church will awake, and come up to the help of their few heroic, but deserted brethren, who are kindling their watch fires along the dark frontier of the heathen world. And do we want more missionaries' graves? Already the bones of Martyn, and of Hall, and of Parsons, and of Fisk, and of other brothers beloved,' both at home and abroad, speak out to us from the ground, and, in murmurs that reprove delays, call us to the field in which they fell. May their tombs be points of attraction to the missionary spirit of the age! May their ashes give out life, like the bones of Elisha! "To the youthful soldiers of the cross, who are but now putting on them the armor of God, are the eyes of the universe directed, as the best hope of weeping Zion, and a world perishing in sin. 'I write unto you young men, because ye are strong.' You stand amidst the twilight of receding darkness, and the rising day of latter glory. Assume, then, the full helps and true spirit of your sacred and peculiar office, and expand your desires and labors to the utmost limit of that field, in which it was intended to expatiate. Lift up your eyes; look on the fields; for they are white, already to harvest.' You are summoned to come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty! With his vesture dipt in blood he calls you to his side. If you can do no more, with Thomas say, 'LET US GO THAT WE MAY DIE WITH HIM. THIRTEENTH REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. Union of Labor with Study. We should not have introduced this Report, which has been widely circulated, to the attention of our readers, were it not for the sentiments which it expresses, and the facts which it mentions, concerning the importance of uniting systematic and useful exercise with study. We have, in former numbers, given our own views of what is beginning to be called the Manual Labor System; and we present the following extract from the above Report, in the hope that it will deepen the conviction, which is already felt, of the expediency of carrying this system into effect, in all our seminaries of education. "Death of two promising young men. "The Directors have been called, during the year, to add to the list of premature deaths the names of two promising young men, who had been received under the patronage of the Society. One of them, Mr. Solomon Maxwell, had finished his collegiate course, and had charge, for a time, of a flourishing academy. The other, Mr. Preserved F. Davison, was prepared to enter College. Both these young men were endowed with excellent talents; they were distinguished as scholars; and they gave much evidence of sincere and growing piety. Their death is a public loss. The friends of Zion have cause to mingle their tears with those of the afflicted relatives and friends of these rising sons of the church. "Importance of uniting exercise with study. "The early graves of thirty young men, once under the patronage of the American Education Soc. who fell the victims of disease before their preparatory studies were completed, and the failure of nearly as many more to enter the ministry in consequence of a loss of health, afford melancholy proof that something should be done to render studious habits less injurious, particularly to young men who have been previously devoted to active pursuits. No method promises so effectually to guard against this evil, as a course of systematic and vigorous bodily exercise. Experiment has proved that young men may devote from two to four hours of each day to labor, either agricultural or mechanical, without retarding, in the least, their progress in study, and with the prospect of maintaining vigorous health, as well as of earning something to defray the necessary expenses of an education. "The Directors know not how to express their sense of the importance of a more serious and general attention to this subject. Of the sacred fund, entrusted to their care, probably five thousand dollars have been appropriated to young men whose prospects of usefulness have been cut off by disease or death. The calamity is greater, because the destroyer often, perhaps usually, selects youths of the strongest minds, and of the highest acquisitions. There are few young men, of fairer promise, than some of the former beneficiaries of this Society, upon whom the grave has closed forever. A larger number still will follow their example, and thousands of dollars will be spent without effect, in future years, unless more effectual measures are taken to unite sys tematic exercise with study. The Directors would not undertake to decide what those measures should be, in every case. But they cannot doubt that if a farm, or work shop, or both, were appended to every academy, college, and seminary in the land, and placed under such regulations as to secure the regular and cheerful attention of indigent young men, who have been accustomed in early life to labor, the sacrifice of health