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to leave the Tillage where they reaided,
brought one day to hi* father's house a
large English Bible to remain there a few
day* only, till they had an opportunity of
removing it; the Bible was carried up
stairs and there deposited, till one day the
father said to the youth, “ Henry, go up
stairs and bring down that Bible.” The
young man replied, “ I had rather not fa
ther.” “Go,” said the father. “I pray
yon eicuse me,” answered he. The fa
ther still urged it, and the youth still refus
ed ; till at length the father aid, “ 1 com
mand you to bring down the Bible.” He
did so. “ Now,” said the father, “ you
most read it.” With much fear he read a
little that day, he read the next day again,
and so continued to do, till at length he
came to that passage in the Epistle to the
Thessaloniao*, forbUlding to marry. He
started at the word. “ Father,” exclaimed
he, “ is this reail v the word of God ? I* this
the Bible?” “ Yes,” replied the father,
w l believe it is.” “ Then,” said the lad.
u we are all wrong.” He now began at
every opportunity to read the Bible for
himself, and the next Sabbath, instead of
going to mass, went to the protestant place
of worship, and on the following Sabbath
went again. On the succeeding morning
the father said to him, “ Henry, where
were you yesterday T’ He replied, “ I went
to the protestant Chapel.” The father’s
rage roe : “ What,” said he, “ and do you
mean to go thither?” “Yes,” answered
he, “ ! do, for that book you commanded
me to read has opened my eyes to see the
errours of onr church.” The father took
up a large stick, with some weapon at the
end of it, a kind of dagger. With this he
struck at his son. The dagger entered his
forehead; the mark is still there, ard I be
lieve will be there as long as he lives.
The blood poured out; hut the heart of
the father was not softened. The mother
joined with the father, and they began both
to lay on their child in the most unmerciful
manner. He however got away from them
and escaped to his chamber, and locked and
bolted the door. They followed him,
and tried to open tbe door, but could not,
as he had fastened it; and the next morn
ing the floor was nearly covered with the
blood which haJ flowed from his forehead.
He went downstairs; but hi father, and a
youth who was in tbe house, both fell upon
bim. He then escaped into a small par
lour, and finding that his life was in danger
lie threw up the sash, and without hat or
coat got away to the house of a protestant
in tho village. I asked him, why he had
shown so much reluctance to read the Bi
ble ? “ 1 will tell you,” answered he. “ A
little before, the priest came to our house,
aid found a Bible lying on the table. Send
ing one of the children for an axe, he de
liberately hewed the Bible in pieces, and
ordered them to take the pieces and bury !
them in the dunghill. He then directed j
them to come to the chapel the next Sab-1
bath. Hp bad got the floor covered with
flew graved, and he commanded them to!
kneel in it with their bare knees, and go ‘
round the chapel fifteen times, till their
knep streamed with blood. 11 This,” said
Henry, “ was the reason of my being so
much afraid to read the Bible.”—But I am
glad your in-litution is teaching children
without fear to read the Bible; and it will
I tru=i neshe power of God to their salva
tion. lam glad you combine the ihree
methods of instruction; —the teaching of
the children to read ; —and the circulation
of Tracts.—The British and Foreign Bible
Society,one of the first in the world,gives you
the ability to send the Bible to that country.
The Trac f Society will furnish you with
Tracts, and then as you teach the little
children to read these Tracts and these
Scriptures, I nave no doubt bm piely will
spread from vni ge to tillage, and from
town* > (own, till that d.uk part of the em
pire shall shine with the glory of God. I
feel no jealousy towards ih.s Society. We
have had missionaries labouring in Ireland
for some years. They have done what
they could, but their strength was small,
and very frequently when they have stood
Up in a fair to preach the gospel, the priest
has come with his horsewhip, and has driv
en away the people. But thank God, this
is likely to he put an end to ; such croelty
and barbarity is likely to cease, and now
the Baptists, and Dissenters of various de
nominations, and our own Missionaries are
all combining their efforts in this caue,
the success will be great.— Lon. Bap. Mag.
FROM THE CHRISTIAN WATCHMAN.
THE ELOqUENCE OF PAUL.
