Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by R.J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation.
About The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1821)
hear, or know, it is improper for the nor* elist to describe. Who would be a volun tary listener to the levrdness, the curses, and imprecations of bacchanalian orgies ? Wii.’ would think of allowing himself to be hold the abominations committed in the re sorts of debauchery ? Yea, who would choose to witness those innocent expres sions ot love and tenderness which can nev er be proper in the presence of a third per son ? And yet it is not thought improper to make the novel reader present to all these by description. Thus it is that the hearts of many are polluted in the retirement of a chamber, and characters and scenes are made familiar to the mind, which, if at all known, ought never to have been dwell upon. Y'onrs, my dearest friend, Most affectionately. From the A*. Y. Christian Herald. THE TWINS. Those who are daily fed with plenty from the table of a tender parent, know but little of the pangs of those who, lan guisbing with hunger, desire even the “crumbs from the table.” Could all who enjoy the privileges of the gospel, and who are now inactive in the cause of benevo lence, for a short time exchange places with thousands in our country, it would seem as if compassion alone would compel th-ni to stretch forth the hand of charity, and give the bread of life to the hungry and the perishing. The number of those in our large cities, and in our new settlements, is so great, that unless ail the energies of Christian sympathy are soon exerted, a vast majority of the present generation must go down to the grave without hope, without consolation. Though the most piercing • cries for the waters of life come to us from every quarter, yet unless we have seen these wants, it is difficult to feel. A fpiv year® since a young man and his wife arrived at the town of M , as per manent residents. They were young, late ly married, and (heir prospects for futurity were bright and cheering. They purchas c ‘ a farm in M , which was then a now country, and happily spent two or three years in (hi* situatioo, when the young man by a mysterious Providence, was called lrom this world. With his surviving widow he left two lovely twin infants to deplore a loss which time could never retrieve. The widow sought comfort in vain from the limited circle of her acquaintance. There was no minister of the gospel in that region who could direct her to the great source of comfort; nor was there a pious friend w ho could guide her trembling foot steps to the cross of Jesus. But she went to hei Bible, and by the assistance of the Spirit of H oven, found that consolation which a selfish world can neither bestow nor taste. She mourned, indeed, a husband who wa< no more, but she was cheered by the hope that God would protect her and hers. She wept over her innocent babes, and resolved, that while she lived, they should never need a mother’s care. As they grew up she endeavoured to teach them the fir-t principles of religion; but they received’ only her instructions. One week after another rolled away—one Sab bath after another dawned upon the wil derness, but they brought none of their privileges. The wilderness had never echoed the sound of the “ church going hell”—the. solitary place had never been gladdened by the footsteps of him, who could proclaim “ glad tidings of great joy.” The feeling mother clasped her little boys to her aching bosom, and sighed and wept for the opportunity of taking them by the hand, and leading them up to the courts of God. !o the days of her childhood she had possessed great advantages and she mourn ed that her babes could only receive in struction from her lips. Alas! no mission ary came to instruct—to cheer—and to gladden the bosom of her, who for years had never heard the whispers of love from the servants of her Saviour. When the little boys were five years old, and before they were old enough to he sen slide of their loss, a consumption had fast ened upon their tender parent, and he was soon encircled in the cold arms of death. She steadily watched the certain issue of her disease, and even in her last moments commended her children to Him who is a “ Fafher to the fatherless.” A few mo ments before she expired, she tenderly kissed her little boy, who unconsciously wept on feeling the last grasp of the clay cold hand of their mother. “It is hard,” said she to a neighbour who was present, “ it is hard for a mother to leave two such helpless babes,without friends, and withou’ any one to protect them ; but I leave them in the hands of God, and 1 do believe he will protect them ; and my last prayer shall he for my poor, poor, destitute orphans !” After the death of their mother, the lit tle boys were received into the house of a neighbour; but in less than a year one of them was stretched beside the mother, beneath the sods. About this time a pious young lady arrived in this place. She, too, was an orphan, hut was not comfortless. It was her first inquiry how she could do good to the poor villagers around her. During a solitary walk one afternoon, she met this little boy straggling beside the road. He was a beautiful flaxen headed boy though exceedingly ragged. The young lady was struck with his appearance and entered into conversation with him. 1 What is yOur name, my little boy ?’ said she gently. ‘James .’ ‘Where do you live?’ ‘ With widow , just in the edge of the wood, in that little log house— can't you see it?’ ‘1 see it; but is widow your mother?’ ‘ No : I had a mother, and she loved me. She used to take care of me and my brother John—she gave us clothes—taught us our own little prayers and catechism ; oh, she was a good mother!’ ‘ But where is your mother?’ said the lady, soothingly. ‘O, madam—she—is dead ! Do you see the grave-yard yonder t ‘ Yes.’ k And the great maple tree which stands in the corner of it?’ ‘I see it.’ ‘Well, my poor mother was buried under that tree ; and my little brother John lies there too— they are both buried up in the ground, though my mother’s grave was deepest. 1 shall never see them again—never even while 1 live ! Will you go with me and see the graves ?’continued he, looking at the lady with earnestness and simplicity. The short account which the little boy gave of himself awakened the best teelings of the young lady, and she had been devising Mime plan to do him good. For the present ; she declined visiting the grave yard, but continued to converse, and to gain his con-i fidence. She found him very ignorant,; having never been to school, and the in-! structions of a pious mother, having never been repeated, or enforced by example, were nearly forgotten. A Sabbath school was never established in this place ; and whether it was practicable to establish one was doubtful—but she was determined to make the experiment. Accordingly she immediately visited every little cottage in the village, and urged that the children might be assembled the next Lord's day, and a school formed. A proposal of this kind was new and unpopular. All the old women in the [dace entered their protests against such innovations. For the three first Sabbaths the young lady had no schol ars but her little James . But she knew that however faint may be our pros pects at doing good at the commencement, we should not be discouraged. The first blow we strike may produce but little ef fect. The lady was sorry not to see more scholars, but she bent ali her efforts to the instruction of the little boy But in a few weeks the prejudices of the people began to wear away ; and before the summer closed this school embraced every child, whose age would allow it to attend. It was the second summer after the es tablishment of this school, and after the lit tle James had become weli acquainted with the Testament and his catechism, that his health began to faii. The good young lady beheld his gradual decay with anxiety, visited him often, and always wept at part ing with a pupil so dear. She used often to walk out with him, and to cheer him by conversation. One pleasant afternoon she led him out by the hand, and, at his request, viited the spot where lay his mother and his little brother. Their graves were both covered with gras*, and on the smaller grave some beautiful flowrets. It was in tne cool of a serene summer’s day ; as they sat by the graves in silence—neither able to speak—the lady gazed at the pale, wan countenance of the lovely boj r , upon whose system a lingering disease was preying, while he looked at her with an eye that seemed to say, “ I have not long to enjoy your society.” Without saying a word he cut a small stick, and measured the exact length of his little brother’s grave, & again seated himself by the lady. She appeared sad as he calmly addressed her: “You see, my dear Miss S , that this little grave is shorter than mine will be!” She pressed bis little white hand within hers, and he continued ; “ you know not how much I love you—how much 1 am obliged to you. Before you taught me, I knew nothing about death—nothing about heaven, or God, or angels. I was a very wicked little boy till you met me. I love you much—very much —but I would say something else f” “ And wbat would you say ?” inquired the lady, trying to compose her feelings. “Do you think i shall ever get well?” “Indeed, 1 hope you will!—but why ask that ques tion ?” “ Because 1 feel I shall not live long —1 believe 1 shall soon die—shall then be laid beside my poor mother; she will then have her two twins, one on each side of her. But do not cry, Miss S ,1 am not afraid to die ; you told me, and the Testa ment tells me, that Christ will “suffer lit tle children to come unto him;” and though 1 know 1 am a very sinful little boy, yet I think I shall be happy,—for 1 love this Saviour who can save such a wicked boy as I am. And 1 sometimes think I shall soon meet my mother and my little broth er in happiness—l know you will come too, wont you? When I am dead I wish you to. tell the Sabbath school how much I love them all—tell them they must all die, and may die young; and tell them to come and measure the grave of little James , and then prepare to die!” The young lady wept, and could not an swer him at that time. But she was ena bled to converse several times with him on the grounds of his hope; and, as far as we may judge, was satisfied that this little lamb was indeed of the fold of Jesus. She was sitting by his bed-side, and with her own trembling hand closed his lovely eyes, as they shut in everlasting slumbers. He fell asleep with a smile—without a struggle. The lady was the only sincere mourner who followed the remains of the child to the grave ; and while she shed many tears over the sods which covered his lovely form, she could not but rejoice in the be lief that God had permitted her to be the feeble instrument of preparing an immortal spirit for a mansion in the skies. FOREIGN ABSTRACTS. FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER. An interesting letter is contained in the Jewish Expositor, giving an account of the conversion of two Jews, oh the continent. One of them had completed a course of ed ucation at the University, and prepared himself for tha medical profession