The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, October 08, 1821, Page 70, Image 2

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METHODIST CREEK MISSION. Copy of a letter from the Rev. VVm. Capers, 5. C Conference Missionary , to the Mis sionary Committee of said Conference. Coweta, Creek Nation, Sept. 5,1821. Dear Brethren—ln company with Col. Blount, of Georgia, 1 have visited the Creeks ; and have done nil that, at this mo ment, can be done for the institution of a mission among them. M’lntosh and Lovett are more than friendly, and say, the chiefs, in council, will surely accede to our wishes. To give permission to any white man to live among them, a Council of the whole na tion must first be held, and the concurrence of the agent obtained. The agent is now in Alabama, and we know not when he may return—probably within a fortnight; but as early as may be, the necessary consulta tion will be had, and the result made known to me through the agent. Or if the coun cil cannot be bad very early, the time for holding it will be made known, that I may attend. Noble Kennard, who heard my commu nication to M'lntosh and Lovett, soon point ed to one of his children, and asked if she was big enough for school, “ I wilt find four,” was bis delightful rejoinder to my re ply. I left a plain affectionate talk in wri ting, signed and sealed for the chiefs. The way is open, and my heart is upon it. I have seen strange things. God bless you. I write in great haste—excuse me—pray for me—pray more and for these people.! Affectionately, VVm. Capers. REVIVALS IN VERMONT. From'the Woodstock Monitor. Having recently attended the anniversa ry Commencements at Burlington, Middle bnry and Dartmouth Colleges, and having had a personal interview with most of the Pastors of churches, where the Lord is pouring oot his Spirit, and having visited many of the towns thus blessed with the di vine favour, we are pref/Sred to give our readers an account of the wonders which God is working for Zion. During the winter, here and there a church in different parts of the state, was blessed with a revival. Little was seen to encourage the hope of a more extensive work, till after the meeting of the consoci ated churches at Middlebury on the 3d Tuesday of June, when the Pastors and del egates agreed to recommend to the chur ches in connexion to observe n fast with ref erence to a revival of religion. Our in formant believed that no church in the con nection feels the special influences of the, Spirit, which did not thus consecrate a day of fasting and prayer, and that those which complied with the recommendation are more or less visited, and most of them in a! wonderful manner. In Franklin County, in Bakersfield, Enos-: bergh, Berkshire and Montgomery, the i work has prevailed since about the com-1 mencement of the present year, and has al ready given an accession to those feeble churches of 180 members, 22 of this num ber joined the Baptist and Episcopal church es. The converts are computed at 285, and the work is said to be progressing. Here the labours of Mr. Boardman, in the service of the Vermont Juvenile Missionary Society, have been signally blessed. The work has excited and put down much vio lent opposition, especially among those who had advocated the doctrine of Universal 1 Salvation. Very many of this character in ! the light of truth saw their feet standing on j slippery places, who now, instead of making “ the heart of the righteous sad, and strengthening the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way by promising him life,” are piousiy engag ed in warning their friends and neighbours to flee from the wrath to come, aud do works meet for repentance. In Chittenden County, the commence ment of the work is of recent date, except in Jericho, which is dated in March last Very hopeful appearances are observed in 8 or 9 other towns in this county, aDd in some the work has commenced with such power as appals the enemy, while the soldiers of the cross are marching on to victory, triumph ing in the Captain of their salvation, In Essex and Westford are already 70 hopeful subjects of renewing grace. In Addison County, it is believed the work is w ithout example in the history of the Church in this State. Within less than three months, it is computed there are about 300 converts in Cornwall, Storeham and Middlebury. In five other towns, the work is very in teresting aod rapidly progressing, in which it is believed are more than 100 recently brought into the liberty wherewith Christ makes free. Rutland County. In eight towns, it is computed are about 300 converts, almost exclusively within about three