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civil and religious liberty. The late Dutch government at the Cape deserve also our warmest thanks for the kind manner in which they received and protected the missionaries, promoting the views of the mission to the utmost of their power.

gregation of believers, whom he find it most convenient; but the left to the care of a pious man, circumstances of the colony at and went to Europe with a view that time would not admit of it. to represent the promising state of Since the English have made themthe mission, and to return with elves masters of that country, assistants. But to his inexpressi- they have built a new chapel; and ble grief and disappointment, he from the favour and protection was not permitted by the Dutch which the British government has East India Company to resume uniformly granted to the Brehis labours; some ignorant peo-thren's missions, we have the best ple having insinuated that the hopes that they will remain unpropagation of Christianity among disturbed and protected in their the Hottentots would injure the interests of the colony.-Since that time to the year 1792 the Brethren did not cease to make application to the Dutch government for leave to send missionaries to the Cape, especially as they heard that the small Hottentot congregation had kept toge- "When the missionaries first ther for some time, in earnest ex-arrived at Bavians Kloof, in 1792, pectation of the return of their it was a barren, uninhabited place. beloved teacher. He had taught some of them to read, and had left a Dutch Bible with them, which they used to read together "The settlement near Tranquefor their edification. At length, bar, on the coast of Coromandel, in 1792, by the mercy of God, was made in the year 1760, at the and the kind interference of desire of the Danish government, friends in the Dutch government, chiefly with a view to bring the the opposition of evil-minded peo-Gospel to the inhabitants of the ple was over-ruled, and leave Nicobar islands. After a persegranted to send out three mission-vering but fruitless attempt to aries, who, on their arrival, were form an establishment at Nancawilling, at the desire of the go-wery, one of the Nicobar islands, vernor, to go first to Bavians for that purpose, the whole plan Kloof, about one hundred and was defeated by the following cirsixty English miles east from Cape-cumstances: The Danish governtown, and there to commencement, finding the advantage gaintheir labours on the spot where ed by their settlement on these George Schmidt had resided.-islands not to answer the great Their instructions from the go-expence attending it, withdrew vernment in Holland granted them their people, who had already leave to choose the place of their suffered greatly by the unwholeresidence, wherever they might someness of the climate; and the VOL. II.

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There are at present [1802] five married missionaries residing there, and about 1300 Hottentots.

Calmucks, conforming to their manner of living in tents, and accompanying them wherever they moved their camp in the Steppe (immense plains covered with long grass). They omitted no oppor

Brethren residing there being left no success has attended the Brealone, and all communication cut thren's labours, though their exeroff between Tranquebar and the tions have been great and perseNicobar islands, it became ne-vering, and equal to those of any cessary to purchase a vessel to of our missionaries in other counconvey provisions and other ne-tries. Some Brethren even resided. cessaries to the missionaries. This for a considerable time among the was done with great expence and hazard for some years, when, in the American war, the vessel was taken by a French cruizer, though belonging to a neutral state. No redress could be obtained from the French, and the Brethren at Tran-tunity of preaching unto them Jequebar were obliged immediately sus, and directing them, from their to procure another vessel, lest the numberless idols and wretched sumissionaries in Nancawery should perstitions, to the only true God, be left destitute. The enormous and the only way of life and hapexpence and loss incurred by these piness; but though they were events, and the sickly state of the heard and treated with civility, missionaries, made it necessary to no impression could be made upon recall them; and thus not only the the hearts of these Heathen. At mission in these islands, but the last, the greatest part of the Calfirst aim of the Brethren's settling mucks quitted those parts. Meanin the East Indies, was frustrated. while the Brethren were visited by Since that time, no success has at-the German colonists living on tended the mission near Tranque- the Wolga; and through God's bar. Some brethren, indeed, went blessing, societies were formed, to Serampore and Patna, where and ministers of the Gospel prothey resided for a time, watching vided for most of the colonies by an opportunity to serve the cause their instrumentality. Thus the of God in those places; but vari-mission has answered a very beous circumstances occasioned both neficial purpose. these settlements to be relinquished. By a late resolution, the East India mission will be suspended for the present, the expences attending it having of late years far exceeded our ability.

