Newspaper Page Text
aeetbs to cal! us to take our stand in Abys
sinia. This version was undertaken, as tar
as appears on the face of printed documents,
from motives chiefly literary; and thus we
see how it pleases God to bring in the aid
of literature, to promote fcis own glory. It
was about the year 1806, a period when
this Society had not long existed, and when
it had yet to struggle through domestick
controversies, the report of which never
reached, and, I trust never will reach the
feudal Chieftains and hardy Mountaineers
of Abyssinia, that this work was commenced
in Cairo, by a learned native. At the mo
ment when I first entered on DPgotiaii ‘n
with the proprietor of the work, he had
just received an interdict from Rome, which
virtually restrained the printing of it. Had
it taken its course to the Vatican, it might
have slumbered there for centuries, instead
of reaching a* it now has done, our literary
friends in the Universities, by whom it will
be prepared for the service of this Society.
How honourable is this event for our
Country! Twenty years have elapsed
since the British name was made known at
the month of the Nile, by the thunder of
our cannon. I have twice passed over that
scarce by day and by night; all was still;
wnd calm : excepting the name of “ Nel- j
Son's Island,” there remains no memorial |
of the havock and destruction, the groans j
and misery which that scene once witness- \
4o a 'appeal
Your's it is to visit the coy sources of the
Nile, with the Abyssinian Scriptures, to
bring peace to the afflicted natives, and;
teach them a song of praise which they will.
prolong forever in the realm* of bliss 1
above. Nor can I helip ve that the blessing !
of this work will he confined to Abyssinia.
Sure I am, that Christianity once re anim
ated in that country, whether she look to
the right, to that land now falsely called
“ Araby the blest,” or to the left, over the
dense and barbarous regions of Africa,
which no man ever yet called blest—she
will certainly impart her benign character,
and scatter blessings on every side.
1 feel reluctant to say any thing which
might seem personal: yet perhaps I might
claim the congratulation of this assembly,
when I stale that thi is to be the anniversa
ry of the day, when for the last time I trod
the shores-of Alexandria, ready to embark
on the morrow wi'h this invaluable treas
ure. Never Hid I feel so overwhelmed in
the prospect of a voyage ; Abyssinia seem
ed to me to sav, O/nuia mea tecum portc.s.
Now these anxieties are exchanged for
gratitude and joy.
Your congratulations, however, are per
haps more justly due to one whom your
Lordship brought to our recollection early
in tl s meeting, (Wilberforce.) and whose
absence and indisposition we all so much
regret; when I allude to him,’ and to his
inierest in Africa, I feel myself as nothing.
Jn these days of enterprise, he is not the
weary and worn traveller who can relate a
few hair-breadth escapes from death ; it is
he rather who has been sif'ing all the
while *1 home, conflicting for 20 years with
the storms of parliamentary debatp, till he
dropped anchor safe in the successful meas
ure of the abolition of the Slave Trade.
And yet little rest diJ he enjoy, but has
even since, for these fifteen years, been on
a coaspless cruise, chasing the Demons that
ye.f scowl mispry on the shores of Africa,
and bids defiance to Briti-h benevolence.
But, my Lord, that distinguished individual
whom ae so highly honour, and not more
honour than love, rpflecls on this great ac
quisition for Abyssinia, and combines with
it the success which has attended the Mis
sions on the western coast; when he re
members, that as the light coraoth from the
cast, and sbiueth unto ibe west, so shall the
of the Sou of man be ; he may yet
indulge hope of that afflicted comment:
and should his present sickness be even
unto death, he may lay his bead with com
posure on his dying pillow, and feel that for
Africa, as weli a3 for himself, there is a
more blessed region in prospect, “ where
the wicked cease from troubling, and where
the weary are at rest.”.
