dred and forty; between twelve and twenty of these have declined from us, some to the Congregationalists, and some back to the world, and some have removed, and one died in the triumphs of faith. I think we may count about one hundred and twenty since June last.

In Hartford, a revival last fall and winter, raised a society of more than one hundred. A revival in Middletown last fall added fifty to our church. Another in West-Haddam added fifty-five souls. In Wethersfield about twenty. In Hamden-Plains another revival added thirty; in Sperry's farms and Hotchkistown twenty. In Windsor a very rapid work broke out in December last. I have not the numbers. And there has been an increase in numbers, and a growth in grace in many other places. As to the state of religion in other parts, I have no particular information relative to your question, viz: "The State of Religion in the Methodist Church in Connecticut."

We have pleasure in saying, that a general harmony prevails among us. Our preachers, travelling and local, with our classleaders and exhorters are, as far as I can judge, in the spirit of the gospel.

We do not indeed contend, that a liberal education is an indispensable qualification for the ministry; but for this we warmly contend, viz: that experimental and practical piety, and an inward call of the Holy Ghost, are qualifications absolutely necessary for the Holy Office. We suppose however that mental and literary improvement is essential, as without it, a minister will be of but little use to his hearers; and we particularly require a clear, sound and scriptural knowledge of the system of Divinity. We also esteem an acquaintance with the Greek and Hebrew languages a most valuable acquisition, that we may say "OTI OUTW YEɣçaπ?α, Οτι ουτω γεγραπίαις That thus it is written,* andt "LETORAH WELITHUDAH, To the law and to the testimony." When we consider what we have had to encounter, and behold the blessing of God that has attended our labours, we are constrained to say, "This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." And if some of our Calvinist brethren suggest, "Perhaps we are unsound," we are not careful to answer them in this matter, but endeavour to "Shew ourselves approved unto God," unto whom we commit our cause. Thousands through the instrumentality of our ministry have left the world in the triumphs of faith in a cru-. cified Saviour, and thousands more are rejoicing in the full prospect of a glorious immortality.

Truly Sir, the organization and consistency of the Methodist Episcopal Church, seems to have been little known to the citizens of New-England. It is a system, the operation of which is extensively felt more or less through every part of our country. To give a history of it in any one state, resembles the attempt of the anato

mist, in giving a lecture on the finger, the solids and fluids of which are inseparably connected with the whole man. So large a body of people united together under one uniform administration of government, one discipline, one system of doctrine, one spirit in their ministry, one fellowship and spirit in their membership, and one general mode of promoting revivals of religion, and advancing the kingdom of God, presents a pleasing prospect; and its salutary effects appear by the accounts of the numerous ingathering of souls, that have for many years past been recorded on the annual minutes of the Methodist Conferences.

During their rise and progress, calumny has never slept, and opposition scarcely ever leaned on her oar. Misrepresentation has not ceased to exert her invention, nor "Green-eyed envy forgotten to wound that excellence, she never could reach :-"And now may Israel say, If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, wher men rose up against us, then the proud waters had gone over our soul: but blessed be the Lord that hath not given us a prey to their teeth." Yet notwithstanding all difficulties, the prospect of seeing the Redeemer's kingdom prosper, animates our exertion, emboldens our faith, and helps us to say, after an inspired example, we can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth

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If Sir, this sketch can be of any service to the cause of Christ, its use will be an ample recompence for this pleasant labour of love, requested at the hand of your affectionate brother in the bonds of a glorious gospel. WILLIAM THACHER.

N. B. The author of the above takes the liberty to say, that in copying his letter for the press, he has amended, and varied some words and sentences from the original, only with a design to lessen its defects, and express more clearly his primary meaning.

SUMMARY OF RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

British and Foreign Bible Society. From the seventeeth annual report of this society, it appears that "The Translation, Printing or Distribution of the Scriptures or portions of them, has been promoted by the British and Foreign Bible Society, in one hundred and thirty-nine different languages or dialects."

Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society.-The Missionary establishments under the superintendence of this society are prospering. In Europe, 1 at Gibraltar and 4 in France-5 missionaries, 104 members. In Ceylon and Continental India there are 23 missionaries employed, and 368 members in society. In New-South-Wales, New-Zealand, and Friendly Islands, 8 missionaries, and 458 members. In Western and South-Africa, 12 missionaries and 677 members. In West-Indies, 44 missionaries, 23,857 members, 921 of whom are whites, and 22,936 coloured and blacks. In Canada 10 missionaries, 744 members. In Nova-Scotia and New-Brunswick, 20 missionaries, and 1872 members. In Newfoundland, 10 missionaries, and 966 members. Total. Missionaries 133-members 28,678.

