ed. A young woman related her experience, which had a very solemn effect on others. In June, the work increased; solemnity pervaded the minds of multitudes; and from that time the work spread. In August, September, October, November, and December, baptism was administered. The work was solemn, calm and powerful. In Kingsbury, a great revival has existed, but the work now appears mostly over. One hundred and twenty-nine have been baptized; whole number two hundred and thirty-six. -Church of Kingsbury and Hartford. Last year this church enjoyed, as they thought, a great revival; but this was only prelusive of the copious shower that has since descended. Its height appears to have been in July and August last. All ages from eight to sixty-five, have shared in the blessing; but as is common at this day, the most are youth. No enthusiasm has appeared: None have united with other denominations, and all who have been baptized, continue steadfast. It seems that the ordinance of baptism has been repeatedly blessed to awaken spectators. Rev. Calvin H. Swain appears to have been the honoured instrument in this work. Last winter great seriousness existed in a certain school in that town. For merly, the children had been accustomed to resort for their juvenile recreations in the hours of play, to a certain grove, in which was a pond of water. Through the whole of last winter they resorted to the same spot; not to engage in youthful sports, but to implore the mercy of Heaven on themselves and their companions. And this juvenile meeting in the forest, seems to have been blessed to the conversion of a number of their mates. No storms, nor cold, would keep them from their hallowed retreat; and with the exception of a single day (and that the cold Friday when they resorted to a neighbouring house) they continued their meeting during the recess of schoolhours. The number baptized the past year in this church is one hundred eighty-one; whole number three hundred twenty-six. In the church in Milton, some mercy drops are mentioned as having fallen on this branch of Zion, and some tokens of greater blessings in store; eleven have been baptized. In Moreau, the church had almost lost its visibility; but some precious drops have descended and revived this almost withered heritage. Twelve have been added, they have no minister. In the church of Salem, their letter observed-" It was formerly a wintery state with us; now it is spring. A revival commenced last January. The youth became attentive; saints were aroused up to prayer, and other Christian duties. It was first confined to a small neighbourhood, but afterwards enlarged its borders; forty-six have been baptized. A delegate from an Association in Vermont, mentioned extensive revivals in that state, particularly at Rupert. Elder Joseph Cornell, whose praise has long been in the churches, related, that while performing a missionary tour the winter past, on the western shore of Lakes Champlain, and George, he passed through nine towns where God was displaying his marvellous grace-that he baptized seventeen in his tour, and that three other missionaries with himself, baptized the last winter, near four hundred persons, upon a profession of faith. He further states, that in those regions there is an immense field for missionary labour-that the country is quite destitute of preaching, and that in some places, faithful, sound, and zealous ministers, would receive a comfortable support il they could be obtained. In Troy, God has done great things. The Baptist church appears flourishing, and has received large additions for more than a year past. The little church in Albany is now receiving the blessing. This church has waded through sore trials the past year. They became divided, and a dissolution seemed to threaten them. But God has turned their mourning into songs, and they have had fifteen or twenty added. They now appear in union and are much engaged. They have a crowded assembly on the Lord'sday. Rev. Joshua Bradley, whose zeal and activity in building up churches has long been known, has pitched his tent amongst them, and his labours have been blessed not only to unite the church, but in the awakening of sinners, and to excite the public attention to the Baptist meeting. In Hudson, some mercy drops have fallen. The labours of brother Briggs appear to have been blessed the winter past. About twenty have been baptized. This church has lately experienced a severe loss in the death of Deacon Charles Brown, whose life and conversation has long adorned the Christian profession. His amiable and pious widow followed him in about ten days, leaving a destitute family to mourn their loss. always be welcome as soon as the mail can convey them. With much respect, I am, dear Sir, yours in the gospel of our Redeemer, J. M. PECK. Rev. Dr. Baldwin. Extract of a letter from Rev. JAMES SINCE my arrival in this State, which was about two weeks since, I have received for the mission $77,25. This day I was allowed the happiness of aidciety, Auxiliary to the Baptist Board of ing in the formation of "The Union SoForeign Missions. The annual sum actually subscribed at present, amountsto $235, besides ten dollars as a donation. General William Madison is President, and Wesley Fry, Secretary, whom I requested to send you a copy of their minutes when printed. The So ciety possesses wealth and influence, which lead me to think it must prosper. Yours, JAMES E. WELCH. DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM. er, July 14, 1817. Catskill has also shared in the From the New-York Daily Advertisblessing. Seventeen have been baptized since last March. Next week I expect to bid my friends a long adieu, and with my family depart for the West. I shall travel in a one horse waggon, as being the cheapest and most convenient mode. It would be very gratifying if I could regularly receive a copy of two of the Magazines by mail, directed to St. Louis. I wish you would oblige me by seeing them forwarded, and I will account for them as opportunity may offer.Any communications from Boston, either written or printed, will always be thankfully received. I have the three first Numbers of the New Series of the Magazine, and expect to obtain the