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practically proscribed. And it is well known that the emoluments of the sacerdotal office furnish no allurements to cupidity. The sons of the great and the powerful, of the opulent and the ambitious will seek the road to civil distinction or wealth through other professions; and it thus unfortunately happens that those most able to bestow the blessings of education on their children, are not the most willing that they should devote themselves to the ministrations of religion. This defect must be supplied, this evil must be remedied by gratuitous education. And with this view institutions like the present, which cherish merit without any regard to the factitious distinctions of society; which rescue poverty from privation, and elevate humility above depression, and which appreciate talent and virtue in the abstract without any connexion with the endowments of fortune or political distinction, are calculated to enlist in the cause of religion, men of gigantic minds and wonderful energy In the dark abodes of poverty, and in the sequestered shades of obscurity, genius often exhibits its powers, and the virtues of a saint and a martyr are frequently cherished with holy enthusiasm. Cultivation and patronage must unite in drawing forth these latent and dormant energies, and in enlisting them in the service of mankind. Hon. De Witt Clinton.

Value of a well educated Ministry.

It is in vain to contend that the functions of a Christian minister can be successfully per. formed without education. The apostles of Christ were, at first, men without the bene. fits of literature, but they were armed with the gift of tongues, the power of miracles, and the visitations of the Holy Ghost. But besides these preternatural endowments, all the learning and philosophy of the ancients were united in St. Paul, who was called into the Christian church by a miraculous interposition. His writings display the most powerful talent, and he has even condescended to refer to some of the great classical authors of antiquity. His eloquence was of Demosthenian energy; and to his intellectual cultivation must be ascribed, to a certain extent, the vast consequences that resulted from his labors in the cause of Christianity.

An able divine ought to understand the original languages in which the inspired writers promulgated our religion. And it would be well if he extended his acquisitions to the other radical languages of the eastern hemisphere. His acquaintance with literature and science ought to be extensive and profound: and he should be deeply read in moral philosophy, metaphysics, and theology. He should also be master of all the points of polemic discus sion, and be prepared not only to defend Christianity against the assaults of skepticism and infidelity, but to vindicate his particular creed against the objections of opposing sects. In order to attain this intellectual eminence, so becoming an ambassador of heaven and a minister of the most high God, he must pass through all the seminaries of education, from the rudimental school to the university, and

devote year after year to the attainment of pulpit eloquence and the acquisition of theological knowledge.

The aspect of the world is replete with wonderful indications. Within the memory and observation of many of us, the most extraordinary events, from the American revo. lution to the present period, have occurred. A new power, unknown to the ancients, bas risen up to direct the energies and to superintend the destinies of mankind. Its authority is unlimited, its progress irresistible, and its force irrepressible. It derives its existence from the lights of Christianity, the invention of printing, and the diffusion of education. It governs the monarch on the throne as well as the peasant in the cottage. Need I say the power of public opinionwhich influences all the operations, and is felt in all the ramifications of society.

This power, in order to be beneficial, ought to be predicated on just and proper grounds. It ought to be directed by piety and knowledge. Monitorial education, Sunday schools and Bible Societies are the great levers which must raise public opinion to its proper elevation: and when reinforced and impelled into activity, by the ministrations of a virtuous and enlightened clergy, then the cause of liberty, order, and good government will be established on a firm basis, and the prospects of blessedness in another and a better world, will brighten the gloom of seclusion, alleviate the burden of affliction, and solace the hour of death. ib.

MONTHLY-CONCERT LECTURES.

