jects, and select portions of Scripture. He was likewise possessed of an intense inclination for learning, and made such progress that the country master under whom he was could not instruct him any farther. He was then sent to Northampton boarding school, under the care of the Rev. John Ryland, where he continued about a year and a half, and made great progress in Latin and Greek. In October, 1778, he went to the Academy at Bristol, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Evans; and in August 13, 1780, was sent out to the ministry by this church, being sixteen years and three months old. The manner the church obtained satisfaction with his ability for the great work, was, his speaking in his turn at conference meetings, from various portions of Scripture, in which and in prayer he had borne a part for upwards of four years before; and having when at home at their request frequently preached on Lord's day mornings to their great satisfaction. They therefore earnestly and unanimously requested his being in a solemn manner set apart to public employ. Accordingly, on the day aforesaid, he was examined by his father, before the church, respecting his inclination, motives, and end, in reference to the ministry, and was likewise desired to make a declaration of his religious sentiments; all which being done to the entire satisfaction of the church, they therefore set him apart by lifting up the right hand and solemn prayer. His father then delivered a discourse to him from 2 Tim. ii. 10: Thou therefore my son be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.' Being thus sent forth, as aforesaid, he preached in the afternoon from 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. May the Lord bless and grant him great success!" The following notice is extracted from the Sermon delivered at the funeral of Mr. Hall, by Mr. Clarke. From Mr. Hall's long residence in the neighbourhood of Bristol, and from his preaching in this pulpit, he was well known to most of you, if not all. My personal knowledge of him first commenced at Cambridge, where from a boy he commanded the veneration of my youth. By his accustomed visits to my parents, by the week together, he won the affections of my heart; and his public ministry created my first, though slender, attachment to Divine truth. If ever I felt a proper desire for the Christian ministry, he first excited it. The holy tendency of his doctrine, and the pathetic appeals of his ministry, I feel at this moment. He was born at Arnsby, in the county of Leicester, the 22d of May, 1764. He devoted himself to the Christian ministry at the early age of 16, and continued as a burning and shining light, to enlighten and edify the church of God by his public labors, for better than 50 years. As an author, his productions are the very finest specimens of human compositions; and for their correctness of sentiment, their chastity of style, and their unequalled eloquence, they must ever remain immortal. He places truth in a thousand dresses, but in all pleasing. On grave subjects he is never formal, on light he is never grovelling. He is pure without being superstitious, and correct without a labored effort. Having almost unbounded internal resources at his command, he never deviates from his path to pluck a flower and embellish his page; naturally free and easy, his writings are always clear and luminous, but they never blaze with a sickly, nor bewilder with an unexpected splendour. All As a preacher he had no rival. The crowds which attended his ministry were always awed and subdued -penetrated and delighted. The force and sublimity of truth, from his lips, absorbed all-and each forgot the preacher, while he sunk beneath the weight and beauty, the grandeur and glory of his doctrine. His native talents were of the highest order, and admitted no comparison. the elements of greatness gave to him a character peculiar to himself, and a large portion of being within himself. His mental powers were stamped with a noble superiority, and all classes owned the impress was God's. His extraordinary faculties fitted him to gaze upon the sun-to dive into the deep-and to explore the hidden treasures of the earth. Nothing appeared too vast for his apprehension-nothing too minute for his discrimination-nothing too subtle for his detection. Upon themes that would have bewildered others, he felt in his own element, and perfectly at home. The tender tones of his voice, the fire of his eye, the benignity of his countenance, the pathos of his heart, the vigour of his thoughts, the pictures he painted to the imagination, the rapidity of his utterance, the bursts of his eloquence, the deep strains of his piety, the lustre of his character, and the weight of his name, placed him upon an eminence as a preacher, which all admired, but which none could reach. As a Christian, his private character and his social virtues endeared him to all. His judgment was eminently exact. In him, it is true, there was sometimes an apparent dogmatical warmth, and even wildness, while he opposed another's opinion, and gave his own. But this arose solely from his quick perception of the truth, and his confidence in it. The moment a subject was broached, he saw with a rapid glance, all its bearings, and felt SO entrenched by the evidence which he instantly placed around him, that none could shake him. He worked the problem, and obtained its proof, before an ordinary mind could survey its structure. His benevolence was great; and whatever was his own, to the pressing necessities of