The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, August 06, 1821, Page 34, Image 2

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proposed by this bill, compelling them to support literary institutions, which they cannot conscientiously approve, cannot fail to be regarded as an intolerable griev ance. Boston Rec. MISSIONS IN TiTe WEST INDIES. isle khonde.— Wesleyan Missionaries. There is scarcely a more gratifying sub ject of contemplation, in the whole circle of missionary operations, than the happy effect of Christian instruction on the minds of many slaves in several-of the West India Islands. This effect is so undeniable, that it has, in many instances, and to a great ex tent, overcome the prejudices and violent opposition of slaveholders. We lay before our readers two instances of the beneficial effects of missions, in different islands, from a late number of the London Missionary Register. — Miss. Her. Os the Negroes at Isle Rhone, which is a small island about a day’s sail to windward of Grenada, the Wesleyan Missionaries at Grenada write, in January 1820— The slaves are 258 in number ; nearly all creoles of Antigua. They were remo ved from Antigua about thirty-two years ago ; and many of them, previous to their removal, were members of the Church of the United Brethren. The good received under their ministry they retain to this day ; and although during the space of thirty two years, they have very seldom heard a sermon from a minister of any denomina tion, they have kept up their religions meetings: and from all that we can learn, have been exemplary in their moral con duct. We feel it to be our duty to take these sheep of Christ under our care ; and have, accordingly, formed a-Societv of forty-eight members. The manager of the estate on this island bears the following honourable testimony to the influence of religion on these ne groes : In the years 1794 and 1795, a few year? after the Lie Rhone slaves had been brought from Antigua, the fatal insurrec tion broke out in Grenada, which made the whole island one scene of horrour, devasta tion and blood. Isle Rhonde is distant from the most windward part of Grenada only about two leagues. Information was com municated to the manager living in that island, of the general rise of the slaves in Grenada against their masters, and of the aid afforded them by the French; in order that he might make bis escape, as there were not more than two white people on the Isle Rhone to 250 slaves. The mana ger, however, instead of flying, called all the slaves together, and told them of what j had happened to Grenada. He then asked j 1 them what they intended to do—whether j they would rise too. They answered, j “No.” “Will you then stand by me?”! 1 With one voice they replied, “ Yes, massa.” i Accordingly they were entrusted with | whatever could be found as weapons: and; while one party of them attended to the work, another party kept guard, and so far as their knowledge went, supplied the place of military for the defence of their master's 1 property. And, though the French never 1 came to that island es they did to Grenada, 1 with the tempting offer of freedom to the 1 slaves that would join them, there is every 1 reason to believe, from the spirit and con- 1 duct of the slaves, that such an offer would 1 have been rejected. When the insurrec tion was over, they quietly laid down their arms, and all cheerfully resumed their em ployment. This fact speaks volumes in favour of the religious instruction of the negroes; and is the more remarkable when contrasted with the turbulent and disaffected spirit, which, through the influence of the French, then prevailed almost universally among the ne groes of Grenada. MISSIONARY SOCIETY AT ST. CHRISTOPHER’S. The following extracts from the St. Christopher's Advertiser will be read with peculiar pleasure by all whro take an inter est in the cause of missions, and more par ticularly as connected with our West India Islands. At a meeting held at the court-house in the town of Basseterre, on Friday last, the 14th of July, for the purpose of establish ing an auxiliary missionary society in the Island of St. Christopher’s—His Honour, the Commander in Chief, having taken the chair, opened the business of the day in an appropriate speech, setting forth the ob jects for which the meeting had been con vened, and urging the claims that it had to publick attention. After which, the follow ing resolutions were put, and unanimously adopted, viz. I. That a society be now formed, to he designated “The Christian Auxiliary Mis sionary Society for the Island of St. Chris topher’s,” to aid the missionary societies in the kingdom of Great Britain in spreading the light of Christianity to the ends of the earth. 