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THE

AMERICAN

BAPTIST MAGAZINE.

No. 4. APRIL, 1826. Vol. VI.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF REV. HENRY VEAZEY.
Late Pastor of the Baptist Church of Christ in Bow, (N. H.)

The subject of this memoir was,
born in Brentwood, September 12,
1785. His parentage was respect-
able; both father and mother having
for many years, been worthy mem-
bers of the Baptist church in that
place. In early life, he was not a
stranger to religious impressions.
When not more than seven or eight
years of age, he was frequently ter-
rified at the thoughts of death, as
he was sensible of being an otteuder
against God. It was not, however,
till his 16th year, that his mind be-
came thoroughly awakened. The
following extract from his journal,
contains an account of his conver-
sion.

After mentioning an outpouring
of the Spirit in Brentwood, during
that year, he proceeds to speak of
himself. I was again alarmed on
account of my situation. Hearing
of the conversion of some of my
companions, I feared that with me,
the harvest was past, and the sum-
mer ended, and that I should not
be saved. I was led to a view of
my miserable situation by nature,
and saw myself polluted in sin. 1
looked this way and that, but found

April, 1826.

[no relief. Sin appeared most
odious; and my transgressions,
with the weight of mountains,
pressed me down. In running to
the law of God, I was slain. I
found it pronounced nothing but
curses upon my restless soul. Dark-
ness was on every side. All my
Pharisaical righteousness, by which
I had flattered myself, was now
lost, and I felt myself entirely na-
ked in the eyes of Jehovah. I
mourned, lamented, and wept. £
felt myself a lonesome object,
friendless and hopeless. In this
situation, I went to an evening
meeting, but found no relief. At
the close, I returned to my father's,
and before entering the house,
kneeled down, and poured out my
complaints before God. I thought
if 1 died, I would die a begg-ar.
I was sensible I could not help
myself 5 that if it pleased the Lord
to have mercy upon me, it would
be indeed an act of grace ; and
that if he cast me off, he would do
justice ; for I verily deserved it.
While thus praying and crying,
peace broke into my soul. My

I burden of sin, which I had long
14

THE

AMERICAN

BAPTIST MAGAZINE.

No. 4. APRIL, 1826. Vol. VI.

BZOCMIAPH7.

MEMOIR OF REV. HENRY VEAZEY,
Late Pastor of the Baptist Church of Christ in Bow, (N.. H.)

The subject of this memoir was
born in Brentwood, September 12,
1785. His parentage was respect-
able; both father and mother having
for many years, been worthy mem-
bers of the Baptist church in that
place. In early life, he was not a
stranger to religious impressions.
When not more than seven or eight
years of age, he was frequently ter-
rified at the thoughts of death, as
he was sensible of being an offender
against God. It was not, however,
till his I6th year, that his mind be-
came thoroughly awakened. The
following extract from his journal,
contains an account of his conver-
sion.

April, 1826.

[no relief. Sin appeared most
I odious ; and my transgressions,
I with the weight of mountains,
pressed me down. In running to
the law of God, I was slain. I
found it pronounced nothing but
curses upon my restless soul. Dark-
ness was on every side. All my
Pharisaical righteousness, by which
I had flattered myself, was now
lost, and I felt myself entirely na-
ked in the eyes of Jehovah. I
mourned, lamented, and wept. £
felt myself a lonesome object,
friendless and hopeless. In this
situation, I went to an evening
meeting, but found no relief. At
the close, I returned to my father's,
and before entering the house,
kneeled down, and poured out my
complaints before God. I thought
if 1 died, I would die a beggar.
I was sensible I could not help
myself; that if it pleased the Lord
to have mercy upon me, it would
be indeed an act of grace ; and
that if he cast me off*, he would do
justice ; for I verily deserved it.
While thus praying and crying,
peace broke into my soul. Aly
burden of sin, which I had long
14

102

Memoir of Rev. H. Veazey.

sustained, was taken away, and all | \
at once, I felt myself in a new f
world. I felt my sins forgiven me, i
and that for Christ's sake, God \
could show mercy. I exclaimed, |
Glory to God I My tears were i
dried, and my mourning was turn- 1
ed into joy. 1

'*ln this state of mind I retired to
my bed ; but sleep was a stranger
to my eyes. Praise was now my i
constant employment, and tlie songs
of Zion were my delight. 1 felt a
new love to Christians and to man-
kind. Every thing in nature wore
a new aspect; the woiks of crea-
tion appeared glorious ; and the
word of God, which before had
been pronouncing curses upon me,
seemed altogether new."

Such was the experience of our
departed brother, when between
fifteen and sixteen years of age ;
nor was his subsequent life without
corresponding fruit. For, although
he was soon assailed by temptation,
and almost led to conclude, that
because his conviction was gone,
he was given over to hardness of
heart and blindness of mind yet
the Lord appeared for his relief,
and alfurtled comfort to his soul,
by an application of the following
precious scripture. *'We know
that we have passed from death un-
to life, because we love the breth-
ren." He adds: ''I delighted in
meeting with the brethren, and
soon engaged in public prayer, in
which 1 found great consolation."

On Lord's day, June 26th, 1803,
he was baptized by that eminent
servant of Christ, Dr. Shepherd,
then pastor of the church in Brent-
wood, of which he became at that
time a member, and continued, to
his dying hour, to adorn his profes-
sion.

As I write for the good of the
living, as well as to preserve the
memory of the dead, I copy the
following, as altogether worthy the
reader's attention.

'tit is six years, since I profes-
sed to know the love of Christ,

which passeth knowledge, and tc

feel that peace which the world can
neither give nor take av/ay. My
heart was then delighted in the
praises of God, and 1 rejoiced in
the company of the saints. Olt
how sweet was the morning, after
light had been revealed to my soul I
How did praises till my mouth and
tune my tongue! Thanks, honour
and glory be ascribed to Him, who
took me Irom the horrible pit, and
drew my feet out of the miry clay,
setting them upon the rock Christ,
and putting a new song in my
mouth, even praise to the living
God. His love was continually
my theme from morning to evening.
His love was truly sweeter than
life, and cast cut the fear of death.
Vain were the temptations of the
adversary, and the charms of the
world were lost. I trusted myself
in the arms of my Saviour, and
cast my care upon him. His word
was a light to my feet, and a lamp
to my path, inasmuch as the promis-
es weie sweet to my soul, and I
could claim them as my own. God's
people were my people. To them
I could speak of his goodness, and
discourse of the mysteries of his
love. But, alas! my heart is al-
most broken ; for the joy I once
felt is departed, and my soul in a
disconsolate condition. The pleas-
antness of the evening is gone, and
the morning brings no light to my
soul. Oh! has Jesus hidden his
face i Whither is my beloved
gone Whither is he turned aside,
that I cannot find him ? Oh how
have I grieved the blessed Redeem-
er, that he should withdraw him-
self.^ Why should 1 let my be-
loved go from me } How melan^
choly is my condition! 0 that I
were as in months past, as in the
days when God preserved me ; —
when his candle shined upon my
head, and when by his light 1 walk-
ed through darkness. O my Sa-
viour, bring my soul out of prison,
that I may praise thy great name ;
— that I may show forth thy praise,

.Memoir of Rev. H. Veazey.

103

and speak of the glories of thy |1
kingdom. I acknowledge, O bless- \}
^d God, that thou art just in thy 1
dealings with thy children ; for, i
.'O Lord, I have transgressed, and j
am deserving of the rod. Make j
me bear chastisements, for thereby j
1 learn thy commandments ; and
let me not again wander from
thee."

These extracts, it is presumed,
sufficiently shew, that the subject
of this memoir was taught of God.
His sorrow was evidently of a
godly sort, and his joy, the joy of
the Holy Ghost.

And here is the proper place to
inform the reader, that, from the \
first, Mr. Veazey embraced the
scripture doctrine ; " by grace are
ye saved." Knowing the ilepravi- 1
ty of his heart, and rejoicing in
the fulness of Christ, he felt no
difficulty in acknowledging the pur-
pose and grace of God, as the
source of all good to his soul. In
the fulness of Christ, as respects
both the merit of his rigliteousness
and the efficacy of his blood, he
saw no limits ; but in the heart of
man, nothing good, no, not even
one longing desire for the things of
God. And with this view of the
Saviour and of man, he continued
to his dying hour, to rest his soul's
hope of eternal life on Christ, and
him crucified.

Thus far, the character and ex-
perience of our deceased brotlier,
as a consistent Christian, has been
brought into view. Let us now
contemplate him as a Christian
Minister. We have already seen,
that immediately after his conver-
sion, he delighted in meeting with
his brethren, engaged with them in
public prayer, and found in it great
consolation. This he continued to
practise, as opportunity offered,
and probably, as his mind was
more or less engaged, until June
11th, 1809, when he made his first
attempt in speaking from a text
in which he found much liberty,
and the day, notwithstanding his

trials, truly happy to his soul. In

taking this step, the love of souls
was evidently the ruling i«otive.
Tor his education, though sufficient
to enable him, with reputation and
success, to devote a part of his
time for a number of years, to the
instruction of youth, could never
have warranted th.e hope of becom-
ing a successful hireling. And so
well satisiied were his brethren,
that on May 29, 1810, they gave
him letters of approbation to con-
tinue his work ; and on June 21,
1815, called him to public ordina-
tion. And it was in August of the
same year, that he made his first
visit at Bov/, the place of his final
settlement, and of his most success-
ful labours.

About this time, the state of
things in How was somewhat pecu-
liar. That there should be a Con-
gregational and Baptist Church in
the same town, was indeed nothing
uncommon. Nor was it altogether
singular, that both were too small
and feeble to support constant
preaching. The peculiarity of the
case consisted in this: — Many of
the people could not place confi-
dence in the preacher or the
preaching. Hence, when Mr.
Veazey first visited the place, he
saw perhaps but little to encourage
him. It was not, however, long,
before he became better known,
and in the same proportion, gained
their confidence. And as numbers
wished to enjoy the benefit of his
labours, the following method was
adopted. A society was formed,.
\ in which was but one professor of
religion ; and as the church did not
seem willing to go forward in this
business, tins society, after raising
money, requested Mr. Veazey to
continue his visits. Tiie conse-
j quences were, an outpouring of the
\, Spirit, and a blessed revival of re-
11 ligion, in which about sixty were
I converted to the Lord ; and in the
end, the constitution of a new
church from among the converts,
I of which our worthy brother be-

104

Memoir of Rev. H. Veazey.

came pastor. And at the time of
his funeral solemnities, it was said,
the most perfect harmony had sub-
sisted in the society from its organ-
ization to that day both among
themselves, and with their lament- ,
ed minister. The church also was |
the abode of peace ; inasmuch as 1
its members found in their pastor, \
a wise counsellor and a faithful ;
friend. And such was his pru-
dence, that although tliere remain-
ed in town some Baptists not con-
nected with him in church-fellow-
ship, and some of the Congregation-
al order, he shared in the esteem
and good will of all : at least,
none could find in his conduct,
any just ground of offence.

1 shall now close this memoir of
our departed brother, by noticing,
more particularly, his education,
his standing as a minister, and the j
circum.stances of his death.

As to his education, he was, in a j
manner, self-taught ; or, to speak 1
with greater truth, taught of God. |
At that day, a classical education
was not so much valued as at the
present ; and on this account, per- j
haps, more than any other, Mr. |
Veazey found it necessary, after
having commenced his ministerial ,
labours, to improve every hour that ;
could be spared from more pressing j
duties, in seeking knowledge. Nor
were his efforts without success.
For in his riper years, his language |
was chaste and correct ; and as
weight of character was one of his i
excellencies, so his pulpit discours- !
es were solid, spiritual, and prac- 1
tical.

As to his standing, Mr. Veazey |
was beloved and esteemed, both
among his own people, and wher-
ever he was known. His aim was,
to be useful, rather than shining.
He knew how to blend the wisdom
of the serpent, with the hartnless-
ness of the dove ; the humility of
the child, with the firmness of the
man ; yea, all the kindness of a I
spiritual father, with the unwaver- 1
ing fidelity of the ambassador of j

Heaven. He was one of the first
to unite in forming the Salisbury
Association ; and one of the first
in forming the Baptist Dom. Mis-
sionary Society of New-Hampshire.
And when, by the resignation of
the Rev. C. O. Kimball, the office
of Corresponding Secretary was
rendered vacant, Mr. Veazey was
unanimously chosen to fill the
place. In this office he continued
to the day of his death, the impor-
tant duties of which he discharged
to the entire satisfaction of the So-
ciety.

We are now brought to the clos-
ing scene. Having attended a very
interesting meeting of the Mission-
ary Society at New Boston, in
which every heart tasted the sweet-
; ness of brotherly love, in returning
i home, he rode in the rain, and
took a severe cold. This brought
on a hoarseness, which soon be-
came exceedingly troublesome. —
He continued, however, his usual
labours, probably under an impres-
sion, that as it was but a cold, he
j should soon enjoy his wonted
I health. But this he was not per-
mitted to realize ; for his lungs
soon became weakened, and his
whole frame affected. Medical aid,
though at times seemingly benefi-
cial, was in vain. His illness com-
menced in June, 1824, and on the
4th of April, 1825, the earthly
house of his tabernacle was dissolv-
ed, and he entered a building of
God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens.

During his sickness, he possess-
ed much calmness and serenity of
mind, and manifested a cordial
submission to the disposing will of
his gracious Lord. The word and
promises of the gospel were his
support and consolation. " Bless-
ed are the dead that die in the
Lord." " Mark the perfect man,
and behold the upright ; for the
end of that man is peace." We
cannot but add, "Othe depth of
the riches, both of the wisdom, and
the knowledge of God ! How un-

style of Singing on Public Occasions.

lt)5

searchable are his judgments." — |
Whether we consider the deceased j
as a husband, a father, or a Christ- 1
ian Minister, every thing seemed!
to saj, let him live. For bj his
death, a beloved wife, whose wel-
fare he sought with more than com-
mon tenderness, and eight children,
all of them young, and one, an in-
fant of about three weeks, were
deprived of their best earthly
friend, and greatest earthly sup-
port. By his death, a church,
planted, watered, and built up by
nis instrumentality, is deprived of

a faithful and affectionate pastor ;
and the Society, yea, the town, of
one who never failed to seek their
good, and in whom they could place
I the utmost confidence. And by
; his death, the Zion of God was
■ called to mourning. He was a
good man. His character and
i standing were such, as promised
j increasing usefulness. He was in
! the meridian of life or, to speak
I with more propriety, his sun had
I scarcely reached its meridian,
! when it set prematurely in the
I night of the grave.

