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,U**~<‘M***f'**-’
edge ,4 <’ members of tbis Society have
cun.oined their efforts to eitiind to them
% the “ bread of lifWto i ’ n P" r ’ 10 ,hem
those riches, durable M eternity, which
v be shared without being diminished,**
and communicated witfinut being lost to the
’ possessor. Such is the peculiar felicity of
pure religion I such is the unbounded liber
ality of Christian principle! St is employed
t in multiplying the means of instruction,
of consolation to the afflic
ted, and spreading the triumphs of truth —
cf that truth which cometh from above —
embraces eternity —looks to Jehovah as its
origin—and is calculated to raise man from
earih to Ipeaven. What a field for benev*
eieoce ! How noble the object! How God
like the design !
In presenting to the Society the result of
their labours in the important work assign
ed them, your managers cannot boast of
having accomplished great thingt. They,
however, trust that some good has been ef
fected through their instrumentality, and
the more efficient and faithful labours of
their Missionary. They would “ not des ‘
pise the day of small things,” nor become •
Weary in well doing, relying on (he gracious
promise that “ in due lime we shall reap if
We faint not.;’
The objects which first occupied the at
tention of your managers, after the organi
zation of the Bonn!, were, the collection of j
the requisite funds, and procuring a suitn-.
ble character to act as their Missionary.—
For the accomplishment of the former,
committees were appointed to solicit sub
scriptions-and donations in the different
wards of the city: and though the success
of the application was not commensurate
with the importance of the object, nor pro
portionate to the ardoor of their wishes ;
yet the result was far from producing dis
couragement.
After several fruitless efforts to procure
A Missionary, the Rev. Henry Saffbrd wa
providentially thrown in onr way, and
* agreed to take an appointment for two
.months, commencing on the first of Febru-
At the expiration of that time, the
Manager* were so well satisfied with his
zeal and fidelity, that they made a further
erraogement with him for two additional
months’ services; and finally, previously to
his departore to the North, it was agreed
that he should return in the fall, and spend
six months in prosecuting the objects of the
Society.
To enter on a minute detail of the varied
and multiplied labours of yonr Missionary,
Would occupy much time, and though inter
esting, it would render this report quite too
votiimnious. Sufficient to say that his
preaching was gratefully received, and gen
erally well attended at the different stations
assigned as the field of bis labours. These
were, Hamburgh, Harrishurgh, the lower
suburbs of the city, Spirit Creek, the Arse
nal, and the neighbourhood of the Quaker
Springs. liis labours, however, were not
confined merely to the pnblick services of
the Sabbath. Much of his time during the
’ week was very usefully occupied in serious
conversation with the tenants of the Prison,
Hospital and Arsenal; imitating the exam
ple of his Divine master in visiting the hov
els of poverty and sickness; administering
consolation and counsel; interesting the
feelings of the benevolent in behalf of suf
fering poverty; distributing the Scriptures
and religious Tracts among the ignorant and
destitute; and, in fine, feeding the sheep
and lambs of Christ’s flock; reclaiming the
wanderer: and reproving and rebuking the
ungodly and profane.
The amount of good done, cannot be
koown until the disclosures of the Great
Day of final account. A few extracts from
the journal of Mr. Safford will give the So
ciety some idea of the labours in which he
was engaged, as well as the spirit and zeal
with which his duty was discharged,
ij Feb. 18 & 19. Vieited four families at Har
jj cbbvrgh, and Unversed wilh them relative to the
i concern* of their sbuls—Met with a favourable re
eeption.
March 4. Visited’ four families in the suburbs,
ami exhorted them to attend to the momentous
jar.erestUtof death, judgment and eternity. One |
of these fHihjjhe* consists of a mother and ten chil
dren, not one of whom can read. Obtained an
Introduction to the Steward of the Hospital, and
the Keeper of the Jail, who expressed an entire
t willingness that I should visit their respective
charges as,‘often as I might think proper.
-6. CalW on a number of families. Found one
; poor woman destitute of the Bible.