and life, which is now the cause of so much lamentation, would, in a great measure, cease. "Amount of earnings reported by young men | dents, we present the following testimoni in connexion with the Society the last year. "The Directors take great pleasure in stating, that the efforts of the young men connected with the Society to assist themselves have been highly successful. The whole sum reported, as the fruit of their earnings the past year, is EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT DOL LARS. Of this amount, $1963 were earned by members of theological seminaries; $5476 by members of colleges; and $1288 by members of academies. Of the two last sums, $4955 were obtained by teaching school; and $1809 by various kinds of labor. als from different individuals, who have been connected with the mechanical association, in the Andover Theological Seminary, during the past few months. The length of time which is employed, each day, in labor, is one hour and a half. For a more particular statement of this plan, we refer our readers to Vol. I. of the Register, pp. 17 and 123. Several instances, as decided, as the following, of the great benefit which has been derived from this system of exercise, might be obtained, if necessary. The undersigned, members of the Mechanical Association connected with Andover Theological Seminary, cheerfully communicate the results of our experience in relation to our mechanical exercise. Sensible of the preeminent importance of a vigorous and healthful body to intense and protracted mental action; convinced of the great loss of mind and usefulness, which literary men suffer from their habits of corporeal inactivity; and alarmed by the numerous instances of mortality among candidates for the ministry; we commenced the experiment of uniting mechanical labor with intellectual pursuits. Our experiment, after a trial of more than six months, and, in a less extended form, of more than a year, has convinced us that such a union is not only feasible, but highly salutary. Unlike gymnastic, and other sportive exercises, we have found our mechanical exercise subject to no irregularities in consequence of the weather, or diminution of in "The practice of teaching school is doubtless attended with many advantages besides those of a pecuniary kind; but yet, when carried to the extent it now is, by young men in some parts of the country, it may be reasonably doubted whether the interruption which it occasions, in a regular course of study, and the consequent effect which it has in preventing a thorough education, do not more than overbalance the advantages gained. It would be far preferable, in the judgement of the Board, to stop a year at a time, in some part of the course, and devote the whole to the business of teaching, than to leave, as many now do, in the midst of their college studies, for a few weeks or months, and then return to their respective classes with the design of keeping up, to the end of the course, with others who have been subjected to no such intermissions. The evils arising from this source are often deplored by instructers, as well as others; and it may be necessary to adopt measures to lessen or prevent the interest. By its requiring vigorous exertion jurious effects complained of. Whenever a substitute for keeping school shall be provided, by means of which young men may aid themselves, in a pecuniary point of view, as effectually as they now do by keeping school, the temptation will cease to be of dangerous tendency, and no more time will be consumed in this employment, than will be desirable for its own sake. But whether such a substitute shall be found or not, it cannot admit of doubt, that the true policy for this Society to pursue is, that which gives full effect to the motives to personal effort. A dollar earned is worth twice the amount given for the purpose of teaching a young man how to do good to his fellow men. It is the only effectual way of showing him how great are those resources which God has given him in himself. In this view the value of the earn ings reported by the beneficiaries of this Society, the past year, is inestimable." As an illustration of what is said in the of the whole corporeal system, it removes that languor and sluggishness of body, which are the sure precursors of hypochondriacal affections and mental stupor. It has taken the place of those anti-dyspeptic medicines to which many of us have heretofore been compelled to resort; and, for the former artificial and constrained action of our animal powers, it has substituted their natural and spontaneous action. Although we can form no estimate of the degree of disease which our exercise has prevented; yet we can safely state that, since we commenced it, the frequency of occasional indisposition, and the consequent necessity of application for medical aid, have been sensibly diminished; and that the general state of health and