Missionary Advocate

MISSIONARY ADVOCATE. HIS DOMINION SHALL BE FROM SEA EVEN TO SEA, AND FROM THE RIVER EVEN TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">VOLUME XL </li><li style="flex:1">NEW-YORK, JANUARY, 1856. </li><li style="flex:1">NUMBER 10. </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">THB </li><li style="flex:1">“</li><li style="flex:1">ROTAL PALACE ” AT OFIN . IN THE IJE B U COUNTRY. </li></ul>in distant lands, and direct their attention to the little gardens which here and there have been fenced in from the wilderness. But it will not do always to dwell on these, lest in what haB been done we forget all that remains to be done. W e must betimes look from these pleasant spots to the dreary wastes beyond, that, reminded of the misery of millions to whom as yet no missionaries have been sen’t, we may redouble our efforts, and haste to the help of those who are perishing for the lack of knowledge. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">JAPAN. </li><li style="flex:1">AFRICA. </li></ul>Ait a r r iv a l at San Francisco, of a gentleman who went out from that port to Japan on a trading expedition, affords the following information:— A bove is presented a sketch taken in the Ijebu country, an African district on the Bight of Benin, lying to the southwest of Egba, where the missionaries arc at work. In Egba they have several stations—a t Abbeokuta, and Ibadan, and Ijaye, &e.; but into Ijebu they are only beginning to find entrance. It is much to be desired that the Gospel of Christ should be introduced among the Ijebu people. They stand in great need of it. They have been foremost in slave-trading transactions, and when driven from the coast, and discountenanced at Abbeokuta, it is in Ijebu that the agents of that barbarous traffic have found a hiding-place, and await the time when, as they hope, a favourable opportunity may be presented for its revival. These African countries are all overrun with superstition; but in the Ijebu country it exercises an especial influence. It spreads abroad like die thick bush, covering the face of the lan d ; and in its gloomy depths many fearful crimes are perpetrated. Human sacrifices are prevalent: and, as the traveller passes along, the traces of these horrid rites may be seen in the skulls of victims nailed to the trunks of trees in the sacred groves. Sometimes the victims- are buried alive. Narrow holes are dug for the purpose, in which the sufferers are placed standing: the earth is then thrown in, the head just rising over the living grave in which the body is buried. It is one of those dark regions into which the missionaries need to enter; that they may cut down some of the thick branches, and make an opening for the bright rays of the,Sun of Righteousness to break in, that the things to be reproved may be “ made manifest by the light 5 for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.” A t present the darkness is so intenite that the people know not how to discriminate between good and evil. W e often tell our frisnds of the happy results of missionary work The religion of this country is as strange as the people themselves. Our short stay here has not afforded us much opportunity to become conversant with all their vocations and religious opinions. So far as I know of them I will write you. First, they havo no Sabbath or weeks, but divide the time by moons and half moons. Hence the first and middle of each month is observed as a day of rest or recreation. On those days no appearance of activity is to be seen. All the houses are closed, and the inmates spend their time in eating and licentious enjoyments, to such an extent, the Russians say, as to become perfectly abhorrent to an enlightened mind. W hat takes place in their houses on those days I am unable to say from observation, but I have noticed their excluding themselves from the streets on those days. Temples are built all over the country, where there is a spot sufficiently picturesque to meet their idea of a temple site. In the temple a priest lives, R e v . F. B u <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">r</li><li style="flex:1">n</li><li style="flex:1">s</li></ul>writes under date of September 14th:— <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">have the pleasure of saying that this leaves the </li></ul>missionaries in their usual health, so far as I have had the opportunity of being particularly informed. From sister Staunton we have heard nothing since she left in the Estelle for Cape Palmas, five weeks ago. Miss Kil- patrick continues to suffor from attacks of fever with greater or less severity. Miss Brown passes along as with as many wives as he wishes, and to all appearances leads a life of licentious debauchery. In front of each temple is a large bell, which is sounded at certain hours of the day, or, according to my observation, at any hour it may suit the pleasure of the buns or priests, and that is a signal that he goes to prayer. None come at the sound of the bell, nor does it appear that the object is to call the people in. The priest sits down in front of an altar with a small taper