Proceedings of Board of Directors of Dom. Miss. Society. 43 to offer them a loan not exceeding || church; and said church shall be fifty dollars, on satisfactory personal entitled to an elder and deacon, to security. be called the church of the town or place where situated. Application was made by the Rev. Mr. LAWYER, in behalf of JAMES SCHULTZ, for aid from the education fund; and it was Resolved, That the Rev. President, Recording Secretary, and Rev. Mr. Lawyer, be a committee to examine Mr. Schultz, according to the rules and regulations of the Board. Rev. Mr. LAWYER, from the committee appointed at a former meeting, to prepare instructions for the government of missionaries in the employment of the Society, reported sundry rules and regulations, which, having been considered and amended by the Board, were unanimously adopted, as follows: Instructions for Missionaries. Resolved, That all missionaries, who shall hereafter be employed by this Society, shall be governed by the following instructions and regulations, viz: 1. That he shall labor in such district, as the Board of Directors shall from time to time appoint. 2. It shall be the duty of every missionary, to preach every Sunday, twice; hold meetings for prayer or lecture, if possible, in the evening; preach in the week, as often as convenient; and to visit as often as time will admit, the families within his district, for the purpose of religious conversation and prayer. 4. That whenever six male members of our church shall reside as aforesaid, said missionary shall form them into a society, to be called the society of the place where they reside, who shall be entitled to a deacon. 5. That in every church, or society destitute of regular preaching, the missionary shall strive to find a suitable person to officiate as a lay reader, whose duty it shall be, with the assistance of the elders and deacons, to hold meetings for prayer, singing, and reading of the sacred scriptures and of sermons. 6. That whenever any missionary shall form a church or society as aforesaid, it shall be his duty, without delay, to inform the Corresponding Secretary of the following particulars: The name of the church or society, and place where situated; how far distant, and what direction from the county town; the time when organized; the number of members, male and female; the names of the officers, together with the nearest post-office; and whatever other information he shall deem important. 7. That it shall be the duty of the missionary to keep a faithful journal of his labors, and report the same to the Corresponding Secretary. The committee appointed to examine Mr. Schultz, having reported that they considered him qualified to be received as a theological student, 3. That it shall be his duty, whenever he shall find in the district where he shall be appointed to labor, twelve male members of our church residing in one place or neigh- and worthy of being assisted by the borhood, to organize them into all Society, it was Resolved, That his name be en-|| state, generally and individually, and tered on the list of applicants for as-all our people have had an opportusistance from the education fund. An application having been received from the congregation at West Camp, Ulster county, for missionary aid, it was unanimously And nity of engaging in its operations, and promoting its designs. what has been done? We have not collected funds sufficient for the constant employment of even a single Resolved, That thirty dollars be missionary. Many of our vacant congranted to the congregation at West-gregations remain in a feeble and Camp, for one year, and that the languishing condition, and we have Treasurer be authorised to pay the same as soon as he is officially informed that said congregation have organized an Auxiliary Missionary Society. not the means of affording them relief. Since the Society has been in operation, we have not formed any new congregations; neither have we been able to grant to any of our feeble and destitute churches, a regular supply of the means of grace. We The business of the Board having been finished, it was finally Resolved, That the quarterly mee-have, it is true, in a few instances, tings of the Board, for the ensuing year, be held at Schoharie (C. H.) on the first Tuesdays in August, November, February and May. The meeting was closed with prayer by the Corresponding Secretary. Lutheran Magazine. TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1830. sent out missionaries for limited periods, and aided vacant congregations in the settlement of ministers; but in every instance, the assistance which we have granted, was so very precarious, that no dependance could be placed upon it. It is a fact, which ought not to be concealed, that the affairs of several vacant congregations are in a worse condition now, Domestic Missionary and Educa- than they were, when the Society tion Society of the Lutheran Church was first formed; for, having been in the State of New-York-We at- disappointed in the hope of being astended the second annual meeting of sisted by the Society, they now bethis Society, with feelings very dif-gin to despair, and lose all confidence ferent from what we had anticipated. in its operations, We must confess, that we