feeling, throughout the Association, has been much improved. We are not disposed to enlarge on the mental relaxation which our plan of exercise affords, or on the mechanical skill which we have acquired; but, in view of its influence in augmenting the energy and strength, both of body and mind, we cannot preceding extracts, and as evidence of the great utility of systematic exercise for stu- | but hold it in high estimation, and recommend it most confidently to all sedentary | than a week; and all around me have men. In behalf of the Association, Theol. Sem. Andover, July 7, 1829. I hereby certify, that in the month of August last, after more than a year's decline of health, I was reduced to a state of great pectoral weakness and general debility, which were attended with slight hemorrhage, and which totally disqualified me for study; that in the early part of November following, I joined the Mechanical Association of this Seminary; and that now my natural strength and vigor of body are restored; all unusual symptoms of disease are removed; and I have become habituated to a regular system of physical exercise, which, with the ordinary smiles of Providence, ensures permanent health. Among other instruments of my restoration to my present state, I ascribe very much to the varied exercise of the chest, and the whole corporeal system, at the mechanical bench. EDWARDS A. PARK. For more than two years previous to entering this Seminary, my health was such that I could not study more than one hour a day. The thought of prosecuting my studies seemed chimerical. But learning that several individuals had experienced much benefit from their mechanical exercise, I was induced to make the experiment; and I rejoice that my hope of restoration brightens daily. I can already endure three or four times as much study as when I entered the Seminary; and the principal cause of this improvement in health I fully believe has been my regular exercise in the shop. JOHN MORRILL. For more than four years previous to my entering this Seminary, my health was very feeble; and during my first term here, it declined so rapidly, that it was feared, a consumption would speedily terminate my days. On my return the second term, the Work Shop went into operation, and I concluded to substitute mechanical exer cise, for medicine, which had become almost as necessary as my food. Now my health is much restored, and for more than two years, I have seldom had an occasion to open my box of drugs. A. H. REED. MISCELLANY. NEAR VIEWS OF ETERNITY. Eternity is another thing than we ordinarily take it to be in a healthful state. O, how vast and boundless! O, how fixed and unalterable! O, of what infinite importance is it, that we be prepared for eternity! I have been just a dying, now for more thought me so. I have had clear views of Eternity; have seen the blessedness of the godly, in some measure; and have longed to share their happy state, as well as been comfortably satisfied that through grace, I shall do so: but O, what anguish is raised in my mind for those who are Christless, for those who are mistaken, and who bring their false hopes with them to the grave! the sight was so dreadful, that I could by no means bear it; my thoughts could by no means bear it, and I said under a more affecting sense than ever before, "Who can dwell with everlasting burnings!" 0: methought, could I now see my friends, that I might warn them to see to it, that they lay their foundation for Eternity sure. BRAINERD. I have lived to see that this world is full of perturbations; and I have long been preparing to leave it, and gathering comfort for the awful hour of making up my account with God, which I now apprehend to be near. And though I have, by his grace, loved him, in my youth, and feared him, in my age, and labored to have a conscience void of offence towards him, and towards all men; yet, if thou, Lord, shouldst be extreme to mark what I have done amiss, how shall I abide it? Where I have failed, Lord, show mercy to me; for I plead not my righteousness, but the forgiveness of my unrighteousness, through his merits, who died to purchase pardon for penitent sinners. And since I owe thee a death, Lord, let it not be terrible, and then choose thy own time; I submit to it. Let not mine, O Lord, but thy will be done! RICHARD HOOKER. I have now done with mortal things, and all to come is vast eternity! Eternity! How transporting is the sound: As long as God exists, my being and happiness are, I doubt not, secure. I expect eternal life, not as a reward of merit, but as a pure act of bounty. Detesting myself in every view I can take, I fly to the righteousness and atonement of my great Redeemer, for pardon and salvation; this is my only consolation and hope. ELIZABETH ROWE. The business of a christian is to bear the will of God as well as to do it. If I were in health I ought to be doing it, and now it is my duty to bear