$94

Domestic Missionary Societies.

adelphia, are destitate of the preached word.'

A Domestic Missionary Society have employed two missionaries for about two years; whose duty it was, to seek out objects of compassion and preach Christ to them. Much good has resulted from their labors,—the ignorant have heard of a Saviour,— the unhappy victim of false pleasure has been reclaimed, through their instrumentality. But the society are necessitated, for want of funds to dismiss one of the two missionaries in their employ; and leave the destitute to famish for want of the bread of life, in the face of those who say, that they have tasted the comforts of believing. It should put the inhabitants of that populous city to the blush, when it is told, that they do not support, comfortably, two missionaries among themselves, to carry the word of life to those who are famishing, while surrounded by plenty; "who are brutalizing themselves on husks in the garden of Gospel exuberance."

We are decidedly of the opinion of the Editor, respecting the destitute state of all our cities and large towns, and would recommend them as missionary ground for domestic operations. The patronage of domestic missionaries has the professed consent

If we judge of the condition of other large cities, from a statement that has been made of the destitute situation of Philadelphia, with respect to the means of grace enjoyed by the poor, we must form the conclusion, that a very large portion of their pop-and countenance of all parties, and, ulation are nearly as destitute of the judging from the hue and cry raised preached gospel as the inhabitants on against Foreign missionary operations, the dark islands of the sea. The eone would think they would be well ditor of the Christian Gazette de- supported. We never once habored clares that upwards of 'sixty thousand the opinion, till we seen the statement imperishable souls in and around Phil-before us, that the domestic mission

To Correspondents.-S. S. Teachers Magazine.

395

are rational, and, no doubt, often experienced by the heart disciplined by divine grace. But he leaves these reflections, to describe several

none but himself: The story of the invalid doctor appears rather fictious to suit our purpose. The relation of his desires for a "congugal companion," is two frank to meet the approbation of modern policy;-& his boasting of the accomplishment of his desires, and of his domestic happiness, convinces us, that they do not come from a heart which has ex

often disposed to proclaim to the world the perienced these enjoyments. Men are not domestic comforts they enjoy; they are too sacred to unfold to the gaze of every beholder.

Sunday School Teacher's Magazine.

The second number of a monthly publication of the above title, printed in the city

of New York, has lately been published. The

ary society of that city was not liberally supported; because we were led to the belief, from plausible circum-little circumstances, which are of service to stances, that its friends were numerous. This belief was raised by the numerous encomiums passed on the system, in the public prints, at the time of its institution. Is it possible that the supporters of these prints, (who are generally of the opinion of their editors,) would only give their voice in favor of the measure, without giving any thing more substantial? It is one thing to say, "be fed, be cloathed," and another to provide the necessary means for having it done. The plan is too important to be lost sight of in our zeal for other benevo-work is spoken of in the highest terms, as lent objects. Let the friends of benevolence give according to their means; not all to one particular institution, but equally to all useful ones. Let the ministers imitate the laudable example set them by those in Bal"MR. ROBERT AITKIN, a printer & timore. They preach weekly, in bookseller of Philadelphia, was the some destitute part of the city; being first person who printed a Bible in determined to carry the Word to the that city; and the second, if not the highways and hedges, and compel the first, who printed that sacred volume in the United States. He was a ignorant to hear. If this plan was Scottish Seceder, and an eminently pursued, the domestic missionary so- pious man. While he kept a bookcieties, would be assisted more im-store, a person called on him, and portantly, than were they to receive inquired if he had Paine's Age of a trifling pecuniary gift from each. This would evince a desire to laborsation with him, and found he was an for the good of souls; and the reward, at last, would outweigh all the inconveniences experienced by an observance of it.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"X's" essay on New Year's day cannot receive an insertion. Some of his reflections

being well conducted, and calculated to be of essential benefit to those for whom it is intended. The following anecdote appeared in

the above mentioned number.

LET INFIDELS READ THE BIBLE THEY
OPPOSE.

Reason for sale. He told him he had

not; but having entered into conver

infidel, he told him he had a better which he usually sold for a dollar, book than Paine's Age of Reason, but would lend it to him if he would promise to read it; and if after he had actually read it, he did not think it worth a dollar, he would take it again. The man consented: and Mr. Aitkin put a Bible into his hands. He smil

396

Cause of Seamen.-Bombay.

ed when he found what book he had engaged to read, but he said he would perform his engagement. He did so; and when he had finished the perusal he came back to Mr. Aitkin and expressed the deepest gratitude for his recommendation of the Book, saying, it had made him what he was not before a happy man; for he had found in it a Saviour, and the way of salvation. Mr. Aitkin rejoiced in the event, and had the satisfaction of knowing that the Reader of the Bible, from that day to the end of his life, supported the character of a consistent Christian, and died with a hope full of immortality.

Mr. Aitkin's grandson, now resident in New-York, has related the event to the Editor as a fact well known in his family."

Cause of Seamen.

kind assistance we desire to cherish feelings of the warmest gratitude.