were We regret to exhibit the affairs of grievously disappointed to find so the Society in this unfavorable light. few of the officers and members as-It grieves us to the heart. It is truly sembled on the occasion, and such lamentable, that so many of our peolittle interest manifested in the af-ple manifest no greater interest in fairs of the institution. The Society the cause of religion-that they feel has now been in operation for two no more engaged in the establishyears. Its proceedings have been ment and preservation of those bepublished. Its objects have been nevolent institutions, which have for repeatedly explained. Appeals have their object, the spread of the gosbeen made to our churches in this pel, and the extension of the Re to consult together, on subjects concerning our churches or vacant congregations in our neighborhood—to endeavor to strengthen each others' hands in the work in which we are deemer's kingdom. When we look to draw the bands of christian and at the population and resources of brotherly affection still closer; and our church, within the bounds of the Society, and then reflect upon what we have done, and are doing, for promoting the interests of religion among us, our spirits sink within us, and our hearts are ready to despair.-engaged, and to encourage one anoWhen we compare the religious state ther by friendly counsel and converof some of our churches, with the sation, and our people to a life and spirit manifested by other denomina- conduct becoming the professors of tions, how humiliating and painful is the religion of Jesus Christ, by exthe contrast! Every other sect is hortations, sermons and prayers." engaged in raising and supporting So far as we are enabled to judge missionary establishments. The spi- from the past proceedings of the Conrit of religious enterprise and activity ference, we believe that every meetis exhibited all around us. And can ing of the brethren connected with we witness this spirit, without feel- this association, has had a tendency ing some of its influence? can we to promote these objects. Hitherto, remain idle spectators of the benevo- it has proved a brotherly union of lent efforts of other denominations, kindred spirits engaged in promoting without rendering our church a won- harmony, unity and brotherly love in der and a by-word in the land? The our church in this state. The blessnight is far spent-the day is at hand, ing of God has attended it in all its and it is high time, that the Luther- undertakings. It issued the first reans of New-York awake out of sleep, ligious publication devoted to the inlest, while they are folding their terests of our church in this state, hands in careless indolence, others and sustained it by its exertions, undeprive them of an inheritance, which til it was permanently established in they might have secured, and take possession of the ground, which they might have occupied. the hands of the present publishers. By a reference to its proceedings, it will be perceived, that the "Domestic Missionary Society of the LutherWestern Conference of Lutheran an Church in the State of N. York," Ministers and Candidates in the State was formed by a convention assemof New-York- We have derived bled in consequence of a resolution such frequent and heartfelt gratifica- of the Conference. The individuals tion from the meetings of this body, who were chiefly engaged in the esthat we cannot refrain from express-tablishment of our Missionary Socieing our deep interest in its future ty, were members of the Conference, success and prosperity. The objects who assisted in its organization, and of this Conference, as stated in the took the most active part in its pro"Article of Union," adopted at its ceedings. When, therefore, we look formation, were "That we should back upon the many hours of friendassemble from time to time, in orderly and affectionate intercourse, which we have spent with our brethren of|| of New-York. The Synod of Ohio the Conference, and contemplate the effects of our proceedings upon the interests of our church in this state, we feel an anxious solicitude that this institution may be cherished and preserved by the earnest prayers and exertions of all our brethren, who are connected with it. The next meeting will be held at Brunswick, Rensselaer county, in the congregation under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Mr. Senderling, on Wednesday the 8th day of September next. Circumstances which have recently occurred; and which must be attended with important consequences to our church, within the bounds of the Conference, will render this meeting peculiarly interesting. We shall expect a general attendance of our clerical brethren, and hope, that the interesting state of the congregation at Brunswick, which is at present experiencing a revival of religion, may operate as an inducement with the members of the Conference, to favor it with their presence. Lutheran Journals.