burning, and, with a small mallet in one hand and a. string of beads in the other, he begins to hum or half sing a certain number of words—“Am Jam Am,”—at the same time rapidly -well i f not better than ordinarily falls to the lot of missionaries to this country. Mrs. Wilkins has been somewhat unwell, brought on undoubtedly through excessive fatigue. Cape Mount,—A letter from Cape Mount at this mo- <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">ment informs me that </li><li style="flex:1">a</li><li style="flex:1">grand council.of the chiefs, </li></ul>assembled to talk over the difficulties and effect a settlement On some terms of general peace, have succeeded in bringing their misunderstandings to an accommodation; so that now, as brother Williams states it, there is a very cheering prospect of a general adjustment of their difficulties, and a rest-from war. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">striking a wooden bell or tub, and then </li><li style="flex:1">a</li><li style="flex:1">copper one, </li></ul>and so on alternately for an hour or so, except sometimes he ceases to strike with the mallet, and rubs the beads together with both hands, and renders his voice finer, or more slow and plaintive. This appears to be all the worship they have, and their belief is that the priest can and must do all the praying. There appears to be no solemnity attached to this service by the people Miss Brown w rite s T h ro u g h the kindness of our heavenly Father our lives are still spared. My own health is tolerably good’ though for some weeks past I have had occasional chills, accompanied with nervous or the priest; for go into a temple during prayer, and the priest gets up and begins to laugh and ask questions, See., the same as though we entered a shop. In short, I am informed that the people in general halve no respect for their priests, but treat them as we would some outcast from society. ?£he field for missionary headache. Hoping th a t God in his good providence may yet spare our lives and permit us to be useful, I-; remain affectionately desirous of the continued prayers of all oar friends. N o. 130. 74 M I S S I O N A R Y A D V O C A T E . house to honse, and also holding meetings with a great number of school children <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">labour must be unlimited here. </li><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">trust ere long that </li><li style="flex:1">eral press, and is cherished by millions o f the people. </li></ul>Spanish Protestants—the living fruit, some of them, of our own mission—are associated in prayer and in labour too. Every L ord’s day, although no spire marks the spot, nor any bell summons to the assembly, spiritual worshippers meet together ; and we believe that, according to promise, our Master is in the midst of them. Voices that were first trained to the language of praise in Wesleyan congregations mingle in the praises that arc offered in the capital of Spain. Nay, there is more than one congregation; there are more than two or three. Many such companies assemble, and that not on the Lord’s day only. From the central metropolis of Spain to the chief capitals in the circuit of the kingdom, earnest men are engaged in circulating the word of God, in advocating the principles of Protestant Christianity, in justifying the Reformation of the sixteenth century, and in advising separation from the Church of Rome. Christian publications are actually passing through i: The P r e s s of the Religious Reform in Spain,” of which the imprints are before us as we write. Various agencies have contributed, no doubt, to results which already assume an importance beyond all calculation ; but wo hesitate not to say that our mission, the only one that ever provided stated ministrations of the Gospel to Spanish congregations, has been the chief of them.” we shall see American enterprise exhibiting itself in Japan. Not long since some of the leading officers of thin government came to visit me on business, and their attention was attracted to a sacred picture or painting hanging on the wall. They asked me what it was intended “ The young hearts of the children were much affected while listening to the story of the love of Jesus, and I could not but wish for the privilege of planting these in the house of the Lord, that they m ight grow up as plants of righteousness ” <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">to represent? </li><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">replied, Our Saviour in his mother’s </li></ul>arms. They asked if people in our country had wings ? I said no—they represented angels. “ A h a!” said they, “ angels! we have none in Ja p an ;” manifesting the most perfect surprise and ignorance of beings like us Preaching on a steamer.