FRIENDLY HINTS TO ALL WHOM THEY MAY CONCERN. Extract of a letter from the REV. BEZALEEL HOWE, to the Editors, dated June 7, 1825. You will perceive that the de- readers for the reception of the mand for the Magazine on this word preached. circuit has very considerably increased; and, I am fully persuaded, that with a little exertion, it may have a very extensive circulation; and, that from the manner in which it is conducted. it will prove a lasting benefit both to the minds and morals of its readers. It will create a taste for reading, and afford a useful occupation of time which would otherwise be spent in idleness, if not in sin, and thereby prepare the hearts of its I know not that there was more than one subscriber on this circuit last year; and many to whom I have spoken on the subject, knew not that such a thing was in existence, and even when first informed of the fact, few could be induced to subscribe: but now, when they see it and read it, they are not only satisfied but delighted; and if our people generally possessed means of payment, I am satisfied that the subscription list would be doubled. Extract of a letter from MR. SAMUEL WILLIAMS, of Chillicothe, Ohio, to the Editors, dated June 14, 1825. I HAVE obtained seventeen new subscribers for the Magazine since my last order. Most of these I obtained at the close of a campmeeting, in about fifteen minutes, though I only presented the subscription privately. Several of these had never before heard that such a work was published! Others, who had heard of it, had not before the opportunity to subscribe. I am persuaded that had I attempted it earlier in the meeting, before the greater part of the people had departed, I could have got at least twice as many names as I now send you. And I am more than ever convinced that it must be owing to inattention, at least, on the part of some of the preachers on the circuits, that no more subscribers are returned by them. Can nothing be said or done that will induce them more generally to engage heartily in this matter? The great revival here has not yet come to a close. Sinners are still awakened, mourners converted, believers strengthened, and built up in the faith of the gospel; and the whole church appears to be "strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power." The number of members added to this society since the conference last September, is at this time three hundred and fifty-four. RELIGIOUS AND MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE. FROM the minutes of this conference, which was held in Boston, the 8th of June last, we give the following abstract. It will be recollected that in consequence of this conference being divided last year, the number of members and preachers will appear less this year than last. We hope to be able to give an account of the Maine conference in our next number. Preachers received on trial, 17. Or- sup. Pomfret John W. Hardy, Joho dained deacons, 12. Located, 3. Re- W. Case. Norwich-Elias Marble, Reaturned supernumerary, 8. Superannua- ben Ransom. ted, 1. Numbers in society, 16,055. Stations of the Preachers. VERMONT DISTRICT.-Wilbur Fisk, Athens BOSTON DISTRICT.-Edw. Hyde, P. E. Boston-Timothy Merritt, Isaac Bonney, Aaron D. Sargeant. Cambridge-Damon Young. Charlestown-Orange Scott. Saugus and Malden-La Roy Sunderland, Sereno Fisk. Lynnwood End, Marblehead, and Salem-Epaphras Kibby. Lynn Common-J. F. Adams. Newbury --John Adams. Ipswich and Gloucester Aaron Waitt, Aaron Joycelin. Dorches ter-S. G. Atkins, Solomon Sias. Weymouth-S. Norris. Marshfield-Henry and Weston-Elijah Spear, William BarMayo, Benj. Jones. Duxbury-Bartholo- stow. Unity-Joel Steel, Amasa H. mew Otheman. Fairbaven and Middlebo- Houghton. rough-Leonard Bennet, Asa Kent, sup.; NEW HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT.-Benj. Geo. Sutherland. New Bedford-Fred. R. Hoyt, P. E. Portsmouth-Jacob SanUpham. Sandwich and Falmouth-Eras- born. Dover-John N. Maffitt. tus Otis, John Hutchinson. Martha's mersworth-Eleazar Steel. RochesterGilmanton-Zenes Vineyard-David Culver, Nantucket- Herschel Foster. Daniel Fillmore, Jotham Horton. Barnstable-Hezekiah Thatcher. ChathamNathan Paine. Wellfleet-Lewis Bates. Eastham-Ephraim K. Avery. Provincetown-Shipley W. Willson. New So Adams, sup. Tuftenborough and Sharpleigh-William M'Coy, Enoch Bradley. Sandwich-James B. H. Norris, Nathaniel Norris. Plymouth and Bristol-Jos. Kellum, David Stickney. Landaff-Haskel Wheelock, George Stoors. Lancaster Benjamin Brown, Rowse B. Gardner. Orford-Charles Baker, Nathan Howe. Canaan and Lebanon-Caleb Dustin, Giles Campbell. During-Samuel Kelly, Matthew Newhall. Sutton-Ezekiel W. Stickney. Pembroke-Moses Sanderson, William R. Stone. Poplin Squire B. Haskell, Edwin Plummer. Salem-Jos. Allen. Epping-Orlando Kinds, sup.; John Broadhed, sup. Sailesbury-Amasa Buck. NEW LONDON, DISTRICT.