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THE

MISSIONARY HERALD.

VOL. XIX.

JANUARY, 1823.

No. 1.

VIEW OF THE MISSIONS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

THE Board was instituted in June, 1810; and was incorporated, by the Legislature of Massachusetts, June 20, 1812. Its beginnings, as is well known, were small, and the anticipations of its supporters not remarkably sanguine: but its resources and operations have regularly increased, till, in respect to the number of its patrons-the amount of its funds-and the extent of its influence, it is entitled to a place among the principal benevolent institutions of the earth. Its patrons are found in all parts of the country; its fands, though small compared with the exigencies of its missions, with the wants of a dying world, and with what we trust they are yet to be, are highly respectable; and it exerts a direct influence upon a multitude of immortal minds, among Pagans, Mohammedans, and Jews; and an influence, both direct and reflective, perhaps upon a still greater multitude, in this Christian land. All this calls for a grateful remembrance, and for devout thanksgivings; but, God forbid that the Board, or its officers, or missionaries, or patrons, should arrogate praise to themselves on account of it. He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces.

The American Board of Foreign Missions, however, can neither claim, nor does it desire, exclusive patronage. There are other Foreign Missionary Societies, for whom there is room, for whom there is work enough, and for whose separate existence there are, doubtless, conclusive reasons. There are, also, societies for domestic missions, which, by increasing the number and strength of the churches at home, are an important and necessary aid to foreign missions. There are, also, Tract Societies, and Bible Societies, and at the foundation, as it appears to us, of the great system of moral means organized for the renovation of the world-Education Societies. All these are but different departments of the same administration; and have a mutual dependance, and a mutual influence; and perfectly harmonize in their tendencies and results. All have claims upon the churches,-claims which are not to be set aside. None have been patronized too much; but some have been neglected to the great detriment of the whole system. This has been the case, more especially, with societies, whose object is the education of young men for the ministry. If past facts will furnish any rational ground for conjecture in respect to what is yet to come, we should suppose that, as a general thing, the great agents in benevolent enterprises, will hereafter be the men, who have been aided, in their preparations for usefuluess, by the hand of charity. At any rate, most of the agents and missionaries of the American Board of Foreign Missions, have been, at some period of their education, and in a greater or less degree, charity scholars. While, therefore, we respectfully and earnestly call upon our friends and patrons to continue and increase their benefactions to that department of the great Christian Cause, in which we are engaged; while we bring before them, often, and with much importu nity, the claims of our missionaries; of their schools; of the heathen population around them; of districts and nations, near and remote, sitting in darkness, and from their deep gloom sending forth the entreaty, "Come over and help us;" and of a world in arms against all that is good and glorious-a world, wretched, helpless, but not beyond recovery:-we would be understood as pleading, not simply for our own institution, but for all institutions designed to promote the same general object,-the GLORY OF GOD IN THE SALVATION OF MEN. We admire that systematic charity, which contributes in aid of all good objects, because they are good and praiseworthy; and to each, according to its relative claim. Were the whole patronage of the benevolent given to one object, it would be like pouring the entire waters of a continent into a single river. If we would be truly faithful, we must exercise our judgments. Christian charity is not a blind 1

VOL. XIX.

impulse; but, is characterized in Scripture, as the wisdom that is from above,—such wisas is in heaven,--which is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.-Entering upon a new year, we can, therefore, wish our friends and patrons nothing better, (and we desire this wish to be reciprocated,) than that they may be filled with this wisdom, and may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering, with joyfulness. As we commence the year, so we shall probably end it,-if, indeed, we end it in this world. How important, then, that we rightly commence a year, which may be our last!

The system of operation adopted by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, may be considered under two divisions,—its Home Department, and its FOREIGN ESTABLISHMENTS.

HOME DEPARTMENT.

JEREMIAH EVARTS, at the Missionary Rooms, No. 69, Market Street, Boston, is Corresponding Secretary of the Board, and Clerk of the Prudential Committee. To him should be addressed all communications, which relate to the appointment of missionaries and assistants, and to the general concerns of the Board.

HENRY HILL, Esq. at the Missionary Rooms, is Treasurer of the Board; to whom all letters relating to donations, or to any pecuniary concerns of the Board, should be addressed.

The following gentlemen compose the Prudential Committee of the Board,-The Hon.

