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Jesus, and no ear for religious | the arms of death. Christ is instruction. With such it is a the great Physician on whom breach of politeness in any one he ultimately depends for soul to introduce topics of this na- and body; to him he looks for ture; and they are astonished success to human endeavors, that any can take satisfaction in and for preparation for sickness conversing upon such gloomy or health, as in his righteous subjects, as lead the mind to a providence he shall distribute view of death, the general judg-them to him. But to produce ment and a future state. Such this calmness and resignation he while in health feel no necessi- must have a sense of Christ's ty of seeking Jesus. Religion presence. Again, must be crowded along to the last end of life, and made the employment of a sick bed. Je-divine appointment and means

sus is not to be trusted in till health and every other enjoyment fails.

The Christian desires to see Jesus in all the ordinances of

of religious instruction. When he goes to the sanctuary to worship, his prayer is that he may see Jesus. And to him who ministers in holy things, his language is, " Sir, we would see Jesus." And if Christ has not been preached,he returns mourning in the language of Mary,

It is not so with the Christian. It is his desire to seek first the kingdom of heaven, to improve the health and vigor of his days, in the service and enjoyment of his Lord. That which is most agreeable will be our first object" They have taken away my in health. The exercises and services of religion are of all things the most desirable to the Christian; hence he would engage in these while in health. He would see Jesus, while he is best capable of serving and glorifying him.

Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." When he approaches the sacramental feast, his desire is that he may behold his Saviour. It is not a round of externals which will satisfy his soul; for what are ordinances to him without Jesus in the midst? True indeed these are wisely designed to encrease the faith and brighten the other Christian graces. But Christ must manifest himself through these, as the sun through the win

The Christian desires also to see Jesus when in sickness. It is natural, when racked with pain and distress to wish the presence of our nearest friends. Their company and their kind offices at such a time are ex-dows of an otherwise darkened ceeding desirable. Jesus is the habitation. In these "he appears Christian's best friend, and his in his beauty,as the lightand as the presence is peculiarly needed in dew unto Israel-as the shadow the midst of anguish and dis- of a great rock in a weary land.” tress. The child of God is not His people" set under his bancontented if he be absent a mo- ner with great delight, and his ment. But if Jesus be present, fruit is sweet to their taste."though in the greatest distress Thus in the reading and the of body, his countenance bright- preaching of the word, in the ens, and he can often smile in administration of the ordinances

and all the means of religious | tion, either suffering under the instruction, the Christian would adverse dispensations of divine see Jesus-see something which providence, or being threatened has a tendency to promote sound with them, to humble themdoctrine, purity of heart, and selves before Almighty God, holy living. To your useful and to implore his mercy and Magazine the eyes of many protection: And whereas our Christians are directed for aid country appears to be threatened in the success of these import- with great calamities: Resolved, ant objects. On its pages they therefore, that it be recommenwould see Jesus exhibited in his ded and it is hereby earnestly recharacter, his doctrines, his ex-commended to the churches unample and his life.

Finally, The Christian desires to find Jesus in his own soul. When he retires into himself and finds Jesus there, he has a heaven within. When he finds him enthroned there as the object of his affections, the director of his purposes, and source of his pleasures, his happiness is pure and tranquil, and independent of all external circumstances. If earthly friends forsake him, he is not without a friend. Though earthly comforts vanish, yet he alone can be truly happy. Here are his affections, here his purposes, and here his pleasures. Here he can leave. his all and be at JOHN.

rest.

Religious Intelligence.

Session of the General Assem-
bly of the Presbyterian
Church in the city of Phila-
delphia, May 27th, 1808, the
following Resolution and Ad-
dress were adopted.
Attest,

JOHN E. LATTA,
Permanent Clerk.

« WHEREAS it is the duty of all Christian churches, families and people of every discrip

der the care of this Assembly, to set apart the second Thursday of September next, as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, to beseech the Ruler of the universe, that for Christ's sake he would be pleased to avert thecalamities with which we are now threatened; and that he would restore harmony to the contending nations of the world. That he would pour out his Spirit on our churches more generally and abundantly; bless the efforts that are making to Christianize the heathen, and to extend the blessings of the gospel to the destitute inhabitants of our land.

"Who can tell if God will turn and repent! and turn away from his fierce anger? Who can tell whether he who holds the destinies of men in his hands, and who turns the hearts of the rulers of the earth as the rivers of water are turned, will hear the supplications of his people Let us then humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. Let us turn every one from his evil ways, and from the wickedness of his hands.

"To the great head of the church let us raise our united hearts and voices, for his choicest blessings on curcountry and the world at large. Soon may the heathen be given him for all

inheritance, and the uttermost | have been broken up; enemies parts of the earth for a posses- to the cross have been confounsion! Soon may the descended, and in many instances dents of faithful Abraham be made the subjects of divine brought to the fold of our com- grace.

mon Lord, that there may be It is observable that the work, one sheepfold and one shep-though powerful, has progres[Phila. Intel.

herd."

A Narrative of the STATE OF RELIGION, within the bounds of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in the United States, for the year 1808. Read in the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, May 25th.

ed with great silence, uncommon solemity, and free from all appearance of extravagance.

