Newspaper Page Text
No. 41. Vol. 11.
MISSIONS OF THE MORAVIANS.
CHEROKEE INDIAN'S.
Extract of a letter from Sister Anna Rosina
Gar'bold, Spring Place, Cherokee Country,
to Rev. B. Mortimer, dated Bethlehem,
Jan- 6, 1820.
Yon have richly favoured us, by sending
u? the large packets of tracts, and the re
ports of the American Bible Society, which
we received last autumn, and read with
(great interest. May the Lord our Saviour
bless and reward you abundantly. Many
are the proofs we might quote, with thanks
to God, to show you, how vr.ry acceptable
nnd useful these tracts are in this neigh
bourhood.
But we have more to inform you of, that
will give you joy, and encourage you to
continue to pray for our dear people. We
mentioned in our last, that our old neigh
bour Molly Vann, was baptized on the 14th
of March last, by the name of Mary Chris
tiana. On the 27th of June, after a ser
mon on the gospel of the day ; “ Jesus re
ceiveth sinnersher husband, Clement
Vann, a white man, was at a particular
meeting of our little flock, received as a
member of our church. On Sunday, Sep.
12, Sarah Hicks, sister-in-law to Brother
Renatus Hicks, was baptized, and
named Sarah Bethiah. She then brought
her infant son, to be made partaker of the
same grace, who received the name of
Abijah. Os Brother Steiner’s visit to us
you wifi no doubt have heard. Oh ! what
a treat way this, after fourteen years ab
sence from tiie congregation at Bethlehem.
We anticipate much good from it; espe
cially as he was sent just at the time, which
we may consider as the visitation of the
Day-spring from on high, to the Cherokee
nation. We are lost in amazement, and
bowed in the dust, when we behold the
wonder ofGod’s grace,now displayed among
us! Brother Steiner and his companion,
Thomas Pfobl, staid with us six weeks ;
during wfiich time, the former attended
the great council of the nation, at the new
town, and preached the first sermon ever
delivered at that place, from the 53d of
Isaiah. On the lGth of October, he con
firmed iu their baptismal covenant Brother
Vann and his wife, who, on the same day,
partook of the holy communion, for the first
time. Nov. 14th, was the solemn dedica
tion of our new church ! when it was crow
ded with hparers, from far and near.
Brother Charles Renatus Hicks interpreted
to the Indians. In the second meeting was
the baptism of two persons, namely, Billy
Hicks, the husband of Sarah Betbiah, and
brother to Charles Renatus ; and of “Susan
nah, wife of Major Ridge, who understands
not a word of English. The former was
willed William Abraham; and the latter,
Susanna Catherine. A grand daughter of
Mary Christiana, was received among
the candidates for baptism. It was a most
blessed day, which many will not forget.
By vs it will always be remembered. The
place whence these new converts came, is
not far from the new council-hpuse, about
thirty miles from hence, and called from a
creek, Obgb, gi, 10, gv. They beg for
missionaries of our Church, to come to re
side at their place. Two other persons
there, a mother and her daughter, seem
y|rlesirous to be converted. So are pthers
also in our neighbourhood. Christmas-nay
we were employed till late, in speaking
with persmij of that description. Those
from Oogh, gi, 10, gy, came hither, not
withstanding the heavy rains and severe
cold. It is the Lord’s doing, and marvel
lous in our eyes ; and we pray for wisdom,
childlikely to follow the Lord’s leading,
lest we mar this work. With our fellow
. labourers at Brainerd, and Elliot, we stand
in the bond of hotherly love, knowing that
we serve one Lord. By request, Brother
Steiner visited at Brainerd, to mutual satis
faction.
With true brotherly love we commend
ourselves, our seven Indian scholars, and
the eight Members of our small congrega
tion, with the other awakened souls hqre,
and the whole Cherokee nhtion,to the con-
Rxtinned remembrance and prayers of all
our Brethren and Sisters, to whom we wish
a mast blessed year of the Lord.
GREENLAND.
Extract of a letter from J.V other Jacob Beck,
dated Litchtenau, June 27, 1819.
My dear Brother, —We make no doubt
but the general Synod of our Church, as
sembled last year al Herrnhut, has had the
mission of the Brethren in Greenland, un
der.consideration, both in reference to its
inward and outward state ; but it will last a
long lime before we can be made acquaint
ed with its proceedings and resolutions.
Wo'could have wished, that the Synod had
resolved to send a Brother on a visit tcwis.
