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and heard brother William Scars preach from 2d Cor. iv. 6. The church and council were of opinion that it was for the glory of God that the candidate should be ordained. The publick were informed that at 3 o'clock, P. M. we were to meet again to attend the ordination. At which time a numerous concourse attended. Brother Harding made the Introductory Prayer, and brother E. Manning preached on the occasion, from Col. 1st chapter and part of the 7th verseWho is for you a faithful minister of Christ.' The usual questions were asked by brother Harding. Consecrating Prayer, by brother Davis. Charge, by brother Dimmock. Right Hand of Fellowship, by brother Crandall. Concluding Prayer, by brother Hall, licentiate: And parted, rejoicing that the Lord had called another faithful minister to bear his name to his Gentile fellow sinners. May many more be raised up to blow the gospel trumpet.

we

I am yours in Gospel bonds.
EDWARD MANNING.

MR. AVERILL TO MR. SHARP.

tion, gave a view of the great need of such an institution in this State, and urged its immediate formation. It was resolved, that such a convention be organized, and a Constitution was read, which, after some discussion, was accepted.

To afford a further opportunity for de liberation on this subject, the Convention adjourned, to meet again in Providence, on the first Thursday in August.

On the 4th inst. the Convention met, agreeably to adjournment. The Constitution was again read, and after receiv ing some modifications, was adopted.

[By this Constitution, the objects of the Convention are declared to be the promotion of Missions, foreign and do mestick, and to aid in the education of young men called to the work of the gospel ministry.]

The Convention proceeded to the election of officers, and the following gentlemen were chosen :

Rev. STEPHEN GANO, President.
Rev. DAVID BENEDICT, Secretary.
HUGH H. BROWN, Treasurer.

Rev. Messrs. William Gammell, Flavel
Shurtleff, Nicholas Branch, Silas Hall,
Peter Ludlow, jun. Alva Woods, Bartlett
Pease, John C. Welch, John Allen, and

Woodville, (N. Y.) July 26, 1825. Elbridge Gale; Nathan Waterman, jun.

Dear Sir,

ENCLOSED is a copy of the Minutes of our Association at its last session. The Lord has granted us a shower of divine grace in this place. Since March last, 19 have been added to us by baptism, and 1 by letter. Our number now consists of 79 members, which little more than three years ago was only 30, and those very weak. Indeed, we may say in looking around us, What hath God wrought! Thanks to the Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, under God, for our prosperity. O, my dear brother, we can never be sufficiently thankful for the aid you have afforded us. I hope, however, we shall ever feel grateful to Heaven for the favors shown us through your instrumentality. I intend to make returns of three months' labour in employ of the Board as soon as possible. Yours, &c.

ASA AVERILL.

BAPTIST CONVENTION FOR THE STATE OF
RHODE-ISLAND, AND ITS VICINITY.

Esq. and Seth Hunt, Managers.

Resolved, That Rev. Messrs. David Benedict, Samuel West and William Gammell, be a Committee to prepare a form of Constitutions for Auxiliary Societies; to endeavour to originate such societies in those parts of the State, which are destitute of stated ministers; and to procure contributions generally to the funds of the Convention.

Resolved, That Rev. Peter Ludlow,

jun. be appointed to preach at the next Convention, in April.

Resolved, That we will encourage the publication of a religious newspaper, under the direction of the Board, as soon

as circumstances will warrant it.

The Convention then adjourned. The most fraternal spirit prevailed during its session; and it is hoped that a corresponding zeal will prompt our brethren throughout the State and its vicinity, to unite in the support of a measure so long needed, and so auspicious to the interests of piety among us. May the Lord, who has smiled on its commencement, graciously prosper all the efforts of the Convention, and employ it as an instrument to enlarge the empire of our Redeemer. [Ch. Watchman.

SERAMPORE-EAST INDIES.

On the 12th of May last, a meeting was held, agreeably to a previous notice, at the Vestry of the First Baptist Meeting House in Providence, for the purpose of forming a Baptist Convention for this State. The meeting was addressed by several brethren, who explained the nature and designs of the proposed Conven- || the large Mission House at Serampore

An account has been in publick circulation within a few weeks past, that

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Departure of Mr. and Mrs. Board

man for Burmah.

