FROM THE

OF THE

PHILADELPHIA:

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION.

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Reprint and digital file October 5, 2005.

The featured selection documents a leading Revolutionary War politician, Elias Boudinot, serving as President of the Board of Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America.

Page numbers in the original are shown in brackets as [ 2 ]

The following begins the original text:

MAY 16, 1816.

THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, met, agreeably to appointment, in the First Presbyterian Church in. the City of Philadelphia, at 11 o’clock, A. M. and was opened by the Rev. Win. Neill, D. D. the moderator of the last Assembly, with a sermon from Heb. xiii. 17. last clause of the verse: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you."

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The Trustees of the General Assembly are,

Robert Ralston, Esq. Vice-President.

Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, Messrs. Robert Smith, Samuel S. Smith, Jonathan Smith, John M. Knight, Henry Rutgers, Archibald Alexander, Francis Markoe, . John W. Doak, William Haslett, George S. Woodhull, Robert M’Mullin,

Messrs. Jared Ingersoll, Alexander Fullerton, Ebenezer Hazard

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Resolved, That the Assembly, and such persons as may choose to unite with them, will spend a part of next Wednesday evening, in this church, in special prayer and other religious exercises; and that Drs. Wilson, Neill and Rodgers, be a committee to make arrangements for the occasion, and to designate persons to lead in the exercises.

The concert of prayer was held accordingly, and the audience -was solemn and unusually large.

Resolved, That a free conversation on the state of religion be the order of the day for next Monday.

The General Assembly in giving to the churches under their care a detailed account of the state and prosperity of Zion., find themselves affected by mingled emotions, in which joy and gratitude have the ascendency. A view of the operations of Divine grace in our churches during the past year, clearly demonstrates, not only that God is "ever mindful of his covenant with his people; that he will not forever hide his face from the children of his love, but also, that "the time, even the set time to favour many parts of the American Zion has now come." If, when receiving a particular account of God’s dealings with his people, we find, in some instances, that " iniquity abounds, and the love of some who have professed to serve the Lord, has waxed cold; that stupidity, lukewarmness, deadness, or vice, have paralyzed the arm of religious exertion, or stopped the pulse of religious feeling ;" the General Assembly feel thankful to the great head of the church, that they are soon relieved from dwelling on these dark and depressing scenes. A brighter and more animating state of affairs soon rises to notice. Instances, in which "the

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arm of the Lord has been signally revealed " to many, who had been long" sitting in the darkness of spiritual death," or benumbed by a death-like lethargy and indifference to spiritual concerns, gild the prospects, inspire with hope, encourage and animate us to wait for the Divine blessing in the way of God’s appointment, and in the use of those means which he has designated.

In noticing the events which have transpired during the past year, the General Assembly, cannot but regard them as characteristic of a new and highly interesting aera of the church of Christ. They can state, from information received from different sections of the church, that infidelity [ Enlightenment Atheism, Willison Ed. ] stalks abroad with a less confident and unblushing aspect, than in times past ; that " intemperance and profanity have become less frequent, and that a decent and respectful attention is generally paid to the external duties of piety. True it is, that this state of things does not every where prevail. In some sections of the church the people of God are mourning and in tears, because the SABBATH of the Lord is not hallowed, and because, instead of remembering to keep it ho1y, some continue to do their own pleasure, and attend to secular pursuits on this holy day! TRAVELLING ON THE LORD'S DAY is not uniformly, nor carefully, avoided; and, though, in SOME parts of our land, this sin is reprobated and punished, (and the General Assembly mention this fact in the language of commendation, and in hopes that it will receive notice and imitation,) yet, in OTHERS, it is regarded as of a venial character, and committed with but little compunction! The General Assembly advert to this, for the purpose of expressing the sense which they entertain of it, as a flagrant violation of express and commanded duty; as calculated to provoke the Divine indignation and to bring down the heaviest judgments!

It is with pleasure, however, that the General Assembly can report the harmony, the union, and the peace of the church ; the fidelity of its ministers; and the instances of exemplary piety, of fervent zeal, and of generous and devoted attachment to the cause of the Redeemer, which are presented to their notice. "The Garden of God"

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has been copiously watered with showers of Divine grace: many trees planted in it, have attained the strength and beauty of the "Cedars of Lebanon," and brought forth fruit abundantly. Amongst the MEANS which God has especially blessed to the conversion of sinners, and to the edification and increase of his church—Catechetical Instruction, Sunday Schools, and Bible Classes, deserve a special notice.

In most congregations, the youthful mind has been directed to that" form of sound words" contained in the Catechisms of our church, and thus supplied with materials to comfort and protect them in riper years, as well as to guide them in the morning of life. If the testimony of EXPERIENCE will be listened to on this head, it will pronounce loudly in favour of communicating instruction by means of Catechisms; for IT proclaims that God has hitherto greatly blessed THIS mode of imparting religious knowledge.

