The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, August 20, 1821, Image 1

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No. 11. VOL. 111. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY NATHAN S. S. BE.WAN 4- CO. ■VWW^rfW The Terms of “ The Missionary” are Three Dollars a year if paid in advance, or within sixty days from the time of subscribing; or Three Dol lars and Fifty Cents at the ei4>of the year. No Subscription will be received for a short er time than one year, and no paper discontinued until all arrearages are paid. Advertisements will be inserted, by the square, at 62 1-2 cents for the first insertion ; and for every subsequent insertion 43 3-4 cents. Those who furnish standing advertisements for the year, shall be entitled to a deduction of one quarter of the amount from the above rates. All Communications and Letters relating to the Office , will be directed to N. S. S. Beiuan & Cos. and whether enclosing money or not, must come POST PAID: Should any neglect to do this they will be charged with the postage. Printing for Publick Officers and others will be done on the most liberal terms. AGENTS FOR THIS PAPER. AUGUSTA , J. & H. Ely. COLUMBIA, J.Bynom,Esq.PM.ColumbiaC.H. SAUNDERSVILLE , Robeit S. Degrove. GREENESBOROUGH, A. H. Scott. SPARTA , Cvprian Wilcox. JRWINTON. Wilkinson Th. Sherrer, Esq. PM. HARTFORD, Pulajfc,G.B.GardinerEsq.PM. POW ELTON, S. Duggar, Esq. P M CLINTON, Jones Cos. J. W. Carrington. SAVANNAH, S. C. & J. Schenck. EATONTON , C. Pendleton, Esq. P M. ALFORD'S P.O. Greene , C. Alford, Esq. PM. ABBEVILLE, (S. C.) Rev. H. Reid. SANDOVER, Abbeville, S. C Maj. U. Hill. MARION, Twiggs, S. Williams, Esq. PM. JEFFERSON, Jackson, Rev. E. Pharr. LIBERTY-HALL , Morgan, C. Allen, Esq. TVATKINSVILLE, Clark, H. W. Scovell, Esq. P. M. RICEBOROLiberty , Wm. Baker, Esq. F M. G RANTSVILLE, Greene, Samuel Finley. PENDLETON, S.C. Joseph Gresham, Esq.PM. DANIELSVILLE,Madison, J.Long, Esq. PM. ERVINSVILLE, Rutherford, N. C. Rev. Hugh Quin. ATHENS, Clarke, B. B. Peck. MADISON. Morgan, Milus Nesbit. LINCOLNTON.LincoIn,Veter Lamar,Esq. PM. SPART 4NBURGH, S.C. J.Brannon,Esq. PM. MILLEDGEVILLE, Leonard Perkins. ELBERTON, Georee Inskeep, Esq. P M. DUBLIN, Laurens, W. B. Coleman, Esq. PM. LOUISVILLE, Jeff'n, John Bostwick,Esq.PM. MALLORYSVILLE, Wilkes, Asa Hearing, Esq. P M. WAYNESBORO', Samuel Sturges, Esq. PM. LAURENS, S. C. Archibald ‘Voung, Esq. WRIGHTSBOKO ’, Q. L. C. Franklin, Esq. MONTICELLO, Greene D. Brantley, Esq. PM. BIOGRAPHICAL. MEMOIRS OF MRS. FRY. The important part which females,within the last century, have acted on the theatre of the relig ions world,’ is deserving of the most unqualified pra'se. To Christianity are women in a great de gree indebted for the high rank which they de servedly sustain in society. And in what better way can they show their gratitude, than by con secrating their talents, time and property to the advancement of human happiness. The following memoir of a remarkable Female character in Eng land will he read with pleasure, and we trust with profit. While we admire the fortitude and per severance of this .Female Howard in active be nevolence, let us to the extent of our ability, go and do likewise.— Prov. Rel. Intel. From Madame Adele du Thau's History of the Quakers. Elizabeth Gurney, (now Mrs. Fry) the third daughter of Mr. John Gurney, ofEarl hatn Hall, in the County of Norfolk, was born in 1780. She had the misfortune to lose her mother when very young, and was thus at an early age, in some measure abandoned to her own guidance. Her fa ther, though a member of the Society of Friends, was by no means strict, and suffer ed his children to enjoy greater freedom than is usually permitted among individuals of that sect. Elizabeth Gurney was accus tomed to mix much with society, and she * enjoyed all the advantages of birth, fortune, and education: she was about 17 years of age, when she first visited London, was anx ious to see every thing, and having partici pated for a period, in all the gay amuse ments of the capital, she returned to folk. A short time after her return, some members of the Society, as is customary among the Friends, came to make a family visit. —This suddenly wrought a transfor mation in the habits of the whole family; all became more serious and seemed to feel the influence of the ho'y visit; —Elizabeth, in particular, was deeply penetrated by the evangelical lectures which she heard. In a mind like hers, a religious impression was not likely to be transitory; too pious, and too well informed, to confine herself to usc lc:? forms of devotion, she proved her faith by her labours, and soon prevailed on her f,Uner to convert one of the apartments of Earlham Hall into a School Room. Here she daily received 24 poor children, to whom she read and explained the Bible. She assumed the simple garb of the Qua * hers, and renounced all kinds of amuse ment's. In 1800, she married Mr. Fry, whose amiable and generous character fully jus tifies her choice. Far from opposing her benevolent labours, he facilitates them, & Affords Incr ample means of relieving the un finrUinate, by annually placing at her