In the state of Virginia, containing a population of nearly one million, there are about 70 presbyterian societies, and about 40 ministers. The episcopal churches, once respectable, are reduced to a small number, and their ministers are less than 30. The houses of worship are in a state of decay. In Kentucky, among 400,000 nearly 500,000 people, there are about 90 presbyterian churches, and 40 ministers; a considerable number of methodist and baptist preachers. Universalism and infidelity are very prevalent. Tennessee is in much the same con❤ dition. The Missisippi Territory in a condition much worse. There are only 6 presbyterian churches, 4 ministers, and some itinerant preachers of the baptist and methodist denomination. The state of this society is deplorable. Scarcely a man rides without a pistol, or walks without a dagger. Of Of several other new states the reporters give no better account. our newly acquired territory the account, which they give, is dismal and affecting. Report of the Directors of the Hampden Bible Society, made at the annual meeting of said Society, Aug. 1814. The Directors of the Hampden Bible Society, respectfully Report, That they have in the whole, purchased of Messrs. Hudson & Goodwin, seven hundred and forty-four Bibles, at 62 cents, exclusive of the cost of transportation. They have also purchased of the Philadelphia Bible Society, five hundred copies of the Stereotype Bible in sheets, at 43 cents, exclusive of package and transportation, and have also purchased of Warriner & Bontecou, seventy-five Testaments, at 30 cents each. The Treasurer's account exhibited to the Society, shews that he has received, since the last annual meeting, $509 18 cents, making, with the balance then in his hands, $809 014 cents, and has paid out the sum of $735 87 cents, leaving a balance in his hands when this Report was made of $73 14. As soon as the Bibles were obtain ed, the Directors, without loss of time, delivered to the care of the Commite tees in the several towns and parishes, and religious societies, Bibles and Testaments, in the first place to sup ply those that were wholly destitute, and as soon as it could be done, for the use of those who had subscribed for them. [Here follows a detailed account of the distribution of the Bibles.] Of the Bibles purchased of Messrs. Hudson & Goodwin, only twenty-four remain undisposed of in their hands. The Directors have had no returns from the several town and society committees since they have received the books, and can therefore give no detailed account of the distribution. Having distributed more than 700 Bibles, and 76 Testaments, they trust the most urgent wants of the inhab itants of the county are supplied; but they fear that in some sections of the county a sufficiently thorough and accurate investigation has not been made. The Directors feel the importance of continued exertions of the several society committees, that no destitute person shall remain in the county without the offer of a Bible. Doubtless cases will continually be found, if sufficient pains are taken, of persons who, without the aid of this. society, would be deprived of this great blessing. In some instances returns have not yet been received from the town committees, of the number of subscribers and their names. They hope returns of the subscribers, and of the distribu tion of the Bibles and Testaments, will be made without delay. The Directors cannot refrain from offering their thanks to the Author of all good, that so much has already been done by the Society, and with them their fervent prayers that the exertions of the Society may not be relaxed. Those who through the medium of this association, have furnished themselves and their families with the word of life, while they are careful to make a right improvement of this treasure, ought to remember those who are perishing for lack of vision, and those who have none to help them. If the inhabitants of this county are well supplied, they ought to bless GoD for so distinguished a privilege; but if truly and sincerely grateful therefor, instead of relaxing they will increase their exertions, that others may receive that treasure which is above all price. An account of the proceedings of the Society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America, extracted from the Appendix to Dr. Parish's Sermon, preached at Boston Nov. 3, 1814. Stockbridge Indians. THE REV. Mr. Sergeant has brought down his journal to July 1, 1814; from which it appears that his missionary services have been uninterrupted. With what success, a few extracts from it will show. Instances of individual comfort or improvement are worthy of notice. "August 1, 1813," after preaching to the Oneidas, Mr. S. "concluded the day by preach ing a third sermon at a private house, where resided an old chief, called Skonando, blind with age; after which the old man, in a very affectionate manner, thanked both speaker and hearers for their kind attention to him in holding a meeting at his house; and observed that he had much pleasure and comfort in hearing the word of Go"-"Sept 3. This day visited a Christian member of the church, who said to me, 'I am glad to see you. I hope I am ready to die, if it be God's will. I feel the work and labor of a Christian is a great