assisting in our humble measure, in the propagation of the religion of Christ." Under the first head we are happy to find JESUS CHRIST in troduced, as a diping teacher and Sayiour. But we feel some difficulty in reconciling the following remarks with the idea of his divinity, or with the character of Him, in whom dwelleth all the ful ness of the godhead bodily. their idea, preach the whole gospel, yet do they not preach parts of it? Yea, many solemn and interesting parts of it? Are not parts of it good for something? Are they not indeed, dibear the fruits of immortal life and vine seed, which may spring up, and bliss? If their stated ministers and missionaries promote, by their teaching in common, some of the most important subjects of the religion they respects, to rejoice in their labours, believe, is it not their duty, in these and wish them success? Let us now appeal to the fact to determine how far, in union together, they preach the truths of the gospel. Do they not unitedly preach the evidences of Christ's mission; state his gospel the only infallible directory of our faith and manners; and charge us to consult it upon all important questions with teachable minds, if we would be made "wise unto salvation?" Do they not propose, and warmly recommend to the love and imitation of their hearers, his example? An example pure and exalted beyond what poets had fanci "But with all his divine abilities, he felt the infirmities of a man, and needed human assistance. He chose twelve of the number of his followers to be his confidential friends and ministers, who, being around his person, in every place and circumstance, might promptly afford him their aid,' What impression, it is candidly asked, does this representation of Christ make on the mind? Is it not that of weakness and dependence? Is it not that of a leader, needing a lifeguard, rathed, or historians, sacred or human, er than of him, by whom the worlds were made? These queries are made, not that we doubt the preacher's belief of the sacred TRINITY; but because we think such a representation of the Son of Gop little calculated to excite the reverence or gratitude of those whom he came to redeem. Under the second head of his discourse the main object of the preacher appears to be, not to prove that differences of opinion relative to doctrine, &c. have existed in all ages of the church; but to shew that the preaching of the gospel, though various and partial, has produced very beneficial effects, spiritual and temporal. In evidence of this, and as a specimen of our author's manner, the following extract is given. "Though the instructors whom they conceive erroneous, may not, in No. 7. Vol II. Тт described before he lived; for till then, they never beheld, nor heard of such excellence of worth, such beauty of character in our form. Do they not urge upon us his precepts, as the su because "the wisdom which is from preme rule of our temper and conduct, above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy? Do they not affirm, in the words of the apostle, notwithstanding their hypothesis to render the subject more intel ligible may differ, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; through the redemption that is in being justified freely by his grace Jesus Christ; whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins, that God?" Do they not, divinely taught are past, through the forbearance of by their Master, bring life and immortality beyond the grave, into a state of clearer and more splendid light, than it had been by the philosophers of the world, and even by inspired teachers before he came, and place it in a point of view, calculated, more than any other, deeply to im press the human mind and passions, a scene of complete moral retribution? Do not the motives they inculcate to excite us to well doing, and to deter us from evil, exceed in weight and consequence all which any other religious instructor has ever taught for this holy end?" With our benevolent author we cheerfully admit, as a delight ful fact, that "high spiritual advantages have attended the preaching of Christ, though the salutary office has been performed with varying degrees of light, ability, and success; that the Christian world is the fairest portion of this earth; and that no particular class of Christians can claim these good effects, as arising exclusively from their modes of teaching." Still, however, it suppose, that the influence of the gospel would have been greater, had it been preached with more light, ability and uniformity; especially if the whole gospel had been thus preached. Admitting, with our catholic author, that instructors, deemed erroneous, "preach parts of the gospel," and that they unitedly preach the evidences of Christ's mission," and state his gospel the only infallible directory of our faith and manners; that they warmly recommend his example and urge upon us his precepts; that they exhibit "life and immortality in a more splendid light, than any philosophers or even inspired teachers" before his coming, and inculcate "motives" to virtue, exceeding in weight those of any former religious teacher; nevertheless, if other instructions be not added, we are painfully apprehensive, that the most important parts of the gospel are not preached by such "ministers seems reasonable to missionaries." or truths, If all the which such teachers preach "in union," are here named by our author; it may well be doubted, whether the influence of Christianity on the moral character of individuals, or even on society, would much surpass that of the philosophy of Socrates, did not other preachers often exceed their limits. If we are taught in the gospel, that by nature we are morally depraved and children of wrath; that we are dead in trespasses and sins, and