THE Missionary Discourses, of the intended publication of which we gave some notice at p. 395 of our last volume, have since been issued from the press. They are twenty in number, and treat on a variety of topics of great importance as it respects charitable efforts, especially those of a missionary character. In the first discourse, Mr. Pond proves the work of missions to be a divine institution. This being proved, he infers that it is as binding as any other institution, and that "those churches cannot expect to prosper who wickedly neglect it." In this discourse he refutes very satisfactorily some of the more common and popular objections to foreign missions. The second, entitled "Paul a Missionary to the Heathen," was inserted in our last volume, p. 322, and need not be

again noticed. The third reviews the labors of Paul, and shews why he accomplished so much as he did. The reflections, on a review of the subject, are, that "one man is capable of doing much good;" but that, in order to be extensively useful, individuals and churches need the spirit and heart of that Apostle. The fourth discourse considers the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the

primitive Christians, and Christians now, for spreading the Gospel. The Apostles had superior advantages in the gift of tongues, and the power of working miracles; and, so far as it was absolutely necessary, but probably not always, they enjoyed the supernatural influences of the Holy Spirit. "In recounting these superior advantages of the Apostles," says the author, "it deserves however to be remarked, that they are advantages of which we stand in but little need." This he proves very well. The superior advantages possessed by Christians now, result from modern improvements in navigation, the art of print. ing, the protection of government, the number and acquirements of Christian teachers and Christians generally, and the mode of operation at present pursued. Two or three paragraphs near the close of the lecture, we cannot forbear quoting.

Indeed all the advances in science and knowledge which have been made since the days of the Apostles, are, directly or indirectly, so many advantages in the hands of present Christians for promoting the gospel of their Redeemer. These advances, it will not be questioned, have been very great. But it is a well grounded maxim, that "knowledge is power;" and it is not more powerful prob. ably in its influence upon any work, than upon that of promoting the gospel. Every step taken in the field of real scienee is so much gained to the cause of light and truth, and is fitted in some way, either more or less remotely, to subserve the interests of true religion in the world.

The next discourse shews, that the work of extending the Gospel through the world, great as it is, is to be regarded as a privilege, for which the people of God should be thankful, because, among other reasons, "by means of it they may be kept from such things as would injure them;"-from sloth, and from low, unworthy, and sinful pursuits. This great work will moreover tend to excite and strengthen the best and most desirable affections, and to promote the most valuable habits in man as a moral, accountable, immortal being. And what an opportunity does it give the Christian for letting his light shine! And how may it augment the moral resources, life, and vigor of the church militant! On these topics the author expatiates in a plain, but intelligent and satisfactory manner. With great good sense he has adapted his mode of reasoning, and style of expression, to the comprehension of the religious community at large. How else would his discourses have been suitable for the Monthly Concert, or indeed for any other common religious assembly? His practical reflections at the close of this discourse, are deserving of careful attention.

(To be continued.)

MISSIONARY GAZETTEER.

WE designed to have apprised our readers some time since, that the Rev. Walter Chapin, of Woodstock, Vermont, is preparing a Missionary Gazetteer, with the expectation of publishing it some time next autumn. It will comprise a geographical and historical description of the Protestant Missionary Stations in the world; with an Appendix contain

The comparison we have here made between the several advantages of the primitive Christians, and those possessed by Christians now, in relation to the work of spreading the gospel, must I think satisfy every impartial mind, that their unparalleled success is not to be accounted for on the ground of their superior advantages: For if in some respects theying an alphabetical list of Missionaries with

had an advantage over us; in many others, and those too I venture to say of greater importance, we have a decided advantage over them.

Perhaps it will be urged, in accounting for their successes, that the Spirit in a remarkable degree attended their labors. Wherever they went, the Holy Spirit followed them, and rendered their efforts powerful and effectual. This, doubtless, was the fact; but the question still remains, Why did the Holy Spirit follow them? Why did he bless their exertions more signally than ours? God, to be sure, is a sovereign in the distribution of spiritual favors; yet he is not an arbitrary sovereign-and he never acts but in view of reasons. What reason then can be given, why the Holy Spirit should have accompanied and blessed the labors of the primitive Christians, more than the labors of Christians since, except that they were more prayerful, more devoted, and more eminently holy?

reference to their stations, the time of entering, removal or decease. Also a chronological list of the principal benevolent Societies for evangelizing the heathen. We have seen nearly 100 pages of the work, and are of the opinion that it will be highly valued by those who desire to know the moral and religious state and prospects of the world. The volume is expected to contain about 400 pages. When published we shall give it a more particular notice.

ANECDOTE OF GONSALVI.

THE following anecdote contains an important truth; and there are few persons filling important and arduous stations, who may not find it consoling sometimes to think of it.

