6,46
,19

S. and A. Olmstead, of Schoodack, N. Y. for printing the Bible in * Burmah,

1,00 Rachael Alberson, for printing Burman Bible, per Rev. S. Olmstead, ,25 From Pennsylvania Miss. Soc. per Rev. J. L. Dagg, it having been

contributed as follows, in Cohancy, N. J. viz. Isaac Milford, 5,00 Jacob Harris, 3,00—Phebe Harris, 2,00—Sarah Watson, 3,00 -Noah H. Flanagin, 3,00,

16,00 Mr Amos Hyde, collected at the Missionary prayer meeting, Newton Upper Falls,

10,50 Baptist Fem. Mite Soc. Hillsborough, N. H. by Miss Sally Howe,

Treasurer, per Mr L. A. Coolidge,
Charles Cary Hull, aged nine years, for the Burman Mission,
R. E. Eaton, Esq. Springville, Erie Co. N. Y. per Mr W Nichols, 3,00
Mr Wm. Masters, Methuen, for printing Burman Bible, per Mr E.
Lincoln,

10,00 Sophia Hammond, for Burman Bible, per Mr E. Lincoln,

2,00 A venerable member (Mr A. Peckins) of the Baptist Ch. in Clare

mont, N. H. to aid in publishing the Bible in Burmah, per Rev.
L. Tracy,

*32,00 Hezekiah Prince, Esq. Treas. of the Lincoln Bap. For. Miss. Soc. Auxiliary, &c. per Mr E. Lincoln,

124,98 Mrs Isabella Prince, Treas. of Lincoln Bap. Fem. Cent Soc. per Mr E Lincoln,

36,25 Dea. James Fosdick, Treas. of the Middlesex and Norfolk For. Miss. Soc. Aux. &c. per Mr E. Lincoln,

400,00 Rev. Calvin Newton, Bellingham, for printing Burman Bible, 37,00 Rer. Hadley Proctor, of Rutland, Vt. being interest due on a bequest from a lady in Pawlet, Vt. per Mr E. Lincoln,

3,00 H. B. Rounds, Esq. Treas. of the Utica Bap. For. Miss. Soc. per Mr E. Lincoln,

25,00 Kennebeck For. Miss. Soc. Aux. &c. by J. Hovey, Esq. Treas. per Rey. E. Chessman,

217,89

H. LINCOLN, Treas. $6704,27 . *It will be recollected that fifty dollars have already been received from the same source. (See Treasurer's account published in April, and an extract of a letter from a gentleman in New Hampshire in the same Number, page 142.)

The Rev. gentleman through whom the above was received, in a letter to the Treagurer has the following pertinent remurks: “ The peculiar circuinstances attending this expression of Christian benerolence are calculated deeply to affect the pious mind. How interesting the fact that by one small act of female self denial, there has been brought into the treasury of the Lord, in the course of a few years, the sum of eighty two dollars."

,22

do.

The Treasurer of the Middlesex and Norfolk Baptist Missionary Society, hereby acknowledges the receipt of the following sums since June 6, 1828. Balance on hand,

Bzp. Ch. West Dedham, to educate a BurTirst Bap. Ch. and Soc. Cbarlestown, for

man child, by J. Aldrich,

30,00 For Miss. 30,18

Male Bap. Pri. Soc. Roxbury, for Bar. Do. do. do. for domics

man Mission, 34,23
tic Miss. 30,17

Fem.
do. do. do.

31,50 Tem. Pri. Soc. of do.

for For

Collection after the annual Sermon, 24,00

eign Miss. 20,00 Female Industrious Soc. do. for Carey MisFem. do. do. do. for do.