-There are at present, three periodical publications in the United States, devoted to the interests of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Evangelical Lutheran Intelligencer, published at Frederick, Md., and edited by the Rev. D. F. Schaeffer. The Evangelical Magazine, published at Gettysburgh, Pa., by a Committee of Clergymen from the Synod of East Pennsylvania.The Lutheran Magazine, published at Schoharie (C. H.) N. Y., by the the Board of Directors of the Domestic Missionary and Education Society of the Lutheran Church in the State Walking, one day, with some of my fellow missionaries, in the country, and seeing a large and beautiful garden, situated on the banks of the river Nile, we took the liberty of entering. The proprietor, a Turkish Aga, came to meet us, and bade us welcome in a friendly manner. His dress was both splendid and costly. He inquired if we were brothers, and professed the same religion. I replied that we were indeed brethren, and our religion the same. He then directed his discourse to me, saying, "What is the reason why you wear a long beard, while your brethren do not? You are perhaps a priest" I replied, that I found it of use, at present, to let my beard grow. This answer, however, did not appear to satisfy him; he therefore added, "You must be a priest; do not keep my soul in suspense. he would be pleased to bring it to have prayed to Almighty God, that pass, that I might become acquainted with a man who could inform me what I must do to be happy; and God has promised, that a man should come into my garden, who should tell me what I must do. I believe you are that man; yea, I am certain of it. Be candid, and tell me." I replied, that I durst not venture to answer his question, so as to say what he must do to become happy, as he was a follower of Mahommed, but that he should ask his own priest, He then said, "I am convinced that I Infidel Wit Repelled.—&c. 47 not only I, but that all the followers presence accompanied this, to me, and disciples of Mahommed, are in remarkable interview. the wrong way to happiness. There must be another way by which we are to be saved, and you are the person who is to tell me of it. I am well aware," continued he, "that our lives are forfeited, if it should ever be known that we have conversed on this subject; but you need not be alarmed, for you have to do with an upright man." Upon this, he appeared much affected, which caused me likewise to be moved. I therefore said, "I will inform you what a christian must do to be saved." He then walked with me under a fig tree, and while on the way, said, "Come, thou man of God! It is under this fig tree that I have often prayed to God; and now it is here, that you are to tell me what I must do." I lifted up my heart in silent prayer to God my Saviour, and then related to him the principal events in the life of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament, pointing out his miraculous birth; his life here upon earth; his bitter death on the cross, whereby he had made a full atonement for sin; his resurrection, and his ascension into heaven, in the presence of all his disciples, where he was seated at the right hand of God, as a Prince and Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins. The Aga then lifted up his hands, and said, "O, Jesus, who sittest at the right hand of God, have mercy on me! Be thou also my Saviour!" He repeated the ejaculation several times, while a flood of tears gushed from his eyes; and I have no doubt but God our Saviour graciously granted him his petition, on thus crying for mercy. He added, with peculiar emotion, "Lord Jesus, I behold thee with thy wounds! Thou art now my Saviour also!" It is not in my power to express the sensations of my mind on this occasion; but I cannot deny, that I felt as if the Lord's The following morning, very early, a Turkish gentleman, with a numerous retinue, appeared in front of my house, which alarmed me not a little. I soon recognised him to be the Aga. I hastened to meet him, and said, "Sir, why do you bring such a large retinue with you?" He replied, "They are only my mamelukes, and know nothing about the reasons of my visit; and I have given orders for them to remain in the street till I return. I have been quite impatient to see you, and have not been able to sleep all night for joy." We conversed with him on the best of subjects, and in a very friendly manner, while we felt truly grateful to the Lord for the great mercy he had shown to this person, who, I am happy to say, remained faithful to his convictions during our continuance in Egypt. Infidel wit repelled.-A gay young spark, of a deistical turn, travelling in a stage coach, forced his sentiments upon the company, by attempting to ridicule the Scriptures-and among other topics, made himself merry with the story of David and Goliah; strongly urged the impossibility of a youth, like David, being able to throw a stone with sufficient force to strike into a giant's forehead. On this he appealed to the company, and in particular to a grave gentleman, of the denomination called Quakers, who sat silent in one corner of the carriage :-"Indeed, friend," replied he, "I do not think it at all improbable, if the Philistine's head was as soft as thine." A word of Advice to Young Christians. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; with full purpose of heart cleave unto the Lord; watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation; remember the world, the flesh and the devil are against you; be sober, be vigilant, and keep yourselves from idols. |