Extract of a letter, dated Coventry, (N. H.) June 28, 1817.

Dear Brother,

I HAVE for a long time delayed writing for the want of interesting matter; but I think I can say with confidence that that is no longer the case. The Lord has sent a refreshing shower on his vineyard in this place. This has caused saints to rejoice, and stout-hearted sinners to bow to the mild sceptre of his grace. It is two years, to-day, since I was ordained to the pastoral care of this church, which was then a feeble band, and wading through trials. Previous to my ordination, my labours had not been blessed, and I was often led to fear I had run before I was sent ; but sometimes this promise would afford some relief, "In due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Our trials continued about a year, when our number was reduced to 20 in all; but our difficulties were at length happily brought to a close, and I began to take courage. I thought I soon saw a prospect of a reformation; our meetings crowded, the audience, especially the younger part, was solemn and attentive to the word. I scarce ever had such freedom in preaching, and I am sure the worth of souls never lay with such weight on my mind.

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At our church-meeting, on the first Saturday in August last, one woman came forward, and related the work of grace wrought on her heart several years before: She had not, however, obtained strength to make a public profession till now. The next day she was baptized. In a few days it became evident that a good work had begun. It first made its appearance in four young married persons; these were all hopefully brought to the knowledge of the truth in one week, and baptized the Lord's day after. This was a most solemn aud affecting season. One of this number was among the most forward in vain amusements, and from a child had used the violin to captivate the thoughtless throng. On the bank of the river, before he went into the water, he bid those with whom he had associated, and led in sin, farewell, and informed them he should go with them

no more in scenes of carnal pleasure. He then invited them to forsake sin and join with him in the service of the Re deemer. The exhortations given on this occasion affected almost every heart.

There was a middle aged man present who had entertained a hope about a year before, and had been trying ever since to satisfy his conscience with infant sprinkling; but he was so struck with the solemnity of the scene, and his conscience so thoroughly convinced that this was the only scriptural baptism, that he came forward and expressed an earnest wish to be baptized. After stating his trials on the subject, he said, "My friends, if you do not call this badtism, what do you call baptism.' "He gave in his relation by the water side, and was baptized.

The work soon spread in almost every direction. Conference meetings, which had been attended by only a few, were crowded; and in some instances, young delicate females have travelled on foot three miles, over a very bad road, to attend an afternoon conference. Many of the youth became seriously alarmed. They were unable to erase the impressions which they received at the baptizing season above described. Their champion was slain as with a sling and stone, and they were much perplexed thereat.

The reformation has not been confined to this town, but principally within the limits of this church, as it was before the work began. In one neighbourhood, in Irasburgh, where some of our church members live, several were taken with what some of our enemies have called the Soul Fever; and have (to speak figuratively) died with it, and are, as we trust, made alive to God. They are now formed into a church distinct from this of more than 20 members. Several of the youth in Brownington are subjects of the work. A number of them have united with us, and about twelve have united with the Congregational church in that town.

The town of Newport (formerly Duncansborough) where brother N. Dagget, a licentiate, is preaching, has shared richly in the blessed work. The settlement in this town is small, consisting of only 12 or 15 families, who

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were generally very stupid, and the young people uncommonly gay and thoughtless. I think I never saw the camp of the enemy so harassed by a single non-commissioned fficer (as we may call him) as at this place. Some of all ages have been brought in; but more generally the youth; only two of them remain in the town, who are over fifteen years of age, that have not been baptized: and one of these is hopefully a subject of grace, as are several under this age. Among the baptized is Amos Sawyer, Esq. who has generally repre sented the town in the general assembly. It was pleasant to see this aged, venerable man follow his Lord and Master in this ordinance; but not more so, than to see the youth, many of whom were females, cheerfully go down into the water in the wintry season; but their language seemed to be,

"Christians, if your hearts are warm, Snow and ice will do no harm."

The inhabitants in this small settlement live very compact, there being only one school district in the town. Not far from thirty professed Baptists live in this neighbourhood. They meet with but very little opposition from without. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Since the first of August last, 49 have been added to our church by baptism, I have baptized nine in Irasburgh, who have united with the church there. Very few have joined any other order. Nine only have joined the Congregational church in Coventry; four of whom had gained a hope some years before.

It is to be feared that the work has come to a close; but still it is a good time with us. We have had no trials or labours with any, since the reforma. tion began.

