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No. 22- ——Vot. 111. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY NATHAN S. S. BEMAN t, CO. The Terms of “ The Missionary” are Three Dollars a year if paid in advance, or within sixty days from the time of subscribing; or Three Dol lars and Fifty Cents at the end of the year. No Subscription will be received for a short er time than one year, and no paper discontinued until all arrearages are paid. Advertisements will be inserted, by the square, at 62 1-2 cents for the first insertion; and /or every subsequent insertion 43 3-4 cents. fS'hose who furnish standing advertisements for the year, shall be entitled to a deduction of one quarter of the amount from the above rates. All Communications and Letters relating to the Office , will be directed to N. S. S. Beman & Cos. and whether enclosing money or not, must come POST PAID: Should any neglect to do Cilia they will be charged with the postage. Printing for P.ublick Officers and others will be done on the moat liberal terms. AGENTS FOrThIS PAPER. AUGUSTA, J. & H. Ely. COLUMBIA, J.Bynoir..Esq.P:vl.ColumbiaC.H. GREENESBOROUGH , A.#. Scott. SPARTA , Cyprian Wilcox. JRWINTON, Wilkinson Th. Sherrer, Esq. PM. HARTFORD , Puhuii,G.B. GardinerEsq.PM. POWELTON, S. Duggar, Esq. P M. CLINTON Jones Cos. 3. W. Carrington. SAVANNAH, S. C.& J. Schenck. EATONTON, C. Pendleton, Esq. P M. .Qf /FORD'S P.O. Greene , C. Alford, Esq. PM. MBEVILLE, ( S. C.) Rev. H. Reid. HANDOVER, Abbetille, S. C Maj. U. Hill. MARION, Twiggs, S. Williams, Esq. P M. JEFFERSON, Jackson, Rev. E. Pharr. LIBERTY HALL, Morgan, C. Allen, Esq. WATKINSVILLE, Clark . H. W. Scovell, Esq. P. M. RICEBORO', Liberty , Wm. Baker, Esq. P M. tGRANTSFILLE, Greene , Samuel Finley. I PENDLETON, S.C. Joseph Grisham, Esq. PM. fpANIELSUILLE , Madison, J.Long, Esq. PM. E KRUINSVILLE, Rutherford, N. C. Rev, Hugh Quin. ATHENS, Clarke, B. B. Peck. MADISON, Morgan, Milus Nesbit. J.INCOLN TON,Lincoln,Veter Lamar,Esq. PM. SPARTANBURGH, S.C. J.Brannon,Esq. PM. MILLEDGEVILLE, Leonard Perkins. ELBERTON, George Inskeep, Esq. P M. DUBLIN, Laurens, W. B. Coleman, Esq. PM. I.OUISFILLE, Jeff'n, John Bostwick,Eeq.PM. MALLORYSVILLE, Wilkes, Asa bearing, Esq. P M. WAYNESBORO ’, Samuel Sturges, Esq. PM. JjAURENS, S. C. Archibald Young, Esq. WRIGHTSBORO', Q. L. C. Franklin, Esq. MONTICELLO , Greene D. Brantley, Esq.P M. GARNKBVILLE , Henry Freeman, Esq. P. M. SALEM, Clark, Raleigh Green, Esq. P. M. iUgcCMiWM HMD—A —B—WWW——————E— From the London Methodist Magazine. ILLUSTRATION OF LUKE XXTII. 45, “ The Sun was darkened .” “ Behold 1 what wonders mark his death : Wheure are these prodigies! What but the band Os God can shake the pillars of the earth, Seal up the sun, and rend these rocks in twain, Turn day to night, tear down the temple's vail, Breakup the graves, ‘ nud bid the saints come forth.” Os all the miracles recorded in Scripture, none more deserves our attention, or per haps is less regarded, than the eclipse that happened at the death of Christ. This eclipse was astonishing beyoud conception, and could only be produced by preternatur al agency. For we may learn from the Sacred Writings, ‘hat the moon was full, and consequently there could be no regular eclipse of the sun at that time, yet the darkness ivas great, and all nature seemed he in convulsions. We find the fact no ticed by several philosophers and historians of those times. It was observed by Lucian, by Phlpgon, the freed-man of the F.mpe rour Adrian, by Dionysius, and by Phile mon in Egypt, who, in particular, was so Struck with this surprising phenomenon, that he cried out in the utmost astonish ment, “ Either the world is destroyed, or the God of nature suffers.” That this darkness was preternatural, and not occasioned by the conjunction or opposition of any of the heavenly bodies, as some. thrngh ignorance, have supposed, I shall endeavour to shew, as it is as capa ble of a mathematical demonstration as aoy proposition in Euclid. First, then, an eclipse may be of two kinds, eitlv r olar or lunar. A solar eclipse, or what is commonly called an eclipse of the sun, is occasioned by the in terposition of the opaque body of the moon between the earth and the sun, and can happen only when the moon is new. As the moon passes between the earth and the sun, if she hide the