I can never forget the happy days we spent together. I should efteem it a great favour if they would indulge me with their correspondence. Defire Mr. B. to favour me with a full account of the Miffionary Society-what progrefs it has made, and whether there has been any news of the Miffionaries. I made a motion in our laft diftrict affociation, that a correfpondence be entered into between the Clergy of this State, and the Committee of that Society; and further, that it be recommended to the general affociation of the State to fet on foot a fimilar plan; either to act for ourfelves, or to unite in carrying into effect the great and interesting defign of our brethren in Eng-land. These motions were laid before the general affociation, and with fome amendments adopted. A committee of correfpondence is formed, confifting of Dr. Dwight, the Prefident of Yale College, New Haven, Dr. Edwards, and Dr. Dana; from whom, I fuppofe, Mr. B. will foon hear, as I mentioned him, with two or three others, as perfons to whom letters might be addreffed. It is truly aftonishing what an impreffion is made on the public mind by the proceedings of the Society in England ;-the fuccefs of their object is the fubject of our conftant prayer.-Mr. C. of Totnes fent me fome account of the circumstances: I read that part of his letter to the prefident-he wept for joy." SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL IN SCOTLAND. AMONG the pleafing efforts of Chriftian zeal, to promote the kingdom of Chrift, we are happy to introduce this New Society to our readers. Their first meeting was held on the 20th of December laft, and on the 11th of the past month they met again, to chufe a committee and officers, and have published an evangelical and animated appeal to their pious countrymen, which concludes with the following paragraph. "In employing Itinerants, Schoolmasters, or others, we do not confider ourfelves as conferring ordination upon them, or appointing them to the paftoral office. We only propofe, by fending them out, to fupply the means of grace wherever we perceive a deficiency; and in this way of applying our funds, to use our judgment, both in choofing labourers, and in pointing out the nature and sphere of their labours. Our intentions may be misreprefented. We do not expect to escape oppofition. Nor fhall you, brethren, while engaged in the Lord's fervice, efcape the "fcourge of the tongue." Men may "fpeak many things against you falfely for Chrift's fake." But" if ye be reproached for the name of Chrift, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God refteth on you: on their part he is evil fpoken of, but on your part he is glorified." Did the Lord himself "endure the cross, defpifing the fhame," for your fakes, and will not you "take up your crofs and follow him?" You may also fuffer from the prejudices of fome of your Christian brethren,who, mifunderstanding your purpofe, and alarmed at the appearance of innovation, although earnestly deirous of the fpread of the gofpel, may not at once approve your defign. But let none of these things move you. Having in view the falvation of immortal fouls, let nothing deter you from pursuing fo interesting an ob.. ject. Embrace the prefent opportunity of exerting yourselves in the fervice of your blessed Lord. As the peaceful followers of the Prince of Peace, endeavour to promote the real good of your country by diffufing the knowledge of the grace of God in Chritt Jelus, which alone effectually "teacheth men to deny ungodlinefs and worldly luits," and to live "quiet and peaceable lives, in all godlinefs and honefty." Thus fhall you "make your light to fhine beture men," and others feeing your good werks," shalk glorify their heavenly Father in the day of their merciful vifitation. The VOL. VI. L Lord Lord hath faid, "Occupy till I come." "Therefore, beloved brethren, be ye ftedfaft, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forafmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Edin. Jan. 11, 1798. Plan and Rules of the Society. J. RICHIE, Sec. I. The Society fhall be called "The Society for Propagating the Gofpel at Home;" and fhall be compofed of perfons of every denomination, holding unity of faith in the leading doctrines of Chriftianity. II. The funds of the Society fhail arife from the voluntary contributions of members, or others. N. B. The Society fhall confider themselves at liberty to apply all donations, as well as annual fubfcriptions, to immediate ofe, except when the donors otherwise direct. JII. The object of the Society is, by every proper means, to promote religious knowledge at home; and this shall be the only subject of discusfron at their meetings. For this purpofe, they propofe,-To employ approved men as itinerant preachers, to whom a certain district shall be af figned, and who fhall regularly correfpond with, and receive instructions from, the Society.