Miscellanies. MEMOIR OF THE REV. LEGH RICHMOND. children of the kingdom might be cast out;-that nominal Christianity was, after all, little better than heathen ignorance; while it involved greater guilt, and a more tremendous responsibility; -that personal religion was one of the best securities for missionary zeal and exertion; and that no one was ever likely to be successfully engaged in communicating the Gospel to others, till he had first felt its power and experienced its peace in his own heart. to The writer of this memoir can state, from his own personal observation, that the improved tone of moral feeling, and of attachment to the distinguishing truths of the Gospel, which is now so perceptible throughout the kingdom, may, a considerable extent, be traced to the influence of these and similar missionary excursions. He has often heard his lamented friend observe, in the earlier days of these institutions,-"the public mind is gradually undergoing a great moral revolution. Ten or twelve leading men are do AN edition of the memoir of the Rev. Legh Richmond, author of the Dairyman's Daughter, Young Cottager, and other religious tracts, which have been read extensively and with great interest, in this country as well as in England, has lately been published by Messrs. Crocker and Brewster, of Boston, and J. Leavitt, of New York. The American editor has very judiciously abridged the work, principally by omitting matter, which was local as to its bearing and interest, together with many extracts from those works of Mr. Richmond, with which readers are already very generally acquainted. It is known to many that the subject of the memoir was a warm and steady friend of all the great religious charitable societies of his own country; and that he was, foring all the work, and bearing the burden and several years, one of the secretaries of the London Tract Society. He was much devoted to the promotion of foreign missions, and was, during a considerable portion of his life, a very laborious and successful agent of the Church Missionary Society, and of the Society for the promotion of Christianity among the Jews. His journals and reflections, especially while on these agencies, contain much to interest and instruct the friends of missions. In his letters to his family, there is much advice of peculiar value to young persons and to parents. All the friends of Christ will be profited by becoming acquainted with such a disciple. As Mr. Richmond commenced his labors in behalf of missions, when they were not so much the subject of thought and interest in England as they are now, he had opportunity to observe the change of public sentiment in regard to them, and the effect, which exertions to extend Christianity abroad have on the state of religion at home. The following extract from the memoir relates to this subject. It was the establishment of missionary views and principles, the correction of errors, and the removal of prejudices, and the enforcement of the claims of Jews and Gentiles on the prayers and benevolence of the Christian public, which formed one of the most prominent features of usefulness in these tours: we may add another, of which he never lost sight, in preaching either for Jews or Gentiles, viz: the interests of personal religion, and the close connexion of missionary objects with the advancement of personal piety. While he spoke of the souls of the heathen or Jew, he faithfully reminded his hearers of their own; admonished them of their obligation to improve their Christian privileges; and of the possibility of many, at the last day, being admitted "from the east and from the west, and from the north and from the south," while the heat of the day. It will be comparatively easy for those who come after us; but the prejudice, the opposition, and the conflict of opinion, it is ours to encounter: and these difficulties are good for us; for they convince us of our own weakness, and show the excellency of the cause, and the power and strength of God in its success and progress." "Incalculable is the national good which is daily springing up from such exertions. It now appears capable of demonstration, that the moral wilderness will eventually blossom as the rose, through the blessing of God on Bible and missionary institutions. The opposition of error and prejudice languish and