want he spontaneously gave. His humility was pre-eminent. In the parlour and in the pulpit he was "clothed with humility.' His greatness was lost in his goodness-the scholar in the Christian and the philosopher in the man of God. He rose by descending-" his gentleness made him great" and his unaffected simplicity gave him a moral grandeur which never before encircled a mere mortal's brow. His piety was seldom equalled, and never surpassed. With this all his public discourses were impregnated, and all his private devotions were deeply imbued. Heaven was in his eye, and glory was in his heart-the bedchamber, the grotto in the garden, and the field in the open air, to my personal knowledge, were the common proseuche for prayer. In short, there was in our departed friend a rich assemblage of excellencies, combining in his general character the talents of the cabinet and the field-in his personal, the reflective and the energetic-in his social, all that was faithful in friendship, and all that was engaging in company-in his preaching,all that was elaborate in argument, and all that was persuasive in eloquence-in his writings, all that was interesting and instructive -he was an able minister, and eminently a man of God. But all these excellences are now cclipsed by the tomb, and placed "beneath the safeguard and seal of death and immortality." After a short, but severe illness, an affection of the heart, he closed his eyes on all things here, reclining his head upon the breast of the physician, the 21st of last month, in the 67th year of his age. attendant says, "Over such a corpse, tears are comforts,and grief is an entertaining sorrow. Never had death a finer triumph, never did he take a richer spoil. If at the grave of Lazarus "Jesus wept," at the recollection of such a friend our feelings must be, they ought to be, and they are, unsually strong. The event leaves us no alternative, but to retire to weep alone, and say, "let us go, that we may die with him." His But great as this loss is, with Him who wept at the grave of Lazarus resides all consolation under the death of Christian ministers. Thankful for the continuance of our departed friend so long, let us rejoice in his present happiness.... Doubtless his reception into heaven was splendid and gratifying. He has listened to the plaudit," Well done, good and faithful servant," and mingling with his former associates on earth, he has entered upon the joy of his Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. With him who wept at the grave of Lazarus resides all power to raise up other laborers equally eminent, and render them yet more successful. Though ministers die, the Saviour lives-the same yesterday, to-day and forever-the life of the church depends upon the life of Christ-"because I live, ye shall live also." The sorrow which the Saviour expressed by his tears at the grave of Lazarus, invests death with a great importance. The Master of our faith could not shed a needless tear-his tears therefore bespeak the magnitude of the calamity. Death withers the body, and fixes the unchanging condition of the soul. To save souls the Saviour died, and to restore them me.' SABBATH SCHOOLS. to the image of God, our departed now dead- here am I, Lord, and friend lived. He being dead, yet the children whom thou hast given speaks, and the voice which he utters is-weep not for me, but weep for yourselves. Shed these tears of compassion for his bereaved widow, and his fatherless children; and mingle with them your prayers for their support and consolation. The hour is at hand, brethren, when each pastor must resign his charge-" the Master is come, and calleth for thee," and the well-known and respected pastors of the churches at Northampton, Barton, Kettering, Nottingham, and last of all at Bristol, have answered to the call. Oh; that at the last day they may be permitted to say of those who sat beneath their ministry while living, and who wept over their ashes March 10, the Boston Baptist Sabbath School Union held its third annual meeting, at the Lecture Room of the First Baptist Church. An increased interest is taken in this department of benevolence, and the prospects of the Schools gave great encouragement to perseverance. There are thirteen schools, containing libraries of 2035 volumes, 203 teachers, 1697 scholars. Account of Moneys received by the Treasurer of the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States for Foreign Missions, from March 24, to April 25, 1831. From the Baptist church in Peterborough, N. H. collected at the monthly concert for prayer, per Dea. John Field, 4,14 A young lady in Newton, to aid in printing the New Testament in the Burman language, per Rev. H. J. Ripley, 2,00 A female friend, of Dr. Sharp's church, it having been collected at a Saturday evening prayer meeting, per Mrs. H. Lincoln, for the Burman mission, 1,00 Mr. Kichard Waterman, of Coventry, R. I. being a donation to the Foreign mission, per 100,00 Calvin Lamso:, The following persons, for the Burman mission, per Rev. B. Willard, of Northampton: Mrs. Mary B. Hill, Treas. of the Female Missionary Society of the South Baptist church and congregation, Boston, for Burman mission, per Rev. Mr. Neal, 26,00 1,00 1,00 Lois Lamson, 1,00 Matthew Cadwell, for Mrs. Wade's school, 1,00 Female friends in Chickapee, Factory Village, Springfield, to aid in publishing the Bible in Burmah, by L. A. 7,00 Dea. James Loring, Treas. of the Boston Baptist For. Miss. Soc. it having been contributed by the Juvenile Miss. Soc. of the Federal-st. Bap. congregation, towards the education of an Indian child at the Valley Towns station, to be called William Manning, The Virginia Bap. Miss. Society, per A. Thomas, Esq. Treas. 