Extract from the First Annual Report of the Genesee Conference Auxiliary Missionary Society.

In the course of the year past, a number of Branch Missionary Societies, auriliary to the Genesee Conference Missionary Society, have been organized, and their reports received, together with the avails, to aid us in the common cause of our Holy Redeemer.

Many of the communications from these Auxiliary Societies are of an inte resting character, and clearly evince a laudable and praise-worthy zeal. And we cannot forbear mentioning with gratiude, that gentlemen of respectability and influence, who are not members of any particular church, have come forward in this cause, and nobly set an example of which no Christian need to be ashamed; and many who stand more particularly related to other churches than ours, have manifested a catholic spirit which should characterize every disciple of Jesus, by becoming subscribers and managers in these societies. We hail, with emotions of peculiar delight, the dawning of the day which shall witness the destruction of bigotry and party spirit among Christians; and a general and universal spread of gospel holiness, till the glory of God shall cover the face of the earth.

EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS.

Catharine Branch Missionary Society.—“ A Society was formed in this town a few months since, and a constitution adopted agreeably to the recommendation of the Genesee Conference; the object of which, is to aid the several Annual Conferences, in spreading the Gospel throughout the United States and elsewhere. The sum of sixteen dollars has been forwarded to the funds of the Genesee Conference Missionary Society. But though we have done so little, the cause of Missions engages our best feelings; and we esteem it in a high sense, the cause of God; and feel ourselves highly honored to be among its advocates. Many of us have been constant readers, for years past, of Missionary intelligence, and watched, with ardent desires, for success, the movements of this best of causes; and we have wished to cast our mite into the treasury of the Lord, to aid in spreading the glad tidings of salvation. For the want of opportunity, we have hitherto remained only friendly spectators of what others were doing; but we rejoice that the time has now come, in which we can unite with our brethren in this labor of love."

Ulica Branch Missionary Society.-"The members of the Utica Auxiliary, have felt an interest in the success of the Parent institution, well knowing, that occasional contributions alone, could never answer the purpose, like that of a permanent establishment; yet, in whatever channels Christian benevolence flows, we rejoice that the object of Missions is promoted. To forward this object, the sum of twenty dollars has been forwarded to the Genesee Conference Missionary Society. The preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has hitherto been made the means of salvation to man. It has been blessed at every period of the Christian church. In the primitive ages of Christianity, it produced great and happy revolutions in the minds of all descriptions of men. It broke the fetters of Jewish prejudices, and rent asunder the galling yoke of heathen superstitions, exposed the folly and weakness of the proud systems of human philosophy and translated thousands from the kingdom of Satan to that of God's dear Son."

Bethany Branch Missionary Society." A society has been formed in this place, under no common feelings of interest for the prosperity of the Missionary cause. Though in our first efforts, we have to encounter difficulties, yet, as we are persuaded, that the cause of Missions is the cause of God, we rejoice in the opportunity afforded us, of exercising that charity to the souls of men, which goes further than to say, 'Be ye warmed, and be ye clothed.'"

ANCASTER BRANCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY:-Extract of a letter from H. T Page, Secretary of the Society, to Rev. E. Bowen, Secretary of the Genesee Conference Missionary Society. "A Missionary Society having lately been formed in this township, as a Branch to your society, we beg leave to enclose to you, a copy of the constitution, together with the names of the officers and managers for the present year; as also, to say, that the sum of £7 3s.' currency of this Province, ($28 60,) is forwarded by our Treasurer, to the Treasurer of your society. We assure you, that we esteem it a privilege, to contribute to the support of an institution whose object is so noble, and whose Missionaries in this country have been so laborious and successful."

STAMFORD BRANCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY:-From the Secretary. "In calling to mind the state of society, when thirty years ago, the gospel was first introduced into this country, and comparing it with the present state of improvement, effected by the means of your Missionaries, we admire the change, and are persuaded that the labours of your Missionaries will not be lost, nor the aid afforded by Missionary Societies, be in vain. Indeed, who can read the accounts of the work of God among the Indians at Sandusky, and other Missionary establishments among the natives of the forest, without ardently desiring to take part in this good work? Our donation, though small, ($22 50,) is forwarded, with our best wishes for the prosperity and extention of your Society."

NIAGARA QUARTERLY MEEting ConferenCE BRANCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY:Extract of a letter from the Secretary. The amount of two branches on this circuit, ($47 61,) is forwarded by our Treasurer, to the Treasurer of your Auxiliary. In adverting to an event so laudable, and so expedient, as the formation of Missionary Societies in Upper Canada, we cannot but express our delight in the promptitude and zeal, which have been manifested by the people in this part, for the promotion of the Missionary cause. So that if the inhabitants, more than thirty years ago, were first in petitioning, before your Missionaries came into this country, so they are not the last to come forward to aid them in their labors, which have been rendered so essentially beneficial. The institution is with us new, but we doubt not that when the design is more fully understood, and time afforded for more extensive operations, those who have so earnestly listened to the truths of the gospel, will most readily engage with their influence and money to promote the institution."

