day; but others, however, were shut. Every one is at liberty to do as he pleases; he may work, or let it alone. Balls, plays, gaming, and so on, proceed in their usual course, and are even more numer. ously attended on Sundays. In general, the Parisians seem to have a particular rage for theatrical entertainments; for I was told, that the number of theatres and playhouses of all kinds, amounts to about fifty; and that most of them are generally crowded. -I went on Sunday to the chapel of the Swedish Ambassador, where I heard a sermon preached by the Swedish mimister, in French. I was pleased to heat Christian principles and evangelical truth interspersed in his discourse; although, strictly speaking, he seems to belong more to the class of moral than evangelical preachers His small but neat chapel was tolerably well filled.

I also visited several Roman Catholic churches, which I was told were very much frequented during the course of the last year; but in the present, the eagerness has abated. The continual coming in and going out, which is usual in Romish Churches, is a great interruption to true devotion: yet I observed some, whose countenances and attitudes seemed strongly to express an inward spirit of prayer, and not a mere recital of a forinu. lary. "A seed shall serve him!" For a trath, I perceive, that God is no respecter of persons; but, in every nation," he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." "The Lord knoweth them that are his." These passages of Scripture frequently occurred to my mind, while passing through France. There are, doubtless, in this vast country, many who worship God in spirit and in truth, and who secretly pray to the Father who seeth in secret; and, amidst the dross of superstition, there are, no doubt, some grains of the pure gold of true faith to be met with. Yet, on the whole, the religious state of France put me in mind of Ezekiel's vision; and I could not but earnestly wish, that a reviving Spirit of the Lord might

breathe upon this vast field of dry bones, and quicken them! England has indeed a great advantage over France, -the gospel of our salvation is here preached much more extensively, and with far greater purity and demonstration of the Spirit, than in France. I will only add one observation more, which occurred to me during my stay at Paris-When retiring to my lodg ings, after having spent a day in viewing all the beauties of art and nature, my mind was forcibly impressed with this important truth, That all these enjoyments can never fully satisfy the wants and desires of an immortal soul. Jesus alone can afford true rest and peace!

[To be continued.]

Extract of a Letter from a pious Clergyman in Switzerland, to the Rev. Mr. S-, London.

Oct. 7, 1803.

You have sent me two volumes of the publications of the Religious Tract Society, as a kind present of the same; for which I feel myself highly obliged to the Gentlemen of the Committee, having already pro cured a translation of some Tracts into the German language, which I wish to disperse among my countrymen. Our Society here is but small, and can do very little, for want of sufficient money; but still the Lord seems to prosper our fee. ble endeavours. We assemble every fortnight; and have distri buted above 2000 Religious Tracts, exclusive of Bibles and New Testaments, gratis, among the people. Besides, we have established a small religious library in several villages, in order that instructive and edifying books may be circulated among country ministers and schoolmasters; and thus young people may get acquainted with the pure doctrine of our blessed Lord and Saviour at an early period of

life.

Our present government is not quite inactive in restraining the tor rent of profaneness and wickedness ;

who are impoverished, maimed, and under the continual restraint of mightier ones! Yet, under all these disadvantages, we will faithfully pursue our course, humbly implore the gracious assistance of God, and be of good cheer. He certainly will not leave nor forsake us; and, by his blessing, a mustard seed soon may become a fruitful

tree!

We derive the most heart-felt satisfaction, and particular encourage ment, from all those manifold and truly excellent institutions which, now flourish on British ground, and are so very essential to the preservation and spreading of the pure doctrine of Him who was crucified. May God crown them all with still encreasing usefulness, so that the enemies of Christ may be put to shame! May God soon put a stop to all the antichristian undertakings against England, while Europe is looking with anxious surprize for the result of the present awful contest; and every sincere servant of Christ cannot help praying in seCret," Lord, spare thy people; and let thine inheritance not be confounded!"

AMERICA.

HAVING been favoured with an ex-1 cellent Sermon, preached before the General Assembly of the Pres. byterian Church, in the United States of America, by the Rev. H. Kollock, we extract, from an Appendix to it, the following pleasing account of the Zeal of Ministers and Christians in that Country; and the continued In crease of Missionary Institutions in the immense regions of the western world.

For three years past, seven or eight Missionaries have been annually sent out; besides a stated Missionary, who resides on the frontiers of the country to direct the labours of others, and to spend six months of the year himself in travelling and preaching. The success of these Missionaries among the white inhabitants who have re @eived their labours, has been very

been instrumental in establishing churches through a large extent of country; and their preaching, under the 'divine blessing, has manifested the power of evangelical truth in the hopeful conversion of many souls. In a word, they are annyally forming into regular congregations the people who emigrate from the interior of our country to the wilder-, ness that surrounds it, and planting and cherishing among them the seeds of genuine piety.

