صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

The writer then proceeds to methodize his subject. He first "considers what is implied in making known a crucified Saviour : and, secondly, what things are necessary to enable a gospel minister to accomplish the object of such a determination?"

"Such a determination?" No determination has been mentioned. Though the sense is easily discerned, the construction is incorrect. The first head is treated in the following judicious and natural manner.

"The messenger of God, who

would make known nothing among his people, save Jesus Christ and him crucified, must devote himself to the study of the gospel, and preach it faithfully; administer all the ordinances of Christ, and imitate, so far as he is able, the perfect example of his Divine Teacher."

The remarks respecting the importance of biblical literature, under the first subdivision, are clear and weighty.

The following is a pithy sen

tence.

"Let no man preach either Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or, what is more frequently the case, himself, but the Son of God, whose authority is supreme, whose doctrines [are] pure and perfect, whose life presents a spotless example of heaven-born morality."

It is a digression from the proposed method to exhort Christians and others, under the

third subdivision, "to profess the religion of Jesus, and celebrate his death, resurrection, ascension, and future judgment." Under the same section of discourse the following paragraph is selected, as a specimen of the writer's neat and comprehensive style.

"He [a Christian minister] must be indefatigable in his exertions to kind, patient under trials, persevering promote the best interests of manin his undertakings, firm in his purpose, gentle in his manner, meek in the instruction of opposers, a zealous assertor of the truth, holy in disposition, undefiled in his life, given to hospitality, wise as a serpent, harmless

as a dove; in short, Christ has left us an example, that we should follow his steps."

The paragraph immediately following is no less deserving of commendation on account of its peculiar justness and energy. It is too long for quotation. With pleasure the reader is referred

to the discourse.

The extracts from Cowper, though pertinent, are too long for the occasion. A few lines, judiciously selected, would have been more impressive.

On the whole, the discourse is serious and appropriate, and we confidently hope will be introductory to a faithful and conscientious discharge of ministerial duties.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

graciously conferred by the hand of liberal strangers. The Trustees could not forbear expressing, by vote, their lively sense of gratitude to all the recent benefactors of the Society. Particularly have they requested me to write to the Editors of the Panoplist, and some other gentlemen, distinguished on our subscription list, by their liberal patronage, and to. present them the most grateful acknowledgments of the Trustees in behalf of the Society.

"Will you please, Sir, to present, affectionately, the thanks of the Trus tees, to the Editors of the Panoplist, and assure them of our sincere wish. es, that their Christian Armory may be more abundantly strengthened and brightened, by all the pious and charitable uses to which it is applied. And that the liberal sum of $100, which they have recently bestowed from the profits of their work, may, in future years, be returned a thousand fold, in the blsssings of many, who have been ready to perish.

"The Trustees have resolved to recommend to the Society to put the greater part of the monies lately collected into a permanent fund; accordingly, the Treasurer, by their advice, has already loaned $1000 for the present year. If by any of those unforeseen providences, which we have been recently experiencing, it should please the Great Head of the Church to rain into our Treasury about as much more, as we have already received, our wishes would seem to be almost consummated. We should then have a fund sufficient, with the annual tax of the Society, to support several young men constantly, in the uninterrupted pursuit of their studies.

"At the late meeting of the board they took under their patronage, two hopefully very pious, promising youth, with whom they were generally well acquainted. They had been for some time waiting the hand of Providence, and without property making some laudable exertions toward an education with a view to the ministry. We have now five youth in the different stages of education, besides Mr. Burge, who graduated last summer."

[ocr errors]

N. B. We expect shortly from the Trustees, a particular account of the constitution, proceedings and chari

table patronage, of this very useful, infant, flourishing institution, which we shall with pleasure communicate to our readers. We fervently wish this Society may prove a thrifty nursery, whence many of the vacant churches in our numerous new settlements, may be supplied with pious, faithful and successful pastors.

To the Editors of the Panoplist, GENTLEMEN,

The following extracts from a letter written by a worthy minister in the District of Maine, to a member of the Hampshire Missionary Society, are submitted to your disposal.

"WHILE your Missionary Society were pursuing their benign design of sending the gospel to the destitute, gratis, I entertained a secret but pleasing expectation, that God would bless you at home, and return your bread "cast upon the waters" with a thousand fold increase. And before ever I was well aware, save by anticipation, the thing is accomplished; and your eyes have seen, and your heart rejoiced at the accomplishment thereof. God is indeed a rewarder of those who lay out themselves and their interest for him. Blessed be his name forever and ever. He is God, the faithful God. Charge your dear chil dren, and your dear flock, to express their gratitude to God in deep humility, and humble, persevering walking with God, in all his commands and ordinances.

