Newspaper Page Text
From the Southern Evan. Intelligencer
REVIEW.
** A Vtrfdication of the Holy Scriptures, as a
rule of Faith and Morals, in which some of the
Doctrines of the Church of Rome are considered.
—“ Prove all things ; hold fast that which is
good."— By a Protestant of the Methodist Episcof
pal Church'.”
It is a circumstance, not a little remark
able, that while the Bible cause is making
such progress and obtaining such ascendan
cy in Europe—while many of the ecclesias
ticks, even in the church of Rome, are cor
dially engaged in the circulation of tjie Sa
cred Oracjes, in this country, wberetiber
ty in religions as well as in civil matters is
the prerogative of every citizen—attempts!
should be made to shroud the human mind
in the darkness of ignorance. The pamph- \
let before us owes its existence, however,
to just such a circumstance. The author's
name appears not in connexion with his
work: but the writer is understood to be a
gentleman, whose birth and early educa
tion took place under the influences of that
very system, whose nnscriptural character
and manifold absurdities, lie has so clearly
and ably exposed in the pamphlet under re
view. The substance of the publication, it
appears,had been previously-delivered from
the pujpit. Both the delivery and the pub
lication grew out of an at'ack, publickty
made in the Roman Cntholick Chapel in this
city, on the faith of Protestants, by a gen
tleman recently arrived from Ireland in the
character of Bishop. It might seem a pri
ori incredible, had not the fact actually oc
curred, tlia? ih’ flie 19th century, and in the
citv of Charleston, any individual could be
found capable of a publick assault on the
Holy Scriptures, as a book improper to be
put into the hands of the common people,
and incompetent of itself io guide men to
salvation The attempt appears to us to
imply so much of temerity in itself, or to
calculate with so much contidence on the
ignorance or the credulity of those on whom
it was jnade, that we could not have expec
ted it to be aslayed even by one, whom the
writer of the pamphlet has complimented
as being “ no ordinary foe.”—And we have
our doubts, whether, in such a country and
community as our=, more harm than good
may not arise from the fact, that any notice
should be taken at all of an enterprise so
extraordinary and ill-timed, as that ot an at
. . iwl> wu dui_flihje in —wtu •**
er the cause ot Rome is not better served
by such a fact, than by any thing she has
to say for herself through the mouth of the
ablest of her advocates, or the most devo
ted of her sons.
Our author, however, hi viewed the
subject in a different light, and by whatever
motive he has been influenced in stepping
forward, both in the pulpit and from the
press, in vindication of the Holy Oracles,
we have no hesitation in pronouncing that
he has succeeded in his attempt. There is
one result which we would hope might
r o
arise <rom an advancement of the claims
of Rome in such a day as this. We vrouid
feel gratified in believing, that it may lead
some to turn their attention to (he Scrip
tures, who have never become familiar
with them before: a curiosity to read (hern
in consequence of this attempt to prevent
tbpir being read, may be with some a strong
inducement to become acquainted with
their contents, who have often and earnest
ly been solicited, but In vain, to “ let the
word of Christ dwell in them richly.”
There is no state, in a religious community,
more to be deprecated than a dead calm—
a season of general and entire indifference
to religions matters. Even tidings from
Rome ought to be welcomed, if they recue
us from that death-like lethargy which
leaves us u neither cold nor hot.”
In.the perusal of the pamphlet before us
we haw been particularly pleased with
the modesty of the writer, which, taken in
connexion with the solidity and conclusive
ness of his arguments, and the valuable
matter contained in his pages, render his
book well worthy of being read by every
lover of the Bible; and we hope it will
meet with ready and numerous purchasers
from the additional consideration, that the
profits accruing from the sale are to be ap
propriated to so laudable an object as the
establishment of a Methodist tMission among
some of the Indian tribes.
The author commences his pamplet with
some very judicious remarks, tending to
remove that antipathy which many persons
almost instantly and instinctively feel to
controversy an antipathy which has
>tl
’ J.
lie
doubtles* been occasioned more by the un
warrantable & unchristian spirit with which
controversies have been too often conduct-j
ed, than by any thing in its own nature ; j
and he shews that the Son of tied, and all
his Apostles, almost always assuiped the
attitude of controversialists. He next ex
presses respect for the person and charac
ter and talents of his adversary ; and mod
estly adds—
“ Were it a competition of learning or elo- :
qiience, I would assuredly shrink from the task ; j
conscious of my own inferiority, I would easily
foresee a complete discomflture, attended with
shame and confusion. Trusting, then, in the God
of Truth alone, I arm myself with no other wea
pon but a small share of common sense, and with
my Bible in my hand, sally forth to meei'tbis Go
liath of Rome.”