We shall now very briefly notice the other institutions, of a similar kind, in the United States: —

1. The Synods of Virginia, of. Pittsburgh, of Kentucky, and of the Carolinas, are all employed in this important work. These Synods are connected with, and under the care of the Assembly: but, from local circumstances, it has been judged expedient that they should manage the Missionary busi ness separately from the Assembly; and some of them have manifested a most commendable zeal in the cause. From the western commission of the Synod of Virginia, nine Missionaries were sent forth during the last year. Three of these have gone to the Indians. They have also sent a young man, of pious character, among the Heathcn, to instruct them in agriculture; and to make instruments of husbandry for their use.

The commission of Sy nod are likewise instructing a native Indian youth, who has lutely become pious, with a view of his be ing an interpreter, and, in due time, a preacher of the gospel among his people.

The friends of vital piety will ing from our main purpose here, so, probably be gratified by our departfar as to state, that in the bounds of these Synods, comprehending parts of the States of Pensylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee,, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, there has been for some time past, and still continues. to be, one of the most wonderful displays of divine power, in the conversion of sinners, that perhaps has been witnessed since the apostolic age. We cannot go into a deB b

2. The Missionary Society of New York. This was instituted in the year 1796. Its design is to gospelize the Heathen; and it confessedly owes its origin to the spirit which, for some years past, has been manifested in Europe, to carry on this great and benevolent enterprize. They have considerable funds. One of their Missionaries, with his son as a schoolmaster, is permanently established among the tribe of Chicasaw Indians; and with some prospects of success. There are, indeed, eighteen persons in all, who have gone out with the Mission, and who are expected, in va rious ways, to co-operate in carrying its design into effect. This Society have likewise sent a Mission among the Seneca Indians, by whom he was received with great cordiality. When the Missionary returned, the Indians sent a request to the Society to be farther instructed; and also that some of their own youth might be taken and educated, so as to be able to teach their countrymen both the principles of the Christian religion and the arts of civilized life. This Society, in a word, promises to be extensively useful.

3. The Northern Missionary Society. This was founded in the year 1797. They have likewise made laudable exertions to promote Indian Missions. They have made preparations for sending a minister of the gospel and a schoolmaster to the Oneida nation, or tribe. They have considerable funds; and the Indians themselves have made a donation of land to the Society.

respectable. The number of their Missionaries in a year, has been as large as twelve or thirteen. They have been as successful as the Missionaries of the General Assembly, with whom they act in concert, in spreading the gospel among the white inhabitants, on the frontiers of the country. They have also sent a minister of the gospel and a schoolmaster, as Missionaries, among the Chipeway Indians.

5. The Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America. This was instituted at Boston, in the year 1787, in consequence of a commission being granted to certain gentlemen in that town, from the Soeiety in Scotland. Stimulated by this circumstance, a number of pious and public spirited individuals were associated. Ir the year 1798, they had three Missionaries among the Indians. They had likewise a number of schools, in which the Indians were taught to read; and they had obtained the translation of a catechism into the Indian language, which was printed and distributed among those who were able to use it. They have also sent out several Missionaries to preach the gospel to the white inhabitants in the destitute parts of the state; and have distributed more than 8000 pious books to the poor people, among whom the Missionaries have laboured. Considerable success, both among the Indians and the white people, has rewarded the exertions of this Society.

6. The Massachusets Missionary Society. This was instituted in the year 1799; and is yet in its infancy. Its funds, however, are increasing; and in the summer of the year 1800, they had appointed tour Missionaries.

7. There are two other Missionary Societies in the state of Massachusets, as well as one in the state of New Jersey; of whose funds, efforts, and prospects we regret that we are not yet able to make a state. ment.

sions is printed, and is well known to the Christian world. In this country they have not been less zealous than in other regions. Their labours among the aboriginal nations of this continent have not only been unwearied, but probably more successful than those of any other society of Christians.

