upon the terms of the gospel, and the work has been gradually increang fice, with such evident tokens of divine power, as to gain the attention of all claffes of the inhabitants. The fubjects of this work are chiefly the middle aged of both fexes, but a confiderable proportion are from 15, down to ix years of age. One inftance exits of the display of God's fovereign mercy and grace to a man of 70. An ecclefiaftical council was convened on the 22d inft. for the purpofe of incorporating a church in the place, when 74 persons, including four old profeffors, paffed fatisfactory examinations, and were embodied into a church ftate. The whole number judged to be fubjects of this work, with thofe who were previously profeffors of religion in this place, is between 60 and 70 perfons. The feveral relations before the council were fcriptural, rational, and almost entirely free from tha: enthusiastic zeal and wild fire, which fometimes attends reformations. The Rev. Mr. Emmerion, of George-town, one of the council, tarried over the Sabba h, and preached and adminiftered the Lord's Supper to the church, and his labours were accompanied with a divine energy. One perfoe, in particular, had the arrows of conviction fo deeply infixed, that he could not fuprefs the tumult of his wounded spirit. Thus, we truft, the good work, which has been begun in this place, is fill carrying on by the fame Almighty power.

Augufta, October 25, 1797.

THE profpect, in view of religion, is beginning to brighten in this quarter. Seven Minifters, ail of the Calvinistic caft, have been fettled in our neighbourhood, within the compass of two years past. And fome precious drops of divine grace have been recently fhed on the people of Bath, George town, Sandy river, and Penobscot, besides the above mentioned inftance at Norridgewock.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Afa Burton, dated Thetford, Nov. 15,

1797.

A religious attention among my people, begun laft April, was apparently occafioned by the death of a young man, who was much efteemed by the young people, as well as others. His death was fudden, and surprising; and God was pleased to use it as a mean to ftir up the attention of fome of the young people. 1 he attention increased, and has continued ever since; and is now as great as it has been at any one time. It has not been attended with any noife: but has refembled the fmall till voice, which Ebjah heard. It has been free from fuperitition, enthufiafm, and animal affeçtions to a great degree. This work prevails chiefly among young people, as has been generally the cafe in revivals. The fame work has prevailed alfo in the corners of three towns adjacent to this. But in thofe places, it has been on the decline for fome time. May what we now experience, be only a few drops before a plentiful shower!

Salem, Maffachusetts, Nov. 14, 1797. The good Spirit of the Lord has lately vifited us in mercy, and his people are constrained to cry, the Lord hath done great things for us: O how precious are his gifts! he has made us to rejoice with exceeding joy, in beholding our children walking in truth. The moft of thofe who, with us, have obtained fatisfactory evidences of faving grace, have made a public profeffion.

Extract of a Letter from Wafbington County, Pennsylvania. Some time fince you requested me to give fome account of the prefbyteries and minifters in this part of the country. There are two prefbyteries, Redflone and Ohio. In Red-tone prefbytery, there are eight minifters, and one candidate-do not know how many vacancies: Some focieties are forming on the other fide of the Allegany and Ohio rive. s. Both prefbyteries have applications for fupplies from that quarter.

Two years ago lat fummer, the Ohio prefbytery unanimously engaged in the concert of prayer, and it has been duly obferved by them. Laft fall the Red-tone prefbytery engaged in it alfo, Religion at present is rather at a low ebb amongst us: fome little movings appeared in fome places laft fummer. In Cannonsburgh Academy, which is fupported almost entirely by the minifters and people on this fide of the mountains, and from whence our churches expect to draw their main fupply, there was found but one careless foul,

There has been confiderable serioufnefs and religious concern among the Stockbridge Indians, the fummer past.

Two Indians paid a visit to their minister; one faid, "I find. great difficulty with my own wicked heart; I many times get loft and am in the dark; it appears to me I want to do thote things which are agreeable to the will of God, but I find myself very ignorant. I think the defire of my heart is to know more, but how to overcome my wild pagan heart I find not. I come now for fome further light and intruction."

The other observed, “ I every day walk with fear, leafle I fall short of my duty, and lote the concern for my foul, which, of late, has been imprefed on my mind; 'tis my constant prayer, that I may not deceive or be deceived."

THE BAPTIST MISSION SOCIETY

BEG leave to ftate to the Subfcribers and Friends of the Undertaking, that from the last etters received from the M ffionaries in India, dated March 23, 1797, it appears that things in a religions view wear upon the whole a favourable afpect-that many attende 1 on the word preached- hat Christianity had become the topic of common converfation among themthat thofe natives who appeared to be impreffed with the truth of the Gofpel, as printed in No. IV, of our Periodical Accounts, continue to hold faft their profeffion, notwithstanding the oppofition which they receive from their connexions that from a late excurtion of Meffrs. Thomas and Cay into the neighbouring kingdom of Boutan, and from the kind treatment which they received, both from the common people and the magiítrates, there is good reafon to hope that a Miflion may be let on f ot in that hea then country and finally, that the New Testament, tranflated by Mr. Carey into Bengallee, is ready for the Prefs.

