The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, May 11, 1821, Page 198, Image 2
“4. Roolyantes, aged 18, ttie wife of
Dhurmlaui, was burnt on the Bth of De
cember, in the zillah of Shahabad. In this
case the wife had never quitted her father’s
house, nor ever had any intercourse with
her husband, who died on the other side of
the Ganges, in the Choprah district. On
the account of his decease being brought to
bis father-in-law, his wife immediately sac
rificed herself to his remains.”
“5. In the zillah last mentioned, Jurow
ah, aged 25, made two attempts to submit
to the flames, but had not courage to endure
their effects, and was at length carried
borne by her relations.”
6. During this year, two instances oc- .
curred in which suttees were prevented
from sacrificing themselves, by the writer
of the Report. One of them, Panchoo,
who proposed to burn herself, was not the
wife, but the soagah of a man named Golau.
The ather woman, Soona, proposed to
burn with her husband's clothes, 10 months
after his decease; this the reporter forbad,
because, though it was declared by the
pundits to be laudable for a woman, uot the
wife of a Bramin, to burn under such cir
cumstances, yet as she did not propose it on
her husband’s decease, notwithstanding she
was with him at the time it took place, to
allow her to do so afterwards appeared by
no means recognized or encouraged by the
doctrines of the Hindoo religion. Both
these instances were prevented by means
of force, and as no less than five suttees
have been prevented by the same means
duriDg the last two years in this place,
without the slightest inconvenience result
ing from its application, it is earnestly re
commended on similar occasions.”
“7. Mancoora, aged 50, burnt herself
along with the hookah [the pipe] of her
deceased hosband, 15 years by her own ac
count, and 32 by that of the zemindars, af
ter his death. A widow burning herself
with any article of her late husband’s pro
perty being sanctioned by former refer
ences to ihe courts, no objection was offered
to the ceremony.”
“ 8. DuDjlia, the wife of Uchruj Tewary,
burnt with a batooa or small purse belong
ing to her deceased husband, five years
after his death. While living he had giv
en her the purse, saying that five years
after his death, she might be burnt with
that batooa.”
“9. The practice of burning women on
the funeral piles of their deceased husbands,
does not exist in the district of Bareilly in
the same degree as in other provinces.
The reason of this may be ascribed to the
prevalency of female child murder, a* it is
well known that no Rajpoot allows a daugh
ter to live; their wives being of other
casts, are consequently not obliged to sacri
fice themselves.”
By the foregoing abstracts it appears,
that fifteen hundred and twenty-eight widows
were burnt, or buried alive , in the years
1815, 16, and 17. So far as these accounts
go, there can be no doubt of their authenti- j
city’. The only question is, whether in
9uch very large and numerous provinces,
where the European functionaries are few,
and placed at wide intervals, the accuracy
of the native agents, from whom the details ‘
of these informations come, and who, be- i
9ides their tendency to indolence in what
does not particularly interest them, may be ■
supposed to have a favourable leaning to .
the ancient sanctioned usages of their coun
try, is to be depended on? It may perhaps
be allowed to entertain some distrust on ;
this head ; but at any rate the territories!
under the BeDgal government, to which all 1
these accounts are confined, form but one
division of the immense region now subject
to the British authority in the East. The
Bengal government extends westward to
the banks of the The s o>ii
ment of Fort St. George has vast territories
Under its immediate rule; the countries
subject to the government of Bombay are
now also considerable, and almost ail the
rest of the continent of Hindosthan, from
the river Sutlege to the southern promonto
ry Comorin, and westward to
■jailiTi (tri > > h “ r ' ntrrl nr immQ ,
lations in this immense porlioD ofthe globe!
The particulars ot each case compre
hended in the list-above given, would be
too shocking in detail; but 1 cannot refrain,
upou this occasion, from giving it as my
decided opinion, that this dreadful practice
might easily be abridged, and finally abol
ished by the British government, without
creating any alarm among the Hindoos.