decay; while the triumphant career of sacred benevolence conveys life, light, peace, and love; and bears unequivocal evidence to the universe, that 'God is with us of a truth."" Undoubtedly every reflecting Christian in our own country, who has observed the progress of religion, during the last twenty years, has formed the same conclusion for himself. The following passage exhibits the influence exerted on Mr. Richmond's own parish by an interest in the cause of missions, and will doubtless be found to correspond with the experience of ministers in our country. He endeavored to enkindle in the breasts of others, the flame which warmed and animated his own. He therefore drew attention to these subjects-introduced them into his sermons; described the state of the heathen world-their idolatries-their atrocious rites;-the burning of women on the funeral pile-their awful ignorance their perishing state, and the bounden duty of Christians to send them that Gospel, which the mercy of God had put into their own hands. It has been said, that such objects are too remote to engage the attention of the poor; and that their poverty disables them from contributing any thing to their support. But the principaf qualifications for appreciating missions, is a sense of the worth of an immortal soul: and he who knows the value of his own soul, be he poor or rich, needs no other argument to inspire a desire to save the souls of others: and it must be mentioned to the honor of the lower classes, that they have been found to be the most valuable and efficient friends of missionary exertions; not only by the fervor of their prayers, but also by the amount of their pecuniary contributions. To many of them may be applied the touching commendation of the apostle, when speaking of the poor disciples of Corinth-"In a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded unto the riches of their liberality; for to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; praying us, with much intreaty, that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints: and this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own-selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God."-2 Cor. viii. 2-5. The people of Turvey soon expressed a desire to contribute their aid; and a Bible and missionary society were accordingly established. Mr. Richmond found the introduction of these subjects to be attended with the happiest effects. His people acquired more enlarged views; they read their Bibles with increasing interest; comprehended better the scope of prophecy, and the fiiture spread of the everlasting Gospel among all the nations of the world; they prayed for its accomplishment, and the cause of missions became dear to their hearts. There was also a re-action upon themselves, they were led to a more earnest examination of their own state before God. In reading the simple narratives of poor negroes mourning for their sins, or rejoicing in the peace and consolations of the Gospel, they caught the happy contagion; they wondered to see emotions described so like their own; discovered that the human heart is every where the same; and that the grace of God, confined to no clime or color, can impart its saving influences to men of every nation, tongue, and kindred. In thinking of the souls of others, they became increasingly interested for their own; and learned to implore that grace with renewed earnestness for themselves, the transforming power and efficacy of which they saw, in the instance of a once-benighted heathen. STATISTICS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The first presbytery in the United States was organized at Philadelphia in 1704: the first synod in 1716: the first general assembly met in 1789. There were in May, 1828, 16 synods, 90 presbyteries, 1285 ordained ministers, 194 licentiates, and 242 candidates in different stages of their education. Of the ordained ministers, 240, from infirmity, or being engaged other pur suits, or other causes, have no stated congregations: leaving 970 acting as pastors or stated supplies. There are 1968 churches, (of which 900 were founded by missionaries,) a gain of 764 within the last 10 years. Of these 636 are without pastors or stated supplies; and 502 others have the service of only 226 ministers, making the really destitute churches 912. The returns show 146,308 communicants, of which 15,095 were added the last year; the actual increase being 11,023. The missionary funds collected amounted the last year to $23,993 50; the number of missionaries 47. The number of persons connected with presbyterian congregations in the United States, is estimated to be 2,194,620; having more than doubled during the last 20 years. In 1848, it will probably be 5,000,000: and if the increase in the number of ministers should be in the same ratio as during the last 20 years, and reckoning one minister to 1000 souls, 2,593,000 will then be destitute of a stated ministry.