WILLIAM REED, the Rev. Leonard WOODA, D.D, JEREMIAH EVARTS, Esq., SAMUEL HUBBARD, Esq., and the Rev. WARREN FAY.-Though the Committee have not stated weekly meetings, the exigencies of the missions require, that meetings should be held, on the average, about once each week, through the year.

In addition to the above, the increasing labors at the Missionary Rooms, demand that there be stated and competent assistants employed. The establishment at home, must bear some proportion to the number and extent of the establishments abroad.

FOREIGN ESTABLISHMENTS.

The Board has established missions, in the order of time in which they are now named, at Bombay, and Ceylon; among the Cherokees, Choctaws, and the Cherokees of the Arkansaw; at the Sandwich Islands; and in Western Asia.

I. MISSION AT BOMBAY.

This mission became fixed in 1814. It was commenced by Messrs. Hall, Newell, and Nott. Messrs. Bardwell, Graves, Nichols, and Garrett, joined it at different periods since that time. Mr. Newell died of the cholera morbus, May 30, 1821 Messrs. Nott and Bardwell returned to this country, on account of ill health.--The mission has three stations, --Bombay, Mahim, and Tannah.

BOMBAY.-A large city on an island of the same name It is the capital of all the British possessions on the western side of the peninsula, and is the primary seat of the mission.

Rev, Gordon Hall, Missionary; Mr. James Garrett, Printer.

MAHIM.-Six miles from Bombay, on the north part of the island,

Rev. Allen Graves, Missionary.

TANNAH..The principal town on the island of Salsette, 25 miles from Bombay. Rev. John Nichols, Alissionary.

The missionaries are engaged in three principal ob jects, the translation of the Scriptures: the superiatendance of schools; and the preaching of the Gospel. -Almost the whole of the New Testament had been translated into the Mahratta language, at the latest dates. Genesis, of the Old Testament; and, of the New Testament, Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, and the epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude, had been printed. The editions of Genesis, Matthew, John, and Acts, were exhausted, while, for copies of some of them, the natives are almost daily asking. The missionaries declare themselves ready to print the whole Bible, translated by them into the Mahratta language, as fast as the means can be procured. Recently they have made application to the American Bible Society for help.-The number of schools, till ten were suspended more than a year ago for want of funds, was 25;-17 on the islands of Bombay and Salsette, and eight at as many different places along one hundred miles of the adjacent coast. Possibly the schools which were suspended, have been resumed. The schools contain, on an average, about 50 scholars, which would make the whole number of scholars exceed 1000.-A Native College, and a Mission Chapel, are both greatly need: ed at Bombay.

II. MISSION IN CEYLON.

This mission was established in the district of Jaffna, which is in the northern extremity of the island of Ceylon, October, 1816. The original missionaries were Messrs. Richards, Warren, Meigs, and Poor. Mr. Warren died at Cape Town, in South Africa, August 11 1818, where he had gone for the benefit of his health.--The mission has five stations.--Tillipally, Batticotta, Oodooville, Panditeripo, and Manepy.

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Jaffnapatam.

Rev. John Scudder, M. D. Missionary. George Koch, Native Medical Assistant.

MANEPY.--Four miles and a half, northwest of Jaffnapatam.

Rev. Levi Spaulding, Missionary. Philip Matthew, Native Preacher.

The missionaries educate somewhat more than 100 heathen children in their families, and superintend 24 free schools, containing about 1,200 scholars. The whole number of heathen children, therefore, to whom the American missionaries in Ceylon are extending the benefits of a Christian education, is about 1,300: of these 50 are females.-The mission church consists of 32 members, of whom 14 are male, and three female, Malabars. It may be seen, therefore, that the missionaries have commenced reaping a harvest from the seed sown. The converts are very active; a spirit of inquiry is spreading among the natives; and knowledge is increasing. There is abundant reason to believe, that this is not a mere temporary excitement. Doubtless it arises,-necessarily we had almost said,from the great increase of spiritual light; and will grow with the light, till the full blaze of the Gospel shall leave no trace of idolatry remaining.

III. MISSION AMONG THE CHEROKEES.

On the 13th of January, 1817, Mr. Kingsbury arrived at Chickamaugah, since called Brainerd, and commenced preparations for an establishment there. "The weather was extremely cold for this climate," says Mr. K. "and I felt the want of comfortable lodgings, having only a skin spread upon the floor, and a thin covering of blankets; but my health was kindly preserved." Messrs. Hall and Williams soon after joined him. Several have been united to this mission, and, for various reasons, have left, whose names do not appear in this survey.--This mission has three stations, Brainerd, Creek-Path, and Taloney.

