Newspaper Page Text
V, 10 Vol. Vl.]
Fri'ui Biackwood!? (Edinburgh) Magazine.
PRINCE HOHENLOHE AND HIS MI
RACLES.
Whether from lack of matter or lack of
1 drains I cannot tell, but the Irish parlia
ment, weary of expending their verbal am
munition upon politick-*, have turned it to
theology, and undertaken a crusade against
heretick unbelievers, under the happy au
spices of a princely German quack, a super
annuated Irish titular archbishop, four or
five friars, two or three m -dical doctors, a
hypochondriacal matron, and an hysterical
miss, supported hy skirmishers and Kerry
evidences, ad libitum, in (lie shape of edi
tors, essayists, attestators, &c. The 9uc
cess of this holy campaign appears indubi
table. Entrenched within the impregna
ble walls ■•fa Dublin nunnery, defended by
a second Joan of Arc, sanctified by the
i benediction of infallibility, the good old
cause of P ’pish miracles dpfies the puny
malice ot its once potent foes, — wit. learn
ing, truth, honesty, and common sense.
Much as I reverence this nnlnoked for re
vival of exuberant Faith, which can not
only remove mountains, but make them, I
have some doubts whether it will operate
favourably for the advancement of Irish
catholicks to a British legislature. John
Bull is a malter-of fact sort of fellow,
tnighiily given to apply that faculty called
reason to all -objects that come within the
range of hi dictissinn, somewhat distrustful
of sanctified appearances, afraid of wolves
in sheeps’ clothing, and horribly alarmed
hy the idea of being priest ridden, in conse
quence of what he once suffered from such
sticking and troublesome jockeys. When
lie considers the number and magnitude of
evil? and misfortunes under which an entire
nation really stiff r, he will find it impns?i
hie to believe that the God ol all the earth,
leaving these to the ordinary course of
Providence, or regarding them as beneath
bis care, should employ the visible arm of
Omnipotence in enabling a few knaves or
fool? to work a couple, of miser,-pile and in
significant miracles! to oialte a su'ky miss
recover the use of her tongue, and a bed
ridden nun the use of her limbs ! JYec Dens
intcrsit nisi dignus vim)ice. nodus. lam
afraid he will consider it less as a proof o|
divim- condescension than of divine di-pleas
ur“ —of intellect miserably degraded, of
shameless bigotry, and of triumphant su
perstition ! I shall he glad to know how Mr.
Brougham like* this novel .specimen of sen
atorial qualification exhibited by his now
client? —whether it will‘animate hi? eeal
in the cause of such liberal, pious, and en
lightened petitioners—whether he will feel
much satisfaction in contemplating the
powerful legislative assistance, he, the
proud champion of civil and religion? liber
ty, i, if successful, likely to obtain from
the di?ciple? and admirers of Prince H"hen
lolie, from believer? in all the trumpery of
monkish lies and legend?, from the defender?
ofpi"tt? fraud?, from the a-sertors of all
the spiritual right?, power?, privilege?, and
imee ti liesofthe Hispano Hibernian church
and from the volunteer adv ocates of mira
cles in a Dublin nunnery! Happy qidtlifi
cation? for the exercise of legislative func
tiou‘ in a British senate of the 19 h cell
-1 tury!!
