Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

A NARRATIVE
STATE OF RELIGION
Within the bounds of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH in the United States of America
during the period of time intervening between
May 1809, and May 1810.

The Committee appointed to collect and digest
into a connected narrative, the information
received in the free conversation concerning
the state of religion, submit the
following report.

The General Assembly having heard
a narrative of the state of religion within
their bounds, are happy in having the opportunity of publishing an abstract of it,
for the information of the churches under
their care. And we begin with thanks-
giving to the God and Father of our Lord Je-
sus Christ, for that grace with which it has
pleased him to visit a goodly number of our
churches. In many instances the arm of
the Lord has been made bare; the Prince
of Peace has displayed the power and glory
of his grace, in the edification of his peo-
ple, and the conversion of sinners. Not
unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy
name be the glory. The state of the
church, upon the whole, is favorable; and
in particular parts the spirit of GOD has
been poured out in copious effusions. In
many towns within the bounds of our sister
churches in Connecticut, Vermont, Massa-
chusetts, and New-Hampshire, the Gospel
of Christ is seen to be the power of God
and the wisdom of God to salvation.
Zion is there putting on her beautiful gar-
ments; there, is flowing, with a full stream,
that river which makes glad the city of our
God: and the great shepherd is leading his
flock to the green pasture, by the living wa-
ters.

Advancing towards the south, we see
the footsteps of our glorious redeemer.
within the bounds of the Presbyteries of
Long Island, Hudson and New York,
Jesus shows that he is able to save, even to
the uttermost, by the conversion of old and
hardened sinners, of open, avowed unbe-
lievers, and of abandoned profligates. The
slaves of Satan are delivered from bondage.
and admitted into the glorious liberty of the
sons of God. In the western parts of the
state of New York, particularly in the new-
ly settled regions, the progress of religion
has been great; that desert buds and blossoms as the rose and promises under the
auspices of grace to become as the garden
of the Lord. It is mentioned, as a proof
of this, that in the space of eleven years,
the number of ministers of Jesus, in that
country has been increased from two, to
nearly fifty.

Although the revival in New Jersey, of
which the assembly made report to the
churches last year, has, in some degree de-
clined, yet we are delighted to hear that
the precious fruits of it remain; that apostacies are very rare; that they who have
the name of Christ, appear generally to
walk worthy of their vocation; and that
although the harvest seems for the present
to be past, yet still, in many places, the
gleanings are considerable.

In the Presbytery of Philadelphia, the
work of the Lord goes on, in the congre-
gations of Cape May and Fairfield. Many
souls are there brought from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto
God.

There are tidings also from some parts
of the Presbytery of Baltimore, which
make glad the hearts of the friends of
Zion.

The assembly are happy to learn that the
fruits of the great revival in some of the
southern states which took place several
years ago, still remain; that there also,
apostacies are very rare, and professors of
religion appear to have their conversation
in Heaven. In some instances professional
characters formerly notorious for their ad-
herence to the principles of infidelity and
for inattention to the duties of religion and
morality, are now found publicly manifesting their attachment to the friends and the
doctrines of Christianity.

With pleasure we have received the information, that several seminaries of learning have been favored with the special grace
of God: and some of those youth who are
expected hereafter to influence public opinion and sentiment, have become disciples
of a crucified Redeemer.

In addition to this general view of the
good things which God has done for us, it
is remarked that the Missionaries employed
by the General Assembly, and by other
missionary bodies within their bounds have
performed their services, with fidelity, and
in several instances, with considerable success. The gospel has been carried to desolate places, and the sun of righteousness
has risen with healing under his wings
upon corners of the dark and benighted regions of our wilderness. A goodly number of churches have been organized during the year past and now, in several places, there is an earnest cry for the stated
preaching of the gospel, where ten years
ago there were none who cared for these
things. The missions to the poor blacks
in our country, have also been in some degree, blest by the head of the church. and
even the heart of the savage has been melted by the all-subduing grace of God.

It is pleasing also to remark, that in some
places where infidelity appeared to have
built her strong holds, the doctrine of Christ
crucified has triumphed. The impious heresy of socinianism, which reduces our blessed Lord and
Saviour, has been also, in some instances,
considerably diminished.

The assembly cannot forbear mentioning
here, with great satisfaction, the institution
of several Bible Societies, in addition to
the one established nearly two years ago,
in Philadelphia. We thank God that he
has put it into the hearts of the pious
and benevolent of various denominations,
to devise and furnish the means of sending
the scriptures, which alone are able to make
men wise unto salvation, to the poor and
needy. And we anticipate with joy the
happy effects which, it is hoped, will result
from these institutions. It is our most ardent prayer that they may be increased, until all who dwell upon the earth, shall be
favored with the word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

The assembly also acknowledge, with
joy, the goodness of God in checking the
progress of the errors, and healing the divisions which have prevailed for some years
in a few of the western churches.

In producing the happy effects which
have been just detailed, God has done honor to his word and ordinances. As the
assembly cannot recognize as genuine, any
work in the hearts of men, bearing the
name of religion, but that which is produced by the instrumentality of truth, acknowledged and honored the truth; so they
observe an unusual confirmation of this
great principle in the reports concerning
the state of religion, at the present session.
In those parts of the church, without exception, in which vital religion has flourished in the course of the last year, the fundamental doctrines of the gospel; viz. the
total depravity of human nature, the divinity and atonement of Jesus Christ, justification by his imputed righteousness, the
Sovereignty and freeness of divine grace;
and the special influence of the Holy Spirit in the regeneration and sanctification of
sinners, have been decidedly received and
honored.

The means, in addition to the preaching
of the word, which God has owned and
blessed, are catechising and prayer meetings. And the assembly hail it as an auspicious omen, that, upon many of his people and churches God, has poured out a spirit of grace and supplication. We rejoice
in being able to say that, praying societies
have considerably increased in the last
twelve months. Let those who have been
favored with the effusions of the Holy Spirit, persevere with increasing diligence, in
the use of those means which it has pleased
God to bless; and let those who are still in
a state of languor and coldness, remember
that it is only in the diligent use of the
means appointed by God, that they can expect to obtain his blessing. We recommend this the more earnestly, dear brethren, because, although the state of the church, on
the whole is prospering, yet in some very extensive and populous regions of our country, religion declines, errors prevail, vice
abounds, and souls are perishing. Let the
friends of Jesus, throughout our land, united in one purpose, and animated by one
spirit, rise to more vigorous exertions for
the promotion of vital piety. Let their
time, and their talents, and their all, be devoted to the cause of God and Christ. God
has done and promised enough to encourage our hopes, and animate our labors.

The time is approaching, when Jesus will
come in the glory and majesty of his grace;
proceed from conquest to conquest, and fill
the whole earth with his salvation. Try
then, brethren, the utmost efficacy of prayer
and let every soul with fervor cry, even
so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen.