regarded them as servants of God,-made ready to hear their words, became friends and advocates, and at length petitioners for a stationed Minister. Since then, the Church has gained strength considerably, insomuch that a Missionary Society has been organized, to convey to others the blessed Gospel, as taught by the acknowledged Lutheran Ministers. Since the organization of this society, information has reached us, of several destitute and needy settlements, some of which would immediately support a minister, and others partially: 1 on Collins River in White County; 2d. in Montgomery County; 3d. in Jackson on the forked Deer; 4th. in the more southern part of the western district in Tennessee; 5th. in Indiana there are three places; 6th. in Illinois at Jonesborough, and Hillsborough; 7th. in Missouri, near Jonesborough Illinois; and another about 40 miles north, besides many other places, in which there are some Lutherans. In the Kentucky purchase there are families of Lutherans daily arriving, from different states. All of the foregoing are entirely destitute, together with many who are settled in Alabama. With this information before us, the solemn appeal is made. Must those settlements, be neglected and forsaken? Must they be gathered in by others, and thus weaken our bands? Forbid it! To whom does the people look? To the little few, who belong to the Synod of North Carolina. A solemn effort has been made to supply, but whilst one place is supplied, another is deprived. Hence with united voice, the appeal is made to the brethren in the East and North.— You dear Brethren, are blessed with a preached gospel, and the means to do good. Will you with means at hand, let us languish and die, for that, which you can easily spare? Will you, O, can you, be unconcerned, when your brethren are in such need? One "Widows Mite"-may seriously affect our present standing. One united effort, on your part, may relieve (under God) our present dis tressing sufferings. Once most of our brethren were like you in the enjoyment of all the means, but alas! how sad the difference now. Now they are scattered, their children are growing up without the usual instruction, common in our church-now growing up neglected, and it is feared that many rejoice in the sufferings of our people.-How Long, O Lord, before deliverance is to be sent. Our brethren across the ocean, would help, if they knew our wants: but we hope the world will see, that our own brethren in the United States, will stretch forth their helping hand. O let charity record upon the page of benevolence, the good deed. and let the Sun proclaim in his travels: "Sons of sorrow weep no longer, Then in eternity you will be hailed by many who will own you as their benefactors. Then will "your bread cast upon the waters" return again. Then will you find, the meaning of the passage "It is more blessed to give than to receive."-Then hundreds of the children of the west, will hail you blessed. Then will Jesus own you and present you with those, who through your benevolence are brought nigh to God--and say in the presence of Angels-"Because ye have done it unto these, ye have done it unto me. Dec. 14, 1830. IN THE WEST. MORAVIAN MISSIONS. The following circular letter "from the Synodical Committee for the management of the Brethren's Missions among the heathen," contains the latest official account respecting the state of religion at their numerous stations. The cheering report of the progress of the Lord's work, given in this letter, and the artless simplicity and fraternal spirit which characterise it, commend it and the cause of which it speaks to the Christian public. Herrnhut, October 5, 1829. Dear Brethren and Sisters :-In sending you a statement of our mission fund for the year 1828, we have to report to you an expenditure of $44,171 90. Although the extraordinary donations from England, Scotland, and North America, and from friends on the continent of Europe, amounted to $31,585 95, a deficiency appears on the year's account of $77 70, which however is reduced to $49 25 by the receipt of some former arrears. Deducting this sum from $325 36, the surplus at the close of 1827, there remains a balance of $275 41 in our favour. We praise the goodness of God, who, in the year past has again sent us such powerful help; and pray that a rich and eternal reward of grace may be the portion of those worthy benefactors, who so generously assist in the support of our missions, according to the promise of Him who will not suffer a drop of cold water, given to his servants, to remain unrecompensated When we take a view of the internal course of our missions in the year 1828, we find abundant reason to extol the merciful kindess of God and our Saviour, which has been made manifest in various ways. A mission among the Tambookies has been begun in a healthy region on the Klipplaats river, in South Africa. Our missionaries have been kindly received by the chief Bowana, and by that part of the nation which is under their control. Notwithstanding the difficulties and obstacles which they had already encountered, they were full of faith and hope, that a rich harvest would follow the seed of the gospel, sown in that country. Our missionaries at the Cape deeply regret the loss of brother Bonatz, who departed happily to the Lord in December, 1827, and that of brother and sister Schmitt, who, af ter many years' faithful service in the mission, returned to Europe to enjoy a well-earned rest. At the Leper Institution, at Hemel-en Aarde, a new church was built without expense, the poor patients lending all the assistance in their power. At Elim, the new mission house being finished, the former has been converted into a church and school. Enon has disposed of some of its abundant population, through the establishment of a mission in the Tambookie country. Of our Hottentot congregations it may in general be affirmed, that they continue to walk in