(many of them large farmers--mechanics--master workmen, &c.) who will of course extend the principles of the Society over their families and labourers--thus including, perhaps, several thousands besides members, who will in fact be brought into the plan of entire abstinence. Besides these, there are known to be, in almost every town, many individuals, who although they stand aloof from the Societies, are yet induced, evidently by their influence, either entirely to abstain, or very materially diminish the quantity they have formerly consumed. From the concurrent testimony of those best able to judge, such as merchants, inn keepers, &c. it may safely be asserted that not more than half, or at most, not more than two thirds of the quantity of distilled spirits formerly consumed, has been consumed within these limits during the past year.

"Within the time and limits above mentioned, I have heard of three Distilleries whose operations are suspended in consequence of the principles of their proprietors--Five military companies who use no distilled Spirits on days of parade--Twenty or thirty merchants who have ceased buying and vending-Fifteen or twenty buildings raised (one a meetinghouse--another a grist-mill) several brick buildings erected--two Glass Factories conducting their operations, &c. &c. without the presence of this heretofore common attendant. I doubt not that there have been other instances similar to these, of which I have not heard--all of which may be regarded as the cheering indications of a change in public sentiment that is rapidly taking place, and that will, we hope, soon be entire."

Hampshire County, Mass.-DR. WOODBRIDGE briefly exhibits the movement in this county as follows, in a letter to the Agent under date of Dec. 18, 1828.

"As agent of the Society, I have visited personally, or caused to be visited all the towns, and most of the parishes in the County; and in every place where one had not previously existed, an Association was formed, of greater or less extent, on the plan recommended by the Committee of the County Society. In many instances, however, the number of subscribers to the Constitution was at first small; for it was deemed advisable to embody in the outset, as much influence as possible, in the good cause. The original number of subscribers in each town, including males and females, was, I should think, upon an average, thirty or forty. In some instances, from fifty to seventy gave their names as members, at the first meeting; and in most of the towns, if I mistake not, a very considerable check has been given to intemperance; opposers begin to be confounded; and the friends of the Society are multiplying. Agriculturists, mechanics, merchants, and gentlemen in professional life, all cooperate in the work; and some who at first regarded our object with suspicion, are now among its warmest patrons.-The number of Associations is greater than the number of towns within the limits of our County, and these, in some places, are peculiarly flourishing. In this town, more than three fourths of the most influential inhabitants, are, I presume, members of the Temperance Society; and even the moderate use of intoxicating

liquors, is beginning to be considered as disreputable. But we have some,--and among these, (I say it with shame,) are a few members of the church,-who are resolved still to indulge their appetite for strong drink. The relative proportion of the numbers, who have subscribed their names to our constitution, may be as great in some other towns, as it is with us; and in some, I believe, it is greater. Belchertown and Ware deserve particular commendation for their early and efficient efforts in the cause of Temperance. In the village at South Hadley Canal, an Association has been formed, comprising, I may say, literally, nearly all the wealth, learning and influence in the place; and it is worthy of special remark, that the movements in behalf of Temperance there, were almost immediately followed by a very powerful and extensive revival of religion, such as has seldom been witnessed in this vicinity. Out of a population of three hundred, seventy perhaps, who a few months ago were without God in the world, are now rejoicing in the hope of the gospel.

"Of the number of merchants, who have ceased to sell ardent spirits, I am not exactly informed. Many, however, have, I believe, discontinued, or purpose soon to discontinue the traffic. I have heard of several in Northampton, and other places. In this little village, there are three stores out of four, at which no ardent spirits are sold. Our most laborious farmers have found by experience, that the fatigues of harvest, as well as the cold of winter, are best sustained without the aid of intoxicating drink.

onset.

"I hope the American Temperance Society will go forward. I rejoice in what they have already achieved. It is, however, but the The enemy is not dead. We must persevere till all the tipplers, and all who are interested in opposing our measures are in their graves. We act for generations to come. A relaxation of our efforts will be followed by such a corruption of morals, as will but mock at every subsequent enterprise for a reformation."

State of Vermont.--Rev. MR. MORTON, of Shoreham, Vt., in answer to inquiries made to him by our General Agent, writes as follows under date of Dec. 23, 1828.

"The cause of temperance in this county is rising, though rather slowly. Plain and pointed sermons in favour of temperance, are well received in all our congregations; and efforts in this cause meet with more encouragement than was at first anticipated. Our Association and Consociation have each adopted, and to some extent carried into effect, measures for the promotion of temperance, with some success. I know of no temperance Societies or Associations as yet established in this county; but in this town more than twenty of our farmers dispensed with ardent spirits altogether during the season of hay making and harvest. And there is in other towns also, considerable reformation.

"The principal information, which I can communicate, was received at the meeting of the Convention in Burlington, in Sept. last. This information I have no where seen embodied. I took minutes on the spot, with special reference to this subject. My statements may not

in every iota be correct, but generally I am sure they are. formation must be given somewhat ecclesiastically.

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"Windham Consociation, Voted unanimously, at their last annual meeting, that they approve of the measures and efforts of the American Society for the Promotion of Temperance.-Within the limits of Black River Association (recently formed) the cause of Temperance is on the advance. Less is used than formerly, and some are beginning to abstain wholly from the destructive poison.- Within the bounds of Windsor Association, the cause is greatly on the advance. three or four towns, several merchants have banished from their stores ardent spirits, and many families have totally abandoned the use of them.-In Orange Association, considerable progress is made in the promotion of Temperance. In Thetford, there is a church of three hundred members. At a full church meeting, they voted unanimously not to use ardent spirits except as a medicine. Afterwards the measure was proposed to some members who were not present at the meeting, and every man complied with the agreement, except two or three. The effects of this procedure were most salutary. The grand jury indicted some merchants for selling liquors in small quantities, and several military companies have banished ardent spirits from their meetings.

