room, together with the facilities af- right hand of fellowship, and bid them forded for reaching the mind by Sab-God speed in their work, while we bath School and Bible Class instruc-own them as most efficient coadjutors tion, have been generally relied on as in our labors. the means, under God, of bringing From the reports which have been men to the knowledge of the truth.-read respecting revivals, it appears that We believe there is a growing convic- unusual pains have been taken to intion in the minds of pastors, as well as struct young converts in their duty, among our most intelligent laymen, and in the great fundamental docthat we ought to place more reliance trines of the Bible, before admission on the ordinary means of grace which to the church. Hasty admissions have God has established for reaching the been deprecated and avoided. An efhuman heart, and less reliance on fort has generally been made to lay those which are the devices of men. the foundation for stable and active We are happy to believe that, while piety. In some instances, reports some of our churches, still untaught have stated that the Assembly's Cateby the baneful influence which these chism is beginning to be more careextraordinary means have produced, fully studied in our Sabbath Schools. are yet relying too much upon them, We have occasion to rejoice that amid there is generally a growing conviction the many exciting causes which have that the good old way of our Fathers existed the past year to disturb the is the way to advance the permanent harmony of our churches, they have interests of the Redeemer's Kingdom. generally stood fast. Though false There is, we believe, a more general teachers, and false prophets have been readiness to listen to a plain exposi- busy in sowing the seeds of discord in tion of the great fundamental doctrines many of our vineyards, there is occaof the Cross. The feverish sensibili- sion for gratitude that so few of our ty which has existed in many congre-churches have been materially disturbgations, on this point, is beginning to ed. yield to the more scriptural mode of There has been the past year, we presenting Divine Truth. The Holy believe, though faintly perceptible, a Spirit is being more honored, and his gradual improvement in favor of perinfluence more ardently sought in manency in the Pastoral relation. The prayer for the conversion and sanctifi- evil of fickleness in this relation, which cation of the soul. The churches are has been so long and deeply deplored, feeling, more sensibly than a few years we believe is beginning to subside.since, that it is not in the power of Much has been said in our public bodtheir Pastors, nor of any other preach-ies, in private conversation, and through ers to produce a revival of pure reli- the periodical press, on this point, and gion; but that this blessing" cometh we believe, not without effect. The not but by prayer and fasting." If a christian community, we believe, are church would be truly revived,the peo- beginning to feel the unhappy influple, as well as the pastor, must have a ence of a fluctuating ministry. Our mind to work, and God in his sover intelligent laymen are making it a mateign mercy, be pleased to bless. ter of serious consideration; and there We would not omit to acknowledge is not only a hand uplifted here and the services which the brethren in the there to stay the progress of the mounEditorial departments of our religious tain waves which have been dashing newspapers, have rendered, in endea-over our land, threatening the utter voring to form a correct sentiment in extermination of the Pastoral office, the public mind, in relation to this sub- but many hearts are also engaged in ject. We would extend to them the prayer for the removal of this evil. We trust the dawn of a beter day is to the lambs of the flock, the church breaking, and while many churches is, in our view, more particularly reare destined still to suffer from this sponsible for sustaining an interest in evil, we would fondly hope and be- the Sabbath School. It is an institulieve that the importance of a perma- tion where the labors of church memnent ministry is gaining ground. And bers can be most advantageously exthough it may be many years before pended, and where God calls upon them this subject will be felt in all its impor- by the voice of his Providence, to latance, it is gratifying to learn that the bor while the day lasts. evil has arrived at its crisis, and is In regard to the attendance on the now slowly subsiding. Monthly Concert of prayer for the uniOur reports in regard to the various versal spread of the gospel,—a place causes of benevolence have been en- where the spirit of benevolence is couraging. The feeble churches in kindled and kept alive-we have not our own State, though not so liberally the means of speaking definitely.assisted as we might wish, neverthe- We fear, however, that the advantaless receive a liberal share in the con- ges of this meeting are not appreciattributions and prayers of the more ed as they should be, by the majority wealthy sister churches. The Mace- of christians. donian cry from our brethren of the We are happy to greet our brethren great western valley, has been respond- from foreign bodies, and to hear from ed to with a feeling and sympathizing them the cheering intelligence to which soul-while the still deeper wail of we have listened, respecting the prosmillions who are sitting in the region perity of the Redeemer's kingdom and shadow of death in pagan lands, within their borders. The report of has sunk deep in christian hearts.the General Assembly of the PresbyThe Tract, the Bible, the Seamen's terian church (old school) gives the Friend, and the Education Societies, most encouraging account of the state have not been forgotten. We own all of religion, within the bounds of that these Societies as sisters of the same body. In the language of the Assemfamily, engaged in the same great en-bly "the last year has been a year of terprize of bearing the light of eter- mercy