her when I found that in estimating her character I had formed my estimate much too low. Mrs Smith had nothing like common place in her mind, or in her conversation. She had an expressive countenance, and a dignity in her manner which instantly inspired awe and respect.'

Toward the close of 1821, this venerable saint might unite with the apostle and say, "The time of my departure is at hand."

At the advanced age of seventy-two, it pleased her gracious Master to call her home by a gentle death.

During her closing illness, she entered but little into conversa tion, yet at intervals declared her assurance of hope, her prospect of glory, and "spoke of Jesus as the all-sufficient refuge of her soul." She resigned her spirit into the hands of her Father and her God, on the sixteenth of November, 1821, leaving her benevolent schools and the numerous objects of her charities, but above all, missions and missionaries, to mourn her loss.

With regard to her frequent engagements in conducting the worship of others, and her impressive public expositions of scriptural truth, her biographer remarks, "The situation of this venerable saint on the almost heathen shore of southern Africa, was far different from that of pious females in christian Britain where the multitude of able ministers, and zealous active laymen, might render similar exertions by the weaker sex superfluous, perhaps presuming." He adds,

'The flame was unkindled in South Africa when Mrs Smith, like Deborah, arose to be a light in darkness, to break the iron chains of spiritual bondage, and to direct the enslaved to the glorious liberty of the children of God,-to be like her a mother in Israel. For forty years have elapsed, during the greater part of which, as the prophetess of old, she may be said to have judged Israel. But in reading of the triumphs of the Captains of the Lord, or in witnessing the present edification and increase of the African church, let us not, in either instance, forget those times of darkness when the spark of divine grace was fanned by the unusual efforts of public piety, and those days of bondage when public deliverance was vouchsafed at the hands of a woman.'

We deem it to be almost impossible that a Christian should read this delightful volume without profit. He would be constrained to glorify the grace of God in raising up such a bright and shining light; and, while admiring her luminous character, he would feel disposed to lament his own deficiencies in her graces, and want of ardor in that cause with which her life appears to have been identified.

We have been peculiarly struck with the adaptation of her character, talents, and endowments to the sphere of her labors. There is nothing in her writings to excite uncommon admiration, if we except their unfeigned piety: it is her actions which call forth our wonder. She was adapted for a sphere where personal effort was required; and there she brought to bear all the force of her character and influence, with untiring and persistive energy. AUGUST, 1826.

37

It ought to be known, for encouragement and imitation, that this eminent saint accomplished her mighty works of mercy-not by the expenditure of a large fortune; for this divine providence saw fit to deny her. Her income was only four hundred Rix dollars; but she exerted her influence, and made that subservient to the glory of God.

Of Mrs Smith we think it may indeed be said, that she walked with God, was distinguished by humility, love to God and to man, great decision of character, much cheerfulness and ardent zeal for the divine glory. Whilst perusing this Memoir, we were frequently reminded of Mrs Graham. She would have found in Mrs Smith a sister spirit. They both passed through the waters of affliction; both drank deeply of that heavenly spirit which formed the prominent feature in the character of their Lord and Master— compassion for the miseries and sufferings of the human race. is matter for pious gratitude, that while America had Isabella Graham, Africa had Matilda Smith; and this fact is an illustration of the beautiful remark of Samuel Pearce : "Were all the planets of our system embodied and placed in close association, the light would be greater and the object grander; but their usefulness and systematic beauty consist in their dispersion."

The volume is adorned with an engraving of Mrs Smith.

It

Dr Phillip has furnished an interesting book, and we admire the plain good sense which characterizes his remarks.

It may not be improper to add, that this gentleman was pastor of a large church and society in Aberdeen, and had been settled for many years; but at the call of the London Missionary Society, he relinquished the pleasures of home, and sacrificed ease and honors to become the superintendent of the missionary stations in Southern Africa.

May his valuable life be spared, and his abundant labors meet with the divine blessing,

An Inaugural Address, delivered in the City of Washington, March 11, 1829. By STEPHEN CHAPIN, D. D. President of the Columbian College.

The spirit and style of this address are well adapted to make a deep and lasting impression. The subject is The Business of Human Life. And the sentiments are worthy of the President of a College in the midst of a Christian land. They are such as must commend themselves to the approbation of considerate parents, and strengthen the confidence of the friends of this Institution, that it will yet be an extensive blessing. The pecuniary embarrassments, with which it has been struggling, are well known; and they have put to a severe test the faith and patience, and, in every respect, the Christian spirit of the Baptist Denomination. But when we look back from the ground which the College now occupies to the point of depression at which it stood a year ago, we shall see that

much has already been done towards its resuscitation. We have abundant reason to acknowledge the hand of God in what has been accomplished. 'Can these dry bones live?' many a sincere friend has despondingly said. But already they have sinews, flesh, and breath; and we hope that it will in truth soon be added, 'They stand upon their feet.'

