INTELLIGENCE. AMERICA. SALE OF YOUNG WOMEN. We take the following from The Christian Watchman and Reflector, published at Boston, November 2, 1848. "New York, Oct. 27, 1848. "The papers of last Monday morning announced that a public meeting would be held in the evening, at the Broadway Tabernacle, for the purpose of raising funds to redeem from slavery two Christian mulatto girls, who would otherwise in a few days be sold by their present owner, in Virginia, to a southern owner, where their condition would be worse even than that of slavery. The announcement drew a crowd to the Tabernacle. The two girls in question, with four brothers, were of that party of slaves who attempted to escape from the District of Columbia, in the schooner Pearl. They are daughters of an old man by the name of Edmonson, are members of the methodist episcopal church, have attractive manners and persons, and are valued at 2250 dollars. "Rev. Hen. W. Beecher, of Brooklyn, arose, and with no little emotion addressed the attentive audience in a most forcible and eloquent speech which was received with thunders of applause. It seems some objected to assisting these girls because they had attempted to escape from their owner. Mr. B. replied to the objection in this way: Suppose that I had a son. He adventures the sea, is wrecked, enslaved. Suppose that I hear from hin, that he pines in his chains, that he is sick at heart, that his cheeks become hollow with grief, that life is a burden. O, then, with my father's feelings shall I not bewail his captivity, shall I not suffer even more than he? But suppose some one should inform me that he was contented and happy, that he grew fat upon it, that he said he had less work to do there than at home, with plenty to eat and drink. What should I as a father say? Why, that he was changed in his cradle. He is no son of mine.' "It had been suggested that this case would be a precedent, and that we should be constantly called on to buy slaves. Mr. B. considered this a peculiar case; he had not heard of a similar, and doubted if a parallel would often occur. A sale by human flesh dealers of Christian girls! I love to repeat the epithet Christian girls, Christian slaves. After considering these preliminary questions, he came to the case before his audience; and said he, "Fellow-citizens, do you know that all that VOL. XII.-FOURTH SERIES. goes to make a man, except his deathless love of liberty, goes to make him a better slave. The strength of limb, the roundness of muscle, mind, tender affections, sympathy, all this is so much fat laid upon the ribs of slavery. Here, at the north, to be of comely presence is considered a blessing; there, at the south, so much money is made of it in the market. A slave will bring all the more for being such a fine-looking man. I droop to think what abominable use is made of such a recommendation, if the slave chances to be a woman. That which excites among us the profoundest respect goes there to augment her value-not as a wife, not as a sister-but for purposes from the bare idea of which the virtuous soul revolts. In the slave girl, beauty, refinement, is not matter of respect, but of profit. And suppose you add thrift, skill, intelligence. Here, at the north, we take all this as so much added to the man; but there, the more there is of thrift, of skill, of intelligence, of enterprise, the higher price in the market. And then, if in addition to all, he is only docile; if he will be a planning machine, and not a running-away machine, he is the very perfection of a slave. There are great advantages in slavery, but nimble legs are a great drawback upon its profitableness. If a slave has all these excellent properties and no love of liberty, there is nothing else to be desired. Yes, there is. What is it? What else can you desire ?-When you bring him on the stand, he goes up to 600 dollars. You describe his physical perfections, he touches 650 dollars. He is intelligent, skilful, docile; he goes up to 700 dollars. Then add, he is a pious member of the methodist episcopal church in good and regular standing, and 800, 900, 1,000 dollars is bid. "In the course of his address, Mr. B. introduced the letter of Bruin and Hill, the slave dealers, in which they agree to detain the girls a certain number of days for a certain sum of money paid in hand. After commenting on the letter, Mr. B. says: "Would to God Shakspeare were still living! Two words of such a letter would have suggested to him the most powerful drama ever written. This Bruin is a man. Satan has entrapped him-not entrapped, such as he walk willingly into his toils-he has been beguiled to say, and put it in writing, that he has purchased a man's daughters and refuses to let their own father have them.' "In concluding his appeal Mr. Beecher said: "And now, please to imagine your daughters or sisters in bondage. Suppose them so comely E that no price less than three thousand dollars would purchase them: suppose all this, and act as you would then. Look at this poor old man. His sons are long ago sold as slaves to labour on the