In reference to the same quarter of the world,
Lord Cal I brope expressed his gratification, as his
Lordship had done at the meeting of the Church
Missionary Society, at the state of many of the
liberated negroes in Sierra Leone.—
1 cannot forbear referring to another
scene of this Society’s exertions, which
seems to me to afford th most satisfactory
evidence of the success which has attended
its foreign operations. The beneficial ef
fects. which resulted from th Jioper
sion of the Scriptures in Africa, have been
already proved by the pleasing information
that the funds of this institution have been
aided by contributions received even from
that interesting portion of the globe ; and I
have just had put into my hands a paper,
containing evidence of the -ame tiict. !t
may, however, be right, before I read any
part of it, to guard gentlemen from expect
ing any rep irt to come to us from that
Continent clothed in the ornaments or ex
cellency of human language ; but I am per-!
suaded, that such accents of faith and hope
will not the less recommend themselves to
our hearts, when thpy strike upon them
with something of the unspeakable charm
of guileless infancy. The extract which I
am about to rca! is from a report of a
speech made at the meeting of the Bible
Society in Sierra ‘Leone :
M Gentlemen—Excuse me, for I can’t
talk plain. 1 thank the Lord that he has
performed this great work—that he has
sent the Bible. I was sold twice in my
country; and it has pleased the Lord to I
bring uie in this Colony. When 1 was!
brought here first, 1 was ignorant—l was j
blind—l knew nothing of Jesus Christ. I \
saw some people go to pray to God, but I
did not know what they were about. It j
has pleased the Lord to send his servant .
with the Bible; and when be preach and J
‘proclaim the Word, then the Word struck
me _tben my eyes opened, and l saw what
I am. By this 1 see the Lord pitied poor
men. About four years ago 1 was in the
way of sin, but it has pleased the Lord to
lift me up with his mighty hand. The
Lord says, Search the. Scriptures; there you
shall find eternal life. Ido search them,
and 1 know the Word of God i9 the truth.;
God is no respecter of persons. ’ >
1 have, perhaps,. been the more disposed
to introduce this extract, because, I confess,
to my own mind nothing can more striking
ly manifest the sovereignty of Divine
Grace and the real greatness of Christiani
ty, than when its influence is thus shewn
on those who were lately the most despiseu
of the human race. There is something in
the attestation thus borne to the simple,
original, and inextinguishable character ot
Christianity, which is in the highest degree
consoling and elevating to the mind; and 1
am sure that the satisfactory evidence
which we have thus afforded to us of the
growing faith and hope and consistency ot
this poor African, will not lose any ot its
proper and delightful influence on our own
minds, because we find, that by it, and the
Resolution which I hold in my hand, the
j very extremes of human society are, as it
l were, brought into close proximity in the
support of this great cause; and lam con
i vinced, 1 could scarcely have, adduced a
proof of the benefit of this institution more
mg such feelings in Hie mmns m mose Vmu
have hut lately acquired (be privilege even
of human beings: and that I could not have
i brought forward an instance more gratify
i ing to the. illustrious individual now pres
-1 ent, who has always distinguished himself
I by his exertions in behalf of the unhappy
negro race.
> v :-—
LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
The Annual Meeting of the London Mis
sionary Society on the 10th nit. was enli
vened by the presence ofßatafe, a Prince
of Madagascar, brother of the King of that
Island, whose wish to obtain missionaries
and artificers from England is expressed in
the following letter:
(translation.)
“ Radama , King of .Madagascar, to (he Mis
sionary Society , commonly called the Lon
don Missionary Society.
“Gentlemen—When the treaty was con
cluded between me and the Governour,
Farquhar, which has for its object the ces
sation of the exportation of slaves from the
island of Madagascar, the missionary, Mr.
David Jones, accompanied the Commission
er from the British Government, and arri
ved at Tannnative, the capital of my king
dom, with the intention of paying me a vis
it to solicit from me leave to settle with
other missionaries, in my dominions. Hav
ing informed myself of bis profes'ion and
mission, 1 acquiesce with much pleasure in
his request.
“ Mr. Jones, your missionary, having sat
isfied me that those sent out by your Soci
ety have no other object than to enlighten
the people hy persuasion and conviction, &
to discover to them the means of becoming
happy by evangelizing and civilizing them
after the manner of European nations ; and
this is not by force, contrary to the light of
their understandings; therefore,gentlemen,
I request you to send me, if convenient, as
many missionaries as j'ou may deem prop
er, together with their families, if they de
sire it, provided you send skilful artisans
to make my people workmen as well as
good Christians.
