and sinners to tremble. Twenty-one persons united with the church-sixteen by immerslon, and five that had been immersed some time before. Those who confessed followed the example of the Jailor, and were baptized the same hour of the night in which they believed. Brother Tobias Grider was appointed to ride as an Evangelist. We hope the time is not far distant when the Disciples in Illinois will awake from their slumbers, and follow the example of the few churches in Shelby county, and send men into the field to reap the harvest of souls that is ripening in this new and flourishing country. May the good Lord help us to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace!

Brother W. Rowls has lately immersed about 25 on the Lake Fork of Salt River in Sangamon county. ROBERT FOSTER.

Granville, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, September 30 1839. The cause of our Redeemer is prospering in this region. On Lord's day, the 22d inst. in the congregation at this place, nine young persons made the good confession. Since that time another has been received who was formerly a Methodist. Brother D Palmer was the principal speaker. The public mind appears to have received a very favorable impression. LUMAN PUTNAM.

Georgetown, Kentucky, October 3, 1839. I reached home on the 1st instant, after a three weeks' tour. We first went to the annual meeting at Millersburg, where we remained three days. The weather was very disagreeable from almost constant rain until Monday, Only four accessions were made at that time We spent Tuesday and Wednesday at Carlisle with brethren Hall, J N. Payne, and John Rogers. Only one addition was made there. Brother Ball and myself proceeded to Flemingsburg, where we had engaged to hold a protracted meeting. The cause had never had a fair hearing in that place, and the people were not informed as to the doctrine held by us We commenced operations under every disadvantage. We had but three brethren in the place, and they were recent converts. The Methodist friends permitted as to occupy their house, with the exception of the two Lord's days and Wednesday evening. On those occasions they had meetings, and of course we took the Court of Justice for the seat of operations. Contrary to all calculations we obtained twentythree accessions to the good cause, and constituted a congregation of about forty members. who are resolved to act out the doctrine they have professed The religious folks were in the general, our opposers, while the citizens of the world were our friends and defendMuch good was done. On the very last day we gained eight additions, notwithstanding the pravers of a sectarian church against us. I was most hospitably and kindly entertained by Mr. Bean and his lady while I was there. We proceeded on Monday morning to Maysville, where we had agreed to meet brother Adams, who had been laboring there from the Friday preceding. He had immersed two aged females. We labored there together until Thursday night, and obtained in all thirteen. I then came over to May's Lick, where I obtained one more on Lord's day. Thus forty-two were added at the above places in three weeks, while other brethren succeeded finely at other places. JOHN T. JOHNSON.

ers.

Charlestown, Indiana, October 18, 1839. While on a tour through the interior of this state, I met with brothers John and Jacob Wright, in Jackson county,9 miles south of the county seat, on Monday the 31st ultimo; where, on the Saturday and Lord's day previous they had immersed about six persons. Monday and Tuesday we continued preaching to the people, which resulted in an addition of seventeen, making in all twenty-three. Two weeks previous to this, however, breth ren John and Jacob Wright had, at a protracted meeting at the same place, immersed eighteen-whole number at both meetings forty-one.

On Tuesday night brother Jacob Wright and myself commenched preaching in Brownstown, (the county seat.) On Wednesday night we addressed them again; but on Thers day night, from previous appointment, the house was occupied by a Methodist Episcopal preacher, and on Friday he delivered two discourses ou baptism. On Saturday I delivered an address in reply to uis efforts on baptism, with good effect. Early on Lord's day morn ing I was informed that we denied the "operation of the Holy Spirit." At 11 o'clock I delivered a discourse on that subject, at the close of which five or six made the good confession. We continued proclaiming the gospel, day and night, until Thursday morning, 10 o'clock; enlisting in all 38 or 39 willing converts, of as respectable citizens as that coun try affords. Before leaving we constituled a church of about 48 members, including several brethren in the vicinity of the place. Bless the Lord, the gospel is triumphing gloriously. May the good Lord bless the young disciples! M. COLE.

Norton, Portuge county, Ohio, December 11, 1839. Last evening I baptized two persons; one of them was a Methodist preacher, by the name of Moore, who lately moved into our neighborhood, a most bitter enemy to the Disciples. He came out to hear me one evening, calculating to oppose me if I did not preach to suit him; but he received a death-wound. He immediately desisted preaching for seven weeks Since that time he has been a diligent student of the Bible, and the result was that he came and asked me to baptize him. There is no small stir among the people here. He has been a preacher among the Methodists for 11 years-riding the circuit for a number of years. He bids fair to be a useful man in the kingdom of Jesus Christ our Lord. A. B. GREEN.

