Newspaper Page Text
No. 50 Vol. IV.
ii
Frahx the Richmond Evan, and Lit. Magazine.
plUesßnt state and prospects
OF EUROPE.
No nan, who ha? Ihe heart of an Amer
ican, can view the present state of the
jyorld without deep anxiety. The struggle
As’hich is beginning between the oppressed
nod their oppressors cannot fail to excite a
most intense interest in the bosom of everv
freeman, and oue cannot help saying within
himself, as he catches glimpses of the open
ing scene, may God defend the right!
I do not pretend to greater sagacity than
others; yet I most be allowed to say that
f<* six or seven years, 1 have been expect
ing what has now begun. On the eveuiug
when the pnblick paper*first announced to’
u* the formation of what is misnamed the
V Holy Alliance*’’ I said to a friend with
whom I am in the habit of interchanging
thoughts with the utmost confidence; “Now
mark my words—This is an alliance of
wickedness. The object is to keep things
09 they are—to prevent reformation in re
ligion, and improvement in the political con
dition of the people. These Holy Allies
#ire alarmed, on account of the measures
which thby hate been obliged to adopt, to
cnrb the ambition of Bonaparte. While
their thrones were lettering uuder them, bv
appeal* to their people and the promises
which they felt themselves compelled to
make, they have pretty thoroughly routed
iltyooulation of Europe. Their object is
adjPkcco'mplished, andthey are afraid that
the people will claim the fulfilment of their
promises, as the payment of a debt of grat
itude. They are afraid, 100, of the reac
tion of puhlick sentime.ut, of the intellectual
excitement which they themselves have
assisted to produce. And you will find that
wherever there ii any movement in behalf
of liberty, thither the Holy Allies will direct
their attention ; and the combined power of
Europe will be exerted to subdue this rising
spirit—This is the whole mystery of the
Holy Alliance .” In some such terms as
these, 1 expressed to my friend, the thoughts
which flashed on my mind at the moment of
reading the newspaper accounts of that
transaction of royal and imperial wicked
ness. It is needless for me to say how
things have turned out. The conjecture
has been verified in its utmost extent,
The design fo‘be’ accomplished by this
conspiracy of kings was not announced in
the beginning. It has been, however,
gradually unfolding until lately, when Louis
the XVIII, in his speech to the chamber of
deputies, brought it out in all its deformity,
and in the full extent of its atrocity. Fer
dinand must be free, to establish among his
subjects such institutions as he pleases! One
cannot write or speak on this subject, with
out being choked with indignation. But i:
is needless for me to express the common
feeling of the whole American people.
It is a question of deep aßd awful inter
est, what will be the issue of the agitation
which now begins to be felt throughout Eu
rope? And here I must confess that my
frars far greater than my hopes. The
pworld has seen the shameful termination, of
what was once dignified with the name of
the Neapolilhn Revolution. The patriotism
of the Italian braggadocios disappeared be
fore the Austrian legions, as snow before
the sun in April. And I have my appre
hensions that the case will be similar in
Spain I cannot feel any confidence in the
conclusion drawn from the conduct of the
Spaniards, in the case of Rgonparte’s.inva
sinn. In that Case, the great body of ihe
people were led on by their priests; and
religions bigotry continually applied its
stimulants to a mass of people, as complete
ly under its influence as any in the world.
On their part, it was a war for religion.
The altar was a pedestal for the throne
The invader, to have succeeded, must first
have exterminated the Spanish nation. But
it j* not so now. There is an army of the
faith , organized, and regdy to co-operate
with the invaders. The priests are oppos
ed to the new order of thing*. And the
Itoly Father at Rome, although he judges it
politick to favour the Greeks, is by no
means friendly tojhe cause of the Spanish
patriots. Ido fear then that the people of
the Peninsula are not prepared to be put off
rather than be subjugated. And should this
be the case, what is the hope of Europe ?
‘ijnfayfl considered this question with unu
sual solicitude and care, and that, ever
nee my first view* of the design of the
Holy Alliance : and am prepared to givi? an
answer, which worldly politicians, I know,
will-laugh to scorn, but which, satisfies my
Hiked more completely than any thing else.
Notwithstanding all the fears which I can
not but entertain, I have good hope of the
triumph of that cause, against which the
potentates of Europe are now leagued.
And my hdpe rests chiefly on the effects
which will be product by Biple Societies,
and other auxiliary means of enlightening
the people. Arc! this hope is strengthened
by the fact, that the conspirators against
liberty, and the great mass of their retain
ers and assistants, do not perceive the ef
fects, which this* effort of Christian benevo
lence is abont to produce. Like most mor
al causes it is operating slowly hut surely;
and when wise men of this world are
least inspecting if, they find the
whole foundation, on which they have built
and buttressed up their schemes of grandeur
and ambition, is gone as though “swept
with the besom of destruction.”
