Journal of the Rev. Mr. Hamilton. Sunday, September 2nd.-Spent this day in Tallow. The congregation not so large as usual, which was occasioned by the extreme wetness of the day. From the state of the harvest, the gloomy aspect of the weather imparted a sadness to every countenance. How soon and how easily can our God blast the hopes of man. In my last I mentioned I was in hopes of returning the number of twelve; I was then, and I am still, in hopes of their being the called, according to the purpose of our heavenly Father: but circumstances occurred, that I have seen only one of the number since my last; Friday, 14th.-Preached this evening he came five miles last Sabbath to see in Tallow, and was well attended-a me, and a joyful sight it was, as it is solemn and delightful meeting. A poor doubtful if ever there was a case more woman going home, was heard to say, interesting. The proficiency he has "So, my dear, we are to have preaching made in the scriptures is really astonish again this night week; hope I'll being: he was bred in a wild wicked part able to attend: Lord have mercy upon me, I have been a great sinner! Do you think I may yet be saved ?" O that there may come a shaking among the dry bones! Sunday, 30th.-Spent this day in Tallow; enjoyed a precious opportunity of publishing the joyful sound, a sound which should fill the world. Several people of respectable appearance, whom I have not seen before, attended in the evening. I afterwards learned that some of them were sinners of no common kind. O that the word may reach their hearts, and be fixed there, like a nail in a sure place! Friday, Oct. 12tb.-Left home to-day on a little excursion. In the evening preached at Coppoquin; the congregation but small-about fifteen people. Sunday, 14th.-Preached to-day in Clonmel, and upon the whole spent a pleasant day the attendance pretty good, and their manner serious, thought ful, and attentive. Tuesday, 16th.-Went to Thurles, to see brother Davis; was greatly disappointed in not finding him at home. Preached in the evening to about thirty people. The few friends were very kind and attentive; but from what I can understand, there is no present prospect of any increase. I certainly think the light of my good brother rather under a bushel. Thursday, 18th-Preached this evening in Clonmel to a good congregation for this town. Here I met with my esteemed friend Davis, and was persuaded by him and Mr. Curtis to stop till over Sunday. Sunday, 21st.-Accordingly was engaged again in preaching to about forty people; a goodly company for this barren spot some expressed their approbation very warmly. O that my feeble labours may be succeeded by him who only can give the increase! of the barony of C. But the Lord knoweth where to find out his secret ones. except ever He has the happiness also to be two miles off from a popish chapel, and there are two at an equal distance from him. I asked him how he escaped notice these two years past, (during which time I only saw him thrice ;) he told me he takes the Irish Bible that I gave him, and goes to different places and reads: the novelty and curiosity gives them a desire to hear; and he is welcome in any place he goes to. But it is to be observed, he dares not speak of any thing spiritual as yet, only to read the letter, as there never was a school admitted of either society in that part of the country, nor were the scriptures, his Bible, I believe, opened there before. He urges me to go thither, but I think it better to let him go on for some time; for the instant the priest hears, or gets the smallest intimation, then he is proclaimed a preacher: the consequence at present might be fatal to him. We must add the wisdom of the serpent to the harme lessness of the dove. It is a pity for them to be without the means of instruction, who are the most teachable people in the world, if there could be access to. them. But the gospel is so penetrating, that the priests are steeling them who have not heard it against it. But in this part of the country, I believe and hope, their influence and terror are at an end, for they are opposing and persecuting one another. he perceived that his blows were struck with a weaker arm upon subjects more capable of resistance. I visited Mr. T's place iwice since he became ill; he expressed a wish that I would read for him. He asked me what was the subject of your last discourse in Collooney; I told him it was an excellent gospel sermon, as it clearly showed the necessity of the new birth (or regeneration). He said he did not understand the meaning of the new birth. I told him it was to have Christ formed in us: to put off concerning the former conversation, the old man which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts; and to be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and put on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness. I read the Epistle to the Galatians, and to the Ephesians, and the 3rd chapter of John's Gospel for him. He said he found much comfort in what I told him concerning the gospel, and earnestly re houses where I read and expounded the Irish Scriptures on Givah Mountain, the last month, and particularly where I had any prospect of being useful. There have been a great stir and inquiry among them concerning the scriptures, as I was informed by James C, (the only intelligent man I met on the mountain side,) who told me that he could find no rest after my departure from his vil-quested that I would read for him again lage, until he borrowed a Bible from a in the course of the ensuing week, as he Mr. H- in K, with which he could make free in asking me the meanwas so engaged that he could mind no- ing of what he knew he stood in need of. thing but reading it; he was the only 1 remain, Reverend Sir, with high person that contended then, that the esteem, your faithful and very humble true faith was among the papists, but servant, now he declares that if they had the