Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

the ranks were filled with a soldiery ready to march forth under the auspices of the Captain of Salvation and of this Society. Hitherto hath Jehovah smiled; and to you, sisters and brethren, partakers of the heavenly hope, we now look for the means of their support; and we should conceal our own convictions, did we not assert, that we are persuaded we shall not look for your aid in vain. Another year of your period for laboring has elapsed; and the solemn moment is much nearer when the account of your stewardship will be required. Mercies without number, during that period, have crowned your condition; and therefore we hope and believe, that you will be equally prompt in regarding the call of your Master, and of this Board. That Savior, who spared not himself in our cause; who redeemed us to God by his own blood; is now looking down from his throne in the expectation, that each professed disciple will be cheerful in the performance of his duty. Come for ward with us, then, and let us make another effort to obtain for him a greater portion of the heathen as his inheritance, and another region of the earth for his possession."

Donations in money, or clothing, &c. may be forwarded to Mr. Isaac Heyer, No. 24, Beaver St. New York, or to any agent or offi cer of the Society.

SANDWICH ISLAND MISSION.

As frequent inquiries are made, and some anxiety is manifested, concerning the mission which was sent from this country to the Sandwich Islands, in the autumn of 1819, it is proper to say, that the mere fact of our not having heard from the mission is no indication that any thing disastrous has befallen it. When the missionaries sailed, we hoped, indeed, to have heard, within a year, that they had safely arrived, and commenced their preparatory labors. Yet this obviously depended upon the uncertain event of a vessel having left the islands, at a suitable time to bring the intelli. gence immediately, in case the brig with the missionaries on board should arrive, after a voyage of ordinary length.

No vessel is known to have left the Sandwich Islands, later than sometime in February last; which was two or three months earlier, than we could expect the Thaddeus to reach those

[blocks in formation]

probable, therefore, that intelligence will be received from them before long. But whether this shall be the case or not, there is no ground of apprehension, merely because we hear nothing; as it is not possible we should have heard, by any vessel, which has yet arrived.

The mission, concerning which we are speaking, and all other enterprises, which peculiarly relate to the promulgation of the Gospel, will not be forgotten by Him, who has commanded this Gospel to be preached to every creature. We do not intend, that all enterprises of this kind will issue precisely as their friends may have hoped and desired; but the great work of converting the nations will go on; and it will at length be seen, that no sincere endeavor to make the salvation of Christ known, to any portion of our fallen and perishing race, will lose its reward.

PALESTINE MISSION.

As we have no recent intelligence from Messrs. Parsons and Fisk, we doubt not our readers will peruse, with singular pleasure, the following short letter, written by them, at the moment of bidding their country adieu, and sent back by the pilot. We think it just such a letter as became them, on such an occasion.

Ship Sally-Ann, Nov. 3, 1819.
Rev. and Dear Sir,

WE have just passed Fort Independence, with a fair wind, and every thing pleasant. We rejoice, though with aching hearts, that the moment has arrived, which answers the prayers of many years. We remember, and shall long remember, the kind attentions and very timely aid, of our friends in Salem; and we shall pray for their peace, while we have a heart to pray for ourselves.

We remember you, dear sir, with filial affection and confidence; and we hope you may never have occasion to withdraw your confidence and affection from us. Assure Mrs. Worcester and your dear children, that we shall often think of them. May they all be pious. Dear Sir, Farewell,

LEVI PARSONS, PLINY FISK.

Rev. Dr. Worcester.

Letters from Messrs. Parsons and Fisk have this moment been received, dated Smyrna, Oct. 28, 1820, from which it appears, that the

writers were in good health, and that the fields of usefulness were opening and widening before them. Extracts from their journal may be expected in our next number.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

A COUNTRY clergyman, with a very moderate salary, writes thus:

"I hoped before now to have been able to contribute something more to the Board; but I cannot collect my dues in any thing that will command money. I feel much concerned that others will do as I do, and not pay what they intended. I have helped my wife to send on a few dollars, &c."

The wife writes as follows: "Finding money so hard to be obtained, I have feared that the cause would suffer for want of pecuniary assistance. I have therefore been laboring all summer to lay up the few dollars I now send. I add my earnest desires that it may, with God's blessing, do some good to the heathen."

