Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

No. 4.0. Vol. 11. CEYLON MISSION. Joint Letter of the Missionaries to the Cosr e responding Secretary. Jaffna, Sept. 10, 1820. Rev. and dear Sir, Since the date of our last letter, which we forwarded to Calcutta about the first of May, the Lord has dealt very graciously with us, and we desire with gratitude, to record his mercies. Three of our number, at the date of our last letter, were much reduced by sickness, and had so many alarming symptoms that we feared the re sult. Although called to pass through the furnace of affliction, we have not been for saken, for the Lord has given us many pre cious tokens of his love whereof we are glad, and by which we are encouraged to go on in the work to which we are called. The afflictions, which were upon us, have been in a great measure removed; and those severe trials,, which we anticipated, have not been experienced. The breth ren Meigs and Poor, who, for some time were not able to labour, have been merci fully restored to health, and are able to prosecute their work. Our dear brother Richards, although feeble, shares in the la bours of the mission. We do not think that he will entirely recover, nor do we see any indication of approaching dissolu tion. We still hope he will be able to lift up his voice to warn and instruct this peo ple. Arrival of Mr. Garrett. Your letter of Jan. 31st, and Mr. Evnrts’s of Feb. 4th, were received on the 17th of July. By these we were advised, that a printer might be soon expected. On the fir*t Monday of August, while assembled at Batticotta with other missionary and Chris tian friends for prayer, we received a let ter from brother Garrett, informing ns of his arrival at Tranquebar. This intelli gence increased our obligations to God, added interest to our meeting, and excited joyful expectations. The Wednesday fol lowing we were informed of his arrival at Point Pedro, about 16 miles from Tillipal- Iv. The brethren Poor and Scudder went immediately to conduct him to Tillipally, where we were assembled with grateful hearts, to welcome him home. Thus, as individuals, we are highly favoured ofGod, and, as a mission, we are called to listen to the precious promise : “ Fear thou not, for I am with thee ; be not dismayed, for 1 am thy God.” Arrangement of Missionary Stations. Strengthened in number and in health, encouraged by the counsels of the Board, and animated by the dealings of Providence —we have felt bound to extend ourselves at least so far, as to occupy to the best ad vantage, those parishes in which we. had already established schools, and which for some time, have been under our immedi ate care. To accomplish this object, the brethren Winslow and Spaulding re moved in June io their station, at Oodoo ville, where they are advantageously situ ated, and where they find much to encour age them, both from tne attention given by the people to preaching and from the flat , tering prospects of the schools. ’ But one additional station was not thought sufficient. That our intercourse with the heathen may be more direct and extensive, and our schools more efficiently superin tended, we think that the labours of two missionaries at one station, w’bo have- ac quired the language, with the assistance of natives, which may now be obtained, will turn to much les account, than they would by each occupying a station with similar es tablishments. The native assistance which we now have, is very considerable, and is fast increasing. We have four natives who interpret readily whatever we wish to com municate to the people. All these are members of our church. We have five others, some of whom are hopefully pious, who act as interpreters on common occa sions, and who assist in the acquisition of the language. Besides these, we have many interesting hoys, who now speak English and who render us much assistance in the work of the mission. With such assistance, one missionary can manage the concerns of the station, and the schools connected k w ith it. By extending ourselves, and mul -1 tiplying schools, the great object of our mission will be more effectually secured ; whereas should we have two brethren at a station, the number of our schools must of necessity be less ; for it is both inconven ient and inexpedient to have schools at lached to any station more than two or three miles distant. All within thi distance may be superintended by one missionary. On the supposition that the two brethen at Tillipally were to he •separated at a future period, there appeared several rea son* why the separation should take place as soon as practicable. Although four bungalows were given by the Rev. Mr. tilenie. for the accommodation ot the sick, those temporary buildings, while we were destitute of a physician, were appropriated tor the use of schools, &,c. It is necessary that other buildings, and those of a more ‘durable nature, he erected lor the many persons, who are constantly applying for upedical assistance. Since, therefore, we to, uu:d it expedient for these brethren THE MISSIONARY. GO YE WTO ALL THE WORLD , AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE Jesus Christ. to be separated, at no distant period, it would have been injudicious to expend mo ney for building a house for the sick, since such an additional building would be of hut little use, should the station be occupied by a single missionary only. The medical es tablishment will be considerable. Brother Fcudder has many names for children to be educated in his family, and there is already at Tillipally a boarding school of both sex es. To unite so many things at one station appeared inexpedient. Next) Station at Panditeripo. But to establish another station seemed almost impossible for want of funds. To obviate this difficulty, in some measure, brother Scudder brought forward a propo sition, the amount of which is, that he en gages to fit up a station at Panditeripo with his private money, which is to he refunded at some future period, either by contribu tions at home, or from the general funds of this mission. This proposition was accept ed. The subject of extending ourselves still further, seemed important, and com manding. What we had already done is little compared with our multiplied bles sings. These laid us under obligations to do more. We have done as providence seemed to indicate, and as due deliberation warranted us. Brother Scudder removed to Panditeripo in July. The repairs are making with much expedition, and we are happy to say that every thing is favourable and seems to promise much. Licensing of Dr. Scudder io preach. Agreeably to the instructions of the Board, brother Scudder attended to the study of theology while on his passage, and has since devoted as much time to it as cir cumstances would admit. As he has now to occupy anew station, it appeared desi rableMhat he should receive a license to preach. In a regular meeting, held ac cording tb the custom of the American churches, he was examined ; and, having given good satisfaction, he was licensed. — We thought proper to advise him to con tinue his studies preparatory to his future ordination. Brother Scmlder’s removal from Tillipally, and the returning health of the brethren at Batticotta, rendered the missionary strengtii cf these two stations very unequal. It was therefore thought expedient that brother Woodward should remove to Tillipally for the present; but it is desirable, that he should soon occupy a new station. When we consider the assis tance which we have from the boys in our school, and that the acquisition of the lan guage is gradually giving us strength, we are convinced that our borders must still he enlarged. But what shall we do ? We have no funds for building, and not more than five months supply for our own subsistence. We are not,we cannot be, anxious for ourselves, if faithful ; but we do feel anxious for the heathen, for we behold their wretchedness. When we are solicited to go into other par ishes, and establish schools, must we silence these solicitations by saying that we are not able ? Under such circumstances how ought we to feel ? When we see so many r destitute parishes not only willing to he instructed, but even inviting us to establish schools, ought we not to remind Christians, “ Whosoever hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ?” Where had the American churches been, had the early Christians withheld from our ancestors the light of the Gospel? Where will their bre thren the Gentiles be, should Christians of of the present day not have compassion ? Printing Establishment in Ceylon. [After mentioning that the press would be a valuable acquisition ; and that with the informa tion brought by Mr. Garrett, they hoped to ob tain it from Calcutta, where it has long been, the missionaries proceed as follows :] In the mean time, brother Garrett will apply himself to the language ; and should our funds admit, and the press be obtained, he will commence printing immediately.— Rut we fear, that our funds will not be suf ficient. It will indeed be painful to our hearts to have all other things in readiness, and be compelled to delay months, if not a year, for want of money. While we de lay, thousands perish. The claims of mil lions on the American churches are impe rious and must be felt, and we believe, will be acknowledged, We look homeward, not only for means to carry into effect the plans already adopted by us, but we think it very desirable, that this mission should he extended to the neighbouring continent. Claims of the Indian Peninsula. At the commencement of this mission, our situation was thought important from its contiguity to the peninsula, where the lan guage of this people is spoken ly some millions. We were then much encouraged bv our brethren at Bombay and other mis sionaries, to extend our views that way.