The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, March 02, 1821, Image 1

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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;