Newspaper Page Text
No. 4. Vol. V.
FROM THR FAMILY VISITER.
MODERN FRIENDSHIP.
Mr. Visiter,— When I was quite a boy, I
read with an interest and feeling which I
shall neer forget, the beautiful story of
Damon and Pythias. About the sane time,
my attention was turned to the affecting
histories recorded in the Bible of Naomi
and Ruth, David and Jonathan. I perused
them often and sighed when I breathed the
hopeless wish that I might find such friends.
1 do not know (hat my lot has been worse
than that of other people ; but yet 1 have
•very ofteo been grievously disappointed in
those who promised everlasting friendship
1 have found many very good friends, when
1 did not stand in need of their assistance,
or when their aid could gratify pride, vani
ty or some other selfish passion: but in the
hour of extremity, they have shown them
selves disposed to draw off and take care,
as is said, of number one.
This has so often occurred, that I have
been brought seriously to doubt whether
there is any such thing, in the world a
friendship, according to the conception
which I had formed of it in the days of my
youth—lt has been suggested that thevt
gloomy doubts are the effects of age creep
ing on me and darkening nr;y prospects —*
am not so very old either: but I bad appre
hensions that this might be the case, unld
some recent occurrences entirely change!
my views on this subject. 1 now admit, sir,
that there is friendship as ardent, yea as
enthusiastick if you please, as any which if.
the simple and uncorrupted ages of thp
world adorned human nature, and formed
the subject of the Poet’s song, and Bio
grapher’s panegyrick. There has beeo,
however, anew and very unexpected mod
ification of this affection, which I confess
surprised as much as it delighted me. You
may think it strange, Mr. Visiter, that my
gloomy and almost misanthropick feels have
been dispelled by the Long Island Races! !!
But it is as true as that yon are a man.
And I will explain bow the thing happened.
In many of the Newspapers—leading
prints too, whose Editors are men of high
standing in society—l saw again and again,
such expressions as “ the friends of Eclipse'’
.—and “ the frieods of Henry”—(sorely the
ladies must all have been on the side of
Henry !) —“ the friends of the Northern
horse”—and “ the friends of the Southern
horse.” £c. &c. Now, sir, lam not child
enough to believe all that I see in the new--
papers, however respectable they may be ;
but in this case, the sincerity and ardour el
these friends were manifested by such sub
stantial evidences, as put the matter be
yond all possibility of doubt. It is amela a
choly truth, that I, (and it is the case with
a great many other men 1 behave) am sore
ly pressed and sadly embarrassed by want
of money. I do very much need, at thi
time four or five thousand dollars. I sup
pose that I have at least five hundred
friends, such a men are to Ibeir fellowmen.
Now, were I to spply to one and all of
,lh p in to show their friendship and supply
my wants, they would think me the raosi
unreasonable fellow in the world. After
one application, I should find them going
out of the roador across the stree.t to avoid
roe. And I tell yon my friends are no
worse than other people’s. But mark the
difference between me and a horse. A few
friends of that world’s wonder Eclipse,
were ready, at a word, to back him up with
twenty thousand dollars! The friends of
that in'erestiog horseling Hen r y, were
equally devoted aod euthu*iatick. Here
then, in these iron times, friendship for two
horses flamed to the tune of forty thousand
dollars I! 1 But this strong passion, like all
others, was contagious; and a thousand less
conspicuous friends came forward and show
ed their zeal to an unknown amount of
money. The contagion spread from Maine
to Georgia ; aod the friends of the North
ern and Southern horse, left their business,
if indeed they have any, and their wives
and children, and took long journies to man
ifest ‘he ardour of their affection! Who
can now say in the laDgnage of Young Ed
win,
And what it friendship but a name?
