Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

course of people, than we have ever wit- || number Mr., another Missionary and

nessed on a similar occasion. His remains sweetly slumber in a garden connected with one of our houses.

As for us, we feel that we have lost our elder brother. Our house is left unto us desolate. To die, we doubt not, has been infinite gain to him, but to us the loss seems at present irreparable. He cheered us in the social circle, he reproved us when we erred, he strengthened us by his prayers, exhortations, and counsels. The Board of Missions will feel the loss, perhaps, not less than we. Another servant, with talents like his for explaining and enforcing the doctrines of the Gospel, and who shall be able to preach fluently in most of the languages heard in this country, will not soon be found. But the Lord of the Harvest has resources of which we know but little. To him let us still repair, and pray in hope. Your unworthy, afflicted servants, || Miss. Her.] I. BIRD.

W. GOODELL.

his wife. The vessel in which they embarked, called at Montserat; the number of the mission family,at that time, amounting to thirteen souls, as above, including one servant. At Montserat, their friends advised them to leave the vessel in which they were, (being a dull sailer,) and go on board the mail boat Maria, then ready to sail for this island. They did so; and a young lady also took passage with them. The schooner which they had left, arrived here seasonably, and brought the baggage of the mission family, which they did not think best to take out, the ordinary passage being only a few hours. Some alarm (after the schooner's arrival) was felt for the safety of the mail boat; but as the wind was very high, it was supposed that she had probably lost some of her sails, and put back. On Friday, P. M. the 3d inst, however, word was brought to town, that part of the wreck was seen on the Weymouth,* with two persons on it. Two or three boats immediately went down to her, and found it to be the wreck of the mail boat Maria, and the only survivor of twenty-one souls, was Mrs. Jones in a state of insensibility. It appeared that she had been placed by the captain (Whitney) between the bowsprit bitts, where she could not wash away. She was lowing extract of a letter, from a respect-in her night dress only, with her husband's able ship-master of this port, giving an account of the destruction of the whole cloak or coat on, and a sailor's cap on her of the Methodist Missionary family, loca-head.-The body of capt. Whitney (and ted at the island of Antigua, by ship- the only one found) was lying near the wreck. He was buried yesterday. He had not been dead probably more than an hour,as he was seen on the bowsprit about two o'clock in the afternoon.-Mrs. Jones it is hoped, is slowly recovering, and so far restored to her recollection, as to say, that she knows all the circumstances of the shipwreck; but the doctors forbid her being questioned, at present. The following circumstances, however, have been communicated by her :-The vessel struck on the reef in the night.-Three or four days had elapsed when she was taken off. Mr. White, his wife, three children, and servant, were all swept away together,

METHODIST MISSION.

LOSS OF MISSIONARIES.
We have been favoured with the fol-

wreck.-New Haven Herald.

Antigua, March 5, 1826.

A most distressing and melancholy shipwreck occurred near this island the past week, attended with such circumstances as seem almost incredible, and we can only say, that, for the wisest purposes, though often to us inscrutable, the Lord has done it."

[ocr errors]

About four weeks since, there was a yearly general meeting at St. Kitts, of the Methodist Missionaries from the neighbouring islands: from this place went the Rev. Mr. White, wife, three children, and servant; Rev. Mr. Hilliar, Rev. Mr. Oake, Rev. Mr. Jones, wife, and infant child. They left St. Kitts a few days since, to return to this island, having added to their ||

* A shoal about four miles from the harbour, and only half a mile from a small island called Sandy Island.

clinging to each other; Mr. Hilliar attempted to swim to Sandy Island, and was drowned in her sight; her infant was washed away from her arms; her husband died in her lap, the night before she was taken off, and was washed away. As returning récollections open to her the horrors of the scene she has witnessed, I am told she often exclaims, "O, captain Whitney, why did he save me!" She must indeed, be an unhappy, lonely woman; and time can never efface from her remembrance this mournful event. She is undoubtedly most to be pitied, for we have good reasons to indulge the hope, that her kind friends are in heaven-that the scenes of Weymouth shoal were but a passage to

the haven of bliss. Dark, deep, and mysterious are the ways of a righteous and and unerring Providence! With wonder and astonishment, we behold a delicate, slender woman, of twenty years, for four days without sustenance,exposed to the inclemency of the weather, supported; while hardy seamen were dying round her, and finally, the sole survivor of twentyone persons! We see, in a few short hours, the whole mission family of this island, called from their earthly labours, but to receive, as we trust, a heavenly reward. But who can stay his hand? or who shall say to the Supreme Governor of the Universe, what doest thou? Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

BURMAH.

ticle from Ava says, that the English, American and Armenian prisoners had been in great distress for want of food, and that some of them had died from trouble, broken hearts, and ill usage.