— Previous to the present time, however, we have not been able, for want of help, to look toward that important field with any hope that we should he able to accomplish our original design. Still we are persuad ed that the call is as urgent hs ever To place before you the magnitude of this ob ject, we need not dwell on the vast popu-! MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.) FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1821. lation of the coast, nor on the interesting places for missionary stations. True, there are a few missionaries in that field ; but in no place is there one where ten are ur gently demanded ; and many large and pop ulous districts are entirely neglected. Yet on the Coromandel coast, as far north as Madras,the Tamul is the common language. We seem more than ever urged to this field. For the work we are most favoura bly situated. A tour to the continent will enable us to give intelligence Concerning the most interesting stations, and to make all necessary arrangements for occupying them. Missionaries, who shall be hereaf ter sent out, will be able to take our places on this island, under every advantage, hav ing houses, schools and congregations ready to their hands. Thus situated, they would have much time for the study of the lan guage immediately on their arrival, which is of great importance ; and at the same time those of us who may go tc the coast, will go under the greatest advantage. But while our prospects were brighten ing, and we were cherishing the hope that we should soon be able to pieach Christ to the millions so near us, we earn that at the date of your letter, “ The expenses of the board within the preceding seven months, were considerably mere than 20 thousand dollars greater than the receipts within the same time.” This is indeed un pleasant intelligence, hut we cannot despair of help. We well remember the, day, when the churches told us, “ Though oceans roll and continents stretch between us, we are all one in Christ—when they said, “ We will remember you in the great congrega tion, in the social circle, at the family altar, and in the watches of the night. Your call wafted by the breezes of heaven to our shores, shall not return unto you void. We will send the (lower of our churches to your aid, not admitting for a moment the doubt, that He, who has demanded the sac rifice, will repay.”* Do fathers and mothers in America while they receive supplies for themselves and children feel no obligations to that Saviour to whom they are indebted for all ? Do youth and children, while they enjoy the temporal blessings which Christianity so richly bestows, feel no obligations ? Do Christians, while, in addition to the privi leges which others enjoy, they Jook for ward to the robes and crowns prepared for conquerors, feel no obligations? Is there, then, no pity for the poor heathen ? Have all fulfilled their obligations to their fellow men, and'to Christ ? We hope, that the millions almost within reach of our present stations, will not go down to the grave ignorant cf a Saviour, merely for want of Christian effort enough to cross the channel, which separates us from them. We hope and we believe, that the time is not far distant, when we shall see a line of missionaries from Cape Co morin to Bombay ; and, on the other coast, a line to the capital of Bengal, in which the American churches will have not a few labourers—and that numerous heralds of the cross, diffusing evangelical light and eternal life through those dark and unculti vated wastes, in the interiour of Hindostan, will penetrate northward into Persia and Arabia, until they unite with the triumphs of those who unfurl the standard of Jesus on the walls of Jerusalem. We remain, Rev. and Dear, Sir, Your servants and fellow-labourers In Christ Jesus, James Richards, Benj. C. Meigs , Daniel Poor , Miron Winslozo, Levi Spaulding , Henry Woodward, John Scudder. * The passage here quoted by the Missionaries, is taken from the right hand of fellowship deliver ed by the late lamented Mr. Huntington, of Bos ton, in the name of the American churches, to the Rev. Messrs. Fisk, Spaulding, Winslow and Woodward, at their ordination, Nov. 5, 1818. — Motives of delicacy may have prevented their quoting from the same excellent performance, a paragraph still more directly to their purpose. — ■ We here subjoin it. “ Aivare that in Asia, no less than in America, they who preach the Gospel must live by the Gos pel, we will impart to you as we are able, of our substance —and we will stir up others, on whom the gifts of Providence are more copiously bes towed, to contribute for your support ; ns also for the accomplishment of the plans, which your be nevolence may desire, for the furtherance of the Gospel abroad. For we would not , brethren,! It at other men be eased, and you burdened ; but that their abundance may be a supply for your min', that there may be equality.'” • —**:: FROM THE RELIOIOVS INfEtLIGENCER. MISSIONARY ESTABLISHMENT WEST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. A bill is now before Congress which pro vides for occupying a district of teritory on the Columbia liver, for establishing a port of entry, and for granting a bounty in land to those who shall settle in this territory within a limited time. As this hill has al ready passed to a third reading, and will undoubtedly become a law, and as several trading companies have commenced estab lishments at the mouth of (lie