BRAINERD.--The oldest station of the Board among the Indians. It is situated within the chartered limits of Tennessee, on the Chickamaugah creek, 250 miles N. W. of Augusta; 150 S. E. of Nashville; and 110 S. W. of Knoxville.

Sylvester Ellis, and Ainsworth E. Blunt, Assistant Missionaries; and John Arch, a converted Cherokee, Interpreter.

CREEK-PATH.--One hundred miles W.S.W. of Brainerd. A school was established here in April, 1820.

Rev. William Potter, Missionary. At this station, Catharine Brown, a converted Cherokee, is employed as a Teacher.

TALONEY.--Sixty-two miles S. E. of Brainerd, on what is called the Federal Road. A school was established here in May, 1820.

Messrs. Moody Hail, and Henry Parker, Assistant Missionaries.

New stations are contemplated at High-Tower, Cha tooga, Wills-Town, and other places. To these new stations, several, who are now at Brainerd, will remove. Not far from 300 Cherokee children have derived more or less benefit from the schools of these three stations.-There has been no instance hitherto, among the Cherokee converts at Brainerd and Creek-Path, of any such departure from Christian conduct, as to bring scandal on the cause, or call for censure from the church.

IV. MISSION AMONG THE CHOCTAWS.

The mission among the Cherokees being in successful operation, Mr. Kingsbury and Mr. Williams left Brainerd, about the first of June, 1818, for the Choctaw nation. They selected a scite for their station, and about the 15th of August, felled the first tree. "The place was entirely new, and covered with lofty trees; but the ancient mounds, which here and there appeared, shewed, that it had been once the habitation of men." The station was named Elliot, in honor of the "Apostle of the American Indians."-The mission has now four stations,-Elliot, Mayhew, the French Camps, and the Long Prairies.

ELLIOT. Within the chartered limits of the state of Mississippi; on the Yalo Busha creek; about 40 miles above its junction with the Yazoo; 400 miles W. S. W. of Brainerd; and 145 from the Walnut Hills.

Mr. Cyrus Byington, Licensed Preacher and Missionary; Dr. Wm. W. Pride, Physician, and Messrs. Joel Wood, Anson Dyer, Zechariah Howes, John Smith, and Elijah Bardwell, Assistant Missionaries.

MAYHEW.-On the Ook-tib-be-ha creek, 12 miles above its junction with the Tombigbee, and 100 miles E. of Elliot. Commenced in the spring of 1820.

Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, Superintendant of the Choctaw Mission and Missionary; Rev. Alfred Wright, Missionary; and Messrs. Calvin Cushman, William Hooper, Samuel Wisner, Philo. P. Stewart, and David Remington, Assistant Missionaries.

FRENCH CAMPS.-A settlement on the Natches road, south-west of Mayhew.

Rev. Ard Hoyt, Superintendant and Missionary; Rev. Daniel S. Butrick, and Rev. Wm. Chamberlain, Missionaries; Dr. Elizur Butler, Physician; Messrs. Abijah Conger, John Vail, John C. Ellsworth, Erastus Dean,sionary.

Mr. Loring S. Williams, Assistant Mie

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The first missionaries, Messrs. Fisk and Parsons, arrived at Smyrna in January, 1820. Rev. Pliny Fisk and Rev. Daniel Temple, Missionaries

The Rev. Jonas King, Missionary, who has been residing at Paris for the sake of the literary advantages of that city, (See, vol. xviii, p. 353,) has probably joined this mission by this time. He proposes to continue in the mission three years.

Rev. William Goodell and Rev. Isaac Bird, Missionaries, embarked at New York, in the early part of last month, for the mission in Western Asia.

The Rev. Levi Parsons died at Alexandria, in Egypt, on the 10th of February last. greatly lamented by his companion in labors, and by all the patrons of missions. A very affecting account of his sickness and death, will be found at p. 218 of our last volume.--The Greek types for the printing establishment, were to go with Mr. King from Paris, where they had been manufactured, to Malta, in which place the press is to remain for the present. Mr. Bird will probably qualify himself to take the general superintendance of the printing establishment.