J. O'BRIEN. true faith, they would have the scriptures for their guide; and that if the priests had the best religion, they would not be against the best book in the world-the Bible; he is now become the apostle of the mountain, who, with full confidence, proclaims to the people that there is no priest but Christ; who is the way, the truth, and the life, and that none cometh to the Father but by him. I remained a whole day in the village nearest to Cloonmacool, where, beneath an humble roof, the rustic crowd attended, with simplicity, to hear of Him who came from heaven, in order to seek and to save that which was lost; who continually went about doing good, and at length gave his life a ransom for many. Various are the ideas of these people, yet all of them confessed that they were kept in ignorance, and one of them remarked that the bulk of the people were gradually seeing the absurdity and iniquity of attempting to stop the progress of the word of God. Another said, that he was sure it was with a view to keep the people in ignorance, that priest M declaimed against every charitable institution which pervades the country. A man about seventy years old told them plainly, that he knew the above priest still ready to resort to violence on these occasions, yet Contributions received since our last. OCTOBER. From the Crayford 5 5 0 .Sub. 1 1 0 Missionary Herald. The Editor of the Missionary Herald feels it incumbent upon him, at the close of the year, to offer an apology to his readers for having, apparently, lost sight of his original Plan. It was his full intention, as expressed in the title of this little work, to record in its pages the leading transactions of other similar institutions, as well as to give full information respecting our own. But, for the last twelvemonth, the supply of intelligence from our own stations has been so copious, as to preclude the insertion of any particulars respecting the operations of kindred Societies, although several interesting facts have occurred—such as the prosperous commencement of a Mission in Madagascar, by the London Missionary Society, -and in Owhyhee by our American Congregational brethren— which it would have been very gratifying to communicate. Many, however, have had the pleasure of perusing these accounts in other publications; and to others the Editor can only say, that he hopes, in the course of the ensuing year, to be able to conform more strictly to his original design. It is requested that all letters on Mission business, intended for the Treasurer or Secretary, may be addressed to them, respectively, at the Baptist Missionary Rooms, 9, Wardrobe Place, Doctors' Commons. QUARTERLY PAPERS. FOR the information and encouragement of those numerous friends of the Society, who contribute, by small weekly donations, to its support, it is intended, in future, to publish Quarterly Papers, containing brief notices of the principal events, and illustrated by a wood engraving of a Missionary nature. The first Number will appear on the first of January next, and it is requested that the Secretaries of the various Auxiliary Societies will inform the Secretary, at farthest by the 20th instant, (December,) what number they will require, in order to furnish each Contributor with a Copy. They will, at the same time, have the kindness to mention any alterations that may be found necessary in the number of Heralds supplied for the next year. VOL. XIII. 3 F Foreign Intelligence. SUMATRA. Agreeably to the intimation in our last Number, we present our readers with a copious extract from a letter addressed by Mr. Burton to Mr. Dyer, dated Fort Marlborough, April 12, 1821. My very dear Sir, tended church on the Sabbath, and shonla have preached after the Dutch service, had we not expected at the time I was asked, to sail early on that morning. I promised to do so on my return, should I be there on a Sunday. We staid at Padang six days, during which I was more than hospitably entertained at the house of Captain Kemp, a Scotch gentleman, and Madras merchant. I left the place, hoping that a field so apparently "white unto harvest" would not long want an arduous and godly labourer. I endeavoured to obtain the average price of most necessary articles of consumption, and am of opinion that a Missionary might live for half the sum at Padang that he would require at Marlborough. By a letter addressed to my dear pastor Mr. Ivimey, you will have learnt the particulars of my recent illness and partial recovery, as well as my intention of leavAfter leaving Padang, three days deing Beucoolen for a few weeks, at the lightful sailing brought us to Nattal, the recommendation of our excellent Go- quiet and retired residence of John vernor, to visit some of the northern ports Prince, Esq. a man whose uprightness, on this side the island; particularly Pa- benevolence, misfortunes, and hospitality, dang, Nattal, Tapanooly, and the small have gained him the sympathy and adisland of Nias, with a view of ascertain-miration of the East. Here is a small ing the most eligible place for the formation of another Missionary station. The apparent necessity of extending our exertions beyond this place, I stated to you in my last, and the local information we soon after obtained, rendered it quite obvious. I sailed a few days after I wrote Mr. Ivimey, in a boat of Mr. Prince, which happened to be here at the time, and through the kindness of that gentleman obtained a free passage to Nattal-a very happy circumstance, as coasting is gene. rally very expensive in these parts. In our way to Nattal we touched at Padang, which we made in five days. This place was taken by the English during the war, but was given up again to the Dutch by the late treaty. The interior from hence is much superior to any other part of the island, in point of cultivation, population, and traffic. It is the grand entrance to the Mengamcabow country, formerly the seat of the universal government of the