The point proposed to be established is,
That the sacred Scriptures are a sufficient
rule of faith and morals.” This point he
proves by an induction of numerous partic
ulars, in which the Scriptures are introdu
ced, as teaching every thing man needs to
know of his Maker and of his fellow crea
tures, of his relation to each, and of the
duties growing out of these relations. His
next argument (and a very important one
it W) is built on the fact, that the Scriptures
bear testimony to their own inspiration and
competency. He next advances to meet
the objection of his adversary. The fjrst
objection is founded on the various readings
Khich are discovered in different versions
] and manuscript*, which the advocate of
j Rome considers as involving the subject in
so much obscurity, that none but the infal
i lible mother church is competent deter
r mine which is the true reading. r I his ob
jection is met and vanquished by the state
-1 ment, that these various readings affect not
j the fundamental doctrines of the Bible; aud
; that the jealousy of the different sects, all
iof whom made their appeal to the Bible,
would be an effectual guard against willui
attempts to corrupt them, proving success
ful.
The next objection of Papacy is, that the
Apostles converted mankind at first by
preaching, not by any thing which they’ or
i their Master wrote. This is answered by
f shewing that their hearers were always
i directed and urged to judge of the correcf
ness of every doctrine by the written word,
the Old Testament. The Papist next ob
jects to the diversities that obtain among
Protestants, while he aflirms that there is
uniformity among those who embrace his
system. Ilis objection is answered by
shewing, that this alleged diversity is not
by any means so great, as to the fundamen
tal articles of religion, as the objection sup
poses ; and it is made clearly to appear to
the confusion of the objector, that Papists
have disagreed with and excommunicated
each other.
The author concludes by displaying in
vivid, yet correct colours, the practical in
fluence of the doctrines of Popery. In this
part of the work are shewn the absurdity
of Transubstantiatiop aud other doctrines,
which are disproved by men's every sense
—and the horrible cruelties, and the multi
plied murders of which Popery is the ac
knowledged and legitimate parent, a pro
geny in fact, in which it appears she has
gloried. Interesting and awful historical
facts are here recited.
The author concludes his little work by
looking at the aspect of Divine Providence
and the progressive triumphs of the church,
and anticipating the ultimate success and
triumph of the Bible and Bible religion.
The above pamphlet may be had at
most of the bookstores in Charleston, at 50
cents each. Profits to be devoted to a
Methodist Missionary establishment among
the Indians.
FROM THE S. EVANGELICAL INTELLIGENCER.
Jllessi’Sj JlditOFS —\ our attention was taut
week directed to the neglected situation of
the destitute churches of the “ Charleston
Baptist Association ” Since that communi
cation, l have been favoured with the min
utes of the 11 Edgefield Baptist Association,'’ j
convened at Bethany Meeting-House, Edge- ‘
field District, on the 16th Sept, last; and i
this latter Association is still more destitute !
than that of the former. It is composed of
thirty eight * churches, with one licensed and
12 ordained ministers; but as one of them,;
a father in the church, is superannuated, it j
leaves but twelve ministers to supply the |
. whole Association. Os course, there are !
I twenty sir. churches destitute every Sabbath >
I of the preached Gospel. It is not, Kowct- }■
er, to he presumed that all these churches;
, are left entirely without a preacher during’
the whole year; for it is highly probable, j
that the principal churches are occupied in ;
rotation ; but it does not alter the melan- i
choly fact, that every Sabbath there are’
twenty-six churches unoccupied for want of
ministers.
The Edgefield Association appear to have
been fully aware of their destitute condi
tion, and adopted the following judicious
regulations; which, even if carried into
effect (as only two itinerant ministers were
!to be immediately employed,) can afford
but a very inadequate supply.—lt is to be
hoped ih'.i! their two missionaries will mul
, tiply into an hundred.
Extract from the Minittes of the Association.