In times ofnational barbarism, when pi
ous fraud was deemed requisite for the sub
jogation of m ods inCapahlp of rational per
suasion, and accessible only through their
fear*, the miracle monger might have found
some apology for this deception iu the ne
cessity of deceiving. To see it resorted to
Slow, to see the divine truths of Christianity
thrown into the hack ground, and a ennfed
racy of -acerdotnl jugglers exhibring their
legerdemain, with nuns and nunneries; to
see popular ignorance, rusticity, and super
stiiion, no’ endeavoured to be removed by
mor'l and rational instruction, hut endeav
oured !< h reiard and ■and confirmed by the
grossest fraud? of the grossest ages, is no
less to b- 5 wondered at than deplored. Oc
casional in*lances of farcied inspiration, of
enthusiastick raving, nr of monkish quack
ery, would never surprise ; from individual
art? of deceit, of fully, and of falsehood,
no ?taie of society is or ever will be ex
ctnpl. But to behold the highest diguita
rips of a Church catling itself’ Christian, and
professing to he the lineal possessor of
apr.sfolick virtue, the perfect paltero of
evangelical rectitude, and the ole deposi
tory of divine commission—to ee also a
•age assembly of self constituted senators,
claiming more than an equal hare of natu
ral talent, of acquired knowledge, of legal
ability, and of liberal patriotism; to see all
these, I say. sanctifying, sanctioning, and
defending the miserable delusion, while not
a single voice among the host of that
Church’s educated and well informed fol
lower?, raise? a fresh sound in defence of i
reason and truth, i? wonderful and -astonish
ing indeed!!! If they believe this linsey
woolsey compound of Irish and Germao
manufacture —what must we call them—
Fools. If they do not , I leave my readers
to find ‘he appropriate appellation.
Instances of providential favour and pro
tection, both to nation? and to individuals,
have been, and now are, sufficiently appa
rent in God’s moral government of the
world. The records of the past, and the
experience of the present, abundantly at-
THE MISSIONARY.
test the overruling direction of an allwiee
and almighty Poiv- r. Although the clear
voice of reason proclaims the necessity of
miracles to the primary support of our di
vine religion, at a time when every human
power, prejudice, and passion warred
against it, yet does she employ an equal
strength of argument in demonstrating the
futility of faocyiog that they are to remain
when those obstructions have been over
come, and the system they were wanting to
establish, secured upon an immoveable
foundation. It must he no ordinary cause
that will induce the Deity to change the
settled course of thtog?, invert hi? own
rules, and disturb the order of Nature, for
such i? the power possessed by the real,
and claimed by the pretended performer
of miracle?. Who fed starving multitudes,
and covered shivering nakedness, in the
land of miracles in 1823? The power and
goodness of God m questionably ; hut it was
the goodness and power of God naturally
operating on the minds of the generous and
beneficent in both island?, and in a more
particular and transceudant dpgree on those
of the heretical inhabitants of Great Bri'ain.
—it is thus that the Christian revelation
attests the divinity of its oritrin, maintains
its character, and displays its influence.
It i thus that the true professor is distin
gitished from the spurious, by higher views,
deeper reflection?, and more exalted senti
ment?, by hi? attachment to the substance,
his disregard for the show. Girt with the
invulnerable panoply of celestial truth, dif
fusing its radiance, though with unequal
lustre, over all the earth, and receiving
hourly accessions to it? ?irpng h, Christian
it y scorns the puny aid of the h'got's narrow
d-.gnias, or the wonder-worker’s fragile
crutch. It spurns at the appearance of
piou? imposture, whether th“ result of sim
pie superstition, of stupid credulity, of
grovelling ignorance, or of unworthy arti
ficp. It rests for support on its moral fit
ne*s for lhe wants of man, its adaptation to
every stage and condition of life, the sim
plicity of its principles, (he purity of i'
doctrine®, and the sublimity of it? truth. If
the Divine Word has not been written in
vain, tve know already, or at least it is our
own fault it we do not know, as much of its
nature, obligations, and exalted excellence,
a? cart possibly be imparted. All that re
! remains to the pastor i to teach, and all
that remain? for the disciple, i? to follow
the instructions of the Master. —This, and
this only, constitutes the sum and substance
of the Gospel Covenant; this is to act in
accordance with the beneficent intention of
the heavenly Author; ihi? i?, in the he?t,
and only present sense of the words, to give
EYES TO THE BLIND, and FEET TO THE LAME
The Church which departs from thi-?e
principles, and substitute? her own pre
scriptmn? for th se of the celestial Healer,
written, as they are in never fading col opr?,
and attested by inspired and incorruptible
witne?e, may deck herself with what title?
or garment? she pleases, but her religion is
not the religion of J.*u? Christ.
From the Southern Intelligencer.
SIXTH \NNIJ \L REPORT OF THE
PENDLETON BIBLE SOCIETY.