Cardinal Gonsalvi was suffering under a chronic disease, and consulted three physicians, who declared on being questioned by the sick man, that this disease would be followed by death in a shorter or longer time, according to the manner in which he lived; but they advised him unanimously to give up his office, because in his situation mental agitation would be fatal to him. "If," inquired the Cardinal, "I give myself up to repose, how long, gentlemen, will you guarantee my life?" "Six years," answered the doctors. "And if I continue in office?"-"Three years most." "Your servant, gentlemen," replied the Cardinal, "I should prefer living two or three years in doing some good, to living six in idleness."

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American Board of Foreign Missions.

ANNIVERSARIES.

Palestine Missionary Society.

Composed of individuals residing in Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol Counties, Massachu

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This Society held its third anniversary at the meeting house of the second parish in Randolph, on the 16th ult. At half past 10 A. M. the meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Huntington of North Bridgewater, after which the Minutes of the last annual meeting were read. The Society then attended to the Reports of the Secretary and Treasurer; and three Resolutions were passed-the two first relating to the Reports; the third being as follows; viz.

That the members of this Society consider the object in which they are engaged, as highly interesting and important; and that they now renew their pledge of persevering and increased efforts, that, by the blessing of God, this object may be attained.

The movers and seconders were,-Rev. Daniel Huntington of North Bridgewater, and Mr. Rufus Anderson, Assistant Secretary of the Parent Institution-Rev. Samuel Colburn of Abington, and Henry Hill, Esq. Treasurer of the Parent Institution-Rev. David Brig. ham of Randolph, and Rev. Richard S. Storrs of Braintree. By some of these gentlemen addresses were made adapted to the occasion.

The meeting was then adjourned to the afternoon, when, in connexion with other customary exercises, a sermon was preached by the Rev. Daniel Thomas of Abington, from Acts xvi, 9, Come over into Macedonia and help us. A collection was then taken."

One of the Greek youths from Scio, sent to this country by Mr. Temple, having been present and having excited considerable interest, the Society passed a resolution, which will probably secure a support to one of these promising young strangers, during the course of his education for future usefulness.

The officers of the Society for the present year are:-ELIPHALET LOUD, Esq. Prest.; Rev. A. RICHMOND and Mr. SETH HUNT, V. Prests.; Rev. JONAS PERKINS, Sec.; Dr. EBENEZER ALDEN, Treas.; and Mr. SILAS PAINE, Jr. Auditor.

The next meeting was appointed at the meeting house of the Rev. Jonas Perkins, in Braintree, on the 3d Wednesday in June.

FORMATION OF ASSOCIATIONS:

CONNECTICUT.-Middletown Upper Houses. Ladies' Association. Mrs. J. L. Williams, Pres., Mrs. Samuel Stocking, V. Pres., Mrs. Silas Sage, Sec., Mrs. Thomas Stow, Treas.; six Coll.-Gentlemen's Association. Rev. Joshua L. Williams, Pres., Joseph Wilcox, V. Pres., Israel Russell, Sec., Cornwall Doud Treas., six Collectors. Formed May 5th,

Durham. Ladies' Asso. Mrs. David Smith, Pres., Mrs. Submit Camp and Mrs. Timothy Stone, V. Pres., Mrs. Alice P. Wadsworth, Sec., Mrs. Gurnsey Bates, Treas., six Coll.--Gent. Asso. Rev. David Smith, Pres., Abner Newton, V. Pres., Timothy Stone, Sec., Samuel Curtis, Treas.; six Collectors. Formed, May 21st.

Middletown Lower Houses. Gent. Asso. Rev. John R. Crane, Pres., John R. Watkinson, V. Pres., Richard Rand, Sec., Richard Hubbard, Treas., 17 Coll. Formed May 25th.

Westfield, (cong. soc. in Middletown.) Ladies' Asso. Miss Polly Clark, Pres., Miss Sally Galpin, V. Pres., Miss Maria Roberts, Sec., Mrs. Asa Boardman, Treas., four Coll.-Gent. Asso. Rev. Stephen Hays, Pres., Jedediah Wilcox, V. Pres., Enoch C. Roberts, Sec., Eli Wilcox, Treas.; four Coll. Formed May 26th.