The account given of Felix by the sacred
historian would afford us but an imperfect
sketch of his character, were we. not able
to obtain further information concerning
him frotn Tacitus, the Roman, and Jose
phus, the Jewish historian. From the tes- 1
timony of these men (which by the way
greatly confirms the credibility of the gos
pel history) we learn that the Jewish nation
had been for many years subject to the Ro
man Emperour, and was at this time gov
erned by Procurators. Claudius filled the
imperial throne while Paul was at Caesaria,
but he had neither ability nor inclination
to govern with justice and impartiality. He
was entirely under the control of his coun
sellors and freedmen, to whom he commit
ted the management of his affairs, and
whom he had appointed to govern in his
several territories.
Felix was one of the satellites of this
corrupt and mercenary emperour, and ac
cording to the testimony of Tacitus, he ex
ercised the imperial function in Judea with
a mercenary soul. To this also, we have
the testimony of the sacred historian. We
are told that he sent for Paul, not to hear
him concerning the truth of the gospel
which this Apostle preached with so much
power, nor to iuquire whether this religion,
against which the Jews had erected a stan
dard, was contrary to the interests of the
state, but because he hoped to have receiv
ed money for his liberation. Here is a
specimen of his avarice. But this was not
the worst trait in his character. Josephus
has informed us of his impeity and voluptu
ousness in his marriage with Drusilla.
This woman was a Jewess. Her lawful
husband, Azizus, king of Emesa, was a
heathen ; and, that he might form a cou
nexion with Drusilla, had been circumcised,
and conformed to the custom of the Jews.
“ White Felix was Procurator of Judea, he
saw this Drusilla,” says Josephus “ and de
termined to have her, and accordingly be
sent a person whose name was Simon, to
persuade her to forsake her present hus
band and marry him. She acted ill, (con
tinues Josephus) and was prevailed upon to
transgress the laws of her forefathers, and
marry Felix. Preferring rather tocontract
with Felix an illegitimate marriage, thau
to adhere to the chaste ties which united
her to Azizus.”
These were the characters before whom
Paul reasoned of righteousness, temper
ance, and judgment. Although a captive
and in chains, he did not forget the dignity’
of his high and holy vocation. He did not
.suffer the presence of the Roman govern
•air to deter him from declaring the whole
counsel of God.—What a noble feature is
here exhibited in character of the
apostle Paul. How snperiour does he rise
to all considerations of fear and w orldly in
teresf ? We should suppose it natural for
a prisoner to make use of that mode of ad
dress which w ould be most likely to concil-
iate the favour of his offended judge. ’Tis
difficult to administer reproof to equals in
the ordinary course of life. Men univers
ally evince an aversion to being told (heir
faults. But here we find a man exposing
and reprobating in the most undaunted man
ner, the vices of a prince who held his life,
and destiny in hi hand*. Felix exercised
the Procuratorship with cruelty and injus
tice. Paul reasoned in his hearing of
righteousness.—He explained and enforced
the principles of justice which are equally
binding upon kings and subjects. Felix was
an avaricious man. Paul pointed out to
him the dangerous sin of covetousness.
Felix was a voluptuous man. Paul reason
ed of temperance. He exhibited the puri
ty of the gospel of Christ, the necessity of
penitence, of self denial and of moderation,
and the ruinous tendency of voluptuousness.
He especially pointed out to bim the crimi
nality of hi* connexion with another man's
wife. But above all, Paul reasoned of a
judgment to come. He transported the
mind of thi unrighteous, avaricious, and
voluptuous prince to the period when the j
universe should be assembled before God, I
and every man receive according to that
which he hath done. He reminded him
that although kings and princes might in
dnlge their passion* and exercise oppression !.
in the present world with impunity, the!
period was coming when ali men would be 1
; on a level.
This is the method of the apostle Paul—
a method well calculated to arouse the
; conscience and alarm the fears of such a
man as Felix. The govemour finds the
captive too powerful for him. he trembles, i
Will he not be confounded with a sense of
his sins, will he not be melted into tender-,
ness, will he not intreat the apostle to in- 1
tercede in his behalf? We are ready to
believp the apostle’s preaching is about to;
make him a Christian—that he will hence-;
forth be anxious to retain in his pr°sence aj
man, who can instruct in the doctrine of
salvation. We wait to see him embrace
the gospel of Jesus and henceforth become
an advocate for the truth of Christianity.
