whether Jew or Gentile. The Lord is my shield. I have the pleasure to inform you, that I am going to baptize a Catholic woman, who has heard the word of God five years. My sincere love to all: Christian friends in Scotland. I beg your prayers, and theirs too, for me and the people of Orissa. My prayer is, that the Lord may bless and keep you all, that his face may shine upon you, and the good people with you, and give you peace. This is the prayer of your fellow-servant, and affectionate brother in Christ. JOHN PETER." LETTER From the Rev. Mr. Paterson, of St. Petersburgh, to Mr. Gordon, of the Edinburgh Bible Society. Petersburgh, March 27, 1816. You will rejoice to learn that every thing prospers, far, very far, beyond our expectations. Last year we distributed above 11,000 copies of the scriptures, in twenty different languages, to an amount of 40,000 rubles. Our income was more than 236,000, our expenditure 137,000, and we had a balance in our favour of 160.000. But our engagements at the commencement of the year amounted to not less than 220,000; we hope, how ever, after meeting them all, to have a balance of about 125,000 at the disposal of the Society, and, on the faith of this, not fewer thau five different new editions were resolved upon at the last meeting of the committee. This all regards the Petersburgh committee. Under the auspices of the Russian Bible Society, 22,000 copies of the scriptures left the press in the course of the year, and, I hope, while I am writing to you, about 30,000 more are printed off. These short notices will enable you to form some judgment of the state of the Society, its activity and prospects. His Imperial Majesty has proposed to have the Bible translated into the Russian language, and the Holy Synod has approved of the proposition, and given orders for its execution. This exceeds all that had ever been anticipated by us, and is of more real importance for Russia, and perhaps, I may say, for Christianity, than all that has hitherto been done; the work has already commenced with the New Testament, and we hope that, in the course of the year, this portion of the seripture will be finished. This will form a new epoch for Russia, and for all the nations surrounding that vast empires Now, light will beam forth on many darkened regions;—we may, in a | peculiar manner consider the words of the prophet Isaiah, Ix 4." Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee," as addressed to the Russian Church on this momentous occasion, and I hope we shall yet live to see them fully accomplished. The signs of the times are wonderful, and in nothing more than in the opposition of interests which manifestly prevail -Pray that the Lord may preserve the Emperor Alexander; he appears indeed to be raised up for some great and glorious end. Pray that the Lord may place God-fearing men round his throne, that so his truly pious and wise plans, for the happiness of his people, and the good of religion, may be carried into effect. Perhaps never did more depend on an earthly monarch, and never was one more disposed to promote all that is good. Extract of a Letter from Dr. Stephen West, of Stockbridge,to Dr.Ryland. dated July 10, 1816. "God is graciously watering and refreshing his churches in various parts of our country, with plentiful showers of divine influence and grace; though it has been lately a slack season with us. I have never known the time, when such displays of divine almighty power and grace were made, as in the present day, especially in New England. In this, and in two or three neighbouring countries, in this state, and in many towns in each, as also in various other towns in other parts of the state, revivals of religion are very great and wonderful. The same also is the case, in a great number of towns in Connecticut. So remarkable are the operations of divine power and grace, that, in the space of eight or ten months, it is not unfrequent, that 150, or 200, and upwards, are apparently brought out of darkness into marvellous light; and these too of various characters, infidels, and some of the loosest of men. This, we think, is the work of the Lord, and it is marvellous in our eyes. The Lord seems to be on his way for the deliver ance and salvation of his people. Never were such exertions made in this country to promote the cause of Christ, by dif fusing the knowledge of divine truth, as at the present day and instead of re||laxing in these labours of love, exertions Dr. West is a Presbyterian Minister pearly eighty years of age. INDIAN MISSIONARIES. Four young natives of Owhyhee, one of the Sandwich Islands in the Pacific Ocean, and the same where Captain Cook was killed, are now at Morris's Academy, in Litchfield, Connecticut, receiving an education, to fit them for re are evidently increasing, and new measures devised. Ministers, and others, from almost all parts of the United States, have lately met at New York, and formed themselves into an American Bible Society. A number of gentlemen in Boston and its vicinity, taking into consideration the need in which we stand, of an increase of pious, orthodox