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Besides the improvement of converted natives who may be selected for the work of the ministry, or for missionary employment, Dr. Carey and his brethren hope that some of these pious Hindoos may be capable of acquiring a higher education; and that after becoming good Sûngscrit, as well as Hebrew and Greek scholars, they may be successfully employed as translators of the divine word into languages, with the structure of which they will be perfectly familiar.

It is also intended, that a respectable but inferior education should be given at this college to a number of the children of converted Hindoos and Mussulmans, so as to qualify them for stations in life by which they may procure a decent livelihood, and rear and educate their families. Hereby some amends may be made to their parents and themselves, for the deprivations to which they have been subject by the loss of cast; and thus will be wiped away the dreadful reproach common throughout every part of India, that the Feringees (the Christians) are sunk the lowest of all casts in vice and ignorance.

And, lastly, this college is proposed to be open and gratuitous to all denominations of Christians, and to as many heathen scholars as choose to avail themselves of its exercises and lectures, provided they maintain themselves.

It will be remembered, that the European missionary is, at present, as absolutely necessary as the native; for, without the advice and superintendence of the English teacher, the native, in his present infant state, would be able to accomplish little or nothing but still it is upon native preachers that the principal part of this work must ultimately rest. To enable, therefore, the Serampore missionaries to send out as many such labourers into the iminense field in view, in the best possible state of preparation, is the purport of the present appeal to British Christians.

The peculiar fitness and value of a native missionary has been already stated; how important then that he should go out furnished with such a competent degree of knowledge as to qualify him for enlightening and persuading his countrymen to flee from the wrath to come! The object is not to make him a learned man, but to furnish him with the first principles or elements of such knowledge as a young heathen, however acute, does not possess. In one year only, not a few may be considered as ready for their work, and the whole expense, both of board and education, at this institution, will not exceed ten guineas annually! In what way, then, or to what nobler object, could a person appropriate such a sum, and receive from its application a higher gratification? Nor is there any reason why such a gratification should be confined to the individual who is able to afford ten guineas annually. Ten persons uniting together, and subscribing annually one guinea, may share in the same enjoyment. The smallest sums indeed will be gratefully accepted, and applied

immediately as the subscribers may direct, either to the education of native missionaries, the purchase of suitable books, or the expense of the premises.

By the value, therefore, of all the exertions hitherto made; by the importance of all the translations; by the sufferings of all those victims of superstition, destroyed annually on the funeral piles, in the graves for the living, in the rivers, under the wheels of the car of Juggernaut, and on the roads to the sacred places all over India; and by the sufferings of all those children who are smothered, strangled, or thrown into the mouths of alligators by their mothers; yea, by the cries of all these millions, perishing without Christ and without hope, are British Christians called upon to assist in this, it is conceived, immensely important undertaking..

Donations and subscriptions to this institution will be received by Messrs. Praed and Co. Flect-street, London.

UNITED STATES.

SYNODICAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE CHURCHES.

General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America, The Committee on the state of the Churches report:

That, from the Minutes of the Particular Synods of New-York and Albany, and from the free conversation on the state of religion, it appears-That the pure doctrines of the gospel, as held by our standards, are generally maintained, and regularly and faithfully preached that there is particular attention paid to the instruction of youth in the principles of our religion-that family visitation is faithfully attended to by many of our ministers-that there is a very encouraging attendance upon public worship and other means of grace-that the number and influence of prayer-meetings and Bible classes have considerably increased-that family worship and other private duties are better observed than formerly that there is an increasing attention to discipline-that the standard of piety is gradually rising that professors of religion are walking more worthy of their vocation-that Christians of various denominations are more closely united in the kindly feelings of gospel good-will--that the monthly concert of public prayer is regularly observed in many congregations-that there is in a few places a more lively interest felt in behalf of Missionary and Bible Societies-that there are more earnest prayers and more liberal exertions made for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom at large-that the regular dispensation of the gospel has a very perceptible influence upon the world in many places, to check their vices and their vain amusements-that during the last year a goodly number of sinners have, to all appearance, become savingly converted--and that the general prosVOL. VII.

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pects of our church are in many quarters very particularly encouraging.

From this general view it appears, that the Dutch Church was never in a more prosperous state in this country; that it never had brighter prospects; and, therefore, that its members have never been more loudly called upon to observe and acknowledge, that the hand of God has been stretched out in their behalf.

It is particularly incumbent on us to notice the increased attention which is paid to family worship: this duty has heretofore been neglected to a very shameful degree in many of our congregations. It is pleasing to observe that an evident change for the better is now taking place. In some congregations two-thirds of the families of professors now regularly worship God morning and evening. In a few congregations the proportion is still greater; and in one, all the families of this description but two, are entitled to this commendation.

It is also pleasing to observe, that Bible classes are multiplying and attracting more general attention. It has been found by experience that this mode of instruction is peculiarly calculated to interest the minds of young people, and to induce the attendance of many who would turn away from other modes; and in many instances it has actually been productive of the happiest results. When we add to this the consideration, that by this method we draw instruction directly from the fountain of religious knowledge, which God himself has opened, we earnestly pray that these institutions may meet with still more extensive patron

age.

