The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, May 11, 1821, Page 198, Image 2

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“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