F BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS. could give $1000 each, and certainly the whole Business Officers of the Board. Address, Mission Rooms, 265 Chestnut st. Philadelphia. LETTERS relating to Missionary appointments, and other operations of the Board, including CHURCH EXTENSION, should be addressed to the Corresponding Secretary. DONATIONS and SUBSCRIPTIONS should be sent to the Treasurer; or, if more convenient, to the following per sons: We ought to raise more than $100,000. There are one hundred persons surely in our Church who Church besides can raise as much more. noble plan! AN INTERESTING SEASON. Rev. G. W. Musgrave, D. D. What a J. D. Dear Brother-I have recently had an interesting season in one of the churches in my field of labour. Hoping that a brief account of it may prove interesting to the readers of the Record, I herewith transmit it for publication. J. D. WILLIAMS, Pittsburgh, Pa. 3 their care. MEETING OF THE BOARD. For many years, a few of that "sect that is everyand vicinity, have been anxiously praying for the establishment of our Zion among them. The Lord seemed to try their faith. A church was organized, and after a lingering existence of several years, went down. The stated monthly meeting of the Board was During this time, an attempt was made to build a held in the Mission Rooms, on Monday, the 10th of house of worship, but the friends of the enterprise April, 1854. The President, the Rev. JACOB J. would not give anything to a church that required were told by some in the community, that "they JANEWAY, D. D., in the chair; the Rev. HENRY its members to give a tenth of all they possessed for STEELE CLARKE, Secretary, pro tem. The meeting religious purposes;" and they met with so many was, as usual, well attended, and all appeared to be discouragements that the project was abandoned. Some five or six years ago, the Presbytery of deeply interested in the great work committed to regarding the place as an important point, listened The Corresponding Secretary read the to the prayers of the remnant, who remained true in Annual Report, which was unanimously and cor- heart to the Lord; and organized a church a second dially approved, and ordered to be presented to the time. A little more than two years ago, with a commission from your Board, I commenced labouring among next General Assembly. The Report is encourag-them, spending one Sabbath in each month in that ing, and shows that the cause of missions is advanc- part of the field. They have gradually increased ing. The subject of Church Extension forms a from fifteen to forty-two, and now have a neat and substantial frame house, forty by fifty. prominent topic in the Report; and while various important suggestions are offered for the considera=tion of the Assembly, the whole matter is respectfully but earnestly referred to the wisdom of the Supreme Judicatory of the Church. We trust that the suggestions of the Board will receive due attention, and that something effectual will be devised and recommended by the General Assembly to render our Church Extension scheme more efficient. The subject is one of great importance, and is becoming more and more so every day. CHURCH EXTENSION. We are in the receipt of many communications urging the necessity and importance of Church Extension; but as we have already published so much on the subject, we will only insert the following extracts from a letter recently received from a Pastor. Your remarks respecting the importance of raising a fund for the Church Extension cause are seasona It was on the occasion of the dedication of this house, that the Lord smiled again upon them. Last Sabbath week, the 22d, the interesting services took place. I was assisted by brotherwho preached the dedication sermon, from 2 Chron. xi. 4. Though the weather was very cold, the house was filled with young and old. After the services closed, five were received to the communion of the church, four on profession, and one by certificate; and on Tuesday, seven more were received on examination, making twelve in all. Our meeting closed on Wednesday evening, and we left next morning, feeling that "the Lord had done great things" by us, for that feeble church, whereof both we and they "had reason to be glad." Yours in the service of Christ, CALIFORNIA. M. letter from our esteemed brother, recently commisWe were much gratified in receiving the following sioned by the Board, informing us of his safe arrival in California. He will prove, we trust, by the blessing of God, a valuable accession to the number of missionaries sent thither by our Board. We are ble. I trust you will keep urging it. In one of glad to learn that he was so well pleased with the our congregations, the sum of $300 was hardly appearance of the country, and the hospitable reraised for the support of the pastor; but when, by the timely and liberal aid of some individuals who felt a deep interest in their welfare, a commodious and tasteful house of worship was erected, the pews were at once rented for $900 per annum. ception he met with from his brethren labouring there. We hope he will soon be able to locate and commence his labours, and that God will grant him abundant success. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 15th, 1854. Rev. G. W. Musgrave, to the venerable and esteemed writer of the follow ing letter, for all his kind wishes; and will only add, that, by the blessing of God, our constant aim shall be to promote the comfort and usefulness of all our beloved missionaries. Rev. G. W. Musgrave, D. D. WISCONSIN, April 5th, 1854. Dear Sir-I send you only a few lines by the steamer which sails to-morrow, for the simple purpose of informing you of my safe arrival in California. In New York, January 5th, I took passage on the mail steamer Ohio, and after a favourable voyage of eleven and a half days, arrived at Aspinwall on the 17th of January. Two Sabbaths were spent on the Atlantic, but I was too sea-sick to hold Dear Sir-Please accept my thanks for your kindreligious services. One day was consumed in tak-ness and sympathy, and I hereby tender sincere ing in coal at Kingston, Jamaica. thanks to the Executive Committee for the tender interest they manifest for our personal comfort, as well as for our usefulness. Be assured, dear brethren, your kindness is appreciated, and I shall cherish a grateful remembrance of you at the throne of grace. We passed from Aspinwall to Gorgona, (thirty miles) by railroad, and spent the night at Cruces, on Chagres river, seven miles from Gorgona. The next day we took mules, and reached Panama at three o'clock, P. M. The road was dry and romantic in the highest degree. The day following, we Dear sir, I often think of you and your official went on board the steamship California, and arrived associates with deep interest. Have we trials? so at San Francisco on Saturday morning, February have you. We are sometimes almost overwhelmed 5th, the thirtieth day after our departure from New with the ungodliness of a single heart; how your York. The Pacific was exceedingly placid during hearts must often sink within you, in view of the the entire voyage, with the exception of the two wide-spread iniquity that comes to your knowledge! days we were crossing the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The Still I trust you have much in the numerous reports two Sundays spent on the Pacific I preached to the to cheer and encourage you in your arduous work. passengers and crew on deck, and distributed tracts. Yours is not only a calling of high responsibility, After reaching San Francisco, I called on the but it must often be peculiarly trying to your feelRev. Albert Williams, who received me with the ings. The daily care of so large a portion of our greatest cordiality, and insisted on my making his glorious Master's vineyard is indeed a solemn trust. house my home till I should be permanently located. If any of your missionaries suffer, you suffer with I also made the acquaintance of the Rev. Mr. Speer them. If in any part of the wide field ungodliness and the Rev. Frederick Buel, both of whom offered is gaining ground, you are compelled to sigh over to assist me in every way possible. Both these bre- the desolation. Sometimes a missionary asks for thren, especially Mr. Williams, have been exerting a powerful influence for good in California. Sunday, February 6th, I preached for Mr. Williams, and on Monday he accompanied me to Benicia to consult with the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge in regard to choosing a field for my future operations. So soon I expect to preach next Sabbath at Santa Clara, and after that, shall visit other places. as I shall be permanently located, I will write you fully. We need two additional churches in San Francisco. Dr. Scott is expected to visit the city in April; but whether he will conclude to settle here is a matter of uncertainty. California is the most charming country the eye of man ever beheld. I seem to be living in a fairy land—a land of dreams-more beautiful than a painter's pencil ever delineated, or the pen of romance ever described. I am well and happy; and bless God that he ever put it into my heart to labour for his cause in a region so lovely, that it is marred by nothing but sin. W. C. MOSHer. CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY. more aid than you can consistently bestow, and he is embarrassed, and suffers privation in consequence. Let not the missionary repine, for you not only bear the privation with him, but you sympathize most keenly with all the missionaries in like circumstances. Could the members of our churches see what you see, and could they hear all that comes to your knowledge, our moral wastes would soon be supplied the door of the Mission House, and ask for the bread with the means of grace. The poor, who knock at of life, would not then be sent away in such crowds, to perish of starvation. May God cheer and strengthen you, dear sir, and your associates in your blessed work; and may all who profess to love the cause of Christ, manifest their attachment to the Redeemer by devising liberal things! Long may you be permitted to fill the station you occupy, and may you and your associates see the work of the Lord prosper gloriously in your hand. For the Home and Foreign Record. MY JEWELS. Jewels are precious and beautiful things. Their Nothing is more precious than