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<Jay.. He had a Greek Testament once,
but his bishgp, # Catholick, sent for it.
Mr. P. supposed he wished to borrow it,
and sent it to him. After some time, be
applied for it; but was told he could not
have*it, because the Pope allows that book
to none but the priests. Mr. P. says he
shall take care that the bishop does not get
the one we gave him.
# 23. Called on the Russian consul. He
eajd he had a long dispute the other day
with a Greek priest about the circulation
of the Scriptures. The priest said it was
not useful. The consul inquired, “ Why?”
“ Because,” said the priest, “ the Scriptures
say nothing about lent, or mass, or confes
sion,” (meaning private confession to the
priests.)
At 10 o’clock went on board a boat
which had been engaged for the purpose,
and set sail for Smyrna. While in Scio we
baTe distributed, or put into t'o hands of
others for distribution,
On the island 2,860 tracts.
Sent abroad 810 do.
Total 3,700
Have sold 13 Greek Testaments.
Given away 3 English Bibles.
Do. 1 French Bible.
Do. 2 Italian Testaments.
Do. 22 Greek Testaments.
Total 41
Oct. 24. By the kind providence of GoJ,
which has defended us in all our journey*
ings by sea and land, we reached Smyrnal
in safety, after a passage of about 34 hours.
From a letter written by Messrs. Parsons and
Fisk to the Treasurer, dated at Scio, September
12th, the following passage is extracted.
“ You will have learnt from our former
communications, something of our expendi
tures while in Smyrna. In Scio, they have
gone on at about the same rate, not includ
ing the expense of printing Tracts. We
have printed 5,000 copies of one contain
ing 30 pages for about 600 piastres, that is
SBO. We have another, (“ The End of
Time,” by Dr. Watts,) now in the press,
which is larger, and will cost more. When
we begin to travel, our expenses will be
somewhat augmented.
Within a few days, letters have come to hand
furnishing the latest intelligence from the mission,
from which we select the following paragraphs
tinder date of Octobsr 31, 1820.
This forenoon, we visited the Greek
Archbishop of Smyrna. After a little con
versation, we presented him 40 tracts,
which he said he would distribute. It
seems desirable to engage leading men in
the Greek church to distribute tracts among
their people. Several to whom we have
entrusted the work of distribution, have
performed it faithfully. How it has been
done in many other instances, we have not
yet learned.
Tomorrow morning, if Providence per
mit, we set off for Haivalai, and thence to a
part or all the seven churches. The
Greek, who went with ns to Scio, will go
with us on this soar. He accompanied the
Rev. Mr. Lindsay, when he visited the sev
en churches, in 1815. We have hired an
Armenian to carry us the whole journey.
He is to defray all expenses of himself and
horses, and we give him 37 1-2 piastres, i.
e. about $5, a day. The English consul
has written to Constantinople on our behalf
to obtain a travelling firhman from the
Grand Seignor. This will probably be re
ceived before our return.
By the Sally Anne we forwarded to Mr.Ev
arts a detailed account of our expenditures
from the time of our arrival in Asia until
our return from Scio. By that account you
will have learned, that for something more
than nine months, all our expenses, exclu
sive of what we have paid nr Bibles and
tracts, amount to between SSOO and S6OO.
P. S. jVoi). 22. We returned to this place
last evening, after visiting pergamos, Thy
atira. Sardis, Philadelphia, and some other
places. In this tour we distributed 1.300
tracts, gave away 15 Testaments, sold five,
and engaged two men to act as agents for
the sale of the Scriptures. On our return,
we found a brig ready to sail for Boston thi
cvening. We have not time to copy our
journal, but intend to send it by the next
opportunity.
On our return, received the painful in
telligence, that the Rev. Mr. Williamson
has finished his labours. He resigned his
chaplaincy some time since, and expected
to travel as agent for the British and For
eign Bible Society: Went to Ephesus,
thence to Samos, and was there taken sick
and died. We have lost a friend and fel
low labourer. May we be prepared to fol
low him.
Extract of a letter to one of the Editors of the
Southern'Evangelical Intelligencer , from
the Rev. Mr. Pliny Fisk, dated
“ Scio, Aug. 3. 1820.