This opinion is confirmed by the fact, that
the Hindoos have quietly submitted to a
modification of the practice, and to a gov
ernment regulation passed a few years
since on this subject; as is manifest from a
very painful occurrence which happened
to myself in the year 1817. I was riding in
the neighbourhood of Chitra, a village ad
joining to Serampore, and observing there
had been a suttee, I rode up to a few indi
viduals who were sitting near the spot
where the victim had suffered; and after
making inquiries respecting the family and
rank of the widow, I addressed them on the
enormity of the crime in which they had
been assisting,& assured them,that whatever
might he their opinion of this dreadful ac
tion, they would have to answer for it in
the day of judgment as a most horrible
murder. One of these men, in answer,
said, “ Sir, whatever the act now committed
may be, we have nothing to fear ; —you {mean
ing the English government) must sec to that;
for the police magistrate has been here, and
given the order, and according to that order
the woman has been burnt.'’' 1
Several months ago, in the vicinity of
Chsnderagore, a female victim was immo
lated on the- funeral pile, under circum
stances peculiarly affecting. She was a
young woman, who had been recently be
! trothed to a young man of the same town.
Every thing was prepared for the celebra
tion ofthe nuptials, which had been fixed
for the next day ; the relatives of both par
ties had arrived from s distant* to honour
the marriage with their presence; and the
circle of their friends already eujoyed in
anticipation the festivities which the ap
proaching day would usher in. The pre
ceding evening, however, the bridegroom
was taken ill of the cholera morbus, and in
a few hours was a lifeless corpse. Infor
mation being conveyed of the melancholy
event to the bride, she instautly declared
her determination to ascend the funeral
pile of her betrothed lord; a long debate
was hereon held, between the relations of
the bride and the priests, respecting the
legality of the act; the result of which was
that in such cases (he shaslers, considering
the bride as bound to her husband by the
vow she had taken, permitted a voluntary
immolation on the funeral pile. The next
day, therefore, instead of the musick and
joy which had been anticipated, the bride
was led to the banks of the Ganges amid
the silent grief of her friends and relatives,
and burnt with the dead body of her intend
ed husband. WILLIAM WARD.
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
AUGUSTA AUXILIARY BIBLE SO
CIETY, March 7, 1821.
The Managers of the “Augusta Auxilia
ry Bible Society,” in coming before their
constituents, with their annual report, on
(heir third anniversary, are fully aware of
the feeble manner in which they have dis
charged those obligations devolving upon
them in their respective stations. But al
though the operations of the Society have
been so far very limited, and have not
partaken in so eminent a degree of that
spirit of Christian zeal and diligence, which
ought ever to mark the operations of a Soci
ety, the avowed object of which is, the ad
vancement of the kingdom of our Lord Je
sus Christ, by the distribution of the word
of life to “ those who are perishing for
lack of knowledge yet it is matter ot
great thankfulness to a kind Providence,
that they have during the p<ist year
been enabled in some measure to realize
their anticipations, and in contemplating
the future prospects of (he Society, they
have a strong hope that its usefulness will
become more apparent by means of its
agents in the interiour of our state, where
a wide field is opened for the distribution
of the Holy Scriptures. The funds in the
bands of the Treasurer, at the last annual
meeting, were seventy-nine dollars, ninety
one cents, and in the course of the quarter
ensuing that meeting, the annual subscrip
tions were collected, which, with the form
er balance amounted to 175 dollars 28 cents.
At a quarterly meeting held on the 15th of
June last, it was on motion “ Resolved, that
one hundred and seventy-five dollars be
forwarded to the parent Institution, by the
Treasurer of this Society, as soon as it can
be remitted w ithout loss by exchange."”*
Owing to the rate of exchange between
New York and Augusta, being so much:
against the latter place, this resolve was not!
acted on by the Treasurer, until early in |
November last, when that amount was !
forwarded to the Treasurer of the Ameri
can Bible Society, the receipt of which was
acknowledged in his letter of the 20th of
the same month. At a quarterly meeting!