"The blessed God, with respect to your local situation, and the vicinity, seems to have acted over again the scene of Gideon's fleece, which was filled with the dew of heaven, when the ground round about it was dry. Pray, pray mightily and perseveringly, that heavenly influence may graciously be continued to you and the places around you. If God withdraw from you suddenly (as he justly may) after such a sunshine of his Spirit and grace now with you, the darkness will, no doubt, be more sensibly felt, by discerning people, than ever heretofore. The calamity will reach to the heart and soul. May God by continuing your present great mercy, prevent such bitter calamity: and may the word of the Lord sound out from you to all around you, and in

every place your faith to God-ward be spread abroad.

"Humble, godly people, so far as I know, and I have made particular inquiry, receive your missionaries with open arms, houses, ears, and hearts. And I think their labour has not been in vain in the Lord. Except such as are some way influenced from party, I believe real friends of Christ and true religion, every where, in these parts, are highly pleased, and thankful to God for his mercy; and to you for your care about their souls, and your liberality in sending understanding, faithful missionaries among them, at your own expense. I regret there are so few contributions made to your society and missionaries among the friends of religion in these parts. But when we consider how long the ground of Maine has been uncultivated, we shall not be discouraged, because it does not as yet yield fruit equal to a watered garden, or fruitful field, which the Lord hath abundantly blessed. I pray you not to cease your pious care about poor Maine. You will reap in due season if you faint not. Your undertaking is such, that if you utterly fail of desired success, yet your reward is sure. The Master will be accountable for all your cost and labour of love to his glorious name and kingdom. What need I say more?"

With pleasure we extend the knowledge of the following interesting and useful document, which we copy from the Assembly's Magazine.

QUESTIONS Put by Dr. Ashbel Green, chairman of the standing committee of missions, appointed by the general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America, in 1805 : answered, by commission of the elders' conference of the unity of brethren, and in the name of the Brethren's Society for the furtherance of the gospel among the heathen, in London, by C. Į. Latrobe.

Question.-How long has your society existed ?

Answer.The church of the United Brethren, or Unitas Fratrum, has existed ever since the year 1453,

when a company of truly pious persons, rejecting the corrupt doctrines and practices of the church of Rome, formed themselves into a congregation or church at Litiz, in Bohemia, first calling themselves, Fratres Legis Christi, and afterwards, being Joined by others, in the same view, Unitas Fratrum.

Q. What were the circumstances that led to it ?

A. The enmity and persecution of the Papists, and the ardent wish of the brethren, to serve the Lord and promote his cause according to the dictates of their consciences, and by a close adherence to the principles laid down in the word of God.

Q. What are your leading religious principles ?

A. The Bible is the only source from whence the church of the brethren derive their doctrines. They maintain accordingly, that man is a lost and undone creature, fallen from God, and a slave to sin by nature, and that there is no other name given, by which he can be saved, but the name of Jesus. They are therefore "determined to know nothing among men but Jesus, and him crucified. They differ in no respect, in essentials, from those who ascribe our whole salvation to God's free grace and love, but never enter into disputes about controverted points, and in the words of the Scriptures," beseech all men to be reconciled to God !""

Q. What obstacles or difficulties have you had to surmount?

A. The history of the church of the brethren exhibits a series of those difficulties and tribulations, experienced both by the church and by individuals, which our blessed Saviour foretold would be the lot of his followers. They have repeatedly suffered the most dreadful persecutions, and the enmity of the Papists was peculi arly directed against them. Both in ancient and modern times, they have been hated, reviled, and abused for Christ's sake.

Q. Have any opposed you by writings, or by government interest?

A. Perhaps no church has been more shamefully misrepresented and calumniated by writings and false re ports. In ancient times, governments in popish countries have persecuted the brethren with the most bitter anit

mosity; but with regard to Protestant governments, though enemies have frequently abused their influence with government, both in Germany and other parts of Europe, and even in England and America, to injure the brethren, they have not succeeded; and no opposition has been made, but rather much good-will shown by the different governments, under which the settlements of the brethren exist. Q. What are your funds?

A. Chiefly the voluntary contributions of the members of the church. Each settlement in Christian countries endeavours to support itself; the missions depend entirely upon voluntary donations and subscriptions.

Q. What is the number of your missionaries?

A. In 1805, about 170 brethren and sisters were employed in the different missions of the brethren.

Q. Are they men of education or not?

A. They are not, in general, chosen from among men of letters, who, by their habits, are not so well fitted for the arduous service of our missions. This is proved by experience. There are therefore but few of that description among them. Persons, brought up to some trade, well versed in the Scriptures, and above all, having the grace of God in their hearts, and fervent zeal for the salvation of their fellow-men, but tempered with true humility of spirit, are found to be the most successful missionaries.

For the better management of the affairs of the brethren's missions, a committee is appointed by the gener al synods, (being a division of a conference or board of bishops and eld

ers,

chosen by the synods for the general superintendency of the church, and called the elders' conference of the Unity) which, in conjunction with the whole board, directs all missionary concerns. But as these are very extensive, societies have been formed in aid of the said committee. Such are, the brethren's society for the furtherance of the gospel among the heathen, in London; the society for the propagation of the gospel, established at Zeist, in Holland; another at Bethlehem, in Pennsylvania, and a fourth at Salem, in N. Carolina.* But

....

