The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, December 17, 1821, Image 1

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The missionary., December 17, 1821, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextNo. 28. Vol. Hi. ■ EDITED AND PUBLISHED I BY NATHAN S. S. BEMAN if CO. The Terms of “ The Missionary” are Three ■ Dollars a year if paid in advance, or within sixty I days from the time of subscribing; or Three Dol- I Jars and Fifty Cents at the end of the year. ffo- 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 for every subsequent insertion 43 oents. Those who furnish standing advertisements for the year, shall be entitled to a deduction if one quarter of the amount from the above rates. All Communications and Letters relating dfo the OJiccf will be directed to N. S. S. Beman ’ k, Cos. and whether enclosing money or not, must come POST PAID: Should, any neglect to do this they will be charged with the postage. Printing for Publick Offioers and others will be done on the uioßt liberal terms. AGENTS FOR THIS PAPER. AUGUSTA, S. & H. Ely. COLUMBIA, J.Bynom,Esq.PM.ColumbiaC.H. GREENESBOROUGH, A. H. Scott. SPARTA, Cyprian Wilcox. JR WIXTON, WilkiAson Th. Sherrer, Esq. PM. HARTFORD , Pul<u*i,G.B.Gardiner Esq.PM. POWELTON, S. Duggar, Esq. V M. CLINTON, Jones Cos. J. \V. Carrington. SA VANNAH, S. C. & J. Schenck. EATONTGN, C. Pendleton, Esq. P M. ALFORD'S P.O. Greene , C. Alford, Esq. PM. ABBEVILLE, (S. C.) Rev. H. Reid. SA YDOVER, Abbeville, S. C Maj. U. Hill. MARION, Twiggs, S. Williams, Esq. PM. JEFFERSON, Jackson, Rev. E. Pharr. ( LIBERTY HALL, Morgan, C. Allen, Esq. - WATKINS VILLE, Clark. H. W. Scovell, Esq. P. M. RICEBQRO', Liberty, Wm. Baker, Esq. P M. GRANTSVILLE, Greene, Samuel Finley. PENDLETON, S.C. Joseph Grisham, Esq. PM. DANIELSVJLLE,Madison, J.Long, Esq. PM. ERVINSVILLE, Rutherford, N. C. . Rev. Hugh Quin. ATHENS, Clarke , B. B. Peck. MADISON, Morgan, Milus Nesbit. LINCO LNTONLincnln.Veter Lamar,Esq. P.VI. SPAR TANBURGH, S.C. J.Brannon,Esq. P.M. MILLEDGEVILLjfe Leonard Perkinß. ELBERTON, George Inskeep, Esq. P M. DUBLIN, Laurens , W. B. Coleman,Esq. PM. LOUISVILLE, Jeff'n, -John Bostwick,Esq.PM. MALLORYSVILLE, Wilkes, Asa Hearing, Esq. P M. WAYNESBORO ’, Samuel Sturges, Esq. PM LAURENS, S. C. Archibald Young, Esq. WRIGHTSBORO', Q. L. C. Franklin, Esq. ■MONTTOELLO, Greene D. Brantley, Esq P M. GARNESVILLE, Henry Freeman, Esq. P. M. SALEM, Clark,, Raleigh Green, Esq. P. M. From Berrian’s Travels. PASSION WEEK AT ROME. Prom the day we came to Rome, which tvas Palm Sunday, the beginning of Passion Week, till Wednesday, there were no cere monies to be seen at St. Peters or the Vati can. This evening we went to the Sistine chapel, to hear the musick.—lt was rather late when we got there, and for this reason with, another more weighty, I was afraid 1 should not gain admission. None were allowed to enter unless they were in full dress, and ! had unfortunately left my small clothes at Leghorn. However. 1 pressed through the crowd, near the circle of Swiss guards, who stood with their halberds around the door. A great many were re fused on account of their dress; but Gne of the masters of ceremonies, either being deceived bv my’ tight pantaloons, or think ing they came under the rule, told me to enter. There were so many before me, that, i could not get near enough to see any thing. The vespers were sung in plain chant, and with unusual fullness. The principal object of expectation was the cel ebrated Miserere by Allegri. At length, when the psalms were finished, and all the lights were extinguished, the choir com menced—Oh ! it was like the ravishing harmony of Heaven, if we could suppose that (lie plaintive voice of supplication were heard there. It thrilled my whole frame, and brought tears into my eyes, and kept them there for many minutes. Such tenderness, such melody, such unison, such power and compass of voice 1 .did not sup pose possible in human beings. The tones were as new as the effect. But what a painful after-thought! This musick of an gels was from the most bumbled and de graded of men. The Miserere has now been sung in the Sistine chapel, on Wednesday and Friday of Holy Week, for'one hundred and seventy years. It is thought that the extraordinary charms of this musick are not so much ow ing to the piece itself, as to the traditiona ry graces which have been handed down from one generation to another. But neith er these improvements, which are so arbi trary as to be subject to perpetual change, and so evanescent as scarcely to be retain ed, nor the long preparation required of all who take a part in it, could account for the overwhelming effect of the Miserere, were not the composition divine. They are the breathings of Allegri’s own soul, Repeated in softened and dying echoes, In the evening 1 made a visit, with two oc three of my friends, to the Coliseum, by moonlight. Excepting a guard or two at the entrance, and a few persons who had , been led there by the same feelings as our-’ selves, there was nothing to interrupt our reflections'. After looking around awhile from the arena, we went above, ranged cnutiously