build a house of worship. We now worship in an is estimated at seven thousand, and we have but three Presbyterian church. After due consideration, we ministers for them all. We have here a territory fixed upon last Saturday and Sabbath for that purfive or six hundred miles in length, by three or four pose, when the church was duly organized, with hundred in width-embracing all from Sault St. eleven persons. Two ruling elders were ordained, Marie to seventy miles above Fond du Lac, and only and installed on the Sabbath, and the sacrament of five ministers, (exclusive of those in mission sta- the Lord's Supper was administered. Of these, six tions,) and only eleven for all-both Indians and were received on certificate, and five on examinawhites-in this whole region! The present supply tion. An interesting feature connected with this is, therefore, altogether inadequate to the demand. newly formed church is, that all the members are As to the future: what provisions are now making parents, and heads of families. In one family there for the population, which must rapidly increase, are five children, in another four, another three, annow that the mines are just coming into general other two, and another one. All these dear children— notice? Here we have assembled, as in California, with the exception of three who, owing to circumthose who hold all the mixed dogmas and creeds of stances, could not be taken out at that time, but who ignorance and superstition-Reason and Atheism, will be presented soon-twelve in number, were conProtestant and Papist. Here, German materialists, secrated to the Lord in the ordinance of baptism. of education and intellect, industriously sow the It was, to me at least, an interesting scene. May seeds of blasphemy and dangerous error. Romanists the great Head of the Church follow it with his ignorant of the Scriptures, become Infidels; and blessing! This church have it in contemplation to nominal Christians even-members of our congregations and Sabbath schools at home-come here too often to learn soon to profane God's holy day, and abandon all pretensions to religion. Here the Sabbath is almost universally the day for bargains, and trade, and drink. Of five villages on this Lake, every house in one is a tavern, or drinkinghouse; eighteen months ago this was also the fact in the second; the third is pretty much the same; of the other two I cannot speak particularly. Each of these has its bowling-saloon and gaming-tables, where many pass their Sabbaths gambling for liquor. Around one of these, the writer has seen four little boys, scarcely able to speak plainly, dealing and dashing their cards, with the flaunt and slang of blacklegs. I have sat in the Sabbath-school to teach children whose parents were trading at the store; while the reports of guns firing around would often On last Sabbath, men worked the whole day. On one side of our cabin, the saw, hammer and plane, rang constantly in our ears. In the afternoon, the agent of the company came to our cabin and sent one off to work, and on Monday deducted that day's wages from another, because he refused to work on the Sabbath. My only object in these statements is to give a true picture of facts, as they exist here. The state of morals here is indeed sadvery sad. startle us. Of all the ministers-four churches and four Sabbath-schools, on the Lake-not one of them are Presbyterian. Can our Church not do something in this vale of moral death? Her children are hereshall she not care for them? Are there not those who will pray for us, and send to us some one or more, to preach the everlasting gospel? Too long has this destitute, but interesting field, been neglected. J. J. S. ANOTHER CHURCH OFF THE BOARD. From a Missionary in Pennsylvania. Dear Brother-During the last quarter the services of religion were maintained as usual, and with increased interest on the part of the people. At our communion, on the third Sabbath of December, five-four of them heads of families-were admitted to the church upon profession of faith, and five by certificate; and we have reason to believe that the Spirit is striving with others, who we hope will be brought to Christ. My own health has been good, but my dear wife has suffered severely, being brought to the very brink of the grave. However, through the mercy and goodness of God, she is now slowly, yet we think permanently, recovering. May these afflictions be sanctified unto us! Although the sum we have been receiving from the Board is not large, yet I am pleased to be able to inform you that the sum due for the quarter just past is all that we will expect. Henceforth the people feel able to bear their own burdens, and also distribute to the necessity of others. A contribution of $26 has just been made for your Board, which will make our contributions to the Board $101 since I This is not so bad for a church that was scarcely came here; whilst we have only drawn out $100! known as in existence five years ago, but now able to undertake the work of supporting their pastor with a respectable salary. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. Lord bless domestic missions. Yours, &c., J. A. AND YET ANOTHER. The CHURCH ORGANIZED. From a Missionary in Wisconsin. "In this quarterly report, I have a few items of interest which may be also interesting to you. You are aware that for a year past I have been labouring a fourth of my time in the neighbourhood of the From a Missionary in Georgia. Blue Mounds. Until within a few months past the Dear Brother-As my year under your commission field there was not very encouraging. With the ex- has closed, I herewith send you my last quarterly ception of a few who had been raised by Presbyte- report. We are not going to apply for a commission rian parents, the little congregation was composed from the Board for this year, though I expect to of those who cared but little for these things. How continue in the same field. I will be able to receive ever, both the size and attention of the congregation my support from another source. I will, however, have greatly increased. In October last, a petition write to you occasionally of our success and prossigned by eleven persons was put into my hands, aspects in this important field, &c. Yours, &c., a committee of Presbytery, to organize them into a A. E. 1853.] BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS. HONORARY MEMBERS. The sum of Fifty Dollars constitutes a person an Honorary Member of the Board of Missions. Honorary Members have a right to sit in the meetings of the Board, and engage in their deliberations, but have no right to vote. A copy of the Annual Report is sent to them every year. FORM OF A DEVISE OR BEQUEST. Benevolent Fund of the New London Congrega- Pby of Baltimore.-Ellicott's Mills ch 20; Freder- Pby of Northumberland.-Lewisburg ch SYNOD OF OHIO. Pby of Wooster.-Guilford ch, from a Friend of SYNOD OF WISCONSIN. To the Trustees of the Board of Missions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and to their successors and assigns, I give and bequeath the sum of, or I devise a certain Pby of Milwaukee.-Marengo ch messuage, and tract of land, &c., to be held by the said Trustees, and their successors for ever, to and for the uses, and under the direction of the said Board of Missions of the said General Assembly, according to the provisions of their charter. Persons making bequests to the Board of Missions are requested to be careful in adopting the above form. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF RECEIPTS. TREASURY AT PHILADELPHIA. Receipts into the Treasury of the Board of Missions, during the month of December, 1852. SYNOD OF ALBANY. Pby of Albany.-Albany First ch 84 70; Amsterdam Village ch 36 SYNOD OF NEW YORK. Pby of Hudson.-Scotchtown ch 84; Goodwill ch SYNOD OF NEW JERSEY. Pby of Elizabethtown.-First ch Westfield 30; Pby of West Jersey.-Bridgeton 1st ch, of which Pby of Raritan.-Amwell First ch 17; Fleming- Pby of Susquehanna.-Rome church SYNOD OF PHILADELPHIA. Pby of Philadelphia.-Central ch, Philadelphia, add'l, from M Newkirk 100, and from Mrs H M Henry 20; Tenth ch, Philadelphia, add'l from Thomas H Hoge 25; Fourth ch, Philadelphia, balance of a collection through Hiram Ayres Treasurer of Presb. 31 13; Second ch Philadelphia, per hands of Rev W Chester, DD, to con Miss SARAH CHESTER, Miss ELIZABETH C CHAUNCEY and Miss HANNAH CHAUNCEY hon mems 150 Pby of Philadelphia 2d.-Bridesburg ch, from a lady Pby of New Castle.-Upper Octorara ch 31 34; $120 70 138 00 27 00 1854 57 SYNOD OF VIRGINIA. Pby of Winchester.-Fredericksburg ch 14; Sun- SYNOD OF NORTH CAROLINA. Pby of Fayetteville.-Everettsville ch SYNOD OF ALABAMA. Pby of South Alabama.-Cahaba ch, through H MISCELLANEOUS. Missionary Bible, Tract, and Education Society LEGACIES. Legacy of Elizabeth McNair, decd, late of New- 76 34 110 00 134 43 66 22 10 00 15.00 58 15 20 00 5 00 $3698 20 385 42 366 94 3.00 3 00 46 50 5 00 7 00 27 00 430 03 1176 13 TREASURY AT PITTSBURGH. Receipts into the Treasury at Pittsburgh, Pa., during the month of December, 1852. SYNOD OF PITTSBURGH. Pby of Blairsville.-Ligonier ch 13 12; Blairsville ch 40 25; Beulah ch 33 50; Congruity ch add an elder 3 Pby of Allegheny.-Union ch 8; Slatelick ch 29 50; Pby of Redstone.