but as prayer specifically for this object is enjoined, the blessing may be withheld, if the command be not obeyed. Great numbers of young men have recently experienced religion, and united with the churches; and frequent, fervent prayer for an increase of ministers would be well adapted to deepen on their minds an impression of the immense worth of souls, and to enkindle in their bosoms such desires for their salvation, as would lead them to entire devotedness to the Christian ministry. While, therefore, there are prayer meetings for colleges, for missions, and for revivals of religion, permit me, through the medium of the Magazine, to urge on each church a compliance with the requisition of the Saviour, and appoint prayer meetings specifically to beseech "the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest." PAULINUS. KEMPIS'S IMITATION OF christ. IN a former Number we inserted a notice of Malcom's edition of Thomas à Kempis; but we copy the following article from the Christian Secretary, with the hope of exciting additional interest in this valuable work. Few books possess more sterling worth than this. The fact that it has been received and commended by so many individuals of various religious belief, during three or four centuries, must satisfy all that it is entitled to peculiar regard. It is its deep tone of spirituality, its firm grasp of considerations drawn from eternity, that gives the work a durable value to all Christians of elevated attainments in piety. To the high commendation bestowed on the work by the lamented Payson, viz. that for "weanedness from the world, he knew no book like it," may be added the following: Mosheim, after enumerating a long list of eminent men, proceeds thus:-" And Thomas à Kempis, who shone among these with superior lustre, and to whom the famous book concerning the Imitation of Christ, is commonly attributed."-Eccl. Hist. Vol. II. pp. 547-549. In Milner's Church History, (Vol. IV. 8vo. p. 254) in a review of the fifteenth century, we have the following honorable testimony: "There were also some souls who in secret served God in the gospel of his Son; and who knew what spirituality in religion meant. Among these, was the famous Thomas à Kempis, who died in 1471, (according to Du Pin.) Instead of entering into a tedious dispute concerning the author of the well known book of the Imitation of Christ, let us be content with ascribing it to this monk, its reputed author. It would be impertinent in me, to enter into any detail of a performance so familiar to religious readers; and let it suffice to say, that it abounds with the most pious and devotional sentiments, and could not have been written but by one well versed in Christian experience." In the above quotations, it will be seen that some doubt has been expressed whether Thomas à Kempis was the author of this work. The Abbe du Fresnoy promised the world a demonstration, that it was only translated into Latin by Thomas à Kempis, and that it was written originally in French by Gerson. We know not that his promise was ever fulfilled; had it been, it would not have altered the value of the book. This work deserves a much wider circulation than it has ever had among Christians. It has, till very recently, been confined in a great measure, to the libraries of clergymen and wealthy Christians. I know that some would infer otherwise, from statements made in various periodicals; but still I believe it is true. My observation of family libraries has been somewhat extensive in the New-England and Middle States-at least, I have seen many hundreds of them-and, until very lately, I have only found two or three copies of the "Imitation," except in clerical or public libraries. The edition lately issued from the press, has been purified from those sentiments, peculiar to a Catholic monk, which occasionally defaced the pages of former editions, by the judicious attention of the editor, Rev. H. Malcom. The editor certainly deserves the gratitude of the Christian public, for the service he has rendered them in thus preparing this work for a more general circulation and a greater efficiency in promoting elevated piety. We only wish the public would show their gratitude, by securing the more extensive spread of a work calculated to do great good. Mr. Editor, BENEVOLENS. Knowing that your readers will be pleased with the following fragment from the pen of the late celebrated Dr. Staughton, I send them for insertion in your useful Magazine. LINES ON THE CONFLAGRATION OF THE PHILADELPHIA ORPHAN ASYLUM. COLD, cold was the night, and was absent the moon, When bursting in flame the sad orphan house