The late Brother Steinbergs was the last,
who, by commission of the Synod, held a
visitation here. That was fifty years ago,
when I weut with him to he employed in
the Mission, and have been here ever since.
The account 1 gave you in 1 my former
letter of our situation and opportunities to
preach the! gospel to the heathen in this
country, seems to have interested you so
muchj that 1 will inform you of our progress
herein, during the course of last y'ear.
The so called Southlanders, being those
Greenlanders that Jive beyond Cape Fare
THE MISSIONARY.
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD , AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE — Jebps Christ.
well, are yet heathen, though not quite
wild, yet such as the Greenlanders call
ignorant men, and really a heathen race.
Many of them come hither every year to
caicb angrnarset (a small species of herrings)
in our fiorde of bay. The3e fishes are
rather fatter and of better quality here
than elsewhere. Our people are at the
same place, and thus the heathen hear
sometimes the way of salvation explained
to them. Some of them are brought to
reflection, but they cannot resolve, for the
gospel’s sake, lo forsake their own country
and move hither.
There is another description of heathen
wfyo live on this side of Cape Farewell,
and who frequently join our own people at
the so called out places. These have ac
quired more knowledge of the truth, attend
sometimes the worship of the Christian
Greenlanders, and consider themselves as
good as tbe baptized, because they have
left off their old heathenish practices.
They say that they are now free ffom sin,
not knowing, that unbelief is the source of
all sin.
Last year, I informed you, that some
families had moved hither, and declared
their intention to be converted. One or
two of them left us, and staid some time
Sway, but returned again. Os these peo
ple thirteen have been baptized at different
times. These solemnities are always sea
sons of great grace and blessing. Whenev
er there was a baptismal transaction, sev
eral heathen attended. On such an occa
sion, a young heathen woman, being for
the first lime present, said afterwards:
“ 1 am now quite sure, that I belong to this
place, and even if my mother will not
come with me, I will come alone, and live
with the believers.’’
As to our own congregation, most of its
members were never heathen, hut were
born and educated among us. The Lord has
again throughout the foregoing year been
very gracious to us, and preserved among
our people a true hunger and thirst after
the word of life, that they might find pas
ture for their souls. Our daily meetings
were numerously attended. Their eager
ness was so great, that frequently when
they arrived just at the time of the evening
service, having spent the whole day at sea,
they would immediately come to the church,
wet, cold, and hungry as they were, with
out taking any refreshment. On particular
occasions there was scarcely room for the
people.
Besides those who were added to the
cliurch by holy baptism, thirteen, baptized
as children, were solemnly received into
the congregation; and ten admitted as
commanicants.
We were very much gratified hy receiv
ing a letter from our son in Labrador, and
are thankful that he is happy in his present
situation. Heis the last remaining of our
four sons. We expect the pleasure of our
daughter’s coming to live here, iu conse
quence of her husharid’s appointment to
this station. It pleases the Lord in mercy
to continue to bless us with good health,
and with willing activity in his service ;
and knowing what kind share, 3'ou and all
our English Brethren and Friends take in
the prosperity of the Greenland Mission,
we recommend this dear congregation,
amidst all its failings and imperfections, but
as a plant of onr heavenly Father’s own
planting, to your kind remembrance and
prayers,,and with cordial salutations remain
ever, &c.” Jacob Beck.
From the Missiondrics on the coast of Labra
dor.
Okkak, Sept. 1, 1819.
Dearest Brethren—You will rejoice to
hear that the Gospel continues to show its
power in the hearts of our Esquimaux ; and
of rough, wild and proud heathen, to make
repenting sinners and humble followers of
Jesus, who seek and find pardon and deliv
erance from the power of sin, in the all
sufficient atoning sacrifice of Jesus alone.
We even hear heathen who come from
afar, declare themselves now convinced,
that Jesus is stronger than their Torngak ,
a spirit, as they say, influencing both the
good and the bad. It happened lately that
a woman, who had been here for some
time, on a visit to a relation, on her return
found her husband engaged in practising
witchcraft, with a view to call in his Torn
gak, that he might have success in catching
seals. The woman immediately began to
repeat some verses which she had learnt
during her abode here. At first the man
would not be disturbed, but proceeded in
his conjurations, till at last he declared that
Jesus was strongest, and kept his Torngak
from approaching.