But we wait in vain !—H“ trembles indeed,
but says, “go tiiy way for this time ; when,
l have a more convenient season, 1 will
call for thee :
Do not all reprobate this conduct ? If
he felt the force of the apostle’s arguments,
would you not say ’(was duty for him to
have detained him in his presence till he
had become thoroughly convicted? If
there was a future judgment should he hot
have desired to know how he could be
prepared to endure it ? If his sins must be
pardoned, should he not inquire how that
pardon could be bestowed ? If there is a
future state of happiness should be not he
anxious to obtain the one and aviod the oth
er? Alas! such are the inconsistences of
sinners, and such has been the conduct of
most of the human race until the present
moment. A. B.
——ozo:*:ozo- —
[Communicated for the Missionary.]
BAPTIST CAMP MEETING
AT BUFFALO, N. C.
We have had another blessed Camp
Meeting.—lt commenced on Thursdav.
Aug. 231. The rules of the meeting were
! firt formed. At candlelight, preaching
commenced—Sermon by brother Berryman
Hicks, from Mark x. 23—“ Lo, we have
left all and followed thee.” Delivered with
feeling and animation, and from all appear
ance with good effect.
Friday. 10 o’clock. Sermon by brother
; Drury Dobbins, from Rom. viii. 13—“ For
if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die : but
if ye through the Spirit do mortify the
i deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Deliv
’ ered with much ability and zeal, and we
hope it had the desired effect on many of
| the waiting audience. After a short inter
i mission, sermon by hr. George Wilkie,from
; John iii. 14—15—“ And as Moses lifted up
| the serpent in the wilderness, even so must
ithe SonofMan be lifted up”—in a feeling
manner. Brother Dobbins concluded. Can
dle light—Serfnon by brother Dobbins from
Luke xviii. 1—“ And he spake a parable
unto them to this end, that men ought al
ways to pray and not to faint.”—Followed
by an exhortation by brother Wilkie, and
another by brother Hicks,'during which
time the people of God were happy, and
I mourners were invited and came forward
74
[and joined in supplication to (he Throne of
J Grace.
Saturday, 7 o’clock. Sermon by hr. Wil
kie, from Gen. J. 20 —“ But as for you, ye
thought evil against ire, but God meant it
unto good,” Sic with zeal, animation, and
apparent good effect. Exhortation bv hr.
Hick* with warmth, and deflioostration of
the Spirit. ,
10 o’clock. Sermon by br. John Ford,
from Isaiah liii. 1—“ Who hath believed our
report,” Sic.—in a systematick, theological
aud feeling manner. —Followed by brother
Jacob Crocker,from Prov. viii. 85 —“ Who
so findethme findeth life, and shall obtain
favour of the Lord. 1 ” —Followed by brother
Hicks with an exhortation, during which
time the preacher and hearers were much
affected ; the people of God were made to
rejoice in consequence of finding life and
obtaining favour of the Lord, but made to
weep when thinking on the situation of
poor sinners. Mourners were invited and
came forward, and Christians of different
denominations joined in prayers in their be
half. 4 o’clock. Sermon by brother Wil
kie, from tho word “ Religion,” followed
by brother Hick* with an exhortation. —
The numerous congregation appeared se
rious and solemn. Candle light. Sermon
by brother Hick*, from Luke i. 53—“ He
hath filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he hath sent empty away.”—
Brother Dobbins followed by summing up
the many good things that had been deliv
ered through the day from the word of
Divine iruth, exhorting and warning sin-
ner? to flee to the city of refuge. The ef
fect was great. Mourners were invited
and prayed for—the people of God rejoic
ing and sympathising with them, while
some were gazing on, and others were
walking to and fro over the ground.