24,45 mestic Miss. 20,00 From Romanus Emerson, for Carey Miss. Male Bap. Pri. Miss. and Bible Soc. Charles

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE REV. GEORGE ANGELL, LATE OF

SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

a

The whole earth is like a field of battle. On such a field, those who command and those who obey, are indiscriminately cut down by the instruments of death. Thus all the ties which bind us together in life are suddenly severed; the parent, the child, the sister and the wife, mingle their sorrows and their tears, because those whom they loved are fallen. A retrospect of such a scene, cannot but bring with it a train of painful reflections; nor can the pain of such reflections be buried but in the grave. So on the field of the world, men of all descriptions are carried without distinction to their long homes. In most cases the hand which inflicts the wound is hid from mortal eyes, but is not less sure of its object. The mourner is every where seen shrouded in the weeds of sorrow. Sin has brought in its sable train, death and all our

No man who has lived long in the world, can look over the scenes of youth without gloominess of soul. On taking such a view, he will recollect those whom he once loved, but whom he will no more see on earth. He can call to recollection the interviews which were once enjoyed; but he will find “the memory of joys that are past, pleasant and painful to the soul.” And the longer he lives, the more will he find himself standing alone.

The subject of this sketch was called away from his friends and brethren in the midst of life and usefulness. But while we who remain are weakened by his removal, we cannot but rejoice that he has accomplished his labors, and entered into his rest.

Mr Angell was born March 24th, 1786, in the town of Smithfield, R. I. His parents, though not in afluent circumstances, were of reputable standing. His father, who was occupied in

woes.

* Prepared at the request of the Ministers' Meeting in the vicinity of Worcester. JULY, 1829.

30

agriculture, trained him to habits of industry. In these habits he possessed that which was worth far more than the wealth of a kingdom. His advantages for education were not great; but having a disposition to improve by those which he enjoyed, he acquired a respectable common education. The residence of the samily was not far from Providence. Thus they were within convenient distance of the religious privileges enjoyed in that place; but he was not led to feel the value of these opportunities. He was consequently prepared to drink the poisonous draught which might be put to his lips. His associates presented to him the cup of infidelity, and of this deadly cup he early and deeply drank. With them his father often conversed, and disapproved of their infidel principles in the presence of his children; but he did not impress on them the importance of religion by instructing them, praying with them, and leading them to the house of God. Parents who neglect the religious instruction of their children, and who neglect the worship of God in their families, and in the hou of prayer, cannot estimate the evil they are doing to their offspring, io themselves, and to society. In the present instance, the son became at twenty-one, a confirmed infidel. In the autumn of 1807, the Lord visited him with a violent sever which brought him to the brink of the grave. While thus exposed to death, he reflected on the dangerous sentiments which he had imbibed. In view of eternity, he became convinced that he had a soul, and that he must give an account of himself to God the final Judge. In such circumstances, and with such views, he felt deeply impressed, and earnestly besought the Lord to spare his life, promising that he would devote himself and all he had to him forever. God was pleased to regard his cry; but when his health was restored, he forgot his promises, and again pursued the world with eagerness. He could not, however, again imbibe those fallacious doctrines which had before, intoxicated his mind and brought him near to ruin. In all his pleasures he was ill at ease. Conscience often disturbed his repose.

He also sustained losses in his temporal concerns, which forcibly brought his sin to remembrance. Though he forsook God, yet God did not give him up to his chosen ruin. In his disregard of the promises made on a bed of sickness, we see what is often seen. Multitudes are alarmed in view of death, and promise that they will mend their lives; but alas, how few that are healed return to give glory to God! Death-bed repentance is always suspicious. God may convert and save at the eleventh hour; but from the many cases of those who after their recovery are found to have deceived themselves, we have little hope respecting many of those who die. Let those who have health employ it in securing the one thing needful. For more than a year, Mr Angell continued a contest with his convictions, pursuing the world and neglecting his soul. At length, as he was preparing for a party of pleasure, a thought passed his mind, like an electric shock, that he must now perform his vows to God, or that God would say of him as of Ephraim, He “is joined to idols, let him alone. "From this memorable moment,” says Mr Angell, “I viewed

myself on the verge of eternity, and my anguish of soul was not unlike that of Job when he exclaimed, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee; wherefore Í abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." I can truly say, that for four weeks, “ The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me; I found trouble and sorrow." My sense of my sins and the consequent anguish of my soul brought me into a state of almost total despair. I never can forget the evening when I left my parents and retired, supposing that I should soon plunge into the gulf of interminable wo. In this state of mind, I could not but say,

Should sudden vengeance seize my breath,
I must pronounce thee just in death;
And if my soul were sent to hell,
Thy righteous law approves it well.