Boone county. Missouri, October 20, 1839. On Friday the 11th inst, our annual meeting commenced in Fulton; it was numerously attended by the brethren and sisters, besides vast crowds of friends, who generally listened with deep interest and attention. The brethren generally dispersed on Monday, but the meeting continued until Tuesday. Six confessed and submitted to Jesus, and many others seemed to be almost persuaded to be Christians. The churches in the counties of Callaway, Boon, Howard, Randolph, Monroe, Audrain, and Cole, have had about 4:0 additions during the past year, and the number of their members are about 1800. The Methodists were kind enough to open their meeting-house for our accommodation. The preachers who were present at the meeting were B. W Stone, J. P. Lancaster, S F Jones, M. P. Wills, W Woodson, Jos. Coons, A Rice, Ja. Coons, D. Daviess, Douglass, T. M. Allen, W. White and W. Reed.

Several preachers in the above mentioned counties did not attend the meeting; it is to he hoped that inore punctuality on their part will hereafter be found. The next annual meeting is appointed to be held in Fayette, Howard county, and is to commence on Friday before the first Lord's day in October. 1840.

Either verbal or written communications were received from the following churches, viz

Churches.

County.

No.of Members.

Increase last year.

32

5 Columbia,

Boon,

91

6 Persia,

7 Bear Creek,

29 Shelbyville,

17

30 Red Top,

The information from some of the churches was rather imperfect. Should there be errors, it is hoped the friends will correct them. Trusting the above information will be acceptable to the Christian public, it is respectfully submitted. T. M. ALLEN. Bourbon county, Kentucky, October 2, 1839

I have just closed a meeting in Trimble county, two miles from Madison, Indiana, on the Kentucky side: where I found a company of some 25 disciples, having lately consti tufed themselves into a church upon the Book. I obtained a hearing for thirteen days in succession, in conjunction with brother Newton Short, of Indiana, who joined me the day after the meeting commenced. We succeeded in adding 51 soldiers to the army of the faithful-35 by confession and immersion, and the balance from the sects. Bless the Lord that the truth is his mighty power in converting sinuers! and the people are begin. ning to see it and feel it. May the Lord give you great consolation in hearing and seeing the triumphs of his word is the prayer of your unworthy fellow-laborer in the Lord s vinayard. CURTIS J. SMITH.

Shade Township, Somerset County, Pa. September 21, 1839. We regret that we have never given you any knowledge of our little body. We have been very much refreshed by a visit from brother George H Caldwell. We commenced a meeting on Saturday the 14th inst. which continued till Thursday following; during which time twenty-five made the good confession, and were immersed into Jesus as their lawgiver. We number at this time 64, and still prospects are good. We have continued to meet on every Lord's day to attend to the apostolic teaching. We rejoice, dear brother, that the cause of truth progresses even here near the mountains. We have no Elders set apart.

SAMUEL HUNTER,
JOHN BERKBELE.

Wellsville, Ohio, October 28, 1839. I give you an account of the advancement of the good cause in Columbiana county:On the third Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of the preent month, brother Vanvores and myself held a meeting at Hanover, in this county, where fourteen persons renounced sin and obeyed the Lord of life and glory. The cause is truly gaining ground in that region At the same time brethren Bosworth and Henry held a meeting at Fairfield, at which nineteen obeyed in baptism. A few days previous to the above meetings brother Vanvorhes immersed eight persons at Franklin, in Carroll county; and the same brother lately immersed nine in the neighborhood of Wellsville.

MAHLON MARTIN.

Postscript Brethren Bosworth and Vanvores held a meeting at Norristown, nine miles south of Hanover, on the Lord's day before the meeting at Hanover; at which ten were immersed.

Austintown, Ohio, December 5, 1839.

I take this opportunity to inform you that I set out in the month of October last, to hold a few meetings with the brethren in this part of the world, and had the misfortune to have my ankle bone put out of place the very first day. Our first meeting was in Fair. field, Columbiana county. Brother Bosworth was present. Nineteen obeyed the gospel. The second meeting was in Sharon, and ten obeyed The third was in Hartford, where six obeyed. The fourth was in Southington, where eleven obeyed and two received on confession, and five were added to our congregation since the third Lord's day in October. So from the above date I have seen fifty three confess the Lori.