sincere sympathy beauty is intrinsic, their rarity renders them prebetween brethren who are engaged in a common the idea of joy. The mild and finely-tinted lustre cious. The etymology of the word connects with it cause. We often receive communications from our of some, and the dazzling brilliancy of others, conmissionaries, in which they express their generous stitutes their attraction. Jewels are elegant decora sympathy with us, but we are not in the habit of tions of the person, and even enhance the glory of golden diadems. Whose jewels do we speak of publishing them. Occasionally, however, it may be now? The Lord's: "They shall be mine, saith the well to do so, in order to show that our brethren Lord of hosts." He values them, guards them, are not only grateful for our efforts to assist them wears them. in their self-denying and arduous labours, but that they also appreciate our difficulties, and sympathize with us in our official trials. We return our thanks chosen ones, the souls that he hath sanctified. He And what are these jewels? They are God's hath gathered them from the dark caverns; his hand hath washed and polished them. It is the But here I am at last in the West, a missionary of your Board, and amongst a people that have suffered greatly for want of a pure gospel and the stated means of grace. I trust I am now where the Lord has sent me, as I have been truly led in a way that I knew not of. Six months ago, I had no thought of being in this place; and, indeed, I did not know of its existence. sun-light of his holiness reflected, that constitutes thren, I accepted, and gave up all my expectations their radiance; their beauty is but the beaming in relation to the West. back of his benevolence. Specially are those casketed as his jewels, who are "faithful among the faithless found;" who have their hearts on Christ and heaven, while the loud and eager cry of the worldly many is, "Who will show us any good?" In the days of Malachi, an epidemic contagion of impiety spread widely among people and priesthood. The forms of religion were indeed observed, the doors of the sanctuary were opened, the fire still burned upon the altars, offerings were presented and immolated, but a sordid and parsimonious spirit pervaded all the work. Ah! was it worse then than now? Does the service of the Lord engage the chief consideration of those who go to his courts? Is the due measure of knowledge flowing from the priests' lips? Is a competent subsistence furnished to those who serve at the altar? Wherefore, then, are the windows of heaven closed, and the blessings of the Spirit withheld? Declining and vacant churches, embarrassed and desponding ministers of Crhist, bear wit- After a quick, safe, and pleasant journey, I arness, that the old contagion of covetousness is work-rived here with my family on the 16th of Septeming still. But now, too, there are some who "love ber. After entering upon my labours in this place, not the world, neither the things that are in the I was made to feel the peculiarity of my situation. world;" these fear the Lord, and think upon his I found here the fragment of a Congregational name; they speak often one to another of his in- church. It wore, however, the name of Presbyteterest in this world, of his grace, of his Church, of his truth; and the Lord hearkens and hears; "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord, in that day when I make up my jewels." Such a prospect should assure the hopes and stimulate the zeal of Christians, in a time of prevailing worldliness. Self-denial we can afford to practice, in hope of our high destiny! What is the honour that cometh from man, what is wealth, compared with the glory of Jehovah's jewels? And there is a remedy referred to for declension: humiliation, honouring God's ordinances, earnest prayer, he will regard; and he will open the windows of heaven, when he shall see these tokens of penitence, and pour out a blessing till there shall not be room enough to receive it. ENCOURAGING REPORT. Rev. G. W. Musgrave, D. D. J. F. M. January 12th, 1854. Dear Brother-It is with peculiar emotions that I address myself to the duty of preparing a report of my field and my labours for the inspection of the Board of Missions. During the last twelve years, I have been a pastor in the Presbyterian Church, and now, for the first time, I find myself a missionary. I have often plead the cause of Domestic Missions in the field which I left in coming to these destitutions, and sympathized with the missionary in those trials which are connected with his self-denying position. Now I am mingling with the scenes which I once endeavoured to describe, and see with mine own eyes how white the fields in the great West are unto the harvest. On the 13th of September, I left the scenes of my former labours and a people whom I loved, and whom I still love, with a very sad heart. I drove away from the manse with my eyes overflowing with tears, and while a number of those to whom I had often broken the bread of life were weeping around me, because they should see my face no more. Oh! these partings here below of ministers and people, how sad, how solemn, how affecting to all the finer emotions of