9. The Baptists in the United States have been both zealous and successful in preaching the gospel among those who are perishing for lack of knowledge. On the frontiers of our country their exertions have been vigorous, and the effect of them great. They have not, at present any person employed on an Indian Mission; but among the black people, in the southern part of the American union, they have a large number in the communion of their church. In the state of Georgia, in particular, they have two or three regularly organized churches, composed wholly, or chiefly, of the African race. They are also making arrangements to extend still more widely and systematically their Missionary efforts. 10. The Westlean or Arminian Methodists have been second to none in zeal and industry, in carrying the gospel to all who are deprived of it, except the Indians. Among the blacks, and the poor people of European descent, whether in the interior or on the bor

ders of these states, perhaps none have been, so frequently as they, the pioneers of religion; and their ardent and unwearied exertions have added multitudes to the communion of their church.

spreading so as to fill the whole settlement. Nor is it confined to those places where the gospel is preached; many places where they had not had a sermon for six months, are as much engaged as those who have statedly enjoyed the preached word; and some of them considerably more. They now meet in societies; and it is no uncommon thing to spend the whole night in religious exercises, even the very persons who could not have been induced to have sraid one half hour to have heard the best preacher on the Continent (if they could have been gotten to the place at all) now nothing restrains them from prayer and praise to the Most High, and with a spirit or devotion sufficient to shame Christians of the best standing and talents. It has now spread into tive counties; and often lays hold of the most stout and hardened rebels, and makes those who were leaders in iniquity, the leaders in the work of God.

This is the Lord's doing; and, indeed, it is marvellous in our eyes. Pen cannot disclose, tongue describe, nor Fancy paint the wonders of the Lord we daily see amongst us.It is by no means the form of preaching, &c.; impressions are made in riding, walking, working, sleeping, and in every cir cumstance of life; and often by those who have not heard a sermon for years. No sooner do they become impressed, but they begin to pray ardently-love one another and mankind fervently;and serve the God they be ore despised with their heart.- Shew my communications to Mr. Lorain, Jackson, and as many of your So ciety as you may judge proper.I have not time to write to all, nor indeed scarcely to any.

Brethren, pray for us, and accept of my warmest prayers for

you all.

I am, dear Friend, yours in Christ Jesus, our common Lord,

G. BLACKBURN.

B b 2

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Evan Johns, Minister of Worthington, in the Township of Berlin, in Connecticut, North America.

Nov. 8, 1803.

I THINK I mentioned to you in my last, that there is a deep religious impression at Durham. I preached there the Sabbath before fast. There was, in the audience, a certain indescribable something, which I never before witnessed. I 'cannot convey an adequate idea of what I observed, by saying there was the greatest apparent serious ness, accompanied by a death-like stillness. It was the easiest thing imaginable to preach. A neigh bouring brother, at Rocky Hill, made the same remark. In the parish of Durham, nevertheless, Satan seems to be very busy. Would you have thought it? A man, who had always been deemed a decent character, and been in the habit of attending public worship, was so displeased with his daughter for joining in church-fellowship, as to turn her out of doors; but he afterwards received her. This reminds me of what I heard last week from Mr. Woodward, of Woolcot, at whose house was holden our monthly meeting: One of his parishioners, a sober-minded, serious, and judicious man, was just returned from New Connecticut; a territory on the back of Pensylvania. There, it seems, religious impressions have commenced in a very remarkable manner. Persons, under their first influence, fall down in the midst of the congregation, and remain for some time uttterly helpless; but generally retaining the full exercise of their senses, so as to be able afterward to give a distinct account of every transaction in their presence. The preaching, it was observed, had nothing remarkable, either in manner

or

In

matter. It was said to be very similar to what obtains in this state, when preachers are orthodox. New Connecticut there were quar terly meetings; to which there was

He,

a numerous resort. One of these meetings, the person just mention, ed attending, saw the effects described. When persons teli down, they would make such an exclamation as, "Lord have mercy!" No confusion took place. They were properly attended until they recovered. He said, that the ef fect could not be counterfeited. Those who fell down, generally continued under the influence of religion: some of them relapsed; and such, it was said, were most frequently in a state of insensibility after the seizure in falling down. When one of the quarterly meetings was approaching, a young woman, at a distance, signified to her father a desire to attend. after some consideration, without any apparent reluctance, carried her to the place. During the preach: ing, she fell down; and upon her recovery, appeared deeply impressed by religious truths. The father was very much displeased; and in going home, finding his reasoning with her unavailing, he horsewhipped her very severely. He repeated the same treatment, I think, twice after their arrival at their common residence. His behaviour was so outrageous, as to oblige the daughter to claim the protection of the magistrate. When before him, the father refused to make any concessions or promises of good behaviour. His mittimus was written, and he committed to the proper officer; but while on the road to prison, he fell down; and when able to speak, confessed his fault, and promised amendment : over, he owned, that during the whole of his outrageous behaviour, he had been under strong convice tions; which he endeavoured resolutely to resist.

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