when he was brought to an experimental know ledge of Christ. This event led him to re linquish all his worldly prospects, and amid many discouragements to devote himself to the study of divinity, with a view to the spiritual benefit of his kindred according to the flesh. The other was a native of Sile sia, aud had been educated there in such a manner a9 to become a confirmed Deist. | His original intention was, to acquire an ed ucation at an University; but alter pursu ing preparatory studies for some time, he became disgusted, and entered on a milita ry career ; soon becoming a lieutenant in a corps of engineers. Here he indulged in all the dissipations of a camp, and cast off I every serious thought. He was providen tially met by one of bis former Christian school fellows, who interested himself in withdrawing him from the scene of tempta tion ; furnishing him with books, and con versing with him frequently. The result was a cordial and humble surrender of him self into the hands of God, and a cheerful devotiou of his talents to the service of Chri't. He wishes to become a Missiona ry, and has already been happily instrumen tal in the hopeful conversion of two young students and a brother officer. Thus the Lord is bringing in oue and another of his ancient covenant people, and verifying his promise that their conversion shall prove “ life from the dead” to the Gentiles. The Jews are suffered to live only in four cities in Sweden, viz. Stockholm, Gotben burgh, Norkioping and Lindkioping. But there is no evidence of the same general tendency toward a great change in their re ligious state as has been remarked in Ger many. In Copenhagen there are 5000 Jews,and in the provinces of Denmark about 1200 more ; they have a right to exercise every legal trade, as well as other Danish sub jects. The priests in their synagogues are appointed by government. All their chil dren are instructed till 13 or 14 years of age, in a purely biblical catechism. The present Catechist of Copenhagen is repre sented as a learned and sensible man, rather favourable to Christianity. Tlie Russian Bible Society has published or is publishing in the space of six years, 79 editions of the Scriptures, in 33 differ ent languages ; into 19 of which, the Bible has never before been translated. Mr. Treschow describes the state of re ligion in the capital of Denmark as exceed ly different from what it was twenty or thirty years ago, when he resided there.— Then, infidelity exercised influence almost over the church and university ; and he that would raise his voice in defence of the truth, was exposed to publick contempt and derision. At present, the spirit of the pop ulation id general, and of the students of the university tn pailicular, is decidedly in fa vour of the Gospel. Much opposition yet exists among the natives to the education of females in India. It is, however, gradually yielding to a con viction that thej’ will become better wives and mothers, if taught, than if left in igno rance. In the schools at Digah are 280 boys and 28 females. Until lately no girls could be induced to receive instruction.— The piincipat reasons urged against female improvement, are, that it is an innovation on established customs, and that a report has been circulated that all educated girls are to be sent to England ! We may think it strange that such reasons should weigh at all, even on the mind of a Hindoo ; but are they not the very reasons Inal are urg ed in various shapes in Christian lands, against foreign missions ? Do not the ene mies of missions every where propagate re ports equally false and absurd, though they know their absurdity, and that they can never answer but a temporary purpose ? At Pacaltsdorp, Mr. Messer says, that the Hottentots, who for many years appeared as hard as a stone, now come and how their knees at the foot of the cross. Opposition has been subdued by the power of God. At Griqua town are 103 children at the school, of whom 55 can read, and a few write and cypher. DOMESTICK —Union Mission. The Missionary Register for Oct. con tains the journal of this mission from March 10, to May 27. The missionaries had re moved into their new cabins—were consid erably afflicted with sickness—had had sev eral interviews with some of the Osage chiefs, who were all friendly to them, tho’ engaged in a war with the Cherokees—Te solved to remain in their present situation notwithstanding the war ; formed rules for their business meetings ; resolved to hold regular meetings for business every Tues day evening ; appointed the brethren Chapman and W. C. Requa, to learn the Osage language ; brother Vail to write the i journal and official communications of the ; mission ; brother Chapman to be treasurer; brother Palmer to be clerk : brother Spal ding to take charge of the store-house, and a committee of appraisal and appropriation. About 28 acres of land have been enclosed for cultivation; 4 acres appropriated to a garden, and the remainder to corn ; seve eral labourers have been procured, and a frame building is to be immediately erect ed, 48 feet by 20, two stories high, &c.