to prevent, we think that we shall be able to present at least fifty in advance of the last year's number. "But the most pleasing part of our situation is, that the old professors of religion are becoming more steadfast in the doctrines of the gospel, and the practice of family and relative duties. This is strikingly manifested in their disapprobation of the doctrines which have been lately preached in this place, denying the divinity of Christ, the doctrine of atonement, and of consequence the necessity of repentance and faith in the merits of Christ, to obtain the pardon of sin, and holiness of heart and life. Those invidious attacks against the fundamental doctrines of the gospel, although covered by the garb of piety, can never be successful among men of experience, and correct practice in religion. The excitement produced thereby is mere effervescence, which must eventually evaporate. Ontario District.-The Rev. Abner Chase writes, that "At a camp meeting held in the town of Phelps, near the Sulphur Springs, the Lord was pleased to manifest himself in mercy to many. From the commencement to the conclusion, the ministers of his word were unusually favoured with a divine unction, and their word was with power and demonstration of the Spirit. The members of the church were also greatly drawn out in the spirit of prayer. We were enabled to preserve good order during the meeting, and much good was done which then appeared. As near as could be ascertained, about sixty found peace through believing; and at the close forty eight were added to the church on the ground, and a number have since made application for admission, who were either converted or awakened at that meeting; a spirit of zeal and fervour was begotten in many hearts, which has apparently been the cause of promoting revivals in several neighbourhoods on other circuits. "The north part of Ontario circuit, has been greatly favoured since the last annual conference. The camp meeting which was held during the session of the conference, was probably a great means of the commencement of this work. Since which it has spread into several societies and neighbourhoods; and probably one hundred have been brought to a knowledge of sins forgiven. Among them are some very remarkable instances of the power and grace of God. One, an old revolutionary soldier, of three score and ten years, professes to have found the pearl of great price, and hitherto has given the most indubitable evidence of a real change of heart. About sixty have united with us, and some have joined other denominations. 'In Penn Yan station, we have, under the divine blessing, succeeded in completing our new church, a neat and commodious building, which was dedicated to the service of Almighty God, on the 21st of December last. We have a respectable congregation at this place, and have had consider able addition to our numbers the present year, and our prospects are still encouraging. In the town of Hector, on Ulysses circuit, a gracious work has lately commenced, and is progressing, though more like a gentle shower than like an overwhelming torrent. "On Seneca circuit, a gradual work has been going on for some time; and although the preacher stationed there has, for want of health, laboured very little on the circuit, vet the Lord has greatly owned the labours of the local preachers, and about seventy have been added to the church, and many more are inquiring, "What shall we do to be saved?" On Catharine circuit some showers of grace have lately descended: a number have been converted, and we hope for greater things still in that part of our work." Revival in Baltimore.-Extract of a letter from the Rev. B. Waugh :"As usual, I write in haste, and have only time to say, that Baltimore is blessed with a considerable revival of religion at the present time. The excitement has mostly prevailed in the southern part of the city. Our meetings for exhortation and prayer have hitherto been confined to Wesley chapel. Here we have been favoured with the blessing of God, evening after evening in succession, for nearly two weeks: during which time, there have been many conversions. The prospect becomes more glorious every day. I most devoutly hope that it is the commencement of a general revival. Professors of religion are more engaged in seeking sanctification than I have ever known before. O for holiness! in the ministry and in the membership! I hope to be able to send you better tidings shortly." Hallowell Circuit, Me.-Extract of a letter from the preachers of that circuit, dated Feb. 17, 1827:-"At our last general class, twenty-four converts were received on trial. There is some excitement generally on the circuit. We are praying that the work may be more mighty and powerful, and that this eastern country may be set on fire with the flame of reformation. And we confidently expect that our brethren in the west and south are co-operating with us in prayer, and will with emphasis respond the hearty AMEN. We lift up our eyes on this widely extended field, and behold it white already to harvest. But alas! for us THE LABOURERS ARE FEW.' But notwithstanding the disadvantages we are subjected to from fewness of numbers, we are resolved to thrust in the sickle with our might. And in the mean time we would earnestly raise the Macedonian cry to our brethren in other parts of the world's field, 'COME OVER AND HELP US, COME OVER AND HELP US.'" New Albany, Ind.