But I wish for an opportunity to state the
reason why 1 believe that such effects as I
have mentioned, will be produced by the
Bible Society and its allies. And as this
subject is certainly one of great importance,
1 cannot but express the hope (hat it will
be carefully studied by every reader.
1. In the first place, I beg leave to re
mark that the extensive circulation of the
Bible, in the very nature of the case, im
plies the teaching of the people to. read.
Without this, nothing can be more absurd
than this labour of Christian love. Accor
dipgly it has been found that Sabbath
schools, for the instruction of the poor,
flourish greatly in most places where there
is an active distribution of the Bible. At
this moment, there are through the Chris
tian world several millions of poor children
in a course of instruciion, who, but for this
noble institution, would never have receiv
ed any intellectual culture. Now, Sabbath
schools are, for the most part, taught by
persons in the middle ranks of society, who,
while they are not high enough in the scale
of society to be contaminated by the vices
of the great, are yet so educated as to be
capable of affording instruction to those be
low them. The middling and lower classes
in European society are thus bound togeth
er by a strong feeling of interest add affec
tion. and the intelligence possessed and vir
tue practised by the former, are being
gradually diffused through the latter. The
intellect of both classes, then, is excited,
and they are pushing forward in the race of
improvement. In proportion as Bible soci
eties extend their operations, this effect will
be increased, until a mighty and must im
portant change shall have taken place in
the mass of the world’s population.
2. Another consequence, of the highest
importance, will, sooner or
result from the universal circula i (lfh of the
holy scriptures. And the circumstance of
th *ir being circulated without note or com
ment, white it lulls suspicion and jealousy to
sleep, will ultimately ensure the effect. I
speak nf the breaking of the chuiris of eigotry
and superstition, which now bind the intel
lect nf so large a par.t nf the human race.
And on thi* subject, I am prepared to speak
with confidence. The Bible now is, and
always has been a rare book among people
hood winked and misruled by priests. 1
have, myself, made many efforts to procure
a copy of the Spanish version, and have on
ly been able to find a single one ; the first
cost of which was $36! And I have been
credibly informed that a cheap edition,
within the reach of the common people, has
never been printed in Spain. Yet Spain
has justly been regarded as the most bigot
ed, superstilious, priest-ridden nation in
Europe. Or, if she does not stand on this
“ bad eminence if others are in thi* res
pect equal, the fact just stated applies also
to them.
This undeniable statement oughtto teach
the reasoners of this world, who are preju
diced against Christianity on account of its
supposed hostility to liberty, a lesson never
to be forgotten. Before they drew their
conclusions they ought to have subjected
the case to careful examination. They
ought especially to have compared Christi
anity as taught in the holy scriptures, with
wbat is misnamed Christianity by designing
politicians and intriguing secular priests.
They are “as unlike as Hyperion to a
Satyr.”
But 1 am bound to shew, and the task
does not appear difficult; that the effects
above stated, have not been produced by
adventitious causes; the want of ihe Bible
•apd the prevalence of superstition are not
merely fortuitous coincidences. The uni
form co-existence of these effects ought to
convince us that the Connexion of cause and
effect snhsists between them. But it is ea
sy t,o see that while the unenlightened mind
of man is prone to superstition, tbs Bible
furnishes the most efficient if not the only
corrective. I know that many regard phi
losophy as the panacea for this evil. But
this is superficial thinking. The great
body of the people cannot be made philos
ophers. And besides, the most celebrated
philosophers have, in times of trial and un
der a strong feeling of weakness, fled from
their refuge, and sought consolation and
support from the fooleries of superstition.
But the Bible is efficient
I* is not possible to read the scriptures
and understand thejr plain sense, without
perceiving that they exert a supremacy
over the faith and practice of all without
distinction. The very book which the pi
ous peasant rgads in family worship, for his
■ oyvn instruction and that of hi* hou*ehotd, is
that from which his pastor derives all the
instruction, which be is at liberty according
to his office, authoritatively to give. The
peasant regards his religious teacher, then,
as equally bound with himself, to submit
his understanding to the revealed will of
God. ‘-nnM|KnH^
And farther; the diligent reaJer of his
Bible finds himself not uufrequently remind
ed of the duly of bringing the lessons receiv
ed from his religious instrocter to the touch
; stone-and standard of all religious truth.
i He is himself obliged by divine authority to
t refer “to the law and to the testimony
MOUNT ZION. (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, MAY 26, 1823.