dispo sal a considerable sum, which she applies entirely to the benefit of the poor. Mrs. Fry’s life is devoted to acts of virtue, and her time is almost wholly occupied in char itable in issions. She makes no distinction; *he yn£j rtunatf arc brothers, whatever be THE MISSIONARY. their country or religion; sorrow is every where tbe same, and benevolence should be universal. Mrs. Fry is at once a physi cian to the body and the soul, she comforts and feeds the poor, and supplies them with clothes and with bibles; and thus she ex plains and the Gospel; she even administers succor to criminals; she regards vice merely as a disease, and never with holds assistance from the sick. Mrs. Fry, on being informed of the de plorable state of the female prisoners in Newgate, resolved to relieve them. She applied to the Governour for leave of ad mittance ; he replied, that she would incur the greatest risk in visiting that abode of iniquity and disorder, which he himself scarcely dared to enter; he observed that the language she must hear would inevita bly disgust her, and made use of every ar gument to prevail on her to relinquish her intention. Mrs. Fry said she was fully aware of the danger to which she exposed herself; and repeated her solicitations for permiss ion to enter the prison. The governour advised her not to carry in with her either her purse or her watch. Mrs. Fry replied —“ I thank you; I am not afraid, I don’t think I shall lose any thing.” She was shown into an apartment of the prison, which contained abo;'t one hundred and six ty women ; those who were condemned, & those who had not been tried were all suf fered to associate together. The children who were brought up in this school of vice, and who never spoke without uttering an oath, added to the horrour of the picture. The prisoners eat, cooked their victuals, &, slept, all in the same room; it might have been truly said, that Newgate prison re sembled a den cf savages. Mrs. Fry was not discouraged ; the grace of God is infin ite ; the true Christian never despairs. In spite of a very delicate state of health she persevered in her pious design. The wo men listened to her, and gazed on her with astonishment; the pure and tranquil expres sion of her beautiful countenance speedily softened their ferocity. It has been remar ked, that if virtue could be rendered visi ble, it would be impossible to resist its influ ence ; and thus may be explained the ex traordinary ascendancy which Mrs. Fry ex ercises over all whom she approaches. Vir tue has indeed become visible, and has as sumed the form of this benevolent lady, wbo is the guide and consolation of her fel low creatures. Mrs. Fry addressed herself to the prisoners—“you seem unhappy,” said she, “ you are in want of clothes— would you not be pleased if someone came to relieve your misery ?” “Certainly,” replied they; “ but nobody cares for us, & where can we expect to find a friend?” “ I am come with a wish to serve you (re sumed Elizabeth Fry) and I think, if you second tny endeavours, I may be of use to you.” She addressed to them the language of peace, and afforded them a glimmering of hope; she spoke not of their crimes; the minister of an ali-merciful God, she came there to comfort and to pray, not to judge and condemn. When she was about to de part, the women thronged around her, as if to detain her; “you will never come again,” said they; but lie who never broke her word, promised to return. She soon paid a second visit to this loath some gaol, where she intended to pass the whole day; the doors were closed upon her, and she was left alone with the pris oners. “ You cannot suppose,” said she, addressing them, “ that 1 have come here without being commissioned: this book (she held a Bible in her hand,) which has been the guide of my life, has led me to you ; it directed me to visit the prisoners, and to take pity on the poor and the afflicted ; I am willing to do all that lies in tny power, but my efforts will be in vain, unless met & aided by you.” She then asked whether they would not like to hear her read a few passages from the book. They replied ,they would. Mrs. Fry selected the para ble of the Lord of the vineyard, [Mat.Chap. 20;] and when she came to the man who was hired at the eleventh hour, she said, “ Now the eleventh hour strikes for you; the greater part of your lives have been lost, but Christ is come to save sinners !” —Some asked who Christ was, others said that he had not come for them; that the time was passed, and that they could not be saved. Mrs. Fry replied, that Christ had suffered, that he had been poor, and that he had come to save the poor and afflicted in particular. Mrs. Fry obtained permission to assemble the children in a school established within the prison, for the purpose of promoting their religious instruction. The female prisoners, in spite of their profligate and vicious babit, joyfully embraced the oppor tunity of meliorating the condition of their children. Much was already effected, by restoring these women to the first senti ments of nature; namely, maternal affec tion. A woman denominated the Matron, was entrusted with the control of the prisoners, under the superintendence of the ladies of the Society of Friends composing the New gate committee. Mrs. Fry, having drawn up a set of rules ofconduct for the prisoners,a flay was fixed, and tbe Lord Mayor and one of the Alder men being present, sbe read aloud the arti* GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.