The Society have refolved upon printing it at Calcutta, under the inspection of Mr. Carey and on account of the inaccuracies which, after the utmost care, may be fuppofed to attend the fi it edition, they have refolved that that edition fhall contain no more than two thoufand copies. When that is difpofed of, they intend to print a larger, and they hope an improved one. The expence of the efen edition, besides the rdinary expences of fupporting the Miffion, will be nearly one thousand pounds. A. FULLER, Secretary. WELCH

P

WELCH SCHOOLS.

THE Welf, the Aborigines of the British Ile-the celebrated people of antiquity, who fet limits to the ravages of Calar, gave majesty to the writings of Tacitus, ftruck a panic in the timid port Horace, and claimed the veneration of Hecatens, are funk into a state of mental inaptitude for want of cultivation. The want of knowledge among the Anc ent Britons is a reflection on the inland of Great Britam in this enlightened age; and it would become the Minifters of the Gospel to use their utmost endea yours to fupply it; their activity might meet with the fmiles of Heaven, and produce Light" to a people that fit in darkness." The day begins to break already a School-house, erected near Aberystwith, in the county of Cardigan, in 1795, is well attended. "The fields are ready for harveft:" the Welsh youth crood for instruction-50 children daily attend, and are taught English and Welsh; fome of whom are cloathed, to enable them to appear at church. Two others are likewife eftablishing; but the patronage of the Religious and Benevolent is much wanted, and anxiously folicited. We are forry to find that most of the Gentlemen of the Principality, who have it in their power to affift them, difapprove of the middling clafs of people receiving learning. The following humane Gentleinen, however, feeling for the diftrefs of their fellow creatures, have stepped forward to patronize the Free Day and Sunday Schools, conceiving they cannot do a more effential service to the rifing generation,

Prefident, Sir Watkin Williams Wynne, Bart. M. P.-Vice-Prefident, Sir Charles Morgan, Bart. M. P.--Governors, The Hon. C. Greville, E. Loveden, V. Price, W. Wilberforce, M. P. T. Williams, M. P. O. Williams, M. P. G. Stacpool, and Devaux Davies, Efquires.—Treafurer, H Thornton, M. P. King's-Arms Yard.-Vice-Treasurer, Morris Jones, Efq. Belgrave Place, Pimlico.

SOMERSET ASSOCIATION.

THE Affociation of Independent Minifters was held at Yeovil, in the New Chapel, on Wednesday, May 30th, 1758.-The Rev. Mr. Parish preached on Rom. i. 16. (firft claufe), and feveral other minifters engaged in Prayer. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was then administered, and members of many churches fat down together in peace and love, to commemorate the fufferings and death of their common Saviour.-The Rev. Meffrs. Herdman and Sloper addreffed the communicants, and implored a bleffing on the bread and wine. Several minifters poke in order on the folemn occafion, and diftributed the elements. The prefence of the aderable Founder of the feaft was delightfully experienced -A collection was made for the benefit of the million to the amount of 141. 15.

In the afternoon the people again affembled; when the Rey. Mr. Underwood preached from Gen. xii. 5. And, in the evening, the Rev. J. Tozer preached from Num. x. 29. Mr. S. R. Pittard read the addrefs, the fubject of which was, Union between the churches of Chrift in general, and amongst believers as individuals; which we under ftand is in the preis.

The members of the affociation refolved, That the Rev. Mr. Gale, the miffionary, under prefent circumftances, should labour in a certain district; and that the neighbourhood of Somerton should be the district.

The next General Aflociation is to be held at Martock the laft Wednefday in May, 1799. Rev. Mr. Parish to prepare the addrefs.

SURRY

SURRY MISSION.

ON Wednesday, June 6, the Surry Miffionary Society, (inftituted for the purpose of fpreading the gospel in the dark towns and villages of that County) held their quarterly meeting at the Rev. Mr. Golding's, Croydon. Mr. Knight of the Borough opened the work of the day by prayer and reading the fcriptures. Mr. Dove and Mr. Townfend followed in prayer. Mr. Upton preached from Haggai ii. 4. 5. Mr. Golding concluded in prayer. A pleafing report of the proceedings of the Society, in regard to the preaching at feveral new places, was read after dinner; and Mr. Townend was defired to preach at Mr. Bowden's at Tooting, at the next quarterly meeting.

CHAPELS OPENED.

HILLCOT.

