Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

subject of religion; and, in some, have induced them to throw away their idols, and to send their children to the mission schools.

The Deputation, who inspected the state of the Travancore mission in 1827, describe, with pe culiar delight and satisfaction, this extensive field of important operations, which, traversing from one end of it to the other, they surveyed and examined with equal interest and attention. Afterwards, when writing to the Directors, they thus expressed themselves in reference to this mission:-"There is nothing, as far as we have seen, equal to it in all India, and we are strongly reminded of what we had so often witnessed in the South Seas."

Since this very favourable testimony to the state of the Travancore mission, in 1827, was borne, by visiters who had surveyed the scene of its operations in the length and in the breadth thereof, and had attentively examined into, and on the spot recorded the details of those operations, the number of professing Christians, in connexion with it, has increased from 2,350 to nearly 4,400, and that of the native schools from 59 to 90, and the children belonging to the same, under Christian instruction, from 1,890 to 3,900; while the evidence as to the extent of good effected has been increasingly satisfactory, and the prospects of the efficiency, in future, of the extensive operations carrying forward, is continually becoming more and more animating and encouraging.

The members of the Society, we feel assured, will not fail earnestly to pray that the moral and spiritual results of those operations may be proportionate to their magnitude and extent; and that from the southern extremity of India (in some of which missionaries from another Society also labour with great and increasing success) pure Christianity may progressively advance, till, in all directions, and throughout the entire region of Hindostan, it shall, at length, have extended its peaceful triumphs, and established its holy and righteous dominion. Amen.

Austin Friars, 22 October, 1832.

A brief Memoir of Mr. John Muncaster, one of the Society's Missionary Students, who was drowned while bathing in the River Ouse, at Turvey, Bedfordshire, May, 1832.

THE subject of this memoir was born at Cleator, a small village in the neighbourhood of Whitehaven, in the county of Cumberland. He enjoyed the invaluable blessing of having pious parents, who were anxious to discharge their duty to him, and to their other children, in bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He very early discovered great tenderness of conscience, and deep impressions of the fear of God upon his heart. He was possessed of good talents, and, during his continuance at school, made considerable improvement in the ordinary branches of education. general behaviour and improvement attracted the attention of a benevolent gentleman who had a manufactory in the village, and led him to employ him as a teacher in a Sundayschool, which he had established for the benefit of the numerous youths in his employ, and connected with the families of his workmen; and he often said that he never had

His

any teacher who pleased him so much as John Muncaster.

When he was called to leave his father's house, and commence his apprenticeship in Whitehaven, he repaired at once to a Sunday-school; and, at his own request, he was added to a class of youth, who were, alternately, the one Sabbath placed under the tuition of an experienced and pious teacher, and the other, still under his superintendence, employed in teaching younger classes. Under this teacher, there is reason to believe that his knowledge of divine things was greatly enlarged; and in a short time he became an efficient agent in the school-a pattern of regular attendance, and of steady and consistent conduct.

His attendance in the house of God was most exemplary; and though little was for some years known of his feelings, there was every evidence of his taking delight in the services of the sanctuary.

About four years ago he made application to be admitted as a member of the Church of Christ assembling in Duke Street Chapel, Whitehaven, and was cordially received. His knowledge of divine things was at that

time more accurate than that of many who were his seniors, and more extensive, too, than is generally met with. It was truly refreshing to find such profiting under the dispensation of the gospel, in one so young. His becoming connected with the church of Christ gave him fresh impulse in the work of the Lord. He continued active, pious, and devoted, desiring only to know how he might be useful, and lamenting only that he could not devote more time to the work on which his heart was set.

In the month of July, 1830, he addressed a letter to his pastor, in which he, for the first time, made known his desire to engage in the work of carrying the gospel to the heathen. The letter breathes a truly humble and Christian spirit; and, but for swelling this memoir to an undue length, it should be inserted. His pastor was much pleased with it. He had often wished that from amongst the fruits of his labours there might be some raised up who should be a witness to the truth among the heathen. His wish and prayer seemed now about to be fulfilled. It was under feelings of no ordinary kind that he repeatedly met his dear young friend to converse upon the subject of his letter. The results of these conversations were most satisfactory. In order to ascertain his talents, an exercise was prescribed to him, on the subject of "the duty of Christians engaging in efforts to evangelize the heathen world.' This was performed in a way that showed the germ of talents capable of great improvement. He commenced the revisal of his Latin with his pastor, and, by himself, acquired so much acquaintance with the Greek as to be able to commence reading the New Testament in the original. Every thing combined to show that he was possessed of the qualifications, the piety, the enterprise, and the patient perseverance adapted to an evangelist to the heathen, and application was accordingly made on his behalf to the Directors of the London Missionary Society.*

His examination was satisfactory, and he was admitted on probation, and placed under the tuition of the Rev. R. Cecil, of Turvey, Bedfordshire, of whose affectionate care and kindness he always wrote with the greatest warmth. He left Whitehaven about the middle of October, 1831. His feelings were peculiarly strong on the occasion. Jealousy of himself, fear lest he should be intruding on ground on which he was not called to enter, an apprehension lest he should be deceiving himself, were expressed with a sensibility which his pastor cannot forget; and the same self-jealousy and holy fear were

*At the same time application was made on behalf of another member of the church, who is now preparing for the honourable work.

often repeated in letters which his pastor re ceived afterwards from him.

