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out the affectation of either. eloquence is the lightning's play,

elty of its ideas, as with their justness and importance; and the imor the thunder's roar, which re-pressive manner in which they are gards not the gaze of the dwellers exhibited. on earth.

His work on the Holy Spirit, gives a practical view of the nature and necessity of its operations, and of our obligations to cherish its heavenly influences.

With the eye of a painter and the fancy of a poet, he unites judgment. His fast sermon, in which he points out some of the more general sins of the nation, in In the sermon mentioned at the order to induce national repen head of this article, the author tance and reform, is a good model obviates an objection sometimes for such an occasion. While act- made to christianity, that it does ing the part of a christian teacher, not inculcate patriotism and friendhe disdains to engage in the wrang-ship. He clearly shows that the lings of political contention. The gospel inculcates principles which grand moral features of the na-involve the exercise of both these tion occupy his pencil. He dares virtues, as far as they are consisindeed to notice any immoral ten- tent with our higher duties and dencies in the publick acts of our immortal destinies. The rearulers. But he does not imagine der will here meet with some of that the sins of the government the most valuable thoughts on the are the only national sins; or that nature and advantages of friendit is the part of wisdom, when ad- ship, and especially of christian dressing subjects, to dwell mainly friendship, which are any where on the failures or the duties of to be found within the same comrulers. pass. He draws the character of that disciple whom Jesus loved, the evangelist John, with the skill of a close observer, and the enthusiasm of an admirer. Humility and love he regards as the distinguishing features of the beloved disciple, as they evidently were of our blessed Lord. He pronoun

His sentiments are decidedly evangelical, especially as exhibited in his later discourses: and yet he avoids unnecessary subtleties and distinctions. It is the more obvious and radical truths of the Bible on which he principally insists; and to the support of which he gives the highest exercise of his powers. In his sermon on Infidelity, he draws its features in all their wild and hideous as pect. He portrays with a master's hand the mischievous principles of the free-thinker, pursuing them through all their intricate windings, and exposing their subtle workings to the light of day.

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the piety of the late Dr. Ryland to be of the same mould and complexion with that which distinguished the evangelist just mentioned; and in this we think, as far as our knowledge extends, he has not misjudged. We will || quote a few sentences.

"Humility was, in fact, the most remarkable feature of his character. It was

Every christian minister and depicted on his countenance, his manevery theological student will ners, his language; it pervaded almost find himself amply repaid for an every thing he said or did. He might most truly be said, in the language of attentive perusal of the sermon scripture, to be "clothed" with it. The on the Discouragements and Sup-mode in which it operated was at the utports of the Christian Ministry: he will find himself elevated to higher regions and breathing a purer atmosphere. Yet we are not so much struck with the nov. JULY, 1826.

most remove from the shallow expedients adopted by those who vainly attempt possessing it. It neither prompted him to secure the praise of that quality, without to depreciate his talents, nor to disclaim his virtues; to speak in debusing terms of

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himself, nor to exaggerate his imperfec- no disparagement to his undertions and failings. It taught him the rarer art of forgetting himself. His read-standing, to exhibit feeling in reliiness to take the lowest place, could only gion; and to address his fellow be exceeded by the eagerness of all who creatures on subjects involvknew him to assign him the highest; and ing their eternal destinies, in this was the only competition which the thoughts that breathe and words distinctions of life cost him. His modesty was such, that the praises he was most that burn.” Deep and tender solicitous to merit, he blushed to receive; sensibility is manifest in all his disand never appeared so disconcerted and embarrassed, as when he was necessitated to hear his own commendations."

Our author's sermons are not tame disquisitions on the beauty of virtue and the fitness of things they go to the foundations of human duty, and to the source of huHis object is not to please, but to profit; not to delight, but to save his hearers.

man action.

Without the boast of liberality, he is candid and charitable. One of his best sermons was delivered at the ordination of an independent minister. Without pretend ing to be exclusively rational in his religion, all the higher and nobler powers of his nature are brought into delightful exercise. He treads in the path of reason, when he follows the footsteps of the Almighty. Let him but see the impress of Divinity, and he bows in humble reverence, he puts his shoes from off his feet.

Without the demureness and cant of the enthusiast, he is devout and earnest. He considers it as

courses

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He is distinguished for the strength and clearness of his conceptions, for the comprehensive. ness of his views, and the vivid impression he gives of them he lays hold of the grand points of his subject; and arrays them before us in all the force of argument, in all the majesty of truth. His sermons are adapted by their clear and masterly delineation of human character and obligation, to humble the arrogant and convince the skeptical. In fine, it is enough to say that the author's printed sermons do not detract from his well known celebrity as a pulpit orator; a celebrity which has gained him a place among the first orators of any age or nation.

