Newspaper Page Text
JOs!. S. a AKER,
A. K. MARSHALL,
New Series—VoL XVI.
Z'iic ffitistisn Eiißcv
will bo publi shed on every Thursday in the year, except two, at
ijiStJ SO, hi advance.
All liaptist Ministers, in sr< “’1 standing in tho ilenomtnation, are
requested to act :ts a gouts. in their respective lieldsot labor.
No one should he ci credited, as a traveling agent, unless he pro
duces a commissi >:i I'rotn tiie puldislter.
A;ront.: who procure five subscribers a ml pay for the same in ad
vance, are entitled to the sixth copy gratis.
fh’vrutkms will be allowed on original articles,furnished for out
col limits, which possess sufficient merit to justify their republieation
in book form. , !
Advertisements are not desired—for suclf as wq admit we shall
charge at the rates charged by the publishers of secular pa
pers.” A simple address u ill be published twelve months for $5 00,
if paid instilvnnee. or tj>lo if not paid till the close ot the year.—
Obituary and Matrimonial notices, not exceeding twelve lines
will he published gratuitously.
miscellaneous.
[From thi; New York Christian Advocate.]
“PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.”
This immortal production of the “Prince of Dream
ers” is making its way to almost every nation and tribe!
upon earth. The following extract from the Report of
the Religious Tract Society, of London, will show
what has been done by one institution to speed the Pro
gress of the Pilgrim :—
Among the languages into which the Committee:
have aided to print the Pilgrim’s Progress are tiiese : i
Languages. For the prop/e of
Europe English England, America, and oth
. er parts.
Dutch Holland and South Africa. ‘
French France and Switzerland.
*, Spanish Spain ami S. America.
Portuguese Portugal, Madeira, and other
islands.
German Germany.
Eslhonian Esthonia, in Russia.
Armenian Armenia, in Turkey.
Asia Burmese llurmah.
Singhalese Ceylon.
Oriya Orissa.
Hindostanee blast Indies.
Bengalee Bengal.
Tamil. Madras.
Marathi Bombay.
Caneresc Bombay.
Gujaratti Surat.
Malay Malacca, and other places in
the East Indies.
Ara! >ic Arabia.
South ) Samoan Samoan Islands.
Seas Tahitian Tahiti.
African Sicliuana South Africa.
Malagasy Madagascar.
Who can tell how much good the Pilgrim lias done
already in heathen lands? We might till many pages
with accounts of the blessing which lias come on bis.
labors of love. Let us look to China “In our Chinese
schools,” says a missionary, “the little girls are taught
to read in English,” and the book which delights them. 1
and for which they gladly leave their play that they
may read it, is the Pilgrim's Progress.
“It was partly through reading that book,” said a
Hindoo, “that I began to feel that the Christian religion
was the only true religion, and that Christ was the only
Saviour.”
“I feel encouraged.” writes a missionary in the East,
“from tlia very civil reception the Pilgrim has already
met with. Several respectahje Mohammedans have
read it and have asked for more copies for their
friends; One native sent me a pleasing letter, thanking
we with all his heart. Ho states that he read the book
for three nights together without stopping; that lie
never saw such a beautiful book, and be prays that
the Holy Spirit may enlighten the hearts of the Malays
to understand it.”
A missionary in Ceylon sought the aid of a pundit,
or native teacher, in translating the Pilgrim into the
Singhalese language. The pundit, who had been a
heathen-priest, was a learned and clever man. As he
sat writing out the tale, he was often so affected by it,
that he could scarcely proceed. The account of
Christian leaving the City oi Destruction very much
pleased him. When lie found tljpt Christian got into
the Slough of Despond, lie really began to feel much
pity lor him; but on the Pilgrim arriving at Mount
Jsinai, he looked very sad, and said to the missionary, l
“Sir, what man can be saved?” The missionary re-,
plied, “Let us go on a little further.” He then camel
Editors.
Tli E TR U T it, luN LGtV E .