through the gloomy corridors, and at length gained the best and highest THE MISSIONARY. point from which this stupendous ruin can be viewed. Here the outer wall having fallen, we could dimly see at a distance one or two solitary monuments of the ancient city. From our elevated position, and the obscurity4>f night, the irregularities of the interiour were in a great measure lost. This vast mass of ruins was thrown into shape, the elliptical form appeared more perfect and beautiful, the manitude and ex tent enlarged, and the height towering and majestick. The loftiest part, on our right, was buried in deep shade, except where the moon beams broke the arcades and other apertures, and faintly lighted the winding galleries. They fell with lustre on the other, showing the uneven outline of brok en walls, and the decayed and fallen arches with the most charming effect. In such a place, so still, so secluded and sublime, could the recollections of carnage and tu mult have been suppressed ; could any one purpose to which it had been devoted have been referred to the honour or happiness of man; we could not help feeling a kind of melancholy delight bordering on enthusi asm. As it is, we only admire the grand and picturesque appearance of these ruins. The end of man and his works, the fate of empires, the vanity of all earthly glory, is forced upon our minds by the solemn em blem before us. We love to indulge in these feelings. They agitate the heart for a moment, but (hey soon soothe and com pose it again. We lingered for an hour before we could prevail on ourselves to part with the scene -or the reflections it ex cited. March 19th. This morning I directed my steps again towards the Vatican. The making the holy sepulchre in the Pauline chapel; the washing the feet of thirteen pilgrims, called apostles, in the Clementine hall; and the waiting on the same by the Pope himself, in the Consistory, were among the ceremonies of Holy Thursday. There wa9 an immense press, and an eager and active curiosity to see the services of Ihe Holy Week. From this circumstance, and from being ignorant that iu some cases the tormality of a ticket was necessary to gain admission. I missed several of them. In approaching St. Peters, however, I was just in time to see the Pope give his blessing, from the balcony, to a vast multi tude assembled in the court before it. Ev ery thing is well, arranged, and when it is intended to produce an effect, they take special pains not to he disappointed. Ac cordingly, that the prostration of the people might be more reverent and profound, the host was elevated when the benediction was pronounced. Many bowed the.knee: all were uncovered; and though there might not bave'been much of devout feel ing in this promiscuous crowd, it was cer tainly a pompous and impressive spectacle. But 1 could not help thinking, that these marks of outward devotion were not merely the humble attitudes suitable to sinners, in receiving the blessing of God from the mouth of the ministering servant, but, on the part of many, an act of homage to a frail mortal, invested with attributes above his condition. A* he was moved back in his chair from the sight of the multitude, this persuasion made me feel a degree of pity and pain which the occasion might not have justified. The errours of the church of Rome appear to us so gross, that perhaps we are scarcely qualified to form an unpre judiced judgment even of her most innocent and edifying practices. In the evening we went again to the Sis tine chapel to hear the Miserere. The singers were the same, the musick by ano ther. It was an admirable piece, and sung so divinely, that l was scarcely less affected by those new strains than by the composi tion of Allegri. The Pauline chapel had been illumina ted by several hundred torches, for the ceremony of the holy sepulchre, that were still burning. I passed on with the crowd that accompanied Charles IV. late king of Spain, who went in to offer up, in this pub lick manner, his private adorations. The prince of Bavaria was also a devout and constant attendant on the ceremonies of the Holy Week. March 20th. Ou Good Friday we visited the church of St. John Lateran. It is said to have been built by Constantine, though no trace of its antiquity is lost in modern al terations. While we were walking through it ex aming the different parts, our ears were sa luted with such sweet and enchanting sounds that curiosity was suspended; and it was not till ftiis delightful service was over, which went to the heart, that we could at tend to what merely pleased the eye. The musick was neither so plaintive nor so powerful as the Miserere of the Vatican, though nothing could surpass it in melody, in execution, and in its and subduing in fluence over the feelings. The notes came upon us through the long aisles in such mellowed tones, and with such a charm and effect, as cannot be conceived by those irtvho have not heard Italian voices in the noblest of churches. In the evening we went oace more to hear the Miserere of Allegri. After listen ing to the incomparable piece again and again with delight which repetition could not pall, we came down from the Slstiae > 5 ’ . v j 11 v.”