Most of the members of our congregation
become, through mercy, more firmly
grounded on the only firm foundation,
Christ Jesus ; and in some young people
whose conduct formerly gave us much
concern, the grace of God our Saviour has
effected so marvellous a change, that they
now desire to be and remain the property
of Jesus, and to he delivered by His
power, from the dominion of sin. But
while you praise the Lord for such a bright
display of bis goodness towards us, we en
treat you also to join us in fervent suppli
cation, that he may continue to show his
power among us, remove all insincerity,and
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.) FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1821.
make us more than ever a congregation,
bringing glory to his saving name.
During the year past, eight persons have
come to us from among the heathen : eight
have become candidates for baptism ; six
adults and thirteen children were baptized;
and thirteen were made partakers of the
Holy Communion. Four children depart
ed this life. The Esquimaux congregation
of Okkak consists at present of 90 baptized
adults, of whom 55 are communicants ; 64
baptized children ; 37 candidates for bap
tism ; 54 new people. In all 255 inhabi
tants of this place. The schools have been
held with the different classes as punctual
ly as circumstances would allow. The
scholars came diligently, and showed much
attention ; and the printed portions of the
Scriptures have been made use of with
much edification and benefit. We there-,
fore request you to present to the venera
ble Bible Society,our most unfeigned thanks
for the valuable present they have again
sent us, of the Acts of the Apostles, printed
for the use of our Esquimaux ; and we re
joice already in prospect of the great bles
sings our dear people, young and old will
derive from the perusal. For they value
the Scriptures above every other gift, and
always carry the books with them, as their
choicest treasure, whenever they go from
us to any distance ; they read in them
every morning and evening in the week,
and particularly on Sundays. They often
pray for the blessing of God to rest upon
that excellent society of benefactors of the
human race, that their endeavours to
spread the knowledge of the Word of God
throughout the world, may be crowned
with increasing success for the salvation of
many thousands.
F. J. Muller, J. Lundberg,
G. Slurinan, J. F. Knaus.
From JVain, Sept. 12, 1819.
What shall we render to the Lord foral!
his benefits “bestowed upon us, both as a
family of unworthy servants and handmaids
in his house, and as individual members of
his church during the year past. He has
done for us above all that we can ask or
think, or are worthy to receive. Wc have
just noiv had another proof of his mercy,
in conducting the new ship, with brother
Martin and his wife,sister Henrietta Gorcke,
and the brethren Mentzel and Henn safe
to our shores, after a long and perilous
voyage. Thus we experience, from year
to year, that he hears the prayer? offered
up both by you and us, for the preserva
tion of our annual communications, and of
the ship and the companies on board, pas
sing to and fro, that His name and power
maybe known and magnified in this instance
also.
We have in the year past, through the
mercy of our Saviour, lived in love and
peace,& made known the word of his death
and atonement to old and young committed
to our care, with his blessing upon our fee
ble testimony. In general we could re
joice over the state of heart of most of our
people, and have, in many instances expe
rienced, that the word of the Cross is strong
and mighty, through God, to the pulling
down the 9trong holds of Satan, and to pen
etrate into and melt the most obdurate
hearts. We adore the Lord in the dust for
having glorified his saving name among
our congregation, and granted us to know
and experience that be dwells and reigns
among us. The attendance at church has
been diligent, and without interruption;
and we might here quote many instances
of the great blessing which accompanied
the ministry of the word and sacraments,
which we reserve for our diary. We of
ten saw tears of gratitude and love to our
Saviour, or of true repentance, flowing
down the cheeks of the auditory.
The schools were diligently attended,and
we were encouraged in this branch of our
calling by perceiving that our scholars made
good progress in learning to read, and what
they read proved a blessing to their souls.
Six children have been baptized; no adult
was baptized last year, but three persons
baptized as children, were received into
the congregation ; three became commu
nicants ; three were admitted candidates
for baptism ; and three readmitted to the
congregation. Two of our most esteemed
communicants, Joseph and Moses, were
taken from us. On the same day, and after
an illness of only 21 hours, they both de
parted this life, dying in the Lord, to whom
they were devoted in life. They were
both chapel servants, and we particularly
regret the loss of Joseph, who rendered the
most essential services in the revision of
the translation of the Scriptures, having
also a very clear insight into the doctrine
of the atonement, of the truth and power
of which he had made full experience in
his own heart. He therefore could ex
press himself with peculiar distinctness on
many subjects, for which he found it diffi
cult to use the right words. He likewise
spoke to his countrymen in a very clear and
impressive manner of Jesus as the Saviour
of sinners, and continued to do so, till short
ly before his death.
From IJopedalc, Sept. 2G, 1819.