* C. Presented a Bi&le to the poor woman men
tioned above. She received it with much appa
rent gratitude. I endeavoured to impress upon
Aer tuUid the importance of a prayerful and dili
i |p*nt perusal it, and of implicit obedience to its
instructions. Found E. P. a young woman of
di-ohite habits, very sick, alone, without fire,
and indeed destitute of every thing calculated to
„ render Her situation pomfortable. She was di
rected to offer without ceasing, “the prayer of the
publican, “ GoJJoe merciful to me a sinner. I ’ j
Endeavoured to msterest a neighbour to-have her I
asmofetijo the Uosyiitdf-. I
l VX. Iffils fnorhing visited t. P. Her situation <
•till isorr distressing than wfeen l sa# her on t’
Bth, * She had .not been reported to the Hoopili.
’ Committee. She is apprehensive that she wilt
1 not recover. While I read to her the Tpot hit*
titled 11 The Warning Voice,” she gave the most
i profound attention. In compliance with byr re
quest I offered prayer in her behalf. Ttie Lord
’ have mercy on her soul. Firming. Just return
ed from E.'P’. 1 presented her a number of ar
ticle* (the donation of* benevolent lady) which
stir greatly needed. A woman was also engaged
to spend the night with her.
I*. E. I*, has been much neglected by the fe
! male engaged to spend the night with her. The
j situation of the poor thing is miserable.indeed.—
I She is in a land of stranger*, in torture with ex
treme paid, her habitation a wretched garret, and
destitute of money Bnd friends. Her companions
in wickedness have deserted her. Two of the
members of the Board being made acquainted
with her pitiable situation, with Christian promp
titude concerted measures for her immediate re
moval to the hospital. There is much reason to
’ fear, that her sickness is unto death. May the
Lard in infinite mercy, whether she die or not,
make it instrumental of her salvation. -
13. Visited E. P. at the hospital. She is no
better. She says that she knows herself to be a
great sinner—that she prays constantly that the
Lord will have mercy on her—that she is fully
determined, that if her life be spared, she will
abandon her sinful practices. She was advised
to look to the Laiub of God, which takeih away
the sin of the world, O, in..y her goodness not
he like the morning cloud, or early dew ! llad
some religious conversation with some of the male
patients. One has been a member of the Metbo
-1 dist connexion ten years. Having understood
. from the Steward that he was not very exempla
ry, 1 urged upon him the importance of an imme
diate examination into his spiritual state, and of
seeing to it that his hopes of immortal glory were
founded on the rock of ages.
15. Called on a sick woman, and exhorted her
to prepare for death, judgment and eternity.—
Visited the hospital. The physician thinks it
quite doubtful whether E. P. will ever recover.—
1 fear she has not a correct view of her situation.
Conversed with another female who was sick in
the same room, and is apparently on the brink of
the grave. In reply to the question, what will be
come of you when you die, she said, I shall go
to loTmtnl.’ 1 endeavoured te represent to her,
how that would be, directed her to take a
retrospect of her past life, and without delay be- ,
lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ
21. Addressed those who were confined in Jail
on the momentous concerns of eternity. They
were attentive.
22d. Friday evening. Preached as usual at this
station, (the lower suburbs.) Had the pleasure
of addressing about 40 immortal beings.
26. Visited six families ; two of which are com
posed of coloured people. I was much delight
ed with the narrative given me by two women of
colour, of their religious experience.
27. Gave away two Bibles. They were re
ceived with apparent gratitude. May the Holy
Spirit make them the power of God and the wis
dom of God to their salvation. Went to the arse
nal, anu had an opportunity ofspeaking to a num
ber of soldiers. This, no doubt, ought to be re
carded as an important field of missionary labour.
29th. Friday. Called at the Hospital, visited
one family, preached as usual, and distributed 3
Bibles. Between 30 and 40 attended service.—
The audience at Hamburgh has never been less
than, one hundred, and sometimes it has exceeded
that number. The congregation at Harrisburgh
has increased nearly one half ; this has been prin
cipally owing to the a'tendance of the soldiers.—
Between 20 and 30 of them were present the two
last times 1 preached there, and paid the most
respectful attention. The Harrisburgh people
speak of erecting a place of worship.
During four weeks 1 met a number of blacks
every Tuesday evening for the purpose of ascer
taining whether it would be practicable to teach
them a small Catechism, composed exclusively
for them. They made very considerable progress.