— May 26 was spent in fasting and prayer, preparatory to the formation of a church ; this eveDt bad been delayed by the sickness of the family. Two sermons were deliver ed, articles of faith were agreed upon, and a covenant subscribed. Brothers Vail and Chapman were then requested by the lay brethren to take the pastoral care of the church, to which they consented, and the Lord’s Supper was administered the next day. “ A delightful precious season.” The Oneida Indians are pleased with the school established among them by the Hamilton Missionary Society, and it flour ishes. The children have made good pro ficiency in learning to read, write and speak the English language. The nation have requested the Society to furnish them with a good farmer, a carpenter and a black smith ; not only to labour themselves, but to instruct their young men in the several employments. The Indians say—“ they are tired of following the deer—lhey had rather raise calves and sheep, and live like white people.” The last American Baptist Magazine con tains a letter from Kev. J. Wilson, Mission ary from the Massachusetts Baptist Mission ary Society, giving an account of his labours and success in the county of Chataque, N. Yoik. In the town of Ellicott, where there was no church of any denomination, he con stituted a Baptist church of nine members, to which 19 more were added before he left the town. He proceeded to the town of Portland, where he found several Bap tist professors, but no church ; he proceed ed however to take measures for organiz ing them, 11 in number ; a revival imme diately commenced, and 47 were soon af terwards added Thence he went to May ville, where was no church and very little attention—a revival began, and 11 persons soon came forward to join themselves to the Lord—a church was formed afterwards of 21 members, and seven more were added previous to leaving the place. The coun ty contains 8 towns about 12 miles square ; 12 Baptist churches, and but one meeting house. “An excellent field for missionary labours.” The Baltimore Tract Society has sold and distributed gratuitously nearly 32,000 tracts the last year,and has on hand 55,000 The whole number published since the formation of the society is 123,498. It is supported by different denominations of Christians, who harmouize in active exer tions for promoting the objects of the in stitution. The Massachusetts Baptist Education So ciety has assisted 15 young men in prepa ration for the ministry the past year, ac cording to their 7th annual report. Their income has been about SI4OO. Their ex penditure S3O more. They call earnestly for more help from the Baptist churches. Female Liberality. The following letter, enclosing a string of Gold Beads , was read at the late meeting of the Vermont Bible Society, and excited much interest. May so noble and Christiau an example find many imitators. “ Dear Sir—lt is now many years since 1 hope that 1 have been made savingly ac quainted with the benefits of the Gospel ; my heart has often been pained within me when reflecting on the wretched condition of those who are destitute, and often have 1 formed resolutions to do all in my power, for their relief. Each succeeding year has excited new hopes, but my pecuniary re sources were so small, and the wants of mv family so numerous and pressing, that as yet I have been able to do little more than pay my annual tax to the Cent Society of this place. But, Sir, I have of late been led to reflect on the impropriety of com ; plaining of inability while I continued to | wear about my neck, a useless ornament of | gold, valued at eight or nine dollars—an ; i ornament that affords neither comfort nor j profit; but is worn only because it is retain jed in my possession. Though this sum l would add but a mite to the treasury of the j Lord, yet he can make it produce iucalcu-; lable good. 1 therefore send it enclosed to ] you, as Treasurer of the Vermont Bible j Society, requesting to be made a member | of ihat Institution at a convenient opportu nity ; also requesting that the surplus be reserved to pay the annual tax. May the blessing of the Lord rest on that Institution— may its coffers overflow ; and may it con tinue until every superfluous ornament in Vermont, shall be brought iuto its treasury. 1 aou Sir, with due respect,yours, &c.” After some consultation, it was proposed to raise money on the spot, sufficient to constitute the lady a member for life. This was no sooner proposed than done. Upwards of 21 dollars were instantly find down, chiefly by contributions of 1 dollar each. RELIGION AMONG SEAMEN. Extract from a letter to the Editor of the Sea men's Magazine. Liverpool, Sept. 5, 1821. I rejoice to hear you are directing your attention to the improvement of the moral and religious condition of seamen. They have been shamefully neglected by the re ligious publick hitherto; and it will become us now, not only to pay them the attention to which they have the strongest claims, but to work up some of the arrears of debt we have incurred. A few friends have been striving here for three years past, or more, to bring the benevolence of the pro fessing world to bear in their favour; and I am not a little delighted to have to report, that their exertions now seem to promise the success we have long been toiling for. A day and Sunday School have been es tablished in the large room (formerly I be lieve, the ball room ) of the American hotel; a master, regularly trained in one of our national schools, and who has been dismis sed after seven years faithful services, from a school in the country, solely on account of his attachment to the gospel, has been engaged on a liberal salary, and has already about 110 to 120 pupils, mostly children of seamen. In the room it is intended to have publick worship on the Lord’s day, and at other times, when it cannot be convenient ly maintained on shipboard. The Rev. G. C. Smith of Penzance, has been invited to aid us in exciting the atten tion of seamen to their eternal interest; and for the last eight days, he has preached every evening, and on the Sabbath three times, to great numbers in different stations, most on shipboard. lam told that on