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No. 24. Vol. 111.
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Biography.
MEMOIR OF THE REV. SAM’L WOR
CESTER, D. D.
From the N. Y. Christian Herald.
History will ever give us the names of
those whom this world denominate great.
She has ever delighted to inscribe on her
brazen pillars the names of those, who,
while walking among the tombs of nations,
or traversing kingdoms desolated by their
nun ambition, have been the themes on
which orators and poets have exhausted
their powers. From the time that Horner
first touched his li re, to the day in which
we Ine, there have not been wanting men
t/o bestow the most lavish of human praises
upon those whose only monuments of
greatness were founded upon the
groans and the miseries of their fellow
men—while many a worthy name, never
echoed by the trumpet of fame, has been
permitted to sink into oblivion. But the
day has now arrived when a life of active
benevolence will find a memorial in the
Christian Biography.
The Rev. Samurl Worcester, the sub
ject ot these remarks, was a man who ever
moved in a conspicuous sphere, and ever
shone as a star of the first magnitude.
Though, we trust, he is now above our
eulogies, yet we may bp permitted briefly
to contemplate the character of that spirit,
whose departure has so lately thrown a
mantle of mourning over the American
church. He was born at Hollis, (N. H.)
\ Nov. 1, 1771, of respectable parents. He
lost his mother during his infancy, and with
her all those valuable instructions which it
is the prerogative of a pious mother to be
stow. He was designed by his father to
assist him in managing a farm, but at the
age of sixteen the Holy Spirit is believed
to have wrought a work of grace in his
heart, and to have ‘ separated him for the
ministry.’ It was at this time that he met
with that change of heart, without which
we * cannot see the kingdom of God.’ At
the age of twenty he entered Dartmouth
College. His college life was honourable
to himself as a scholar and a man. It was
here it wa first said of him, ‘an empire
might rest on the judgment of Worcester,
without tottering!’ Among hiscollege com
panions he was ever very popular; yet he
never stooped from the dignity of the
Christian character for a phantom like this.
Me graduated in 1795,. with the highest
honours of the college, and was soon after
licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus.
From this time till his death, a period of
twenty-six years, he sustained the charac
ter of a settled minister. In 1797 he was
ordained as a pastor at Fitchburg (Mass.)
where’ he continued five years.
The remainder of his life he was settled
over the Tabernacle Church in Salem.
Os his character as a settled minister little
need be said; it is already extensively
THE MISSIONARY.
known. Placed over one of the mot im
portant churches in our land, he was ever
found firm and faithful at his post, amidst all
the trials and vicissitudes necessarily con
nected with a situation so responsible.
Between him and his people there ever
existed the most endeared confidence. The
aged loved and respected him as an aged
brother, while the lambs of the flock look
ed up to their shepherd as to a superiour
being. In 1804 he was elected Professor
of Theology in Dartmouth College, but a
conscientious regard for his beloved church
and people led him to decline the chair.
Asa writer, Dr. Worcester deserves
more than commendation; he deserves
imitation. Always impressed with the ideas
he wished to convey to others, his language
was strong, and manly, and nervous.
Sometimes, indeed, he would rise, as if the
channel was too narrow to contain its wa
ters, and then he approached sublimity it
self. He never wove into his compositions
the most glaring ornaments of rhetorick.
His writings, like their fountain, area pure
and deep stream, which may bear on its
bosom that which may benefit mankind,
though it may not please like the beauty of
a cascade. The number of sermons which
he published was certainly great, and they
were ever received with eagerness. Their
purity and elegance of language, their
greatness of thought, and the fervent piety
which they breathed, could not fail to ren
der them acceptable ; and, had he written
no more, his sermon entitled * Paul on Mars
Hill,’ would have rendered his name im
mortal. Pew, it is believed, excelled the
subject of these remarks in the field of con
troversy. Within a few years the number
of those in New England who ‘deny the
Lord that bought them,’ had so increased,
that it was thought adviseable to come out
decidedly on the side of truth, and Worces
ter took the field as a champion of the faith.