The Managers of the Pendleton Bible
Society make the following Rep'-rt of their
transactions for the sixth year which the
society has been in operation ; and although
constrained to say little hath been done in
the Bible cau?e for thp pa?t year by tht?
Societv, yet they are assured ‘hat their la
hours will not be in vain if done in obedi
eoce to the will of God.
Since our last annual meeting one of our
board, Joseph Whifner, E?q. hath *-xcha:ig
ed the troubles of this life for the realities
of an eternity ; he died suddenly of apo
plexy; but your board have abundant evi
dence that he was well prepared for the
sudden change We have lo?t an ahle ad
vocate, one who tva? much devoted to the
Bible cause; his loss is deeply fell and will
he long remembered This dispensation of
Providence reminds us that we are frail
mortal?, and admonishes n? to be also ready.
We lament that last year has been a cold
iirne, and that many who once appear
ed much interested in (hi? good cause have
of late appeared disposed to withdraw. It
gives n? pain to mention these things, but
plain truth? are necessary when we report
< nir transactions In you.
But we have thi? consolation, that many
friends of the Bib!?* cause, are contributing
largely to missionary purposes; believing
that the be?t way to promote the Redeem
er’s Kingdom, we rejoice to see Missions
ry, Tract, and Education societies rising in
every neighbourhood; that many of them
are in a prosperous condition; that auxilia
ry Societies are numerous, and one amongst
ijs to aid in meliorating the Condition of the
Jews Believing awe do, that Hip time is
at hand when Christians of every denomin
ation shall unite in extending the Kingdom
of Christ, let us join a? a hand of brothers,
let charity and Christian love continue with
us, let us be sober and vigilant, abounding
in good works, with fervent constant pray
pr to God that he may prosper our work?
so far as they may be for his glory ; and
that he would be a lamp to our way to di
recl u? in our duty.
By the last report of the American Bible
.... .. .. Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.—Jcmm Christ.
Ot all (he dispositions and habitswriioh lead to political prosperity Religion and Morality an in dispensable supports.- Washington.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNT!, GEORGIA,) MONDAY. OCTOBER 11, iU24.
Society, wiih much pleasure we. learn, that 1
upward? ot $41.000 has be?n received, and
$43,000 has been expended. Surely we j
may confidently believe that the Mighty I
Ruler of the universe is well plea?ed with!
the means used to promote hi? glory, and !
that it is his work; therefore he will pro?
per it; yea he will establish it We hope
and believe it will increase with its age and
i instrumental in extending th” Bible cause
and the cause of God to every nation and
kindred and people.
VVe have on hand 3 oct. Bibles gilt; 3
oct. Bibles plain; 19 duodecimo Bibles, and
37 Testaments. VVe have sold and placed
in the hands of agents 153 Bibles and Te?
laments. Since the formation of tuia Soci
ety we have distributed 1379 Bibles and
Testaments; most of them have been de
posed of in this District, yet th< re appears
a greater demand now for Testaments, and
as great for Bibles as at the first.
The Treasurer had, at toe last annual
meeting, $63 34; since winch he ha? re
ceived SB4 in all si47 34. He
has remitted to the American Bible Society
50 dollars hy order of the Society- and
there remains now- in hi? hands $97 34.
At the last annual meeting the society di
rected 200 Copies of the report, 4*c. to be
printed under the superintendence of the
Secretary, and as the report was short, not
sufficient to make a pamphlet of any size,
and the funds of the Society limited, he was
advised to publish the same in the Southern
Intelligencer and Missionary, two newspa
per? partly devo'ed to Religious subjects, in
the hope of its being as useful as if printed
in a hand hill or pamphlet form; nrid he
was enabled to have it so published tree of
expense.