— Jesub Christ. MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.) MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1821. cles, and asked the prisoners whether they were willing to adopt them ; they were di rected to raise their bands as a sign of ap proval.—Mrs. Fry’s Constitution was re ceived unanimously; so sincere were the sentiments of respect and confidence she had inspired. Thanks to her perseverance, and the years she has devoted to her pious undertaking, a total change has been effec ted in Newgate prison; the influence of virtue has softened the horrour of vice, and Newgate has become the asylum of repent ance. Fridays are the publick days on which strangers are permitted to visit the gaol where Mrs. Fry reads and explains passages of the Bible to the prisoners. Her voice is extremely beautiful; its pure clear tones are admirably calculated to plead the cause of virtue. The late queen expressed a wish to see Mrs. Fry, and in the most flattering terms testified the admiration she felt for her con duct. The thanks of the city of London were voted to her; and in short, there is not an Englishman wo does not bless her name. Mrs. Fry, who is as useful among the members of her own sect as she has been in Newgate, exercises in her evangelick mis sion, that charitable indulgence which ari ses from sincere piety and a pure conscience. Her eloquence penetrates the soul; no one can hear her without becoming more virtu ous, or at least without feeling convinced that he may become so ; she is not feared, but loved ; and she is herself the example of what she preaches. How many affec ting anecdotes might I relate ! but here I shall ciorie this notice, happy in reflecting that Mrs. Fry is still youog, and that in all probability she may yet live long, for the happiness of her family, her friends and the poor. . CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY. From the Report, an abstract of which was read by the Secretary, it appeared that there had been an increase of about 10001. in both the Re ceipts and Expenditure of the year. The Re ceipts of the twenty-first year had been rather more than 31,0001. and its Expenditure 32,0001. Boston Rec. Resolutions were adopted by the meeting recognizing the obligation on the protest ant Churches to communicate in every practicable way, the full light of the Holy Scriptures to such Churches of Christ as are suffering under thewant of that Jight; and anticipating the beneficial effect on Jews, Mahomedans, and Heathens, of the enlightening and purifying ofsuch Church es. They were much encouraged by the Society’s exertions among the Heathens and Mahomedans of the British Empire in the East; and by the .progress of true Christianity among the Heathen of Western Africa, and New-Zealand* Mr. Thompson, after assuring the Socie ty that notwithstanding all difficulties, the work of God is prospering in India, stated the following affecting facts : But the wants oflndia are still the same. The destruction of infants and the burning of widows still continue ; and the wheels of the car of Juggernaut still crush many of its deluded victims. On the subject of burning Widows, I would remark, in opposition to what has been so often affirmed, that this practice is confined to the more wealthy class, and to those who are voluntary victims ; that the instances which I have seen have proved the contrary. The first I ever saw in In dia was in contradiction of the first of these assertions; and it was a scene, the recital of which must make any sober man shud der ; it was the burning of a Widow in deep poverty: so poor were the relations, that they could n afford a sufficient quantity of fuel to cover the body; 1 saw her and the body of her dead husband, partly covered with fuel, and partly exposed ; and in this dreadful state, she was slowly consumed. The next instance which I saw was in di rect opposition to the other assertion, that they are perfectly voluntary ; it was that of a poor woman who was dragged to the pile making all the resistance in her pow er, and fainting under the thought of what she was going to suffer; she was then taken in the arms of two men, to be carried round the pile the appointed number of times; but when, from her fainting and the resistance which she made at intervals, they could not succeed in this, she was laid on the pile in a state of insensibility; but coming to her self for a few moments, she struggled so violently as nearly to throw down the pile; a Brahmin seeing this, immediately ran to a little child about four years of age, the eldest son of the Widow, took the child in his arms, put a torch in his hand, ran with him to the pile, held out his little arm, and made him set it on fire; and in a few mo ments, the struggling Mother was in flames! In