versation on the subject. They said I had been badly treated, and that most of the church thought so; and said most of them knew nothing of the matter during the time of morning meeting, and wondered what could be wrong. I told them my mind pretty freely, for I believed they were privy to (if not a party in getting up) the whole plot.

The most respectable man in the church, in the things of this world, and whose wealth and station has an undue influence over the minds of many in this church, was absent on this day, for what cause I cannot tell, unless he knew what was to be on foot, and did not wish to be present. He was walking the streets, in perfect health, both Saturday and Monday.

What a pity that such sectarian feelings should exist, and that love should grow out of unity of opinion, instead of unity of faith. Before they were aware our opinions on these matters were not the same, love towards me was manifest by all of them; but so soon as they discovered it, without any other fault, the greatest coldness was manifest by many of them. When will the saints be out of Babylon? I. T.

Progress of Reform.

Nicholasville, Ky. October 9th, 1823.-I IMMERSED one on Lord's day last, the 7th; and one on the 8th. Brother W. Morton immersed sixteen, on the Monday after the second Lord's day in September, at Sabblett's Ferry, on the Kentucky river, in Woodford county-and brother J. Creath, Sen. immersed thirteen, at Buckley's Ferry, on the same river, on Monday after the fourth Lord's day in September; each of which places is from five to six miles from Versailles. The good work is still progressing.

-The Boon's Creek Association met in last month, three miles and a half east of this place. The whole number of churches composing the same is about six or seven. From one or two there was no letter. During the last year four persons were immersed, and thirty-one dismissed and excluded. The consumption is fast preying upon its vitals. They received one newly constituted church into their body, consisting of from nine to thirteen membershaving been constituted upon a creed acknowledged to be genuine, I suppose, by the clergy present, viz. John Brice, Mr. Garman, and Edmund Waller.At the bottom of their letter to the association in which they seek a residence, they affix a note, saying, "We discard A. Campbell and his doctrine."-This was by the way of giving additional claims to their appeal for admission. So, you see, they deny that Jesus is the Christ, the Saviour of sinners-the final salvation of all who continue faithful to the end-and the eternal condemnation of those who obey not the gospel of our Lord: or else you discard this as a part of your faith. During the last three years, I do not recollect of hearing of twelve additions to all the old sectarian churches, in twenty-five miles square-whilst from three to four hundred have been added, by faith and immersion, to the reformation, since May last. I do not wonder that there should be such a barrenness amongst them, while their every effort is to convince the people that they cannot believe the gospel, and that the gospel is a sealed book, and a dead letter. G. W. E.

Somerville, Ten. September 19th, 1832.-I have been absent from home part of the summer, and have recently returned-since which time a few of us, who profess to believe in the one Lord, one faith, and one immersion, met together, for the purpose of uniting in social worship. After adoration and thanks-giving were offered up, it was enjoined on me, to speak to the congreVOL. III. 48*

gation, on the importance of believers in the one Lord, &c., uniting themselves together. I did so; and while on the subject, I contended that the union should be on the New Testament, and that alone. After contending earnestly for the faith for about two hours, I came down from the stand, and proclaimed aloud, that I would unite with the King's children, to observe his laws and obey him in all things, and if there were any in this congregation who were disposed to give themselves to the Lord and to one another, they could manifest it by meeting and giving me the right hand of fellowship: remarking, at the same time, that we wanted no isms nor ites. There were, as well as I recollect, about ten who came and gave each other their hands-some of them I had immersed, and, I suppose, they were the first who were immersed for the remission of sins, in the Western District. The fourth Sunday in May last I spoke to a large congregation, on the great and grand design of the ordinance of immersion, contending that it was instituted for the remission of sins. After coming to a close I remarked, that if there were any persons in the congregation that wished to obey the Lord, I would immerse them at any time and place that they might designate. There was a lady of intelligence came forward, and made the good confession that Jesus was the Messiah. She left home, not having any such thing in contemplation, and of course had not a change of apparel with her: but such was her desire to obey the Lord, that she sent and got apparel; and we repaired to the water side, which was crowded with spectators to witness a scene they had never seen before. Thus the water was troubled, for the first time in these parts, by christian immersion.