Prayer meetings and family visitation, have also been remarkably blessed, and have given clear indications of God's presence with us. In attending to the latter duty, it has been found very useful for the minister sometimes, to go unattended by an elder, and to speak to the members of each family one by one. Such a mode of address, is peculiarly calculated to come home to every heart. There is no throwing it off upon others, or merging of one's self in a whole community, and thus escaping as an individual. There is a great point gained, when you make the individual feel that religion is his own personal concern. It has also been found useful, to hold meetings expressly for the purpose of conversation and prayer, with such as are in any degree anxious about their spiritual state; or are willing to confess that they are seeking salvation.

Among the causes of gratulation on the state and prospects of the church, your Committee dictinctly recognize those frequent revivals of religion which are breaking forth in various parts of our land, and within our own borders; and in which, considerable numbers are in a short time brought from the darkness and thraldom of sin, into the light and glorious liberty of the children of God. When we hear of such things, we are powerfully reminded

of the promise, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring ;" and we are, before we are aware, thinking of those events of the day of Pentecost, which were the actual first fruits; and the earnest of that great harvest of souls which God shall gather to himself in the latter days. Considering these revivals in this connexion, they open a glorious field to our view, and place us under very special obligations to praise the Lord, and congratulate one another on what we are living to hear and see. If the angels in heaven feel such an interest in our concerns as to rejoice over a sinner when he is brought to repentance, should not we rejoice at the conversion of a multitude of our neighbours and brethren? Yes, let us "praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men !"

But, though "the Lord has done great things whereof we are glad," yet our joy is abated by the coldness and barrenness of many professors; by the unhappy distractions and keen animosities existing in one of our classes; and especially by the awful fact, that to all appearance, a vast majority of the people of our several congregations are yet in an unconverted state; and therefore, under the curse of God and exposed to his eternal wrath. Their case is the more affecting, because they are brought very near to the kingdom of heaven; they are living within the call of the Saviour. But they will not come to him that they may have life. Many are deaf to his call, and wholly indifferent to his admonitions. They have forgotten their Maker and neglect his service, though they have grown up under the means of grace, and have always dwelt in the midst of such as are living and faithful witnesses for God. Is not their case most awful and deplorable? Will it not be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for many who belong to our congregations and frequent our churches? Let us more faithfully and habitually view the case as it really is. Let us measure ourselves not so much by human judgment, as by the standard of divine truth; let us view our congregations in the light of God's word; and we shall see abundant reason to weep day and night over the slain of the daughters of Zion! Let us pray, and preach, and act, and labour as if we were in earnest over this immense interest; and as if we really believed and felt, that we are fellow-workers with God, to save the souls of our people from de

struction.

The Committee have also prepared, and herewith present, certain resolutions connected with the state of the churches, for the consideration of the Synod.

All which is respectfully submitted.

By order of the Committee.

New-York, June, 1820.

PHILIP MILLEDOLER, Chairman.

Resolved, That all the ministers of our church be requested to set apart and observe one hour (from 11 till 12 o'clock, A. M. on Saturday,) in each week, for the purpose of praying in concert for the more copious effusion of the Spirit upon the ministry of reconciliation, and upon every other department of the Christian church.

Resolved, That each classis be requested to hold, at their stated meeting, immediately preceding the annual meeting of the General Synod, a free conversation on the state of religion in their congregations; and that on some day of such meeting each classis, as such, spend one hour in special prayer in behalf of the interests of vital religion within our bounds.

Resolved, That the statistical reports of the state of our churches be henceforth rendered once in three years.

Whereas serious divisions exist in one of the classes within our bounds and numbers of persons are still found in all of them who habitually neglect the great salvation-therefore,

Resolved, That the last Thursday of September be set apart and observed in all our churches as a day of humiliation, fasting, and

prayer.

Pastoral Letter on the Missionary Cause. BRETHREN, BELOVED IN THE Lord,

Glorious promises are on record for the prosperity and glory of Zion. All her concerns are dear to her God. He will cause her to be built up, and make her children to flourish like the palm tree. The Lord has already done great things. Where churches have been planted, he has blessed his word and ordinances to the conviction and conversion of sinners, and the strengthening and comforting of his people. He has thus lengthened the cords and strengthened the stakes of his heritage. He has done more-he has, within a few years, commissioned and sent forth to the perishing, many faithful and devoted servants. He has planted his standard in China, in India, in different parts of Africa, in the wilds of America, and in the islands of the sea. He has stirred up his people to labour and pray for the advent of that day when one shall say no more to another-know the Lord, but when all shall know him, from the greatest even unto the least. These glorious objects are to be effected by the agency of the church and people of God, under the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit. This is beginning to be felt with uncommon weight by them. The dif ferent sections of the church of God in this country have claimed a share in this work. Six establishments for evangelizing the world already exist among us :-"The American Board of Foreign Missions""The United Foreign Missionary Society"—" The Baptist Board"-The Moravian, and the Methodist-and last, though by no means least, the "American Bible Society." These are intended to send the bread of life to the perishing, and to

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