But to him alone belong glory and blessing; for he alone has access every where, and alone operates on the hearts of men, knowing how to give life to him, who, although created in the image of God, has long continued envelope in the deepest darkness. Our good wishes accompany the other four, who have gone to labor in the vineyard of the Lord. May the spirit of grace be with them! As it is impracticable for me to correspond directly with your young pupils, I am under the necessity of requesting, that you will kindly take upon yourselves the charge of communicating to them, by a faithful translation into their own language, what I would say, could I personally address them. And with my thanks to you for this trouble, permit me to join my humble prayer to yours, that the Lord Jesus may open their hearts, as he did that of Lydia, the "seller of purple." I flatter myself, also, that you will without difficulty, pardon me for having attempted, in the little packet which accompa nies this, an almost infantile amusement, though of spiritual import, with all the members of your Christian school, and particularly with the three pupils, from whom I had the pleasure of receiving a letter. Being desirous of still contributing a little, with the assistance of God, and by the help of friends, to the welfare of your Institution for foreign missións, I hasten to transmit you the sum of fifteen hundred silver florins of our currency, hoping that it may reach you before the departure of the two friends, Brown and Boudinot. I have taken the liberty of offering some suggestions, with respeet to the employment of this amount, which you will find in the packet before mentioned; leaving, however, the whole to your well-meaning wisdom, that it may subserve the divine glory. May God in his goodness afford his blessing, that it may be an encouragement to love. Jesus more and more, and to persevere in well doing, even to the end. Receive also, many acknowledgments for the agreeable present you have seen fit to make me, in sending me a score of books, all having reference to the work of missions, which to me would have been an inestimable prize, had I knowledge of the English language; but, notwithstanding my ignorance, I shall preserve them as a very acceptable token of friendship. In repeating my sincere desires for whatever may contribute to the salvation of precious souls, and in wishing for yourselves every species of prosperity, which may be requisite in forming the happiness of a Christian, I beg you to accept the assurance of a distinguished consideration for him, who commands himself not only to your affectionate remembrance, but also to the prayers of all those, who in heart and soul are children of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Your faithful companion in the journey to the heavenly Jerusalem. (Signed) CAMPAGNE. * From this, as will be remembered, 8664 were realized by the Board. See Vol. xvii, p. 395. VOL. XVIII EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE REV. JONAS KING, TO THE REV. S. E. DWIGHT OF BOSTON. Paris, (France,) Jan. 5, 1822. Rev. and dear Sir, I cannot omit mentioning one anecdote relating to Henry Martyn, which a very pious and respectable gentleman from St. Petersburgh, told me was communicated to him, at his house, by Sir Robert K. Porter, after his return from Persia. When he was on his way to visit the king, he was asked, "if he was acquainted with the man of God, and could tell them any thing about his religion?" He inquired, who they meant? What man of God? They described him, so that he knew who they meant. They then wished to be informed, whether he had known Martyn. He told them he had heard of him. Said they,"He came here into the midst of us, sat down encircled by our wise men, and made such remarks upon our Koran, as cannot be answered. Our king has called upon our wise men to answer them, but they cannot. The first thing the king will ask you, will be respecting this subject.-We wish to know more about his religion, and the book he has left among us. He found that Henry Martyn had excited general attention among the Persians, and was every where called, the man of God." WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. In the late numbers of the "Missionary Notices," a monthly publication of this ⚫ terprising society, we find many interesting narrations. Having room for a few extracts, we begin with the BOOTCHUANA MISSION. The Bootchuanas are a very numerous and powerful tribe in southern Africa, and are represented as being much addicted to superstitious notions and practices. Some time before the attempts of the Wesleyan Society, missionaries had been stationed by the London Missionary Society, at New Lattakoo, which is distant from Cape Town, in a north-easterly direction, about 900 miles. Our extracts commence when Mr. Kay, the Wesleyan missionary, was on the point