to Sabbath schools, with apparently good effects. Although not directly the fruit of my labours, yet it is pleasing to state, that there are very encouraging appear-pedient to continue their patronage for a ances in the two settlements in St. Clair County. Several persons have declared what the Lord has done for their souls, while others put forth the anxious inquiry. Amongst the blacks in St. Louis, the seriousness continues. Eight or ten are usually found to be concerned for their souls at every meeting. ent at the annual meeting of your Mis- By economising my time, and hiring a I remain your unworthy Missionary, J. M. PECK. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. MASSACHUSETTS STATE CONVENTION. AFTER waiting for several months, and with considerable impatience, we have at last received the MINUTES of the Massachusetts State Convention. It is an interesting pamphlet, and gives a brief but comprehensive view of the state of the Baptist denomination throughout this Commonwealth. We hope it will soon be in the hands of all our readers. As, however, those at a distance may not obtain it immediately, we have prepared the following abstract of its con tents. The first eight pages contain the Constitution and the proceedings of the first meeting, which was held in Boston, Nov. 10 and 11, 1825. As these have been previously noticed in our pages, we shall not insert them. The next article is a valuable statistical table of the Baptist churches in Massachusetts. This alone occupies seven pages. It gives the name of each church, with that of its pastor, and also its present number, and the alterations during the past year, compiled from its minutes. From this Table we have. made the following abstract: There are at present, ten Associations, existing either wholly or in part, in the state of Massachusetts. They are the Warren, Old Colony, Boston, Worcester, Westfield, Leyden, Sturbridge, Wendell, Shaftsbury, and Hartford Associations. Besides these, there are fourteen churches which have not, as yet, connected themselves with any Association. From this table it appears that there are belonging to the Warren Association, 29 churches, 18 ordained ministers. Its number of members is 3590, of whom 110 were added during the past year. Old Colony Association: 10 churches, 11 ordained ministers. Present number, 1221; additions, 62. Boston Association: 40 churches, 27 ministers. Present number, 3721; aḍditions, 156, Worcester Association: 15 churches, 15 ministers. ditions, 92. Westfield Association: 17 churches, 17 ministers. Present number, 1298; additions, 76. Leyden Association:* 7 churches, 5 ministers. Present number, 367; additions, 13. Sturbridge Association: 13 churches, 12 ministers. Present number, 1005; additions, 49. Wendell Association: 7 churches, 7 ministers. Present number, 308. Shaftsbury Association: 6 churches, 5 ministers. Present number, 596; additions, 74. Hartford Association: But one church in the state. Present number, 50. Unassociated churches, 14. number estimated at 1000. COLUMBIAN COLLEGE, IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. To the friends of Religion and Science, the Trustees of this Institution beg leave to present the following statement and solicitation. The importance of a College at this place, of a high literary standard, regulated on the sacred principles of sound morality and true religion, had powerfully impressed itself on the minds of a few individuals. Encouraged and sustained by the strong representations of the great Washington, and his illustrious successors, they conceived the design, and entered upon the undertaking. Destitute of pecuniary resources, they looked for the only means of accomplishPresenting the object in the generosity of an enlightened and liberal public. There are thus connected with the Convention, and in the state, 159 churches, 130 ministers, and 15,161 members, of whom between 600 and 700 have been added during the past year. Summary. School, with rooms for Lectures, for the Late in the year 1819, subscriptions were opened, and a lot of, land, nearly fifty acres, purchased. Early in 1820, a College edifice was commenced, which, with out-buildings, and two houses for Professors, was completed the year fol"There are, connected with the Con-ished also, for the use of the Preparatory lowing. Since, a building has been finvention, 115 churches, and 11,811 members Of these, there are in Rhode-Island, 12 churches, and 2,160 members. In New-Hampshire, 5 churches and 258 members, which deducted, leaves in Massachusetts, connected with the Convention, 98 churches and 9,393 members. There are in Massachusetts, associated but not connected with the Convention, 27 churches and 2,350 members. There are in Massachusetts, unassociated, but in fellowship, 14 churches, and (say) 1,000 members. So that there are of Baptists, in Massachusetts, in fellowship, 139 churches and 12,743 members. In these 139 churches, there are 125 ministers, and 21 licentiates, while there are 39 churches destitute of pastors, nearly all of which are partially supplied with preaching." ed the sanction of an act of incorporation In February, 1821, this College receivby Congress; and has enjoyed the confidence, approbation, and patronage of the President of the United States, the Heads of Departments of the Government, and many distinguished citizens. The Faculty, consisting of the President, six Professors, and two Tutors, was organized, and entered upon the various and responsible duties of the College, in January 1822. Thirty-nine students were admitted the first term, and the number has been constantly increasing. More than two hundred have been received; and nearly one hundred and fifty, including the medical students, are found on the Catalogue of the present term. class has graduated, and furnished decisive and very gratifying proofs of the success and value of this seat of learning. Its prospects are of the most animating character. One The remainder of the pamphlet is taken up with an appendix. In this will be found, 1st. the Report of the Committee on the charities which deserve the present attention of the Convention. The Report recommends that at present, our efforts be directed to missions in the Commonwealth. 2. An interesting account of the state of religion in the various Associa- The increasing number of Students tions. 