Sabbath, 10 o’clock. Sermon by brother
Wilkie, from John v. 6 —“ Wilt thou be
made whole?"—Brother llick* followed
with an exhortation. The worship of God
was carried on with animation and spirit.— <
4 o’clock. Sermon By brother Hicks, from
Rev. xxii. 17—“ The spirit and the bride
say come,” &c. followed by brother Ram
saur, with a few remarks from the words,
“ Abide with us for it is toward eve
ning,” &c which were appropriate and
feelingly offered and received. Candle
light. Sermon by brother Wilkie, from i
Rev. vi. 17—“ For the great day of his
wrath has come, and who shall be able to
stand”—followed by exhortations, singing
and praying. The congregation, though
small, seemed solemn and much affected.,
Monday, 7 o’clock—Assembled at the stage I
and joined in the worship of God, by sing- j
ing, praying, &c. by the brelhern Wilkie
and Ramsattr—and took an affectionate fare
well ofeach other. It is hoped from appa
rent signs of contrition in sinners, and of
joy in Christian*, that the Lord has and
will bless the labours of the present meet
ing- j
j
FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER. ‘
SEAMEN. i
The progress of the various plans devis
ed to promote the spiritual welfare of Sea
-1 men, in New-York, is highly cheering.;
Many difficulties were anticipated at the
I commencement of the business, but they
, have all vanished. Seamen readily attend
, the prayer meetings, wherever the Bethel
: Flag is raised, and manifest not only the ‘
| utmost decorum, but a spirit of seriousness,
; and often of deep conviction. Masters of
vessels so far from being reluctant to per- j
mil these meetings to be held on board their,
ships, have often solicited them, and pre-;
pared the best accommodations for the as- :
sembly. The officers of the vessels have
frequently led in the exercises of the eve-;
ning—and in several instances social wor- j
ship has been commenced, and continued
morning and eveuing on board, till vice and
immorality have been effectually discoun
tenanced and checked. The Editor of the!
Seamen’s Magazine says, that “ Captains i
and owners are. not only far more willing
to give the use of their vessels thau we an
ticipated, hut many of !hem appear to he
depply sensible of the honour God is thus
conferring on them, and are unwilling to
lose any time after the arrival of their ves
sels, before thanksgiving is offered up to
the GoJ of the seas, for their protection and
safe arrival—and are tiDwiliing they should
depart without imploring the Divine favour
on the intended voyage.”
The Emperotir Alexander, has purchas
ed more than 9000 Sctavonian Pocket Tes
taments, from bis private funds, to distrib
ute them among the Army. He has also
issued an order to the Holy Synod, to sup
ply all the Monasteries, Churches and
Priests, throughout his dominions with cop
ies of the Holy Scriptures.
The Bible Society of Bern, has received
a voluntary contribution to its funds from
the Prisons in that city—a proof that the
stream of sacred charity had not flowed in
vain into the receptacles of crime and
wretchedness.
Collections for the Saxon Bible Society
have been taken up in all the churches
throughout the kingdom.
The distribution of 45000 copies of the
scriptures in France, has occasioned fresh
demands for them in every direction, and
many testimonies are received of the good
effects resulting from them.
In seven years, the Russian Bible Socie
ty has printed 91 editions of the Bible, in
whole or in part, in 26 different languages,’
forming a total of 411,000 copies. j
The British and Foreign Bible Society,
have aided the circulation of the scriptures
iD 139 different languages and dialects.
Deaf and Dumb.
The New-York Institution, for the in
struction of this unfortunate class of our fel
low-citizen*, contains 50 pupils under the
care of one female and two male teachers.
It is stated that in the state of New-lt oik
there is one deaf and dumb person for every
2 000 of the population; and in the city,
one such person for every 1700.
The annual charge for pupils, is $l7O. —
Thiw pays for every thing, except bed, bed
ding and clothing. The sexes are sepa
rated, and accommodated in distinct houses.
REVIVALS OF RELIGION.
FROM THE [pHILAII.J RELIGIOUS REMEMBRANCER.
Extract of a letter to the Editor from a cor
respondent in North, Carolina , dated 10 th
Sept. 1821.
“The glory and the goodness of God
call for adoring love. Even here our Em
manuel is displaying the riches of his grace,
and through the Spirit making the Word a*
the fire and the hammer which breaketh
the stony heart. 1 believe 1 mentioned in
my last, that at a sacramental meeting,
eight miles from Hillsborough, many were
brought to feel much anxiety for their spir
itual state; upwards of one hundred and
thirty were the subjects of deep convic
tions, and of many of them there is every
reason to believe that 1 old things have pas
sed away and all things have become new.’