As I approached my bed, I fell upon my knees, and endeavored to surrender my all to the mercy of God, possessing an unshaken determination to die a humble suppliant before his gracious throne. As I closed my prayer, I threw myself upon the bed in a state almost of insensibility, till at length every power of my soul awoke, and my sins appeared like a huge mountain, intervening between me and the Deity. At that dreadful moment, it appeared utterly impossible for me to be saved. This prospect filled me with such insupportable anguish, that I drew the clothes over my face, in hope to hide my accumulated guilt, and obliterate my condemnation, which was exhibited to my mind as plainly as the writing which Belshazzar saw upon the plaster of the wall in his palace. While musing in this state of awful suspense, these words occurred to me, “ Adam, where art thou ?" Immediately, I threw the covering from my face, and cried, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” “Lord, save, or I perish." I repeated the cry, till at length, by the eye of faith, I beheld the Saviour coming to my relief with all the compassion of a God. My soul welcomed him with inexpressible delight, while I exclaimed in the language of Thomas, "My Lord, and my God!" I now felt what is expressed in that prophecy, For ye

out with joy, and be led forth , with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Being now satisfied that I felt love for the Saviour, and possessed an interest in the Redeemer, I felt it my duty to confess him before the world. I first gave myself to the Lord, and then stated the dealings of God with my soul to the First Baptist Church in Providence, proposing to become a member with them. I was cordially received, and was baptized the first Lord's-day in May, 1809.”

From this time he lost all relish for the pleasures in which he had previously indulged, and different objects excited his attention. That this change was wrought by the Spirit of God, and was radical, we have the fullest evidence from the whole of his subsequent life. Soon after he had found the pearl of great price himself, he became deeply solicitous for those, who, as he had been, were

shall go

pleasing themselves with worthless dust. And while he was feeding on the bread of life, he was moved with pity for those who fed greedily on husks. From the estimation in which he now held his own soul, he was enabled in some adequate measure to value the souls of others. These views and estimates induced him to think of the gospel ministry, as the great means of bringing men to Christ. Thus it was early suggested to his mind, that it might become his duty to enter on the work of winning souls. But as he considered himself altogether deficient in the qualifications necessary for this great work, he thought he must be influenced by a false spirit. His impressions, however, on this subject, gave a direction in some measure to his course of pursuit. His want of confirmed health, together with his impressions, induced him to devote a year and a half to study. He thus became prepared to teach an English school, and acquired a slight acquaintance with some of the higher branches of literature. While pursuing study, he was placed in circumstances which inclined him to exercise his gist in meetings for conference. In doing this he often found great satisfaction. These services were made a blessing to the people, and several were brought to a knowledge of the gospel.

Soon after, he engaged in the instruction of a school in a place where there were no religious privileges. In order to remove this obstacle to his religious improvement, he established a meeting for prayer and exhortation. As this served to collect the people, it furnished him with an opportunity of speaking in public, so that although he was not a preacher in name, he was in fact. In order to carry on these meetings, he was obliged to devote much time to the study of the Scriptures. What he had prepared with prayer and toil, he communicated with much freedom of mind. While performing these duties, he was led to question whether he ought not openly to stand in defence of the gospel.

About this time, Nov. 11th, 1810, he was married to Miss Lydia Farnum, daughter of Mr Noah Farnum, and grand daughter of Rev. Samuel Windsor, formerly pastor of the First Baptist Church in Providence. His mind now became more impressed with the conviction that it was his duty to devote himself to the ministry of the word. His trials which had hitherto been kept to himself, became so great that they could no longer be concealed from others. He considered himself wholly incompetent for the great work ; still the thought pursued him, by night and by day, that he had promised to devote himself and all he possessed to God; and that he ought to do whatever God required of him. “Thus," he says, “I continued through the season, weeping and praying, resisting and obeying, till I became so impaired in my health as almost to terminate my life.” The church in Providence having heard of his feelings, requested him to state the exercises of his mind in relation to the ministry. After much prayer to God, and with many misgivings in himself, he complied with their request; and after preaching twice before them, they gave him, March 7th, 1812, their full approbation to preach the gospel.