“ Rev. (end Dear Sir —When I was in
Charleston a Lady sent me a Diamond Ring, !
as a donation to the cause of missions. Ha v
ing just disposed of it,l wish to give the do
tor information, and, as the ring was sent
to me, and the name of the donor concealed,
I can see no better way than writing to you.
The ring was given with the hope, that, in
this country, it might sell for a much larger
sum than in America. The treasurer of the
Board directed me to bring it with me, and
dispose of it in the best manner 1 could. 1
have sold it for 100 piastres, i. e. between
13 and 14 dollars. 1 could get no more in
Smyrna or here, nor cohld I discover any
prospect of doing better with it any where
else. But if the generous giver is disap
pointed in finding the price no greater, she
will, I trust, discover great cause for rejoi
cing and thanksgiving, when she sees ivhat
good her donation is likely to effect. After
consulting with my colleague, it seemed to
us best to appropriate the money for the
printing of Tracts. There is, on this island
ia Greek printing office, conn cted with a
JHerary institution. At this press we have
procured the printing of a tract in modern
Greek. It consists of selections from the
writings of Chrysostom, on the excellence
of the holy scriptures, and the importance
of studying them. The avails of the ring
will pay for 800 of these tracts, containing
30 pages each, i. e. for 24,000 pages. We
fold and stitch them ourselves, and this
makes the expense somewhat less than it
would otherwise be. The value of this do
nation, and the good which may be expec
ted from it, will be better estimated when
we take into view the state of the people
among whom they are to he distributed.
“To him who has read ancient history,
either civil or ecclesiastical, it is unneces
sary to sav, that the Greeks have been a
peculiarly interesting people. To hitn
who is acquainted, in any measure, with
their present state, it must be equally un
necessary to say that now they have strong
claims on Christian compassion; while at
the same time, their situation, and the
prominent traits of their character, afford
good ground to believe, that when the light
of the gospel shall revive among them,
they will be among the most important in
struments, in the band of the Divine Spirit,
for spreading it among Mahomedans and
Pagans. It is well known throughout the
Christian world, that the branch of the
Greek Church, which exists in Russia, is
making rapid improvement in divine things,
and doing much, at the same time, to fill
I the world with heavenly light. The Greeks
in Turkey, both in Europe and Asia, have
peculiar difficulties to encounter, and have
yet hardly begun to emerge from the ob
scurity of the dark ages. They have a
, great number of priests and of churches.
Very few, however, of their priests ever
preach; they have no preaching in their
churches except at Lent, and one or two
other similar occasions. The usual service,
at church, consists merely of reading pray
ers and certain lessons from Scripture and
from the Fathers. This is all in ancient
Greek, which very few, even of t Ire priests,
understand well, and of which the common
people understand almost nothing. Very
few have the Scriptures; the Old Testa
ment has never, I believe, been translated
into modern Greek; the New Testament
has been translated, and begins to be dis
tributed, though most of the people, and
most of the priests have never seen it. Cop
ies of the Bible in ancient Greek exist, but
are rare.
“This place is favorable for the distri
bution ofTracts. There is apublickschool,
probably the best that can be found among
the Greeks; it contains more than five hun
dred pupils; more than one hundred are
from abroad—Smyrna, Constantinople,
Thessalonica, &c. Tracts may be given
to these scholars, and thus sent into the
families to which they belong, and to the
cities from which they came.
“ We obtained the Tracts from the press
last Friday; the same day, gave one to a
priest who applied to us to purchase a Tes
tament, three to three students, four to a
man who has a family and who had bought
two Testaments of us, and twelve to the in
habitants of the Monastery of State which
we visited. Saturday, we gave one to a
student, six to persons whom we met in the
streets, and fifty to our Greek instructer,
who is the head professor in the college ;
—these he received for distribution. Tues
day morning, a priest called on us, to whom
we had given one Testament and sold an
other, and, after reading a chapter togeth
er, we gave him twenty Tracts, designed
for a school which he teaches ; toward eve
ning we walked to the Monastery of St.
Men: s, about two miles from us, and gave
a Testament and a dozen Tracts to the
Monks. Thus we have begun the work of
distribution. In the same way we hope lo
proceed. It is pleasant to think of the
union of labours which exists in this under
taking. Our friends ir, America contribute
money and offer their prayers—we super
intend the printing and distribute the Tracts.
