صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

edited by the Assistant Corresponding Secretary. We bespeak for both these publications the continued favorable regards of the members of the Missionary Union, and the friends generally of the missionary cause. No essential change is made in the design of either of these periodicals. They will retain their exclusively missionary character, though allowed to take a somewhat wider range than formerly; and will serve the more effectually, it is hoped, to spread just views of the missionary enterprize both in its principles and progress, and to quicken to a deeper and more effective interest in its prosecution.

DEATH OF DR. ARMSTRONG.

66

The following resolutions were adopted by the Executive Committee of the Missionary Union, at their meeting of Nov. 30. Resolved, That the Executive Committee have heard with profound regret of the recent death of the Rev. Dr. Armstrong, one of the Corresponding Secretaries of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and that they regard the dispensation, apart from the distressing circumstances in which it occurred, as peculiarly afflictive. The loss of such a laborer is an affliction common to all who are seeking by evangelical means to enlighten and save the heathen.

"Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary be requested to communicate a copy of the above resolution to the Prudential Committee of the American Board, and assure them of the deep sympathy of this Committee in their sudden and painful bereavement."

MISSIONARY NOTICES.

Return of Missionaries.-Rev. Mr. Osgood, with his wife and children, arrived at New York in the packet ship Cornelia, November 22, having left Maulmain, via England, in consequence of ill health, in April last. Mr. O. had ta

Great Britain, which was stranded on the coast of Ireland. The perils and sufferings

We record in sorrow, and with an earnest sympathy for the relatives and associates more immediately bereaved, the decease of the Rev. William J. Armstrong, D. D., one of the Corresponding Secretaries of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, who was drowned on the morning of the 27th of November, in consequence of the wreck of the steamer Atlantic, in which he had taken passage for New York. Dr. Armstrong was elected secretary in the autumn of 1835, and dur-ken passage from England in the steamer ing the eleven years of his official service, had given himself to the missionary work with such a measure of zeal, wisdom, dis-shared in common by the passengers in that interestedness and Christian courtesy, as greatly to commend himself to the esteem and confidence of all who became acquainted with him. He died at the age of 50. His remains were removed to New York, and thence to Newark, N. J.; and on the 9th ult. a discourse was pronounced in Park street meeting-house, Boston, before the Prudential Committee and a numerous assembly of Christian friends, by the Rev. N. Adams, a member of the Committee, from Ps. 116: 15. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. It was a fitting tribute to the memory of the deceased, and a richly consolatory interpretation of the providence which had suddenly removed him from his labors on earth to the heavenly rest that awaited him.

disaster, were peculiarly severe upon our missionaries, already exhausted by a protracted voyage and enfeebled by disease; but God provided for them, and they were enabled by the kindness of Christian friends to take their second departure from Liverpool in comparative health and comfort. Mr. O. will not be able to return to Burmah, it is feared, on account of his impaired constitution and peculiar liability to a renewal of sickness in that climate. We are assured, however, that his services will not be wanting to the missionary cause, whenever and however God may direct his way.

Burmah.-We are pained to learn, by our last advices from Burmah, that Mrs. Mason, of Tavoy mission, was dangerously

understood that it would be impossible to remain in the vicinity of a white population unless they abstained from the use of ardent spirits. Mr. Slater is much encour

ill in August, and it was "feared she would not survive the rains." If sufficiently restored, she would probably leave for this country at an early day. Our last communications from Maul-aged also, by the late gratifying attention main, are of August 19. Mr. Stevens writes, after speaking of the general health of the station:

"The Catholics are using every effort to destroy our influence, by means the most scurrilous that I have ever been called to witness. Their productions in Burmese are so vulgar, not to say obscene, that a decent man is ashamed even to read them. In refutation of some of their barefaced falsehoods on the subject of baptism, I have just taken through the press a tract of sixty duodecimo pages, a considerable portion of which is the production of a native Christian, Moung Dway, and was first published in the Religious Herald. I have also another tract, somewhat larger, on the Apostolical Office, being an exposition of the celebrated passage in Matt. 16: 13-19. This I hope to publish as soon as the press is somewhat relieved."

of the Indians to the study of letters. A few copies of hymn books and the gospel in Ottawa, written according to the new plan adopted by Mr. Meeker, have been put into their hands; and as it greatly facilitates the process of learning to read, both old and young have betaken themselves to it with much interest and success.

Shawanoe Mission.- Ottawas. - Mr. Meeker reports the addition of ten Ottawas and one Putawatomie to the Ottawa church, July 31. The religious visiting and meetings had been regularly maintained four days in a week by the native brethren, during his late absence.

Delawares. On the 17th of Angust, Mr. Blanchard baptized four Delawares; and there were two other candidates. The new meeting-house built at this station, was to be completed in September. Mr.