11. That the meeting acknowledges with gratiude to Almighty God, the success that has attended the labours of Christian ministers and missionaries generally since their ministerial labours in the heathen world ; and views this success as an assur ance from heaven that the time is fast ap proaching when the Scripture shall be ful filled, that the earth shall be filled ■with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 111. That the religions and moral state of the heathen world, and the negro papu lation in particular, calls aloud for the most vigorous exertion's of Christians of every denomination, to instruct them in the prin ciples of the Christian religion. The following gentlemen were appoint ed the officers of the Society : Hon. R. W. Pickwoud, Esq. Chief-justice, President. (Patrick Kelley, Esq. Treasurer. Sidney Stephen, Esq, Secretary. , AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. Extracts of Corresfonuenck. : Extract of a Letter from Prof. Smith, Colum bia College, S. C. to the Rev. Dr. Porter Jlndover. Dear Sir,—Your favour of the 23d reach ed me on Monday evening last, and Meet disposed to pay to it all the attention is due to its important subject. lh<? ’ scheme of the American Education Society, 1 is of such a magnificent and liberal nature, that it is certainly entitled to the zealous * aid of every friend both of religion and lit erature, who may have it iu his power to ’ contribute even a mite towards its promo tion. Extract of a Letter from Hon. Charles C. Pinckney, Charleston, S. C. to the Rev. Dr. Porter. “ Reverend Sir,—l have attentively pe rused the constitution and address ot the American Society for Educating Pious Youth for the Gospel Ministry., and heard with pleasure your manuscript account relative \ to the same institution. Asa member of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, 1 am happy to find that the Ameri can Society is not exclusive, or sectarian in . its principles, as it declares, (page 121 that no establishment is contemplated, and (page 17) that the subject of the constitution and address calls on every human hfiag to con tribute “ because Christ diedfor all.” Trus ting in these declarations, I shall be proud (o be enrolled as a member ot the Society, and enclose a check for the first four years contribution thereto. For which you will have the goodness to give me credit. I have the honour to be with profound res pect, your most obedient servant, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. It will he recollected that this letter was written by one of the personal friends of the great Washington, the father of his coun try ; by one who signed the Declaration of American Independence ; by one of the few venerable sages of the Revolution, now remaining on earth, to bless its inhabitants ; who would not be proud to have their names enrolled with his, as members of (he Amer ican Education Society ? and what good roan’s heart does not bound with gratitude and exultation, that those venerable men, who have been first in the field, and first in the cabinet, are now placing themselves first in the cause of benevolence, and of God ; and who that knows the growing and baleful jealousies of different sections of that country whose union it was the great object of Washington and his cotemporaries to establish and confirm, does not think it augurs well, when the great and good from Portland to New Orleans and from Caroli na to Michigan, can unite their prayers, and their efforts, and their alms, to educate pi ous indigent young men for the gospel min istry. There are small geniuses who think that ministers, like hops, will come into market, as soon and as fast as they are wan ted. So thought not the friend of Wash ington, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. It would not surprise us, if the opinion and ex ample of this single individual, should in duce hundreds of the rich and the honour able, from different denominations ofCbris tians, and from different Stales in the Uni on, who have before regarded the Ameri can Education Society as sectarian or local, or unimportant, or illiberal, to become life members or annual subscribers. Let this single fact then close these re marks. Including ministers and laymen, only thirty-nine were made life members last year. Let then the sisters of that wo man who anointed the body of Jesus unto the burial, came forward at once, and make their ministers life members. CHEROKEE CORRESPONDENCE. From, the New-Haven Intelligencer. Letter from Catharine Brown to her brother David Brown, at the Foreign Mission School, at Cornwall, dated Creek Path, Feb. 21. My dear Brother, —I received your kind letter some time since, and it gave me great satisfaction to hear from you. 