dred and forty; between twelve and twenty of these have declined from us, some to the Congregationalists, and some back to the world, and some have removed, and one died in the triumphs of faith. I think we may count about one hundred and twenty since June last.

In Hartford, a revival last fall and winter, raised a society of more than one hundred. A revival in Middletown last fall added fifty to our church. Another in West-Haddam added fifty-five souls. In Wethersfield about twenty. In Hamden-Plains another revival added thirty; in Sperry's farms and Hotchkistown twenty. In Windsor a very rapid work broke out in December last. I have not the numbers. And there has been an increase in numbers, and a growth in grace in many other places. As to the state of religion in other parts, I have no particular information relative to your question, viz: "The State of Religion in the Methodist Church in Connecticut."

We have pleasure in saying, that a general harmony prevails among us. Our preachers, travelling and local, with our classleaders and exhorters are, as far as I can judge, in the spirit of the gospel.

We do not indeed contend, that a liberal education is an indispensable qualification for the ministry; but for this we warmly contend, viz: that experimental and practical piety, and an inward call of the Holy Ghost, are qualifications absolutely necessary for the Holy Office. We suppose however that mental and literary improvement is essential, as without it, a minister will be of but little use to his hearers; and we particularly require a clear, sound and scriptural knowledge of the system of Divinity. We also esteem an acquaintance with the Greek and Hebrew languages a most valuable acquisition, that we may say “ Ότι ουτω γεγραπται,” That thus it is written,* and "LETORAH WELITHUDAH," "To the law and to the testimony."

When we consider what we have had to encounter, and behold the blessing of God that has attended our labours, we are constrained to say, "This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." And if some of our Calvinist brethren suggest, "Perhaps we are unsound," we are not careful to answer them in this matter, but endeavour to "Shew ourselves approved unto God," unto whom we commit our cause. Thousands through the instrumentality of our ministry have left the world in the triumphs of faith in a crucified Saviour, and thousands more are rejoicing in the full prospect of a glorious immortality.

Truly Sir, the organization and consistency of the Methodist Episcopal Church, seems to have been little known to the citizens of New-England. It is a system, the operation of which is extensively felt more or less through every part of our country. To give a history of it in any one state, resembles the attempt of the anato

mist, in giving a lecture on the finger, the solids and fluids of which are inseparably connected with the whole man. So large a body of people united together under one uniform administration of government, one discipline, one system of doctrine, one spirit in their ministry, one fellowship and spirit in their membership, and one general mode of promoting revivals of religion, and advancing the kingdom of God, presents a pleasing prospect; and its salutary effects appear by the accounts of the numerous ingathering of souls, that have for many years past been recorded on the annual minutes of the Methodist Conferences.

During their rise and progress, calumny has never slept, and opposition scarcely ever leaned on her oar. Misrepresentation has not ceased to exert her invention, nor " Green-eyed envy forgotten to wound that excellence, she never could reach :-" And now may Israel say, If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, wher men rose up against us, then the proud waters had gone over our soul: but blessed be the Lord that hath not given us a prey to their teeth." Yet notwithstanding all difficulties, the prospect of seeing the Redeemer's kingdom prosper, animates our exertion, emboldens our faith, and helps us to say, after an inspired example, "we can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth

us.

ود

If Sir, this sketch can be of any service to the cause of Christ, its use will be an ample recompence for this pleasant labour of love, requested at the hand of your affectionate brother in the bonds of a glorious gospel. WILLIAM THACHER.

N. B. The author of the above takes the liberty to say, that in copying his letter for the press, he has amended, and varied some words and sentences from the original, only with a design to lessen its defects, and express more clearly his primary meaning.

SUMMARY OF RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

British and Foreign Bible Society. From the seventeeth annual report of this society, it appears that "The Translation, Printing or Distribution of the Scriptures or portions of them, has been promoted by the British and Foreign Bible Society, in one hundred and thirty-nine different languages or dialects."

Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society. The Missionary establishments under the superintendence of this society are prospering. In Europe, 1 at Gibraltar and 4 in France-5 missionaries, 104 members. In Ceylon and Continental India there are 23 missionaries employed, and 368 members in society. In New-South-Wales, New-Zealand, and Friendly Islands, 8 missionaries, and 458 members. In Western and South-Africa, 12 missionaries and 677 members. In West-Indies, 44 missionaries, 23,857 members, 921 of whom are whites, and 22,936 coloured and blacks. In Canada 10 missionaries, 744 members. In Nova-Scotia and New-Brunswick, 20 missionaries, and 1872 members. In Newfoundland, 10 missionaries, and 966 members.-Total. Missionaries 133-members 28,678.

Revival in Connecticut.--The Religious Intelligencer gives a detailed account of the late out-pouring of the Spirit, in the towns of Hartford, West-Hartford, Windsor, Wintonburry, Farmington, Northington, Bristol, Simsbury, Barkhamstead, East and West Hartland, Enfield, East-Windsor, and Orford. The same paper mentions the departure of another Mission Family, Rev. Mr. Roberts, a Baptist, and family, with a school-master and family, with farmers, mechanics, &c. to the number of 26 in all, from Chester county, (Penn.) to the Cherokee Indians, inhabiting a place called Valley Towns, about 700 miles distant, in West-Tennessee.