"The cause of temperance is rising within the bounds of Royalton Association. In one town, the young men in a certain section, after hearing a sermon on Temperance-resolved that they would drink no more ardent spirits,-and came to their minister requesting him to furnish them with a constitution, that they might form a temperance Society. Within the bounds of Montpelier Association, temperance is greatly on the advance. In several towns, Societies have been formed, and their labours attended with great success. In many towns individuals have totally abandoned the use of ardent spirits, and have found far less difficulty in doing so, than was anticipated. Farmers, who have banished spirits from their houses and their fields, have found no difficulty in hiring labourers. The appalling impression, that labourers cannot be hired without the temptation of rum, is found to be only a whim. With a moderate share of prudence there is no difficulty in the case.

"Within the bounds of Orleans Association, some merchants have relinquished the merchandize of ardent spirits, and Temperance Societies have been formed, with encouraging prospects. In Irasburgh, at the last June training, the military companies passed a unanimous vote to dispense with ardent spirits. The hand of God was in this thing.-Heaven smiled. A revival of religion commenced on training day-there was a prayer meeting at noon, and another at 4 o'clock. More than three months ago thirty had been added to the church, and there were about one hundred hopeful conversions.

"Caledonia Association. Within its bounds a number of merchants have ceased to sell spirituous liquors. Military companies have banished ardent spirits from their meetings. In St. Johnsbury there is an independent company formed upon the principle of total abstinence. In this town, large iron manufactories are carried on without ardent spirits. In the Congregational Society, in this place, not one

man is known to use ardent spirits, or to give them to labourers. In Hardwick the merchants have agreed not to sell nor keep ardent spirits, except for medicinal purposes. The liquors reserved for these purposes are kept in their dwelling houses.

"North Western Association. In some towns there is a great diminution in the sale of ardent spirits. The county Medical Society have taken the lead in this work of reformation. Within the bounds of Rutland and Pawlet Associations, the cause of Temperance increases in favour and in strength. Some Innkeepers find their barcustom essentially diminished. Ministers have been appointed to preach in the different congregations in favour of temperance. The South Western Consociation of this State voted at their last Annual meeting, that they would not give ardent spirits to their labourers, nor use nor keep them, except for medicinal purposes."

The reports on the state of morals and religion made at the annual meetings of the Conference of the churches in Maine; the General Association of New Hampshire; the General Convention of the ministers of Vermont; the General Association of Mass.; the General Association of Ct. ; the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch church; the General Assembly of the Presb. church; several of the associations of Baptist ministers in many of the states; the General Conference of the Methodist church-shew that the Temperance cause has awakened attention and taken effect, throughout the United States and the Canadas. Our General Agent, in his journies, met with clergymen and laymen from every part of the country, who stated to him, that a marked and rapidly growing change in the customs of the religious and moral portions of the people is observable from one extreme of the country to the other. Our limits forbid us to furnish but a few evidences of the truth of these remarks. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church appointed Thursday last, the 4th of this month, to be observed by the churches under their care as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, on account of the sin of Intemperance. As far as we have had opportunity to learn, the Synods and Presbyteries voted to observe that day. The House of Representatives of the Legislature of New York adjourned on that day for the purpose of attending public worship in the churches in Albany. The General Association of Connecticut followed the example.

Four of the Synods and fourteen of the Presbyteries of the Presbyterian church in the United States, and nearly all the district associations of ministers in New England, the Baptist Convention of ministers in Ohio, and several other Baptist Associations in many of

the states, and the conferences of the churches, almost universally, have expressly voted, to abstain themselves from ardent spirits, and have earnestly recommended to their churches to do the same.

The Second Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia, has unanimously adopted the resolution, to abstain entirely from Ardent Spirits. The Church, under the care of REV. MR. CHAMBERS, in Philadelphia, had, last March, three hundred and fifty three members, and as stated by the Pastor, all the members but five had specifically pledged themselves to the like abstinence. All the members of the Presbyterian church in Philadelphia, of which REV. MR. HOOVER is Pastor, abstain entirely, as is also the case with the Presbyterian church in Spring Street, New York, under the care of REV. MR. LUDLOW. That church has expressly resolved, to receive no person to its communion, who will either manufacture, sell, or use distilled spirits. A similar vote has been passed by the congregational church in New Market, N. H. The second Presbyterian church in Rochester, N. Y. has not a member who traffics in ardent spirits. Those of them (and there were several) who had formerly done so, abandoned it from principle.

It is stated in the Newspaper published in Williamstown, that there are six towns in Berkshire county, in which all the merchants have abandoned the sale of the drink of drunkards.

The Church in North Yarmonth, Me., consisting of two hundred members, voted, one only dissenting, the adoption of the usual provisions of the Temperance Society.

A clergyman in Georgia, in a letter to the Editor of the Star, states, "that a manifest change of public sentiment and practice, in regard to the use of spirituous liquors, is observable through the middle portions of that state. At the Metropolis, during the session of the Legislature, not more than one half the spirits were used, as on former occasions."

In the annual report of the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, of the state of morals and religion within their bounds, which was recently published, it is stated, that the Governor of Alabama, who has occasion to make frequent journies through the state, remarked, that in his judgement, the quantity of ardent spirits consumed during the year 1828, was one third less than in the year preceding.

A gentleman of high respectability in Indiana, in a letter to the