Some circumstances of an interesting nature are deserving of notice. When the work appeared to be drawing to a close, I was requested to marry a couple in a remote neighbourhood in this town, where I had never visited. Four families only resided here; they were exceedingly ignorant, and very careless and profane. I complied with the request, and attended at the hour appointed. The whole neighbourhood collected, and after the solemnization of the marriage, I began to discourse with them about the concerns of their souls. Two of the young females appeared much affected. I continued the conversation till they had prepared their supper. After we had risen from the table, the young man who had been

married said to me, "I suppose, Sir, you are in a hurry; but I wish you would pray with us before you go." I compli ed with his request, and felt my soul drawn out in prayer to God, that he would pour out his Spirit and reform this neighbourhood. When I had closed, I perceived the young man was in tears, and when I spoke to him, he immediately cried out like those we read of, that were pricked to the heart, "What shall I do to be saved? I am the vilest wretch on earth! I am astonished that God has not sent me to bell long ago!" Thus he continued several minutes. Such a scene my eyes never beheld. He had calculated (to use his own words) on a high scrape-was determined not to sleep that night. He had made preparation, and invited his associates to join with him. He did not sleep, but the cause was different from his own calculations. I left them, after commending them to God, and to the word of his grace. This young man was shortly after brought to rejoice in God, with several others in the neighbourhood, and is now one of the most exemplary and devout members in our church. The face of things is very much changed with them. Instead of collecting for mirth and vanity, they unite in meetings and conferences. I

am more convinced than ever, that it is the sovereign grace of God alone that bows the will of stubborn sinners. Most of the converts have confessed their unwillingness to yield, till they were compelled. I must close my narrative, and subscribe myself yours in gospel bonds, JOHN IDE.

REVIVAĻ IN EDMESTON, (n. y.)

Letter to the Editors of the Western New-York Baptist Magazine.

Dear Brethren,

THE following account of the Church, formerly called the Third in Burlington, now the First in Edmeston, is respectfully submitted to your disposal. What I have written is a state. ment of facts, which I have witnessed. I began to preach to the people of this place in my youth, and have continued through middle age, even until the white blossoms of the grave are scattered upon my head; their joys have been mine, and their sufferings my sufferings.

In the spring of 1793, when this country was almost a wilderness, a sma!!

number of us began to meet, on the Lord's day, in imitation of the primitive Christians. December following, the late Rev. William Furman made us a visit, baptized two persons, and advised us to hold religious conferences; that we might cultivate Christian love, improve in social worship, and finally come into the order of a church. Accordingly in March, 1794, being in conference, we gave a relation of the work of God's grace on our hearts, received mutual satisfaction, and solemnly covenanted to walk together, conformable to the gospel of Jesus.

A council, which was called on the 11th of the succeeding May, having examined our covenant and articles, unanimously gave us fellowship as a church in gospel order. Our number was eleven. This tender vine was exposed in the midst of a desert. The foxes and the wild beasts sought to devour it; the boar out of the wood sought to lay it waste; still it was not destroyed. The trees, which shaded it, have been felled; it has been warmed by the enlivening rays of the sun; it has been wet with the dews, and the gentle rains from heaven; it has budded, blossomed, and in due time borne fruit. Our first meetings were held in our dwelling houses, which were built of logs; but the humble cottage was made to us none other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven. The solitary place was now and then made glad with the singing of a young convert; and the streamlets in the woods, were the graves of those, who manifested that they were dead to sin, and alive unto righteousness. God was pleased to visit us at sundry times, and gradually increase our number, by adding such as we hope will be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

We also had our trials; were often chastised, yet never forsaken. When all is dark and gloomy, the Sun of righteousness suddenly rises with healing in his beams, and kindles light and life in the souls of sinnners. The autumn of 1810 was a time never to be forgotten; the beginning of joys to some precious souls; seventeen were added by baptism. After this, God saw fit to try our faith and patience, there being no considerable awakening among us until last September.

Having returned from a journey westward, I observed that my audience was attentive; every eye intent on the speaker. Some were soon heard enquiring, what they must do to be saved? The waters of Bethesda were troubled, Many impotent persons lay near; yet no one appeared to help them down into the pool. But at length the Physician

of Nazareth, who is found of them that seek him not, came and spake the healing word. Then we saw an instance of the fulfilling of this prophecy: The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.'—' Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing.' The work was thorough; salva tion came to almost every house. The public meetings were punctually attended; every private visit was in fact a religious conference; careless Christians were roused to their duty; and the faithful rejoiced, at an event for which they had patiently waited. The Lord'sday ceased to be a weariness, and became a delight. The profane swearer had a glimpse of the Divine Majesty. and from that moment, began to use the dread name of JEHOVAH with trembling and reverence. The tavern and the ball-room were deserted, and the house of the Lord was filled with deyout worshippers. Although the society is small, not less than fifty persons, most of whom are in the morning of life, were buried with Christ by baptism and added to the church. Our present number is one hundred and fifty-five.

