Newspaper Page Text
fto. 44. Vol. ir.
PLANS OF USEFULNESS.
Extract from Rev. Stephen Chapin’s Century
Sermon.
We may benefit onr posterity by labour
ing to devise plans ot’ usefulness.—Though
we may feel ourselves.to be of little note
or use in the world, yet one thought, o.ie
hint, or word, or a plan of ours,may be the
mean of infinite good in the salvation of
thousands of souls. The suggestion of
Reuben, to cast Joseph into a pit, was the
|2ean of saving the kingdom of Egypt and
the nation of Israel from destruction. The
fidelity of Mordecai in giving timely warn
ing to the king, that a plot was laid to take
his life, proved the occasion of saving the
Jews from an appointed massacre. The
firmness of Daniel’s three companions, in
refusing to worship the golden image, was
instrumental of spreading the knowledge
of the true God throughout the whole Em
pire of Babylon! Mr. Carey T and a few
others, when they first agreed to meet on
the first Monday in every month to pray
for the spread of the Gospel, little thought,
that they were then commencing a custom
which was to spread over the earth, and to
be the mean of exciting, every month, the
prayers of the people of God, in every
quarter of the earth, to draw unnumbered
jessing* on Christian and pagan nations. A
pious female in Boston, at a dining hour,
proposed to the company to lay aside one
cent for some charitable purpose, instead
of taking their glass of wine, and to repeat
it weekly.—But she was not apprized that
she was then laying the foundation for those
cent and mite societies, which have contri
buted one of the, largest streams of charity
to aid in accomplishing schemes of benevo
lence. The cent institution in New Hamp
shire paid into the missionary treasury, in
one year, more than fifteen hundred dol
lars !
Robert Raikes, when he opened the first
Sabbath School in the city of Gloucester,
did not imagine, that he was then foundiug
an institution, which was to be extended
through Christendom, and even into pagan
lands, and within a few years to furnish
gratuitous instruction to more than 600,000
children ! On many of these schools God
has poured out his spirit, and in them spread
ing revivals have been commenced, and
many children have been gathered “from
the highways of sin and death” into the
fold of Christ. That obscure individual,
by performing that obscure act, did not
know he w-as then doing that, which would
enrol bis name among the most distinguish
ed benefactors of mankind. But yet, when
all the splendours of royalty, and all the
fame of conquest, are buried in oblivion,
Robert Raikes will be remembered, by
saints in glory, “as the father and founder
of Sunday Schools.”
Th.e Rev. Joseph Hughes, when the
thought first darted through his mind of
forming a Bible association to supply the
destitute, did not anticipate tlmt that
thought would give rise to tbe British and
Foreign Bible Society; a society which
displays most ardent and enlightend zeal,
and comprises vast weight of influence and
vast resources of wealth. Iks spirit is so
nobly catholic!; that, disregarding all civil
and political distinctions, it is pouring forth
its streams of charity to numerous nations
\tff the earth. It has expended, during the
sixteen years of its existence, three millions’
six hundred and eighty-three thousand and
fifty-seven dollars, arid lias engaged in the
printing and distribution of Hie scriptures
in one hundred and twenty-six different
languages and dialects J This society may
well be styled the glory of the British na
tion and the wonder of the world. How
little did Kir. Hughes imagine that this sug
gestion would be the origin of such an im
measurable good ! that it would put in mo
tion an institution, whose effects will contin
ue and augment till the latest moment of
time, and-throughout every age of eternity !
