1853.] BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 3 up the future-all pass away. None of these can BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS. pass the "dark valley of the shadow of death." But 2d. All sorrow and pain incident to life will end. This world is truly a vale of tears. From the cradle to the grave there are accompanying sorrows. As all are alike fallen, so are all alike under the penalty. All share the consequences in the wreck of human nature. Truly has it been said "that every heart in this world knows its own sorrow." Sin, and its effects are constantly with and around us. the Christian pilgrim is animated by the delightful truth that with death all these sorrows cease. Grace has lit up in the breast of every child of God a joyful anticipation of the future. It has given a foretaste of the joys of the redeemed in glory-grace, then glory. "There shall be there no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, for the former things have passed away." 3d. All means of grace will then cease. This is The Rev. Daniel McKinley, D.D., has accepted the not only the day, but the place of probation. The appointment of the Board of Missions, as their little space is here to be filled up in preparation for Agent. He is well known in our Church, and emieternity. Salvation is now offered freely. The Holy nently qualified for this important work. For the Scriptures are given to instruct-the Spirit of grace present his labours will be confined to the Presbyte- to renew and sanctify-the holy sacraments and ries of Northumberland, Huntingdon, Carlisle, DonSabbaths for communion and worship-and ambasegal, and New Castle, in the Synod of Philadelphia.sadors for Christ are sent to beseech men to be reHis post office address is Chambersburgh, Pennsyl-conciled to him. But all these end with death. To the ransomed spirit in glory they are no longer needed; to the lost they are no longer offered. vania. Pastors and brethren will doubtless cooperate with Dr. McKinley in every laudable effort to advance this important cause. "In that lone land of deep despair, No Sabbath's heavenly light shall rise; Solemn thought! Time bounds the means of grace. "the sting of death is sin," and its momentous consequences in eternity, where for it there is no redemption, is well calculated to fill the soul with solemn, and fearful apprehensions. A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE NEW YEAR. Reader! what impressions does this period of time make upon your mind? Does the record on high of the transactions of the past year awaken no fearful apprehensions? In the retrospect, do we see no ne-half its terror, were it "all of death to die." But glected duties, misspent hours, or abused privileges? Alas! what cause for deep humiliation and fervent prayer! Again we are reminded of the passing nature of time, and of the necessity of working while 4th. All opportunities of working for God, in the it is called to-day. "The night cometh." Death is just at hand. In reference to many, the declaration advancement of his kingdom on earth, will then cease. has gone forth, as to Hananiah of old: "This year In this work, brethren, we are individually interestThe Church has a solemn work thou shalt die." What a solemn sentence! And in ed and responsible. its execution how many and important the changes! committed to it to perform, and each member being 1st. All the pleasures of life will then cease. Life, a component part of that Church, is personally bound although embittered by sin, has, nevertheless, seasons to do what, and all he can, to spread the knowledge of comparative enjoyment. In the wreck of human of redeeming love. Souls are passing away year nature, there is still some redeeming qualities. Cor- after year into eternity without a knowledge of God roding care may press upon the mind; incessant and his salvation. How many during the past year pain may for a time wear away the body; still have died, to whom, with comparatively little effort, there are intervals in which life is sweetened, either the word of life might have been sent! How many, in the anticipation or in the actual enjoyment of at our very doors, have gone down to death without pleasures incident thereto. But when death comes, a warning voice, or a helping hand from us, to lead all these cease., All actual worldly enjoyments-all them to the Lamb of God! Alas! how many nepleasant anticipations which fill the mind and light glected opportunities for good crowd upon us to-day! Standing now upon the threshold of another New Year, we have a point from which to look back and reflect, and look forward and resolve, in view of the salvation of the immortal soul, by the grace of God to live to him and for him. "The night cometh when no man can work." Oh! the value of time. Who can estimate it? It is a solemn thought, that to many this may be the last year in which we may have the opportunity to work for God. "What our hands find to do," therefore, brethen, "let us do it with our might." MISSIONARY WORK IN OUR LARGE CITIES. It cannot be doubted, that there is a manifest awakening to the importance of missionary efforts among the ignorant and destitute in our large cities. We have all too long slumbered over this important work. That there is wealth enough, and facilities for its successful prosecution, with God's blessing, none can doubt. And that there are thousands, and in some of our large cities tens of thousands, who never enter the house of God, is equally apparent. Nor is there church accommodation for them if they were