.11 pjj. m “■ <■ . ;■’ p 1 GO KB INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.—Jxtm Christ. MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO, GA.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1831. chapel to see the illuminated cross In St. Peter’s. This obvious idea, which has been considered as one of the most sublime conceptions of Michael Angelo, in our esti mation would have given no great credit to a bumbler name. It fell altogether short of our expectations, in splendour, dimen sions and effect. The lustre which is thrown immediately around, contrasted with the obscurity beyond this circle, might have set off a venerable Golhick pile, to which dim ness and gloom are congenial, but the beau ty of this gorgeous and magnificent edifice caD only appear in full light. The delicate colours of the variegated marbles, the mild radiance of the gilded domes, the unrival led richness and elegance of the sepulchral monuments, the wonderful magnitude of the buildings which receive no increase from artifice and illusion, are lost by shade and concealment, and set off only by the dazzling blaze of a meridian sun. We had not remained long in looking at the crossand the crowds Ihit Rocked in to see it, when our companion} Mr. Toili, be gan to show some uneasitess. He had hired the coach in which we came till the end of the Miserere, and he was well aware that every moment’s delay beyond the ap pointed time, would give room for clamour and dispute, for the hackmen in Rome are very Shylocks in a bargain. The price we had agreed to pay was immoderate, but, according to the fears of our friend, on re turning to our carriage, the knave demand ed double. Mr. Totti reasoned calmly with him for a moment, but finding that he grew loud and insolent, to draw the attention of persons around us, hegrdered him in an ab solute tone, to drive us to the magistrate. The fellow hesitated, but as Totti was de termined, he reluctantly complied. The case being clearly stated, the magistrate declared that the Miserere was supposed to end with the Ave Maria , (hough in fact it was three quarters of an hour before, and that, therefore, we were not bound to pay him any more than the stipulated sum. If we chose to give him a trifle for the delay, it was very well; he did not impose it up on us as an obligation. The coachman not relishing this decision, became impertinent and clamorous in the presence of the judge. But an imperious threat to send a carbin ier home with him, if he were not more civil, soon silenced him. He then quietly drove us to the coffee house, and servilely attempted to gain of us by entrealy what he could not extort by insolence. Such is the base and degraded character of the com mon Italians. In the evening of the next day we went to Trinity church of the Pilgrims, to see these humble met) of the staff & beads serv ed by cardinals and nobles. Preparations were made for washing their feet and sat isfying their stomachs; hut the spiritual lords showed no love of this employment, and neither poverty of spirit, nor the osten tation of it, could bring a single one of them there, to assist at so edifying a spec tacle. A few young men, and some lay men of distinction, washed the feet of these followers of St. Philip, and then kissed them in token of humiliation and brotherly love, but with a fastidiousness justly war ranted, even after this ablution. They then waited on them at supper, embarrassing the poor pilgrims by this unwanted service, though without taking off the edge of their appetites. These were always either keen and active, or else they had been held in requisition for the occasion. March 22d. This being Easter Sunday we pressed forward with all the world to St. Peter’s. From the immense crowd which thronged it, and the confused noise of a promiscuous multitude, the greater part could neither see nor hear any thing. A glimpse of the Pope’s mitre, and a few notes from the choir, mixed with the shuf fling, whispering and conversation of thou sands, was all that could be gained by the utmost straining of eyes and ears. After many fruitless efforts to obtain a more per fect gratification, I went to secure a good place for seeing every thing at the bene diction, but thus lost sight of the stately procession in which the Pope was carried out of the church, made up of all that was illustrious in that vast assembly of princes, nobles, cardinals and bishops. I mounted one of the colassal statues on the colonnade, between seventy and eighty feet above the ground, and from this giddy elevation, had a fine view of the front of St. Peter’s and of the court. The Pope’s guards, consisting of about six hundred horsemen, were drawn up in three sides of a hollow square, a little below the porch. This quadran gular enclosure was vacant, between them and the church ; the whole of the circu lar court without, the roof of the colonnade, the street which leads to the castle of St. Angelo, the doors and windows of neigh bouring houses were filled with people ; and such a vast multitude of all ages, sexes and