all that I have collected, except what I have already sent in a letter to Dr. Green. "But not wishing to relinquish this business hastily, nor without good advice, I expect to remain here and wait, if you will please to write me immediately, your ad. vice. Is it not best for the present to resign this business? I am assured that a southern climate will not help my voice, it must be medicine, and the sooner taken the better." In a letter, dated at Prince Edward Co. Va. March 7th, 1828, and addressed to the Corresponding Secretary, he says: "I hope, if you have a few minutes leisure, you will bear with me. I come to you, sir, on the same errand as when I came to you last fall, viz. to ask your advice. "I confess I do not imagine how it is in your power, or in that of any body else, to advise me what to do; nor shall I expect, sir, that even your ingenuity and knowledge of things will be sufficient to meet my case. I shall not, however, despair of obtaining some clue from you by which I may find a way-perhaps through. The difficulty is, sir, that I can eat but can. not work. This was the substance of my complaint to you before, and you got an employment, for which I still thank you: but I was not able for it. "I have passed a very soft winter, but its effects on me were hard. There has been very much rainy, damp weather; the same kind or similar to that which inflicted my present wounds at Princeton, two years ago. I have been situated in one of the choicest families, and had every convenience, but ah! this crazy flesh was a great trouble to me; ever, except in clear weather, and often then. "Besides this, I necessarily felt myself getting poor in estate, which was a cause of some uneasiness. You will please to understand me, sir, as stating my case in order to solicit your counsel, and nothing else; if I should wish other aid, I will ask it again. "My desires, sir, you will observe, are of the flesh. I feel in want of two objects; of the superintendance of a skilful physician; and, of funds to pay my debts. But suppose I should waive these as im practicable; then, if the Lord spare me, as well as I am, I want some employment that will bring me food and raiment. I confess I cannot conceive, nor hear of any way, in which I could expect to earn my neces saries, unless I should throw myself entirely into the world, and engage in some kind of merchandise, or learn a trade.. "I can teach a scholar Greek and Latin, &c.-perhaps I might teach six without much trouble. But I could do it better with a voice, and therefore I could not ask the same of an employer as if 1 had a voice. Besides, as to teaching, I doubt the sufficiency of my strength, unless I should have very few scholars. "I suppose I have friends who would cheerfully pay that which I owe the Board. But I am too low to borrow, and perhaps too high to beg; at least I am not convinced that I am come to the last resort, and must solicit for myself." Such as these letters exhibit him, was Samuel Bryson; and he, being dead, yet speaks the language of a truly Christian agent. His debt to the Board does not exceed 20 dollars, and that his widowed mother has determined to pay. With the exception of his want of health, and of a voice to plead our cause, we should be glad to employ fifty missionary agents like him. They would make the churches know at least, that the General Assembly has a Board of Missions; and that the missionary operations of the Assembly within the last forty years, have been chiefly instrumental in forming about 900 Presbyterian churches in the United States. The general agent has received from a well known and responsible person, whose name he is not at liberty to mention, the following bond, viz. "I hereby obligate myself to pay to the Treasurer of the Trustees of the General Assembly for the Board of Missions act ing under said Assembly, ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, in ten equal, annual payments of one hundred dollars each, for the purpose of spreading the gospel; one half of which shall be devoted to the cause of Protestant missions to South America; the first payment to be made on or be least quarterly, a journal of missions. Secondly, That the Corresponding Secretary and General Agent for the time being shall devote himself exclusively to his agency and secretaryship; and Thirdly, That ninety-nine other persons will, on or before the 1st day of Oc tober, 1829, oblige themselves to pay an equal sum, in similar payments, to the same treasurer, and for the same object." Signed, "L. M." The general agent has received from a collection at the monthly concert in the Third Presbyterian Church in Philadel phia, $13.83; and he takes this occasion to commend some heads of families who pay weekly one cent to this monthly concert contribution for each member of their respective families. One cent a week for each member of most Christian households might easily be spared; and in the end of a year it would prove a con siderable augmentation of our missionary funds. The agent reports a donation from Mrs. Henry Taylor, of Kishacoquillas Valley, of $5.00, forwarded by her pastor, Rev. James H. Stuart. On the 19th of October, the general agent preached in the morning in the 4th Presbyterian Church in this city, under the pastoral care of the Rev. George C. Potts; and ninety-three subscriptions were obtained before he left the church. Of these $8.00 were paid on subscribing. In the afternoon of the same day he preached in the church at Kensington, under the pastoral care of the Rev. George Chandler; and there he received $8.01 in band, with seventy-two subscriptions in all, payable on or before the 25th day of December. We expect