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No 6 Voh. Vl.]
rtOßltftfOff CRUSOE
It was 111 Dampier’s last voyage that he
discovered Alexander Selkirk (the original
Robinson Crusoe of Do Foe,) ou the Isle of
Fernandez. This individual was
born a* Largo, iu the county of Fife, Scot
land; and previous to his remaining on the
island, had beeii master of the Cinque Ports,
under Captain stradling. He was consid
ered the most able and intrepid seaman
am >ng the free hooters. The occasion of
bis being left ashore was, a quarrel with his
Captain, add the shattered stale of the ves
gel. After a few day 9, however, he was
(Jpsirous of returning, but Stradling refused
to take him on board. Thus left alone
and desolate, he sat night after night, and
day after day, watching the periodical re
turn of the Buccaniers; sometimes with a
glimmering of hope, hot more frequently
abandoning biinseif to the agony of despair,
ami never satisfying the cravings of nature
till compelled by extreme hunger; hut man
js the creature of habit, and Selkirk, after
seven or eight months, became accustomed
to(tfie solitude, and shook off his melan
choly.
He built himself two huts of pimento
trees, thatched with grass and covered with
gnats’-skins. These were stored with all
the wealth he possessed, viz: his clothes,
bedding, musket, some powder and hall, a
kettle and koife, several books, among
which was the Bible, and his nautical instru
menis. In his larger hut he lived and slept;
frequently employing himsplf in reading and
prayer, and occasionally giving vent to the’
fulness of his heart by singing psalm*, so
that he afterwards observed, that he was a
better Christian during his solitary retreat
from the world, than he ever had been be
fore, or he feared ever should he again.
The smaller hut was reserved for cooking
mid other purposes. Among his amuse
ments to while away the dreary hours, was
cutting his name on trees, with the date of
bis landing, and the duration of his coniine
mentj looking forward to the time when il
might possibly meet the eye of a country
man, perhaps, after his remains had moul
dered into dut.
He was at first much annoyed by cats
and rats, which had from time to time run
aw*y from the ships that touched at the isl
and, and become tery numerous. The
rats gnawed his feet and clothes, while be
was sleeping; but (he cats became domesti
cated, and soon delivered him from the
more destructive vermin. He had also
tamed some young kids, and taught them a
number of tricks for his diversion, trequent
ly singing and dancing with them and his
cats. His principal food was goal’s flesh
and cray fish, dressed in various ways accor
ding to his taste. When his powder failed,
he hunted the goals down by speed of loot;
for his ample mode of Jiving, with the con
tinual exercise of ruuutng, had remlered
him amazingly swift in passing through
woods, and agile’ io climbing the bills and
rocks. Ou ooe occasion, however, while
pursung the aoitnal with great eagerness,
hp caught his game ou the brink ot a steep
precipice, concealed from his view by tan
gled hushes, so that he fell from the height,
cud was so much injured as to lay, as he sup
posed, for 24 hours, without sense or mo
lion. Ou reviving he found the goal lying
dead beneath him. This accident confined
him nearly a fortnignt to his ‘nut. A cir
cumstance somethiog similar in its nature,
hit more fatal in the result, occurred about
fitteen years since, on an uninhabited island
in the South Seas. A “hip was wrecked,
aod only two individuals escaped; ooe ol
them ao African, the other an Englishman,
still livmg, at present an officer in the rny
al navy, and employed m a situation of con
siderable scientitLk importance. Tnese
two lived tolerably comfortable for tiie first
twelve months; but stiortly alter this, be
ing engaged in hunting, the African fell
from a great height and was literally dash
ed to pieces. We have heard this narra
tion from the lips of the survivor, who re
mained a considerable time after this mel
aneboly event, on the island, louely and sad,
till happily relieved by the casual arrival of
ia whaler.
* But, to return to Selkirk. He had kept
a regular account of the number ot goals lie
had killed, which amouuted to 500, he, had
caught many more, marking them ou the
ear, and then restoring them to liberty.