The revivals have been pre

ceded in every instance by a union of prayer among Christians, to which they have felt constrained by the fervent desire of their hearts that Christ might be glorified, and by deep and solemn impressions of the value of precious and immortal souls. Believing parents, more especially, have been influenced to wrestle with God in behalf of their children. We record with peculiar emotions of delight, for the encouragement of the godly, that, as in all ages past, so still, our God is a hearer of prayer.He has come down from his high and holy place, and granted the requests of his people. The consequences have been that the assemblies of the saints were

THE General Assembly acknowledge with ardent gratitude the distinguished benignity of God to the churches within their bounds during the year past. He hath truly done great things for us; building up the waste places of Zion, and adding unto the number of such as shall be saved. From every quarter, with but few exceptions, we hear of harmony among our ministers, order among our congregations, an increased atten-crowded with inquiring sinners. tion to the ordinances of the gos- Many meetings for prayer and pel, and the progressing tri- praise have been established.— umphs of that grace by which It appears that, in several places, alone sinners can be reconciled a number of persons have adoptto God. In many places, espe-ed the plan of assembling tocially within the bounds of the gether on the sabbath morning, synod of New-York and New-immediately before public wor Jersey, times of refreshing ship, and spending some time in from the presence of the Lord religious exercises, particularly are experienced. The Spirit in prayer for the divine presence has been poured out on consid- and blessing in the public instierable portions of country, and tutions of his worship. This, fruits of righteousness have ap- if properly managed, may prove peared, honourable to the king- a happy preparative for the wordom of Christ and inviting to ship of the sanctuary. We the world which lieth in wicked- would, however, earnestly cauness. Unhallowed combinations tion all who are under our care,

against suffering public duties. to interfere with the duties of the family and the closet.

Those who have been the subjects of the revival persevere in the ways of godliness, with but few exceptions. Apostacies are rare. Accessions to the communion are made on every occasion, though not in such numbers as formerly. Believers are still on the watch; disposed to pray, and actually praying for the spread of the gospel, and the triumphs of grace over all opposition.

In those districts of country, as well as in some others, the want of gospel ministers is severely felt. People are suffer

calling for help; but help, adequate to their necessities, cannot be obtained. The assem bly regret, that so few, compa

Among the visible fruits of an increased attention to the gospel we recognize the establishment of benevolent institutions, as peculiarly characteristic of the religion of Jesus-We mean associations for the relief of destitute widows and orphans, for the instruction of the ignorant in divine knowledge, and for the benefit of the poor generally. It is a distinguished excellence of the gospel of Christ, that it is suited to the poor; not merely to their afflicted condi-ing for lack of instruction, and tion, but to their intellectual acquirements. Christians can give no better evidence of their sincere attachment to the Lord who bought them, than by mani-ratively, offer themselves as canfesting love, not only to their brethren in Christ, but to mankind in general. The fruits of benevolence ought ever to accompany the profession of piety; and it is exclusively the glory of Christianity that it has produced every where, as far as its influence extends, effective plans to meliorate the condition of the poor. We hope our brethren, in all our churches, will more fully testify, in this particular, the power of the grace of God.

In the southern parts of our bounds, the extraordinary revivals of religion have considerably declined: bodily agitations are gradually disappearing in one instance, where extravagance and wild enthusiasm had been avowed and defended, in opposition to the pastoral advice of this body, we are happy to learn that the abetters have acknowledged their error, and returned to the good order of our church.

didates for the holy ministry; and they hope that the attention of the churches under their care will be directed to this important subject, that by their united exertions, some effectual plan for statedly supplying the wants of Zion may be formed.

With such abundant cause of gratitude is connected cause of sorrow and humiliation. We have observed with pain that, in some presbyteries, the duties of family religion, and of cateche tical instruction are neglected. Truly it is shameful in men who call themselves by the name of Christ, not to honor him before their families, by worshipping him statedly. Every head of a family is responsible for all its members to God and his coun try. How can he expect to fulfil his duty, if he does not pray for and with them, and instruct them from the word of God? Ifhe does not honor God, it cannot

NECTICUT MAGAZINE. REV. SIR,

be expected his family will. And | TO THE EDITOR OF THE CON a Christian family, living without family religion, is a contradiction. It argues on the part of such professors an awful declension and a criminal derelic-ject tion of duty.

In many places, also, we have heard of lukewarmness and inattention to the great concerns of religion; of the profanation of the sabbath by thoughtless sinners, and of decline in the life of godliness. How lamentable, that with the light of the gospel shining around us, any should walk in darkness, and despise the goodness of God?

From our sister churches in Connecticut and Vermont, we learn with pleasure that revivals prevail there also; that religion flourishes ; that among other instances of mercy, Yale college is graciously visited; and that believers are walking in the comforts of the Holy Ghost.

On a review of the state of religion in the churches referred to above, we rejoice in saying that it has progressed in the last year, and that it is still progressing. This revives us in our pilgrimage, and causes us to look forward with pleasing expectations. The Redeemer will ultimately reign throughout the earth. "His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun, and men shall be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed."

We only add, "Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only docth wondrous things and blessed be his glorious name, for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen." [Phila, Intel.

AS one very important obof the Magazine published under your direction, is to convey intelligence respecting the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom, I am induced to believe that narratives of religious revivals, in particular places, will be thankfully received by you, and inserted in that valuable work. It is known by many of your readers that for some time past there has been an unusuak attention to religion in this town, and it is presumed that it will be gratifying to the public to be informed of the origin of the work, and its progress to the present time. Although you must be supposed to be well acquainted with this subject, yet motives of delicacy may lead you to think it improper for you to publish any thing written by yourself, respecting the revival. Being an inhabitant of the town, and feeling interested in the work which a merciful and gracious God is now evidently carrying on among us, I have taken pains to acquire correct information concerning it, and I now send you the result of those enquiries, which you are at liberty to publish if you see fit.

Yours with esteem
and respect,

AN INHABITANT OF HARTFORD.

Hartford, June 14, 1808. A brief account of the Origin and Progress of the present Revival of Religion in Hartford.

IN the year 1799, it pleased that God with whom is the resi

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