Others will witness and experience the ef
fects. And, at some future day, I trust,
they who sow and they who reap will re
joice together.”
MISSION AMONG THE CHOCTAWS.
Extracts from the Journal kept at Elliot.
(Continued from page 181.)
July 14, 1820. Our friend, Capt. Folsom,
came to visit us. From him we learn, that
the agent, Col McKee, had returned from
the city erf Washington, and that he spoke
very favourably respecting schools among
the Choctaws. Some of the parents sent
for their children. They had been infor
med that wc wished them to he taken
home now. This was a mistake. It is two
weeks before the commencement of the
vacation, and we wished the children to
have continued in school till that time.
13. Received a line from brother Pride.
Brother and sister Wood are still very fee
ble, and unable to proceed on their journey.
It will be necessary to send them another
horse. At a time, when we expected to
have been strengthened by additional la
bourers, some of the few we before had
are required to take care of the sick. But
we will still trust in Him,who does all things
well.
19. Brother Kingsbury lpft us to go to
the Agency on buisness. Ahoy started at
the same time with two horses to carrv
some necessary articles to brother and sis-
I ter Wood, and assist them in their journey,
when they shall be able to travel.
21. The boat, which has been so long
on the way, arrived ; by which we have re
ceived additional supplies. Among other
articles, were a box of clothing from Ux
bridge, Ms.; one from the Fern. Cent Soc.
j Newport, N. H.; one from Andover, Ms.;
I one from Heath, Ms. ; and one from Sparta,
I Geo. Thus the Lord provides for ofir wants
I in a distant land.
194
26. The boy, who staHeft on the 19th
with horses and supplies for odr sick broth
er and sister, returned with a letter from
brother Pride, staling, that they are much
worse, and that there is little hope of Mr.
Wood’s recovery. The hoy, on his way
back, met brothir Kingsbury returning
from the Agency. On learning the afilic
ting intelligence, brother K. immediately
turned his course to visit brother and sister
TVood. Again tin Lord is trying us with
afflictions. May hi enable us from the heart
to say “ Thv wiltbe done.”
29. Brother Villiams has made two
fruitless attempts to visit his sick brother
and sister. The first time, his horse tail
ed, and he could procure no other. The
second time, ill health and unfavourable
weather induced him to return.
13. A large number of the scholars
left us today, to bs absent during the sickly
season. The vacation is for six weeks.
In the evening, brother K- returned with
the,cheering intelligence, that Mr. and Mrs.
Wood are better. He had a short but sat
isfactory riterview with the Agent.
August 2. Mrs. C. the daughter of one
of our neighbours, died of the bilious fever
at her father’s house. About a year since,
the same parents buried an infant son. O
may these solemn events be sanctified for
their good, and be the means of awakening
them to the concerns of their souls.
Sickness and death of Mr. Beckwith.
3. Mr. George Beckwith, of Connecti
cut, who was taken sick while passing
through the gation, and has been with us
the last 12 days, has, for a week past, been
declining. He has not been exercised with
as much pain as is common in the bilious
fever, yet his sickness has been severe, and
attended with great debility. Last night
his symptoms were very alarming. This
day be is a little revived, though we have
but faint hopes of his recovery.
The funeral of Mrs. C. was attended by
a great number of the relative* and friends
of the deceased. Brother K. was unable
to be present on account of ill health. Some
of the brethren, and several others of the
mission family, we'-e present. The strictest
order and regularity were observed through
all the ceremonies ; particularly during the
time of religious exercises. According to
the custom of the country, all the wearing
apparel, jewels, ornaments, &c. valued at
about 200 dollars, were buried with the
corpse.
4. The Lord, in his holy providence, is
again calling on us to be also ready. Mr.
Beckwith died this morning, about half past j
9 o’clock. During the last 36 hours, he;
has been speechless, and apparently desti
tute of reason. It would have been pleas
ant and profitable, if we had been permitted
to enjoy his pious conversation, after it be
came evident that he could not recover.
Since he has been with u s , until he became
unable to converse, we have had increasing
evidence, that he was a follower of the
meek and lowly Jesus. We trust, that he
has exchanged this world of sin and suffer
ing, for the abodes of eternal happiness.