enemies to God; that we must be born again and become new creatures; that sin is atoned only by the blood of Jesus, and that this Jesus is a divine person; that justification is the work of God's Spirit, and that our salvation is wholly of grace, through faith, and that not of ourselves;-these doctrines must not only be parts, but the essential parts, of the gospel, since they give to man, and to Christianity, à character and features, not merely different, but opposite to those, usually ascribed to them, in systems of theology, in which these doctrines are set aside. The Scripture constantly supposes that the truth may be preached, as well as professed, by bad men and from bad motives. Still it is truth; and this was the ground of the apostle's joy. He rejoiced, that in any way or with any disposition (even if the motive were cruel) Christ was preached. Here is no reference, either to the nature or number of the doctrines preached. The fair import of the passage is, that those, who were actuated by envy, preached the same doctrines with those, who preached from good will. This text, therefore, does not warrant the supposition, that Paul ever rejoiced in any preaching, or system of theology; which was in his view deficient in any essential article of the Christian faith; and, it is presumed, more will not be required of us, than of him. We now leave it to the intelligent reader to determine for himself, whether the kind of preaching, above described, tho', like the ancient philosophy, it may be useful to civil society, may not endanger the final salvation of the individual, by concealing from him his true character and the only medium of pardon, and by leading him to depend on himself, and not upon God alone. It is a great pleasure to us, in this connexion, that we are able to except the worthy author of this discourse from the number of those superficial preachers, whom he has described. Nor would our duty, on this occasion, have been equally imperious, had the mantle of catholicism been cast by a gentleman, less respectable for talents, natural and acquired. To the correctness and weight of sentiment, expressed by our author under the last head of his discourse, we are happy to give our cordial testimony. We rejoice to find the preacher here in his own element, while celebrating the excellencies of that religion, which alone "gives glory to God, on earth peace, good will towards men." The length, peculiar structure, and consequent intricacy of some periods in this discourse, may, perhaps, have led us to mistake our author's meaning. Errors springing from this source, will not be charged to our account. With frankness we confess, that the perusal of this sermon has frequently reminded us of the old, but useful adage, Bis ad limam quod semel ad linguam. The appendix to this discourse contains an account of the proceedings of the Society, before whom it was preached. The greater part of their funds, it appears, are expended in books for distribution, and in the support of missionaries and schools in the district of Maine, which, for convenience, they have divided into seven missionary districts, here described; in each district books are deposited, with some suitable person, for distribution. The instructions given by the Society to their missionaries, together with an account of the number of missionaries employed the current year, and some interesting extracts from their journals,* are inserted in this appendix, which concludes with a list of the present officers of the Society. These extracts are inserted under the head of "Religious Intelligence," which see. Journal of one only (the Rev. Mr. Hidden) had been received. Mr. Hidden completed his missionary labours, in the counties of York and Oxford, early in November. His journal has been received, from which it appears, that he has travelled about seven hundred miles, preached ninetytwo sermons, baptized seven adult persons, one by immersion, and forty. three children; received twenty-four persons into church communion, visited twenty-seven aged and sick persons, established four schools, administered the Lord's supper four times, visited eleven schools, and sixty families, and distributed about two hun. dred books. Mr. Hidden observes, that "the weather was so favourable during the whole of his mission, (of three months) that he was hindered from travelling but a single day:" that "people in general were very ready to attend on the word and ordinances of God," that "many manifested warm gratitude to God, and thankfulness to the society for their notice of them;" that "he found the schools, which had been begun by the society, in excellent order." Of the inhabitants in many of the towns he visited, he speaks in terms of high commenda. tion, for their industry, frugality, peace and order; and particularly for their attention and exertions in educating their children. Of the town of Lovel especially, containing forty families, all of the Congregational denomination, he says, there is the greatest attention to religion in this place, according to the number of people, and the least enthusiasm, I ever saw." Sabbath, Nov. 2, preached at Lovel, and administered the Lord's supper; received nineteen persons into the church, baptized one adult and ten children. One received into the church was seventy-nine years old, another sixteen. God is doing wonders here. This was one of the most solemn and joyful days I ever saw." Though few in number, they contemplate settling a minister among them. The church in a letter to the secretary, in very affectionate terms, express their grateful acknowledgments to God and to the Society, for "sending missionaries to preach to poor, perishing sinners, the unsearchable riches of Christ." They speak of the success of Mr. Hidden's labours