of entering this place, on the way to his field of labor. Thursday, May 17, 1821. We yoked our oxen and set off for Lattakoo, and arrived just as the sun had finished his daily course. Upon enter ing this populous place, Mr. Hamilton, one of the London Society's missionaries, met us, and welcomed us with great affection, and conducted us to his house, built with his own hands, and which he now converted into á pilgrim's inn. Many also of the poor black Sons of Ham came out to meet us, manifesting their friendship by holding forth their sable hands; and the little children, who could not get hold of our hands, caught hold of our 21 clothes. We visited and complimented their king, as is customary for strangers, and theo retired. Friday, 18. I preached this morning to a large congregation, when the king, with his son at his right hand, sat at my feet. I was obliged to have two interpreters. It was delightful work to preach Jesus to a heathen congregation, with their king sitting below the board which sustained my Bible. In the afternoon I went to his house with an interpreter, in order to make him the usual presents, on which he said, "My heart glad is that you are come." Tuesday, 22. Mrs. Kay,having sent the queen a small present, she came last night with her attendants, bringing, in return, a large dish of thick milk, which is, probably, a fortnight or three weeks old, but nevertheless, as they prepare it, it is a very rich and wholesome food, and considered one of their principal luxu ries. I preached this morning from John iii, 33. After service, a fine looking chief came up, with some of his people around him, shook hands with us, and with a pleasing earnestness in his countenance, requested that I would return with him, and reside amongst his people, who are situated to the westward of Lattakoo. "I will," he said, "let you have my house to dwell in, till we build you another." I returned him no positive answer, only that I should visit him and his people shortly, if spared; upon which he exclaimed, "Make haste, make haste, for we are all strangers to that Jesus of whom you speak, not knowing what he came into the world for; but we wish to know, and soon.' The above chief and his people are under king Leisa, who says he should be very glad to receive a missionary. all day with hundreds of the inhabitants. As soon as the sun began to withdraw his rays, they retired to their houses, as the evenings are now cold and frosty, which they cannot bear. They are excessively fond of tobacco and snuff, for which they incessantly beg. 1 could not help reflecting this evening on the kind and over-ruling providence of God, who certainly has the hearts of all men in his mighty hand. Were it not for his controlling and preserving power, we should stand in jeopardy every hour, in so distant a country as this, and among such a people. Every man being trained up for war, be carries his battle-axe, assagay, and, very frequently, his bow and arrows, by his side; the latter are poisoned with a deadly root. But we are in the hands of him who hath the "government upon his shoulder;" and "the God of Jacob is our salvation, therefore we will not fear." Tuesday, 29. Riding round the town, this afternoon, which is very extensive and popalous, I had an opportunity of conversing with many of its inhabitants as 1 passed along, hav. ing an interpreter with me. I asked an old man if he knew any thing of such a person as Jesus Christ? He replied, in a very pertinent manner, "How can I know unless some one tell me?" This answer, so much resembling that of the Eunuch to Philip, constrained me to begin, while sitting on my horse, "to preach unto him Jesus." Wednesday, 30th. I felt much pleased to day in witnessing the industrious habits of the Bootchuanas. In this respect they appear to excel every other tribe, whose manners I have bitherto had an opportunity of observing. The occupation of the men appears to be building, and taking care of the inclosures for their cattle; hunting, in which they are faithful sons of Thursday, 24. I preached this morning Nimrod; preparing their wearing apparel, from Mark viii, 22, inviting the blind to come which consists principally of skins, sewed toto Christ for sight. I left New for Old Lat-gether with the sinews of goats, sheep, and takoo about three, P. M., and, after having travelled about six hours, we rested for the night by the side of a small rivulet. I longed for more intimate union and communion with the Father of lights. I felt much gratitude of heart this evening to our gracious Benefactor for a little bread and water, by which my fatigued frame was much refreshed. Saturday, 26. Arrived this afternoon at Old Lattakoo, about half past one o'clock, when we were directed to one of their principal places of resort, where we unyoked our oxen, and endeavored to get a little refreshment, which was almost