How encouraging these examples ! One
word, one thought, one act of yours may
be the source of some unspeakably great
and everlasting good. The word, Eterni
ty, accidentally seen by a fashionable Lady,
who looked over the shoulders of a maid
engaged in reading a little tract, pierced
her soul like a sharp arrow, and threw her
into tremblings and amazements, and she
had no more rest until she found it in a well
grounded hope of eternal life through the
blood of her once despised, but now- adored
Redeemer. Solomon says, “ a word fitly
spoken, how good it is—it is like apples of
gold in pictures of silver.” ‘ A remark of
the Rev. Mr. Simeon, 011 tbe benefit which
had resulted from the services of Dr. Carey
in India, first arrested the attention of the
late Mr. Martyn to the cause of missions,
and Ins thoughts then became occupied
with the vast importance of the subject,
boon after which, perusing the life of David
Brainerd, his soul was filled with 11 holy
emulation of that extraordinary man ! and
after deep consideration and fervent prayer,
he was at length fixed in his resolution to
imitate bis example.*
Thus, all the incalculable good produced
by tiiis devoted missionary of tbe cross, is
tracpd'to an individual and casual remark!
* Ste the life of Henry Alartyn, B. 1). late
( lisplain to the Hon. East India Company, page
-ltd, Boston edition.
THE MISSIONARY.
GO YE WTO ALL THE WORLD, ARD PREACH THE OOdPEJ. TO EVERY CREATURE.— Jesps Christ.
You must not think, my friends, that every
field of usefulness is occupied, that all pos
sible plans of doing good have been devised
and that you have nothing to do but accom
plish the designs made ready at your hands.
There are paths to facilitate the progress
of truth, which the vulture’s eye hath not
seen ; but which will be discovered by our
posterity, who will wonder that we, their
progenitors, were so loug held in darkness.
FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER.
PALESTINE MISSION.
Extracts of letters from the Rev. Messrs. Par
sons and Fiske , , American „Missionaries
to Palestine , to the Rev. S. E. Dwight of
Boston, dated Scio, Sept. 11, 1820.
Dear Brother—ls you have received our
letter by Captain Edes, you know our feel
ings with regard to a mission at Smyrna.
Wq thought then, (and we are now much
more confirmed in the opinion,) that a wide
and etfectual door is opened for benevolent
operations.—Can it for a moment be a ques
tion after so many revivals, and so many
blessings upon the cause of missions, wheth
er it is duty to send the gospel to that very
land from whence we received it with all
its attendant blessings? We are not with
out hope that we shall see the standard of
truth erected on these shores before we
set sail for Palestine.
Since we arrived at Scio, our attention
has been directed to the study of the mod
ern Greek language, under the instruction
of the principal Professor ofthe College at
Scio. We have had, however, precious
opportunities to distribute religious tracts
both among this people, and among the
inhabitants of other Islands. Almost every
day we have.had applicants either,for Bi
bles, or religious tracts. The tract which
we reprinted at the College press was
ready for distribution about a montb since,
and we have given away more than 700
copies to the people on this Island—sent
100 to Smyrna—£-90 to Crete, and 100 to
Thessalonica. One fact is very encourag
ing. An instructer of a school in Crete,
who was here, learning that we had reli
gions tracts for distribution, made a very
earnest request for a quantity of them, to
be given to his - friends and to schools on
that Island. We gave him 200 copies.
When he received them he thanked us
very sincerely, and expressed a wish to see
us in Crete.- Tracts distributed by an In
structer of a school, or by an inhabitant of
the place, will excite much less suspicion
and have the prospect of much more use
fulness than they would have if bestowed
by a foreigner. There is much advantage
in finding work for every man in the cause
of righteousness.
This moment, since writing the above, a
Priest called on us for a Testament. He
took it in his hands and said, “ O this is ex
cellent.” After examining it a little, he
cheerfully paid the money at which we
valued it. We gave him likewise several
religious tracts. Seldom have we seen
more evident expressions of gratitude and
jo}\ May the God ofthe Bible enlighten
his mind, that he may behold wondrous
things out of his law. There is evidently
a searching for the holy Scriptures among
this people. We pray that it may contin
ue and abound.
in the churches, (he ancient Greek is
read, and but few ofthe assembly are, able
to understand it. What a blessing wiil be
the possession of the Scriptures in the com
mon language of the country.
