years looked forward with ardent anticipations. "Nothing new," writes he in September 1814, "as to the time when I shall leave the country. I fear our patience will long be tried. I fear that war will continue, and that thousands and thousands of the heathen will perish, before we shall be able to offer them a crucified Savior." Not far from this time, as he was leading in the worship of his father's family, and praying, with affecting earnestness, that the obstacles which prevented his going to the heathen might be removed, he used these words of Watts, "How long, dear Savior, O how long, He was preaching at Deering, New Hampshire, when, in February 1815, the glad news of peace with Great Britian arrived. "What abundant reason I have" that he wrote to his parents, "to rejoice, the Lord is affording me a near prospect of commencing the work on which my heart What abundant has so long been set. reason have all the friends of God to rejoice, that he is opening so many doors for the spread of the Gospel. How cheerfully should they all put their hands to the great work." At the close of the day of his ordination, while walking a short distance, his father said to ha, "James, I should be glad to know how you have felt to day." He replied, "My father, if I can always feel as I have felt to day, I shall never sink." With great composure, he took a most tender and affectionate leave of his dearest earthly friends; and on the day he sailed, Oct. 23, 1815, he wrote thus to his parents; "You wish to know my feelings, I was never so anxious to commence any journey, as I am to sail for Ceylon." It is well known to the Christian public, how soon after Mr. Richards arrived on the field of missionary labor, he was disabled by declining health. This was indeed the severest of trials. But the same spirit which, for eight years, had caused him so ardently to desire the work, directed him at once to the only source of consolation. If it was God's pleasure, that he should be taken away from the heathen, and removed to another world, he was enabled to say in the language of his blessed Master, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt." then. To this object I have endeavored to direct all my plans and all my efforts. For this I left almost all that was dear to me in life and came to this land of pagan darkness to publish the Savior's love to stupid idolaters. And now when the miseries of the heathen are full in my view, it is my great trial not to be able to preach to them." In a letter to the parents of Mrs. Richards, after dwelling at some lengths on the loss of his health, he says, "You may wish to know whether I have never been sorry that I came to India. No, my dear parents, I have never been sorry that I came Acto India. I have never been sorry that in 1808, I determined, if the Lord should give me opportunity, to spend my life among those who were perishing for lack of vision. At that time my mind was directed towards the aborigines of America. I have not been sorry that I came to the east, instead of going to the west. There are hundreds-here are thousands. My mind has been set upon bringing this people to the knowledge of the truth; I have tried to do something for them; I have done a little. May the Lord bless that little. I wish now to encourage others to come and fill the place left vacant by brother Warren's death and my sickness. The cause is a good one. It is a delightful one. It is a cause which calls for the aid of all the Christian world. If my parents, my brothers, and my sisters, were all prepared for missionary work, I would invite them all to India. Yes, if they were ten times as numerous as they are, I would invite them all. Had I a thousand lives to give, they should all be sacrificed in this blessed cause." Yet Mr. Richards did not forget the impenitent in his native country. "O," says he, "that I had a voice to reach the blessed land that gave me birth! There, for a moment, I would forget these pagans, who are daily perishing around me for lack of knowledge. I would forget their heathen rites and their bloody superstitions. Yea, I would forget the work to, which I have devoted my life, my talents, my all:-and once more would I beseech my own kindred according to the flesh, by the worth of the immortal soul, by all the joys of heaven, and by all the torments of hell, to be reconciled to God. In his last letter to his parents, he says, "I must now bring this letter to a close; "The principal trial," he wrote to his and what shall I say? Shall I tell you how brother, now a missionary at the Sandwich it gratifies us to learn that you are so Islands, under date of February 1821, "that I now experience in consequence of comfortable and happy in the decline of life? Shall I tell you that we are more and my sickness, is inability to do the proper more happy in our work, and that we work of a missionary. And this is a great have never repented having engaged in it? trial, both by day and by night. No other subject ever engrossed my feelings like O, how would your hearts beat with that of preaching the Gospel to the hea-joy, my dear parents, could you witness the harmony, the zeal, the activity, the anxiety, the prayerfulness and the devotedness of the dear missionary brethren and sisters! And could you converse with the dear native converts, and be present at our sacramental tables when all our number meet around them, methinks you would break out in the language of one now in heaven, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." My own labors and sufferings I expect will soon be ended. Through the mercy of our God and Savior, I look forward to that period, with lively hope of seeing the Redeemer "face to face," and of joining the general assembly and church of the first born, and con mencing the song, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain."" At