RELIGIOUS COI^Z^UNICATIONS.

STYLE OF SINGING ON PUBLIC OCCASIONS.

I attended yesterday at the dedi-
cation of a neat and commodious
Congregational meeting-house, late-
ly erecteil in Hanover street, Bos-
ton. The services were appropri-
ate and interesting.

The sermon, by Professor Stuart
of Andover, was heard with pro-
found attention, and produced a
deep and solemn impression on the
minds of the audience. It was
founded on the promise of Christ ;
Matt, xviii. 20. ''For where two
or three are gathered together in
my name, there am I in the midst
of them." His object was to shew,
that there are some trutljs to be be-
lieved, and some duties to be prac-
tised, which are peculiar to Chris-
tianity; and that men who do not:
believe the one, nor practise the!
other can have no right to the Chris-
tian name.

Having disclaimed the authority
of all creeds and catechisms over
the consciences of men, and assert-
ed the Protestant principle, that
the Bible is the only rule of faith
and practice, he proceeded in a
plain but cogent manner, to prove
from the scriptures, that if the wor-
shippers in that house met together

in the name, or on account of Christ,
they would meet to express their
faith in him as the Messiah, the
Son of God, and the only Saviour
of the world — to render to him di-
vine homage — to avow their love to
him — and to shew their readiness
to obey his commands. These
views and feelings he considered
as constituent parts of Christian
character, without which, no body
of men can justly claim the dis-
tinctive appellation of Christians.
But, possessing these, when they
assemble together, they may expect
that Christ will grant them hia
presence and blessing. This is
only an imperfect outline of a truly
evangelical sermon. I hope it will
be printed, and that every sober-
minded person in the community
will peruse it attentively.

What added much to the satis-
faction which the other services im-
parted, was the Christian simplici-
ty with which the singing was con-
ducted. There was nothing which
had the least appearance of display;
and there was no monopoly of this
delightful part of the worship of
God. Three solemn and appropri-
ate hymns were given out, and the
tunes in which thev were sung»

106

Style of Singing on Public Occasions.

were familiar to the ears of the
congregation, and calculated to ex-
cite a tender and devotional spirit.

I left this new house of worship
with feelings of unmingled pleas-
ure. I was glad to see such an in-
dication of consistent and elevated
pietj in mj Congregational breth-
ren. Their praiseworthy example
in this instance, deeply affected me,
and I resolved on returning home
to recommend this subject to the
serious consideration of the readers
of your Magazine.

There are indeed, some difficul-
ties to surmount in effecting a re-
formation of what I think is a se-
rious evil in many of our Societies.
But let not those to whom Christ
has entrusted the direction and
control of his worship, be too easi-
ly discouraged. A kind, prudent,
and firm course of measures, will
do much to correct any errors of
this nature where they have pre-

vailed

But it will be said that on public
occasions, singing choirs wish to
perform something rather better
than usual, and although it is a
matter of regret, yet they must be
gratified. I would shew a disposi-
tion to gratify them in every thing ^
that is reasonable and scriptural.
But beyond this, it should always
be plainly understood that they
will be expected to regard the
views of the Pastor and the Church.
Should some of the influential
members state to them in a discreet
and affectionate manner, that the
performance of anthems is in their
judgment, not in accordance with
the nature and design of social
worship, but on the contrary, pro-
ductive of many unhappy effects
on the worshippers generally, it is
believed that they would not be
greatly offended. They might per-
haps at first, have some feelings of
disappointment but a little reflec-
tion, it is hoped, would convince
them that they had lost sight of the
purpose for which this part of di-
yine worship was instituted.

I will not allow myself to sup-
pose that as a body, singers are re-
gardless either of the feelings of
their ministers, or those of decided-
ly pious Christians. They desire to
please them, and to treat them with
respect. And this no doubt is one
object they have in view in their se-
lection of musick on public occa-
sions. It is therefore pro])er they
should know, that for tlie most
part, the introduction of anthems
at these times, is a source of un-
feigned regret, and a topic of pri-
vate lamentation among the minis-
ters of Christ. They do not indeed
complain very loudly, because they
wish, it possible, to avoid giving
offence. But it is one of the things
over which they sigh in secret. —
Why is this Do they envy the en-
joyment or distinction of those who
sing } Not at all. It is because
they are fearful, that whatever sol-
enui truths they may have uttered,
and whatever serious impressions
may have been made on the minds
of their hearers — the symphonies
— solos — duets — and chorusses, —
with which they are entertained at
the close of public worship, will
completely erase these impressions,
and cause them to forget the truths
which they have heard. That these
are the unhappy consequences, at
\ least to a great extent, is evident,
; from what constitutes the chief to-
' pic of conversation with manj
when returning from these servi-
ces. It is the excellence of the
' music, and not the important truths
! of the discourse on which they ex-
I patiate. And how distressing
must be the idea to a conscientious
minister, that sacred music, whicl
was intended to raise the affections
to God, should be so arranged an(]
managed, as to operate like an evi
charm, in expelling every serious
thought from the human breast.

It is also an enquiry which oughi
not to be treated with levity ; " ir
what estimation does the Being w(
profess to worship hold these per
formances?" Few will dare to ex

Praying for Students in our Colleges.

' press it as their conviction^ that the
Almighty listens with approbation,
and considers himself honoured by
such kind of praise. Even real
Christians themselves, who join in
these performances, are so anxious
lest they should sing incorrectly,and
80 desirous of performing their part
well, that I leave it to their recol-
lections to say whether on these
occasions, they had the sweet con-
sciousness that they were worship-
ping God in spirit and in truth. —
Of many others it is not necessary
j tosay,that their general appearance
I would lead no one to suppose, that
they were making melody in their
hearts to the Lord.

Ministers of the gospel ought not
to lord it over God's heritage. But
it does appear to me that they ought
to exert a directing influence in re-
lation to matters of religious wor-
ship among their own people. Ant!
I would respectfully suggest to
them whether,from motives of fear,
they have not too quietly submitted
to an evil of frequent recurrence ;
and whether a consideration of its
tendency should not cause them, in
concert with their brethren, to em-
ploy gentle, gradual, but eff'ectual
means for its removal?
March 2, 1826.

OH fKATING FOR THE STUDENTS IN OUR
COLLEGK^.

It is generally known, that a
day was lately set apart by a large
and repectable body of Christians
for the purpose of unitedly suppli-
cating the blessing of God on all
our Literary Institutions. From
this circumstance my own attention
was more particularly directed to a
consideration of the duty of special
prayer for those who are pursuing
Academical or Collegiate studies.
A little reflection convinced me
that I had not been sufficiently im-
pressed with the importance of
the subject. I was conscious that
I had not remembered them at a

throne of grace with that deep
and intense interest, which is de-
manded by their present character
and future prospects. This may
be the case with other Christians.
Although they esteem it both their
duty and privilege to pray, yet they
may have devoted no special sea-
sons in beseeching the Lord that he
would pour out his Spirit on our
Colleges. To such 1 would ad-
dress a few thoughts, which, if I am
not deceived, have had a happy in-
fluence on my own mind.

The duty of special prayer for
Students will appear important if
we consider the stations which they
are destined to occupy in society.
It is true, indeed, that the salva-
tion of any individual, however il-
literate, or however poor, should
be an object of earnest desire ; for
the soul even of the most degraded
human being is of more value than
a world. Nevertheless, so far as
I the influence of men in the com-
! munity is concerned, it is peculiar-
I ly desirable that Collegians should
become truly religious. From
I them will be selected our future
I statesmen, judges, advocates at the
Bar, and medical practitioners,
and to them will generally be en-
trusted the education of our chil-
dren. Now when we consider the
vast influence which these offices
and professions enable men to exert
over the minds and characters of
others ; how important does it
seem that the possessors of them
should be truly pious! The power
of example in such persons is as
tonishingly great. If in addition
to his learning, an individual has
also the authority of office, he is
revered as the oracle of the neigh-
bourhood. If he bo an infidel in:
his sentiments, regardless of the
Sabbath, or dissipated in his habits,^
the influence which he will exert
cannot fail to be bad. It will only
be a repetition of what has taken
place, should the people be persuad-
ed that they can do without a min-
ister, and that they had better

108

Fraying for Students in om Colleges.

spend the Sabbath in visiting, or in
the cultivation of their farms. But
when learning and official authority
are associated with Christian vir-
tues, it is impossible to describe all
the benefits which such a person
confers on society. You witness
some of these benefits in the orderly
and comfortable appearance of the
villagers ; in the neat and commo-
dious house erected for the public
worship of God ; in the rest and
silence of the Sabbath ; and in the
throng of spiritual M'orshippers,
who delight to keep holy day. In-
quire the cause of what you see
and hear, and you will find that
learning and office, sanctified by
piety, have produced this happy
state of things.

We have also a pov/erful in-
dticement to pray for the gracious
influences of tlie Holy Spirit on
our Colleges, because, should these
be granted, then wc might hope
that many of the Students, feel-
ing the worth of immortal souls,
and convinced of the truth and
excellence of Christianity, would
consecrate their talents and learn-
ing to the work of the minis-
try. And surely no enlightened
Christian can reflect for a moment
on the state of our country, with-
out feeling that this would be a de-
sirable event. " The harv^est truly
is plenteous, but the labourers are
few : Pray ye, therefore, the Lord
of the harvest, that he will send
forth labourers into his harvest."

It is a fact, which so far from
being concealed ought to be pro-
claimed from one end of the coun-
try to the other, that we not only
want labourers, but we want a
greater number of intelligent la-
bourers. We want men who have
enjoyed the advantages of educa-
tion. The improved state of soci-
ety demands, that they who teach
slrauld be taught themselves. The ;
intnreasing interest which the pub- 1
lie feel in our Common Schools, j
and the Legislative patronage i
which is extended to them through- 1

j out the United States, render it
I very important that ministers of
I the gospel should possess respecta-
I ble information. Their lips should
I keep knowledge.

I It is undoubtedly true, that with
I few advantages of a literary nature,
jmany pious ministers have been
j eminently honoured as instruments
iin turning sinners from darkness
to light, and from the power of Sa-
tan unto God. Such faithful la-
jbourerswill probably always find
1 sufficient, and, we trust, success-
I ful employment. But still it must
i be acknowledged by every candid
and judicious Christian, that, other
things being equal, he who possess-
es the most information will be the
most useful. A person who is
comparatively ignorant, however
pious he may be, cannot generally
command the attention, nor exert
an influence over men of superior
and enlightened minds. How very
! important then, that our young men,
I whose minds are expanding under

I the genial rays of literature and
j science, should feel the vivifying
'influences of that Spirit, which
jwill excite them, with untiring
zeal, to dedicate themselves, with
all their advantages, to Christ and
his church.

The effects of one genuine Revi-
, val of Religion in a College, are
beyond all calculation. As the
fruit of such a work in one of our
Colleges many years ago, seventy-
five young men devoted themselves
to the work of the ministry. And
most of these were blessed with
the wonderful displays of God's
grace in their respective congre-
gations.

From the conversion of one young
Student, multitudes may eventual-
; ly be brought to an acknowledg-
iment of the truth. It would be
'delightful to trace the effects of
'such a work in a College, and to

I I observe the entire change it pro-
I duces in the character and pur-
I suits of those who are the subjects
I of it, — the moral and religious influ-

Manners and Character of the Bnrmese.

109

ence which they again exert on the |! how much to be lamented must be
principles, conduct and hopes of||the character of such a ministry!
others and the continuance and :j However much we may esteem and

diftusioa of these blessed principles
by each succeeding race of converts
until the end of time. When
Whitfield and Ingham and the
two Wesleys were at College, and

love them as men, and as citizens,
we must regret, that with no higher
views and feelings they should sus-
tain the office of Christian teachers.
How desirable then that the gospel

were looked down upon with con- jl should become the power oi God
tempt and branded as fanatics, who j; unto salvation to our College Stu-
could have anticipated that they ii dents! Then we may hope to hear
would have been instruments of'" learned men preaching the truth,
awakening the British nation from a li because they have believed and re-
state of moral and religious lethargy I ijoiced in it themselves. How is

that was truly awful? But they
went forth, and, heedless of conse
quences as it respected themselves
preached that men should repent

this blessed object most likely to be
attained? By special, humble and
habitual prayer to God for their
conversion and future usefulness.

and believe in the Lord Jesus ij And lest we should be weary in
Christ. The hand of the Lord waS| } this holy exercise, for our encour-
with them, and many believed and ( agement we are expressly assured,
turned unto the Lord. Such were ji that the effectual fervent prayer
the glorious effects of their preach- |j of a righteous man availeth much.*'
ing, that the Dissenters in England ;|
who are extremely numerous, and \\ ^
in whom are embodied as much vi- jj

tal piety and true Christian benev- ^,^-,,^^,,^5 ^^^^ wan.vkrs ckar-
olence as can probably be lound on !! ^^ter of the Burmese.

earth, not only owe their prosperitv,

but almost their existence, to the . (-^— by the Rev. g. H.Hough.)
labours of these men of God. ij The authority which Great Bri-

We should pray that the Students ^ tain maintains in the East, must be
in all our Colleges may experience l| regarded by every impartial obser-
religion, because many of them will jj ver as laying a foundation for thft
be preachers, whether they are the || subsequent welfare and improve-
subjects of divine grace or not. In ,1 ment of a very large proportion of
making this statement, there is no J mankind. Hence the present ope-
violation of Christian charity. Ev- jj rations on the other side of the
ery one acquainted with the Col- li Ganges, must excite peculiar inter-
leges and religious establishments!' est in the minds of tiiose, who ex-
in Europe, must know, that many \ \ pect from them, under Divine Pro-
enter on the work of the ministry, 'j vidence, an enlarged sphere of be-
and subscribe even to an orthodox || nevolent exertion, and an extend-
creed, who give no evidence what- .' ed influence given to rational liber-
ever that the gospel is either under- |l ty. Every man who possesses even
I stood, felt, or obeyed by them. || the feelings of humanity, must re-
Nor have we any reason to expect iijoice in the humiliation of arro-
ihat this will not be the case here, i gance, and the downfall of oppres-
Men of education will enter on the i; sion, in seeing the reign of injus-
ministry merely as a respectable ii tice repressed and that of righteous-
profession. H' they are moral in j; ness promoted. That this has been,
their deportment, they will find no ij in some degree, the happy effect
difficulty in obtaining patronage, i] produced by the British Govenl-
let them believe, or feel, as little ij ment in India, there can be no
of the gospel as thev mav. But 'i doubt. Wherever its intiuence is
Arnri. 18^:^6. ' 1-5

110 Mdnntirs and Character of the Burmese.

felt, millions are exempted from
the most unnatural tyranny, and no
species of thraldom exists, but that
which has its foundation in the de-
lusion and voluntary surrender of
its captives.

