Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-16

- .
spirit ofheayen has directed toward the MI
series Of perishing millions, that zeal which
had been worse than wasting itself in con-
,ests between the members of Christ. The
Assembly witnessed with exultation the nj
umph of this spirit in the formation, three
ears since, of the United Foreign Missiona-
ry Society; and they now rejoice in being
able to state that the exertions of that Socie-
ty, have, at length produced mission which
from the marked circumstances of Provi-
dence in preparing its way. the spirit of de-
voted zeal which distinguishes its members,
and the abundant prayers and offerings Of
Gods people which have thus far accompa-
MED its steps, bids fair for accomplishing
the greatest and the happiest effects. A
mission family consisting of seventeen adults
aud four children, and containing two or
dained ministers, a physician and plumber
of pious persons acquainted with agriculture
and the mechanic arts, have taken their de-
parture for the Arkansaw River. with the de-
sign OF forming permanent missionary es-
Enlistment among the Usage tribe of In
dians. The chiefs Of the tribe approve and
invite the mission, and the patsrnal smiles
of our general Government have encouraged
a design so directly calculated to promote
their civilization and moral Improvement.
But while regarding on one hand the much
injured Aborigines Of our own land, the
Church has not been unmindful, on the other,
of race among US who have claim no less
imperious to our compassion and our prayers.
The Colonization Society have at length en-
joyed the long wished for qualification OF
seeing ship depart from the American coast
bearing to Africa company Of Der descend
ants. enlightened and free, and destined, as
they hope, TO provide upon their benighted
shores sanctuary both for liberty and truth.
The ship was sent out by government and
accompanied by an armed vessel for her pro-
lection. She has safely reached Sierra Lee
one, on her way to Sherbro, which is con-
templated as the site ofthe proposed colony.
The Assembly, while contemplating these
efforts abroad think it right TO add that the
condition OF slaves in several districts of our
own country is not without circumstances
which in some measure relieve the picture
of their general condition. Their religious
education is in some cases assiduously at.
tended to; they worship in the family OF
christian masters; and numbers them give
the clearest evidence Of being christians
themselves. Some of our southern churches
contain in their communion three and some
four hundred slaves.
The cause of Domestic missions continues
TO receive that assiduous attention which its
importance 10 our country so imperiously
demands. The settlements on our extend.
ed frontier, and the destitute parts of our
country in general, have received large "a
mount of missionary labor. Yet it is with
equal pain and surprise the assembly are
compelled to state that although the field for
such labors has, during the year been wide.
ly extended, the funds of The board, instead
of a proportionate increase, have experien-
ced an alarming eclension-insomuch that
less amount by one fifth of missionary SER
vice must he distributed this year than was
the last. They regret that the plan propo-
sed by the last assembly for the formation of
societies auxiliary to The board has operated
in manner very different from what was
contemplated and they earnestly exhort
the PresDyteres which have taken this aux
iliary form TO use their most as.iduous efforts
that the collections for the general fund Of
the board shall not be impaired by that ar
rangement.
We now turn to subject which awakes
The liyeliest emotion in every christian bo-
som, the subject of religious revivals. fire.
ligion be, as il doubtless is the highest int.
rest and best happiness of man, the extern
sion OF IT'S influence and the augmentation OF
its power, must constitute the most invaiua.
bic OF all human blessings. The enemy of
genuine revivals OF religion cannot be the
friend of man, and has little reason to account
himself the child of God. II is with graft
tude and aeartfeh joy the Assembly are ena-
bled TO declare that on this subject the past
has been ayear of signal and almost UMPIRE.
cedented mercy. So extensive, indeed. is
the general reg ion, and so multiplied the pc