I do hope, for the respective honour of
men and horses, that some modern Plutarch
will write the biography of these illustri
ous human and equine worthies, and hand
flown to immortal remembrance this distin
guished act of geuerous affection. I pro
pose too for the honour both of bipeds and
quadrupeds* —it is not for me to say whether
the men or the bruits deserve the greatest
glory—l propose lb,si the suCC?> 9 f' l | friends,
-flu Ibis occasion, should erect a monument
On the Long Island coarse with suitable in
scriptions, to perpetuate this illustrious
event. And by all means, it ought to be
surmounted by a bronze statue of Purdy
mounted on the northern horse. Allow
me farther to suggest that the toasts drank
in honour of the horses, with the names of
the zealous friends who gave them, should
be recorded on the most durable materials,
as an example to future generations. And
-if I may add one other idea, 1 would humbly
propose that (he shoes with the nails worn
by these most noble and magnanimous hor
ses, should he distributed among their most
distinguished friends, as sacred relicks; and
who*. Eclip-e aod Hr >rv shr-fl ‘heir mane*
•* Non nostrum tauten componure Jites.
the missionary.
and tails, I really think that the hair ought
to be given to the ladies whr> showed their
affection to these noble beasts, to be formed
into braids and bracelets to wear on their
wrists and bonnet 9, as keepsakes for their
favourites.
But the subject makes me melancholy—
I am not a horse and therefore, in my trials
and sorrows, I am obliged with the gloom
ot despoodency deepening around me to
subscribe myself
A FRIENDLESS MAN.
RELIGIOUS.
FROM BUCK’S ANECDOTES.
PHIL. i. 21, 22. For toe to live is Christ, and
to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is
the fruit of my labour: yet what 1 snail cheose
I wot not.
The Rev. William Tennent, an Ameri
can divine, died 1777, aged 72. The fol
lowing is a suitable illustration of the text
for ibis day.
When Mr. Whitefield was last in Ameri
ca, Mr. Tennent paid him a visit, as he was
passing through New Jersey ; and one day
•litied, with the other ministers, at a gentle
man’s bouse. After dinner Mr. W. advert
ed to the difficulties attending the gospel
•ministry ; lamented that all (heir zeal avail
ed hut little; said that he was weary with
tiie burdens of the day; declared the great
consolation that in a short time his work
would be done, when he should depart and
be with Christ; he then appealed to the
ministers if it was not their great comfort
■ hat they should go to rest. They general
ly assented, except Mr. T. who sat next to
Mr. W. in silence ; and by his countenance
discovered but little pleasure in the conver
sation. On which Mr. W. tapping him on
the knee, said, “Well brother Tennent,
you are the oldest man among us, do yoq not
rejoice to think that yoor time is so near at
•>and, when you will he called home ?” Mr.
T. bluntly answered, “ I have no wish about
it.” Mr. W. pressed him again; Mr. T.
again answered, “ No, Sir, it is no pleasure
to me at all; and if you knew your duty, it
vould be none to you. I have nothing to
lo with death, my business is to live as long
is 1 can—as well as I can—and to serve my
Master as faithfully as I can, until he shall
hink proper to call me home.” Mr. W.
still urged for an explicit answer to his
question in case the time of death were lei ;
to his own choice. Mr. T. replied, “ I
have no cboice’about it; lam God’s serv
ant, and have engaged to do his business as
tong a- he pleases to continue me therein.
But, now, Brother, let me aok you a ques
tion. What do you thiuk I would say, if I
was to send my man into the field to plough ;
and if at noon I should go to the field and
find him lounging under a tree, and com
plaining, “ Master, she sun is very hot, and
the ploughing hard, I am weary of the
work you have appointed me, and am over
done with the heat and burden of the day.
Do Master let me return home, and be dis
charged from this hard service ?—what
would I say ? why that he was a lazy fellow,
that it was his business to do the work that
I had appointed him, until I should think fit
to call him home.” The pleasant manner
in which this reproof was administered ra
ther increased the social harmony of the
company: who became satisfied that it was
very possible to err, even in desiring with
undue earnestness “to depart and he with
Christ, which in itself is far better” than to
remain in this imperfect state, and that it is
the duty of the Christian in this respect to
say, “ All the days of my appointed time
will I wait till my change come.”