They are now walking in the fear of God
and comfort of the Holy Ghost. The Pres
bytery of Orange met in Hillsborough, a
fortnight after, when I believe God was
pleased to hear the prayers of his people,
and to answer bv imparting a spirit of sup
plication, and such a deep sense of the
worth of souls, that his ministers and friends
were often speaking one to another, and
to the weeping penitents around them.
Mr. W—— is much revived, and is loudly
calling on the impenitent to arouse from
! their slumbers ; and exhorting Christian*
to keep themselves unspotted from the
world. Ten were added to his church,
and several others are inquiring for Jesus,
and endeavouring to renounce the world.
Three ladies of Mr. Witherspoon’s con
gregation will educate a Cherokee, to be
called John Knox Witherspoon.
Tell the friend who gave me “ The Spir
itual Ladder,” that 1 hope it will be useful
here. We tiave printed 400 of them, and
sold and distributed a large number already.
May we not hope that they will serve as
a guide to self examination.”
FROM TBE METHODIST MAGAZINE.
REVIVAL OF THE WORK OF GOD IN
SAVANNAH.
Savannah, August 21, 1821.
Dear Brethren, —1 take the liberty to
transmit to you an account of the revival of
God’s work in this city, which, if you think
proper, you can publish in your useful
Miscellany. J. Howard.
For many years Methodism has had its
heaviest difficulties to contend with in this
! unfortunate metropolis; and nothing short
jof the most inflexible perseverance, could
. have supported its friends, and buoyed their
heads above the swelling tide of despon
dency.
Since the year 1819, our respectability
l as a people has been gradually increasing,
and the halcyon day has at length arrived,
when many have been induced to surrender
their flinty hearts to God ; that, like the
, rock of Horeb, they might, when broken
by the word, make way for the living
spring of piety to flow forth to our adora
ble Saviour.
; Since the 2nd of March, the holy fire
has been enkindling, bnt not until the last
i month wert- the sacred sparks blown up to
a burning flame. At our last Lovefeast.
there were an unusual number of tickets
issued. The evening appointed for this
meeting was peculiarly inauspicious—tor-
rents of rain had fallen during the day, and
I the night was wet and gloomy. But not
i withstanding all this, our meeting wag nu
merously attended, and its ex rcises pro
gressed with an uncommon degree of the
divine presence. At the close of this ever
to be remembered Lovefeast, an offer was
made to receive members, when, to our
utter astonishment, twenty-one persons
came forward, and offered themselves as
candidates for membership in our Church
Among those who thus surrounded God’s
altar, there were eight promising young
men, who appeared before their Maker,
in order to dedicate themselves to him in
the morning of life. The sight was indeed
such an one as was fit for angels to behold,
and one on which heaven smiled with pleas
lire and delight. Since the period above
mentioned, several more have been added
l to our numbers, who promise to be an orna
ment to the Church and a blessing to their
country.
Since the Bth of June last, one hundred
and sixteen members have been added to
our Church, which with former addi
tions make an aggregate of one hundred
and thirty-one, since the 2nd of March
The work is still advancing, and we have
the most sanguine hopes of seeing many
more of our citizens the happy subjects of
this gracious revival.
—
[Communicated for thi Missionary.]
MESSRS. EDITORS,
I was much gratified by seeing in your
very useful paper of Sept. 24, under the
head of “Good Devised,” a plan suggested,
which, if carried into effect, may contribute
a very considerable share towards advanc
ing the benevolent efforts which are now
making for the universal distribution of the
j Holy Bible, that inestimable gift of God to
j man, that great light of Masonry. The
plan referred to, is the formation of a Ma
sonic* Bible Society.