This evening the remains, of our depar
ted friend were deposited in the mission
burying ground. Mr. B. was a native of
Hartford, Con. where his parents and
friends now reside. Last autumn he went’
10 Neiv-Orleans for the benefit of his health, j
He came to Elliot intending to tarry awhile,!
if there was any employment in which he
could be useful to the mission. But God, in
his holy providence, brought him here for
another purpose. We are happy to have
it in our power to administer to the comfort
ot a piou3 stranger, on a sick and dying
bed.
5. Brother Kingsbury set out for the
new establishment; expects to spend the
Sabbath in a considerable neighbourhood,
about thirty miles distant.
25. Brother Pride has been sick sever
al days with the ague and fever.
2G. Two men, who arrived on the 23d
with ox-teams, left Elliot on their return
with two new carts, which were just finish
ed at our shop. One of them was for the
new establishment, and was loaded with va
rious supplies for that mission. The man,
who is eugaged to take charge of the buil
dings there, went with them.
Sickness of Mr. Fisk.
Sept. 3. Sabbath. Brother FisTt very un
well, though able to attend meeting. He
was in good health yesterday morning, and
laboured hard ail day. In the evening, he
went into the creek for the purpose of ba
thing; was attacked by a chill as soon as he
came out of the water, which has contin
ued ever since, attended with severe pains.
Sister Finney’s babte is very sick; was sei
zed violently, and has had two spasms,
which nave occasioned some anxiety.
4. Brother Fisk much worse ; has a vi
olent fever accompanied by severe pains.
6. Brethren Williams and Howes retur
ned. They left brother and sister Wood
very feeble, and it was thought they would
not be able to travel before cool weather.
Brother Howes has had the ague and fever
most of the time since he left Elliot. He
was able to endure the journey very
well, and his health is considerably improv
ed by it.
Brother Fisk kas a settled bilious fever,
which rage 9 with great violence, and is at
tended with alarming symptoms. Fearing
that, as his disease advanced, he might be
deprived of reason, he this day, with entire
composure of mind made his will, and set
tled all his temporal affairs.* Several of
the children, who remain during the vaca
tion, ate and one of them has for
some days been confined with a fever. We
* Mr. Fisk gave his whole property, amounting
in his estimation, to about SBOO, to the Board,
under whose direction he had been employed.
Some articles, which he carried with him to Elliot,
he gave to that mission and school: his other prop
erty to the general funds. He had fitted himself
out for the mission, at his own expense ; and car
ried with him a set of blacksmith’s tools, and va
rious other implements.
would afeknowledgS tWgoodn’iw of Gorin’
so far restoring to health brother Pride and
sister Williams, that they are able to attend
on the sick.
10. Our dear brother Fisk, feeling a lit
tle revived about noon, requested the tami
ly to be collected, that he might have the
privilege of addressing them once more be
fore he died. He first spoke very affec
tionately to the brethren and sisters; ex
horted them to live together in peace and
abound in the work of the Lord. Speak
ing of the dispensations of Providence to
wards this mission he said, “ that notwith
standing they were dark and mysterious,
,yet the cause was God’s, and therefore it
would prosper ; and that, though one and
another might be taken from the field, yet
their places would be supplied. He wish
ed it to be distinctly stated to his friends,
and to the Christian publick, that he never,
for a moment, regretted leaving his native
land and engaging in the missionary ser
vice. He said there was nothing for which
he wished to live, excepting that he might
labour longer in the cause. He spoke to
the hired men, and others present, exhort
ing them to attend to the great concerns ot
their souls; and assured them of a future
judgment and the retiibutions of eternity.
At parting, he again exhorted the brethren
and sisters io be, of one heart and one mind,
anJ to lei the love of God dwell constantly
within them. He spoke of his confidence
in the redemption of Christ; acknowledged
his own pollution; —but said he trusted in
the blood of Jesus for cleansing from all sin.
12. To a brother, *vho inquired after
his health, brother F. replied; “I feel as
if 1 was wearing out.” Do you see any
thing in this world worth staying for? “Not
at all. If the Lord lias done all that he has
to do by me, I can go cheerfully.” Then
pressing the hand of brother J. who had
been conversing with him, he said, “ let the
glory of God be the great end of all you do.
With how much more satisfaction could I
look back on my life, ifit had been differ
ent in this respect.”
