326 Narrative of Missions. [MARCH. there is not a single person who can read a word. In some few places, notwithstanding, the people are serious and attentive to preaching; especially in Bur and west of the lake. He rode 857 miles, preached 70 times, examined several persons for church communion, formed one church, baptized a number of children, visited the sick and af-lington, Springfield and in the flicted, and spent considerable time in visiting from house to house. Once he administered the Lord's supper. He observes that in that tract of country, there is a wide field for missionary labors and that in many places the prospect of doing good is favorable. The people were inclined to hear when an opportunity presented. He was every where politely received, and in some places with cordiality and affection. The people were full of expressions of gratitude to the people of Connecticut for their exertions to afford them the preaching of the gospel, and wished for the continuance of them. society of Union. In these places churches have been formed in consequence of a happy work of God, a short time since, among them. Here, says Mr. Wil liams, at evening lectures the places of meeting have commonly been filled. On the sabbath people have come from great distances, and the assemblies have been numerous. The hearers have generally given an earnest and solemn attention. These churches have no pastors and this is the case with many other churches in those counties.Some are wholly destitute of preaching and in a broken, perishing condition. The churches It was observed in the last and people manifest an increasyear's Narrative, that the Trus- ing desire to have constant preach-" tees had appointed Mr. Thomas ing but cannot obtain it because the Williams a missionary in the laborers are few. From the ercounties of Delaware and Otsego rors and difficulties which ain the state of New-York; and bound, the prospect, as to the that they had desired the origin- rising generation, is very gicoal association of Windham coun- my. Many parents seem to be ty to ordain him, as an evangel-sinking into discouragement and ist. He was ordained according saying, what will become of our to the desire of the Trustees, and children? Shall we ever have a - commenced his missionary la- minister? bors in June. Three letters Mr. Eli Hyde, having been have been received from him, by appointed a missionary to visit which it appears, that he is zeal- the settlements on Black river ously and laboriously exerting and the adjacent country, went himself in the duties of his mis-out on his mission the beginning sion. It appears that he had of September. By a letter from preached at the rate of about 150 him of the 8th of November, it times a year. He has attended appears, that he had visited most many conferences, and been la- of the settlements within the borious in the visitation of fam- field of his labors; and that he ilies. The state of religion and had preached about 70 times, inoral instruction, in that part of besides performing other minthe country in generál, is very isterial services. IIis remarks low. In some whole farailics respecting that country, as an important part of the vineyard, are similar to those communicated by other missionaries who have preceded him; and all serve to show the benefit resulting from missionary efforts. At a late meeting of the Trustees, Mr. Hyde's appointment was renewed; and it is expected he will continue to itinerate for several months in the vicinity of Black river. From this statement it appears, that the missionaries have been zealous, laborious and faithful in the discharge of the duties of their missions. It also appears that the call for missionaries is as great, and the necessity of their services as urgent as ever it has been, and even more so. Notwithstanding many churches have been formed in various places, and a conLast summer and fall Mr. Ol- siderable number of congregaiver Wetmore performed a mis- tions have been supplied with sionary tour of about four months able pastors, yet so rapid have in the north western parts of been our population and settleVermont, and in the settlements ment, that there are now a much west of lake Champlain. Sever- greater number of new and vaal letters were received from cant settlements, than when the him during his mission from Society was first instituted. The which it appeared that ill health settlers are generally young peoand heavy rains, which rendered ple, and their families are full traveling very difficult, and in of children. Some of the missome places impossible prevent- sionaries have observed that they ed his preaching so frequently have been surprised at the numand performing so much mis- ber of children, which they have sionary labor as some others seen in some of the new settlehave done. He appears howev-ments. The proportion of chiler to have been faithful, and to dren and young people is doubthave been received with a de-less much greater than it is in gree of cordiality and thankful- the old settlements. But how ness, in most places, which evin-gloomy must the prospect be ces that the judicious part of the people in the new settlements feel it to be a very important object that missionaries should continue to visit