My labors have been so scattered about, that I have done but little for the advancement of Messiah's kingdom. But for the future we design to meet together every first day of the week, which I hope will prove a blessing.

W. T. M.

Hines County, Miss. Aug. 20th, 1832.-I have nothing very interesting to communicate, neither do I wish to trouble you with many words. We have a few names even in Mississippi, who do not defile themselves with the traditions of men. They have only had to bear their portion of that persecution which has been poured upon all those who prefer primitive Christianity in its purity and power, to the latter day fashionable names, &c. &c.

There is a congregation of disciples near the Grand Gulf, who meet every Lord's day, to worship God according to his own directions. They request.all the disciples who may be passing, to call upon them: especially those who teach the word. The congregation here, with which I am connected, is engaged in the same manner, and makes the same request. The disciples in Wilkerson County, and adjoining, have been progressing rapidly since they shook off the yoke, and entered the perfect liberty of the kingdom.

G. H. N.

Mayville, Ky. Aug. 30th, 1832.-Since I wrote to you, I have, in conjunction with others, in my private tours and at large meetings, immersed sixty-four persons-who will generally make intelligent disciples of our Lord Jesus. Nineteen of these at May's Lick and vicinity, in two visits. The result of these accessions of numerical and moral strength is a general revival of hope, and faith, and cheerfulness. Not that the church did not possess these fruits of the Spirit before, nor that the angels did not before rejoice; but that saints and angels rejoice anew, at the reformation of near one hundred and fifty sinners in three months.

D. S. B.

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, August 25th, 1832.-I have just returned from a two months tour through Nova Scotia, and have had an opportunity of witnessing something more of the evils of sectarianism, and of trying to do a little towards reform. I now stand connected with ten preaching brethren, who have agreed to take the scriptures as the only standard of faith and practiceand there are the same number of churches; but they have not all yet laid aside their creeds, and adopted the ancient mode of coming together to break the loaf on every Lord's day. The prospect is beginning to brighten in this country.

The brethren united with me have formed into a conference, and I am appointed to travel and labor in the word and doctrine, this year. I baptized a number during my late tour, and found many more who felt it to be their duty thus to put on the Lord, but are waiting to feel better. In the spring I wrote to Dr. J. Johnston, of Halifax, and sent my copy of your writings. I have lately received an answer from him-they have had the desired effect upon his mind, and he is very anxious to obtain more information on all divine things. W. W. A.

Christian County, Ky. Oct. 1st, 1832.-The good cause is progressing in this vicinity. Brethren Davenport and Collins have, within the last two months, immersed about thirty persons. This is the effect of the debate of which I informed you. Brother E. A. S. left us about a week ago. We found him truly an amiable, interesting, and lovely brother. His deportment, his simplicity, and zeal are truly praiseworthy, and an example for all disciples of the great King. May the Lord bless him, and all who are engaged in the cause of God.

1. B. R.

CHURCHEES IN IRELAND.I cannot speak with much precision of the number of members in all the congregations in the counties of Tyrone and Londonderry, Ireland, which are zealous for the ancient order of things. Of the following I can speak with some degree of certainty: Common Green, near Omagh, has about 35. Dungannon, 30. Knockonay, near Ballygawly, 25. Crilly, near Aughnacloy, 20. Mullycarn, near Dungannon, 40. Moree, near Dungannon, 20. Augavvay, near Cough, 25. City of Londonderry, 15. Besides these, there are others, such as that at Tubermore, Carindaisy, and the city of Colerain, of which I cannot speak particularly. There is great need of public proclaimers of the word in these counties. Almost all that is done, is effected by private members.

J. T.

Brother James Mitchel, on a visit to Bethany, informed us that in Centre county, Pennsylvania, where he had labored about seven months, from March till October, he had immersed about ninety persons.

