groes of the West Indies has a peculiar claim to the countenance and support of the public; and that it is a subject of the highest satisfaction, that the advantages, personal and social, which have resulted from extending to the slave population of our colonies the benefits of Christian instruction by means of Missionaries, are now so obvious, that even in the colonies themselves the dispositions to favour such enterprize is becoming more decided and general.

On the Motion of the Rev. J. Gaulter, of Rochester; seconded by the Rev. W. Davies, from Sierra Leone; That the Commercial Christian Nations of Europe, owe it, in reparation for the wrongs inflicted upon Africa, to endeavour the civilization and christianizing of the natives of that continent; and that this Meeting approves of the two Wesleyan Missions in West and South Africa; which, though but in their infancy, promise an important co-operation with those of other religious bodies in the prosecution of these great objects.

On the Motion of the Rev. Walter Griffith, of Bristol: seconded by the Rev. R. Watson, of London; That this Meeting has received, with great satisfaction, the report of the Committee as to the state and prospects of the Mission to the Island of Ceylon and that the Missionaries there have a just claim upon the approbation of the friends of Missions at home, for their great exertions in the establishment of the Printing Office at Colombo-of the Native Schools in several districts of that Island;--for their active co-operation with the Missionaries of other denominations, and the Clergy, in translating the Scriptures into the languages and dialects of the Island; and for the preparations they have made to establish the regular exercise of the Christian ministry among the Portuguese, the native Christians, and the Pagan inhabitants of that Island.

On the Motion of the Rev. Adam Clarke, L.L. D. seconded by L. Haslope, Esq. of London; That the most cordial thanks of this Meeting be given to the Honourable Sir Alexander Johnston, for his truly Christian and condescending attentions to the Wesleyan Missionaries in Ceylon; for his constant patronage of their object, to communicate the blessings of Christianity to the natives of that Island, from the commencement of their Mission; and for the valuable counsels with which he has, at various times, assisted them in the prosecution of their labours.

On the motion of the Rev. J. Bunting, A. M. seconded by J. Bulmer, Esq. of London; That though this Meeting rejoices that this Society has fixed a Missionary at Bombay, and another at Madras, yet the consideration of the millions who in India remain under the influence of a vain, criminal, and vicious

superstition, equally fatal to the social happiness of the people in that country, and endangering to their religious interests, renders it highly desirable, that the Methodist body should increase the numbers of its Missionaries to that interesting part of the world; and the Meeting pledges itself to new exertions to raise the pecuniary supplies necessary for the enlargement of the Mission to India.

REVIVAL OF RELIGION ON SCIOTO DISTRICT, (OHIO.)

DEAR BRETHREN,

Chillicothe, April 22, 1819.

In compliance with your request, I send the inclosed narrative of the revival with which the Lord has mercifully visited this town. It was drawn up by our worthy brother W. who is himself a subject of the late work, and an ornament to his profession. He, with a number more, have formed themselves into bands, many of whom profess to have obtained the precious gift of sanctification. The blessed work of grace in this town is still progressing; although within a few weeks past not many have been added to the Church. The believers are pressing after all the mind that was in Christ. We view this as the most important season for maturing in the duties of religion, those lately brought into the school of Christ.

Every circuit in this District (Scioto) is favoured with an outpouring of the blessed Spirit. Very many are "fleeing to the strong hold for refuge," and "laying hold on the hope set before them." The refreshing gales of divine grace are felt in almost every worshipping assembly. Infidelity shrinks into darkness before the illuminating rays of the gospel of Christ, and covers its deformed face.

Camp-meetings have been rendered a great blessing to this country, especially during the last season. Permit me to give you a short account of one which was held in August last, near Portsmouth, at the junction of the Scioto and Ohio rivers, fortyfive miles south of this town. The ground was well chosen and delightful; and the preparations were entered into in the name of God, with solemn prayer. Never shall I forget the solemn feelings of my soul on the impressive occasion, when the preachers were introduced into their tent. After a profound pause of a few moments, a short exhortation, and entering into covenant, we bowed before the Lord, and gave ourselves into his hands for direction and protection. The meeting commenced with a sermon on Micah vi. 6. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord? The Lord gave us gracious intimations of what we might expect if we continued in the faith. As there is such a diversity expect. II.

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in the human character, as to the construction and temperament of their minds and dispositions, which is rendered even more so by education; the congregation was exhorted to attend particularly to their religious impressions; and that when the mourners were invited to the altar, those who found by experience that loud praying and singing and much noise destroyed their devotional feelings, and lessened their convictions, were advised to retire into the grove, after preaching was over, and seek God in secret. Many tried the experiment. The lonely valley soon became vocal with bitter lamentations; and although they could not hear the cries of each other, they could not refrain their own. Many were thus converted in the woods, and, like the grateful leper, returned to the camp glorifying God. As an instance, among many others, of " the power of God to salvation," I will mention the conversion of a noted deist, who had lately been convinced of his error by reading Sutcliffe's Introduction to Christianity. He attended this meeting with great interest and godly sorrow; eat but little, and slept less. At the close of every sermon, like Cowper's stricken deer, "he left the herd with many an arrow deep infixt." The trees heard his groans; the earth received his falling tears. Thus he continued for several days and nights, while the pains of hell seemed to get hold of him. After making, as he thought, a thousand fruitless efforts to give himself to God in prayer and in promise, he rose, sat upon a log, opened his bible to see what promise he could there read which would reach his desperate case; when casting his eyes on the sacred page, he said it appeared to him to be enveloped in a light exceeding the brightness of the sun. The first impression was surprise and astonishment, when, an instant after, like an electric shock, he received the witness of the Spirit that he was born of God. Seldom have I witnessed so interesting a scene, as when this subject of grace entered the camp in holy triumph, exclaiming, "I have found Him! I have found Him!"

