destitute; "Give unto us the bread of heaven, that we may live: Send us faithful Ministers of the Lord Jesus, who shall guide us in the way which our fathers trod, that we may hereafter enter with them into rest."

The Directors would earnestly com

mend the cause of the Society to the benevolence of the friends of Missions, and entreat their active co-operation in the formation of Auxiliary Societies, communicating information, and promoting, by every means, the object of the institution.

The General Assembly, in sending to the churches the annual narrative of the state of religion within their bounds, wish them grace, mercy. and peace from God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have much reason to offer our thanksgivings to the Great Head of the church for the many tokens of his love, with which he has visited that portion of it, which is in our land, during the past year. He has given many convincing proofs, that he has been present with the assemblies of his people to bless them, by bestowing upon them the sanctifying influences of His Holy Spirit. Him we acknowledge and adore as our Redeemer and head, as the foundation of our hopes and the source of all grace, and we ascribe glory and dominion to Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

But while there are many reasons for thankfulness and rejoicing, there is much also to be deplored.

It is with deep sorrow, that the Assembly have heard numerous complaints of lukewarmness and conformity to the world, among professing Christians. The neglect of family prayer, the want of zeal for extending the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, attachment to the world, conformity to its sinful customs and pleasures, and in some few instances, dissensions and backslidings prove that these complaints are but too well founded. Such professors seem to have forgotten the deep obligations which they are under, from their own voluntary engagements of

obedience to God, and from the dying love of Him who gave himself for them, to redeem them from all iniquity; that the God whom we serve is a jealous God;" and that the sins of his profess ing people are peculiarly hateful to him. We affectionately, and yet solemnly call upon them to remember from whence they are fallen, and to repent and do their first works; to be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.

In some parts of our land, attempts are made to propagate the most pernicious errors. With a zeal worthy of a better cause, and under lofty pretensions to superior rationality and to deeper discoveries in religion, some are endeavouring to take away the crown from the Redeemer's head; to degrade Him who is the mighty God and the Prince of life, to a level with mere men, and to rob us of all our hopes of redemption through his blood. Pretending too, a more expanded benevolence to man, and more ennobled ideas of the goodness and mercy of God, they assiduously propagate the sentiment, that all men will ultimately obtain eternal happiness, however sinful their present temper and conduct may be, without any regard to the cleansing of the blood of atonement, or the sanctifying influ ences of the Spirit of God. Believing that these sentiments are utterly subversive of gospel truth and holiness; that they are alike dishonouring to God, and destructive to the present and eternal welfare of men, we cannot but affectionately warn you against them. Beware brethren, lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness: Cherish an ardent attachment to the truth which is according to godliness: and seek to experience in your own souls its sanctifying influence.

The gross vices of intemperance, profane swearing, Sabbath breaking,

and gambling, still extensively exist. The excessive use of spirituous liquors continues to produce the most deplorable effects, and threatens still greater injury. That such crimes should any where exist is matter of astonishment and sorrow. They prove that man has deeply apostatized from God: and that our nature is both degraded and depraved.

But there is one subject to which the Assembly advert with the most painful feelings. Vast sections of our country, particularly our frontiers, are destitute of the stated means of grace, and are loudly calling upon us in the words of the man of Macedonia, come over and help us.

In the Presbytery of Niagara, which consists of twenty-six congregations, there are but four which have pastors. In the Presbytery of Genessee, which consists of nineteen congregations, two only have pastors, and of these two, but one enjoys the stated preaching of the gospel more than half the time. In the Presbytery of Bath, the churches are few, and most of them feeble and destitute of the ministry of the word. There are but six ministers in nearly as many counties. Multitudes are evidently living without God in the world, and paying not even an outward respect to the institutions of the gospel. In many families the Scriptures are not to be found, and in too many instances, little or no desire is shown to possess them. In many places no meetings for the public worship of God are held; and in many others, such meetings are thinly attended. In the Presbytery of Champlain, many towns are destitute of a preached gospel and church privileges; and in the Presbytery of Susquehanna, which spreads over an extensive country, among twenty-six congregations, which are widely scattered, there are but ten ministers. Of twenty-nine congregations which belong to the Presbytery of Erie, twentyone are destitute of a stated ministry; and of thirty-three congregations which belong to the Presbytery of Louisville, more than half are in the same destitute condition. In the Presbytery of Union, two or three times the present number of ministers are needed, to supply the spiritual wants of that portion of our church. In the Presbytery of Grand River, which consists of twentynine congregations, there are but twelve ministers. The Presbytery of West Tennessee, which spreads over a large tract of country, and embraces within its bounds a population of 310,000 in

