Morning Star

Religious Intelligence, &c.

For the Morning Star.

The New Hampshire Yearly Meeting Convened at the Freewill Baptist meeting house in New Hampton on the 14th and 15th ult.

1. Opened the meeting by prayer.

2. Chose Eld. T. Perkins, Moderator, Eld. E. Place, Assistant; J. Meader, Clerk, and Eld. D. P. Cilley, Assistant.

3. Reports were received from the several Q. Meetings as follows:

1st. The New Durham Q. M. was reported by its clerk, Eld. D. P. Cilley, as follows. During the past year the Lord of the harvest has blessed the churches in this Q. M. with some reformation and additions. The churches generally are striving for more engagedness, and we think there is evidently an improvement, among the most of them, and an earnest cry that primitive Christianity and holiness of heart and life may be restored and continued in the church. Some of our churches for want of laborers are in a languishing state. We think an Itinerant ministry is greatly needed in this Q. M. In the cause of temperance considerable has been done. Societies for the suppression of this deadly evil have generally gone into successful operation. Something has been done in Sabbath Schools. These nurseries of piety have been established in many of our churches, and their healthful influence is already felt. Bible Classes and other benevolent institutions are gaining ground among us. The attention of our churches has also been turned to the subject of education, and an Academy has been opened under its patronage at Strafford.

2d. The Sandwich Q. M. was reported by its clerk, Br. Moses Cheney, as follows: This Q. M. as a body, may be considered to be in a tolerable good condition. Although it is not a time of much reformation at present, yet we have been favored with the outpouring of the Spirit of God, and several of our churches have been much blessed the year past. In particular Sandwich, Tamworth and Eaton. 40 have been added to the church in Sandwich. The church in Meredith also has been favored of the Lord, and a branch of 13 members at the village has united with the body. The church at Thornton Gore has received an addition of 12, and appears to be in a flourishing state. A few of our churches are remiss, and neglect to report their standing to the Q. M., yet generally attention is paid to the order and faith of the connexion.

Our Q. M. Conference has adopted the resolution of the General Conference in regard to temperance, and several of our churches are making exertions to promote this good cause. Something is being done in the Foreign mission cause, and from what was manifested at our last session there is a strong desire that the Y. M. should adopt some course to carry the object into effect more generally. We have in some measure realized the benefit of an Itinerant Ministry in this Q. M. although but one preacher has been appointed to labor as such. Good has been done, and we hope some measures will be taken to increase the number of such laborers and to provide for their support, agreeably to the rule given by Christ and his apostles. One church has been added, one preacher ordained, 2 licensed to preach—and one has died, viz. Eld. David Fisk, who finished his course with joy.

3d. The Weare Q. M. was reported by its clerk, Br. Jacob Patterson, as follows: The churches of this Q. M. are generally well united and steadfast, though we are sorry to say but few if any of them have experienced revivals during the past year. Our ministry is also well united. The cause of temperance continues to progress among us. Something is being done in the cause of Sabbath Schools, though as yet but few of the churches have them established under their superintendence. The same may be said of the missionary cause. One ordained preacher and one licensed preacher have been dismissed, 41 members have been received, 19 dismissed, 8 excluded, 8 died. Present number 836.

4th. The Wolfborough Q. M. was reported by its clerk, Eld. Hiram Holmes, as follows: In giving a description of this Q. M. we are not prepared to tell of so many wonders as others may be, but we can speak of as great a wonder. For when we cast our eyes around we see that iniquity abounds and that the love of many has waxed cold. The gold has become dim and the most fine gold changed. Brethren are cold and indifferent to the subject of religion, and some churches neglect gospel order. Therefore it is a wonder of God's mercy that such are out of hell, and on praying ground. Oh that they would remember him as they should, and comply with his requirements as they ought. But notwithstanding all our discouragements, we confidently believe there is within the bounds of this Q. M. a company of brethren that will walk with Christ in white. Though the churches generally are not in gospel order we think it is for want of constant labor, or regular preaching. Some of the churches are striving for this. There appears to be among us a great anxiety for the prosperity of this Q. M. The 1st church in Ossipee and the church in Effingham, have been dismissed from the Parsonsfield Q. M. to this Q. M., which serves to increase our courage as well as our number. Each session of the Q. M. has been well attended the year past, and we trust with some degree of good. Two brethren have been licensed during the past year, 149 have been added, including the 2 churches received, 18 dismissed, 2 rejected, 3 died, making our present number 432.