Penfield, Georgia, Thursday, November 30, 1843.
to the place where Christian got in at the Wicket Gate,
and lost his burden at the footjpf the cross. ; The pundit:
was so overcome with delight tlyat he laOghed, clap
ped his hands, shouted, and dariked (or joy, crying out,
“Delightful! delightlul!” WhMi the Pilgrim was
printed, and bound in marble upper, with gilt edges,
the children of Ceylon we:e set u carrying it to their i
homes as the best prize they could obtain in the mis-,;
sionary school. t,\
If we look to other parts of the world we shall still 1 1
see the same kindly reception gfijtea to the Pilgrim’s
hook. “The young converts in Soutfi Africa,” writes
ja Christian teacher, “are much profited by it.” “li|
such books as this be printed,” said a Russian, “who
icon any longer put off his repenk'-nce?”
j But with mingled sadness we turn to Mada
grtsear. V/hen the cruel queen (If that island drove the
[missionaries from their stations, this book, which had
been printed by the committe of the Religious Tract!
; Society, was sent to comfort apd instruct the nalivei
jChristians, who were shut up in the caves ol the earth,!
or escaping for their lives through the dark forests ol
the country. And even when some of them were led!
forth to die as martyrs, they were firm, saying, “Now
we are in the situation of Christian and Faithful, whenj
,tliey were led into Vanity Fair;” and others said,
“When Christian entered the Valley of tho Shadow ofj
Death he could say, Though it be a gloomy valley, yet
it is the way to the Celestial City.” — Religious Tract
Society's Report.
In addition to the above languages the Pilgrim has
been translated into the Welsh, Italian, Modern Greek,
and Chinese tongues. Os the extent of its circulation
in America some idea may be formed from the diet
that not less than one. hundred thousand copies have
been issued by the Tract Society. How many have|j
been sold from the almost innumerable editions of other;!
publishers, it is impossible to ascertain with correct- 1
!ness.
l|
DEVOTING A FIXED PORTION OF INCOME
TO CHARITABLE USES.
In reading the biography of the most eminently pi- j
ous and useful in different ages, we have often been
struck with the fact, that almost all of them devoted ai|
; regular proportion of their income to pious and charita-j I
:hie uses. We will mention a few whose names are!
familiar, whose writings are venerated, and whose;
memory is precious. Among those who made a tenth
the fixed proportion of their almsgiving, was Lord
Chief-Justice Hale, the Rev. Dr. llaminond, and thejj
Rev. Dr. Annesley. Baxter informs us, that he long 1
jadhered to this, for himself, he found it too little, and
observes, “I think, however, that it is as likely a pro
portion as can he prescribed; and that devoting a tenth
part ordinarily to God is a matter that we have more:
than human direction for.” Doddrige was another in- ,
stance of this kind. “I make a solemn dedication ol
one-tenth of my estate, salary, and income, to charita
ble uses; and 1 also devote to such uses an eighth ofj
everything I receive by way of gift or present.” A
fifth part was the fixed proportion of Archbishop Til
lotson and Dr. VVatt.s. A fourth part was the proper- j
tion constantly given by Mrs. Bury, the wife of the [
eminently pious and useful Rev. Mr. Bury. Her bus-;:
band, in his account of her life, says, “She thought it
was reasonable that such as had no children should ap
propriate a fourth part of their net profits to charitable
purposes. Mrs. Elizabeth llowe gave even more
than this. “1 consecrate,” says that excellent female,
‘•half of my yearly income to charitable uses; yea, all
tliatl have beyond the bare conveniences and necessi
ties of life shall surely be the Lord’s.” Such too was
the constant practice of the Hon. Robert Boyle, of the
Rev. Mr. Brand, and of the Rev. Thomas Gouge. Os
the latter, Archbishop Tillotson says, in his funeral
sermon, “All things considered, there have not been,
since the primitive times of Christianity, many among
the sons of men, to whom that glorious character of
the Son of God might be better applied, that ‘lie went
about doing good.’ ”
The list might be extended to those who have lived
since, to many of our own age, and in our own coun
try, but these examples are sufficient. If Christians
generally were to act thus, to fix some due proportion,
and keep a separate fund for charitable purposes, with
how much more wisdom, prudence, and
would they perform this Christian duty? How often |
would they lift up their hearts to God, in devout thanks-;
giving for affording them opportunities of enjoying
this privilege, and of showing to themselves and others,
that “it is more blessed to give than to receive!”—
\ London Watchman.
i
THE MINISTER’S TRUE BUSINESS.