-Two thirds of all the colleges, theological seminaries, and other academic institutions in the United States are within the limits of the presbyterian church.-Abridged from the Philadelphian. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. AFRICA. Rev. Messrs. Hencke, Salbach, Holswarth, and Schmid, embarked at London, in October last, for Acra, on the Gold Coast, in Western Africa. Messrs. Monro and Peck, and Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, embarked about the same time; the two former for Sierra Leone, and the two latter for the River Gambia, under the patronage of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. MEDITERRANEAN. At the press of the Church Missionary Society, established at Malta, 54,500 copies of different works, designed to convey religious instruction principally, have been printed: 13,500 in Italian, 18,000 Greek, and 23,000 in Arabic. Of these, 33,934 copies have been distributed.-Report of the Ch. Miss. Soc. FRANCE. Catholic Clergy. In the list of the Catholic clergy of France, there are five cardinals, 20 prelates promoted to the peerage, four who are members of the king's privy council, 14 archbishops, 66 bishops, 408 vicars-general, 684 titular canons, 1788 honorary canons, 36,649 parish and other priests in activity. The total number of priests in the Gallican church is 52,457; or, according to the population of France, exclusive of Protestants, is in proportion of one to every 550 souls. The number of students, who are candidates for orders, is 44,244. There are 19,340 nuns, distinguished under different denominations, in 3,024 establishments. The whole sum allotted for the ecclesiastical establishment from the national treasury, amounts, according to the accounts of that department, to about 34,000,000 of franks, or $6,525,000. What is received by the clergy, from other sources, would probably raise the sum to about $10,000,000. Protestants. From the statistics of the reformed churches of France, it appears that the Protestant Calvinistic communion have, in that kingdom, 438 places of worship, and 305 officiating pastors. There are among them 451 Bible societies and associations, 124 missionary societies and associations, 59 societies and depositories for the circulation of religious tracts, 8 provident societies, 79 Sunday schools, and 392 elementary and boarding schools. For the education of young men for the sacred office, there are two theological faculties, one at Montauban, and one at Strasbourg. DENMARK. It appears from official returns, that on the 31st of December, 1823, there were, in the kingdom of Denmark, 244 schools on the Lancasterian plan; and that at the close of the year 1827, they had increased to 2,003. During the early part of the year 1828, the number increased to 2,377.-Lon. Con. Mag. GREAT BRITAIN. The last Report of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, states that the number of missionary stations under its care in different parts of the world, is 138; and the number of missionaries employed, is 183, exclusive of catechists, &c. The number of members in all the societies at these stations is 34,892; of whom 27,606 are negroes and people of color in the West Indian colonies. The returns of the number of children in the mission schools is not complete; but the number reported is between 16,000 and 17,000; showing a great increase during the year. Rep. of Wes. Miss. Soc. 1829. Qualifications of a Missionary.--Anniversaries of Auxiliaries. Death of Missionaries.