had come too far; some of them, even missionary; but they are weak and poor, females, eight or ten miles, and such an and four or five of them could hardly, opportunity was too rare, to suffer it to support a pastor; and it is extremely pass unimproved: there they sat patient- difficult to find suitable men, willing to ly, even women, and children, on rough, undertake the arduous duties of such an damp, wet planks placed on logs, with extensive, and laborious field, especially the wind and rain beating in at open with so precarious a support. The claims doors, and windows, to hear two long of this field, by a devoted, persevering sermons; and less would not satisfy them. friend, were laid before several of the These poor people are so eager to hear last graduating class in the seminary at the gospel, that they think nothing of Princeton, but they knew some of its difwalking seven or eight miles to church, ficulties, and they knew too, that if the and back again, to hear a single sermon. presbytery should even recommend their Young females will walk cheerfully appointment, at the lowest rate, on which through the mud, all that distance, and they could be sustained, the Board would carry their shoes and stockings in their be under the painful necessity of promishands. The grandmother of three-score ing only a part; and our young ministers and ten, with the aid of her staff, will are but men: neither they, nor their aged walk four and five miles and back again parents, or sisters, ofttimes dependent on the same day to hear the gospel. The them, can live without means. Would that our Christian friends and mother of six or eight children will walk through mud, and among stumps and neighbours in Philadelphia, and other rocks seven or eight miles, to hear a sin-highly-favoured portions of our state only gle gospel sermon. These are indeed "hungry starving souls!"

Could the church only see the destitution of this region, I am sure she would more than double her zeal and efforts in this holy cause, and none surely could regret the scanty pittance allowed their missionary, could they only see what has been already accomplished in this field: or could they follow him for a few weeks, or sabbaths, in the discharge of his regular, arduous, and self-sacrificing duties. * * *

knew, could have but a glimpse, of the spiritual dearth that reigns here, in the, very centre of their own rich, populous and enlightened state. Precious souls! their own immediate neighbours, starving at their very doors for the bread of life— crying for the mere crumbs that fall from their groaning tables! yes, the mere crumbs, the very castaways of our wealthy neighbours, would more than satisfy, would save these hungry starving souls.

My labours in this field are indeed severe; and I have many difficulties, trials and obstacles to encounter, and much self-denial is required, but I am not at all discouraged. I am happy, and satisfied, and grateful too, for the sweet privilege of breaking the bread of life to these poor, but kind-hearted people, scattered among the mountains. sure reconciles me to the disappointment of not being permitted to go and labour among the heathen. The last three months, which have been spent in labours among this people, I number among the

It in some mea

* The field which I attempt to cultivate, would require more labour, and hopeful labour too, than any two men could accomplish, and do either themselves or the field justice. But when my own field is described, you fall far short of knowing all the destitutions of this region. Although my acquaintance in this region is as yet limited, I already know seven or eight of the nearest surrounding churches, all out of my field, and every one destitute of the regular preaching of the gospel. Every two of happiest of my life. You will pardon me these churches at least, should have a for taxing you with so long a report

MISSION ROOMS, PHILADELPHIA. The first article in the domestic depart- bility, this great nation is to be formed, for ment of the present number of the Chronicle good or for evil, for weal or for wo-to should be read, and pondered with care. It millions now living, and to countless milbrings to view a subject in which every pa- lions yet unborn. What a view does this triot and every Christian in our land is give us of the responsibility under which deeply interested. As a people, we are in a the men of this generation live and act ! state of "national childhood,”'-we are in What an argument does it furnish for imthe "moulding or forming state." And mediate, united, energetic action in the during the present generation, in all proba. "great work of Home Missions! What is

great work. Let all see to it, that they are faithful to their solemn trust.

done now to spread through this whole nation the blessings of education, and of evangelical religion, will not only have a direct influence on the well-being of millions now living, but in its bearing on national charac- TO THE FRIENDS OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS IN ter, will prepare the way for constantly in. creasing good to countless millions who may live hereafter.

It is correctly said by our correspondent, that the great valley of the west presents a field for missionary enterprise, great, important, and promising, beyond all human conception. That the balance of power in this great nation will soon, very soon be in the west, and that as we value our liberties,

and love the souls of men, we should not lose a moment in our efforts to spread

through that whole valley, a pure gospel in. fluence, that the increasing millions of its population may be prepared for the part they are destined to act in this, and in other lands.