If all the professed friends of Christ would fear lest the cause should suffer? and would sedulously labor' to support it, there would be little need of exhortation to liberality.

Not long since, a letter, from some person unknown, was conveyed to the Treasurer of the A. B. C. F. M containing $250. This was encouraging. If those, who are able, would imitate such an example, the wants of the heathen would be very rapidly supplied.

A clergyman, who had recently recovered from a fit of sickness, which must have been attended with expense, writes as follows:

"I have long had a desire to do something for the heathen. But the support of a large family, with the small means which I possess, together with my contributions to various benevolent societies in this region, have hitherto prevented me."

"I inclose $12 for the year 1821, and shall endeavor to continue this contribution yearly, as long as God gives me the ability."

A letter inclosing a donation of $7 has the following words: "I have been enabled, by the blessing of God, to save from my family expenses, for a few months past, the sum inclosed, which I

send the Board to appropriate to whatever object they see fit. It is but small; but if the Lord please, it may do something towards promoting the greatest and best of causes."

A gentleman in one of our southern cities writes as follows, concerning the exertions of the youth in favor of missions:

"Our youth here have exceeded all expectation. They have public speaking on the first Monday of the month; and collect an overflowing house. I have some little speeches, written by our estimable patronesses, for the boys, which I am sure would not tarnish the pages of the best periodical works. I have witnessed their improvement with gratitude and delight. It may be ascribed, under God, to a few individuals, whose names many a little heathen will bless at a coming day."

A letter received sometime since, inclosing a $10 bill, has the following sentences:

"This sum, though small, is just double what I should have sent, had I not read the address of the Prudential Committee in the Panoplist for March last. I hope the arguments there used will have the same effect on all, who contribute to the funds of the Society."

A minister of the Gospel, in a remote country town, on occasion of remitting the donation from his church, makes the following reflections:

"It does appear to me, my dear Sir, that much more money might easily be raised, for the aid of the Board, if our churches were to come into the very practicable measure adopted by this church.

"We first voted, that we would hereafter consider ourselves as auxiliary to the Am. Board, &c. and would appropriate, annually, such a sum of money, as we should be able to raise, to the cause of foreign missions. A paper was then circulated among the members of the church, to which they generally put their names, engaging to pay a certain sum annually, as long as the Lord should enable them.

"Thus have we raised what we now remit, without feeling the amount paid; though we are a smaller church, and less able, than many others. I did think, that before this, with the strong appeals that have been made to us, the ll churches would have all adopted 2

similar measure.
ourselves, under the demand that exists,
and the professions we make, it is diffi-
cult to understand. I hope the churches
will soon feel constrained, universally,
to do something as churches, statedly
and systematically, to promote and
Kasten the fulfilment of the command,
Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature."

How we can excuseery person would give a part of his
earnings and income to promote the
kingdom of Christ; but that all the
Vices, which may be compared to
wolves, and other noxious animals,
were to be destroyed, and the profit,
which would accrue from their des-
truction applied to the great charities
of the present day.

A clergyman, in one of the southern states, on occasion of remitting money for the A. B. C. F. M. writes as follows to the Corresponding Secretary.

EFFECTS OF A REVIVAL OF RELIGION.

IT is known to all, who have paid any attention to the history of revivals of religion, in this country, that they are commonly followed by the most desirable effects. The subjects of deep religious impressions, during these interesting seasons, as well as those persons who had been previously pious, are apt to be active and diligent in communicating spiritual knowl

formed of a more happy instance of this kind, than the one described in the following paragraphs of a letter, written by a gentleman in New Haven to his friend in Boston.

"You will please accept these little sums, as a testimony of the sincere desires of the donors for the prosperity of the great work, in which you are engaged. Through the medium of religious papers we hear from missionaries in different parts of the world, and rejoice at the prospect, which the pres-edge to others. We have seldom been inent history of mankind affords us, that the kingdoms of this world will soon become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ. I have great pleasure in being able to say, that the churches in this state are every year becoming more attached to the prosperity of Zion, more confirmed in the belief of the peculiar doctrines of the Gospelmore liberal in their sentiments towards every branch of the Church of Christ-and more solicitous for the conversion of the heathen nations. May the great Head of the church give you much success in spreading the Gospel over the world; and may God speedily accomplish his purposes of mercy to the children of Abraham."