shone, The bells through the darkness toll'd awful and loud, The engines were mighty, and flexile the hose, But the keen breeze of night the kind current had froze, And the levers moved heavy and vain. From the softness of slumber and juvenile dreams, As frighted he sprang from the bed Oh! sad on the ear was the orphan's dread screams, Though darkness surround Thee, we bow to thy will- Since, Father of mercies, thy providence still Makes the orphan and widow thy care. S. MISSIONARY REGISTER. FOR SEPTEMBER, 1830. SUBSCRIPTIONS and donations to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions, &c. should be transmitted to Heman Lincoln, Esq. Treasurer, at the Baptist Missionary Rooms, No. 52, Washington-Street, Boston. The communications for the Corresponding Secre. tary should be directed to the same place, as his residence is removed to the city. BURMAN MISSION. impart to the heathen, his impressions of duty in relation to the Christian ADDITIONAL MISSIONARIES DESIG- ministry, and his devotedness of mind to NATED FOR BURMAH. While two Missionaries and their companions, having but recently left our shores, are yet on the ocean, directing their course to the whitened fields in the Burman empire, to join the band of Christian laborers who have for years endured the burden and heat of the day, it is our privilege to record the designation and departure of two additional laborers for this important service-Mr. John Taylor Jones and his companion, late Miss Grew, daughter of Rev. Henry Grew, of Hartford. Mr. Jones was a student of the Andover Theological Institution. Having been accepted by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, as a Christian herald to the heathen, the 28th of July was appointed for his ordination, and his public recognition as a Missionary to the Burman empire. By letters missive from the Federal Street Baptist Church, of which he was a member, a council was convened, consisting of delegations from the Baptist churches in Boston and its vicinity, with which a number of ministers from different sections who were present, were invited to unite. The candidate detailed his christian experience, stated his views of the illustrious truths of that gospel which he was to this specific service, the forbearing to engage in it being a much greater selfdenial, than the entrance on its duties. The council having unanimously agreed to proceed to the ordination, the services were attended, on the afternoon of the 28th, in the Federal Street Baptist meeting house. 1. Rev. Henry Jackson communicated to the assembly the proceedings and decision of the council. 2. Dr. Bolles, the Corresponding Secretary, read the 110th hymn in Winchell's Arrangement. 3. Rev. R. Babcock, jr. of Salem, offered the introductory prayer. 4. Rev. Mr. Pattison, of Providence, read select portions of Scripture. 5. The 220th hymn in Winchell's Selection was sung. 6. Rev. Bela Jacobs of Cambridge, delivered an appropriate and animated sermon, from Matt. ix. 37, 38. The harvest is truly plenteous, &c. 7. The ordaining prayer was offered by the aged pastor of the Newton church, Rev. Joseph Grafton. 8. In an impressive and tender strain of Christian affection, Rev. Howard Malcom tendered the right hand, with pledges of friendship, and prayer, and support, to the brother who, like Paul and Silas, was now to be designated to the ministry among the heathen. 9. Rev. Mr. Grosvenor, of the First Church in Boston, delivered the charge, urging fidelity to the Saviour, and to the souls of men. 10. The 215th hymn in Winchell's Supplement, was sung. 11. Rev. Mr. Going, of Worcester, addressed the congregation, delineating the duty, as well of those who remain ed at home, as of those who go forth to distant lands, to make sacrifices in the cause of the Redeemer, and to support an object, which is marked with such dignity as the Missionary enterprise. 12. Concluding prayer by Dr. Sharp, and benediction by Rev. C. O. Kimball. On the following Lord's-day evening, a public prayer meeting, of a very interesting character, was held at the Salem Street Baptist meeting house, in Baldwin Place. A large assembly convened; numerous ministers of the city and vicinity were present; a deep solemnity pervaded the audience, and an interest in favor of missions was excited, which it may be hoped will lead to more systematic and persevering efforts to sustain the enterprise. The services of the evening were commenced by singing the 420th hymn in Winchell's Arrangement. Rev. Mr. Grafton engaged in prayer. Dr. Bolles, the Secretary, read the 72d Psalm. Mr. Jackson, of Charlestown, lead again in devotion. Mr. Jones, who