Brother Hartzell was at Sharon; Brother Applegate at Hartford; and brother Brocket at Southington, But as Job once said to some friends, Miserable preachers are we all! Could we have had one good proclaimer, such as some of whom our brethren in Kentucky speak, we might have converted a thousand.

JOHN HENRY.

Brother Henry, of Ohio, once objected to giving any account of his labors, or of those of the brethren with him, because of the various commendations and encomiums giveм to the talents and eloquence of men in other regions, and has taken the above method to reprove this error. I have no doubt he is correct in his views. "Who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you have believed, as the Lord gave to every man?` There have been too many allusions to great men and great talents It is disgusting to many sensible, pious, and excellent persons, and a great snare to young men. I know more than a simple plurality of young men whom I have injured in this way. They soon becane proud, dogmatical, and lifted up beyond measure I have been severely chastised for it, and will endeavor to amend my ways in this particular.

But this is but half the error. The puffing business is not confined to the press. It is the burthen of table-talk, of fire-side parlance among the brethren, and even on the Lord's day there is sometimes more said about the good preacher, and the fine speech, than about the piety, the morality, and the excellency of the Christian doctrine and manner of life.

This being the beginning of the year 1840, I propose to speak much more about the exemplary piety, morality, and general amiability of our fellow-laborers, than of their fine talents and eloquent sermons; and thus to give more glory to God, and less honor to man. The treasure is still in earthly vessels, that the excellency of the power might be of God, and not of men. A. C.

North Middletown, Kentucky, December 8, 1839.

In my letter to you, dated the 27th September, containing statistical information rela. tive to the churches and Christians in this county, and published on page 552, No, 11; vol. 3d. M. H. new series; from misrepresentation I have erred in one or two important points. First, I must add an additional church to the number already reported in the countynamely:

Antioch-members, about 100; El'ers, John Giltner and William Brown; Deacons, Peter Trontman, Jacob Hutzell, George Harp, and John M. Taylor; Preacher, John A. Gano.

Dacons at Cooper's Run, William Stamps. William Barton. Stephen L. and Charles T. Garrard. Officers at Leesburg, are Elders Joseph Wasson, Junes M'Hatton, Paschal Tristly and William McMillan. Deacons, Lewis Coppage, James H. Shropshire, Wm. Bodkin, James Arnet and John D. Thomas.

At Union, Elders George W. Williams and J. E Gano. Deacons, Thompson Ware, J. Sidner, James Hurst and Samuel Bryant.

The congregations at Leesburg and Union have each of them large, convenient, and new brick houses, entirely their own. In the church at Cane Ridge Thomas. Bledsoe should be classed as a Deacon, and not as a Preacher.

At Millersburg it should be Joshna, instead of Joseph Irvin, He also proclaims the gospel there once-a-month. The two latter are errors of yours, and not mine.

As now corrected, the number of churches situate in the county will be nine instead of eight, and the total number of members 1535, including the half of two others, located on the line, as before reported. N. L. LINDSAY

Moulton, Alabama, November 11, 1839. There are several congregations of Christians in this section. We hope to be able to give the statistics next year. I have no help as evangelist in all this quarter, and a good door is opened for laborers. I have, in the three months I have been riding, immersed 129. Some others, perhaps 20, have united from the Baptists, &c. We need laborers here exceedingly. We have, comparatively, nothing to do but correct misrepresentations. Their misrepresentations &c are untellable, and almost incredible if told. It is with us here no more to be wondered at, that they misrepresent, garble, and misapply the word of the I ord. Lord, grant us patience, courage, &c. C. KENDRICK.

New Albany, Indiana, December 10, 1839.

Permit me to inform your readers that you addressed a large and attentive audience in our city, on Thursday the 4th of last month; again at night, at which time 7 respectable persons confessed their Lord and were immersed the sane hour of the night.

The next Lord's day brother Newton Short preached, and continued every night, including the next Lord's day, for ten nights; during which time 9 respectable persons were immersed, and two were added; making 18 additions, including those when you were here. We have had 31 additions since the first of September last

May 19th, 1835, we had 43 members. We have now 343 names, from which we take 133 which we have commended away and put away from the congregation which leaves our present number 210.

We have a comfortable brick meeting-house, 60 by 40 feet.

