The following Delegates from different Associations connected with this Assembly, also attended; and having produced certificates of their appointment, they took their seats as members: viz.

Of the General Association of the State of Connecticut, Rev. Lyman Beecher.

Of the General Association of Massachusetts Proper, Rev. Edward D. Griffin, D. D.

Ebenezer Fitch, D. D.

Of the General Convention of Vermont,

Rev. Henry Davis, D. D.

The Assembly proceeded to the choice of a Moderator and temporary Clerk; and the Rev. James Inglis, D. D. was chosen Moderator, and the Rev. Robert Cathcart, temporary Clerk.

Resolved, That the Assembly, and such persons as may choose to unite with them, will spend a part of next Wednesday evening, in the First Presbyterian Church in this city, in special prayer and other religious exercises.*

The following delegates were duly chosen to attend the different Associations connected with this Assembly, viz.

Rev. Aaron W. Leland,

Alexander Monteith, and

A numerous and attentive audience attended, and united with the General Assembly in the solemn services of the evening.

Rev. John Johnston, to attend the next meeting of the General Association of Connecticut.

Rev. Aaron W. Leland, and

Alexander Monteith, or

John Johnston, their alternate, to attend the next meeting of the General Association of Massachusetts Proper.

Rev. Gardiner Spring, and

Gershom Williams, to attend the next meeting of the General Association of New-Hampshire. Rev. Gershom Williams, or

Gardiner Spring, his alternate, to attend the next meeting of the General Convention of Vermont.

Resolved, That the Standing Committee of Missions be requested to present the thanks of this Assembly to the Rev. Archibald Alexander, D. D. for the missionary sermon, which, by their appointment, he had preached the preceding evening; and that the Committee request of Dr. Alexander a copy of the sermon for publication.*

Agreed, that a free conversation on the state of religion be the order of the day for Monday next.

A connected Narrative of the State of Religion was read; and, being amended, was adopted, and is as follows, viz.

In reviewing the dealings of Divine Providence toward their churches the past year, the General Assembly have abundant testimony, that the King of Zion is the guardian of his people. Every glance discovers the finger of God. In those congregations that are favoured with the institutions of the Gospel, the Assembly are happy to find a respectful and general attention to the preached word. Though in a few places, there has been a partial suspension of ministerial labours, arising from the unhappy state of some congregations on our frontiers; and in others, some defection in the regard which has been heretofore paid to the duties of the Sanctuary; yet there has been on the whole, an increased attention to the means of grace.

* This sermon has been printed, and is for sale at Mr. Woodward's book store, Philadelphia.

There is a state between that stupidity which casts a gloom around every prospect, and that excitement which gilds every prospect with hope, that characterizes many of our congregations. In these churches, there is no general out-pouring of the Spirit of grace; but there is that anxiety to hear the preached word, that solicitude to frequent public and private associations for prayer, together with some instances of conviction, and more of solemnity, which we venture to hail as the earnest of better days.

In many of our congregations, these days of hope have already issued in seasons of refreshing and joy. The same Saviour that took away the hard and stony hearts of the Jews in Babylon, and that shed forth his Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, is giving before our eyes, signal exhibitions of his amiable sovereignty, and irresistible grace. In many places, the people of God have been roused from their lethargy; affected with clear views of divine things, and animated with ardent desires to promote the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom, and to see it promoted in the world. The attention of the thoughtless has been powerfully arrested. Multitudes have been awakened to a sense of their sinfulness, their danger, and their duty and many a stout hearted rebel has been brought to bow before the feet of a crucified Saviour. The Congregations that have been eminently favoured with these effusions of mercy, are in the towns of Pompey and Homer, within the Presbytery of Onondaga; in Utica, Whitesborough and Litchfield, within the Presbytery of Oneida; and in Hebron, within the Presbytery of Columbia. In several congregations within the bounds of the Jersey Presbytery, in addition to the gleanings of an earlier harvest, there have been a number of extensive revivals. New Providence, Morristown, Bloomfield, Orange, Newark, Elizabeth-town and Connecticut Farms, have been highly favoured of God. In Hanover, South Hanover and Springfield particularly, the right hand of the Lord has been truly exalted, within the course of the past winter. While casting our eyes toward this favoured district of country, where there have been three extensive revivals in eleven years, we remember with thankfulness, the years of the

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right hand of the Most High, and render praise to him whose mercy endureth forever. In Princeton and Kingston, within the bounds of the New Brunswick Presbytery, we have also the privilege to state, that there is an increased attention to religion. We are exceedingly happy to hear that God is drawing so near one of our principal Seminaries of learning: and we indulge the hope, that he will again visit in mercy this favoured Institution. We have reason to believe, that vital piety is evidently rising in influence in some parts of Virginia. In Richmond, Petersburgh, Fredericksburgh, and particularly Norfolk, there have been considerable effusions of the Spirit, though no general revivals. New churches have been established; encouraging additions to them have been made; and at the present time, the prospect is unusually animating. In the counties of Albemarle, Culpepper and Madison, very considerable attention has been excited by the labours of Missionaries. In the congregations of Hawfields and Crossroads, within the bounds of the Presbytery of Orange, there has also been some unusual seriousness. In the Presbytery of West Lexington, the prevalence of malignant disease has been followed by deep searchings of heart and anxious cries for mercy. And among the blacks in the Presbytery of Harmony, we are rejoiced to learn there is much solemnity, and greât engagedness in divine things. In some of the aforementioned places, the attention to religion seems to be at present on the decline, and in others, it is still advancing. The whole scene is enough to gladden the heart. The risen Redeemer still has the work of Salvation in his own hands, and turneth the hearts of the children of men, whithersoever he will, as the rivers of water are turned.

The subjects of these revivals have been chiefly from among the youth-from the children of believing parents; and in some places, particularly from the youth who have paid punctual and respectful regard to catechetical instruction. The general character of the work has been such as usually marks the genuine operations of the Holy Spirit. Though not without great power of feeling, the subjects have been free from the appearance of extravagance. The seasons of worship have been sacredly still,

rather than tumultuously violent. The speechless agony of multitudes who have been brought to see their sinfulness and their danger, has been more the effect of truth bearing down upon the conscience, than that transient and violent emotion, excited by natural fear, and cherished by animal feeling. They have been deeply impressed with a sense of the infinite majesty and holiness of God, of the spirituality, extent, and obligations of the divine law, the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the total depravity of the human heart,—the necessity of regeneration by the almighty power of the Holy Spirit, of justification, not by works, but freely by the grace of God, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, the indispensible necessity of an interest in atoning blood, and of that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.

The General Assembly are gratified to learn that praying societies, established for the special purpose: of imploring the effusion of the Holy Spirit upon the Churches; charitable institutions for the aid of poor and pious young men for the gospel ministry, and for sending the gospel to the heathen-and societies for the religious instruction of the children in the suburbs of our cities; have increased in number, and are widely extending their influence. Nor can they regard with too much gratitude, the heavenly ardor of many pious females, whose weekly associations for prayer, and daily. exertions in the distribution of Bibles among the poor, show us what it is to imitate the example of him who went about doing good.

The Assembly feel no small satisfaction in stating the increase of united and vigorous effort in some portion of country within their limits, for the advancement of morals. A solicitude upon this subject is beginning to be felt. The indispensible necessity of embodying the influence of the land in favor of religion and morality, is beginning to be felt deeply and we cannot but hope that such a combination will be formed; and cannot but believe that it will be greatly successful. During the year past, Bible Societies have greatly increased in number and utility. Few districts of our country are now without them. Their influence is