Brother John Mendal, late of Wellsburgh, under date of October 17th, writes, from Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois, as follows:

"I arrived here yesterday, and last night heard brother B. W. Stone, of Kentucky, deliver a discourse in the court house. This morning I was introduced to him, and to brother Farris. They were glad to see me, and to hear from you. They expect to immerse six this morning. Brother Stone was in Jacksonville a few days since, and informed me that a church of one hundred disciples was congregated there, and another, a few miles from this place, of fifty. He requested me to inform you that the cause of our Redeemer is prospering in this country, and that there is much scope for doing good."

A brother in Baltimore, long devoted to the cause of truth, and of much experience in the things of the kingdom, expresses the following fears-and they deserve to be considered. Old men for counsel, and young men for war.

"I do not rejoice as much as some others, in the large numbers immersed. I fear the much preaching at large meetings, often induces many to consent to practise what they do not understand. Again, I fear that when the excitement produced by these meetings is over, there will be a reaction, and that these converts, not satisfied with the plain and simple fare of the Lord's family. that is, the exhortations of the brethren, and the keeping of the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; the itching ear will not be satisfied, and there will be a forsaking of the assembly of the saints, and then apostacy. I cannot pierce far into futurity, but I have seen many revivals among the Baptists, and at the end of seven years, not one in thirty retained his integrity. I like to see the brethren stay in their own neighborhoods, and meet on the Lord's day, at their own place, even if they have nothing there but the reading of the word of God, and his ordinances. If they cannot enjoy these provisions of the Lord's family, it would be well for them to question whether they have received the truth in the love of it." W. C.

It

Nashville, Ten. Oct. 1832. The family of God, at this place, are generally in the enjoyment of health, and the hope of eternal life. That portion who are in the habit of coming together to wait on the Lord, not only seem to have their strength renewed, but to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus the Christ. The unity of faith and love, which appears to me to exist, is, I can truly say, my brother, comforting indeed. But it is not only amongst the family at this place that we behold unity. We had, on the first week of this month, a visit from many of our brethren, the various congregations in this part of our state, who came up to worship with us at a set time. And I can truly say, that, to me at least, it was a pleasant time. There was no shyness, either in the conduct or looks of any part of the family present. No one manifested any desire to be called Rabbi-no one seemed to feel as though he were an intruder; but all seemed to be at home, and as conscious there were no spies in the camp. It was the first meeting of the kind I ever witnessed, where I did not think some one of the brethren a little uneasy. But on this occasion, all spoke the same language-all manifested the same feeling. Faith, and hope, and love was the apparel worn. It was the heavenly armour. was not Calvinism, nor Arminianism, nor Campbellism. There was no appointing of clerks, nor moderators, nor preachers to occupy the stand on Lord's day. Each seemed to esteem others better than himself-and all seemed slow to speak, and anxious to hear others speak. In short, it looked to me as if our Father had been heard to speak, and had been teaching his children. I do not feel disposed either to boast as a partisan, or to cultivate the feelings of a party religionist; but I do rejoice in being of what the Jews called a sect near eighteen hundred years ago—a disciple of the Nazarene. And to see all such disciples healthy by faith, by love, by oneness of speech, gratifies me more than any thing else. To see our fellow-beings bowing to the peaceful yoke of Jesus; and to hear of their kissing the Son, in every neighborhood, is truly pleasing. This news the brethren brought us. Perhaps from three to five hundred have been baptized in five or six of the adjoining counties, the last six months. I was not particular in ascertaining the precise number. Eight were immersed here on the first Sunday in this month, five on Monday night, and two since. But this news, joyful as it is, is nothing, when contrasted with the health of our Father's family. If the disciples were, indeed, as a city set on a hill, what would five hundred conversions be, for six months, in a population of two hundred thousand? Almost nothing. O may the Father's children, with you and I, learn to realize our high calling, and become able to put in practice his will in all things. But, blessed be the name of the Lord, we have a glorious leader and helper; so that when we do come short, there is no necessity for flaggingWe will, then, prove faithful till death, and afterwards receive the crown.

A BROTHER IN THE LORD. The Lord bless all the holy brethren! May he lift upon them the light of his countenance, and give them peace!-Editor.