Brethren J S. Ashton, Thomas Vaughn, and D. G. Stewart are the present bishops of the congregation.

The disciples here are living in love and peace. May the God of love and peace continue to be with us! D. G. STEWART.

N. B. There is no other church of our brethren regularly organized in this county. There are a few brethren at Greenville who may organize soon. D. G. S.

Georgetown, Kentucky, November 18, 1839.

I have been laboring in Georgetown and its vicinity for the last four or five weeks, and the result has been an addition of between 30 and 40 to the congregations Besides this, the congregations are in most excellent spirits and order, and have assumed an imposing stand for the better. May the Lord bless you in the work of faith, the labor of love, and perseverance of hope! J. T JOHNSON.

N. B. I was at Beasly near four days, and 15 additions (as well as I recollect) were nade. The prospects were fine for more. I left brothers Moss and Enos Campbell there. I shall return with brother Ricketts in a day or so from this. Brother Ricketts has delivered several able addresses here, to the great gratification of the brethren and friends, and several have confessed J.T. J

Georgetown, Kentucky, December 12, 1839. We have just closed a four days' meeting held by brother Rickefts. much to the edification of the brethren and to the gratification of all his hearers. We had a faithful hearing, and the public mind was much enlightened. We had the pleasure to hear the confession of four persons during the meeting. Thus we were greatly encouraged to labor on. Among these was the estimable Mrs Willis, of whom I spoke to you the other day at May's Lick, the daughter of Mr. Cohen, the learned Jew of Richmond, Va., with whom you conversed while there on the convention, some years past. It was most exciting to the brethren when she united with us. May the Lord bless her and those with whom she is associated by the ties of kindred, is my most ardent prayer.

J.T. JOHNSON

THOUGHTS ON EVIDENCE-No. II.

I NOTICED in my last the popular notion that religion is a certain, or rather an uncertain, tangible, visible, or sensible something, which can be perceived and enjoyed only through an operation upon the senses or the feelings, constituting what is called a "living or evangelical faith." The direct tendency of this doctrine is to set aside, as of no value, that faith which arises from the written testimony of the Prophets and Apostles; and which, as defined by Paul, is "the confidence of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen." It renders

necessary, then, a new definition of the term faith, which does really, according to this view, signify nothing less than feeling, knowledge, or experience. Thus the words of scripture are made to express ideas directly the reverse of those for which they stand in the sacred volume.

I could not more charitably account for the origin of this view of religion, than by attributing it to a desire of securing in its behalf a species of evidence (that of sense) which is supposed to be superior to every other. The attempt indeed has not succeeded; for after all that has been said upon sensible and spiritual operations, both the subject of them himself and his spiritual guides are frequently at a loss to decide upon their validity. It requires a tactus eruditus to settle this question, and ascertain by the spiritual pulse whether or not the heart be affected. Some religious teachers profess, indeed, to be highly skilled in this way. One of them asserted lately in a public discourse upon this subject, that one of his brethren had had religion for twenty years, and never knew it until he, the preacher, assured him of it. But all do not possess this knowledge. Non omnia possumus omnes, as Virgil says. So that the matter of conversion remains mysterious and uncertain, feeling and experience to the contrary notwithstanding.

Still the opinion upon which I have supposed this doctrine to be founded, to wit, that no evidence can equal that of sense, prevails almost universally; and as it exerts an injurious influence in many cases, it deserves to be particularly examined. Men, indeed, are so little acquainted with the nature and comparative value of evidence, that they are liable to be whirled about by every wind of doctrine. Yet it will be found, upon the whole, that new systems of religion will be successful in proportion as their authors bring to their support the evidence of sense. Many there were who, at the breaking out of Mormonism, believed in it in preference to Christianity, because, as they remarked, there were four living witnesses to vouch for the Book of Mormon; whereas all the original witnesses for the authenticity of the Bible were long since dead.

I cannot but attribute much of the prevalent wavering incredulity respecting written testimony to the epithet probable, which the schoolmen in the plenitude of their wisdom have been pleased to attach, by way of distinction, to the evidence of moral reasoning. 'Deductive evidence,' say they, 'is of two kinds-moral or probable, and demonstrative.' The evidence, then, upon which religion and morality rest; may, the proof of all facts and events for which we have not the direct evidence of sense or consciousness, and of all those general truths deduced by induction from observation and experience, is by them denominated probable. While, at the same time, as though to invalidate it still more, the evidence relating to subjects of a fixed and