The insipidness of bis meals, withou> bread
and salt, was at first a great inconvenience,
but Dampier having, in a former voyage,
sowed some turnips, they now produced
very abundantly, spreading over several
acres of ground: he had also a plentiful
supply of cabbage, from the cabbage palm;
and these being well seasoned, wnb the
fruit of the pimento, soon gave a relish to
his foqd. llis clothes and shoes were spee
dily worn out. To remedy the first de
feet, he made a coat and cap of goal skius,
and shirts from linen he had with him, using
a nail by way of a needle, and the ravel
lings of a worsted slocking for thread; but
he was compelled to go with bare feet, and
the soles got, in time, so bard as to enable
him to asceod the sharp rocks without ma
terial inconvenience.
During his confinement, he bad seen sev
eral ships pass the island; but ouly two,
which were Spaniards, came to an aucboi ;!
but he preferred the risk of dying unheeded |
THE MISSIONARY.
and alone, to surrendering himself into
their power; dreading that they would ei
ther put him to death or send him as a slave
to the mines. The Spaniards, however,
discovered, pursued and shot at him ; but
he escaped by climbing a thick tree at the
foot of which several of them stopped.
This extraordinary man was well known
to Dampier; but on bis first coming on
board, had so forgotten his language that
he could scarcely understand him. H/j on
ly articulated half (he syllables of most
words that he uttered. Some liquor was
offered him which he refused, having been
so long accustomed to water. He was re
ceived on board the Duke, and afterwards
served as mate in that ship, during the voy
age, being then about thirty years of age.
The Dike returned to England at the be
ginning of October 1710, and the profits of
this voyage were estimated at £l7O 000.
—=ZZZZZZ*ZZZZZZ€W
RELIGION ON PITCAIRN’S ISLAND.
[Pitcairn’s island lies in latitude about 25 S.
and longitude about 53 W.—3000 miles Irntn the
contineut of America. It was settled by several
Englishmen, mutineers of the ship Bounty, (who
took with themselves a number of Olaheitan wo
men as wives,) and received its present name in
1767, after the name of the young man who dis
covered it. In 1814, the colony consisted of 46
persons, besides small children. Through the in
fluence of their leader, John Adams , religion and
morality have heen successfully cultivated among
them, and they still retain a knowledge of the
way of life and a sincerity of heart which would
do honour to any Christian community.]
Capt . Raine's Narrative of a visit to Pit
cairn's Island, in the ship Surrey.
Monday, April 9, 1821.
At 4 P. M. we shaped our course for Pit
cairn’s (“land; during the night had squal
ly weather, with mnch thunder, lightning,
aod hail. Towards the morning the weath
er cleared, and at eight, although 55 miles
distant, we saw the island right ahead ; and
at 4 P. M. on Tuesday, we were close up
with it. But though we saw many cultiva
ted spofs, we could not discern any habila
lions or landing place, till just as we were
rounding the S. E. point, when to our great
astonishment and joy, we saw the British
flag hoisted. In a very minutes after, a ca
noe came along side with two men in it
who asked in good English “ How do you
do I” We hove to, and they came on board.
Their names were learnt to be Edward
Quintral and George Young. Two other
canoes also came, in which were Donald
M’Koy, and Chijs. Christian, Robert Youog
and Edward Young.—The effect which the
appearance of these roeu had upon all of us
it is difficult to describe. They were qmlp
naked, excepting a covering entwined with
so much neatness around their middle, that
the most delicate eye could uot be offended.
I remarked at Easter Island, that 1 thought
the natives tnerfe resemblt'n Europeans;
but here l saw the features or Englishmen,
and heard them speak in my native tongue ;
and the colour of their skin was so very
light, that it appeared more the effect of
the sun, than of the mixture of blood. I
asked them down into the cabin, and set
before them something to eat; but, before
they would touch the food, they devoutly
implored a blessing; and when Ihev had
fiuished, returned thanks. The night com
ing on, I was preparing to prosecuie my
voyage; but they begged with so much
warmth and importunity that I would stay
till the following day, when they satd they
would provide us with a hrge stock of yams,
plantains, cocoa nuts, &c. that I could not
refrain from acceding to their wishes.