So bold was his attack, that his enemies
shrunk from before him ; and if ever they
dared to aim at him one shaft, it was from
behind a covert. With a heart pure and
upright—with a judgment clear and dis
criminating, he wielded the club of Hercu
les, and shook the ‘ bars of the enemy’s
castle with the strength of a giant.’ He
gained for himself the reputation of being
the first controversial writer of the day.
An estimate of his worth as a counsellor
may be formed fiom the numerous demands
that were made for his assistance in times
of peculiar difficulty. At a time when
churches were broken and divided, they
naturally look around for a man whose en
lightened and impartial judgment, and
whose ardent love for the churches of
Christ, would lead him to adjust with care
and meekness, all impending difficulties,
and to heal once more the breaches in the
walls of Zion. Such a man was Dr. Wor
cester. Many are now flourishing but
once broken churches, who need no other
memento of his worth but the grateful re
membrance of his tender though faithful
labours in restoring them to peace and
harmony. The Education and Domestick
Missionary Societies ever relied upon him
as one of their firmest pillars. These sa
cred institutions ever lay near his heart.
Indeed, there was scarcely a wheel in mo
tion whose evolution was designed to me
liorate the condition of man, to which he
did not lend his assistance.
But |he character of Dr. Worcester ap
pears more interesting, as it stands related
to the cause of Foreign Missions. Twelve
years ago, and the sun rose on the Ameri
can church sleeping in ignorance over the
state of the heathen world ; but a star now
arose, which has increased, and which we
trust will continue to increase in brightness,
till all the ‘ dark places of the earth’ are
illumined. The Board of Foreign Missions
now sprung up like a iree of life, expand
ing its branches and offering its fruits to the
ends of the earth. And (he name of Wor
cester will ever be revered as a man who
was foremost in laying the foundations of
a structure so magnificent. In 1810 he
was elected to one of the highest offices to
which Christian suffrages could raise him
Corresponding Secretary of the Board of
Missions. Here a field was opened suited
to his benevolence. He saw a ‘ world ly
ing in wickedness,’ and his benevolence
could be bounded only by the limits of a
world. He entered into the holy cause of
Missions with his whole soul; and it is be
lieved the effects cf his prayers and labours
will be felt not only till these heavens and
thi9 earth shall have passed away, but till
time and earth shall be forgotten.
No one who is uoacquainted with the
cares and anxieties of overseeing so many
missionary stations, can form any correct
idea of the duties of the Secretary of the
Board of Missions. The number of plans
to be formed and weighed—the number of
letters to be written, and all the intricate
business of this complicated machinery, was
enough to have crushed the spirit of an or
dinary man. But from the duties of his
station he was never known to shrink. He
stood as a guide to direct more than one
hundred missionaries as they left their
homes—he watched with anxiety and be
held the standard of the cross erected in
about 70 different stations, and his full bo
som beai with joy at the name of every
heathen converted to Jesus. To preach
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.— Jesus Christ.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1821.
the Gospel of Christ either by his own
mouth or by the mouth 9 of others, consti
tuted the great business of his life, to which
he lent his every effort, and in which he
exhausted every power of his frail and dy
ing body.
He shone no less conspicuously in pri
vate than in publick life. In his deport
ment he wa9 grave without gloominess, and
dignified without stiffness. He was ever
greeted with a smile of joy by every circle
in which he moved. His friends will long
remember the pleasure they derived from
his society; nor is there a spot in his char
acter that can ever be soiled by the breath
of calumny. There are doubtless many
who would bitterly oppose the tenets which
he so ably defended ; yet it 19 thought he
had not a private enemy on earth. None
dared impeach— none suspect his integrity.
Dr. Worcester was a man of prayer. Feel
ing the great responsibilities which rested
upon him, he ever sought the direction of
God to guide him. And often, while lying
on his pillow, devising plans for the en
largement of the Redeemer’s church on
earth, would raise his thoughts to heaven,
and hold communion with his Maker. No
one can say how many hearts have been
warmed by his prayers, or how many
poor heathen will have occasion forever
to rejoice, that the prayers of this good
man were answered for their salvation.
The great day of account can only tell the
gems in Worcester's crown.
