promote his views, but did not think it probable that a King's ship would, from the nature of the service, touch at Algoa Bay. The Directors remain uncertain whether the Doctor still intends to attempt that mission; but considering that having been at times very seriously indisposed, they are rather inclined to request his val uable services in another way. The number of Missionaries being consid. erably augmented, and more being about to be sent to Africa, it has ap peared to the Directors exceedingly desirable that a superintendant of the whole work should reside at the Cape, who might manage all the pecuniary concerns of the Society, which are now become considerable, and who might give that advice and assistance to new Missionaries which his talents and experience have so eminently qualified him to afford. The Direc. tors have therefore proposed this measure to him, leaving it however altogether to his own judgment and inclination, to decide upon the proposed measure, or to proceed, if he finds it practicable, to Madagascar. It is with pleasure and gratitude the Directors mention the safe arrival of the Brethren Wimmer and Pacalt at the Cape, who proceeded as soon as opportunity offered to Bethelsdorp, where they were most gladly received as fellow-laborers, whose assistance would allow the brethren who were there before to make itiner. ating excursions among the colonists. The Brethren Wimmer and Pacalt diligently embraced all the opportunities which occurred on their journey from the Cape, to preach the Gospel, which many heard with most pleasing avidity, and there is reason to hope, with much profit. Soon after their arrival, an arrangement was made by the brethren, with reference to the intended mission to Madagascar. Messrs. Pacalt, Ulbricht, and Verhoogd, determined to accompany Dr. Vanderkemp; while Messrs. Read, Wimmer, and Smit, consented to remain at Bethelsdorp. Our indefatigable brethren, not content with doing all the good in their power at Bethelsdorp, made some excursions into the interior of the colony. Dr. Vanderkemp visited THIS station appears still to prosper, although deprived for many months of the labors of the two Missionaries, Mr Anderson and Mr. Kramer, the former of whom, having occasion to visit Cape Town, has been detained by violent and repeated attacks of disease. His last letter, however, states, that he had been restored in great measure to health, and was earnestly desirous of returning to his station as soon as possible. Indeed, he once commenced his journey, with the persons sent from the Orange River to conduct him, but a severe illness obliged him to desist, and afterwards to return to the Cape. In the mean time, letters and messages received by him from Mr. Janz, who continued at the station, were highly satisfactory. The attendance of the people at the place of worship was regular, and so numerous, that although it will hold 360 persons, exclusive of children, it was insufficient for their accommoda. tion, especially on the Lord's day, when many were obliged to sit with out. Mr. Janz continued his solitary labors, with much patience and per severance; and they appear to have been attended with the Divine blessing, though no remarkable awakening had lately appeared. "Our labors," says Mr. Anderson, "have been amply rewarded, and the pecu. niary assistance of our friends in England has not been given in vain. Our prayers have been answered. Several who were the fruits of our ministry have died in the faith, and are now a round the throne, praising and glorifying that grace which you were made the instruments of communica. ting; and there are still many more who daily bow their knees and offer up their thanksgivings to God, in that (till we came among them) unknown part of Africa. O that the Lord may grant me, and my brethren, and the Society, persevering grace; we shall reap if we faint not. I desire earnest ly an interest in your most fervent prayers. We have many difficulties, many dangers to encounter, but a faithful God hath hitherto supported and delivered, and I doubt not he will still deliver and bring us safely through." The long stay of Mr. Anderson at the Cape, is a circumstance much lamented by the Directors, as the sta. tion at the Orange River requires the labor of several Missionaries. Mr. Janz was left for more than a year to labor alone, while the poor people were extremely anxious for Mr. Anderson's return. Mr. Janz informs him, that the people were so much distressed at his absence, that nothing could pacify them, till he read them that part of his letter, in which he assured them, that as soon as his health was restored he would certain ly return to them. Some of them told Mr. Janz, that if Mr. Anderson did not come back to them they should die of grief; and when they spoke of this matter to him, he was frequently so much affected as to weep. It may certainly be hoped that a people so sensible of the value of their minister, are not unacquainted with the excellence and the power of that Gospel which he preaches unto them. The Directors hope to hear, in the next letter they receive, that he and Mr. Kramer, who has promised to return with him, have reached this important set-, tlement, and that their united efforts are crowned with increasing success. Mr Janz, when he last wrote to the Cape, had baptized nine adults and seventeen children since Mr. Ander. son's departure. The situation of Mr. Janz was rendered peculiarly trying, by the pain. ful apprehensions entertained, at one time, of a hostile attack from the Caf fres in their neighborhood. These cruel people, who were accustomed to plunder and bloodshed, and who had murdered many of the Briquas, had, there was too much reason to believe, formed a resolution of attacking them also. In consequence of information to that effect, all the people from the adjacent kralls of Corannas, collected, with their cattle, at the settlement. Mr. Janz, and the good people with him, immediately set apart a day for extraordinary prayer and supplication to the Father of mercies, for his gra cious protection. This was Friday, the 11th of May 1810, when we also were assembled at our Anniversary to pray for them. A few days after, they sent some of their