IN the above survey, are the names of 71 persons employed by the Board among the heathen; of whom 28 are ordained ministers of the Gospel, and seven licensed preachBesides these, there are 54 female helpers, a few of whom are single women, but most are wives of the missionaries.

ers.

The superintendance of the above system of missions, as may easily be conceived, involves cares, labors, and responsibilities, enough to make any man exclaim, "Who is sufficient for these things!"-The support of the missions, so numerous are the families and schools connected with them; so remote from this country and from each other; so cut off, generally, from civilized society; and so entirely dependant on the churches,— must require great expenditures, and liberal and unremitted contributions.-Their enlargement-such an enlargement as will bring forward the conversion of the world from a distant age to one near the present,-calls for missionaries and funds, in an unprecedented ratio of increase.-O that the exigencies of a dying world were seen and felt by churches professing to have been washed in atoning blood; and that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though rich in blessedness and glory, for our sakes became poor, that we, through his poverty, might become rich, did excite in all his professed fol lowers, bowels of mercies for millions on the verge of an endless ruin!

THE HARVEST TRULY IS PLENTEOUS, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW: PRAY YE THEREFORE THE LORD OF THE HARVEST, THAT HE WILL SEND FORTH LABORERS INTO HIS HARVEST. Matt. ix, 37, 38.

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INTELLIGENCE.

MISSION IN CEYLON.

JOINT LETTER OF THE MISSIONARIES.

Tais letter is dated May 30, 1822. It begins with a statement of facts relative to the ill health of Mr. Woodward; his voyage to Madras and Calcutta, for its restoration; and the series of kind providences, which attended him. These were sufficiently noted at p. 172, of our last volume. Mr. Woodward arrived at Jaffa, with improved health, on the 16th of January.-The letter then adverts to intelligence just received, confirming a re port which had reached them some time before, that their "beloved friend and patron," Dr. Worcester, was no more in this world. "This intelligence," say they, "has filled our little circle with mourning. We all had the happiness of being personally acquainted with this friend of the heathen; and we have all heard him plead with the Angel of the covenant for them, and also for those who had left kindred and home for their sakes. But we bow in silence to Him, whose ways are in the deep, and in whose sight the death of his saints is precious."

Mr. and Mrs. Richards have been called to part with their little daughter, who died on the 31st of December. On the day following, she was buried by the side of Dr. and Mrs Scudder's infant, and near the remains of Mrs. Poor. Some new symptoms had excited fears, that the dissolution of Mr. Richards was not far distant.--The letter proceeds:

Bible Societies formed by the Heathen, and others.

Of the cause of Christ in general in this district, we rejoice in being able to speak with encouragement. At the commencement of 1821, a Tamul Bible Society was formed in Jaffnapatam, consisting mostly of native Christians; and on the 17th of November, one of the same description, composed almost entirely of heathens themselves, was formed at Mallagam, which lies nearly in the centre of the parishes under our care. These two associations pay an annual subscription of several hundred Rix dollars for the spread of the word of God in their own language. It cannot be supposed that men, whose system of religion is condemned by the principles of Christianity, could contribute to the circulation of the

Bible from proper motives; but, whatever be the object, we rejoice in the belief, that the example may do some good, and that the habit of giving to such an object, however small be the contributions, may be instrumental of the happiest results.

On the last day of the year, a Branch Bible Society, auxiliary to the Colombo Bible Society, was formed in Jaffnapatam. In this are united Malabars, Portuguese, Dutch, English, and Americans. The formation of this society was the most interesting event we have witnessed in this place. Sums, amounting to 1,200 Rix dollars annually, were subscribed, and an interest was excited, which we trust will not soon subside. By the well directed efforts of these societies, we cannot but hope that light will spring up and knowledge be in

creased.

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We feel confident that there never has been a time, when we could more emphatically say, "knowledge is increased." After the more regular services in the forenoon at our stations, on the Sabbath, six missionaries, three native preachers, and fifteen or twenty of our most forward boys in the boarding schools, whom we generally "send forth by two and two," are able to go into villages, fields, streets, and from house to house, for the purpose of preaching the Gospel, or of reading tracts, or extracts and portions from the Scriptures; and, as many of the places at which we preach are previously appointed, we not unfrequently have small congregations.

The method of spreading the Gospel, by sending our boarding boys to read to the people, has become interesting and greatly useful, as it not only enables us to communicate the truth to hundreds in a day, who must otherwise remain uninstructed, but at the same time teaches our boys to defend the Christian religion from all the false

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