The Rev. Mr. Loskiel, of Bethle

all these societies act under a delegated authority.

Q. What instructions do you give your missionaries?

A. The brethren educate none of their people for the express purpose of being employed as missionaries, as they believe that that peculiar call must be from God himself, and that he is not confined to any human acquirements. But when the motives of a person offering himself for the work have been well examined, and found to be of a genuine kind, and he has been appointed to that service, he is admonished to make the Bible his chief study, to pray that the Spirit of truth would explain, and lead him into all the truth, that from the experience of his own heart, he may testify of the love of God, and invite lost men to come to Christ for salvation.

Q. What are the places to which you have already sent missions, and what other places do you contemplate for them?

A. To Greenland, Labrador, the back settlements of Pennsylvania, N. Carolina; to the West India islands -St. Thomas. St. Croix, St. Jan, Barbadoes, St. Kitts, Antigua, Jamaica, Tobago, (just now suspended;) Paramaribo in S. America: to the Free Negroes, and Arawack Indians on the Corentyn; to the Hottentots at the Cape of Good-Hope, and to the Calmucks in Russian Asia near Astrachan. It may be easily conceived that to supply so many establishments with missionaries in succession, is as much as so small a church can do, as upwards of twenty vacancies, at an average, occur in a year. New missions therefore are not just now in contemplation, though many offers are continually made to the brethren for that purpose..

Q. What has been your success hitherto

A. The brethren have laboured

hem, informs the committee, that the fellowship at Salem, N. Carolina, is not a distinct society, but belongs to the incorporated society for the propagation of the gospel among the heathen, established at Bethlehem, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Hence it appears that they have but three societies: one at London; one at Zeist, in Holland; and another at Bethlehem, in N. Ameriką,

with various success, in different places and at different times. The most successful missions of the brethren are at present, in Greenland, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Jan, Antigua, St. Kitts, and among the Hottentots at Bavianskloof.

Q. What are your hopes and prospects for the future?

A. We have good hopes, that God will, as hitherto, continue to bless and make use of the brethren, though a weak and poor congregation, as instruments in his hand, for the promotion of his cause. Past experience fully justifies the most unbounded confidence in the Lord's help, and the most lively exercise of faith, even where, at present, little fruit is seen. Q. What advice can you give us? A. If you wish for advice of such, who, by long experience, have become, in some degree, acquainted with the subject, you will find the church of the brethren always willing to lay the result of their experience before you, sincerely wishing, that the Lord may still more abundantly bless and crown your labours, and the measures you may adopt for the conversion of the heathen, with success. There are so many points, upon which advice may be asked and given, that it would exceed the bounds of a letter to touch upon them all. Only a few remarks are submitted to your consideration:

It is of the greatest consequence, that we ourselves are intent upon doing whatsoever we do in the name of God, and solely with a view to His glory, and not suffer ourselves to be swayed by our own spirit or prejudices. He will answer the prayers of his servants, if they are desirous to follow his direction in all things.

In the choice of missionaries we ought to be very cautious, and well to examine the motives and character of the candidates.

We think it a great mistake, after their appointment, when they are held up to public notice and admiration, and much praise is bestowed upon their devotedness to the Lord, &c. presenting them to the congregation as martyrs and confessors, before they have even entered upon their labours. We rather advise them to be sent out quietly, recommended to the fervent prayers of the congregation, which is likewise most agreeable to their own

feelings, if they are humble followers of Christ.

We give them every needful instruction for the preservation of their health, as well as we are able to procure it.

As we wish, above all things, that brotherly love be maintained among fellow-labourers, we therefore do not advise to place two men of different religious opinions and habits, howerer worthy in other respects, under one voke

When converts from among the heathen are established in grace, we wouldadvise not immediately to use them as assistants in teaching, but to act herein with caution, and a reference to the general weakness of their minds, and consequent aptness to grow conceited.

We also disapprove of bringing converts to Europe under any pretence whatever, and think it would lead them into danger of harm to their own souls.

Missionaries are no longer useful, than as they are with their whole heart in their calling, and we advise to employ or retain none, but such as delight in their work.

We advise, that where more are employed, one of approved character and experience be appointed first missionary, to superintend the work, and that each prefer the other in love, and be willing to follow.

Nothing more need be added, for all who seek counsel, help and support from God our Saviour himself, will be led through his grace into the right way, and the best mode of planting and watering. It is He alone who giveth the increase, to whom be all the glory. Amen.

CHR. IGN. LATROBE, Secretary of the United Brethren in England. London, Nov. 28th, 1805.

Extract of a letter from a respectable Gentleman at Calcutta, dated Aug. 7, 1806.

"THE missionaries in this country, concerning whom you inquired, are in general, respectable men. Their head, Mr. Carey, is a wonderful man. As an oriental scholar, I mean in the knowledge of languages, he leaves the celebrated Sir William Jones behind him. He is professor of the Sanscrit, the holy language of the

« السابقةمتابعة »