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DOMESTIC.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY

OF MASSACHUSETTS.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM REV. W.
METCALF TO REV. OREN TRACY, OF
RANDOLPH, DATED

Dear Brother,

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When I first came to this region, the churches were very low, and under many severe trials; some difficulties, however, had recently been settled, and the church was in a better state of union than before. I concluded to spend a few months in this vicinity, and to preach one Sabbath in a month in this town, one in Sardinia, and one in Freedom, towns adjoining,

China, Genesee Co. (N. Y.) Feb. 15, 1826. reserving one Sabbath for special appointments. The church in Freedom is a branch of this. They had not had a covenant meeting, nor a communion season in this church for more than a year. In Freedom, they had occasionally met for these purposes, and in Sardinia almost statedly. Viewing the low and destitute condition of the churches, and the state of society generally, I thought it my duty to try to help them. I trust I can say, the Lord has in a good degree blessed my feeble exertions. I have spent my time in visiting and preaching constantly. I have my appointments so arranged, that I attend a covenant meeting in each place, on the Saturday preceding the Sabbath, in which I preach, so that I see each church together once a month. In this town we have had two communion seaAt the first there were 12 members present; at the second, which was last Sabbath, there were between 30 and 40 communicants, and one was baptized; we had a good, solemn season, probably more than a hundred spectators tarried.

Well, while you are settled among a good people, visiting among them, receiving their warm approbations, frequently enjoying a social circle, now and then, (I hope often) in your little study, surrounded by your " helps," and in the midst of a rich and populous country; here am I, far from home, among strangers, in a strange land, with my Bible and Hymn book, going from hut to hut, frequently worn out by labour, exposed to cold and wet; the wind, often whistling around my head in bed, having found access through, or between, the logs composing the dwelling. But stop, am I complaining? Have I no friend to comfort me? No social circle to frequent? Do I receive no expressions of gratitude and approbation? Have I no cheering prospect before me? Yes, blessed be God, all this, yea more! Although far from home, I have a home in every humble cottage, among strangers, and a friend in every dwelling to welcome me. My heart is often affected by expressions of gratitude and approbation, and the prospects of usefulness, which seem brightening every day. O how much cause of gratitude and humility? Far be it from me to think my lot is hard. I rejoice that I have an evidence that God has sent me here, to preach the precious "Gospel of Christ," to enter the hut, where never before a Missionary of the cross was seen, to reclaim his sheep, scattered in the wilderness, to hear the sighs of the broken heart and the songs of the new born soul, to raise a supplicating cry, where, never before a prayer was heard; to visit those churches, who have raised the Macedonian cry, and to set in order the things that are wanting.

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In Freedom, we have had one communion sermon, and I have baptized 4 perSome are under serious impressions, and one or two instances of recent conversion; several backsliders have re、 turned, and a general excitement appears, particularly at our meeting; more have assembled together lately, than have ever been seen before in this place.

In Sardinia, we have had one communion season, and a precious time it was. There were between 40 and 50 communicants, and it was a tender, melting time. One woman was received by baptism, who had been long halting between two opinions; two by letter, and a number were present who were desirous of going forward, but had not sufficient strength, But to be a little more particular. and some were under deep concern, all

me in the path of duty. I desire to know, and do the will of God.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM REV. J. M. PECK, TO THE SECRETARY OF THE MASS. BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Rock-Spring, (Ill.) Feb. 20, 1826.

which rendered the season truly solemn and delightful. The assembly that day was so large that many could not possibly get into the house, the large school house which was granted for our accommodation. I preached from the words of the prophet, "How long halt ye between two opinions, &c." Many were in tears, and have since been heard to say, "He was preaching to me." I cannot but hope, good will result from the services of the THAT portion of my time which has day. Meetings are generally full, and the been employed in the service of your Sopeople pay good attention to the word. ciety, has been spent in St. Louis; among I expect to spend next Sabbath there, and the churches in the Missouri Association; probably 4 or 5 persons will be baptized; and in occasional visits to other places, many are under serious impressions. Owhere pressing duties called me. that God would liberate their souls. I The Bible Society, and the Sunday have spent one Sabbath in about School Union, in the agency of both of