There is, perhaps, no country in
the WO! Id in which th»^ sway of des-
potism has been less controlled by
any correct feeling or sentiment,
or which exhibits a stronger speci-
men of its injurious eflects upon
the physical and moral powers of
mankind, than the Burman domin-
ions. When, therefore, we see
that the British conquests in India
have issued, — not in the destruc-
tion of its inhabitants, but in their
improvement; that a firm founda-
tion for the well-being of society
has been established, as far as civil
jurisdiction can consistently oper-
ate, and that increasing evidence
of the advantages arising from free
and well regulated intercourse is
constantly exhibited ; there can be
no hesitation as to the side on which
our best wishes lean respecting the
present contest in Burmah.

Although considerable evidence
of the progress of moral improve-
ment may be seen on this side the
Ganges, yet tlie course of truth has
been much impeded by peculiarities
in the native religious character.
In the Burman dominions, however,
the same peculiarities are not to be
found which have here formed such
impediments in the way of moral
improvement ; and therefore, while
the present war is opening a new
sphere for the extension of British
influence, greater facilities for its
effects, in the diffusion of truth, will
consequently be afforded.

Hitherto the inducements pre-
sented to foreigners to visit the
Burman dominions have been so
few, that little information has been
acquired, excepting what relates to
the general policy and character of
the government. Of those who
have visited the country, the great-
est part having resided therein for
the i^rpo^es of trade, have possess-

ed but little leisure for particular
enquiries into the state of the coun-
try and its population ; and when-
ever an individual has manifested a
disposition for inquiry, it has ever
been the policy of the government
either to withhold or disguise every
fact, which concerned the internal
or physical resources of the coun-
try. Correct information respect-
ing these indeed, could only be ac-
quired by long residence in the
country, by intimacy with the gov-
ernment itself, and a familiar ac-
quaintance with the language. The
popular manners and customs have
alone been open to observation,
and as far as these, and the little
already known of the genius and
physical capabilities of the people,
may be adduced as giving weight to
an opinion, it may be safely said,
that the obstacles to mental and
moral improvement in the Burman
dominions, are neither so numerous
nor so formidable, as those which
have presented themselves in this
country. It will be seen that many
of those barriers, which in some
measure check the intimacy that
leads to a friendly relationship, are
not of the same magnitude in that,
as in this country.

Caste^ which has separated the
Indian community into so many di-
versified sects, and the motto of
which is, " taste not, handle not,"
has no existence in the Burman
Empire. There, society is founded
on a basis that would admit the ex-
istence of the most liberal institu-
tions. There, no individual through
I fear of personal defilement is de-
j terred fron^ acting in every case
according to those rules, which se-
Icure entire freedom of intercourse
! between man and man. While in
m:iny other countries, oflicial rank,
wealth, and respectability of char-
acter, create the only lines of dis-
tinction, the path to honour and in-
Ifluence is here equally open to all
without the least distinction.

The priests have their religious
pecnliaritits 5 but even thege have

Manners and Character of the Murmese,

111

no relation to caste. These pecu-
liarities are seen in their monastic
habits, their yellow apparel, their
shaven heads, their unshod feet,
their sober, meditative demeanour,
and in their morning perambula-
tions to receive the voluntary con-
tributions of the people. Their
monasteries may be considered as
the literary as well as religious in-
stitutions of the country. Into
these, without restricting them-
selves to any limited term, young
men in their noviciate enter, con-
sidering it a merit which will here-
after meet its sure reward, to deny
themselves indulgences enjoyed by
other men, to assume the yellow
cloth, to deprive the head of that
ornament which nature has bestow-
ed, to taste the fancied sweets of
abstraction, and employ their minds
in committing to memory extracts
from the books they esteem sacred

The priests perform no labour.'
except what is considered as par -
ticularly meritorious, and this con-
sists in eradicating the grass and
shrubs which sprout up around
their monasteries and the pagodas.
They never ride on horseback, nor
eat after the sun has passed the
meridian ; and such is their rever-
ence for the yellow cloth which
covers their bodies, that they view
it as disgraceful to pass underneath
any building, or convey themselves
through any aperture, while to do
so ev^n by bending the head, would
save them the trouble of avoiding
any obstruction which may happen
to stop their path, or of encompass-
ing it by a protracted circumambu-
lation. They restrain their minds
from all attachment to the fair sex;
and no female ventures to approach
a priest, unless to perform some
religious duty, or present some pi-

rhe age or previous character ofljous offering. Their public duties/

candidates for the priesthood, forms
no objection to their admittance.
Present intention is the only sub-
ject of investigation, and this is
done by an established catechetical
form. Persons of all ages, from
the mere youth to the hoary head,
assume the sacred habiliments and
character ; even conjugal and pa-
ternal affection are not unfrequent-
ly smothered by the superstitious
wish of self-consecration to this sa-
cred order. To reject a wife and
family, to abandon them to distress
and suffering, are esteemed acts of
religion in any individual who wish-
es to enter it, and his thus doing is
esteemed an eminent attainment in
piety, and a meritorious result of
self-denial. It is related that Gau-
tama, the last Boodh, in one of his
incarnations, while heir apparent to
the throne, not only suffered ban-
ishment to a remote and solitary
place for giving away a wlvite eler
phant, but during the term of 1/S
expatriation attained to such/ an
eminent degree of self denial''*
to yield up first his son and /^aj.g»-
ter to slavery, and then his wife to
the importunities of another-

i consist of recitations from tho
! Dzats, said to be revelations o
I Gautama relating to his owr hi
I tory throughout his previous tranfi-
migrations, in which the coise-
quences of works of merit anJ (de-
merit are illustrated by his 'Wn
personal example ; and in iiPf>eat-
ing extracts from other wri/f»gs es-
teemed sacred, which te^ to en-
force the duties o( ii/^rality as
tauaht in tbeir system ^ religion.
On days of puW'ick worship, /hey
edify "^their congregation?, ^hich
assemble ip Zayo^ or sAeds, con-
tiguous to son>^ pagorfa of import-
ance, bv rei^ating their liturgv or
form of relig'^us service, when the
auditory evince their devotirfl by
their hx'"^^^ posture, by elevating
their ^ands with the palms uaited,
an(> by regular responses The
Quests affect the most entire disin-
^restedness in the discharge pf
j\\!c\fir sacred functioIl^s 5 but tb^ii"
worldly wants are always p^P^y
supplied, and they uniforir^y
ceive the tribute of a respectful and
reverential public : even fheir mon-
asteries are not approached or pass-
ed with the teet covered. Many

112 i^Ianners and Character of the Burmese.

of them are learned in the Pali or:: merit and demerit; he has uudev-
Mao;wdha, but the great majority |;gone incarnations as beast, as man.
exhibit evident marks of mental jj and as a celestial being. He has

sloth and inanity.

The sacred writings of the Bur-
mese are reported to have been
transcribed in the most miraculous
manner, in one day, from the orig-
inal copies first put into a legible
form by yahans, or priests, on the
Island of Thee-ho, (Ceylon) nearly
four hundred years after the sup-
posed annihilation of Gautama, and
about a century previous to the
Christian sera. These writings,
embracing every science natural
and religious, within the scope of
their author's reputed universal
and infallible knowledge, amount
to some thousands. Few of them
are read by the priests, and fewer
still by the reading part of the

been punished repeatedly millions
I of years in hell, has enjoyed ages
i of sensual happiness in the Nat
country, and is now in Niekbaan,
or annihilation.

The Burmese, considering the
I moral features of their religious
I system, and their being surround-
j ed with objects of misery both
I among beasts and their own species,
I which they are taught to contem-
j plate as the effects of retributive
ljustice, awarded by irresistible and
' unmerciful Fate, ought to be a pi-
ous and orderly race of men. In
this respect, however, little can be
said in their favour. Of their relig-
ious character it may be observed,
that while it exhibits little of per-

public. The middling and lower j I 50»«/ concern and anxiety, and ap-
classes of society are content with ; pears to be unmixed with enthusi-
knowing little more of the princi- i asm, it exhibits on all occasions a
ple« of their religion than what is I sufficiently conspicuous faith in the
ascertained from the public form of j, religion of their country. The re-
^vorshlp. This announces the three li ligion being national^ is therefore
grand objects of religious homage, ';;jopz^/«r, and every appearance of
(or his substitute, a pagoda or j! dissent presents just cause for
ima^e,) Faie^ or the immutable law }! criminal prosecution. The Bur-

" ' ' jmese, therefore, do not appear to
be so deeply impressed with cordi-
al regard for their religion, as with
the duty of conformity. While this
j is the case, although they apparent-
! ly attach credit to the doctrines of
I their ^theology, as it may with
! propriety be termed, such is the
; genius of their minds, and so little
! is theirs a religion of the affections.

or coirse of things, and the Priest
hood. The fundamental moral pre-
cepts auL five, and are merely pro-
hibitory ; they forbid the destruc-
of aiimal life, theft, lying,

tion

adultery, and drinking ardent
-spirits.

It wouM require a volume to
gite a sketcV of a\l the particulars
vvhi^h the Burman rt^igioL embrac-
es ;\t may be enough \o remark in
addi\on to the above, tKt the doc-
trine transmigration is nv<>t firm-
ly belfeved, and also the finiij anni-
hilatio\of animal life, and thi (jg.
structioV of material substant^g.
^very tiling is mutable but Fate-.
v/iich is eternal ; and while tliat

orduns the final destruction ^f j ^ected from a people among whom
present things, It has provided that ! sfc^ular authority claims dominion
another material universe shall of . wer the free exercise of consci-
itself necessarily arise, and thus||eme. The despot of the realm, bv
successively, ad infinitum. Even jj one n^ord, could annihilate Bood''-
theirGodor Deity is^a subject of |i hism vith all its monumental me-

that a careful observer will see rea-
son to believe, that arguments in
favour of truth could not be forci-
bly applied without producing some
degree of conviction. They ex-
hibit in matters of religion, just
that state of mind and that exterior
deportment, which might be ex-

Manners and ( harader of the Burmese.

] I,

uionais and imagery ; and with the \\ out consulting astrologers. The
same ease, could ordain the ob-l particular day and hour, with the
servance of a new religion. We j! position of the planets, are careful-
may judge then with what affection p ly observed on the birth of a child.

the Burmese now adhere to the '
one, and with what sincerity they
would be attached to the other, if
upheld by the same authority.

The days of public worship are
pointed out by the change, the first
quarter, the full, and the last quar-
ter of the moon. Those of the full
and new moon, are observed with
more general attention. The grand
annual festival happens at the be-
ginning of the year, (about March.)
It is a time both of hilarity and
homage. On this day, or rather
during three days, religious pros-
tration, music and dancing, mas-
querades, pugilism, throwing water
upon one another, puppet shows,
and comic scones, make up the
festive jumble.

Religious duties consist in build-
ing pagodas and ornamenting them
with gold leaf, in forming large and
small images of Gautama, in erect-
ing monasteries, zayats, and bridg-
es, in digging tanks, in supporting
the priesthood by donations of food,
cloth, &c. in prostrations before
pagodas and images, in presenting
before them lighted candles, clus-
ters of flowers, umbrellas of various
descriptions, rice, and fruits ; in
erecting high poles and suspending
long flags on their tops ; in casting

bells and hanging them near their
pagodas, or contributing to any of
these objects ; in attention to the
recitations of the priests, and when
ever an offering is made, expressing
a wish that the merits of it may be
enjoyed. The use of the bells is
to proclaim to the celestial regions
the fact of presenting an offering ;
and the person who thus announces
the fact, is both worshipper and bell
man.

Nearly allied to the religion of
the Burmese are their superstitious
ideas. They have their fortunate
and unfortunate days, and no affair
of importance is undertaken with-

A man's fortune may be read on
the liness of the palm of his hand.
They believe in the existence of
evil spirits, ghosts, and witches,
in demoniacal possessions, and the
use of charms. The ett'ect of bul-
lets, swords, and spears, may be
restrained by the power of fascina-
tion, and the attacks of epidemical
or other prevalent diseases, pre-
vented by making terrific noises,
placing a hideous representation of
a face near the door of a dwelling-
house, or wearing charms. Accord-
ing to their ideas, the cholera has
been several times expelled from
Rangoon by the noise arising from
the simultaneous discharge of can-
non, muskets, and beating the hou-
ses with bamboos I In the year
18^23, when the cholera was exten-
sively fatal in its effects, the su-
preme court at Ava issued an or-
der that the inhabitants should
wear the title of the heir apparent,
written on a small slip of paper, in
the hole of the lobe of their ears,
as an infallible specific against the
eff*ects of that destructive demon.
If a vulture perch upon a house,
some awful calamity threatens its
inhabitants, and they immediately
abandon it. The doctrine of trans-
migration, it may be supposed,
leads them into the absurdity of
propitiating their future destiny by
offerings of food to animals ; a de-
ceased friend may thus be nourish-
ed in the form of a four-footed or
feathered animal, and in some fu-
ture period of existence, the good
deed repaid with ample interest.
Carved images of the most ridicu-
lous shapes are to be seen in many
places, the superstitious represen-
tatives of different Nats or demons.
Astrologers are numerous, and ob-
tain the means of subsistence by
the practice of their profession. A
great proportion of them are Brah-
mwns, or professors of Hindooism,

il4 Business before the Baptist General Convention.

here called Ponnas, who have been
born in the country, or have emi
grated from Assam or Hindoost'han.
Burmans also embrace the profess-
ion. The order is highly respect-
ed, but not esteemed so sacred as
that of the priesthood.