whole body of the son from us, it is called a total eclipse ; when •he hides only part of the sun, it is called a partial eclipse. \ A lunar eclipse is occa sioned by the interposition of the earth be tween the moon and the sun, whose sha dow then often falls on the moon, and de prives her of light; this can happen only when the moon is in opposition to the sud, or full. Now it is plain, that, had the moon been new when Christ suffered, the darkness •would not have been so wonderful, as the sun might then possibly have been eclipsed. But the moon, as I before observed, was full & of course in the opposite part of her orbit; had there been any eclipse at that time, it must have been a lunar one, and even that would have been invisible at Jerusalem. It is thus demonstrated that the moon could not cause the darkness ; and as it is known from experience, that there is no other ||>lanet between the earth and the sun capa ble of eclipsing that glorious luminary, we (oust pronounce that (he darkness which THE MISSIONARY. happened at the death of Christ was a phe nomenon not to be accounted for in any oth er way than by the interference of iufinite power and wisdom ! The snn cannot be darkened but by the interposition of some opaque body, or a miracle from God. The sun-was darkened without the interposition of aey opaque body : Therefore, that dark ness must immediately arise from the aerea cy of God. Such was ene among the many miracles which attended the death of Him, at whose presence the pillars of heaven tremble, the sun and stars fade away, the earth melts, and the deep-rooted mountains are no more ; and whom, ere long, we shall behold coming clothed with majesty on (he clouds of heaven, to reward every man ac cording to his works! —-o02o:ae:oz From the London'Baptist Magazine. Woman in India ; a Poem ; Part /. Female Influence. By John Lawson , Missionary at Calcutta. Foolscap. Bvo. Ij. 6 d. Lawson. The subject of this poem is calculated to excite a deeper and more intense interest than perhaps any other. To us, woman is associated with every thing that is lovely; and in relation to our temporal concerns, regarded as the happiest boon of heaven. It has been justly remarked by the cele brated L e< tyard, that women, in all coun tries, are civil and obliging; that they are ever inclined to be gay and cheerful, tim orous and modest. They do not hesitate, like men, to perform a generous action. “ To a woman, (he observes) whether civ ilized or savage, I never addressed myself inJanguage of deceocy and friendship, with out receiving a decent and friendly answer* In wandering over the barren plains of in hospitable Denmark, through honest Swe den and frozen Lapland, rude and churlish Finland, unprincipled Russia, and the wide spread regions of the wandering Tartar, if hungry, dry, cold, wet or sick, the women have ever been friendly to me, and uni formly so.” Indian women, whose degraded state had long outraged every feeling of humanity, are not less susceptible of these amiable qualities. We could easily mention nume rous instances of the most exemplary piety and devoted affection of these unhappy women; and it would be difficult to select from ancient or modern history, a more striking instance of genuine piety and he roick bravery than is narrated of a Hindoo woman of the vilest description, in our Pe riodical Accounts. The poem before us, onr respectable Au thor informs us, was undertaken in behalf of this most interesting hut degraded por tion of the female sex; and it is his ulti mate design 11 to exhibit woman with re spect to the influence she possesses, (to which the part published is devoted) the excellency to which she may attain; the state of degradation in which she is some times found; and the obligations, especially of the Christian female, to lift the voice of pity against the revolting miseries of her sex in these heathen lands.” This poem, like “ Orient Harping,' 1 is very desultory; but is not eu that account loss interesting. A mind strongly imbued with the most amiable qualities, and earn estly engaged for the best interest of man kind, is most conspicuous throughout. The minstrel attuning his lyre in the scorching regions of the East, and every where sur rounded by the most abominable and revolt ing scenes of idolatry, cruelty, and lust, pays a tribute