Newspaper Page Text
No. 42 Vou IV.
descriptive.
Visit to the Ruins of Babylon.
r.Y SIR r>. KER PORTER.
(tonchiilcd from The Missionary ofMarcli 17.)
With respect to the specimens of brick,
fn>tli sun slued & tire-burnt, there were am
pie quantities every where ; giving ns an
’ civ a tioiv very opportune the furcaces might
have been which manufactured the latter,
to execute the mad judgments of either
Nimrod or Nebuchadnezzar. The bricks
which compose the tower, and its append-
Mqr objects, are mostly stamped with three
lin;:s of inscription, in the cuneiform, eras
it is commonly called, the Babylonian cha
racter. Some extend to tour, or even sev
en lines ; but, though differing in this res
pect, the dimensions of all are the same;
the only superiority appears in those of sev
en lines being better stampt than those with
the fewer numbers. However, I could on
ly drsuv these observations from fragments
about, and I examined a great many ; en
tire detached bricks not being now to be
found on the ruin. I have already men
tioaed that the bricks of Babylon are of two
kinds, sun-dried and fire-burnt. The former
is generally largest,ns it is a coarser labrick
than the latter ; but its solidity seems by
proof to be equal to the hardest stone. It
is composed of clay mixed with chopped
straw, or broken reeds, to compact it, and
then dried in the sun. Here, then, besides
tracing the first builders of Babel in their
vorv executed work, “ Go to, let us make
us brick and burn ihem thoroughly !” we
find the exact sort of brick which the chil
dren oflsrnel made during their captivity
in Egypt. “ And Pharaoh commanded the
u sk-masters, and said, j'e shall no more
give (he people straw to make bricks, &c.
These unburnl bricks commonly fcfrm the
interiour or mass of any strong foundation
aevong these ruins; and this is the case with
the great tower, while it is, or rather has
been, faced wiih the more beautiful fabrick
oftkose manufactured in the furnace or kiln.
From every account left us by historians of
the Super-eminently stupendous structure
ofdbe Tower of Belli?, we must seek it on
the banks of the Euphrates, and on (be site
of B;*bylon ; and of all the collosal mounds
which remain amongst the far spreading
ruins, uot one appears to answer so fully in
place, dimensions and aspect, to all their
pictures of the tower, whether called by
the. name of Babel or Belus, as this sublime
inhabitant of the de-eri, known universally
to the present descendants of Ishmael, by
the nameofßirs Nimrood. But the rem
nant of the captivity, still, abiding amongst
the “ waters of Babylon,*’when they speak
of it call it Nebuchadnezzar’s prison.
BABEL.
Since the d*y.,of Alexander, we find four
capitals, at least, built out of her remains ;
Selocia by the Greeks, Clesiphon by the
Parthian 3 , Aimaidan by the Persians, Kufa
by the Caliphs ; with towns, villages and
caravansaries without number. That the
fragments of one city should travel so far
do build or repair the breaches of another,
the first view of the snhject a|>peared
unlikely to myself; but on traversing the
country between the approximating shore?
of the two rivers, and observing all the fa
cilities of water carriage from one side to
the other, I could no longer be incredulous
of what had been told me ; particularly
when scarce a (lay passed without seeing
people digging/the mounds of Babylon for
bricks, übiety they carried to the verge of
the Euphrates, and thence conveyed in
boats to wherever they might be wanted.
. from the. consequent excavations in every
“possible.shape and direction, the regular
iiiifts oi’ (he original ruins have been so
broken.that nothing but confusion is seen to
exist between one course and another,when
any traveller would attempt seeding a dis.
Miact plan amongst those eternally travers
ing minor heap-, hollows and ravines. But
certain huge and rugged masses yet stand
pre-eminent; which, by their situation, and
other local circumstances, seem sufficiently
to warrant the conclusions which have been
drawn of their original purpose. These
vast mounds are surrounded by subordinate
ranges, now bearing the appearance of em
bankments ; and which, doubtless, have
been the cause of the interiour pile’s com
paratively unimpaired state. The yearly
overflowing of the whole country trom the
decay of the canals, made to draw off the
superflux of the river,having for agps swept
unimpeded over the faces of all the ruins,
which had not the protection of these (1
fciay call them) break-waters,could not fail
‘producing the devastation we see. All such
exposed parts of the city must necessarily
Ibe broken down into wider and more shape-1
less ruin, and be gradually washed down in
to lower and lower hillocks, till in ino?,t
places all traces would be entirely swept
away.
LION'S.