We can follow this good man through
but one more scene—and that, perhaps,
the most interesting of all. The many
cares which devolved upon him had so
worn upon his health, that it was thought a
long journey would be the only remedy to
save him from the grave. Accordingly,
the last December, with a calm resigna
tion, he gave his weeping friends a fare
well band, and commenced his journey by
sailing for New Orleans. After enduring
many severe privations and trials, we next
find him exhausted and sick, traversing our
western wilderness. The arms of the be
loved Missionaries received their dying fa
ther, as he arrived at Brainerd, the first
Missionary establishment by the Board of
Missions in this country. The wan counte
nance of the dying saint did, indeed, damp
the joys of the Missionaries, as they receiv
ed their patron and friend at a Mission ever
fostered by his care. Here, amidst a circle
of weeping Missionaries, whose bosoms
beat with emotions too big for utterance,
and a large assembly of children lately
gathered from the darkness of heathenism,
all heading their knees and raising their
united hearts to Heaven for the life of their
father and friend, his pure spirit took its
flight, and left its mouldering tenement to
be bedewed by their tears. He died on
the sth of May, in the 61st year of his age.
The ashes of Worcester! they sleep at
Brainerd; there shall the fainting Mission
ary go, and at his tomb rekindle those fires
in his bosom, which shall carry him onward
rejoicing. And there, too, shall the en
lightened savage shed the artless tear over
the dust of him who was foremost in send
ing the Gospel to his nation. He was a
man—he was a frail man, like others—but
‘ He was a man, take him for all in all,
‘ Wc shall not look upon his like again.’
We trust his soul is enjoying the rewards
of his labours on earth, while the Christian
church, and the ons of the forest, may
strew around his tomb the memorials of
their affection and their grief.
AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.
Extracts fram the address of the Rev. Dr.
Staughton at the annual meeting of the American
Bible Society held in New-York in May last.
When first Bible Societies came into ope
ration, the world was astonished at the
novelty and grandeur of their desigD. The
enemies of Christianity had no idea that
there was virtue enough in the world to
originate a plan so beneficent and effective.
Its supporters were represented as acting
under some hidden but mischievous influ
ence. They were swayed by policy, by
self-interest, by ambition, by aiy thing but
the honour of God and the welfare of men.
The societies have at length surmounted
every obstacle. The pen of detraction has
fallen from the hand of infidelity, and the
opposers of this heavenly charity are, by
common consent of the nations of the earth,
clothed with dishonour. To what extent
the blessings of Bible institutions hare
spread themselves, it is impossible to cal
culate. Millions of Bibles and Testaments
have, in the course of a few years, gone
forth into the world. Were these societies
to become immediately extinct, their ef
forts would long survive them. They
would not leave a mere ideal remembrance
of their value, like the words of the Pylian
sage on the ear. A lasting good would be
preserved in society, after the manner of
the generous youth, who has terminated
bis literary course, but yet bears with him,
in every direction, the solid information
which his Alma Mater bad imparted. The
friends of the Bible rejoice in those kindred
combinations which are advancing the tri
umphs of the Gospel. ‘(The glorious
Lord” has become to his church “ a place
of broad rivers and streams.” Amplitude
and safety are alike secured ; for thereon
“ “hall go no galley with oar 9, neither shall
gallant ship pass thereby.” Mission Socie
ties, Tract Societies and Sunday Schools
are pouring forth their tributary influence,
and making glad the bosoms of millions,
while Bible Societies discover a co-inci
dence between themselves and the volume
they circulate, in that they are divine in
origin, gradual in their increase, and most
salutary in the effects which they produce.
It is customary on these annual occasions,
to tender the thanks of the society to those
who have promoted its real interests. The
grateful mention that has been made of the
efforts of females, in the report we have
been hearing, is well deserved ; and well
deserved, 1 am persuaded, are the votes of
geoerous acknowledgment that will yet be
made. But, Sir, could I today remove the
veil which divides the heavens from our
earth, I would show j/ou the ranks of Sera
phim and the spirits of the just, bending,
and with all the glow of celestial benevo
lence presenting their thanks to you all,
and uttering the wish of every bosom pre
sent, that the American Bible Society may
continue, until the testimony of God shall
be finished, to increase in strength, in use
fulness, and in glory.