"You have doubtless heard, that some
of the brethren of both Congregational
churches have associated together, for
the purpose of attending religious con-
ferences in the neighboring villages.
[Four of these villages are here named.]
Each of the places just mentioned is
visited twice a week, by two or three
of the brethren. The meetings have
been very well attended; and a blessing
has followed these exertions.
are anxiously inquiring what they shall
do to inherit eternal life; and some are
rejoicing in Christ. Abundant encour-
agement has been given to Christians
not to be weary in well-doing.

Many

"Another plan has lately been adopt

A clergyman, in the country, lately remitted $12, which had been collected in the following manner. "A few little girls, by meeting on Saturday after-ed: that of visiting the churches in our noon, once in two weeks, and making small articles for sale, raised this sum in about three months. Should the little girls, in every parish of the commonwealth, do the same, they would raise more than $5,000 a quarter, or $20,000 a year."

SINGULAR TRIBUTE TO THE MISSIONARY
CAUSE.

Nor many months ago, a hunter, in one of our new settlements, took a wolf in his trap, and presented ten dollars, (a part of the bounty allowed by law,) as a donation in aid of foreign missions. It were to be wished, not only that ev

neighborhood, by two or three of our brethren, with the design of waking them up. [The writer then mentions visits to three or four churches, the members of which received this proof of Christian solicitude with the utmost kindness and gratitude.]

"We have another association for the support of conferences in town. There were twelve this week; one at the almshouse, one for the blacks, and the rest at private houses in different neighborhoods. On Saturday evening both associations meet to report the state of things. This has been the means of uniting us, in the happiest manner. A new impulse has been given to Chris

tians; and an increasing spirit of prayer for the continuance of the revival." Dec.29, 1820.

At the close of these statements we are happy to add, that 74 persons were admitted to the church under the care of the Rev. Mr. Taylor, on the last Sabbath in December; and that 104 are propounded for admission into the church under the care of the Rev. Mr. Merwin.

TO THE FRIENDS OF MISSIONS.

THOSE persons, who have read the various missionary publications, within the year past, need not be informed, that the missions to the heathen, which have been instituted and hitherto supported by the liberality of Christians in the United States, are now in imminent danger for want of support. We direct the attention of the reader to the following facts.

So long ago as in March last, the Prudential Committee of the A. B. C. F. M. published an Address, in which the wants of the various missions, under the patronage and direction of that Board, were explained; the variety and magnitude of the necessary expenses detailed; the pressing nature of the demands enforced; and some of the principal motives to zeai and activity suggested. This address was received with very distinguished approbation by the Christian public. It produced very considerable effects. Still the effects were not such as to relieve the Committce from serious apprehensions.

At the closing of the annual accounts, on the 31st of August last, it appeared, that the expenditures had exceeded the receipts of the year, by more than eighteen thousand dollars. Nearly all the disposable funds were exhausted; and yet the expenditures for the ensuing year could not be diminished, without injurious consequences to some of the missionary establishments, if not to all of them. The expenditures of the last year amounted to 57,420 93, as published under distinct heads, in the last annual Report. If a sum equal to this is raised, within the current year, about $56,000 must be expected in donations; that is, $4,667 a month, on an average. It is now the 30th of January, and five months of the current year are just closing. If the donations had equalled the estimated monthly expenses,

as they would exist, on an average, were the Treasury able to defray them, the sum thus received, during the last five months, would have been $23,335; but the donations actually received are $11,682 76. Of course, remittances could not be made to the several missions, in as ample a manner as was expected by the missionaries, and as would be desirable; and, unless the Treasury should be speedily replenished, it is difficult to conceive how the several missions can be saved from great embarrassment, perplexity, and suffering; or how the cause can be preserved from serious depression.

It will be asked, perhaps, whether such a sum of money, as is needed, can be furnished in these times of pecuniary difficulty? Undoubtedly it can, and with the greatest ease, provided the friends of missions will make any sacrifice. Ought it to be desired on easier terms? Let the following rules be observed, and there will not long be a deficiency of funds.

