ed at our house the Sabbath previous to the third Sabbath in May. Brother Wright has labored with us two Sabbaths since. But O, my dear Sir, how much we need the constant labors, and watchings, and nursings of a pastor--a skilful guide a shepherd. Conceive of my situation among this people. Great is the responsibility at any time, but how much greater now. Never did I feel so much the importance of the preached Gospel. These people look to me. I tremble in view of my situation. I tremble for them; lest, through their ignorance and the want of proper instruction, they should err. It is affecting to hear the new converts pray that the Lord would send them a minister, and speedily establish a church here. May the Lord hear their prayer and hasten it in his time. I am, dear Sir, respectfully, L. S. WILLIAMS. The preceding letter was accompanied by one from the Rev. Alfred Wright, giving an account of the same happy change, as follows: Dear Sir, I add, at the request of brother Williams, and in compliance with my own feelings, a paragraph to the preceding statement. Having, by a kind Providence, been permitted, to visit this consecrated spot several times since the commencement of the present work of grace, I feel constrained, in view of what I have witnessed, to say, what hath God wrought? True is that prophecy of Isaiah, in the wilderness shall waters break out-and streams in the desert. Brother and sister Williams, who have labored here for some months past, with unwearied diligence, and, a part of the time, in great feebleness of health, have been greatly refreshed, strengthened, and quickened. The precious promise, my grace shall be sufficient for thee, I trust has been verified in their case. This work, I think, has very distinctive marks of genuineness. No one, who witnesses it, can doubt of its being the work of the Holy Spirit. The convictions of sin have been, in most cases, pungent, accompanied by a deep sense of guilt, and consequent ill desert, and with earnest cries for mercy. Of the hopeful converts it may be said, old things have passed away, and all things become new. A comfortable hope, joy, and peace in believing, have succeeded to deep sorrow and anguish of soul. Relief, in most cases, has been obtained in prayer, or shortly after pouring out strong cries for deliverance. The converts ap pear well, and grow in grace, and in the knowledge of their Lord and Savior, and in the practice of the graces of the Holy Spirit. Want of time prevents my adding more. Surely "praise waiteth for thee Ŏ Lord, in Zion." In great haste, I am, respectfully, PALESTINE MISSION. LETTER FROM THE REV. PLINY FISK. THE following letter from Mr. Fisk was sent by a circuitous route, and did not come to hand till within a few days. Though it contains no late intelligence, it will yet be interesting. Several topics of very great importance to the missionary cause are introduced, and will command attention. It should be observed, in regard to this letter and others occasionally published, that the embarrassment with respect to funds, which is alluded to, was experienced peculiarly in the early part of last year: but the effects of it were experienced by the different missions, at a later period. We have not room to discuss the subject of the best manner of raising funds for the support of missions. It is a subject deserving great consideration; and will be felt as such by every friend of missions, who is able to take an enlarged view of it. With respect to the proposal that missionaries should support themselves by their own labor, it should be remembered, that in most cases, and those of a very urgent kind, it is altogether impracticable. In other cases, as Mr. Fisk justly states, it is not. But is it desirable, that, in any case, a valuable missionary, should spend half, or three quarters of his time in laboring for his bread, provided he can find missionary work enough to perform? Would this be good economy? Can our community spare three good ministers, either at home or abroad, to do the proper work of one; two thirds of their time being consumed in mere secular pursuits? Would it be an honor to the Christian reputation of our country, that a few