to induce every pious female to lend her assistance, that that tract, that Bible, that sermon may not be withheld through her neglect. Who can withhold aid from the cause that has in view the salvation of souls, and the glory of our Redeemer? Who can withhold aid from the

attempt to imbue the ferocious savage with the mild principles of Christianity, to bring the deluded idolater to the knowledge and worship of the true God, and to reclaim the abandoned sinner from the error of his ways? S. N.

XXXV. The Angel preaching the Everlasting Gospel; a sermon delivered in Springfield (Mass.) April 21, 1812, at the institution of a Society for the encouragement of Foreign Missions. By JOSEPH LATHROP, D. D. Springfield; Thomas Dickman. Price 12 1-2 cents.

THE venerable author of this Sermon, after explaining his text (which is Rev.xiv. 6, 7.) proceeds to discuss the subject under the following heads:

1. The vast importance of the Gospel, called the everlasting Gospel.

2. The fact that sooner or later the Gospel will be preached to all nations.

3. The great reformation foretold will be effected by missionaries.

4. The substance of the angel's preaching.'

The preacher concludes that the hour of God's judgments is come, and that the time has arrived for the fulfilment of the prophecy in the text. In support of this conclusion he mentions the punishment of those nations, which have been the supporters of Papal tyranny, and the attempts which are now maV OL. IV. New Series.

king to evangelize the heathen. He then gives a useful account of what is known concerning the inhabitants of the Birman empire, which has been selected as the intended field of missionary labor.

This sermon we earnestly recommend to our readers as well calculated to convey instruction, and to excite them to take a part in those free-will offerings, which may prove an equal blessing to the givers and the receiv

ers.

The profits of the sermon will be appropriated to advance the objects of the Society, before

which it was delivered.

We extract as peculiarly interesting the whole conclusion.

"How pleasing, how transporting it is to see, that the same Gospel, which was first published in Asia, and which was from thence sent into Europe by Asiatic missionaries, and from Europe has been transmitted to America, is now, under the guidance of European and American missionaries, going back to Asia for the conversion of the Jews inhabiting those regions, and of the Pagans among whom they dwell!

"How exact, how striking is the accomplishment of Paul's prediction in the 11th chapter to the Romans! He says to the Gentile believers in Rome: "God has not cast away the people whom he foreknew. As cons

71

cerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sake; but as touching the election they are beloved for the Fa. ther's sake. "For as ye" (Gentiles) "in times past have not believed God, but have now obtained mercy through their unbelief; even so now also these" (the Jews) "have not believed in Christ, that through your mercy" in having the Gospel given to you, "they also inay obtain mercy" in a fature time by receiving the Gospel from you. The unbelief of the Jews was overruled in Providence for the spread of the Gospel among the Gentiles; and that Gospel, which has thus come to the Gentiles, shall by their means, in God's appointed time, be sent back to the Jews and to the nations among whom they are mingled. By God's mercy to the Gentiles the Jews shall obtain mercy. My brethren, read the whole chapter which contains this wonderful prophecy, and you will feel and adopt the Epiphonema with which the apostle concludes it. "O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"

"We, my brethren, are of those Gentiles, to whom the Gospel has come in consequence of the unbelief of the Jews. What do you think is God's purpose in this wonderful dispensation of his Providence? The apostle tells us. It is that by our mercy, they may obtain mercy. Can any feel an objection to this? The hardened infidel may perhaps attempt to discourage the missionary spirit. He will not desire to send the Gospel abroad. He rather wishes to extin guish it at home. But can the sincere Christian, who values his own mercy, feel reluctant to convey the same mercy to others. He cannot? I am afraid, however, that some nominal bristians, of competent abilities, but of a worldly spirit, will refuse to impart even a small portion of their substance in a cause like this. But what can they say? They may perhaps have learned from Judas what to say. When a good woman poured a box of ointment on the Sa. vior's head, Judas said. "Why is this. waste? The ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the

poor." Some will perhaps say, "Our property, if we have any to spare, may better be bestowed on the poor among ourselves, than expended in sending Christ's Gospel to distant nations." But Christ's answer is as pertinent and solemn now, as when it was first spoken. "The poor ye have always with you, and, when ye will, ye may do them good; but me ye have not always. She hath wrought a good work upon me." If you have poor neighbors, you can at any time give them a morsel of bread, or a rag of clothing, which will do them good, but cannot be sent to distant regions. You have not always an opportunity, as you have now, to apply your substance to the spread of the Gospel. What is done in this work, must be done systematically, by the concur rence of a number. You have now a favorable opportunity. Christ calls upon you in a manner, in which you never heard him call before. There are many attentive and obedient to the call. Come forward and act with them. You cannot, in this case, act individually, as you may in your daily charities; but you may do something socially. This is the only method in which missionary charity can be ex-. ercised to effect.