Having determined upon waiting, Dr. Ram
say, the secood officer, and myself, went
ou shore in the gig, the cauoes following
us. But when we arrived at the landing
place we were much alarmed, there being
a great *urf, and the entrance between two
rocks being very narrow. I therefore laid
off, vvheu the natives coming up in their
canoes told us to wait, and pulled direct iu,
hauled their canoes up, and then being
joiopd by others who had come down, oue
swam oft’to us, and the rest upon the rocks
to shew us the channel. This scene was, 1
think, the most romautick I ever read of,
or ever saw. The men on the rocks, with
the plantain leaves in their hands, watched
the roll of the sea, and kept us from com
ing in till the subsiding of the waves offer
ed a good opportunity, when they all wav
ed their leaves and cried out ‘ Start now !
Start now !’ We were at this time lying
with the boat's head right for the channel,
and immediately at this signal gave way
with a good will, and were carried in past
the rock* with wonderful velocity; when
they all got hold of the boat and dragged
her safely up, and when we had landed,
lifted her with great ease on their shoul
ders, and carried her beyond the reach of
the surf. There being little wind, 1 deter
mined to stay all night, which gave them
great pleasure. I never saw creatures so
happy as they seemed. We were met, on
landing by young Adams, the son of John
Adams, the only surviving Englishman of
the Bounty. He told us his father was) ve
ry ill, unable from biles and sores, to get
out of his bed. This was owing to a wha
ler’s having touched there, whose crew
were very severely afflicted with the scur
vy, many of whom remained ou shore a
week, and thus on leaving the island, left
I behind them their noxioua contagion, a b
Os all the dispositions and Teadto poMtlcafcroM, “r ?° Bpel vt,r y creature— J tau Christ.
1 wn.cn lead to po .t.cal prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispemable supports.- Washington.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA/) MONDAY. JULY 26, 1824.
nearly all the inhabitants were soon after
affected with in option* in the skin.
We being all assembled, and having re
ceived their usual compliments, such as
‘‘ How do you do? I am so happy to see
you,” &c. we prepared for our walk to
their habitations,which we coold no where
perceive, and were at a loss to conceive
where they were situated—for we were
now at the bottom of a small bay, surround
ed by hills that appeared insurmountable;
but, on looking up we saw two of them
about half way on the side of a deep preci
pice. It was a complete “ Rob Roy ” scene.
The mountains, from their summits to their
feet were covered with verdure. Having
got every thing ready that we brought ou
shore, to make use of their own words,“ we
started,” and taking a short torn round ODe
of the rocks, we began to ascend, one by
one, in a foot-path. They would fain have
carried the whole of us. Having climbed
the first height, we opened into a beautiful
grove of cocoa-nut trees, where they pro
posed to “ blow a little.” This place was
actually enchanting—the moon shining so
brightly through (he trees, the appearance
of our companions being so novel, and our
imaginations being, perhaps, assisted by
our own feelings. And here I saw in these
poor tellows the beauty of religion, for be
fore we again started, they said, “ I think
better say now—Past son-down ;” to which
they all agreed, and stood up forming a cir
cle, and sung a hymn, which begins thus
“ Sing to the Lord Jehovah’s name,
And in his strength rejoice ;
When his salvation is our theme,
Exalted be our voice.”
They then koelt down, and one of them
offered up a prayer to which all were very
attentive, holding up their hands to heaven,
and saying After this they again
stood up, and sang another hymn, which
when done, with all cheerfulness, we
resumed our journey. On my asking them
why they did that then, they told me they
always have prayers the first thing in the
morning, at 10 in the forenoon, at sun-set,
aod on going to bed; “Because,” said
they, “suppose we no pray to God, we be
very soon bad men.”