-Long Run ch in part SYNOD OF WHEELING. Frankfort ch Ky, annl col per R Knott Rev Dr Paxton, Shelby co, Ky, his own donation 1st ch Louisville, Ky, in part of annl col Thomas McCord, Paris, Ill, in part to con himself South Hanover ch Ia, bal col by Rev C Leaven- 1st ch Dayton, Ohio, including 34 from Ladies 89 87 Lebanon ch Ohio col by Rev C Leavenworth Sand Creek ch Ind, addl col by Rev C Leaven100 50 worth 16 82 16 00 1st ch New Albany, Ind, including 47 70 from Golconda ch Ill, per Rev J P Riddle 66 60 00 Friend of Missions in Ill, per Rev JP Fullerton Lynn Grove ch Iowa, NOTE. The acknowledgment of $30 in the Record of June last, from Lewisville ch, Winchester Presb, should have been from Lewinsville church. Receipts at the Office of the Board of Missions, Philadel- Pby of Troy.-Individuals in Second st ch Troy Pby of New York 2d.-Peekskill ch Pby of Philadelphia.-Seventh ch Philadelphia Pby of Redstone.-New Providence ch Pby of Lexington.-United congregations of Fairfield and Mount Carmel 10; Through Rev B M Smith, Treasurer of Lexington Presb, Providence ch 13, and Staunton ch 35 50, less discount on uncurrent note 50 cts-35 Pby of Winchester.-Sundry members of Martinsburg ch Va, 28, less paid Adam's express for delivery 50 cts Pby of West Hanover.-Hampden Sidney College ch 25, and add per J M McCalla Esq, 1 50— 26 50; Roanoke ch 20 Pby of East Alabama.-Pea River ch Pby of Memphis.-Somerville ch per J M McCalla Esq David Roe Esq, Haddonfield N J 2; Mrs F K per W S Martien Esq, 3; Mrs G McKinney Shelby Tenn 1; RR E, Shelby Tenn 1; A Friend, Tenn, per W S Martien Esq, 20 Previously acknowledged 105 00 2 00 62 00 76 03 800 58 00 131 10 10 00 257 13 hon mem 20 00 32 35 1 85 201 60 50 00 102 30 2.00 233 20 6 60 3.40 20.00 BOARD OF EDUCATION. PRESBYTERIAN EDUCATION ROOMS, No. 265 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Business Officers of the Board. C. VAN RENSSELAER, D. D., Corresponding Secretary. WM. CHESTER, D. D., Asso. Sec'y, and General Agent. J. B. MITCHELL, Esq., Treasurer. Letters and Communications for the BOARD OF EDUCATION on the subject of Ministerial Education, or of Schools, Academies and Colleges, may be addressed to the Rev. C. VAN RENSSELAER, D. D., Corresponding Secretary, No. 265 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Remittances of money may be made to JOSEPH B. MITCHELL, Esq., Treasurer, Mechanics Bank, Philadelphia. I. MINISTERIAL EDUCATION. "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest." DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER. The General Assembly has recommended the observance of the last Thursday of February as a day of special prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the young men in the literary institutions of our country. The resolution is in the following terms: Resolved, That the Assembly recognizes with gratitude the goodness of God in pouring out his grace upon several of our institutions of learning during the past year; and whilst the churches are invoked to pray without ceasing to the Lord of the harvest for the continuance of his favour, the last Thursday of February next is recommended for general observance as a day of special prayer for the Divine blessing upon the youth of our land who are pursuing their studies in literary institutions, and especially that many of them may be called and qualified by the grace of God for the work of the ministry. The objects in the resolution are two, viz: 1. The eternal well-being of the numerous young men in the institutions of learning throughout our country. 2. The introduction of many of these youth into the ministry of Jesus Christ. Let each member of our Church bear in mind that the objects of the day of special prayer are inestimably precious and important. PRAY ALWAYS-PRAY NOW. Special prayer for the youth of our country implies the necessity of praying always for them, of praying daily. The recommendation of the General Assembly is designed to give increased intensity to habitual supplications. Our Lord has enjoined prayer for the sending forth of labourers into the harvest; and unless his injunction is neglected through ignorance, negligence, or a deliberate undervaluing of its importance, it will be the subject of frequent, if not daily remembrance at the throne of grace. And the salvation of our youth in general, ought it not to be an object of persevering supplication? Brethren, wait not for the day of special prayer. PRAY ALWAYS. PRAY NOW. If you wait at all, wait in hope; wait PRAYING. ADDRESS TO THE CHURCHES. The following article was written in reference to the day of prayer for colleges, a number of years ago, when the Rev. DR. CORNELIUS was Secretary of the American Education Society. As an address to the churches, it contains many interesting thoughts. We have altered a few figures and words, to adapt the communication more to the