"Here is a missionary society forming. The times, I am sensible, are calamitous. Some may be disabled by the change, and more perhaps discouraged by the aspect of the times. But still there are many who have ability to do something; and the urgency of the call is not abated. Now is the time for such to express their love to Christ, and their benevolence to their perishing fellow mortals. Let them associate with their brethren, and be fellow workers to the kingdom of Christ. If any feel themselves unable, and doubtless many may be un able, to contribute of their substance in the cause, yet let them do nothing, and say nothing to discourage others; but co operate with their brethren by their prayers, and rejoice in the hope, that the time draws near, when the fulness of the Gentiles will come in, and all Israel will be saved."

"This charity will be as ointment poured forth. Christ will smell a sweet sayor in it. What you do for

your fellow mortals in spreading his Gospel among them, you do for him. Now is the time to honor him. Break

the box, and pour its contents on his head. Heaven will be filled with the odor of the ointment."

DEATH OF DR. VANDERKEMP.

From the Evangelical Magazine of April last.

IT has never been our lot to record, in this work, a bereaving Providence of a more afflictive nature than the removal from this world of the late pious, venerable, and useful Missionary, Dr. John Theodorus Vanderkemp.

He had been for some months at the Cape, engaged in affairs of a ve ry important nature; and had in serious contemplation the commencement of a Mission in the Island of Madagascar; but the great Head of Church was pleased to accept the will for the deed, and to release his worn out servant from further and more laborious enterprises, by calling him up to his rest and reward on Lord's Day, Dec, the 15th, between eleven and twelve o'clock in the morning.

He had very lately despatched for their stations in the interior, four of the Missionary Brethren, and was engaged in settling other affairs of no small moment, for the future reg. ulation of all the African Missions, when, on Saturday Morning, Dec. 7, he was taken ill. He had expound. ed with much liberty of mind, the first chapter of the first book of Kings; after which he said to that venerable mother in Israel, Mrs. Smith, "My dear mother Smith, I am very weak, and wish for an opportunity to settle my own affairs;" but, alas! this opportunity was not afforded, for he was seized with a shivering, succeeded by a fever, which obliged him to take to his bed, from which he never rose. He took some proper medicines, but they failed of procuring relief. He became worse and worse; so that his afflict

ed friends could not but forebode the painful result. This was rendered more distressing on account of the violence of his disorder, by which his powers were so oppressed, that he was scarcely able to answer a ques tion. About two days before his death, Mrs. Smith said to him, "My dear friend, what is the state of your mind?" to which, with a sweet smile on his countenance, he replied, "ALL IS WELL." She again said, "Is it light or dark with you?" He answered, LIGHT. Two pious sol

diers also called upon him on the 14th, one of whom prayed with him; after which he spoke a few words to them. He continued sensible to the last, but was unable to speak more. At length, on the eighth day of his sickness, he calmly expired; and, no doubt, his separated spirit receiv ed the welcome and the plaudits of that glorious Redeemer, to whose cause he had faithfully devoted, with uncommon assiduity, the last thirteen years of his life. His age was about 64.

A Memorial of his Life, compiled by direction of the Missionary Society, (with his Portrait) is just pub. lished.

ine and blessed effects of conformity to his likeness. Humility, it is true, and self denial, must form a part of this likeness; but so doth, also, the real and fruitful love of God, and of our neighbor: and if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also in the likeness of his resurrection.' Bend, therefore, we beseech you, early bend in good earnest and cheerfully, under the forming hand of the Lord. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,' yea, the foundation of true knowledge. There is danger in seeking knowledge independently of this; for so, as saith the apostle, 'knowledge puffeth up.' But this true knowledge is life eternal. "This,' said our blessed Lord, 'is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent O, the favor, the honor, and the eternal blessed effect, of being taught of the Lord!"

Those who are advanced in life, they beseech to pause and ponder the path of their feet. "Is your savvation nearer now than when ye believed?" "Fruits of increasing love toGod are manifested in a variety of ways; and probably not in any one more clearly, or more acceptably to Him, than by tokens of regard for the plants of his hand, the youth of his church. It is remarkable, that when our Lord thrice put the question to his zealous disci. ple, Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonas, lov est thou me?' the only consequent injunction was, 'Feed my lambs-feed my sheep.' There are various ways, too, in which this may be effected; by precept, by sympathy, by assist ance in their spiritual difficulties; but above all, by steady, uniform, circumspect example. And this, dear Friends, you know, cannot be afforded to them, unless you experience fresh supplies of spiritual strength to persevere yourselves in dedication, faithfulness, and the fear of the Lord.

