^ ^ No. %&/, 1 SOCIETY OF INQUIRY ON MISSIONS, | AND THE STATE OF RELIGION. LIBRARY OF THE Theological Seminary, T"\ I -» T TV T /■> TT> Ti /-\ TV T TVT 1 SCC #11,117 Society of Inquiry Respecting Missions (Andover Theological Seminary) Memoirs of American missionaries, formei Book, ....; ., >ci^r if *t~p<~^z Mc/. MEMOIRS OF AMERICAN MISSIONARIES, FORMERLY CONNECTED WITH THE SOCIETY OF INQUIRY RESPECTING MISSIONS, IN THE ANDOVEft THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: EMBRACING A HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY, etc. BY LEONARD WOODS, D. D. ^ublfsfjett untjcr tlje directum of H;e ciety ; and on the 8th of March, arrived at Sierra Leone. Mr. Andrus, and Rev. Samuel Bacon, the United States Agent, sailed down the African coast to the rivers Mesurado and St. Johns, for the purpose of obtaining a more eligible place of settlement for the African Colonists from Amer- ica. They arrived at Cape Mesurado on the 27th of March, and came to anchor in the St. Johns, In the first of April. Six days after, they had an interview with the king of the Bassa country. Having made a contract for a considerable tract of land, fhey returned, and arrived in safety on the 27th of April at Sierra Leone. It is worthy of remaik, that very soon after Mr. An- drus began to hope in the mercy of God, his thoughts 82 HORATIO BARDWELL. were turned to the forlorn condition of the Africans ; and he even then expressed the opinion, that something would soon bo done for their deliverance and salvation. Havinsrheen an eye-witnessof the ignorance and wretch- edness * the Africans in their own country, he decided on visiting America, resigning his office as Agent, and re- turning back to Africa in the simple character of a Mis- sionary. With this view, he had engaged a passage to one of the West India Islands, and" was soon to embark. But as Mr. and Mrs. Bacon were very sick, Mr. Andrus kindly proposed to remain, and to give them the opportu- nity of returning. This arrangement proved fatal to Mr. Andrus. His labors were arduous, and he continued to discharge the duties of his office, till the 21st of July, when he was taken ill of a fever, and died the Saturday following, July 28, 1821, aged 30 years. He had in a measure recovered, and one hour before his exit, was en- gaged in writing. This notice is extracted from the Memoir of Rev. Levi Parsons, second edition, pages 54 — 57. HORATIO BARDWELL. Horati* Bardwell was born in Belchertown, Hamp- shire County, Mass., Nov. 3d, 1788. His parents, Elijah and Sarah Bardwell, in 1803, removed with their family from Belchertown to Goshen, Mass., where they have since deceased. Mr. Bardwell united with the church in Goshen, in February 1808. Previously to Jhis, he had made some advance in preparation for college. In 1809, he went to Stamford, Conn., where he pursued his studies HORATIO BARDWELL. 83 Under the tuition of his brother-in-law, Rev. Wm. Fisher, till November 1811, when he entered the Theological Seminary at Andover, where he went through the usual course. He received an honorary degree of A. M. from Dartmouth College in 1814 — was licensed to preach the gospel, by the Haverhill Association July 6, 1814 — was ordained a Missionary, at Newburyport on the 21st of June, 1815, — and sailed for India, from the same place, October 23d of the same year. . After residing some years as a Missionary in Bombay, he suffered greatly from severe and repeated attacks of inflammation of the liver, induced by a tropical climate. In accordance with the advice of his physicians and col- leagues of the mission, he returned to this country in 1821, having been gone a little more than six 3-ears. His health, though greatly improved by the voyage, was not restored. After laboring as an Agent for the Board, as his health would permit, for nearly two years, and being convinced that his health would not justify his engaging again in missionary labor, he -requ' tied and received a dismission from the service of the Ek>ard. In October 1823, he was installed pastor of the church in Holden, Mass. In*October 1826, soon after tl e intHliirence was received of the death of Rev. Gordon Hall, Mr. Bard- well received an invitation from the B ard to revisit the Bombay mission in its then enfeebled state, and labor for the space of two or three years, leaving his family in this country. The question was submitted to an ecclesiastical council. The council having taken medical advice, decided fchat, a r ter havmg euTered so much in India from inflammation of th^ liver, there was no reasonable prospect that he would be able to labor in the same climate even for a short time. Mr. Bavdwell continued in the ministry at Holden, till the 20th of Feb- ruary 1832, when having received from the A. B. C. F. M., 84 DANIEL POOR. the appointment of General Agent for the New England States, he requested and received a dismission from his people. * In the labors of this Agency he is now em- ployed. DANIEL POOR. Daniel Poor, son of Joseph and Mary Poor, was born at Danvers, Essex County, Mass., June 27, 1789. His parents are botn dead ; his father was long a deacon in the second church of Danvers. He became hopefully pious at the age of about 10 or 12 years; and united with the church in his native town, Sept. 8, 1805, while a^member of Phillips Academy in Andover, where he commenced his studies' with reference to the ministry. His attention was early directed to the subject of Missions, principally by the intelligence from the mission at the Society Islands. His parents took the " Connecticut Evan- gelical Magazine," which he read with deep interest; often spending whole evenings in talking with his mother on the subject, and in reading to her accounts of the mis- sion ; a turn of mind which she cherished with great as- siduity. He thought much and spoke often of being a Missionary, even before going to Andover. He may be said, rather to have studied to qualify himself for mis- sionary than ministerial labors. His interest in the subject of missions was so great at this time, and so strongly developed, that he was opposed by some of the children in his intention and efforts to ob- tain an education, on the plea that if he succeeded, he. DANIEL POOR. 85 would leave them, and go far away, where they should not be permitted to see him. The children often wondered why he was so delighted to have them retire to bed in good season : it was, that he might read to his mother, and converse with her respecting the Otaheitan Mission, and Mr. Vanderkemp's visit to Africa, and warm his own heart and* hers, with love and pity for the poor heathen in those and other countries. He was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1811; spent the three succeeding years at Andover; was or- dained at Newburyport June 21st, 1815; and was mar- ried, a few days before his ordination, to Miss Susan Bul- finch, whose father is still living in Lynn, Mass. In October, 1815, he sailed with Messrs. Richards, Warren, Meigs and Bardwell, for Ceylon ; and after his arrival, it was decided that he should attempt an estab- lishment at Tillipally, in the 'northern part of Ceylon. Here he took up his residence in October 1816, and im- mediatelv established a school for the instruction of chil- dren and youth both in English and Tamul. On the 7th of May, 1821, Mrs. Poor died in the triumphs of faith, after an illness of about a fortnight, A very inter- esting account of her last sickness and death may be found in the Missionary Herald, for 1822. ' On the 21st of January 1823, Mr. Poor was married to Miss Knight, sister of the Rev. Mr. Knight, of the English Church Missionary Society; and soon after, he removed to Batticotta, to take the superintendence of the college. It is interesting to observe the gradually increas- ing operations of this Semina^. Some idea of its im- portance may be formed from the fact that it now has 83 students ; 33 of whom are members of the mission church: and 2S were added to the church in 1831. There are be- sides, a number of candidates for admission. In all the four classes, and especially in the first, the weight of 8 86 ALLEN GRAVES. character and influence is decidedl y Christian. Idolatry may possibly have its secret advocates, but it is avowed by none. ALLEN GRAVES. Allen Graves, son of Cyrus and • Roxana Graves, was born April 8, 1792, at Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont. His mother is deceased ; his father is still liv- ing at Fairhaven, Vt. Fie was hopefully converted in the spring of 1804, during a revival of religion in Rupert: and in July following, he united with uhe .Congregational church in that place, under the pastoral care of the Rev. John B. Preston. Soon after this, influenced b^ a desire to promote the cause of Christ, he commenced study at the Academy in Dorset, Vt. with reference to a liberal education. He graduated at Middlebury College in 1812; after which he 'pursued his theological -studies three years at Andover Seminary, and received a license to preach, from the Pawlet Association in Vermont, Feb. 27, 1816. Mr. Graves had already decided to become a Mission-. ary, when he entered college in 1809. He was first led, according to his own statement, to think seriously of the subject, by the missionary accounts of the London Society.- He was married to Miss Mary' Lee of Rupert, Vt., Dec. 7, 1816; and has had five children, all of whom have died. Mr. Graves was ordained Missionary, at Park Street Church, Boston, Sept. 3, 1817, in connection with Messrs. JOHN NICHOLS. 87 Swift, Nichols, Parsons and Butrick. On Sabbath morn- ing, October 5th, he sailed from Boston, with Mr. and Mrs. Nichols, and arrived at Bombay, Feb. 23, 1818, after a passage of 141 days. For several days before sailing, he had been confined by bodily indisposition. His phy-- sician, however, was of opinion, that a voj^age at that season of the year, would be serviceable to him rather than otherwise. Such was actually the case, and he arrived atJSombay in good health. On the 11th of January 1833, Mr. Graves ana his wife, and the orphan child of Mr. Hervey, arrived at Bos- ton. They left Bombay in August, on account of an obstinate attack of disease to which Mr. Graves was sub- ject, threatening a speedy termination of his life. More than fifteen years have elapsed since Mr. Graves embarked on this mission, and he has ever been a laborious and faithful missionary. One of the brethren at Bombay thus speaks of his return ; " I trust the Committee, the Board, and the churches will receive him and his partner, with all that Christian sympathy and kindness, which they so richly deserve. Nothing but the united opinion of med- ical gentlemen, and the united opinion and desire of the mission, has induced them to revisit their native clime, as the last resort for the restoration of his health." JOHN NICHOLS. John Nichols, son of Daniel and Maty Nichols, was born at Antrim, Hillsborough county, N. H., June 20th, 1790. His more remote ancestors, emigrated from the OO JOHN NICHOLS. west of Scotland, to the north of Ireland, about two cen- turies ago ; his more immediate ancestors came from the latter country to New Hampshire. His father was a re- spectable and intelligent former, an elder of the Presbyte- • rian church in Antrim, and a magistrate. He died of the spotted fever in February 1812, after a very short illness. His mother is still living in Antrim. Mr. Nichols was originally destined by his father to the business of a farmer ; and his juvenile years passed away, without, the occurrence of airy remarkable incident, or the developement of any remarkable trait of character. His early literary advantages were no other than. those of a common district school. He became fond of books, and cherished 'a strong desire to obtain a liberal education, to which his farther readily yielded, and engaged to furnish the necessary means. He diligently pursued a course of study preparatory for college, -principally under the in- struction of the Rev. Mr. Whiton, the minister of his na- tive town, and joined the Sophomore class at Dartmouth College in 1810. His moral deportment, according to* the current standard of the world, was uniformly correct, and his collegiate standing very respectable, giving him a place among the first 'third of his class. . • His mind was not permanently affected with religious truth until 1811. A revival of religion of some extent, occurred at Dartmouta College that j T ear, in the course of which, one of the Professors preached a sermon from- the passage, " The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." This sermon attended by the influen- ces of the Holy Spirit, powerfully arrested the attention of Mr. Nichols, and effectually convinced him that he was a sinner before God. The depravity of his heart was dis- closed to his view in a manner that filled him with dis- tressing apprehensions for several succeeding weeks He was at length brought, as was believed, to submit to Go$, JOHN NICHOLS. 89 and willingly to devote himself to the service of Christ. To his father, he announced the change of his views and feel- ings, in a letter replete with filial and Christian affection. In September of the same year, 1311, he made a public profession of faith in Christ, and united with the Presby- terian church in his native place. The moral change in him was decided and evident to all, and his future deport- ment was such as gained him the confidence and warm affection of many valuable Christian friends. It is proba- ble that about this period, his thoughts began to be direct- ed to the Gospel ministry, as the future employment of his life. In 1812, he sustained a severe trial in the death of a kind and indulgent father. So much -were his services needed at home, that he was perplexed to determine the path of. duty. Some advised him to leave college, and as- sume the management of the farm ;• but others gave him better counsel ; and he finally decided to pursue his studies. The eyent shewed that the decision was wise. He grad- uated in the class of 1813. A few weeks after his graduation were spent in his na- tive place, in benevolent efforts to awaken in the minds of his youthful associates an interest in religion, and in ma- king arrangements to promote the interest and comfort of his widowed mother. His filial feelings were tender, and his attentions to her comfort, unremitting. He joined the Theological Institution at Andover, in October, 1813. Just before he went to Andover, he accompanied Mrs. Whiton, of Antrim, on a short journey to visit her friends in Winchendon, Mass., where he first saw the affecting let- ter of Mr. Newell, detailing the circumstances of his wife's death at the Isle of France. The letter excited in his mind a very deep interest ; and as he was returning to Antrim, missions to the heathen formed the grand theme of his conversation. It is believed, that the perusal of that 8* 90 JOHN NICHOLS. letter 'gave his mind the first impulse towards his final des- tination. He long- considered the matter, before he com- municated his views to any except a few confidential friends. Encouraged by them, he at length formed the deliberate purpose to go "far hence to the Gentiles," to preach Christ and him crucified. After his purpose was once formed, his mind never wavered. Though he had a deep sense of his own unworthiness, yet believing God called him to the work, ho* went straight forward. No man loved his country, his relatives, lfis Christian friends, better than he; and never did any man more calmly and cheerfully relinquish them all, for the furtherance of the Gospel. In a letter to Mr. Whiton, the minister of his native town, written in July, 1816, announcing his final decision to engage in a Foreign Mission, he says, " At no former period have I so highly prized, or so much desired, the society of a few Christian friends in Antrim. It is now about two years since I commenced the examination of the subject of Missions to the heathen, with reference to my personally engaging in the great work. No. Chris- tian can doubt for a. moment, that the religion of the Gos- pel, is to be the religion of tiiie world. A large proportion of our number, have reasons for declining the service. Who will go? This question has come home to my own bo- som. My inquiries, and my prayers ha- e resulted in a settled conviction that it is my duty, Divine Providence permitting, to make known to those who dwell in pagaii darkness the unsearchable riches of Christ. Whenever there is a call to the missionary service, there must be abilitjr, a willingness and desire to engage, and a freedom from such ties as preclude the engagement.. With regard to ability, I have sometimes felt objections which seemed insurmountable ; as it respects the others, I have had few difficulties. I think of Brainerd on his bed of straw, in JOHN NICHOLS. 91 an Indian wigwam ; of the Moravian Missionary pursued by an incensed savage with a lifted tomahawk ; of Van- derkemp with a scorpion between his shirt and skin, and at another time sleeping on the ground with a poisonous serpent under him; of Kicherer when the Boschemen aimed poisoned arrows at him; and of Carey, when the Hindoos were on the point of taking his life. Yet this one thing. have I desired of the Lord, that I may preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. I would leave myself in his hands, and be at his disposal. God forbid that I should think of meriting salvation by p, pilgrimage to a land of Pagan darkness : No, — The blood of Christ shall stilt remain Sufficient and alone." In a letter to the Prudential Committee of the Ameri- can Board, dated July 24, 1815, Mr Nichols says :'" The important subject of evangelizing the heathen, has for some time employed a considerable share of my attention, and deeply interested my feelings. About, a year and a half ago, I felt it to be a sacred duty to examine the sub- ject of Foreign Missions with reference to my personally engaging in this work. In the examination of this sub- ject, I humbly trust that through Divine grace, I have been assisted by the Holy Spirit in ascertaining the will of God my Saviour, and the path of duty. My inquiries and my prayers in reference to this subject, have resulted in a settled and firm persuasion, that relying on the grace and strength of the Redeemer, it is my duty to give my- self away to him, by endeavoring, (Divine Providence permitting,) to make known his salvation to the perishing heathen." Mr. Nichols completed his course of study at Andover in 1816. A considerable part of the ensuing year was spent in the service of the Board, as an Agent to visit the churches in New Hampshire, and solicit their co-operation 92 1 JOHN NICHOLS. in sending the Gospel to heathen nations. He was the first Agent who visited the County of Hillsborough for this purpose. The subject was then new to the mass of the people. From many, it met with a cordial reception. One man, among the first in the state in point of official stand- ing, attempted to discourage him by telling how he tried, when a boj^, to tame a brood of young partridges, which, as soon as they were able, flew off into the jvoods and he saw them no more ; insinuating, that attempts to civil- ize and Christianize the heathen, would have no better re- sult. Mr. Nichols smiled as he repeated the remark, and expressed astonishment,- that a man, in some respects em- inent; should be so grossly ignorant of the genius of Christianity, and the foundation on which our expecta- tions of its final prevalence rest. Objections like this," however 'puerile or unreasonable, he. met with that calm- ness, mildness, and self-command, for which he was emi- nently distinguished, and made an exceedingly favorable impression on the public mind. It is not too much to saj^, that his judicious and faithful labors, had no small influ- ence in preparing the churches in New Hampshire, for those efforts in favor of Christian Missions, which have now grown into a system. A part of the year immediately preceding ' his em- barkation for India, he spent in Antrim, in visiting his early friends. Every arrangement in his power, for the future benefit and comfort of his mother, then descending into the vale of ^ars, he made with the most anxious and tender assiduity. He was ordained Missionary at Park Street Church, Boston, Sept. 3, 1817, and on the 31st of the same month, was married to Miss Elizabeth Shaw of Beverly, Mass. On Sabbath morning the 5th of October, he embarked for Bombay, with Mr. and Mrs. Graves. JOHN NICHOLS. 93 For some time prior to his embarkation, he had been absent from his native place, but expected to re-visit it be- fore he sailed, and bid his friends farewell. Unforeseen circumstances rendered it impossible to execute this inten- tion. .He forwarded to Mr. Whiton the manuscript of a farewell discourse to the people, founded on lCor. xv. 58, which at their request was publicly read from the pulpit. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols arrived safely in Bombay, Febru- ary 23, 1318, and he immediately commenced . the study of the Mahratta language In the latter part of October, he had a severe bilious attack, and was brought so low, that his life was almost despaired of. He was, however, speedily restored to his accustomed health. Soon after his recovery, he established a school in Tannah, (on the isl- and of Salsette, and ashort distance from the island of Bom- bay,) and also one in Cullian, with favorable prospects of success. In his journal for September 24th, 1819, describe ing a short tour through the country, he says ; " After ad- dressing the villagers, we retired to rest in an open veran- da. The Hindoos have .neither chairs, tables, nor beds. Of course, whoever travels among them, must sit on the ground, eat on the ground, and sleep on the ground. Our journeying from village to village was through deep mud, long grass, and water sometimes up to the middle. To wear shoes and stockings was out of the question ; though our feet suffered much from the stones and gravel. With bare feet, we traveled over a region inhabited by tigers, and were in continual danger from serpents which might be concealed in the long grass. On the evening of the 25th, we arrived at a village where we spent a Sab- bath of rest. Sabbath evening, before we had retired to rest, while reclining on a mat in an open veranda, I was roused by a serpent crawling over my feet ; and before I could speak, it was under the feet of brother Graves. Through mercy we were not bitten. The serpent was. 94 JOHN NICHOLS. killed before the door. There is a species of serpent very common here, whose bite causes death in five or ten min- utes, and 'for which the natives know no remedy." About the 20th of May, 1820, Mr. Nichols, his wife, and their little boy, were seized with the intermittent fever. Mrs. Nichols and the child recovered of the fever in about three weeks. Mr. Nichols was confined to his bed for sixty days, during the hottest season of the yeni: — On the I lth of May, 1822, they were called to mourn the death of a promising child. — In January, 1823, Mr. Nichols writes, that the boarding school taught by Mrs. Nichols consisted of 16 scholars, for whose instruction a compensa- tion was received. The profits of the school, from the April preceding, had been sufficient to support the family including four charity children, and also to pay the house re*>t.. Mr. Nichols witnessed much of the ravages of the spas- modic cholera. In a letter to the Rev. Mr. Whiton in 1821, he says of this epidemic, " It is one of the most awful diseases with which a righteous God ever visited our sinful race, and was entirely unknown until about four years ago. I have witnessed its awful ravages in Tannah and Bombay, and have been much with the sick and the dy- ing. The disease commences with a burning, acute pain in the stomach and bowels, succeeded by violent vomiting and purging — spasms in the limbs— the countenance vacant and ghastly — the bowels hot, the extremities cold, stop- page of pulsation at the wrist,. and death. This people generally believe it to be, not a proper disease, but a destroy- ing demon. I have abundant opportunity to put in prac- tice the little stock of medical knowledge I acquired in America, and have prescribed for the sick in hundreds of instances. So ignorant of the healing art are these people, that the administration of the simple but powerful medi- JOHN NICHOLS. 95 cines (emetics and cathartics) produces such speedy and manifest relief as truly astonishes them." That his laborious efforts as a missionary exposed him to many hardships and dangers, appears from one of his letters in which he remarks, " Since I have been in India, I have slept many nights on the ground, without anything about me but a loose cotton gown; and in my tours to the continent, to distribute books and visit schools, I have slept many times all night .on the boards of an open boat, without any bed or covering. In all the country, among the natives, high and low, you will scarcely meet with a chair, a table, or a bed." In a letter to a friend, he writes : " Need I tell 3^011 that my early friends are my dear friends, and that a recollec- tion of them is entwined with every fibre of my heart? The rocks and hills of Antrim are a scene on which ima- gination fondly lingers,, and memory drops her silent tear. Oh, may that be a spot highly favored of Heaven, when this mortal body of mine shall be mouldering in the sands of India ! Satisfied with the Providence of Godwin call- ing me far away from my native land, I have not the re- motest idea of ever returning there. It is worth a thousand lives, a thousand times more precious than mine, to make known to these heathen, what a Saviour has done for a sinful world." In 1824, the last year of his life, he received the afflict- ing intelligence of the death of a beloved sister — a young lady of more than usual worth, piety, and literary attain- ments, to whom he was attached by the strongest frater : nal affection. This melancholy- event gave him a legal claim to a share of her property. On being advised of this fact, he forwarded to a friend, a power of attorney, to re- ceive his share, with directions to appropriate to his moth- er whatever might be required for her comfort : to expend a part in the purchase of Tracts, for the benefit of the 96 JOHN NICHOLS. youth of his native place ; and ip remit the residue, if any, to the father of his wife, to be subject to his future dispo- sal. Late in the Autumn of 1824, Mr. Nichols -commenced a tour in the southern Konkan, for the purpose of visiting, and to a certain extent; newly organizing the schools which had been established there. He expected to be ab- sent a month. But before he had gone sixteen miles from Bombay, he was taken ill of a fever. Hearing of his ill- ness, Mr. Garrett proceeded to his assistance ; and sending back word that he grew worse, Mr. Frost accompanied Mrs. Nichols in a covered boat, to the place of his sick- ness, for the purpose of bringing him to Bombay, whither they conveyed him on the 9th of December, ten days after the commencement of his sickness. He was speechless, tfhd much of tire time insensible ; and about the middle of the following night, Dec. 10, 1S24, fell asleep, and rested from his labors. The funeral services were attended the next day in the chapel, to which many of the natives re- sorted. Mr. Nichols had three children, two of whom died be- fore his decease, and the other eight months afterwards. On the 19th of October, 1826, Mrs. Nichols was marri- ed to the Rev. Mr. Knight, Church Missionary at Ncllore in Ceylon, where she still lives. Mr. Nichols was nearly seven years among the heathen, engaged in various missionary labors : but espe- cially, for the greater part of the time, in preaching the Gospel to them in their vernacular tongue. He was a man of an excellent spirit, mild, gentle, and yet firm in the pursuit of duty. He longed for the salvation of the hea- then, and prayed earnestly and continually for so great a blessing. • To his brethren he was a judicious and faith- ful counselor : and to the Mission, a warm and devoted friend. LEVI PARSONS. 97 "I have long thought," observes Mr. Whiton, "that his Christian character, presented traits of uncommon excel- lence. He seemed to have no ambition to shine, but was ever intent on doing good. If ever I knew a man who ruled his own spirit, and was master of himself, he was that man. Doubtless he had his faults, for Ire was but a man ; but after long and intimate acquaintance, much confidential correspondence, and repeated opportunities of observing his deportment in various and trying circum- stances, I solemnly aver, that after he made a profession of religion, / know not what his faults were. It was man- ifest that the fear and love of God were the governing * principles of his conduct. His piety was not of that kind which te>-day is excited into fever, and to-morrow benumb- ed with palsy: it w.as equable, it was deep, it was uncTe- caying; and it produced in his life and conversation a rich cluster of 'whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of .good report.' " The substance of the preceding notice was furnished by the Rev. John M. Whiton, of Antrim, N. H. LEVI PARSONS. Levi Parsons, second son of Rev. Justin and Mrs. Electa Parsons, was born in Goshen, Hampshire County, Mass., July 18, 1792. His father is now pastor of a church in Weston, Vt.; his mother died in January 1324. His childhood was not distinguished by any remarkable events. That loveliness of disposition however, so con- spicuous in manhood, spread a charm over his early years. 08 LEVI PARSONS. He was very careful not to offend or displease his parents; — he needed but to know their will, and it was obeyed. He was greatly attached to the domestic circle, and when sent abroad to school for a few weeks only, could seldom depart without weeping. In 1808, he was hopefully re- newed hv the Divine Spirit; and in June of the same year, he united with the church in Goshen. In August 1810, he became a member of Middlebury College. In his journal for April 5th, 1812, Mr. Parsons says, " I frequently think of spending my life as a Missionary to the heathen. This consideration sometimes fires me with uncommon zeal." This was merely a record in his private journal ; and it was two years before he unbosom* ei his mind even to his most intimate friends. In% letter .to his parents dated May.2, 1814, he thus writes; "From that blessed- moment, when as I trust I experienced the smiles of heaven, the deplorable condition of the heathen has sensibly affected my mind. I have desired, and some- times resolved, by the leave of Providence, toproclaim in their ears a crucified Saviour. This spring, the subject has appeared more solemn than ever; and often I am in the center of Asia, listening to the gfoans of the eastern world, which are wafted to heaven for deliverance. In- deed I converse more with the heathen, than with my own * classmates." • Mr. Parsons was graduated in August 1814. As a scholar? his standing was highly respectable. From col- lege he proceeded to Andover, and commenced his theo- logical studies. During the second year of his residence at the Seminary, he came to the conclusion that it was his duty to become a Missionary. Having completed the usual course at Andover in September 1817, he returned to Vermont ; and during the following year, was engaged in missionary labors, chiefly under the direction of the Vermont Missionary Society. He afterwards took an PLINY FISK. 99 agency for the American Board, which he retained till just before his departure from the country. On the 3d of November 1819, he sailed from Boston with his beloved colleague, Rev. Pliny Fisk, for Malta ; from which place they proceeded to Smyrna, where they arrived January 15, 1820. They had long contemplated a tour for the purpose of visiting the seven churches of Asia. Accordingly they commenced their journey on the first of November ; visited Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia, and returned to Smyrna. Mr. Parsons had long ardently desired to see that sa- cred place where our Saviour was born ; and the time had now arrived when it was deemed expedient that he should commence his journey thither. On the 5th of De- cember 1820, he left Smyrna, and arrived at Jaffa in February. He hastened to Jerusalem, every part of which he visited with the deepest interest. After distributing a considerable number of Bibles and tracts, he returned to Scio. His health now began to fail him, and he sailed for Alexandria in Egypt. But he Was soon called from his earthly labors. He died at Alexandria, Feb. 10, 1822, aged 29 years. A memoir of Mr. Parsons written by his brother-in-law, the Rev. D. O. Morton, was published in 1824 ; and a sec- pnd edition in 1830. PLINY FISK. Pliny Fisk, fourth son of Ebenezer and Sarah Fisk, was born at Shelburne, Franklin County, Mass., June 24, 100 PLINY FISK. 1792. He was from early youth, distinguished for an en- gaging disposition, and unusual sobriety. A prominent trait in his character was persevering application. As a son, he was faithful, dutiful, and affectionate. His liter- ary advantages during the first seventeen years of his life, were confined to. a common English school; but these were diligently improved. Having completed his pre- paratory studies, chiefly under the direction of the Rev. Moses Hallock of Plainfield, Mass., he entered Middle- bury College in 1811, where he graduated in August, 1814. He soon commenced the study of theology under the direction of his pastor, Rev. Dr. Packard ; and in January 1815, was licensed to preach the Gospel. He labored very successfully for several months at Wilming- ton, Vt.; but being resolved to pursue a regular course of theological study, he entered And over Seminary in No- vember 1815. Here he remained three years; and at the close of his course, the Palestine Mission havirg been resolved upon, he, with Mr. Parsons, was appointed to that mission. On the 4th of November 1818, Mr. Fisk was ordained a Missionary at Salem, Mass. ; and about the last of that month, sailed for Savannah in Georgia, for the purpose of soliciting donations for the Board, and interesting the public in the objects of missionary enterprise. He returned in the following July, and resumed his studies at Andover, designing to pursue them till the time of his embarkation for Asia. On Wednesday morning, November 3d, 1819, Messrs. Fisk and. Parsons sailed* from Boston, bidding their last adieu to the shores and the scenes of their na- tive country. While Mr. Parsons was traveling in Palestine, and making inquiries respecting the most eligible place for a permanent missionary establishment, Mr. Fisk remained at Smyrna pursuing his studies. The feebleness of Mr. LEVI SPAULDING. 101 Parsons' health after his residence at Jerusalem, requiring, as was thought, a voyage to some warmer climate, they both set sail for Alexandria, in January J822. After the death of Mr. Parsons, Mr. Fisk returned to Malta ; and while here, Mr. King arrived from Paris to join him in his missionary labors. They sailed together for Egypt, early in the following January, in company with Mr. Wolff, and arrived at Alexandria after a pleasant passage of seven days. They were in Egypt about three months ; when they commenced their journey to Jerusalem through the desert, and on the 25th of April 1823, entered the Holy City with emotions not easily described. After a visit of about eight or ten weeks, Mr. Fisk concluded to spend the hot season on Mount Lebanon. In October, he returned again to Jerusalem, where he resided five months, during which period he was occupied with his missionary work. He subsequently visited Damascus, Antioch, and Tripoli, actively engaged in exploring the country, and preparing the way for future laborers. Like his beloved brother Parsons, Fisk too was destined to an early grave. On the 11th of October 1825, he first complained of ill- ness; and he expired on Sabbath morning, the 23d of Oc- tober, aged 33 years. A memoir of Mr. Fisk was published in 1828, prepared by Professor Bond, now of Bangor Seminary. LEVI SPAUIiDING. Levi Spaulding, son of Phinehas and Elisabeth Spaulding, was born at Jaffrey, Cheshire County, N. H. 102 LEVI SI»ATJLDING. August 22, 1791. His parents were both pious, and lie of course received a religious education. His father died January 14, 1809. His mother lived to see him a minis- ter of the Gospel, and leave his native land to preach Christ to the heathen. She died September 29, 1819, a few months after his departure. He followed the occupation of farmer till after his fath- er's death. Early in the fall of that year, he commenced his preparatory studies, with the Rev. John Sabin, of Fitz- william, N. H. The course by which he was led to seek an education, he thus describes in a letter published in the Home Missionary, Vol. iv. p. 135, where however only the initials of his name are given. "You recollect my brother Oliver, who was drowned in 1807, while a mem- ber of the junior class in Dartmouth College. You may also recollect that the members of the United Fraternity erected the white marble monument to his memory. This generosity and kindness of strangers to one so dear to me, so took hold of my mind, that I often wept ; and while my hand was hold of the plough, my heart was with those who had loved and buried my dear brother. These feelings, however, I kept to myself about two years. I at last began to fit for college, and eventually entered Dartmouth. All this tons the result of that mar- ble which stands at the head of my brother's graved In the fall of 1811, Mr. Spaulding entered Dartmouth College. In the language of a writer in the Home Mis- sionary, Vol. i. p. 69, " he was a young man of distin- guished powers of mind, and an enthusiastic stud«it ; but not a Christian. His ambition, indeed, for literary distinc- tion, absorbed all his affections ; and the love of God had no place in his heart, till, in the progress of a revival of religion in that College, during his senior year in 1815, he became a new creature. I well recollect the morning — I never can forget it, when, having been oppressed with LEVI SPAULpiNG. 103 the load of his guilt, for many days, his countenance cast down, and his flesh wasted by the agony of his spirit, he invited me to a solitary walk for the purpose of conversa- tion. We wandered the distance of a mile, till we reached the bank of Connecticut river. He was agitated beyond expression.. He knew that he was a sinner. He was convinced that it would be right in God fo cast him off forever ; and yet his proud spirit would not submit to be saved by Christ. I invited him to kneel down with me and pray. After a pause, which indicated the conflict in his own bosom, he replied, ." I will, if you will lead." I remarket!, that I could pray for him with all my heart ; but it appeared to me that God was waiting for him to pray for himself. He hesitated a moment, and then drop- ped upon his knees, and prayed for the first time in his- life. He ever after regarded that, as the place of his con- version." . In September of the same year, -18 15, he united with the church in his native town, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Laban Ainsworth ; and immediately afterwards, entered upon his theological studies at Andover. In the course of his second year at Andover, he decided to be- come a Missionary, and during the last year he occupied a room with Rev. Pliny Fisk. The first two years, Mr. Fisk and Prof. Bond, of Bangor Seminary, roomed to- gether; and Mr. Spaulding was frequently in their room, when the conversation took a missionary turn. Mr. Fisk had considerable influ nice with him, and having from the first a missionary spirit, was successful in waking up a like spirit in many minds. In a letter dated Andover, July 25, 1817, Mr. Fisk speaks of Mr. Spaulding's being at that time on the point of deciding to go to the heathen, and says, "J think we shall offer ourselves together within a few weeks. Brother Spaulding says, I feel more like a Missionary, than when at B ; think there is no 104 MIRON WINSLOW. discharge in this war. Our strength will be equal to our day." Mr. Spaulding finished his course at Andover in the fall of 1818. On the 4th of November following, he was ordained at Salem, in company with Messrs. Fisk, Wins- low, and Woodward. Sermon by the Rev. Prof. Stuart of Andover. On the 10th of December, he was married to Miss Mary Christie of Antrim, N. H. ; and sailed from Boston for Calcultta,. on the 8th of June 1819. From Calcutta he embarked for Ceylon, where he has since la- bored. His present station is Tillipally. Connected with this station are 1,072 scholars under missionary instruction. MIROX WINSLOW. Miron Winslow was born in Williston, near Bur- lington, Vt., in December 1790. His parents, both of whom are now dead, were Nathaniel and Anna Winslow, the former a native of Salisbury, Conn., and the lat- ter of Sheffield, Mass. His mother was a daughter of Josiah Kellogg, Esq. of Sheffield, Mass. Both of his parents were pious, and they consecrated him to God in baptism. He was a subject of serious impressions from his childhood. He was educated for a merchant, and at the age of fourteen entered a store as clerk, in which he continued till twenty-one. At the age of twenty-one, he entered into business for himself, in Norwich, Conn., in which he continued successfully two years. • During the latter part of the first year, his mind became increasingly serious ; and at length he was brought to rejoice in the * MIUON WINSLOW. 105 liberty of Christ. From that time he felt a strong de*sire to preach the gospel, and to preach it to the gentile na tions sitting in darkness. In his very first letter to his parents announcing his conversion, he expressed a desire, and- a strong conviction of duty, to renounce his worldly prospects, and give himself to the heathen in the service of Jesus Christ; saying, that although his worldly pros- pects were good, he counted it no sacrifice to relin- quish them for Christ ; and that as the heathen nations were without light, and none seemed to care for them, he felt it to be his duty to devote himself to them. As his previous education had been thorough, and his reading- extensive, after studying a year and a half, he was qualified to enter college two years in advance. He commenc- ed his preparation for college while yet pursuing his mercantile business ; nor was he able to bring it to an en- tire close! till he was nearly or quite through college. He entered Middlebury College in 1813, and was grad- uated in 1815. He also subsequently spent some time in New Haven, and took a Master's degree at Yale College-, in L818. In January 1816, he entered the Theological Seminary at Andover, and completed the course at that JJtitution in the autumn of 1818. He employed the last vacation of his junior year, and the two vacations of his senior year, in traveling as an Agent to collect funds for Foreign Missions. In these periods he traveled through most of New England, and was very successful. He also wrote his History of Missions in his senior year, and the subsequent Autumn. On the 4th of November, 1818, he was ordained as Missionary, in the Tabernacle Church, in Salem, Mass., together with Messrs. Fisk, Spaulding, and Woodward. " The sermon was preached by Professor Stuart of Andover.. He married Miss Harriet Lathrop of Norwich, Conn., eldest daughter of Charles Lathrop Esq. since deceased. On the 8th of June 1819, he embarked 106 HIRAM BINGHAM.