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"The most flourishing missions at present are those in Greenland, Antigua, St. Kitt's, the Danish West India islands, and the Cape of Good Hope. A new awakening has appeared of late among the Arawacks and free negroes in South America, the Esquimaux on the coast of Labrador, and in Barbadoes; and the latest accounts give us the most pleasing hopes of success in those parts. In Jamaica the progress of the mis

sions has been but slow. How-nication was kept up with the ever, of late, some of the most con-coast of Labrador by government, siderable planters in that island, a small vessel was employed to being convinced of the utility of convey the necessaries of life to the mission, generously undertook the missionaries once a year; and to provide for the support of more here we cannot help observing, missionaries, and measures have with thanks to God, that upwards been adopted accordingly, to of twenty years have now elapsed, which, we humbly trust, the during which, by his gracious preLord will give success in due servation, no disaster has befallen time. Several attempts to carry the vessel so as to interrupt a the Gospel into other parts of the regular annual communication, earth made by the Brethren have though the coast is very rockynot succeeded. In 1735, mission-and full of ice, and the whole naaries were sent to the Laplanders vigation of the most dangerous and Samojedes; in 1737, and kind. again in 1768, to the coast of "In Amsterdam a similar society Guinea; in 1738, to the negroes was established by the Brethren in in Georgia; in 1739, to the slaves 1746, and renewed in 1793, at in Algiers; in 1740, to Ceylon; Zeist, near Utrecht. This society in 1747, to Persia; in 1752, to took particular charge of the misEgypt; of which we omit any sion at the Cape of Good Hope; particular account for brevity's but the late troubles in Holland sake. In Upper Egypt there was have rendered them unable to a prospect of their being useful lend much assistance for the preamong the Copts, who were vi-sent. The Brethren in North sited for many years. America established a society for

"A society for the furtherance propagating the Gospel among of the Gospel among the Heathen the Heathen in the year 1787, was instituted by the Brethren which was incorporated by the in London as early as the year State of Pennsylvania, and has 1741, for the more effectual co-been very active in assisting the operation with and assistance of missions among the Indians. These the said missions department, in caring for those missionaries who might pass through London to their several posts. The society was, after some interruption in their meetings, renewed in 1766, and took the whole charge of the mission on the coast of Labrador upon themselves; besides continuing to assist the other missions as much as lay in their power, especially those in the British dominions. As no regular commu

three societies do all in their power to help to support the great and accumulated burthens of the above-mentioned missions department, and God has laid a blessing upon their exertions. But they have no power to begin new missions, or to send out missionaries, which, by the synods of the Brethren's church, is vested solely in the Elders Conference of the Unity."

As to the tenets of the Mora

healthiness and prolifickness, and the progress of population in the place where they are kept.

MORTIFICATION, any severe penance observed on a religious account. The mortification of sin in believers is a duty enjoined in the sacred scriptures,Rom. viii,13. Col. iii, 5. It consists in breaking the league with sin; declaration of open hostility against it; and strong resistance of it, Eph. vi, 10, &c.; Gal. v, 24. Rom. viii, 13. The means to be used in this.work, are, not macerating the body, seclusion from all society, our own