“ T avail myself of this opportunity, gen
tlemen, to promise all the protection, the
safety, the respect and the tranquillity,
which missionaries may require from my
subjects.
“ The missionaries who are particularly
needed at present are persons who are able
to instruct my people in the Christian re
ligion, and various tradps, such as weaving,
carpentering, gardening, &c.
“ I shall expect, gentlemen, from you
a satisfactory answer by an early opportu
nity.
“ Accept, gentlemen, the assurance of
esteem and affection.
(Signed) Rad an a, King.
Additional interest was given to this
meeting by the company of the Rev. John
Campbell, who arrived the day before from
South Africa, which country he has visited
a second time on behalf of this Society.—
Mr. Campbell has discovered several large
towns,far north of Lattakoo—one of which,
called Kurrechane, contains 16.000 inhabi
fonts u/Ko h<trr mnWifClurie’! Os ITOTf Hud
pottery. The chiefs of these and other
places are desirous of obtaining missionaries.
MISSION SCHOOL AT CORNWALL.
A gentleman, in a letter dated at Corn
wall Bridge, Con. May 31st. addressed to
his friend at Athens, Ohio, gives the follow
ing account of an exhibition at the Foreign
Mission School ?.t Cornwall.
“ We had an exhibition before a crowded .
house, this spring, which is annual, and an
swers very well to commencement with’
you. After the exercises of prayer, sing-!
ing, and a sermon by Mr. Blair, a number
of single pieces were spoken, and then a
Cherokee council was held on the subject
of war with the Osages. After a consulta
tion in their own language, a Choctaw ap
pears an interpreter, and gives his advice.
A messenger comes and informs them, that
Governour Miller had meditated a peace
between their countrymen at the west and
the Osages. They all join in a song. Al
so, a dialogue among the Owbyheans, on
| information brought them of the renuncia
tion of idolatry among their countrymen:
I together with an exhibition of a real idol
; brought this spring from Owhyhee. This
| idol is carved in wood of a dark brown col-
I our, mounted on a pedestal—the whole two
I feet high, with silver plates for eyes. The
1 house was filled completely, every aisle,
46
stair, &c. All expressed the highest gratifi
cation. Numbers of the 0 why henna are
genteel young man ; and also the Chero
kees, among whom the appearance and per
formance of Elias Boudinot, John Ridge, Si
David Brown, the Brother ot Catharine,
would have done credit to the best white
young men of their age- Elias Beudinot,
in a declamation, conloed the idea more
, completely by his appesfance l ba“ his argil
meats, that savages are >ot capable ol being
j civilized and polished. -—[Cliilicothe Rec.
DEATH OF DR. WORCESTER.
From a brief meiroir of this devoted servant of
God, publish'd in the Missionary Herald for
the present n° n, h,we copy the following partic
ulars of tb closing scene of his life.
“ Dun'S stay of twelve days at
Maybevsbe evidently gained some strength
To'theassembled Missionaries and Assi.i-
imounting to twelve, besides female
members of the mission families, be was
ablv to impart much valuable counsel. On
thefirst Sabbath of his visit he exhorted
thm with the zeal and affection of an
arostle, from Philippians ii. 1 —lB ; on the
s/cond, he aided in organizing a mission
church, and in the administration ot the
Lord’s supper. How interesting the spec
tacle I and to how many tender and affect
ing associations will it give occasion.
it rphe n * s t morning be set out for Brain
onty Kin^‘
where he arrived *jib Kttfe falitfu* tn.’
Pride, who met him at New Orleans, had
been with him for three months, and was
about to attend himto the north, was taken
ill of a fever a hundred miles from Colum
bus. After waiting three days it was found
that Dr. Pride could not proceed, and he
subsequently returned to Mayhew. This
must have been a severe disappointment to
tioth. A stranger was hired, and the wea
ry languishing traveller proceeded on his
way to Brainerd, where he arrived sooner
than could have been expected, consider
ing his weakness, and the difficulties of the
journey.