* at* Boston for Calcutta, in company with Messrs. Spanieling, Woodward, and Scudder, and their wives. They arrived at Calcutta after a voyage of about five months ; and thence embarked for Ceylon, where they have since labored. Mr. Winslow's station has been at Oodooville, where he has diligently labored for the education of the natives. That the exertiqns of our Missionaries in Ceylon have not been altogether in vain, is shewn by the fact, that there are now 836 scholars in the different schools of this station, 678 males, and 158 females; and 49 native mem- bers of the Mission church. The congregation on Sab- bath mornings, is from four to five hundred, and fills the church. From seventy to eighty are adults, and from twenty to twenty-five are women. The afternoon congre- gation, consists of the female and English schools, and from twenty to thirty adults. Mr. Winslow's only son, whom he had sent to this coun- try for education, and who gave hopeful evidence of piety, died in New York, after a short illness, on the 24th of May 1832. HIRAM BINGHAM. Hiram Bingham, son of Calvin and Lydia Bingham, was born in Bennington, Vt. October 30th, 1789. He was hopefully converted some time in the year 1810, and joined the Congregational Church in his native town in Ma}', 1811. The same year, he commenced his preparato- ry studies with the Rev. Elisha Yale ? of Kingsborough, HIRAM BINGHAM. 107 Montgomery County, N. Y. With Mr. Yale he spent part of two years, and entered Middlebury College in 1813. His motive in seeking an education, was that he might be prepared to publish the glad tidings of salvation to his fellow men He -spent three years at college, and gradu- ated in 1 16. From college he proceeded to Andover, where he completed the regular course of studies in 1819, in the same class with Messrs. Eyington, King, and Thurston. It was here that he finally decided to become a Foreign Missionary, although the subject had seri- ously impressed his mind for several years. The Ameri- can Board had for some time contemplated establishing a Mission at the Sandwich Islands ; and Messrs. Bing- ham and Thurston engaged to undertake this service. They received ordinatkvn at Goshen, Conn., September 29th", 1819, from the North Consociation of Litchfield County. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Humphrey of Pittsfield, Mass., now President of Amherst college. On the 1 1th of October following, Mr. Bingham was married at Hartford, Conn.', to Miss Sybil Mosely, of Westfield, Mass. On Friday, the 15th of the same month, the mission church was formed at Boston, consisting of seventeen members ; viz. Messrs. Bingham and Thurston, and five* assistants, with their wives ; and three natives of the Sandwich Isl- ands, hopeful converts to Christianity. In the evening of the same day, Mr. Bingham preached, from 2 Tim. hi. 16, 17; after which, were delivered the Instructions- of the Prudential Committee. On Saturday the 23d of Oc : tober, t-he mission family, with a large concourse of spec- tators, assembled on Long Wharf; and after a prayer by the Rev. Dr. Worcester, Messrs. Bingham and Thurston sung, u When shall we all meet again f" and took a final farewell of their friends. They arrived at the Sandwich Islands March 31, 1820; and immedi- 108 HIRAM BINGHAM. * ately established themselves, at different places, by the permission and request of the government. Having ex- plored the Islands to some extent, they assembled in Sep- tember, 1823, to assign the brethren to their respective stations. Mr. Bingham was stationed at- Honolulu on the island of Oahu, and Mr. Thurston at Kailua, on the island of Hawaii, white h stations they still retain. The history of the operations and progress of this mis- sion, is* the history of the rise of the Sandwich Islanders in the scale of civilization. There are now at Honolulu, 250 mission schools, imparting instruction to 10,336 chil- dren ; and there are 158 native members of the church. In July- 1829, a spacious church, built by order of the government, was opened for public worship, and solemnly dedicated to God. It is 196 felt long, and 61 broad, completely floored with rush mats. About 4000 persons were present on the occasion, including most of the great personages of the nation. In 1831, the chiefs and others favorably disposed, being assembled from. the different islands, at Honolulu, formed themselves into a Temperance Society, on the general principle of " entire abstinence from the use of ardent spir- it, for pleasure or civility, and from engaging in distilling or vending the same for gain." About a thousand sub- scribers were immediately obtained ; and it was proposed to circulate copies' of the resolutions adopted by the socie- ty, throughout the islands, and secure as many signers as possible. The governor of Oahu, being afterwards applied to for a license *to sell ardent spirits to foreigners- only, made this answer ; " To horses, cattle, and hogs, you may sell rum, but to real men you must not, on these shores." JONAS KING. 109 JONAS KING. Jonas King was born at Hawley, Franklin county, Mass. July 29, 1792. His parents, although worthy an desertion of the cause. Such, Brother Mills, is the doctrine I. should think it my duty to preach, were I among the churches.'. Such the doctrine, I believe, every minister of the gospel ought to preach, and thus to sound the alarm of war, and sound, and sound, until every soldier of Jesus is equipped for tlij3 field, and eagerly flying to battle; yea, until every child of Adam, has heard the good news of salvation through a crucified Redeemer. My Dear Brother, I want to hear all you have done, and intend to do, and how many missionaries are likely to be found. It is one maxim of the excellent Moravians, never to exhort men to be missionaries. But where did those good men get this maxim V If it was the last solemn duty which our ascended Lord charged upon ministers, to go into all the world and preach the gospel to eveiy T crea- ture, why not exhort men to perform this duty as well as any other ? Is it a duty so small, and trifling in its con- sequences, thattmlikc other duties, Christ did not intend men should be exhorted to it ? As to the numerous fields which cry aloud for mission- aries, (Oh, may their cry be regarded !) 1 would refer you to our views, as expressed in a paper forwarded to Mr. Worcester. Perhaps it might be useful to have a copy of it go'to the theological students at Princeton, and to oth- er divinity students, who are inquiring where their Saviour would have them preach the gospel. ** My Friend, let me charge you to leave nothing undone, which is possible to be done, for the service of Christ among the heathen Yours, affectionately, Gordon Hall. 202 CORRESPONDENCE. The two following letters from Mr. Hall, were address- ed " to the Society of Inquiry respecting Missions, at Au- dover." Bombay, June 19, 1815. Dearly Beloved Brethren, When I attempt to say any thing on the subject of missions, 1 am often greatly perplexed and distressed. This does not arise from a belief, like the maxim of the worthy Moravians, " that none should be persuaded to en- gage- in missions." Believing, as I cannot but believe, that Christ has given it in perpetual charge to his disci- ples, to see that his gospel .is preached in all the world to every creature, and that this is an indispensable duty bind- ing upon every individual Christian according to the rank which he holds in the church, I can see .no good reagpn why they should not be persuaded to the performance of this dutyas well as any other. No other duty involves, to an equal extent, both the glory of God and the happi- ness of men. In the same degree in which the duty is performed, will the consequences be happy ; and so far as the duty is neglected, in the same deg#ee that neglect brings guilt upon Christians, dishonor to God, and ruin to the souls of men. Why, then, should we not persuade Christians to the performance of this duty? No : my embarrassment is of very different origin. When I advance any of the arguments which show that Christians ought immediate^ to use the proper, the ade- quate means for evangelizing the whole world ; and that it is the duty of e*ery individual, without exception, to exert himself with a zeal, activity, and faith,. proportion- ate to the magnitude of the work ; every argument and motive seems like telling those to whom I write, that they need to be convinced that the Son of God has died for LETTER FROM GORDON HALL. 203 sinners, that there is salvation in no other, and that the salvation of souls is a matter of great importance. In a word, it seems like telling them that they are not Chris- tians. For what is it to be a Christian ? Not merely to bear the name of Christ, but to have his divine image impress- ed on our souls and manifested in our lives. Jesus had a heart which embraced every human being, with a love that made him willing to suffer poverty and disgrace, an- guish and death, for their salvation. And how^can his heart be like the heart of Jesus, how can he be a Chris- tian, who does not love all mankind with a love which makes him willing to suffer the loss of all temporal things, and even to lay down his life, if thereby he can promote the salvation of his fellow men ? That such is the duty of Christians, is a truth as conspicuous in the Scriptures as the sun in the heavens. How comes it to pass, then, that a duty so great, so sol- emn, and so plain, has been so far overlooked and neg- lected by the great mass of Christians ? This is a phe- nomenon in religion, which, in some respects, strongly resembles that monster of irreligion and barbarity, which the progress of moral illumination has almost exploded from the Christian world. Now, when the heart even of the unprincipled ruffian recoils at. the enormous injus- tice and barbarity of that human traffic which has long filled all Africa with lamentation and wo, how hard it is for us to believe, that, a few years ago, all Christian na- tions were the advocates of this infamous commerce in human beings ! But such has been the progress of light, and such the revolution of conscience on this subject, that now, should any man advocate the slave-trade, and at the same time profess to be a follower of Jesus, he would be esteemed a prodigy of inconsistency. But such great changes cannot take place without 204 CORRESPONDENCE. great exertions. Great effects require powerful causes. When a great nation is to be roused to a sense of its du- ty — when the slave-trade — a commerce participated by all Christendom, bringing wealth and luxury to thousands, and confirmed by the lapse of centuries — when such a commerce is to be annihilated, a Clarkson must come for- ward. He must consecrate his life and his all, to the ob- ject. He must study day and night, explore every corner of the kingdom for materials, write his pamphlets and his .books, pdfet them at his own expense, distribute them with his own hand, and employ all possible means for engaging individuals and the public in favor of the object. So- cieties and associations must every where be formed, on purpose for devising w T ays and means for enlightening and persuading the public mind ; and the object must be pur- sued with increasing exertions, whatever may be the ex- pense or labor, until .it is accomplished. So when the prisoner's woes are to be mitigated, a Howard must arise, openly espouse, and zealously plead the cause of suffering humanity, travel from prison to prison, and from country to country, with the same self-denial, activity, zeal, and perseverance. Why did these men do and suffer so much ? That they might relieve thousands of their fellow beings from the pressure of temporal woe — an object, a work, for which the blessings of multitudes have already come upon them. But what does he strive for, who labors to persuade the churches to evangelize the world? He labors for that which will relieve from temporal woe, seven eighths of the human race. For where the pure, peaceable religion of Christ does not prevail, there mankind groan under a mul- titude of temporal evils which flee before the approaching light of the gospel. But this is not all. No : he labors for that which will redeem a vast proportion of the whole world, both from temporal and eternal misery. By what LETTER FROM GORDON HALL. 205 an infinite difference then does this latter object surpass in magnitude, those for which Clarkson and Howard did and suffered so much, and were so justly and highly com- mended ! Yet from the days*of the apcstles to the pres- ent moment, no individuals have appeared among the churches, to plead the cause of the unevangelized world, with such enlarged views, and such entire devotedness to the object, as these philanthropists evinced in the pur- suit of their plans for removing the temporal sufferings of comparatively a trifling portion of mankind. The com- mon feelings of humanity, and the ordinary impressions of the Christian religion, had formed in the minds of chris-. tendom a predisposition to the abolition of the slave-trade. Nothing was wanting but the application of the appro- priate means. The public needed ' only to be convinced that the slave-trade was a heaven-daring wickedness, and that to persist in it would be no better than renouncing the obligations of Christianity. Very similar is the case of the churches in regard to their duty of publishing the gospel in all the world, to every creature. That spirit of Christ, which has always pervaded his churches, holds his people in readiness con- tinually, to fly into every corner of the world to preach his gospel, as soon as the proper means are employed to awaken them to a sense of their duty. As yet, these means have not been employed, and Christians do not understand their duty in this respect. It avails nothing to say that mis- sionary sermons are preached, rnissionaiy societies formed, and missionaries sent forth in various directions. Reckon up the multitudes who have never yet been told that Jesus tasted death for every man ; and it will be found that there is not more than one Protestant missionary to 20,000,000 of souls, who are this moment perishing for lack of that knowledge, which, 1800 years ago, the merciful Redeem- er commanded his disciples immediately to impart. 18 206 CORRESPONDENCE. Estimate also the number of Christians who may with propriety be said to be exerting themselves for the universal spread of the gospel, and how small a proportion do they bear to the whole* mass* of Christians ! When we consider how few are engaged in the work, and what a very trifling ^art of the work has been accomplished, it is apparent that the subject needs to be taken up as though nothing had been done. Not that we should despise the day of small things, but rather thank God and take cour- age. All that has yet been done when compared with noth- ing, is every thing* but compared with what Christians ought to do, it is nothing. Yes, the subject needs to be brought before the churches as entirely and thoroughly,, as though nothing had been done. In doing this, three things are necessary. Christians must be convinced that it is their duty to evangelize the whole world — they must be convinced of the means to be employed in accomplishing this — and adequate means must be employed to enlighten and persuade their minds on this momentous subject. Christians must be convinced that it is their duty to evangelize all nations. Could Christ mean anything less than this, when he commanded his disciples to go into all* the world and preach the gospel to every creature ? — when he commanded ' them expressly to go and teach, or evan- gelize all nations ? How can any one who pretends to be a Christian, think to throw off this duty by saying that the command was given to the apostles, in an age when the gospel was to be spread through the world in a mirac- ulous manner, or that it refers to a future glorious^ period of the church, when Christ will in some wonderful way bring all nations to a knowledge of the truth 1 It might with equal propriety be said, that the moral precepts of Christ were not given to be obeyed, except in the days LETTER FROM GORDON HALL. 207 of the apostles or in the millennium. What ! Are not the souls of men as precious, is not the blood of Christ as effi- cacious, is not the power of the Holy Spirit as effectual, is not Christ as worthy to be obeyed, in one generation as in another ? Christ did mean that his disciples should go and preach his gospel in all the world, and that they should continue to preach it through all ages. Nor would he have his people esteem it an irksome and painful duty. No : It was for the joy that was set before him, the joy of having the heathen for his inheritance and the ut- termost parts of the earth for his possession, that he endured the cross, despising the shame. When to this end he descended from the throne in heaven to the man- ger in Bethlehem, then it was that the angels of God-flew with a like joy to proclaim to the shepherds, that a Saviour was born, and shouted the new anthem: ." Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men." With the same transporting joy, would Christ have his people seize the glorious message, and fly into all the world to proclaim—" A Saviour is born, even Christ the Lord ; he has tasted death for every man ; look unto him and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." To be zealously engaged for the diffusion of these glad tidings through the world, is no less than to be engaged io. putting Christ in possession of the heathen, of the ends of the earth, of that inheritance for which he so joyfully endured the pains of the cross. It is laboring to build up and complete that blessed kingdom which is to exist for- ever, and to be the glory of God and the joy of all holy beings in the universe. Now, how grievous it must be to Christ to find that his people think it an irksome duty to be made co-workers with him in perfecting his glorious kingdom! Though the duty should call them to the loss of all things — to poverty — to paiiis — and to death itseif — glill, how can they think the duty hard ! How can they be 208 CORRESPONDENCE. so unwilling to be as their Lord and Master? Angels would gladly do the work, but the noble privilege is reserved for men. Is it possible that Christians should shrink from the duty? Considering what the duty is, and what an infi- nite weight of motives urges to a prompt performance of it, we should answer, No. But looking at the fact, we must say they do, with few exceptions, all shrink from the duty, and leave it undone, and the heathen to perish in consequence of their neglect ! Christians must be convinced of the means to be employ- ed for evangelizing the world. They must be informed how many hundred millions are now perishing ; and how many times ten thousand missionaries must be sent to them, or they cannot be saved. They must be convinced that the churches are able to do all this. In Christendom there are young men enough, if they were only disposed to deny themselves, take their commission from Christ, and go forth to the work. The churches have money enough and might send them, if Christians were only willing to consecrate what God has given them, to a work which would bring everlasting glory to Christ and such incon- ceivable happiness to men. If professing Christians would lop off tlieir superfluities in dress, equipage, eating and drinking, and reduce their expenses to the wholesome lim- its of gospel simplicity, and devote the money thus redeem- ed to the great work, the missionary treasury would seen contain its millions. But Christ demands more than these crumbs. As he requires our whole heart to be given to him, so he requires all that we have, even life itself, to be voluntarily made over to him,, and employed in such a way as shall most effectually advance 'the glorious work of saving souls. The privilege of doinglhis, is as great as the duty is solemn and momentous. But who must be convinced of all this? Not missiona- ries only—not ministers — not bodies of Christians — but LETTER FROM GORDON HALL. 209 every individual who belongs to Christ, of whatever de- nomination, age, or sex. Every one has a part to act. All must firmly embrace the object in their hearts, and support it daily by their prayers. In this part of the duty there is no difference between the rich and the poor. Parents must devote their sons to the work, and sons must gladly consecrate themselves to it. Here again, all, the rich and the poor, have an equal privilege of advancing the king- dom of the Redeemer. Every one must exhort and ani- mate his neighbors to the work. Societies for promoting the work must everywhere be formed — the rich must give liberally, and the widow cast in her mite. Some must be employed in looking out suitable j^oung men to be educa- ted : others must educate them. Young men must offer themselves to the churches, and the churches must send them forth. Innumerable are the ways and means of promoting the work. # These will multiply and disclose themselves more and more as the work advances. Christians will be quick to discover them, when ihey are once convinced of their duty, and persuaded to do it. The very first thing neces- sary in the great work, therefore, is, to employ the proper means for convincing Christians of their duty and of the manner of performing it. But, alas ! it seems to be thought enough that a few mis- sionary sermons be preached and printed in a few scattering counties ; and it is expected that by them Christians will learn their duty ! It was not thus that England was con- vinced of the sin of the slave-trade — it was not thus that all Christendom was roused to a zeal, which sacrificed proper- ty and life in visionary plans for plucking Jerusalem from the hands of the infidels, and for planting 'the banner of the cross upon the walls of the holy city, by a crusade. — O that a Peter, a Clarkson, and a Howard, might arise in the churches, to plead the cause of the unevangelizcd na- •18 210 CORRESPONDENCE. tions, with a zeal proportionate to the magnitude of the cause ! In awakening the churches to this work, let every minister be a Peter, every candidate for the ministry a Clarkson, and every deacon a Howard. Then, some- thing would be done. As yet, a considerable portion even of the clergy can hardly be said to be on the side of missions. They do not inform themselves on tfte subject, at large, they do not preach about it, and of course their churches remain ig- norant of their duty. What can be done unless ministers are engaged? How important that every minister should thoroughly acquaint himself with the subject, and zeal- ously engage in advancing the object ! Then he would preach often and faithfully to his people about it, and his church would know their duty and be ready to-do it. O that ministers everywhere would do this ! Then all the churches would at once be prepared to act, — there would "be hope concerning the heathen. Small pamphlets on the subject should be prepared with the greatest care a'nd ability; printed in great numbers and in constant succes- sion ; gratuitously distributed; put into the hands of Chris- tians of every persuasion, to be distributed in every cor- ner of the country. Such pamphlets would find their way to many places where the preacher's voice is not heard. Societies should be formed in every district, whose ob- ject should be to devise ways and means of convincing Christians of their duty, and of persuading them to do it without delay. Dear Brethren, I must send my letter unfinished, and unrevised, as my time is unexpectedly cut short. O fly for the salvation of the heathen, and for the glory of Christ among the Gentiles. Persuade a thousand to come. Pray for us. The Lord fit you to do his will and pleasure in all things. Your brother and fellow-servant in Christ, Gordon Hall. LETTER FROM GORDON HALL. 211 Bombay, July 12, 1816. Very Dear Brethren, You expect me often to write to you : I do it with pleasure. Information concerning missionary fields and missionary operations, is what you chiefly desire, and ex- pect to receive, especially in your associated capacity. Communications of this kind, which, from every quarter, are presented to the public, are daily becoming more and more ample. In this letter I shall not attempt to add any thing to the information which you already possess ; but in the plpce of it, you will, I trust, indulge me in a few loose remarks. Some of you have already inquired, deliberated, fasted, and prayed, until, by irresistible convictions of duty, you have felt yourselves sweetly constrained to consecrate your lives to the Redeemer of your souls ; and by anticipation, you are now rejoicing and blessing God, that # this grace is given you, that you should preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ. Having marie this solemn and momentous decision, in the fear and strength of the Lord, you are no longer inquiring after facts or truths to convince you what your duty is, in regard to the heathen. With the map and geography of the heathen world before you, your single inquiry is : " What field is the most eligible, and what is the best method of establish- ing a mission in that field" 1 Here is a full demand for knowledge and wisdom. Still the grounds on which a rational decision must rest, are not so various and intri- cate, as greatly to embarrass the subject. Unless there be some rare exceptions, the eligibility of a field must de- pend on its relative population, and the relative degree of security which it offers to missionaries. If this rule is correct, it certainly is very simple. A single glance at geography shews the relative population of all the principal places in the world, which reduces the inquiry 212 CORRESPONDENCE, to this single point ; " What is the relative degree of se- curity for missionaries, which the great multitude of va- cant fields respectively promise" 1 As to their relative population, Asia, the great metrop- olis of the globe, is beyond comparison eligible ; so, as to security, it may be asked ; Where, from the eastern ex- tremities of China, through the immense regions of the peninsula of India, to the confines of Europe, where has the Protest aut missionary ever fallen a sacrifice to the cause of Christ among the heathen? And where too, it may be asked, has the missionary in all these regions, at- tempted to enter the field, and failed of success? What greater encouragement can missionary zeal, even at its lowest eb-b, demand % The great nations of Asia, are so nearly the same as to their relative population, the facil- ities for acquiring their respective languages, and as to the comforts of life which they afford, that, in these respects, but little can be urged in favor of one country rall\er than another. As to the supply of missionaries already furnished for these countries, it is so extremely insignificant, that it. is unworthy to come into the account, when calculating the number of missionaries still required. The same may be said of all that missionaries have yet clone, when compared with what remains to be done. Who can for a moment consider this subject, without seeing and feeling that there is an immediate and imperious demand for a host of mis- sionaries ? What funds of information, what protracted inquiries can be requisite in a case so plain ? I do not mean to say, that it is not important to acquire all possi- ble knowledge of the religion, manners and customs of the heathen at large, and especially of those to whom you go. Certainly, the more you obtain of such knowledge, the better will you be prepared to act. But this knowl- edge is so soon acquired, that no missionary can reason- LETTER FROM GORDON KALL. 213 ably delay his coming to the heathen, for the sake of acquiring it. O brethren, hasten to the field ! But, there are among you, some who have not yet decided whether it be their duty to go to the heathen or not. To such I can say, beloved brethren, I know how to cympathize with you. Such, for a long time, was the anxious state of my own mind on the same subject. But now it astonishes me, to think that I so long hesitated en a subject so plain. It was no doubt my sin, though per- haps somewhat extenuated by circumstances which no longer exist. When my mind was first exercised on the subject, I knew of but one in the country, who thought of becoming a missionary to the heathen : and he has not as yet, to my knowledge, engaged in the work. Besides, through all my inquiries, until I had decided on the sub- ject, it was not known that any support could be obtained in our country. I bless God that, notwithstanding all .? obstacles, I was enabled to decide as I did. I verily believe it will be matter of joy to me through eternity. Should you make the same decision, brethren, I have no doubt you will find the same satisfaction in it. But 3 r ou are not decided. Each of you anxiously in- quires, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?* Shall I go to the heathen V Here historical inquiries and geo- graphical knowledge are of little avail. The decision must be made in view of one single command, and one single fact. Jesus Christ, the God of our salvation, has commanded his disciples to " go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." This is the com- tnand. But even at this day, there are six eighths of the population of the globe, to whom the gospel has not been preached. This is the fact. In view of this command and of this fact, how ought you to decide? Eighteen hundred years ago, Christ gave this perpetual command ; and to quicken his disciples in the obedience 214 CORRESPONDENCE. of it, he gave them the most consoling assurances of as- sistance, and promises of unbounded reward. But from century to century, so remiss have been his disciples in obeying the command, so unwilling to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to ever?/ creature, that may we not with propriety, consider the Holy Trinity as still saying, " Whom shall we send, and who will go for us?" Is it your duty to reply, " Here am I, Lord, send me" 1 This is the inquiry, and how simple ! What have pro- tracted researches to do with such a decision? When the apostles first received their commission, was it an ex- tensive knowledge of the population, religions, manners and customs of the various nations, to whom they were bid to go, which led them to obey the command ? Was it a retrospective view of the former success of religion in this guilty world, or was it the prospect of an easy en- trance unto the heathen, and a secure and comfortable residence among them, which made them so ready to go forth, at the command of their Redeemer 9 No : it was their love to Jesus, and their reverence for his authority, which forced them to exclaim, " Wo is unto me if I preach not the gospel," as I have been commanded. It is when missionaries form their decisions on the same ground, that they eminently glorify Christ, and build upon a founda- tion which no storms can shake. I have been led to these remarks, from an apprehension that there are young men, who are pursuing missionary inquiries in a too general way, with a kind of indefinite expectation, that by and by, something may transpire, some further knowledge of countries or events may be acquired, or the subject may be presented in some new attitude, which will render their decision easy and safe. Any such expectation, it appears to me, tends only to darken the mind, and to confuse and ©nervate its opera- tions. The subject is more plain and easy of decision at LETTER FROM GORDON HALE. 215 the present day,^f possible, than at any former period. What has been found and acknowledged a truth in England, • and in some other European states, is now found by experiment to be true in America. God has promised, that he that watereth, shall be watered also him- self. This gracious promise he has verified, by uniformly causing religion to flourish among nations at home, in the same proportion in which they are active in promoting missions abroad. The whole subject then, is brought into this narrow compass : — The great mass of mankind have not yet heard the gospel preached ; — the standing com- mand of Christ to his disciples is, " go .and evangelize all nations ;" and to prompt them to a full compliance, he gives the assurance, both by his promise and its fulfilment, that by their exertions for the salvation of the heathen, they do most effectually labor for the salvation of their own countrymen. In this simple form, let the subject be viewed. In this simple form, let it come to the reason, the conscience, and the feelings of every one, who is looking forward to the gospel ministry. How can the conviction be resisted? How can the decision be doubtful? Dear brethren, bear with my freedom. Placed as I am, in tne midst of so many millions of perishing hea- then, and knowing from the promise of Jehovah, (Prov. xi. 25,) " The liberal soul shall be made fat ; and he that watereth, shall be watered also himself," that you? com- ing forth would tend to promote religion at home, surely I have a claim on your indulgence. Allow me then to speak freely. To me, it appears unaccountable, how so many young men, by covenant devoted to Christ, can de- liberately and prayerfully inquire, whether it is their duty to become missionaries, and yet so fetv feel effectually persuaded that it is their duty to come forth to the hea- then ! It tends greatly to the discouragement of those who are already in the field. While so great a propor- 216 CORRESPONDENCE. tion of those who examine this point ofmity, deliberately decide that it is not their duty to engage in the missionary work, what are w T e to think? In general those who excuse themselves from the work, must do it for general reasons, which would be as applica- ble to others as to themselves, and which would equally excuse those who have gone forth to the work. ' Therefore, must not those men who thus excuse themselves, think either that those who engage in the missionary work do wrong, or that themselves who decline it, do wrong? Here it would ill become the solemnity of the subject, to cavil and quibble, and say : " What ! shall we all go to the heathen 1 Then what will become of our own coun- trymen ?" Let such quibblers beware how they mock the faithfulness of God. When thousands, have gone forth to the heathen, and God has failed to fulfil his promise, that he that watereth, shall be watered also himself; or when he shall not have caused religion to flourish ameng the people at home, in proportion as they labor for the heathen abroad : then, and not till then, let the objection be heard. Some seem to speak as though a man must have some secret or special call, before he can decide in favor of be- ing a missionary. If, on rational grounds, he feels per- 'suaded that he ought to be a minister any where, and if he feds disposed to go to the heathen, I should think that no other call than this, unless in extraordinary cases, can rea- sonably be required. I have doubted whether I ought to be a missionary ; but it was for the same reasons for which I ought to doubt, whether it was right for me to be a min- ister any where. Brethren, you see that I think there are good reasons, why you should become missionaries to the heathen, and of course good reasons why I should desire it. Certainly LETTER FROM SAMUEL J. MILLS. 217 I do. And I greatly long to see every one of you strenuously exerting himself to diffuse the same senti- ments among all the pious young men in the country. Form great plans, and execute them with great zeal and prayer fulness. Every thing that can be desired, might be done by exertion, with God's blessing. Seize every possible opportunity for impressing the subject upon the mind of every pious youth. But I must stop. Brethren, pray for us. May the Spirit of God be with you, guide you in all your deliberations, and make you the instruments of winning many souls to Christ. Your affectionate brother and fellow-servant, Gordon Hall. The following letter from Mr. Mills addressed to " Mr. Levi Parsons, Andover, Mass," was found among the pa- pers of the Society. Although a Memoir of him, contain- ing many letters and papers, has been given to the public, still, this letter will probably be read with interest. Washington, March 1, 1817. Dear Brother, Your favor of January 28th, was duly received. The Society you represent, wish for information relative to dif- ferent parts of our own country, and other parts of the world, considered as fields of missionary labor. Were 1 possessed of the information you desire, I could not give it you in detail, in a single sheet, and my time is so much occupied at present, that I can only refer you to different sources whence the information sought, may be in part derived. ####### Much has been said, of late, in this part of the country, on the subject of colonizing free people of color. T shall send on to you, and the brethren, a number of copies of a pamphlet, giving a view of the steps which have been 19 21S CORRESPONDENCE. taken. I think you will perceive a mighty movement of Divine Providence in these efforts; and I hope the Holy Spirit will guide the brethren of the Seminary into a knowledge of their duty, relative to this subject. I was present at the formation of the Colonization Society, and have given my aid to promote the object-. I am at present correcting the proof-sheets of the pamphlet which I shall send you. I think it would be well to form a Coloniza- tion Society in the Seminary, auxiliary to the one form ed here. Perhaps it might include some of the people of Andover. 1 wish you would inquire, of the brethren, whether they have any facts on the state of the people of color, which would be interesting. If they have, I wish they would forward them. You inform me that there are two of the brethren in the Seminary, who design engaging in an eastern mission. It would have given me great pleasure to have heard that there were ten, twenty, or even thirty, who had come to that determination. For let us go to whatever part of our own continent we will, or to the West' India islands, the brethren in Asia, (as it respects a station for glorifying' God, and doing good to the souls of men,) will look dow T n upon us from an elevatirn, as high above us, as the hea- vens are above the earth. I wonder that the brethren at. Andover are so cold on the subject of missions to Asia. I verily believe that there are at our Theological Semina- ries, students of divinity, who dare not lay our Saviour's last commission to his disciples before them, and fast and pray over it for a day, with a view to ascertaining their duty as it respects missions to the heathen ; lest conviction should fasten upon their minds with a force not to be resisted, that it was their duty to see that commission carried into effect. I say they dare not do it, although the commission closes with the promise, " Lo 1 am with you always, even unto the end of the world." The calling of the missionary to LETTER FROM JAMES RICHARDS. 219 the heathen, is a glorious high calling. He who thinks himself above it, ought not to call himself a follower of Christ. May God give us his spirit from on high, that we may know what our duty is, and be constrained to do it. — I hope you will pardon me, my Dear Brother, for trans- gressing the limits you assigned me. You solicited in- formation respecting our own continent and the West In- dia islands ; and I have led you to Asia. I would not have it thought, from anything I have said, that I would urge all the young men who are entering m- i: the ministry, to goto Asia, But I think that since there arc three or four Theological schools in this country we might furnish for the vast heathen world, more than one in a year. If there are none to go from other Theolo- gical Seminaries, I think the brethren at Andover will consider seriously, whether they are not bound to make the means of salvation more proportionate to the wants of those who are perishing for lack of vision. Remember me affectionately to the brethren of the mis- sionary Society. They are brethren I shall always love, should they imbibe the spirit of its founders. With sentiments of affection, I remain your missionary brother, Samuel J. Mills. The following letter from Mr. Richards w T as written from Capetown, on the Cape of Good Hope, whither he had been obliged to retire for the benefit of his health. At the time the letter, was written, Jiis health was very poor, and it was thought he could not long survive. The letter was directed "To the Society of Inquiry on the sub- ject of Missions, in the Theological Seminary, Andover Mass." Cape Toivn, November 18, 1818. My Dear Friends and Brethren, I have long wished to write you a letter, but have been 220 CORRESPONDENCE. prevented by ill health ; and I write at the present time, not because my health is improved, 'but because circum- stances seem to require it. I have sent you a box of books and curiosities, and it seems to be necessary that I should give a list of them. [Here follows some account of this box of books.] Now, my dear friends, what more shall I say ? You cannot expect much from a dying brother, who is obliged to spend the most of his time in taking care of his enfee- bled body. But I will observe, that there is a loud call for missionaries, not only in different parts of the peninsu- la of India, but in Cejdon, and even in the district of Jaff- na itself. Still, let no one think of being a missionary, unless he is willing to. encounter trials. I mean, not. the dangers of the deep, nor of hunger; but trials of the mind — trials which result from a want of christian society and example. Almost every thing which the missionary sees in a heathen country, is sadly calculated to chill the holy affections, and to draw away his heart from God. When the pious missionary arrives in a pa- gan land, and sees the people wholly given to idolatry, his spirit is stirred within him ; and, like Paul, he endeavors to bring them to the knowledge of the truth. But this 'zeal, which is excited by the first sight of idolatrous wor- ship, does not long continue. He soon becomes, familiar with heathen temples, heathen priests, and heathen abom- inations He labors a few years, and sees no soul convert- ed. Few attend hi» instructions, though multitudes pass his door. He can find no friend to comfort him, unless it be one who is depressed almost as much as himself. There is no house of God to which he can repair, and hear a good sermon for Christians. There is no prayer or con- ference meeting near enough for him to attend, where* he might have his soul refreshed. In this situation, he looks for letters or religious publications from home, but he is LETTER FROM MlRON WINDOW. 