The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, May 04, 1821, Page 194, Image 2

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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.