GENERAL SYNOD OF THE MORAVIAN
CHURCH.

Calcutta papers to Dec. 21, have been received in this city per ship BEVERLY. The Burmese war was still going on, without any very clear prospect of a speedy termination. The principal British army was still at Prome, Nov. 16, where it was rumoured that the Burmese were preparing an attack upon it. The troops had been impatiently expecting orders to advance, and probably hostilities commenc- The last number of the United Brethed soon after the above date. A portion ren's Missionary Inteligencer contains an of the British force were at Arcana, where account of the proceedings of the General it was very sickly. The Burmese army Synod of the United Brethren's Church, had been recruited with great industry, which held its meeting at Herrnhut, in and its force was variously estimated from Saxony, from May 30th to August 18th, 70,000 to 110,000 men strong. A confer- 1825. This body is the highest ecclesiasence had been held for proposing terms of tical authority in the Moravian church peace, and in the mean time there was an It consists of the Bishops, Civil Seniors, armistice of a month from Sept. 16; but and deputies from the different establishthe proposals made by the British comed congregations, together with the Board mander were rejected by the king of Ava of Elders of the Unity, to whom the genwith great indignation, and he ordered eral superintendence of the church is comthe war to be prosecuted with vigour. mitted in the interval between the GenThe armistice was subsequently extend-eral Synods, a period usually of long dued to Nov. 2, to enable the Burmese com-ration, as the last Synod met in 1818, and missioners to consult their government. the next will not meet till 1836. In the They agreed to an exchange of prisoners, and the Burmese commissioners promised that the whole of the British and American subjects should be liberated and sent to the British head quarters without delay. It does not appear that the promise of the release of prisoners at Ava had been complied with. On the contrary, when the King heard the terms of peace demanded by the British, he ordered them into close confinement. A subsequent ar

following extracts a summary account is given of the efforts of the Brethren to spread the knowledge of the Gospel among the heathen, and to promote the 'cause of education in civilized countries.

The reports communicated from our different missions in Greenland, Labrador, North and South America, the West India Islands, and South Africa, were almost universally calculated to inspire us with

the warmest gratitude towards our God, || is the day on which he consults his Bible

[ocr errors]

My

who so signally supports and prospers a at greater length, and on which he devotes work, the extent of which to appearance, more time to that communion with which would evidently transcend the means of the Father of spirits condescends to ina society so small as ours. More than dulge him. Having shaken off the slumthirty-three thousand converts from heath-bers of the night, he approaches God, as en nations, are at this time in different re- on other days, with this language, gions under the special care and guidance voice shalt thou hear in the morning, of the Brethren; and seven new establish- Lord; in the morning will I direct my ments for missionary purposes have been prayer unto thee, and will look up." But effected since the last Synod. No less he adds, "I will come into thy house in than one hundred and twenty-seven per- the multitude of thy mercy, and in thy sons, during the same period, received and fear will I worship toward thy holy temaccepted, calls to the service of our missi- ple." He will say also to his children jons. Unexpected and unsought, but al- and household, "O come, let us worship together most essential aid has been re- and bow down, let us kneel before the ceived from Christian friends of other de- Lord our Maker. Let us enter into his nominations, towards a cause, which oth- gates with thanksgiving, and into his erwise could have scarcely been sustained. courts with praise. This is the day the The assistance of several particular asso- Lord has made, we will rejoice and be ciations among our own members, such glad in it." When the public services are as the Societies for the furtherance of concluded, he recalls the substance of the Gospel among the Heathen, at London them to the remembrance of those around and in North America, has become more him, and having renewed those admoniand more efficacious. Unto the Lord be tions, which neither tire by their extent, rendered praise, for it is of his mercy that nor provoke by their spirit, he commends this has been done.. his listening family to the protection and blessing of his Father and their Father, of his God and their God.