among them, as "wonderful;" twenty-one have been added to their church, under his ministration, in this small set. tlement. They cor lude by express, ing their earnest des that "we who send, and they wh ceive, may unite in our prayers to 1, that he would continue the gosp among them." A letter to the Society, of like import, has been received from the inhabitants of the town of Albany. From the acceptance and success of Mr. Hidden's labours, and the good dispositions manifested by the people to whom he was sent, the Society have great reason to be satisfied with their missionary, and much encouragement to continue their attentions to those, who so gratefully receive, and so com mendably improve them. Since our last annual report, the aged and reverend Zechariah Mayhew, long a diligent and faithful mis sionary in the service of the Society, among the remnant of Indians on Martha's Vineyard, has deceased, The ancestors of these Indians were among the first of the aborigines of New England, who embraced Christianity; and from that time to the present, they have not ceased to enjoy the ordinances of the gospel. Though these people have at present among them, two ordained Indian teachers, by the name of Hansuit and Jeffer, (the latter a temperate, worthy man) yet as both are advanced in life, the Society contemplate making further provision for their instruction, and will not cease to contribute, according to their means, to the support of religious ordinances among them. The venerable Mr. Hawley, now in the eightieth year of his age, and in the fifty-fifth of his missionary la bours, and who receives annually a part of his supports from the Society, is still diligent, active, and successful, in discharging the duties of his mission at Marshpee. He is justly venerated by his people, who are chiefly of mixed blood, as their father, and the protector of their rights and property.¶ (To be continued.) Extract from the Minutes of the proceedings of the Synod of Albany of the Presbyterian Church, at their Session in Whitesborough, held on the 1st and 2d days of October, 1806. THE Synod have heard with plea sure, that the institutions of religion within their bounds are well attended, and treated with marked reverence and affection. In some places striking instances of the triumphs of the cross have occurred, and in most the work of God seems to be advancing, though silently, yet surely. The youth are instructed in the principles of our holy religion with considerable and commendable assiduity. Peace and harmony prevail generally, and the good order of the church is preserved unimpaired. Vacant congregations are supplying, new ones are forming, and the cry for additional preachers of the word becomes more loud and urgent. The pastors appear to fulfil their duties, and the flocks theirs, so that between them, except. ing in very few instances, exists the. unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Although the prospect externally is thus promising, Synod regret that so much coldness and formality pre .... § One hundred dollars, beside some occasional grants of small sums, stationary and books. These Indians possess several thousand acres of land, which were sequestered and secured to their ancestors, and their successors, by Richard Bourn, their pastor, who first planted Christianity here, about a century and a half ago. This plantation is an asylum for Indians from various parts of New England and Long Island, and some have resorted here from Georgia, and even from the East-Indies. They are not numerous. The Indians of unmixed blood do not exceed forty or fifty persons. It is vail among Christians who enjoy so many gospel privileges; that so few, compared with the whole number of sinners who hear the gospel, feel its power and accept its offers in love; that in some societies gross sing abound, and into others essential er. rors have crept. Deeming it a sacred duty to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, Synod take this opportunity of raising their warning voice against this coldness; these sins and errors. mournful that they who are snatched from perdition by the grace of Jesus should ever be careless in the service of their Master; should ever permit their love to decay in its ardour or its public expression. Christians ought ever to be awake and walk, as becometh children of light, and the redeemed of God. It is high time for them to do so, since the night is far spent, and the day is at hand. They must gird on the armour of Jehovah, and bear testimony against sins, especially those which abound. Drunkenness and profanity, and sab. bath breaking ought not to be so much as named among Christians; and Sy. nod hope that all who are in their connexion will most studiously avoid the appearance of evil as well as its practice; and that they will admonish and exhort all, who are guilty of immorality, to repent and live godly in Christ Jesus. Error in practice arises from error in doctrine; not that all who are correct in the latter, are always so in the former; for many are only nominal believers, who though they profess the truth in words, hold it in unrighteousness. Between sound principle and sound conduct there is an inseparable connexion. Synod there. fore, whilst they warn their churches against immorality, warn them solemnly against errors. Those which chiefly prevail respect the future destiny of sinners, and the character and work of the Redeemer. Satan is still instilling into the hearts of sinners what he said unto the woman in paradise, "ye shall not surely die." He is filling them with the hope, that though they live after the flesh, they will finally be saved. Thus he is exciting them to turn the grace of God into licentiousness. Christians ought not to be deceived. Sin is an awful |