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD WWM.KH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.
A. sal ‘■ . . F -"V . ■ -.1-.Aii-. ...
and if the preactyr conforms not to the
rule “ it is because there is no tight in him.”
Now it is scarcey possible for a people
habituated thus so judge of the doctrines
taught by theinjpastors, or priests if you
please, to be /nslaved by them. In this
respect there i/a perfect contrast between
a genuine Scotsman, or a true descendant
of (he old Eopisb puritans, and a Spaniard
or an Italian. The former will sit in fixed
and profound attention, with the Bible gear
him, making Ihe references, and examining
every thing jt every step, shewing dissatis
faction and in his countenance if
be is notcoxvinced, and never surrender
ing himkeif to the teacher’s exhortations
until fatly persuaded rif the truth of his doc
trine. Then he surrenders not to man, but
to his Maker ; and yields his whole heart,
because, “ the word not of man, but of
God.” The latter des not exercise his
at sill, but believes a* lie church bids him;
performs the penance rescribed; and pays
what is required for pi lyers and absolution.
—lt is an unquestionable truth that , the gen
eral circulation and diigent perusal of the
Rible lays one restrai t on the power of
priests, and prevents their exerting any influ
ence except by reason am I persuasion.
But this is not all: the Bible both direct
ly arid indirectly is a deadly enemy to su
perstition. “ Learn not,” saith Jehovah,
“the way of the hcatheo, and be not dis
mayed at (he signs of heaven ; for the hea
then are dismayed at them.” And while
direct precepts of this kind are given, such
exhibitions are made ofthe wise and holy
government of God, and of his good Provi
deuce, that a Chrislian who derives his sen
timeuls lrotn the Bible is prepared to say,
I tear (he great God, and 1 have no other
fear.” There is tenfold more superstition
among heathen than among Christian na
tions; and tenfold more among Christians
who withhold the Bible from the people
than among those who circulate it diligent
ly, and encourage the pdrusal.
To this tact, it ought to be added that
the diligentstudy ot the Bible gives an im
pulse to the understanding, and opens a
raDge for the intellectual faculties, which
nothing else ever has done. The testimo
ny of those distinguished men, Locke and
Sir William Jones, might be here quoted,
had it not been already so often adduced,
as now to be familiar to every reader.
The history of the Bib/e is the most in
structive in the world ; its poetry the most
sublime; its oratory thepiost powerful; its
morality the most pure ;| and its philosophy
of human nature the rooit profound. lam
verily persuaded that mire may be derived
from the Bible to enlighten the human
mind, to elevate the views, to soften the
heart, and sanctify the affections, than from
all the other books in world. To shew
that this is not empty declamation, let one
cut Christendom from a chart of the world,
and suppose it, with all its population, to
be destroyed, its books bqrnt, its institutions
overthrown; and then lei him inquire what
would be left to adorn pnd enlighten hu
man nature All the greater lights of the
moral and intellectual world would be ex
tinguished, and nothing remain-but a few
twinkling stars, whose feeble rays would
only serve to make “darkness visible.”
But while the Bible thus breaks the yoke
of superstition from the human mind, it at
the same time prepares the people for ra
tional liberty. This preparation is effected
not only by (be intellectual improvement,
which the study ofthe Bible ensures; but
by the habits, which a regard to its pre
cepts induces. And of these, one of the
most important a habit of self govern
ment. A man ascustomed to govern him
self is prepared to live under a government
of laws, and to render an unconstrained
obedience to rightful authority. He acts
on principle and with reflection. No man
is so submissive to good laws; because he
obeys for conscience sake. On the contra
ry, no man stands more firmly against the
iniquitous conftnands of arbitrary power;
because he cannot obey with a good con
science. The spoiling of his goods, and
the loss of his life, are regarded as trifles in
comparison with the sacrifice of bis princi
ples. Let the majority of a nation be com
posed of such meti, and let them be roused
to the resistance of oppression;—it will be
found that their courage grows as danger
becomes mpre urgent. Accustomed to
confide in a righteous God, and to act from
principle, the idea of yielding never once
enters their minds. They Cannot be made
tools for the oppressor. As conscience
prevents their bowing to uorigbteous sd
thority, so they cannot be employed to
crush others into the dost.
To all this it ought to he added, that
maDy truths taught ia the Bible, and many
services therein required bring all men of
ail conditions on a level. The monarch
on bis throne and his meanest subject are
equal before the Almighty. They afe alike
sinners before a holy God, and in the same
degree dependent on sovereign grace. Jf
believers in the Lord Christ, they are
brethren, partakers of a common “hope, and
heirs of a common salvation. And when
these truths are realized, the thought is
natural and unavoidable, that one poor sin
ner, or one Christian brother has no right
to dommeer over another.