1 have preached three times at the Arsenal,and
each time had the pleasure of addressing a very
attentive audience. One of the soldiers gives
satisfactory evidence of being under very deep
religious impressions. He has been furnished with
Doddridge’s Rise and Progress of Religion in the
Soul.
[Mr. S. recommends the formation of three
Schools for Blacks, to meet on Sabbath evenings,
under the care of suitable teachers, and that they
be made acquainted with a catechism adapted to
their capacities. In this way he thinks a large
amount of religious inetructiou might be communi
cated.]
The preceding extracts afford convincing
evidence that your Missionary possesses
much of the Spirit of an Evangelist, and is
“ zealously affected in the good cause” in
which he is embarked. Finally, let every
member of the Society be impressed with
the solemn truth, that his duty does not ter
minate with the payment of his subscrip
tion, and the appointment of the agent.—
Much remains for each to do. Let cease
less prayer accompany and follow your
alms. Pray for your Missionary, that his
labours may be attended with the crowning
blessing of Him, whose you are, and whom,
in this matter, you profesg to serve. Pray
for those, your beneficiaries, who are, by
your benevolence, brought within the
sound of the blessed Gospel of the grace of
God, and thus, in some measure, identified
with yourselves, as forming a part of that
family for whom you are providing the
bread of life. Pray for the prosperity
iof all those efforts which the awakened
| Christian world are making to scatter light
i among the children of darkness, to strip Sa
* ■ r * -
tan of his u#u'jiod mlmofl'Tto Vrcdl^
standard of ths WWa'-ia. all *b. revolt
provinces of o|r Gfeat Captain Saviour, nuil
to “ crown hie Lord of all!”
* ——
F#t>m th’ Methodist Mag.ieine for Dec.
MISSION A&ONG THF. CHEROKEE
INDIANS.
Dfah Brother
This is to inform you and the Missionary
i Sociely, that twine of the Cherokee Indians
have received ihe word of life and become
members of our church. A favourable op
. portonily now appears for the establish
ment of a mission among them, and the
Tennessee Conference have resolved that
it shall be done. Andrew J. Crawford is
accordingly appointed a missionary to la
bour among them fur the present year, and
I hope and trust his labours will not be in
vain. Many of these Indians understand
and speak English, und have requested lhal
we would give them religious instruction,
mil teach the rising generation among them,
as we do amoug our own people. It is in
tended as far as practicable to pursue this
course. The plan will require but moder
ate expense, the Indians themselves will
bear a pari, and subscriptions will also be
raised wiihm the bounds of this Conference.
1 am, as ever, yours in Christ.
Enoch George.
Green County, Oct. 21, 1822.
P. S. The Tennessee Conference is
near the close of its session. Peace and
harmony hare prevailed. The prospects
are good. The increase of members is ris
ing three thousand, and thirty-Dine candid
ates for the ministry were admitted on trial.
E. G.
—-wvZZ-ZZ<-
FRANCE.
A Protestant Bible Society, and a Reli
gions Tract Society have beeu recently
established at Paris, under favourable au
spicies. In communicating this fact, the
editor of the New-York Statesman ob
serves :
It is peculiarly gratifying to the friends ol
religion to witness the spread and the tri
umphs of Christianity in a nation, which,
thirty years ago, embraced the creed of
Atheism, with all its horrible consequences
of guilt, of rapine and of blood. Over that
land where the raven so long battened on
human gore,and is beginning to find rest for
the sole of her foot. The Bible, and reli
gious tracts, those silent yet faithful messen
gers, are beginning to find their way into
the cottages of the poor, and will, ere long,
produce an enlargement of the soul—an ex
pansion of moral feeling, and of Christian
principle, which will elevate the peasantry
of France to a rank which they hare never
yet attained.
A special object of the Pari9 Missionary
Society, is to facilitate the acquisition of
languages, particularly the Oriental lan
guages, by the Missionaries of all the vari
ous societies in Europe and America. The
Committee will take them under their spe
cial protection; and Paris is known to offer
very superiour advantages to students.—
Rev. Mark Wilks has commenced a regular
service every sabbath at Chariut.m, the
last refuge of the illustrious Protestants
who suffered under the revocation of the
edict of Nantz; the spot where Claude,
Daille, &c. preached Christ crucified.