disposed to attend. Perhaps the larger proportion of them are foreigners, and among them are many educated German infidels and rationalists. They are constantly spreading in our community, through their periodicals, and otherwise, the principles of infidelity in all their various shades and forms. It is surely high time that our large cities should take measures to bring more effectually all these various classes under the influence of the pure gospel. As patriots, as well as Christians, we are deeply interested in it; and not only interested, but responsible. Do we sufficiently feel this? The subjoined extract on this subject we take from a recent "Circular of the Domestic Missionary Committee of the Presbyterian Churches of New Orleans." We would, had we room, publish the whole of this admirable paper. At present we give but an extract. "Past experience satisfies the committee, that the often-tried and never-failing liberality of the churches is equal to all our temporal or pecuniary demands. This pecuniary liberality, however generous or munificent, is by far the smallest ingredient that goes to make up the elements of success. What is most of all wanted to give efficacy to the feeble instrumentalities employed, is a deep-seated, everabiding consciousness in the hearts of God's dear children, that while they are fed to the full with Christian Bible knowledge, thousands and tens of thousands are perishing around them, who might be brought to a saving knowledge of Christ, if each professed disciple would only pray and labour as God has given him ability. "Christian reader! are your faith and talents in such lively exercise, that you feel prepared to meet your share of this responsibility? Does it not occur to you, that your influence may be scarcely felt or needed where you are; while in some of the feeble, struggling churches, or at some of our missionary stations, you might do an incalculable amount of good, where the light of your example would be seen and appreciated, while the genial warmth of your influence would cherish these enterprises into vigorous life? "Are you doing all you can, or all you might do, with but a little self-denial, to forward this work? If not engaged already in Sabbath-school labour, or being unwilling to go to a distant district and teach in a destitute mission school, you can at least go to your own church, there take a class, and release some more self-denying labourer, who will hasten to help those who are toiling to sustain these missionary enterprises single handed and almost discouraged. Are you not willing to do this, or will | ‘all, with one consent, begin to make excuse?' "The destitution of gospel means in large cities philanthropic Christians. While these cities have is awakening the deepest interest and solicitude of been expanding, and their population multiplying with tremendous rapidity, there has been no expansion of Christian effort or increase of moral means, proportioned to the rapidly growing necessities of these multiplied thousands. The tide of emigration is filling up our cities, and the voices of many of our devoted ministers are heard from the pulpit and the press, sounding the alarm, and exposing the folly and evil of that sentimental, fashionable religion of our day, which only aims at centralizing and building costly and elegant churches, where in power and spirit; where seats are so expensive religion exists more in form and appearances than that the poor are excluded, and the fashionable, cold, lifeless professors compromise with duty and conscience, by contributing a few dollars for Domestic Missions, Sabbath-schools, and Church extension, withholding their prayerful and self-denying labours, which alone can accomplish any permanent good. "In this progressive age, while physical science wonders, and every thing secular is pushed on with and physical progress is achieving such mighty unparalleled energy by its advocates, the Church alone seems almost at a stand still, paralyzed from the apathy of her members. "The startling fact, published in a late number of the Edinburgh Witness,' that, in the city of London alone, it has been ascertained that more than one million of its adult population attend no place of public worship whatever; together with the infidel tendencies of science, (falsely so called,) reveals the secret of England's exposure to the influence and power of Popery. The friends of evangelical Christianity have not possessed that goodly land,' which the Lord their God gave unto them; and Papal Europe has poured in her hordes of priests, until it may be truly said, that the enemy has come in like a flood. The solemn enactments of the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, and the proclamation of the Queen, forbidding papal processions, &c., are disregarded and evaded. "If we would not become a prey to similar influences, let us, in God's name and with his help, employ the power of the gospel; plant its standard, and teach its saving truths throughout our city. This will be greater security to us, than parliamentary enactments and royal proclamations are to the protestantism of England. Let the members of our churches in New Orleans arouse and labour, while our means, though limited, bear some proportion to the work to be done, and not sit supinely still until, with our population growing in numbers and more formidable in iniquity, our feeble enterprises for Christ's cause are engulfed and swept away by the rising tide of worldliness and vice. "Let us, one and all, sensibly feel, that we are under the eye