Sunday Schools also occupy a prominent situation in the details of the occurrences of the past year. In several portions of our land these schools have been constituted for the instruction of the poor and ignorant. The moments of holy domestic leisure which occur on the Lord’s Day, are appropriated to this laudable undertaking.— Multitudes of the ignorant and the young, having been led to the fountains of human knowledge, and taught to read the word of life, have been conducted, by their benevolent instructors, to the Temple of the living God, to seek for that knowledge by which they may "become. wise unto salvation." In the city of Philadelphia, more than five thousand CHILDREN, as well as many aged persons, are instructed in this manner. In New York, the youthful pupils exceed four thousand.—And, when noticing and approving this laudable, and (in our country) novel mode of instructing those "who were ready to perish, and had none to help them," it would be ungenerous and unjust not to award the need of applause where it has been so richly merited, to declare, that" the DAUGHTERS of Zion" have done nobly in this undertaking.—They have certainly performed a conspicuous and important part, and deserve well of the friends of humanity and religion. They have thus been the

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honoured instruments of " plucking many of our race, as brands out of the everlasting burning ;" and rendering them useful and ornamental members of civil society, and blessings to the church of God! May the prayers of the widow, and the blessings of the fatherless, attend and stimulate them to farther exertions!

"Bible Classes" have been formed in different sections of the church; and the object of their formation has been to render the young and ignorant familiar with the volume of Holy Writ: and so great has been the aptitude which has been manifested, that some of the children have been able to repeat to their instructors, at a single recitation, several hundred verses of the sacred volume.

Bible and Tract Societies have greatly multiplied in our country, during the last year. From Georgia to Maine, endeavors have been made to convey the Word of Life, the consolations and support of the Gospel, to the remotest cottage on our l)orders. They who have been long sitting in the darkness of the shadow of death—without the light of revelation,—ignorant of what the Gospel of Christ has done, and what it can do, are no longer in this distressing situation! The lamp of revelation now shines in many a hitherto gloomy mansion ; and illuminates, and directs, and cheers many a hitherto darkened soul! In the distribution of religious Tracts, (in which the reality and power of Godliness have appeared, as manifested in the lives and death of eminent Christians) as Divine blessing has been evident, and encouragement communicated not to become weary in this species of "well doing."

The General Assembly record with gratification, and heartfelt pleasure, the information they have received of the formation of an" American Bible Society," a few days since in the city of New York; and from the unanimity manifested by all denominations of Christians on that occasion, the fervour of zeal displayed, and eagerness manifested by the numerous and highly respectable delegation, which attended to combine their exertions in promoting the best interests of their fellow men, by furnishing them with the word of life—they cannot but

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believe that it is the " work of God," that it will stand, and prove a rich blessing to those who may enjoy the fruits of its exertions.

Of the benefits resulting from MORAL SOCIETIES, the Assembly are fully sensible, and willingly testify their approbation of the OBJECT to effect which their exertions are directed: and when it is stated that these societies have been instrumental, with the Divine blessing, in repressing and discountenancing prophanity, intemperance, sabbath-breaking, and other notorious vices, farther inducements need not be mentioned to those who study the peace and prosperity of the church, and good order of society, to impel them to promote their formation, and to effect their object.

Missionary exertions, during the last year, have been numerous, and efficacious. The hearts of many have been opened to " devise liberal things in behalf of those who are perishing for lack of knowledge." In addition to the missionary societies existing at the time of our last report, several new societies have been formed, and new labourers sent into the "whitened~ftelds." The reports received on this subject, are of an encouraging complexion, and calculated to excite to more vigorous exertions in the Gospel vineyard.

By the last General Assembly, it was recommended to the churches to join in" monthly concerts of prayer," to unite in earnest supplication for the speedy coming of the kingdom of the Redeemer, and for the extension of the triumphs of the Gospel of Christ. This recommendation has met with a very general attention. Christians of other denominations than our own, have cordially united with us in this interesting service. God has been entreated of by his people—he has heard their prayers;—he has answered their petitions, and blessed their souls.

Several conversions to God, in individual cases, and several revivals of religion in societies, may be traced to these seasons of social prayer. In many places "devout and pious FEMALES" have formed themselves into praying societies, and obtained in the discharge of duty— Comfort to themselves, and light, and direction for others

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The state of the church, during the past year; its growth, and prosperity; the zeal and diligence of its members; the outpourings of the Spirit of God; the conviction and conversion of multitudes, who had hitherto been "dead in trespasses and sins ;" the language of "praise which has burst from the mouth of babes and sucklings:" these have been of a character calculated to excite the strains of holy gratitude, and to cause us to exclaim, " These are the Lord’s doings, and wondrous in our eyes !"

In passing from south to north, the General Assembly find in most places, a decent and respectful attention to. the ordinary means of grace ;—and in some—a special work, and extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In the city of Philadelphia, a very animating revival commenced in January last. A deep, silent, and awful work—attended by pungent convictions of sinfulness and misery, continued for some length of time.—The good work still progresses.

Within the bounds of the presbytery of New Brunswick, the General Assembly have found much to gladden the heart. Trenton and Bound Brook have been visited with times of refreshing from the Divine Presence. In Baskenridge the Spirit of the Lord has been poured out in copious effusions. The good work, which commenced in the Academy, was soon extended to the church generally. A goodly number of the students of that institution, as well as many others, have joined themselves to the Lord.