minis ters of the gospel, have met and formed themselves into a Society, for the pur-ligious missionaries, to their irreligious pose of educating pious youth for the work of the gospel ministry and the prospect is, that money enough may be annually subscribed, for the education of twenty or thirty every year, for a considerable time. We hope that God will be pleased to provide the persons. No scheme for promoting the cause of Christ seems to be more popular than this. What great things is the Lord doing at the present day, not only in this coun try, but in England, and various other parts of the world!" countrymen. Two of them at the age of sixteen and fourteen years, came to this country, ten years ago; a third arrived, six years since, and another has since joined them. One of them has had the benefit of instruction at the Theological Institution, in Andover, and he is now employed in translating a part of the New Testament into the Owhyhee language, and by his aid, also, an Owhyhee grammar has been formed. American Newspaper. Domestic Religious Intelligence. BIBLE SOCIETY. whole Bible be immédiately made into the vernacular dialect of the native Russians and persons of all ranks, both in church and state, assiduously attend the committees of the various Bible Societies, excite the astonishment of the religious public in this country, and call forth gratitude to the God of all grace, who hath honoured Britain, by permitting its inhabitants to be the instruments of kindling such a holy flame in other nations. ON Wednesday, May 1st, the British and Foreign Bible Society held its twelfth annual meeting at Freemasonshall, London; when Lord Teignmouth, the President, read an abridgment of the Report of its proceedings, during the past year, (the whole being, necessarily, too voluminous to read upon such an occasion). His Lordship was supported by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, In North America, besides the Bible the Bishops of Salisbury, Norwich, Glou- Societies in the British territories of cester, Cloyne and Clogher, Lords Gam- Nova Scotia and Canada, the United bier and Calthorp, several members of States number 115 Bible Societies, (of parliament, and other persons of distinc- which one is an African Bible Society, tion. His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent recently established in Philadelphia) besaid, that although he was not in time to sides numerous Bible Associations. hear the Report, he was not unacquainted with the Society's proceedings, which continued to have his most decided approbation. The Report, (which is printed at large) even in its abridged form, exhibited a luminous and most interesting view of the operations of the Society; the beneficial effects of which are extending in every quarter of the globe. The exertions to promote its object in the vast Russian Empire, where the magnanimous Alexander has recommended that a new translation of the It appears that the net receipts of the British and Foreign Bible Society dur ing the past year have been 92,8601.28.9d. and its net payments 103,680. 188. 8d. that it has issued, during the same pe riod, 188,168 Bibles, and 110,068 Testaments; making a total issued, from the commencement of the Institution, of 1,482,973 copies, exclusive of about 75,000 circulated at the charge of the Society from depositories abroad, making a total of 1,557,973 copies already circulated by the Society. ANNUAL ASSOCIATIONS. Our readers will perceive by the reports of the Associations, extracted from the several circular letters, that a considerable addition has been made to the Baptist denomination during the past year: and we understand that the associations, particularly in North Wales, have been peculiarly favoured with tokens of the divine presence. "Twelve hundred persons," says a correspondent, "were added to the churches in the West Association last year. One minister, Henry David, of Llangloffen, baptized one hundred and twenty-five, on four Lord's days." We give these accounts in the order in which we received them. WESTERN. sun-week, 1817. Messrs. Winterbotham and Roberts to preach : in case of failure, Messrs Saffery and Saunders. Mr. Stennett to prepare the circular letter. KENT AND SUSSEX. This Association consists of twenty one churches, and has had a clear increase of sixty-six members the past year. It was held at Sandhurst, June the 4th and 5th, 1816. The sermons were preached by Messrs. Shirley, Knott, and Cramp; from Luke, xv. 2, Habakuk, iii. 2, and Mark, xvi. 16. The devotional services were conducted by Messrs. Gates, Shir ley, Kingsmill, Packer, Gladwick, Jarred, Sargent, Green, Tidd, Rogers, and Passmore. Measures were taken to raise an Association fund, for the assistance of destitute churches, and to aid in village preaching. The next Association to be held at Eynsford, Kent, the first Tuesday in June, 1817, and the following day. Messrs. Parker, Martell, and Giles to preach; in case of failure, Messrs. Exall, Broady and Kingsmill. NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK. The elders, ministers, and messengers, of the Western Association, consisting of seventy-two churches, assembled at Bath, on June 4th, 5th, and 6th. On Tuesday, the 4th, Mr. Saunders, of Frome, preached, from Psal. lxv. 2-4. On Wednesday evening, Mr. Kilpin, of Exeter, preached from Isaiah, xxviii. 