with his companion had been designated for missionary labors, then rose, and with a mind absorbed in the subject, addressed the numerous auditors. In pleasing strains he delineated his views, and motives, and hopes, and encouragements, in the great work on which he was about to enter. That no lack of employment, or want of cheering prospects, or destitution of friends in their native land, urged him and his companion to the undertaking now before them; but relying on the aid of the Almighty, who had commanded that his gospel should be made known to all nations, they hoped to do something for the honor of their Lord, and be instrumental of the conversion of unenlightened Burmans. He presented grateful acknowledgments for the kind attentions and fervent prayers of the people of God on their behalf, and urged them to holy activity. Those who were strangers to vital godliness, he earnestly entreated to seek an interest in the better part, and concluded by bidding the assembly an affectionate farewell. Rev. Henry Grew, father of Mrs. Jones, next addressed the audience, expressing his cordial acquiescence in the course which a beloved child was called by divine Providence to pursue, and adverted to the glory of Christianity and the dignity of the Missionary cause. He strikingly alluded to the cloudy pillar, remarking, that the Missionary enterprise, though like that, it might present a dark aspect to its enemies, yet it was luminous to the myriads of its friends both in heaven and on earth. Mr. Grew alluded to his own surrender of himself to God, when baptized by Dr. Stillman, in the vicinity of the place in which he now stood. In vain with lavish kindness The gifts of God are strown; The heathen in his blindness Bows down to wood and stone. Shall we whose souls are lighted Waft, waft, ye winds, his story, Dr. Bolles, the Corresponding Secretary, addressed the meeting, expatiating on the certainty of ultimate triumph to the Christian cause, agreea bly to the divine declaration to Moses, “As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord." Dr. Sharp addressed the assembly, and also pathetically urged on Mr. Jones the high duties which devolved upon him, reiterating the assurance of prayers, sympathy, and pecuniary support from the ministers and churches at home in his behalf, till they should meet in glory. Mr. Malcom offered the concluding prayer, and the assembly was dismissed, with impressions which, it may be hoped, will long abide on many hearts. Three Congregational Missionaries, with their wives, under the direction of the American Board, were to sail in the same vessel with Mr. Jones, for the East Indies, viz. William Hervey, William Ramsay, and Hollis Read. A prayer meeting, consisting of a very numerous audience, was attended at Park Street meeting house, on Lord'sday evening. The introductory prayer was offered by Mr. Anderson, one of the SecretaSEPT. 1830. 35 ries of the Board; the instructions of the Prudential Committee were then read by Mr. Evarts, the Corresponding Secretary; the fellowship, sympathy, and prayers of the churches in this land were pledged to the Missionaries in an address by the Rev. Mr. Fairchild, of South Boston. The prayer, commending the Missionaries to the divine protection and blessing, both on their voyage and during all their subsequent labors, was offered by Dr. Fay, of Charlestown. After which, Dr. Beecher made some remarks respecting the progress which had been made in evangelizing the heathen, on the revivals of religion which had pre'vailed in the churches, and the various religious and benevolent institutions which had been established and patronized with increasing liberality, since the mission to Bombay was begun. He regarded the spirit and enterprise called into action by missions to the heathen, as the origin of the liberality and energy with which other benevolent institutions had been conducted, and of the special divine blessing which had attended their exertions. On Monday morning, at 9 o'clock, the period fixed for embarkation, the Baptist and the Congregational Missionaries, and a large concourse of people composed of both the denominations to which the missionaries belonged, was assembled on board and around the ship, lying at India wharf. A prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Jackson, of Charlestown; the parting hymn was sung; and the exercises were closed with another prayer by the Rev. Mr. Green, of Boston, commending them to God and to the word of his grace. The missionary friends then embarked on board the ship Corvo, Capt. Spalding, for Calcutta, and left the wharf at 11 o'clock. |