-To encourage Schools, especially Sabbath Schools, throughout the country.-To promote the reading of the Scriptures, cir. culate pious tracts, and establish libraries of books on practical religion. To correfpond with, and, when neceffary, to defray the expences of fuch minifters, or others, approved by the Society, as may be willing to preach in towns or villages in the neighbourhood, on Sabbaths or week days. N. B. Such to fend regular quarterly reports to the Society. To correfpond with any Societies or individuals who have the fame object in view. In short, to adopt any approved plan of religious instruction. The following gentlemen are chosen a Committee of Directors for the present year, viz. Meffis. Chriftie, Haldane, Johnftone, Campbell, Gibson, Aikman, Morris, Ruffel, Greig, Peattie, Rochead.-In addition to these, Mr. J. Richie is appointed Secretary; Mr. A. Steel, Treasurer; and Mr. G. Wilfon, Clerk. Ameeting of the Committee will be held at five o'clock, on the last Saturday of every month. At half paft fix the Society will meet and a general meeting of the Society will be held on the second Thurfday for prayer: of every quarter. "This Society being defirous of immediately commencing their operations, earnefty entreat fuch perfons as are willing to labour under their inspection, to fignity their intention as foon as poffible, to their Secretary. It will be alfo neceffary to tranunit fufficient tellimonials of their approved piety and ability." LONDON ITINERANT SÓCIETY. 2 JAN. 16, a Sermon was preached before the London Itinerant Society, by the Rev. Rowland Hill, A. M. and the Lord's Supper was afterwards administered to the Preachers, Teachers, and other pious friends of the inftitution. By the account ftated, it appeared that this infant fociety already employ nine preachers, and twenty-four teachers in the Sunday Schools, under their care, within ten miles of the metropolis. Seven places have been already opened for preaching and teaching, where upwards of four hundred children are every Sunday taught to read, and inftructed in the principles of Chriftianity. " SURRY ON January 3, the friends of this inftitution met at Batterfea, when a Sermon was preached by the Rey. Mr. Bowden of Tooting, from Heb. xii. 2. Looking unto Jefus." Mr. Golding of Croydon delivered a introductory difcourfe, and Meff. Ready, Upton, and Hughes affifted in prayer. Mr. Bowden delivered Bibles, with an appropriate exhortation, to Mell. Pewtrels and Exall, two Itinerant Preachers employed by the Society. THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY HAVE, in the courfe of last year, opened a place at Barnet for the preaching of the Gospel, which is well attended and have voted money to feveral country minifters to aflift them in Itinerating in different parts of the kingdom. The Baptist Society is promoting the fame grand object, and we hope that Chriftians of all denominations will thus agree to exert themfelves, till the knowledge of the Lord fhall cover the earth, as the waters do the fea." EVANGELICAL ACADEMY, HOXTON. BY the report of the Committee at the clofe of the laft year, it appears that the Academy is in a very profperous fituation Four ftudents have completed their tu fies in the course of the last year. Mr. Fielding is ftationed at Coggefhall, Mr. Richardfon at Barrington, and Meffrs. Parfons and Marr.. areiapplying different congregations in the country. With a view to promote the growing profperity of the inftitution, the Rev. J. Collifon was appointed Aflitant Tutor to the Rev. Mr. Simpfon; and we have the pleasure to add, that upwards of twenty promifing young men, are now profecuting their ftudies under the patronage of the fociety. ROTHERAM ACADEMY. WE have the pleasure to learn that the students under the care of the Rev. Dr. WILLIAMS, have encreafed to the number of twelve, which is very encouraging, confidering the infancy of the inftitution. We are likewife highly gratified to find, that the other feminaries of Youth intended for the miniftry, among diffenters of different denominations, are in a flourishing condition; and that the number of pious ftudents in both our univerfities is alfo upon the encrease. BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, SURRY CHAPEL. ON New Year's Day laft, the Rev. Rowland Hill, according to his annual euftom, preached a Sermon for the benefit of this excellent inftitution, and collected rool. By the accounts of the Society, it appears, that from the time of its inftitution, January 1, 1784, they have