The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, November 19, 1821, Image 1

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

No. 24. Vol. 111. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY NATHAN S. S. BEMAN Sr CO. wv^ww The Teems of “ The Missionary 1 ’ 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 en time than one year, and no paper discontinued •jfntil all arrearages are paid. Advertisements will be inserted, by the square, at 62 1-2 cents for the first insertion; and for every subsequent insertion 43 3-4 cents. Those 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. Beraan & Cos. and whether enclosing money or not, mutt come POST PAID: Should any neglect to do this they will be charged with the postage. Printing for Publick Officers and others will be done on the most liberal terms. AGENTS FOR'THIS PAPER. AUGUSTA , J. & H. Ely. COLUMBIA , J.Bynom,Esq.PM.ColumbiaC.H. GREEJYESBOROUGH, A. H. Scott. SP-IRTA , Cyprian Wilcox. IR'.VINTON, Wilkinson Th. Sherrer, Esq. PM. HAR TFO RD, Pulaski,G.B. Gardiner Esq.PM. Pt)WELTON, S. Duggar, Esq. P M. C/LINTON, Jones Cos. J. W. Carrington. SAVANNAH, S. C.& J, Schenck. EATONTON, c. Pendleton, Esq. P M. ALFORD'S P.O. Greene, C. Alford, Esq. PM. ABBEVILLE , (S. C.) Rev. H. Reid. SANDOVER, Abbeville , S. C Maj. U. Hill. MARION Twiggs, S. Williams, Esq. PM. JEFFERSON, Jackson, Rev.E. Pharr. LIB ERTY-H ALL, Morgan, C. Allen, Esq. TV A TKINS FILL E, Clark . H. W. Scovell, Esq. P. M. RICEBORO', L’berty, Wm. Baker, Esq. F M. G RANTSVILLE, Greene, Samuel Finley. PENDL ETOJY, S.C. Joseph Grisham, Esq. PM. DANIELSVILLE, Madison , J.Long, Esq. PM ERVIJYSVILLE , Rutherford, JY, C. •Rev. Hugh Quiii. ATTIE YS, Clarke, B. B. Peck. MADISON, Morgan, Milus Nesbit. LI YCOLNTON, Lincoln,Veter Lamar,Esq. PM. SPARTANBURG!!, S.C. J.Brannon,Esq. PM. MILLEDGEVILLE, Leonard Perkins. ’ EUIERTON, George Inskeep, Esq. P M. /) ÜB!,IY. Laurens. W. B. Coleman, Esq. PM. 1/ UI3VILI.E, Jeff'n, John Bostwick,Esq.PM. MALLORYSVILLE, Wilkes, Asa Hearing, Esq. P M. WAYNESBORO', Samuel Sturges, Esq. P M. LAURENS, S. C. Archibald \oung, Esq. WRIGHTSBORO', Q. L. C. Franklin, Esq. MO.YTICELEO, Greene D. Brantley, Esq.P M. CA RN>< SVILLE, Henry Freeman, Esq. P. M. SALEM, Clark , Raleigh Green, Esq. P. M. 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.