Mr, JohD Griscom, of New-York, of the
Society of Friends, advocated the cause of
Bible Societies in a speech of considerable
length, from which we select the following
interesting incident:
“ Do not your reports, your correspon
dence, your various documents, abound with
instances of the most happy and consoling
effects of the gifts you have bestowed ! 1
shall not forget an instance which fell under 1
my own notice. While visiting an hospital
in the south of France, I was informed that
in another quarter of the house were two
Americans. One of them I found to be a
seaman from the port of New-York. To
converse with a fellow countryman and cit
izen appeared to animate him in the midst
of his sufferings; and on my inquiring
whether he had a Bible, his countenance
bespoke the grateful sensations of his
heart, as he pointed to the book on the
shelf beside him. This book, I found, was
a present from one of the Bible Societies in
this city. Asa constant memento of the
kindness and sympathy of his countrymen,
it was a source of pleasure—but in the
hour of affliction, it had doubtless yielded
him consolations of a higher nature.”
The Rev. John Truair, of the Fresbyte
rian Church, moved thanks to the Board of
, Managers, and accompanied his motion
with some excellent remarks; from which
we select the following:
i “ Your managers have done much. By
• the efforts of this society many afflicted and
distressed hearts have been comforted. Is
this doubted ? Go then, Sir, to the hum
ble dwelling of the poor cottager, whose
only subsistence is his daily labour, which
can scarcely give bread to his children;
whose hamlet will but poorly cover himself
and family from the raging elements; who
is daily in want of all things Decessary to
render even this life comfortable; but
whose heart glows with love to hife Maker.
He is often pinned that he has not an entire
Bible io his house, and that the part which
he has, lacks that portion of it most neces
sary to be taught to hi 9 children. In this
state of pious anxiety, a Bible from your
society comes to his hands ; with a thous
’ and blessings on the giver, he presses it to
his heart, and in one short hour half the
anxieties of his life are removed. Go
again, Sir, to another cottage, and you shall
see a pious mother’s heart wrung with an
guish for the miseries of a brutalized bus
band, and for the state of her children,
growing up under his pernicious influence,
amid the snares of a wicked world. She
wishes to avert the evil, and give them the
bread of life ; but she has no Bible. She
can pray—she can weep—she can speak
to them of the great salvation; hut she can
not charm them into a love of the Gospel,
by reading to them the story of Jesus’ life &
death, and bow he loved and blessed little
children when on the earth. In a situation
like this, a Bible from your society comes
to cheer her, and it gives peace to her af
flicted soul. Tears of gratitude fall from
her eyes ; she thanks the giver, and bles
ses the God who moved his children to
unite in Bible Societies to supply the poor
and destitute. Sir, lam not bringing fic*
tions before you, but sober and affecting re
alities, which may be witnessed in manv
parts of our country. Many afflicted and
distressed hearts you have comforted. But
Sir, you have done more. Yon have dis
sipated much moral darkness; caused the
Scriptures to be read by many, and some
have been made by them wise unto salva
tion, who shall shine before God in his
kingdom of glory, as the stars for ever and
ever; and you have given an example in
this good work of charity, which shall in
fluence generations that are yet unborn.”
