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pel, and in others a want of harmony in religious sentiments will have the same effect. The northern part of the State of Vermont will therefore, for a considerable period, be a proper 'field for the labours of Missionaries."

Last spring and summer, the Rev. Holland Weeks performed a mission of 24 weeks in the north-western part of Vermont, and the northern part of New-York, west of lake Champlain. He rode about 1300 miles on missionary ground, preached 153 sermons, made nearly 200 family visits, besides where he lodged, attended 33 conferences, baptized 15 children, administered the Lord's Supper 6 times, visited 14 schools, attended 3 church meetings, one ordination, and one installation, examined and propounded to join the churches 15 persons, and assisted in forming one church. Mr. Weeks began his mission in Vermont, about the first of March, and continued in that State till the beginning of June, when he crossed lake Champlain into the State of NewYork, where he laboured till about the middle of August. He then re-crossed the lake, and itinerated a few days more in Vermont. In several places, both in Vermont and New-York, there was a revival of religion, and in most of the towns a number of people anxious to hear preaching, and to have the Christian ordinances administered among them. The following remarks are extracted from Mr. Weeks' journal: "With scarce an excep tion, wherever I have called, I have been kindly and hospitably ⚫ received. The inhabitants of the new settlements, who have any regard for the preaching of the gospel, are not insensible of their obligations to the Missionary Society of Connecticut, as an instrument of their spiritual good, They practically show that they are not devoid of the feelings of gratitude. There are numerous little churches which owe their existence, under God, to the faithful labours of Missionaries from Connecticut, the Lord ♦ working with them, and confirming the word. These churches have as yet but little pecuniary strength, by which to provide ⚫ themselves and the rising generation with the important and ne ❝cessary means of moral instruction, There are many people who say they were not in favour of sending out Missionaries, <before they removed into the wilderness; but now they have changed their sentiments entirely upon this subject, and feel glad to receive that assistance from Missionaries without which they and their children must, in a great measure, be destitute of reli gious instruction. There are others who say that when they lived in the old settlements, they contributed for the support of missions; and now they are glad to receive the benefit of it. What they contributed God has been pleased to direct should be for their own personal benefit, and that of their families and • neighbours in particular, as well as their fellow creatures in other places. The adversary has his apostles, and also a multitude of < untoward spirits on his side, with the weight of their influence, ♦ in opposition to evangelical truth, and a regular use of the means of grace. It must therefore be plain to every one who candidly

› considers, or who has seen the peculiar situation of infant settle ments, that it is a matter of unspeakable moment that measures ⚫ should be devised and vigorously executed to furnish the new ⚫ settlements with faithful, zealous, orthodox preachers. In con• sequence of what has already heen done, thousands will have ⚫ occasion to praise God for ever. Everlasting joy will be upon ⚫their heads. God grant that this good work may still go on, till the whole world shall be brought to the knowledge, and the 'cordial acknowledgment of Jesus Christ."

The next field of missions, to which the Trustees would turn the attention of the public, is the settlements on Black river and parts adjacent. In last year's Narrative, Mr. George Colton is mentioned as then labouring in that field. He performed a mission of 16 weeks, partly in those settlements, and partly in some of the settlements, further south and west. The following is extracted from the close of his journal: "My mission commenced September 27th, 1806, and terminated January 19th, 1807. I rode about 600 miles on missionary ground, preached • 80 sermons, visited about 150 families, and several schools, and ⚫ travelled through more than 30 towns, some of which I visited 'twice. The bulk of the people were disposed to hear me, and ⚫ are friendly to the missionary cause. I found no great revivals ' of religion, but many apparently pious people, some under deep religious impressions, and very many enquiring. Many of the ⚫ new settlements where I have been are in a melancholy condi❤ ⚫tion by reason of divisions. Every error that can be imagined 'prevails among the people. Some of the towns have been recently settle d, and are consequently unable to support the stated and reg • ular administration of the gospel, and others that are older and 'more wealthy are, by means of other impediments, equally una ⚫ble, and therefore claim and loudly call for the assistance of Mis⚫sionary Societies. By the preaching and other labours of Mis sionaries, light is thrown on important doctrines, errors are refu⚫ted, churches formed and difficulties healed, sinners convinced and • converted, saints comforted and encouraged, and the welfare of civil society promoted."