the grave of Mr. Richards, a suitable monument is erected, having an Epitaph inscribed on it in English and in Tamul. The Epitaph in English. In memory of The Rev. JAMES RICHARDS, A. M. One of the first projectors of American Missions, and then to the Heathen, A Physician both to the soul and body. In health, laborious, In sickness, patient, He is not, for God took him. Translation of the Epitaph in Tamul. The Rev. JAMES RICHARDS, A. M. who died August 3, 1822. He came to this country to tell you there is no way to escape Heli, and obtain Heaven. He died rejoicing in hope of Eternal Happiness. American Board of Foreign Missions. PALESTINE MISSION. JOURNAL OF MESSRS. GOODELL AND BIRD. Cause of their leaving Malta. directly to our missionary home, taking with us our families and goods. On the 21st they engaged a passage on board "La Divina Providensa," a Maltese brig, bound to Cyprus and Beyrout. Review of their Labors and Mercies., Malta, Oct. 17, 1823. According to the suggestions of the Prudential Committee, that we might, for some years to come, During the nine months which have find it advisable to employ our winters in elapsed, since the kind hand of our heav travelling, we had a season of prayer and enly Father brought us to this island, we mutual consultation, about the middle of have generally enjoyed uninterrupted September, respecting the points, which || health, and have had more comforts and of us should travel the approaching winter, fewer cares and anxieties, than ny of and where we should go. those who preceded us in this mission. Agreeably to our instructions, we have devoted our principal time and attention to the attainment of language, and, in the mean time, have assisted in preaching several times a week in English to very attentive hearers; in conducting various little religious meetings with different classes of society, in different stages of religious knowledge and experience; and in managing a Sabbath school consisting chiefly of English and Greek children and youth of both sexes, who have committed about 40,000 verses of Scripture and hymns. We have been happy in possessing these immediate means of usefulness, while we have been engaged in study; and we trust a future day will show, that the labor bestowed upon Malta by other missionaries and by ourselves, has not been in vain. For various reasons, but chiefly because Mr. Temple was the only one of us who could superintend the printing of modern Greek, it was unanimously determined, that he should remain in Malta. The other two, it was thought expedient, should make preparations to embark for the Greek isles and for Smyrna by the middle of October. In the interval, by two or three arrivals, letters were obtained from our brethren in Syria, so representing the state of things there, that, in the begining of the present month, we had another meeting of consultation, in which it was concluded that our destination for the winter should be changed from Greece to Syria. We have been instructed to make Jerusalem, as soon as possible, the seat of our mission and residence; and now providence seems to have opened the way beyond our highest hopes. We almost fear to delay a single moment in embracing 22. As we shall probably sail before the opportunity afforded us, of proceeding the Sabbath, we this evening commemorat || Parting Celebration. ed the death of our Lord and Savior. The ordinance was administered by Mr. Temple, and by the Rev. Mr. Wilson of the London Missionary Society; and between 40 and 50 persons, most of whom have been our constant hearers, united with us in celebrating the love and death of our common Lord. Of these persons one was of the Romish Communion, one of the Greek, and the rest of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Independent, Baptist and Methodist connexions. About 15 persons sat down to the Lord's table on this occasion for the first time in their lives, having as they trust, been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son, within the last eighteen months. It was truly a feast of love. Many of the spectators as well as of the communicants were melted to tears. With the former, we trust, there "were great searchings of heart." And, while with the latter we never expect again in this world to drink of the fruit of the vine, we hope to drink it new with them in our Father's kingdom, and to sit with them in heavenly places for ever. 24. Went on board with our dear brother and sister Temple, with whom we have lived in the utmost harmony, and to whose fidelity and usefulness we are constrained to bear the most decided testimony. Several others of our Christian friends "accompanied us to the ship." We united in singing,― he is obliged to believe, is bodily present within the doors. Every time he meets a little group of priests, going to visit the sick in their last agonies, he must stop, make bare his head, and kneel, till they are past. He camot take up a book without being called to ask himself, what the Pope has commanded in regard to it. He is not rid of his bondage in the retirement of his domestic life. Even here he cannot seat himself at his table, but the bishop of Rome interferes to tell him what he must eat, and what he must drink. The director and Signor T., being told that we expected to go to Jerusalem, could hardly believe, that it was our serious intention. When we assured them that it was, they represented to us in glowing colors the wickedness of the inhabitants. We said to them, that we had already heard much more of the abominations of that eity, than they had told us, and that it was on this very account we had resolved in the strength of the Lord to go there; that, if the cities of Judah had been filled with benevolent, pious, devout persons, we should have gone to some other part of the world, where the inhabitants were far from