Columbia, it can scarcely be questioned hui that multi tudes of emigrants i\ ill speedily flock to the Western territory. How important then does it become, that early and efficient , measures be taken, not only for the reli- : gious instruction of the first settiers, but for . civilizing and evangelizing the 80,000 na tives who wander on the shores of the Pacific!?, and the banks of the Columbia. What have hitherto been the greatest ob stacles to the introduction of the arts of civilized life, and the institutions of the gospel amongst the Indian tribes ? Have these not been the injuries which they have received, and the vices which they have borrowed from the whites ? Though as yet the tribes on the Pacifick have not learned to inquire .with ’ their brethren on this side of the mountains for their “ great Father’s milk,” yet they are beginning to use the language of profane ness, and to imitate the games of chance practised by the whites who resort to the coast. Now then is the golden season, if it be not already past, for introducing the gospel amongst them, and for preventing, by authority of government, the introduc tion of ardent spirits, and the dishonesty of Indian traders. The remnant of the Indian tribes, who once pursued their game un molested along the Atlantic!? shores, the spirit of a Philip, a Logan, and of many’ a departed warriour who justly or unjustly fell before the arms of our fathers, urge upon us to do, at an early period, what we have to do for the red man’s happiness. Observe that last remaining wanderer of a tribe which formerly dwelt upon our riv ers ; see her as she enters our city with her baskets and bundle of rushes before some holiday, and you might at first doubt wheth er she had been a sufferer by the coming of the whites. But behold her on the mor row as she reels around our streets, follow ed too often by rude and insulting hoys; consider that had the poisonous cup been dashed from her lips, and the name of Je sus early’ been sounded in her ear, she might have been a respected matron sur rounded by friends and kindred, walking with her the path of immortal blessedness; and will not each one who sees her ns we do in reality, or beholds her but in imag ination, be ready to aid in an immediate missionary establishment amongst the na tives of the Western Territory ? But by whom shall such an establishment be commenced ? The mission which the American Board have sent out to the neigh bouring Sandwich Islands, seems to furnish them with a peculiar inducement for un dertaking this. The extension of the United States’ju risdiction over this territory, will afford many facilities .in the commencement of such an undertaking. Should the pilfering spirit which is said to prevail to a very great extent amongst most of the tribes, render it expedient to begin the first sta tions in the neighbourhood of the whites, schools could be opened in which a few of the most promising youth of different tribes might receive instruction, through whose means establishments might be made with greater safety amongst the natives. To ensure an earlier access to the con fidence of these heathen, it might perhaps be thought expedient that some of the Indi an youth at the Foreign Mission School should he attached to the party. The tribes to which some of them belong, will all erelong, as we trust, come within the sound of the gospel. Their services there fore will not be particularly needed amongst their kindred ; and from their former mode of life and acquaintance with native cus toms, they would possess some peculiar qualifications for missionaries to their breth ren. Should it be thought expedient for them to engage in this service, surely they would, in consideration of the special mer cies which many of them have experienc ed, not count their lives dear unto them, but be willing to go out from their father's house to make known unto other Geniiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. As some time must necessarily elapse before the proposed mission can go forth, might it not be well for the friends of hu manity to improve the expected voyage of the Constitution, or some other national ship to the Pacifick Ocean, for sending out, for the benefit ofthe first settlers, a supply of Bibles, tracts, valuable seeds, and if prac ticable,some domestic!? animals, particular ly the cow and sheep, winch are not found in the Western Territory. From the Cleveland (O.) Ihrald. MISSIONARY CHURCH. it must he deeply interesting to the friends of the Redeemer, to hear that a Mis sionary Chuich is about to arise on the Western Reserve. The Society have in prospect the establishment of civilization and Christianity among Ihe Indians ot the Pawnee nation, up the Missouri. It is to consist of two ordained ministers of the gos pel, physician, schoolmasters, farmers, mechanick*, together with a brewer and baker, and is calculated to embrace about 20 families. Avery interesting and solemn meeting of the. Society, was hotden at Madison, Geau ga County, on Tuesday, Sept. PJ, 1820, and was opened with an excellent and ap propriate sermort