Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

of the army, to devote himself wholly to the Mission.

the Islands, which are yet untouched: none of them, however, are spoken through any great extent of country, except the Boutan and Siamese. In other respects the gospel spreads among us. I expect we shall baptize twelve persons on the last Sabbath of this month."

During the same month, two brethren, Norman Kerr, and a native whose name is Kureen, with his family, left Serampore, with a view to form a Station at this city. It is situated about half way between Patna and Agra. They arrived on March 21, and having taken a house, great numbers applied to them tor the Scriptures, and ex-ing that the Serampore brethren had some pressed their pleasure at their having come to reside at Allahabad.

The eagerness of the people for the Scriptures induces the Serampore brethren, for the purpose of separating them, to disperse them in single gospels, to a great extent. "The effect of gospel knowledge (say they) thus widely dispersed and silently imbibed, in the future conversion of this people, whoever shall be permitted to see it, must be great indeed. It cannot be otherwise, since it is the word of GOD, since it relates to the most momentous interests of all men, and has always, whereever it has become generally known, been the power of God to salvation. It is not possible for our Accounts to récord every single donation of the Scriptures, and therefore in the Journals of our Brethren, if they are often omitted, still it must be kept in mind, that scarcely a day passes at any of the Stations, in which some part of the divine word does not enter a new village, or a family, where divine light had never before entered."

Dr. Carey to Dr. Ryland, Sept. 8."My nephew, Eustace Carey, has been here somewhat more than a month; but where he will be situated is not determined. I all along determined that he should go to Amboyna, to assist in the work there; but the doubtful state of these islands, whether they will remain in our possession or be restored to the Dutch, occasions our hesitation about sending him thither. This week 1 received letters from my son Jabez, and one also from Mr. M. the Resident there. Mr. M. was formerly one of my students at College, and is very desirous of extending the influence of the gospel. He writes very pressingly for another Missionary. All the schools in the Islands, amounting to forty-two, are committed to my son's care, and he will be allowed a salary for superintending them. He is in good spirits, and will, I hope, be useful. The number of professing Christians in these Islands is estimated at 20,000. We are printing a new edition of the Malay Scriptures for them.

"Lieutenant M. writes, that, with the best assistance to be obtained, he has begun a translation of the Bible into the language of the Goands, a singular nation, who live interspersed among the Berar Mahrattas, but quite distinct from them. They are supposed to be the Aborigines of that country.

"I conjecture that there are in the East at least twenty more languages, including

Mr. and Mrs. Trowt arrived at Batavia, on the 16th of September, and understand

thoughts of sending Mr. Eustace Carey to join his cousin Jabez at Amboyna, they thought it eligible to remain there for the present.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

WE are led to think, after a careful examination of the last published Report of this Society, that in no quarter does there appear to have yet arisen more fruit of their missionary labours than in Africa. We formerly adverted to this topic in our Review of Mr. John Campbell's Travels; and the Report before us furnishes some additional pleasing information, to the notice of which we shall confine ourselves on the present occasion.

BETHELSDORP.-After the return of Mr. Read, and others from the conference at Graaf Reynet, in the month of August last, where their minds had been most deeply affected, a great revival of religion in Bethelsdorp took place. There was a general awakening of the people; and, in short, fifty persons were added to the church, among whom was the son of a Caffre chief, who had resided at Bethelsdorp several years, had been taught to read and write, and had learned the business of a carpenter. He had, however, till now, discovered no regard to serious religion, but was a ringleader of the young people in their follies. The conversion of this youth made a deep impression on the minds of many, especially of his companions. Aflecting scenes took place at some of their public meetings; the greater part of the assembly being bathed in tears, and crying for mercy; while the believing Hottentots wept for joy, on beholding so many of the heathen turned from darkLess to light, and added to the church of Christ.

The members of this christian society are now become exceedingly lively and zealous; and lamenting their former negligence, proceed from house to house to instruct their neighbours. The school also prospers greatly, so that there is a good attendance without any compulsion; and we are glad to hear, that the new or British system of education is introduced with good effect. From the revival at Bethelsdorp the happiest results may be anticipated, as Cupido and other preachers are making frequent excursions in various directions, to spread abroad the knowledge of a Saviour.