young men should be left to do all that is to be done, by our great and flourishing community, in the work of sending the Gospel to the heathen? and that, (for the argument would go this extent,) they should get their own education by hard labor, prepare themselves for missionary ser vice and procure an outfit and passage in the same manner, and then choose a field, where, by teaching children to read, or carrying on some mechanical employment, or pursuing agriculture, they could, after years of delay, embarrassment, and hardship, spend a small part of the mere remnant of their years and strength in the appropriate work of missionaries and evangelists? Some of them ought to do this, no doubt, if the Christian Church will not take part with them and enable them to do better; that is, to devote their whole time, in the vigor of their days, to this noblest of all designs. Alexandria, Feb. 4, 1822. dence permit, go to Mount Lebanon. We have entertained the hope, that one or both of us might be at Jerusalem at shall not be able to accomplish this part Easter, but we begin to fear that we of our plan. We regret this, though we regret it less than we should do, if the state of the country were such as to allow pilgrims to go, as usual, to the Holy City. We apprehend very few, if any pilgrims will go this year. It has grieved us, and I am sure it has grieved you, and many others, to find the funds of the Board in such an embarrassed state. That they who profess to be the friends of Foreign Missions, could, with perfect ease, enable the Board to enlarge all their missions, Dear Sir, and establish many new ones without It is the day of the monthly concert,- delay, is a point which, I presume, no one a day, the return of which always re- will deny. But how far it may be the will freshes and encourages us. This morn- of God that pecuniary contributions ing we read 1 Chron. xxix, and Psalm shall aid in the diffusion of the Gospel, lxxii, and then endeavored to raise our is a question not so easily answered petitions to heaven, that God may dis- That it is the duty of the churches to pose other kings to do like David, and send forth and support missionaries other princes and nobles to do like Da-among the heathen will not, I trust, be vid's princes and nobles, and other peo-questioned by true Christians. It is ple to do like David's people; and that certain, however, that a missionary, the prayer of David, (Ps. Ixxii, 19,) who possesses the spirit of his work, will which has been offered so often, and by be the last man to complain for want of so many, and which we have so much temporal comforts. If he reads the hisreason to think is pleasing to God, may¦tory of Christ, of the primitive disciples, now at length be accomplished, and the promises made to Christ and his church, be, in their greatest extent, fulfilled. We endeavored also to implore a blessing on all the churches, societies, families, and individuals, who join in this monthly concert. I do earnestly and confidently hope, that so many prayers, by so many of the children of God, will not be offered in vain. In respect to Brother Parsons's health, I can say but little in addition to what you will find in the letters we forwarded to Smyrna about ten days ago. His symptoms are in many respects more favorable; but he continues extremely weak, and his constitution is evidently very much impaired, if not completely broken down. We have a skilful physician, who says, without hesitation, that he will, in some good degree at least, recover; at the same time, he gives the opinion, that he will not be likely ever to enjoy good health again, certainly not in this climate, referring to Egypt and Judea. There will always be a tendency to a disordered state of the bowels and of the liver. He says that, for the winter, the climate of this place is favorable; for the summer, no place would be so favorable as Mount Lebanon. Were we both in health, we should wish to spend the summer on that mountain. We shall probably remain in Egypt until spring, and then, if Provi and of the martyrs, he will think all his sacrifices and sufferings are nothing. If missionaries possess any other spirit than this, there will