A. W.

P. S. We are much gratified to learn that the Rev. Robert Hall, has gone to Bristol, to succeed Dr. Ryland as Pastor of the Baptist Church, Broadmead; and Dr Ryland as Principal of the Bristol that the Rev. Mr. Crisp has succeeded Academy.

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS.

The anniversary of this Society was held on Wednesday, May 31, 1826, in the Second Baptist meeting-house in Boston. It may be stated with truth, that the services were unusually interesting. In the addresses which were delivered, the speakers were happy in exciting deep commiseration for the new settlers and feeble Churches in different portions of our land. Many in the assembly were frequently affected, even to tears. Their countenances seemed to say, "We will go home and do more for the diffusion of the gospel amongst our own countrymen than ever we have done." We think that our readers will read with feelings of high gratification the following

REPORT.

THIS Society was formed twen- and the success which has followty-four years ago. We cannoted them, without feeling, that we review the history of its operations have great reason to thank God

and take courage.
At first, its
friends were comparatively few,
and its funds small. Even its
most sanguine patrons did not an-
ticipate that it would gain such an
extensive hold on publick favour,
or be instrumental of sending
the gospel to so many destitute
portions of the United States.

But the men who assisted in its organization, had seen with their own eyes the deplorable condition of many towns and villages, and had travelled through large tracts of country, where the people had no settled minister, and only at distant intervals received any religious instruction. They therefore originated and supported this Society, under a most thorough conviction of its necessity and importance. They were not discouraged in the day of small things, but persevered, until by the influence of their persuasion and example, they had the happiness of contributing greatly to its prosperity, and of knowing that well established in the affections and confidence of the denomination to whom it had looked for support.

it was

ence always added to the interest and pleasure of this anniversary, has within the last year been removed from us. At midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh." And he, who for years had been unanimously and deservedly placed the highest among us, heard his Lord say unto him, Come thou up higher.

To expatiate on the services which our late respected President rendered to this Society, is we think unnecessary. They are known to us all; and too deeply recorded in our hearts to be soon forgotten. The first year after its formation he was a Trustee the four succeeding years he was its Secretary, and afterwards he was always appointed the presiding Officer. For many years he was the sole Editor of the Magazine published under the auspices of this Society, and which has done more to increase its funds and promote a missionary spirit than any other means which have been employed.

The loss which the Trustees have sustained by his lamented In glancing at the rise and pro- death cannot by them be expressgress of this Society, there is one ed. He was not only a wise man inquiry which naturally suggests and endued with knowledge, but itself to our minds; "Your Fath-he shewed, out of a good converers, where are they? and the sation, his works with so much Prophets, do they live forever ?" meekness of wisdom, that the Of the persons who constituted blessed influence of his example, the first Board, only two are gave, for many years, a kind and among your present Trustees. A harmonious character to the promajority of them have entered, as ceedings of the Board. Their we trust, into the joy of their prayer is, that the spirit of BALDLord. SMITH and STILLMAN WIN, which was that of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, may be perpetuated among them.

were

permitted little more, than to see the Society commencing its operations under their fostering care, before they were summoned from the labours of earth to the rest of heaven.

One venerated individual, who from the first, was a Trustee of this body, and the only President it has ever had, whom we all delighted to honor, and whose pres

Having paid this tribute of respect to the memory of one, whose name, while this Society shall exist, can never be otherwise than dear to its members, we shall now lay before you the proceedings of the Board for the past year.

Rev. David James has been ap

pointed a Missionary for three months in the

Province of New Brunswick. Although he has not fulfilled the duties of his last appointment, yet, in giving an account of a previous mission, he states some particulars, which, it is believed, will be interesting to the Society. On that tour, he visited a place called Cardigan settlement, in which he found about thirty Welsh families. They were extremely poor, but many of them were truly pious. Having preached to them repeatedly, Mr. James prevailed on such as gave evidence of piety to hold a general conference, at which, twenty persons came forward and agreed to walk together as a Church of Christ. The following Sabbath he administered to them the Lord's Supper. Christians, says he, were refreshed, and sinners seemed to tremble under the word of the Lord."

tion of their souls. The Trustees are not without hope that they shall continue to receive gratifying intelligence from this devoted servant of Christ.

Vermont.

