of Jesus; then he would reveal himself to them, as Joseph revealed himself to his penitent brethren. They were much surprised and affected. I then showed them some small publications, and now they all surrounded me closely, and began eagerly to ask, Pray give one to me; one to me also!" and they had scarcely received hem, but they began to read them, and with the Tracts in their hands, and reading, they left my house, after having expressed their most cordial gratitude. These Jews were from, about ten (German) miles (fifty English miles) from here. On the 5th of July, two Jews came to me from, seven (German) miles (thirty-five English miles) from here, to tell me, that they heard from other Jews that I had Hebrew books to sell, which they wished to see. I showed them the New Testament; after having looked into it, they said, 'That we have already; and opening a bag, they took out a copy of it, whose outward appearance showed that it had not laid there idle, but been frequently read. They now asked for the Prophets, and were much rejoiced when I presented them a copy of them. Upon their question, as to the price, I replied, They might pay for the book, according to the value in which they held it. They said, 'The value is high, for it is an important book, but we are poor; yet we will not have it for nothing, and paid sixteen groschen (one crown and a balf) for it. I asked them now, What is the state of your nation? Is there in many, among your people, an earnest desire after the redemption of Israel, or are you all in a state of indifference about it? They replied, 'No: we are not indifferent; there is a great emotion in our town also. The New Testament is read in many families, and a doubt begins to become more and more prevailing, whether Jesus of Nazareth is not the Messiah; and many who are convinced of it, are only kept back by the fear of men, from coming openly forward. But we really believe, that if our rabbins were convinced of the truth of the New Testament, and would confess Jesus to be the Messiah, of one hundred Jewish families, who live in the town, not ten would remain Jews; all would gladly receive Jesus.' They appeared to be very concerned that their rabbins were so hostile, and that they dared not to open their minds to them. We do not know, added they, what will happen. A general apprehension is gone abroad of something new; and there is none who will tell us what it is. Our learned men tell us, The time cannot be distant, when the Jews will be relieved. But in what way? that is a question to which they have no answer." I advised them to pray to God for the light of saving truth, and so they went their wav."

Your Committee have already mentioned Frankfort, in connexion with Mr. Elsner's labours; they proceed now to lay before you some very gratifying facts, which have been communicated to them from their correspondents, resident in that great commercial mart.

They continue to receive the most satisfactory testimonies to the piety and zeal of Mr. Marc, a Jewish convert, the Society's Missionary at that place. Mr. Senator Von Meyer,-a gentleman whose name your committee cannot mention without again expressing their grateful sense of the services which he has rendered the Society, says of him, in a letter to the Foreign Secretary, dated June 6th, 1820, "Mr. Mare continues in his useful and unostentatious activity, spreading abroad a seed, which cannot fail to bring forth fruit." In a subsequent letter, Mr. Von Meyer writes, "Mr. Marc exerts himself with the most cordial activity in promoting the conversion of the Jews." The testimony of Mr. Lix, a lay member of the Moravian church at Frankfort, to whom also your Committee are under great obligations, is not less honourable to Mr. Marc. "That our friend Marc," says Mr. Lix, to the Foreign Secretary, "is a łodger in my house is known to you. He is very active, and he labours in the true spirit. And what affords me the greatest pleasure is, that he himself lives by that grace he preaches to others, and therefore his residence here will surely not be without the desired point. He is often visited by Jews, and it appears that some of them have already caught the infection, if I may so express myself. For one communicates it to another, whereby Mr. Marc's labour is continually increasing. O what a gratification to converse with a truly believing Israelite, whose heart is burning in love to Christ."

Mr. Friedenberg, having visited Frankfort, writes thus of him in his Journal; "I had an hundred evidences that Mr. M.'s stay at Frankfort is blest, and that the choice of the Society in placing him there has been providentially overruled for good. Both from Jews and Christians the testimony concerning Mr. M. is uniformly satisfactory. With so many disadvantages from ill health, we must regard it as a most evident mark of God's favour, both to the cause, and to Mr. M. individually, that he is enabled to do so well as he does. He is very much visited by Jews, both by such as are persuaded of the truth of the Christian religion, and by such as seck the truth. His whole heart is engaged in the matter, and the Moravian brethren there are faithful and zealous fellow labourers with him."

Your Committee have the satisfaction of adding to this written evidence, the oral testimony of Dr. Steinkopff, who saw Mr. Marc at Frankfort, during his late journey to the Continent, and speaks most highly of his excellent conduct, and of the usefulness of his exertions.

SOUTH AFRICA. GRIQUA TOWN.

London Missionary Society.

Mr. HELM, in a letter to Dr. Philip, 26th January, 1821, represents the church at Griqua Town as continuing in a low state, no addition having lately been made, while it was found necessary to exclude some. Yet the place of worship, which is not small, continued to be well attended, and he entertained hopes of seeing better times.