--TheRev. George Lake in a letter to the editor of the Christian Advocate, says: Great indeed, is the reformation which has been wrought in this place within the last twelve months. One year ago, the society consisted of from thirty to forty members. These were generally orderly in their conduct; but the most deleterious and soul-chilling formality which can be conceived, attended their devotions. Frequently there were not more than six or eight persons at a prayer meeting. But recently, our meeting house has not been sufficient to contain the congregations which sometimes attend on these occasions. The exercises are spiritual, ardent, and interesting; and the society has increased to about one hundred and twenty. The whole accession of members. which the Methodist Episcopal Church has received, within the bounds of the Corydon circuit, during the last twelve months, is not less than two hundred and seventy. Oh! that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, until that gospel, which breathes peace and good will towards men, shall be heard, obeyed, and loved by all. Warm Spring Circuit.-The Rey.' J. B. Crist writes under date of Feb. 17,-" At five of our appointments, we now have the most interesting work I ever saw. Being in a new place, I laboured under serious dis advantages, until lately for want of help; but, bless the Lord, times are changing. Some of our young converts have taken courage to tell others what the Lord has done for them. Prayer meetings are established, and conducted by our young brethren, with great success. At one of these, a short time ago, God honoured them with six conversions. Our society is increasing fast. Oh! may the Lord continue to add to our little number. It is worthy of remark, that of all I have taken into the church this year, but two have been accused of improper conduct, and but one has been expelled; and of all who have embraced religion among us, not one has left us to join another church, although many of them would do honour to any society. We have at present, three meeting houses building in our circuit, which are designed for our use." Letter to the editor of the Christian Advocate, dated Manchester, Conn., March 3, 1827:--“We have in this place a good work of God. Not far from sixty have found the pearl of great price, and the flame is spreading gloriously. We have from one to three meetings every evening. My only fear is, that our unbelief, our want of holy love, of humility, of union, or of holiness in general, will cause the Lord to stay his hand of blessing. We ask the prayers of all the children of God, that this work may not stop among us until hundreds are converted, and scores, at least, sanctified wholly to God. Yours in the gospel of Christ, AARON LUMMUS. Hampshire Mission.-Letter from the Rev. Parmele Chamberlain, dated Northampton, Feb. 21, 1827:-“ I am happy to inform you, that the cause of religion is prospering within the circle of my labours. I cannot indeed, tell of multitudes won to the obedience of Christ, through the powerful influence of gospel truth; but here and there the heart is solaced with the presence of one who, till of late, was wandering upon the dreary plains of unbelief and error, but now through mercy,a fellow traveller to mount Zion. "Our numbers in this place, (North Revivals in England.-A letter from the Rev. Richard Reece, to one of the Editors, dated London 30th Dec. 1826, contains the following interest. ing intelligence:— ampton,) by conversion and certificate cised the last year, in towns north of have increased to thirty: among whom this, has measurably declined. There are two exhorters and one local is a small society in Greenfield, and preacher. Consequently we have another in Whately. In Deerfield preaching every Sabbath. Prayer and Williamsburg, the prospect is meetings are kept up in three differ- good." ent neighbourhoods; and not unfrequently are these seasons of great interest and power. The society and others evince, by their liberality, an anxious desire for the continuance of their present privileges; and to the credit of the people of Northampton, I must add, I have ever met with kindness and respect among them. Some drops of the shower of mercy, which has of late been watering this town, have fallen within the limits of this society; and the present prospect affords ground to anticipate that the time is not far distant when this little vineshall extend itself, and its branches reach over the wall. "A few days since, with the assistance of a justice of the peace, we embodied ourselves as the First Methodist Episcopal Society of Northampton, and are now exempted from taxation by another religious society. "The opposition which was exer "Since I wrote last, I have been informed of a glorious revival of reli gion in the town of Leeds, where they have given notes of admittance to about five hundred during the last quarter; also at Hull, there has been a large addition to the society, and upwards of two hundred have lately found peace with God. The work seems to be extending in several other parts of the connexion; and I hear one of its peculiarities, is, that many of the aged members of the society are receiving a deeper baptism of the Holy Ghost, and power to believe to the entire sanctification of their souls. Thus the Lord is preparing his instruments to spread a savour of his knowledge in every place." CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Since the last number went to press, the following sums have been received. From the Virginia Conference Auxiliary Society From the Rev. N. Bigelow, donation From the Rev. Dr. J. Emory, his life subscription From a lady in New-York, by Mr. J. Westfield From sundry subscribers in New-York From Mr. Thomas Roby, annual subscription do. OBITUARY. DEATH OF MRS MRS. LUCINDA BOARDMAN was born in Junius, Seneca Co. N. Y. March 17th, 1799. Nothing is known to the writer of this memoir, of her childhood, except that it is said, she possessed a very amiable disposition. At nineteen years of age she was married to Mr. Elijah Boardman; and at a camp meeting held in Palmyra, the July following, her burden of guilt was removed, and she was made the happy subject of justifying grace. $132 00 2.00 20 00 500 00 10.00 16.50 2.00 2.00 LUCINDA BOARDMAN. Shortly after her conversion she joined the Methodist