44 i he Association appointed the follow
ing brethren a committee to draft rules for
establishing a scheme of itinerant preaching
in the bounds of this Association, viz. J.
Head, E. Brezeal, J. Bulger, W. Belcher,
and J. Chiles, who submitted the following
plan :
l a t. Thi a business shall be conducted by
a Board of Directors consisting of five mem
ber?, three ot whom shall form a quorum,
. to be chosen annually at the meetings of
the Association, out of the most enlightened
, and potdick spirited members of the church
i es of this connexion, and situated as con
i tiguoiisly as may be to each other, with a
, view to facilitate the transaction of busi
. ness.
2d. I’he board shall have a chairman,
treasurer and sec-etary, to be chosen by
, themselves out of their number, and shall
; keep a regular account of (heir transac
i tions, of which, and the state of (he fund,
they shall make report at the meetings of
the Association.
3d. There being a sufficient fund already
collected, the board are authorized to ap
point t-ffo persons to itinerate and preach in
the bounds of the Association. The board
; ? hall be particularly careful that in making
these appointments, they select only preach
ers of approved character, distinguished for
their prudence, piety and zeal, and of re
spectable talents, whom they shall furnish
with certificates of their appointments, and
j with written instructions for the regulation
of their conduct.
I 4th. Os the ministers appointed to this
service, it will be expected that they care
fully avoid entering into contentions with
Christians.of other denominations , and giving
offence ; that they insist in their preaching
among the people at large, chiefly on the
most pluin, important and experimental truths
of the Gospel , with a view to the conversion
of sinners, and to the excitement of profes
i sors, both as individuals and churches, to
i the exercise of vital, practical godliness ;
that they carefully inquire into the state of
*. Thirty-nine are enumerated in the minutes ;
but one of them is noted a sbeing dissolved. The
| causa of this dissolution is not mentioned.
18
I destitute churches, and afford them aid in n£*|
moving difficulties and rectifying disorders,
and that they be particularly careful in tne
performance of this sacred service, to en
ter fully in the Gospel spirit; to be diligent
& active in their work, to make their whole
deportments exemplary, and to leave no
just grounds of suspicion respecting their
motives or conduct.
sth. In regard to the regular support of
such a scheme of pious and benevolent ex
erfipns, and of the reasonableness that those
who are benefited by it should contribute
to ,'ijs support, the itinerant preachers,
sent out by the board shall be authorized
to institute plans for obtaining contributions
among the congregations, or people among
whom they may minister, either by publick
collections or otherwise, as to the respec
tive congregations may seem rnosteligible.
Some respectable person or persons being
appointed in each congregation to receive
the monies so contributed, and to remove
all occasions of abuse and ground ot suspi
cion, no collection or contribution to any
minister employed in this service shall be
considered as regularly made without a
certificate of its amount under the hand of
such person or persons, lieing transmitted
to the treasurer of the board. It shall,
however, not be considered as irregular
for a minister employed in this service to
receive what any individual may think
proper to bestow on him lor his own use
from personal regard.
Proceeded to the appointment of the
board, and the brethren Landrum, Brezeal,
Bulger, Chiles and Blocker, were appoint
ed.”
This Association cordially approved of
the proposal i-om the Charleston body, for
calling a general Baptist State Convention,
but did not feel authorized to accept it
without the consent of the churches ; to
whom the subject was referred, that they
might instruct their delegates how to act
at the next meeting of the Association in
Abbeville District, in September next.
Edgefield Association , it is believed, in
cludes (lie whole of the civil District of
Edgefield, and a part of four other Districts.
Its churches and ministers are divided as
follows:
Edgefield, 21 churches, 6 ministers,
Ora'tigeburgh, 6 3
Barnwell, 3 0
Abbeville, 7 3
Lexington, 1 0
33 12
In the civil District of Edgefield, there
are no other denomination of ministers ex
cept Baptists and three | Methodists. It is
not known what other Christian preachers
there are in other parts of the country in
cluded within the iimits of this Association.
They are, however, .inconsiderable, if
any.—“ The harvest is great, but the labourers
are few” A BAPTIST.