—On the 9th of August I took steamer for the city of Calmar, and the privilege of speaking the word of God was given me. Arriving at Calmar, I held a meeting and visited several families. On the 11th of August I was called to visit a dying young man who much longed after the word of God. He listened with joy. and soon after took his departure for the heavenly land. On the 12th I had a large meeting, and the grace of God was with me. After meeting, a young married man sought to have some private conversation with me, being under deep conviction on account of his lost <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">having wings. </li><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">asked them if they would not like </li></ul>some here. They said, “ N o ; we like not angels.” Yesterday, while these same officers were here discussing some question about my right to stay here, &c., the interpreter accidentally picked up the Bible lying on the table, and began to read aloud to me from the first chapter of Genesis ; and he read four verses quite plain, and stopped, looked to me and said, “ W hat book is this 7” I told him it was the Bible, the American book of religion; that all families had one, and it was the only book in the world that told how the world and he <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">state by nature. </li><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">showed unto him the way of salva- </li></ul>tion and prayed with him. He fully resolved upon seeking and finding eternal life at whatever cost. He accompanied me to the evening meeting, and there, with several of our friends, we again united in prayer for him, and he experienced sensible comfort and assurance from the Lord, through Jesus Christ, that his sins were blotted out. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">and I originated. </li><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">asked him to take it and keep i t ; </li></ul>but he declined, saying, “ I cannot, although I would be glad to do so;” and at this time he got such a. look from the other officers as obliged him to close it at once, and put it away. From what I have seen and what I can learn, I am convinced that the Bible and its teaching would produce most wonderful and most speedy change h ere; but whether or not the emperor would allow of its promulgation here is more than I can say. I am under the impression that he would resist it most firmly. I do hope that before this year ends some will attem pt to teach its principles here. DC?" In a single town in Spain there are nearly four thousand persons who have abandoned papal worship, and who assiduously study the Holy Scriptures as their only rule and standard. In other towns there arc On the 14th I held a meeting with some very aged persons, one of whom came to me the next day to inquire the way of life. She said her sins were a weariness to her, and sin itself was abominable in her eves. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">assured her that the Lord had commenced </li><li style="flex:1">a</li><li style="flex:1">good </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">many persons, including not </li><li style="flex:1">a</li><li style="flex:1">few of the clergy, who </li></ul>work in her, and was more willing to fulfil the good pleasure of his will in saving her than she was to be saved. I then went on to repeat the gracious promises made to penitent seekers. H er eyes poured out tears in great measure, and she cried out suddenly, “ I beprotest against the tyranny and superstitions of the Church of Rome, and declare themselves desirous of further light. INDIA. f .—A farewell meeting was held in E d- R e t. D r . D <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">o</li><li style="flex:1">f</li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">lieve </li><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">am saved by grace for Christ’s sake!” Her </li></ul>inburgh, Scotland, to congratulate the renowned mis-' burden was removed, and she was at liberty to praise SANDWICH ISLANDS. God. sionary, Dr. Duff, on his restored health, and his speedy R e v . W . S. T u r n e r , the pastor of the little flock lately gathered in Honolulu, writing some time since, says :—“ Our new church is to be ready to be dedicated by the first of November at furthest. This will give us an opportunity to accommodate many.of the seamen, who are generally numerous at that season of the year. Four thousand dollars is the sum at which the contract has been taken ; three thousand three hundred dollars of the amount has been secured. There is a large field here for a Methodist minister. There are probably from twelve to fifteen hundred white residents in this city. W e think we are safe in saying that six hundred of these scarcely ever attend any place of worship. These are principally mechanics and labouring men. For the encouragement of those interested, we would say some few have united as seekers of salvation. In our pastoral visits we find our quota of backsliders, who who oncc stood connected with our own and other <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">The next day </li><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">held a meeting in a gentleman’s </li></ul>departure for India. Two other missionaries of the Free Church, the Rev. Messrs. Braidwood and Mitchell, driven from India by the failure of their health, are also