Brethren and friends, we are engaged m
a great and glorious cause; let us not he
weary in well doing, knowing that in due
time we shall reap if we faint not ; and
what greater reward can we desire than to
see (be pleasure of the Lord prosper in nur
hands. Is there yet no family in yom
neighbourhood without a Bible or even a
Testamen’ 1 Are y o u willing that the mil
lions of soul? now ou the stage, “hould die
without assisting in the great cause of send
ing them the word of life ? You desire that
all men should be happy; can youthen
Barely wi?h them well, and not give on*
mite for their relief. By many little branch
< s great river? are formed ; by many ansif
taries (lie British and Foreign Bible Society
i? supported; and” in like manner is the
American Bible Society now making such
rapid strides in the distribution of its fa
v ours.
Dear Brethren, let ns be up and doing;
! et ns persevere in this good work; l°t us
took forward with a firm reliance on Divine
assistance ; let us cultivate peace with all
men, anil particularly with those of the
household of Faith ; ant! let u be charita
ble to all men. Let us be united that our
prayers be not hindered.
=*ZZZZZZX-ZZZZ’ZZc—
IRISH BAPTIST SOCIETY.
This society distributed the past yea r .
among the peasantry of Ireland, 500 Bible?
and 2000 Testaments in the Iri-h and Eng
lish Languages. They were principally
given to Catbolick*, many of whom now
diligently search the Scriptures, and often
a-semble together for prayer at meet
mgs appointed hy the Irish reader*. The
missionary at Boyle writes that he has 30
school- under his superintendence, contain
ing 2300 pupils, about one fourth of whom
are committing the Scriptures to memory
and that some of them can repeat from 60
‘o 140 chapters of the New Testament.
But it is a melancholy fact that the religious
instruction of the Irish is bitterly opposed
hy the Priets. “The Harlow school,”
(says a letter from the Rev. Mr. Wilon,
dated Boyle, May 14, 1824) “ which wa?
broken up when the Priest burnt some of
the Testaments, and threatened to burn -'.'me
of the children who belonged lo his flock,
if they persisted in attending the schools,
has been re established with very pleasing
prospects.” [Sou/A. Intelligencer.
—WMWIIIIIMS. -V *■* wv.. I rn mu imbihiw h
MISSIONARY.
ST PAUL'S SHIPWRECK.
Tetter from Mr. Temple, to a clergyman in
the vicinity of Boston.
“ .Malta, May 24. 1824.
My dear Christian Brother, —You will
perhap? think it strange that I should reside
more than two entire years in this Island,
without visiting once, during that period,
the spot, where it is supposed the Apostle
to the Gentiles was shipwrecked. A few
days ago, for the first time, 1 vi?ited what i?
here called “ St. Paul’s Bay,” dwtant from
Valetta, the principal city in the island,
about six mile*. In reading the account of
the Apostles shipwreck, as it is recorded in
the Acts of the Apostles, 1 have alway? en
countered difficulties, which I could never
overcome. The difficulty of understanding
this account, is much greater in our Eng
lish translation than in the original. In the
English we hear of their “falling into a
place where two seas met;” the original
i?, “ eis topon dithallasson,” a place washed;
on both side? hy the sea On the N. W. j
side of St. Paul’s Bay, there is a toDgue of I
land extremely rocky, that extends half a|
, miie perhaps nr m ire into the sea, in a di-|
I reel ion horn S W, to N. E. This, of
j course, is washed on both - ides, a? often as
I the wind blows from the E. >r N. E. which
was anciently called Euroclydon, but at
present, Gregafe The sea, brought in by
thi? wind, da-hes upon the point of this
tongue of land, is divided, and then sweeps
along ou both its sides. Upon this point the
natives say the vessel struck, and its pres
ent appearance renders this opinion highly
\ probable to my own mind, though other?
might think differently. The vessel struck
upon (be rocks probably, for I ?aw no -and
near Itie place, and I believe there is none.
Our translation informs us that they dis
covered *• a c.-rtain creek with a shore.”
This language, to me, conveys no idea. A
creek without a shore would he a paradox.
Who ever Saw a creek without two “bores ?
The origiual is not attended by thi? difficul
ty. They discovered “ kolpon de tina
echonta aigialon,” a certain gulf or ba y ha v
tng a shore, or a convenient landing place.