Moral and Religious Miscellany.
From the /few-Haven Pilgrim.
CHRISTIAN FIDELITY.
A judicious, affectionate and earnest ap
peal to the conscience, will rarely fail of
producing a happy effect eveD on Ihe minds
of the scoffing and profane. I will relate
one fact whicti goes to confirm this.
A gentleman frpm the West, on business
in New York, was solicited to lend his aid
and care to a lady, who was travelling alone
in the stage on the pame route with biro.
Out of respect for the gentleman who made
this request in behalf of the lady, he could
not decline, though, when he found, by in
quiry, that she was the wife of one of the
missionaries, at our western stations, and on
her way thither, he felt great reluctance in
promising his services. He had been ano
ted opposer of religion, had a most sover
eign contempt for all missionary efforts and
for those who would engage in them. He
made every shift in his own mind to invent
an excuse for refusing to take charge of
the lady, but findiog none, his sense of hon
our vyould not permit him to decline.
This lady was amiable, intelligent and in
teresting—and with her missionary spirit,
the condition of the heathen, and the means
for evangelizing them, was a favourite top
ick of conversation. The gentleman show
ed his dislike to the subject by attempting
to reason her out of her euthusiastick no
tions, as he would cat) them; but, like ma
ny other men who have been engrossed
with business, and have thought too little
on religion in any to speak upon it to
much purpose, he was soon made to see his
own ignorance, and of course his unreasona
ble prejudice.
This at first awakened in him a spirit of
inquiry in regard to the measures and suc
cess of missionaries. She was prepared to
answer his inquiries, and in such a manner
too, as to allay his opposing feelings, and
leave a favourable impression on his mind.
When he inquired into her prospects as a
missionary, and her motives for making
such a personal sacrifice, she manifested
. such modesty and humility, and self-denial,
as utterly surprised He had supposed
that those who bad<Mgaged insuch service,
were either seeking their own aggradize
ment, or were far gone with religious fren
zy. Hut he found her acting from enlarged |
views, an enlightened judgment, and real i
beoevolence. His views of missions there-1
1 fore, from what he saw nnd heard, were j
• entirely changed. 1
iJftuiafM the con versa non so ns to sound
linn.in his general views of religidn, and asi
she had already secured his respect for her j
intelligence and goodness,, he was more 1
careful in exposing his ignorance and oppo
sitioir; They rode in company fur several
days, and ihe lady frequently expressed he- ;
; gratitude for his kind attentions, withnnx-f
iqu* solicituda for the safety of his soul, j
She manifested such .humility, such sinceri-i
ty and engagedness, rs soon led him to think
favourably of religion, and loon after to a
conviction that she possessed what he was
an entire stranger to; and Ihen to a deep
sense of his awful condition as a sinner.
What sent home her remarks to his mind
; with peculiar force, whs a conviction simi
i !ar to that of someone, who, having heard
Whitfield preach, observed, that “the only
I difference between him and other preach
i ers is, that be believes whal be says.” Her
I sincerity awakened his miud to consider hi
danger. His profanity, hostility to the
, truth, and his heedless and wicked life were
, brought to mind by an awakened conscience,
and after a season of great distress, he was
led to hope in the pardouing blood of
Christ.
When he came to part wiih the lady, his
feelings were such as can he better imagin
ed than described. He regarded her as
the instrument of his conversion ; he dis
closed the bitterness of his feelings when
he felt compelled to accept of her compa
ny ; and after making a liberal donation for
the benefit of her contemplated mission,
and unitiog in a fervent prayer for the hea
then, he took his leave, adoriug the over
ruling hand of Providence which had led
hit ways, and resolving henceforth himself
to imitate her Christian fidelity.
THE SABBATH’ HONOURED.