months, and the work continues to progress. In Castle ton, the subjects are principally between 12 and 25 years of age. In Tinmouth, it is -said, ■are between 30 and 40 hopeful sub jects of renewing grace, and more than that number, in whom a former hope has been revived. In Rupert and Pawlet, Bennington Coun ty, the work is said to have commenced in May, and about 60 are rejoicing in hope. Jn Pawlet it is mostly confined to the stu dents in the Academy. We here enumerate thirty-two towns, where the churches are refreshed, and mul titudes are anxiously inquiring, “ What shall we do to be saved?” We have given a moderate estimate, and yet the aggregate is almost 1800. Weathersfield and Ben nington, which we have already noticed in former numbers, together with a few oth er towns, where has been more than usual attention, will, doubtless, swell the list to more than Two Thoruand. In Granville, N. Y. a work is prevailing, and 80 are hopeful subjects. Plattsburgh i also visited, and it is believed about 30 have been born into the kingdom of Christ. There are hopeful appearances in other towns in that region. The revival in Lyme, N. H. commenced about a year since, and ha* been silently and gradually progressing; 53 have been added to the church of which Rev. B. Per ry is pastor, and 19 examined for admis sion. The hopeful converts are about 100. The work continues to be encouraging in Hanover and in the vicinity of Dart. College. One hundred and fifty are hope ful subjects of renewing grace. What shall we then sRy to these things ? If God be for os, who can be against us? Well may we say to Zion, “ Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” STATE OF RELIGION IN MICHIGAN. JUxtract of a letter from Detroit, to the Editor of iht Boston Recorder , dated July 2, 1821. “ I wish it was in my power to describe to you the awful situation of the people of this territory. In it are about 10,000 in habitants; most of them perishing for lack of vision. There are two small Presbyte rian churches; one at this place, and one at River Raisin; but there is no Presbyteri an minister in the territory. There are three or four Methodist societies, with one stationary, and at present, no circuit preach ers; one small Roman Catholick church here, and a small one at River Raisin, over which are two regular ministers; both are stationed at Detroit. The Catholicks in Detroit are numerous, and generally ex- tremely ignorant of every thing except the formal ceremonies of their worship. 1 pre sume I am safe in saying that nine-tenths of them cannot read, and of that small number nineteen-twentieths have not the Bible, ex cept small portions of the New-Testament, such as are dealt sparingly to them by the priests. I can find but one English transla tion of the Vulgate, which they call their Bible, and that (the property of one of the priests,) now lies before me; in which our blessed Saviour is made to speak most glar ing absurdities; for instance, in Matt. iii. 2. saying, “Do penance for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;” and again, v. 8, “ Bring forth therefore fruits meet for penance iv. 17. “And Jesus began to preach, and to say, do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Also, Luke xiii. 5. “ I tell you no; except ye do penance, ye shall all likewise perish.” Protestant transla tions of the Bible are prohibited, because they are not made to speak this language. One man, considerably enlightened, when asked, why do you pray to the Virgin Ma ry ? said, “ our church says, if I pray to the Virgin Mary, and pray her well, she will help me to get to heaven.” I said, does the Bible say so? he answered, “1 don’t know, 1 never read the Bible.” (He can read French fluently.) Omy dear Sir, darkness covers this land, and gross dark ness the people.” PROFESSOR LEE. It is no censurable curiosity which in quires into the history of those living char acters that are distinguished by the rank they hold among the benefactors of the world, and the efficient friends of Christian ity. Their names will be had in everlast ing remembrance ; and it is desirable that their cotemporaries, as well as their suc cessors on the theatre of life should know, as far as may be, the extent of their merits and claim on publick admiration. Few men are more distinguished by their acquirements than the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this article ; and few men seem more disposed to lay the fruit of all their exertion at the foot of -the cross. The “ Investigator” is the authority on which we state the following facts. Prof. L. was born at Longnor, near Shrewsbury. Without the early advantages of education, and while labouring as a carpenter for his daily subsistence, at the age of 17 he studied the Latin tongue, unassisted by any one.