The Calvinistic Magazine

of God's word have been faithfully and pointedly declared, and to nambers have proved the savor of life. But other means have been successful, particularly pastoral visiting, and the more faithful exercise of the discipline of the church.

In every instance where family visits for the purpose of awakening either christians or sinners have been adopted by the pastor the practice has been attended with happy effect: christians have been aroused from spiritual slumber, and sinners have been persuaded to attend to the "one thing needful."

The discipline of the church, though it may be a painful duty, is indispensable, and it has evidently in more than one instance, been the happy means of reviving the work of God. There is indeed no reason to hope Israel will prevail while there is an Achan in the camp, but when he is excluded the Lord makes his cause victorious.

Sacramental occasions, camp-meetings, and meetings for the instruction of persons inquiring what they must do to be saved, have been frequent and judiciously conducted.

Religious tracts have also in some instances been the means of converting the sinner from the error of his ways to the service of the living GOD.

Exertions to spread the Gospel. These have been the education of pious indigent young men for the gospel ministry, the establishment and increasing energies of bible and tract societies, collections to aid in the cause of missions, and the more general observance of monthly concert.

Though these things have not been attended to so exclusively as they should, yet considering that the synod is now holding its second meeting,that many of its churches are small and compelled to struggle with difficulties incident to our incipient state, we think much has been done. Some of our churches have made liberal exertions to aid young men in obtaining an education for the ministry. Some have taken up handsome collections to aid missionary operations, and one which a few years since did not contain forty members, has in connexion with the congregation raised more than five hundred dollars for the different benevolent objects of the day.

Effects which have resulted from these means of exertion. These have been most animating. The wilderness and the solitary place has been made glad. Zion buds and blossoms as the ROSE.

The Synod would not wish to convey the idea that the whole region within its bounds has experienced a moral renovation. Far from it. There is even in many christians too great a disposition to conform to the customs, and sometimes to the vices of the world. In one particular case the Synod heard with regret that some professors of religion had, by travelling on the Sabbath, disturbed the peace of Cherokee brethren. In other places Christians are not engaged with all that ardour of soul in the service of God, which the importance of the case and their solemn covenant vows demand.Many of them by their conduct, do not appear to feel under obli

gations to "come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Their language is "the time to build the Lord

house is not yet come."

Errors in sentiment and practice yet prevail in too great a degree, and loudly call for the earnest prayers and steady vigilence of the people of God for their suppression. But notwithstanding these lamentable facts we feel constrained to say what hath God wrought?

The number of our church and of their members has been increased the zeal of christians has in some instances been invigorated. Interesting revivals of religion have occured in many of our churches, and we have enjoyed delightful seasons of refreshing from the presence of the MOST HIGH.

In conclusion, the Synod would say to its members and the churches under their care, "brethren persevere" in the work whereunto you are called, forasmuch as ye know that your labour shall not be vain in the Lord, be fervent in spirit, united in sentiment, and as the heart of one man, be engaged in efforts to advance the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, Let the discipline of the church be strictly observed, even if it should cause the casting off of some of its members. Unworthy members are but a reproach to the house of God. Let family government be kind and parental, but firm and decided; restrain your households from all those plans of vain amusements which only feed the depravity of the heart and separate your offspring farther from God. Let every benevolent object be encouraged by your prayers and your alms. In fine, do all things as becometh saints. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

Nashville, 8th Oct. 1827.

HUGH BARR, Stated Clerk.

ERRATA.

Page 274, line 16, from the bottom: "Those who come at the call of God, he is represented here as giving to Christ. That is, they first come and are then given." Page 274, line 7, from the bottom: "Those who come at the call of God, he is represented as giving to Christ. That is none are given but those who come." In both places the two sentences have been incorrectly quoted as the words of Doctor Clarke; but the marks of quotation in each place, should stand at the end of the first, instead of the second sentence, thus: "Those who come at the call of God, he is represented here as giving to Christ." The second sentence is merely explanatory in both cases, and not the words of Doctor Clarke.

Page 275, line 5, from the bottom, beginning at the word Seldom and continuing to the end of the paragraph, is the language of Doctor Dwight, and should have been acknowledged by marks of quotation.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.

Amalgamation, Doctor Beecher on,

American Bible Society, tenth anniversary of,
Colonization Society, an Essay on,
Tract Society,