to his uative country, retrac ing the scenes of infancy, and recollections of former times, in such a manner as must excite the sympathy of every feeling mind. Dr. Johnson observes, “as every man's performance, to he rightly estimated, must be compared with the opportunities and ob jects with which he is surrounded, curiosity will ever be excited to discover how much must be ascribed to original powers, and how much to casual and adventitious help.” It has been said, that some of our most pop ular poets of the present day have repaired to the lakes, that their delineations’ might exhibit the vivid freshness and reality of the scenery with which they were sur rounded. Whatever effect they may have produced by these advantages, we think the following “ Farewell to England ” (of which we can only extract a part) will yield t* none in pathos and accurate de scription. “ 0 not for me, Far distant England, do thy proud trees lift Their various verdure to the vigorous suu, That beams but blasts not; neither for these eyes Do thy rich luxuries of prospect spread Thy breadth of glory rusticb and refined } For I have said farewell—farewell forever, Scenes of my early days, by me no more Revisited.” During the progress of this poem, our amiable Author was visited with a heavy dornestick affliction in the death of his child, which, as he observes, 44 unexpectedly fur nished him with a mournful exemplification of some of the principles advanced.” To those of our readers who have lost a darl ing child, the following beautiful apostro phe must be touchingly and exquisitely af fecting. “ O she is gone ! The cherub hasted to its uative home. All wasting death hath triumphed o'er my child. GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH TUB GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE-3 ksus Christ. MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1821. Sweet wither'd Jflly t thou wast riven, and flung Across my shaking knees, a lovely wreck Os innocence and beauty. Long 1 saw, Long, long, the fearful presage hang about Her beauteous features, dark'ning round her eyes. But they would smile with gladdening lore upon me. Tome thou wast a plaything beyond price. Health in thy countenance, and sprightliness In all thy motions, made thee like a being Os fancy sporting in a pleasant deam ! O ‘twas too like a dream I Thy yellowish locks Os shining hair, parting with infant grace Upon thy snowy forehead, and tty soilings, Pleading expressively when.thou wouldst play. With my fair sea-shells tinged with blushing stains Like thy own ruby lips, aud thyclear voice So musical and merry, with thy arms, All plump and white entwined around my neck, Glow on my anguish'd mind, while I remember Thy labouring breath when dying ; and tby pale Shivering and sickly hands, which could no longer Grasp the cold cup of water ; and that look That plaintive look, which spoke a thousand words Os calm, unutterable fondnrss. Mute Became thy little tongue ! Forever quenched In settled dimness were thy sorrowful eyes. Upraid nie not! Speak notpf the greatsoul, Nor shame these burning teats! May not stern man One moment weep? I couidnot then control The tumult of my heart, when death had done Such deadly work. Stay ! stay, thy heavenwardfight! ‘ ; y girl, O breathe again ! I’ll bear thee fat hrom this ungenial clime, and lay thee down Midst fragrant honeysuckles, where the fields Are flush with all that blooms to give thee health. Thy fingers too shall pluck the earliest violets, Clustering together in theirgreen recesses, While the Iresh scent of earth shall strengthen thee And thou with God’s good blessing shalt rejoice, And bound with infant merriment upon The beautiful meadows, and shall laugh to see Thy dimpled likeness down in the glassy brook ! —O that was wildly spoken, for I clasp thee Cold, cold and lifeless to my bursting boeom ! Still 1 would smile upon thee, O my love, And thiuk of thee sped to thy better home. Nightly thy prayers were innocently lisped, Well taught by her who brought thee forth. Farewell ! Thou blossom of my hope—hut not forever, For I have heard thee talk of holy angels Walking upon the cloudy plains on high ; Oft have I heard thee sing their blessed song, Faint hallelujahs swelling on thy lips, The tender preludes of maturer hymns.” After what tve have