of the Board of Managers, held the 18th
of January last, the Secretary was instruc
ted to make inquiry of several persons in
the interiour who were known to be fa
vourably disposed towards promoting the
objects of the Society, whether they could
1 dispose of Bibles in their immediate vicini
ty, at the cost prices in New York; and
the Secretary was farther instructed that
if the answers were favourable, to forward
such number of Bibles as should be deem
ed expedient. In conformity with the fore
going resolutions, Uie Secretary culdrocfaj
communications to those persons previously
named by the Board, the answers to which,
with the exception of one or two, were de
cidedly favourable to the views and wishes
ofthe Board of Managers; the Secretary
accordingly forwarded a considerable num-
Bibles to those who had with Chris
seVvi^'as7geter°!enc c e offere f d . th , ei . r
bute them on the term? proposed ° Sn ’
Thus by adopting this plan of disposing
of Bibles to those who may be in want at
the original cost price, which is believed to
be in entire accordance with the views of
the parent institution ; a door of extensive
usefulness is opened for the future opera
tions of this Society, which it is to he hop
ed will be productive of much good in com
municating that light and that instruction
toothers which is the “ power of God and
the wisdom of God for the salvation of im
mortal souls.” The number of Bibles and
Testaments distributed and sold for distri
bution during the past year is about two
hundred, and the balance due by the agents
of the Society, on account of said sales of
Bibles and Testaments is eighty-four dol
lars sixty cents, which when collected, to
gether with the balance of eleven dollars
forty-six cents, now in the hands of the
treasurer, amounts to ninety-six dollars
six cents, which will he subject to meet, in
part, the exigencies of the Society during
the present year. The good already done
by the distribution of ihe two hundred Bibles
at the cost prices—is a pledge of what you
may continue to do as instruments in this
great work, and from which this Society
will by the blessing of God derive that en
couragement that will induce them to per
severe, and excite therrf to renewed zeal
and diligence in this labour of love. The
Board of Managers cannot, however, close
this report, without expressing their deep
regret, that so little interest is taken by
Christians in this place generally, in ad
vancing the objects of the Society. The
difficulty experienced by your Board in the
collection ot the last annual subscription ia
a melancholy evidence of thq truth of this
remark. Many of the subscribers would
not pay at all, and others of them who paid I
198
the past year’s su xiption, withdrew f
being members o ie Society. “hi e
citizens profess i believe that revea e<
truth is the great t blessing that man can
enjoy, how small: lortion ot their wor < y
substance are the willing to bestow,!° al<
in diffusing its saied influ DCfi ™ e on
the other hand, Mw often is money spent
on things that ad]but little indeed eit tei
to our benefit orimifort, which, if cast in
to the Treasury If the Lord, would bv his
blessing producethe most lasting and im
portant benefits ti mankind. But notwith-,
standing these discouragements, the cause
of Bible Societies is one which the Author
of alt good has marked with peculiar iavoer
and regard, ind which will, as a means in
the hands of the Church ot Christ, be bles
sed for the bringing about that happy and
glorious time, “ whin the ear/k shall be fill
ed with the knowledge of the Lord,” and when
“ all shall know him from the least to the
greatest .”
It may not be improper to intorm the
friends oi Bible Societies and the publick
generally, that since the foregoing report
was sent to the press, a union has been
formed between the Augusta Auxiliary Bi
ble Society and the Georgia Religious
Tract and BiWe Society.
Officers of the Augusta Aux. Bible Society.
Rev. Wm T. Brantly, President.
Rev. James 0. Andrew, V. President.
Rer. Win. Moderwel!,Cor. Sec’y.
B. B. Hopkins, Rcc. Scc’y.
Thomas M‘Dowall, Treasurer.
MANAGtRS.
Ralph Ketchum, Angistus Monre, Timothy
Edwards, Wm. M’Lea, Cui. Bostwick, Asaph
Waterman, Carlos Tracy, G. B. Webster, James
M’Dowall, Joel Catlin, i>hu H. Maiili, Oliver
Danfortl:.
CIRCULAR.
TO THE MINISTERS AND CHURCHES OF THE SYNOD
OF SOUTH CAKQUNV AND CIORGIA.
Dear Sir— The Mssionary Society
which was formed by you Synod in Novem
ber 1819, has commenced the mest difficult
of its operations, under circumstances in
many respects flattering to our hopes. Al
though we have been unable, hitherto, to
find suitable candidate for the Missions to
the destitute Churches in our interiour, the
success of our attempt to fix a station among
one ofthe Indian tribes on thefrontier, has
(Ntllj- expectations. The Mis
sion Family has,somemonths since,departed
to the place of its destination. They bear
with them our prayerful wishes for the
blessing of God upon their labours. So far
as human foresight can discover, we have
increasing reason to expect that blessing.
