and Laity attended, they obferve, "thus concluded the folema fervices of the conference, long, very long to be remembered by thousands; all appearing to unite in this fentiment, it was never fo feen in our Ifrael."-Some of the minifters finding fo large an Affembly pafs a refolution with cheerful unanimity, that a Missionary Society was desirable, could not for a time proceed, for tears of joy. The grandeft object that ever occupied the human mind, the falvation of fouls, was prefented in fuch a variety of views, and in fo ftriking a manner, by the preachers, that every ferious perfon awoke as from a dream, filled with surprise that so noble a defign had never before been attempted by them, and longing, by future exertions, to redeem loft opportunities -Many Ministers, who before doubted whether the Lord's time for fuch an attempt were come, are now completely fatisfied, and join with equal ardor in a cause, fo glorious. The great numbers who attended as delegates from various parts of the Kingdom; the multitudes who thronged the largest places of worship in London; the countenance and liberal donations of the wealthy; the appearance of fo many Ministers in one place, and in fo confpicuous a fituation; were grand and pleafing; the suitablenefs of the Hymns, and the fervor with which they were fung; and above all the most evident and uncommon out pouring of the fpirit on the Ministers in their fermons and prayers, impreffed the whole congregation, with a folemnity and pleasure not ufual even in religious affemblies, and constrained them all to fay, This is a new Pentecoft; nor was it a doubt with any, whether the Lord was among them or not.

Another confideration, that rendered these seasons unspeakably delightful, was a visible union of ministers and chriftians of all denominations; who for the first time forgetting their party prejudices and partialities, affembled in the fame place; fung the fame hymns; united in the fame prayers, and felt themselves one in Chrift.-Such a fcene was, perhaps, never before beheld in our world, and afforded a glorious earnest of that nobler affembly, where we shall meet all the redeemed, and in the prefence, and before the throne of the Lamb, fhall fing as in the best hymn of the fervice; crown him, crown him, crown him Lord of all!

Thus commenced this important fociety, and their fruits have been in fome measure agreeable to fo fair a beginning.-They have fince been deeply impreffed with the affecting observations of the converted among the heathen, upon their attempts to carry the gofpel among them. A Hottentot woman who had been effectually called to the falvation of Jefus, obferved to the Miffionary" that it was a great pity and a great fin, that they who fo long enjoyed great plenty of the bread of life, did not give one crumb to the poor heathen; but that God was very good, who had forgiven this great fin

and had bleffed the little bit they had lately given, fo much; and now the hoped that chriftians would fin no longer against God, in withholding the bread of life, but would abound in giving it more and more." The Society therefore confidered themselves as they did every christian, called upon to act their part; and that they could not without criminality, withhold their exertions towards procuring obedience to the command of Chrift, who fays "go ye into all the world and preach the gofpel to every creature." In I 1799 they obtained the aid of three Miffionaries-who arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, juft as a deputation of three boschemen, the most savage and ferocious of the heathen of that country, arrived, earnestly requesting that fome good men might be fent to inftruct them. The Miffionary confidered this as a call of God to vifit the poor Hottentots, and, furprifing to tell, two of them travelled 500 Miles North East of the Cape into the wilderness, to Zaak river, passing mountains that appeared almoft inacceffible, and being fometimes 7 days without feeing a human face but their own company, and expofed to Lions and Tigers which infest the woods of that country, from whose devouring Jaws they were feveral times moft providentially preferved. Suffice it to fay, that they were received by these wretched heathen with joy. They found them living among the rocks, where they dig a fmall round den, about 3 feet deep, which they cover with reeds. Here they fleep away their time till roufed by hunger, when they fally forth to hunt wild beafts, and when unfuccefsful, they subsist on fnakes, mice and wild onions. The Miffionary, at firft, was obliged to ter pt the people, at large, to attend him by giving them tobacco which they are very fond of. He began by preaching fyftematically to them, but he found it in vain. He then followed the example of the Moravians, fimply preaching the love, and death of Jefus Chrift, and inviting them to come to him that they might have life. His labors were foon bleffed. His first fruit was a moft notorious offender This man was convicted of fin, convinced of his loft ftate and found mercy. He lived but 6 months after, but his experience was wonderful. His heart was wholly taken up with the love of Chrift, fo that he could fcarcely bear to speak of worldly things, and he died rejoicing in the Lord, faying to his teacher," I die depending on the blood and righteousnefs of Chrift: I go to heaven, and there I will wait for you. His fon who came a great diftance to fee his dying father, was also con verted, and became a schoolmaster. The Miffionary foon after began to have his fpirits much elated when he would walk in the fields, and find, scattered here and there proftrate on the ground, several of his congregation; and fome with a child in each hand, pouring out their fouls to God in the most lively and copious strains. When he had been with them about four years, he vifited his friends in

Europe; at which time, he had baptized about 34 adult persons and 50 children. He had a stated congregation of about 600 perfons, in a great measure civilized and dwelling together. The people are univerfally changed and have become, literally as well as fpiritually, new creatures. They who were fo filthy that a civilized perfon could scarcely approach them, are now clean; instead of being naked, or only covered with a dirty sheepskin, they are now decently cloathed; and those who knew not there was a God, are become devout worshippers of God, and fervent lovers of Jesus Christ; induftrious and obliging, bringing up their children in the fear of the Lord."

Three of this congregation went to London with the Missionary, and on a careful examination, gave great fatisfaction to the fociety. They fang a Hymn before a large congregation, the literal tranflation of which in profe follows. "O Zion's king! Thou fon of God, exalted on the father's throne! I cafl myself down before thee, and pray for spirit and for life, for thy church and dear bride, living here on earth, at a distance from her divine lover, her head, her comfort, the prince of life; for whom she ever and forever longs. Oh! that I now night find thee.

