The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, June 06, 1821, Page 6, Image 2

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\9. Todav we fix on a spot (oi the erec tion of buitdmg®. It is a pleasant situation, on the road which leads eastward to teete, about half a mile from this village in the midst of an extensive plaid, having the open sea in front, and the rising moun tains in the rear. One of the three houses which Boka has engaged to build tor our necommodation has been nearly raised since morn mg. The timber, pmal! but du irable,bsis been brought from 15 to 20 miles on the shoulders of the natives, while the Jiorses and &xeu look on at their ease.— - Since our arrival we have seen two or three hundred natives employed to drag one of their guns, an eighteen pounder, laid into an old canoe, to the top of the hill back of the village, where they have plant ed two or three guns, directly under cover of which our houses will stand. Excursion to lVitccte. 23. Incompliance with an invitation from Mr. Allen of Witeete, ail our family in this place visited his establishment, and dined and supped at bis table. He is an Ameri camblack, formerly from Schenectady, N. Y.; has resided a considerable time in these islands ; and lives in good style for this country. He has a native female for a wife, whom the female members of our mission have nude some efforts to teach and cloth® ; and two interesting children, whom he desired to have baptized and in structed. One of them he is now teaching to read. He possesses considerable land, which he holds under the ex-high priest Havahava ; has about a dozen houses in his enclosure ; a good well, which is almost the only one in the islands ; a garden dis tinguished for a hill of squashes planted nearly two years since, and now bearing the fifth crop, which will itself probably make a good wagon load, the vines having spread over eight or ten square tods of the richest ground, taking root continually as they advance, and growing with such ex uberance, that it is difficult to pass through them. He has a valuable fish-pond,which affords him frequent supplies ; and a yard , containing a Kamschatka cow, several sheep, and about 3CO goats, from which we are constantly supplied with milk. His eating house is large and commodious, where lie sets an American table for seve ral boarders, and where our dinner wa served up in the best order. His sleeping house, where we were accommodated with comfortable seats, and where, towards eve iag we had o coffee served round, is a pattern of neatness. He is very friendly to us-and to the objects of our mission ; be s*ows on n many little favours ; subscrib ed fifteen dollars to the orphan school fund and offers to build a school house at his own expense, if ive will have a school near his residence, which is about two miles from this place. He is much respected, and generally visited by gentlemen who call at this island. We cannot but consider our selves happy in finding such a neigtiooiir. Under a serene sky and a fair moon,pleased with our excursion, we returned in safety to our habitations, “ because the Lord sus tained us.” 24. Today Mr. Anderson, one of our neighbours, called with a desire lobe bled, and his wishes were gratified. We have repeated applications for medical aid ; and we experience the need of another physi cian. But the Lord will provide. The health ofour family has been wonderfully preserved, through the changes of climate and country, and through the hardships of the voyage and our new situation. The pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the destruction that wasteth at noon day, have not yet been commissioned jo smite us. CHICKASAW MISSION. Extractor a letter from the Rev. Thomas C. Stuart, Principal of the Chickasaw Mission, to the Rev. T. Charlton Henry, Corresponding Secretary ot the Missionary Society of the Syn od ofS. Carolina and Georgia. .Monroe, Chickasaw JVation , } March, 14, 1821. \ Rev. and Dear Sir—The present com munication would have been made at a much earlier period, had it been in the compass of, my power, and consistent with the urgent duties which daily and hourly press rne. The post-office, which was for merly kept at the agency, has been re moved to the town of Columbu*, on the Tomheck-bee, a distance of about 70 miles. And, as there is but little intercourse with (bat place from this part of the Daiion, I find a difficulty in sending letters to the post-office. I hope ns soon as the agent there will be some arrangement made lor a cross mail tiom Columbus to Chief i■‘aw Bluff, which will pass through the neighbourhood of this place. r l