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THE MISSIONARY.
No l -Vol. VII.]
NEW CHURCH IN BOSTON.
Od the 2Q(h of June, the Corner Stone 6f n new
Congregational Church was laid by the Rev. Mr.
Wimer of Boston, “in the name of the Father,
and of (he Son, and. of the Holy Ghost.” In the
cavity of the stone, were deposited papers appro
priate to the occasion, and a Silver Plate bearing
a suitable inscription, Immediately after the cer
emony, the Rev. Mr. Green, of the Union Church
in Boston, addressed the audience as follows:
My Christian Friends, —Here is to be
erected a house fordhe worship of Hina
whose throne is heaven—whose footstool is
earth. Some scenes become solemn and
august from the recollection of the past or
a view of the present; but the visions which
(duster around this devoted area, gather
their power to expand find elevate and awe
ihe sou!, chiefly from the anticipations of
the future.
You have seen that Corner Slone laid in
Ihe name of Ihe Father, Son, and Holy
Ohnfi, nod-M^ilk>a T | may add, in Ihe gen
uine spirit of Christian benevolence. The
zeal which has commenced and is carrying
forward this holy enterprise, was not kindled
.nor fanned by brotherly discord, or repui
five prejudices, e.visting io our present Re
ligious Societies. No; love to Christ aod
the souls redeemed by bis blood, forms the
cement which shall bind together all these
stones: and on these walls, as they rise in
taiymt grandeur, shall be inscribed, “ Holy
Union.”
A battlement and a watch-tower must this
building indeed he; for where on this sinful
earth, can a temple stand true to heaven
without assuming this character? But the
Weapons whtetl it irtH hn-l wp.m the ror
rounding foe, we trust in God will ever be
spiritual. Though mighty through God to
the pulling down of strong holds and sub
Verting the foundations of the empire of
.sin, they must be drawn only from the ar
aiory of the Gospel. We expect, brethren,
that there will he earnest contention; —but
it shall only bs for “ the faith once deliver
ed to the saint?;” it shall only he with the
powers of the darkness of this world, and
with spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wa most firtnnly believe, a portion of
that expansive benevolence which brought
she Saviour from heaven down to earth has
breathed through all these movements.
The self 5-tne spirit. which i$ building
churches—and raising The standard of the
Cross in Bengal,, Ceylon, the Isles of the
our western wilderness with
one hand, —with (be other is repairing the
waste places of our American Zion, distrib
uting the word of life, erecting temples,
redeeming this goodly heritage of our pious
fore-fathers from errour and death. Chris
tians of the 19th ceotnry have begun to
awake from the slumber of age*; and,
through their instrumentality, the waters of
life are flowing over the earth What we
behold on this spot, and abroad in our land,
of the unparallelled success of the truth, is
u portion of the refluent wave, coming with
augmented power to fertilize and refresh
the shore whence it originated.
Behold ye friends of the Redeemer, this
advanced position of die Lord’s host. Ob
serve well this land mark of their progress,
and take courage ! ’
The other day, on yonder Mount,* we
witnessed the laying of the Corner Stone of
as'ructure, which is to rise the proud mon
ument of the nation’s glorv, arid transmit
down to future generations a more vivid re
me:nbrance of the martyrs ol liberty. We
have assembled this morning to lay the
Foundation Stone of a monument whose
erection is in payment of a far deeper debt
of gratitude;—which is to 9tand as a remem
brartcer df unspeakably more exalted
achievements. ‘‘lmpossible!” cries an un*
believing world “ Where are the ten
thousands of eager countenances: Where
are the pomp, and show, and circumstance ?
But I appeal from the tribunal of earthly
minded man. I ask the patriarchs and
prophets, who view these things from the
eminences of eternity. 1 appeal lo the glo
rified apostles with the whole host of the
redeemed. I ask a verdict of the. Holy an
gels, who rejoiced over one sinner that re
pente'h; who are now, I doubt not, sur
rounding this place, as they did Dothan,
with thg triumphant chariots, anticipating
the thousands and tens of thousands who
shall be born of God on this spot*; with the
news of whose conversion thyr will be per
milted to make more intense Ihe joy of
heaven, and swell to a loftier note the
praises of redeeming love.