Dear Brother, continue to pray for us
and for this people. We are continually
encouraged in our work, by the assurance
that many prayers are ascending to God for
our success. Your brethren in the Gospel,
P. Fisk,
L. Parsons.
Scio , Oct. 18, 1820.
Rev. and dear Sir —The answer (o your
letter of June 23, will have been received,
we hope, previous to the arrival ofthe Sal
ly Anne. From tbe inquiries in your letter
we are induced to give a concise account of
the population, refigion and literature of
Scio.
Tbe isle of Scio is separated from the
continent of Asia by a channel 18 miles in
width. On the north is a distinct view of
the isle of Mytetene ; on the east of the
shores of Asia, (he city of Ichesme, near
to which was destroyed the Turkish fleet ;
on the south-east, the isle of Samos. The
length of the island it is said, is 30 miles ;
the breadth from IT to 18. A high range
of mountains, composed principally of lime
stone, runs through the whole length of the
island, like the green mountains of Ver
mont. On the east side is an extensive
and highly cultivated plain ; upon which is
the principal city, Scio, a number of fine
villages, and numerous summer seats of
respectable merchants. The low lands
are covered with fruit trees ; as orange,
lemon, fig, olive, pomegranate ; but the
mountains are barren'except now and then
a small grove of [line trees.
As to the population we depend upon the
Statement given us by the Greek bishop.—
They are as follows— the entire population
CO,OOO or 70,000 ; of these not less than.
3000 are Turks ; 800 or 900 Catholicks, a
few Jews and tbe rest Greek 3
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.) FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1821.
The Turks live most of them in a large
castle on the sea-shore, separated from the
city by draw-bridges. They have in the
city 12 mosques, all of which are still Oc
cupied as places of worship! During Ram
izan, the Mahomedan fast, the minarets are
illuminated in the night. Bells are not in
use among the Turks, but a person is em
ployed to give notice of the different hours
for prayer by crying aloud from a high part
of the minraet. In Scio, the Turks usual
ly speak the Greek language, and some
times marry into Greek families. Chris
tians enjoy great liberty, and are ntver in
terrupted in their religious services.
Cathulicks have six churches, three in
the city and three in the country, one Bish
op, and 28 Priests.
The Greeks have 50 or 60 chirches in
the city, and very many, (some saysoo oth
ers 1000,) in different parts of tie Island.
There is one Bishop, and 500 or 6(0 Priests
besides monks. Only 5 or 6, Qtt of the
600 Priests, ever attempt* to pnach the
gospel. Their duties are limited to the
reading of the church service ipoD the
Sabbath and feast days. The bcoks used
in the churches are in ancieut Greek, and
are read with.great rapidity and indistinct
ness. Among them we have noticed “the
Menaion,” consisting of 12 folio volumes,
one for each month ; the “ Tims-Piece,”
one folio volume ; selections from the gos
pels, and some small books. The whole
Bible is not found in the churches, and sel
dom indeed in the houses. We have seen
only two Bibles, one Septuagint, and three
Testaments, excepting those left by Rev.
Mr. Jowett, and Rev. Mr. Williamson.—
Psalters are kept for sale, and are used .in
schools. There are about 100 holidays
besides the Sabbath. On these days, the
people assemble morning and evening, in
th.e churches for religious- service. Both
in the summer and winter the morning ser
vice is performed by candle light. Prayers
are read or sung by two or three individu
als, and the congregation respond, “ God
he merciful.” The Lord’s prayer and the
Creed are repeated at every season of
worship.
The College in this city was established
in its present form and government about
five years since, when Mr. Bambas , the
principal instructer, took the charge of the
Institution. There are at present 700 or
800 students—l 4 instructers—one Prof, of
Chem. and Rhetoric!;, one of RJathematicks,
one of Theology, Geometry, &.f.one of the
Turkish language, one of the Latin uud
French, and nine teachers of the ancient
and modern Greek. A considerable pro
portion of the scholars are .young, and are
instrncted in the first principles of Gram
mar ; the higher -classes are required to
study Plutarch, Xenophon, Demosthenes,
Plato, Homer, Herodotus, Pindar, and the
Iliad.
