1812. in some measure sensible that they are sinners and justly condemned by the holy law of God;-that God has in his infinite mercy provided a suita ble and all-sufficient Savior for them, and that he is willing and ready to receive all those who will return to him in the exercise of repentance They have been made and faith. sens ble that they could not do any thing to recommend themselves to the divine favor, and that there was no ground for them to hope but in the mercy of God. They have felt their hearts subdued and humbled, and filled with holy love to God, to Christ, to Christians, and to all their fellow. men. They humbly hope, that they have been enabled to see in some measure the beauty and glory of the They humbly Divine character. hope that they have been made wil ling to choose God for their portion, the Lord Jesus Christ for their Savior, and the Holy Ghost for their Sanctifier; and that it is their great desire to devote themselves to the service of God, in a life of holy obe dience to his revealed will. The designed brevity of this com⚫ munication will not allow me to describe many particular cases of conversion, which might be instructive and edifying. There is one, howev er, which ought not to be omitted as it strikingly shows the insufficiency of a foundation on which many, in every place, are confidently resting their hopes of future salvation. The person to whom I allude is upwards He had exof seventy years of age. perienced many severe afflictions in the course of his past life, but withHaving out any spiritual benefit. lived what the world calls a good moral life, having been regular and exemplary in his external conduct, he thought he was good enough, and rested on his morality for future happiness. But soon after the commencement of the revival he was awakened from his false security, and brought to see, that though he had been very moral in his conduct yet he was utterly unacquainted with true relig ion; that he was dead in trespasses and sins, and that unless he should experience the renewing and sancti- experimental vital religion is abso- The neighboring ministers kindly The number of those who have divine grace, it is impossible exactly hopefully been made the subjects of to determine. In the Congregational Society more than one hundred and twenty have been awakened, and more than eighty have expressed a hope that they have passed from death unto life. Fifty were received into the church last Sabbath. It is stated by the Episcopalians, that "within three months past in the parish of St Michael's Church there have been one hundred and thirteen persons apparently seriously awakened, ninety seven hopefullyconvertedforty two adults baptized, eighty confirmed,-sixty six added to the communion." The Methodists state, that they have received fifty eight into their church. The Baptists inform us that within three months, they have received thirteen into their communion. It may with safety be added, that in the whole town, during the present revival, more than three hundred persons have been awakened, and more than two hundred and fifty have expressed a hope that they have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. The work is still carried on, and within a few days ap pears again to have increased; and it is devoutly to be wished that it may still continue for a long time to come. THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. THE annual examination of the students in the Theological Seminary at Andover took place, in presence of the Visitors and Trustees of that in stitution, a considerable number of the Clergy, and several other gentle. men, on Wednesday the 23d of Sep. tember. The Senior, Middle, and Junior Classes were examined by the Professors, in the respective depart. ments to which they had directed their particular attention during the year past. The Junior Class was examined in the Hebrew language, and in Sacred Literature as it respects both the Old and the New Testa ments: The Middle Class exhibited essays on theological subjects, as ev. idences of their progress in Christian theology. The Senior Class exhibit. ed similar essays, and were also ex amined in Sacred Rhetoric. As the examination of all the classes is by the present arrangement compressed within the limits of one day, there was time for the several classes to be examined in a part of their studies only. The exercises of the students were closed by an interesting and excellent address delivered by a member of the Senior Class. The result of the examination was highly satisfactory to the Visitors, Trustees, and spectators. The advantages, which this import ant institution offers for the acquisi tion of theological knowledge, are now extensively known and felt. It is hoped the day is not far distant, when the unexampled beneficence of the Founders of this Seminary will be duly appreciated by many churches, whose pastors will have been educated for the ministry by this exalted charity. How great a gift to the Christian church is a single well educated minister of the Gospel! How vast, how incalculable are the bless. ings to be derived from an institution, which annually sends forth to the churches a considerable number of such ministers! The exercises of the day were opened with prayer by one of the Professors, and closed with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Dwight. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. NEW WORKS. SERMONS on various important sub. jects of Christian doctrine and practice. By Nathanael Emmons, D. D. Boston; Samuel T. Armstrong. 