Under Mr. Cecil he prosecuted his studies with his accustomed diligence. He was much employed in preaching, was very acceptable, and, there is reason to believe, useful. His great theme was Christ crucified. He was deeply imbued with the love of evangelical truth, and considered it as worthy of all acceptation. In his letters to his friends there was uniformly discovered the humble, anxious Christian, looking unto Jesus, and feeling the indispensable necessity of cleaving to him with full purpose of heart.

During the last few weeks of his short career he was observed by his fellow-students to grow rapidly in the divine life, and in a meetness for a better world. The same thing was noticed by his correspondents, as appearing evidently in his letters.

On the last Sabbath of his life (the 6th day of May) he preached three times, by appointment, at Carrington, nine miles distant from Turvey, to large congregations. He discovered unusual fervour in the whole of the services; and many of his hearers were struck with the earnestness which he manifested for the salvation of sinners. returned to Turvey on the Monday, in high spirits, and met his fellow-students with great cordiality, speaking of the encouragement he had enjoyed on the preceding day.

He

He had always anticipated the return of the season when he might bathe in the River Ouse, which flows past the village of Turvey. The day was fine; he felt relaxed by the exertions of the Sabbath, and he resolved to bathe.

The proposal did not meet, at first, the approbation of his fellow-students; but at last, overcome by his importunity, four of them accompanied him to the water-side. It was swollen with heavy rains which had lately fallen. Three of his companions, who were excellent swimmers, went first in, that they might ascertain the temperature of the water, and the strength of the current. They felt considerable difficulty in bearing up against the stream, and told him so; but, as if satisfied that he could stem the torrent, he ventured in, swam for a few moments well, and then, to appearance, became paralyzed. This was seen by one of his brethren, who instantly seized him by the arm, and conducted him to a part of the bank, of which both of them caught hold. But the bank gave way with them, and they were thrown back again into the strong current. other two companions had found it necessary to gain the bank, that they might recover their strength; but one of them now returned to his assistance, but in vain. His strength was gone; both were carried down the stream together, and the subject of this memoir sunk, alas! to rise no more. The agonized feelings of his companions may

His

be more easily conceived than described. When the mournful tidings reached the village, the deepest anxiety and regret were manifested. All classes vied, in an expression of sorrow, and in the use of means for restoring what, it was fondly hoped, might only prove suspended animation; but in vain, for the spirit had fled.

It would be vain, as it is unnecessary, to attempt to describe the sensation produced when letters from Mr. Cecil and his brother brought the mournful news to Whitehaven. Prompted by parental affection, his father, Mr. Muncaster, immediately proceeded to Turvey, accompanied by his pastor, the writer of the present memoir. They arrived there on the morning of Saturday.

On the next day (the Lord's-day), Mr. Cecil being from home, the pastor of the church in Whitehaven preached twice to large and deeply interested congregations, from Romans xiv. 7, 8, 9:-"For none of us liveth to himself," &c. On the Monday the body was conveyed to the chapel, accompanied by a great concourse of people, many of them from a great distance, and deposited in a vault prepared within the walls for its reception. The assembled crowd were addressed on the occasion from Rev. xiv. 13:

"I heard a voice from heaven,' " &c. The impression made by the mysterious dispensation of divine providence was evidently deep, and many showed it by their tears. May the impression prove salutary and lasting!

How mysterious are the ways of God! How short-sighted is man! Many had looked to John Muncaster as likely to turn out a valuable labourer in the missionary cause. Their expectations were warranted by his deep piety, devotedness, and more than ordinary talent. But the hope is disappointed. The Lord of the harvest designed it otherwise. The wisdom of this dispensation will hereafter be seen. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