15. This morning brother Fisk’s symp
toms appeared more favourable’. He slept
and breathed easily, and was more free
from pain. This evening his slaep appears
to be a lethargy, from which it is impossi
ble to awake him.
16. About 9 o’clock this morning, the
family were collected, as it was believed
that our dear brother was near his end.
Deep hollow groans, with difficult respira
tion, and a pulse scarcely perceptible, ad
monished us of his approaching dissolution.
But, through the atoning blood of Christ,
death to him bad lost its terrors. When
asked for what we should pray, he said,
“ only that I may wait with patience till
mv change come.” In the afternoon, he
revived and requested that a hymn should
be sung. Though unable to join with his
voice, his whole soul was engaged, and al
most in an ecstasy, while he heard the
222d of the select hymns,
“ While on the verge of life I stand,” Sec.
.He was desirous that the time should
come, when he might lay his head on the
breast of Jesus, and breath his life out
sweetly there. He had often manifested a
strong desire to see brother Kingsbury
once more; and be said this morning he
did not know why he was spared, unless it
was, that he might enjoy this privilege.
About sunset brother K. arrived. He did
not hear that brotnor Fisk was sick until
last evening.
17. This morning our brother spoke
with interest of the holy Sabbath, and hoped
he mjght be permitted, on this blessed day,
to enter into his rest. Though we had but
faint hopes of his recovery, yet no exer
tions were remitted, which were judged to
have a favourable tendency. Brother Wil
liams has been ill for several days, and is
threatened with a fever. In the evening
brother F. lay several hours apparently in
the agonies of death.
18. This morning our dear brother ap
pears a little revived, which has again
raised our hopes. Brother Williams is
very sick with the fever, attended with
violent pams in the head and back. Bro
ther and sister Jewell’s child is also sick.
Dr. Pride and brother Howes are still fee
ble.
Sent a boy this morning with provisions
to meet the wagos, that went after brother
Wood.
29. Heard last evening that brother and
sister Wood are comfortable and moving
on towards Elliot. Their provisions hav
ing failed, we must send a hoy with addi
tional supplies. Brother Williams is some
what relieved by the medicine which he
took yesterday.
Death and Character of Mr. Fisk.
Brother Fisk is evidently wasting away,
though apparently free from pain. Hav
ing naturally a strong constitution, he is
continued much beyond our expectation.
About 11 o’clock A. M. he was perceived
to fail rapidly; and it was soon evident
that the change, which he had so long de
sired, was speedily approaching. He con
tinued to breathe till about a quarter past
12 o’clock, when, without a struggle or a
groan, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus.
Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord.
We have no reason to mourn on his account.
For him to die was gain. Ours is the loss.
In all the cares, and labours, and anxieties
of this mission, the deceased cheerfully
bore a large share. In laborious industry,
in patient self-denial, in pious example, in
holy and ardent devotioD of soul and body
to the missionary cause, he was pre-emi
nent.
The Choctaws, who came around him,
said, “ The good man was going to die,
and they came to see him.” To one of
them he said, 11 Be not discouraged; God
had a little work for me to do here, and I
have done it, and am going to leave you.
But be not discouraged ; God will not suf
fer his'work among the Choctaw 9 to cease ;
Ke wist lend other men to teach your chii-g
dren.” If 1
20. Today with many tears, mingled I
with Christian consolation, we consigned!
the lifeless remains of our dear departed|
friend to the silent grave, there to wait till p
the morning of the resurrection. The!
friends of missions have much occasion to
rejyice, that there has been such a labour- J
er in the missionary field, and with us will
long lament the loss we have sustained.
21. Brother Williams somewhat better,
as are the others, who have been sick.
Mr. Jewell, and one of our hired men com
menced building a brick chimney, the first
that has been attempted at Elliot.
22. About 4 P. M. through the kind ‘
Providence of our God, we had the pleas
ure of welcoming to this consecrated spot,
our dear brother and sister Wood, who ?;
have so long been detained by sickness, j
We trust the meeting was truly happy to
us all. They are still feeble, the fever j
and ague not liavine yet left them.
