Southern Christian Advocate

MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT.

For the Southern Christian Advocate.

BACK RIVER MISSION. GA. CONFERENCE.

To Rev. W. Capers, Secretary of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, for the Southern Conferences.

Dear Brother.--We make our second report of the Back River Mission. Since the first we have examined into the state of the Church more closely in class meetings to find out how the members prosper; and in doing so we have found some of them in the habit of drinking ardent spirits; they have promised to quit such a practice; others are guilty of trading on the Sabbath. Notwithstanding all we can do, they will act so. We try by all possible means to stop such practices. We are compelled to reside in Savannah, and in coming for us, as they have to on Sundays, this opportunity is embraced by some to act so; while others will not. Such difficulties we have to contend with. We trust by the help of God, these evils will be corrected. At some of the appointments there is not, I fear, much improvement. At others there is some prospect of doing good. There is greater liberty there in preaching the word; a greater enjoyment of religion. The children we catechise make some improvement; we try to explain more particularly the nature of what they learn. In conclusion, these people are very thankful for the word of life; and if we could be with them more, there would be more good done. That our efforts have been blessed of the Lord, cannot be doubted. We have many members who have been brought to see their spiritual condition; have repented of their sins, turned away from them and given their hearts to Jesus; received pardon, enjoyed religion, and have died happy. O what an interesting field of labor. We feel encouraged--the great God of Missions is with us. We will go on trusting in his mercy. We ask the prayers of God's people on our field of labor.

Daniel Bird.

J. J. M. Mapp.

Savannah, Ga., June 23, 1841.