221 disappointed. Now comes the trial. Unless he has grace in exercise, and can rest his soul on God, he will sink. You mast not suppose, my brethren, that I am tired of the missionary work. By no means. It is now {en years since I made a firm resolution to spend my life, if possible, in the missionary work. That resolution I have never changed, for a single moment. Under all my trials, which have been ever since I arrived in Ceylon, I have never had a wish that I had continued with my friends in America. My triak has been, that in consequence of the inflammation and weakness of my eyes, and the at- tack upon my lungs, I could do no rnore. 1 rejoice that the cause is the Lord's; and I think I can trust it, with myself, to his faithful hands. Farewell, my dear friends. May the Spirit of the Lord guide you in all your delibe- rations, direct you where to labor, and make you faithful unto death. I am your affectionate brother, James Richards. The following letter from Mr. Winsiow to the Society, containing, as it does, much information, is published al- most entire. Oodooville, Jaffna,, July 25, 1820. Dear and Beloved Brethren, You will recollect that, instead of being landed at Cey- lon, we were carried to Calcutta, where we remained about three weeks. So much has been said by every body concerning this metropolis of the East, that I need add nothing. It is a vast collection of various, and many of them very discordant materials. The union of poverty and wealth, grandeur and meanness, is no where more conspicuous. On one side is a palace, on the other a mis- erable hut. Here you see a coach with a lord, there a 19* 222 CORRESPONDENCE, palanquin-bearer groaning under his burden. There are many scenes here presented which amuse and delight the mind, and not fewer to distress and shock it. But this is dealing in generals, which is, however, all I can do, save giving some first impressions and a very few observations. I used to wonder why no person attempted to introduce us ' to India, or, at least, to give us something like graphic description ; but my wonder has ceased. On a first arri- val here, one finds himself so completely in a new world, that he is bewildered. If he attempts to describe what he sees, every thing is so new and strange, that he knows not what to fix upon,; and, before he is able to collect him- self, he becomes so accustomed to strange sights, that his wonder has ceased, and he forgets what would be new, and passes over what would be marvelous, to those who have never visited India. Dr. Buchanan has very justly made some remark like this, that a stranger, on his first arrival in India, stands astonished at every thing; but amidst so many strange sights, he soon forgets to wonder at any thing. If the moon should fall from Heaven, he would not be surprised, but think it the way with the Bengal moons. I was first struck with the natural scenery of Bengal. Without the advantage of great variety — without the hill and the dale, the plain and the mountain, which re- lieve the eye so much in the natural prospects of our own country, and render some of them so beautiful, and some so highly sublime — there is scarcely any thing so uni- formly pleasing, as some of the scenes presented in as- cending the Hoogly towards Calcutta. The river, a great part of the way, is lined with native villages scattered amidst thickets of the cocoa-nut, shaddock, banana, orange, lime, and other similar trees, whose constant verdure forms a fine contrast with the brown thatch of the native huts, which resemble so many old hay-cocks in an orchard. LETTER FROM MIRON • WINSLOW. 223 The cocoa-nut tree makes a very fine appearance. Its strait and tall shaft, withput a single limb or leaf for fifty or sixty feet, and then a mere crown or tuft of long flag leaves drooping from stalks projected fr.om the tree instead of branches, makes a figure a little resembling our lofty pine, but much more handsome. The other trees, except the banana which is rather a very tall and large plant, a little resemble some of our trees at home, but not enough so for you to form any idea.of the prospect from, a descrip- tion of it. As you draw near Calcutta, you see now and then a very handsome country seat. The situations at Garden-Reach are particularly delightful. Calcutta it- self appears at a distance much like other large cities. Y«ou first come to Fort William — a noble fortification, mounting a thousand guns, and enclosing in its triple walls a little town. Above, towards the city, is a fine es- planade of about two miles in length ; and back of this are many elegant seats. This is the English part of the town, as distinguished from the native, though a great many Englishmen reside in the native town, and many more on the eastern quarter of it. At the end of the es- planade, northerly, is the government house — a very mag- nificent pile. The architecture of it is rather grand. Its shape is a square, with each side scooped in the form of a half moon, leaving a kind of bastion at each of the four corners. Above the houses of the town you see the spires of five or six churches, English, Catholic, and Armenian. But leaving Calcutta as" presented to the eye of the traveler, I shall only say a few words of the moral state of its ten or twelve hundred thousand inhabitants. The city contains, as you know, a pretty large number of Ma- hometans, some Armenians, Roman Catholics, &c. ; but they, together with the English Protestants, form but a small proportion of the whole. The great mass of the people are followers of Brahma, though almost every or- 224 CORRESPONDENCE. der of heathenism is found in Calcutta. We arrived just at the time of closing one of the great heathen feasts, the Kali-poojah. The whole city seemed to be in commo- tion, and constant, processions were coining down to the banks of the river, throwing in the images of Kali with ma- ny ceremonies. At night, were exhibitions of fireworks, bonfires, lamps exalted into the air, music, and every kind of noise. After this, however, we had little opportunity, from the shortness-of our.stay,. to see many of the heathen ceremonies. I visited some of the temples," and saw the shapeless images, as you have heard them described. There were some burnings of widows on the funeral pile, while we were in town, but without our having sufficient notice at any time to attend. We saw enough, however, to convince us that the religion of these poor idolaters is very unfavorable to happiness even in this world. Pead bodies frequently floating by us, as we lay in the river, and sick and aged people in a dying condition, exposed on its banks, were some of the first sights that met our eyes. But you would like to know whether the heathen appeared altogether so wretched as they have been repre- sented. I must say that thej T appeared in temporal re- spects much mor,e comfortable and much more happy than I expected to find them. The same I have found to be the case in the different parts of this island, [Ceylon] which I have visited. Christianity would cer- tainly do much to better the condition of the heathen by removing many sources of misery, and opening many sources of enjoyment, besides conferring the joyful hope of a better world ; but nature has done so much towards supplying the wants of her sons here, that, could we look on them as mere animals, we should not consider their condition would suffer very much in comparison with that of some christian nations. Those whom I have seen, gen- erally appear rather happy than otherwise. But there is LETTER FROM MIRON WINSLOW. 225 very little danger of exaggerating their moral wretched- ness. No pen can describe the deathlike influence of their senseless, stupid idolatries. It is no libel upon themto say that they have no morality but a sense of interest. And why should they have ? Though something is found in their sacred books, it is not taught the people. Indeed, while many are not allowed to hear any of the sacred books read, those who are, have the privilege generally of hearing only some cf the fabulous, and often licentious stories of their gods. It is certain, so far as my obser- vation extends, that the heathen have very little sense of guilt attached to such crimes as lying, stealing, coveting, or committing adultery. It sometimes seems that they prefer telling a lie to speaking the truth, and, of their pro- pensity to theft, I have myself had many very sad proof;;. The missionaries in Calcutta are doing good. There are now there, four from the London Society, two from the Church Missionary, and six from the Baptist Society. With these dear brethren we enjoyed some precious sea- sons, and had a particularly interesting meeting, the even- ing after our arrival. In looking at their operations, I was, however, impressed with the thought that all their plans of usefulness calculate on something too distant. They do not seem to expect immediate fruit. Yet. they are able to do but little which is peculiarly encouraging, as it respects the generations to come. Into their schools they are able to bring very little religious instruction. No part of the Scriptures is allowed to be read, except one or two historical pieces, and very few tracts of a religious character. Of course, the religious influence exerted by their means is small. The Baptist brethren at Calcutta have a printing press, which is a useful auxiliary to their efforts. At Serampore, the translating and printing of the Scriptures is carried on with much less vigor than for- merly, The separation of the younger brethren from 226 CORRESPONDENCE. the mission has weakened the missionaries. I went into their long printing-office, where it would take some time to count the number of presses, but little appeared to be doing. The brethren there, are, however, somewhat en- gaged in literature. They were commencing the publi- cation of an Encyclopedia, for the use of the natives, to be superintended chiefly by Felix Carey. They are pub- lishing, monthly, a work called the Friend of India — are about erecting a native college on a pretty large scale — and are pursuing other similar objects. The influence of the missionaries has been salutary to Calcutta. Some pious chaplains, too, have done good, and the moral character of the city is much improved. I might say many things more respecting Calcutta ; * but shall pass to Ceylon. We landed first at Trincoma- lee, a place of considerable importance as a naval deposit, and as affording the finest harbor for shipping in all India. There are, perhaps, near 20,000 native inhabitants, but no Europeans except those in the service of government, and two Wesley an missionaries. The scenery around is rath- er grand. The coast is high and rocky, resembling some of the bold shores of New England, save that you see no cultivation, and the tops of the hills are burnt by a tropi- cal sun. The whole coast, as you go round the southern part of the island, is indented with small bays, and check- ered by hills and mountains rising one above another as you go back into the interior. # The highest point of land in the island, Adams Peak, is seen at sea off all the south- ern and western shore, though it is probably sixty miles inland. We put into Galle, the most southern port in the island, and a place of uncommon pleasantness. It has a large fort, embracing what was the Portuguese, and afterwards the Dutch part of the town. The fortifications are strong, ancj the harbor well defended. The descendants of the LETTER FROM M1RON WINSLOW. 227 Dutch and Portuguese are still numerous. There are sev- eral English families, besides the civil servants, and the military.; and the fortified part of the town has the ap- pearance of a considerable population. There is a swarm- ing native population around. Two Wesley an missiona- ries are stationed at Galle, and they have lately erected a chapel. An old Dutch church is occupied by the govern- ment chaplain. In the country, about twenty miles back, two Church missionaries have established themselves. . The religion of all this part of the island, and, as you probably know, of the interior, is that of Boodh — the same which prevails in the Burman empire. Some sup- pose that it was carried to the latter from Ceylon. I think, however, that no country need be very .anxious to claim the honor of giving origin to a religion, scarcely to be exceeded in absurdity by q,ny among the most extrav- agant heathen, I visited one of Boodh' s temples. It is situated on a hill, a little out of the town, in a very ro- mantic situation. In front of a neat white edifice, of no great size, was a large green tree hung around with dif- ferent kinds of offerings to the god. Entering the tem- ple through a gate, you first come into a kind of hall ■ whose walls were covered with paintings, said to be his- torical, and representing the fabulous stories of the Bood- hists' demi-gods. From this hall you enter the inner temple, where Boodh lies at full length, on a large plat- form, apparently asleep. Indeed his followers suppose that after having suffered many hardships in the world for the good of men, he is now at rest, receiving, in a state of repose, a reward for all his toils. You may ask if he is the great god, why do you talk of his receiving a reward ,and if he is the governer of the universe, how are the affairs of the world managed while he is asleep 1 But they do not say ' that he is the great, god ; only that among many others, he is a god. None of the gods, 228 CORRESPONDENCE. however, are concerned in giving rewards or inflicting punishments. There is an inherent force* in virtue and vice, to bring happiness or misery upon the subject; and this is always done, both by the one and the other. There is no setting off a good deed against a bad one, and there is no pardon. All beings suffer for every thing which they do that is wrong, and all are rewarded for every thing which they do that is right. If a man ever so holy, com- mits but one sin, he must suffer for that sin exactly in proportion to its enormity, and so likewise must the gods, and this not through any dispensation of some great in- telligent being, but by the mere force of right and wrong. As to their god's being asleep, he may as well be asleep ■ as awake,, for he can' do nothing — the world is not gov- erned by him, but by fate or uncontrolable destiny ; a something or nothing, which causes every thing to be as it is. The image of Boodh, which was in this temple, might be twenty feet in length, and proportionably large, made of baked earth painted. Around were many smaller images particularly one of Gunputtee, a Hindoo god, which showed that there has been some borrowing from other religions to help out the meagerness of Boodhism. The priests of Boodh are not like the Brahmins, such by caste, but by a course of study (not very laborious,) and by devoting themselves to the service. They are dis- tinguished by wearing a yellow robe, and they are con- stantly going about, to beg. They are a very despicable company. Two or three of the priests have thrown off the robes and professed to be converts to the Meth- odists. But I belie/e none of them give much promise of enduring to the end. No dependence can be placed upon them. With money enough, you might get every one to follow you, and empty all their temples in the island. We arrived at Colombo December 20th, 1819, a short time before Gov. Brownrigg left the island, which was LETTER FROM MIRON WINSLOW. 229 a very favorable circumstance as it respected our obtain- ing leave of settlement. He showed himself to the last, a decided friend of missionaries. The patronage of gov- ernment however, is not always favorable to the best in- terests of religion. I do not think it has been here. By warmly patronizing missions, the government have consid- ered themselves at liberty to direct the operations of mis- sionaries. In doing this, they have not always taken the best methods for promoting the object. The evil is par- ticularly felt in relation to the native preachers employed. There are in the island ten or twelve of these, and I am* sorry to say that, with the exception of Christian David, who certainly has some good things about him, they are only miserable apologies for preachers, and do more harm than good. The government schools too, are no better than paper schools. In many of them the master is never seen except on quarter day, to receive his wages, and in others the grass often grows over the floor of the school bungalow, when the master pretends to teach boys in it every day. This arises from the want of a vigilant superintendence, without which the native teachers will do nothing at all. But to return. Colombo is a very pleasant town, consisting of a large fort in which all Europeans, with few exceptions, live, and many de- scendants of the Dutch and Portuguese ; and a pettah inhabited partly by the latter classes of inhabitants, but principally by Cingalese, Malabars, Moors and Chinese, to the number in all of about 35,000. The fort has con- siderable strength, and there are generally one or two reg- iments of troops, quartered in it. The King's house, in which the Governor resides, is a large building, but ex- . ecuted with very little taste. Most of the other houses are low. Throughout the island indeed, almost all the houses are of one story. Differing from the houses on the continent, which have flat roofs, the houses 20 230 CORRESPONDENCE. here have roofs resembling those of our barns, and like those of the barns in America, are seen from the in- side of the house, so that from the floor of perhaps an elegantly finished room, you look up to a dirty roof of tiles or palmyra leaves. There are many pleasant rides round Colombo. The cinnamon groves in the vicinity are much spoken of, but they have little to recommend them, except their fragrance in the morning or after a shower. The cinnamon is a shrub growing to the height sometimes of 12 or 15 feet; but generally not more than 8 or 10, in small clumps, a little resembling bushes of laurel. Like all the shrubs and trees of this eastern world, it is an evergreen. If you break off a limb you find it very fragrant. The leaves have a pungent taste, a little like allspice. It abounds in the interior of the island, where are likewise found pepper, coffee and ginger. Cot- ton is cultivated in some parts of the island, and rice on all parts of the coast. Around Colombo, and in all the southern part of the island, the face of the country is very agreeable to the eye, and the climate is remarkably fine, but you no where see that Eden which Ceylon has been described to be. The whole interior is little else than a continued jungle or wilderness, where you may sometimes travel a day, almost without seeing a single hut. Thousands of the miserable inhabitants were cut off during the late war, and other thousands died with hunger. The capital of the interior, Candy, is said to be romantically situated between three hills, rising around it in the manner- of an amphitheatre, and opening only on one side for a small river to pass through, on which the village (for it is nothing more) is built. The King's pal- ace as it existed before the war, consisted of a large range of low buildings, covering near an acre of ground, winding round into each other with some intricacy, and separated from the village by a draw-bridge. LETTER FROM MIRON WINSLOW. 231 But I have wandered from Colombo. The missionary establishment of the Wesleyan brethren deserves notice. It consist, of a large mission house, chapel, printing office, and type-foundry. Their success, however, in gathering a congregation has not been great. At their preaching in Portuguese (which is a low language corrupted from the Portuguese of Europe and very common in India) they have sometimes, I believe, one or two hundred. Their English congregation is in the fort, and is composed of soldiers to the number of about 30, and their preaching in Cingalese is confined principally to. the schools which they support. Their establishments in the south of the island are, however, as flourishing' as any here, and on ac- count of the comparatively loose attachment of the Cin- galese to their religion, promise earlier fruit than those among the Malabars at the north. At Colombo, there is likewise a Baptist missionary, Mr. Chater, who has been often mentioned by our brethren, and to whom we are under many obligations. He is engaged, in connexion with one of the Wesleyan brethren, and Mr. Armour, local chap- lain to the government, in translating the Scriptures into Cingalese. They have, with what Mr. Tolfrey, a civil servant who commenced the work, did before his decease, finished the New Testament, and advanced three books in the Old. It is sakl the translation is too high for the common people, on account of the introduction of many Pali words, as well as words from the high or poetic lan- guage of the Cingalese. We spent about six weeks at Colombo, waiting for a favorable opportunity to proceed to Jaffna ; and while there, had the pleasure of meeting almost all the Wesleyan brethren, as well as the Church missionaries, with the ex- ception of Mr. Knight of Jaffna. Besides the two which I have already mentioned as being near Galle, and Mr. Knight, there is Mr. Lambrick at Candy in the inte- 232 CORRESPONDENCE. rior. They have been about two years in the country; and are laboring to good advantage. Our meetings with the missionary brethren of different denominations, have always been peculiarly interesting, and we have been treated with the greatest kindness and affection. At Tif- fin one day in Colombo, we had 16 missionaries at our ta- ble together. In Jaffna there are generally 1 1 missiona- ries present at our monthly prayer-meetings, viz. 3 Wes- leyan, 1 Church missionary, and 7 Americans. We proceeded to Jaffna by what is called the inland passage, principally, through lakes and rivers which lie near the sea, connected in one or two places by a short canal. These stretch along more than half way from Colombo to Jaffna; and then } 7 ou proceed by sea, keeping near the coast. We found Jaffnapatam the remains of what was once a very pleasant town. . It was the pride of the Dutch while they had possession of the island : but is now fast going to decay. The houses are all low, but some of them are elegant, and the streets are very regular. It is melancholy to see many of them falling down and others deserted. The descendants of the Dutch and Por- tuguese are numerous, and the native population around Jaffnapatam is large. The whole district is populous, but I think not so much as has been said. Two hundred- thousand is probably a large estimate, whereas, five hun- dred thousand has been reported by some. The truth is, the population of the eastern world, though very great, is deceptive. At the various fairs and markets, the natives are all seen. In almost every village is a bazar, or mar- ket, to which a great part of the people resort every day ; and not only so, but the same people may be seen at the different, and perhaps several different, bazars in the neigh- borhood, on the same day. The same is the case at the temples. You may go to a temple which has a populous neighborhood, and during a feast see thousands collected, LETTER FROM MIRON WINSLOW. 233 and perhaps tens of thousands. Soon after, there may be a celebration at another temple at some distance, yet the same people will be collected. Now if you judge of the population of each parish or district by what you see at the bazar or temple, you judge erroneously ; in other words, you cannot judge of the population here by the rules which apply to Europe or America. At Jaffnapatam there are two Wesleyan missionaries, and they have a fine estab- lishment consisting of a mission house and chapel. They preach in English, Portuguese, and Malabar, or Tamul. There are several English, and a few respectable Dutch families in the place, and most of them attend the preach- ing of the Wesley ans, as there is now no chaplain there. The stations • occupied by our brethren are all some miles distant from Jaffnapatam. You may have some idea of their situation, if you remember that Jaffna is an island about 30 miles in length, separated from the main land by a narrow strait, and that Jaffnapatam lies on the southern part of the island, near what may be called the mouth of the strait. If then, you coast round the western extremity of this small island which forms the district of Jaffna, about 12 or 15 miles, and then proceed norther- ly and easterly, you compass the tract occupied by us. Tn the first place you would on the south shore come to Batticotta, which is back from the water near a mile, yet in sight — then going quite round the point, which I mentioned, until you come on the northern shore, nearly opposite Jaffnapatam, you would find Tillipally, about three miles, however, from the shore. A little farther east is Miletty, on the shore, (a pleasant station which we think of fitting up soon,) and to the west, that is, before you get so far as Tillipally and about one mile inland, is Pandeteripo, which is now fitting up for brother Scudder. Within this circle, as I said, are the seven parishes which we occupy by leave of the Government. If you go to # 20 234 CORRESPONDENCE. them from JafTnapatam, you proceed on a pretty good road due north, five miles, 'and come to Oodooville. This is en- tirely inland touching the sea on no side. The old church and house stand off the main road about three fourths of a mile, but you go to them by a winding road, which was once good and is still pleasant. The station is now fitting up for brother Spaulding and myself, and we have moved into the house, though in an unfinished state. As we found the buildings, there were the walls of a church about 150 feet in length, low and built of brick, and the walls of a house of the same materials, 50 feet in length and 30 in width, much injured by time. Around is a large population, and on the west is the parish of Manipy, which we occupy for schools and preaching. I should have told you before that this whole district is entirely level, and under a high state of cultivation. The soil is not good, being a thin stratum of earth over a continued bed of coral. There is almost no rain during the dry season, and all the fields arc watered from wells and tanks. Still the country in general appears as a garden. We have very fine gardens here, and the groves of palmyra and cocoa-nut under which are found the native villages, have a very agreeable appearance. Passing by Oodooville, a little more than four miles fur- ther north, you come to Tillipally, where brother Poor has always been stationed since his arrival, and with whom brother Woodward is now. This station has been described and I need not mention it particularly. There is a house about 60 feet in length and a church of 130 feet, built of co- ral stone, and now well repaired. From Tillipally you may go nearly south-west eight miles to Batticotta, passing Changany at a distance of five miles, (where are the ruins of a large church and house) and Pandeterripo, two miles north of Changany. Batticotta is 7 miles from JafTnapa- tam, and about 6 from Oodooville. The buildings at this LETTER FROM MIRON WINSLOW. 235 station are much more spacious than at either of the oth- ers, and better repaired, except that the roof of the house is covered with oll'as instead af tiles, and the church is not yet covered. The latter is a very noble building of coral stone, as you know by the accounts which have been given of it. Were I wiih you, I suppose you would say, now we want to know about the missionaries, what they are doing and how things looked about them when } 7 ou arrived. I saw both brother Meigs and brother Poor at JarTna- patam, where the former was waiting to meet us. You may be sure it was not an uninteresting meeting. The health of both appeared better than we had reason to fear it would be from what we had heard of their sickness. Brother Poor came down just before we left JafTnapatam. In going to Batticotta over paddy fields, &c, we met the boys of the boarding school, coming out with lights to conduct us on the way. With them was brother Meig's interpreter, Gabriel. I was never more struck than with the pure English accent with which he addressed me. He is about twenty years of age, and within the course of of the last year was brought, as there is every reason to be- lieve, to a saving acquaintance with the Redeemer. He is very active and useful. The family school-master at Batticotta is likewise hopefully pious. I shall not attempt to describe the emotions with which I first stepped into the mission house at Batticotta. Brother Richards, whom we did not expect to meet in the flesh, appeared to be gaining health though very slowly. Some of the boys of the family came into the dining-room to see the new missionaries, and the next morning I saw them all in their school-room assembled for prayers. This is their first duty. After prayers they go to the cook-house, and take their rice and curry, one of the larger boys always asking a blessing on their food. After breakfast they generally 236 CORRESPONDENCE. work for a time in the garden, until the bell rings for school at 8 o'clock. Thej then go into school, where they learn to read and write (on the olla) their own lan- guage, and most of them the English. The school is con- ducted much like schools at home, and you would know little difference, except that the boys are net white, and instead of being full dressed, have only a cotton cloth around the waist, Three or four of them are serious. The boarding school at Tillipally is conducted much in the same manner; and I can assure you that when I looked at 35 of these lads pressed from the service of Satan to be disciplined for the army of the Lord Jesus, and heard them called by the names of Dwight, Worcester, Porter, Woods, Stuart, &c, I felt emotions of hope which no tongue can express. I might go on to talk about first impressions, and in addition might say many things about what I have since seen and heard, and felt in relation to the missionary work among this people ; their superstitions, manners and character : but I have already drawn out this letter to an unpardonable length. In a future communication on this subject, I hope to say some things which will interest you. I can only say now in general, that heathenism here is a different thing in many respects from what it is in any other part of India, but that radically, the heart of a hea- then here is no more easily changed than that of the most absurd idolater. Much has been said about the remains of Christianity in Jaffna. Now I have been accustomed to think that to have a remainder, there must first be a sum for subtraction or division. T doubt whether there was ever much Christianity in Jaffna, and I know there is not much now. Those who pretend to be Christians are Roman Catholics of such a stamp, as to be scarcely better than the heathen. All of them are far from righteousness, and they icish to be far from it. They will not come to LETTER FROM MIRON WINSLOW. 23/ the light lest their deeds should be reproved. It is ex- tremely difficult to induce them to assemble for instruction. in any considerable numbers. Including the boys from the schools, there is sometimes at TillipaUy a congregation of two or three hundred, on the Sabbath ; but most of the instruction which the people here receive, is by the mis- sionaries going from house to house. The great obstacle which we find in the way at every step is, the total indifference of this people to the concerns of their souls. The great thing with them is to get some- thing for the belly, as they express themselves. You ask them, will you come and hear me preach, — the answer is yes, if you will give me rice. The head man of a large and populous village of 16,000 people, told me one daj^, if you will give me and the people plenty of rice and curry, we will all become Christians. It seems as though they could not conceive of a greater degree of happiness than is found in gratifying the appetite for food and drink. They, therefore, pay little attention to what is told them about Christ, for they do not care whether it is true or not. Our brethren have, however, justly expected much from the instruction of children while young. Without know- ing it, the heathen are consenting to the destruction of their religion by encouraging schools for their children. The boys regularly instructed in the mission families will be Christians at least in theory (if we may judge from the effect already produced), and much is done towards enlight- ening their minds even in the schools among the natives. Dear brethren, we are surrounded by the heathen and know their wants. You may think that you likewise know their wants ; but you have not been, as we go almost everyday, to their idolatrous and abominable rites. You have not seen, as we often do, a senseless image of gold or silver mounted on a huge car or borne on the shoulders of multitudes in a chair of state, while the thousands 238 CORRESPONDENCE. around are worshipping the god which their hands have made. You have not seen these images brought out to be delighted with the lascivious gestures of a band of dan- cing girls, supported at the temple. You have not seen dozens of poor natives, rolling after the car of their god, for a great distance, and in a most wretched condition. Believe me, dear brethren, the heathen are hot happy — they need much done for them. Will none of you come over and help us ? If there is not field enough in this re- gion we have a peninsula near us, where are many mill- ions speaking the same language. Here are houses and accommodations for you while you may be learning the language, and then you have only to step across a narrow strait and be in the midst of multitudes which you can scarcely number. At. Ramescran, a small island near the coast, which is the great resort of pilgrims from the island and coast, a hundred millions it is said, resort in the course of one feast. Yet Ramescran is butu few hours sail from us. Dear brethren, come and see if there is not work enough for you here, and if the calls are not equally ur- gent with those of any part of the heathen world. And surely you will not forget the poor heathen. From j'our brother in the Lord, MlRON WlNSLOW. Joint letter from Messrs. Bingham and Thurston, a few months after they arrived at the Sandwich Islands. Sandwich Islands, Oahu, February 20, 1821. Dear Brethren, In this far distant land of strangers, and of pagan dark- ness, it is a comfort to us to look back to that radiating point of missionary light and love, and to remember the privileges which we enjoyed, when treading, like you, on consecrated ground. The rising palaces of that hill of LETTER FROM MESSRS. BINGHAM AND THURSTON. 239 Zion, its treasures of learning and wisdom, and its foun- ^.ins of consolation are still dear to us, though we shall never look upon its like again. But it is the noble pur- poses of- benevolent action, formed, matured, or cherished and directed there, which gives us the most impressive view of its beauty and strength, and inspires our liveliest hopes, that that Institution will be the most important to the church, and the most useful to the heathen, which the world has ever seen. When we look at the history of that Seminary and of the American Board ; when we see their connexion and their joint influence, hitherto so pow- erful, and so well directed, and the peculiar smiles which the Redeemer has bestowed upon them ; our ears are open to hear the united song of heathen lands, — ; How beauti- ful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.' We are allowed to hear the first notes of that joyful song, in this dark land of pollution, and the shadow, of death, as they begin to break from the lips of admiring pagans, lately the slaves of a vile and cruel superstition. We rejoice, that we hav.e been allowed to walk over the ashes of idols, and, in the name of our God, to set up our banners on the ruins of pagan altars of abomination. But the nation, as such, still lies in the ruins of the fall, with all its native depravi- ty, corrupted and debased by the dregs of civilized socie- ty ; and though many are disposed to look favorably upon the message which we bring, and a few seem to hail it with joy, it is by no means improbable, that when it shall be generally perceived that the gospel will require them to give up all their sinful lusts, that a great struggle will be made to resist or to shake off such claims. Though the gods of Hawaii now sleep, we are not without our fears that the cry against Christianity may yet be so loud as to wake them. We have more than once since our arrival, been so much distressed with apprehensions, that open 240 CORRESPONDENCE. idolatry was about to be avowed, as to apply seriously to the governor of this island for an explanation of what we saw and heard, and to entreat him to prohibit what seem- ed to us too near an approach to idol-worship. You, dear brethren, profess to love the missionary cause, and mean to promote it as long as you live ; and would be happy to have a station where you could, in an emi- nent degree, serve the cause, without making the sacrifi- ces requisite in entering the field. We cheerfully admit that all are not required to enter the missionary field, and we do heartily rejoice that many are allowed to labor for Christ without making the sacrifices which missionaries must make; while we- rejoice that others are counted wor- thy to suffer. One man, doubtless, can do most good by aiding directly the preparation of others for the field ; an- other, by taking the charge of a particular church and people ; another, by aiding directly the movements of some of the larger wheels of benevolent enterprise. Others, like Jonathan and his armor bearer, may, " two and two," as- sail the unbroken ranks of the enemy, wherever they are accessible; another, like Joseph, may take his station singly in some foreign country, and while God is with him, ' prepare corn to save alive both the heathen and his kindred and countrymen ;' and though he dies a solitary laborer, his light will still shine, and his lonely grave will be the place where angels watch, and heavenly honors dwell. Succeeding generations will say with gratitude and sympathy, " Here lies our friend, the man of God, who told our fathers that Jesus died for sinners, and point- ed out the way to heaven — else we should have been wor- shipping demons still, and preparing to suffer with them, eternal death ; thanks be to our Redeemer, that he did not forget us when on the cross, and when he command- ed his disciples to preach the gospel to every creature." We believe, if we are found faithful, that we shall ever LETTER FROM MESSRS. BINGHAM AND THURSTON. 241 have occasion to rejoice that the Lord of the harvest, in his mysterious providence, sent us forth from our native shores, as he was about to cast down the idols of this land, and emphatically to command these "isles to wait for his law ;" and we rejoice in the hope that we shall yet see his holy arm revealed again to deliver the land from the dominion of Satan. But the work is too great for us. Come over and help us ; or, if you cannot come, help us where you are, help us wherever you go, help us when you pray, help us with your pens, ask Christians to help us by their prayers, ask the King of Zion to send us help- ers after his own heart, ask God to carry on this good work which he has begun, to finish it, and take to himself the undivided glory. Is it too much to hope that, before many months shall pass away, perhaps on some favored day of the monthly concert of prayer, while Zion is on her knees before God, this nation may be born, and added to the Redeemer's crown ? Is it too much to hope, that we shall hear a pub- lic proclamation of this government, which shall decree Christianity to be the religion of this country, and an- nounce to the world, that these are christian isles, truly rejoicing that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ? But let all beware how they shout the victory, before the strong holds of the enemy are demolished ; and let every man prepare for trials, and conflicts, and disappoint- ed hopes, but still go up with firm, unhesitating step to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Brethren, peace be with you, and the Spirit of our God to guide, and sanctify, and strengthen you, and make you perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works ; and bring us together at last, when the ransomed of the Lord shall be gathered in heaven, to stand on Mount Zion above, with songs and everlasting joy. In the bonds of the gospel, and in the sweet fellowship 21 242 CORRESPONDENCE. of the missionary spirit, we are happy to subscribe our- selves your brethren. Hiram Bingham, Asa Thurston. Joint letter from the missionaries at Ceylon to " the So- ciety of Inquiry." Jaffna, Ceylon, January 2, 1826. Dear Brethren, Your letter of February 21, 1825, was duly received in November, and perused with much interest. We value the communication, as it is a pleasing expression of your christian affection towards us, and of the interest you take in the affairs of our mission ; and also as it contains many items of religious intelligence, which were refreshing to us as cold water to a thirsty soul. On perusing the several par- agraphs with reference to a reply, many thoughts and feelings are excited in our minds, in exact accordance with those expressed in your letter ; and we are strongly urged to indulge in a corresponding strain of remark. Our attention, however, is so powerfully arrested by what you have stated relative to the missionary spirit, or rather to the want of a missionary spirit, in the Seminary, that we must beg you will excuse us, even if we fill our sheet by penning some of the many thoughts suggested by that single paragraph. The statements, dear brethren, which reach us from time to time, relative to the increasing number of hereti- cal teachers and destitute congregations, even in New England ; — the extensive waste places of Zion in most of our Southern States, and the unparalleled tide of emi- gration, which, without an adequate supply of christian teachers, is continually rolling on to the West, — we say the statements we occasionally meet with on these subjects in JOINT LETTER FROM CEYLON. 