Revival in Connecticut.-The Religious Intelligencer gives a detailed account of the late out-pouring of the Spirit, in the towns of Hartford, West-Hartford, Windsor, Wintonburry, Farmington, Northington, Bristol, Simsbury, Barkhamstead, East and

West Hartland, Enfield, East-Windsor, and Orford. The same paper mentions the departure of another Mission Family, Rev. Mr. Roberts, a Baptist, and family, with a school-master and family, with farmers, mechanics, &c. to the number of 26 in all, from Chester county, (Penn.) to the Cherokee Indians, inhabiting a place called Valley Towns, about 700 miles distant, in West-Tennessee.

United Foreign Missionary Society.-Since our last publication, we have receiv ed Letters from the Superintendent of the Union Mission to the 28th of September, and a copy of the Journal from the 29th of May to the 1st of September, inclusive. Extracts of the former will be found in the present number; but as these communications were not received before the matter for this number was principally arranged, we are obliged to reserve the Journal for our next.

Several of the family and a number of their hired men were attacked with fever, during the heat of summer. In consequence of their sickness, they have not made as great progress in their various improvements, as they had expected. Still, they have cut and stacked twenty tons of hay, erected a number of log buildings which were deemed indispensable, and made some preparations for the permanent Mission house. Among the buildings put up during the summer, they mention, a lodging room for their hired men, a storehouse, a kitchen, and a schoolhouse. The Journal mentions, that they had already received a few of the Indian children into the family and the school.

The friends of the Mission will rejoice to learn, that hostilities between the Osages and Cherokees are still suspended, and that there is ground to hope that the misunderstanding between the two nations may soon be amicably adjusted. The Letters announce the marriage of Mr. Fuller, of the Union Mission, to Miss Howell, of the Great Osage Mission.

From the Great Osage Mission, we have received no official communication du. ring the last three months. In the Boston Recorder of the 10th and 24th ult. we find Extracts of Letters from several members of the family.-Amer. Miss. Register.

Obituary.

DEATH OF REV. AMOS SMITH.

ter he was licensed to preach as a local preacher, and in 1795, was ordained to the office of a deacon. In the discharge of his Christian and ministerial duties he was faithful and successful. But the seven last years of his life he suffered much, and exhibited an undeviating example of patience and resignation, continuing to preach as long as his strength would permit.

DIED, March 1, 1821, in Trumble of Jesus Christ; and preaching in the county, Ohio, Rev. Amos Smith, aged neighbourhood they formed a class, of 64 years. He was born in Kent county, which he became the Leader. Soon afMaryland in 1757. In 1778 he removed to Monongahela county, where he married Miss Rebecca Smith, who yet lives to mourn the loss of the husband of her youth. After suffering much from the barbarities of the Indians, who were at that time very troublesome in that part of the country, he was awakened, from this very circumstance, to a sense of his ruined state as a sinner. He sought and found redemption in the blood of The complaint of which he died was Jesus; and being in a new country, the dropsy. His attendant physician, where the gospel ministry was not, his Rev. Shadrack Bostwick, did all in his spirit, moved by the Spirit of God, was power to alleviate his distress, without, stirred up to hold meetings with his however, any hope of seeing him reneighbours. This he did-and he soon stored to health. At the request of Bro. saw the fruit of his labour in the awaken- Smith, Bro. Bostwick appointed meeting and conversion of souls. ing at his house. The evening previous his physician spent with him, principally occupied in conversing on the subject of death and the things of eternity, in all

Soon after the itinerating Methodist preachers, pressing their way towards the Columbian mountains, found this servant

along for two or three years, I am resigned; or if it please him to remove me in a few minutes-Amen." He then reclined his head back in the chair, and said, "My strength is gone"-and he instantly expired without a struggle or groan, in the presence of most of his family, and the congregation. His affectionate physician exclaimed, "Oh! he has often prayed that he might die in a meeting with his brethren, and his prayer is now answered." A solemn awe pervaded the assembly, such as cannot be described.