25 miles from this place, and broke bread to a newly constructed church in the wilderness, consisting of about 30 members I had a good season. I made no more appointments there, believing it my duty to spend my time in this vicinity. Since I came on Missionary ground, I have visited about 90 families; preached 70 times; attended 20 other meetings; broke bread 5 times; baptized 6 persons, and given the hand of fellowship to 5 others, some of whom had long neglected their duty. But, oh! on a retrospect I find that I have done but little, and that little poorly. O how imperfect! how much need of wisdom, prudence, humility and zeal. I find myself more and more inadequate to the work. "Who is sufficient for these things?" This is indeed a desolate region; but few ministers in the vicinity, and most of them not able to itinerate. I find many backsliders, many hardened souls, many who seldom if ever hear the gospel. But I feel encouraged. I rejoice with trembling. To-day prospects may appear bright, to-morrow all gloomy. O my dear brother pray for me, that I may be humble, prudent, and persevering. Pray that the Lord would send forth labourers. O how much they are needed in this part of the world!

I have two months longer of my appointment to fulfil. But how can I go away? You must stay; you must stay; how can you go away? frequently salutes my ears. O that God would direct AGRIL, 1826.

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Rev. and dear Brother,

which I have been engaged, has kept me very busy, and increased my labours se much as to impair my health; but they have given me opportunities for extensive exertions in the cause of Christ. Both these objects prosper quite beyond what once we anticipated. The fruits of the Sunday schools already begin to hang in clusters. About ten teachers, and sexenty scholars in the schools of Missouri and Illinois, have been reported to me as having professed religion, and united with different denominations, the last season. From returns already received, I learn there cannot have been less than 30 schools, including 1200 scholars, who have committed to memory at least 120,000 verses, the past year, in Missouri; while in Illinois there have not been less than 80 schools, including 3000 scholars, | who have committed to memory at least 300,000verses of Scripture, besides hymns, and questions in the catechism.

In some former communications, I mentioned about the sending of Spanish testaments to Upper Mexico. Last fall I became acquainted with Raymond Martinas, an intelligent Spaniard from the city of Chihuahua, which is situated about 240 miles S. W. from St. Fee. This man, though he could speak but a few words of our language, conveyed to me considerable intelligence about his native country, as others both before and since have done. The chain of cast is there broken. Superstition and priestly authority is 17

greatly paralized.

gave him a Spanish || joyed throughout the republic of Mexico.

Testament, and six Spanish tracts, To him I gave a testament, and be readi amongst which were the "Dairyman's ly proposed to purchase a number, to daughter," ,"" Jack Covey," and others of a carry back to his benighted countrymen. like description. He expressed great Upon enquiring if the priests would allow thankfulness for them, particularly the him to read that book, he promptly retestament, pressing it to his bosom, raising plied as Martinas and others have done his hands and eyes towards heaven, and to the same question; Most certainlyby signs and words endeavoured to con- The priests dare not deny us our rights: vey to me a just sense of the obligations We are a free people; we have fought under which he felt himself for so great a for our liberty and gained it, and now we treasure. This was the first time he ever will read the Testament. They often saw the word of God, excepting such express their desire to be like the Ameriscraps as are found in the Roman Brevi- canos, as they style the people of the ary and Missal. He knew that such a United States, in every thing, and often book existed, but had never seen it in his speak of gaining their liberty, as putting own country. Educated by an uncle of them in the possession of religious rights, his, a priest of high order, he has receiv- affirming that although European priests ed a tolerable share of Spanish learning. may prohibit the reading of the Scrip. I frequently saw him afterwards, and tures, theirs will not. The persons with tried to talk with him, and both regretted whom I have formed an acquaintance are the inconvenience under which we were more intelligent than the mass of Spanish placed. He appeared anxious to hear population in the upper provinces of me explain the BOOK, would read passa- Mexico, the most of which can neither ges in my presence, and then remark up-read nor write; but I have no doubt the on them. Upon my return to St. Louis way is fast preparing to send them the from an absence of several weeks, I re-light of salvation. gretted to learn that my friend Martinas had departed on a hunting expedition to the sources of the Missouri; but received the gratifying intelligence that his testament, carefully wrapped up in skins, was taken with him, nor could he be persuaded by any means either to sell or leave it behind. I had promised him fifty testaments, and a quantity of Spanish tracts, to carry back for gratuitous distribution in Chihuahua. This he repeatedly mentioned to some of my friends in St. Louis as he was about to depart, while urging upon them not to omit his kind respects to me, and insisted that upon his return from hunting in two years, he should hold