243 Reports of Domestic Missionary and Education Societies, and in Reviews, are truly appalling. Is it indeed true, that such is the scarcity of well-educated and duly authorized ministers of the Gospel in the United States, that the west- ern wilderness is in danger of being peopled by heathen, the descendants of Protestants? Alas, for our dear na- tive land ! Our hearts are affected in proportion to the evidence we have, that there is any ground for such fear- ful apprehensions. While perusing these accounts, the question forces itself upon us, have w T e not greatly erred in judgment, and widely wandered from the path of duty, incoming to these ends of the earth, while Jerusalem in our own couniry is in danger of becoming a waste? Is* it not expedient, even now, to retrace our steps, — to quit at once this ungrateful land, where our labors are scarcely tolerated, even by the christian "powers that be," and enlist in the service of those benevolent societies in Amer- ica,' whose object is to provide for the pressing moral ne- cessities of our own kindred ? Is. it in our power to contribute in any way, a single item to their relief ? The answer we uniformly return to these and similar questions, is, that if we can possibly do any thing more for "home supplies," than we have already done by our example, we should exert ourselves to the utmost to pro- mote a foreign missionary spirit in the country, till the number of students solemnly devoted to the service, be in- creased in the ^atio of at least ten to one. We speak of the increase of students devoted to foreign missions, as the great " desideratum," because we believe that the position admits of abundant proof that the existence, reign and extent of a missionary spirit in the country will ordinarily be in direct proportion to the number of devoted missionary characters ; and that the latter are in- dispensably necessarj' to the former. We beg to suggest as a fit subject of inquiry at one of your stated meetings, 244 CORRESPONDENCE. — "The connexion between missionary students and the prevalence of a missionary spirit in the country." We speak of increasing the missionary spirit in a ten-fold degree, as the means of contributing to home supplies, because it appears in a most striking manner, from the word and providence of God, especially from his late dealings towards our own country, and other parts of Chris- tendom, that there is an established connexion between the prevalence of a missionary spirit, and the prosperity of vital godliness, and of all the great interests of Chris- tianity, whether it be in the hearts of individuals, in fam- ilies, churches, communities, or nations. This is a de» •lisrhtful and an extensive theme, which we desire to see distinctly presented to the christian community, by those whose business it is to make " inquiry on the subject of missions." Should the missionary spirit fee increased a hundred-fold, or even ten-fold in our country, would not the churches begin to understand and practical- ly to regard the sublime truth, that " it is more blessed to give than to receive ;" that it is their duty, privilege, and glory, to co-operate with the King of Zion, in carrying forward his designs of mercy and grace towards our ru- ined world? Would they not in this way prove the Lord "and see if he would not open the windows of heaven and pour them out a blessing, until there should not be room to receive it" ? Then, instead of the fearful forebodings above referred to, respecting the uninhabited parts of our country, we might indulge the blessed anticipation of the near approach of that period, in which the " wilderness and solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose." If, dear brethren, there be such a connexion as we have supposed, between the prevalence of a missionary spirit and the promotion of vital godliness, and of all the great interests of the church in our land, surely the Society of JOINT LETTER FROM CEYLON. 245 Inquiry ranks high among the institutions of the present day, formed for the up-building of Zion ; and the situation you individually occupy as members of this Society; is beyond expression interesting and responsible. We now see and feel, that when it was our favored lot to stand upon those heights, we had but faint conceptions of our privileges or of our duties. It is partly on this account, that we feel a lively interest and a deep concern, when we turn our attention to you. We see that the ground on which you stand is holy. We pray that you may have the spirit of your station, and wisdom and ability to per- form the important service assigned j^ou, as members of the society. But we must not stop here. If it be true, as we have supposed, that the prevalence of a missionary spirit and all its attendant blessings be closely connected with, and to a great extent dependant on, the number and character of those personally devoted to missionary ser- vices, how, dear brethren, does it happen, — how is the dis- tressing fact, " that there are not so many as formerly, who are professedly devoted to foreign missions," to be accounted for? We remember that this information is from the Theological Seminary at Andover ; — that the number of students now, is three or four times greater than formerly ! We are ready to ask, if Andover stu- dents decline the service of foreign missions, who may not with good grace decline it ; or if they do not ardently aspire after it, who will ? If a prominence, in some measure suited to the magnitude of the object, be not practically given to the subject of foreign missions, by the students at Andover, where, dear brethren, is the spirit of missions to be foster- ed % Where then shall we find a congenial soil for this heavenly plant? To what place, if not to Andover, shall the eye of the sick and worn-out soldier of the cross be directed for help, when quitting the field in the sight of an overwhelming foe % If the students at Andover do not *21 246 CORRESPONDENCE. in considerable numbers, devote themselves to the service of foreign missions, may we not fairly presume that mem- bers of other seminaries, will be quite ready to draw the unfounded and fatal conclusion, that there is not now any very urgent demand for foreign missionaries'? Should these views and feelings prevail but for a very few years in our theological seminaries, it is not difficult to foresee, that the chariot of our conquering King might, so far as our coun- try is concerned, be rolled back, or continue stationary for generations to come. This remark is dictated by the ex- isting state of things around us, and by what we may term the missionary shipivrccks to which our attention is often turned in this Eastern World. Now whether we have a regard to " home supplies," or " foreign supplies," — to the injunctions of God's word, or to the miseries of the heathen world, — to the missions of the Board generally, or to our own in particular, we feel constrained to say, in reference to your statement cited above, that " these things ought not so to be" — yea further, that " there is utterly a fault among you" Believe us, dear brethren, this language is dictated by an interest in your welfare, by a spirit of fidelity to our Lord and Mas- ter into whose presence we expect soon to be called, and by the strong impressions we have, that the work in which we and our brethren at Bombay are now engaged, must soon pass into other hands, or be abandoned, to the lasting disgrace of the American churches and the cause of missions. Say, ye departed spirits of Mills, of Richards, of Warren and Parsons, were ye faithless and insincere, when, within those sacred walls, in secret conclave, ye offered those fervent prayers in behalf of your successors in the Seminary 1 When you prayed that what you felt and saw relative to the missionary spirit, might, in compar- ison with the future, be but as the little cloud before the rising shower, — were not those prayers presented, — were JOINT LETTER FROM CEYLON. 247 they overlooked by oar great High Priest and Interces- sor? Not so, Brethren; we believe their praj^ers icere sincere ; — that they were presented by Him who is ever prevalent with the Father ; — and that in answer to them, a great company will arise, from among their successors to emulate their example, and perfect the work in the pursuit of which they labored and died. There are, we think, Brethren, mistakes into which the most devoted friends to missions are in danjrer of falling. Oar feelings strongly urge us to discuss this subject at length, but we can do nothing more than glance at a few particulars. Some appear to think that after a very successful attack has been made upon any part of the enemy's dominions, a conquest will of course ensue. Whereas the enemy is not even roused to action till after several losses have been sustained. Hence we infer that it is vastly more impor- tant to support and strengthen old missionary stations, than to establish new ones. Yet we say, that the one should be done, and the other not left undone. Some, and those too who are mighty men of valor, are quite ready to enter upon new missions, and go to the utter- most parts of the earth if necessary, but do not like to "enter into other men's labors." This may arise from a good spirit, as in the case of Paul ; but we assure you, that those are the very persons needed to bear the heat of battle after an onset has been made. Ours is a service in which much less may depend upon those who lead the way, than on those who follow after. Some, who are zealous in building up the waste places at home, and often regret that they can do no more by way of satisfying the demands made by destitute congre- gations, might possibly be alarmed, should the number of candidates for foreign missions in the Seminary be sud- denly increased ten-fold. But if our statement above be 248 CORRESPONDENCE. true, — if the glorious results of a missionary spirit as seen in our dear native land, be not all a delusion, where is the ground for fear? When small congregations remon- strate against their pastors' being removed to those places where it is their business to bring forward a great company of pastors and teachers, what is the reasoning of learned councils on the occasion ? Suppose, Brethren, for a moment, — and O that it were a reality ! that the members of the Society of Inquiry, should resolve them- selves into a band of candidates for foreign missions, and should act in character, what would be the effect, you yourselves being judges, upon domestic missions, and upon the waste places of Zion in America ? Some think that if their revered instructers should ad- vise them to it, — the Board invite, — and the christian pub- lic raise funds for their support, they would think them- selves called in providence, personally to engage in mis- sions. But would not that be turning the complicated machine the wrong way, and be greatly to its injury 1 In the days of Mills and Richards — of Judson and Rice — Hall and Newell, it was not so. They, by the good hand of their God upon them, created those re- sources by which they were sent forth, and opened widely the way for a host to follow. In addressing you their successors, and with reference to the spirit of those times, we feel wholly at liberty, and even constrained to say, that the missionary flame must first be kindled in your own hearts. By letting it appear that there is such a flame, you must gain the assent and consent, the good wishes and fervent pra3 r ers of your instructers. You must crowd your services upon the Board, and show that you are entitled to their patronage. The Board will then be constrained and strengthened to disclose their wants and urge their claims upon the christian public. The chris- tian public, being enlightened and solicited, will perceive LETTER FROM MIRON WINSLOW. 249 the extent of their duties and their privileges, and put in a claim to the hundred-fold reward, which the glorified Re- deemer is waiting to bestow upon them. As to the results of such a course, there is no room for doubt. It would afford us much pleasure to advert to several important and pleasant subjects, presented to us in j r our letter ; but our limits permit us only to express to you our coidial thanks for your communications, and to request that you will have the goodness to confer upon us annu* ally a similar favor. Commending you to the blessing of Him, to whom the heathen have been given for an inheritance, We subscribe ourselves, dear brethren, Yours in the bonds of christian affection, Benjamin C. Meigs, Daniel Poor, Levi Spaulping, Henry Woodward, John Sc udder. Extract of a letter from Mr. Winslow to the Society. Oodooville, Jaffna, Dec. 18, 1826. Very Dear and Beloved Brethren, * # # A missionary need not fancy that, as soon as he sets his foot on heathen ground, multitudes will flock to him with delight : and when he delivers his message, that thousands will hang upon his lips, ready to receive, and«glad to obey, the gospel. On the contrary, after he has toiled months, if not years, in the painful drudgery of acquiring a difficult language, if he can occasionally, by almost any means, induce a few, a score or two, to listen a short time while he stammers out some unacceptable truths, he may consider his lot by no means the least en- viable that comes to the share of foreign missionaries, 230 CORRESPONDENCE. Missionaries may be thought to preach to thousands, and tens of thousands of heathen, and there are individuals who, in a certain way, do.it. But it must noj be thought to resemble preaching to christian audiences. Multitudes may be in some form addressed, but the labors and hopes of the missionary must rest principally on* individuals, whom he is to take in every stage of unfitness ; and pre- pare, both to understand and receive a religion, to which, not only is the heart opposed, but all the habits stand in direct opposition. It is here — in preaching to the deaf who have ears, and the blind who have eyes ; in delivering his message to those who slight it, and in seeing its power denied, af- ter it has been received ; it is in the obstinate unbelief of the great mass of idolaters, and the frequent apostacics among those who profess to believe ; and not in his own personal privations, that the missionary will find his prin- cipal trials. It is not " hunger and thirst and nakedness," — it is the spiritual death around him, which makes him cry, — " Woe is me, for I dwell in Mesech." The soldier and the traveler often suffer more privations than the missionary — though not perhaps for life. The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity, but grace only can support a spirit, sinking under the disappointment of its fondest hopes. Grace may support him, but the missionary would do better to chasten his imagination in the outset. Let him learn not to dream of thousands of converts, but to be thankful for a few, and pray for more. Let him re- member in the beginning, that he goes forth rather to fight than to shout the victory ; to sow the seed, rather than to reap the harvest. From American papers, lately received, we learn, as an article of intelligence concerning Hindoo idola- try, "that this mighty fabric of corruption is fast crum- (Christian Spectator, Vol, iv. p. 659.) LETTER FROM MIRON WINSLOW. 251 Alas! Leviathan is not so tamed. — I doubt not that " Hindoo Idolatry is on the decline," but no isolated facts, especially if not well authenticated — as sometimes they are not — can lead to any such general conclusion concerning its speedy fall. A missionary, however, says, " from present appearances, we may conclude that, in fifty years, the Gospel will have been preached to every creature in Bengal." (Christian Spectator, Vol. iv. p. 552.) Great and glorious changes will, I trust, take place within fifty years, but, judging from " present ap- pearances," it requires something more than the eye of faith, illumined by reason and the word of God, to see such a change as is here contemplated. Such views ought not to be given, but after the most careful exami- nation ; for, though intended to act as an encouragement, they do harm, when not correct, by leading with a false light those into the field, who might not otherwise come; and by blinding the church to the importance of immense- ly increased exertions, in a work that is scarcely yet be- gun. As I have alluded to the state of missions in India, by way of correcting over-sanguine calculations, I ought, per- haps, on the other hand, to give a word of caution against disparaging the good that has been effected. A great preparatory work is going on. Vastly more good is done than meets the eye. There is a gradual loosening of the chains of caste, a gradually increasing spirit of inquiry, and here and there instances of forsaking idolatry, even where Christianity is not embraced. In Calcutta, as you are aware, a large number profess themselves Deists. In most particulars, however, they differ but little from their heathen countrymen. The introduction of schools, male and female ; the circulation of the Scriptures and tracts ; the personal labors of the missionaries, preaching publicly and from house to house, is certainly working a great 252 CORRESPONDENCE. change. But the operation of these causes, though in the end almost sure, is, of course, on such a vast population, very slow. Nothing but the special effusions of the Holy Spirit can make it otherwise. The number of missiona- ries is not adequate. At sixty-five stations in India, ex- tending from Bombay to Ava, and from Ceylon to Delhi, there are about 125 missionaries, besides assistants and na- tive laborers. But what are these among the 200,000,000 embraced on this circuit, or bordering upon it, even were they all active and efficient laborers'? But about one fifth will be on the sick list ; another fifth learning the lan- guages, or preparing to return home, or in some way not actual^ in the work ; and nearly two fifths more, employ- ed principally in preaching to English congregations, teaching English schools, making books, superintending printing-presses, &c. How few, then, must be the re^ mainder of those, who, with sufficient health, a tolerable knowledge of the native languages, and freedom from other calls, are able to go into the highways and hedges of Idolatry ! They are even few, compared with the whole number of missionaries. It can, therefore, be no great matter of surprise, that marked and vast changes have not }*et been effected. We may as well throw as many drops of water into the Dead Sea, in the expecta- tion that all its waters will .become pure ; whereas the rains of heaven do not alter its nature. Great good has been done ; but the church must increase its exertions a hundred fold, before it can calculate on the conversion of this part of the heathen world. Accept, beloved brethren, this hasty scrawl as a token of christian love from your brother, MlRON WlNSLOW. The following letter from the students in the Mission House at Paris, was written at the suggestion of Uie Rev. jLETTER from the MISSION HOUSE AT PARIS. 253 Jonas King ; and was forwarded by him when he returned to this country in 1827. Paris, June Sth, 1827. Dear Brethren in Christ Jesus, our Saviour. As Christians are members one of another, and all form but a single body under the direction and authority of one head, Jesus, our beloved Saviour, we venture to take the liberty of expressing in this letter, the lively desire we feel to commence an acquaintance with you, and the sweet satisfaction it would afford us, if you would main- tain a correspondence with our Missionary Institution. You will understand us: it is the love of Christ, our Sa- viour and your Saviour, which inspires this desire ; for no one, in whose heart this love has been kindled, can be indifferent with respect to any of .the children of God. At the present day, it is acting powerfully upon the hearts of Christians, and is uniting them to each other more closely than they have ever yet been united. How many thanks do we owe to our heavenly Father, that he has implanted this love in our hearts ! How especially pre- cious should this goodness appear to us, when we call to mind the state of sin, of death, and of condemnation, in which we, not long since were ; and the marvellous man- ner in which God has graciously delivered us from it by the power of his Spirit ! What joy, what delight, what happiness can be compared to that which his gospel prof- fers ! What consolation more sweet than that of feeling ourselves justified and saved by Him, who after having taken our sins upon himself, is seated on high at the right hand of God, to intercede for us, and who, connect- ing with the Omnipotence and Omniscience of his eternal Divinity, personal experience of the severe temptations which he endured in the daj r s of his flesh, knows how to commiserate the infirmities of his children, and to succor 22 254 CORRESPONDENCE. them in all their distresses ! But this was not enough. In addition to all these mercies, he has been pleased fur- ther to grant to us the privilege of being the ministers of his salvation, and the ambassadors of his peace. He has called you and us to be the publishers of good news and to proclaim it, not only in the country which gave us birrh, but also in the remotest corners of the earth. He has caused us to enter upon a course of study which may fit us to fulfil this glorious destination. For this purpose, he bestows his blessing upon our labors; for this purpose, he has put it into our hearts, to be interested in each other's prosperity, notwithstanding the immense distance which separates us. The work we are prosecuting, is the same; we have a common aim, as we have all things in common with Him, and know that we shall one day, receive the same inheritance. We doubt not that he will bless you, and prosper your labors in the work which he has given you to do. — As for ourselves, we must say, that we have cause for gratitude. Our Institution which dates its foundation in 1823, is in a prosperous condition; although at present it numbers but six pupils. The Lord has given us an excellent director, in the person of Mr. Grand Pierre, originally from Neuchatel in Switzerland. He had preached the gospel for three years at Basle, when, last year, he was invited by the Committee at Paris, to come and occupy the important post, which had been a short time before, vacated by Mr. Galland, his predecessor. The resignation of the latter we deeply regretted, but his health would not permit him longer to perform the ardu- ous duties which he ha'd so faithfully discharged. Under the tuition of Mr. Grand Pierre, we are at pres- ent studying the ancient languages and theology, and are exercising ourselves in composition. Our Committee as- sembles regularly every month, to examine into the relig- ious interests of the Institution. Once a year, the members Letter from the mission house at paris. 255 of the Missionary Society meet together, to hear the report of the Institution, and some of them deliver on that occasion, interesting discourses on the subject of missions. The report and discourses are published, and produce a happy effect upon our provinces. A religious revival is ex- tending more and more ; the importance of the cause in which we are engaged is appreciated in proportion as it is distinctly presented to view ; and, on every side, Christians, hitherto unknown, are showing their benevolence by offer-, ings which often surpass their means. Our Missionary Society already reckons more than 30 Auxiliary Societies, established in various parts of France; and numerous associations have been formed which are no less useful, on account of the pecuniary aid which they afford us. The Protestant churches of this king- dom begin, at last, after long slumber, to emulate the zeal of sister churches in neighboring countries. They itoo, long to send forth into the field of the world, laborers •who may reap the fruits of the first harvest of»souls, in x>rder that they may, one dajr, share in their joy when the second harvest shall be reaped by the angels. There they will be permitted to see the good grain which they have reaped by means of their children the missionaries ; and this sight will add to their happiness throughout eternity. They must wait, however, two or three years, before they can consecrate to the Lord any messengers of peace ; for the oldest of us date their admission into this institution, as late as 1825. We are eager to comply with their wishes ; for we feel an ardent desire to enter into the Lord's vineyard, and to lead some perishing souls to the foot of the cross, where they may find safety and true happiness. We pray the author of all grace to accelerate our progress, as also to fit us thoroughly for the work to which he calls us. Give us an interest in your prayers, for the same end ; and be assured that you shall not be 256 CORRESPONDENCE. forgotten in ours. — We are in daily expectation that our little number will be increased, for several young men have offered themselves to the Parisian Committee as fu- ture missionaries. God grant that they may soon be ad- mitted and may attain the end at which they aim ; for, although in all parts of the Protestant world, there are rising up numerous heralds of salvation, who will go and proclaim jt through all the earth, they are yet but very few in number when compared with the immense multi- tude of Pagans who know not the gospel ; and we may say with truth, even in our day, " the harvest is great, but the laborers are few." Let us therefore pray tbe Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth more laborers into his harvest. Mr. King, the bearer of this letter, has spent some weeks in Paris, and has been blessed by many a soul. We cannot express to you how much we felicitate ourselves on hav- ing made his acquaintance, and we thank God for the great edification which this worthy servant of Christ has procured us. Our best wishes follow him on his return. Finally, dearly beloved brethren, I close my letter, with the hope that you will kindly receive these feeble lines, which at least are dictated by Christian love, and that you will be pleased to reciprocate our good wishes. Gur director, Mr. Grand Pierre, joins with us all in begging you to receive our fraternal salutations. In behalf of all the students, Tendil. Joint letter from Messrs. Bird, Goodell, and Smith. Bey root, Feb. 16, 1828. Dear Brethren, It is not unknown to you, that we " dwell even where Satan's seat is," — "where the beast and the false prophet FROM MESSRS. BIRD, &OODELL, AND SMITH. 257 his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble." We at times feel exceedingly the want of something, coming warm from the glowing bosoms of our Christian brethren at home, stirring up our minds to a remembrance of such directions and promises as the following ; — " fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried : and ye shall have tribulation ten days ; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." — Our hearts have indeed been encouraged with cheering evi- dence, that God has remembered us with favor ; that he has " taken one of a city and two of a family," and is leading them to Zion ; and that he " will count, when he writeth up the people, that this and that man were born" here. It is also to be recorded with the most devout gratitude, that these few, though previously of different religious names and forms, appear to have entirely forgotten those distinc- tions, of which they were formerly the boisterous support- ers; and to be so joined in one spirit, as to " have fellow- ship one with another;" and that, though they were for- merly such as Paul assures us cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven, yet they give increasing evidence from day to day, that they " are washed," that they " are sanctified," that they " are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God;" and that " truly their fellow- ship is with the Father and with his son Jesus Christ." But with what strength of arm, the people have been held back by their ecclesiastics, aided by the civil power, from visiting us, and from reading the scriptures, is beyond description or conception. We felt assured, that the cord must break, or the arm that held it so firmly, grow weary. And it is a fact, that there has apparently been, for a few weeks, some remission, some diminution of intenseness. People have dared to speak to us, and been permitted to *22 258 CORRESPONDENCE. live with us. A few come to read the scriptures with us on the sabbath, and some one is present at prayers almost every evening ; and the conversion of an individualwould probably be talked of, and thought of, much less now than formerly. But we cannot reasonably expect to enjoy much quietness long at a time, in the empire of Satan. Other plots, deep, dark, and malignant, will doubtless be laid against us by " principalities, and powers, and spiritu- al wickedness in high places." There cannot but be the most perfect opposition between truth and error, between light and darkness, between Christ and anti-christ. ' It is to us a matter of surprise, that we have suffered no more, considering the power and malice that have been so for- midably arrayed against us 'personally, together with the political disturbances of the country, which have affected us in common with all other Franks. You will have learned from the public journals, much that has befallen us the past j^ear — how some of us have been forced to flee from Turkish intolerance, and others before the face -of a vindictive Patriarch, — how, on the one hand, the whole country has been in a state of wrath, distraction, and commotion, insomuch that we have been in a state of readiness to go to prison, or leave the country, at the shortest notice ; — and how, on the other hand, we and our friends have been "accounted," by the ecclesiasti- cal authorities, "as sheep for the slaughter;" — in short, how we have been visited by plague, and famine, and per- secution, and tumult, and war. At every glance at the past, we cannot but exclaim in the language of the prophet ; — " Surely it is of the Lord's mercies, that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." How much we are yet to suffer for our humiliation — how far the wrath of princes and patriarchs will be per- mitted to rage, in order to show more clearly the power of divine truth — whether we are to labor on for years with FROM MESSRS. BIRD, GOODELL, AND SMITH. 259 or without success, or are to be banished from the country, Or are to be called to .our eternal rest, — is known only to Him who knows how to direct the tempest, to manage the rage of men and devils, and to carry forward his own work. Though the interests of his kingdom may require that ice should be brought low, yet we are assured, that he will take care of -his own cause. His dealings with his an- cient people encourage us ; — his promises encourage us; — the history of the church in all ages — the prayers on our behalf, which we doubt not- are ascending from ten thou- sand hearts- — the events .of the present day, — all encourage us. Dear'brethren, " our hearts are enlarged," as we write to you. All of you are about to go forth as Christ's am- bassadors to declare his message to a rebellious world ; and some of you, we hope, will take part with us in this ministry in Syria, or with other missionaries in heathen lands. ' What if, in this work, you are " always to bear about in yom body the dying of the Lord Jesus" — what if you are " always to be delivered unto death for Jesus' sake" — what if, like your great master, you are to be "de- spised and rejected of men," and are to have no place to lay your head — what if you are to be forced to " wander in deserts, and mountains, and dens, and caves of the earth ; or to look out for hiding places among rocks, and thorns, and precipices, until the storms of persecution, raised by wicked men, be passed by ; — yea, what if you are to be " stoned," to be " sawn asunder," or " slain by the sword," or meet death in any of the ten thousand horrid forms, which the enraged adversary can devise, — all will be sweet, if Christ be with you. You will be able to adopt the language of holy fortitude and triumph ; — " We glory in tribulation" — we " take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake." And, while you are ' filling up that which 260 CORRESPONDENCE. is behind, of the afflictions of Christ in your flesh for his body's sake, which is the church,' you will not only bear your sufferings, but will rejoice in them. The Lord pre- pare yow and us for that great and holy work unto which we are called, by granting an abundant measure of that spirit which he gave to the apostles and the primitive Christians ! Yo6r brethren in the kingdom of our Lord, Isaac Bird, William Goodell, . Eli Smith, PART IV. DISSERTATIONS. There are in the possession of the Society of Inquiry, eighteen volumes of manuscript dissertations which have at different times been read before the society. From these dissertations a few have been selected, which it is hoped will be read with interest. Many others of equal interest are necessarily excluded by want of room. Arguments in favor of missions, drawn from the state of the American churches, and some recent events in divine Providence. Read before the Society, April 23, 1811, by James Richards, late missionary to Ceylon. Being the first dissertation which was read before the Society. When we hear that more than half the human race are perishing for lack of knowledge, we are naturally led to inquire what can be done for their relief ; and when we consider that he who died for their redemption left it in special charge to send them relief, it is plain that we can- not continue to slumber and be guiltless. But the ques- tion is asked, " why should our attention be called to the subject now?" If we cast our eye over the American churches, and compare their situation with that of the poor heathen, we 262 DISSERTATIONS. can have no doubt where our labors are most needed. But few of our churches are destitute of pastors. Ministers are so abundant in some parts of the country, that they can hardly find employ. .Churches are so numerous that many of them are necessarily very small. Ministers are confined in their labors to a few hundreds, when they might preach to as many thousands. The common objection to missions is, we have heathen enough at home. So far as this objection is well-founded, it should be regarded. If there ivere heathen enough in our own country to employ all the ministers who are coming upon the stage, then" surely we might all stay at home. But such is far from being the case. In -most- parts of New England, there is about one minister to a thousand people ; and where ministers are not so numer- ous, the defect is in. a measure supplied by Bible, Tract, and Missionary societies. Whether we look to the north- ern, middle, or southern states, we find special efforts making to disseminate the truth. There are in the Unit- ed States no less than thirty missionary societies, and half that number of bible societies. If these exertions are con- tinued, and increase as they have done for the last few years, the time will soon come when none will be destitute of the gospel, who are able and willing to read it. The recent establishment of a " Board of Commission- ers for Foreign Missions," is an event which promises much good to the heathen. The circumstances which led to its establishment are such as to show that it was directed by the wisdom of God. — The establishment of this Institution is also an event in divine Providence of no small importance ; and furnishes an argument for our en- gaging in the subject of missions. The eyes of Christians are turned to this place with anxious expectation. They hope that this Institution will prove a blessing to the churches, Enemies as well as friends are looking to see ARGUMENT FOR MISSIONS. 263 what will be the issue. *If those who resort hither are not willing to go where duty calls ; if they are unwilling to leave the populous towns of New England, for the new settlements of the west; and forego the pleasures of more refined society, to serve God in the wilderness ; then surely thq enemy will triumph. Is not God evidently preparing the way for his people to fulfil his glorious designs % Who prospered the founders of this seminary when they were gathering their substance ? Who preserved their vessels when conflicting with winds and waves ? Who defended them from the hostile foe, and returned them safe to their owners, laden with the treasures of distant climes? And when their silver and gold were increased, who gave them hearts to employ it in the service of God ? Surely, this is the Lord's work. It is objected to missions that we have no money to spare. But the American churches are able to spend much for luxuries ; and from the interest which many of the wealthy take in the subject of missions, we may conclude that there will be no want of support. Yes, when "the rich bring their thousands, and the poor their mites ; and those in the middle walks of life cast of their substance into the treasury of the Lord ; • then all that are willing to leave their native land to carry the glad tidings of salvation to the heathen, will undoubtedly find support. He that hioweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. We are under the same obligation to inquire where the Lord would have us labor, as we are to enter his vine- yard. 264 DISSERTATIONS. The establishment of mission schools among the Indians iiithin the territory of the United States. ••Read before the Society, "August 15, 1815, by Cyrus Kingsbury, Missionary to the Choctaw Indians. [After stating several considerations to exhibit our obli- gations to exert ourselves for the moral improvement of the Indians, the writer urges the miivi rsal obligation of Christ- ians, to send the gospel to the destitute.] While our hearts are deeply affected by the story of those human sacrifices which stain the altars of India, let us not be deaf to the cry of blood in our own country. If human sacrifices are hot here offered to appease the wrath of an imaginary god, yet they are made to, gratify a no less blind and cruel superstition. In some tribes, when a sickness prevails among them, they suppose it to be the effect of poison, which some evil persons among them have secretly given to those who are sick. Their prophets are immediately consulted ; who, to maintain their popularity, or to gratify their revenge, do not fail to designate some, as the authors of this ima- ginary work of darkness. This oracular proscription, as might be expected, generally falls upon the Christian In- dians, and is to them a sentence of death. The supersti- tious Indians immediately devote them to the hatchet or the stake. About the year 1806, several respectable Christian In- dians, belonging to tribes within the state of Ohio, were in this way sacrificed. In June, 1809, Mr. George An- derson, teacher of the Indian school at Sandusk}', thus writes; — " Last week the Senecas of the town above us, (about ten miles up the Sandusky river) killed one of their nation, whom they had superstitiously suspected of making MISSION SCHOOLS AMONG TH^ INDIANS. 265 many of them sick in past years. They told him, that if he would confess his sin they would pardon him. — He re- plied, their pardon was worth nothing, and could do him no good ; that none but God could pardon sin. But they would not believe him, and two or three held nim, while the rest cut him in pieces with their hatchets." Pano- plist, 1810, p. 186. To dispel this moral darkness and cruel superstition, re- quires only the light of the gospel. And in what way can this be so effectually communicated, as by sending missionaries to establish schools among them, where the minds of children and youth would be early impressed with correct religious and moral instruction, and where they would be gradually formed to habits of sober indus- try ? In these schools they would acquire a knowledge of the English language, which would at once place in their hands, not only the Bible, but other valuable books. The industrious habits which they would acquire, would also be of vast importance to their religious improvement. Indeed the effect of religious instruction upon the Indians, must be greatly counteracted, while they are obliged to rove from place to place, in search of the necessaries of life. The observations of Mr. Brainerd on this point are worthy of particular notice. " I daily discover," says he " more and more of what importance it is to the religious interests of the Indians, that they become industrious, ac- quainted with the affairs of husbandry, and able, in a good measure, to raise the necessaries of life themselves ; for their present mode of living greatly exposes them to tempt- ations of various kinds." It appears proper in this place to notice some of the ob- jections, which are made to exertions generally, for the improvement of the Indians. I. It is objected, that the attachment of the Indians to their present religion and mode of life is so strong, that no 23 266 DISSERTATIONS. means can overcome it, so far as to produce a lasting change ; that all the the exertions hitherto made, have accomplished but very little, and that we have no reason to expect future exertions will be attended with better success. " The first .part of this objection, viz. ' That the attach- ment of the Indians to their present religion and mode of life is so strong, that no means can overcome it,' is sub- stantially the same with that, which has so often and so strenuously been urged, during the late discussion in Par- liament, against the introduction of Christianity into In- dia ; and the able and satisfactory manner in which it has been refuted, with respect to the heathen in India, precludes the necessity of a formal consideration of it with respect to the heathen of this country. We have precisely the same proof against the objection in the latter case, as in the former. The other part of the objection, which is, " That very little success has attended the efforts heretofore made, for the improvement of the Indians, and that we have no rea- son to expect better success in future," demands a more particular consideration. I have, however, no doubt but an examination of facts, will convince us, that the suc- cess which has attended past exertions, both as it respects the spiritual and temporal interests of the Indians, has been much greater than is generally supposed. That they have been highly beneficial to the temporal interests of the Indians, we have the testimony of compe- tent and respectable witnesses. Several gentlemen who have been in a situation to know the true state of the In- dians, and to observe their progress towards civilization, have furnished us with evidence on this subject which is highly satisfactory. Among these we may mention Sir William Johnson, the present Post Master General, and Charles Thompson, Esq., late Secretary to Congress, men MISSION SCHOOLS AMONG THE INDIANS. 