After ascending another height, we
opened into a beautiful clear spot, where
we found seven dwelling houses, and vari
ous outhouses for their pigs, &c. and both
before and behind them a fine grass plat.
Here we were met by the whole of the in
habitants, men, women, and children (ex
cept John Adams and bis wife,) whose to
tal number is 49, and who really did not
know how to make enough of us. The
women were soon despatched to get supper
for us, and the men would make us taste
their spirits, which they had just distilled;
it was very good, something like whiskey.
When they drank to our health, they never
forgot that of Capt. King and Capt. D"ug
las who appeared to have been very kind
to them.
As soon as we had got over our first en
counter, I expressed a wish to see John
Adams, as they always call him ; we were
consequently all shown to bis house, when
I delivered to him a parcel of books from
Miss Thornton, of Battersea, for which he
was very thankful. On first seeing him,
he was setting on his bed with an Olaheire
an woman, his wife almost superannuated.
I must confess I was rather surprised at his
reception of us, as he did not evince that
feeling oue would naturally expect ftoro
such a person on seeing his countrymen.
He is a man of, I should thiok, about sixty
years of age, is very stout aod bloated, and
standing about five feet ten.
They were all very anxious for us to as
semble in Young’s house. Oo arriving
there, we found the women had not been
idle, by the fine supper we saw provided,
consisting of a fine large roasted pig, bana
nas, yams, aod a very pleasant beverage
made from cocoa nut. Old Adao>9 was
glad to fiod himself so revived as to be able
to join os; and after they had seated us at
the table, and themselves in a ring upon
the floor, which they had spread with plan
tain leaves, the old man said grace as fol
lows, (which was likewise done by one of
the other group:) “ O God! bless this per
ishing food for the nourishment of our bod
ies, and feed our souls with the bread of
eternal life, for Jesus Christ’s sake—Amen!”
Supper being finished, before any one
arose, grace was again said, and then, as I
before remarked, they were as cheerful as
possible. Without exception, I think it was
the happiest evening I ever spent. Just
before retiring to bed, they again assem
bled, but at their respective habitations,
aud sang a psalm, offered their prayers,
and concluded with a hymn.
We were provided with very comforta
ble beds up stairs, io a room of about 25
feet long and 15 broad. The beds consist*
ed of dried leaves, very soft and comforta
ble, and the clothes were those ofOtaheite,
which answered the purpose well. One of
the Youngs, who slept at the foot of my
bed, kept mem conversation for some time,
and in a manner that surprised me much.
He first began by saying, “ we wish very
much that the person would arrive that is
to teaqh os to read and write, and to do
what is good towards God ; because,” said
be, “ don’t know enough.”—“John
Adams is a very good man, hut he can’t
teach os any more now ; and he don’t know
enough either.” This was a verv true re
mark. Adams certainly deserves every
credit for having given these people so
true a sense of religion as they have ; but
as he has never had, I almost venture to
say, any education, it coold not be expected
that he should have done more than he re
ally has. At present many of them read
very well, and are very fond of it; for
they frequently took op their Bibles, and
we heard them read several chapters.
None of them can write, nor do I think
they ever will, unless someone remain
with them and teach them ; for Adam*, al
though he can write, is now too old to un
dertake the task. Nothing gave them
more satisfaction than heating us read to
them and our explaining what we read.
At dawn of day I was awaked by their Ring
ing, not only in the house where we slept,
hut in all the others; they were at their
devotions and having sung the psalm, one
of them piayed aloud, returning thanks for
the blessitgs of the night; and they then
saida prayer to themelve, and finished
with a hyiin Their worship being finish
ed they d/vided themselvr s into parties for
the purpose of procuring us refn shments.
Some acsount of the Biblia Pauperum ; or
the Poor Man's Bible.