me to the offer about the books. Since

that period, I have formed an acquaintance with another Spaniard* from the same city, who confirms the accounts given by Martinas, and expresses a confident belief that free toleration will soon be en

• Don Raymond Garcia.

I remain as ever, yours, &c.

Rev. Daniel Sharp, Secr'y.

J. M. PECK

P. S. Since writing the foregoing letter, I have had a long interview with Don Raymond Garcia, who, in imperfect language, has given me a minute detail of of the state of things as to religion, politics, &c. in Upper Mexico. He is a most zealous republican, and wants the Americans to establish schools amongst them, calls the Testament, and teach them our introduce the вооK, as he emphatically religion. He says the Mexicans will become enlightened, that they will soon give a free toleration, and invite religious teachers from the United States. It will be recollected that these provinces are quite interior, 1500 miles from the city of Mexico, and that here for many years the seeds of liberty have been sown, -but more when I see you,

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

MODE OF BAPTISM AMONG THE ARME

NIANS.

From the journal of the Rev. Joseph Wolf, the agent of the London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews, we extract the following interesting particulars relative to the mode of baptism among the Armenians :

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Holy Ghost, that his grace should be upon thee!'-2d. On the eyes of the child, say and that thou mayest never slumber the ing, 'Oh! that thy eyes may be opened, sleep of eternal death!-3d. He anoints thou mayest hear the commands of our the ear of the child, saying, 'Oh! that Saviour and the Gospel ?-4th. He anoints the nose of the child, saying, 'Oh! that it may be a savour to you of the world to come!'-5th. He anoints the mouth of the child, saying, 'Oh! that every evil conversation may be banished out of the mouth.'-6th. He anoints the hands of the child, saying, 'Oh! that thy hands may be always prone to do good!'-7th. He anoints the child upon the heart, and saith, Oh! that the Holy Spirit may be put into thy heart, and give thee a new heart.'-8th. He anoints the back, and saith, By this seal of the Holy Ghost mayest thou be kept from the insidious assaults of the devil!' and lastly, he anoints the feet of the child, saying, 'Oh! that thou mayest walk in the best road leading to life everlasting.'-The child wears for three days a white shirt and a coat of white and red colour, indicating the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ; some drops of the consecrated wine are given to the child."

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BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Mr. W. proposed a series of questions to the Bishop of that persuasion, resident at Bassorah, on the borders of Persia. In answer to the question, "What is their manner of baptism?" the Bishop replied: "The godfather takes the child, and stands at the door of the church. The priest cometh, and asks, What do you wish? The godfather says, 'I wish the child to be baptized.'-Priest, (prays and says), Do you believe in the glorious Trinity?-Godfather. Yes, I myself and the child do believe in the glorious Trinity, God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; one of those three is Christ, the true son of God, and our Saviour, born of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Ghost, born after nine months, whom we believe to be perfect man and perfect God. He preached in the world, and suffered all the pains of the Cross, was crucified, died, and was buried for the sake of our in-dwelling sin; and by this he saved us from the power of the devil, and after three days he rose again, and then ascended upwards towards heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the quick and the Our readers will rejoice to hear that the dead. Then they enter the church near the Apocryphal Controversy is at length terwater. The priest prays over the water,minated. The following circular, conand puts three drops of the holy oil into taining this gratifying information, has the water, and then the priest asks the been issued by the Committee of the Bigodfather three times, What do you wish ble Society:for this child?'-Godfather. I wish you to baptize the child to be saved from original sin and the devil, and to serve the Lord.'-Priest. It shall be done according to your desire.' Then the priest puts the child into the water, and washeth the head with three handfuls of water, and prays, and saith, I baptize thee in the name,' &c. and then dips the child three times in the water, and names the child, and then gives it to the godfather, and says thus: Christ having been baptized in the river Jordan, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him like a dove.'-Then the priest prays again, and anoints with ointment, 1st. The forehead of the child, saying, The holy oil put on thy face, may it be to thee a seal of the Father, Son, and

Dear Sir,

London, November 28, 1825.

