His commission to itinerate as a missionary in the Reserve and the country adjacent is renewed as usual.

The Rev. Giles H. Cowles has endeavored to employ in missionary labor, all the time which was not devoted to the societies committed to his charge. From the commencement of his labors as a missionary, in October 1811, until Nov. last, he spent about nine months in the service of the Society. His health was preserved and his strength sustained, so that he preached daily when the people could be convened. He makes mention in his journal of places, where indifference prevailed, which have been stirred up, of societies which have been organized and prosper, and of the plases which are favored with revivals. His last communication speaks feelingly of the injurious effects of the military operations in that region, as it respects religion and morals, as well as temporal interest.

In

With reference to the necessities of the people, and their desire to have the gospel preached to them, he observes, "In my missionary tour I have been very kindly received and treated. 'general, the people have manifested a disposition to attend upon preaching, especially on the Sabbath. Many have expressed 'their gratitude for missionary labors, and a desire that they may still be favored with them. And many settlements must be 'destitute for years to come, unless supplied by the benevolent exertions of the Missionary Society. The people of God, who are "scattered in these new settlements, I hope, have been edified aud comforted by the preaching of the gospel; sinners in some instances have appeared to be seriously impressed; and some things, it is to be hoped, have been done toward promoting the cause of Zion and the salvation of souls. But in general, it is a

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time of stupidity with respect to religion, and we need the prayers of the Missionary Society and all friends of Zion, that God ⚫ would revive his work among us." Mr. C. is re-appointed a missionary.

The Rev. John Seward, who commenced his mission in September, 1811, has spent much of his time in preaching in societies which are desirous to furnish themselves with the regular and stated ministry of the gospel, according to their ability. While in the employment of these societies on probation, he was supported by them. He therefore labored in the service of the Missionary Society, in the course of a year, terminating with September last, for the space of little more than five months. He was diligent both in season and out of season, and in this commencement of his ministerial course, received tokens of divine approbation for his encouragement. Mr. S. accepted of an invitation to take the pastoral care of the church in Aurora, and to preach with them half the time. He was installed on the 5th of August last. The special attention to religion prevailing in Portage county is particularly noticed in his communication. From a state of stupidity in the things of religion, the people have been quickened, and are zealously engaged in the great concern. Youth, who were noto

riously vain and bold in their opposition to serious things, have been arrested in their course; have been deeply impressed with the importance of divine things, and often speak one to another on the interesting concerns of eternity, with much feeling and freedom. Old men, who had been carried away by the madness of enmity against God, even so as to countenance the vain amusements of youth, in opposition to the service of God, have been alarmed and brought to themselves. Among others, one notorious for his infidelity and opposition to every thing good, has become the subject of this work, and is now warmly engaged in building up the cause which he had before labored to pull down. Numbers of young men, who were heads of families, have commenced the practice of worshipping God with their households. And many enjoy a hope that they have passed from death unto life. In this revival which has extended, in some degree, to a number of towns in Portage county, the town of Talmage has been distinguished above the others. The work commenced with a gradual increase of attention to divine things, and an eagerness to hear the word. A general and an early flocking to the place of worship, as if all were sensible that their greatest concerns were there, soon became visible, and a deep solemnity in their attention to the things preached was manifest. The subjects of the work were between the ages of sixteen and thirty-four. Mr. S. represents the country in general in a very necessitous state as to religious instruction, and the people, he says, are very desirous to hear the gospel. His anxiety that some of the faithful servants of Christ may be directed to visit that destitute region is very great. After some observations on this subject, he adds, " From these statements you may perceive the importance and great 'need of more settled ministers in this part of the Reserve. Here are six flocks without a shepherd. Three of these, viz. Hudson, Rootstown, and Talmage are able and willing to support a min'ister for half of the time. I hope and pray that the Lord will 'direct the steps of some of the faithful ministers of New England 'to Portage county." Other places, he observes, besides those mentioned are in the same condition, very desirous to settle minicters, and he earnestly solicits help. Mr. S. is commissioned to continue his missionary service.