times. It first appeared in the "American Quarterly Register," for 1828, from which it is now extracted. Dear Christian Brethren-Permit us in a few words, to "stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance." The last Thursday of February is at hand. Blessed day! How many warm and gushing emotions is the bare mention of it calculated to excite in a thousand pious hearts. What though no worldling's pulse will be quickened by its approach; no jubilant peals will usher it in; no far-sighted politician will mark it in his calendar; and it will come and go unheeded by the busy and the pleasureloving throng; surely the entire Church will anticipate its return with a deep and thrilling interest Faith, and hope, and charity will kindle in her eye at its early dawn, and impart a holy importunity to her supplications. Angels, we doubt not, will rejoice in their celestial spheres, and God himself pour down blessings of grace, when he looks and beholds his children wrestling together with the Angel of the covenant." Shall we stop to prove that prayer is a duty, and that God is moved by it to bestow blessings upon the world which he would otherwise withhold? This might have been needful in darker age, but "the darkness is past and the true light now shineth." We will not therefore keep you a moment longer, beloved brethren, from the main design of this adin the land to pray for the out-pouring of the Holy dress. It is to engage, if possible, every Christian Spirit upon our Colleges; and especially to secure for them the united intercessions of the Church on devoted to fasting and prayer by all who love the the day already specified, which we hope will be Saviour. However we may sometimes find ourselves straitened for want of arguments and motives in discussing subjects of ordinary interest, we feel no such embarrassment on the present occasion. The great difficulty is to select, condense, and arrange our topics, so as within narrow limits to lay the case fairly before your consciences. God blesses and curses the world by human agency; and it is needless to say, that under this economy, the destinies of the church and the state will soon be in the hands of those who are now receiving their education. In our academic halls are the future lawgivers and religious teachers of this great republic; and oh, what unknown interests of time and eternity are suspended upon the few months, or years, which remain of their pupilage. Their piety, if by the grace of God they are pious, is public property, and there is none so valuable in all the investments and securities of the government. So on the other hand, the lax principles and kindred habits of liberally educated men, are more onerous to the public than all the burdens of taxation. Every student in college, of respectable talents and acquirements, may be regarded as the representative of at least a thousand immortal beings, who will be moulded by his opinions and example; to say nothing of the amazing influence, either good or bad, which will go down from him to distant generations. Contemplated in this light, the aggregate amount of good to be gained, or lost, in the short space of four years, baffles the mighty and almost illimitable grasp of imagination itself. little; and is it strange that but comparatively little has been done? Can you offer any scriptural reason why you should not pray for the conversion of every scholar in our hundred colleges, or why the prayer may not this very year be answered? The time will come, and who can tell how near it may be, when all the talents and science and literature in our great public schools will be sanctified by the Divine Spirit, and when "holiness to the Lord" will be written in all their halls and upon every course of study. But prayer and faith only can bring that day; and whenever the efficacy of holy importunity and confidence in the promises shall be fully tested, "it will come and will not tarry." Why then should we put it far from us, by supinely waiting for it, when our souls ought to be going forth to meet it? Why are not the fountains already purified? The truth is, dear brethren, and it must be told, that the church at large is not awake to the duty The number of young men now enjoying the and importance of praying for revivals in colleges. advantages of a public classical education in these But few Christians, we believe, have yet contemplated United States, is estimated at ten thousand. Of the subject in half its important bearings; while the course, a large number will leave our colleges within great majority of professors in this country have the present year, and go forth to scatter blessings not hitherto taken any part in the annual concert. over