iirough the kind providence and tender mercies of my Father, 1 reached the place of my destination on Saturday the 271 h of January, after a tedious and un pleasant journey of five weeks and five days. The weather was unusually inclem ent throughout the wholejourney ; hut not withstanding the inclemency of the weath , or and my exposure by day and by night, 1 never enjoyed better bealih. God has in deed been kind and gracious to me, in pre serving me in safety amidst the dangers of <iie way, and conducting me to this heathen land, Which I now look upon as mv home the (ield of my future toils. May 1 not With propriety chaunt the Ebenezer, “ hith erto hath the hire!blessed me.” The lndians manifested no little satisfac tion on-my arrival. They are as friendly as I could wish them, and seem disposed to render some assistance in forming an es tablishment among them. To my great <ootisfic!ion,l find their desire to receive in vStrnclion -is by no means abased, but con siderably increased. I am apprehensive I shall fie urged to commence the school-be fore I can possibly be ready. The busi ness of the mipsion thus far h;o progressed slowly; owing in part to the inclemency j of the weather ijiyocghout .the month of! February, which operated much against us, and since that time three of the labourers have been indisposed. There are two comfortable cabins erected, and we are now engaged in opening land tor the pur pose* of making a crop of corn this season. I have procured a sufficient quantity for the present year at from 50 to 60 cents per bushel; and expect a Supply of baCon Irom Tennessee about the first <’t May, at la cents per lb. I find it will be attended with considerable expense to support an institution in this country. Provisions ol all kinds except beef, sell very high, ami labourers can scarcely tie had on any terms. As to my prospects at this time, 1 believe they are as flattering as 1 could expect at so early a period ot my labours. I preach occasionally in the neighbourhood. A good ly number attend, who are silent, orderly, and attentive during divine worship. I can not procure any interpreter in this part of the nation; a circumstance which 1 deeply regret. Those to whom 1 have applied, affirm that there are no words in the Chick asaw language toconvfty the idea of preach ing. But lam pe.rsuaded, if ‘they had felt the power of divine, grace on their hearts, they would find words to express their feel ings. Mav the Lord work in them for his name's sake. It is in agitation among some of the most influential whites and Indians to circulate a subscription through the nation for the purpose of colfecting cattle for the use ot the mission. Whether they will prosecute their intention I cannot tell. Idu notallow mvselfto he too sanguine lest l should be disappointed. I hope, however, that a sufficient ryimber for present use will be collected. I think it would subserve the interest of the ini-sion, if some suitable per son were sent on to open a school in the neighbourhood immediately. If a school house was built in the most cent-il part of the neighbourhood, there are 18 or 20 chil dren who would go from home, which would, no doubt, satisfy the Indians, until we can be fully ready to open a at the establishment. The additional expense would not be great, and perhaps much good might be done. Ido hope, that some per son possessed of a missionary ztl can be obtained, who will offer his service gratis, at least for one year. Could Christians witness the forlorn condition of tnese be nighted sons of the forest, would they not be induced, no! only to contribute of iheir substance for the promotion of the Redeem er’s kingdom among the heathen, but also to enlist as soldiers, and come forth to the “ help of the Lord against the mighty.”-=*• 1 greatly need some dear missionary bro ther to unite with and encourage me in the arduous work ; one who would participate my hopes and my fears, my joys and my sorrows, and who would join with me in supplicating the God of Mercy in behalf of my poor heathen neighbours. I am, as it were, alone in this wide wilderness, where Satan reigns with almost unlimited sway. —— —+*OtfO?