> It iiuot the business of a minister of Christ to seek
j|reputation as a man of science and literature, but to
*; preach “Christ crucified.” lie is at liberty to draw
from science and literature whatever helps—real not
imaginary—he can, for the prosecution of his great
work Rot he must ever make them handmaids to the
i pure and unadulterated doctrines of the bross, not pan-
J;tiers to his own pride and vanity; else he will fall intb
] the snare of the devil.
It is not the business of a minister ofChrist to shape
his preaching so as to gain the name of being learned—
talented—refined—brilliant—eloquent, {although the
more lie has ot true talents, attainments, and eloquence,
j the belter;) but. to commend the simple truth of God
i to every man’s conscience, he he high or low, rich or
i poor, learned or ignorant. If he preach so as to exhib
it himself instead of his Master, he will certainly fall
;| into the snare, of the devil, nay, he is already taken in
I
It is not the business of a minister ofChrist to look
out for himself tlie largest and most respectable parish,
where lie can quieily enter into “another man’s line of
tilings made already to” his “ilimd;” hut to enter that
door of usefulness the providence ot God sets open be
fore him, though there may be many trials and ditlicul
ties connected with it. Better is lie who, by the help
ot God’s grace, raises up a small parish and himself
with it, than he who sinks down together with, a largo
parish. Nevertheless a minister of Christ may lawful
lily go to any station to which God’s providence plainly
[culls him; but he should reruetnber that many moro
have been destroyed by the temptations of high places,
[than by the trials and difficulties of low places.
It is not the business of a minister of Christ to go
[where ho can receive tho most pay, but where he <•&:
[do the most good, lie is appointed to feed the flock oi
God, “taking the oversight thereof, not by constrain*,
hut willingly; not for filthy lucre, but ofa ready mind.
[There is a woe denounced against shepherds that iced
[[themselves, but not the flock. Yet for thiswery rea
son, that it is the business of tho shepherd to food the
jj flock, tho flock whom lie feeds are bound to give bun
|[such a competent maintenance as shall rohevoHiim
[from the necessity of wasting his time and strength in
[is ocular employments.
It is not the business of a minister ofChrist to shine
in ecclesiastical meetings—to be groat in marshaling
and munaruvering the men ol his party. True, it is
In’s duty to attend tiie meetings of his ecclesiastical
connection, and to give his counsel and opinion there
[jin the fear of God, neither courting popular applause,
nor fearing popular denunciation. But he should ever
[remember that it is much more excellent and ‘honora-
I ] hie to he “great in lh< sight of the Lord,” great ‘in feed -
[ling the llock of God, than great in an ecclesiastical
body.— Hume Missionary.
II OPE.
Hope is a beautiful meteor; like tbo rainbow, it is
not only lovely because of its seven rich and radiant
stripes, it is the memorial ofa covenant entered into
“between man and his Maker, telling us we were born
for immortality, destined, unless we sepulchre our
greatness, to the highest honor and noblest happiness.
Hope proves man deathless; it is the struggle of the
soul breaking loose from what is perishable, ami attes
ting her eternity; and when the eye ot the mind is turn
ed upon Christ delivered lor our ollences, and raised
[again for our justification, the unsubstantial and deceit
ful character is taken away from hope. Hope is one
of the prime pieces of that armor of proof in which the
believer is arrayed; for Paul tells us to take for an hel
met the hope of salvation. It is not good that a man
hope for wealth, since “riches profit not in the day of
i wrath;” and it is not good that tie hope for human hon
ors, since the mean and mighty go down to tho same
burial.
But it is good that he hopes for salvation. The me
teor then gathers like a golden Ualo round his head,
and as he presses forward in the battle time, no weap
on of the evil one can pierce through that helmet,
j It is good, then, that be hope ;it is good also that he
quiit'y wait. There is much promised in the Scrip-
J. T. BLAIN, Puinteiu
Number 48*