the soul! What, then, will be the effects of an everlasting separation? rian. The congregation owned a house of worship of some value, but it had never been finished, and it was in rather a bad condition. This congregation, for the last two years, had been without preaching by a minister of their own denomination. During that time they had given the use of their house to the Methodist congregation, and had assisted in the support of their minister. I arrived here just as the Methodist minister left to enter upon another field of labour. As there is but one church edifice in the place, I preached for two months to the whole town. During that time I said nothing about myself from the pulpit, but endeavoured to adapt myself to my anomalous position. I had for my hearers Presbyterians, Methodists, Congregationalists, Baptists, Disciples, Swedenborgians, and the world's people. In our Sabbath-school, of which I was elected superintendent soon after I came here, we had the same mixture, also in our prayer-meetings. The forms of worship were almost all different from what I had been accustomed to, but I did not attempt to change any of them, except sitting in time of prayer. This I set myself against at once; and, by the grace of God, this disrespectful practice is seen no more amongst us. In all other respects, I became all things to all men; I treated all kindly and respectfully, and endeavoured to preach the truth, not having the fear of man before my eyes. During the two months that things remained in this state, I endeavoured to become acquainted with as many of the people as possible in town and country. I stated to all, in my private intercourse, in a frank manner, that I was an Old-school Presbyterian minister, and that I had come to the place to When I was a student in college, it was my inten-endeavour to do good in the way of building up a tion to make the West my field of labour, and when in the seminary, I still had my face set in the same direction. After I was licensed, I purchased a horse and a pair of saddle-bags, and started with the view of making the State of Iowa my home. travelled thirty miles, and stopped to attend a meeting of the Presbytery by which I was licensed, when I found a worthy elder with a call for me from his congregation. This, by the advice of my bre congregation in connection with that body. I met with nothing but kindness from all with whom I had intercourse. All admitted that the place was behind in point of preaching, and that the destituItion of the town and neighbourhood was great, and hoped that I would succeed in building up a church. Accordingly, on a certain Sabbath, after preaching, I stated publicly who I was ecclesiastically, I at the same time and what my intentions were. gave notice that on a special day I would preach are glad to learn from the following letter, that to the people, and afterwards proceed to the organi- some are beginning to act upon these principles. zation of an Old-school Presbyterian church. I invited all who wished to unite in such an organization "Presbyterians are beginning to learn the advanto meet with me prepared to do so. When the day tages of settling together in some of our new settlecame, after preaching, I, with the approbation of ments, for the enjoyment of religious privileges, the the Presbytery, organized a church, to be under the advantages of which they have hitherto been very care of that Presbytery. Our number was small slow to learn. Many Presbyterians are looking only nine. But all was done in such a kind spirit, forward to, and seeking a location within the bounds and with the countenance of such a number of the of the little churches under the care of this Presbyleading men of the place, that I felt encouraged. It tery, notwithstanding so many of them are now was at least a beginning, and the ground secured, I vacant. Could these vacancies be supplied, there is felt, too, that the little vine, with the blessing of reason to believe, that instead of feeble congregaGod, could be made to grow and become fruitful. Itions, most of them would soon become strong and felt a strong assurance that the eye, and heart, and efficient churches. May the Great Shepherd send presence of the Lord would be with it. some one to feed these now feeble flocks." HONORARY MEMBERS. A few days after our organization, the congregation decided that they would lay three hundred dollars salary on the pews and rent them. A committee of business men was appointed to make the assessment, and to appoint a time to rent the pews. This fact was announced from the pulpit. Our Methodist brethren thought the time had come for them to dissolve partnership with us, and accordingly they went off in a body and rented a room as FORM OF A DEVISE OR BEQUEST. To the Trustees of the Board of Missions of the Genea place of preaching. Since that time, we have seen but little of them. We are now by ourselves, and Iral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United have introduced Presbyterian modes of worship, give and bequeath the sum of States of America, and to their successors and assigns, I or I devise a certain and feel once more at home. The ladies have had messuage, and tract of land, &c., to be held by the said the sanctuary cleansed, the inside neatly painted, Trustees, and their successors for ever, to and for the the aisles and pulpit carpeted, and a number of uses, and under the direction of the said Board of Misthose who rented pews have had them carpeted sions of the said General Assembly, according to the proand cushioned, so that our church building is now neat and comfortable. Persons making bequests to the Board of Missions are requested to be careful in adopting the above form. 