be, I fear, but little reason to hope that success will attend their labors. The Head of the Church knows how far pecuniary aid would render them more extensively useful; and so far, I trust, he will cause it to be afforded. For missionaries themselves to speak on the subject of contributions for their own support, is a delicate thing. I have, more than once, resolved never to mention the subject in my communications to you or others. If I know myself, I would never do it for my own support or comfort. I would sooner, in case the provision now made for my support should fail, devote one half my time to labor, and thus support myself. But when I read the journals of our brethren in other missions; and when I look at Smyrna, and Armenia, and then see how difficult, how next to impossible it is, for the Board to send additional laborers into any of these fields, though there are young men ready to go, who ask for nothing but their food and clothing, I cannot but wish, that I were able to say something, which would_rouse Christians to greater liberality. When a Tabernacle was to be built, the people of Israel, of every condition, age, and sex, came forward, voluntarily, with their offerings, till the priests were obliged to say, "Stop. There is enough and too much." When a temple was to be built, David offered, willingly, gold to the value of 18 or 20 millions sterling, beside a large amount of silver and other things, and his chief men then offered a much larger amount; and David's prayer shows that, instead of feeling any reluctance, he offered all this from choice, and felt unworthy of the privilege of doing it. Thanks be to God for the grace bestowed on his people, there are, in the present day, many bright examples of cheerful liberality. But alas! how often is the opposite true! What reluctance! What frivolous excuses! What absurd and ridiculous objections! I have been an agent for the missionary cause, and shall never cease to remember, with gratitude, the kind encouragement, the cordial approbation, and the cheerful contributions, of a few, in many places which I had occasion to visit. But the coldness, the shyness, the studied neglect, the suspicion, the prejudice, which the simple name of missionary agent produced in the minds of many, who profess to be Christians, to have their treasure in heaven, to prize the Gospel above all other things, and to pity the perishing heathen, cannot easily be forgotten. How far it may generally be the fault of the agent, or some defect in the method adopted for raising money, I pretend not to say; but, unhappily, it is too often the fact, that the visit of an agent is considered rather an object of hatred or contempt, than of approbation and desire. In England, two clergymen of years and of high standing, go out together as agents; and, in one instance at least, a rich layman accompanied them, and voluntarily defrayed all the expenses of the journey. Whether such a plan might not be attended with good effects in the United States, perhaps deserves consideration. A missionary ought, unquestionably, to labor contentedly, and be grateful for whatever support the churches may afford him; and, I am sure, if the donors could know with what emotions missionaries sometimes read over the monthly lists of contributions,they would not think them altogether ungrateful. But is it a duty, is it right, while so many are living at home in ease and affluence, that missionaries should bring themselves to an early grave, by cares and labors, which might be relieved by a little pecuniary assistance? I know not how it may seem to others; but, knowing as I now do the various expenses to which a missionary is constantly subjected, it, seems to me hardly possible, that the sum you allow should appear too great. The sum which we receive, is a mere pittance, compared with what other travellers, who come into this part of the world, expend. It is, in fact, small when compared with what the episcopal missionaries in these parts receive. The late Mr. Williamson was appointed travelling agent for the British and Foreign Bible Society, and was to receive a salary of £250 sterling, beside his travelling expenses. Still the