Communications: Presbytery Of Washtenaw

At the late meeting of this body at Pmckney, t appearcd, by the reports f rom the Churches, that the Lord had extensively revived his work within our bounds within a few months past. Cheering intelligence frotn the churches of Saline and Ypsilanti was roceived at the meeting in February. Many interesting cases of hopeful conversión were mentioned, and considerable accession had been made to those churches. There were alsa.at that time, indications that the coming of the Lord was drawing nigh in Stony Creek, Howell, Pinckney, Lodi and some olher places. Since that time t has pleased the Lord to make displays of his'power and grace in calling many out of darkness inio his marvcllous light. The work has been powerful in Saline, Lodi, Stony, Creek, Howoll. Dexter. Tirnea of refreshing have also been enjoyed in Ann Arbor,ter, and Pincknoy. But it is not so much ovir object in this communication to enter into a detail of facts and numbers, as to cali attention to some of the principies of the divine administraron vvhich have been illustrated in this work. 1. Zioniprnys most acceptably wlien mostdeeply prostrate in the dust. At the annual meeting of the Presbytery, held at the villnge of Saline in September last, it appeared that religión was low throughout our bounds. A humiliating view of the churches was presented, and a deep mpression was made on the minds of those present. They tnourned, they wept, they praycd.- The Lord heard the voice of their supplications: and, if not before, soon after the close of the meeting, a work of revival commenced in Saline. From that meeting the brcthren went home deeply impressed with the importance of laboring more earnestly for the salvation of souls. - The feeling was communicaied to the churches. and a large p ortion of ihem have been favored with the reviving infl uence of the spirit. 2. It is the will of Go d hat the gospel be preached to every creature. Henee he blesses not only i ts staeed ministrations, on the Sabbath at our usual places of worship, but special efforts, particularly in destitute neighborhoods, where lewer privileges are usually enjoyed. Neighborhood meetings have very much extended thevvork. in many ot our own congregations. We should not only place the gospel within the reach of our fellow men. but carry it to thcm, and use cvery lawful means by continuous and neighborhood meetings, tamily visitations. personal addresses. and appenls, the disiributionof the sacred scriptures, religious tracts, &c, tobring all within its savinginfluence. Wben these labors havo been most abundantly and faithfully bestojved among us, the richest harvcsts have been gathered. "Preach the gospel in season and out of season." 3. God remembcrs his everlasting covenant, ';I will be a God to thee and thy seed after thee in thy generation." Of the fourteen which werc ndded to a church on one Sabbath, every one bas had aprayingrnnher. 4. Afflictionsare often blessings in disguise. - Tliis is true oi'Churches as well as of individuals. In one of our congregaiions the death of somo prominent members exerted a powerful influence in arousing the church. The brethren bögan to feel thot God was testifying against theirliness, and apathy in his service. They were humbled. Thcy conferred - they renewed their covenant to God and cried to him for help. - Their prayer was heard. The work of God revived, and a goodly number werc added to the church. 5. The temporáneo reformation prepares the vay of the Lord, and brings niany to the place of rorship who had not been there for years. - t removes one of the mightiest obstacles to the opration of the divine spirit to make the truth effecual. The refornied inebríate, having found himselfcapable of self governtnent in one respect, and obtained the victory over the sin which did so easily beset him, is encouraged to undertake the inighty work of gi ving up all lor Chiist and breaking away from the slavery of sin. - Henee the gre.it numbers ofconversions from the ranks of the intemperate whicli have recently tnken place, and the revivals of religión which have so generally fullowed the temperance reformauon. Howell and Dexter may be mentioned among the places where the iruth of tlie remark has been verified.In conclusión let it bo remarked, since ilie tcmpernnce reformation does so evidently preparo the way for revivals of religión, it is plain that entire abstinence from the manufacture,tranc and use of alcoholic driuks as a beverage is not diupleasing to God nor opposcd to the requisitions of hisword; but that on the contrary, it is rccciving the most decided tokens of Iris approbation. and those persons who stand aloof from the reformatiun, or in any way countenance the usc ofinto.xicating liquors asa beverage, are counteracting the glorious work of God in revivals of religión, and endangenng the salvation of their jwn souls. D. R. DIXON, Tcviporary Clcrk. June 22. 1842. P. S.- Will the N. Y. Evangelist, and N. Y Observer have the goodness to copy the abovc roport. i