In addition to the above account of the religious state of New Connecticut, we would not neglect to notice the repeated mention made by our missionaries of the scarcity of the Scriptures, and the need of assistance in the gratuitous circulation of the word of life.

"I have distributed," says Mr. Cowles, "seven of the Bibles 'sent on to Mr. Lesslie, have had several other applications, and 'know of a number who are still destitute of the scriptures." In another letter, after a number of Bibles sent to that country by the Connecticut Bible Society had arrived, he observes, "Since

I wrote you last, I have distributed more than thirty of the Bi'bles sent on to Mr. Badger.-Many more Bibles are needed in

many parts of the Reserve." "If possible, I wish that more Bi'bles might be sent out." says Mr. Seward, "There is yet a pres'sing call for Bibles, especially in this county. I believe that I have distributed about forty in this county with my own hands, and perhaps as many more have been distributed here by others, and many families are yet destitute. Besides families, there are 'many young people, particularly those that have lately become serious, who are anxious to possess a Bible."

The Connecticut Bible Society has afforded them relief in this respect, and it will be a consolation and encouragement to the donors to read the following extract of a letter of Mr. Cowles. It was added after the close of his letter, in a N. B. 66 In my last ' tour I found several persons who were supplied with Bibles by Mr. Badger and myself, to be under serious impressions, and therefore grateful for the precious gift."

The above extracts, giving an account of the missious to New Connecticut, and of the religious state of that country, present to our view a people in perishing need of missionary charity; who have received missionaries with an affectionate welcome; who have furnished the highest evidences that they have profited by the labors of those that were sent among them to preach the gospel to them; and who earnestly plead with us to continue our assistance. The outpourings of the Spirit upon them, the revivals of religion among them, are also indications from him whose servants we ought to be; that the Lord is in the midst of them, and that they shall prosper who love them.

In the field of missions southwest of the Reserve, the Rev. Timothy Harris has spent about fifteen weeks. An extensive and desolate region lies round about him. In many places the peo¬ ple appear to be utter strangers to the gospel and even unacquainted with propriety of demeanor under the preaching of the word. He has been diligent in his attention, laborious in his ser◄ vices, and in a good degree successful in the establishment of or der, in exciting attention, and in winning souls to Christ.

His solitary condition, and the extensive country around him needing aid, afford occasion for his repeated importunities for assistance. The Trustees have not been regardless of the wants of the people, but have been as yet unable to afford them any further aid. The last year a missionary was appointed, but they regret that he was providentially prevented from fulfilling his appointment.

Mr. Harris continues, by the appointment of the Trustees, to itinerate in that country

The Rev. Elihu Mason was appointed to labor in the county of Herkimer and the counties adjacent, in the State of New York, for the space of sixteen weeks. His account of that region represents the people in a very deplorable condition. Divided in sentiment, harrassed by errorists of various kinds, and addicted to vice, they are really objects of missionary charity, although they are by no means desirous to have help. Societies and churches,

which once appeared promising in that quarter, have become broken and scattered, so that there is scarcely any thing remaining that can be built up. Missionary labor was once bestowed on this region with some success, but for the want of continued help the people have declined in their religious character, and the little good which may have been done is no more to be seen.-Mr. Mason will visit the same places again for the benefit of the people, and for further information, although his commission has expired.