We have embarked, brethren, in an en
terprise of infinite moment. We have all
felt aware that it had its difficulties. But
we knew that they were not dlsproportion
ed to our power, whenever it should be
called into play. The present is a period
in which large demands are made on our
! exertions. The expenses ot’ the mission
family have exhausted our funds, and yet
the supplies are incompetent to their wants.
We have given a pledge which we are now
called on to redeem.
The object of this notice i to pray that
contributions may be made asearly as pos
sible, and forwarded to the Corresponding
Secretary at Columbia, who will give a re
ceipt for the same. It is supposed that ma
ny collections have been nade which have
not been sent on for want >f this notice.
Contributions in clothiig, and other arti
cles, wanted at the Missionary Station, will
be gratefully received; aid may be forwar
ded to either of the following persons:
Savannah , Robert Habersham.
Augusta, Thomas Cumming.
Charleston , Ravenil & Stevens.
Columbia, Law &. Allison.
Ctamdcn, J. K-. Douglass.
We are, dear Brethren, yours, &c.
W. H. Barr, President.
T. Charlton Henry, Cor. Sec.
From the Connecticut Mirror.
EXHIBITION OF THE DEAF AND
DUMB
On Tuesday afternoonjthe pupils of tLe
Deaf and Dumb Asylum pve apublick ex
hibition of their progress under the course
or instruction pursued a that humane In
stitution An occasion <9 interesting drew
together a large concouhe of our citizens,
and the singular and iiiversal attention
which the audience paid to the exercise,
exhibit a proof that the Rowing knowledge
of this unfortunate clast of our species is
not witnessed without pleasure.
In addition to the neatness which we ob
served in the dress of the pupils, we were
particularly struck with the perfect order
and genteel deportment with which every
thing was done, and we believe it but jus
tice to the officers of the Institution to state,
that in general the pupils in every respect,
exhibited proofs of the constant and unwea
ried pains which had been taken in their
instruction.
The exercises of the day began by pray
er tollowed by an elegant and appropriate
address by Mr. Gallaudet, the Principal,
. and by an address by signs, by a pupil.
Here followed the exhibition of the seve
i ral classes, under the direction of their j n .
structers, beginning with the fourth
consisting of such pupils as had been the
shortest time in the Asylum.
This class, at present under the care of
Mr. Turner, who we understand has been
in the Asylum only about two months, first
wrote single words from signs to illustrate
their knowledge of the instinctive use be
tween the articles o and tfi. Then follow
ed a set ot verbs and tubstautives from
signs, with several short phrases and an
swers to a few questions. The third class
was under the instruction of Mr. Orr.
This class gave proofs of their know
ledge of language by supplying the connec
tives, when the nominative and objective
cases, and verbs, were given them. Also,
Iby supplying the verb in its proper tense
‘k’ ..v,, _ .j ‘ ■
when only the nominative was giveh them
TtoctaaHo displayed a f
the meaning of words, as well as of gram
matical distinction by making ■? or, ? , J E M
sentence, by merely being supplied with a
verb from the instructer. .
The second class was under the instruc
tion of Mr. Weld.
The first object was to show that he
language of signs was applicable to the
grammatical part of our language. Ihis
was illustrated by dictating the various |
tenses of the verbs to the pupils. 1 has, ;
“ | shall have sailed from England before ,
you arrive there.” This sentence was
immediately written down by the pupils,
and is a proof that the distinction of com
plex tenses is as easily conveyed to the
mind by the language of signs as in ally
other manner.
This class gave further illustration ol
their knowledge of grammar, by making
the proper distinction between active and
neuter verbs, and of their knowledge ol
words by deriving from the same root the
different parts of speech, and different
meaniugs to which words are applicable,
as from the root, to admire, the derivations
admiration, admire, admirable, &c. were
properly nsed in different phiases.
The construction of a sentence where
several relatives are used is well known to
be attended with difficulty, even to those
who are in possession of ail the senses.
We were however astonished to see the fol
lowing sentence written down by the pu
pils with the utmost readiness. “ A King
who was powerful, had a palace, which was
elegant, and a crown that was costly.”
Now that the pupil should be made to |
understand by a sign, and without spelling,
the proper use of each of these relatives ,
where they all occur in the sentence, will
give to our readers some proof of what the
deaf and dumb language is capable, and par
ticularly when it is understood that the pu
pils previous to the moment did not know
a single phrase which was to be dictated
to them. Several questions were now put
and the answers given by the pupils.