The medical department is pe-
culiarly subject to the control of
superstition. Its influence is often
seen in the collection of medicinal
roots, the method of compounding
medicines, and the time and man-
ner of administering them. Of
books which treat of the nature of
diseases, the virtues of medicinal
roots and plants, the art of com-
pounding them, and their specific
qualities, they have a considerable
number. Shops of drugs and med-
icine are in full proportion to the
wants of the public. With sur-
gery, however, they are wholly un-
acquainted.

Their funeral solemnities are con-
ducted with decency. The man-
ner of disposing of the dead is ei-
ther by incineration or burial. The
former is esteemed the most honour-
able. The corpse is inclosed in a
coffin, ornamented with gold leaf
or otherwise, according to the
means of the friends of the deceas-
ed, and, followed by the mourners
dressed in white, is borne to the
publip place of interment, (which is
without the city or town) the pro-
cession being usually preceded by
the music of wind instruments and
drums, and the presents intended
for the priests who may be invited
on the occasion. The presents
usually consist of pieces of cotton
cloth, sugar cane, and fruits of va-
rious kinds. On their arrival at
the place of incineration, fuel is
placed under the coffin, the move-
able ornaments being first taken
away, and the corpse is consumed,
after which the bones are interred.
Infants and criminals are buried,
as well as the poorest part of the
community. All funeral proces
sions must pass out of a city by a
particular gate, called the Funeral

Gate, and no corpse must be car
ried towards a city or town where
the Governors usually reside. The
banks of the Aiyawotte, are not se-
lected for the performance of fune-
ral obsequies, like the banks of the
Ganges, neither are its waters re-
garded as possessing any sacred
qualities, nor are they in the least
degree the object of superstitious
reverence. The business of the
priests at funerals, is, to recite
some portion of their sacred books,
and to receive presents ; but it is
not customary for them to take any
other part in funeral ceremonies,
unless at the incineration of their
own order, in which they render
personal assistance.

(To be continued.)

To the Bditois of the Am. Bap. Magaziue.
BUSINESS BEFORE THE BAPTIST GENERAL
CONVENTION IN THE UNITED STATES.

Messrs. Editors,

I WAS exceedingly interested in
the communication in your last
Number, signed, "A Layman."
It breathes a truly missionary spir-
it, and exhibits an ardour for the
advancement of the cause of Christ,
which it would be most desirable
to behold every where diffused
throughout our churches.

It has also led me to reflect some-
what upon the concerns which will
of course come before the Conven-
tion at its approaching Triennial
meeting. I have endeavoured to
arrange them so far as possible in
one view, for my own instruction,
and I send my thoughts to you,
with permission to insert them, if
your pages should not be occupied
with matter which you may consid-
er more important.

The business of the Convention
is of two kinds. Missionary and
Educational, Our Missions are of
two descriptions. 1st. Foreign, and
2d. Western or Domestic ; that is,
those which are employed among
our Indian tribes.

Business before the Baptist General Convention, 115

Our Foreign Missions are in Bur- !
mah and in Africa. From both of
these it is expected that interesting
intelligence will be presented, their
condition and prospects fully devel- |
oped, and the exertions necessary |
for their further prosecution clearly
stated. The Western Mission at
Carey has been frequently present-
ed to our notice through the medi-
um of your pages. Of the Station
at Valley Towns, I know almost
nothing. The religious publica-
tions of the day, and yours, Messrs.
Editors, among the number, have
scarcely told us enough to keep in
recollection the fact, that such a
Mission existed. From the letter
of " a Layman," and I presume he
must be acquainted with the facts,
I fear that the Missionary Treasu-
ry is, to say the best of it, exhaust-
ed. To awaken the public to exer-
tion, I can conceive no measure
more promising of success than a
full exhibition of the wants and the
present condition of the Stations.

But I think it must be evident to
every one of your readers, that
some new arrangement of the Mis-
sionary concerns of the Convention
is imperiously demanded. For sev-
eral years we have been rather
worse than at a stand. No new
Missions have been originated, and
some of those once flourishing seem
to have faltered. At the first meet-
ing of the Convention, our pros-
pects were very nearly as flattering
as it regards Missionary effort as
at present, and much more so as to
pecuniary resources. The Ameri-
can Board was established but a
few years before the General Con-
vention ; and whilst every year
since has added to their means and
to their exertions, ours on the con-
trary, we regret to state it, seem to
have moved retrograde.

This was perceived, I believe, at
'the last Triennial meeting, and an
effort was made to effect some new
arrangements. Several committees
in different parts of the United
States were appointed, with some

not very well defined powers.
What they have done I know not,
as I believe their doings have never
been made public. To the Com-
mittee in and about Boston, 1 have
perceived some additional powers
have since been granted ; and in
this part of the country, 1 am hap-
py to observe, some improvement is
apparent. 1 have heard of Church-
es and Societies, in Maine and
Massachusetts, who are doing well.
But I do not see any thing like such
a general movement on the subject
as the cause imperatively demands.

Sometimes I have attributed this
diminution of exertion to a want of
interest in the cause of Missions.
But having seen how promptly So-
cieties have been formed wherever
proper solicitations have been made,
1 am convinced that this supposi-
tion must be erroneous. 1 do be-
lieve that funds, to any reasonable
amount, might be raised from our
denomination in this country, if
missions were prosecuted vigorous-
ly, and the proper means used to
bring our churches into action.

This can only be done by a reg-
ular course of systematic exertion.
It is a work of labour; and without
labour, persevering, pains-taking
labour, it cannot be accomplished.
The business evidently demands,
that one or two men should devote
their time exclusively to it, assist-
ed by as many agents as may be
deemed necessary. The Corres-
ponding Secretary at least should
have nothing else to do, and a com-
petent support should be at once
provided for him. He should be
the general and the active Superin-
tendent of our whole Missionary
Concerns, and his whole physical
and moral energies should be con-
secrated to the work. With one
hand he should direct our Mission-
aries abroad, and with the other he
should sustain and elevate the spir-
it of Christian benevolence at home.
Here is surely enough to call for
one whole man, and a man of no
common foresight and no ordinary

116 Business before the Baptist General Convention.

efficiency. Tliis subject will, I
trust, call for the deliberate atten
tion of the Convention.

But besides this, it has appeared
to me that the present organization
of our Missionary System is sus-
ceptible of some improvement. It
is now vested, if I mistake not, in
a Board of Managers, consisting of
38 persons from difterent parts of
the United States. This Board
holds, or is expected to hold, a full
meeting annually; but a very small
quorum, I believe of five persons,
transacts all the business in the in-
terim. This making so few persons
a Board, always seemed to me a bad
arrangement. They are the Board
as truly as the whole 38, and are
as independent as the full meeting;
and yet the whole Board is consid-
ered responsible for their acts ;
acts over which it is evident the
majority could have no manner of
control; for they are never inform-
ed of the meetings, and are so far
oft', that to attend them would be
impossible. It has occurred to me
that a Committee, appointed by the
Board from themselves, with limit-
ed and accurately defined powers,
responsible to the Board, and re-
porting to them in full all their
doings, liable to be removed at its
pleasure would be a much more ef-
ficient and suitable arrangement.

There is one other consideration
which is worthy of regard. It seems
evident that the Missionary opera-
tions should dU be conducted by
one Board. At present, the West-
ern Missions are under the super-
intendence of the Board at Wash
ington, while the Foreign are con-
ducted by a Committee in Boston.
When the same Treasury is to be
drawn upon, and drafts to be made
out by bodies 500 miles apart, there
is a constant liability of interfer-
ence. Besides, the present arrange-
ment, as must be evident, is doub-
ling the labour, and rendering it
impossible that the work should be
done as well as by one Board. It i
seems then, important, that some

plan should be adopted whereby the
whole Missionary concern should
be consolidated, and placed in the
hands of men who can devote to ii
the labour which it requires, and
who reside in some place where the
channel of communicatio;i is opet
and free, both to the Eastern anc
Western world. I have, however
been delayed longer on this brand
of the subject than I at all intend-
ed, and I have said what I at firsi
did not intend. I will now tun
to the Educational concerns of the
Convention.

The Educational concerns of the
Cenvention are now all concentra
ted in the Columbian College in the
District of Columbia. This Insti-
tution originated in the design tc
establish a Theological Institutior
for the Baptist Denomination. Ai
Institution was established in Phil
adelphia, with the express directioi
of the Convention, that no expen
ses should be incurred faster thar
funds were provided to meet them.*
This Institution was subsequently
removed to Washington, and be
came merged in the College, foi
which, in 1821, a charter was ob-
tained. By this charter, the Con-
vention surrendered the College in
to the hands of a Board of Trustees,
reserving to itself the right of nom
inating the persons from whom the
choice should be made. This i:
the connecting link between the
College and the Convention, and m
virtue of it, the Trustees have made
reports of their proceedings to the
Convention, and made exhibits ol
the state of their pecuniary arrange-
ments.

The College has prospered as a
literary Institution even beyond the
hopes of its friends. Its number
of students has been large and in-
creasing. Its officers have been
evidently laborious and successful
instructers ; and the testimony tc
the progress of their pupils, bj
some of the ablest men in the na-
tion, is such, as to entitle them tc
the confidence of the Conventior

Business before the Baptist General Convention.

and of the public. The philosophi-
cal apparatus attached to the Col-
lege is, we understand, worthy of
comparison with that of any of our
older institutions.

In looking back to the Report of
the Trustees made to the Conven-
tion in 1823, 1 have been gratified
to observe, that the pecuniary con-
cerns of the College were in so fa-
vourable a condition. I regretted
exceedingly to see it stated, that
" the multiplicity of the Treasur-
er's labours prevented hiui from
bringing up his accounts to the
present date." The Convention
meets only once in three years ;
and it is most surely the business
of the Treasurer to be prepared at jj
least on that occasion. If his la- 1
hours were too great to allow of his j
writing, and posting books, thisl,
might have been done by a clerk. '
Book-keeping is a simple business.
Figures have a definite language,
the language we suppose always in-
tended to be spoken, and always
easily understood by financial men.

But passing this informality, the
Board inform the Convention, " it
is certain that the accounts will not
vary essentially from the following
estimate. Gross expenses of the
whole establishment, S70,000.
•Debt, S30,000. In uncollected
subscriptions due the College, up-
wards of g20,000. Notes due the :
Treasurer, about $^5000. Bank
Stock, S7,500. Due College from
the Convention on account of Ben-
eficiaries, - S6000. Total due the
College, S38,500 which is SB, 500
above the debts of the Institution.
Now if we only suppose §11,500 of
the S20,000 subscribed to have
been paid, the Institution must be
in effect clear of debt.

But I observe in the Report of
the Agent to the same Convention,
that he had secured to the Conven-
tion two good houses in Washing-
ton, worth 810,000, by appropria-
ting to their purchase all the avails
of his salary and services for years.
"These he purposed to deed to the
April, 1826.

Convention without delay." This
transfer has doubtless before this
time been made, and we presume
the Convention will feel a peculiar
satisfaction in devoting this dona-
tion to the use of the Columbiaa
College.

I observe also, that up to the pe-
riod of the Report of the Trustees,
the tuition money received from
students was sufficient to meet the
salaries of the existing faculty.
Since that time, although the Pres-
ident has entered upon his duties^
and thus the expenses of instruc-
tion have been somewhat augmen-
ted, yet as the number of students
has so considerably increased, there
can be from this source no very
considerable deficiency.

On the contrary, there have been
several sources from which the rev-
enues of the College must have con-
siderably augmented. Funds to a
considerable amount have been re-
ceived for the endowment of 1st.
The Presidency ; 2d, The Profes-
sorship of Ecclesiastical History;
3d, The Professorship of Langua-
ges and Biblical Criticism; and 4th,
The Professorship of Mathematics
and Natural Philosophy. Now as
each of these funds must, as soon
as it is commenced, become more
or less productive, as they are of
course invested in some suitable
stock, the expenditures for instruc-
tion must be somewhat lessened,
and the surplus may be applied to
the liquidation of the debts. How
much may have been received since,
we have not observed ; but we no-
tice (in the Number for June, 1823,)
that about S2,600 have been ac-
knowledged as received by the
Agent for the Professorship of Lan-
guages, and about 2,300 for that
of Ecclesiastical History. Besides
these, there have been some sub-
scriptions solicited for the general
purposes of the Institution, and
some Agents employed to solicit.
To what extent these have succeed-
ed, we are unable to ascertain.
But it would seem from these data,
16

118 Business before the Baptist Ge^ieml Convention..

if the financial concerns of the In-
stitution have been managed with
ordinary prudence, that its funds
must now be in as favourable a
state as they were at the last meet-
ing of the Convention. With these
prospects, under the fostering hand
of the Convention, we should hope
that the Columbian College will
soon rise to eminence among our
literary institutions. We hope that
the Report of the Trustees at the
next meeting will justify these ex-
pectations of the public.

Another subject of equal impor-
tance will probably be at this time
agitated. It is the Constitution of
the Convention. This Corporation
is formed, as is well known, by
delegates from Missionary and Ed-
\ication Societies, who contribute
to its funds. It has been doubted
by some of our most judicious men,
whether this was the best method
of fixing the representation. It is
certainly very unequal in its ope-
ration, and is very far from collect-
ing with certainty the united wis-
dom of our brethren. The funds
of almost any individual society
are small, and to send a delegate
from a remote State would fre-
quently exhaust its whole contribu-
tions for the year. Thus from th6
remote States, it could scarcely be
expected that any, or at most but
one or two delegates would be
present, and these would represent
a society of 25 or 30 individuals,
instead of the whole State from
•which they come. But to illustrate
ihe practical effect of the present
system, it will be sufficient to refer
to the Minutes of the last Conven-
tion. There were present in all but
51 delegates. Of these, 14, that is,
five more than appeared from all
New-England, and nearly one third
of the whole body, resided in the
District of Columbia. Now if we
proceed upon the principle that tax-
ation and representation shall be
proportioned to each other, this ar-
rangement is most manifestly un-
lust, Your readers will imagine.

as well as I can describe, the evil
which an active and intriguing ma:
might bring upon the (!onventio
by an abuse of this arrangement
I hope the time will never arriv
when any man among us will b
disposed to intrigue in the cause c
Christ ; but still it will not b
doubted, that leaving the possibilit
of such an event open, is an objec
tion to any arrangement, which i
would be wise in us to obviate if i
be in our power.