In like manner the Synod found great reason to be grateful for the signal blessings which the Lord continues to bestow on the different seminaries for education, through means of which we strive to render ourselves useful to our fellow Christians. A number of pupils, exceeding thirteen hundred, committed to the care of the Brethren in the different boarding schools established in our congregations, on the European continent, in the British Islands, and the United States of America, are, we trust, for the most part now improving in useful knowledge, and imbibing principles of religion and morality, which will one day prove invaluable to them.

There are now living nine Bishops of the Moravian church, of whom four reside in Germany, two in the British islands, and three in the United States of America. In our next we propose to publish some extracts from the admonitory epistle addressed by the Synod to the different congregations upon their internal state. This document breathes a spirit of great simplicity and true piety.

HOW A GOOD MAN SPENDS THE LORD'S

DAY.

A truly pious man consecrates the whole Sabbath to the Lord, nor thinks it long. It fills him with great ideas, it excites his best principles to vigorous exercise, it bears him forward in his spiritual career, and it forms a welcome prelude and preparative to that everlasting rest, which remains for the people of God. It

[blocks in formation]

I have the pleasure of informing you of the further progress of the revival in Lubec, Maine, of which some account has sometime since been given. The good work has continued until the present time, and is still extending. The Congregational church under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Bigelow have received about thirty, if I am informed correctly, and the Baptist church has also been increased. Rev. Nathan Cleaveland baptized twentyJanuary last, where he had been_someone, previous to his leaving that place in time labouring, assisted by Rev. Edward Harris, a licentiate from the province of New Brunswick, who is still supplying them. The labours of Rev. John Roundy were also useful in calling up the attention of the people at the commencement of the work.

I have visited them a few times, and preached and also baptized thirteen, so that this church has received thirty-four by baptism, since the 19th of November last, and the prospect is still encouraging, and more are expected to come forward. I have been reminded of the joy with which the eunuch went on his way, when

R

I have witnessed the placid serenity which sat on the countenances of those who were baptized, or heard the burst of exultation in hope, or of exhortation to sinners, or of gratitude and prayer to God, which the candidates often made, as we came up straightway out of the water.

A most interesting attention in deep solemn silence has been given at the water, interrupted only by the voice of the speaker, the sobs of spectators, or at intervals the low murmur of the small ocean wave breaking on the shore. Ah my brother, my heart truly rejoices to lead the willing converts down into the water, and to baptize them after the primitive example; and with gratitude I desire to record it, I have seen few if any baptizing seasons which were not weeping and joyful.

ORDINATIONS.

On Saturday, December 31, 1825, Mr. Robert Elliot, a member of the Wabash Baptist Church, Knox county, Indiana, was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. The services were performed by the Rev. S. Anderson, and the Rev. Abner Davis.

In Rumney, N. H. on the 25th of January, Mr. Caleb Clarke, formerly a member of the Theological School in Waterville College, was ordained to the work

LINDLEY MURRAY,

of the gospel ministry. Introductory prayer and sermon by Rev. William Taylor, of Sanbornton; consecrating prayer by Rev. Charles Blanchard, of Shapleigh, Maine; charge by Rev. P. Chapin; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. S. Tripp, of Campton; and concluding prayer, by Rev. T. Pillsbury, of Hebron, Maine.

ARRIVAL OF MR. AND MRS. BOARDMAN IN CALCUTTA.

By a letter from Mrs. Colman to a correspondent in this city, we have received the gratifying intelligence that Mr. Boardman and his wife reached Calcutta the first week in last December. They were residing at the Chitpore missionary cottage with Mr. and Mrs. Wade. We hope in our next number to furnish a more particular account of their voyage, arrival, and plans of operation in India.

DONATION OF BIBLES.

Mr. SHARP acknowledges with great pleasure, the generous donation from Mr. R* *** of Two Hundred and Fifty Bibles, to be disposed of among the destitute at Missionary stations or elsewhere. Boston, April 20, 1826.

OBITUARY.

Our learned and venerable countryman, who lately died in England, was the eldest son of Robert Murray, who established in New-York the two great mercantile houses of Robert and John Murray, and Murray and Sansom. He was born in the year 1745 his parents removed to New-York when he was but two years of age. Here he received his education in the common schools, and through the instruction of a private teacher. At the proper age, he studied law with Mr. Kissam, and was a fellow student in the same office with John Jay. Though his prospects at the bar were flattering, after a short time he relinquished the practice, and engaged in mercantile business. In consequence of severe sickness, which impaired his constitution, and reduced him to a state of great debility, he was induced by his medical advisers to remove to a milder region; and accordingly visited England, and finding the climate more favourable to his health, in the year 1784 he purchased a house at Holdgate, near the city of York, and there passed the remainder of his long and useful life. His constitution, however, never recovered its original vigour;

and for the last twenty years of his life he was entirely confined to his house.