16. Thursday morning, Dr.Ryland preached from John, vi. 37, 43, 44. Afternoon, Mr. Giles, of Lymington, from John, xiv. 16. Evening, Mr. Miall, of Portsea, preached from Heb. iii, 1. The devo conducted by Messrs.Roberts, of Shrewton, Humphrey, posed, there are 2,111 members. Ser. of Collumpton, Saffery, of Salisbury, Page, Roberts, and Holloway, of Bristol, Cole, Hupton, Cooper, and Goldsmith, mons by Messrs. Middleditch, Dowling, Burnet, of Street, Horsey, of Taunton, from Isaiah, xlv. 21. Isaiah, viii. 10. Williams, of Kingstanley, Tyso, of Wat- Psalm, i. 1-8. Phil. i. 6. Rom. 1-16, chett, Singleton, of Tiverton, Stennett, and Rom. vi. 23. Devotional exercises of Calne, Clift, of Chapmanslade, Mac-by Messrs. Cole, Sizer, Dowling, Webb, farline, of Trowbridge, and Gibbs, of Plymouth. tional services were Three new churches were admitted, viz. that at Bradninch and St. Hill, in Devonshire, and Pitts and Wells in Somersetshire. The number of members belonging to the churches in this Association (exclusive of Lockerley and Thornbury, from which no letters were received) amount to 6,729. There was a clear increase, during the past year, of 416. The collection, for the Association fund, amounted to 1987. 16s. 93d and 201. 3s. for Association letters. This was distributed among the necessitous ministers and pastors of the associated churches. The circular letter on sanctification, signed by the moderator, Mr. -Miall, of Portsea, was ordered to be. printed, and the next Association appointed to be held at Taunton, on the Wednesday and Thursday of the Whit The churches of this Association met, by their representatives, at Walton, in Suffolk, June 4th and 5th, 1816. In seventeen churches of which it is com Hoddy, Hubbard, Payne, Farley, and Ward. The next Association to be held at Beecles, Messrs. Payne and Cole to preach; in case of failure, Mr. Cowell. BUCKS AND HERTS. May 22, 1816. The Bucks and Herts Association met at Haddenham. In the morning, Mr. Dolling, of Penn, preached from Malachi, iii. 16. Mr. Hinton, of Oxford, (having been specially invited,) followed, from Rev. xxi. 10. Prayers were offered by Messrs. Godwin, of Missenden, and Clarabutt, of New Mill. In the afternoon, the business of the Association was transacted. Mr. Hinton was chosen Moderator, and Mr. Groser, jun. of Risborough, Secretary. Letters from the churches were read. Mr. God This Association was held at Shatly Field, Northumberland, June 3d and 4th, 1816. Monday, three o'clock, The ministers and messengers had their first meeting, when the brethren Whitfield, Pengilly, and Williamson, were engaged in prayer. By the letters then read from six churches, it appeared, that in the six churches, upwards of thirty had been baptized during the past year, and that they consisted of four hundred members. Sermons by Mr. Whitfield, from Acts, xvi. 5; Mr. Hartley, from Phil. i 28; Mr. Pengilly, from John, xvi. 14; Mr. Williamson, from Eph. iii. 8. The devotional services were conducted by the above, and Mr. Newton (an itinerant about Hexham). The expediency of employing an itinerant was discussed, and Mr. Whitfield desired to correspond with persons on that subject. The next Association to be held at Stockton, in the Whitsun-week, 1817. "Mr. Whitfield concluded with a brief recapitulation of the discourses by the ministers, and the letters of the churches, and by an address to the congregation. BERKSHIRE. ON Wednesday, June 12, the churches composing the Berkshire Association (four in number) held their first annual meeting at Wallingford, and were favoured, as they hope, by the presence of Him, wh who has promised to be with his church, even to the end of the world. A sermon was preached on the pre ceding evening, by brother Davies, of Wokingham, from 2 Pet. i. 5-8; and a prayer meeting was held on Wednesday morning, at half past six. The more public services of the day commenced at half past ten, by singing and prayer. Brother Dyer, of Reading, was chosen Moderator; and the letters from the churches were read by their respective pastors. After this, brother Kershaw,of Abingdon, engaged in prayer; brother Dyer preached, from Ps. cxxxii. 15, and brother Winterbotham, of Horsley, from Ps. lxxxix. 15-17. Brother Griffiths, of Aston, concluded in prayer. In the evening, a sermon was delivered by brother Gray, of Chipping Norton, from 1 Cor. ii. 2. Prayer by brother Welsh, of Newbury, and brother Harris, the Independent minister, at Wallingford. The business of the Association was transacted in the afternoon. One of the churches had been prevented, by parti cular circumstances, from making its collection for the mission within the year. From the other three, the amount received by the Treasurer was, 156. 