+ In a publication, recently before the publick,
it is mentioned, on the authority of a letter, that
I there was but one .Methodist preacher in Edge
j field District. This, though literally the fact
; when the letter was written, is not strictly cor
} reel. At that time the Methodist circuit riders
were only temporarily called out of the district,
1 which was unknown to the writer of the letter;
but they have now resumed their station. The
j friendly manner in which our Methodist brethren
corrected the errour, in which the Christian spirit
was displayed, must, at the same time, have been
highly gratifying, not only to the writer of the let
ter, but also to the author of the publication allud
ed to.
■aO o<a-
OSAGE MISSION.
The New York Missionary Register contains the
following extract of a private letter from a mem
ber of the Osage Union Mission.
FROM MR. REDFIELD.
Union, Deq. 4, 1820.
When I wrote last, l was among the
Cherokees, 200 miles from this place. This
distance we travelled on foot, and found it
a long and tedious journey through the wil
derness. When night overtook us, we
halted, kindled a large fire, and, wrapping
ourselves in our blankets, slept by the side
of it. We brought with us on our pack
horses, hard bread, which lasted us most
of the way. When our store was exhaust
ed, we lived on venison, which our hunter
procured in great abundance. During this
journey, the Lord was better to us than
our fears; for notwithstanding we were
greatly exposed by sleeping on the ground
in the open air, yet the health of the whole
party was preserved.
There is a garrison within a hundred
miles of this place, where there is a settle
ment of white people. At that settlement
we purchased our stock.
We have found hut few of the Osages at
home. The principal men are gone on a
hunt, but are expected in soon. I have
been much delighted with the Indians we
found here. They received us apparently
with the greatest jov. They are a noble
looking people. The men are six feet in
height, and agreeably to the old saying, as
straight as an Indian. Their countenances
are tree and open, and bespeak strong:
minds.
The place selected for our cstablishme.nt
is very beautiful. It is a prairie of three or
four hundred acres, on which there is an
excellent spring. The soil is rich and ea
sily cultivated. A crop of corn, about a
hundred bushels, was raised here by a tra
der, last season, which we have been ena
bled to. purchase.
The Osages possess a beautiful tract of
Country, very fertile and healthy ; but they
know nothing about cultivation. The
country abounds with buffalo, bear and
deer. The buffalo is superiour to any beef
1 have ever tasted. In raising stock, we
shall have no need of hay. Cattle and
horses will feed on cane- which continues
green through the year, and which grows
in abundance on the low grounds. Within
one mile of our station, there are salt
springs, where Mr. Filbrook, lately a mer
chant in New York, is preparing to manu
facture salt.
\ Christmas Day. As I have had no op
portunity to send this letter, I can now add,
that the Osage Chief came to visit us a few
days ago. We had a very interesting inter
view I could scarcely refrain from shed
ding tears, during his first address. 41 1<•
me, said lie, “ this is a glorious morning.
I am glad in my heart that I ever lived to
see this day. Now my children will he
taught to read, and to live like white peo
ple. We want to learn your religion—it is
better than ours.” His speech was made
up of good sense, and delivered with great
emphasis, and in the most feeling manner.
Brother Chapman has begun to learn the
language of the Osages, that he may preach
to them in their own tongue.
Feb. 3, 1321. We have five log cabins
nearly finished, and have yet to build a
kitchen and store-house. The month ol
January was cold. We had snow about a
foot deep. The snow, however, has al
ready left us, and the weather is moderate.
The water in Grand River is now ten feet
hig-her than when we arrived.
——
CEYLON MISSION OPPOSED.
FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER.
From the Missionary Herald of the pres
ent month,(June) we learn that Mr. Garrett,
who was sent out to Ceylon more than a
year ago, to form and superintend a printing
establishment in aid of our other mission
ary operations in that island, had received
peremtory orders from the government to
take his departure within about three
months from the time of his arrival. The
missionaries very earnestly and ably inter
ceded with Sir Everard Barnes, the Lieut.