He was a young man of a sweet temper, an affectionate son and brother, a warm and steady friend. Naturally, he was of a playful disposition; but he had learned to temper this disposition with Christian seriousness. His chief ornament was his humble piety. He will be long remembered by his own bereaved family, and by a large circle of Christian brethren who had realized his worth, and marked the grace of the Saviour as abounding toward him and in him. It remains for them to gird up the loins of their minds, and be followers of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises. His fellow-students will, no doubt, retain the recollection of the sorrowful event which separated from them one so endeared to them all. May they profit by it, and, under the impression of the shortness and

uncertainty of time, put forth all their energies in the cause of the Redeemer, working while it is called to-day. Their present duties demand the most assiduous and persevering attention. Time is precious; and for the honourable and arduous work to which they have devoted themselves, they will find that no degree of attainment in any department of useful knowledge will be useless. But (will they suffer the word of exhortation from one who loves them, and will never forget their kindness to his and their dear departed friend?) let them especially study the mysteries of the kingdom, that they may be able to unfold the riches of redeeming love to perishing men; and, at the same time, "be ready always for defence, with meekness and reverence, to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in them." To feel the power of the truth is an indispensable qualification for the profitable exhibition of it. Deep, serious, personal godliness is the element in which missionaries, especially, should live. Without this every other attainment will prove sadly inefficient. It will be too late to discover this when the difficulties of their work press upon them. It must be cultivated now. It must be carried with them to the scene of their labours, and there it will prove the living soul of exertion, and the only efficient support under trials and afflictions. May the Great Head of the church spare them, and enrich them with every needful gift and grace, and honour them to be useful in his cause, and to his name be all the glory!

ARRIVAL OF MISSIONARIES OUTWARDS.

Letter from the Rev. John Hands, Missionary at Bellary, dated 31st March, 1832; addressed to the Directors.

VERY DEAR BRETHREN,

It does, indeed, afford me pleasure to be able once more to address you from Bellary. Oh how gracious has the Lord been to me and mine, in bringing us back again to our dear friends and station, and in such comfortable circumstances! May past mercies never be forgotten, and all my future days be consecrated to his service! Of my detention at Madras till the close of the monsoon, and at Bangalore, to allow of Mr. Campbell accompanying his family to Madras, you have, I doubt not, heard from Mr. Arundel, to whom I have written several times since my arrival in India. Both at Madras and Bangalore I found as much labour as I could perform, and I have reason to hope my labours at these places were not altogether in vain. We reached Bellary in health and comfort on the 28th of February, where our dear brethren, and a good number of our friends, came some distance to meet us, and

welcome us back again. Our feelings on beholding ourselves once more in our old abode, and surrounded by many dear old friends, you may better conceive of than I can describe. I am now set down to my work as before, and my visit home seems but as a dream that has passed away. We are busily engaged in revising the New Testament for a new edition, the old being nearly all expended. The new type, we hope, will soon arrive, as we cannot begin printing the new edition of the Testament till it comes. I have great comfort in the dear brethren who have been associated with me in the mission; they are men of God, beloved by his people, and esteemed by all. A delightful spirit of Christian love and harmony at present reigns amongst us, and, I hope, will ever remain. Oh! pray that no root of bitterness may ever spring up to trouble us! Dear brother Reid, considering his manifold labours, has made good progress in the language, and can now converse and preach in it with tolerable facility. Since my return he has been from home a week, itinerating and attending two Hindoo festivals in the vicinity. He bears the climate exceeding well, and bids fair to be one of our most active and useful missionaries, should life and health be spared. We both purpose attending the great festival at Humpee, which takes place the week after next. The weather is now very warm here-thermometer 94° in the shade; but, as my health is pretty good, we get through the labours of the day comfortably. Mrs. Reid and Mrs. Hands are, I am happy to say, in tolerable health, but suffer considerable debility from the heat; another month will, we hope, bring us rain and cooler weather. I am happy to say our native services are, in general, well attended, and there appears to be an increasing attention to the important things spoken. We have reason to believe there are many around us who are almost ready to burst the bands which at present restrain them from making an open profession. Oh! for the Spirit's influences to inspire them with courage and love! Our English services at the Fort Church in the morning of the Sabbath, and at the chapel in the evening, were never so well attended before; both places are generally crowded, and we have reason to believe the word is not preached in vain.

As we purpose soon to send you a joint letter, you must excuse the brevity of this. My dear wife unites with me, and Mr. and Mrs. Reid, and Mr. and Mrs. Paine, and the children, in affectionate regards.

Yours, very affectionately,

(Signed) JOHN HANDS.

Madras, 18th May, 1832.

From the Rev. John Bilderbeck to the Rev. John Arundel.

MY DEAR AND MUCH ESTEEMED SIR,

I ought to have written to you by the Orontes, but it unaccountably escaped my notice. Another opportunity offers itself now by the Warrior, which I gladly avail myself of, and hope this letter will reach you safe, and find yourself, and others who are similarly employed in the cause of Christ, in the enjoyment of health, and every other blessing which enricheth and added no sorrow. You will, no doubt, learn by this of my safe arrival in this land of Pagan idolatry, of Popish superstition, and of Mahometan licentiousness.* This, as you are aware, is the land that gave me birth. Satan has here long erected his kingdom, and he has still a strong hold on the minds of too many of my countrymen. If you had not sent your missionaries and your Bibles here I might, for aught I know, have still remained a miserable subject of his kingdom; but, by the grace of God, and through the instru mentality of your Bibles and your missionaries, I am what I am. Being made free from Satan's yoke, I am now constrained, by gratitude and love to Christ, to seek the freedom of my fellow sinners. This land, the spiritual interests of which I once overlooked, is now become the chosen sphere of my missionary labours. Oh! what an unspeakable honour is it to be employed in communicating the riches of that grace to my fellow mortals, which, I trust, I myself have experienced! "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."