1 should have written before this time, but did not know how to send to Brainerd. lam truly happy to hear that you feel so well content ed with your situation in school, and that you are well pleased with your dear in structer. Our dear parents are in good health. They have removed from the place where they lived before, and are now living with brother John. I think they have truly passed from death unto life ; they seem to be growing in grace and in the knowledge of Him who has redeem ed their souls from hell. Indeed you can not imagine how different they seem from what they did when you left us. All they desire now is to do the will of our dear Saviour. This work is the Lord’s, and no doubt he will keep them and carry them safe through this sinful world, until he re ceives them to his heavenly kingdom. 0, dear brother, truly the Lord has heard our prayers for the souls of our parents. We have great reason to rejoice. May we not say, not unto us, but to thy name be all the praise. You have doubtless heard that brother J. has joined the church. Dear brother D. my heart is full while I am writing. How shall I express my gratitude to God for bringing him to a knowledge of the Saviour. He says sometimes he feels happy , n praying to God, and feels willing that he should do with him as seetneth good in his sight. My brother Df.vid, when we look back and see wbat the Lord has done for our iatnily in the course of a few years, O let os call upon our souls and all that is within us to praise our God for his great blessings 1 sometimes long to see your face once more in this world, to converse and pray with you before oar Saviour. I often think ot the happy hours which we spent when 34 we were at Brinnerd, when the sweetness of jciigion, and when rag used to take eaMkr’s haml ,0 ““ lk nt,<r sing our favourit^^Wn, “ Come we that love the Lord.” We then knew the saints, and felt that religion was not designed to make our pleasures less. But now our heavenly Father has separates us for u time in this world; 1 hope for his glory and for the good of perishing touls around us. We have much to do for our Saviour. As we hope we are children *f the most high God, let us he good soldiers, and not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Father and mother send love to you, and to the scholar? i-i Cornwall. I hope you will write to ussoon, and let us know how you do. Adieu, der Brother, till we meet again. David Rrom. Catharine Brown. [The fallowing will be read with admiration, from a little Indian girl, not 12 years old, who Vhas been but two years at school.] Dear Misi G —At the request of Mrs. P. who thinks ;\ letter from a little Cherokee girl will qpt be unacceptable, i lake the liberty fff addressing you. Me received with gratitude the presents which your scholars sent us at Brainerd, and were pleased to think that so many of onr little white brothers nd sisters care so much about us poor heatken ; but we hope that very soon the poor Cherokee 9 will have (be everlasting gospel preached unto them, and may they not leglect to listen. We know that all creation will become true followers of Jesus, and all those that do not believe shall be cast into utter darkness, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of tectii. May we not be found among the wicked, hut may we rise glorious at the awful day. omy <iear friend, I entreat you tell your seholais to pray for us. IV e have great reason tb be thankful do the good people of the itorth for all they do for us. Among other good things, they have taken my brother to Cornwall, where he has become pious, and we trust he will be prepared to preach the gospel to his Nation. You will mt expect a very long or a very good letter from a little girl not yet twelve years old, who has been but two years at school. I write that you and your little scholars will not think us ungrateful. Your affectionate friend, Delilah Field. RELIGIOUS CELEBRATION OF IN DEPENDENCE. The anniversary of the Declaration of our In dependence was celebrated with religious solem nities in the Baptist Meeting House in Hartford, Con. on the 4th inst. The meeting was opened by musick, and the reading of the Declaration of Independence, which was followed by a very in teresting and appropriate discourse by the Rev. Mr. Cushman, and the services closed in the usu al manner of religious worship. We present an extract from Mr. Cushman’s sermon.