conditions so variously grouped, holiday attire, “ darting their desiring eyes” upon the Pope, and attending his motions with eager expectation, presented a spectacle which, without the aid of a religious solem nity, would have been exceedingly grand and imposing. As soon as the Pope ap peared at the balcony, the host was eleva ted, the benediction was given, some pros- : trsted themselves, and all were uncovered, | the canoos-fired at the castle of St. Angelo, the trumpets sounded, and these acts and ceremonies of religion were accompanied with all “ the pomp and circumstance” of worldly rejoicing. In the evening the front and dome of St. Peter’s were illuminated with taste, but not with much glare or effect. While we were observing the preparations for if, one of our company entered into conversation with a well-dressed Italian, who was standing near us. He answered some questions about the illumination very civilly, and with a ready loquacity made such other commu nication as he thought might be gratifying. But never was there a people so keen for money. No sooner had he finished, than he requested something for his trouble. 1 did not wait for the second illumination which is commonly more brilliant, as it be gan to be rainy and unpleasant; but 1 had a fine view from tjie Pincian hill, of this beautiful and dazzling exhibition. Fire works at the castle of St. Angelo clpsed the amusements of this sacred festival. This was an interesting week at Rome, not merely on account of the ceremonies which have been noticed, but from the great concourse of strangers from every part of Europe, and even from America.— The streets and publick places were throng ed, and this ancient and (alien city, to which we are accustomed to attach the ideas of solitude aDd desertion, was animated with the activity aDd bustle of her better days. The gay carriages of visiters; the still more gaudy equipages of the cardinals, bishop and nobles of Rome, the multitude, of backs which carried persons of less note and con sequence, pressed along with rival eager ness, putting every humble foot passenger on the alert, and sometimes driving him so close to the wall as scarcely to allow him the chance of escaping. For as the streets are without sidewalks, and often so narrow as just to admit two carriages abreast, tfyere is really difficulty and danger in getting along. The liveried gentry pay little re gard (o the safety or affright of those be low them, and each one learns to take c?re of himself when closely pressed, and to gain a timely shelter in a gateway, portico, or any recess which is nearest at hand.— One or two coachmen, two and sometimes three footmen, (and occasionally two bare headed avant-couriers, or heralds, holding silver verges in their hands, and running before with the speed of the horses) are the usual appendages of every carriage.— Each family has its appropriate livery ; but though they differ in the style of their docoration, yet the cocked hat, (he pow dered head, or bag wig, and the party col oured dress of Merry Andrews, are com mon to all. , This tinsel show and real splendour, this haste and confusion, this mixture of high and low in pursuit of the same objects, this holiday recreation, in which nil were so busy and yet so idle, made a most lively and amusing scene.— Some, things were impressive and affecting, but still the holy week at Rome is more ijke a carnival than the Season of our Saviour’s death and passion. —■ozo:*-:ozoa PENDLETON (S. C.) BIBLE SOCIETY. The Third Annual Meeting of the Pendleton Bible Society was held on the 23d of August last. The Anniversary Address was delivered by the Rev. Rodolphus Dickinson, from 2 Tim. jii. 15 j and the following Report, presented by J. Gri sham, Esq. was read and accepted : THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. That during the last year, the Treasu rer has received the sum of $235 35 and has paid out for Bibles and Testaments, and other incidental expenses $l9B 33 1-2 which leaves a balance of cash on Land, $37 01 1-3. An errour has been discovered by the Auditors, in the Treaurer’s accounts of last year: the Annual Report, stated a balance on hand at the tiipe of reporting, $122 17 1-2 when in fact there was nothing in (be Treasurer’s hands, except what was received on the day of the last Anniversary. Since the last Anniversary meeting, the American Bible Society , has made the very liberal and acceptable donation to this So ciety of 100 Bibles and 100 Testaments, which have been received and disposed of. At the last Annual meeting there was on hand, 40 octavo bibles, and 89 common ta bles, since that time, we have purchased and paid for, 102 Bibles, and 285 Testa ments, which they have received from the American Bible Society ; together with the donation, making in all, 587 received, which added to those on hand, make 7)8, and we distributed 395, and have now on iand, Octavo Bibles, 4 Duodecimo do. 183 Common Testaments, 154 - 321 Total number of Biblea and Testaments received since the formation of the Seciety, 1167, and total number distributed 846. The Bibles and Testaments were distri buted gratis