— He was so poor, that with all his economy he could purchase but one book at a time, and after having made himself master of that, he purchased a second, for which he paid in part with the first, and in (his way advanced, till some increase of his wages enabled him to make larger purchases ; he then attended to the Greek, the Hebrew, the Chaldee and Syriack tongues. The loss of the tools he used in his trade com pelled him to resort for the subsistence of his family to his literary acquirements. He engaged in a school. By this means his character became known to Archdeacon Corbett, who liberally assisted him, and gave him a “ happier introduction to his fa vourite pursuits.” He was at this time 23 years of age. He had been aided by no in structor, cheered by no literary compan ion, stimulated by no hope either of profit or praise, and yet had attained the know ledge of six dead languages. To these he has since added eleven others, viz. Arabick, Persick, Hindostanee, French, German, Italian, Ethiopick, Coptick, Malay, Sanscrit, and Bengalee. With great labour he has edited the Sy riack New Testament, the Malay New Testament, H. Martyn’s Hindostanee Pray er Book, a Tract for Mahometans, transla ted into Perqick and Arabick, a Malay Tract, and several Hindostanee Tracts, an Arabick Tract on the new system of education, and the Episcopal Liturgy in Per sick. He is now translating the Old Testa ment into Persian—printing an Hindosta nee New Testament—beside preparing for an Ethiopick Bible and other works. He has also made anew fount of letter for Hin dostanee and Persian printing—and a Dew fount for the Syriack Old Testament. Hi present occupations all bear on the great cause of missions. He is preparing in Per sian and English, the whole controversy of 70 | Ijenry lfSirtyn with flie literati of Persia,| with considerable additions of his own,'’ to establish the truth of the Scriptures against the sophiuus of the Mahomedans. In Mathematics •>' talents are not less admirable, but he has abandoned them lor the less teductive study of languages. Bast. Recorder. — — An Example worthy of Imitation. The author of the letter from which the following is an extract, will doubtless ex cuse its publication, though done without his knowledge or consent, when he recol lects the poerfol''jnfluence of example on human conduct, and the probability that many may b induced to go and do like wise. The letter is addressed to the author of “A plea for the Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J.” by a distinguished clergyman, resident in one of the Eastern States, immediately after reading the plea. EXTRACT. “ I have long felt deeply interested in the prosperity of the Theological School at Princeton. I was a member ol the Gen eral Assembly, in 1812, when it was loca ted, and shall never forget the interesting discussions of that day, nor the solemnity ot the hour wheuthe question was finally ta ken and decided. Although a congrega tional minister, 1 received my theological education in a Presbyterian church ; and, on many accounts, shall always feel attach ed to that denomination of Christians. At the same time, Ido not mean to imply an indifference to my own denomination, nor to the Theological School established in our part of the country. I regret ta learn the low state of your funds, and am desirous to afford you some little aid. lam inclined to do something for your seminary, more from the hope that my example may induce oth ers to do likewise, than from the expecta tion that the little it is in my power to give, consistently with other numerous and pres sing calls, will be of essential service to the Institution. You will therefore consider me an annual subscriber for one hundred dollars per anoutn, for ten years. In case of my decease during that period, 1 will make provision for the payment of the en tire sum ; and, should that provision, thro’ any unforseen dispensation of Providence, be prevented, you may consider this letter as a sufficient guarantee, and order upon my executors for the payment of the sum that may be due, which 1 have no doubt will be readily admitted. Below you will find an order for the payment of the first subscription upon a house in N. York.” Sept. 13, 1821. WESTERN COLLEGE. Extract of a letter to the editors of the Charles ton Ev. Intelligencer , dated Lincolnton , jV. C. Sept. 6. “ The Trustees of the Western College of North Carolina attended at this place on the 29th ult. and the location of the college was fixed here on a