island, where the Malayan language is supposed to be spoken by nearly a million of people, and presents, I should suppose, a much more extensive and interesting field for a Malayan Mission than any other part of the ArchipeJago. The European population of Padang are principally English, and Dutch persons educated in England. The resident, and most of the civil servants, were under Sir S. Raffles in Java, and shew that they have not attended such a master in vain. There is here a Dutch minister, but as he can only preach in his own language, which few of the people understand, he cannot be very extensively useful. I at Near fort similar to those of the other English "I will engage that six private persons, whose lives are fully regulated by the precepts of Christ, will do more towards conveiting a heathen nation than fifty preachers, who proclaim them without wholly submitting themselves to their influence." You will not wonder that from such a man a Missionary should receive a cordial welcome. He entertained me in the kindest manner, and expressed his wish to afford me whatever assistance he could in the formation and prosecution of my plans. I was happy, I trust grateful, in the assurance of the friendship of one so experienced and capable of affording such efficient aid to the Mission. In a former communication I mentioned to you, that Sir Stamford Raffles recommended us to direct our attention particularly to the Batta people; and Mr. Prince agreed with him and many others, in thinking that they afford a most promising field for Missionary exertions. He thinks them in number about five hundred thousand; and it is certainly a very curious circumstance, and to a Missionary among them a most encouraging fact, that of a people who are fully proved to be cannibals, more than one half should be able to read and write! With such a door already open, what might not be effected amongst them? At how many quarters, in how many ways, do the strong holds of Satan lay here exposed to our attack! Their alphabet is the most simple I have seen, and will be particularly easy to print. We were not long in coming to the conclusion, that our future labours must be for the welfare of the Battas; and to fix upon the most suitable place for our residence was the next thing to be thought of. Mr. Prince was of opinion at first that Nattal possessed the greatest advantages; but upon further inquiry, we determined to settle at Tapanooly. This is a small island, about eighty miles north of Nattal, situated just in the mouth of Tapanooly hay, in which it is said all the fleets in the world might ride secure in any weather, and scarcely even be seen from the main land at its entrance. On this island there is a native Bazar, and a house belonging to Mr. Prince, which is now occupied by one of his assistants and this person's sister. Five or six of the Batta rivers flowing from the heart of the country fall into the bay, which are navigable for several miles up, and have many towns and villages situated on their banks, so you may readily conceive the advantages of this place as a Mission station. Having concluded upon the situation I was unwilling to lose the time that would be required in going to see it, thinking it best to return and bring my dear wife and babe as early as possible. But as Mr. Prince was intending to visit Tapanooly at that time, and kindly offered to take me with him in his boat and introduce me at once to the native chiefs, I thought it best to comply. This arrangement, however, Providence did not favour. Other plans were laid out for me, whilst I was thus contriving my own movements. When our trunks were on board, and we were all ready to sail, hoping to complete our voyage in two days, a violent gale of wind sprang up, called on this coast a Sumatran, or north wester, which lasted for several days, and rendered it impossible for us to move; and even when the winds did abate, still continuing in the same quarter, it was not improbable but that our voyage might have occupied a month, though the distance was, as I have before mentioned, but eighty miles. In this uncertainty, Mr. Prince thought it best for me to take the course of the winds, and return to Marlborough by a native boat, which was to sail in a few days, engaging at the same time to make every arrangement for us in his power at Tapanooly. It was necessary the native chiefs should be made acquainted with our object, and their permission obtained for our settlement among them; also that materials should be preparing for the erection of a wooden house; such as the felling of trees, making planks, &c. &c. These Mr. Prince kindly offered to manage for me in consideration of our speedy return. But the chief inducement for my being at Marlborough as early as possible was, that I might get every thing packed and arranged to leave with a brig, which he was intending to send down in about a month, and so accomplish our removal without expense to the Society. The native boat not sailing as early as we expected, he sent me down in one of his own to Padang, not fearing but that I should readily get a passage from that place. I heard afterwards that the boat in which I should have sailed was lost near Bencoolen, O the watchful care of our Heavenly Father! This was not the only instance in which I had distinctly to mark, and with gratitude to record, his immediate interposition on my behalf during my absence from home. After waiting six days at Padang, impatient to return to my dear wife and babe, and having no prospect of a conveyance, I prevailed upon Captain Kemp to sell me a good sized jolly-boat for 100 dollars, in which I determined (certainly very rashly and ignorantly) if possible, to make Marlbro', a distance of nearly 300 miles. I accordingly procured 3 seamen, plenty of rice and water, a goat and two kids, and put to sea, with no other covering than our attoped shade over the place where I sat at the helm. It happened |