These difficulties have suggestei
to many of our wisest brethren, th
idea of having the second article o
the Constitution so altered, that al
I members of the General Conven
j tion shall be appointed by Stat
'Conventions. These have beei
j formed in most of the United States
{ and are already in successful ope
ration. To have delegates sent ii
this manner would be attended wit!
many and manifest advantages
The State Convention could alway
bear, with trifling exertion, the ex
penses of its delegation, and thus i
more general attendance might b
expected. Those who attend wouh
1 1 each, in fact^ represent the feelingi
j ; of that portion of our churches bj
whom they were delegated. .Thi
i General Convention would thus be
[ come a strong bond of connexior
I between all the different portions o
I our denomination scattered ovei
! this widely extended country, anc
I would bind them together in, it ma}
I be hoped, indissoluble union. The
I General Convention being thus com
I posed of delegates from the State
I Conventions, and the State Conven-
i tions of delegates from Associations,
and these last of delegates from
churches, it would be the heart tc
the whole system, and might send
a pulse of healthy influence to eve-
ry church and to every individual
in the land. The arrangement ol
combination would then be perfect,
and we should unite, in the purpo-
ses of benevolence, the whole feeling
in our country.

' X have detained four readers,

H^Iissionanj Intelligence.

119

Messrs. Editors, longer, and have r
gone much more into detail, than I
at first designed. I hope that the
freedom I have used will be excu-
sed. I had seen nothing upon these
subjects in any of our publications,*
and knowing the importance of
some reflection upon them to the

' delegates who may be present, I
have ventured to throw out these
hints for their consideration. May
God grant to all the members, that
wisdom which is profitable to di-
rect.

With esteem, I am, &c.

CANDIDUS.

MISSIONARY INTXSLLiaCNCS.

It is a long time since we gave an ac-
count of the state of Missions in South
Africa. In the absence of all intelligence
from India, we think the following nar-
rative of the blessed effects of the gospel
in elevating the moral character and civil
condition of the Hottentots, will be inter-
I esting to all our readers.

rOREIGN.

AFRICA.

FORMATION OF AN AUXILIARY MISSIONARY
SOCIETY AT THEOPOLIS.

Extract of a Letter from Rev. George
Barker^ Theopolis, dated Ath August,
1825.

I' ** On the 10th of June last, we formed
a Society denominated the Theopolis
Auxiliary Missionary Society ; Messrs.
Helm and Read came from Bethelsdorp
to assist us. Mr. Helm preached in the

I morning from Luke x. 27. " Go thou
and do likewise " In the afternoon the
Society was formed, Mr. Wright in the
chair. The first resolution was to ap-
prove of the object and exertions of the
London Missionary Society. The second,
that the Inhabitants of Theopolis, feeling
their obligation to God, for the labours of
Missionaries, desire to establish an Aux-

I iliary Missionary Society here. The other
resolutions appointed the officers of the

i Society, &c. Our native speeches vv^ere
some of them very striking and very sen-
sible.

The first took a view of the- former
wretched condition of the Hottentots, and

described them as being then dragged to
eternal misery without being sensible of
their danger. The second made some
sarcastic remarks on those who formerly
said, the Hottentots were not men, but a,
superior order of baboons ; that the Hot-
tentots were not made by God, but by
the Devil, and that this is the cause of the
difference between the Hottentots and
Europeans. But, he said, " my friends, I
now see that Hottentots can think, and
feel, and act, like other men. What do I
now behold — a Missionary Society form-
ed among Hottentots A third noticed
with much good sense, the present awful
state of a great proportion of the Hotten-
tots; and having lately visited Caffreland,
he described the condition of the CafFres,
and hence inferred the necessity for
strenuous exertions on behalf of the Mis-
sionary cause. But a fourth, in a strain
of feeling not to be described, compared
the newly formed Society to a child, and
the Parent Society to its mother, and said,
" He wished to impress on the minds of
all present, that the members of this new-
ly formed Society had been long nurtur-
ed by the mother Society ; and the meet-
ing had been told that her other children
(meaning Auxiliary Societies) had in the
mean time supported her. If this Society
did not exert itself to assist in support-
ing its mother, the consequence would
be, she would become enfeebled in her
efforts, if not die in grief ; hence he ex-
horted all to come forward with their
money on behalf of the Parent Society,
and the cause of God." The collections
at the doors amounted to about 60 rix
dollars. Wc were favoured with the

120

Missionary Intelligence.

company of several of our English friends j
on the occasion, among whom were Mr. j
Kay, the Methodist Minister at Graham's
Town, and Mr. Duxberry, who ministers
to the Baptist Church at the same place,
all of whom expressed themselves sur-
prised and gratified. What will be the
result of the formation of this Society,
time will unfold. God grant that its end
may be as prosperous as its beginning
was gratifying.

Extracts of a Letter from an English
Gentleman, addressed to Dr. Philip,
containing some Account of the princi-
pal Colonial Missions of the Society in
South Africa. Cape of Good Hope,
27th of January, 1825.

" My dear Sir, — As it may be accepta-
ble to you to receive the testimony of im-
partial eye-witnesses to the progress of
the missionary exertions among the Hot-
tentots, at the various stations under your
superintendence, I have much pleasure
in communicating in writing the result of
the observations made by my friend Mr.

and myself, on our late visit to Pa-

caltsdorp, Bethelsdorp, and Theopolis,
the substance of which we also expressed
at the late meeting of the Auxiliary Mis-
sionary Society in Cape Town.

" In stating Mr. 's sentiments, in

conjunction with my own, on this occa-
sion, I have to regret that his hasty de-
parture for , has devolved on me a

task which he was so much better quali-
fied to perform ; but I am sure you will
xeceive with indulgence the few desultory
observations I shall venture to offer. To
allude in detail to every object which
strikes the eye, or attracts the observation
of a stranger at these Institutions, would
be an unnecessary trespass on your time,
■who are already so fully acquainted with
them ; I shall therefore confine my re-
marks to a few of the most prominent fea-
tures they present to those who keep in
view the great end of their establishment,
the disseminating of religious truth, and
the moral improvement of the people.

Mission Schools.
Among the various instruments em-
ployed for the important objects above
mentioned, schools have ever held a pri-

mary place, and we were gratified to find
that this fundamental branch of mission-
ary labour had not been overlooked. At
all the Institutions we found Sunday
Schools, both for adults and children, in
active operation, and zealously supported
by the people themselves, as well as al-
most every individual resident at the sta-
tion, whose assistance could be made use-
ful as teachers. Many of the latter class
were selected from among the Hotten-
tots, and when it is considered, that not
less than 600 adults, and from 3 to 400
children, are regularly receiving instruc-
tion, and learning to read the Scriptures,
j in these schools — that the greatest num-
ber of the children are also taught on
week-days to read and write English, it
j is impossible, for a moment, to doubt the
j utility of the Institution, or to deny that
the work of improvement is going for-
ward. The progress of persons advanc-
ed in years, who have but one day in
seven to learn, cannot be otherwise than
slow ; and doubtless much remains to be
done ; but while the effect of these
schools on the morals of the Hottentots
is already very apparent, in their better
observance of the Lord's day, and the
useful appropriation of that portion of
time which before was too often wasted
in idleness, the very general desire of in-
struction thus evinced, both for them-
selves and their children, affords a grati-
fying proof of the influence of Christian
I principles on their minds, and cannot
fail, at no distant period, to produce a
striking and important change in the
character and habits of the people. In
the day schools we had much satisfaction
in seeing the British system successfully
introduced. And at Theopolis particu-
larly, it was pleasing to find that the ob-
stacles hitherto presented by the irregu-
larity of the children's attendance has
been almost entirely overcome, and so
great a number as 200 daily collected to-
gether for instruction, through the active
exertions of Mr. Wright, all of whom,
with but two or three exceptions, were
decently clothed.

" The progress the children had made
in English, considering the short time
since it had been introduced into the

Missionary

schools, appeared very creditable to their
teachers ; while the facility with which
they learn, and the readiness of their re-
plies to questions put to them on Scrip-
ture history, (particularly at Pacaltsdorp,
under Mr. Anderson,) afford a satisfactory
refutation of the charge of intellectual in-
capacity, which some have unguardedly
thrown out against the Hottentots in
general.

Bcthelsdorp Eoangclical Society — Attend-
ance on the Public Exercises of Relig-
ion— Religious Character of the Hot-
tentots, ^c.

"At Bethelsdorp, the exertions of the
Missionaries to keep alive a religious
spirit among the people seemed to be
most materially aided by the Sunday-
school committee, consisting, I believe,
entirely of the teachers, in number about
20, which meets once a week for the bu-
siness of the school, and for mutual edifi-
cation, and not less so by the Domestic
Evangelical Society, of which some of the
most pious and best informed Hottentots
are members. These visit the people by
turns in their own houses, read and ex-
plain to them portions of the Scriptures,
and tracts, pray with, and exhort them.
The simplicity of this Institution, so well
adapted to the character of the people,
cannot fail to be highly beneficial to the
cause of Christianity among them.

" At their weekly prayer-meetings, we
had an opportunity of hotring several j
members of the different churches pour
forth their extemporary supplications with
a degree of fervour and fluency exceed-
ingly interesting and affecting. And
among the many subjects of thankfulness
that were publicly enumerated, it was
pleasing to hear distinguished the mercy
of the Almighty in having sent teachers
from afar to instruct and civilize these

poor, degraded nations."

" At all these institutions, I think I
may with propriety affirm, that there ex-
ists, both among the missionaries and
people, a great degree of zeal, and a real
interest in the missionary cause. Indeed,
the punctuality of their attendance on the
daily public exercises of devotion ; the
correct seriousness of their demeanour
while there ; the readiness they have

Intelligence. I2l

evinced in contributing towards the relig-
ious improvement, as well as temporal
necessities of their brethren, in the mis-
sionary and charitable associations form-
ed among themselves, lefl us no reason
to doubt the statements of the mission-
aries, that the gospel has been received
among the people, ' not in word only,
but in power,' and that its effects are dis-
played in the lives of many, as well as in
the moral and orderly conduct of the
whole community at the several stations.

" In their talents for sacred music,
which has attracted the attention of al-
most every traveller, the Hottentots at
these institutions do not fall short of their
brethren elsewhere. It was not, however,
the talent alone, but the spirit of devotion
with which it was employed, that struck
us as most worthy of observation ; and an
assembly of these simple people, joining
together in songs of praise and thankful-
ness to the Creator, is a spectacle as ele-
vating to the mind of a Christian as the
sweet harmony of their voices is pleasing
to the ear."

Progress of the Hottentots in Civilization.

" With regard to the progress of the
Hottentots in civilization, it appears to
me that an unfair estimate has often been
formed. And because living amongst
Europeans, and for the most part subject
to their control, they still retain much of
their native character and habits, and do
not at once adopt the manners and cus-
toms of a people so different from them-
selves, they are hastily pronounced to
have advanced but little beyond the sav-
age state.

" Civilization is, indeed, the handmaid
of religion, and invariably has followed in
her train, but her progress has in general
been but very gradual. Yet with every
allowance for the peculiarity of their cir-
cumstances, and the differences in nation-
al character and habits, I have no hesita-
tion in saying, that many of the Hotten-
tots of these institutions appeared to us
fully on an equality, in point of civiliza-
tion, with a great portion of the labour-
ing class in our country. And among
those at Bethelsdorp particularly, English
habits and English feelings seemed to be

122

Missionary Intelligence,

rapidly gaining ground. Many of their
houses were exceedingly comfortable and
clean ; and in this respect it is rather re-
markable how far they have overcome
the proverbial filthiness of their former
habits. Their public spirit and disinter-
estedness have been shown in the gratuit-
ous contribution of their labours to works
of charity and general utility ; such as the
church, school-house, road, kraal, tank,
and poor-house at Bethelsdorp, construct-
ed entirely at their own expense ; while
the voluntary support of this last-men-
tioned asylum for the aged and infirm,
alfords also a strong proof of the benevo-
lence of their dispositions, and the influ-
ence of civilizing principles of the best
kind on their general conduct.

" We were glad to find that the indus-
try of the people at the diflferent institu-
tions was fettered by no restrictions on
the part of the missionaries, and that the
profits of it were entirely their own. The
missionaries assured us that they strictly
avoid interfering with the people in the
disposal of themselves, and that they had
perfect liberty to go whenever and wher-
ever they pleased. The outward circum-
stances of many of them, their houses,
cattle, waggons, &c. afford unquestion-
able proof of their industry, while the
quantity of European articles sold at the
stations of Bethelsdorp and Theopolis,
also shows that the people in general are
far from being insensible to the comforts
of civilized life, or unwilling to labour to
attain them."

Unfounded Charge against the Institutions
refuted.

" In the course of our journey, we fre-
quently heard the Missionary Institutions
accused as the means of withdrawing the
labour of the Hottentots from the inhabit-
ants of the country, and shutting up a
great number of useful hands in useless
inactivity. Convinced as we were that
this charge had its origin partly in ignor-
ance, but chiefly in that unjust, selfish
spirit, under the influence of which the
Hottentots have been so long regarded as
a sort of lawful property, we nevertheless
made a point of inquiring particularly
into the subject ; and to every unpreju-

j diced mind, I feel assured that no other
! refutation will be required, than the sim-
ple fact we ascertained, that at Bethels-
dorp, out of nearly 2000 persons enrolled
in the books, not more than 450, and of
these, 160 children, permanently reside at
the institution. The remainder, of course,
must be employed in the surrounding
country ; and if some even of these be
occupied entirely on their own account,
as they certainly are, no one can have the
presumption to maintain, that the Hotten-
tots have not the same right as other free-
born persons to labour and acquire pro-
perty for themselves."