The meeting was preserved from interruption or disturbance by the increasing influence of the Divine Presence and power, until the close, at which time the scene can hardly be described. Thousands who were here encamped for a number of days and nights together, but more closely united by Christian union and friendship, were now to part. What a sight! Upwards of one hundred converted have now to learn the duties and habits of religion. Hundreds deeply sensible of their lost estate by nature, just going to exchange this Heaven favoured place, for the dangerous snares of busy life. The thoughts of parting to meet no more, or of meeting to part no more, produced the melody of those groans and shouts which far exceed all description. When we for the last time marched in order round the camp and sung our parting hymn, the scene was truly solemn and impressive. The

tents struck; the waggons and carriages in readiness; weeping circles of young converts folded in each other's arms; ministers surrounded with weeping hundreds, crying out as they presented the parting hand, "pray for me and mine."

Bishop George left us last Monday for Canada. His health, owing to a severe cold he had taken, had not been good for some days. His labours have been rendered a blessing to thousands. His evangelical and pathetic sermons, together with his holy walk and godly conversation, will not soon be forgotten. I remain, as ever, your friend and

Fellow sufferer in the Kingdom and
patience of Christ,

JOHN COLLINS.

Account of a remarkable revival of Religion in Chillicothe, (0.) in a letter to the Rev. John Collins, P. Elder of the Scioto District.

REV. AND DEAR BROTHER,

Chillicothe, (O.) March 20, 1819.

In compliance with your request, I take up my pen to give you a brief narrative of the memorable revival of religion, with which the Lord has lately so mercifully visited the Methodist Church in Chillicothe.

It is difficult to ascertain, with any exactness, the time when this work of grace commenced. The first dawnings of it may, with propriety, perhaps, be traced to the unusual seriousness and attention which was observable, during the last spring and summer, in the congregations which attended the public worship. of God, in our church. From these, and qther concurring cir cumstances, it appeared evident to many pious and reflecting minds, that the seed of the word was taking deep root, and that a gracious visitation from the Lord was at hand. In the month of August last, there were a few instances of awakenings. During this month, a camp-meeting was held at Mr. White Brown's, about twelve miles north of Chillicothe, at which meeting many persons from the latter place attended, some of whom were then brought to the knowledge of the truth; and several of the old professors were much stirred up.

Judging by the increased solemnity and attention of the congregations, during public worship, it is believed that many awakenings occurred during the months of September and October; in which time a few experienced the pardoning mercy of God. About twenty members were added to the Church in the course of these two months.

At a quarterly meeting held in Chillicothe on the last Saturday and Sunday in October, the awakenings became more visi

ble. Many were brought to a serious concern for their souls' salvation, and groaned for deliverance from the guilt and burden of sin. From this time the work of reformation went on and increased exceedingly. The deep solemnity and concern manifested by the congregations, evinced a work of the Holy Spirit on their hearts.

On the Sabbath following the quarterly meeting, (Nov. 1st.) twenty-two persons joined the church. Convictions were now greatly multiplied, and conversions became frequent, and almost daily occurred. The pleasing enquiry of "what must I do to be saved," became general; and a degree of solemnity and awe appeared to rest upon the people, whether attending divine worship, or at their houses, or in the streets. The work of the revival continued to increase daily. Meetings for public worship were held almost every night in the week, and frequently continued till midnight. At every meeting, sinners were brought to a sense of their lost and undone condition, in such a manner as to cry to God for mercy and forgiveness! while believers in Christ were made to rejoice and praise the Lord from a feeling sense of his loving kindness to their own souls. At many of these meetings, an awful and solemn consciousness of the Divine Presence rested upon the congregation. Not a vacant or unconcerned countenance was to be seen; but on the contrary, seriousness and solemnity were strongly marked on almost every face. Many who had been accustomed to scoff and make light of these things, were constrained to acknowledge that "it was the Lord's doings, and marvellous in their eyes."

Although several of these meetings were of the same character, yet one of them is, perhaps, worthy of particular notice. This was a prayer-meeting, held on Friday evening, the latter part of Nov. last, at the meeting house. The congregation had not fully assembled, nor public worship begun; but while the people were sitting in solemn silence, the Holy Spirit of God descended and filled the house in an extraordinary degree- the arm of the Omnipotent was revealed in power. It was, indeed, a Pentecost. For, although it was not, in this case, accompanied with the "sound from Heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind," nor with "cloven tongues, like as of fire;" yet scarcely could these external evidences have imparted a greater consciousness of the Divine Presence, than was felt on the present occasion, by almost every person in the house. The people rose involuntarily upon their feet. Some few, in consternation and alarm, fed from the house. Deep and pungent conviction seized many; while solemnity and awe were depicted on every countenance. All opposition was at an end. Not a solitary advocate for the cause of the enemy, had the temerity to raise a finger, or to speak a word against the work of the revival; but were comi