-In a single month the ten following instances of mortality among the missionary laborers of the London Missionary Society are noticed: Rev. John Davies, of Demerara, and Mrs. Smith, wife of the late Rev. Mr. Smith, of the same field; Rev. Mr. Trawin, of Calcutta; the Rev. Evan Evans, of Africa; Rev. Mr. Gordon, of Vizagapatam; Mrs. Hum phreys, of Malacca; Mrs. Yuille, Selenginsk; Mrs. Salmon, of Surat; Mrs. Paine, of Bell ary, and Mr. Hovenden, the printer, at Madagascar. -London Miss. Register. to The British and Foreign Bible Society have promoted the distribution, printing, or translation of the Bible, in whole or in parts, directly or indirectly the following extent; viz. Reprints, Retranslations, Languages and dialects, in which the Scriptures had never been printed before the institution of the society, New translations commenced or completed, Total, -Rep. of Brit. and For. Bible Soc. DOMESTIC. 42 5 58 38 143 There are 20 Marine Bible Societies in the United States. Within the last 12 years, they have received donations amounting to $1,119 23: and have 69 remitted to the American Bible Society for the purchase of Bibles, $8,532 12.-Sailor's Magazine. Sailor's Magazine.--The American Seaman's Friend Society have commenced the publication of a Magazine, four numbers of which have been already issued. It is a monthly pamphlet of 32 pages, 8 vo., and is designed to be a vehicle of information to seamen, and the instrument of awakening the benevolent feelings of the community in their behalf. Though more especially designed to instruct seamen, and promote their religious improvement, yet, by the variety of its matter, particularly respecting the naval and other maritime affairs of this and other countries, it is well adapted to interest and instruct all classes of readers. The work is edited by the Rev. Joshua Leavitt, Secretary and General Agent of the Society; and the demand for it is such that an edition of 5,000 copies has been printed. Bibles and Tracts for Greece.-The Managers of the American Bible Society have appropriated $500 to the General Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church, for the purpose of purchasing and circulating such translations of the Bible as are suitable for Greece, under the care of the Rev. J. J. Robertson, who has embarked for that country, as the agent of the latter society.-The American Tract Society has appropriated 25,000 pages of tracts to the same society, and $150 for the purchase of tracts translated from the publications of the society into any of the languages of the Mediterranean, to be distributed by the same gentleman.-Philadelphia Recorder. American Board of Missions. QUALIFICATIONS OF A MISSIONARY. INQUIRIES are frequently made by those, who contemplate engaging in missionary labors, respecting the character and qualifications, which Missionaries themselves, who have experience, acquired by a long residence among the heathen, have the best means of knowing what Indians. qualifications are requisite. The following paragraph on the subject, is taken from the corresare requisite for such an employment. Such per-pondence of an assistant missionary among the sons make their inquiries, for the purpose of being able to judge whether or not it is proper that they should devote themselves to the service of Christ among the heathen. The inquiry is certainly a suitable one; especially among candidates for the ministry, and those who are capable of teaching and performing other important services, in disseminating a knowledge of the Gospel and the arts of civilized life. While the Committee rejoice in knowing that individuals are endeavoring to ascertain the path of duty in this respect, they would afford every facility in their power for coming to a correct decision: and by coming to a correct decision only, can such individuals most successfully promote the cause of Christ. In the number of the Missionary Herald for January, 1828, the Committee expressed their views respecting the qualifications of candidates for missionary service very much at large. That article they would wish all persons, who contemplate offering themselves, to peruse, with prayer and careful self examination. Candidates should not be dissuaded, because the standard there is high, until they have consulted with their friends. It is desirable, also, that all who, as friends, are consulted by such persons, or who are requested to forward testimonials to the Committee, should carefully peruse the article. Experience has taught us, that ardent piety; a good education; a strong