27. Brother Williams more comfortably. |
Brother Jewell has a chill accompanied |
with a fever. Seven of the family are at 1
this time afflicted with this disease, though |
most of them are able to be out, excepting jl
two or three hours, while the paroxy-m of I
fever is on them. When Dr. Pride re-1
turned from attending Mr. and Mrs. Wood, I
it was expected that he would go immedi-1
ately to the other establishment; but such!
has been the state of his own health, and!
the situation of the family, that he has not 1
been able to leave Elliot.
FROM THE CHRISTIAN WATCHMAN.
N.C. C. B. MISSIONARY SOCIETY, j
We have received a copy of the Minutes jjj
of the “North Carolina Chowan Baptist|j
Missionary Society,” which held its animal fl
meeting Nov. 3,4, and 5, 1820. They/u-S
trcductory sermon was delivered by Elder ■£
Harrel. Elder Ross was choseD President, i
Elder Spivey Vice President, and Elder!
John Harrel Corresponding Secretary oil
the Society for the ensuing year. Elder!
Rowe was appointed to preach the Dext in-1
troductory sermon, and in case of failure, 1
Elder J. Etheridge. The next annual mee-1
ting of the Society is to be held at Colerain, B
on Friday, before the first Lord’s day in No-1
vember, 1821.
The following is an extract from the I
“ Address of the Board to the Annual Mee-1
ting of the Society :
“ It is with real pleasure, the Board have §
j it in their power further to state, that a re- 1
{vival of religion appears to have, taken |
I place, under the labours of our Missionaries, |
Bennett and Newborn, in Halifax, Edge- 1
I combe and Nash Counties, and in the course j
| of their missionary tours, upwards of 100 |
have been baptized by various ministering j
brethren. i
From our brother Newborn, we also learn :
that a Female Auxiliary Missionary Society !
is formed in Halifax county, to which there ‘j
are already from 30 to 40 Subscribers.
Thus, beloved brethren, has the Lord ap- \
1 peared to sanction your efforts another ■
J'ear. The success that has attended our .
infant Society, has exceeded our most saa- J
guine expectations. It is only three years it
and a half since the Society have begun I
1 their operations, and in that short period, jj]
not less than S7OO and upwards, have been jj
1 paid for Domestick Missions, besides S3OO |
as an Auxiliary to the General Board of For- g
eign Missions.
During the same period, our Missionaries !
have been out 574 days, have baptized 108 |
persons, and received collections, donations, ■
! Sic. to the amount of between 5 and 600 J
dollars, and have appointed many agents, j
and obtained a number of annual subscri
bers. While our funds are undiminished,
notwithstanding these unparalleled limes—
well may we exclaim, “ What hath Oiod
wrought.” r j
In addition to these services and succes- j
ses, we cannot refrain from again noticing
(he settlement of our late missionary Elder
Meredith, at Newbern, whose efforts the
Lord has signally blessed, in the establish
ment of a growing church, in which from
30 to 40, it is believed, have been baptized.
Nor can we conclude our address without
expressing the satisfaction which we have
generally felt on reading the transactions ?
of the great Foreign and Domestick Mis
sionary Society, of which you are an attxil- •
: iary.
In the domestick Mission at St. Louis and |
St. Charles, the labours of Elders Peck?
and Welch, have been attended with a di-J
vine blessing.
The Illincisstation has been prosperous, |
but owing to local circumstances, 1
M’Coy, heir Missionary, has been removal
to settle at Fort Wayne.
At St. Francisville, the indefatigable la
bours of brother Ronaldson, have been at
tended with great success.
The Board have also greatly assisted the j
Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society, to dif
fuse the Gospel to the Six Indian Nations,!
bordering on Canada, and in consequence 1
of communications from our late brother,
Gov. Rabun, and Elder Mercer, instigated
by the Oakmulgee and Georgia Associ- (
ations, the. Board have appointed Elder j
Francis Flournoy, Agent for establishing a i
Mission School among the Creek Nations, j
where our brother, Eider Posey, has lately
been labouring. ,\
A School tor the instruction of Indian
youth, has been lately established at the
Great Crossing, in Kentucky, which has al
so put itself under the patronage of the
Board, and to which the Secretary of War
has intimated that $250 will be annually
appropriated.”
The excesses 6f our youth are drafts |
upon our old age, payable with interest
about thirty years after date.
Good nature is the very air of a good mind,
the sign of a large and generous soul, and the pfi’
coliar soil in which virtue prospers.