all arrearages from our subscribers, as a Christmas present to the Board of Missions. Solomon Allen, Esq., the Rev. Ashbel Green, D. D., and the Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely, D. D., have agreed to pay to the Board of Missions of the General Assembly, one hundred dollars a year, for ten years in succession, for the general purposes of the Board, provided ninety-seven other subscribers will agree to the same terms; it being understood that the death of any subscriber shall render yoid his subscription. FOURTEENTH COMMUNICATION. The General Agent has received from the Female Missionary Society of Rocky Spring Congregation, under the pastoral care of the Rev. John M'Knight, the sum of $20. "The resuscitation of the Board of Missions is," says Mr. M'Knight, "agreeably to my calculations, a very popular step in this region of country." A few churches have begun to remember our Board in their prayers and contributions at the monthly concert. The 8th Church in Philadelphia, has remitted to us from this source, $9.65; and the 3d Church from the last concert and Sabbath evening rotation service, has paid $9.61. The Church at Newtown, Bucks county, Pa. observe a season of thanksgiving after harvest; and on the last meeting of the kind, collected $15 for charitable objects; $5 of which their pastor, the Rev. Alex. Boyd, has paid to our treasury. The remaining $10 have been equally divided between the Bible and Tract charities. Sundry contributors in the 1st Church in this city have paid $22.75; and $6.25 have been paid by annual subscribers in the church at Neshaminy, in Bucks co. Pa. The Rev. Thomas Barr, of Wooster, Ohio, has accepted of an agency in behalf of the Board of Missions, for that state; and the Rev. Joseph Labaree, of Oxford, N. Carolina, for S. Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The Missionaries at present employed by the Board are forty-five; and the monies paid by the Executive Committee since the 16th of June last, amount to $3388.7. The Rev. John Rhoads, one of our missionaries, has laboured in Luzerne county, Pa. since June, 1821, in no less than ten different, feeble congregations, scattered over an extent of forty miles. In one place, which had only 12 communicants when he became their pastor, there are now 46, notwithstanding deaths and other removals. From June, 1821, to June, 1828, he had received towards his worldly maintenance in produce and money, no more than $7.49. He concludes the journal of his last mission for our Board, of two months, thus: "During my mission I have preached 34 times; administered the Lord's supper 3 times, baptized 10 children, and travelled 400 miles. The state of religion in Luzerne co. from present appearances, cannot be said to be languishing, although no particular indications of a revival are visible. Meetings on the Sabbath are generally well attended, in good order and solemnity. The churches in which I have laboured, have been blessed with small additions, and many of their members appear to be enjoying that comfort and peace within, which the world can neither give nor take away. The many waste places in this county, present to our view an occasion for mourning and lamentation.The inhabitants are not only poor and unable to support a regular and orthodox ministry, but are overrun with heresies; and, from want of proper instruction, greatly pervert the Scriptures." The Executive Committee have appointed Mr. R. for two additional months, to perform service in his circuit; and thus by contributing annually $132 towards his support, he will be enabled to continue in his humble, faithful tours of duty through the whole year. During the four past years the Board of Missions have assisted in the support of the Rev. Alvan Coe, as a minister of the gospel, and teacher of an Indian School in the Territory of Michigan. His present location is at Sault de St. Marie, (the Falls of St. Mary,) near the outlet of Lake Superior. He has received from us, missionary pay for three months in a year; and for the remainder of his support has, we believe, depended on his own industry. He has frequently preached in the garrison at the Fort of St. Mary, and has been very acceptable to the few pious persons whom he has found at that station. In the conclusion of his last journal, lately received, he says: "I have attended my Indian School usually on week-days, except Saturdays. I teach my scholars to spell both English and Indian words. I have had, of late, rising of 30 pupils; a few of which are white children; but most of them halfbreeds. The full-blooded Indians who have been at school this season, have (in September) mostly gone to the woods with their parents. In the preceding journal I have included 14 sabbaths, and during my mission have preached 20 times; besides attending 24 religious meetings, which I conducted without preaching. "If the Board think best they will please to send me another appointment. If I am again appointed, my object would be principally to instruct the natives. I was gratified to learn that the Board are making vigorous exertions to advance the kingdom of our divine Lord and Master. While they cast the mental eye over the expansive dominions which now lie in the shadow of death, I would invite them to look at this region. The Chippeways are very numerous. The Indian Agent here says that there are 8000 under his agency. Many of the same tribe are in the British territories. I think that the Indians in this region are not so much prejudiced against the whites as those in many other parts of the country. At a treaty about two years ago, the Indians gave a section of land near Sault de St. Marie, for the purpose