English Societies have, in general, more money than men. You merely defray the expenses of your missionaries, and those kept down by the most rigid economy; and yet there are generally several waiting, who cannot be sent abroad, for want of money. An individual in England sometimes sends forth a missionary, and provides liberally for his support. The lamented Burkhardt was thus employed. Mr. Wolf is now supported by one or two individuals. Among all the men of affluence in America, are there none who will go and do likewise? There is, however, one incorrect opinion often expressed on this subject; it is, that missionaries cannot go to the heathen unless money is contributed for their support. This is not universally true. They can go, in some cases, and to some people, and labor for their own support. It is true that, in this way, they cannot maintain schools, perform journies, print books, and give their whole time and strength to missionary labor. But they may, in many places, support themselves, and still have a part of their time for their appropriate work. If the labor and anxiety, attending this course, are necessary to prepare us for success, I hope the Lord will give us grace to do his will with all cheerfulness and diligence. The Baptist missionarics in India supported themselves, for a time, by superinten ing an Indigo factory. The Moravians, in a great measure, support themselves by their own labors. In this part of the world, one or two single men might live by devoting three or four hours a day to teaching the children of Europeans who have settled here. In other parts of the world, they might probably find other means of port. If the means are not provided for outfit and passage, employment for a certain period in America, would procure what might suffice. There are missionaries who are willing to go, if the churches will support them. Let the question now be "Are there missionaries who will go, and support themselves?" Let the question be distinctly considered. Can a young man of true missionaary spirit, hesitate on this question? Dear Sir, I beg you will put the question to those who talk of going to the heathen, and see whether there are any sup who will go. Let them sit down first, and count the cost, and then if, with all their hearts, they can say "yes," let them thus shew that they really feel the command of Christ to be urgent, and the condition of the heathen deplorable. O that God may bestow on us all more of his grace, and make us more diligent and faithful in his work. Yours in Christian love, Jeremiah Evarts, Esq. DONATIONS TO THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS, from July 18th, to Aug. 12th, 1822, inclusive. Adams, Ms. Mr. Artemas Crittenden, Mr. Lansing, Other individuals,in sums less than one dollar, Milltown, Read. So. for the Sand. Isl. miss. by J. Strong, Tr. 8350 123 00 12 00 84 5 00 10 00 1 00 4 41 3.00 Ashford, Ct. For. Miss. So. by A. Simmons, Tr. 22 00 Ballston, N. Y. By Miss E. Raymond, Female Heathen School Society, for David Brainerd in Ceylon, 15, Brainerd Mission, $15, Baltimore, Md. A coll. in the cong. of the Rev. Mr. Duncan, by the Rev. C. S. Stewart, John T. Barr, Alex. Me Donald, W. Gilmore, Messrs. Morris & Fridge, 810 each; Alex. Brown, J. Cox, J. McHenry, John Purviance, Gen. Stricker, 85 each; Mr. B., Geo. Dunbar, Wm. W. Taylor, 83 each; D. W. Boisseau, 82; Mr. Geo. Douglas, Mr. R. Douglas, Mr. R. Neilson. Mr. N. Pierce, 81 cach, I.Cushing,5; a youth,81, by Mr. W. Goodell, Barre, Vt. A coll. at the eircular prayer meeting, by Rev. H. Bardwell, Belleville, U. C. William H. Wallbridge, Esq. 30 00 85 12 Goodell, 3; Miss R. Lockwood and Mrs. Noble, 2 each; other individuals, 5 50, Bridgewater, N. Y. Mrs. Miller, for Pal. miss. Bradford, Ms. Miss Cox, in the West parish, by Mr. J. Kimball, Bradford, N. H. A coll. by Rev. Isaac Bird, Buckland, Ms. Mon. con. by Dea. Nathl. Sherwin, Burlington, Vt. A collection in the Calvinistic society, by Rev. H. Bardwell, Camden, Del. Rev. Mr. Forbert, by Miss L. Battelle, Canaan, N. H. A private collection, by Rev. H. Bardwell, 12.50 1 CO 1 50 4.00 5 56 51 00 1 00 4 17 No. 1, 3d ann. payt. for the Changane sch. 130 00 Dona. to the