The first class under the immediate in
struction of Mr. Gallaudet were brought
forward last. The first thing in their ex
ercise was to show in what manner it was
practicable by mere signs to designate
proper names—and those of the cultures
were taken as an example. The signs
were all an actual analysis of the most stri
king traits of the subject denoted by the
name. Thus when the instructer made the
appropriate signs, the class immediately
wrote the names, Paradise, Canaan, Sodom,
Sinai, &c. While Mr. Gallaudet was ma
king these signs to the pupils, lie at the
same time explained to the spectators, their
various meanings and combinations. Thus
he made the sign which he explained to us
as signifying mountain, then Moses, then
the commandments, and the class immedi
ately wrote Sinai. It was striking to see
the rapidity with which these combinations
were made, the extent of their application,
and the quickness with which, among a
considerable number of proper names, each
was known by its analysis, and written by
the pupils. Phrases were also dictated by
signs including proper names, and the class
were directed to write original sentences
chosen at the time, without their previous
knowledge. To these succeeded a selec
tion of various synonyines, the mode of dis
tinguishing which by signs was explained ;
and the pupils wrote original phrases invol
ving such synonymes. We should have
scarcely thought it possible had we not ob
served the fact, that by a 3ign the pupils
were made to understand the difference be
tween the verbs to perceive and to observe—
to discern and to distinguish—to contrast and
to compare , and yet this seemed to be easily
done, and Ihe words were written down
without hesitation.
The mode of communicating some of the
more difficult connectives in the language
by signs was then illustrated, and several
religious phrases involvingsuch connectives
were dictated. The class also wrote sev
eral religious phrases; and we were par
ticularly struck with the exhibition of their
knowledge on that subject. To a question
proposed by one of the audience, 44 What
shall 1 do to be saved,” one of the pupils
immediately wrote you must heartily re
pent for all your sins and sincerely trust in
Christ to be saved. Another wrote 41 be
lieve in God through Christ that your sins
may be forgiven, etc.”
The exercises of this class were conclu
ded by an illustration of a mode lately in
vented by Mr. Gallaudet, of dictating by
grammatjpal signs on the fingers and arm a
complete sentence involving some of the
most difficult lenses of verbs, so that the
pupil who was quite a youth, would com
pose bis own phrase, by making use of the
parts of speech and tenses of the verbs as
dictated bv the instructed In this case the
signs for words are entirely omitted. Thus
the instructer made a sign on his finger
which the pupil understood to mean person
al pronoun; then for the second future
tense—then for the present participle of an
active verb—for an article—an adjective
—and an objective case, and the pupil im
mediately wrote a phrase of his own con
struction similar to the following, 44 1 shall
have been eating the sweet apple.” These
signs varied through several combinations,
and it was surprising to observe with what
promptness the pupil wrote a sentence in
volving all the parts of speech, and tenses
of verbs which had beeD dictated to him ;
the invention and meaning of the phrase
being entirely his own.
We cannot clode this article without one
remark. When we compare the present
condition of these unfortunate beings with
what they were only three or four years
ago, or what they would have been at this
time, had not humanity dictated this mode
of conveying ideas to their minds, we must
consider this institution as one of the most
noble in design, and successful in its execu-
I lion that was ever founded by tbetienevo
;loi£e of man. Fotr years ago most ot
these pupils knew nothing of a God or his
attributes. They now can converse many
of them with fluency on any common sub
ject.
UNITED GENERAL PRAYER MEET
ING AT NEW YORK.
This meeting, the special object of which
we have frequently mentioned, was attend
!ed by a large number of persons, ol difler
■ ent religious denominations, on T uesday
afternoon, April 3d. Ihe Kev. Mr. Ellis
! presided, and the Rev. Dr. Spring, and (he
Rev. Messrs. Williams, Labagh, and Ballnn
tine, took a part in the solemn and interest
ing exeicises. ,
The Committee of Arrangement (which
at present consists of one member from
each ofthe following denominations, viz:
! Associate Reformed, Baptist, Dutch Re
formed, Episcopal, Methodist and Presby
terian,) had prepared a summary of highly
animating accounts of revivals of religion
in different parts ofthe country, which was
i read by the Rev. Mr. Ellis. Dr. Spring
\ then read a letter received by the Commit
-1 tee from New Haven, Con. and followed it
with a short aditress, of which our limits
will only permit us to say, that it was so
lemn, eloquent and impressive, and com
manded the most serious attention. A
short address was then made by the Rev.
