and which are contained in the compositions that they sing? But whence is it that, in many instances, this part of worship is resigned to the exclusive management of such persons? We have no disposition to exclude from our choirs any moral and well disposed person, though he be not a real Chris tian. But we ask, if the evil we complain of is not to be attributed to the neglect of professing Christians, and whether the members of churches ought not to feel an obligation to make themselves acquaint ed with sacred musick, so that they may perform this service in the house of prayer? Christians are as capable of this as any other per sons; and if schools for their instruction in this science were discreetly and seriously managed, they might be religiously edified at the same time they are gaining the knowledge of musick. Such schools for the benefit of congregations, would be encouraged and advanced by the occasional visits of their pastors, and a short appropriate address, with prayer. We have known a school of this kind, opened and closed with a short prayer, to be blessed in the religious awak. ening of one who is now a preacher of the gospel.

The disciple who had enlarged views of the heavenly world in vision, describes repeatedly, its ce lestial inhabitants engaged in singing the praises of the "Lamb that was slain." If such be the employment of the host above, ought we not to endeavour to imitate them while in the church militant. When performed with right motives, with the Spirit, and with the understanding also," it is a delightful part of worship. What ho ly ardour a well selected and well performed hymn has sometimes awakened in the mind! To what a sacred height has such perform, ances sometimes raised the pious feelings of the soul! Before a solemn discourse, it has prepared the

mind to receive the truth with seriousness and after, has tended to rivet on the heart the sacred doctrine of the cross. The powers of musick we know are mechanical; but as connected with holy sentiments, illustrated in the rich compositions of Watts, Doddridge,Steele, and others, its advantages to the believer in worship, are too well known to need further commendation. Let the saints feel that it is "honourable" to praise God in the songs of his temple, let them qualify themselves for this service, and engage in it, and greater advantage. and greater delight will result to the church. We are aware that the musick of our congregations is much improved within a few years, though little has been done by the church; but we do hope that all our churches wiil soon feel the importance of this subject, and take measures to promote the beauty and order of psalmody among them.

A LOVER OF SACRED MUSICK.

year I embraced an opportunity by Mr.- -, who was returning to Boston, and wrote fully to you on the subject of my views, and the spirit in which I had embraced them

To the letter I then addressed to you, I have never received an answer, nor of its having reached you, have 1, at any time, had any intimation. I therefore conclude that it miscarried.

Having at present a little leisure, and determining to employ it in writing some letters to my friends, I begin with this to you. You have doubtless, from various sources, heard the particular views refer red to above. I need not therefore repeat them here. You have also heard of my reunion with the Baptists, from whom I had withdrawn. In relation to this I will give you some information.

My separation from the church in was conscientious. I verily thought I was doing God service. I did not withdraw on party principles, nor did 1, after my withdrawment, attempt to raise a sect. During five years after my separation, I had an opportunity of testing the correctness of the principle upon which I acted, and the benefit that its operation was likely to produce. The principle was, that in the church relation, unity of sen timent in all particulars was necessary. To a very great extent, this object was effected by the few with whom I associated, and 1, trusted that it would be in time completely brought about. I was disappointed. I clearly saw too that a rigid contention for particulars, besides failing in its object, viz. perfect unity of sentiment, jeoparded at the same time the cultivation and influence of that "charity which hop. eth all things, which endureth all things, which thinketh no evil, which," in one word, "is the bond of perfectness." And that therefore, what might be gained in a nearer approach to primitive gospel order, was lost in Christian un

ion and affection, by insisting on this perfect agreement which I so ardently desired.

Having these views experimentally taught me, and being requested by the church in —, where I then resided and still reside. to state the principles on which I could reunite with them, I did so, and the result was a re-union sincere and affectionate. The principles were these, that in the matters in which I differed from my Baptist brethren generally, and for which I had withdrawn from them, I should be left to exercise my own private judgment, whilst I engaged never to advance them to the disturbance of harmony, and that in the administration of baptism, the right authority being vested in the minister, it should be exercised by myself at discretion. These views were communicated to the church, by this church, and the enquiry made whether they were satisfactory to that church. The reply was very satisfactory and affectionate. The

church readily

offered the right hand of fellowship to both this church and myself. On the receipt of this letter, the reunion was formed. And we now move together in harmony.

