Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

ing and converting sinners, instructing and comforting saints, and inspiring gratitude in the hearts of English Christians for the invaluable blessings they enjoy, both of a civil and religious nature; and, above all, that the glory of God, in the dispensations of his providence and grace, may be eminently promoted' by the extensive circulation of this interesting biographical piece.

The History of Andrew Dunn, an Irish Catholic. 12mo, price 3d. By the Religious Tract Society. We are much pleased with this interesting history; and have no doubt it will become one of the most popular of the Society's publications. It was originally sold at 1s.; and the Svo fine paper, at 2s.; and we cannot but remind the public of their obligation to do the utmost in sup. port of a Society, which, besides a very large gratuitous supply of religious instruction to the Army, Navy, Foreigners, &c. brings so many able performances within reach of the lowest classes of purchasers.

The commendation we formerly bestowed on this interesting Narrative of the Conversion of a Catholic (See Evan. Mag. for 1804, vol. xii. p. 31) we see no reason to retract or qualify. At the present moment, it may be circulated in this country with peculiar advantage, in counteracting the strenuons efforts now making in various quarters, by the sophistry of priests and the wealth of laymen in the Romish church, to gain converts from among the poor and illiterate a better means, indeed, can hardly be made use of to rescue the Papist, or preserve the Protestant from their snares. It is extremeby well-suited, however, for general distribution among all classes of people.

[blocks in formation]

Qualifications for Membership stated,- and Christian Fellowship illustrated, in Two Discourses. By Joseph Lathrop, D. D. Charlestown printed, Londòn reprinted. As the former part of this volume relates to a controverted subject, on the merits of which the conductors of this Magazine decline to enter, we shall merely subjoin the testimony which the Broad Street Lecturers have given to this publication.

The following discourses, by our respected brethren Drs. Osgood and Lathrop, ministers of the Gospel in the United States of America, appear to us to be so judicious and scriptural, and so well calculated for general usefulness, that we readily comply with the wish of the publisher, that our names may be affixed, by way of recommending them to the attention of our Christian Friends of the Pædo baptist denomination in this country.

John Clayton, John Goode,
Gee. Ford, John Humphrys,
Geo. Burder, Robert Winter.

LITERARY NOTICES. The Rev. Mr. Davies, of Ipswich, has issued Proposals for printing, in a 12mo volume, the 16 last Sermons on Grace, of the Rev. Christopher Love, with an Account of his Life.

A Second Edition, with Additions, will shortly appear of the Rev. Mr. Decourcy's Sermons, with a Portrait.

SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS Thoughts on the Sufferings of Christ. By the Author of the Refuge. 24.

A Defence of Calvinism, in Answer to a Pamphlet, entitled St. Paul against Calvin. By W. Roby. 2.

Discourses at the Ordination of

PUBLICATIONS.

Mr. Raffles, by Mr. Humphrys, Dr. Collyer, and Dr. Winter. 2s. 6d.

A Sermon, preached for the Benefit of the Loudon Female Penitentiary. By J. Styles.. Price 1s.

The Loyal Subject, preached Oet. 25, 1809. By Jos. Cockin.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

EAST INDIES.

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman at Philadelphia,
dated December 27, 1809.

I is with great pleasure I can announce the safe arrival of the ship Atlas at Calcutta; on board which our Missionary friends Messrs. Gordon and Lee, with their families, embarked. This advice is brought by a vessel lately arrived at New York; which reports the Atlas to have arrived on the 9th of September, after a passage of 100 days. My letters are not yet received, and of course I have no particulars of their passage, &c. to communicate.'

1

By a Letter from Mr. Loveless, dated Madras, Sept. 12, 1809, it appears, that he had recovered from his dangerous and threatening illness, and was nearly as well in health as before it.

Extract of a Letler from the Rev. A. Desgranges to Mr. Burder. Vizagapatam, April 17, 1809. Dear Brother,

[ocr errors]

I

I RECEIVED your letter of the 31st of August, 1808, shortly after the death of my beloved brother and zealous fellow-labourer the Rev. G. Cran. As I have written upon the subject of his sickness and death to the Directors of the Missionary So-, ciety, I shall not enlarge upon it here. Indeed, reflection on my loss creates in me sensations of grief which I cannot easily suppress. would have written a Memoir on what I knew of the worth of my departed friend, and have sent it to England before this time, had the state of my mind, my health, and my complicated labours permitted me to steal a convenient season for that purpose. Pardon me for speaking about stealing a convenient season; but as the immediate labours of the Mission demand the whole of my time, from the dawn of the day until nine or ten o'clock at night, I can give no better appellation to time spent, that has not the welfare, enlargement, and stability of the Mission as its chief object. If God spare my life, I will endeavour to perform this duty, as a testimony of my esteem and respect for departed worth, when the brethren Gordon and Lee, or any other brethren, are

sent to cheer my heart, and to strengthen my hands in this infant institution.