of hav. ing a school; and our government engaged to pay them $1000 annually for the support of a school: $2000 will soon be due. It has been expected that our Baptist brethren would make an establishment among the Chippeways, and have the appropriation of this money. Why do they delay so long? If they are not determined to occupy this field, will not your Board? Probably some of their ministers in your city will know whether any thing has been done in this business. If they will occupy this spot, the field before us is still wide and long towards the west. The country between Lake Huron and the Mississippi is inhabited by Chippeways, and some parts of it are fertile prairies. I am much in favour of forming colonies among the Indians; and with proper encouragement many families I think would renounce the chase to live by labour. The idea that the aged Indians are to be abandoned seems to me to be wrong. The Wyandotts at Upper Sandusky in Ohio; the Ottowas near Mackinac; and some Chippeways on Drummond's Island in Lake Huron, are examples which prove, that aged Indians can be civilized and christianized." To enable Mr. Coe to continue his labours among the aborigines of our country who surround him, the Executive Committee have renewed his commission; and would be thankful for the men and money requisite to send him a reinforcement. In the mean time our brother says, "if the Baptists are coming, do urge them on." VOL. VII. Ch. Adv. There is room enough in our waste places for all the services, zeal, wisdom, and funds of all the Missionary Societies of all denominations of true Christians in our country. "Let us all be up, and doing. Let us be valiant for the truth, and our blessed Captain of salvation." We have now published the names of all the annual contributors, which are in the possession of the General Agent; but in several congregations he has enrolled many with their consent, and left the lists to be completed by the sessions. It is hoped that these will be forwarded before the commencement of the ensuing year. It would be a still greater favour, if some congregations not visited by the Agent of the Board, would remit to us the names of many contributors to the 50 cent fund. Why should not every minister of the Presbyterian Church, who feels a friendly regard for its Board of Missions, become at once an agent in his own congregation? Is it too much for us to ask of every Presbyterian in our connexion who can spare that sum, without subjecting himself to any serious privation, that he would pay fifty cents annually in aid of the missionary operations of the General Assembly? Will any benevolent donor to other associations give them the less for giving us fifty cents? But if we can render this contribution general in the Presbyterian Church, we shall give God thanks, take courage, and go on prosperously. E. S ELY, Cor. Sec. &c. FIFTEENTH COMMUNICATION. The executive committee have received from Miss Elizabeth Hackett, a donation Presbyterian Church in this city $3; from of $1; from six subscribers in the Third the Rev. Septimus Tustun, advance returned in full $8.37; from a physician practice of medicine on the Sabbath, rein Columbia, Pa. being the avails of the mitted by John M'Kissick, Esq., $5; from a missionary box, by the same, 50 cents; from the Rev. John Joyce, on account of five subscribers to the Philadelphian obtained agreably to the offer of the editor, $5; from Mr. Anthony Finley, his Ancient and Modern Atlas, for the use of and from Ezra S. Ely, $17, towards the the executive committee, worth $14; instruction and relief of an Indian youth; and $50 in aid of a church in the state of Missouri. The number of missionaries appointed under the patronage of the Board since May last, now amounts to fifty-three. Of our missionaries there have been sent during the present year, 6 to the state of New York, 13 to Pennsylvania, 7 to Ohio, 5 to Indiana, 3 to Missouri, 1 to Arkansas Territory, 1 to the Territory of Michigan, 1 to Tennessee, 3 to Ken F tucky, 4 to N. Carolina, 3 to Louisiana, 2 to Florida, and 4 to other places. The executive committee have resolved to pay the City Sunday School Union $200, towards the support of Mr. John L. Grant, for one year, while preaching to the apprentices of this city, Mr. Joseph A. Mines having been sent to the bounds of the Ebenezer Presbytery, has received a call from the church in Maysville, Ky. which he intends to accept; and has in consequence left our service. The Rev. William S. Potts, having been sent to Missouri, has become the settled pastor of the church at St. Louis; on returning his letter of instructions, he thus writes St. Louis, Oct. 27, 1828. "I received the accompanying commis sion at Nashville, Tenn. on the 28th day of April last, and commenced my mission on the 1st of May following. On Sunday the 4th of that month, I preached at Hopkinsville, Ky. and addressed the Sabbath school in that place. The church here had been for some time in a destitute situation, but their pastor elect, Rev. Mr. Campbell, from Virginia, arrived the same day with myself. I left Hopkinsville on Mooday morning, and was occupied until Saturday following in travelling to Kaskaskia, in Illinois. The country passed through in this journey is but little inhabited, and the few inhabitants whom I found, were chiefly illiterate. The only chance that I had for doing good was by occasional conversations by the way side, and in the cabins in which I lodged; and by the distribution of tracts. "On Sunday the 11th, I preached to a small congregation in a school room at Kaskaskia. There is but one meeting house in the town, which is occupied by the Papists. I preached morning and