1812. pp. 374. 8vo. A Sermon delivered July 23, 1812, on the day of the Public Fast appointed by the Governor and Council, of the state of Connecticut in consequence of the Declaration of War against Great Britain. By Nathan Perkins, D. D. Pastor of the third Presbyterian church in Hartford. Hartford; Hudson & Goodwin. Proceedings of the General Association of Connecticut, relative to the Rev. Abiel Abbot, late pastor of the First Church in Coventry. Hartford; Peter B. Gleason. 1812. A Sermon delivered at New Braintree, Aug. 20, 1812, on the general Fast occasioned by a declaration of war against Great Britain. By John Fiske, Pastor of the church in New Braintree, Brookfield; E. Merriam and Co. A Vindication of the Sentiments and Practice of those who believe in God's everlasting covenant, and apply the seal to their infant offspring; in six sermons, on Rom, iv, 11, 12. By John Smith, A. M. Pastor of the church in Salem, (N. H.) Exeter, (N. H) C. Norris & Co. 1812. Two Discourses, delivered to the second Presbyterian Society in Newburyport, August 20, 1812, the day recommended by the President of the United States for national humiliation and prayer. By the Rev. John Giles. With a copious appendix. Haverhill; W. B. and H. G. Allen. A Discourse delivered before the Merrimack Humane Society, at their anniversary meeting, Sept. 1, 1812. By John Andrews, A. M. Minister of the first church and religious society in Newburyport. Newburyport, E. W. Allen. Repentance with Prayer; a Sermon preached in North Brookfield, July 23d, 1812, a day of prayer recommended by his Excellency the Governor, on account of the declaration of war against England. By Thomas Snell, Pastor of the church in North Brookfield. Brookfield; E. Merriam & Co. Praying for Rulers a Christian du. ty: a Sermon preached in North Brookfield, Aug. 20, 1812, a day of prayer recommended by Congress, on account of the war in which we are involved with England. By Thomas Snell, Pastor of the church in North Brookfield. Brookfield; E. Merriam & Co. Advantages of moderation; a Ser. mon delivered at Pelham, (N. H.) Aug. 20, 1812, a day of national humiliation, recommended by the President, at the request of the two Houses of Congress, after having declared war against Great Britain. By John Hubbard Church. Haverhill, (Mass.) W. B. & H. G. Allen. The zeal of Jehovah for the king. dom of Christ; a Sermon preached at Northampton, before the Hampshire Missionary Society at their annual meeting, Aug. 27, 1812. By the Rev. Isaac Knapp, A. M. Pastor of the church in Westfield, (Mass.) To which is annexed the Annual Report of the Trustees. Northampton; Wm. Butler. The apology of patriots; a Sermon preached in Worcester, (Mass.) on the day of the national Fast, Thursday, Aug. 20, 1812, observed in compliance with the recommendation of James Madison, President of the United States; and in consequence of the declaration of war against Great Britain. By Samuel & Austin, D. D. Published by request. Worcester, Isaac Sturtevant. A Memoir, containing a concise sketch of the exemplary and pious life, and happy death of Miss Eliza Van Wyck; who died March 23, 1810. Boston; Samuel T. Armstrong, 1812. A Sermon preached in Worcester, (Mass.) on the occasion of the special fast, July 23, 1812. By Samuel Austin, D.D. Worcester: 1. Stur tevant. OBITUARY. DIED at New Haven, (Conn.) on the 18th. of August last, the Rev. JAMES DANA, D. D. aged 77. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1753, and was settled in the ministry, early in life, at Wallingford, (Conn.) In 1788, he was installed pastor of the first church in New Haven, his pastoral relation to the church in Wallingford having been previously dissolved by mutual consent. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the University of Edinburgh. In 1799, he was elected a member of the Corporation of Yale Gollege, and continued to discharge the duties of that station till death. The pastoral relation in which he stood to the first church in New Haven was dissolved by mutual consent in the fall of 1805; after which he preached occasionally in the pulpits of his brethren in the vicinity. Dr. Dana published some occasional sermons, and other small tracts, beside a volume of sermons addressed to the youth of his congregation. The Hon. Samuel W. Dana, Senator in Congress from Connecticut, is the only child who survives him. At Charleston, (S. C.) lately, AMOS NORTHROP, Esq. formerly of New Haven. He was graduated at Y College 1804. At the same place, WILLIAM M. SMITH, Esq. Yale College, 1805 At Bath, Steuben county, (N. Y) the Rev JOHN NILES. Yale College, 1797. At Dedham, (Mass.) on the 19th inst. the Rev. THOMAS THACHER, pastor of a congregational church in that town. At New York, GEORGE FREDERIC COOKE, the celebrated theatrical performer. At Berlin, (in Prussia,) the French General DIRETTE, the newly appoint ed governor of that city, murdered in a duel by the Prussian General Lestoque. The following obituary notice of Mr. THOMAS ADAMS, who died at Medfield, July 13th in the 88th year of his age, is extracted from a sermon delivered at his funeral by the Rev. Dr. Prentiss. The text was 1 Thess iv, 13. That ye sorrow not, even as others which have no habe. "The subject is clearly applicable to the mourners on the present occasion. Their departed friend was not unseasona bly called out of life He is gone off the stage ripe in years, and, we trust, in grace; and meet to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light. "Early