3. An account of the foreign mis-renders it indispensably necessary to unsions under the direction of the Baptist dertake the erection of an additional ColGeneral Convention, with a brief account lege edifice for their accommodation. For of each missionary station. 4. A brief this, however, means will be specially account of the Baptist Missionary Society provided, independently of the measures of Massachusetts. 5. A notice of the Mas- pursued for liquidating the existing debts. sachusetts Baptist Education Society, and of the Institution. 6. A view of the present state of the American Baptist Magazine. Of this, and the following Associations, only a part of the churches are without the State, and are not estimated. To remove the pressure of the debts, is the immediate object of this statement. On a fair valuation of the bank stock in hand, and of the outstanding subscrip tions, wills, legacies, notes, &c., the bal ance of debt against the Institution does not exceed $30,000. The plan is this: to ask one dollar only of each individual, who conveniently can afford it. And who is there, in circumstances convenient to do it, who will not give so small a sum for so great an object? Are there not thirty thousand among ten millions ready to do this? Nay, are there not one thousand persons, each of whom will take this statement and collect $30, and thus accomplish the important result, with but little delay? BAPTIST GENERAL TRACT SOCIETY. THE first annual meeting of this Society was held in the meeting-house of the first Baptist Church in Washington City, on Monday evening, the 28th of February, 1825. From the Report of the Board which was then read, it appears that the prospects of success in the great objects of the Society, are flattering to a degree far beyond the anticipations of its founders. Many of the most enlightened and influential of the denomination, in most parts of the United States, have expressed their unqualified approbation of the undertaking, and their readiness to co-operate in such measures as will tend to its enlargement. Many auxiliary societies are already formed, and depositories are established in several of the States. Nineteen tracts have already been issued, and the The officers for the ensuing year are: Vice President, Samuel Cornelius. Recording Secretary, Joseph Thaw. In which they are engaged. For the Foreign Mission, we shall probably obtain from 100 to 150 dollars. Besides these Societies for the support of the Burman Mission, there is a Ladies' Society for the support of the Carey Mission. The friends of Christ in this place, though few in number, and not burdened with wealth, continue to exhibit a spirit of benevolence and activity, both honouraExperience has so evidently demonstrable to themselves, and worthy the cause in ted the utility of Tracts, that it is almost superfluous to remind the Christian public of the convenience which they offer of doing much good with little expense. many instances they have been instrumental in bringing conviction to the minds of sinners, who were not in the habit of going where the Gospel was preached. They have brought sweet consolations to the hearts of God's children, and often supplied the want of the ministry of the word in destitute places. They scatter light upon the pilgrim's path, and carry blessings into the abodes of misery, at an expense so small as to be utterly imperceptible. REVIVALS OF RELIGION. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MR. THOMAS Auburn, March 14, 1825. THE Lord is displaying the riches of his grace in this region, in calling sinners from darkness to his marvellous light. In Fleming, Elder Clark baptized between 30 and 40 last year, and the work has | ed here; and I hope that the Lord is ceased in that place, but in Mentz there about to build a house for himself among is quite a revival. More than 40 have them. This place is upwards of thirty been buried in baptism since the first of miles from any church, and there never October last, and many more are inquiring were any Baptists here before. If I were what they shall do to be saved. Some to judge from the appearance that was stand ready to go forward soon. O that produced under the ministry of the word, the Lord would pour out his Spirit in co- during my last tour, I should conclude pious effusions, that the word of the Lord that the Lord was about to do great things may have free course and be glorified. for the people in many other settlements. The Auburn church has been in a back- Indeed, I do not think I ever before perslidden state these two years past, but the formed a tour that was so promising." Lord has sent his Spirit among them, and they are revived. Jesus has spread his banner over this place, and sinners are brought to bow to his mild sceptre, and ery, What shall we do to be saved?" Five persons were buried in baptism yes terday; there are more expected to unite with us soon, and our meetings are crowded. O brethren, pray for us, that the Lord's work may continue and spread, till the whole earth is filled with his glory. VIRGINIA. A ministering brother in Giles county, who has been employed as a domestic missionary in this state, writes to us under date of December 27th: "On the 11th of September we constituted a church of seven members, within five miles of Giles Court House, where the Baptist cause has been at a very low ebb for some time; and, shortly after the church was constituted, I baptized two persons, who joined it. On Walker's Creek, in Wythe county, within 14 miles of the Court House, the prospect is very encouraging. The last time I was there, we received four, who were amongst the most respectable inhabitants of the settlement, and there are several others who talk of joining next Saturday. The people are very much excit NORTH CAROLINA. We have been politely favoured with the following extract of a letter from a gentleman at Moore Court House, to a member of Congress, which furnishes some pleasing particulars of the revival in that part of the State. "The Lord, in his unbounded goodness, is still carrying on his work in this vicinity. We have received, in a few months past, upwards of forty members. We received at one time three, each of whom was upwards of forty years of age. The brethren hold weekly prayer meetings at night; and, notwithstanding the weather is cold, and the inhabitants thinly