impossible, the crowd with which we were, in a few minutes, surrounded, being so immense. We came up just as they had concluded the interment of one of their people, who had the night before'fallen under the paw of a lion, not far from the town. Sabbath, 27. After service was concluded, a number of their chiefs assembled together in a circle, seated on the ground; and before I was aware of the subject of their consultation, they had passed an unanimous vote, that I should be invited to come and reside among them, as they were informed that I was a missionary. On being asked, why they wished to have a missionary? "Because, said they, he brings peace." Monday, 28. We have been surrounded oxen. Some of their work is beautiful, being wrought in figures, which I should have thought beyond their conception and talents had I not seen them, The employment of the females is to build the house-make its bedge-dig the garden-and sow the land. Their houses are neatly and uniformly plan ned, and peculiarly well adapted to a hot climate, admitting both by day and night a free circulation of air, but at the same time without those draughts to which European houses are almost unavoidably subject, and which in this climate are exceedingly dangerous. Each house is encompassed with an excellent hedge, which includes a pretty large threshing floor, For the preservation of their corn, after it is threshed out of the ear, they erect large pots, formed of clay, under the wing of the house, some of which are large enough to contain ten or twelve sacks of grain. 4 This work of the females would appear to an European to be intolerable drudgery; but they appear to perform it with the utmost cheerfulness. Their fare consists principally of milk, roots, corn, and a kind of watermelon, which they grow in all their gardens. They eat very little auimal food. The men possess a remarkable degree of muscular strength. Both sexes are very healthy. Sickness is not at all common, except soreness of the eyes, which is sometimes very severe. They are almost complete strangers to infectious disorders. The aged recollect something of the small-pox raging amongst them, at some disLant period, but so long ago that they have almost forgot it. The crime of adultery is held by them in the utmost abhorrence. "The sound of the church-going bell, These valleys and rocks never heard; Never sigh'd at the sound of a knell, Or smil'd when a Sabbath appear'd!" 7 This morning, thanks be to God, the scene was changed,-for many did repair with us to the house of prayer, though only a temporary one, and we had a gracious season in worship. Sabbath, June 10. The further the inte rior of this long unknown quarter of the globe is penetrated, the greater the popula-ping at the feet of our Lord. With some assis tion appears. We are now only at its gates. And how deplorable is the fact, that not one of the before mentioned tribes, numerous as they are, have either a Bible or a missionary! My weary soul yearns over them while I am writing. Here is heathenism indeed, without the least mixture. Here the prophet's words apply in the strictest sense, "Darkness hath covered the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people." KANDY. The kingdom of Kandy is in the interior of the island of Ceylon; and being difficult of access, as well on account of steep, rocky mountains, as the warlike character of its inhabitants, the Dutch could not subdue it. Within a few years, however, it has become subject to the English; and the door being open for the introduction of the Gospel, the Church Missionary Society stationed the Rev. Samuel Lambrick at Kandy, the former eap ital of the kingdom-"in the midst of lofty and steep hills, covered with thick jungle; about 80 miles east-north-east from Columbo, and nearly midway between the eastern and west ́ern shores of the island."-Mr. Newstead, a tanee, I went through the service, and preached from 1 Timothy i, 15; reading for our two selected lessons, the 60th of Isaiah, and the 17th of Acts; both of them applicable, in no small degree, to the circumstances of this place. My heart felt unutterable things, that strength was vouchsafed me to declare in these regions the "unsearchable riches of Christ." Dec. 18. Finding there were two Budhist temples in this immediate neighborhood, I went this morning to see them. The first I reached with much difficulty, it being situated of the very summit of one of the immense path for a long way, lay on the edge of the rocks, which half encircle this place. Our rock, through a path tolerably worn by the numerous devotees who frequent this temple. The sublime view from this height, surpasses all description. The principal object of adoration in the first building we came to, appeared to be the print of Budhu's foot, as there was no large image of the whole figure here as is usual. This was kept in an adjoining temple. The print of the foot was of course of colossal dimensions, deeply indented in the floor of the place, or rather, of the rock; here, however, was a table covered with fresh flowers, &c. as if the whole image had been present; and here we saw the priest sanetify his breakfast prostrate before the print of the Wesleyan missionary, is laboring in the neigh-foot! where he reverently placed the rice, &c. borhood,-principally at Negombo and Kornegalle. It is the latter gentleman, who writes. December 17, 1821. Kornegalle.