Taken from the secret jourud of a self
observer, or confessions and familiar letters
of the Rev. J. C. Lnvater; author of the
Essay on Physiognomy, &c. in 2 vols.
His daily rules.
The following rules shall always be be
fore mine eyes; they shall be suspended
somewhere in my study, and read and re
vised by me every morning and evening.
1-—I will never rise in the morning with
out offering thanks and prayers to God;
nor without reflecting that it perhaps may
be the last time.
2. —I will never begin my daily occupa
tions, neither in the morning nor in the eve
ning, without having previously implored
God on my knees in a retired place, (at
least fora few moments) to grant me his
aid and blessing.
3. —1 will not do nor design any thing I
would omit if Jesus Christ were standing
visibly before me; nothing which I might
repeut of at the uncertain hour of death.
I will with the assistance of God, accustom
myvelf to do every thing without exception,
in the name of JesuS Christ; and as bis dis
ciples, to sigh every hour to God for iiid
blessings of the Holy Ghost, and always to
be disposed to prayer.
4. —I will read every day a chapter in
the Bible, and particularly iq the Gospel;
and select some sentiment or other from the
chapter I shall read, and revolve it fre
quently in my mind.
6.—Every day shall be marked, at leaat
by one particular work of charily.
6. —1 will make it every day my princi
ple business to be nseful to my family.
7. -1 will never eat or drink so much as
to cause the least inconvenience or hia-
nr all rliA Go ye into all (he world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. —Jttut Ctvriil.
o at Ji.p..ilio P . lb,|, when |.,J In politic.) Helicon ,„d Mc.lii, indi.pnS mpport.—
MOUNT ZIOIN, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, JULY. 7, 1823.
drance in the performance of my occupa
tions; and between meals abstain as much
as possible from drinking wine and from
eating (a morsel in the evening excepted.)
8. —Whithersoever I go, i will previously
sigh to God that I may not commit a sin,
but always leave behind me, something use
ful ; the same I will do before every meal
wheresoever I may take it.
9. —I will never sleep longer than eight
hours at most, while in health.
10. —I will never lay down to sleep with
out having prayed first.
11—In my prayers for others, which 1
will never omit, I will mention by name, my
parents, my wife, my children, my servants,
and my friends, &c.
12.—t will examine myself after these
rules every night, and honestly mark in my
journal the number which i have omitted;
the same will 1 observe with regard to
whatever I shall b&ve read, transacted, said
and learned. God, thou seest what 1 have
wrote, may I be able to read it every morn
ing with sincerity, and every night with
joy, and the loud applause of my conscience.
Excuses for not attending publick worship by
exemplary Christians.
Overslept myself, coud’ot dress in time.
Too cold—Too hot—Too windy—Too
dusty Too wet—Too damp—Too sun
ny—Too cloudy.
Dont feel disposed
No other time to myself,
Look over my drawers.
Put my papers to rights.
Letters to write to my friends.
Taken a dose of phyaick.
Been bled this morning.
Mean to walk to the Bridge.
Going to take a ride.
Tied to the store six days in a week.
No fresh air but on Sundays.
Can’t breathe in Church always so full.
Feel a little feverish.
Feel a little chilly.
Feel very lazy.
Expect company to dinner.
Stump’d my great toe.
Got a bead-ache.
Caught cold lasi night at a parly.
Most watch the servants.
Can’t leave home for fear of fire.
Servants up to all mischief when I go to
church.
Intend nursing myself to day.
New bonnet not come home.
Tore my muslin dress coming down stairs.
Got anew uoyel must be returned on
Monday morning.
Was’nt shaved in time.
Don’t like a Liturgy—always praying for
the same thing.