Middlefield, (cong. soc. in Middletown.) Ladies' Asso. Mrs. David Lyman, Pres., Miss Polly Augur, V. Pres., Mrs. William Lyman, Sec., Mrs. Charles Hubbard, Treas.; three Coll.-Gent. Asso. Eli Coe, Esq. Pres., Obed Stow, V. Pres., William Lyman, Sec., Phineas Augur, Treas.; three Coll. Formed May 27th. Killingworth. Ladies' Asso. Mrs. Philander Parmalee, Pres., Mrs. Jared Buel, V. Pres., Mrs. Nathaniel Wright, Sec., Mrs. George Elliot, Treas.; six Coll. --Gent. Asso. David Dibble, Pres., Nathaniel Wright, V. Pres., David Redfield, Sec., Elias Bushnell, Treas.; six Coll. Formed May 28th.

North Killingworth. Ladies' Asso. Mrs. Asa King, Pres., Mrs. Roswell Hull, V. Pres., Mrs. Dan Lane, Sec., Mrs. Samuel Davis, Treas.;. eight Coll.-Gent. Asso. Rev. Asa King, Pres., John Hinckley, V. Pres., Dan Lane, Esq. Sec., Dr. Rufus Turner, Treas., eight Coll. Formed June 8th.

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It will be recollected that, at p. 241 of our last volume, we inserted a brief memoir of the Rev. James Richards, furnished by his missionary brethren in Ceylon. Many facts, however, pertaining to the character of Mr. Richards previous to his leaving this country, were not in the possession of his later associates, and are probably contained only in that private correspondence, in which, from time to time, he gave utterance to his ardent and unwavering attachment to the missionary cause. From a collection of this correspondence, a friend has had the kindness to, make a number of extracts and forward them to us; connecting with them a few notices of undoubted credibility. It will be interesting to trace the progress of Mr. Richards's mind, before missions to the heathen abroad had been attempted from this country.

in the vicinity of the town in which he resided, appears to have been the extent of his most ardent hopes. The idea of his preaching the Gospel to distant Heathen, had then probably never entered his own mind, or the minds of his parents. But when, in Williams College, he began to converse with Mills and others of a kindred spirit, on the deplorable condition of pagan nations; when they prayed, and contemplated the dying command of Christ to preach his Gospel to every creature, in all the world; his vision began to enlarge; and before the end of his third year in college, he had come to the fixed purpose of spending his life among the heathen;-a purpose from which he was never afterwards known for one moment to swerve, and which was formed with only the condition-IF THE LORD WILL.

Mr. Richards was a child of prayer, consecrated to the service of God from his earliest infancy; and so serious and unexceptionable was his deportment in childhood and early youth, that many of his Christian friends were ready to believe he had, in the first years of his life, been sanctified by the Holy Spirit. But it was not till the age of thirteen, as he believed, that he embraced the Savior by a living faith. And so great was his sense of his own un'worthiness, and his fear of obtruding himself among the friends of Christ, that he delayed for many years to make a public profession of religion. Subsequent events have shewn, however, that, while his religious character was unknown, except to his more intimate acquaintance, he was making rapid advances in the divine life. For a long period, he sacredly consecrated one entire day in each He returned to his parents in the ensuing month to fasting and prayer; and a delight- vacation, which was in the fall of 1808, reful grove, at a little distance from his fath- vealed to them his unalterable determinaer's house, became almost daily the place tion, and with great earnestness pleaded beof his retirement; and witnessed, therefore them the cause of the heathen. Happily can be no doubt, his meditations and his fervent prayers.

When Mr. Richards first entered on a course of study preparatory to preaching the Gospel, he contemplated no extensive field of labor. To be useful in some small destitute parish, like a few which he knew

VOL. XX.