it. The best thing in obedience, is a regard to the will of God; and the way to that is to have our inclinations and aversions as much mortified as DR. WATTS. we can. I shall now die. But O, what unspeakable glories do I see! What joys beyond thought or expression, am I sensible of! I am assured of God's mercy to me, through Jesus Christ. O! how I long to die and be with my Saviour. LORD ROCHESTER. WORTH OF THE SOUL. I have nothing to spare, is the plea of sordid reluctance. But a far different sentiment will be formed amidst the scenes of the last day. Men now persuade themselves that they have nothing to spare till they can support a certain style of luxury, and have provided for the establishment of children. But in the awful hour when you, and I, and all the pagan nations, shall be called from our graves to stand before the bar of Christ, what comparison will these objects bear to the salvation of a single soul? Eternal mercy! let not the blood of heathen millions, in that hour be found in our skirts! - Standing, as I now do, in sight of a dissolving universe, beholding the dead arise, the world in flames, the heavens fleeing away, all nations convulsed with terror, or rapt in the vision of the lamb, -I pronounce the conversion of a single pagan of more value than all the wealth that ever Omnipotence produced. On such an awful subject it becomes me to speak with caution; but I solemnly aver, that were there remotest corner of Asia, if no greater duty confined us at home, it would be worth the pains for all the people in America to embark together to carry the gospel to him. Place your soul in his soul's stead. Or rather consent for a moment to change condition with the savages on our borders. Were you posting on to the judgement of the great day, in the darkness and pollution of pagan idolatry, and were they living in wealth in this very district of the church, how hard would it seem for your neighbors to neglect your misery! When you should open your eyes in the eternal world and discover the ruin in which they had suffered you to remain, how would you reproach them that they did not even sell their possessions, if no other means were sufficient, to send the gospel to you. My flesh trembles at the prospect! But they shall not reproach us. It shall be known in heaven that we could pity our brethren. We will send them all the relief in our power, and will enjoy the luxury of reflecting what happiness we may entail on generations yet unborn, if we can only effect the but one heathen in the world, and he in the I conversion of a single tribe. Griffin's Ser. STATISTICS OF BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES, ETC. In this number of the Register, we lay before our readers what information we have been able to gather and arrange, in regard to the benevolent operations of the age. The difficulties with which we have been called to meet have been many and various. In some cases, the proper documents were inaccessible; and in others, the official Reports were very incomplete. Of course, we cannot challenge entire accuracy in our statements. An ample exhibition of facts, collected from a field of such vast extent, must be the result of time and experience and labor. Foreign Missions. Among the various departments of Benevolent exertion, the subject of Foreign Missions, unquestionably holds the first place. Through the channel which they have opened the largest streams of Christian Benevolence have ever flowed. North American Indians. son, John Mayhew, succeeded him, and labored for about 16 years. His son, Experience Mayhew, labored among the Indians, for about sixty years. Many pleasing instances of conversion are recorded by him, in a little book, which he published entitled "Indian Converts," 30 of whom were ministers of the Gospel. In the town of Sandwich, in the Plymouth colony, there was an Indian church of 27 members. In this colony, at one time, there was reckoned 1,439 praying Indians. In 1734, Mr. John Sargeant commenced his missionary labors among the Stockbridge Indians, in the western part of Massachusetts. During his service of 15 years, he baptized 182 Indians. After the revolutionary war, most of the tribe removed to the country of the Oneidas, in New York. In 1800, the congregation amounted to 400 persons, under the care of Mr. John Sargeant, a son of the former missionary. In 1742, David Brainerd commenced his labors at a place near Albany. He also labored at the Forks of the Delaware in New Jersey, but principally among the Indians at Crossweeksung in the same state. Here his preaching was in demonstration of the spirit and with power. In one year 77 persons were baptized by him. Soon after the settlement of New England, the famous John Eliot commenced his labors among the Indians. He translated the whole Bible into the Indian language, and at Natick, near Boston, gathered a church of converted Indians. The family of the Mayhews