southern plantations. His daughters, unless we can do something to detain them, must go too, to a worse fate. But I trust in God, and I trust in you, that it shall not be heard from New York that an appeal like this was made in vain, and that you will make it heard that these girls must not, shall not be slaves-that they shall be free.' "Other persons besides Mr. B. spoke on this interesting and exciting occasion. The result was that the desired sum was raised, and the two girls are now enjoying their freedom. It is evident that occurrences like this are doing very much to open the eyes of this community to the horrors of slavery, particularly those horrors connected with that fate to which these beautiful mulattoes would have been consigned. The lighter complexion of the female offspring of these girls would have been sure to entail on them a like destiny." differing considerably from the other; so that it is difficult to act on them, and a growing number of brethren are resolved on setting both aside and persuading the churches with more devotional care to study the New Testament." HORATIO G. JONES. The following is from the Philadelphia Christian Chronicle of October 18th. "Somewhat more than forty years ago, a baptist minister in New Jersey was compelled, by the failure of health, to remove his residence to the vicinity of this city. Devoted to his Master's cause, and enjoying high spirits and loving activity, he looked around him, and began to preach in schoolhouses and cottages. One conversion happily succeeded another, till a dozen baptized believers were constituted into a church; a beautiful house, some sixty feet square, was erected, and the now healthy minister again resumed the office of a Christian bishop. Like Goldsmith's village parson, 'He ne'er has changed, nor wished to change his place.' "The little church has grown to number some two hundred and fifty members, the house has become well filled with an intelli gent and wealthy congregation, and several hundred children every Lord's day meet in its Sunday-schools. It would be difficult to say whether the pastor or the flock bear the most affection to the other. But to the scene we wish to describe. "We have many colleges scattered through the land, at which hundreds of youth annually finish their education; but how very few of "On last Lord's day morning, the congrethem embrace the ecclesiastical state! Our gation assembled as usual, and even a stranger ecclesiastical seminaries generally contain not might have seen that something more than more than ten or twelve students. And of usual was in progress. At length entered a this small number, very few, we believe, be- venerable old gentleman, resting on a long, long to families long resident in this country. strong staff, wearing a large blue cloak, and Nearly all of them are young men, who have having on his head a silk cap. He slowly been led by charity and zeal, (worthy of all walked up the aisle, and presented himself to praise,) to leave their land and their kindred the people, feeble, attenuated, and having for the missionary life of our country. But the remains of a fearful wound on his right where are the young men of American birth, temple and over his eye. As he quietly or at least of American education? They seated himself on the sofa under the pulpit, are not to be found, (with but few excep- the whole congregation was bathed in tears; tions,) among those who have devoted them- and well they might be, for this worthy old selves to the ecclesiastical state." man was none other than their beloved pastor. Seven weeks had he been detained from the sanctuary. So long ago was he wounded while travelling in the service of his Master, by a kick from a horse, one hundred and fifty miles from home. The loss of blood, six days' deprivation of reason, and powerful medicines had made sad havoc on his frame; but by the tender mercy of God, he had so far recovered as once more to meet the holy flock. A few moments passed in deep, solemn silence, when a fine, gentlemanly, whiteheaded old man, who himself had passed through eighty-two years, and who had just BAPTIST CHURCH ORDER. It affords us pleasure to see in the Christian Watchman the following item from a correspondent at Philadelphia : "The subject of church discipline is undergoing some discussion among us, in connexion with the power, ecclesiastical or moral, of associations of churches. We have among us two books of discipline, both in some degree, recognised as authorities, and each cordially shook the old bishop by the hand, stood up, and read, with sweet and earnest tones, the hymn: God moves in a mysterious way," which having been sung, the venerable deacon knelt down and solemnly returned thanks to God that he had once more blest them with the sight of their beloved pastor. He rose, and again deep silence prevailed, every eye was fixed on the worthy pastor of the flock. He looked around him, and in tender tremulous tones, which, alas! could not half fill the house, expressed his gratitude to God, who had once more permitted him to look upon