MISSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
(Continued from page 91.)

NINETEENTH COMMUNICATION.

In a letter to the Corresponding Secretary, dated

"Strasburg, Dec. 1, 1828," Messrs. James Kerr and Amos Miller

say,

"We feel exceedingly anxious to have the regular administrations of the gospel amongst us; believing that it is a means which the Great Head of the Church has made use of in carrying on his work in this place. Two years and a half since there was but one professing member in this place, belonging to the Presbyterian Church: there is now a congregation organized here, consisting of twenty-five communicants: and we have no doubt but that, through the faithful preaching of the gospel and the blessing of God, the work will go on. We are situated in a thickly settled country, and in a thriving village. Very soon after our application, which you received, the Rev. Samuel Sturgeon came to our place, recommended by the Rev. Mr. Gray, of Easton, who has continued to preach to the acceptance of the people, and appears to be a man calculated to do much good in this place."

The letter proceeds to state, that Mr. S has been received under the care of the Presbytery of Newton, and that the congregation has subscribed 250 dollars per annum, for his support. This being insufficient for a minister, with a wife and four children, and the people being unable, at present, to subscribe more, the sum of 100 dollars was solicited, for the year, from the Board of Missions, and granted by the Executive Committee.

The following extracts are from a letter written to the Corresponding Secretary, by the Rev. Wm. Sickels, dated

"Indianapolis, November 23d, 1828. "I left Virginia on the 5th of May, and arrived in this state on the 5th of June, having been detained some days by the inclemency of the weather, and the rise of the waters. On my journey to this state, I preached 20 times. I arrived in Indianapolis on the 18th of June, taking a circuitous route through Decatur, Rush, and Shelby counties, and preaching in destitute places. Mr. Bush, having been dismissed from Indianapolis, I have supplied this church, one half of the time, from the first of July, till they called another minister-a period of four months, for which they will pay me 66 dollars. The Rev. John R. Moreland, of Kentucky, has accepted the call of this congre

gation, and is expected here with his family in a few days. Mr. Bush has preach. ed here most of his time since his dismis sion, but he is said to have preached his last sermon, on last Sabbath. Mr. Moreland is very popular here with the people, and it is believed harmony and unanimity will be restored.

ed in this congregation, has been spent in "That portion of my time not employMissionary labour in Hamilton, Madison, Shelby and Rush counties. I have made three visits to Hamilton county; organized a church of thirteen members; administered the sacrament; baptized two children, and preached twenty-two times: visited Madison county twice, and preached seven times: visited Shelby county twice; administered the sacrament; baptized two children, and preached 11 times. I have visited Rush county three times; assisted in administering the sacrament three times, and preached twenty-seven times. In Marion county, on missionary ground, I have preached thirteen times, exclusive of what I have preached in the church of Indianapolis. From the commencement till the close of my first mission, (six months) I have preached 136 times. There have been nine added to the church in this place on examination, since the first of July, and several on certificate. In Shelby county, four have been added on examination, and some on certificate; and to the churches in Rush county, there have been nine or ten added on examination, and some on certificate.

"The church organized in Hamilton county, has the prospect of being supplied once a month, by the Rev. Mr. Moreland, who is only engaged here for three-fourths of his time. Hamilton, Madison, and Shelby counties are all Missionary ground, there being no stated Presbyterian preaching, and they are counties which are rapidly settling, and are not likely soon to be supplied on the plan of the Home Missionary Society. In Rush county, the prospects are better, and I have partly agreed with the people composing the congregations of Rushville and Olive Ridge, to settle with them. They expect to receive some aid, to enable them to employ me three-fourths of my time, leaving me one-fourth to be employed in missionary labour, in the destitute places adjacent. It is very important to the interests of the Presbyterian Church, in this state, that every settled minister should, if possible, act as a missionary, at least one-fourth of his time. This is the only practicable way of supplying many infant congregations; and of collecting and organizing others. Those congregations in which I expect to settle,

will, probably, before very long, require all my time, but until that shall be the case, I shall be glad to employ my unappropriated time, in the service of the Assembly's Board. As the Board, by special request, extended my commission three months beyond the time for which it was first granted, I still hold their commission for three months' labour, to be employed in this state. Though that ex

tension was granted on the supposition that the church of Indianapolis would require my services one half of the time, I suppose my change of location will not prevent me from serving the Board quite as efficiently, and even more so, as my location is in a more populous part of the

state.

(To be continued.)

The Treasurer of the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church acknowledges the receipt of the following sums for their Board of Missions, during the month of February last, viz.

Of Capt. James Moore, subscriptions in the First Presbyterian Church
Of Second Presbyterian Church, collection at the Monthly Concert of Prayer
Of ditto 50 cent subscriptions in do.

Of Geo. W. Blight, Esq., from Rev. Robert B. Belville, from the Auxiliary
Missionary Society in Neshaminey

$30 00

9 30

6 00

44 00

28 00

Of Rev. Charles Hodge, subscriptions at Kingston, N. J., per Rev. David

Comfort

Diew of Publick Affairs.

