Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-06-27

aid, continues TO mark the period 10 which
we live, and Notwithstanding the pressure
OF the times, in very honorable degree
to characterize our beloved and happy
land. Female hearts and hands take, as
heretofore prominent share 10 all these
works of love. So many indeed are the
associations throughout our country Tor
humane and pious purposes OF every
form, that charity, where it has but a
solitary Offering, is almost bewildered ID
its choice. Among the institutions OF this
kind TO which the past year has given
birth the assembly notice with pleasure
the establishment Of school lately form
ed in Philadelphia, and which is now the
third in our country, for the education oil
the Deaf and Dumb.
The Bible cause is hourishing. The
late annual meeting Of the American Bible
Society presented report which is cal
culated TO gladden. the heart of every be-
lever. That noble institution continues
increasingly TO uai,e the affection and
concentrate the efforts OF christians oil
every name, and to evince the same spirit
OF enlarged philanthropy and of vigorous
enterprise which SO glorously distinguish
the parent society in Britain. May its
means become as great as its plans are
extensive and its efforts like its wishes
know no bound but the limits Of the world.
From communications made by dele
gates from the General Associations OF
Massachusetts, Connecticut aud New
Hampshire, and the General Convention
of Vermont, the Assembly are happy to
learn that the Redeemer's cause continues
to flourish among our eastern brethren.
Many of the churches 10 their respective
connections have been visited with the
special influences of the Holy Spirit. The
Theological Seminary at Andover is rep
resented as in fourishing condition and
the spirit of christian benevolence as in
creasing.
In closing this report the Assembly con.
graduate the churches on the increasing
proofs Of the divine goodness which have
been experienced through the last year
they are not indeed without many reasons
for humiliation, especially in the preva-
ience of intemperance in some of the dis
tricts of our country aud the prevalence.
of iukewarmness in others but tho hui
man sinfulness be but too conspicuous.
divine mercy is paramount throughout the
scene. Yet, while they cannot but turn
an eye of serene satisfaction on the grow
ing strength and spiritual prosperity of
that religious society over which they
preside, they earnestly deprecate tina,
strength should tempt US to presumption,
or prosperity to pride. The extent OF our
communion, while it necessarily increases
our influence as body, exposes us to
many counteryailipg evils. II the demon
of party should ever haunt our councils !;
if sectional jealousies should hereafter a.
rise TO divide our strength; if, 10 wordy |
contest about what the gospel is, We should
forget the charity aud lose the influence Of
the gospel itself; or if, in seeking charity |
We sacrifice truth this church, great.
and wide and flourishing as it is, may
become a great and wide desolation, a
spiritual ruin; wasted by error, aud d.
lapidated by decay, our children may
have to lift up their hands over its de-
parted glory and exclaim, Alas, that
great city - That this melancholy fate
"a fate which has already passed on many
a church as confident of perpetuity as we
can be) shall never be the lot of the Pres
byterian church 10 these United States,
the assembly confidently hope; but their
hope rests not on men but on God. The
period Of the world, the voice of prophecy,
the aspects Of providence, the relative
situation Of our country, all seem unitedly
TO point to future glory of Zion upon
our shores yet in the soul-cheeriug pros
pect. let us not forget present duty, nor
lose sight of our absolute dependence
upon God; but with meek hope aud chas-
tened joy, let US watch, let us labour, but
above all let US pray.
Published by order of the General AS
sembly.-Attest,
WILLIAM NELL, Stated Clerk.