267 who have been forward to patronize the labors of mission- aries, and who have borne generous and decided testimony to their utility. With regard to the tendency which these labors have had to promote the spiritual interests of the Indians, we h ave evidence still more satisfactory. The precise number, who have been converted to Chris- tianity, and who have lived and died in the faith of the gospel, cannot be ascertained. We have data, however, which warrant us to say, that it has been very considera- ble. The labors of the Mayhews, of Elliot, of Braineid, of Wheelock, and of many others, particularly of the Mora- vians, have been greatly blessed ; and thousands are now rejoicing in heaven and praising God, who put it into the hearts of these his servants to preach the gospel to the poor Indians. Under the instruction of the Mayhews on Mar- tha's Vineyard, 282, including eight priests, made a public profession of the Christian religion, within the space of six years ; being nearly double the number, that were bap- tized by all the Baptist missionaries in India, during the space of thirteen years. And within five months after Mr. Brainerd began to preach to the Indians at Crosweeksung, he baptized 26 adults, which is equal to the number of na- tives baptized by the. Baptist missionaries during the first ten years of their mission. The writer hopes -no one will suspect that he is disposed to undervalue the la- bors of those excellent men, who have done so much to spread the gospel among the millions of India. He be- lieves, they have been the honored instruments of laying the foundation for extending the Redeemer's cause in those benighted regions. His only object, by the prece- ding comparison, was to show, that so far as immediate success is hoped for, the prospect is at least as favorable with the Indians, as with the Hindoos ; and that the ob- 268 DISSERTATIONS. jection, that missions among the Indians have hitherto been attended with little success, is unfounded. When we consider that the missions which have been carried on among the Indians, have been the temporary ef- forts of a few individuals, without the aid of adequate funds, and in many instances, in the face of powerful op- position, we find much occasion to admire the power of that grace which has crowned their labors with so much success. Nor ought it to be forgotten that a profession of the Christian religion here, as in India, has frequently ex- posed the Indians to great trials, and sometimes to perse- cution and death. These sufferings they have generally borne with Christian fortitude and resignation, have proved firm in their attachment to the missionaries, and by their lives and death have honored the Christian character. Let us no longer hear it said, that the preaching of the gospel can produce no change in the belief and practice of the Indians. II. It is further objected, that if missions and schools were established among the Indians, and proved success- ful, yet they would not accomplish anything very impor- tant, since the Indians are rapidly diminishing in numbers, and must in a few years become extinct. To this it may be answered, in the first place, that it is by no -means certain, that the Indians of North America are a race of beings, so diverse from all others of the human family, that they cannot yield to the habits of civilized life. Although their numbers have greatly diminished since their connection with Europeans, yet it would be unwarrantable to suppose, that this resulted from their approximation towards civilization. So far as they have' suffered from a want of the necessaries of life, an acquaint- ance with the arts of civilized life, is their only source of relief. Perhaps it may yet be proved, that a proper course of discipline begun in childhood and pursued judiciously, MISSION SCHOOLS AMONG THE INDIANS. 269 may not only overcame their savage habits and promote their present comfort, but be the means of preserving them from utter extermination.* But, admitting the objection to be true in its fullest ex- tent, although it might damp the ardor of the politician whose object it was*to lay the foundation of an empire, it would present no discouragement to the philanthropist and the Christian. Admit that in a few years these tribes of savages will become extinct ; is it of no importance whether they have a supply of necessary food, or are left to die with hunger? Is it of no importance whether they have clothes- and habitations to shelter them, or are left to perish with cold ? Admit that their whole race is destined to pass in a few years througn the dark valley of the shad- ow of death; shall we leave them to make this dreary pas- sage without one ray of light or hope? Or shall we il- lumine their way by the cheering light of the gospel ; and in that hour, when all earthly comforts fail, direct their de- spairing souls to that better world, *' where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary -are at rest ?" The circumstance, therefore, that the Indians are rapidly di- minishing, is an additional motive with the Christian missionary, to lose no time in declaring to them that gos- pel which "brings life and immortality to light." III. Another objection to exertions for the improve- ment of the Indians, is the present war. It is urged that this precludes all hope of doing anything among them at present by way of missions. And it must be acknowledged that this is the most formidable obstacle to their instruc- tion and civilization. Many tribes have become hostile to the United States, and the situation of others is too much exposed, or their friendship is too doubtful, to admit of. * It is a fact acknowledged by the Indians themselves, that those tribes which received the gospel and became civilized, have continued to the pre sent day 5 while those which rejected it, and adhered to their savage habits, have become extinct. See Panoplist, vol. i. p. 271. *23 270 DISSERTATIONS. missions among them at present. ^This does, indeed, cut off all hope of benefiting those who reside in the northern parts of the United States. How long this state of things will continue, is known only to Him whose infinite wisdom orders all things well. But if it should continue for years, there will be no occasion to delay (fur efforts, for want of a proper field to employ them. There are more than 30,000 Indians in the southwestern parts of the United States, whose friendship, so far as we know, remains undiminish- ed. These include the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choc- taw tribes. They have long been friendly to the United States, and are desirous of having schools established among them. And perhaps on the whole, they afford a more favorable prospect for the establishment of missions, or mission schools, than has been presented since the settle- ment of this country. We have now attended to some of those considerations which show the importance of enlightening and civilizing the natives of this country. In doing this, we have taken a partial view o*f their necessities, and of our obliga- tions to make exertions for their relief. We have also considered some of the objections" which are urged against these exertions. And although the view which has been given of the subject, has been very imperfect, yet it may assist us in forming some general idea of its real importance. 'Notwithstanding the prospect is on the whole favorable, yet there are some considerations, it must be admit- ted, which cast a gloom over our fondest hopes. But these should not discourage those who trust in the Lord for success. That gospel which has so often triumphed over the infidelity of the Jew, the rudeness of the Barbari- an, and the superstition of the Hindoo, will be no less pow- erful in subduing the superstition and barbarism of the na- tives of this country. PECULIAR CONSOLATIONS Of A MISSIONARY. 271 Let us then for one moment consider the part we have to act relative to this subject. Shall I say too much, when I say that ive have it in oifr power to relieve, in a great measure, their distresses, by furnishing them with the instruction they so much need 1 Yes, my brethren, although we are a little band, with only our hearts and our hands to engage in this great work, yet we may do much to accomplish it. If we do not feel it to be our duty to engage in it personally, yet by interesting others, and by turning the attention .of the public generally to the sub- ject, we may be instrumental of establishing one or more schools, in each of the principal tribes. This number, es- tablished on the Lancasterian plan, would be sufficient to educate the larger part of the Indian children and youth in our country ; and many of us might live to witness a change in the circumstances of these now unhappy beings, equally favorable to the cause of humanity and re- ligion. Let us then give this too long neglected subject, that share of our attention which its importance demands; and while the Indians are imploring our assistance, may we not indulge the hope, that they will not implore in vain. The 'peculiar consolations of a Missionary, Read before the Society, July 2nd, 18 16, by Levi Parsons, late missionary to Palestine. It is a truth, clearly inculcated in Scripture, that he who soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly ; and he 272 MssfcRfATioNs. who soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. This principle, which* is essential to the ■ kingdom of Christ, lays a»foundation*for # the peculiar consolations of a mis- sionary. He bestows bountifully, for he bestows all. Parents, friends, riches, honor, refined society, are not dearer to him than Christ. At the divine command, " follow me," every .opposing interest is cheerfully resign- ed, and what things were gain, he now considers as loss, that he may win Christ, and be found in him at last. But amid the trials and dangers of his employment, amid fre- quent and severe discouragements, he maj r rejoice in hope, take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions. He may derive the most substantial en- joyment from the nature of his work, as connected imme- diately with the glory of God, and the interests of Zion ; /rom the special promises of the divine presence and pro- tection ; from the prayers of the whole christian world j from the prospect of success ; and from the rich reward reserved for him in heaven. I. From the nature of his employment, as connected immediately with the glory of God, and the interests of Zion. A few remarks here upon the life and character of St. Paul, may not be deemed altogether inappropriate. St. Paul, as the chosen apostle 'of Christ.to the Gentiles, may properly be considered as the first missionary to the hea- then. His life combined in an eminent degree, the dis- couragements, the dangers, the afflictions, the hopes, and consolations, of all who succeeded him. Abundant in labors, in stripes above measure, in prisons frequent, in deaths oft, in weariness, and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness.; yet with the assurance that the grace of Christ was suf- ficient for him, he could most gladly glory in his infirmities, that the power of Christ might rest upon him. " For when I am weak then am I strong." This view of Christ, PECULIAR CONSOLATIONS OF A MISSIONARY. 273 which animated his hopes, strengthened his faith, and comforted his soul, was hy no means peculiar to the Apos- tle.- All, devoted to a similar employment, are partakers of similar hopes and pleasures, and are entitled to the same divine reward. The grace of Christ that was suf- ficient to support and comfort him, is sufficient to support and comfort all, and the promise which he received, ex- tends to all in similar circumstances, to the end of the world. Assured of the # all-sufficiency of his Redeemer, the Apostle glories no longer in his pharisaic and super- stitious zeal, in the accomplishment of his person, or the pre-eminence of his literary acquirements, but in the 'cross of Christ. — He thinks no more, but on gospel truths, he hears, he breathes nothing, but the gospel of his Lord. Influenced by a spirit of benevolence, and inspired by the breathings of the Holy GJiost, neither the prejudices of flesh and blood, neither respect of man, nor fear of death, could withstand him in his course. He moves on with serenity and joy, in a path thick sown with re- proaches and pain. He despises the maxims of the world, its hatred as well as its favor, its joys, its sorrows, its meanness and' its pomp. Though the universe arm. itself against him ; though hell open its abyss ; though afflictions assail him on every side, he stands immoveable in every storm, looking with faith to his Saviour, and re- joicing that his grace is sufficient for him. Every true missionary has a similar spirit. — With an unconquerable ardor for his employment, he is prepared for its hardships, its dangers, and its reproaches. Fired with a love for the perishing heathen, he turns away from all the delights of civilized life, and like a faithful soldier, resolves to die in his Master's service. From this resolu- tion he never wavers. Difficulties new and unexpected arise, fair prospects are obscured, sanguine expectations cut off, yet his hope never yields to despondency, nor his 274 DISSERTATIONS. courage to cowardice. Keeping his eye upon the glory of God and the worth of souls, his sacrifices, his trials, even his own life, dwindle into insignificance. As -sor- rowful, yet always rejoicing ; as poor, yet making many rich ; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. With such a disposition, it is impossible to be unhappy. Are they distressed on every side ? they are not cast down. Are they persecuted? they are not forsaken. Are they bound in irons ? like Paul'and Silas, they sing praises to God in their prisons. Are thej' called to seal their faith with their lives? they welcome the stake, the gibbet, or the dungeon, which admits them to the embraces of their Saviour. Supported by such a hope, the pious Brainerd, when destitute of even the comforts of life ob- serves, " It is impossible to describe the sweet peace of conscience, and tenderness of soul I enjoyed. It appeared just and right that I should be destitute of house and home, which I rejoiced to see others of God's people en- joy. I saw so much of the excellence of Christ's king' dom, and the infinite desirableness of its advancement in the world, that it swallowed up every other thought,- and made me willing, yea, even rejoice to be a pilgrim or a hermit in the wilderness to my dying moment, if I might thereby promote the blessed interests of the great Redeemer. Here J am, Lord, send me, send me to the ends of the earth — send me to the' rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness — send me from all that is called comfort on earth — send me even to death itself, if it be but in thy service, and to promote thy kingdom. Compared with tthe value and preciousness of an enlargement of Christ's cause, all- earthly pleasures and comforts vanish like the stars before the rising sun" The employment of a missionary is admirably calcu^ lated to cherish those feelings upon which the happiness of every Christian depends. The grand object of his. PECULIAR CONSOLATIONS OF A MISSIONARY. 275 ministry is kept distinctly in view. His trials and suffer- ings open to him more and more the mysteries of salva- tion, and impress divine truth on his mind. They make him rely more exclusively upon the divine assistance in the discharge of duty, strip the world of its delusive glit- tering, and render him familiar with death, and with his God. The miserable objects of superstition and wretch- edness around him, call forth eveyy feeling of sympathy and benevolence. He labors to set them at liberty from a tyranny the most galling and degrading, and which will retain its baneful influence over the precious souls of its victims, when this transitory scene shall have passed away. The missionary has other advantages peculiar to his employment, which must afford continual consolation. He is removed from metaphysical and speculative disqui- sitions, from political and party contentions, from the fruitless debates of the literary world — evils which at the present day, lamentably prevail, and destroy both the happiness and usefulness of many of the most promising ministers. These evils, the missionary escapes. His work is with the hearts of sinners. He contends 'with principalities, with the powers of dark- ness, with the deep-rooted prejudices of nations and of individuals. Christ arfd his cross are the subjects of all his preaching, conversation and prayers. He di- rects perishing souls to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world. He dwells much upon the sufferings of Calvary, and the glories of heaven. He di- rects the converted heathen in the path of the gospel, and nourishes him with the bread of life, till he arrives to a perfect one in Christ Jesus. The truths which he incul- cates are such as are calculated to give a spirit of devotion, to inspire ardent desires for the glory of God, and for the interests of his kingdom. They are such as kindle a 276 DISSERTATIONS. flame of love in the hearts of all the saints, and will ex- cite in heaven, songs of everlasting joy. In direct confirmation of these remarks, we might refer to the testimony of missionaries themselves. " Let your preaching (says one of them) be very simple. Exalt the Lamb of God. Tell of his incarnation, miracles, suffer- ings, death, resurrection and ascension. Never be tired of preaching Jesus. The subject can never be old to you, and to the heathen it is good news from a far country. It is love alone which can dissolve ■ the chains of the east. It is the love of Christ in dying for sinners, that has done whatever has already been done, in the conversion of the Hindoos. And there is no hope in a ministry that shall not be like the Great Head of the Church, whose love was stronger than death." It was while the Mora- vian missionaries were describing the agonies and death of Christ, his love for sinners, his continual intercessions for his enemies, that the frozen hearts of the Greenlanders melted into repentance. It was the love of the Saviour which brought tears of joy from the eyes of the stupid Hottentots, which humbled the pride of the learned Brah- min, and which overcame the prejudices of the heathen world. Missionaries, whose theme of preaching and con- versation is so pleasing, must have peculiar consolations. A similar method of instruction 4 was adopted by the mis- sionaries in Africa. "When we first entered upon our work," say they, " we labored to convince our hearers by arguments addressed to the understanding, but our en- deavors in this way had little success. They continually raised objections and difficulties. We then resorted to another method. We insisted chiefly on the dying love of Christ, in the most simple and affectionate manner. We represented him as the all-sufficient friend of lost and helpless sinners ; tenderly inviting them to come to him, that they might be saved, and intreating them to give the PECULIAR CONSOLATIONS OF A MISSIONARY. 277 fair trial of experience to our doctrine by praying to Jesus. Since we adopted this method, the Lord has been pleased to make the word effectual to many souls. From time to time, our hearers, who were, before impenetrable,, came to us, and with tears in their eyes, declared that they per- ceived more and more the truth and excellence of the gospel." The extent of a missionary's usefulness, is another source of peculiar consolation. The intelligence which he communicates, is spread before the whole christian world. The conversions of Sabat and Abdallah, related by Dr. Buchanan, awoke the church from the slumbers of stupid- ity, and raised the desponding hopes of many of the people of God. This sermon was preached to Christendom, and the good it has effected, surpasses all calculation. The information communicated by missionaries is generally of the most interesting nature. It excites the attention of all the friends of Zion, promotes a spirit of devotion, and stimulates to a life of activity and faithfulness. This fact may be strikingly illustrated, by adverting to the re- ports of Vanderkemp, Morrison and Carey, which are read with enthusiastic zeal. They have led many minis- ters to greater activity in the discharge of parochial du- ties — many Christians to contribute more liberally of their substance for the support of domestic and foreign missions — many to devote themselves to the same important work. A missionary may not see the immediate fruits of his la- bors for the heathen, yet while he sustains a relation to the church so interesting ancUimportant, he cannot be dis- couraged. II. A missionary has a special promise of the divine presence and protection. Our blessed Saviour, before his ascension to his Father, left with his disciples this cheering promise : — " Lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Christ 24 278 DISSERTATIONS. was with them, not as a transient visitor — not only in their prosperous days, but always — in every place, and in every trial, to the end of life. He sent them forth as sheep among wolves, to be persecuted and destroyed. Yet these words — " Lo I am with you alway," inspired them with courage, with zeal, and patience. They could en- dure all things, through Christ strengthening them. Ev- ery one, that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or # mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit eternal life. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. This is the best word, says a late writer, which a mission- ary can take for his companion, when he is setting out upon a long voyage. He will have many anxious, dis- couraging doubts. He quits his native land to go among strangers, to encounter great difficulties, and perhaps death. His son-owing friends bid him farewell, with tears, expecting never to see him again. But his best friend leaves him not. He carries him safely over the trackless deep, to the place of his destination, and com- municates to him every needful blessing. " When thott passest through the fire I will be with thee, and through the waters they shall not overflow thee. Fear not, I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will lift thee up." — With these promises, the disciples rejoiced in hope, and were patient in tribulation — the primitive Christians took joyfully the spoiling of their goods — martyrs welcomed the stake, the gibbet, or the dungeon — missionaries parted with parents, brothers, sisters, country, and society, and cheerfully de- voted themselves to dangers, poverty, and distress ; wil- ling to endure perils by water, perils of robbers, perils by the heathen, perils in the wilderness. Here is consolation the most substantial and durable. Jesus is the missiona- ry's friend. He is his protector in danger, his supporter PECULIAR CONSOLATIONS OF A MISSIONARY. 279 in affliction, . and his comforter in death. The eternal God is his refuge, and underneath him are everlasting arms. Who, that knows the worth of a Saviour's smile, and the joys which he communicates to the soul, would not part with all, for such a friend % Who would not be flung into the fiery furnace for the privilege of walking with Jesus ? Who would not look with holy indignation upon the man who dares not follow where his Saviour leads'? What though the way he marks out, be through dangers and distress — through persecutions, reproaches, and death ? What though he require us to forsake father and mother, iiouse and land, for the sultry climate of India, or for the inhospitable regions of Africa, or for the still more savage regions of Western America ? is not that promise suffi- cient, — " Lo I am with you alway, even to the end of the world ?" Can a missionary, supported by such promises, and protected by such a friend, yield to discouragements? Can he be unhappy while his Saviour lives 1 As well, I had^almost said, might the redeemed be unhappy in hea- ven, while beholding the unveiled glory of the Lamb. III. A missionary has a promise of success. The disciples were repeatedly assured of the success which would accompany their exertions, and of the final glory of the Redeemer's kingdom. They were assured that no purpose formed against them should prosper ; that .the weapons of their warfare, though simple, should be powerful, through God, to the pulling down of strong holds ; that Gentiles should come to the light, and kings to the brightness of his rising. Did the subject assigned me admit, I might produce abundant evidence of the ful- fdment of these promises. The seventy whom our Lord sent out to preach the gospel, soon returned, rejoicing that even the«devils were subject to them through his name. And it might be shown how the doctrines of the cross, accompanied by the energies of the Holy Spirit, prevailed 280 DISSERTATIONS. over the prejudices of idolaters, the learning of philoso- phers, the eloquence of orators, and the influence of empe- rors — how that within two centuries, the worshippers of Jesus filled the cities, islands, castles, councils, and armies of the Roman empire — how that, in every suc- ceeding age, missionaries have overcome the most subtle devices of Satan, subdued the bitterest opposition, con- quered the strongest prejudices, and the # most powerful corruptions of the human heart. At present, this subject cannot be examined. It is sufficient for our purpose, 1o know the fact. Had the church been unsuccessful in every attempt to propagate the religion of Jesus, the office, of a missionary would be comparatively painful. But, with the promises of the Saviour in view, accompanied with such striking evidence of their fulfilment, the faint- est heart must take encouragement, and the most timor- ous soul be inspired with zeal and fortitude. Brainerd and Elliot in the west, Swartz and Carey in the east, Vanderkemp and Read in the south, and David * and Stach in the north, afford us convincing evidence, that the gospel of Jesus converts ferocity into mildness, stupid- ity into tenderness, and hatred into love. It is the power of God to the salvation of the heathen. " Though secluded from the society of the good," says Mr. Chamberlain, "and exposed to the insults of the heathen, with a heavy weight of affliction upon me, I am fully satisfied with my situa- tion, nor would 1 change it for the greatest emperor in the world ; nay, I sometimes think, not even for that of an an^ gel in heaven. O, what a prospect ! — A preacher of the gospel, not to hundreds, nor to thousands, but to myriads of immortal souls, now covered with the grossest darkness. i may not live to see the work of conversion greatly prosper in this place, but I am firmly persuaded that it will pros- per ; and to be able only to begin a work which shall final- ly succeed, and issue in the conversion of an innumerable PECULIAR CONSOLATIONS OF A MISSIONARY. 281 multitude of souls, fills me with inexpressible joy." Sup- ported by such a belief, the missionary anticipates the day when pagan darkness shall flee before the light of the gospel ; when heathen music shall give way to the songs of Zion ; when children of every land shall lisp the name of Jesus, and old men join the chorus, " Glory to God in the highest." He rests assured that he is not laboring in a cause which may yet fail, and cover him with shame and confusion, but in a kingdom destined to embrace the world. His exertions, and prayers, and sufferings are not in vain. In some important, although perhaps, secret way, they will contribute to the furtherance of the Gos- pel. The precious seed may long lie buried in the earth, yet it will eventually produce the fruits of righteousness and peace. " He goeth forth, weeping, bearing precious seed, but he shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." IV. A missionary has the prayers of the whole chris- tian world. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles to the churches, la- bors incessantly to promote a spirit of prayer, by present- ing the most powerful motives to a strict and impartial performance of the duty. " Strive with me in your prayers to God for me." Again, remembering their faithfulness in prayer, he is confident of success, — " I trust, through your prayers, I shall be given to you." All Christians are ready to acknowledge the efficacy of humble and fer- vent prayer. In affliction, mourning, and distress, it is a peculiar consolation, that they are not forgotten by those who have an interest at the throne Of grace. And in sea- sons of spiritual declension, or of public calamities, the more general a spirit of prayer, the greater encouragement lo hope for deliverance. For a spirit of prayer always portends good. This always has been, but never more so than at present, a source of peculiar consolation to the *24 282 DISSERTATI6NS. missionary. The attention of all who love our Lord, is fixed upon the conversion of the heathen ; and their united prayers are ascending to God for his blessing upon those who are devoted to the work. The missionary may rest assured of the daily secret prayers, not of a few pious friends only, but of the church in general ; and, upon the first Monday of every month,of the united and public prayers of the whole christian world. This excitement among the churches he receives as the surest pledge of success. Surely a cause of so many prayers and tears cannot "fail. He no sooner devotes himself to the heathen, than he in- lists in his favor, the hopes, the interests, and the prayers of all God's children. He goes forth with joy, and labors with hope, relying with implicit confidence upon the great Head of the church. " We cannot sufficiently express (say the missionaries to Tranquebar) what comfort we felt within us whenever we remembered you and other friends, allied to us in the spirit of love, being mindful of your incessant prayers for the Redeemer's kingdom. Therefore, we would have you know, that as you have been with us, we have been with you, when you were of- fering up your supplications in our behalf. The more fer- vently they address the throne of grace, the more shall we be bound to recommend them to the divine favor and pro- tection, and the greater will be the blessing of Almighty God upon our undertaking." V. A missionary has a rich reward reserved for him in heaven. Having suffered with Christ in life, he is prepared to reign with him in glory. He cheerfully resigned ale- houses, brethren, parents, and lands, for his name's sake, and now he receives the promise, and inherits eternal life. Christ acknowledges those who have devoted themselves to his service, as heirs of an eternal inheritance ; gives them his rod and his staff, and walks with them through PECULIAR CONSOLATIONS OF A MISSIONARY. 283 the vale of death. " These are they, which have come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the J^lood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple, and he that sitteth upon the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat. The Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and lead thern unto living waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." This reflection, of all others, affords the missionary the most substantial enjoyment. He looks beyond the tumultuous scenes of life, to the hap ; py shores of endless peace. He remembers that his pres- ent afflictions are but for a moment, and are working out for him a far more exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory. He fixes his eye upon Christ, and upon those man- sions which he has prepared for him. " There the wick- ed will cease from troubling, and the weary be at rest. There mine eyes will not run down with tears nor my heart sink with sorrow. There shall I meet with my Saviour, and be made like his glorious image — there meet with friends whom I forsook for Christ, with all the redeemed — there drink of the rivers of pleasure which flow from the throne of God. Come then discourage- ments, pains, and distress ; welcome crosses, persecution, and torture, for such a Saviour — for such a crown !" When summoned hence by the messenger of death, he can confidently exclaim with the Apostle Paul, — " 1 have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth ther# is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge shall give me at that day." He is welcomed to the 284 DISSERTATIONS. society of the redeemed, and to all the pleasures of heaven. The Saviour approves of his services, acquits him of guilt, and receives him to his presence : " Well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will *make thee ruler over many things ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." This is the man, who t in the estimation of many Christians, was presumptuous and enthusiastic ; and, in the estimation of the world, was poor and comfortless ; who devoted himself to a life of self-deni- al, of infamy, and reproach ; he now walks with Christ in white, for he is worthy. Farewell Address to the Society of Inquiry, by Levi Parsons, delivered September 23, 1817. [After taking a general survey of the moral condition of our race, Mr. Parsons thus proceeds :] Is this the deplorable state of our world? This the mournful condition of the church? Eighteen hundred years have elapsed since our Saviour bid his disciples preach the gospel to every creature, and yet a world lying in wickedness ! Shall we sit dowji discouraged and de- spair of success ? It is the bold decision of the infidel, it is rebellion against heaven — practical denial of the govern- ment of God. Let us then give up our Bibles, our privi- leges, and our hopes of glory, and take refuge in the insen- sibility and hardness M the atheist ! The world will be reformed; or our Bible is a fable, and our hope a delusion. Convince me that the heathen will not be converted, and ADDRESS TO THE SOCIETY. 285 I will be an atheist. But we are not left in such a di- lemma. We may look to heaven with the full assurance of faith, and hear our heavenly Father say, " Fear not lit- tle flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to g*ive you the kingdom." Were there but one pious family in the world, it would be madness to despond. After all God has done, is doing, and has promised to do, after all that martyrs have suffered at the stake, after all the prayers which have been offered up, shall we retire from the field, and leave the enemy to triumph? Even with a fair prospect of the promised land, shall we retire into the wildernsss, and per- ish ? No, brethren, our duty is plain ; we have every en- couragement for perseverance. God is on our side, we need not fear. Every Christian must come forward with the inquiry — " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do." In an examination of the question relative to personal duty, it is indispensable that we be entirely devoted to God. True religion implies a disposition to forsake father and mother, friends and country, for Christ. Every truly devoted Christian will inquire, not where he can enjoy the most ease, escape the most trouble, obtain the most wealth or honor, but where he can most successfully labor in the cause of Christ, and promote the salvation of men. He lifts his eyes to heaven and says, " Lord send me ; send me to the ends of the earth ; send me far from parents, friends, country ; to the wilderness, to prison, or to death, if it be for thy glory, and for the promotion of thy kingdom, If duty bid me suffer at the stake, I will go there without a trembling emotion ; if I am to be separated from every earths ly enjoyment, I will rejoice that I am counted worthy to suf- fer for Christ.' ' Such, in an eminent degree, must be our feel-* ings, brethren, in this inquiry. With the world .under our feet, and with our eyes fixed on the cross, we must determine t o count all things as loss, for the excellency of th§ knowledge of Christ, 286 DISSERTATIONS. But all make these assertions; none are willing- to say that they have not given all to Christ ; and yet many are unwilling to be entirely devo'ted to his service. But let us bring these professions to the test. Are they accompa- nied with an ardent attachment to the souls of the heathen ; with fervent prayer to be directed in duty 1 if not, they are unmeaning words. A decision must be obtained in view of the whole work. Were the United States the only field to be occupied, my duty and my decision in regard to it, might differ essen- tially from my present duty and decision. Blot out from our account, Mahommedans, Jews, and Pagans, and my duty then, might not be my duty now. While I examine the waste places of Zion in our own land, my inquiries are to extend to the heathen. I am to inquire with respect to the number of the heathen, the prospect of success, the effect which a mission to them w r ould produce upon our own churches, and the good which would result to the cause of Christ fifty years hence, and then decide as to the field for personal exertion. A decision obtained af- ter this examination, will be safe, and produce a tranquil conviction of duty. A decision once obtained must not be relinquished. There is a suitable time for deliberation, and a suitable time for action. The period of the former must usually be short, and the result decisive, and then the latter will be persevering and probably successful. If we enter the field with a firm conviction of duty obtained after a devout ex* animation, our work and our trials will be pleasant. And if we in our spiritual moments, obtain evidence of duty, are we to question this evidence in seasons of despondency ? If we examine a mathematical proposition, and pronounce it correct, are we, when the proof has escaped us, to ques- tion this decision ? If after an examination of the moral state of the world, we think it our duty to be missionaries, ADDRESS TO THE SOCIETY. 287 shall we give up this object when our minds are less exer- cised upon the subject of the Redeemer's kingdom ? Then let us give up the expectation "of obtaining a decision, and depend upon momentary impulses of the mind. The state of the heathen next year, may be very different from their present state. Are we then to change with every change in the world, to vibrate between opposite opinions till the period of usefulness is past ? I hesitate not to say, that a decision to be a missionary, obtained in the manner prescrib- ed, cannot be relinquished, except when there are special in- terpositions of providence, without infinite hazard both to usefulness and happiness. I cannot speak upon this subject with indifference. And as I value the happiness and usefulness of my breth- ren, I would hope that no one will leave this Seminary without a firm and tranquil conviction of duty. Will any one excuse himself from this examination upon the suppo- sition that he is not qualified for a missionary ? Admit that some are #ot qualified for a missionary life, would a particular knowledge of the condition of the heathen be useless ? So far from this, it inspires the soiH with cour- age, gives energy to every exertion, and is the most proba- ble way to usefulness and peace. But who has assured us we are not qualified for mis- sionaries ? Are we qualified for ministers ? Then we are in some sense qualified for missionaries. Are we willing to suffer for Christ in America ? We should be willing to suffer for him in India. If we love souls in our own land, and are disposed to forsake all for them, we should cheerful- ly make the same sacrifice in any other land. The qualifi- cations for a missionary, are, love for souls, devotedness to God, and an education, to explain and enforce divine truth. If we are destitute of these, we ought to relinquish the ministry. Will any one say, the situation of my friends ren- ders it impracticable to undertake a mission? Without 288 DISSERTATIONS. stopping to examine this objection, I have only to say, go and learn what this meaneth ; " Whosoever he be who for- saketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Will feeble health be an excuse for neglecting this sub- ject ? Some men of the most feeble health have accom- plished most in the cause of Christ. Knox, the reformer, never had confirmed health, yet he did more for the church, than all Scotland besides. Baxter, Brainerd, and White- field, were feeble, yet in the midst of weakness, they were made strong. .Better, my brethren, wear out and die with- in three years, than live forty in sloth fulness. Now after an examination of the moral state of the world, and of your obligations to the church and to the heathen, permit me to make the inquiry, what decision have you formed ? Millions of heathen starving for the bread of life, wait for a reply; thousands of .desponding Christians in our own land, wait for a reply. Angels and the spirits of just men made perfect, wait for a reply. The Holy Trini- ty engaged in the work of redemption, wajts for a reply. Have you decided to labor at home? Will you not go forth with the spiat of Him " who went about doing good?" Go, build up the waste places of Zion, circulate the Holy Scriptures, communicate religious instruction, and call in- to action, the slumbering energies of the church. Are others hesitating ? Rest assured, beloved brethren, that with a humble re- liance upon God, your duty will be made exceedingly plain. Look to Christ for direction, and he will never leave you. By secret prayer, and devout attention to the subject of missions, you will obtain a conviction of duty which will impart permanent happiness. Others have determined by divine assistance to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Fol- low in the steps of him who was the great Apostle of the Gentiles, endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus, go ADDRESS TO THE SOCIETY. 