"At a time so auspious as the present; at a season when almost every religious institution is crowned with abundant success; at a time especially, when your Missionaries are successfully bearing the cross, not only to the destitute and friendless of settlements entirely new, but also to the nations of the forest, the Wyandotts, the Creeks and the Mohawks, we feel that we should be criminal if we did not exert ourselves in support of so good an undertaking. Indeed, our liberality appears but a reasonable service, to aid in meeting the expenses incurred by your Missionaries, while laboring for the moral and religious improvement of the newly formed settlements of this country. We request, therefore, that your society will accept our humble offerings, as a tribute of benevolence of gratitude, and of duty'

Extracts equally interesting might easily be multiplied from reports of other societies; but as they breathe the same spirit, what have been given may serve as specimens of the zeal awakened in the hearts of the people, so creditable to themselves, and encouraging to the friends of the institution. By order of the board of managers, F. REED.

From the Family Visiter.

Obituary.

MR. POLLARD,With an aching heart, I have to inform you and the public, of the unexpected death of the Rev. PEYTON ANDERSON, who departed this life on Wednesday the 27th ult. at Culpepper Courthouse, in the triumphs of faith, after an illness of only seven days. He was born and raised in Chesterfield county, about twenty-five miles from this city. At a very early period of life he sought and found the pearl of great price, and with propriety it may be said that from his youth up, he observed all the precepts of the divine law. In the morning of his days he entered on the

sacred functions of the holy ministry, as an itinerating preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and with ability, faithfulness, and success he filled the various stations to which he was appointed by the hand of Providence, for eight years in succession. He possessed an humble, meek, diligent and persevering spirit; his mind seemed to be entirely devoted to the blessed work in which he was employed, and when I saw him last his cup was full to overflowing, and his whole soul appeared to be swallowed up in God.

He left this city about the 14th of last month to attend several appointments in the upper counties, but before he

THE

Methodist Magazine,

FOR NOVEMBER, 1823.

Divinity.

FUTURE REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS:

The substance of a Discourse delivered before the New-England Con ference of Methodist Ministers, Providence, June 17th, 1823. BY REV. WILBUR FISK, A. M.

(Concluded from page 372.)

We pass to another argument. Our evidences on this part of the subject multiply, and they brighten. The scriptures are replete with proofs, to clear up this awfully interesting subject. We not only have a scripture analogy, to teach us a probable truth, but we have light from scripture upon the nature of sin, to strengthen that probability; and, as we have just seen, we have, in the word of God, sufficient evidence upon the nature of future punishment, to reduce that corroborated probability to a moral certainty. And we have still behind, (with which we shall close this part of the subject,) the argument drawn from those scriptures which expressly state the duration of this punishment.→→→ Considering the importance of the subject, and the frequent references to it in the bible, we should naturally conclude that there would be in the scripture something explicit and definite, on the duration of punishment. This conclusion is justified by matter of fact. None, I believe, deny that the scriptures have express declarations on this subject. All acknowledge that it is said of the wicked they are in danger of eternal damnation-of everlasting burnings. That, at the resurrection, they come forth to shame and everlasting contempt-That they are punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and the glory of his power. That they go away into everlasting punishment, and into everlasting fire-That they shall be destroyed for everThat the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched-That they are tormented for ever and ever. The question then to be VOL. VI.

51

The

determined, is not whether such scriptures are found in the book of God, or whether they contain terms expressive of the duration of the sinner's punishment; but simply what is the meaning of these terms? And need this be made a question?-What would they be understood to mean, by the plain honest man, who was not warped by prejudice, for or against any particular system? There is not the least doubt but he would understand them to be expressive of endless duration. And what such an one understands them to mean, is doubtless their true meaning. scriptures are not written in a language of their own, but in the common language of men; otherwise they would be no revelation to them. But the unlimited meaning of these is denied, in the passages above quoted, because the same terms are sometimes used in scripture in a limited sense. This is true of most of them; but does it therefore follow, that they have only a limited meaning; or that endless duration is not their proper meaning? The question to be determined is, simply, what is the proper meaning of these terms. I am prepared to say and maintain, that, in their primary and proper signification, they mean endless duration. This is provable by the plainest and most unequivocal arguments.

An appeal might here be made to the most learned critics and lexicographers, that have given the definition of these words, and also to the etymology of the words both in the English and original languages; and in either case, the decision would, most certainly, be in favour of the position laid down. But it has become so fashionable for every man, who knows the names and characters of the Greek alphabet to turn critic, and question the authority and learning of all the literary world, especially of all the learned fathers and reformers of the church, that the unlearned know not what to decide upon. They either conclude, there is no dependence to be put upon any of them, and therefore none upon the bible; or they adopt such translations and criticisms, as suit their particular creed, and with these rest satisfied. Those who know the original languages will decide for themselves. And if they are unprejudiced, we have no doubt, what their decision will be.And it cannot be expected of those who do not understand these languages, that they will take our word, rather than that of those who differ from us. Waving therefore, all argument, founded upon the authority of the learned, or the derivation of words, the meaning of these terms may be determined by such arguments, as can be understood by any man of common understanding and ordinary acquirements.

(1.) These words are used uniformly, in the bible, when things are spoken of known to be unlimited in their duration; and that too, when this very unlimited duration was designed to be expressed by them. It would be a task to mention all the passages in which these words are used in connection with the names of Deity and