Mr. Stevens remarks of his school of B. speaks with much satisfaction of the arBurmese native assistants :

"With the assistance of brother Stilson, both in preaching and teaching, I have been enabled to keep up the theological class during the rains. There are six students in regular standing; one a probationer for the present rains. The studies have been the New Testament, Ecclesiastical History, and Arithmetic, together with weekly original compositions on subjects connected with the passages of scripture which they have studied."

rival of the Rev. James Cusick, of Tuscarora, N. Y.

Shawanoes.-The school at this station had an average attendance of sixteen, the last season. The Indians were more industrious than in the year before, and the prospect of a sufficiency of food was good. One person had been received to the church on profession of faith.

DONATIONS

Received in November, 1846.
Maine.

Thomaston, three friends
Wiscasset, John Sylvester

,85

5,00

5,85

New Hampshire.

5,00

,50

Vermont.
East Poultney, Mrs. Tuttle
South Fairfax, viz-1. D.

Ottawas in Michigan.—Mr. Slater informs us that during the last summer the Indians in his neighborhood have manifested increased interest in religious exer- Kingston, E. G. Dalton cises. The morals of the community had greatly improved. Scarcely a case of intoxication had occurred for a long time; and agricultural pursuits had been prosecuted with unusual industry and advantage. This improvement was probably owing in part to some apprehensions of being removed to the Indian territory. They have

Farnsworth 10,00; Mrs.
Farnsworth 2,00; Mr.
Safford 1,00; Mr. War-
ren 50c.; Col. 8,50,
Passumpsic, col.

22.00
4,94

per Rev. J. T. Jones,
agent of the Board,
Vermont State Convention, Rev.
Willard Kimball tr., for the

27,44

life memberships of Rev. Alvah Sabin, of Georgia, Rev. C. W. Hodges, of Bennington, Rev. Willard Kimball, of Brandon, and Rev. Nathan Denison, of Hardwick, viz. Shaftsbury Association, for support of Rev. Mr. Bronson, 4,50; Bennington, ch., for support of do., 2,86; Windsor, ch., for support of an orphan in Rev. Mr. Bronson's school, 24,00; Ludlow, ch. and Sewing Soc., for support of Mr. Brown, 45,00; do., do. do. do., for Siam Mission, 5,00; Townshend, ch., for support of Mr. Brown, 16,00; Col. at the Convention 30,08; Sundry donations 263,56,

401,00

[blocks in formation]

13,31

Gloucester, Juv. Miss. Soc., for the life membership of Rev. William Lamson, and for the education of a heathen child, 100,00 Hampden Co. For. Miss. Soc., Newbury Norton tr., viz.Montgomery, Mrs. Betsey Chapman 100,00; Cabotsville, ch. 75,00; Chickopee Falls, ch. 20.00; Westfield, Central, ch. 19,25; Westfield Farms, ch. 17,63; Agawam, ch. 46,73; Granville, ch., viz.: G. D. Felton and family, 4,92; Rev. S. Root and family 7,25; Wm. Crowell 50c.; Jacob. S. Root 1,75; Samuel Bancroft 3,00; Mrs. Mercy P. Collins 50c.; Jeanette Granger 50c.; Francis L. Root 1,00; Rev. Thomas Rand 1,00; Col. from the cong. 97c., Wendell Assoc., Job Frye tr., ($13,44 of which is for the

300,00

Burman Mission, and 1,00 for support of Mr. Goddard,' Charlestown, 1st ch., Judson Miss. Soc., Miss Catharine Haynes tr., for the support of Miss Waldo,

Carver, Mrs. Tilson Pratt, for Indian Missions,

Rhode Island.

Rhode Island State Convention, V. J. Bates tr., viz.-Providence, 1st ch., mon. con. for Oct. and Nov., for a life membership to be named, 100,00; Rev. Dr. Wayland, for the life membership of Mrs. H. S. H. Wayland, of Providence, and Rev. F. Wayland, Sen., of Saratoga Springs, 200,00, do., 4th ch., for the life membership of Rev. Francis Smith, 100,00; do., Pine St. ch., mon. con., 28,00,

New York.

New York city, Miss Hannah
Caldwell, of the Fem. For.
Miss. Soc. of Oliver St. ch.,
for her life membership, per
Sarah C. Milbank tr.,
Monroe Assoc., Wm. N. Sage
tr., for the life memberships of
Rev. Henry Stanwood, of
Rush, Rev. Hiram K. Stimp-
son, of Wheatland, and Rev.
Zenas Case, Jr., of Ogden,
N. Y.,

86,11

50,00

,50 933,08

300,00

128,00

428,00

100,00

300,00

400,00

New Jersey.

Middletown Point, Rachel Bent

25,00

Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia, a friend

1,00

10,00

11,00

East Smithfield, For. Miss. Soc., Samuel Farwell tr.,

Ohio.