was eminent for missionary zeal. By the labors of the Rev. Thomas Mayhew, 282 Indians were induced to renounce their false gods. His grand-were hopefully converted to God. The result of all these missions seems to have been that several thousands of Indians Danish Missions in India and Greenland. In 1705, two individuals from the University of Halle, one of whom was the famous Ziegenbalg, proceeded on a mission to Tranquebar, in the East Indies, under the patronage of Frederick IV. of Denmark, In 42 years the number of those baptized, including children, amounted to 8056. In 1750, Schwartz, the modern Paul, joined the mission. He calculated that, during the 48 years of his labors, two thousand souls were savingly converted to Christ. From these missions great and glorious results followed. Dr. Carey of Serampore, computes the whole number of converts, since the establishments of the Missions at 40,000. In 1721, Rev. Hans Egede, from Norway established a Mission in Greenland. In 1750, his son Paul published a Greenland Dictionary, and in 1760, a Greenland translation of the New Testament. In 1786, there were 10 Lutheran missionaries in the country, and 20 catechists and schoolmasters. Since then the number has decreased. Missions of the United Brethren. The Moravians are the descendants of the ancient Bohemians. In 1722, in consequence of persecution, most of them removed from Moravia to Upper Lusatia, in Germany. Here they were received by Count Zinzendorff, a German nobleman, who af Missionary Spirit in Great Britain. In 1647 the Society for propagating the Gospel was formed. The labors of its missionaries have been principally confined to North America. In 1698 the Christian Knowledge Society was formed in England. Its income has been frequently $150,000 per annum. It has employed missionaries in various parts of the world. In 1701, the Society in Scotland, for "Promoting Christian Knowledge" was formed. The income has sometimes been $28,000 per an num. About forty years since, the attention of the Christian world began to be effectually aroused to the duty of sending the word of life through the world. A secret, divine influence began to operate on the hearts of a few Christians in England. About the year 1785, Dr. Coke, a Wesleyan Methodist, had his attention directed to this subject, and by his exertions, the Wesleyan Meth. Miss. Society was soon formed, and missions commenced among the negroes of the West Indies. In 1784, a Baptist Association, which met at Nottingham, in England, began to observe the first Monday of every month, as a season of special prayer, for the extension of Christ's kingdom. Mr. Samuel Pearce, and Mr. William Carey entered warmly into the subject. In 1792, Mr. Carey preached a sermon, the principal divisions of which terwards, became a convert to their faith. | were, EXPECT GREAT THINGS; ATTEMPT He began to direct their attention to the miserable state of the heathen. In 1733, Christian David, Christian and Matthew Stach undertook a mission to Greenland. After a few years of almost incredible hardship, and without any success in their labors, they changed their theme in addressing the natives, and began to preach Christ and him crucified. The Greenlanders were subdued to the obedience of the faith. The United Brethren soon after commenced missions in the West Indies, in Canada, in South America, in South Africa, &c. of which a more particular account will be given hereafter. Roman Catholic Missions. Early in the last century the Society at Rome, "De propaganda Fide," entered upon the work of Missions with great zeal. Strenuous and persevering efforts were made in Japan, in China, in India, in South America, &c., but in consequence of the corrupted Christianity, which was preached, and of the temporizing, worldly policy pursued by the missionaries, immense evil was done to the cause of missions. The minds of whole nations of heathens were permanently alienated from Christianity. GREAT THINGS. The Baptist Missionary Society was formed in 1792, and a mission commenced in India, by Messrs. Thomas and Carey. In 1796, the London Missionary Society was formed, consisting of Churchmen and Dissenters. A mission was immediately commenced in the South Sea Islands. The Church Missionary Society was instituted, in 1800, by members of the established church, and a mission commenced in Western Africa. The Glasgow and Edinburgh Missionary Societies had already been formed. Missionary Spirit in the United States. Horne's Letters on Missions did much to excite a missionary spirit in this country, but the labors of Mills, and one or two associates did more. In 1810, the General Association of Massachusetts, at their meeting in Bradford, instituted a Board of Commissioners, to devise and prosecute measures for the spread of the Gospel in heathen lands. Since that time Societies have been formed by the Baptists; the Methodists; the Episcopalians, &c. |