evening, and heard Rev. Mr. Matthews in the afternoon. Owing to the solicitations of the people, I consented to remain the following day, and preached a third sermon, at which time the house was crowded with attentive auditors. The church in this place is very feeble. They have had the labours of the Rev. Mr. Ellis, a missionary from the H. M. Society, until within a short time. The Rev. Mr. Matthews is now their supply. From conversation with the people here, as well as from what I have seen, I do not doubt that a popular and devoted man might build up a church in this place. The population is about 1000, principally Papists. "I arrived at St. Louis on Wednesday the 14th of May, addressed a prayer meeting on the following evening, and preached twice upon the succeeding Sabbath, to very attentive audiences. On Tuesday the 20th of the same month, I received an invitation to supply the pulpit for 6 months, and on the 13th of July, received an unanimous call to the pastoral charge of the church. During my residence at St. Louis, the house of God has been ge nerally well attended, and by an attentive audience. A spirit of prayer has, I trust, in some degree, been poured upon the flock of Christ; and sixteen persons have been added to the church. "On the last Sabbath, October 26, I was ordained and installed pastor, by the Presbytery of Missouri. I deem it unnecessary to enter, at the present, more into detail, as some communications have already been received from me, describ ing more fully the condition and prospects of the church. It may, however, be important to add, that upon taking charge of the pulpit in May last, a heavy debt of about $4,500 was depressing the church; since which time, we have been enabled to reduce it to about $2,000. I state this fact as an evidence of the interest at present taken in the worship of God." On the 23d day of November last, the General Agent preached in the first and second Presbyterian churches, in Baltimore, and met with the hearty co-operation of their pastors, the Rev. William Nevins, and the Rev. John Brackenridge. The result of their aid, and the amount of annual and other contributions, will be communicated hereafter. The Executive Committee request the attention of their fellow members, of the Presbyterian church, to the following PLAN For rendering Sessions Auxiliary Societies to the General Assembly's Board of Mis sions. It is believed, after much reflection, that Sessions may become the best auxiliary Missionary Societies that can exist in the Presbyterian Church; that they are more happily adapted to this purpose than any other associations that can be devised, and may supersede the necessity of any other. Sessions are already formed, and must be continued as an essential part in the order and government of the Presbyterian Church; and by their taking an agency in missionary affairs the church will act directly by her own officers, which is the most proper and desirable mode of action, in every thing in which the church is concerned. By Sessions assuming the form of Missionary societies, all the trouble and all the expense of forming other Missionary associations will be saved; and at the same time Missionary bodies will become more numerous, and more extensively and generally influential, through out the whole Presbyterian population, than they can ever be otherwise rendered. Missionary operations will in this way be more intimately brought home, as they need to be, to every congregation and to every individual in it, as a concern of their own: and when the people see their own representatives, men of their own choice and in whom they have confidence, managing and superintending this business, they will be likely to contribute more willingly, generally, and liberally, than they would otherwise do. If in some places it should be considered necessary or expedient, that an individual or two, without becoming regular members of session, should be joined with it for the special purpose of conducting missionary business., there could be no objection to (To be continued.) such a measure. The Treasurer of the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church acknowledges the receipt of the following sum for their Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J. during the month of December last, viz. Of Messrs. Towar and Hogan $30, for the privilege of printing another thousand copies of the Confession-one-half of this sum is for the Contingent Fund of the Theological Seminary The Treasurer has the pleasure to report the following sums received in aid of the extended operations of the Board of Missions, viz. Of Rev. Alexander Heberton $16 35, a donation from the Female Sewing Society of Allenstownship Congregation, and §5 65 from a few individuals Of Rev. Colin M'Iver, Treasurer of the Presbytery of Fayetteville, from the several congregations of Centre, Ashpole, Laurel Hill, Red Bluff, Bethel, and Little Peedee Of Robert Ralston, Esq., from the First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburg, Of Second Presbyterian Church Philadelphia, at Monthly Concert $15 00 $22 00 125 25 53 00 9 48 99 50 15 00 10.00 42 25 Of Mr. James Algeo, subscriptions in Fourth Presbyterian Church, Philad. Of the Rev. Dr. E. S. Ely, General Agent of the Board of Missions, as per his statement of particulars below 668 80 $1245 28 Amount received for the Board of Missions Dr. Ely collected the above sum of $668 80 from the following persons, viz. From Rev. Septimus Tuston 8 37 John M'Kissick, Esq., Columbia, Pa., from a Physician's practice on E. S. Ely, a donation for the church in St. Louis, Missouri Rev. John Hutchinson's do. of Mifflintown and Lost Creek |