Portage Assoc., J. E. Jackson tr., viz. Northampton, ch. 50c.; Salem, ch. 2,10; do., for Burman Mission, 3.33; do., 2d ch, Fem. For. Miss. Soc., 8,00; Garrets ville, ch. 5,79; Streetsboro', ch., mon. con., 17,00; do., Sab. school 4,05; do., Fem. Miss. Soc. 8.50; Hiram and Troy, churches 1,00; A. Turner 1,00; Julia Turner, 1,00; Delia Freeman 13c.,

[blocks in formation]

BAPTIST MISSIONARY MAGAZINE.

VOL. XXVII.

FEBRUARY, 1847.

NO. 2.

OBLIGATION TO THE HEATHEN.

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.-ROMANS 1: 14, 15.

In this language we have graphically represented the moral attitude of an honest Christian. Without the least reserve, or equivocation, and in a manner that cannot be misunderstood, he defines his position with reference to an important, practical question. This he does by a simple statement of the facts.

THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

1. An obligation. "I am debtor." He says nothing here of the manner in which the obligation was incurred. That we learn from his concessions elsewhere. His statement does not specify the nature of the obligation, as legal, or moral, or both. He feels its pressure, and is not ashamed to own it. Without a qualifying word to modify the impression, or to alleviate responsibility, he honestly admits the fact. Whatever the origin or nature of the obligation, it is perfect.

2. Its extent.

and to the unwise." of the pagan world.

"Both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, By this he means, all classes of men-especially all classes His creditors are numerous. Some of them he has seen; millions of them he has not seen, and never will see until he shall meet them before the judgment throne.

THE DECLARATION.

He declares his readiness, according to his ability, to discharge his obligation in a specific case. "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also." His morality is not of the kind that recognizes an obligation in the general, and disregards it in the particulars. Individuals are his creditors, and to as many of them as he can reach, directly or indirectly, he shall pay what he owes. He is not certain that he shall ever see Rome. Yet, like an honest debtor, he says, "I am ready." He is particularly desirous to fulfil his obligation at that point, and if Providence shall open the way for a visit to the metropolis of the world, it will be promptly done.

If hindered in that direction, he will not be idle, or feel that his obligation to pay is diminished. The world is before him, and if he cannot meet his engage

[blocks in formation]

ments at Rome, he can, perhaps, in Spain or Macedonia, in Greece or Asia Minor. "I am debtor, and shall act accordingly just where my Master renders my creditors accessible."

THE PROOF OF SINCERITY.

Now examine the conduct of the man who makes this acknowledgment and this declaration, and see if all is not consistent with his statements. Did he ever say or do a thing that even remotely contradicted them? Where is the discrepancy between his profession and his practice? Did he not labor, and deny himself, and suffer, like one who felt himself under obligation to the heathen, and was determined to do his utmost toward its fulfilment? Where do you find him doing any thing else?

In a manner quite unexpected, he afterwards visited Rome. He had no means of his own to pay the expense of the journey. His brethren did not provide the means. He was anxious and ready to go. His Master so arranged it that his creditors should pay for his passage. When there, did he repudiate his obligation? Did he spend his time in the Eternal City, as many of his boasted successors have since spent theirs on that interesting spot? He was a prisoner awaiting his appearance at "Cæsar's judgment-seat," and if any man might be excused from the discharge of such an obligation as he recognized, certainly he might have been. Yet, "two whole years in his own hired house," "with a soldier that kept him," he "received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence." There was proof of his sincerity.

THE EXPLANATION.

Was the relation of this Christian brother to a depraved, impenitent world, peculiar? The mode by which he was to discharge the duties of the relation may have been such; but was he debtor to the heathen in any sense in which both the writer and the reader of these pages are not debtors? The answer to these questions will depend upon the answer to others. How came the apostle Paul to be under obligation to convey the gospel to those who had it not? What had they done for him to create on his part such indebtedness?

Perhaps you will say, "He reasoned as a man. He understood that God had made of one blood all nations, and had established among them the law of affectionate brotherhood, and required of each individual, according to his ability, to promote the best interests of every member of the family. If, then, he regarded the gospel as a true good, which the heathen needed, he was bound by the obligations of a common humanity to communicate the gospel as widely as he could."

Very well; the argument is valid. But was he peculiarly bound by that law? Do not we sustain the same relations to the great family of man? Have not we the same gospel; and do we not, at least in theory, admit that it is a real good which the heathen need? Are we, then, less debtors than he? Our facilities for the communication of the gospel are immensely greater than were his. Providence has opened to us the whole pagan world. Are we ready to mee our obligation at every accessible point? If Paul were now here, how would he treat the subject of missions to the heathen?

But there is another view to be taken of the basis of obligation. Jesus Christ had done much for this apostle; redeemed him at great expense, regenerated

« السابقةمتابعة »