In this my second visit to Birs Nimnood,
while passing rapidly over the last tracks
lof the ruin-spread ground, at some lit
tle di-tance from the outer bank of its
I quadrangular bojundpry, my partyjuddenlv
hulled ; having tdescried several dark ob
ject- moving along the summit of the hill,
(vhich they construed into dismounted Arabs,
THE MISSIONAR Y.
on the look-out,while their armed brethren
must be lying concealed under the southern
brow of the mound. Thinking this very
probable, I took out my glass to examine,
and soon distinguished that the causes of
our alarm were (wo or three majestick li
ons, taking the air upon the heights of the
pyramid. Perhaps I never had heheld-so
sublime a picture to the mind as well as to
the eye. These were a species of enemy
which my parly were accustomed to dread
without any panick or fear ; and while we
continued to advance, though slowly, the
hallooing of the people made the noble
beasts gradually change their position, till,
m the course of twenty minutes, they total
;ly disappeared. U’e then rode close up to
the ruins; and I bad once more the gratifi
cation of ascending the awful sides of the
Power of Babel. In my progress I stopped
several times to look at the broad prints of
the feet of lions, left plain io the clayey
sod; and, by the track, 1 saw that if” we
had cho-en to rouse such ro3'al game, we
need not go far to find their lair. But while
thus actually contemplating these savage
tenants, wandering amidst the flivvers “of
Baby lon, and bedding themselves within
the deep cavities ot her ortce magnificent
temple, I could not help reflecting on how
faithfully the various prophecies had been
lulfilled, which lelatw in the Scriptures to
the utter la!! of Babylon, and abandonment
of the place ; verifying, in fact, (he very
word* of Isaiah, —>* Wild beasts of the des
ert shall lie there; arid the houses shall be
full of doleful creatures ■ owls *!. „ dwell
there, and dragons shall cry in the pleasant
places.”
THE Etl-IIRATKS,
(on whose hank? I ha(i pushed so many in
(cresting hours) though nt so rapid ? its
sister stream, is infinitely more majesticb
and claims longer course,rising from three
sources amongst the mountains of Armenia.
After flowing in three currents to the south
west, through mahy a wild gien and rich val
ley, all unite in one channel at the foot of
the mountains, nearly opposite the source
of the Tigris; and thence winding on in full
stream south and south-west, in a corres
ponding .course to that of the Tigris, the
two rivers form a junction at Roma ; and
under the appellation of Shat-el-Arab, “ the
liver of Arabia,' 1 roll on in one noble flood
to the Persian golf, 70 miles south of Bus
sora. The name ofPhrat, or Euphrates,
Josephus describes as derived from words
denotingTruitfulness, or dispersion, and ei
■ther apply to the history of this river. Its
course comprehends an extent of fourteen
hundred milns, hut its width varies consid
erably during so long a journey.
American Colony in Africa.
Frun one of the Editors of tlu: „Y. York States
man.
“Washington, Jan. 23, 1C23.
I had (he pleasure of passing two or three
hours last evening in company with Dr.
Ayres, the Agent of the colony at the mouth
of the river Messurado in Africa. Heim
parted to me much interesting information
relative to this infant settlement, a sketch
of which may lie acceptable to our readers.
Dr. Ayres has resided there for some time,
and is perfectly acquainted with the affairs
of the colony from its origin, and with its
prospect of success.
The month of the Messurado is in six de
grees of north latitude, and about 200 mile?
south of the English colony at Sierra Eeone.
At its entrance the rive- is about two hun
dred yards wide, with a bar that has form
ed some obstructions to navigation, but
which haslatefy been swept away by some
shifting in (he current or tide 3 , so as to ren
der the harbour easy of access. The riv
er is said to be navigable for some distance;
but little is known of it, a” its banks and its
sources have not been explored. It is sup
posed to rise near the Niger, which runs
transversely to its head waters. Dr. Ayres
anticipates much information as to the Ge
ography of the country. from an intelligent
man of colour who will accompany him in
the next trip, for the purpose of travelling
into the interiour.
The climate is said to be by no means in
salubrious, the mercury never rising at the
hottest season so high as <JO, and at evening
ranging from 70 to 00. Mv informant
states that the weather was warmer in N.
York when he left and when he returned,
than he found it at any time during his ab
sence. He never slept without blankets
on his bed, which he uniformly found grate
ful towards morning. At noon-day the sun
is seldom visible, being obscured by vapour.
Dr. Ayres considers a residence there in all
respects a; safe and healthy as at Washing
ton. Os the sincerity of his opinion he gives
the strongest evidence, by goftig out again
with an intention of remaining some years.
Nothing can exceed the fertility of the
soil. Trees, plants, and vegetables have
an astonishingly rapid and luxuriant growth.