-After breakfast this morning, the lieutenant governor walked out with the commandant to view the places most eligible for the erection of certain public works, and has very obligingly given me leave to build our mission residence any where I may consider best, under the direction of the Resident, to whom, of course, I referred it. That gentleman having lent me every assistance in fitting up with seats, &c. the place of public worship, we proceeded to it with joy; for I felt better than for any preceding day some time past. Mr. Wright seemed much pleased with the prospect of a public Christian service, where one had never been held, and warmly congratulated us upon our attempt first to introduce the Gospel into the Seven Korles, (i. e. these provinces of the Kandian country) where, as he justly observ ed, "It had never been heard since it was a land." I humbly rejoiced before God that it was so, and felt my heart to bound with the delightful hope that it was the dawn of a glorious Gospel-day, to those who so emphatically "sit in darkness and the shadow of death." His words forcibly brought to my mind the beautiful lines of the poet, so very appropriate here just brought to him by some early devotees. A whole family were winding round the rugged paths, and looked at us with astonishment. The place around us was admirably neat; and vast rocks and mighty trees rose as far above us, as we stood elevated above the plain bef low, so high that we could scarcely distinguish objects. The priest we found a talkative, friendly old man, venerable with age, and very obsequious. I held some conversation with him which I have not time to transcribe. He gave me candid answers, and said, they believed, though they did not confess it, that the world was made by the great God; but ▾ as to the name of Jesus or his great salvation, of course he knew nothing! There is something peculiarly touching to the heart of a Christian, in the dead apathy, or the vacant wonder, with which these poor creatures answer, "No," when you inquire of them if they ever heard, or have any idea of that nume, which includes in it every thing dear to the soul of man! and there is then something more than ordinarily delightful and glorious in the boundless views of divine prophecy. Standing in an idol temple, throned in the tops of the rocks of Kandy, which seem to claim the name of the everlasting hills, and surrounded only by the priests and votaries of a superstition, the growth of ages, and which is intermingled with their every pur suit,-how divinely refreshing was it to remember there, when every thing seemed to contradict it, that "His name shall endure for ever; His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him, and all nations shall call Him blessed." and mountainous parts of our own island. The country is covered with fine timber. 21. At length I rejoice to say, "We have found out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob;-even in Kornegalle; and have cleared and fenced a sacred spot on which to erect a house of prayer to his holy name. ST. CHRISTOPHER'S. The priest, however, allowed me to leave a copy of the Acts of the Apostles, which he immediately began to read with apparent pleasure; I promised to send him also a copy of St. Luke's Gospel, and departed with many thanks from him for having visited their airy abodes. Descending, I wound round the base of the rock for about a mile, and came to the other temple, where the priest was still more communicative and obliging, and, to my equal surprise and delight, while I stood with him, before all his idols, he entreated to be instruct-expectation, which were before limited to ed in English and the Christian religion, eagerly inquiring, as soon as he knew who I was, if I was come to live at Kornegalle, and would give them instruction, and allow them to visit me? I was not displeased to hear that. Since the priests have lost the patronage and support of the Kandian kings, their temples have fallen much into decay. They are, therefore, much more willing to conciliate their present rulers, by learning our language, and, at least by not opposing our religion. made the best use I could of a protracted conversation, at this so favorable opening, and propos ed immediately the commencement of a native school in the priest's house, which was gladly acceded to, himself desiring to be one of the first scholars! I have, therefore, sent the usual books, &c. with an English master, whom I have with me. In the course of an hour or two, I had left the Christian Scrip. tures in the temple at the top of the rock, and arranged for the establishment of a Christian school in that at the bottom, with the eager acquiescence of more than a dozen persons round me, both old and young. 