The next Missionary employed in the Black river country was Mr. Thomas Punderson, who performed a mission of 16 weeks in those settlements last summer and fall. During this time he rode about 1230 miles, preached 97 times, visited 4 schools, attended several conferences and one funeral, besides visiting the sick, the afflicted, and the wavering. Mr. Punderson's journal contains the following remarks on the religious state of the country: "As I ' went from place to place, I found many good people, who appeared to have Zion's interest at heart, who appeared deeply ' to mourn the prevalence of immorality, delusion, and error. It 'gladdens the hearts of such to have Missonaries sent among them. Their gratitude is not unfrequently expressed by tears. • Their spontaneous language seems to be, How beautiful upon the • mountains are the feet of them that bring glad tidings, that publisk

peace! But not so with all; some who once professed Christ be'fore men appear to have lost their first love. Generally speaking, it is a time of coldness and stupidity about the things of religion, through this part of the country: though in some places there are a few individuals enquiring what they must do to be 'saved. In many places numbers appear to be desirous of hearing preaching, but preachers cannot be obtained. In many towns, were the people united, they would be able to support a • minister, but unhappily they are much divided in religious sentiments. There is a great call for faithful labourers in this part of Christ's vineyard; and abundant reason for the friends of Christ and his kingdom to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers, for the harvest truly is great, and the labourers are few. It is the opinion of judicious people in these parts that Mission'aries have been instrumental of doing much good. Their ser'vices have been acceptable, and are still earnestly solicited."

"It is astonishing to see how many people have moved into this 'country, in the space of eight or ten years. He, whose will be the kingdom and dominion, is making fertile the wilderness and the solitary place; he will make them vocal with his praises. How animating is the thought that God is pleased to honour the weak and feeble efforts of his children, as a means of advancing 'his kingdom! What a motive is this for all to be diligent and 'prayerful, always abounding in the work of the Lord! Let not the friends of Zion be dismayed or discouraged. Let them not slacken, but rather redouble their efforts. Go, teach all nations, 'was the command which Christ gave, just before he ascended on high. Oh, that every Christian might feel his duty and perform it! Then would Zion arise, and shake herself from the dust, and put on her beautiful garments."

Mr. Punderson was followed by the Rev. Joseph Vaill, who entered on a mission to the Black river settlements in September last, from which he returned the first of January instant. He has given the following account of his mission. I entered on my missionary labours the latter part of September last; preached in 16 on 17 towns, 74 times in all, administered the Lord's Supper 5 times at different places, baptized 6 children, prayed with • a number of sick persons, and visited several schools. I was very 'affectionately received in almost every place, and especially by families where I lodged. I tarried in above 50 different houses in the course of my tour, and generally conferred with the family on the subject of religion, and addressed their children at parting with them, on the concerns of the soul. I found many who appeared to be understanding, judicious Christians, who lamented their being denied the great privileges of a stated gospel ministry. In almost every place where I preached a goodly number appeared to be disposed to collect together for lectures, and their ⚫ attention was generally remarkably solemn. I found some awa. kening at Rutland hollow, and in the town of Harrison. In the course of my travels I became more fully convinced of the great

• utility of Missionary Societies to the new settlements. In con'sequence of Missionaries' forming Churches and distributing religious books, religious and social worship are kept up in many 'places, upon the Lord's day, without a minister. Though the number that attend is not large, yet their thus meeting together has had a salutary effect in putting a check upon the disorderly 'conduct of the looser sort on the Sabbath. By the labours of Mis⚫sionaries, attended with a divine blessing, Christians have been 'greatly quickened and edified, and many sinners have been made the hopeful subjects of sanctifying grace. These labours also 'tend greatly to impress the minds of the serious and thinking 'part of the inhabitants with the importance of using their ' earnest endeavours to have ministers settled, and the ordi'nances of the gopel statedly administered. May God, in 'his infinite mercy, succeed the benevolent designs of the re⚫spective Missionary Societies, and crown the labours of their Mis'sionaries with abundant success !"