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for him, after the subject had come fully before them, they were as ready to give him to the heathen, as he had been to consecrate himself; and thus the parents and the child enjoyed, whenever they were together, till his final departure, the envi. able pleasure of uniting in a most noble

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sacrifice to the cause of that Savior who died for them. There were no misgivings. No difficulties or dangers discouraged or disheartened them. In fami ar conversation, his father, now an aged officer in the Congregational Church in Plainfield, Mass. once said to him, "James, when you think of leaving your father's house, and all your connexions and friends, and your native land; and when you think of the trials and hardships to which you will be exposed; do you not sometimes feel like giving back-does not your heart recoil?" "No, Sir," was the reply, "never, for a moment." From the time of this conve1sation till he left the country, says one his most intimate friends, "his mind a peared to be as constantly fixed on its beloved object, as the needle is to its pole."

In a letter written to his parents from the Theological Seminary, Andover, under date of February 1810, he says;-"I must tell you that two natives of the Sandwich Islands, Henry Obookiah and Thomas Hopoo, have arrived in this country. Brother Mills has found them out, and has placed one of them at his father's house. What the Lord means to do with these poor heathen, we know not; but this we can say, "The Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save,' and he will fu. I his promises in giving his Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession?

I have just been reading Horne's Letters on Missions. We say,' he writes, "that to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to do to all men as we would that they should do unto us is the consentaneous voice of the Prophets and Apostles, of the Law and Gospel. But do we do as we say, and practice as we believe? The richest fruit of our philanthropy has been a cold, ineffective piety. We have said, be ye free; be ye civilized; be ye converted; but we have eaten as heartily, slept as soundly, dressed as expensively, and enjoyed every good thing within our grasp as freely as though the heathen had been as happy as ourselves. We have had no fellowship with our Savior in his agony, and bloody sweat, his prayers and tears for the salvation of mankind.-We are chargeable with the perdition of all the poor heathen whom our diligence might have saved! and assuredly their souls will the Lord require at our hands."""

In a letter to his parents, dated Andover, July 4, 1810, be says;-"The time, I hope, is not far distant, when some from New England, and perhaps from this Institution, wil sacrifice every thing that the world holds dear, to carry the news of salvation to those who never heard of a Savior. Last week, four of the brethren presented them

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selves before the General Association of Massachusetts assembled at Bradford, and declared it to be their determination to spend their lives among the heathen, if the Lord should prepare the Their way. names are Adoniram Judson, Samuel Newell, Samuel Nott, and Samuel J. Mills. They went at the particular request of the Rev. Dr. Spring, of Newburyport, Mass. who had accidentally found out some of the their feelings. You may think it strange that my name was not among them; but these four were thought a sufficient number, and all of them except Mills are of Inore advanced standing than myself. At the request of the Association, they stated

ir thoughts on the subject of Foreign ssions; and the business was referred to aommittee, who reported that it was expt ient to appoint a number of persons, as a Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. They proceeded accordingly to appoint such a Board. It is expected that this Board will soon meet, and make preparations for effecting a mission among the heathen. O that the Lord may direct them to such measures as he will own and bless, and may many prove by their conduct, that they really believe the time is now come, when the Lord's house must be built when the heathen must have the Gospel. I hope the spirit of Apostolic days will soon be re ived. I trust this is the dawning of a orious day to some poor idolater, to some benighted pagan.' In August of the next year he thus writes;-"I have now sent in my name, and given myself away to the Board of Commissioners. I expect, immediately after the approaching examination, to go with brother Warren to attend a course of Medical Lectures at Dartmouth College. How much more I shall be permitted to see my dear parents, I know not.-But this earth is not our home. This is not the place to enjoy an inheritance, but to gain it-not to live with friends, but to make them-not to dwell in the rich port, but to sail on the boisterous ocean-not to sit down at the royal wedding-feast, but to act as servants. This life is for toil, the next for pleasure-this to bear the cross, that to wear the crown."

The time of Mr. Richards' departure from this country was delayed far beyond his expectation, by the war with Great, Britain. After finishing his course of study at the Theological Seminary in September 1812, he had spent nearly two years at Philadelphia, in connexion with the Medical School and Hospital, when he found that it required a strong exercise of submission, to meet the obstacles which so long debarred him from entering on the benevolent labors to which he had for

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