of a heart-searching God, and resolve that in his strength, we will do more in the service of him, who bought us with his precious blood; rightly employing the means, the time, and the talents he has conferred upon us. "The committee might adduce arguments and present motives, almost without number, exciting the interest and co-operation of God's people in this great work. Leaving out of view the main object, (the salvation of sinners,) they could show, that the establishment of Sabbath-schools and mission stations in the destitute quarters of our city and suburbs, would have a powerful tendency to elevate the moral and social, and improve the physical condition of the classes to whom they were more especially directed; inducing habits of industry, economy, and temperance, and drying up the fountains of vice and crime, whose subjects fill our prisons, work-house, hospitals, house of refuge, and asylums. And that every one hundred dollars spent in preventing, would be a saving of thousands, now spent in the punishment of crime, and the provision that has to be made for pauperism." PRESBYTERIAN COLONY TO OREGON. The Rev. J. A. Hanna, whose letter we publish below, went out to Oregon as a missionary of the Board of Missions, with quite a large colony, principally from the State of Ohio. The colony soon separated, because quite a number of them persisted in travelling on the Sabbath. And here again we have the testimony of God's favour to those who keep holy the Sabbath day; for those who travelled on the Sabbath did not reach the Territory until eight days after those who rested, and were severely scourged with sickness and death, whilst the others were graciously preserved from both as we learn from other sources. Their trials and difficulties however were very great, as will be seen by the following letter. He has now entered upon an important field of labour, and with God's blessing, may do much in planting our Church and advancing the Redeemer's kingdom in that important Territory. Clatsop Plains, October 4th, 1852. My dear Brother-My commission, accompanied with your letter, reached me at St. Joseph, Mo., in which you request a brief history of our journey. It affords me pleasure to inform you that we arrived safely in the Willamette Valley on the 16th day of September. For this special favour we would praise our Heavenly Father, for truly he has been merciful to us. I have time at present to give but a brief sketch of our journey. A fuller account will be sent to the Presbyterian of the West for publication, which you can see. For a description of the route, camping places, &c., I would refer all emigrants to Capt. R. M. Walker's Emigrants' Guide. The guide is full and complete, and gives general satisfaction. You will, no doubt, have learned before this reaches you, that our colony were subject to divisions on the Plains. Strange as it may appear, all large companies on this route divide and re-divide. We started with a company of eighty persons and twenty wagons; twenty persons were professors of religion, twelve of whom were members of the Presbyterian church. We resolved to be a Sabbath-keeping company, and this was the point on which we divided. A few of us were fully resolved to observe the Sabbath, but persons on the Plains generally become restless and wish to be moving even on the Sabbath. We had three divisions on this point. At sundry times three parties left us each left on the Sabbath because we refused to travel on that day; the members of the Presbyterian church chiefly remained with us. Owing to these divisions we were so reduced that when we entered the Cascade Mountains our company consisted of eighteen persons and five wagons. Whilst in these mountains we had sore trials and privations-the cattle dying, the teams failing, &c.; this caused us to scatter and each one to travel as he was able. I had an interest in an oxteam which failed in the deserts, the wagon was left, all the oxen died except one; and at the summit of the Cascade Mountains my mules became so jaded and weak, for want of food, that they were not able to draw my carriage. I was obliged to leave it and all my goods in the mountains until I sent back a fresh team. They were left seventy miles from Oregon City. I walked this distance, the mules being so weak as not to be able to carry a rider. Mrs. H. rode on horseback until her horse gave out, after which she travelled much of the way on foot. We have met with considerable loss in the deserts and in bringing it in from the mountains, and since our mountains; our carriage was considerably broken arrival here we have lost a mule; yet we should be thankful and praise God for his mercies. Mrs. H. and I had good health when on the Plains, and are have been for many years. We entered the valley now quite hearty, probably more vigorous than we alone; the colony is completely broken up. I have been solicited to go and settle in Salem. I hope the Soon after my arrival, I learned that Presbytery was Lord will direct me to a field where I may be useful. to meet at Clatsop Plains on the 2d day of October. Not having time to go up the Willamette and return in time for the meeting, I concluded to come direct down the Columbia to this place, and found Brother Thompson in expectation of the brethren for the meeting of Presbytery. On Sabbath, 3d instant, Brother with him on the occasion, it was a pleasant and soThompson held communion in his church. I was lemn meeting. The little church appears to prosper; they have quite a missionary spirit. I am quite well pleased with