people to the Caffres, with a present and a pacific message, requesting them in a friendly manner, to withdraw. Through the goodness of God, who heard their prayers, this application succeeded, and the messengers shortly returned with the pleasing news that these terrific people had determined to comply with their request, and to pass over the river as soon as it was sufficiently low, acknowledging also that they thought the Missionaries were good men who loved peace, although they themselves did not, and that they sought their welfare. But as no great dependance can be placed on the promises of savages, the brethren were not without some apprehensions. Mr. Janz, whose whole conduct on this occasion seems to have been marked with the true spirit of piety, says, "Now we must leave it in the hands of the Lord, hoping to see his loving kindness in confirming the work of our hands, and granting us a complete deliverance. This is my prayer, that we may be so firmly estabushed by the Lord, that no enemy may be able to hurt this church; for, as a kind father, he hath hitherto taken care of us, so that instead of complaint we have cause for thankfuiness that the doctrines of the Gospel, accompanied by the power of his Spirit, have had so much influence on some of our people, that, by means of their Christian exhortation and ex-ample, they have subdued the ungov erned spirit of the Caffres." In consequence of the imminent danger to which our friends had been exposed, Mr. Anderson, who was at the Cape, presented a respectful memorial to the governer of the colony, Lord Caledon, requesting protection and other privileges. His Lordship was pleased to return a very favorable answer to the application, and fur. nished them with implements of husbandry and medicines. Mr. Anderson expresses a very strong desire to extend to the Briquas, a numerous people not very distant from the Great River, the blessings of the Gospel. He begs that two Missionaries may be sent out for this pur pose "Cur station," he says, "is more than 300 miles distant from the utmost bounds of the colony, (that is, from Zak River) and we are separa. ted from all intercourse; but the Bri quas are only five days' journey from us. O what an extensive field is there open for us! I intend on my return to begin learning the Briqua language." The Missionaries mention with much thankfulness a present of Dutch Bibles and Testaments from the British and Foreign Bible Society. They were truly welcome, and many more are still wanted. Mr. Anderson says, "I can truly say, that through means of your Society, and the Bible Society, the Lord is doing great things for us. Let us be glad and rejoice." The Directors take this opportunity of expressing also their gratitude to that excellent and useful body, for the prompt and generous attention she wn upon all occasions to applications in behalf of our Missionaries in various parts of the world: the supply of Bibles and Testaments proving, in many cases, a most valuable aid to the labors of the brethren, and promoting, in a powerful manner, the great cause of truth and goodness, in which all real Christians feel a common interest. Upon the whole, the African Missions appear to the Directors to increase in their magnitude and impor. tance; and they indulge a hope, that when so many of the tribes of that rude and uninformed country are cry. ing aloud, "Come over and help us!" the Lord will display, in a remarkable manner, the power of his Holy Spirit, in the conversion of a numerous body to the praise of the glory of his grace. The support and enlargement of these Missions have indeed become especially since the circumstances of a source of very considerable expense, the Rotterdam Society, who had engaged to defray a part of it, have unhappily become such as to disable them from fulfilling their intentions; finger of God so plainly directs to a but we are persuaded, that when the country wherein so many are thirsting for the word of life, the generosity of British Christians will enable the Directors to increase the number of laborers, as far as prudence may warrant. SOCIETY FOR SUPPRESSING VICE A Society with the above designation has been formed at Portland, the Constitution of which, with the preamble, we give below. Every benevolent man must wish well to the attempts of this association. "AT a time when the righteous Governor of the Universe seems to be pouring down his judgments upon adversity are hanging over these Unithe world-when the dark clouds of ted States-and when the people of this part of them are alarmed with apprehensions of discord and distress, is it not the duty of all who wish well flect upon the causes of these calamto their peace and happiness, to reities? And is there not ground to beruption of manners, and an inattention lieve that a prevalence of vice, a cor. tion the neglect of religious duties) to the duties of morality, (not to menhave provoked the Divine Being to manifest his displeasure against us! ideas, we feel disposed to exert such "Deeply impressed with these use, to rectify the minds of the vicious endeavors as may seem suitable to and immoral, and engage the atteneffectual-humbly hoping that such a tion of all around us to render them co-operation of the well disposed will have a beneficial tendency to melior. ate that portion of the community with which any of us may be most 1 immediately connected, and thereby in some degree, avert the wrath of Him who exalts or abases a people according to their obedience or disobedience of his will. "In order to effect this object, we have judged it expedient to form ourselves into a Society to be denominated A Society for suppressing Vice and Immorality, and do agree to the following ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION. 1. A committee of twelve shall be chosen to conduct the business of the Society, of which the following officers to be appointed by the Society, shall form a part, viz. a Chairman, Clerk, and Treasurer, any five of whom to be quorum. 2. It shall be the duty of each member to use his endeavors by persuasion and advice, or by such other means as his prudence shall direct, to reclaim the vicious, and promote an attention to moral duties, by those in whom a remissness therein shall ap pear to prevail. services towards effecting the object of the Institution, it shall be their duty to afford the aid required. 