The Dover Decree.

THE Dover Association of Virginia passed the following decree at its last session:

"We, therefore, the assembled ministers and delegates of the Dover Association, after much prayerful deliberation, do hereby affectionately recommend to the churches in our connexion, to separate from their communion all such persons as are promoting controversy and discord, under the specious name of "Reformers." That the line of distinction may be clearly drawn, so that all who are concerned may understand it, we feel it our duty to declare, that, whereas Peter Ainsley, John Du Val, Matthew W. Webber, Thomas M. Henley, John Richards, and Dudley Atkinson, ministers within the bounds of this Association, have voluntarily assumed the name of "Reformers," in its

party application, by attending a meeting publicly advertised for that party; and by communing with, and otherwise promoting the views of the members of that party, who have been separated from the fellowship and communion of Regular Baptist Churches

"Resolved, That this Association cannot consistently and conscientiously receive them, nor any other ministers maintaining their views, as members of their body; nor can they in future act in concert with delegates from any church or churches, that may encourage or countenance their ministrations." In the preamble to this decree there is no one fact or truth of the christian religion specified, which the above brethren are said to deny—no one error stated which they are said to hold. But they are said to differ "in their views of faith, repentance, regeneration, baptism, the agency of the Holy Spirit, church government, the christian ministry, and the whole scheme of christian benevolence"-from those who have debarred them from their communion.

The excommunicated brethren, with whom we are proud to fraternize, View "sin" as the transgression of law; "faith," as the belief of the testimony of God; "repentance," as sorrow for sin; "regeneration," as being born again; "baptism," as an immersion into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, on confession of faith in Jesus, for the remission of sins; "the agency of the Spirit," as essential to the demonstration of the mission of Jesus, and to our faith in the testimony of God; "church government," as the government of the church by the laws of Jesus, executed by the public servants of the church; "the christian ministry," as the ministers of Jesus Christ, called and sent by his authority; "the whole scheme of christian benevolence," as the church of the living God. But such, it appears, are not the views of John Kerr; who, it is published by Eli Ball, had the honor to pen this preamble and decree; nor of those who voted with him in excluding these brethren from what they call "the kingdom of God."

What a dangerous matter it has become, to think differently from Messrs. Kerr, Ball, Broaddus, and Erastus Montague! How perilous to view sin, faith, baptism, &c. differently from these "keepers of the faith" of Virginia! This alone exposes a person to the greatest anathema in the power of Virginia Baptists. They can do no more in Virginia, as yet, than treat a dissentient as they would a murderer, or a vile adulterer. The committee, or managers of the bull of excommunication, can neither banish, burn, nor imprison those who differ from their views of sin, faith, and baptism' There is no Patmos, jail, or pillory known in Virginia law, for those who think differently from John Kerr or Eli Ball. But they can place Peter Ainslie, John Du Val, M. B. Webber, T. M. Henley, John Richards, and Dudly Atkinson in the same society, as respects the Lord's table, with all the inmates of the Penitentiary, now under the care of my friend Col. C. S. Morgan: yes, they can tell all the sects in Virginia, that they view these virtuous and exemplary men as unfit for the communion of Eli Ball and John Kerr, as were the infamous actors in the Southampton insurrection. We ask what difference have they made? What more could they do than exclude such from the kingdom of heaven? and do they not teach that the kingdom of heaven is theirs? If they think that what they have bound on earth is bound in heaven, where stand these anathematized preachers? Are they not blotted out of the book of life? But, perhaps, they will say, that what they have loosed on earth, in the house of Miles Turpine, is not loosed in heaven! Nor can they pray to the Lord to ratify in heaven what they have done on earth! What a farce then is it? And how will they answer to the Lord for casting out of his church on earth (as they call the Dover Association) those whom they have every reason to think are esteemed as much the children of God as themselves?

Mark them who now cause divisions? The Reformers, (invidious name!) rather the disciples of the excommunieated chief, preferred forbearance either to separating themselves from their once acknowledged brethren, or to separating the minority of any church from their communion. But this is one of