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Religious and Missionary Intelligence.

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REVIVAL OF THE WORK OF GOD ON OCONEE DISTRICT.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. A. Turner.

THIS district has been in rather a low state as it respects religion, for seven or eight years past. The thinness of the population, with other things not needful to mention, has tended to impede the progress of the gospel, so that at the commencement of the present year prospects were somewhat gloomy.

About the third Sabbath in July; at a place called Sandhills, in Ohoopie circuit, a summer resort for many of the more wealthy inhabitants of the lower parts of the county, the Lord, through the labours of the preacher who is travelling there, began to work. Among others who were awakened and converted, was General S, who had been a professed infidel. May he never draw back! Here we formed a Society of twelve. At our quarterlymeeting for the same circuit, many were cut to the heart, while believers were much quickened; and since that several have joined the church.

On the following Wednesday a Camp-Meeting was held at New-Hope M. H. Washington county. Though, in consequence of unfavourable impressions respecting these sort of meetings, but few attended, yet our God was with us, and He wrought gloriously; so that about thirty were converted. A similar meeting was held in Telfair county, on the 11th of September. This was a new thing in this part of the country; but on Sabbath about six hundred attended; and, what was most consoling, the God of love came to our help, and manifested His goodness to His people. About a dozen sinners were converted.

At our District Conference, which was held Sept. 19, in Lawrence county, we were greatly favoured of the Lord; and it was' judged that about fifteen were converted. The Wednesday following, a Camp-Meeting was held in Trigg county, on Oakmulgee circuit. This was more numerously attended than the others. Numbers were awakened, and about twenty converted. There is a considerable revival in this place now.

The next Wednesday we cominenced another meeting on Liberty circuit, about fifteen miles from Sandhills. There were about thirty tents, and it was judged not less than eight hundred people on Sabbath-day. Much order and regularity prevailed. Besides eight Methodist preachers, we were favoured with the company of one Presbyterian, and one Baptist, preacher, who all united in Christian harmony and brotherly love. There was no particular move among the people until Sabbath evening, at which time the Lord appeared in great majesty and power, and the

place was awfully glorious! Two professed infidels were awakened, and all appeared solemn and thoughtful. Before next morning between twenty and thirty professed to find Him of whom it was said, He receiveth sinners. From this highly favoured meeting, the flame spread through different parts of the country, and reached even to Savannah. Many have been added to the church in these parts. It was, indeed, glorious!

On the next Thursday we commenced a four days meeting in St. Mary's. This place had almost been deserted by our people, though they once had there a flourishing society. From the year 1814 until this year it was, as to Methodism, nearly desolate. When the preacher, Rev. Elijah Senclair, arrived at this place, he could hardly find a place for the "sole of his foot ;" but God gave him favour in the eyes of the people, and blessed the word of truth to many of them. They were thus prepared to receive the benefits of our Woods meeting, at which time much good was done; six were added to the church. In a letter, the preacher states, "three more have united to the church, and there is a prospect that others will follow their example."

On the following Thursday a Camp-Meeting began in Wayne county, Satilla circuit. This part of the country has suffered a declension in religion ever since the late war, and it seems extremely difficult to regain what has been lost. The preachers, however, have been indefatigable, and some appearances of a return of spiritual prosperity have been exhibited. Our meeting apparently contributed to produce a religious excitement in some hearts. Two of our Presbyterian brethren, (ministers) attended with us, and we all exhorted, preached, prayed, and ate together. It was a time of love. I received a letter from brother T. L. Winn last Friday, in which he states that about one hundred have been converted, some of whom have joined our church, some the Presbyterians, and some the Baptists.

As there were two other preachers in Ohoopie circuit, I requested brother Winn to confine his labours principally to "those parts where God is pleased more abundantly to pour out his Spirit!" In a letter I received lately from him he says; "Since I saw you I have witnessed more powerful marks of the Saviour's footsteps: many have been awakened, and, I hope, truly converted, since the two days meeting. I hardly take time to stop to eat as much as is needful. Every night I have meeting, besides one every day, and visiting from house to house. The remnant of prejudice is departing, though the progress of the gospel is somewhat impeded yet by opposition,'

I will just add, by way of conclusion, that bishop George requested me to take some oversight of the Early Mission. Accordingly I was there in June last, and held a quarterly meeting. The country, both on the Early side of the Chatahoochee river, and also on the Alabama side (and the late circuit formed by our VOL. VI.

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Missionary includes both sides) is tolerably thick settled by many respectable citizens. We had a gracious time at our quarterly. meeting. Within the bounds of this missionary station nearly two hundred have joined our society, and great numbers have been converted.

Wilkinson County, Nov. 29, 1822.

PROGRESS OF RELIGION ON HOLSTON DISTRICT.