settled, the houses at times are crowded. Two of our old members have embarked in the ministry, and others exhort with warmth and power. My dear brother, the Lord is good, and his works are marvellous in our eyes. The little band, which have been literally frozen for twenty years, are roused from the spirit of lethargy which has long pervaded them, and now appear active and zealous in promoting the interests of Immanuel's kingdom. O that it may continue to prosper, and his name be glorified in the salvation of the sons and daughters of Adam!" [Lam. OBITUARY. REV. ASAHEL WOODS. To the Editors of the Am. Bap. Mag. IN performing a voluntary mission of about four weeks on the eastern side of the Green Mountains, I became acquainted with some interesting facts in the life of Rev. ASAHEL WooDs, the late dearly beloved and much lamented pastor of the Baptist church in Putney, Vermont. I send you a few brief notices, derived from living witnesses, which it would gratify at least some of your readers to see inserted in your useful Magazine. Rev. ASAHEL WOODS was a native of Southbury, Mass. His parents were respectable and pious members of the Congregational church in that place, and one !! of his brothers is a useful minister of that denomination in Newport, N. H. Of the peculiar dealings of God with Mr. W. while under conviction, I am but little acquainted. I understood, however, that he had remarkably deep and affecting views of the evil of sin, of the lost condition of man, of the native depravity of the unrenewed heart, and of the mighty and effectual operation of the Spirit of God. He was ever afterwards a warm advocate of the doctrine of sovereign and distinguishing grace. In 1812, he was buried with Christ in baptism, and joined the Baptist church in Fitzwilliam, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Runa Allen. Soon after his public profession of religion, he became a candidate for the great work of the gospel ministry, in which he was through life so arduously engaged. In 1817, he removed to Putney, Vt. and preached on probation to the Church and Society in that place, until the following year. He was then publicly and solemnly consecrated to the ministry of the word, by a respectable ecclesiastical council, convened for that purpose. With this people, although their means were small, and his maintenance scanty, he continued to labour till the close of his life. Poverty could not drive him from his labour of love, nor affluence seduce him from the people of his affection. At the commencement of his ministry, the literary and theological attainments of our deceased brother were limited; but the vigour of his mind, assisted by indefatigable application, soon rendered him an able and acceptable minister of the gospel. Few, if any, in this region exceeded him in sermonizing. His manner was solemn and attractive, and his discourses were always delivered with a good degree of pathos, and remarkable pungency of application. A pious zeal for the glory of God, the good of Zion, and the conversion of sinners, was clearly manifest in the performance of all the duties of his ministry. As he advanced in life, his ardour increased, and at no time was his anxiety for the eternal welfare of the flock committed to his charge so visible, as within a few months of his lamented death. The many offices he was called to sustain, and the public services he was called to perform, abundantly evince how rapidly he was advancing in the esteem and affection of his brethren in the surrounding region. For many years previous to his death, he had been the clerk of the Leyden Association, In attending an ordination in October last, he took a cold, which was followed by a fever, that terminated his valuable life. From the commencement of his sickness, he seemed sensible that his work was almost finished. At first he seemed to tremble in view of the solemn account he was shortly to render to the Judge of quick and dead. Soon, however, he rose above all doubt, and was enabled with confidence to commit his all to God, through Christ the Saviour of sinners. He frequently said, while referring to the doctrines which he had preached, "I have nothing to take back; of this I have nothing to repent. I am willing to venture my soul in the presence of God, on the system of truth which I have endeavoured to declare." His sickness, which for a part of the time was very painful, he bore with exemplary patience. Most of his time was spent in prayer, specially for the people of his charge. Commending himself, and his mourning wife, into the hands of the glorious Redeemer, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus on the 17th of November last, leaving an afflicted church, and a large circle of friends to mourn their irreparable loss. An appropriate sermon on the occasion was preached by Elder Bruce of Wilmington. While arranging his worldly concerns, after providing for his bereaved widow, he remembered the Lord's treasury, and gave by bequest at her decease, the one half of his property for the education of indigent and pious young men, called of God to the holy ministry, and the other half for the support of missions. By this it will appear, that his mind soared far above the foolish prejudices of those who suppose that learning will hurt a good man, and that it is wicked to send the gospel all over the world. With this dear and bereaved people, I spent about six days. I find that the death of their pastor has been the means not only of advancing religion in the members of the church, but also of conviction and conversion to many in the society. About fourteen have professed religion since his decease; several of whom expressly acknowledge his life and death as the means of their awakening. His memory seems embalmed in the hearts of all throughout this region. He died in the meridian of life, in the 42d year of his age. I do not recollect ever to have been made personally acquainted with a more useful life, or a more happy death, than were those of our deceased brother. When visiting from house to house, and hearing the people speak of his faithful warnings and advice, and his fervent prayers, I was often led to exclaim, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." A. W. Several Obituaries, Ordinations and other articles, are unavoidaby postponed, to make room for intelligence from Barmah |