Such in reality is the bay of St. Paul. It
can be distinctly and easily seen from the
ocean that this hay has a good and conveni
ent shore for landing, while many other
parts of the Bland present to the ocean a
bold and appalling-bore, where it would be
totally impracticable, if not impossible to
land, especially during a storm.
The depth of water in th'S bay is not
great, for you cau distinctly see (hr-bottom
w hen half a mile from the land : and a? you
approach the land, the depth i graduaUv
diminished, until yon would imagine that it
were possible to wade, while you are sev
eral rod? distant from the shore.
The bottom is so!Jid rock, and not sand.
The bay extend? inland. I should think, tor
we did not meatire it, at least a mile, and
probably considerably farther, and is per
haps halt a mile in width.
There is a small Church standing on th
spot where it is said the Apostle gatherer l
the bundle of sticks and put them on th.
fire, whence the viper came forth and fas
tened on his hand. A bundle of sticks might
a?tly be gathered now near the same ?pi
from the branches of fig trees, and carooh
trees, growing within the neighbouring
enclosures.
Our visit to this bay was by water, and
from nearly the same direction in which the
apostle probably was driven by the furious
Euroclydon. Tbi? bay so well answers to
tne description giv’en in the Acts, of the
place where Paul was wrecked, that I can
entertain no doubt tfsat it is the same. It
has certainly all the prominent features of
the place, where the ppo of inspiration in
forms us the ship which bore the Apostle
was broken in pieces hy the violence of the
waves. I am not aware that any othpr
place is pointed out in the Island, where
that remarkable event is supposed to have
happened.
If we reflect on the miraculous preserva
lion of the whole company on board amount
ing to 276 persons, wrecked iri a tremen
dous storm upon aD unknown coast, the
preservation of the Apostle from the mortal
bite of the viper, and the succeeding mira
cle which he afterward? wrought in the isl
and, thus exciting universal attention, it
seem? to me highly probable, and almost
certain, that the spot where he was wreck
ed, would be ever afterward? well known.
, The holy Apostle aqd his shipwrecked
companions, have gone, ages ago, to their
long home; the vipers which then infested
the island, have long ince disappeared ; bm
every winter hears still the loud roar of the
fierce Euroclydon, and the shores feel the
(•■rrible shock of the mountain waves which
it sets in motion:—hut alas, though ilip
?ame wind? still blow, anti the same ocean
still roars, the same Gospel which Paul
preached, is preached here no loneer; the
• same Saviour whom he adored, I fear, is
known and adorpd except hy a very few.
After reading thi? short description of St.
Paul’s Bay, and glancing at the present state
of the island, yon will unite I tiusi with me,
in praying that God would send hither an
other Apostle, holy and zealous r.s Paul, to
preach again the unsearchable riches of
Christ, as the natives believe Paul did when
he wa? sent by divine providence to visit
this island eighteen hundred years ago. 1
remain your very affectionate brother,
D. TEMPLE.
SUCCESS OF MISSIONS.
11 Onr enemies themselves being judges.”
FROM THE “ ARCHIVES DU CHRISTIANISME,”
(A Magazine published in Haris.)
Extract of a Letter at/dressed to his Excellen
cy the Minister of Marine, by Mans Du
perrey. Lieutenant commanding the royal
corvette C’oquille.
Bat of Matavia, (Island of Taheite) 15 May,
18.3.
“On the 3d of May, at sunrise, the sky
cleared up, the dark fugs which had fur
several days confined onr horizon, diapers
ed, and all at once ‘he island of Taheite of
sered to our view the rich and tempting
i productions, which nature produces so
| abundantly upon its soil.
“At four o’clock in the afternoon, we
I anchored in the bay of Matavia, without
[Price $3 50 per arm.
! having a sick person on board, notwithstand
ing the dangerous passage which we had
experienced.
“ V\ hen Wallis, Bougainville, Cook, and
Vancnui er formerly approached this island,
they were hoarded hy a great number of
canoe?; we were therefore very much
surprised at not .beholding a single one
coming towards us; we soon learned the
cause. All were then gone to the sermon ;
but the next morning the islanders in great
numbers brought us provisions of every
kind.