the fear of the Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. At Paramaribo, in Surinam, the negro congregation enjoyed a solemn festival day, when, on the 21st of July, their new and spacious church was consecrated. All the inhabitants of that town took a lively share in this celebration. A society has been formed in that colony, with the patronage and support of the highest authorites, for the promotion of Christianity among its heathen inhabitants, chiefly through the instrumentality of the Brethrens' missionaries and it is our sincere wish and prayer that we may be enabled to af ford the desired co-operation in so excellent and necessary a work. In the Danish West India islands the missionaries deplored the loss of the married sister Klingenberg, in her 38th year. They had however, the pleasure, before the close of the year, to receive the desired assistance by the arrival of several missionaries from Europe — The progress of the mission was on the whole encouraging. In Antigua, brother Procop, who for many years most faithfully laboured in that island and in St. Kitt's, entered into the joy of the Lord. His departure was followed by that of brother Schill, who is well known for his former faithful services in the Calmuc mission. In St. Kitt's a new mission was contemplated at Lavington. Both in Barbadoes and Tobago there appeared a gradual increase of the number of negro converts. In Jamaica the unexpected departure of brother Timaeus, only 26 years of age, was particularly painful to the missionaries; but they received very acceptable assistance by the arrival of brother Zorn and his wife from Bethlehem, in North America. The mission is on the increase at all the four stations. The buildings at New-Carmel were nearly completed by the close of the year, and at Irwin Hill the new chapel was opened on the 27th of July. The labours of the brethren among the Cherokee Indians were not fruitful during this period. That aged and venerable missionary, brother Gambold, ended his useful life at Ochgelogy. Two married brethren have devoted themselves to the service of the mission among this nation. The Delaware congregation at New Fairfield, in Canada, remained undisturbed, and old and young were actively occupied in building a new church. In Labrador, the congregations at Hopedale and Nain were visited by a malignant disorder which in a short time carried off 32 persons. From the diaries and the verbal account given to us by brother Koerner, during his visit in Europe, we rejoiced to hear of the grace of our Saviour prevailing among the believing Esquimaux on that occasion. Active steps are now taking to form a fourth settlement at Kangertluksoa. In Greenland our four settlements have experienced much blessing in the enjoyment of the grace and the favour of God. At Frederik sthal a temporary church had been constructed, after the manner of a Greenland winter house. A provision house was likewise erected; and their new church, built at Copenhagen, had been landed at Julianenhaab. The accounts we have received of the increasing exertions of other Protestant denominations, to promote the cause of Christ's kingdom on earth, fill our hearts with joy, being truly favourable signs of the times. While the commission which our church has received for nearly a century, to sow the seed of the gospel in heathen lands, and to gain souls for the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, remains most precious and important to us, let us not be weary in the furtherance of this great work, both by unceasing prayer and active participation. * Remember also in your prayers the mission department of the Unity's Elder's Conference, that we may be supported in our labours, which are often attended with difficulty, and may be enabled to approve ourselves as faithful stewards of the manifold grace of God. With cordial salutations from the whole Elders' Conference of the Unity, we subscribe ourselves your faithful brethren. (Signed) HANS WIED, G. M. SCHNEIDER, Christian Advocate and Journal. THE HARTWICK SYNOD OF THE EVANGELICAL LU THERAN CHURCH IN THE STATE OF NEW-YORK, From the following proceedings of Clerical and Lay representatives, from different Churches, who convened at Schoharie, October, 1830, it appears that another Synod has been regularly organized. We should have published them earlier, but absence from home, and numerous other demands upon our time, caused the delay. If any circumstance is calculated to convince our readers, that the cause of the Lord is advancing in our Zion, this is. By the organization of this Synod, which was accomplished with great unanimity, the whole force of our zealous brethren west of Hudson river, is brought out to sustain and promote our benevolent institutions, and whatever has a tendency, to increase the spirituality of our people. The General Synod too, derives additional strength, and we cannot see, how any one can have fears as to the future operations of a body, sustained by the devoted disciples of Jesus, both among the Clergy and Laity. The constitution adopted by the new Synod, is that recommended by the General Synod, and is at once an evidence, that 380 [FEBRUARY pure and undefiled religion prevails among our northren brethren, HARTWICK SYNOD. Our fervent prayers are, that the Divine Spirit may at all times di- PROCEEDINGS Of a Convention of Clerical and Lay Representatives, from different ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, SCHOMARIE, Gen. WILLIAM MANN of Schoharie, was unanimously chosen Pre- The meeting was then opened with prayer, by the Rev. J. Z. Sen- The following clerical and lay representatives appeared and took MINISTERS. Rev. George A. Lintner, Schoharie-George B. Miller, Hartwick LAY DELEGATES. Mr. William Mann, Schoharie-Joseph Borst, Middleburgh- The Convention being organized, and ready to proceed to business, 1 |
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