United Foreign Missionary Society. Since our last publication, we have receiv ed Letters from the Superintendent of the Union Mission to the 28th of September, and a copy of the Journal from the 29th of May to the 1st of September, inclusive. Extracts of the former will be found in the present number; but as these communications were not received before the matter for this number was principally arranged, we are obliged to reserve the Journal for our next.

Several of the family and a number of their hired men were attacked with fever, during the heat of summer. In consequence of their sickness, they have not made as great progress in their various improvements, as they had expected. Still, they have cut and stacked twenty tons of hay, erected a number of log buildings which were deemed indispensable, and made some preparations for the permanent Mission house. Among the buildings put up during the summer, they mention, a lodging room for their hired men, a storehouse, a kitchen, and a schoolhouse. The Journal mentions, that they had already received a few of the Indian children into the family and the school.

The friends of the Mission will rejoice to learn, that hostilities between the Osages and Cherokees are still suspended, and that there is ground to hope that the misunderstanding between the two nations may soon be amicably adjusted.

The Letters announce the marriage of Mr. Fuller, of the Union Mission, to Miss Howell, of the Great Osage Mission.

From the Great Osage Mission, we have received no official communication during the last three months. In the Boston Recorder of the 10th and 24th ult. we find Extracts of Letters from several members of the family. --Amer. Miss. Register.

Obituary.

which he manifested a perfect resigna- ed; if it please Him that I should linger tion. From a particular impression, along for two or three years, I am resays bro. B. I was led to chose for my signed; or if it please him to remove me text, "I am now ready to be offered," in afew minutes-Amen." He then re&c. After sermon, the old man request- clined his head back in the chair, and ed the people to take their seats, as he said, "My strength is gone" and he had a message to deliver them. Sitting instantly expired without a struggle or in his chair, he then addressed them in groan, in the presence of most of his substance as follows. "With most of family, and the congregation. His afyou, my brethren, I have had many hap- fectionate physician exclaimed, "Oh! py meetings, and in all probability this will be the last in this world. I have been satisfied for more than twenty-five years that the most dangerous ground awe pervaded the assembly, such as canto build our hopes of heaven on is, mere- not be described.

he has often prayed that he might die in a meeting with his brethren, and his prayer is now answered." A solemn

ly a desire for religion; a present salva- Thus ended the mortal pilgrimage of tion from sin being essential to future this man of God. His talents as a preachhappiness." He concluded his address er were good, though not splendid.by observing that, "There is nothing He was a faithful steward over his houselike the religion of Jesus to support one hold, scrupulously applying what was under the afflictions of this life; and I entrusted to his care with economy, and now leave it as my last will and testi- administering according to his ability mony, for the comfort of my family and for the support of God's sacred cause.friends, that I would not exchange what We need only add, that He rests from I now feel in my soul for a thousand his labours, and his good works will worlds like this! I feel no disposition to doubtless follow him to his eternal remurmur or complain on account of my ward. affliction. If it should please the Lord to permit me to get well, I am content

• WILLIAM SWAYZE.

Deerfield, Nov. 27, 1821.

Poetry.

CHRISTMAS.

ADDRESS TO THE SAVIOUR.

From Milman's "Fall of Jerusalem," a dramatic Poem.

BIRTH, CRUCIFIXION, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF JESUS.

And thou wert born of woman! thou didst come, And when thou didst depart, no car of flame

Oh Holiest! to this world of sin and gloom,

Not in thy dread omnipotent array;

And not by thunders strew'd

Was thy tempestuous road;

Nor indignation burnt before thee on thy way.

But thee, a soft and naked child,

Thy mother undefiled,

In the rude manger laid to rest

From off her virgin breast.

The heavens were not commanded to prepare

A gorgeous canopy of golden air;

To bear thee hence in lambent radiance came:
Nor visible Angels mourn'd with drooping plumes

Nor didst thou mount on high
From fatal Calvary,

With all thine own redeem'd outbursting from

their tombs.

For thou didst bear away from earth,

But one of human birth,

The dying felon by thy side, to be
In paradise with thee.

Nor o'er thy cross the clouds of vengeance brake

Nor stoop'd their lamps th' enthron'd fires on A little while the conscious earth did shake

A

THE

Methodist Magazine,

FOR FEBRUARY, 1822.

-000

Divinity.

OBLIGATION OF THE CHURCH TO SUPPORT ITS MINISTERS.

A SERMON ON 1 CORINTHIANS IX. 11.

(Concluded from page 11.)

LET US now inquire into

III. The extent to which this duty should be carried.

If Christ has not prescribed how much we shall give, say some hypocritical pretenders to religion, we may assign the merest pittance, and not violate any express precept. Yet, replies the genuine disciple of Christ, are there not certain considerations, that furnish some clue by which we may judge of our duty to Christ and his servants? May we not consider, what measures will best answer the ends of justice; most fully accord with the language of Scripture; most effectually promote the interests of the church, and provide for the salvation of the world? If we can ascertain these points, will they not furnish us with an imperative rule? To what extent then, should a church provide for the support of its ministers, so as

1. To satisfy the claims of justice;

I say justice, for so the Scriptures speak, and I most strenuously deny that it comes under the head of charity, or alms. For who ever supposed, that when any one had laboured for them all day, it was mere charity to pay him at night? On this footing our support is placed by Christ, " the labourer is worthy of his hire," or " of his meat." What proprietor ever complimented himself for his charities, because he paid the steward who watched over his property, and secured to him his income? Did any rational man ever set down to the score of alms, what he gave to the instructor who taught him music or French?

VOL. V.

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