Don’t like extempore prayer—don’t
know what is coming.
Don’t like an organ—it’s too noisy.
Don’t like singiug without musick;
makes me nervous.
Can’t sit in a-draft of air—windows or
door open in the summer.
Stove so hot in winter, always get a
head-ache.
Can’t bear an extempore sermon—too
frothy.
Dislike a written sermon—too prosing.
Nobody to day, but our own minister.
Can’t always listen to the same preach
er.
Don’t like strangers—too bomhastical.
Can’t keep awake when at Church.
Snor’d aloud last time 1 was there—shan’t
risk it again.
Tir’d to death standing to pray.
Hate to kneel, makes my knees stiff
Mean to’ inquire of some sensible person
about the propriety of going to so publick a
place as a church. Will publish the result.
BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SO
CIETY
The anniversary of the British and For
eign Bible Society was celebrated at the
Free Mason’s Tavern in London, on the
7th of May—-Lord Teignmouth in the
chair. The Great Hall and Galleries were
filled m every part at an early hour, and
great numbers were unable to obtain ad
mission. The annual report was read by
the Secretary. It was a very long bat im
portant paper, as it exhibits in detail the
steady and accelerated march of (bis Socie
ty, to more extensive power and usefulness
in the great cause. It appears from the
report, that the nnmbqr of copies of the
Bible distributed during the last year, has
exceeded that of any former year and
makes a grand total circulated bv this soci
ety alone, of more than 3,000,000 copies.
The motion for accepting the report, wa*
seconded by Lord Bexley. He congratula
ted the meeting on the benefioial effects
which they had already produced, and the
extent to which they had spread the Scrip
tures, as exemplified in their distribution of
them for the comfort of the inhabitants of
the frozen regions of Iceland, and a large
portion of South America; and concluded
by expressing his ardent wishes for their
prosperity. .
Lord Harrowby moved the vote of thanks
to the President. To those who had wit
nessed the amazing progress of the institu
tion, po words could he necessary to induce
them to give their thanks to him who had
persevered in his e*er(iot:s, up to the pre
sent time. Hm gas a rare fetylit), such as
was only received in anotber century by
Sir C. Wren, who, having laid the first stone
of the great metropolitan temple so God,
had the felicity to see its top ascend to the
clouds, and crowned by the cross of Christ.
The Bishop of Gloucester seconded the
motion in an able eulogium on the exer
tions and conduct of the Noble Chairman.
His Lordship said there was one statement
in the report, at which he was particularly
gratified—namely, the statement of the
progress which the Society bad made in
Ireland ; for he was convinced that the only
permanent remedy for the evils which at
dieted ihfct unhappy country was religious
and moral education.
Lord Teignmoulh rose and returned
thanks, and congratulated the meeting upon
their progress abroad, and the great in
crease of correspondence in the most re
mote and uncivilized countries. The Se
cretaiy from ibe Russian Bible Society re
turned thanks in tbe name of their fellow
labourers in Russia, and informed tbe meet
ing that they had circulated tbe Scriptures
amongst Cossacks and Tartars of various
nations ; amongst even the Chinefle, and to
the confines of that vast empire. They
had printed in the last year, 160,000 copies
of the Scriptures at St. Petersburgh, aud
this year would print 100.000 more. Lord
Calthorpe, Sir C. Grant, and several other
distinguished persons, addressed the meet
ing, which, after the resolutions were
unanimously agreed to, separated.
MISSION A R Y.
