is the interest felt in those meetings by the members of the society, that they appear to be impatient for the evening to arrive, when they almost unanimously meet, looking with anxious desire and fervent prayer for a rich and heavenly repast; and thanks be to God, we are not often disappointed. Our first quarterly meeting was held on the second Saturday and Sunday in February. The congregation was unusually large. The sacrament was administered to a great number of communicants. It was truly, for this place, a pleasing scene to sec every thing like sectarian feeling laid aside, while Christians of different denominations surrounded the board of the Lord, meekly kneeling on their knees, and there receiving those sacred emblems of the broken body and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The prospect of religion wears a more favourable aspect in this place than it has at any former period. There have been considerable accessions to the church recently, some of whom are young men of promising talents."

Red Hook Mission.-Extract of a letter from the Rev. J. B. Matthias, dated March 25, 1828: "Upon my return from conference to Rhinebeck, the place in which I reside, Mrs. Garrettson very kindly gave me letters of introduction to several persons of distinction, within the bounds of the mission, through whose influence I obtained immediate access to the people. I went on striving to do what good I could, although in indifferent health. I was not without some opposition. As soon as I began to unfold the banner of truth, and to make advances upon the dominions of Satan. he became alarmed. A company of Deists, in the vicinity of Red Hook, appointed one of their number to give a lecture on Deism, in the school house where I was in the habit of preaching. This raised a party against them; the door was locked upon them; they broke it open and admitted their speaker. The trustees of the school house arrested the ring leader, and fined him five dollars. This created a great excitement among the Deists; they mustered their forces, called a school meeting, and succeeded in passing a vote, that the school house should not be appropriated to holding any religious meet ings whatever. I, in course, was shut out. My friends, however, soon ob

tained a house in the neighbourhood to preach in, where I have a good congregation, and am encouraged in my labours by some of the first families in the place. Deism, I rejoice to say, has become more unpopular than ever. I believe I am the first Methodist preacher who has preached in this place

"My bodily afflictions were so great that at times I could scarcely sit on my horse. I made out, notwithstanding, to preach three times on the sabbath through the summer, and rested during the week, so that I could not extend the mission as much as I de. sired. But in the fall, my health being much improved, I began to extend the sphere of my labours, and obtained an appointment in Germantown, where I have a large congregation, and likewise in Claremont.

"There is a village within the bounds of my mission. in which I had a great desire to establish an appointment. I at length succeeded, through the influence of some gentlemen, in preaching once in the academy. When I came round again, I found it was closed against me. I applied to the minister of the place to have the doors opened for me, but he declined baving any thing to do with it, saying, that there were objections to my preaching there. When I came again to the place, I applied for the use of the district school house-this also was denied me. By this time the people got information of the manner in which I had been treated, and soon provided me a place, in which I have regularly a large congregation.

"The badness of the roads and the weather, this winter, have been somewhat against me. There are, however, some awakenings among us. One has obtained religion and joined the church. Several individuals of distinction, in this mission, have kindly received and entertained me, and aided me with their influence. I cannot deny myself the pleasure of mentinning the names of some of them :Mr. Ť—, of Rhinebeck; captain Brown, of Red Hook; Mrs. Montgomery, Mr. Parks, Mr. R. L. LMr. Tenbrook, Dr. Broadhead and family, and Mr. H. C. I have collected for the Missionary Soc. $63 93: from a lady in Red Hook, to make me a life subscriber of the Missionary Society, $20."

Mount Pleasant Circait.-The Rev. H. Bartlett, under date of March 29, 1828, writes, that a glorious work of reformation is extending on this circuit. He states that fifty-six have been received as probationers within a short time. "Within three years two churches have been erected; and a parsonage with four acres of land purchased, situated in Mt. Pleasant, which I have found the year past no small accommodation. Let this be done in all our circuits, and it ill remove from us many difficulties that we now labour under."

Stroudsburg, Penn.-We are favoured with the gratifying intelligence contained in a letter from the Rev. J. Hevener, dated the 23d March, 1828, that the work of the Lord is prospering gloriously on this circuit. This circuit, in and about which so extensive a field of labour is opening to those who proclaim the glad tidings of salvation, has been organized about eight months. The great difficulties which are always to be encountered in the formation of new circuits, have, in this instance, been fearlessly met, and successfully overcome. There are eleven classes, thirty-five preaching appointments, and nearly one hundred and fifty members, one hundred and twenty-three of whom have joined the circuit since its organization.