Capability of the Hottentots for Advance-
ment in Civilization.
" The circumstances of the country,
and the peculiar civil restrictions under
which the Hottentots still labour, present
obstacles to their improvement, which the
missionaries have not the power of re-
moving ; but when they are placed on an
equality as to civil rights with every
other class of British subjects around
them ; when their character is better un-
derstood by those who wish for their ser-
vices, and they have the power of be-
coming individually proprietors of the
lands which they now cultivate in com-
mon by sufferance only, they will possess
inducements to industry and intellectual
exertion which they do not now enjoy,
and, I am persuaded, will shew them-
selves well worthy of all the privileges of
freemen, and rapidly evince their capacity
for the performance, of every necessary
duty, whether as servants, masters, or
citizens of a civilized state."

Buildings at the Institutions.
" The buildings at the several stations
appeared to us substantial, and well suit-
ed for the purposes to which they are ap-
plied, and must have contributed essenti-
ally towards the improvement of the peo-
ple. They have afforded employment to
many, and provided the means of in-
structing them in the useftil arts ; while
they have also served to foster a laudable
spirit of independence and local attach-
ment, which is productive of the best ef-
fects on the people themselves, and helps

Missionary Intelligence,

123

to attract others td the institution, as ex-
perience has already shown.

" The building of a church at Pacalts-
4orp we thought promised to be very use-
ful in this way, both among the Hotten-
tots and inhabitants of the district ; and
when finished, will be a very valuable ad-
dition to this station, as well as a fit me-
morial of the piety and zeal of the worthy
founder of the institution, whose bequest
tias been so properly applied to its erec-
tion.

" While at Betheledorp, the insufficien-
cy of the building, used as a church, to
contain the increasing numbers of the

people, was pointed out to Mr. and

myself ; and it was also suggested, that if
a sum could be obtained to enable the
Hottentots to subsist their families while
engaged in the work, they would cheer-
fully bestow their services on the erection
of a church suited to the wants and rising !
importance of tho station. In conse- '
quence of this suggestion, wo were in-
duced to propose the subscription at the
last meeting of the Auxiliary Missionary
Society in Cape Town, which, it is to be
hoped, may prove some assistance to-
tvards so useful a work. When this has
been accomplished, little else in the way
of building will be required to complete
that station, which, although labouring j I
under many local disadvantages, promises jj
daily to become a place of much greater 11
importance, and more extensive useful- j|
mess, than could even have been antici- '
patcd ; being centrally situated on the
high road from the coast of the interior,
by means of which the chief trade of the
country is carried, and a great number of
Hottentots are continually empl'^yed. We j
may not, indeed, there see " the barren j
Und become literally a fruitful field," or'
"the desert blossom like the rose," as in
•ome more favoured spots, although there
is no deficiency in the outward marks of
industry ; but we have already seen that
it has proved figuratively fruitful in a high
degree, in disseminating the knowledge
of religion and the only true principles of
civilization, among a large portion both
of the Hottentot and slave population
Ecattered in its vicinity."

! From a short letter to Dr. Philip, re-
lating to the same Missionary Institu-
tions, written by the fellow-traveller of
the gentleman to whom w^e are indebted
for the preceding statements, we extract
the following passages : —

" The expectations I had formed, and
the accounts I received from yourself and
others of the Missionary Institutions,
have been fully confirmed. Independent-
ly of the direct religious advantages w^hich
they present, the principles on which
they are conducted are calculated to in-
spire into the people a spirit of industry.'
The stores established at Bethelsdorp and
at Theopolis must be extremely useful,
as, by the artificial wants they create,
they excite the people to increased indus-
try, and at the same time aftbrd the
means of supplying their wants at a mod-
erate rate The new houses, which the
Hottentots are building, will not only
greatly improve the appearance of the
respective places, but add materially to
the comforts of the people, and, at the
same time, promote their moral improve-
ment. Tho time allotted for public work,
and the people being taught the diflcrent
trades for their own benefit, and not for
the benefit of the mission, arc parts of the
system which cannot fail to strike every
one as worthy of imitation. With the
Day and Sunday schools wc have been
highly delighted, particularly at Theopo-
lis. They do great credit to those who
have had the management of them."

Death of Missionaries, ^c.

Tho directors have received from the
Cape of Good Hope, intelligence of the
death of the Rev. Mr. Kicherer ; who in
the year 1803, visited this country with
Mary, Martha, and John, some of the
first fruits of the Missionary Society's la-
bours in Africa. Also, of the death of the
Rev. Mr. Vos. These two Missionaries,
formerly labouring under the patronage
of tho Society in Africa, but subsequently
ministers of the Dutch church, both fin-
ished their earthly course in September,
1825.

19A

Missionary Intelligence.

DOMESTIC.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY
OF MASSACHUSETTS.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM REV. W.
METCALF TO REV. OREN TRACY, OF
RANDOLPH, DATED

ChinOi Genesee Co. (N. T.) Feb. 15, 1826.
Dear Brother,

* * * * Well, while you are settled
among a good people, visiting among
them, receiving their warm approbations,
frequently enjoying a social circle, now
and then, (I hope often) in your little
study, surrounded by your helps," and in
the midst of a rich and populous country;
here am I, far from home, among stran-
gers, in a strange land, with my Bible and
Hymn book, going from hut to hut, fre-
quently worn out by labour, exposed to
cold and wet; the wind, often whistling
around my head in bed, having found ac-
cess through, or between, the logs com-
posing the dwelling. But stop, am I
complaining Have I no friend to com-
fort me No social circle to frequent ^ Do
I receive no expressions of gratitude and
approbation .'' Have I no cheering pros-
pect before me Yes, blessed be God, all
this, yea more ! Although far from home,
I have a home in every humble cottage,
among strangers, and a friend in every
dwelling to welcome me. My heart is
often affected by expressions of gratitude
and approbation, and the prospects of
usefulness, which seem brightening every
day. O how much cause of gratitude and
humility .'' Far be it from me to think my
lot is hard. I rejoice that I have an evi-
dence that God has sent me here, to
preach the precious " Gospel of Christ,"
to enter the hut, where never before a
Missionary of the cross was seen, to re-
claim his sheep, scattered in the wilder-
ness, to hear the sighs of the broken
heart and the songs of the new born soul,
to raise a supplicating cry, where, never
before a prayer was heard; to visit
those churches, who have raised the Ma-
cedonian cry, and to set in order the
things that are wanting.

But to be a little more particular.

When I first came to Jhis region, the
churches were very low, and under many
severe trials ; some difficulties, however,
had recently been settled, and the church
was in a better state of union than be-
fore. I concluded to spend a few months
in this vicinity, and to preach one Sab-
batli in a month in this town, one in Sardi-
nia, and one in Freedom, towns adjoining,
reserving one Sabbath for special appoint-
ments. The church in Freedom is a
branch of this. They had not had a cov-
enant meeting, nor a communion season
in this church for more than a year. In
Freedom, they had occasionally met for
these purposes, and in Sardinia almost
statedly. Viewing the low and destitute
condition of the churches, and the state of
society generally, I thought it my duty to
try to help them. I trust I can say, the
Lord has in a good degree blessed my j
feeble exertions. I have spent my time
in visiting and preaching constantly. I
have my appointments so arranged, that
I attend a covenant meeting in each
place, on the Saturday preceding the Sab-
bath, in which I preach, so that I see each
church together once a month. In this
town we have had two communion sea-
sons. At the first there were 12 members
present ; at the second, which was last
Sabbath, there were between 30 and 40
communicants, and one was baptized ;
we had a good, solemn season, probably i
more than a hundred spectators tarried.

In Freedom, we have had oqe commu-
nion sermon, and I have baptized 4 per- |
sons. Some are under serious impres-
sions, and one or two instances of recent
conversion; several backsliders have re-
turned, and a general excitement appears, ;
particularly at our meeting ; more have
assembled together lately, than have ever
been seen before in this place.

In Sardinia, we have had one commu-
nion season, and a precious time it was.
There were between 40 and 50 communi- ■
cants, and it was a tender, melting time, i
One woman was received by baptism,
who had been long halting between two
opinions ; two by letter, and a number
were present who were desirous of going
forward, but had not sufficient strength,
and some were under deep concern, all

Missionary Intelligence.

125

which rendered the season truly solemn Ijme in the path of duty. I desire to know,
and delightful. The assembly that day || and do the will of God.
was so large that many could not possi- |j

bly get into the house, the large school |t »
house which was granted for our accom- |'

modation. I preached from the words of i extract of a letter from rev. j. m.

the prophet, How long halt ye between j peck, to the SECREtARv of the mass.
two opinions, &c " Many were in tears,
and h%ve since been heard to say, " He
was preaching to me." I cannot but hope,
good will result from the services of the
day. Meetings are generally full, and the
people pay good attention to the word.
I expect to spend next Sabbath there, and
probably 4 or 5 persons will be baptized;
many are under serious impressions. O
that God would liberate their souls. I

have ipent one Sabbath in , about

25 miles from this place, and broke bread
to a newly constructed church in tiie wil-
derness, consisting of about 3U members.
I had a good season. I made no more
appointments there, believing it my duty
to spend my time in this vicinity. Since
I came on Missionary ground, I hav5
visited about 90 families; preached 70
times; attended 20 other meetings; broke
bread 5 times ; baptized G persons, antl
given the hand of fellowship to 5 others,
some of whom had long neglected their
duty. But, oh ! on a retrospect I find
that I have done but little, and that little
poorly. O how imperfect! how much
need of wisdom, prudence, humility and
zeal. I find myself more and more inad-
equate to the work. " Who is sufficient
for these things This is indeed a deso-
late region; but few ministers in the vicini-
ty, and most of them not able to itinerate.
I find many backsliders, many hardened
souls, many who seldom if ever hear the
gospel. But I feel ^^ncouraged. I rejoice

baptist missionary society.

Rock-Spring, (III.) Feb. 20, 1825.
Rev. and dear Brother,

That portion of my time which has
been employed in the service of your So-
ciety, has been spent in St. Louis; among
the churches in the iMissouri Association ;
and in occasional visits to other places,
where pressing duties called me.

The Bible Society, and the Sunday
School Union, in the agency of both of
which I have been engaged, has kept me
very busy, and increased my labours so
much as to impair my health; but they
have given me opportunities for exten-
sive exertions in the cause of Christ.
Both these objects prosper quite beyond
what once we anticipated. The fruits of
the Sunday schools already begin to hang
in clusters. About <cn teachers, and scv-
' entij scholars in the schools of Missouri
and Illinois, have been reported to me as
having professed rehgion, and united
with diU'ercnt denominations, the last
season. From returns already received,
I learn there cannot have been loss than
30 schools, including 1200 scholars, who
have committed to memory at least
120,000 verses, the past year, in Missouri ;
while in Illinois there have not been lees
than 80 schools, including 3000 scholars,
who have committed to memory at least
300,000vcrses of Scripture, besides hymns,
and questions in the catechism.

In some former communications, I

with trembling. To-day prospects may M mentioned about the sending of Spanish
appear bright, to-morrow all gloomy. O J testaments to Upper Mexico. Last fall I
my dear brother pray for me, that I may i became acquainted with Raymond Marti-
be humble, prudent, and persevering, ij nas, an intelligent Spaniard from the city
Pray that the Lord would send forth la-
bourers. O how much they are needed in
this part of the world !

I have two months longer of my ap-
pointment to fulfil. Birt bow can I go
away You must stay ; you must stay ;
how can you go away ? frequently sa-
lutes my ears. O that God would direct

of Chihuahua, which is situated about 240
miles S. VV. from St. Fee. This man,
though he could speak but a few words of
our language, conveyed to me considera-
ble intelligence about his native country,
as others both before and since have
done. The chain of cast is there broken,
Supersftition and priestly aufhorify i.<5

12G

Missionary Intelligence.

greatly paralized. I gave him a Spanish
Testament, and six Spanish tracts,
amongst which were the " Dairyman's
daughter, • " Jack Covey," and others of a
like description. He expressed great
thankfulness for them, particularly the
testament, pressing it to his bosom, raising
his hands and eyes towards heaven, and
by signs and words endeavoured to con-
vey to me a just sense of the obligations
under which he felt himself for so great a
treasure. This was the first time he ever
saw the word of God, excepting such
scraps as are found in the Roman Brevi-
ary and Missal. He knew that such a
book existed, but had never seen it in his
own country. Educated by an uncle of
his, a priest of high order, he has receiv-
ed a tolerable share of Spanish learning.
I frequently saw him afterwards, and
tried to talk with him, and both regretted
the inconvenience under which we were
placed. He appeared anxious to hear
me explain the book, would read passa-
ges in my presence, and then remark up-
on them. Upon my return to St. Louis
from an absence of several weeks, I re-
gretted to learn that my friend Martinas
had departed on a hunting expedition to
the sources of the Missouri; but received
the gratifying intelligence that his testa-
ment, carefully wrapped up in skins, was
taken with him, nor could he be persuad-
ed by any means either to sell or leave it
behind. I had promised him fifty testa-
ments, and a quantity of Spanish tracts,
to carry back for gratuitous distribution
in Chihuahua. This he repeatedly men-
tioned to some of my friends in St. I^ouis
as he was about to depart, while urging
upon them not to omit his kind respects
to me, and insisted that upon his return
from hunting in two years, he should hold
me to the offer about the books. Since
that period, I have formed an acquaintance
with another Spaniard* from the same
dty, who confirms the accounts given by
Martinas, and expresses a confident be-
lief that free toleration will soon be en-

• Don Raymond Garcia.

joyed throughout the republic of Mexico,
To him I gave a testament, and he readi-
ly proposed to purchase a number, to
carry back to his benighted countrymen.
Upon enquiring if the priests would allow
him to read that book, he promptly re-
plied as Martinas and others have done
to the same question ; Most certainly —
The priests dare not deny us our rtghts :
We are a free people ; we have fought
for our liberty and gained it, and now wg
will read the Testament. They often
express their desire to be like the Ameri-
canos, as they style the people of the
United States, in every thing, and often
speak of gaining their liberty, as putting
them in the possession of religious rights,
affirming that although Kuropean priests
may prohibit the reading of the Scrip,
tures, theirs will not. The persons with
whom I have formed an acquaintance are
more intelligent than the mass of Spanish
population in the upper provinces of
Mexico, the most of which can neither
read nor write ; but I have no doubt the
way is fast preparing to send them the
light of salvation.