The four first days of the week, lectures
are “delivered in Chemistry, Rhetorick, and
History. There is a good chemical labora
toy, and printing press, obtained the last
year from Europe The funds of the Col
lege are obtained in part from the. Greek
community, and in part by private dona
tions. A gentleman in Russia has recently
given 20,000 or 30.000 dollars to this semi
nary. Tuition is given gratis to all the stu
dents. On Friday the first class are in
structed in the “ Holy Catechism,” and
twice in the week the second class have
lessons from the Acts of the Apostles, and
from ethicks. This term lessons have been
given to 30 or 40 students from the English
work called “Young Minister’s Compan
ion.” The Professor gives a translation
of it in Greek, and requires’ each student
to write as he speaks it. Grpat good may
result from this mode of instruction. We
might enlarge, but time will not permit.—
Your brethren in the Gospel,
• P. Fisk,
L. Parsons.
CHEROKEE MISSION.
Extracts from the Journal kept at Braincrd.
The following extracts precede, in order of time,
those which were published in our number for
January—[and in (he 12th No. of the Mission
ary.] The reason is, it was apprehended that
the Journal for the period between April and
July last, had not been received b\ the Cor
responding Secretary. On further examination
it has been found. Missionary Herald.
Aprils, 1820. Brother Conger removed
into the new house. It has two room*
about 14 feet by 16, with a chimney to each
room ; the rooms being made entirely sep
aratees high as the eaves, and placed 1$
feet apart.’ A roof, nearly 50 feet in length,
extends over the whole, leaving the space
between covered, but open in the front and
rear. The logs are hewn down on ‘.he in
side ; and split boards ar nailed over the
crevices between the logs; and are also
laid loose, as a floor or ceiling over head,
making on the whole, Tolerable comforta
ble dwelling rooms.
Favourable Prospects at Creek Path.
In the evening, after early family pray
ers at the mission-house, the mission family
with some ot the scholars, attended a pray
er meeting in the new house. It was a
refreshing season to our drooping spirits,
which had in some degreebeen prepared
by the arrival of our dear brother, John
Arch, with good news from Creek Path.—
Brother Butrick writes, that the school had
increased to 45 ; and that more would be
glad to. enter soon, if there were room for
them. He wishes to have an assistant.—
The scholars.being chiefly new beginners,
require much more attention than they
will when further advanced. He is now
obliged to employ brother John the whole
time as a teacher, and can do very little to
wards bringing him forward. It is thought
that John ought not to be so soon
hindered in his own studies, if it can be
avoided. The natives say, if a female
teacher can come to instruct the girls, they
will build another” house for them. The
whole expense, including board, washing,
&c. for brother B. and his assistant, has
been sustained by the people, except a few
.books, slates, and Some other trifling con
tingencies.
The Sabbath meetings are well attended.
Numbers are thoughtful ; some under
more deep conviction ; one of two girls
received as a Candidate for baptism here
about a year ago, and soon after taken from
us, has found means to get to that school.
She began to write some before she left us,
and by a letter now received from her, it
appears that she has lost nothing in writing,
but has improved, though without instruc
tion. She now hopes to find her way to
Brainerd, and to the church. The woman
who came more than IQQ miles last May to
seek instruction, as she said, about the
Saviour, is among the serious inquiries at
Creek Path. O that the Lord of the har
vest would thrust labourers into this whi
tened field !