London papers to the 7th of January, and Liverpool of the 8th, contain the latest European intelligence received in this country, at the time we write. Nor is the intelligence of great interest. We observe nothing that changes, in any particular, the aspect of the political affairs of the old world, within the last month; unless it be the death of Don Miguel, the usurper of the crown of Portugal—if indeed he be really dead.

EUROPE.

BRITAIN. A great and unusual excitement has been produced both in London and Liverpool, by the absconding of Rowland Stephenson, a partner in a distinguished banking house, in the former city. It is stated that he has embezzled exchequer bills, as well as overdrawn on the national bank, to a very large amount; and that, with an enormous sum of money, he has endeavoured to escape from Britain-it is believed with a view to come to this country. An advertisement has been issued, with the offer of a thousand pounds sterling, for his apprehension; and the government, as well as individuals, are earnestly engaged to arrest him; but as yet without success. It appears that an indulgence in the most detestable and the most expensive vices, has brought this wretched man into his present situation.—The head of the Roman Catholick hierarchy, a Dr. R. Curtis, has addressed a reply to the letter of the Duke of Wellington, published in our last number. It compliments the Duke, even to the extent of what the Dr.'s folks might call blarney, and yet disagrees with him totally, as to the propriety of any delay whatever, in a parliamentary decision of the Catholick question. The Doctor thinks that the Duke's influence, if fairly and fully exerted in favour of the Catholicks, would carry a bill in their favour triumphantly, through both houses of parliament. A correspondence has also taken place between this same Dr. Curtis, and the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the Marquis of Anglesea. The Marquis agrees with the Doctor, and disagrees with the Duke; but at the same time urges that nothing should be done or said to provoke the Premier, but every thing to propitiate him; and that the Catholicks should forbear all violence, as highly injurious to their cause. The Marquis has since either resigned, or been recalled from, his vice kingship in Ireland. How this important concern will terminate remains to be seen. It will, we suppose, come before parliament, which was to convene in the beginning of February, and is probably now in session. All the news of any importance, from the theatre of war in the east of Europe, contained in the latest English papers, is comprised in the two following paragraphs.

"There is no later intelligence from the Continent, than has already been received here and published, direct from Paris. It is again asserted that Prussia has been tendering her mediation to the belligerents, but her offers have been rejected almost with contumely. The Russian blockade of the Dardanelles appears to be very inefficient; vessels laden with corn contrive to pass or elude the blockading squadron. Russia, says a London paper, "pays all her employès at a low rate, upon a calculation that they will make up the deficit by peculation or astute contrivances."

An Odessa paragraph of Dec. 13, says :-"The ship Standard, Captain Kanatazoff, arrived in the port of Sebastopol, on the 4th Dec. coming from Varna. At the time of its departure every thing was in the best condition, as well as on the whole line of our cantonments; an attempt of the enemy upon Paravadi had been vigorously repulsed. Some of our men of war continue to cruise on the Turkish coast from Varna to the Bosphorus. The report of the massacre at Crete, of which, from the complexion of our former accounts, we had no doubts, is confirmed." An Ancona date of Dec. 10, says: "The latest accounts from Poros and Syra, return to the subject of the massacre of the Christian inhabitants in the cities of Crete. No Christians are now left in those cities: all have perished by the sword, and all the brethren in the island are devoted to the same fate."

The supplies of grain from abroad, have reduced the price of that article in Britain, and the apprehension of a general scarcity, seems for the present to have subsided.

FRANCE-is tranquil and prosperous. The blockade of Algiers by a French squadron is continued, but is said to be inadequate to prevent either ingress or egress-A land expedition is talked of, but it is uncertain whether it will take place. We do not observe any notice of the return of the French troops from the Morea-Probably their presence there is still necessary. Schools of mutual instruction are becoming popular in France, and a considerable number are in operation. A Catholick priest lately claimed the right of contracting matrimony, under the existing laws of the kingdom. The cause came before the court royale, which gave sentence against the priest, with costs of suit.

SPAIN remains in statu quo.

PORTUGAL.-We do not consider the following as absolutely authentick, but it is the latest intelligence from Portugal, and if true, is important.

"Death of Don Miguel.-A private correspondent of the London Morning Herald, under a Lisbon date of December 20th, announces the death of Don Miguel on the 13th, attended with frightful convulsions. The greatest agitation prevailed; the death of Don Miguel, as well as the determination of the constitutionalists to break out in open defiance of his authority, are bruited on all sides. The physicians of Don Miguel continue, nevertheless, to issue daily bulletins, assuring the publick of his complete and speedy recovery. The Portuguese merchants in London fully expected from the tenor of the intelligence from Lisbon, that a revolution would break out in Portugal, and that as soon as the Cortes should be assembled, that a regency in the name of the young Queen would be appointed."

