our school so far as to prevent the number of scholars that we expected. Several that were taken away have not returned. We had five new scholars last quarter. Our school now consists of upwards of thirty. Several more are daily expected, which will, I presume, increase our number to forty. Their progress in learning was acknowledged by several per sons present at our last examination, to be greatly in favour of this institution. About one third of them are reading in the Bible, a number in the Testament, and a few are spelling: several have made considerable progress in arithmetic, and a few are studying the English grammar. They promise fair to be use ful in their day. The girls are taught needlework by my wife and daughter, and some of them may be said to be good seamstresses. Had we the means to establish spinning and weaving, a great deal more useful work might be done. While one of our Indian boys prayed iz his own language, and used this express sion, "The Son of God for all of us did die," another burst forth in loud accla mations of praise-often repeating, “Hisakelar massa spoche Ble Omulga,» (God? Son died for all of us.) This young man exhorted and prayed nearly all the time our meeting lasted, which was about three hours. We have two that speak boldly of the love of God, and pray in the Indian language. When I look back, and reflect on what is past, I see great cause of humiliation before God, for having done so little for these people. If I had been more holy, and more alive to God, much more, I am persuaded, might have been done. Lord, forgive my sins of omission. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for his abundant goodness to us, notwithstanding our base ingratitude to him. Last night, in our little prayer-meeting in the family, the Lord was graciously pleased to pour his blessings upon us, and fill the room with his presence. We had loud shouts and crying for mercy among our children and servants, and some Indians that had called to visit us. Brother Hodges promised to write you an account of a campmeeting we attended, accompanied with several Indiana.— On our return we lodged in a village, where those Indians lived that went with us. I endeavoured to preach to them in the yard by moonlight. The power of God was present. The Indian woman that was converted at the campmeeting. and her daughter, shouted loudly. The Indians present were as solemn and as attentive as I ever saw any people. I have since heard from them, by the chief that resides among them, that, not long since, a stranger, passing by, called, and held meeting with them, when the busband of the woman that got converted at campmeeting fell to the ground, which occasioned a great shout among them. You see, my brother, that although the reputation of the missionaries is trodden under foot, and a coat put on them almost as dreadful as that which the inquisition puts on heretics when burnt to death, that the Lord who is our Judge is yet with us; and if he is on our side, who can be against us? I never was sensible of political differences till very lately, when I have been made to feel them. I have always let the potsherds of the earth decide among themselves their own affairs. Time will declare to the world what st present lies under a cloud. STATE OF Religion on THE SUSQUEHANNAH DISTrict. SUPPOSING it might be interesting to some of the numerous readers of your Magazine, I have thought proper to forward an account of the work within the bounds of the Susquehannah district, and particularly of the happy effects of several campmeetings which I have attended this season-which, if you think proper, you may give an insertion in your interesting pages, For the principal part of the last year, we had nothing especially interesting, though the church was evidently improving. The quarterly meetings generally were seasons of refreshing to the people of God, and of conviction to the ungodly; yet we did not realize what we desireda general revival. But towards the close of the year, appearances were much more favourable in several circuits. We had a campmeeting in June, in Caroline circuit, which was attended with much good. A meeting of this kind had never been held within the bounds of this circuit. Strange things had been reported concerning them. The idea of encamping in the woods, and continuing there several days and nights, had something in it BO very romantic, that it seemed hard for many to associate with it the worship of God and the salvation of souls. Campmeetings were considered as a blot in Methodist economy. These viewa and feelings had so generally obtained, even among the members of our church, that it was doubtful whether the meeting would be successful, or even generally attended; but, as in many other cases, the result was better than our fears. The ground was neatly prepared, and was soon filled with tents. Immediately on the commencement of the meeting, it was manifest to every pious mind that the Lord was there of a truth. The preachers were much in the spirit of the work, and the members ardent in prayer. Solemnity rested on the spectators, and convictions were soon multiplied. A goodly number of awakened persons presented themselves in the altar and tents, in the intervals of preaching, as the subjects of prayer. Numbers of them were powerfully con verted, and praised God aloud. As to opposition, we had none. The congregation was perfectly manageable and or derly. The bulwarks of prejudice were demolished, and the meeting conducted VOL. VIII. December, 1825. to the satisfaction of all. Between thirty and forty gave in their names as having experienced religion at the meeting.Several had retired from the ground.-From this meeting the fire spread into several parts of the circuit, and the work still goes on gloriously. A campmeeting on Spencer and Wyalusing circuit commenced on the 11th of August. From the commencement, the preaching was plain and pointed, and the prayer-meetings conducted with warmth and ability. But nothing unusual occurred till sabbath afternoon, though the way was doubtless gradually preparing for some signal displays of divine power and goodness. At this time a cloud of blessings broke upon the assembly. The mourners were called into the altar, which was soon filled to overflowing. Their cries and bitter lamentations were enough to melt the hardest heart, and to excite the feelings and call forth the sympathies of the most philosophical and stoical Christian. With the groans, sobs, and cries for mercy, soon began to be mingled some shouts of victory. These increased, till at length they prevailed. The whole mass seemed to experience a shock of divine power, which burst the bands of the poor captives, and brought them at once into liberty. The work went on gloriously till the conclusion. Thirty-seven pre sented themselves as converts. As several had retired, the number converted was probably near fifty. Our parting scene was truly affecting. Several, who had not done it before, bowed themselves, and asked our prayers. For one of them, in particular, great solicitude was felt: for him prayer was continued while the people were taking down their tents and dispersing. He has since become happy in God. The appearance of many testified that they left the place smitten with a sense of their