“ t lie missionaries pvery year convoke
the whole population in the church of Pa
pahoa, Vvhich consists of 7.000 souls. This
happened to he the time of the annual con
vocation.— I hey discuss the several arti
cles t a code of laws proposed by the mis
sion, and the Taheilan chief? ascend the
tribunal, and ?pe-ik with inucfi vehemence
for hour? together
The island of Taheite, about two
months ago, declared itelf independent.
Ihe Er.gli?h flag, which had waved upon
‘he island since the voyage of VValli?. is
exchanged lor a red flag, upon which we
retnaik a while star in the upper angle.
“ The missionaries, for whom the natives
preserve a great veneration, have never
theless maintained their influence. VVe
were most cordially received, and the. in
habitants furnished us with provisions in
abundance, and gavp us many curious ob
jects in exchange for a few trifles,
“ The island of Taheite is now very Aff
erent from what it was in the limp of Conk.
The missionaries of the Royal* Society of
London, have totally changed the manners
and the customs of ti e inhabitants Idola
try no longer exists among them, and they
universally profess the Christian r< liffinn.
The women no longer abide en board the
-hips, they even manifest an ex're me. re
erve when we meet them on shore. Mar
riages are celebrated among ‘h-m a? in
Europe, and the king has subjected iimself
to one wife. The women are admitted to
‘he table? of their husbands.
“ The abominable prostitution formerly
practised among them no longer exists;
he bloody wars in which they engaged,
>nd the human sacrifices which they offer
ed have ceaed since 1816.
“ The ns lives can alt read and write;
‘hey have religion? hooks in their hands,
translated into their language, and printed
?1 Taheite, Uljeta or Fameo. Fine church
os havp been erected, and the people all
resort to them twice in the week, with
great devotion, to hear preaching. Sever
al individual? take note? of (he most inter
esting passage? of the discourse.”
Such is the Christianity of Otaheite,
which some fear not to denominate a vitiat
ed Christianity : such are the fruits which
certain persons, animated with pure inten
tions but imbued with prejudice, and little
acquainted with the actual state of evangel
ical missions, call fruits which conceal a se
cret poison, fruits of intolerance and super
stition ! VVe pray God from the bottom of
our hearts to multiply these fruils; to
cause this tree of life to grow and prosper
more and more, which has been transplant
by magnanimous brethren, filled with zeal,
into distant regions. We congratulate
them that they have afforded the friends of
thi? glorious and holy cause and undeniable
testimony to the labours and success of
Protestant missionaries, from a Catholick ,
in an authentick despatch, sent to a Catho
lick government. VVe .admire the ways of
Providence, which furnish us through our
political journal* a better answer to impru
dent friends, who do not perceive that they
injure the cause which they think to serve ;
and without pretending to find in missions
among pagans a perfection incompatible
with every work performed hy human in
struments, we bless those Christians who
devote them?elves with a faith, zeal, and
-elf denial so admirable, and we call upon
al! the Iriends ol thp gospel to second their
labours hy their contributions and their
pravers.
We wish to refute vague objections and
unfounded allegations only by facts. The
letter which we have just transcribed
speaks more than volume*. We hope in
succeeding number to put other fact? of a
similar kind tiuder the eyes of our readers,
who will easily draw the conclusion which
we wish to elicit.
* The London Missionary Society.
AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION TO
LIBERIA.
From the report of a committee to the
Baptist General Convention, at their late
ses-ion. it appears, that there is now an . r
d< rlv and harmonious Rap'jst Church c. rt-
Miluted at Lihpria, undlhe care of Mr.
Carey, a coloured missionary, who b* re
cently been joined hy the R, v. G. M Wa
ring, (also a coloured preacher) from Vir
ginia, who-e character is said to he such as
to warrant high exportations of his useful
ness. The committee recommend that a
constant correspondence he kept up with
the missionaries, tor <hp purpose of eocour
agiog them, and of receiving information
repecting the be ai mode of introducing the
gospel into the heart of Africa.
[sY. V. Observer.