and cultivated mind; an amiable, sympathetic, and considerate disposition; a strong constitution, and a willingness to assist in all the domestic work; a mind that will rise above little things, that will not stop to learn the meaning of every look or gesture, or demand an explanation of every expression,are qualifications that every missionary should possess, in order to be useful. I well know, dear sir, that we do not possess these qualifications; and knowing this, we are, therefore, the more anxious that all new laborers should possess them, that the old laborers may be improved and the missionary character raised. ANNIVERSARIES OF AUXILIARIES. NEW YORK.-The Auxiliary of New York and Brooklyn held its second anniversary on the 24th of December. The reports of the Treasurer and Secretary were read, and addresses were made by the Rev. Dr. De Witt, of the city of New York, Rev. Mr. Temple, recently from Malta, Robert Wilkinson, Esq., of Poughkeepsie, Rev. C. S. Stewart, late of the Sandwich Islands, and Rev. Dr. Alexander, of the Princeton Theological Seminary. During the year, the sum of $7,427 94 has been received into the the sum of $4,999 treasury. Besides this sum, 68 has been contributed in the city and paid directly to the Agent of the Board; making the total receipts within the limits of the Auxiliary, $12,427 62; of which $9,540 06 were towards the extra effort.-John R. Hurd, Esq. Secretary; W. W. Chester, Esq. Treasurer. NEW JERSEY.-The Auxiliary of Essex County held its third anniversary at Newark, on the 13th of October. Reports were read by the Secretary and Treasurer, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr. Carnahan, President of Nassau Hall, and Rev. Dr. M'Auley, of the City of New York, who were present as a Deputation from the Board, and by Mr. George B. Whiting, an agent. The resolution which follows, was adopted by the meeting. Resolved, That the members of the Auxiliary, and especially the ministers of the Gospel, be requested to use their utmost exertions to interest the hearts of the pious in the subject of prayer for the success of the missionary cause; especially, to secure their faithful attendance at the monthly concert for prayer. Rev. John M'Dowell, Secretary; Theodore Frelinghuysen, Esq., Treasurer. The Auxiliary of Morris County held its 3d anniversary at Morristown, on the 10th of October. Reports were read by the Secretary and Treasurer, and addresses were delivered by the Corresponding Secretary of the Board, who was present as a Deputation, and by Mr. George B. Whiting, an agent.-Rev. Albert Barnes, Secretary. CONNECTICUT.-The Auxiliary in the Eastern District of Fairfield County held its 4th annual meeting at Newtown, on the 2d of October. The Rev. Cyrus Yale, of New Hartford, Ct., and Rev. J. B. Waterbury, of Hatfield, Mass., were present as a Deputation from the Board. After the reading of the usual reports, addresses were made by the Deputation, and by Rev. Messrs. Bartlett and Robbins, members of the society. Rev. Joshua Leavitt, Secretary; Dea. Stephen Hawley, Bridgeport, Treasurer. The Auxiliary of the City of New Haven held its 4th anniversary on the 6th of October. Rev. Cyrus Yale, of New Hartford, was present as a Deputation from the Board. After the reading of the usual reports, the meeting was addressed by the Deputation, and by the Rev. Mr. Bacon, and Mr. John Mitchell, members of the society. Mr. John Mitchell, Secretary, Mr. C. J. Salter, Treasurer. The Auxiliary of Farmington and its Vicinity held its 5th annual meeting at Farmington, first society, on the 28th of October. A sermon was delivered in the morning, by the Rev. D. L. Ogden; and in the afternoon, the reports of the Secretary and Treasurer were read, and the meeting was addressed by Mr. Charles Rockwell, and Doct. Zephaniah Swift, members of the society, and by the Rev. Mr. Temple, recently from Malta, and Mr. D. Perry, an agent of the Board, who were present as a Deputation. Horace Cowles, Esq. Secretary; Martin Cowles, Esq. Treasurer; both of Farmington. FORMATION OF ASSOCIATIONS. MASSACHUSETTS. Worcester co. Charlton, Gent. Asso. Rev. John' Wilder, Pres. Hon. Salem Towne, V. Pres. Charles M. Fay, Sec. John H. Mixer, Treas. 5 coll.-Lad. Asso. Mrs. M. W. F. Wilder, Pres. Mrs. Sally Towne, V. Pres. Miss B. B. Wilder, Sec. Mrs. Ruth Phillips, Treas. 