“ On the 25!h of May he was carried in
the arms of the missionaries from his vehicle
to the house. Soon after his arrival, it was
observed to him, (we quote from the mis
sionary journal) that “ he had got almost
through the wilderness.” He replied—
“ This may be true in more respects than
one. God is very gracious. He has sus
tained me, as it were, by a miracle, thus
far, and granted me one g reat desire of my
soul, in briuging me to Brainerd ; and if it
be agreeable to his holy purposes, that I
should leave my poor remains here, his will
be done.” He said farther* “ I had rather
leave my poor remains here, than at any
other place.”
On the following Sabbath, “ the mem
bers of the church, and some of the Congre
gation, were introduced to him, at his re
quest ; and being raised in his bed, he ad
[ drpssed them in a few words. His address,
though short, was peculiarly feeling and in
teresting. He afterwards requested that
the children might come in. He took each
by the hand as they passed the bed. Hav
iug all passed round in procession, they
stood and sung a hymn. He was affected I
to tears most of the time. After the hymn i
he addressed them in a most affectionate
manner, which, in turn, melted them to
tears.”
His complaints became more alarming
almost daily, and on the 2d of June, he de
sired that a letter might be written to his
wife, of which he dictated a part, giving a
brief notice of his journey from Mayhew to
Brainerd ; requesting'Mr. Hoyt to write, as
he thought proper respecting the probable
issue of the sickness.
On the sth the journal says : “ Our dear
friend is fast going to the eternal world. In
the morning we gave up all hopes of his
recovery. For short intervals, during the
day, he has been in a state of mental de
rangement ; but even in this state his mind
was employed on the great subject of build-
and extending the dear Re
deemer’s kingdom.
•“ 6. During the day he has been insensi
ble to pain, and to appearance spent much
of his time iu prayer. He said if he were
to choose, he had rather go and be with
Jesus, than dwell in the flesh. He did not
regret engaging in the missionary cause ;
hut rejoiced that he had been enabled to
do something toward this great object.”
After an affectionate lamentation, the
journal of the 7th records the afflicting
event, whirKJiad been anticipated. “This
morning, about 7 o’clock, he cast his eyes
towards heaven, and smiling, resigned his
spirit to God. Without the least apparent
pain, or struggle, he fell asleep in the arms
of Jesus.”
Two days afterwards the last offices of
kindness were performed ; a procession fol
lowed the corpse to the grave ; and Mr.
! Hoyt preached a funeral sermon from Ps.
I cxii. 6. The righteous skall be in everlasting
; remembrance.
Thus departed from this life a distinguish
ed servant of the Lord Jesus, who had lived
for many years with his eye intent on heav
en, and who brought down blessings upon
his fellow men, by his disinterested services
and his fervent prayers ; highly honoured
in the circumstances of his death—on mis
sionary ground bearing his last testimony
to the glory of the missionary cause, sur
rounded by his brethren engaged in this di
vine employment—andby a church gather
ed from pagans in the wilderness under his
own superintendence ; the hymns of con
verted Cherokees vibrfttiug in his ear, as
a prelude to the song of Moses and the
Lamb.
Who that contemplates the preceding
character, and especially who that was in
timately acquainted with the original, does
not see the exalting and purifying tendency
of the cause of missions ? What other cause
I is so grand in its extent, so beneficent in its
design, so sure in its issue, so glorious in its
triumphs? Compared with the
terests of the kingdom ot Christ, the c n
cerns of earthly monarchies are small and
triflino-. 1$ is indeed wonderful that feeble
men, “with their sins and * ,n l ,erf ® c ‘ ,oß *’
should be employed in a work which might
well occupy the powers of seraphs and arch
angels. Since, however, it has pleased
God to make some of our race the instru
ments of his mercy to others,we might well
conclude that a fiiithfttl discharge ot such
an office would conduce to the highest ele
vation of the human character. So-indeed
ive find it. The names of Brainerd,Sivartz,
Buchanan, Martyn, stand as memorials of
illustrious virtue. With these, and such as
these, the name of Worcester will be in
inscribed, as an example to tuture genera
tions.
