Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

We cannot resist another extract. The anecdote is so illustrative of character.

“ Mr. Fuller was generally candid and forbearing towards young ministers, and ready to assist them in the explication of a subject, or in the composition of a sermon; but he also knew how to chastise vanity, ignorance, and conceit, and was not very sparing with persons of this description. A young inan calling on him on a Saturday, and announcing rather consequentially, that he was going to preach on the morrow at a little distance; Mr. Fuller asked him for his text. He readily answered that he was going to preach from,“One thing is needful.” And what is that one thing ? said Mr. Fuller. Tyro replied without hesitation, Christ, certainly. Why then, said he, you are worse than the Socinians. They do allow him to be a man, but you are going to reduce him to a mere 'thing.' This unfortunate remark spoiled Tyro's sermon; and when he arrived at the place of his destination, where the flock was waiting for his sage instructions, he had not courage to bring forward what he had provided with much study and care."

It would be improper to close this notice of the work before us, without a particular mention of the Review of Mr. Fuller's writings. This part of the volume is calculated to produce the most happy effects. It is an epitome of Fuller's productions; and a studious perusal of it will be indispensably necessary for those who wish to comprehend the full point and scope of the various controversies in which this eminent champion of the truth was engaged.

There is much discrimination of mind evinced in the Reviews, and Mr. Morris seems to have reserved his energies for this part of his subject. His whole style improves, and he rises into positive beauty and force of diction.

What pastor of a church can read this Memoir, and see the labor and assiduity of this man of God, in the Missionary cause, together with the care of a large church, and not blush at the small influence he has exerted in this cause of Jesus and hope of the world?

It is gratifying to learn that the publishers of this volume intend to give a new edition of Fuller's Works to the public, and it cannot be doubted that this fascinating biography will aid in the extensive circulation of that undertaking. If the pastors of our churches would stir themselves, and endeavor to place this book in the families of their respective charges, we should anticipate very satisfactory consequences. Ministers and congregations would derive benefit from the wholesome lessons which it affords.

DR. STAUGHTON had a very peculiar facility in furnishing poetic compositions. A minister having preached in his meeting house, from the text, We would see Jesus, the Doctor arose, at the close of the service, and gave out the following hymn, which he had just composed.

[ocr errors]

Tell us, ye servants of the Lord,

Where's your great Master found;
Him would we see, whose powerful word

Can heal our ev'ry wound.

We would see Jesus, for we know

His sov'reign grace alone
Can on us hearts of flesh bestow,

And for our sins atone.

We would see Jesus, does not he

Bid contrite sinners come?
And to such guilty souls as we

Proclaim, "there yet is room ?"

Millions have hast'ned to his arms,

And now resound his name;
Him would we see whose endless charms

Our anxious hearts inflame.

We would see Jesus, for his saints

May lean upon his breast;
Pour out with confidence their plaints,

And find celestial rest.

We would see Jesus, and would pray

For those unhappy friends,
Who choose, alas! that crooked way

Which in perdition ends.

We would see Jesus, gracious friend,

From him derive our bliss;
And wait till we the heav'ns ascend,

And see him as he is.

MISSIONARY REGISTER.

FOR OCTOBER, 1830.

SUBSCRIPTIONs and donations to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign

Missions, &c. should be transmitted to Heman Lincoln, Esq. Treasurer, at the Baptist Missionary Rooms, No. 52, Washington-Street, Boston. The communications for the Corresponding Secre. tary should be directed to the same place, as his residence is removed to the city.

EXHILARATING EFFECTS OF MISSIONARY LABORS.

It is sometimes inquired by enc- the burning of widows in Bengal.mies, What have missionary labors ef- The East India Company long resisted fected? We answer, a large number the labors of missionaries, from fear of in India, in the South Seas, in Green- attacking the prejudices of the natives, land, in numerous dark regions, have lest civil commotions might ensue. given evidence of repentance towards Probably the government would have God, and faith in the Redeemer, and required forty thousand English solmany have died rejoicing in hope of diers to have inspired them with suffi. the glory of God, and with a hope full cient confidence to take this step 20 of immortality.

years ago. But now, in

consequence But there are most pleasing effects of the light which has been spread of a general nature, besides the dis- over India by the missionaries of the play of grace in the work of conver- cross, by the circulation of the Bible, sion. Much less tenacity is exhibited and the distribution of tracts, the gove in India in relation to the attachment ernment has peaceably abolished this to cast, than was manifest when the barbarous and murderous practice, and heralds of the cross commenced their have even been petitioned to do it by labors. Years were devoted to the numbers of the Hindoos themselves. work by Carey and Thomas, before The gospel is mighty through God to one individual renounced cast; but the pulling down of strong holds, castnow, a number of distinguished per- ing down imaginations, and every high sons have professed Christianity, and thing that exalteth itself against the eat and drink with Europeans; and it knowledge of God. is believed that this barrier to the For the illumination and reformation progress of Christianity is constant- of Africa, we must also look, through ly diminishing in magnitude and a divine blessing, to missionary effort. strength.