Although something has been done to aid
in the circulation of the Scriptures, by sev
eral Lodges, and no doubt much more by the
aggregate contributions of individuals of tho
Fraternity—yet, might not much more ex
tensive good he effected by the united and
systematick efforts of such Lodges through,
out the Union, as should upprove and feel
disposed to assist in sending the Bible to
the destitute ? 1 would charitably hope
that there is not a Freemason in Christen
dom who does not rejoice in view of what
is doing in our day for the spread of the
Gospel:—and should any be so presump
tuous as to deny the inspiration of this vol
ume, yet as a system of morals so harmoni
ously agreeing with the excellent lessons
conveyed in our beautiful emblems, and
with our professions and duties, he cannot
bnt wish that this blessed book may “go in
to all the world and preach” itself, and con
sequently most of the fundamental princi
ples of Freemasonry. He cannot but ad
mire the sublime moral duties inculcated
in the several Masonick Lectures, and lie
must be fully convinced of the excellence
and adaptation of our Institution to the con
dition of man, as a wayward and depraved
being. Therefore, if he be consistent, he
mu*t at least desire that the Bible may be
universally known, and its dictates obeyed ;
as Freemasonry has, and always will be
the friend aud follower of Christienity. No
objection then can be offered by infidel
Freemasons, if such there be; and none,
certainly, will be offered by those who pro
fess to believe the Bible to be the Word of
Gog.
It follows, then, that it is only necessary
to call the serious attention of our Order to
this subject, and their feelings will be enlist
ed, and their hearts opened to communicate
that light of the Gospel which we enjoy,
to the heathen, whether inhabitants of our
own forests, or of the antipodes—for “ we
are all brethren.” Many of them beseech
us to send them the Gospel and its Minis
ters. Let us he as ready to give as they are
to receive these distinguished blessings.
And in what way can we more effectually
do this tha,n in the manner proposed? Let
no one say “ a lion is in the way!’’—for it
can be accomplished—a Masonick Bible So
ciety can he formed—and there are piety,
and talents, and wealth enough among the
Fraternity, and more than barely enough to
bring n into operation—there are enough
to make such a Society a great and power
ful auxiliary, under the blessing of God, to
the destruction of the unnatural aDd horrid
systems of idolatry, which now depopulate
and stain with human blood some of the
fairest portions of our earth.
Our united exertions will tend to cement
us more firmly together in love; to “in
crease our Faith;” to inspire on r Hope; and
our Charity shall cause tbe “ Sun of Right
eousness to arise with healing in his ! earn*”
upon many who now “sit in the region of
the valley of the shadow of death.” “ The
lines have fallen to us in pleasaat places,
and we have” indeed “ a goodly herbage ;”
and consequently the demands on our
Lodges for private charities are small; be
side administering these, let us in token of
our gratitude, bestow of our abundance a
thank-offering, as a Society, to he cast into
the treasury of the Lord, who “ loveth the
cheerful giver.”
The incipient measures in the great and
noble enterprise here recommended, if ev
er introduced, will probably be taken by
some Brother eminent for his talents and in
fluence—whose heart glows with love to
God and man; who is willing to “spend
and be spent” in a cause so glorious; a
cause which will be so honnuiahle to us as a
body, and so acceptable in the view of that
All Seeing Eye which scrutinizes our mo
tives and actions, and according as they are,
good or evil, will beam upon us with heav
enly benignity, or devour by the blaz of
its wrath. The name of that man who shall
originate and by his influence and exertions
bring into effectual operation a National
Masonick Bible Society , shall be distinguish
ed on the list of modern philanthropists, by
colours as radiant as those which emblazon
the names of Brainerd, Mills, Carey, Bu
chanan, Swartz, Martyn and Worcester.
These remarks are made with the hope
that they may meet the eye of someone
who has the ability and the will to treat
upoe this subject, and urge it upon the
hearts and consciences of the Fraternity in
a manner somewhat commensurate with its
importance, and so as to ensure the hearty
co-operation of all who hare desired and
received the Light revealed to
A FREEMASON.
MEDICAL WAREHOUSE — Savannah.
THL undt rsigned informs his customers and
the publick generally, that his establishment
in Broughton Street, Savannah, is constantly sup
plied with a complete assortment of
Genuine Drugs, Chemicals, Patent
Medicines, Surgeon’s In
struments, Painter’s
Articles,&c.&c.
which he offers for sale on moderate terms.
EDWARD CGPPEE.
Savannah, 4th Sept. 182 L # swi&