quoted, it will be al most needless to say we think Mr. Law son's poetry is of * very superiour order. His thoughts are vigorously and happily expressed ; his delineations are correct, and he adjusts his pictures in the finest light. But what is of much greater impor tance, his powers are uniformly and scru pulously consecrated'to the cross. We therefore feel much pleasure in recom mending this poem tc our fair readers, not only on account of it intrinsick merit, but with a view to stimulate them to that exer tion commensurate tp tjie importance of the subject. Many of opr most valuable insti tutions owe their origin to female influ ence, and to that source must be attributed the principal blessings of domestick life ; and as Mr, Lawson happily expresses it, “ Where she dwells, The angel of our homei in sovereign meekness, A woman as she shouldbe, guiding still The immortal mind committed to her trust, The commonwealth is at her beck, and nations Rise proudly o’er the wastes of savage being.” From the Methodist Magazine, ACCOUNT OF A CAMP-MEETING held on Long-Island, New York state, from the Ith to the 13lA of August, 1821. The first day was spent principally in landing and erecting the tents. On Wed nesday, there were an usual eumber assem bled from New-York, New-Haven, and from various parts of the country. At one time there were counted 37 sloops in the harbour, besides two steam-boats from the city, one of which was coming and return ing every day during the meeting. On one day, it was judged that there were not less than 10.000 people on the ground. The solemn exercises commenced under very favourable auspices, a spirit of solem nity and fervent devotion pervading the assembly. At 10 o’clock, P. M. most of the people obeyed the summons, and retir ed to rest, and the ground was cleared of stragglers. The united prayers of so many kindred souls, who were apparently aiming at the same things, could not but afford anticipations of the Divine power in the awakening and conversion of souls. Accordingly, on the second day of the 1 meeting, some gave evidence of their de sire to escape from their sins and lay hold on eternal life. These became the sub jects of prayer; and many of God’s people were engaged in this laborious and delight ful exercise. That God heard their pray ers, was manifested by the songs of praise which ware heard in the Camp. In this way the meeting progressed, evi dently under the “good will of Him who dwelt in the bushj” until the last night, when a more manifest 1 appearance of the Immanuel was witnessed. By this time many sinners were deeply wounded by the 14 sword of the Spirit,” and brought to cry aloud for mercy. In addition to a large praying circle which was formed on the ground in the open air, in which hundreds were engaged in singing and prayer, there were several prayer-meetings in'tents. In all these there were more or less of mourn ing penitents, earnestly groaning for de liverance from the bondage of corruption. Several of these, in the course of the even 1 • ing, were enabled to testify that God had taken away their sins. The scene, indeed, was solemn and delightful, beyond descrip- ! lion. The burning lamps, the shadowy 1 grove, the surrounding tents, the solemn 1 prayers, the concentrated notes of many 1 voices singing praises to God and the Lamb, 1 and the piercing moans of penitent sinners, 1 excited those mingled emotions, which are 1 better felt than described. After being a short time in one of the prayer-meetings, about twelve o’clock at night I sealed myself at the door of mv tent, in a solitary mood, and indulged my self in silent reflections. 1 had but few interruptions, as all were either engaged in the solemn exercises of the evening, or re posing in their tents under the protection ot Him who never slumbers nor sleeps. The pleasing sensations which were ex cited by/surrounding objects, may be real ized by those who have been accustomed to ascend through things which are seen to those which are not seen ; and in the midst of the most profound contemplation of Him whose perfections spread a glow of uncre ated glory amidst the heavens, feel a con scious sense of the communication of His Spirit. To indulge in those speculations which a cold calculating philosophy might suggest, was not at all suited to the place I occupied. The mind at once overleaped the bounds of all material objects, and rang ed through those fields of space, unoccu pied by all but Him who filleth all in all. A ray of the Divine glory shed such a lus tre around, as to eclipse the glory of ail created objects, and the mind,-as if moved by a secret and irresistible impulse, refused to dwell upon any thing of a terrestrial na ture. The God who holds the destinies of worlds in His hands, containing myriads of intellectual beings, all alike the objects of His care, for some moments was the sole object of contemplatipn. “All knowing!