righteousness and heaven. They appeared perfectly amazed at this; could not conceive it possible, that any one should be actuated by such motives; and were very certain, that they should make some gain of us by bringing us back with them in the same vessel. A strong contrary wind, anciently "called Euroclydon," with a high sea. All of us are much distressed with sea-sickness. It is the first Sabbath since we left our native country, on which we were unable to worship God in a public manner. Today instead of being permitted to go up. with glad hearts "unto the altar of God with a multitude, that keep holy day," we find ourselves "exceedingly tossed with a tempest," and are compelled to lie down amidst dirt and vermin, hardly able to speak or to take the least care of ourselves; and the lad we brought with us from Malta requiring assistance himself, instead of rendering it to others. "Think upon us, O our God, for good." 28. Wind more favorable. Our health and strength returning. By various conversations with the Captain, the Director, and Signor T., we find them to be men of more reading and intelligence than ordinary; and are happy in finding them able to speak apparently very good Italian, and to give rules and reasons respecting it; and also in finding them so affable, and so ready to converse on the subject of religion. We were desired this morning by Signor T. to read to him from the Scriptures, but the weather was too tempestuous. In the evening we read much to him, making observations on particular passages. Conversation with the Supercargo. 30. This morning said to Signor T., "Suppose you were in great anxiety of mind, and desired to know in what man ner you could be saved, would you rather consult the Pope, or the Bible?" Ans. "The former." Q. "On whose word would you rather depend, as it concerns the salvation of your soul, the word of the Pope, or the word of God?" A. "On the word of the Pope." Q. "Has not God undertaken to inform us of every thing necessary for us to know on this subject; and is not his word sufficient to guide us?" A. "God has revealed many things to the Pope, which are not to be found in the Bible; and there are many things in the Bible, which it is dangerous and wicked to read." Q. "Is it possible that a holy God should say any thing to us, which it is wicked for us to hear, or should command us to do any thing wrong?"-He seemed unwilling to admit this conclusion, but was still disposed to maintain, that it was dangerous and wicked for any, except those, who are as wise as himself, to read the Bible. We then conversed on the Pope's supremacy and the nature of miracles. At last he lost his usual patience, and declared that it was wicked to converse on these subjects, and that he was determined to die in the bosom of the church; for, as he had told us before, he had not a whit of responsibility about it; the whole rests on the priests. If he follows their directions, they and not he must be answerable for the consequences at the judgment day. We endeavored to convince him, that it was his duty both to think and to converse on these infinitely important subjects; that if he was in the way to heaven, we could not be in that way; and that, therefore, as he thought us on the very verge of destruction, he ought to use every means in his power to reclaim us; and that we were obliged by the law of love to take the same liberty with him. Ans. "We shall know in the other world, who is right and who is wrong." Ques. "But is it not the height of folly and madness to defer the inquiry, till our state is irrevocably fixed? Does not even common sense teach us to open our eyes, and to place our steps with care, when we know, that we are on a dangerous precipice?" Ans. "It is impossible to convince me; and as to Protestants, they are irreclaimable." The Captain of his own accord wished us to write in Italian a brief statement of our faith and give it him to consider. He would not have us show it to the others, lest it should expose him. On Repentance, the Assurance of Hope,&c. 31. We prepared for the use of our Captain some of the most important articles of our creed, well furnished with scripture references.-Conversed with Signor T. on the nature of repentance. To do penance was all, that he had ever read or heard on the subject; and most unhappily Martini has thus translated the passages, which enjoin this duty. In the evening, read with him both the Epistles of Peter, and urged the importance of being prepared for that terrible day, "when the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved," &c. He exclaimed with an air of triumph, "I am ready, I am ready for that day; do you think you are ready?" We replied that we had seen many things, which greatly deceived us; and if, as the word of God declares, "the heart was deceitful above all things," it was certainly possible to be deceived by our hearts; but that we entertained a hope, a hope animating and purifying, of being saved by grace, through faith in the efficacious blood of Christ. Signor T. then frankly acknowledged, that he did not know, that he was ready, and that it was a thing which could not be known. We replied, that the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, and primitive Christians had a degree of assurance on this subject, which enabled them to rejoice in hope of the glory of God; that, in one of the Epistles we had just read we were exhorted to "make our calling and election ," and that it was sinful and dangerous to remain in a state of uncertainty and doubt, without serious inquiry and the most careful examination. If it was a little happiness or misery that was depending, we might then lay aside all care and concern, but our eternal all was depending; millions of millions of ages of joy or sorrow inexpressible were concerned. He then asked, "How shall I know, that I am ready?" Ans. "Do