Dearest Brethren—Your kind letter of
May 28th strengthened mid comforted our
hearts ; encouragiug us, with faith and pa-
tience to proceed in the strength of the
Lord to do the work committed unto us. —
We return you our best thanks for your
letters,as they always prove a great refresh
ment to our souls. We agree with you,
in all you say concerning the unmerited
love and favour, which the Lord has bes
towed upon us and the small flock we serve
at Hopedale. His patience and long suf
fering were great towards us, and we have
also this year experienced it to be our sal
vation. Our dear Esquimaux feel the
strong drawings of His grace, but not all
of them have as yet learnt to know the in
estimable value of heavenly treasures in
Christ Jesus. Ofsomewemost say, that
though they wbulifdo good, evil is present
with them. We therefore consider such a
congregation as an hospital, under the care
of the true Physician of the soul. He binds
up the broken hearted, heals the sick, and
comforts aDd refreshes the poor and needy,
that cry unto him for help. In many in
stances, we have seen with astonishment
how powerfully .and successfully the
strength of the Lord and and his Spirit op
poses the work of Satan, whenever he en
deavours to seduce the poor Esquimaux to
sin. They are convinced of their total de
pravity and helplessness, and that they are
not able of themselves to do any thing that
is good. Some of our young people in
particular have been deeply convinced of
sin, and are earnestly desirous of being sav
ed through the power of the blood of Je
sus. They are also awakened to attend to
the voice of the Holy Spirit in their hearts,
and to have a wish to he guided by it.
One girl and six children have been bap
tized, and five persons were added to the
candidates for baptism ; one became a par
taker of the Lord’s Supper, and five de
parted this life. One of the latter was a
youth, who, standing on a piece of ice, was
driven out to sea and no more heard of.
FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER.
SUMMARY
Os late Missionary Intelligence.
Dr. Morrison slates that the Chinese are
a reading people, and from this circum
stance he derives much encouragement to
proceed in his arduous labours, notwith
standing the impediments of political res
traints, and inveterate popular superstitions.
More than five tons of cocoanut oil, has
been received and sold in England, from
the South Sea Islands, paid by the natives
for books, and by the “ Taheitan Auxilia
ry Missionary Society.” It will be recol
lected that money, as the medium of trade,
is not known in those islands.
t
The Missionaries at Malacca have estab
lished a fund for the relief of the widows
and orphans of such of their number as
shall be removed by death. The Lon
don Missionary Society, have contributed
£IOO sterling to it.
Mr. Medhurst has visited Prince of Wales
Island, and established Malay and Chinese
schools, with the approbation of the Gov
ernour. They are flourishing, under the
care of Mr. luce. Mr. M. distributed 4000
Chinese Tracts, which were attentively
read.
A Printing Press is established at Am
boyna,under the care of the Rev. Mr. Kam.
This gentleman employs much of his time
in the instruction of young men for school
masters, who are afterwards employed on
various parts of the island, in schools of
which he has the superintendence.
The Bengal Missionary Society, Auxilia
ry to the London Missionary Society, re
ceived in one year more than 4000 Sica
Rupees. 23 natives are members. They
have published 33,000 Tracts in the native
language.
In tke last Report of (he London Mission
ary Society, mention is made of the death
of three wives of the Missionaries; Mrs.
Wilson, at Olaheite ; Mrs. Mi'lne at Malac
ca : Mrs. Hampsen, at Calcutta—ail ex
ceedingly useful and lamented.
Mr. M. T. Adam, from the Seminary at
Gosport, has gone to Calcutta with a view
to establish a mission at the celebrated and
populous city, Benares.
Mr. Pearson, at Chinsurah, with Mr.
Harle, is diligently and successfully engag
ed in supporting numerous schools—into
two of them, the “ British system” has been
introduced,with advantage. Mr. P. says,
that “ the cause of Education excites a de.ep
interest in t hat part of India, and that Chin
surah is highly eligible as a permanent mis
sionary station.”
At Vizagaphtam are four native schools,
and one English School, well attended.—
Scholars about 100. The Scriptures are
read—the preaching of the Gospel is heard
with attention, and the learned natives dis
cuss the various topieks of tiie Christian
religion in an interesting manner.
In Beilary, are 14 schools, in one of
which there are about 70 children—be
sides a Sabbath school and one for adults.