relieved 6418 cafes of temporary fickness and diftrefs, at the expence of 35461. befide the incalcul able good which has been derived to the fouls of the afflicted, of which, through the divine bleffing, many happy inftances have occurred. DEAF AND DUMB CHILDREN. ON Monday, January 8, a general half yearly meeting of the fubfcribers to the Afylum for Deaf and Dumb Children of the poor, was held at the Paul's Head Tavern, Cateaton-ftreet; for the purpose of electing five children to receive the benefits of fupport and education. On this interefting occafion, the names of 28 candidates appeared on the lift of nomination, all of whom poffefled ftrong claims on the pity and ge L2 nerofity nerofity of the fubfcribers: but the ftate of the fociety would only admit five, which were received by ballot; viz. Michael Callaghan, aged 13 years. His father a smith, with five children, two of whom are alfo deaf and dumb.-George Coleman, aged 12. His parents poor working people with eight children, five of whom are in the fame affecting fituation.-Ann Rutherford, aged 10. Her father a fchoolmaster in Scotland, with feven children, three of whom are also thus afflicted.-Robert Fisher, aged 9. His father a poor fhepherd, with ten children; three of whom are alfo deaf and dumb.-Lucas Hobby, aged 9, a remarkably fine and fprightly boy. His mother a widow. Such are the pitiable objects which this inftitution embraces in its benevolence, and affifts with its exertions. There are now 28 children in the Afylum, and fince its formation in 1792, four children have received fuch effential benefit from the inftructions of the Tutor, that they can speak, write, and read; and having left the Afylum, are feverally learning such trades, and ferving in fuch capacities, as will fit them to be useful members of fociety. May the Author of all beneficence and mercy, continue his bleffing on the means made ufe of by thefe, and every fociety inftituted either to propagate his precious gospel, or relieve the diftreffes of his creatures! READING CHAPEL. ON Sunday, Jan. 14, a Chapel, fituated in the parish of St. Mary, was opened, according to the established mode of worthip, for the temporary accommodation of the late Mr. Cadogan's hearers, until fuch time as a new one can be erected. The Rev. Rowland Hill preached morning and evening, and the Rev. J. Eyre in the afternoon. The place, being incapable of feating more than 4 or 500 perfons, was much crowded, and the congregation remarkably serious and attentive. PLYMOUTH DOCK. THE Rev. J. Jones, late of Uley, has accepted a call from the church and congregation in this place, formerly under the paftoral care of the late Rev. Mr. Kinsman, and has removed hither. VILLAGE PREACHING. Extract of a Letter from a Minifter in Hampshire, relative to the fuccejs of Village Preaching in that county. At- we have encouraging profpects. There is a truly godly, experimental Chriftian found out, who has had no other means of public inftruction till of late, but the common prayers of the establishment; no other private, but from the Pilgrim's Progrefs and his Bible. He was filled with wender and delight, when he found another person in the world who felt and thought as he did. He is a refpectable man in the place, and has a large family; so he may be, and I trust will be, the inftrument of much good. Some perfons are under hopeful awakenings, and are set on enquiring in a proper way after eternal things," Extract of a Letter from a perfon in the North of Scotland to a friend in England. « Remember us as we remember you, that the north may give up, as, bleffed be God, the fouth does not seem to keep back. We cannot omit mentioning, we faw our friends and brethren at the ftrongest evidence of the Lord's prefence, and approbation of their dif lately, where there is tinguifred tinguished attachment to the Miffionary work, and great fuccefs among the young people. It would warm the hearts of any of our English friends to fee the majesty and purity of doctrine, the zealous and judicious meafures unremittingly and indefatigably carried on there, to forward the cause of Chrift, and especially the number of intelligent and pious young and middle aged perfons, whofe very fouls are in this work. We pray the Lord of the vineyard to encrease your usefulness and talents, and that to him that hath may be given, and more abundantly. DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS. R. M. ON Tuesday, Jan. 2, a meeting of the Trustees was held for the diftribution of the Profits of this Magazine, and the following cafes, being properly recommended, were attended to and relieved. Widorus. Denominations. Recommended by Rev. R. Hill & M. Wilks £5 Mr. Waugh 5 5 ditto |