DEAR

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

BRETHREN,-The cause of Domestic Missions in our Church, imperatively requires immediate and efficient aid. Since the meeting of the last General Assembly, the collections in the churches for this object, have been alarmingly few, and small. As the moneyed concerns of the country are now churches is the more strange, and alarming. in a prosperous state, this apathy in the We are constantly receiving letters, stating that the cause of Home Missions is increasing in interest and in favour with the people; but from some cause, the evidences of this interest, in contributions to the cause, are "few and far between." Almost every mail brings us applications from presbyteries or churches, for missionary aid, but the means necessary for furnishing this aid, we do not receive. The Board are now owing their missionaries several thousand dollars, and many of these excellent men, are actually suffering for want of what is due them. The Board have no means of paying them, and painful as is the delay, both to the missionaries and the Board

until the friends of this cause furnish the necessary funds, the missionaries cannot be paid.

Nor can the missionarics suffer alone in

The importance of our western country as a missionary field, can hardly be overra. ted, and every motive which love of country, and love to souls furnish for decided action-press upon us the importance of doing immediately what we can, and all we can, to give the gospel with its enlightening and sanctifying influence to the whole west. And while we are doing for the west, we must be careful not to overlook the destitu. tions of the east, and the south. Our country is one great whole-its inhabitants are ever changing, and mingling—and no portion of our land can be neglected without injury to other portions, and to the whole. And in the work of Domestic Missions, all sectional feelings should be merged in the love of country and love to souls-wherev- for this cause, all progress in the work must cease. The friends of this cause must know, that as prudent men, their Board cannot proceed in making new appointments when they are unable to meet engagements into which they have already entered. We feel great pain in being compelled to make this statement, but fidelity to the important trust committed to us, seems imperatively to demand it.

er,

in all parts of our country, the gospel is needed, and can be sent, there should we send it. Extensive moral wastes are to be found in all sections of our land. We have given a specimen in our presént number, in the centre of Pennsylvania; and this is but a specimen, of what exists in every state, south and west of Pennsylvania.

What a call is made by this state of things on every patriot and every Christian in our land, for immediate, united, energetic action in the work of Home Missions! What is done for the salvation of this land, must be done quickly. Now is the time; and we of this generation are the men to do this

this matter: the reputation of the Church and the interests of the cause must suffer with them. Unless the Church act speedily

the friends of Home Missions in the PresbyAnd we close, with saying to all terian Church, your prompt and efficient aid is indispensable to the prosperity of the

cause.

In behalf of the Board of Missions,

WILLIAM A. McDowELL, Cor. Sec.

RECEIPTS IN THE TREASURY AT PITTSBURG, PA., IN AUGUST, 1844.

RECEIPTS IN THE TREASURY AT LOUISVILLE, KY., IN AUGUST, 1844.

THE

FOREIGN MISSIONARY CHRONICLE.

NOVEMBER, 1844.

BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.

GIVING MORE BLESSED THAN RECEIVING :

A SERMON

PREACHED BEFORE THE BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, AT ITS MEETING IN LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 19th, 1844.

ACTS xx. 35.

BY JOHN C. YOUNG, D. D.

"I have showed you alling opportunities of giving; and fewer still things, how that so labouring ye ought||labour with a view to acquire the means of to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

giving.

From all these facts might we not infer, that the experience of mankind contradicts the statement of our Saviour, and that the reverse of his declaration is true? Instead of believing that “it is more blessed to give than to receive," men seem to be fully persuaded that it is more blessed to receive than to give. It is very evident, that far the larger portion even of professing Christians do not believe this doctrine of our Divine Teacher. The weight of his authority may forbid their formal contradiction of his assertion, and may even command for it; when announced as his, their expressed acquiescence in its truth. But a verbal as. sent to a doctrine is very different from a

Every one knows and feels that it is blessed to receive. Gifts are gratifying to all, if they come in an honourable way; and even when attended with some degree of discredit, they are sought after by not a few. Persons often take pains, for years, to please those for whom they have no special affection, induced solely by the hope of a gift or legacy. And so strong is the desire of receiving, that they will even submit, at great expense of self-denial, to all the humours, whims and caprices of those by whom they expect their desire to be gratified. On the other hand, the mass of mankind grudge to give; they endeavour to ascer-believing apprehension of it; and an unre. tain what is the smallest amount of giving which a regard to decency and obligation imperatively demands of them, and that amount they are careful not to exceed. When an object is set before them which claims their benevolent contributions, the question which presents itself to their minds is not, "how much may I give con. sistently with my other duties," but, "with how little may I buy off this claim upon my charity."

flecting and indolent acquiescence in a truth, is not to be confounded with its intelligent and cordial recognition.

Our Saviour's announcement of any doctrine furnishes the most full and satisfactory proof of its correctness; other arguments can add no logical force to such evidence. But our minds may be aided in gaining a clearer recognition of a general fact or doc||trine, and a stronger practical conviction of its importance, by observing, in those cases which admit of observation, the causes which combine to produce and render necessary the fact we are called on to be. When we can see how any thing

Giving they regard as a duty, which they feel occasionally compelled to fulfil, and not as a privilege which they are permitted to enjoy. Very few are seen seek-lieve. VOL. XII.-22