It appears that the emperor Don Pedro is taking effectual measures to apprize the European courts officially, that his daughter Donna Maria is the legitimate sovereign of Portugal-The transports at Portsmouth (England) for the reception of the Portuguese refugees, have received orders to sail at an hour's notice.

GREECE.—The southern and central parts of Greece seem to be recovering, gradually, from the effects of the Turkish depredations. The following article, from a London paper, in relation to the adjacent regions, is important.

"Redschid Pacha, of Janina and its dependencies, having been called to Constantinople, to advise as to the means of defending Greece, a great insurrection broke out in that province. Etolia, Acarnania, the mountains of Thessala, and Pindus, as far as Ochrida, were up in arms; and the Albanian Mahometans, who have not been paid, are now joined with the insurgents. Such a movement must lead to important consequences. The result at present places the Christians of Prevesa under the knife of the Turks. As to those of Janina, the greater part of them have taken refuge in the mountains. The Russian fleet which is at Tenedos is accompanied by a swarm of Greek privateers; excesses will again bring ruin upon the commerce of the several neutral nations. Nothing could be more agreeable to the Divan at this season, for there is no doubt that this abuse will give rise to collisions between the European Admirals."

RUSSIA and TURKEY.-We have no information of much importance to communicate from these mighty belligerents. Both are straining every nerve to be ready for a tremendous conflict, at the opening of the next campaign. The emperor of Russia

has written a flattering letter to his commander in chief, Count Witgenstein; but bas refused him permission to visit Petersburg, deeming his continuance with the army of the highest importance. The Sultan Mahmoud, on his part, has required every Musselman, on pain of excommunication, to hold himself in readiness to take the field.

ASIA.

Recent intelligence, by the way of Britain, represents the state of India as free from war, but not as entirely tranquil. The measures of the late governor general, Amherst, are represented as the subject of much dissatisfaction. The Burmese war, it is said, has not proved favourable to British commerce, as was expected. The cholera has proved exceedingly fatal of late. The missions are prosperous; but the new bishop has already lost his health.

AFRICA.

An English paper contains the following article of distressing information, which we fear will prove substantially true. "On the 14th of November last, an expedition was preparing by the American settlers at Liberia, to destroy a French slave ship and factory at Digby, a place about thirty miles distant, when during the night the maga zine, in which they were making cartridges, blew up, and horrible to relate, Mr. Lott Carey the governor, and nine of his people, were destroyed."

AMERICA.

Throughout the whole of our sister republicks of the South, dissentions of the most disastrous and inauspicious aspect prevail. A new revolution has taken place in BUENOS AIRES. The late governor has been expelled by an insurrection, and a new one put in his place. In Colombia, the province of Popayan has revolted, and Bolivar is represented as both tyrannical and unpopular, constantly exposed to assassination, fearful of his life, and probably tired of his dictatorship. Yet the war with Peru is going on, and soldiers are raised by conscription, and sent manacled to the army. In Mexico, Guerrero has completely obtained his object, and his rival, Pedraza, it is said, has resigned-One account states that both have resigned. The general congress was in session at the last accounts, and a better state of things was hoped for. Civil war is not yet terminated in Central America.

UNITED STATES.-General Jackson, the President elect of the United States, entered Washington in the most private manner, avoiding all military parade, and all ostentation of whatever kind. In this we doubt not he consulted his personal feelings as a mourner, as well as his good sense as the first citizen of a great republick, whose example should always go to the promotion of that simplicity and plainness of manners, without which genuine and healthful republicanism cannot long exist. We write this on the 4th of March, the day of the Presidential inauguration, and of course cannot know what our new chief magistrate will say, on his entrance into office. Our prayer is, and we hope it may be the prayer of every Christian in our land, that Almighty God may richly endue him with grace and wisdom; may grant him every qualification, and all the support, which his exalted station, and his numerous and arduous duties demand; that his administration may redound to the glory of God, the prosperity of our beloved country, and his own comfort, satisfaction, honour, and everlasting felicity. The Washington Telegraph states-"We are authorized to say, that the new Cabinet will consist of Martin Van Buren, of New York, as Secretary of State.Samuel D. Ingham, of Pennsylvania, as Secretary of the Treasury.-John M'Lean, of Ohio, as Postmaster General.-John H. Eaton, of Tennessee, as Secretary of War.John Branch, of North Carolina, as Secretary of the Navy.-John M'Pherson Berrien, of Georgia, as Attorney General. It will be seen, that the Postmaster General is to be included in the Cabinet. We learn that the President elect on Wednesday received a letter from Mr. Van Buren, accepting the State Department. The other gentlemen are in this city, and have notified their acceptance in person." Congress closes its sessions with leaving much important business unfinished, and some untouched. We particularly regret that the unhallowed post office law is not repealed.

ERRATA IN OUR LAST NUMBER.

Page 63, col. 1, line 15 from bottom, for disciplining read discipling.
for 1829 read 1828,

68,

21

S. L. R. is received, and will appear.

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

MAY, 1829.

Keligious Communications.