-Joseph A. George Pickering, Conference Missionary. David Kilbourn, Ephraim Wiley, and David Copeland, are transferred to the Maine Conference. The next Conference will be held at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, on the 7th of GOOD EFFECTS OF CAMPMEETINGS. Communicated to the Editors by the REV. THOMAS MADDEN, Niagara, July 4, 1825. THE Song of gospel triumphs must ever he grateful to that ear which has any relish for divine melody. And while the promulgation of sacred truth unites the common interest and efforts of religious communities, the success of their attempts gives fresh vigour to their exertions, and excites warm emotions of gratitude in the hearts of those who know from experience how to appreciate its principles. Hence the feeblest dawn of gospel light among the benighted sons of men, is a subject of new gratulations to the truly pious heart. Considering this, the subject of the present article may not be thought unworthy of notice in a religious publication, designed for the religious instruction and encouragement of all ranks and conditions of men. In America, perhaps, no single means has been more successfully used for the awakening and conversion of sinners, than campmeetings. Prejudices against them are, to be sure, strong in the minds of many, especially among the higher classes of society. And by the tongue of slander, under the influence of a mind darkened by ignorance and biassed by prejudice, many injurious reports, as unjust as they are unfounded, have been circulated respecting them. But the one now about to be noticed claims an exception from all such animadversions, and may be recorded on account of the very commendable behaviour of all present, as well as for the divine blessings that attended it. It commenced the 7th of June, on Young Street, about fourteen miles from York, and closed on the 10th. It was not very numerously attended, probably from 500 to 1000 persons, upwards of 200 of whom were professors of religion. At the commencement, a very weighty and applicable discourse was delivered on these words, "Lord, help me." Every countenance indicated anxiety to hear, and every heart appeared willing to receive the sacred word. A devotional spirit seemed to breathe through the whole assembly. The nights, excepting the hours of rest, were principally employed in devotional exercises. Several discourses were delivered each day, with the occasional intervention of seasons for prayermeetings, &c. The ardour of divine love and zeal among the pious seemed to increase during the whole meeting, and the Lord, of a truth, was in the midst to own and to bless. Be tween sixty and a hundred professed to obtain a change of heart on the encampment, and many more appeared deeply awakened. The conduct of the assembly during the whole meeting is worthy of remark and panegyrick. No instances of disorder occurred on the encampment. This meeting was profitable to all. Sinners were awakened, mourners were comforted, penitents converted, the lukewarm stirred up to a holy engagedness, and the pious abundantly VOL. VIII. August, 1825. blest. In short, much good, every way, was done in the name of the holy child Jesus. (The above was written before the circumstances included in the following transpired.) On the 24th of June another camp meeting commenced at Mount Plea sant, about five miles from the Grand river. Many interesting circumstances occurred, but none which excited such general interest and attention as those which relate to the Canadian Indians. There were about a hundred of them on the encampment, about half of whom were professors of religion. Their tents were pitched by themselves on one side of the encampment. When the trumpet sounded for preaching, they would come to their seats with apparent haste, and there remain, attentive and serious, during the whole exercise. A severe reproof, as well as an instructive lesson, to many who attach to themselves superior attainments in knowledge and accomplishments. During the whole meeting they took a deep interest in the worship of the Most High; and between ten and twenty of them professed conversion. It was delightful, as well as affecting, to see the unaffected simplicity and artless sincerity, of these poor, but happy Indian converts. On sabbath, Thomas Davis, a Mo hawk chief, addressed the Indians in his own tongue. With his eyes filled with tears, and with an elegance of gesture peculiar to the natives of our forests, he continued his remarks for a