FROM THE MISSIONARY HERALD.
v FRANCE
Tjie Rev. Mr, King, while on bis journey
from Paris. Jo join Mr. Fisk, at Malta, pre
paratory to proceeding to Jerusalem, stup
ed at Lyons. The following extracts from
his journal are interesting:—
Tbe church of Fourviere was the first
building I entered. It stands on the top of
the mount, and commands a most extensive
and delightful prospect. Lyons, containing
one hundred and twenty thousand souls,
appears to be a little village at our feet,
through which the Soane and the Rhone
are to be seen winding along, to the place
where they unite in a single stream. From
the beautiful gardens and habitations on
(be bunks of these rivers, the eye wanders
over the vast field oflsere to the mountains
nfChambery, and finally fixes on the ever
lasting Alpine hills, and on Mount Blanc,
which rises above them, like the spire of
an immense cathedral.
My emotions, at this time, were inde
scribable. I stood on a spot, where the
Romans had once resided; where their
emperours bad lived, and erected magnifi
cent temples to their idols;—where Hanni
bal and C®sar, with their conquering ar
mies, had passed along; where hordes of
Saracens had spread their desolations; and
where Pothinus, and Irenasus, with nine
teen thousand of his followers, took their
flight to glory, amid the flames of persecu
tion. I followed them, in my imagination,
through their last conflict, till I saw them
bowing before the tbrone ofGod, and join
ing tbe ascriptions of praise to the “ Lamb
that was slain.” Then I fancied the emi
nei*ce, on which I stood, to be covered
with the shades of those heroes, who had
fallen, covered with human glory, on the
field ot battle.—Spirits of those heroes!
What would ye now say, could the veil of
eternity be withdrawn, and could ye utter
the sounds of mortals!
Leaving the church, 1 descended a little
distance to what is called the Antiquailles,
from the number of antiquities found there.
One part is occupied as a church ; the oth
er as an hospital for the insane. It was
built on the ruins of the palace of the Ro
man emperours. . There Claudius was
bom, there Oaligula lived. I saw little
worthy of notice, except the tomb of Pothi
nus. He was sent out by Polycarp to be the
first Bishop of Lyons, and, according to (he
inscription on his tomb, suffered martyrdom,
under Marcus Aurelius, A. D. 177.
I next went to the church of St. Irenaeus,
under which are desposited the bones of
the martyrs. I felt as though this church
was a place peculiarly sacred ; for here they
sealed their testimony with their blood.
As I entered (he door, I saw, on the right,
a painting of a dove sailing on the top of a
mountain wave, with wings extended, and
encircled with rays of light Over it was
inscribed, “ Spiritus Dei ferebatur super
aquas.” On the left, behind <he baptismal
font, was a painting of the Old Serpent,
chained in the midst of flames, on the side
of a river, reaching out bis head towards
the tree of life, which stood on the other
side of the river, surrounded by palms. Rod
a verdant, beautiful field. The waters
seemed lovely, and over them was this in
scription,—“ Fods aqtite salientis in vitanj
sternam.”
I next descended into the cynrt, and from
thence info the subterraneous chapel, said
to have been built by Pntbinus. In the
middle i a deep well, into which, I was
told, the blood of the martyrs flowed, as, in
this chapel, hundreds of them were slain.
Here I took out my tracts, and distributed
to all around we; speaking, at tbe same
litaq ? of Him, who w*s (lain for tbe re-
Price $ f 3 )50 pr. ana. or, >
demption of the world. ( then ascended s
few steps, and taking my stand near the
altar, and the tomb ot’ lrenaeus, 1 made ft
formal address to the people, on the nature
of true piety; and urged upon them the
duly of immediate repentance, and faith in
Christ. All listened with attention, and
some seemed affected.
I then visited the church of St. Enay,
which stands near tbe ancient confluence
of tbe Soane and tbe Rhone, and on the
ruins of an ancient iemple of Augustus.