them, declared his inability to address them, and spoke of the probability of his no more speaking the words of this life.' He closed by introducing to them the preacher for the day. The service proceeded, and at the close of the last prayer, the venerable man again rose to announce the preacher of the next sabbath, and to bespeak for him a large and attentive congregation. The benediction was pronounced; and now we beheld a scene which no language can describe. Men, women, and children flocked around him, smiling and weeping, to shake him by the hand, to rejoice in his return, and to pray for his perfect recovery, Never did age, youth, and childhood more heartily unite in any object than in this. Here was the venerable teacher of three successive generations; nor could one form an idea who loved him most, the grandsire who recollected the instructions of forty years ago, or the little grandson just able to utter the pastor's name. None but an affectionate pastor, of forty years' standing, could have excited such feelings,-none but a church well-rooted and grounded in holy instructions, imparted through life, could have felt as they did. May the venerable Horatio G. Jones yet long preach to his affectionate and attached charge at Lower Merion, and at some far distant day rejoice in laying down his charge and his life, amid the tears of his flock, and rise to hear the plaudit of Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."" SAILING OF MISSIONARIES. The New York Recorder contains the following interesting letter from Boston, dated October 21st. "At the sailing of the missionaries last week, Rev. Dr. Poor, who has been a labourer in the missionary field upwards of thirty years, made some interesting remarks, and mentioned some most signal interpositions of Providence, as connected with his return home. They were suggested by the state of the weather, it being quite rainy at the time the services were held on board the ship. He regarded the unpropitious circumstances of the occasion as a good omen, and spoke of the fact that our wishes were not always best, and that God often disappointed us for our good. He said that on his voyage home, the vessel in which he was returning was becalmed in the Indian Ocean some fifteen days. All on board were impatient at the delay, and anxious to be making progress on their voyage. On their arriving at the Cape of Good Hope, they obtained papers, and the first article that met their eyes gave a most lamentable account of a dreadful storm which had recently occurred on the western coast of Africa, in which quite a number of vessels had been lost or wrecked. By comparing dates, they found that had they not been becalmed, and had they made ordinary progress, they would have been in the midst of that storm, and perhaps have perished. Thus they could see that what they were disposed to complain of, may have been their salvation. After his arrival in England, Dr. P. was anxious to embark for the United States as soon as possible, in order to be here to attend the meeting of the American Board in September. He made, I believe, an effort to leave in the Ocean Monarch, but was unsuccessful, as she had just sailed. All know how that ship was burned, and what a dreadful loss of life was occasioned. And had not the providence of God interposed, this ardent and useful missionary might have been among the number who perished. How should such manifest interposition of the power of God lead us to exercise entire confidence in him, and to bear with resignation the disappointments which we may meet. And how strongly does it teach us, that God's servants are immortal till their work is done,' and that His arm will be interposed between them and death, when they seem to be in danger. Sometimes, as in the case of Thomas, and Dr. James, they are removed from earth when they have just reached their place of labour; but this very fact is evidence that their work is done. They have not so much to do, or so long time to labour. "Quite a large number of missionaries have already set sail for different fields, to reinforce the brethren who are already toiling and struggling there, The American Board, as well as our own Union, have sent missions must rejoice in every acquisition out quite a company. Every true friend of made to the number, as an index of a deeper and stronger interest in the world's conversion to God. May the missionaries of the cross increase a thousand fold, and the means for sustaining them! This must be done before the latter-day glory shall burst upon the world. It is truly affecting to see brethren and sisters take their leave of friends and of their native land, break up time-hallowed associations, and go into the midst of igno rance, vice, and superstition, for the sake of Jesus Christ. This is the moral sublime. And to see it done so deliberately, so calmly and so firmly! This it is, that carries with it the conviction that the love of Christ constraineth' them. It is delightful to think that our Redeemer hath true, faithful, and self-denying disciples, ready to give themselves to