—all unknown !—and yet well known! Near, though reiLote ! and. though unfathom'd, felt! And, though invisible, forever seen ! And seen in all——— Each flower, each leaf—” “ How shall 1 name Thee ?—How my labouring soul Heaves underneath the thought, too big for birth!” Os causes mighty ! Cause uncaused ! Sole root Os nature, that luxuriant growth of God !” “Father of these bright millions of the night, Os which the least, full Godhead ’tad proclaim’d, And thrown the gazer on his knee.” How awful was this hour! Abstracted from tbe world around me, all my powers were lost in the contemplation of Deity. Descending from this lofty summit, where the soul caught fire from the altar of God, my mind was tuned to the harmony of de votion. I listened! The voices of many were heard. They echoed through the grove, and were carried off in pleasing melody on the waves of the surrounding waters. Among others the voices of mourn ing sinners, were mingled with the ardent intercessions of God’s people. The tong of triumph heightened the melody, and gave a zest to the pleasure of contempla tion. The only interruption to this pleasure was, the voice of mirth and blasphemy from the mouths of some sons of bel>al, who occasionally approached the sncrcd encampment. A sense of their unhappy stale served to moderate my joy, and to excite an involuntary sigh, on account of the folly and madness of thoughtless men. What a pity that any should so far forget their true dignity as to sport with sacred things, and make the worship of God an opportunity for accumulating wealth! Th? thought, that probably some of these mis taken men might yet become objects of the divine displeasure, spread a temporary gloom over the clear sky now illuminated by the radiant beams from the Sun of Righteousness. This, however, could not last long. Bodies do not tend to the centre by the inscrutable law of gravitation more forcibly, than mind, touched by the attract ing love of Jesus Christ, moves towards the heavenly world, and rests, almost with equal trunquillity, as the ocean when un moved by a breath of wind. Pursuing, therefore, the train ofthought, first excited by that Spirit which breathed into man a living soul, 1 began to estimate the amount of good which might result from this meeting. The accidental as they originated from the depravity of man, and were brought into operation by those unfriendly to the cause of piety, I could not charge to the account of Camp Meetings. Upon a fair estimation, therefore, these subtract nothing from the total amount of good. But I had hardly begun the calcu lation, whgn a messenger brought the heart-cheering intelligence of the conver sion of some youths, who had been long struggling under the mighty load of sin. They ’ were now emancipated. Here, then, are more immortal souls to be taken into the account. How shall I make the estimate ? By what rule shall 1 calculate? The worth of a soul is to be the first thing to estimate. But, “ Knowest thou the importance of a soul immor tal! Behold the midnight gloryworlds on worldal Amazing pomp !”■ “ One soul outweighs them all!” If this -be so, who can estimate the whole amount of good, when scores of these im mortal souls are brought to a saving knowl edge of the truth? Baffled thus in my at tempts to ascertain the benefit which might result from these solemn exercises, after feasting awhile upon the thought of their eternally praising God for having attended this meeting, I retired, about 2 o’clock in the morning, to rest; but the mind was too eager to suffer “ balmy sleep” to sever tbe chain of thoughts, now stretching around the encampment. It had already been ascertained that a number of those who had become the sub jects of converting grace, were the children of pious parents. With the consent of their parents they bad come to this meeting, and were now prepared to return, and “ tell how great things the Lord had done for them.” Tt,e work, however, was not con fined to these. Many stout-hearted sinners were brought to tremble, and to supplicate for mercy. How many were awakened, how many converted, and how many were aroused to activity in the cause of Christ, I could not tell.