by the Rev. Luther Hum phrey, of Burton, from llaggai, ii. I; “ Yet now he strong, 0 Zerubbabel, saitii Price, 1 f^, 5 ° P r - *" nn - °u l ’ t $3,00 in advance. > the Lord ; and he strong, O Joshua, -on o* Josedech, the high priest; tnd be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work : for 1 am with you, saith the Lord of hosts.” The Rev. Joseph Badger was appointed chairman of the meeting, and Dr. Nathan B. Johnson, clerk. The Constitution of the Society, which has been before the public!?, was then read, and several per sons enlisted as members, after which they passed the following votes among others : That a Prudential Committee be appoint ed to manage the secular concerns of this society until the next meeting, and ihat Rev. Jonathan Lesslie, Roger Nettledon, Esq. and Dr. Nathan B. Johnson, he of this committee. That the Rev. Joseph Badger be the Corresponding Secretary of this Society. That the Committee commission any member of this Society to solicit donations for carrying on the proposed mission to the Indians, and also that a circular he drawn and printed under the patronage of the Preshy tery. That each member of this society make out a list of his real estate, w ith a descrip tion thereof, an estimate of the \ aloe there of, and hand it in to the Prudential Com mittee. That this meeting be adjourned, to meet in Hartford, Trumbull County, on the first Tuesday in December, at I o’clock P. M, That the Rev. Randolph Stone be re quested to preach on the occasion, and the Kev. Alvan Hyde to he his substitute. With respectful confidence the .Missiona ry Church ask the pray ers, the instructions and the alms of the Christian and benevo lent publick. The temporal resources tit the “household of faith,” are equal to the work of evangelizing the world. With the trifling exertions which have been made to enlighten and reform mankind, the banner of the Son ofGod has been unfurled, and waves over the once undisturbed strong holds of Satan. While the peaceful vision remains in the groves of Otaheite, and the “ plant of re nown” flourishes in the soil of Ceylon and Aslracan, let not Christians prevent the voices of American pagans from mingling with those ofthe European, the Asialick, and the African; nor let them consent “to mar the song of four worlds to the God of ■ their salvation.” The Missionary Church propose to fit ’ out a part of its members in the early open ing of next spring. They thankfully re ceive. and faithfully appropriate any arti- I cles of clothing, cloth, yarn, books, medi cine, implements of husbandry, or any thing which will tend to the promotion of the general object. MISSION TO THE CIIICKASAWf. Extract of a Idler from the Rev. William 11. Barr, to the Editor, of the Chilicothc {Ohio) Recorder, dated at Abbeville, S. C January Bth, 1821. “At the late meeting of the Missionary Society of the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, we determined to make an effort in favour of the Chickasaw Indians. Mr. Stuart, one of the young men employed last summer in the exploring tour, offered himself as a permanent missionary to the Aborigines on our borders, and was most cordially accepted by the Society. Ar rangements were made as speedy as the nature ofthe case would permit, for trans porting our missionary, with the mechan icks and labourers necessary for comme> c ing the contemplated establishment. Mr. Stuart’s ordination took place at Pendleton, C. li. on the 13th of December last. The assembly w as large, considering the inclem ency ofthe weather, and the occasion was peculiarly solemn and interesting. A lib eral collection was taken up in favour of the mission, and a handsome donation in clothing kc. was received from Ihe benev olent ladies ofthe place. In fact, articles of this kind were brought forward in such abundance, that I began to fear there would not he room for them in the wagons em ployed to transport the families. Mr. Stu art, a few days after his ordination, hid adieu to all his friends in Carolina, anti set out for the Chickasaw Nation, accompanied by the hands employed by our Society, in all, twenty persons. “ How great is the benevolence of the Gospel ! that a young man of refined edu cation and flattering prospects in civilized life, should, without any earthly reward, without any promise or expectation of wa ges, more than food and raiment; that he should leave his parents —the place of his nativity—all his relative*—tlie acquaint ances, and companions of his youth -tra verse a dreary wilderness, and set him-elf down in a heathen land, and there endure toil, and privations, and perhaps death it self. It must he (he love of Christ. It must be an undisembled, anlont desire to promote the Redeemer’s kingdom, in the salvation of the Aborigines of our country t Will not the pious, and the benevolent, unite with him in Ki* joys, npd in his sor rows, and will they not endeavour to lessen hi* difficulties, by ministering to his wants ?” Wa- * WwSl-VUV ‘l’ si .i ..* --.•* Where the senses and their perceptions are vig orously employed, thee; the intellectual pow.eis ct-r-.y; to act