commence their tour, and that they pledge themselves to engage in the Mission hereafter. These points having been satisfactorily adjusted, and the Agents having signified that they expect nothing from the Board but the payment of their expenses; the Chairman of the Committee was authorised to draw upon the Treasurer for such sums as should be necessary to defray the expenses of their journey. This appropriation having been paid, instructions for them. selves, and talks to the Indians prepared and presented, the Missionaries authorised to solicit donations in public and in private from the friends of Missions on their journey, and required to keep a regular journal of their proceedings, and to render an account of all the money they shall receive; they took their departure with our prayers, and the prayers of their assembled fellow students in the Seminary at Princeton, on Wednesday the 5th of May, 1819. To secure all possible aid and success to this enterprise, the Committee of Missions have written to several influential characters, at the seat of our General Government, to engage the patronage of the Officers of that Government, in behalf of this Society; and have directed their Agents to stop in their way at the city of Washington, and to procure such documents as may facilitate their introduction to, and future inter-. course with, the Indian tribes. The general prospects of the Society at this anniversary, brethren, are certainly more favourable than they have ever been, since its auspicious institution. We have not only fields which are already white unto the harvest, but have also Missionaries to send out to them in whom we can confide. In the new territorial acquirements of these United States, as well as in those which will probably soon be secured to the nation, the benignant and penetrating eye of Christianity has already discovered spots, on which Missionaries of the cross may labour with the most flattering prospects of success. And we state from recent information, that a number of pious and intrepid youth, in some of the principal nurseries of sacred learning in our country, are becoming so interested in the cause of Missions to the heathen upon our borders, that labourers will not be wanting, if we can only find the means to support them. When we turn our eyes to the luxuriant, and almost immeasurable wilds of the West-observe the prodigious tide of popu lation that is pressing forward in that direction--the wise interference of our Government for the civilization of the Indians, and consequent melioration of their state, connected with the efforts of Missionary Institutions, to shed upon them Heaven's light in the Gospel,-a scene is presented to our view, the most fair, the most brilliant, and we think we may add, the most sublime, that has perhaps ever been presented to the Church, at any period of time, since the Christian era, in any section of the globe. To the Editor of the Christian's Monitor.-Utica, March 14. SIR, Feeling it an indispensable duty to give all the information in my power to the furtherance of the Gospel, I now take this opportunity to write to you. I have just arrived from the westward, and can give glad tidings of the greatest joy to the Christian. The Indians under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Hyde, are pursuing the way to life. It is with great pleasure I can inform you that a number of the chiefs have been admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and appear to understand what they have passed through. Red Jacket says that he has paddled the old canoe long enough, and now he has obtained a hope that he shall have a new one; and he is much happier than he was when he was vicious. Among the Indians at Grand River, the Spirit of the Lord has been poured out very plentifully-150 were baptized in one day, and many more were serious. Among the Tuscaroras, there are lively appearances of the new birth. I think, Sir, that if we were to send more Missionaries to these tribes, they would bless us; and on the great day would rise up and say, 66 By your means we were brought from sin and Satan unto God. And now we enjoy the sweets of heaven." I remain, Sir, yours in great haste. G. W. FORD. FOR THE CHRISTIAN HERALD. On Monday morning, the 24th of May last, Dr. Scudder, with his wife and child, left this city, for the Island of Ceylon, (by the way of Boston) to engage in Missionary service. As a physician his practice was considerable, his reputation good. As a Christian physician, he was faithful to the souls as well as bodies of his patients. Amiable in his temper, dignified in his deportment, warm and strong in his attachments; he has left behind him many friends, whose hearts breathe the earnest prayer for his protection and peace :--many, who through his instrumentality have been brought to a knowledge of the truth; and to whom, therefore, he is peculiarly dear. Bless'd is the man who's call'd to spread The gospel truth afar.— God is his shield, and strength, and life; Go, then, my brother; and be blest Z. VOL. VI.] Saturday, June 19, 1819. [No. V. MISCELLANY. Memoir of the Rev. WILLIAM TENNENT, late Minister of the Gospel at Freehold, New-Jersey. (Concluded from page 101.) 4 WHILE on this subject, we may introduce another anecdote of this wonderful man, to show the dealings of God with him, and the deep contemplations of his mind. He was attending the duties of the Lord's Day in his own congregation, as usual, where the custom was to have the morning and evening service with only half an hour's intermission to relieve the attention. He had preached in the morning, and in the intermission had walked into the woods for meditation, the weather being warm. He was reflecting on the infinite wisdom of God, as manifested in all his works, and particularly in the wonderful salvation through the death and sufferings of his beloved Son. This subject suddenly opened on his mind with such a flood of light, that his views of the glory and the infinite majesty of Jehovah, were so inexpressibly great, as entirely to overwhelm him; and he fell almost lifeless, to the ground. When he had revived a little, all he could do was to raise a fervent prayer, that God would withdraw himself from him, or that he must perish under a view of his ineffable glory. When able to reflect on his situation, he could not but abhor himself as a weak and despicable worm; and seemed to be overcome with astonishment, that a creature so un-* worthy and insufficient, had ever dared to attempt the instruction of his fellow-men in the nature and attributes of so glorious a Being. Overstaying his usual time, some