Most of all, O king of Zion! I implore thee for fo many dead fouls! Oh! make thy people to fall down before thee by thy fpirit. By thy power draw all thofe unto thee, for whom thou didst fay, "it is finifhed!" make the deaf ear to hear the voice of thy power and of thy glory, that it may be faid of Zion "this and that man was born there."

Fountain of life! almighty God! it is the fpirit's influence we crave! Oh! exert the power of thy love upon the hearts of many men! Bring Tyrians, Philiftines, and Moors by the word and the spirit into the right way, and let hell tremble at thy work! Rescue by thy divine power the veffels of grace from fatan's might, and bid the

dead to live!"

It is easier to conceive than to defcribe the facred pleasure which filled the minds of a large affembly of Chriftians, when they thus beheld "Ethiopia ftretching forth her hands to God," and heard fome of Afric's tawny race finging the praises of our common

Lord."

The following is an extract of a letter from a Boscheman woman, to the Miffionary in London; "moreover I take the liberty of telling you that the Lord converts many people at Rodezand; which proves the greatest comfort and fupport, as it seems here, that the time is now come when the Lord fhall pour out his bleffing over the whole world and draw all poor finners unto himself."

Through the inftrumentality of the London Miffionary Society many thousands of the heathen in Africa are now liftening to the

joyful found of the gofpel; and more than a few who were afar off, are brought near by the blood of Christ. On a full view of what this Society has done, it appears, that they have sent out about 100 preachers, 98 of whom have received education for the miniftry, by whom the glad tidings of falvation are announced in many places, where the being of a God was not known, or even heard of.

This im

Even France has not been forgotten. During two years the London Miffionary Society have been endeavouring to build on the ruins of the papacy there, the divine edifice of pure christianity; and as the most powerful means for that purpose within their reach was the circulation of the holy scriptures, they determined to confecrate a part of their funds to this object.-Reflecting alfo on the awful effects of infidelity, they judged it might be of great use, to connect with the fcriptures, a vindication of their divine authority. portant fervice has been atchieved in the most fatisfactory manner by one of their highly respected members. The Society went farther, and fent a deputation to France, to disperse these books, and to know the real fituation of that numerous people. The importance of this business was manifeft, from the deputation having found it difficult to procure a fingle copy of the French Bible in Paris ; and they were informed, this was equally the cafe in Italy. Great effects throughout France are likely to arife from having a protestant ministry there. At Befançon in the south, and at Arras in the North, where, till lately, no proteftants were to be found, applications for proteftant ministers and churches have been made and figned by 12,000 persons at the former place, and near as many at the latter. And although many churches have already been given to the proteftants, 900 congregations are ftill deftitute, both of churches and pastors. Even in Belgium, the fame difpofition appears.

On opening a Protestant chapel at Abbey Ardennis in Normandy, previous to the publication of the concordat between the Pope and Buonaparte, a very refpectable congregation attended. The increase fince, has exceeded the most fanguine expectations. And no fooner was the Concordat published, than the chapel was so much over crowded, that more than 200 perfons were obliged to stand during the fervice, the feats being all filled. In many parts of the republic, and particularly in the fouth, large bodies of the Inhabitants have publicly demanded of the prefects of their respective depart ments, to be provided with a church and Protestant ministers. Thefe are good figns of the times, and may tend to oblige all denominations of chriftians to greater purity of conduct, and more attention to the effential principles of the gofpel. Our informant adds, "Great and marvellous are the events of our days. A believer in the prophecies cannot but feel himself more and more interested in the

great fcenes, which are evidently introducing that new era, we are taught to expect fhall immediately commence-all concur in affording delightful animation to the mind, that with an eye of faith, contemplates the wisdom and goodness of the divine being, who is conducting the univerfal family of mankind to improvement and happinefs; and fitting them for everlafting glory hereafter."

"There is nothing, it is faid, which more furprifes a stranger at the present moment in France, than the rage for religious publications of every description. The prefs literally groans with books of devotion. The Scepticism of the revolution has loft its charms, and even the petit maitre is fighing for the pleasure of devotion."

The report above mentioned concludes thus: " with fincere fatiffaction, they recognize the zeal and fuccefs of other Societies aiming at the fame ftupendous object, earnestly uniting their common fupplications with the christian world at large, that the bleffing of hea ven may attend them all. They cherish the hope that these are all effects of a divine impulfe on the mind, and part of the arrangements of an infinitely wife and unerring plan, which has determined the ultimate renovation of the world after a long season of darkness, depravity and diforder, and is now introducing the dawn of that glorious period which is the favourite theme of prophecy and the grand confolation of the christian church. While they endeavour to promote the approach of this desirable season by every means in their power, we chearfully refer the event to him who has referved the times and the seasons in his own hands; who prefides over the vast concerns of the universe, and who can command all its powers, intellectual or material, to accomplish his pleasure, and fulfil his word."

Among other instances of joyful converfion of finners to God in London, the Committee muft mention that of Mr. Frey, a Jew, now preparing for Miffionary labours. He preached a fermon to the Jews, on 18 May 1803, at Sion chapel, from Gen. xiii. 8. "And Abraham said unto Lot, let there be no ftrife I pray thee, between me and thee:" and a prodigious congregation were collected, among whom were about 200 of the children of Abraham according to the flesh. They feemed well pleased.

The Baptist Association, or Missionary Society,

HAVE been also very fuccessful in their labors of love, efpecially in India; where they have united with other denominations in carrying the gospel to that numerous, fuperftitious, and idolatrous people. To give some idea of the work of God carrying on there by their means, the following extracts of letters received by a worthy gentleman of this City, and fome others in Europe, from that Country, tho' lengthy, are inferted.