habitants, has only fourteen ministers belonging to it; and there is not a single licentiate within their bounds. The few missionaries who have passed through this region have been well received, and much solicitude is manifested by the people to obtain the labours of a zealous and enlightened ministry. That section of our church which is contained within the bounds of the Presbyteries of Missouri and Mississippi, loudly calls for the attention of the Christian public. The Presbytery of Missouri extends over a country of nearly 300 miles square, and contains upwards of 120,000 inhabitants and much of it is still a moral waste. Thousands are crying for the bread of life, and there is reason to believe that many new churches might be formed, if there were a sufficient number of faithful and devoted ministers. The Presbytery of Mississippi too, covers a vast extent of country, embracing the two states of Mississippi and Louisiana, the population of which, must considerably exceed 200,000 souls. Though covering such a vast extent of country, and embracing so large a population, only eight ministers belong to it, and only four licentiates are under its care. Several towns of importance which are rapidly increasing in population and wealth, present most interesting stations for missionary labours. Among these, New-Orleans deserves to be particularly mentioned, as presenting a field for exertions truly astonishing for magnitude, interest and difficulty. It contains 46,000 inhabitants, and is annually growing in resources of all kinds. The short ministry of Mr. Larned we have reason to believe was very useful, and while we affectionately sympathize with the congregation in that city, on the loss of their late esteemed pastor, we offer our prayers to God, that he would speedily bestow on them another faithful pastor to supply his place. The Presbytery of Georgia, which extends over more than half the state of Georgia, and consists of but eight ministers; and the Presbytery of Concord, contain within their bounds, extensive tracts of country, where the ordinances and institutions of religion are hardly known. In most of these destitute parts of our country, pernicious errors are assiduously and successfully propagated; and in all of them gross immoralities abound. Removed from the benign influence of the gospel of Jesus, without its powerful restraints, destitute of Sabbaths and Sanctuaries, unchecked by the solemn admonitions, and un

cheered by the glorious hopes of the gospel, multitudes there live in sin, and die in impenitence. Seldom does the herald of salvation raise his inviting voice among them, and seldom do the sounds of prayer and praise ascend as grateful offerings to heaven. And these are our brethren: bone of our bones, and flesh of our flesh; many of their fathers worshipped with our fathers in the same Sanctuary, and with many of them we have gone up to the house of God. Surely their claims upon our christian liberality are peculiarly strong and we cannot suffer their earnest requests that we would send them the word of life, to be refused.

It is truly gratifying to learn, that a very earnest desire is felt, and a laudable zeal shown, to obtain the gospel ministry in these destitute parts of our land. Many of the followers of Jesus offer up to him their fervent prayers, that he would send among them faithful labourers; and Sabbath-day schools, and Missionary, and Education Societies, have been in some places established. In some instances, the destitute congregations persevere in maintaining public worship; and there is an increasing attention to the means of grace. have heard, too, with pleasure, that in many of these destitute parts of our land, ministers have frequently gone forth in company, two or three at a time, and preached, and visited, and God has greatly blessed their labours.

We

But, we turn to contemplate more pleasing subjects. It cannot but be gratifying to the friends of the Redeemer's kingdom, to learn, that, with few exceptions, the statements which we have received from the different Presbyteries, represent the interests of religion to be on the increase.

Infidelity is scarcely any where openly professed. The churches are generally walking in peace. There is generally an increased attention to the public ordinances of worship; and many new congregations have been organized, and new churches erected throughout our country. Several of these have been built in regions, where but a short time since was nothing but a waste wilderness, uninhabited by civilized man.

The monthly concert for prayer is generally observed. Bible classes and the catechetical instruction of youth, are still continued with the most beneficial effects. Baptized children with their parents, have in many instances been convened, and reminded of the solemn obligations imposed upon them, by the baptismal covenant. Praying

societies are very generally established. Sabbath-day schools are numerous and flourishing, and thousands of youth, who probably would otherwise have grown up ignorant and vicious, have by means of these institutions been instructed, and fitted to make useful members of society.

Liberal patronage has generally been extended to the various benevolent and pious institutions, which are established within our bounds, and many Missionary, and Education, and Bible Societies are flourishing. It has given the Assembly unfeigned joy, to hear of the very flourishing condition, and the increasing prosperity of the American Bible Society. During the past year a considerable addition has been made, both to its funds, and to the number of auxiliary societies connected with it. We offer our fervent prayers that the blessing of the God of heaven may rest upon it. Several societies for the education of poor and pious youth, who have the gospel ministry in view, have been established during the past year; and the churches appear in some degree to be awakening to a sense of the importance of this subject.

It is with pleasure that we notice the formation of several Missionary Associations of young men. The Young Men's Misssonary Society at Richmond, is entitled to particular notice. During the last year they have employed eight missionaries, and have expended in their support about one thousand dollars.