vians, though they acknowledge no other standard of truth than the sacred scriptures, they adhere to the Augsburg confession [see that article]. They profess to believe that the kingdom of Christ is not confined to any particular party, community, or church; and they consider themselves,though united in one body, or visible church, as spiritually joined in the bond of Christian love to all who are taught of God, and belong to the universal church of Christ, however much they may differ in forms, which they deem non-essentials. The Moravians are called Herrn-resolutions; but the Holy Spirit huters, from Herrnhuth, the name is the chief agent, Rom. viii, 13. of the village where they were while faith, prayer, and dependfirst settled. They also go by the ence, are subordinate means to this name of Unitas Fratrum,orUnited end. The evidences of MortificaBrethren. If the reader wish to tion are, not the cessation from have a fuller account of this so- one sin, for that may be only exciety, he may consult Crantz's changed for another; or it may Ancient and Modern History of the be renounced because it is a gross Church of the United Brethren, sin; or there may not be an occa1780; Spandenberg's Exposition of sion to practise it: but if sin be Christ. Doctrine, 1784; Dr. Haw-mortified, we shall not yield to eis's Church History, vol. iii, p. temptation; our minds will be 185,&c.; Crantz's History of their more spiritual; we shall find more Mission in Greenland; and the Pe-happiness in spiritual services, and riodical Accounts of their Missions. bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, MORNING LECTURE. See Dr. Owen on Mortification, and on LECTURE. the Holy Spirit, ch. 8. book 4; Charnock's Works, vol. ii, page 1313; Bryson's Sermons on Rom. viii, p. 97, &c.

MORTALITY, subjection to death. It is a term also used to signify a contagious disease which destroys great numbers of either. MOSAIC LAW, or the law of men or beasts. Bills of Mortality Moses, is the most ancient that are accounts or registers specify- we know of in the world, and ing the numbers born, married, is of three kinds; the moral and buried, in any parish, town, law, the ceremonial law, and the or district. In general, they con-judicial law. See Law. Some tain only these numbers, and even observe, that the different manner when thus limited are of great in which each of these laws was use, by shewing the degrees of delivered may suggest to us a right

lawful to enter the mosque with stockings or shoes on, the pavements are covered with pieces of stuff sewed together, each being wide enough to hold a row of men kneeling, sitting, or prostrate. The women are not allowed to enter the mosque, but stay in the porches without. About every mosque there are six high towers, called minarets, each of which has three little open galleries, one above another: these towers, as well as the mosques, are covered with lead, and adorned with gilding and other ornaments; and from thence, instead of a bell, the people are called to prayers by certain

idea of their different natures. which, when the lamps are lightThe moral law, or ten command-ed, make a fine show. As it is not ments, for instance, was delivered on the top of the mountain, in the face of the whole world, as being of universal influence, and obligatory on all mankind. The ceremonial was received by Moses in private in the tabernacle, as being of peculiar concern, belonging to the Jews only, and destined to cease when the tabernacle was down and the veil of the temple rent. As to the judicial law, it was neither so publicly nor so audibly given as the moral law, nor yet so privately as the ceremonial; this kind of law being of an indifferent nature, to be observed or not observed, as its rites suit with the place and go-officers appointed for that purpose. vernment under which we live. The five books of Moses called the Pentateuch are frequently styled, by way of emphasis, the law. This was held by the Jews in such veneration, that they would not allow it to be laid up-founders: within which is a tomb on the bed of any sick person, lest it should be polluted by touching the dead. See Law.

Most of the mosques have a kind of hospital, in which travellers of what religion soever are entertained three days. Each mosque has also a place called tarbe, which is the burying place of its

six or seven feet long, covered with green velvet or satin; at the ends of which are two tapers, and round it several seats for those who read the Koran, and pray for the souls of the deceased.

MOSQUE, a temple or place of religious worship among the Mahometans. All mosques are square buildings, generally con- MOTIVE, that which moves, structed of stone. Before the chief excites, or invites the mind to vogate there is a square court paved lition. It may be one thing singly, with white marble, and low galle- or many things conjunctly. Some ries round it, whose roof is sup-call it a faculty of the mind, by ported by marble pillars. In these which we pursue good and avoid galleries the Turks wash them-evil. See WILL: Edwards on the selves before they go into mosque. Will, p. 7, 8, 124, 259, 384; In each mosque there is a great | Toplady's Works, vol. ii, p. 41, number of lamps; and between 42. these hang many crystal rings, ostrichs eggs, and other curiosities,

MOURNING, sorrow, grief. See SORROW.

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