beautiful eminence, witbin half a mile of the Court House. The eminence is so high that parts of the moun tains, (the Blue Ridge) can be seen. The snows on these mountains will afford a beautiful sight to the student, and cause pure air to circulate. The next summer, it is expected, preparations will be made to erect the buildings.” i Several ballotings took place before the location was-fixed ; but after the question was decided the Trustees generally united in adopting measures best calculated to promote the objects of the institution. The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on the 2d Wednesday of Feb. The following gentlemen were elected officers of the Board—Rev. Dr. M’Rae, Presdt.; Major Lawson Henderson, Treas urer; Mr. V. M’Bee, Sec’y. From the Charleston Evan. Intelligencer. THE GAMBLER—A Fact. I saw him, near the midnight hour, bloat od and emaciated, staggering to his wretch ed cabin, assisted by the amiable companion ] of his fallen fortunes. The height of hu man anguish was depicted in her counte-1 nance, and her trembling limbs but feebly supported the object of her early attach-! rnent. Her plighted vows still remained sacred, notwithstanding the unworthiness of: him who had received them. How different tyas once his aspect in life. A professor of the religion of Jesus, he ap peared to live up to his calling. Respected because he was virtuous, be enjoyed the esteem of all. His advice was sought with avidity, and followed with scrupulous ex actness. His home, the abode of content ment, was hououred with the presence of the piou9 and the good—forthere the right eous feasted on the conversation of saints, and rejoiced in the company of Zion’s pil grims,as they stopped to refresh themselves to acquire strength to pursue their pilgrim ages. Plenty covered his board, and peace sat on every countenance. The compan ion of his bosom smiled with joy as she presided over the feast prepared for the pious stranger—and her heart beat with gratitude to God, for the many blessings with which she was surrounded. Their lovely children, the subjects of their pious parents’ cares and prayers, appeared to be growing up in righteousness like towering cedars of Lebanon, and bid fair to orna ment the doctrines of the Cross. The hus band and the father was cited as an example worthy of imitation—honest, industrious and frugal, he seemed to be far removed from the vices of the times—temperate and abstemious, he was thought to be se cure from the temptations of Satan, and the allurements of the world. Alas ! how changed !—How sad the re verse. He wanted £rmues9 to resist some of the smaller, hut not less insidious evils of the world. For pastime only, and at the solicitation of his thoughtless children, an insignificant game was introduced in his house, and, but for the consequences, might I have been harmless. In process of time, | however, others followed of greater mag nitude—nd, at length, the once watchful | Christian, haying had his heart vitiated by ; degrees, consented to the introduction of cards, and other similar games, that dis grace civilized society. It is unnecessary to detail all the painful particulars of his progress in vice ; suffice it to say, that his downfal was complete.— The Christian, the husband, and the father, became a professed gambler. Intemperance followed. Ruin and devastation kept pace with his retrograde from virtue, until noth ing was left save a ruined reputation, an agonized wife, and disconsolate children.— Shunned by society—yes, that very society which so lately rejoiced in his prosperity, and telt honoured by his countenance, now avoid him as they would the most deadly poison—for his awful declension has disgra ced their Master’s cause, and brought a scandal on the sacred Christian name he professed. Their prayers may ascend to the mercy-seat to reclaim the wanderer— but Divine Justice may remain unsatisfied and he rnay sink to the grave abhorred by- God and man. Upraided by the compan ions of his wickedness, his existence is al ready miserable—the fearful precursor of a more miserable eternity. One faithful companion still cleaves to! him. Neither adversity nor disgrace can 1 sever the tender cord that binds her to him. i She, whom he has reduced to poverty and wretchedness, still feebly supports him in’ her arms—still ministers to his want 9, and | endeavours to reclaim him from the des troyers of his happiness. She upbraids him not, except with the involuntary sighs and tears which will sometimes hurst forth. Surely, the Protector of the unfortunate will receive her in his bosom, when her earthly trials are ended. W. ——a>ozo:-y.t:ozo*- ANECDOTE. Some