289 forward with the meekness, fortitude and boldness of Brain- erd, Swartz, and Vanderkemp ; and let this be your mot- to, " I can do all things through Christ, who strengthened me." We part now, brethren, to suffer a little while ; and then, God willinr, to obta in a rich and eternal reward. .We launch forth upon the boisterous ocean of life, but we shall safely enter the haven of rest. Brethren, pray for us ; pray for us individually ; pray for us in our different stations, connections, and employ- ments. And while we remember Zion, we will remember you, with whom we have taken sweet counsel, and walked to the house of God in company. When far separated, we will remember that we have t e same Saviour, are fellow laborers in the same cause, anil ere destined to the same eternal jest. Am I to see my brethren no more ! O yes, we meet again in the paradise of God, We will sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb, and review, with enraptur- ed hearts, the afflictions we have endured, the difficulties encountered, the dangers braved, the victories won. I need not say Farewell, we meet so soon. We meet in the streets of the New Jerusalem, purified from sin, cloth- ed with immortal and glorious bodies, and united in bonds of holy and everlasting love. 25 290 DISSERTATIONS. The character of the Jews. Extracted from a diss< nation read before the Society, January 22, 1822, by Elnathan Gridley, late missionary to Palestine. The Jeivs remain a distinct people. Other nations' of ancient days, now live but in name. The Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Romans, the Goths and the -Vandals, have long since mingled with other nations, and their de- scendants are known by other names. But here, a nation has survived its political existence for eighteen centuries. Even dispersion cannot blot it out. Those rites and cer- emon es, with which are associa ed. their ancient glory, their expected greatness, and their eternal hopes ; rites, too dear to be relinquished, too burdensome to be a lepted by otKer nation y constitute the brazen nvall by which this nation has long been encirc ed. The precepts of their religion, discouraging all attempts to gain proselytes, and forbidding intermarriage with other nations, preserve them a distinct people. The contempt with which all other people regard them, ensures obedience to these pre- cepts. If Judaism be not the separating wall, why, with its loss, is the very name of Jew forgotten? Where they have long been deprived of their law, a few rites only point out their origin.; as soon as these are relinquished, they are no longer recognized as Jews. Multitudes from age to age, embrace the religion of Mahomet, and are heard of no more. Their education. This consists chiefly in learning to read a language, of which few know any thing more than the pronunciation. Their advantages are lim- ited ; prejudice having generally excluded them from public CHARACTER OF THE JEWS. 291 schools. Parents, too, apprehending; that education inter- feres with religion, have been guilty of criminal neglect. Female education is hardly known. It is unnecessary to add, that as a people, they are m extreme- ignorance. To a great extent, even ji Christian countries, they attribute diseases to malignant spirits, and app'y to exorcists to ex- pel the demon by incantations. Their most le'arned Rabbins regard the study of languages, history and the sciences, as hurtful. They accordingly prescribe and pursue a course, which is but poorly calculated to enlighten and liberalize the mind. The Talmud, counting of fourteen ponderous folip volumes, engrosses all their powers, from early childhood, till family duties and the duties of the synagogue, call them' away. After all this preparation, they are, for the most part, deplorably ignorant of that law which they attempt to expound. Their manner of life.. Averse to labor, the rich engage in. commerce, banking, or loaning money : — the poor in re- tailing trifling articles, dealing in old clothes, and not un- frequently, in beggary or theft. Nor will honest gain sat- • isfy their excessive desires, save where it best subserves their selfish ends. Few indeed are honest from principle. To over-reach and defraud, they regard as meritorious; and by these arts of circumvention, they incur universal hatred. It is not fate, it is their detestable arts, which doom them to perpetual persecution. Their choice of countries exhibits clearly their excessive love of gold. Why do they forsake free commercial countries, where the people are enterprizing ? Because they cannot engross the trade, and secure unlawful gains. They choose the country whose energies the feudal s} 7 stem has paralyzed, or Mahomme- daii regions where all are given up to sensuality and sloth. Whence that attachment to Spain, so strong that nothing but sanguinary laws could prevent her being overrun % The gold of the country, and the want of energy 292 DISSERTATIONS. in her sons, give the answer. Does that avarice which prefers gold to freedom excite your indignation? Turn then to a portion of that unhappy people, whose condition cannot but excite your pity.- Think of the thousands, at the age of thirteen, when the parent's pro- tection and support ceases, — abandoned to the mercy of a pitiless world. These are now roaming the streets of most of the cities in the eastern hemisphere, begging from door to door, and pilfering wherever opportunity presents. At night, some shed Which they chance to meet, fur- nishes- their place of repose. The degradation* of the female out-casts, is beyond description. Hundreds in London alone, are compelled to purchase their bread with the wages of their shame. Their attachment to the land of their fathers. Such attachments with all other people have proved transitory, — theirs, eighteen centuries have scarcely weakened. When cruel laws forbid their revisiting the city of their hopes, behold them parting with their gold for the mourn- ful privilege of sitting down to weep amid the desolations of Jerusalem ; and when so dear a privilege cannot be pur- chased, see them so favoring the " stones and the dust thereof," as to procure them at any price, and treasure them up as a most sacred relic. Witness their funeral ceremo- nies in all the nations whither the Lord their God hath led them. Why do they sprinkle the coffin of a departed brother with this precious dust, or deposit it under his seal- ed eyelids 1 It is that his dust may mingle with the dust of his beloved city. Witness too, that confident expecta- tion in the mind of every Jew, that the dispersed are soon to be gathered to the city of their hopes ; — and could that city be purchased, and could they there enjoy a gov- ernment of their own, soon would they be seen bending their way thither, from every nation. However we may interpret those prophecies which seem to point to such an CHARACTER OF THE JEWS. 293 event, when we look at the character of that people, we cannot but believe that when the time of their being trod- den under foot by the Gentiles shall be fulfilled, multitudes will return, and Jerusalem will again rise in its ancient magnificence. Their national pride. The Jews, still claiming to be God's peculiar people, look upon -other nations with feel- ings similar to those with which the Jews of ancient times regarded the Gentile world. They trust that their long expected Messiah will soon appear, — deliver them from every oppressor, — establish a temporal kingdom, — restore more than ancient privileges, — and bring all na- tions to bow to his sceptre. Consequently, they regard all other religions with contempt ; but the Christian religion is the peculiar object of their hatred . Against its founder, they still retain the bitterest enmity ; that divine honors should be paid him, excites thjeir highest indignation. Their notions of Christianity, they have derived chiefly from Catholics, by whom they have been perpetually per- secuted. The Jew cannot but regard as an abomination, the worship of saints and angels, and the no less idola- trous worship of the cross; an act which casts upon his nation the keenest reproach. Pride forbids their recep- tion of such a religion. It would abolish those ceremo- nies in which they glory ; it would prostrate all their fond hopes of future greatness; it would be acknowledging themselves children of those who slew the Prince of life. Their precautions to prevent Jews from embracing Christianity. Their creed teaches the apostate to expect nothing but eternal death. Parents and teachers use every art to inspire the child with an inveterate hatred of the very name of Jesus. Whenever it is mentioned, they man- ifest their contempt by spitting. They style him — the hanged one. Their whole course of education is calculat- ed to deepen these prejudices. They are brought up so *25 294 DISSERTATIONS. ignorant of their own Scriptures, as to know little respect- ing them excepting what they hear at the synagogue ; and there, those parts which refer to the Saviour are en- tirely omitted. The New Testament has been kept out of sight, as a pernicious book But should a Jew, in spite of all these precautions, embrace Christianity, he is sub- jected to the most cruel persecution, and in this, his near- est relatives unite, as the only means of saving themselves from infamy and ruin. Is he a son ? — he is banished for- ever from the paternal roof. Is he a husband and a fa- ther?— " Nor wife, nor children, more shall he behold, Nor friends, nor sacred home." His relations assemble, perform his funeral rites, bemoan him asdescended to the tomb, and ever afterwards, speak of him as deceased. If he writes to them, he can expect no an- swer. But a difficulty still more appalling remains ; want stares him in the face. Does he apply to Christians, the only source from which he can hope for relief? It is regarded as the artifice of some Jewish beggar. This is no speculation. Jewish converts are thus actually re- duced to extreme and long protracted suffering. Who but must feel for those who are bound down to Judaism with chains like these ? Their rellgiom character presents a picture, gloomy in- deed to the eye of Christian hope. Judaism, though di- vine in its origin, now assumes a form which scarcely el- evates it above Paganism. The moralitj' it inculcates is indeed at a great remove from that of the Pagan world. It does present a barrier to those grosser abominations; it operates powerfully upon the external conduct; but no facts justify the conclusion that it everreaches the heart, and leads to that sense of sin which inspires true godhv sorrow. It rejects the only name given under heaven whereby man can be saved. It tramples under foot the blood of God's CHARACTER OF THE JEWS. 295 eternal Son. Nothing of its ancient spirituality, — noth- ing but useless rites and ceremonies remains. Not indeed the sanguinary rites and ceremonies of Pagan nations, but those' little better calculated to fit the soul for heaven. To these it points as a complete atonement for sin. But should this atonement be neglected, it threatens at the utmost, but a twelve-month punishment, and' then pro- mises the rewards of the blessed. The worship of the modern synagogue corresponds with the religion. While the Rabbi mutters over, prayers in a tongue unknown to most of his hearers, and often to himself, the multitude are making bargains, and the children are "at their sports. Of that worship of the heart which God requires, neither priest nor people seem to have any conception. Thrice each day, they must offer up their prayers; — but how? Read, 'or recite them in Hebrew; and where the pronun- ciation is unknown, lay their hands upon a card on which a prayer is written. — Such a card they have append- ed to their closet door. The Rabbins conclude that the female, previous to marriage, has no soul : consequently of her no worship is. required. Many of the Jews are Deists in theory ;" and # as a nation, they are Deists in practice. But these are our fellow immortals, destined soon to stand with us, before God's awful bar. What are their eternal prospects? Dark and dismal, even when compared' with Pagan nations. On these, the true light has never shone, — those wilfully extinguished it. Where are the people who have higher claims upon the sympathies, prayers and exertions of the Christian world % 296 DISSERTATIONS. Report, Of the Committee appointed February \%, 1823, to inquire respecting the black population of the United States. Read and accepted April 22, 1823. [See pages 29 and 31.] The committee to whom was referred the subject of the colored population of the United States, beg leave to pre- sent the following Report : — There is at present within the limits of the United States, a colored population of one million, seven hundred and sixty-nine*thousand. The character and circumstan- ces of this class of the community fall, to some extent, under the personal observation of every man. Who is there, that does not know something of the condition of the blacks in the northern and middle states? They may be seen in our cities and larger towns, wandering like for- eigners and outcasts, in the land which gave them birth. They ma} r be seen in our penitentiaries,- and jails, and poor-houses. They may be found inhabiting the abodes of poverty, and the haunts of vice. But if we look for them in the society of the honest and respectable, — if we visit the schools in which it is our' boast that the meanest citizen can enjoy the benefits of instruction, — we might also add, if we visit the sanctuaries which are open for all to worship, and to hear the word of God; we shall not find them there. The . Soodra is not farther separated from the Brahmin in regard to all his privileges, civil, in- tellectual and moral, than the negro is from the white ' man, by the prejudices which result from the difference made between them by the God of nature. A barrier more difficult to be surmounted than the institution of the Caste, cuts off, and, while the present state of society con- REPORT ON COLONIZATION. 297 tinues, must always cut off, the negro from all that is val- uable in citizenship. In his infancy, he finds himself, he knows not why, the scorn of' his playmates, from the first moment that their little fingers can be pointed at him in derision. In youth, he has no incentive to prepare for an active and honorable manhood. No visions of usefulness, or respectability, animate his prospects. In maturer years, he has little motive to industry, or to honorable exer- tion. He is always degraded in the estimation of the community, and the deep sense of that degradation enters into his soul, and makes him degraded indeed. We know that there are individuals, who, in spite of all these obsta- cles to moral and social improvement, have acquired a character for respectability, and piety. But instances like these, occasioned by the peculiar circumstances or powers of the individuals, cannot be brought to disprove the gene- ral assertion, which we make without fear of contra- diction, tliat the blacks are degraded, without any proper means of improvement, or an}' sufficient incentive to exer- tion ; that they present the strange anomaly of a large part of the nation that loves to call itself the freest, happi- est, and most enlightened nation on the globe, separated by obstacles which they did not create, and which they cannot surmount, from all the institutions and privileges. to which the other portions of the community owe their Superiority. But there is another still moi*e important characteristic of the condition of our colored population, in comparison with which every other circumstance dwindles into insig- nificance ; and from which, all that we have already said is only a single necessary consequence. We mean slave- ry. And on this subject we must express.ourselves briefly, yet boldly. We have heard of slavery as it existed in the nations of antiquity, — we have heard of slavery as- it ex- ists in Asia, Africa, and Turkey, — we have heard of 298 DISSERTATIONS. the feudal slavery under which the peasantiy of Europe have groaned from the days of Alaric, until now ; but, excepting only the horrible 'system of the West India Is- lands, we have never heard of slavery in any country, an- cient or modern, Pagan, Mohammedan, or Christian, so terrible in its character, so pernicious in its tendency, so remediless in its anticipated results, as the slavery which exists in these United States. We do not mean here to speak of slavery as a system of bonds, and stripes, and all kinds of bodily suffering. On this point, there ie, we be- lieve, a great degree of misapprehension among our fellow" citizens of the North. Many of them are accustomed to associate with the name of slavery, all that is horrible in the details of the African trade, and all that is terrific in the cruelties of Jamaica and Porto Rico. But we rejoice in the belief that these conceptions are erroneous ; and that, though there may be instances of unpunished, and sometimes, perhaps, almost unnoticed barbarity, the con- dition of a slave, in most parts of the United States, is gen- erally as much superior to that of a slave in the West Indies, as the condition of an American farmer is to that of an Irish peasant. Here we are ready to make what all will consider the most liberal concessions. We are •ready even to grant, for our present purpose, that, so far as mere animal existence is concerned, the slaves have no reason to complain, and the friends of humanity have no reason to complain for "them. And when we use the strong language which we feel ourselves compelled to use in relation to this subject, we do not mean to speak of an- imal suffering, but of an immense moral and political evil, — of slavery as it stands connected with the wealth and strength, and more especially, with the character and hap- piness of our nation. We have no room to enlarge on the political aspect of this subject. We will only ask— where would be the en* REPORT ON COLONIZATION. 2i)3 terprise, the wealth, and the strength of New England, if her green hills and pleasant vallies were cultivated no longer by her own independent and hardy j'eomanrjr, but by the degraded serfs of a Polish aristocracy % And what would not Virginia become, if she could exchange her four hundred and twenty-five thousand slaves for as many freemen, who, in blood and complexion, as well as in immunities and enjoyments, should be one with the proudest of her children % But the mere politician cannot fail, in estimating the magnitude of this evil, to look at its moral tendency. The great men of the south have looked at it in this aspect, and have expressed themselves accordingly. Judge Wash- ington pronounces it to be " an inherent vice in the com- munity." Mr. Jefferson uses language on this subject,, too strong for even a northern man to regard as strictly true. In his Notes on Virginia, he says — " The whole commerce between master and slave, is a perpetual exer- cise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submission on the other." — " The parent storms, the child looks on, catches the lineaments of wrath, puts on the same airs in a smaller circle of slaves, gives loose to his worst pas- sions, and thus nursed, educated/and daily exercised in tyranny, cannot but be stamped with odious peculiarities." — " I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that his justice cannot sleep forever"- — And speaking of the probability that the blacks may assert their freedom, he adds, " the Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in such a contest." It would be easy to collect the sentiments of many highly honored individuals in the southern States who have expressed themselves as decidedly if not as strongly. But it is enough to say in regard to the moral influence of the sys- tem on the blacks, that laws exist in nearly all the slave- 300 DISSERTATIONS. holding States, prohibiting their instruction, and even driving them from Sunday schools, because it is supposed that the public safety requires them to be kept in perfect ignorance ; and, in regard to its influence on the white population, that the most lamentable proof of its deterio- rating effects may. be found in the fact, that excepting the pious, whose hearts are governed by the christian law of reciprocity between man and man, and the wise, whose minds have looked far into the relations and tendencies of things, none can be found to lift their voices against a sys- tem, so utterly repugnant to the feelings of unsophisticated humanity — a system which permits all the atrocities of the domestic slave-trader — which permits the father to sell his children as he would his cattle — a system which con- signs one half of the community to hopeless and utter de- gradation, and which threatens in its final catastrophe to bring down the same ruin on the master and the slave. There are two considerations in view of which we ven- tured to remark, that the slavery which exists in our coun- try is more ominous in its character and tende ic , than any similar system which has ever existed in other coun- tries. The first is, that slavery contradicts the primary principles of our republican government. Slavery w r as not inconsistent with the principles of Grecian and Ro- man democracy. It is in perfect harmony with the sys- tems of government, which, excepting Great Britain and Switzerland, prevail in < very province of the old world, from the Frozen Ocean to the C pe of Good Hope, and from the Bay of Biscay to the Pacific. But it stands in direct opposition to all the acknowledged and boasted maxims in which are laid the foundations of our political institutions. The other consideration to which we refer, is that which spreads terror over every aspect in which the subject can be viewed, and which seems to tell us — for all these evils thei;e is no remedy. It is, the fact that the REPORT ON COLONIZATION. 301 slaves, and those who have been slaves, and those whose fathers have been slaves, are all marked out and stigma- tized with the brand which nature has stamped upon them.- In Greece and Rome, as in almost every other nation, a slave might be made free, and then he was no longer a slave, but was amalgamated with the rest of the community; and the road to wealth, honor, and office was open before him, and his interests we reunited with the interests of the republic. But here the thing is im- possible; a slave cannot be really emancipated. You can- not raise him from the abyss of his degradation. You may call him free, you may enact a statute book of laws to make him free, but j^ou- cannot bleach him into the en- joyment of freedom. Now apply to this subject one very simple arithmetical calculation. In 1820 the slave population of the country was 1,500,000. Their annual increase is estimated at 35,000. Their number doubles in less than twenty years. Things remaining as they now are, in 1840 we shall have 3,030,000 of slaves,— in 1860, 6,000,000,— and in 1880, 12,033*000,— a nation of slaves larger by 4,000,000 than the whole present white papulation of the United States. What a state of things will this be! Twelve millions of slaves. 'A nation scattered and peeled,', 'a nation meted out and trodden down ;' — and God forbid that it should be written in the blood and echoed in the groans of that generation — " a nation terrible from their beginning hitherto." But even in the short sixty years which must elapse before such a state of things can take place, how mucn terror and anxiety must, be endured, how many plots detected, how many insurrections quelled. Plots ! and insurrections ! These are words of terror, but their tcmbleness is no argument against the truth of what we say. If things go on as they are, words more 26 302 DISSERTATIONS. terrible than these, must be " familiar in our mouths. 7 ' For, notwithstanding all that may be done to keep the slaves in ignorance, they are learning, and will continue to learn, something of their own power, and something of the tenure by which they are held in bondage. They are held in bondage. They are surrounded by the memori- als of freedom: The air which they breathe is free; and the soil on /which they tread, ancl which they water with their tears, is a land of liberty. Slaves are never slow in learning that they are fettered, and lhat freedom is the birthright of humanity. Our slaves will not be alwaj^s ignorant— and when that righteous Providence, which never wants instruments to accomplish its designs, wheth- er of mercy, or of vengeance, shall raise up a Touissaint, or a Spartacus, or an African Tecumseh, his fellow slaves will flock around his standard, and we shall witness scenes — which history describes, but from the thought of which the imagination revolts. Not that there is any reason to anticipate such an insurrection as will result in the emancipation of the slaves, and the establishment of a black empire. A general insurrection in«the southern States might, indeed, destroy their cities, might desolate their plantations, might turn their rivers to blocd; but to be finally successful, it must be delayed for more than two or three generations; — it must be delayed till the blacks have force enough to resist successfully the ener- gies of the whole American people; -for at any time with- in sixty or a hundred years, the beacon-fires of insurrec- tion would only rally the strength Of the nation, and the ill-fated Africans, if not utterly exterminated," would be so nearly destroyed, that they must submit to a bondage more hopeless than ever. Cannot the people of the United States be roused to an effort for the partial, if not the entire removal of the evils attendant on the circumstances of our black popula- REPORT ON COLONIZATION. 303 tion?- We refer to all these evils; though they cannot all be enumerated, for their name is Legion. We refer to the condition of all the blacks, whether bond or free. They are wretched, angl their wretchedness ought to be alleviated. They are dangerous to the community, and this danger ought to be removed. Their wretchedness "arises not only from their bondage, but from their politi- cal and moral degradation. The danger is not so much that we have a million and a half of slaves, as that we have within our borders nearly two millions of men who are necessarily any thing rather than loj 7 al citizens — nearly two millions of ignorant and miserable beings who are banded together by the very same circumstances by which they are so widely separated in character and in- terest, "from all the citizens of our great republic. The question is, cannot the people of the United States be in- duced to do something effectual for the removal of these evils ? Without doubt, they can be roused to an effort ; for, in a nation so far under the influence of christian prin- ciple as ours, there is a spirit which will answer to the voice of benevolence when it pleads the cause of humani- ty. It did answer in England, when Wilberforce and Clarkson lifted up their cry against the wrongs of Africa ; and the consequence of their unwearied labors has been, the formal abolition of the slave-trade by every christian power in both continents, and such a total revolution in public sentiment, that all who are not immediately inter- ested in the nefarious traffic, are ready to denounce it as the most high-handed outrage that ever was practised by fraud and power against simplicity and weakness. If the philanthropists of America will summon up their energies to a like effort — if they will never cease to warn their fel- low-citizens of the extent and nature of these evils — if they will properly set before the public, the political and intellectual and moral degradation of the blacks, and the 304 DISSERTATIONS. danger which results from this degradation; — the same spirit which answered to the plea of Wilberforce will an- swer them ; and the effect of their labors will be seen in the sympathizing efforts of all the enlightened and benev- olent. We doubt not that the public may be excited on this subject ; and if excited, they may put forth such an effort as will alleviate the evils in question, and long de- lay, if not utterly prevent, their final catastrophe. The excitement required is not a momentary, feverish, half de- lirious excitement, like that produced by the agitation of the Missouri question, — it must be something more calm and permanent. It must not be a; sudden torrent passing away with the cloud that gave it birth ; but a river whose broad, deep, peaceful streams are supp'iid by perennial fountains, and whose pure waters, like the waters* of Jor- dan, shall wash away from our national character this foul and loathsome leprosy. m But what shall be done? This excitement must have a definite object ;— what shall that object be? — what kind of effort is demanded ? We answer, first, any effectual effort for the benefit of the blacks must be such as will unite the patriotic and benevolent in aNlparts of the coun- try. There is, perhaps, no subject which excites so much of what is called, sectional feeling, — sx> much of jealous}' at the south, so much of exultation at the north, a-nd so much of indignant invective in all parts of the union, as the subject before us in any of its relations. But this feel- ing at the north and at the south, is equally unreasonable, not to say, equally criminal. The difference, in regard to slavery and a negro population, between New England and Georgia, we owe not to ourselves, or our fathers, but to the God who has placed our habitation where the climate forbade the introduction of Africans, and where the hard soil could be cultivated only by the hands of freemen. Had the rough hills, the cold winds, and REPORT ON COLONIZATION. 305 the long winters of New England been exchanged for the rich plains, the burning sun, and the enervating breezes of Carolina, all the sacred principles of puritanism would not have prevented the introduction of slavery, at a time when hardly a man could be found in either hemi- sphere to raise his voice against the enormity, and when England was determined to infect all her colonies with the debilitating and deadly poison. What occasion then can we have to exult over our fellow-citizens'? It is as if the heir to an estate should exult in the poverty of his neighbor. It is as ff the man in health should glory over his brother in sickness. And it is with indignation that we sometimes see the editors of political journals in one part of the country, attempting to kindle and cherish such feelings ; — for every such attempt excites and increases, and in some measure excuses, that touchy sensibility in respect to this subject, which the people of the south are always too ready to manifest. But still we are happy to believe that notwithstanding all the vaporing of newspa- per declaimers, the great majority of the northern people regard the matter — at least in times of calm reflection — with far more enlarged, liberal, national feelings than is commonly imagined by their southern brethren. And we will even express our belief, that there is hardly any enter- prize to which the militia of Vermont or Connecticut would march with more zeal, than to crush a servile re- bellion (if such an event should ever take place with all its cruelties and horrors) in Virginia. The people of Maine belong to the same great community with the peo- ple of Georgia ; and hence they desire at once the right and fche duty of interfering to alleviate, and if possible to remove, an evil which affects the prosperity and safety of the whole American empire. The people of the south should know this, an 1 if they once see their fellow-citi- zens engaging calmly and kindly in real efforts for the 26 306 DISSERTATIONS. alleviation of this evil, their prejudices will be done away, and they will acknowledge the unseasonabieness of their jealousies. If the people of New England will talk less of the guilt of slavery, and more* of the means of counter- acting its political and moral tendencies; or if, when they speak of its guilt, they would acknowledge that New England is a partaker; if they will remember that it was their ships and sailors that carried the African in chains across the ocean ; and that there are now men among them who are living on " the price of blood" — men whose wealth was " earned by sinews bought and sold ;" — if they will speak of this subject with the modesty, and think of it with the shame, which suchjremembrances are calculated to inspire, they may soon find that there are principles and schemes of enterprise in which the benevo- lent of all- the States can unite. And would not a nation- al effort for the removal of this national evil, do away local prejudices, and bind together the different parts of the union with a closer bond of national feeling ? An effort for the benefit of the blacks, in which all parts of the country can unite, of course must, not have the abolition of slavery for its immediate object. But notwithstanding this res' riot ion, occasioned by the neces- sity of the case and the danger of exciting jealcusy, the effort in question must be a great effort, great in its conception and great in its details. We mean that there must be a magnificence in its immediate object, and an attractiveness in every step of its progress, which will not let it be forgotten or overlooked among the numberless en- terprises of the age. There is a certain simple grandeur in the design of the "Bible Society, which fills the.whole mind of the beholder, and awakens the benevolent heart to ecstacy as it contemplates the mighty scheme in all its relations. It is this which has united in the holy under- taking, Christians of every name and of every country; REPORT ON COLONIZATION. 307 and it is this which will always unite them, till the de- sign of the Bible Society shall attain its perfect accom- plishment. The Missionary Society, with perhaps less of that imposing simplicity, in its place seizes on the atten- tion and the affections of the public by the charm which is thrown over all its proceedings. Every new Report of its progress, every letter from a distant missionary, awak- ens in the supporters of the enterprise a higher joy, and a livelier interest. And it is this increasing brightness in the details of its progress, .which will always make it fresh and beautiful to the benevolent eye, till ' the king- doms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord.' So any effort for the removal of the evils to which our attention has been directed, before it can become pow- erful and lasting, must have something of the same char- acter. There must be a similar grandeur in its object to arrest thepubltc attention; and to keep up that attention, there must be the same interest thrown over the succes- sive events of its history. Without the one, the great- body of the people will not engage in the enterprise ; with- out the other, they will not maintain it. The Colonization Society appears to us to be the only institution which promises any thing great -or effectual for the relief of cur black population. We have examined the cordition of that population, and have pointed out the characteristics of the effort which shall necemj .lish any thing for their improvement. To establish our assertion. it remains for us to show that the direct object of this so- ciety is attainable; and that the two characteristics above mentioned belong to this scheme, and to this alone- If a colony of free blacks cannot be established on the coast of Africa, it must be, either 1st, because free blrcks cannot be induced to go, win-, fct is fajse, for they have gone, and hundreds are waiting to go, — or 2dly, because when they arrive there, they cannot be defended from the 308 DISSERTATIONS. • natives, which is disproved by the late contest,-^)? 3dly, because the soil will not yield them support, which needs no answer to any man who will look into a book of trav- els, — or 4thly, because they must be cut off by the insa- lubrity of the climate, which is contradicted by the ex- perience of the settlers, and by the testimony of travelers. It is contradicted by the experience of tlie settlers ; for, since they have occupied their present station, they have beefl visited with no sweeping pestilence, excepting only the recent mortality among those sent out in the Oswego ; the number of deaths among them has been no greater than the average mortality of the same class of people in America. It is not pretended that the climate of Africa is as healthy to a native of Connecticut as the country in which he was born. We say it may be compared in this respect with other tropical countries. Is Montserado more unhealthy than New Orleans or Havana? Yet these . places have been colonized with the men whose descend* ants it is proposed to carry back to the climate, to which the constitution which they have inherited from their fath- ** ers, is adapted. Is it impossible to colonize Africa ? And did the God of nature design that that continent, with all the luxuriance of its soil, and all the variety of its produc- tions, should forever remain a wilderness ? The happy inhabitants of Sierra Leone may give the answer. With these facts before us, then, we feel no hesitation in saying that this enterprise is practicable ; and we ,say too, that it possesses the two characteristics already de- scribed as essential to any permanent and effectual effort in behalf of the blacks. It is an enterprise in which all parts of the country can unite. The grand objection to every other effort. is, that it excites the jealousies and fears of the South. But here is an effort in which the southern people are the first to engage, and which numbers many REPORT ON COLONIZATION. 300 of their most distinguished men among its advocates and efficient supporters. But it promotes the interests of the South. True ; and must not every plan of the kind, which promises to do any good, favor the interests of that part of the Country where the evil to be remedied presses with the most alarming weight ? And does not this plan promote the interests of the North too? Are there not thousands of blacks in New England? And do they add any thing to the good order and happiness of society? Or rattier, are they not, and must they net continue to be, as a body, ignorant and vicious, adding more to the poor rates of the parishes in which they reside, than they do to the income of the government? And shall a cause, to which the good people of the South cfTcr not only money, but, in not a few inst mccs, the fr 'o'dom of their slaves, languish because the people of the North refuse to come forward with their good wishas, and their prayers, and their most liberal contributions. It will Mt. We dare to predict that the time is not far distant, when the North and the South shall unite in this work of charity, and when every new report of the prosperity of our colony will awaken the same joy in every benevolent heart from Port- land to Savannah. This leads us t# remark on the second characteristic, namely, that it is a great enterprise. There is a grandeur in the conception of it, like the grandeur of the Bible So- ciety ; and if properly supported, every step of its progress must be attended by the sympathies «and prayers of all who feel or pray for the missionary. Said Samuel J. Mills to his companion, " Can we engage in a nobler ef- fort ? We go to make freemen of slaves. We go to lay the foundation of a free and independent empire on the coast of poor degraded Africa. If is confidently believed by many of our best and wisest men, that if the plan pro- posed succeeds, it will ultimately be the means of exter- 310 DISSERTATIONS. urinating slavery in our country. It will eventually re- deem and emancipate a million and a half of wretched men. It will transfer to Africa the blessings of religion and civilization ; and Ethiopia will soon stretch out her hands unto God." Such is the object. To comprehend in any degree its magnitude, we must look at it in its relation to the blacks of our own country, in its relation to the slave trade, and in its relation to the civilization of Africa. We might add, the connexion it must have with American corrTmerce, not only by affording a station at which our Indiamen might take in water and provisions, in seme important re- spects more conveniently than at the Cape Verde Islands; but also by opening to our merchants, at no distant peri- od, a lucrative trade'in all the productions of the climate. But we can only take the rapid glance at this topic, which is presented in the following extract from the third Report of the American Colonization Society. " Has not the single port of Sierra Leone exported, in one year, since the abolition of the slave-trade by Eng- land, a greater value than all western Africa, a -coast of several thousand miles, yielded, exclusive of its people, for a like period anterior to that event? When this abomi- nable traffic shall have been utterly exterminated ; when the African laborer can toil secure from the treachery of his neighbor, and the violence of the man-stealef ; that continent will freight, for legitimate trade, those ships which now carry t4iither chains, fetters, and scourges, to return home with the bones, the sinews, the blood, and the tears of her children. Hex gold, her ivory, her beau- tiful dyes, her fragrant, and precious gums, her healing plants and drugs, the varied produce of her now forsaken fields and lonely forest's, will be brought by a joyous and grateful people, to the nations who, once their plunderers REPORT ON COLONIZATION. 