of his elders went in search of him and found him prostrate on the ground, unable to rise, and incapable of informing them of the cause. They raised him up, and, after some time, brought him to the church, and supported him to the pulpit, which he ascended on his hands and knees, to the no small astonishment of the congregation. He remained silent a considerable time, earnestly supplicating Almighty God to hide himself from him, that he might be enabled to address his people, who were by this time lost in wonder to know what had produced this uncommon event. His prayers were heard, and he became able to stand up, by holding the desk. He now began the most affecting and pathetic address that the congregation had ever received from him. He gave a surprising account of the views he had of the infinite wisdom of VOL. VR R God; and greatly deplored his own incapacity to speak to them concerning a Being so infinitely glorious beyond all his powers of description. He attempted to show something of what had been discovered to him of the astonishing wisdom of Jehovah, of which it was impossible for human nature to form adequate conceptions. He then broke out into so fervent and expressive a prayer, as greatly to surprize the congregation, and draw tears from every eye. A sermon followed, which continued the solemn scene, and made very lasting impressions on all the hearers. The great increase of communicants in his church was a good evidence of his pastoral care and powerful preaching, as it exceeded that of most churches in the synod; but his labours were not confined to the pulpit. He was indefatigable in his endeavours to communicate in private families a savour of the knowledge of spiritual and divine things. In his parochial visits he used regularly to go through his congregation in order. He earnestly pressed it on the conscience of parents to instruct their children at home, so as gradually to expand their minds, and prepare them for the reception of the more practical doctrines of the gospel. In this, Mr. T. has presented an excellent example to his brethren in the ministry; for certain it is, that more good may be done in a congregation by this domestic mode of instruction, than any one can imagine who has not made the trial. Mr. Teunent was remarkably distinguished for a pointed attention to the particular circumstances and situation of the afflicted, either in body or mind; and would visit them with as much care and attention as a physician; and frequently indeed proved an able one to both soul and body. But his greatest talent was that of a peace-maker, which he possessed in so eminent a degree, that probably none have exceeded, and very few have equalled him in it. He was sent for, far and near, to settle disputes, and heal difficulties which arose in congregations; and, happily for those concerned, he was generally successful. Indeed, he seldom would relinquish his object until he had accomplished it. Mr. Tennent was a man of the most scrupulous integrity; and though of a very grave deportment, had a remarkably cheerful disposition, and generally communicated his instructions with so much pleasantry, as greatly to gain the affection of all with whom The conversed, especially of children and young people. In all his intercourse with strangers and men of the world, he so managed his conversation, that, while he seldom neglected a proper opportunity to impress the mind with serious things, he always made them covet his company rather than avoid it; well knowing that there is a time for all things, and that even instruction and reproof, to be useful, must be prudently and seasonably given. An instance of this disposition occurred in Virginia. The late Rev. S. Blair and Mr. T. were sent by the synod on a mission into that province. They stopped one evening at a tavern for the night, where they found a number of guests, with whom they supped in a common room. After supper cards were introduced, when one of the gentlemen politely asked them if they would not take a cut with them, not knowing that they were clergymen. Mr. T. pleasantly answered, "With all my heart, gentlemen, if you can convince us that thereby we can serve our Master's cause, or contribute any thing towards the success of our mis sion." This drew some smart reply from the gentleman; when Mr. T. with solemnity added, "We are ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ:-we profess ourselves his servants; we are sent on his business, which is to persuade mankind to repent of their sins, to turn from them, and accept of that happiness and salvation which is offered in the gospel." This very unexpected reply, delivered in a very tender, though solemn manner, and with great apparent sincerity, so engaged the gentleman's attention, that the cards were laid aside, and an opportunity was afforded for explaining, in a sociable conversation during the rest of the evening, some of the leading doctrines of the gospel, to the satisfaction and apparent edification of the hearers. He had Resignation to the will of God, was among the excellent graces that adorned the character of this man of God. been tried in various ways; but domestic afflictions, as yet, had not been laid upon him. The time, however, was now come, when his character was to be brightened by a severe test of his resignation and obedience. His youngest son, who was one of the handsomest of men, had just commenced the practice of physic; was married, and had one child. To the great distress of the parents, he discovered no regard to the things that belonged to his eternal peace. Wholly negligent of religion, he indulged, without restraint, in the gaiety and follies of the world. The pious father was incessant at the throne of grace in behalf of his dissipated son; and was continually entertaining hopes that God would arrest him in his career, and bring him into the church of Christ, that he might die in peace, under the consoling hope of meeting his dear child in a better world. God, however, had determined otherwise; and the son, while engaged in inoculating a number of persons in his father's neighbourhood, was seized, in an unusually violent manner, with a raging fever. With the disorder he was brought to a sudden and alarming view of his lost condition. His sins were all set in dread array against him. A horrible darkness fell on him, so as to make him the dreadful example of a convinced sinner, trembling under the confounding presence of an angry God. The pious father was constantly in prayer and supplication, that God would have mercy upon him. He seldom left the side of his bed. For many days the fever |