19. I had resolved on going to Kandy, and received a very kind invitation from Mr. Lambrick, our respected friend of the church mission, but have given it up, believing that it is rather my duty to return to Negombo, as soon as I can put things here in a suitable train: I walked towards evening to the priest's cottage, the walls of which, I was amused to see How covered with large English sheet alphabets, reading lessons, &c. The priest and a ład present repeated to me every letter of the alphabet correctly, and yesterday morning they had never seen them! Spoke with the convalescent patients in the hospital on my way, gave them some Testaments, and a little advice, and returned, very weak and unwell. 20. Vast numbers of the Kandian peasantry are employed around us, cutting new roads, &c. They are a noble race of people in ap pearance, far more so than their brethren on the coast of the island; they all wear turbans, which preclude the use of that effeminate article the comb, so universally worn on the borders of the island. The females here also dress much neater, and are less seen; some of the children are beautiful. All their houses are built very high from the ground, on mounds of earth artificially raised. The general face of the country, (because here there are very few cocoa nut trees) is much like the most romantic Among the converted negroes of the West India islands, the missionaries are often permitted to see piety in its most lovely aspect,― purifying the affections, expanding the views, and carrying forward the objects of hope and time, into eternity.-Mr. Morgan writes: April 1, 1821. We had a precious season at the sacrament: most of the communicants were much affected; they were enabled to discern the Lord's body, and to feed upon him by faith with thanksgiving. I baptized ten children, married a couple, and buried two corpses in the chapel-ground. The school was opened at four o'clock with the voice of praise and thanksgiving, I am happy to find that a considerable degree of interest is already excited in favor of our infant institution. The children attend on Wednesday mornings from six till nearly eight; and on Friday mornings at the same hour, to be catechised, when upwards of forty children in the Testament class, who have engaged to get by heart the Gospel by St. John, repeat, what they have learned during the week. 12. Twelve were admitted on trial, and we might have examined several others, had there been time, who were deferred till next week. Eleven out of the twelve are free, a very singular circumstance, such as I never remember to have seen before, and hardly expect to witness the like again. One was there who, till of late, we little expected, and gave great satisfaction as to a work of grace upon his heart. 27. Having catechised the children of our Sunday school this morning, I told them that we were about building a new chapel, and asked them what they were disposed to do in furthering the good work. I said I have thought, my children, were you to bring a stone on Wednesday mornings, and another on Friday, when you come to chapel, you would render us considerable assistance; and should the Lord spare you to see the chapel erected, it will afford you much pleasure, I have no doubt, to reflect that you supplied part of the materials. From the great attention paid to my recommendation, and the smile that cheered the countenances of most present, I was led to calculate that our young charge will present a large offering of stones towards a building for the Lord of Hosts. I trust, when the Lord shall number up the people, that it will be said of many of them, that they were born of God within its walls. May 3. The committee of our Sunday school met for the first time this forenoon, when the school minutes were read, and other matters attended to. The school affords great encouragement. May we labor on at his command, who, in the days of his flesh, took children in his arms, and blessed them. I find that my request to the children on Fri day last, in favor of our intended new chapel, has been attended to beyond my expectations. Both boys and girls have been very active, and the number of stones they have collected in so short a time, is a subject of wonder to every one. To see the children, from five years years old and upwards, loaded with stones from different parts of the town, is truly pleasing, and leads us to pray that all our little laborers may become living stones, and be built up for an