*'A!OSO~ REVIVAL OF THE WORK OF GOD In Pittsburgh , Pa. To the Editors of the .Methodist Magazine. Dear Brethren, Moping that the following account of a gracious revival of religion, which has lately taken place in this city, >i!cl its vicinity, may be subservient to the interests of Zion, by being inserted in your interesting miscellany, it is sent for that purpose, ’ should your judgment coincide with mine. Yours respectfully, Samvel Davis. Pittsburgh, Feb. 1, 1821. The revival of religion with which this place has been favoured.has continued with little interruption for about a year and a half; during which time, great numbers have been awakened and converted to God, and about 500 have been added to the so ciety. Os thisf number about two hundred and sixty became members iu'the space of six months. Such hre some of the mod prominent facts of this gracious work. As to the circumstances of- its rise and pro gress, it may he proper to state, that in the summer of 1819, the Camp-meetings in the western part of Pennsylvania were made a great blessing. From these the sacred fire spread through the western circuits and stations generally, under the jurisdiction of the Baltimore Conference ; so that scarce ly any part of our work was left u un water ed and dry ;” but the towns of Washingion, Brownsville and Union ; the Redstone and Ohio circuits, with our favoured city, were most abundantly blest. We would not say, that the circumstances and causes leading to this glorious work are to be traced no hisjherthan the camp-meet ings of August 1819 ; but, that these meet ings contributed largely in bringing it to maturity. They elicited spark® which had long been hurieil ; and raised to a flame ‘ fires that had for sometime been kindling. The faithful preaching of the gospel of a free salvation, which this plqce enjoyed, like leaven, was imperceptibly working its way; and like a hammer, was breaking the rock in pieces. Prejudice, ignorance, in sensibility and bigotry, which are found every where, and which much abounded here, were yielding o the force of truth ; and numbers had taken the advice of the apostle, 44 Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.” Many sincere souls had been praying night and day, “ Lord, re member Zior.—revive thy work in the midst of the years—in wrath remember mercy.” For they believed, as one of them lately fold me, that 44 (he Lord had much people in Ibis city.” The sequel proves they were not mistaken. When appointed to this place in the spring of 1819, I found the congregations pretty large and attentive. An increasing attention and seriousness were soon mani fested. Our prayer meetings were well attended, and a spirit of serious inquiry was 1 excited ; deep and general convictions fol lowed ; and it was now become very evi- i dent, that (he objects for which my fuitKful j predecessors, in union with our brethren,! the local preachers, had been labouring t 6 and praying, was nigh nt tiacd. *bo Ltae of refreshing coming from thu presence of the Lord, was indicated by the appearance of the cloud of mercy that was gathering’ over us. • It soon broke in abundant bles-1 sings upon us! Thd conteTii anil distress ol j those who were anxiously inquiring u W hat they must do to be saved,” Soon enlisted the sympathies and prayers of God's people in their behalf, l'or they who have them selves drunk the bitter draught of repent ance, know how to feel tor those who are driuking the. ivormwaod and the gall. Rut few there were, when this work commen ced,who did not recognize it ns God’s work. Although “ marvellous in their eyes,” they knew it to be the Lord's doings. If they were astonished, it was not the astonish ment of ignorance, like that of the Israel ites, who, when they saw the manna, erted out, M What is it ?” but the pleasing sense of the marvellous, excited by an unusual inanifes ation of God's mercy to themselves and their fellow sinners. An immense number of auditors now at tended our publick meetings; but.actuated no doubt, bv various motives and feelings. Many came to pray, and seek salvation some to meek—and some who were aston ished at the report they had heard, resolv ed to see and bear for themselves, and came, saying, l4 Can any good come out of; Nazareth ?” hut they remained under feel- j jug- of reverential awe, and acknowledged, j like Jacob, “ Surtly God is in this place and I knew it not!’ They were surpiised to see so large, Si serious, and so deeply affected an assembly ; to see Irom fifty to an hundred penitens fall upon their knees to be prayed for, —to hear their cries and! fervent supplicatiois to God for mercy ; and to see many of then rise with every mark, of delight and joy,aid give 44 Glory to Gird” for havingdelivered their eyes from tears, ’heir feet from falling, and, their souls from (he pit of corruption I Some there were as might he expected, who mocked, and called it the work ot the devil; others said it was fanaticism, delu sion, hypocrisy, the effect of a disordered and terrified imagination, madness; and, in short, any tiling but religion. This is not strange. There never was a