The subject is very far from being ex-
hausted. Indeed the argument requires)
volumes to do it justice. But I do think,
that if the considerations which have been
suggested are duly weighed, the impartial
reader will perceive, that the hope which
is founded on the Bible Society, is neither
chimerical nor extravagant. Perhaps,how
ever, 1 may be reminded that the scriptures
teach the doctrine of submission to author
ity ; and that the friends of arbitrary govern
ment among a venal clergy, have often quo
ted the passage, “Let every soul be subject
to the higher powers—The powers that be
are ordained of God; he therefore that re
sisted the power, resisted the ordinance
of God.” 1 shall not here enter into a criti
cal disquisition on this portion of scripture;
but only observe that in my judgment it has
nothing to do with the modern doctrine of
legitimacy, or the exploded absurdity of the
divine right of kings. This portion of holy
writ is just as true and a9 applicable in the
tJnited Stales as in Russia. And its import
is this—ln the present sinful and corrupt
state of man, civil government is the best
remedy for many ofthe evils to which we
are exposed, and the merciful God has or
dained that this remedy should be applied.
The refusal therefore to submit to it is re
bellion against heaven. And the displeas
ure of heaven may be justly denounced
against the citizen of this or any country,
who refuses submission to the laws duly
administered and authority constitutionally
exercised. But suppose ihnt the authori
ties of the Uunited States should throw off
their allegiance to the people, and govern
only for their own pleasure and aggran
dizement, are the people under pain of hea
ven’s vengeance, bound to sit down tamely,
aDd tolerate such usurpation ? Surely not.
II driven to madness by abases of this sort,
they should resolve totally to abolish all
government; then they would rebel against
the decree of the Almighty, and in the an
archy which must ensue, they would find
(heir own punishment. But in any changes
that might be made to insure the adminis
tration of government agreeably to its pro
per intention, they would most exactly con
form to the ordinance of God. This Ido
verily believe is the doctrine of scripture
on this subject; and aiy exposition shows
that the Bible, when rightly understood,
not only secures obedience to rightful au
thority, but is in the highest degree friend
ly to true liberty. And it is worthy of re
mark, that the sense put on this passage is
that which has generally been to, it
by Christians, who do not interpret scrip
ture with a view to support the throne as
well as the altar 1 .
With these views, which might be indefi
nitely extended, my best hopes for myself,
my friends, my country and the world, are
founded on the Bible. But 1 ought to add
that all my opinions on this subject are con
firmed by the history of revolutions. For
the most part, they have been violent strug
gles made by the people, when driven to
madness by oppression. But a people not
trained by dooaestick and religious discip
line to what I call self-government, when
the fear of power is thrown off, soon rush
into excesses which become more intolera
ble than any exercise of authority, however
rigorous. These excesses pave the way
. for the re-establishment of despotism. And
• thus revolution has, roost commonly, been a
. change aod an aggravation of evils. The
I American revolution was not so; because
the great body of the people, under the
i discipline of religion, had learned lo regu
late their conduct by an authority above
that of man: and perhaps (here is not a nation
on earth,where there is as much order in so
ciety, as perfect personal security, as were
enjoyed by the American people during
their revolution, every where exceptalong
the march of the enemy. If there is, that
nation is Scotland or Protestant Switzer
land, where every individual is taught to
read the Bible, and has a Bible to read.
1 repeat it; my hopes for the world are
founded on the Bible. Asa man, a patriot,
a philanthropist, a Christian, I say, God
prosper the Bible Society and all its auxili
ary institutions! Let the potentates ofEti
rope, their great men and nobles go on to
patronize Bible Societies—Let this word of
truth be read by all the people—lt will
gradually enlighten and elevate them, un
til they shall be fit for the state and dignity
of freemen. The Bible Society, then,
forming one great institution, one mighty
whole, which in all its parts coioperates in
accomplishing the same glorious design, is
the genuine Holy Alliance, which is des
tioedthrough the infinite mercy of God, to
bestow Heaven’s best blessings on a troub
led world. X< HOLEM.
LOVE OF CHILDREN.
It forms one .of the most amiable traits
iu the character of Sir Isaac Newton, who
was indeed all-accomplished bevond any of
his species, that he was (ond oilittle children
and delighted to see them playing about his
study. Such was the simplicity, tiie afreet
’ ness, the condescension of a mind tbat
could expatiate through the universe,
And pass the darning bounds of space and tank'!
resembling in this respect also the affection
ate tenderness, of the Nazarene, who fun
di ed little children in his arms, laid his hands
upon than, aqd recommended their innocent
•iptf artless manners to the imitation of his |
SSMSSf
MISSIONARY. *
I * ———^
Extracts from the Instructions of tha Prudential
Committee ofthe Am. Board of Commissioners
for Foreign Mission*, to the Rev. Messrs. Good
ell and Bird; about to be attached to the Pales
tine Mission.