this work; and in the consecration of so many to the missionary cause, we can see an earnest of a blessing for the church at home. "Religious services were held last sabbath evening with the church in South Boston, at which were present the missionaries who have just sailed, and interesting addresses were made by them, as well as by other brethren. The missionary company consist of Rev. Messrs. H. L. Van Meter, C. C. Moore, and Judson Benjamin, and their wives, together with Mrs. E. W. Brown, of Assam, who returns to her husband and her labours after two years' absence. She leaves a son and a daughter (her only children) in this country, one in the western part of this state, and the other in Charlestown. These brethren and sisters took passage in the ship Cato, Capt. Plummer, for Calcutta, and sailed this morning. A large company assembled on the deck of the Cato, and sung a hymn by Rev. N. Colver, written for the occasion. After which some interesting remarks were made, and prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Sharp. The parting of the missionaries and their friends was very affecting, especially that of sister Brown and her children. Every spectator of the scene must have felt the greatness of the sacrifice, and the pain which the sundering of so strong ties must create. May she and her husband be richly blessed and rewarded for the self-denial which they have evinced, and find their losses more than made up by sweet assurances of a Saviour's love. "Bostonians are now anticipating, with a great deal of interest, the celebration of the introduction of Cochituate water into the city. There is going to be a great display, and if pageants are ever justifiable, the expected one of next week certainly is. It is impossible to estimate the benefits of the enterprise whose completion is to be celebrated on the 25th. You, who have for several years enjoyed the luxury of your Croton water, can better appreciate the blessing than we can, until time has given us some experience respecting it. The military, temperance associations, &c., are to turn out in great numbers. All the rail-road companies in every direction are to reduce their fares, and we expect a good share of Massachusetts will be here. Probably Boston has never witnessed a greater occasion than this promises to be. Political parties are organized, and hard at work in preparation for the contest in November. Meetings, torch-light processions, &c., are the order of the day. Men seem active and interested in all things save that which is most important. How should the people of God be rebuked, as we behold the evidence that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light!' When shall we serve God with half the zeal that worldly men manifest in their devotion to the gods they worship?" REV. W. CROWELL. "Rev. William Crowell, formerly editor of the Christian Watchman, I am informed, has received an invitation to become pastor of the baptist church in Waterville, Maine. Waterville is an important position, and one which he is fully competent to fill. His sound, clear, and discriminating mind eminently fits him for a region of intellectual activity, while his orthodox views of truth afford the assurance that he is qualified to instruct those who might there sit under his ministry." REV. DR. STOW. "Before this reaches you, Rev. Dr. Stow will probably have communicated to the Rowe Street church in this city, his acceptance of their call. It is understood that his mind is made up to remain in Boston. There are many ties that bind him here, and it is not strange that he has decided to remain here, where, it is to be hoped, he may continue to be extensively useful." ASIA. CHINESE HANDBILL. At a charitable dispensary in Ningpo, the following curious document was given to Mr. Hudson, the general baptist missionary. It is entitled, "The Vouch and Lamp Discourse," a vouch and a lamp being necessary appendages of the Chinese opium smoker. The reader will peruse it with interest who remembers Mr. Shuck's declaration, "I regard opium as a greater obstacle to the introduction of the gospel into China than the three false religions of China, Confucianism, Taouism, and Buddhism combined. When will Britain awake to her duty in reference to this monster evil?'"' "I have heard of that thing opium. As for its advantage it is very little, but its poisonous stream is very deep. Who would have supposed that mankind were so grossly deceivable? Those who are so exceedingly fond of opium, daily and nightly inspire it, and mutually imitate each other till it becomes a custom. Day succeeds day, year succeeds year, then it is extremely irksome to delay the time of smoking; moreover it drags and binds him till death. It is an ex EUROPE. FRANCE. The following interesting letter from Mr. Willard, American baptist missionary in France, appears in the American Baptist Missionary Magazine. It is dated Douai, Sep. 4, 1848. We travagant waste of money; it throws out of employment; it is not a little injurious; therefore the already strict laws are more stringent still. If the