311 and persecutors, will have at length become their protect- ors, friends, and allies." Let us look more particularly at the Colonization Soci- ety, first in relation to the blacks of our own country. Leaving; slavery and its subjects for the moment entirely out of view, there are in the United States 238,000 blacks denominated free, but whose freedom confers on them, we might say, no privilege but the privilege of being more vicious and miserable than slaves can be. Their condi- tion we have attempted to describe, and the description may be repeated in two words — irremediable degradation. Now is there not to the benevolent mind something noble in the thought, of ameliorating the condition and elevat- ing the character of these 238,000? The Colonization Society will do this. It will open for these men an asy- lum, whither they can flee from the scoffs and the scorn to which they are exposed. It will restore them to a real . freedom in the land of their fathers. It will give them all the privileges of humanity in the land for which their Creator designed them. And, should it be unable to con- fer on all, the benefits it proposes, still it w^ould do not a little, for their improvement. By elevating the character of those who were transported to Africa, it would elevate, in some degree, the character of those who remained. It would set before them the strongest motives to industry and honesty, and the acquisition of an honorable reputa- tion. And here would be room for the other branches of benevolent exertion ; — here would be opportunity for Sab- bath schools and all the apparatus of religious instruction. And is this a work to be overlooked or despised ? But we have a million and a half of slaves. The black cloud almost covers our southern hemisphere. It is spread- ing, — and extending, — and every hour" its darkness is in- creasing. Now, to dissipate this cloud ; to let in light* the pure unmingled light of freedom, on Our whole land, 312 DISSERTATIONS. — the prospect is too wide for our vision, the object .too vast for our comprehension. Let us lock -then with a nearer view at a less magnificent object. There are men in the southern States, who long to do something effectual for the benefit of their slaves, and would gladly emanci- pate them, did not prudence and compassion alike forbid such a measure, of which it. is difficult to say whether it 'would injure most the comfort and happiness of the slaves, or the welfare of the community. Now, to provide a way for these men to obey the promptings of humanity, while they at the same time confer an equal blessing on the slaves and on the community — is not this a great design? And if, inspired by their example, another and another master should emancipate his slaves; and if in this way the subject should come' to be discussed with new views and feelings; and if emancipation, no loifger useless and dangerous, should cease to be unpopular; and if the voice of public opinion at the south should thus, by de- grees, declare itself louder and louder against the practice of slavery till at last the system should be utterly abol- ished ; till not a slave should "contaminate" our soil ; till Africa, abused, degraded Africa, should stretch out her hands and pray for America ; — if this should be so, what a triumph would be achieved — what a glory would be shed on our country in the view of admiring nations. N i wonder, then, that faith should be staggered, and be- nev denoe overwhelmed, at the prospect of a consumma- tion so magnificent. But the supposition of entire success in this plan, though it cannot be looked at without scepticism, is not absurd.. The Society have from the first, anticipated the cooperation of the national and state governments. The States of Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee have express- ed their approbation of the design, and have rcfiucstcd the national government to engage in it. The first of these REPORT ON COLONIZATION. 313 States, it is believed, stands reacly, as soon as Congress shall begin the work, to lend the most efficient aid in col- onizing her own colored population. Indeed, we may say, that in all the northern part of that section of the country, the necessity of a grand and general effort is beginning to be felt, certainly by all intelligent reflecting men. If, then, the government of the United States should begin the work, and if the governments of the slave-holding States should, one after another, follow on, who shall set bounds to what might be accomplished. By the calcu- lations in the second Report, which are certainly mode- rate, it appears that 250,000 dollars would- transport the annual increase of the free blacks ; and 2,000,000, or a capitation tax of less than twenty-five cents on all the citizens of the United States, would t?a isp< rt the whole annual increase of bond and free. " The amount of du- ties collected on foreign distilled spirits, during each of the first six years, of Mr. Jefferson's administration,- would defray the sum total of this expense, and furnish half a million of dollars, annually, to extinguish the principal, the capital stock,* of the heaviest calamity that oppresses* this nation." — " And were the same duties charged in the United States, as in Great Eiitain,.on the consumption of this fatal poison of human happiness, their nett proceeds would, in less than a century, purchase and colonize in Africa, every person of color within the United States." 2 Report, p. 34. Thus these two' evils — the greatest that our country has ever known — might be made to counteract and de- stroy each other. But, whether such expectations are chimerical or not, there is an iminense- object to be gained by the efforts of the Colonization Society in the entire suppression of the slave-trade. This horrible traffic, notwithstanding its abolition by every civilized nation in the world except 27 314 DISSERTATIONS. Portugal and Brazil, and notwithstanding the decided measures of the British and American governments, is still carried on to almost as great an extent as ever. No less than 60,000 slaves, according to the most moderate computation, are carried from Africa annually. This trade is carried on by Americans to the American States. The assertion has been made in Congress by Mr. Mercer of Virginia, that, these horrible cargoes are smuggled into our southern States to a deplorable extent. -Five years ago, Mr. Middleton of South Carolina declared it to be his belief, " that 13,000 Africans were annually smuggled into our southern States." Mr. Wright of Virginia esti- mated the number at 15,000. And the cruelties of this trade, which always surpassed the powers of the human mind to conceive, are greater now than they ever were before. We might, but we will not, refer to stories, recent" stories, of which the very recital would be torment. The only way in which this trade can be speedily and effectu- ally suppressed is the establishment' of colonial stations in Africa, which shall guard and dry up the fountains of the evil. .There is no slave-trade-in the vicinity of Sierra Leone. Soon there will be none in the vicinity of Mont- serado. And when colonies shall be established at proper intervals along the coast, the slave-trade will exist* only in the memory of indignant humanity. And is not this an object for benevolence to aim at ? But this is not all. The colony '.is to be a means of civilizing and christianizing Africa. Hitherto the exten- sion of civilization, and, since Christianity was establish- ed in the Roman Empire, the extension of Christianity, has been almost exclusively by colonies. Whence came the civilization of Greece? It was brought by colonies from Egypt. How was Italy civilized? By colonies from Greece. How was Europe civilized ? By the Ro- man military colonies. Whence came the civilization of REPORT ON COLONIZATION. 315 America? And is not that universal spirit of improve- ment which is springing up in Hindoostan occasioned, more or less directly, by the British conquests there, whidi have poured in thousands of Englishmen, who are in ef- fect colonizing India? Two centuries hence, the little band who are now cultivating their fields and building their houses at Montserado, and spreading over the wil- derness around them a strange aspect of life and beauty, may be remembered by the thousands of their descend- ants, with the same emotions with which the little band who landed at Plymouth two centuries ago, are now re- membered by the thousands of New England. We do not fear to say, that to the friends of missions, the Coloni- zation Society presents a loud and imperative claim. The advantage of the Moravian missions and of the mo- dern missionary establishments in savage countries, is, that they are in substance, little colonies. If you could carry from this country to the Sandwich Islands a thou- sand civilized and educated natives, would you not think you had done much for Hawaii ? This is what can be done, and must be done, for Africa. And will there not be an interest in the progress of the work ? Will it not be delightful to watch the advances of the morning ; to see the light breaking in on one dark habitation of cruelty, and another ; to see the shadows of heathenism fleeing away, and the delusions which have so long terrified the ignorant pagans, vanishing ; to see one tribe after another coming to the light of Zion, and to the brightness of her rising ; to see Ethiopia waking, and rising from the dust, and looking abroad on the day, and stretching out her hands to God, and the day-light still spreading and kindling and brightening, till all the fifty millions of Africa are brought into the " glorious light and liberty of the sons of God !" Is there not enough in this to arrest the attention of the public, and to keep it 316 DISSERTATIONS. fixed on this object with an untiring interest, till all shall be accomplished ? The great reason why the people of New England have hitherto taken so little interest in this object, is, that they have known so little about it. The Society has been at a great distance, and all its operations have been there too. Their conceptions have therefore been vague and indistinct, and will continue so, till the proceedings of the Society are brought visibly and palpably before them. But there are parts of this enterprise which will soon be brought home to our neighborhoods and our firesides. There must be a Seminary for the. education of blacks previously to their leaving the country. This ma} r be es- tablished in New England ; and then our people will know something definite on the subject, will become en- gaged in the cause, and will contribute liberally to pro- mote it. Something like this ought to be done. How far our Society may be instrumental in its accomplishment, the Committee will not attempt to determine. We will only say, that in regard to the subject before us, our *nembers seem to have failed in two points ; they have neglected to inform themselves and to interest their own feeljngs, and have, of course, neglected to use the influence which they possess over their friends and the public. The committee would recommend the adoption of the following resolutions : — Resolved, That the cause of the American Coloniza- tion Society deserves our hearty co-operation, and that we will use our influence with our friends and the public in- ks behalf. Resolved, That a permanent Committee of six be ap- pointed, whose duty it shall be to call the attention of the Society to the subject of colonizing the free blacks, and other subjects connected therewith, at such times as they RESOURCES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 317 shall think proper ; and that this Committee have power to add to their number at discretion. Resources of the Catholic Church for carrying on Foreign Missions. Read before the Society, September 7, 1830, by William G. Schauffler, Missionary to the Jews in Turkey. It will be obvious to every one, that so far as human means are concerned, the Romish Church has every pos- sible advantage over the Protestant Church. Whilst the Protestants in their various sects amount only to 57,694,000, the Roman Catholics form a solid body of 129,550,000. Whilst on the Protestants no principle will operate, but that of true Christian benevolence, which, alas, so few of them possess, the Roman Catholics are wrought upon and drawn into the Pope's interests, from selfish motives, by the hope of purchasing heaven, and by all the unnumber- ed considerations and motives flowing from selfishness and superstition. Whilst the protestant churches have no missionaries but the few volunteers that offer themselves for this field, the Pope has but to open a monastery, or give a hint to the General of the company of Jesus, to del- uge any country with his emissaries. Their institutions for this purpose are great and extensive. The most effi- cient of these was, and doubtless continues to be, the Pro- paganda at Rome, (Congregatio de propaganda fide) found- ed by Gregory XV. in 1622. It consisted according to some, of twelve' Cardinals and a few Prelates ; or, as others *27 318 DISSERTATIONS. would have it, of thirteen Cardinals, two Priests, one Monk, and one Secretary. Mosheim mentions eighteen Cardinals and several ministers and officers of the Pope. It was designed to propagate the Roman Catholic religion throughout the world. Nothing particular respecting its income has been obtained. " Its riches," says Mosheim, "are to this day adequate to the most extensive and mag- nificent undertakings. By it, vast numbers of missionaries are sent out into every part of the world." The Propagan- da holds a session every week in'presence of the Pope, in a palace built for the purpose. " Its printing office," says the Rhenish Encyclopedia, "is furnished with types of all important languages of the globe, and is altogether the first establishment of the kind now existing. It excites our admiration, when we see into how many languages extensive works are transla ed and printed in a few weeks. If we consider this, unique institution alone, (and there are many others of equal excellence in Rome) we can easily account for what, purposes the immense sums have been used, that wandered to Rome in past times. A magnifi- cent and immense library is also attached to the Propa- ganda." In 1627, Urban VIII, connected with it a col- lege or seminary for the propagation of the faith, for the purpose of educating missionaries. This seminary owes its existence to a Spanish nobleman, John Baptist Viles, residing at the court of Rome. To lay its broad founda- tions, he offered to the Pope all his ample possessions, to- gether with his house at Rome, a noble and beautiful edi- fice. His zeal excited a spirit of emulation, and he was fol- lowed for more than a century, by a large number of do- nors. The instructions imparted at that Seminary are well adapted to the end ia view, and are altogether superior in the department of languages. " All important languages of the globe are taught there." In 1637; the Cardinal RESOURCES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.. 319 Barberia, brother of Urban VIII., established twelve schol- arships for young men from Asia and Africa ; and the year after, thirteen others, for seven Ethiopians and six Hindoos ; or if they could not be obtained, for as many Armenians. The expenses of the seminary are said to amount to 50,000 dollars yearly. " Its beautiful library and press," says the same work above quoted, " make it an institution altogether unequalcd."* According to the Complete Universal Lexicon, the congregation of the Priests* of Foreign Missions, was instituted by Vincent De Paul; confirmed by -the Arch Bishop of Paris, in 1626; sanc- tioned by the Pope in 1632 ; and by the king of France in 1642. It is designed for the up-building of destitute Roman Catholic churches, at home and abroad. It has on hand, according to Mereri, seventy-seven, and according to others, about eighty houses or monasteries, of which the house of ■ St. Lazarus at Paris, is the most considerable. Hence the order are often called Lazantes: Besides one mission which they still retain at China, they have missions at Al- gu, Damascus, Tunis, Tripoli of Syria, Aleppo, Tubi- zone, Antonia, Smyrna, Constantinople, and some other places. A seminary of Foreign Missions, according to Abbe Tessin, was founded at Paris in 1663, by Bernard de St. Theresa, a barefoot Carmelite, a bishop of Babylon, seconded by sundry persons, zealous for their religion. It is determined both to send .forth and support apostolic la- borers, and is intimately connected -with the Propaganda at Rome. Its missionaries go chiefly to the kingdoms of Siam, Tonquin, and C.ochin-China. According to the annals of. the Propaganda, a work printed at Paris, this institution is yet in full operation, sends out its missiona- * The Propaganda has of late been supposed to be impoverished nor is this improbable ; but the Emperor of Austria has made extraordinary efforts to raise it again. The King of Spain has devoted $fi0,000 to its support, and a kind of cent society has lately grown up in France to raise its declin- ing funds. 320 DISSERTATIONS, ries from time to time, and Mr. Lauglais, who is now its President, maintains an uninterrupted and confiden- tial correspondence with the laborers abroad. u In 1707," says A. Tessin, " Clement VI. ordered the principals of all religious orders, to appoint certain num- bers of their respective orders, to prepare for the service of Foreign Missions, and to hold themselves ready, in case of necessity, to labor in any part of the world." " This zeal," he continues, " though very conformable to the command of Jesus Christ, and to the apostolic spirit, has found* no fa- vor in the ej 7 es of Protestants. Being unable to imitate it, they have resorted to the easy expedient of rendering it odious, or at least suspicious." Of these orders there are three, which distinguished themselves specially in the spread of Romanism, viz. the Capuchins, the Carmelites, and the Jesuits. The founder of the Capuchins, was Mat- thew Bassi, or Basci, who instituted the order on a special revelation from heaven, as he said, in 1528; and* imme- diately received the sanction of the order from the Pope, Clement VII. They were first confined to Italy, but afterwards received permission to settle where they pleased. At Mendon their first convent was built by Cardinal Lor- raine. Henry III. of France built them another at Paris. They soon grew so numerous,«that they were divided into nine provinces in France, or into ten, reckoning that of Lorraine. In 1606, they established themselves in Spain, and during the first part of the last century, they were di- vided into more than fifty provinces, and reckoned near five hundred monasteries, and 50,000 members of the order, without including their missionaries in Brazil, Congo, Barbary, Greece, Syria, and Egypt. The history of the Jesuits is better known to the Protest- ant world, than that of any other order of the Roman Catholic church. By way of remembrance, however, we shall touch upon a few facts respecting them. This in- stitution would to all human appearance have deluged the RESOURCES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 221 world with Popery, had Divine Providence permitted them to go on. Their plan was an universal hierarchy, with the Pope as the titular ruler, and their order, with the Pope at its head, as the true and active manager of the whole. Their riches were immense. They, indeed, possessed no more than twenty four houses, in which the so called Professi, or Jesuits of the first order, lived ; and which according to their constitutions, could own no prop- erty, • and depended on charity ; but they owned be- sides these, 612 colleges for their scholars, or candidates, and 399 are'.called residences or houses of probation for their coadjutors or Jesuits of the second order, all of whom could possess property to any amount, and many of them equaled in splendor and income, the "palaces aid houses of the kings and princes of France. They possess- ed numerous abbeys — were the confessors of kings and queens, princes and ministers. They pretended to say for their benefactors 70,000 masses and 100,000 rosa- ries annually — no small inducement for superstitious people to give. Says one of them, " For the founder of a college or house-, we say during his life-time 30,000 masses and 20,000 rosaries, and as many after his death. So that if an individual founds two colleges or houses, he enjoys the benefit of 120,000 masses, and 80,000 rosaries." They carried on a trade in India* and China more exten- sive than the English or the Danes, and in some places to the exclusion of all others. With drugs they traded in Lyons and Paris, and in spite of a direct prohibition from the Pope, with bread, spices and wine in Rome. Accord- ing to the testimony of Cardinal Tournon,they ler.t money on usury, taking 25 — 27 per cent interest, and in some places they demanded 100 per cent. The charities be- stowed upon them were immense. There was a time when they amounted in the city of Rome alone, to 40,000 dollars annually, and once within a short space of time* 322 DISSERTATIONS. three families bequeathed to them above 130,000 dollars. At the abolition of the order, their property, when confis- cated, was found to exceed ten limts the Papal treasury at its most flourishing and affluent period, and yet money was scarcely found in their establishments, owing, no doubt, to their precaution to secrete it for future purposes. All their immense wealth and power, was to be used for the execution of their plans, which were most intimately connected with the extension of Popery. Their whole or- der, which contained many able members, was by constitu- tion and oath, subjected to the arbitrary direction of the general of the order, bound to promote its interests by every possible means, and by every sacrifice which might be required — life not excepted, which, indeed, they did lay down in many instances. What, but the hand of the Almighty, conlcl redeem the world from such a terrible er.emy as this ! The order was re- vived by Pius VII. in 1814. Power was again granted to them to apply themselves to the education of youth ; to direct colleges and seminaries; &c. They w T ere placed by the bull, in the same condition of privileges and power, which they formerly enjoyed. The publication of the bull was followed by an act, ordaining a restitution of the funds, which were the patrimony of the Jesuits, and making compensation for their confiscated property ; and the bull was never to be submitted to. the judgment or revision of any judge, with whatever power he might be clothed. The bull of Clement XIV., which abolished, the order, was abrogated : (an infallible decree abrogated by another infal- lible decree,) and it is lastly stated in the. bull, that if any one shall attempt by an audacious temerity to infringe or oppose any part of this ordinance, he will thereby incur the indignation of Almighty God, and his holy apostles !!! What that order will yet do, and what contests the church will yet have to sustain against them, time must teach. From four pamphlets, which have been sent from Paris RESOURCES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 323 to a gentleman in Boston, it appears probable that a new Propaganda has recently been established in France. The pamphlets are printed in Paris, and entitled "Annals of the propagation of the faith." They are the numbers 15 — 18-, reaching to the close of 1829. Three numbers are issued every year. Hence it appears that this Foreign Mission publication began in 1824. The writer of the article, " The Papal church in the United States," insert* ed in the Journal of the American Education Society, says, " at what period this Association was formed, or what station it holds in the Roman church ; whether it has succeeded the college* de Prop, fide, or is a new body al* together, we are not informed." But for anything which appears from these pamphlets, it must be a %ew Associa- tion. Its seat is in France, but the Propaganda has never been removed from Rome. Its funds are raised in France ^tlone. Its missionaries, proceed from France, receive their support from thence, and send their reports thither. It has a superior council in France, and a particular council at Marseilles. It consists of two divisions, each ha vino* its -own central council. That of the northern division, is seated at Paris, that of the southern at Lyons. . A specimen of the income and expenditures of this new Propaganda, will not, perhaps, be unwelcome to this socie- ty.' in their report for 1829, they say, the sums collected by the Association during the'j'ear 1828, are more considera- ble than those of the year preceding. This increase is the more agreeable and surprising, since, under the present doubtful circumstances, rather a diminution of our receipts was to be expected. The superior council had reserved in the treasury $2,365. The central council of the north, seated at Paris, has for- warded to the treasury of the superior council, $ 1 1 1,499. The central committee of the south, seated at Lyons, has forwarded $ 155,769 ; making a total of $ 269,633. 324 DISSERTATIONS. Here they ingenuously add, " we have often called the attention of our associates, to the article of our constitution which recommends the celebration of the festival of St. Xa- vier, and of the invention of the Holy Cross. It is in the Di- oceses where these festivals are celebrated with the greatest pomp, that the Association has had the best success." In giv- ing an account of their expenditures, they say ; " The receipts of the Association, including what was reserved from past years, amount during the year 1828, to the sum of $271,999," which is somewhat more than the receipts just mentioned, probably owing, to particular circumstances not mentioned by them. " Expenses occasioned by printing, $17,060 Leaving the sum of . $254,939 The Superior "Council decided upon the following dis- tribution of this gum among the different missions. I. For the Mission in Asia and the Levant, $125,000. viz. For the Oriental Mission, _ 6^,000 For Missions in the Levant, 32,000 For Cappadocia, and the Bishop of Baby- lon, &c, * 20,000 For the Mission in Scio, 5,000 For the Mission at Tripoli, • 5,000 Making a total of $125,000 II. For the Mission in America, . $120,000 viz. For Mr. Fenwick, Bishop of Cincinnati, 20,000 For Mr. Richard, Bishop of Detroit, 7,500 For Mr. Flaget, Bishop of Bardstown, 20,000 For Mr. Rosati, Bishop of St. Louis, 30,000 For Mr. Portier, Bishop of Mobile, 15,000 For Mr. Whitfield, Arch Bishop of Balti- more, 5,000 CATHOLICISM IN THE UNITED STATES. 325 For Mr. Dubois, Bishop of New York, 7,500 For Mr. England, Bishop of Charleston, 5,000 For Mr.'Bachelot, Prefect of the Sandwich Islands, 10,000 Making a total of $120,000 III. The Superior Council reserved in the treas- ury $9,939." The remainder of the preceding dissertation, containing an abstract of Catholic missionary operations in Asia and Africa, is necessarily omitted ; and as a substitute for it, we insert the following view of Catholicism in the United States, extracted from the Report of the Committee on Domestic Missions, read before the" Society, August 21, 1832. The writer of the Report was personally acquaint- ed with most of the facts, or derived them from Catholic authorities. Catholicism in the United States. • The Roman Catholic population, of the United States is estimated at 800,000 ; and the number of churches or congregations, at 784. These are included in ten di- oceses; viz. those of Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Charleston, Mobile, New Orleans, Bards- town, Cincinnati and St. Louis. An Arch-bishop resides at Baltimore, -and over each diocese presides a Bishop. Those of Philadelphia and Bardstown have, also, each a 28 326 DISSERTATIONS. Coadjutor or Assistant Bishop. The number of priests is probably about 350. According to a recent statement in " The Jesuit," there are 246 priests, exclusive of those employed as professors in colleges and ecclesiastical sem- inaries, whose number there is reason to believe is not less than 100. There are eight or ten colleges, besides many acad- emies and other literary institutions, entirely under the control of the Catholics ; as many theological seminaries ; and more than twice that number of convents or nun- neries. I shall now proceed to consider the state of the several dioceses, which have been already enumerated.. I. Arch-diocese of Baltimore. This comprises the States of Maryland and Virginia, and the District of Columbia. It was created a Bishopric in 1789, by a bull of Pope Pius VI. ^ and erected into a Metropolitan See, in 1808, by a brief.of Pius VII. Maryland, as is probably well known, was at .first settled chiefly by Catholics. It was granted to Lord Baltimore, an eminent statesman and a distinguished Catholic, whose son, Leonard Cal- vert, was the first governor of the Colony. He, (the son) with two hundred Catholic planters, arrived in this coun- try earty in 1634. Though a Catholic, he was, to his great credit, exceedingly tolerant. Among the first laws he enacted w^re the following: — that no one. who pro- fessed to believe in Jesus Christ should be molested in his religion or in the free exercise thereof ; that no one should reproach his neighbor for his religious tenets on penalty of paying ten shillings to the person reproached ; that any one, who should speak reproachfully of the Blessed Virgin or the Apostles, should forfeit five pounds ; but blasphemy against God should be punished with death. Equal toleration was extended to all persons of what- ever religious sect, who settled within the limits of his Catholicism in the united states. 327 grant. Thus, while the ' Puritans were persecuting their Protestant brethren in New England ; the Episcopalians retorting the same severity on the Puritans in Virginia ;' and both uniting in opposition to the Quakers, who, flee- ing from persecution in England, sought in these provin- ces an asylum of civil and religious freedom, but found, them free only for the reigning sect ; ' the Catholics, against whom ail the others were combined,' and who in the old world never professed the doctrine of toleration, ' formed in Maryland a sanctuary where all might wor- ship and none might oppress, and where even Protestants sought refuge from Protestant intolerance.' On the accession of William and Mary to the throne, the Protestant Episcopal Church was established in Mary- land by law, and all the intolerant laws of England against Roman Catholics were introduced with it. Our revolution abolished the church establishment, and placed all de- nominations of Christians upon an equal footing. For reasons already stated, the Catholics in Maryland are not only the most numerous, but probably the most wealthy and influential religious sect. • In the Arch-diocese of Baltimore there are now three colleges, (viz. St. Mary's, at Baltimore ; Mount St. Ma- ry's, near Emmettsburg; and Georgetown college, at Georgetown, D. C. ;) one diocesan seminary ; two other respectable seminaries ; two regularly instituted convents, viz., of the Visitation and of the Carmelites, having each an academy for the instruction of young ladies ; six other female academies, under the direction of the sisters of charity ; and sixty-seven priests, not including those con- nected with the colleges and theological seminaries. The Archbishop, James Whitfield, D. D.,. resides in Balti- more. , " The city of Baltimore,' 1 say the Catholics, in the Me- tropolitan, " has not improperly been called the Rome of the 328 DISSERTATIONS. United States." And they add, that their denomination there, is " first among the foremost ; respected by all, and opening its arms to the • sheep' who are daily returning to its fold." Their number is not far from 20,000. " In 1804, the city contained only two old Mass houses ; now -the Catholics have five of the largest and most splendid edifices; an extensive college; a convent of "Mendicant Carme- lites" for white females; and a nunnery for blacks. Their public property is worth a million of dollars — being more valuable than that of all the other denominations in the city." The Cathedral is a larger and more splendid building than any other for public worship in the United States. It cost upwards of 300,000 dollars, exclusive of its orna- ments and appendages. It is built on high ground, and overlooks the city and vicinity, including the Bay which is usually covered with ships. The ground plan is in the form of a cross, 190 by 117 feet ; or without reckoning the portico and arms of the cross, 166 by 77 feet. The walls are of granite, and the noble dome rises to the height of llfr feet from the base. It is surmounted by a cross 1 1 feet high. The diameter of the dome is 60 feet within, and 77 on the outside. Two towers, each 120 feet in height, are erected at one end of the building. A very large bell, imported in 1831 from France, was blessed, baptized, &c. with much ceremony, previous to its elevation into the south tower. A chime of bells is to be procured for the north tower. The altars are three in number, one in front, with two-side altars. The " grand altar" is of the richest variegated marble, and was sent from Italy as a present from the Pope. • It bears the inscription, " Altare privilegiatum concessions Pii VII. 1822." Some of the ornaments of the Cathedral are exceedingly splendid. Two paintings are worthy of particular examination ; one representing the " Descent from # the Cross," which was presented by- Louis XVIII. of France; the other the "Burial of a CATHOLICISM IN THE UNITED STATES. 329 Knight of the Cross," during the crusades, was presented by Charles X. The public worship in this Cathedral is very imposing. The service in a foreign tongue, the superb dresses of the Arch-bishop, who has them of seven different colors for ■as many different occasions, the statues, crosses, images of Christ and of the Virgin which every where meet the eye, and, above all, the paintings scattered around with a liberal hand, make a powerful impression on the mind of any one who does not reflept that the Most High dwell- eth not Jn temples made with hands. Every Sabbath morning may be seen multitudes, especially of females, conning their rosaries, and prostrating themselves before the elevation of the Host, in the most reverential manner. The whole congregation consists of G,O00, and, in re- spect to wealth, intelligence and influence, is inferior to none in the eity. Charles Carroll of. Carrollton, about 15 miles from Baltimore, is cousin to the first Bishop of the city ; and when in town, where he usually spends the winter, regularly attends the service of the Cathedral.* Several of the most distinguished lawyers and statesmen belong to this sect. Catholic young ladies not unfrequent- ty marry protestant husbands, whom they generally suc- ceed in converting to the " true faith." They have secured a strong influence in almost every benevolent institution of the city. They have. several charity schools; St. Mary's free school, and Orphan Asylums, where the children of the poor, and orphans are early brought under their influence. Several hundred' children are in^these schools, which are under the direction of the sisters of charity. Many individuals have left Pro- testant churches and are now promoted in this. One fe- male, having undergone seven conversions, is to be honor- * Mr. Carroll died Nov. 14 ; 1832, aged 95 years. *28 330 DISSERTATIONS. ed with the title of Saint ! But in these cases the con- version has not usually been ascribed to the discovery of any new truth in the Bible, or the power of the Holy Spirit, but appears to have been owing to the splendor of the church and the paintings which powerfully affected the imagination ; and to the persuasive manners of the priests. St. Marys College" in the. city, has - a theological depart- ment, and is enclosed by a high wall. It has nineteen professors and tutors, and 150 students Of the instruc- tors, eight are ecclesiastics, and most of the others theolo- gical students. The course o*f instruction requires seven years; and the Library contains 10,000 volumfs. The chapel is built in the Gothic style, and in good taste. Service is here performed with the plain " Gregorian chant." A vaulted, chapel beneath the principal one, is used by the students for their daily devotions, in saying mass. " At Georgetown, D. C." says the Archbishop of Balti- more in one of his letters, " the reverend fathers, the Jesu- its, have their principal house, with a magnificent col- lege, of twenty instructers and 150 students. 1 ' The libra- ry contains 7,000 volumes. Here, also, is the " Convent of Visitation," where, according to the Catholic account, •were wrought in Januarj% 1831, two miracles, by the aid of Prince Hohenlohe in Germany ! The " Very Reverend Father," DzierOzinsky, Superior of the Jesuits, .has usual- ly had his head quarters in this diocese. Many more partic- ulars, and anecdotes exhibiting the power of the priests and superstition of the people, could be related, which must be omitted for want of time. II. Diocese of Boston. This Diocese comprises the whole of New England, and is under the care of Ben- edict Joseph Fenwick, D. D, the Bishop. The Catholic population of this Diocese amounts to 20,000, of whom CATHOLICISM IN THE UNITED STATES. 331 10,000 are in the city of Boston and vicinity. There are eighteen priests, and twenty-three congregations ; of which six are # in Maine, two in New Hampshire, one in Vermont, nine in Massachusetts, three in Rhode Island, and two in Connecticut. In this diocese there are, one diocesan sem- inary ; one academy for 'boys: one regularly established convent of Ursuline Nuns' at Charlestown, who have un- der their direction an extensive academy of young ladies; and another female establishment, conducted by the Sis- ters of Cha"rity. The plan of education pursued at Mount Benedict in Charlestown, is said to be " very extensive ; embracing all those attainments which are considered necessary, useful, or ornamental in society. But the first and leading object of the Nuns is, to impress upon the minds of their pupils the importance of the great and sublime truths of reli- gion." III. Diocese of New York, comprising the state of New York and a part of New Jersey, is under the care of a Bishop, John Dubois, D. D. There are in this dio- cese twenty-three priests; also four female academies un- der the direction of the Sisters of Charity. IV. Diocese of Philadelphia. This includes Penn- sylvania, Delaware, and a part of New Jersey ; and is un- der the care of Henry Con well, D. D, Presiding Bishop, and Francis P. Kenrick, D, D., Coadjutor. In the dio- cese are thirty-six priests ; one diocesan seminary ; two male academies; one convent; and three female acade- mies under the care of the Sisters of Charit}'. There are four handsome churches in the city of Philadelphia. V. Diocese of Charleston, comprising North and South Carolina, and Georgia. The Bishop of this diocese is John England, D. D. These are also twelve priests ; one diocesan seminary; an academy conducted on the 332 DISSERTATIONS. plan of a college ; and a female academy under the di- rection of the Sisters of Mercy. In Charleston, are two large congregations whose reli- gious and political influence is already great, and is con- siderably extending. They publish one weekly and one monthly journal ; and one of the daily .papers is almost entirely under their control. VI. Diocese of* Mobile. This comprehends Ala- bama and Florida, and is under the care of a Bishop, Mi- chael Portier, D. D. , Mere are also eight or nine priests; one college at Mobile ; and two convents. A large cathe- dral has been commefibed at Mobile, about two-thirds of whose inhabitants are Papists. Several priests have re- cently arrived from Europe, and large sums of mon- ey have been granted by the Pope, to aid the Bishop in propagating the faith in this diocese. In Florida, the Spanish part of the population have Roman Catholic churches at Pensacola and St. Augustine. VII. Diocese of New Orleans. This diocese comprises Louisiana and Mississippi, and is under the care of De Neckere, D. D., the Bishop. There are twen- ty-three priests ; one Theological Seminary ; one convent of Ursuline Nuns, who nave the charge of an extensive fe- male academy ; one young ladies' academy under the di- rection of the Nuns of the Sacred Heart ; and another, conducted by the Sisters of Charity. In Louisiana, the Catholics have almost undisturbed possession. The mass of the population is Catholic. There arc more than twen- ty ecclesiastical parishes, most of which are supplied with priests. One of their churches in New Orleans is furnish- ed with four. There are Catholic colleges at New Or- leans and Jackson, which are said, to be flourishing. In 1812, there was not one Protestant Church of any denom- ination in the State; and most of those which have since been formed, are small and feeble. CATHOLICISM IN THE UNITED STATES. 333 The following extract of a letter from a clergyman who traveled a few years since through this State, will exhibit the character and influence of its Catholic clergy. " On .the west side of th*e Mississippi river," says he, " I called upon a French gentleman to inquire the way. Learning that I was an American priest, as the French call me, he was the more desirous to- treat me with attention. My horse was stripped and fed, and the servants quickened to prepare dinner. That the time might not appear tedious, he invited* me into the parlor, and calling his two daughters, came in witn a fiddle, seated himself at my side, and began to play, and the young ladies to dance for my amusement. On. my proposing some inquiries with regard to the education of his daughters, he discovered that he had not taken the best method to entertain me, and was not a little mortified at his mistake ; he however apol- ogized by saying it was the manner in which he enter- tained his own priest, and it was the etiquette of the coun- try." The same writer adds, that " conversions from the Catholic faith are almost Unknown, but the Catholics can boast of many -proselytes. Individuals and families from the northern States, who have emigrated to this, have be- come connected with Catholic families, and their chil- dren are educated in that? faith. Public education, espe- cially where the modern languages are taught, is in the hands of the priests. Nunneries have been successfully employed in reclaiming the daughters of heretical Pro- testants; and great pains are taken to get students for their northern colleges." VIII. Diocese of Bardstown. This includes the States of Kentucky and Tennessee. Benedict Joseph Flaget, D. D. is the Bishop, and John B. M. Davide, D, D., is his Coadjutor. In this diocese are twenty-three priests, exclusive of those who are professors of colleges and eccle- siastical, seminaries. There are also two regular colleges ; 334 DISSERTATIONS. one diocesan seminary ; two other seminaries for yauflgf men ; three convents ; and two academies for females, one conducted by the Sisters of Charity, and the other un- der the direction of " Mary at the foot of the Cross." Sev- eral of the priests in Kentucky are constantly employed as missionaries; each having three or four churches under his care. St. Joseph's College at Bardstown, Kentucky, has fifteen instructers and 150 students. Some dissension spung up in this diocese two or three years since, the pre- cise cause of which I have not the meafU of ascer- taining. The parties were distinguished by the terms, "Catholic party/' and "Jesuit party." IX. Diocese of Cincinnati*. This diocese 'com- prehends Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. The Bishop is Edward Fenwick, D. D.