THEOPOLIS. This is a new station, situated in Albany, a few days journey north

of Bethelsdorp. The spot was chosen, and the land granted to the Missionary Society, by his Excellency Sir John Cradock, late governor of the colony. On account of its vicinity to Caffraria, it promises to become, on the restoration of peace with the Caffres, one of the most important stations in Africa. Mr. Ulbrecht and Mr. Bartlett have resided here for some time, together with a number of the people from Bethelsdorp: they have built their habitations on the bank of a river, and in the form of a square, each house having a garden behind it; they haxe also erected a place of worship, and Mr. Ulbrecht has been ordained pastor of the church.

MISSION TO THE BUSHMEN AT VANDERWALT'S FOUNTAIN.-This Station was determined upon before Mr. Campbell left Africa. Intimations having been given to the Bushmen that teachers would be sent to that place, the intelligence circulated so widely, and was so well received, that upwards of five hundred of them repaired to the spot, eagerly waiting the arrival of the promised Missionary. This is the more remarkable, as the wild inhabitants, being thinly scattered over the country, seldom appear together, in any considerable number, and it is doubted whether so many Bushmen were ever before collected on any occasion. Mr. Smit had been requested to undertake this mission; but his apprehensions of danger had caused him to pause, until hearing at the conference that such a multitude of people expected him, he determined to venture among them. We hope God will graciously protect and bless him, and make his endeavours useful. This will prove a great benefit to the country; will deprive the Bushmen of that savage ferocity by which they have been hitherto distinguished, and reconcile them to the white men, against whom they had a peculiar enmity; while it will greatly facilitate the journies of Missionaries and others, who hitherto have been obliged, for safety, to travel in large companies. The conversion of the Bushmen will be a happy event for Africa.

GRIQUA TOWN (formerly called Claar Water.) This is the most remote of all the missionary stations now occupied by the Society in South Africa. For several years after the arrival of the Missionaries, the people continued to lead a wandering kind of life; but at length they yielded to the intreaties of the Missionaries, and settled at Griqua Town, where some dwellings are erected, and a considerable extent of ground is cultivated.-Though some good progress had been made in civilization, yet few conversions had been observed for a long time; but shortly after the visit of Mr. Campbell and Mr. Read, a pleasing work of God commenced, which issued in the conversion of about fifty of the Griquas, among whom were some of

[ocr errors]

the worst people in the country: and now, the zeal both of the young converts, and of the older disciples (who had sunk into a Laodicean spirit) is become conspicuous. The latter lament their former indolence, and regret that they attempted so little for the conversion of the Corannas and Bushmen; but they now wish by their activity to redeem the time that was lost. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Janz have begun to make regular visits to the out-posts, to preach the gospel to the natives, and their labours already appear to be blessed.

It is pleasing to report, that four of the converted Griquas, men of approved gifts, were set apart, at the late conference, as preachers, to instruct the natives in the region about Griqua Town, and who, it may be hoped, will hereafter become pastors of christian churches.

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

WE last month had the satisfaction of drawing the attention of our readers to the huppy effects which are resulting to Ireland from the HIBERNIAN SCHOOL SOCIETY, and we have now a pleasure scarcely inferior, in laying before them some account of THE FIRST REPORT OF THE IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY, which has just made its appearance. Judging from internal evidence, we suppose it to have been drawn up by the Rev. Mark Wilks, one of the Secretaries of this invaluable institution; and it is executed in a manner which reflects great credit on his talents and his virtue. We have not often perused a Report more unexceptionable on the score of impartiality and candid statement. Speaking in the name of the Society, we are informed that,

[ocr errors]

They have ascertained, that the spiritual claims and necessities of Ireland have not been, even to this day, adequately described; that the facilities and opportunities which are afforded, both by the mental and civil condition of that country, for the preaching of the gospel have not been exaggerated; and that the affection and zeal of the disciples of our common Master have not been ignorantly or indiscreetly pledged."

The Report then proceeds to inform us that the Society had deputed one of their Secretaries to visit Ireland-that he had extended his journey from Dublin, to the south, the north, and the west-including, among other places of lesser note, the towns of Cork, Limerick, Sligo, and Bel fast; that his arrival had been the signal for a succession of exertions, highly gratifying in themselves, and become particularly important as the commencement of a new era, and of a combined system of efforts by the religious public of Ireland in favour of the perishing millions of her sons.

We learn from this Report that a So ciety has been formed in Dublin for the

Lord's vineyard is complained of. We cannot close our abstract of this interesting Report without calling the "reader's attention to the following extracts.