May we oot suppose that on this deeply
interesting occasion, the sainted spirits of
Cotton. Norton, Davenport, the Mathers,
Prince, Coleman, Cooper, and many others
are booking down upon u°, and saying—
“ Our children, the children of our prayers
and labours, -inward, onward, in your work
•Bunker Hill.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 1825.
of redeeming mercy.” We catch the in
spiration of their voice, and on (his sacred
spot, we pledge ourselves never to rest, till
this land of our father’s sepulchres becomes
as the garden of God.
The walls here to be erected, are to re
sound from Sabbath to Sabbath with the Ju
bilee of the world’s redemption. The
space they enclose is ever Io be considered
a< the vestibule of heaven. The tower
which is here to rise, is to remind every
passenger of that love which was stronger
than death; —of that arm omnipotent to
subdue and save, which has opened a glori
ous way from earth up to heaven.
We are animated with the cheering hope
that we are rearing this house for the days
of Millnnial glory Delightfully interesting
to our hearts is the thought, that this Stone
which we have now so solemnly laid in the
name of the one Jehovah, Father, Sod and
Holy Ghost, may rest undisturbed, in its bed,
when Ihe sun in his course round the world
shall shine on none but Christian nations,
and the shout shall be heard through the
universe, “ The kingdoms of this world are
become the kingdoms of our Lord and of
his Christ.”
But let the solemn reflection reach all
our hearts, —the day draweth nigb, when
these earthly sanctuaries shall have accom
plished their grand design; when the re
deemed of the Lord shall all be gathered
in; when of this and of all other temples,
there shall not be left ooe stone upon an
other; when even the pillars of the earth
shall be moved, and this whole materia!
fubrick dissolved :—0 God, grant that ere
that day of dread decision shall arrive, we
may all be found in (he city which hath
foundations, where the Lord God Almighty
and (he Lanili shall be our everlasting tem
ple.
From the Christian Mirror.
ON BEARING INSULTS WITH PA
TIENCE AND MAGNANIMITY.
Mr. Editor, —In a late communication I
intimated, that 1 should, when convenient,
relate a few anecdotes of heathens and men
of the world,’ who by passing over insults
and returning good for evil, have pot nom
inal Christians to the blush by coming near
er !o the commands of their divine Master,
than they. The following are principally
from memory.
When Xerxes invaded Greece, there was,
in the Greek councils, a difference of opin
ion, concerning the best place for eogaging
the enemy. Tliemistocles urging his opin
ion with some warmth, Euryhiades lifted up
his cane over him, in a menacing manner.
“ Strike says the Athenian general, ‘■'•but
hear me “ Thp Lacedemonian admiring his
command of temper, hade him speak what
he had to say.
Plutarch says of Pericles, “ Such was his
self command, that when a vile and aban-’
doned fellow loaded him a whole, day with
reproaches and abuse, he bore it with pa
tience and silence, and continued in pnbiick,
for the despatch of ome urgent affairs. In
the evening, be walked gravely home, the
blackguard following and insulting him with
the most scurrilous language, the whole
way. And, as it was dark, when he came
to his own door, he ordered nue of his ser
vants to take a torch and light ihe man
home.”
Two young gentlemen, I believe officers,
were playing at backgammon, in a publick
coffee room, in Paris, when one thoughtless
I v replied, to the observation of the other,
“ O what a story l” The other, immediate
ly snatching up the tables, gave his friend
a blow on the head, and, as if stnpified aod
astonished at his rashness, sat down, re
gardless of the consequence. The injured
man arose and addressed the company in
these words: “Gentlemen, you thiok that
I shall take the life of my friend, for this
rash act of his. But, could I now see bis
heart, I should find it torn with anguish and
sorrow, for what he has done, and that he
suffers a thousand times more pain, than l
do from the blow 1 have received. I shall
therefore not take his life, but I will take
the life of any one of you, who dare to utter
the least reflection on my honour.” All
were silent for a moment. Bravo!
claimed an old knight of St. Lewis. Bravo!
echoed round the coffee room, and Ihe
friends resumed (heir game. A part of the
story* worthy of the imitation of Chris
tians, but the beauty of the action is spoiled
by the concluding threat.