It was related as a fact, that in the garden
of an English gentleman at Sityra Leone, a
grape vine in nine days after it was plant
ed, contained a cluster of grapes distinctly
formed. Corn and grain are found to thrive
well, and cotton and coffee grow.spontane
ously, the former iu such abundance as to
be considered a nuisance. It is the opinion
MOUNT ZION. (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,)
CO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND BREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.
of the agent, (hat a colony might not onlv
sustain itself, but become rich by proper
management. 1 *
The native population is still dense, al
(hough .( has been thinned ofTby an annual
decrease of too hundred thousand slave.,, who
are hunted like wild beasts dragged into
servitude, torn from their homes, their
friends and their country, and exported to
foreign markets ! What a fact is this for an
!?e of light and liberty, philosophy and
Christian philanthropy ! Ail along the
shore are the establishments of factors,who
derive their support and have ever grown
iich irom a Jraffick in the flesh and blood or
heir own kindred. _They are connected in
these diabolical pursuits with a class of br
ings in the interiour,called bush men,whose
business it is to catch tiro natives and rivet
upon (heir hitherto free and unfettered
limbs the first chains of slavery. From the
interiour they are driven about a day’s jour
ney to the sea-shore, where they are deliv
ered over to the factors, who in turn sell
thorn to the commanders of slave-ships, be
longing to the most civilized and polish-*}
nations on ths globe. Thus is there a reg
ular system of trade, as well organized and
established us the whale fishery or fur
trade to the Pacifick.
, ,u "’ n !,t Messurado is but a few yards
irom the-river, elevated about 200 feet
above the water. From the summit of the
eminence on which it stands, the prospect
i” extremely picturesque and grand, ex
tending around the w hole horizon as fur as
the eye can reach, and presenting a varie
gated view of a hundred realms, clothed in
verdure and beauty, rich in natural resour
ces, and susceptible of being rendered the
abode of peace, contentment and happi
ness. At present, however, it i9 little else
than a field for stratagem, plunder and cru
elty, where man is hunted by his fellow
mati, and the soil steeped iu the tears and
blood ol the slave. There are at present
in the town no more than about 30 houses ;
twit preparations are now actively making
to augment the number and strength of the
colony. Dr. Ayres will sail from Baltimore
in about two months, with an accession of
seventy or eighty new settlers, who are all
free persons of colour. He ha-, as many
engaged ns the vessel will accommodate,
and numerous applications have been re
fused. Parsons of Colour in and about Phi
hidelphia contemplate lining out another
ship expressly for (he purpose of transport
ing those who may wish to join the colony
and settle in the land of their fathers. The
whole expense of forming this settlement is
defrayed by the voluntary contributions of
wealthy blacks, and pbilanthropick indi
viduals who are the friends of this unfortu
nate race. It is supposed that funds will bo
supplied from these sources,sufficient for all
the purposes for which they will be neeJed.
Several important consequences are an
ticipated from this colony. In live first
place it will have a salutary effect in check
ing the horrors of the slave trade, by af
fording protection to the inhabitants of this
part of Africa against factors and bish-meo.
Secondly, it will afford a melioration of
the condition of the natives by introducing
among them agriculture and the arts, and
attracting their attention to these peaceful
pursuits. Thirdly, it will secure a re
fuge for free blacks from this country, who
arc annually becoming more and more nu
merous, and have not the means of gaining
a livelihood. This consideration is one of
great importance as well to the U. Slates
as to persons of colour themselves. The
black population is fust gaining upon the
white, and it is yet a problem what shall be
done with the surplu 3 , or what will bo the
event if it be not removed from the coun
try.
Dr. Ayres thinks there are radical defects
in the government and management of the
settlement at Sierra Leone. Tiie colonial
policy of England, of rendering her tributa
ries subservient to her commercial inter
est?, is too rigidly enforced. She has al
ways endeavoured to keep her colonies
weak aud entirely dependant on the mother
country for nrotection and support; in short,
to act the part of a severe step-mother
toward? her children. This system has
been adopted and enforced in the govern
ment of Sierra Leone. No pains have been
taken to diffuse intelligence among the
neighbouring tribes, to promote the spirit
of enterprise or to encourage the introduc
tion of the art? and agricultural pursuits.—
A? an evidence of this, it is stated that the
use of the plough is entirely unknown in
the colony, and the soil is cultivated entire
ly by manual labour. At first thought this
would seem to be a blind policy ; but it is
found that the commerce of England de
rives more benefit from a lucrative trade in
the commodities of Africa, than it could,
from the agricultural products of the coun
try, if ever so weli cultivated. A different
course will be pursued in the American col
ony, and it will he the object of its super
intendents to disseminate and extend the
spirit, freedom and enterprise of our own
institutions.