The heralds of salvation will penetrate In the Sandwich Islands, Christian- its dark recesses, become acquainted ity has led the rulers to enact whole- with its geography, ascertain the mansome laws for the suppression of im- ners and customs of its inhabitants, morality, and their faces are set against and irradiate the minds of its sable prostitution and the other public vices, population, with the light of heavwhich long reigned without control in enly truth. Every friend to the welthese dark places of the earth. fare of man should then be enroll

Another illustrious triumph of mis- ed as a friend to the missionary ensionary effort is, the late abolition of terprise.

JOURNAL.

ever.

BURMAN MISSION. day that our dear Sarah died, returned

to us in health this evening.

11. Since our return, we have had Mr. Boardman repaired to Maul. mein, to accompany his family on their formerly. "It

is our sincere desire and

larger congregations at worship than return to Tavoy; and the following prayer, that, from what motive soever journal records their safe arrival.

the people come, they may find the EXTRACTS FROM MK. BOARDMAN's Pearl of great price.

19. Our worshipping assemblies continue larger than forloerly. Many

come expressly to attend worship; Maulmein, Oct. 1, 1829. We were many hang around, and many make to have einbarked for Tavoy to day; occasional visits. Ko Moung, who but the Diana steain-vessel not being was formerly mentioned as sometimes quite ready, we must wait a few days. attentive and promising, and sometimes

4. Evening. Embarked for Tavoy. hanging ofi, comes now every two or We are grieved at parting with our three days and listens with much at. dear friends here, whom we love more tention. To-day he was accompanied than ever ; but we hope to meet them by two very learned men, with whom again, if not here, in a brighter world. I had much conversation, which I Besides our former company, we have hope they will not soon torget. Two with us, Mah Hla, an excellent moth- English soldiers came to solicit tracts, er in Israel, from the church at Maul. which I was happy in being able to mein. She accompanies us in hopes give. Very many persons visit us of being useful to Mrs. Boardman in daily for various objects; thus affordteaching the females of Tavoy. ing us an opportunity of giving them

5. Amherst. We left Maulmein profitable instruction. Our school is at day-break this morning, and arrived also larger and more flourishing than here at ten o'clock. We have had an agreeable, and I hope, a profitable in- 20. Ko-thah-byoo arrived. He has terview with the few native Christians left his wife and two little brothers sick who live here. After prayer in the in the jungle. They have passed old mission house, which is now quite through various hardships and perils in ruins, we took an affectionate leave since they left us at the wharf: but of our friends, and embarked again. I the Lord' has delivered them out of have made arrangements with Capt. them all, and blessed be his holy Corbin, to erect a small tumulus of name. brick over the graves of Mrs. Judson 22. The Karen, Moung Thetshee, and Maria, that the spot may not be whose village I visited in my tour last entirely forgotten. There is not at February, arrived here this evening, present the least appearance of a grave, with his wife, who is an attentive listbut simply a wooden pailing which will ener to Mrs. Boardman's instructions, soon decay.

and six other persons with presents, 6. We left Amherst harbor at sun- &c. Soon as they heard of our arrive set last evening, and arrived at the al, they hastened out to give us their mouth of Tavoy river at 10 this even- welcome, and seemed almost overjoy. ing. The passage has been peculiar. ed at seeing us. ly pleasant and quick.

Moung Khway, brother of 4. Tavoy. At seven o'clock this Moung Thetshee, and for several morning arrived off town, having been months past a candidate for baptism, only thirty-seven hours from Amherst. has arrived. He appears remarkably Moung Shway Hmong, the Indo-Chi- well. With but little opportunity of nese Christian boy, and others whom receiving instruction, he has made we left to watch the house seem to great progress in Christian knowledge have been very faithful. Every thing and practice. His experience and is safe and in good order. Ko-thah. heavenly-mindedness might, perhaps, byoo, it seems, has come to town twice put many a worldly-minded Christian since our absence; but as he left his to the blush. I know not, however, wife and two little brothers sick in the but he is a little like the disciple who jungle, he returned to them before our said, “Lord, I will follow thee, but arrival. Moung Sek-kyee, the Karen let me first go bid them farewell which youth who entered our school fifteen are at home;" for he proposes to remonths sinco, and was baptized in May turn home immediately, to harvest his last, but left us in quest of health the grain, and then he will come and be

23.