the face of the land, or to sow it with their It is extremely encouraging to know, however, that errors and their vices. In twenty years the number since God first put it into the hearts of a few to prowill greatly increase; and at the present rate merely, pose and to unite in such a concert, the holy flame will amount, in a single generation, to many thou has been spreading from church to church; and sands! Give us this army of educated men, this from that blessed era, (for we must call it an era,) immense weight of talent, and energy, and influence, revivals have become more frequent and powerful in and what is there of ignorance or irreligion in the our classical seminaries than they ever were before. nation, which could long stand before it? But what Indeed, when we look at facts and coincidences, we cause will this disciplined host be inclined to find it impossible to doubt, that God has affixed to this espouse? Under whose banner shall it be mar-concert the broad seal of his approbation. Again shalled? Will it declare for Christ and the church, or against both? These, dear brethren, are momentous questions, and will lead you, we doubt not, anxiously to inquire, what is the religious character of the students now in our public seminaries? It has been stated that about one third of the young men in the New Englaud colleges are professors of religion. Our information from the middle, southern, and western colleges, is much less particular; but, we fear, that a large proportion of the whole ten thousand, included in our present estimate, are not on the Lord's side. More than three to one, probably, are still his enemies; and will in one way or other act in hostility to his kingdom, unless their hearts be changed by his grace. And must the great body of these precious youth lose their souls? Must the churches be without pastors, and the land without pious rulers, and the heathen without missionaries, when there is so much talent and knowledge and influence to be sanctified in our higher seminaries? And what hinders its being sanctified? Who will be answerable for consequences, should six thousand, or even one thousand of these gifted and privileged young men remain unconverted when they leave college? Will not the American church, will not you who profess to love Zion be answerable? Why should the majority of educated men, nay, why should even a minority any longer throw the weight of their talents into the wrong scale? What withholds the Spirit from descending upon all our literary institutions and subduing stout-hearted sinners? Ah, brethren, is it not our unbelief? Our faith wavers. Our heart is not enlarged. Our mouth is not filled because it is not opened. In reference to the conversion of students during thei academic course, we have expected but little, w have prayed for but little, we have attempted but and again has that promise been verified, "Before they call I will answer: and while they are yet speaking I will hear." In some instances has the Spirit been poured out on the very day of fasting and prayer, and numbers of students have been "pricked in the heart." In many other cases a deep solemnity has fallen upon colleges, while the children of God were yet upon their knees, and has been manifestly connected with subsequent revivals. One such case, at least, occurred last February. We saw it. If our hearts deceive us not, we felt it: and after a few weeks of gradually increasing interest, the Holy Ghost came down upon the seminary “like a mighty rushing wind." Reviewing the recent history of college revivals, we can no more question that God has heard and answered prayer, than if we were assured of it by an audible voice from heaven. But how much greater things than these might have been done, had there been more prayer, and more faith, and more fasting; had two or three millions of Christians united in the annual concert, and often renewed their supplications in behalf of our colleges. Permit us then, dear brethren, of every denomination, and in every section of the American church, to be importunate with you in this regard: and we solemnly put it to your consciences, whether we ought, in any case, to take a denial? In asking you to unite with us in fasting and supplication, on the last Thursday of February, we plead for your sons and brothers in our public seminaries, and for your own children also, who yet are enemies to God. We plead for the destitute churches in the older States, and for the scattered population of the West and the South. We plead for all the invaluable institutions of our common country: for the Sabbath, for the 'aws, for public morality and safety, for all our republican constitutions of government. We plead |