The Denomination that founded it may justly congratulate themselves on seeing what they can effect, when but partially moved to sustain one of their great interests. Besides the debt of thirty thousand dollars which was given up by Congress, a little over one hundred thousand dollars stood against the College a year ago. By compromising with creditors, selling Bank stock, and appropriating what has been collected of the fifty thousand dollars subscription, this debt has been brought down to thirty-two thousand dollars. Unhappily a large amount of the fifty thousand dollars subscribed, has failed of being realized. It is difficult to make an estimate on which absolute reliance can be placed, of the amount which can be collected, of what is due on this subscription. The current interest of the debts which remain unpaid, and the expense necessarily connected with the settlement and management of its pecuniary concerns, must be provided for. It is therefore believed that from twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars, besides what is now collected of the fifty thousand, is requisite for the entire liquidation of the debts.

In contemplating the history of the College, we should not overlook what has been done in the great work for which it was founded. We should not dwell exclusively on the fearful picture of its financial calamities, but give some weight to the redeeming fact that under the obvious disadvantages of infancy, a very limited number of instructers, and a feverish existence,' of only five years, before its suspension, much has actually been accomplished in the work of education.

In the regular college classes and the preparatory department, more than two hundred and thirty students have enjoyed the advantages of the Institution. Of these a large number, without finishing a full course, but after acquiring what preliminary education they deemed necessary, have entered on the study of a profession. About thirty took their degrees in regular course; and many, after its suspension, entered other colleges, and have since completed their course. More than thirty have either entered the ministry, or are now finishing their theological studies.

While it is thus consoling to know that money and labor have not been spent in vain; still we should do great injustice to the Institution, should we estimate its importance by what it accomplished in the trying circumstances of its early existence. Had it not been oppressed and borne down by embarrassments that ought to have been prevented, it would long since have demonstrated to its friends and to the country, that its establishment was the result of enlightened policy.

It should not be forgotten, but be recorded with gratitude, that the great Head of the church blessed the Institution with a revi

val of religion among its students. A considerable number of them just before its course was arrested, made a public profession of their faith in Christ; and most of these are expected to go into the world as ministers of his gospel.

At present, there are between thirty and forty students. A class of eight will take their first degree in December. Several instructers are arduously engaged; men who have the fairest claims to our confidence and encouragement. Standing in the nation's eye, as this college does, and capable of effecting so much in the cause of man; holding, too, such peculiar relations to the Denomination which gave it birth, it cannot be abandoned. But a question of almost equal importance with its existence is to be decided. Shall it remain afflicted and fallen; or shall it be efficiently sustained? Shall it be left so embarrassed and limited in its means, as to be incapable of accomplishing the objects for which it was founded? Shall it be made to advance in a career honorable to all concerned, or sink into obscurity, eclipsed by the superior light of the rival and the Roman Catholic Institutions which surround it? A speedy and right decision of this question must have an important bearing on the patronage which the public may extend to the college. Its friends who have sons to educate, in the middle and southern states, may, while gaining for them an accomplished education, contribute very essentially to its support.

It should not be overlooked that while the day of its emancipation is put off, there is danger, or almost certainty of stamping upon it a character of inefficiency, and of a doubtful existence. Its more immediate influence will undoubtedly extend to the south and the west. But no one who takes large views of the consequences which flow from the founding of such an institution, will fail of seeing that the great interests of Learning and Religion, throughout our country, will be advanced by it. Who that throws a glance over the vast regions south and west, does not see that the moral destinies of millions are to be affected by the rise or fall of this college, and their intellectual character also influenced for innumerable generations to come? And may we not hope that, under God, it will prove a key-stone to the arch that supports the union of our Denomination from north to south? All other Denominations in our country are founding and strengthening their public Institutions, upon our right hand and upon our left; and shall the only college which we hold beyond the limits of NewEngland, be contemplated with indifference? Their experienced eye is not deceived. They know the immense accession of moral power which they gain by every college they found and properly support. They know that it is not only an additional fountain of light, but a mighty engine in their hands to advance the cause they have espoused.

Our limits compel us to cut short our remarks. at some future period, to call the attention of our particularly to the momentous subject of President augural Address.

But we hope, readers more Chapin's In

MISSIONARY REGISTER.

FOR AUGUST, 1829.

SUBSCRIPTIONS and donations to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions, &c. should be transmitted to Heman Lincoln, Esq. Treasurer, Boston. Persons visiting the city, to whom it may be more convenient to call at a central place, can lodge their communications with E. Lincoln, No. 59 Washington-Street, who is authorized to receive moneys for the Treasurer.