5th. The Lisbon Q. M. was reported by its clerk, Eld. Zebina Young, as follows: The Lisbon Q. M. does not enjoy that prosperity which we believe it is its privilege to enjoy, although we are far from being discouraged. Some of our churches are enduring trials, others are experiencing refreshings from the presence of the Lord. Some revival has been experienced by the churches in Lisbon, Bethlehem and Warren. 2 churches have been added to the Q. M. the year past, viz. Haverhill and Concord, Vt. We now number 14 churches, 11 ordained preachers, 4 licentiates, 47 have been added to the Q. M. the year past, 4 dismissed, 11 excluded, 7 died, our present number 863.

It appears from the reports of the several Q. M's. that there are now belonging to this Yearly Meeting 103 churches, 81 elders, 30 licentiates, and 6,577 communicants. And, that during the past year there have been 15 churches added, 1 preacher ordained, and 6 brethren licensed to hold meetings—also 682 members have been added, 111 dismissed, 37 excluded, and 54 deceased. By comparing the present No. with the number one year ago, we find the increase to be 654.

Jesse Meader, Clerk.

Rochester, June, 1834.

4. Agreed, that this Yearly Meeting approbate and patronize the Institution at Strafford.

5. Agreed, that the money arising from the sale of the estate of the late Eld. Benjamin Randall, now belonging to this Yearly Meeting, be given to the New Hampshire Charitable Society, with the express understanding that the interest be appropriated for the support of an Itinerant ministry.

6. Agreed, that the next session of this Yearly Meeting be holden in Lisbon.

7. Agreed, that this Y. Meeting recommend to all the churches belonging to the same, that they form themselves into Missionary Societies, auxiliary to the Foreign Mission Society.

8. Having considered the advice of the General Conference relative to the establishment of an Itinerant Ministry in the several Y. M's. in our connexion, Agreed, that we highly approve of the same, and earnestly pray that it may be received and carried into effect in every Y. M. But as the N. Hampshire Y. M, is very extensive, and the several Q. Meetings belonging to it are sufficiently large to establish this system among themselves, agreeably to the plan proposed by the General Conference, we therefore recommend to each Q. M, to take up the subject at their next sessions, and appoint their preachers and take measures for their support, agreeably to the advice of the General Conference.

9. Agreed, that this Y. M. highly approve of the effort of our General Conference in the establishment of a Book Concern, and of the proceedings of the Publishing Committee and Book Agent who have the charge of the establishment, and recommend to all our brethren and friends to patronize the Morning Star, and all other works published by the connexion, as far as practicable.

Meetings of Worship.

The congregation of people that attended this meeting was very large. The meetings of worship were held in a grove prepared for the purpose. The gospel was proclaimed by Elders Zebina Young, D. Marks, J. Kimball and H. Stevens,—also a number of brethren spoke by way of exhortation. The meeting may be reckoned among our most interesting seasons. Those who spoke the word enjoyed divine assistance—the congregations were solemn, and we trust the result will be glorious. After the people were dismissed Sabbath P. M. a large number still remained, when a prayer meeting commenced, at the close of which a few came forward for prayers. By the request of the people in that place, the meeting was continued on Monday, at the close of which a large number presented themselves for prayers, and humbly bowed before God, and sought a pardon of their sins. Some during the exercises; we trust, were delivered from the thraldom of sin. The first young man who volunteered to seek the Lord in the meeting, when the mourners were coming forward for prayers, with tears in his eyes, trembling limbs, and a feeling heart, arose and called on his youthful friends and acquaintance to come and seek the Lord and prepare for heaven with him. We humbly pray that God will carry on the glorious work.

At the close of the meeting of worship on the Sabbath, a contribution of fifty dollars was taken up for the support of the gospel among the heathen.

J. Meader.