11s. 7d. It was resolved, that Mr. Bicheno, of Newbury, and Mr. Dyer, of Reading, be Treasurer and Secretary to the Association for the year ensuing; and that the next meeting be held at Wokingham, the second Wednesday in June, 1817. Brother Welsh, of Newbury, was nominated to preach. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. Brother Jar Tuesday evening, six. man, pastor of the church where the Association assembled,engaged in prayer; brother Blundell, of Northampton, was chosen Moderator; the letters from the churches were read, and brother Evans, of Blaby, concluded with prayer. The ministers and messengers retired into the vestry, to read the circular: letter, drawn up by brother Jarman, which was approved. Wednesday morning, seven. Met for prayer. The brethren Adams, Ayre, Davis, and Capes, were engaged. At half past ten, assembled for public worship. Brother Edmonds, of Guilsbo rough, prayed; brother Mack, of Clipstone, preached from 1 Peter, ii, 22. "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." Brother Daniel, of Luton, followed, from 1 Thess. i. 5. "For our gospel came not in word only. but in power," &c. After which, brother i J. Hall, the secretary of the Provident Thursday morning, seven.- -After singing and prayer by brother Musson,several of the ministers related their experience during the past year, and brother C, Birt, now supplying at Derby, closed the public services of the Association with prayer. The ministers and messengers then proceeded to settle the business of the Association fund. The churches at Der of Birmingham, preached, from 2 Cor. vi. 1. Brother Hutchings, of London, concluded. The churches at Holy Cross, Tam worth, Worcester-street, Bromsgrove," and Wolverhampton, were received into the Association. The next annual meet ing to be held at Pershore, the Tuesday and Wednesday in Whitsun week; brethren Morgan, Draper, and Hutchings to preach; and, in case of failure, brother Poole. SHROPSHIRE AND CHESHIRE. Wednesday, May 1, assembled at three o'clock in the afternoon. Mr.. Lister, of Liverpool, read the 132d Psalm, and prayed. Mr. Stephens, of Manchester, preached from 1 John, ii. 1. and concluded with prayer. In the by, and Loughborough, having applied evening, the service was resumed at for admission into this Association, it was half past six. Mr. Hinmers, of Whit agreed to receive them. The next Association to be held at Olney, in Whitsun-church, prayed; Mr. Lister preached, week, 1817, when the brethren J. K. Hall, and R. Hall, are expected to preach. Accommodations provided at the Bull Inn. The next year's letter to be on "The government of the Tongue." Brother Anderson requested to write it. The Association consists of thirty-one churches, containing 2,611 members; 152 of whom were added during the past year. MIDLAND. THE Midland Association, including twenty-six churches, held their annual meeting at Bilston, the 4th and 5th of June last. Tuesday afternoon, assembled at three o'clock. Brother Hall, of Netherton, prayed; the letters from the churches were read. Brother Elliot, of Birmingham, concluded. Evening, met at halfpast six brother Pickering introduced the service by prayer. Brother Hutchings, of London, preached from Phil. 1.5,"Your fellowship in the gospel." Brother Hutchings, of Birmingham, concluded. from Romans, vii. 20. and closed with prayer. Mr. Inglis, of Chester, was chosen Moderator; the letters from the churches were read, and Mr. Palmer, of Shrewsbury, concluded. Thursday morning, May 2, at six. in Liverpool, and Thomas, of WrexMr. Lang, deacon of Lime-street church ham, who at present supplies the church at Wrexham, engaged in prayer. Mr. Lister read part of Ezek. xxxvii. and prayed. Mr. Palmer preached from Luke, ix. 13. Mr. Thomas closed with prayer. Afternoon, half past two, Mr Cromp ton, deacon of the church in Shrewsbury, read and prayed. Mr. Hinmers preached from Timothy, iii. 16, and concluded with prayer. Evening, half past six, Mr. Reynolds, of Chester, Independent, read Psalm Ixxii. and prayed. Mr. Stephens preached, from Rev ii. 20. The Moderator then closed with prayer. The brethren, we trust, were united in love, and in the fellowship of the gos-^_ pel: and though we have reason to grieve for low and discouraging circum stances respecting some churches; we rejoice, on the other hand, in the pros perity of others. The number of true Christians, we hope, is on the increase among our different societies. Collected at Chester for the itinerant fund, 131. 17s. 3d. Wednesday morning at half past six, met for prayer, Messrs. Lakelin, Collins, Moreton, and Walsall, engaged. Assembled again at half past ten. Mr. James, of Aberystwysth, introduced the service by reading the scriptures and prayer. Brother Belcher preached The next Association to be held at from John, xx. 17, Brother Birt fol- Wem, on the first Tuesday and Wedlowed, from Matthew, xxviii. and mid-nesday in May, 1817. Brethren Inglis, dle clause of the 9th verse," All hail," and concluded. The Independent minister, of Bilston, introduced the service in the evening, and brother Hutchings, of Chester, Thomas, of Brosely, and Davies, of Oswestry, to preach. A col lection after each service will be made, in aid of the itinerant fund. |