We have abundant reason to be thankful that the reformation was not confined to us alone, and that it is extended to the adjacent societies and towns; and we rejoice with confidence, that God will continue to carry on his work, till he shall have fully accomplished what he has promised concerning Zion.

STEPHEN TAYLOR. Edmeston, 7th. August, 1817.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Liverpool, (England,) to his friend in this vicinity, dated January 2, 1818.

"My dear Friends,

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IN the supplement to No. 31 of the Periodical Accounts, you will see the Lord's Prayer in 35 different languages. It is a literary curiosity, and has been the means of exciting a great interest in favour of translating and publishing the Scriptures into the Oriental languages; so much so, that one individual, an old gentleman of 80 years of age, on reading the account, said to his friends, "I see there are 26 languages yet, in which the Scriptures have never been translated and published, and that an edition of each one may be printed for £500; that will be £13,000 for the whole. Cannot we raise this sum? If we can find

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130 persons, who will give £100 each, or 260 who will give £50 each, the business will be done: let us set about it." This he did immediately. I have not yet heard whether he has completed his wish; but I hope he will, being a gentleman highly respected and greatly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of knowing him.

"I have this day been attending a public meeting, (the 9th,) and several of my family are now this evening attending the 10th and last public meeting for forming Ladies' Bible As sociation, in aid of the Ladies' Liverpool Auxiliary Bible Society, all held in this town this week. A Mr. Charles Stoke Dudley (one of the society of Friends) a very able advocate of the British and Foreign Bible Society, is come from that society purposely to He re-organize our Ladies' society. has excited a great interest in this town, and I hope his coming will shortly promote the grand object, so that no poor family may be without the Bible.

There are 150 Female Societies, 670 Auxiliary and Branch Societies in England, and 1800 Bible Associations! Well may we say, "What hath God wrought" "This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. The knowledge of the Lord is covering the earth. It is spreading amazingly in Russia, and in the East Indies; and there are some Bible Societies even in Africa; and we greatly rejoice in their success in America.'

"Nor shall this blessed gospel rest, "Till thro' the world its course has run; "Till Christ has all the nations blest, "That see the light or feel the sun."

AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

The Second Anniversary of The American Bible Society, was celebrated in New-York, on Thursday, 14th of May. The meeting was held at the Assembly room in the City Hotel, which was politely offered for the occasion by Mr JENNINGS. The doors were opened at 10 o'clock, A. M. The President, the Hon. ELIAŠ BOUDINOT, L. L. D. took the chair precisely at 11.-The meeting was opened by the Rev. Dr. Mason, one of the Secretaries of the Society, reading the 49th chapter of Isaiah. A very interesting and impressive address was then delivered by the vener able President. Letters of apology for non-attendance at the meeting were read from several of the Vice-Presidents, who were detained by unavoidable necessity, viz. the Hon. John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State of the United States, the Hon. Smith Thompson, Chief Justice of the State of NewYork, the Hon. Wm. Tilghman, Chief Justice of Penn. the Hon. Andrew Kirkpatrick, Chief Justice of New-Jer sey, Joseph Nourse, Esq. of the city of Washington, and Francis F. Key, Esq. of Georgetown, Dis. Col. A letter was read from the Rev. Dr. Romeyn, of the city of New-York, Secretary of the Society, for Domestic Correspondence, apologizing for his absence by reason of indisposition.

The Annual Report of the Board of Managers was read by the Rev. Dr. Blatchford of Lansingburgh.

The Report states the principles which the Managers have adopted for the regulation of their conduct in the disposition of their Stereotype plates for the more economical printing of Bibles; the views which the Board enter tain with regard to the translation of the Scriptures into the langaages of, and the circulation of them among, the Indian tribes in this country, mentions the donations they made, particularly to the Rev. Frederick Leo, a Protestant clergyman in Paris, of five hundred dollars, to assist him in circulating the New Testament in that city-and to Bible Societies in this country. The number of Bibles issued during the last year is stated to be 17,594, and since the formation of the Society, 24,004. The number of Auxiliary Societies that are known, is 153. During the past year, 174 clergymen have been made members for life; in a great proportion of the cases, by the contributions of their female parishioners. The Report con cludes with an interesting reference to the Russian, and British and Foreign Bible Societies,