In our last Number we brought into view the considerations which influenced the Committee for Foreign Missions to send out additional Missionaries in the present agitated condition of the Birman empire. We also mentioned the solemn and affecting interest which their presence excited at our monthly missionary prayer meeting in Boston. It only remains for us to state that their journey to Philadelphia, in company with Rev. Dr. Bolles of Salem, was peculiarly pleasant, and attended with some circumstances that seem ominous of good to the mission.

The

In the city of New York, every attention was paid to Mr. and Mrs. B. ladies, with their accustomed tenderness and generosity, collected money, books, and such other articles as they thought would add to the comfort of the Missionaries. On Saturday evening, a prayer meeting was held in the Baptist Church in Mulberry street, at the close of which,

a collection was taken for the Foreign Mission. Members of different Baptist Churches in New York manifested a pious concern for the salvation of the heathen.

After the labours and enjoyments of the Sabbath, our respected friends proceeded to Philadelphia, where they found several brethren awaiting their arrival. A publick meeting was held, on which occasion, an address was delivered by the Assistant Secretary; other ministers took a part in the devotional exercises. Here also a collection was taken at the close of the meeting. The nature of the services was such, as to induce a hope, that systematic, vigorous, and united measures will soon be taken by christians of our denomination in Philadelphia, for the support of the missionary enterprise. From the well known character of the captain and super. cargo, we confidently believe, that every thing will be done which can contribute to the happiness of the missionaries while they are on board the ASIA. Could they address their fellow christians in the United States, they would say, "Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, for all men have not faith." Let us feel and act as though we heard them making the request. Let us strive together in our prayers to God for them, that he would open unto them a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ among the heathen.

OBITUARY.

MRS. EUNICE NICHOLS.

DIED in Cambridge, Aug. 4th, 1825, Mrs. EUNICE NICHOLS, aged 80 years. Seldom have we seen more of the triumphs of faith, the fervency of love, and the patience of hope, than have been manifested in the last years of this pious female.

Mrs. N. had been called to drink deep of the cup of affliction. She had been twice married, and had followed both of her husbands and seven sons to the grave. One daughter only survives her.

These visitations of divine Providence, as might be supposed, produced a degree of gloom and melancholy on her mind; the world appeared empty and vain, and this she mistook for a triumph over it. Believing herself to be religious, because the world had lost its charms, she made a profession of religion; and for upwards of thirty years remained in a state of security. Early in the year

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1821 her mind was seriously awakened to a sense of her condition. She was led to inquire whether all was well; and she was soon convinced that she was in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity. She was now brought to see what she was before ignorant of, that her was deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;' and that unless cleansed and purified by the blood of Jesus, she could not be saved. Her convictions were pungent, and her distress great; but it was not of long continuance. pleased the Lord to manifest his mercy to her and give her a good hope through

grace.

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This hope was as joyful as her convictions had been distressing; and she spake with rapture to all who visited her of the blessedness of the hope which she had experienced. This joy was transient, it abode with her for months

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and years, and indeed but with a few short intervals, to the close of her life. She would often speak with peculiar satisfaction of the riches of that grace which had been manifested towards her in the eleventh hour of her life. To a person who suggested that she had been a christian for 40 years; she replied, I am not indeed positive that I know now what real religion is, but of this one thing I am sure, I never knew what it was before.'

she would say, 'what my heavenly Father sees fit to lay upon me; how much my Saviour has borne for me!'

She would speak with satisfaction of the heavenly inheritance as consisting in holy enjoyment. When her Pastor once observed, on witnessing her distress, that there remained a rest for the people of God, and that there would be no pain, or distress, or sorrow there, she added with emphasis, and there shall be no sin!'-When prayers were to be offered for her, she would say, 'Never mind this poor frail body, pray for the light of God's countenance.'

She soon began to turn her attention to the subject of professing Christ before men, and to examine christian baptism. Though aged, her eye-sight was still good, and her mental powers strong; she read much, and the result was a firm conviction from the New Testament, that believers ought to be baptized in water, in the name of the Father, &c. She made this known to her friends, and was informed by some, that it would be presumption for a person of her age and infirmities to go into the water, that it might cost her her life, that there was but a step between her and death.* To all this she replied with firmness, 'If I have but one day to live, that day ought to be spent in obeying the commands of my Lord and Saviour? In the course of the summer, she offered herself to the Baptist church in this town, and was reeeived. On the 19th of August, 1821, she was baptized on a profession of her faith, and received the fellowship of the church, and joined with them in the Cambridge, Aug. 12, 1825. ordinance of the Supper. She suffered no inconvenience in attending the exercises of this interesting day; but seemed to gather strength, and went on her way rejoicing. Mrs. N's health was so poor,

In the last interview which the writer of this had with her, she observed, 'I am just entering the valley of the shadow of death.' I asked, how does the prospect appear to you? O glorious,' was the reply.