In Morristown, within the bounds of the FRESBYTERY or JERSEY, a work of grace commenced in August last, which has been slow and gradual in its progress, and deep and solemn in its effect. It yet continues, and the number of its subjects is very considerable.

From the Presbytery of New York information has been received of a highly gratifying character. In the brick church in the city of New York, God has been pleased to pour out his Spirit, and to produce a very general enquiry. "What shall we do to be saved ?" This attention to eternal concerns commenced towards the close of the last year, and has rapidly and steadily increased from that time to the present. The subjects of this work are almost

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exclusively youth—the majority females—but an unusual proportion of males.

Accounts of a similar character have been received from the Presbytery of Hudson. In the congregation of Goshen, the revival, before existing, has greatly increased. In the congregations of Scotchtown, Westown, Florida and Amity, the marks of Divine footsteps have been very visible. Numbers have been brought to bow to the sceptre of King Jesus, and to embrace the humbling doctrines of the Cross.

In the city of Albany, a Divine influence has been exerted, and the houses of the living God thronged with earnest, and devout worshippers! Such also has been the case at Catskill.

The city of Troy, (within the bounds of the Presbytery of Columbia,) has also been abundantly watered by refreshing showers of heavenly grace, and numbers have been added to the flock of Christ. The hearts of the ministers of the Gospel have been filled with joy, and their hands with employment.

As it would swell the details of this report beyond all reasonable bounds, to give a concise narrative of all the revivals of religion, which have taken place, within the past year, in the churches under their care,—the General Assembly regret, they can only mention the names of other Presbyteries, within the bounds of which, the Spirit of God has been poured out in a remarkable manner. Of this number are the Presbyteries of Winchester, Long Island, Oneida, Onondaga, Champlain, Geneva, and Cayuga.

Whilst detailing the particular growth of the Redeemer’s kingdom, the General Assembly rejoice to find a missionary spirit arising in the breasts of the young men, who are attached to the Theological Seminary at Princeton; and they cherish a rational hope that this seminary will prove" a school of prophets,"—who shall proclaim Christ the way of salvation to perishing sinners, and consolation to the weary, waiting soul.

In connection with this subject, the Assembly have to state from information communicated to this body, the existence of a seminary for the instruction of Theological

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students, established at Hampden Sydney, under the patronage of the synod of Virginia, which, it is hoped, will, in due season, furnish able and faithful labourers in the vineyard of our common Lord.

Several of the Colleges of our land have been graciously visited, and the salt of grace cast into these fountains, from which "streams may flow to make glad the city of our God." The moral habits of the youth in Union College are very encouraging. Two societies meet every week for "social worship," besides occasional meetings for prayer. Several instances of hopeful conversion have occurred in this seminary during the last year.

From Massachusetts Proper, we learn, that the concert of prayer; the diffusion of the holy scriptures and religious tracts; the propagation of the gospel among the destitute in our own country, and in pagan climes; and the suppression of immoral practices; are objects which are cherished with great fervour and success! And we would record with joy and gratitude, the numerous and animating revivals of religion, which have blessed many of the congregations in the counties of Hampshire, Hamden and Berkshire, and in other parts of the state, and which have introduced hundreds into the bosom of the christian church. The Theological Institution at Andover is stated to be in a flourishing condition; and a society has been lately formed in that state, which promises to afford efficient aid to pious and indigent young men, whose hearts God has inclined to the gospel ministry.

The General Assembly learn with pleasure from the delegation from the General Association of CONNECTICUT, that attention to religion in that quarter, exceeds any thing of the kind which has ever before been witnessed. About one-sixth part of the whole number of towns in that state have been visited in an extraordinary manner, quid multitudes have become the subjects of a lively hope. There, also Missionary, Bible, Tract, Moral, and Praying Societies, are numerous and flourishing.

In VERMONT, " God has not forgotten to be gracious to his church." In the course of the past year, revivals of religion have occurred in a number of towns on the

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eastern side of the mountain, and also in the western part of the state, particularly in the towns bordering on the lake.

NEW HAMPSHIRE, has also been blessed with revivals. In several towns, a special work of grace has been begun, and continues to progress. Concerts for prayer have been attended, and blessed to the conversion of careless sinners, and to the comfort and edification of God’s own people!

On a review of the whole, we have reason for a doting gratitude and deep humility. " Not unto us, not unto us, but to thy name, O God! shall this glorious and gracious work be ascribed !" Many whose heads are whitened with age, who have long borne the heat and burden of the day, in the Gospel vineyard, declare that never have such exhilarating reports of the prosperity of Zion sounded in their ears, nor such bright prospects met their eyes. "Blessed then are your eyes, for what they see and your ears, for what they hear."

Let all be encouraged to diligence, to watchfulness, and prayer; to wait upon God in the use of his appointed means, and to pray for the special outpouring of his holy Spirit. Brethren, the promise is sure; wait for it; it will come; it will not tarry !

Resolved, That the committee of Missions be requested to present the thanks of this Assembly to the Rev. William Neill, D. D. for the Missionary sermon, which, by their appointment, he preached last evening.