Before the invention of printing, no book*
existed except such as were written ; .these
were so scarce and high priced, that hardly
any person except the rich could afford to
purchase them, consequently the greater
part of the people of every country remain
ed in the deepest ignorance. This al
length began to pass away, and among the
earliest attempts to impart religious instruc
tion was the Ribua Paupf.rum, or, the Poor
Man’s Bible, supposed to have been priDled
about the year 1420. It consists of forty
pictures engraved on wood, (printing by
types not being then invented,) each pic
tore is divided into three parts, which con
tain subjects taken from the Bible, very
rudely drawn and imperfectly executed,
with a text or a few words explaining the
subject of the picture. Those who were
unable to possess larger works might thus
obtain, at a small expense, a degree of
knowledge of some of the events recorded
in the Scriptures. A few copies are still to
be found, and some idea of the work may
be acquired from a discretion of the forti
eth or last picture. In the middle division
is represented the Redeemer, bestowing
the crown of life on one of those who has
departed in his tear and love. On the left
is the daughter of Zion crowned by the
spouse, as described in the Song of Solomon,
and on the right is represented the angel
“peaking to St. John. At the upper part
of the picture are busts of David and Isa
iah, and two texts of Scripture; one is Sol.
Song, v. 7, 8 The watchmen that went
about the city found me ; they smote me, they
wounded me ; the keepe's of the walls took
away rny veil from me. I charge you, O
daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved,
that ye tell him, lain sick of love. The other
i= Rev xxt. the latter part of the 9ih verse.
Come hither , I will show thee the bride , the
Lamb's wife. There are also some other
short mcriptions. A fuller account of this
work may be seen in the Rev. T. H. Horne’s
valuable work on the Holy Scriptures.
The copies of this “ Poor Man’s Bible”
which remain, are generally incomplete,
and have been much used, impertect as
this method of teaching the truths contain
ed io the Bible must have heen, yet from
several circumstances it appears to have
been received with eagerness, and may re
mind us that when our Lord was upon earth,
“ the common people heard him gladly.”
When the art of printiog had made, some
progress, and the doctrines of the Reform
ation began to be widely extended, the na
tions that embraced the truth became de
sirous to possess the Holy Scriptures in
their respective languages, and of lale
years anxious desires have been felt to com
municate their glad tidings to those who
yet remain in darkfiess—The Bible Society
has been raised op as the means of forward
ing this great work, and now a very large
portion of the inhabitants of the world may
bear, in their own tongues, the wonderful
works of God. We caonot look back to
the imperfect means possessed by our fore
fathers without interest, let us also be
thankful that the word of troth is no longer
a forbidden volume to i u, as it was to them
not longer than two hundred and seventy
years ago.—Nor is our acquaintance with
the contents of this blessed book restricted
to the representations of some events re
corded therein, and at most, a scanty por
tion of its contents. The poorest cottager
in our land can now obtain the whole Bible,
he may read it himself, and instruct his
children in the truths it contains, “no man
making him afraid ” Yet we must remem
ber that (be Bible will remain a sealed vol
ume to ns, unless the Holy Spirit opens our
hearts to understand its contents —for this
let us earnestly pry, “Open tbou mine
eyes that I may behold wondrous things
out of thy law ; and while we read of Christ,
let us ask ourselves the important question,
“ How shall we escape, if we neglect this
great salvation?” P. Z,
Mediterranean —Mr. Cook, Wesleyan
Missionary, on his way to Palestine, writes
[Price S3 50 per ann.
from Malta—“ There are about 118 men
in the Artillery here. I have seen the
boobs of their subscriptions to the following
Societies: Church Missionary Society, Na
val and Military Bible Society, Jews’ Socie
ty, American Missionary Society (this has
been begun from gratitude for the labours
of the American Mi“sionaries among them,)
and Wesleyan Missionary Society. 118
men raise 50Z. a year.”
INFIDELITY.