E. Church, of which she continued a useful member until her death. It is worthy of re ing years of her life she continued to remove with her companion from circuit to circuit. These were seven years of labour and suffering; her constitution was delicate, and the circuits on which they were stationed did not always yield a comfortable support. But such were the sweetness of her temper, her patience under sufferings, stability in the cause of Christ, her tender regard for the friends of Jesus, and her love for the souls of all, that she did not fail to secure the friendship of all that knew her. Sister Boardman rendered herself not only very amiable, but a pattern to others by her plainness of dress, her unaffected modesty, and uniform attention to the means of grace. It is said by those acquainted with her best, that she observed Friday of every week, as a day of fasting and prayer, and that so upright was her walk and inoffensive her deportment at all times, that no one could say ought against her. But if any one trait in her character appeared to greater advantage than another, it was her pure scriptural love to her companion, and her rational and unabated exertion to promote his happiness. But much as she was beloved by a numerous circle of friends, and dear as she was to her companion, she was not free from disease, nor yet secure from the arrest of death. During some part of the warm season previous to her death, her health seemned de clining, and for the eleven days of her sickness which terminated her useful life, she suffered much; but she manifested that Christian patience which does honour to the gospel. The morning previous to her death, she was heard to pray that her life might be spared, if it would be for the good of the cause; but if otherwise she prayed for supporting grace. Her sufferings were very extreme in nature's last struggle. She bade an affectionate farewell to a mother in the church who had attended her considerably in her last sickness. Being asked by her husband if she had nothing to say to the rest, she turned and addressed him in a most affectionate manner, exhorted him to faithfulness, gave him much good advice, and said, "God bless you my dear husband." When she saw them weeping around her bed, she said, with much difficulty, "Weep not for me." At another time, “Let me stay no longer." Her companion said, Be patient, God's time is the best." She answered, "I am afraid my patience will not hold out." But death soon terminated her sufferings. She died about five o'clock, P. M., Oct. 10th, 1826, in the town of Parma, Monroe Co. New-York. Thus lived and died our much beloved sister Lucinda Boardman, in the 28th year her age. An appropriate discourse was delivered on the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Randall, on Rev. xiv, 13. LORING GRANT. POETRY. HALLELUJAH.--BY JAMES MONTGOMERY. HARK! the song of jubilee, Hallelujah! hark! the sound, See Jehovah's banners furl'd; He shall reign from pole to pole ERRATA. σκετομαι. Page 19, line 3, read σкεятоμal instead of Page 79, line 17 from bottom, read scarcity instead of society. of Page 108, line 9 from bottom, insert the word future between the words "singular" and "of." Page 109, line 7 from bottom, read y instead of y'. Page 109, line 3 from bottom, read KNEW instead of KNOW. NO. 5.] FOR MAY, 1827. DIVINITY. [VOL. 10. ORIGINAL OUTLINES OF A DISCOURSE, First delivered at the opening of Hope Hill Church, Frederick county, Maryland, January 28, 1827. BY THE REV. NICHOLAS SNETHEN. GALATIANS IV, 14. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are ignorant whether it were the prevailing opinion among the Jewish doctors, that the Messiah should die a natural death, or be immortal. It is probable that they had no expectation of his dying a violent death in the hands of his enemies; much less of his being crucified; for the preaching of the cross was to them foolishness. As the apostles in all their controversies with the Jews, maintained that the death of Christ was sacrificial, it seems that the contrary was the prevailing opinion. The declaration of the high priest, that it was expedient for one to die for the people, that the whole nation perish not, is considered by the evangelist as an official prophecy, rather than as his settled opinion. A number of the Jewish converts to the gospel continued to be zealously attached to the legal sacrifices, and probably observed them, until the temple was finally destroyed. But admitting the common belief to have been that the Messiah should die, as a sacrifice for sin, why glory in the cross? What was there in that instrument of death to render it an object of glorying? It had not been consecrated to the purposes of religion; it had never been used for sacrificial purposes. Would it not have been more congenial to our feelings, if the apostle had expressed his regret that the Messiah had died on the cross, and confined his glorying to the death itself? But the importance of the cross and of the crucifixion appears in many parts of his writings. In another place he tells us he is determined to know nothing save Jesus Christ and him crucified. He must therefore have held the cross to be of primary importance in the system. And the conduct of the sanhedrim proves, that in their opinion, the person of the Messiah would not be so visibly marked, as to preclude all possibility of imposture. "Art thou he that should come," say the messengers they sent to John, "or do we look for another?" Now those who anticipated the coming of the Messiah took their prejudices, their passions, and their interests, with them to the examination of the prophecies, and made a character out of these in combination. But of all the interpretations, which the prejudices, passions, or interests of men, could induce them to put upon the prophecies, must it not be admitted by all, that VOL. X. May, 1827. 18 |