thing; that all Christians ought to be engaged and faithful in their Master's work" A sick woman, of whom the Missionary says, "I hope a Christian,' on be ing asked if she was ready and willing to go, if it were the Lord's will, answered, "If I know my own heart, if the Lord thinks I have finished my work, I look upon it beautiful to leave all and go to him; for in him is all my comfort and happiness for this life and the life to come." Soon after, he observes, "Preached a funeral sermon on occasion of the death of the above mentioned Christian woman, who. I have good reason to believe, died in the faith." The journal records instances of a general nature, of a favorable reception and improvement of the instructions and counsels of the Missionary. Having attended a funeral at a village of Oneidas, who "commonly called the Pagan party," live near the residence of his family, he observes: "It always appeared to me, the young people and part of the chiefs were always fond of hearing religious, instruction. They sung a psalm in their own language, and all 33 behaved well." The use of ardent spirits is discountenanced with some success. A religious woman and member of the church had occasion to raise a barn. "Her carpenters were sober people. She determined not to have any spirituous liquors made use of on the occasion. Some of her friends, fond of liquor, remonstrated." Her reply being discreetly decisive, "all opposition ceased; harmony ensued." At an Indian wedding, the Missionary gave an address on the duties and blessings of the marriage life. "The invitation, according to custom among the principal families was public. The larger half of the tribe was collected; a handsome table, which would hold about 25 persons, was spread; a plentiful supply of provisions prepared, but no liquor. No disor der took place, but all behaved with becoming propriety, and dispersed af ter supper to their several homes." It is encouraging to remark, that this attempt for the expulsion of the worst enemy, is attended with the introduction of the best friend of man-the Bible. taught the Indian school at Charlestown (R. I.) the last year, has been reappointed its instructor. His jour nals to the 6th of October last are received. An uncommon seriousness prevailed among the Indians the last year, which had a visible influence on parents and children in reference to the school; rendering both more solicitous to improve the privilege. Wyandots. We notice these Indians here, because they have heretofore received aid from us. Mr. Schermerhorn, in his copious and valuable Report to the Society, mentions this tribe among numerous others; and observes that the mission of the Synod of Pittsburg among this nation has met with considerable success. "There have been several hopeful converts to Christian ity, and many of the young children have been instructed in reading and writing, in which they made good proficiency. The storm of war drove them from their peaceful habitation, and they have sought refuge among the white inhabitants. They arrived at Zane stown, near Urbana, in November, 1812. They sided with us in the war." Western Indians. The total extinction of most of the Indian tribes in New England, and the extreme diminution of those which remain, may render it expedient for the Society to extend its charity to tribes in the remote parts of North America. The design of the commission given in 1812 to Messrs. Mills and Schermerhorn was, to pro cure exact information of the state of such remote tribes, with particular reference to future missions, whenever they may be judged practicable and expedient. The Report mentioned in our last publication, as preparing for the Society, was communicated at the annual meeting in May; and copies of it have been printed for the use of the members. It is very copious and satisfactory, and may, at some future period, be of great practical utility. The failure of the Mission at Sandusky having prevented the application of a grant of seventy-four dollars, voted to that mission in 1811; the Rev. Mr. Badger, to whom that sum was entrusted, and who had seasonably given information of the failure, was authorized and instructed to perform missionary service, for a term proportioned to that grant, in the destitute parts of Ohio. He has recently performed the service, to the satisfaction of the Society. The Society has again attended to the exigences of Provincetown; made a grant to one of its old and faithful Missionaries for recent useful services; and appropriated a sum for the purchase of books.. The continued distribution of books is gratefully acknowledged by the receivers. The amount of the funds is stated to be $23663 62. Cash on hand, S887 70. Of the above capital, $8861 56 is considered as the donation of John Alford, Esq. and the income thereof appropriated exclusively for the benefit of the Indians. $500 was presented to the Society in June last, by His Honor William Phillips, Esq. to be expended during the current year. The collection at the church in Chauncey-Place, on the 3d November, 1814, was $180 40. Missionaries for A. D. 1814. Names. Months. To Rev. Peter Nurse of Ells worth, a grant of 3333 20 2 $100 Remarks on the glorious intelligence contained in the treaty of peace. To remark on such, things as may be made