J.".’ ‘ ■ . |
Prostituted genius is the nearest resem
blance of the Spirit of Evil. It look* like
Satan clothed in the garb of an angel of
I light.
| MISSIONARY.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
The Second Anniversary of the MIS
SION ARY SOCIETY of the South Caroli
na Conference, Auxiliary to the Missionary
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
was held in Wesley Chapel, Savannah, Ga.
I ehriiary the 19th, 1823.
The meeting was opened by the Rev.
Robert R. Roberts, with reuding a portion
ot the oacrcd Scriptures, singing and pray
er. The Report was then read by the R*v.
James O. Andrew ; after which the follow
ing resolutions were unanimously adopted :
.1. Resolved , That the Repct now read
be adopted, and 500 copies ba printed.
Hus resolution was moved by the Rev. Wm.
Capers, awl seconded by the Rev. John
Howard, both of whom addressed the soci
ety on the subject of Missions.
2. Resolved, That a committee be ap
pointed to superintend the printing of said
Report. This was moved by the Rev. Wm.
M. Kennedy, and seconded by the Rev. Jas.
O. Andrew. The committee appointed for
this purpose were the Rev. Joseph Travis
and Francis M. Stone, Esq.
BYE LAWS.
1. The Managers shall meet semi-annu
ally— Ist, on the 4tb Monday in June, at 10
o'clock A. M. at such place as may be de
termined upon by the President and Vice
President, after the appointment of the
I reachers are read out at the Conference,
and at such place as may he appointed for
•be annual Conference at the same hour of
the second day previous ti* fitting.
2. At all meetings of the Board, the
President, or in his absence, the Vice Pres
ident, or President pro. tern, shall take the
Chair at the hour appointed, shall preserve
order and appoint committees, and 3 hall al
so have authority to appoint extra meetings
of the Board.
3. The Recording Secretary shall keep
a correct journal of the minutes and pro
ceedings of the board, and attend ail its sit
tings when practicable: and in case of ab
sence transmit the records of (he Board (o
the place of meeting.
4. It shall be the duly of the Correspon
ding Secretary to keep a correct copy <,f
ail bis off!CTal letters and communications,
and communicate immediately after each
meeting of the Board with the Missionary
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
relative to the state of the Society ’s funds,
&c. And also to communicate, at least an
nually, with each presiding Elder of the
South-CarolioH Conference on the subject
of raising Branch Societies, and shall care
fully file and preserve all communication?
to him, which shall be taken to the place of
meeting and be subject to the inspection of
the Board.
B. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer
to keep a book in which the names of all the
subscribers and donors shall he recorded, to
keep a correct account of ail receipts and
expenditures, and,shall submit the same for
examination at each meeting. And upon
no account pay away or otherwise dispose
of monies unless by order of the Board,
sigoed by (he President and countersigned
by the Secretary.
G. It shall be the duty of each member
of the Board to solicit donatioQ? and sub
scriptions for (lie society, and to make a re
turn at the semi-annual meetings of (lie
Board, placing at the time of making such
return all fuuds that may have been receiv
ed, in the Treasurer’s hands.
REPORT, &c.
BRETHRES—’
With the evidence of prophecy, and his
tory of Christianity, we have abundant rea
son to believe that Gori is engaged to Evan
gelue the world, through the instrumental
ity of a zealous itinem.it Ministry. And it
is a happy reflection that the most recent
observation is eminently calculated to es
tablish onr hopes on this subject. Nor need
wp go further for testimony than to that
branch of the church in which we were
honoured with membership.
When we. retrospect the opposition under
which bur Venerable Father Wesley emer
ged from the gloom of dead formality to
proclaim the liberty es thp Son of God;
reason unaided Oy divine illumination might
have pronounced, he will never succeed;
or if his great soul should support under the
conflict, yet none will be found who will’
walk in his steps.
But blessed be God, the light was not
confined to an individual, whilst ho contend
ed for Holiness pf iife and heart, the Spirit
of God sealed the truth to the hearts of the
sincere, and speedily many were found in
quiring the way to Zion with their face
thitherward.
The hungry were not permitted to per
ish for Want of the bread of life. That
love for immortaj souls whidh influenced (he
founder of Methodism to renounce the hon
ours and emoluments of life, which were
presented to his view, and induced him to
go into the hedges and highways; that same
divine impetus continued to actuate hund
red? iu the like work, until Great Britain,
was iu a short lime illumined with the pure
light of the Gospel ‘*f Peace.