I remain as ever, yours, &c.

J. M. PECK.

Rev. Daniel Sharp, Seer'y.

P. S. Since writing the foregoing let-
ter, I have had a long interview with Don
Raymond Garcia, who, in imperfect lan-
guage, has given me a minute detail of
of the state of things as to religion, poli-
tics, &c. in Upper Mexico. He is a most
zealous republican, and wants the Amer-
icans to establish schools amongst them,
introduce the book, as he emphatically
calls the Testament, and teach them our
religion. He says the Mexicans will be-
come enlightened, that they will soon
give a free toleration, and invite re-
ligious teachers from tiie United States.
It will be recollected that these provinces
are quite interior, 1500 miles from the
city of Mexico, and that here for many
years the seeds of liberty have been sowr.
— but more when I see you

Religious Intelligence.

MODE OF BAPTISM AMOSC THE ARME- |l
NIANS. il

From the journal of the Rev. Joseph ;
Wolf, the agent of the London Society ' ;
for promoting Christianity among the I
Jewe, we extract the following interesting }
particulars relative to the mode of baptism ji
among the Armenians :

Mr. W. proposed a series of questions
to the Bishop of that persuasion, resident
at Bassorah, on the borders of Persia. In
answer to tlie question, " What is their
manner of baptism ?" the Bishop replied :
— " The godfather takes the child, and
stands at the door of the church. The
priest cometh, and asks, ' What do you
wish ?' The godfather says, ' I wish the
child to he baptized.' — Priest, (prays and
says), 'Do you believe in the glorious
Trinity.^' — Godfather. 'Yes, I myself
and the child do believe in the glorious
Trinity, God, Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost ; one of those three is Christ, the
true son of God, and our Saviour, born of
the Virgin Mary by the Holy Ghost, born
after nine m( nths, whom we believe to be
perfect man and perfect God. He preach-
ed in the world, and suffered all the pains
of the Cross, was crucified, died, and
was buried for the sake of our in-dwelling ||
sin; and by this he saved us from the |{
power of the devil, and after three daysij
he rose again, and then ascended up- j
wards towards heaven, where he sits at i
the right hand of the Father, and he will ;
come again to judge the quick and the i
dead. Then they enter the church near the j
water. -The priest prays over the water,
and puts three drops of the holy oil into I
the water, and then the priest asks the'l
godfather three times, ' Whatxlo you wish |
for this child — Godfather. ' I "wish you M
to baptize the child to be saved from ori- l|
ginal sin and the devil, and to serve the ji
Lord.' — Priest. ' It shall be done accord-
ing to your desire.' Then the priest puts
the child into the water, and washeth the
head with three handfuls of water, and
prays, and saith, ' I baptize thee in the
name,' 6cc. and then dips the child three
times in the water, and names the child,
and then gives it to the godfather, and
says thus : ' Christ having been baptized
m the river Jordan, the heavens were
opened, and the Holy Ghost descended
upon him like a dove.' — Then the priest
prays agai», and anoints with ointment,
1st. The forehead of the child, saying,
' The holy oil put on thy face, may it be
to thee a seal of the Father, Son, and

Holy Ghost, that his grace should be ^pon
thee !' — 2d. On the eyes of the child, say-
ing, ' Oh ! that thy eyes may be opened,
and that thou mayest never slumber the
sleep of eternal death !' — 3d. He anoints
the ear of the child, saying, 'Oh! that
thou mayest hear the commands of our
Saviourand the Gospel ?' — 4th. He anoints
the nose of the child, saying, ' Oh ! that
it may be a savour to you of the world to
come!' — 5th. He anoints the mouth of
the child, saying, 'Oh! that every evil
conversation may be banished out of the
mouth.' — Gth. He anoints the hands of the
child, saying, ' Oh ! that thy hands may
be always prone to do good!' — 7th. He
anoints the child upon the heart, and
saith, ' Oil ! that the Holy Spirit may be
put into thy heart, and give thee a new
heart.' — 8th. He anoints the back, and
saith, * By this seal of the Holy Ghost
mayest thou be kept from the insidious
assaults of the devil !' and lastly, he
anoints the feet of the child, saying, ' Oh!
that thou mayest walk in the best road
leading to life everlasting.' — The child
wears for three days a white shirt and a
coat of white and red colour, indicating
the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ;
some drops of the consecrated wine are
ffiven to the child."

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Our readers will rejoice to hear that the
Apocryphal Controversy is at length ter-
minated. The following circular, con-
taining this gratifying information, has
been issued by the Committee of the Bi-
ble Society : —

London, Jicvember 28, 1825.

Dear Sir,

The earnest attention of the Commit-
tee having been solicited, by certain
Members of the Society. and also by many
of the Committees of its Auxiliaries, to
the propriety of aflbrding aid, from the
Funds of this In.stitution, to the circulation
of Foreign Editions of the Scriptures,
which contain the Apocrypha ; the sub-
ject was referred to a special Committee,
appointed for that purpose ; from which,
as well as from the General Comniittee,
it has received the most mature considera-
tion. The result we are instructed to
transmit to you in the subjoined Resolu-
tion.

It is our fervent prayer, that the har-
mony which has hitherto subsisted amoP£f

128

Heligious InteUigence.

the Members and Friends ot" this Institu-
tion, both at home and abroad, may be
preserved to the latest a^e ; and that the
Society may Ions continue to prove a
blessing to the Christian Church, and
also to the world at large. We have the
honour to remain, dear Sir, your faithful
and obedient Servants,

Andre'v Brandram, j)
JosKPH Hughes, / See's.
C. F. A. Steinkopff, )

British and Foreign Bible Society.

A'ov. 21, 1825.

At a meeting of the Committee, sum-
moned for the purpose of receiving the
Report of the Special Committee, ap-
pointed on the 1st of August, to consider
the proceedings and communications on
the subject of the Apocrypha : — The Re-
port of the Special Committee was read
and received.

The Committee, in accordance with
the spirit of the recommendation in the
Report of the Special Committee, adopt-
od the following resolution ; viz. — " That
the Funds of the Society be applied to the
printing and circulation of the Canonical
Books, of Scripture, to the exclusion of
those Books and parts of Books, which
are usually termed Apocryphal ; and that
all copies printed, either entirely or in
part, at the expense of the Societv, and
v/hether such copies consist of the whole,
or of any one or more of such Books, be
invariably issued bound ; no other Books
whatever being bound with them ; and,
further, that all money grants to Societies
or individuals be made only in conformity
%vith the principle of this regulation."

jXov. 28.

At a meeting of the Committee, speci-
ally summoned to confirm the proceed-
ings of the last meeting ; the Right Hon.
I>ord Teignmouth, President, in the chair;
the minutes of the last meeting were read
and confirmed.

Extracted from the minutes,
JOSEPH TARN,

Assistant Secretary.

We are informed, that since the above
circular was issued, the Committee have
received many letters from Auxiliary So-
cieties, expressing the satisfaction with '
which the decision has been received. i

SERAMPORE COLLEGE. I

We have received the Fifth Report of'
Serampore College. It contains nothing [
of great interest, except the statement of j
8ome facts, which indicate that the Insti- i
tution is advancing in reputation and util- !
jtv. The number of the students at the \

■ date of the Report, January 1625, wa^
' fifty-four, viz. ten native Hindoos, of
I whom eight are Brahmuns, one Mussul-
man, three Garrow youths, and forty na-
tive Christians. Two new Professors
j have been employed, Mr. Albrecht, from
the Missionary Seminary at Basle, Swit-
zerland, and the Rev. Mr. Swan, from
the Academy at Bristol, England. Pro-
! fessor Mack delivers lectures on some of
; the natural sciences, which are indi.scrim-
i inately open to all nations, without ref-
j erence to religious tenets. As tlie system
j of Hindoo polytheism is in a great meas-
' ure built on fallacious principles respect-
I ing natural science, such lectures, if able
)j and judicious, will be found extensively
useful in a religious as well as a philo-
sophical point of view. The improve-
ments on the College buildings and
grounds have been considerable. — Star.

NEWTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.

Our readers will be pleased to learn,
that this interesting Seminary has been
legally incorporated. The following pow-
ers were granted at the last session of tiie
legislature.

Commonwealth of I^Iassachusetts.

In the Tear of otir Lord One thousand eight hun-
dred and twenty-six.

An Act to incorporate the Newton

Theological Institution.

Sec.1. Be it enaeted by the Senate
and House of Representatives in General
Co2irt assembled, and by the authority of
the same, That there be, and hereby is
j established in the Town of Newton and
j in the County of Middlesex, an Institution
j for the purpose of educating pious young
j men for the gospel ministry, in such man-
I ner as the Trustees for the time being
i shall direct ; and that Joseph Grafton,
i Lucius Bolles. Daniel Sharp, Jonathan
I Going, Bela Jacobs, Ebenezer Nelson,
Francis Wayland, jun. Henry Jackson,
Ensign Lincoln, Jonathan Bachellor. and
Nathaniel R. Cobb be nominated and ap-
pointed Trustees, and they are hereby in-
corporated into a body politic, by the
name of the Trustees of the Newton The-
ological Institution, and they and their
successors ^;hall be and continue a body
politic by that name forever.

Sec 2. Be it further enacted. That all
lands, monies or other property, heretofore
given or subscribed for the purpose of
erecting or establishing an Institution as
aforesaid, or which shall hereafter be giv-
en, granted or assigned to the said Trus-
tees, shall be confirmed to the said Trus-

Obiluarij of Miss Eliza Lincoln.

IPCS, and to tlicir successors in that trust
forever, for the uses which in such instrfi-
jTient shall be expressed : and the said
Trustees shall be capable of having, hold-
ing and taking in fee simjtle, by gift, grant,
devise or otherwise, any lands, tenements,
and other estate, real or personal : Provi-
ded the annual income of the same shall
not exceed the sum of twenty thousand
dollars ; and shall apply the profits there-
of so, as most eftectually, to promote the
designs of the Institution.

Sec. 3. Be it /{irikcr enacted, That
the said Trustees for the time being shall
be the Governors of said Institution, shall
have full power from time to time to elect
such officers thereof as they shall judge
necessary and convenient, and fix the
tenure of their respective offices ; to re-
move from office, any Trustee, when from
age or otherwise he shall become incapa-
ble of discharging the duties of his office,
or when in the judgment of a majority of
the Trustees, he is an improper person to
liold such office ; to fill all vacancies that
may happen in the Board of Trustees ; to
determine the time and place for holding
their meetings ; the manner of notifying
the Trustees ; the method of electing
members of the Board ; to elect instruct-
ers and prescribe their duties; to make
all such rules and regulations, as they may
from time to time consider expedient for
the management of the Institution, provi-
ded the same be not repugnant to the laws
of this Commonwealth.

Sec 4. Be it further enacted, That
the Trustees of said Institution may have
a common seal, which they may change
at pleasure and all deeds scaled with ■

said seal, and delivered and acknowledged
by the Treasurer of said Trustees by their
order, shall be good and valid in law ;
and said Trustees may sue and be sued
in all actions, and prosecute and defend
the same to final judgment and execution,
by the name of the Trustees of the Newton
Theological Institution,

Sec 5. Be it further enacted. That
the number of said Trustees shall never
exceed twcnty-iive, nor I>e less than nine ;.
and one third of the existing number of
Trustees shall be necessary to constitute
a quorum for doing business ; but a less
number may from time to time adjourn
until a quorum can be constituted.

Sec 6. Be it further enacted, That
Lucius Bolles and Daniel Sharp be and
thev are hereby authorized and empow-
ered to fix the time and place for holding
the first meeting of the Trustees, and to
notify them thereof, by serving each of
them with personal notice six days before
ihe time appointed for the first meetiiig.

In House of Representatives, Fe.>.
20, 182G. This Bill having had time-
several readings, passed to be enacted.

Timothy Fullicr, Speaker.

In Senate, Feb. 21, 182G. This BlI
having had two several readings, passel
to be enacted.

Nathaniel Silseee, President.

Feb. 22, 1826.

Approved,

LEVI LINCOLN.

A true Copy,.

Att. Edward D. Bancs, Sccr'ij.

OBITUARY.

Miss ELIZA LINCOLN.

Died in this city, July 7, 1825, Miss
Er i/A Lincoln, eldest sister of Heman
Lincoln, Esq. in the forty-fifth year of her
age.

In the personal history of a secluded
female, it cannot be expected that many
events should occur which could interest
a bustling and out-of-doors world. It is,
however, proper to remark concerning the
subject of this notice, that her mother be-
ing always in feeble health, on her, the
eldest sister, the principal care of tlie fam-
ily devolved ; and to the discharge of the
coni}dicated duties of sister and daughter,
the whole of her youth was devoted. No
sooner were her sisters grown beyond the
want of her immediate attention, than the
increasing illness of her mother confined
her for several years to the bedside of an
afflicted parent.' After death had relieved

I her from this pleasing but melaijcholy
i duty, she devoted lierself exclusively to
j labours of benevolence. Denying herself
j of every superfluity, that she might ad-
I minister to the wants of the poor, over-
coming her natural diffidence, which was
di.'<treftsing almast to a fault, she visited
I constantly the Almshouse, House of Cor-
j rection, and the abodes of sufiering
wretchedness in every part of tlus city ;
! and in the hovels of poverty, and by the
I bedside of age and infirmity, a great^
I part of her time during the last years of
her life was consumed.

In very (;arly years she had been made
a subject of divine grace. She frequently
I said, that she did not recollect the time
; when she was not in the habit of secret
i prayer. At the age of three or four years ,^
! she seems to have had real convictions of

130

Obituary of Miss Eliza Lincoln.

the evil of s'ui, and remembered at that
early age to have longed sincerely to be
prepared for heaven.

At the age of 13, she made a public
profession of religion, her attention hav-
ing been particularly devoted to this sub-
ject by reading Henry on Communion.
At tiiis time, as she afterwards remarked,
she had no doubt that her heart had been
renewed ; but her views of sin were much
fainter, and her (Consolations in piety much
less animating, than at a subsequent period.