few years since, in the eastern part of Connecticut, the following remarkable circumstance took place : In the town of , there lived a res pectable family of the name of R — 9. Mrs. if not Mr. R. had made a publick profession of religion, and joined the Baptist commim-; ion. But professors of all denominations had fallen into an awful state of insensibil ity, and seemed almost wholly conformed to the world. It was common in this vicinity at this j time, for young people when they happen-1 ed to meet together on an evening, to spend; the time in dancing and other vain amuse ments. The custom of admitting parties to; dance in private families, was too generally ‘ allowed of, even by professors of religion, j A particular circle of young persons, ofi which two or three of the above family made apart, not unfrequently met at their house. Notwithstanding Mrs. R.’s religious feelings had greatly declined, and she view ed herself in a cold, backslidden state, yet she could not feel easy to countenance such vain amusements, but became resolved to reprove them. It so happened, that not, long after, a number of these young people collected at her house, when it was soon proposed to engage in dancing. Mrs. R. i perceiving what was going forward, felt’ her spirit stirred within her,like Paul when at Athens, but knew not what course to take to prevent what her conscience dis-! approved. The yuung people had arran- i ged themselves in order for what they j termed a set dance, when Mrs. R. with; much fear and trembling, resolved to ven-’ ture into the room and try to speak to them. They were standing upon the floor, but had not commenced their dance, when 9he addressed them nearly as follows: “It 9eems to me, my young friends, some of your company are missing.” Not know ing to whom she alluded, they replied, that they did not miss any one in particular.— “ No !” said she : “ Where is Isaac Deans —where is Dennison Lathrop—where is ’ Perez Pembleton?”* A brother of the l last mentioned young man was one of the ; company, who was up and ready to lead | down the dance. He was so struck, that , he immediately cried out, “ I am undone !” What do you mean said one standing by him? He replied, “ I am undone ! 1 am go ing to hell! there is no mercy for me!” Terror and amazement in an instant spread over every countenance. They stood like so many statues, until it was said, that the floor was literally besprinkled with their tears. The conviction extended from heart to heart, until the whole exhibited a scene of distress, not very easy to be des cribed. Thus their mirth and dancing was turned into weeping and distress. Mrs. R. continued her pious and tender exhortations, while her heart was often as cending to God in fervent prayer that they might be saved. The time at length arrived, when it was proper they should retire. With many tears and solemn engagements to seek the Lord they parted for the night. But the reader will be anxious to learn the result of this remarkable meeting. If a friend of Christ, he will he gratified to learn, that roost of this company were in a judgment of charity in a little time, hope fully converted to God. Some of them are still alive to declare that the Lord is good. Nor were the effects of this meeting limit ed to this little company. The work spread, until it wa9 judged, that one hun dred souls were made the subjects of a work of grace. What a wonder-working God! Was Jael the wife of Heber , pronounced u blessed above women,” (because she had ■ destroyed the life of one of the enemies of I God’s people? How much rather blessed shall she be, who was thus happily instru i mental in saving the souls of many from eternal ruin! * I'he two Qrst, were drowned a little before— the last died about the same timo, of the consump- I The circumstances of the above narra. ’ tive nre so well known to the Editors, that j they hesitate not to give it a place ; devout. I ly hoping it may be a means of exciting oth ers to similar exertions to save thftsouls of men, [-dm. Bap. Mag. Donations to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, for the month ending 17th August, amount to £4lßl 56. Columbia Lodge, No. 39, made a donation of £3O for the translations; and George W. Coe, Esq. of Savannah, present ed the Board with the sum of £SO. A box of clothing, valued at £35, was also receiv ed from ladies of Ashville, (N. C.) Southern Evangelical Intelligencer. The corner stone of anew Episcopal church was laid at Newbern, (N. C.) on the sth of July, and an appropriate address de livered on the interesting occasion by the Rev. Richard S. Mason, Rector of Christ Church. The building is