Two bloods of the highest order were
bantering one another at a coffee house,
when one dared (he other, to go and spit in
the face of an officer of high rank and tried
courage, who sat in a box, reading a news
paper. No sooner said than done. The
officer calmly took his handkerchief, and
wiped bis face and said, “ Young man, cot^d
I wipe your blood from my conscience a9
I can jyour spittle from my face, I would in
stnntljr put you to death. But I disdain to
stain my conscience or my sword with yoor
blood.”
It is a beautiful saying which the duke of
Orleans used, when he ascended the French
throne, under the title of Louis XII. He
had many bitter euemies, who had done him
great injury; but he quieted their fears by
publickly declaring, that “It ws not for
the king of FraDoe to revenge the injuries
done to the duke of Orleans.” This was
the same king wlo said, “I should rather
see my courtiers laugh at my avarice, than
my people weep tmy extravagance.” It
was for sentirnerfs like these, rather than
for his victories that he wa9 deservedly
.called the “father of his people,” a truly
glorious title.
In 1754 ths father of our country was
stationed at Alexandria, with a regiment, of
which he was Colonel. At an election for
members of the Assembly, Washington
grew warn, and said something offensive to
a Mr. Pa?ne, who was opposed to him, and
who, at ne blow of his cane, brought onr
hero to/he ground On hearing of this,
the wh>le regiment was under arms in a
momenj and io rapid motion- toward Ihe
town btrniog for vengeance. Washington
whs so f|r recovered as to go out and meet
his enraged soldiers, and after thanking
them ftr such evidence of attachment, he
begged ,hem, by their love to him and their
duty , topeturn peaceably lo their barracks.
Findiig himself the aggressor, he resolv
pd to make Mr. Payne the honourable rep
aration of asking pardon. Early next mor
ning he/wrote a polite note to Mr. Payne,
to meet bitn at the tavern. Payne took it
for a challenge, and repaired to the tavern
in full expectation of fighting. But what
was his surprise, on entering the chamber,
to see, in lieu of a brace of pistols, a decao
<er of wine aod a pair of glasses on the ta
ble. Washington rose to meet him, and of
sering him bis hand with a smile, began—
“ Mr. Payne, to err sometimes is nature, to
rectify erreur is always glory. I believe I
was wrong,'in the affair of yesterday; yon
have had, I think, some satisfaction; and if
you deem that sufficient, here is my hand,
let us be friends.”
An act of such sublime virtue produced
its proper effect on Mr. Payne, who, from
that moment, became the most enthusiastick
friend and admirer of Washington.
When we contemplate the conduct of the
illustrious men, whom I have named, how
contemptible and mean appear the manner*
of the little great men of the present day.
who have so little knowledge of true grea
ness, as to suppose, that to revenge an in
sult is more honourable than to forgive it,
and that honour is gained by the perpelra,
lion of crimes, which set the laws of God
and their country at defiance.
MONTHLY CONCERT IN BOSTON.
Osages. —At the Monthly Concert last
Monday evening, the Corresponding Secre
tary read extracts from a Journal kept by
the Missionaries at Dwight, in the Arkansas
Territory, giving some account of lb
Schools attached to that station. The ex
amination of the Girls’ School took pine-
January 11th. It consists of five Classes:
the first containing 12 scholars—second 3—.
third 7—fourth s—fifth 5, The last men
tioned Class is so far advanced as to spell
with great accuracy and read well iD any
book; the 4th and 3d are able to read in
the New Testament. Besides the exerci
ses in reading and spelling, the different
classes, attend to several other branches of
knowledge, according lo their degree of
advancement; and all recite from memory
occasional lessons in the catechism, hymns,
Bible, &c. The Boys’ School wasexamin
ed the day following. It contains about an
equal number of scholars as the School for
Girls; and in about the same state of for
wardness.
Sandwich Islands.— An extract of Jan. 31,
1824, from the Journal of Messrs. Richards
& Stewart, at Lahaina, Island of Mowee,
represents that for the last fortnight there
bad been an unusual interest manifested by
the natives in Ihe business of education.