Rev. John Spalding has been employed three months by this Society. Morristown, Johnson, Waterville, Jericho, Essex, Westford, Franklin, Sheldon, Swanton, and several other towns, have been favoured with his ministrations. In six towns he was so far successful as to establish 12 Mite Societies, auxiliary to the Burman Mission. He has also promoted the establishment of Sabbath Schools in several towns, and his preaching, it is hoped, has not been without good effect,

Rhode Island.

There is reason to believe, that an appointment given to Rev. Samuel West to labour 6 months From Cardigan, he travelled to in a section of this State has been Miramichi River. He preached attended with good. In a letter at several settlements in the vi- dated from Richmond, he recinity of the river, and went from marks-"I commenced preaching house to house exhorting the peo- statedly in this town and vicinity ple to flee from the wrath to come. in February last. At which time, He remarks, a number seemed there were but very few attended to be affected by the preaching of publick worship. The church was the word of God." After an ab-broken down and scattered. sence of some weeks, he returned Meetings were discontinued. to Cardigan settlement, where However, a few of the best famihaving spent sometime and preach- lies in the vicinity expressed a ed almost every day, he had the strong desire that publick worship high satisfaction of baptizing 8 should be resumed. But that persons who gave evidence of a which gave me the greatest enwork of grace on their hearts.couragement was a few pious praySometime after this, he againing females, who through a long visited them, and remained nearly two months; when, says he, the Lord glorified his grace in a wonderful manner. Seventeen more have been added to the church, of such, I hope, as shall be saved." Since he finished his first missionary appointment, he has understood that several persons on the Miramichi river were

seriously concerned for the salva

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scene of wasting and darkness,
still kept up regular prayer meet-
ings amongst themselves.
thought surely God has not wholly
forsaken the place, since some of
his children have hearts to pray.
The assembly has been, and still
is, gradually increasing.
meet on the Lord's day morning
an hour before publick worship
to pray for a revival of religion.

We

The devotional exercises have | When I consider the blessings been interesting, and we begin to be a little encouraged."

New York.

which the Great Head of the Church has bestowed on my poor, imperfect labours, I can say, Hitherto hath the Lord helped me. The situation of many towns in And when I remember the Baptist this great and increasingly popu- Missionary Society of Massachulous State, has occupied the serious setts, I feel that we all have reaattention of your Board. They son to say, Blessed be the Lord have not only sent Missionaries to God who hath put such an heart preach among the destitute, but in our brethren to help us in our have granted pecuniary aid to sev-necessities."

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eral feeble Churches. The Society Rev. Jonathan Blake has renit is believed will be gratified indered an account of six months' hearing what have been some of service in New-York under the the fruits of their charity. direction of this Society. The Rev. Asa Averil who has receiv-principal field of his labours was ed a Mission for the term of three in Cataraugus county, and he months, and who has for several seems to have been blessed in his years been occasionally employed work. The people were anxious in the service of this Board, has to hear the gospel. He found a given us the following information. nuinber of pious persons who were Owing to the weak and defence- desirous of being formed into a less state of the Churches in Church. Arrangements were acWoodville and Richland, and in a-cordingly made; and, assisted by greement with instructions received from you, I thought it my duty to pay some attention to them; and particularly to the Church in the latter place. My hopes were not disappointed. The Lord poured out his spirit, and there were added to the Baptist Church in Richland, 15 persons; and some, who we hope have experienced ligion, have not yet united themselves with any Church.

an aged and venerable minister of the name of Vining, an investigation took place concerning their christian character and principles. The result being satisfactory, they were acknowledged as a regular Church of Christ. Before they left the place one man came forward, related his experience, and re-offered himself as a candidate for baptism. Mr. Blake stayed over the Sabbath, and administered baptism and the Lord's supper to them. "It was, says he, a pleasing opportunity. It was the first time that either of the ordinances had been administered in this wilderness. Three years ago it was a waste howling desert. And to see the Lord's Table spread, and hear the expressions of gratitude to God for his great goodness, from the lips of these dear disciples, would have well rewarded the Society for the expense of sending the gospel to them.

The Church in Woodville has until lately been in a very weak state. About a year ago, the Lord was pleased to call up the attention of the Church and people, and the happy result has been that 21 persons have been added to the Church by baptism. A Society has been formed, agreeably to the statute of this State, for such cases provided. A meeting-house, 60 by 40 feet has been projected; and a good portion of the shares are taken up. The meeting-house with the exclusive jurisdiction of it, and all its appurtenances, are guaranteed forever to the Baptist Church and Society in this place.

From thence, I visited Cold/ Spring, where I found a female who was waiting for some one to baptize her. Here this holy ordi

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