Our School, he says, consists of 103 children, of whom 55 can read, and a few write and cipher.

The external state of the mission is rather prosperous, and it would be still more so, if proper regulations were established; and we expect such will be made by government, in March next, when the market (fair) will be held at Graaf Reinet.

Agriculture is increasing, and though the crop of the present year has not been so abundant as the last, yet we have had more rain than in some former years. More wagons arrive from the colony, from time to time. But as to building, they are too slow. Since Andrew Waterboer has been made captain, they have gone on better than before.

One of the Griquaas said to Mr. Helm, " I see more and more, that a mere literal knowledge of Christ and his word is not enough for me, I must have the saving knowledge, which I labour to obtain."

Another asked, "How it is that many cows, sheep, and goats, who have no understanding, may be kept in order by one good herdsman, and that men, who have understanding, will not be kept in order by the preaching of the word of God?"

Some Griquaas hunted a lion, which they succeeded in killing, after he had bitten J. K. very dangerously. It is remarkable that the lion, when he attacked J. K. passed by two other men, just as if he had sought him in particular. The unhappy man died of his wounds five days after, without giving any proof of conversion. It appears that, about three years ago, J. K. met a Bushman in the fields, who was driving a cow which he had stolen. After retaking the cow, without any resistance from the Bushman, he shot him. No notice of this cruelty was taken by the Griquaas, but though men are unjust, God is righteous.

PACALT'S DORP.

Mr. Messex, in a Letter dated December, 1820, says,

In my diary you will find how the work of Grace goes on amongst us. Hottentots, who for many years appeared to be as hard as a stone, now come and bow their knees at the foot of the Cross. Notwithstanding we are bitterly opposed by various classes of people, God, who has always pleaded his own cause, has heard the voice of our supplications, and has not forsaken us.

This year we sowed more wheat than ever, and had the prospect of a good crop: but in consequence of a dreadful blast, in less than a fortnight all was destroyed. Now we are obliged to look out for bread, but corn is so very dear, that the poor Hottentots can scarcely purchase any.

They have done so much work that you would be surprised to see it, particularly in making the large sod walls round Pacalt's Dorp, in the streets, the gardens, &c. Now when they see that you will make them a present, they will be encouraged to proceed with additional vigour.

It has pleased government to give us a piece of land, in addition to what we had before, for our cattle; and even there we have sustained a great loss in cattle and sheep. Our gardens were exceedingly well planted, and every thing looked so well, that it presented a most pleasing prospect; but by a long continuance of drought, and afterwards by a terrible storm of wind, the fruit trees and plants were greatly injured.

If it please God to spare us till next March, I intend to proceed with the enclosure of the corn-field also (which is large) with sod walls; but at present I am unwilling to set the poor things to work, they are so much reduced by want of food and other necessaries.

I would earnestly entreat you to have the goodness to collect some old clothes, or whatever else you think proper, for my poor destitute congregation, because they are much, very much in want this year.

Pray for us, that we may all be strengthened in faith, and that God may look upon us in mercy. It is true that this year we have a great and heavy trial, but we believe that God, according to his promise, will never leave nor forsake us. My whole congregation join in cordial salutations to you, and to all our dear friends in England."

UNITED STATES.

For the Christian Herald.

SYNOD OF NEW-YORK AND NEW-JERSEY.

4 Narrative of the state of Religion within the bounds of the Synod of New-York and New-Jersey, during the past year.

THE reports, which have been made to the Synod of New-York and New-Jersey, of the state of religion in the churches under their care, have excited us to praise, adore, and also to mourn. From the Presbytery of Long Island, little has been heard which is encouraging; they represent their churches to be generally in a languid state. Within the Presbytery of Hudson, God has been pleased to pour out the influences of his spirit, with convincing light and power. The churches of Westown, Greenbush, Hempsted, Forrestburgh, Nyack and Chester, have been especially visited. In most of these congregations, the revivals commenced in the latter part of last year. In some they were preceded by a season of lamentable lukewarmness; in others, the way appeared to be preparing for some time previously; the people of God were awakened to more zealous and prayerful exertions, to advance the Redeemer's kingdom. The church of Westown, which eleven years since consisted of only eight members, tells the wonders of redeeming love, in the hopeful conversion of 196 souls. This refreshing from the presence of the Lord, was not preceded by either unusual lukewarmness, or ushered in by any remarkable providence-their meetings gradually became numerous and crowded, and a deep and solemn silence, like the stillness of the grave, pervaded their assemblies. In Greenbush upwards of 60 have been added to the communion of the church-in Hempstead 79-and in Chester 160 have been gathered from the world to the congregation of believers. At the commencement of the revival in Chester, the state of religion was uncommonly low, and professors had long slumbered over it, with apparent unconcern-yet, the set time to favour Zion had come; and when the anxious inquiry was heard, " what shall we do to be saved," many were awfully convicted of having hardened their hearts and resisted the strivings of the Spirit.