and goodness, distinguished by nal truth to the ends of the earth. constant and numerous tokens of the The cause of Temperance has been divine fovor, and an almost entire cesunusually prosperous. During the sation from those evils which we have past year noble and praise worthy ef- usually had so much cause to depre. forts have been made, in some towns, cate." Other members of that body to reclaim the unfortunate inebriate, have remarked, that in no year since and to banish entirely, the traffic in ar- the existence of the church in this dent spirits from their borders. country, have there been such wonderSabbath Schools have been univer-ful tokens of the presence and power sally sustained. The opinion, howev- of the Most High, in the Presbyterian er, prevails in some portions of the connection. Fifty-three PresbyteState, that this institution might be ries were blessed with the special presmade a more efficient instrument than ence of the Holy Spirit, upon more or it now is, in building up the Redeem-less of the congregations within their er's kingdom. It is our impression bounds. In some Presbyteries the that the church has not yet fully felt work was felt in every congregation. her responsibility in this matter. The In some instances the number of hopehope of the church is in the rising ful conversions in a single Presbytery generation—and while Pastors should exceeded 1000. As many as 300 have spare no pains to discharge their duty been added to our churches; more 66 than 900 congregations have enjoyed in no year since the settlement of our revivals; and hundreds were reported country has our American Zion been as favored with encouraging tokens of so extensively blessed. the Redeemer's presence.' In conclusion we would say, that From Massachusetts, we learn that while we are grateful for the mercies more than 80 churches have been spe- of God, that he has so generously cially blest with revivals the past year. blessed the churches of our own State The report from the General Conven- as well as others represented inthisbody, tion of Vermont, has also given great let us look to him with a deeper sense occasion for thanksgiving and praise of our own unworthiness, and seek, by to Almighty God, for the manifestation prayer and humble supplication, still of his gracious presence in that State. richer communications of His grace. Nearly one fourth of the churches are The signs of our times call for deep reported as having enjoyed revivals, and active piety. Whether we look at more or less powerful. There has the Redeemer's cause in our own state, been a net gain from last year of 692 or take a wider range, there is the members. most earnest call for humble, persever As the general results of the past year ing effort at the throne of grace. What it may be stated that more than one need we, beloved Brethren! more than fourth of all the Congregational and constant showers of the Holy Spirit to Presbyterian churches in this State; water and build up our churches? one fourth of the Congregational" Paul may plant, and Apollas water," churches in Vermont; one-fifth of the but what will it avail unless God give same in Massachusetts and more than the increase? 400 congregations in the Presbyterian church, (Old School) have enjoyed special revivals of religion. Perhaps In behalf of the Committee, Nashua, Aug. 24, 1843. Churches. Alton BELKNAP ASSOCIATION. Ministers. When settled. | Communicants.] Additions. Barnstead Enos George Meredith Br. Removals. Baptisms. Ma. Fem. Tot. Pro. Let. Tot. Dis. Ex. D'd. Tot. Ad. In. Tot. John K. Young 64 Vil. Giles Leach Sandbornton Ab'h'm Bodwell Nov. 13, 1806. Br. Cor. Curtice 8 483 835 1368 93 11 Without charge-Joseph Lane, Heman Rood, Aaron Warner, Isaac Bird, Charles Tenney CALEDONIA ASSOCIATION. 5 5 8 6 1 587 Ma. Fem. Tot. Pro. Let. Tot. Dis. Ex. D'd. Tot. Ad. In. Tot. 11 19 30 5 0 4 2 6 3 4 7 1 1 2 4 2 1 10 7 8 3 15 21 18 35 Churches. ¡ Chichester Rev. Drury Fairbanks, unsettled. DEERFIELD ASSOCIATION. Ministers. When settled. | Communicants. Additions. RufusA. Putnam Aug. 29, 1832. Removals. Baptisms. 1 Ma. Fem. Tot. Pro. Let. Tot. Dis. Ex. D'd. Tot. Ad. In. Tot. 66 104 170 Unsettled Ministers-Deerfield, Nathaniel Wells; Chichester, Josiah Carpenter; Northwood, Josiah Prentice. Candidate-Alanson St. Clair. DERRY ASSOCIATION. Churches. Candia Chester Ministers. When settled. Communicants.[ Additions. Ma. Fem. Tot. Pro. Let. Tot. Dis. Ex. D'd. Tot. Ad. 1n. Tot. 4 4 Budson William Page* 663 19 2 9 10 211 1 386441 Atkinson Samuel Pierce Salem w.K Hayward*t| Stated supply. Not a member of the Association. Unsettled Ministers- -Hampstead, John Kelley; Windham, Samuel Harris; Salem, Jonas Fiske; Beyrcot, N. A. Keys; New York City, Charles P. Russell. Charchos. HARMONY ASSOCIATION, 1842. Ministers. When settled. | Communicants.] Additions. Removals. Baptisms. Ma. Fem. Tot. Pro. Let. Tot. Dis. Ex. D'd. Tot. Ad. In. Tot. Unsettled Ministers-Rev. Samuel Kingsbury, Tamworth. HOPKINTON ASSOCIATION. Churches. Ministers. When settled. | Communicants.] Additions. Removals. Baptisms. 8 15 5 10) 8 Ma. Fem. Tot. Pro. Let. Tot. Dis. Ex. D'd. Tot. Ad. in. Tot. 5 2 7 9 Sept. 13, 1837. 102 June 8, 1842. 115 18 15 16 6 16 16 7 3 14 2 1 10 2 March 23, 1825. Isaac Kaight Sept. 27, 1837. 26 74 201 26 67 93 80 10 20 8 28 43 15 4 4 4 2 6 1 26 4 1 8 13 11 5 16 Benj. F. Foster Nov. 13, 1833. James W.Perkins March 18, 1840. 54 100 *The Church in New-Hampton have become members of this Church. Unsettled Ministers-Ebenezer Price, Boscawen West; Moses Sawyer, Boscawen East; Henry Wood, Benjamin P. Stone, Sylvester Dana, Concord; Walter Harris, Ó. D., Dunbarton. HOLLIS ASSOCIATION. Removals. Baptisms. Ma. Fem. Tot. Pro. Let. Tot. Dis. Ex. D'd. Tot. Ad. In. Tot. Ministers. Whon settled. | Communicants.] Additions. Amherst Brookline Daniol Goodwin Hollis Mason E.Hill&J.B.Hill Ev. Milford Mont Vernon Bezalel Smith New-Ipswich Samuel Leo A. W. Burnham, Abner B.Warnet Merrimack 1C StephenT. Allen Unsettled Ministers—Humphrey Moore, Milford; Eli Smith, Hollis. |