— Times. In reference to the proper method of declaring the praise of the Lord for the deliverance and protection of our country — When have we a more favourable oppor tunity to express our gratitude to God than on the anniversary of our national Inde pendence ? The scruples which have aris en from the imperfect manner of celebrat ing this important event, so far from excus ing us, rather calls for more attention to the subject. The annual ceremonies by which the patriotism of our ancestors is kept alive in the breasts of tbeir posterity, though proper as far as it goes, does not reach Ihe height of this interesting subject. The Divine agency is not so emphatically declared as it should be. The artificial thunders which this morning roared thro’ the atmosphere, and shook us from our beds, are but the memorial of those feeble instruments by which our American Inde pendence was secured. The inquisitive mind, starting from its slumbers, learns from this martial triumph, that our latheis fought, and they conquered.—But it is ask ed who gave success to the engine of war? Who directed its force that it should smite between the joints of the harness? Or were a powerful host by accident suffocat ed in its fulminations, or overcome by the terronrs of its threatening voice ? By whose miraculous interposition did it hap pen, that those intrepid veterans were not ignominionsly executed as traitors, instead of being crowned with the laurels of a free country ?—Questions of this kind, my breth ren, can receive no satisfactory solution at the cannon’s mouth. If then, we would declare the whole matter, and recognize the entire agency of this memorable prodi gy, let the trumpet of the gospel be blown in the solemn assemblies, and sound the praises of the Lord most high, who by the scales of righteousness weighs to nations their respective destinies, and dispenses them according to his sovereign pleasure. But who shall declare this explicit intel ligence which renders to Caesar the honour that is his due, and to God the praise that is God’s ? Shall it he learned at the banquet of wine, from the incoherent and inarticu late shouts of an enlbusiastick multitude ? hut little of our God is heard there. Shall it drop from the lips of (tie Orator ?****To the honour of our country, we acknowledge with gratitude, that here the name of God, and his supreme guidance are not wholly forgotten. But whenever statesmen intro duce this subject in connexion with the principles of political economy, they do but touch upon a theme which it would be the honour of every Christian to swell: they do but elicit a spark which ‘every Christian minister ought always to he ready to blow into a llame. Let the sons of Zion catch, and spread the sound ; Lei Jerusalem praise the Lord. Consider, my brethren, the sacrifices God was pleased to make, to purchase our inde pendence. h was not the wisdom and pa triotism of our Congress alone, which pro cured our freedom ; it was the valour of those eminent citizens who exposed thejr Tlfces RBCTOrtorfifaWe ‘ .blood which was given to purchase the soil flpon which you subsist:—G ! Christians, can you be idle? can you be unthankful, while you reap the fruits of a soil manured 1 by your fathers’ blood ? We would not prompt you to noisy clam- 1 our—we would not exhort you to sensual i mirth and festivity ; but would point you to, (he Almighty arm on which all civil and religions enjoyments depend, and ask for. the improvement of nil benefits to the glory j of Him by w hom they were given. May God himself enable us to elevate our songs of praise to his throne, and bring us at last to u state of more omphatical indepen dence, not'with tlie blood of our fathers, but with the blood of His beloved Son. GENERAL ASSEMBLY j Os the Presbyterian Church, in the United , States ; Sessions , Philadelphia, May, 1821. j From the compendious view of the stntis-j tical reports presented to the Assembly, it •appears, that there are at present under its care, 12 synods, and 62 presbyteries. Fifi ty of these presbyteries sent up reports to this Assembly, but they were not all perfect. Forty-eight only reported on the number of communicants added the last year, nnd for ty-nine on the whole number of communi i cants. Forty-eight have reported on the j number of baptisms. Os thirteen hundred congregations, the whole number reported by 50 presbyteries, five hundred nnd seven ty-eight have reported the number of com municants added to them during the last year, to be 7,186; and 651 congregations the total number, now in communion, to be 71,364. Three hundred and seventy-three congregations have reported the instances ! of adult baptisms in them during the last | year, which amount to 2,101; and 494 the leases of infant baptisms, which amount to i 8,105. The fifty presbyteries, which have reported, contain 546 ministers of the gos , pel who have pastoral charges, and 188 who have not; giving a total 0f734; and have under their care 103 licentiates and 101 candidates. The congregations within i the bounds of these 50 presbyteries, which ■ are statedly