This temple was built by sixty nntions of
Gaul, each of which established a priest in
it, and furnished a statue of its peculiar di
vinity to adorn the altar, in the centre of
which, and above the rest, stood a Maine of
Augustus. ’ Four short columns of granite,
about twelve feet in circumference, and a
few hewn stones, are all that remains of
this onc.e magnificent temple, which sixty
nations were pit dged to perpetuate.*
On Friday, the 4tb, Mr. K. took the stage
forNismes. Here, as in a former case,
he was called upon to defend the authenti
city of the Scriptures against infidel objec
tions. The result was, that “ three officers
and one other gentleman, promised to send
to Paris, and purchase for themselves a
Bible ;” and, on their arrival at Nistue*,
they gave to Mr. K their address, nod iuvii*
ed him to visit them.
JYismes.
They arrived at this place a little before
night, on Saturday. On Monday, ha atten
ded the meeting of the Bible Stciely,
which presented him with twelve elegant
French Bibles to be distributed in the east.
On Tuesday, lie aided in the formation of
a Missionary Society,auxilairy to the one at
Paris. A subscription was opened ad the
meeting, and 304 francs were immediately
subscribed. To this sum, was added a do
nation from a poor widow, seventy five
years old, of 70 francs. This poor woman
bad always laboured hard, and, by the
strictest economy, had amazed the sum
above mentioned, for the purpose of faying
the rent of a house which she had hired.
The gentleman, who owned the house,
was a pious and benevolent man, nnd re
mitted the debt, and told her to make what
use she pleased of the little sum. Having
heard of the Missionary Society at Paris,
she said, “I am about to die. I have nei
ther parents, nor children. I will give th;®
mite to spread the gospel of any Saviour,
before whom I am soon to appear.”—
“ She, of her want, did cast in all sbe had,
even all her living and it shall be told a®
memorial of her.
Entering her room, I saw an aged woman
of small stature, standing near her bed, and
supporting herself with a staff. She wa#
endeavouring to arrange some little arti
cles of clothing, and did not seem to notice
our approach. Her face showed that age
alone hud triumphed over beauty him a
firm constitution. Her gray hairs w-re
covered with a neat white cap. Her arms
were hare, and were withered like the
husks ofharvest.—My friend spoke to her,
when she. slowly raised her light eyes,
which certainly did not indicate (he age of
three score and fifteen. I was then pre
sented as the first French Protestant mis
sionary. On hearing this, a glow of pleas
ure was lighted np in her countenance, and
she said. “ If i have lived, it is to praise the
Eternal.”
I spoke to her of Anna the prophetess,
and of Simeon, and told her what reason
she had to rejoice, at what was doing to
build up the cause of Zion, and at the ap
proaching glory of the church.
Asking her if she put all her trust for
salvation in Jesus Christ, she instantly re
plied,—•“ To whom else shall Igo? ‘He
has the words of eternal life.” As i began
to speak (in reference to the donation she
had made,} of the woman, who broke the
box of ointment to anoint the feet of Jesus,
the tears came into her eyes; and lifting
her withered hands, and clasping them,
and raising hei; eyes towards heaven, she
exclaimed, “ I am but dost and ashes.”
I asked,her, if she feared to die; when
she once more clasped her hands, and said,-
“ II faut mourir pnur Dieti“ We
must die. in order to see God.”
In giving me her history, she said, among
other things, that “she was boro a Roman
Catholick ; hut, at the age of thirteen, it
had pleased God to change her heart, as
she hoped; and that, since, that time she
had been a Protestant, and had lived in (he
constant hope of immortal glory beyond the
tomb.”
While at Nismes, Mr. K. endeavoured to <■
excite a general interest in (be Monthly
Concert of prayer. He thinks this will be
established in the whole Department of the
Gard, which is supposed to contain 145,008
Protestants, —a greater number than reside
in any other Department of France.
METHODIST E. MISS’Y. SOCIETY.
JVew York.
The fourth anniversary was held May
21. Front the Annual Report it appeared
that the fond* of the Institution and the
number of its auxiliary societies have been
considerably increased (be past year. The
receipts of the Treasury, amounted > SB,
931,29 —the disbursements were $3,740
22; btside various amour,'* pVdgnVte
particular objects, but not yet actually pai£