Your board do, however, most ardently hope that they may not long remain under this embarrasment-unable to meet their daily demands-& exposed to the painful necessity, cither of withholding the bread of life from the weatherbeaten sailor, or of casting ourselves again upon the compassion of a more than indulgent mother.

Will a liberal, will a christian public, suffer this to be the case? Will the friends of seamen permit one to leave this port without the word of eternal life? It may be his last voyage. Before his wishful eye shall again behold the land, he may be called to languish on his hammock -he may drink death amidst the waves. Is it not enough that he is to close his eyes far from every relation-far from every christian friend Bible-but if this awful crisis should arrive the BIBLE? must he meet it too even without

In the Charleston, S. C. Intelligencer of

Dec. 27, the sixth report of the Marine Society is published; from which it appears that great exertions are made on behalf of this description of the human race destitute

of the sacred volume, by the people of the above city. An extract from the report fol

lows.

Your board have distributed dur

ing the past year 331 Bibles and ber distributed since the formation of Testaments- Making the whole numthe society about 4400 Bibles and Testaments. They have on hand 341 Bibles and Testaments. They owe the parent society $177 89-They owe the treasurer $10 89-Whole debt $188 78.

BOMBAY,

"Our calls for Bibles are numerous. They are usually received with gratitude. And we are frequently favored with satisfactory evidence that they are read with deep interest and that they produce the most happy effects. Our only cause of regret on this occasion, is that our means are so inadequate to our object. At an Is an East India Island, on the early period of the past year, your West coast of the Peninsula, this board found both their depository and their treasury nearly exhausted. As side of the Ganges. It is seven miles it was the most important season for long and 20 in circumferance. The action they saw no way left for them, ground is barren and good water but to make an immediate appeal to the parent society. And had it not harbor; and produces an abundance of It has an excellent port and been for their timely and very gener

scarce.

ous aid, we could not have supplied || cocoa nuts but little grain of any kind. half the calls for Bibles. For this The inhabitants are from various

Bombay.

1

world, will be found at last to haveer month of my life & to much greater accomplished more for the cause of numbers; for I invited the people Christ, than ten years of ministerial labor in England.

together three or four or five or six times, in different places, daily. I From the semi-annual pecuniary was in general received kindly and accounts of the mission it appears, heard with attention-not once obligthat the boarding school of Mrs. Hall, ed to lodge without a shelter. I had for the six months preceding last evidence enough of the opposition of January, had afforded an income, the natural heart, and the strength of which had been credited to the mis-idolatry; trial enough of my meeksion, equal to the stipend of Mr. Hallness and patience; and great cause to mourn over so many thousand per

for the same time.

As the time of the missionaries and ishing souls, not inclined to receive their wives is all devoted to their their only remedy. But yet the great work, either directly or indi-pleasing fact was obvious, that truth rectly, the emoluments derived from approves itself to the conscience." their subordinate labors, such as "I had great occasion, as I ever teaching, printing, &c. &c. are plac-have, to mourn my own want of love ed to the credit of the mission.

A letter, addressed by Mr. Graves to his wife, has been received since she sailed, and opened according to a request which she left. It is dated April 14, 1823, and mentions, that the chapel is nearly completed, and would be speedily opened for public worship.

We make the following extract, containing an account of Mr. Graves evangelical labor.

to Christ, and tender pity for the souls of the heathen. Yet, on the whole, it was a happy month; and I am not without hope that some fruit wll appear in eternity."

A letter from Mr. Garrett, dated April 19, mentions the fact, that Mr. Mitchell, from the Scottish Missionaary Society, had not been allowed to settle at Poonah, but had fixed his residence at Bankote, on the coast." Missionary Herald.

The Bombay government had forbidden the distribution of tracts, &c. beyond the Ghauts, that is, the mountains near the coast. Mr. Hall was preparing a memorial on the subject; and, it was hoped, that all restrictions would be taken off. However that might be, the missionaries were de"When I last wrote you in Febru-sirous to execute their high commisary, I had not long before recovered sion as extensively as possible. from a sudden, but mercifully short attack of fever; and was then about to take a tour of a month on the continent. That tour has been taken. I went first to Panwell, and then, by a circuitous route, to Rawadunda and a little beyond, returning by Allabag and Tull. As we are not allowed much time on the continent, I felt bound to fill up the time I there enjoyed in obeying the great last com-don, is given by Rev. Lewis Way, a missionmand of our precious Saviour. I therefore walked not unfrequently under the scorching sun at noon; and its reflection from the ground was many times not a little annoying. But I Mount Lebanon, while he pursues the studies was very mercifully preserved in vigorous health. I undoubtedly said necessary to qualify him for usefulness. The more for Christ than during any oth-letter is dated Sidon, Syria, June 10, 1823.

PALESTINE MISSION.

The following description of Tyre and Si

ary to Palestine, in a letter published in the

London Jewish Expositor for October. Mr.

Way has at length arrived at the place of his destination; and intends to occupy a place on