cret reproaches of conscience, that, could they have been exonerated from obligations of previous engagement, they would rather have spent the time with their Bibles in their closets. One young lady resolved-a resolution worthy of perpetual and universal observance" to say nothing for which she expected to be sorry," and that on arriving at the destined place," she would introduce the subject of religion to the first person, who should take a seat by her." She made the latter resolution with trembling anxiety and many suspicions of her own firmness; but God enabled her to keep her vow. Though she little suspected it, the person to whom she addressed herself, was predisposed to hear and to converse, and secretly resolved never again to retire to rest, till he had implored the author of his existence to have mercy on him. In such a manner, as not to attract the attention of the company, the young lady proposed to several female friends to visit her on a certain afternoon of the next week, with the view of having a party, in which no conversation should be introduced, but on religious subjects. Some of her friends were thunderstruck, not only at the novelty of the meeting, but a the singularity of the place, at which it was proposed. They however mostly, if not all, consented to attend. Though to appearance there was not any very extraor dinary impressions on the minds of this party, during the evening, several returned with wounded spirits, and most of them are now members of the Church, or contemplate a union.

At a conference, October 31, a gentleman was present, who had been formerly excommunicated from a neighbouring Church, for embracing corrupt sentiments and disregarding religious institutions. On the preceding sabbath, he had exhibited to that Church a satisfactory confession, and been restored to a regular standing. His offence having been notorious, he proposed unsolicited to read his confession at the conference. As he had formerly been a preacher of the Gospel, he very familiar ly, while reading his confession, interspersed such remarks as were calculated to excite the Christian to watchfulness, and to alarm the secure sinner. Save the occurrence of the preceding week, perhaps no event

has been instrumental in the conviction of more persons, than the exhibition of this confession. From about this time the revival progressed, in the village, with a rapidity which is almost without a parallel. Never before had I witnessed such solemnity as appeared in the countenances of the assembly on the following sabbath, Nov. 5. A spectator would scarcely believe it the same congregation, which had met for worship, on preceding sabbaths. How difficult to conceive the impression, which was made by reading, at the opening of the morning service, the second chapter of Acts! It appeared as if indeed it were the day of Pentecost-as if, during the exercises of the day, every person put himself into a. posture to hear, nor changed his attitude, save at the close of a paragraph, For a number of weeks subsequent to this period, religious meetings were frequently attended, much thronged, and generally blessed. The. revival has continued to progress till the present time, and still prevails in some parts of the town; but in the village few new cases of conviction have occurred since the commencement of January.

On reviewing God's providential dealings with this town, for five months past, many scenes present themselves, which are calculated to awaken the liveliest sentiments of gratitude and praise. Sacramental sabbaths beve been peculiarly interesting, particularly Lord's day, Jan. 7. Though the travelling was very unpleasant, never before had such a numerous congregation assembled, in town, on the sabbath. At the close of the af-: ternoon sermon, 43 persons, of whom 34 were young people mostly between the ages of fifteen and twentyone, presented themselves in the centre aisle, for admission into the Church.

Respecting the number, who have already been the happy subjects of the present revival, man cannot speak with precision. God only can distinguish the wheat from the chaff. I should however compute the number, who habitually attend on the meetings of the congre gational society, at upwards of one hundred. About thirty of this number are members of College. Besides these, twenty of the students are professors of religion. So that about 50 young men of religious character in the

eye of charity, are now acquiring an education in this town.

During the revival, an unusual disposition to attend religious meetings, chastened by a strict regard to proper hours, has prevailed. And, as always heretofore there has been in all respects, that pleasing regularity, without affectation, which, it is thought, ever accompa nies just conceptions of the great doctrines of the Gospel, and humbling views of the majesty, purity, and universal providence of God.

The subjects of the work were mostly young-between the ages of 14 and 25. Very few had advanced as far as 40. The greater proportion had experienced the advantage of religious instruction in youth; been dedicated to God in baptism; generally attended public worship on the sabbath; were persons of regular habits; and respected religion and its ordinances. God, however, to show his sovereignty, has taken some who were "stout-hearted and far from righteousness."