A servant, who had made the improve
ment that might be expected from hearing
the irreligious and blasphemous conversa
tion continually passing at the table where
it was bis place to wait, took an opportuni
ty to rob his master. Being apprehended,
and urged to give a reason for this infamous
behaviour, “ Sir,” said he, | had heard
you so often, talk of the impossibility of a
future state, and that after death there was
no reward for virtue, nor punishment for
vice, that I was tempted to commit the rob
hpry.” “ Well, but,” replied the master,
“had you no fear of that death which the
laws of your country inflict upon the
crimp !” “ Sir,” rejoined the “ervant, look
ing sternly at his master, “what is that to
you, if I bad a mind to venture that ? You
have removed my greatest terrour; why
should I fear the Jess ?”—[Bishop Horne.
From the London Jewish Expositor.
JEWISH CONVERTS IN GERMANY.
Extract of a letter from Baron Blomberg.
Under dale of 31st December, 1823, the
venerable Baron Blomberg, to whom, under
God, the Society at Detmoid principally
owes its existence, thus writes to the For
eign Secretary:—
Thanks be to God, we have not been
left totally without a blessing. Seven pros
elytes, partly the fruit of Mr. Petri’s jour
ney to Hamburgh, partly recommended by
others, have been forwarded by us to the
institution of Count Von der Recke. An
ther Jew, a native of B , a hopeful
young man of talents, who was a Jewish
teacfier at C , preached, while so occu
pied, publick sermons, exposing the super
stitions of the Jews, aod endeavouring to
introduce the genuine Mosaick religion
among his brethren Having heard of our
Society and read one of our printed publi
cations, he felt desirous of becoming a
Ch. istian. He applied to us in the mouth
of November, and asked for instruction and
baptism. I sent him to M ; aod on the
2Dt of this month, he was baptized. On
that solemn occasion he made a profession
of his faith, during which he was himself
deeply affected and drew forth tears from
those who were present. Os this young
man I entertain great hopes that he will
become a chosen vessel, to bear the name
of the Lord among the children of Israel.
Our small funds indeed have been exhaust
ed to the extent of fifty dollars for this in
dividual; but instead of complaining I give
thanks to the Lord for the blessing. We
have also in our neighbourhood several
young Jews, and among them some teach
ers, who have a cordial desire after Chris
tianity ; but, instead of encouraging, we are
obliged to restrain them until we see a way
opened for their support. For as soon as
they have come to a determination to em
brace Christianity, they are excluded and
abandoned by their relatives, and left in ut
ter poverty.
And on February 12, he thus writes:—
“ In my last letter I gave you some informa
tion respecting a young and hopeful Israel
ite, who at the time, when he was a Jew
ish teacher at C , preached publick
sermons against the Jewish superstitions,
and endeavoured to bring his brethren back
to the old and pore Mosaick religion; and
who having met with some publications of
your Society, thereby was convinced of the
truth of the Gospel, and brought to the res
olution of publickly embracing Christianity.
Since his baptism at M , on the 21st of
December, he preaches Christ undauntedly,
and has a fervent desire to communicate to
his brethren the glad tidings of the Saviour.
As he is possessed of all the qualifications of
a missionary, I have recommended him to
the Posen Society.
TRANSLATION OF A LETTER, WRIT
TEN BY MOUNG SHWA-B.A, TO
REV. DR, BALDWIN.
Moung Shwa-ba, an inhabitant of Rangoon, a
town of Burnjah, one who adheres to the relig
ion of Christ, and has been baptized, who med
itates on the inmieasurable, incalculable nature
of the divine splendour and glory of the invisi
ble, even the Lord Jesus Christ and God the
Father, and takes refuge in the wisdom and
power and glory of God. affectionately addres
ses the great teacher Baldwin, a superintend
ent of missionary affairs in the city of Boston, of
America.
Beloved elder Brother,
Though in the present state, the places
of our residence are very far apart, and we
have never met, yet by means of letters,
and of the words of teacher YoodthaD, who
has told me of you, I love you, and wish
to send you this letter. When the time
arrives in which we shall wholly put on
Christ—him, in loving whom we cannot
tire, and in praising whom we can find no
end, aDd shall be adorned with those ofna*
meDts, which the Lord will dispense to us
out of the heavenly treasure house, (bat he