Price $ J 3 ’ so P r - *”"• or > l
’ i $3,00 in advance. >
4n Auxiliary Bible Society here, raised
nearly £2OO in 13 months. An Auxiliary
Missionary Society, £45 —a Tract Society,
£24 —7000 Tracts have been
the missionaries say they could have dis
tributed as many millions if they had bad
them.
At Zantc, one of the Greek islands, Mr.
Lowndes has been engaged in translating
Mason on Self Knowledge, into modern
Greek, and in compiling a dictionary ia
English and Romaick.
The Senate of Corfu have determined
on tbe establishment of schools in all the
lonian islands, in order to introduce tbe En
glish language. They have already been
commenced in Cephatonia and Ithaca.
“ The Paarl” is anew missionary station
in S. Africa, taken under the care of the
London Missionary Society. Mr. E. Evans
labours here assiduously, and an Auxiliary
Missionary Society has beeu lately formed.
So, when the Lord turns the hearts of Afri
cans to himself, they consecrate
stance to the upbuilding of “his kingdom.—
Cnn American Christians oppose the cause
of Missions, or even be indifferent to it, and
yet believe that the Lord is their portion ?
Mr. Helm, at Griqua town, has printed a
spelling hook in the Bootchuana language,
for the U3e of the schools. -
At New Lattakoo, a hew chapel lias been
completed—a mission house built—and sev
eral good gardens formed.
The converted Africans are exceedingly
attached to their missionaries—when Mr.
Moffat left Africaner’s Kraal, where he was
established, for a visit of a month at Griqua
town and Lattakoo, at his return the peo
ple entreated him with tears, never to
leave them again.
An AnxiliaryMissionary Society in tbo
island of Mauritius, or Isle of France, raises
S3O dollars a month for the support of a
mission to Madagascar.
The Madagascar mission has been frown
ed upon at its commencement in the early
removal of Mrs. Bevans and Mrs. Jones,
the wives of the two Missionaries, also in
the removal of Mr. Bevans and his infant
child, besides the severe sickness of Mr.
Jones.
Mr. Jones laboured indefntigably for a
few months —was treated kindly by the no*
tives, and encouraged by one or more of
the Chiefs—but his disorder returned upon
him, and he was obliged to retire to the
Isle of France.
At Berbice, Mr. Wray has under instruc
tion 80 young people—6o of whom are
children of poor free people or slaves. He
baptized in 1819, 14 adults, and admitted
7 to the. Lord’s table. An Auxiliary Mis
sionary Society raises £4O per annum.
The Seminary for the education of Mis
sionaries at Gosport, under the care of the
Rev. Hr. Bogue, and his son, was never, at
any period, in a more prosperous state than
at the present time.
From the Quarterly Review for October last.
MONKS OF MOUNT ATHO3.
The most celebrated seat of monastick
seclusion in Greece is Mount Athos. Os
this we have a very interesting account by
Dr. Hunt accompanied by Professor Carlyle
thither in search for Greek manuscripts,
which occupied them about three weeks.
Athos, the Monte Sante, or Holy Moun
tain, rises cut of a large peninsula jutting
into the JEgian sea to the height of about
5000 feet, the summit of which, for sever
al months in the year, is capped with snow.
The isthmus which connects this peninsula
with the continent is contracted to a very
narrow neck of land by the Singetick gulf
on the west and Strymonick (now Contesa)
on the east. Around the base, and on the
lower declivities of the rpountain, are situ
ated 22 monasteries, varying in their di
mension, construction, and situation, but all
of thpm either strikingly beautiful or stri
kingly magnificent; and each designed ei
ther to soothe the tedium of solitude, or to
awaken the fervours of devotion. Nothing,
indeed, can exceed the beauty and variety
of the scenery of Mount Athos. ‘
says Dr. Sibthorpe, ‘ has not found a situa
tion more wild and picturesque ; here was
a sublimity beyond what 1 ever recollected
to have seen.’ Immense trees of oak, of
plantanus, and chesnut adorn the ravines
and sloping sides of the mountain,'whose
tipper regions are clothed with pines. The
lunrel, myrtle, the daphne, and a great va
riety of beautiful and fragrant shrubs wild
ly luxuriate among the rocks ; and groves
of oranges, lemons and fig trees surround
the convents and the cells of the hermits.’
The nightingale, and other songsters, fill
the air with their warblings, which continue
heard to a late hour of the night.
Each convent has its abbot, with a num
ber of monks and lay labourers proportion
ed'to its size, who plant vineyards, and
make wine, raise fruit and vegetables, and
perform all the necessary labour* of agr;