not depend on what we say, nor on what your priest says. Go to your Bible. God has told us sufficiently plain, what we are to do in order to be saved, and how we may attain to comfortable assurance, that we are in the way of salvation-so plain, that "the wayfaring man though a fool need not err therein." sure, On the first of November they were in sight of Candia, the ancient Crete. This island is now inhabited by Greeks, Turks, and a few Jews and Armenians. The whole population is estimated at 24,000 souls. The Greeks are here struggling for their independence. As we sailed along, we were shown a Greek town, which is fortified on three sides by impassable mountains, and which has hith erto defended itself against the incursions of the Turks. Nov. 2. In the morning, seeing some of the sailors sewing their clothes, and others reading a book of civil history, we mildly reproved them, repeating the fourth commandment, and shewing them, in the prophecy of Isaiah, the explanation which God has given of what he means by sanctifying or keeping holy the Sabbath day. All readily said, that they were doing wrong, but continued for a time sewing and reading. We observed, that, while we were reading to them respecting the Sabbath, Signor T., as if jealous of our instructions, or wishing to intimidate us, came to bear and examine what we were reading. He expresses great fear, that the common sailors will misunderstand the Bible, and still greater that they will overhear our reasoning on the subject of religion, and misunderstand us; and yet, without any apprehension, he can hear others take the name of God in vain in their presence, and do the same repeatedly himself. He can witness the men themselves profaning the name and day of Jehovah, and show no emotion of fear about their religious principles. Had a long conversation with the Director on the nature of repentance, and on human merit as making a part of the foundation of our justification. As Martini, instead of giving the idea of repentance for sin, which the true rendering from the Greek, has every where given that of doing penance for sin, the Director for once seemed to find something in the only Bible which has been translated into his native tongue, on his side; of which he was not a little proud, and to which he appealed with as much reverence and confidence, as if he had been a Protestant. It was in vain we assured him, that we were familiar with the Greek, and had perhaps thousands of times read the word in the original, and that Martini had not given it the true sense; and, that, even according to Martini, a man could not be justified by the works of the law, as he would find conclusive evidence by turning to the Epistles. He knew nothing of Greek; but here he found what his church enjoined, viz. to do penance for sin, and that was enough for him. We were never convinced more sensibly of the impropriety of making concessions to the prejudices of papists in our efforts to do them good, than we have been to day. When the 3000 were cut to the heart, and wished to know of Peter what they should do,the popish translation says, (as the reply of Peter,) "Do penance and be baptized,' and this translation, say the papists, is approved by the Bible Society. Tell them, that this is not well translated, and they ask, "Why then do you send out a Bible, || that teaches falsehood? Why is the British and Foreign Bible Society at such expense in circulating it?" Cyprus. 6. This morning discovered Cyprus on the left, and remembered, that Paul, "left it on the left hand," when sailing over these waters, he went "bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem." May we have the presence of the same Savior, and receive the consolations of the same spirit! Then in the sure prospect of danger and of suffering for Jesus' sake, we can with the same spirit of devotedness adopt his triumphant language, "None of these things move us; neither count we our lives dear unto ourselves, so that we may finish our course with joy, and the ministry which we have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God." 7. Instead of being in port, as we had hoped; we are still "sailing under Cyprus, because the winds are contrary.' An admirer of the Greek Classics might easily fancy, that his eyes now beheld the very mountains, which the Poets have rendered immortal by making them the birth place of Venus, and the abode of the Graces. In the Scriptures of the Old Testament, this island was called "Chittim." In the Acts of the Apostles, much mention is made of it under its present name. It was to Cyprus some of those came, "who were scattered abroad, upon the persecution, that arose about Stephen, preaching the word unto none but unto the Jews only." It was here Barnabas was born, who, "having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the Apostles' feet." It was here "one Mnason" lived, "an old disciple with whom," said Paul, (when on his way to Jerusalem for the last time,) "we should lodge." It was to Cyprus Paul and Barnabas sailed, after they had "been sent forth by the Holy Ghost" to preach to the Gentiles. It was at Paphos, in this island, "the deputy of the country desired to hear the word of God, and Elymas the sorcerer, sought to turn him away from the faith," for which he was smitten with blindness. And it was here Barnabas sailed, after he and Paul had "departed asunder the one from the other." The Lord in mercy grant, "that there may be no divisions among ourselves; but that we may be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment!" 9. A fine breeze sprang up this morning from the west, and at a little past 12 o'clock we entered the harbor of Larnica, and came to anchor about three miles distance from the town, there not being sufficient water for anchorage nearer, except for small vessels. This is the principal |