The students in the University of North Carolina, who are members of the Dialectic Society, have generously engaged to contribute $250, payable in five years, towards endowing a professorship in the Theological Seminary at Princeton. It deserves also to be mentioned, that several children in the Island of Ceylon and in other places, are clothed, and fed, and instructed by the contributions of pious females, residing within our bounds.

From the report of the Board of Missions, the Assembly are gratified to learn, that the missionary concerns of our church, appear to be crowned with the blessing of God. The number of missionaries is increasing, though by no means sufficiently to meet the growing demands of a rapidly increasing population. Our Seminary at Princeton is yearly furnishing valuable missionaries, whose labours are received with gratitude, and accompanied with a blessing. Under these circumstances it is hoped that the churches will not fail to take

up annual contributions for the missionary fund, to the application of which the Presbyterian interest is so much indebted.

It is also gratifying to learn, that God still blesses, with the influences of his Spirit. several of our Colleges. Hamil ton College has about 100 students, a majority of whom are pious. Union College has about 240 students, and of these about 70 are hopefully pious.

But we have not only to rejoice in the general increase of the interests of religion, there are also special reasons for thankfulness. On many of our congregations God has been pleased to pour out his Spirit, and to grant them times of revival and refreshing. The congregations of West Bloomfield, Lima, Avon, Groveland, Nunda, Richmond, Livonia, and especially Mount Morris, in the Presbytery of Ontarioof Phelps, Lyons, and Junius 2d, in the Presbytery of Geneva-of Otiso, Onondaga 1st and 2d. Pompey 2d and 3d, and Camillus, in the Presbytery of Onondaga-of Winfield, Whitesborough, Mexico, and New Haven, in the Presbytery of Oneida-of Cooperstown and Springfield, in the Presbytery of Otsego, while in Cherry Valley there has been a constant ingathering of the fruits of the late revival-of Sackett's Harbour, Watertown, 1st and 2d Society in Adams, Lorrain, and Rodman, in the Presbytery of St. Lawrence. have been visited with the special influences of the Holy Spirit. At the military post at Sackett's Harbour, several of the private soldiery have been subjects of the work. In the Presbytery of Champlain, revivals have been experienced in the congregations of Plattsburg, Chazy, Champlain, and Constable, and also in the congregation of Windham, in the Presbytery of Londonderry. Though the late powerful revivals do not continue in the Presbytery of Albany, yet their precious fruits remain. With very few exceptions, the subjects of these revivals continue steadfast in the faith, and attentive to the duties of religion.

In the Presbytery of Troy, the congregation of North Pittstown; in the Presbytery of North River, the congregation of Smithfield; and in the Presbytery of Long Island, the congregations of Union Parish, Sagharbour, Easthampton, Bridgehampton, and Southampton, have also been blessed with revivals.

In the Presbytery of New-York the blessings of divine grace have extended

to many congregations, and seem to be extending to others. The congregations of the Brick Church, the Orangestreet Church, the Spring-street Church, and the Church at Corlaer's Hook, have largely partaken of the blessed influences of the Holy Spirit.

In the congregations of Ramapo, Roxbury, Chatham, and Morristown, in the Presbytery of Jersey, and Gibson, and Silver Lake, in the Presbytery of Susquehanna, the Lord is making glorious displays of the power of his grace; while in the last Presbytery, Westmoreland, Wilkesbarre, Wyalusing, Kingston, Bridgewater, and Great Bend, have been favoured with less powerful, but very encouraging operations of divine grace.

Several of the Presbyteries in the Synod of Pittsburg, have been engaged in special efforts for the revival of religion, and in several of the congregations of the Presbytery of Redstone, and some others, considerable religious excitements have prevailed, and very encouraging additions have been made to the churches.

In the Presbytery of Philadelphia, a revival has been mercifully granted to the congregation of the first Presbyterian Church, in the Northern Liberties; and revivals have also been experienced in the congregations of St. Georges, Charlestown, and Newcastle, and especially in the second Church of Wilmington, in the Presbytery of Newcastle.

A number of the congregations in the Presbytery of Portage-among which, Talmadge, Windham, and Brownhelm, are particularly named; and the first Presbyterian Church of Richmond, in the Presbytery of Hanover, have also shared in the blessings of these revi vals.

In the Presbytery of Abingdon, though there has been no special revival; yet, there have been, within the last year, larger additions than usual to the communion of the Church, especially in the united congregations of Mount Bethel and Providence.

The congregations of Eno and Little River, the Church of Cross Roads, of Buffaloe, and Allemance, of Oxford, and other churches of Granville county, and of Hillsborough, in the Presbytery of Orange, of Buffaloe, in the Presbytery of Fayetteville,-of Bethany, Back Creek, and Unity, in the Presbytery of Concord, have also been blessed with the reviving influences of the Holy Spirit. In the congregations of the