in-life, his mind was brought under awakened and serious impressions, and turned to a sober examination of the doctrines and duties of Christianity. A warm affection for books, and an ardent thirst for knowledge, led him to a very extensive course of reading. He ac onainted himself with all the variety of opinions, which have been embraced in the Christian world; and comparing them with the Scriptures he was from convic tion, established in Congregational principles, and in the belief of the general doctrines of the reformation. From those principies, through a long course of life and reading, he never saw occasion to depart. “Like ane Muason, of whom mention is made in the Acts of the Apostles, be was literally an old disciple of Christ. Almost sixty one years have elapsed, since he made a public profession of religion, and united with the church of Christ. During that uncommon period, he was regular and constant in attendance on the public worship and ordinances, and maintained the character of a sincere and upright Christian. "He was ever strongly attached to the society of literary and serions people, particularly of the clergy, with a large number of whom he kept up a very friendly intercourse. There is reason to believe, that by his exertions, for many years, in dispersing various books, he contributed in no small degree to the dif fusion of knowledge and piety, and to the advancement of the cause of Christ. Few persons it is believed, have done so much in this way to benefit their fellow men. He was often heard to say, that he knew of no mode in which he could be so useful. Frequently was he employed as an agent, in this way, to distribute the charity of other religious people; a ser vice in which he evidenced much satisfaction, and ever appeared solicitous to perform it to the best advantage. "Blessed with a memory uncommonly retentive, he had amassed such a stock of knowledge, that he was literally able to bring out of his treasure things new and old. On all occasions, and on almost any subject, he was ready with useful and pertinent remarks. But subjects connected with religion were most congen ial to his taste and feelings. On these he conversed with the greatest freedom, and the most sensible delight. "His powers of mind he retained in an uncommon degree, under the decays and infirmities of the outward man On the last day of his life, when he was unable, by any clear articulation, to communicate his feelings and views, he manifested, by looks and significant gestures,a full appre hension that his departure was at hand; and that he enjoyed the supports and comforts of religion, and was sustained by that hope which is an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast. Being asked if he could say with the Apostle, I am now ready to be offered; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me? he very significantly replied in the affirmative; and gave all the evidence, which his situation permitted, of a firm unsha ken confidence in the mercy of God, through the merits and the mediation of Jesus Christ. Thus this aged servant of God fell asleep, and left his beloved friends to mourn not as those, who have an hope." THE TO THE CHRISTIAN PUBLIC ON THE SUBJECT OF MISSIONS TO THE HEATHEN AND TRANSLATIONS OF THE SCRIPTU RES. THE American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, at their late annual meeting, appointed the subscribers a committee to prepare and publish an address to the Christian Public in the name, and on the behalf, of the Board. The favor shewn to the objects in view by the liberal and pious in different parts of the country, as manifested by their free-wili offerings, their active exertions, and their prayers, cannot with propriety be passed over in silence; nor should the smiles of Divine Providence upon the first attempts to send the Gospel from America to Asia be received without distinct and grateful commemoration. For a particular history of the events, in which the Board have been intimately concerned during the past year, it is sufficient to refer the reader to the Report of the Prudential Committee herewith published. The two most prominent of these events, however, it is proper to mention briefly in this place. The first is the actual commencement of a mission to Asia, by the ordination and embarkation of five missionaries in the month of February last. The magnitude of this event, if estimated by its probable consequences, and the nature of the cause intended to be promoted by it, is such as to form a new era in the history of the American churches. While saying this, however, we do not forget, that the immediate consequences may be such as to disappoint the hopes and try the faith of Christians. But that the ultimate consequences of all attempts to diffuse the Gospel among mankind will be glorious, the explicit promises of God forbid us to doubt The other event referred to is the passing of an act by the Legislature of Massachusetts, incorporating the Board, and giving them power to hold, in their corporate capacity, funds sufficiently large to answer all the present purposes of the institution. The advantages of perpetual succession, and of holding funds under the immediate protection of the law, which could be obtained only by an act of incorporation, are highly important to secure the confidence of the American public. For this instance of the fostering care of the Legislature, the friends of religion, generally, will unite with the Board in expressing thanks. VOL. V. New Series. 32 |