The Rev. Eli Hyde has performed a short missionary tour in Oneida county in the State of N. Y. He was out a little more than nine weeks, and though in some measure interrupted by ill health, brought on by fatigue, he accomplished, with diligence, a laborious mission. He was received in every place in a friendly manner. And though a few individuals were found anxious to know what they should do to be saved, and a few Christians appeared to be alive in their Master's cause, yet the general appearance was that of exceeding great stupidity. There was however no occasion to complain of their want of attendance on the ministry of the word. On the Sabbath, meetings were uniformly full; and often on week days he had crouded assemblies. That part of the country, destitute of the regular ministry of the gospel, and swarming with those who assume the office of teaching, whilst they have need to be taught which be the first principles of the oracles of God," is in great need of assistance. In the same field, and especially in settlements near the Oneida lake, the Rev. Israel Brainerd has performed a mission of about two months. Places which had not been favored with religious instruction from missionaries or regular ministers were the objects of his particular attention; and these were visited principally on their own applications. They were new settlements and abounded with false teachers. He was cordially received. The people attended on the word. In some instances the eyes of the deluded were opened, and the progress of error apparently impeded; and in some places the religious appearances were promising. Of the settlements which he visited he observes in general, "Though vice and irreligion are predominant in some places, ' yet in others there is a goodly number of pious and moral people. . And even in the worst, there are a few who sigh and cry for the ⚫ abominations which prevail."

In the month of July last, Mr. Orange Lyman commenced a mission under the direction of the Missionary Society of Connecticut. He visited that part of the state of New-York, which is called the Holland Purchase, and was in the service of the Society four months. He preached as opportunities offered every day, and visited families and schools, in the capacity of a preacher of the gospel. "I have been kindly received as a missionary," says he, "in every place which I have visited, and many have requested me to tender their thanks to the Missionary Society. A high sense of gratitude to the good people of Connecticut is felt by

VOL. VI. No. 1.

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thousands, who, through their munificence, are partially suppli'ed with a preached gospel. Though the new settlements are 'greatly agitated by the commotions of war, which renders it, in some respects, an unfavorable time for missionary labors, yet they beg to be remembered, and not to be neglected by your Society." The Rev. John Spencer received a renewal of his commission for the last year, to labor as a missionary on the tract of country visited by Mr. Lyman, and spent about fourteen weeks in the Society's service. He mentions the satisfaction which the people expressed in Mr. L.'s labors, and their desire that he might return, accompanied with others, to aid in their edification. They manifested a willingness to exert themselves for the support of the gos→ pel. "My encouragement, with respect to Zion's cause in this wilderness is increasing," says Mr. S. He was furnished with unquestionable ground for such encouragement. Since, on a tour of fourteen weeks, solicitations for his tarrying and preaching, at the expense of the people, in different places, as he journeyed along, were so frequent, that he could spend but seven weeks for the Society. The necessities and feelings of this people appear in a very interesting light from the account of Mr. Seward. In journeying through the country, he was providentially called to spend a Sabbath there. Application was made to him to spend a few Sabbaths with the people at their own expense. When he stated that it was inconsistent with his instructions from the Board of Trustees, they were urgent that some minister might be sent to them, to be supported by them for one half of his time, and to itinerate as a missionary, for the other half. Preaching,” adds Mr. S.," is very scarce in that region, and very much needed."

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The Rev. Oliver Ayer labored as a missionary on the Holland Purchase, from October, 1811, to the end of February following. The hungering and thirsting witnessed by Mr. Seward, it seems, were preparatives for rich blessings. The desires of the people to hear, their anxious enquiries after the way of salvation, and their calls for instruction, pressed Mr. A. into an agreeable but laborious service, which met him in many places. In the course of his labors with the people, forty persons were examined and admitted into the church of Christ. Among the subjects of this work were some who had been notoriously profligate in principle and practice. A solemnity and deep attention to the word, without any enthusiasm, prevailed in the religious assemblies of the people. Sometimes they were universally in tears.

The tract of country called the Holland Purchase is growing rapidly in population. It needs missionary aid. The above accounts present it to our view, like the man of Macedonia in vision to Paul, imploring assistance. A communication from Warsaw, signifying the gratitude of the people in that place, for missionary aid, acknowledging the grace of God in their revival, and desiring more assistance, has been made to the Trustees. And we trust they will be supplied according to their request. Mr. Ayer is continued a missionary in that region.