* The influence of these meetings is not restricted to the meetings themselves ; but those who are here quick ened, carry the sacred fire with them to their neighbourhoods and families, and thu9 become instrumental of spreading the flame in various directions. Some objections arose in my mind, which I endeavoured to answer. One of which it may be useful to mention. It is asked, “ Are not the passions of the people so ex cited as to produce extravagances ?” This may, indeed, be the case in some instances/ But this is not peculiar to Camp-Meeting*. In every religious revival these excrescen ces make their appearance. To lop them off, without wounding the main trunk of piety, requires a nice hand, guided by a prudence which falls to the lot of but few. Time and experience will correct the most of them. It ought to be recollected, how ever, that a luxuriant growth is proof of a rich soil. But it is to be suspected that many who make this objection, know not what they mean. Passions are some of the con stituents of man. He cannot exist’ without them. Whenever, therefore, he is moved in the pursuit of an object of importance to him, whether it be religion or any thing else, his passions are enlisted. And why should theee passions be considered as per* fectly harmless when temporary good is the object of pursuit, and only reprehensible when religion is concerned ? Sorrow, fear, hatred, love, grief, joy, are all excited, whenever the heart is powerfully moved by the influence of God's Spirit. And the result of this happy influence is, when yielded to by the sinner, the fixing his pas sions upon right objects. They may, it js granted, be carried to excess, and lead the subject of them to indulge in unseemly ges tures, and improper expressions; but this excess may be corrected by a judicious ap plication of that discipline which the word of God, under the management of a sober, enlightened judgment, furnishes. After all, how high the flame of divine love may rise, and how diffusive it may become, and how much of that which is deemed irregu larity by man, may be considered order i a the sight of God, who can tell ? On Saturday morning the meeting closed, and the people relumed to their several places of abode, praising God for the exhi bitions of His-power and goodness. JVew- York, Sept. 2, 1821. * It might be satisfactory if some method were adopted at our Camp-Meetings to ascertain the number converted. WEST INDIES. The following extract of a letter from Mr. French, dated St. Evstatius, Dec. 16, will be read with interest , at it describes a pleas ing instance of the influence of Christian Instruction. I have on this island four established pla ces of worship, in each of which I preach once in the course of the week. The last of those places was opened under the fol lowing peculiar circumstance :—A slave belonging to a person on this island had run away from his master, and become a most notorious robber, and having got others to join him he was appointed their captain.— He resided with them in the mountain* fourteen months, but having been surprised while committing one of his predatory plunders, he was taken and put in confine ment. His muster expostulated with him on the badness of his conduct; but the slave replied, that no one had cared for hie religious concerns, and Iheurfore he had been ignorant and wicked. The master applied to me, and I told him that if he would let me preach to hi* negroes, I would save him a great deal of trouble. I went to the robber, conversed with him, and left him apparently sorry foe his past wickedness, and purposing to act very differently in future. The master of fered me a large warehouse to preach in, and has since fitted it up far the purpose; I preach in it to all his negroes, with his own family, nnd4o many others who attend from the neighbourhood. The late robber himself, I am happy to stale, manifests a