revival of God’s work, which was not opposed by the devil and lukewarm professors of relig ion. Those who now speak against crying and rejoicing aloud, bad they then lived, would have joined with those who said to Bartimeus, 4 hold thy peace,’ and with those who said to the Apostles on the day of Pen tecost, when the Holy Ghost come upon them, 4 These men are filled with new wine!’ so little know they of God’s work! Indeed bigotry is so unyielding, that it is not willing that even the Almighty should work, except in the nay suitable to its views. In relation lo what is termed, and per haps in some instances with propriety-, the extravagance of revivals, 1 must he per mitted to say, ‘that in this case there was loss of it. roooidorinsr the inapm’ittidp of vhe work, than in any I have ever witnessed. — And 1 will add, of the number who became convicted, and were exercised on the sub ject of religion, as many were happily brought to the knowledge of the truth, as in any revival that 1 have seen. Os the genuineness of the work many have given satisfactory evidence, by the fruits of good living which they bear. 4 May their fruit remain !’ Although I have not observed any pe culiar characteristicks by which this revi val might be distinguished, yet no doubt this sketch might be enlivened by descriptions of some particular cases, if the writer could depend on his judgment in the selection of them. This therefore he declines; but would observe thata connected view of the whole, cannot fail to be interesting to the friends ot Zion, as it furnishes increasr ing testimony that Christ reigns in the j midst of his enemies. The number that joined us was compos ed of persons of almost every age, condi tion and circumstance in life ; and it may be ‘added, of almost every denomination of the professing Christians of the place, of which 1 there are eight of ten. If these persons j are questioned concerning the reasons I which induced them to leave the churches | in which perhaps both they ar.d their fore fathers were biought up their answer in general, is substantially this : 4 That the want of the life and power of godliness was so great, and spiritual helps and counsellors so few, that they believed their safety and eternal welfare endangered by remaining ; and, that they were actuated by the sheer est sense of duty,'’ That a regard to the riches and pleasures of the world, or the honour that comes from men had any influ ence upon them, will not be readily sup posed. Towards the close of the last conference year, there having been a rapid accession i ot members to the church, it -was thought by some, and indeed a little feared by my-! self, that we should have a sifting in the’ ensuingyear ; as in most revivals there are : many stoney-ground'hearers, who, having no root in themselves, endure but a little while. But in this I waS happily disap- j pointed ; having, since my return to the ! station, had the satisfaction to admit to full i membership, most of those who had been ■ previously received on trial. These are going on their way rejoicing, and not fear ing to win the driv ; and the Lord still con tinues to add to our numbers. Oh ! may they be such as shall be saved ! A camp meeting w hich was held last Au gust a few miles from this place, was made a great blessing to the young converts, as well as to many others, who were then brought from darkness to light. We trust that the Great Head of the church, who has begun this good work, will nlso carry it j on. Although the flame of a revival may in a great measure subside, there can he no necessity for the work of God to stop ; and the reason why revivals arc not more gen rid, urn! of longer c.6nliAnnce, must he m general, the qufaii!fiHues of the prolessors of religion. - Stafe of the British Missions in Jlmtrica. , From the Report cf the Wesleyan Miij’y. Sociity. In the West ludia Islands the mission ap pears in a prosperous condition. There are Five Districts in these islands, which include 28 Circuits, and employ 49 mission aries. The number in society is twenty three thousand and ninety-two. They have one district in Canada, which included, last year, nine circuits, eleven preachers, and seven hundred and forty-four members. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and New foundland Districts include twenty-nine cir cuits, thirty-five missionaries, and two thou sand six hundred and eighty-one members in society. Total number of missionaries in these stations, 91 Total number of members in so ciety, 20,517 Southern and Western Theological Seminary. The Louisiana Advertiser of April 51 h, states,’ that the Rev. Austin Dickenson was at that time at New Orleans, soliciting aid for the establish ment of a 44 Southern and Western Theological Seminary” in Tennessee, under the direction of a Presbyterian Synod. Mr. D. had letters of in troduction and recommendation from many gen tlemen of (he first respectability. General J ACKSON expressed his view on the subject in language which can hardly fail to produce a hap py effect on the inhabitants of New Orleans,where his servicer in the late war were so eminently suc cessful.— Bos!. Bee. “Virtue cannot exist without Morality and Religion ; ami w ithout Virtue-, Repub licanism cannot be perpetuated; I there fore recommend to all good citizens the propriety of aiding this infant institution by their liberal support, by which alone it can grow into usefulness. From this Institution light® may arise that may give liberty to thousands, and happiness beyond the grave to millions.” —■?* o o w LOCAL ARTICLES. JVew Church on St. Simon's Island. From the Georgian, May 24. There are few among the reflecting part of mankind, who do dot feel a peculiar in terest in the ceremony of depositing the first foundation s'tone of any structure to be dedicated to the service oi publick utility, and virtue ; but when the contemplated in stitution is planned to promote higher pur poses, and is to be dignified with the attri butes of the Divinity, to be consecrated to the preservation of that purity and peace, which hallows the sacred shrine of Chris tianity, and gives the soul a more glorious surety of immortal blessedness, how pow erfully do all the simple solemnities of such an event impress the mind with the impor tance of its future prosperity. A similar satiMnction was experienced by an assem blage of highly respectable inhabitants, on laying the Conner stone of the Protestant Episcopal Church , on St. Simon's Island, about half a mile from Frederica. The ceremony took place on Sunday, the 20th inst. after the morning service was conclud ed ; and was preceded bv an impressive ad dress from the Rev. Edward Matthews.— it is anticipated (hat the edifice will be fin ished, and ready for consecration, at some early period during the ensuing fall. This Ipudable design to promote the cause of morality and piety, by the respected inhab itants of St. Simon’s, proves them to be de serving of the general reputation they have acquired for hospitality, and the practice of the social virtues. From the Same, May 28. Yesterday, in pursuance of a request is i sued by the Grand Master of Georgia, the Hon. T. U. P. Charl'on, the Masons of Sa vannah assembled near Cherokee hill, eight miles distant, for the purpose of laying the corner stone of a church, appropriated for all denominations of Christianity. After opening the lodge in a contiguous building, a procession was formed, which, for num bers and appearance has seldom been sur passed on a similar occasion in this state.— Arrived at the spot where the church was to he erected, an appeal wa9 made to the throne of grace, by the Rev. Allen Sweat, at the conclusion of which, the masonick ceremonies were opened by reading the 24th Psalm: the Grand Master then, after regretting the absence of the Grand Chap lain, addressed the brethren on the objects for which they had been convened, by sta ting, that they had been assembled to lay the corner stone of an edifice, to be dedica ted to the holy name of the Most High. It was to be called the church of all denomina tions, as indicating the universal toleration I of that love, extended by the Divine Ar chitect to all of his dependent creatures; as recognizing no distinction ; thM Masonry is a church for all denominations, embracing in its affection, every fellow being who be lieved in its benevolent attributes, and nour ishing no sectarian prejudices. In conclu sion, he observed that the brethren had met to bless this as a 44 Holy Hill,” to im plore a dispensation of prosperity to the faith hereafter to be inculcated, having for its basis, 44 Peace on earth arid good will to ward all men,” that the building might bloom and flourish in the wilderness, under the protecting and preserving hand of Him,most merciful, most just—the indulgent Father, the everlasting Friend of all denominations committed to his care. The Corn of nourishment, the Wine of refreshment, and the Oil of joy, were then poured upon the marble, with an appropri ate illustration of each emblem ; and the termination of the impressive ceremony took place by the masonick prayer, as usu al on such occasions, in the 99th Psalm. The Masonick ceremonies were succeed ed by a sermon by <he Iter. A. Sweat, and nil exhortation by that truly aNllr ami