be prized than as many thousands added as the fruits of fanaticism and wild extravagance. "Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?" Several associations report individual cases of hopeful conversion the past year In Francestown and Deering, revivals to some extent have been enjoyed, by which more than 30 have been added to the churches, and others, having hope, yet remain to be gathered in. In the academy at Meriden, also, there has been a short season of unusual attention to religion, by which 8 or 10 were led to cherish hopes of salvation. The general interests of this important institution, founded in Christian charity, and affording constant aid to from 12 to 20 indigent young men, having the ministry in view; and of Dartmouth College, also, continue to be highly prosperous. The Theological Seminary at Gilmanton, having undergone some important changes during the past year, seems to be awakening a new interest. Six young men at the last anniversary completed their course of study, and are now laboring in the gospel vineyard. The prospects of the Seminary are encouraging and with the patronage and prayers of the pastors and churches of New-Hampshire, and the blessing of heaven, it may be expected to prove instrumental of great good to the state and to Zion. Sabbath schools are represented as being generally prosperouspublic worship on the Sabbath as being well attended the cause of temperance as steadily advancing, and the churches, though some of them assailed with new forms of error and fanaticism from without, as being steadfast in the faith and enjoying peace and quietness among themselves. On this occasion we welcome most cordially the delegates from foreign bodies who have come to mingle their sympathies and prayers with ours. Although they bring not so good tidings as in some former years, we rejoice to meet them and hear of their welfare. The delegate from the General Association of New York reports from 140 to 150 churches connected with that body, nearly 130 ministers and licentiates, and about 10.000 communicants. These, however, do not embody all the Congregationalism of New-York. There are churches and associations, he says, which have not yet identified themselves with the General Association. 66 A goodly number of the churches have experienced blessed refreshings from the presence of the Lord." "There is a stability, a doctrinal soundness, an increasing affection gradually developing among the churches and ministers which betoken cheering things in the future." "We are not strong in numbers, or in wealth, but we humbly feel strong in the Lord." "With sling and stone we go out undaunted against the champions who defy the God of Israel. The delegate from Vermont reports 12 district associations in that state, embracing 203 churches, 94 of which have settled pastors, and 61 stated supplies: 41 are destitute. The present number of communicants is 21.200. No copious or extensive effusions of the Holy Ghost have been enjoyed. "The benevolent enterprises of the day have a strong hold on the affections of the churches, and contributions have been unexpectedly liberal." An increasing interest is felt in maintaining the great doctrines of the gospel. Churches are becoming more stable and less given to change. The advantages of a permanent ministry are becoming more and more apparent. The delegate from Connecticut reports no extensive work of grace in that state the past year. Divine influences to some extent have descended on many places and sinners been converted, saints edified and the churches strengthened. Yale College has experienced refreshings from the presence of the Lord, and about 25 are the hopeful subjects of renewing grace. The delegate from Massachusetts, after referring to evils which exist in the churches in that state, says, "Peace has been extended to us as a river. The churches have been gathering in and enjoying the fruits of those revivals which they experienced a year ago. The multitudes who were converted to God in those times of refreshing, have thus far proved steadfast and unmovable; they have walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. From every section of the commonwealth most animating intelligence comes up respecting the progress of temperance." The delegate from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church reports more than 12.000 as having been added to their body the past year, making the whole number now in communion 166-400. The whole number of ordained ministers is 1523, and 200 licentiates. The number of churches reported is 2150; 500 of which are destitute of the stated preaching of God's word, most of them in the great valley of the west. More than 500 young men are under the patronage of the Board of Education. On a review of the whole, we see no cause why any of the sons of Zion should let their harps hang upon the willows a moment longer. With the instituted means of grace New-Hampshire has not, for many years, if ever, been better supplied than it is at this day. What is wanted is the accompanying influences of the Holy Spirit to give the word success. To secure this blessing, let the trumpet be blown in Zion and solemn assemblies be called;-let the people be gathered, the elders assembled, and the congregations sanctified. Let the priest, the minister of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let every one who can breathe the breath of prayer before God, resolve, that for Zion's sake he will not hold his peace, and for Jerusalem's sake he will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. So God, even our own God, shall bless us, and we be no more termed, Forsaken, nor our land, Desolate; but our sons grow up as plants, and our daughters as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace. J. WOODS, for the Committee. |