habitation of God through the Spirit. August 17. Was sent for about noon to visit one of our old members, whom I found near the gates of death. She was unable to speak, but her leader said that she had walked humbly with God, for many years. Vis ited two more in the afternoon; one an old disciple, and well versed in the things of God; found her very sick and very happy, longing to leave the world. "Not," as she observed, "that I am weary of de world, but me think if it please de Lord, me stand here long enough; me want to see de house in the heavens." LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. RAIATEA;- -one of the Society Islands. We make the following extracts from the communications of Mrs. Threlkeld and Williams, missionaries in that island, as giving an interesting, though brief view, of their progress. General Meeting of the Auxiliary Missionary Society. On Wednesday, May the 9th, we held ou general annual meeting. The natives from Taha united with us, and our place of worship was quite full. The morning service commenced at 9 o'clock, by one of the Deacous (a native) giving out a hymn; another read a chapter from a manuscript copy of Daniel, translated by brother Williams, who then engaged in prayer. Another hymn was sung, and brother Threlkeld preached from Rev. xi, 15, "And the seventh angel sounded," &c. Another Deacon concluded by singing and prayer. On this occasion the people met together and had a friendly repast. We felt not a little gratified at this occular demonstration of the peaceable fruits of religion, and of the civilizing benefits of Christianity in those who, as a body, can only be considered as nominal Christians; and beholding the inhabitants of both islands thus engaged, we were reminded of the feast of tabernacles among the Jews. Meeting for Business. The public meeting for business commenced at one o'clock, when, after singing, prayer, and an address by Mr. Threlkeld, the Secretary, Poli, read the annual report. The sub scriptions amounted to 1,978 bamboos of o'l, and more than 1,000 balls of arrow root. The chief of Taha then reported the contribution of that island, amounting to S,422 bamboos of oil. This is the more extraoi dinary, as there is no missionary yet resident there. Several interesting speeches were delivered by the natives, which we have not room to insert; but they will probably appear in the next Quarterly Chronicle. Mr. Williams made a few recapitulatory remarks, encouraging them to proceed in their good work; and one of the Deacons concluded with prayer. In the evening a sermon was preached by Mr. Williams, from Isa. iii, 10, "All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God." A native concluded with prayer. The service continued three hours, and at nine in the evening the congregation concluded a most interesting day. Festival of the School Children. May 10. This being a day appointed for a little festival of the school children, who, upon the faith of this appointment had formed a little island, and about a quarter of a mile out at sca, under the reef, to commemorate this new era at Raiatea, which, after much labor they completed. It is 60 feet in diameter, and 4 feet above high water mark. On this work of their own hands they enjoyed a comforta ble repast. Their little fleet of canoes then conveyed them back to the shore, and after walking to the extent of our new settlement, we engaged in prayer, gave them a short address, sang a hymn, and then dispersed, Happiness beamed on every countenance, and many, both parents and children, knew, that to the Gospel, and to that alone, they owed their lives and their enjoyments. Progress of Civilization. May 15. We paid our third general visit to church. Those who are diligent we praise the houses belonging to the members of our and encourage; and we point out to them the advantages they have received by attending to our advice: On the other hand, idleness and negligence are sure to meet with a severe rebuke. Shame thus impels many to activity, over whom we could exercise no other power. None escape; for at a separate meeting we read over the names of the owners, and the remarks we made on the spot, which fails not to stir them up to activity. This practice has had the following excellent effect,-there are now 20 houses completely plastered; 20 more not quite plastered; and 34 ready for plastering; besides a number of others not under our cognizance, in a state of forwardness. We are fully convinced that had this people the means of bartering their produce, none would exceed them in industry. We have full proof of this, for from the Arii to the children at school, all are employed in preparing arrow root for their subscriptions, and for the purchase and lading of their expected vessel. We rejoice in this their activity, and shall persist in promoting and giving permanency to their industrious habits. |