1

sus.

baptized. He will go early in the ing somewhat like the conference, or morning.

covenant meetings in America. Each Oct. 24. Moung Khway has re- member of the church mentions the pented and come back to be baptized. state of his mind, his trials, fears and He was probably induced to do so by joys, with their respective causes. On meeting Ko-la-rai, (an infirm old this occasion, one of the persons just inan of sixty-five,) and Moung Kyah baptized seeme almost transported coming out from Moung So's village, with joy. “I feel,” he said, “as if I to receive that blessed ordinance. had almost arrived at the feet of Je. Soon as they were assured of our ar- “Are you so near," I inquir. rival, they started off to obey their di- ed, “ that you do not wish to approach vine Lord. These three persons all nearer ?” “ No," said he, “ I wish to applied for baptism last February.- get nearer still." I inquired again, if They have all given us very pleasing he would not ere long grow weary, and evidence of true piety. Is it not a wish to depart from the Saviour's feet? proof of the power of God on the heart, “No,” he replied, “I wish to abide ihat these persons, uninduced by any there for ever.” worldly prospects, should, in their old 31. A Burman doctor has spent this age, have given up the customs of their afternoon with me, mostly alone. He ancestors, and of all the people they appeared more serious and docile than ever knew, and should undertake, al. most persons of the learned class. At though decrepit, to traverse moun. the close I prayed with him. tains, and rocks and hills and streams, Nov. 2. `At an early hour the Burfifty iniles, to receive Christian bap. man doctor was at my study, seeking tism from a foreigner-a stranger ? further instruction. He professes to Moung So would have accompanied be much impressed and pleased with them out, but was hindered by the what he has heard; and says he must dangerous illness of his mother. Ko- give up his old religion, " which," he thah-byoo, Moung Sek-kyee, and says (significantly) “I have believed Shway Hmong, who went out two more than sixty years.” “Very readays ago, arrived this evening. We sonable," I replied; “if you have have spent the time since their arrival, found a better religion, why cleave to in prayer, religious conversation, and your old one?” I hope this man will the examination of the three candidates prove a chosen vessel. for baptism. They gave very general 12. This day the church observed satisfaction, and were unanimously ac- as a season of fasting and prayer, precepted as proper subjects for the ordi- paratory to the participation of the nances of the gospel. Ma Hnen, a Lord's supper, which I propose to adTavoy woman who has been employ- minister on the approaching Sabbath. ed in our family, and has listened to A good degree of solemnity and fervor Mrs. Boardman's instructions for sev. characterized the prayers of the na. eral months, and has professed her tive Christians. Some of them profaith in the Redeemer, and her desire fess, and appear to have enjoyed a solto be baptized, was proposed this even- emn sense of divine things. ing as a candidate.

15. Lord's-day. Preached in the 25. Lord's-day Evening. We have morning from the parable of the barhad a very pleasant day. Our congre- ren fig-tree that cumbered the ground; gation was larger and more solemn than and at the close solemnly admonished usual; and towards evening, as we Shway Kyo, for several recent unwor. proceeded, about thirty in number, 10 thy acts, which I should perhaps have the baptizing tank, we were joined by never known, had I not particularly twenty or thirty other persons; and the enjoined it on all the church members, whole company having seated them that if they knew of any sin in their selves on the grass near the brink of brethren, they should be faithful to the tank, listened with very solemn the offender, and not dare approach the attention to gospel truth. During the Lord's table, suffering sin on a brother, whole service, including a discourse, without kindly and solemnly reproving a prayer, and the administering of the him. So many things are found against ordinance to the three candidates, the Shway Kyo, that we thought best not utmost stillness and solemnity prevail- to admit him to communion till he ed, and some remained on the spot to shall evince genuine repentance. inake further inquiries respecting the In the afternoon administered the gospel. In the evening, we had, as Lord's supper, the first time for sove. usual on Lord's-day evenings, a meet- ral months. We think that in order to

« AnteriorContinuar »