which he manifested a perfect resigna- ed; if it please Him that I should linger tion. From a particular impression, says bro. B. I was led to chose for my text, "I am now ready to be offered," &c. After sermon, the old man requested the people to take their seats, as he had a message to deliver them. Sitting in his chair, he then addressed them in substance as follows. With most of you, my brethren, I have had many happy meetings, and in all probability this will be the last in this world. I have been satisfied for more than twenty-five years that the most dangerous ground to build our hopes of heaven on is, merely a desire for religion; a present salvation from sin being essential to future happiness." He concluded his address by observing that, "There is nothing like the religion of Jesus to support one under the afflictions of this life; and I now leave it as my last will and testimony, for the comfort of my family and friends, that I would not exchange what I now feel in my soul for a thousand worlds like this! I feel no disposition to murmur or complain on account of my affliction. If it should please the Lord to permit me to get well, I am content

Thus ended the mortal pilgrimage of this man of God. His talents as a preacher were good, though not splendid.-He was a faithful steward over his household, scrupulously applying what was entrusted to his care with economy, and administering according to his ability for the support of God's sacred cause.We need only add, that He rests from his labours, and his good works will doubtless follow him to his eternal reWILLIAM SWAYZE. ward. Deerfield, Nov. 27, 1821.

Poetry.

CHRISTMAS.

ADDRESS TO THE SAVIOUR.

From Milman's "Fall of Jerusalem," a dramatic Poem.
BIRTH, CRUCIFIXION, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF JESUS.

And thou wert born of woman! thou didst come,
Oh Holiest to this world of sin and gloom,
Not in thy dread omnipotent array;

And not by thunders strew'd
Was thy tempestuous road;

Nor indignation burnt before thee on thy way.
But thee, a soft and naked child,

Thy mother undefiled,

In the rude manger laid to rest

From off her virgin breast.

The heavens were not commanded to prepare
A gorgeous canopy of golden air;

Nor stoop'd their lamps th' enthron'd fires on
high;

A single silent star

Came wand'ring from afar,

And when thou didst depart, no car of flame
To bear thee hence in lambent radiance came :
Nor visible Angels mourn'd with drooping plumes
Nor didst thou mount on high

From fatal Calvary,

With all thine own redeem'd outbursting from
their tombs.

For thou didst bear away from earth,
But one of human birth,

The dying felon by thy side, to be

In paradise with thee.

Nor o'er thy cross the clouds of vengeance brake

A little while the conscious earth did shake
At that foul deed by her fierce children done;
A few dim hours of day

The world in darkness lay;

Gliding uncheck'd and calm along the liquid sky: Then bask'd in bright repose beneath the cloud

The eastern sages leading on

As at a kingly throne,

To lay their gold and odours sweet
Before thy infant feet.

The Earth and Ocean were not hush'd to hear
Bright harmony from every starry sphere;
Nor at thy presence brake the voice of song
From all the cherub choirs

And seraph's burning lyres

Pour'd through the host of heaven the charmed
clouds along

One angel troop the strain began,
Of all the race of man

By simple shepherds heard alone,
That soft Hossanna's tone.

less sun:

While thou didst sleep beneath the tomb,
Consenting to thy doom;

Ere yet the white-rob'd Angel shone
Upon the sealed stone.

And when thou didst arise, thou didst not stand
With Devastation in thy red right hand,
Plaguing the guilty city's murtherous crew;
But thou didst baste to meet

Thy mother's coming feet,

And bear the words of peace unto the faithful few.
Then calmly, slowly didst thou rise

Into thy native skies

Thy human form dissolv'd on high
In its own radiancy.

THE

Methodist Magazine,

FOR FEBRUARY, 1822.

Divinity.

OBLIGATION OF THE CHURCH TO SUPPORT ITS MINISTERS.
A SERMON ON 1 CORINTHIANS IX. 11.

(Concluded from page 11.)

LET us now inquire into

III. The extent to which this duty should be carried.

If Christ has not prescribed how much we shall give, say some hypocritical pretenders to religion, we may assign the merest pittance, and not violate any express precept. Yet, replies the gen uine disciple of Christ, are there not certain considerations, that furnish some clue by which we may judge of our duty to Christ and his servants? May we not consider, what measures will best answer the ends of justice; most fully accord with the language of Scripture; most effectually promote the interests of the church, and provide for the salvation of the world? If we can ascertain these points, will they not furnish us with an imperative rule? To what extent then, should a church provide for the support of its ministers, so as

1. To satisfy the claims of justice;

I say justice, for so the Scriptures speak, and I most strenuously deny that it comes under the head of charity, or alms. For who ever supposed, that when any one had laboured for them all day, it was mere charity to pay him at night? On this footing our support is placed by Christ, "the labourer is worthy of his hire," or of his meat." What proprietor ever complimented himself for his charities, because he paid the steward who watched over his property, and secured to him his income? Did any rational man ever set down to the score of alms, what he gave to the inStructor who taught him music or French?

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