Oregon, so far as I have seen, and the people appear kind and obliging. I would just say that it is my intention to devote my whole time to the work of the ministry; others have had to resort to teaching, &c. I will probably ride this winter, preaching at points hitherto unoccupied, and no doubt will receive little or no support from the people. Means of subsistence here are very high. The following are the current prices: Flour $25 per barrel; potatoes $2 per bushel; beef 12 cts. per pound; butter 75 cts. per pound; chickens $1 each, and eggs $1 per dozen. You will see from these prices that a family cannot live comfortably in Oregon on a very small salary. There was a great deal of sickness and suffering on the Plains. We passed 168 fresh graves between St. Joseph's, Mo., and Oregon City. As to dead cat tle we cannot speak definitely, they may be enume-free-will offerings of clothing are of greater value to rated by hundreds and thousands. In our company the families of missionaries than is generally known; there was but little sickness and no deaths. There especially to those who have large families. was sickness and death with those who separated from us. We have great reason to be thankful for our mercies, which were many and undeserved. Pray for us. Your co-worker in the gospel of Christ. J. A. HANNA. ANOTHER CHURCH GONE OFF THE BOARD. The following is one of the many letters which we are constantly receiving, showing the gratitude of brethren and churches for the assistance rendered by this Board. An unusual number of churches hitherto aided are becoming self-sustaining. “Yesterday ended another year of my connection with your Board as its Missionary at Cand I am happy to say, closes the connection of this church with the Board; from the fact of its having resolved to become a self-sustaining Church. In order that you may see that the amount granted this people, by the Board, has not been wholly in vain, I will just state that during the six years now closed, sixty-six persons have been added to this church on examination. I have laboured in this State as a missionary, for seventeer years; have assisted in organizing thirteen churches; have supplied at different times congregations fifty miles apart; have many times travelled sixty, eighty, and one hundred miles to preach and administer the Lord's supper; witnessed many additions to the churches, and precious revivals of religion. In all my labours and toils, I have been richare not in vain in the Lord. ly compensated by the full belief that our labours As it respects the five dollar gold piece sent to the "Minister's Wife," it was found as described; but one whom we never saw, and whose name we should the question arese, How shall this precious gift, from like to know, be applied to something precious as a memento? Scott's Commentary I had wanted for years; this therefore being something that would be of lasting use to my wife, to myself, and to our children, we concluded to put a little more to the gift and make the purchase, noting the fact in the book. The lady who sent the present has our sincere thanks." Note The money was sent by a minister's wife, who happened to be visiting in the town where the box was prepared, and present when it was closed up. EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF ELIZA- So far as externals are concerned, their walk has been consistent, and we, as yet, have had no cause to regret their admission. If only one-half of these should prove to be the followers of Christ, and are saved from eternal death; would it not amply compensate the Board for the amount granted this feeThe Presbytery of Elizabethtown have long felt ble church? Yes; I know that every member of the importance of reducing the work of Missions your Board would rejoice and bless God, if but one within their bounds to some kind of system. Comprecious soul were saved here through their instru-mittees were appointed to visit the churches receivmentality. In all probability, had it not been for the aid thus received, this church would now not be in existence. The people here are very grateful for the aid received; they feel that God has thus favoured them; and it is their duty now, to do all in their power for the Board which has so generously assisted them in their time of need. In conclusion, I would ask you and the members of the Board, to accept my thanks, for the kindness and Christian courtesy which has marked all your conduct towards me, during the long connection which we have sustained to each other. May the Lord bless you all personally, and enable you to press forward in your noble enterprise, until every portion of our land shall be brought under the sanctifying influence of the Gospel of Christ." Yours in Christian bonds, M. THANKFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF A MIS- ing aid, and endeavour to make such arrangements as would relieve the Board in some measure of the draft upon it, which, however, is not as much as they pay into our Treasury. The following is an extract from their Minutes on this subject. Resolved, 1st. That the reports of the Committees and the final action of Presbytery be, based upon the following principles. (a.) That no aid shall be granted to increase the (b.) No one church shall in future be recom- Resolved 2d. That it be deemed out of order for a Such letters as the following are often received by church to apply for aid to the Board of Missions the Board, and are well calculated to encourage our good ladies in their laudable efforts to administer to the comforts of our