above So. for the same object, Miss Louisa and Margaret Carter, av. of their industry, 10; Miss E. Rain, coll. 5; Misses Kerrs, coll. 3; Miss B. Rain, avails of a necklace, 2, Charlestown, Ms. A friend, by Rev. Mr. Fay, Chelsea, Vt. A few indiv. by Rev. H. Bardwell, 20 00 3.00 9 79 4 20 16 52 Champlain, N. Y. Contrib. of the children, for Collinsville, Del. Coll. by Miss M. Hall, 3 12; by Connecticut, State of, An aged clergyman, by Cumberland, Me. See North-Yarmouth. Dover, Del. Misses E. and H. Hillyard, by Miss L. Battelle, a second donation, Dunbarton, N. H. A collec. by Rev. I. Bird, 23 20; Mr. J. Ireland, avails of a m. field, 4, 27 20 East-Bloomfield, N. Y. Mon. con. by Dea. Tim. Buel, 23 29, Mr. Jona. Lee, part avails of a missionary field, 1 50, East-Windsor, Ct. Mr. Joshua Eaton, avails of an ox hide, 5 52; Men's Benev. So. 1; Fem. Benev. So. 23 04; Female friend, 2, Elizabethtown, N. J. A collection in the first Presb. chh. by the Rev. C. S. Stewart, 56 25; do. in the second do. 20 75, Hinesbury, Vt. Coll. in the 1st Society, by Rev. Hopewell, Orange co. N. Y. A collection, by A lady, 2 50; Mrs. N. Smith, 2; two chil. 25 cts. Jericho, Vt. Mr. Azariah Rouse, a balance, Keene, N. H. A friend, by Mr. A. Kingsbury, 1; mon. con. for the Sand. Isl. miss. by the Rev. Z. S. Barstow, 10, Kingsborough, N. Y. Monthly concert, by Dca. L'Acadia, L. C. Dr. Henry Rogers, Wm. Kirkpatrick, Esq. 1st payt. towards the educ. of a Cherokee youth at the For. Miss. Sch. named Wm. Kirkpatrick, 150; for the general purposes of the Board, 20, Heipsic, Del. Mrs. Anne Stout, by Miss L. Battelle, 3 50; coil. 3 97, Longmeadow, Ms. William White, Esq. Lunenburg, Vt. E. Clark, Esq. Mansfield, Ct. Newell Society in the first Soc. by Mrs. Sarah Atwood, Marlborough, N. H. Two individuals, Massachusetts. A private donation, by Mr. David R. Griggs, Mason, N. H. Avails of gold beads, by the Rev. I. Bird, Mendham, N. J. By Rev. C. S. Stewart, a young lady who devotes the avails of a school taught by herself to the miss. cause, by the Rev. C. Hay, 5; a young lady, by Mr. W. Gocdell, part of the avails of a school, 10, Middlebury, Ct. A coll. by the Rev. I. Bird, Ditto, Vt. Philadelphian So. by Rev. H. Bardwell, in the coll. for, S. M. Allen, 10 06; miss. field, 12; Senior Class, 9 25; Junior, 8 25: Sophomore, 6; Freshmen, 3 31; a coll. 62 66; Fem. char. box, 1, Middletown Orange co. N. Y. A coll. by Mr. A. Bishop, 20 00 8 22 3 76 24 7 50 | New-Lebanon, N. Y. Mr. Paul Roberts, 5 50; Mrs. E. Tryon, 1; Mr. H. Hull, 1 50; the Rey. S. Churchill, 2; collec. at a prayer meeting, 1; other individuals in sums less than a dollar, 4 50, by John S. Pulsifer, Newton, Ms. Mon. con. in the E. par. a semiann. payt. for Ann Homer, at Elliot, by Mr. William Jackson, New-York city. A coll. in the Cedar St. chh. by the Rev. C. S. Stewart, 65 61; ditto in the Murray St. chh. 60 96; a friend, 1 10, Col. Henry Rutgers, 4th ann. payt. for H. Rutgers, by the Rev. Ward Stafford, Mrs. Ann Bancker, 4th payt. for William Bancker, 13 00 9 47 25 00 15 50 15 00 127 67 12 00 12 00 36 00 Mr.Richard Cunningham,for R.Cunningham, 12 00 12 00 7 52 1 00 Contrib. in the Rev. Mr. Whelpley's church, by Mr. W. Goodell, 51 13 Coll. at a prayer meeting at the Rev. Mr. Patton's church. 21 50 Newark, N. J. Coll. for Dr. Scudder to pur- New-Brunswick, N. J. A coll. in the Presb. 30 00 8 50 38 75 A friend, 5; two ladies, 1 ea. for the Pal. miss. Contrib. in the Rev. J. Patterson's church, Three children of the Rev. J. Patterson, William and George,two chil. of do. 1st semiann. payt. for a child at Elliot, to be named Wm. Geo. Patterson, An unknown friend, 10; C. Danforth, 5, Piermont,N.H.A contrib. by the Rev.R. Blake, Plainfield, Ms. M. f. by Dr. Porter and others, Pomfret, Vt. Rev. John Dutton, half of a marriage fee, by Mr. Walter Chapin, Portland and vicinity, Me. Fem. So. for the promotion of Christianity among the Jews, for Jewish chil, in Bombay, by Mrs. Mary B. Storer, Cor. Sec. Princeton, N. J. So. for the Educ. of Heathen Youth,5th semi-ann. payt. for Archd. Alexander and Saml. Miller, by Mr. Stephen Frontis, Tr. 15 CO 15 00 17 72 6 10 250 60 00 12 00 Newcastle, Del. A coll. in the cong. of the Rev. |