magistrates discover the culprits, they will receive heavy punishments! Oh! how bitter it is to violate the laws, receive punishment and be disgraced. But if the opium dues are not immediately and thoroughly scrutinized, the smoker is only as if escaped out of a broken net. "Since my last of 12th July, Mr. DujarCheck yourself and personally inquire, are din has baptized at Athies four persons, the you not one of those who have broken the fruits of the labours of our colporteur, Lefevre. laws, and in your heart cannot but be Mr. Thieffry has also baptized one person. ashamed? Further, it is impossible for the On the 11th of August, Mr. Thieffry, Mr. smoker to assure himself of protection from Foulon, and myself left Douai together for punishment, as long as he lives. This body Chauny, the former expressly invited by of mine is the remnant of my parents, there- Mr. Lepoix, Foulon having business in that fore I should consider it very precious. The region, and desiring also to visit the scene of animal spirits of opium smokers will be de- former labours and persecutions. We left cayed, their person and appearance will be- Douai at nine in the evening, and rode all come more and more emaciated, and gradually night, arriving at St. Quentin at four in the arrive at extreme lassitude. Alas! alas! morning. St. Quentin is distant from Douai the injury is very great. Parents in nourish- sixteen leagues of 4000 kilometres each, on ing their children's bodies expend much of the route from Lille to Paris. At six we left their hearts' blood or anxiety, and are in St. Quentin in a little diligence for Chauny, constant fear that their children's bodies may seven and a half leagues from St. Quentin, in become diseased, therefore they bear much the direction of south-east by south. inquietude. How is it, on the contrary, that arrived at half-past nine in the morning. We mankind hate their own bodies, and them- passed the rest of the day with Mr. Lepoix, selves impair them? all men have hearts, and a considerable portion of it in conversation if they will but think of their parents' kind- with a young man well educated and intelliness, they will not suffer opium to be chewed gent, whom we found at Lepoix's on a visit ; by their mouths. I have likewise heard that he was an old acquaintance of Mr. Lepoix, a those who eat raw opium, in a moment lose very pious young man, but not baptized. their lives. Its nature is extremely poisonous. Mr. Lepoix told us he hoped to baptize him This natural evidence is easily understood; the next day. This young man had been in smoking the dressed opium, although the connected with the Wesleyans, and was still poison is less, still the breath is daily ex- somewhat imbued with their notions; but as hausted. If the breath is unable to produce the object was to set him right where it was blood, then the breath is dispersed, and the necessary to do so, in order to avoid all blood stagnated. This is the reason why needless discussion he was requested to state such persons are physically degenerated. his views of different doctrines in common Everything is injured; they are so innumer- language, laying aside all cant phrases and able that we cannot introduce all to your controversial terms. In this way our exact notice. The subjects which have been point- differences were exposed when there were ed out, are enough for sight, bitter indigna- any, and the New Testament was consulted, tion, and tears; ponder over the daily evils-the results of a sound interpretation being of this vicious custom. Where is the limit to its misery? I presumed to lay before you this sheet of writing to call you back from the deceptive path. Those who have never smoked it should oppose the least morsel, and thus hinder its gradual advances. Be careful not to sink into this noxious stream. Those who already smoke it, should arouse their minds and turn their heads. Do not deceive yourself by pursuing the usual circle of uncertain enjoyment. If all men would but observe these inhibitions, the world will be very fortunate! very fortunate! this is a special, extensive announcement. Those who examine it should ruminate upon it, and not contravene it. It is absolutely necessary to paste this against the wall, that all may see. Respectfully cut. Regard with care, characters and paper." admitted. Difficult passages were examined, and things incomprehensible were pointed out. "This friend was perfectly convinced that the immersion of a believer in the name of the Trinity is the only baptism of the New Testament, and he now desired to manifest his willing and obedient spirit by accomplishing the command to profess his faith publicly in being immersed. Towards night Mr. Besin, who had been to Mayot, several leagues, with brother Hersigny's mule and cart after a poor paralytic, converted two years ago, the aunt of Isidore Plaquet, and who wished to be baptized, arrived with her. As I was the tallest and strongest on the ground, it fell to my lot to take this almost helpless object from the cart in my arms, and carry her into the house. The following |