sins. Another meeting commenced in Canaan circuit on the 7th of September. A good degree of engagedness was manifested among the preachers and members from the commencement of the meeting.Many seemed deeply sensible of the necessity of a deeper work of grace in their hearts. All the exercises were spiritual. and impressive. At an early stage of the meeting several presented themselves as penitents, and desired the prayers of the people of God. A travail of soul increased 61 in the saints. The thunder of the law, sounding from the stand, accompanied by Divine influence, alarmed the conscience, and the light of gospel truth, flashing from the tongues of the heralds of salvation, proved a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Many of the gay, and those who were previously thoughtless, were pricked in their hearts, and cried, What shall we do? The work of conversion, on this occasion, though deep, was in many instances gradual, and the evidence at first not so clear. But, in general, light increased, till joy and gladness filled the soul. A number of instances there were of powerful conversion, and some instances of persons who had not confidence to come into the prayer-meetings, but went into the roads to pray, and were there set at liberty, and came into the encampment, testifying how great things God had done for them. On sabbath morning, a number who had become cold, had lost their first love, and got into the spirit of the world, some members of our church, and some of the Presbyterian church, presented themselves with the mourners as subjects of prayer. They felt a conviction of the necessity of being renewed, and to them the Lord graciously appeared the second time without sin unto salvation. Finally, it was a time of general grace, and we trust will be of lasting benefit to many individuals, and to the circuit generally. Near forty professed to have been converted at the meeting, and many, we trust, seriously resolved to seek the Lord. Our last campmeeting in the district commenced on the 15th of September, in Kingston, Wyoming circuit. For some fime previous there had been considerable excitement in some parts of the circuit, and the members of our church generally were looking forward to this meeting with great expectations. The way was evidently preparing for something signally important to the church. Some unfavourable circumstances, with regard to the situation of the ground, a little damped the spirits of some while they were assembling; but these were soon forgotten; when the glory which shone upon us evinced that to be no less than the house of God and the gate of heaven. The commencement of the meeting was solemn, interesting, and powerful. The first prayer-meeting in the altar was honoured with the conversion of a soul, which was the commencement of a most gracious work of God, such as was never before witnessed in this part of the work. It would not be possible for me to give in detail an account of the nume the forward, and it was estimated that at least thirty had left the ground. Ninety-seven offered themselves as candidates for admission on trial. Between thirty and forty presented themselves as penitents, several of whom found comfort before they left the ground for some, as though they had been riveted to the spot, continued there, and pleaded for mercy, and enjoyed the prayers of several of their friends till the people were principally dispersed, when they obtained the blessing they so much desired. The glorious work continues, and the Lame is spreading in various directions through the country. In Kingston many are turning to the Lord. We kept up meetings every evening for two weeks, when I left the place, and some professed conviction at every meeting. The pros pect seems to warrant an expectation of a great harvest of souls. Oh, that the gracious work may continue and increase, till the glory of the Lord shall fill the land! One thing in this revival is peculiarly important. We as yet have witnessed nothing of that extravagance and disorder which sometimes attend reformations.The meetings have all been solemn and orderly, while the people have been overwhelmed with a sense of the presence and glory of God. Finally, we think we have cause to expect much good in the district the ensuing year. May our expectations more than be realized! With sentiments of love and respect, I am, dear sirs, your unworthy brother in Christ, GEO. PECK. Speedsville, Oct. 15, 1825. CAMPMEETINGS ON THE CHAMPLAIN DISTRICT. Letter from the REV. BUEL GOODSELL to the Editors, dated Charlotte, Oct. 19, 1825. THE following account of the campmeetings held in Champlain district, during the month of September last, is sent for insertion in the Magazine. THE first we held this season was in the town of Peru, N. Y., on the western shore of Lake Champlain-a most beautiful situation. A fine grove of young trees thickly spread their branches over the spot selected, and formed a very necessary and agreeable shade; and the pure waters of the lake glided gently along, within a few rods of the ground, with which the numerous assembly was amply furnished. The time appointed for the commencement of this meeting was Thursday, the first day of September. Early preparations were made for the meeting. The ground around which the tents were erected, was considerably larger than what it had been on similar occasions, and the seats were more numerous than usual. On Thursday, one week preceding the time appointed for the commencement of this meeting, a number of tents was erected; and two or three days before the meeting began, there were many engaged in rearing up tents, until the ground was encompassed with them, from three to seven deep-in number between three and four hundred. token of Divine approbation. At the conclusion of this exercise at the stand, the preachers and people united in forming one general circle of prayer; and immediately hundreds were raising their strongest desires to God for the outpouring of his Holy Spirit, and the general revival of his work. It was not long before answers were given. Sinners were awakened, and coming forward, in many tears and strong cries for mercy, deplored their past folly, until God, in answer to prayer, sent deliverance and salvation. After this manner the work continued to progress, and the Divine influence to increase among the people, until the close of the meeting. Souls were hourly coming into the kingdom of God, and singing and prayer were kept up night and day, with very little intermission, until it was judged that about one hundred souls were brought from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. In addition to these, great numbers of backslidden professors were reclaimed. They had wandered in darkness, destitute of the peace and favour of God, but here they deplored their folly and unfaithfulness, and, with heart-rending lamenta tions, cried, Return, oh Holy Dove!-return, At the appointed hour, the congregation united in the worship of God, and gave themselves up in those devotions which terminated in the spiritual profit of several hundreds. The people listened with attention to the word, and the influence of the Spirit that attended, was an evident until the love of God was agam manifested I hate the sins that made thee mourn, And drove thee from my breast;" |