10,00 400,00 Note. $71,50 of the above to be applied to the Burman mission, and dolls. 31,51 to Abel Parker, Esq. of Jaffrey, N. H. as a donation to the Burman mission, per his son, Isaac 15,00 Dea. James Loring, Treas. of the Boston Bap. Foreign Mission Soc. having been contrib- 47,72 5,00 Georgia Baptist Convention, for the Burman mission, per Rev. Adiel Sherwood, ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BAPTIST BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS, AT PROVIDENCE. Providence, April 27, 1831. Corresponding Secretary. Letters were received from Rev. Messrs. Brantly, Galusha, N. W. Williams, and Bennet, and William Colgate, Esq. apologizing for their ab sence. After spending some time in devotional services, the Board was called to order by the Rev. Dr. Sharp, who took the chair. Rev. Professor Chase prayed. The Minutes of the last annual meeting were read. Resolved, That ministers present, who are not members of the Board, be invited to take a seat, and participate in its deliberations. Rev. Messrs. Grafton, Shurtliff, John C. Welsh, Pattison, JUNE, 1831. 21 Church, Phillips, Babcock, Philleo, and Leverett, accepted the invitation. Resolved, That Rev. Messrs. Wayland, Jackson and Jacobs be a Committee, to make arrangements for the meeting to-morrow evening. Adjourned, till half past two o'clock, this afternoon. Rev. Dr. Wayland prayed. Wednesday afternoon. The Board met agreeably to adjournment. Present, in addition to the members present in the morning: Rev. SPENCER H. CONE, Fourth Vice President. Rev. CHARLES G. SOMMERS, Rev. ARCHIBALD MACLAY, THOMAS STOKES, Esq. Rev. DAVID BENEDICT. Rev. Mr. Shurtliff prayed. The Corresponding Secretary then read the Annual Report of the Board. See page 167. Resolved, That the Report be accepted, and be published under the direction of the Acting Board. The Treasurer read his Report for the last year. The Treasurer's account having been audited, it was, on motion, Resolved, That the account be accepted, and be printed in connection with the Annual Report. Resolved, That there be Committee appointed, on the Burman Mission; on the Indian Stations; on the African Mission; on unoccupied fields of labor; and on Publications; and that these Committees be nominated by the Vice President. The Vice President nominated the following list, which was approved. On the Burman Mission-Messrs. Wayland, Sommers, and Benedict. On the Indian Stations-Messrs. Cone, H. Lincoln, and Train. On unoccupied fields of laborMessrs. Bolles, Chase, and Grosvenor. On the African Mission-Messrs. Maclay, Jacobs and Jackson. On Publications-Messrs. Knowles, E. Lincoln, and Stokes. Resolved, That Messrs. Maclay, Sommers, and Stokes be a Committee, to inquire what measures can be adopted, to increase the resources of the Board. Resolved, That Messrs. Grosvenor, Cone, and Chase be a Committee, to inquire what measures can be adopted, to obtain suitable individuals for Mis sionaries. The Committee of Arrangements reported a recommendation, that there be a public meeting to-morrow evening, at the Second Baptist meetinghouse, at which a summary statement shall be made by the Corresponding Secretary, embracing the principal facts of the Report, and that there be addresses and prayers by other breth ren. Resolved, That the Report be accepted. Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary be instructed to present to the American Bible Society a request for a donation to the funds of the Board, to assist in the publication of the Scriptures in the Burman language. Adjourned till eleven o'clock, tomorrow morning. Rev. Mr. Maclay prayed. In the evening, the Annual Sermon was preached, by the Rev. Rufus Babcock, jr. in the First Baptist meeting-house, from Psalm lxvii. 1, 2. "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations." April 28, 11 o'clock, A. M. The Board met, pursuant to adjournment. Present, Messrs. Sharp, Bolles, Maclay, Stokes, Chase, Jackson, Jacobs, Sommers, Wayland, Cone, Davis, H. Lincoln, Train, Grosvenor, Benedict, and Knowles. Rev. Mr. Davis prayed. The Committee on the Burman Mission made the following Report: The Committee to whom was referred the subject of the Burman Mission beg leave to REPORT: That they know of nothing in the present condition of that mission which demands the special attention of the Board. So far as your Committee are acquainted with the facts, the prospect of usefulness in Burmah and the surrounding country was never so encouraging as at the period of our latest information; and the indications of Divine Providence seem fully to warrant the employment of all the means in by the press, for the dissemination of our power, by preaching, and specially the gospel of Jesus Christ among these benighted people. mittee, the time has fully come, when That in the judgment of the Comwe should engage in Missionary operations among the Indians west of the Mississippi. The numbers of this degraded and long neglected race already located there; the probable removal thither of several northern and other tribes; the anxiety themselves have manifested to have schools established, and missionaries settled in their midst; and the conviction that American Christians must care for their souls, or the wretched Aborigines of our country will probably perish forever; all point out to us, at this crisis, the path of duty, in plain and unequiv |