The Rev. Nathan Bangs, of the Metho
dist Church in New-York, seconded the
above motion, and introduced some perti
nent observations, of which the following
are the conclusion :
“ The report we have just now read,
has very properly spoken of the necessity
of combining, as far as possible, the ability
of every portion qftbe community, in onjer
Price S $3,50 pr. ann. or, >
rrtCe * } $3,00 in advance. \
to extend the influence of the American
Bible Society : but there is one benefit re*
suiting from the distribution of the Word of
Life, especially from the pious poor, which
has not been mentioned—l mean their
prayers, their prayers for the prosperity of
the institution. And let no one think that
this is a trifling consideration. The dona
tions of the rich, and even the mite of the
poor widow, ought to be duly appreciated ;
because without such pecuniary aid, the
objects of the society cannot be accomplish
ed. But while we attach all the impor
tance to these aids their worth demands,
let us not lose sight of the effectual, fer
vent prayers of the righteous poor. These
Sir, while they receive yoor donations,
may say to you as the Apostle Peter said to
the lame man, “ Silver and gold have we
none, but such as we have we will give, we
will give you oor prayers.” And shall not
their prayers come up before the throne of
God, and there meet and mingle with your
alms? And will not the blessing of heaven
descend, in answer to their fervent supplica
tions, upon them and upon you ? While,
therefore, this society is extending its be
nevolent arms to embrace the poor, and to
pour Divine light into their understandings,
by calling their attention to the sacred
pages, those who are the recipients of its
bounty will call down the blessings of God
upon its efforts, by their united prayers.”
INTERESTING FACTS.
Extract of a letter from the Rev. Joseph Pat
terson, dated Pittsburgh, Feb. 8, 1821.
“ Once, on the shore of the Ohio, I saw
a rough looking young man, sitting by a
raft. I observed to him, you have leisure.
Yes. Can you read? Yes. Have you
any book ? No. Will you accept of n
Testament? Thankfully. I gave him one
with some advice, as I usually do. Wherfr
do you get these books? From the Bible
Societies. Ido not know what a Bible So
ciety is. After giving him information, he
asked. Where do they get so much money ?
God puts it in the hearts of people to send
them money. Then take that dollar and
give them. I observed him afterwards dil
igently reading. I offered a Bible to a
boat captain, who swore he would have no
such book in his boat, I remonstrated so.-
leinny with him. He raged and sworp. I
bade farewell to him in a tender, affection
ate manner, and observed, we should have
another opportunity on that subject at the
day of judgment. He came to my house
the next day, asked my pardon, requested
a Bible, and promised to read it carefully,
and pray for a blessing on it. Another boat
captain was inquiring for a merry hook, to
make him laugh on his voyage. I propos
ed to give him one which I hoped would
make him weep. After a long conversa
tion he took a Bible to keep in his boat.
I observed to him as 1 put it into his hand,
Now, Sir, you must give an account at the
day of judgment, what use you make of it.
He threw it dowD, declaring, he would not
take it on such terms. I observed to a
number present, you are all witnesses that
I offered this man the Word of Eternal Life,
as a mpans of the salvation of his soul, and
for his rejecting it he must give an account
at the bar of God. He appeared terrified,
picked jt up, and ran off, exclaiming, he
never was so taken in before. Though I
am much confined this winter, I may possi
bly be able to walk the shores in spring;
but, if not, it is a comfort that Christ can do
very well without me. That he may bless
you, and all engaged io the Bible cause, is
the prayer of your sincere friend.”
[American Bible Society's Report.
From, the report of the Madison County Bible
Society, ( Alabama ,) August 1.
One of your managers io the last month,
received from a distance, applications for
four Bibles, evidently from very poor per
sons, who were not able to procure them;
(hey appeared deeply sensible of the want
of this inestimable treasure, and received
them with apparent tokens of gratitude.
A woman who was promised a Bible, and
advised to look to God for comfort and sup
port in her afflicted situation, inquired to
what use she should apply it, appearing
ignorant of what it was, although she was
(he mother of several children, and her
husband could read. Another woman being
presented with a Testament, and after be
ing told of the goodness and mercy of God,
she appeared entirely ignorant of God, and
astonished that such” a Being existed. Al
though she could not read, she said her
father and mother, with whom he lived,
could; —the book wag left, which we hope
may be the means of awakening these poor,
ignorant people. Others received it ns a
treasure, and appeared quite sensible of its
real and intrinsick value, and grateful to
God for the precious gift.— lbid.
To preach rational and practical sermona
as they are called, i. e. sermons upon vir
tues and vices, without inculcating (hose
great scripture truths, redemption, grace,
regeneration, is, at best, to put together the
wheels, and to set the hands of a watch,
neglecting the spring on whiph (heir ®o.-
tion depends.
A life without prayer, and a prayer with
out life, both displeasing to the Author
of life.