sufficiently recruited to return to their former sphere of labour. The Free Church of Scotland has done more for the evangelization of India than any other Church, having concentrated her whole strength on that part of the world. Dr. Duff was the pioneer in this enterprise in 1829; other noble men have been associated with h im ; and the most brilliant success has followed their labours in Calcntta, Bombay, and house. Many of the respectable people were present, and the grace of God was with me. On the 18th and 19th I held very large meetings, and, thanks be to God ! they were not in vain; for the second day after a young man came to me with tears of joy, and said that himself and another young man had by those services been brought to see Jesus Christ, as having by the grace of God tasted death for them, and they were also enabled to believe on him to the saving of their souls. On the 20th I travelled further up into the country, and visited from house to house, speaking the word of God and selling some books. In the evening I held a meeting in a school-house with some children, and afterward prayed with a sick youth. On the 21st I met with one who was in earnest to be serviceable in the cause of the Redeemer; but in consequence of being out of books I returned to Calmar, with a purpose to go back to Westervik. My return to Calmar was not without profit, for I fell in company with one who knew herself undone by sin, but who also knew there must be a remedy in C hrist; and while I Madras. Dr. Duff returned to Scotland two years ago, at the request of the parent missionary committee, to go through the length and breadth of Scotland to organize associations for the support of foreign missions; but in consequence of his heroic exertions in this work, and opened up the Scriptures, which set forth Chiist crucified, Christ risen again and interceding for us, she saw and embraced and confessed Christ as her Saviour and his subsequent visit to America, he has been for the Churches.” last seven months completely laid aside. Now, how- ever, his medical advisers pronounce him sufficiently restored to warrant his return to Calcutta, and in a few weeks Dr. Duff, with Messrs. Braidwood and Mitchell, will return to their former posts of usefulness, taking with them five young men just ordained to the work of the ministry, two of whom are to fill the places of the Rev. Messrs. Anderson and Nesbit, lately removed by death, and the other three to be a permanent addition to the number of the missionaries of the Free Church Redeemer. Brother Turner represents the morals of the foreign population to be such as demand the faithful and I stopped in Calmar a few days, and held meetings. On the 25th of August I left Calmar for Westervik, where I remained until the 18th of September; from thence I returned again to Calmar. D uring the time I earnest services of a minister of Jesus Christ. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">was in Westervik </li><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">held several m eetings: and may </li></ul>tell, to the praise of the grace of God, that two persons, who had been awakened before I left to make the visit to Calmar, of which I have given an account, were now happy in the knowledge of their sins forgiven. Many salutations to Dr. Durbin, and to all the brethren and friends at the Bethel ship ! CHINA. R e v . R . S. M a c a y writes us from Fuh-Chau, China, lJuly 20, 1855 Monday, June 18, it was our privilege to wclcome to our mission the Rev. E. Wentworth, D. D., with his wife and son. W e join them and the Church in devout thanksgiving to God for his great mercy in bringing them to the end of their voyage in health and peace; and most fervently do we pray that they may long and says, in a late number of the Wes- faithfully labour for the salvation of the perishing hosts in British India. S P A I N . Ce t l o k .— A governor in Ceylon, acting in the spirit <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">of the British constitution, impannelled </li><li style="flex:1">a</li><li style="flex:1">jury of in- </li></ul>R e v . W . H. R u l equest on a m an found drowned. It happened that all the members of the jury were Mohammedans, and they returned the solemn and significant verdict, “ His time was come.” of this city. leyan Methodist M agazine:— The two Mission Schools have gone forward as usual during the quarter. The chapel in the Chong-Seng W e have ourselves laboured in Spain. W e have now two missionaries in Gibraltar, of whom the senior is at present specially engaged in promoting the operations of the Bible Society. W hile Austria, a powerful military empire, crouches before the Roman court, seals, by a concordat, its abandonment of civil control over the priesthood, and places its neck prostrate under the foot of the pontiff; Spain, a weaker nation, long torn by civil war, and proverbially impoverished, dares to spurn the yoke of papal supremacy, confiscates, for the second time within our own memory, the property of the Church, dismisses the nuncio, and coerces the

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