benevolent man and citizen tu Rev. M. L. WceUW. ’ * the missionary 13 ** MOUNT ZION, WED NESBAyTTunr g “ It cannot have escaped, the observatioii of any considerate and reflecting man, (h ff | we often overlook, in our plans of extend ed beneficence, objects of apparently i u f rionr magnitude which fall under our dailv inspection. Scenes upon which the eye j, constantly fixed, become familiar; and thij very circunr tance of familiarity subtracts not a litlle from that vivid interest which they might otherwise inspire. \\ e are apt to associate something plodding and dull with the daily business and duties of'life while we move with raptbre in somesphert of siipposable and imaginary action. Fan cy can easily create her ideal worlds where the romantick spirit enjoys an eias ticity of feeling, which receives no impnls from the ordinary occurrences of real lift Over these abodes is spread a finer canopy than was ever looked upon by a mala eye—a brighter 9un establishes his dornin ion of illumination by day—stars of diarnom brilliancy soften the gloom and chase away the terrors of midnight—while a richer! drapery invests the landscape which smiles! with inimitable loveliness around. Ilercl the youthful enthusiast performs his acts o| fancied charity, while the child of wan* perishes of hunger at his door—and tbj beardless hero sallies forth to slay his g| ants, while his bosom foes are left to in! trench themselves, in proud defiance, i| the very centre of his heart. Something of the same spirit may exis*| in the religious world. Even Chrislijjj charity may become romantick. Tb)fe| something imposing in the plans of geaer: and universal benevolence—and it is, • least, possible, that these may be pursuJf at the sacrifice of the more immediate aw individual good which might be acco-J. : plished by fixing our eyes sometimes monß directly upon the objects of mercy whieffl surround us. We are not among thosiß who would have charity not only begin bv:B end at home ; and must consequently ap-Sj prove of those schemes of Missionary ope-S ration which, in couformity with the com® mand of Christ, would render the influence: of the Gospel as universal as the sins am miseries of the world. We can follow will our best wishes, the devoted herald of th- Cross while he rolls upon the surges am braves the tempests of the ocean—trar erse by his side the driven snows of Green laud—cross with him the barren sands o the torrid zone—trace in his countenaDCf the deep lines of solicitude while he light up his cottage-fire in the distant islands, dis severed from the civilized world and sur rounded by the eternal girdle of thesea-g and in all these circumstances of conflicjf/ and of hope, devoutly pray, that grace ma | encourage and success attend his labour | For the pagan woild, we would gladly ii t * crease, rather than diminish the sympathii m of the church. We venerate the spirit <€ Ja Swartz, the modern apostle to the GentiM; who first told the natives of India of tbl way of life ; and involuntarily nssociati him with the Great Apostle of old, whf was divinely commissioned to scatter ligh over the regions of pagan darkness, and t| erect altars and churches in the midst® idol gods and heathen temples. No j|' lW withhold our admiration from those, wb(. actuated by the same spirit, are followir hi® footsteps and aspiring at the same rl ward. But in these enterprises fortheheathe is it not possible, that ardent minds m mingle something of romance with religioi There is something interesting in the id of visiting a foreign land, of seeing wl we have never seen before. Expedafi is awake ; and a thousand motives not 1 1 cessnrily religious, combine to render su | an undertaking an object of deep andg* eral interest. Novelty has its influen . over minds of every structure, and i most imposing charms are thrown arc? | every thing which relates to an e'p is from the church to the heathen world” There is something great, and noble, a’ daring in every plan which has for its o ject the conversion of the nations to Cbns and on this principle, no doubt, many c 0 tribute to 4he promotion of this cause"! have never formed a just estimate oft! worth of the soul. These considerate ought to be presented, not because we !> a too much zeal for the salvation of the he. then, but because, in the prosecution ol ti business, other objects are overlooked a neglected, which have an equal, perhaps| superiour claim upon our compassion. While we are crossing oceans, and penetj ting the wilderness, and exploring nents in search of the miserable outcast® our race, that the overtures of pardon® peace and heaven may be propounds 4 *!