considerable time. Among many other things, he told them that if they were faithful to God, when their mockasons were worn out he would provide them with more; and, if their corn was poor at any time, he would support them; and after their toil and hunting were over he would take them to heaven. He was followed by a young Indian, (viz., Peter Jones,) who spoke in the Mississauga language. After speaking some time in his own tongue, he addressed the assembly in English. His expressions were easy, fluent, and energetic. He gave a short account of his own experience: he said that he was converted about two years befure at a campmeeting, and then exclaimed, "Oh, what a good place campmeeting is." With a heart overflowing 41 with gratitude, he, in the name of his nation, thanked the white people, the Methodists in particular, for their kindness in sending the gospel to the Indians, and for delivering his nation from that state of ignorance and wretched intemperance, to which they had formerly been reduced. He told them of the blessed success which had attended their exertions, among the Indians. That upwards of sixty had already been converted, and could testify that God had power to forgive sins. He said, if they continued their efforts among the Indians, in a little time all their tribes would be brought to a knowledge of God. He added, that the most earnest prayer of the Indians was, that the Lord would keep them from drinking whiskey and he prayed in all the fervour of his soul, that God would drive the horrid practice from his nation. He entreated his white brethren to pray for them, that the Lord would continue to revive his work among their tribes; and said that they would pray too, and if they never met again on earth, he hoped to meet them in heaven. His address deeply affected the assembly. In partaking of the holy sacrament, some of them were so overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, that they had to be carried from the communion table. The religious instruction and welfare of these aborigines of our country, appears to excite a general sympathy and interest; and the prospects among them are very encouraging. The Lord's name be praised that be begins to claim the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. From the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine. SHETLAND ISLES. Eastcott, March 21st, 1825. YESTERDAY I received a letter from Mr. Dunn, from Lerwick, dated February 16, 1825, from which it appears that all our preceding letters, for some months, have been lost; a little vessel that had sailed from Leith with the mail to Lerwick, about two months ago, having never been heard of since, Mr. Hindson, who was sent by the President to supply the place of him "who departed from the work," was to have sailed in that vessel, but was providentially prevented. He waited for another vessel, and arrived safely, in less than three days' sail, on Saturday, Feb. 12. Mr. Dunn had intended to have taken a long journey westward, but his brethren very properly prevent ed him, finding him not sufficiently recovered from his late long sickness to bear the fatigue. He however took one of sufficient difficulty, in which God has been blessedly with him, as you will find from the following extract from the above letter. I am, dear sir, yours truly, Lerwick, Feb. 16th, 1825. My dear Doctor-I did not undertake the journey west, which I was intending the last time I wrote. After I had put on my great coat and boots, and was just going to set off, Messrs. Lewis and Wears almost insisted on my remaining in town a little longer, until I had acquired more strength. Í have since, however, visited the parishes of Nesting, Lunnasting, Delting and Northmavin, in two of which places I had never preached before. The weather has been such as the aged say they never recollect: and I am certain it has not been so severe for the three winters that I have been in Shetland; so that I am thankful I got through so well. The prospects in every place are cheering; and the preaching is well attended. 1 formed two new societies, and admitted nearly thirty to the classes, who had never met before. I believe in a very short time the number in each place will be two or three times that amount. The valley of dry bones is already beginning to heave; and if we can only obtain suitable men to prophesy, I have no doubt we shall soon see a great army raised up, the living, the living to praise God. An extract from my journal will give you the best idea of our proceedings and prospects in these places. "Jan. 22, 1825.-I left Lerwick this morning in an open boat with six men; and after rowing thirty-five miles, northern course, we arrived, about seven at night, very cold and hungry, in Northroe, a part of the mainland I had not visited before. Mr. Gardner reception from Arthur Cheyne, Esq., kindly received me, and offered ground and preached at seven o'clock.-29th. if we would build a chapel in Yell. I I preached at ten, and told those who feel for that large island, and am sorry wished for more advice about their my time will not permit me to visit it. souls, that I would meet them in class, 23d. At ten this morning, and two in and two remained. I preached again at the afternoon, as no house could con- night.-30th. I preached to about 200 tain the people, I was obliged to preach very attentive persons in a large booth, on the beach. Many appeared to feel and met the class, which contained two new members. At four, I preached the word: two new members were joined to the class. I walked to Sand- again, to nearly the same number; and roe, and preached at six in a large cot- two more remained to meet in class.-tage, which was crowded with attentive 31st. At ten I preached for the last hearers, and met the class: two per- time in Ollaberry, and seven new .sons were there who had not met be- members were added to the class. fore. 24th. I was prevented this May they be faithful! I took boat to morning from going to Uyea by the Bray in Delting, and preached to a good storm, and preached in the house, but number in the school-house.-Feb. 1st, never with such pain before; the effect I preached at nine, and then examined probably of preaching yesterday in the some of the scholars. I walked through open air. I baptized a child, met the the snow to the venerable old mansion class, and joined two new members. of Busta, the seat of Arthur Gifford, In the evening I attempted to preach Esq., and was politely received by that again, as a large congregation was very respectable gentleman, with whom assembled, and met the class, when I spent a very pleasant evening. I another new member was present. preached at six. He generously gave 25th. I felt liberty in preaching this me half an acre of ground in Northroe, morning from 2 Tim. iv, 6, 7, 8; and a most eligible situation for a chapel, two others attended the class. In the and a dwelling-house if required. He evening I preached in a cellar on the did it in such a noble manner as I shall beach to a large company, and met not soon forget. May my God rememthe class, and added another to it. ber him for good!-2d. I left Busta 26th. After preaching this morning, I this morning, crossed the Voe to met the class, at which were two new Wethersta, walked two miles to West members, and I left Northroe. This Scour, and took a boat five miles to district is in Northmain; it contains, Lunna: but such a voyage I never within a compass of three or four miles, had the wind blowing, the snow deabout 700 inhabitants, who are distant scending, and the waves dashing over from the parish kirk from eight to the side of our little skiff, rendered our twelve miles. As they have to pass situation dangerous, and the cold alover very dreary hills, where there is most intolerable. When I landed, I not the least appearance of a road, very was completely exhausted, and wet to few are able to attend, and those who the skin, but knew not where to go. do, a respectable gentleman informed I found out a cottage, immediately me, are frequently injured in their took off all my clothes, lay down on a health. There are few places where a straw bed, and slept soundly until small chapel is more needed. I left nearly seven, when I arose and preachexactly fifty persons in society, who ed. I told the people I would meet are all living within two miles of each privately those who were concerned other. In walking to Lochend, I had for their souls' salvation: seven reto face a strong wind and heavy rain, mained.-3d. Such a storm of wind but was able to preach at six. I at- and snow I never witnessed; and as the tempted to form a class, and four re- people could not venture on the outside mained for that purpose.-27th. We of their doors, I preached to the family. have had such a storm all the day as I-4th. I preached to a good number in never witnessed; we all feel thankful that the house is still standing. I have preached thrice in Mr. Lawrenceson's kitchen, and met the class.-28th. After preaching this morning, and meeting the few members, I took boat for Ollaberry, and met with a very hearty the morning, took boat to Vidling, and preached. I walked to Skelberry, and preached again at night.-5th. I preached in Skelberry, and walked three miles through deep snow to Catfirth, and preached at seven.-6th. I preached twice in Catfirth to larg |