DEAR BRETHREN,

To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine.

FEELING a deep concern for the prosperity of the church, and believing that a short narrative of the progress of Christianity amongst us in this district, (Holston,) will be interesting to your readers; you will oblige me by publishing the following statement which I am enabled to make principally from the information of brother Tevis, the presiding elder.

During last winter the prospects of a revival were somewhat flattering: our quarterly meetings were generally spiritual, attended with some convictions; and striking instances of the displays of divine grace were not unfrequent: but these indications were chiefly limited to particular neighbourhoods.

As the summer approached, prospects became more flattering; and the increasing attention of the citizens at the houses of worship, indicated a renewing zeal for the cause of Jesus The preachers appeared encouraged in their arduous undertakings, striving to influence the hearts of their hearers to increase in piety and zeal, and exercising over their flocks with "strictness" but "mildness," the discipline of the church; the result of which was, through the blessing of God, that the hearts of very many were prepared for the holy exercise of their respective gifts and graces in the vineyard of Christ.

About the first of August our camp-meetings commenced. One was held in each of the circuits, except in this, which is large and populous, in which were held two camp-meetings. At these meetings our rules for their government were but seldom read, nor was it necessary strenuously to enforce by remarks from the stand, their observance, as the congregations in general appeared disposed to behave themselves in an orderly manner; and at some we had no disturbance at all. Here were happy opportunities of addressing hundreds of those whose hearts seemed to be sealed against the truth; of combatting the powers of darkness; the superstition of the day; and the march of infidelity; of arousing the fears of the impenitent, and establishing the hopes of the believer; of warning the prodigal to return; the backslider to repent, and the lukewarm to fear. At some of these meetings, scores were happily converted to God, and hundreds wounded by the energetic influence of the Holy Spirit. Many of the young and old, the rich and poor, and indeed of almost every rank and condition, bowed themselves before the "Most High," and experienced the gospel to be "the power of God unto Salvation."

The work was most conspicuous at the camp-meetings of the "New River," "Clinch," and "Abingdon" circuits; at the latter especially there was a precious time; this meeting was held at a place called the Sulphur Spring, near King's Saltworks, in the vicinity of which are many famous for their warmth in the good cause. Indeed, so great a revival ensued, that in one neighbourhood near that place upwards of forty persons joined the church in one day.

At one time a weeping wife has plead, with her dear companion who was apparently unthoughtful, to invoke the Great Jehovah's pardon in her behalf; and relations feeling deeply concerned for each other have fallen down together and cried for mercy. At one meeting a Baptist friend was seen taking his son by the hand and leading him near the praying circle, desirous, as he said, of assisting his son in the exercise of that duty his conscience admonished him to perform. At another, a young man was found near the encampment deeply penetrated with a sense of his lost condition; he was visited by brother Tevis, who inquired if he would go to the altar; seeming reluctant to go there, he was asked if he would go into the woods; to this he consented, and, attended by a few friends, he se

lected a certain spot in preference to any other: prayers were offered up in coineidence with his importunate cries, and he soon found mercy and returned to the encampment praising a pardoning God. At an evening meeting, since held in Clinch circuit, the class leader said he thought about twelve persons found pardon, and that it was the most precious season he had ever witnessed.

The sacred flame seems still to be burning and in some degree spreading-illumining by its lucid beams the hearts of many. An addition to this district has been made of nine hundred and forty-five members, during the present year.

A chapel is now erecting and nearly finished in the town of Abingdon, being the first one ever built in or near that place for the use of the Methodists. It is expected to be completed by the 21st of this month, when a quarterly meeting will be held in it.

Ride on, O King of Glory! Prince of Peace! and may "the kingdoms of this world shortly become the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ," is the prayer of Your humble Friend, Lebanon, Dec. 6, 1822.

JAMES P. CARRELL.

REVIVAL OF religion on MEHERRIN DISTRICT.

To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine.

DEAR BRETHREN,

Petersburg, Dec. 30, 1822..

I have recently received a letter from brother John Early, Presiding Elder over the Meherrin district; in which he states some welcome intelligence of the progress of religion in this part of the Lord's Vineyard. For more general information I have made the following extracts, which, if you think proper, cau be inserted in the Magazine.

Your's, &c.

GABRIEL P. DISOSWAY.