In the western counties of New-York, and the northern counties of Pennsylvania, the Rev. Israel Brainerd laboured about 4 months, commencing his mission in November 1806, and ending it in March. 1807. He began in the county of Otsego, thence he proceeded to the counties of Chenango, Broome, Tioga, Lycoming, and Luzerne. He preached 97 times, attended 5 conferences, baptized one adult and 8 children, administered the Lord's supper twice, visited and catechised 12 schools, attended one funeral, and visited families for private instruction, and the sick as he had opportunity. He observes that though there appeared to be no special impression upon the minds of the people in general, yet in most places there was a disposition to hear, and the pious appeared to be edified, and to rejoice. He found many errors prevailing, and great need of the labours of faithful, orthodox Missionaries.

In November last, Mr. Brainerd received an appointment to itinerate a few weeks in the counties of Otsego and Delaware. No particular intelligence has been received from him since he entered on his mission.

From the latter end of May to the beginning of October, the Rev. Calvin Ingals, itinerated as a Missionary, in the State of NewYork. He began his mission in Otsego county, and thence proceeded westward in the northern range of counties to lake Erie. He travelled nearly 1400 miles, preached 89 sermons, formed one church, baptized one adult and 6 children, attended several funerals, visited and prayed with many sick persons, visited families, and conversed with individuals on spiritual subjects, as opportunity presented. The westernmost county in the State is a large tract of country, in which many settlements have been recently made. Here a large field is opening for missionary labour, and many of the settlers, sensible of this, expressed to Mr. Ingais an earnest desire that Missionaries might be sent to that extensive and rapidly settling country. There are also many other places that not only need, but ask the same favours.

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Mr. George Colton laboured about 4 months, last summer and fall, in the counties of Otsego and Delaware. He visited every town in the county of Delaware, and almost every town in the county of Otsego, and in most of the towns preached once or more. On this mission he rode about 1000 miles, preached 84 sermons, and visited many families and several schools. He remarks, in his journal, that the people generally paid good attention to preaching, and treated him with kindness. He met with many who appeared to be truly pious, with some scoffers and errorists, and with great numbers who, though giving no evidence of possessing vital piety, appeared friendly to the missionary cause. Many appeared to remember, with affection and gratitude, former Missionaries who had visited them, and expressed an ardent wish that the Trustees would continue to send labourers into that part of the vineyard of the Lord.

The Rev. Ebenezer Kingsbury was some time since appointed to a mission to that same field, but owing to sickness in his family, has been as yet prevented from entering on the service.

In October last, the Rev. Seth Williston received an appointment to labour, for the term of six months, in his former field of missions, namely to the south-western counties of New-York and the northern counties of Pennsylvania, and it is supposed he is new engaged in fulfilling that appointment.

To the Rev. John Spencer, a minister living near lake Erie, the Trustees sent, some time since, a commission to labour for several weeks, in the settlements in his vicinity.

Several other persons now stand appointed as Missionaries, some of whom will, probably, soon enter on the service.

From the first settlement of New-Connecticut, the Trustees have thought it their duty, for various reasons, to pay particular attention to that country; and they very much regret that they have not been able of late to obtain a competent number of Missionaries for that important field. The only person that has laboured there, in the course of the last year, under the direction of this Society, is Mr. Abraham Scott. He began his mission the latter end of July, and continued to itinerate till some time in October, when, the situation of his family requiring his attention at home, he left the service for a few weeks, after which he was to return. No recent accounts have been received from him. Mr. Scott spent 11 weeks in New-Connecticut. He preached twice every sabbath excepting 3, on which he preached but once. Exclusive of sabbaths, he preached 26 times. Part of the time he travelled in company with the Rev. William Wick, a Missionary from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and was present with him at two sacramental occasions, and at the formation of two churches. He was in most of the principal settlements, and visited many families and individuals. The following remarks are extracted from his journal: "The people in this country in general profess, and also in many other respects evidence a desire for the gospel. They generally give

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