supplied, are 793 ; vacant and able to support a pastor, 103; united, able, , 20 ; and unable in their present condition, 318. It is to he regretted that 12 presby teries should have made no returns; and that other large presbyteries should have reported little else than the names of (heir ministers and churches. Not half of the 1,300 congregations reported, have stated their increase during the last year; wc may warrantably conclude therefore, since the whole number of communicants in 651 con gregations is upwards of 71,000, that the whole number in all our congregations can not be less than 142,000. The number of ordained ministers in our connexion, we es timate at 1000. [Presb. Alag. EXTRACT From President Nott's Address to the Candi dates for the Baccalaureate , inUnion College. I cannot sum up all 1 would wish to say to you better than by placing the entire character of Jesus Christ before you as a perfect model, in the imitation of which will alike consist your happiness and glory. On every important question, in every try ing situation, ask what would have been his opinion ; what his conduct; and let the answer regulate your own. Methinks your parents, some of whom I see in this assembly, add their sanction to the counsel lam now delivering. Parents whom I cannot but commend particularly to your ingenuousness, and from their kind ness and solicitude derive an argument to enforce nil that I have said. You will never know until the bitterness of filial ingratitude shall teach you, the ex tent of the duty you owe them. On you their affections have been placed ; on you their treasures expended. With what ten derness they administered to your wants in helpless infancy ; with what patierce they bore ycur indiscretions in wayward child hood ; and with what solicitude they watch ed your steps in erring youth. No care has been too severe ; no self-denials too painful; no sacrifices too great which would contribute to your felicity. To you the meridian of life has constantly been devo ted, and even its cheerless evening is ren dered supportable, by the prospect of leav ing you the heirs of their n>me and of their fortune. For all this affection and kindness the only reward they expect, the only re quital they ask, is, that when you enter upon the world, yon will act worthy of yourselves and not dishonour them. And shall this requital be denied them ? Will you, by your follies, disturb even the tranquillity of age ; rob declining life of its j few remaining pleasures, and snatching away from the palsied hand of your aged : parents, the last cup of earthly consolation, j bring their grey hairß with sorrow to the grave. It was a noble spectacle amidst the flames that were consuming Troy, and while the multitude were intent only on rescuing 1 their paltry treasure, to see the dutiful j Eneas bearing on his shoulders the venera- : hie Anchises, his aged father, to a place of safety. But ah ! how rare such examples of filial piety ? My God ! the blood freezes in the veins at the thought of the ingrati tude of children. Spirits of my sainted | parents, could I recall the hours when it was in my power to honour you. how dis- 1 fcront should he my conduct. Ah ! were | not the dead unmindful of the reverence : the living pay them, I would disturb the silence of your tombs with nightly orisons, ■ and bedew the urn which contains your j ashes with perpetual tears ! It is in your power to prevent the bitter ness of such regrets. But 1 must arrest the J current of my feeling. Your future use fulness, your eternal salvation, constitute a ‘ motive so vast, so solemn, that were I to ! yield to its overwhelming influence, I 1 picßrnct (he hour of separation and fillAip with counsel and admonition the de clining day. J shall add re °s you no more—l shall mec-t I ‘with you no until, having passed the solemnities of death, l meet yon in eter- | 1 nity. So spend the intervening period 1 ; adjure you,that that meeting be joyous, and , ihe immortality which shall follow it splen- J did as the grace of that God is free,to whom, surrendering my charge,! now commit you. r i ( Leaving with you this counsel, I bid you an affectionate and final farewell. THE CONVERTED JEW. ;We heard the following affecting anecdote re . 