fourth in New-York. After Numbers will THE Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb established at Hartford in the State of Connecticut, having been for some time opened, and the system of instruction commenced, we presume it cannot be uninteresting to the public at large, and particularly to those who have friends in the school, to be informed from time to time of its progress, and its probable success in accomplishing view. It is but a short time since the the object which its founders had in editor of this paper was at Hartford, and had an opportunity to visit the Institution, and to witness the advancement which the scholars had then made. He hopes his readers will excuse him for stating the effects of that visit upon his own mind, with the wish, he frankly acknowledges, of bringing the Asylum home to the sympathy and the CHARITY of the friends of human happiness. At the time mentioned, the schoo consisted of twenty-five pupils, from different parts of the country, viz NewHampshire, Massachusetts, RhodeIsland, Connecticut, New-York, and Pennsylvania, of both sexes, and of various ages from ten to fifty. They were divided into two classes, and placed in two rooms, one under the instruction of Mr. Gallaudet, the other of Mr. Clerc. They are lodged in the same building in which the school is kept, in the family of the Rev. Mr. Stansbury of this city. Every person acquainted with the character of this gentleman, and his family, will feel perfectly satisfied, that in point of domestic comfort and accommodation, they are as well provided for as their friends could expect or wish. ty, that cannot be pictured on the countenance of a person in full possession of the sense of which they are deprived. It is a look which reaches the inmost recesses of the bosom of the spectator, whilst it is fixed, and fixed alone, on the motions of the Instructor. The presence of company, of strangers, has not the least effect in drawing their attention for one moment from their employment. Feeling the full force of their own calamity, and realizing the immense privilege which they enjoy of gaining so good a portion of the knowledge which the world around them possess, they are the most faithful scholars that were ever found in a schoolnot a motion, not a sign, not a glance of the master's eye escapes their observation; and, of course, their progress is such as would astonish a person not acquainted with their capacity for improvement. The mode of instruction is somewhat upon the Lancasterian plan. The teacher is seated in the middle of the room, in plain view of the pupils, who are stationed round by the walls, with each a large slate, reaching from near It is not easy for the mind to realize the floor, the height of four or five feet, the effects which will be produced upand resting against the wall. The les- on it, by its first visitation to this imsons at that time were short sentences, pressive scene. To see a group of our containing each a single idea, like that fellow beings, labouring under so heavy of "the head" the eyes" "the a providential calamity as a loss of the mouth." &c. This idea, and the words hearing, of a most interesting appearand letters which express it, are com- ance and among these are a considmunicated to the whole school at once, erable number who are peculiarly seby signs from the Teacher, and when on whose minds the light of knowledge received by them, are written down by has just begun to dawn, eger in its pureach on the several slates. In this way suit, and charmed with its acquisition, they proceed, until the slates are filled. will excite in the benevolent heart a To such a degree of accuracy had the crowd of emotions, at once too strong to scholars attained, when my visit was be controlled, and too affecting to be utmade, that the various sentences were tered. What exhibition can more powunderstood and written down by almost erfully engage the feelings, than that of all of them with perfect accuracy, and a class of the deaf and dumb, receiving the few mistakes that were made were the rudiments of science from the invery slight, and instantaneously rectifi-structions of a master, himself deaf and ed. dumb! The time I spent, in both rooms, was very short-not exceeding half an hour. It was, however, sufficiently long to satisfy the mind not only of the practicability, but of the astonishing ease and facility, with which these unfortunate but amiable and deeply interesting persons can receive instruction in knowledge of the highest importance. A more interesting and affecting spectacle can scarcely be imagined, than this school, so entirely novel in our country, presents to the eye, and to the heart. When the Teacher is about to give his pupils a new lesson, every eye from every side, is turned upon him with a degree of intentness, and anxie The funds of this exalted charity are too small to allow its humane founders and patrons to extend its benefits to the indigent. In several instances, the charity of the neighbourhood where an unfortunate subject of the calamity has resided, whose circumstances did not admit of his enjoying the benefits of the school, has been so liberally exerted as to raise, by their individual contributions, the necessary expenses. Those expenses, including board, instruction, &c. are two hundred dollars a year. It is to be hoped that this example will be more extensively followed, at least, uptil means can be devised to place the Asylum upon a more liberal foundation, Dbituary. DIED, in Boston, July 26, 1816, Miss EMELINE PARSONS, aged 15, of a slow and lingering consumption. This amiable youth was hopefully brought to the knowledge of the truth when in her twelfth year. Immediately after, she was visited with a distressing fever, which left her in an impaired state of health. She, however, so far recovered as to be comfortable; and on the sixth of July following, she made an epen profession of her faith, and was solemnly baptized; and the same day was received a member in the Second Baptist Church in Boston. From the time of her conversion to the close of life, she gave the most unequivocal proof of the reality of her religion, and of its sacred influence upon her heart and life. For a