The reports from the Presbytery of North River, represent the state of vital godliness within their bounds to be on the whole low, and still declining. They speak of the decrease of their numbers, and the coldness of professors, as causes of sorrow and humiliation.

The aspect of religion in the churches of the Presbytery of New-York, is more encouraging. Their reports state a general increase of their numbers and prosperity. In the Brick Church there has been, during the past year, a revival of religion, and as the fruit of it about 80 souls have been hopefully converted. The Mission Church, which was commenced and continues to be supported by female benevolence, prospers. A new Presbyterian church, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Frey, has been organized, of which, several Jews are members, and a commodious place of worship erected for them in Vandewater-street. There have been two other new churches formed, within three years, in the city of -New-York, and it is with pleasure we hear of their prosperity, and the happy influence they exert in their vicinity.

From the Presbytery of Jersey, the reports have not, for many years, spoken so loudly of spiritual leanness and barrenness. The past year has been a season of mournful declension, of spiritual slumber and worldliness among professors, which calls loudly for humiliation before God. With united voice they tell the sad evidences of the withdrawment of the special influences of God's spirit, except in the congregation of Bloomfield; there it has pleased the sovereign God to pour out his Spirit. Decisive tokens of this were first clearly visible in the month of January. In this gracious work of God the Spirit, the members of the church became deeply sensible of their guilt, in slumbering over the interests of Zion, and devoting so much of their time to the things of the world-these impressions were more and more deepened-christians were brought to mourn-they were quickened in duty, and more closely cemented in the bonds of brotherly affection and united devotion. As the fruits of this revival, upwards of 130 entertain hopes of having passed from death unto life, and of these about 70 have united with the church. While we rejoice in this memento, that God has not entirely withheld the showers of his grace from this section of his church, which in many former years has been emphatically marked as revival ground; yet, the symptoms of spiritual slumber, and death, and devastation, are too visible not to be seen, too criminal not to be reproved, and too forboding not to be lamented.

Within the Presbyteries of New-Brunswick and Newton, there have been no general revivals. In the church of Princeton an increased attention to religion has been witnessed. In the church of Newton, a special work of grace commenced about the first Sabbath of March, after a winter of uncommon spiritual coldness. In the progress of this revival 32 persons have been received into the communion of the church. This work of grace, like the others which have been reported, has had a reforming influence on the morals of the congregation. While the churches of this Presbytery have whereof to bless God, they have, with their sister Presbyteries, also deep reason to say, oh! that the Lord would revive his work in the midst of the years, " in wrath remember mercy."

The Synod further report, that the various institutions of piety and benevolence, auxiliary to the cause of God, within their bounds, have been generally supported, and some enlarged, during the past year. Sabbath schools and biblical classes, established in most of our congregations, continue, and are still attended with the same happy results. In some of our congregations the principal additions to the church have been made from these schools and classes. Charitable associations, notwithstanding the pressure of the times, have generally exhibited their usual liberality.

The African school continues to encourage our hopes. There are at present six pupils under the care of the board of Managers, who are making commendable progress in preparation for the gospel ministry.

In the college of New-Jersey, although there has been no general revival or awakening, yet fourteen students, belonging to that institution, have, within the last year, made a public profession of religion.

The smiles of Divine Providence are still resting on the Theological Seminary at Princeton. The highest number of students connected with it, during the summer session, was 76. The spirit of missions is still gaining in the seminary :-of about 26 students, who, during the last session closed their studies in the institution, considerably more than half have been engaged, or are about to engage in missionary service. One was recently ordained with a view to a mission in the Sandwich Islands; another, for the purpose of taking charge of a tribe of Indians in the western part of the state of New-York. The attention of the students to prayer meetings, Sabbath schools, and other pious and benevolent associations, continues rather to grow than to diminish. Thus it appears this school of the prophets is still under the fostering care of the Head of the church. While, therefore, God in his providence is removing his servants one after another, the Synod feel thankful that he is raising up so many young men of talents and hopeful piety for the ministry.

Upon a review of the whole, the Synod, relying on the promises of God, take courage, and resolve that for Zion's sake we will not hold our peace, and for Jerusalem's sake we will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.

Attest,

WILLIAM A. M'DOWELL, Stated Clerk.

At the meeting of the Synod of New-York and New-Jersey, in Newark, October 17, 1821, the following sums were reported as having been collected for the Professorship, in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, to be endowed by this Synod. viz.

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