Soon after his settlement in England he commenced his literary labours. His principal works are his English Grammar, Exercises in English Grammar, An Abridgement of the Grammar, and an enlarged octavo edition, Introduction to the English Reader, The English Reader, Sequel to the English Reader, The Power of Religion on the Mind, and other smaller works. With the titles of these works almost all persons are acquainted; of their value, immense multitudes are thoroughly informed. Suffice it to say that they are standard works, of the highest reputation, honourable to the learning and talents of the author, and most useful to all classes of people. No less than 37 editions of his grammar were published under his own inspection at York.

As a philanthropist, Lindley Murray was distinguished among the benevolent men of the age and to all his other excellencies of character, he added a firm and live

ly piety: his life was a practical exposition of the soundness and sincerity of his faith; and his death, like that of the rightcous, was peace.-New York Observer.

mind of Sukharee was disordered for a short period, through the power of his disseases. He did not, however, continue long in this deplorable state of insanity; he recovered the exercise of his reason, as he approached to the close of his life. Like the setting sun, that emerges from the clouds which obscured his resplendence, and then displaying his glories for a moment, disappears beneath the horizon, so did Sukharee depart in triumph. On the night in which he died, (Sept. 25, 1824,) calling for Paunchoo, he told him that he desired to eat something; which being brought, he ate with great pleasure. Paunchoo then looked at him, and perceiving from the manner in which he spoke, and the cold, which had settled in his breast, that he would leave this world in a few minutes, asked Sukharee, "In what manner can your salvation be effected?" He replied, "Through the death of Christ." He asked him again: "Is Christ your Saviour?" Sukharee answered, "Yes." Paunchoo enquirel further: "Do you love Christ ?" "Whom shall I love," said Sukharee, " if I do not love Christ? Whom have I beside:? and to whom else shall I go? He is my Lord and my God." Observing such pleasing testimonies of his faith, Pauncloo called together the brethren and sisters and sung this hymn:

"Salvation through the death of Christ." "When the singing of the hymn was concluded, Sukharee became speechless: She made signs, therefore, withhis hands, pointing upward, that he was going to the Lord; and imitating the manner in which a book is read, signified that he Scriptures should be read to him. Paunchoo read the 14th chapter of Join, which Sukharee heard with great attention. Paunchoo prayed after reading; aud just as the prayer was ended, the soul of Sukharee departed from its tabernacle of flesh in peace. "Blessed are the lead which die in the Lord from hencefoth Yea, saith the Spirit, that they met from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev. xiv. 13.)

The next morning Mr. Penny Chitpore, and having heard of his dying moments, made ar

for his decent burial. Prior to the corpse being conveyed to the grave, they sung this hymn:

"He who yielded once his breath,
Sinful man to save from death,

O my soul, forget not him."

Read 1 Cor. xv. and prayed. The people, both Hindoos and Mussulmans, who had come to see the corpse, were surprised at this; and observed, "If any one of us die, we do not have singing and prayer in this manner: but the Christians are better than we." The corpse was conveyed to the place of interment, and com. mitted to the earth with singing and pray. er, there to lie till the dawning of the res. urrection, when we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. i

[graphic]

DEATH OF REV. JOHN LAWSON.

By the arrival of the Beverly from Calcutta, a letter was received in this city containing the melancholy intelligence that Mr. Lawson died of a disease of the liver, on the 22d of October last.

He was a truly amiable and pious man. His sweetness of temper endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. In him were seen what is delightful to contemplate,-respectable talents associated with the most unaffected modesty.

Mr. Lawson was detained in this country about two years when on his way to the scene of his future labours. He became very much attached to the Christian society he found here; and had not a sense of duty prevented, he would have been highly gratified even after he arrived in India, to have returned, and passed the remainder of his days in the United States. Having, however, put his hand to the plough, he did not dare to leave it for a more pleasant land, but continued labouring in an unhealthy climate, until his Saviour called him home.

This brief notice, is from one who personally knew and loved him. We hope, hereafter, to be able to give a more extended and interesting account of this excellent Missionary.to

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »