The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, October 15, 1821, Page 74, Image 2

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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&