Subscription for a Printing Press for Wes
tern Asia.
We are happy to state that the subscrip
tion of $3,000 a year, for five years, to be
expended in printing the Scriptures, tracts,
school-books, &c. for the benefit of Wes
tern Asia, was filled before the day fixed in
the paper; and a large part ot the first
payment has already been received by the
Treasurer.
Beside this annual sum, the friends of
the design will furnish a suitable amount to
pay for two presses, and founts of Greek
type, and of the European alphabet; and,
subsequently, of other alphabets as they
from an unknown benefactor in
will be applied to the preparatory expen
ses; that is, the purchase of types, presses,
&c. When a sufficient sum is received to
accomplish this object, notice will be given.
It is not desired, however, that contributors
of small sums should appropriate them to
this object; as it is supposed a sufficient
amount may be obtained from a few large
subscribers.
Should the present disturbances in Tur
key continue, and render the security of a
press on the continent of Asia doubtful for a
season ; there is every reason to believe it
might be put in operation in some of the !
islands of the Archipelago, whence its pro
ductions might be sent with the greatest
ease to all the countries around the Medi
terranean. [Miss. Herald.
Houses of worship in London.
In 1816, an official statement of places of
Religious Worship laid before parliament,
gave id London, 166 of the Established
Church, 136 Dissenters (English); 19
Dutch and German Protestants ; 13 Roman
Catbolicks; 6 Jews; 6 Quakers, 346 in
all; giving according to the population of
London, the average of 3122 persons to
each place of worship.
Wesleyan Missionary Society.
The Wesleyan brethren have 147 Mis
sionaries engaged in Africa, America, and
different parts of Europe. In Ceylon they
have taught more than 2000 children 1o ‘
read the Hoiy Scriptures, and many of the I
natives have been converted. In the W. In-’
dies,many planters have applied to the Co
mmittee to send Missionaries to instruct their
negroes, being well convinced that Chris
tian negroes, are far more valuable than
any other. During the past year they have
printed an Bvo. edition of the New Testa
ment in the Cingalese language, having
before printed an edition in 4t0.; 2000
copies of the Book of Pslams, and a good
number of the book of Job, together with
a large quantity of inferiour publications for
the use of the schools.
CHRISTIANITY.
There never was found, in any age of |
the world (says Lord Bacon) either philoso
phy, or sect, or religion, or law, or discip
line, which did so highly exalt the publick
good, a9 the Christian faith.
The Corresponding Secretary of the
Missionary Society of the Synod of South-
Carolina and Georgia, acknowledges the
receipt of the following sums for the use of
the Chickasaw Mission :
from the Female Tract Society of
Indiautown, per the hands of
Rev. R. W. James, $ 20
from the Salem Union Auxiliary Soci
ety, per Rev. Mr. M’Whorter, 104 i
From the Concord Society per same, 21 |
From Mrs. Martha Piowden,per same. 1
_ . „ $146
South. Evan. Intel, of the 4th inst.
for the missionary.
DECISION—No. 11.
[concluded, j
Persons of an irresolute character, what
ever their pursuits, consider the existence
of difficulties in their way as peculiar to
their own case, and as conclusive evidence
that they are out of the course for which
nature designed them. In this they foifet,
that these difficulties, so far as they are re
al, equally obstruct the paths of others, and
that so far as they are imaginary they are
chargeable upon their own indecision. In
a resolute person, the former class of diffi
culties only stimulate exertion ; the latter
instantly vanish before the light of his rea
son and the energies of his mind.
The languid and unsuccessful efforts of
the timid and irresolute are not to be attrib
uted to their having mistaken the proper
object of pursuit ; unless it should be found
that their obstacles are such as no industry
can overcome. They are to be ascribed to
their indecision. And this quality, if indul
ged, will defeat them in the prosecution'of
any important object whatever ; since n 0
such object is unattended with difficulties.