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. visions of their charter. TREASURY AT PHILADELPHIA. the month of March, 1854. SYNOD OF ALBANY. Pby of Londonderry.-Newburyport 2d ch from EBW $5.00 We have had the sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered since our organization. The season was solemn and refreshing, and, I hope, was attend- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF RECEIPTS. ed with good results, though only two united with us. Upon the whole, I feel encouraged. If my labours here were now to end, I feel that something Receipts into the Treasury of the Board of Missions during has been done. A foundation has been laid, which you know is a great matter in all our Western towns. Our village contains about twelve hundred inhabitants, and is increasing rapidly. There seems to be a great amount of business done for the size of the place. We have the advantages of two rivers, on which there is fine water-power, and of two railroads. The mass of the people here are neglecters of the gospel, and yet there is no bitter opposition to the preaching of it, or to the minister. have received, as yet, nothing but respectful treat-Pby of Albany.—Kingboro ch to con Rev E WALL ment. The field is abundantly large for all my labours, and hence I devote my whole time to the one place, preaching in the town twice on the Sabbath, and in the country occasionally in school-houses. We have organized a Sabbath-school in connection with our own church, and are about making an effort to raise some funds to purchase books for the use of the school. W. E. SUGGESTIONS TO EMIGRANTS. Would it not be well for Presbyterian families, emigrating to the West, to locate in the same neighbourhood, so as to be able to support the gospel among them, and ultimately organize a Presbyterian church? And if they cannot emigrate in sufficient numbers to form a new Presbyterian settlement, let them locate in the neighbourhood of some Presbyterian congregation already organized. We Pby of Troy.-First United ch Cambridge 50; an hon mem SYNOD OF BUFFALO. Pby of Genesee River.-Portageville ch 8; Pifford Pby of Buffalo City.-Central ch Buffalo 65 50; Aurora 1st ch 5 ron ch 10 SYNOD OF NEW YORK. Pby of Hudson.-Monroe ch Pby of New York.-First ch N Y add! 382; Rut- 614 91 135 50 13 38 70.50 4.00 32.00 500 12.00 1809 12 SYNOD OF NEW JERSEY.' Pby of Elizabethtown.-Rahway 2d ch 50 to con Rev GEORGE S MOTT an hon mem; Elizabethport ch 20 Pby of Passaic.-Newark 3d ch in part Pby of Newton.-Mansfield ch 25; Fox Hill ch 11 Pby of Raritan.-Flemington ch Pby of Susquehanna.-Rome ch 12; Canton ch, from Mrs A Van Dyke 2 50; Friendsville ch 2; Silver Lake ch 1 Pby of Luzerne.-Tamaqua ch 57 18; Newton ch 8; Summit Hill ch, from S 10, and from N 5=15 Pby of Burlington.-Allentown ch SYNOD OF PHILADELPHIA. Pby of Philadelphia.-Kensington ch 52 50, less Pby of New Castle.-New Castle ch, from Dr Cou- Pby of Carlisle.-Mercersburg ch 148, of which Pby of Northumberland-Milton ch 80 18 30 00 565 32 49 00 110 75 68 00 Waynesburg chs 338 52 230 00 60 00 SYNOD OF NORTH CAROLINA. Pby of Orange.-Oxford ch 10; Through J H Lindsay, Treas. of Presby, from Buffalo ch 14; Greensboro ch 54 35; Spring Garden ch 16; Alamance ch 23 75; Clarkesville ch 51; Madison ch 20 25; Shiloh ch 9; Spring Hill ch 34 50; New Hope ch 5; Bethlehem ch 15; Raleigh ch 103 50; Lexington ch 10 10; Presbyterial collection at Milton 63 25; Fem Benev Soc of Alamance ch 21 75; Shiloh ch, Mrs Susan M Phane, 2 50; Chapel Hill ch 41 75 Pby of Fayetteville.-Wilmington ch (addl to 70 90 in August last) SYNOD OF GEORGIA. Pby of Georgia.-Pleasant Grove ch, from C C J 25; Midway (Cong'l) ch, Rev J S K Axson pastor, 111 42 Pby of Hopewell.-Macon ch SYNOD OF ALABAMA. Pby of Talladega.- Marble Spring ch addl 30; Talladega ch addl 5 MISCELLANEOUS. SAMUEL WATKINS, Milton, N C, to con himself and Mrs ELIZABETH F WATKINS hon mems 100; Mr James T Campbell, Cedar Valley, Ohio, 5; L B 1; Rev F Knighton, Camden, N J, 2 50; Family Miss Soc of T A Godfrey, Tremont, Pa, 5; James Risk, Muncy, Pa, 2; Jacob Sutphin, Sweden Centre, NY, 7; Wm G Smith, Carrollsville, Miss, 10 495 70 760 136 42 166 15 22 00 35 00 $6200 11 Total, 132 50 $6332 61 S. D. POWEL, Treasurer. CHURCH EXTENSION FUND. Pby of Chillicothe.-Bloomingburg ch SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA. Pby of Logansport.-Monticello ch Pby of Lake.-Constantine ch, in part to con Rev SC LOGAN an hon mem 37 50; Valparaiso ch 35, of which 7 from Sab sch; Sumption's Prairie ch 10; South Bend ch 20 53; Tassinong church 2 SYNOD OF ILLINOIS. Pby of Peoria.-Princeville ch SYNOD OF WISCONSIN. Pby of Dane.-Madison ch 15; Oakland ch 12; Verona ch 3 |