Governour for his continuance, hut without
success. As it was impossible for Mr. Gar
rett to return directly to America from Ihe
island, and the commencement of the rainy
season rendered it very difficult to make
arrangements for proceeding to any of the
principal ports of India, the Missionaries
very modestly requested that the time fix
ed for his departure might be extended two
months. This was refused ! The ground
of the Lieut. Governour’s unfriendly pro
ceedings in this case were simply that he
“ felt extremely averse to the admission of
foreign missionaries into Ceylon—that the
British government were making laudable
efforts for the diffusion of Christianity
throughout the colonies”—and thai Amer
ican Christians had enough to do to rescue
from barbarianism the populous Indian
tribes of their own continent. The insuf
ficiency of these grounds was very fully
shewn in a respectful memorial presented
by the missionaries ; and the encourage
ment they had formerly received from his
Excellency Governour Brovvnrigg—the
satisfaction he had uniformly expressed in
their course of operations—and the assu
rances he had given them in 1816, that
they might establish a printing press, were
arguments they urged with great force,but
with no happy effect.
Mr Garrett was intending to proceed to
Negapatam, a small port on the Coroman
del coast, not far distant, where he expect
ed to be cordially received by Mr. Squance,
; a Wesleyan missionary,till further arrange
! ments could be made. Whether he would
i proceed thence to Bombay, or unite with
j one or two of the brethren at Ceylon in
forming anew station on the Coromandel
I coast, was not determined at the date of
the hast communications. The latter mea
sure would be adopted without hesitation,
but for the want of funds—a want which
we are abundantly able, and ought to- be
equally ready to supply.
For ourselves, we have not the least,
doubt that this afflictive disappointment of
the expectations of our Missionaries will
eventuate like all other wiles of the adver
sary, in the more rapid extension and the
firmer establishment of the kingdom of
Christ. Bold and daring opposition to mis
sionary enterprise, never yet essentially
impeded its progress—fears are to be en
tertained only when the enemies of missions
pretend to admire and cherish them—or
when their friends become languid and in
: different to their prosperity. It is no bad
■ omen to the ultimate event of the mission
at Ceylon, that SirE. Barnes opposes it on
1 no better ground than his personal aversion
to foreigners! Our Missionaries will be
rendered still more prayerful, and sensible
of their dependence on God ; and their
friends in this country will be rendered
more active, and le9s inclined to trust in
the favour of men. Such an exhibition of
weakness and depravity as is here made
by the Lieut. Governour, does not often oc
cur in these days of glory to the church ;
and it may serve to remind us of what we
sometimes almost forget, viz. that self-de
nial, patience and fortitude are no less in
dispensable qualifications of Christian mis
sionaries and their friends, than the bolder
virtues. The enemies of God and the
i church are not able with impunity to un
-1 sheath the sword and cut in pieces the ar
! mies of the Lord, but on every favourable
: opportunity they are not loth to show that
they possess the same dispositions which
were manifested by their predecessors
eighteen hundred years ago.
1 Since the Missionaries at Ceylon havp
• been frustrated in their plan of printing the
1 1 amul Bible, by the arbitrary removal of
■ their printer, they are anxious to he fur
■ nished by the American Bible Society with
the requisite means for obtaining from Ma
dras, a part of the edition now publishing
there, under the care of Mr. Rhenius. ft
| is presumed that this request will be readi
• ly complied with, and that the funds of the
Bible Society will be increased proportion
• ably, by the liberality of all who love the
I cause ofMissions.
A donation of 1000 French Tracts, made
by the New York Religious Tract Society,
has been kindly received by his Excellen
cy the President of Hayti, and he has prom
ised to establish a society for the distribu
tion of Tracts at Port an Prince.
from London, received at ?Im.
“ adelpbia.
Advice has recently been received Os
some moment as to the promising state ot
the Bible Society established last year by
Dr. Pinkerton at Athens, that Dionysius,
the Greek Archbishop of Athens has re
ceived the Presidency of the Society ; a
circumstance which is viewed as highly im
portant, as it cannot fail of giving a power
ful impulse to their transactions; and why
may we not indulge the expectation, that
through the instrumentality ot this society,
Athens may yet be what Paul wished it to
be eighteen centuries ago, seeing nothing
is too hard for Omnipotence to effect—iu
many branches of the Greek Church there
is e vidently much of the life and power of
religion, and that even amongsi its highest
dignitaries, who warmly patronize the dis
tribution of the Scriptures. One of our
Missionaries to the Tartar Tribes on the
borders of Russia, thus speaks of a circum
stance he had witnessed at St. Petersburg!)
a few weeks since— 44 My eyes have just
beheld the most glorious sight the sun ever
shone upon ; whilst 1 was present a num
ber of sledges entered the yard of the Bi
ble Society House, in the course of one
hour. I saw them loaded and despatched
with thirty-four thousand copies of the
Word of Life, to the most distant parts of
the Russian empire, all to be delivered at
the government expense, carriage free.”—
Surely these are indications of good to a
ruined race from him who has declared,
4 My word shall not return unto me void.’
ELOQUENCE IN THE BEST OF CAUSES.