I thank God that I enjoy better health at this hour than I have since the time that I was first attacked with the liver complaint; but I speak with fear and trembling on the subject of health, in a country where it is so precarious as it is in this. I feel more powerfully the force of the expression than ever I did before, In the midst of life we are in death.'

[ocr errors]

I wish I could inform you of the conversion of the thousands of the Heathen in this district, whose idolatry and wickedness make my heart bleed for them from day to day. Oh, the blackness of the darkness that covers them!-darkness that may be felt and bewailed over by men; but which none can remove

but God. I glory in God, through Jesus Christ, that the gospel is as much the power of God to salvation in this country, as ever it was in any other country. At times I see by faith the piercing light of the glorious gospel dispelling the clouds, blackened by Satanic art, and which envelope the hearts, the worship, and manners and customs of this people. Nothing but such prospects, presented to my mind through the medium of the prophecies, promises, and declarations of Scripture, keep me from sinking in despair respect

ing the conversion of men, driven in the knowledge of the English by the Devil to all kinds of excess language and of Christianity.

and riot.

But I forget myself. I am dream. ing. Who is this at the side of me? Ananderayer, once a Brahmin, but now, I trust, by superabounding grace, a genuine disciple of Christ;

once named Legion, but now, by the power of Jesus, he sits clothed, and in his right mind. What is his employment? He daily carries on the devotional exercises of the natives, who are enquiring the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward. He prays in public worship with fluency, fervency, and zeal; he preaches the gospel to sinne s, with every expression of ardent zeal for the glory of God, burning love for Christ, and marked affection for immortal souls; he labours from morning to night assisting in the translation of the Four Gospels, and in examining manuscripts of religious tracts, that he may put the word of salvation into the hands of his countrymen. He is blessed with a suitable partner, who has made a good profession before many wit

nesses,

who adorns the doctrines of God Her Saviour; and who has been received into the visible church by the sacred ordinance of baptism. Father of lights, keep them as thy jewels and thy peculiar treasure!

[ocr errors]

hide them with the shadow of thy wings! fill their hearts with thy love!-enrich them with the graces of thy Holy Spirit! guide them by thy counsel, till thou receive them to thy glory! Oh! may this earnest of thy sovereign, special grace, be the forerunner of the salvation of millions yet unborn, until Immanuel's angelic hosts exclaim, Hallelujah Hallelujah! the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ!

You will be happy to hear that many hundreds have heard the gospel of Christ in the Telinga lanSeveral tracts in manuguage. script have been distributed. St. Matthew's Gospel is translated, and a copy has been sent to Calcutta. The other Gospels are nearly complete. The number of scholars inGreases; and some of them advance

SOUTH AFRICA.

Extract of a Letter from Dr. Vanderkemp.

Bethelsdorp, Sep. 5, 1809.

I HAVE hitherto no answer from

Lord Caledon, respecting the projected Orphan-House, but Col.C-—, who lately inspected the more distant districts of the colony, engaged to represent to the Governor the importance of such an institution, of which he declared himself to be convinced.

All the Caffres and Gona Hottentots have been ordered to leave the colony, and return to their own country .I have, however, obtained permission for those belonging to our Testitution to remain unmolested, till his lordship shall otherwise decide.

The influx of Hottentots to Bethelsdorp has, within these few months, been less rapid than before, owing to a false report circulated in the country, that none can be admitted without the consent of their former masters. At the request of Col. C-, we have more accurately investigated the number of our inhabitants, which we had roughly calculated at 400; but we found, at honfe, 146 men, 211 women, and 282 children, in all 639; besides, absent, 113 men, 121 women, and 166 children, in ali 340; the total number amounting to 979 souls.

The blessing of God continues to attend the preaching of his word, though we have, on the other hand, to lament the lukewarmness of everal whom we hope are our brethren

and sisters in Christ.'

[blocks in formation]

arrows in their hands; I asked my people, if these were wild or tame Boschemen; but, I found they were tame; which made me more easy. They saluted me in their usual manner, crying, Twee, twee! I informed them that I was a teacher, and desired to make known to them the God of Haven and Earth, who has given his only begotten Son for us sinful men, that we may obtain eternal life by him; and, that be now sends his servants to the licathen, to assure them that he will release them from their miserable, state, and accept them as his chil dren.

I asked them, if they were willing to be instructed. They answered, 'We will hear. We have been told that you would come to us; but we did not believe it: now we see it, and believe.' This was spoken by my interpreter; for in this country no one speaks Dulch. They shewed me much kindness, directed us to water, led my horse and oxen to it, and took care of them. I then gave each of them a piece of meat, for they were very hungry. In the af ternoon, travelling further on, the Boschemen accompanied us; and shewed us the nearest way to their kraal. The way was very bad, by reason of the cliffs. They call this quarter Karas; that is Cliff-Field. Nevertheless, I was refreshed by seeing such beautiful grass-fields as I had never beheld in South Africa. It was as if I were in another part of the world: the air was fresh and m derately cool, occasioned by more frequent rain and thunder-sto:ms than in the other parts.