missionaries and their families. It was addressed to the ladies who furnished the box of clothing, and a copy sent to this office. "We have just received a box of clothing, (the fruit of your liberality and labour,) in good condition, containing a good variety of useful and valuable articles. We thank the Lord, and we thank you, for this seasonable supply of our wants. These except through these committees. Resolved 3d. That it be the duty of these committees to labour with the churches, to induce them as far as possible to sustain their own ministers, and endeavour to combine two or more feeble charges one, where it can be done consistently with the interests of religion. into Resolved 4. That the pastors of our churches be enjoined to make earnest efforts to increase the contributions to Domestic Missions; that thus the really destitute may be supplied with the preaching of the word. INTERESTING WORK OF GRACE. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF RECEIPTS. From a Missionary in Tennessee. Several of our Missonaries report a somewhat unusual degree of attention to the subject of religion in their respective fields of labour. Others, of the presence of the Lord in a very special manner, as in the case below. How encouraging and precious are Pby of Troy.-Malta ch 18 48; Lansingburgh ch such manifestations of mercy! TREASURY AT PHILADELPHIA. Receipts into the Treasury of the Board of Missions, during the month of November, 1852. SYNOD OF ALBANY, to con Mrs MARTHA WALBRIDGE, Mrs EVE V SYNOD OF BUFFALO. Pby of Steuben.-Bath First ch from Rev G D Stewart SYNOD OF NEW YORK. Pby of Hudson.-Hopewell ch Pby of Long Island.-East Hampton ch SYNOD OF NEW JERSEY. JOSEPH RANDOLPH Esq an hon mem 70; First Pby of New Brunswick.-Squan Village ch 4 50; "Since my last report I have administered the Lord's supper in both churches. They were seasons of good to the people. At R where I Pby of Mohawk.-First ch Little Falls laboured alone for four successive days, there was nothing very special. Yet the members of the church were much comforted, and stirred up. Two additional members were received, on examination. At B, where also I laboured alone for four days and nights, (preaching ten sermons,) there was a most glorious display of the goodness and mercy of our God. We have been favoured, in times past, with many precious seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, but none equal to this late occasion. I have never seen the members of the church so animated and excited. The old, steadfast members, almost without exception, were filled with Ecstacy and joy. None, I believe, of the non-profes- Pby of Elizabethtown. First ch Rahway to con sors, who were regular in their attendance, were unaffected. I received into the communion seven persons, on a profession of their faith. Before the close of the meeting several other individuals made a profession of their hope in the Saviour, whom we hope in due time to receive into the church. Many others went away deeply concerned for their soul's salvation. The light of eternity alone can reveal the amount of mercy bestowed on us on that occasion. To God's great name we desire to give all the praise and glory. In consequence of this refreshing, the people have multiplied their meetings for social prayer. In addition to the regular weekly prayermeeting, in connexion with the Sabbath-school, they have appointed one for every Thursday night, and also one for every Sabbath night. The Sabbath school is doing very well, and effecting much good. A goodly number of the scholars were among the anxious, and several among the professors at the meeting. We are on the eve of establishing a dayschool at our church, in which we will have the Scriptures, and their important matters taught. I intend it to be a Parochial school in effect, without the name." HONORARY MEMBERS. The sum of Fifty Dollars constitutes a person an Honorary Member of the Board of Missions. Lawrenceville ch 74 Pby of Raritan.-Solebury ch ch 8 SYNOD OF PHILADELPHIA. Pby of Philadelphia 2d.-Bristol ch Pby of Donegal.-Middle Octorara ch Pby of Baltimore.-Mount Paran ch 5; Annapolis ch 25; First ch Baltimore 450 burg ch to con Rev Jos CLARK and HOLMES Pby of Huntington.-Through Rev J Moore Treas SYNOD OF PITtsburgh. Pby of Blairsville.-From a few friends within the SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA. Pby of Logansport.-Monticello and Rock creek SYNOD OF WISCONSIN. Honorary Members have a right to sit in the meetings of the Board, and engage in their deliberations, but have no Pby of Milwaukie.-Lynn and Hebron ch right to vote. A copy of the Annual Report is sent to them every year. FORM OF A DEVISE OR BEQUEST. To the Trustees of the Board of Missions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and to their successors and assigns, I give and bequeath the sum of or I devise a certain messuage, and tract of land, &c., to be held by the said Trustees, and their successors for ever, to and for the uses, and under the direction of the said Board of Missions of the said General Assembly, according to the provisions of their charter. Persons making bequests to the Board of Missions are requested to be careful in adopting the above form. SYNOD OF SOUTH CAROLINA. Pby of Bethel.-Unity ch 17; and from JM A 9 SYNOD OF GEORGIA. Pby of Georgia.-Savannah First ch from a Lady MISCELLANEOUS. Dividend of Interest from the General Assembly 326 48 25 00 5 00 15 00 11 12 26 00 47 52 48 61 351 50 78 50 8.00 18 69 6 00 32 00 31 00 480 00 127 50 43 00 1 00 26 75 4.50 4.00 26 00 5 00 30 00 $1778 17 |