1 luted at a religious meeting, a few days e i nce | and have no doubt of its authenticity. [Religious Intelligencer. Travelling lately through the western ; part of Virginia, 1 was much interested in ‘ j hearing an old and highly respectable cler !gy man give a short account of a Jew with j ’ whom he had lately become acquainted, j| I He was preaching to a large and attentive i audience, w hen his attention was arrested , by seeing a man enter having every mar/’ nf a Jew on the lineaments of his counte nance. He was well dressed, his counte- H nance was noble ; I thought it was evident I his heart had lately been the habitation of B sorrow. He took his seat and was all ot- I tenticn, while an unconscious tear was often ( seen to wet his manly cheek. After service I the clergyman fixed his eye steadily upon | him, and the stranger reciprocated the stare, q The good minister goes up lo him—“ Sir, 1 am 1 correct? am 1 not addressing one of the children of Abraham “ You arc.” • “ But how is it that I meet a Jew in a Chris tian assembly ?” The substance of bis nar- | rative was as follows. He was a very respectable man, of a su- f periour education, who had lately come 1 from London ; and with his books, his rkb- j es and a lovely daughter of seventeen, hil jj found a charming retreat on the fertile L banks of the Ohio. He hail buried the companion of his bosom before he left Eu- J rope, and he now knew no pleasure but the i company’ of his endeared child. She was, ;► indeed, worthy of a parent’s love. She was surrounded by beauty as a mantle ; but | her cultivated mind, and her amiable dispo- | sition, threw around her a charm superiour to any of the tinselled decorations of the body. No pains had bqpn spared on her education. She could read and speak with fluency several different languages; and her manners charmed every beholder. No wonder, then, that a doting father, whose head had now become sprinkled with gray, should place his whole affections on this only child of his love, especially as he knew no source of happiness beyond this world. Being a strict Jew, he educated her in the strictest principles of religion, and he thought he had presented it with an orna ment. It was not long ago that this daughter was taken sick. .The rose faded from her cheek, her eye lost its fire, her strength decayed, and it was soon apparent that the worm of disease was rioting in the core of ! her vitals. The father hung over the bed ; of his daughter with a heart ready to burst j with anguish. He often attempted to con- , | verse with her, but seldom spoke but by i the language of tears. He spared no trou ble or expense in procuring medical assis tance, hut no human skill could extract the sorrow of death now fixed in her heart. The father was walking in a small grove near his house, wetting his steps with his tears, when he was sent for by the dying daughter. With a heavy heart he enter ed the door of the chamber, which be fear ed would soon be the entrance of death. He was now to take a last farewell of his child, and his religion gave but a feeble hope of meeting her hereafter. The child grasped the hand of herjia rent with a death-cold hand—“ My falJer, do you love me?” “ My child, you know I love you—that you are more dear to me than the whole world beside !” “ But, fa ther, do you love rne ?” ♦“ Why, my child, w ill you give'me pain so exquisite ? have 1 never given you any proofs of my love ?” “ But, my dearest father, do you love me ?” The father could not answer; the child added, “ I know, my dear father, you have ever loved me—you have been the kindest of parents, and I tenderly love you. Will you grant me one request —O, my father, it is the dying request of your daughter — will you grant it ?” “ My dearest child, ask what you will, though it lake every cent ot my property, whatever it may be, it shall !be granted : 1 will grant it.” “My dear ! father, I beg you never again to speak against ’ Jesus of Nazareth!” The father was dumb | with astonishment. “ I know,” continue! i the dying girl, “ I know but little about (his I Jesus, for I was never taught. But 1 know j that he is a Saviour, for he has manifested himself to me since 1 have been sick, eVeu for the salvation of my soul. I believe he will save me, although 1 have never before loved him. 1 feel that lam going to him— that I shall ever be with him. And now, my father, do not deny me; 1 beg that you j will never again speak against this Jesus of ; Nazareth ! I entreat you to obtain a Testa mcnl that tells of him ; and I pray you may i know him ; and when I am no more, you may bestow on him the love that was for ’ merly mine!” The exerlion here overcame the weafr -1 ness of her feeble body. She stopped ; and 1 the father’s heart was too full even for | tears. He left the room in great borrow: ‘■ of mind, and ere he could again summon ; sufficient fortitude, the spirit of his accora ■ plished daughter had taken its flight, ns I I trust, to that Saviour whom she loved and I honoured, without seeing or knowing. The first thing the parent did after committing to the earth his last earthly joy, was to procure n New Testament. This he read; and, taught by the Spirit from above, is now numbered among the meek and humble fe! lowers of th” Lamb I