Mr. Ellis. They both dwelt much on the
necessity of importunate prayer for an out
pouring of the Holy Spirit on our city, the
specifick object of the meeting. The
meeting was concluded by singing, ami the
benediction was pronounced by Mr. Ellis.
Among the audience we were pleased to
see a number of clergymen of different
denominations.
Os the intelligence communicated to the
meeting, we can at present give our read
ers only the following letter, before alluded
to. Ch. Herald.
Progress of the Revival at New Haven and
vicinity.
Nf.w Haven, March 30, 1821.
My Dear Sir —You may recollect that I
explained to you the manner in which the
churches in the neighbourhood of New
Haven had been visited by our brethren,
and the happy offitwrle which hod been- pro
duced through their instrumentality.
The revivals which have taken place
through the Instrumentality of our breth
ren, have been in Derby, North Milford,
Milford, Stratford, Branford, North Bran
ford, Merrider, Guilford, East Guilford,
New Milford, South Britain, West Haven,
East Haven, and three villages in the skirts
of this town. In Woodbridge and North
Haven, likewise, the brethren have labour-
I ed, and revivals now exist, but I suppose
1 other causes co-operated with their labours.
In 15 or 20 other places, visits have been
• made ; the good seed has been planted ;
• appearances are encouraging; and revi-
I vals confidently expected. In these places
’ the brethren and sisters of the churches
appear to be awaking to the performance
of their appropriate duties, and to be la
bouring and praying with faith, for an out
pouring ofthe Holy Spirit.
Revivals now exist in many towns in this
state, which are more distant, particularly
in North Kiilingworth, Hartford, East
Hartford, Windsor, West Hartford, Weth
ersfield, Newington, New Hartford, part
of Berlin, Farmington, Bristol, Plymouth,
Warren, New Preston, and Goshen; and
an unusual attention to religion is found in
many other places. The revival at Hart
ford is most powerful; it seems as if the
whole city was moved ; and all the eccle
siastical societies partake of the blessing,
viz: two Congregational, one Episcopal,
one Baptist, and one Methodist. But’ not
withstanding the revival at Hartford i9 so
extensive, yet it seems as if the Holy Spir
it was working more effectually on the
hearts of sinners in Farmington, than in any
other town in the state. Upwards of 40
persons became, to the eye of Christian
charity, subjects of personal piety during
the last week.—Only one young lady re
mains in the centre of the town, who lias
not become hopefully pious, and that odc
is said to be under deep convictions.
In several pluces, three of which I now
recollect, contentions, which had existed
for many years in the churches and congre
gations, have been healed, and apparently’
done away, by means of the late revivals of
religion. I should be glad to ask these
persons who are opposed to revivals of re
ligion—is not this a fruit of the Spirit ?
In a town about 30 miles in the interiour,
i there are three men who, after having
read some ol the works of Paine, and other
skeptical writers, became avowedly unbe
lievers. After this they proceeded to col
lect all the arguments against the Christian
system they could meet with, and to fortify
themselves in their infidel principles by
comparing their views, and rehearsing to
each other their strong reasons, intending
to make out a system of their own, which
would be invulnerable. A revival cotn
! menced in that town a month or two since,
and at the last intelligence, two of these
infidels had become hopefully pious Chris
tians, and the third was under strong con
victions of sin.
In Yale College the appearances become
I more and more animating. Numerous and
j fervent have been the prayers which have
! I>een offered, during the last season, to the
’ Throne of Grace, for a revival in that in
stitution. Last autumn, about 30 of the
students became hopefully pious. Since
that period there have been few convic
tions, until lately ; but during the winter,
the college appears to have been advanc
ing to a state of preparation for the out
pouring of the Holy Spirit. Now the Col
lege Church are animated and active, and
1 83 *^ e blessing was descending,
j Within ten day*, nine believe that thev
1 have become subjects of regeneration ; and