in most instances—-The octavo Bibles were sold except six, given to life members, and persons of extreme old age. The Testaments were given when applied for, to Sunday Schools, which your mana- j gers hope to see at no distant period, pym- i Price, mnpr. mid. or,> ( $3,00 m advance. > bered among the most honourable Institu tions of mankind. One benefit already in a great measure obtained by tbe* IsHtßlish ment of Sunday Schools is, the young,the indigent and the ignorant to read, and not only to read, but to love the Bible. In many instances, Sunday School Scholars have applied for Bibles or Testaments, from the most remote part of our District; and the Bible is better received and read, than any other book. We acknowledge, and that with deep concern, that for the last year, the zeal of many members has abated: many of the founders of this institution have removed to the new country, and the Society has not increased as much as its friends hoped it would, or had reason to expect. We at tribute this to the want of real piety and practical Religion, and we feel sorry, that any cause should effect the progress of the Society, the object of which is to raise up the bowed down ; to heal the sick; and of fer comfort and consolation to the broken hearted :—The Bible bids us look beyond the narrow sphere of this planet, to him who is the creator of all, the first, the last, the greatest and the best. We, who by the grace of God were per mitted in humble reliance on his providence to begin this work.; continue earnestly so licitous for the glory of Him who willeth in us, that this society may be permitted to do good—and that more abundantly ; humbly hoping, that it may be instrumental in spreading the Reedeetner’s kingdom, in proclaiming liberty to captives, for what liberty can be equal to the glorious liberty of the sons of God. We devoutly wish that a revival of the Bible cause may take place here. How can the Christian who being regenerated himself, be indifferent to the salvation of his brother man? Alasi how many men repose as though they had nothing to do ; how many hundreds of families in our dis trict, yet remain* without a Bible in their house, without any stated ordinances of the Church, without hope, and without God in the world. For the small sum of 30 cents, a family may be supplied with a Testament, and for, 60 cents may have a Bible : how small the price of so great a treasure. It is now high time to awake nut of sleep, for the night is far spent and.the day is at hand: the great Head of the Church is rid ing forth on the chariot of the Gospel, from conquering to conquer: let the friends of Zion distinguish themselves as faithful and zealous instruments in promoting the glori ous cause. $ We rejoice with the Members of this So-, ciety, and all friends of the Bible cause, to see the continued exertions and growing importance of this great Parent of Bible Societies, and next in importance and more intimately connected with us, is,the Ameri can Bible Society, extending jts benefits not only to us, but also the whole human family* no matter what his colour; no matter what his religion; no matter what his country; with unbounded resources it promises to be the greatest Society on our continent; gaining strength with age; it will be an ornament aud a blessing to mankind. Brethren and Friends.—The Bible is true —we shall be judged by its precepts.- Then should we not only inquire into it ourselves, but also spread the knowledge la the utmost extent of pir abilities—we would that all knew the condemnation of the law for sin; and the promises of pardon by faith in Christ. Finally,—We solicit your prayers as well for ourselves as for the'great work in which , we have engaged. After prayer, this As- i sociation was farmed, and we wish the de vout of every denomination to supplicate God that it may tend to his Glory. OFFICERS FOR THE PRESENT TEAR. Col. Thomas Pincknet, President. Pev. James Hembree, Ist ) Rev. James Hillhopse, 2d ) Vice-Presidents. Rev. James Dopthit, 3d ) Col. Joseph Grisham, Secretary and Treasurer. Enoch B. Benson, John Hull, James Farris’ Auditors. 1W Archibald Patterson, Robert M’Cann, Esnil* John Ham's, Esq. Crosby Wilkes Miller, Williau, M’Murray, Esq. Samuel Cherry, Esq. John E. ,< Hammond, Board of Direstors.’ * A good book and a good woman are ex cellent things for those who know no*, justly to appreciate their value. There f are men, however, who judge of both (too the beauty of the covering. Io judging of others, let us always thin, ! the best, and employ the spirit of chaftft’ and candour. But iu judging of ourselm we ought to be exact and severe. Os all the passions, Jealously is |hr which exacls the hardest service, and pir the bitterest wages. Its service is, to wat, the success of our enemy; its wages, to ‘ sure of it. A fine woman ought io add annually her accomplishments, as much as her hem . ty loses in the time. When any undertaking has failed of apt cess, every fool can find, fault with the plr and point out where the errour was oo milted ; although before hand be could form the most distant idea of it; nor boiy to prevent ft. • ;