9. If any vacancy should take place by the resignation of any of its members, or otherwise, the Committee may supply the same. 10 Any gentleman who may hereafter embrace the views of this Society, and subscribe these articles, shall be considered a member. 11. Occasional meetings of the Society may be called by the Committee; or by the Clerk on the applica tion of two members; notice of which meeting shall be given by advertising in the Portland papers. 12. Notwithstanding the business of the Society will devolve principally upon the Committee, it shall be the duty of each member to suggest such mode of proceeding as he may deem to be beneficial, and for this purpose may attend the meetings of said Com. mittee, and act with them in their deliberations upon the subject: Provided, that not more than three members should attend at the same meeting. 13. These articles shall be in force until the last Saturday in April next, on which day a meeting shall be hold. 3. When persuasive and cautionary measures shail not prove effectual, or when any circumstances shall require it, we will aid the Tythingen in this place, at four o'clock in the men and other legal officers in their duty of prosecuting those who may commit notorious offences, or conduct disorderly. [The 4th, 5th, and 6th articles are of a circumstantial nature.] 7. And whereas some young per sons of both sexes, from a deficiency of education or a state of poverty, or perhaps both, have inconsiderately contracted habits of idleness and vice, prejudicial to their own interest and happiness, and the peace and order of the community-it shall be the duty of the Committee to attain a knowledge of the circumstances of such persons, and make such provision as their discretion may suggest, to res cue them from the evils to which such habits may expose them. 8. If the Committee should judge it necessary to appoint as a sub.com. mittee, any other members of the Society than those who belong to their body, to aid them in any particular VOL. IV. New Series. afternoon, to consider the expediency of continuing the association, or reestablishing the same under such other regulations, as may then be agreed upon. Portland, April 24, 1812. Signed by fifty-three respectable citizens. THE COMMITTEE. Hon. Samuel Freeman, Chairman, Levi Cutter, Clerk, Samuel F. Hus-sey, Treasurer, Daniel Tucker, Mark Harris, Robert Douglass, Horatio Southgate, Edward Cobb, Zechariah Nowell, Thomas Baker, Stephen Tukey, Cotton B. Brooks. REVIVALS OF RELIGION. We are happy to hear, that there is a very considerable and most desirable revival of religion in Randolph, Abington, Weymouth, Easton, (Mass.) 72 and other neighboring towns. The assemblies on the Sabbath are deeply solemn; many individuals are anxiously inquiring the way of salvation; and a considerable number have been hopefully converted. A worthy clergyman in the county of Berkshire writes to a friend, as follows, in a letter dated the 2d inst. "I have much pleasure in informing you, that a very promising work of Divine grace has commenced at Williamstown. More than thirty per sons are considered as having become subjects of saving grace. This good work has extended into the College. The minds of the students generally are solemnized; many are under deep impressions; and 13 or 14 exhibit evidence of having passed from death unto life. This intelligence will gladden your heart, and I trust, the hearts of many in your vicinity. Blessed be God, his hand is not shortened that it cannot save.' A letter from a remote part of the country mentions, that a revival of religion commenced there, in consequence of reading to a part of the congregation, in the interval of public worship, the sermon preached at the ordination of the missionaries in Salem. Christians were roused, and others greatly impressed with religious truths. A letter from the Rev. Mr. Waddel, dated at Wilmington, (S. C.) more than two years ago, states that there was then a considerable revival of re. ligion in that place. Mr. Waddel was preceptor of an Academy, and mentioned, among other interesting facts, that nearly half the members of that Seminary, which contained more than a hundred students, had been under serious impressions; and that upwards of twenty were hopefully converted. It seems proper that an event so important and so happy, though not published when recent, should still be laid before the Christian reader. Extract of a letter from the Rev. Samuel Kidder of Tamworth, (N. H.) to the Rev. Dr. Morse, dated July 29, 1811. "SINCE May last God has been pleased in mercy to visit the people of my charge with remarkable influences of his Holy Spirit. The middleaged and youth are particularly affected. The congregation on the Sabbath is as solemn as the house of death. At the intermission, there is a serious inquiry, What must we do to be saved? The work is now rapidly increasing. Young people of both sexes resort to my house for religious instruction on Sabbath evenings, and other evenings after the labors of the day. Even boys from eleven to fifteen years old are frequently at my house, after the toils of the day, (with coun tenances and gestures as serious as men of fifty usually exhibit,) confessing their sins, and inquiring the way of salvation. Twenty-four persons, all under thirty years of age, have Five been received into the church. more, of the same class, were propounded yesterday. Many more, it is hoped, have received a change of heart. I never saw so much seriousness and solemnity in this place before." Note. The letter, from which the above extract is made, was communicated soon after it was received; but was accidentally mislaid. ORDINATIONS. ORDAINED, on the 2d inst. the Rev. AARON LELAND, over the 2d Presbyterian Church in Charleston, (S.C.) At Bromfeld, (N. Y.) the Rev. PHILANDER PARMELE. Sermon from Acts ix, 6. FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETIES. THE following gentlemen have been chosen officers of the Saco and Biddeford Branch of the Foreign Missionary Society. Rev. JONATHAN COGSWELL, Saco, President. |