Fifty had called on the missionaries early
that morning for spelling books; and 150
more in the subsequent part of the day. At
least 100 were obliged to go away unpro
vided tor, the stock of books on hand being
inadequate to the supply. On visiting the
chiefs of the Island, Feb. 2, the missionaries
found them busily employed in study at their
dpsks, with their servants seated around
them on mats, and engaged in the. same
pursuit. It is worthy of remark, that,
though the Chiefs seemed at first disposed
to monopolize the advantages of instruction,
they dow wish these advantages to be ex.
tended to the meanest ot’ tbe people. The
eagerness of adults and men in high power
to acquire knowledge, and in order to this
their -willingness to submit to the study of
its simplest rudiments, is more than had Been
anticipated by tbe most sanguine friends of
Missions.
Society Island*.— Mr. Ellis, after remark
ing what an interest it gave to the occasion,
to think that this same Monthly Concert
was observed throughout Christendom, des
cribed tbe manner in which it is ordinarily
conducted at the Society Islands. There,
not as in England and America, toco thirds
of the adult population punctually attend ;
—and they come with hearts warmly en
gaged in the Redeemers cause. The ex
ercises are introduced by singing a hymn,
in which the natives unite with a sincerity
and devotion not easily described. Next a
prayer is offered, usually by one of the na
tives A native then reads a portion of di
vine truth, which has been previously se
lected for the occasion. This is followed
by the narration of religious intelligence
from abroad, which thp missionaries obtain
through Religious Publications received
from .America and England. Such intelli
gence is listened to by the natives with the
utmost interest. When the accounts are
unfavourable, a gloom may be seen to come
over thcircountenanr.es, as if they had enf
lefed some personal calamity. Ami vvh-v,
on the contrary, the news of revivals anrt
sissionary success reaches their ears, they
almost exult at the brightening prospect.
In Hie prayer which is offered at the close
of this narration, one of the natives usually
Ifttds. With great fervency he prays for
those who have done so much to send the
glad news of salvation to the long neglected
Society Islands—he prays that the same
light may shine upon all the Islands of (he
I’acifick—lie prays for England—he prays,
for America—he prays for India, and tbe
whole world. “Your best friends, I had
almost said, are there.” *
The Anniversary meeting of the Auxilia
ry Missionary Society in these Islands is a
kind of Jubilee. Tbe nalives on that occiv
sion assemble at the missionary stations, anil
pray that the blessings which Christianity*
has conferred on them, may be extendedl
through the world. Os IGjoOO or 18,000*
inhabitants on the Islands, about 10,000 are
annual subscribers to this Society. And
though they are generally poor, and oblig
ed to procure what they give by manual
labour, they have paid in support of this ob
ject during the four years past no le-s than,
SIBOO. The first thing, after gathering
their harvest, is to set apart a portion suffi
cient for the payment of their annual sub
scriptions. The remainder of their pro
duce they exchange, not as formerly for
rutn, and powder, and weapons of death,
but ior the implements of husbandry, and
other articles appropriate to the reign of
peace.— Rec. & Tel July 8.
From the Columbian Star.
GLAD TIDINGS.
Intelligence from various parts of our
country, of the gracious outpouring of the
Holy Spirit on the Churches, and of addi
ions to their numbers, constitutes, in our
-'imation, one of the most interesting items
to the columns of a religious newspaper.
It affords us much pleasure, therefore, to
be able to lay before our readers the annex
ed statements.
Alabama.
The following extract is made from n
letter to the publisher, wrilten by the Clerk
of tbe Hurricane Baptist Church, in Wash
ington couniy, Alabama, dated May 17:
“With satisfaction, I avail myself of the
present opportunity to forward you a des
cription of a divine outpouring of God’s Ho
ly Spirit, on the inhabitants ol Hurricane.
In October and November lasi this work
commenced. On Saturday before the sec
ond Lord’s day ih November, six joined by
experience and baptism, which occurrence
appeared to enliven the hearts ot many old
professors. Since that time until the pres
ent, sixteen have put on Christ, solemnly
dedicating themselves to him by baptism.
Three instances have occurred, of men with
their wives going down into the water, and
jointly, by the solemn ordinance, putting on
His yoke, which is easy. These humbling
instances appear to dampen the spirit of
persecution, and overpower the saints with
joy. Two have joined by restoration, and
five by letter, which gives us the number
23*; which, taking into consideration our
scattered population, and remote situation,
enables us to feel that the Lord has done
great things for us, whereof we are glad.
Yea, he has caused his righteousness tr> flow
a a mighty stream Tbr monuments o
* Ourtwholc number is 46 at present, thoweh
tome bate removed.