to be of brick and will reflect credit upon those by who&t liberality it is erected, n Messrs. Harrison, Harned, Keeling Waite, Clack, Brown and Lynd, students in the Baptist Theological Institution at Phil adelphia, underwent an examination on the | 20th July, and gave the most satisfactory 1 evidence of their improvement and qualifi. | cations to preach the gospel. Messrs. Clack and Harrison were solemnly set : apart, by ordination, to the work of evan gelists. yj. At Fort Wayne, Mr. McKoy [Baptist Missionary] has lately baptized two Indian converts. SELECT SENTENCES. Dignity of Religion. The great difficulty in pulpit eloquence is, to give the subject all the dignity it so fully deserves, without attaching any im portance to ourselves. Some preachers reverse the thing; they give so much im portance to themselves that they have none left for the subject. Every letter of the Lamentations of Jer ; emiah appears to be writen with a tear, and every word to be the sound of a broken heart; and the writer a “ man of sorrows,” who scarcely ever breathed but in sighs, or spoke but in groans. i He who seldom thinks of Heaven is not I likely to get thither ; as the only way to hit the mark is to keep the eye fixed ; upon it. | THE MISSIONARY. 1 MOUNT ZION, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8. During the session of the last Legislature, we presented to the publick a fevy remarks on the subject of education in the State of Georgia. The duty and importance of intellectual improvement, and the special utility of a general diffusion of knowledge in a Republican Government, were defended by reasons, in our estimation, founded ,on truth and tested by experience. It was our ’ intention to prosecute this subject still farther by submitting to pubiick inspection some observa* , tions on Common Schools in connexion with the ; fund appropriated for the establishment of Free i Schools in our State; but from this labour we were . i deterred by an intimation, that nothing decisive j would be done on this subject by the Legislature then in session. This intimation proved correct; —and as this important business will again come before the constituted authorities of the State in the course of a few weeks, we deem the present a favourable period for the continuation of our remarks. V It is to be devoutly hoped that our Reprere/i ----tatives elect, when they shall have assembled for the purposes of legislation, will do something more than talk on the subject of Education. Too much time has already been wasted in prelimina ry and abortive speculation. It ought now to be the period of decisive action. And in most res pects the present moment would lead us to anti cipate the adoption of the most decisive and effi cient measures. A spirit favourable to the edu cation of youth and to the promotion of literature, pervades the publick mind ; and this spirit will not slumber in the pursuit of its object till the in stitutions of onr own state shall attain the rank of elevation occupied by those of the older states of the Union. Our Representatives, we have no doubt, partake of this spirit equally with other intelligent members of the community, and there is nothing to prevent its embodying itself in tbtfi’ most efficient acts of legislation unless it be th*’ party politicks of the State. In one point of view the popular character of our government, though of vital consequence in the preservation of our liberties, operates unfavourably upon the interests of literature. The frequency of elections and the violent struggle of competitors for office, have given birth to those party feelings which blind the eyes of too many to every thing which is not connected with the success of some darling ob* ject, or to the elevation of some political favour ite. The publick mind is not unfrequently thrown into a perfect phrenzy by the return of an annual election ; and not a man can be found who is able to give a satisfactory account of this preturnatural excitement. Perhaps no political principle of importance is at stake—the interests of no section of the country are jeopardized —and the honour and happiness of the present and fu ture generations, may be equally promoted by the ultimate success of either contending party. Such a contest for power prosecuted with all the zeal and pertinacity which are allowable only where vital principles of policy are involved, often causes “ much ado about nothing .” It “ Resembles ocean into tempest wrought , u To waft a feather , or to drown a fly.” But when the popular effervescence excited by our late election shall subside, and when the next Governoqr, whoever he maybe, shall be con-