reference to some touching narratives of the influence of religion on the Liberat ed Negroes of Sierra Leone, Lord Cal thorpe said— I cannot but express the cordial pleasure with which I have heard of the growing success of this Institution, .in those climes, of the natural beauty of which we have often heard; but whose natural beauty is likely soon to be surpassed by the growing triumphs of religion which they exhibit. Where the voice of desolation was lately heard, some of the songs of Zion aremow sung ; and these places resound with such hallelujahs of praise, (though they come not from the lips of those who can speak the language of educated feelings,) that they strike into our hearts with n delight ful force, because they are the indisputable evidences of that spirit, to which the best blessings of Christianity are promised. It is indeed one of the most remarkable tri umphs of Christianity,that its effects should be illustrated by a clas3 of individuals, who so lately hardly obtained the name of a people—that they should not only be free from human bondage, but should aspire to the best of all liberties ; and prove that the greatest spiritual blessings may be enjoy ed by those, who have by some been con sidered as the basest and meanest of the human race. In seconding the motion of Lord C., Mr. Grant made a powerful appeal to the meet ing. It is impossible to hear what we have, this day heard, and to return with cold hearts to our firesides, and fold our arms in carelessness and indifference on this sub ject. I cannot express the satisfaction which I feel, that this Institution, and other institutions of a similar kind, are vindicating the name of Briton from a most melancho ly stain; for surely it was a slain, that, while Britian has been fumous for her re ligion, yet that Britons, when they have left their own shores, have seemed to for get their principles ; and while they have shown to distant nations the splendour of our earthly glory, they have forgot to mix with it the brighter splendour of our reli gion. In Africa, it would have been an insult to have named Christianity. Indeed, it seem® as if the very character of Britons had sometimes been changed ; but we now see brighter scenes, both abroad and at home ; and while we feel attachment to our own church, we feel that there is a charity paramount to all minor distinctions; and therefore we hail any Institution, under any denomination, composed of those who kneel round the same Cross, and weep over the same calamities of man. But my Lord, we have heard it said, “ Why are you so eager to go abroad ? why not confine yourselves to labour at home?” A singular question this!—and such an one as we never heard on any oth er subject. In what other line, have we been told to confine ourselves within the narrow geographical limits of our own shores ? We have sent our commerce to every part of the habitable globe, and not a murmur has been heard. What then ? shall the remotest part of the earth be ours by commercial ties, and not be ours by the ties of religion—not be ours, by that golden chain which is let down from heaven—not be ours by that charity which is the bond of peace, and which diffuses happiness and glory over all the earth ? — xozo:i*:ozo** — BAPTIST GENEIJAL CONVENTION. FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER. The Seventh Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States. Rev. Robert B. Semple, of Virginia, President ; Rev. Wiiliam Staughton, D. D. Philadelphia, Corresponding Secretary; Thomas Stokes, Esq. New-York, Treasu rer; Rev. Luther Rice, Agent. This Report occupies the whole of tbe 18th number of the “ Latter-day Luminary,” 48 closely printed pages, and embraces a variety of information with regard to the several plans adopted or proposed by the Board. Much of it has been some time before the publick in detached forms, and in the notice we now have the pleasure to give of it, we shall confine ourselves chief ly to such portions oi'it as are least familiar to our readers. The “ Address” of the Board “to their Constituents, to the Associations, to the Mission and Education Societies of the Bap tist denomination, and to the publick at large,” exhibits a well digested summary of their past operations—of the trials and successes of their Missionaries—of the pros pects that open from existing Missionary establishments at Rangoon, at Chittagong, at the Valley Towns among the Cherokees, “ at Fort Wayne in Indiana, and at Great Crossings in Kentucky. It alludes also to the arrival of C. Teague and L. Cary, their coloured Missionaries in Africa, and their pleasing hopes of usefulness in that dark land of their forefathers. A general view is also given of the exertions and success of the Board relative to the new Baptist Col lege at Washington; and in conclusion, the address calls on the brethren to rejoice in the age in which they are permitted to live, when the Bible is spreading, Missiona ry Societies abounding, and the Islands of the Sea casting away their idols—and to Decome active in the work of the Lord, in consideration of the love of Christ, tbe preciousneas of the soul and the