May 6. Agreeably to previous appoint
ment, this day was set apart by the mission
family for fasting and prayer. It is with ns
a day of trial and affliction,* and a day of
rejoicing. We have truly a mixed cup.—
Blessed be God, that it is not an unmixed
cup of anguish and dismay as our sins de
serve. After sermon, the two candidates
for communion ttf the Lord’s table, (John
Arch and David Brown) answered ques
tions relative to their preparation for ad
mission to that holy ordinance. Their an
swers gave full satisfaction to the church,
that they had “ knowledge to discern the
Ltyd’s body, and faith to feed upon him,”
and the church unanimously agreed, that
they be admitted tomorrow.
8. Received boxes of clothing, &c. from
the following places, viz. one from Otse
go, N. Y.'containing several parcels from
different societies and individuals ; one con
taining hats and medicine from Mr. Geo.
Pomeroy, of Cooperstown, N. Y. ; one
from Griswold, Con. one from Rupert, Vt.
One from Granville, Vt. ; all containing
very useful clothing. We.have now a very
good supply for the summer. Most of the
clothing now on hand is of thin cloth, too
thin for winter.
A kind Providence appears still to smile
on the mission, and amidst sorrows and af
flictions, sends consolations and encourage
ments.
In thy strong arm, Lord, we’ll confide ;
Through the rough storms thou art our guide ;
O’er all the host which Satan brings,
Thy army still its victory sings.
Meeting for business. Resolved, that we
recommend to sister Catherine Brown to
go and take charge of a female school in
her father’s neighbourhood, as soon as the
people will put a house in readiness.
9. A gentleman and his wife from Frank
fort, Kentucky, who called on us last eve
ning, left us this afternoon. She is trav
elling for her health, and had a'desire to
come this way and visit the school. They
appeared much interested in the children,
and expressed great satisfaction on account
of the brightening prospects among this
people. Though our interview was short,’
parting was painful. They both appear
to possess a true missionary spirit. They
left a donation of S2O.
Departure of David Brown.
11. David Brown set out this morning
on his way (if the Lord will) to the Foreign
Mission School. He goes by Savannah
and Boston. We did expect Mr. Elijah
Hicks to accompany him. He has wailed I
several days, but, learning that Mr. Hicks!
couldnotgosoon, he intreated that we would !
permit him to go alone. It is indeed a long j
journey for a lad of 19 to undertake alone
among strangers, and people ofanother na
tion. But no difficulty appears to him in
surmountable, or even great, which comes
in the way of his being prepared to preach
that Gospel, which he has found to be so
precious and powerful in his ovyn case.—
By the assistance of his friends, he has ob
tained money sufficient to defray the .proba
ble expenses of his journey ; but after this
shall be expended, he will be obliged to
fcast himself on thechaiity of the friends of
Jesus. And be appears to entertain not
the least doubt that a competency will be |
obtained from this source. We hope and
pray, that He, who hath the promise of the
heathen for his inheritance, will so replen
ish the funds of that school, that the direc
tors of it will not feel themselves obliged
to exclude this our dear brother from their
patronage. We often think, if we cnuldp
have access to individuals, who possess
property, throughout our country, we
would willingly beg. on our knees from ev
ery one who had even a trifle to sp<(re. —
* The*): i;spr< ->ioos refer to the departure efl
Mr. TaJiuadge from the juissioy, ■ I
Price 5 $ 3 : 50 P r - ftnn - or t t
’ ( $3,00 in advance. >
But again* we reflect, that the trfeasure and
the hearts of all are in the hand of the
Lord, and we prostrate ourselves before
him, and intreat that he will not suffer his
people to shut their hands against the poor
.heathen, whose souls are perishing for lack
of that knowledge, which, through the
beneficence of Christians, might be impart
ed unto them. May the gracious Saviour
vouchsafe his gracious presence, with this
our dear brother, and satisfy his desires ac
cording to his enlarged faith.
13! Milo Hoyt, having left the school in
charge of Darius, came up from Chatooga.
He performed the journey in one day.—
Cows for milk, and certain other articles of
food, cannot be obtained- there, as was ex
pected, and he was obliged to return for
supplies. Appearances there, at present,
are very different from those at Creek
Path.