"Many are the duties," they add, "incumbent on the followers of Christ, and all require the support of his presence for their due performance. Without me,' they are his own words, 'ye can do nothing

We

feel inclined at this time, ere we glose the present salutation of our

love, to remind you of that indispen sable duty, the acknowledgment of our dependence on his power, by du ly assembling at the season appoint ed for waiting on and worshipping God. Deficiencies, indeed, in this respect do not in the general appear to increase; and we are aware that we often renew our tender exhorta. tion on this subject. Once more, dear friends, let the exhortation go forth. Consider the motives of defi. ciency, such of you as may be con scious of it. If, as the apostle has declared, the presenting of your bod ies be a 'reasonable service,' we be seech you to examine into the cause that it is too often intermitted. Is it not, that in a greater or lesser degree, you may still be 'conformed to this world?' But recollect: this conformity will still prevent the Christian professor from being transformed by the renewing of the mind; and from proving (as who at the solemn ap. proaching close will not rejoice to have proved?) 'what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." "

SOCIETY FOR THE RELIGIOUS AND MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF SEAMEN.

We are happy to observe the forma tion of a Society in Boston, the ex ertions of which are to be directed solely to the good of Seamen. This important class of men seem to have been too much neglected in the plans of charitable associations. The fol

lowing notice has appeared in the

Boston newspapers.

"The first meeting of 'The Boston Society for the religious and moral improvement of Seamen,' was holden on Monday last in the Hall of the Branch Bank Capt. Barnard presided as moderator, while the Con stitution was proposed for considera. tion; and, after its acceptance, the meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Channing. The offi cers for the ensuing year are, Capt. Gamaliel Bradford, President; the Rev. Joseph Tuckerman, Secretary: Richard Sullivan, Esq. Treasurer;

and Capt. Barnard, Capt. Chapman, the Rev. Mr. Channing, the Rev. Mr. Buckminster, the Rev. Mr. Lowell, and the Rev. Mr. Holley, the Execu tive Committee. The Society is already very highly respectable, both in numbers and members; but as ten gentlemen have been nominated to receive new subscriptions, it is hoped that many will yet be induced to give their patronage to so laudable an object. The condition of membership is an annual subscription of two dol. lars; but from the opulent donations are confidently expected.

MISSIONS IN AFRICA.

The following accounts of the missions in the South of Africa, sup. ported by the London Missionary Society, are taken from the last an nual Report of the Directors.

BETHELSDORP.

THE Directors have the pleasure to report, that the work of God among the Hottentots, at the different stations occupied by our Missionaries, continues to be carried on, and to in crease in a very encouraging manner. Our venerable brother Vanderkemp informs us, that the public services of religion at Bethelsdorp are well attended, and that the power of Divine grace has been displayed in several instances. The number of persons generally resident there, and cousid. ered as belonging to the Institution, was found upon examination to a mount to 979, including men, women, and children. The increase during the year 1809, was 269, of whom for ty-two had been born at Bethelsdorp during that period.

The progress of civilization has been considerable. The knittingschool is continued, and prospers beyond expectation. Several useful ar ticles are produced, which are very acceptable to the military officers in the neighborhood, and by the profits of which, about thirty of the children have derived their daily subsistence. Matts and baskets are also made in considerable quantities, and readily

sold at Fort Frederic and other parts of the country. The manufacture of salt has likewise met with much en. couragement, and the salt is fetched from Bethelsdorp by the farmers, or carried to different places around, where it is bartered for wheat and other necessaries. Soap boiling, sawing, and wood-cutting for waggons, are also carried on with diligence, and become a source of support; the people also obtain no small advantage by their journies to Cape Town with the farmers. The good effect of Chris. tian instruction, in thus rendering the most indolent and idle of mankind industrious and useful members of civil society, and raising them so much above the abject state in which the Missionaries found them, is peculiarly pleasing, and affords much encouragement to proceed with vigor in our attempts to evangelize even the most uncivilized of the human race.

The very favorable harvest of the year 1808, operated as a powerful stimulus to agricultural diligence, so that more than forty sacks of wheat were sown, besides barley, rice, beans, peas, Indian corn, and pumpkins. Some fountains have also been discovered in the neighborhood, amply sufficient for domestic purposes. All which agreeable circumstances have tended to render Bethelsdorp more satisfactory as a stated settlement, and to make our brethren indifferent to that removal which once seemed to them so very desirable, but to which unexpected difficulties had arisen.

The Society will recollect how much the heart of our zealous and venerable friend, Dr. Vanderkemp, was set upon attempting a Mission to the numerousținhabitants of the island of Madagascar. To facilitate this important measure, application was made to his Excellency Lord Cale don, through the medium of the Colonial Secretary, requesting that, if possible, some vessel in his majesty's service, might touch at Algoa Bay, and by taking the doctor and his companions on board there, prevent the great expense of the removal of four families and their effects to the Cape. His Excellency was pleased to assure Dr. Vanderkemp of his readiness to