Unless, therefore, they become resolute,
they may almost a? well give over all ex
ertion. Because if it is evident that our
Author designed us for action, it is equally
certain that he requires us to use our
powers with vigour and a steadiness of pur
pose ; since without this, no important end
can be accomplished. As the prosecution
of important ends demands the exertion of
the intellectual powers, it is evident that
indecision, by relaxing the energies of the
mind, must effectually obstruct their accom
plishment.
In considering this subject we cannot but
reflect on the folly and imbecility of the
man who is destitute of decision. We fre
quently see persons discouraged by their
condition without the least necessitj', and
waiting with a shameful timidity for a
change of circumstances to give spring to
their exertions, expecting perhaps that ne
cessity will supply a stimulus ,to their lan
guid resolution. We sometimes witness this
conduct of men even in instances where, on
a moment’s reflection, it must be apparent,
that without some previous exertions cn
their part, their circumstances will only be
come the more discouraging, and that de
if Onto of itself produce the
wished for change. They who are unde
cided respecting the course to be pursued,
and waiting for a change of
to form their plans, manifest nearly We
same folly that a person w ould exhibit who
should calmly seat himself by a river’s side
and wait a passage till all its waters shall
pass by.
The conduct of the man of decision is
the reverse of this. To him no difficulties
are discouragements. Opposition and ob
j stacles only strengthen his resolution, in
crease his energies, and draw forth his re
sources. He reflects that he was made to
exert his strength, that ho is capable of
surmounting almost any difficulties, that
great difficulties always occur in the prose
cution of a desirable end, and that such af
| ford the noblest exercise to his powers.—
With these reflections he is determined to
go forward ; and not expect a way to open
! before him without his exertions, nor wait
to be impelled, like a machine, by fatal ne
cessity. Such a man is truly great, even
when unattended by the appendages which
usually accompany reputed greatness. His
greatness is founded in his own mind.
It is not unsuitable to my purpose to no
j tice the unhappiness ami perplexity of the
I irresolute man. The man whose purpose
changes with every change of feeling, and
every variation of circumstance : who is
attracted by the novelty of every new ob
ject, and disheartened by every new diffi
culty, is no better fitted for enjoyment than
for action. The greatest uncertainty at
tends his realizing his most flattering hopes.
Though his energies may be sometimes
roused, the impulse is momentary. And
so languid and fluctuating are all his efforts,
that be cannot assure himself of sufficient
perseverance to enjoy the most brilliant
prospects that greet his eye, or to secure
the most engaging objects that solicit
attention. He must lose all confidence in
himself, and distrust his best endeavours
and strongest resolutions. He must ever
be perplexed by the multiplicity of his ob
jects, and wearied with the constant change
of purpose and pursuit, without receiving
satisfaction from any. The close of a long
life cannot console him with the retrospect
of any important enterpriie performed, of
any noble design accomplished. He can
then only review a series of half formed
resolutions, of languid endeavours—a con
tinual struggle with difficulties and discour
agements—the waste of his time— the loss
ot his strength—and the employment of his
valuable powers to no desirable purpose.
This picture may seem overdrawn ; but if j
we keep in view the character it is design
ed to portray, we must acknowledge it to
be just, and drawn from life.
In contrast to this, let us notice the hap
piness that attends the progress of the man
of decision. Such is the constitution of
man, that the exercise of his powers in
their proper direction, that is, in the ac
complishment of some laudable end, to
which they are adapted; is invariably atten
ded Vith satisfaction. The acquisition of
such objects of pursuit is also sufficient to
reward the most arduous and persevering
labours. It is also certain that the rewards
of virtue are experienced by those, and by
those only, who use with vigour the pow
ers with which their great Author has en
dowed them. To do otherwise is a crimi
nal perversion. But to employ them in
reference to the end of our creation must
secure his approbation. The joys inspired
by a confidence in this truth in the breasls
of the virtuous are incomparably more val
uable than the riches of Peru, than all the
wealth of the indies. Cer vinos.