If ever there was a missionary station, in
which the persons engaged would bg con
tinually prompted to fidelity, that to which
you, dear brethren, are assigned, is the
very station. .Every time you cast your
eyes on Gethsemane and Calvary, yon will
be reminded ofthe sufferings which your Sa
viour bore for your sins, and for tbe sins of
your brethren of the hnman family. When
you walk over Mount Olivet, you will think
bow frequently tbe same glorious Person
age, in the daya.of his humiliation, passed
that way, on his visits of kindness to the
friends whom he loved. As yon look back
upon (he devoted city, in which the abom
ination that maketh desolate has so long
been set up, you will remember with what
compassion and tenderness the blessed Je
sus wept over it. As you cast your eyes to
the south, you will see the village of Belh
lehem, where the wise men worshipped the
infant Saviour; as you turn to the north,
you;will gaze upon Mount Zion, so long the
emblem of the church on earth and the
church in heaven. By all these external
objects, be excited to unremitting diligence,
to laborious industry, to a close and humblo
walk with God, to ardent aspirations after
eminent holiness. The very stones of the
pavement would seem to cry out against un
faithfulness in this consecrated region; as
the very hills and rallies would lift up’ tha
voice of joy and gratulalion, at the revival
of genuine religion in a place, which form
erly enjoyed the peculiar presence of Je
hovah, but has now lain, for so many dark
and dismal ages, under the distinct and vis
ible expression of his anger.
In considering Western Asia and the
neighbouring part* of Africa, as fields of
missionary labour, it is obvious that a largo
portion of present exertions must be applied
to exploring tbe state of these countries,
and opening channels in which the waters
of life may hereafter flow to refresh manv
nations. It is probable that one of you, in
company with one or more of your breth
ren now in the field, may find it conducive
to your great design, tosp&d every winter,
for many years to come, in exploring tours.
Egypt now presents a very inviting aspect
to inquiries of this sort ; and is favoured
with a more enlightened government, than
any other country under the domination of
Mohammedan rulers. The press is there
beginning to exert its influence; and a fa
vourable prospect appears of introducing
schools, on an extensive plan. While trav
ellers are ransacking the most remote cor
ners of this ancient seat of the arts, from
motives of curiosity, or of gain, shall not
the church have her agents employed, not
to rake out, from the dust of thirty centu
ries, the remains of dead men; but to .im
part to men dead in sin that eternal life,
which is brought t 0 light in the Gospel.
, ( l< ®ay be thought, that the present (rou
bles in the Turkish empire will interpose
I a serious obstacle to missionary efforts:
Suffer not your minds to be discouraged by
this apprehension. The precise issue of
the present political commotions, in that
part of the wosd, we do not pretend to
foresee ; but it js the opinion of men best
informed on the subject, that the result will
be, and at no distant period, favourable to
the dissemination of knowledge and reli
gion. But Suppose it were otherwise ; and
to the, view of the mere politician, notfi.tig
appeared in prospect but interminable ages
of cruel oppression—of bloody superstition
and relentless massacre;—is the opinion of
the mere politician to be the rule of duty
for the Christian church, in regard to her
operations for the diffusion of light and life
in the regions of darkness and moral death?
Is she to remain inactive and inajorion?
and to defer her spiritual conquests, till the
god of this world i* willing to Surrender his
dominion, and to release bis victims? It
she never to read the plain command ot her
Saviour, written as with a sunbeam, till 1
through the glass of worldly wisdom, she
can see plainly enough to spell oiit tbe am
biguous indication* of political changes
The church is to enlighten the world, °and
not to wait till the darkness, which broods
over the nation*, shall dissipate-itself. The
principles of ihe Gospel are to control and
to subdue the jai nog passions of ,men, and
not to suspend their divine, influence, till
these passions shall die without a’nfrogele
lo whatever department of your labours
you may be employed, dear brethren, let it
be ahvays you*endeavour to discharge
■T b V ivL r !‘ t n ‘ J the du '* es of p ach
clay. Whether you are occupied in prennr
atyry Hudie*, or in supei-ifttend'Hiir the
press; whether you are (ravelltWlo the
passage-boat of ao Egyptian canal, or mirh
mg your tent on the east of ( h e
br -pending your, at the foot of
I SfCbri., ‘ **“ ,0 “ *"*• •