life of piety. This spirit is rebuked by the apostle: "He that loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him." At such a time Christians are often guilty of an unwarrantable reliance on divine sovereignty saying we must wait God's time for the return of his Spirit, for the revival of his work. God has not promised to do that for man which he can do for himself. "Is the withered hand to be healed? The man afflicted must stretch it forth. Is the blind to be cured? He must first go and wash in the pool of Siloam. Is the sick of the palsy to be recovered? He must take up his bed and walk. They must first go and show themselves to the priest. gathering of souls on the Pentecost day? It must be preceded by a ten day's prayer-meeting. To cast upon the arm of the Almighty the labor properly imposed on us, is abusing the divine goodness. Human instrumentality is demanded in the work of human salvation. All are laborers together with God."

Are the lepers to be cleansed?
Is there to be a great in-

The churches whom we affectionately admonish have sinned in withholding a proper religious example, that others might see it and glorify their Father who is in heaven. To all the rest there is too much evidence that they have wrapped themselves in criminal contentment, because the spiritual dearth is so extensive, and that they are not farther from a state of religious prosperity than a multitude of others. To remove such evils, beloved friends, great and special efforts must be made. If we have sinned, by departing from our former love, by undervaluing the visits of the Comforter, by withholding proper religious light from the world, and indulging in fearful apathy, because religious declension is so general, if these are some of the more prominent causes of our present unfruitfulness, it is time to be alarmed, and cry mightily to God, lest we perish by the way when his wrath is kindled but a little. A great work is to be done before God can consistently restore us to his favor, and lift upon us the light of his salvation. In vain may we look to the pulpit for help. Our power to awaken the impenitent is much in the keeping of the Church. Amalek will continue to prevail until the hands of the ministry are held up by the Aarons and Hurs in the church. In vain is the ear of the Almighty invoked until iniquity is purged from the heart.

Let us not mistake our first duty it is to wash our hearts from wickedness that we may be saved. There must be mourning in Jerusalem as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. This mourning must be personal, sincere. Each family in the household of faith should mourn apart, all the families apart, and their wives apart. We cannot conceive how God's moral government could be sustained, should he refresh our churches, without their previous repentance and deep humiliation for past transgression. Nothing short of this can fit them for the regenerating influences of the Holy Ghost. "Before honor is humility."

Brethren, we close our pastoral address by earnestly recommending seasons of private and public fasting and prayer, that God would be entreated to turn again our captivity, as the streams of the South. May God shortly bring us within the reach of the promise: "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.He that goeth forth weeping bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

PHINEHAS COOKE.

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE WIDOW'S CHARITABLE FUND.

Their annual meeting was held in the North Church, Concord, June 7, 1848. After hearing the Treasurer's report and adopting it, they proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year, and chose

Rev. N. Bouton, President.

Rev. A. Burnham, Secretary.

Hon. F. N. Fisk, Treasurer.

Rev. N. Bouton, and Hon. S. Morrill, Auditors.

Messrs. Bouton, Burnham and Fisk, Executive Committee.

After adjournment of the Trustees the Committee held their annual meeting, and made the following appropriations:

To Mrs. Hull,

$20 00

Pembroke, Aug. 15, 1848.

Village,

Leach

23

13, 1806

CALEDONIA ASSOCIATION.

Churches.

Ministers.

When Settled.

Communicants.

DEERFIELD ASSOCIATION.

Churches.

Ministers.

When Settled.

Communicants.

149 8

Deerfield,

Ephraim N. Hidden, Sept. 1, 1841,

116

Epsom,

Rufus A. Putnam,

May 5, 1847,

36

73

109 1

Loudon,

Destitute.

DERRY ASSOCIATION.

Churches.

Ministers.

When Settled.

Communicants.

Dec. 1, 1841.

Chester,

Lauren Armsby,

May 27, 1846.

85 108

193

8

Derry Village,

Pliny B. Day,

Oct. 4, 1837,

43 94

137

Pres. church, Edward L. Parker,

Sept. 12, 1810, 110 145 255

J. M. C. Bartley,