When death was advancing with hasty strides, she appeared to have her soul filled with divine comfort. One of the deacons, calling on her after she was struck with death, she took him by the hand and observed, 'I am entering the pearly gates of heaven.' And there appeared so much of heavenly joy in her soul, and such a desire to depart and be with Christ, that he observed on leaving the room, I see the propriety and force of the Poet's declaration,

and her residence so remote from the meeting of the church, that she could attend publick worship but seldom; but when she did, it was a feast to her soul. She, however, set up a prayer meeting in her own house, which was regularly attended once a fortnight, until near the close of her life.

In these little meetings she enjoyed much; and frequently said to her religious friends who spake of wearying her by their continual coming, 'O, no, I am refreshed both in body and mind!'

Her asthma terminated in a dropsy; and she suffered much in several of the last months of her life. But here the Lord was pleased to magnify the exceeding riches of his goodness, by affording her the comforts of his Holy Spirit. Her resignation and patience were great. She would sometimes express a fear that she should dishonour God by being impatient; 'Let me bear with patience,'

*She had been afflicted for a number of years with a distressing asthma.

"The chamber where the good man meets his fate
Is privileg'd beyond the common walk
'Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of heaven.'

DEDICATION

B. J.

of a Baptist Meeting-House, and Constitution of a Church.

On Wednesday morning, Aug. 16, a new and commodious Meeting-House was opened at Scituate, (Mass.) The services were introduced by a song of praise. Rev. Amos Lefevre prayed, and Rev. Daniel Sharp, of Boston, preached from Ecclesiastes, v. 1. "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools."-In the afternoon a Church was constituted, consisting of twenty-eight members. Rev. Willard Kimball commended this infant church to God by solemn prayer; Rev. Benjamin Putnam, of Randolph, preached an appropriate discourse from Matth. v. 13. "Ye are the salt of the earth." Rev. Fellowship, and the Rev. Mr. Conant, of Mr. Sharp presented the Right Hand of Marshfield, made the Concluding prayer. The meeting-house was crowded to overaffecting; and a hope is indulged that flowing; the services were solemn and religious impressions were made on the minds of some, that will not soon be eradicated.

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In No. 103, p. 212, line 16 from bottom, for twenty-four, read three or four.

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DIED very suddenly in May last, at Holmsburg, (Pa.) THOмAS GILLISON, Esq. in the 51st, year of his age. Mr. Gillison was a native of the southern section of South Carolina, where he had uniformly resided with the exception of the latter years of his life, the summers of which, he had spent in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. It is due to the painful regrets of his numerous friends, to the uncommon worth of his christian character, to the afflicted community to which he belonged, and to the general cause of goodness and piety, to make some appeal to public attention in relation to such an event. The propriety of adverting to such a dispensation is rendered the more obvious by the fact, that the part which the deceased had acted through life, was one connected with circumstances highly perilous to the rigid virtue of pious integrity, and to the inflexible ardour of that elevated charity which adorned his whole life. Whilst yet a young man, abundance surOCTOBER, 1825.

|| rounded him, and in the progres-
sive movements of moderate dili-
gence, he saw
the certain ap-
proach of that larger opulence of
which he was destined to become
the faithful steward. In a luxuri-
ous clime, with the examples of
juvenile licentiousness around him,
with the most ample means of
every indulgence, he stood firm
against the contagion of early
vice, and instead of yielding to
the specious baits of a seductive
world, he nobly consecrated to
God, the powers of that manhood
which restraining mercy had ap-
peared already to appropriate to
itself. We find him in the ma-
turity of confirmed age and vigor-
ous discretion, a decided and ac-
tive member of the Baptist church
at Euhaw, 2 scene which witness-
ed, for successive years, the firm-
ness of his exemplary elevation,
the emotions of genuine piety
which agitated his manly bosom,
and the tears of pious transport
which so often bathed his generous
countenance when engaged in the
service of the blessed Saviour.

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