child of her years, she appeared to possess an uncommon experience of the truths and promises of God's holy word. Christians of longer standing and older in experience, often found themselves edified by her pious and pertinent conversation. Hence an acquaintance with her was sought by maBy pious persons in the neighbouring towns, where, by their particular invitation, she spent much of her time. For a considerable time, hopes were entertained that her health might be restored, and that she might be continued a blessing to her friends and to the church of God. But her complaints gradually increasing gave alarming presages of her early dissolution. During a distressing confinement of several months, she not only manifested an entire resignation to the will of God, but such an unshaken confidence in the divine mercy, as to raise her above the fears of death; often declaring death had no terrors for her. Indeed, she seemed to long to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Having herself tasted and known that the Lord is gracious, she felt a most ardent desire that others might be made partakers of the same rich grace. Feeling a conviction of her safe and happy condition, a youth of her acquaintance one day said to her, "I wish I was in your situation." She instantly replied: "I would that you were altogether such as Iam, except these bonds. Paul was bound with chains, but I am bound with sickness." To a young Christian friend, who was going on a visit into the country, she thus observed. "Be faithful, and do not let your watch run down. Remember what you are, and where you are going." A Christian friend observing her distress, said to her, "Your sufferings are great." "They are nothing," said she, "compared with what Christ suffered for me." Her expressions and conduct to the very last, were such as gave abundant evidence of the genuineness of her religion. The subject of dying, which so often apals the spirits of the ungodly, usually when mentioned, produced in her a glow of animation. She seemed to view death as the "gate of endless joy," and "dying but going home." On Friday the 26th day of July, (being her dying day) she appeared to have been favoured with a sweet composure, and at times expressed a longing desire for the time of her departure to come. To one of her friends she observed, "I have had no rest for two days: But there remaineth a rest for the people of God. That rest, I shall soon enter, and be freed from all my pain and distress." Just before she closed the scene, a friend said to her, "You have got almost to your Father's home." She exclaimed, "Too much! too good! O I long to be gone, I am ready and waiting." She was then asked if Jesus was precious? She answered, "Yes!" and in a few minutes expired, without a struggle or a groan. Reader! is there not something within thee softly saying, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his ?" AN ALARMING DEATH, Extract of a letter from Rev. George Witherell, to one of the Editors, dated July 2, 1817. DIED at Conway, (Mass.) June 23, JAMES HALL, a man of colour. The circumstances of his death were as follow: His wife several years since, hopefully experienced religion, and manifested a desire to be baptized and join the Baptist church; but his opposition was such, that she thought most proper to omit it at that time. She continued in this situation for a number of years, often feeling her mind called up to that duty. At length she came to the resolution to offer herself to the church. Accordingly, the sabbath before his death, she manifested her desire to relate her experience and be baptized. A meeting was appointed the next Thursday for that purpose. On Monday, Hall obtained knowledge of it. He immediately flew into a rage, and expressed himself in the most blasphemous manner, swearing by all that was good, that she should not go forward. At length he left his house, and by an oath declared he would never return. He then went from house to house through the neighbourhood, railing, and blaspheming in the most awful manner. At length he called at a Mr. S's, and there began to rail and blaspheme as he had done at other places; affirming with an oath, that if his wife went forward, he hoped she would drop dead the first step she took in the water, and that he never meant to return to his house again. He also stated to Mrs. S, that she and some other women had influenced his wife to go forward. In the midst of his raving, Mrs. S discovered that his speech faultered, and that he fell back in his chair. She went to him, and discovered that something was the matter; whereupon she sent for her husband, who was but a few rods from the house; but before he got in, Hall was dead! He was opened and examined by a physician, but he could find nothing by which to determine the cause of his death. Let others take heed how they tempt the Almighty. On Wednesday, this unhappy man was buried, and on Thursday, according to appointment, the woman related her experience to the church, was received, and baptized. This may be relied on as a fact, as I was in the town on the Sabbath following, and received the statements from a number who were knowing to the circumstances. Yours, G. WITHERELL. TREASURER'S ACCOUNT. Donations received by the Treasurer of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. 1817. April 29, By Benjamin Hastings, Esq. from the Westfield Associa- By Miss E.. Terry, from the Mite Society, West Spring- $15,90 12,17 By Rev. L. Bolles, from the Salem Bible Trans. and F.M. 100,00 30. By avails of a pair of ear-rings from Groton Union Confer- 75 May 1. By Mrs. E. Within gton, from the New-York Female For- 200,00 By Dr. Staughton, from the North Carolina Foreign Mis- By John Withington, Esq. from the N. Y. Bap. For Miss. 333,85 500,00 By E. Moore, Esq. from the Connecticut Auxiliary Mission 300,00 By Rev. J. Peck, from the Madison Auxiliary Foreign Mis- 175,00 3: By James Loring, from the Boston Bap. Foreign Mission By Rev. Mr. Pillsbury, from the Meredith Association, New- By J. Wilson, Esq. from the New-York Middle Dis. Aux. By Mr. C. Shaw, from the Bristol and Newport Cos. Auxil. By David Adams, Esq. from the General Com. of Charles- 1038,14 600,00 115,00 |