6 coll. Formed 1828. West Brookfield. Fem. Juv. Asso. Miss Catharine Woodman, Pres. Miss Sarah H. Merriam, V. Pres. Miss Dorothy S. Merriam, Treas. Miss Maria Howland, Sec. 6 coll. Ware. W. Soc. Male Juv. Asso. Ebenezer Caleb F. Bowdoin, V. Pres. Porter Snell, Pres. Snow, Sec. and Treas. 4 coll.-Fem. Juv. Asso. Miss Lucy Snell, Pres. Miss Sarah Bowdoin, V. Pres. Miss Catharine Brown, Sec. Miss Mary C. Snow, Treas. 5 coll. Donations, From December 16th, to January 15th, inclusive. I. AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. Addison co. Vt. E. Brewster, Tr. Cornwall, Mon. con. 143 43 Brookfield asso., Ms. A. Newell, Tr. West par., Gent. 44,25; la. Charlton, Gent. 20; la. 12,46; la. 40,52; mon. con. 14,75; Spencer, Gent. 32,20; la. to constitute the Rev. LEVI 26,49; male juv. so. 5,67; E. par., Gent. and la. Ded. expenses, Central aux. so., N. J. J. S. Green, Tr. 32 26 113 49 32 46 71 63 27 62 122 61 174 09 62 32 93 36 84 56 270 103 67 145 51 59 98 1,266 99 54 99-1,212 00 Of sums prev. ackn. fr. this aux. so. $50 were fr. la. of 1st chh., Trenton, to constitute the Rev. ELI F. COOLEY an Hon. Member of the Board. Charleston, S. C. J. Tyler, Tr. C. O. NEAL, which constitutes him an Honorary Member of the Board, 100; asso. in Circular chh., 165; Essex co., Ms. J. Adams, Tr. Salem, Mon. con. in S. so 9; do. in Tab. so. 10,12; Fairfield co. West, Ct. M. Marvin, Tr. Fairfield, Gent. North Fairfield, Gent. Ridgeway, Gent. and la. Farmington & vic. Ct. M. Cowles, The sum of $103,38, ackn. in the M. Herald, for Jan. was fr. Gent. in Bristol, and $9,03 fr. Gent. in Farmington, 3d so. Hillsboro' co. South, N. H. E. Parker, Tr. New Ipswich, Of the sum ack. in the M. Herald, for Feb. last, $50 fr. la. asso. were to constitute the Rev. CHARLES WALKER an Honorary Mem ber of the Board. 33 58 13 00 3 00 5 00 20 08 32 28 00 181 85 12 00 50-473 10 151 50 Ogden, Mon. con. 55 00 Parma and Greece, Mon. con. Riga, Gent. 7.00 23 00 TIONS. Rochester, H. Ely, towards ex. ef fort, 1,250 00 Brookfield, Miss J. K. More, Harpersville, Mon. con. Watertown, A friend, 4th pay. for Charlotte Bradley West Hartwick, A friend, Windham co. South, Ct. Z. Storrs, Tr. Ashford, 1st so. Gent. 17,46; James Verner Henry in Ceylon, 17; for Joel Bradley at Mackinaw, 17; Bethany, Pa. Mon. con. Canton, Ct. Mrs. Everest, 66 75 Athens, Tioga Point, Pa. Coll. 36 15 Augusta co. Va. Mrs. J. Tate, 5 00 Ballston, NY Fem. hea. sch. so. for 34 00 Bath, N. par., Me. Mon. con. 23 05 Bedford, Ms. Mon. con. 28 75 8 00 Blue Hill, Me. Fem. asso. 12 00 Boston, Ms. A. Ward, 29 24 Boothbay, Me. Mon. con. 33 00 Brunswick, N. J. Prof. T. Strong, 10 00 5 00 Chambersburg, Pa. S. Patterson, 8th pay. for Ard Hoyt in Ceylon, 12 00 Charlestown, Ms. Fem. relig. char. so. in 1st cong. 50 00 Chazy, N. Y. Mrs. A. Hubbell, 5 00 Coventry, N. Y. Mon. con. in 2d so. 9,25; thanksgiv. coll. 3,25; 12 50 Coxsackie, N. Y. Coll. 40 00 Deerfield, Ms. Clarissa W. Dickinson, 2.00 East Hampton, N. Y. Fem. miss. so. Elmira, N. Y. Coll. 15 00 16 50 Fairfield, Ct. La. of 1st chh. and so. to constitute the Rev. JOHN HUNTER an Honorary Member of the Board, 50, chil. of sab. sch. 10; 60 00 Geneva, N. Y. Coll. 47 26 Windsor co. Vt. H. F. Leavitt, Tr. Greenville, Va. S. Finley, 5 00 Chester, Gent. 6,49; la. 14,18; Hartford, Gent. 21,69; con Hadley, Ms. Fem. mite so. 22 78 trib. 17,08; 38 77 Hamilton, N. J. Mon. con. 20 30 Royalton, Gent. 31; la. 25; 56 00 Hamp. Chris. Depos., Ms. Northampton, Springfield, La. 16 90 E. Parsons, av. of look. glass, 10 00 Weathersfield, Gent. 26,14; la. Jaffrey, N. H. Fem. so for Henry Martyn 20,58; 46 72 in Ceylon, 29 42 Windsor, La. 18 46 Woodstock, Gent. 25,33; la. 32,40; mon. con. 14,75; Worcester co. central, E. Flagg, Tr. Balance, 72 48-270 00 25 15 Holden, Gent. 95; la. 73,06; mon. con. 38,96; 207 02 Leicester, Gent. 50; la. 36,70; 86 70 Oxford, Gent. 27; ia. 40; 67 00 Paxton, Gent. 17,75; la. 19,81; mon, con.8; 45 56 Jamaica, N. Y. E. Wickes, to constitute the Rev. THOMAS S. WICKES of Greenbush, an Honorary Member of the Board, Jefferson, N. Y. Rev. W. Salisbury, 3; Mrs. L. Salisbury, 2; Miss S. A. Salisbury, 1; Kingsboro', N. Y. Gent. Asso. Longmeadow, Ms. W. White, for ed. of hea. youth at Bombay, Louisville, O. Miss. so. Lynchburg, Va. A fem. friend to Indians, Lyons, NY. 50 00 6 00 9.00 10 00 25 00 5.00 Mon. con. in presb. so. 15.00 |