In the early part of her life, she seems
not to have enjoyed the consolations of
religion in so great a degree as many who
have been eminent for piety. For seve-
ral years, her attention was particularly
directed to the native sinfulness of her
heart, and the spotless purity of the law
of God. These views, though distressing
and self-abasing, were of peculiar use in
the formation of her Christian character.
It was hence she derived that deep ac-
^q^aaintance with the human heart for
Avhich she was so much remarked ; hence
jtlso sprung her unfeigned humility, and
hence did her faith learn habitually to flee
to, and to trust in, the blood of that atone-

Jient, which cleanseth from all sin. She
ad tried the efficacy of the cross of
hrist fjo frequently when burdened with
guilt, that she knew always wh-ere to go
for pardon and for peace.; and hence her
^ater years were marked with calm seren-
ity and unwavering assurance of her in-
terest in Christ.

For nothing was she more remarkable
tln-ougli life, than for her conscientious
dischm'ge ofthe duties of secret devotion.
We have already mentioned that she
t ould not remember when she commenced,
this practice. Willi every year, she spent
a greater and greater portion of her time
in her closet. And when in youth the in-
cessant labours of the day had allowed
her no time for retirement, she was fre-
quently known to arise at midnight, and
pour out her soul before God. In her last
illncis.. when asked why she had spent so
long a time in secret prayer, she said, " I
*'avt? generally tried to pray till I felt
enough to weep. If I have felt much, I
havo wept much. In pleading with the
bles£ied Saviour to grant me communion
with him, I have been most led to use
the .'Jtrong language of solemn entreaty.'"
We have mentioned that the latter part
of Miss Lincoln's life was spent almost
entirely in the active duties of charity.
But it is proper to remark, that hers was
a cliftrity as disinterested and self-denying
as it is rare. Her opinion of her own tal-
ent for usefulness was singularly low.
Hence she relinquished those walks of
benavolence in which distinction may be
acquired ; she even retired from the active
mamigement of those institutions where a
multitude of names gives eclat to a plan,
and public observation associates reputa-

tion with its accomplishment. She souglit
out the most obscure and the most friend-
less, as the objects of her benevolence.
And her charity was not confined to ad
vice and consolation. She knew that
these were most likely to take effect when
accompanied by a token of good will,
which would leave her motives without
the shadow of ambiguity. Ilence in vis-
iting the poor and the irreligious, she was
in the habit of leaving them little presents
of clothing, of medicine, or of food, that
thus she might allure them to think fa
vourabiy of religion, and hearken to the
admonition which told them of a better
world.

And in these visits she generally went
alone. In this she consulted her own
feelings, and her deliberate opinions upon
the nature of benevolence. Her natural
diffidence was so great, that she rarely
took part in a mixed conversation. NotJ|
ing but a conviction of duty could have
nerved her with resolution to enter the
iiouses of the poor, to converse with them
upon religious subjects. But while thus
doing what she believed to be her duty
she cho.se to do it in that manner which
should expose her to the least embarrass
ment^from this, which she considered, the
natural weakness of her character. Be
sides, she conceived that the charity of
the gospel was distinguished from that ol
the world by nothmg more than its aver
sion to publicity. So jealous was she ol
her own heart, and so fearful lest selfisi
ness should mingle itself with her deeds
of mercy, that she dared not expose her
self even to the admiration of her friends
She desired to acquire the habit of acting
for the day of judgment, and to exclud
from influence upon herself, as much as
possible, every principle derived from in
ferior and sublunary considerations. Act
ing from these motives, even her neares
relatives were neVer, until after her death
fully apprised of the extent of her chari
ties. It was not until the widows and the
I orphans, whom she had relieved by he)
self denying liberality, Were mournin;
over their loss, and " showing the coat
and the garments which she had mad(
while she was with them," that it wa
known how wide bad been the range o
her benevolence.

The Christian reader will doubtless b(
I solicitous to know somewhat more con
I cerning the peculiar type of the piety o
I one, whose actions exhibited so much o
I the spirit of Christ. We arc happy t(
i have it in our power to gratify this solici
tude. Miss Lincoln left some brief noti
1 ces of the state of her religious feeling a
different times, from which we will nov
make a few extracts.

! In the following, under the date ofMa l'J;
2d, 1814, every Christian will recognisi
the most affecting exhibition of deep con

i trition and penitence.

Obituary of Miss Eliza Lincoln.

131

May 2. O my soul, what shall I do ?
1 have been for many weeks exceedingly

itude the great goodness of the Lord to
me, that in this time of trouble I have

stupid. O my soul, dost thou know what been kept from utterly sinking. Thi

it is to feel peace in believing ? I greatly
fear I have been deceiving myself. My
heart is harder than a rock. I cannot
pray. Mine iniquities have separated be-
tween me and my God. 1 fear I have

sister, that has been removed, v.as so ex-
ceedingly dear, 1 knew not how to live
without her. But Thou hast kept me
from perishing in my affliction. Thou
hast always been better to me than my

Binned away all my mercies. O what an | fears. And O how unspeakable a bless-
evil and bitter thing is sin ! and yet when j ing, to have so good a hope; a hope
my mind is so dark as it has been for a || worth thousands of worlds. I have not a
long time, I have no power to resist it. ;! doubt, that whilst I am groaning away
In this distressing condition i am, and i j my time in sin and sorrow, her happy
must remain, until an Almighty arm is I 'spirit is with Jesus, singing redeeming
Stretched out for my help. O Friend of I luve. And can I wish her back again ?
friendless sinners, wilt Thou pity me.^jjOno! O that I could be a follower of
Wilt Thou help me O leave me not in ij her, who through fait

this deplorable condition, I humble pray i herited the promises

ith and patience in-

Thee. If thou dost, I am lost forever
I cry unto thee. Lord ; save, or I perish.
O may I never forget what I suffer, by my
great folly and wickedness, in departing
from thee. May 1 never forget what I
have suffered this evening ; the darkness,
the grief, and the awful fears that I have
sinned away all thy mercies. May I nev-
er again think lightly of sin. May I be
enabled in future to watch and strive
against it more successfully. In doin

March, le2]. I think I have felt of
late something of that peace which God
only can give. I have sensibly felt my
soul thirsting and longing for God, for the
j enjoyment of his presence, for real com-
j munion with him. I think the language
I of my heart has been, O Lord, if 1 may
not enjoy thy presence, suffer me not to
I enjoy any thing ; but may I go mourning
: for Thee to the grave."

April 20. Sabbath dav. I have had

this, I beg that Thou, O God, wouldst |) some happy reflections to-day of th

strengthen mc ; and I here take this pa
per to witness against me, if ever I break
these reaolutions."

Sept. 27. My heart continues exceed-
ingly hard; and I am so stupid, that I
lave reason to fear that I am indeed dead
n sin. But I cannot yet give up all hope.
!) Thou, who hast promised that him that
'.ometh unto Thee, Thou wilt in no wise
;ast out, help mc to come ; for without
rhce I can do nothing.

'* I have lately been reading the life of
\\r. B. who says, that in the time of temp-
ation he was glad to lay hold on a prom-
3e to keep him from sinking. He had
•nee been afraid to take any comfort from
.promise, unless he could feel it applied
0 himself ; but in time of distress, like a
erson that was drowning, he was glad of
ny thing to uphold him from despair,
his I think I have of late in some de-
0 felt. IIow long was I in so stupid
ituation, that not one of all the prec-
is promises was any comfort to me, be-
Mse I thought they were not for me.
ut in my distress, when I knew not what
) do, when I looked on the right hand
on the left, but no man could help
, then,0 my soul, did not the precious
mises keep thee from sinking ! I had

where else to go, and necessity drove
to thy word, O my God. ~

blessed Saviour in his rising from the
1 grave, and most gloriously triumphing not
i only over the powers of darkness, but
I over death and the grave, so that to those
I who now believe on him, death is gain.
{ O blessed, forever blessed be thy name,
! dearest Saviour, for what Thou hast done
j and suffered, that poor wretched sinners
I may live."

! " August. Although I have been for a
j long time exceedingly stupid, yet I have
I now some comfort in praying for others,
I even when I cannot pray for myself ; and
I I have also some comfort in the belief
thai my soul is united to the blessed Re-
deemer ; and that although, by reason of
the great weakness of my faith, I take
faint hold on him, yet that he takes strong
and unconquerable hold upon my soul
Forever blessed be his name for the com-
fort which I trust he has given me. O
may I live entirely to him."

Sept. 12. I think I can truly say, that
1 have felt this morning a most earnest
desire to give myself away entirely to the
Lord, to be his wholly, unreservedly, and
forever; praying that my time, my tal-
ents, my influence over others, and all
that I am and have, may be entirely de-
Having thus given

voted to his service.

myself away, may I never forget that I
But, O my ]i am under everlasting obligations to be the
(ul, where art thou now? O how hast ! Lord's. O Lord, help me. I do most hum-
lou forsaken the Fountain of living wa- j bly entreat Thee, help the weakest and
»3, and hast been following after lying L vilest of all thy children. I know that
mities. O may I now repent, and return 1 without Thee I can do nothing ; but un-
Thce, my God, with all my heart." j, less Thou keep me, I shall forget all these
Under the date of May 5, after mention- ii desires and resolutions. But I do most
g the death of a very dear sister, she •! earnestly beg and pray that Thou, O
rites — " I desire to remember with grat- " blessed Saviour, wilt keep mc "

13:2

Contributions.

The Christian rcaucr of these extracts
cannot fail to observe in them the breath-
ini^s of a soul decplv humbled and peni-
tent for sin, and most ardently longing for
conformity to God. They recal to re-
membrance in some degree, the experi-
ence of Brainerd and Edwards, with whose
writings Miss Lincoln was habitually fa-
miliar.

Her last sickness was long and distress-
ino-. It seemed a gradual decay of the
po^wers of nature, the taking down of a
tabernacle, which had been long tottering
imder the pressure of lingering consump-
tion.

During the whole period of lier Illness,
she enjoyed the utmost tranquillity, and
at times triumph, in the prospect of death.
Her chosen subject of conversation was
the happiness of heaven, and sometimes
her soul \vas enraptured with a foretaste
of the glories that awaited her. Her
Christian friends she consoled with the
hope, that they would soon meet again.
The impenitent she warned of their dan-
ger, told of the excellency and the hap-
piness oi' religion, and urged them to flee
from the wrath to come. At last, on the
7th of Juiv, the earthly house of her tab-
ernacle was dissolved, and she entered a
building of God, a house not made with
hands, rfernal in the heavens.

Sometime in I\!arch of the year in
which she died, she seemed aware that
the time of her departure was at hand,
and wrote some directions, which \yere
found alter her decease, concerning the
n)anner in which she wished her property
to be appropriated. It was all devoted to
the cause of Christ, to charity, and to af-
fection, in the following manner :
To her youngest sister, - - - - ^250

To a beloved friend, CO

To the poor ofthe Church to which
she belonged, to be distributed
at the discretion of her sisters. - 100
To the poor whom she had often
visited and relieved, to be dis-
tributed by her sisters, - - - 50
To be expended by her sisters in
the purchase of religious books
and tracts for distribution, - - 20
To the Boston Female Missionary
Society, to constitute her young-
est sister and five nieces, mem-
bers for life, 120

To the Penitent Female Refuge
Society, to constitute her four
sisters members of the Auxil.Soc. 100
To the relief of two indigent
friends, at the discretion of her
brother, 100
To the Boston Foreign Mission So-
ciety, to be equally divided be-
tween the Burman Mission and
the Carey Station, 12001

We will close this notice with a-refiec-
tion, which it naturally awakens. We
have seen that Miss Lincoln spent muoh
of the early part of her life without en-
joying a large share of the comforts of re-
ligion. Her latter end, and especially
her death, were however triumphant.
During her whole sickness, she had not a
doubt of her interest in Christ. Let this
■j encourage those who walk in darkness,
ij having no light, and let them learn to
;| trust in the faithfulness of God. But let
:{ them keep looking unto Jesus, the author
ji and finisher of their faith, and in the ac-
|j tive and faithful discharge of the public
j and private duties of religion, wait for the
11 salvation of the Lord. God will give
1 grace according to our day. Let us be
I found doing his will, and humbly trusting
!i upon the promises of his word, and in due
ji season we shall reap if we faint not.

Accoinit of Monies received on account nf
the Baptist General Convention of ti
United States.

$2000

1826.

March i. From the Widow LoU Button, of
Tiirbridg^e, Vt. for th«r Burman
Mission, being the Widow's two
mites— by Isaac Sawyer of East
Bethel, . . 1 .

6. From a friend of Missions, Ash-

field, Mass. by Enos Harvey, -
From an unknown hand, being
amount of saving: resulting from
the use of ardent spirits for a
limited time, by hand of B. F.
Farnsworih, . - - .

7. From Rev. Josiah Houghton, for

the services of Mr. Boardman,
six Sabbath days at Newbury-
port in 1825. by E. Lincoln,

From the Society in Fairfield, Vt.
auxiliary t(» the Baptist Board
of Foreign Missions, by the
hand of Daniel Bailey,

From G. Valentine, Esq. North-
boro% Mass. being cotnmissions
for collecting for Christian
Watchman, - - -

15. From Mission Society connected
with the Fairfield Association
for Foreign .Mission, by hand of
Rev. A. t>abine, Sec.
IS. From the York >faine Baptist .As-
sociation, the following sums :—

From the Biixton Female Mission-
ary Soc. for Burman Mission, -

From the Cornish do. do.

l-rom the Lemington Fern. Miss.
Soc. for Foreign Mission,

From .Miss Sally Johnson of Cor-
nish, for do. - - - -

From a friend in Kenncbtmk, -

A Contribution, - - . .
Received bv hand of Rev. T. B.
Ripley, of Portland.
24. Cash, a bequest from Miss EH;
Lincoln, deceased, for the F(
eign Mission, to be equally divi
ded between the Burman Mis-
sion and the Carey Station, - I

From " The Oeneral Committee
of the Charleston, S. C. BapHst
Association," it being the lialf of
the anioin»t contributed by that
body for Missionan' and Educa-
tional purposes, — by hand of
Josiah B. Furman, Esq. 'I'reas.

HEMAN LINCOLN, Treas.

To Correspondentt The Poetry of " Newton," w ill find an insertion in cur next So.-

to he favoured with frequent communicationt from him

in LibxG.

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