About a month prior to the appearance of the letter from Olney in our number for July 1797. the Rev. Mr. Sloper, commiferating the deplorable ignorance of many villages round Devizes, the town where he refides, reprefented to his people the neceffity of making fome attempts to ameliorate their condition, and recommended to fuch as had any ability to open prayer meetings, to read evangelical fermons, and to preach wherever they could find an entrance. The people convinced of the propriety of the measure, refolved to co-operate to the utmost of their power, and feven of them went out next Lord's day unto feveral villages, and were kindly received. Mr. Barratt, a tradefman, one of the number, began to exhort and preach, and fo numerous were his attendants, that in the midst of winter he was frequently obliged to preach out of doors. A moft pleafing work going one among the villagers, and many appearing under real concern; Mr. Sloper and a few liberal friends have erected, at Hilicot, in the centre. of about ten or eleven hamlets and villages, a place of worship for their accomodation. On Tuesday, May 29th, the chapel was opened, when Mr. Sloper preached from Rev. ii. 8. Behold I have fet before thee an open door: in the afternoon Mr. Jackfon of Warminster preached from John xxi. 16. Feed my fheep: and in the evening, Mr Honeywell of Milkfham, from Matt. xvi. 5. "Hear ye him." In the morning the place could not contain the people, and in the afternoon and evening, they were fo numerous, that fervice was obliged to be performed out of doors. The congregation were attentive, and the bleffing of the Lord was poured upon minitters and people. Our correfpondent informs us, that by this kind of labour, and the fingular exertions of a Baptift preacher, a fchool master, not less than twenty villages between Devizes and Salisbury have had the gofpel introduced into them within two years.

We hope it will afford thefe zealous fervants of the Lord Jefus great pleasure, to reflect that their property and talents fo employed, have been the means of rendering to their fellow creatures the moft effential benefits. May they proceed, perfuaded that their divine Mafter looks down with a fmile of approbation; and may many others, treading in their steps, be abundantly fuccefsful, until the whole ifland, yea, the whole earth, be full of the knowledge of our Redeemer.

CRONDALL.

At Crondall, a confiderable village in Hampshire, a plain, neat, and commodious building (erected principally by the liberality of a gentleman

in

in the village,) was opened for public worship, on Tuesday, the 5th of June. Rev. Mr. Barber of London preached in the moming, from A&: ii. 47. latter part, Mi Jefferson of Bafingstoke preached in the afternoon, from John iv. 23. and the fermon in the evening was by Mr Savage of Farnhamnt from 2 Cor. v. 14. Other minifters, who were prefent, engaged in prayer.

There has been frequent preaching at a private house for fome time in in this village, by the neighbouring ministers; and their labours have not been in vain in the Lord. Many attended the opening of the New place, fo that fome ftood without; and, we truft, it was confecrated by the prefence and beffing of the Shepherd and Bifhop of fouls, as it was a pleasant and profitable day to the minifters and people.

ORDINATIONS.

MR. SILVANUS SHAW

Was ordained over a little independent society at Marsden, in Yorkshire, April 18th, 1798. The folemnities were performed in a large barn procured for that purpose, because it was judged that the place of worflip, which is only a room, would not contain the people. When the day arriv ed their expectations were realized, by the attendance of a large concourse of people from different congregations. The fervice was conducted by the following minifters: Mr. Coles of Greenacres began the service by prayer, and reading fuitable portions of fcripture; he also engaged in the ordination prayer. Mr. Toothill of Hopton delivered a fuitable introductory difcourfe, afked the ufual queftions, and received Mr. Shaw's confefs fion of faith. Mr. Blackburn of Delph gave the charge from 1 Tim. iv. 16. "Take heed to thy felf, and unto thy doctrine.” Mr. Moorhouse of Huddersfield, preached to the people from Heb. xiii. 7. "Remember them that have the rule over you," and concluded with prayer. Tho' the fervice was long, and the people not well accomodated; the opportunity was folemn, and the people were attentive, and we hope the good effects of it will be long remembered witth pleasure.

The inhabitants of Mariden were generally ignorant of, and much prejudiced against the gofpel; but it pleafed the great Head of the church to incline the heart of a neighbouring minifter, at the invitation of a pious woman in the village, to preach occafionally for fome time, and the word appeared to be bleft. Mr Shaw was raifed up among them: and has now preached with great acceptance, for the fpace of four or five years.

The congregation confits of about one hundred fteady people, twenty of whom are joined in church fellowship. There are but two or three that have any claim to property, of courfe they can contribute very little to his fupport, to that he is obliged to labour hard to maintain himself and a family of fix or feven children.

REV. J. VICKERY

WAS ordained at Half-way houfe, in the Parish of Nether Compton, Dorset, May 17th, 1798. Meffrs. Underwood and Saltren prayed." Introductory difcourfe, Mr. Heidiman. Ordination prayer, Mr. Pittard. Exhortation to the minifter, and addrefs to the people, Mr. Hey. Mr. Cracknell concluded.

In the afternoon, Mr. Rogers prayed, and Mr. Jack on preached from Eph.