subservient to the peace and happiness of the world, cannot be inconsistent with the title and design of this work. Our joy on the return of peace has been sincere. The treaty we regard as a very good one, all things considered. While the avow. ed objects of the war are wisely passed over in silence, principles are brought to view, which, if properly cultivated, will infallibly exclude war from the world. By the treaty it appears, that there are still points in dispute between the two governments, which might have been the occasion of future wars, had not seasonable arrangements been made for a friendly adjustment. These questions relate to certain is lands, which are claimed by both nations, and to the dividing line between the British Provinces and the United States. Disputes of such a nature are as good ground for wars, as any which has been found in past ages. What then are the principles discovered by the commissioners, to avoid war on these questions? They have discovered that peace is better than war, and that such controversies may be settled by reference or arbitration. Accordingly the treaty provides that commissioners shall be appointed by each of the two governments, to ex amine and settle the points in debate; and if they cannot agree, they are to make cut fair statements of the cases, and then the whole is to be submitted to some friendly sovereign, whose de cision is to be final. "Necessity is the mother of inven tion," and the occasion of many use. ful discoveries. Sometimes when people are in distress, they are led to make use of simple means, which prove efficacious. Thus these means become known to others, and acquire popularity. Then thousands are won. dering why such simple remedies remained so long concealed. In some cases, after a remedy becomes known to eminent practitioners, it may be found that the same had long been in use among illiterate people, or untutored savages. It is so in respect to the principles disclosed in the trea ty. They had long been in use among honest and peaceful citizens. But it seems not to have been known to statesmen, nor even to common people, or at least not duly considered, that national controversies could be settled on the same simple principles, as private controversies, between two honest individuals. The commissioners at Ghent, however, have discovered that but two It may seem wonderful to many, that a remedy for war, so simple and so safe, had eluded the search of statesmen for so many ages. But we should consider how many centuries passed away, before it was known to the most eminent physicians, that pure air and cold water might be safely and usefully applied in cases of fever and inflammation; and that these were to be preferred to impure air and hot stimulants. If such points as are now in dispute, may be settled on the principles exhibited in the treaty, common sense can easily see, that these principles may be extended to every species of national controversy. Hap py indeed it would have been, had these principles been known and applied prior to the late war. What scenes of violence and misery would have been avoided! To every reflecting person it must be evident, that had the two governments known these principles, and been as sincerely desirous to avoid the war before it commenced, as they were to make peace, when the treaty was formed, no war would have taken place. To have prevented the war altogether, nothing surely could have been necessary but a treaty of amity, in which all points, that could not be agreed on, should be buried in profound silence, or re ferred first to commissioners, and as the last resort to the decision of some friendly sovereign. No person, it may be presumed, of common decency, will deny, that such a treaty would have precluded the war. And what better than this has either nation obtained by all the sacrifices which have been made in three bloody campaigns? Is there then no reason to appre hend, that the voice of God to Cain is applicable to many on one side or other of the late contest?-"Where is Abel,thy brother?-What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground." But since the principles for avoiding war were not seasonably understood and applied, let christians rejoice that the light has at last resulted from the dreadful collision. While they deplore the evils which took place during the reign of darkness, let them be grateful, that principles are now discovered, which, if properly cultivated and applied, may ren der the present peace as durable as time. Let not this ray of light ever be forgotten; or ever eclipsed by warring passions. Let all sincere christians unite in one vigorous effort, to diffuse this light through the world. If proper exertions shall be made in Great Britain and in the United States, it will never be in the power of either of the two governments again to declare war against the other, without being made to feel, that they sin against the light, and that good men must abhor their proceedings. POETRY. SAFETY IN CHRIST. JESUS, my Savior! in thy breast, My heart shall seek its surest rest. Let others rove abroad to find, Employment for the restless mind; Thou art my all-I ask no more, My great, and my abundant store. Come then, my Savior, come and be, With thee secure, no dart can wound. |