Meherrin District, Dec. 7, 1822. "Jehovah has visited this district in great mercy. At a camp-meeting held in Buckingham circuit, in the last of August, we had about forty converted. At another (Limestone Springs) in Bedford circuit the week after, much good was done; about sixty professed justif; ing grace; forty joined us forthwith and many immediately after. The camp-meeting in Amelia circuit, commenced the last week in September; though we began the day of the great storm under clouded circumstances, and not a minister present except the circuit preacher and myself; the sky became serene the next day, other labourers came to the help of the Lord against the mighty, and it was a memorable time: about forty were converted. At another meeting the week following, about sixty miles distant in Mecklingburg, we had a very great time; sixty or seventy professed pardon through Jesus Christ, and among this number three past the meridian of life, though like vessels forced to land by shipwreck, came in at the eleventh hour, and shouted victory over their fell foe; about fifty joined the church. Indeed it is a time of unction generally. In Greensville and Brunswick circuits, and particularly in Greensville county where my heart bled to see iniquity abound and the love of many wax cold, for the sake of the few who had not defiled their garments, the Lord has visited them by his spirit, and numbers have been happily converted. In Chesterfield circuit where we have seen affliction, the work has begun ; I am told that in ten days, beginning at our last Quarterly Meeting at Bold-Spring, about twenty professed conversion in Cumberland county; the flame is now spreading in Buckingham and Amelia circuits. In Bedford, many are happily converted, and a large number have joined the Society. In Lynchburg our cause prospers; several professed conversion last Sunday night.

"Cold is the heart that takes no interest in our missionary cause, especially if it be found among the Prophets. Let my right hand forget its cunning if I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I prefer not

* Brother George C. Chesley, who is on the circuit informs me, that the revival is still progressing in Chesterfield. Persons have been known to eat their breakfast by candle light that they might be in time to hear the glorious tidings of salvation. Such is the anxiety to hear the word of God. G. P. D.

Jerusalem above my chief joy.' We have formed five branches to the Missionary Society in the district, and expect to form four more in the spring, one in every circuit and station. We look for considerable patronage from persons who do not profess religion. Bishop George informs me that ten young men are coming on from the Tennesee Conference to join us at Lynchburg in March next.

"Your's very affectionately.

"JOHN EARLY."

RELIGIOUS SUMMARY.

WE extract from the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, for October, 1822, the following particulars respecting the progress of the missions under the direction of the Wesleyan Missionary Society.

NEW-ZEALAND.-The Letters from Mr. LEIGH in our last would create anxiety in the minds of our friends as to his safety and welfare. They were of the dates of February 25th and 27th. Letters of the date of April 6th and 10th have been subsequently received; from which it appears that he was waiting the arrival of additional help, and has still the confidence that he should be able to commence his Mission.

GREAT NAMACQUALAND. After a long interruption of correspondence with Mr. ARCHBELL, owing to his being so far up the country, we have received a copy of one of his Letters to Mr. B. SHAW, and one addressed to the Committee. He has endured numerous hardships, but begins to see some fruit of his labours. Means have been adopted by Mr. B. SHAW, at the Cape, to supply him with the necessary articles of food and clothing, of which he has been in want, by a vessel proceeding from the Cape to Angra Piquena Bay.

The following extract from the Report of the Committee of the Wesleyan Auxiltary Missionary Society for Antigua, will give a general view of the state of the Mission in the

WEST-INDIA ISLANDS.-Coming nearer home, your Committee have only to call your attention to that which your eyes have seen, which your ears have heard, and, thanks be to God, which many of your hearts have felt, the labour of men of like passions with yourselves,-men who have not counted their lives dear to them, so that they might finish their course with joy, and the ministry which God hath given unto them. Have they laboured in vain? let the fifty-nine circuits which are formed in these islands and the British dominions in NorthAmerica speak; let the multitudes turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, speak; let those who have but recently begun a religious course, though not immediately united with them, speak; let the 23,857 closely united with them in Christian fellowship, and the number who, through their instrumentality, have learned to triumph over death, and are numbered "with the spirits of just men made perfect," speak; let the great number of children trained up in the Sunday-Schools to habits of virtue and religion, speak! They do speak, and unitedly testify, to the praise of Him who worketh all in all, that their labour is not in vain in the Lord!

On Easter-Monday, 1821, a Branch Missionary Society was formed at English Harbour, which has been conducted with a spirit highly becoming those who have felt the importance of a Gospel-Ministry themselves, and from a conviction of its worth, have desired that others should hear the joyful sound. The sum of £135. 11. has been raised in that place.

Your Committee feel great pleasure in reviewing the first year of the existence of your Society. The support afforded to the Institution speaks volumes in commendation of the piety and zeal of our Antigua friends, and their judgment of the great work of Missions; the sum of £535. 19s. 3d. equal to 1,191 dollars having been raised, of which amount, £486. 3s. 7 1-2d. have been transmitted to the Parent Society; and from the existing religious concern which is diffusing itself throughout the community, perhaps in a measure unparalleled in any former period, your Committee augur a growing interest in this glorious cause, and cannot but view this as the beginning of good days.

From the Report of the Parent Society, for the year 1820, it appears that there. were then in active operation fourteen Foreign Auxiliary Societies. Since that

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