The following interesting anecdole, char
acteristick of the Scottish character, has
been related by a gentleman, on whose ve
racity the greatest confidence may be plac
ed:—When it was finally determined that
the King should visit Scotland, Mr. Mash,
of the Lord Chamberlain's office, was des
patched to Edinburgh to give directions for
the necessary arrangements for his Majes
ty’s reception at the palace of Holy-rood
house, which having been done, he return
ed to London. Mr. Mash soon afterwards
proceeded again to Edinburgh, and arrived
there late on a Saturday evening. On ex
amining the works at the Castle, at an ear
ly hour next morning, he found to his sur
prise and disappointment, that by some mis
construction of his orders, a part of the j
works had been done in such a way as to |
render it necessary that it should be pulled j
down and rebuilt. The time was then so j
extremely limited (his Majesty being ex
pected there on the .Monday or Tuesday!
following,) the urgency of the case requir
ed that the workmen should be immediate
ly summoned and set to work. The men
were accordingly called, and they repaired
to the Castle, where they found Mr. Mash,
who, after stating to them ihe occasion of
his sending for them, requested they would
immediately go to work, and make such al
terations as he would point out to them;
but to his surprise they all refused, alleging
that by so doing they would be committing
a direct breach of the Sabbath. Mr. Mash,
to overcome their scruples, offered them
double wages—but they still refused; he
offered treble wages—but with no better
success. He then appealed to their loyal
ty as dutiful subjects to their Sovereign,
and urged the importance of the labour as
a reason for an abandonment of their scru
ples on such a pressing occasion. To this
they replied, that toward? his Majesty they
entertained every feeling of love and res
pect, and would ever hold themselves bound
to obey his lawful commands; but, they
added, they had the command of One to
whose power even the king must how—not
to violate but to keep holy the Sabbath.—
They, however, assured Air. Mash, that, as
soon as the clock struck 12, at midnight,
they would commence their labour, and
continue to work night and day till the al
terations were completed. We understand
that the above circumstance reached the
ears of the King. [Londonpaper.
Extract from a Sermon preached by an Episcopal
Clergyman.,
ON DANCING.
“ Dancing in all ages, & perhaps we may
add, in all nations of the world, has been
one of its most favourite amusements. To
preach against dancing, i, by many, even
Christians, thought to be unreasonably rigid,
and “over much righteous.” There
are very few worldly amusements in favour
of which more may be said. But with Cbri°-
tians, the chief question should be, its nntu
ral tendency and usual effects. If it pro
motes virtue, or religion: if it tends to make
people pious, sober and temperate: if it
promotes the love of God, obedience to bis
laws, and charity to all mankind: if its ten
dency is to frugality, sobriety and the ob
i servance of regular hours: if it will fortify
i and strengthen the mind 9 of young people,
. especially against the temptations and van
ities of life: if it will prepare females to be
better wives and mothers, and to shine
brighter in those virtues, which are the true
ornaments of their sex: if men, by this
amusement, become better qualified and
more faithful in their various relations, du
ties and professions of life,—then certainly
ought Christians to practise and promote it.
But if, on the contrary, dancing is known to
promote levity, lacivionsness and other vi
ces: if its tendency is unfavourable to reli
gion : if it leads to vanity, dissipation, un
seasonable hours, nnd unprofitable expense:
if its real objecHs sensual pleasure, person
al display and intercourse between the sex
|es: if it rather hinders and disqualify us
i for useful occupations and (he sober duties
jof life—then certainly it is wise in Chris
| (inns and even incumbent apon them, to
I avoid such recreation, as a sinful, vauity.
offer of half a kingdom. Bill, Christ,
friends, you know who, that h> miglu save
\ your souls, would not make a vain show and
worship idols, ffir “ all the kingdoms of the
world, and the glofy of them.” If wade
■ sire to be his disciples, let us take heed how
jwe serve another master. These things
‘merit ybur serious regard: you musf’so
; judge, that you be not judged; I desire not
to be unreasonably rigid; bpt I must b e
faithful to you, aqd to him who has sent me
—my duty is, to imitnte the bolduess of
John : tq speak the truth of God (with mod
eratiou certainly, and with charity, but)
with inflexible firmness and fidelity,”
From Southey's Life of Wesley.