I have, my dear brother, shed many a tear over my error in separating from my brethren. I have mourned before God in secret that I should have done any thing to wound a cause to which I had devoted my life, and in which I have sacrificed many earthly prospects. And the painful recollection of such an act will accompany me to the grave. Yet I have one consolation, I was conscientious in what I did. I had no party ends to answer; I believed that I was acting for God. 'But I have no excuse to offer. I have no one to blame but myself. What an awful proof has in my own experience been afforded to me of the truth of Jeremiah's words, "It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." I have often thought

it a mercy that God did not suffer me to embrace some error that affect ed the vitals of Christianity, and desire to thank him sincerely for giving such a direction to my mind as to bring me back again to my brethren. I trust and believe that we are re-united not to be separated again, until by the messenger death, we shall be called to an exchange of worlds.

Thus, my brother, have I given you a brief statement of my re-union

with my brethren I wish I could accompany it with a cheering account of a very lively state of religious feeling among us; but, alas! I cannot do this concerning ourselves or any others in these regions. A cold wintry time freezes our powers. We trust, however, that that merciful God, who has promised, that to that place, in which he has recorded bis name, he will again return with a bless ing, will yet come and bless us.

THE Board of Managers of the Baptist General Convention have again the pleasure of presenting to the friends of the cause of the Lord Jesus, particularly to the members of said Convention, and to the Baptist Associations and evangelic Societies throughout the Union, a statement of what God has been pleased to accomplish, by their instrumentality, during the progress of another year: a year which he has condescended to "crown with his goodness;" "his paths have dropt fatness, and the hills rejoice on every side."

The extracts from the minutes of the Board, in the present Report, will be found to contain many particulars relative to the mission stations, which the limits of this Address are not able to embrace. Some general facts, however, it will be proper here to exhibit.

The Burman mission continues

to be favoured of the Lord. The deportment of the converts corresponds with their profession. "I have no reason, Mr. Judson says, to complain of the conduct of any." Another native convert has been added to the church. One of the converts, Moung Shwa-ba, is probably, by the present time, called to the ministry, and another seems solemnly desiring the same office. The translation has proceeded so far as to include the Gospel and Epistles of John, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistle to the Ephesians. Inquirers continue to to visit the zayat. The Siamese war, which excited many apprehensions for the safety of the mission, is probably discontinued.

The extreme indisposition of the excellent Mrs. Judson, has rendered a sea-voyage indispensable. No prospect whatever existed of her recovery, in case of her continu

ance in Asia. She was desirous of visiting America, her native land. Not being able to obtain a passage, she has sailed for England, under circumstances that will incur but little expense to the Convention, perhaps none at all. For this happy arrangement, thanks are due to the auspicious and generous assistance of the Rev. Mr. Thomason and lady, of Calcutta. She has under her care, the Board has learned, on the passage, four children, who have gone to Great Britain to obtain their education under the fostering charge of the celebrated Mr. Wilberforce. Should our sister's health be recovered by the voyage, she will return immediatly to India. If not, the Board encourage her visiting America. The path of Divine Providence is often in the deep waters; but, though mysterious to mortals, is always wise and gracious. Prayer will not cease to ascend, that she may be restored to the arms of her invaluable husband, and that they may together point the Burmans to the Lamb of God. The Board are gratified with the expectation that Mr. Hough is again at Rangoon. They have heard from Dr. Price of his arrival there, and hope that the same gracious hand that protected himself and family on the great waters, will render his resi dence in the thither India, a bless ing to thousands. His talents as a physician have begun to be appreciated.

The intelligence which the Board has received from Mr. Colman, is calculated to encourage the labours and prayers of all who are waiting for the coming and kingdom of Christ. At Cox's Bazar, a village of Arracan, containing a population of 30,000, where the Burman language is spoken, brother C. will probably fix himself. A building, whose cost is $200, is, before the present time, finished for his accommodation. Two circumstances are peculiarly en

couraging. Arracan is divided from Burmah, only by a narrow river; and, through all the country, freedom of religious inquiry is permitted. The Board has ordered the above sum to be paid, and most sincerely hope that the labours of their beloved missionary and his companion, will pleasantly mingle with those of any missionary brother, who may put his hand to the plough on the same soil, from the mission establishment at Serampore.