* There are also nine- teen priests. ; one college ; one Dominican Friary ; one seminary for young men ; and one academy for young ladies, under the care of the Sisters of Charity. A large Cathedral has been erected at Cincinnati, and at least twelve other churches in the stale, while many more are in prospect. A literary institution, called the-Atheneum,- has been commenced at Cincinnati, under the auspices and control of the Bishop. The Catholics, say that their 11 number is rapidly increasing in" that. city and throughout Ohio, both by the arrival of foreigners, and by. frequent conversions." X. Diocese of St. Louis. This diocese comprises the State of Missouri, and the adjoining Territories. Joseph Rosati, D. D., is the presiding Bishop. Here are at least twenty priests, exclusive of Professors in colleges; two colleges: one diocesan seminary; three convents of the Sacred Heart, having each an extensive female academy; three convents of the Sisters of Loretto, having each also an academy for females'; and one female academy under * Bishop Fenwick died September 25, 1832, at Canton, Ohio." CATHOLICISM IN THE UNITED STATES. 335 the direction of the Sisters of Charity. In this diocese and that of New Orleans, are more than 100 priests. About one third of the inhabitants of St. Louis are Catholics. In that • city is a "splendid cathedral;" a college of 160 students under the control of the Jesuits ; a nunnery, .containing 1 , be- sides nuns, a considerable number of novices and postulants. Here, also resides the superintendent of all the Jesuits in the valley of the Mississippi. In St. Genevieve county is a Theological Seminary, .and at St. Charles is a col- lege. Other schools of considerable reputation, are estab- lished at Florissant, Perryville, and several other places. In no western State, save Louisiana, is the influence of the Catholics so likely to predominate as in Missouri. At one of the convents in this state, a young female of a pro- testant family from New England, not long since, secretly embraced the Roman Catholic religion, which on her re- turn home, was discovered by her fearing to read the Bible! I shall close this Report with a brief account of the ceremony of taking the black veil, by a nun in Con- vent, which has been mentioned above, in the winter of 1830. The particulars are derived from an authentic source, and maybe relied upon as- correct, The poor victim who was to be immured for life, belong- ed to one of the most respectable families in ; her friends, though distant only seven miles, were'' wholly ig- norant of the transaction. The ceremony commenced in the morning at 7 o'clock, in the chapel of the Convent. Six enormously large wax candles were burning upon the altar. Vases of flowers were placed tastefully upon it ; and over it hung a magnificent painting of the Virgin Ma-, ry, with the infant Saviour in her arms. This was oppo- site the door of entrance. On one side was the pulpit ; on the other side, a lattice-work of wood formed a parti- 336 DISSERTATION*. tion, within which, a green curtain, reaching from the ceiling to the floor, was closely drawn. By the* pulpit a •side-door was opened, and three priests entered, with white flowing robes thrown over their other black dresses. One of them was the Father Confessor of the Convent. Simultaneously with their entrance, the curtains were drawn back, and behind the grated partition were seen six- ty-four nuns who had taken the black veil, dressed in the costume of their order-; having black robes with surplice sleeves, which they made useful by putting their handker- chiefs into them. The}*" had each, a rosary, and a cross of silver, a book in one hand, and lighted taper in the other. A veil of black bombazet, put over the head and hanging down like a mantle on either side, was fastened firmly to a close cap, fillet, or something of the kind, so as to keep its place in their frequent bowings, kneelings, &c. Near a little opening in the grates, appeared one in a veil of white ; her face was handsome, though pensive and pale as .mar- ble. She seemed about seventeen years of age ; was grace- ful in her movements, which were made without once lift- ing her eyes from the ground. Her general posture was kneeling, though she many times prostrated herself during the address or sermon, in token of deep humility of spirit. The Lady Abbess was at her side. After the entrance of the priests, a' profound silence ensued for twenty or thirty minutes. Then one of them ascended the pulpit and de- livered a very fascinating discourse, in a very impressive manner. It seemed to be principally addressed to the young noviciate. The theme was her renunciation of the world and all its vanities. He said she had made a sac- rifice of all — her earthly affections were given up. She had renounced her earthly father, in her devotion to God. She was approaching the book of life, to inscribe her name indelibly on its pages. No anxious care of a worldly na- ture was again to enter her heart. No thought for the CATHOLICISM IN THE UNITED STATES. 337 morrow to be indulged. Her hands were to be employed in acts of piety, and labors for the poor. The prayer, of the " Ave Maria," and the voluntary, "yet severe, penance, were to be her silent and solitary companions. None be- yond the walls of the convent could be a witness to her • virtues, or become interested in her fato. She was to " live for God alone,", till she should die calmly in the faith she had professed, when she would receive a crown, adorned with imperishable gems, from the hand of her Creator in the world to come. When this priest had ended, he retired from view. The Father Confessor then approached the front of the grate to receive her vows. He warned her to consider well ere she ' made them. Her face was very pale, and her whole ap-. pearance sadly interesting. A black pail, like the cover- ing of a coffin, had from the first been thrown over her, to show that she was dead to the world. She uttered the vows in so low a tone, that 'those who were only a few feet from her, and leaning against the grates at the time, could perceive nothing but the motion of her lips. Not the least sound could be heard. As she closed, a basket was brought forward, containing a black veil, an unlighted candle, a ro- sary, a cross, and a book. The Lady Abbess, assisted by a nun, removed the white veil ; (her hair had been shorn some months before,) and the Father Confessor, through the open- ing in the grates, placed the black veil on her head, and the beads on her neck ; while the nuns bound a chaplet of wjiite roses on her brow. The cross they placed at her side, the book in one hand, the lighted candle in the other, and hailed her as the " Bride of God W She then joined in the chanting, which she had not done before, though the Nuns had filled up the intervals with sweet music. The ceremony lasted four hours, from seven to eleven o'clock. 29 APPENDIX. SECTION I. Constitution and By-haws of the Society of Inquiry re- specting Missions in the Theological Seminary, Ando- ver, Mass. CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE I. — Object of the Society. The object of the Society is, to devise and prosecute measures for the extension of Christianity ; and, in sub- serviency to this, to acquire and disseminate a knowledge of the literature, morals, and religion of different countries, and of the causes that operate on the moral improvement of mankind. ARTICLE II.— -Members. • The Society shall elect its members, active and hono- rary. ARTICLE III.— Officers. 1. The Society shall annually elect by ballot a Presi- dent, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, Auditor, Committee of Correspondence, and Committee on the Library. 340 APPENDIX. 2. The President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Librarian shall constitute a Board of Man- agers. 3. The President, Vice President, and Recording Sec- retary shall hold the same offices in the Board of Mana- gers, as in the Society. ARTICLE IV.— Property. 1. The property of the Society shall consist of a Libra- ry and Cabinet ; and* a Fund which may accrue to the Society from production, bequest, legacy, donation, or grant. 2. All donations to ftie several Standing Committees shall be considered the property of the Society. 3. No article shall be removed from the Cabinet except by a vote of the Socjetj'. 4. Every member shall pay to the Society annually, the sum of fifty cents, and such other taxes as may be imposed by vote of the Society. 5. In case of the extinction of the Society, the Library shall be incorporated with the Library of the Institution ; excepting the books purchased with money received from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis- sions, which shall become the property of that Board. ARTICLE V.— Meetings. 1. The Society shall meet annually, on the third Wed- nesday in August, for the election of Officers, and the transaction of other necessary business. • 2. One third of the active members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. ARTICLE VI.— By-Laws. By-Laws, not inconsistent with this Constitution, shall BY-LAWS. 341 I be enacted, specifying more particularly the duties and powers of the Officers, and for such other purposes as may be found necessary. ARTICLE VII.— Amendments. The Society may amend this Constitution at any sta- ted meeting, by a vote of two thirds of the members pres- ent ; provided the proposed amendment shall have been read at a previous stated meeting. BY-LAWS. I. — Members. i. Residents at the Seminary, after the first stated meeting of the Society, shall be considered elected ; and, unless some objection be made, may become members by signing the Constitution. 2. Persons not resident at the Seminary may be admit- ted honorary members, by a unanimous vote of the Society. II. — President. 1. It shall be the duty of the President, to assign sub- jects for the dissertations of the Society ; to determine the hour and place of the stated meetings ; and to call spe- cial meetings whenever he thinks proper, or at the writ- ten request of five members of the Society. He shall also deliver a public address before the Society on the evening preceding the Anniversary of the Seminary. *29 342 APPENDIX. 2. The President, and two others to be annually nomi- nated by him, shall constitute a Committee to inspect all dissertations read before the Society; nor shall any disser- tation be thus exhibited which shall not have been previ- ously submitted to this Committee. 3. The duties of the President in case of his absence shall devolve on the Vice President, who shall also be Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence. III. — Secretaries. 1 . The Recording Secretary shall keep full and accu- rate records of the proceedings of the Society, and of the Board of Managers ; and these records shall always be open to the inspection of members of the Society. He shall also keep a regular file of the written Reports annu- ally presented to the Society. 2. The Corresponding Secretary shall be Clerk of the Committee of Correspondence ; shall keep a record of their transactions ; and a regular file of the Society's letters, to which members of the Society may have access. IV. — Treasure*. 1. The Treasurer shall hold all monies belonging to the Society. He shall make no payment or advances except under the direction of the Board of Managers; shall give to the Board, when they request it, a particular account of the state of the treasury ; shall keep a file of the papers belonging to his department ; and shall annu- ally present to the Society a written Report of- receipts and expenditures, which Report shall have been examin- ed and approved in writing by the Auditor. 2. All demands against the Society may be presented to the Treasurer, who shall attend to the settlement there- of. BY-LAWS. 343 V. — Librarian. 1. The Librarian shall take special care of the Library and Cabinet ; sffall attend to the delivery and reception of books ; shall cause the manuscripts and pamphlets of the Library to be bound ; register and cover the books ; insert the names of the donors in those which- are presented ; and dispose of such as are intended for sale or gratuitous distribution. 2. The Librarian shall receive the annual compensation of ten dollars for his services. • VI. — Committee of Correspondence. 1. The Committee of Correspondence shall consist of three. members, two of whom shall -be the Vice President and Corresponding Secretary ; and it shall be their duty; either directly or through the several Standing Commit- tees,- to open, discontinue, and superintend the Society's correspondence ; to determine what letters or parts of let- ters shall be read by the Corresponding Secretary before the Society : and also to act as a Committee of Publica- tion. 2. This Committee shall annually present a written Report of their doings to the Society. VII. — Board of Managers. 1. It shall be the duty of the Board of Managers to di- •rect the investment and appropriation of funds belonging to the Society ; conduct its pecuniary negociations ; .pre- serve such dissertations and reports as they may deem ex- pedient ; and take a general superintendence of the inter- ests of the Society. 2. The Board shall annually present a written Report of their proceedings to the Society. 344 APPENDIX. VIII. — Standing Committees. 1. Standing Committees,- organized by a vote of the Society, may have power respectively to* nominate their own members, and to draw upon the treasury to defray the expenses incurred in the prosecution of their objects ; but such demands must receive the approbation of the Board of Managers. 2. Each Standing- Committee shall annually present to the Society, a written. Report of its proceedings. 3. No member of the Society shall belong to more than one of the Standing Committees at the same time. IX. — Library. 1. The Library shall be opened for loaning and receiv- ing books, every Wednesday and Saturday in term time, between one and two o'clock, P. M. 2. No person shall have from the Library more than two books at the same time, except members preparing dissertations for the Societ}', or for then Committees, in which cases they may have the use of any books and pa- pers they may need. 3. On the last Wednesday but one of each term, and at such other times as the Board of Managers may direct, all books shall be returned to the Library. 4. If any individual lose or injure a book, he shall make good the. loss or injury, which. is to be estimated by the Librarian. 5. If any person take a book from the Library without the 'knowledge of the Librarian, he shall be fined one dol- lar, which shall be paid before he has further use of the Library. 6. The Library shall be open for the use of the Pro- fessors of the Institution, and for the Prudential Commit- BY-LAWS. 345 tee of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 7. The Committee on the Librarj 7 shall consist of three members, who shall annually examine the state of the Library, and present to the Society a written Report. X. — Meetings. 1. The stated meetings of the Society shall be held once in three weeks, at each of which shall be read a Dis- sertation or Report connected with the object of the Soci- ety. Every meeting shall be opened and closed with pra} r er. 2. If any member shall neglect to perform an exercise assigned him for a stated meeting, he shall render his ex- cuse to the Society ; and, if they refuse to excuse him, their refusal shall be recorded. XI. — Amendments. By-Laws may be enacted or amended at any stated meeting of the Society, by vote of the majority. SECTION II. Catalogue of the Society of Inquiry, In the following Catalogue, the Presidents of the Soci- ety are distinguished by capitals. An asterisk designates those who have deceased. Abbot Charles E. Andover Sem. Abbot Gorham D. Boston, Ms. Abbot Jacob, Boston, Ms. Abbot John S. C. Worcester, Ms. Abbot Joseph, Ne wburyport, Ms. Abell James, Oxford, N. Y. Abraham J. I. London, England. Adams Azariah, Norway, N. Y. Adams Darwin, Camden, Me. Adams Eli, Hinsdale, Ms. Adams Geo. E; Brunswick, Me. Adams Henry, Charlesfown, Ms. Adams Jasper, D.D. Presidentof Charleston College, S. C. Adams J. R. Londonderry, N. H. Adams Jona. Mount Desert, Me. Adams Neh. Cambridge, Ms. Adams Solomon, Portland, Me. Adams Weston B. Lewiston.Me. Adams William, Brighton, Ms. "*Adams WilliargB. Boston, Ms. Aikin Samuel C. Utica, N. Y. Albro John A. Fitchburg, Ms. Alden Lucius, Abington, Ms. Allen Cyrus W. Potosi, Mo. Allen D. Howe, Marietta, Ohio. Allen D. O. Miss, to Bombay. * Allen H. Miss, to Choctaws. Anderson Jas. Manchester, Vt. Anderson R. Sec. A. B. C. F. M. *Andrus J. R. Agent to Africa. Appleton S. G.. Marblehead, Ms. Apthorp Wm. P. Raleigh, N. C. Arms Selah R. Windham, Vt. Arms William, Andover Sem. Axtell H. Lawrenceville, N. Y. Babbit Calvin W. Pekin, 111. Babcock Elisha G. Thetford, Vt. Backus J. T. Schenectady, N.Y. Bacon Leonard, New Haven, Ct. Badger Milton, Andover, Ms. Bailey R. W. Columbia, S. C. Baker Abijah R. Andover Sem. *Baker Curtis P Granville, Ms. Baker John, Monmouth, Me. Baker Luke C. Chatham, Ms. Baker Silas, Truro, Ms. Baldwin Benson C. Norwich. Ct. Baldwin Burr, New Hartford, Ct. Baldwin Elihu W. N. Y. city. "Baldwin Elijah, Milford, Ct. Ballard John, Andover Sem. Barbour Isaac R. Byfield, Ms. Barbour Nelson, Andover Sem. Bardwell Horatio; Andover, Ms. Barker N. South Mendon, Ms. Barnes Edwin, Boonville, N. Y. *Barr Joseph W. Euclid, Ohio. Barrows Homer, Andover Sem. Bartley J. M. C. Orleans, Ms. Barton John, Vernon, N. Y. Barton Sam'l D Andover Sem. *Bascom John, Genoa, N. Y. *Bascom Reynolds, Camden, S.C. Batchelder John, Pawtuxet, R. I. Bates James, Newton, Ms. Beaman G. C. Piketon, Ohio. Beard Spencer F. Methuen, Ms. Beckwith Geo. C. Portland, Me. Beecher Edward, Pres. 111. Col. Beeman Samuel, Andover Sem. Belknap Horace, Georgia. 48 APPENDIX. Benedict Amzi, Pomfret, Ct. Biafelow Jona. Rochester, Ms. Bingham Hiram, Miss. Sand. Isl. Bingham L. G. Marietta, Ohio. Bird Isaac, Missionary to Syria. Bird Thompson, Andover Sem. Blao-den Geo. W. Boston, Ms. Blafsdell Silas, Ashfield, Ms ; Blanchard Amos, Lyndon, Vt. Blanchard Amos, Lowell, Ms. Blanchard I. H. T. Harvard, Ms. Bliss A. Miss. Cattaraugus, N.Y. Blodgett Dan, Vershire, Vt. Blodgett H. M. Savannah, Ga. Blood Daniel C. Cheviot, Ohio. Boardman E. J. Danville, Vt. Boardman J. West Boylston, Ms. Boardman W. J., N. Haven, Ct. Bond Alvan, Prof. Bangor Sem. Booth Chauncy, Coventry, Ct. Boutelle A. Lost Creek, Ohio. Boutelle James. Townsend, Vt. Boutelle T. Ao- e nt Am. Ed. Soc. Bouton Nath'f, Concord, N. H. Boyter Charles, Corinth, Vt. Biace Jonathan, Andover Sem. e S. W. Skaneateles, N. Y. ■ Bradford E. G. Coos Co. N. H. BradstreetS. I. Vermillion. Ohio. Brainard E. Portsmouth, Ohio. rd T. Cincinnati Ohio. Breck J. II. Brecksville, Ohio. Breed Wm. J. Andover Sem. Brewer Jcsiah. Mis§. to Smyrna. Bridgman E. C. Miss, to China. Ram J. C. Secretary of the American Bible Society. Brown Amos. Fryeburgj Me. Brown John, D.D. Hadley . Ms. Brown J. Sec. Am. S. F. Soc. Brown Sam'l G. Ellington, Ct. Buffet Wm. L. Atwater, Ohio. Bullard A. Cincinnati, Ohio. Ballard Asa, Portland, Me. Bullard John P. Pepperell, Ms. Burbank C. Unionville, Ohio. Burgess Eben. Dedham, Ms. Burgess E. Jr. Amherst College. Burnap John L. Chester, Vt. • Burnham A. W. Rindge, N. II. Burt Daniel C. Berkley, Ms. Butler Calvin, Evansville, Ind. Byington C. Miss, to Choctaws. Caldwell Abel, Portage, N. Y. *Caldwell Ebenezer B. Waynes- borough, Georgia. Calhoun "Geo. A. Coventry, Ct. Camp Albert B. Ashby, Ms. Cannon F. E. Potsdam, N*Y. Carpenter Eber, York, Me. Case William, Saybrook, Ct. Catlin Oren, Franklin, N. Y. Chamberlin H. Boone ville, Mo. Champion Geo. Andover Sem. Chapin Jason, Madison, Ohio. Chase Ira, Prof. Newton Sem. Chase Moody, Orleans, Ind. Chase Moses, Plattsburg, N.Y. Chase Plummer, Carver, Ms. Chickeriflg J. W. Bolton, Ms. Child Eber, Deering. N. H. Child Willard, Pittsford, Vt. Church Aaron B. Calais, Me. m Church Moses B. Stafford, Ct. Clancy John, Charlton, N. Y. Clapp Sumner G. Enfield, Ms. Clapp T. New Orleans, La. Clark Ansel R. 'Hudson, Ohio. Clark Ben]. F. Buckland, Ms: ClarkDorus, Blandford, Ms. Clark Elam, East Hampton, Ms. Clark Eph. W. Miss. Sand.' Isl. Clark John F. Flemington, N. J. Clark Joseph S.-Sturbridge,.Ms *Clark Moses. Louisiana. Clark S. W. Greenland. N. H. Clark William, Wells.- Me. Clary J. W. Cornish, N. H* Clayes Dana, Plainfield, N. H. Cleaveland E. L. NewHaven.Ct. Cleaveland John P. Salem, Ms. Cleland P. S. Andover Sem. ■ Clement Jona. Chester, N. H. Cobb Asahel, Sandwich, Ms. Cobb Leander, Charlestown,Ind. Cobb Nath'l, Nantucket, Ms. Cbburn Jonas, Stoneham, Ms. Coburn L. Se wall, Andover Sem. "Coffin Geo. Newburyport, Ms. Coit T. W. Cambridge, Ms. Colton Calvin, England. Colton W. Chaplain U. S. Navy. Cook Nehemiah B. Islip, N. Y. ^Cornelius Elias, D. D. N.Y.City. Couch Paul,Bethlem, Ct. Cowles George, Danvers, Ms. CATALOGUE. 3 49 Bowles S. H. Farmington, Ct. Cozzens S. W. Marblehead, Ms. Crosby Alpheus, Dart. College. Crosby Daniel, Conway, Ms. Crosby John, Castine,- Me. Cummings Asa, Portland, Me. Cummings J. Stratham, N. H. Curtiss Joseph W. Warren, Ohio. Cushman D. Andover Sem. *Cushman R. Cincinnati, Ohio. Cutler Calvin, Windham, N. H. Cutter Edward F. Portland, Me. Cutter Wm. Portland, Me. Dale James W. Andover Sem. Dana C B. Andover Sem. Dana Gideon, Bangor, Me. Dana John J. Andover Sem. Dana W.C. Newburyport, Ms. Danforth F. Greenfield, N. H. Davenport J. R., N York City. Davis Henry, Clinton. N. Y. *Day Isaac C. Alfred,' Me. *Dean Joshua, Locke, N. Y. Delavan Geo. E. Patterson. N.Y. Demond Elij.'Holliston, Ms. Dennis Rodney G. Somers, Ct. Dewey O. New Bedford, Ms. Dickinson B. Newark, N. J. Dickinson J. T. Norwich. Ct. Diell J. Chaplain Sand. Islands. Dimmick L.F. Newburvport,Ms. Dodge N. S. Wakefield. N H. Douglas N. Penobscot Co. Me. *Douglas S. Quincy. Ms. *Downs C. Bowman Creek. N. Y. Durfee T. R. St. Charles. Mo. *Dwir C. P., S. S. Ag't, Ct. Grosyenor Moses G. Barre, Ms. Grout Aldin, Andover Serri. Guiteau Sheridan, N. Y. City. Hacketl H. B. Andover Sem. Haddock C. B. Prof. Dart. Col. Hale Benj. Prof. Dart. College. Hale Jona. L. Windham. Me. *Hall Gordon. Miss, to Bombay. Hall Jeffries, Hopkinton, Ms. Hall Job, Andover Sem. Hall Lemuel. Hamburgh, N. Y. *Hall Riclfid. New Ipswich. N.IL Hall Sherman, Miss.Ojibeways. Hallam I W. New London. Ct. Hallock W. A. New York City. Halsev Herman, Cambria. N.Y. Hamilton Lulher, Conway. Ms. Hand R. C. Gouverneur. N. Y. Hanford Wm. Hudson. Ohio. *Haidy Aaron, Charlestons. C. Hardy Seth, Andover Sem. Hardy Solomon. Greenvilie, Til. Harris Roswell, Hampton. N.H. Hart lehabod A. Adams. N. Y. Hatfield E. F. St. Louis, Mo. Hathaway G. W.Bloomfield,Me. Havves Joel. D D.Hnitford, Ct. *Hayes A Lond< nderry, N. H. Hayes Gurdon, Washington, Ct. Heard Geo. F. Princeton Sem. Uebard Story. Andover Sem. Hemmenway Dan 1. Cranby, Ct. Henry C b. X an bridge, Ms. Herrick Henry, Carrolten, 111, Herrick Osgood, Milll.ury. Ms. He wit N , D D. Bridgeport, Ct. Hickok Henry P. Burlington, Vt. High Ephraim S. Andover Sem. Hir.LK.v H. O Hartford, Ohio. Hills Israel. Andover Seminary. Hinckley O. S. Colbyville, Ky. Hinsdale Charles J! Merid'en,Ct. Hinsdale T. Winchester, Ct. Hitchcock Calvin. Randolph, Ms. PToadly L« Ives. Beslon. Ms. HobarfCaleb, N. Yarmouth ,.Me. Hoit Wm. Henry. Andover Sem. Holbrook Willaid. Rowley, Ms. Holland F. W. Caml ridge, Ms; Hollisler Edward", Oxford, N.d Holmes Cyrus., V\Y1 urn. Ms. Il< ln.es J( iiii. A : ('< 1 i i' Sem. ^Holmes Uriel, Lite! field, Ct. Homes H. A. New Haven, Ct. Hooker E. W. Bennington, Vt. Hooker H. B. Lsnesl oro', Ms. Hopkins Eraatits, Princeton Sem. Hopkins Sam'l, Montpelier, Vt. Horton William, Windsor, Vt. Hosmer Elbridge, Craitsl;ury,Vt. Hotchkin John, Richmond, Ms. Hough Alfred, N< ! aven, Ct. Hovey Edmund O. Portland, Ifld. Howe Elbridge G. Halifax; Ms. Howe G. Prof. ('< lumbia, S. C. Howe James, Pe-pperell, Ms. Howe Sam'l S. Princeton; N. J. Howell Orson V. Durhatn, N.Y. Hoyt H. B. Wiikesbarre, Pa. Hoyt Otto S. Utica, N.Y. Hoyt Ova P. Editor Western Recorder, Utica, N. Y. Hubbard O.' G. Sunderland, Ms. "Hull Hez'h Alexandria, La. Humphrey E. P. Andover Sem. 1 [unn David L. Sandwich, Ms. Hunt Daniel, Andover Sem. Hunt Nathan S. Andover Sem. CATALOGUE. 351 Hunt Wm. W. Amherst, Ms. •*Huntington Geo. Rome, N. Y. *Huntington P. L. Norwich, Ct. Iluntoon Benjamin, Bangor, Me. Hurd Carlton^ Fryebujg, Me. Hurlbut J •Heuvelton. N. Y. Hurlbut T. B Cincinnati. Ohio. Hyde G. G. Boiling Green, Ky. *Hyde Joseph, Fairfield, Ct. Hyde Lav i us, Ellington; Ct. Hyde Win. A. Yorktown, N. Y. Ide Jacob, Medway. Ms. *Ingalls John, SanWnton, N.H. Irwin John W. Sackett's Har- bor, N. Y. *Iiham Chester, Taunton, Ms. Jackson H. Charlestown, Ms. Jackson Sam'l C. Andover, Ms. Jackson Wm. G Andover Sem. Jameson Thomas, Scarboro'. Me. Jennisnn Edwin, Walpole, N.H. Jewett Dan 1 E. Andover Sem.' Jewett Henry C. Westbrook.Me. jewett Milo P. Andover Sem. Jewett Wni.R. Andover Sem. Jones Charles G Savannah, Ga. Jones Ezra, Andover Sem» Jones F. Bowling Green, Ky. Jones Henry, Greenfield, Ms. Jones John T. Miss, to Burmah. Jones Marcus A. Athol, Ms. Jordan Wm. V. Bangor, Me. Judson A .-, D.D. Miss. Burmah. Kaufman Abram, Andover Sem. Keep John. Andover Sem. Kelley H T. Kino-sville, Ohio. JCellogo- E Prof.AVilliams Col. Kelly Georo-e W. Andover Sem. Kendall John B Eaton. N. Y. Kendrick W.P. Nnnda Val.N.Y. Kent Brainerd. FishkilL.Nr Y. Kent Cephas 11 Freeport. Me. Keys Wm. L. Hillsboro', Ohio. Kidder Corbin, Wardsboro', Vt. Kidder Thomas, Andover Sem. Kimball Caleb, Harwich. Ms. Kimball David. Plainfield. Ms. Kimball David T. Andover Sem. 'Kimball Jas. Leominster, Ms. Kimball James, Oakham, Ms. Kimball James L. Lyndon, Vt. Kimball Milton, Chester, Ohio." Kimball Moses, Randolph, Vt. Kimball Peter, Manchester, N.Y. *Kimball Wm. Hanover, N. Y. King George P. Lyme, N Y. King Jonas, D. D Miss. Greece. Kingsbury A. Belpro. Ohio.- Kingsbury C. Miss. Choctaws. Kingsbury Samuel. Jamaica, Vt. Kirkland Wm. Utica, N. Y. Kit) red ge Chas. B. Boston, Ms. Kittredge Hosea, Bluehill, Me. Kittredge Solomon, Salem, Ind. L a i! e k e e B e s j. Springhill, Ten. Ladd Daniel, Andover Sem. Lanie Lewis F. Andover Sem. Larnb Henry J. New Haven, Ct. Lancaster I). Gilmanton, N. H. Landfear R. Montville, Ct. *Lane David T. Sterling, Ct. Lane Freeman, Andover Sem. Lathrop Eleazer, Gene-va . N. Y. Latimer C. L. New London, Ct. Lawrence John J Andover Sem. Leach Giles, Sandwich. N. H Leavenworth Abner J. Charlotte, North Carolina. Leavitt Jona. Cornish. N. H. Lee Jona. Tecumseh, Mich. Lewis Jas. D. Falmouth, Ms. Little Chas.H Boscawen, N.*H, Little Henry, Oxford, Ohio. Little Jacob, Granville, Ohio. Lockwood P. Binghamton, N. Y* Loo-an Alexander, N. York city. Long Clement, Andover Sem. L,oomis Elias, Yale College. Loomis Harmon, Andover Sem. Loomis J. N. Plainfield, N. H. Lord Chester, Andover Sem. Lord Eleazar. New York city. Lord N. D.I) Pres. Dart'th Coll. Lord Win. H. Andover Sem. Lorinrv Joseph. Andover Sem. Lovell Alex. Vero-ennes, Vt. Luce Leonard, Westford, Ms. Lyman D. B. Miss. Sand. Isl. Lyman Giles, Jaffrey. N. H. layman Henry. Missionary. Mahan Asa, Cincinnati, Ohio. Maltbie Ebenezer D. Prof. Ham- ilton College. Maltby Erastus, Taunton, Ms, Maltby John, Sutton, Ms. ManningS. N. Andover Sem. Manton D. E. Princeton Sem. Marsh Abram, Tolland, Ct. 352 APPENDIX. Marsh Cutting, Miss. Green Bay. Marsh Ezekiel, New Haven. Ct. *Marsh G. H. Thomaston, Me. Marsh James, D. D. Pres. Ver- mont University. Marsh Joseph, Waitsfield, Vt. Marsh S. Beekmnntown, N. Y. Mason Stephen, Nantucket. Ms. Mather H.F. Esq. Elbridjre.N.Y. Mather Win. L. Montpelier, Vt. Matthews L. Braintree, Ms. Maxwell Sam'l, Princeton, N.J. *Maxwell S. Lebanon, Ct. McClure A W. Maiden, Ms. McDowgall Win. Gorham, Me. McEwen J. F. Topsrield, Ms. McGee Jona. Brattleboro', Vt. Mclntire James, Andover Sem. MeKim James M. Carlisle. Pa. McLain William M. New Ha- ven, Ct. McLane J. W. Andover Sem. McLellan H. B. Scotland. *Mead Asa, East Hartford, Ct. Meigs Benj. C. Miss, to Ceylon. MerTam Joseph, Randolph, Ohio. Merrill David, Urbanna, Ohio. Merrill Enos, Wolfeboro', N. H. Miller Alpha, Andover, Ct. Millett S. C. Leicester, Ms. Mills Caleb. Andover Sem. *Mills Roswell. Johnstown, N. Y. *Mii.ls S. J. Miss, to Africa. •Mitchell Alfred. Norwich, Ct. Mitchell D. M. Waldoboio', Me. Mitchell E. W. Mexico, N. Y. Mitchell E. Prof. Univ. N. C. Mitchell John, Fairhaven. Ct. Mitchell William, Rutland, Vt. Morrill John, Vevay, Ind. Morse Abner, Chester, N. J. Morse Kichard C, N. Y. City. Morse Sidney E. Ed. N. Y. Ob. *Mosely Samuel, Miss. Choct. Mott T. S. W. Lenox, N C, Moulton G F. Bucksport, Me. Muenscher Joseph, Saco, Me. Munger S. B. Andover Sem. Munroe Nathan, Andover Sem. Munson Samukl, Missionary. *Murdock. T. J. Cantebury, CU Nash Alvan, Ravenna, Ohio. Nash Ansel, Wintonbury, Ct. *Nealy Benj. F. Monlpelier, Vf. Newell Israel, Plainfield, N. H. *Newell Samuel, Miss -Bombay. Newell William, ^Bradford, Ms. Newhall Ebenezer, Lincoln, Ms. Newton Benj. B. Andover Sem. Newton Eph. H., G Falls, N. Y. Newton Joel W. Amherst, Ms. *Njchols John, Miss. Bombay. Nichols Warren, Reading, Ms. Nickels C. M. Brown Univ. Niles Wm. W New York City. Norwood F. Wilmington, Ms. Nott Samuel, Wareham, Ms. Noyes James, Middletown, Ct. Noyes John H. New Haven, Ct. Oakes Isaac, Buffalo, N\ Y. Ober Benjamin, Beverly", Ms. Ogden D. L. S mthington, Ct. O tphant David, Beverly, Ms. Otis Israel T. Andover Sem. Owen John J. New York City; "Packard Zibeon, Hebron, Me. Page David, Knowlesville, N.Y. Page Jesse, Andover Sem. Page* Robert, Hanover. N. H. Paine William P. Ashfield, Ms. Palmer E. Pocotaligo, S. C. Park Calvin E. Andover Sem. Park Edwards A. Braintree, Ms. Parker Benj W. Mis Sand. Isl. Parkhurst J. L. Gilmanton. N. H. Parmelee J. C Westfield, N. Y. Parsons H. A. North Haven, Ct. Parsons Isaac, East Haddam, Ct. Parsons J..U Jefferson Co. Ind. *Pahsons L. Miss, to Palestine. Partridge J. L. Williams Col. •Patten Abel. Billerica, Ms. "Payson G Kennebunkport, Me. "Payson John O.Pomfret, Ct. Payson Joshua P. Pomfret, Ct. Payson P. Leominster, Ms, Peabody David, Lynn, Ms. Pearson Ora, Kingston, N. H. Peck S. Prof. Brown University. Pennell J^ewis. Andover Sem. Perkins G. W Montreal, L. C. Perkins Justin, Amherst Col. *Perry Baxter. Lyme, N H. 'Perry Clark, Newbury, Vt. Perry David, Hollis, N. H\ CATALOGUE. 353 Fhalps Amos A. Boston, Ms. Phelps Dudley, Haverhill, Ms. Phillips Alonzo, Princeton, Ms. Pierce G-. E. Harwlnton, Ct. Peirce S. G Methuen, Ms. Pigeon C. D. Newburyport, Ms. Pike Francis V. Andover Sein. Pinkharn Tobias, Andover Sem. Pomeroy A. Gallipolis, Ohio. *Pomroy George K. Boston, Ms. Pomeroy Swann L. Bangor, Me. Pomeroy Thaddeus,Gorham.Me. Poor Daniel, Miss, to Ceylon. Porter J. Sault fet. Marie, M. T. Porter Samuel, Hartford, Ct. Post Aufelian H. Andover Sem. Post Martin M. Loganspoft,Ihd. Powers J. W. Newport, N. H. Powers P. O. Andover Sem. Powers Urias, Cheraw, S. C. Pratt Levi, Hatfield, Ms. Pratt Minor G. Ward, Ms. Pratt Stillman, Andover Sem. Prentiss J. North wood. N. H. tfPrentiss James, Roxbury. Ms. Proctor D. C. Henniker, N, H. Puncjiard G. Plymouth, N. H. Purdy L. M. Wash. Coll. Ct. Putnam A F. Portsmouth, N. H. "Putnam Charles M.Jersey, Obio. Putnaml. W. Portsmouth, N. H. Putney Asa, Andover Sem. Ransom C. N. Franklin Co. Ohio. Reed Andrew H.- Oakham, Ms. ' ReidJared, Reading, Ms. Rennie J. Lawrence C. H., S. C. Rice Benj.New Gloucester, Me.. Rice Luther, Pres. Georgetown College, Ky. Rich Exekiel, Troy, N. H. Richards A. Francestown, N. H. *Richarda James, Miss. Ceylon. Richards John, Windsor, Vt. Richards W Miss. Sand. Isl. Richardson D. F Andover Sem. Richirdson John B. Salem, Ct. Riddell, S. H. Glastenbury, Ct. Rig^s Elias, Miss Greece. Riggs Thomas, Oxford, Ct. Ripley H.J. Prof. Newton Sem. Robbins Loren, Oxford, Ms. Robbins Ludovicus, *Robbins R. C. Colchester, Ct. ' *30 Robbins S. P. Andover Sem. *Robinson C. S. St. Charles, Mo. Robinson Henry, Suffield, Ct. Rockwell C.'Andovei Sem. Rockwell Sam'l. Plainfield, Ct. Rockwell Otis, Hopkinton, Ms. Rogers Isaac, Farinington, Me. lingers VVm. M. Townsend, Ms. Rood Ansoiij Danbury, Ct. Rood He man, New Milford, Ct. Rowland Henry A. Fayette- ville, N. C. Rowland J. M. Batavia, Ohio. Russell Ezekiel, Andover Sem. Russell Samuel, Boylston, Ms. S afford C. G. CiImanton,N. H. Salisbury S. Georgetown, Ky. Sanford B. Bridgewater, Ms. .Smford David. Dorchester, Ms. *Sawyer Joseph. Leverett, Ms. Scales Jacob, Henniker, N. H. Scales William. Andover Sem. Schaufller W. G. Mis. Constant. Schermerhom J. F. Utica, N.Y. Schneider Benj. Andover Sem. Scofield A. Princeton Sem. Scovel Ezra. Cornwall, Vt. Sessions- A J. Andover Sem. i )iis H. Ag't Am.Col.Soc. Sessions J. W. Booth Bay, Me. Shaw Robert, Bi met, Vt. Sbedd Henry, Whetstone, Ohio. *Shedd William, Abington, Ms. Sheldon G. Franklin. Ohio. Shepard G Hallowe'll, Me. Shepard Thomas, Ashfield, Ms. ShepleyD. North Yarmouth, Me. Sherer John, Richfield, N. Y. Sherman Joseph, Andover Sem. Sherrill F.Richmond, Ms. Sherwood A. Sandy Hill, N. Y. Shipman T. L. Southbury, Ct. Sill Elisha N. Windsor. Ct. Silliman J. New KentC. H. Va. Slocum" John J. Princeton Sem. Smith Asa D. Andover Sem. Smith Buel W. Andover Sem. *Smith Daniel. Louisville, Ky. Smith Daniel T. Andover Sem. Smith David M. New Stock- bridge, N. Y. Smith Eli. Miss, to Malta. Smith Eli B. Shoreham, Vt. 354 APPENDIX. Smith George W. L. Troy, N. Y. "Smith Henry, Camden, N. Y. Smith Henry, Andover Sem. Smith Horace, Granger, Ohio. Smith J. A Somersworth/N. H. Smith John, Exeter, N. H. Smith John, Stoniiigton, Ct. Smith M. Rensselaerville, N. Y. *Smith Noali, Southbury, Ct. Smith P. Pittsfield, N. H. Smith Samuel F. Boston, Ms. Smith T M. Catskill, N. Y. Smith Win. Prof. Bowdoin Col. Smith W. St. Albans, Vt. Sneed S. K. New Albany, Ind. Southard Marshall. Newbury ,Vt. South gate H. Andover Sem. South rate R. Woodstock, Vt. S juthfmyd D. S. Ed. Lowell Ob. Southmayd Jonathan C. Mont- - pelicr,'Vt. .' Spaulding Alvah, Andover Sem. Spaulding Eph. Mis. Sand. Isl. Spaulding John, Athens. Ohio. Spaulding Levi. Mis. to Ceylon. Sprague Dan'l G. Hampton, Ct. Spring Samuel, E.Hartford, Ct. Squier Miles P. Geneva, N. Y. Stearns Jona. F. Andover Sem. Stearns Samuel H Bedford, Me. Steele J. East Hloomfield. N. Y. Stiles Joseph C. Darien, Ga. Stockton B. B. Camillus, N. Y. Stone Cyrus, Mis. to Bombay. Storrs Charles B. Pres. Western Reserve College. Storrs RichardS Braintree, Ms. Stowk C. E. Prof. Lane Sem. *Stow Jeremiah, Livonia, N. Y. Stratton Jesse, Mc Donough,Ga. Stuart Amasa, Essex, Vt. Swan James, Methuen, Ms. Sweeiser Seth. Andover Sem. Talbot Samuel, Wilton, "Me. Talcott Hart, Warren, Ct. Talcott Hervey, Chatham, Ct. Taylor H. Onandaga Co. N. Y. Taylor John O. Andover Sem. *Taylor J. P. New Haven, Ct. Taylor Oliver A. Andover, Ms. Taylor Sam'l H. Andover Sour. Tfmple Daniel, Miss. Malta, *Tenny David, Bradford, Ms. Tenney Erdix, Lyme,N. HL* Tenney Sewall, Portland, fie. Thayer Elijah, Buckland, Ms. Thompson Jas. L. Andover Sem. Thompson John C. Heath, Ms. Thompson Wm. Andover, Ms. Thurston Asa, Miss. Sand. Isl. Tileston W.Charlemont, Ms. Tillotson Geo. J. Brooklyn, Ct. Tinker O. New Market, N. H. Tobey Alvan, Durham, N. H. Todd George T. Princeton Sem. Todd John, Northampton, Ms. Torrey J. Prof. Vermont Univer. Torrey W. Buenos Ayres, S. A. *T6wne Abner, Lrtchrield, N. Y. Towner-James, Charlotte, Vt. Tracy C. B. North Adams, Ms. Tracy E- C. Ed. Boston Rec. Tracy Hiram A. Andover Sem. Tracy Ira, Missionary! Train Asa M. Milford, Ct. Trask Geo. Framingham, Ms. Tucker Josiah, Madison, Me. Tyler J. K. Winchester. Ky. . Tyler W. H. PIarrodsburg,.Ky. Tyler Wm. S Amherst College. Vinton John A. New Sharoai.Me. Waldo Seth H. Andover-Sem. Walker Charles, Rutland, Vt. Walker C. New Ipswich, N. H. Wall Spencer. Franklin, La. WallisJohn S. Andover Ms. *Ward Jona. Biddeford,Me. Ward Jas. W. Brentwood, N.H. Warner Aaron, Medford, Ms. Warner J. F. Little Falls, N. Y. • "Warren E. Miss, to Ceylon. Warren John B. New Oleans.La. Warriner P. W. Monroe, M. T. *Washburn Royal, Amherst. Ms. Washburn Sam'l, Andover, Ms. Wayland Francis, D D. Presi- dent Brown University. Wead Ira M. Ypsilanti, M. T. Webster John C. Andover Sem. *Weston J. E. Cambridge, Ms. Wheeler John, Windsor, Vt. White Allen P. Pittsfield, Ms. While Charles, Owego, N. Y. White Elipha, Charleston, S. C White Jacob, Andover Sem. White M. E. Southampton, Ms, CATALOGUE. 355 White Samuel, Pultney, N. Y. White Seneca, Wiscasset, Me. Whiting Russell, Albany, N. Y. Whitney John, Andover Sem. *Whitney L. Marlborough. Vt. *Wilcox Carlos, Hartford, "Ct. Wild John, Grafton, Ms. Williams Samuel, Parma, N. Y. Williams William, Salem, Ms. Wilson David, Rupert, Vt. *Wilson Moses E. Francestown, New Hampshire. Winch Moses, Paxton, Ms. Winslow Hubbard, Boston, Ms. Winslow Miron, Mis. to Ceylon. Winston Dennis M. Darien'Ga. Wood A. A. Pottsville, Pa. Woodbridore S. Greenville, N.Y. Woodruff S. Strongsville, Ohio. Woods Alva, D. D. Pres. Ala- bama University. Woods L. Jun. Andover, Ms. Worcester S. A. Mis. Cherokees. Worcester Samuel M. Professor Amherst College. Worcester T. G. Roxbury, Ms. Wright Alfred, Mis. Choctaws. Wright A. Mis. N. Y. Indians. Wright E. B. Ludlow, Ms. Wright H C. Hartwick, N. Y. Wyman S. North Yarmout.h,Me. Yale Calvin. Charlotte. Vt. Yeomans J. W. Pittsfield, Ms. Young Ezra, Cutcbogue. N. Y. < Youno- John K. Meredith, N. H. Total, 827. SECTION III. Library of the Society of Inquiry. . This Library, though older than the Society, is deficient in the number and variety of its volumes. Some account of its origin is contained in the following extract of a letter from the Rev. Mr. Ide, who was Librarian of the So- ciety from its first formation until September, 18r2. " There was a small library given by benevolent individu- als for the use of those students, whose attention was par- ticularly turned to the subject of missions,' before the Socie- ty of Inquiry was formed. A number of books were given after it was reported that such a society was in contempla- tion, before it was actually formed. These were generally given or. sent to Samuel J. Mills, as being well known to be deeply engaged in the missionary cause, and they form- ed the foundation of the present library. After the organ- ization of the society, donations to the library became more frequent. The number of books was, however, so small, that at first I kept them all upon my writing table. Be- fore I left the seminary, which was in September, 1812; they had increased to something like a hundred vol- umes." The library thus founded, was annually increased by the addition of from fifteen to twenty volumes by means of periodicals and other works purchased by the Society. A few donations wer-e also received, as has been mentioned under the history of 'the Society, page 18. Some»other LIBRARY. 357 contributions from various individuals have been received since that period ; particularly from the Missionaries of the American Board, who have generally deposited in the li- brary, copies of the works which have issued from the mis- sion presses at fche different stations. The library now consists 'of 655 volumes. In this num- ber are included translations of the Bible into several ori- ental languages, among which may be mentioned the en- tire Bible in the Bengalee, Mahratta, and Orissa lan- guages ; besides translations of the New Testam nt into the Armeno-Turkish, Cingalese, Hindoostanee, Malabar, 'and Sanscrit languages. There are also the Psalms of David translated into Persian by Henry Martyn, and the Gospel of Luke translated into Chinese, by Dr. Morrison ; also copies of the Bible, in several of the modern languages of Europe. The library also contains Grammars of most of the above mentioned languages ; besides a variety of Trajcts, spell- ing-books, &c, printed at the Sandwich Islands, and vari- ous other missionary stations. Measures have recently been taken to obtain complete sets of the Annual Reports of'the'benevolent Societies in Great Britain, which it is believed will place at the dis- posal of the Society an immense -mass of valuable informa- tion. An entire copy of the Reports of the British and Foreign Bible Society has already been received, also some Reports of the Church Missionary Society, and the Reports of some other societies are expected soon. One object of the'Society, as set forth in the. original Constitution, was, " to disseminate information relative to the subject of missions." In pursuance of this object, members of the society have exerted themselves in prepar- ing articles for various religious papers - and reviews. In addition to this, the following publications have either been prepared by the society, or been issued under its di-. rection. Buchanan's Researches, and Memoir relative to ©58 4 APPENDIX. India — Home's Letters on Missions — Missionary Hymns — Memoir of Samuel J. Mills, second eelition — A Tract, on the condition of Females in Pagan and Mohammedan countries — and an annual " Statement of Facts" respect- ing people of color. SECTION IV. Museum of the Society of Inquiry. This Museum contains a small collection of curiosities from foreign lands, illustrating the dress, manners and customs, and religious rites of heathen nations. It owes its existence to the generosity of individuals, and particu- larly of the Missionaries who have gone from the society* several of whom have Occasionally made contributions to the Museum. It is proposed to give such a sketch of a part of the contents of this collection, as shall assist the reader to form a general idea of its character, and shall at the same time convey actual information respecting the various articles, to those who have not the specimens before 4 hem. Kapa, or cloth from the Sandwich Islands, made from the inner-bark of the paper mulberry, and bread-fruit trees. The process is the following:— The bark is carefully sep- arated from trees of three or four years' growth, and deposit- ed in vessels of water, where it is suffered to remain uiiti* the fibres become loose and easily separated. The strips are then laid upon smooth blocks of wood or stone, the edges of the contiguous strips, being carefully brought to- gether, and the whole is beaten with a mallet. By this process the strips of bark are made-to adhere, and the text- ure of the whole is rendered more firm. This being sev- eral times repeated, it assumes its present form. It is dyed with vegetable colors laid on with the hand, a small $60 APPENDIX. piece of wood being used for a stamp. The nicer kinds of this cloth are sometimes glazed. — It has been recently dis- covered that excellent paper maybe manufactured from the kapa. Henry Hudson, Esq., of Hartford, Ct., to whom a small quantity of the cloth had been sent for experiment, thus writes respecting it - " We have made a very imper- fect trial of the kapa, but still, sufficient to satisfy us that it is an admirable material for paper. It manufactures readily, bleaches and sizes well, and I think is equal in all respects to linen stock that now sells at six and a half cents per pound. The finest of the kapa I have no doubt would make paper equal to that usually made use of for our best books." There are in the Museum several specimens of the kapa> presented by the Mission