A parly of men were amusing themselves
one day at an ale-house in Rotherhatini, by
mimicking the Methodists, it was disputed
who succeeded best—and this led to a wa
ger. There were four performers, and
the rest of the company were to decide af
ter a fair specimen of each; A Bible was
’ produced, and three of the rivals,,each in
turn, mounted the table, and held forth in
a style of irreverent buffoonery, wherein
the Scriptures were not spared. John
Thorpe, who was the last exhibitor, gut on
the table in high spirits, exclaiming, I shall
beat you all! He opened the book for a
text, and his eyes rested on these words*
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish.” Thpse words at such a place,
struck him to the heart. He became seri
ous—he preached in earnest —and he af
firmed afterwards, that his own hair stood
erect at the feelings which then came upon
him, and at the awful denunciations which
he uttered. His companions heard him with
the deepest silence. When he came down,
not a word was said concerning thq wager.
He left the room immediately without
speaking to any one—went home in a state
of great agitation, and resigned himself to
the impulse which had thus strangely been
produced. In consequence, he joined the
Methodists, and became an itinerant preach
er—but be would often say when he rela
ted this story, that if ever he preached by
the assistance of the Spirit of God, it was at
that time.
PLAIN TRUTH.
We have received several numbers of
this publication. It continues to toil, with
fierce zeal, in its thankless vocation, casting
obloquy and contempt on missionaries and
i all their abettors; lauding, with enthusiasm,
j the virtues of savages, and the charms of
th” uncivilized state ; deploring the disas
trous influence of missionary efforts on the
morals and happiness of the heathen ; and
j yet, with marvellous consistency, pleading
the cause of benevolence in oyr own coun
try. Some of our friends, have expressed
a wish, that our Star might chase away,
with pure and eAlntary light, the lurid
gleams of this torch of discord, which serve
only to make darkness visible. We con
ceive, however, that our time would be ra
ther unprofitably occupied, in exposing the
falsehoods und hallucinations of a work,
which is little known, and which carries in
its shameless profligacy, an effectual anti
dote to the malignity of its aims.— Star.
If you rise from the table with an appe
tite, you will not often sit down without one.
The smaller the drink the clearer the
head and the cooler the blood.
Bishop Taylor once said to a lady who
neglected the education of her son, “ Mad
am, if you don’t fill your child’s head with
something, the devil will.”
FREEZING.
It is owing to the expansion of water in
freezing, that rocks and trees are often
split during intense fronts. According to
the calculations of the Florentine academi
cians, a spherule, or little globe of water,
only one inch in diameter, expands in freez
ing with a force superiour totho resistance
of 13 1-2 tons weight. Major William? al; 0
attempted to prevent ,this expansion; hot
during the operation the iron plug which
stopped the orifice of the bomb shell con
taining the freezing water, and which was
more than 2 pounds weight, was projected
several bondred feet with great velocity;
and in another experiment the shell burst.
The, imbecility of man never appears so.
conspicuous as when he attempts to coun
teract Ihe operation of laws which were de
signed by infinite beneficence for his pre
servation and comfort. The law in ques
tion is eminently important, and nature has
made it unalterable. C
This property of wafer is taken advan
tage of in splitting slate. At Colley Wes
tern the slate is dug from the quarries in
large blocks; these are placed in an oppo
site direction to what they had in the quar
ry, and the rain is allowed to fall upon them ;
it penetrates their and the first
sharp frost freezes the water, which, ex
panding with its usual force, splits Ihe slate
into thin layers.— Parke's Chan. Catechism.
> - L
The following narration will show th®
solidity that water is capable of acquiring
when div*=ted of a large portion of its ca
lorick. During the severe winter of 1740,
a palace-of ice, fifty-two feet long, sixteen
feet wide, and twenty feet hi"h, was built
at Petersburg, according to the most ele
gant rules of art. The river f Neva afford
ed the ice, which was from two to three
feet thick, blocks of which were cut, and
embellished with various ornaments. When
built up, the different parts were coloured
by sprinkling them over with water of va
rious tints. Six cannons, made of and
mounted with ice, with wheels of the same
matter, were placed before the palace;
and a hempen bullet was driven by one ot
these cannon, in the presence of 4 he whole
court, thruttgh a board two inches thick,
, the distance of sixty paces.—JV