Sab bath evening he bad more than 4000 hear ers ! They showed great attention ; and the Rev. Dr. Raffles and other ministers who engaged in the other services, ex pressed themselves highly delighted with the scene before them. The police have discovered the greatest desire to second our exertions; and ihe mayor has politely granted the use of the town-hall to the committee for Wednesday evening next, when a publick meeting is intended to be held for the purpose of forming a * Seaman’s Friend and Bethel Union Society,’ on the plan of those at London, Bristol, kc. The most encourag ing circumstance of all, connected with these efforts, is, that the seamen seem grateful for the attention paid to their reli gious improvement, and really disposed to receive instruction, not merely without prejudice, but in the love of it. Truly they do seem a people prepared of the Lord. REVIVAL IN NORTH CAROLINA. Extract of a letter from the Rev. J. WitherspooA to his friend in Charleston, dated Hillsborough’ Oct. 16, 1821, s ‘ A Presbyterian Chucrch was first organ ized in this place in July, 1816, consisting of 7 members. Previous to the year ICI3, it was not known that there was a profes sor of religion in the place, nor was there the semblance of piety among us. The oldest inhabitant could not remember that the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper had been administered among them. Since the formation of the Church, many additions have taken place—some through the in strumentality of the Gospel among us, oth ers by removals from distant Churches. The Church now numbers about 40 com municants. We have likewise in our vil lage, several worthy members of the Epis copal and Methodist Churches. The at tention to religion ha* been graduallyy is creasing, accompanied by a general im provement in the moral character of the place. Nothing very special occurred un til some time in August last during the meeting of the Presbytery. The labours of my fathers and brethren in the ministry, I hope, were blessed to my people: some appeared to be awakened to a sense of their danger—a conference was appointed, at which many attended. During the same week, it seemed that some had been awakened, at a Camp Meeting, held by the Methodist brethren about 12 miles from us, at a place called Salem. After the adjournment of the Presbytery, meetings were held almost every night, either by the Methodist brethren or our selves, and the work has been gradually in creasing. Several of the Students of our Academy have been the subjects of it— some of them very young. The impres sions in some have been very deep, and their exercises rational and scriptural—m others they have been slight, and of a I doubtful character. The number appa- J rently serious, among both denominations, I should judge to be at present, 40 or 50. | We earnestly pray for a cootiuuance and! spread of this glorious work. It is some what surprising, that no opposition of mo ment is made to this work—even the thoughtless and careless appear gratified, that their friends, and neighbours, and ac quaintances become the subjects of it. In July last, the Rev. L. D. Hatch and myself commenced a missionary tour of some weeks, in this and the adjoining coun ties of Caswell and Rockingham. The at tention to the preaching ot the word seem ed truly astonishing. There appeared an anxiety to hear, of no common kind. It was not curiosity, for we were no strangers. The spirit of the Lord had evidently diffus ed among the people a desire to hear the Gospel. To the present time, 1 learu,that large congregations assemble, whenever! the Word of Life is dispensed, ana” this v among all denominations of Christians. Wherever we visited, we found some deep- - ly impressed, inquiring the way to Tracts and Catechisms were eagerly re ’ ceived. The first Sabbalh in August, we attended with a number of our brethren in the min istry, a meeting at the Cross Road'. 1 miles northwest of this place. Mmi-toi were much engaged,Christians were grea ly encouraged, and sinners made to bow I the sceptre of mercy. The power of G( was eminently displayed. In a few casi the aged were the subjects of (he worl many among the middle aged, both bin bands and wives, but. most among the young In their exercises there seemed to be i more awful sense of the guilt and pollute* of sin, than of its dangerous consequence* Many wept there, whose fountains ojl[foej Ido not think , had been disturbed for mot years before. Indeed, a careless per*o was not to be found among all the vast mu titude. The number deeply impressed, should judge to be upwards of 130. Mai of these are now rejoicing in hope, othe are yet in darkness, bound down under sense of sin. The second week in Sept, we attended meeting at Eno, 6 miles north of this pla with the Rev. Samuel Paisley, Pastor this Church, and a number of our brethi in the ministry. Brother P. had been bouring in this place for four or five yea with apparently but little success—no ad tions having been made to the Church and ing the greater part of that period : but t time to favour Zion at last came, and n< he is reaping the fruit of his labours. T work of grace made its appearance duri the early part of last Summer, and has btf gradually extending since. Many b* l beca added to the Church. At the mt e ] ing above mentioned, the spirit of the L®J i seemed to be poured out in a very rem r able manner. The number that attend* ■ conference, deeply impressed, inqniri® “Sirs, what must I do?” exceeded Os these, many since have been brought entertain a comfortable hope of their in'* est in the blessed Redeemer, for win hope they give a scriptural reason.