THE earnest attention of the Committee having been solicited, by certain Members of the Society, and also by many of the Committees of its Auxiliaries, to the propriety of affording aid, from the Funds of this Institution, to the circulation of Foreign Editions of the 8criptures, which contain the Apocrypha; the subject was referred to a special Committee, appointed for that purpose; from which, as well as from the General Committee, it has received the most mature consideration. The result we are instructed to transmit to you in the subjoined Resolution.

It is our fervent prayer, that the harmony which has hitherto subsisted among

ANDREW BRANDRAM,
JOSEPH HUGHES,
C. F. A. STEINKOPFF,

Sec's.

the Members and Friends of this Institu- date of the Report, January 1825, was tion, both at home and abroad, may be fifty-four, viz. ten native Hindoos, of preserved to the latest age; and that the whom eight are Brahmuns, one MussulSociety may long continue to prove a man, three Garrow youths, and forty nablessing to the Christian Church, and tive Christians. Two new Professors also to the world at large. We have the have been employed, Mr. Albrecht, from honour to remain, dear Sir, your faithful || the Missionary Seminary at Basle, Switand obedient Servants, zerland, and the Rev. Mr. Swan, from the Academy at Bristol, England. Professor Mack delivers lectures on some of the natural sciences, which are indiscriminately open to all nations, without reference to religious tenets. As the system of Hindoo polytheism is in a great measure built on fallacious principles respecting natural science, such lectures, if able and judicious, will be found extensively useful in a religious as well as a philosophical point of view. The improvements on the College buildings and grounds have been considerable.-Star.

British and Foreign Bible Society.
Nov. 21, 1825.

At a meeting of the Committee, summoned for the purpose of receiving the Report of the Special Committee, appointed on the 1st of August, to consider the proceedings and communications on the subject of the Apocrypha :-The Report of the Special Committee was read and received.

The Committee, in accordance with the spirit of the recommendation in the Report of the Special Committee, adopted the following resolution; viz." That the Funds of the Society be applied to the printing and circulation of the Canonical Books, of Scripture, to the exclusion of those Books and parts of Books, which are usually termed Apocryphal; and that all copies printed, either entirely or in part, at the expense of the Society, and whether such copies consist of the whole, or of any one or more of such Books, be invariably issued bound; no other Books whatever being bound with them; and, further, that all money grants to Societies or individuals be made only in conformity with the principle of this regulation."

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NEWTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.

Our readers will be pleased to learn, that this interesting Seminary has been legally incorporated. The following powers were granted at the last session of the legislature.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hun-
dred and twenty-six.

AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE NEWTON
THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.

SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate Court assembled, and by the authority of and House of Representatives in General the same, That there be, and hereby is established in the Town of Newton and in the County of Middlesex, an Institution for the purpose of educating pious young men for the gospel ministry, in such manner as the Trustees for the time being shall direct; and that Joseph Grafton, Lucius Bolles, Daniel Sharp, Jonathan Going, Bela Jacobs, Ebenezer_Nelson, Francis Wayland, jun. Henry Jackson, Ensign Lincoln, Jonathan Rachellor, and Nathaniel R. Cobb be nominated and appointed Trustees, and they are hereby incorporated into a body politic, by the name of the Trustees of the Newton Theological Institution, and they and their successors shall be and continue a body politic by that name forever.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That all lands, monies or other property, heretofore given or subscribed for the purpose of erecting of establishing an Institution as aforesaid, or which shall hereafter be given, granted or assigned to the said Trustees, shall be confirmed to the said Trus.

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