1. Let every person, who professes to be a friend of missions, immediately do something. If he can give ouly a single dollar, (and who is so poor, that he cannot raise a dollar for his own gratification?) let that dollar be given

soon.

2. Let the donation be repeated so often as there shall be need, and God shall give the ability.

3. Let every one, who is unembarrassed in his circumstances, and has money at his disposal, give with new and peculiar liberality.

4. Let the wants of the several missions, and the motives to activity in this cause, be made as extensively known as possible.

5. Let the perishing condition of the heathen be daily remembered before God in prayer; and let the cause of missions be imHe will portunately commended to Him.

doubtless bring about his purposes of mercy by human agency; but He will be acknowledged as the Original Source of all benevolent exertion; and his people must appear to be, as they really are, no more than very humble instruments in his hand.

N. B. It is suggested to donors, that time and trouble would be saved by remitting the donations and contributions of a considerable number of persons by one conveyance, whenever it shall be convenient. Public spirited Christians, in all our towns and villages, will do well to consider how the energies of their respective religious communities can be best drawn forth for the necessities of the heathen.

[blocks in formation]

THE following extracts are of an earlier date than those, which were published in our two last numbers. The journal, from which they are taken, did not come into our hands till quite recently. Those parts only are selected, which relate to subjects of permanent interest, or which are necessary to complete the history of the mission.

Dec. 12, 1818. Sent to his Excellency the Governor, through the Chief Secretary, a congratulatory letter in behalf of the brethren, on the occasion of his return from Candy to Columbo, after a successful termination of the war, and the return of peace and tranquillity throughout the Candian provinces. This event, both in a moral and political view, as it regards both the Europeans and the natives, is worthy of being noticed with special thanksgiving to the Disposer of nations. It appears to be intimately connected with the use of means for bringing thousands to the light and liberty of the Gospel, who have been long enslaved in the regions of the shadow of death.

Prevalence of an Epidemic.

16. Learn that the alarming disease called the spasmodic cholera, which has made great ravages of late on the continent, has visited this district. There have been upwards of 20 cases in a village, a few miles distant from Tillipally.*

*As brother Meigs, in his last journal, gave Some account of this disease, and our manner of treating it, I need not write particularly on the subject. I will only observe, that the disease has prevailed more or less in all the parishes in this vicinity, from Dec. 1818, to the

present time May 19, 1819. Attention to the sick has been an important part of my labors. I have often been called to administer medicine to upwards of 20 persons in a week; consequently, much of my time has been VOL. XVII.

Public Exercises.

Had divine serMore than 300 of

25. Christmas day. vice in the church. my school boys we present on the occasion, and about 100 other persons. This was much the largest congregation of natives, that we have had in the church. As we wish to overcome the strong prejudices, which exist among the natives against eating on the ground occupied by Christians, all the boys present were invited to take rice and taken from more pleasing and appropriate duties of the mission. The epidemic has had a very unfavorable influence, at different times, upon all my schools; as a great dread of it has rested upon the minds of the people, and a great unwillingness to leave their houses, or has, however, been the occasion of my being to be together in considerable numbers. It more among the people, than otherwise should have been, and of witnessing their tem poral and spiritual miseries. While I have discovered new and affecting motives to diligence in making known to these people the unsearchable riches of the Gospel, 1 have had favorable opportunities for evincing to them the sincerity of my wishes to do them good. During the first months of the sickness, the medicine given was, in most cases, made the means of restoring the sick to health. The disease has of late become much more obstinate and fatal; and as several died, who received medicine from us, many persons have been made to believe, by the influence of those, who are unfriendly to the mission, that our medicine is wholly ineffectual or injurious. They do not, however, reason thus, when those die, who, during their sickness, made large offerings at the temples, or were stretchapply for medicine for their friends, who are ed before their idols. Many persons do not sick, because they are afraid to expose themselves abroad; others, because they appear to be wholly indifferent whether their friends live or die. Of late, the notion has much prevailed, that the goddess, by whom the epidemic is supposed to be sent, is angry if people afflicted with it use means for their recovery; consequently, but few persons apply to us for assistance. These general remarks respecting the sickness supersede the necessity of making many extracts from my journal on the subject.

9

« ZurückWeiter »