A Cherokee Inquirer.
14. Received a very affectionate letter
dictated by the father of the boy whom we
call Jeremiah Evarts, interpreted and writ
ten by sister Lydia Hoyt, and directed to
Father Hoyt and Brother Chamberlain.—
This man has no knowledge of letters or
ofthe English language. The following
is an extract from the letter :
“ We have been separated a long time
from each other, but I hope you have not
forgotten to pray for me and my nation.—
My dear friends, you told me much about
our dear crucified Saviour, and 1 hope I
have not forgotten what you said. O .10,
m3 dear friends, I cannot forget the great
Redeemer, who has, as I hope, redeemed
my immortal soul from eternal destruction.
1 hope you will instruct my dear children
in tbe right way, and that the Lord may
have mercy on them, and turn their wicked
hearts io himself. Give my love to them.”
Inclosed in the above is an open letter,
directed to two persons in this neighbour
hood, whom, it seems, he considers as fel
low converts to Christianity. One of them
is a member of the church. The follow
ing is an extract from this inclosed letter:
“ My dear friends, though we do not now
, see each other, yet I hope our hearts are
i still united in Jesus. Let us go on in the
! way we have begun ; for it is not a tedi
-1 ous way. May the Lord of Love be your
Father. 1 have talked to my poor parents,
1 but 1 cannot convince them of their sins.—
• I know that God is able to change their
1 wicked hearts.”
Do not these sentiments appear to flow
from a heart enlightened by the Spirit of
’ God? Andrew, when he had found the
Saviour, immediately sought his brother
: Simon to bring him to Jesus. Philip did
the same for-Nathaniel. And Moses said
■ to his father-in-law, “Go thou with us,
1 and we will do tbee good, for the Lord hath
spoken good concerning Israel.” This
man seeks to bring his relatives and friends
■ to Jesus, and is assured that the Saviour is
able to do them good. His daily conduct,
so far as we can learn, is in unison with the
sentiments expressed in these letters. And
yet this man has received but little instruc
tion, except what he has picked up here,
, in his short visits to his children. Even
, these brief visits have been at long inter
, vals, as he lives about 60 miles from us,and
is busily employed in domestick concerns.
15. Mrs Sally M'Donald being about to
remove into the neighbourhood of the
church at Springplace, a letter was direct
ed to be given recommending her to the
fellowship of. that church, and authorizing
a dismission from this church to that. She
appeared much affected at .the prospect of
removing from us, though it is but a short
distance, and she is to go among dear
Christian friends and natural relatives.
The ties which bind these dear converts to
us, and us to them, are such as we trust
will never be broken.
Further Progress at Creek Path.
24. Catharine Brown’s father came from
Cre-’k Path with a letter from brother Bu
trick. .He writes, “ The people, after
hearing that Catharine was willing to teach
the girls, as soon as a house could be pre
pared, and that the missionaries thought
well of it, immediately resolved to build a
house of the same size as the other, and ap
pointed the next Friday and Saturday to
build it.
“ On Friday, about 50 Cherokee men,
besides boys and blacks, assembled, built
the house, covered it, and almost comple
ted the .floor. On Saturday they finished
the floor, hewed it down on the inside,
chinked it, and put in the beams. They
expect to make the door and benches this
week. I told them it was not absolutely
certain, whether Catharine would come or
another *|e.rson, though 1 expected she
would come. 1 think it would be well for
her to take charge of the school, as she can
speak the native language, and there will
be no good interpreter. If she teaches a
few months, and then continues a scholar,
she may do great good. Her mother is pe
culiarly anxious to have her;at home.”
Mr. Brown says he did not come to take
Catharine away from us, or from the
school, and he does not wi-h her to go un
less we think it best. He appears serious?
ly impressed with divine things. Catha
rine is still at brother Hall’s—her father
will wait her return.
£5 Th.e Kev, Remembrance Cumber?
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