How marvellous have been the dealings of God with this people! How great the change within ten years! The Church, then consisting of but a handful of members, is now increased to upwards of 280, with the pros pect of shortly being still increased to upwards of 300*.

The revival has extended from Middlebury, to the neighbouring towns; and prevails in Shoreham, Cornwall, Salisubry, Orwell, and Whiting. It is understood that, in these five towns, between two and three hundred persons have become subjects of divine grace, within three months.

* It has been reported abroad by certain designing or misinformed per, sons, that great numbers of the congregational church in this town have renounced their former sentiments, and joined the methodists. According to the best of my information, and I have no doubt of its correctness, but two of our members have united with the methodists, and one of these had absented herself from our communion and our worship, before the commencement of the revival. I have no question, but that I am authorized in saying, that this church was never in so flourishing and so healthy a state, and so thoroughly established in the great doctrines of the Gospel, as at the present time.

FOREIGN.

1040

MISSION TO DEMARARA.

MR. WRAY, the missionary to the negroes in this co

lony, in a letter dated in February last, writes, that he believes about 150 negroes have become earnestly desirous of saving their souls, in consequence of his labours. Twenty-four have been solemnly baptized by him, and, as far as he knows, walk consistently with their profession. Thirteen more are candidates for baptism. The number of negroes who enjoy the benefit of Mr. Wray's instructions is about 600. Perhaps, he says, a more attentive congregation was never seen. They are anxious to understand every word. Many of them are not only desirous of being saved themselves, but they willingly teach others what they know. Ten of the most intelligent of the negroes have each taken eight under their care to instruct and watch over. Their managers acknowledge that a favourable change has been produced on their conduct by the instruction they have received. Some from being indolent, noisy, and rebellious, are stated to have become industrious, quiet, and obedient: they work willingly, and try by every means in their power to give satisfaction. Several gentlemen, who at first were much prejudiced against the mission, and who had prohibited their negroes from attending Mr. Wray, are said to have been so far wrought on by these appearances, as to retract the prohibition, and to give permission for their regular attendance. Ch. Ob.

000

Memoir relative to the translations of the Sacred Scriptures; to the Baptist Missionary Society in England, dated Serampore, Aug. 14, 1807.

Very Dear Brethren,

THE

BRETHREN OF THE MISSION AT SERAMPORE beg leave to lay before you, and their fellow-Christians in Britain and America, especially those who have inter

ested themselves in the Translations of the sacred Scriptures into the Eastern languages, the present state of that work; and that you and they may have an opportunity of forming a clearer idea of its nature and progress, they intreat permission very briefly to state the circumstances which gave rise to the undertaking, and which have attended its progress.

2. Nearly fourteen years have elapsed since the first and remote step was taken in this work, by Mr. Carey's immediate and assiduous application, on his arrival in India, first to the Bengalee, and afterwards to the Sungskrit languages*. Nearly five years since, circumstances seemed to call our attention to the translations of the sacred Word, not merely into the Bengalee language, but into those spoken in the neighbouring countries, and closely allied with the Bengalee by their springing from one common parent, the Sungskrit; and by an affinity in the great mass of words in idiom and construction, scarcely to be imagined but by those well acquainted with the fact.

3. The circumstances which encouraged us to this undertaking have already been partly detailed to you. The indispensable nature of this duty as far as within our power, the perishing state of our fellow-creatures around, and the inestimable value of the word of God as the means of everlasting life, had long impressed us-and the facility of acquiring languages, with the greater part of the words and the idiom of which the Sungskrit and Bengalee had already made us acquainted,-the ease with which learned natives could be obtained, the advantages arising from proper helps in the originals, and from having been already accustomed in some degree to the work,-the printing press, and the opportunities of casting new founts of types,-these with the well-known effects of the Divine blessing upon persevering, though feeble attempts to glorify Him, encouraged us to engage in the work.

4. We were by no means, however, without our dis

Justice to the memory of our deceased brother, Mr. John Thomas, requires us to mention, that the idea originated with him; and that, though more particularly calculated for other parts of Missionary labours, he had actually translated Matthew and James before Mr. Carey's arrival.