Price J $ 3 ,50 pr. ann. or, >
’ X $3,00 in advance! >
As the word of God is not bound, so nei
ther was the benevolence of Euitipean
Christians confined to their own nation or
kindred. No sooner was the scheme rie
vised of sending the word of life to the
. wilds of America, than men of God were
. ready to stand forth and say “Here am F,
, me '” What magnanimity of soul
“Io renounce the comforts and endearments
which invited their stay, and to encounter
the dangers and hardships necessarily con
nected with such an undertaking. Yet
great as these trials were, others still great-
not anticipated, presented themselves.
The Revolutionary war in a short lime
commencing, placed in oue scale (be love
of a native country, the fear of obloquy,
danger and death, with a series of certain
sufferings of various kiods; and in the oth
er scale was placed the thought of forsak
ing the Infant Church as sheep without a
shepherd to be scattered overall the moun
tains and hills in the cloudy and dark day.
During the struggle between the two na
tions, the Rev. Francis Asbury, who may
be justly viewed as the Father of the Amer
ican Methodists, continued to preach JESUS
and Him Crucified, while listening hundreds
were brought to fall at the feet of the Sav
iour and rejoice in his forgiving love.
Thus “ the handful of corn on the”top of
the mountain,” soon increased to an hund
red told , and as the cedars ot Lebanon, or
the trees planted by (he Rivers of Water;
an host have arisen, who bring forth Ibeir
fruit in its season, and whose leaf doth not
wither, and hence they must prosper.
Shall we speak of discouragements when
we remember that e.vpnv ew- .w
.? nan advanced, it has been opposed by
the Spirit of the world, and by many who
contend tor ease and self-indulgence? Shall
we not therefore trust that the same Hand
which hath hitherto *ipported us, will con
tinue to guide and to defend the Ark?
We have indeed been accustomed to re
gard ourselves as Missionaries, (or as some
style us Pioneers) who with difficulty were
urging our way through a trackless wilder
ness, hut under the auspice- of an unerring’
director, the crooked ways have become
comparatively straight, am .be rough ways
smooth.
Where we a few ye.ir- ago in riding ma
ny days could scarcely ftm) the house of a
Brother or friend of Christ; now in taking
the saupe excursion? our hearts are cheered
with the sight of many -rising edifices dedica
ted to the worship of God, and multitudes
devoutly engaged therein.
And although some of the veterans of
the Cross have been called from the ranks
to receive their reward; their sons are
rising up to stand in the gap. And whilst
Elijah ascends in a chariot of fire, the man
tle alights on Elisha.
Need we remind you that in the travel
ling Ministry.in America, during the lastyi/'-
Uj years hare been raised up about 250©
Ministers, about 1100 of whom are s.fll go
ing on, and on a moderate calculation 4000
Local Preachers are now in the work, and
that about 300,000 members in tne United
State; acknowledge subjection to our form
of discipline.
It is certainly time that we should extend
our labours for the benefit of tiie neighbour
ing nation?, particularly as the. darkness in
which some are enveloped calls aloud for
the sympathy of those, who know how to
value (h i*Light of the Gospel.
May we not confidently trust that nil
whose hearts are dilated with the genial in
fluence of the sun of righteousness, will be
ready to impart of the abundance of their
substance, nr even of so me of the comfort
of lif* make a willing sacrifice at the shrine
of benevolence and duty.
Although we have to regret that more
has not been done, yet the seccess which
has already attended the labours of our in
fant society confirms our belief that when
the friend? of religioa are made acquainted
with our views on this subject, ihev will be
ready to render that assistance necessary
for the execution of this noble purpose.
We congratulate the society on the in
crease of subscriber? to several of its branch
rocieties, nod also cq the formation of tiie
following, viz:
Athens District Gonfepence Brandi.
Cedar Creek Circuit do.
Akovi Circuit do.
Sparta Circuit do.
Appalachie Circuit do.
Oconee do.’
Ghoopie * do.
Ogeectiee Dist. ConC do.
Warren Circuit do.
Oconee Di-t. Cons. Jo.
Fairfield Union do.
Columbia, S. C. do.
Big O.ikmulgie do.
Our hearts are gladdened with the assn
rar.ee that this labour is not in vain in the
Lord. The success which atten<W the Mi*,
sion among the Wyandots, exceeds'he most
sanguine hopes formerly entertained, aud
although the Creek nation exhibited atone,
time some inauspicious prospects, yet we
have reason to hope that ail is working to
gether for good, and at present are more
than ever encouraged on this score.
A Mi-Monary is also appointed to the
Cherokee? under promising circumstances,
and our Mitstonary to Early County it!