"Your Committee cannot but express their extreme regret that so few persons suitable for the employment have offer

purpose of co-operating with the friends, of the gospel in England, in their endeavours to diffuse more generally the knowledge of divine truth-Mr. Cooper, of Plunkett-street, Mr. Davis, of York-street, Mr. Carlisle, the Presbyterian Minister, and James Clarke, Esq. a leading member of the Antiburgher society, being ap-ed themselves, in proportion, not merely pointed officers in this new association. They have circulated an Address, from which we have great pleasure in quoting the following extract.

66 Impressed with these sentiments a Society has been formed, intitled the Irish Evangelical Society.' To its object, which is defined in its plan, we cannot even suppose you to be indifferent, viewing you as the friend of your country, or in the higher character of a Christian. The liberality on which it is founded, we hope will entitle it to your warmest regard. Every thing sectarian it disclaims; forms and modes of worship it views of minor importance; and its only design is to make known the glorious gospel; its desire is to unite in the bonds of christian harmony and zealous co-operation, the disciples of Christ of every name. In this state of imperfection, it would be too much to expect that such a Society should escape misrepresentation and censure; but, we request you to examine and judge for yourself. From ignorance, from selfishness, and from intolerance, we expect no support. Wilful ignorance is not to be convinced by argument; few motives will induce the selfish to feel for others, and bigotry considers modes and forms far more important than the salvation of immortal souls. But we hope better things of you, and we address you with confidence.

"In this, as in many other benevolent exertions, England has set us the example. Let us not be more indifferent to the welfare of our country than our brethren at a distance from us. Let us be workers together with them, and we shall see the pleasure of the Lord prosper in our hands: the gospel will effect that which high authority has not accomplished, and which penal laws have in vain attempted -the diffusion of religious knowledgethe establishment of social order, and the extension of all the tender charities of life. Ireland will become, from motive and principle, what she has hitherto been only in name 'The Island of Saints'."

The Report abounds with interesting details of the establishment of Auxiliary Societies, at Dublin, Belfast, Sligo, Cork, &c. in all which places collections have been made, to aid this benevolent undertaking-with gratifying accounts of the labours of Messrs. Townley, Wilks, Cooper, Knowles, Wardlaw, Blackburn, and others, in carrying the gospel into numerous towns and villages of chapels opened for public worship, at Youghall, Cork, Sligo, Colloony, Boyle, Drogheda, &c., but a great want of labourers in the

to the necessities, but the desires and importunities of the immense population of Ireland.

"One correspondent says, 'I am distressed that all our zeal amounts to nothing: our Committee have nothing to do, for there are no labourers-no, not onethere are funds to some amount, and much more might be obtained; but of what use are our funds, when there are none to gather in the fields, which are white to harvest.' Another observes,' This province contains a million of souls. I be lieve there is but one town where any station is fixed for the preaching of the gospel, except where evangelical clergymen are placed in the church, and their number, alas! is very small. From the successful result of your efforts, may we not infer that similar efforts would be attended with similar effects in such towns as Galway, Loughren, Castlebar, Westport, Ballina, Roscommon town, Castlerea, Stokestown, and Athlone; destitute as is this province, yet we are convinced, such a spirit of curiosity, or rather of inquiry, is excited in the minds of all classes that respectable preachers will meet in every town a numerous and attentive congregation. We therefore earnestly beg you will endeavour to send us ministers, proclaim these facts abroad, and the Lord grant that you may be able to comply with our intreaties. Three or four ministers, we doubt not, would be soon supported, and would have abundance of employment.'

And another says, "There are great opportunities for preaching in the south, at Kinsale, Bundon, Fermoy, and Limeric, that great city in which are threescore thousand souls; but we can do nothing without preachers. A man going to Africa, India, or the South Seas, creates an interest for himself in the public feeling; he is borne up in the prayers of the people of God, and his successes are chronicled before all Europe; but the man who visits Ireland visits a country for which few seem to care, but to calumniate and abuse it; and he must share to a great degree in the oblivion of this hapless country. Men can be found to carry the gospel any where but to Ireland"."

We hope the time is not far distant when complaints so deeply cutting as those which are couched in the pre ceding letters, will be effectually super seded but to obtain this desirable object, it behoves the friends of Ireland carefully to remember the words of our Lord-"The harvest truly is plenteous,

[ocr errors]

but the labourers are few-PRAY YE THE LORD OF THE HARVEST, that he would send forth labourers into his vineyard,”

INSTRUCTION OF ADULTS.