The mission station at the Valley Towns continues to prosper. Several families, including twentysix persons, have in the course of the year, removed thither; among other of its excellent members is the Rev. Mr. Roberts, a brother in whose piety, zeal and prudence, the Board have the highest confi. dence. The place of Mr. Dawson, in the Indian school, who has retired from the mission, appears to be well supplied by Mr. Evan Jones, who has had considerable experience in the profession of a teacher. A freshet, occasioned by excessive rains, a few weeks ago, did considerable injury to the mills which the Board has had erected there. They will soon be repair

ed.

For several very satisfactory reasons suggested to the Board by brother M'Coy, it has been resolved that the station at Fort Wayne be removed into the Michigan Territory, about fifty miles north of its present site. The Putawatomies, a numerous tribe of Indians, have offered Mr. M'Coy one mile square of land in the bosom of their settlement, for a missionary plantation, in addition to $1000 a year, secured to them for fifteen years by the general government, for the support of a teacher and blacksmith, both of whom may be chosen by the Board. The Ottoways and Miamis, it is expected, will afford equal assistance. The Board have instructed brother M'

Coy to look out for suitable persons to labour among them. Brother Hill has left this station, in consequence of the advanced age and indisposition of his father. A brother from the Baptist church of Merion, Pennsylvania, of the name of Clyde, and who is acquainted with the business of the weaver and the farmer, has, with his family, been sent out to Fort Wayne, and will continue his services in the new situation. The Rev. John Sears, of New York, a ministering brother of promising talents, has solicited and received the approbation of the Board, to become an auxiliary of brother M'Coy. In a few weeks he expects to commence his journey.

The expense attendant on the support of these stations has been heavy beyond expectation, but not beyond the example of similar in stitutions. It is believed that the drafts on the Board will continue to diminish, until the stations shall become able to support themselves. The Rev. George Evans has been employed, and it is believed with advantage, in collecting provisions and other articles for the mission. About one hundred and twenty Indian children, male and female, are at the present time receiving from the Board a constant supply of elothing and food, and are educated with care and kindness. The Board cannot suppress their most sincere gratitude, for the boxes of clothing, and other articles for the comfort of the Indian children, supplied by their respected female friends, whose example, it is hoped, will excite others to the same course of pious beneficence. Considerable quantities of garments have been transmitted by the Female Baltimore Mission Society, the Fayette street Female Mission Society of New York, and the ladies of the Society under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Bolles, of Salem, Massachusetts. In the course of the current year the

Board are anticipating the pleasure of seeing established a mission for the purposes of Indian reform and salvation among the Creeks, by the benevolent efforts of the cooperating associations in Georgia, and another near the Lead Mines, in Illinois, through the instrumentality of the Rev. Mr. Ficklin, and the exertions of the brethren in Kentucky. For an ability to assist these infant stations, and conduct te maturity those that for several years have been in operation, the Board has to rely, under a Divine blessing, on the subscriptions and donations which individuals and societies shall succeed in obtaining.

The Oneida mission, in the state of New York, who testified their desire, at the last Convention, of acting in co-operation with the Board, having stated to them, by their respected brother, elder John Peck, president of the Hamilton Mission Society in New York, the deficiency of their funds, the Board, with sincere pleasure, voted $300 to assist in the object before them.

The coloured brethren in Africa were well, when their last communication arrived. They are constituted into a regular church, and are probably, at this time, sel- tled on the island of Yonee, in the vicinity of Sierra Leone. The chief of the Island will, it is expect ed, afford them encouragement and protection.

The COLUMBIAN COLLEGE in the District of Columbia, which has risen under the auspices of the Board, and more especially by the unwearied labours of their much valued Agent, the Rev. Luther Rice, is now in operation. The theological department, in which are twelve young brethren approved and sent out to the ministry by the churches, was removed from Philadelphia to Washington in September last. On the 9th of January, in the present year, the President, Professors, and Tutors were solemnly inducted, by the