them till circumstances shall be so ordered in providence as that they can settle ministers among them.Mr. Wetmore is now on a mission to the north eastern part of Vermont. with respect to them without schools, or books, or means of grace! In many places the people are 60 scattered and poor that they cannot support a minister. In some other places where they are able they are so divided in opinion, that they cannot. Here is a wide door opened for charity, for Zion to enlarge the place of her tent, to stretch forth the curtains of her We have now exhibited to the public a concise, but faithful ac-habitations, to lengthen her cords count of the labors of our missionaries the year past, and of the countries through which they have preached the gospel, administered the sacraments, and visited and instructed schools. and strengthen her stakes. What can be a more benevolent, pleasing and glorious work, than to aid her in breaking forth on the right hand and on the left, and in causing the desolate places to 328 Narrative of Missions. be inhabited ;than to plant re- | gular churches and pastors; than to promote Christian morals, and to diffuse the blessings of literature and civilization, of regular | society and undefiled religion through wide and extended countries? What can be more encouraging than the approbation and smiles of divine providence, which have so remarkably attended our missionary institution, and the labors of our missionaries from its commencement ? [MARCH. While we thus rejoice, we desire with humble and ardent gratitude and adoration, to bend the knee and lift up the heart to the God of all grace, for his goodness to us, to the Society, and to our fellow men who are rejoicing in his grace and salvation. We feel ourselves a thousand times compensated for all our expense and labors in the missionary bùsiness, in the evident smiles of providence upon our institution, and in its happy effects, in the instruction, comfort and salvation of men, and in the advancement of the kingdom and glory of the Redeemer. We are animated and enabled to proceed joyfully in our work. From our own feelings, we persuade our ourselves, that all who love our divine Redeemer and the precious souls of their fellow men, will be also animated and We rejoice in the zeal, faithfulness and abundant labors of our missionaries. We rejoice, that through the good hand of our God upon us, we have been spared another year; and at the close of it, we have been able to lay so pleasing an account of the affairs of the Society before the public. We rejoice, that thro' the instrumentality of our mis-rejoice with us. But if we resionaries, and the power and joice now what will our joys be grace of God attending their when we shall meet numerous ministrations, such numbers of of our redeemed brethren in our perishing fellow men, have glory, of whose edification, comapparently been born again; and | fort and salvation, it hath pleasbeen brought out of darkness in- ed God, to make us instrumento marvellous light :-That pro- tal?-When we shall witness | digals are returning with peni- their glory and blessedness, and tence and joy to the Father's how Jesus Christ is glorified in house-That Jesus Christ and them? When they shall prohis gospel are exalted and glori-nounce eternal blessings upon fied. Yes, we rejoice indeed, our heads, and we shall for that there is joy in heaven over ever rejoice together in God and repenting and returning sinners: one another? When the judge That the dead are alive again, shall make it public that we and that the lost are found. We have done good unto his people, rejoice in their joy, in the joy and that in as much as we have which the Missionary Society done it unto one of the least of and all our good people will have his brethren, we have done it in the happy effects of the So- unto him and shall proclaim, ciety, and of their charity, in the Come, ye blessed of my Father, encouragement, edification, com- inherit the kingdom prepared fort and joy of their brethren in for you from the foundation of Christ; and in the salvation of the world? What is gold! What their fellow inen. are labors and toil in comparison with these divine joys! With | into execution such benevolent these glorious prospects! While these therefore are before them, while providence is thus smiling on our institution; while good people in Europe, in America, and in various parts of the earth have been disposed to form into societies, and unite their exertions to spread the kingdom and glories of their common Saviour, we persuade ourselves, that our good people will still cheerfully and liberally contribute to support the misзionary institution. They will | reflect on the honor and happiness of being united with all the excellent of the earth in carrying | designs, and ofsharing with them JOHN TREADWELL, Chairman. Abel Flint, Secretary. + Prov. xi. 25. 2 Cor. ix. 6, A STATEMENT OF THE FUNDS OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT, JANUARY 1, 1805. No. 1. ACCOUNT of Monies contributed in the several Congregational Societies in the State of Connecticut, for the support of Missions, on the first Sabbath in May, 1804, pursuant to a Resolve of the General Assembly of said State, passed May, 1801. |