A VERY numerous and highly respectable meeting was held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, on Tuesday, July 11; the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor in the Chair; to consider the propriety of instituting a Society for teaching adult persons, within the city of London, to read.

His Lordship opened the proceedings by a most eloquent and convincing statement of the importance of the object for which the meeting was convened, and by a declaration of his cordial approbation of the design proposed.

gland at large, upwards of 1,300,000 anable to read!

Every person subscribing 5s. or upa wards annually, or rendering service as a teacher, will be considered a member of this Society; and every person giving a benefaction of five guineas or upwards at one time, a member for life. Every person subscribing one guinea or upwards annually will be considered a governor; and every person giving a benefaction of ten guineas or upwards, a governor for life.

Subscriptions and donations will be reMildred's Court; and by the Secretaries, ceived by the Treasurer, Jos. FRY, Esq. Mr. T. SMITH, 19, Little Moorfields: Mr. R. BLAKEY, 2, Addle Street; and Mr. S. DENNIS, 8, Aske Terrace, Hoxton; to whom also such persons of either sex as may be inclined to favour the Society with personal assistance as teachers, are re

Various Gentlemen, by their subsequent observations, forcibly illustrated and confirmed his Lordship's statement; and hav-quested to signify the same. ing warmly expressed their conviction of the benefit derivable from such an Institution, a Society was established under the designation of the " CITY OF LONDON SOCIETY FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF ADULTS."

The sum of £130. was collected at the Meeting.

FUNERAL OF THE REV. C. BUCK.

President, The Right Hon. the LORD WE are sorry to announce to our readMAYOR.-Vice-Presidents, JOHN ANSLEY, ers the death of the Rev. CHARLES BUCK, Esq. Alderman, Sir CLAUDIUS S. HUNTER, pastor of the Independent church, meeting Bt. Alderman; Sir JOHN SILVESTER, Bart. in Grub Street. This affecting event took Recorder; MATTHEW WOOD, Esq. Alder-place, after a lingering indisposition, on man; GEORGE BRIDGES, Esq. Alderman, and THOMAS BELL, Esq.-Treasurer, JoSEPH FRY, Esq.-Committee, Twentyfour Gentlemen, to consist equally of Members of the Church of England, and of Protestant Dissenters.-Gratuitous Secretaries, Three in number, of different denominations of Protestants.

Friday, August 18, at the early age of forty-three years. And on the following Thursday, his mortal remains were interred in the Bunhill fields burial-ground. The corpse was first conveyed in a hearse to the Chapel, followed by eleven mourning coaches. It was about four o'clock when it arrived. After the coffin was placed It is proposed by this Society to divide on the communion table in front of the the City of London into districts; each of pulpit, Mr. Castledon, of Wooburn, with which shall be under the direction of a great solemnity, gave out that hymn from Sub-Committee. All orderly persons of Dr. Watts," Hark from the tombs a doleboth sexes, unable to read, about sixteen ful sound," &c.; and then in a very im years of age, or upwards, will be consider-pressive manner read part of the fifteenth ed proper objects of this Society's regard. The men and women will be taught and superintended, in separate places, by persons of their own sex.

The exercise of the learners will be restricted to reading in the authorized version of the Holy Scriptures, and in elementary books, as preparatory to the Sacred Volume. When they can read a chapter in the Bible accurately, they will be considered to have attained the object intended.

The moral and political importance of such a Society, on a general scale, for the city of London, must be obvious to every reflecting mind, when it is considered that the aggregate of crimes, by which our goals are crowded, is, upon authentic information, attributable, in a great degree, to ignorance.

The necessity of this Institution is further evinced by the computation, that there are many thousands of adult persons in the city of London alone, and in En

chapter of the first Epistle of the Corinthians. Dr. Simpson followed in prayer, and dismissed the service. The coffin being again deposited in the hearse, the pro cession moved on to Bunhill-fields, follow ed by the numerous concourse of people which had thronged the chapel, and was joined by large numbers who were wait ing to receive it at the ground. The coffin having been lowered into the grave, Dr. Winter delivered a most excellent address to the largest assembly which we ever remember to have seen convened on any similar occasion. Besides the ministers al ready mentioned, Messrs. Collison, Platt, Freer, Dunn, J. Clayton, Jun. and Matthew Wilks, were pall-bearers. Mr. Mat, Wilks preached the funeral sermon at the Chapel on the following Sabbath, and a tribute of respect was paid to the memory of the deceased in other places. We hope to furnish our readers with a Memoir of Mr. Buck at no distant period,

A brief Memoir of E. W. HARLAND, | nought all my counsel, and would none of

who was executed at the Old Bailey for forgery, on the 27th of July, 1815.