Rev. Benj. R. Hoyt writes from Dover, N. H., that the recent conversion of twenty souls and their addition to the church, have animated the hearts of Christians in that place, and led them to hope for still better things. Rev. E. F. Newell, of Bethel, Me., writes, "Thanks be to God, we are not left desolate on Bethel circuit. Scores have already burst the chains

of guilt, and come into the glorious liberty of the children of God. The work is spreading; truth prevails. May righteousness and truth fill the world. Our prayer is, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done."

Rev. Jos. Ireson, of Hebron, Con., under date of March 19, 1828, writes, "The Lord has been carrying on a gracious work in Hebron since the commencement of the present year. A number have found Jesus to the joy of their hearts, and still the prospect is flattering. Perhaps I may give you a more particular account of it."

The following shows the practical effects of the work of grace on the heart:-"I have just arrived in my circuit, from our late conference, and am now at the house of my old friend, John Stockdale, of Madison county, Virginia. Brother Stockdale has long since manifested an anxious solicitude for the civilization and salvation, not only of the poor and unenlightened part of our own people, but especially of the Indian tribes of this continent; and for this purpose he has often and freely contributed his money. But not satisfied with what he has done, he wishes to do more; and as he thinks that the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church is well calculated to accomplish this great and glorious object, he therefore requests me to inform you, that he wishes to be one of the ninety persons, as proposed by an Old Methodist of Tennessee, to pay one hundred dollars into the treasury of the Missionary Society. And he farther states, that if the number proposed should not be made up, he will nevertheless send on his hundred dollars to you in the course of this year. J. C. BALLEU."

In May, 1827, he was taken ill at a meeting which he attended, and was in a short time so severely afflicted, that his mind became affected. While in a state of delirium his thoughts were continually running upon the Scriptures and religious subjects. When he recovered his reason he sung with fervour, “ I see a world of spirits bright," &c. A short time before his death he called for a Bible and hymn book, read

a chapter, sung a hymn, and earnestly prayed. His sufferings were severe; but he bore them with Christian fortitude, commended his wife and children to the Father of mercies, and with the praises of God upon his lips he fell asleep in Christ, May 20, 1827. He was acceptable and useful; punctual in fulfilling his appointments, and in the performance of his Christian and ministerial duties; and though his friends and the church feel the loss of his labours, he doubtless enjoys a reward in heaven.

JOHN SALE was born of respectable parents, who were members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the state of Virginia. When he was about 21 years of age, he was convinced of sin, and experienced religion. Soon after, he thought it his duty to call sinners to repentance; and was licensed, and received on trial as a travelling preacher in 1796, and stationed on Swanina circuit. In 1797, he was appointed on Bertie circuit; in 1798, he was received into full connexion, ordained a deacon, and stationed on Mattamuskeet; in 1799, on Holstein; in 1800, he was ordained an elder, and stationed on Salt River circuit, Kentucky; 1801, Shelby; 1802, Danville; 1803, Scioto, in the state of Ohio; 1804, Miami; 1805, Lexington, Ky.; 1806, he was appointed presiding elder of Ohio district, where he continued with acceptability and usefulness four years. In 1810, he was appointed to preside on the Miami district, in 1811, on the Kentucky district, where he continued four years. In 1815, he was again stationed on Miami district, where he continued two years. In 1817, on Union circuit; 1818, on Mad river circuit; and in 1819, he was again appointed to Miami district. This year his health so far failed, that in 1820, be was considered as superannuated; in which relation he remained four years. In 1824, his health had so improved, that his relation was changed to a supernumerary, and he was appointed to Wilmington circuit, where he did the labour of an effective man. In 1825, he was made effective, and stationed on Union circuit, where he laboured with great perseverance. At the conference held in Hillsborough, he received his last appointment, which was for Piqua circuit. He entered upon his work on the circuit, and continued until December 30, when he was con

fined with a fever, at the house of his friend, Mr. French, about four miles above Troy on the Miami. His disease advanced in its ravages on his system until the 16th day, when exhausted nature sunk into the arms of death.

During his illness there was not an intervening cloud to darken his prospect of a better world; he observed to his colleague, “If you think it worth while, tell my brethren, that the religion I have recommended and preached to others, now affords me consolation and support, in the view of death and eternity. Tell them that my faith is unshaken in the doctrines of our church." He then clapped his hands, and shouted triumphantly, in the prospect of a glorious immortality. He has left a wife and eight children, to mourn their loss.

DANIEL BLACK, a native of South Carolina, was born November 27, 1795. In the latter end of the year 1817 he removed to Kentucky. He professed to obtain religion July 24, 1821. He was licensed to preach August 18, 1823, and shortly afterwards was received on trial into the travelling connexion, and was appointed to the Henderson circuit. After this he travelled the Cumberland and Logan circuits. In 1826, he was appointed to Barren circuit, where he, "his body with his charge laid down." He was exemplary in his life, patient in his afflictions, and triumphant in his death. Having bequeathed his little property to the Kentucky annual conference, he seemed to be done with the business of time. He spent his few remaining hours in conversing with his friends concerning the great things of eternity, and exhorting them to meet him in heaven. Some of his last expressions were, "My sufferings will soon be over;-I shall soon be in heaven."

OBADIAH HARBER, son of Noah and Judith Harber, was born March 15th, 1790. After a religious education, he embraced religion in the month of August, 1802. He was licensed to preach in the year 1821, and in the same year was received on trial into the travelling connexion. He travelled with great usefulness on the Red river, Dixon, Greenville, Green-brier, Madison, Little Sandy, and Cynthiana circuits; in the last of which, after seeing many brought to the knowledge

of the truth, he, like a ripe shock of corn fitted for the master's use, was gathered into the garner of eternal rest. From the commencement of his affliction he possessed confidence, resignation, and much of the Divine presence. On the Saturday preceding his death, his twin brother Stephen Harber repeated to him the 23d Psalm, and asked if he could speak as the Psalmist. He answered, "Yes, he will be with me," and added, "Jesus is my friend!" On sabbath his brother asked if he felt like giving up his shield in that trying hour. He replied, "No, in the strength of Jesus no, I never will give up my shield." And on the next morning, without a sigh or groan, he departed in peace.

NELSON DILLS, a native of Kentucky, was made a subject of regenerating grace in 1816; and after labouring for some time under the convic tions of his mind that he ought to preach the gospel, he entered the ministry in 1822. In 1823, he was ad. mitted on trial by the Kentucky annual conference, and appointed to Franklin circuit. In the following year he was appointed to Shelby circuit. In 1825, to Madison circuit, and in 1826, he was reappointed to the Franklin circuit, where he ended his days. He was acceptable and useful in all the places of his labours, and in his last hours he was sustained by the comforts of true piety. He anticipated his approaching dissolution, and expressed a perfect resignation to the will of God. His disorder was that of a bilious cholic; he died on the 23d of March, 1827, and rests from his labours.

JOHN CORD was born in Hartford county, Maryland; and in 1805, removed to Kentucky. In 1806 he experienced the converting grace of God. After officiating for some time,

first as an exhorter, and afterwards as a local preacher, until 1811, he entered the travelling connexion on trial, and was appointed to Missouri circuit. He continued travelling successfully for about seven years, when in conse quence of a heavy loss by fire, he ob tained a location. In 1822, he was readmitted into the travelling connexion, and continued his labours during four years. At the conference of 1826, he received a superannuated relation; and on the 3d of March, 1827, he departed in peace, and in the full hope of life and immortality. He possessed deep piety, and enjoyed the confidence and love of his brethren.

WILLIAM CRAVENS, a native of Virginia, was born July 31st, 1766. About the year 1794 he became a member of the Methodist church; and after being some time a member, he experienced in a wonderful manner the power of God's sanctifying grace, devoting his time to the service of God in prayer, exhortation, and afterwards in preaching the gospel. About the year 1820, he removed to the western country. In the autumn of that year he joined the travelling connexion, and was appointed to Charlestown circuit. In 1821, and 1822, he was employed on the frontier settlements, where he formed two new circuits. On both of these his labours were much blessed, and he continued to labour with great zeal. In 1824, he was appointed to Blue River circuit, and in 1825, he received a superannuated relation, in which he continued until his death. He ended his days in peace on the 10th of October, 1826, after a short but severe illness. In all the stations which he filled in the church, he discharged his duties faithfully. Of him it may be said, "He rests from his labours," and there is no doubt but his works follow him.