In the evening I arrived in the kraal of the Boschemens; and asked them if they would now hear the word of God. Yes,' said they,' old and young shall come to hear.' About forty, besides the children, sat down round the fire. First we sung some verses; and I spoke to them from Acis xvii 26, 27, as plainly as possible. I then told them, that my intention was to live in the great Namaqua-land; and to instruct them in the whole way of salvation. We sung again and after prayer, we concluded with an evening - hyma. I asked whether

XVII.

[blocks in formation]

The next day, before I departed, they came all together to me, and cried again Twee, twee; and some of them accompanied me, to shew me the best path to the Namaqua Kraal. In the afternoon, conung near to this kraal, some of the women cried aloud Hezzee, Heezee! which is a tokea of surprize. I immediately enquired after the chief of this kraal, and being brought before his house, I alighted from my. horse, and paid my respects to him in the Dutch language; but be turned and laughed, which is the custom of this people. My interpreter then addressed him; and assuced him of my dutiful respects. He told him also the object of my journey. Very well,' said the chief, we shall hear, and learn willingly.' They then came together to hear the preaching of the gospel; but I postponed it till the evening, because I was then exceedingly wearied. The captain shewed me a large old thorn-tree for a lodging. This kraal is called Kardekoekas; and the captain John Kagass. brought me in the afternoon two bamboos with milk; and to each of my people one. In the evening, he presented us for our supper a large ram; and because they are accustomed to receive a reward, I put a handkerchief round his neck; with which he was very much pleased. Ithen called them together, and desired them to sit down under the thorn tree in two rows; but the captain, his officers, and my interpreter next me. I was much astonished at the silence observed among them, which is rarely the case among the wild people. I then addressed them briefly, to request their alteation; and after having sung some applicable verses, which they stammered also, I spoke from Acts xvii. 30; and added, at the close of this sermon, Now God gives me an opportunity of exhorting you to turn from your ignor

[ocr errors]

He

ance to the true and saving knowledge of God,' &c. My interpreter succeeded at this time remarkably well in his labour, for he felt a strong desire for the conversion of his nation; and he himself bad an experience of the grace of God in his heart. Before the prayer we sung again; and after it, to conclude, one verse standing. The captain then began to speak in the presence of all the people (about 5 or 600) in his own language; frist very calmly, but gradually much louder; so that I was afraid, not knowing what it signified; but asking my interpre ter the subject, he told me, that it was about the word of God. I desired him to be very attentive to what was spoken; and he related as follows:

This word of God is too great for us to be indifferent about it; and it is true indeed, as this teacher men who know not says, that God, live in sin: it is so among us; for every day there are quarrels, war, and murder; and the life of no man is secure. One sieals the beasts of another; that is not a manner of life fit for men, - it is worse than brutes. I wish that all the captains of the whole Namaqua-land were here themselves, to hear this word of God; so that they might know how sinful we are and what a wicked and miserable life we live : yes, here on this spot, under this thorn tree, they should hear it from the mouth of our teacher, for they will not believe us; and as soon as he is gone we shall have war again. They should hear it with their own ears, for it is too great a word to remain as we are; and if they will not hear, they must not persecute us if we learn. We all must have one heart and one thought to hate the old and to follow the new, according to that word of God, and live in love and peace together as brethren and sisters.'

[ocr errors]

I then desired my interpreter to assure the captain, That I greatly rejoiced to find he desired to be to instructed in the way of everlast iug life; and that it was the wish of my soul that this desire may increase more and more! and begged that he would use every means to assemble all the chiefs and

[ocr errors]

captains; and that I would willingly come again to instruct them in the precious word of God, and in the way of salvation." He replied,' I will do according to your proposal and my desire; so that they all may see and hear what a great word this word of God is !'

On another day I called them togetber, and the captain came directly; but I observed that more than the half of the people stood aloof. I enquired after them; and found them hiding behind their huis; some were dissuaded, and others were afraid, because they were convinced of sin by the gospel. The captain invited them to come, saying, Now you have an opportunity to hear the word of God, and you will not; and when tomorrow our teacher is gone, then you will quarrei and kill one another again.' I was very much affected; and encouraged to entreat these poor people, in the name of the Lord Jesus, that they would not hide themselves from God and his word; for that now he did not call them as their Judge and Revenger; but that he, as a good Father, offered them grace and pardon thro' Jesus Christ, &c. I found several who had a sincere desire to be more instructed and also many who were very much

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
« AnteriorContinuar »