millions that are perishing. Rev. L. Rice, the indefatigable Agent of the Board, has been, a9 usual, successful in procuring subscriptions nnd donations to its funds, though during tbe past year, he has Price $ $3.50 pr. win. or, f in advance. $ rather solicited in behalf of the College, than for the Missionary concern. He states, in a letter to the Correspondieg Se cretary, that in seven weeks he realized a thousand dollars a week, aDd that including the whole time from the first of January, to the 25th April, he had secured to the Board about one hundred dollars a day. The last meeting of the Board, was held at Philadelphia, April 25, 1821, and the business prepared by Committees. The Board attended the exhibition of the Theological Students under the care of Dr. Staughton and Mr. Chase. Essays were read by Wm. E. Ashton, Peter Chase, Isaac Meriam, and Alvah Sabin. This is the first class that has gone from the institu tion, aqd they left a favourable impression of their improvement on the minds.of the Board. General Literary Concerns o f the Convention. The College Building at Washington, now nearly completed, is 117 feet long, and 47 feet wide. The basement story is of stone, the three next stories of brick, and the garret is divided into rooms with dormant windows. In the whole are CO fire-places, and 53 rooms. The land ou which it is situated, cost S7OOO aod the building is estimated at $30,000. Two houses are also going up for the Professors. An act of incorporation has been procured from Congress for the College—and a simi lar act in favour of the General Baptist Convention from the Legislature of Penn sylvania. There will be two distinct Departments in this Institution—the Theological and Classical. The Theological will be open in September next—the Classical in Janua ry, 1822. The requirements for admission to the Classical Department, and the course of study, are not to fall below the standard of Institutions holding a distinguished rank among the American Colleges. To (he Theological Department, students are to be admitted without any specified literary attainments. Rev. Dr. Staughton has been appointed President ; Rev. Ira Chase, and Alvn Woods, A. M. Professors. Domestick Missionary Operations. The Board have determined to enlarge their system of domestick missionary oper ations, by employing clergymen of estab lished character and commanding talents, to travel and preach for the benefit of the churches and community—also to visit As sociations, and give ihem correct and fa vourable views of Missions, and of the plan of Education adopted by tbe Convention, to obtain fluids for Missionary purposes, to originate and encourage Missionary and Education Societies, and promote the vari ous objects of tbe Convention by all means in their power.’ Eight Missionaries have already been appointed in accordance with this plan. The Board have authorized Mr. McKoy, at Fort Wayne, and Mr. Posey, among the Cherokees, to draw on their Treasury for $250 per month, including the amount re : ceived from Government, while the ex penses of the establishments shall require it. An additional teacher is to be sent to the “ Valley Towns,” io assist Mr. Posey— and a farmer, blacksmith, and shoemaker are to be sent to Fort Wayne, as soon as they can be obtained. The Board have resolved to encourage the formation of Female Societies for cloib ing Indian children—one has been formed at Baltimore, and some individuals have subscribed $lO per annum each, for the clothing of an bidiar. child, to which thev give such name ns they choose. At the “ Valley Towns,” Mr. Posy has 80 acres of land enclosed and under cultiva tion ; a log house, 40 Ret by 22, and other necessary buildings. About 40 or 50 chil dren are receiving instruction in the ele ments of education—it is hoped the number will be increased to 100. The Establish ment is deficient in arlizans. About GO miles S. E. from this, a local school has been commenced, at Tinoawnlte, with fa vourable prospects and at small expense. Mr. McKoy’s situation is very much at Fort Wayne, like Mr. Pospy's among the Cherokees. Improvements are about the same. His health is not good, but his zeal ever glowing. The station heretofore occupied by the Board at St. Louis, has been relinquished k by the Rev. Mr. Peck—and he has retired to a farm, where he will require no fur ther aid from the Board, though he will labour in the vicinity. The ill health of Mrs. P. prevents Mr. Peck’s joining the Fort Wayne Mission. Thales, the MilesiaD, one of the Seven Wise Men of Greece, being asked, What is the oldest thing ? He answered,God,because he has ever been, and exists immutably.— What is the handsomest thing ? He said, the world, because it is the work of God. What the largest thing ? Space, because it comprehends every thing besides. What the most lasting ? Hope, because when all other things fail,that remains. What the best thing ? Virtue, for without it nothing that is good can be said or done. What the quickest ? The thoughts of the human mind, because in one moment they overrun (he universe. What the easiest ?To give advice Tbe hardest? To know one’s self.