Extract of an address of the Rev. Win. Jowett,
at the formation of the Hibernian Church Mis
sionary Society.
My Lord, the zeal and ardour with which
we should all engage in this work, have
been so strongly enforced, that 1 know not
how any thing can be added to the general .
feeling. But there is one. consideration 4
which has deeply impressed my mind
whenever our friends have met together
for consulting on the interests of this Socie
ty. I remember to have read, thatjn the
PuDic War, when a city in Spain was be
sieged by the Carthaginians, and it wa3
tardily deliberated in Rome what succours
should be sent to the beseiged,a single sen
tence hastened the question to a decision f
Roma deliberat Saguntum perit. 44 While
Rome deliberates Saguntum perishes !” I
would apply this sentiment to the,,
present occasion. While Britain de
liberates, the world is perishing ! I
am not for precipitate counsels; but 1
would remind the meeting that every mo
ment we lose, the world is sinking beneath
our feet. It has been calculated, estima
ting the population of the globe at a thou
sand millions, and allowing thirty years for
the period of one generation, that in eve
ry moment of time the soul of one human
being passes into eternity'. How awaken
ing this reflection ! and could 1, my lord,
conceive that it is my dearest friend who is
in this moment expiring, what must my
feelings be ? And yet this alters not the
consideration : I am bound to call every
human being my neighbour, my friend, my
brother; my Saviour has taught me to do
so. Whether he be the person that is with
in the reach of my arm, or (beman that
treads the antipodes of the earth ; he is
my neighbour. The place or manner of
his death cannot change the question.—
Whether he he languishing in pain, without
God and without hope, on the sultry deserts
of Arabia, or breathing out his spirit in the
holy raptures of the Christian’s death-bed,
it is enough forme to know that ? kindred
soul to mine is at this moment departing—
he is dying—he is dead ! F.re 1 can give ut
terance to the thought, another, and anoth
er, and another is no more ! 0 could I call
up the spirits of those who have depart* and
this life since the present assembly began, *
its meeting ; could they tell you of the %
scenes that in the last few moments have
burst upon their view ; some perhaps un
folding a tale that would harrow up the
soul, others animating us by a ray of that
joy which eye hath net seen nor ear heard,
neither hath it entered into the heart of man to
conceive ; how gladly would I leave to them
the pleading of this cause. But they are
dead, they are gone down into silence.—
Still, my lord, there are millions yet alive,
and other generations unborn. By that
solemn voice then, that speaks to our im
agination from the graves of the departed ;
and by that awful account, which we must
ere long give of our religious privileges at
the judgment seat of Christ, we are adjur
ed to add fresh vigour to our deliberations
and exertions in behalf of (hose millions
that are now alive, and millions yet to live.
CHRISTIANITY AND WOMAN.
In a late trial in England, ofMrs. Carlisle,
the wife of Richard Carlisle, (confined in
prison tor the publication of blasphemous
works) for the same offence, Mr. Justice
Bent, in charging the jury, expressed his
44 deep regret and astonishment at seeing a
woman stand tonvanl as the opponent of
that system of religion from which every
thing valuable to woman was derived. It
was strange, he added, to see a woman for
getting, that before Christianity prevailed,
her sex had been but slaves to the passions
of their masters; that Christianity had
raised her on a level with man~had made
her his companion and his equal in this
world, and the joint partner of his hopes
in the next.”
SUBLIMITY.
The six following lines on the children ‘
of Israel's departure out of Egypt, Mr.
Pope thought superiour to any thing in the
English language :
When Egypt’s king God’s chosen tribes pursued,
In chrystal walls the admiring waters stood ;
When thro’ the desert wild they took their way,
I he rocks relented and pour’d forth a sea : ’
vt hat limits can Almighty Goodness know,
When seas tan harden, and when rocks can flow ?