As I was approaching these shores, instead of seeing the steeples of Christian churches erected to the glory of the only living and true God (as they are in England), the chief objects that caught my eye, soon after the discovery of land, were, heathen temples erected in great numbers, almost in every direction, for idol worship, and other abominations. The contrast between England and my poor country, in this respect, was so very great, that I felt as if I could have wept tears of blood. England was at once depicted to my mind as standing like Capernaum, as high as heaven itself in privileges; while India seemed to sink, as it were, as low as hell. And who, with such an awful contrast, can command his feelings! Oh! when will all these idolatrous temples be converted into Christian churches? My dear Sir, the work is great; much, certainly, has already been done, and we must feel thank

*Mr. Bilderbeck arrived at Madras on May 1, 1832.

ful, and give glory to God. But we cannot form any adequate idea of what still remains to be done. No; Satan is not yet dethroned, and the strong holds of idolatry, superstition, and delusion, are not yet brought to its foun, dation; and it is my firm impression that it never will, or can be, brought down, till means are increased, more prayer is offered up, and more missionaries are sent out.

The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few." It would be base ingratitude in me, after all that I have personally experienced, through the benevolent exertions of England, to say that she has done very little for my countrymen. I acknowledge she has done much; but I dare not, I will not take upon myself to say that she has done all she could. A great deal is still in her power, and I know that she can still heap coals of fire on our head. "Come over, then, and help us."

Pardon the digression, if, indeed, it be one. I must now proceed to tell you about my voyage, which, I am glad to inform you, my beloved Sir, was pleasant and prosperous. My attempts to do good are very poor. Oh! that I could serve my God better! I am an unprofitable servant; and I very much fear I shall be so to the very end of my life. But one consolation I have, and that is, from the fact that "God will not cause his word to return unto him void, but that he will accomplish that whereunto he sent it." My efforts on board ship, however, were not without indications of the divine approbation, and I must leave the rest for eternity to disclose. I bless God for the protection which I have experienced during the voyage, and for the favour which I have found in the eyes of my fellow passengers and friends. All these things furnish me with additional motives to love and serve my dear Redeemer.

Since my arrival here I have taken regularly a share in the labours of the Rev. William Taylor, &c., and I never feel so much in my proper element as when I break the bread of life to my countrymen. It is to the interests of the heathen that I have consecrated myself, and it is to them that I am anxious exclusively to devote my time, my talent (if I have any), and my all. I wish to spend, and to be spent, in the service of my God. Oh! that the Lord would fit and qualify me with the gifts and graces of his Spirit for this most responsible workthat he would make me feel my personal weakness, and that he would enable me to live and move under the sanctifying influ ence of those truths which I am so desirous to recommend to others! My appointment to a particular station in this presidency is now under the consideration of the District Committee. And now, dear Sir, I must conclude. Soliciting an interest in your

[blocks in formation]

"On the other half of this sheet you have the particulars of the collections made by G. Bennet, Esq., and myself, in the month of July last. The amount (altogether about £200) should have been transmitted long ere now, but for reasons which I could not control. I trust the account will be found correct. It is only proper for me to say, that Mr. Bennet and I met with the utmost kindness, and found the missionary spirit generally on the increase. Most of the brethren lamented the inability of the friends of the cause to contribute to it, according to their wishes, owing to the depressed state of the times. But, upon the whole, I believe the collections will be found greater than in the preceding year. "A. J."

DURHAM.

George Bennet, Esq., writes from Darlington ::- "Thus far, my much respected friend, has our gracious and heavenly Father condescended to make my way prosperous, and to give his own cause favour in the sight of his children, and of the Christian public. I have enjoyed much satisfaction, and profitable Christian intercourse with ministers and people (and with very many of the Society of Friends) in these two counties. They have required a good deal of labour from me; but, health being granted, that has not been irksome. I herewith hastily send the pecuniary result of these visits, £236, since my friend Mr. Chaplin left me. "G. B."

NORTHUMBERLAND DISTRICT.

"I am happy to be able to inform you that the missionary meetings, which have just taken place in this district, have been, in general, very well attended; that the statements of our friend, Mr. Bennet, have excited considerable interest; and that, in the county of Northumberland, a larger sum has been contributed to the Society than has been realized for several years. The collections in Newcastle amounted to £42. At

« AnteriorContinuar »