E. W. HARLAND from a child had been accustomed to read the Scriptures and sit under an evangelical ministry. By these means he became acquainted with the leading truths of the gospel, but never was a member of any church. Before his apprehension he was never considered a renewed character. Unhappily for himself, he possessed a proud ambitious disposition that induced him to make appearances far above his circumstances, by which he was involved in debt. From this state of embarrassment he attempted to extricate himself by criminal means, and thus verified the language of Solomon, Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Doubtless many recollect the late circulation of fictitious notes resembling those of the Bank of England, but with this specific difference, instead of "I promise to pay the bearer one pound," it was one penny. He first exercised his genius in making a note like these. His next attempt was to make a £1 Bank of England note, which he completely effected, and then proceeded to make one of £2, and afterwards a £5. Thus we observe the progress of sin, which is generally small in its beginnings, rapid in its growth, but awful in its consummation. When he had passed the above, his mind was filled with horror at his own wicked and dangerous practices; and he resolved that he would never make another; but this resolution was overcome by the sinful propensity of his heart, and he persevered in transgression, until his iniquity found him out. On March 1st he was seized on suspicion of forgery. Immediately afterwards he requested a magistrate to receive from him a full confession of his crimes, to be sent to his prosecutors. This disclosure relieved his mind from an intolerable burden, and from his apprehension to his death, he never denied, concealed, or offered the least extenuation of his guilt; but on the contrary, aggravated it to the utmost. To a friend who saw him at the police office he said, "Do pray for me, that God may give me a broken and a penitent heart." This was spoken in so affecting a manner, that it excited a hope that a divine impression was made on his mind. During the early part of his confinement, his mental agony was indescribably great. Many portions of holy writ which he had read-many faithful sermons which he had heard—with the many remonstrances of his own conscience, rushed into his mind, and produced deep despondency. As he had so evidently turned a deaf ear to the voice of the Lord, he was justly apprehensive that God in his wrath would say unto him, "Because I have called and you have refused; you have set at

my reproof," &c. Prov. i. 24-31. In this state of distressing fear the case of Manasseh afforded him a degree of hope. Manasseh like himself had received religious instructions, but afterwards committed grievous sins, for which he was ultimately bound in fetters; and though he had not previously sought the Lord, yet even then "God was intreated for him." He also found encouragement from I John i. 7. "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin." When he was arraigned at the bar he was determined not to aggravate his crimes by falsehood, he therefore pleaded guilty, which prevented any trial, and he received judgment of death on his own confession.

In the cells of Newgate he was regularly visited by several evangelical Ministers, who always found him in a very serious frame of mind. In this state he readily received the humbling truths of the gospel, and seemed deeply to lament the depravity of his own heart. The crime for which he suffered was not the only object of his painful remembrance, but, the whole of his conduct in life appeared to pass in review and overwhelm his soul with grief. Hence he became as conspicuous for humility as he had formerly been for ambition and pride. Though he fully believed the consolatory truths of the gospel as applied to real penitents, he retained a constant fear that he was not of that number. When he was reminded of the fullness and freeness of redemption by Jesus Christ-the nature of his promises, and God's willingness through him to receive the chief of sinners, he shook. his head and replied, “I know that it is all true, but I cannot lay hold of it; I want to feel an application of divine truths to my own mind." Pardon through the precious blood of Christ, and that salvation which is wholly of GRACE, were the only grounds of his hope. He was earnestly concerned to bear the Saviour's moral image. Feeling as he did the awful prevalence and dreadful effects of sin, he took a particular pleasure in contemplating the rich display of divine mercy in the person and works of the Redeemer, and in viewing Christ as a complete Saviour, one who could save him to the uttermost of his guilt and depravity. Christ, and Christ alone, was the refuge of his soul. By repeated conversations on these important subjects, his mind gradually expanded in divine things, and his hope of salvation increased; but his hopes were generally mingled with fears, and to the last hour of his life he retained a jealousy lest he should deceive himself and come short of eternal happi

ness.

During the five months of his imprisonment his conduct was uniformly con sistent; and though he separated himself from those persons whose behaviour was

« AnteriorContinuar »